Ossian Collection > Poems of Ossian > Volume 1

THE JERA OF OSSIAN. 13
The exploits of Fiiigal against ^ Caracul
the son of the kit/g of the xcorUl, are among
the first brave actions of his youtli. A com-
plete poem, which relates to this subject, is
printed in this collection.
In the year 210 the emperor Severus, after
returning from his expedition against the Ca-
ledonians, at York fell into the tedious illness
of which he afterwards died. The Caledonians
and Maiatic, resuming courage from his indis-
position, took arms in order to recover the
possessions they had lost. The enraged em-
peror commanded his army to march into their
country, and to destroy it with fire and sword.
His orders were but ill executed, for his son,
Caracalla, M^as at the head of the army, and his
thoughts were entirely taken up with the hopes
of his father's death, and with schemes to sup-
plant his brother Geta. — He scarcely had en-
tered the enemy's country, when news was
brought him that Severus was dead. — A sud-
den peace is patched up with the Caledonians,
and, as it appears from Dion Cassius, the coun-
try they had lost to Seyerus was restored to
them.
The Caracul of Fingal is no other than Ca-
racalla, who, as the son of Severus, the empe-
^ Carac'huil, terrible eye. Carac-'healla, terrible look.
Carac-challamh, a sort of tipper garment.