Ossian Collection > Fingal of Ossian

Book II. F I N G A L. 115
This, down the fable War of Lochlin mows,
And that, the Sons of Erin overthrows :
Unhappy Curach would his Fury ftand,
305 And fell an inftant Vidiin to his Hand.
He left him there, and with a lingle Blow,
Laid Cairbar of the bofly Buckler low.
Again his brandidi'd Faulchion dealt a Wound,
And Morglan breathlefs prefs'd the fanguine Ground.
310 Caolt fucceeded him ^ upon the Plain
He quiv'ring lies in Agonies of Pain 5
With
V. 310. C&o\i fucceeded him; upon the Plain, ^c] It has been objefted
to Offian, that his Defcriptions of Military Aftio-ns are imperfeft, and
much lefs diverfified by Circumftances than thofe of Homer. This is in
feme Meafure true. The amazing Fertility of Hofner's Invention b no
where fo much difplayed, as in the Incidents of his Battles, and in the
little Hiftory Pieces he gives of the Perfons flain. Nor indeed with regard
to the Talent of Defcription, can too much be faid in Praife of Homer.
Every Thing is alive in his Writings. The Colours with which he paints
are thofe of Nature. But OJftan's Genius was of a different Kind from
Homer's. It led him to hurry towards grand Objefts, rather than to amufe
himfelf with Particulars of lefs Importance. He could dwell on the Death
of a favourite Hero : but that of a private Man feldom flopped his rapid
0^2 Courfe.