Ossian Collection > Poems of Ossian

ARGUMENT.
This poem is valuable on accouut of the light ii
throws on the antiquity of Ossian's compositions
The Caracul mentioned here is the same witl
Caracalla, the son of Severus, who, in the yea
211, commanded an expedition against the Cale
donians. The variety of the uieasure shews tha
the poem was originally set to music, andperhap
presented before the chiefs upon solemn occa
sions. Tradition has handed down the story mor<
complete than it is in the poem. " Comala, th
daughter of Sarno, king of Inistore, or Orkne;
islands, fell in love with Fingal, the son of Cora
hal, at a feast, to which her father had invite<
him [Fingal, B. III.] upon his return from Loch
lin, after the death of Agandecca. Her passioi
■was so violent, that she followed him disguise
like a youth, who wanted to be employed in hi
wars. She was soon discovered by Ilidallan, th
son of Lamor, one of Fingal's heroes, whose lov
she had slighted some time before. Her romanti
passion and beauty recommended her so much t
the king, that he had resolved to make her hi
■wife ; when news was brought him of Caracul'
expedition. He marched to stop the progress c
the enemy, and Comala attended him. He lei
her on a hill, within sight of Caracul's armj
■when he himself went to battle, having prev
ously promised, if he survived, to return thf
night." The sequel of the story may be gathere
from the poem itself.
THE PERSONS.
FINGAL. MELILCOMA, > Daughters
HIDALLAN. DERSAGRENA, ^ of Morni.
COMAL.A. BARDS.