Ossian Collection > Fingal of Ossian

^2i PREFACE.
the Bard himifelf, in the Poem, from which the above Quotati-
on is taken, cedes him to Scotland.
FioN o Albin, Siol nan Lavich!
F ion from Albion, Race of Heroes !
Were it allowable to contradidt the Authority of a Bard, at this
Diftance of Time, I fliould have given as my Opinion, that this
enormous Fion was the Race of the Hibernian Giants, of Rua-
nus, or fome other celebrated Name, rather than a Native of
Caledonia, whofe Inhabitants, now at leaft, are not remarkable
for their Stature. As for the Poetry, I leave it to the Reader."
*' li Fion was fo remarkable for his Stature, his Heroes had
alfo other extraordinary Properties. In Weight all the Sons of
Strangers yielded to the celebrated I'on-iofal ; and for Hardnefs
of Skull, and, perhaps, for Thicknefs too, the valiant Ofcar
ftood unrivalled and alone. Ossian Himfelf had many fingular
and lefs delicate Qualifications, than playing on the Harp ; and
the brave Cuthullin was of fo diminutive a Size, as to be taken
for a Child of two Years of Age, by the gigantic Swaran. To
illuflrate this Subje(5t, I fhall hefe^ lay before the Reader the
Hiftory of fome of the Irifi Poems, concerning Fion Mac
CoMNAL. A Tranflation of thefe Pieces, if well executed,
might afford Satisfadlion, in an uncommon Way, to the Public.
But this ought to be the Work of a Native oi Ireland. To draw
forth, from Obfcurity, the Poems of my own Country, has
wafled all the Time I had allotted for the Mtfes ; befides, I am
too diffident of my own Abilities, to undertake fuch a Work.
A Gentleman in Dublin accufed me to the Public, of commit-
ting