The Poems of Ossian: In the Original Gaelic, with a Literal Translation Into Latin, Volume 2G. and W. Nicol, 1807 |
Populaire passages
Pagina 381 - ... is still a higher degree of generosity than that of Axylus in Homer : for the poet does not say, but the good man might, at the head of his own table, have heard with pleasure the praise bestowed on him by the people he entertained. No nation in the world carried hospitality to a greater length than the ancient Scots. It was even infamous, for many ages, in a man of condition, to have the door of his house shut at all, lest, as the bards express it, the stranger should come and behold his contracted...
Pagina 373 - The ancient manner of preparing feasts after hunting is handed down by tradition. A pit lined with smooth stones was made, and near it stood a heap of smooth, flat stones of the flint kind. The stones, as well as the pit, were properly heated with heath. Then they laid some venison in the bottom and a stratum of the stones above it, and thus they did alternately till the pit was full. The whole was covered over with heath to confine the steam.
Pagina 375 - The poet teaches us the opinions that prevailed in his time concerning the state of separate souls. From Connal's expression, " That the stars dim-twinkled through the form of Crugal...
Pagina 381 - Some of the chiefs were possessed of this hospitable disposition to an extravagant degree ; and the bards, perhaps upon a private account, never failed to recommend it, in their eulogiums.
Pagina 382 - Gabhru, where Cairbar fell, is just now in my hands. As a translation of the poem (which, though evidently no very ancient composition, does not want poetical merit) would extend this note to too great a length, I shall only give the story of it in brief, with some extracts from the original Irish. Oscar, says the Irish bard, was invited to a feast, at Temora, by Cairbar king of Ireland. A dispute arose between the two heroes, concern, ing the exchange of spears, which was usually made, between the...
Pagina 373 - Trenar are sensible at home of the death of their master, the very instant he is killed. It was the opinion of the times, that the souls of heroes went immediately after death to the hills of their country, and the scenes they frequented the most happy times of their life. It was thought, too, that dogs and horses saw the ghosts of the deceased.
Pagina 6 - Chrith laoich, bu treun, air cul lann : An ceathramh, thuirt Fionnghal an righ, ' Thuit ceannard a chuain sa
Pagina 385 - Fingal by night. Fillan was dispatched to the hill of Mora, which was in the front of the Caledonians, to observe the motions of Cathmor. In this situation were affairs when Ossian, upon hearing the noise of the approaching enemy, went to find out his brother. Their conversation naturally introduces the epis-ode, concerning Conar the son of Trenmor, the first Irish monarch, which is so necessary to the understanding the foundation of the rebellion and usurpation of Cairbar and Cathmor.
Pagina 282 - Chaisg clàrsaich nan ceud an toirm ; Chualas screadan nan sgiath m 'an cuairt. Fada thall air uchd nan sliabh Thog Olla nan ciabh guth brôin. Dh' aithnich Oscar combara bhàis ; Ghluais is ghlac gun dàil a shleagh.