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Some of Ossian's Lesser Poems Rendered Into Verse
Some of Ossian's Lesser Poems Rendered Into Verse Author:James Macpherson Subtitle: With a Preliminary Discourse in Answer to Mr. Laing's Critical and Historical Dissertation on the Antiquity of Ossian's Poems General Books publication date: 2009 Original publication date: 1805 Original Publisher: Printed by J. M'Creery Subjects: Fiction / Classics Fiction / Literary Literary Collections / General Literar... more »y Criticism / General Literary Criticism / American / General Literary Criticism / European / English, Irish, Scottish, Welsh Poetry / English, Irish, Scottish, Welsh Notes: This is a black and white OCR reprint of the original. It has no illustrations and there may be typos or missing text. When you buy the General Books edition of this book you get free trial access to Million-Books.com where you can select from more than a million books for free. Excerpt: Olaus had, in a day of action, appointed strong guards for his three principal poets, after giving them instructions of the . same kind. The Welsh and Highland bards followed their patrons into the field, and were frequently of signal service. It was their business and custom, upon the eve of a battle, to harangue the army in a war-song composed on the occasion. This species of song was in the Gaelic called, broswha cath, that is to say, an inspiration to war. The poet addressed a part to every distinct tribe, shewing them the rewards of a glorious victory, and reminding them of the great actions performed by their ancestors. He insisted principally upon the love of fame; liberty, and their prince. As his exordium was always warm and energetic, he usually concluded with the same words. The poet laureat in England, is a continuance of the bardic institute. His sole occupation now is, to address the king twice a year, in a flattering ode. Formerly hehe accompanied his master to the field, and celebrated those gallant men, who sacrificed their lives in defence of their country. In the year 1314, Edward the second of England invaded Scotland, at the head of a numerous army....« less