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on the Poems of Ossian. 113
calm, placid joy. Yet Ossian has founded upon
this, one of the most beautiful comparisons that is
to be met with in any poet. " Wilt thou not listen,
son of the rock, to the song of Ossian ? My soul
is fuU of other times ; the joy of my youth returns.
Thus the sun appears in the west, after the steps
of his brightness have moved behind a storm.
The green hills lift their dewy heads. The blue
streams rejoice in the vale. The aged hero comes
forth on his staff; and his grey hair glitters in the
beam." Never was there a finer group of objects.
It raises a strong conception of the old man's joy
and elation of heart, by displaying a scene which
produces in every spectator a corresponding train
of pleasing emotions : the declining sun looking
forth in his brightness after a storm ; the cheerful
face of all nature; and the still life finely animated
by the circumstance of the aged hero, with his staff
and his grey locks; a circumstance both extremely
picturesque in itself, and peculiarly suited to the
main object of the comparison. Such analogies
and associations of ideas as these, are highly pleas-
ing to the fancy. They give opportunity for
introducing many a fine poetical picture. They
diversify the scene; thev aggrandize the subject;
they keep the imagination awake and sprightly.
For as the judgment is principally exercised in
distinguishing objects, and remarking the differ-
ences among those which seem alike ; so the
highest amusement of the imagination is to trace
likenesses and agreements among those which seem
different.
The principal rules which respect poetical com-
parisons are, that they be introduced on proper
occasions, when the mind is disposed to relish
them ; and not in the midst of some severe and
agitating passion, which cannot admit this play of
fancy ; that they be founded on a resemblance
neither too near and obvious, so as to give little