Ossian Collection > Report of the Committee of the Highland Society of Scotland, appointed to inquire into the nature and authenticity of the poems of Ossian

GAELIC MANUSCRIPTS. 291
their relations, have been distinguished for taste and learn-
ing.
The Critical Exposition prefixed to the Tain, gives a
brief account of it in the technical terms of the Scots
literature of the remote age in which it was written.
*' Ceathardha connagur in each ealathuin is cuincda don
tsairsisi na Tana. Loc di cedumus lighe Fercusa mhic
Roich ait in rou hathnachd four mach Nai. Tempus
umorro Diarmuta mhic Ceruailt in rigno Ibeirnia. Pearsa
umorro Fergusa mhic Roich air is e rou tirchan do na
hecsib ar chenu. A tucaid scriuint dia ndeachai Seanchan
Toirpda cona .III. ri ecces ... da saighe Cuaire rig
Condacht."
That is — The four things which are requisite to be
known in every regular composition are to be noticed in this
woi'k of the Tain. The place of its origin is the stone of
Fergus son of Roich, where he was buried on the plain of
Nai. The time of it, besides, is that in which Diarmad
son of Cervail, reigned over Ireland. The author, too, is
Fergus son of Roich ; for he it was that prompted it forth-
with to the bards. The cause of writing it was a visit
which Shenachan Torbda with three chief bards made to
Guaire King of Connacht.
The subject and character of this Tain hho Cuailgne is
concisely and justly expressed by Roderic O Flaherty.
*' Fergusius Rogius solo pariter ac solio Ultoni?e exter-
minatus, in Connactiam adOllilum et Maudam ibidem reg-
nantes profugit ; quibns patrocinantibus, memorabile exar-
sit bellum septannale inter Connactjos et Ultonios multis
poeticis figmentis, ut ea ferebat setas, adornatum. Hujus
belli circitcr medium, octennio ante caput neraj Christianae,
Mauda regina Connactiae, Fergusio Rogio ductore, im-
mensam bourn praedam conspicuis agentium et insectantium
virtutibus memorabilcm, e Cualgnio in agro Louthiano re-
portavit *.'*
* Rod. O Flahert. Ogyg. p. 275,
U2