windings of its vale. On either fide, on their hills, rife the tall forms of the kings; their people are poured around them, bending forward to their words; as if their fathers fpoke, defcending from their winds.-But the kings were like two rocks in the midft, each with its dark head of pines, when they are seen in the defart, above low-failing mist. High on their face are streams, which spread their foam on blasts.

Beneath the voice of Cathmor poured Erin, like the found of flame. Wide they came down to Lubar; before them is the ftride of Foldath. But Cathmor retired to

the hills of Mora and Lona: the first poffeffed by Fingal the fecond by the army of Cathmor. Through the intermediate plain ran the fmall ri ver Lubar, on the banks of which all the battles were fought, excepting that between Cairbar and Ofcar, related in the first book. This laft mentioned engagement happened to the north of the hill of Mora, of which Fingal took poffeffion, after the army of Cairbar fell back to that of Cathmor. At fome diftance, but within fight of Mora, towards the weft, Lubar iffued from the mountain of Crommal, and after a short course thro' the plain of Moi-lena discharged itself into the fea near the field of battle. Behind the mountain of Crommal ran the small stream of Levath, on the banks of which Ferad-artho, the son of Cairbre, the only perfon remaining of the race of Conar, lived concealed in a cave, during the ufurpation of Cairbar, the fon of Borbar-duthul.

his hill, beneath his bending oaks. The tumbling of a ftream is near the king he lifts, at times, his gleaming fpear. It was a flame to his people, in the midst of war. Near him stood the daughter of Con-mor, leaning on her rock. She did not rejoice over the ftrife her foul delighted not in blood. A valley (1) Spreads green behind the hill, with its three blue ftreams. The fun is there in filence; and the dun mountain-roes come down. On these are turned the eyes of Inis-huna's white-bofomed maid.

Fingal beheld, on high, the fon of Borbar-duthul: he faw the deep-rolling of Erin, on the darkened plain. He ftruck that warning bofs, which bids the people obey; when he fends his chiefs before them, to the field of renown. Wide rose their spears to the fun; their echoing shields reply around.Fear, like a vapor, did not wind among the host for he, the king, was near, the ftrength of ftreamy Morven. - Gladness brightened the hero, we heard his words of joy.

Like the coming forth of winds, is the

(1) It was to this valley Sul-malla retired, during the laft and decifive battle between Fingal and Cathmor. It is defcribed in the feventh book, where it is called the vale of Lona, and the refidence of a Druid.

found of Morven's fons! They are mountain waters, determined in their courfe. Hence is Fingal renowned, and his name in other lands. He was not a lonely beam in danger; for your steps were always near.-But never was Í a dreadful form, in your prefence, darkened into wrath. My voice was no thunder to your ears: mine eyes fent forth no death. When the haughty appeared, I beheld them not. They were forgot at my feafts: like mift they melted away.-A young beam is before you; few are his paths to war. They are few, but he is valiant: defend my darkhaired fon. Bring him back with joy: Hereafter he may ftand alone. His form is like his fathers his foul is a flame of their fire. -Son of car-borne Morni, move behind the fon of Clatho let thy voice reach his ear, from the skirts of war. Not unobferved rolls battle, before thee, breaker of the shields.

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The king ftrode, at once, away to Cor mul's (1) lofty rock. As, flow, I lifted my

(1) The rock of Cormul rofe on the hill of Mora, and commanded a prospect of the field of battle. The fpeech of Fingal, which immediately precedes this paffage, is worthy of being remarked as the language, not only, of a warlike but a good king. The confidence which his people repofed in him, was as much the refult of his clemency and military merit, as the confequence of that affec

fteps behind; came forward the strength of Gaul. His shield hung loofe on its thong; he fpoke, in hafte, to Offian. - Bind (1), fon of Fingal, this shield, bind it high to the fide of Gaul. The foe may behold it, and think I left the fpear. If I shall fall, let my tomb be hid in the field; for fall I must without my fame; mine arm cannot lift the fteel. Let not Evir-choma hear it, blush between her locks. Fillan, the mighty behold us; let us not forget the ftrife. Why should they come, from their bills, to aid our flying field.

to

He ftrode onward, with the found of his shield. My voice purfued him, as he went. Can the fon of Morny fall without his fame in Erin? But the deeds of the mighty forfake their fouls of fire. They rush carelefs over the fields of renown : their words are never heard. I rejoiced over the king, where he fat in his wandering locks, amidst the mountain-wind.

In two dark ridges bend the hofts, towards each other, at Lubar. Here Foldath rose a

tion which men, uncorrupted with the vices of advanced fociety, naturally have for the chief of their blood and hereditary prince.

(1) It is neceffary 'to remember, that Gaul was wounded; which occafions his requiring here the af fiftance of Offian to bind his shield on his fide.

pillar of darkness: there brightened the youth of Fillan. Each, with his fpear in the ftream fent forth the voice of war. Gaul ftruck the shield of Morven : at once they plunge in battle.-Steel poured its gleam on steel: like the fall offtreams shone the field, when they mix their foam together, from two dark-browed rocks.-Behold he comes the fon of fame he lays the people low! Deaths fit on blafts around him! Warriors ftrew thy paths, O Fillan!

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(1) Rothmar, the shield of warriors, flood between two chinky rocks. Two oaks, which winds had bent from high, fpread their branches on either fide. He rolls his darkening eyes on Fillan, and filent, shades his friends. Fingal faw the approaching fight; and all his foul arofe. But as the ftone of Loda (2) falls, shook, at once, from rock

(1) Roth-mar, the found of the fea before a florm. Druman-ard, high ridge. Culmin, foft-haired. Cullallin, beautiful locks. Strutha, ftreamy river.

is

(2) By the ftone of Loda, as I have remarked in my notes on fome other poems of Offian meant a place of worship among the Scandinavians. Offian, in his many expeditions to Orkney and Scandinavia, became acquainted with fome of the rites of the religion which prevailed in those countries, and frequently alludes to them in his poems. There are fome ruins, and circular pales of ftone,