In popular superstition, noontide was almost as dangerous as midnight, for falling under the influence of spirits. In the Celtic mythology, the shades of the dead are represented as pursuing the chace on their native hills. "The children of youth," says Ossian, "pursue deer formed of clouds, and bend their airy bow: They still love the sport of their youth, and mount the wind with joy[1]." The superstition still exists in the West Highlands; and the editor has heard some traditionary Gaelic verses repeated, in which it was described. The wilds of Ross were the scene of the great huntings of the potent Highland chiefs; and it is not impossible that the tradition of the East coast may have been originally derived from the Gaelic. The German superstition, adopted by Bürger in his Wild Huntsman, has some more terrible features, as it represents a mighty hunter himself pursued in the infernal chace. The German scholar will be pleased to see the original of Bürger; to which I have subjoined my friend Mr. Scott's spirited but free translation.
Mit grüner, blauer, rother glut;
Es wallt um ihn ein feüermeer;
Darinnen wimmelt höllenbrut,
Iach fahren tausend höllenhunde
Laut angehetzt, empor vom schlunde.
Und flicht lautheulend weh und ach;
- ↑ The War of Inis-Thona.
