Ossian Collection > Morison's edition of the Poems of Ossian, the son of Fingal

X48 KOTE3 ON TEMORA.
•which, by the bye, is doubtful, it ferves to fhew, that the
teligion of the Fir-bolg differed from that of the Caledonians,
as we never find the latter inquiring of the fpirits of thei:
deceafed anceftors.
™ The charafiers of Foldath and Malthos arc well fuf-
tained. They were both dark and furly, but each in a dif-
ferent way. Foldath was impetuous and cruel. Malthos
ftubborn and incredulous. Their attachment to the family
of Atha was equal ; their bravery in battle the fame. Fol-
dath was vain and oftentatious : Malthos unindulgent but
generous. His behaviour here towards his enemy Foldath,
fhews, that a good heart often lies concealed under a gloo-
my and fullen chara(Ser.
° Moma was the name of a country in the fouth of Con-
Daught, once famous for being the refidence of an Arch-
druid. 1 he cave of Moma was thought to be inhabited by
the fpirits of the chiefs of the Fir-bolg, and their pofterity
fent to inquire there, as to an oracle, concerning the iffue
of their wars.
° Dal-vuath, parched or Jandy feld. The etymology of
Dardulena is uncertain. The daughter of Foldath was,
probably, fo called, from a place in Ulfter, where her father
had defeated part of the adherents of Artho, king^of Ire-
land. Dordu-\ct\a; the dark wood of Moi-kna. As Foldath
was proud and oftentatious, it would appear, that he trans-
ferred the name of a place, where he himfelf had been vic-
torious, to his daughter.
P Thefe fudden tranfitions from the fubjeft are not un-
common in the compofitions of Ofiian. That in this place
has a peculiar beauty and propriety. The fufpcnce, in
which the mind of the reader is left, conveys the icea of
lillan's danger more forcibly home, than any defcription
that