Ossian Collection > Poems of Ossian > Volume 1

THE POEMS OF OSSIAN. 117
of Homer, they are all, however, of the kind
fittest for poetry : the bravery and generosity
of heroes, the tenderness of lovers, the attach-
ments of friends, parents, and children. In a
rude age and country, though the events that
happen be few, the undissipated mind broods
over them more; they strike the imagination,
and fire the passions in a higher degree; and
of consequence become happier materials to a
poetical genius, than the same events when
scattered through the wide circle of more varied
action, and cultivated life.
Homer is a more cheerful and sprightly
poet than Ossian. You discern in him all the
Greek vivacity ; whereas Ossian uniformly main-
tains the gravity and solemnity of a Celtic
hero. This too is in a great measure to be ac-
counted for from the different situations in
which they lived, partly personal, and partly
national. Ossian had survived all his friends,
and was disposed to melancholy by the inci-
dents of his life. But besides this, cheerfulness
is one of the many blessings which we owe to
formed society. The solitary wild state is
always a serious one. Bating the sudden and
violent bursts of mirth, which sometimes break
forth at their dances and feasts, the savage
American tribes have been noted by all travellers
for their gravity and taciturnity. Somewhat of