Ossian Collection > Fingal of Ossian

ii6 F I N G A L, Book II.
With ftreaming Blood is ftain'd his Bofom fair.
And, trampled in the Duft, his yellow Hair
Beftrews the very Place, where in the Vale
315 He formerly had often fpread his Meal :
There has he heard the Harp's melodious I>ay,
While joyful round his Dogs have leapt in Play>
And his Companions, eager of the Chace,
Prepar'd their Bows to wound the favage Race.
320 As when a Torrent, fwoln by heavy Show'rs,
Defcends impetuous from the higher Moors ;
The
Courfe. Homer's Genius was raore comprehenfive than OJJianh. It in-
cluded a wider Circle of Objefts ; and could work up any Incident into a
Delcription. OJJlan\ was more limited j but the Region within which it
chiefly exerted itfelf was the higheft of all, the Region of the Pathetic and
Sublime. However, we fee that his Battles do not always confift of ge-
neral indiftindl Defcription ; for fuch beautiful Incidents are fometimes in-
troduced, and the Circumftances of the Perfons flain fo much diverfified,
as in the Death of Caolt here, and in feveral other Places ; which Ihow
that he could have embellifhed his Military Scenes with an abundant Va-
riety of Particulars, if his Genius had led him to dwell upon them.
V. 320,