Ossian Collection > Poems of Ossian

308 OSSIAN
from the strife of renown. Soon may I see thee,
warrior, from the skirts of the evening mist, when it is
rolled around me, on Lona of streams. While yet thou
art distant far, strike, Cathmor, strike the shield, that
joy may return to my darkened soul, as I lean on the
mossy rock. But if thou shouldest fall, I am in the
land of strangers ; O send thy voice, from thy cloud, to
the maid of Inis-huna ! "
"Young branch of green-headed Lumon, why dost
thou shake in the storm? Often has Cathmor returned,
from darkly-rolling wars. The darts of death are but
hail to me ; they have often rattled along my shield. I
have risen brightened from battle, like a meteor from
a stormy cloud. Return not, fair beam, from thy vale,
when the roar of battle grows. Then might the foe
escape, as from my fathers of old.
"They told to Son-mor,* of Clunar,t who was slain
by Cormac in fight. Three days darkened Son-mor,
over his brother's fall. His spouse beheld the silent
king, and foresaw his steps to war. She prepared the
bow, in secret, to attend her blue-shielded hero. To her
dwelt darkness at Atha, when he was not there. From
their hundred streams, by night, poured down the sons
of Alnecma. They had heard the shield of the king,
and their rage arose. In clanging arms, they moved
along, towards Ullin of the groves. Son-mor struck his
shield, at times, the leader of the war.
" Far behind followed Sul-allin,t over the streamy
hills. She was a light on the mountain, when they
crossed the vale below. Her steps were stately on the
* Son-mor, tall, handsome 7iian. He was the father of Borbar-
duthul, chief of Atha, and grandfather to Cathmor himself.
tCluan-er, man of the field. This chief was killed in battle
by Cormac Mac-Conar, king of Ireland, the father of Ros-crana,
the first wife of Fingal. The story is alluded to in some ancient
poems.
X Suil-alluin, beautifiil, the wife of Sun-mor,