Ossian Collection > Thoughts on the origin and descent of the Gael

455
In order to shew the unpardonable liberties
the translator has taken with the originals of
Ossian, we shall quote a few lines of them pre-
ceding the words taken notice of by the learned
critic.
" A Chucliullinn tha ceillier clachan
" Air Cathbaid taisgte san uaigh
" Chuir mo lambsa sios fo uir
" Du'choniar bu ghruamach snuagli
" Bha tbusa, Cbatlibaid, mhic Arminn
" Mar ghrein a dearsadh 'sa bheiun
" A's thusa, Dhu'choniair iia 'n garbb-bheiini
" Mar cho'-thional uisge iia'n speur."
Translation by Mr Macpherson.
" Four stones," replied the chief, " rise on the
grave of Cathba. These hands have laid in earth
Duchomar, that cloud in war. Cathba, son of
Torman I thou wert a sun beam in Erin ; and
thou, O valiant Duchomar ! a mist of the marshy
Lano, when it moves on the plains of Autumn,
bearing the death of thousands along."
The literal Tra?islation runs in these xvords.
Cuchullin, there are four stones upon Cath-
baid shut up in the grave. My hands have laid
down in the earth Duchomar of most gloomy
hue. Thou Cathbaid, son of Armin, wast like the
sun beamino- in the mountain ; and thou Ducho-