Ossian Collection > Poems of Ossian > Volume 3

ON THE POEMS OF OSSIAN. 1 49
Tvhen we confider, that amon^ their limit-,
ed objeds of ambition, among the few ad-
vantages which, in a favage Hate, man cOuld
obtain over man, the chief was Fame, and
that immortality which they expedled to
receive fiom their virtues and exploits, in
the fongs of bards *.
Having made thefe remarks on the Cel-
tic poetry and bards in general, I ftiali next
confider the particular advantages which
Oflian poffeJTed. He appears clearly to have
lived in a period v»-bich enjoyed all the be-
nefit I jufi: now mentioned of traditionary-
poetry. The exploits of Trathal, Tren-
mor, and the other anceftors of Fingal,
are fpoken of as familiarly known. An-
cient bards are frequently alluded to. la
one remarkable paiTage, Oflian defcribes
himfelf as living in a fort of claflical age,
enlightened by the memorials of former
times, which were conveyed in th& fongs-
of bards ; and points at a period of dark-
nefs and ignorance which lay beyond the
reach of tradition. " His words," fays he,
" came only by halves to our ears j they
* When Edward I. conquered Waks, he put to
neatli all the Welfh bards. This cruel policy plainly
fhows, hov/ great an influence he inxagnned the fongs
of thefe bards to have over the mind3 of the people s
and of what nature he judged that influence to be,
The Welfh bards were of the fame Celtic race with
^he S^ottiih and Iriih.
N3