Ossian Collection > Poems of Ossian > Volume 1

OS tilL POEMS OF OSSIAX. CXlU
Many of rhe same observations, especially with re-
gard to the great characteristics of heroic poetry,
apply to both. The high merit, however, of 'Fe-
mora requires that vv e sliould not pass it by with-
out some remarks.
The scene of Temora, as of Fingal, is laid in
Ireland; and the action is of a posterior date.
The subject is, an expedition of the hero to dc-
IhroTie and punish a bloody usurper, and to re-
•store the possession of the kingdom to the poste-
rity of the lawful prince: an undertaking worthy
of the justice a«d heroism of the great Fingal,
The action is one and complete. The poem optnis
with the descent of Fingal on the coast, und the
T.onsultation held among the chiefs of the enemy.
The murder of the young prince Coi-niao, which
was the cause of the war, being antecedent to the
€pic action, is introduced with great propriety as
an episode in Vhe first book. In the progress of
the poem, three battles are described, which rise
in their importance above one another; the suc-
cess is various, and the issne for some time doubt-
ful ; till at last, Fingal brought into distress, by
the wounil of his great general Gaul, and the death
of his son Fillan, assumes the command himself,
and having ^lain the Irish king in single combat,
restores the rightful heir to his throne.
Temora has perhaps less fire than the other epic
poem; but in return it has more variety, more
tenderness, and more magnificence. The reigning
idea, so often presented to us, of '^ Finga] in the
" last of his fields," is venerable and affecting ; nor
could any more noble conclusion be thought of,
than the aged hero, after so many successful
achievements, taking his leave of battles, and, with
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