"the bill; the passing mariner lags on his winds. "The sound of Caithbat's* shield was heard. "The warriors saw Cuthullin† in Nathos. So "rolled his sparkling eyes! his steps were such on the heath! Battles are fought at Lego. The "sword of Nathos prevails. Soon shalt thou "behold him in thy halls, king of Temora of groves!" "Soon may I behold the chief!" replied the blue-eyed king," But my soul is sad for Cuthul"lin. His voice was pleasant in mine ear. Often "have we moved, on Dora, to the chase of the "dark-brown hinds. His bow was unerring on "the hills. He spoke of mighty men. He told "of the deeds of my fathers. I felt my rising 'joy. But sit thou at the feast, O Carril! I "have often heard thy voice. Sing in praise of "Cuthullin. Sing of Nathos of Etha!" Day rose on Temora, with all the beams of the east. Crathin came to the hall, the son of old Gelláma.§ "I behold," he said, "a cloud in "the desert, king of Erin! a cloud it seemed at "first, but now a crowd of men! One strides "before them in his strength. His red hair flies "in wind. His shield glitters to the beam of the * Caithbat was grandfather to Cuthullin, and his shield was made use of to alarm his posterity to the battles of the family. †That is, they saw a manifest likeness between the person of Na» thos and Cuthullin. Nathos the son of Usnoth. "east. His spear is in his hand." "Call him "to the feast of Temora," replied the brightning king. My hall is the house of strangers, son of 66 66 generous Gelláma! It is perhaps the chief of Etha, coming in all his renown. Hail, mighty* "stranger! art thou of the friends of Cormac ? "But, Carril, he is dark and unlovely. He "draws his sword. Is that the son of Usnoth, "bard of the times of old?" "It is not the son of Usnoth !" said Carril. "It is Cairbar, thy foe. Why comest thou in thy arms to Temora? chief of the gloomy brow. "Let not thy sword rise against Cormac! Whi"ther dost thou turn thy speed?" He passed on in darkness. He seized the hand of the king, Cormac foresaw his death: the rage of his eyes arose. "Retire, thou chief of Etha! Nathos 66 comes with war. Thou art bold in Cormac's "hall, for his arm is weak." The sword entered the side of the king. He fell in the halls of his fathers. His fair hair is in the dust. His blood is smoking round. "Art thou fallen in thy halls?"+ said Carril. "O son of noble Artho! The shield of Cuthullin 66 was not near. Nor the spear of thy father. "Mournful are the mountains of Erin, for the "chief of the people is low! Blest be thy soul, "O Cormac! Thou art darkened in thy youth." * From this expression, we understand, that Cairbar had entered the palace of Temora, in the midst of Cormac's speech. Althan speaks. His words came to the ears of Cairbar. He * closed us in the midst of darkness. He feared to stretch his sword to the bards,† though his soul was dark. Long we pined alone! At length the noble Cathmor came. He heard our voice from the cave. He turned the eye of his wrath on Cairbar. "Brother of Cathmor," he said, "how long “wilt thou pain my soul! Thy heart is a rock. "Thy thoughts are dark and bloody! But thou "art the brother of Cathmor; and Cathmor "shall shine in thy war. But my soul is not like "thine: thou feeble hand in fight! The light of Imy bosom is stained with thy deeds. Bards "will not sing of my renown: they may say, "Cathmor was brave, but he fought for gloomy "Cairbar.' They will pass over my tomb in "silence. My fame shall not be heard. Cair"bar! loose the bards. They are the sons of "future times. Their voice shall be heard in "other years; after the kings of Temora have "failed. We came forth at the words of the chief. We saw him in his strength. He was "like thy youth, O Fingal! when thou first didst * That is, himself and Carril, as it afterwards appears. The persons of the bards were so sacred, that even he, who had just murdered his sovereign, feared to kill them. Cathmor appears the same disinterested hero upon every occasion. His humanity and generosity were unparalleled: in short, he had no fault, but too much attachment to so bad a brother as Cairbar. His family connexion with Cairbar prevails, as he expresses it, over every other consideration, and makes him engage in a war, of which he does not approve. "lift the spear. His face was like the plain of "the sun, when it is bright. No darkness travel"led over his brow. But he came with his thou"sands to aid the red-haired Cairbar. Now he "comes to revenge his death, O king of woody "Morven!" "Let Cathmor come," replied the king, " I "love a foe so great. His soul is bright. His arm is strong. His battles are full of fame. "But the little soul is a vapour that hovers round It never rises on the green "the marshy lake. 'hill, lest the winds should meet it there. Its dwelling is in the cave, it sends forth the dart "of death! Our young heroes, O warriors! are "like the renown of our fathers. They fight "in youth. They fall. Their names are in song. Fingal is amid his darkening years. He must "not fall, as an aged oak, across a secret stream. "Near it are the steps of the hunter, as it lies be"neath the wind. How is that tree fallen?' he "says, and, whistling, strides along. song of joy, ye bards of Morven ! Raise the "souls forget the past. The red stars look on 66 us from clouds, and silently descend. Soon "shall the grey beam of the morning rise, and "shew us the foes of Cormac. Fillan! my son, "take thou the spear of the king. Go to Mo"ra's dark-brown side. Let thine eyes travel over the heath. Observe the foes of Fingal: "observe the course of generous Cathmor. I "hear a distant sound, like falling rocks in the "desert. But strike thou thy shield, at times, "that they may not come through night, and the "fame of Morven cease. I begin to be alone, my son. I dread the fall of my renown!" The voice of bards arose. The king leaned on the shield of Trenmor. Sleep descended on his eyes. His future battles arose in his dreams. The host are sleeping around. Dark-haired Fillan observes the foe. His steps are on a distant hill. We hear, at times, his clanging shield. |