Ossian Collection > Life and letters of James Macpherson

EARLY POETRY. 45
it will be observed that the imagery is in
thorough accord with the prevailing style of
the time ; for it betrays the study of classical
models rather than any capacity for direct ob-
servation.
" Whether the sun sports in the fields of light,
Or gloomy night her sable mantle throws
O'er sleeping earth, still imaged to the mind
Of young Andrnemon is his darling friend.
Still sighs the breast, still melts the tearful eye,
Still flows the soul in elegies of woe.
The rocks, the plains, the woods, the pleasing
scenes
Where he and young Philsetes, raptured, prayed
And talked of virtue, echo to his moan.
Sleep'st thou for ever, O my darling friend !
. . . He said — -'twas night, and solemn silence
reigned
Throughout the plain ; no voice, no sound is
heard,
But now and then the breathing breezes sigh
Through the half-quivering leaves, and, far
removed.
The sea rolls feeble murmurs to the shore."
This is the end of the poem on Death. It is
neither better nor worse than the rest of it.
Macpherson was fond of night pieces, and
attempts several of them in his Hunter.
" Thus in the horizon of the silent night
The setting moon darts parallel its light,
Silvers the flood and paints the landscape gay,