The Highland monthly - National Library of Scotland

494 ^/^^ Highland Monthly.
And Ossian, warrior-bard, replied,
" Trust Duanach, sire, for Duanach knows.
Besides, on steep Knock Farril's side
Wild Garraidh takes repose ;
And distant on Ben Eudainn green
Is Diarmad following fallow deer.
His sun-bright blade is sure and keen.
Unfailing is his spear."
Spake Duanach, " Diarmad's is the quest."
" For Diarmad send," then Fion cried.
His thumb against hi? teeth he pressed,
The future he espied.
The fate of Diarmad did he see.
Him lying cold, and wan, and still,
O'ercome by basest treachery,
Upon the grassy hill.
For dark the heart of Fion grew
When the remembrance o'er him came
How Grainne fair, his wife untrue.
Dishonoured had his name.
By wicked wiles and spells she tried
Brave Diarmad to allure astray ;
From sea to sea they wandered wide
For one year and a day.
" For Diarmad send ;" and at the sound,
The best Caoilte hastened to obey,
Took Allt-nan-Caorach at a bound,
And southward sped his way.
And ere awoke the seventh morn
To touch the eastern hills with flame,
They heard, returned, the hero's horn,
And with him Diarmad came.
Then shouted all the Fians loud
Glad-hearted welcome. Fion's face
With joy grew bright, although the cloud
Still held in heart its place,
" The Boar, brave Diarmad, waits for thee;"
Said Fion, "thine the enterprise.
Go, slay the beast of witchery,
In Meall-an-Tuirc he lies."