Ossian Collection > Poems of Ossian

FINGAL 103
"Long shall she listen in vain. Cuthullin shall never
return ! How can I behold Bragela, to raise the sigh of
her breast ? Fingal, I was always victorious, in battles
of other spears!" "And hereafter thou shalt be
victorious," said Fingal, of generous shells. " The
fame of Cuthullin shall grow, like the branchy tree of
Cromla. Many battles await thee, O chief! Many shall
be the wounds of thy hand ! Bring hither, Oscar, the
deer ! Prepare the feast of shells. Let our souls
rejoice after danger, and our friends delight in our
presence ! "
We sat. We feasted. We sung. The soul of
Cuthullin rose. The strength of his arm returned.
Gladness brightened along his face. Ullin gave the
song ; Carril raised the voice. I joined the bards, and
sung of battles of the spear. Battles ! where I often
fought. Now I fight no more ! The fame of my
former deeds is ceased. I sit forlorn at the tombs of my
friends !
Thus the night passed away in song. We brought
back the morning with joy. Fingal arose on the heath,
and shook his glittering spear. He moved first towards
the plains of Lena.* We followed in all our arms.
" Spread the sail," said the king, " seize the winds
as they pour from Lena." t We rose on the wave
with songs. We rushed, with joy, through the foam of
the deep.
* I understand that Fingal was on the side of Mora, beyond
the Lubar, consequently, it was necessary to " move towards the
plain oiLena," over which he had to pass to embark.
t The winds which poured from Lena were the winds
necessary to waft Fingal to Morven. C.