Ossian Collection > Fingal of Ossian

PREFACE. .33
that they are fcarcely more Co than the Poems of other Nations,
at that Period. On other Subjefts, the Bards of Ire/and have
difplayed a Genius for Poetry. It was, alone, in Matters of
Antiquity, that they were monftrous in their Fables. Their
Love-Sonnets, and their Elegies on the Death of Perfons worthy
or renowned, abound with Simplicity, and a wild Harmony of
Numbers. They become more than an Atonement for their
Errors, in every other Species of Poetry. But the Beauty of
thefe Pieces depends fo much on a certain ciiriofa felicitas of
Expreffion in the Original, that they muft appear much to Dif-
advantage in another Language."
Having thus eflablillied the Authenticity of OJJidn, and fufH-
clently proved him to be no Native oi Ireland, it is high Time
to put an End to this Preface, which, by the tedious Difcuffion
of the above, has been fpun to a greater Length than was at lirfl
intended. I fhall only here juft forewarn the Reader, now en-
tering upon the Poem, not to be difgufted with the wild and
undifciplined Method oi oxi^x Highland ^zxdi. For, as the judi-
cious Dr. Elair obferves, " the Queftion is not, whether a few
Improprieties may be pointed out in his Works ; whether this
or that PafTage might not have been worked up with more Art
and Skill, by fome Writer of happier Times ? A thoufand fuch
•cold arid frivolous Criticifms, are altogether undecifive as to his
genuine Merit. But, has he the Spirit, the Fire, the Infpira-
tion of a Poet ? Does he utter the Voice of Nature ? Does he
elevate by his Sentiments ? Does he intereft by his Defcrip-
tions ? Does he paint to the Heart as well as to the Fancy ?
Does he make his Readers glow, and tremble, and weep ?
1 Thefe