IV. CONNAL, CRIMORA.
Crimora.
Who cometh from the hill
Who cometh from the hill, like a cloud tinged with the
beam of the west? Whose voice is that, loud as the wind, but
pleasant as the harp of Carryl? It is my love in the light of
steel; but sad is his darkened brow. Live the mighty race of
Fingal? or what disturbs my Connal?
Connal.
They live. I saw them return from the chace, like a stream
of light. The sun was on their shields: Like a ridge of fire
they descended the hill. Loud is the voice of the youth; the
war, my love, is near. To-morrow the enormous Dargo comes
to try the force of our race. The race of Fingal he defies; the
race of battle and wounds.
Crimora.
Connal, I saw his sails like grey mist on the sable wave.
They slowly came to land. Connal, many are the warriors of
Dargo!
Connal.
Bring me thy father's shield; the iron shield of Rinval; that
shield like the full moon when it is darkened in the sky.
Crimora.
That shield I bring, O Connal; but it did not defend my
father. By the spear of Gauror he fell. Thou mayst fall, O
Connal!
Connal.
Fall indeed I may: But raise my tomb, Crimora. Some
stones, a mound of earth, shall keep my memory. Bend thy
red eye over my tomb, and beat thy breast of sighs. Though
fair thou art, my love, as the light; more pleasant than the
gale of the hill; yet I will not stay. Raise my tomb, Crimora.
Crimora.
Then give me those arms of light; that sword, and that spear
of steel. I shall meet Dargo with thee, and aid my lovely Connal.
Farewell, ye rocks of Ardven! ye deer! and ye streams
of the hill! We shall return no more. Our tombs are distant
far.