Ossian Collection > Critical dissertation on the poems of Ossian, the son of Fingal

ON THE POEMS OF OSSIAN. 15
they would contribute not a little to exalt the publick manners.
For fuch longs as thefe, f\\niiliar to the Celtic warriors from their
childhood, and throughout their whole life, both in war ai:id in
peace, their principal ciitertainment, muft have had a very confi-
derable influence in propagating among them real manners nearly
approaching to t^ic poetical ; and in forming even fuch a hero as
Fingal. Efpecially when we confider that among their limited
objedls of ambition, among the few advantages which in a favage
ftate, man could obtain over man, the chief was Fame, and that Im-
mortality which they expedted to receive from their virtues and ex-
ploits, in the fongs of bards -f-.
Having made thefe remarks on the Celtic poetry and Bards in ge-
neral, I (hall next confider the particular advantages which Offiaa
poflefled. He appears clearly to have lived in a period which en-
joyed all the benefit I juft now mentioned of traditionary poetry.
The exploits of Trathal, Trenmor, and the other anceftors of Fin-
gal, are fpokenof as familiarly known. Ancient bards are frequently
alluded to. In one remarkable paffage, Ofilan defcrlbes himfelf as
living in a fort of clafilcal age, enlightened by the memorials of for-
mer times, conveyed in the fongs of bards ; and points at a period
of darknefs and ignorance which lay beyond the reach of tradition.
" His wcrds," fays he, " came only by halves to our ears ; they
" were dark as the tales of other times, before the light of the fong
" arofe:}:." Offianj himfelf, appears to have been endowed by na-
ture with an exquifite fenfibility of heart ; prone to that tender me-
lancholy which is fo often an attendant on great genius ; and fuf-
ceptible equally of ftrong and of foft emotions. He was not only a
prorefir>.d bard, educated with care, as we may eafily believe, to all
the poetical art then known, and conneded, as he fliews us himfelf,
in intimate friendlliip with the other contemporary bards, but a war-
tior aifo ; and the fon of the moft renowned hero and prince of his
age. This formed a conjundlion of circumftances, uncommonly fa-
vourable towards exalting the imagination of a poet. He relates ex-
peditions in which he had been engaged ; he fings of battles in
f When Edward I. conquered Wales, the people ; and of what nature he jud::;ed
lie put to (kath aJl the tVelch bards, that influence to be. The Welch bards
This cruel policy plairvly fhews, how were of the fame Celtic race with the
great an influence 45C itnagisred the fongs Scottifh and Irifti.
of thefe bards to have, overthe minds of + P. loi.
which