CAROS is probably the noted ufurper Caraufius, by birth a Menapian, who affumed the purple in the year 284: and, feizing on Britain, defeated the Emperor Maximian Herculius in feveral naval engagements, which gives propriety to his being called in this poem the king of fhips. He repaired Agricola's wall, in order to obftruct the incurfions of the Caledonians; and when he was employed in that work, it appears he was attacked by a party under the command of Ofcar the fon of Offian. This battle is the foundation of the prefent poem, which is addreffed to Malvina the daughter of Tofcar.

THE

WAR OF CAROS:

A

POEM.

BRING, daughter of Toscar! bring he harp! the light of the fong rifes in Offian's foul! It is like the field, when arkness covers the hills around, and he fhadow grows flowly on the plain f the fun. I behold my son, O Malna! near the molly rock of Crona (92). ut it is the mift of the desert, tinged ith the beam of the weft! Lovely is e mift, that affumes the form of Oscar! rn from it, ye winds, when ye roar the fide of Ardven!

with

Who comes towards my fon, the murmur of a fong? His ftaff is in his hand, his grey hair loose on the wind. Surly joy lightens his face. H often looks back to Caros. It is Ry (93) of fongs, he that went to vie the foe. "What does Caros king fhips?" faid the son of the now mour ful Offian, spreads he the wings ( of his pride, bard of the times of old." "He spreads them, Ofcar," replied bard, but it is behind his gathered heap (95). He looks over his ftones with fear. He beholds thee terrible, as the ghoft of night, that rolls the wave to his Chips!"

the

"Go, thou firft of my bards!" says Ofcar, "take the spear of Fingal. F a flame on its point. Shake it to winds of heaven. Bid him, in fong to advance, and leave the rolling his wave. Tell to Caros that I long battle; that my bow is weary of