Ossian Collection > Poems of Ossian > Volume 2

ON^ THE POEMS OF OSSIAN. 3^9
one cf the moft magnificent and fubllme that Is
to be met with In any poet, and which if it had
been found In Homer, would have been the
frequent fubje6\ of admiration to critics j " Fil-
" Ian is like a fpirit of heaven, that defcends
'• from the /klrt of his blaft. The troubled
** ocean feels his fteps, as he ft rides from wave
•' to wave. His path kindles behind him ;
*' illands Ibake their heads on the heaving
" feas."
But the poet's art is not yet exhaufted. The
fall of this noble young warrior, or in Offian's
ftile, the extinction of this beam of heaven,
'could not be rendered loo intercfling and af-
fct^ilng. Our attention is naturally drawn to-
wards Fingal. He beholds from his hill the
riling of Cathmor, and the danger of his fon.
But what ihall he do ? " Shall Fingal rife to his
♦* aid, and take the fwoi-d of Luno ? What
'• then lliould become of thy fame, fon of
•' white-bofomed Clatho ? Turn not thine eyes
" from Fingal, daughter of Iniftore ! I Ihall
'' not quench thy early beam. — No cloud of
*' mine Ihall rife, my fon, upon thy foul of
*• fire." Struggling between concern for the
fume, and fear for the fafety of his fon, he
withdraws from the fight of the engagement ;
'•' and difpatches Oflian In haftc to the field.
Vol, II. B b Nvith