The Poems of Ossian

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1847 edition. Excerpt: ... THE WAR OF CAROS, A. POEM. ARGUMENT. Garos is probably the noted usurper Carausius, by hirth a Menapian, who assumed the purple in the year 284; and, seizing on Britain, defeated the Emperor Maximinian Herculius in several naval engagements, which gives propriety to his being called in this poem 'the king of ships.' He repaired Agricola's wall, in order to obstruct the incursions of the Caledonians; and when he was employed in that work, it appears he was attacked by a party under the command of Oscar, the son of Ossian. This battle is the foundation of the present poem, which is addressed to Malvina, the daughter of Toscar. Bring, daughter of Toscar, bring the harp! the light of the song rises in Ossian's soul! It is like the field, when darkness covers the hills around, and the shadow grows slowly on the plain of the sun. I behold my son, O Malvina! near the mossy rock of Crona. But it is the mist of the desert, tinged with the beam of the west! Lovely is the mist that assumes the form of Oscar! turn from it, ye winds, when ye roar on the side of Ardven! Who comes towards my son, with the murmur of a song? His staff is in his hand, his grey hair loose on the wind. Surly joy lightens his face. He often looks back to Caros. It is Kyno of songs, he that went to view the foe. 'What does Caros, king of ships?" said the son of the now mournful Ossian; "spreads he the wings* of his pride, bard of the times of old?" -- "He spreads them, Oscar," replied the bard, "but it is behind his gathered heap.** He looks over his stones with fear. He beholds thee terrible, as the ghost of night, that rolls the wave to his ships!" "Go, thou first of my bards!" says Oscar, "take the spear * The Roman eagle. ** Agricola's wall, which Carausius repaired. of...