[ I02 ] 



31. OssiAN. I would compare Fin-ma-Cual to God him- 

 felf. 



33. Patrick. This it is that has occafioned thy ruin ; thy 

 not having believed in the God of the elements. For this, not 

 one of thy race has furvived except thyfelf, the noble Offian. 



34.. OssiAN. This was not the caufe of our misfortunes, but 

 the two voyages of Fin to Rome ; we were obliged, by our- 

 felves, to engage in the battle of Gabhra, and great was the 

 Daughter of the Fians. 



23. One day, as we were on the mountain Fuad, Caolt of the 

 fteel fword was there, and Ofgar, and the hofpitablc Fin. Loud 

 was the cry of the hounds in the plain, and furious were they in 

 the vallies. 



24. Fin-ma-Cual of great ftrength was king over us at that 

 time ; and, O clerk of the crooked ftafF, we would not fuffer 

 God to rule over us. 



4. Patrick. "■ How wicked is that, O Oflian, thou man of 

 blafphemous words ! God is for ever greater than all the heroes 

 of Ireland. 



5. OssiAN. I would prefer one great battle fought by Fin 

 and his heroes to the Lord of thy worfhip, and to thyfelf, 

 O clerk. 



35. Patrick. Liflen to the advice of the humble, and 

 feek Heaven for thyfelf to-night ; thou art now finking under 

 years, therefore at length lay afide thy folly, O grey haired 

 old man. 



* The Scottifli Sgeulaich has in this inftance tranfmuted Ireland into Scotlansly in 

 conformity to his corruptions in other paffiiges. See Mr. Hill's copv. 



