Page:Poems Baldwin.djvu/144

Say, trembling dweller of the rock! why thou
Didst hide it from me; and not tell me now
That thou didst see him pale in his young blood;
Thou who but now on Ardven's banks hast stood?'

Beside the maiden Melilcoma stands,
Her harp soft murm'ring in her trembling hands;
Her bright eye glances joyfully afar;
She sees, amid the vale, like a bright star,
The spear of Fingal! now her light form springs
With joy!—'What sound on Ardven rings?—
Who comes! bright as heaven, in the vale?
Who comes! strong as rivers that prevail,
When the moon shineth? thus they glitter in her light
Who comes! but Fingal! Fingal from the fight!'

'Oh, say not thou my noble hero lives;—
Tis the foe who in joy this triumph gives.'
Thus spake Comala; while she slowly drew
Her fallen bow: the host appear'd in view:
'Ghost of Fingal! from thy cloud direct my bow;
Oh, let it reach the heart of my proud foe!
Let him fall like the hart upon the plain;
May his blood, like thine, the field of Ardven stain!
It is Fingal. See his spirit passes bright;
He is come with the brave who fell to-night.
Hast come, my love? hast come to dry my tears?
Hast come to fill this fainting heart with fears?'