Ossian's Dream (2022) 图画 由 Edwin Loftus

Ossian, (lower left), was a 4th Century, blind, Irish Harpist credited with the foundations of many ancient Irish fables and songs. According to legend, when Saint Patrick returned to Ireland with a commission from Rome to introduce Christianity, he encountered Osian sitting and playing by the side of the road. Patrick told him why he was in Ireland, to teach of the Son of God who gave his life to give humanity a means of salvation. Ossian responded that this was an interesting story, but now he should hear Ossian's tales.
Ossian sang the lore of ancient Eire, its heroes and villains and great deeds done. To his credit, Patrick listened, and they parted, neither having convinced the other.
This was made famous in the 19th Century when a researcher of Gaelic lore named James Mcphearson published 'The tales of Ossian' a compilation of tales purportedly derived from old songs and stories from the Irish backcountry. it introduced 'Metric Verse' and became a phenomenal success. Men like Napoleon and Lincoln listed it among their favorite books, and it became the fourth most popular book in English, (behind the 'Bible', 'The Martyrs' and 'A Pilgrim's Progress'). It remained that way for years until an article was published questioning its authenticity. Controversy raged as other collectors of native lore reported that only a few of the Ossianic tales were familiar to them. An actual hearing and investigation were conducted and Mcphearson lost, and his book was declared a fraud. Mcphearson continued to claim his work was authentic right to his deathbed. Shortly before passing he stated that he was either the "greatest researcher" on this subject, or he was the "greatest poet of all time." His work's influence, like that of Ossian's, continued to be influential long after his departure.

相关主题

OssianIrelandCultureHistoryControversy