J. F. Campbell Collection > Poems of Ossian > Volume 3

AUTHENTrCITY OF OSSIAN's POEMS. 371
It was tlie duty of the ancient bards to celebrate
heroic actions, and to adorn their songs with all the
charms oi' music ; so as to excite in their liearers a
love of virtue, and an ardent desire to have their
names renowned for deeds of valour, and their farae
transmitted to posterity. " Your fame," says Ossian,
" shall remain in my song, when these niouldering
stones shall fail."* Ossian, indeed, in several places,
makes music or song a part of the happiness of a
future state.'t" One of the principal tenets, inculcated
by the Druids, was the inimortality of the soul, in
order to inspire the warriors with courage in battle.
Their paradise \ras called Flath-iìinis, which signifies
first potentate of the eartli. When far reraoved froin his beloved moun-
tains, he carrics with hini the lecollection of thejn wherever he goes ;
he sighs for his rocks, his torrents, and his clouds. He longs to eat
again his barley-bread, to drink goals' milk, and to s'wg in tlie valley tìte
ballads which leere sung also bi/ hisforefathers. He pines if prevented
frnm returning to his natìve ciinie. It is a raountain plant which must
be rooted araong rocks ; it caniiot thrive unless it be battered by
the winds and by the rain; in the soil, the shelter, and the sun-shine
of the plain it soon droops and dies. \\'iih what joy will he again fly
to his roof of furze ! With what delight will hc visit ail the sacred relics
of his indigence ! Sce Shoberl's Translation from the French of Aug,
Chateaubriand.
* Exegi monumentura isre perennius. Horace.
+ Taibhse na thuit anns a' bhiàr
Ag aomadh gun dan o 'n sianaibh.
Eireadth o Chathmore na clàrsaich
Chuireas dearsa air sàir sa'ghaoith.
Tighmora, Voi. HI. p. 6"0.
" The ghosts of those who fcll in battle bend forward from their
clouds to the song. Bid, O Cathmore ! the harp to rise, to reflect a
beam of light on the biave who ride on their wandering bla&ts."