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shore! Soon was the fire raised, and the flame blazed high. The fallen pride of Edur was laid on a mossy bed, and the circle of grief was formed two bards were there, Macalla of the gentle string, and Sianblath of the swelling note; their harps were brought; ten virgins joined in the dirge, and the mournful song arose.

"Ye are fallen, O ye opening blossoms of Erin! ye, that were the pride of thousands, are no more! Ye roses, lovely to the eye, and the land smiled around you. The chiefs of our country heard of your fame, and rejoiced, and. the bards often tuned their harps to your praises! But now the maidens will mourn; for ye were pleasant among them. Happy for those that bore you, they are now in the narrow house, and will not weep; but your fathers will bend their gray heads over your wounds, and bless their pale sons; for beautiful are the wounds of the breast, when the hills of our birth demand them.

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"What will the melting eye of the gentle Mela say, when she hears of thy fall, O Rosgglan! thou, who wert the brightness of her soul! she will close it for ever in night, and meet thy spirit on the clouds. And what will the golden voice of the soft-bosomed Moina say, when she hears that Coal, the beam of her heart, is fled? She will pour out her soul on the winds, and join

him in his airy hall. Oft will they meet their friends on the heath, when the evening closes her last gleam, and the wary hunter will be ravished with the sweet wildness of their notes."

And now the moon begins her gray journey, drest in starry fading folds: no linnet tunes his air-born note, nor gentle breeze on the reedy harp of Ulla's stream, sings the refreshing song; but the rude mountain gusts play a loud blast among the clouds, and send them scowling. through the broad fields of heaven.

The bodies of the slain had been taken away, when Drucoll resumed his arms, and trod again the shore. He beheld his Finn-men labouring hard with the contending waves: at length they gained the land; a hundred warriors, dressed in steel, beamed round their chief. They ascend the mountain with shouts, and, led by their prince, with steps of strength, they bend their way to Tara-Tara, boast of Erin, and fairest among ten thousand hills where Cormack the Powerful reigned; Cormack of the mighty host.

The champions of Tara arose, for tidings arrived of the strangers' approach. They assembled round their king, in the great hall of their fathers. Strength was in their well-formed limbs, their looks were bold, and firmness dwelt in their souls.

VOL. I.

The

The king was dressed in a flowing vestment of fine silk, richly ornamented, wrought with gold, and the crown of Erin glittered on his brow. "Sit down, my champions," said the heart of Cormack, "let your breasts be at peace; though the great man is approaching, and though we have heard of his fame, our country boasts the first of men, nor can fear enter our land; but lift not a spear against him, until we know why he comes."

Then the valiant went out to meet the son of victory, who approached, covered with beauty and firmness. They led him to the throne of their king, whom he saluted with a winning voice; and his train of heroes were ranged around. "What is the cause, O stranger, of thy coming here ?" said the king.

"I came to your isle, O Cormack, son of the sinewy arm," said Dearg," to receive tribute from the great and mighty thereof, or to try their strength in the field."

"Son of rashness," said the king, " you must fall, as many have done before; for no mortal shall receive tribute here."

"Then," said Drucoll," the sword must decide it. Let a thousand of your heroes stand forth, and we will combat with them all."

"No," replied the generous heart of Cor

mack,

mack,

our men are not less than thine, and they know the use of steel; arm for arm only shall oppose thee; and thy pride shall be laid low."

"But first," said the king, "let the feast be spread in my hall; let the shells go round, and the bards raise the song, that the strangers may share it with us, and have rest! But when the sun walks forth from the east in the morning, let the work of death begin!"

The lightning of steel, when the morning rose, flamed on the oaks of Tara, for the sun beamed with glory round. The summit of the hill was marked out for the heroes. Joy was in their hearts, and the contest began; and dreadful was the contest. The rising day saw them join in combat ; and the lowering night came on before it ended. The champions of Erin fell, and the East-men were spread on the ground, all but their chief. His sword sent fifty spirits to the clouds, and he stalked over the field in all the pride of war. Cormack saw his heroes fall, and a messenger, swifter than the wind, when it scowers the heath of Lona, was sent to Mac Comhul, of the great host. The morning brought him with three thousand champions, strangers to fear. Helmets of gold glittered on their heads, and they wore shields of brightness. As the deep

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deep throws the rising beams of the sun off its smooth surface, so did their arms give a double day.

The chariot of Fion now rested on its axle, and he spoke unto Gol, the first of mortal men: "O son of Moina," said he, "thou, whose arm did never yield, on thee our hopes depend: 't is thou, who must conquer this man of death: but, if thou fallest, it will be with glory, and thy name will never die."

"O Fion," replied the mightiest of Erin's sons, "thou art first in the division of spoil, but not foremost in danger."

"Three thousand ounces of gold, three times repeated, shall be thy great reward," said the prince of the Fions.

"I seek no reward," said the son of Moina, "but the fame of my land; thou hast often tried to lessen my fathers," continued he," but now you call upon their son, and he will go; for Erin I go to meet this boast of the East; and my soul rejoices that he came to our land."

"Mount my chariot," said the car-borne Fion, "and remain here until the signal for the combat is given, and I will lead on the host."

Then Mac Comhul of the multitude led on to where Dearg of the finished form moved with

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