English

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!

Hast thou left thy blue course in heaven, golden-haired son of the sky! The west has opened its gates, the bed of thy repose is there. The waves come to behold thy beauty. They lift their trembling heads. They see thee lovely in thy sleep; they shrink away with fear. Rest, in thy shady cave, O sun! let thy return be in joy.
But let a thousand lights arise to the sound of the harps of Selma: let the beam spread in the hall, the king of shells is returned! The strife of Carun is past, like sounds that are no more. Raise the song, O bards, the king is returned with his fame!

Night came down on the sea; Rotha's bay received the ship. A rock bends along the coast with all its echoing wood. On the top is the circle of Loda, the mossy stone of power! A narrow plain spreads beneath, covered with grass and aged trees, which the midnight winds, in their wrath, had torn from the shaggy rock. The blue course of a stream is there! the lonely blast of ocean pursues the thistle's beard! The flame of three oaks arose; the feast is spread around: but the soul of the king is sad, for Carric-Thura's chief distrest.

Fingal was sad for Carthon; he commanded his bards to mark the day, when shadowy autumn returned . . . Ossian often joined their voice; and added to their song. " My soul has been mournful for Carthon; he fell in the days of his youth: and thou, O Clessamor! where is thy dwelling in the wind? Has the youth forgot his wound? Flies he, on clouds, with thee? I feel the sun, O Malvina, leave me to my rest. Perhaps they may come to my dreams; I think I hear a feeble voice! The beam of heaven delights to shine on the grave of Carthon: I feel it warm around!

" Tell," said the mighty Fingal, " the tale of thy youthful days. Sorrow, like a cloud on the sun shades the soul of Clessammor. Mournful are thy thoughts, alone, on the banks of the roaring Lora. Let us hear the sorrow of thy youth, and the darkness of thy days!"

I.

" How FEW , " the M USE in plaintive accents cries,
And mingles with her words pathetic sighs. —
" How few, alas! in Nature's wide domains
The sacred charm of S YMPATHY restrains!
Uncheck'd desires from appetite commence,
And pure reflection yields to selfish sense!
— Blest is the Sage, who learn'd in Nature's laws
With nice distinction marks effect and cause;
Who views the insatiate Grave with eye sedate,
Nor fears thy voice, inexorable Fate!

I.

Now rose, adorn'd with Beauty's brightest hues,
The graceful Hierophant , and winged M USE ;
Onward they step around the stately piles,
O'er porcelain floors, through laqueated aisles,
Eye Nature's lofty and her lowly seats,
Her gorgeous palaces, and green retreats,
Pervade her labyrinths with unerring tread,
And leave for future guests a guiding thread.

First with fond gaze blue fields of air they sweep,

I.

" How short the span of Life ! some hours possess'd,
Warm but to cool, and active but to rest! —
The age-worn fibres goaded to contract,
By repetition palsied, cease to act;
When Time's cold hands the languid senses seize.
Chill the dull nerves, the lingering currents freeze;
Organic matter, unreclaim'd by Life,
Reverts to elements by chemic strife.
Thus Heat evolv'd from some fermenting mass
Expands the kindling atoms into gas;

I.

By firm immutable immortal laws
Impress'd on Nature by the Great F IRST C AUSE ,
Say, M USE ! how rose from elemental strife
Organic forms, and kindled into life;
How Love and Sympathy with potent charm
Warm the cold heart, the lifted hand disarm;
Allure with pleasures, and alarm with pains,
And bind Society in golden chains.

Four past eventful Ages then recite,
And give the fifth, new-born of Time, to light;

V .