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diff --git a/.gitattributes b/.gitattributes new file mode 100644 index 0000000..6833f05 --- /dev/null +++ b/.gitattributes @@ -0,0 +1,3 @@ +* text=auto +*.txt text +*.md text diff --git a/9368-8.txt b/9368-8.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..cbe969c --- /dev/null +++ b/9368-8.txt @@ -0,0 +1,5576 @@ +The Project Gutenberg EBook of Welsh Fairy Tales, by William Elliott Griffis + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: Welsh Fairy Tales + +Author: William Elliott Griffis + +Posting Date: March 22, 2014 [EBook #9368] +Release Date: November, 2005 +First Posted: September 25, 2003 + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK WELSH FAIRY TALES *** + + + + +Produced by Juliet Sutherland, Cam Venezuela and PG +Distributed Proofreaders. HTML version by Al Haines. + + + + + + + + + + +Welsh Fairy Tales + +By + +WILLIAM ELLIOT GRIFFIS + +1921 + + + +A PREFACE-LETTER TO MY GRANDFATHER + +DEAR CAPTAIN JOHN GRIFFIS: + +Although I never saw you, since you died in 1804, I am glad you were +one of those Welshmen who opposed the policy of King George III and +that you, after coming to America in 1783, were among the first sea +captains to carry the American flag around the world. That you knew +many of the Free Quakers and other patriots of the Revolution and that +they buried you among them, near Benjamin Franklin, is a matter of +pride to your descendants. That you were born in Wales and spoke +Welsh, as did also those three great prophets of spiritual liberty, +Roger Williams, William Penn, and Thomas Jefferson, is still further +ground for pride in one's ancestry. Now, in the perspective of history +we see that our Washington and his compeers and Wilkes, Barre, Burke +and the friends of America in Parliament were fighting the same battle +of Freedom. Though our debt to Wales for many things is great, we +count not least those inheritances from the world of imagination, for +which the Cymric Land was famous, even before the days of either +Anglo-Saxon or Norman. + +W. E. G. + +Saint David's and the day of the Daffodil, March 1, 1921. + + + + +CONTENTS + +I. WELSH RABBIT AND HUNTED HARES + +II. THE MIGHTY MONSTER AFANG + +III. THE TWO CAT WITCHES + +IV. HOW THE CYMRY LAND BECAME INHABITED + +V. THE BOY THAT WAS NAMED TROUBLE + +VI. THE GOLDEN HARP + +VII. THE GREAT RED DRAGON OF WALES + +VIII. THE TOUCH OF CLAY + +IX. THE TOUCH OF IRON + +X. THE MAIDEN OF THE GREEN FOREST + +XI. THE TREASURE STONE OF THE FAIRIES + +XII. GIANT TOM AND GIANT BLUBB + +XIII. A BOY THAT VISITED FAIRYLAND + +XIV. THE WELSHERY AND THE NORMANS + +XV. THE WELSH FAIRIES HOLD A MEETING + +XVI. KING ARTHUR'S CAVE + +XVII. THE LADY OF THE LAKE + +XVIII. THE KING'S FOOT HOLDER + +XIX. POWELL, PRINCE OF DYFED + +XX. POWELL AND HIS BRIDE + +XXI. WHY THE BACK DOOR WAS FRONT + +XXII. THE RED BANDITS OF MONTGOMERY + +XXIII. THE FAIRY CONGRESS + +XXIV. THE SWORD OF AVALON + + + + +I + + +WELSH RABBIT AND HUNTED HARES + + +Long, long ago, there was a good saint named David, who taught the +early Cymric or Welsh people better manners and many good things to +eat and ways of enjoying themselves. + +Now the Welsh folks in speaking of their good teacher pronounced his +name Tafid and affectionately Taffy, and this came to be the usual +name for a person born in Wales. In our nurseries we all learned that +"Taffy was a Welshman," but it was their enemies who made a bad rhyme +about Taffy. + +Wherever there were cows or goats, people could get milk. So they +always had what was necessary for a good meal, whether it were +breakfast, dinner or supper. Milk, cream, curds, whey and cheese +enriched the family table. Were not these enough? + +But Saint David taught the people how to make a still more delicious +food out of cheese, and that this could be done without taking the +life of any creature. + +Saint David showed the girls how to take cheese, slice and toast it +over the coals, or melt it in a skillet and pour it hot over toast or +biscuit. This gave the cheese a new and sweeter flavor. When spread on +bread, either plain, or browned over the fire, the result, in +combination, was a delicacy fit for a king, and equal to anything +known. + +The fame of this new addition to the British bill of fare spread near +and far. The English people, who had always been fond of rabbit pie, +and still eat thousands of Molly Cotton Tails every day, named it +"Welsh Rabbit," and thought it one of the best things to eat. In fact, +there are many people, who do not easily see a joke, who misunderstand +the fun, or who suppose the name to be either slang, or vulgar, or a +mistake, and who call it "rarebit." It is like "Cape Cod turkey" +(codfish), or "Bombay ducks" (dried fish), or "Irish plums" (potatoes) +and such funny cookery with fancy names. + +Now up to this time, the rabbits and hares had been so hunted with the +aid of dogs, that there was hardly a chance of any of them surviving +the cruel slaughter. + +In the year 604, the Prince of Powys was out hunting. The dogs started +a hare, and pursued it into a dense thicket. When the hunter with the +horn came up, a strange sight met his eyes. There he saw a lovely +maiden. She was kneeling on the ground and devoutly praying. Though +surprised at this, the prince was anxious to secure his game. He +hissed on the hounds and ordered the horn to be blown, for the dogs to +charge on their prey, expecting them to bring him the game at once. +Instead of this, though they were trained dogs and would fight even a +wolf, they slunk away howling, and frightened, as if in pain, while +the horn stuck fast to the lips of the blower and he was silent. +Meanwhile, the hare nestled under the maiden's dress and seemed not in +the least disturbed. + +Amazed at this, the prince turned to the fair lady and asked: + +"Who are you?" + +She answered, "My mother named me Monacella. I have fled from Ireland, +where my father wished to marry me to one of his chief men, whom I did +not love. Under God's guidance, I came to this secret desert place, +where I have lived for fifteen years, without seeing the face of man." + +To this, the prince in admiration replied: "O most worthy Melangell +[which is the way the Welsh pronounce Monacella], because, on account +of thy merits, it has pleased God to shelter and save this little, +wild hare, I, on my part, herewith present thee with this land, to be +for the service of God and an asylum for all men and women, who seek +thy protection. So long as they do not pollute this sanctuary, let +none, not even prince or chieftain, drag them forth." + +The beautiful saint passed the rest of her life in this place. At +night, she slept on the bare rock. Many were the wonders wrought for +those who with pure hearts sought her refuge. The little wild hares +were under her special protection, and they are still called +"Melangell's Lambs." + + + + +II + + +THE MIGHTY MONSTER AFANG + + +After the Cymric folk, that is, the people we call Welsh, had come up +from Cornwall into their new land, they began to cut down the trees, +to build towns, and to have fields and gardens. Soon they made the +landscape smile with pleasant homes, rich farms and playing children. + +They trained vines and made flowers grow. The young folks made pets of +the wild animals' cubs, which their fathers and big brothers brought +home from hunting. Old men took rushes and reeds and wove them into +cages for song birds to live in. + +While they were draining the swamps and bogs, they drove out the +monsters, that had made their lair in these wet places. These terrible +creatures liked to poison people with their bad breath, and even ate +up very little boys and girls, when they strayed away from home. + +So all the face of the open country between the forests became very +pretty to look at. The whole of Cymric land, which then extended from +the northern Grampian Hills to Cornwall, and from the Irish Sea, past +their big fort, afterward called London, even to the edge of the +German Ocean, became a delightful place to live in. + +The lowlands and the rivers, in which the tide rose and fell daily, +were especially attractive. This was chiefly because of the many +bright flowers growing there; while the yellow gorse and the pink +heather made the hills look as lovely as a young girl's face. Besides +this, the Cymric maidens were the prettiest ever, and the lads were +all brave and healthy; while both of these knew how to sing often and +well. + +Now there was a great monster named the Afang, that lived in a big +bog, hidden among the high hills and inside of a dark, rough forest. + +This ugly creature had an iron-clad back and a long tail that could +wrap itself around a mountain. It had four front legs, with big knees +that were bent up like a grasshopper's, but were covered with scales +like armor. These were as hard as steel, and bulged out at the thighs. +Along its back, was a ridge of horns, like spines, and higher than an +alligator's. Against such a tough hide, when the hunters shot their +darts and hurled their javelins, these weapons fell down to the +ground, like harmless pins. + +On this monster's head, were big ears, half way between those of a +jackass and an elephant. Its eyes were as green as leeks, and were +round, but scalloped on the edges, like squashes, while they were as +big as pumpkins. + +The Afang's face was much like a monkey's, or a gorilla's, with long +straggling gray hairs around its cheeks like those of a walrus. It +always looked as if a napkin, as big as a bath towel, would be +necessary to keep its mouth clean. Yet even then, it slobbered a good +deal, so that no nice fairy liked to be near the monster. + +When the Afang growled, the bushes shook and the oak leaves trembled +on the branches, as if a strong wind was blowing. + +But after its dinner, when it had swallowed down a man, or two calves, +or four sheep, or a fat heifer, or three goats, its body swelled up +like a balloon. Then it usually rolled over, lay along the ground, or +in the soft mud, and felt very stupid and sleepy, for a long while. + +All around its lair, lay wagon loads of bones of the creatures, girls, +women, men, boys, cows, and occasionally a donkey, which it had +devoured. + +But when the Afang was ravenously hungry and could not get these +animals and when fat girls and careless boys were scarce, it would +live on birds, beasts and fishes. Although it was very fond of cows +and sheep, yet the wool and hair of these animals stuck in its big +teeth, it often felt very miserable and its usually bad temper grew +worse. + +Then, like a beaver, it would cut down a tree, sharpen it to a point +and pick its teeth until its mouth was clean. Yet it seemed all the +more hungry and eager for fresh human victims to eat, especially juicy +maidens; just as children like cake more than bread. + +The Cymric men were not surprised at this, for they knew that girls +were very sweet and they almost worshiped women. So they learned to +guard their daughters and wives. They saw that to do such things as +eating up people was in the nature of the beast, which could never be +taught good manners. + +But what made them mad beyond measure was the trick which the monster +often played upon them by breaking the river banks, and the dykes +which with great toil they had built to protect their crops. Then the +waters overflowed all their farms, ruined their gardens and spoiled +their cow houses and stables. + +This sort of mischief the Afang liked to play, especially about the +time when the oat and barley crops were ripe and ready to be gathered +to make cakes and flummery; that is sour oat-jelly, or pap. So it +often happened that the children had to do without their cookies and +porridge during the winter. Sometimes the floods rose so high as to +wash away the houses and float the cradles. Even those with little +babies in them were often seen on the raging waters, and sent dancing +on the waves down the river, to the sea. + +Once in a while, a mother cat and all her kittens were seen mewing for +help, or a lady dog howling piteously. Often it happened that both +puppies and kittens were drowned. + +So, whether for men or mothers, pussies or puppies, the Cymric men +thought the time had come to stop this monster's mischief. It was bad +enough that people should be eaten up, but to have all their crops +ruined and animals drowned, so that they had to go hungry all winter, +with only a little fried fish, and no turnips, was too much for human +patience. There were too many weeping mothers and sorrowful fathers, +and squalling brats and animals whining for something to eat. + +Besides, if all the oats were washed away, how could their wives make +flummery, without which, no Cymric man is ever happy? And where would +they get seed for another year's sowing? And if there were no cows, +how could the babies or kitties live, or any grown-up persons get +buttermilk? + +Someone may ask, why did not some brave man shoot the Afang, with a +poisoned arrow, or drive a spear into him under the arms, where the +flesh was tender, or cut off his head with a sharp sword? + +The trouble was just here. There were plenty of brave fellows, ready +to fight the monster, but nothing made of iron could pierce that hide +of his. This was like armor, or one of the steel battleships of our +day, and the Afang always spit out fire or poison breath down the +road, up which a man was coming, long before the brave fellow could +get near him. Nothing would do, but to go up into his lair, and drag +him out. + +But what man or company of men was strong enough to do this, when a +dozen giants in a gang, with ropes as thick as a ship's hawser, could +hardly tackle the job? + +Nevertheless, in what neither man nor giant could do, a pretty maiden +might succeed. True, she must be brave also, for how could she know, +but if hungry, the Afang might eat her up? + +However, one valiant damsel, of great beauty, who had lots of +perfumery and plenty of pretty clothes, volunteered to bind the +monster in his lair. She said, "I'm not afraid." Her sweetheart was +named Gadern, and he was a young and strong hunter. He talked over the +matter with her and they two resolved to act together. + +Gadern went all over the country, summoning the farmers to bring their +ox teams and log chains. Then he set the blacksmiths to work, forging +new and especially heavy ones, made of the best native iron, from the +mines, for which Wales is still famous. + +Meanwhile, the lovely maiden arrayed herself in her prettiest clothes, +dressed her hair in the most enticing way, hanging a white blossom on +each side, over her ears, with one flower also at her neck. + +When she had perfumed her garments, she sallied forth and up the lake +where the big bog and the waters were and where the monster hid +himself. + +While the maiden was still quite a distance away, the terrible Afang, +scenting his visitor from afar, came rushing out of his lair. When +very near, he reared his head high in the air, expecting to pounce on +her, with his iron clad claws and at one swallow make a breakfast of +the girl. + +But the odors of her perfumes were so sweet, that he forgot what he +had thought to do. Moreover, when he looked at her, he was so taken +with unusual beauty, that he flopped at once on his forefeet. Then he +behaved just like a lovelorn beau, when his best girl comes near. He +ties his necktie and pulls down his coat and brushes off the collar. + +So the Afang began to spruce up. It was real fun to see how a monster +behaves when smitten with love for a pretty girl. He had no idea how +funny he was. + +The girl was not at all afraid, but smoothed the monster's back, +stroked and played with its big moustaches and tickled its neck until +the Afang's throat actually gurgled with a laugh. Pretty soon he +guffawed, for he was so delighted. + +When he did this, the people down in the valley thought it was +thunder, though the sky was clear and blue. + +The maiden tickled his chin, and even put up his whiskers in curl +papers. Then she stroked his neck, so that his eyes closed. Soon she +had gently lulled him to slumber, by singing a cradle song, which her +mother had taught her. This she did so softly, and sweetly, that in a +few minutes, with its head in her lap, the monster was sound asleep +and even began to snore. + +Then, quietly, from their hiding places in the bushes, Gadern and his +men crawled out. When near the dreaded Afang, they stood up and +sneaked forward, very softly on tip toe. They had wrapped the links of +the chain in grass and leaves, so that no clanking was heard. They +also held the oxen's yokes, so that nobody or anything could rattle, +or make any noise. Slowly but surely they passed the chain over its +body, in the middle, besides binding the brute securely between its +fore and hind legs. + +All this time, the monster slept on, for the girl kept on crooning her +melody. + +When the forty yoke of oxen were all harnessed together, the drovers +cracked all their whips at once, so that it sounded like a clap of +thunder and the whole team began to pull together. + +Then the Afang woke up with a start. + +The sudden jerk roused the monster to wrath, and its bellowing was +terrible. It rolled round and round, and dug its four sets of toes, +each with three claws, every one as big as a plowshare, into the +ground. It tried hard to crawl into its lair, or slip into the lake. + +Finding that neither was possible, the Afang looked about, for some +big tree to wrap its tail around. But all his writhings or plungings +were of no use. The drovers plied their whips and the oxen kept on +with one long pull together and forward. They strained so hard, that +one of them dropped its eye out. This formed a pool, and to this day +they call it The Pool of the Ox's Eye. It never dries up or overflows, +though the water in it rises and falls, as regularly as the tides. + +For miles over the mountains the sturdy oxen hauled the monster. The +pass over which they toiled and strained so hard is still named the +Pass of the Oxen's Slope. When going down hill, the work of dragging +the Afang was easier. + +In a great hole in the ground, big enough to be a pond, they dumped +the carcass of the Afang, and soon a little lake was formed. This +uncanny bit of water is called "The Lake of the Green Well." It is +considered dangerous for man or beast to go too near it. Birds do not +like to fly over the surface, and when sheep tumble in, they sink to +the bottom at once. + +If the bones of the Afang still lie at the bottom, they must have sunk +down very deep, for the monster had no more power to get out, or to +break the river banks. The farmers no longer cared anything about the +creature, and they hardly every think of the old story, except when a +sheep is lost. + +As for Gadern and his brave and lovely sweetheart, they were married +and lived long and happily. Their descendants, in the thirty-seventh +generation, are proud of the grand exploit of their ancestors, while +all the farmers honor his memory and bless the name of the lovely girl +that put the monster asleep. + + + + +III + + +THE TWO CAT WITCHES + + +In old days, it was believed that the seventh son, in a family of +sons, was a conjurer by nature. That is, he could work wonders like +the fairies and excel the doctors in curing diseases. + +If he were the seventh son of a seventh son, he was himself a wonder +of wonders. The story ran that he could even cure the "shingles," +which is a very troublesome disease. It is called also by a Latin +name, which means a snake, because, as it gets worse, it coils itself +around the body. + +Now the eagle can attack the serpent and conquer and kill this +poisonous creature. To secure such power, Hugh, the conjurer, ate the +flesh of eagles. When he wished to cure the serpent-disease, he +uttered words in the form of a charm which acted as a talisman and +cure. After wetting the red rash, which had broken out over the sick +person's body, he muttered: + +"He-eagle, she-eagle, I send you over nine seas, and over nine +mountains, and over nine acres of moor and fen, where no dog shall +bark, no cow low, and no eagle shall higher rise." + +After that, the patient was sure that he felt better. + +There was always great rivalry between these conjurers and those who +made money from the Pilgrims at Holy Wells and visitors to the relic +shrines, but this fellow, named Hugh, and the monks, kept on mutually +good terms. They often ate dinner together, for Hugh was a great +traveler over the whole country and always had news to tell to the +holy brothers who lived in cells. + +One night, as he was eating supper at an inn, four men came in and sat +down at the table with him. By his magical power, Hugh knew that they +were robbers and meant to kill him that night, in order to get his +money. + +So, to divert their attention, Hugh made something like a horn to grow +up out of the table, and then laid a spell on the robbers, so that +they were kept gazing at the curious thing all night long, while he +went to bed and slept soundly. + +When he rose in the morning, he paid his bill and went away, while the +robbers were still gazing at the horn. Only when the officers arrived +to take them to prison did they come to themselves. + +Now at Bettws-y-Coed-that pretty place which has a name that sounds so +funny to us Americans and suggests a girl named Betty the Co-ed at +college--there was a hotel, named the "Inn of Three Kegs." The shop +sign hung out in front. It was a bunch of grapes gilded and set below +three small barrels. + +This inn was kept by two respectable ladies, who were sisters. + +Yet in that very hotel, several travelers, while they were asleep, had +been robbed of their money. They could not blame anyone nor tell how +the mischief was done. With the key in the keyhole, they had kept +their doors locked during the night. They were sure that no one had +entered the room. There were no signs of men's boots, or of anyone's +footsteps in the garden, while nothing was visible on the lock or +door, to show that either had been tampered with. Everything was in +order as when they went to bed. + +Some people doubted their stories, but when they applied to Hugh the +conjurer, he believed them and volunteered to solve the mystery. His +motto was "Go anywhere and everywhere, but catch the thief." + +When Hugh applied one night for lodging at the inn, nothing could be +more agreeable than the welcome, and fine manners of his two +hostesses. + +At supper time, and during the evening, they all chatted together +merrily. Hugh, who was never at a loss for news or stories, told about +the various kinds of people and the many countries he had visited, in +imagination, just as if he had seen them all, though he had never set +foot outside of Wales. + +When he was ready to go to bed, he said to the ladies: + +"It is my custom to keep a light burning in my room, all night, but I +will not ask for candles, for I have enough to last me until sunrise." +So saying, he bade them good night. + +Entering his room and locking the door, he undressed, but laid his +clothes near at hand. He drew his trusty sword out of its sheath and +laid it upon the bed beside him, where he could quickly grasp it. Then +he pretended to be asleep and even snored. + +It was not long before, peeping between his eyelids, only half closed, +he saw two cats come stealthily down the chimney. + +When in the room, the animals frisked about, and then gamboled and +romped in the most lively way. Then they chased each other around the +bed, as if they were trying to find out whether Hugh was asleep. + +Meanwhile, the supposed sleeper kept perfectly motionless. Soon the +two cats came over to his clothes and one of them put her paw into the +pocket that contained his purse. + +At this, with one sweep of his sword, Hugh struck at the cat's paw. +The beast howled frightfully, and both animals ran for the chimney and +disappeared. After that, everything was quiet until breakfast time. + +At the table, only one of the sisters was present. Hugh politely +inquired after the other one. He was told that she was not well, for +which Hugh said he was very sorry. + +After the meal, Hugh declared he must say good-by to both the sisters, +whose company he had so enjoyed the night before. In spite of the +other lady's many excuses, he was admitted to the sick lady's room. + +After polite greetings and mutual compliments, Hugh offered his hand +to say "good-by." The sick lady smiled at once and put out her hand, +but it was her left one. + +"Oh, no," said Hugh, with a laugh. "I never in all my life have taken +any one's left hand, and, beautiful as yours is, I won't break my +habit by beginning now and here." + +Reluctantly, and as if in pain, the sick lady put out her hand. It was +bandaged. + +The mystery was now cleared up. The two sisters were cats. + +By the help of bad fairies they had changed their forms and were the +real robbers. + +Hugh seized the hand of the other sister and made a little cut in it, +from which a few drops of blood flowed, but the spell was over. + +"Henceforth," said Hugh, "you are both harmless, and I trust you will +both be honest women." + +And they were. From that day they were like other women, and kept one +of the best of those inns--clean, tidy, comfortable and at modest +prices--for which Wales is, or was, noted. + +Neither as cats with paws, nor landladies, with soaring bills, did +they ever rob travelers again. + + + + +IV + + +HOW THE CYMRY LAND BECAME INHABITED + + +In all Britain to-day, no wolf roams wild and the deer are all tame. + +Yet in the early ages, when human beings had not yet come into the +land, the swamps and forests were full of very savage animals. There +were bears and wolves by the thousand besides lions and the woolly +rhinoceros, tigers, with terrible teeth like sabres. + +Beavers built their dams over the little rivers, and the great horned +oxen were very common. Then the mountains were higher, and the woods +denser. Many of the animals lived in caves, and there were billions of +bees and a great many butterflies. In the bogs were ferns of giant +size, amid which terrible monsters hid that were always ready for a +fight or a frolic. + +In so beautiful a land, it seemed a pity that there were no men and +women, no boys or girls, and no babies. + +Yet the noble race of the Cymry, whom we call the Welsh, were already +in Europe and lived in the summer land in the South. A great +benefactor was born among them, who grew up to be a wonderfully wise +man and taught his people the use of bows and arrows. He made laws, by +which the different tribes stopped their continual fighting and +quarrels, and united for the common good of all. He persuaded them to +take family names. He invented the plow, and showed them how to use +it, making furrows, in which to plant grain. + +When the people found that they could get things to eat right out of +the ground, from the seed they had planted, their children were wild +with joy. + +No people ever loved babies more than these Cymry folk and it was they +who invented the cradle. This saved the hard-working mothers many a +burden, for each woman had, besides rearing the children, to work for +and wait on her husband. + +He was the warrior and hunter, and she did most of the labor, in both +the house and the field. When there were many little brats to look +after, a cradle was a real help to her. In those days, "brat" was the +general name for little folks. There were good laws, about women +especially for their protection. Any rough or brutish fellow was fined +heavily, or publicly punished, for striking one of them. + +By and by, this great benefactor encouraged his people to the brave +adventure, and led them, in crossing the sea to Britain. Men had not +yet learned to build boats, with prow or stern, with keels and masts, +or with sails, rudders, or oars, or much less to put engines in their +bowels, or iron chimneys for smoke stacks, by which we see the mighty +ships driven across the ocean without regard to wind or tide. + +This great benefactor taught his people to make coracles, and on these +the whole tribe of thousands of Cymric folk crossed over into Britain, +landing in Cornwall. The old name of this shire meant the Horn of +Gallia, or Wallia, as the new land was later named. We think of +Cornwall as the big toe of the Mother Land. These first comers called +it a horn. + +It was a funny sight to see these coracles, which they named after +their own round bodies. The men went down to the riverside or the sea +shore, and with their stone hatchets, they chopped down trees. They +cut the reeds and osiers, peeled the willow branches, and wove great +baskets shaped like bowls. In this work, the women helped the men. + +The coracle was made strong by a wooden frame fixed inside round the +edge, and by two cross boards, which also served as seats. Then they +turned the wicker frame upside down and stretched the hides of animals +over the whole frame and bottom. With pitch, gum, or grease, they +covered up the cracks or seams. Then they shaped paddles out of wood. +When the coracle floated on the water, the whole family, daddy, mammy, +kiddies, and any old aunts or uncles, or granddaddies, got into it. +They waited for the wind to blow from the south over to the northern +land. + +At first the coracle spun round and round, but by and by each daddy +could, by rowing or paddling, make the thing go straight ahead. So +finally all arrived in the land now called Great Britain. + +Though sugar was not then known, or for a thousand years later, the +first thing they noticed was the enormous number of bees. When they +searched, they found the rock caves and hollow trees full of honey, +which had accumulated for generations. Every once in a while the +bears, that so like sweet things, found out the hiding place of the +bees, and ate up the honey. The children were very happy in sucking +the honey comb and the mothers made candles out of the beeswax. The +new comers named the country Honey Island. + +The brave Cymry men had battles with the darker skinned people who +were already there. When any one, young or old, died, their friends +and relatives sat up all night guarding the body against wild beasts +or savage men. This grew to be a settled custom and such a meeting was +called a "wake." Everyone present did keep awake, and often in a very +lively way. + +As the Cymry multiplied, they built many _don_, or towns. All +over the land to-day are names ending in _don_ like London, or +Croydon, showing where these villages were. + +But while occupied in things for the body, their great ruler did not +neglect matters of the mind. He found that some of his people had good +voices and loved to sing. Others delighted in making poetry. So he +invented or improved the harp, and fixed the rules of verse and song. + +Thus ages before writing was known, the Cymry preserved their history +and handed down what the wise ones taught. + +Men might be born, live and die, come and go, like leaves on the +trees, which expand in the springtime and fall in the autumn; but +their songs, and poetry, and noble language never die. Even to-day, +the Cymry love the speech of their fathers almost as well as they love +their native land. + +Yet things were not always lovely in Honey Land, or as sweet as sugar. +As the tribes scattered far apart to settle in this or that valley, +some had fish, but no salt, and others had plenty of salt, but no +fish. Some had all the venison and bear meat they wanted, but no +barley or oats. The hill men needed what the men on the seashore could +supply. From their sheep and oxen they got wool and leather, and from +the wild beasts fur to keep warm in winter. So many of them grew +expert in trade. Soon there were among them some very rich men who +were the chiefs of the tribes. + +In time, hundreds of others learned how to traffic among the tribes +and swap, or barter their goods, for as yet there were no coins for +money, or bank bills. So they established markets or fairs, to which +the girls and boys liked to go and sell their eggs and chickens, for +when the wolves and foxes were killed off, sheep and geese multiplied. + +But what hindered the peace of the land, were the feuds, or quarrels, +because the men of one tribe thought they were braver, or better +looking, than those in the other tribe. The women were very apt to +boast that they wore their clothes--which were made of fox and weasel +skins--more gracefully than those in the tribe next to them. + +So there was much snarling and quarreling in Cymric Land. The people +were too much like naughty children, or when kiddies are not taught +good manners, to speak gently and to be kind one to the other. + +One of the worst quarrels broke out, because in one tribe there were +too many maidens and not enough young men for husbands. This was bad +for the men, for it spoiled them. They had too many women to wait on +them and they grew to be very selfish. + +In what might be the next tribe, the trouble was the other way. There +were too many boys, a surplus of men, and not nearly enough girls to +go round. When any young fellow, moping out his life alone and anxious +for a wife, went a-courting in the next tribe, or in their vale, or on +their hill top, he was usually driven off with stones. Then there was +a quarrel between the two tribes. + +Any young girl, who sneaked out at night to meet her young man of +another clan, was, when caught, instantly and severely spanked. Then, +with her best clothes taken off, she had to stand tied to a post in +the market place a whole day. Her hair was pulled down in disorder, +and all the dogs were allowed to bark at her. The girls made fun of +the poor thing, while they all rubbed one forefinger over the other, +pointed at her and cried, "Fie, for shame!" while the boys called her +hard names. + +If it were known that the young man who wanted a wife had visited a +girl in the other tribe, his spear and bow and arrows were taken away +from him till the moon was full. The other boys and the girls treated +him roughly and called him hard names, but he dare not defend himself +and had to suffer patiently. This was all because of the feud between +the two tribes. + +This went on until the maidens in the valley, who were very many, +while yet lovely and attractive, became very lonely and miserable; +while the young men, all splendid hunters and warriors, multiplied in +the hill country. They were wretched in mind, because not one could +get a wife, for all the maidens in their own tribe were already +engaged, or had been mated. + +One day news came to the young men on the hill top, that the valley +men were all off on a hunting expedition. At once, without waiting a +moment, the poor lonely bachelors plucked up courage. Then, armed with +ropes and straps, they marched in a body to the village in the valley +below. There, they seized each man a girl, not waiting for any maid to +comb her hair, or put on a new frock, or pack up her clothes, or carry +any thing out of her home, and made off with her, as fast as one pair +of legs could move with another pair on top. + +At first, this looked like rough treatment--for a lovely girl, thus to +be strapped to a brawny big fellow; but after a while, the girls +thought it was great fun to be married and each one to have a man to +caress, and fondle, and scold, and look for, and boss around; for each +wife, inside of her own hut was quite able to rule her husband. Every +one of these new wives was delighted to find a man who cared so much +for her as to come after her, and risk his life to get her, and each +one admired her new, brave husband. + +Yet the brides knew too well that their men folks, fathers and +brothers, uncles and cousins, would soon come back to attempt their +recapture. + +And this was just what happened. When a runner brought, to the valley +men now far away, the news of the rape of their daughters, the hunters +at once ceased chasing the deer and marched quickly back to get the +girls and make them come home. + +The hill men saw the band of hunters coming after their daughters. +They at once took their new wives into a natural rocky fortress, on +the top of a precipice, which overlooked the lake. + +This stronghold had only one entrance, a sort of gateway of rocks, in +front of which was a long steep, narrow path. Here the hill men stood, +to resist the attack and hold their prizes. + +It was a case of a very few defenders, assaulted by a multitude, and +the battle was long and bloody. The hill men scorned to surrender and +shot their arrows and hurled their javelins with desperate valor. They +battled all day from sunrise until the late afternoon, when shadows +began to lengthen. The stars, one by one came out and both parties, +after setting sentinels, lay down to rest. + +In the morning, again, charge after charge was made. Sword beat +against shield and helmet, and clouds of arrows were shot by the +archers, who were well posted in favorable situations, on the rocks. +Long before noon, the field below was dotted and the narrow pass was +choked with dead bodies. In the afternoon, after a short rest and +refreshed with food, the valley men, though finding that only four of +the hill fighters were alive, stood off at a distance and with their +long bows and a shower of arrows left not one to breathe. + +Now, thought the victors, we shall get our maidens back again. So, +taking their time to wash off the blood and dust, to bind up their +wounds, and to eat their supper, they thought it would be an easy job +to load up all the girls on their ox-carts and carry them home. + +But the valley brides, thus suddenly made widows, were too true to +their brave husbands. So, when they had seen the last of their lovers +quiet in death, they stripped off all their ornaments and fur robes, +until all stood together, each clad in her own innocence, as pure in +their purpose as if they were a company of Druid priestesses. + +Then, chanting their death song, they marched in procession to the +tall cliff, that rose sheer out of the water. One by one, each +uttering the name of her beloved, leaped into the waves. + +Men at a distance, knowing nothing of the fight, and sailors and +fishermen far off on the water, thought that a flock of white birds +were swooping down from their eyrie, into the sea to get their food +from the fishes. But when none rose up above the waters, they +understood, and later heard the whole story of the valor of the men +and the devotion of the women. + +The solemn silence of night soon brooded over the scene. + +The men of the valley stayed only long enough to bury their own dead. +Then they marched home and their houses were filled with mourning. Yet +they admired the noble sacrifice of their daughters and were proud of +them. Afterwards they raised stone monuments on the field of +slaughter. + +To-day, this water is called the Lake of the Maidens, and the great +stones seen near the beach are the memorials marking the place of the +slain in battle. + +During many centuries, the ancient custom of capturing the bride, with +resistance from her male relatives, was vigorously kept up. In the +course of time, however, this was turned into a mimic play, with much +fun and merriment. Yet, the girls appear to like it, and some even +complain if it is not rough enough to seem almost real. + + + + +V + + +THE BOY THAT WAS NAMED TROUBLE + + +In one of the many "Co-eds," or places with this name, in ancient and +forest-covered Wales, there was a man who had one of the most +beautiful mares in all the world. Yet great misfortunes befell both +this Co-ed mare and her owner. + +Every night, on the first of May, the mare gave birth to a pretty +little colt. Yet no one ever saw, or could ever tell what became of +any one, or all of the colts. Each and all, and one by one, they +disappeared. Nobody knew where they were, or went, or what had become +of them. + +At last, the owner, who had no children, and loved little horses, +determined not to lose another. He girded on his sword, and with his +trusty spear, stood guard all night in the stable to catch the mortal +robber, as he supposed he must be. + +When on this same night of May first, the mare foaled again, and the +colt stood up on its long legs, the man greatly admired the young +creature. It looked already, as if it could, with its own legs, run +away and escape from any wolf that should chase it, hoping to eat it +up. + +But at this moment, a great noise was heard outside the stable. The +next moment a long arm, with a claw at the end of it, was poked +through the window-hole, to seize the colt. + +Instantly the man drew his sword and with one blow, the claw part of +the arm was cut off, and it dropped inside, with the colt. + +Hearing a great cry and tumult outside, the owner of the mare rushed +forth into the darkness. But though he heard howls of pain, he could +see nothing, so he returned. + +There, at the door, he found a baby, with hair as yellow as gold, +smiling at him. Besides its swaddling clothes, it was wrapped up in +flame-colored satin. + +As it was still night, the man took the infant to his bed and laid it +alongside of his wife, who was asleep. + +Now this good woman loved children, though she had none of her own, +and so when she woke up in the morning, and saw what was beside her, +she was very happy. Then she resolved to pretend that it was her own. + +So she told her women, that she had borne the child, and they called +him Gwri of the Golden Hair. + +The boy baby grew up fast, and when only two years old, was as strong +as most children are at six. + +Soon he was able to ride the colt that had been born on the May night, +and the two were as playmates together. + +Now it chanced, the man had heard the tale of Queen Rhiannon, wife of +Powell, Prince of Dyfed. She had become the mother of a baby boy, but +it was stolen from her at night. + +The six serving women, whose duty it was to attend to the Queen, and +guard her child, were lazy and had neglected their duty. They were +asleep when the baby was stolen away. To excuse themselves and be +saved from punishment, they invented a lying story. They declared that +Rhiannon had devoured the child, her own baby. + +The wise men of the Court believed the story which the six wicked +women had told, and Rhiannon, the Queen, though innocent, was +condemned to do penance. She was to serve as a porter to carry +visitors and their baggage from out doors into the castle. + +Every day, for many months, through the hours of daylight, she stood +in public disgrace in front of the castle of Narberth, at the stone +block, on which riders on horses dismounted from the saddle. When +anyone got off at the gate, she had to carry him or her on her back +into the hall. + +As the boy grew up, his foster father scanned his features closely, +and it was not long before he made up his mind that Powell was his +father and Rhiannon was his mother. + +One day, with the boy riding on his colt, and with two knights keeping +him company, the owner of the Co-ed mare came near the castle of +Narberth. + +There they saw the beautiful Rhiannon sitting on the horse block at +the gate. + +When they were about to dismount from their horses, the lovely woman +spoke to them thus: + +"Chieftains, go no further thus. I will carry everyone of you on my +back, into the palace." + +Seeing their looks of astonishment, she explained: + +"This is my penance for the charge brought against me of slaying my +son and devouring him." + +One and all the four refused to be carried and went into the castle on +their own feet. There Powell, the prince, welcomed them and made a +feast in their honor. It being night, Rhiannon sat beside him. + +After dinner when the time for story telling had come, the chief guest +told the tale of his mare and the colt, and how he cut the clawed +hand, and then found the boy on the doorstep. + +Then to the joy and surprise of all, the owner of the Co-ed mare, +putting the golden-haired boy before Rhiannon, cried out: + +"Behold lady, here is thy son, and whoever they were who told the +story and lied about your devouring your own child, have done you a +grievous wrong." + +Everyone at the table looked at the boy, and all recognized the lad at +once as the child of Powell and Rhiannon. + +"Here ends my trouble (pryderi)," cried out Rhiannon. + +Thereupon one of the chiefs said: + +"Well hast thou named thy child 'Trouble,'" and henceforth Pryderi was +his name. + +Soon it was made known, by the vision and word of the bards and seers, +that all the mischief had been wrought by wicked fairies, and that the +six serving women had been under their spell, when they lied about the +Queen. Powell, the castle-lord, was so happy that he offered the man +of Co-ed rich gifts of horses, jewels and dogs. + +But this good man felt repaid in delivering a pure woman and loving +mother from undeserved shame and disgrace, by wisdom and honesty +according to common duty. + +As for Pryderi, he was educated as a king's son ought to be, in all +gentle arts and was trained in all manly exercises. + +After his father died, Pryderi became ruler of the realm. He married +Kieva the daughter of a powerful chieftain, who had a pedigree as long +as the bridle used to drive a ten-horse chariot. It reached back to +Prince Casnar of Britain. + +Pryderi had many adventures, which are told in the Mabinogian, which +is the great storehouse of Welsh hero, wonder, and fairy tales. + + + + +VI + + +THE GOLDEN HARP + + +Morgan is one of the oldest names in Cymric land. It means one who +lives near the sea. + +Every day, for centuries past, tens of thousands of Welsh folks have +looked out on the great blue plain of salt water. + +It is just as true, also, that there are all sorts of Morgans. One of +these named Taffy, was like nearly all Welshmen, in that he was very +fond of singing. + +The trouble in his case, however, was that no one but himself loved to +hear his voice, which was very disagreeable. Yet of the sounds which +he himself made with voice or instrument, he was an intense admirer. +Nobody could persuade him that his music was poor and his voice rough. +He always refused to improve. + +Now in Wales, the bard, or poet, who makes up his poetry or song as he +goes along, is a very important person, and it is not well to offend +one of these gentlemen. In French, they call such a person by a very +long name--the improvisator. + +These poets have sharp tongues and often say hard things about people +whom they do not like. If they used whetstones, or stropped their +tongues on leather, as men do their razors, to give them a keener +edge, their words could not cut more terribly. + +Now, on one occasion, Morgan had offended one of these bards. It was +while the poetic gentleman was passing by Taffy's house. He heard the +jolly fellow inside singing, first at the top and then at the bottom +of the scale. He would drop his voice down on the low notes and then +again rise to the highest until it ended in a screech. + +Someone on the street asked the poet how he liked the music which he +had heard inside. + +"Music?" replied the bard with a sneer. "Is that what Morgan is +trying? Why! I thought it was first the lowing of an aged cow, and +then the yelping of a blind dog, unable to find its way. Do you call +that music?" + +The truth was that when the soloist had so filled himself with strong +ale that his brain was fuddled, then it was hard to tell just what +kind of a noise he was making. It took a wise man to discover the +tune, if there was any. + +One evening, when Morgan thought his singing unusually fine, and felt +sorry that no one heard him, he heard a knock. + +[Illustration: THE MORE MORGAN PLAYED, THE MADDER THE DANCE] + +Instead of going to the door to inquire, or welcome the visitor, he +yelled out "Come in!" + +The door opened and there stood three tired looking strangers. They +appeared to be travelers. One of them said: + +"Kind sir, we are weary and worn, and would be glad of a morsel of +bread. If you can give us a little food, we shall not trouble you +further." + +"Is that all?" said Morgan. "See there the loaf and the cheese, with a +knife beside them. Take what you want, and fill your bags. No man +shall ever say that Taffy Morgan denied anyone food, when he had any +himself." + +Whereupon the three travelers sat down and began to eat. + +Meanwhile, without being invited to do so, their host began to sing +for them. + +Now the three travelers were fairies in disguise. They were journeying +over the country, from cottage to cottage, visiting the people. They +came to reward all who gave them a welcome and were kind to them, but +to vex and play tricks upon those who were stingy, bad tempered, or of +sour disposition. Turning to Taffy before taking leave, one of them +said: + +"You have been good to us and we are grateful. Now what can we do for +you? We have power to grant anything you may desire. Please tell us +what you would like most." + +At this, Taffy looked hard in the faces of the three strangers, to see +if one of them was the bard who had likened his voice in its ups and +downs to a cow and a blind dog. Not seeing any familiar face, he +plucked up his courage, and said: + +"If you are not making fun of me, I'll take from you a harp. And, if I +can have my wish in full, I want one that will play only lively tunes. +No sad music for me!" + +Here Morgan stopped. Again he searched their faces, to see if they +were laughing at him and then proceeded. + +"And something else, if I can have it; but it's really the same thing +I am asking for." + +"Speak on, we are ready to do what you wish," answered the leader. + +"I want a harp, which, no matter how badly I may play, will sound out +sweet and jolly music." + +"Say no more," said the leader, who waved his hand. There was a flood +of light, and, to Morgan's amazement, there stood on the floor a +golden harp. + +But where were the three travelers? They had disappeared in a flash. + +Hardly able to believe his own eyes, it now dawned upon him that his +visitors were fairies. + +He sat down, back of the harp, and made ready to sweep the strings. He +hardly knew whether or not he touched the instrument, but there rolled +out volumes of lively music, as if the harp itself were mad. The tune +was wild and such as would set the feet of young folks agoing, even in +church. + +As Taffy's fingers seemed every moment to become more skillful, the +livelier the music increased, until the very dishes rattled on the +cupboard, as if they wanted to join in. Even the chair looked as if +about to dance. + +Just then, Morgan's wife and some neighbors entered the house. +Immediately, the whole party, one and all, began dancing in the +jolliest way. For hours, they kept up the mad whirl. Yet all the +while, Taffy seemed happier and the women the merrier. + +No telegraph ever carried the news faster, all over the region, that +Morgan had a wonderful harp. + +All the grass in front of the house, was soon worn away by the crowds, +that came to hear and dance. As soon as Taffy touched the harp +strings, the feet of everyone, young and old, began shuffling, nor +could anyone stop, so long as Morgan played. Even very old, lame and +one-legged people joined in. Several old women, whom nobody had ever +prevailed upon to get out of their chairs, were cured of their +rheumatism. Such unusual exercise was severe for them, but it seemed +to be healthful. + +A shrewd monk, the business manager of the monastery near by, wanted +to buy Morgan's house, set up a sanatarium and advertise it as a holy +place. He hoped thus to draw pilgrims to it and get for it a great +reputation as a healing place for the lame and the halt, the palsied +and the rheumatic. Thus the monastery would be enriched and all the +monks get fat. + +But Taffy was a happy-go-lucky fellow, who cared little about money +and would not sell; for, with his harp, he enjoyed both fun and fame. + +One day, in the crowd that stood around his door waiting to begin to +hop and whirl, Morgan espied the bard who had compared his voice to a +cow and a cur. The bard had come to see whether the stories about the +harp were true or not. + +He found to his own discomfort what was the fact and the reality, +which were not very convenient for him. As soon as the harp music +began, his feet began to go up, and his legs to kick and whirl. The +more Morgan played, the madder the dance and the wilder the antics of +the crowd, and in these the bard had to join, for he could not help +himself. Soon they all began to spin round and round on the flagstones +fronting the door, as if crazy. They broke the paling of the garden +fence. They came into the house and knocked over the chairs and sofa, +even when they cracked their shins against the wood. They bumped their +heads against the walls and ceiling, and some even scrambled over the +roof and down again. The bard could no more stop his weary legs than +could the other lunatics. + +To Morgan his revenge was so sweet, that he kept on until the bard's +legs snapped, and he fell down on top of people that had tumbled from +shear weariness, because no more strength was left in them. + +Meanwhile, Morgan laughed until his jaws were tired and his stomach +muscles ached. + +But no sooner did he take his fingers off the strings, to rest them, +than he opened his eyes in wonder; for in a flash the harp had +disappeared. + +He had made a bad use of the fairies' gift, and they were displeased. +So both the monk and Morgan felt sorry. + +Yet the grass grew again when the quondam harper and singer ceased +desolating the air with his quavers. The air seemed sweeter to +breathe, because of the silence. + +However, the fairies kept on doing good to the people of good will, +and to-day some of the sweetest singers in Wales come from the poorest +homes. + + + + +VII + + +THE GREAT RED DRAGON OF WALES + + +Every old country that has won fame in history and built up a +civilization of its own, has a national flower. Besides this, some +living creature, bird, or beast, or, it may be, a fish is on its flag. +In places of honor, it stands as the emblem of the nation; that is, of +the people, apart from the land they live on. Besides flag and symbol, +it has a motto. That of Wales is: "Awake: It is light." + +Now because the glorious stories of Wales, Scotland and Ireland have +been nearly lost in that of mighty England, men have at times, almost +forgotten about the leek, the thistle, and the shamrock, which stand +for the other three divisions of the British Isles. + +Yet each of these peoples has a history as noble as that of which the +rose and the lion are the emblems. Each has also its patron saint and +civilizer. So we have Saint George, Saint David, Saint Andrew, and +Saint Patrick, all of them white-souled heroes. On the union flag, or +standard of the United Kingdom, we see their three crosses. + +The lion of England, the harp of Ireland, the thistle of Scotland, and +the Red Dragon of Wales represent the four peoples in the British +Isles, each with its own speech, traditions, and emblems; yet all in +unity and in loyalty, none excelling the Welsh, whose symbol is the +Red Dragon. In classic phrase, we talk of Albion, Scotia, Cymry, and +Hibernia. + +But why red? Almost all the other dragons in the world are white, or +yellow, green or purple, blue, or pink. Why a fiery red color like +that of Mars? + +Borne on the banners of the Welsh archers, who in old days won the +battles of Crecy and Agincourt, and now seen on the crests on the town +halls and city flags, in heraldry, and in art, the red dragon is as +rampant, as when King Arthur sat with His Knights at the Round Table. + +The Red Dragon has four three-toed claws, a long, barbed tongue, and +tail ending like an arrow head. With its wide wings unfolded, it +guards those ancient liberties, which neither Saxon, nor Norman, nor +German, nor kings on the throne, whether foolish or wise, have ever +been able to take away. No people on earth combine so handsomely loyal +freedom and the larger patriotism, or hold in purer loyalty to the +union of hearts and hands in the British Empire, which the sovereign +represents, as do the Welsh. + +The Welsh are the oldest of the British peoples. They preserve the +language of the Druids, bards, and chiefs, of primeval ages which go +back and far beyond any royal line in Europe, while most of their +fairy tales are pre-ancient and beyond the dating. + +Why the Cymric dragon is red, is thus told, from times beyond human +record. + +It was in those early days, after the Romans in the south had left the +island, and the Cymric king, Vortigern, was hard pressed by the Picts +and Scots of the north. To his aid, he invited over from beyond the +North Sea, or German Ocean, the tribes called the Long Knives, or +Saxons, to help him. + +But once on the big island, these friends became enemies and would not +go back. They wanted to possess all Britain. + +Vortigern thought this was treachery. Knowing that the Long Knives +would soon attack him, he called his twelve wise men together for +their advice. With one voice, they advised him to retreat westward +behind the mountains into Cymry. There he must build a strong fortress +and there defy his enemies. + +So the Saxons, who were Germans, thought they had driven the Cymry +beyond the western borders of the country which was later called +England, and into what they named the foreign or Welsh parts. +Centuries afterwards, this land received the name of Wales. + +People in Europe spoke of Galatians, Wallachians, Belgians, Walloons, +Alsatians, and others as "Welsh." They called the new fruit imported +from Asia walnuts, but the names "Wales" and "Welsh" were unheard of +until after the fifth century. + +The place chosen for the fortified city of the Cymry was among the +mountains. From all over his realm, the King sent for masons and +carpenters and collected the materials for building. Then, a solemn +invocation was made to the gods by the Druid priests. These grand +looking old men were robed in white, with long, snowy beards falling +over their breasts, and they had milk-white oxen drawing their +chariot. With a silver knife they cut the mistletoe from the +tree-branch, hailing it as a sign of favor from God. Then with harp, +music and song they dedicated the spot as a stronghold of the Cymric +nation. + +Then the King set the diggers to work. He promised a rich reward to +those men of the pick and shovel who should dig the fastest and throw +up the most dirt, so that the masons could, at the earliest moment, +begin their part of the work. + +But it all turned out differently from what the king expected. Some +dragon, or powerful being underground, must have been offended by this +invasion of his domain; for, the next morning, they saw that +everything in the form of stone, timber, iron or tools, had +disappeared during the night. It looked as if an earthquake had +swallowed them all up. + +Both king and seers, priests and bards, were greatly puzzled at this. +However, not being able to account for it, and the Saxons likely to +march on them at any time, the sovereign set the diggers at work and +again collected more wood and stone. + +This time, even the women helped, not only to cook the food, but to +drag the logs and stones. They were even ready to cut off their +beautiful long hair to make ropes, if necessary. + +But in the morning, all had again disappeared, as if swept by a +tempest. The ground was bare. + +Nevertheless, all hands began again, for all hearts were united. + +For the third time, the work proceeded. Yet when the sun rose next +morning, there was not even a trace of either material or labor. + +What was the matter? Had some dragon swallowed everything up? + +Vortigern again summoned his twelve wise men, to meet in council, and +to inquire concerning the cause of the marvel and to decide what was +to be done. + +After long deliberation, while all the workmen and people outside +waited for their verdict, the wise men agreed upon a remedy. + +Now in ancient times, it was a custom, all over the world, notably in +China and Japan and among our ancestors, that when a new castle or +bridge was to be built, they sacrificed a human being. This was done +either by walling up the victim while alive, or by mixing his or her +blood with the cement used in the walls. Often it was a virgin or a +little child thus chosen by lot and made to die, the one for the many. + +The idea was not only to ward off the anger of the spirits of the air, +or to appease the dragons under ground, but also to make the workmen +do their best work faithfully, so that the foundation should be sure +and the edifice withstand the storm, the wind, and the earthquake +shocks. + +So, nobody was surprised, or raised his eyebrows, or shook his head, +or pursed up his lips, when the king announced that what the wise men +declared, must be done and that quickly. Nevertheless, many a mother +hugged her darling more closely to her bosom, and fathers feared for +their sons or daughters, lest one of these, their own, should be +chosen as the victim to be slain. + +King Vortigern had the long horn blown for perfect silence, and then +he spoke: + +"A child must be found who was born without a father. He must be +brought here and be solemnly put to death. Then his blood will be +sprinkled on the ground and the citadel will be built securely." + +Within an hour, swift runners were seen bounding over the Cymric +hills. They were dispatched in search of a boy without a father, and a +large reward was promised to the young man who found what was wanted. +So into every part of the Cymric land, the searchers went. + +One messenger noticed some boys playing ball. Two of them were +quarreling. Coming near, he heard one say to the other: + +"Oh, you boy without a father, nothing good will ever happen to you." + +"This must be the one looked for," said the royal messenger to +himself. So he went up to the boy, who had been thus twitted and spoke +to him thus: + +"Don't mind what he says." Then he prophesied great things, if he +would go along with him. The boy was only too glad to go, and the next +day the lad was brought before King Vortigern. + +The workmen and their wives and children, numbering thousands, had +assembled for the solemn ceremony of dedicating the ground by shedding +the boy's blood. In strained attention the people held their breath. + +The boy asked the king: + +"Why have your servants brought me to this place?" + +Then the sovereign told him the reason, and the boy asked: + +"Who instructed you to do this?" + +"My wise men told me so to do, and even the sovereign of the land +obeys his wise councilors." + +"Order them to come to me, Your Majesty," pleaded the boy. + +When the wise men appeared, the boy, in respectful manner, inquired of +them thus: + +"How was the secret of my life revealed to you? Please speak freely +and declare who it was that discovered me to you." + +Turning to the king, the boy added: + +"Pardon my boldness, Your Majesty. I shall soon reveal the whole +matter to you, but I wish first to question your advisers. I want them +to tell you what is the real cause, and reveal, if they can, what is +hidden here underneath the ground." + +But the wise men were confounded. They could not tell and they fully +confessed their ignorance. + +The boy then said: + +"There is a pool of water down below. Please order your men to dig for +it." + +At once the spades were plied by strong hands, and in a few minutes +the workmen saw their faces reflected, as in a looking glass. There +was a pool of clear water there. + +Turning to the wise men, the boy asked before all: + +"Now tell me, what is in the pool?" + +As ignorant as before, and now thoroughly ashamed, the wise men were +silent. + +"Your Majesty, I can tell you, even if these men cannot. There are two +vases in the pool." + +Two brave men leaped down into the pool. They felt around and brought +up two vases, as the boy had said. + +Again, the lad put a question to the wise men: + +"What is in these vases?" + +Once more, those who professed to know the secrets of the world, even +to the demanding of the life of a human being, held their tongues. + +"There is a tent in them," said the boy. "Separate them, and you will +find it so." + +By the king's command, a soldier thrust in his hand and found a folded +tent. + +Again, while all wondered, the boy was in command of the situation. +Everything seemed so reasonable, that all were prompt and alert to +serve him. + +"What a splendid chief and general, he would make, to lead us against +our enemies, the 'Long Knives!'" whispered one soldier to another. + +"What is in the tent?" asked the boy of the wise men. + +Not one of the twelve knew what to say, and there was an almost +painful silence. + +"I will tell you, Your Majesty, and all here, what is in this tent. +There are two serpents, one white and one red. Unfold the tent." + +With such a leader, no soldier was afraid, nor did a single person in +the crowd draw back? Two stalwart fellows stepped forward to open the +tent. + +But now, a few of the men and many of the women shrank back while +those that had babies, or little folks, snatched up their children, +fearing lest the poisonous snakes might wriggle towards them. + +The two serpents were coiled up and asleep, but they soon showed signs +of waking, and their fiery, lidless eyes glared at the people. + +"Now, Your Majesty, and all here, be you the witnesses of what will +happen. Let the King and wise men look in the tent." + +At this moment, the serpents stretched themselves out at full length, +while all fell back, giving them a wide circle to struggle in. + +Then they reared their heads. With their glittering eyes flashing +fire, they began to struggle with each other. The white one rose up +first, threw the red one into the middle of the arena, and then +pursued him to the edge of the round space. + +Three times did the white serpent gain the victory over the red one. + +But while the white serpent seemed to be gloating over the other for a +final onset, the red one, gathering strength, erected its head and +struck at the other. + +The struggle went on for several minutes, but in the end the red +serpent overcame the white, driving it first out of the circle, then +from the tent, and into the pool, where it disappeared, while the +victorious red one moved into the tent again. + +When the tent flap was opened for all to see, nothing was visible +except a red dragon; for the victorious serpent had turned into this +great creature which combined in one new form the body and the powers +of bird, beast, reptile and fish. It had wings to fly, the strongest +animal strength, and could crawl, swim, and live in either water or +air, or on the earth. In its body was the sum total of all life. + +Then, in the presence of all the assembly, the youth turned to the +wise men to explain the meaning of what had happened. But not a word +did they speak. In fact, their faces were full of shame before the +great crowd. + +"Now, Your Majesty, let me reveal to you the meaning of this mystery." + +"Speak on," said the King, gratefully. + +"This pool is the emblem of the world, and the tent is that of your +kingdom. The two serpents are two dragons. The white serpent is the +dragon of the Saxons, who now occupy several of the provinces and +districts of Britain and from sea to sea. But when they invade our +soil our people will finally drive them back and hold fast forever +their beloved Cymric land. But you must choose another site, on which +to erect your castle." + +After this, whenever a castle was to be built no more human victims +were doomed to death. All the twelve men, who had wanted to keep up +the old cruel custom, were treated as deceivers of the people. By the +King's orders, they were all put to death and buried before all the +crowd. + +To-day, like so many who keep alive old and worn-out notions by means +of deception and falsehood, these men are remembered only by the +Twelve Mounds, which rise on the surface of the field hard by. + +As for the boy, he became a great magician, or, as we in our age would +call him, a man of science and wisdom, named Merlin. He lived long on +the mountain, but when he went away with a friend, he placed all his +treasures in a golden cauldron and hid them in a cave. He rolled a +great stone over its mouth. Then with sod and earth he covered it all +over so as to hide it from view. His purpose was to leave this his +wealth for a leader, who, in some future generation, would use it for +the benefit of his country, when most needed. + +This special person will be a youth with yellow hair and blue eyes. +When he comes to Denas, a bell will ring to invite him into the cave. +The moment his foot is over the place, the stone of entrance will open +of its own accord. Anyone else will be considered an intruder and it +will not be possible for him to carry away the treasure. + + + + +VIII + + +THE TOUCH OF CLAY + + +Long, long ago before the Cymry came into the beautiful land of Wales, +there were dark-skinned people living in caves. + +In these early times there were a great many fairies of all sorts, but +of very different kinds of behavior, good and bad. + +It was in this age of the world that fairies got an idea riveted into +their heads which nothing, not even hammers, chisels or crowbars can +pry up. Neither horse power, nor hydraulic force nor sixteen-inch +bombs, nor cannon balls, nor torpedoes can drive it out. + +It is a settled matter of opinion in fairy land that, compared with +fairies, human beings are very stupid. The fairies think that mortals +are dull witted and awfully slow, when compared to the smarter and +more nimble fairies, that are always up to date in doing things. + +Perhaps the following story will help explain why this is. + +These ancient folks who lived in caves, could not possibly know some +things that are like A B C to the fairies of to-day. For the Welsh +fairies, King Puck and Queen Mab, know all about what is in the +telegraphs, submarine cables and wireless telegraphy of to-day. Puck +would laugh if you should say that a telephone was any new thing to +him. Long ago, in Shakespeare's time, he boasted that he could "put a +girdle round the earth in forty minutes." Men have been trying ever +since to catch up with him, but they have not gone ahead of him yet. + +If, only three hundred years ago, this were the case, what must have +been Puck's fun, when he saw men in the early days, working so hard to +make even a clay cup or saucer. These people who slept and ate in cave +boarding-houses, knew nothing of metals, or how to make iron or brass +tools, wire, or machines, or how to touch a button and light up a +whole room, which even a baby can now do. + +There is one thing that we, who have traveled in many fairy lands, +have often noticed and told our friends, the little folks, and that is +this: + +All the fairies we ever knew are very slow to change either their +opinions, or their ways, or their fashions. Like many mortals, they +think a great deal of their own notions. They imagine that the only +way to do a thing is in that which they say is the right one. + +So it came to pass that even when the Cymric folk gave up wearing the +skins of animals, and put on pretty clothes woven on a loom, and ate +out of dishes, instead of clam shells, there were still some fairies +that kept to the notions and fashions of the cave days. To one of +these, came trouble because of this failing. + +Now there was once a pretty nymph, who lived in the Red Lake, to which +a young and handsome farmer used to come to catch fish. One misty day, +when the lad could see only a few feet before him, a wind cleared the +air and blew away the fog. Then he saw near him a little old man, +standing on a ladder. He was hard at work in putting a thatched roof +on a hut which he had built. + +A few minutes later, as the mist rose and the breezes blew, the farmer +could see no house, but only the ripplings of water on the lake's +surface. + +Although he went fishing often, he never again saw anything unusual, +during the whole summer. + +On one hot day in the early autumn, while he stopped to let his horse +drink, he looked and saw a very lovely face on the water. Wondering to +whom it might belong, there rose up before him the head and shoulders +of a most beautiful woman. She was so pretty that he had two tumbles. +He fell off his horse and he fell in love with her at one and the same +time. + +Rushing toward the lovely vision, he put out his arms at that spot +where he had seen her, but only to embrace empty air. Then he +remembered that love is blind. So he rubbed his eyes, to see if he +could discern anything. Yet though he peered down into the water, and +up over the hills, he could not see her anywhere. + +But he soon found out to his joy that his eyes were all right, for in +another place, the face, flower-crowned hair, and her reflection in +the water came again. Then his desire to possess the damsel was +doubled. But again, she disappeared, to rise again somewhere else. + +Five times he was thus tantalized and disappointed. She rose up, and +quickly disappeared. + +It seemed as though she meant only to tease him. So he rode home +sorrowing, and scarcely slept that night. + +Early morning, found the lovelorn youth again at the lake side, but +for hours he watched in vain. He had left his home too excited to have +eaten his usual breakfast, which greatly surprised his housekeeper. +Now he pulled out some sweet apples, which a neighbor had given him, +and began to munch them, while still keeping watch on the waters. + +No sooner had the aroma of the apples fallen on the air, than the +pretty lady of the lake bobbed up from beneath the surface, and this +time quite near him. She seemed to have lost all fear, for she asked +him to throw her one of the apples. + +"Please come, pretty maid, and get it yourself," cried the farmer. +Then he held up the red apple, turning it round and round before her, +to tempt her by showing its glossy surface and rich color. + +Apparently not afraid, she came up close to him and took the apple +from his left hand. At once, he slipped his strong right arm around +her waist, and hugged her tight. At this, she screamed loudly. + +Then there appeared in the middle of the lake the old man, he had seen +thatching the roof by the lake shore. This time, besides his long +snowy beard, he had on his head a crown of water lilies. + +"Mortal," said the venerable person. "That is my daughter you are +clasping. What do you wish to do with her?" + +At once, the farmer broke out in passionate appeal to the old man that +she might become his wife. He promised to love her always, treat her +well, and never be rough or cruel to her. + +The old father listened attentively. He was finally convinced that the +farmer would make a good husband for his lovely daughter. Yet he was +very sorry to lose her, and he solemnly laid one condition upon his +future son-in-law. + +He was never under any pretense, or in any way, to strike her with +clay, or with anything made or baked from clay. Any blow with that +from which men made pots and pans, and jars and dishes, or in fact, +with earth of any sort, would mean the instant loss of his wife. Even +if children were born in their home, the mother would leave them, and +return to fairy land under the lake, and be forever subject to the law +of the fairies, as before her marriage. + +The farmer was very much in love with his pretty prize, and as +promises are easily made, he took oath that no clay should ever touch +her. + +They were married and lived very happily together. Years passed and +the man was still a good husband and lover. He kept up the habit which +he had learned from a sailor friend. Every night, when far from home +and out on the sea, he and his mates used to drink this toast; +"Sweethearts and wives: may every sweetheart become a wife and every +wife remain a sweetheart, and every husband continue a lover." + +So he proved that though a husband he was still a lover, by always +doing what she asked him and more. When the children were born and +grew up, their father told them about their mother's likes and +dislikes, her tastes and her wishes, and warned them always to be +careful. So it was altogether a very happy family. + +One day, the wife and mother said to her husband, that she had a great +longing for apples. She would like to taste some like those which he +long ago gave her. At once, the good man dropped what he was doing and +hurried off to his neighbor, who had first presented him with a +trayful of these apples. + +The farmer not only got the fruit, but he also determined that he +would plant a tree and thus have apples for his wife, whenever she +wanted them. So he bought a fine young sapling, to set in his orchard, +for the children to play under and to keep his pantry full of the fine +red-cheeked fruit. At this his wife was delighted. + +So happy enough--in fact, too merry to think of anything else, they, +both husband and wife, proceeded to set the sapling in the ground. She +held the tree, while he dug down to make the hole deep enough to make +sure of its growing. + +But farmers are sometimes very superstitious. They even believe in +luck, though not in Puck. Some of them have faith in what the almanac, +and the patent medicine may say, and in planting potatoes according to +the moon, but they scout the idea of there being any fairies. + +With the farmer, this had become a fixed state of mind and now it +brought him to grief, as we shall see. For though he remembered what +his wife liked and disliked, and recalled what her father had told +him, he had forgotten that she was a fairy. + +With this farmer and other Welsh mortals, it had become a habit, when +planting a young tree, to throw the last shovelful of earth over the +left shoulder. This was for good luck. The farmer was afraid to break +such a good custom, as he thought it to be. + +So merrily he went to work, forgetting everything in his adherence to +habit. He became so absorbed in his job, that he did not look where +his spadeful went, and it struck his dear wife full in the breast. + +At that moment, she cried out bitterly, not in pain, but in sorrow. +Then she started to run towards the lake. At the shore, she called +out, "Good-by, dear, dear husband." Then, leaping into the water, she +was never seen again and all his tears and those of the children never +brought her back. + + + + +IX + + +THE TOUCH OF IRON + + +Ages ago, before the Cymry rowed in their coracles across the sea, +there was a race of men already in the Land of Honey, as Great Britain +was then called. + +These ancient people, who lived in caves, did not know how to build +houses or to plow the ground. They had no idea that they could get +their food out of the earth. As for making bread and pies, cookies and +goodies, from what grew from the soil, they never heard of such a +thing. They were not acquainted with the use of fire for melting +copper, nor did they know how to get iron out of the ore, to make +knives and spears, arrow heads and swords, and armor and helmets. + +All they could do was to mold clay, so as to make things to cook with +and hold milk, or water. When they baked this soft stuff in the fire, +they found they had pots, pans and dishes as hard as stone, though +these were easily broken. + +To hunt the deer, or fight the wolves and bears, they fashioned clubs +of wood. For javelins and arrows, they took hard stone like flint and +chipped it to points and sharpened it with edges. This was the time +which men now call the Stone Age. When the men went to war, their +weapons were wholly of wood or stone. + +They had not yet learned to weave the wool of the sheep into warm +clothing, but they wore the skins of animals. Each one of the caves, +in which they lived, was a general boarding house, for dogs and pigs, +as well as people. + +When a young man of one tribe wanted a wife, he sallied out secretly +into another neighborhood. There he lay in wait for a girl to come +along. He then ran away with her, and back to his own daddy's cave. + +By and by, when the Cymry came into the land, they had iron tools and +better weapons of war. Then there were many and long battles and the +aborigines were beaten many times. + +So the cave people hated everything made of iron. Anyone of the cave +people, girls or boys, who had picked up iron ornaments, and were +found wearing or using iron tools, or buying anything of iron from the +cave people's enemies, was looked upon as a rascal, or a villain, or +even as a traitor and was driven out of the tribe. + +However, some of the daughters of the cave men were so pretty and had +such rosy cheeks, and lovely bodies, and beautiful, long hair, that +quite often the Cymric youth fell in love with them. + +Many of the cave men's daughters were captured and became wives of the +Cymry and mothers of children. In course of ages, their descendants +helped to make the bright, witty, song-loving Welsh people. + +Now the fairies usually like things that are old, and they are very +slow to alter the ancient customs, to which they have been used; for, +in the fairy world, there is no measure of time, nor any clocks, +watches, or bells to strike the hours, and no almanacs or calendars. + +The fairies cannot understand why ladies change the fashions so often, +and the men their ways of doing things. They wonder why beards are +fashionable at one time; then, moustaches long or short, at another; +or smooth faces when razors are cheap. Most fairies like to keep on +doing the same thing in the old way. They enjoy being like the +mountains, which stand; or the sea, that rolls; or the sun, that rises +and sets every day and forever. They never get tired of repeating +to-morrow what they did yesterday. They are very different from the +people that are always wanting something else, and even cry if they +cannot have it. + +That is the reason why the fairies did not like iron, or to see men +wearing iron hats and clothes, called helmets and armor, when they +went to war. They no more wanted to be touched by iron than by filth, +or foul disease. They hated knives, stirrups, scythes, swords, pots, +pans, kettles, or this metal in any form, whether sheet, barbed wire, +lump or pig iron. + +Now there was a long, pretty stretch of water, near which lived a +handsome lad, who loved nothing better than to go out on moonlight +nights and see the fairies dance, or listen to their music. This youth +fell in love with one of these fairies, whose beauty was great beyond +description. At last, unable to control his passion, he rushed into +the midst of the fairy company, seized the beautiful one, and rushed +back to his home, with his prize in his arms. This was in true +cave-man fashion. When the other fairies hurried to rescue her, they +found the man's house shut. They dared not touch the door, for it was +covered over with iron studs and bands, and bolted with the metal +which they most abhorred. + +The young man immediately began to make love to the fairy maid, hoping +to win her to be his wife. For a long time she refused, and moped all +day and night. While weeping many salt water tears, she declared that +she was too homesick to live. + +Nevertheless the lover persevered. Finding herself locked in with iron +bars, while gratings, bolts and creaking hinges were all about her, +and unable to return to her people, the fairy first thought out a plan +of possible escape. Then she agreed to become the man's wife. She +resolved, at least, that, without touching it, she should oil all the +iron work, and stop the noise. + +She was a smart fairy, and was sure she could outwit the man, even if +he were so strong, and had every sort of iron everywhere in order to +keep her as it were in a prison. So, pretending she loved him dearly, +she said: "I will not be your wife, but, if you can find out my name, +I shall gladly become your servant." + +"Easily won," thought the lover to himself. Yet the game was a harder +one to play than he supposed. It was like playing Blind Man's Buff, or +Hunt the Slipper. Although he made guesses of every name he could +think of, he was never "hot" and got no nearer to the thing sought +than if his eyes were bandaged. All the time, he was deeper and deeper +in love with the lovely fairy maid. + +But one night, on returning home, he saw in a turf bog, a group of +fairies sitting on a log. At once, he thought, they might be talking +about their lost sister. So he crept up quite near them, and soon +found that he had guessed right. After a long discussion, finding +themselves still at a loss, as to how to recover her, he heard one of +them sigh and say, "Oh, Siwsi, my sister, how can you live with a +mortal?" + +"Enough," said the young man to himself. "I've got it." Then, crawling +away noiselessly, he ran back all the way to his house, and unlocked +the door. Once inside the room, he called out his servant's +name--"Siwsi! Siwsi!" + +Astonished at hearing her name, she cried out, "What mortal has +betrayed me? For, surely no fairy would tell on me? Alas, my fate, my +fate!" + +But in her own mind, the struggle and the fear were over. She had +bravely striven to keep her fairyhood, and in the battle of wits, had +lost. + +She would not be wife, but what a wise, superb and faithful servant +she made! + +Everything prospered under her hand. The house and the farm became +models. Not twice, but three times a day, the cows, milked by her, +yielded milk unusually rich in cream. In the market, her butter +excelled, in quality and price, all others. + +Meanwhile, the passion of the lover abated not one jot, or for an +instant. His perseverance finally won. She agreed to become his wife; +but only on one condition. + +"You must never strike me with iron," she said. "If you do, I'll feel +free to leave you, and go back to my relatives in the fairy family." + +A hearty laugh from the happy lover greeted this remark, made by the +lovely creature, once his servant, but now his betrothed. He thought +that the condition was very easy to obey. + +So they were married, and no couple in all the land seemed to be +happier. Once, twice, the cradle was filled. It rocked with new +treasures that had life, and were more dear than farm, or home, or +wealth in barns or cattle, cheese and butter. A boy and a girl were +theirs. Then the mother's care was unremitting, day and night. + +Even though the happy father grew richer every year, and bought farm +after farm, until he owned five thousand acres, he valued, more than +these possessions, his lovely wife and his beautiful children. + +Yet this very delight and affection made him less vigilant; yes, even +less careful concerning the promise he had once given to his fairy +wife, who still held to the ancient ideas of the Fairy Family in +regard to iron. + +One of his finest mares had given birth to a filly, which, when the +day of the great fair came, he determined to sell at a high price. + +So with a halter on his arm, he went out to catch her. + +But she was a lively creature, so frisky that it was much like his +first attempt to win his fairy bride. It almost looked as if she were +a cave girl running away from a lover, who had a lasso in his hand. +The lively and frolicsome beast scampered here and there, grazing as +she stopped, as if she were determined to put off her capture as long +as possible. + +So, calling to his wife, the two of them together, tried their skill +to catch the filly. This time, leaving the halter in the house, the +man took bit and bridle, and the two managed to get the pretty +creature into a corner; but, when they had almost captured her, away +she dashed again. + +By this time, the man was so vexed that he lost his temper; and he who +does that, usually loses the game, while he who controls the wrath +within, wins. Mad as a flaming fire, he lost his brains also and threw +bit and bridle and the whole harness after the fleet animal. + +Alas! alas! the wife had started to run after the filly and the iron +bit struck her on the cheek. It did not hurt, but he had broken his +vow. + +Now came the surprise of his life. It was as if, at one moment, a +flash of lightning had made all things bright; and then in another +second was inky darkness. He saw this lovely wife, one moment active +and fleet as a deer. In another, in the twinkling of an eye, nothing +was there. She had vanished. After this, there was a lonely home, +empty of its light and cheer. + +But by living with human beings, a new idea and form of life had +transformed this fairy, and a new spell was laid on her. Mother-love +had been awakened in her heart. Henceforth, though the law of the +fairy world would not allow her to touch again the realm of earth, +she, having once been wife and parent, could not forget the babies +born of her body. So, making a sod raft, a floating island, she came +up at night, and often, while these three mortals lived, this fairy +mother would spend hours tenderly talking to her husband and her two +children, who were now big boy and girl, as they stood on the lake +shore. + +On his part, the father did not think it "an ideal arrangement," as +some modern married folks do, to be thus separated, wife and husband, +one from the other; but by her coming as near as could be allowed, she +showed her undying love. Even to-day, good people sometimes see a +little island floating on the lake, and this, they point out as the +place where the fairy mother was wont to come and hold converse with +her dear ones. When they merrily eat the pink delicacy, called +"floating island," moving it about with a spoon on its yellow lake of +eggs and cream, they call this "the Fairy Mother's rocking chair." + + + + +X + + +THE MAIDEN OF THE GREEN FOREST + + +Many a palace lies under the waves that wash Cymric land, for the sea +has swallowed up more than one village, and even cities. + +When Welsh fairies yield to their mortal lovers and consent to become +their wives, it is always on some condition or promise. Sometimes +there are several of these, which the fairy ladies compel their mortal +lovers to pledge them, before they agree to become wives. In fact, the +fairies in Cymric land are among the most exacting of any known. + +A prince named Benlli, of the Powys region, found this out to his +grief, for he had always supposed that wives could be had simply for +the asking. All that a man need say, to the girl to whom he took a +fancy, was this: "Come along with me, and be my bride," and then she +would say, "Thank you, I'll come," and the two would trot off +together. This was the man's notion. + +Now Benlli was a wicked old fellow. He was already married, but +wrinkles had gathered on his wife's face. She had a faded, washed-out +look, and her hair was thinning out. She would never be young again, +and he was tired of her, and wanted a mate with fresh rosy cheeks, and +long, thick hair. He was quite ready to fall in love with such a +maiden, whenever his eyes should light upon her. + +One day, he went out hunting in the Green Forest. While waiting for a +wild boar to rush out, there rode past him a young woman whose beauty +was dazzling. He instantly fell in love with her. + +The next day, while on horseback, at the same opening in the forest, +the same maiden reappeared; but it was only for a moment, and then she +vanished. + +Again, on the third day, the prince rode out to the appointed place, +and again the vision of beauty was there. He rode up to her and begged +her to come and live with him at his palace. + +"I will come and be your wedded wife on three conditions: You must put +away the wife you now have; you must permit me to leave you, one night +in every seven, without following after or spying upon me; and you +must not ask me where I go or what I do. Swear to me that you will do +these three things. Then, if you keep your promises unbroken, my +beauty shall never change, no, not until the tall vegetable flag-reeds +wave and the long green rushes grow in your hall." + +The Prince of Powys was quite ready to swear this oath and he solemnly +promised to observe the three conditions. So the Maid of the Green +Forest went to live with him. + +"But what of his old wife?" one asks. + +Ah! he had no trouble from that quarter, for when the newly-wedded +couple arrived at the castle, she had already disappeared. + +Happy, indeed, were the long bright days, which the prince and his new +bride spent together, whether in the castle, or out doors, riding on +horseback, or in hunting the deer. Every day, her beauty seemed +diviner, and she more lovely. He lavished various gifts upon her, +among others that of a diadem of beryl and sapphire. Then he put on +her finger a diamond ring worth what was a very great sum--a king's +ransom. In the Middle Ages, monarchs as well as nobles were taken +prisoners in battle and large amounts of money had to be paid to get +them back again. So a king's ransom is what Benlli paid for his wife's +diamond ring. He loved her so dearly that he never suspected for a +moment that he would ever have any trouble in keeping his three +promises. + +But without variety, life has no spice, and monotony wearies the soul. +After nine years had passed, and his wife absented herself every +Friday night, he began to wonder why it could be. His curiosity, to +know the reason for her going away, so increased that it so wore on +him that he became both miserable in himself and irritable toward +others. Everybody in the castle noticed the change in their master, +and grieved over it. + +One night, he invited a learned monk from the white monastery, not far +away, to come and take dinner with him. The table in the great +banqueting hall was spread with the most delicious viands, the lights +were magnificent, and the music gay. + +But Wyland, the monk, was a man of magic and could see through things. +He noticed that some secret grief was preying upon the Prince's mind. +He discerned that, amidst all this splendor, he, Benlli, the lord of +the castle, was the most miserable person within its walls. So Wyland +went home, resolved to call again and find out what was the trouble. + +When they met, some days later, Wyland's greeting was this: + +"Christ save thee, Benlli! What secret sorrow clouds thy brow? Why so +gloomy?" + +Benlli at once burst out with the story of how he met the Maid of the +Green Forest, and how she became his wife on three conditions. + +"Think of it," said Benlli, groaning aloud. "When the owls cry and the +crickets chirp, my wife leaves my bed, and until the daystar appears, +I lie alone, torn with curiosity, to know where she is, and what she +is doing. I fall again into heavy sleep, and do not awake until +sunrise, when I find her by my side again. It is all such a mystery, +that the secret lies heavy on my soul. Despite all my wealth, and my +strong castle, with feasting and music by night and hunting by day, I +am the most miserable man in Cymric land. No beggar is more wretched +than I." + +Wyland, the monk, listened and his eyes glittered. There came into his +head the idea of enriching the monastery. He saw his chance, and +improved it at once. He could make money by solving the secret for a +troubled soul. + +"Prince Benlli," said he, "if you will bestow upon the monks of the +White Minster, one tenth of all the flocks that feed within your +domain, and one tenth of all that flows into the vaults of your +palace, and hand over the Maiden of the Green Forest to me, I shall +warrant that your soul will be at peace and your troubles end." + +To all this, Prince Benlli agreed, making solemn promise. Then the +monk Wyland took his book, leather bound, and kept shut by means of +metal clasps, and hid himself in the cranny of a rock near the Giant's +Cave, from which there was entrance down into Fairyland. + +He had not long to wait, for soon, with a crown on her head, a lady, +royally arrayed, passed by out of the silvery moonlight into the dark +cave. It was none other than the Maiden of the Green Forest. + +Now came a battle of magic and spells, as between the monk's own and +those of the Green Forest Maiden. He moved forward to the mouth of the +cave. Then summoning into his presence the spirits of the air and the +cave, he informed them as to Benlli's vow to enrich the monastery, and +to deliver the Green Forest Maiden to himself. Then, calling aloud, he +said: + +"Let her forever be, as she now appears, and never leave my side." + +"Bring her, before the break of day, to the cross near the town of the +White Minster, and there will I wed her, and swear to make her my +own." + +Then, by the power of his magic, he made it impossible for any person +or power to recall or hinder the operation of these words. Leaving the +cave's mouth, in order to be at the cross, before day should dawn, the +first thing he met was a hideous ogress, grinning and rolling her +bleared red eyes at him. On her head seemed what was more like moss, +than hair. She stretched out a long bony finger at him. On it, flashed +the splendid diamond, which Benlli had given his bride, the beautiful +Maid of the Green Forest. + +"Take me to thy bosom, monk Wyland," she shrieked, laughing hideously +and showing what looked like green snags in her mouth. "For I am the +wife you are sworn to wed. Thirty years ago, I was Benlli's blooming +bride. When my beauty left me, his love flew out of the window. Now I +am a foul ogress, but magic makes me young again every seventh night. +I promised that my beauty should last until the tall flag reeds and +the long green rushes grow in his hall." + +Amazed at her story, Wyland drew in his breath. + +"And this promise, I have kept. It is already fulfilled. Your spell +and mine are both completed. Yours brought to him the peace of the +dead. Mine made the river floods rush in. Now, waters lap to and fro +among the reeds and rushes that grow in the banqueting hall, which is +now sunk deep below the earth. With the clash of our spells, no charm +can redress our fate. + +"Come then and take me as thy bride, for oath and spell have both +decreed it as thy reward. As Benlli's promise to you is fulfilled, for +the waters flow in the palace vaults, the pike and the dare (fish) +feed there." + +So, caught in his own dark, sordid plot, the monk, who played +conjurer, had become the victim of his own craft. + +They say that Wyland's Cross still recalls the monk, while fishermen +on the Welsh border, can, on nights with smooth water, see towers and +chimneys far below, sunk deep beneath the waves. + + + + +XI + + +THE TREASURE STONE OF THE FAIRIES + + +The Gruffyds were one of the largest of the Welsh tribes. To-day, it +is said that in Britain one man in every forty has this, as either his +first, middle, or last name. It means "hero" or "brave man," and as +far back as the ninth century, the word is found in the Book of Saint +Chad. + +The monks, who derived nearly every name from the Latin, insisted the +word meant Great Faith. + +Another of the most common of Welsh personal names was William; which, +when that of a father's son, was written Williams and was only the +Latin for Gild Helm, or Golden Helmet. + +Long ago, when London was a village and Cardiff only a hamlet, there +was a boy of this name, who tended sheep on the hill sides. His father +was a hard working farmer, who every year tried to coax to grow out of +the stony ground some oats, barley, leeks and cabbage. In summer, he +worked hard, from the first croak of the raven to the last hoot of the +owl, to provide food for his wife and baby daughter. When his boy was +born, he took him to the church to be christened Gruffyd, but every +body called him "Gruff." In time several little sisters came to keep +the boy company. + +His mother always kept her cottage, which was painted pink, very neat +and pretty, with vines covering the outside, while flowers bloomed +indoors. These were set in pots and on shelves near the latticed +windows. They seemed to grow finely, because so good a woman loved +them. The copper door-sill was kept bright, and the broad borders on +the clay floor, along the walls, were always fresh with whitewash. The +pewter dishes on the sideboard shone as if they were moons, and the +china cats on the mantle piece, in silvery luster, reflected both sun +and candle light. Daddy often declared he could use these polished +metal plates for a mirror, when he shaved his face. Puss, the pet, was +always happy purring away on the hearth, as the kettle boiled to make +the flummery, of sour oat jelly, which, daddy loved so well. + +Mother Gruffyd was always so neat, with her black and white striped +apron, her high peaked hat, with its scalloped lace and quilled +fastening around her chin, her little short shawl, with its pointed, +long tips, tied in a bow, and her bright red plaid petticoat folded +back from her frock. Her snowy-white, rolling collar and neck cloth +knotted at the top, and fringed at the ends, added fine touches to her +picturesque costume. + +In fact, young Gruffyd was proud of his mother and he loved her +dearly. He thought no woman could be quite as sweet as she was. + +Once, at the end of the day, on coming back home, from the hills, the +boy met some lovely children. They were dressed in very fine clothes, +and had elegant manners. They came up, smiled, and invited him to play +with them. He joined in their sports, and was too much interested to +take note of time. He kept on playing with them until it was pitch +dark. + +Among other games, which he enjoyed, had been that of "The King in his +counting house, counting out his money," and "The Queen in her +kitchen, eating bread and honey," and "The Girl hanging out the +clothes," and "The Saucy Blackbird that snipped off her nose." In +playing these, the children had aprons full of what seemed to be real +coins, the size of crowns, or five-shilling pieces, each worth a +dollar. These had "head and tail," beside letters on them and the boy +supposed they were real. + +But when he showed these to his mother, she saw at once from their +lightness, and because they were so easily bent, that they were only +paper, and not silver. + +She asked her boy where he had got them. He told her what a nice time +he had enjoyed. Then she knew that these, his playmates, were fairy +children. Fearing that some evil might come of this, she charged him, +her only son, never to go out again alone, on the mountain. She +mistrusted that no good would come of making such strange children his +companions. + +But the lad was so fond of play, that one day, tired of seeing nothing +but byre and garden, while his sisters liked to play girls' games more +than those which boys cared most for, and the hills seeming to beckon +him to come to them, he disobeyed, and slipped out and off to the +mountains. He was soon missed and search was made for him. + +Yet nobody had seen or heard of him. Though inquiries were made on +every road, in every village, and at all the fairs and markets in the +neighborhood, two whole years passed by, without a trace of the boy. + +But early one morning of the twenty-fifth month, before breakfast, his +mother, on opening the door, found him sitting on the steps, with a +bundle under his arm, but dressed in the same clothes, and not looking +a day older or in any way different, from the very hour he +disappeared. + +"Why my dear boy, where have you been, all these months, which have +now run into the third year--so long a time that they have seemed to +me like ages?" + +"Why, mother dear, how strange you talk. I left here yesterday, to go +out and to play with the children, on the hills, and we have had a +lovely time. See what pretty clothes they have given me for a +present." Then he opened his bundle. + +But when she tore open the package, the mother was all the more sure +that she was right, and that her fears had been justified. In it she +found only a dress of white paper. Examining it carefully, she could +see neither seam nor stitches. She threw it in the fire, and again +warned her son against fairy children. + +But pretty soon, after a great calamity had come upon them, both +father and mother changed their minds about fairies. + +They had put all their savings into the venture of a ship, which had +for a long time made trading voyages from Cardiff. Every year, it came +back bringing great profit to the owners and shareholders. In this +way, daddy was able to eke out his income, and keep himself, his wife +and daughters comfortably clothed, while all the time the table was +well supplied with good food. Nor did they ever turn from their door +anyone who asked for bread and cheese. + +But in the same month of the boy's return, bad news came that the good +ship had gone down in a storm. All on board had perished, and the +cargo was totally lost, in the deep sea, far from land. In fact, no +word except that of dire disaster had come to hand. + +Now it was a tradition, as old as the days of King Arthur, that on a +certain hill a great boulder could be seen, which was quite different +from any other kind of rock to be found within miles. It was partly +imbedded in the earth, and beneath it, lay a great, yes, an untold +treasure. The grass grew luxuriantly around this stone, and the sheep +loved to rest at noon in its shadow. Many men had tried to lift, or +pry it up, but in vain. The tradition, unaltered and unbroken for +centuries, was to the effect, that none but a very good man could ever +budge this stone. Any and all unworthy men might dig, or pull, or pry, +until doomsday, but in vain. Till the right one came, the treasure was +as safe as if in heaven. + +But the boy's father and mother were now very poor and his sisters now +grown up wanted pretty clothes so badly, that the lad hoped that he or +his father might be the deserving one. He would help him to win the +treasure for he felt sure that his parent would share his gains with +all his friends. + +Though his neighbors were not told of the generous intentions credited +to the boy's father, by his loving son, they all came with horses, +ropes, crowbars, and tackle, to help in the enterprise. Yet after many +a long days' toil, between the sun's rising and setting, their end was +failure. Every day, when darkness came on, the stone lay there still, +as hard and fast as ever. So they gave up the task. + +On the final night, the lad saw that father and mother, who were great +lovers, were holding each other's hands, while their tears flowed +together, and they were praying for patience. + +Seeing this, before he fell asleep, the boy resolved that on the +morrow, he would go up to the mountains, and talk to his fairy friends +about the matter. + +So early in the morning, he hurried to the hill tops, and going into +one of the caves, met the fairies and told them his troubles. Then he +asked them to give him again some of their money. + +"Not this time, but something better. Under the great rock there are +treasures waiting for you." + +"Oh, don't send me there! For all the men and horses of our parish, +after working a week, have been unable to budge the stone." + +"We know that," answered the principal fairy, "but do you yourself try +to move it. Then you will see what is certain to happen." + +Going home, to tell what he had heard, his parents had a hearty laugh +at the idea of a boy succeeding where men, with the united strength of +many horses and oxen, had failed. + +Yet, after brooding awhile, they were so dejected, that anything +seemed reasonable. So they said, "Go ahead and try it." + +Returning to the mountain, the fairies, in a band, went with him to +the great rock. + +One touch of his hand, and the mighty boulder trembled, like an aspen +leaf in the breeze. + +A shove, and the rock rolled down from the hill and crashed in the +valley below. + +There, underneath, were little heaps of gold and silver, which the boy +carried home to his parents, who became the richest people in the +country round about. + + + + +XII + + +GIANT TOM AND GIANT BLUBB + + +Everyone who has read anything of Welsh history--though not of the +sort that is written by English folks--knows also that Cornwall is, in +soul, a part of Wales. Before the Romans, first, and the Saxons, next, +invaded Britain, the Cymric people lived all over the island, south of +Scotland. + +They were the British people, and nobody ever heard the German name, +"Wales," which means a foreign land; or the word "Welsh," which refers +to foreigners, until men who were themselves outsiders came into +Britain. + +Since that time, it has been much the same, as when a British Jack +Tar, when rambling in Portugal, or China, calls the natives +"foreigners," and tells them to "get out of the way." + +Ages ago, when the Cymric men, with their wives and little ones rowed +over in their coracles, from Gallia, or the Summer Land, to Britain, +the Honey Land, they came first to the promontory which we know as +Cornwall; that is, the Cornu Galliae, or Walliae, which means Horn or +Cape of the new country now called England. Here was a new region, +rich in every kind of minerals. Ages before, the Phoenicians had named +it Britain or the Land of Tin. Within the memory of men now living, +Cornishmen, that is, the miners of Cornwall, on going to California, +discovered gold. + +In Cornwall, as part of the Cymric realm, King Arthur found and +married Guinevere, his queen. It was in Cornwall, also, that Merlin +was hidden. Hear the rhyme: + + Marvelous Merlin is wasted away + By a wicked woman, who may she be? + For she hath pent him in a crag + On Cornwall coast. + +So it happens that thousands of "English" people in Cornwall are +Welsh, by both name or descent, or have translated their names into +English form, even while keeping the Welsh meaning. They are also +Welsh in traits of character. Just as tens of thousands of Welsh +folks, among the first settlers of New England and the American +colonies are described in our histories as "English" people. + +Now in early Cornwall there were many giants. Some were good but +others were bad. One of these, a right fine fellow, was named Tom, and +the other, a bad one, Blubb. This giant had had twenty wives, and was +awfully cruel. Nobody ever knew what became of the twenty maidens he +had married. + +Sometimes people called the big fellow, that lived in a castle, Giant +Blunderbuss, but Blubb was his name for short. He was much taller than +the highest hop pole in Kent. He was made up mostly of head and +stomach, for his chief idea in living was to eat. His skull was as big +as a hogshead, or a push-ball, or a market wagon loaded with carrots. +Indeed, it was strongly suspected by most people that the big bone box +set on his shoulders was as hollow inside as a pumpkin, but that a +cocoanut would hold all the brains he had. At any rate, during one of +his fights with another giant, he had been given an awful thwack from +the other giant's club. Then the sound made, which was heard a long +distance away, was exactly like that when one pounds on an empty +barrel. + +Now this Giant Blubb had built a mighty castle between a big hill and +a river. Under it were vaults of vast size, filled with treasures of +all sorts, gold, silver, jewels and gems. There were cells, in which +he kept his wives, after he had married them. It was the opinion of +his neighbors, that in every case, soon after the honeymoon was over, +he ate them up. + +Yet, if even the devil ought to have his due; one should be fair to +this human monster, and we are bound to say that Giant Blubb denied +these stories as pure gossip. It is certain that such crimes as murder +and cannibalism never could be proved against him. + +To guard his underground treasures, he had two huge and fierce dogs, +supposed to be named Catchem and Tearem. What they were really called +by their master was a secret. Yet anyone who had a piece of meat ready +to throw to them, and knew their names, which were pass words, could +first quiet them. Then he could walk by them and get the treasure. + +Besides these dogs, the only living thing left in the castle when the +giant went out, was the latest Mrs. Blubb. Yet she was in constant +fear of her life, lest her big husband should sometime make a meal of +her. For even she had heard the story that Blubb was a cannibal and +looked at all plump women simply as delicacies, exactly as a boy peers +into the window of a candy shop. + +What made all the country round hate this cruel giant was not wholly +on account of his awful appetite. It was because he had ruined the +King's High Road. Ever since the time of King Lud, whose name we read +in Ludgate Hill, in London, where His Cymric Majesty had lived, this +highway had been free to all. It ran all the way through Cornwall, +from Penzance, and thence eastward to London and beyond. + +When Giant Blubb wished to enlarge his castle, he had the walls and +towers built down to the river's edge. This closed up the big road, so +that people had to go far around and up over the hill, or by boat +along the river. Such a roundabout way took much time and toil, and +was too much trouble for all. + +Everybody had to submit to this extortion, until there came along +Giant Tom, of whom we shall now tell. His real name was Rolling Stone, +for he never stuck long in one place at a job, and cared not a +cucumber for money, or fine clothes. + +This jolly fellow was very good-natured and popular, but often very +lazy. His mother talked with him many times, urging him to learn a +trade, or in some way make an honest living. She found it very hard to +keep anything in her larder, barn, pantry, or cellar, when he was at +home. He measured four feet across his shoulders and at every meal he +ate what would feed three big men. But as he could do six men's work, +when he had a mind to--as often he did--he was always welcome. In +fact, he was too popular for his own good. + +One day, when ten common fellows were trying their utmost to lift a +big long log on a cart, and were unable to do it, Tom came along and +told them to stand back. Then he hoisted the tree on to the wain, +roped it into place, and told the cartman to drive on. Then they all +cheered him, and one of them lifted his Monmouth cap and cried out, +"Hurrah for Giant Tom. He's the fellow to whip Giant Blubb." + +"He is! He is!" they all cried in chorus. + +"Who is this Giant Blubb? Where does he live?" asked Tom, rolling up +his sleeves, for he was just spoiling for a row with a fellow of his +size. + +Then they told the story of how the big bully had ruined the King's +Highway, by building a great wall and tower across the road, to shut +it up, to the grief of many honest men. + +"Never mind, boys. I'll attend to his bacon," said Tom. "Leave the +matter with me, and don't bother to tell the King about it." + +Tom went the next day into town and hired himself out to a beer brewer +to drive the wagon. Perhaps he hoped, also, while in this occupation, +to keep down his thirst. + +He asked the boss to give him the route that led past Giant Blubb's +castle, over the old King's Highway. + +The master of the brewery saw through Tom's purpose. He winked, and +only said: + +"Go ahead, my boy. I'll pay you double wages, if you will open that +road again; but see that Giant Blubb does not get my load of kegs, or +that your carcass doesn't count with those of the twenty wives in his +vaults and make twenty-one." + +Again he winked his eye knowingly to his workmen. Tom drove off. He +occupied all the room on the seat of the cart, which two men usually +filled and left plenty of room on either side. + +Cracking his whip, the new driver kept the four horses on a galloping +pace, until very soon he called out "whoa," before the frowning high +gateway of Giant Blubb. + +Tom shouted from the depth of his lungs: + +"Open the gate and let me drive through. This is the King's Highway." + +The only reply, for a minute, was the barking of the curs. Then a +rattling of bolts was heard, and the great gates swung wide open. + +"Who are you, you impudent fellow? Go round over the hill, or I'll +thrash you," blustered Giant Blubb, in a rage. + +"Better save your breath to cool your porridge, you big boaster, and +come out and fight," said Tom. + +"Fight? You pigmy. I'll just get a switch and whip you, as I would a +bad boy." + +Thereupon Giant Blubb stepped aside into the grove nearby, keeping all +the while an eye on his gate, guarded by his two monstrous dogs. He +selected an elm tree twenty feet high, tore it up by the roots, pulled +off the branches, and peeled it for a whip. This he jerked up and down +to make ready for his task of thrashing "the pigmy." + +Meanwhile Giant Tom upset the wain, drew out the tongue and took off +one of the wheels. Then, as if armed with spear and shield, he +advanced to meet Giant Blubb. He whistled like a boy, as he went +forward. + +In a passion of rage, Giant Blubb lifted his elm switch to strike, but +Tom warded off the blow with his wheel shield. Then he punched him in +the stomach, with the wagon tongue, so hard that the big fellow +slipped and rolled over in the mud: + +Picking himself up, Giant Blubb, now half blind with rage, rushed +against Tom, who, this time, made a lunge which planted the cart +tongue inside Blubb's bowels, and knocked him over. + +But Tom was not a cruel fellow, and had no desire to kill anyone. So +he threw down his war tools, and tearing up a yard or two of grassy +sod rolled it together, and made a plug of it, as big around as a milk +churn. With this, he stopped up the big hole in Giant Blubb's huge +body. + +But instead of thanking Tom, Giant Blubb rushed at him again. He was +in too much of a rage to see anything clearly, while Tom, perfectly +cool, gave the angry monster such a kick, in the place where he kept +his dinner, that he rolled over, and Tom gave him another kick. Then +the plug of sod fell out of his wound. + +As he was bleeding to death, Giant Blubb beckoned to Tom to come up +close, for he could only whisper. + +"You've beaten me on the square, and I like you. Don't think I killed +my twenty wives. They all died naturally. But call the dogs by name, +and they will let you pass. Then, in my vaults, you'll find gold, +silver, and copper. Make these your own and bury me decently. This is +all I ask." + +Tom made himself owner of the castle and all its treasures. He opened +the King's Highway again. He took care of his aged mother, married the +twenty-first wife of Giant Blubb, now a widow, and was always kind to +the sick and poor. + +To-day in Cornwall, they still tell stories of the big fellow who +abolished Giant Blubb's toll gate. + +Centuries afterward, when Christ's gospel came into the land, they +restored Giant Tom's tomb and on it were chiseled these words: + +THE RESTORER OF PATHS TO DWELL IN. + + + + +XIII + + +A BOY THAT VISITED FAIRYLAND + + +Many are the places in Wales where the ground is lumpy and humpy with +tumuli, or little artificial mounds. Among these the sheep graze, the +donkeys bray, and the cows chew the cud. + +Here the ground is strewn with the ruins of cromlechs, or Cymric +strongholds, of old Roman camps, of chapels and monasteries, showing +that many different races of men have come and gone, while the birds +still fly and the flowers bloom. + +Centuries ago, the good monks of St. David had a school where lads +were taught Latin and good manners. One of their pupils was a boy +named Elidyr. He was such a poor scholar and he so hated books and +loved play, that in his case spankings and whippings were almost of +daily occurrence. Still he made no improvement. He was in the habit +also of playing truant, or what one of the monks called "traveling to +Bagdad." One of the consequences was that certain soft parts of his +body--apparently provided by nature for this express purpose--often +received a warming from his daddy. + +His mother loved her boy dearly, and she often gently chided him, but +he would not listen to her, and when she urged him to be more +diligent, he ran out of the room. The monks did not spare the birch +rod, and soon it was a case of a whipping for every lesson not +learned. + +One day, though he was only twelve years old, the boy started on a +long run into the country. The further he got, the happier he felt--at +least for one day. + +At night, tired out, he crept into a cave. When he woke up, in the +morning, he thought it was glorious to be as free as the wild asses. +So like them, he quenched his thirst at the brook. But when, towards +noon, he could find nothing to eat, and his inside cavity seemed to +enlarge with very emptiness, his hunger grew every minute. Then he +thought that a bit of oat cake, a leek, or a bowl of oat meal, whether +porridge or flummery, might suit a king. + +He dared not go out far and pick berries, for, by this time, he saw +that people were out searching for him. He did not feel yet, like +going back to books, rods and scoldings, but the day seemed as long as +a week. Meanwhile, he discovered that he had a stomach, which seemed +to grow more and more into an aching void. He was glad when the sunset +and darkness came. His bed was no softer in the cave, as he lay down +with a stone for his pillow. Yet he had no dreams like those of Jacob +and the angels. + +When daylight came, the question in his mind was still, whether to +stay and starve, or to go home and get two thrashings--one from his +daddy, and another from the monks. But how about that thing inside of +him, which seemed to be a live creature gnawing away, and which only +something to eat would quiet? Finally, he came to a stern resolve. He +started out, ready to face two whippings, rather than one death by +starvation. + +But he did not have to go home yet, for at the cave's mouth, he met +two elves, who delivered a most welcome message. + +"Come with us to a land full of fun, play, and good things to eat." + +All at once, his hunger left him and he forgot that he ever wanted to +swallow anything. All fear, or desire to go home, or to risk either +schooling or a thrashing, passed away also. + +Into a dark passage all three went, but they soon came out into a +beautiful country. How the birds sang and the flowers bloomed! All +around could be heard the joyful shouts of little folks at play. Never +did things look so lovely. + +[Illustration: THE KING SPOKE KINDLY TO ELIDYR, ASKING HIM WHO HE WAS] + +Soon, in front of the broad path along which they were traveling, +there rose up before him a glorious palace. It had a splendid gateway, +and the silver-topped towers seemed to touch the blue sky. + +"What building is this?" asked the lad of his two guides. + +They made answer that it was the palace of the King of Fairyland. Then +they led him into the throne room, where, sat in golden splendor, a +king, of august figure and of majestic presence, who was clad in +resplendent robes. He was surrounded by courtiers in rich apparel, and +all about him was magnificence, such as this boy, Elidyr, had never +even read about or dreamed. + +Yet everything was so small that it looked like Toy Land, and he felt +like a giant among them, even though many of the little men around him +were old enough to have whiskers on their cheeks and beards on their +chins. + +The King spoke kindly to Elidyr, asking him who he was, and whence he +had come. + +While talking thus, the Prince, the King's only son appeared. He was +dressed in white velvet and gold, and had a long feather in his cap. +In the pleasantest way, he took Elidyr's hand and said: + +"Glad to see you. Come and let us play together." + +That was just what Elidyr liked to hear. The King smiled and said to +his visitor, "You will attend my son?" Then, with a wave of his hand, +he signified to the boys to run out and play games. + +A right merry time they did have, for there were many other little +fellows for playmates. + +These wee folks, with whom Elidyr played, were hardly as big as our +babies, and certainly would not reach up to his mother's knee. To +them, he looked like a giant, and he richly enjoyed the fun of having +such little men, but with beards growing on their faces, look up to +him. + +They played with golden balls, and rode little horses, with silver +saddles and bridles, but these pretty animals were no larger than +small dogs, or grayhounds. + +No meat was ever seen on the table, but always plenty of milk. They +never told a lie, nor used bad language, or swear-words. They often +talked about mortal men, but usually to despise them; because what +they liked to do, seemed so absurd and they always wanted foolish and +useless things. To the elves, human beings were never satisfied, or +long happy, even when they got what they wanted. + +Everything in this part of fairyland was lovely, but it was always +cloudy. No sun, star or moon was ever seen, yet the little men did not +seem to mind it and enjoyed themselves every day. There was no end of +play, and that suited Elidyr. + +Yet by and by, he got tired even of games and play, and grew very +homesick. He wanted to see his mother. So he asked the King to let him +visit his old home. He promised solemnly to come back, after a few +hours. His Majesty gave his permission, but charged him not to take +with him anything whatever from fairyland, and to go with only the +clothes on his back. + +The same two elves or dwarfs, who had brought him into fairyland, were +chosen to conduct him back. When they had led him again through the +underground passage into the sunlight, they made him invisible until +he arrived at his mother's cottage. She was overjoyed to find that no +wolf had torn him to pieces, or wild bull had pushed him over a +precipice. + +She asked him many questions, and he told her all he had seen, felt, +or known. + +When he rose up to go, she begged him to stay longer, but he said he +must keep his word. Besides, he feared the rod of the monks, or his +daddy, if he remained. So he made his mother agree not to tell +anything--not even to his father, as to where he was, or what he was +doing. Then he made off and reported again to his playmates in +fairyland. + +The King was so pleased at the lad's promptness in returning, and +keeping his word, and telling the truth, that he allowed him to go see +his mother as often as he wanted to do so. He even gave orders +releasing the two little men from constantly guarding him and told +them to let the lad go alone, and when he would, for he always kept +his word. + +Many times did Elidyr visit his mother. By one road, or another, he +made his way, keeping himself invisible all the time, until he got +inside her cottage. He ran off, when anyone called in to pay a visit, +or when he thought his daddy, or one of the monks was coming. He never +saw any of these men. + +One day, in telling his mother of the fun and good times he had in +fairyland, he spoke of the heavy yellow balls, with which he and the +King's sons played, and how these rolled around. + +Before leaving home, this boy had never seen any gold, and did not +know what it was, but his mother guessed that it was the precious +metal, of which the coins called sovereigns, and worth five dollars +apiece, were made. So she begged him to bring one of them back to her. + +This, Elidyr thought, would not be right; but after much argument, his +parents being poor, and she telling him that, out of hundreds in the +King's palace, one single ball would not be missed, he decided to +please her. + +So one day, when he supposed no one was looking, he picked up one of +the yellow balls and started off through the narrow dark passageway +homeward. + +But no sooner was he back on the earth, and in the sunlight again, +than he heard footsteps behind him. Then he knew that he had been +discovered. + +He glanced over his shoulder and there were the two little men, who +had led him first and had formerly been his guards. They scowled at +him as if they were mad enough to bite off the heads of tenpenny +nails. Then they rushed after him, and there began a race to the +cottage. + +But the boy had legs twice as long as the little men, and got to the +cottage door first. He now thought himself safe, but pushing open the +door, he stumbled over the copper threshold, and the ball rolled out +of his hand, across the floor of hardened clay, even to the nearly +white-washed border, which ran about the edges of the room. It stopped +at the feet of his mother, whose eyes opened wide at the sight of the +ball of shining gold. + +As he lay sprawling on the floor, and before he could pick himself up, +one of the little men leaped over him, rushed into the room, and, from +under his mother's petticoats, picked up the ball. + +They spat at the boy and shouted, "traitor," "rascal," "thief," "false +mortal," "fox," "rat," "wolf," and other bad names. Then they turned +and sped away. + +Now Elidyr, though he had been a mischievous boy, often willful, lazy, +and never liking his books, had always loved the truth. He was very +sad and miserable, beyond the telling, because he had broken his word +of honor. So, almost mad with grief and shame, and from an accusing +conscience, he went back to find the cave, in which he had slept. He +would return to the King of the fairies, and ask his pardon, even if +His Majesty never allowed him to visit Fairyland again. + +But though he often searched, and spent whole days in trying to find +the opening in the hills, he could never discover it. + +So, fully penitent, and resolving to live right, and become what his +father wanted him to be, he went back to the monastery. + +There he plied his tasks so diligently that he excelled all in +book-learning. In time, he became one of the most famous scholars in +Welsh history. When he died, he asked to be buried, not in the monk's +cemetery, but with his father and mother, in the churchyard. He made +request that no name, record, or epitaph, be chiseled on his tomb, but +only these words: + +WE CAN DO NOTHING AGAINST THE TRUTH, BUT ONLY FOR THE TRUTH. + + + + +XIV + + +THE WELSHERY AND THE NORMANS + + +Though their land has been many times invaded, the Welsh have never +been conquered. Powerful tribes, like the Romans, Saxons and Normans, +have tried to overwhelm them. Even when English and German kings +attempted to crush their spirit and blot out their language and +literature, the Welsh resisted and won victory. + +Among the bullies that tried force, instead of justice, and played the +slave-driver, rather than the Good Samaritan's way, were the Normans. +These brutal fellows, when they thought that they had overrun Wales +with their armies, began to build strong castles all over the country. +They kept armed men by the thousands ready, night and day, to rush out +and put to death anybody and everybody who had a weapon in his hand. +Often they burned whole villages. They killed so many Welsh people +that it seemed at times as if they expected to empty the land of its +inhabitants. Thus, they hoped to possess all the acres for themselves. +They talked as if there were no people so refined and so cultured as +they were, while the natives, good and bad, were lumped together as +"the Welshery." + +Yet all this time, with these hundreds of strong castles, bristling +with turrets and towers, no Englishman's life was safe. If he dared to +go out alone, even twenty rods from the castle, he was instantly +killed by some angry Welshman lying in ambush. So the Normans had to +lock themselves up in armor, until they looked like lobsters in their +shells. When on their iron-clad horses they resembled turtles, so that +if a knight fell off, he had to be chopped open to be rid of his metal +clothes. + +Yet all this was in vain, for when the Norman marched out in bodies, +or rode in squadrons, the Welshery kept away and were hidden. + +Even the birds and beasts noticed this, and saw what fools the Normans +were, to behave so brutally. + +As for the fairies, they met together to see what could be done. Even +the reptiles shamed men by living together more peaceably. Only the +beasts of prey approved of the Norman way of treating the Welsh +people. + +At last, it came to pass that, after the long War of the Roses, when +the Reds and the Whites had fought together, a Welsh king sat upon the +throne of England. Henry VIII was of Cymric ancestry. His full name +was Henry Tudor; or, in English, Henry Theodore. + +Among the Welsh, every son, to his own name as a child, such as Henry, +William, Thomas, etc., added that of his father. Thus it happens that +we can usually tell a man by his name; for example, Richards, Roberts, +Evans, Jones, etc., etc., that he is a Welshman. + +When a Welshman went into England to live, if he were a sister's son, +he usually added a syllable showing this, as in the case of Jefferson, +which means sister's son. Our great Thomas Jefferson used to boast +that he could talk Welsh. + +So the living creatures of all sorts in Wales, human beings, fairies, +and animals took heart and plucked up courage, when a Tudor king, +Henry VIII, sat on the throne. + +Now it was Puck who led the fairies as the great peacemaker. He went +first to visit all the most ancient creatures, in order to find out +who should be offered the post of honor, as ambassador, who should be +sent to the great king in London, Henry Tudor, to see what could be +done for Wales. + +First he called on the male eagle, oldest of all birds. Though not +bald-headed, like his American cousin, the Welsh eagle was very old, +and at that time a widower. Although he had been father to nine +generations of eaglets, he sent Puck to the stag. + +This splendid creature, with magnificent antlers, lived at the edge of +the forest, near the trunk of an oak tree. It was still standing, but +was now a mere shell. Old men said that the children of the aborigines +played under it, and here was the home of the god of lightning, which +they worshiped. + +So to the withered oak, Puck went, and offered him the honor of +leadership to an embassy to the King. + +But the stag answered and said: + +"Well do I remember when an acorn fell from the top of the parent oak. +Then, for three hundred years it was growing. Children played under +it. They gathered acorns in their aprons, and the archers made bows +from its boughs. + +"Then the oak tree began to die, and, during nearly thirty tens of +years it has been fading, and I have seen it all. + +"Yet there is one older than I. It is the salmon that swims in the +Llyn stream. Inquire there." + +So of the old mother salmon, Puck went to ask, and this was the answer +which he received. + +"Count all the spots on my body, and all the eggs in my roe--one for +each year. Yet the blackbird is older even than I. Go listen to her +story. She excels me, in both talk and fact." + +And the blackbird opened its orange-colored bill, and answered +proudly: + +"Do you see this flinty rock, on which I am sitting? Once it was so +huge that three hundred yoke of oxen could hardly move it. Yet, today, +it hardly more than affords me room to roost on. + +"What made it so small, do you ask? + +"Well, all I have clone to wear it away, has been to wipe my beak on +it, every night, before I go to sleep, and in the morning to brush it +with the tips of my wing." + +Even Puck, fairy though he was, was astonished at this. But the +blackbird added: + +"Go to the toad, that blinks its eye under the big rock yonder. His +age is greater than mine." + +The toad was half asleep when Puck came, but it opened with alertness, +its beautiful round bright eyes, set in a rim of gold. Then Puck asked +the question: "Oh, thou that carriest a jewel in thy head, are there +any things alive that are older than thou art?" + +"That, I could not be sure of, especially if as many false things are +told about them, as are told about me; but when I was a tadpole in the +pond, that old hag of an owl was still hooting away, in the treetops, +scaring children, as in ages gone. She is older than I. Go and see +her. If age makes wise, she is the wisest of all." + +Puck went into the forest, but at first saw no bird answering to the +description given him. + +He said to himself, "She is, I wonder, who?" + +He was surprised to hear his question repeated, not as an echo, but by +another. Still, he thought it might possibly be his own voice come +back. + +So, in making a catalogue, in his note book, of what he had seen and +heard that day, he put down, "To wit--one echo." + +Again came the sound: + +"To whit--to who, to whit--to who?" Sounded the voice. + +Thinking that this was intended to be a polite question, Puck looked +up. Sure enough, there was the wise bird sitting on a bough, above +him, as sober as a judge. + +"Who! did you ask?" answered Puck and then went on to explain: + +"I am Lord of the Fairies in Welshery, and I seek to know which is the +most venerable, of all the creatures in the Land of the Red Dragon. + +"I am ready to salute you, as the most ancient and honorable of all +living things in the Cymric realm. You are desired to bear a message +to the Great King, in London." + +Tickled by such delicate flattery, and the honors proffered her, this +lady owl, after much blinking and winking, flirting, and fluttering, +at last agreed to go to King Henry VIII in London. The business, with +which she was charged, was to protest against Norman brutality and to +plead for justice. + +Now this old lady-owl, gray with centuries, though she had such short +ears, kept them open by day and during the night, also, for all the +gossip that floated in the air. She knew all about everybody and +everything. From what she had heard, she expected to find the new +King, Henry VIII, a royal fellow in velvet, with a crown on his head, +and his body as big and round as a hogshead, sitting in a room full of +chopping blocks and battle axes. Further, she fancied she would find a +dozen pretty women locked up in his palace, some in the cellar, others +in the pantry, and more in the garret; but all waiting to have their +heads chopped off. + +For the popular story ran that his chief amusement was to marry a wife +one day and slice off her head the next. + +It was said also that the King kept a private graveyard, and took a +walk in it every afternoon to study the epitaphs, which he kept a +scholar busy in writing; and also a man, from the marble yard near by, +to chisel them on the tombs, after his various wives had been properly +beheaded. + +But the owl never could find out whether these fables were wicked +fibs, or fairy tales, or only street talk. + +Puck and the owl together arrived in London, at the palace, when the +King was at his dinner. The butlers and lackeys wanted to keep them +out, but the merry monarch gave orders to let them in at once. He made +the owl perch over the mantel piece, but told Puck to stand upon the +dinner table and walk over the tablecloth. The pepper box was put +away, so that he should not sneeze and the King carefully removed the +mustard pot, for fear the little fairy fellow might fall in it and be +drowned in the hot stuff. + +His Majesty said that, for the time being, Puck should be the Prince +of Wales. Puck strutted about to the amusement of the King and all the +Court ladies, but he kept away from the pepper, which made his nose +tingle, and from the hot soup, for fear he might tumble into it and be +scalded. When the dessert came on, Puck hid himself under a walnut +shell, just for fun. + +It would take too long to tell about all that was said, or the +questions, which the King asked about his Welsh subjects, and which +either the owl or the fairy man answered. According to Puck's story, +Wales was then a most distressful country, though the Welshery, to a +man, wanted to be good and loyal subjects of the Tudors. + +Several times did Puck appeal to the owl, to have his story confirmed, +because this wise bird had lived among the Cymry, centuries before the +Normans came. The owl every time blinked, bowed, and answered +solemnly: + +"To whit, to who. To whit, to who," which in this case showed that she +had learned to speak the Court language. + +"Why, bless my soul, the owl speaks good Cockney Hinglish," whispered +one of the butlers, who had been born in Wales. + +"Yes, but that is the proper way to address His Majesty, King Ennery +the Heighth," answered the other butler, who was a native-born +Londoner. + +Puck and the owl returned to Wales. What happened after that, is the A +B C of history, that everybody knows, and for which all the Welsh +people to this day bless the Tudors, who made the Welsh equal before +the law with any and all Englishmen. Even Puck himself had never seen +anything like the change that quickly took place for the better, nor +did Queen Mab, with her wand, ever work such wonders. + +It was better than a fairy tale, and the effects, very soon seen, were +even more wonderful. Down went the castles into ruins, for rats to run +around in, and wild dogs to yelp and foxes to hide in, or look out of +the casements. To-day, what were once banqueting halls are covered +with moss, and on the ground grass grows, over which sheep graze and +children play; while rooks and crows nest or roost in the tall towers. + +Any Englishman's life was safe anywhere, and Wales became one of the +most easily governed countries in all the wonderful British Empire. + + + +And in the great world-war, that even children, who read these +stories, can remember, Wales, the Land of the Free, the Home of +Deathless Democracy, led all the British Isles, colonies, islands, or +coaling stations around the wide world, in loyalty, valor and +sacrifice. And the handsome son of the King, George, the Prince of +Wales, led the descendants of Welsh archers, now called the Fusileers. +They went into battle, singing, "Old Land our Fathers before us held +so dear"; or they marched, following the band that played "The Men of +Harlech." + +It is because Welsh cherish their traditions, harps, music, language +and noble inheritances, with which they feed their souls, that they +lead the four nations of the British Isles in the nobler virtues, that +keep a nation alive, as well as in the sweet humanities of the Red +Cross and in generous hospitality to the refugee Belgian. True to his +motto, "I serve," the Prince of Wales who came to see us in 1919--as +did his grandfather, whom the story-teller saw when he visited our +Independence Hall in 1860--loved to be the servant of his people. + +What was it that wrought this peaceful wonder of the sixteenth +century? Was it a fairy spell magic ointment, star-tipped wand, +treasures of caves, or ocean depths? Was it anything that dragons, +giants, ogres, or even swords, spears, catapults, or whips and clubs, +or elves or gnomes could do? + +Not a bit of it! Only justice and kindness, instead of brutality and +force. + + + + +XV + + +THE WELSH FAIRIES HOLD A MEETING + + +In the ancient Cymric gatherings, the Druids, poets, prophets, seers, +and singers all had part. The one most honored as the president of the +meeting was crowned and garlanded. Then he was led in honor and sat in +the chair of state. They called this great occasion an Eistedfodd, or +sitting, after the Cymric word, meaning a chair. + +All over the world, the Welsh folks, who do so passionately love +music, poetry and their own grand language, hold the Eistedfodd at +regular intervals. Thus they renew their love for the Fatherland and +what they received long ago from their ancestors. + +Now it happens that the fairies in every land usually follow the +customs of the mortals among whom they live. The Swiss, the Dutch, the +Belgian, the Japanese and Korean fairies, as we all know, although +they are much alike in many things are as different from each other as +the countries in which they live and play. So, when the Welsh fairies +all met together, they resolved to have songs and harp music and make +the piper play his tunes just as in the Eistedfodd. + +The Cymric fairies of our days have had many troubles to complain of. +They were disgusted with so much coal smoke, the poisoning of the air +by chemical fumes, and the blackening of the landscape from so many +factory chimneys. They had other grievances also. + +So the Queen Mab, who had a Welsh name, and another fairy, called +Pwca, or in English King Puck, sent out invitations into every part of +Wales, for a gathering on the hills, near the great rock called Dina's +seat. This is a rocky chair formed by nature. They also included in +their call those parts of western and south England, such as are still +Welsh and spiritually almost a part of Wales. In fact, Cornwall was +the old land, in which the Cymry had first landed when coming from +over the sea. + +The meeting was to be held on a moonlight night, and far away from any +houses, lest the merry making, dancing and singing of the fairies +should keep the farmers awake. This was something of which the yokels, +or men of the plow, often complained. They could not sleep while the +fairies were having their parties. + +Now among the Welsh fairies of every sort, size, dress, and behavior, +some were good, others were bad, but most of them were only full of +fun and mischief. Chief of these was the lively little fellow, Puck, +who lived in Cwm Pwcca, that is, Puck Valley, in Breconshire. + +Now it had been an old custom, which had come down, from the days of +the cave men, that when anyone died, the people, friends and relatives +sat up all night with the corpse. The custom arose, at first, with the +idea of protection against wild beasts and later from insult by +enemies. This was called a wake. The watchers wept and wailed at +first, and then fell to eating and drinking. Sometimes, they got to be +very lively. The young folks even looked on a wake, after the first +hour or two, as fine fun. Strong liquor was too plentiful and it often +happened that quarrels broke out. When heads were thus fuddled, men +saw or thought they saw, many uncanny things, like leather birds, cave +eagles, and the like. + +But all these fantastic things and creatures, such as foolish people +talk about, and with which they frighten children, such as corpse +candles, demons and imps, were ruled out and not invited to the fairy +meeting. Some other objects, which ignorant folks believed in, were +not to be allowed in the company. The door-keeper was notified not to +admit the eagles of darkness, that live in a cave which is never +lighted up; or the weird, featherless bird of leather, from the Land +of Illusion and Phantasy, that brushes its wing against windows, when +a funeral is soon to take place; or the greedy dog with silver eyes. +None of these would be permitted to show themselves, even if they came +and tried to get in. Some other creatures, not recognized in the good +society of Fairyland, were also barred out. + +To this gathering, only the bright and lively fairies were welcome. +Some of the best natured among the big creatures, and especially +giants and dragons, might pay a visit, if they wanted to do so; but +all the bad ones, such as lake hags, wraiths, sellers of liquids for +wakes, who made men drunk, and all who, under the guise of fairies, +were only agents for undertakers, were ruled out. The Night Dogs of +the Wicked Hunter Annum, the monster Afang, Cadwallader's Goats, and +various, cruel goblins and ogres, living in the ponds, and that pulled +cattle down to eat them up, and the immodest mermaids, whose bad +behavior was so well known, were crossed off the list of invitations. + +No ugly brats, such as wicked fairies were in the habit of putting in +the cradles of mortal mothers, when they stole away their babies, were +allowed to be present, even if they should come with their mothers. +This was to be a perfectly respectable company, and no bawling, +squealing, crying, or blubbering was to be permitted. + +When they had all gathered together, at the evening hour, there was +seen, in the moonlight, the funniest lot of creatures, that one could +imagine, but all were neatly dressed and well behaved. + +Quite a large number of the famous Fair Family, that moved only in the +best society of fairyland, fathers, mothers, cousins, uncles and +aunts, were on hand. In fact, some of them had thought it was to be a +wake, and were ready for whatever might turn up, whether solemn or +frivolous. These were dressed in varied costume. + +Queen Mab, who above all else, was a Welsh fairy, and whose name, as +everybody knows who talks Cymric, suggested her extreme youth and +lively disposition, was present in all her glory. + +When they saw her, several learned fairies, who had come from a +distance, fell at once into conversation on this subject. One +remarked: "How would the Queen like to add another syllable to her +name? Then we should call her Mab-gath (which means Kitten, or Little +Puss)." + +"Well not so bad, however; because many mortal daddies, who have a +daughter, call her Puss. It is a term of affection with them and the +little girls never seem to be offended." + +"Oh! Suppose that in talking to each other we call our Queen Mab-gar, +what then?" asked another, with a roguish twinkle in the eye. + +"It depends on how you use it," said a wise one dryly. This fairy was +a stickler for the correct use of every word. "If you meant 'babyish,' +or 'childish,' she, or her friends might demur; but, if you use the +term 'love of children,' what better name for a fairy queen?" + +"None. There could not be any," they shouted, all at once, "but let us +ask our old friend the harper." + +Now such a thing as inquiring into each other's ages was not common in +Fairy Land. Very few ever asked such a question, for it was not +thought to be polite. For, though we hear of ugly fairy brats being +put into the cradles, in place of pretty children, no one ever heard, +either of fairies being born or of dying, or having clocks, or +watches, or looking to see what time it was. Nor did doctors, or the +census clerks, or directory people ever trouble the fairy ladies, to +ask their age. + +Occasionally, however, there was one fairy, so wise, so learned, and +so able to tell what was going to happen to-morrow, or next year, that +the other fairies looked up to such an one with respect and awe. + +Yet these honorables would hardly know what you were talking about, if +you asked any of them how old they might be, or spoke of "old" or +"young." If, by any chance, a fairy did use the world "old" in talking +of their number, it would be for honor or dignity, and they would mean +it for a compliment. + +The fact was, that many of the most lively fairies showed their +frivolous disposition at once. These were of the kind, that, like +kittens, cubs, or babies, wanted to play all the time, yes, every +moment. Already, hundreds of them were tripping from flower to flower, +riding on the backs of fireflies, or harnessing night moths, or any +winged creatures they could saddle, for flight through the air. Or, +they were waltzing with glow worms, or playing "ring around a rosy," +or dancing in circles. They could not keep still, one moment. + +In fact, when a great crowd of the frolicsome creatures got singing +together, they made such a noise, that a squad of fairy policemen, +dressed in club moss and armed with pistils, was sent to warn them not +to raise their voices too high; lest the farmers, especially those +that were kind to the fairies, should be awakened, and feel in bad +humor. + +So the knot of learned fairies had a quiet time to talk, and, when +able to hear their own words, the harper, who was very learned, +answered their questions about Queen Mab as follows: + +"Well, you know the famous children's story book, in which mortals +read about us, and which they say they enjoy so much, is named +Mabinogion, that is, The Young Folks' Treasury of Cymric Stories." + +"It is well named," said another fairy savant, "since Queen Mab is the +only fairy that waits on men. She inspires their dreams, when these +are born in their brains." + +The talk now turned on Puck, who was to be the president of the +meeting. They were expected to show much dignity in his presence, but +some feared he would, as usual, play his pranks. Before he arrived in +his chariot, which was drawn by dragon flies, some of his neighbors +that lived in the valley near by chatted about him, until the gossip +became quite personal. Just for the fun of it, and the amusement of +the crowd, they wanted Puck to give an exhibition, off-hand, of all +his very varied accomplishments for he could beat all rivals in his +special variety, or as musicians say, his repertoire. + +"No. 'Twould be too much like a Merry Andrew's or a Buffoon's +sideshow, where the freaks of all sorts are gathered, such as they +have at those county fairs, which the mortals get up, to which are +gathered great crowds. The charge of admission is a sixpence. I vote +'no.'" + +"Well, for the very reason that Puck can beat the rest of us at spells +and transformations, I should like to see him do for us as many stunts +as he can. I've heard from a mortal, named Shakespeare, that, in one +performance, Puck could be a horse, a hound, a hog, a bear without any +head, and even kindle himself into a fire; while his vocal powers, as +we know, are endless. He can neigh, bark, grunt, roar, and even burn +up things. Now, I should like to see the fairy that could beat him at +tricks. It was Puck himself, who told the world that he was in the +habit of doing all these things, and I want to see whether he was +boasting." + +"Tut, tut, don't talk that way, about our king," said a fourth fairy. + +All this was only chaff and fun, for all the fairies were in good +humor. They were only talking, to fill up the interval until the music +began. + +Now the canny Welsh fairies had learned the trick of catching +farthings, pennies and sixpences from the folks who have more +curiosity in them than even fairies do. These human beings, cunning +fellows that they are, let the curtain fall on a show, just at the +most interesting part. Then they tell you to come next day and find +out what is to happen. Or, as they say in a story paper, "to be +continued in our next." + +Or, worse than all, the story teller stops, at some very exciting +episode, and then passes the hat or collection-box around, to get the +copper or silver of his listeners, before he will go on. + +This time, however, it was Puck himself who came forward and declared +that, unless everyone of the fairies would promise to attend the next +meeting, there should be no music. Now a meeting of the Welshery, +whether fairies or human, without music was a thing not to be thought +of. So, although at first some fairies grumbled and held back, and +were quite sulky about it, even muttering other grumpy words, they at +last all agreed, and Puck sent for the fiddler to make music for the +dance. + + + + +XVI + + +KING ARTHUR'S CAVE + + +In our time, every boy and girl knows about the nuts and blossoms, the +twigs and the hedges, the roots and the leaf of the common hazel bush, +and everybody has heard of the witch hazel. In old days they made use +of the forked branches of the hazel as a divining rod. With this, they +believed that they could divine, or find out the presence of treasures +of gold and silver, deep down in the earth, and hidden from human +eyes. + +And, what boy or girl has never played the game, and sung the ditty, +"London Bridge is falling down, falling down, falling down," even +though nobody now living ever saw it fall? + +Now, our story is about a hazel rod, a Welshman on London Bridge, +treasures in a cave, and what happened because of these. + +It was in the days when London Bridge was not, as we see it to-day, a +massive structure of stone and iron, able to bear up hundreds of cars, +wagons, horses and people, and lighted at night with electric bulbs. +No, when this Welshman visited London, the bridge had a line of shops +on both sides of the passage way, and reaching from end to end. + +Taffy was the name of this fellow from Denbigh, in Wales, and he was a +drover. He had brought, all the way from one of the richest of the +Welsh provinces, a great drove of Black Welsh cattle, such as were in +steady demand by Englishmen, who have always been lovers of roast +beef. Escaping all the risks of cattle thieves, rustlers, and +highwaymen, he had sold his beeves at a good price; so that his +pockets were now fairly bulging out with gold coins, and yet this +fellow wanted more. But first, before going home, he would see the +sights of the great city, which then contained about a hundred +thousand people. + +While he was handling some things in a shop, to decide what he should +take home to his wife, his three daughters and his two little boys, he +noticed a man looking intently, not at him, but at his stick. After a +while, the stranger came up to him and asked him where he came from. + +Now Taffy was not very refined in his manners, and he thought it none +of the fellow's business. He was very surly and made reply in a gruff +voice. + +"I come from my own country." + +The stranger did not get angry, but in a polite tone made answer: + +"Don't be offended at my question. Tell me where you cut that hazel +stick, and I'll make it to your advantage, if you will take my +advice." + +Even yet Taffy was gruff and suspicious. + +"What business is it of yours, where I cut my hazel stick?" he +answered. + +"Well it may matter a good deal to you, if you will tell me. For, if +you remember the place, and can lead me to it, I'll make you a rich +man, for near that spot lies a great treasure." + +Taffy was not much of a thinker, apart from matters concerning cattle, +and his brain worked slowly! He was sorely puzzled. Here was a wizard, +who could make him rich, and he did so love to jingle gold in his +pockets. But then he was superstitious. He feared that this sorcerer +derived all his uncanny knowledge from demons, and Taffy, being rather +much of a sinner, feared these very much. Meanwhile, his new +acquaintance kept on persuading him. + +Finally Taffy yielded and the two went on together to Wales. + +Now in this country, there are many stones placed in position, showing +they were not there by accident, but were reared by men, to mark some +old battle, or famous event. And for this, rough stone work, no +country, unless it be Korea or China, is more famous than Wales. + +On reaching one called the Fortress Rock, Taffy pointed to an old +hazel root, and said to his companion: + +"There! From that stock, I cut my hazel stick. I am sure of it." + +The sorcerer looked at Taffy to read his face, and to be certain that +he was telling the truth. Then he said: + +"Bring shovels and we'll both dig." + +These having been brought, the two began to work until the +perspiration stood out in drops on their foreheads. First the sod and +rooty stuff, and then down around the gravelly mass below, they plied +their digging tools. Taffy was not used to such toil, and his muscles +were soon weary. But, urged on by visions of gold, he kept bravely at +his task. + +At last, when ready to drop from fatigue, he heard his companion say: + +"We've struck it!" + +A few shovelfuls more laid bare a broad flat stone. This they pried +up, but it required all their strength to lift and stand it on edge. +Just below, they saw a flight of steps. They were slippery with wet +and they looked very old, as if worn, ages ago, by many feet passing +up and down them. + +Taffy shrunk back, as a draught of the close, dead air struck his +nostrils. + +"Come on, and don't be afraid. I'm going to make you rich," said the +sorcerer. + +At this, Taffy's eyes glistened, and he followed on down the steps, +without saying a word. At the bottom of the descent, they entered a +narrow passage, and finally came to a door. + +"Now, I'll ask you. Are you brave, and will you come in with me, if I +open this door?" + +By this time, Taffy was so eager for treasure, that he spoke up at +once. + +"I'm not afraid. Open the door." + +The sorcerer gave a jerk and the door flew open. What a sight! + +There, in the faint, red light, Taffy discerned a great cave. Lying on +the floor were hundreds of armed men, but motionless and apparently +sound asleep. Little spangles of light were reflected from swords, +spears, round shields, and burnished helmets. All these seemed of very +ancient pattern. But immediately in front of them was a bell. Taffy +felt some curiosity to tap it. Would the sleeping host of men then +rise up? + +Just then, the sorcerer, speaking with a menacing gesture, and in a +harsh tone, said: + +"Do not touch that bell, or it's all up with us both." + +Moving carefully, so as not to trip, or to stumble over the sleeping +soldiers, they went on, and Taffy, stopping and looking up beheld +before him a great round table. Many warriors were sitting at it. +Their splendid gold inlaid armor, glittering helmets and noble faces +showed that they were no common men. Yet Taffy could see only a few of +the faces, for all had their heads more or less bent down, as if sound +asleep, though sword and spear were near at hand, ready to be grasped +in a moment. + +Outshining all, was a golden throne at the farther end of the table +and on it sat a king. He was of imposing stature, and august presence. +Upon his head was a crown, on which were inlaid or set precious +stones. These shone by their own light, sending out rays so brilliant +that they dazzled Taffy, who had never seen anything like them. The +king held in his right hand a mighty sword. It had a history and the +name of it was Excalibur. In Arthur's hand, it was almost part of his +own soul. Its hilt and handle were of finely chased gold, richly +studded with gems. Yet his head, too, was bent in deep sleep, as if +only thunder could wake him. + +"Are they all, everyone, asleep?" asked Taffy. + +"Each and all," was the answer. + +"When did they fall asleep?" asked the drover. + +"Over a thousand years ago," answered the sorcerer. + +"Tell me who they are, and why here," asked Taffy. + +"They are King Arthur's trusty warriors. They are waiting for the hour +to come, when they shall rise up and destroy the enemies of the Cymry, +and once again possess the whole island of Britain, as in the early +ages, before the Saxons came." + +"And who are those sitting around the table?" asked Taffy. + +The sorcerer seemed tired of answering questions, but he replied, +giving the name of each knight, and also that of his father, as if he +were a Welshman himself; but at this, Taffy grew impatient, feeling as +if a book of genealogy had been hurled at him. + +Most impolitely, he interrupted his companion and cried out: + +"And who is that on the throne?" + +The sorcerer looked as if he was vexed, and felt insulted, but he +answered: + +"It's King Arthur himself, with Excalibur, his famous sword, in his +hand." + +This was snapped out, as if the sorcerer was disgusted at the +interruption of his genealogy, and he shut his mouth tight as if he +would answer no more questions, for such an impolite fellow. + +Seizing Taffy by the hand, he led him into what was the storehouse of +the cave. There lay heaps upon heaps of yellow gold. Both men stuffed +their pockets, belt bags, and the inside of their clothes, with all +they could load in. + +"Now we had better get out, for it is time to go," said the sorcerer +and he led the way towards the cave door. + +But as Taffy passed back, and along the hall, where the host of +warriors were sleeping, his curiosity got the better of him. + +He said to himself, "I must see this host awake. I'll touch that bell, +and find out whether the sorcerer spoke the truth." + +So, when he came to it, he struck the bell. In the twinkling of an +eye, thousands of warriors sprang up, seized their armor, girded their +swords, or seized their spears. All seemed eagerly awaiting the +command to rush against the foe. + +The ground quaked with their tramping, and shook with their tread, +until Taffy thought the cave roof would fall in and bury them all. The +air resounded with the rattle of arms, as the men, when in ranks, +marked time, ready for motion forward and out of the cave. + +But from the midst of the host, a deep sounding voice, as earnest as +if in hot temper, but as deliberate as if in caution against a false +alarm, spoke. He inquired: + +"Who rang that bell? Has the day come?" + +The sorcerer, thoroughly frightened and trembling, answered: + +"No, the day has not come. Sleep on." + +Taffy, though dazzled by the increasing brilliancy of the light, had +heard another deep voice, more commanding in its tones than even a +king's, call out, "Arthur, awake, the bell has rung. The day is +breaking. Awake, great King Arthur!" + +But even against such a voice, that of the sorcerer, now scared beyond +measure, lest the king and his host should discover the cheat, and +with his sword, Excalibur, chop the heads off both Taffy and himself, +answered: + +"No, it is still night. Sleep on, Arthur the Great." + +Erect over all, his head aloft and crowned with jewels, as with stars, +the King himself now spoke: + +"No, my warriors, the day has not yet come, when the Black Eagle and +the Golden Eagle will meet in war. Sleep on, loyal souls. The morning +of Wales has not yet dawned." + +Then, like the gentle soughing of the evening breeze among forest +trees, all sound died away, and in the snap of a finger, all were +asleep again. Seizing the hand of Taffy, the sorcerer hurried him out +of the cave, moved the stone back in its place and motioning to Taffy +to do the same, he quickly shoveled and kicked the loose dirt in the +hole and stamped it down: When Taffy turned to look for him, he was +gone, without even taking the trouble to call his dupe a fool. + +Wearied with his unwonted labors and excitements, Taffy walked home, +got his supper, pondered on what he had seen, slept, and awoke in the +morning refreshed. After breakfast, he sallied out again with pick and +shovel. + +For months, Taffy dug over every square foot of the hill. Neglecting +his business as cattle man, he spent all the money he had made in +London, but he never found that entrance to the cave. He died a poor +man and all his children had to work hard to get their bread. + + + + +XVII + + +THE LADY OF THE LAKE + + +One easily gets acquainted with the Welsh fairies, for nearly all the +good ones are very fond of music. + +Or, they live down in the lakes, or up in the mountains. They are +always ready to help kind or polite people, who treat them well or +will give them a glass of milk, or a saucer of flummery. + +But, oh, what tricks and mischief they do play on mean or stingy or +grumpy folks with bad tempers! They tangle up the harness of the +horses; milk the cows, letting the milk go to waste, on the stable +floor; tie knots in their tails, or keep the dog's mouth shut, when +the robbers come sneaking around. Better not offend a fairy, even +though no higher than a thimble! + +A favorite place for the elfin ladies of the lake is high up in one of +the fresh water mountain ponds. They are cousins to the mermaids, that +swim in the salt water. + +They say that these lake maidens love to come up close to the shore, +to smell the sweet grass and flowers, which the cows like so much. + +Near one of these lakes dwelt a widow, with only one son, named Gwyn. +One day he took his lunch of barley bread and cheese, and went out, as +usual, to tend the cows. Soon he saw rising out of the water, to dress +her long and luxuriant hair, the most beautiful lady he had ever seen. +In her hand she held a golden comb, and was using the bright +lake-surface as a mirror. + +At once Gwyn fell in love with her, and, like an unselfish lad, held +out his refreshments--barley bread and cheese--all he had--bidding her +to come and take. + +But though the lady glided toward him, while he still held out his +hand, she shook her head, saying: + + O thou of the hard baked bread, + It is not easy to catch me + +Sorry enough to miss such a prize, he hurried home to tell his mother. +She, wondering also, whether fairies have teeth to chew, told him to +take soft dough next time. Then, perhaps, the strange lady would come +again. + +Not much sleep did the boy get that night, and, before the sun was up, +he was down by the lake side holding out his dough. + +There, hour after hour, neglecting the cows, he looked eagerly over +the water, but nothing appeared, except ripples started by the breeze. +Again and again, he gazed in hope, only to be disappointed. + +[Illustration: IN A MOMENT HE FORGOT EVERY WORD HE MEANT TO SAY] + +Meanwhile he thought out a pretty speech to make to her, but he kept +his dough and went hungry. + +It was late in the afternoon, when the trees on the hills were casting +long shadows westward, that he gave up watching, for he supposed she +would come no more. + +But just as he started to go back to his mother's cabin, he turned his +head and there was the same lady, looking more beautiful than ever. In +a moment, he forgot every word he meant to say to her. His tongue +seemed to leave him, and he only held out his hand, with the dough in +it. + +But the lake lady, shaking her head, only laughed and said: + + Thou of the soft bread + I will not have thee + +Though she dived under the water and left him sad and lonely, she +smiled so sweetly, as she vanished, that, though again disappointed, +he thought she would come again and she might yet accept his gift. + +His mother told him to try her with bread half baked, that is, midway +between hard crust and soft dough. + +So, having packed his lunch, and much excited, though this time with +bright hopes, Gwyn went to bed, though not to sleep. At dawn, he was +up again and out by the lake side, with his half baked bread in his +hand. + +It was a day of rain and shine, of sun burst and cloud, but no lady +appeared. + +The long hours, of watching and waiting, sped on, until it was nearly +dark. + +When just about to turn homewards, to ease his mother's anxiety, what +should he see, but some cows walking on the surface of the water! In a +few minutes, the lady herself, lovelier than ever, rose up and moved +towards the shore. + +Gwyn rushed out to meet her, with beseeching looks and holding the +half baked bread in his hand. This time, she graciously took the gift, +placed her other hand in his, and he led her to the shore. + +Standing with her on land, he could not speak for many seconds. He +noticed that she had sandals on her feet, and the one on the right +foot was tied in a way rather unusual. Under her winsome smile, at +last, he regained the use of his tongue. Then he burst out: + +"Lady I love you, more than all the world besides. Will you be my +wife?" + +She did not seem at all willing at first, but love begets love. +Finally yielding to his pleadings, she said, rather solemnly: + +"I will be your bride but only on this condition, that if you strike +me three times, without cause, I will leave your house and you only +will be to blame, and it will be forever." + +These words stuck in his mind, and he inwardly made a vow never to +give his lovely wife cause to leave him. + +But not yet did happiness come, for, even while he took oath that he +would rather cut off his right hand, than offend her, she darted away +like an arrow, and, diving in the lake, disappeared. + +At this sudden blow to his hopes and joy, Gwyn was so sorely +depressed, as to wish to take his own life. Rushing up to the top of a +rock, overhanging the deepest part of the lake, he was just about to +leap into the water and drown himself, when he heard a voice behind +him, saying: + +"Hold rash lad, come here!" + +He looked and there down on the shore of the lake, stood a grand +looking old man, with a long white beard. On either side of him was a +lovely maiden. These were his daughters. + +Trembling with fear, the lad slipped down from the rock and drew near. +Then the old man spoke comfortably to him, though in a very cracked +voice. + +"Mortal, do you wish to marry one of my daughters? Show me the one you +love more than the other, and I will consent." + +Now the two maidens were so beautiful, yet so exactly alike, that Gwyn +could not note any difference. As he looked, he began to wonder +whether it had been a different lady, in each case, that rose out of +the water. He looked beyond the old man, to see if there were a third +lady. When he saw none more, he became more distracted. He feared lest +he might choose the wrong one, who had not promised to love him. + +Almost in despair, he was about to run home, when he noticed that one +of the maidens put forward her right foot. Then he saw that her sandal +was tied in the way he had already wondered at. So he boldly went +forward and took her by the hand. + +"This one is mine," said he to the father. + +"You are right," answered the old man. "This is my daughter Nelferch. +Take her and you shall have as many cattle, sheep, horses, hogs, and +goats, as she can count, of each, without drawing in her breath. But I +warn you that three blows, without cause, will send her back to me." + +While the old man smiled, and Gwyn renewed his vow, the new wife began +to count by fives--one, two, three, four, five. + +At the end of each count drawing in a fresh breath, there rose up, out +of the lake, as many sheep, cattle, goats, pigs, and horses, as she +had counted. + +So it happened that the lad, who went out of his mother's cottage, in +the morning, a poor boy, came back to her, a rich man, and leading by +the hand the loveliest creature on whom man or woman had ever looked +upon. + +As for the old man and the other daughter, no one ever saw them again. + +Gwyn and his wife went out to a farm which he bought, and oh, how +happy they were! She was very kind to the poor. She had the gift of +healing, knew all the herbs, which were good for medicine, and cured +sick folk of their diseases. + +Three times the cradle was filled, and each time with a baby boy. +Eight long and happy years followed. They loved each other so dearly +and were so happy together, that Gwyn's vow passed entirely out of his +mind, and he thought no more of it. + +On the seventh birthday of the oldest boy, there was a wedding at some +distance away, and the father and mother walked through a field where +their horses were grazing. As it was too far for Lady Nelferch to walk +all the way, her husband went back to the house, for saddle and +bridle, while she should catch the horse. + +"Please do, and bring me my gloves from off the table," she called, as +he turned towards the house. + +But when he returned to the field, he saw that she had not stirred. +So, before handing his wife her gloves and pointing playfully to the +horses, he gave her a little flick with the gloves. + +Instead of moving, instantly, she heaved a deep sigh. Then looking up +at him with sorrowful and reproachful eyes, she said: + +"Remember our vow, Gwyn. This is the first causeless blow. May there +never be another." + +Days and years passed away so happily, that the husband and father +never again had to recall the promise given to his wife and her +father. + +But when they were invited to the christening of a baby, every one was +full of smiles and gayety, except Nelferch. Women, especially the +older ones, often cry at a wedding, but why his wife should burst into +tears puzzled Gwyn. + +Tapping her on the shoulder, he asked the reason: + +"Because," said she, "this weak babe will be in pain and misery all +its days and die in agony. And, husband dear, you have once again +struck me a causeless blow. Oh, do be on your guard, and not again +break your promise." + +From this time forth, Gwyn was on watch over himself, day and night, +like a sentinel over whom hangs the sentence of death, should he fall +asleep on duty. He was ever vigilant lest, he, in a moment of +forgetfulness, might, by some slip of conduct, or in a moment of +forgetfulness, strike his dear wife. + +The baby, whose life of pain and death of agony Nelferch had foretold, +soon passed away; for, happily, its life was short. Then she and her +husband attended the last rites of sorrow, for Celtic folk always have +a funeral and hold a wake, even when a baby, only a span long, lies in +the coffin. + +Yet in the most solemn moment of the services of burial, Nelferch the +wife, laughed out, so long and with such merriment, that everyone was +startled. + +Her husband, mortified at such improper behavior, touched her gently, +saying: + +"Hush, wife! Why do you laugh?" + +"Because the babe is free from all pain. And, you have thrice struck +me! Farewell!" + +Fleeing like a deer home to their farm, she called together, by its +name, each and every one of their animals, from stable and field; yes, +even those harnessed to the plow. Then, over the mountain all moved in +procession to the lake. + +There, they plunged in and vanished. No trace of them was left, except +that made by the oxen drawing the plow, and which mark on the ground +men still point out. + +Broken hearted and mad with grief, Gwyn rushed into the lake and was +seen no more. The three sons, grieving over their drowned father, +spent their many days wandering along the lakeside, hoping once more +to see one, or both, of their dear parents. + +Their love was rewarded. They never saw their father again, but one +day their mother, Nelferch, suddenly appeared out of the water. +Telling her children that her mission on earth was to relieve pain and +misery, she took them to a point in the lake, where many plants grew +that were useful in medicine. There, she often came and taught them +the virtues of the roots, leaves, juices and the various virtues of +the herbs, and how to nurse the sick and heal those who had diseases. + +All three of Nelferch's sons became physicians of fame and power. +Their descendants, during many centuries, were renowned for their +skill in easing pain and saving life. To this day, Physicians' Point +is shown to visitors as a famous spot, and in tradition is almost +holy. + + + + +XVIII + + +THE KING'S FOOT HOLDER + + +There was a curious custom in the far olden times of Wales. At the +banqueting hall, the king of the country would sit with his feet in +the lap of a high officer. + +Whenever His Majesty sat down to dinner, this official person would be +under the table holding the royal feet. This was also the case while +all sat around the evening fire in the middle of the hall. This +footholding person was one of the king's staff and every castle must +have a human footstool as part of its furniture. + +By and by, it became the fashion for pretty maidens to seek this task, +or to be chosen for the office. Their names in English sounded like +Foot-Ease, Orthopede, or Foot Lights. When she was a plump and petite +maid, they nicknamed her Twelve Inches, or when unusually soothing in +her caresses of the soft royal toes. It was considered a high honor to +be the King's Foot Holder. In after centuries, it was often boasted of +that such and such an ancestor had held this honorable service. + +One picture of castle life, as given in one of the old books tells how +Kaim, the king's officer, went to the mead cellar with a golden cup, +to get a drink that would keep them all wide awake. He also brought a +handful of skewers on which they were to broil the collops, or bits of +meat at the fire. + +While they were doing this, the King sat on a seat of green rushes, +over which was spread a flame-colored satin cover, with a cushion like +it, for his elbow to rest upon. + +In the evening, the harpers and singers made music, the bards recited +poetry, or the good story tellers told tales of heroes and wonders. +During all this time, one or more maidens held the king's feet, or +took turns at it, when tired; for often the revels or songs and tales +lasted far into the night. At intervals, if the story was dull, or he +had either too much dinner, or had been out hunting and got tired, His +Majesty took a nap, with his feet resting upon the lap of a pretty +maiden. This happened often in the late hours, while they were getting +the liquid refreshments ready. + +Then the king's chamberlain gently nudged him, to be wideawake, and he +again enjoyed the music, and the stories, while his feet were held. + +For, altogether, it was great fun. + +Now there was once a Prince of Gwynedd, in Wales, named Math, who was +so fond of having his feet held, that he neglected to govern his +people properly. He spent all his time lounging in an easy chair, +while a pretty maiden held his heels and toes. He committed all public +cares to two of his nephews. These were named for short, Gily and +Gwyd. + +The one whom the king loved best to have her hold his feet was the +fairest maiden in all the land, and she was named Goewen. + +By and by, the prince grew so fond of having his feet held, and +stroked and patted and played with, by Goewen, that he declared that +he could not live, unless Goewen held his feet. And, she said, that if +she did not hold the king's feet, she would die. + +Now this Gily, one of the king's nephews, son of Don, whom he had +appointed to look day by day after public affairs, would often be in +the hall at night. He listened to the music and stories, and seeing +Goewen, the king's foot holder, he fell in love with her. His eye +usually wandered from the story teller to the lovely girl holding the +king's feet, and he thought her as beautiful as an angel. + +Soon he became so lovesick, that he felt he would risk or give his +life to get and have her for his own. But what would the king say? + +Besides, he soon found out that the maiden Goewen cared nothing for +him. + +Nevertheless the passion of the love-lorn youth burned hotly and kept +increasing. He confided his secret to his brother Gwyd, and asked his +aid, which was promised. So, one day, the brother went to King Math, +and begged for leave to go to Pryderi. In the king's name, he would +ask from him the gift of a herd of swine of famous breed; which, in +the quality of the pork they furnished, excelled all other pigs known. +They were finer than any seen in the land, or ever heard of before. +Their flesh was said to be sweeter, juicier, and more tender than the +best beef. Even their manners were better than those of some men. + +In fact, these famous pigs were a present from the King of Fairyland. +So highly were they prized, that King Math doubted much whether his +nephew could get them at any price. + +In ancient Wales the bards and poet singers were welcomed, and trusted +above all men; and this, whether in the palace or the cottage. + +So Gwyd, the brother of the love-sick one, in order to get the herd of +surpassing swine, took ten companions, all young men and strong, +dressed as bards, and pretending by their actions to be such. Then +they all started out together to seek the palace of Pryderi. + +Having arrived, they were entertained at a great feast, in the castle +hall. There Pryderi sat on his throne-chair, with his feet in a +maiden's lap. + +The dinner over, Gwyd was asked to tell a story. + +This he did, delighting everyone so much, that he was voted a jolly +good fellow by all. In fact, Pryderi felt ready to give him anything +he might demand, excepting always his foot holder. + +At once, Gwyd made request to give him the herd of swine. + +At this, the countenance of Pryderi fell, for he had made a promise to +his people, that he would not sell or give away the swine, until they +had produced double their number in the land; for there were no pigs +and no pork like theirs, to be bought anywhere. + +Now this Gwyd was not very cunning, but he had the power of using +magic arts. By these, he could draw the veil of illusion over both the +mind and the eyes of the people. + +So he made answer to Pryderi's objections thus: + +"Keep your promise to your people, oh, most honored Pryderi, and only +exchange them for the gift I make thee," said Gwyd. + +Thereupon, exerting his powers of magic, he created the illusion of +twelve superb horses. These were all saddled, bridled, and +magnificently caparisoned. But, after twenty-four hours, they would +vanish from sight. The illusion would be over. + +With these steeds, so well fitted for hunting, were twelve sleek, +fleet hounds. Taken altogether, here was a sight to make a hunter's +eyes dance with delight. + +So Pryderi gave Gwyd the swine, and he quickly drove them off. + +"For," he whispered to his companion fellows in knavery, "the illusion +will only last until the same hour to-morrow." + +And so it happened. For when Pryderi's men went to the stables, to +groom the horses and feed the hounds, there was nothing in either the +stables or the kennels. + +When they told this to Pryderi, he at once blew his horn and assembled +his knights, to invade the country of Gwynedd, to recover his swine. +Hearing of his coming, King Math went out to meet Pryderi in battle. + +But while he was away with his army, Gily, the lover, seized the +beautiful maiden Goewen, who held the king's feet in her lap. + +She was not willing to marry Gily, but he eloped with her, and carried +her off to his cottage. + +The war which now raged was finally decided by single combat, as was +the custom in old days. By this, the burning of the peasants' houses, +and the ruin which threatened the whole country, ended, and peace +came. + +It was not alone by the strength and fierceness of King Math, but also +by the magic spells of Gwyd, that Pryderi was slain. + +After burying the hero, King Math came back to his palace and found +out what Gily had done. Then he took Goewen away from Gily, and to +make amends for her trouble, in being thus torn from his palace, King +Math made her his queen. Then the lovely Goewen shared his throne +covered with the flame colored satin. One of the most beautiful +maidens of the court was chosen to hold his feet, until such time as a +permanent choice was made. + +As for the two nephews, who had fled from the wrath of their princely +uncle, they were put under bans, as outlaws, and had to live on the +borders of the kingdoms. No one of the king's people was allowed to +give them food or drink. Yet they would not obey the summons of the +king, to come and receive their punishment. + +But at last, tired of being deserted by all good men and women, they +repented in sorrow. Hungry, ragged and forlorn, they came to their +uncle, the king to submit themselves to be punished. + +When they appeared, Math spoke roughly to them, and said: + +"You cannot make amends for the shame you have brought upon me. Yet, +since you obey and are sorry, I shall punish you for a time and then +pardon you. You are to do penance for three years at least." + +Then they were changed into wild deer, and he told them to come back +after twelve months. + +At the end of the year they returned, bringing with them a young fawn. + +As this creature was entirely innocent, it was given a human form and +baptized in the church. + +But the two brothers were changed into wild swine, and driven off to +find their food in the forest. + +At the end of the year, they came back with a young pig. + +The king had the little animal changed into a human being, which, like +every mother's child in that time, received baptism. + +Again the brothers were transformed into animal shape. This time, as +wolves, and were driven out to the hills. + +At the end of a twelve months' period, they came back, three in +number, for one was a cub. + +By this time, the penance of the naughty nephews was over, and they +were now to be delivered from all magic spells. + +So their human nature was restored to them, but they must be washed +thoroughly. In the first place, it took much hot water and lye, made +from the wood ashes, and then a great deal of scrubbing, to make them +presentable. + +Then they were anointed with sweet smelling oil, and the king ordered +them to be arrayed in elegant apparel. They were appointed to hold +honorable office at court, and from time to time to go out through the +country, to call the officers to attend to public business. + +When the time came that the king sought for one of the most beautiful +maidens, who should hold his feet, Gwyd nominated to the prince's +notice his sister Arianrod. The king was gracious, and thereafter she +held his feet at all the banquets. She was looked up to with reverence +by all, and held the office for many years. Thus King Math's +reputation for grace and mercy was confirmed. + + + + +XIX + + +POWELL, PRINCE OF DYFED + + +One of the oldest of the Welsh fairy tales tells us about Pwyle, King +of Fairyland and father of the numerous clan of the Powells. He was a +mighty hunter. He could ride a horse, draw a bow, and speak the truth. +He was always honored by men, and he kept his faith and his promises +to women. The children loved him, for he loved them. In the castle +hall, he could tell the best stories. No man, bard, or warrior, foot +holder or commoner, could excel him in gaining and keeping the +attention of his hearers, even when they were sleepy and wanted to go +to bed. + +One day, when out a hunting in the woods, he noticed a pack of hounds +running down a stag. He saw at once that they were not his own, for +they were snow white in color and had red ears. + +Being a young man, Powell did not know at this time of his life, that +red is the fairy color, and that these were all dogs from Fairyland. +So he drove off the red-eared hounds, and was about to let loose his +own pack on the stag, when a horseman appeared on the scene. + +The stranger at once began to upbraid Powell for being impolite. He +asked why his hounds should not be allowed to hunt the deer. + +Powell spoke pleasantly in reply, making his proper excuses to the +horseman. The two began to like each other, and soon got acquainted +and mutually enjoyed being companions. + +It turned out that the stranger was Arawn, a king in Fairyland. He had +a rival named Hargan, who was beating him and his army in war. + +So Arawn asked Powell to help him against his enemy. He even made +request that one year from that time, Powell should meet Hargan in +battle. He told him that one stroke of his sword would finish the +enemy. He must then sheathe his weapon, and not, on any account, +strike a second time. + +To make victory sure, the Fairy King would exchange shapes with the +mortal ruler and each take not only the place, but each the shape and +form of the other. Powell must go into Fairy Land and govern the +kingdom there, while Arawn should take charge of affairs at Dyfed. + +But Powell was warned, again, to smite down his enemy with a single +stroke of his sword. If, in the heat of the conflict, and the joy of +victory, Powell should forget, and give a second blow to Hargan, he +would immediately come to life and be as strong as ever. + +Powell heeded well these words. Then, putting on the shape of Arawn, +he went into Fairy Land, and no one noticed, or thought of anything +different from the days and years gone by. + +But now, at night, a new and unexpected difficulty arose. Arawn's +beautiful wife was evidently not in the secret, for she greeted Powell +as her own husband. + +After dinner, when the telling of stories in the banqueting hall was +over, the time had come for them to retire. + +But the new bed fellow did not even kiss her, or say "good night," but +turned his back to her and his face to the wall, and never moved until +daylight. Then the new King in Fairy Land rose up, ate his breakfast, +and went out to hunt. + +Every day, he ruled the castle and kingdom, as if he had always been +the monarch. To everybody, he seemed as if he had been long used to +public business, and no questions were asked, nor was there any talk +made on the subject. Everyone took things as matter of course. + +Yet, however polite or gracious he might be to the queen during the +day, in the evening, he spoke not a word, and passed every night as at +the first. + +The twelve months soon sped along, and now the time for the battle in +single combat between Powell and Hargan had fully come. The two +warriors met in the middle of a river ford, and backed their horses +for a charge. Then they rushed furiously at the other. Powell's spear +struck Hargan so hard, that he was knocked out of the saddle and +hurled, the length of a lance, over and beyond the crupper, or tail +strap of his horse. He fell mortally wounded upon the ground. + +Now came the moment of danger and temptation to Powell, for Hargan +cried out: + +"For the love of Heaven, finish your work on me. Slay me with your +sword." + +But Powell was wise and his head was cool. He had kept in mind the +warning to strike only one blow. He called out loudly, so that all +could hear him: + +"I will not repeat that. Slay thee who may, I shall not." + +So Hargan, knowing his end had come, bade his nobles bear him away +from the river shore. + +Then Powell, with his armies, overran the two kingdoms of Fairy Land +and made himself master of all. He took oath of all the princes and +nobles, who swore to be loyal to their new master. + +This done, Powell rode away to the trysting place in a glen, and there +he met Arawn, as had been appointed. They changed shapes, and each +became himself, as he had been before. + +Arawn thanked Powell heartily, and bade him see what he had done for +him. + +Then each one rode back, in his former likeness, to his kingdom. + +Now at Anwyn, no one but Arawn himself knew that anything unusual had +taken place. After dinner, and the evening story telling were over, +and it was time to go to bed, Arawn's wife was surprised in double +measure. + +Two things puzzled her. Her husband was now very tender to her and +also very talkative; whereas, for a whole year, every night, he had +been as silent and immovable as a log. How could it be, in either +case? + +But this time, the wife was silent as a statue. Even though Arawn +spoke to her three times, he received no reply. + +Then he asked directly of her, why she was so silent. She made an +answer that, for a whole year, no word had been spoken in their +bedroom. + +"What?" said he, "did we not talk together, as always before?" + +"No," said she, "not for a year has there been talk or caress between +us." + +At this answer, Arawn was overcome with surprise, and as struck with +admiration at having so good a friend. He burst out first in praise of +Powell, and then told his wife all that had happened during the past +twelve months. She, too, was full of admiration, and told her husband +that in Powell he had certainly found a true friend. + +In Dyfed, when Powell had returned to his own land and castle, he +called his lords together. Then he asked them to be perfectly frank +and free to speak. They must tell him whether they thought him a good +king during the year past. + +All shouted in chorus of approval. Then their spokesman addressed +Powell thus: + +"My lord, never was thy wisdom so great, thy generosity more free, nor +thy justice more manifest, than during the past year." + +When he ceased, all the vassals showed their approval of this speech. + +Then Powell, smiling, told the story of his adventures in exchanging +his form and tasks; at the end of which, the spokesman taking his cue +from the happy faces of all his fellow vassals, made reply: + +"Of a truth, lord, we pray thee, do thou give thanks to Heaven that +thou hast formed such a fellowship. Please continue to us the form of +the kingdom and rule, that we have enjoyed for a year past." + +Thereupon King Powell took oath, kissing the hilt of his sword, and +called on Heaven to witness his promise that he would do as they had +desired. + +So the two kings confirmed the friendship they had made. Each sent the +other rich gifts of jewels, horses and hounds. + +In memory of so wonderful and happy union, of a mortal and a fairy, +Powell was thereafter, in addition to all his titles, saluted as Lord +of Anwyn, which is only another name for the Land of the Fairies. + + + + +XX + + +POWELL AND HIS BRIDE + + +Not far from the castle where King Powell had his court, there was a +hillock called the Mount of Macbeth. It was the common belief that +some strange adventure would befall anyone who should sit upon that +mound. + +He would receive blows, or wounds, or else he would see something +wonderful. + +Thus it came to pass, that none but peaceful bards had ever sat upon +the mound. Never a warrior or a common man had risked sitting there. +The general fear felt, and the awe inspired by the place, was too +great. + +But after his adventure of being King of Fairy Land for a whole year, +everything else to Powell seemed dull and commonplace. So, to test his +own courage, and worthiness of kingship, Powell assembled all his +lords at Narberth. + +After the night's feasting, revelry and story telling, Powell declared +that, next day, he would sit upon the enchanted mound. + +So when the sun was fully risen, Powell took his seat upon the mound, +expecting that, all of a sudden, something unusual would happen. + +For some minutes nothing, whether event or vision, took place. Then he +lifted up his eyes and saw approaching him a white horse on which rode +a lady. She was dressed in shining garments, as if made of gold. +Evidently she was a princess. Yet she came not very near. + +"Does anyone among you know who this lady is?" asked Powell of his +chieftains. + +"Not one of us," was the answer. + +Thereupon Powell ordered his vassals to ride forward. They were to +greet her courteously, and inquire who she was. + +But now the predicted wonder took place. She moved away from them, yet +at a quiet pace that suited her. Though the knights spurred their +horses, and rode fast and furiously, they could not come any nearer to +her. + +They galloped back, and reported their failure to reach the lady. + +Then Powell picked out others and sent them riding after the lady, but +each time, one and all returned, chagrined with failure. A woman had +beaten them. + +So the day closed with silence in the castle hall. There was no merry +making or story telling that night. + +The next day, Powell sat again on the mound and once more the golden +lady came near. + +This time, Powell himself left his seat on the mound, leaped on his +fleetest horse, and pursued the maiden, robed in gold, on the white +horse. + +But she flitted away, as she had done before from the knights. Again +and again, though he could get nearer and nearer to her, he failed. + +Then the baffled king cried out, in despair, "O maiden fair, for the +sake of him whom thou lovest, stay for me." + +Evidently the lady, who lived in the time of castles and courts, did +not care to be wooed in the style of the cave men. Such manners did +not suit her, but with a change of method of making love, her heart +melted. Besides, she was a kind woman. She took pity on horses, as +well as on men. + +Sweet was her voice, as she answered most graciously: + +"I will stay gladly, and it were better for thy horses, hadst thou +asked me properly, long ago." + +To his questions, as to how and why she came to him, she told her +story, as follows: + +"I am Rhiannon, descended from the August and Venerable One of old. My +aunts and uncles tried to make me marry against my will a chieftain +named Gwawl, an auburn-haired youth, son of Clud, but, because of my +love to thee, would I have no husband, and if you reject me, I will +never marry any man." + +"As Heaven is my witness, were I to choose among all the damsels and +ladies of the world, thee would I choose," cried Powell. + +After that, it was agreed that, when a year had sped, Powell should go +to the Palace of the August and Venerable One of old, and claim her +for his bride. + +So, when twelve months had passed, Powell with his retinue of a +hundred knights, all splendidly horsed and finely appareled, presented +himself before the castle. There he found his fair lady and a feast +already prepared at which he sat with her. On the other side of the +table, were her father and mother. + +In the midst of this joyous occasion, when all was gayety, and they +talked together, in strode a youth clad in sheeny satin. He was of +noble bearing and had auburn hair. He saluted Powell and his knights +courteously. + +At once Powell, the lord of Narberth, invited the stranger to come and +sit down as guest beside him. + +"Not so," replied the youth. "I am a suitor, and have come to crave a +boon of thee." + +Without guile or suspicion, Powell replied innocently. + +"Ask what you will. If in my power, it shall be yours." + +But Rhiannon chided Powell. She asked, "Oh, why did you give him such +an answer?" + +"But he did give it," cried the auburn haired youth. Then turning to +the whole company of nobles, he appealed to them: + +"Did he not pledge his word, before you all, to give me what I asked?" + +Then, turning to Powell, he said: + +"The boon I ask is this, to have thy bride, Rhiannon. Further, I want +this feast and banquet to celebrate, in this place, our wedding." + +At this demand, Powell seemed to have been struck dumb. He did not +speak, but Rhiannon did. + +"Be silent, as long as thou wilt," she cried, "but surely no man ever +made worse use of his wits than thou hast done; for this man, to whom +thou gavest thy oath of promise, is none other than Gwawl, the son of +Clud. He is the suitor, from whom I fled to come to you, while you sat +on the Narberth mound." + +Now, out of such trouble, how should the maiden, promised to two men, +be delivered? + +Her wit saved her for the nonce. Powell was bound to keep his word; +but Rhiannon explained to Gwawl, that it was not his castle or hall. +So, he could not give the banquet; but, in a year from that date, if +Gwawl would come for her, she would be his bride. Then, a new bridal +feast would be set for the wedding. + +In the meantime, Rhiannon planned with Powell to get out of the +trouble. For this purpose, she gave him a magical bag, which he was to +use when the right time should come. + +Quickly the twelve months passed and then Gwawl appeared again, to +claim his bride, and a great feast was spread in his honor. + +All were having a good time, when in the midst of their merriment, a +beggar appeared in the hall. He was in rags, and carried the usual +beggar's wallet for food or alms. He asked only that, out of the +abundance on the table, his bag might be filled. + +Gwawl agreed, and ordered his servants to attend to the matter. + +But the bag never got full. What they put into it, or how much made no +difference. Dish after dish was emptied. By degrees, most of the food +on the table was in the beggar's bag. + +"My soul alive! Will that bag never get full?" asked Gwawl. + +"No, by Heaven! Not unless some rich man shall get into it, stamp it +down with his feet, and call out 'enough.'" + +Then Rhiannon, who sat beside Gwawl, urged him to attempt the task, by +putting his two feet in the bag to stamp it down. + +No sooner had Gwawl done this, than the supposed beggar pushed him +down inside the bag. Then drawing the mouth shut, he tied it tight +over Gwawl's head. + +Then the beggar's rags dropped, and there stood forth the handsome +leader, Powell. He blew his horn, and in rushed his knights who +overcame and bound the followers of Gwawl. + +Then they proceeded to play a merry game of football, using the bag, +in which Gwawl was tied, as men in our day kick pigskin. One called to +his mate, or rival, "What's in the bag?" and others answered, "a +badger." So they played the game of "Badger in the Bag," kicking it +around the hall. + +They did not let the prisoner out of the bag, until he had promised to +pay the pipers, the harpers, and the singers, who should come to the +wedding of Powell and Rhiannon. He must give up all his claims, and +register a vow never to take revenge. This oath given, and promises +made, the bag was opened and the agreements solemnly confirmed in +presence of all. + +Then Gwawl, and every one of his men, knights and servants, were let +go, and they went back to their own country. + +A few evenings later, in the large banqueting hall, Powell and +Rhiannon were married. Besides the great feast, presents were given to +all present, high and low. Then the happy pair made their wedding +journey to Gwawl's palace at Narberth. There the lovely bride gave a +ring, or a gem, to every lord and lady in her new realm, and everybody +was happy. + + + + +XXI + + +WHY THE BACK DOOR WAS FRONT + + +In the days when were no books, or writing, and folk tales were the +only ones told, there was an old woman, who had a bad reputation. She +pretended to be very poor, so as not to attract or tempt robbers. Yet +those who knew her best, knew also, as a subject of common talk, that +she was always counting out her coins. + +Besides this, she lived in a nice house, and it was believed that she +made a living by stealing babies out of their cradles to sell to the +bad fairies. + +It was matter of rumor that she would, for an extra large sum, take a +wicked fairy's ugly brat, and put it in place of a mother's darling. + +In addition to these horrid charges against her, it was rumored that +she laid a spell, or charm, on the cattle of people whom she did not +like, in order to take revenge on them. + +The old woman denied all this, and declared it was only silly gossip +of envious people who wanted her money. She lived so comfortably, she +averred, because her son, who was a stone mason, who made much money +by building chimneys, which had then first come into fashion. When he +brought to her the profits of his jobs, she counted the coins, and +because of this, some people were jealous, and told bad stories about +her. She declared she was thrifty, but neither a miser, nor a +kidnaper, nor a witch. + +One day, this old woman wanted more feathers to stuff into her bed, to +make it softer and feel pleasanter for her old bones to rest upon, for +what she slept on was nearly worn through. So she went to a farm, +where they were plucking geese, and asked for a few handfuls of +feathers. + +But the rich farmer's people refused and ordered her out of the farm +yard. + +Shortly after this event, the cows of this farmer, who was opposed to +chimneys, and did not like her or her son, suffered dreadfully from +the disease called the black quarter. As they had no horse doctors or +professors of animal economy, or veterinaries in those days, many of +the cows died. The rich farmer lost much money, for he had now no milk +or beef to sell. At once, he suspected that his cattle were bewitched, +and that the old woman had cast a spell on them. In those days, it was +very easy to think so. + +So the angry man went one day to the old crone, when she was alone, +and her stout son was away on a distant job. He told her to remove the +charm, which she had laid on his beasts, or he would tie her arms and +legs together, and pitch her into the river. + +The old woman denied vehemently that she possessed any such powers, or +had ever practiced such black arts. + +To make sure of it, the farmer made her say out loud, "The Blessing of +God be upon your cattle!" To clinch the matter, he compelled her to +repeat the Lord's Prayer, which she was able to do, without missing +one syllable. She used the form of words which are not found in the +prayer book, but are in the Bible, and was very earnest, when she +prayed "Forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors." + +But after all that trouble, and the rough way which the rich farmer +took to save his cattle, his efforts were in vain. In spite of that +kind of religion which he professed--which was shown by bullying a +poor old woman--his cattle were still sick, with no sign of +improvement. He was at his wits' end to know what to do next. + +Now, as we have said, this was about the time that chimneys came into +fashion. In very old days, the Cymric house was a round hut, with a +thatched roof, without glass windows, and the smoke got out through +the door and holes in the walls, in the best way it could. The only +tapestry in the hut was in the shape of long festoons of soot, that +hung from the roof or rafters. These, when the wind blew, or the fire +was lively, would swing or dance or whirl, and often fall on the +heads, or into the food, while the folks were eating. When the +children cried, or made wry faces at the black stuff, their daddy only +laughed, and said it was healthy, or was for good luck. + +But by and by, the carpenters and masons made much improvement, +especially when, instead of flint hatchets, they had iron axes and +tools. Then they hewed down trees, that had thick cross branches and +set up columns in the center, and made timber walls and rafters. Then +the house was square or oblong. In other words, the Cymric folks +squared the circle. + +Now they began to have lattices, and, much later, even glass windows. +They removed the fireplace from the middle of the floor and set it at +the end of the house, opposite the door, and built chimneys. + +Then they set the beds at the side, and made sleeping rooms. This was +done by stretching curtains between partitions. They had also a loft, +in which to keep odds and ends. They hung up the bacon and hams, and +strings of onions, and made a mantle piece over the fireplace. They +even began to decorate the walls with pictures and to set pewter +dishes, china cats, and Dresden shepherds in rows on the shelves for +ornaments. + +Now people wore shoes and the floor, instead of being muddy, or dusty, +with pools and puddles of water in the time of rainy weather and with +the pigs and chickens running in and out, was of clay, beaten down +flat and hard, and neatly whitewashed at the edges. Outside, in front, +were laid nice flat flagstones, that made a pleasant path to the front +door. Flowers, inside and out, added to the beauty of the home and +made perfume for those who loved them. + +The rich farmer had just left his old round hut and now lived in one +of the new and better kind of houses. He was very proud of his +chimney, which he had built higher than any of his neighbors, but he +could not be happy, while so many of his cows were sick or dying. +Besides, he was envious of other people's prosperity and cared +nothing, when they, too, suffered. + +One night, while he was standing in front of his fine house and +wondering why he must be vexed with so many troubles, he talked to +himself and, speaking out loud, said: + +"Why don't my cows get well?" + +"I'll tell you," said a voice behind him. It seemed half way between a +squeak and a growl. + +He turned round and there he saw a little, angry man. He was dressed +in red, and stood hardly as high as the farmer's knee. The little old +man glared at the big fellow and cried out in a high tone of voice: + +"You must change your habits of disposing of your garbage, for other +people have chimneys besides you." + +"What has that to do with sickness among my cows?" + +"Much indeed. Your family is the cause of your troubles, for they +throw all their slops down my chimney and put out my fire." + +The farmer was puzzled beyond the telling, for he owned all the land +within a mile, and knew of no house in sight. + +"Put your foot on mine, and then you will have the power of vision, to +see clearly." + +The farmer's big boot was at once placed on the little man's slipper, +and when he looked down he almost laughed at the contrast in size. +What was his real surprise, when he saw that the slops thrown out of +his house, did actually fall down; and, besides, the contents of the +full bucket, when emptied, kept on dripping into the chimney of a +house which stood far below, but which he had never seen before. + +But as soon as he took his foot off that of the tiny little man, he +saw nothing. Everything like a building vanished as in a dream. + +"I see that my family have done wrong and injured yours. Pray forgive +me. I'll do what I can to make amends for it." + +"It's no matter now, if you only do as I ask you. Shut up your front +door, build a wall in its place, and then my family will not suffer +from yours." + +The rich farmer thought all this was very funny, and he had a hearty +laugh over it all. + +Yet he did exactly as the little man in the red cloak had so politely +asked him. He walled up the old door at the front, and built another +at the back of the house, which opened out into the garden. Then he +made the path, on which to go in from the roadway to the threshold, +around the corners and over a longer line of flagstones. Then he +removed the fireplace and chimney to what had been the front side of +the house, but was now the back. For the next thing, he had a copper +doorsill nailed down, which his housemaid polished, until it shone as +bright as gold. + +Yet long before this, his cows had got well, and they now gave more +and richer milk than ever. He became the wealthiest man in the +district. His children all grew up to be fine looking men and women. +His grandsons were famous engineers and introduced paving and drainage +in the towns so that to-day, for both man and beast, Wales is one of +the healthiest of countries. + + + + +XXII + + +THE RED BANDITS OF MONTGOMERY + + +When chimneys were first added to houses in Wales, and the style of +house-building changed, from round to square, many old people found +fault with the new fashion of letting the smoke out. + +They declared they caught colds and sneezed oftener, than in the times +gone by. The chimneys, they said, cost too much money, and were +useless extravagances. They got along well enough, in the good old +days, when the smoke had its own way of getting out. Then, it took +plenty of time to pass through the doors and windholes, for no one +person or thing was in a hurry, when they were young. Moreover, when +the fireplace was in the middle of the floor, the whole family sat +around it and had a sociable time. + +It was true, as they confessed, when argued with, that the smell of +the cooking used to linger too long. The soot also, hung in long +streamers from the rafters, and stuck to the house, like old friends. + +But the greatest and most practical objection of the old folks to the +chimneys was that robbers used them to climb down at night and steal +people's money, when they were asleep. So, many householders used to +set old scythe blades across the new smoke holes, to keep out the +thieves, or to slice them up, if they persisted. + +In Montgomery, which is one of the Welsh shires, there was an epidemic +of robbery, and the doings of the Red Bandits are famous in history. + +Now there was a young widow, whose husband had been killed by the +footpads, or road robbers. She was left alone in the world, with a +little boy baby in the cradle and only one cow in the byre. She had +hard work to pay her rent, but as there were three or four scythes set +in the chimney, and the cow stable had a good lock on it, she thought +she was safe from burglars or common thieves. + +But the Reds picked out the most expert chimney-climber in their gang, +and he one night slipped down into the widow's cottage, without making +any noise or cutting off his nose, toes, or fingers. Then, robbing the +widow of her rent money, he picked the lock of the byre and drove off +the cow. In the morning, the poor woman found both doors open, but +there was no money and no cow. + +While she was crying over her loss, and wringing her hands, because of +her poverty, she heard a knock at the door. + +"Come in," said the widow. + +There entered an old lady with a kindly face. She was very tall and +well dressed. Her cloak, her gloves, and shoes, and the ruffles under +her high peaked Welsh head dress, were all green. The widow thought +she looked like an animated leek. In her right hand was a long staff, +and in her left, under her cloak, she held a little bag, that was +green, also. + +"Why do you weep?" asked the visitor. + +Then the widow told her tale of woe--the story of the loss of her +husband, and how a red robber, in spite of the scythe blades set in +the chimney, had come down and taken away both her money and her cow. + +Now, although she had sold all her butter and cream, she could neither +pay her rent, nor have any buttermilk with her rye bread and flummery. + +"Dry your tears and take comfort," said the tall lady in the green +peaked hat. "Here is money enough to pay your rent and buy another +cow." With that, she sat down at the round table near the peat fire. +Opening her bag, the shining gold coins slid out and formed a little +heap on the table. + +"There, you can have all this, if you will give me all I want." + +At first, the widow's eyes opened wide, and then she glanced at the +cradle, where her baby was sleeping. Then she wondered, though she +said nothing. + +But the next moment, she was laughing at herself, and looking around +at her poor cottage. She tried to guess what there was in it, that the +old lady could possibly want. + +"You can have anything I have. Name it," she said cheerfully to her +visitor. + +But only a moment more, and all her fears returned at the thought that +the visitor might ask for her boy. + +The old lady spoke again and said: + +"I want to help you all I can, but what I came here for is to get the +little boy in the cradle." + +The widow now saw that the old woman was a fairy, and that if her +visitor got hold of her son, she would never see her child again. + +So she begged piteously of the old lady, to take anything and +everything, except her one child. + +"No, I want that boy, and, if you want the gold, you must let me take +him." + +"Is there anything else that I can do for you, so that I may get the +money?" asked the widow. + +"Well, I'll make it easier for you. There are two things I must tell +you to cheer you." + +"What are they?" asked the widow, eagerly. + +"One is, that by our fairy law, I cannot take your boy, until three +days have passed. Then, I shall come again, and you shall have the +gold; but only on the one condition I have stated." + +"And the next?" almost gasped the widow. + +"If you can guess my name, you will doubly win; for then, I shall give +you the gold and you can keep your boy." + +Without waiting for another word, the lady in green scooped up her +money, put it back in the bag, and moved off and out the door. + +The poor woman, at once a widow and mother, and now stripped of her +property, fearing to lose her boy, brooded all night over her troubles +and never slept a wink. + +In the morning, she rose up, left her baby with a neighbor, and went +to visit some relatives in the next village, which was several miles +distant. She told her story, but her kinsfolk were too poor to help +her. So, all disconsolate, she turned her face homewards. + +On her way back she had to pass through the woods, where, on one side, +was a clearing. In the middle of this open space, was a ring of grass. +In the ring a little fairy lady was tripping around and singing to +herself. + +Creeping up silently, the anxious mother heard to her joy, a rhymed +couplet and caught the sound of a name, several times repeated. It +sounded like "Silly Doot." + +Hurrying home and perfectly sure that she knew the secret that would +save her boy, she set cheerily about her regular work and daily tasks. +In fact, she slept soundly that night. + +Next day, in came the lady in green as before, with her bag of money. +Taking her seat at the round table, near the fire, she poured out the +gold. Then jingling the coins in the pile, she said: + +"Now give up your boy, or guess my name, if you want me to help you." + +The young widow, feeling sure that she had the old fairy in a trap, +thought she would have some fun first. + +"How many guesses am I allowed?" she asked. + +"All you want, and as many as you please," answered the green lady, +smiling. + +The widow rattled off a string of names, English, Welsh and Biblical; +but every time the fairy shook her head. Her eyes began to gleam, as if +she felt certain of getting the boy. She even moved her chair around +to the side nearest the cradle. + +"One more guess," cried the widow. "Can it be Silly Doot?" + +At this sound, the fairy turned red with rage. At the same moment, the +door opened wide and a blast of wind made the hearth fire flare up. +Leaving her gold behind her, the old woman flew up the chimney, and +disappeared over the housetops. + +The widow scooped up the gold, bought two cows, furnished her cottage +with new chairs and fresh flowers, and put the rest of the coins away +under one of the flag stones at the hearth. When her boy grew up, she +gave him a good education, and he became one of the fearless judges, +who, with the aid of Baron Owen, rooted out of their lair the Red +Bandits, that had robbed his mother. Since that day, there has been +little crime in Wales--the best governed part of the kingdom. + + + + +XXIII + + +THE FAIRY CONGRESS + + +One can hardly think of Wales without a harp. The music of this most +ancient and honorable instrument, which emits sweet sounds, when heard +in a foreign land makes Welsh folks homesick for the old country and +the music of the harp. Its strings can wail with woe, ripple with +merriment, sound out the notes of war and peace, and lift the soul in +heavenly melody. + +Usually a player on the harp opened the Eistedfodd, as the Welsh +literary congress is called, but this time they had engaged for the +fairies a funny little fellow to start the programme with a solo on +his violin. + +The figure of this musician, at the congress of Welsh fairies, was the +most comical of any in the company. The saying that he was popular +with all the mountain spirits was shown to be true, the moment he +began to scrape his fiddle, for then they all crowded around him. + +"Did you ever see such a tiny specimen?" asked Queen Mab of Puck. + +The little fiddler came forward and drawing his instrument from under +his arm, proceeded to scrape the strings. He had on a pair of moss +trousers, and his coat was a yellow gorse flower. His feet were clad +in shoes made of beetles' wings, which always kept bright, as if +polished with a brush. + +When one looked at the fiddle, he could see that it was only a wooden +spoon, with strings across the bowl. But the moment he drew the bow +from one side to the other, all the elves, from every part of the +hills, came tripping along to hear the music, and at once began +dancing. + +Some of these elves were dressed in pink, some in blue, others in +yellow, and many had glow worms in their hands. Their tread was so +light that the flower stems never bent, nor was a petal crushed, when +they walked over the turf. All, as they came near, bowed or dropped a +curtsey. Then the little musician took off his cap to each, and bowed +in return. + +There was too much business before the meeting for dancing to be kept +up very long, but when the violin solo was over, at a sign given by +the fiddler, the dancers took seats wherever they could find them, on +the grass, or gorse, or heather, or on the stones. After order had +been secured, the chairman of the meeting read regrets from those who +had been invited but could not be present. + +The first note was from the mermaids, who lived near the Green Isles +of the Ocean. They asked to be excused from traveling inland and +climbing rocks. In the present delicate state of their health this +would be too fatiguing. Poor things! + +It was unanimously voted that they be excused. + +Queen Mab was dressed, as befitted the occasion, like a Welsh lady, +not wearing a crown, but a high peaked hat, pointed at the top and +about half a yard high. It was black and was held on by fastenings of +scalloped lace, that came down around her neck. + +The lake fairies, or Elfin Maids, were out in full force. These lived +at the bottom of the many ponds and pools in Wales. Many stories are +told of the wonderful things they did with boats and cattle. + +Nowadays, when they milk cows by electric machinery and use steam +launches on the water, most of the water sprites of all kinds have +been driven away, for they do not like the smell of kerosene or +gasoline. It is for these reasons that, in our day, they are not often +seen. In fact, cows from the creameries can wade out into the water +and even stand in it, while lashing their tails to keep off the flies, +without any danger, as in old times, of being pulled down by the Elfin +Maids. + +The little Red Men, that could hide under a thimble, and have plenty +of room to spare, were all out. The elves, and nixies and sprites, of +all colors and many forms were on hand. + +The pigmies, who guard the palace of the king of the world +underground, came in their gay dresses. There were three of them, and +they brought in their hands balls of gold, with which to play tenpins, +but they were not allowed to have any games while the meeting was +going on. + +In fact, just when these little fellows from down under the earth were +showing off their gay clothes and their treasures from the caves, one +mischievous fairy maid sidled up to their chief and whispered in his +ear: + +"Better put away your gold, for this is in modern Wales, where they +have pawn shops. Three golden balls, two above the one below, which +you often see nowadays, mean that two to one you will never get it +again. These hang out as the sign of a pawnbroker's shop, and what you +put in does not, as a rule, come out. I am afraid that some of the +Cymric fairies from Cornwall, or Montgomery, or Cheshire, might think +you were after business, and you understand that no advertising is +allowed here." + +In a moment, each of the three leaders thrust his ball into his bosom. +It made his coat bulge out, and at this, some of the fairies wondered, +but all they thought of was that this spoiled a handsome fellow's +figure. Or was it some new idea? To tell the truth, they were vexed at +not keeping up with the new fashions, for they knew nothing of this +latest fad among such fine young gallants. + +Much of the chat and gossip, before and after the meeting, was between +the fairies who live in the air, or on mountains, and those down in +the earth, or deep in the sea. They swapped news, gossip and scandal +at a great rate. + +There were a dozen or two fine-looking creatures who had high brows, +who said they were Co-eds. This did not mean that these fairies had +ever been through college. "Certainly the college never went through +them," said one very homely fairy, who was spiteful and jealous. The +simple fact was that the one they called Betty, the Co-ed, and others +from that Welsh village, called Bryn Mawr, and another from Flint, and +another from Yale, and still others from Brimbo and from Co-ed Poeth, +had come from places so named and down on the map of Wales, though +they were no real Co-ed girls there, that could talk French, or +English, or read Latin. In fact, Co-ed simply meant that they were +from the woods and lived among the trees; for Co-ed in Welsh means a +forest. + +The fairy police were further instructed not to admit, and, if such +were found, to put out the following bad characters, for this was a +perfectly respectable meeting. These naughty folks were: + +The Old Hag of the Mist. + +The Invisible Hag that moans dolefully in the night. + +The Tolaeth, a creature never seen, but that groans, sings, saws, or +stamps noisily. + +The Dogs of the Sky. + +All witches, of every sort and kind. + +All peddlers of horseshoes, crosses, charms, or amulets. + +All mortals with brains fuddled by liquor. + +All who had on shoes which water would not run under. + +All fairies that were accustomed to turn mortals into cheese. + +Every one of these, who might want to get in, were to be refused +admittance. + +Another circle of rather exclusive fairies, who always kept away from +the blacksmiths, hardware stores, smelting furnaces and mines, had +formed an anti-iron society. These were a kind of a Welsh "Four +Hundred," or élite, who would have nothing to do with anyone who had +an iron tool, or weapon, or ornament in his hand, or on his dress, or +who used iron in any form, or for any use. They frowned upon the idea +of Cymric Land becoming rich by mining, and smelting, and selling +iron. They did not even approve of the idea that any imps and dwarfs +of the iron mines should be admitted to the meeting. + +One clique of fairies, that looked like elves were in bad humor, +almost to moping. When one of these got up to speak, it seemed as if +he would never sit down. He tired all the lively fairies by +long-winded reminiscences, of druids, and mistletoes, and by telling +every one how much better the old times were than the present. + +President Puck, who always liked things short, and was himself as +lively as quicksilver, many times called these long-winded fellows to +order; but they kept meandering on, until daybreak, when it was time +to adjourn, lest the sunshine should spoil them all, and change them +into slate or stone. + +It was hard to tell just how much business was disposed of, at this +session, or whether one ever came to the point, although there was a +great deal of oratory and music. Much of what was said was in poetry, +or in verses, or rhymes, of three lines each. What they talked about +was mainly in protest against the smoke of factories and collieries, +and because there was so much soot, and so little soap, in the land. + +But what did they do at the fairy congress? + +The truth is, that nobody to-day knows what was done in this session +of the fairies, for the proceedings were kept secret. The only one who +knows was an old Welshman whom the story-teller used to meet once in a +while. He is the one mortal who knows anything about this meeting, and +he won't tell; or at least he won't talk in anything but Welsh. So we +have to find out the gist of the matter, by noticing, in the stories +which we have just read what the fairies did. + + + + +XXIV + + +THE SWORD OF AVALON + + +Many of the Welsh tales are about fighting and wars and no country as +small as Wales has so many castles. Yet these are nearly all in ruins +and children play in them. This is because men got tired of battles +and sieges. + +Everybody knows that after King Arthur's knights had punched and +speared, whacked and chopped at each other with axe and sword long +enough, had slain dragons and tamed monsters, and rescued princesses +from cruel uncles, and good men from dark dungeons, even the plain +people, such as farmers and mechanics, had enough and wanted no more. +Besides this, they wished to be treated more like human beings, and +not have to work so hard and also to keep their money when they earned +it. + +Even King Arthur himself, towards the end of this era, saw that +fashions were changing and that he must change with them. Hardware was +too high in price, and was no longer needed for clothing. He was wise +enough to see that battle axes, maces, swords, lances and armor had +better be put to some better use, when iron was getting scarce and +wool and linen were cheaper. Even the stupid Normans learned that +decency and kindness cost less, and accomplished more in making the +Welshery loyal subjects of the king. + +So when, after many battles, King Arthur went out to have a little war +of his own, and to enjoy the fight, in which he was mortally wounded, +he showed his greatness, even in the hour of death. In truth, it is +given to some men, like Samson, to be even mightier when they die, +than when following the strenuous life. So it was with this great and +good man of Cymry. His love for his people never ceased for one +moment, and in his dying hour he left a bequest that all his people +have understood and acted upon. + +Thus it has come to pass that the Welsh have been really +unconquerable, by Saxon or Norman, or even in these twentieth century +days by Teutons. Though living in a small country, they are among the +greatest in the world, not in force, or in material things, but in +soul. When Belgium was invaded, they not only stood up in battle +against the invader, but they welcomed to their homes tens of +thousands of fugitives and fed and sheltered them. + +Brave as lions, their path of progress has been in faithfulness to +duty, industry, and patience, and along the paths of poetry, music and +brotherhood. Their motto for ages has been, "Truth against the World." + +Now the manner of King Arthur's taking off and his immortal legacy was +on this fashion: + +After doing a great many wonderful things, in many countries, King +Arthur came back to punish the wicked man, Modred. In the battle that +ensued, he received wounds that made him feel that he was very soon to +die. So he ordered his loyal vassal to take his sword to the island of +Avalon. There he must cast the weapon into the deep water. + +But the sword was part of the soul of Arthur. It would not sink out of +sight, until it had given a message, from their king to the Welsh, for +all time. + +After it had been thrown in the water, it disappeared, but rose again. +First the shining blade, and then the hilt, and then a hand was seen +to rise out of the flood. + +Thrice that hand waved the sword round and round. + +This was the prophecy of "the deathless from the dead." King Arthur's +body might be hid in a cave, or molder in the ground, but his soul was +to live and cheer his people. His beloved Cymric nation, with their +undying language, were to rise in power again. + +And the resurrection has been glorious. Not by the might of the +soldier, or by arms or war--though the Welsh never flinch from duty, +or before the foe--but by the power of poet, singer and the narrator +of stories, that touch the imagination, and fire the soul to noble +deeds, have these results come. + +Arthur's good blade, thus waved above the waters, became a veritable +sword of the Spirit. + +Men of genius arose to flush with color the old legends. Prophets, +preachers, monks, missionaries carried these all over Europe, and made +them the vehicles of Christian doctrine. In their new forms, they +fired the imagination and illuminated, as with ten thousand lamps, +many lands and nations, until they held every people in spell. In +miracle and morality play, they reappeared in beauty. They attuned the +harp and instrument of the musician and the troubadour, and these sang +the gospel in all lands, north and south, while telling the stories of +Adam, and of Abraham, of Bethlehem, and of the cross, of the Holy +Grail, and of Arthur and his Knights. All the precious lore of the +Celtic race became transfigured, to illustrate and enforce Christian +truth. The symbolical bowl, the Celtic caldron of abundance, became +the cup of the Eucharist and the Grail the symbol of blessings +eternal. + +By the artists, in the stained glass, and in windows of the great +churches, which were built no longer of wood but of stone, that +blossomed under the chisel, the old legends were, by the new currents +of truth, given a mystic glow. As wonderful as the rise of Gothic +architecture and the upbuilding of cathedrals, as glorious as the +light and art, that beautify the great temples of worship, was this +re-birth of the Arthurian legends. + +For now, again, the old virtues of the knightly days--loyalty, +obedience, redress of wrongs, reverence of womanhood, and the +application of Christian ethics to the old rude rules of decency, +lifted the life of the common people to a nobler plane and ushered in +the modern days. + +Then, after seven hundred years, a host of singers, Tennyson leading +them all, attuned the old Celtic harp. They reset for us the Cymric +melody and colorful incidents in "the light that never was on sea or +land." The old days live again in a greater glory. + +Lady Guest put the Mabinogion into English, and Renan, and Arnold, and +Rolleston, and Rhys, in prose, competed in praise of the heritages +from the old time. Popular education was diffused. The Welsh language +rose again from the dead. Cardiff holds in pure white marble the most +thrilling interpretation of Welsh history, in the twelve white marble +statues of the great men of Wales. The Welsh people, by bloodless +victory, have won the respect of all mankind. + +They set a beacon for the oppressed nations. In the World War of +1914-1918, they helped to save freedom and civilization. They were in +the van. + +Long may the sword of Arthur wave! + + + + + + + + + + +End of Project Gutenberg's Welsh Fairy Tales, by William Elliott Griffis + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK WELSH FAIRY TALES *** + +***** This file should be named 9368-8.txt or 9368-8.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + http://www.gutenberg.org/9/3/6/9368/ + +Produced by Juliet Sutherland, Cam Venezuela and PG +Distributed Proofreaders. 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You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: Welsh Fairy Tales + +Author: William Elliott Griffis + +Posting Date: March 22, 2014 [EBook #9368] +Release Date: November, 2005 +First Posted: September 25, 2003 + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK WELSH FAIRY TALES *** + + + + +Produced by Juliet Sutherland, Cam Venezuela and PG +Distributed Proofreaders. HTML version by Al Haines. + + + + + + +</pre> + + +<h1> +<br /><br /><br /> +Welsh Fairy Tales +</h1> + +<p class="t3b"> +By +</p> + +<p class="t2"> +WILLIAM ELLIOT GRIFFIS +</p> + +<p class="t3"> +1921 +</p> + +<p><br /><br /></p> + +<p class="t3"> +A PREFACE-LETTER TO MY GRANDFATHER +</p> + +<p class="noindent"> +DEAR CAPTAIN JOHN GRIFFIS: +</p> + +<p> +Although I never saw you, since you died in 1804, I am glad you were +one of those Welshmen who opposed the policy of King George III and +that you, after coming to America in 1783, were among the first sea +captains to carry the American flag around the world. That you knew +many of the Free Quakers and other patriots of the Revolution and that +they buried you among them, near Benjamin Franklin, is a matter of +pride to your descendants. That you were born in Wales and spoke +Welsh, as did also those three great prophets of spiritual liberty, +Roger Williams, William Penn, and Thomas Jefferson, is still further +ground for pride in one's ancestry. Now, in the perspective of history +we see that our Washington and his compeers and Wilkes, Barre, Burke +and the friends of America in Parliament were fighting the same battle +of Freedom. Though our debt to Wales for many things is great, we +count not least those inheritances from the world of imagination, for +which the Cymric Land was famous, even before the days of either +Anglo-Saxon or Norman. +</p> + +<p class="noindent"> +W. E. G. +<br /> +Saint David's and the day of the Daffodil, March 1, 1921. +</p> + +<p><br /><br /><br /></p> + +<p class="t3b"> +CONTENTS +</p> + +<p class="noindent"> +I. <a href="#chap01">WELSH RABBIT AND HUNTED HARES</a><br /> +II. <a href="#chap02">THE MIGHTY MONSTER AFANG</a><br /> +III. <a href="#chap03">THE TWO CAT WITCHES</a><br /> +IV. <a href="#chap04">HOW THE CYMRY LAND BECAME INHABITED</a><br /> +V. <a href="#chap05">THE BOY THAT WAS NAMED TROUBLE</a><br /> +VI. <a href="#chap06">THE GOLDEN HARP</a><br /> +VII. <a href="#chap07">THE GREAT RED DRAGON OF WALES</a><br /> +VIII. <a href="#chap08">THE TOUCH OF CLAY</a><br /> +IX. <a href="#chap09">THE TOUCH OF IRON</a><br /> +X. <a href="#chap10">THE MAIDEN OF THE GREEN FOREST</a><br /> +XI. <a href="#chap11">THE TREASURE STONE OF THE FAIRIES</a><br /> +XII. <a href="#chap12">GIANT TOM AND GIANT BLUBB</a><br /> +XIII. <a href="#chap13">A BOY THAT VISITED FAIRYLAND</a><br /> +XIV. <a href="#chap14">THE WELSHERY AND THE NORMANS</a><br /> +XV. <a href="#chap15">THE WELSH FAIRIES HOLD A MEETING</a><br /> +XVI. <a href="#chap16">KING ARTHUR'S CAVE</a><br /> +XVII. <a href="#chap17">THE LADY OF THE LAKE</a><br /> +XVIII. <a href="#chap18">THE KING'S FOOT HOLDER</a><br /> +XIX. <a href="#chap19">POWELL, PRINCE OF DYFED</a><br /> +XX. <a href="#chap20">POWELL AND HIS BRIDE</a><br /> +XXI. <a href="#chap21">WHY THE BACK DOOR WAS FRONT</a><br /> +XXII. <a href="#chap22">THE RED BANDITS OF MONTGOMERY</a><br /> +XXIII. <a href="#chap23">THE FAIRY CONGRESS</a><br /> +XXIV. <a href="#chap24">THE SWORD OF AVALON</a><br /> +</p> + +<p><br /><br /><br /></p> + +<h3> +<a id="chap01"></a> +I +</h3> + +<h3> +WELSH RABBIT AND HUNTED HARES +</h3> + +<p> +Long, long ago, there was a good saint named David, who taught the +early Cymric or Welsh people better manners and many good things to +eat and ways of enjoying themselves. +</p> + +<p> +Now the Welsh folks in speaking of their good teacher pronounced his +name Tafid and affectionately Taffy, and this came to be the usual +name for a person born in Wales. In our nurseries we all learned that +"Taffy was a Welshman," but it was their enemies who made a bad rhyme +about Taffy. +</p> + +<p> +Wherever there were cows or goats, people could get milk. So they +always had what was necessary for a good meal, whether it were +breakfast, dinner or supper. Milk, cream, curds, whey and cheese +enriched the family table. Were not these enough? +</p> + +<p> +But Saint David taught the people how to make a still more delicious +food out of cheese, and that this could be done without taking the +life of any creature. +</p> + +<p> +Saint David showed the girls how to take cheese, slice and toast it +over the coals, or melt it in a skillet and pour it hot over toast or +biscuit. This gave the cheese a new and sweeter flavor. When spread on +bread, either plain, or browned over the fire, the result, in +combination, was a delicacy fit for a king, and equal to anything +known. +</p> + +<p> +The fame of this new addition to the British bill of fare spread near +and far. The English people, who had always been fond of rabbit pie, +and still eat thousands of Molly Cotton Tails every day, named it +"Welsh Rabbit," and thought it one of the best things to eat. In fact, +there are many people, who do not easily see a joke, who misunderstand +the fun, or who suppose the name to be either slang, or vulgar, or a +mistake, and who call it "rarebit." It is like "Cape Cod turkey" +(codfish), or "Bombay ducks" (dried fish), or "Irish plums" (potatoes) +and such funny cookery with fancy names. +</p> + +<p> +Now up to this time, the rabbits and hares had been so hunted with the +aid of dogs, that there was hardly a chance of any of them surviving +the cruel slaughter. +</p> + +<p> +In the year 604, the Prince of Powys was out hunting. The dogs started +a hare, and pursued it into a dense thicket. When the hunter with the +horn came up, a strange sight met his eyes. There he saw a lovely +maiden. She was kneeling on the ground and devoutly praying. Though +surprised at this, the prince was anxious to secure his game. He +hissed on the hounds and ordered the horn to be blown, for the dogs to +charge on their prey, expecting them to bring him the game at once. +Instead of this, though they were trained dogs and would fight even a +wolf, they slunk away howling, and frightened, as if in pain, while +the horn stuck fast to the lips of the blower and he was silent. +Meanwhile, the hare nestled under the maiden's dress and seemed not in +the least disturbed. +</p> + +<p> +Amazed at this, the prince turned to the fair lady and asked: +</p> + +<p> +"Who are you?" +</p> + +<p> +She answered, "My mother named me Monacella. I have fled from Ireland, +where my father wished to marry me to one of his chief men, whom I did +not love. Under God's guidance, I came to this secret desert place, +where I have lived for fifteen years, without seeing the face of man." +</p> + +<p> +To this, the prince in admiration replied: "O most worthy Melangell +[which is the way the Welsh pronounce Monacella], because, on account +of thy merits, it has pleased God to shelter and save this little, +wild hare, I, on my part, herewith present thee with this land, to be +for the service of God and an asylum for all men and women, who seek +thy protection. So long as they do not pollute this sanctuary, let +none, not even prince or chieftain, drag them forth." +</p> + +<p> +The beautiful saint passed the rest of her life in this place. At +night, she slept on the bare rock. Many were the wonders wrought for +those who with pure hearts sought her refuge. The little wild hares +were under her special protection, and they are still called +"Melangell's Lambs." +</p> + +<p><br /><br /><br /></p> + +<h3> +<a id="chap02"></a> +II +</h3> + +<h3> +THE MIGHTY MONSTER AFANG +</h3> + +<p> +After the Cymric folk, that is, the people we call Welsh, had come up +from Cornwall into their new land, they began to cut down the trees, +to build towns, and to have fields and gardens. Soon they made the +landscape smile with pleasant homes, rich farms and playing children. +</p> + +<p> +They trained vines and made flowers grow. The young folks made pets of +the wild animals' cubs, which their fathers and big brothers brought +home from hunting. Old men took rushes and reeds and wove them into +cages for song birds to live in. +</p> + +<p> +While they were draining the swamps and bogs, they drove out the +monsters, that had made their lair in these wet places. These terrible +creatures liked to poison people with their bad breath, and even ate +up very little boys and girls, when they strayed away from home. +</p> + +<p> +So all the face of the open country between the forests became very +pretty to look at. The whole of Cymric land, which then extended from +the northern Grampian Hills to Cornwall, and from the Irish Sea, past +their big fort, afterward called London, even to the edge of the +German Ocean, became a delightful place to live in. +</p> + +<p> +The lowlands and the rivers, in which the tide rose and fell daily, +were especially attractive. This was chiefly because of the many +bright flowers growing there; while the yellow gorse and the pink +heather made the hills look as lovely as a young girl's face. Besides +this, the Cymric maidens were the prettiest ever, and the lads were +all brave and healthy; while both of these knew how to sing often and +well. +</p> + +<p> +Now there was a great monster named the Afang, that lived in a big +bog, hidden among the high hills and inside of a dark, rough forest. +</p> + +<p> +This ugly creature had an iron-clad back and a long tail that could +wrap itself around a mountain. It had four front legs, with big knees +that were bent up like a grasshopper's, but were covered with scales +like armor. These were as hard as steel, and bulged out at the thighs. +Along its back, was a ridge of horns, like spines, and higher than an +alligator's. Against such a tough hide, when the hunters shot their +darts and hurled their javelins, these weapons fell down to the +ground, like harmless pins. +</p> + +<p> +On this monster's head, were big ears, half way between those of a +jackass and an elephant. Its eyes were as green as leeks, and were +round, but scalloped on the edges, like squashes, while they were as +big as pumpkins. +</p> + +<p> +The Afang's face was much like a monkey's, or a gorilla's, with long +straggling gray hairs around its cheeks like those of a walrus. It +always looked as if a napkin, as big as a bath towel, would be +necessary to keep its mouth clean. Yet even then, it slobbered a good +deal, so that no nice fairy liked to be near the monster. +</p> + +<p> +When the Afang growled, the bushes shook and the oak leaves trembled +on the branches, as if a strong wind was blowing. +</p> + +<p> +But after its dinner, when it had swallowed down a man, or two calves, +or four sheep, or a fat heifer, or three goats, its body swelled up +like a balloon. Then it usually rolled over, lay along the ground, or +in the soft mud, and felt very stupid and sleepy, for a long while. +</p> + +<p> +All around its lair, lay wagon loads of bones of the creatures, girls, +women, men, boys, cows, and occasionally a donkey, which it had +devoured. +</p> + +<p> +But when the Afang was ravenously hungry and could not get these +animals and when fat girls and careless boys were scarce, it would +live on birds, beasts and fishes. Although it was very fond of cows +and sheep, yet the wool and hair of these animals stuck in its big +teeth, it often felt very miserable and its usually bad temper grew +worse. +</p> + +<p> +Then, like a beaver, it would cut down a tree, sharpen it to a point +and pick its teeth until its mouth was clean. Yet it seemed all the +more hungry and eager for fresh human victims to eat, especially juicy +maidens; just as children like cake more than bread. +</p> + +<p> +The Cymric men were not surprised at this, for they knew that girls +were very sweet and they almost worshiped women. So they learned to +guard their daughters and wives. They saw that to do such things as +eating up people was in the nature of the beast, which could never be +taught good manners. +</p> + +<p> +But what made them mad beyond measure was the trick which the monster +often played upon them by breaking the river banks, and the dykes +which with great toil they had built to protect their crops. Then the +waters overflowed all their farms, ruined their gardens and spoiled +their cow houses and stables. +</p> + +<p> +This sort of mischief the Afang liked to play, especially about the +time when the oat and barley crops were ripe and ready to be gathered +to make cakes and flummery; that is sour oat-jelly, or pap. So it +often happened that the children had to do without their cookies and +porridge during the winter. Sometimes the floods rose so high as to +wash away the houses and float the cradles. Even those with little +babies in them were often seen on the raging waters, and sent dancing +on the waves down the river, to the sea. +</p> + +<p> +Once in a while, a mother cat and all her kittens were seen mewing for +help, or a lady dog howling piteously. Often it happened that both +puppies and kittens were drowned. +</p> + +<p> +So, whether for men or mothers, pussies or puppies, the Cymric men +thought the time had come to stop this monster's mischief. It was bad +enough that people should be eaten up, but to have all their crops +ruined and animals drowned, so that they had to go hungry all winter, +with only a little fried fish, and no turnips, was too much for human +patience. There were too many weeping mothers and sorrowful fathers, +and squalling brats and animals whining for something to eat. +</p> + +<p> +Besides, if all the oats were washed away, how could their wives make +flummery, without which, no Cymric man is ever happy? And where would +they get seed for another year's sowing? And if there were no cows, +how could the babies or kitties live, or any grown-up persons get +buttermilk? +</p> + +<p> +Someone may ask, why did not some brave man shoot the Afang, with a +poisoned arrow, or drive a spear into him under the arms, where the +flesh was tender, or cut off his head with a sharp sword? +</p> + +<p> +The trouble was just here. There were plenty of brave fellows, ready +to fight the monster, but nothing made of iron could pierce that hide +of his. This was like armor, or one of the steel battleships of our +day, and the Afang always spit out fire or poison breath down the +road, up which a man was coming, long before the brave fellow could +get near him. Nothing would do, but to go up into his lair, and drag +him out. +</p> + +<p> +But what man or company of men was strong enough to do this, when a +dozen giants in a gang, with ropes as thick as a ship's hawser, could +hardly tackle the job? +</p> + +<p> +Nevertheless, in what neither man nor giant could do, a pretty maiden +might succeed. True, she must be brave also, for how could she know, +but if hungry, the Afang might eat her up? +</p> + +<p> +However, one valiant damsel, of great beauty, who had lots of +perfumery and plenty of pretty clothes, volunteered to bind the +monster in his lair. She said, "I'm not afraid." Her sweetheart was +named Gadern, and he was a young and strong hunter. He talked over the +matter with her and they two resolved to act together. +</p> + +<p> +Gadern went all over the country, summoning the farmers to bring their +ox teams and log chains. Then he set the blacksmiths to work, forging +new and especially heavy ones, made of the best native iron, from the +mines, for which Wales is still famous. +</p> + +<p> +Meanwhile, the lovely maiden arrayed herself in her prettiest clothes, +dressed her hair in the most enticing way, hanging a white blossom on +each side, over her ears, with one flower also at her neck. +</p> + +<p> +When she had perfumed her garments, she sallied forth and up the lake +where the big bog and the waters were and where the monster hid +himself. +</p> + +<p> +While the maiden was still quite a distance away, the terrible Afang, +scenting his visitor from afar, came rushing out of his lair. When +very near, he reared his head high in the air, expecting to pounce on +her, with his iron clad claws and at one swallow make a breakfast of +the girl. +</p> + +<p> +But the odors of her perfumes were so sweet, that he forgot what he +had thought to do. Moreover, when he looked at her, he was so taken +with unusual beauty, that he flopped at once on his forefeet. Then he +behaved just like a lovelorn beau, when his best girl comes near. He +ties his necktie and pulls down his coat and brushes off the collar. +</p> + +<p> +So the Afang began to spruce up. It was real fun to see how a monster +behaves when smitten with love for a pretty girl. He had no idea how +funny he was. +</p> + +<p> +The girl was not at all afraid, but smoothed the monster's back, +stroked and played with its big moustaches and tickled its neck until +the Afang's throat actually gurgled with a laugh. Pretty soon he +guffawed, for he was so delighted. +</p> + +<p> +When he did this, the people down in the valley thought it was +thunder, though the sky was clear and blue. +</p> + +<p> +The maiden tickled his chin, and even put up his whiskers in curl +papers. Then she stroked his neck, so that his eyes closed. Soon she +had gently lulled him to slumber, by singing a cradle song, which her +mother had taught her. This she did so softly, and sweetly, that in a +few minutes, with its head in her lap, the monster was sound asleep +and even began to snore. +</p> + +<p> +Then, quietly, from their hiding places in the bushes, Gadern and his +men crawled out. When near the dreaded Afang, they stood up and +sneaked forward, very softly on tip toe. They had wrapped the links of +the chain in grass and leaves, so that no clanking was heard. They +also held the oxen's yokes, so that nobody or anything could rattle, +or make any noise. Slowly but surely they passed the chain over its +body, in the middle, besides binding the brute securely between its +fore and hind legs. +</p> + +<p> +All this time, the monster slept on, for the girl kept on crooning her +melody. +</p> + +<p> +When the forty yoke of oxen were all harnessed together, the drovers +cracked all their whips at once, so that it sounded like a clap of +thunder and the whole team began to pull together. +</p> + +<p> +Then the Afang woke up with a start. +</p> + +<p> +The sudden jerk roused the monster to wrath, and its bellowing was +terrible. It rolled round and round, and dug its four sets of toes, +each with three claws, every one as big as a plowshare, into the +ground. It tried hard to crawl into its lair, or slip into the lake. +</p> + +<p> +Finding that neither was possible, the Afang looked about, for some +big tree to wrap its tail around. But all his writhings or plungings +were of no use. The drovers plied their whips and the oxen kept on +with one long pull together and forward. They strained so hard, that +one of them dropped its eye out. This formed a pool, and to this day +they call it The Pool of the Ox's Eye. It never dries up or overflows, +though the water in it rises and falls, as regularly as the tides. +</p> + +<p> +For miles over the mountains the sturdy oxen hauled the monster. The +pass over which they toiled and strained so hard is still named the +Pass of the Oxen's Slope. When going down hill, the work of dragging +the Afang was easier. +</p> + +<p> +In a great hole in the ground, big enough to be a pond, they dumped +the carcass of the Afang, and soon a little lake was formed. This +uncanny bit of water is called "The Lake of the Green Well." It is +considered dangerous for man or beast to go too near it. Birds do not +like to fly over the surface, and when sheep tumble in, they sink to +the bottom at once. +</p> + +<p> +If the bones of the Afang still lie at the bottom, they must have sunk +down very deep, for the monster had no more power to get out, or to +break the river banks. The farmers no longer cared anything about the +creature, and they hardly every think of the old story, except when a +sheep is lost. +</p> + +<p> +As for Gadern and his brave and lovely sweetheart, they were married +and lived long and happily. Their descendants, in the thirty-seventh +generation, are proud of the grand exploit of their ancestors, while +all the farmers honor his memory and bless the name of the lovely girl +that put the monster asleep. +</p> + +<p><br /><br /><br /></p> + +<h3> +<a id="chap03"></a> +III +</h3> + +<h3> +THE TWO CAT WITCHES +</h3> + +<p> +In old days, it was believed that the seventh son, in a family of +sons, was a conjurer by nature. That is, he could work wonders like +the fairies and excel the doctors in curing diseases. +</p> + +<p> +If he were the seventh son of a seventh son, he was himself a wonder +of wonders. The story ran that he could even cure the "shingles," +which is a very troublesome disease. It is called also by a Latin +name, which means a snake, because, as it gets worse, it coils itself +around the body. +</p> + +<p> +Now the eagle can attack the serpent and conquer and kill this +poisonous creature. To secure such power, Hugh, the conjurer, ate the +flesh of eagles. When he wished to cure the serpent-disease, he +uttered words in the form of a charm which acted as a talisman and +cure. After wetting the red rash, which had broken out over the sick +person's body, he muttered: +</p> + +<p> +"He-eagle, she-eagle, I send you over nine seas, and over nine +mountains, and over nine acres of moor and fen, where no dog shall +bark, no cow low, and no eagle shall higher rise." +</p> + +<p> +After that, the patient was sure that he felt better. +</p> + +<p> +There was always great rivalry between these conjurers and those who +made money from the Pilgrims at Holy Wells and visitors to the relic +shrines, but this fellow, named Hugh, and the monks, kept on mutually +good terms. They often ate dinner together, for Hugh was a great +traveler over the whole country and always had news to tell to the +holy brothers who lived in cells. +</p> + +<p> +One night, as he was eating supper at an inn, four men came in and sat +down at the table with him. By his magical power, Hugh knew that they +were robbers and meant to kill him that night, in order to get his +money. +</p> + +<p> +So, to divert their attention, Hugh made something like a horn to grow +up out of the table, and then laid a spell on the robbers, so that +they were kept gazing at the curious thing all night long, while he +went to bed and slept soundly. +</p> + +<p> +When he rose in the morning, he paid his bill and went away, while the +robbers were still gazing at the horn. Only when the officers arrived +to take them to prison did they come to themselves. +</p> + +<p> +Now at Bettws-y-Coed-that pretty place which has a name that sounds so +funny to us Americans and suggests a girl named Betty the Co-ed at +college—there was a hotel, named the "Inn of Three Kegs." The shop +sign hung out in front. It was a bunch of grapes gilded and set below +three small barrels. +</p> + +<p> +This inn was kept by two respectable ladies, who were sisters. +</p> + +<p> +Yet in that very hotel, several travelers, while they were asleep, had +been robbed of their money. They could not blame anyone nor tell how +the mischief was done. With the key in the keyhole, they had kept +their doors locked during the night. They were sure that no one had +entered the room. There were no signs of men's boots, or of anyone's +footsteps in the garden, while nothing was visible on the lock or +door, to show that either had been tampered with. Everything was in +order as when they went to bed. +</p> + +<p> +Some people doubted their stories, but when they applied to Hugh the +conjurer, he believed them and volunteered to solve the mystery. His +motto was "Go anywhere and everywhere, but catch the thief." +</p> + +<p> +When Hugh applied one night for lodging at the inn, nothing could be +more agreeable than the welcome, and fine manners of his two +hostesses. +</p> + +<p> +At supper time, and during the evening, they all chatted together +merrily. Hugh, who was never at a loss for news or stories, told about +the various kinds of people and the many countries he had visited, in +imagination, just as if he had seen them all, though he had never set +foot outside of Wales. +</p> + +<p> +When he was ready to go to bed, he said to the ladies: +</p> + +<p> +"It is my custom to keep a light burning in my room, all night, but I +will not ask for candles, for I have enough to last me until sunrise." +So saying, he bade them good night. +</p> + +<p> +Entering his room and locking the door, he undressed, but laid his +clothes near at hand. He drew his trusty sword out of its sheath and +laid it upon the bed beside him, where he could quickly grasp it. Then +he pretended to be asleep and even snored. +</p> + +<p> +It was not long before, peeping between his eyelids, only half closed, +he saw two cats come stealthily down the chimney. +</p> + +<p> +When in the room, the animals frisked about, and then gamboled and +romped in the most lively way. Then they chased each other around the +bed, as if they were trying to find out whether Hugh was asleep. +</p> + +<p> +Meanwhile, the supposed sleeper kept perfectly motionless. Soon the +two cats came over to his clothes and one of them put her paw into the +pocket that contained his purse. +</p> + +<p> +At this, with one sweep of his sword, Hugh struck at the cat's paw. +The beast howled frightfully, and both animals ran for the chimney and +disappeared. After that, everything was quiet until breakfast time. +</p> + +<p> +At the table, only one of the sisters was present. Hugh politely +inquired after the other one. He was told that she was not well, for +which Hugh said he was very sorry. +</p> + +<p> +After the meal, Hugh declared he must say good-by to both the sisters, +whose company he had so enjoyed the night before. In spite of the +other lady's many excuses, he was admitted to the sick lady's room. +</p> + +<p> +After polite greetings and mutual compliments, Hugh offered his hand +to say "good-by." The sick lady smiled at once and put out her hand, +but it was her left one. +</p> + +<p> +"Oh, no," said Hugh, with a laugh. "I never in all my life have taken +any one's left hand, and, beautiful as yours is, I won't break my +habit by beginning now and here." +</p> + +<p> +Reluctantly, and as if in pain, the sick lady put out her hand. It was +bandaged. +</p> + +<p> +The mystery was now cleared up. The two sisters were cats. +</p> + +<p> +By the help of bad fairies they had changed their forms and were the +real robbers. +</p> + +<p> +Hugh seized the hand of the other sister and made a little cut in it, +from which a few drops of blood flowed, but the spell was over. +</p> + +<p> +"Henceforth," said Hugh, "you are both harmless, and I trust you will +both be honest women." +</p> + +<p> +And they were. From that day they were like other women, and kept one +of the best of those inns—clean, tidy, comfortable and at modest +prices—for which Wales is, or was, noted. +</p> + +<p> +Neither as cats with paws, nor landladies, with soaring bills, did +they ever rob travelers again. +</p> + +<p><br /><br /><br /></p> + +<h3> +<a id="chap04"></a> +IV +</h3> + +<h3> +HOW THE CYMRY LAND BECAME INHABITED +</h3> + +<p> +In all Britain to-day, no wolf roams wild and the deer are all tame. +</p> + +<p> +Yet in the early ages, when human beings had not yet come into the +land, the swamps and forests were full of very savage animals. There +were bears and wolves by the thousand besides lions and the woolly +rhinoceros, tigers, with terrible teeth like sabres. +</p> + +<p> +Beavers built their dams over the little rivers, and the great horned +oxen were very common. Then the mountains were higher, and the woods +denser. Many of the animals lived in caves, and there were billions of +bees and a great many butterflies. In the bogs were ferns of giant +size, amid which terrible monsters hid that were always ready for a +fight or a frolic. +</p> + +<p> +In so beautiful a land, it seemed a pity that there were no men and +women, no boys or girls, and no babies. +</p> + +<p> +Yet the noble race of the Cymry, whom we call the Welsh, were already +in Europe and lived in the summer land in the South. A great +benefactor was born among them, who grew up to be a wonderfully wise +man and taught his people the use of bows and arrows. He made laws, by +which the different tribes stopped their continual fighting and +quarrels, and united for the common good of all. He persuaded them to +take family names. He invented the plow, and showed them how to use +it, making furrows, in which to plant grain. +</p> + +<p> +When the people found that they could get things to eat right out of +the ground, from the seed they had planted, their children were wild +with joy. +</p> + +<p> +No people ever loved babies more than these Cymry folk and it was they +who invented the cradle. This saved the hard-working mothers many a +burden, for each woman had, besides rearing the children, to work for +and wait on her husband. +</p> + +<p> +He was the warrior and hunter, and she did most of the labor, in both +the house and the field. When there were many little brats to look +after, a cradle was a real help to her. In those days, "brat" was the +general name for little folks. There were good laws, about women +especially for their protection. Any rough or brutish fellow was fined +heavily, or publicly punished, for striking one of them. +</p> + +<p> +By and by, this great benefactor encouraged his people to the brave +adventure, and led them, in crossing the sea to Britain. Men had not +yet learned to build boats, with prow or stern, with keels and masts, +or with sails, rudders, or oars, or much less to put engines in their +bowels, or iron chimneys for smoke stacks, by which we see the mighty +ships driven across the ocean without regard to wind or tide. +</p> + +<p> +This great benefactor taught his people to make coracles, and on these +the whole tribe of thousands of Cymric folk crossed over into Britain, +landing in Cornwall. The old name of this shire meant the Horn of +Gallia, or Wallia, as the new land was later named. We think of +Cornwall as the big toe of the Mother Land. These first comers called +it a horn. +</p> + +<p> +It was a funny sight to see these coracles, which they named after +their own round bodies. The men went down to the riverside or the sea +shore, and with their stone hatchets, they chopped down trees. They +cut the reeds and osiers, peeled the willow branches, and wove great +baskets shaped like bowls. In this work, the women helped the men. +</p> + +<p> +The coracle was made strong by a wooden frame fixed inside round the +edge, and by two cross boards, which also served as seats. Then they +turned the wicker frame upside down and stretched the hides of animals +over the whole frame and bottom. With pitch, gum, or grease, they +covered up the cracks or seams. Then they shaped paddles out of wood. +When the coracle floated on the water, the whole family, daddy, mammy, +kiddies, and any old aunts or uncles, or granddaddies, got into it. +They waited for the wind to blow from the south over to the northern +land. +</p> + +<p> +At first the coracle spun round and round, but by and by each daddy +could, by rowing or paddling, make the thing go straight ahead. So +finally all arrived in the land now called Great Britain. +</p> + +<p> +Though sugar was not then known, or for a thousand years later, the +first thing they noticed was the enormous number of bees. When they +searched, they found the rock caves and hollow trees full of honey, +which had accumulated for generations. Every once in a while the +bears, that so like sweet things, found out the hiding place of the +bees, and ate up the honey. The children were very happy in sucking +the honey comb and the mothers made candles out of the beeswax. The +new comers named the country Honey Island. +</p> + +<p> +The brave Cymry men had battles with the darker skinned people who +were already there. When any one, young or old, died, their friends +and relatives sat up all night guarding the body against wild beasts +or savage men. This grew to be a settled custom and such a meeting was +called a "wake." Everyone present did keep awake, and often in a very +lively way. +</p> + +<p> +As the Cymry multiplied, they built many <i>don</i>, or towns. All +over the land to-day are names ending in <i>don</i> like London, or +Croydon, showing where these villages were. +</p> + +<p> +But while occupied in things for the body, their great ruler did not +neglect matters of the mind. He found that some of his people had good +voices and loved to sing. Others delighted in making poetry. So he +invented or improved the harp, and fixed the rules of verse and song. +</p> + +<p> +Thus ages before writing was known, the Cymry preserved their history +and handed down what the wise ones taught. +</p> + +<p> +Men might be born, live and die, come and go, like leaves on the +trees, which expand in the springtime and fall in the autumn; but +their songs, and poetry, and noble language never die. Even to-day, +the Cymry love the speech of their fathers almost as well as they love +their native land. +</p> + +<p> +Yet things were not always lovely in Honey Land, or as sweet as sugar. +As the tribes scattered far apart to settle in this or that valley, +some had fish, but no salt, and others had plenty of salt, but no +fish. Some had all the venison and bear meat they wanted, but no +barley or oats. The hill men needed what the men on the seashore could +supply. From their sheep and oxen they got wool and leather, and from +the wild beasts fur to keep warm in winter. So many of them grew +expert in trade. Soon there were among them some very rich men who +were the chiefs of the tribes. +</p> + +<p> +In time, hundreds of others learned how to traffic among the tribes +and swap, or barter their goods, for as yet there were no coins for +money, or bank bills. So they established markets or fairs, to which +the girls and boys liked to go and sell their eggs and chickens, for +when the wolves and foxes were killed off, sheep and geese multiplied. +</p> + +<p> +But what hindered the peace of the land, were the feuds, or quarrels, +because the men of one tribe thought they were braver, or better +looking, than those in the other tribe. The women were very apt to +boast that they wore their clothes—which were made of fox and weasel +skins—more gracefully than those in the tribe next to them. +</p> + +<p> +So there was much snarling and quarreling in Cymric Land. The people +were too much like naughty children, or when kiddies are not taught +good manners, to speak gently and to be kind one to the other. +</p> + +<p> +One of the worst quarrels broke out, because in one tribe there were +too many maidens and not enough young men for husbands. This was bad +for the men, for it spoiled them. They had too many women to wait on +them and they grew to be very selfish. +</p> + +<p> +In what might be the next tribe, the trouble was the other way. There +were too many boys, a surplus of men, and not nearly enough girls to +go round. When any young fellow, moping out his life alone and anxious +for a wife, went a-courting in the next tribe, or in their vale, or on +their hill top, he was usually driven off with stones. Then there was +a quarrel between the two tribes. +</p> + +<p> +Any young girl, who sneaked out at night to meet her young man of +another clan, was, when caught, instantly and severely spanked. Then, +with her best clothes taken off, she had to stand tied to a post in +the market place a whole day. Her hair was pulled down in disorder, +and all the dogs were allowed to bark at her. The girls made fun of +the poor thing, while they all rubbed one forefinger over the other, +pointed at her and cried, "Fie, for shame!" while the boys called her +hard names. +</p> + +<p> +If it were known that the young man who wanted a wife had visited a +girl in the other tribe, his spear and bow and arrows were taken away +from him till the moon was full. The other boys and the girls treated +him roughly and called him hard names, but he dare not defend himself +and had to suffer patiently. This was all because of the feud between +the two tribes. +</p> + +<p> +This went on until the maidens in the valley, who were very many, +while yet lovely and attractive, became very lonely and miserable; +while the young men, all splendid hunters and warriors, multiplied in +the hill country. They were wretched in mind, because not one could +get a wife, for all the maidens in their own tribe were already +engaged, or had been mated. +</p> + +<p> +One day news came to the young men on the hill top, that the valley +men were all off on a hunting expedition. At once, without waiting a +moment, the poor lonely bachelors plucked up courage. Then, armed with +ropes and straps, they marched in a body to the village in the valley +below. There, they seized each man a girl, not waiting for any maid to +comb her hair, or put on a new frock, or pack up her clothes, or carry +any thing out of her home, and made off with her, as fast as one pair +of legs could move with another pair on top. +</p> + +<p> +At first, this looked like rough treatment—for a lovely girl, thus to +be strapped to a brawny big fellow; but after a while, the girls +thought it was great fun to be married and each one to have a man to +caress, and fondle, and scold, and look for, and boss around; for each +wife, inside of her own hut was quite able to rule her husband. Every +one of these new wives was delighted to find a man who cared so much +for her as to come after her, and risk his life to get her, and each +one admired her new, brave husband. +</p> + +<p> +Yet the brides knew too well that their men folks, fathers and +brothers, uncles and cousins, would soon come back to attempt their +recapture. +</p> + +<p> +And this was just what happened. When a runner brought, to the valley +men now far away, the news of the rape of their daughters, the hunters +at once ceased chasing the deer and marched quickly back to get the +girls and make them come home. +</p> + +<p> +The hill men saw the band of hunters coming after their daughters. +They at once took their new wives into a natural rocky fortress, on +the top of a precipice, which overlooked the lake. +</p> + +<p> +This stronghold had only one entrance, a sort of gateway of rocks, in +front of which was a long steep, narrow path. Here the hill men stood, +to resist the attack and hold their prizes. +</p> + +<p> +It was a case of a very few defenders, assaulted by a multitude, and +the battle was long and bloody. The hill men scorned to surrender and +shot their arrows and hurled their javelins with desperate valor. They +battled all day from sunrise until the late afternoon, when shadows +began to lengthen. The stars, one by one came out and both parties, +after setting sentinels, lay down to rest. +</p> + +<p> +In the morning, again, charge after charge was made. Sword beat +against shield and helmet, and clouds of arrows were shot by the +archers, who were well posted in favorable situations, on the rocks. +Long before noon, the field below was dotted and the narrow pass was +choked with dead bodies. In the afternoon, after a short rest and +refreshed with food, the valley men, though finding that only four of +the hill fighters were alive, stood off at a distance and with their +long bows and a shower of arrows left not one to breathe. +</p> + +<p> +Now, thought the victors, we shall get our maidens back again. So, +taking their time to wash off the blood and dust, to bind up their +wounds, and to eat their supper, they thought it would be an easy job +to load up all the girls on their ox-carts and carry them home. +</p> + +<p> +But the valley brides, thus suddenly made widows, were too true to +their brave husbands. So, when they had seen the last of their lovers +quiet in death, they stripped off all their ornaments and fur robes, +until all stood together, each clad in her own innocence, as pure in +their purpose as if they were a company of Druid priestesses. +</p> + +<p> +Then, chanting their death song, they marched in procession to the +tall cliff, that rose sheer out of the water. One by one, each +uttering the name of her beloved, leaped into the waves. +</p> + +<p> +Men at a distance, knowing nothing of the fight, and sailors and +fishermen far off on the water, thought that a flock of white birds +were swooping down from their eyrie, into the sea to get their food +from the fishes. But when none rose up above the waters, they +understood, and later heard the whole story of the valor of the men +and the devotion of the women. +</p> + +<p> +The solemn silence of night soon brooded over the scene. +</p> + +<p> +The men of the valley stayed only long enough to bury their own dead. +Then they marched home and their houses were filled with mourning. Yet +they admired the noble sacrifice of their daughters and were proud of +them. Afterwards they raised stone monuments on the field of +slaughter. +</p> + +<p> +To-day, this water is called the Lake of the Maidens, and the great +stones seen near the beach are the memorials marking the place of the +slain in battle. +</p> + +<p> +During many centuries, the ancient custom of capturing the bride, with +resistance from her male relatives, was vigorously kept up. In the +course of time, however, this was turned into a mimic play, with much +fun and merriment. Yet, the girls appear to like it, and some even +complain if it is not rough enough to seem almost real. +</p> + +<p><br /><br /><br /></p> + +<h3> +<a id="chap05"></a> +V +</h3> + +<h3> +THE BOY THAT WAS NAMED TROUBLE +</h3> + +<p> +In one of the many "Co-eds," or places with this name, in ancient and +forest-covered Wales, there was a man who had one of the most +beautiful mares in all the world. Yet great misfortunes befell both +this Co-ed mare and her owner. +</p> + +<p> +Every night, on the first of May, the mare gave birth to a pretty +little colt. Yet no one ever saw, or could ever tell what became of +any one, or all of the colts. Each and all, and one by one, they +disappeared. Nobody knew where they were, or went, or what had become +of them. +</p> + +<p> +At last, the owner, who had no children, and loved little horses, +determined not to lose another. He girded on his sword, and with his +trusty spear, stood guard all night in the stable to catch the mortal +robber, as he supposed he must be. +</p> + +<p> +When on this same night of May first, the mare foaled again, and the +colt stood up on its long legs, the man greatly admired the young +creature. It looked already, as if it could, with its own legs, run +away and escape from any wolf that should chase it, hoping to eat it +up. +</p> + +<p> +But at this moment, a great noise was heard outside the stable. The +next moment a long arm, with a claw at the end of it, was poked +through the window-hole, to seize the colt. +</p> + +<p> +Instantly the man drew his sword and with one blow, the claw part of +the arm was cut off, and it dropped inside, with the colt. +</p> + +<p> +Hearing a great cry and tumult outside, the owner of the mare rushed +forth into the darkness. But though he heard howls of pain, he could +see nothing, so he returned. +</p> + +<p> +There, at the door, he found a baby, with hair as yellow as gold, +smiling at him. Besides its swaddling clothes, it was wrapped up in +flame-colored satin. +</p> + +<p> +As it was still night, the man took the infant to his bed and laid it +alongside of his wife, who was asleep. +</p> + +<p> +Now this good woman loved children, though she had none of her own, +and so when she woke up in the morning, and saw what was beside her, +she was very happy. Then she resolved to pretend that it was her own. +</p> + +<p> +So she told her women, that she had borne the child, and they called +him Gwri of the Golden Hair. +</p> + +<p> +The boy baby grew up fast, and when only two years old, was as strong +as most children are at six. +</p> + +<p> +Soon he was able to ride the colt that had been born on the May night, +and the two were as playmates together. +</p> + +<p> +Now it chanced, the man had heard the tale of Queen Rhiannon, wife of +Powell, Prince of Dyfed. She had become the mother of a baby boy, but +it was stolen from her at night. +</p> + +<p> +The six serving women, whose duty it was to attend to the Queen, and +guard her child, were lazy and had neglected their duty. They were +asleep when the baby was stolen away. To excuse themselves and be +saved from punishment, they invented a lying story. They declared that +Rhiannon had devoured the child, her own baby. +</p> + +<p> +The wise men of the Court believed the story which the six wicked +women had told, and Rhiannon, the Queen, though innocent, was +condemned to do penance. She was to serve as a porter to carry +visitors and their baggage from out doors into the castle. +</p> + +<p> +Every day, for many months, through the hours of daylight, she stood +in public disgrace in front of the castle of Narberth, at the stone +block, on which riders on horses dismounted from the saddle. When +anyone got off at the gate, she had to carry him or her on her back +into the hall. +</p> + +<p> +As the boy grew up, his foster father scanned his features closely, +and it was not long before he made up his mind that Powell was his +father and Rhiannon was his mother. +</p> + +<p> +One day, with the boy riding on his colt, and with two knights keeping +him company, the owner of the Co-ed mare came near the castle of +Narberth. +</p> + +<p> +There they saw the beautiful Rhiannon sitting on the horse block at +the gate. +</p> + +<p> +When they were about to dismount from their horses, the lovely woman +spoke to them thus: +</p> + +<p> +"Chieftains, go no further thus. I will carry everyone of you on my +back, into the palace." +</p> + +<p> +Seeing their looks of astonishment, she explained: +</p> + +<p> +"This is my penance for the charge brought against me of slaying my +son and devouring him." +</p> + +<p> +One and all the four refused to be carried and went into the castle on +their own feet. There Powell, the prince, welcomed them and made a +feast in their honor. It being night, Rhiannon sat beside him. +</p> + +<p> +After dinner when the time for story telling had come, the chief guest +told the tale of his mare and the colt, and how he cut the clawed +hand, and then found the boy on the doorstep. +</p> + +<p> +Then to the joy and surprise of all, the owner of the Co-ed mare, +putting the golden-haired boy before Rhiannon, cried out: +</p> + +<p> +"Behold lady, here is thy son, and whoever they were who told the +story and lied about your devouring your own child, have done you a +grievous wrong." +</p> + +<p> +Everyone at the table looked at the boy, and all recognized the lad at +once as the child of Powell and Rhiannon. +</p> + +<p> +"Here ends my trouble (pryderi)," cried out Rhiannon. +</p> + +<p> +Thereupon one of the chiefs said: +</p> + +<p> +"Well hast thou named thy child 'Trouble,'" and henceforth Pryderi was +his name. +</p> + +<p> +Soon it was made known, by the vision and word of the bards and seers, +that all the mischief had been wrought by wicked fairies, and that the +six serving women had been under their spell, when they lied about the +Queen. Powell, the castle-lord, was so happy that he offered the man +of Co-ed rich gifts of horses, jewels and dogs. +</p> + +<p> +But this good man felt repaid in delivering a pure woman and loving +mother from undeserved shame and disgrace, by wisdom and honesty +according to common duty. +</p> + +<p> +As for Pryderi, he was educated as a king's son ought to be, in all +gentle arts and was trained in all manly exercises. +</p> + +<p> +After his father died, Pryderi became ruler of the realm. He married +Kieva the daughter of a powerful chieftain, who had a pedigree as long +as the bridle used to drive a ten-horse chariot. It reached back to +Prince Casnar of Britain. +</p> + +<p> +Pryderi had many adventures, which are told in the Mabinogian, which +is the great storehouse of Welsh hero, wonder, and fairy tales. +</p> + +<p><br /><br /><br /></p> + +<h3> +<a id="chap06"></a> +VI +</h3> + +<h3> +THE GOLDEN HARP +</h3> + +<p> +Morgan is one of the oldest names in Cymric land. It means one who +lives near the sea. +</p> + +<p> +Every day, for centuries past, tens of thousands of Welsh folks have +looked out on the great blue plain of salt water. +</p> + +<p> +It is just as true, also, that there are all sorts of Morgans. One of +these named Taffy, was like nearly all Welshmen, in that he was very +fond of singing. +</p> + +<p> +The trouble in his case, however, was that no one but himself loved to +hear his voice, which was very disagreeable. Yet of the sounds which +he himself made with voice or instrument, he was an intense admirer. +Nobody could persuade him that his music was poor and his voice rough. +He always refused to improve. +</p> + +<p> +Now in Wales, the bard, or poet, who makes up his poetry or song as he +goes along, is a very important person, and it is not well to offend +one of these gentlemen. In French, they call such a person by a very +long name—the improvisator. +</p> + +<p> +These poets have sharp tongues and often say hard things about people +whom they do not like. If they used whetstones, or stropped their +tongues on leather, as men do their razors, to give them a keener +edge, their words could not cut more terribly. +</p> + +<p> +Now, on one occasion, Morgan had offended one of these bards. It was +while the poetic gentleman was passing by Taffy's house. He heard the +jolly fellow inside singing, first at the top and then at the bottom +of the scale. He would drop his voice down on the low notes and then +again rise to the highest until it ended in a screech. +</p> + +<p> +Someone on the street asked the poet how he liked the music which he +had heard inside. +</p> + +<p> +"Music?" replied the bard with a sneer. "Is that what Morgan is +trying? Why! I thought it was first the lowing of an aged cow, and +then the yelping of a blind dog, unable to find its way. Do you call +that music?" +</p> + +<p> +The truth was that when the soloist had so filled himself with strong +ale that his brain was fuddled, then it was hard to tell just what +kind of a noise he was making. It took a wise man to discover the +tune, if there was any. +</p> + +<p> +One evening, when Morgan thought his singing unusually fine, and felt +sorry that no one heard him, he heard a knock. +</p> + +<p> +[Illustration: THE MORE MORGAN PLAYED, THE MADDER THE DANCE] +</p> + +<p> +Instead of going to the door to inquire, or welcome the visitor, he +yelled out "Come in!" +</p> + +<p> +The door opened and there stood three tired looking strangers. They +appeared to be travelers. One of them said: +</p> + +<p> +"Kind sir, we are weary and worn, and would be glad of a morsel of +bread. If you can give us a little food, we shall not trouble you +further." +</p> + +<p> +"Is that all?" said Morgan. "See there the loaf and the cheese, with a +knife beside them. Take what you want, and fill your bags. No man +shall ever say that Taffy Morgan denied anyone food, when he had any +himself." +</p> + +<p> +Whereupon the three travelers sat down and began to eat. +</p> + +<p> +Meanwhile, without being invited to do so, their host began to sing +for them. +</p> + +<p> +Now the three travelers were fairies in disguise. They were journeying +over the country, from cottage to cottage, visiting the people. They +came to reward all who gave them a welcome and were kind to them, but +to vex and play tricks upon those who were stingy, bad tempered, or of +sour disposition. Turning to Taffy before taking leave, one of them +said: +</p> + +<p> +"You have been good to us and we are grateful. Now what can we do for +you? We have power to grant anything you may desire. Please tell us +what you would like most." +</p> + +<p> +At this, Taffy looked hard in the faces of the three strangers, to see +if one of them was the bard who had likened his voice in its ups and +downs to a cow and a blind dog. Not seeing any familiar face, he +plucked up his courage, and said: +</p> + +<p> +"If you are not making fun of me, I'll take from you a harp. And, if I +can have my wish in full, I want one that will play only lively tunes. +No sad music for me!" +</p> + +<p> +Here Morgan stopped. Again he searched their faces, to see if they +were laughing at him and then proceeded. +</p> + +<p> +"And something else, if I can have it; but it's really the same thing +I am asking for." +</p> + +<p> +"Speak on, we are ready to do what you wish," answered the leader. +</p> + +<p> +"I want a harp, which, no matter how badly I may play, will sound out +sweet and jolly music." +</p> + +<p> +"Say no more," said the leader, who waved his hand. There was a flood +of light, and, to Morgan's amazement, there stood on the floor a +golden harp. +</p> + +<p> +But where were the three travelers? They had disappeared in a flash. +</p> + +<p> +Hardly able to believe his own eyes, it now dawned upon him that his +visitors were fairies. +</p> + +<p> +He sat down, back of the harp, and made ready to sweep the strings. He +hardly knew whether or not he touched the instrument, but there rolled +out volumes of lively music, as if the harp itself were mad. The tune +was wild and such as would set the feet of young folks agoing, even in +church. +</p> + +<p> +As Taffy's fingers seemed every moment to become more skillful, the +livelier the music increased, until the very dishes rattled on the +cupboard, as if they wanted to join in. Even the chair looked as if +about to dance. +</p> + +<p> +Just then, Morgan's wife and some neighbors entered the house. +Immediately, the whole party, one and all, began dancing in the +jolliest way. For hours, they kept up the mad whirl. Yet all the +while, Taffy seemed happier and the women the merrier. +</p> + +<p> +No telegraph ever carried the news faster, all over the region, that +Morgan had a wonderful harp. +</p> + +<p> +All the grass in front of the house, was soon worn away by the crowds, +that came to hear and dance. As soon as Taffy touched the harp +strings, the feet of everyone, young and old, began shuffling, nor +could anyone stop, so long as Morgan played. Even very old, lame and +one-legged people joined in. Several old women, whom nobody had ever +prevailed upon to get out of their chairs, were cured of their +rheumatism. Such unusual exercise was severe for them, but it seemed +to be healthful. +</p> + +<p> +A shrewd monk, the business manager of the monastery near by, wanted +to buy Morgan's house, set up a sanatarium and advertise it as a holy +place. He hoped thus to draw pilgrims to it and get for it a great +reputation as a healing place for the lame and the halt, the palsied +and the rheumatic. Thus the monastery would be enriched and all the +monks get fat. +</p> + +<p> +But Taffy was a happy-go-lucky fellow, who cared little about money +and would not sell; for, with his harp, he enjoyed both fun and fame. +</p> + +<p> +One day, in the crowd that stood around his door waiting to begin to +hop and whirl, Morgan espied the bard who had compared his voice to a +cow and a cur. The bard had come to see whether the stories about the +harp were true or not. +</p> + +<p> +He found to his own discomfort what was the fact and the reality, +which were not very convenient for him. As soon as the harp music +began, his feet began to go up, and his legs to kick and whirl. The +more Morgan played, the madder the dance and the wilder the antics of +the crowd, and in these the bard had to join, for he could not help +himself. Soon they all began to spin round and round on the flagstones +fronting the door, as if crazy. They broke the paling of the garden +fence. They came into the house and knocked over the chairs and sofa, +even when they cracked their shins against the wood. They bumped their +heads against the walls and ceiling, and some even scrambled over the +roof and down again. The bard could no more stop his weary legs than +could the other lunatics. +</p> + +<p> +To Morgan his revenge was so sweet, that he kept on until the bard's +legs snapped, and he fell down on top of people that had tumbled from +shear weariness, because no more strength was left in them. +</p> + +<p> +Meanwhile, Morgan laughed until his jaws were tired and his stomach +muscles ached. +</p> + +<p> +But no sooner did he take his fingers off the strings, to rest them, +than he opened his eyes in wonder; for in a flash the harp had +disappeared. +</p> + +<p> +He had made a bad use of the fairies' gift, and they were displeased. +So both the monk and Morgan felt sorry. +</p> + +<p> +Yet the grass grew again when the quondam harper and singer ceased +desolating the air with his quavers. The air seemed sweeter to +breathe, because of the silence. +</p> + +<p> +However, the fairies kept on doing good to the people of good will, +and to-day some of the sweetest singers in Wales come from the poorest +homes. +</p> + +<p><br /><br /><br /></p> + +<h3> +<a id="chap07"></a> +VII +</h3> + +<h3> +THE GREAT RED DRAGON OF WALES +</h3> + +<p> +Every old country that has won fame in history and built up a +civilization of its own, has a national flower. Besides this, some +living creature, bird, or beast, or, it may be, a fish is on its flag. +In places of honor, it stands as the emblem of the nation; that is, of +the people, apart from the land they live on. Besides flag and symbol, +it has a motto. That of Wales is: "Awake: It is light." +</p> + +<p> +Now because the glorious stories of Wales, Scotland and Ireland have +been nearly lost in that of mighty England, men have at times, almost +forgotten about the leek, the thistle, and the shamrock, which stand +for the other three divisions of the British Isles. +</p> + +<p> +Yet each of these peoples has a history as noble as that of which the +rose and the lion are the emblems. Each has also its patron saint and +civilizer. So we have Saint George, Saint David, Saint Andrew, and +Saint Patrick, all of them white-souled heroes. On the union flag, or +standard of the United Kingdom, we see their three crosses. +</p> + +<p> +The lion of England, the harp of Ireland, the thistle of Scotland, and +the Red Dragon of Wales represent the four peoples in the British +Isles, each with its own speech, traditions, and emblems; yet all in +unity and in loyalty, none excelling the Welsh, whose symbol is the +Red Dragon. In classic phrase, we talk of Albion, Scotia, Cymry, and +Hibernia. +</p> + +<p> +But why red? Almost all the other dragons in the world are white, or +yellow, green or purple, blue, or pink. Why a fiery red color like +that of Mars? +</p> + +<p> +Borne on the banners of the Welsh archers, who in old days won the +battles of Crecy and Agincourt, and now seen on the crests on the town +halls and city flags, in heraldry, and in art, the red dragon is as +rampant, as when King Arthur sat with His Knights at the Round Table. +</p> + +<p> +The Red Dragon has four three-toed claws, a long, barbed tongue, and +tail ending like an arrow head. With its wide wings unfolded, it +guards those ancient liberties, which neither Saxon, nor Norman, nor +German, nor kings on the throne, whether foolish or wise, have ever +been able to take away. No people on earth combine so handsomely loyal +freedom and the larger patriotism, or hold in purer loyalty to the +union of hearts and hands in the British Empire, which the sovereign +represents, as do the Welsh. +</p> + +<p> +The Welsh are the oldest of the British peoples. They preserve the +language of the Druids, bards, and chiefs, of primeval ages which go +back and far beyond any royal line in Europe, while most of their +fairy tales are pre-ancient and beyond the dating. +</p> + +<p> +Why the Cymric dragon is red, is thus told, from times beyond human +record. +</p> + +<p> +It was in those early days, after the Romans in the south had left the +island, and the Cymric king, Vortigern, was hard pressed by the Picts +and Scots of the north. To his aid, he invited over from beyond the +North Sea, or German Ocean, the tribes called the Long Knives, or +Saxons, to help him. +</p> + +<p> +But once on the big island, these friends became enemies and would not +go back. They wanted to possess all Britain. +</p> + +<p> +Vortigern thought this was treachery. Knowing that the Long Knives +would soon attack him, he called his twelve wise men together for +their advice. With one voice, they advised him to retreat westward +behind the mountains into Cymry. There he must build a strong fortress +and there defy his enemies. +</p> + +<p> +So the Saxons, who were Germans, thought they had driven the Cymry +beyond the western borders of the country which was later called +England, and into what they named the foreign or Welsh parts. +Centuries afterwards, this land received the name of Wales. +</p> + +<p> +People in Europe spoke of Galatians, Wallachians, Belgians, Walloons, +Alsatians, and others as "Welsh." They called the new fruit imported +from Asia walnuts, but the names "Wales" and "Welsh" were unheard of +until after the fifth century. +</p> + +<p> +The place chosen for the fortified city of the Cymry was among the +mountains. From all over his realm, the King sent for masons and +carpenters and collected the materials for building. Then, a solemn +invocation was made to the gods by the Druid priests. These grand +looking old men were robed in white, with long, snowy beards falling +over their breasts, and they had milk-white oxen drawing their +chariot. With a silver knife they cut the mistletoe from the +tree-branch, hailing it as a sign of favor from God. Then with harp, +music and song they dedicated the spot as a stronghold of the Cymric +nation. +</p> + +<p> +Then the King set the diggers to work. He promised a rich reward to +those men of the pick and shovel who should dig the fastest and throw +up the most dirt, so that the masons could, at the earliest moment, +begin their part of the work. +</p> + +<p> +But it all turned out differently from what the king expected. Some +dragon, or powerful being underground, must have been offended by this +invasion of his domain; for, the next morning, they saw that +everything in the form of stone, timber, iron or tools, had +disappeared during the night. It looked as if an earthquake had +swallowed them all up. +</p> + +<p> +Both king and seers, priests and bards, were greatly puzzled at this. +However, not being able to account for it, and the Saxons likely to +march on them at any time, the sovereign set the diggers at work and +again collected more wood and stone. +</p> + +<p> +This time, even the women helped, not only to cook the food, but to +drag the logs and stones. They were even ready to cut off their +beautiful long hair to make ropes, if necessary. +</p> + +<p> +But in the morning, all had again disappeared, as if swept by a +tempest. The ground was bare. +</p> + +<p> +Nevertheless, all hands began again, for all hearts were united. +</p> + +<p> +For the third time, the work proceeded. Yet when the sun rose next +morning, there was not even a trace of either material or labor. +</p> + +<p> +What was the matter? Had some dragon swallowed everything up? +</p> + +<p> +Vortigern again summoned his twelve wise men, to meet in council, and +to inquire concerning the cause of the marvel and to decide what was +to be done. +</p> + +<p> +After long deliberation, while all the workmen and people outside +waited for their verdict, the wise men agreed upon a remedy. +</p> + +<p> +Now in ancient times, it was a custom, all over the world, notably in +China and Japan and among our ancestors, that when a new castle or +bridge was to be built, they sacrificed a human being. This was done +either by walling up the victim while alive, or by mixing his or her +blood with the cement used in the walls. Often it was a virgin or a +little child thus chosen by lot and made to die, the one for the many. +</p> + +<p> +The idea was not only to ward off the anger of the spirits of the air, +or to appease the dragons under ground, but also to make the workmen +do their best work faithfully, so that the foundation should be sure +and the edifice withstand the storm, the wind, and the earthquake +shocks. +</p> + +<p> +So, nobody was surprised, or raised his eyebrows, or shook his head, +or pursed up his lips, when the king announced that what the wise men +declared, must be done and that quickly. Nevertheless, many a mother +hugged her darling more closely to her bosom, and fathers feared for +their sons or daughters, lest one of these, their own, should be +chosen as the victim to be slain. +</p> + +<p> +King Vortigern had the long horn blown for perfect silence, and then +he spoke: +</p> + +<p> +"A child must be found who was born without a father. He must be +brought here and be solemnly put to death. Then his blood will be +sprinkled on the ground and the citadel will be built securely." +</p> + +<p> +Within an hour, swift runners were seen bounding over the Cymric +hills. They were dispatched in search of a boy without a father, and a +large reward was promised to the young man who found what was wanted. +So into every part of the Cymric land, the searchers went. +</p> + +<p> +One messenger noticed some boys playing ball. Two of them were +quarreling. Coming near, he heard one say to the other: +</p> + +<p> +"Oh, you boy without a father, nothing good will ever happen to you." +</p> + +<p> +"This must be the one looked for," said the royal messenger to +himself. So he went up to the boy, who had been thus twitted and spoke +to him thus: +</p> + +<p> +"Don't mind what he says." Then he prophesied great things, if he +would go along with him. The boy was only too glad to go, and the next +day the lad was brought before King Vortigern. +</p> + +<p> +The workmen and their wives and children, numbering thousands, had +assembled for the solemn ceremony of dedicating the ground by shedding +the boy's blood. In strained attention the people held their breath. +</p> + +<p> +The boy asked the king: +</p> + +<p> +"Why have your servants brought me to this place?" +</p> + +<p> +Then the sovereign told him the reason, and the boy asked: +</p> + +<p> +"Who instructed you to do this?" +</p> + +<p> +"My wise men told me so to do, and even the sovereign of the land +obeys his wise councilors." +</p> + +<p> +"Order them to come to me, Your Majesty," pleaded the boy. +</p> + +<p> +When the wise men appeared, the boy, in respectful manner, inquired of +them thus: +</p> + +<p> +"How was the secret of my life revealed to you? Please speak freely +and declare who it was that discovered me to you." +</p> + +<p> +Turning to the king, the boy added: +</p> + +<p> +"Pardon my boldness, Your Majesty. I shall soon reveal the whole +matter to you, but I wish first to question your advisers. I want them +to tell you what is the real cause, and reveal, if they can, what is +hidden here underneath the ground." +</p> + +<p> +But the wise men were confounded. They could not tell and they fully +confessed their ignorance. +</p> + +<p> +The boy then said: +</p> + +<p> +"There is a pool of water down below. Please order your men to dig for +it." +</p> + +<p> +At once the spades were plied by strong hands, and in a few minutes +the workmen saw their faces reflected, as in a looking glass. There +was a pool of clear water there. +</p> + +<p> +Turning to the wise men, the boy asked before all: +</p> + +<p> +"Now tell me, what is in the pool?" +</p> + +<p> +As ignorant as before, and now thoroughly ashamed, the wise men were +silent. +</p> + +<p> +"Your Majesty, I can tell you, even if these men cannot. There are two +vases in the pool." +</p> + +<p> +Two brave men leaped down into the pool. They felt around and brought +up two vases, as the boy had said. +</p> + +<p> +Again, the lad put a question to the wise men: +</p> + +<p> +"What is in these vases?" +</p> + +<p> +Once more, those who professed to know the secrets of the world, even +to the demanding of the life of a human being, held their tongues. +</p> + +<p> +"There is a tent in them," said the boy. "Separate them, and you will +find it so." +</p> + +<p> +By the king's command, a soldier thrust in his hand and found a folded +tent. +</p> + +<p> +Again, while all wondered, the boy was in command of the situation. +Everything seemed so reasonable, that all were prompt and alert to +serve him. +</p> + +<p> +"What a splendid chief and general, he would make, to lead us against +our enemies, the 'Long Knives!'" whispered one soldier to another. +</p> + +<p> +"What is in the tent?" asked the boy of the wise men. +</p> + +<p> +Not one of the twelve knew what to say, and there was an almost +painful silence. +</p> + +<p> +"I will tell you, Your Majesty, and all here, what is in this tent. +There are two serpents, one white and one red. Unfold the tent." +</p> + +<p> +With such a leader, no soldier was afraid, nor did a single person in +the crowd draw back? Two stalwart fellows stepped forward to open the +tent. +</p> + +<p> +But now, a few of the men and many of the women shrank back while +those that had babies, or little folks, snatched up their children, +fearing lest the poisonous snakes might wriggle towards them. +</p> + +<p> +The two serpents were coiled up and asleep, but they soon showed signs +of waking, and their fiery, lidless eyes glared at the people. +</p> + +<p> +"Now, Your Majesty, and all here, be you the witnesses of what will +happen. Let the King and wise men look in the tent." +</p> + +<p> +At this moment, the serpents stretched themselves out at full length, +while all fell back, giving them a wide circle to struggle in. +</p> + +<p> +Then they reared their heads. With their glittering eyes flashing +fire, they began to struggle with each other. The white one rose up +first, threw the red one into the middle of the arena, and then +pursued him to the edge of the round space. +</p> + +<p> +Three times did the white serpent gain the victory over the red one. +</p> + +<p> +But while the white serpent seemed to be gloating over the other for a +final onset, the red one, gathering strength, erected its head and +struck at the other. +</p> + +<p> +The struggle went on for several minutes, but in the end the red +serpent overcame the white, driving it first out of the circle, then +from the tent, and into the pool, where it disappeared, while the +victorious red one moved into the tent again. +</p> + +<p> +When the tent flap was opened for all to see, nothing was visible +except a red dragon; for the victorious serpent had turned into this +great creature which combined in one new form the body and the powers +of bird, beast, reptile and fish. It had wings to fly, the strongest +animal strength, and could crawl, swim, and live in either water or +air, or on the earth. In its body was the sum total of all life. +</p> + +<p> +Then, in the presence of all the assembly, the youth turned to the +wise men to explain the meaning of what had happened. But not a word +did they speak. In fact, their faces were full of shame before the +great crowd. +</p> + +<p> +"Now, Your Majesty, let me reveal to you the meaning of this mystery." +</p> + +<p> +"Speak on," said the King, gratefully. +</p> + +<p> +"This pool is the emblem of the world, and the tent is that of your +kingdom. The two serpents are two dragons. The white serpent is the +dragon of the Saxons, who now occupy several of the provinces and +districts of Britain and from sea to sea. But when they invade our +soil our people will finally drive them back and hold fast forever +their beloved Cymric land. But you must choose another site, on which +to erect your castle." +</p> + +<p> +After this, whenever a castle was to be built no more human victims +were doomed to death. All the twelve men, who had wanted to keep up +the old cruel custom, were treated as deceivers of the people. By the +King's orders, they were all put to death and buried before all the +crowd. +</p> + +<p> +To-day, like so many who keep alive old and worn-out notions by means +of deception and falsehood, these men are remembered only by the +Twelve Mounds, which rise on the surface of the field hard by. +</p> + +<p> +As for the boy, he became a great magician, or, as we in our age would +call him, a man of science and wisdom, named Merlin. He lived long on +the mountain, but when he went away with a friend, he placed all his +treasures in a golden cauldron and hid them in a cave. He rolled a +great stone over its mouth. Then with sod and earth he covered it all +over so as to hide it from view. His purpose was to leave this his +wealth for a leader, who, in some future generation, would use it for +the benefit of his country, when most needed. +</p> + +<p> +This special person will be a youth with yellow hair and blue eyes. +When he comes to Denas, a bell will ring to invite him into the cave. +The moment his foot is over the place, the stone of entrance will open +of its own accord. Anyone else will be considered an intruder and it +will not be possible for him to carry away the treasure. +</p> + +<p><br /><br /><br /></p> + +<h3> +<a id="chap08"></a> +VIII +</h3> + +<h3> +THE TOUCH OF CLAY +</h3> + +<p> +Long, long ago before the Cymry came into the beautiful land of Wales, +there were dark-skinned people living in caves. +</p> + +<p> +In these early times there were a great many fairies of all sorts, but +of very different kinds of behavior, good and bad. +</p> + +<p> +It was in this age of the world that fairies got an idea riveted into +their heads which nothing, not even hammers, chisels or crowbars can +pry up. Neither horse power, nor hydraulic force nor sixteen-inch +bombs, nor cannon balls, nor torpedoes can drive it out. +</p> + +<p> +It is a settled matter of opinion in fairy land that, compared with +fairies, human beings are very stupid. The fairies think that mortals +are dull witted and awfully slow, when compared to the smarter and +more nimble fairies, that are always up to date in doing things. +</p> + +<p> +Perhaps the following story will help explain why this is. +</p> + +<p> +These ancient folks who lived in caves, could not possibly know some +things that are like A B C to the fairies of to-day. For the Welsh +fairies, King Puck and Queen Mab, know all about what is in the +telegraphs, submarine cables and wireless telegraphy of to-day. Puck +would laugh if you should say that a telephone was any new thing to +him. Long ago, in Shakespeare's time, he boasted that he could "put a +girdle round the earth in forty minutes." Men have been trying ever +since to catch up with him, but they have not gone ahead of him yet. +</p> + +<p> +If, only three hundred years ago, this were the case, what must have +been Puck's fun, when he saw men in the early days, working so hard to +make even a clay cup or saucer. These people who slept and ate in cave +boarding-houses, knew nothing of metals, or how to make iron or brass +tools, wire, or machines, or how to touch a button and light up a +whole room, which even a baby can now do. +</p> + +<p> +There is one thing that we, who have traveled in many fairy lands, +have often noticed and told our friends, the little folks, and that is +this: +</p> + +<p> +All the fairies we ever knew are very slow to change either their +opinions, or their ways, or their fashions. Like many mortals, they +think a great deal of their own notions. They imagine that the only +way to do a thing is in that which they say is the right one. +</p> + +<p> +So it came to pass that even when the Cymric folk gave up wearing the +skins of animals, and put on pretty clothes woven on a loom, and ate +out of dishes, instead of clam shells, there were still some fairies +that kept to the notions and fashions of the cave days. To one of +these, came trouble because of this failing. +</p> + +<p> +Now there was once a pretty nymph, who lived in the Red Lake, to which +a young and handsome farmer used to come to catch fish. One misty day, +when the lad could see only a few feet before him, a wind cleared the +air and blew away the fog. Then he saw near him a little old man, +standing on a ladder. He was hard at work in putting a thatched roof +on a hut which he had built. +</p> + +<p> +A few minutes later, as the mist rose and the breezes blew, the farmer +could see no house, but only the ripplings of water on the lake's +surface. +</p> + +<p> +Although he went fishing often, he never again saw anything unusual, +during the whole summer. +</p> + +<p> +On one hot day in the early autumn, while he stopped to let his horse +drink, he looked and saw a very lovely face on the water. Wondering to +whom it might belong, there rose up before him the head and shoulders +of a most beautiful woman. She was so pretty that he had two tumbles. +He fell off his horse and he fell in love with her at one and the same +time. +</p> + +<p> +Rushing toward the lovely vision, he put out his arms at that spot +where he had seen her, but only to embrace empty air. Then he +remembered that love is blind. So he rubbed his eyes, to see if he +could discern anything. Yet though he peered down into the water, and +up over the hills, he could not see her anywhere. +</p> + +<p> +But he soon found out to his joy that his eyes were all right, for in +another place, the face, flower-crowned hair, and her reflection in +the water came again. Then his desire to possess the damsel was +doubled. But again, she disappeared, to rise again somewhere else. +</p> + +<p> +Five times he was thus tantalized and disappointed. She rose up, and +quickly disappeared. +</p> + +<p> +It seemed as though she meant only to tease him. So he rode home +sorrowing, and scarcely slept that night. +</p> + +<p> +Early morning, found the lovelorn youth again at the lake side, but +for hours he watched in vain. He had left his home too excited to have +eaten his usual breakfast, which greatly surprised his housekeeper. +Now he pulled out some sweet apples, which a neighbor had given him, +and began to munch them, while still keeping watch on the waters. +</p> + +<p> +No sooner had the aroma of the apples fallen on the air, than the +pretty lady of the lake bobbed up from beneath the surface, and this +time quite near him. She seemed to have lost all fear, for she asked +him to throw her one of the apples. +</p> + +<p> +"Please come, pretty maid, and get it yourself," cried the farmer. +Then he held up the red apple, turning it round and round before her, +to tempt her by showing its glossy surface and rich color. +</p> + +<p> +Apparently not afraid, she came up close to him and took the apple +from his left hand. At once, he slipped his strong right arm around +her waist, and hugged her tight. At this, she screamed loudly. +</p> + +<p> +Then there appeared in the middle of the lake the old man, he had seen +thatching the roof by the lake shore. This time, besides his long +snowy beard, he had on his head a crown of water lilies. +</p> + +<p> +"Mortal," said the venerable person. "That is my daughter you are +clasping. What do you wish to do with her?" +</p> + +<p> +At once, the farmer broke out in passionate appeal to the old man that +she might become his wife. He promised to love her always, treat her +well, and never be rough or cruel to her. +</p> + +<p> +The old father listened attentively. He was finally convinced that the +farmer would make a good husband for his lovely daughter. Yet he was +very sorry to lose her, and he solemnly laid one condition upon his +future son-in-law. +</p> + +<p> +He was never under any pretense, or in any way, to strike her with +clay, or with anything made or baked from clay. Any blow with that +from which men made pots and pans, and jars and dishes, or in fact, +with earth of any sort, would mean the instant loss of his wife. Even +if children were born in their home, the mother would leave them, and +return to fairy land under the lake, and be forever subject to the law +of the fairies, as before her marriage. +</p> + +<p> +The farmer was very much in love with his pretty prize, and as +promises are easily made, he took oath that no clay should ever touch +her. +</p> + +<p> +They were married and lived very happily together. Years passed and +the man was still a good husband and lover. He kept up the habit which +he had learned from a sailor friend. Every night, when far from home +and out on the sea, he and his mates used to drink this toast; +"Sweethearts and wives: may every sweetheart become a wife and every +wife remain a sweetheart, and every husband continue a lover." +</p> + +<p> +So he proved that though a husband he was still a lover, by always +doing what she asked him and more. When the children were born and +grew up, their father told them about their mother's likes and +dislikes, her tastes and her wishes, and warned them always to be +careful. So it was altogether a very happy family. +</p> + +<p> +One day, the wife and mother said to her husband, that she had a great +longing for apples. She would like to taste some like those which he +long ago gave her. At once, the good man dropped what he was doing and +hurried off to his neighbor, who had first presented him with a +trayful of these apples. +</p> + +<p> +The farmer not only got the fruit, but he also determined that he +would plant a tree and thus have apples for his wife, whenever she +wanted them. So he bought a fine young sapling, to set in his orchard, +for the children to play under and to keep his pantry full of the fine +red-cheeked fruit. At this his wife was delighted. +</p> + +<p> +So happy enough—in fact, too merry to think of anything else, they, +both husband and wife, proceeded to set the sapling in the ground. She +held the tree, while he dug down to make the hole deep enough to make +sure of its growing. +</p> + +<p> +But farmers are sometimes very superstitious. They even believe in +luck, though not in Puck. Some of them have faith in what the almanac, +and the patent medicine may say, and in planting potatoes according to +the moon, but they scout the idea of there being any fairies. +</p> + +<p> +With the farmer, this had become a fixed state of mind and now it +brought him to grief, as we shall see. For though he remembered what +his wife liked and disliked, and recalled what her father had told +him, he had forgotten that she was a fairy. +</p> + +<p> +With this farmer and other Welsh mortals, it had become a habit, when +planting a young tree, to throw the last shovelful of earth over the +left shoulder. This was for good luck. The farmer was afraid to break +such a good custom, as he thought it to be. +</p> + +<p> +So merrily he went to work, forgetting everything in his adherence to +habit. He became so absorbed in his job, that he did not look where +his spadeful went, and it struck his dear wife full in the breast. +</p> + +<p> +At that moment, she cried out bitterly, not in pain, but in sorrow. +Then she started to run towards the lake. At the shore, she called +out, "Good-by, dear, dear husband." Then, leaping into the water, she +was never seen again and all his tears and those of the children never +brought her back. +</p> + +<p><br /><br /><br /></p> + +<h3> +<a id="chap09"></a> +IX +</h3> + +<h3> +THE TOUCH OF IRON +</h3> + +<p> +Ages ago, before the Cymry rowed in their coracles across the sea, +there was a race of men already in the Land of Honey, as Great Britain +was then called. +</p> + +<p> +These ancient people, who lived in caves, did not know how to build +houses or to plow the ground. They had no idea that they could get +their food out of the earth. As for making bread and pies, cookies and +goodies, from what grew from the soil, they never heard of such a +thing. They were not acquainted with the use of fire for melting +copper, nor did they know how to get iron out of the ore, to make +knives and spears, arrow heads and swords, and armor and helmets. +</p> + +<p> +All they could do was to mold clay, so as to make things to cook with +and hold milk, or water. When they baked this soft stuff in the fire, +they found they had pots, pans and dishes as hard as stone, though +these were easily broken. +</p> + +<p> +To hunt the deer, or fight the wolves and bears, they fashioned clubs +of wood. For javelins and arrows, they took hard stone like flint and +chipped it to points and sharpened it with edges. This was the time +which men now call the Stone Age. When the men went to war, their +weapons were wholly of wood or stone. +</p> + +<p> +They had not yet learned to weave the wool of the sheep into warm +clothing, but they wore the skins of animals. Each one of the caves, +in which they lived, was a general boarding house, for dogs and pigs, +as well as people. +</p> + +<p> +When a young man of one tribe wanted a wife, he sallied out secretly +into another neighborhood. There he lay in wait for a girl to come +along. He then ran away with her, and back to his own daddy's cave. +</p> + +<p> +By and by, when the Cymry came into the land, they had iron tools and +better weapons of war. Then there were many and long battles and the +aborigines were beaten many times. +</p> + +<p> +So the cave people hated everything made of iron. Anyone of the cave +people, girls or boys, who had picked up iron ornaments, and were +found wearing or using iron tools, or buying anything of iron from the +cave people's enemies, was looked upon as a rascal, or a villain, or +even as a traitor and was driven out of the tribe. +</p> + +<p> +However, some of the daughters of the cave men were so pretty and had +such rosy cheeks, and lovely bodies, and beautiful, long hair, that +quite often the Cymric youth fell in love with them. +</p> + +<p> +Many of the cave men's daughters were captured and became wives of the +Cymry and mothers of children. In course of ages, their descendants +helped to make the bright, witty, song-loving Welsh people. +</p> + +<p> +Now the fairies usually like things that are old, and they are very +slow to alter the ancient customs, to which they have been used; for, +in the fairy world, there is no measure of time, nor any clocks, +watches, or bells to strike the hours, and no almanacs or calendars. +</p> + +<p> +The fairies cannot understand why ladies change the fashions so often, +and the men their ways of doing things. They wonder why beards are +fashionable at one time; then, moustaches long or short, at another; +or smooth faces when razors are cheap. Most fairies like to keep on +doing the same thing in the old way. They enjoy being like the +mountains, which stand; or the sea, that rolls; or the sun, that rises +and sets every day and forever. They never get tired of repeating +to-morrow what they did yesterday. They are very different from the +people that are always wanting something else, and even cry if they +cannot have it. +</p> + +<p> +That is the reason why the fairies did not like iron, or to see men +wearing iron hats and clothes, called helmets and armor, when they +went to war. They no more wanted to be touched by iron than by filth, +or foul disease. They hated knives, stirrups, scythes, swords, pots, +pans, kettles, or this metal in any form, whether sheet, barbed wire, +lump or pig iron. +</p> + +<p> +Now there was a long, pretty stretch of water, near which lived a +handsome lad, who loved nothing better than to go out on moonlight +nights and see the fairies dance, or listen to their music. This youth +fell in love with one of these fairies, whose beauty was great beyond +description. At last, unable to control his passion, he rushed into +the midst of the fairy company, seized the beautiful one, and rushed +back to his home, with his prize in his arms. This was in true +cave-man fashion. When the other fairies hurried to rescue her, they +found the man's house shut. They dared not touch the door, for it was +covered over with iron studs and bands, and bolted with the metal +which they most abhorred. +</p> + +<p> +The young man immediately began to make love to the fairy maid, hoping +to win her to be his wife. For a long time she refused, and moped all +day and night. While weeping many salt water tears, she declared that +she was too homesick to live. +</p> + +<p> +Nevertheless the lover persevered. Finding herself locked in with iron +bars, while gratings, bolts and creaking hinges were all about her, +and unable to return to her people, the fairy first thought out a plan +of possible escape. Then she agreed to become the man's wife. She +resolved, at least, that, without touching it, she should oil all the +iron work, and stop the noise. +</p> + +<p> +She was a smart fairy, and was sure she could outwit the man, even if +he were so strong, and had every sort of iron everywhere in order to +keep her as it were in a prison. So, pretending she loved him dearly, +she said: "I will not be your wife, but, if you can find out my name, +I shall gladly become your servant." +</p> + +<p> +"Easily won," thought the lover to himself. Yet the game was a harder +one to play than he supposed. It was like playing Blind Man's Buff, or +Hunt the Slipper. Although he made guesses of every name he could +think of, he was never "hot" and got no nearer to the thing sought +than if his eyes were bandaged. All the time, he was deeper and deeper +in love with the lovely fairy maid. +</p> + +<p> +But one night, on returning home, he saw in a turf bog, a group of +fairies sitting on a log. At once, he thought, they might be talking +about their lost sister. So he crept up quite near them, and soon +found that he had guessed right. After a long discussion, finding +themselves still at a loss, as to how to recover her, he heard one of +them sigh and say, "Oh, Siwsi, my sister, how can you live with a +mortal?" +</p> + +<p> +"Enough," said the young man to himself. "I've got it." Then, crawling +away noiselessly, he ran back all the way to his house, and unlocked +the door. Once inside the room, he called out his servant's +name—"Siwsi! Siwsi!" +</p> + +<p> +Astonished at hearing her name, she cried out, "What mortal has +betrayed me? For, surely no fairy would tell on me? Alas, my fate, my +fate!" +</p> + +<p> +But in her own mind, the struggle and the fear were over. She had +bravely striven to keep her fairyhood, and in the battle of wits, had +lost. +</p> + +<p> +She would not be wife, but what a wise, superb and faithful servant +she made! +</p> + +<p> +Everything prospered under her hand. The house and the farm became +models. Not twice, but three times a day, the cows, milked by her, +yielded milk unusually rich in cream. In the market, her butter +excelled, in quality and price, all others. +</p> + +<p> +Meanwhile, the passion of the lover abated not one jot, or for an +instant. His perseverance finally won. She agreed to become his wife; +but only on one condition. +</p> + +<p> +"You must never strike me with iron," she said. "If you do, I'll feel +free to leave you, and go back to my relatives in the fairy family." +</p> + +<p> +A hearty laugh from the happy lover greeted this remark, made by the +lovely creature, once his servant, but now his betrothed. He thought +that the condition was very easy to obey. +</p> + +<p> +So they were married, and no couple in all the land seemed to be +happier. Once, twice, the cradle was filled. It rocked with new +treasures that had life, and were more dear than farm, or home, or +wealth in barns or cattle, cheese and butter. A boy and a girl were +theirs. Then the mother's care was unremitting, day and night. +</p> + +<p> +Even though the happy father grew richer every year, and bought farm +after farm, until he owned five thousand acres, he valued, more than +these possessions, his lovely wife and his beautiful children. +</p> + +<p> +Yet this very delight and affection made him less vigilant; yes, even +less careful concerning the promise he had once given to his fairy +wife, who still held to the ancient ideas of the Fairy Family in +regard to iron. +</p> + +<p> +One of his finest mares had given birth to a filly, which, when the +day of the great fair came, he determined to sell at a high price. +</p> + +<p> +So with a halter on his arm, he went out to catch her. +</p> + +<p> +But she was a lively creature, so frisky that it was much like his +first attempt to win his fairy bride. It almost looked as if she were +a cave girl running away from a lover, who had a lasso in his hand. +The lively and frolicsome beast scampered here and there, grazing as +she stopped, as if she were determined to put off her capture as long +as possible. +</p> + +<p> +So, calling to his wife, the two of them together, tried their skill +to catch the filly. This time, leaving the halter in the house, the +man took bit and bridle, and the two managed to get the pretty +creature into a corner; but, when they had almost captured her, away +she dashed again. +</p> + +<p> +By this time, the man was so vexed that he lost his temper; and he who +does that, usually loses the game, while he who controls the wrath +within, wins. Mad as a flaming fire, he lost his brains also and threw +bit and bridle and the whole harness after the fleet animal. +</p> + +<p> +Alas! alas! the wife had started to run after the filly and the iron +bit struck her on the cheek. It did not hurt, but he had broken his +vow. +</p> + +<p> +Now came the surprise of his life. It was as if, at one moment, a +flash of lightning had made all things bright; and then in another +second was inky darkness. He saw this lovely wife, one moment active +and fleet as a deer. In another, in the twinkling of an eye, nothing +was there. She had vanished. After this, there was a lonely home, +empty of its light and cheer. +</p> + +<p> +But by living with human beings, a new idea and form of life had +transformed this fairy, and a new spell was laid on her. Mother-love +had been awakened in her heart. Henceforth, though the law of the +fairy world would not allow her to touch again the realm of earth, +she, having once been wife and parent, could not forget the babies +born of her body. So, making a sod raft, a floating island, she came +up at night, and often, while these three mortals lived, this fairy +mother would spend hours tenderly talking to her husband and her two +children, who were now big boy and girl, as they stood on the lake +shore. +</p> + +<p> +On his part, the father did not think it "an ideal arrangement," as +some modern married folks do, to be thus separated, wife and husband, +one from the other; but by her coming as near as could be allowed, she +showed her undying love. Even to-day, good people sometimes see a +little island floating on the lake, and this, they point out as the +place where the fairy mother was wont to come and hold converse with +her dear ones. When they merrily eat the pink delicacy, called +"floating island," moving it about with a spoon on its yellow lake of +eggs and cream, they call this "the Fairy Mother's rocking chair." +</p> + +<p><br /><br /><br /></p> + +<h3> +<a id="chap10"></a> +X +</h3> + +<h3> +THE MAIDEN OF THE GREEN FOREST +</h3> + +<p> +Many a palace lies under the waves that wash Cymric land, for the sea +has swallowed up more than one village, and even cities. +</p> + +<p> +When Welsh fairies yield to their mortal lovers and consent to become +their wives, it is always on some condition or promise. Sometimes +there are several of these, which the fairy ladies compel their mortal +lovers to pledge them, before they agree to become wives. In fact, the +fairies in Cymric land are among the most exacting of any known. +</p> + +<p> +A prince named Benlli, of the Powys region, found this out to his +grief, for he had always supposed that wives could be had simply for +the asking. All that a man need say, to the girl to whom he took a +fancy, was this: "Come along with me, and be my bride," and then she +would say, "Thank you, I'll come," and the two would trot off +together. This was the man's notion. +</p> + +<p> +Now Benlli was a wicked old fellow. He was already married, but +wrinkles had gathered on his wife's face. She had a faded, washed-out +look, and her hair was thinning out. She would never be young again, +and he was tired of her, and wanted a mate with fresh rosy cheeks, and +long, thick hair. He was quite ready to fall in love with such a +maiden, whenever his eyes should light upon her. +</p> + +<p> +One day, he went out hunting in the Green Forest. While waiting for a +wild boar to rush out, there rode past him a young woman whose beauty +was dazzling. He instantly fell in love with her. +</p> + +<p> +The next day, while on horseback, at the same opening in the forest, +the same maiden reappeared; but it was only for a moment, and then she +vanished. +</p> + +<p> +Again, on the third day, the prince rode out to the appointed place, +and again the vision of beauty was there. He rode up to her and begged +her to come and live with him at his palace. +</p> + +<p> +"I will come and be your wedded wife on three conditions: You must put +away the wife you now have; you must permit me to leave you, one night +in every seven, without following after or spying upon me; and you +must not ask me where I go or what I do. Swear to me that you will do +these three things. Then, if you keep your promises unbroken, my +beauty shall never change, no, not until the tall vegetable flag-reeds +wave and the long green rushes grow in your hall." +</p> + +<p> +The Prince of Powys was quite ready to swear this oath and he solemnly +promised to observe the three conditions. So the Maid of the Green +Forest went to live with him. +</p> + +<p> +"But what of his old wife?" one asks. +</p> + +<p> +Ah! he had no trouble from that quarter, for when the newly-wedded +couple arrived at the castle, she had already disappeared. +</p> + +<p> +Happy, indeed, were the long bright days, which the prince and his new +bride spent together, whether in the castle, or out doors, riding on +horseback, or in hunting the deer. Every day, her beauty seemed +diviner, and she more lovely. He lavished various gifts upon her, +among others that of a diadem of beryl and sapphire. Then he put on +her finger a diamond ring worth what was a very great sum—a king's +ransom. In the Middle Ages, monarchs as well as nobles were taken +prisoners in battle and large amounts of money had to be paid to get +them back again. So a king's ransom is what Benlli paid for his wife's +diamond ring. He loved her so dearly that he never suspected for a +moment that he would ever have any trouble in keeping his three +promises. +</p> + +<p> +But without variety, life has no spice, and monotony wearies the soul. +After nine years had passed, and his wife absented herself every +Friday night, he began to wonder why it could be. His curiosity, to +know the reason for her going away, so increased that it so wore on +him that he became both miserable in himself and irritable toward +others. Everybody in the castle noticed the change in their master, +and grieved over it. +</p> + +<p> +One night, he invited a learned monk from the white monastery, not far +away, to come and take dinner with him. The table in the great +banqueting hall was spread with the most delicious viands, the lights +were magnificent, and the music gay. +</p> + +<p> +But Wyland, the monk, was a man of magic and could see through things. +He noticed that some secret grief was preying upon the Prince's mind. +He discerned that, amidst all this splendor, he, Benlli, the lord of +the castle, was the most miserable person within its walls. So Wyland +went home, resolved to call again and find out what was the trouble. +</p> + +<p> +When they met, some days later, Wyland's greeting was this: +</p> + +<p> +"Christ save thee, Benlli! What secret sorrow clouds thy brow? Why so +gloomy?" +</p> + +<p> +Benlli at once burst out with the story of how he met the Maid of the +Green Forest, and how she became his wife on three conditions. +</p> + +<p> +"Think of it," said Benlli, groaning aloud. "When the owls cry and the +crickets chirp, my wife leaves my bed, and until the daystar appears, +I lie alone, torn with curiosity, to know where she is, and what she +is doing. I fall again into heavy sleep, and do not awake until +sunrise, when I find her by my side again. It is all such a mystery, +that the secret lies heavy on my soul. Despite all my wealth, and my +strong castle, with feasting and music by night and hunting by day, I +am the most miserable man in Cymric land. No beggar is more wretched +than I." +</p> + +<p> +Wyland, the monk, listened and his eyes glittered. There came into his +head the idea of enriching the monastery. He saw his chance, and +improved it at once. He could make money by solving the secret for a +troubled soul. +</p> + +<p> +"Prince Benlli," said he, "if you will bestow upon the monks of the +White Minster, one tenth of all the flocks that feed within your +domain, and one tenth of all that flows into the vaults of your +palace, and hand over the Maiden of the Green Forest to me, I shall +warrant that your soul will be at peace and your troubles end." +</p> + +<p> +To all this, Prince Benlli agreed, making solemn promise. Then the +monk Wyland took his book, leather bound, and kept shut by means of +metal clasps, and hid himself in the cranny of a rock near the Giant's +Cave, from which there was entrance down into Fairyland. +</p> + +<p> +He had not long to wait, for soon, with a crown on her head, a lady, +royally arrayed, passed by out of the silvery moonlight into the dark +cave. It was none other than the Maiden of the Green Forest. +</p> + +<p> +Now came a battle of magic and spells, as between the monk's own and +those of the Green Forest Maiden. He moved forward to the mouth of the +cave. Then summoning into his presence the spirits of the air and the +cave, he informed them as to Benlli's vow to enrich the monastery, and +to deliver the Green Forest Maiden to himself. Then, calling aloud, he +said: +</p> + +<p> +"Let her forever be, as she now appears, and never leave my side." +</p> + +<p> +"Bring her, before the break of day, to the cross near the town of the +White Minster, and there will I wed her, and swear to make her my +own." +</p> + +<p> +Then, by the power of his magic, he made it impossible for any person +or power to recall or hinder the operation of these words. Leaving the +cave's mouth, in order to be at the cross, before day should dawn, the +first thing he met was a hideous ogress, grinning and rolling her +bleared red eyes at him. On her head seemed what was more like moss, +than hair. She stretched out a long bony finger at him. On it, flashed +the splendid diamond, which Benlli had given his bride, the beautiful +Maid of the Green Forest. +</p> + +<p> +"Take me to thy bosom, monk Wyland," she shrieked, laughing hideously +and showing what looked like green snags in her mouth. "For I am the +wife you are sworn to wed. Thirty years ago, I was Benlli's blooming +bride. When my beauty left me, his love flew out of the window. Now I +am a foul ogress, but magic makes me young again every seventh night. +I promised that my beauty should last until the tall flag reeds and +the long green rushes grow in his hall." +</p> + +<p> +Amazed at her story, Wyland drew in his breath. +</p> + +<p> +"And this promise, I have kept. It is already fulfilled. Your spell +and mine are both completed. Yours brought to him the peace of the +dead. Mine made the river floods rush in. Now, waters lap to and fro +among the reeds and rushes that grow in the banqueting hall, which is +now sunk deep below the earth. With the clash of our spells, no charm +can redress our fate. +</p> + +<p> +"Come then and take me as thy bride, for oath and spell have both +decreed it as thy reward. As Benlli's promise to you is fulfilled, for +the waters flow in the palace vaults, the pike and the dare (fish) +feed there." +</p> + +<p> +So, caught in his own dark, sordid plot, the monk, who played +conjurer, had become the victim of his own craft. +</p> + +<p> +They say that Wyland's Cross still recalls the monk, while fishermen +on the Welsh border, can, on nights with smooth water, see towers and +chimneys far below, sunk deep beneath the waves. +</p> + +<p><br /><br /><br /></p> + +<h3> +<a id="chap11"></a> +XI +</h3> + +<h3> +THE TREASURE STONE OF THE FAIRIES +</h3> + +<p> +The Gruffyds were one of the largest of the Welsh tribes. To-day, it +is said that in Britain one man in every forty has this, as either his +first, middle, or last name. It means "hero" or "brave man," and as +far back as the ninth century, the word is found in the Book of Saint +Chad. +</p> + +<p> +The monks, who derived nearly every name from the Latin, insisted the +word meant Great Faith. +</p> + +<p> +Another of the most common of Welsh personal names was William; which, +when that of a father's son, was written Williams and was only the +Latin for Gild Helm, or Golden Helmet. +</p> + +<p> +Long ago, when London was a village and Cardiff only a hamlet, there +was a boy of this name, who tended sheep on the hill sides. His father +was a hard working farmer, who every year tried to coax to grow out of +the stony ground some oats, barley, leeks and cabbage. In summer, he +worked hard, from the first croak of the raven to the last hoot of the +owl, to provide food for his wife and baby daughter. When his boy was +born, he took him to the church to be christened Gruffyd, but every +body called him "Gruff." In time several little sisters came to keep +the boy company. +</p> + +<p> +His mother always kept her cottage, which was painted pink, very neat +and pretty, with vines covering the outside, while flowers bloomed +indoors. These were set in pots and on shelves near the latticed +windows. They seemed to grow finely, because so good a woman loved +them. The copper door-sill was kept bright, and the broad borders on +the clay floor, along the walls, were always fresh with whitewash. The +pewter dishes on the sideboard shone as if they were moons, and the +china cats on the mantle piece, in silvery luster, reflected both sun +and candle light. Daddy often declared he could use these polished +metal plates for a mirror, when he shaved his face. Puss, the pet, was +always happy purring away on the hearth, as the kettle boiled to make +the flummery, of sour oat jelly, which, daddy loved so well. +</p> + +<p> +Mother Gruffyd was always so neat, with her black and white striped +apron, her high peaked hat, with its scalloped lace and quilled +fastening around her chin, her little short shawl, with its pointed, +long tips, tied in a bow, and her bright red plaid petticoat folded +back from her frock. Her snowy-white, rolling collar and neck cloth +knotted at the top, and fringed at the ends, added fine touches to her +picturesque costume. +</p> + +<p> +In fact, young Gruffyd was proud of his mother and he loved her +dearly. He thought no woman could be quite as sweet as she was. +</p> + +<p> +Once, at the end of the day, on coming back home, from the hills, the +boy met some lovely children. They were dressed in very fine clothes, +and had elegant manners. They came up, smiled, and invited him to play +with them. He joined in their sports, and was too much interested to +take note of time. He kept on playing with them until it was pitch +dark. +</p> + +<p> +Among other games, which he enjoyed, had been that of "The King in his +counting house, counting out his money," and "The Queen in her +kitchen, eating bread and honey," and "The Girl hanging out the +clothes," and "The Saucy Blackbird that snipped off her nose." In +playing these, the children had aprons full of what seemed to be real +coins, the size of crowns, or five-shilling pieces, each worth a +dollar. These had "head and tail," beside letters on them and the boy +supposed they were real. +</p> + +<p> +But when he showed these to his mother, she saw at once from their +lightness, and because they were so easily bent, that they were only +paper, and not silver. +</p> + +<p> +She asked her boy where he had got them. He told her what a nice time +he had enjoyed. Then she knew that these, his playmates, were fairy +children. Fearing that some evil might come of this, she charged him, +her only son, never to go out again alone, on the mountain. She +mistrusted that no good would come of making such strange children his +companions. +</p> + +<p> +But the lad was so fond of play, that one day, tired of seeing nothing +but byre and garden, while his sisters liked to play girls' games more +than those which boys cared most for, and the hills seeming to beckon +him to come to them, he disobeyed, and slipped out and off to the +mountains. He was soon missed and search was made for him. +</p> + +<p> +Yet nobody had seen or heard of him. Though inquiries were made on +every road, in every village, and at all the fairs and markets in the +neighborhood, two whole years passed by, without a trace of the boy. +</p> + +<p> +But early one morning of the twenty-fifth month, before breakfast, his +mother, on opening the door, found him sitting on the steps, with a +bundle under his arm, but dressed in the same clothes, and not looking +a day older or in any way different, from the very hour he +disappeared. +</p> + +<p> +"Why my dear boy, where have you been, all these months, which have +now run into the third year—so long a time that they have seemed to +me like ages?" +</p> + +<p> +"Why, mother dear, how strange you talk. I left here yesterday, to go +out and to play with the children, on the hills, and we have had a +lovely time. See what pretty clothes they have given me for a +present." Then he opened his bundle. +</p> + +<p> +But when she tore open the package, the mother was all the more sure +that she was right, and that her fears had been justified. In it she +found only a dress of white paper. Examining it carefully, she could +see neither seam nor stitches. She threw it in the fire, and again +warned her son against fairy children. +</p> + +<p> +But pretty soon, after a great calamity had come upon them, both +father and mother changed their minds about fairies. +</p> + +<p> +They had put all their savings into the venture of a ship, which had +for a long time made trading voyages from Cardiff. Every year, it came +back bringing great profit to the owners and shareholders. In this +way, daddy was able to eke out his income, and keep himself, his wife +and daughters comfortably clothed, while all the time the table was +well supplied with good food. Nor did they ever turn from their door +anyone who asked for bread and cheese. +</p> + +<p> +But in the same month of the boy's return, bad news came that the good +ship had gone down in a storm. All on board had perished, and the +cargo was totally lost, in the deep sea, far from land. In fact, no +word except that of dire disaster had come to hand. +</p> + +<p> +Now it was a tradition, as old as the days of King Arthur, that on a +certain hill a great boulder could be seen, which was quite different +from any other kind of rock to be found within miles. It was partly +imbedded in the earth, and beneath it, lay a great, yes, an untold +treasure. The grass grew luxuriantly around this stone, and the sheep +loved to rest at noon in its shadow. Many men had tried to lift, or +pry it up, but in vain. The tradition, unaltered and unbroken for +centuries, was to the effect, that none but a very good man could ever +budge this stone. Any and all unworthy men might dig, or pull, or pry, +until doomsday, but in vain. Till the right one came, the treasure was +as safe as if in heaven. +</p> + +<p> +But the boy's father and mother were now very poor and his sisters now +grown up wanted pretty clothes so badly, that the lad hoped that he or +his father might be the deserving one. He would help him to win the +treasure for he felt sure that his parent would share his gains with +all his friends. +</p> + +<p> +Though his neighbors were not told of the generous intentions credited +to the boy's father, by his loving son, they all came with horses, +ropes, crowbars, and tackle, to help in the enterprise. Yet after many +a long days' toil, between the sun's rising and setting, their end was +failure. Every day, when darkness came on, the stone lay there still, +as hard and fast as ever. So they gave up the task. +</p> + +<p> +On the final night, the lad saw that father and mother, who were great +lovers, were holding each other's hands, while their tears flowed +together, and they were praying for patience. +</p> + +<p> +Seeing this, before he fell asleep, the boy resolved that on the +morrow, he would go up to the mountains, and talk to his fairy friends +about the matter. +</p> + +<p> +So early in the morning, he hurried to the hill tops, and going into +one of the caves, met the fairies and told them his troubles. Then he +asked them to give him again some of their money. +</p> + +<p> +"Not this time, but something better. Under the great rock there are +treasures waiting for you." +</p> + +<p> +"Oh, don't send me there! For all the men and horses of our parish, +after working a week, have been unable to budge the stone." +</p> + +<p> +"We know that," answered the principal fairy, "but do you yourself try +to move it. Then you will see what is certain to happen." +</p> + +<p> +Going home, to tell what he had heard, his parents had a hearty laugh +at the idea of a boy succeeding where men, with the united strength of +many horses and oxen, had failed. +</p> + +<p> +Yet, after brooding awhile, they were so dejected, that anything +seemed reasonable. So they said, "Go ahead and try it." +</p> + +<p> +Returning to the mountain, the fairies, in a band, went with him to +the great rock. +</p> + +<p> +One touch of his hand, and the mighty boulder trembled, like an aspen +leaf in the breeze. +</p> + +<p> +A shove, and the rock rolled down from the hill and crashed in the +valley below. +</p> + +<p> +There, underneath, were little heaps of gold and silver, which the boy +carried home to his parents, who became the richest people in the +country round about. +</p> + +<p><br /><br /><br /></p> + +<h3> +<a id="chap12"></a> +XII +</h3> + +<h3> +GIANT TOM AND GIANT BLUBB +</h3> + +<p> +Everyone who has read anything of Welsh history—though not of the +sort that is written by English folks—knows also that Cornwall is, in +soul, a part of Wales. Before the Romans, first, and the Saxons, next, +invaded Britain, the Cymric people lived all over the island, south of +Scotland. +</p> + +<p> +They were the British people, and nobody ever heard the German name, +"Wales," which means a foreign land; or the word "Welsh," which refers +to foreigners, until men who were themselves outsiders came into +Britain. +</p> + +<p> +Since that time, it has been much the same, as when a British Jack +Tar, when rambling in Portugal, or China, calls the natives +"foreigners," and tells them to "get out of the way." +</p> + +<p> +Ages ago, when the Cymric men, with their wives and little ones rowed +over in their coracles, from Gallia, or the Summer Land, to Britain, +the Honey Land, they came first to the promontory which we know as +Cornwall; that is, the Cornu Galliae, or Walliae, which means Horn or +Cape of the new country now called England. Here was a new region, +rich in every kind of minerals. Ages before, the Phoenicians had named +it Britain or the Land of Tin. Within the memory of men now living, +Cornishmen, that is, the miners of Cornwall, on going to California, +discovered gold. +</p> + +<p> +In Cornwall, as part of the Cymric realm, King Arthur found and +married Guinevere, his queen. It was in Cornwall, also, that Merlin +was hidden. Hear the rhyme: +</p> + +<p class="poem"> + Marvelous Merlin is wasted away<br /> + By a wicked woman, who may she be?<br /> + For she hath pent him in a crag<br /> + On Cornwall coast.<br /> +</p> + +<p> +So it happens that thousands of "English" people in Cornwall are +Welsh, by both name or descent, or have translated their names into +English form, even while keeping the Welsh meaning. They are also +Welsh in traits of character. Just as tens of thousands of Welsh +folks, among the first settlers of New England and the American +colonies are described in our histories as "English" people. +</p> + +<p> +Now in early Cornwall there were many giants. Some were good but +others were bad. One of these, a right fine fellow, was named Tom, and +the other, a bad one, Blubb. This giant had had twenty wives, and was +awfully cruel. Nobody ever knew what became of the twenty maidens he +had married. +</p> + +<p> +Sometimes people called the big fellow, that lived in a castle, Giant +Blunderbuss, but Blubb was his name for short. He was much taller than +the highest hop pole in Kent. He was made up mostly of head and +stomach, for his chief idea in living was to eat. His skull was as big +as a hogshead, or a push-ball, or a market wagon loaded with carrots. +Indeed, it was strongly suspected by most people that the big bone box +set on his shoulders was as hollow inside as a pumpkin, but that a +cocoanut would hold all the brains he had. At any rate, during one of +his fights with another giant, he had been given an awful thwack from +the other giant's club. Then the sound made, which was heard a long +distance away, was exactly like that when one pounds on an empty +barrel. +</p> + +<p> +Now this Giant Blubb had built a mighty castle between a big hill and +a river. Under it were vaults of vast size, filled with treasures of +all sorts, gold, silver, jewels and gems. There were cells, in which +he kept his wives, after he had married them. It was the opinion of +his neighbors, that in every case, soon after the honeymoon was over, +he ate them up. +</p> + +<p> +Yet, if even the devil ought to have his due; one should be fair to +this human monster, and we are bound to say that Giant Blubb denied +these stories as pure gossip. It is certain that such crimes as murder +and cannibalism never could be proved against him. +</p> + +<p> +To guard his underground treasures, he had two huge and fierce dogs, +supposed to be named Catchem and Tearem. What they were really called +by their master was a secret. Yet anyone who had a piece of meat ready +to throw to them, and knew their names, which were pass words, could +first quiet them. Then he could walk by them and get the treasure. +</p> + +<p> +Besides these dogs, the only living thing left in the castle when the +giant went out, was the latest Mrs. Blubb. Yet she was in constant +fear of her life, lest her big husband should sometime make a meal of +her. For even she had heard the story that Blubb was a cannibal and +looked at all plump women simply as delicacies, exactly as a boy peers +into the window of a candy shop. +</p> + +<p> +What made all the country round hate this cruel giant was not wholly +on account of his awful appetite. It was because he had ruined the +King's High Road. Ever since the time of King Lud, whose name we read +in Ludgate Hill, in London, where His Cymric Majesty had lived, this +highway had been free to all. It ran all the way through Cornwall, +from Penzance, and thence eastward to London and beyond. +</p> + +<p> +When Giant Blubb wished to enlarge his castle, he had the walls and +towers built down to the river's edge. This closed up the big road, so +that people had to go far around and up over the hill, or by boat +along the river. Such a roundabout way took much time and toil, and +was too much trouble for all. +</p> + +<p> +Everybody had to submit to this extortion, until there came along +Giant Tom, of whom we shall now tell. His real name was Rolling Stone, +for he never stuck long in one place at a job, and cared not a +cucumber for money, or fine clothes. +</p> + +<p> +This jolly fellow was very good-natured and popular, but often very +lazy. His mother talked with him many times, urging him to learn a +trade, or in some way make an honest living. She found it very hard to +keep anything in her larder, barn, pantry, or cellar, when he was at +home. He measured four feet across his shoulders and at every meal he +ate what would feed three big men. But as he could do six men's work, +when he had a mind to—as often he did—he was always welcome. In +fact, he was too popular for his own good. +</p> + +<p> +One day, when ten common fellows were trying their utmost to lift a +big long log on a cart, and were unable to do it, Tom came along and +told them to stand back. Then he hoisted the tree on to the wain, +roped it into place, and told the cartman to drive on. Then they all +cheered him, and one of them lifted his Monmouth cap and cried out, +"Hurrah for Giant Tom. He's the fellow to whip Giant Blubb." +</p> + +<p> +"He is! He is!" they all cried in chorus. +</p> + +<p> +"Who is this Giant Blubb? Where does he live?" asked Tom, rolling up +his sleeves, for he was just spoiling for a row with a fellow of his +size. +</p> + +<p> +Then they told the story of how the big bully had ruined the King's +Highway, by building a great wall and tower across the road, to shut +it up, to the grief of many honest men. +</p> + +<p> +"Never mind, boys. I'll attend to his bacon," said Tom. "Leave the +matter with me, and don't bother to tell the King about it." +</p> + +<p> +Tom went the next day into town and hired himself out to a beer brewer +to drive the wagon. Perhaps he hoped, also, while in this occupation, +to keep down his thirst. +</p> + +<p> +He asked the boss to give him the route that led past Giant Blubb's +castle, over the old King's Highway. +</p> + +<p> +The master of the brewery saw through Tom's purpose. He winked, and +only said: +</p> + +<p> +"Go ahead, my boy. I'll pay you double wages, if you will open that +road again; but see that Giant Blubb does not get my load of kegs, or +that your carcass doesn't count with those of the twenty wives in his +vaults and make twenty-one." +</p> + +<p> +Again he winked his eye knowingly to his workmen. Tom drove off. He +occupied all the room on the seat of the cart, which two men usually +filled and left plenty of room on either side. +</p> + +<p> +Cracking his whip, the new driver kept the four horses on a galloping +pace, until very soon he called out "whoa," before the frowning high +gateway of Giant Blubb. +</p> + +<p> +Tom shouted from the depth of his lungs: +</p> + +<p> +"Open the gate and let me drive through. This is the King's Highway." +</p> + +<p> +The only reply, for a minute, was the barking of the curs. Then a +rattling of bolts was heard, and the great gates swung wide open. +</p> + +<p> +"Who are you, you impudent fellow? Go round over the hill, or I'll +thrash you," blustered Giant Blubb, in a rage. +</p> + +<p> +"Better save your breath to cool your porridge, you big boaster, and +come out and fight," said Tom. +</p> + +<p> +"Fight? You pigmy. I'll just get a switch and whip you, as I would a +bad boy." +</p> + +<p> +Thereupon Giant Blubb stepped aside into the grove nearby, keeping all +the while an eye on his gate, guarded by his two monstrous dogs. He +selected an elm tree twenty feet high, tore it up by the roots, pulled +off the branches, and peeled it for a whip. This he jerked up and down +to make ready for his task of thrashing "the pigmy." +</p> + +<p> +Meanwhile Giant Tom upset the wain, drew out the tongue and took off +one of the wheels. Then, as if armed with spear and shield, he +advanced to meet Giant Blubb. He whistled like a boy, as he went +forward. +</p> + +<p> +In a passion of rage, Giant Blubb lifted his elm switch to strike, but +Tom warded off the blow with his wheel shield. Then he punched him in +the stomach, with the wagon tongue, so hard that the big fellow +slipped and rolled over in the mud: +</p> + +<p> +Picking himself up, Giant Blubb, now half blind with rage, rushed +against Tom, who, this time, made a lunge which planted the cart +tongue inside Blubb's bowels, and knocked him over. +</p> + +<p> +But Tom was not a cruel fellow, and had no desire to kill anyone. So +he threw down his war tools, and tearing up a yard or two of grassy +sod rolled it together, and made a plug of it, as big around as a milk +churn. With this, he stopped up the big hole in Giant Blubb's huge +body. +</p> + +<p> +But instead of thanking Tom, Giant Blubb rushed at him again. He was +in too much of a rage to see anything clearly, while Tom, perfectly +cool, gave the angry monster such a kick, in the place where he kept +his dinner, that he rolled over, and Tom gave him another kick. Then +the plug of sod fell out of his wound. +</p> + +<p> +As he was bleeding to death, Giant Blubb beckoned to Tom to come up +close, for he could only whisper. +</p> + +<p> +"You've beaten me on the square, and I like you. Don't think I killed +my twenty wives. They all died naturally. But call the dogs by name, +and they will let you pass. Then, in my vaults, you'll find gold, +silver, and copper. Make these your own and bury me decently. This is +all I ask." +</p> + +<p> +Tom made himself owner of the castle and all its treasures. He opened +the King's Highway again. He took care of his aged mother, married the +twenty-first wife of Giant Blubb, now a widow, and was always kind to +the sick and poor. +</p> + +<p> +To-day in Cornwall, they still tell stories of the big fellow who +abolished Giant Blubb's toll gate. +</p> + +<p> +Centuries afterward, when Christ's gospel came into the land, they +restored Giant Tom's tomb and on it were chiseled these words: +</p> + +<p> +THE RESTORER OF PATHS TO DWELL IN. +</p> + +<p><br /><br /><br /></p> + +<h3> +<a id="chap13"></a> +XIII +</h3> + +<h3> +A BOY THAT VISITED FAIRYLAND +</h3> + +<p> +Many are the places in Wales where the ground is lumpy and humpy with +tumuli, or little artificial mounds. Among these the sheep graze, the +donkeys bray, and the cows chew the cud. +</p> + +<p> +Here the ground is strewn with the ruins of cromlechs, or Cymric +strongholds, of old Roman camps, of chapels and monasteries, showing +that many different races of men have come and gone, while the birds +still fly and the flowers bloom. +</p> + +<p> +Centuries ago, the good monks of St. David had a school where lads +were taught Latin and good manners. One of their pupils was a boy +named Elidyr. He was such a poor scholar and he so hated books and +loved play, that in his case spankings and whippings were almost of +daily occurrence. Still he made no improvement. He was in the habit +also of playing truant, or what one of the monks called "traveling to +Bagdad." One of the consequences was that certain soft parts of his +body—apparently provided by nature for this express purpose—often +received a warming from his daddy. +</p> + +<p> +His mother loved her boy dearly, and she often gently chided him, but +he would not listen to her, and when she urged him to be more +diligent, he ran out of the room. The monks did not spare the birch +rod, and soon it was a case of a whipping for every lesson not +learned. +</p> + +<p> +One day, though he was only twelve years old, the boy started on a +long run into the country. The further he got, the happier he felt—at +least for one day. +</p> + +<p> +At night, tired out, he crept into a cave. When he woke up, in the +morning, he thought it was glorious to be as free as the wild asses. +So like them, he quenched his thirst at the brook. But when, towards +noon, he could find nothing to eat, and his inside cavity seemed to +enlarge with very emptiness, his hunger grew every minute. Then he +thought that a bit of oat cake, a leek, or a bowl of oat meal, whether +porridge or flummery, might suit a king. +</p> + +<p> +He dared not go out far and pick berries, for, by this time, he saw +that people were out searching for him. He did not feel yet, like +going back to books, rods and scoldings, but the day seemed as long as +a week. Meanwhile, he discovered that he had a stomach, which seemed +to grow more and more into an aching void. He was glad when the sunset +and darkness came. His bed was no softer in the cave, as he lay down +with a stone for his pillow. Yet he had no dreams like those of Jacob +and the angels. +</p> + +<p> +When daylight came, the question in his mind was still, whether to +stay and starve, or to go home and get two thrashings—one from his +daddy, and another from the monks. But how about that thing inside of +him, which seemed to be a live creature gnawing away, and which only +something to eat would quiet? Finally, he came to a stern resolve. He +started out, ready to face two whippings, rather than one death by +starvation. +</p> + +<p> +But he did not have to go home yet, for at the cave's mouth, he met +two elves, who delivered a most welcome message. +</p> + +<p> +"Come with us to a land full of fun, play, and good things to eat." +</p> + +<p> +All at once, his hunger left him and he forgot that he ever wanted to +swallow anything. All fear, or desire to go home, or to risk either +schooling or a thrashing, passed away also. +</p> + +<p> +Into a dark passage all three went, but they soon came out into a +beautiful country. How the birds sang and the flowers bloomed! All +around could be heard the joyful shouts of little folks at play. Never +did things look so lovely. +</p> + +<p> +[Illustration: THE KING SPOKE KINDLY TO ELIDYR, ASKING HIM WHO HE WAS] +</p> + +<p> +Soon, in front of the broad path along which they were traveling, +there rose up before him a glorious palace. It had a splendid gateway, +and the silver-topped towers seemed to touch the blue sky. +</p> + +<p> +"What building is this?" asked the lad of his two guides. +</p> + +<p> +They made answer that it was the palace of the King of Fairyland. Then +they led him into the throne room, where, sat in golden splendor, a +king, of august figure and of majestic presence, who was clad in +resplendent robes. He was surrounded by courtiers in rich apparel, and +all about him was magnificence, such as this boy, Elidyr, had never +even read about or dreamed. +</p> + +<p> +Yet everything was so small that it looked like Toy Land, and he felt +like a giant among them, even though many of the little men around him +were old enough to have whiskers on their cheeks and beards on their +chins. +</p> + +<p> +The King spoke kindly to Elidyr, asking him who he was, and whence he +had come. +</p> + +<p> +While talking thus, the Prince, the King's only son appeared. He was +dressed in white velvet and gold, and had a long feather in his cap. +In the pleasantest way, he took Elidyr's hand and said: +</p> + +<p> +"Glad to see you. Come and let us play together." +</p> + +<p> +That was just what Elidyr liked to hear. The King smiled and said to +his visitor, "You will attend my son?" Then, with a wave of his hand, +he signified to the boys to run out and play games. +</p> + +<p> +A right merry time they did have, for there were many other little +fellows for playmates. +</p> + +<p> +These wee folks, with whom Elidyr played, were hardly as big as our +babies, and certainly would not reach up to his mother's knee. To +them, he looked like a giant, and he richly enjoyed the fun of having +such little men, but with beards growing on their faces, look up to +him. +</p> + +<p> +They played with golden balls, and rode little horses, with silver +saddles and bridles, but these pretty animals were no larger than +small dogs, or grayhounds. +</p> + +<p> +No meat was ever seen on the table, but always plenty of milk. They +never told a lie, nor used bad language, or swear-words. They often +talked about mortal men, but usually to despise them; because what +they liked to do, seemed so absurd and they always wanted foolish and +useless things. To the elves, human beings were never satisfied, or +long happy, even when they got what they wanted. +</p> + +<p> +Everything in this part of fairyland was lovely, but it was always +cloudy. No sun, star or moon was ever seen, yet the little men did not +seem to mind it and enjoyed themselves every day. There was no end of +play, and that suited Elidyr. +</p> + +<p> +Yet by and by, he got tired even of games and play, and grew very +homesick. He wanted to see his mother. So he asked the King to let him +visit his old home. He promised solemnly to come back, after a few +hours. His Majesty gave his permission, but charged him not to take +with him anything whatever from fairyland, and to go with only the +clothes on his back. +</p> + +<p> +The same two elves or dwarfs, who had brought him into fairyland, were +chosen to conduct him back. When they had led him again through the +underground passage into the sunlight, they made him invisible until +he arrived at his mother's cottage. She was overjoyed to find that no +wolf had torn him to pieces, or wild bull had pushed him over a +precipice. +</p> + +<p> +She asked him many questions, and he told her all he had seen, felt, +or known. +</p> + +<p> +When he rose up to go, she begged him to stay longer, but he said he +must keep his word. Besides, he feared the rod of the monks, or his +daddy, if he remained. So he made his mother agree not to tell +anything—not even to his father, as to where he was, or what he was +doing. Then he made off and reported again to his playmates in +fairyland. +</p> + +<p> +The King was so pleased at the lad's promptness in returning, and +keeping his word, and telling the truth, that he allowed him to go see +his mother as often as he wanted to do so. He even gave orders +releasing the two little men from constantly guarding him and told +them to let the lad go alone, and when he would, for he always kept +his word. +</p> + +<p> +Many times did Elidyr visit his mother. By one road, or another, he +made his way, keeping himself invisible all the time, until he got +inside her cottage. He ran off, when anyone called in to pay a visit, +or when he thought his daddy, or one of the monks was coming. He never +saw any of these men. +</p> + +<p> +One day, in telling his mother of the fun and good times he had in +fairyland, he spoke of the heavy yellow balls, with which he and the +King's sons played, and how these rolled around. +</p> + +<p> +Before leaving home, this boy had never seen any gold, and did not +know what it was, but his mother guessed that it was the precious +metal, of which the coins called sovereigns, and worth five dollars +apiece, were made. So she begged him to bring one of them back to her. +</p> + +<p> +This, Elidyr thought, would not be right; but after much argument, his +parents being poor, and she telling him that, out of hundreds in the +King's palace, one single ball would not be missed, he decided to +please her. +</p> + +<p> +So one day, when he supposed no one was looking, he picked up one of +the yellow balls and started off through the narrow dark passageway +homeward. +</p> + +<p> +But no sooner was he back on the earth, and in the sunlight again, +than he heard footsteps behind him. Then he knew that he had been +discovered. +</p> + +<p> +He glanced over his shoulder and there were the two little men, who +had led him first and had formerly been his guards. They scowled at +him as if they were mad enough to bite off the heads of tenpenny +nails. Then they rushed after him, and there began a race to the +cottage. +</p> + +<p> +But the boy had legs twice as long as the little men, and got to the +cottage door first. He now thought himself safe, but pushing open the +door, he stumbled over the copper threshold, and the ball rolled out +of his hand, across the floor of hardened clay, even to the nearly +white-washed border, which ran about the edges of the room. It stopped +at the feet of his mother, whose eyes opened wide at the sight of the +ball of shining gold. +</p> + +<p> +As he lay sprawling on the floor, and before he could pick himself up, +one of the little men leaped over him, rushed into the room, and, from +under his mother's petticoats, picked up the ball. +</p> + +<p> +They spat at the boy and shouted, "traitor," "rascal," "thief," "false +mortal," "fox," "rat," "wolf," and other bad names. Then they turned +and sped away. +</p> + +<p> +Now Elidyr, though he had been a mischievous boy, often willful, lazy, +and never liking his books, had always loved the truth. He was very +sad and miserable, beyond the telling, because he had broken his word +of honor. So, almost mad with grief and shame, and from an accusing +conscience, he went back to find the cave, in which he had slept. He +would return to the King of the fairies, and ask his pardon, even if +His Majesty never allowed him to visit Fairyland again. +</p> + +<p> +But though he often searched, and spent whole days in trying to find +the opening in the hills, he could never discover it. +</p> + +<p> +So, fully penitent, and resolving to live right, and become what his +father wanted him to be, he went back to the monastery. +</p> + +<p> +There he plied his tasks so diligently that he excelled all in +book-learning. In time, he became one of the most famous scholars in +Welsh history. When he died, he asked to be buried, not in the monk's +cemetery, but with his father and mother, in the churchyard. He made +request that no name, record, or epitaph, be chiseled on his tomb, but +only these words: +</p> + +<p> +WE CAN DO NOTHING AGAINST THE TRUTH, BUT ONLY FOR THE TRUTH. +</p> + +<p><br /><br /><br /></p> + +<h3> +<a id="chap14"></a> +XIV +</h3> + +<h3> +THE WELSHERY AND THE NORMANS +</h3> + +<p> +Though their land has been many times invaded, the Welsh have never +been conquered. Powerful tribes, like the Romans, Saxons and Normans, +have tried to overwhelm them. Even when English and German kings +attempted to crush their spirit and blot out their language and +literature, the Welsh resisted and won victory. +</p> + +<p> +Among the bullies that tried force, instead of justice, and played the +slave-driver, rather than the Good Samaritan's way, were the Normans. +These brutal fellows, when they thought that they had overrun Wales +with their armies, began to build strong castles all over the country. +They kept armed men by the thousands ready, night and day, to rush out +and put to death anybody and everybody who had a weapon in his hand. +Often they burned whole villages. They killed so many Welsh people +that it seemed at times as if they expected to empty the land of its +inhabitants. Thus, they hoped to possess all the acres for themselves. +They talked as if there were no people so refined and so cultured as +they were, while the natives, good and bad, were lumped together as +"the Welshery." +</p> + +<p> +Yet all this time, with these hundreds of strong castles, bristling +with turrets and towers, no Englishman's life was safe. If he dared to +go out alone, even twenty rods from the castle, he was instantly +killed by some angry Welshman lying in ambush. So the Normans had to +lock themselves up in armor, until they looked like lobsters in their +shells. When on their iron-clad horses they resembled turtles, so that +if a knight fell off, he had to be chopped open to be rid of his metal +clothes. +</p> + +<p> +Yet all this was in vain, for when the Norman marched out in bodies, +or rode in squadrons, the Welshery kept away and were hidden. +</p> + +<p> +Even the birds and beasts noticed this, and saw what fools the Normans +were, to behave so brutally. +</p> + +<p> +As for the fairies, they met together to see what could be done. Even +the reptiles shamed men by living together more peaceably. Only the +beasts of prey approved of the Norman way of treating the Welsh +people. +</p> + +<p> +At last, it came to pass that, after the long War of the Roses, when +the Reds and the Whites had fought together, a Welsh king sat upon the +throne of England. Henry VIII was of Cymric ancestry. His full name +was Henry Tudor; or, in English, Henry Theodore. +</p> + +<p> +Among the Welsh, every son, to his own name as a child, such as Henry, +William, Thomas, etc., added that of his father. Thus it happens that +we can usually tell a man by his name; for example, Richards, Roberts, +Evans, Jones, etc., etc., that he is a Welshman. +</p> + +<p> +When a Welshman went into England to live, if he were a sister's son, +he usually added a syllable showing this, as in the case of Jefferson, +which means sister's son. Our great Thomas Jefferson used to boast +that he could talk Welsh. +</p> + +<p> +So the living creatures of all sorts in Wales, human beings, fairies, +and animals took heart and plucked up courage, when a Tudor king, +Henry VIII, sat on the throne. +</p> + +<p> +Now it was Puck who led the fairies as the great peacemaker. He went +first to visit all the most ancient creatures, in order to find out +who should be offered the post of honor, as ambassador, who should be +sent to the great king in London, Henry Tudor, to see what could be +done for Wales. +</p> + +<p> +First he called on the male eagle, oldest of all birds. Though not +bald-headed, like his American cousin, the Welsh eagle was very old, +and at that time a widower. Although he had been father to nine +generations of eaglets, he sent Puck to the stag. +</p> + +<p> +This splendid creature, with magnificent antlers, lived at the edge of +the forest, near the trunk of an oak tree. It was still standing, but +was now a mere shell. Old men said that the children of the aborigines +played under it, and here was the home of the god of lightning, which +they worshiped. +</p> + +<p> +So to the withered oak, Puck went, and offered him the honor of +leadership to an embassy to the King. +</p> + +<p> +But the stag answered and said: +</p> + +<p> +"Well do I remember when an acorn fell from the top of the parent oak. +Then, for three hundred years it was growing. Children played under +it. They gathered acorns in their aprons, and the archers made bows +from its boughs. +</p> + +<p> +"Then the oak tree began to die, and, during nearly thirty tens of +years it has been fading, and I have seen it all. +</p> + +<p> +"Yet there is one older than I. It is the salmon that swims in the +Llyn stream. Inquire there." +</p> + +<p> +So of the old mother salmon, Puck went to ask, and this was the answer +which he received. +</p> + +<p> +"Count all the spots on my body, and all the eggs in my roe—one for +each year. Yet the blackbird is older even than I. Go listen to her +story. She excels me, in both talk and fact." +</p> + +<p> +And the blackbird opened its orange-colored bill, and answered +proudly: +</p> + +<p> +"Do you see this flinty rock, on which I am sitting? Once it was so +huge that three hundred yoke of oxen could hardly move it. Yet, today, +it hardly more than affords me room to roost on. +</p> + +<p> +"What made it so small, do you ask? +</p> + +<p> +"Well, all I have clone to wear it away, has been to wipe my beak on +it, every night, before I go to sleep, and in the morning to brush it +with the tips of my wing." +</p> + +<p> +Even Puck, fairy though he was, was astonished at this. But the +blackbird added: +</p> + +<p> +"Go to the toad, that blinks its eye under the big rock yonder. His +age is greater than mine." +</p> + +<p> +The toad was half asleep when Puck came, but it opened with alertness, +its beautiful round bright eyes, set in a rim of gold. Then Puck asked +the question: "Oh, thou that carriest a jewel in thy head, are there +any things alive that are older than thou art?" +</p> + +<p> +"That, I could not be sure of, especially if as many false things are +told about them, as are told about me; but when I was a tadpole in the +pond, that old hag of an owl was still hooting away, in the treetops, +scaring children, as in ages gone. She is older than I. Go and see +her. If age makes wise, she is the wisest of all." +</p> + +<p> +Puck went into the forest, but at first saw no bird answering to the +description given him. +</p> + +<p> +He said to himself, "She is, I wonder, who?" +</p> + +<p> +He was surprised to hear his question repeated, not as an echo, but by +another. Still, he thought it might possibly be his own voice come +back. +</p> + +<p> +So, in making a catalogue, in his note book, of what he had seen and +heard that day, he put down, "To wit—one echo." +</p> + +<p> +Again came the sound: +</p> + +<p> +"To whit—to who, to whit—to who?" Sounded the voice. +</p> + +<p> +Thinking that this was intended to be a polite question, Puck looked +up. Sure enough, there was the wise bird sitting on a bough, above +him, as sober as a judge. +</p> + +<p> +"Who! did you ask?" answered Puck and then went on to explain: +</p> + +<p> +"I am Lord of the Fairies in Welshery, and I seek to know which is the +most venerable, of all the creatures in the Land of the Red Dragon. +</p> + +<p> +"I am ready to salute you, as the most ancient and honorable of all +living things in the Cymric realm. You are desired to bear a message +to the Great King, in London." +</p> + +<p> +Tickled by such delicate flattery, and the honors proffered her, this +lady owl, after much blinking and winking, flirting, and fluttering, +at last agreed to go to King Henry VIII in London. The business, with +which she was charged, was to protest against Norman brutality and to +plead for justice. +</p> + +<p> +Now this old lady-owl, gray with centuries, though she had such short +ears, kept them open by day and during the night, also, for all the +gossip that floated in the air. She knew all about everybody and +everything. From what she had heard, she expected to find the new +King, Henry VIII, a royal fellow in velvet, with a crown on his head, +and his body as big and round as a hogshead, sitting in a room full of +chopping blocks and battle axes. Further, she fancied she would find a +dozen pretty women locked up in his palace, some in the cellar, others +in the pantry, and more in the garret; but all waiting to have their +heads chopped off. +</p> + +<p> +For the popular story ran that his chief amusement was to marry a wife +one day and slice off her head the next. +</p> + +<p> +It was said also that the King kept a private graveyard, and took a +walk in it every afternoon to study the epitaphs, which he kept a +scholar busy in writing; and also a man, from the marble yard near by, +to chisel them on the tombs, after his various wives had been properly +beheaded. +</p> + +<p> +But the owl never could find out whether these fables were wicked +fibs, or fairy tales, or only street talk. +</p> + +<p> +Puck and the owl together arrived in London, at the palace, when the +King was at his dinner. The butlers and lackeys wanted to keep them +out, but the merry monarch gave orders to let them in at once. He made +the owl perch over the mantel piece, but told Puck to stand upon the +dinner table and walk over the tablecloth. The pepper box was put +away, so that he should not sneeze and the King carefully removed the +mustard pot, for fear the little fairy fellow might fall in it and be +drowned in the hot stuff. +</p> + +<p> +His Majesty said that, for the time being, Puck should be the Prince +of Wales. Puck strutted about to the amusement of the King and all the +Court ladies, but he kept away from the pepper, which made his nose +tingle, and from the hot soup, for fear he might tumble into it and be +scalded. When the dessert came on, Puck hid himself under a walnut +shell, just for fun. +</p> + +<p> +It would take too long to tell about all that was said, or the +questions, which the King asked about his Welsh subjects, and which +either the owl or the fairy man answered. According to Puck's story, +Wales was then a most distressful country, though the Welshery, to a +man, wanted to be good and loyal subjects of the Tudors. +</p> + +<p> +Several times did Puck appeal to the owl, to have his story confirmed, +because this wise bird had lived among the Cymry, centuries before the +Normans came. The owl every time blinked, bowed, and answered +solemnly: +</p> + +<p> +"To whit, to who. To whit, to who," which in this case showed that she +had learned to speak the Court language. +</p> + +<p> +"Why, bless my soul, the owl speaks good Cockney Hinglish," whispered +one of the butlers, who had been born in Wales. +</p> + +<p> +"Yes, but that is the proper way to address His Majesty, King Ennery +the Heighth," answered the other butler, who was a native-born +Londoner. +</p> + +<p> +Puck and the owl returned to Wales. What happened after that, is the A +B C of history, that everybody knows, and for which all the Welsh +people to this day bless the Tudors, who made the Welsh equal before +the law with any and all Englishmen. Even Puck himself had never seen +anything like the change that quickly took place for the better, nor +did Queen Mab, with her wand, ever work such wonders. +</p> + +<p> +It was better than a fairy tale, and the effects, very soon seen, were +even more wonderful. Down went the castles into ruins, for rats to run +around in, and wild dogs to yelp and foxes to hide in, or look out of +the casements. To-day, what were once banqueting halls are covered +with moss, and on the ground grass grows, over which sheep graze and +children play; while rooks and crows nest or roost in the tall towers. +</p> + +<p> +Any Englishman's life was safe anywhere, and Wales became one of the +most easily governed countries in all the wonderful British Empire. +</p> + +<p><br /><br /></p> + +<p> +And in the great world-war, that even children, who read these +stories, can remember, Wales, the Land of the Free, the Home of +Deathless Democracy, led all the British Isles, colonies, islands, or +coaling stations around the wide world, in loyalty, valor and +sacrifice. And the handsome son of the King, George, the Prince of +Wales, led the descendants of Welsh archers, now called the Fusileers. +They went into battle, singing, "Old Land our Fathers before us held +so dear"; or they marched, following the band that played "The Men of +Harlech." +</p> + +<p> +It is because Welsh cherish their traditions, harps, music, language +and noble inheritances, with which they feed their souls, that they +lead the four nations of the British Isles in the nobler virtues, that +keep a nation alive, as well as in the sweet humanities of the Red +Cross and in generous hospitality to the refugee Belgian. True to his +motto, "I serve," the Prince of Wales who came to see us in 1919—as +did his grandfather, whom the story-teller saw when he visited our +Independence Hall in 1860—loved to be the servant of his people. +</p> + +<p> +What was it that wrought this peaceful wonder of the sixteenth +century? Was it a fairy spell magic ointment, star-tipped wand, +treasures of caves, or ocean depths? Was it anything that dragons, +giants, ogres, or even swords, spears, catapults, or whips and clubs, +or elves or gnomes could do? +</p> + +<p> +Not a bit of it! Only justice and kindness, instead of brutality and +force. +</p> + +<p><br /><br /><br /></p> + +<h3> +<a id="chap15"></a> +XV +</h3> + +<h3> +THE WELSH FAIRIES HOLD A MEETING +</h3> + +<p> +In the ancient Cymric gatherings, the Druids, poets, prophets, seers, +and singers all had part. The one most honored as the president of the +meeting was crowned and garlanded. Then he was led in honor and sat in +the chair of state. They called this great occasion an Eistedfodd, or +sitting, after the Cymric word, meaning a chair. +</p> + +<p> +All over the world, the Welsh folks, who do so passionately love +music, poetry and their own grand language, hold the Eistedfodd at +regular intervals. Thus they renew their love for the Fatherland and +what they received long ago from their ancestors. +</p> + +<p> +Now it happens that the fairies in every land usually follow the +customs of the mortals among whom they live. The Swiss, the Dutch, the +Belgian, the Japanese and Korean fairies, as we all know, although +they are much alike in many things are as different from each other as +the countries in which they live and play. So, when the Welsh fairies +all met together, they resolved to have songs and harp music and make +the piper play his tunes just as in the Eistedfodd. +</p> + +<p> +The Cymric fairies of our days have had many troubles to complain of. +They were disgusted with so much coal smoke, the poisoning of the air +by chemical fumes, and the blackening of the landscape from so many +factory chimneys. They had other grievances also. +</p> + +<p> +So the Queen Mab, who had a Welsh name, and another fairy, called +Pwca, or in English King Puck, sent out invitations into every part of +Wales, for a gathering on the hills, near the great rock called Dina's +seat. This is a rocky chair formed by nature. They also included in +their call those parts of western and south England, such as are still +Welsh and spiritually almost a part of Wales. In fact, Cornwall was +the old land, in which the Cymry had first landed when coming from +over the sea. +</p> + +<p> +The meeting was to be held on a moonlight night, and far away from any +houses, lest the merry making, dancing and singing of the fairies +should keep the farmers awake. This was something of which the yokels, +or men of the plow, often complained. They could not sleep while the +fairies were having their parties. +</p> + +<p> +Now among the Welsh fairies of every sort, size, dress, and behavior, +some were good, others were bad, but most of them were only full of +fun and mischief. Chief of these was the lively little fellow, Puck, +who lived in Cwm Pwcca, that is, Puck Valley, in Breconshire. +</p> + +<p> +Now it had been an old custom, which had come down, from the days of +the cave men, that when anyone died, the people, friends and relatives +sat up all night with the corpse. The custom arose, at first, with the +idea of protection against wild beasts and later from insult by +enemies. This was called a wake. The watchers wept and wailed at +first, and then fell to eating and drinking. Sometimes, they got to be +very lively. The young folks even looked on a wake, after the first +hour or two, as fine fun. Strong liquor was too plentiful and it often +happened that quarrels broke out. When heads were thus fuddled, men +saw or thought they saw, many uncanny things, like leather birds, cave +eagles, and the like. +</p> + +<p> +But all these fantastic things and creatures, such as foolish people +talk about, and with which they frighten children, such as corpse +candles, demons and imps, were ruled out and not invited to the fairy +meeting. Some other objects, which ignorant folks believed in, were +not to be allowed in the company. The door-keeper was notified not to +admit the eagles of darkness, that live in a cave which is never +lighted up; or the weird, featherless bird of leather, from the Land +of Illusion and Phantasy, that brushes its wing against windows, when +a funeral is soon to take place; or the greedy dog with silver eyes. +None of these would be permitted to show themselves, even if they came +and tried to get in. Some other creatures, not recognized in the good +society of Fairyland, were also barred out. +</p> + +<p> +To this gathering, only the bright and lively fairies were welcome. +Some of the best natured among the big creatures, and especially +giants and dragons, might pay a visit, if they wanted to do so; but +all the bad ones, such as lake hags, wraiths, sellers of liquids for +wakes, who made men drunk, and all who, under the guise of fairies, +were only agents for undertakers, were ruled out. The Night Dogs of +the Wicked Hunter Annum, the monster Afang, Cadwallader's Goats, and +various, cruel goblins and ogres, living in the ponds, and that pulled +cattle down to eat them up, and the immodest mermaids, whose bad +behavior was so well known, were crossed off the list of invitations. +</p> + +<p> +No ugly brats, such as wicked fairies were in the habit of putting in +the cradles of mortal mothers, when they stole away their babies, were +allowed to be present, even if they should come with their mothers. +This was to be a perfectly respectable company, and no bawling, +squealing, crying, or blubbering was to be permitted. +</p> + +<p> +When they had all gathered together, at the evening hour, there was +seen, in the moonlight, the funniest lot of creatures, that one could +imagine, but all were neatly dressed and well behaved. +</p> + +<p> +Quite a large number of the famous Fair Family, that moved only in the +best society of fairyland, fathers, mothers, cousins, uncles and +aunts, were on hand. In fact, some of them had thought it was to be a +wake, and were ready for whatever might turn up, whether solemn or +frivolous. These were dressed in varied costume. +</p> + +<p> +Queen Mab, who above all else, was a Welsh fairy, and whose name, as +everybody knows who talks Cymric, suggested her extreme youth and +lively disposition, was present in all her glory. +</p> + +<p> +When they saw her, several learned fairies, who had come from a +distance, fell at once into conversation on this subject. One +remarked: "How would the Queen like to add another syllable to her +name? Then we should call her Mab-gath (which means Kitten, or Little +Puss)." +</p> + +<p> +"Well not so bad, however; because many mortal daddies, who have a +daughter, call her Puss. It is a term of affection with them and the +little girls never seem to be offended." +</p> + +<p> +"Oh! Suppose that in talking to each other we call our Queen Mab-gar, +what then?" asked another, with a roguish twinkle in the eye. +</p> + +<p> +"It depends on how you use it," said a wise one dryly. This fairy was +a stickler for the correct use of every word. "If you meant 'babyish,' +or 'childish,' she, or her friends might demur; but, if you use the +term 'love of children,' what better name for a fairy queen?" +</p> + +<p> +"None. There could not be any," they shouted, all at once, "but let us +ask our old friend the harper." +</p> + +<p> +Now such a thing as inquiring into each other's ages was not common in +Fairy Land. Very few ever asked such a question, for it was not +thought to be polite. For, though we hear of ugly fairy brats being +put into the cradles, in place of pretty children, no one ever heard, +either of fairies being born or of dying, or having clocks, or +watches, or looking to see what time it was. Nor did doctors, or the +census clerks, or directory people ever trouble the fairy ladies, to +ask their age. +</p> + +<p> +Occasionally, however, there was one fairy, so wise, so learned, and +so able to tell what was going to happen to-morrow, or next year, that +the other fairies looked up to such an one with respect and awe. +</p> + +<p> +Yet these honorables would hardly know what you were talking about, if +you asked any of them how old they might be, or spoke of "old" or +"young." If, by any chance, a fairy did use the world "old" in talking +of their number, it would be for honor or dignity, and they would mean +it for a compliment. +</p> + +<p> +The fact was, that many of the most lively fairies showed their +frivolous disposition at once. These were of the kind, that, like +kittens, cubs, or babies, wanted to play all the time, yes, every +moment. Already, hundreds of them were tripping from flower to flower, +riding on the backs of fireflies, or harnessing night moths, or any +winged creatures they could saddle, for flight through the air. Or, +they were waltzing with glow worms, or playing "ring around a rosy," +or dancing in circles. They could not keep still, one moment. +</p> + +<p> +In fact, when a great crowd of the frolicsome creatures got singing +together, they made such a noise, that a squad of fairy policemen, +dressed in club moss and armed with pistils, was sent to warn them not +to raise their voices too high; lest the farmers, especially those +that were kind to the fairies, should be awakened, and feel in bad +humor. +</p> + +<p> +So the knot of learned fairies had a quiet time to talk, and, when +able to hear their own words, the harper, who was very learned, +answered their questions about Queen Mab as follows: +</p> + +<p> +"Well, you know the famous children's story book, in which mortals +read about us, and which they say they enjoy so much, is named +Mabinogion, that is, The Young Folks' Treasury of Cymric Stories." +</p> + +<p> +"It is well named," said another fairy savant, "since Queen Mab is the +only fairy that waits on men. She inspires their dreams, when these +are born in their brains." +</p> + +<p> +The talk now turned on Puck, who was to be the president of the +meeting. They were expected to show much dignity in his presence, but +some feared he would, as usual, play his pranks. Before he arrived in +his chariot, which was drawn by dragon flies, some of his neighbors +that lived in the valley near by chatted about him, until the gossip +became quite personal. Just for the fun of it, and the amusement of +the crowd, they wanted Puck to give an exhibition, off-hand, of all +his very varied accomplishments for he could beat all rivals in his +special variety, or as musicians say, his repertoire. +</p> + +<p> +"No. 'Twould be too much like a Merry Andrew's or a Buffoon's +sideshow, where the freaks of all sorts are gathered, such as they +have at those county fairs, which the mortals get up, to which are +gathered great crowds. The charge of admission is a sixpence. I vote +'no.'" +</p> + +<p> +"Well, for the very reason that Puck can beat the rest of us at spells +and transformations, I should like to see him do for us as many stunts +as he can. I've heard from a mortal, named Shakespeare, that, in one +performance, Puck could be a horse, a hound, a hog, a bear without any +head, and even kindle himself into a fire; while his vocal powers, as +we know, are endless. He can neigh, bark, grunt, roar, and even burn +up things. Now, I should like to see the fairy that could beat him at +tricks. It was Puck himself, who told the world that he was in the +habit of doing all these things, and I want to see whether he was +boasting." +</p> + +<p> +"Tut, tut, don't talk that way, about our king," said a fourth fairy. +</p> + +<p> +All this was only chaff and fun, for all the fairies were in good +humor. They were only talking, to fill up the interval until the music +began. +</p> + +<p> +Now the canny Welsh fairies had learned the trick of catching +farthings, pennies and sixpences from the folks who have more +curiosity in them than even fairies do. These human beings, cunning +fellows that they are, let the curtain fall on a show, just at the +most interesting part. Then they tell you to come next day and find +out what is to happen. Or, as they say in a story paper, "to be +continued in our next." +</p> + +<p> +Or, worse than all, the story teller stops, at some very exciting +episode, and then passes the hat or collection-box around, to get the +copper or silver of his listeners, before he will go on. +</p> + +<p> +This time, however, it was Puck himself who came forward and declared +that, unless everyone of the fairies would promise to attend the next +meeting, there should be no music. Now a meeting of the Welshery, +whether fairies or human, without music was a thing not to be thought +of. So, although at first some fairies grumbled and held back, and +were quite sulky about it, even muttering other grumpy words, they at +last all agreed, and Puck sent for the fiddler to make music for the +dance. +</p> + +<p><br /><br /><br /></p> + +<h3> +<a id="chap16"></a> +XVI +</h3> + +<h3> +KING ARTHUR'S CAVE +</h3> + +<p> +In our time, every boy and girl knows about the nuts and blossoms, the +twigs and the hedges, the roots and the leaf of the common hazel bush, +and everybody has heard of the witch hazel. In old days they made use +of the forked branches of the hazel as a divining rod. With this, they +believed that they could divine, or find out the presence of treasures +of gold and silver, deep down in the earth, and hidden from human +eyes. +</p> + +<p> +And, what boy or girl has never played the game, and sung the ditty, +"London Bridge is falling down, falling down, falling down," even +though nobody now living ever saw it fall? +</p> + +<p> +Now, our story is about a hazel rod, a Welshman on London Bridge, +treasures in a cave, and what happened because of these. +</p> + +<p> +It was in the days when London Bridge was not, as we see it to-day, a +massive structure of stone and iron, able to bear up hundreds of cars, +wagons, horses and people, and lighted at night with electric bulbs. +No, when this Welshman visited London, the bridge had a line of shops +on both sides of the passage way, and reaching from end to end. +</p> + +<p> +Taffy was the name of this fellow from Denbigh, in Wales, and he was a +drover. He had brought, all the way from one of the richest of the +Welsh provinces, a great drove of Black Welsh cattle, such as were in +steady demand by Englishmen, who have always been lovers of roast +beef. Escaping all the risks of cattle thieves, rustlers, and +highwaymen, he had sold his beeves at a good price; so that his +pockets were now fairly bulging out with gold coins, and yet this +fellow wanted more. But first, before going home, he would see the +sights of the great city, which then contained about a hundred +thousand people. +</p> + +<p> +While he was handling some things in a shop, to decide what he should +take home to his wife, his three daughters and his two little boys, he +noticed a man looking intently, not at him, but at his stick. After a +while, the stranger came up to him and asked him where he came from. +</p> + +<p> +Now Taffy was not very refined in his manners, and he thought it none +of the fellow's business. He was very surly and made reply in a gruff +voice. +</p> + +<p> +"I come from my own country." +</p> + +<p> +The stranger did not get angry, but in a polite tone made answer: +</p> + +<p> +"Don't be offended at my question. Tell me where you cut that hazel +stick, and I'll make it to your advantage, if you will take my +advice." +</p> + +<p> +Even yet Taffy was gruff and suspicious. +</p> + +<p> +"What business is it of yours, where I cut my hazel stick?" he +answered. +</p> + +<p> +"Well it may matter a good deal to you, if you will tell me. For, if +you remember the place, and can lead me to it, I'll make you a rich +man, for near that spot lies a great treasure." +</p> + +<p> +Taffy was not much of a thinker, apart from matters concerning cattle, +and his brain worked slowly! He was sorely puzzled. Here was a wizard, +who could make him rich, and he did so love to jingle gold in his +pockets. But then he was superstitious. He feared that this sorcerer +derived all his uncanny knowledge from demons, and Taffy, being rather +much of a sinner, feared these very much. Meanwhile, his new +acquaintance kept on persuading him. +</p> + +<p> +Finally Taffy yielded and the two went on together to Wales. +</p> + +<p> +Now in this country, there are many stones placed in position, showing +they were not there by accident, but were reared by men, to mark some +old battle, or famous event. And for this, rough stone work, no +country, unless it be Korea or China, is more famous than Wales. +</p> + +<p> +On reaching one called the Fortress Rock, Taffy pointed to an old +hazel root, and said to his companion: +</p> + +<p> +"There! From that stock, I cut my hazel stick. I am sure of it." +</p> + +<p> +The sorcerer looked at Taffy to read his face, and to be certain that +he was telling the truth. Then he said: +</p> + +<p> +"Bring shovels and we'll both dig." +</p> + +<p> +These having been brought, the two began to work until the +perspiration stood out in drops on their foreheads. First the sod and +rooty stuff, and then down around the gravelly mass below, they plied +their digging tools. Taffy was not used to such toil, and his muscles +were soon weary. But, urged on by visions of gold, he kept bravely at +his task. +</p> + +<p> +At last, when ready to drop from fatigue, he heard his companion say: +</p> + +<p> +"We've struck it!" +</p> + +<p> +A few shovelfuls more laid bare a broad flat stone. This they pried +up, but it required all their strength to lift and stand it on edge. +Just below, they saw a flight of steps. They were slippery with wet +and they looked very old, as if worn, ages ago, by many feet passing +up and down them. +</p> + +<p> +Taffy shrunk back, as a draught of the close, dead air struck his +nostrils. +</p> + +<p> +"Come on, and don't be afraid. I'm going to make you rich," said the +sorcerer. +</p> + +<p> +At this, Taffy's eyes glistened, and he followed on down the steps, +without saying a word. At the bottom of the descent, they entered a +narrow passage, and finally came to a door. +</p> + +<p> +"Now, I'll ask you. Are you brave, and will you come in with me, if I +open this door?" +</p> + +<p> +By this time, Taffy was so eager for treasure, that he spoke up at +once. +</p> + +<p> +"I'm not afraid. Open the door." +</p> + +<p> +The sorcerer gave a jerk and the door flew open. What a sight! +</p> + +<p> +There, in the faint, red light, Taffy discerned a great cave. Lying on +the floor were hundreds of armed men, but motionless and apparently +sound asleep. Little spangles of light were reflected from swords, +spears, round shields, and burnished helmets. All these seemed of very +ancient pattern. But immediately in front of them was a bell. Taffy +felt some curiosity to tap it. Would the sleeping host of men then +rise up? +</p> + +<p> +Just then, the sorcerer, speaking with a menacing gesture, and in a +harsh tone, said: +</p> + +<p> +"Do not touch that bell, or it's all up with us both." +</p> + +<p> +Moving carefully, so as not to trip, or to stumble over the sleeping +soldiers, they went on, and Taffy, stopping and looking up beheld +before him a great round table. Many warriors were sitting at it. +Their splendid gold inlaid armor, glittering helmets and noble faces +showed that they were no common men. Yet Taffy could see only a few of +the faces, for all had their heads more or less bent down, as if sound +asleep, though sword and spear were near at hand, ready to be grasped +in a moment. +</p> + +<p> +Outshining all, was a golden throne at the farther end of the table +and on it sat a king. He was of imposing stature, and august presence. +Upon his head was a crown, on which were inlaid or set precious +stones. These shone by their own light, sending out rays so brilliant +that they dazzled Taffy, who had never seen anything like them. The +king held in his right hand a mighty sword. It had a history and the +name of it was Excalibur. In Arthur's hand, it was almost part of his +own soul. Its hilt and handle were of finely chased gold, richly +studded with gems. Yet his head, too, was bent in deep sleep, as if +only thunder could wake him. +</p> + +<p> +"Are they all, everyone, asleep?" asked Taffy. +</p> + +<p> +"Each and all," was the answer. +</p> + +<p> +"When did they fall asleep?" asked the drover. +</p> + +<p> +"Over a thousand years ago," answered the sorcerer. +</p> + +<p> +"Tell me who they are, and why here," asked Taffy. +</p> + +<p> +"They are King Arthur's trusty warriors. They are waiting for the hour +to come, when they shall rise up and destroy the enemies of the Cymry, +and once again possess the whole island of Britain, as in the early +ages, before the Saxons came." +</p> + +<p> +"And who are those sitting around the table?" asked Taffy. +</p> + +<p> +The sorcerer seemed tired of answering questions, but he replied, +giving the name of each knight, and also that of his father, as if he +were a Welshman himself; but at this, Taffy grew impatient, feeling as +if a book of genealogy had been hurled at him. +</p> + +<p> +Most impolitely, he interrupted his companion and cried out: +</p> + +<p> +"And who is that on the throne?" +</p> + +<p> +The sorcerer looked as if he was vexed, and felt insulted, but he +answered: +</p> + +<p> +"It's King Arthur himself, with Excalibur, his famous sword, in his +hand." +</p> + +<p> +This was snapped out, as if the sorcerer was disgusted at the +interruption of his genealogy, and he shut his mouth tight as if he +would answer no more questions, for such an impolite fellow. +</p> + +<p> +Seizing Taffy by the hand, he led him into what was the storehouse of +the cave. There lay heaps upon heaps of yellow gold. Both men stuffed +their pockets, belt bags, and the inside of their clothes, with all +they could load in. +</p> + +<p> +"Now we had better get out, for it is time to go," said the sorcerer +and he led the way towards the cave door. +</p> + +<p> +But as Taffy passed back, and along the hall, where the host of +warriors were sleeping, his curiosity got the better of him. +</p> + +<p> +He said to himself, "I must see this host awake. I'll touch that bell, +and find out whether the sorcerer spoke the truth." +</p> + +<p> +So, when he came to it, he struck the bell. In the twinkling of an +eye, thousands of warriors sprang up, seized their armor, girded their +swords, or seized their spears. All seemed eagerly awaiting the +command to rush against the foe. +</p> + +<p> +The ground quaked with their tramping, and shook with their tread, +until Taffy thought the cave roof would fall in and bury them all. The +air resounded with the rattle of arms, as the men, when in ranks, +marked time, ready for motion forward and out of the cave. +</p> + +<p> +But from the midst of the host, a deep sounding voice, as earnest as +if in hot temper, but as deliberate as if in caution against a false +alarm, spoke. He inquired: +</p> + +<p> +"Who rang that bell? Has the day come?" +</p> + +<p> +The sorcerer, thoroughly frightened and trembling, answered: +</p> + +<p> +"No, the day has not come. Sleep on." +</p> + +<p> +Taffy, though dazzled by the increasing brilliancy of the light, had +heard another deep voice, more commanding in its tones than even a +king's, call out, "Arthur, awake, the bell has rung. The day is +breaking. Awake, great King Arthur!" +</p> + +<p> +But even against such a voice, that of the sorcerer, now scared beyond +measure, lest the king and his host should discover the cheat, and +with his sword, Excalibur, chop the heads off both Taffy and himself, +answered: +</p> + +<p> +"No, it is still night. Sleep on, Arthur the Great." +</p> + +<p> +Erect over all, his head aloft and crowned with jewels, as with stars, +the King himself now spoke: +</p> + +<p> +"No, my warriors, the day has not yet come, when the Black Eagle and +the Golden Eagle will meet in war. Sleep on, loyal souls. The morning +of Wales has not yet dawned." +</p> + +<p> +Then, like the gentle soughing of the evening breeze among forest +trees, all sound died away, and in the snap of a finger, all were +asleep again. Seizing the hand of Taffy, the sorcerer hurried him out +of the cave, moved the stone back in its place and motioning to Taffy +to do the same, he quickly shoveled and kicked the loose dirt in the +hole and stamped it down: When Taffy turned to look for him, he was +gone, without even taking the trouble to call his dupe a fool. +</p> + +<p> +Wearied with his unwonted labors and excitements, Taffy walked home, +got his supper, pondered on what he had seen, slept, and awoke in the +morning refreshed. After breakfast, he sallied out again with pick and +shovel. +</p> + +<p> +For months, Taffy dug over every square foot of the hill. Neglecting +his business as cattle man, he spent all the money he had made in +London, but he never found that entrance to the cave. He died a poor +man and all his children had to work hard to get their bread. +</p> + +<p><br /><br /><br /></p> + +<h3> +<a id="chap17"></a> +XVII +</h3> + +<h3> +THE LADY OF THE LAKE +</h3> + +<p> +One easily gets acquainted with the Welsh fairies, for nearly all the +good ones are very fond of music. +</p> + +<p> +Or, they live down in the lakes, or up in the mountains. They are +always ready to help kind or polite people, who treat them well or +will give them a glass of milk, or a saucer of flummery. +</p> + +<p> +But, oh, what tricks and mischief they do play on mean or stingy or +grumpy folks with bad tempers! They tangle up the harness of the +horses; milk the cows, letting the milk go to waste, on the stable +floor; tie knots in their tails, or keep the dog's mouth shut, when +the robbers come sneaking around. Better not offend a fairy, even +though no higher than a thimble! +</p> + +<p> +A favorite place for the elfin ladies of the lake is high up in one of +the fresh water mountain ponds. They are cousins to the mermaids, that +swim in the salt water. +</p> + +<p> +They say that these lake maidens love to come up close to the shore, +to smell the sweet grass and flowers, which the cows like so much. +</p> + +<p> +Near one of these lakes dwelt a widow, with only one son, named Gwyn. +One day he took his lunch of barley bread and cheese, and went out, as +usual, to tend the cows. Soon he saw rising out of the water, to dress +her long and luxuriant hair, the most beautiful lady he had ever seen. +In her hand she held a golden comb, and was using the bright +lake-surface as a mirror. +</p> + +<p> +At once Gwyn fell in love with her, and, like an unselfish lad, held +out his refreshments—barley bread and cheese—all he had—bidding her +to come and take. +</p> + +<p> +But though the lady glided toward him, while he still held out his +hand, she shook her head, saying: +</p> + +<p> + O thou of the hard baked bread,<br /> + It is not easy to catch me<br /> +</p> + +<p> +Sorry enough to miss such a prize, he hurried home to tell his mother. +She, wondering also, whether fairies have teeth to chew, told him to +take soft dough next time. Then, perhaps, the strange lady would come +again. +</p> + +<p> +Not much sleep did the boy get that night, and, before the sun was up, +he was down by the lake side holding out his dough. +</p> + +<p> +There, hour after hour, neglecting the cows, he looked eagerly over +the water, but nothing appeared, except ripples started by the breeze. +Again and again, he gazed in hope, only to be disappointed. +</p> + +<p> +[Illustration: IN A MOMENT HE FORGOT EVERY WORD HE MEANT TO SAY] +</p> + +<p> +Meanwhile he thought out a pretty speech to make to her, but he kept +his dough and went hungry. +</p> + +<p> +It was late in the afternoon, when the trees on the hills were casting +long shadows westward, that he gave up watching, for he supposed she +would come no more. +</p> + +<p> +But just as he started to go back to his mother's cabin, he turned his +head and there was the same lady, looking more beautiful than ever. In +a moment, he forgot every word he meant to say to her. His tongue +seemed to leave him, and he only held out his hand, with the dough in +it. +</p> + +<p> +But the lake lady, shaking her head, only laughed and said: +</p> + +<p class="poem"> + Thou of the soft bread<br /> + I will not have thee<br /> +</p> + +<p> +Though she dived under the water and left him sad and lonely, she +smiled so sweetly, as she vanished, that, though again disappointed, +he thought she would come again and she might yet accept his gift. +</p> + +<p> +His mother told him to try her with bread half baked, that is, midway +between hard crust and soft dough. +</p> + +<p> +So, having packed his lunch, and much excited, though this time with +bright hopes, Gwyn went to bed, though not to sleep. At dawn, he was +up again and out by the lake side, with his half baked bread in his +hand. +</p> + +<p> +It was a day of rain and shine, of sun burst and cloud, but no lady +appeared. +</p> + +<p> +The long hours, of watching and waiting, sped on, until it was nearly +dark. +</p> + +<p> +When just about to turn homewards, to ease his mother's anxiety, what +should he see, but some cows walking on the surface of the water! In a +few minutes, the lady herself, lovelier than ever, rose up and moved +towards the shore. +</p> + +<p> +Gwyn rushed out to meet her, with beseeching looks and holding the +half baked bread in his hand. This time, she graciously took the gift, +placed her other hand in his, and he led her to the shore. +</p> + +<p> +Standing with her on land, he could not speak for many seconds. He +noticed that she had sandals on her feet, and the one on the right +foot was tied in a way rather unusual. Under her winsome smile, at +last, he regained the use of his tongue. Then he burst out: +</p> + +<p> +"Lady I love you, more than all the world besides. Will you be my +wife?" +</p> + +<p> +She did not seem at all willing at first, but love begets love. +Finally yielding to his pleadings, she said, rather solemnly: +</p> + +<p> +"I will be your bride but only on this condition, that if you strike +me three times, without cause, I will leave your house and you only +will be to blame, and it will be forever." +</p> + +<p> +These words stuck in his mind, and he inwardly made a vow never to +give his lovely wife cause to leave him. +</p> + +<p> +But not yet did happiness come, for, even while he took oath that he +would rather cut off his right hand, than offend her, she darted away +like an arrow, and, diving in the lake, disappeared. +</p> + +<p> +At this sudden blow to his hopes and joy, Gwyn was so sorely +depressed, as to wish to take his own life. Rushing up to the top of a +rock, overhanging the deepest part of the lake, he was just about to +leap into the water and drown himself, when he heard a voice behind +him, saying: +</p> + +<p> +"Hold rash lad, come here!" +</p> + +<p> +He looked and there down on the shore of the lake, stood a grand +looking old man, with a long white beard. On either side of him was a +lovely maiden. These were his daughters. +</p> + +<p> +Trembling with fear, the lad slipped down from the rock and drew near. +Then the old man spoke comfortably to him, though in a very cracked +voice. +</p> + +<p> +"Mortal, do you wish to marry one of my daughters? Show me the one you +love more than the other, and I will consent." +</p> + +<p> +Now the two maidens were so beautiful, yet so exactly alike, that Gwyn +could not note any difference. As he looked, he began to wonder +whether it had been a different lady, in each case, that rose out of +the water. He looked beyond the old man, to see if there were a third +lady. When he saw none more, he became more distracted. He feared lest +he might choose the wrong one, who had not promised to love him. +</p> + +<p> +Almost in despair, he was about to run home, when he noticed that one +of the maidens put forward her right foot. Then he saw that her sandal +was tied in the way he had already wondered at. So he boldly went +forward and took her by the hand. +</p> + +<p> +"This one is mine," said he to the father. +</p> + +<p> +"You are right," answered the old man. "This is my daughter Nelferch. +Take her and you shall have as many cattle, sheep, horses, hogs, and +goats, as she can count, of each, without drawing in her breath. But I +warn you that three blows, without cause, will send her back to me." +</p> + +<p> +While the old man smiled, and Gwyn renewed his vow, the new wife began +to count by fives—one, two, three, four, five. +</p> + +<p> +At the end of each count drawing in a fresh breath, there rose up, out +of the lake, as many sheep, cattle, goats, pigs, and horses, as she +had counted. +</p> + +<p> +So it happened that the lad, who went out of his mother's cottage, in +the morning, a poor boy, came back to her, a rich man, and leading by +the hand the loveliest creature on whom man or woman had ever looked +upon. +</p> + +<p> +As for the old man and the other daughter, no one ever saw them again. +</p> + +<p> +Gwyn and his wife went out to a farm which he bought, and oh, how +happy they were! She was very kind to the poor. She had the gift of +healing, knew all the herbs, which were good for medicine, and cured +sick folk of their diseases. +</p> + +<p> +Three times the cradle was filled, and each time with a baby boy. +Eight long and happy years followed. They loved each other so dearly +and were so happy together, that Gwyn's vow passed entirely out of his +mind, and he thought no more of it. +</p> + +<p> +On the seventh birthday of the oldest boy, there was a wedding at some +distance away, and the father and mother walked through a field where +their horses were grazing. As it was too far for Lady Nelferch to walk +all the way, her husband went back to the house, for saddle and +bridle, while she should catch the horse. +</p> + +<p> +"Please do, and bring me my gloves from off the table," she called, as +he turned towards the house. +</p> + +<p> +But when he returned to the field, he saw that she had not stirred. +So, before handing his wife her gloves and pointing playfully to the +horses, he gave her a little flick with the gloves. +</p> + +<p> +Instead of moving, instantly, she heaved a deep sigh. Then looking up +at him with sorrowful and reproachful eyes, she said: +</p> + +<p> +"Remember our vow, Gwyn. This is the first causeless blow. May there +never be another." +</p> + +<p> +Days and years passed away so happily, that the husband and father +never again had to recall the promise given to his wife and her +father. +</p> + +<p> +But when they were invited to the christening of a baby, every one was +full of smiles and gayety, except Nelferch. Women, especially the +older ones, often cry at a wedding, but why his wife should burst into +tears puzzled Gwyn. +</p> + +<p> +Tapping her on the shoulder, he asked the reason: +</p> + +<p> +"Because," said she, "this weak babe will be in pain and misery all +its days and die in agony. And, husband dear, you have once again +struck me a causeless blow. Oh, do be on your guard, and not again +break your promise." +</p> + +<p> +From this time forth, Gwyn was on watch over himself, day and night, +like a sentinel over whom hangs the sentence of death, should he fall +asleep on duty. He was ever vigilant lest, he, in a moment of +forgetfulness, might, by some slip of conduct, or in a moment of +forgetfulness, strike his dear wife. +</p> + +<p> +The baby, whose life of pain and death of agony Nelferch had foretold, +soon passed away; for, happily, its life was short. Then she and her +husband attended the last rites of sorrow, for Celtic folk always have +a funeral and hold a wake, even when a baby, only a span long, lies in +the coffin. +</p> + +<p> +Yet in the most solemn moment of the services of burial, Nelferch the +wife, laughed out, so long and with such merriment, that everyone was +startled. +</p> + +<p> +Her husband, mortified at such improper behavior, touched her gently, +saying: +</p> + +<p> +"Hush, wife! Why do you laugh?" +</p> + +<p> +"Because the babe is free from all pain. And, you have thrice struck +me! Farewell!" +</p> + +<p> +Fleeing like a deer home to their farm, she called together, by its +name, each and every one of their animals, from stable and field; yes, +even those harnessed to the plow. Then, over the mountain all moved in +procession to the lake. +</p> + +<p> +There, they plunged in and vanished. No trace of them was left, except +that made by the oxen drawing the plow, and which mark on the ground +men still point out. +</p> + +<p> +Broken hearted and mad with grief, Gwyn rushed into the lake and was +seen no more. The three sons, grieving over their drowned father, +spent their many days wandering along the lakeside, hoping once more +to see one, or both, of their dear parents. +</p> + +<p> +Their love was rewarded. They never saw their father again, but one +day their mother, Nelferch, suddenly appeared out of the water. +Telling her children that her mission on earth was to relieve pain and +misery, she took them to a point in the lake, where many plants grew +that were useful in medicine. There, she often came and taught them +the virtues of the roots, leaves, juices and the various virtues of +the herbs, and how to nurse the sick and heal those who had diseases. +</p> + +<p> +All three of Nelferch's sons became physicians of fame and power. +Their descendants, during many centuries, were renowned for their +skill in easing pain and saving life. To this day, Physicians' Point +is shown to visitors as a famous spot, and in tradition is almost +holy. +</p> + +<p><br /><br /><br /></p> + +<h3> +<a id="chap18"></a> +XVIII +</h3> + +<h3> +THE KING'S FOOT HOLDER +</h3> + +<p> +There was a curious custom in the far olden times of Wales. At the +banqueting hall, the king of the country would sit with his feet in +the lap of a high officer. +</p> + +<p> +Whenever His Majesty sat down to dinner, this official person would be +under the table holding the royal feet. This was also the case while +all sat around the evening fire in the middle of the hall. This +footholding person was one of the king's staff and every castle must +have a human footstool as part of its furniture. +</p> + +<p> +By and by, it became the fashion for pretty maidens to seek this task, +or to be chosen for the office. Their names in English sounded like +Foot-Ease, Orthopede, or Foot Lights. When she was a plump and petite +maid, they nicknamed her Twelve Inches, or when unusually soothing in +her caresses of the soft royal toes. It was considered a high honor to +be the King's Foot Holder. In after centuries, it was often boasted of +that such and such an ancestor had held this honorable service. +</p> + +<p> +One picture of castle life, as given in one of the old books tells how +Kaim, the king's officer, went to the mead cellar with a golden cup, +to get a drink that would keep them all wide awake. He also brought a +handful of skewers on which they were to broil the collops, or bits of +meat at the fire. +</p> + +<p> +While they were doing this, the King sat on a seat of green rushes, +over which was spread a flame-colored satin cover, with a cushion like +it, for his elbow to rest upon. +</p> + +<p> +In the evening, the harpers and singers made music, the bards recited +poetry, or the good story tellers told tales of heroes and wonders. +During all this time, one or more maidens held the king's feet, or +took turns at it, when tired; for often the revels or songs and tales +lasted far into the night. At intervals, if the story was dull, or he +had either too much dinner, or had been out hunting and got tired, His +Majesty took a nap, with his feet resting upon the lap of a pretty +maiden. This happened often in the late hours, while they were getting +the liquid refreshments ready. +</p> + +<p> +Then the king's chamberlain gently nudged him, to be wideawake, and he +again enjoyed the music, and the stories, while his feet were held. +</p> + +<p> +For, altogether, it was great fun. +</p> + +<p> +Now there was once a Prince of Gwynedd, in Wales, named Math, who was +so fond of having his feet held, that he neglected to govern his +people properly. He spent all his time lounging in an easy chair, +while a pretty maiden held his heels and toes. He committed all public +cares to two of his nephews. These were named for short, Gily and +Gwyd. +</p> + +<p> +The one whom the king loved best to have her hold his feet was the +fairest maiden in all the land, and she was named Goewen. +</p> + +<p> +By and by, the prince grew so fond of having his feet held, and +stroked and patted and played with, by Goewen, that he declared that +he could not live, unless Goewen held his feet. And, she said, that if +she did not hold the king's feet, she would die. +</p> + +<p> +Now this Gily, one of the king's nephews, son of Don, whom he had +appointed to look day by day after public affairs, would often be in +the hall at night. He listened to the music and stories, and seeing +Goewen, the king's foot holder, he fell in love with her. His eye +usually wandered from the story teller to the lovely girl holding the +king's feet, and he thought her as beautiful as an angel. +</p> + +<p> +Soon he became so lovesick, that he felt he would risk or give his +life to get and have her for his own. But what would the king say? +</p> + +<p> +Besides, he soon found out that the maiden Goewen cared nothing for +him. +</p> + +<p> +Nevertheless the passion of the love-lorn youth burned hotly and kept +increasing. He confided his secret to his brother Gwyd, and asked his +aid, which was promised. So, one day, the brother went to King Math, +and begged for leave to go to Pryderi. In the king's name, he would +ask from him the gift of a herd of swine of famous breed; which, in +the quality of the pork they furnished, excelled all other pigs known. +They were finer than any seen in the land, or ever heard of before. +Their flesh was said to be sweeter, juicier, and more tender than the +best beef. Even their manners were better than those of some men. +</p> + +<p> +In fact, these famous pigs were a present from the King of Fairyland. +So highly were they prized, that King Math doubted much whether his +nephew could get them at any price. +</p> + +<p> +In ancient Wales the bards and poet singers were welcomed, and trusted +above all men; and this, whether in the palace or the cottage. +</p> + +<p> +So Gwyd, the brother of the love-sick one, in order to get the herd of +surpassing swine, took ten companions, all young men and strong, +dressed as bards, and pretending by their actions to be such. Then +they all started out together to seek the palace of Pryderi. +</p> + +<p> +Having arrived, they were entertained at a great feast, in the castle +hall. There Pryderi sat on his throne-chair, with his feet in a +maiden's lap. +</p> + +<p> +The dinner over, Gwyd was asked to tell a story. +</p> + +<p> +This he did, delighting everyone so much, that he was voted a jolly +good fellow by all. In fact, Pryderi felt ready to give him anything +he might demand, excepting always his foot holder. +</p> + +<p> +At once, Gwyd made request to give him the herd of swine. +</p> + +<p> +At this, the countenance of Pryderi fell, for he had made a promise to +his people, that he would not sell or give away the swine, until they +had produced double their number in the land; for there were no pigs +and no pork like theirs, to be bought anywhere. +</p> + +<p> +Now this Gwyd was not very cunning, but he had the power of using +magic arts. By these, he could draw the veil of illusion over both the +mind and the eyes of the people. +</p> + +<p> +So he made answer to Pryderi's objections thus: +</p> + +<p> +"Keep your promise to your people, oh, most honored Pryderi, and only +exchange them for the gift I make thee," said Gwyd. +</p> + +<p> +Thereupon, exerting his powers of magic, he created the illusion of +twelve superb horses. These were all saddled, bridled, and +magnificently caparisoned. But, after twenty-four hours, they would +vanish from sight. The illusion would be over. +</p> + +<p> +With these steeds, so well fitted for hunting, were twelve sleek, +fleet hounds. Taken altogether, here was a sight to make a hunter's +eyes dance with delight. +</p> + +<p> +So Pryderi gave Gwyd the swine, and he quickly drove them off. +</p> + +<p> +"For," he whispered to his companion fellows in knavery, "the illusion +will only last until the same hour to-morrow." +</p> + +<p> +And so it happened. For when Pryderi's men went to the stables, to +groom the horses and feed the hounds, there was nothing in either the +stables or the kennels. +</p> + +<p> +When they told this to Pryderi, he at once blew his horn and assembled +his knights, to invade the country of Gwynedd, to recover his swine. +Hearing of his coming, King Math went out to meet Pryderi in battle. +</p> + +<p> +But while he was away with his army, Gily, the lover, seized the +beautiful maiden Goewen, who held the king's feet in her lap. +</p> + +<p> +She was not willing to marry Gily, but he eloped with her, and carried +her off to his cottage. +</p> + +<p> +The war which now raged was finally decided by single combat, as was +the custom in old days. By this, the burning of the peasants' houses, +and the ruin which threatened the whole country, ended, and peace +came. +</p> + +<p> +It was not alone by the strength and fierceness of King Math, but also +by the magic spells of Gwyd, that Pryderi was slain. +</p> + +<p> +After burying the hero, King Math came back to his palace and found +out what Gily had done. Then he took Goewen away from Gily, and to +make amends for her trouble, in being thus torn from his palace, King +Math made her his queen. Then the lovely Goewen shared his throne +covered with the flame colored satin. One of the most beautiful +maidens of the court was chosen to hold his feet, until such time as a +permanent choice was made. +</p> + +<p> +As for the two nephews, who had fled from the wrath of their princely +uncle, they were put under bans, as outlaws, and had to live on the +borders of the kingdoms. No one of the king's people was allowed to +give them food or drink. Yet they would not obey the summons of the +king, to come and receive their punishment. +</p> + +<p> +But at last, tired of being deserted by all good men and women, they +repented in sorrow. Hungry, ragged and forlorn, they came to their +uncle, the king to submit themselves to be punished. +</p> + +<p> +When they appeared, Math spoke roughly to them, and said: +</p> + +<p> +"You cannot make amends for the shame you have brought upon me. Yet, +since you obey and are sorry, I shall punish you for a time and then +pardon you. You are to do penance for three years at least." +</p> + +<p> +Then they were changed into wild deer, and he told them to come back +after twelve months. +</p> + +<p> +At the end of the year they returned, bringing with them a young fawn. +</p> + +<p> +As this creature was entirely innocent, it was given a human form and +baptized in the church. +</p> + +<p> +But the two brothers were changed into wild swine, and driven off to +find their food in the forest. +</p> + +<p> +At the end of the year, they came back with a young pig. +</p> + +<p> +The king had the little animal changed into a human being, which, like +every mother's child in that time, received baptism. +</p> + +<p> +Again the brothers were transformed into animal shape. This time, as +wolves, and were driven out to the hills. +</p> + +<p> +At the end of a twelve months' period, they came back, three in +number, for one was a cub. +</p> + +<p> +By this time, the penance of the naughty nephews was over, and they +were now to be delivered from all magic spells. +</p> + +<p> +So their human nature was restored to them, but they must be washed +thoroughly. In the first place, it took much hot water and lye, made +from the wood ashes, and then a great deal of scrubbing, to make them +presentable. +</p> + +<p> +Then they were anointed with sweet smelling oil, and the king ordered +them to be arrayed in elegant apparel. They were appointed to hold +honorable office at court, and from time to time to go out through the +country, to call the officers to attend to public business. +</p> + +<p> +When the time came that the king sought for one of the most beautiful +maidens, who should hold his feet, Gwyd nominated to the prince's +notice his sister Arianrod. The king was gracious, and thereafter she +held his feet at all the banquets. She was looked up to with reverence +by all, and held the office for many years. Thus King Math's +reputation for grace and mercy was confirmed. +</p> + +<p><br /><br /><br /></p> + +<h3> +<a id="chap19"></a> +XIX +</h3> + +<h3> +POWELL, PRINCE OF DYFED +</h3> + +<p> +One of the oldest of the Welsh fairy tales tells us about Pwyle, King +of Fairyland and father of the numerous clan of the Powells. He was a +mighty hunter. He could ride a horse, draw a bow, and speak the truth. +He was always honored by men, and he kept his faith and his promises +to women. The children loved him, for he loved them. In the castle +hall, he could tell the best stories. No man, bard, or warrior, foot +holder or commoner, could excel him in gaining and keeping the +attention of his hearers, even when they were sleepy and wanted to go +to bed. +</p> + +<p> +One day, when out a hunting in the woods, he noticed a pack of hounds +running down a stag. He saw at once that they were not his own, for +they were snow white in color and had red ears. +</p> + +<p> +Being a young man, Powell did not know at this time of his life, that +red is the fairy color, and that these were all dogs from Fairyland. +So he drove off the red-eared hounds, and was about to let loose his +own pack on the stag, when a horseman appeared on the scene. +</p> + +<p> +The stranger at once began to upbraid Powell for being impolite. He +asked why his hounds should not be allowed to hunt the deer. +</p> + +<p> +Powell spoke pleasantly in reply, making his proper excuses to the +horseman. The two began to like each other, and soon got acquainted +and mutually enjoyed being companions. +</p> + +<p> +It turned out that the stranger was Arawn, a king in Fairyland. He had +a rival named Hargan, who was beating him and his army in war. +</p> + +<p> +So Arawn asked Powell to help him against his enemy. He even made +request that one year from that time, Powell should meet Hargan in +battle. He told him that one stroke of his sword would finish the +enemy. He must then sheathe his weapon, and not, on any account, +strike a second time. +</p> + +<p> +To make victory sure, the Fairy King would exchange shapes with the +mortal ruler and each take not only the place, but each the shape and +form of the other. Powell must go into Fairy Land and govern the +kingdom there, while Arawn should take charge of affairs at Dyfed. +</p> + +<p> +But Powell was warned, again, to smite down his enemy with a single +stroke of his sword. If, in the heat of the conflict, and the joy of +victory, Powell should forget, and give a second blow to Hargan, he +would immediately come to life and be as strong as ever. +</p> + +<p> +Powell heeded well these words. Then, putting on the shape of Arawn, +he went into Fairy Land, and no one noticed, or thought of anything +different from the days and years gone by. +</p> + +<p> +But now, at night, a new and unexpected difficulty arose. Arawn's +beautiful wife was evidently not in the secret, for she greeted Powell +as her own husband. +</p> + +<p> +After dinner, when the telling of stories in the banqueting hall was +over, the time had come for them to retire. +</p> + +<p> +But the new bed fellow did not even kiss her, or say "good night," but +turned his back to her and his face to the wall, and never moved until +daylight. Then the new King in Fairy Land rose up, ate his breakfast, +and went out to hunt. +</p> + +<p> +Every day, he ruled the castle and kingdom, as if he had always been +the monarch. To everybody, he seemed as if he had been long used to +public business, and no questions were asked, nor was there any talk +made on the subject. Everyone took things as matter of course. +</p> + +<p> +Yet, however polite or gracious he might be to the queen during the +day, in the evening, he spoke not a word, and passed every night as at +the first. +</p> + +<p> +The twelve months soon sped along, and now the time for the battle in +single combat between Powell and Hargan had fully come. The two +warriors met in the middle of a river ford, and backed their horses +for a charge. Then they rushed furiously at the other. Powell's spear +struck Hargan so hard, that he was knocked out of the saddle and +hurled, the length of a lance, over and beyond the crupper, or tail +strap of his horse. He fell mortally wounded upon the ground. +</p> + +<p> +Now came the moment of danger and temptation to Powell, for Hargan +cried out: +</p> + +<p> +"For the love of Heaven, finish your work on me. Slay me with your +sword." +</p> + +<p> +But Powell was wise and his head was cool. He had kept in mind the +warning to strike only one blow. He called out loudly, so that all +could hear him: +</p> + +<p> +"I will not repeat that. Slay thee who may, I shall not." +</p> + +<p> +So Hargan, knowing his end had come, bade his nobles bear him away +from the river shore. +</p> + +<p> +Then Powell, with his armies, overran the two kingdoms of Fairy Land +and made himself master of all. He took oath of all the princes and +nobles, who swore to be loyal to their new master. +</p> + +<p> +This done, Powell rode away to the trysting place in a glen, and there +he met Arawn, as had been appointed. They changed shapes, and each +became himself, as he had been before. +</p> + +<p> +Arawn thanked Powell heartily, and bade him see what he had done for +him. +</p> + +<p> +Then each one rode back, in his former likeness, to his kingdom. +</p> + +<p> +Now at Anwyn, no one but Arawn himself knew that anything unusual had +taken place. After dinner, and the evening story telling were over, +and it was time to go to bed, Arawn's wife was surprised in double +measure. +</p> + +<p> +Two things puzzled her. Her husband was now very tender to her and +also very talkative; whereas, for a whole year, every night, he had +been as silent and immovable as a log. How could it be, in either +case? +</p> + +<p> +But this time, the wife was silent as a statue. Even though Arawn +spoke to her three times, he received no reply. +</p> + +<p> +Then he asked directly of her, why she was so silent. She made an +answer that, for a whole year, no word had been spoken in their +bedroom. +</p> + +<p> +"What?" said he, "did we not talk together, as always before?" +</p> + +<p> +"No," said she, "not for a year has there been talk or caress between +us." +</p> + +<p> +At this answer, Arawn was overcome with surprise, and as struck with +admiration at having so good a friend. He burst out first in praise of +Powell, and then told his wife all that had happened during the past +twelve months. She, too, was full of admiration, and told her husband +that in Powell he had certainly found a true friend. +</p> + +<p> +In Dyfed, when Powell had returned to his own land and castle, he +called his lords together. Then he asked them to be perfectly frank +and free to speak. They must tell him whether they thought him a good +king during the year past. +</p> + +<p> +All shouted in chorus of approval. Then their spokesman addressed +Powell thus: +</p> + +<p> +"My lord, never was thy wisdom so great, thy generosity more free, nor +thy justice more manifest, than during the past year." +</p> + +<p> +When he ceased, all the vassals showed their approval of this speech. +</p> + +<p> +Then Powell, smiling, told the story of his adventures in exchanging +his form and tasks; at the end of which, the spokesman taking his cue +from the happy faces of all his fellow vassals, made reply: +</p> + +<p> +"Of a truth, lord, we pray thee, do thou give thanks to Heaven that +thou hast formed such a fellowship. Please continue to us the form of +the kingdom and rule, that we have enjoyed for a year past." +</p> + +<p> +Thereupon King Powell took oath, kissing the hilt of his sword, and +called on Heaven to witness his promise that he would do as they had +desired. +</p> + +<p> +So the two kings confirmed the friendship they had made. Each sent the +other rich gifts of jewels, horses and hounds. +</p> + +<p> +In memory of so wonderful and happy union, of a mortal and a fairy, +Powell was thereafter, in addition to all his titles, saluted as Lord +of Anwyn, which is only another name for the Land of the Fairies. +</p> + +<p><br /><br /><br /></p> + +<h3> +<a id="chap20"></a> +XX +</h3> + +<h3> +POWELL AND HIS BRIDE +</h3> + +<p> +Not far from the castle where King Powell had his court, there was a +hillock called the Mount of Macbeth. It was the common belief that +some strange adventure would befall anyone who should sit upon that +mound. +</p> + +<p> +He would receive blows, or wounds, or else he would see something +wonderful. +</p> + +<p> +Thus it came to pass, that none but peaceful bards had ever sat upon +the mound. Never a warrior or a common man had risked sitting there. +The general fear felt, and the awe inspired by the place, was too +great. +</p> + +<p> +But after his adventure of being King of Fairy Land for a whole year, +everything else to Powell seemed dull and commonplace. So, to test his +own courage, and worthiness of kingship, Powell assembled all his +lords at Narberth. +</p> + +<p> +After the night's feasting, revelry and story telling, Powell declared +that, next day, he would sit upon the enchanted mound. +</p> + +<p> +So when the sun was fully risen, Powell took his seat upon the mound, +expecting that, all of a sudden, something unusual would happen. +</p> + +<p> +For some minutes nothing, whether event or vision, took place. Then he +lifted up his eyes and saw approaching him a white horse on which rode +a lady. She was dressed in shining garments, as if made of gold. +Evidently she was a princess. Yet she came not very near. +</p> + +<p> +"Does anyone among you know who this lady is?" asked Powell of his +chieftains. +</p> + +<p> +"Not one of us," was the answer. +</p> + +<p> +Thereupon Powell ordered his vassals to ride forward. They were to +greet her courteously, and inquire who she was. +</p> + +<p> +But now the predicted wonder took place. She moved away from them, yet +at a quiet pace that suited her. Though the knights spurred their +horses, and rode fast and furiously, they could not come any nearer to +her. +</p> + +<p> +They galloped back, and reported their failure to reach the lady. +</p> + +<p> +Then Powell picked out others and sent them riding after the lady, but +each time, one and all returned, chagrined with failure. A woman had +beaten them. +</p> + +<p> +So the day closed with silence in the castle hall. There was no merry +making or story telling that night. +</p> + +<p> +The next day, Powell sat again on the mound and once more the golden +lady came near. +</p> + +<p> +This time, Powell himself left his seat on the mound, leaped on his +fleetest horse, and pursued the maiden, robed in gold, on the white +horse. +</p> + +<p> +But she flitted away, as she had done before from the knights. Again +and again, though he could get nearer and nearer to her, he failed. +</p> + +<p> +Then the baffled king cried out, in despair, "O maiden fair, for the +sake of him whom thou lovest, stay for me." +</p> + +<p> +Evidently the lady, who lived in the time of castles and courts, did +not care to be wooed in the style of the cave men. Such manners did +not suit her, but with a change of method of making love, her heart +melted. Besides, she was a kind woman. She took pity on horses, as +well as on men. +</p> + +<p> +Sweet was her voice, as she answered most graciously: +</p> + +<p> +"I will stay gladly, and it were better for thy horses, hadst thou +asked me properly, long ago." +</p> + +<p> +To his questions, as to how and why she came to him, she told her +story, as follows: +</p> + +<p> +"I am Rhiannon, descended from the August and Venerable One of old. My +aunts and uncles tried to make me marry against my will a chieftain +named Gwawl, an auburn-haired youth, son of Clud, but, because of my +love to thee, would I have no husband, and if you reject me, I will +never marry any man." +</p> + +<p> +"As Heaven is my witness, were I to choose among all the damsels and +ladies of the world, thee would I choose," cried Powell. +</p> + +<p> +After that, it was agreed that, when a year had sped, Powell should go +to the Palace of the August and Venerable One of old, and claim her +for his bride. +</p> + +<p> +So, when twelve months had passed, Powell with his retinue of a +hundred knights, all splendidly horsed and finely appareled, presented +himself before the castle. There he found his fair lady and a feast +already prepared at which he sat with her. On the other side of the +table, were her father and mother. +</p> + +<p> +In the midst of this joyous occasion, when all was gayety, and they +talked together, in strode a youth clad in sheeny satin. He was of +noble bearing and had auburn hair. He saluted Powell and his knights +courteously. +</p> + +<p> +At once Powell, the lord of Narberth, invited the stranger to come and +sit down as guest beside him. +</p> + +<p> +"Not so," replied the youth. "I am a suitor, and have come to crave a +boon of thee." +</p> + +<p> +Without guile or suspicion, Powell replied innocently. +</p> + +<p> +"Ask what you will. If in my power, it shall be yours." +</p> + +<p> +But Rhiannon chided Powell. She asked, "Oh, why did you give him such +an answer?" +</p> + +<p> +"But he did give it," cried the auburn haired youth. Then turning to +the whole company of nobles, he appealed to them: +</p> + +<p> +"Did he not pledge his word, before you all, to give me what I asked?" +</p> + +<p> +Then, turning to Powell, he said: +</p> + +<p> +"The boon I ask is this, to have thy bride, Rhiannon. Further, I want +this feast and banquet to celebrate, in this place, our wedding." +</p> + +<p> +At this demand, Powell seemed to have been struck dumb. He did not +speak, but Rhiannon did. +</p> + +<p> +"Be silent, as long as thou wilt," she cried, "but surely no man ever +made worse use of his wits than thou hast done; for this man, to whom +thou gavest thy oath of promise, is none other than Gwawl, the son of +Clud. He is the suitor, from whom I fled to come to you, while you sat +on the Narberth mound." +</p> + +<p> +Now, out of such trouble, how should the maiden, promised to two men, +be delivered? +</p> + +<p> +Her wit saved her for the nonce. Powell was bound to keep his word; +but Rhiannon explained to Gwawl, that it was not his castle or hall. +So, he could not give the banquet; but, in a year from that date, if +Gwawl would come for her, she would be his bride. Then, a new bridal +feast would be set for the wedding. +</p> + +<p> +In the meantime, Rhiannon planned with Powell to get out of the +trouble. For this purpose, she gave him a magical bag, which he was to +use when the right time should come. +</p> + +<p> +Quickly the twelve months passed and then Gwawl appeared again, to +claim his bride, and a great feast was spread in his honor. +</p> + +<p> +All were having a good time, when in the midst of their merriment, a +beggar appeared in the hall. He was in rags, and carried the usual +beggar's wallet for food or alms. He asked only that, out of the +abundance on the table, his bag might be filled. +</p> + +<p> +Gwawl agreed, and ordered his servants to attend to the matter. +</p> + +<p> +But the bag never got full. What they put into it, or how much made no +difference. Dish after dish was emptied. By degrees, most of the food +on the table was in the beggar's bag. +</p> + +<p> +"My soul alive! Will that bag never get full?" asked Gwawl. +</p> + +<p> +"No, by Heaven! Not unless some rich man shall get into it, stamp it +down with his feet, and call out 'enough.'" +</p> + +<p> +Then Rhiannon, who sat beside Gwawl, urged him to attempt the task, by +putting his two feet in the bag to stamp it down. +</p> + +<p> +No sooner had Gwawl done this, than the supposed beggar pushed him +down inside the bag. Then drawing the mouth shut, he tied it tight +over Gwawl's head. +</p> + +<p> +Then the beggar's rags dropped, and there stood forth the handsome +leader, Powell. He blew his horn, and in rushed his knights who +overcame and bound the followers of Gwawl. +</p> + +<p> +Then they proceeded to play a merry game of football, using the bag, +in which Gwawl was tied, as men in our day kick pigskin. One called to +his mate, or rival, "What's in the bag?" and others answered, "a +badger." So they played the game of "Badger in the Bag," kicking it +around the hall. +</p> + +<p> +They did not let the prisoner out of the bag, until he had promised to +pay the pipers, the harpers, and the singers, who should come to the +wedding of Powell and Rhiannon. He must give up all his claims, and +register a vow never to take revenge. This oath given, and promises +made, the bag was opened and the agreements solemnly confirmed in +presence of all. +</p> + +<p> +Then Gwawl, and every one of his men, knights and servants, were let +go, and they went back to their own country. +</p> + +<p> +A few evenings later, in the large banqueting hall, Powell and +Rhiannon were married. Besides the great feast, presents were given to +all present, high and low. Then the happy pair made their wedding +journey to Gwawl's palace at Narberth. There the lovely bride gave a +ring, or a gem, to every lord and lady in her new realm, and everybody +was happy. +</p> + +<p><br /><br /><br /></p> + +<h3> +<a id="chap21"></a> +XXI +</h3> + +<h3> +WHY THE BACK DOOR WAS FRONT +</h3> + +<p> +In the days when were no books, or writing, and folk tales were the +only ones told, there was an old woman, who had a bad reputation. She +pretended to be very poor, so as not to attract or tempt robbers. Yet +those who knew her best, knew also, as a subject of common talk, that +she was always counting out her coins. +</p> + +<p> +Besides this, she lived in a nice house, and it was believed that she +made a living by stealing babies out of their cradles to sell to the +bad fairies. +</p> + +<p> +It was matter of rumor that she would, for an extra large sum, take a +wicked fairy's ugly brat, and put it in place of a mother's darling. +</p> + +<p> +In addition to these horrid charges against her, it was rumored that +she laid a spell, or charm, on the cattle of people whom she did not +like, in order to take revenge on them. +</p> + +<p> +The old woman denied all this, and declared it was only silly gossip +of envious people who wanted her money. She lived so comfortably, she +averred, because her son, who was a stone mason, who made much money +by building chimneys, which had then first come into fashion. When he +brought to her the profits of his jobs, she counted the coins, and +because of this, some people were jealous, and told bad stories about +her. She declared she was thrifty, but neither a miser, nor a +kidnaper, nor a witch. +</p> + +<p> +One day, this old woman wanted more feathers to stuff into her bed, to +make it softer and feel pleasanter for her old bones to rest upon, for +what she slept on was nearly worn through. So she went to a farm, +where they were plucking geese, and asked for a few handfuls of +feathers. +</p> + +<p> +But the rich farmer's people refused and ordered her out of the farm +yard. +</p> + +<p> +Shortly after this event, the cows of this farmer, who was opposed to +chimneys, and did not like her or her son, suffered dreadfully from +the disease called the black quarter. As they had no horse doctors or +professors of animal economy, or veterinaries in those days, many of +the cows died. The rich farmer lost much money, for he had now no milk +or beef to sell. At once, he suspected that his cattle were bewitched, +and that the old woman had cast a spell on them. In those days, it was +very easy to think so. +</p> + +<p> +So the angry man went one day to the old crone, when she was alone, +and her stout son was away on a distant job. He told her to remove the +charm, which she had laid on his beasts, or he would tie her arms and +legs together, and pitch her into the river. +</p> + +<p> +The old woman denied vehemently that she possessed any such powers, or +had ever practiced such black arts. +</p> + +<p> +To make sure of it, the farmer made her say out loud, "The Blessing of +God be upon your cattle!" To clinch the matter, he compelled her to +repeat the Lord's Prayer, which she was able to do, without missing +one syllable. She used the form of words which are not found in the +prayer book, but are in the Bible, and was very earnest, when she +prayed "Forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors." +</p> + +<p> +But after all that trouble, and the rough way which the rich farmer +took to save his cattle, his efforts were in vain. In spite of that +kind of religion which he professed—which was shown by bullying a +poor old woman—his cattle were still sick, with no sign of +improvement. He was at his wits' end to know what to do next. +</p> + +<p> +Now, as we have said, this was about the time that chimneys came into +fashion. In very old days, the Cymric house was a round hut, with a +thatched roof, without glass windows, and the smoke got out through +the door and holes in the walls, in the best way it could. The only +tapestry in the hut was in the shape of long festoons of soot, that +hung from the roof or rafters. These, when the wind blew, or the fire +was lively, would swing or dance or whirl, and often fall on the +heads, or into the food, while the folks were eating. When the +children cried, or made wry faces at the black stuff, their daddy only +laughed, and said it was healthy, or was for good luck. +</p> + +<p> +But by and by, the carpenters and masons made much improvement, +especially when, instead of flint hatchets, they had iron axes and +tools. Then they hewed down trees, that had thick cross branches and +set up columns in the center, and made timber walls and rafters. Then +the house was square or oblong. In other words, the Cymric folks +squared the circle. +</p> + +<p> +Now they began to have lattices, and, much later, even glass windows. +They removed the fireplace from the middle of the floor and set it at +the end of the house, opposite the door, and built chimneys. +</p> + +<p> +Then they set the beds at the side, and made sleeping rooms. This was +done by stretching curtains between partitions. They had also a loft, +in which to keep odds and ends. They hung up the bacon and hams, and +strings of onions, and made a mantle piece over the fireplace. They +even began to decorate the walls with pictures and to set pewter +dishes, china cats, and Dresden shepherds in rows on the shelves for +ornaments. +</p> + +<p> +Now people wore shoes and the floor, instead of being muddy, or dusty, +with pools and puddles of water in the time of rainy weather and with +the pigs and chickens running in and out, was of clay, beaten down +flat and hard, and neatly whitewashed at the edges. Outside, in front, +were laid nice flat flagstones, that made a pleasant path to the front +door. Flowers, inside and out, added to the beauty of the home and +made perfume for those who loved them. +</p> + +<p> +The rich farmer had just left his old round hut and now lived in one +of the new and better kind of houses. He was very proud of his +chimney, which he had built higher than any of his neighbors, but he +could not be happy, while so many of his cows were sick or dying. +Besides, he was envious of other people's prosperity and cared +nothing, when they, too, suffered. +</p> + +<p> +One night, while he was standing in front of his fine house and +wondering why he must be vexed with so many troubles, he talked to +himself and, speaking out loud, said: +</p> + +<p> +"Why don't my cows get well?" +</p> + +<p> +"I'll tell you," said a voice behind him. It seemed half way between a +squeak and a growl. +</p> + +<p> +He turned round and there he saw a little, angry man. He was dressed +in red, and stood hardly as high as the farmer's knee. The little old +man glared at the big fellow and cried out in a high tone of voice: +</p> + +<p> +"You must change your habits of disposing of your garbage, for other +people have chimneys besides you." +</p> + +<p> +"What has that to do with sickness among my cows?" +</p> + +<p> +"Much indeed. Your family is the cause of your troubles, for they +throw all their slops down my chimney and put out my fire." +</p> + +<p> +The farmer was puzzled beyond the telling, for he owned all the land +within a mile, and knew of no house in sight. +</p> + +<p> +"Put your foot on mine, and then you will have the power of vision, to +see clearly." +</p> + +<p> +The farmer's big boot was at once placed on the little man's slipper, +and when he looked down he almost laughed at the contrast in size. +What was his real surprise, when he saw that the slops thrown out of +his house, did actually fall down; and, besides, the contents of the +full bucket, when emptied, kept on dripping into the chimney of a +house which stood far below, but which he had never seen before. +</p> + +<p> +But as soon as he took his foot off that of the tiny little man, he +saw nothing. Everything like a building vanished as in a dream. +</p> + +<p> +"I see that my family have done wrong and injured yours. Pray forgive +me. I'll do what I can to make amends for it." +</p> + +<p> +"It's no matter now, if you only do as I ask you. Shut up your front +door, build a wall in its place, and then my family will not suffer +from yours." +</p> + +<p> +The rich farmer thought all this was very funny, and he had a hearty +laugh over it all. +</p> + +<p> +Yet he did exactly as the little man in the red cloak had so politely +asked him. He walled up the old door at the front, and built another +at the back of the house, which opened out into the garden. Then he +made the path, on which to go in from the roadway to the threshold, +around the corners and over a longer line of flagstones. Then he +removed the fireplace and chimney to what had been the front side of +the house, but was now the back. For the next thing, he had a copper +doorsill nailed down, which his housemaid polished, until it shone as +bright as gold. +</p> + +<p> +Yet long before this, his cows had got well, and they now gave more +and richer milk than ever. He became the wealthiest man in the +district. His children all grew up to be fine looking men and women. +His grandsons were famous engineers and introduced paving and drainage +in the towns so that to-day, for both man and beast, Wales is one of +the healthiest of countries. +</p> + +<p><br /><br /><br /></p> + +<h3> +<a id="chap22"></a> +XXII +</h3> + +<h3> +THE RED BANDITS OF MONTGOMERY +</h3> + +<p> +When chimneys were first added to houses in Wales, and the style of +house-building changed, from round to square, many old people found +fault with the new fashion of letting the smoke out. +</p> + +<p> +They declared they caught colds and sneezed oftener, than in the times +gone by. The chimneys, they said, cost too much money, and were +useless extravagances. They got along well enough, in the good old +days, when the smoke had its own way of getting out. Then, it took +plenty of time to pass through the doors and windholes, for no one +person or thing was in a hurry, when they were young. Moreover, when +the fireplace was in the middle of the floor, the whole family sat +around it and had a sociable time. +</p> + +<p> +It was true, as they confessed, when argued with, that the smell of +the cooking used to linger too long. The soot also, hung in long +streamers from the rafters, and stuck to the house, like old friends. +</p> + +<p> +But the greatest and most practical objection of the old folks to the +chimneys was that robbers used them to climb down at night and steal +people's money, when they were asleep. So, many householders used to +set old scythe blades across the new smoke holes, to keep out the +thieves, or to slice them up, if they persisted. +</p> + +<p> +In Montgomery, which is one of the Welsh shires, there was an epidemic +of robbery, and the doings of the Red Bandits are famous in history. +</p> + +<p> +Now there was a young widow, whose husband had been killed by the +footpads, or road robbers. She was left alone in the world, with a +little boy baby in the cradle and only one cow in the byre. She had +hard work to pay her rent, but as there were three or four scythes set +in the chimney, and the cow stable had a good lock on it, she thought +she was safe from burglars or common thieves. +</p> + +<p> +But the Reds picked out the most expert chimney-climber in their gang, +and he one night slipped down into the widow's cottage, without making +any noise or cutting off his nose, toes, or fingers. Then, robbing the +widow of her rent money, he picked the lock of the byre and drove off +the cow. In the morning, the poor woman found both doors open, but +there was no money and no cow. +</p> + +<p> +While she was crying over her loss, and wringing her hands, because of +her poverty, she heard a knock at the door. +</p> + +<p> +"Come in," said the widow. +</p> + +<p> +There entered an old lady with a kindly face. She was very tall and +well dressed. Her cloak, her gloves, and shoes, and the ruffles under +her high peaked Welsh head dress, were all green. The widow thought +she looked like an animated leek. In her right hand was a long staff, +and in her left, under her cloak, she held a little bag, that was +green, also. +</p> + +<p> +"Why do you weep?" asked the visitor. +</p> + +<p> +Then the widow told her tale of woe—the story of the loss of her +husband, and how a red robber, in spite of the scythe blades set in +the chimney, had come down and taken away both her money and her cow. +</p> + +<p> +Now, although she had sold all her butter and cream, she could neither +pay her rent, nor have any buttermilk with her rye bread and flummery. +</p> + +<p> +"Dry your tears and take comfort," said the tall lady in the green +peaked hat. "Here is money enough to pay your rent and buy another +cow." With that, she sat down at the round table near the peat fire. +Opening her bag, the shining gold coins slid out and formed a little +heap on the table. +</p> + +<p> +"There, you can have all this, if you will give me all I want." +</p> + +<p> +At first, the widow's eyes opened wide, and then she glanced at the +cradle, where her baby was sleeping. Then she wondered, though she +said nothing. +</p> + +<p> +But the next moment, she was laughing at herself, and looking around +at her poor cottage. She tried to guess what there was in it, that the +old lady could possibly want. +</p> + +<p> +"You can have anything I have. Name it," she said cheerfully to her +visitor. +</p> + +<p> +But only a moment more, and all her fears returned at the thought that +the visitor might ask for her boy. +</p> + +<p> +The old lady spoke again and said: +</p> + +<p> +"I want to help you all I can, but what I came here for is to get the +little boy in the cradle." +</p> + +<p> +The widow now saw that the old woman was a fairy, and that if her +visitor got hold of her son, she would never see her child again. +</p> + +<p> +So she begged piteously of the old lady, to take anything and +everything, except her one child. +</p> + +<p> +"No, I want that boy, and, if you want the gold, you must let me take +him." +</p> + +<p> +"Is there anything else that I can do for you, so that I may get the +money?" asked the widow. +</p> + +<p> +"Well, I'll make it easier for you. There are two things I must tell +you to cheer you." +</p> + +<p> +"What are they?" asked the widow, eagerly. +</p> + +<p> +"One is, that by our fairy law, I cannot take your boy, until three +days have passed. Then, I shall come again, and you shall have the +gold; but only on the one condition I have stated." +</p> + +<p> +"And the next?" almost gasped the widow. +</p> + +<p> +"If you can guess my name, you will doubly win; for then, I shall give +you the gold and you can keep your boy." +</p> + +<p> +Without waiting for another word, the lady in green scooped up her +money, put it back in the bag, and moved off and out the door. +</p> + +<p> +The poor woman, at once a widow and mother, and now stripped of her +property, fearing to lose her boy, brooded all night over her troubles +and never slept a wink. +</p> + +<p> +In the morning, she rose up, left her baby with a neighbor, and went +to visit some relatives in the next village, which was several miles +distant. She told her story, but her kinsfolk were too poor to help +her. So, all disconsolate, she turned her face homewards. +</p> + +<p> +On her way back she had to pass through the woods, where, on one side, +was a clearing. In the middle of this open space, was a ring of grass. +In the ring a little fairy lady was tripping around and singing to +herself. +</p> + +<p> +Creeping up silently, the anxious mother heard to her joy, a rhymed +couplet and caught the sound of a name, several times repeated. It +sounded like "Silly Doot." +</p> + +<p> +Hurrying home and perfectly sure that she knew the secret that would +save her boy, she set cheerily about her regular work and daily tasks. +In fact, she slept soundly that night. +</p> + +<p> +Next day, in came the lady in green as before, with her bag of money. +Taking her seat at the round table, near the fire, she poured out the +gold. Then jingling the coins in the pile, she said: +</p> + +<p> +"Now give up your boy, or guess my name, if you want me to help you." +</p> + +<p> +The young widow, feeling sure that she had the old fairy in a trap, +thought she would have some fun first. +</p> + +<p> +"How many guesses am I allowed?" she asked. +</p> + +<p> +"All you want, and as many as you please," answered the green lady, +smiling. +</p> + +<p> +The widow rattled off a string of names, English, Welsh and Biblical; +but every time the fairy shook her head. Her eyes began to gleam, as if +she felt certain of getting the boy. She even moved her chair around +to the side nearest the cradle. +</p> + +<p> +"One more guess," cried the widow. "Can it be Silly Doot?" +</p> + +<p> +At this sound, the fairy turned red with rage. At the same moment, the +door opened wide and a blast of wind made the hearth fire flare up. +Leaving her gold behind her, the old woman flew up the chimney, and +disappeared over the housetops. +</p> + +<p> +The widow scooped up the gold, bought two cows, furnished her cottage +with new chairs and fresh flowers, and put the rest of the coins away +under one of the flag stones at the hearth. When her boy grew up, she +gave him a good education, and he became one of the fearless judges, +who, with the aid of Baron Owen, rooted out of their lair the Red +Bandits, that had robbed his mother. Since that day, there has been +little crime in Wales—the best governed part of the kingdom. +</p> + +<p><br /><br /><br /></p> + +<h3> +<a id="chap23"></a> +XXIII +</h3> + +<h3> +THE FAIRY CONGRESS +</h3> + +<p> +One can hardly think of Wales without a harp. The music of this most +ancient and honorable instrument, which emits sweet sounds, when heard +in a foreign land makes Welsh folks homesick for the old country and +the music of the harp. Its strings can wail with woe, ripple with +merriment, sound out the notes of war and peace, and lift the soul in +heavenly melody. +</p> + +<p> +Usually a player on the harp opened the Eistedfodd, as the Welsh +literary congress is called, but this time they had engaged for the +fairies a funny little fellow to start the programme with a solo on +his violin. +</p> + +<p> +The figure of this musician, at the congress of Welsh fairies, was the +most comical of any in the company. The saying that he was popular +with all the mountain spirits was shown to be true, the moment he +began to scrape his fiddle, for then they all crowded around him. +</p> + +<p> +"Did you ever see such a tiny specimen?" asked Queen Mab of Puck. +</p> + +<p> +The little fiddler came forward and drawing his instrument from under +his arm, proceeded to scrape the strings. He had on a pair of moss +trousers, and his coat was a yellow gorse flower. His feet were clad +in shoes made of beetles' wings, which always kept bright, as if +polished with a brush. +</p> + +<p> +When one looked at the fiddle, he could see that it was only a wooden +spoon, with strings across the bowl. But the moment he drew the bow +from one side to the other, all the elves, from every part of the +hills, came tripping along to hear the music, and at once began +dancing. +</p> + +<p> +Some of these elves were dressed in pink, some in blue, others in +yellow, and many had glow worms in their hands. Their tread was so +light that the flower stems never bent, nor was a petal crushed, when +they walked over the turf. All, as they came near, bowed or dropped a +curtsey. Then the little musician took off his cap to each, and bowed +in return. +</p> + +<p> +There was too much business before the meeting for dancing to be kept +up very long, but when the violin solo was over, at a sign given by +the fiddler, the dancers took seats wherever they could find them, on +the grass, or gorse, or heather, or on the stones. After order had +been secured, the chairman of the meeting read regrets from those who +had been invited but could not be present. +</p> + +<p> +The first note was from the mermaids, who lived near the Green Isles +of the Ocean. They asked to be excused from traveling inland and +climbing rocks. In the present delicate state of their health this +would be too fatiguing. Poor things! +</p> + +<p> +It was unanimously voted that they be excused. +</p> + +<p> +Queen Mab was dressed, as befitted the occasion, like a Welsh lady, +not wearing a crown, but a high peaked hat, pointed at the top and +about half a yard high. It was black and was held on by fastenings of +scalloped lace, that came down around her neck. +</p> + +<p> +The lake fairies, or Elfin Maids, were out in full force. These lived +at the bottom of the many ponds and pools in Wales. Many stories are +told of the wonderful things they did with boats and cattle. +</p> + +<p> +Nowadays, when they milk cows by electric machinery and use steam +launches on the water, most of the water sprites of all kinds have +been driven away, for they do not like the smell of kerosene or +gasoline. It is for these reasons that, in our day, they are not often +seen. In fact, cows from the creameries can wade out into the water +and even stand in it, while lashing their tails to keep off the flies, +without any danger, as in old times, of being pulled down by the Elfin +Maids. +</p> + +<p> +The little Red Men, that could hide under a thimble, and have plenty +of room to spare, were all out. The elves, and nixies and sprites, of +all colors and many forms were on hand. +</p> + +<p> +The pigmies, who guard the palace of the king of the world +underground, came in their gay dresses. There were three of them, and +they brought in their hands balls of gold, with which to play tenpins, +but they were not allowed to have any games while the meeting was +going on. +</p> + +<p> +In fact, just when these little fellows from down under the earth were +showing off their gay clothes and their treasures from the caves, one +mischievous fairy maid sidled up to their chief and whispered in his +ear: +</p> + +<p> +"Better put away your gold, for this is in modern Wales, where they +have pawn shops. Three golden balls, two above the one below, which +you often see nowadays, mean that two to one you will never get it +again. These hang out as the sign of a pawnbroker's shop, and what you +put in does not, as a rule, come out. I am afraid that some of the +Cymric fairies from Cornwall, or Montgomery, or Cheshire, might think +you were after business, and you understand that no advertising is +allowed here." +</p> + +<p> +In a moment, each of the three leaders thrust his ball into his bosom. +It made his coat bulge out, and at this, some of the fairies wondered, +but all they thought of was that this spoiled a handsome fellow's +figure. Or was it some new idea? To tell the truth, they were vexed at +not keeping up with the new fashions, for they knew nothing of this +latest fad among such fine young gallants. +</p> + +<p> +Much of the chat and gossip, before and after the meeting, was between +the fairies who live in the air, or on mountains, and those down in +the earth, or deep in the sea. They swapped news, gossip and scandal +at a great rate. +</p> + +<p> +There were a dozen or two fine-looking creatures who had high brows, +who said they were Co-eds. This did not mean that these fairies had +ever been through college. "Certainly the college never went through +them," said one very homely fairy, who was spiteful and jealous. The +simple fact was that the one they called Betty, the Co-ed, and others +from that Welsh village, called Bryn Mawr, and another from Flint, and +another from Yale, and still others from Brimbo and from Co-ed Poeth, +had come from places so named and down on the map of Wales, though +they were no real Co-ed girls there, that could talk French, or +English, or read Latin. In fact, Co-ed simply meant that they were +from the woods and lived among the trees; for Co-ed in Welsh means a +forest. +</p> + +<p> +The fairy police were further instructed not to admit, and, if such +were found, to put out the following bad characters, for this was a +perfectly respectable meeting. These naughty folks were: +</p> + +<p> +The Old Hag of the Mist. +</p> + +<p> +The Invisible Hag that moans dolefully in the night. +</p> + +<p> +The Tolaeth, a creature never seen, but that groans, sings, saws, or +stamps noisily. +</p> + +<p> +The Dogs of the Sky. +</p> + +<p> +All witches, of every sort and kind. +</p> + +<p> +All peddlers of horseshoes, crosses, charms, or amulets. +</p> + +<p> +All mortals with brains fuddled by liquor. +</p> + +<p> +All who had on shoes which water would not run under. +</p> + +<p> +All fairies that were accustomed to turn mortals into cheese. +</p> + +<p> +Every one of these, who might want to get in, were to be refused +admittance. +</p> + +<p> +Another circle of rather exclusive fairies, who always kept away from +the blacksmiths, hardware stores, smelting furnaces and mines, had +formed an anti-iron society. These were a kind of a Welsh "Four +Hundred," or élite, who would have nothing to do with anyone who had +an iron tool, or weapon, or ornament in his hand, or on his dress, or +who used iron in any form, or for any use. They frowned upon the idea +of Cymric Land becoming rich by mining, and smelting, and selling +iron. They did not even approve of the idea that any imps and dwarfs +of the iron mines should be admitted to the meeting. +</p> + +<p> +One clique of fairies, that looked like elves were in bad humor, +almost to moping. When one of these got up to speak, it seemed as if +he would never sit down. He tired all the lively fairies by +long-winded reminiscences, of druids, and mistletoes, and by telling +every one how much better the old times were than the present. +</p> + +<p> +President Puck, who always liked things short, and was himself as +lively as quicksilver, many times called these long-winded fellows to +order; but they kept meandering on, until daybreak, when it was time +to adjourn, lest the sunshine should spoil them all, and change them +into slate or stone. +</p> + +<p> +It was hard to tell just how much business was disposed of, at this +session, or whether one ever came to the point, although there was a +great deal of oratory and music. Much of what was said was in poetry, +or in verses, or rhymes, of three lines each. What they talked about +was mainly in protest against the smoke of factories and collieries, +and because there was so much soot, and so little soap, in the land. +</p> + +<p> +But what did they do at the fairy congress? +</p> + +<p> +The truth is, that nobody to-day knows what was done in this session +of the fairies, for the proceedings were kept secret. The only one who +knows was an old Welshman whom the story-teller used to meet once in a +while. He is the one mortal who knows anything about this meeting, and +he won't tell; or at least he won't talk in anything but Welsh. So we +have to find out the gist of the matter, by noticing, in the stories +which we have just read what the fairies did. +</p> + +<p><br /><br /><br /></p> + +<h3> +<a id="chap24"></a> +XXIV +</h3> + +<h3> +THE SWORD OF AVALON +</h3> + +<p> +Many of the Welsh tales are about fighting and wars and no country as +small as Wales has so many castles. Yet these are nearly all in ruins +and children play in them. This is because men got tired of battles +and sieges. +</p> + +<p> +Everybody knows that after King Arthur's knights had punched and +speared, whacked and chopped at each other with axe and sword long +enough, had slain dragons and tamed monsters, and rescued princesses +from cruel uncles, and good men from dark dungeons, even the plain +people, such as farmers and mechanics, had enough and wanted no more. +Besides this, they wished to be treated more like human beings, and +not have to work so hard and also to keep their money when they earned +it. +</p> + +<p> +Even King Arthur himself, towards the end of this era, saw that +fashions were changing and that he must change with them. Hardware was +too high in price, and was no longer needed for clothing. He was wise +enough to see that battle axes, maces, swords, lances and armor had +better be put to some better use, when iron was getting scarce and +wool and linen were cheaper. Even the stupid Normans learned that +decency and kindness cost less, and accomplished more in making the +Welshery loyal subjects of the king. +</p> + +<p> +So when, after many battles, King Arthur went out to have a little war +of his own, and to enjoy the fight, in which he was mortally wounded, +he showed his greatness, even in the hour of death. In truth, it is +given to some men, like Samson, to be even mightier when they die, +than when following the strenuous life. So it was with this great and +good man of Cymry. His love for his people never ceased for one +moment, and in his dying hour he left a bequest that all his people +have understood and acted upon. +</p> + +<p> +Thus it has come to pass that the Welsh have been really +unconquerable, by Saxon or Norman, or even in these twentieth century +days by Teutons. Though living in a small country, they are among the +greatest in the world, not in force, or in material things, but in +soul. When Belgium was invaded, they not only stood up in battle +against the invader, but they welcomed to their homes tens of +thousands of fugitives and fed and sheltered them. +</p> + +<p> +Brave as lions, their path of progress has been in faithfulness to +duty, industry, and patience, and along the paths of poetry, music and +brotherhood. Their motto for ages has been, "Truth against the World." +</p> + +<p> +Now the manner of King Arthur's taking off and his immortal legacy was +on this fashion: +</p> + +<p> +After doing a great many wonderful things, in many countries, King +Arthur came back to punish the wicked man, Modred. In the battle that +ensued, he received wounds that made him feel that he was very soon to +die. So he ordered his loyal vassal to take his sword to the island of +Avalon. There he must cast the weapon into the deep water. +</p> + +<p> +But the sword was part of the soul of Arthur. It would not sink out of +sight, until it had given a message, from their king to the Welsh, for +all time. +</p> + +<p> +After it had been thrown in the water, it disappeared, but rose again. +First the shining blade, and then the hilt, and then a hand was seen +to rise out of the flood. +</p> + +<p> +Thrice that hand waved the sword round and round. +</p> + +<p> +This was the prophecy of "the deathless from the dead." King Arthur's +body might be hid in a cave, or molder in the ground, but his soul was +to live and cheer his people. His beloved Cymric nation, with their +undying language, were to rise in power again. +</p> + +<p> +And the resurrection has been glorious. Not by the might of the +soldier, or by arms or war—though the Welsh never flinch from duty, +or before the foe—but by the power of poet, singer and the narrator +of stories, that touch the imagination, and fire the soul to noble +deeds, have these results come. +</p> + +<p> +Arthur's good blade, thus waved above the waters, became a veritable +sword of the Spirit. +</p> + +<p> +Men of genius arose to flush with color the old legends. Prophets, +preachers, monks, missionaries carried these all over Europe, and made +them the vehicles of Christian doctrine. In their new forms, they +fired the imagination and illuminated, as with ten thousand lamps, +many lands and nations, until they held every people in spell. In +miracle and morality play, they reappeared in beauty. They attuned the +harp and instrument of the musician and the troubadour, and these sang +the gospel in all lands, north and south, while telling the stories of +Adam, and of Abraham, of Bethlehem, and of the cross, of the Holy +Grail, and of Arthur and his Knights. All the precious lore of the +Celtic race became transfigured, to illustrate and enforce Christian +truth. The symbolical bowl, the Celtic caldron of abundance, became +the cup of the Eucharist and the Grail the symbol of blessings +eternal. +</p> + +<p> +By the artists, in the stained glass, and in windows of the great +churches, which were built no longer of wood but of stone, that +blossomed under the chisel, the old legends were, by the new currents +of truth, given a mystic glow. As wonderful as the rise of Gothic +architecture and the upbuilding of cathedrals, as glorious as the +light and art, that beautify the great temples of worship, was this +re-birth of the Arthurian legends. +</p> + +<p> +For now, again, the old virtues of the knightly days—loyalty, +obedience, redress of wrongs, reverence of womanhood, and the +application of Christian ethics to the old rude rules of decency, +lifted the life of the common people to a nobler plane and ushered in +the modern days. +</p> + +<p> +Then, after seven hundred years, a host of singers, Tennyson leading +them all, attuned the old Celtic harp. They reset for us the Cymric +melody and colorful incidents in "the light that never was on sea or +land." The old days live again in a greater glory. +</p> + +<p> +Lady Guest put the Mabinogion into English, and Renan, and Arnold, and +Rolleston, and Rhys, in prose, competed in praise of the heritages +from the old time. Popular education was diffused. The Welsh language +rose again from the dead. Cardiff holds in pure white marble the most +thrilling interpretation of Welsh history, in the twelve white marble +statues of the great men of Wales. The Welsh people, by bloodless +victory, have won the respect of all mankind. +</p> + +<p> +They set a beacon for the oppressed nations. In the World War of +1914-1918, they helped to save freedom and civilization. They were in +the van. +</p> + +<p> +Long may the sword of Arthur wave! +</p> + +<p><br /><br /><br /><br /></p> + + + + + + + + +<pre> + + + + + +End of Project Gutenberg's Welsh Fairy Tales, by William Elliott Griffis + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK WELSH FAIRY TALES *** + +***** This file should be named 9368-h.htm or 9368-h.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + http://www.gutenberg.org/9/3/6/9368/ + +Produced by Juliet Sutherland, Cam Venezuela and PG +Distributed Proofreaders. 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You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: Welsh Fairy Tales + +Author: William Elliott Griffis + +Posting Date: March 22, 2014 [EBook #9368] +Release Date: November, 2005 +First Posted: September 25, 2003 + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ASCII + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK WELSH FAIRY TALES *** + + + + +Produced by Juliet Sutherland, Cam Venezuela and PG +Distributed Proofreaders. HTML version by Al Haines. + + + + + + + + + + +Welsh Fairy Tales + +By + +WILLIAM ELLIOT GRIFFIS + +1921 + + + +A PREFACE-LETTER TO MY GRANDFATHER + +DEAR CAPTAIN JOHN GRIFFIS: + +Although I never saw you, since you died in 1804, I am glad you were +one of those Welshmen who opposed the policy of King George III and +that you, after coming to America in 1783, were among the first sea +captains to carry the American flag around the world. That you knew +many of the Free Quakers and other patriots of the Revolution and that +they buried you among them, near Benjamin Franklin, is a matter of +pride to your descendants. That you were born in Wales and spoke +Welsh, as did also those three great prophets of spiritual liberty, +Roger Williams, William Penn, and Thomas Jefferson, is still further +ground for pride in one's ancestry. Now, in the perspective of history +we see that our Washington and his compeers and Wilkes, Barre, Burke +and the friends of America in Parliament were fighting the same battle +of Freedom. Though our debt to Wales for many things is great, we +count not least those inheritances from the world of imagination, for +which the Cymric Land was famous, even before the days of either +Anglo-Saxon or Norman. + +W. E. G. + +Saint David's and the day of the Daffodil, March 1, 1921. + + + + +CONTENTS + +I. WELSH RABBIT AND HUNTED HARES + +II. THE MIGHTY MONSTER AFANG + +III. THE TWO CAT WITCHES + +IV. HOW THE CYMRY LAND BECAME INHABITED + +V. THE BOY THAT WAS NAMED TROUBLE + +VI. THE GOLDEN HARP + +VII. THE GREAT RED DRAGON OF WALES + +VIII. THE TOUCH OF CLAY + +IX. THE TOUCH OF IRON + +X. THE MAIDEN OF THE GREEN FOREST + +XI. THE TREASURE STONE OF THE FAIRIES + +XII. GIANT TOM AND GIANT BLUBB + +XIII. A BOY THAT VISITED FAIRYLAND + +XIV. THE WELSHERY AND THE NORMANS + +XV. THE WELSH FAIRIES HOLD A MEETING + +XVI. KING ARTHUR'S CAVE + +XVII. THE LADY OF THE LAKE + +XVIII. THE KING'S FOOT HOLDER + +XIX. POWELL, PRINCE OF DYFED + +XX. POWELL AND HIS BRIDE + +XXI. WHY THE BACK DOOR WAS FRONT + +XXII. THE RED BANDITS OF MONTGOMERY + +XXIII. THE FAIRY CONGRESS + +XXIV. THE SWORD OF AVALON + + + + +I + + +WELSH RABBIT AND HUNTED HARES + + +Long, long ago, there was a good saint named David, who taught the +early Cymric or Welsh people better manners and many good things to +eat and ways of enjoying themselves. + +Now the Welsh folks in speaking of their good teacher pronounced his +name Tafid and affectionately Taffy, and this came to be the usual +name for a person born in Wales. In our nurseries we all learned that +"Taffy was a Welshman," but it was their enemies who made a bad rhyme +about Taffy. + +Wherever there were cows or goats, people could get milk. So they +always had what was necessary for a good meal, whether it were +breakfast, dinner or supper. Milk, cream, curds, whey and cheese +enriched the family table. Were not these enough? + +But Saint David taught the people how to make a still more delicious +food out of cheese, and that this could be done without taking the +life of any creature. + +Saint David showed the girls how to take cheese, slice and toast it +over the coals, or melt it in a skillet and pour it hot over toast or +biscuit. This gave the cheese a new and sweeter flavor. When spread on +bread, either plain, or browned over the fire, the result, in +combination, was a delicacy fit for a king, and equal to anything +known. + +The fame of this new addition to the British bill of fare spread near +and far. The English people, who had always been fond of rabbit pie, +and still eat thousands of Molly Cotton Tails every day, named it +"Welsh Rabbit," and thought it one of the best things to eat. In fact, +there are many people, who do not easily see a joke, who misunderstand +the fun, or who suppose the name to be either slang, or vulgar, or a +mistake, and who call it "rarebit." It is like "Cape Cod turkey" +(codfish), or "Bombay ducks" (dried fish), or "Irish plums" (potatoes) +and such funny cookery with fancy names. + +Now up to this time, the rabbits and hares had been so hunted with the +aid of dogs, that there was hardly a chance of any of them surviving +the cruel slaughter. + +In the year 604, the Prince of Powys was out hunting. The dogs started +a hare, and pursued it into a dense thicket. When the hunter with the +horn came up, a strange sight met his eyes. There he saw a lovely +maiden. She was kneeling on the ground and devoutly praying. Though +surprised at this, the prince was anxious to secure his game. He +hissed on the hounds and ordered the horn to be blown, for the dogs to +charge on their prey, expecting them to bring him the game at once. +Instead of this, though they were trained dogs and would fight even a +wolf, they slunk away howling, and frightened, as if in pain, while +the horn stuck fast to the lips of the blower and he was silent. +Meanwhile, the hare nestled under the maiden's dress and seemed not in +the least disturbed. + +Amazed at this, the prince turned to the fair lady and asked: + +"Who are you?" + +She answered, "My mother named me Monacella. I have fled from Ireland, +where my father wished to marry me to one of his chief men, whom I did +not love. Under God's guidance, I came to this secret desert place, +where I have lived for fifteen years, without seeing the face of man." + +To this, the prince in admiration replied: "O most worthy Melangell +[which is the way the Welsh pronounce Monacella], because, on account +of thy merits, it has pleased God to shelter and save this little, +wild hare, I, on my part, herewith present thee with this land, to be +for the service of God and an asylum for all men and women, who seek +thy protection. So long as they do not pollute this sanctuary, let +none, not even prince or chieftain, drag them forth." + +The beautiful saint passed the rest of her life in this place. At +night, she slept on the bare rock. Many were the wonders wrought for +those who with pure hearts sought her refuge. The little wild hares +were under her special protection, and they are still called +"Melangell's Lambs." + + + + +II + + +THE MIGHTY MONSTER AFANG + + +After the Cymric folk, that is, the people we call Welsh, had come up +from Cornwall into their new land, they began to cut down the trees, +to build towns, and to have fields and gardens. Soon they made the +landscape smile with pleasant homes, rich farms and playing children. + +They trained vines and made flowers grow. The young folks made pets of +the wild animals' cubs, which their fathers and big brothers brought +home from hunting. Old men took rushes and reeds and wove them into +cages for song birds to live in. + +While they were draining the swamps and bogs, they drove out the +monsters, that had made their lair in these wet places. These terrible +creatures liked to poison people with their bad breath, and even ate +up very little boys and girls, when they strayed away from home. + +So all the face of the open country between the forests became very +pretty to look at. The whole of Cymric land, which then extended from +the northern Grampian Hills to Cornwall, and from the Irish Sea, past +their big fort, afterward called London, even to the edge of the +German Ocean, became a delightful place to live in. + +The lowlands and the rivers, in which the tide rose and fell daily, +were especially attractive. This was chiefly because of the many +bright flowers growing there; while the yellow gorse and the pink +heather made the hills look as lovely as a young girl's face. Besides +this, the Cymric maidens were the prettiest ever, and the lads were +all brave and healthy; while both of these knew how to sing often and +well. + +Now there was a great monster named the Afang, that lived in a big +bog, hidden among the high hills and inside of a dark, rough forest. + +This ugly creature had an iron-clad back and a long tail that could +wrap itself around a mountain. It had four front legs, with big knees +that were bent up like a grasshopper's, but were covered with scales +like armor. These were as hard as steel, and bulged out at the thighs. +Along its back, was a ridge of horns, like spines, and higher than an +alligator's. Against such a tough hide, when the hunters shot their +darts and hurled their javelins, these weapons fell down to the +ground, like harmless pins. + +On this monster's head, were big ears, half way between those of a +jackass and an elephant. Its eyes were as green as leeks, and were +round, but scalloped on the edges, like squashes, while they were as +big as pumpkins. + +The Afang's face was much like a monkey's, or a gorilla's, with long +straggling gray hairs around its cheeks like those of a walrus. It +always looked as if a napkin, as big as a bath towel, would be +necessary to keep its mouth clean. Yet even then, it slobbered a good +deal, so that no nice fairy liked to be near the monster. + +When the Afang growled, the bushes shook and the oak leaves trembled +on the branches, as if a strong wind was blowing. + +But after its dinner, when it had swallowed down a man, or two calves, +or four sheep, or a fat heifer, or three goats, its body swelled up +like a balloon. Then it usually rolled over, lay along the ground, or +in the soft mud, and felt very stupid and sleepy, for a long while. + +All around its lair, lay wagon loads of bones of the creatures, girls, +women, men, boys, cows, and occasionally a donkey, which it had +devoured. + +But when the Afang was ravenously hungry and could not get these +animals and when fat girls and careless boys were scarce, it would +live on birds, beasts and fishes. Although it was very fond of cows +and sheep, yet the wool and hair of these animals stuck in its big +teeth, it often felt very miserable and its usually bad temper grew +worse. + +Then, like a beaver, it would cut down a tree, sharpen it to a point +and pick its teeth until its mouth was clean. Yet it seemed all the +more hungry and eager for fresh human victims to eat, especially juicy +maidens; just as children like cake more than bread. + +The Cymric men were not surprised at this, for they knew that girls +were very sweet and they almost worshiped women. So they learned to +guard their daughters and wives. They saw that to do such things as +eating up people was in the nature of the beast, which could never be +taught good manners. + +But what made them mad beyond measure was the trick which the monster +often played upon them by breaking the river banks, and the dykes +which with great toil they had built to protect their crops. Then the +waters overflowed all their farms, ruined their gardens and spoiled +their cow houses and stables. + +This sort of mischief the Afang liked to play, especially about the +time when the oat and barley crops were ripe and ready to be gathered +to make cakes and flummery; that is sour oat-jelly, or pap. So it +often happened that the children had to do without their cookies and +porridge during the winter. Sometimes the floods rose so high as to +wash away the houses and float the cradles. Even those with little +babies in them were often seen on the raging waters, and sent dancing +on the waves down the river, to the sea. + +Once in a while, a mother cat and all her kittens were seen mewing for +help, or a lady dog howling piteously. Often it happened that both +puppies and kittens were drowned. + +So, whether for men or mothers, pussies or puppies, the Cymric men +thought the time had come to stop this monster's mischief. It was bad +enough that people should be eaten up, but to have all their crops +ruined and animals drowned, so that they had to go hungry all winter, +with only a little fried fish, and no turnips, was too much for human +patience. There were too many weeping mothers and sorrowful fathers, +and squalling brats and animals whining for something to eat. + +Besides, if all the oats were washed away, how could their wives make +flummery, without which, no Cymric man is ever happy? And where would +they get seed for another year's sowing? And if there were no cows, +how could the babies or kitties live, or any grown-up persons get +buttermilk? + +Someone may ask, why did not some brave man shoot the Afang, with a +poisoned arrow, or drive a spear into him under the arms, where the +flesh was tender, or cut off his head with a sharp sword? + +The trouble was just here. There were plenty of brave fellows, ready +to fight the monster, but nothing made of iron could pierce that hide +of his. This was like armor, or one of the steel battleships of our +day, and the Afang always spit out fire or poison breath down the +road, up which a man was coming, long before the brave fellow could +get near him. Nothing would do, but to go up into his lair, and drag +him out. + +But what man or company of men was strong enough to do this, when a +dozen giants in a gang, with ropes as thick as a ship's hawser, could +hardly tackle the job? + +Nevertheless, in what neither man nor giant could do, a pretty maiden +might succeed. True, she must be brave also, for how could she know, +but if hungry, the Afang might eat her up? + +However, one valiant damsel, of great beauty, who had lots of +perfumery and plenty of pretty clothes, volunteered to bind the +monster in his lair. She said, "I'm not afraid." Her sweetheart was +named Gadern, and he was a young and strong hunter. He talked over the +matter with her and they two resolved to act together. + +Gadern went all over the country, summoning the farmers to bring their +ox teams and log chains. Then he set the blacksmiths to work, forging +new and especially heavy ones, made of the best native iron, from the +mines, for which Wales is still famous. + +Meanwhile, the lovely maiden arrayed herself in her prettiest clothes, +dressed her hair in the most enticing way, hanging a white blossom on +each side, over her ears, with one flower also at her neck. + +When she had perfumed her garments, she sallied forth and up the lake +where the big bog and the waters were and where the monster hid +himself. + +While the maiden was still quite a distance away, the terrible Afang, +scenting his visitor from afar, came rushing out of his lair. When +very near, he reared his head high in the air, expecting to pounce on +her, with his iron clad claws and at one swallow make a breakfast of +the girl. + +But the odors of her perfumes were so sweet, that he forgot what he +had thought to do. Moreover, when he looked at her, he was so taken +with unusual beauty, that he flopped at once on his forefeet. Then he +behaved just like a lovelorn beau, when his best girl comes near. He +ties his necktie and pulls down his coat and brushes off the collar. + +So the Afang began to spruce up. It was real fun to see how a monster +behaves when smitten with love for a pretty girl. He had no idea how +funny he was. + +The girl was not at all afraid, but smoothed the monster's back, +stroked and played with its big moustaches and tickled its neck until +the Afang's throat actually gurgled with a laugh. Pretty soon he +guffawed, for he was so delighted. + +When he did this, the people down in the valley thought it was +thunder, though the sky was clear and blue. + +The maiden tickled his chin, and even put up his whiskers in curl +papers. Then she stroked his neck, so that his eyes closed. Soon she +had gently lulled him to slumber, by singing a cradle song, which her +mother had taught her. This she did so softly, and sweetly, that in a +few minutes, with its head in her lap, the monster was sound asleep +and even began to snore. + +Then, quietly, from their hiding places in the bushes, Gadern and his +men crawled out. When near the dreaded Afang, they stood up and +sneaked forward, very softly on tip toe. They had wrapped the links of +the chain in grass and leaves, so that no clanking was heard. They +also held the oxen's yokes, so that nobody or anything could rattle, +or make any noise. Slowly but surely they passed the chain over its +body, in the middle, besides binding the brute securely between its +fore and hind legs. + +All this time, the monster slept on, for the girl kept on crooning her +melody. + +When the forty yoke of oxen were all harnessed together, the drovers +cracked all their whips at once, so that it sounded like a clap of +thunder and the whole team began to pull together. + +Then the Afang woke up with a start. + +The sudden jerk roused the monster to wrath, and its bellowing was +terrible. It rolled round and round, and dug its four sets of toes, +each with three claws, every one as big as a plowshare, into the +ground. It tried hard to crawl into its lair, or slip into the lake. + +Finding that neither was possible, the Afang looked about, for some +big tree to wrap its tail around. But all his writhings or plungings +were of no use. The drovers plied their whips and the oxen kept on +with one long pull together and forward. They strained so hard, that +one of them dropped its eye out. This formed a pool, and to this day +they call it The Pool of the Ox's Eye. It never dries up or overflows, +though the water in it rises and falls, as regularly as the tides. + +For miles over the mountains the sturdy oxen hauled the monster. The +pass over which they toiled and strained so hard is still named the +Pass of the Oxen's Slope. When going down hill, the work of dragging +the Afang was easier. + +In a great hole in the ground, big enough to be a pond, they dumped +the carcass of the Afang, and soon a little lake was formed. This +uncanny bit of water is called "The Lake of the Green Well." It is +considered dangerous for man or beast to go too near it. Birds do not +like to fly over the surface, and when sheep tumble in, they sink to +the bottom at once. + +If the bones of the Afang still lie at the bottom, they must have sunk +down very deep, for the monster had no more power to get out, or to +break the river banks. The farmers no longer cared anything about the +creature, and they hardly every think of the old story, except when a +sheep is lost. + +As for Gadern and his brave and lovely sweetheart, they were married +and lived long and happily. Their descendants, in the thirty-seventh +generation, are proud of the grand exploit of their ancestors, while +all the farmers honor his memory and bless the name of the lovely girl +that put the monster asleep. + + + + +III + + +THE TWO CAT WITCHES + + +In old days, it was believed that the seventh son, in a family of +sons, was a conjurer by nature. That is, he could work wonders like +the fairies and excel the doctors in curing diseases. + +If he were the seventh son of a seventh son, he was himself a wonder +of wonders. The story ran that he could even cure the "shingles," +which is a very troublesome disease. It is called also by a Latin +name, which means a snake, because, as it gets worse, it coils itself +around the body. + +Now the eagle can attack the serpent and conquer and kill this +poisonous creature. To secure such power, Hugh, the conjurer, ate the +flesh of eagles. When he wished to cure the serpent-disease, he +uttered words in the form of a charm which acted as a talisman and +cure. After wetting the red rash, which had broken out over the sick +person's body, he muttered: + +"He-eagle, she-eagle, I send you over nine seas, and over nine +mountains, and over nine acres of moor and fen, where no dog shall +bark, no cow low, and no eagle shall higher rise." + +After that, the patient was sure that he felt better. + +There was always great rivalry between these conjurers and those who +made money from the Pilgrims at Holy Wells and visitors to the relic +shrines, but this fellow, named Hugh, and the monks, kept on mutually +good terms. They often ate dinner together, for Hugh was a great +traveler over the whole country and always had news to tell to the +holy brothers who lived in cells. + +One night, as he was eating supper at an inn, four men came in and sat +down at the table with him. By his magical power, Hugh knew that they +were robbers and meant to kill him that night, in order to get his +money. + +So, to divert their attention, Hugh made something like a horn to grow +up out of the table, and then laid a spell on the robbers, so that +they were kept gazing at the curious thing all night long, while he +went to bed and slept soundly. + +When he rose in the morning, he paid his bill and went away, while the +robbers were still gazing at the horn. Only when the officers arrived +to take them to prison did they come to themselves. + +Now at Bettws-y-Coed-that pretty place which has a name that sounds so +funny to us Americans and suggests a girl named Betty the Co-ed at +college--there was a hotel, named the "Inn of Three Kegs." The shop +sign hung out in front. It was a bunch of grapes gilded and set below +three small barrels. + +This inn was kept by two respectable ladies, who were sisters. + +Yet in that very hotel, several travelers, while they were asleep, had +been robbed of their money. They could not blame anyone nor tell how +the mischief was done. With the key in the keyhole, they had kept +their doors locked during the night. They were sure that no one had +entered the room. There were no signs of men's boots, or of anyone's +footsteps in the garden, while nothing was visible on the lock or +door, to show that either had been tampered with. Everything was in +order as when they went to bed. + +Some people doubted their stories, but when they applied to Hugh the +conjurer, he believed them and volunteered to solve the mystery. His +motto was "Go anywhere and everywhere, but catch the thief." + +When Hugh applied one night for lodging at the inn, nothing could be +more agreeable than the welcome, and fine manners of his two +hostesses. + +At supper time, and during the evening, they all chatted together +merrily. Hugh, who was never at a loss for news or stories, told about +the various kinds of people and the many countries he had visited, in +imagination, just as if he had seen them all, though he had never set +foot outside of Wales. + +When he was ready to go to bed, he said to the ladies: + +"It is my custom to keep a light burning in my room, all night, but I +will not ask for candles, for I have enough to last me until sunrise." +So saying, he bade them good night. + +Entering his room and locking the door, he undressed, but laid his +clothes near at hand. He drew his trusty sword out of its sheath and +laid it upon the bed beside him, where he could quickly grasp it. Then +he pretended to be asleep and even snored. + +It was not long before, peeping between his eyelids, only half closed, +he saw two cats come stealthily down the chimney. + +When in the room, the animals frisked about, and then gamboled and +romped in the most lively way. Then they chased each other around the +bed, as if they were trying to find out whether Hugh was asleep. + +Meanwhile, the supposed sleeper kept perfectly motionless. Soon the +two cats came over to his clothes and one of them put her paw into the +pocket that contained his purse. + +At this, with one sweep of his sword, Hugh struck at the cat's paw. +The beast howled frightfully, and both animals ran for the chimney and +disappeared. After that, everything was quiet until breakfast time. + +At the table, only one of the sisters was present. Hugh politely +inquired after the other one. He was told that she was not well, for +which Hugh said he was very sorry. + +After the meal, Hugh declared he must say good-by to both the sisters, +whose company he had so enjoyed the night before. In spite of the +other lady's many excuses, he was admitted to the sick lady's room. + +After polite greetings and mutual compliments, Hugh offered his hand +to say "good-by." The sick lady smiled at once and put out her hand, +but it was her left one. + +"Oh, no," said Hugh, with a laugh. "I never in all my life have taken +any one's left hand, and, beautiful as yours is, I won't break my +habit by beginning now and here." + +Reluctantly, and as if in pain, the sick lady put out her hand. It was +bandaged. + +The mystery was now cleared up. The two sisters were cats. + +By the help of bad fairies they had changed their forms and were the +real robbers. + +Hugh seized the hand of the other sister and made a little cut in it, +from which a few drops of blood flowed, but the spell was over. + +"Henceforth," said Hugh, "you are both harmless, and I trust you will +both be honest women." + +And they were. From that day they were like other women, and kept one +of the best of those inns--clean, tidy, comfortable and at modest +prices--for which Wales is, or was, noted. + +Neither as cats with paws, nor landladies, with soaring bills, did +they ever rob travelers again. + + + + +IV + + +HOW THE CYMRY LAND BECAME INHABITED + + +In all Britain to-day, no wolf roams wild and the deer are all tame. + +Yet in the early ages, when human beings had not yet come into the +land, the swamps and forests were full of very savage animals. There +were bears and wolves by the thousand besides lions and the woolly +rhinoceros, tigers, with terrible teeth like sabres. + +Beavers built their dams over the little rivers, and the great horned +oxen were very common. Then the mountains were higher, and the woods +denser. Many of the animals lived in caves, and there were billions of +bees and a great many butterflies. In the bogs were ferns of giant +size, amid which terrible monsters hid that were always ready for a +fight or a frolic. + +In so beautiful a land, it seemed a pity that there were no men and +women, no boys or girls, and no babies. + +Yet the noble race of the Cymry, whom we call the Welsh, were already +in Europe and lived in the summer land in the South. A great +benefactor was born among them, who grew up to be a wonderfully wise +man and taught his people the use of bows and arrows. He made laws, by +which the different tribes stopped their continual fighting and +quarrels, and united for the common good of all. He persuaded them to +take family names. He invented the plow, and showed them how to use +it, making furrows, in which to plant grain. + +When the people found that they could get things to eat right out of +the ground, from the seed they had planted, their children were wild +with joy. + +No people ever loved babies more than these Cymry folk and it was they +who invented the cradle. This saved the hard-working mothers many a +burden, for each woman had, besides rearing the children, to work for +and wait on her husband. + +He was the warrior and hunter, and she did most of the labor, in both +the house and the field. When there were many little brats to look +after, a cradle was a real help to her. In those days, "brat" was the +general name for little folks. There were good laws, about women +especially for their protection. Any rough or brutish fellow was fined +heavily, or publicly punished, for striking one of them. + +By and by, this great benefactor encouraged his people to the brave +adventure, and led them, in crossing the sea to Britain. Men had not +yet learned to build boats, with prow or stern, with keels and masts, +or with sails, rudders, or oars, or much less to put engines in their +bowels, or iron chimneys for smoke stacks, by which we see the mighty +ships driven across the ocean without regard to wind or tide. + +This great benefactor taught his people to make coracles, and on these +the whole tribe of thousands of Cymric folk crossed over into Britain, +landing in Cornwall. The old name of this shire meant the Horn of +Gallia, or Wallia, as the new land was later named. We think of +Cornwall as the big toe of the Mother Land. These first comers called +it a horn. + +It was a funny sight to see these coracles, which they named after +their own round bodies. The men went down to the riverside or the sea +shore, and with their stone hatchets, they chopped down trees. They +cut the reeds and osiers, peeled the willow branches, and wove great +baskets shaped like bowls. In this work, the women helped the men. + +The coracle was made strong by a wooden frame fixed inside round the +edge, and by two cross boards, which also served as seats. Then they +turned the wicker frame upside down and stretched the hides of animals +over the whole frame and bottom. With pitch, gum, or grease, they +covered up the cracks or seams. Then they shaped paddles out of wood. +When the coracle floated on the water, the whole family, daddy, mammy, +kiddies, and any old aunts or uncles, or granddaddies, got into it. +They waited for the wind to blow from the south over to the northern +land. + +At first the coracle spun round and round, but by and by each daddy +could, by rowing or paddling, make the thing go straight ahead. So +finally all arrived in the land now called Great Britain. + +Though sugar was not then known, or for a thousand years later, the +first thing they noticed was the enormous number of bees. When they +searched, they found the rock caves and hollow trees full of honey, +which had accumulated for generations. Every once in a while the +bears, that so like sweet things, found out the hiding place of the +bees, and ate up the honey. The children were very happy in sucking +the honey comb and the mothers made candles out of the beeswax. The +new comers named the country Honey Island. + +The brave Cymry men had battles with the darker skinned people who +were already there. When any one, young or old, died, their friends +and relatives sat up all night guarding the body against wild beasts +or savage men. This grew to be a settled custom and such a meeting was +called a "wake." Everyone present did keep awake, and often in a very +lively way. + +As the Cymry multiplied, they built many _don_, or towns. All +over the land to-day are names ending in _don_ like London, or +Croydon, showing where these villages were. + +But while occupied in things for the body, their great ruler did not +neglect matters of the mind. He found that some of his people had good +voices and loved to sing. Others delighted in making poetry. So he +invented or improved the harp, and fixed the rules of verse and song. + +Thus ages before writing was known, the Cymry preserved their history +and handed down what the wise ones taught. + +Men might be born, live and die, come and go, like leaves on the +trees, which expand in the springtime and fall in the autumn; but +their songs, and poetry, and noble language never die. Even to-day, +the Cymry love the speech of their fathers almost as well as they love +their native land. + +Yet things were not always lovely in Honey Land, or as sweet as sugar. +As the tribes scattered far apart to settle in this or that valley, +some had fish, but no salt, and others had plenty of salt, but no +fish. Some had all the venison and bear meat they wanted, but no +barley or oats. The hill men needed what the men on the seashore could +supply. From their sheep and oxen they got wool and leather, and from +the wild beasts fur to keep warm in winter. So many of them grew +expert in trade. Soon there were among them some very rich men who +were the chiefs of the tribes. + +In time, hundreds of others learned how to traffic among the tribes +and swap, or barter their goods, for as yet there were no coins for +money, or bank bills. So they established markets or fairs, to which +the girls and boys liked to go and sell their eggs and chickens, for +when the wolves and foxes were killed off, sheep and geese multiplied. + +But what hindered the peace of the land, were the feuds, or quarrels, +because the men of one tribe thought they were braver, or better +looking, than those in the other tribe. The women were very apt to +boast that they wore their clothes--which were made of fox and weasel +skins--more gracefully than those in the tribe next to them. + +So there was much snarling and quarreling in Cymric Land. The people +were too much like naughty children, or when kiddies are not taught +good manners, to speak gently and to be kind one to the other. + +One of the worst quarrels broke out, because in one tribe there were +too many maidens and not enough young men for husbands. This was bad +for the men, for it spoiled them. They had too many women to wait on +them and they grew to be very selfish. + +In what might be the next tribe, the trouble was the other way. There +were too many boys, a surplus of men, and not nearly enough girls to +go round. When any young fellow, moping out his life alone and anxious +for a wife, went a-courting in the next tribe, or in their vale, or on +their hill top, he was usually driven off with stones. Then there was +a quarrel between the two tribes. + +Any young girl, who sneaked out at night to meet her young man of +another clan, was, when caught, instantly and severely spanked. Then, +with her best clothes taken off, she had to stand tied to a post in +the market place a whole day. Her hair was pulled down in disorder, +and all the dogs were allowed to bark at her. The girls made fun of +the poor thing, while they all rubbed one forefinger over the other, +pointed at her and cried, "Fie, for shame!" while the boys called her +hard names. + +If it were known that the young man who wanted a wife had visited a +girl in the other tribe, his spear and bow and arrows were taken away +from him till the moon was full. The other boys and the girls treated +him roughly and called him hard names, but he dare not defend himself +and had to suffer patiently. This was all because of the feud between +the two tribes. + +This went on until the maidens in the valley, who were very many, +while yet lovely and attractive, became very lonely and miserable; +while the young men, all splendid hunters and warriors, multiplied in +the hill country. They were wretched in mind, because not one could +get a wife, for all the maidens in their own tribe were already +engaged, or had been mated. + +One day news came to the young men on the hill top, that the valley +men were all off on a hunting expedition. At once, without waiting a +moment, the poor lonely bachelors plucked up courage. Then, armed with +ropes and straps, they marched in a body to the village in the valley +below. There, they seized each man a girl, not waiting for any maid to +comb her hair, or put on a new frock, or pack up her clothes, or carry +any thing out of her home, and made off with her, as fast as one pair +of legs could move with another pair on top. + +At first, this looked like rough treatment--for a lovely girl, thus to +be strapped to a brawny big fellow; but after a while, the girls +thought it was great fun to be married and each one to have a man to +caress, and fondle, and scold, and look for, and boss around; for each +wife, inside of her own hut was quite able to rule her husband. Every +one of these new wives was delighted to find a man who cared so much +for her as to come after her, and risk his life to get her, and each +one admired her new, brave husband. + +Yet the brides knew too well that their men folks, fathers and +brothers, uncles and cousins, would soon come back to attempt their +recapture. + +And this was just what happened. When a runner brought, to the valley +men now far away, the news of the rape of their daughters, the hunters +at once ceased chasing the deer and marched quickly back to get the +girls and make them come home. + +The hill men saw the band of hunters coming after their daughters. +They at once took their new wives into a natural rocky fortress, on +the top of a precipice, which overlooked the lake. + +This stronghold had only one entrance, a sort of gateway of rocks, in +front of which was a long steep, narrow path. Here the hill men stood, +to resist the attack and hold their prizes. + +It was a case of a very few defenders, assaulted by a multitude, and +the battle was long and bloody. The hill men scorned to surrender and +shot their arrows and hurled their javelins with desperate valor. They +battled all day from sunrise until the late afternoon, when shadows +began to lengthen. The stars, one by one came out and both parties, +after setting sentinels, lay down to rest. + +In the morning, again, charge after charge was made. Sword beat +against shield and helmet, and clouds of arrows were shot by the +archers, who were well posted in favorable situations, on the rocks. +Long before noon, the field below was dotted and the narrow pass was +choked with dead bodies. In the afternoon, after a short rest and +refreshed with food, the valley men, though finding that only four of +the hill fighters were alive, stood off at a distance and with their +long bows and a shower of arrows left not one to breathe. + +Now, thought the victors, we shall get our maidens back again. So, +taking their time to wash off the blood and dust, to bind up their +wounds, and to eat their supper, they thought it would be an easy job +to load up all the girls on their ox-carts and carry them home. + +But the valley brides, thus suddenly made widows, were too true to +their brave husbands. So, when they had seen the last of their lovers +quiet in death, they stripped off all their ornaments and fur robes, +until all stood together, each clad in her own innocence, as pure in +their purpose as if they were a company of Druid priestesses. + +Then, chanting their death song, they marched in procession to the +tall cliff, that rose sheer out of the water. One by one, each +uttering the name of her beloved, leaped into the waves. + +Men at a distance, knowing nothing of the fight, and sailors and +fishermen far off on the water, thought that a flock of white birds +were swooping down from their eyrie, into the sea to get their food +from the fishes. But when none rose up above the waters, they +understood, and later heard the whole story of the valor of the men +and the devotion of the women. + +The solemn silence of night soon brooded over the scene. + +The men of the valley stayed only long enough to bury their own dead. +Then they marched home and their houses were filled with mourning. Yet +they admired the noble sacrifice of their daughters and were proud of +them. Afterwards they raised stone monuments on the field of +slaughter. + +To-day, this water is called the Lake of the Maidens, and the great +stones seen near the beach are the memorials marking the place of the +slain in battle. + +During many centuries, the ancient custom of capturing the bride, with +resistance from her male relatives, was vigorously kept up. In the +course of time, however, this was turned into a mimic play, with much +fun and merriment. Yet, the girls appear to like it, and some even +complain if it is not rough enough to seem almost real. + + + + +V + + +THE BOY THAT WAS NAMED TROUBLE + + +In one of the many "Co-eds," or places with this name, in ancient and +forest-covered Wales, there was a man who had one of the most +beautiful mares in all the world. Yet great misfortunes befell both +this Co-ed mare and her owner. + +Every night, on the first of May, the mare gave birth to a pretty +little colt. Yet no one ever saw, or could ever tell what became of +any one, or all of the colts. Each and all, and one by one, they +disappeared. Nobody knew where they were, or went, or what had become +of them. + +At last, the owner, who had no children, and loved little horses, +determined not to lose another. He girded on his sword, and with his +trusty spear, stood guard all night in the stable to catch the mortal +robber, as he supposed he must be. + +When on this same night of May first, the mare foaled again, and the +colt stood up on its long legs, the man greatly admired the young +creature. It looked already, as if it could, with its own legs, run +away and escape from any wolf that should chase it, hoping to eat it +up. + +But at this moment, a great noise was heard outside the stable. The +next moment a long arm, with a claw at the end of it, was poked +through the window-hole, to seize the colt. + +Instantly the man drew his sword and with one blow, the claw part of +the arm was cut off, and it dropped inside, with the colt. + +Hearing a great cry and tumult outside, the owner of the mare rushed +forth into the darkness. But though he heard howls of pain, he could +see nothing, so he returned. + +There, at the door, he found a baby, with hair as yellow as gold, +smiling at him. Besides its swaddling clothes, it was wrapped up in +flame-colored satin. + +As it was still night, the man took the infant to his bed and laid it +alongside of his wife, who was asleep. + +Now this good woman loved children, though she had none of her own, +and so when she woke up in the morning, and saw what was beside her, +she was very happy. Then she resolved to pretend that it was her own. + +So she told her women, that she had borne the child, and they called +him Gwri of the Golden Hair. + +The boy baby grew up fast, and when only two years old, was as strong +as most children are at six. + +Soon he was able to ride the colt that had been born on the May night, +and the two were as playmates together. + +Now it chanced, the man had heard the tale of Queen Rhiannon, wife of +Powell, Prince of Dyfed. She had become the mother of a baby boy, but +it was stolen from her at night. + +The six serving women, whose duty it was to attend to the Queen, and +guard her child, were lazy and had neglected their duty. They were +asleep when the baby was stolen away. To excuse themselves and be +saved from punishment, they invented a lying story. They declared that +Rhiannon had devoured the child, her own baby. + +The wise men of the Court believed the story which the six wicked +women had told, and Rhiannon, the Queen, though innocent, was +condemned to do penance. She was to serve as a porter to carry +visitors and their baggage from out doors into the castle. + +Every day, for many months, through the hours of daylight, she stood +in public disgrace in front of the castle of Narberth, at the stone +block, on which riders on horses dismounted from the saddle. When +anyone got off at the gate, she had to carry him or her on her back +into the hall. + +As the boy grew up, his foster father scanned his features closely, +and it was not long before he made up his mind that Powell was his +father and Rhiannon was his mother. + +One day, with the boy riding on his colt, and with two knights keeping +him company, the owner of the Co-ed mare came near the castle of +Narberth. + +There they saw the beautiful Rhiannon sitting on the horse block at +the gate. + +When they were about to dismount from their horses, the lovely woman +spoke to them thus: + +"Chieftains, go no further thus. I will carry everyone of you on my +back, into the palace." + +Seeing their looks of astonishment, she explained: + +"This is my penance for the charge brought against me of slaying my +son and devouring him." + +One and all the four refused to be carried and went into the castle on +their own feet. There Powell, the prince, welcomed them and made a +feast in their honor. It being night, Rhiannon sat beside him. + +After dinner when the time for story telling had come, the chief guest +told the tale of his mare and the colt, and how he cut the clawed +hand, and then found the boy on the doorstep. + +Then to the joy and surprise of all, the owner of the Co-ed mare, +putting the golden-haired boy before Rhiannon, cried out: + +"Behold lady, here is thy son, and whoever they were who told the +story and lied about your devouring your own child, have done you a +grievous wrong." + +Everyone at the table looked at the boy, and all recognized the lad at +once as the child of Powell and Rhiannon. + +"Here ends my trouble (pryderi)," cried out Rhiannon. + +Thereupon one of the chiefs said: + +"Well hast thou named thy child 'Trouble,'" and henceforth Pryderi was +his name. + +Soon it was made known, by the vision and word of the bards and seers, +that all the mischief had been wrought by wicked fairies, and that the +six serving women had been under their spell, when they lied about the +Queen. Powell, the castle-lord, was so happy that he offered the man +of Co-ed rich gifts of horses, jewels and dogs. + +But this good man felt repaid in delivering a pure woman and loving +mother from undeserved shame and disgrace, by wisdom and honesty +according to common duty. + +As for Pryderi, he was educated as a king's son ought to be, in all +gentle arts and was trained in all manly exercises. + +After his father died, Pryderi became ruler of the realm. He married +Kieva the daughter of a powerful chieftain, who had a pedigree as long +as the bridle used to drive a ten-horse chariot. It reached back to +Prince Casnar of Britain. + +Pryderi had many adventures, which are told in the Mabinogian, which +is the great storehouse of Welsh hero, wonder, and fairy tales. + + + + +VI + + +THE GOLDEN HARP + + +Morgan is one of the oldest names in Cymric land. It means one who +lives near the sea. + +Every day, for centuries past, tens of thousands of Welsh folks have +looked out on the great blue plain of salt water. + +It is just as true, also, that there are all sorts of Morgans. One of +these named Taffy, was like nearly all Welshmen, in that he was very +fond of singing. + +The trouble in his case, however, was that no one but himself loved to +hear his voice, which was very disagreeable. Yet of the sounds which +he himself made with voice or instrument, he was an intense admirer. +Nobody could persuade him that his music was poor and his voice rough. +He always refused to improve. + +Now in Wales, the bard, or poet, who makes up his poetry or song as he +goes along, is a very important person, and it is not well to offend +one of these gentlemen. In French, they call such a person by a very +long name--the improvisator. + +These poets have sharp tongues and often say hard things about people +whom they do not like. If they used whetstones, or stropped their +tongues on leather, as men do their razors, to give them a keener +edge, their words could not cut more terribly. + +Now, on one occasion, Morgan had offended one of these bards. It was +while the poetic gentleman was passing by Taffy's house. He heard the +jolly fellow inside singing, first at the top and then at the bottom +of the scale. He would drop his voice down on the low notes and then +again rise to the highest until it ended in a screech. + +Someone on the street asked the poet how he liked the music which he +had heard inside. + +"Music?" replied the bard with a sneer. "Is that what Morgan is +trying? Why! I thought it was first the lowing of an aged cow, and +then the yelping of a blind dog, unable to find its way. Do you call +that music?" + +The truth was that when the soloist had so filled himself with strong +ale that his brain was fuddled, then it was hard to tell just what +kind of a noise he was making. It took a wise man to discover the +tune, if there was any. + +One evening, when Morgan thought his singing unusually fine, and felt +sorry that no one heard him, he heard a knock. + +[Illustration: THE MORE MORGAN PLAYED, THE MADDER THE DANCE] + +Instead of going to the door to inquire, or welcome the visitor, he +yelled out "Come in!" + +The door opened and there stood three tired looking strangers. They +appeared to be travelers. One of them said: + +"Kind sir, we are weary and worn, and would be glad of a morsel of +bread. If you can give us a little food, we shall not trouble you +further." + +"Is that all?" said Morgan. "See there the loaf and the cheese, with a +knife beside them. Take what you want, and fill your bags. No man +shall ever say that Taffy Morgan denied anyone food, when he had any +himself." + +Whereupon the three travelers sat down and began to eat. + +Meanwhile, without being invited to do so, their host began to sing +for them. + +Now the three travelers were fairies in disguise. They were journeying +over the country, from cottage to cottage, visiting the people. They +came to reward all who gave them a welcome and were kind to them, but +to vex and play tricks upon those who were stingy, bad tempered, or of +sour disposition. Turning to Taffy before taking leave, one of them +said: + +"You have been good to us and we are grateful. Now what can we do for +you? We have power to grant anything you may desire. Please tell us +what you would like most." + +At this, Taffy looked hard in the faces of the three strangers, to see +if one of them was the bard who had likened his voice in its ups and +downs to a cow and a blind dog. Not seeing any familiar face, he +plucked up his courage, and said: + +"If you are not making fun of me, I'll take from you a harp. And, if I +can have my wish in full, I want one that will play only lively tunes. +No sad music for me!" + +Here Morgan stopped. Again he searched their faces, to see if they +were laughing at him and then proceeded. + +"And something else, if I can have it; but it's really the same thing +I am asking for." + +"Speak on, we are ready to do what you wish," answered the leader. + +"I want a harp, which, no matter how badly I may play, will sound out +sweet and jolly music." + +"Say no more," said the leader, who waved his hand. There was a flood +of light, and, to Morgan's amazement, there stood on the floor a +golden harp. + +But where were the three travelers? They had disappeared in a flash. + +Hardly able to believe his own eyes, it now dawned upon him that his +visitors were fairies. + +He sat down, back of the harp, and made ready to sweep the strings. He +hardly knew whether or not he touched the instrument, but there rolled +out volumes of lively music, as if the harp itself were mad. The tune +was wild and such as would set the feet of young folks agoing, even in +church. + +As Taffy's fingers seemed every moment to become more skillful, the +livelier the music increased, until the very dishes rattled on the +cupboard, as if they wanted to join in. Even the chair looked as if +about to dance. + +Just then, Morgan's wife and some neighbors entered the house. +Immediately, the whole party, one and all, began dancing in the +jolliest way. For hours, they kept up the mad whirl. Yet all the +while, Taffy seemed happier and the women the merrier. + +No telegraph ever carried the news faster, all over the region, that +Morgan had a wonderful harp. + +All the grass in front of the house, was soon worn away by the crowds, +that came to hear and dance. As soon as Taffy touched the harp +strings, the feet of everyone, young and old, began shuffling, nor +could anyone stop, so long as Morgan played. Even very old, lame and +one-legged people joined in. Several old women, whom nobody had ever +prevailed upon to get out of their chairs, were cured of their +rheumatism. Such unusual exercise was severe for them, but it seemed +to be healthful. + +A shrewd monk, the business manager of the monastery near by, wanted +to buy Morgan's house, set up a sanatarium and advertise it as a holy +place. He hoped thus to draw pilgrims to it and get for it a great +reputation as a healing place for the lame and the halt, the palsied +and the rheumatic. Thus the monastery would be enriched and all the +monks get fat. + +But Taffy was a happy-go-lucky fellow, who cared little about money +and would not sell; for, with his harp, he enjoyed both fun and fame. + +One day, in the crowd that stood around his door waiting to begin to +hop and whirl, Morgan espied the bard who had compared his voice to a +cow and a cur. The bard had come to see whether the stories about the +harp were true or not. + +He found to his own discomfort what was the fact and the reality, +which were not very convenient for him. As soon as the harp music +began, his feet began to go up, and his legs to kick and whirl. The +more Morgan played, the madder the dance and the wilder the antics of +the crowd, and in these the bard had to join, for he could not help +himself. Soon they all began to spin round and round on the flagstones +fronting the door, as if crazy. They broke the paling of the garden +fence. They came into the house and knocked over the chairs and sofa, +even when they cracked their shins against the wood. They bumped their +heads against the walls and ceiling, and some even scrambled over the +roof and down again. The bard could no more stop his weary legs than +could the other lunatics. + +To Morgan his revenge was so sweet, that he kept on until the bard's +legs snapped, and he fell down on top of people that had tumbled from +shear weariness, because no more strength was left in them. + +Meanwhile, Morgan laughed until his jaws were tired and his stomach +muscles ached. + +But no sooner did he take his fingers off the strings, to rest them, +than he opened his eyes in wonder; for in a flash the harp had +disappeared. + +He had made a bad use of the fairies' gift, and they were displeased. +So both the monk and Morgan felt sorry. + +Yet the grass grew again when the quondam harper and singer ceased +desolating the air with his quavers. The air seemed sweeter to +breathe, because of the silence. + +However, the fairies kept on doing good to the people of good will, +and to-day some of the sweetest singers in Wales come from the poorest +homes. + + + + +VII + + +THE GREAT RED DRAGON OF WALES + + +Every old country that has won fame in history and built up a +civilization of its own, has a national flower. Besides this, some +living creature, bird, or beast, or, it may be, a fish is on its flag. +In places of honor, it stands as the emblem of the nation; that is, of +the people, apart from the land they live on. Besides flag and symbol, +it has a motto. That of Wales is: "Awake: It is light." + +Now because the glorious stories of Wales, Scotland and Ireland have +been nearly lost in that of mighty England, men have at times, almost +forgotten about the leek, the thistle, and the shamrock, which stand +for the other three divisions of the British Isles. + +Yet each of these peoples has a history as noble as that of which the +rose and the lion are the emblems. Each has also its patron saint and +civilizer. So we have Saint George, Saint David, Saint Andrew, and +Saint Patrick, all of them white-souled heroes. On the union flag, or +standard of the United Kingdom, we see their three crosses. + +The lion of England, the harp of Ireland, the thistle of Scotland, and +the Red Dragon of Wales represent the four peoples in the British +Isles, each with its own speech, traditions, and emblems; yet all in +unity and in loyalty, none excelling the Welsh, whose symbol is the +Red Dragon. In classic phrase, we talk of Albion, Scotia, Cymry, and +Hibernia. + +But why red? Almost all the other dragons in the world are white, or +yellow, green or purple, blue, or pink. Why a fiery red color like +that of Mars? + +Borne on the banners of the Welsh archers, who in old days won the +battles of Crecy and Agincourt, and now seen on the crests on the town +halls and city flags, in heraldry, and in art, the red dragon is as +rampant, as when King Arthur sat with His Knights at the Round Table. + +The Red Dragon has four three-toed claws, a long, barbed tongue, and +tail ending like an arrow head. With its wide wings unfolded, it +guards those ancient liberties, which neither Saxon, nor Norman, nor +German, nor kings on the throne, whether foolish or wise, have ever +been able to take away. No people on earth combine so handsomely loyal +freedom and the larger patriotism, or hold in purer loyalty to the +union of hearts and hands in the British Empire, which the sovereign +represents, as do the Welsh. + +The Welsh are the oldest of the British peoples. They preserve the +language of the Druids, bards, and chiefs, of primeval ages which go +back and far beyond any royal line in Europe, while most of their +fairy tales are pre-ancient and beyond the dating. + +Why the Cymric dragon is red, is thus told, from times beyond human +record. + +It was in those early days, after the Romans in the south had left the +island, and the Cymric king, Vortigern, was hard pressed by the Picts +and Scots of the north. To his aid, he invited over from beyond the +North Sea, or German Ocean, the tribes called the Long Knives, or +Saxons, to help him. + +But once on the big island, these friends became enemies and would not +go back. They wanted to possess all Britain. + +Vortigern thought this was treachery. Knowing that the Long Knives +would soon attack him, he called his twelve wise men together for +their advice. With one voice, they advised him to retreat westward +behind the mountains into Cymry. There he must build a strong fortress +and there defy his enemies. + +So the Saxons, who were Germans, thought they had driven the Cymry +beyond the western borders of the country which was later called +England, and into what they named the foreign or Welsh parts. +Centuries afterwards, this land received the name of Wales. + +People in Europe spoke of Galatians, Wallachians, Belgians, Walloons, +Alsatians, and others as "Welsh." They called the new fruit imported +from Asia walnuts, but the names "Wales" and "Welsh" were unheard of +until after the fifth century. + +The place chosen for the fortified city of the Cymry was among the +mountains. From all over his realm, the King sent for masons and +carpenters and collected the materials for building. Then, a solemn +invocation was made to the gods by the Druid priests. These grand +looking old men were robed in white, with long, snowy beards falling +over their breasts, and they had milk-white oxen drawing their +chariot. With a silver knife they cut the mistletoe from the +tree-branch, hailing it as a sign of favor from God. Then with harp, +music and song they dedicated the spot as a stronghold of the Cymric +nation. + +Then the King set the diggers to work. He promised a rich reward to +those men of the pick and shovel who should dig the fastest and throw +up the most dirt, so that the masons could, at the earliest moment, +begin their part of the work. + +But it all turned out differently from what the king expected. Some +dragon, or powerful being underground, must have been offended by this +invasion of his domain; for, the next morning, they saw that +everything in the form of stone, timber, iron or tools, had +disappeared during the night. It looked as if an earthquake had +swallowed them all up. + +Both king and seers, priests and bards, were greatly puzzled at this. +However, not being able to account for it, and the Saxons likely to +march on them at any time, the sovereign set the diggers at work and +again collected more wood and stone. + +This time, even the women helped, not only to cook the food, but to +drag the logs and stones. They were even ready to cut off their +beautiful long hair to make ropes, if necessary. + +But in the morning, all had again disappeared, as if swept by a +tempest. The ground was bare. + +Nevertheless, all hands began again, for all hearts were united. + +For the third time, the work proceeded. Yet when the sun rose next +morning, there was not even a trace of either material or labor. + +What was the matter? Had some dragon swallowed everything up? + +Vortigern again summoned his twelve wise men, to meet in council, and +to inquire concerning the cause of the marvel and to decide what was +to be done. + +After long deliberation, while all the workmen and people outside +waited for their verdict, the wise men agreed upon a remedy. + +Now in ancient times, it was a custom, all over the world, notably in +China and Japan and among our ancestors, that when a new castle or +bridge was to be built, they sacrificed a human being. This was done +either by walling up the victim while alive, or by mixing his or her +blood with the cement used in the walls. Often it was a virgin or a +little child thus chosen by lot and made to die, the one for the many. + +The idea was not only to ward off the anger of the spirits of the air, +or to appease the dragons under ground, but also to make the workmen +do their best work faithfully, so that the foundation should be sure +and the edifice withstand the storm, the wind, and the earthquake +shocks. + +So, nobody was surprised, or raised his eyebrows, or shook his head, +or pursed up his lips, when the king announced that what the wise men +declared, must be done and that quickly. Nevertheless, many a mother +hugged her darling more closely to her bosom, and fathers feared for +their sons or daughters, lest one of these, their own, should be +chosen as the victim to be slain. + +King Vortigern had the long horn blown for perfect silence, and then +he spoke: + +"A child must be found who was born without a father. He must be +brought here and be solemnly put to death. Then his blood will be +sprinkled on the ground and the citadel will be built securely." + +Within an hour, swift runners were seen bounding over the Cymric +hills. They were dispatched in search of a boy without a father, and a +large reward was promised to the young man who found what was wanted. +So into every part of the Cymric land, the searchers went. + +One messenger noticed some boys playing ball. Two of them were +quarreling. Coming near, he heard one say to the other: + +"Oh, you boy without a father, nothing good will ever happen to you." + +"This must be the one looked for," said the royal messenger to +himself. So he went up to the boy, who had been thus twitted and spoke +to him thus: + +"Don't mind what he says." Then he prophesied great things, if he +would go along with him. The boy was only too glad to go, and the next +day the lad was brought before King Vortigern. + +The workmen and their wives and children, numbering thousands, had +assembled for the solemn ceremony of dedicating the ground by shedding +the boy's blood. In strained attention the people held their breath. + +The boy asked the king: + +"Why have your servants brought me to this place?" + +Then the sovereign told him the reason, and the boy asked: + +"Who instructed you to do this?" + +"My wise men told me so to do, and even the sovereign of the land +obeys his wise councilors." + +"Order them to come to me, Your Majesty," pleaded the boy. + +When the wise men appeared, the boy, in respectful manner, inquired of +them thus: + +"How was the secret of my life revealed to you? Please speak freely +and declare who it was that discovered me to you." + +Turning to the king, the boy added: + +"Pardon my boldness, Your Majesty. I shall soon reveal the whole +matter to you, but I wish first to question your advisers. I want them +to tell you what is the real cause, and reveal, if they can, what is +hidden here underneath the ground." + +But the wise men were confounded. They could not tell and they fully +confessed their ignorance. + +The boy then said: + +"There is a pool of water down below. Please order your men to dig for +it." + +At once the spades were plied by strong hands, and in a few minutes +the workmen saw their faces reflected, as in a looking glass. There +was a pool of clear water there. + +Turning to the wise men, the boy asked before all: + +"Now tell me, what is in the pool?" + +As ignorant as before, and now thoroughly ashamed, the wise men were +silent. + +"Your Majesty, I can tell you, even if these men cannot. There are two +vases in the pool." + +Two brave men leaped down into the pool. They felt around and brought +up two vases, as the boy had said. + +Again, the lad put a question to the wise men: + +"What is in these vases?" + +Once more, those who professed to know the secrets of the world, even +to the demanding of the life of a human being, held their tongues. + +"There is a tent in them," said the boy. "Separate them, and you will +find it so." + +By the king's command, a soldier thrust in his hand and found a folded +tent. + +Again, while all wondered, the boy was in command of the situation. +Everything seemed so reasonable, that all were prompt and alert to +serve him. + +"What a splendid chief and general, he would make, to lead us against +our enemies, the 'Long Knives!'" whispered one soldier to another. + +"What is in the tent?" asked the boy of the wise men. + +Not one of the twelve knew what to say, and there was an almost +painful silence. + +"I will tell you, Your Majesty, and all here, what is in this tent. +There are two serpents, one white and one red. Unfold the tent." + +With such a leader, no soldier was afraid, nor did a single person in +the crowd draw back? Two stalwart fellows stepped forward to open the +tent. + +But now, a few of the men and many of the women shrank back while +those that had babies, or little folks, snatched up their children, +fearing lest the poisonous snakes might wriggle towards them. + +The two serpents were coiled up and asleep, but they soon showed signs +of waking, and their fiery, lidless eyes glared at the people. + +"Now, Your Majesty, and all here, be you the witnesses of what will +happen. Let the King and wise men look in the tent." + +At this moment, the serpents stretched themselves out at full length, +while all fell back, giving them a wide circle to struggle in. + +Then they reared their heads. With their glittering eyes flashing +fire, they began to struggle with each other. The white one rose up +first, threw the red one into the middle of the arena, and then +pursued him to the edge of the round space. + +Three times did the white serpent gain the victory over the red one. + +But while the white serpent seemed to be gloating over the other for a +final onset, the red one, gathering strength, erected its head and +struck at the other. + +The struggle went on for several minutes, but in the end the red +serpent overcame the white, driving it first out of the circle, then +from the tent, and into the pool, where it disappeared, while the +victorious red one moved into the tent again. + +When the tent flap was opened for all to see, nothing was visible +except a red dragon; for the victorious serpent had turned into this +great creature which combined in one new form the body and the powers +of bird, beast, reptile and fish. It had wings to fly, the strongest +animal strength, and could crawl, swim, and live in either water or +air, or on the earth. In its body was the sum total of all life. + +Then, in the presence of all the assembly, the youth turned to the +wise men to explain the meaning of what had happened. But not a word +did they speak. In fact, their faces were full of shame before the +great crowd. + +"Now, Your Majesty, let me reveal to you the meaning of this mystery." + +"Speak on," said the King, gratefully. + +"This pool is the emblem of the world, and the tent is that of your +kingdom. The two serpents are two dragons. The white serpent is the +dragon of the Saxons, who now occupy several of the provinces and +districts of Britain and from sea to sea. But when they invade our +soil our people will finally drive them back and hold fast forever +their beloved Cymric land. But you must choose another site, on which +to erect your castle." + +After this, whenever a castle was to be built no more human victims +were doomed to death. All the twelve men, who had wanted to keep up +the old cruel custom, were treated as deceivers of the people. By the +King's orders, they were all put to death and buried before all the +crowd. + +To-day, like so many who keep alive old and worn-out notions by means +of deception and falsehood, these men are remembered only by the +Twelve Mounds, which rise on the surface of the field hard by. + +As for the boy, he became a great magician, or, as we in our age would +call him, a man of science and wisdom, named Merlin. He lived long on +the mountain, but when he went away with a friend, he placed all his +treasures in a golden cauldron and hid them in a cave. He rolled a +great stone over its mouth. Then with sod and earth he covered it all +over so as to hide it from view. His purpose was to leave this his +wealth for a leader, who, in some future generation, would use it for +the benefit of his country, when most needed. + +This special person will be a youth with yellow hair and blue eyes. +When he comes to Denas, a bell will ring to invite him into the cave. +The moment his foot is over the place, the stone of entrance will open +of its own accord. Anyone else will be considered an intruder and it +will not be possible for him to carry away the treasure. + + + + +VIII + + +THE TOUCH OF CLAY + + +Long, long ago before the Cymry came into the beautiful land of Wales, +there were dark-skinned people living in caves. + +In these early times there were a great many fairies of all sorts, but +of very different kinds of behavior, good and bad. + +It was in this age of the world that fairies got an idea riveted into +their heads which nothing, not even hammers, chisels or crowbars can +pry up. Neither horse power, nor hydraulic force nor sixteen-inch +bombs, nor cannon balls, nor torpedoes can drive it out. + +It is a settled matter of opinion in fairy land that, compared with +fairies, human beings are very stupid. The fairies think that mortals +are dull witted and awfully slow, when compared to the smarter and +more nimble fairies, that are always up to date in doing things. + +Perhaps the following story will help explain why this is. + +These ancient folks who lived in caves, could not possibly know some +things that are like A B C to the fairies of to-day. For the Welsh +fairies, King Puck and Queen Mab, know all about what is in the +telegraphs, submarine cables and wireless telegraphy of to-day. Puck +would laugh if you should say that a telephone was any new thing to +him. Long ago, in Shakespeare's time, he boasted that he could "put a +girdle round the earth in forty minutes." Men have been trying ever +since to catch up with him, but they have not gone ahead of him yet. + +If, only three hundred years ago, this were the case, what must have +been Puck's fun, when he saw men in the early days, working so hard to +make even a clay cup or saucer. These people who slept and ate in cave +boarding-houses, knew nothing of metals, or how to make iron or brass +tools, wire, or machines, or how to touch a button and light up a +whole room, which even a baby can now do. + +There is one thing that we, who have traveled in many fairy lands, +have often noticed and told our friends, the little folks, and that is +this: + +All the fairies we ever knew are very slow to change either their +opinions, or their ways, or their fashions. Like many mortals, they +think a great deal of their own notions. They imagine that the only +way to do a thing is in that which they say is the right one. + +So it came to pass that even when the Cymric folk gave up wearing the +skins of animals, and put on pretty clothes woven on a loom, and ate +out of dishes, instead of clam shells, there were still some fairies +that kept to the notions and fashions of the cave days. To one of +these, came trouble because of this failing. + +Now there was once a pretty nymph, who lived in the Red Lake, to which +a young and handsome farmer used to come to catch fish. One misty day, +when the lad could see only a few feet before him, a wind cleared the +air and blew away the fog. Then he saw near him a little old man, +standing on a ladder. He was hard at work in putting a thatched roof +on a hut which he had built. + +A few minutes later, as the mist rose and the breezes blew, the farmer +could see no house, but only the ripplings of water on the lake's +surface. + +Although he went fishing often, he never again saw anything unusual, +during the whole summer. + +On one hot day in the early autumn, while he stopped to let his horse +drink, he looked and saw a very lovely face on the water. Wondering to +whom it might belong, there rose up before him the head and shoulders +of a most beautiful woman. She was so pretty that he had two tumbles. +He fell off his horse and he fell in love with her at one and the same +time. + +Rushing toward the lovely vision, he put out his arms at that spot +where he had seen her, but only to embrace empty air. Then he +remembered that love is blind. So he rubbed his eyes, to see if he +could discern anything. Yet though he peered down into the water, and +up over the hills, he could not see her anywhere. + +But he soon found out to his joy that his eyes were all right, for in +another place, the face, flower-crowned hair, and her reflection in +the water came again. Then his desire to possess the damsel was +doubled. But again, she disappeared, to rise again somewhere else. + +Five times he was thus tantalized and disappointed. She rose up, and +quickly disappeared. + +It seemed as though she meant only to tease him. So he rode home +sorrowing, and scarcely slept that night. + +Early morning, found the lovelorn youth again at the lake side, but +for hours he watched in vain. He had left his home too excited to have +eaten his usual breakfast, which greatly surprised his housekeeper. +Now he pulled out some sweet apples, which a neighbor had given him, +and began to munch them, while still keeping watch on the waters. + +No sooner had the aroma of the apples fallen on the air, than the +pretty lady of the lake bobbed up from beneath the surface, and this +time quite near him. She seemed to have lost all fear, for she asked +him to throw her one of the apples. + +"Please come, pretty maid, and get it yourself," cried the farmer. +Then he held up the red apple, turning it round and round before her, +to tempt her by showing its glossy surface and rich color. + +Apparently not afraid, she came up close to him and took the apple +from his left hand. At once, he slipped his strong right arm around +her waist, and hugged her tight. At this, she screamed loudly. + +Then there appeared in the middle of the lake the old man, he had seen +thatching the roof by the lake shore. This time, besides his long +snowy beard, he had on his head a crown of water lilies. + +"Mortal," said the venerable person. "That is my daughter you are +clasping. What do you wish to do with her?" + +At once, the farmer broke out in passionate appeal to the old man that +she might become his wife. He promised to love her always, treat her +well, and never be rough or cruel to her. + +The old father listened attentively. He was finally convinced that the +farmer would make a good husband for his lovely daughter. Yet he was +very sorry to lose her, and he solemnly laid one condition upon his +future son-in-law. + +He was never under any pretense, or in any way, to strike her with +clay, or with anything made or baked from clay. Any blow with that +from which men made pots and pans, and jars and dishes, or in fact, +with earth of any sort, would mean the instant loss of his wife. Even +if children were born in their home, the mother would leave them, and +return to fairy land under the lake, and be forever subject to the law +of the fairies, as before her marriage. + +The farmer was very much in love with his pretty prize, and as +promises are easily made, he took oath that no clay should ever touch +her. + +They were married and lived very happily together. Years passed and +the man was still a good husband and lover. He kept up the habit which +he had learned from a sailor friend. Every night, when far from home +and out on the sea, he and his mates used to drink this toast; +"Sweethearts and wives: may every sweetheart become a wife and every +wife remain a sweetheart, and every husband continue a lover." + +So he proved that though a husband he was still a lover, by always +doing what she asked him and more. When the children were born and +grew up, their father told them about their mother's likes and +dislikes, her tastes and her wishes, and warned them always to be +careful. So it was altogether a very happy family. + +One day, the wife and mother said to her husband, that she had a great +longing for apples. She would like to taste some like those which he +long ago gave her. At once, the good man dropped what he was doing and +hurried off to his neighbor, who had first presented him with a +trayful of these apples. + +The farmer not only got the fruit, but he also determined that he +would plant a tree and thus have apples for his wife, whenever she +wanted them. So he bought a fine young sapling, to set in his orchard, +for the children to play under and to keep his pantry full of the fine +red-cheeked fruit. At this his wife was delighted. + +So happy enough--in fact, too merry to think of anything else, they, +both husband and wife, proceeded to set the sapling in the ground. She +held the tree, while he dug down to make the hole deep enough to make +sure of its growing. + +But farmers are sometimes very superstitious. They even believe in +luck, though not in Puck. Some of them have faith in what the almanac, +and the patent medicine may say, and in planting potatoes according to +the moon, but they scout the idea of there being any fairies. + +With the farmer, this had become a fixed state of mind and now it +brought him to grief, as we shall see. For though he remembered what +his wife liked and disliked, and recalled what her father had told +him, he had forgotten that she was a fairy. + +With this farmer and other Welsh mortals, it had become a habit, when +planting a young tree, to throw the last shovelful of earth over the +left shoulder. This was for good luck. The farmer was afraid to break +such a good custom, as he thought it to be. + +So merrily he went to work, forgetting everything in his adherence to +habit. He became so absorbed in his job, that he did not look where +his spadeful went, and it struck his dear wife full in the breast. + +At that moment, she cried out bitterly, not in pain, but in sorrow. +Then she started to run towards the lake. At the shore, she called +out, "Good-by, dear, dear husband." Then, leaping into the water, she +was never seen again and all his tears and those of the children never +brought her back. + + + + +IX + + +THE TOUCH OF IRON + + +Ages ago, before the Cymry rowed in their coracles across the sea, +there was a race of men already in the Land of Honey, as Great Britain +was then called. + +These ancient people, who lived in caves, did not know how to build +houses or to plow the ground. They had no idea that they could get +their food out of the earth. As for making bread and pies, cookies and +goodies, from what grew from the soil, they never heard of such a +thing. They were not acquainted with the use of fire for melting +copper, nor did they know how to get iron out of the ore, to make +knives and spears, arrow heads and swords, and armor and helmets. + +All they could do was to mold clay, so as to make things to cook with +and hold milk, or water. When they baked this soft stuff in the fire, +they found they had pots, pans and dishes as hard as stone, though +these were easily broken. + +To hunt the deer, or fight the wolves and bears, they fashioned clubs +of wood. For javelins and arrows, they took hard stone like flint and +chipped it to points and sharpened it with edges. This was the time +which men now call the Stone Age. When the men went to war, their +weapons were wholly of wood or stone. + +They had not yet learned to weave the wool of the sheep into warm +clothing, but they wore the skins of animals. Each one of the caves, +in which they lived, was a general boarding house, for dogs and pigs, +as well as people. + +When a young man of one tribe wanted a wife, he sallied out secretly +into another neighborhood. There he lay in wait for a girl to come +along. He then ran away with her, and back to his own daddy's cave. + +By and by, when the Cymry came into the land, they had iron tools and +better weapons of war. Then there were many and long battles and the +aborigines were beaten many times. + +So the cave people hated everything made of iron. Anyone of the cave +people, girls or boys, who had picked up iron ornaments, and were +found wearing or using iron tools, or buying anything of iron from the +cave people's enemies, was looked upon as a rascal, or a villain, or +even as a traitor and was driven out of the tribe. + +However, some of the daughters of the cave men were so pretty and had +such rosy cheeks, and lovely bodies, and beautiful, long hair, that +quite often the Cymric youth fell in love with them. + +Many of the cave men's daughters were captured and became wives of the +Cymry and mothers of children. In course of ages, their descendants +helped to make the bright, witty, song-loving Welsh people. + +Now the fairies usually like things that are old, and they are very +slow to alter the ancient customs, to which they have been used; for, +in the fairy world, there is no measure of time, nor any clocks, +watches, or bells to strike the hours, and no almanacs or calendars. + +The fairies cannot understand why ladies change the fashions so often, +and the men their ways of doing things. They wonder why beards are +fashionable at one time; then, moustaches long or short, at another; +or smooth faces when razors are cheap. Most fairies like to keep on +doing the same thing in the old way. They enjoy being like the +mountains, which stand; or the sea, that rolls; or the sun, that rises +and sets every day and forever. They never get tired of repeating +to-morrow what they did yesterday. They are very different from the +people that are always wanting something else, and even cry if they +cannot have it. + +That is the reason why the fairies did not like iron, or to see men +wearing iron hats and clothes, called helmets and armor, when they +went to war. They no more wanted to be touched by iron than by filth, +or foul disease. They hated knives, stirrups, scythes, swords, pots, +pans, kettles, or this metal in any form, whether sheet, barbed wire, +lump or pig iron. + +Now there was a long, pretty stretch of water, near which lived a +handsome lad, who loved nothing better than to go out on moonlight +nights and see the fairies dance, or listen to their music. This youth +fell in love with one of these fairies, whose beauty was great beyond +description. At last, unable to control his passion, he rushed into +the midst of the fairy company, seized the beautiful one, and rushed +back to his home, with his prize in his arms. This was in true +cave-man fashion. When the other fairies hurried to rescue her, they +found the man's house shut. They dared not touch the door, for it was +covered over with iron studs and bands, and bolted with the metal +which they most abhorred. + +The young man immediately began to make love to the fairy maid, hoping +to win her to be his wife. For a long time she refused, and moped all +day and night. While weeping many salt water tears, she declared that +she was too homesick to live. + +Nevertheless the lover persevered. Finding herself locked in with iron +bars, while gratings, bolts and creaking hinges were all about her, +and unable to return to her people, the fairy first thought out a plan +of possible escape. Then she agreed to become the man's wife. She +resolved, at least, that, without touching it, she should oil all the +iron work, and stop the noise. + +She was a smart fairy, and was sure she could outwit the man, even if +he were so strong, and had every sort of iron everywhere in order to +keep her as it were in a prison. So, pretending she loved him dearly, +she said: "I will not be your wife, but, if you can find out my name, +I shall gladly become your servant." + +"Easily won," thought the lover to himself. Yet the game was a harder +one to play than he supposed. It was like playing Blind Man's Buff, or +Hunt the Slipper. Although he made guesses of every name he could +think of, he was never "hot" and got no nearer to the thing sought +than if his eyes were bandaged. All the time, he was deeper and deeper +in love with the lovely fairy maid. + +But one night, on returning home, he saw in a turf bog, a group of +fairies sitting on a log. At once, he thought, they might be talking +about their lost sister. So he crept up quite near them, and soon +found that he had guessed right. After a long discussion, finding +themselves still at a loss, as to how to recover her, he heard one of +them sigh and say, "Oh, Siwsi, my sister, how can you live with a +mortal?" + +"Enough," said the young man to himself. "I've got it." Then, crawling +away noiselessly, he ran back all the way to his house, and unlocked +the door. Once inside the room, he called out his servant's +name--"Siwsi! Siwsi!" + +Astonished at hearing her name, she cried out, "What mortal has +betrayed me? For, surely no fairy would tell on me? Alas, my fate, my +fate!" + +But in her own mind, the struggle and the fear were over. She had +bravely striven to keep her fairyhood, and in the battle of wits, had +lost. + +She would not be wife, but what a wise, superb and faithful servant +she made! + +Everything prospered under her hand. The house and the farm became +models. Not twice, but three times a day, the cows, milked by her, +yielded milk unusually rich in cream. In the market, her butter +excelled, in quality and price, all others. + +Meanwhile, the passion of the lover abated not one jot, or for an +instant. His perseverance finally won. She agreed to become his wife; +but only on one condition. + +"You must never strike me with iron," she said. "If you do, I'll feel +free to leave you, and go back to my relatives in the fairy family." + +A hearty laugh from the happy lover greeted this remark, made by the +lovely creature, once his servant, but now his betrothed. He thought +that the condition was very easy to obey. + +So they were married, and no couple in all the land seemed to be +happier. Once, twice, the cradle was filled. It rocked with new +treasures that had life, and were more dear than farm, or home, or +wealth in barns or cattle, cheese and butter. A boy and a girl were +theirs. Then the mother's care was unremitting, day and night. + +Even though the happy father grew richer every year, and bought farm +after farm, until he owned five thousand acres, he valued, more than +these possessions, his lovely wife and his beautiful children. + +Yet this very delight and affection made him less vigilant; yes, even +less careful concerning the promise he had once given to his fairy +wife, who still held to the ancient ideas of the Fairy Family in +regard to iron. + +One of his finest mares had given birth to a filly, which, when the +day of the great fair came, he determined to sell at a high price. + +So with a halter on his arm, he went out to catch her. + +But she was a lively creature, so frisky that it was much like his +first attempt to win his fairy bride. It almost looked as if she were +a cave girl running away from a lover, who had a lasso in his hand. +The lively and frolicsome beast scampered here and there, grazing as +she stopped, as if she were determined to put off her capture as long +as possible. + +So, calling to his wife, the two of them together, tried their skill +to catch the filly. This time, leaving the halter in the house, the +man took bit and bridle, and the two managed to get the pretty +creature into a corner; but, when they had almost captured her, away +she dashed again. + +By this time, the man was so vexed that he lost his temper; and he who +does that, usually loses the game, while he who controls the wrath +within, wins. Mad as a flaming fire, he lost his brains also and threw +bit and bridle and the whole harness after the fleet animal. + +Alas! alas! the wife had started to run after the filly and the iron +bit struck her on the cheek. It did not hurt, but he had broken his +vow. + +Now came the surprise of his life. It was as if, at one moment, a +flash of lightning had made all things bright; and then in another +second was inky darkness. He saw this lovely wife, one moment active +and fleet as a deer. In another, in the twinkling of an eye, nothing +was there. She had vanished. After this, there was a lonely home, +empty of its light and cheer. + +But by living with human beings, a new idea and form of life had +transformed this fairy, and a new spell was laid on her. Mother-love +had been awakened in her heart. Henceforth, though the law of the +fairy world would not allow her to touch again the realm of earth, +she, having once been wife and parent, could not forget the babies +born of her body. So, making a sod raft, a floating island, she came +up at night, and often, while these three mortals lived, this fairy +mother would spend hours tenderly talking to her husband and her two +children, who were now big boy and girl, as they stood on the lake +shore. + +On his part, the father did not think it "an ideal arrangement," as +some modern married folks do, to be thus separated, wife and husband, +one from the other; but by her coming as near as could be allowed, she +showed her undying love. Even to-day, good people sometimes see a +little island floating on the lake, and this, they point out as the +place where the fairy mother was wont to come and hold converse with +her dear ones. When they merrily eat the pink delicacy, called +"floating island," moving it about with a spoon on its yellow lake of +eggs and cream, they call this "the Fairy Mother's rocking chair." + + + + +X + + +THE MAIDEN OF THE GREEN FOREST + + +Many a palace lies under the waves that wash Cymric land, for the sea +has swallowed up more than one village, and even cities. + +When Welsh fairies yield to their mortal lovers and consent to become +their wives, it is always on some condition or promise. Sometimes +there are several of these, which the fairy ladies compel their mortal +lovers to pledge them, before they agree to become wives. In fact, the +fairies in Cymric land are among the most exacting of any known. + +A prince named Benlli, of the Powys region, found this out to his +grief, for he had always supposed that wives could be had simply for +the asking. All that a man need say, to the girl to whom he took a +fancy, was this: "Come along with me, and be my bride," and then she +would say, "Thank you, I'll come," and the two would trot off +together. This was the man's notion. + +Now Benlli was a wicked old fellow. He was already married, but +wrinkles had gathered on his wife's face. She had a faded, washed-out +look, and her hair was thinning out. She would never be young again, +and he was tired of her, and wanted a mate with fresh rosy cheeks, and +long, thick hair. He was quite ready to fall in love with such a +maiden, whenever his eyes should light upon her. + +One day, he went out hunting in the Green Forest. While waiting for a +wild boar to rush out, there rode past him a young woman whose beauty +was dazzling. He instantly fell in love with her. + +The next day, while on horseback, at the same opening in the forest, +the same maiden reappeared; but it was only for a moment, and then she +vanished. + +Again, on the third day, the prince rode out to the appointed place, +and again the vision of beauty was there. He rode up to her and begged +her to come and live with him at his palace. + +"I will come and be your wedded wife on three conditions: You must put +away the wife you now have; you must permit me to leave you, one night +in every seven, without following after or spying upon me; and you +must not ask me where I go or what I do. Swear to me that you will do +these three things. Then, if you keep your promises unbroken, my +beauty shall never change, no, not until the tall vegetable flag-reeds +wave and the long green rushes grow in your hall." + +The Prince of Powys was quite ready to swear this oath and he solemnly +promised to observe the three conditions. So the Maid of the Green +Forest went to live with him. + +"But what of his old wife?" one asks. + +Ah! he had no trouble from that quarter, for when the newly-wedded +couple arrived at the castle, she had already disappeared. + +Happy, indeed, were the long bright days, which the prince and his new +bride spent together, whether in the castle, or out doors, riding on +horseback, or in hunting the deer. Every day, her beauty seemed +diviner, and she more lovely. He lavished various gifts upon her, +among others that of a diadem of beryl and sapphire. Then he put on +her finger a diamond ring worth what was a very great sum--a king's +ransom. In the Middle Ages, monarchs as well as nobles were taken +prisoners in battle and large amounts of money had to be paid to get +them back again. So a king's ransom is what Benlli paid for his wife's +diamond ring. He loved her so dearly that he never suspected for a +moment that he would ever have any trouble in keeping his three +promises. + +But without variety, life has no spice, and monotony wearies the soul. +After nine years had passed, and his wife absented herself every +Friday night, he began to wonder why it could be. His curiosity, to +know the reason for her going away, so increased that it so wore on +him that he became both miserable in himself and irritable toward +others. Everybody in the castle noticed the change in their master, +and grieved over it. + +One night, he invited a learned monk from the white monastery, not far +away, to come and take dinner with him. The table in the great +banqueting hall was spread with the most delicious viands, the lights +were magnificent, and the music gay. + +But Wyland, the monk, was a man of magic and could see through things. +He noticed that some secret grief was preying upon the Prince's mind. +He discerned that, amidst all this splendor, he, Benlli, the lord of +the castle, was the most miserable person within its walls. So Wyland +went home, resolved to call again and find out what was the trouble. + +When they met, some days later, Wyland's greeting was this: + +"Christ save thee, Benlli! What secret sorrow clouds thy brow? Why so +gloomy?" + +Benlli at once burst out with the story of how he met the Maid of the +Green Forest, and how she became his wife on three conditions. + +"Think of it," said Benlli, groaning aloud. "When the owls cry and the +crickets chirp, my wife leaves my bed, and until the daystar appears, +I lie alone, torn with curiosity, to know where she is, and what she +is doing. I fall again into heavy sleep, and do not awake until +sunrise, when I find her by my side again. It is all such a mystery, +that the secret lies heavy on my soul. Despite all my wealth, and my +strong castle, with feasting and music by night and hunting by day, I +am the most miserable man in Cymric land. No beggar is more wretched +than I." + +Wyland, the monk, listened and his eyes glittered. There came into his +head the idea of enriching the monastery. He saw his chance, and +improved it at once. He could make money by solving the secret for a +troubled soul. + +"Prince Benlli," said he, "if you will bestow upon the monks of the +White Minster, one tenth of all the flocks that feed within your +domain, and one tenth of all that flows into the vaults of your +palace, and hand over the Maiden of the Green Forest to me, I shall +warrant that your soul will be at peace and your troubles end." + +To all this, Prince Benlli agreed, making solemn promise. Then the +monk Wyland took his book, leather bound, and kept shut by means of +metal clasps, and hid himself in the cranny of a rock near the Giant's +Cave, from which there was entrance down into Fairyland. + +He had not long to wait, for soon, with a crown on her head, a lady, +royally arrayed, passed by out of the silvery moonlight into the dark +cave. It was none other than the Maiden of the Green Forest. + +Now came a battle of magic and spells, as between the monk's own and +those of the Green Forest Maiden. He moved forward to the mouth of the +cave. Then summoning into his presence the spirits of the air and the +cave, he informed them as to Benlli's vow to enrich the monastery, and +to deliver the Green Forest Maiden to himself. Then, calling aloud, he +said: + +"Let her forever be, as she now appears, and never leave my side." + +"Bring her, before the break of day, to the cross near the town of the +White Minster, and there will I wed her, and swear to make her my +own." + +Then, by the power of his magic, he made it impossible for any person +or power to recall or hinder the operation of these words. Leaving the +cave's mouth, in order to be at the cross, before day should dawn, the +first thing he met was a hideous ogress, grinning and rolling her +bleared red eyes at him. On her head seemed what was more like moss, +than hair. She stretched out a long bony finger at him. On it, flashed +the splendid diamond, which Benlli had given his bride, the beautiful +Maid of the Green Forest. + +"Take me to thy bosom, monk Wyland," she shrieked, laughing hideously +and showing what looked like green snags in her mouth. "For I am the +wife you are sworn to wed. Thirty years ago, I was Benlli's blooming +bride. When my beauty left me, his love flew out of the window. Now I +am a foul ogress, but magic makes me young again every seventh night. +I promised that my beauty should last until the tall flag reeds and +the long green rushes grow in his hall." + +Amazed at her story, Wyland drew in his breath. + +"And this promise, I have kept. It is already fulfilled. Your spell +and mine are both completed. Yours brought to him the peace of the +dead. Mine made the river floods rush in. Now, waters lap to and fro +among the reeds and rushes that grow in the banqueting hall, which is +now sunk deep below the earth. With the clash of our spells, no charm +can redress our fate. + +"Come then and take me as thy bride, for oath and spell have both +decreed it as thy reward. As Benlli's promise to you is fulfilled, for +the waters flow in the palace vaults, the pike and the dare (fish) +feed there." + +So, caught in his own dark, sordid plot, the monk, who played +conjurer, had become the victim of his own craft. + +They say that Wyland's Cross still recalls the monk, while fishermen +on the Welsh border, can, on nights with smooth water, see towers and +chimneys far below, sunk deep beneath the waves. + + + + +XI + + +THE TREASURE STONE OF THE FAIRIES + + +The Gruffyds were one of the largest of the Welsh tribes. To-day, it +is said that in Britain one man in every forty has this, as either his +first, middle, or last name. It means "hero" or "brave man," and as +far back as the ninth century, the word is found in the Book of Saint +Chad. + +The monks, who derived nearly every name from the Latin, insisted the +word meant Great Faith. + +Another of the most common of Welsh personal names was William; which, +when that of a father's son, was written Williams and was only the +Latin for Gild Helm, or Golden Helmet. + +Long ago, when London was a village and Cardiff only a hamlet, there +was a boy of this name, who tended sheep on the hill sides. His father +was a hard working farmer, who every year tried to coax to grow out of +the stony ground some oats, barley, leeks and cabbage. In summer, he +worked hard, from the first croak of the raven to the last hoot of the +owl, to provide food for his wife and baby daughter. When his boy was +born, he took him to the church to be christened Gruffyd, but every +body called him "Gruff." In time several little sisters came to keep +the boy company. + +His mother always kept her cottage, which was painted pink, very neat +and pretty, with vines covering the outside, while flowers bloomed +indoors. These were set in pots and on shelves near the latticed +windows. They seemed to grow finely, because so good a woman loved +them. The copper door-sill was kept bright, and the broad borders on +the clay floor, along the walls, were always fresh with whitewash. The +pewter dishes on the sideboard shone as if they were moons, and the +china cats on the mantle piece, in silvery luster, reflected both sun +and candle light. Daddy often declared he could use these polished +metal plates for a mirror, when he shaved his face. Puss, the pet, was +always happy purring away on the hearth, as the kettle boiled to make +the flummery, of sour oat jelly, which, daddy loved so well. + +Mother Gruffyd was always so neat, with her black and white striped +apron, her high peaked hat, with its scalloped lace and quilled +fastening around her chin, her little short shawl, with its pointed, +long tips, tied in a bow, and her bright red plaid petticoat folded +back from her frock. Her snowy-white, rolling collar and neck cloth +knotted at the top, and fringed at the ends, added fine touches to her +picturesque costume. + +In fact, young Gruffyd was proud of his mother and he loved her +dearly. He thought no woman could be quite as sweet as she was. + +Once, at the end of the day, on coming back home, from the hills, the +boy met some lovely children. They were dressed in very fine clothes, +and had elegant manners. They came up, smiled, and invited him to play +with them. He joined in their sports, and was too much interested to +take note of time. He kept on playing with them until it was pitch +dark. + +Among other games, which he enjoyed, had been that of "The King in his +counting house, counting out his money," and "The Queen in her +kitchen, eating bread and honey," and "The Girl hanging out the +clothes," and "The Saucy Blackbird that snipped off her nose." In +playing these, the children had aprons full of what seemed to be real +coins, the size of crowns, or five-shilling pieces, each worth a +dollar. These had "head and tail," beside letters on them and the boy +supposed they were real. + +But when he showed these to his mother, she saw at once from their +lightness, and because they were so easily bent, that they were only +paper, and not silver. + +She asked her boy where he had got them. He told her what a nice time +he had enjoyed. Then she knew that these, his playmates, were fairy +children. Fearing that some evil might come of this, she charged him, +her only son, never to go out again alone, on the mountain. She +mistrusted that no good would come of making such strange children his +companions. + +But the lad was so fond of play, that one day, tired of seeing nothing +but byre and garden, while his sisters liked to play girls' games more +than those which boys cared most for, and the hills seeming to beckon +him to come to them, he disobeyed, and slipped out and off to the +mountains. He was soon missed and search was made for him. + +Yet nobody had seen or heard of him. Though inquiries were made on +every road, in every village, and at all the fairs and markets in the +neighborhood, two whole years passed by, without a trace of the boy. + +But early one morning of the twenty-fifth month, before breakfast, his +mother, on opening the door, found him sitting on the steps, with a +bundle under his arm, but dressed in the same clothes, and not looking +a day older or in any way different, from the very hour he +disappeared. + +"Why my dear boy, where have you been, all these months, which have +now run into the third year--so long a time that they have seemed to +me like ages?" + +"Why, mother dear, how strange you talk. I left here yesterday, to go +out and to play with the children, on the hills, and we have had a +lovely time. See what pretty clothes they have given me for a +present." Then he opened his bundle. + +But when she tore open the package, the mother was all the more sure +that she was right, and that her fears had been justified. In it she +found only a dress of white paper. Examining it carefully, she could +see neither seam nor stitches. She threw it in the fire, and again +warned her son against fairy children. + +But pretty soon, after a great calamity had come upon them, both +father and mother changed their minds about fairies. + +They had put all their savings into the venture of a ship, which had +for a long time made trading voyages from Cardiff. Every year, it came +back bringing great profit to the owners and shareholders. In this +way, daddy was able to eke out his income, and keep himself, his wife +and daughters comfortably clothed, while all the time the table was +well supplied with good food. Nor did they ever turn from their door +anyone who asked for bread and cheese. + +But in the same month of the boy's return, bad news came that the good +ship had gone down in a storm. All on board had perished, and the +cargo was totally lost, in the deep sea, far from land. In fact, no +word except that of dire disaster had come to hand. + +Now it was a tradition, as old as the days of King Arthur, that on a +certain hill a great boulder could be seen, which was quite different +from any other kind of rock to be found within miles. It was partly +imbedded in the earth, and beneath it, lay a great, yes, an untold +treasure. The grass grew luxuriantly around this stone, and the sheep +loved to rest at noon in its shadow. Many men had tried to lift, or +pry it up, but in vain. The tradition, unaltered and unbroken for +centuries, was to the effect, that none but a very good man could ever +budge this stone. Any and all unworthy men might dig, or pull, or pry, +until doomsday, but in vain. Till the right one came, the treasure was +as safe as if in heaven. + +But the boy's father and mother were now very poor and his sisters now +grown up wanted pretty clothes so badly, that the lad hoped that he or +his father might be the deserving one. He would help him to win the +treasure for he felt sure that his parent would share his gains with +all his friends. + +Though his neighbors were not told of the generous intentions credited +to the boy's father, by his loving son, they all came with horses, +ropes, crowbars, and tackle, to help in the enterprise. Yet after many +a long days' toil, between the sun's rising and setting, their end was +failure. Every day, when darkness came on, the stone lay there still, +as hard and fast as ever. So they gave up the task. + +On the final night, the lad saw that father and mother, who were great +lovers, were holding each other's hands, while their tears flowed +together, and they were praying for patience. + +Seeing this, before he fell asleep, the boy resolved that on the +morrow, he would go up to the mountains, and talk to his fairy friends +about the matter. + +So early in the morning, he hurried to the hill tops, and going into +one of the caves, met the fairies and told them his troubles. Then he +asked them to give him again some of their money. + +"Not this time, but something better. Under the great rock there are +treasures waiting for you." + +"Oh, don't send me there! For all the men and horses of our parish, +after working a week, have been unable to budge the stone." + +"We know that," answered the principal fairy, "but do you yourself try +to move it. Then you will see what is certain to happen." + +Going home, to tell what he had heard, his parents had a hearty laugh +at the idea of a boy succeeding where men, with the united strength of +many horses and oxen, had failed. + +Yet, after brooding awhile, they were so dejected, that anything +seemed reasonable. So they said, "Go ahead and try it." + +Returning to the mountain, the fairies, in a band, went with him to +the great rock. + +One touch of his hand, and the mighty boulder trembled, like an aspen +leaf in the breeze. + +A shove, and the rock rolled down from the hill and crashed in the +valley below. + +There, underneath, were little heaps of gold and silver, which the boy +carried home to his parents, who became the richest people in the +country round about. + + + + +XII + + +GIANT TOM AND GIANT BLUBB + + +Everyone who has read anything of Welsh history--though not of the +sort that is written by English folks--knows also that Cornwall is, in +soul, a part of Wales. Before the Romans, first, and the Saxons, next, +invaded Britain, the Cymric people lived all over the island, south of +Scotland. + +They were the British people, and nobody ever heard the German name, +"Wales," which means a foreign land; or the word "Welsh," which refers +to foreigners, until men who were themselves outsiders came into +Britain. + +Since that time, it has been much the same, as when a British Jack +Tar, when rambling in Portugal, or China, calls the natives +"foreigners," and tells them to "get out of the way." + +Ages ago, when the Cymric men, with their wives and little ones rowed +over in their coracles, from Gallia, or the Summer Land, to Britain, +the Honey Land, they came first to the promontory which we know as +Cornwall; that is, the Cornu Galliae, or Walliae, which means Horn or +Cape of the new country now called England. Here was a new region, +rich in every kind of minerals. Ages before, the Phoenicians had named +it Britain or the Land of Tin. Within the memory of men now living, +Cornishmen, that is, the miners of Cornwall, on going to California, +discovered gold. + +In Cornwall, as part of the Cymric realm, King Arthur found and +married Guinevere, his queen. It was in Cornwall, also, that Merlin +was hidden. Hear the rhyme: + + Marvelous Merlin is wasted away + By a wicked woman, who may she be? + For she hath pent him in a crag + On Cornwall coast. + +So it happens that thousands of "English" people in Cornwall are +Welsh, by both name or descent, or have translated their names into +English form, even while keeping the Welsh meaning. They are also +Welsh in traits of character. Just as tens of thousands of Welsh +folks, among the first settlers of New England and the American +colonies are described in our histories as "English" people. + +Now in early Cornwall there were many giants. Some were good but +others were bad. One of these, a right fine fellow, was named Tom, and +the other, a bad one, Blubb. This giant had had twenty wives, and was +awfully cruel. Nobody ever knew what became of the twenty maidens he +had married. + +Sometimes people called the big fellow, that lived in a castle, Giant +Blunderbuss, but Blubb was his name for short. He was much taller than +the highest hop pole in Kent. He was made up mostly of head and +stomach, for his chief idea in living was to eat. His skull was as big +as a hogshead, or a push-ball, or a market wagon loaded with carrots. +Indeed, it was strongly suspected by most people that the big bone box +set on his shoulders was as hollow inside as a pumpkin, but that a +cocoanut would hold all the brains he had. At any rate, during one of +his fights with another giant, he had been given an awful thwack from +the other giant's club. Then the sound made, which was heard a long +distance away, was exactly like that when one pounds on an empty +barrel. + +Now this Giant Blubb had built a mighty castle between a big hill and +a river. Under it were vaults of vast size, filled with treasures of +all sorts, gold, silver, jewels and gems. There were cells, in which +he kept his wives, after he had married them. It was the opinion of +his neighbors, that in every case, soon after the honeymoon was over, +he ate them up. + +Yet, if even the devil ought to have his due; one should be fair to +this human monster, and we are bound to say that Giant Blubb denied +these stories as pure gossip. It is certain that such crimes as murder +and cannibalism never could be proved against him. + +To guard his underground treasures, he had two huge and fierce dogs, +supposed to be named Catchem and Tearem. What they were really called +by their master was a secret. Yet anyone who had a piece of meat ready +to throw to them, and knew their names, which were pass words, could +first quiet them. Then he could walk by them and get the treasure. + +Besides these dogs, the only living thing left in the castle when the +giant went out, was the latest Mrs. Blubb. Yet she was in constant +fear of her life, lest her big husband should sometime make a meal of +her. For even she had heard the story that Blubb was a cannibal and +looked at all plump women simply as delicacies, exactly as a boy peers +into the window of a candy shop. + +What made all the country round hate this cruel giant was not wholly +on account of his awful appetite. It was because he had ruined the +King's High Road. Ever since the time of King Lud, whose name we read +in Ludgate Hill, in London, where His Cymric Majesty had lived, this +highway had been free to all. It ran all the way through Cornwall, +from Penzance, and thence eastward to London and beyond. + +When Giant Blubb wished to enlarge his castle, he had the walls and +towers built down to the river's edge. This closed up the big road, so +that people had to go far around and up over the hill, or by boat +along the river. Such a roundabout way took much time and toil, and +was too much trouble for all. + +Everybody had to submit to this extortion, until there came along +Giant Tom, of whom we shall now tell. His real name was Rolling Stone, +for he never stuck long in one place at a job, and cared not a +cucumber for money, or fine clothes. + +This jolly fellow was very good-natured and popular, but often very +lazy. His mother talked with him many times, urging him to learn a +trade, or in some way make an honest living. She found it very hard to +keep anything in her larder, barn, pantry, or cellar, when he was at +home. He measured four feet across his shoulders and at every meal he +ate what would feed three big men. But as he could do six men's work, +when he had a mind to--as often he did--he was always welcome. In +fact, he was too popular for his own good. + +One day, when ten common fellows were trying their utmost to lift a +big long log on a cart, and were unable to do it, Tom came along and +told them to stand back. Then he hoisted the tree on to the wain, +roped it into place, and told the cartman to drive on. Then they all +cheered him, and one of them lifted his Monmouth cap and cried out, +"Hurrah for Giant Tom. He's the fellow to whip Giant Blubb." + +"He is! He is!" they all cried in chorus. + +"Who is this Giant Blubb? Where does he live?" asked Tom, rolling up +his sleeves, for he was just spoiling for a row with a fellow of his +size. + +Then they told the story of how the big bully had ruined the King's +Highway, by building a great wall and tower across the road, to shut +it up, to the grief of many honest men. + +"Never mind, boys. I'll attend to his bacon," said Tom. "Leave the +matter with me, and don't bother to tell the King about it." + +Tom went the next day into town and hired himself out to a beer brewer +to drive the wagon. Perhaps he hoped, also, while in this occupation, +to keep down his thirst. + +He asked the boss to give him the route that led past Giant Blubb's +castle, over the old King's Highway. + +The master of the brewery saw through Tom's purpose. He winked, and +only said: + +"Go ahead, my boy. I'll pay you double wages, if you will open that +road again; but see that Giant Blubb does not get my load of kegs, or +that your carcass doesn't count with those of the twenty wives in his +vaults and make twenty-one." + +Again he winked his eye knowingly to his workmen. Tom drove off. He +occupied all the room on the seat of the cart, which two men usually +filled and left plenty of room on either side. + +Cracking his whip, the new driver kept the four horses on a galloping +pace, until very soon he called out "whoa," before the frowning high +gateway of Giant Blubb. + +Tom shouted from the depth of his lungs: + +"Open the gate and let me drive through. This is the King's Highway." + +The only reply, for a minute, was the barking of the curs. Then a +rattling of bolts was heard, and the great gates swung wide open. + +"Who are you, you impudent fellow? Go round over the hill, or I'll +thrash you," blustered Giant Blubb, in a rage. + +"Better save your breath to cool your porridge, you big boaster, and +come out and fight," said Tom. + +"Fight? You pigmy. I'll just get a switch and whip you, as I would a +bad boy." + +Thereupon Giant Blubb stepped aside into the grove nearby, keeping all +the while an eye on his gate, guarded by his two monstrous dogs. He +selected an elm tree twenty feet high, tore it up by the roots, pulled +off the branches, and peeled it for a whip. This he jerked up and down +to make ready for his task of thrashing "the pigmy." + +Meanwhile Giant Tom upset the wain, drew out the tongue and took off +one of the wheels. Then, as if armed with spear and shield, he +advanced to meet Giant Blubb. He whistled like a boy, as he went +forward. + +In a passion of rage, Giant Blubb lifted his elm switch to strike, but +Tom warded off the blow with his wheel shield. Then he punched him in +the stomach, with the wagon tongue, so hard that the big fellow +slipped and rolled over in the mud: + +Picking himself up, Giant Blubb, now half blind with rage, rushed +against Tom, who, this time, made a lunge which planted the cart +tongue inside Blubb's bowels, and knocked him over. + +But Tom was not a cruel fellow, and had no desire to kill anyone. So +he threw down his war tools, and tearing up a yard or two of grassy +sod rolled it together, and made a plug of it, as big around as a milk +churn. With this, he stopped up the big hole in Giant Blubb's huge +body. + +But instead of thanking Tom, Giant Blubb rushed at him again. He was +in too much of a rage to see anything clearly, while Tom, perfectly +cool, gave the angry monster such a kick, in the place where he kept +his dinner, that he rolled over, and Tom gave him another kick. Then +the plug of sod fell out of his wound. + +As he was bleeding to death, Giant Blubb beckoned to Tom to come up +close, for he could only whisper. + +"You've beaten me on the square, and I like you. Don't think I killed +my twenty wives. They all died naturally. But call the dogs by name, +and they will let you pass. Then, in my vaults, you'll find gold, +silver, and copper. Make these your own and bury me decently. This is +all I ask." + +Tom made himself owner of the castle and all its treasures. He opened +the King's Highway again. He took care of his aged mother, married the +twenty-first wife of Giant Blubb, now a widow, and was always kind to +the sick and poor. + +To-day in Cornwall, they still tell stories of the big fellow who +abolished Giant Blubb's toll gate. + +Centuries afterward, when Christ's gospel came into the land, they +restored Giant Tom's tomb and on it were chiseled these words: + +THE RESTORER OF PATHS TO DWELL IN. + + + + +XIII + + +A BOY THAT VISITED FAIRYLAND + + +Many are the places in Wales where the ground is lumpy and humpy with +tumuli, or little artificial mounds. Among these the sheep graze, the +donkeys bray, and the cows chew the cud. + +Here the ground is strewn with the ruins of cromlechs, or Cymric +strongholds, of old Roman camps, of chapels and monasteries, showing +that many different races of men have come and gone, while the birds +still fly and the flowers bloom. + +Centuries ago, the good monks of St. David had a school where lads +were taught Latin and good manners. One of their pupils was a boy +named Elidyr. He was such a poor scholar and he so hated books and +loved play, that in his case spankings and whippings were almost of +daily occurrence. Still he made no improvement. He was in the habit +also of playing truant, or what one of the monks called "traveling to +Bagdad." One of the consequences was that certain soft parts of his +body--apparently provided by nature for this express purpose--often +received a warming from his daddy. + +His mother loved her boy dearly, and she often gently chided him, but +he would not listen to her, and when she urged him to be more +diligent, he ran out of the room. The monks did not spare the birch +rod, and soon it was a case of a whipping for every lesson not +learned. + +One day, though he was only twelve years old, the boy started on a +long run into the country. The further he got, the happier he felt--at +least for one day. + +At night, tired out, he crept into a cave. When he woke up, in the +morning, he thought it was glorious to be as free as the wild asses. +So like them, he quenched his thirst at the brook. But when, towards +noon, he could find nothing to eat, and his inside cavity seemed to +enlarge with very emptiness, his hunger grew every minute. Then he +thought that a bit of oat cake, a leek, or a bowl of oat meal, whether +porridge or flummery, might suit a king. + +He dared not go out far and pick berries, for, by this time, he saw +that people were out searching for him. He did not feel yet, like +going back to books, rods and scoldings, but the day seemed as long as +a week. Meanwhile, he discovered that he had a stomach, which seemed +to grow more and more into an aching void. He was glad when the sunset +and darkness came. His bed was no softer in the cave, as he lay down +with a stone for his pillow. Yet he had no dreams like those of Jacob +and the angels. + +When daylight came, the question in his mind was still, whether to +stay and starve, or to go home and get two thrashings--one from his +daddy, and another from the monks. But how about that thing inside of +him, which seemed to be a live creature gnawing away, and which only +something to eat would quiet? Finally, he came to a stern resolve. He +started out, ready to face two whippings, rather than one death by +starvation. + +But he did not have to go home yet, for at the cave's mouth, he met +two elves, who delivered a most welcome message. + +"Come with us to a land full of fun, play, and good things to eat." + +All at once, his hunger left him and he forgot that he ever wanted to +swallow anything. All fear, or desire to go home, or to risk either +schooling or a thrashing, passed away also. + +Into a dark passage all three went, but they soon came out into a +beautiful country. How the birds sang and the flowers bloomed! All +around could be heard the joyful shouts of little folks at play. Never +did things look so lovely. + +[Illustration: THE KING SPOKE KINDLY TO ELIDYR, ASKING HIM WHO HE WAS] + +Soon, in front of the broad path along which they were traveling, +there rose up before him a glorious palace. It had a splendid gateway, +and the silver-topped towers seemed to touch the blue sky. + +"What building is this?" asked the lad of his two guides. + +They made answer that it was the palace of the King of Fairyland. Then +they led him into the throne room, where, sat in golden splendor, a +king, of august figure and of majestic presence, who was clad in +resplendent robes. He was surrounded by courtiers in rich apparel, and +all about him was magnificence, such as this boy, Elidyr, had never +even read about or dreamed. + +Yet everything was so small that it looked like Toy Land, and he felt +like a giant among them, even though many of the little men around him +were old enough to have whiskers on their cheeks and beards on their +chins. + +The King spoke kindly to Elidyr, asking him who he was, and whence he +had come. + +While talking thus, the Prince, the King's only son appeared. He was +dressed in white velvet and gold, and had a long feather in his cap. +In the pleasantest way, he took Elidyr's hand and said: + +"Glad to see you. Come and let us play together." + +That was just what Elidyr liked to hear. The King smiled and said to +his visitor, "You will attend my son?" Then, with a wave of his hand, +he signified to the boys to run out and play games. + +A right merry time they did have, for there were many other little +fellows for playmates. + +These wee folks, with whom Elidyr played, were hardly as big as our +babies, and certainly would not reach up to his mother's knee. To +them, he looked like a giant, and he richly enjoyed the fun of having +such little men, but with beards growing on their faces, look up to +him. + +They played with golden balls, and rode little horses, with silver +saddles and bridles, but these pretty animals were no larger than +small dogs, or grayhounds. + +No meat was ever seen on the table, but always plenty of milk. They +never told a lie, nor used bad language, or swear-words. They often +talked about mortal men, but usually to despise them; because what +they liked to do, seemed so absurd and they always wanted foolish and +useless things. To the elves, human beings were never satisfied, or +long happy, even when they got what they wanted. + +Everything in this part of fairyland was lovely, but it was always +cloudy. No sun, star or moon was ever seen, yet the little men did not +seem to mind it and enjoyed themselves every day. There was no end of +play, and that suited Elidyr. + +Yet by and by, he got tired even of games and play, and grew very +homesick. He wanted to see his mother. So he asked the King to let him +visit his old home. He promised solemnly to come back, after a few +hours. His Majesty gave his permission, but charged him not to take +with him anything whatever from fairyland, and to go with only the +clothes on his back. + +The same two elves or dwarfs, who had brought him into fairyland, were +chosen to conduct him back. When they had led him again through the +underground passage into the sunlight, they made him invisible until +he arrived at his mother's cottage. She was overjoyed to find that no +wolf had torn him to pieces, or wild bull had pushed him over a +precipice. + +She asked him many questions, and he told her all he had seen, felt, +or known. + +When he rose up to go, she begged him to stay longer, but he said he +must keep his word. Besides, he feared the rod of the monks, or his +daddy, if he remained. So he made his mother agree not to tell +anything--not even to his father, as to where he was, or what he was +doing. Then he made off and reported again to his playmates in +fairyland. + +The King was so pleased at the lad's promptness in returning, and +keeping his word, and telling the truth, that he allowed him to go see +his mother as often as he wanted to do so. He even gave orders +releasing the two little men from constantly guarding him and told +them to let the lad go alone, and when he would, for he always kept +his word. + +Many times did Elidyr visit his mother. By one road, or another, he +made his way, keeping himself invisible all the time, until he got +inside her cottage. He ran off, when anyone called in to pay a visit, +or when he thought his daddy, or one of the monks was coming. He never +saw any of these men. + +One day, in telling his mother of the fun and good times he had in +fairyland, he spoke of the heavy yellow balls, with which he and the +King's sons played, and how these rolled around. + +Before leaving home, this boy had never seen any gold, and did not +know what it was, but his mother guessed that it was the precious +metal, of which the coins called sovereigns, and worth five dollars +apiece, were made. So she begged him to bring one of them back to her. + +This, Elidyr thought, would not be right; but after much argument, his +parents being poor, and she telling him that, out of hundreds in the +King's palace, one single ball would not be missed, he decided to +please her. + +So one day, when he supposed no one was looking, he picked up one of +the yellow balls and started off through the narrow dark passageway +homeward. + +But no sooner was he back on the earth, and in the sunlight again, +than he heard footsteps behind him. Then he knew that he had been +discovered. + +He glanced over his shoulder and there were the two little men, who +had led him first and had formerly been his guards. They scowled at +him as if they were mad enough to bite off the heads of tenpenny +nails. Then they rushed after him, and there began a race to the +cottage. + +But the boy had legs twice as long as the little men, and got to the +cottage door first. He now thought himself safe, but pushing open the +door, he stumbled over the copper threshold, and the ball rolled out +of his hand, across the floor of hardened clay, even to the nearly +white-washed border, which ran about the edges of the room. It stopped +at the feet of his mother, whose eyes opened wide at the sight of the +ball of shining gold. + +As he lay sprawling on the floor, and before he could pick himself up, +one of the little men leaped over him, rushed into the room, and, from +under his mother's petticoats, picked up the ball. + +They spat at the boy and shouted, "traitor," "rascal," "thief," "false +mortal," "fox," "rat," "wolf," and other bad names. Then they turned +and sped away. + +Now Elidyr, though he had been a mischievous boy, often willful, lazy, +and never liking his books, had always loved the truth. He was very +sad and miserable, beyond the telling, because he had broken his word +of honor. So, almost mad with grief and shame, and from an accusing +conscience, he went back to find the cave, in which he had slept. He +would return to the King of the fairies, and ask his pardon, even if +His Majesty never allowed him to visit Fairyland again. + +But though he often searched, and spent whole days in trying to find +the opening in the hills, he could never discover it. + +So, fully penitent, and resolving to live right, and become what his +father wanted him to be, he went back to the monastery. + +There he plied his tasks so diligently that he excelled all in +book-learning. In time, he became one of the most famous scholars in +Welsh history. When he died, he asked to be buried, not in the monk's +cemetery, but with his father and mother, in the churchyard. He made +request that no name, record, or epitaph, be chiseled on his tomb, but +only these words: + +WE CAN DO NOTHING AGAINST THE TRUTH, BUT ONLY FOR THE TRUTH. + + + + +XIV + + +THE WELSHERY AND THE NORMANS + + +Though their land has been many times invaded, the Welsh have never +been conquered. Powerful tribes, like the Romans, Saxons and Normans, +have tried to overwhelm them. Even when English and German kings +attempted to crush their spirit and blot out their language and +literature, the Welsh resisted and won victory. + +Among the bullies that tried force, instead of justice, and played the +slave-driver, rather than the Good Samaritan's way, were the Normans. +These brutal fellows, when they thought that they had overrun Wales +with their armies, began to build strong castles all over the country. +They kept armed men by the thousands ready, night and day, to rush out +and put to death anybody and everybody who had a weapon in his hand. +Often they burned whole villages. They killed so many Welsh people +that it seemed at times as if they expected to empty the land of its +inhabitants. Thus, they hoped to possess all the acres for themselves. +They talked as if there were no people so refined and so cultured as +they were, while the natives, good and bad, were lumped together as +"the Welshery." + +Yet all this time, with these hundreds of strong castles, bristling +with turrets and towers, no Englishman's life was safe. If he dared to +go out alone, even twenty rods from the castle, he was instantly +killed by some angry Welshman lying in ambush. So the Normans had to +lock themselves up in armor, until they looked like lobsters in their +shells. When on their iron-clad horses they resembled turtles, so that +if a knight fell off, he had to be chopped open to be rid of his metal +clothes. + +Yet all this was in vain, for when the Norman marched out in bodies, +or rode in squadrons, the Welshery kept away and were hidden. + +Even the birds and beasts noticed this, and saw what fools the Normans +were, to behave so brutally. + +As for the fairies, they met together to see what could be done. Even +the reptiles shamed men by living together more peaceably. Only the +beasts of prey approved of the Norman way of treating the Welsh +people. + +At last, it came to pass that, after the long War of the Roses, when +the Reds and the Whites had fought together, a Welsh king sat upon the +throne of England. Henry VIII was of Cymric ancestry. His full name +was Henry Tudor; or, in English, Henry Theodore. + +Among the Welsh, every son, to his own name as a child, such as Henry, +William, Thomas, etc., added that of his father. Thus it happens that +we can usually tell a man by his name; for example, Richards, Roberts, +Evans, Jones, etc., etc., that he is a Welshman. + +When a Welshman went into England to live, if he were a sister's son, +he usually added a syllable showing this, as in the case of Jefferson, +which means sister's son. Our great Thomas Jefferson used to boast +that he could talk Welsh. + +So the living creatures of all sorts in Wales, human beings, fairies, +and animals took heart and plucked up courage, when a Tudor king, +Henry VIII, sat on the throne. + +Now it was Puck who led the fairies as the great peacemaker. He went +first to visit all the most ancient creatures, in order to find out +who should be offered the post of honor, as ambassador, who should be +sent to the great king in London, Henry Tudor, to see what could be +done for Wales. + +First he called on the male eagle, oldest of all birds. Though not +bald-headed, like his American cousin, the Welsh eagle was very old, +and at that time a widower. Although he had been father to nine +generations of eaglets, he sent Puck to the stag. + +This splendid creature, with magnificent antlers, lived at the edge of +the forest, near the trunk of an oak tree. It was still standing, but +was now a mere shell. Old men said that the children of the aborigines +played under it, and here was the home of the god of lightning, which +they worshiped. + +So to the withered oak, Puck went, and offered him the honor of +leadership to an embassy to the King. + +But the stag answered and said: + +"Well do I remember when an acorn fell from the top of the parent oak. +Then, for three hundred years it was growing. Children played under +it. They gathered acorns in their aprons, and the archers made bows +from its boughs. + +"Then the oak tree began to die, and, during nearly thirty tens of +years it has been fading, and I have seen it all. + +"Yet there is one older than I. It is the salmon that swims in the +Llyn stream. Inquire there." + +So of the old mother salmon, Puck went to ask, and this was the answer +which he received. + +"Count all the spots on my body, and all the eggs in my roe--one for +each year. Yet the blackbird is older even than I. Go listen to her +story. She excels me, in both talk and fact." + +And the blackbird opened its orange-colored bill, and answered +proudly: + +"Do you see this flinty rock, on which I am sitting? Once it was so +huge that three hundred yoke of oxen could hardly move it. Yet, today, +it hardly more than affords me room to roost on. + +"What made it so small, do you ask? + +"Well, all I have clone to wear it away, has been to wipe my beak on +it, every night, before I go to sleep, and in the morning to brush it +with the tips of my wing." + +Even Puck, fairy though he was, was astonished at this. But the +blackbird added: + +"Go to the toad, that blinks its eye under the big rock yonder. His +age is greater than mine." + +The toad was half asleep when Puck came, but it opened with alertness, +its beautiful round bright eyes, set in a rim of gold. Then Puck asked +the question: "Oh, thou that carriest a jewel in thy head, are there +any things alive that are older than thou art?" + +"That, I could not be sure of, especially if as many false things are +told about them, as are told about me; but when I was a tadpole in the +pond, that old hag of an owl was still hooting away, in the treetops, +scaring children, as in ages gone. She is older than I. Go and see +her. If age makes wise, she is the wisest of all." + +Puck went into the forest, but at first saw no bird answering to the +description given him. + +He said to himself, "She is, I wonder, who?" + +He was surprised to hear his question repeated, not as an echo, but by +another. Still, he thought it might possibly be his own voice come +back. + +So, in making a catalogue, in his note book, of what he had seen and +heard that day, he put down, "To wit--one echo." + +Again came the sound: + +"To whit--to who, to whit--to who?" Sounded the voice. + +Thinking that this was intended to be a polite question, Puck looked +up. Sure enough, there was the wise bird sitting on a bough, above +him, as sober as a judge. + +"Who! did you ask?" answered Puck and then went on to explain: + +"I am Lord of the Fairies in Welshery, and I seek to know which is the +most venerable, of all the creatures in the Land of the Red Dragon. + +"I am ready to salute you, as the most ancient and honorable of all +living things in the Cymric realm. You are desired to bear a message +to the Great King, in London." + +Tickled by such delicate flattery, and the honors proffered her, this +lady owl, after much blinking and winking, flirting, and fluttering, +at last agreed to go to King Henry VIII in London. The business, with +which she was charged, was to protest against Norman brutality and to +plead for justice. + +Now this old lady-owl, gray with centuries, though she had such short +ears, kept them open by day and during the night, also, for all the +gossip that floated in the air. She knew all about everybody and +everything. From what she had heard, she expected to find the new +King, Henry VIII, a royal fellow in velvet, with a crown on his head, +and his body as big and round as a hogshead, sitting in a room full of +chopping blocks and battle axes. Further, she fancied she would find a +dozen pretty women locked up in his palace, some in the cellar, others +in the pantry, and more in the garret; but all waiting to have their +heads chopped off. + +For the popular story ran that his chief amusement was to marry a wife +one day and slice off her head the next. + +It was said also that the King kept a private graveyard, and took a +walk in it every afternoon to study the epitaphs, which he kept a +scholar busy in writing; and also a man, from the marble yard near by, +to chisel them on the tombs, after his various wives had been properly +beheaded. + +But the owl never could find out whether these fables were wicked +fibs, or fairy tales, or only street talk. + +Puck and the owl together arrived in London, at the palace, when the +King was at his dinner. The butlers and lackeys wanted to keep them +out, but the merry monarch gave orders to let them in at once. He made +the owl perch over the mantel piece, but told Puck to stand upon the +dinner table and walk over the tablecloth. The pepper box was put +away, so that he should not sneeze and the King carefully removed the +mustard pot, for fear the little fairy fellow might fall in it and be +drowned in the hot stuff. + +His Majesty said that, for the time being, Puck should be the Prince +of Wales. Puck strutted about to the amusement of the King and all the +Court ladies, but he kept away from the pepper, which made his nose +tingle, and from the hot soup, for fear he might tumble into it and be +scalded. When the dessert came on, Puck hid himself under a walnut +shell, just for fun. + +It would take too long to tell about all that was said, or the +questions, which the King asked about his Welsh subjects, and which +either the owl or the fairy man answered. According to Puck's story, +Wales was then a most distressful country, though the Welshery, to a +man, wanted to be good and loyal subjects of the Tudors. + +Several times did Puck appeal to the owl, to have his story confirmed, +because this wise bird had lived among the Cymry, centuries before the +Normans came. The owl every time blinked, bowed, and answered +solemnly: + +"To whit, to who. To whit, to who," which in this case showed that she +had learned to speak the Court language. + +"Why, bless my soul, the owl speaks good Cockney Hinglish," whispered +one of the butlers, who had been born in Wales. + +"Yes, but that is the proper way to address His Majesty, King Ennery +the Heighth," answered the other butler, who was a native-born +Londoner. + +Puck and the owl returned to Wales. What happened after that, is the A +B C of history, that everybody knows, and for which all the Welsh +people to this day bless the Tudors, who made the Welsh equal before +the law with any and all Englishmen. Even Puck himself had never seen +anything like the change that quickly took place for the better, nor +did Queen Mab, with her wand, ever work such wonders. + +It was better than a fairy tale, and the effects, very soon seen, were +even more wonderful. Down went the castles into ruins, for rats to run +around in, and wild dogs to yelp and foxes to hide in, or look out of +the casements. To-day, what were once banqueting halls are covered +with moss, and on the ground grass grows, over which sheep graze and +children play; while rooks and crows nest or roost in the tall towers. + +Any Englishman's life was safe anywhere, and Wales became one of the +most easily governed countries in all the wonderful British Empire. + + + +And in the great world-war, that even children, who read these +stories, can remember, Wales, the Land of the Free, the Home of +Deathless Democracy, led all the British Isles, colonies, islands, or +coaling stations around the wide world, in loyalty, valor and +sacrifice. And the handsome son of the King, George, the Prince of +Wales, led the descendants of Welsh archers, now called the Fusileers. +They went into battle, singing, "Old Land our Fathers before us held +so dear"; or they marched, following the band that played "The Men of +Harlech." + +It is because Welsh cherish their traditions, harps, music, language +and noble inheritances, with which they feed their souls, that they +lead the four nations of the British Isles in the nobler virtues, that +keep a nation alive, as well as in the sweet humanities of the Red +Cross and in generous hospitality to the refugee Belgian. True to his +motto, "I serve," the Prince of Wales who came to see us in 1919--as +did his grandfather, whom the story-teller saw when he visited our +Independence Hall in 1860--loved to be the servant of his people. + +What was it that wrought this peaceful wonder of the sixteenth +century? Was it a fairy spell magic ointment, star-tipped wand, +treasures of caves, or ocean depths? Was it anything that dragons, +giants, ogres, or even swords, spears, catapults, or whips and clubs, +or elves or gnomes could do? + +Not a bit of it! Only justice and kindness, instead of brutality and +force. + + + + +XV + + +THE WELSH FAIRIES HOLD A MEETING + + +In the ancient Cymric gatherings, the Druids, poets, prophets, seers, +and singers all had part. The one most honored as the president of the +meeting was crowned and garlanded. Then he was led in honor and sat in +the chair of state. They called this great occasion an Eistedfodd, or +sitting, after the Cymric word, meaning a chair. + +All over the world, the Welsh folks, who do so passionately love +music, poetry and their own grand language, hold the Eistedfodd at +regular intervals. Thus they renew their love for the Fatherland and +what they received long ago from their ancestors. + +Now it happens that the fairies in every land usually follow the +customs of the mortals among whom they live. The Swiss, the Dutch, the +Belgian, the Japanese and Korean fairies, as we all know, although +they are much alike in many things are as different from each other as +the countries in which they live and play. So, when the Welsh fairies +all met together, they resolved to have songs and harp music and make +the piper play his tunes just as in the Eistedfodd. + +The Cymric fairies of our days have had many troubles to complain of. +They were disgusted with so much coal smoke, the poisoning of the air +by chemical fumes, and the blackening of the landscape from so many +factory chimneys. They had other grievances also. + +So the Queen Mab, who had a Welsh name, and another fairy, called +Pwca, or in English King Puck, sent out invitations into every part of +Wales, for a gathering on the hills, near the great rock called Dina's +seat. This is a rocky chair formed by nature. They also included in +their call those parts of western and south England, such as are still +Welsh and spiritually almost a part of Wales. In fact, Cornwall was +the old land, in which the Cymry had first landed when coming from +over the sea. + +The meeting was to be held on a moonlight night, and far away from any +houses, lest the merry making, dancing and singing of the fairies +should keep the farmers awake. This was something of which the yokels, +or men of the plow, often complained. They could not sleep while the +fairies were having their parties. + +Now among the Welsh fairies of every sort, size, dress, and behavior, +some were good, others were bad, but most of them were only full of +fun and mischief. Chief of these was the lively little fellow, Puck, +who lived in Cwm Pwcca, that is, Puck Valley, in Breconshire. + +Now it had been an old custom, which had come down, from the days of +the cave men, that when anyone died, the people, friends and relatives +sat up all night with the corpse. The custom arose, at first, with the +idea of protection against wild beasts and later from insult by +enemies. This was called a wake. The watchers wept and wailed at +first, and then fell to eating and drinking. Sometimes, they got to be +very lively. The young folks even looked on a wake, after the first +hour or two, as fine fun. Strong liquor was too plentiful and it often +happened that quarrels broke out. When heads were thus fuddled, men +saw or thought they saw, many uncanny things, like leather birds, cave +eagles, and the like. + +But all these fantastic things and creatures, such as foolish people +talk about, and with which they frighten children, such as corpse +candles, demons and imps, were ruled out and not invited to the fairy +meeting. Some other objects, which ignorant folks believed in, were +not to be allowed in the company. The door-keeper was notified not to +admit the eagles of darkness, that live in a cave which is never +lighted up; or the weird, featherless bird of leather, from the Land +of Illusion and Phantasy, that brushes its wing against windows, when +a funeral is soon to take place; or the greedy dog with silver eyes. +None of these would be permitted to show themselves, even if they came +and tried to get in. Some other creatures, not recognized in the good +society of Fairyland, were also barred out. + +To this gathering, only the bright and lively fairies were welcome. +Some of the best natured among the big creatures, and especially +giants and dragons, might pay a visit, if they wanted to do so; but +all the bad ones, such as lake hags, wraiths, sellers of liquids for +wakes, who made men drunk, and all who, under the guise of fairies, +were only agents for undertakers, were ruled out. The Night Dogs of +the Wicked Hunter Annum, the monster Afang, Cadwallader's Goats, and +various, cruel goblins and ogres, living in the ponds, and that pulled +cattle down to eat them up, and the immodest mermaids, whose bad +behavior was so well known, were crossed off the list of invitations. + +No ugly brats, such as wicked fairies were in the habit of putting in +the cradles of mortal mothers, when they stole away their babies, were +allowed to be present, even if they should come with their mothers. +This was to be a perfectly respectable company, and no bawling, +squealing, crying, or blubbering was to be permitted. + +When they had all gathered together, at the evening hour, there was +seen, in the moonlight, the funniest lot of creatures, that one could +imagine, but all were neatly dressed and well behaved. + +Quite a large number of the famous Fair Family, that moved only in the +best society of fairyland, fathers, mothers, cousins, uncles and +aunts, were on hand. In fact, some of them had thought it was to be a +wake, and were ready for whatever might turn up, whether solemn or +frivolous. These were dressed in varied costume. + +Queen Mab, who above all else, was a Welsh fairy, and whose name, as +everybody knows who talks Cymric, suggested her extreme youth and +lively disposition, was present in all her glory. + +When they saw her, several learned fairies, who had come from a +distance, fell at once into conversation on this subject. One +remarked: "How would the Queen like to add another syllable to her +name? Then we should call her Mab-gath (which means Kitten, or Little +Puss)." + +"Well not so bad, however; because many mortal daddies, who have a +daughter, call her Puss. It is a term of affection with them and the +little girls never seem to be offended." + +"Oh! Suppose that in talking to each other we call our Queen Mab-gar, +what then?" asked another, with a roguish twinkle in the eye. + +"It depends on how you use it," said a wise one dryly. This fairy was +a stickler for the correct use of every word. "If you meant 'babyish,' +or 'childish,' she, or her friends might demur; but, if you use the +term 'love of children,' what better name for a fairy queen?" + +"None. There could not be any," they shouted, all at once, "but let us +ask our old friend the harper." + +Now such a thing as inquiring into each other's ages was not common in +Fairy Land. Very few ever asked such a question, for it was not +thought to be polite. For, though we hear of ugly fairy brats being +put into the cradles, in place of pretty children, no one ever heard, +either of fairies being born or of dying, or having clocks, or +watches, or looking to see what time it was. Nor did doctors, or the +census clerks, or directory people ever trouble the fairy ladies, to +ask their age. + +Occasionally, however, there was one fairy, so wise, so learned, and +so able to tell what was going to happen to-morrow, or next year, that +the other fairies looked up to such an one with respect and awe. + +Yet these honorables would hardly know what you were talking about, if +you asked any of them how old they might be, or spoke of "old" or +"young." If, by any chance, a fairy did use the world "old" in talking +of their number, it would be for honor or dignity, and they would mean +it for a compliment. + +The fact was, that many of the most lively fairies showed their +frivolous disposition at once. These were of the kind, that, like +kittens, cubs, or babies, wanted to play all the time, yes, every +moment. Already, hundreds of them were tripping from flower to flower, +riding on the backs of fireflies, or harnessing night moths, or any +winged creatures they could saddle, for flight through the air. Or, +they were waltzing with glow worms, or playing "ring around a rosy," +or dancing in circles. They could not keep still, one moment. + +In fact, when a great crowd of the frolicsome creatures got singing +together, they made such a noise, that a squad of fairy policemen, +dressed in club moss and armed with pistils, was sent to warn them not +to raise their voices too high; lest the farmers, especially those +that were kind to the fairies, should be awakened, and feel in bad +humor. + +So the knot of learned fairies had a quiet time to talk, and, when +able to hear their own words, the harper, who was very learned, +answered their questions about Queen Mab as follows: + +"Well, you know the famous children's story book, in which mortals +read about us, and which they say they enjoy so much, is named +Mabinogion, that is, The Young Folks' Treasury of Cymric Stories." + +"It is well named," said another fairy savant, "since Queen Mab is the +only fairy that waits on men. She inspires their dreams, when these +are born in their brains." + +The talk now turned on Puck, who was to be the president of the +meeting. They were expected to show much dignity in his presence, but +some feared he would, as usual, play his pranks. Before he arrived in +his chariot, which was drawn by dragon flies, some of his neighbors +that lived in the valley near by chatted about him, until the gossip +became quite personal. Just for the fun of it, and the amusement of +the crowd, they wanted Puck to give an exhibition, off-hand, of all +his very varied accomplishments for he could beat all rivals in his +special variety, or as musicians say, his repertoire. + +"No. 'Twould be too much like a Merry Andrew's or a Buffoon's +sideshow, where the freaks of all sorts are gathered, such as they +have at those county fairs, which the mortals get up, to which are +gathered great crowds. The charge of admission is a sixpence. I vote +'no.'" + +"Well, for the very reason that Puck can beat the rest of us at spells +and transformations, I should like to see him do for us as many stunts +as he can. I've heard from a mortal, named Shakespeare, that, in one +performance, Puck could be a horse, a hound, a hog, a bear without any +head, and even kindle himself into a fire; while his vocal powers, as +we know, are endless. He can neigh, bark, grunt, roar, and even burn +up things. Now, I should like to see the fairy that could beat him at +tricks. It was Puck himself, who told the world that he was in the +habit of doing all these things, and I want to see whether he was +boasting." + +"Tut, tut, don't talk that way, about our king," said a fourth fairy. + +All this was only chaff and fun, for all the fairies were in good +humor. They were only talking, to fill up the interval until the music +began. + +Now the canny Welsh fairies had learned the trick of catching +farthings, pennies and sixpences from the folks who have more +curiosity in them than even fairies do. These human beings, cunning +fellows that they are, let the curtain fall on a show, just at the +most interesting part. Then they tell you to come next day and find +out what is to happen. Or, as they say in a story paper, "to be +continued in our next." + +Or, worse than all, the story teller stops, at some very exciting +episode, and then passes the hat or collection-box around, to get the +copper or silver of his listeners, before he will go on. + +This time, however, it was Puck himself who came forward and declared +that, unless everyone of the fairies would promise to attend the next +meeting, there should be no music. Now a meeting of the Welshery, +whether fairies or human, without music was a thing not to be thought +of. So, although at first some fairies grumbled and held back, and +were quite sulky about it, even muttering other grumpy words, they at +last all agreed, and Puck sent for the fiddler to make music for the +dance. + + + + +XVI + + +KING ARTHUR'S CAVE + + +In our time, every boy and girl knows about the nuts and blossoms, the +twigs and the hedges, the roots and the leaf of the common hazel bush, +and everybody has heard of the witch hazel. In old days they made use +of the forked branches of the hazel as a divining rod. With this, they +believed that they could divine, or find out the presence of treasures +of gold and silver, deep down in the earth, and hidden from human +eyes. + +And, what boy or girl has never played the game, and sung the ditty, +"London Bridge is falling down, falling down, falling down," even +though nobody now living ever saw it fall? + +Now, our story is about a hazel rod, a Welshman on London Bridge, +treasures in a cave, and what happened because of these. + +It was in the days when London Bridge was not, as we see it to-day, a +massive structure of stone and iron, able to bear up hundreds of cars, +wagons, horses and people, and lighted at night with electric bulbs. +No, when this Welshman visited London, the bridge had a line of shops +on both sides of the passage way, and reaching from end to end. + +Taffy was the name of this fellow from Denbigh, in Wales, and he was a +drover. He had brought, all the way from one of the richest of the +Welsh provinces, a great drove of Black Welsh cattle, such as were in +steady demand by Englishmen, who have always been lovers of roast +beef. Escaping all the risks of cattle thieves, rustlers, and +highwaymen, he had sold his beeves at a good price; so that his +pockets were now fairly bulging out with gold coins, and yet this +fellow wanted more. But first, before going home, he would see the +sights of the great city, which then contained about a hundred +thousand people. + +While he was handling some things in a shop, to decide what he should +take home to his wife, his three daughters and his two little boys, he +noticed a man looking intently, not at him, but at his stick. After a +while, the stranger came up to him and asked him where he came from. + +Now Taffy was not very refined in his manners, and he thought it none +of the fellow's business. He was very surly and made reply in a gruff +voice. + +"I come from my own country." + +The stranger did not get angry, but in a polite tone made answer: + +"Don't be offended at my question. Tell me where you cut that hazel +stick, and I'll make it to your advantage, if you will take my +advice." + +Even yet Taffy was gruff and suspicious. + +"What business is it of yours, where I cut my hazel stick?" he +answered. + +"Well it may matter a good deal to you, if you will tell me. For, if +you remember the place, and can lead me to it, I'll make you a rich +man, for near that spot lies a great treasure." + +Taffy was not much of a thinker, apart from matters concerning cattle, +and his brain worked slowly! He was sorely puzzled. Here was a wizard, +who could make him rich, and he did so love to jingle gold in his +pockets. But then he was superstitious. He feared that this sorcerer +derived all his uncanny knowledge from demons, and Taffy, being rather +much of a sinner, feared these very much. Meanwhile, his new +acquaintance kept on persuading him. + +Finally Taffy yielded and the two went on together to Wales. + +Now in this country, there are many stones placed in position, showing +they were not there by accident, but were reared by men, to mark some +old battle, or famous event. And for this, rough stone work, no +country, unless it be Korea or China, is more famous than Wales. + +On reaching one called the Fortress Rock, Taffy pointed to an old +hazel root, and said to his companion: + +"There! From that stock, I cut my hazel stick. I am sure of it." + +The sorcerer looked at Taffy to read his face, and to be certain that +he was telling the truth. Then he said: + +"Bring shovels and we'll both dig." + +These having been brought, the two began to work until the +perspiration stood out in drops on their foreheads. First the sod and +rooty stuff, and then down around the gravelly mass below, they plied +their digging tools. Taffy was not used to such toil, and his muscles +were soon weary. But, urged on by visions of gold, he kept bravely at +his task. + +At last, when ready to drop from fatigue, he heard his companion say: + +"We've struck it!" + +A few shovelfuls more laid bare a broad flat stone. This they pried +up, but it required all their strength to lift and stand it on edge. +Just below, they saw a flight of steps. They were slippery with wet +and they looked very old, as if worn, ages ago, by many feet passing +up and down them. + +Taffy shrunk back, as a draught of the close, dead air struck his +nostrils. + +"Come on, and don't be afraid. I'm going to make you rich," said the +sorcerer. + +At this, Taffy's eyes glistened, and he followed on down the steps, +without saying a word. At the bottom of the descent, they entered a +narrow passage, and finally came to a door. + +"Now, I'll ask you. Are you brave, and will you come in with me, if I +open this door?" + +By this time, Taffy was so eager for treasure, that he spoke up at +once. + +"I'm not afraid. Open the door." + +The sorcerer gave a jerk and the door flew open. What a sight! + +There, in the faint, red light, Taffy discerned a great cave. Lying on +the floor were hundreds of armed men, but motionless and apparently +sound asleep. Little spangles of light were reflected from swords, +spears, round shields, and burnished helmets. All these seemed of very +ancient pattern. But immediately in front of them was a bell. Taffy +felt some curiosity to tap it. Would the sleeping host of men then +rise up? + +Just then, the sorcerer, speaking with a menacing gesture, and in a +harsh tone, said: + +"Do not touch that bell, or it's all up with us both." + +Moving carefully, so as not to trip, or to stumble over the sleeping +soldiers, they went on, and Taffy, stopping and looking up beheld +before him a great round table. Many warriors were sitting at it. +Their splendid gold inlaid armor, glittering helmets and noble faces +showed that they were no common men. Yet Taffy could see only a few of +the faces, for all had their heads more or less bent down, as if sound +asleep, though sword and spear were near at hand, ready to be grasped +in a moment. + +Outshining all, was a golden throne at the farther end of the table +and on it sat a king. He was of imposing stature, and august presence. +Upon his head was a crown, on which were inlaid or set precious +stones. These shone by their own light, sending out rays so brilliant +that they dazzled Taffy, who had never seen anything like them. The +king held in his right hand a mighty sword. It had a history and the +name of it was Excalibur. In Arthur's hand, it was almost part of his +own soul. Its hilt and handle were of finely chased gold, richly +studded with gems. Yet his head, too, was bent in deep sleep, as if +only thunder could wake him. + +"Are they all, everyone, asleep?" asked Taffy. + +"Each and all," was the answer. + +"When did they fall asleep?" asked the drover. + +"Over a thousand years ago," answered the sorcerer. + +"Tell me who they are, and why here," asked Taffy. + +"They are King Arthur's trusty warriors. They are waiting for the hour +to come, when they shall rise up and destroy the enemies of the Cymry, +and once again possess the whole island of Britain, as in the early +ages, before the Saxons came." + +"And who are those sitting around the table?" asked Taffy. + +The sorcerer seemed tired of answering questions, but he replied, +giving the name of each knight, and also that of his father, as if he +were a Welshman himself; but at this, Taffy grew impatient, feeling as +if a book of genealogy had been hurled at him. + +Most impolitely, he interrupted his companion and cried out: + +"And who is that on the throne?" + +The sorcerer looked as if he was vexed, and felt insulted, but he +answered: + +"It's King Arthur himself, with Excalibur, his famous sword, in his +hand." + +This was snapped out, as if the sorcerer was disgusted at the +interruption of his genealogy, and he shut his mouth tight as if he +would answer no more questions, for such an impolite fellow. + +Seizing Taffy by the hand, he led him into what was the storehouse of +the cave. There lay heaps upon heaps of yellow gold. Both men stuffed +their pockets, belt bags, and the inside of their clothes, with all +they could load in. + +"Now we had better get out, for it is time to go," said the sorcerer +and he led the way towards the cave door. + +But as Taffy passed back, and along the hall, where the host of +warriors were sleeping, his curiosity got the better of him. + +He said to himself, "I must see this host awake. I'll touch that bell, +and find out whether the sorcerer spoke the truth." + +So, when he came to it, he struck the bell. In the twinkling of an +eye, thousands of warriors sprang up, seized their armor, girded their +swords, or seized their spears. All seemed eagerly awaiting the +command to rush against the foe. + +The ground quaked with their tramping, and shook with their tread, +until Taffy thought the cave roof would fall in and bury them all. The +air resounded with the rattle of arms, as the men, when in ranks, +marked time, ready for motion forward and out of the cave. + +But from the midst of the host, a deep sounding voice, as earnest as +if in hot temper, but as deliberate as if in caution against a false +alarm, spoke. He inquired: + +"Who rang that bell? Has the day come?" + +The sorcerer, thoroughly frightened and trembling, answered: + +"No, the day has not come. Sleep on." + +Taffy, though dazzled by the increasing brilliancy of the light, had +heard another deep voice, more commanding in its tones than even a +king's, call out, "Arthur, awake, the bell has rung. The day is +breaking. Awake, great King Arthur!" + +But even against such a voice, that of the sorcerer, now scared beyond +measure, lest the king and his host should discover the cheat, and +with his sword, Excalibur, chop the heads off both Taffy and himself, +answered: + +"No, it is still night. Sleep on, Arthur the Great." + +Erect over all, his head aloft and crowned with jewels, as with stars, +the King himself now spoke: + +"No, my warriors, the day has not yet come, when the Black Eagle and +the Golden Eagle will meet in war. Sleep on, loyal souls. The morning +of Wales has not yet dawned." + +Then, like the gentle soughing of the evening breeze among forest +trees, all sound died away, and in the snap of a finger, all were +asleep again. Seizing the hand of Taffy, the sorcerer hurried him out +of the cave, moved the stone back in its place and motioning to Taffy +to do the same, he quickly shoveled and kicked the loose dirt in the +hole and stamped it down: When Taffy turned to look for him, he was +gone, without even taking the trouble to call his dupe a fool. + +Wearied with his unwonted labors and excitements, Taffy walked home, +got his supper, pondered on what he had seen, slept, and awoke in the +morning refreshed. After breakfast, he sallied out again with pick and +shovel. + +For months, Taffy dug over every square foot of the hill. Neglecting +his business as cattle man, he spent all the money he had made in +London, but he never found that entrance to the cave. He died a poor +man and all his children had to work hard to get their bread. + + + + +XVII + + +THE LADY OF THE LAKE + + +One easily gets acquainted with the Welsh fairies, for nearly all the +good ones are very fond of music. + +Or, they live down in the lakes, or up in the mountains. They are +always ready to help kind or polite people, who treat them well or +will give them a glass of milk, or a saucer of flummery. + +But, oh, what tricks and mischief they do play on mean or stingy or +grumpy folks with bad tempers! They tangle up the harness of the +horses; milk the cows, letting the milk go to waste, on the stable +floor; tie knots in their tails, or keep the dog's mouth shut, when +the robbers come sneaking around. Better not offend a fairy, even +though no higher than a thimble! + +A favorite place for the elfin ladies of the lake is high up in one of +the fresh water mountain ponds. They are cousins to the mermaids, that +swim in the salt water. + +They say that these lake maidens love to come up close to the shore, +to smell the sweet grass and flowers, which the cows like so much. + +Near one of these lakes dwelt a widow, with only one son, named Gwyn. +One day he took his lunch of barley bread and cheese, and went out, as +usual, to tend the cows. Soon he saw rising out of the water, to dress +her long and luxuriant hair, the most beautiful lady he had ever seen. +In her hand she held a golden comb, and was using the bright +lake-surface as a mirror. + +At once Gwyn fell in love with her, and, like an unselfish lad, held +out his refreshments--barley bread and cheese--all he had--bidding her +to come and take. + +But though the lady glided toward him, while he still held out his +hand, she shook her head, saying: + + O thou of the hard baked bread, + It is not easy to catch me + +Sorry enough to miss such a prize, he hurried home to tell his mother. +She, wondering also, whether fairies have teeth to chew, told him to +take soft dough next time. Then, perhaps, the strange lady would come +again. + +Not much sleep did the boy get that night, and, before the sun was up, +he was down by the lake side holding out his dough. + +There, hour after hour, neglecting the cows, he looked eagerly over +the water, but nothing appeared, except ripples started by the breeze. +Again and again, he gazed in hope, only to be disappointed. + +[Illustration: IN A MOMENT HE FORGOT EVERY WORD HE MEANT TO SAY] + +Meanwhile he thought out a pretty speech to make to her, but he kept +his dough and went hungry. + +It was late in the afternoon, when the trees on the hills were casting +long shadows westward, that he gave up watching, for he supposed she +would come no more. + +But just as he started to go back to his mother's cabin, he turned his +head and there was the same lady, looking more beautiful than ever. In +a moment, he forgot every word he meant to say to her. His tongue +seemed to leave him, and he only held out his hand, with the dough in +it. + +But the lake lady, shaking her head, only laughed and said: + + Thou of the soft bread + I will not have thee + +Though she dived under the water and left him sad and lonely, she +smiled so sweetly, as she vanished, that, though again disappointed, +he thought she would come again and she might yet accept his gift. + +His mother told him to try her with bread half baked, that is, midway +between hard crust and soft dough. + +So, having packed his lunch, and much excited, though this time with +bright hopes, Gwyn went to bed, though not to sleep. At dawn, he was +up again and out by the lake side, with his half baked bread in his +hand. + +It was a day of rain and shine, of sun burst and cloud, but no lady +appeared. + +The long hours, of watching and waiting, sped on, until it was nearly +dark. + +When just about to turn homewards, to ease his mother's anxiety, what +should he see, but some cows walking on the surface of the water! In a +few minutes, the lady herself, lovelier than ever, rose up and moved +towards the shore. + +Gwyn rushed out to meet her, with beseeching looks and holding the +half baked bread in his hand. This time, she graciously took the gift, +placed her other hand in his, and he led her to the shore. + +Standing with her on land, he could not speak for many seconds. He +noticed that she had sandals on her feet, and the one on the right +foot was tied in a way rather unusual. Under her winsome smile, at +last, he regained the use of his tongue. Then he burst out: + +"Lady I love you, more than all the world besides. Will you be my +wife?" + +She did not seem at all willing at first, but love begets love. +Finally yielding to his pleadings, she said, rather solemnly: + +"I will be your bride but only on this condition, that if you strike +me three times, without cause, I will leave your house and you only +will be to blame, and it will be forever." + +These words stuck in his mind, and he inwardly made a vow never to +give his lovely wife cause to leave him. + +But not yet did happiness come, for, even while he took oath that he +would rather cut off his right hand, than offend her, she darted away +like an arrow, and, diving in the lake, disappeared. + +At this sudden blow to his hopes and joy, Gwyn was so sorely +depressed, as to wish to take his own life. Rushing up to the top of a +rock, overhanging the deepest part of the lake, he was just about to +leap into the water and drown himself, when he heard a voice behind +him, saying: + +"Hold rash lad, come here!" + +He looked and there down on the shore of the lake, stood a grand +looking old man, with a long white beard. On either side of him was a +lovely maiden. These were his daughters. + +Trembling with fear, the lad slipped down from the rock and drew near. +Then the old man spoke comfortably to him, though in a very cracked +voice. + +"Mortal, do you wish to marry one of my daughters? Show me the one you +love more than the other, and I will consent." + +Now the two maidens were so beautiful, yet so exactly alike, that Gwyn +could not note any difference. As he looked, he began to wonder +whether it had been a different lady, in each case, that rose out of +the water. He looked beyond the old man, to see if there were a third +lady. When he saw none more, he became more distracted. He feared lest +he might choose the wrong one, who had not promised to love him. + +Almost in despair, he was about to run home, when he noticed that one +of the maidens put forward her right foot. Then he saw that her sandal +was tied in the way he had already wondered at. So he boldly went +forward and took her by the hand. + +"This one is mine," said he to the father. + +"You are right," answered the old man. "This is my daughter Nelferch. +Take her and you shall have as many cattle, sheep, horses, hogs, and +goats, as she can count, of each, without drawing in her breath. But I +warn you that three blows, without cause, will send her back to me." + +While the old man smiled, and Gwyn renewed his vow, the new wife began +to count by fives--one, two, three, four, five. + +At the end of each count drawing in a fresh breath, there rose up, out +of the lake, as many sheep, cattle, goats, pigs, and horses, as she +had counted. + +So it happened that the lad, who went out of his mother's cottage, in +the morning, a poor boy, came back to her, a rich man, and leading by +the hand the loveliest creature on whom man or woman had ever looked +upon. + +As for the old man and the other daughter, no one ever saw them again. + +Gwyn and his wife went out to a farm which he bought, and oh, how +happy they were! She was very kind to the poor. She had the gift of +healing, knew all the herbs, which were good for medicine, and cured +sick folk of their diseases. + +Three times the cradle was filled, and each time with a baby boy. +Eight long and happy years followed. They loved each other so dearly +and were so happy together, that Gwyn's vow passed entirely out of his +mind, and he thought no more of it. + +On the seventh birthday of the oldest boy, there was a wedding at some +distance away, and the father and mother walked through a field where +their horses were grazing. As it was too far for Lady Nelferch to walk +all the way, her husband went back to the house, for saddle and +bridle, while she should catch the horse. + +"Please do, and bring me my gloves from off the table," she called, as +he turned towards the house. + +But when he returned to the field, he saw that she had not stirred. +So, before handing his wife her gloves and pointing playfully to the +horses, he gave her a little flick with the gloves. + +Instead of moving, instantly, she heaved a deep sigh. Then looking up +at him with sorrowful and reproachful eyes, she said: + +"Remember our vow, Gwyn. This is the first causeless blow. May there +never be another." + +Days and years passed away so happily, that the husband and father +never again had to recall the promise given to his wife and her +father. + +But when they were invited to the christening of a baby, every one was +full of smiles and gayety, except Nelferch. Women, especially the +older ones, often cry at a wedding, but why his wife should burst into +tears puzzled Gwyn. + +Tapping her on the shoulder, he asked the reason: + +"Because," said she, "this weak babe will be in pain and misery all +its days and die in agony. And, husband dear, you have once again +struck me a causeless blow. Oh, do be on your guard, and not again +break your promise." + +From this time forth, Gwyn was on watch over himself, day and night, +like a sentinel over whom hangs the sentence of death, should he fall +asleep on duty. He was ever vigilant lest, he, in a moment of +forgetfulness, might, by some slip of conduct, or in a moment of +forgetfulness, strike his dear wife. + +The baby, whose life of pain and death of agony Nelferch had foretold, +soon passed away; for, happily, its life was short. Then she and her +husband attended the last rites of sorrow, for Celtic folk always have +a funeral and hold a wake, even when a baby, only a span long, lies in +the coffin. + +Yet in the most solemn moment of the services of burial, Nelferch the +wife, laughed out, so long and with such merriment, that everyone was +startled. + +Her husband, mortified at such improper behavior, touched her gently, +saying: + +"Hush, wife! Why do you laugh?" + +"Because the babe is free from all pain. And, you have thrice struck +me! Farewell!" + +Fleeing like a deer home to their farm, she called together, by its +name, each and every one of their animals, from stable and field; yes, +even those harnessed to the plow. Then, over the mountain all moved in +procession to the lake. + +There, they plunged in and vanished. No trace of them was left, except +that made by the oxen drawing the plow, and which mark on the ground +men still point out. + +Broken hearted and mad with grief, Gwyn rushed into the lake and was +seen no more. The three sons, grieving over their drowned father, +spent their many days wandering along the lakeside, hoping once more +to see one, or both, of their dear parents. + +Their love was rewarded. They never saw their father again, but one +day their mother, Nelferch, suddenly appeared out of the water. +Telling her children that her mission on earth was to relieve pain and +misery, she took them to a point in the lake, where many plants grew +that were useful in medicine. There, she often came and taught them +the virtues of the roots, leaves, juices and the various virtues of +the herbs, and how to nurse the sick and heal those who had diseases. + +All three of Nelferch's sons became physicians of fame and power. +Their descendants, during many centuries, were renowned for their +skill in easing pain and saving life. To this day, Physicians' Point +is shown to visitors as a famous spot, and in tradition is almost +holy. + + + + +XVIII + + +THE KING'S FOOT HOLDER + + +There was a curious custom in the far olden times of Wales. At the +banqueting hall, the king of the country would sit with his feet in +the lap of a high officer. + +Whenever His Majesty sat down to dinner, this official person would be +under the table holding the royal feet. This was also the case while +all sat around the evening fire in the middle of the hall. This +footholding person was one of the king's staff and every castle must +have a human footstool as part of its furniture. + +By and by, it became the fashion for pretty maidens to seek this task, +or to be chosen for the office. Their names in English sounded like +Foot-Ease, Orthopede, or Foot Lights. When she was a plump and petite +maid, they nicknamed her Twelve Inches, or when unusually soothing in +her caresses of the soft royal toes. It was considered a high honor to +be the King's Foot Holder. In after centuries, it was often boasted of +that such and such an ancestor had held this honorable service. + +One picture of castle life, as given in one of the old books tells how +Kaim, the king's officer, went to the mead cellar with a golden cup, +to get a drink that would keep them all wide awake. He also brought a +handful of skewers on which they were to broil the collops, or bits of +meat at the fire. + +While they were doing this, the King sat on a seat of green rushes, +over which was spread a flame-colored satin cover, with a cushion like +it, for his elbow to rest upon. + +In the evening, the harpers and singers made music, the bards recited +poetry, or the good story tellers told tales of heroes and wonders. +During all this time, one or more maidens held the king's feet, or +took turns at it, when tired; for often the revels or songs and tales +lasted far into the night. At intervals, if the story was dull, or he +had either too much dinner, or had been out hunting and got tired, His +Majesty took a nap, with his feet resting upon the lap of a pretty +maiden. This happened often in the late hours, while they were getting +the liquid refreshments ready. + +Then the king's chamberlain gently nudged him, to be wideawake, and he +again enjoyed the music, and the stories, while his feet were held. + +For, altogether, it was great fun. + +Now there was once a Prince of Gwynedd, in Wales, named Math, who was +so fond of having his feet held, that he neglected to govern his +people properly. He spent all his time lounging in an easy chair, +while a pretty maiden held his heels and toes. He committed all public +cares to two of his nephews. These were named for short, Gily and +Gwyd. + +The one whom the king loved best to have her hold his feet was the +fairest maiden in all the land, and she was named Goewen. + +By and by, the prince grew so fond of having his feet held, and +stroked and patted and played with, by Goewen, that he declared that +he could not live, unless Goewen held his feet. And, she said, that if +she did not hold the king's feet, she would die. + +Now this Gily, one of the king's nephews, son of Don, whom he had +appointed to look day by day after public affairs, would often be in +the hall at night. He listened to the music and stories, and seeing +Goewen, the king's foot holder, he fell in love with her. His eye +usually wandered from the story teller to the lovely girl holding the +king's feet, and he thought her as beautiful as an angel. + +Soon he became so lovesick, that he felt he would risk or give his +life to get and have her for his own. But what would the king say? + +Besides, he soon found out that the maiden Goewen cared nothing for +him. + +Nevertheless the passion of the love-lorn youth burned hotly and kept +increasing. He confided his secret to his brother Gwyd, and asked his +aid, which was promised. So, one day, the brother went to King Math, +and begged for leave to go to Pryderi. In the king's name, he would +ask from him the gift of a herd of swine of famous breed; which, in +the quality of the pork they furnished, excelled all other pigs known. +They were finer than any seen in the land, or ever heard of before. +Their flesh was said to be sweeter, juicier, and more tender than the +best beef. Even their manners were better than those of some men. + +In fact, these famous pigs were a present from the King of Fairyland. +So highly were they prized, that King Math doubted much whether his +nephew could get them at any price. + +In ancient Wales the bards and poet singers were welcomed, and trusted +above all men; and this, whether in the palace or the cottage. + +So Gwyd, the brother of the love-sick one, in order to get the herd of +surpassing swine, took ten companions, all young men and strong, +dressed as bards, and pretending by their actions to be such. Then +they all started out together to seek the palace of Pryderi. + +Having arrived, they were entertained at a great feast, in the castle +hall. There Pryderi sat on his throne-chair, with his feet in a +maiden's lap. + +The dinner over, Gwyd was asked to tell a story. + +This he did, delighting everyone so much, that he was voted a jolly +good fellow by all. In fact, Pryderi felt ready to give him anything +he might demand, excepting always his foot holder. + +At once, Gwyd made request to give him the herd of swine. + +At this, the countenance of Pryderi fell, for he had made a promise to +his people, that he would not sell or give away the swine, until they +had produced double their number in the land; for there were no pigs +and no pork like theirs, to be bought anywhere. + +Now this Gwyd was not very cunning, but he had the power of using +magic arts. By these, he could draw the veil of illusion over both the +mind and the eyes of the people. + +So he made answer to Pryderi's objections thus: + +"Keep your promise to your people, oh, most honored Pryderi, and only +exchange them for the gift I make thee," said Gwyd. + +Thereupon, exerting his powers of magic, he created the illusion of +twelve superb horses. These were all saddled, bridled, and +magnificently caparisoned. But, after twenty-four hours, they would +vanish from sight. The illusion would be over. + +With these steeds, so well fitted for hunting, were twelve sleek, +fleet hounds. Taken altogether, here was a sight to make a hunter's +eyes dance with delight. + +So Pryderi gave Gwyd the swine, and he quickly drove them off. + +"For," he whispered to his companion fellows in knavery, "the illusion +will only last until the same hour to-morrow." + +And so it happened. For when Pryderi's men went to the stables, to +groom the horses and feed the hounds, there was nothing in either the +stables or the kennels. + +When they told this to Pryderi, he at once blew his horn and assembled +his knights, to invade the country of Gwynedd, to recover his swine. +Hearing of his coming, King Math went out to meet Pryderi in battle. + +But while he was away with his army, Gily, the lover, seized the +beautiful maiden Goewen, who held the king's feet in her lap. + +She was not willing to marry Gily, but he eloped with her, and carried +her off to his cottage. + +The war which now raged was finally decided by single combat, as was +the custom in old days. By this, the burning of the peasants' houses, +and the ruin which threatened the whole country, ended, and peace +came. + +It was not alone by the strength and fierceness of King Math, but also +by the magic spells of Gwyd, that Pryderi was slain. + +After burying the hero, King Math came back to his palace and found +out what Gily had done. Then he took Goewen away from Gily, and to +make amends for her trouble, in being thus torn from his palace, King +Math made her his queen. Then the lovely Goewen shared his throne +covered with the flame colored satin. One of the most beautiful +maidens of the court was chosen to hold his feet, until such time as a +permanent choice was made. + +As for the two nephews, who had fled from the wrath of their princely +uncle, they were put under bans, as outlaws, and had to live on the +borders of the kingdoms. No one of the king's people was allowed to +give them food or drink. Yet they would not obey the summons of the +king, to come and receive their punishment. + +But at last, tired of being deserted by all good men and women, they +repented in sorrow. Hungry, ragged and forlorn, they came to their +uncle, the king to submit themselves to be punished. + +When they appeared, Math spoke roughly to them, and said: + +"You cannot make amends for the shame you have brought upon me. Yet, +since you obey and are sorry, I shall punish you for a time and then +pardon you. You are to do penance for three years at least." + +Then they were changed into wild deer, and he told them to come back +after twelve months. + +At the end of the year they returned, bringing with them a young fawn. + +As this creature was entirely innocent, it was given a human form and +baptized in the church. + +But the two brothers were changed into wild swine, and driven off to +find their food in the forest. + +At the end of the year, they came back with a young pig. + +The king had the little animal changed into a human being, which, like +every mother's child in that time, received baptism. + +Again the brothers were transformed into animal shape. This time, as +wolves, and were driven out to the hills. + +At the end of a twelve months' period, they came back, three in +number, for one was a cub. + +By this time, the penance of the naughty nephews was over, and they +were now to be delivered from all magic spells. + +So their human nature was restored to them, but they must be washed +thoroughly. In the first place, it took much hot water and lye, made +from the wood ashes, and then a great deal of scrubbing, to make them +presentable. + +Then they were anointed with sweet smelling oil, and the king ordered +them to be arrayed in elegant apparel. They were appointed to hold +honorable office at court, and from time to time to go out through the +country, to call the officers to attend to public business. + +When the time came that the king sought for one of the most beautiful +maidens, who should hold his feet, Gwyd nominated to the prince's +notice his sister Arianrod. The king was gracious, and thereafter she +held his feet at all the banquets. She was looked up to with reverence +by all, and held the office for many years. Thus King Math's +reputation for grace and mercy was confirmed. + + + + +XIX + + +POWELL, PRINCE OF DYFED + + +One of the oldest of the Welsh fairy tales tells us about Pwyle, King +of Fairyland and father of the numerous clan of the Powells. He was a +mighty hunter. He could ride a horse, draw a bow, and speak the truth. +He was always honored by men, and he kept his faith and his promises +to women. The children loved him, for he loved them. In the castle +hall, he could tell the best stories. No man, bard, or warrior, foot +holder or commoner, could excel him in gaining and keeping the +attention of his hearers, even when they were sleepy and wanted to go +to bed. + +One day, when out a hunting in the woods, he noticed a pack of hounds +running down a stag. He saw at once that they were not his own, for +they were snow white in color and had red ears. + +Being a young man, Powell did not know at this time of his life, that +red is the fairy color, and that these were all dogs from Fairyland. +So he drove off the red-eared hounds, and was about to let loose his +own pack on the stag, when a horseman appeared on the scene. + +The stranger at once began to upbraid Powell for being impolite. He +asked why his hounds should not be allowed to hunt the deer. + +Powell spoke pleasantly in reply, making his proper excuses to the +horseman. The two began to like each other, and soon got acquainted +and mutually enjoyed being companions. + +It turned out that the stranger was Arawn, a king in Fairyland. He had +a rival named Hargan, who was beating him and his army in war. + +So Arawn asked Powell to help him against his enemy. He even made +request that one year from that time, Powell should meet Hargan in +battle. He told him that one stroke of his sword would finish the +enemy. He must then sheathe his weapon, and not, on any account, +strike a second time. + +To make victory sure, the Fairy King would exchange shapes with the +mortal ruler and each take not only the place, but each the shape and +form of the other. Powell must go into Fairy Land and govern the +kingdom there, while Arawn should take charge of affairs at Dyfed. + +But Powell was warned, again, to smite down his enemy with a single +stroke of his sword. If, in the heat of the conflict, and the joy of +victory, Powell should forget, and give a second blow to Hargan, he +would immediately come to life and be as strong as ever. + +Powell heeded well these words. Then, putting on the shape of Arawn, +he went into Fairy Land, and no one noticed, or thought of anything +different from the days and years gone by. + +But now, at night, a new and unexpected difficulty arose. Arawn's +beautiful wife was evidently not in the secret, for she greeted Powell +as her own husband. + +After dinner, when the telling of stories in the banqueting hall was +over, the time had come for them to retire. + +But the new bed fellow did not even kiss her, or say "good night," but +turned his back to her and his face to the wall, and never moved until +daylight. Then the new King in Fairy Land rose up, ate his breakfast, +and went out to hunt. + +Every day, he ruled the castle and kingdom, as if he had always been +the monarch. To everybody, he seemed as if he had been long used to +public business, and no questions were asked, nor was there any talk +made on the subject. Everyone took things as matter of course. + +Yet, however polite or gracious he might be to the queen during the +day, in the evening, he spoke not a word, and passed every night as at +the first. + +The twelve months soon sped along, and now the time for the battle in +single combat between Powell and Hargan had fully come. The two +warriors met in the middle of a river ford, and backed their horses +for a charge. Then they rushed furiously at the other. Powell's spear +struck Hargan so hard, that he was knocked out of the saddle and +hurled, the length of a lance, over and beyond the crupper, or tail +strap of his horse. He fell mortally wounded upon the ground. + +Now came the moment of danger and temptation to Powell, for Hargan +cried out: + +"For the love of Heaven, finish your work on me. Slay me with your +sword." + +But Powell was wise and his head was cool. He had kept in mind the +warning to strike only one blow. He called out loudly, so that all +could hear him: + +"I will not repeat that. Slay thee who may, I shall not." + +So Hargan, knowing his end had come, bade his nobles bear him away +from the river shore. + +Then Powell, with his armies, overran the two kingdoms of Fairy Land +and made himself master of all. He took oath of all the princes and +nobles, who swore to be loyal to their new master. + +This done, Powell rode away to the trysting place in a glen, and there +he met Arawn, as had been appointed. They changed shapes, and each +became himself, as he had been before. + +Arawn thanked Powell heartily, and bade him see what he had done for +him. + +Then each one rode back, in his former likeness, to his kingdom. + +Now at Anwyn, no one but Arawn himself knew that anything unusual had +taken place. After dinner, and the evening story telling were over, +and it was time to go to bed, Arawn's wife was surprised in double +measure. + +Two things puzzled her. Her husband was now very tender to her and +also very talkative; whereas, for a whole year, every night, he had +been as silent and immovable as a log. How could it be, in either +case? + +But this time, the wife was silent as a statue. Even though Arawn +spoke to her three times, he received no reply. + +Then he asked directly of her, why she was so silent. She made an +answer that, for a whole year, no word had been spoken in their +bedroom. + +"What?" said he, "did we not talk together, as always before?" + +"No," said she, "not for a year has there been talk or caress between +us." + +At this answer, Arawn was overcome with surprise, and as struck with +admiration at having so good a friend. He burst out first in praise of +Powell, and then told his wife all that had happened during the past +twelve months. She, too, was full of admiration, and told her husband +that in Powell he had certainly found a true friend. + +In Dyfed, when Powell had returned to his own land and castle, he +called his lords together. Then he asked them to be perfectly frank +and free to speak. They must tell him whether they thought him a good +king during the year past. + +All shouted in chorus of approval. Then their spokesman addressed +Powell thus: + +"My lord, never was thy wisdom so great, thy generosity more free, nor +thy justice more manifest, than during the past year." + +When he ceased, all the vassals showed their approval of this speech. + +Then Powell, smiling, told the story of his adventures in exchanging +his form and tasks; at the end of which, the spokesman taking his cue +from the happy faces of all his fellow vassals, made reply: + +"Of a truth, lord, we pray thee, do thou give thanks to Heaven that +thou hast formed such a fellowship. Please continue to us the form of +the kingdom and rule, that we have enjoyed for a year past." + +Thereupon King Powell took oath, kissing the hilt of his sword, and +called on Heaven to witness his promise that he would do as they had +desired. + +So the two kings confirmed the friendship they had made. Each sent the +other rich gifts of jewels, horses and hounds. + +In memory of so wonderful and happy union, of a mortal and a fairy, +Powell was thereafter, in addition to all his titles, saluted as Lord +of Anwyn, which is only another name for the Land of the Fairies. + + + + +XX + + +POWELL AND HIS BRIDE + + +Not far from the castle where King Powell had his court, there was a +hillock called the Mount of Macbeth. It was the common belief that +some strange adventure would befall anyone who should sit upon that +mound. + +He would receive blows, or wounds, or else he would see something +wonderful. + +Thus it came to pass, that none but peaceful bards had ever sat upon +the mound. Never a warrior or a common man had risked sitting there. +The general fear felt, and the awe inspired by the place, was too +great. + +But after his adventure of being King of Fairy Land for a whole year, +everything else to Powell seemed dull and commonplace. So, to test his +own courage, and worthiness of kingship, Powell assembled all his +lords at Narberth. + +After the night's feasting, revelry and story telling, Powell declared +that, next day, he would sit upon the enchanted mound. + +So when the sun was fully risen, Powell took his seat upon the mound, +expecting that, all of a sudden, something unusual would happen. + +For some minutes nothing, whether event or vision, took place. Then he +lifted up his eyes and saw approaching him a white horse on which rode +a lady. She was dressed in shining garments, as if made of gold. +Evidently she was a princess. Yet she came not very near. + +"Does anyone among you know who this lady is?" asked Powell of his +chieftains. + +"Not one of us," was the answer. + +Thereupon Powell ordered his vassals to ride forward. They were to +greet her courteously, and inquire who she was. + +But now the predicted wonder took place. She moved away from them, yet +at a quiet pace that suited her. Though the knights spurred their +horses, and rode fast and furiously, they could not come any nearer to +her. + +They galloped back, and reported their failure to reach the lady. + +Then Powell picked out others and sent them riding after the lady, but +each time, one and all returned, chagrined with failure. A woman had +beaten them. + +So the day closed with silence in the castle hall. There was no merry +making or story telling that night. + +The next day, Powell sat again on the mound and once more the golden +lady came near. + +This time, Powell himself left his seat on the mound, leaped on his +fleetest horse, and pursued the maiden, robed in gold, on the white +horse. + +But she flitted away, as she had done before from the knights. Again +and again, though he could get nearer and nearer to her, he failed. + +Then the baffled king cried out, in despair, "O maiden fair, for the +sake of him whom thou lovest, stay for me." + +Evidently the lady, who lived in the time of castles and courts, did +not care to be wooed in the style of the cave men. Such manners did +not suit her, but with a change of method of making love, her heart +melted. Besides, she was a kind woman. She took pity on horses, as +well as on men. + +Sweet was her voice, as she answered most graciously: + +"I will stay gladly, and it were better for thy horses, hadst thou +asked me properly, long ago." + +To his questions, as to how and why she came to him, she told her +story, as follows: + +"I am Rhiannon, descended from the August and Venerable One of old. My +aunts and uncles tried to make me marry against my will a chieftain +named Gwawl, an auburn-haired youth, son of Clud, but, because of my +love to thee, would I have no husband, and if you reject me, I will +never marry any man." + +"As Heaven is my witness, were I to choose among all the damsels and +ladies of the world, thee would I choose," cried Powell. + +After that, it was agreed that, when a year had sped, Powell should go +to the Palace of the August and Venerable One of old, and claim her +for his bride. + +So, when twelve months had passed, Powell with his retinue of a +hundred knights, all splendidly horsed and finely appareled, presented +himself before the castle. There he found his fair lady and a feast +already prepared at which he sat with her. On the other side of the +table, were her father and mother. + +In the midst of this joyous occasion, when all was gayety, and they +talked together, in strode a youth clad in sheeny satin. He was of +noble bearing and had auburn hair. He saluted Powell and his knights +courteously. + +At once Powell, the lord of Narberth, invited the stranger to come and +sit down as guest beside him. + +"Not so," replied the youth. "I am a suitor, and have come to crave a +boon of thee." + +Without guile or suspicion, Powell replied innocently. + +"Ask what you will. If in my power, it shall be yours." + +But Rhiannon chided Powell. She asked, "Oh, why did you give him such +an answer?" + +"But he did give it," cried the auburn haired youth. Then turning to +the whole company of nobles, he appealed to them: + +"Did he not pledge his word, before you all, to give me what I asked?" + +Then, turning to Powell, he said: + +"The boon I ask is this, to have thy bride, Rhiannon. Further, I want +this feast and banquet to celebrate, in this place, our wedding." + +At this demand, Powell seemed to have been struck dumb. He did not +speak, but Rhiannon did. + +"Be silent, as long as thou wilt," she cried, "but surely no man ever +made worse use of his wits than thou hast done; for this man, to whom +thou gavest thy oath of promise, is none other than Gwawl, the son of +Clud. He is the suitor, from whom I fled to come to you, while you sat +on the Narberth mound." + +Now, out of such trouble, how should the maiden, promised to two men, +be delivered? + +Her wit saved her for the nonce. Powell was bound to keep his word; +but Rhiannon explained to Gwawl, that it was not his castle or hall. +So, he could not give the banquet; but, in a year from that date, if +Gwawl would come for her, she would be his bride. Then, a new bridal +feast would be set for the wedding. + +In the meantime, Rhiannon planned with Powell to get out of the +trouble. For this purpose, she gave him a magical bag, which he was to +use when the right time should come. + +Quickly the twelve months passed and then Gwawl appeared again, to +claim his bride, and a great feast was spread in his honor. + +All were having a good time, when in the midst of their merriment, a +beggar appeared in the hall. He was in rags, and carried the usual +beggar's wallet for food or alms. He asked only that, out of the +abundance on the table, his bag might be filled. + +Gwawl agreed, and ordered his servants to attend to the matter. + +But the bag never got full. What they put into it, or how much made no +difference. Dish after dish was emptied. By degrees, most of the food +on the table was in the beggar's bag. + +"My soul alive! Will that bag never get full?" asked Gwawl. + +"No, by Heaven! Not unless some rich man shall get into it, stamp it +down with his feet, and call out 'enough.'" + +Then Rhiannon, who sat beside Gwawl, urged him to attempt the task, by +putting his two feet in the bag to stamp it down. + +No sooner had Gwawl done this, than the supposed beggar pushed him +down inside the bag. Then drawing the mouth shut, he tied it tight +over Gwawl's head. + +Then the beggar's rags dropped, and there stood forth the handsome +leader, Powell. He blew his horn, and in rushed his knights who +overcame and bound the followers of Gwawl. + +Then they proceeded to play a merry game of football, using the bag, +in which Gwawl was tied, as men in our day kick pigskin. One called to +his mate, or rival, "What's in the bag?" and others answered, "a +badger." So they played the game of "Badger in the Bag," kicking it +around the hall. + +They did not let the prisoner out of the bag, until he had promised to +pay the pipers, the harpers, and the singers, who should come to the +wedding of Powell and Rhiannon. He must give up all his claims, and +register a vow never to take revenge. This oath given, and promises +made, the bag was opened and the agreements solemnly confirmed in +presence of all. + +Then Gwawl, and every one of his men, knights and servants, were let +go, and they went back to their own country. + +A few evenings later, in the large banqueting hall, Powell and +Rhiannon were married. Besides the great feast, presents were given to +all present, high and low. Then the happy pair made their wedding +journey to Gwawl's palace at Narberth. There the lovely bride gave a +ring, or a gem, to every lord and lady in her new realm, and everybody +was happy. + + + + +XXI + + +WHY THE BACK DOOR WAS FRONT + + +In the days when were no books, or writing, and folk tales were the +only ones told, there was an old woman, who had a bad reputation. She +pretended to be very poor, so as not to attract or tempt robbers. Yet +those who knew her best, knew also, as a subject of common talk, that +she was always counting out her coins. + +Besides this, she lived in a nice house, and it was believed that she +made a living by stealing babies out of their cradles to sell to the +bad fairies. + +It was matter of rumor that she would, for an extra large sum, take a +wicked fairy's ugly brat, and put it in place of a mother's darling. + +In addition to these horrid charges against her, it was rumored that +she laid a spell, or charm, on the cattle of people whom she did not +like, in order to take revenge on them. + +The old woman denied all this, and declared it was only silly gossip +of envious people who wanted her money. She lived so comfortably, she +averred, because her son, who was a stone mason, who made much money +by building chimneys, which had then first come into fashion. When he +brought to her the profits of his jobs, she counted the coins, and +because of this, some people were jealous, and told bad stories about +her. She declared she was thrifty, but neither a miser, nor a +kidnaper, nor a witch. + +One day, this old woman wanted more feathers to stuff into her bed, to +make it softer and feel pleasanter for her old bones to rest upon, for +what she slept on was nearly worn through. So she went to a farm, +where they were plucking geese, and asked for a few handfuls of +feathers. + +But the rich farmer's people refused and ordered her out of the farm +yard. + +Shortly after this event, the cows of this farmer, who was opposed to +chimneys, and did not like her or her son, suffered dreadfully from +the disease called the black quarter. As they had no horse doctors or +professors of animal economy, or veterinaries in those days, many of +the cows died. The rich farmer lost much money, for he had now no milk +or beef to sell. At once, he suspected that his cattle were bewitched, +and that the old woman had cast a spell on them. In those days, it was +very easy to think so. + +So the angry man went one day to the old crone, when she was alone, +and her stout son was away on a distant job. He told her to remove the +charm, which she had laid on his beasts, or he would tie her arms and +legs together, and pitch her into the river. + +The old woman denied vehemently that she possessed any such powers, or +had ever practiced such black arts. + +To make sure of it, the farmer made her say out loud, "The Blessing of +God be upon your cattle!" To clinch the matter, he compelled her to +repeat the Lord's Prayer, which she was able to do, without missing +one syllable. She used the form of words which are not found in the +prayer book, but are in the Bible, and was very earnest, when she +prayed "Forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors." + +But after all that trouble, and the rough way which the rich farmer +took to save his cattle, his efforts were in vain. In spite of that +kind of religion which he professed--which was shown by bullying a +poor old woman--his cattle were still sick, with no sign of +improvement. He was at his wits' end to know what to do next. + +Now, as we have said, this was about the time that chimneys came into +fashion. In very old days, the Cymric house was a round hut, with a +thatched roof, without glass windows, and the smoke got out through +the door and holes in the walls, in the best way it could. The only +tapestry in the hut was in the shape of long festoons of soot, that +hung from the roof or rafters. These, when the wind blew, or the fire +was lively, would swing or dance or whirl, and often fall on the +heads, or into the food, while the folks were eating. When the +children cried, or made wry faces at the black stuff, their daddy only +laughed, and said it was healthy, or was for good luck. + +But by and by, the carpenters and masons made much improvement, +especially when, instead of flint hatchets, they had iron axes and +tools. Then they hewed down trees, that had thick cross branches and +set up columns in the center, and made timber walls and rafters. Then +the house was square or oblong. In other words, the Cymric folks +squared the circle. + +Now they began to have lattices, and, much later, even glass windows. +They removed the fireplace from the middle of the floor and set it at +the end of the house, opposite the door, and built chimneys. + +Then they set the beds at the side, and made sleeping rooms. This was +done by stretching curtains between partitions. They had also a loft, +in which to keep odds and ends. They hung up the bacon and hams, and +strings of onions, and made a mantle piece over the fireplace. They +even began to decorate the walls with pictures and to set pewter +dishes, china cats, and Dresden shepherds in rows on the shelves for +ornaments. + +Now people wore shoes and the floor, instead of being muddy, or dusty, +with pools and puddles of water in the time of rainy weather and with +the pigs and chickens running in and out, was of clay, beaten down +flat and hard, and neatly whitewashed at the edges. Outside, in front, +were laid nice flat flagstones, that made a pleasant path to the front +door. Flowers, inside and out, added to the beauty of the home and +made perfume for those who loved them. + +The rich farmer had just left his old round hut and now lived in one +of the new and better kind of houses. He was very proud of his +chimney, which he had built higher than any of his neighbors, but he +could not be happy, while so many of his cows were sick or dying. +Besides, he was envious of other people's prosperity and cared +nothing, when they, too, suffered. + +One night, while he was standing in front of his fine house and +wondering why he must be vexed with so many troubles, he talked to +himself and, speaking out loud, said: + +"Why don't my cows get well?" + +"I'll tell you," said a voice behind him. It seemed half way between a +squeak and a growl. + +He turned round and there he saw a little, angry man. He was dressed +in red, and stood hardly as high as the farmer's knee. The little old +man glared at the big fellow and cried out in a high tone of voice: + +"You must change your habits of disposing of your garbage, for other +people have chimneys besides you." + +"What has that to do with sickness among my cows?" + +"Much indeed. Your family is the cause of your troubles, for they +throw all their slops down my chimney and put out my fire." + +The farmer was puzzled beyond the telling, for he owned all the land +within a mile, and knew of no house in sight. + +"Put your foot on mine, and then you will have the power of vision, to +see clearly." + +The farmer's big boot was at once placed on the little man's slipper, +and when he looked down he almost laughed at the contrast in size. +What was his real surprise, when he saw that the slops thrown out of +his house, did actually fall down; and, besides, the contents of the +full bucket, when emptied, kept on dripping into the chimney of a +house which stood far below, but which he had never seen before. + +But as soon as he took his foot off that of the tiny little man, he +saw nothing. Everything like a building vanished as in a dream. + +"I see that my family have done wrong and injured yours. Pray forgive +me. I'll do what I can to make amends for it." + +"It's no matter now, if you only do as I ask you. Shut up your front +door, build a wall in its place, and then my family will not suffer +from yours." + +The rich farmer thought all this was very funny, and he had a hearty +laugh over it all. + +Yet he did exactly as the little man in the red cloak had so politely +asked him. He walled up the old door at the front, and built another +at the back of the house, which opened out into the garden. Then he +made the path, on which to go in from the roadway to the threshold, +around the corners and over a longer line of flagstones. Then he +removed the fireplace and chimney to what had been the front side of +the house, but was now the back. For the next thing, he had a copper +doorsill nailed down, which his housemaid polished, until it shone as +bright as gold. + +Yet long before this, his cows had got well, and they now gave more +and richer milk than ever. He became the wealthiest man in the +district. His children all grew up to be fine looking men and women. +His grandsons were famous engineers and introduced paving and drainage +in the towns so that to-day, for both man and beast, Wales is one of +the healthiest of countries. + + + + +XXII + + +THE RED BANDITS OF MONTGOMERY + + +When chimneys were first added to houses in Wales, and the style of +house-building changed, from round to square, many old people found +fault with the new fashion of letting the smoke out. + +They declared they caught colds and sneezed oftener, than in the times +gone by. The chimneys, they said, cost too much money, and were +useless extravagances. They got along well enough, in the good old +days, when the smoke had its own way of getting out. Then, it took +plenty of time to pass through the doors and windholes, for no one +person or thing was in a hurry, when they were young. Moreover, when +the fireplace was in the middle of the floor, the whole family sat +around it and had a sociable time. + +It was true, as they confessed, when argued with, that the smell of +the cooking used to linger too long. The soot also, hung in long +streamers from the rafters, and stuck to the house, like old friends. + +But the greatest and most practical objection of the old folks to the +chimneys was that robbers used them to climb down at night and steal +people's money, when they were asleep. So, many householders used to +set old scythe blades across the new smoke holes, to keep out the +thieves, or to slice them up, if they persisted. + +In Montgomery, which is one of the Welsh shires, there was an epidemic +of robbery, and the doings of the Red Bandits are famous in history. + +Now there was a young widow, whose husband had been killed by the +footpads, or road robbers. She was left alone in the world, with a +little boy baby in the cradle and only one cow in the byre. She had +hard work to pay her rent, but as there were three or four scythes set +in the chimney, and the cow stable had a good lock on it, she thought +she was safe from burglars or common thieves. + +But the Reds picked out the most expert chimney-climber in their gang, +and he one night slipped down into the widow's cottage, without making +any noise or cutting off his nose, toes, or fingers. Then, robbing the +widow of her rent money, he picked the lock of the byre and drove off +the cow. In the morning, the poor woman found both doors open, but +there was no money and no cow. + +While she was crying over her loss, and wringing her hands, because of +her poverty, she heard a knock at the door. + +"Come in," said the widow. + +There entered an old lady with a kindly face. She was very tall and +well dressed. Her cloak, her gloves, and shoes, and the ruffles under +her high peaked Welsh head dress, were all green. The widow thought +she looked like an animated leek. In her right hand was a long staff, +and in her left, under her cloak, she held a little bag, that was +green, also. + +"Why do you weep?" asked the visitor. + +Then the widow told her tale of woe--the story of the loss of her +husband, and how a red robber, in spite of the scythe blades set in +the chimney, had come down and taken away both her money and her cow. + +Now, although she had sold all her butter and cream, she could neither +pay her rent, nor have any buttermilk with her rye bread and flummery. + +"Dry your tears and take comfort," said the tall lady in the green +peaked hat. "Here is money enough to pay your rent and buy another +cow." With that, she sat down at the round table near the peat fire. +Opening her bag, the shining gold coins slid out and formed a little +heap on the table. + +"There, you can have all this, if you will give me all I want." + +At first, the widow's eyes opened wide, and then she glanced at the +cradle, where her baby was sleeping. Then she wondered, though she +said nothing. + +But the next moment, she was laughing at herself, and looking around +at her poor cottage. She tried to guess what there was in it, that the +old lady could possibly want. + +"You can have anything I have. Name it," she said cheerfully to her +visitor. + +But only a moment more, and all her fears returned at the thought that +the visitor might ask for her boy. + +The old lady spoke again and said: + +"I want to help you all I can, but what I came here for is to get the +little boy in the cradle." + +The widow now saw that the old woman was a fairy, and that if her +visitor got hold of her son, she would never see her child again. + +So she begged piteously of the old lady, to take anything and +everything, except her one child. + +"No, I want that boy, and, if you want the gold, you must let me take +him." + +"Is there anything else that I can do for you, so that I may get the +money?" asked the widow. + +"Well, I'll make it easier for you. There are two things I must tell +you to cheer you." + +"What are they?" asked the widow, eagerly. + +"One is, that by our fairy law, I cannot take your boy, until three +days have passed. Then, I shall come again, and you shall have the +gold; but only on the one condition I have stated." + +"And the next?" almost gasped the widow. + +"If you can guess my name, you will doubly win; for then, I shall give +you the gold and you can keep your boy." + +Without waiting for another word, the lady in green scooped up her +money, put it back in the bag, and moved off and out the door. + +The poor woman, at once a widow and mother, and now stripped of her +property, fearing to lose her boy, brooded all night over her troubles +and never slept a wink. + +In the morning, she rose up, left her baby with a neighbor, and went +to visit some relatives in the next village, which was several miles +distant. She told her story, but her kinsfolk were too poor to help +her. So, all disconsolate, she turned her face homewards. + +On her way back she had to pass through the woods, where, on one side, +was a clearing. In the middle of this open space, was a ring of grass. +In the ring a little fairy lady was tripping around and singing to +herself. + +Creeping up silently, the anxious mother heard to her joy, a rhymed +couplet and caught the sound of a name, several times repeated. It +sounded like "Silly Doot." + +Hurrying home and perfectly sure that she knew the secret that would +save her boy, she set cheerily about her regular work and daily tasks. +In fact, she slept soundly that night. + +Next day, in came the lady in green as before, with her bag of money. +Taking her seat at the round table, near the fire, she poured out the +gold. Then jingling the coins in the pile, she said: + +"Now give up your boy, or guess my name, if you want me to help you." + +The young widow, feeling sure that she had the old fairy in a trap, +thought she would have some fun first. + +"How many guesses am I allowed?" she asked. + +"All you want, and as many as you please," answered the green lady, +smiling. + +The widow rattled off a string of names, English, Welsh and Biblical; +but every time the fairy shook her head. Her eyes began to gleam, as if +she felt certain of getting the boy. She even moved her chair around +to the side nearest the cradle. + +"One more guess," cried the widow. "Can it be Silly Doot?" + +At this sound, the fairy turned red with rage. At the same moment, the +door opened wide and a blast of wind made the hearth fire flare up. +Leaving her gold behind her, the old woman flew up the chimney, and +disappeared over the housetops. + +The widow scooped up the gold, bought two cows, furnished her cottage +with new chairs and fresh flowers, and put the rest of the coins away +under one of the flag stones at the hearth. When her boy grew up, she +gave him a good education, and he became one of the fearless judges, +who, with the aid of Baron Owen, rooted out of their lair the Red +Bandits, that had robbed his mother. Since that day, there has been +little crime in Wales--the best governed part of the kingdom. + + + + +XXIII + + +THE FAIRY CONGRESS + + +One can hardly think of Wales without a harp. The music of this most +ancient and honorable instrument, which emits sweet sounds, when heard +in a foreign land makes Welsh folks homesick for the old country and +the music of the harp. Its strings can wail with woe, ripple with +merriment, sound out the notes of war and peace, and lift the soul in +heavenly melody. + +Usually a player on the harp opened the Eistedfodd, as the Welsh +literary congress is called, but this time they had engaged for the +fairies a funny little fellow to start the programme with a solo on +his violin. + +The figure of this musician, at the congress of Welsh fairies, was the +most comical of any in the company. The saying that he was popular +with all the mountain spirits was shown to be true, the moment he +began to scrape his fiddle, for then they all crowded around him. + +"Did you ever see such a tiny specimen?" asked Queen Mab of Puck. + +The little fiddler came forward and drawing his instrument from under +his arm, proceeded to scrape the strings. He had on a pair of moss +trousers, and his coat was a yellow gorse flower. His feet were clad +in shoes made of beetles' wings, which always kept bright, as if +polished with a brush. + +When one looked at the fiddle, he could see that it was only a wooden +spoon, with strings across the bowl. But the moment he drew the bow +from one side to the other, all the elves, from every part of the +hills, came tripping along to hear the music, and at once began +dancing. + +Some of these elves were dressed in pink, some in blue, others in +yellow, and many had glow worms in their hands. Their tread was so +light that the flower stems never bent, nor was a petal crushed, when +they walked over the turf. All, as they came near, bowed or dropped a +curtsey. Then the little musician took off his cap to each, and bowed +in return. + +There was too much business before the meeting for dancing to be kept +up very long, but when the violin solo was over, at a sign given by +the fiddler, the dancers took seats wherever they could find them, on +the grass, or gorse, or heather, or on the stones. After order had +been secured, the chairman of the meeting read regrets from those who +had been invited but could not be present. + +The first note was from the mermaids, who lived near the Green Isles +of the Ocean. They asked to be excused from traveling inland and +climbing rocks. In the present delicate state of their health this +would be too fatiguing. Poor things! + +It was unanimously voted that they be excused. + +Queen Mab was dressed, as befitted the occasion, like a Welsh lady, +not wearing a crown, but a high peaked hat, pointed at the top and +about half a yard high. It was black and was held on by fastenings of +scalloped lace, that came down around her neck. + +The lake fairies, or Elfin Maids, were out in full force. These lived +at the bottom of the many ponds and pools in Wales. Many stories are +told of the wonderful things they did with boats and cattle. + +Nowadays, when they milk cows by electric machinery and use steam +launches on the water, most of the water sprites of all kinds have +been driven away, for they do not like the smell of kerosene or +gasoline. It is for these reasons that, in our day, they are not often +seen. In fact, cows from the creameries can wade out into the water +and even stand in it, while lashing their tails to keep off the flies, +without any danger, as in old times, of being pulled down by the Elfin +Maids. + +The little Red Men, that could hide under a thimble, and have plenty +of room to spare, were all out. The elves, and nixies and sprites, of +all colors and many forms were on hand. + +The pigmies, who guard the palace of the king of the world +underground, came in their gay dresses. There were three of them, and +they brought in their hands balls of gold, with which to play tenpins, +but they were not allowed to have any games while the meeting was +going on. + +In fact, just when these little fellows from down under the earth were +showing off their gay clothes and their treasures from the caves, one +mischievous fairy maid sidled up to their chief and whispered in his +ear: + +"Better put away your gold, for this is in modern Wales, where they +have pawn shops. Three golden balls, two above the one below, which +you often see nowadays, mean that two to one you will never get it +again. These hang out as the sign of a pawnbroker's shop, and what you +put in does not, as a rule, come out. I am afraid that some of the +Cymric fairies from Cornwall, or Montgomery, or Cheshire, might think +you were after business, and you understand that no advertising is +allowed here." + +In a moment, each of the three leaders thrust his ball into his bosom. +It made his coat bulge out, and at this, some of the fairies wondered, +but all they thought of was that this spoiled a handsome fellow's +figure. Or was it some new idea? To tell the truth, they were vexed at +not keeping up with the new fashions, for they knew nothing of this +latest fad among such fine young gallants. + +Much of the chat and gossip, before and after the meeting, was between +the fairies who live in the air, or on mountains, and those down in +the earth, or deep in the sea. They swapped news, gossip and scandal +at a great rate. + +There were a dozen or two fine-looking creatures who had high brows, +who said they were Co-eds. This did not mean that these fairies had +ever been through college. "Certainly the college never went through +them," said one very homely fairy, who was spiteful and jealous. The +simple fact was that the one they called Betty, the Co-ed, and others +from that Welsh village, called Bryn Mawr, and another from Flint, and +another from Yale, and still others from Brimbo and from Co-ed Poeth, +had come from places so named and down on the map of Wales, though +they were no real Co-ed girls there, that could talk French, or +English, or read Latin. In fact, Co-ed simply meant that they were +from the woods and lived among the trees; for Co-ed in Welsh means a +forest. + +The fairy police were further instructed not to admit, and, if such +were found, to put out the following bad characters, for this was a +perfectly respectable meeting. These naughty folks were: + +The Old Hag of the Mist. + +The Invisible Hag that moans dolefully in the night. + +The Tolaeth, a creature never seen, but that groans, sings, saws, or +stamps noisily. + +The Dogs of the Sky. + +All witches, of every sort and kind. + +All peddlers of horseshoes, crosses, charms, or amulets. + +All mortals with brains fuddled by liquor. + +All who had on shoes which water would not run under. + +All fairies that were accustomed to turn mortals into cheese. + +Every one of these, who might want to get in, were to be refused +admittance. + +Another circle of rather exclusive fairies, who always kept away from +the blacksmiths, hardware stores, smelting furnaces and mines, had +formed an anti-iron society. These were a kind of a Welsh "Four +Hundred," or elite, who would have nothing to do with anyone who had +an iron tool, or weapon, or ornament in his hand, or on his dress, or +who used iron in any form, or for any use. They frowned upon the idea +of Cymric Land becoming rich by mining, and smelting, and selling +iron. They did not even approve of the idea that any imps and dwarfs +of the iron mines should be admitted to the meeting. + +One clique of fairies, that looked like elves were in bad humor, +almost to moping. When one of these got up to speak, it seemed as if +he would never sit down. He tired all the lively fairies by +long-winded reminiscences, of druids, and mistletoes, and by telling +every one how much better the old times were than the present. + +President Puck, who always liked things short, and was himself as +lively as quicksilver, many times called these long-winded fellows to +order; but they kept meandering on, until daybreak, when it was time +to adjourn, lest the sunshine should spoil them all, and change them +into slate or stone. + +It was hard to tell just how much business was disposed of, at this +session, or whether one ever came to the point, although there was a +great deal of oratory and music. Much of what was said was in poetry, +or in verses, or rhymes, of three lines each. What they talked about +was mainly in protest against the smoke of factories and collieries, +and because there was so much soot, and so little soap, in the land. + +But what did they do at the fairy congress? + +The truth is, that nobody to-day knows what was done in this session +of the fairies, for the proceedings were kept secret. The only one who +knows was an old Welshman whom the story-teller used to meet once in a +while. He is the one mortal who knows anything about this meeting, and +he won't tell; or at least he won't talk in anything but Welsh. So we +have to find out the gist of the matter, by noticing, in the stories +which we have just read what the fairies did. + + + + +XXIV + + +THE SWORD OF AVALON + + +Many of the Welsh tales are about fighting and wars and no country as +small as Wales has so many castles. Yet these are nearly all in ruins +and children play in them. This is because men got tired of battles +and sieges. + +Everybody knows that after King Arthur's knights had punched and +speared, whacked and chopped at each other with axe and sword long +enough, had slain dragons and tamed monsters, and rescued princesses +from cruel uncles, and good men from dark dungeons, even the plain +people, such as farmers and mechanics, had enough and wanted no more. +Besides this, they wished to be treated more like human beings, and +not have to work so hard and also to keep their money when they earned +it. + +Even King Arthur himself, towards the end of this era, saw that +fashions were changing and that he must change with them. Hardware was +too high in price, and was no longer needed for clothing. He was wise +enough to see that battle axes, maces, swords, lances and armor had +better be put to some better use, when iron was getting scarce and +wool and linen were cheaper. Even the stupid Normans learned that +decency and kindness cost less, and accomplished more in making the +Welshery loyal subjects of the king. + +So when, after many battles, King Arthur went out to have a little war +of his own, and to enjoy the fight, in which he was mortally wounded, +he showed his greatness, even in the hour of death. In truth, it is +given to some men, like Samson, to be even mightier when they die, +than when following the strenuous life. So it was with this great and +good man of Cymry. His love for his people never ceased for one +moment, and in his dying hour he left a bequest that all his people +have understood and acted upon. + +Thus it has come to pass that the Welsh have been really +unconquerable, by Saxon or Norman, or even in these twentieth century +days by Teutons. Though living in a small country, they are among the +greatest in the world, not in force, or in material things, but in +soul. When Belgium was invaded, they not only stood up in battle +against the invader, but they welcomed to their homes tens of +thousands of fugitives and fed and sheltered them. + +Brave as lions, their path of progress has been in faithfulness to +duty, industry, and patience, and along the paths of poetry, music and +brotherhood. Their motto for ages has been, "Truth against the World." + +Now the manner of King Arthur's taking off and his immortal legacy was +on this fashion: + +After doing a great many wonderful things, in many countries, King +Arthur came back to punish the wicked man, Modred. In the battle that +ensued, he received wounds that made him feel that he was very soon to +die. So he ordered his loyal vassal to take his sword to the island of +Avalon. There he must cast the weapon into the deep water. + +But the sword was part of the soul of Arthur. It would not sink out of +sight, until it had given a message, from their king to the Welsh, for +all time. + +After it had been thrown in the water, it disappeared, but rose again. +First the shining blade, and then the hilt, and then a hand was seen +to rise out of the flood. + +Thrice that hand waved the sword round and round. + +This was the prophecy of "the deathless from the dead." King Arthur's +body might be hid in a cave, or molder in the ground, but his soul was +to live and cheer his people. His beloved Cymric nation, with their +undying language, were to rise in power again. + +And the resurrection has been glorious. Not by the might of the +soldier, or by arms or war--though the Welsh never flinch from duty, +or before the foe--but by the power of poet, singer and the narrator +of stories, that touch the imagination, and fire the soul to noble +deeds, have these results come. + +Arthur's good blade, thus waved above the waters, became a veritable +sword of the Spirit. + +Men of genius arose to flush with color the old legends. Prophets, +preachers, monks, missionaries carried these all over Europe, and made +them the vehicles of Christian doctrine. In their new forms, they +fired the imagination and illuminated, as with ten thousand lamps, +many lands and nations, until they held every people in spell. In +miracle and morality play, they reappeared in beauty. They attuned the +harp and instrument of the musician and the troubadour, and these sang +the gospel in all lands, north and south, while telling the stories of +Adam, and of Abraham, of Bethlehem, and of the cross, of the Holy +Grail, and of Arthur and his Knights. All the precious lore of the +Celtic race became transfigured, to illustrate and enforce Christian +truth. The symbolical bowl, the Celtic caldron of abundance, became +the cup of the Eucharist and the Grail the symbol of blessings +eternal. + +By the artists, in the stained glass, and in windows of the great +churches, which were built no longer of wood but of stone, that +blossomed under the chisel, the old legends were, by the new currents +of truth, given a mystic glow. As wonderful as the rise of Gothic +architecture and the upbuilding of cathedrals, as glorious as the +light and art, that beautify the great temples of worship, was this +re-birth of the Arthurian legends. + +For now, again, the old virtues of the knightly days--loyalty, +obedience, redress of wrongs, reverence of womanhood, and the +application of Christian ethics to the old rude rules of decency, +lifted the life of the common people to a nobler plane and ushered in +the modern days. + +Then, after seven hundred years, a host of singers, Tennyson leading +them all, attuned the old Celtic harp. They reset for us the Cymric +melody and colorful incidents in "the light that never was on sea or +land." The old days live again in a greater glory. + +Lady Guest put the Mabinogion into English, and Renan, and Arnold, and +Rolleston, and Rhys, in prose, competed in praise of the heritages +from the old time. Popular education was diffused. The Welsh language +rose again from the dead. Cardiff holds in pure white marble the most +thrilling interpretation of Welsh history, in the twelve white marble +statues of the great men of Wales. The Welsh people, by bloodless +victory, have won the respect of all mankind. + +They set a beacon for the oppressed nations. In the World War of +1914-1918, they helped to save freedom and civilization. They were in +the van. + +Long may the sword of Arthur wave! + + + + + + + + + + +End of Project Gutenberg's Welsh Fairy Tales, by William Elliott Griffis + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK WELSH FAIRY TALES *** + +***** This file should be named 9368.txt or 9368.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + http://www.gutenberg.org/9/3/6/9368/ + +Produced by Juliet Sutherland, Cam Venezuela and PG +Distributed Proofreaders. 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Do not change or edit the +header without written permission. + +Please read the "legal small print," and other information about the +eBook and Project Gutenberg at the bottom of this file. Included is +important information about your specific rights and restrictions in +how the file may be used. You can also find out about how to make a +donation to Project Gutenberg, and how to get involved. + + +**Welcome To The World of Free Plain Vanilla Electronic Texts** + +**eBooks Readable By Both Humans and By Computers, Since 1971** + +*****These eBooks Were Prepared By Thousands of Volunteers!***** + + +Title: Welsh Fairy Tales + +Author: William Elliot Griffis + +Release Date: November, 2005 [EBook #9368] +[Yes, we are more than one year ahead of schedule] +[This file was first posted on September 25, 2003] + +Edition: 10 + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ASCII + +*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK WELSH FAIRY TALES *** + + + + +Produced by Juliet Sutherland, Cam Venezuela and PG Distributed Proofreaders + + + + +Welsh Fairy Tales + +By + +WILLIAM ELLIOT GRIFFIS + +1921 + + + +A PREFACE-LETTER TO MY GRANDFATHER + +DEAR CAPTAIN JOHN GRIFFIS: + +Although I never saw you, since you died in 1804, I am glad you were +one of those Welshmen who opposed the policy of King George III and +that you, after coming to America in 1783, were among the first sea +captains to carry the American flag around the world. That you knew +many of the Free Quakers and other patriots of the Revolution and that +they buried you among them, near Benjamin Franklin, is a matter of +pride to your descendants. That you were born in Wales and spoke +Welsh, as did also those three great prophets of spiritual liberty, +Roger Williams, William Penn, and Thomas Jefferson, is still further +ground for pride in one's ancestry. Now, in the perspective of history +we see that our Washington and his compeers and Wilkes, Barre, Burke +and the friends of America in Parliament were fighting the same battle +of Freedom. Though our debt to Wales for many things is great, we +count not least those inheritances from the world of imagination, for +which the Cymric Land was famous, even before the days of either +Anglo-Saxon or Norman. + +W. E. G. + +Saint David's and the day of the Daffodil, March 1, 1921. + + + + +CONTENTS + +I. WELSH RABBIT AND HUNTED HARES + +II. THE MIGHTY MONSTER AFANG + +III. THE TWO CAT WITCHES + +IV. HOW THE CYMRY LAND BECAME INHABITED + +V. THE BOY THAT WAS NAMED TROUBLE + +VI. THE GOLDEN HARP + +VII. THE GREAT RED DRAGON OF WALES + +VIII. THE TOUCH OF CLAY + +IX. THE TOUCH OF IRON + +X. THE MAIDEN OF THE GREEN FOREST + +XI. THE TREASURE STONE OF THE FAIRIES + +XII. GIANT TOM AND GIANT BLUBB + +XIII. A BOY THAT VISITED FAIRYLAND + +XIV. THE WELSHERY AND THE NORMANS + +XV. THE WELSH FAIRIES HOLD A MEETING + +XVI. KING ARTHUR'S CAVE + +XVII. THE LADY OF THE LAKE + +XVIII. THE KING'S FOOT HOLDER + +XIX. POWELL, PRINCE OF DYFED + +XX. POWELL AND HIS BRIDE + +XXI. WHY THE BACK DOOR WAS FRONT + +XXII. THE RED BANDITS OF MONTGOMERY + +XXIII. THE FAIRY CONGRESS + +XXIV. THE SWORD OF AVALON + + + + +I + + +WELSH RABBIT AND HUNTED HARES + + +Long, long ago, there was a good saint named David, who taught the +early Cymric or Welsh people better manners and many good things to +eat and ways of enjoying themselves. + +Now the Welsh folks in speaking of their good teacher pronounced his +name Tafid and affectionately Taffy, and this came to be the usual +name for a person born in Wales. In our nurseries we all learned that +"Taffy was a Welshman," but it was their enemies who made a bad rhyme +about Taffy. + +Wherever there were cows or goats, people could get milk. So they +always had what was necessary for a good meal, whether it were +breakfast, dinner or supper. Milk, cream, curds, whey and cheese +enriched the family table. Were not these enough? + +But Saint David taught the people how to make a still more delicious +food out of cheese, and that this could be done without taking the +life of any creature. + +Saint David showed the girls how to take cheese, slice and toast it +over the coals, or melt it in a skillet and pour it hot over toast or +biscuit. This gave the cheese a new and sweeter flavor. When spread on +bread, either plain, or browned over the fire, the result, in +combination, was a delicacy fit for a king, and equal to anything +known. + +The fame of this new addition to the British bill of fare spread near +and far. The English people, who had always been fond of rabbit pie, +and still eat thousands of Molly Cotton Tails every day, named it +"Welsh Rabbit," and thought it one of the best things to eat. In fact, +there are many people, who do not easily see a joke, who misunderstand +the fun, or who suppose the name to be either slang, or vulgar, or a +mistake, and who call it "rarebit." It is like "Cape Cod turkey" +(codfish), or "Bombay ducks" (dried fish), or "Irish plums" (potatoes) +and such funny cookery with fancy names. + +Now up to this time, the rabbits and hares had been so hunted with the +aid of dogs, that there was hardly a chance of any of them surviving +the cruel slaughter. + +In the year 604, the Prince of Powys was out hunting. The dogs started +a hare, and pursued it into a dense thicket. When the hunter with the +horn came up, a strange sight met his eyes. There he saw a lovely +maiden. She was kneeling on the ground and devoutly praying. Though +surprised at this, the prince was anxious to secure his game. He +hissed on the hounds and ordered the horn to be blown, for the dogs to +charge on their prey, expecting them to bring him the game at once. +Instead of this, though they were trained dogs and would fight even a +wolf, they slunk away howling, and frightened, as if in pain, while +the horn stuck fast to the lips of the blower and he was silent. +Meanwhile, the hare nestled under the maiden's dress and seemed not in +the least disturbed. + +Amazed at this, the prince turned to the fair lady and asked: + +"Who are you?" + +She answered, "My mother named me Monacella. I have fled from Ireland, +where my father wished to marry me to one of his chief men, whom I did +not love. Under God's guidance, I came to this secret desert place, +where I have lived for fifteen years, without seeing the face of man." + +To this, the prince in admiration replied: "O most worthy Melangell +[which is the way the Welsh pronounce Monacella], because, on account +of thy merits, it has pleased God to shelter and save this little, +wild hare, I, on my part, herewith present thee with this land, to be +for the service of God and an asylum for all men and women, who seek +thy protection. So long as they do not pollute this sanctuary, let +none, not even prince or chieftain, drag them forth." + +The beautiful saint passed the rest of her life in this place. At +night, she slept on the bare rock. Many were the wonders wrought for +those who with pure hearts sought her refuge. The little wild hares +were under her special protection, and they are still called +"Melangell's Lambs." + + + + +II + + +THE MIGHTY MONSTER AFANG + + +After the Cymric folk, that is, the people we call Welsh, had come up +from Cornwall into their new land, they began to cut down the trees, +to build towns, and to have fields and gardens. Soon they made the +landscape smile with pleasant homes, rich farms and playing children. + +They trained vines and made flowers grow. The young folks made pets of +the wild animals' cubs, which their fathers and big brothers brought +home from hunting. Old men took rushes and reeds and wove them into +cages for song birds to live in. + +While they were draining the swamps and bogs, they drove out the +monsters, that had made their lair in these wet places. These terrible +creatures liked to poison people with their bad breath, and even ate +up very little boys and girls, when they strayed away from home. + +So all the face of the open country between the forests became very +pretty to look at. The whole of Cymric land, which then extended from +the northern Grampian Hills to Cornwall, and from the Irish Sea, past +their big fort, afterward called London, even to the edge of the +German Ocean, became a delightful place to live in. + +The lowlands and the rivers, in which the tide rose and fell daily, +were especially attractive. This was chiefly because of the many +bright flowers growing there; while the yellow gorse and the pink +heather made the hills look as lovely as a young girl's face. Besides +this, the Cymric maidens were the prettiest ever, and the lads were +all brave and healthy; while both of these knew how to sing often and +well. + +Now there was a great monster named the Afang, that lived in a big +bog, hidden among the high hills and inside of a dark, rough forest. + +This ugly creature had an iron-clad back and a long tail that could +wrap itself around a mountain. It had four front legs, with big knees +that were bent up like a grasshopper's, but were covered with scales +like armor. These were as hard as steel, and bulged out at the thighs. +Along its back, was a ridge of horns, like spines, and higher than an +alligator's. Against such a tough hide, when the hunters shot their +darts and hurled their javelins, these weapons fell down to the +ground, like harmless pins. + +On this monster's head, were big ears, half way between those of a +jackass and an elephant. Its eyes were as green as leeks, and were +round, but scalloped on the edges, like squashes, while they were as +big as pumpkins. + +The Afang's face was much like a monkey's, or a gorilla's, with long +straggling gray hairs around its cheeks like those of a walrus. It +always looked as if a napkin, as big as a bath towel, would be +necessary to keep its mouth clean. Yet even then, it slobbered a good +deal, so that no nice fairy liked to be near the monster. + +When the Afang growled, the bushes shook and the oak leaves trembled +on the branches, as if a strong wind was blowing. + +But after its dinner, when it had swallowed down a man, or two calves, +or four sheep, or a fat heifer, or three goats, its body swelled up +like a balloon. Then it usually rolled over, lay along the ground, or +in the soft mud, and felt very stupid and sleepy, for a long while. + +All around its lair, lay wagon loads of bones of the creatures, girls, +women, men, boys, cows, and occasionally a donkey, which it had +devoured. + +But when the Afang was ravenously hungry and could not get these +animals and when fat girls and careless boys were scarce, it would +live on birds, beasts and fishes. Although it was very fond of cows +and sheep, yet the wool and hair of these animals stuck in its big +teeth, it often felt very miserable and its usually bad temper grew +worse. + +Then, like a beaver, it would cut down a tree, sharpen it to a point +and pick its teeth until its mouth was clean. Yet it seemed all the +more hungry and eager for fresh human victims to eat, especially juicy +maidens; just as children like cake more than bread. + +The Cymric men were not surprised at this, for they knew that girls +were very sweet and they almost worshiped women. So they learned to +guard their daughters and wives. They saw that to do such things as +eating up people was in the nature of the beast, which could never be +taught good manners. + +But what made them mad beyond measure was the trick which the monster +often played upon them by breaking the river banks, and the dykes +which with great toil they had built to protect their crops. Then the +waters overflowed all their farms, ruined their gardens and spoiled +their cow houses and stables. + +This sort of mischief the Afang liked to play, especially about the +time when the oat and barley crops were ripe and ready to be gathered +to make cakes and flummery; that is sour oat-jelly, or pap. So it +often happened that the children had to do without their cookies and +porridge during the winter. Sometimes the floods rose so high as to +wash away the houses and float the cradles. Even those with little +babies in them were often seen on the raging waters, and sent dancing +on the waves down the river, to the sea. + +Once in a while, a mother cat and all her kittens were seen mewing for +help, or a lady dog howling piteously. Often it happened that both +puppies and kittens were drowned. + +So, whether for men or mothers, pussies or puppies, the Cymric men +thought the time had come to stop this monster's mischief. It was bad +enough that people should be eaten up, but to have all their crops +ruined and animals drowned, so that they had to go hungry all winter, +with only a little fried fish, and no turnips, was too much for human +patience. There were too many weeping mothers and sorrowful fathers, +and squalling brats and animals whining for something to eat. + +Besides, if all the oats were washed away, how could their wives make +flummery, without which, no Cymric man is ever happy? And where would +they get seed for another year's sowing? And if there were no cows, +how could the babies or kitties live, or any grown-up persons get +buttermilk? + +Someone may ask, why did not some brave man shoot the Afang, with a +poisoned arrow, or drive a spear into him under the arms, where the +flesh was tender, or cut off his head with a sharp sword? + +The trouble was just here. There were plenty of brave fellows, ready +to fight the monster, but nothing made of iron could pierce that hide +of his. This was like armor, or one of the steel battleships of our +day, and the Afang always spit out fire or poison breath down the +road, up which a man was coming, long before the brave fellow could +get near him. Nothing would do, but to go up into his lair, and drag +him out. + +But what man or company of men was strong enough to do this, when a +dozen giants in a gang, with ropes as thick as a ship's hawser, could +hardly tackle the job? + +Nevertheless, in what neither man nor giant could do, a pretty maiden +might succeed. True, she must be brave also, for how could she know, +but if hungry, the Afang might eat her up? + +However, one valiant damsel, of great beauty, who had lots of +perfumery and plenty of pretty clothes, volunteered to bind the +monster in his lair. She said, "I'm not afraid." Her sweetheart was +named Gadern, and he was a young and strong hunter. He talked over the +matter with her and they two resolved to act together. + +Gadern went all over the country, summoning the farmers to bring their +ox teams and log chains. Then he set the blacksmiths to work, forging +new and especially heavy ones, made of the best native iron, from the +mines, for which Wales is still famous. + +Meanwhile, the lovely maiden arrayed herself in her prettiest clothes, +dressed her hair in the most enticing way, hanging a white blossom on +each side, over her ears, with one flower also at her neck. + +When she had perfumed her garments, she sallied forth and up the lake +where the big bog and the waters were and where the monster hid +himself. + +While the maiden was still quite a distance away, the terrible Afang, +scenting his visitor from afar, came rushing out of his lair. When +very near, he reared his head high in the air, expecting to pounce on +her, with his iron clad claws and at one swallow make a breakfast of +the girl. + +But the odors of her perfumes were so sweet, that he forgot what he +had thought to do. Moreover, when he looked at her, he was so taken +with unusual beauty, that he flopped at once on his forefeet. Then he +behaved just like a lovelorn beau, when his best girl comes near. He +ties his necktie and pulls down his coat and brushes off the collar. + +So the Afang began to spruce up. It was real fun to see how a monster +behaves when smitten with love for a pretty girl. He had no idea how +funny he was. + +The girl was not at all afraid, but smoothed the monster's back, +stroked and played with its big moustaches and tickled its neck until +the Afang's throat actually gurgled with a laugh. Pretty soon he +guffawed, for he was so delighted. + +When he did this, the people down in the valley thought it was +thunder, though the sky was clear and blue. + +The maiden tickled his chin, and even put up his whiskers in curl +papers. Then she stroked his neck, so that his eyes closed. Soon she +had gently lulled him to slumber, by singing a cradle song, which her +mother had taught her. This she did so softly, and sweetly, that in a +few minutes, with its head in her lap, the monster was sound asleep +and even began to snore. + +Then, quietly, from their hiding places in the bushes, Gadern and his +men crawled out. When near the dreaded Afang, they stood up and +sneaked forward, very softly on tip toe. They had wrapped the links of +the chain in grass and leaves, so that no clanking was heard. They +also held the oxen's yokes, so that nobody or anything could rattle, +or make any noise. Slowly but surely they passed the chain over its +body, in the middle, besides binding the brute securely between its +fore and hind legs. + +All this time, the monster slept on, for the girl kept on crooning her +melody. + +When the forty yoke of oxen were all harnessed together, the drovers +cracked all their whips at once, so that it sounded like a clap of +thunder and the whole team began to pull together. + +Then the Afang woke up with a start. + +The sudden jerk roused the monster to wrath, and its bellowing was +terrible. It rolled round and round, and dug its four sets of toes, +each with three claws, every one as big as a plowshare, into the +ground. It tried hard to crawl into its lair, or slip into the lake. + +Finding that neither was possible, the Afang looked about, for some +big tree to wrap its tail around. But all his writhings or plungings +were of no use. The drovers plied their whips and the oxen kept on +with one long pull together and forward. They strained so hard, that +one of them dropped its eye out. This formed a pool, and to this day +they call it The Pool of the Ox's Eye. It never dries up or overflows, +though the water in it rises and falls, as regularly as the tides. + +For miles over the mountains the sturdy oxen hauled the monster. The +pass over which they toiled and strained so hard is still named the +Pass of the Oxen's Slope. When going down hill, the work of dragging +the Afang was easier. + +In a great hole in the ground, big enough to be a pond, they dumped +the carcass of the Afang, and soon a little lake was formed. This +uncanny bit of water is called "The Lake of the Green Well." It is +considered dangerous for man or beast to go too near it. Birds do not +like to fly over the surface, and when sheep tumble in, they sink to +the bottom at once. + +If the bones of the Afang still lie at the bottom, they must have sunk +down very deep, for the monster had no more power to get out, or to +break the river banks. The farmers no longer cared anything about the +creature, and they hardly every think of the old story, except when a +sheep is lost. + +As for Gadern and his brave and lovely sweetheart, they were married +and lived long and happily. Their descendants, in the thirty-seventh +generation, are proud of the grand exploit of their ancestors, while +all the farmers honor his memory and bless the name of the lovely girl +that put the monster asleep. + + + + +III + + +THE TWO CAT WITCHES + + +In old days, it was believed that the seventh son, in a family of +sons, was a conjurer by nature. That is, he could work wonders like +the fairies and excel the doctors in curing diseases. + +If he were the seventh son of a seventh son, he was himself a wonder +of wonders. The story ran that he could even cure the "shingles," +which is a very troublesome disease. It is called also by a Latin +name, which means a snake, because, as it gets worse, it coils itself +around the body. + +Now the eagle can attack the serpent and conquer and kill this +poisonous creature. To secure such power, Hugh, the conjurer, ate the +flesh of eagles. When he wished to cure the serpent-disease, he +uttered words in the form of a charm which acted as a talisman and +cure. After wetting the red rash, which had broken out over the sick +person's body, he muttered: + +"He-eagle, she-eagle, I send you over nine seas, and over nine +mountains, and over nine acres of moor and fen, where no dog shall +bark, no cow low, and no eagle shall higher rise." + +After that, the patient was sure that he felt better. + +There was always great rivalry between these conjurers and those who +made money from the Pilgrims at Holy Wells and visitors to the relic +shrines, but this fellow, named Hugh, and the monks, kept on mutually +good terms. They often ate dinner together, for Hugh was a great +traveler over the whole country and always had news to tell to the +holy brothers who lived in cells. + +One night, as he was eating supper at an inn, four men came in and sat +down at the table with him. By his magical power, Hugh knew that they +were robbers and meant to kill him that night, in order to get his +money. + +So, to divert their attention, Hugh made something like a horn to grow +up out of the table, and then laid a spell on the robbers, so that +they were kept gazing at the curious thing all night long, while he +went to bed and slept soundly. + +When he rose in the morning, he paid his bill and went away, while the +robbers were still gazing at the horn. Only when the officers arrived +to take them to prison did they come to themselves. + +Now at Bettws-y-Coed-that pretty place which has a name that sounds so +funny to us Americans and suggests a girl named Betty the Co-ed at +college--there was a hotel, named the "Inn of Three Kegs." The shop +sign hung out in front. It was a bunch of grapes gilded and set below +three small barrels. + +This inn was kept by two respectable ladies, who were sisters. + +Yet in that very hotel, several travelers, while they were asleep, had +been robbed of their money. They could not blame anyone nor tell how +the mischief was done. With the key in the keyhole, they had kept +their doors locked during the night. They were sure that no one had +entered the room. There were no signs of men's boots, or of anyone's +footsteps in the garden, while nothing was visible on the lock or +door, to show that either had been tampered with. Everything was in +order as when they went to bed. + +Some people doubted their stories, but when they applied to Hugh the +conjurer, he believed them and volunteered to solve the mystery. His +motto was "Go anywhere and everywhere, but catch the thief." + +When Hugh applied one night for lodging at the inn, nothing could be +more agreeable than the welcome, and fine manners of his two +hostesses. + +At supper time, and during the evening, they all chatted together +merrily. Hugh, who was never at a loss for news or stories, told about +the various kinds of people and the many countries he had visited, in +imagination, just as if he had seen them all, though he had never set +foot outside of Wales. + +When he was ready to go to bed, he said to the ladies: + +"It is my custom to keep a light burning in my room, all night, but I +will not ask for candles, for I have enough to last me until sunrise." +So saying, he bade them good night. + +Entering his room and locking the door, he undressed, but laid his +clothes near at hand. He drew his trusty sword out of its sheath and +laid it upon the bed beside him, where he could quickly grasp it. Then +he pretended to be asleep and even snored. + +It was not long before, peeping between his eyelids, only half closed, +he saw two cats come stealthily down the chimney. + +When in the room, the animals frisked about, and then gamboled and +romped in the most lively way. Then they chased each other around the +bed, as if they were trying to find out whether Hugh was asleep. + +Meanwhile, the supposed sleeper kept perfectly motionless. Soon the +two cats came over to his clothes and one of them put her paw into the +pocket that contained his purse. + +At this, with one sweep of his sword, Hugh struck at the cat's paw. +The beast howled frightfully, and both animals ran for the chimney and +disappeared. After that, everything was quiet until breakfast time. + +At the table, only one of the sisters was present. Hugh politely +inquired after the other one. He was told that she was not well, for +which Hugh said he was very sorry. + +After the meal, Hugh declared he must say good-by to both the sisters, +whose company he had so enjoyed the night before. In spite of the +other lady's many excuses, he was admitted to the sick lady's room. + +After polite greetings and mutual compliments, Hugh offered his hand +to say "good-by." The sick lady smiled at once and put out her hand, +but it was her left one. + +"Oh, no," said Hugh, with a laugh. "I never in all my life have taken +any one's left hand, and, beautiful as yours is, I won't break my +habit by beginning now and here." + +Reluctantly, and as if in pain, the sick lady put out her hand. It was +bandaged. + +The mystery was now cleared up. The two sisters were cats. + +By the help of bad fairies they had changed their forms and were the +real robbers. + +Hugh seized the hand of the other sister and made a little cut in it, +from which a few drops of blood flowed, but the spell was over. + +"Henceforth," said Hugh, "you are both harmless, and I trust you will +both be honest women." + +And they were. From that day they were like other women, and kept one +of the best of those inns--clean, tidy, comfortable and at modest +prices--for which Wales is, or was, noted. + +Neither as cats with paws, nor landladies, with soaring bills, did +they ever rob travelers again. + + + + +IV + + +HOW THE CYMRY LAND BECAME INHABITED + + +In all Britain to-day, no wolf roams wild and the deer are all tame. + +Yet in the early ages, when human beings had not yet come into the +land, the swamps and forests were full of very savage animals. There +were bears and wolves by the thousand besides lions and the woolly +rhinoceros, tigers, with terrible teeth like sabres. + +Beavers built their dams over the little rivers, and the great horned +oxen were very common. Then the mountains were higher, and the woods +denser. Many of the animals lived in caves, and there were billions of +bees and a great many butterflies. In the bogs were ferns of giant +size, amid which terrible monsters hid that were always ready for a +fight or a frolic. + +In so beautiful a land, it seemed a pity that there were no men and +women, no boys or girls, and no babies. + +Yet the noble race of the Cymry, whom we call the Welsh, were already +in Europe and lived in the summer land in the South. A great +benefactor was born among them, who grew up to be a wonderfully wise +man and taught his people the use of bows and arrows. He made laws, by +which the different tribes stopped their continual fighting and +quarrels, and united for the common good of all. He persuaded them to +take family names. He invented the plow, and showed them how to use +it, making furrows, in which to plant grain. + +When the people found that they could get things to eat right out of +the ground, from the seed they had planted, their children were wild +with joy. + +No people ever loved babies more than these Cymry folk and it was they +who invented the cradle. This saved the hard-working mothers many a +burden, for each woman had, besides rearing the children, to work for +and wait on her husband. + +He was the warrior and hunter, and she did most of the labor, in both +the house and the field. When there were many little brats to look +after, a cradle was a real help to her. In those days, "brat" was the +general name for little folks. There were good laws, about women +especially for their protection. Any rough or brutish fellow was fined +heavily, or publicly punished, for striking one of them. + +By and by, this great benefactor encouraged his people to the brave +adventure, and led them, in crossing the sea to Britain. Men had not +yet learned to build boats, with prow or stern, with keels and masts, +or with sails, rudders, or oars, or much less to put engines in their +bowels, or iron chimneys for smoke stacks, by which we see the mighty +ships driven across the ocean without regard to wind or tide. + +This great benefactor taught his people to make coracles, and on these +the whole tribe of thousands of Cymric folk crossed over into Britain, +landing in Cornwall. The old name of this shire meant the Horn of +Gallia, or Wallia, as the new land was later named. We think of +Cornwall as the big toe of the Mother Land. These first comers called +it a horn. + +It was a funny sight to see these coracles, which they named after +their own round bodies. The men went down to the riverside or the sea +shore, and with their stone hatchets, they chopped down trees. They +cut the reeds and osiers, peeled the willow branches, and wove great +baskets shaped like bowls. In this work, the women helped the men. + +The coracle was made strong by a wooden frame fixed inside round the +edge, and by two cross boards, which also served as seats. Then they +turned the wicker frame upside down and stretched the hides of animals +over the whole frame and bottom. With pitch, gum, or grease, they +covered up the cracks or seams. Then they shaped paddles out of wood. +When the coracle floated on the water, the whole family, daddy, mammy, +kiddies, and any old aunts or uncles, or granddaddies, got into it. +They waited for the wind to blow from the south over to the northern +land. + +At first the coracle spun round and round, but by and by each daddy +could, by rowing or paddling, make the thing go straight ahead. So +finally all arrived in the land now called Great Britain. + +Though sugar was not then known, or for a thousand years later, the +first thing they noticed was the enormous number of bees. When they +searched, they found the rock caves and hollow trees full of honey, +which had accumulated for generations. Every once in a while the +bears, that so like sweet things, found out the hiding place of the +bees, and ate up the honey. The children were very happy in sucking +the honey comb and the mothers made candles out of the beeswax. The +new comers named the country Honey Island. + +The brave Cymry men had battles with the darker skinned people who +were already there. When any one, young or old, died, their friends +and relatives sat up all night guarding the body against wild beasts +or savage men. This grew to be a settled custom and such a meeting was +called a "wake." Everyone present did keep awake, and often in a very +lively way. + +As the Cymry multiplied, they built many _don_, or towns. All +over the land to-day are names ending in _don_ like London, or +Croydon, showing where these villages were. + +But while occupied in things for the body, their great ruler did not +neglect matters of the mind. He found that some of his people had good +voices and loved to sing. Others delighted in making poetry. So he +invented or improved the harp, and fixed the rules of verse and song. + +Thus ages before writing was known, the Cymry preserved their history +and handed down what the wise ones taught. + +Men might be born, live and die, come and go, like leaves on the +trees, which expand in the springtime and fall in the autumn; but +their songs, and poetry, and noble language never die. Even to-day, +the Cymry love the speech of their fathers almost as well as they love +their native land. + +Yet things were not always lovely in Honey Land, or as sweet as sugar. +As the tribes scattered far apart to settle in this or that valley, +some had fish, but no salt, and others had plenty of salt, but no +fish. Some had all the venison and bear meat they wanted, but no +barley or oats. The hill men needed what the men on the seashore could +supply. From their sheep and oxen they got wool and leather, and from +the wild beasts fur to keep warm in winter. So many of them grew +expert in trade. Soon there were among them some very rich men who +were the chiefs of the tribes. + +In time, hundreds of others learned how to traffic among the tribes +and swap, or barter their goods, for as yet there were no coins for +money, or bank bills. So they established markets or fairs, to which +the girls and boys liked to go and sell their eggs and chickens, for +when the wolves and foxes were killed off, sheep and geese multiplied. + +But what hindered the peace of the land, were the feuds, or quarrels, +because the men of one tribe thought they were braver, or better +looking, than those in the other tribe. The women were very apt to +boast that they wore their clothes--which were made of fox and weasel +skins--more gracefully than those in the tribe next to them. + +So there was much snarling and quarreling in Cymric Land. The people +were too much like naughty children, or when kiddies are not taught +good manners, to speak gently and to be kind one to the other. + +One of the worst quarrels broke out, because in one tribe there were +too many maidens and not enough young men for husbands. This was bad +for the men, for it spoiled them. They had too many women to wait on +them and they grew to be very selfish. + +In what might be the next tribe, the trouble was the other way. There +were too many boys, a surplus of men, and not nearly enough girls to +go round. When any young fellow, moping out his life alone and anxious +for a wife, went a-courting in the next tribe, or in their vale, or on +their hill top, he was usually driven off with stones. Then there was +a quarrel between the two tribes. + +Any young girl, who sneaked out at night to meet her young man of +another clan, was, when caught, instantly and severely spanked. Then, +with her best clothes taken off, she had to stand tied to a post in +the market place a whole day. Her hair was pulled down in disorder, +and all the dogs were allowed to bark at her. The girls made fun of +the poor thing, while they all rubbed one forefinger over the other, +pointed at her and cried, "Fie, for shame!" while the boys called her +hard names. + +If it were known that the young man who wanted a wife had visited a +girl in the other tribe, his spear and bow and arrows were taken away +from him till the moon was full. The other boys and the girls treated +him roughly and called him hard names, but he dare not defend himself +and had to suffer patiently. This was all because of the feud between +the two tribes. + +This went on until the maidens in the valley, who were very many, +while yet lovely and attractive, became very lonely and miserable; +while the young men, all splendid hunters and warriors, multiplied in +the hill country. They were wretched in mind, because not one could +get a wife, for all the maidens in their own tribe were already +engaged, or had been mated. + +One day news came to the young men on the hill top, that the valley +men were all off on a hunting expedition. At once, without waiting a +moment, the poor lonely bachelors plucked up courage. Then, armed with +ropes and straps, they marched in a body to the village in the valley +below. There, they seized each man a girl, not waiting for any maid to +comb her hair, or put on a new frock, or pack up her clothes, or carry +any thing out of her home, and made off with her, as fast as one pair +of legs could move with another pair on top. + +At first, this looked like rough treatment--for a lovely girl, thus to +be strapped to a brawny big fellow; but after a while, the girls +thought it was great fun to be married and each one to have a man to +caress, and fondle, and scold, and look for, and boss around; for each +wife, inside of her own hut was quite able to rule her husband. Every +one of these new wives was delighted to find a man who cared so much +for her as to come after her, and risk his life to get her, and each +one admired her new, brave husband. + +Yet the brides knew too well that their men folks, fathers and +brothers, uncles and cousins, would soon come back to attempt their +recapture. + +And this was just what happened. When a runner brought, to the valley +men now far away, the news of the rape of their daughters, the hunters +at once ceased chasing the deer and marched quickly back to get the +girls and make them come home. + +The hill men saw the band of hunters coming after their daughters. +They at once took their new wives into a natural rocky fortress, on +the top of a precipice, which overlooked the lake. + +This stronghold had only one entrance, a sort of gateway of rocks, in +front of which was a long steep, narrow path. Here the hill men stood, +to resist the attack and hold their prizes. + +It was a case of a very few defenders, assaulted by a multitude, and +the battle was long and bloody. The hill men scorned to surrender and +shot their arrows and hurled their javelins with desperate valor. They +battled all day from sunrise until the late afternoon, when shadows +began to lengthen. The stars, one by one came out and both parties, +after setting sentinels, lay down to rest. + +In the morning, again, charge after charge was made. Sword beat +against shield and helmet, and clouds of arrows were shot by the +archers, who were well posted in favorable situations, on the rocks. +Long before noon, the field below was dotted and the narrow pass was +choked with dead bodies. In the afternoon, after a short rest and +refreshed with food, the valley men, though finding that only four of +the hill fighters were alive, stood off at a distance and with their +long bows and a shower of arrows left not one to breathe. + +Now, thought the victors, we shall get our maidens back again. So, +taking their time to wash off the blood and dust, to bind up their +wounds, and to eat their supper, they thought it would be an easy job +to load up all the girls on their ox-carts and carry them home. + +But the valley brides, thus suddenly made widows, were too true to +their brave husbands. So, when they had seen the last of their lovers +quiet in death, they stripped off all their ornaments and fur robes, +until all stood together, each clad in her own innocence, as pure in +their purpose as if they were a company of Druid priestesses. + +Then, chanting their death song, they marched in procession to the +tall cliff, that rose sheer out of the water. One by one, each +uttering the name of her beloved, leaped into the waves. + +Men at a distance, knowing nothing of the fight, and sailors and +fishermen far off on the water, thought that a flock of white birds +were swooping down from their eyrie, into the sea to get their food +from the fishes. But when none rose up above the waters, they +understood, and later heard the whole story of the valor of the men +and the devotion of the women. + +The solemn silence of night soon brooded over the scene. + +The men of the valley stayed only long enough to bury their own dead. +Then they marched home and their houses were filled with mourning. Yet +they admired the noble sacrifice of their daughters and were proud of +them. Afterwards they raised stone monuments on the field of +slaughter. + +To-day, this water is called the Lake of the Maidens, and the great +stones seen near the beach are the memorials marking the place of the +slain in battle. + +During many centuries, the ancient custom of capturing the bride, with +resistance from her male relatives, was vigorously kept up. In the +course of time, however, this was turned into a mimic play, with much +fun and merriment. Yet, the girls appear to like it, and some even +complain if it is not rough enough to seem almost real. + + + + +V + + +THE BOY THAT WAS NAMED TROUBLE + + +In one of the many "Co-eds," or places with this name, in ancient and +forest-covered Wales, there was a man who had one of the most +beautiful mares in all the world. Yet great misfortunes befell both +this Co-ed mare and her owner. + +Every night, on the first of May, the mare gave birth to a pretty +little colt. Yet no one ever saw, or could ever tell what became of +any one, or all of the colts. Each and all, and one by one, they +disappeared. Nobody knew where they were, or went, or what had become +of them. + +At last, the owner, who had no children, and loved little horses, +determined not to lose another. He girded on his sword, and with his +trusty spear, stood guard all night in the stable to catch the mortal +robber, as he supposed he must be. + +When on this same night of May first, the mare foaled again, and the +colt stood up on its long legs, the man greatly admired the young +creature. It looked already, as if it could, with its own legs, run +away and escape from any wolf that should chase it, hoping to eat it +up. + +But at this moment, a great noise was heard outside the stable. The +next moment a long arm, with a claw at the end of it, was poked +through the window-hole, to seize the colt. + +Instantly the man drew his sword and with one blow, the claw part of +the arm was cut off, and it dropped inside, with the colt. + +Hearing a great cry and tumult outside, the owner of the mare rushed +forth into the darkness. But though he heard howls of pain, he could +see nothing, so he returned. + +There, at the door, he found a baby, with hair as yellow as gold, +smiling at him. Besides its swaddling clothes, it was wrapped up in +flame-colored satin. + +As it was still night, the man took the infant to his bed and laid it +alongside of his wife, who was asleep. + +Now this good woman loved children, though she had none of her own, +and so when she woke up in the morning, and saw what was beside her, +she was very happy. Then she resolved to pretend that it was her own. + +So she told her women, that she had borne the child, and they called +him Gwri of the Golden Hair. + +The boy baby grew up fast, and when only two years old, was as strong +as most children are at six. + +Soon he was able to ride the colt that had been born on the May night, +and the two were as playmates together. + +Now it chanced, the man had heard the tale of Queen Rhiannon, wife of +Powell, Prince of Dyfed. She had become the mother of a baby boy, but +it was stolen from her at night. + +The six serving women, whose duty it was to attend to the Queen, and +guard her child, were lazy and had neglected their duty. They were +asleep when the baby was stolen away. To excuse themselves and be +saved from punishment, they invented a lying story. They declared that +Rhiannon had devoured the child, her own baby. + +The wise men of the Court believed the story which the six wicked +women had told, and Rhiannon, the Queen, though innocent, was +condemned to do penance. She was to serve as a porter to carry +visitors and their baggage from out doors into the castle. + +Every day, for many months, through the hours of daylight, she stood +in public disgrace in front of the castle of Narberth, at the stone +block, on which riders on horses dismounted from the saddle. When +anyone got off at the gate, she had to carry him or her on her back +into the hall. + +As the boy grew up, his foster father scanned his features closely, +and it was not long before he made up his mind that Powell was his +father and Rhiannon was his mother. + +One day, with the boy riding on his colt, and with two knights keeping +him company, the owner of the Co-ed mare came near the castle of +Narberth. + +There they saw the beautiful Rhiannon sitting on the horse block at +the gate. + +When they were about to dismount from their horses, the lovely woman +spoke to them thus: + +"Chieftains, go no further thus. I will carry everyone of you on my +back, into the palace." + +Seeing their looks of astonishment, she explained: + +"This is my penance for the charge brought against me of slaying my +son and devouring him." + +One and all the four refused to be carried and went into the castle on +their own feet. There Powell, the prince, welcomed them and made a +feast in their honor. It being night, Rhiannon sat beside him. + +After dinner when the time for story telling had come, the chief guest +told the tale of his mare and the colt, and how he cut the clawed +hand, and then found the boy on the doorstep. + +Then to the joy and surprise of all, the owner of the Co-ed mare, +putting the golden-haired boy before Rhiannon, cried out: + +"Behold lady, here is thy son, and whoever they were who told the +story and lied about your devouring your own child, have done you a +grievous wrong." + +Everyone at the table looked at the boy, and all recognized the lad at +once as the child of Powell and Rhiannon. + +"Here ends my trouble (pryderi)," cried out Rhiannon. + +Thereupon one of the chiefs said: + +"Well hast thou named thy child 'Trouble,'" and henceforth Pryderi was +his name. + +Soon it was made known, by the vision and word of the bards and seers, +that all the mischief had been wrought by wicked fairies, and that the +six serving women had been under their spell, when they lied about the +Queen. Powell, the castle-lord, was so happy that he offered the man +of Co-ed rich gifts of horses, jewels and dogs. + +But this good man felt repaid in delivering a pure woman and loving +mother from undeserved shame and disgrace, by wisdom and honesty +according to common duty. + +As for Pryderi, he was educated as a king's son ought to be, in all +gentle arts and was trained in all manly exercises. + +After his father died, Pryderi became ruler of the realm. He married +Kieva the daughter of a powerful chieftain, who had a pedigree as long +as the bridle used to drive a ten-horse chariot. It reached back to +Prince Casnar of Britain. + +Pryderi had many adventures, which are told in the Mabinogian, which +is the great storehouse of Welsh hero, wonder, and fairy tales. + + + + +VI + + +THE GOLDEN HARP + + +Morgan is one of the oldest names in Cymric land. It means one who +lives near the sea. + +Every day, for centuries past, tens of thousands of Welsh folks have +looked out on the great blue plain of salt water. + +It is just as true, also, that there are all sorts of Morgans. One of +these named Taffy, was like nearly all Welshmen, in that he was very +fond of singing. + +The trouble in his case, however, was that no one but himself loved to +hear his voice, which was very disagreeable. Yet of the sounds which +he himself made with voice or instrument, he was an intense admirer. +Nobody could persuade him that his music was poor and his voice rough. +He always refused to improve. + +Now in Wales, the bard, or poet, who makes up his poetry or song as he +goes along, is a very important person, and it is not well to offend +one of these gentlemen. In French, they call such a person by a very +long name--the improvisator. + +These poets have sharp tongues and often say hard things about people +whom they do not like. If they used whetstones, or stropped their +tongues on leather, as men do their razors, to give them a keener +edge, their words could not cut more terribly. + +Now, on one occasion, Morgan had offended one of these bards. It was +while the poetic gentleman was passing by Taffy's house. He heard the +jolly fellow inside singing, first at the top and then at the bottom +of the scale. He would drop his voice down on the low notes and then +again rise to the highest until it ended in a screech. + +Someone on the street asked the poet how he liked the music which he +had heard inside. + +"Music?" replied the bard with a sneer. "Is that what Morgan is +trying? Why! I thought it was first the lowing of an aged cow, and +then the yelping of a blind dog, unable to find its way. Do you call +that music?" + +The truth was that when the soloist had so filled himself with strong +ale that his brain was fuddled, then it was hard to tell just what +kind of a noise he was making. It took a wise man to discover the +tune, if there was any. + +One evening, when Morgan thought his singing unusually fine, and felt +sorry that no one heard him, he heard a knock. + +[Illustration: THE MORE MORGAN PLAYED, THE MADDER THE DANCE] + +Instead of going to the door to inquire, or welcome the visitor, he +yelled out "Come in!" + +The door opened and there stood three tired looking strangers. They +appeared to be travelers. One of them said: + +"Kind sir, we are weary and worn, and would be glad of a morsel of +bread. If you can give us a little food, we shall not trouble you +further." + +"Is that all?" said Morgan. "See there the loaf and the cheese, with a +knife beside them. Take what you want, and fill your bags. No man +shall ever say that Taffy Morgan denied anyone food, when he had any +himself." + +Whereupon the three travelers sat down and began to eat. + +Meanwhile, without being invited to do so, their host began to sing +for them. + +Now the three travelers were fairies in disguise. They were journeying +over the country, from cottage to cottage, visiting the people. They +came to reward all who gave them a welcome and were kind to them, but +to vex and play tricks upon those who were stingy, bad tempered, or of +sour disposition. Turning to Taffy before taking leave, one of them +said: + +"You have been good to us and we are grateful. Now what can we do for +you? We have power to grant anything you may desire. Please tell us +what you would like most." + +At this, Taffy looked hard in the faces of the three strangers, to see +if one of them was the bard who had likened his voice in its ups and +downs to a cow and a blind dog. Not seeing any familiar face, he +plucked up his courage, and said: + +"If you are not making fun of me, I'll take from you a harp. And, if I +can have my wish in full, I want one that will play only lively tunes. +No sad music for me!" + +Here Morgan stopped. Again he searched their faces, to see if they +were laughing at him and then proceeded. + +"And something else, if I can have it; but it's really the same thing +I am asking for." + +"Speak on, we are ready to do what you wish," answered the leader. + +"I want a harp, which, no matter how badly I may play, will sound out +sweet and jolly music." + +"Say no more," said the leader, who waved his hand. There was a flood +of light, and, to Morgan's amazement, there stood on the floor a +golden harp. + +But where were the three travelers? They had disappeared in a flash. + +Hardly able to believe his own eyes, it now dawned upon him that his +visitors were fairies. + +He sat down, back of the harp, and made ready to sweep the strings. He +hardly knew whether or not he touched the instrument, but there rolled +out volumes of lively music, as if the harp itself were mad. The tune +was wild and such as would set the feet of young folks agoing, even in +church. + +As Taffy's fingers seemed every moment to become more skillful, the +livelier the music increased, until the very dishes rattled on the +cupboard, as if they wanted to join in. Even the chair looked as if +about to dance. + +Just then, Morgan's wife and some neighbors entered the house. +Immediately, the whole party, one and all, began dancing in the +jolliest way. For hours, they kept up the mad whirl. Yet all the +while, Taffy seemed happier and the women the merrier. + +No telegraph ever carried the news faster, all over the region, that +Morgan had a wonderful harp. + +All the grass in front of the house, was soon worn away by the crowds, +that came to hear and dance. As soon as Taffy touched the harp +strings, the feet of everyone, young and old, began shuffling, nor +could anyone stop, so long as Morgan played. Even very old, lame and +one-legged people joined in. Several old women, whom nobody had ever +prevailed upon to get out of their chairs, were cured of their +rheumatism. Such unusual exercise was severe for them, but it seemed +to be healthful. + +A shrewd monk, the business manager of the monastery near by, wanted +to buy Morgan's house, set up a sanatarium and advertise it as a holy +place. He hoped thus to draw pilgrims to it and get for it a great +reputation as a healing place for the lame and the halt, the palsied +and the rheumatic. Thus the monastery would be enriched and all the +monks get fat. + +But Taffy was a happy-go-lucky fellow, who cared little about money +and would not sell; for, with his harp, he enjoyed both fun and fame. + +One day, in the crowd that stood around his door waiting to begin to +hop and whirl, Morgan espied the bard who had compared his voice to a +cow and a cur. The bard had come to see whether the stories about the +harp were true or not. + +He found to his own discomfort what was the fact and the reality, +which were not very convenient for him. As soon as the harp music +began, his feet began to go up, and his legs to kick and whirl. The +more Morgan played, the madder the dance and the wilder the antics of +the crowd, and in these the bard had to join, for he could not help +himself. Soon they all began to spin round and round on the flagstones +fronting the door, as if crazy. They broke the paling of the garden +fence. They came into the house and knocked over the chairs and sofa, +even when they cracked their shins against the wood. They bumped their +heads against the walls and ceiling, and some even scrambled over the +roof and down again. The bard could no more stop his weary legs than +could the other lunatics. + +To Morgan his revenge was so sweet, that he kept on until the bard's +legs snapped, and he fell down on top of people that had tumbled from +shear weariness, because no more strength was left in them. + +Meanwhile, Morgan laughed until his jaws were tired and his stomach +muscles ached. + +But no sooner did he take his fingers off the strings, to rest them, +than he opened his eyes in wonder; for in a flash the harp had +disappeared. + +He had made a bad use of the fairies' gift, and they were displeased. +So both the monk and Morgan felt sorry. + +Yet the grass grew again when the quondam harper and singer ceased +desolating the air with his quavers. The air seemed sweeter to +breathe, because of the silence. + +However, the fairies kept on doing good to the people of good will, +and to-day some of the sweetest singers in Wales come from the poorest +homes. + + + + +VII + + +THE GREAT RED DRAGON OF WALES + + +Every old country that has won fame in history and built up a +civilization of its own, has a national flower. Besides this, some +living creature, bird, or beast, or, it may be, a fish is on its flag. +In places of honor, it stands as the emblem of the nation; that is, of +the people, apart from the land they live on. Besides flag and symbol, +it has a motto. That of Wales is: "Awake: It is light." + +Now because the glorious stories of Wales, Scotland and Ireland have +been nearly lost in that of mighty England, men have at times, almost +forgotten about the leek, the thistle, and the shamrock, which stand +for the other three divisions of the British Isles. + +Yet each of these peoples has a history as noble as that of which the +rose and the lion are the emblems. Each has also its patron saint and +civilizer. So we have Saint George, Saint David, Saint Andrew, and +Saint Patrick, all of them white-souled heroes. On the union flag, or +standard of the United Kingdom, we see their three crosses. + +The lion of England, the harp of Ireland, the thistle of Scotland, and +the Red Dragon of Wales represent the four peoples in the British +Isles, each with its own speech, traditions, and emblems; yet all in +unity and in loyalty, none excelling the Welsh, whose symbol is the +Red Dragon. In classic phrase, we talk of Albion, Scotia, Cymry, and +Hibernia. + +But why red? Almost all the other dragons in the world are white, or +yellow, green or purple, blue, or pink. Why a fiery red color like +that of Mars? + +Borne on the banners of the Welsh archers, who in old days won the +battles of Crecy and Agincourt, and now seen on the crests on the town +halls and city flags, in heraldry, and in art, the red dragon is as +rampant, as when King Arthur sat with His Knights at the Round Table. + +The Red Dragon has four three-toed claws, a long, barbed tongue, and +tail ending like an arrow head. With its wide wings unfolded, it +guards those ancient liberties, which neither Saxon, nor Norman, nor +German, nor kings on the throne, whether foolish or wise, have ever +been able to take away. No people on earth combine so handsomely loyal +freedom and the larger patriotism, or hold in purer loyalty to the +union of hearts and hands in the British Empire, which the sovereign +represents, as do the Welsh. + +The Welsh are the oldest of the British peoples. They preserve the +language of the Druids, bards, and chiefs, of primeval ages which go +back and far beyond any royal line in Europe, while most of their +fairy tales are pre-ancient and beyond the dating. + +Why the Cymric dragon is red, is thus told, from times beyond human +record. + +It was in those early days, after the Romans in the south had left the +island, and the Cymric king, Vortigern, was hard pressed by the Picts +and Scots of the north. To his aid, he invited over from beyond the +North Sea, or German Ocean, the tribes called the Long Knives, or +Saxons, to help him. + +But once on the big island, these friends became enemies and would not +go back. They wanted to possess all Britain. + +Vortigern thought this was treachery. Knowing that the Long Knives +would soon attack him, he called his twelve wise men together for +their advice. With one voice, they advised him to retreat westward +behind the mountains into Cymry. There he must build a strong fortress +and there defy his enemies. + +So the Saxons, who were Germans, thought they had driven the Cymry +beyond the western borders of the country which was later called +England, and into what they named the foreign or Welsh parts. +Centuries afterwards, this land received the name of Wales. + +People in Europe spoke of Galatians, Wallachians, Belgians, Walloons, +Alsatians, and others as "Welsh." They called the new fruit imported +from Asia walnuts, but the names "Wales" and "Welsh" were unheard of +until after the fifth century. + +The place chosen for the fortified city of the Cymry was among the +mountains. From all over his realm, the King sent for masons and +carpenters and collected the materials for building. Then, a solemn +invocation was made to the gods by the Druid priests. These grand +looking old men were robed in white, with long, snowy beards falling +over their breasts, and they had milk-white oxen drawing their +chariot. With a silver knife they cut the mistletoe from the +tree-branch, hailing it as a sign of favor from God. Then with harp, +music and song they dedicated the spot as a stronghold of the Cymric +nation. + +Then the King set the diggers to work. He promised a rich reward to +those men of the pick and shovel who should dig the fastest and throw +up the most dirt, so that the masons could, at the earliest moment, +begin their part of the work. + +But it all turned out differently from what the king expected. Some +dragon, or powerful being underground, must have been offended by this +invasion of his domain; for, the next morning, they saw that +everything in the form of stone, timber, iron or tools, had +disappeared during the night. It looked as if an earthquake had +swallowed them all up. + +Both king and seers, priests and bards, were greatly puzzled at this. +However, not being able to account for it, and the Saxons likely to +march on them at any time, the sovereign set the diggers at work and +again collected more wood and stone. + +This time, even the women helped, not only to cook the food, but to +drag the logs and stones. They were even ready to cut off their +beautiful long hair to make ropes, if necessary. + +But in the morning, all had again disappeared, as if swept by a +tempest. The ground was bare. + +Nevertheless, all hands began again, for all hearts were united. + +For the third time, the work proceeded. Yet when the sun rose next +morning, there was not even a trace of either material or labor. + +What was the matter? Had some dragon swallowed everything up? + +Vortigern again summoned his twelve wise men, to meet in council, and +to inquire concerning the cause of the marvel and to decide what was +to be done. + +After long deliberation, while all the workmen and people outside +waited for their verdict, the wise men agreed upon a remedy. + +Now in ancient times, it was a custom, all over the world, notably in +China and Japan and among our ancestors, that when a new castle or +bridge was to be built, they sacrificed a human being. This was done +either by walling up the victim while alive, or by mixing his or her +blood with the cement used in the walls. Often it was a virgin or a +little child thus chosen by lot and made to die, the one for the many. + +The idea was not only to ward off the anger of the spirits of the air, +or to appease the dragons under ground, but also to make the workmen +do their best work faithfully, so that the foundation should be sure +and the edifice withstand the storm, the wind, and the earthquake +shocks. + +So, nobody was surprised, or raised his eyebrows, or shook his head, +or pursed up his lips, when the king announced that what the wise men +declared, must be done and that quickly. Nevertheless, many a mother +hugged her darling more closely to her bosom, and fathers feared for +their sons or daughters, lest one of these, their own, should be +chosen as the victim to be slain. + +King Vortigern had the long horn blown for perfect silence, and then +he spoke: + +"A child must be found who was born without a father. He must be +brought here and be solemnly put to death. Then his blood will be +sprinkled on the ground and the citadel will be built securely." + +Within an hour, swift runners were seen bounding over the Cymric +hills. They were dispatched in search of a boy without a father, and a +large reward was promised to the young man who found what was wanted. +So into every part of the Cymric land, the searchers went. + +One messenger noticed some boys playing ball. Two of them were +quarreling. Coming near, he heard one say to the other: + +"Oh, you boy without a father, nothing good will ever happen to you." + +"This must be the one looked for," said the royal messenger to +himself. So he went up to the boy, who had been thus twitted and spoke +to him thus: + +"Don't mind what he says." Then he prophesied great things, if he +would go along with him. The boy was only too glad to go, and the next +day the lad was brought before King Vortigern. + +The workmen and their wives and children, numbering thousands, had +assembled for the solemn ceremony of dedicating the ground by shedding +the boy's blood. In strained attention the people held their breath. + +The boy asked the king: + +"Why have your servants brought me to this place?" + +Then the sovereign told him the reason, and the boy asked: + +"Who instructed you to do this?" + +"My wise men told me so to do, and even the sovereign of the land +obeys his wise councilors." + +"Order them to come to me, Your Majesty," pleaded the boy. + +When the wise men appeared, the boy, in respectful manner, inquired of +them thus: + +"How was the secret of my life revealed to you? Please speak freely +and declare who it was that discovered me to you." + +Turning to the king, the boy added: + +"Pardon my boldness, Your Majesty. I shall soon reveal the whole +matter to you, but I wish first to question your advisers. I want them +to tell you what is the real cause, and reveal, if they can, what is +hidden here underneath the ground." + +But the wise men were confounded. They could not tell and they fully +confessed their ignorance. + +The boy then said: + +"There is a pool of water down below. Please order your men to dig for +it." + +At once the spades were plied by strong hands, and in a few minutes +the workmen saw their faces reflected, as in a looking glass. There +was a pool of clear water there. + +Turning to the wise men, the boy asked before all: + +"Now tell me, what is in the pool?" + +As ignorant as before, and now thoroughly ashamed, the wise men were +silent. + +"Your Majesty, I can tell you, even if these men cannot. There are two +vases in the pool." + +Two brave men leaped down into the pool. They felt around and brought +up two vases, as the boy had said. + +Again, the lad put a question to the wise men: + +"What is in these vases?" + +Once more, those who professed to know the secrets of the world, even +to the demanding of the life of a human being, held their tongues. + +"There is a tent in them," said the boy. "Separate them, and you will +find it so." + +By the king's command, a soldier thrust in his hand and found a folded +tent. + +Again, while all wondered, the boy was in command of the situation. +Everything seemed so reasonable, that all were prompt and alert to +serve him. + +"What a splendid chief and general, he would make, to lead us against +our enemies, the 'Long Knives!'" whispered one soldier to another. + +"What is in the tent?" asked the boy of the wise men. + +Not one of the twelve knew what to say, and there was an almost +painful silence. + +"I will tell you, Your Majesty, and all here, what is in this tent. +There are two serpents, one white and one red. Unfold the tent." + +With such a leader, no soldier was afraid, nor did a single person in +the crowd draw back? Two stalwart fellows stepped forward to open the +tent. + +But now, a few of the men and many of the women shrank back while +those that had babies, or little folks, snatched up their children, +fearing lest the poisonous snakes might wriggle towards them. + +The two serpents were coiled up and asleep, but they soon showed signs +of waking, and their fiery, lidless eyes glared at the people. + +"Now, Your Majesty, and all here, be you the witnesses of what will +happen. Let the King and wise men look in the tent." + +At this moment, the serpents stretched themselves out at full length, +while all fell back, giving them a wide circle to struggle in. + +Then they reared their heads. With their glittering eyes flashing +fire, they began to struggle with each other. The white one rose up +first, threw the red one into the middle of the arena, and then +pursued him to the edge of the round space. + +Three times did the white serpent gain the victory over the red one. + +But while the white serpent seemed to be gloating over the other for a +final onset, the red one, gathering strength, erected its head and +struck at the other. + +The struggle went on for several minutes, but in the end the red +serpent overcame the white, driving it first out of the circle, then +from the tent, and into the pool, where it disappeared, while the +victorious red one moved into the tent again. + +When the tent flap was opened for all to see, nothing was visible +except a red dragon; for the victorious serpent had turned into this +great creature which combined in one new form the body and the powers +of bird, beast, reptile and fish. It had wings to fly, the strongest +animal strength, and could crawl, swim, and live in either water or +air, or on the earth. In its body was the sum total of all life. + +Then, in the presence of all the assembly, the youth turned to the +wise men to explain the meaning of what had happened. But not a word +did they speak. In fact, their faces were full of shame before the +great crowd. + +"Now, Your Majesty, let me reveal to you the meaning of this mystery." + +"Speak on," said the King, gratefully. + +"This pool is the emblem of the world, and the tent is that of your +kingdom. The two serpents are two dragons. The white serpent is the +dragon of the Saxons, who now occupy several of the provinces and +districts of Britain and from sea to sea. But when they invade our +soil our people will finally drive them back and hold fast forever +their beloved Cymric land. But you must choose another site, on which +to erect your castle." + +After this, whenever a castle was to be built no more human victims +were doomed to death. All the twelve men, who had wanted to keep up +the old cruel custom, were treated as deceivers of the people. By the +King's orders, they were all put to death and buried before all the +crowd. + +To-day, like so many who keep alive old and worn-out notions by means +of deception and falsehood, these men are remembered only by the +Twelve Mounds, which rise on the surface of the field hard by. + +As for the boy, he became a great magician, or, as we in our age would +call him, a man of science and wisdom, named Merlin. He lived long on +the mountain, but when he went away with a friend, he placed all his +treasures in a golden cauldron and hid them in a cave. He rolled a +great stone over its mouth. Then with sod and earth he covered it all +over so as to hide it from view. His purpose was to leave this his +wealth for a leader, who, in some future generation, would use it for +the benefit of his country, when most needed. + +This special person will be a youth with yellow hair and blue eyes. +When he comes to Denas, a bell will ring to invite him into the cave. +The moment his foot is over the place, the stone of entrance will open +of its own accord. Anyone else will be considered an intruder and it +will not be possible for him to carry away the treasure. + + + + +VIII + + +THE TOUCH OF CLAY + + +Long, long ago before the Cymry came into the beautiful land of Wales, +there were dark-skinned people living in caves. + +In these early times there were a great many fairies of all sorts, but +of very different kinds of behavior, good and bad. + +It was in this age of the world that fairies got an idea riveted into +their heads which nothing, not even hammers, chisels or crowbars can +pry up. Neither horse power, nor hydraulic force nor sixteen-inch +bombs, nor cannon balls, nor torpedoes can drive it out. + +It is a settled matter of opinion in fairy land that, compared with +fairies, human beings are very stupid. The fairies think that mortals +are dull witted and awfully slow, when compared to the smarter and +more nimble fairies, that are always up to date in doing things. + +Perhaps the following story will help explain why this is. + +These ancient folks who lived in caves, could not possibly know some +things that are like A B C to the fairies of to-day. For the Welsh +fairies, King Puck and Queen Mab, know all about what is in the +telegraphs, submarine cables and wireless telegraphy of to-day. Puck +would laugh if you should say that a telephone was any new thing to +him. Long ago, in Shakespeare's time, he boasted that he could "put a +girdle round the earth in forty minutes." Men have been trying ever +since to catch up with him, but they have not gone ahead of him yet. + +If, only three hundred years ago, this were the case, what must have +been Puck's fun, when he saw men in the early days, working so hard to +make even a clay cup or saucer. These people who slept and ate in cave +boarding-houses, knew nothing of metals, or how to make iron or brass +tools, wire, or machines, or how to touch a button and light up a +whole room, which even a baby can now do. + +There is one thing that we, who have traveled in many fairy lands, +have often noticed and told our friends, the little folks, and that is +this: + +All the fairies we ever knew are very slow to change either their +opinions, or their ways, or their fashions. Like many mortals, they +think a great deal of their own notions. They imagine that the only +way to do a thing is in that which they say is the right one. + +So it came to pass that even when the Cymric folk gave up wearing the +skins of animals, and put on pretty clothes woven on a loom, and ate +out of dishes, instead of clam shells, there were still some fairies +that kept to the notions and fashions of the cave days. To one of +these, came trouble because of this failing. + +Now there was once a pretty nymph, who lived in the Red Lake, to which +a young and handsome farmer used to come to catch fish. One misty day, +when the lad could see only a few feet before him, a wind cleared the +air and blew away the fog. Then he saw near him a little old man, +standing on a ladder. He was hard at work in putting a thatched roof +on a hut which he had built. + +A few minutes later, as the mist rose and the breezes blew, the farmer +could see no house, but only the ripplings of water on the lake's +surface. + +Although he went fishing often, he never again saw anything unusual, +during the whole summer. + +On one hot day in the early autumn, while he stopped to let his horse +drink, he looked and saw a very lovely face on the water. Wondering to +whom it might belong, there rose up before him the head and shoulders +of a most beautiful woman. She was so pretty that he had two tumbles. +He fell off his horse and he fell in love with her at one and the same +time. + +Rushing toward the lovely vision, he put out his arms at that spot +where he had seen her, but only to embrace empty air. Then he +remembered that love is blind. So he rubbed his eyes, to see if he +could discern anything. Yet though he peered down into the water, and +up over the hills, he could not see her anywhere. + +But he soon found out to his joy that his eyes were all right, for in +another place, the face, flower-crowned hair, and her reflection in +the water came again. Then his desire to possess the damsel was +doubled. But again, she disappeared, to rise again somewhere else. + +Five times he was thus tantalized and disappointed. She rose up, and +quickly disappeared. + +It seemed as though she meant only to tease him. So he rode home +sorrowing, and scarcely slept that night. + +Early morning, found the lovelorn youth again at the lake side, but +for hours he watched in vain. He had left his home too excited to have +eaten his usual breakfast, which greatly surprised his housekeeper. +Now he pulled out some sweet apples, which a neighbor had given him, +and began to munch them, while still keeping watch on the waters. + +No sooner had the aroma of the apples fallen on the air, than the +pretty lady of the lake bobbed up from beneath the surface, and this +time quite near him. She seemed to have lost all fear, for she asked +him to throw her one of the apples. + +"Please come, pretty maid, and get it yourself," cried the farmer. +Then he held up the red apple, turning it round and round before her, +to tempt her by showing its glossy surface and rich color. + +Apparently not afraid, she came up close to him and took the apple +from his left hand. At once, he slipped his strong right arm around +her waist, and hugged her tight. At this, she screamed loudly. + +Then there appeared in the middle of the lake the old man, he had seen +thatching the roof by the lake shore. This time, besides his long +snowy beard, he had on his head a crown of water lilies. + +"Mortal," said the venerable person. "That is my daughter you are +clasping. What do you wish to do with her?" + +At once, the farmer broke out in passionate appeal to the old man that +she might become his wife. He promised to love her always, treat her +well, and never be rough or cruel to her. + +The old father listened attentively. He was finally convinced that the +farmer would make a good husband for his lovely daughter. Yet he was +very sorry to lose her, and he solemnly laid one condition upon his +future son-in-law. + +He was never under any pretense, or in any way, to strike her with +clay, or with anything made or baked from clay. Any blow with that +from which men made pots and pans, and jars and dishes, or in fact, +with earth of any sort, would mean the instant loss of his wife. Even +if children were born in their home, the mother would leave them, and +return to fairy land under the lake, and be forever subject to the law +of the fairies, as before her marriage. + +The farmer was very much in love with his pretty prize, and as +promises are easily made, he took oath that no clay should ever touch +her. + +They were married and lived very happily together. Years passed and +the man was still a good husband and lover. He kept up the habit which +he had learned from a sailor friend. Every night, when far from home +and out on the sea, he and his mates used to drink this toast; +"Sweethearts and wives: may every sweetheart become a wife and every +wife remain a sweetheart, and every husband continue a lover." + +So he proved that though a husband he was still a lover, by always +doing what she asked him and more. When the children were born and +grew up, their father told them about their mother's likes and +dislikes, her tastes and her wishes, and warned them always to be +careful. So it was altogether a very happy family. + +One day, the wife and mother said to her husband, that she had a great +longing for apples. She would like to taste some like those which he +long ago gave her. At once, the good man dropped what he was doing and +hurried off to his neighbor, who had first presented him with a +trayful of these apples. + +The farmer not only got the fruit, but he also determined that he +would plant a tree and thus have apples for his wife, whenever she +wanted them. So he bought a fine young sapling, to set in his orchard, +for the children to play under and to keep his pantry full of the fine +red-cheeked fruit. At this his wife was delighted. + +So happy enough--in fact, too merry to think of anything else, they, +both husband and wife, proceeded to set the sapling in the ground. She +held the tree, while he dug down to make the hole deep enough to make +sure of its growing. + +But farmers are sometimes very superstitious. They even believe in +luck, though not in Puck. Some of them have faith in what the almanac, +and the patent medicine may say, and in planting potatoes according to +the moon, but they scout the idea of there being any fairies. + +With the farmer, this had become a fixed state of mind and now it +brought him to grief, as we shall see. For though he remembered what +his wife liked and disliked, and recalled what her father had told +him, he had forgotten that she was a fairy. + +With this farmer and other Welsh mortals, it had become a habit, when +planting a young tree, to throw the last shovelful of earth over the +left shoulder. This was for good luck. The farmer was afraid to break +such a good custom, as he thought it to be. + +So merrily he went to work, forgetting everything in his adherence to +habit. He became so absorbed in his job, that he did not look where +his spadeful went, and it struck his dear wife full in the breast. + +At that moment, she cried out bitterly, not in pain, but in sorrow. +Then she started to run towards the lake. At the shore, she called +out, "Good-by, dear, dear husband." Then, leaping into the water, she +was never seen again and all his tears and those of the children never +brought her back. + + + + +IX + + +THE TOUCH OF IRON + + +Ages ago, before the Cymry rowed in their coracles across the sea, +there was a race of men already in the Land of Honey, as Great Britain +was then called. + +These ancient people, who lived in caves, did not know how to build +houses or to plow the ground. They had no idea that they could get +their food out of the earth. As for making bread and pies, cookies and +goodies, from what grew from the soil, they never heard of such a +thing. They were not acquainted with the use of fire for melting +copper, nor did they know how to get iron out of the ore, to make +knives and spears, arrow heads and swords, and armor and helmets. + +All they could do was to mold clay, so as to make things to cook with +and hold milk, or water. When they baked this soft stuff in the fire, +they found they had pots, pans and dishes as hard as stone, though +these were easily broken. + +To hunt the deer, or fight the wolves and bears, they fashioned clubs +of wood. For javelins and arrows, they took hard stone like flint and +chipped it to points and sharpened it with edges. This was the time +which men now call the Stone Age. When the men went to war, their +weapons were wholly of wood or stone. + +They had not yet learned to weave the wool of the sheep into warm +clothing, but they wore the skins of animals. Each one of the caves, +in which they lived, was a general boarding house, for dogs and pigs, +as well as people. + +When a young man of one tribe wanted a wife, he sallied out secretly +into another neighborhood. There he lay in wait for a girl to come +along. He then ran away with her, and back to his own daddy's cave. + +By and by, when the Cymry came into the land, they had iron tools and +better weapons of war. Then there were many and long battles and the +aborigines were beaten many times. + +So the cave people hated everything made of iron. Anyone of the cave +people, girls or boys, who had picked up iron ornaments, and were +found wearing or using iron tools, or buying anything of iron from the +cave people's enemies, was looked upon as a rascal, or a villain, or +even as a traitor and was driven out of the tribe. + +However, some of the daughters of the cave men were so pretty and had +such rosy cheeks, and lovely bodies, and beautiful, long hair, that +quite often the Cymric youth fell in love with them. + +Many of the cave men's daughters were captured and became wives of the +Cymry and mothers of children. In course of ages, their descendants +helped to make the bright, witty, song-loving Welsh people. + +Now the fairies usually like things that are old, and they are very +slow to alter the ancient customs, to which they have been used; for, +in the fairy world, there is no measure of time, nor any clocks, +watches, or bells to strike the hours, and no almanacs or calendars. + +The fairies cannot understand why ladies change the fashions so often, +and the men their ways of doing things. They wonder why beards are +fashionable at one time; then, moustaches long or short, at another; +or smooth faces when razors are cheap. Most fairies like to keep on +doing the same thing in the old way. They enjoy being like the +mountains, which stand; or the sea, that rolls; or the sun, that rises +and sets every day and forever. They never get tired of repeating +to-morrow what they did yesterday. They are very different from the +people that are always wanting something else, and even cry if they +cannot have it. + +That is the reason why the fairies did not like iron, or to see men +wearing iron hats and clothes, called helmets and armor, when they +went to war. They no more wanted to be touched by iron than by filth, +or foul disease. They hated knives, stirrups, scythes, swords, pots, +pans, kettles, or this metal in any form, whether sheet, barbed wire, +lump or pig iron. + +Now there was a long, pretty stretch of water, near which lived a +handsome lad, who loved nothing better than to go out on moonlight +nights and see the fairies dance, or listen to their music. This youth +fell in love with one of these fairies, whose beauty was great beyond +description. At last, unable to control his passion, he rushed into +the midst of the fairy company, seized the beautiful one, and rushed +back to his home, with his prize in his arms. This was in true +cave-man fashion. When the other fairies hurried to rescue her, they +found the man's house shut. They dared not touch the door, for it was +covered over with iron studs and bands, and bolted with the metal +which they most abhorred. + +The young man immediately began to make love to the fairy maid, hoping +to win her to be his wife. For a long time she refused, and moped all +day and night. While weeping many salt water tears, she declared that +she was too homesick to live. + +Nevertheless the lover persevered. Finding herself locked in with iron +bars, while gratings, bolts and creaking hinges were all about her, +and unable to return to her people, the fairy first thought out a plan +of possible escape. Then she agreed to become the man's wife. She +resolved, at least, that, without touching it, she should oil all the +iron work, and stop the noise. + +She was a smart fairy, and was sure she could outwit the man, even if +he were so strong, and had every sort of iron everywhere in order to +keep her as it were in a prison. So, pretending she loved him dearly, +she said: "I will not be your wife, but, if you can find out my name, +I shall gladly become your servant." + +"Easily won," thought the lover to himself. Yet the game was a harder +one to play than he supposed. It was like playing Blind Man's Buff, or +Hunt the Slipper. Although he made guesses of every name he could +think of, he was never "hot" and got no nearer to the thing sought +than if his eyes were bandaged. All the time, he was deeper and deeper +in love with the lovely fairy maid. + +But one night, on returning home, he saw in a turf bog, a group of +fairies sitting on a log. At once, he thought, they might be talking +about their lost sister. So he crept up quite near them, and soon +found that he had guessed right. After a long discussion, finding +themselves still at a loss, as to how to recover her, he heard one of +them sigh and say, "Oh, Siwsi, my sister, how can you live with a +mortal?" + +"Enough," said the young man to himself. "I've got it." Then, crawling +away noiselessly, he ran back all the way to his house, and unlocked +the door. Once inside the room, he called out his servant's +name--"Siwsi! Siwsi!" + +Astonished at hearing her name, she cried out, "What mortal has +betrayed me? For, surely no fairy would tell on me? Alas, my fate, my +fate!" + +But in her own mind, the struggle and the fear were over. She had +bravely striven to keep her fairyhood, and in the battle of wits, had +lost. + +She would not be wife, but what a wise, superb and faithful servant +she made! + +Everything prospered under her hand. The house and the farm became +models. Not twice, but three times a day, the cows, milked by her, +yielded milk unusually rich in cream. In the market, her butter +excelled, in quality and price, all others. + +Meanwhile, the passion of the lover abated not one jot, or for an +instant. His perseverance finally won. She agreed to become his wife; +but only on one condition. + +"You must never strike me with iron," she said. "If you do, I'll feel +free to leave you, and go back to my relatives in the fairy family." + +A hearty laugh from the happy lover greeted this remark, made by the +lovely creature, once his servant, but now his betrothed. He thought +that the condition was very easy to obey. + +So they were married, and no couple in all the land seemed to be +happier. Once, twice, the cradle was filled. It rocked with new +treasures that had life, and were more dear than farm, or home, or +wealth in barns or cattle, cheese and butter. A boy and a girl were +theirs. Then the mother's care was unremitting, day and night. + +Even though the happy father grew richer every year, and bought farm +after farm, until he owned five thousand acres, he valued, more than +these possessions, his lovely wife and his beautiful children. + +Yet this very delight and affection made him less vigilant; yes, even +less careful concerning the promise he had once given to his fairy +wife, who still held to the ancient ideas of the Fairy Family in +regard to iron. + +One of his finest mares had given birth to a filly, which, when the +day of the great fair came, he determined to sell at a high price. + +So with a halter on his arm, he went out to catch her. + +But she was a lively creature, so frisky that it was much like his +first attempt to win his fairy bride. It almost looked as if she were +a cave girl running away from a lover, who had a lasso in his hand. +The lively and frolicsome beast scampered here and there, grazing as +she stopped, as if she were determined to put off her capture as long +as possible. + +So, calling to his wife, the two of them together, tried their skill +to catch the filly. This time, leaving the halter in the house, the +man took bit and bridle, and the two managed to get the pretty +creature into a corner; but, when they had almost captured her, away +she dashed again. + +By this time, the man was so vexed that he lost his temper; and he who +does that, usually loses the game, while he who controls the wrath +within, wins. Mad as a flaming fire, he lost his brains also and threw +bit and bridle and the whole harness after the fleet animal. + +Alas! alas! the wife had started to run after the filly and the iron +bit struck her on the cheek. It did not hurt, but he had broken his +vow. + +Now came the surprise of his life. It was as if, at one moment, a +flash of lightning had made all things bright; and then in another +second was inky darkness. He saw this lovely wife, one moment active +and fleet as a deer. In another, in the twinkling of an eye, nothing +was there. She had vanished. After this, there was a lonely home, +empty of its light and cheer. + +But by living with human beings, a new idea and form of life had +transformed this fairy, and a new spell was laid on her. Mother-love +had been awakened in her heart. Henceforth, though the law of the +fairy world would not allow her to touch again the realm of earth, +she, having once been wife and parent, could not forget the babies +born of her body. So, making a sod raft, a floating island, she came +up at night, and often, while these three mortals lived, this fairy +mother would spend hours tenderly talking to her husband and her two +children, who were now big boy and girl, as they stood on the lake +shore. + +On his part, the father did not think it "an ideal arrangement," as +some modern married folks do, to be thus separated, wife and husband, +one from the other; but by her coming as near as could be allowed, she +showed her undying love. Even to-day, good people sometimes see a +little island floating on the lake, and this, they point out as the +place where the fairy mother was wont to come and hold converse with +her dear ones. When they merrily eat the pink delicacy, called +"floating island," moving it about with a spoon on its yellow lake of +eggs and cream, they call this "the Fairy Mother's rocking chair." + + + + +X + + +THE MAIDEN OF THE GREEN FOREST + + +Many a palace lies under the waves that wash Cymric land, for the sea +has swallowed up more than one village, and even cities. + +When Welsh fairies yield to their mortal lovers and consent to become +their wives, it is always on some condition or promise. Sometimes +there are several of these, which the fairy ladies compel their mortal +lovers to pledge them, before they agree to become wives. In fact, the +fairies in Cymric land are among the most exacting of any known. + +A prince named Benlli, of the Powys region, found this out to his +grief, for he had always supposed that wives could be had simply for +the asking. All that a man need say, to the girl to whom he took a +fancy, was this: "Come along with me, and be my bride," and then she +would say, "Thank you, I'll come," and the two would trot off +together. This was the man's notion. + +Now Benlli was a wicked old fellow. He was already married, but +wrinkles had gathered on his wife's face. She had a faded, washed-out +look, and her hair was thinning out. She would never be young again, +and he was tired of her, and wanted a mate with fresh rosy cheeks, and +long, thick hair. He was quite ready to fall in love with such a +maiden, whenever his eyes should light upon her. + +One day, he went out hunting in the Green Forest. While waiting for a +wild boar to rush out, there rode past him a young woman whose beauty +was dazzling. He instantly fell in love with her. + +The next day, while on horseback, at the same opening in the forest, +the same maiden reappeared; but it was only for a moment, and then she +vanished. + +Again, on the third day, the prince rode out to the appointed place, +and again the vision of beauty was there. He rode up to her and begged +her to come and live with him at his palace. + +"I will come and be your wedded wife on three conditions: You must put +away the wife you now have; you must permit me to leave you, one night +in every seven, without following after or spying upon me; and you +must not ask me where I go or what I do. Swear to me that you will do +these three things. Then, if you keep your promises unbroken, my +beauty shall never change, no, not until the tall vegetable flag-reeds +wave and the long green rushes grow in your hall." + +The Prince of Powys was quite ready to swear this oath and he solemnly +promised to observe the three conditions. So the Maid of the Green +Forest went to live with him. + +"But what of his old wife?" one asks. + +Ah! he had no trouble from that quarter, for when the newly-wedded +couple arrived at the castle, she had already disappeared. + +Happy, indeed, were the long bright days, which the prince and his new +bride spent together, whether in the castle, or out doors, riding on +horseback, or in hunting the deer. Every day, her beauty seemed +diviner, and she more lovely. He lavished various gifts upon her, +among others that of a diadem of beryl and sapphire. Then he put on +her finger a diamond ring worth what was a very great sum--a king's +ransom. In the Middle Ages, monarchs as well as nobles were taken +prisoners in battle and large amounts of money had to be paid to get +them back again. So a king's ransom is what Benlli paid for his wife's +diamond ring. He loved her so dearly that he never suspected for a +moment that he would ever have any trouble in keeping his three +promises. + +But without variety, life has no spice, and monotony wearies the soul. +After nine years had passed, and his wife absented herself every +Friday night, he began to wonder why it could be. His curiosity, to +know the reason for her going away, so increased that it so wore on +him that he became both miserable in himself and irritable toward +others. Everybody in the castle noticed the change in their master, +and grieved over it. + +One night, he invited a learned monk from the white monastery, not far +away, to come and take dinner with him. The table in the great +banqueting hall was spread with the most delicious viands, the lights +were magnificent, and the music gay. + +But Wyland, the monk, was a man of magic and could see through things. +He noticed that some secret grief was preying upon the Prince's mind. +He discerned that, amidst all this splendor, he, Benlli, the lord of +the castle, was the most miserable person within its walls. So Wyland +went home, resolved to call again and find out what was the trouble. + +When they met, some days later, Wyland's greeting was this: + +"Christ save thee, Benlli! What secret sorrow clouds thy brow? Why so +gloomy?" + +Benlli at once burst out with the story of how he met the Maid of the +Green Forest, and how she became his wife on three conditions. + +"Think of it," said Benlli, groaning aloud. "When the owls cry and the +crickets chirp, my wife leaves my bed, and until the daystar appears, +I lie alone, torn with curiosity, to know where she is, and what she +is doing. I fall again into heavy sleep, and do not awake until +sunrise, when I find her by my side again. It is all such a mystery, +that the secret lies heavy on my soul. Despite all my wealth, and my +strong castle, with feasting and music by night and hunting by day, I +am the most miserable man in Cymric land. No beggar is more wretched +than I." + +Wyland, the monk, listened and his eyes glittered. There came into his +head the idea of enriching the monastery. He saw his chance, and +improved it at once. He could make money by solving the secret for a +troubled soul. + +"Prince Benlli," said he, "if you will bestow upon the monks of the +White Minster, one tenth of all the flocks that feed within your +domain, and one tenth of all that flows into the vaults of your +palace, and hand over the Maiden of the Green Forest to me, I shall +warrant that your soul will be at peace and your troubles end." + +To all this, Prince Benlli agreed, making solemn promise. Then the +monk Wyland took his book, leather bound, and kept shut by means of +metal clasps, and hid himself in the cranny of a rock near the Giant's +Cave, from which there was entrance down into Fairyland. + +He had not long to wait, for soon, with a crown on her head, a lady, +royally arrayed, passed by out of the silvery moonlight into the dark +cave. It was none other than the Maiden of the Green Forest. + +Now came a battle of magic and spells, as between the monk's own and +those of the Green Forest Maiden. He moved forward to the mouth of the +cave. Then summoning into his presence the spirits of the air and the +cave, he informed them as to Benlli's vow to enrich the monastery, and +to deliver the Green Forest Maiden to himself. Then, calling aloud, he +said: + +"Let her forever be, as she now appears, and never leave my side." + +"Bring her, before the break of day, to the cross near the town of the +White Minster, and there will I wed her, and swear to make her my +own." + +Then, by the power of his magic, he made it impossible for any person +or power to recall or hinder the operation of these words. Leaving the +cave's mouth, in order to be at the cross, before day should dawn, the +first thing he met was a hideous ogress, grinning and rolling her +bleared red eyes at him. On her head seemed what was more like moss, +than hair. She stretched out a long bony finger at him. On it, flashed +the splendid diamond, which Benlli had given his bride, the beautiful +Maid of the Green Forest. + +"Take me to thy bosom, monk Wyland," she shrieked, laughing hideously +and showing what looked like green snags in her mouth. "For I am the +wife you are sworn to wed. Thirty years ago, I was Benlli's blooming +bride. When my beauty left me, his love flew out of the window. Now I +am a foul ogress, but magic makes me young again every seventh night. +I promised that my beauty should last until the tall flag reeds and +the long green rushes grow in his hall." + +Amazed at her story, Wyland drew in his breath. + +"And this promise, I have kept. It is already fulfilled. Your spell +and mine are both completed. Yours brought to him the peace of the +dead. Mine made the river floods rush in. Now, waters lap to and fro +among the reeds and rushes that grow in the banqueting hall, which is +now sunk deep below the earth. With the clash of our spells, no charm +can redress our fate. + +"Come then and take me as thy bride, for oath and spell have both +decreed it as thy reward. As Benlli's promise to you is fulfilled, for +the waters flow in the palace vaults, the pike and the dare (fish) +feed there." + +So, caught in his own dark, sordid plot, the monk, who played +conjurer, had become the victim of his own craft. + +They say that Wyland's Cross still recalls the monk, while fishermen +on the Welsh border, can, on nights with smooth water, see towers and +chimneys far below, sunk deep beneath the waves. + + + + +XI + + +THE TREASURE STONE OF THE FAIRIES + + +The Gruffyds were one of the largest of the Welsh tribes. To-day, it +is said that in Britain one man in every forty has this, as either his +first, middle, or last name. It means "hero" or "brave man," and as +far back as the ninth century, the word is found in the Book of Saint +Chad. + +The monks, who derived nearly every name from the Latin, insisted the +word meant Great Faith. + +Another of the most common of Welsh personal names was William; which, +when that of a father's son, was written Williams and was only the +Latin for Gild Helm, or Golden Helmet. + +Long ago, when London was a village and Cardiff only a hamlet, there +was a boy of this name, who tended sheep on the hill sides. His father +was a hard working farmer, who every year tried to coax to grow out of +the stony ground some oats, barley, leeks and cabbage. In summer, he +worked hard, from the first croak of the raven to the last hoot of the +owl, to provide food for his wife and baby daughter. When his boy was +born, he took him to the church to be christened Gruffyd, but every +body called him "Gruff." In time several little sisters came to keep +the boy company. + +His mother always kept her cottage, which was painted pink, very neat +and pretty, with vines covering the outside, while flowers bloomed +indoors. These were set in pots and on shelves near the latticed +windows. They seemed to grow finely, because so good a woman loved +them. The copper door-sill was kept bright, and the broad borders on +the clay floor, along the walls, were always fresh with whitewash. The +pewter dishes on the sideboard shone as if they were moons, and the +china cats on the mantle piece, in silvery luster, reflected both sun +and candle light. Daddy often declared he could use these polished +metal plates for a mirror, when he shaved his face. Puss, the pet, was +always happy purring away on the hearth, as the kettle boiled to make +the flummery, of sour oat jelly, which, daddy loved so well. + +Mother Gruffyd was always so neat, with her black and white striped +apron, her high peaked hat, with its scalloped lace and quilled +fastening around her chin, her little short shawl, with its pointed, +long tips, tied in a bow, and her bright red plaid petticoat folded +back from her frock. Her snowy-white, rolling collar and neck cloth +knotted at the top, and fringed at the ends, added fine touches to her +picturesque costume. + +In fact, young Gruffyd was proud of his mother and he loved her +dearly. He thought no woman could be quite as sweet as she was. + +Once, at the end of the day, on coming back home, from the hills, the +boy met some lovely children. They were dressed in very fine clothes, +and had elegant manners. They came up, smiled, and invited him to play +with them. He joined in their sports, and was too much interested to +take note of time. He kept on playing with them until it was pitch +dark. + +Among other games, which he enjoyed, had been that of "The King in his +counting house, counting out his money," and "The Queen in her +kitchen, eating bread and honey," and "The Girl hanging out the +clothes," and "The Saucy Blackbird that snipped off her nose." In +playing these, the children had aprons full of what seemed to be real +coins, the size of crowns, or five-shilling pieces, each worth a +dollar. These had "head and tail," beside letters on them and the boy +supposed they were real. + +But when he showed these to his mother, she saw at once from their +lightness, and because they were so easily bent, that they were only +paper, and not silver. + +She asked her boy where he had got them. He told her what a nice time +he had enjoyed. Then she knew that these, his playmates, were fairy +children. Fearing that some evil might come of this, she charged him, +her only son, never to go out again alone, on the mountain. She +mistrusted that no good would come of making such strange children his +companions. + +But the lad was so fond of play, that one day, tired of seeing nothing +but byre and garden, while his sisters liked to play girls' games more +than those which boys cared most for, and the hills seeming to beckon +him to come to them, he disobeyed, and slipped out and off to the +mountains. He was soon missed and search was made for him. + +Yet nobody had seen or heard of him. Though inquiries were made on +every road, in every village, and at all the fairs and markets in the +neighborhood, two whole years passed by, without a trace of the boy. + +But early one morning of the twenty-fifth month, before breakfast, his +mother, on opening the door, found him sitting on the steps, with a +bundle under his arm, but dressed in the same clothes, and not looking +a day older or in any way different, from the very hour he +disappeared. + +"Why my dear boy, where have you been, all these months, which have +now run into the third year--so long a time that they have seemed to +me like ages?" + +"Why, mother dear, how strange you talk. I left here yesterday, to go +out and to play with the children, on the hills, and we have had a +lovely time. See what pretty clothes they have given me for a +present." Then he opened his bundle. + +But when she tore open the package, the mother was all the more sure +that she was right, and that her fears had been justified. In it she +found only a dress of white paper. Examining it carefully, she could +see neither seam nor stitches. She threw it in the fire, and again +warned her son against fairy children. + +But pretty soon, after a great calamity had come upon them, both +father and mother changed their minds about fairies. + +They had put all their savings into the venture of a ship, which had +for a long time made trading voyages from Cardiff. Every year, it came +back bringing great profit to the owners and shareholders. In this +way, daddy was able to eke out his income, and keep himself, his wife +and daughters comfortably clothed, while all the time the table was +well supplied with good food. Nor did they ever turn from their door +anyone who asked for bread and cheese. + +But in the same month of the boy's return, bad news came that the good +ship had gone down in a storm. All on board had perished, and the +cargo was totally lost, in the deep sea, far from land. In fact, no +word except that of dire disaster had come to hand. + +Now it was a tradition, as old as the days of King Arthur, that on a +certain hill a great boulder could be seen, which was quite different +from any other kind of rock to be found within miles. It was partly +imbedded in the earth, and beneath it, lay a great, yes, an untold +treasure. The grass grew luxuriantly around this stone, and the sheep +loved to rest at noon in its shadow. Many men had tried to lift, or +pry it up, but in vain. The tradition, unaltered and unbroken for +centuries, was to the effect, that none but a very good man could ever +budge this stone. Any and all unworthy men might dig, or pull, or pry, +until doomsday, but in vain. Till the right one came, the treasure was +as safe as if in heaven. + +But the boy's father and mother were now very poor and his sisters now +grown up wanted pretty clothes so badly, that the lad hoped that he or +his father might be the deserving one. He would help him to win the +treasure for he felt sure that his parent would share his gains with +all his friends. + +Though his neighbors were not told of the generous intentions credited +to the boy's father, by his loving son, they all came with horses, +ropes, crowbars, and tackle, to help in the enterprise. Yet after many +a long days' toil, between the sun's rising and setting, their end was +failure. Every day, when darkness came on, the stone lay there still, +as hard and fast as ever. So they gave up the task. + +On the final night, the lad saw that father and mother, who were great +lovers, were holding each other's hands, while their tears flowed +together, and they were praying for patience. + +Seeing this, before he fell asleep, the boy resolved that on the +morrow, he would go up to the mountains, and talk to his fairy friends +about the matter. + +So early in the morning, he hurried to the hill tops, and going into +one of the caves, met the fairies and told them his troubles. Then he +asked them to give him again some of their money. + +"Not this time, but something better. Under the great rock there are +treasures waiting for you." + +"Oh, don't send me there! For all the men and horses of our parish, +after working a week, have been unable to budge the stone." + +"We know that," answered the principal fairy, "but do you yourself try +to move it. Then you will see what is certain to happen." + +Going home, to tell what he had heard, his parents had a hearty laugh +at the idea of a boy succeeding where men, with the united strength of +many horses and oxen, had failed. + +Yet, after brooding awhile, they were so dejected, that anything +seemed reasonable. So they said, "Go ahead and try it." + +Returning to the mountain, the fairies, in a band, went with him to +the great rock. + +One touch of his hand, and the mighty boulder trembled, like an aspen +leaf in the breeze. + +A shove, and the rock rolled down from the hill and crashed in the +valley below. + +There, underneath, were little heaps of gold and silver, which the boy +carried home to his parents, who became the richest people in the +country round about. + + + + +XII + + +GIANT TOM AND GIANT BLUBB + + +Everyone who has read anything of Welsh history--though not of the +sort that is written by English folks--knows also that Cornwall is, in +soul, a part of Wales. Before the Romans, first, and the Saxons, next, +invaded Britain, the Cymric people lived all over the island, south of +Scotland. + +They were the British people, and nobody ever heard the German name, +"Wales," which means a foreign land; or the word "Welsh," which refers +to foreigners, until men who were themselves outsiders came into +Britain. + +Since that time, it has been much the same, as when a British Jack +Tar, when rambling in Portugal, or China, calls the natives +"foreigners," and tells them to "get out of the way." + +Ages ago, when the Cymric men, with their wives and little ones rowed +over in their coracles, from Gallia, or the Summer Land, to Britain, +the Honey Land, they came first to the promontory which we know as +Cornwall; that is, the Cornu Galliae, or Walliae, which means Horn or +Cape of the new country now called England. Here was a new region, +rich in every kind of minerals. Ages before, the Phoenicians had named +it Britain or the Land of Tin. Within the memory of men now living, +Cornishmen, that is, the miners of Cornwall, on going to California, +discovered gold. + +In Cornwall, as part of the Cymric realm, King Arthur found and +married Guinevere, his queen. It was in Cornwall, also, that Merlin +was hidden. Hear the rhyme: + + Marvelous Merlin is wasted away + By a wicked woman, who may she be? + For she hath pent him in a crag + On Cornwall coast. + +So it happens that thousands of "English" people in Cornwall are +Welsh, by both name or descent, or have translated their names into +English form, even while keeping the Welsh meaning. They are also +Welsh in traits of character. Just as tens of thousands of Welsh +folks, among the first settlers of New England and the American +colonies are described in our histories as "English" people. + +Now in early Cornwall there were many giants. Some were good but +others were bad. One of these, a right fine fellow, was named Tom, and +the other, a bad one, Blubb. This giant had had twenty wives, and was +awfully cruel. Nobody ever knew what became of the twenty maidens he +had married. + +Sometimes people called the big fellow, that lived in a castle, Giant +Blunderbuss, but Blubb was his name for short. He was much taller than +the highest hop pole in Kent. He was made up mostly of head and +stomach, for his chief idea in living was to eat. His skull was as big +as a hogshead, or a push-ball, or a market wagon loaded with carrots. +Indeed, it was strongly suspected by most people that the big bone box +set on his shoulders was as hollow inside as a pumpkin, but that a +cocoanut would hold all the brains he had. At any rate, during one of +his fights with another giant, he had been given an awful thwack from +the other giant's club. Then the sound made, which was heard a long +distance away, was exactly like that when one pounds on an empty +barrel. + +Now this Giant Blubb had built a mighty castle between a big hill and +a river. Under it were vaults of vast size, filled with treasures of +all sorts, gold, silver, jewels and gems. There were cells, in which +he kept his wives, after he had married them. It was the opinion of +his neighbors, that in every case, soon after the honeymoon was over, +he ate them up. + +Yet, if even the devil ought to have his due; one should be fair to +this human monster, and we are bound to say that Giant Blubb denied +these stories as pure gossip. It is certain that such crimes as murder +and cannibalism never could be proved against him. + +To guard his underground treasures, he had two huge and fierce dogs, +supposed to be named Catchem and Tearem. What they were really called +by their master was a secret. Yet anyone who had a piece of meat ready +to throw to them, and knew their names, which were pass words, could +first quiet them. Then he could walk by them and get the treasure. + +Besides these dogs, the only living thing left in the castle when the +giant went out, was the latest Mrs. Blubb. Yet she was in constant +fear of her life, lest her big husband should sometime make a meal of +her. For even she had heard the story that Blubb was a cannibal and +looked at all plump women simply as delicacies, exactly as a boy peers +into the window of a candy shop. + +What made all the country round hate this cruel giant was not wholly +on account of his awful appetite. It was because he had ruined the +King's High Road. Ever since the time of King Lud, whose name we read +in Ludgate Hill, in London, where His Cymric Majesty had lived, this +highway had been free to all. It ran all the way through Cornwall, +from Penzance, and thence eastward to London and beyond. + +When Giant Blubb wished to enlarge his castle, he had the walls and +towers built down to the river's edge. This closed up the big road, so +that people had to go far around and up over the hill, or by boat +along the river. Such a roundabout way took much time and toil, and +was too much trouble for all. + +Everybody had to submit to this extortion, until there came along +Giant Tom, of whom we shall now tell. His real name was Rolling Stone, +for he never stuck long in one place at a job, and cared not a +cucumber for money, or fine clothes. + +This jolly fellow was very good-natured and popular, but often very +lazy. His mother talked with him many times, urging him to learn a +trade, or in some way make an honest living. She found it very hard to +keep anything in her larder, barn, pantry, or cellar, when he was at +home. He measured four feet across his shoulders and at every meal he +ate what would feed three big men. But as he could do six men's work, +when he had a mind to--as often he did--he was always welcome. In +fact, he was too popular for his own good. + +One day, when ten common fellows were trying their utmost to lift a +big long log on a cart, and were unable to do it, Tom came along and +told them to stand back. Then he hoisted the tree on to the wain, +roped it into place, and told the cartman to drive on. Then they all +cheered him, and one of them lifted his Monmouth cap and cried out, +"Hurrah for Giant Tom. He's the fellow to whip Giant Blubb." + +"He is! He is!" they all cried in chorus. + +"Who is this Giant Blubb? Where does he live?" asked Tom, rolling up +his sleeves, for he was just spoiling for a row with a fellow of his +size. + +Then they told the story of how the big bully had ruined the King's +Highway, by building a great wall and tower across the road, to shut +it up, to the grief of many honest men. + +"Never mind, boys. I'll attend to his bacon," said Tom. "Leave the +matter with me, and don't bother to tell the King about it." + +Tom went the next day into town and hired himself out to a beer brewer +to drive the wagon. Perhaps he hoped, also, while in this occupation, +to keep down his thirst. + +He asked the boss to give him the route that led past Giant Blubb's +castle, over the old King's Highway. + +The master of the brewery saw through Tom's purpose. He winked, and +only said: + +"Go ahead, my boy. I'll pay you double wages, if you will open that +road again; but see that Giant Blubb does not get my load of kegs, or +that your carcass doesn't count with those of the twenty wives in his +vaults and make twenty-one." + +Again he winked his eye knowingly to his workmen. Tom drove off. He +occupied all the room on the seat of the cart, which two men usually +filled and left plenty of room on either side. + +Cracking his whip, the new driver kept the four horses on a galloping +pace, until very soon he called out "whoa," before the frowning high +gateway of Giant Blubb. + +Tom shouted from the depth of his lungs: + +"Open the gate and let me drive through. This is the King's Highway." + +The only reply, for a minute, was the barking of the curs. Then a +rattling of bolts was heard, and the great gates swung wide open. + +"Who are you, you impudent fellow? Go round over the hill, or I'll +thrash you," blustered Giant Blubb, in a rage. + +"Better save your breath to cool your porridge, you big boaster, and +come out and fight," said Tom. + +"Fight? You pigmy. I'll just get a switch and whip you, as I would a +bad boy." + +Thereupon Giant Blubb stepped aside into the grove nearby, keeping all +the while an eye on his gate, guarded by his two monstrous dogs. He +selected an elm tree twenty feet high, tore it up by the roots, pulled +off the branches, and peeled it for a whip. This he jerked up and down +to make ready for his task of thrashing "the pigmy." + +Meanwhile Giant Tom upset the wain, drew out the tongue and took off +one of the wheels. Then, as if armed with spear and shield, he +advanced to meet Giant Blubb. He whistled like a boy, as he went +forward. + +In a passion of rage, Giant Blubb lifted his elm switch to strike, but +Tom warded off the blow with his wheel shield. Then he punched him in +the stomach, with the wagon tongue, so hard that the big fellow +slipped and rolled over in the mud: + +Picking himself up, Giant Blubb, now half blind with rage, rushed +against Tom, who, this time, made a lunge which planted the cart +tongue inside Blubb's bowels, and knocked him over. + +But Tom was not a cruel fellow, and had no desire to kill anyone. So +he threw down his war tools, and tearing up a yard or two of grassy +sod rolled it together, and made a plug of it, as big around as a milk +churn. With this, he stopped up the big hole in Giant Blubb's huge +body. + +But instead of thanking Tom, Giant Blubb rushed at him again. He was +in too much of a rage to see anything clearly, while Tom, perfectly +cool, gave the angry monster such a kick, in the place where he kept +his dinner, that he rolled over, and Tom gave him another kick. Then +the plug of sod fell out of his wound. + +As he was bleeding to death, Giant Blubb beckoned to Tom to come up +close, for he could only whisper. + +"You've beaten me on the square, and I like you. Don't think I killed +my twenty wives. They all died naturally. But call the dogs by name, +and they will let you pass. Then, in my vaults, you'll find gold, +silver, and copper. Make these your own and bury me decently. This is +all I ask." + +Tom made himself owner of the castle and all its treasures. He opened +the King's Highway again. He took care of his aged mother, married the +twenty-first wife of Giant Blubb, now a widow, and was always kind to +the sick and poor. + +To-day in Cornwall, they still tell stories of the big fellow who +abolished Giant Blubb's toll gate. + +Centuries afterward, when Christ's gospel came into the land, they +restored Giant Tom's tomb and on it were chiseled these words: + +THE RESTORER OF PATHS TO DWELL IN. + + + + +XIII + + +A BOY THAT VISITED FAIRYLAND + + +Many are the places in Wales where the ground is lumpy and humpy with +tumuli, or little artificial mounds. Among these the sheep graze, the +donkeys bray, and the cows chew the cud. + +Here the ground is strewn with the ruins of cromlechs, or Cymric +strongholds, of old Roman camps, of chapels and monasteries, showing +that many different races of men have come and gone, while the birds +still fly and the flowers bloom. + +Centuries ago, the good monks of St. David had a school where lads +were taught Latin and good manners. One of their pupils was a boy +named Elidyr. He was such a poor scholar and he so hated books and +loved play, that in his case spankings and whippings were almost of +daily occurrence. Still he made no improvement. He was in the habit +also of playing truant, or what one of the monks called "traveling to +Bagdad." One of the consequences was that certain soft parts of his +body--apparently provided by nature for this express purpose--often +received a warming from his daddy. + +His mother loved her boy dearly, and she often gently chided him, but +he would not listen to her, and when she urged him to be more +diligent, he ran out of the room. The monks did not spare the birch +rod, and soon it was a case of a whipping for every lesson not +learned. + +One day, though he was only twelve years old, the boy started on a +long run into the country. The further he got, the happier he felt--at +least for one day. + +At night, tired out, he crept into a cave. When he woke up, in the +morning, he thought it was glorious to be as free as the wild asses. +So like them, he quenched his thirst at the brook. But when, towards +noon, he could find nothing to eat, and his inside cavity seemed to +enlarge with very emptiness, his hunger grew every minute. Then he +thought that a bit of oat cake, a leek, or a bowl of oat meal, whether +porridge or flummery, might suit a king. + +He dared not go out far and pick berries, for, by this time, he saw +that people were out searching for him. He did not feel yet, like +going back to books, rods and scoldings, but the day seemed as long as +a week. Meanwhile, he discovered that he had a stomach, which seemed +to grow more and more into an aching void. He was glad when the sunset +and darkness came. His bed was no softer in the cave, as he lay down +with a stone for his pillow. Yet he had no dreams like those of Jacob +and the angels. + +When daylight came, the question in his mind was still, whether to +stay and starve, or to go home and get two thrashings--one from his +daddy, and another from the monks. But how about that thing inside of +him, which seemed to be a live creature gnawing away, and which only +something to eat would quiet? Finally, he came to a stern resolve. He +started out, ready to face two whippings, rather than one death by +starvation. + +But he did not have to go home yet, for at the cave's mouth, he met +two elves, who delivered a most welcome message. + +"Come with us to a land full of fun, play, and good things to eat." + +All at once, his hunger left him and he forgot that he ever wanted to +swallow anything. All fear, or desire to go home, or to risk either +schooling or a thrashing, passed away also. + +Into a dark passage all three went, but they soon came out into a +beautiful country. How the birds sang and the flowers bloomed! All +around could be heard the joyful shouts of little folks at play. Never +did things look so lovely. + +[Illustration: THE KING SPOKE KINDLY TO ELIDYR, ASKING HIM WHO HE WAS] + +Soon, in front of the broad path along which they were traveling, +there rose up before him a glorious palace. It had a splendid gateway, +and the silver-topped towers seemed to touch the blue sky. + +"What building is this?" asked the lad of his two guides. + +They made answer that it was the palace of the King of Fairyland. Then +they led him into the throne room, where, sat in golden splendor, a +king, of august figure and of majestic presence, who was clad in +resplendent robes. He was surrounded by courtiers in rich apparel, and +all about him was magnificence, such as this boy, Elidyr, had never +even read about or dreamed. + +Yet everything was so small that it looked like Toy Land, and he felt +like a giant among them, even though many of the little men around him +were old enough to have whiskers on their cheeks and beards on their +chins. + +The King spoke kindly to Elidyr, asking him who he was, and whence he +had come. + +While talking thus, the Prince, the King's only son appeared. He was +dressed in white velvet and gold, and had a long feather in his cap. +In the pleasantest way, he took Elidyr's hand and said: + +"Glad to see you. Come and let us play together." + +That was just what Elidyr liked to hear. The King smiled and said to +his visitor, "You will attend my son?" Then, with a wave of his hand, +he signified to the boys to run out and play games. + +A right merry time they did have, for there were many other little +fellows for playmates. + +These wee folks, with whom Elidyr played, were hardly as big as our +babies, and certainly would not reach up to his mother's knee. To +them, he looked like a giant, and he richly enjoyed the fun of having +such little men, but with beards growing on their faces, look up to +him. + +They played with golden balls, and rode little horses, with silver +saddles and bridles, but these pretty animals were no larger than +small dogs, or grayhounds. + +No meat was ever seen on the table, but always plenty of milk. They +never told a lie, nor used bad language, or swear-words. They often +talked about mortal men, but usually to despise them; because what +they liked to do, seemed so absurd and they always wanted foolish and +useless things. To the elves, human beings were never satisfied, or +long happy, even when they got what they wanted. + +Everything in this part of fairyland was lovely, but it was always +cloudy. No sun, star or moon was ever seen, yet the little men did not +seem to mind it and enjoyed themselves every day. There was no end of +play, and that suited Elidyr. + +Yet by and by, he got tired even of games and play, and grew very +homesick. He wanted to see his mother. So he asked the King to let him +visit his old home. He promised solemnly to come back, after a few +hours. His Majesty gave his permission, but charged him not to take +with him anything whatever from fairyland, and to go with only the +clothes on his back. + +The same two elves or dwarfs, who had brought him into fairyland, were +chosen to conduct him back. When they had led him again through the +underground passage into the sunlight, they made him invisible until +he arrived at his mother's cottage. She was overjoyed to find that no +wolf had torn him to pieces, or wild bull had pushed him over a +precipice. + +She asked him many questions, and he told her all he had seen, felt, +or known. + +When he rose up to go, she begged him to stay longer, but he said he +must keep his word. Besides, he feared the rod of the monks, or his +daddy, if he remained. So he made his mother agree not to tell +anything--not even to his father, as to where he was, or what he was +doing. Then he made off and reported again to his playmates in +fairyland. + +The King was so pleased at the lad's promptness in returning, and +keeping his word, and telling the truth, that he allowed him to go see +his mother as often as he wanted to do so. He even gave orders +releasing the two little men from constantly guarding him and told +them to let the lad go alone, and when he would, for he always kept +his word. + +Many times did Elidyr visit his mother. By one road, or another, he +made his way, keeping himself invisible all the time, until he got +inside her cottage. He ran off, when anyone called in to pay a visit, +or when he thought his daddy, or one of the monks was coming. He never +saw any of these men. + +One day, in telling his mother of the fun and good times he had in +fairyland, he spoke of the heavy yellow balls, with which he and the +King's sons played, and how these rolled around. + +Before leaving home, this boy had never seen any gold, and did not +know what it was, but his mother guessed that it was the precious +metal, of which the coins called sovereigns, and worth five dollars +apiece, were made. So she begged him to bring one of them back to her. + +This, Elidyr thought, would not be right; but after much argument, his +parents being poor, and she telling him that, out of hundreds in the +King's palace, one single ball would not be missed, he decided to +please her. + +So one day, when he supposed no one was looking, he picked up one of +the yellow balls and started off through the narrow dark passageway +homeward. + +But no sooner was he back on the earth, and in the sunlight again, +than he heard footsteps behind him. Then he knew that he had been +discovered. + +He glanced over his shoulder and there were the two little men, who +had led him first and had formerly been his guards. They scowled at +him as if they were mad enough to bite off the heads of tenpenny +nails. Then they rushed after him, and there began a race to the +cottage. + +But the boy had legs twice as long as the little men, and got to the +cottage door first. He now thought himself safe, but pushing open the +door, he stumbled over the copper threshold, and the ball rolled out +of his hand, across the floor of hardened clay, even to the nearly +white-washed border, which ran about the edges of the room. It stopped +at the feet of his mother, whose eyes opened wide at the sight of the +ball of shining gold. + +As he lay sprawling on the floor, and before he could pick himself up, +one of the little men leaped over him, rushed into the room, and, from +under his mother's petticoats, picked up the ball. + +They spat at the boy and shouted, "traitor," "rascal," "thief," "false +mortal," "fox," "rat," "wolf," and other bad names. Then they turned +and sped away. + +Now Elidyr, though he had been a mischievous boy, often willful, lazy, +and never liking his books, had always loved the truth. He was very +sad and miserable, beyond the telling, because he had broken his word +of honor. So, almost mad with grief and shame, and from an accusing +conscience, he went back to find the cave, in which he had slept. He +would return to the King of the fairies, and ask his pardon, even if +His Majesty never allowed him to visit Fairyland again. + +But though he often searched, and spent whole days in trying to find +the opening in the hills, he could never discover it. + +So, fully penitent, and resolving to live right, and become what his +father wanted him to be, he went back to the monastery. + +There he plied his tasks so diligently that he excelled all in +book-learning. In time, he became one of the most famous scholars in +Welsh history. When he died, he asked to be buried, not in the monk's +cemetery, but with his father and mother, in the churchyard. He made +request that no name, record, or epitaph, be chiseled on his tomb, but +only these words: + +WE CAN DO NOTHING AGAINST THE TRUTH, BUT ONLY FOR THE TRUTH. + + + + +XIV + + +THE WELSHERY AND THE NORMANS + + +Though their land has been many times invaded, the Welsh have never +been conquered. Powerful tribes, like the Romans, Saxons and Normans, +have tried to overwhelm them. Even when English and German kings +attempted to crush their spirit and blot out their language and +literature, the Welsh resisted and won victory. + +Among the bullies that tried force, instead of justice, and played the +slave-driver, rather than the Good Samaritan's way, were the Normans. +These brutal fellows, when they thought that they had overrun Wales +with their armies, began to build strong castles all over the country. +They kept armed men by the thousands ready, night and day, to rush out +and put to death anybody and everybody who had a weapon in his hand. +Often they burned whole villages. They killed so many Welsh people +that it seemed at times as if they expected to empty the land of its +inhabitants. Thus, they hoped to possess all the acres for themselves. +They talked as if there were no people so refined and so cultured as +they were, while the natives, good and bad, were lumped together as +"the Welshery." + +Yet all this time, with these hundreds of strong castles, bristling +with turrets and towers, no Englishman's life was safe. If he dared to +go out alone, even twenty rods from the castle, he was instantly +killed by some angry Welshman lying in ambush. So the Normans had to +lock themselves up in armor, until they looked like lobsters in their +shells. When on their iron-clad horses they resembled turtles, so that +if a knight fell off, he had to be chopped open to be rid of his metal +clothes. + +Yet all this was in vain, for when the Norman marched out in bodies, +or rode in squadrons, the Welshery kept away and were hidden. + +Even the birds and beasts noticed this, and saw what fools the Normans +were, to behave so brutally. + +As for the fairies, they met together to see what could be done. Even +the reptiles shamed men by living together more peaceably. Only the +beasts of prey approved of the Norman way of treating the Welsh +people. + +At last, it came to pass that, after the long War of the Roses, when +the Reds and the Whites had fought together, a Welsh king sat upon the +throne of England. Henry VIII was of Cymric ancestry. His full name +was Henry Tudor; or, in English, Henry Theodore. + +Among the Welsh, every son, to his own name as a child, such as Henry, +William, Thomas, etc., added that of his father. Thus it happens that +we can usually tell a man by his name; for example, Richards, Roberts, +Evans, Jones, etc., etc., that he is a Welshman. + +When a Welshman went into England to live, if he were a sister's son, +he usually added a syllable showing this, as in the case of Jefferson, +which means sister's son. Our great Thomas Jefferson used to boast +that he could talk Welsh. + +So the living creatures of all sorts in Wales, human beings, fairies, +and animals took heart and plucked up courage, when a Tudor king, +Henry VIII, sat on the throne. + +Now it was Puck who led the fairies as the great peacemaker. He went +first to visit all the most ancient creatures, in order to find out +who should be offered the post of honor, as ambassador, who should be +sent to the great king in London, Henry Tudor, to see what could be +done for Wales. + +First he called on the male eagle, oldest of all birds. Though not +bald-headed, like his American cousin, the Welsh eagle was very old, +and at that time a widower. Although he had been father to nine +generations of eaglets, he sent Puck to the stag. + +This splendid creature, with magnificent antlers, lived at the edge of +the forest, near the trunk of an oak tree. It was still standing, but +was now a mere shell. Old men said that the children of the aborigines +played under it, and here was the home of the god of lightning, which +they worshiped. + +So to the withered oak, Puck went, and offered him the honor of +leadership to an embassy to the King. + +But the stag answered and said: + +"Well do I remember when an acorn fell from the top of the parent oak. +Then, for three hundred years it was growing. Children played under +it. They gathered acorns in their aprons, and the archers made bows +from its boughs. + +"Then the oak tree began to die, and, during nearly thirty tens of +years it has been fading, and I have seen it all. + +"Yet there is one older than I. It is the salmon that swims in the +Llyn stream. Inquire there." + +So of the old mother salmon, Puck went to ask, and this was the answer +which he received. + +"Count all the spots on my body, and all the eggs in my roe--one for +each year. Yet the blackbird is older even than I. Go listen to her +story. She excels me, in both talk and fact." + +And the blackbird opened its orange-colored bill, and answered +proudly: + +"Do you see this flinty rock, on which I am sitting? Once it was so +huge that three hundred yoke of oxen could hardly move it. Yet, today, +it hardly more than affords me room to roost on. + +"What made it so small, do you ask? + +"Well, all I have clone to wear it away, has been to wipe my beak on +it, every night, before I go to sleep, and in the morning to brush it +with the tips of my wing." + +Even Puck, fairy though he was, was astonished at this. But the +blackbird added: + +"Go to the toad, that blinks its eye under the big rock yonder. His +age is greater than mine." + +The toad was half asleep when Puck came, but it opened with alertness, +its beautiful round bright eyes, set in a rim of gold. Then Puck asked +the question: "Oh, thou that carriest a jewel in thy head, are there +any things alive that are older than thou art?" + +"That, I could not be sure of, especially if as many false things are +told about them, as are told about me; but when I was a tadpole in the +pond, that old hag of an owl was still hooting away, in the treetops, +scaring children, as in ages gone. She is older than I. Go and see +her. If age makes wise, she is the wisest of all." + +Puck went into the forest, but at first saw no bird answering to the +description given him. + +He said to himself, "She is, I wonder, who?" + +He was surprised to hear his question repeated, not as an echo, but by +another. Still, he thought it might possibly be his own voice come +back. + +So, in making a catalogue, in his note book, of what he had seen and +heard that day, he put down, "To wit--one echo." + +Again came the sound: + +"To whit--to who, to whit--to who?" Sounded the voice. + +Thinking that this was intended to be a polite question, Puck looked +up. Sure enough, there was the wise bird sitting on a bough, above +him, as sober as a judge. + +"Who! did you ask?" answered Puck and then went on to explain: + +"I am Lord of the Fairies in Welshery, and I seek to know which is the +most venerable, of all the creatures in the Land of the Red Dragon. + +"I am ready to salute you, as the most ancient and honorable of all +living things in the Cymric realm. You are desired to bear a message +to the Great King, in London." + +Tickled by such delicate flattery, and the honors proffered her, this +lady owl, after much blinking and winking, flirting, and fluttering, +at last agreed to go to King Henry VIII in London. The business, with +which she was charged, was to protest against Norman brutality and to +plead for justice. + +Now this old lady-owl, gray with centuries, though she had such short +ears, kept them open by day and during the night, also, for all the +gossip that floated in the air. She knew all about everybody and +everything. From what she had heard, she expected to find the new +King, Henry VIII, a royal fellow in velvet, with a crown on his head, +and his body as big and round as a hogshead, sitting in a room full of +chopping blocks and battle axes. Further, she fancied she would find a +dozen pretty women locked up in his palace, some in the cellar, others +in the pantry, and more in the garret; but all waiting to have their +heads chopped off. + +For the popular story ran that his chief amusement was to marry a wife +one day and slice off her head the next. + +It was said also that the King kept a private graveyard, and took a +walk in it every afternoon to study the epitaphs, which he kept a +scholar busy in writing; and also a man, from the marble yard near by, +to chisel them on the tombs, after his various wives had been properly +beheaded. + +But the owl never could find out whether these fables were wicked +fibs, or fairy tales, or only street talk. + +Puck and the owl together arrived in London, at the palace, when the +King was at his dinner. The butlers and lackeys wanted to keep them +out, but the merry monarch gave orders to let them in at once. He made +the owl perch over the mantel piece, but told Puck to stand upon the +dinner table and walk over the tablecloth. The pepper box was put +away, so that he should not sneeze and the King carefully removed the +mustard pot, for fear the little fairy fellow might fall in it and be +drowned in the hot stuff. + +His Majesty said that, for the time being, Puck should be the Prince +of Wales. Puck strutted about to the amusement of the King and all the +Court ladies, but he kept away from the pepper, which made his nose +tingle, and from the hot soup, for fear he might tumble into it and be +scalded. When the dessert came on, Puck hid himself under a walnut +shell, just for fun. + +It would take too long to tell about all that was said, or the +questions, which the King asked about his Welsh subjects, and which +either the owl or the fairy man answered. According to Puck's story, +Wales was then a most distressful country, though the Welshery, to a +man, wanted to be good and loyal subjects of the Tudors. + +Several times did Puck appeal to the owl, to have his story confirmed, +because this wise bird had lived among the Cymry, centuries before the +Normans came. The owl every time blinked, bowed, and answered +solemnly: + +"To whit, to who. To whit, to who," which in this case showed that she +had learned to speak the Court language. + +"Why, bless my soul, the owl speaks good Cockney Hinglish," whispered +one of the butlers, who had been born in Wales. + +"Yes, but that is the proper way to address His Majesty, King Ennery +the Heighth," answered the other butler, who was a native-born +Londoner. + +Puck and the owl returned to Wales. What happened after that, is the A +B C of history, that everybody knows, and for which all the Welsh +people to this day bless the Tudors, who made the Welsh equal before +the law with any and all Englishmen. Even Puck himself had never seen +anything like the change that quickly took place for the better, nor +did Queen Mab, with her wand, ever work such wonders. + +It was better than a fairy tale, and the effects, very soon seen, were +even more wonderful. Down went the castles into ruins, for rats to run +around in, and wild dogs to yelp and foxes to hide in, or look out of +the casements. To-day, what were once banqueting halls are covered +with moss, and on the ground grass grows, over which sheep graze and +children play; while rooks and crows nest or roost in the tall towers. + +Any Englishman's life was safe anywhere, and Wales became one of the +most easily governed countries in all the wonderful British Empire. + + + +And in the great world-war, that even children, who read these +stories, can remember, Wales, the Land of the Free, the Home of +Deathless Democracy, led all the British Isles, colonies, islands, or +coaling stations around the wide world, in loyalty, valor and +sacrifice. And the handsome son of the King, George, the Prince of +Wales, led the descendants of Welsh archers, now called the Fusileers. +They went into battle, singing, "Old Land our Fathers before us held +so dear"; or they marched, following the band that played "The Men of +Harlech." + +It is because Welsh cherish their traditions, harps, music, language +and noble inheritances, with which they feed their souls, that they +lead the four nations of the British Isles in the nobler virtues, that +keep a nation alive, as well as in the sweet humanities of the Red +Cross and in generous hospitality to the refugee Belgian. True to his +motto, "I serve," the Prince of Wales who came to see us in 1919--as +did his grandfather, whom the story-teller saw when he visited our +Independence Hall in 1860--loved to be the servant of his people. + +What was it that wrought this peaceful wonder of the sixteenth +century? Was it a fairy spell magic ointment, star-tipped wand, +treasures of caves, or ocean depths? Was it anything that dragons, +giants, ogres, or even swords, spears, catapults, or whips and clubs, +or elves or gnomes could do? + +Not a bit of it! Only justice and kindness, instead of brutality and +force. + + + + +XV + + +THE WELSH FAIRIES HOLD A MEETING + + +In the ancient Cymric gatherings, the Druids, poets, prophets, seers, +and singers all had part. The one most honored as the president of the +meeting was crowned and garlanded. Then he was led in honor and sat in +the chair of state. They called this great occasion an Eistedfodd, or +sitting, after the Cymric word, meaning a chair. + +All over the world, the Welsh folks, who do so passionately love +music, poetry and their own grand language, hold the Eistedfodd at +regular intervals. Thus they renew their love for the Fatherland and +what they received long ago from their ancestors. + +Now it happens that the fairies in every land usually follow the +customs of the mortals among whom they live. The Swiss, the Dutch, the +Belgian, the Japanese and Korean fairies, as we all know, although +they are much alike in many things are as different from each other as +the countries in which they live and play. So, when the Welsh fairies +all met together, they resolved to have songs and harp music and make +the piper play his tunes just as in the Eistedfodd. + +The Cymric fairies of our days have had many troubles to complain of. +They were disgusted with so much coal smoke, the poisoning of the air +by chemical fumes, and the blackening of the landscape from so many +factory chimneys. They had other grievances also. + +So the Queen Mab, who had a Welsh name, and another fairy, called +Pwca, or in English King Puck, sent out invitations into every part of +Wales, for a gathering on the hills, near the great rock called Dina's +seat. This is a rocky chair formed by nature. They also included in +their call those parts of western and south England, such as are still +Welsh and spiritually almost a part of Wales. In fact, Cornwall was +the old land, in which the Cymry had first landed when coming from +over the sea. + +The meeting was to be held on a moonlight night, and far away from any +houses, lest the merry making, dancing and singing of the fairies +should keep the farmers awake. This was something of which the yokels, +or men of the plow, often complained. They could not sleep while the +fairies were having their parties. + +Now among the Welsh fairies of every sort, size, dress, and behavior, +some were good, others were bad, but most of them were only full of +fun and mischief. Chief of these was the lively little fellow, Puck, +who lived in Cwm Pwcca, that is, Puck Valley, in Breconshire. + +Now it had been an old custom, which had come down, from the days of +the cave men, that when anyone died, the people, friends and relatives +sat up all night with the corpse. The custom arose, at first, with the +idea of protection against wild beasts and later from insult by +enemies. This was called a wake. The watchers wept and wailed at +first, and then fell to eating and drinking. Sometimes, they got to be +very lively. The young folks even looked on a wake, after the first +hour or two, as fine fun. Strong liquor was too plentiful and it often +happened that quarrels broke out. When heads were thus fuddled, men +saw or thought they saw, many uncanny things, like leather birds, cave +eagles, and the like. + +But all these fantastic things and creatures, such as foolish people +talk about, and with which they frighten children, such as corpse +candles, demons and imps, were ruled out and not invited to the fairy +meeting. Some other objects, which ignorant folks believed in, were +not to be allowed in the company. The door-keeper was notified not to +admit the eagles of darkness, that live in a cave which is never +lighted up; or the weird, featherless bird of leather, from the Land +of Illusion and Phantasy, that brushes its wing against windows, when +a funeral is soon to take place; or the greedy dog with silver eyes. +None of these would be permitted to show themselves, even if they came +and tried to get in. Some other creatures, not recognized in the good +society of Fairyland, were also barred out. + +To this gathering, only the bright and lively fairies were welcome. +Some of the best natured among the big creatures, and especially +giants and dragons, might pay a visit, if they wanted to do so; but +all the bad ones, such as lake hags, wraiths, sellers of liquids for +wakes, who made men drunk, and all who, under the guise of fairies, +were only agents for undertakers, were ruled out. The Night Dogs of +the Wicked Hunter Annum, the monster Afang, Cadwallader's Goats, and +various, cruel goblins and ogres, living in the ponds, and that pulled +cattle down to eat them up, and the immodest mermaids, whose bad +behavior was so well known, were crossed off the list of invitations. + +No ugly brats, such as wicked fairies were in the habit of putting in +the cradles of mortal mothers, when they stole away their babies, were +allowed to be present, even if they should come with their mothers. +This was to be a perfectly respectable company, and no bawling, +squealing, crying, or blubbering was to be permitted. + +When they had all gathered together, at the evening hour, there was +seen, in the moonlight, the funniest lot of creatures, that one could +imagine, but all were neatly dressed and well behaved. + +Quite a large number of the famous Fair Family, that moved only in the +best society of fairyland, fathers, mothers, cousins, uncles and +aunts, were on hand. In fact, some of them had thought it was to be a +wake, and were ready for whatever might turn up, whether solemn or +frivolous. These were dressed in varied costume. + +Queen Mab, who above all else, was a Welsh fairy, and whose name, as +everybody knows who talks Cymric, suggested her extreme youth and +lively disposition, was present in all her glory. + +When they saw her, several learned fairies, who had come from a +distance, fell at once into conversation on this subject. One +remarked: "How would the Queen like to add another syllable to her +name? Then we should call her Mab-gath (which means Kitten, or Little +Puss)." + +"Well not so bad, however; because many mortal daddies, who have a +daughter, call her Puss. It is a term of affection with them and the +little girls never seem to be offended." + +"Oh! Suppose that in talking to each other we call our Queen Mab-gar, +what then?" asked another, with a roguish twinkle in the eye. + +"It depends on how you use it," said a wise one dryly. This fairy was +a stickler for the correct use of every word. "If you meant 'babyish,' +or 'childish,' she, or her friends might demur; but, if you use the +term 'love of children,' what better name for a fairy queen?" + +"None. There could not be any," they shouted, all at once, "but let us +ask our old friend the harper." + +Now such a thing as inquiring into each other's ages was not common in +Fairy Land. Very few ever asked such a question, for it was not +thought to be polite. For, though we hear of ugly fairy brats being +put into the cradles, in place of pretty children, no one ever heard, +either of fairies being born or of dying, or having clocks, or +watches, or looking to see what time it was. Nor did doctors, or the +census clerks, or directory people ever trouble the fairy ladies, to +ask their age. + +Occasionally, however, there was one fairy, so wise, so learned, and +so able to tell what was going to happen to-morrow, or next year, that +the other fairies looked up to such an one with respect and awe. + +Yet these honorables would hardly know what you were talking about, if +you asked any of them how old they might be, or spoke of "old" or +"young." If, by any chance, a fairy did use the world "old" in talking +of their number, it would be for honor or dignity, and they would mean +it for a compliment. + +The fact was, that many of the most lively fairies showed their +frivolous disposition at once. These were of the kind, that, like +kittens, cubs, or babies, wanted to play all the time, yes, every +moment. Already, hundreds of them were tripping from flower to flower, +riding on the backs of fireflies, or harnessing night moths, or any +winged creatures they could saddle, for flight through the air. Or, +they were waltzing with glow worms, or playing "ring around a rosy," +or dancing in circles. They could not keep still, one moment. + +In fact, when a great crowd of the frolicsome creatures got singing +together, they made such a noise, that a squad of fairy policemen, +dressed in club moss and armed with pistils, was sent to warn them not +to raise their voices too high; lest the farmers, especially those +that were kind to the fairies, should be awakened, and feel in bad +humor. + +So the knot of learned fairies had a quiet time to talk, and, when +able to hear their own words, the harper, who was very learned, +answered their questions about Queen Mab as follows: + +"Well, you know the famous children's story book, in which mortals +read about us, and which they say they enjoy so much, is named +Mabinogion, that is, The Young Folks' Treasury of Cymric Stories." + +"It is well named," said another fairy savant, "since Queen Mab is the +only fairy that waits on men. She inspires their dreams, when these +are born in their brains." + +The talk now turned on Puck, who was to be the president of the +meeting. They were expected to show much dignity in his presence, but +some feared he would, as usual, play his pranks. Before he arrived in +his chariot, which was drawn by dragon flies, some of his neighbors +that lived in the valley near by chatted about him, until the gossip +became quite personal. Just for the fun of it, and the amusement of +the crowd, they wanted Puck to give an exhibition, off-hand, of all +his very varied accomplishments for he could beat all rivals in his +special variety, or as musicians say, his repertoire. + +"No. 'Twould be too much like a Merry Andrew's or a Buffoon's +sideshow, where the freaks of all sorts are gathered, such as they +have at those county fairs, which the mortals get up, to which are +gathered great crowds. The charge of admission is a sixpence. I vote +'no.'" + +"Well, for the very reason that Puck can beat the rest of us at spells +and transformations, I should like to see him do for us as many stunts +as he can. I've heard from a mortal, named Shakespeare, that, in one +performance, Puck could be a horse, a hound, a hog, a bear without any +head, and even kindle himself into a fire; while his vocal powers, as +we know, are endless. He can neigh, bark, grunt, roar, and even burn +up things. Now, I should like to see the fairy that could beat him at +tricks. It was Puck himself, who told the world that he was in the +habit of doing all these things, and I want to see whether he was +boasting." + +"Tut, tut, don't talk that way, about our king," said a fourth fairy. + +All this was only chaff and fun, for all the fairies were in good +humor. They were only talking, to fill up the interval until the music +began. + +Now the canny Welsh fairies had learned the trick of catching +farthings, pennies and sixpences from the folks who have more +curiosity in them than even fairies do. These human beings, cunning +fellows that they are, let the curtain fall on a show, just at the +most interesting part. Then they tell you to come next day and find +out what is to happen. Or, as they say in a story paper, "to be +continued in our next." + +Or, worse than all, the story teller stops, at some very exciting +episode, and then passes the hat or collection-box around, to get the +copper or silver of his listeners, before he will go on. + +This time, however, it was Puck himself who came forward and declared +that, unless everyone of the fairies would promise to attend the next +meeting, there should be no music. Now a meeting of the Welshery, +whether fairies or human, without music was a thing not to be thought +of. So, although at first some fairies grumbled and held back, and +were quite sulky about it, even muttering other grumpy words, they at +last all agreed, and Puck sent for the fiddler to make music for the +dance. + + + + +XVI + + +KING ARTHUR'S CAVE + + +In our time, every boy and girl knows about the nuts and blossoms, the +twigs and the hedges, the roots and the leaf of the common hazel bush, +and everybody has heard of the witch hazel. In old days they made use +of the forked branches of the hazel as a divining rod. With this, they +believed that they could divine, or find out the presence of treasures +of gold and silver, deep down in the earth, and hidden from human +eyes. + +And, what boy or girl has never played the game, and sung the ditty, +"London Bridge is falling down, falling down, falling down," even +though nobody now living ever saw it fall? + +Now, our story is about a hazel rod, a Welshman on London Bridge, +treasures in a cave, and what happened because of these. + +It was in the days when London Bridge was not, as we see it to-day, a +massive structure of stone and iron, able to bear up hundreds of cars, +wagons, horses and people, and lighted at night with electric bulbs. +No, when this Welshman visited London, the bridge had a line of shops +on both sides of the passage way, and reaching from end to end. + +Taffy was the name of this fellow from Denbigh, in Wales, and he was a +drover. He had brought, all the way from one of the richest of the +Welsh provinces, a great drove of Black Welsh cattle, such as were in +steady demand by Englishmen, who have always been lovers of roast +beef. Escaping all the risks of cattle thieves, rustlers, and +highwaymen, he had sold his beeves at a good price; so that his +pockets were now fairly bulging out with gold coins, and yet this +fellow wanted more. But first, before going home, he would see the +sights of the great city, which then contained about a hundred +thousand people. + +While he was handling some things in a shop, to decide what he should +take home to his wife, his three daughters and his two little boys, he +noticed a man looking intently, not at him, but at his stick. After a +while, the stranger came up to him and asked him where he came from. + +Now Taffy was not very refined in his manners, and he thought it none +of the fellow's business. He was very surly and made reply in a gruff +voice. + +"I come from my own country." + +The stranger did not get angry, but in a polite tone made answer: + +"Don't be offended at my question. Tell me where you cut that hazel +stick, and I'll make it to your advantage, if you will take my +advice." + +Even yet Taffy was gruff and suspicious. + +"What business is it of yours, where I cut my hazel stick?" he +answered. + +"Well it may matter a good deal to you, if you will tell me. For, if +you remember the place, and can lead me to it, I'll make you a rich +man, for near that spot lies a great treasure." + +Taffy was not much of a thinker, apart from matters concerning cattle, +and his brain worked slowly! He was sorely puzzled. Here was a wizard, +who could make him rich, and he did so love to jingle gold in his +pockets. But then he was superstitious. He feared that this sorcerer +derived all his uncanny knowledge from demons, and Taffy, being rather +much of a sinner, feared these very much. Meanwhile, his new +acquaintance kept on persuading him. + +Finally Taffy yielded and the two went on together to Wales. + +Now in this country, there are many stones placed in position, showing +they were not there by accident, but were reared by men, to mark some +old battle, or famous event. And for this, rough stone work, no +country, unless it be Korea or China, is more famous than Wales. + +On reaching one called the Fortress Rock, Taffy pointed to an old +hazel root, and said to his companion: + +"There! From that stock, I cut my hazel stick. I am sure of it." + +The sorcerer looked at Taffy to read his face, and to be certain that +he was telling the truth. Then he said: + +"Bring shovels and we'll both dig." + +These having been brought, the two began to work until the +perspiration stood out in drops on their foreheads. First the sod and +rooty stuff, and then down around the gravelly mass below, they plied +their digging tools. Taffy was not used to such toil, and his muscles +were soon weary. But, urged on by visions of gold, he kept bravely at +his task. + +At last, when ready to drop from fatigue, he heard his companion say: + +"We've struck it!" + +A few shovelfuls more laid bare a broad flat stone. This they pried +up, but it required all their strength to lift and stand it on edge. +Just below, they saw a flight of steps. They were slippery with wet +and they looked very old, as if worn, ages ago, by many feet passing +up and down them. + +Taffy shrunk back, as a draught of the close, dead air struck his +nostrils. + +"Come on, and don't be afraid. I'm going to make you rich," said the +sorcerer. + +At this, Taffy's eyes glistened, and he followed on down the steps, +without saying a word. At the bottom of the descent, they entered a +narrow passage, and finally came to a door. + +"Now, I'll ask you. Are you brave, and will you come in with me, if I +open this door?" + +By this time, Taffy was so eager for treasure, that he spoke up at +once. + +"I'm not afraid. Open the door." + +The sorcerer gave a jerk and the door flew open. What a sight! + +There, in the faint, red light, Taffy discerned a great cave. Lying on +the floor were hundreds of armed men, but motionless and apparently +sound asleep. Little spangles of light were reflected from swords, +spears, round shields, and burnished helmets. All these seemed of very +ancient pattern. But immediately in front of them was a bell. Taffy +felt some curiosity to tap it. Would the sleeping host of men then +rise up? + +Just then, the sorcerer, speaking with a menacing gesture, and in a +harsh tone, said: + +"Do not touch that bell, or it's all up with us both." + +Moving carefully, so as not to trip, or to stumble over the sleeping +soldiers, they went on, and Taffy, stopping and looking up beheld +before him a great round table. Many warriors were sitting at it. +Their splendid gold inlaid armor, glittering helmets and noble faces +showed that they were no common men. Yet Taffy could see only a few of +the faces, for all had their heads more or less bent down, as if sound +asleep, though sword and spear were near at hand, ready to be grasped +in a moment. + +Outshining all, was a golden throne at the farther end of the table +and on it sat a king. He was of imposing stature, and august presence. +Upon his head was a crown, on which were inlaid or set precious +stones. These shone by their own light, sending out rays so brilliant +that they dazzled Taffy, who had never seen anything like them. The +king held in his right hand a mighty sword. It had a history and the +name of it was Excalibur. In Arthur's hand, it was almost part of his +own soul. Its hilt and handle were of finely chased gold, richly +studded with gems. Yet his head, too, was bent in deep sleep, as if +only thunder could wake him. + +"Are they all, everyone, asleep?" asked Taffy. + +"Each and all," was the answer. + +"When did they fall asleep?" asked the drover. + +"Over a thousand years ago," answered the sorcerer. + +"Tell me who they are, and why here," asked Taffy. + +"They are King Arthur's trusty warriors. They are waiting for the hour +to come, when they shall rise up and destroy the enemies of the Cymry, +and once again possess the whole island of Britain, as in the early +ages, before the Saxons came." + +"And who are those sitting around the table?" asked Taffy. + +The sorcerer seemed tired of answering questions, but he replied, +giving the name of each knight, and also that of his father, as if he +were a Welshman himself; but at this, Taffy grew impatient, feeling as +if a book of genealogy had been hurled at him. + +Most impolitely, he interrupted his companion and cried out: + +"And who is that on the throne?" + +The sorcerer looked as if he was vexed, and felt insulted, but he +answered: + +"It's King Arthur himself, with Excalibur, his famous sword, in his +hand." + +This was snapped out, as if the sorcerer was disgusted at the +interruption of his genealogy, and he shut his mouth tight as if he +would answer no more questions, for such an impolite fellow. + +Seizing Taffy by the hand, he led him into what was the storehouse of +the cave. There lay heaps upon heaps of yellow gold. Both men stuffed +their pockets, belt bags, and the inside of their clothes, with all +they could load in. + +"Now we had better get out, for it is time to go," said the sorcerer +and he led the way towards the cave door. + +But as Taffy passed back, and along the hall, where the host of +warriors were sleeping, his curiosity got the better of him. + +He said to himself, "I must see this host awake. I'll touch that bell, +and find out whether the sorcerer spoke the truth." + +So, when he came to it, he struck the bell. In the twinkling of an +eye, thousands of warriors sprang up, seized their armor, girded their +swords, or seized their spears. All seemed eagerly awaiting the +command to rush against the foe. + +The ground quaked with their tramping, and shook with their tread, +until Taffy thought the cave roof would fall in and bury them all. The +air resounded with the rattle of arms, as the men, when in ranks, +marked time, ready for motion forward and out of the cave. + +But from the midst of the host, a deep sounding voice, as earnest as +if in hot temper, but as deliberate as if in caution against a false +alarm, spoke. He inquired: + +"Who rang that bell? Has the day come?" + +The sorcerer, thoroughly frightened and trembling, answered: + +"No, the day has not come. Sleep on." + +Taffy, though dazzled by the increasing brilliancy of the light, had +heard another deep voice, more commanding in its tones than even a +king's, call out, "Arthur, awake, the bell has rung. The day is +breaking. Awake, great King Arthur!" + +But even against such a voice, that of the sorcerer, now scared beyond +measure, lest the king and his host should discover the cheat, and +with his sword, Excalibur, chop the heads off both Taffy and himself, +answered: + +"No, it is still night. Sleep on, Arthur the Great." + +Erect over all, his head aloft and crowned with jewels, as with stars, +the King himself now spoke: + +"No, my warriors, the day has not yet come, when the Black Eagle and +the Golden Eagle will meet in war. Sleep on, loyal souls. The morning +of Wales has not yet dawned." + +Then, like the gentle soughing of the evening breeze among forest +trees, all sound died away, and in the snap of a finger, all were +asleep again. Seizing the hand of Taffy, the sorcerer hurried him out +of the cave, moved the stone back in its place and motioning to Taffy +to do the same, he quickly shoveled and kicked the loose dirt in the +hole and stamped it down: When Taffy turned to look for him, he was +gone, without even taking the trouble to call his dupe a fool. + +Wearied with his unwonted labors and excitements, Taffy walked home, +got his supper, pondered on what he had seen, slept, and awoke in the +morning refreshed. After breakfast, he sallied out again with pick and +shovel. + +For months, Taffy dug over every square foot of the hill. Neglecting +his business as cattle man, he spent all the money he had made in +London, but he never found that entrance to the cave. He died a poor +man and all his children had to work hard to get their bread. + + + + +XVII + + +THE LADY OF THE LAKE + + +One easily gets acquainted with the Welsh fairies, for nearly all the +good ones are very fond of music. + +Or, they live down in the lakes, or up in the mountains. They are +always ready to help kind or polite people, who treat them well or +will give them a glass of milk, or a saucer of flummery. + +But, oh, what tricks and mischief they do play on mean or stingy or +grumpy folks with bad tempers! They tangle up the harness of the +horses; milk the cows, letting the milk go to waste, on the stable +floor; tie knots in their tails, or keep the dog's mouth shut, when +the robbers come sneaking around. Better not offend a fairy, even +though no higher than a thimble! + +A favorite place for the elfin ladies of the lake is high up in one of +the fresh water mountain ponds. They are cousins to the mermaids, that +swim in the salt water. + +They say that these lake maidens love to come up close to the shore, +to smell the sweet grass and flowers, which the cows like so much. + +Near one of these lakes dwelt a widow, with only one son, named Gwyn. +One day he took his lunch of barley bread and cheese, and went out, as +usual, to tend the cows. Soon he saw rising out of the water, to dress +her long and luxuriant hair, the most beautiful lady he had ever seen. +In her hand she held a golden comb, and was using the bright +lake-surface as a mirror. + +At once Gwyn fell in love with her, and, like an unselfish lad, held +out his refreshments--barley bread and cheese--all he had--bidding her +to come and take. + +But though the lady glided toward him, while he still held out his +hand, she shook her head, saying: + + O thou of the hard baked bread, + It is not easy to catch me + +Sorry enough to miss such a prize, he hurried home to tell his mother. +She, wondering also, whether fairies have teeth to chew, told him to +take soft dough next time. Then, perhaps, the strange lady would come +again. + +Not much sleep did the boy get that night, and, before the sun was up, +he was down by the lake side holding out his dough. + +There, hour after hour, neglecting the cows, he looked eagerly over +the water, but nothing appeared, except ripples started by the breeze. +Again and again, he gazed in hope, only to be disappointed. + +[Illustration: IN A MOMENT HE FORGOT EVERY WORD HE MEANT TO SAY] + +Meanwhile he thought out a pretty speech to make to her, but he kept +his dough and went hungry. + +It was late in the afternoon, when the trees on the hills were casting +long shadows westward, that he gave up watching, for he supposed she +would come no more. + +But just as he started to go back to his mother's cabin, he turned his +head and there was the same lady, looking more beautiful than ever. In +a moment, he forgot every word he meant to say to her. His tongue +seemed to leave him, and he only held out his hand, with the dough in +it. + +But the lake lady, shaking her head, only laughed and said: + + Thou of the soft bread + I will not have thee + +Though she dived under the water and left him sad and lonely, she +smiled so sweetly, as she vanished, that, though again disappointed, +he thought she would come again and she might yet accept his gift. + +His mother told him to try her with bread half baked, that is, midway +between hard crust and soft dough. + +So, having packed his lunch, and much excited, though this time with +bright hopes, Gwyn went to bed, though not to sleep. At dawn, he was +up again and out by the lake side, with his half baked bread in his +hand. + +It was a day of rain and shine, of sun burst and cloud, but no lady +appeared. + +The long hours, of watching and waiting, sped on, until it was nearly +dark. + +When just about to turn homewards, to ease his mother's anxiety, what +should he see, but some cows walking on the surface of the water! In a +few minutes, the lady herself, lovelier than ever, rose up and moved +towards the shore. + +Gwyn rushed out to meet her, with beseeching looks and holding the +half baked bread in his hand. This time, she graciously took the gift, +placed her other hand in his, and he led her to the shore. + +Standing with her on land, he could not speak for many seconds. He +noticed that she had sandals on her feet, and the one on the right +foot was tied in a way rather unusual. Under her winsome smile, at +last, he regained the use of his tongue. Then he burst out: + +"Lady I love you, more than all the world besides. Will you be my +wife?" + +She did not seem at all willing at first, but love begets love. +Finally yielding to his pleadings, she said, rather solemnly: + +"I will be your bride but only on this condition, that if you strike +me three times, without cause, I will leave your house and you only +will be to blame, and it will be forever." + +These words stuck in his mind, and he inwardly made a vow never to +give his lovely wife cause to leave him. + +But not yet did happiness come, for, even while he took oath that he +would rather cut off his right hand, than offend her, she darted away +like an arrow, and, diving in the lake, disappeared. + +At this sudden blow to his hopes and joy, Gwyn was so sorely +depressed, as to wish to take his own life. Rushing up to the top of a +rock, overhanging the deepest part of the lake, he was just about to +leap into the water and drown himself, when he heard a voice behind +him, saying: + +"Hold rash lad, come here!" + +He looked and there down on the shore of the lake, stood a grand +looking old man, with a long white beard. On either side of him was a +lovely maiden. These were his daughters. + +Trembling with fear, the lad slipped down from the rock and drew near. +Then the old man spoke comfortably to him, though in a very cracked +voice. + +"Mortal, do you wish to marry one of my daughters? Show me the one you +love more than the other, and I will consent." + +Now the two maidens were so beautiful, yet so exactly alike, that Gwyn +could not note any difference. As he looked, he began to wonder +whether it had been a different lady, in each case, that rose out of +the water. He looked beyond the old man, to see if there were a third +lady. When he saw none more, he became more distracted. He feared lest +he might choose the wrong one, who had not promised to love him. + +Almost in despair, he was about to run home, when he noticed that one +of the maidens put forward her right foot. Then he saw that her sandal +was tied in the way he had already wondered at. So he boldly went +forward and took her by the hand. + +"This one is mine," said he to the father. + +"You are right," answered the old man. "This is my daughter Nelferch. +Take her and you shall have as many cattle, sheep, horses, hogs, and +goats, as she can count, of each, without drawing in her breath. But I +warn you that three blows, without cause, will send her back to me." + +While the old man smiled, and Gwyn renewed his vow, the new wife began +to count by fives--one, two, three, four, five. + +At the end of each count drawing in a fresh breath, there rose up, out +of the lake, as many sheep, cattle, goats, pigs, and horses, as she +had counted. + +So it happened that the lad, who went out of his mother's cottage, in +the morning, a poor boy, came back to her, a rich man, and leading by +the hand the loveliest creature on whom man or woman had ever looked +upon. + +As for the old man and the other daughter, no one ever saw them again. + +Gwyn and his wife went out to a farm which he bought, and oh, how +happy they were! She was very kind to the poor. She had the gift of +healing, knew all the herbs, which were good for medicine, and cured +sick folk of their diseases. + +Three times the cradle was filled, and each time with a baby boy. +Eight long and happy years followed. They loved each other so dearly +and were so happy together, that Gwyn's vow passed entirely out of his +mind, and he thought no more of it. + +On the seventh birthday of the oldest boy, there was a wedding at some +distance away, and the father and mother walked through a field where +their horses were grazing. As it was too far for Lady Nelferch to walk +all the way, her husband went back to the house, for saddle and +bridle, while she should catch the horse. + +"Please do, and bring me my gloves from off the table," she called, as +he turned towards the house. + +But when he returned to the field, he saw that she had not stirred. +So, before handing his wife her gloves and pointing playfully to the +horses, he gave her a little flick with the gloves. + +Instead of moving, instantly, she heaved a deep sigh. Then looking up +at him with sorrowful and reproachful eyes, she said: + +"Remember our vow, Gwyn. This is the first causeless blow. May there +never be another." + +Days and years passed away so happily, that the husband and father +never again had to recall the promise given to his wife and her +father. + +But when they were invited to the christening of a baby, every one was +full of smiles and gayety, except Nelferch. Women, especially the +older ones, often cry at a wedding, but why his wife should burst into +tears puzzled Gwyn. + +Tapping her on the shoulder, he asked the reason: + +"Because," said she, "this weak babe will be in pain and misery all +its days and die in agony. And, husband dear, you have once again +struck me a causeless blow. Oh, do be on your guard, and not again +break your promise." + +From this time forth, Gwyn was on watch over himself, day and night, +like a sentinel over whom hangs the sentence of death, should he fall +asleep on duty. He was ever vigilant lest, he, in a moment of +forgetfulness, might, by some slip of conduct, or in a moment of +forgetfulness, strike his dear wife. + +The baby, whose life of pain and death of agony Nelferch had foretold, +soon passed away; for, happily, its life was short. Then she and her +husband attended the last rites of sorrow, for Celtic folk always have +a funeral and hold a wake, even when a baby, only a span long, lies in +the coffin. + +Yet in the most solemn moment of the services of burial, Nelferch the +wife, laughed out, so long and with such merriment, that everyone was +startled. + +Her husband, mortified at such improper behavior, touched her gently, +saying: + +"Hush, wife! Why do you laugh?" + +"Because the babe is free from all pain. And, you have thrice struck +me! Farewell!" + +Fleeing like a deer home to their farm, she called together, by its +name, each and every one of their animals, from stable and field; yes, +even those harnessed to the plow. Then, over the mountain all moved in +procession to the lake. + +There, they plunged in and vanished. No trace of them was left, except +that made by the oxen drawing the plow, and which mark on the ground +men still point out. + +Broken hearted and mad with grief, Gwyn rushed into the lake and was +seen no more. The three sons, grieving over their drowned father, +spent their many days wandering along the lakeside, hoping once more +to see one, or both, of their dear parents. + +Their love was rewarded. They never saw their father again, but one +day their mother, Nelferch, suddenly appeared out of the water. +Telling her children that her mission on earth was to relieve pain and +misery, she took them to a point in the lake, where many plants grew +that were useful in medicine. There, she often came and taught them +the virtues of the roots, leaves, juices and the various virtues of +the herbs, and how to nurse the sick and heal those who had diseases. + +All three of Nelferch's sons became physicians of fame and power. +Their descendants, during many centuries, were renowned for their +skill in easing pain and saving life. To this day, Physicians' Point +is shown to visitors as a famous spot, and in tradition is almost +holy. + + + + +XVIII + + +THE KING'S FOOT HOLDER + + +There was a curious custom in the far olden times of Wales. At the +banqueting hall, the king of the country would sit with his feet in +the lap of a high officer. + +Whenever His Majesty sat down to dinner, this official person would be +under the table holding the royal feet. This was also the case while +all sat around the evening fire in the middle of the hall. This +footholding person was one of the king's staff and every castle must +have a human footstool as part of its furniture. + +By and by, it became the fashion for pretty maidens to seek this task, +or to be chosen for the office. Their names in English sounded like +Foot-Ease, Orthopede, or Foot Lights. When she was a plump and petite +maid, they nicknamed her Twelve Inches, or when unusually soothing in +her caresses of the soft royal toes. It was considered a high honor to +be the King's Foot Holder. In after centuries, it was often boasted of +that such and such an ancestor had held this honorable service. + +One picture of castle life, as given in one of the old books tells how +Kaim, the king's officer, went to the mead cellar with a golden cup, +to get a drink that would keep them all wide awake. He also brought a +handful of skewers on which they were to broil the collops, or bits of +meat at the fire. + +While they were doing this, the King sat on a seat of green rushes, +over which was spread a flame-colored satin cover, with a cushion like +it, for his elbow to rest upon. + +In the evening, the harpers and singers made music, the bards recited +poetry, or the good story tellers told tales of heroes and wonders. +During all this time, one or more maidens held the king's feet, or +took turns at it, when tired; for often the revels or songs and tales +lasted far into the night. At intervals, if the story was dull, or he +had either too much dinner, or had been out hunting and got tired, His +Majesty took a nap, with his feet resting upon the lap of a pretty +maiden. This happened often in the late hours, while they were getting +the liquid refreshments ready. + +Then the king's chamberlain gently nudged him, to be wideawake, and he +again enjoyed the music, and the stories, while his feet were held. + +For, altogether, it was great fun. + +Now there was once a Prince of Gwynedd, in Wales, named Math, who was +so fond of having his feet held, that he neglected to govern his +people properly. He spent all his time lounging in an easy chair, +while a pretty maiden held his heels and toes. He committed all public +cares to two of his nephews. These were named for short, Gily and +Gwyd. + +The one whom the king loved best to have her hold his feet was the +fairest maiden in all the land, and she was named Goewen. + +By and by, the prince grew so fond of having his feet held, and +stroked and patted and played with, by Goewen, that he declared that +he could not live, unless Goewen held his feet. And, she said, that if +she did not hold the king's feet, she would die. + +Now this Gily, one of the king's nephews, son of Don, whom he had +appointed to look day by day after public affairs, would often be in +the hall at night. He listened to the music and stories, and seeing +Goewen, the king's foot holder, he fell in love with her. His eye +usually wandered from the story teller to the lovely girl holding the +king's feet, and he thought her as beautiful as an angel. + +Soon he became so lovesick, that he felt he would risk or give his +life to get and have her for his own. But what would the king say? + +Besides, he soon found out that the maiden Goewen cared nothing for +him. + +Nevertheless the passion of the love-lorn youth burned hotly and kept +increasing. He confided his secret to his brother Gwyd, and asked his +aid, which was promised. So, one day, the brother went to King Math, +and begged for leave to go to Pryderi. In the king's name, he would +ask from him the gift of a herd of swine of famous breed; which, in +the quality of the pork they furnished, excelled all other pigs known. +They were finer than any seen in the land, or ever heard of before. +Their flesh was said to be sweeter, juicier, and more tender than the +best beef. Even their manners were better than those of some men. + +In fact, these famous pigs were a present from the King of Fairyland. +So highly were they prized, that King Math doubted much whether his +nephew could get them at any price. + +In ancient Wales the bards and poet singers were welcomed, and trusted +above all men; and this, whether in the palace or the cottage. + +So Gwyd, the brother of the love-sick one, in order to get the herd of +surpassing swine, took ten companions, all young men and strong, +dressed as bards, and pretending by their actions to be such. Then +they all started out together to seek the palace of Pryderi. + +Having arrived, they were entertained at a great feast, in the castle +hall. There Pryderi sat on his throne-chair, with his feet in a +maiden's lap. + +The dinner over, Gwyd was asked to tell a story. + +This he did, delighting everyone so much, that he was voted a jolly +good fellow by all. In fact, Pryderi felt ready to give him anything +he might demand, excepting always his foot holder. + +At once, Gwyd made request to give him the herd of swine. + +At this, the countenance of Pryderi fell, for he had made a promise to +his people, that he would not sell or give away the swine, until they +had produced double their number in the land; for there were no pigs +and no pork like theirs, to be bought anywhere. + +Now this Gwyd was not very cunning, but he had the power of using +magic arts. By these, he could draw the veil of illusion over both the +mind and the eyes of the people. + +So he made answer to Pryderi's objections thus: + +"Keep your promise to your people, oh, most honored Pryderi, and only +exchange them for the gift I make thee," said Gwyd. + +Thereupon, exerting his powers of magic, he created the illusion of +twelve superb horses. These were all saddled, bridled, and +magnificently caparisoned. But, after twenty-four hours, they would +vanish from sight. The illusion would be over. + +With these steeds, so well fitted for hunting, were twelve sleek, +fleet hounds. Taken altogether, here was a sight to make a hunter's +eyes dance with delight. + +So Pryderi gave Gwyd the swine, and he quickly drove them off. + +"For," he whispered to his companion fellows in knavery, "the illusion +will only last until the same hour to-morrow." + +And so it happened. For when Pryderi's men went to the stables, to +groom the horses and feed the hounds, there was nothing in either the +stables or the kennels. + +When they told this to Pryderi, he at once blew his horn and assembled +his knights, to invade the country of Gwynedd, to recover his swine. +Hearing of his coming, King Math went out to meet Pryderi in battle. + +But while he was away with his army, Gily, the lover, seized the +beautiful maiden Goewen, who held the king's feet in her lap. + +She was not willing to marry Gily, but he eloped with her, and carried +her off to his cottage. + +The war which now raged was finally decided by single combat, as was +the custom in old days. By this, the burning of the peasants' houses, +and the ruin which threatened the whole country, ended, and peace +came. + +It was not alone by the strength and fierceness of King Math, but also +by the magic spells of Gwyd, that Pryderi was slain. + +After burying the hero, King Math came back to his palace and found +out what Gily had done. Then he took Goewen away from Gily, and to +make amends for her trouble, in being thus torn from his palace, King +Math made her his queen. Then the lovely Goewen shared his throne +covered with the flame colored satin. One of the most beautiful +maidens of the court was chosen to hold his feet, until such time as a +permanent choice was made. + +As for the two nephews, who had fled from the wrath of their princely +uncle, they were put under bans, as outlaws, and had to live on the +borders of the kingdoms. No one of the king's people was allowed to +give them food or drink. Yet they would not obey the summons of the +king, to come and receive their punishment. + +But at last, tired of being deserted by all good men and women, they +repented in sorrow. Hungry, ragged and forlorn, they came to their +uncle, the king to submit themselves to be punished. + +When they appeared, Math spoke roughly to them, and said: + +"You cannot make amends for the shame you have brought upon me. Yet, +since you obey and are sorry, I shall punish you for a time and then +pardon you. You are to do penance for three years at least." + +Then they were changed into wild deer, and he told them to come back +after twelve months. + +At the end of the year they returned, bringing with them a young fawn. + +As this creature was entirely innocent, it was given a human form and +baptized in the church. + +But the two brothers were changed into wild swine, and driven off to +find their food in the forest. + +At the end of the year, they came back with a young pig. + +The king had the little animal changed into a human being, which, like +every mother's child in that time, received baptism. + +Again the brothers were transformed into animal shape. This time, as +wolves, and were driven out to the hills. + +At the end of a twelve months' period, they came back, three in +number, for one was a cub. + +By this time, the penance of the naughty nephews was over, and they +were now to be delivered from all magic spells. + +So their human nature was restored to them, but they must be washed +thoroughly. In the first place, it took much hot water and lye, made +from the wood ashes, and then a great deal of scrubbing, to make them +presentable. + +Then they were anointed with sweet smelling oil, and the king ordered +them to be arrayed in elegant apparel. They were appointed to hold +honorable office at court, and from time to time to go out through the +country, to call the officers to attend to public business. + +When the time came that the king sought for one of the most beautiful +maidens, who should hold his feet, Gwyd nominated to the prince's +notice his sister Arianrod. The king was gracious, and thereafter she +held his feet at all the banquets. She was looked up to with reverence +by all, and held the office for many years. Thus King Math's +reputation for grace and mercy was confirmed. + + + + +XIX + + +POWELL, PRINCE OF DYFED + + +One of the oldest of the Welsh fairy tales tells us about Pwyle, King +of Fairyland and father of the numerous clan of the Powells. He was a +mighty hunter. He could ride a horse, draw a bow, and speak the truth. +He was always honored by men, and he kept his faith and his promises +to women. The children loved him, for he loved them. In the castle +hall, he could tell the best stories. No man, bard, or warrior, foot +holder or commoner, could excel him in gaining and keeping the +attention of his hearers, even when they were sleepy and wanted to go +to bed. + +One day, when out a hunting in the woods, he noticed a pack of hounds +running down a stag. He saw at once that they were not his own, for +they were snow white in color and had red ears. + +Being a young man, Powell did not know at this time of his life, that +red is the fairy color, and that these were all dogs from Fairyland. +So he drove off the red-eared hounds, and was about to let loose his +own pack on the stag, when a horseman appeared on the scene. + +The stranger at once began to upbraid Powell for being impolite. He +asked why his hounds should not be allowed to hunt the deer. + +Powell spoke pleasantly in reply, making his proper excuses to the +horseman. The two began to like each other, and soon got acquainted +and mutually enjoyed being companions. + +It turned out that the stranger was Arawn, a king in Fairyland. He had +a rival named Hargan, who was beating him and his army in war. + +So Arawn asked Powell to help him against his enemy. He even made +request that one year from that time, Powell should meet Hargan in +battle. He told him that one stroke of his sword would finish the +enemy. He must then sheathe his weapon, and not, on any account, +strike a second time. + +To make victory sure, the Fairy King would exchange shapes with the +mortal ruler and each take not only the place, but each the shape and +form of the other. Powell must go into Fairy Land and govern the +kingdom there, while Arawn should take charge of affairs at Dyfed. + +But Powell was warned, again, to smite down his enemy with a single +stroke of his sword. If, in the heat of the conflict, and the joy of +victory, Powell should forget, and give a second blow to Hargan, he +would immediately come to life and be as strong as ever. + +Powell heeded well these words. Then, putting on the shape of Arawn, +he went into Fairy Land, and no one noticed, or thought of anything +different from the days and years gone by. + +But now, at night, a new and unexpected difficulty arose. Arawn's +beautiful wife was evidently not in the secret, for she greeted Powell +as her own husband. + +After dinner, when the telling of stories in the banqueting hall was +over, the time had come for them to retire. + +But the new bed fellow did not even kiss her, or say "good night," but +turned his back to her and his face to the wall, and never moved until +daylight. Then the new King in Fairy Land rose up, ate his breakfast, +and went out to hunt. + +Every day, he ruled the castle and kingdom, as if he had always been +the monarch. To everybody, he seemed as if he had been long used to +public business, and no questions were asked, nor was there any talk +made on the subject. Everyone took things as matter of course. + +Yet, however polite or gracious he might be to the queen during the +day, in the evening, he spoke not a word, and passed every night as at +the first. + +The twelve months soon sped along, and now the time for the battle in +single combat between Powell and Hargan had fully come. The two +warriors met in the middle of a river ford, and backed their horses +for a charge. Then they rushed furiously at the other. Powell's spear +struck Hargan so hard, that he was knocked out of the saddle and +hurled, the length of a lance, over and beyond the crupper, or tail +strap of his horse. He fell mortally wounded upon the ground. + +Now came the moment of danger and temptation to Powell, for Hargan +cried out: + +"For the love of Heaven, finish your work on me. Slay me with your +sword." + +But Powell was wise and his head was cool. He had kept in mind the +warning to strike only one blow. He called out loudly, so that all +could hear him: + +"I will not repeat that. Slay thee who may, I shall not." + +So Hargan, knowing his end had come, bade his nobles bear him away +from the river shore. + +Then Powell, with his armies, overran the two kingdoms of Fairy Land +and made himself master of all. He took oath of all the princes and +nobles, who swore to be loyal to their new master. + +This done, Powell rode away to the trysting place in a glen, and there +he met Arawn, as had been appointed. They changed shapes, and each +became himself, as he had been before. + +Arawn thanked Powell heartily, and bade him see what he had done for +him. + +Then each one rode back, in his former likeness, to his kingdom. + +Now at Anwyn, no one but Arawn himself knew that anything unusual had +taken place. After dinner, and the evening story telling were over, +and it was time to go to bed, Arawn's wife was surprised in double +measure. + +Two things puzzled her. Her husband was now very tender to her and +also very talkative; whereas, for a whole year, every night, he had +been as silent and immovable as a log. How could it be, in either +case? + +But this time, the wife was silent as a statue. Even though Arawn +spoke to her three times, he received no reply. + +Then he asked directly of her, why she was so silent. She made an +answer that, for a whole year, no word had been spoken in their +bedroom. + +"What?" said he, "did we not talk together, as always before?" + +"No," said she, "not for a year has there been talk or caress between +us." + +At this answer, Arawn was overcome with surprise, and as struck with +admiration at having so good a friend. He burst out first in praise of +Powell, and then told his wife all that had happened during the past +twelve months. She, too, was full of admiration, and told her husband +that in Powell he had certainly found a true friend. + +In Dyfed, when Powell had returned to his own land and castle, he +called his lords together. Then he asked them to be perfectly frank +and free to speak. They must tell him whether they thought him a good +king during the year past. + +All shouted in chorus of approval. Then their spokesman addressed +Powell thus: + +"My lord, never was thy wisdom so great, thy generosity more free, nor +thy justice more manifest, than during the past year." + +When he ceased, all the vassals showed their approval of this speech. + +Then Powell, smiling, told the story of his adventures in exchanging +his form and tasks; at the end of which, the spokesman taking his cue +from the happy faces of all his fellow vassals, made reply: + +"Of a truth, lord, we pray thee, do thou give thanks to Heaven that +thou hast formed such a fellowship. Please continue to us the form of +the kingdom and rule, that we have enjoyed for a year past." + +Thereupon King Powell took oath, kissing the hilt of his sword, and +called on Heaven to witness his promise that he would do as they had +desired. + +So the two kings confirmed the friendship they had made. Each sent the +other rich gifts of jewels, horses and hounds. + +In memory of so wonderful and happy union, of a mortal and a fairy, +Powell was thereafter, in addition to all his titles, saluted as Lord +of Anwyn, which is only another name for the Land of the Fairies. + + + + +XX + + +POWELL AND HIS BRIDE + + +Not far from the castle where King Powell had his court, there was a +hillock called the Mount of Macbeth. It was the common belief that +some strange adventure would befall anyone who should sit upon that +mound. + +He would receive blows, or wounds, or else he would see something +wonderful. + +Thus it came to pass, that none but peaceful bards had ever sat upon +the mound. Never a warrior or a common man had risked sitting there. +The general fear felt, and the awe inspired by the place, was too +great. + +But after his adventure of being King of Fairy Land for a whole year, +everything else to Powell seemed dull and commonplace. So, to test his +own courage, and worthiness of kingship, Powell assembled all his +lords at Narberth. + +After the night's feasting, revelry and story telling, Powell declared +that, next day, he would sit upon the enchanted mound. + +So when the sun was fully risen, Powell took his seat upon the mound, +expecting that, all of a sudden, something unusual would happen. + +For some minutes nothing, whether event or vision, took place. Then he +lifted up his eyes and saw approaching him a white horse on which rode +a lady. She was dressed in shining garments, as if made of gold. +Evidently she was a princess. Yet she came not very near. + +"Does anyone among you know who this lady is?" asked Powell of his +chieftains. + +"Not one of us," was the answer. + +Thereupon Powell ordered his vassals to ride forward. They were to +greet her courteously, and inquire who she was. + +But now the predicted wonder took place. She moved away from them, yet +at a quiet pace that suited her. Though the knights spurred their +horses, and rode fast and furiously, they could not come any nearer to +her. + +They galloped back, and reported their failure to reach the lady. + +Then Powell picked out others and sent them riding after the lady, but +each time, one and all returned, chagrined with failure. A woman had +beaten them. + +So the day closed with silence in the castle hall. There was no merry +making or story telling that night. + +The next day, Powell sat again on the mound and once more the golden +lady came near. + +This time, Powell himself left his seat on the mound, leaped on his +fleetest horse, and pursued the maiden, robed in gold, on the white +horse. + +But she flitted away, as she had done before from the knights. Again +and again, though he could get nearer and nearer to her, he failed. + +Then the baffled king cried out, in despair, "O maiden fair, for the +sake of him whom thou lovest, stay for me." + +Evidently the lady, who lived in the time of castles and courts, did +not care to be wooed in the style of the cave men. Such manners did +not suit her, but with a change of method of making love, her heart +melted. Besides, she was a kind woman. She took pity on horses, as +well as on men. + +Sweet was her voice, as she answered most graciously: + +"I will stay gladly, and it were better for thy horses, hadst thou +asked me properly, long ago." + +To his questions, as to how and why she came to him, she told her +story, as follows: + +"I am Rhiannon, descended from the August and Venerable One of old. My +aunts and uncles tried to make me marry against my will a chieftain +named Gwawl, an auburn-haired youth, son of Clud, but, because of my +love to thee, would I have no husband, and if you reject me, I will +never marry any man." + +"As Heaven is my witness, were I to choose among all the damsels and +ladies of the world, thee would I choose," cried Powell. + +After that, it was agreed that, when a year had sped, Powell should go +to the Palace of the August and Venerable One of old, and claim her +for his bride. + +So, when twelve months had passed, Powell with his retinue of a +hundred knights, all splendidly horsed and finely appareled, presented +himself before the castle. There he found his fair lady and a feast +already prepared at which he sat with her. On the other side of the +table, were her father and mother. + +In the midst of this joyous occasion, when all was gayety, and they +talked together, in strode a youth clad in sheeny satin. He was of +noble bearing and had auburn hair. He saluted Powell and his knights +courteously. + +At once Powell, the lord of Narberth, invited the stranger to come and +sit down as guest beside him. + +"Not so," replied the youth. "I am a suitor, and have come to crave a +boon of thee." + +Without guile or suspicion, Powell replied innocently. + +"Ask what you will. If in my power, it shall be yours." + +But Rhiannon chided Powell. She asked, "Oh, why did you give him such +an answer?" + +"But he did give it," cried the auburn haired youth. Then turning to +the whole company of nobles, he appealed to them: + +"Did he not pledge his word, before you all, to give me what I asked?" + +Then, turning to Powell, he said: + +"The boon I ask is this, to have thy bride, Rhiannon. Further, I want +this feast and banquet to celebrate, in this place, our wedding." + +At this demand, Powell seemed to have been struck dumb. He did not +speak, but Rhiannon did. + +"Be silent, as long as thou wilt," she cried, "but surely no man ever +made worse use of his wits than thou hast done; for this man, to whom +thou gavest thy oath of promise, is none other than Gwawl, the son of +Clud. He is the suitor, from whom I fled to come to you, while you sat +on the Narberth mound." + +Now, out of such trouble, how should the maiden, promised to two men, +be delivered? + +Her wit saved her for the nonce. Powell was bound to keep his word; +but Rhiannon explained to Gwawl, that it was not his castle or hall. +So, he could not give the banquet; but, in a year from that date, if +Gwawl would come for her, she would be his bride. Then, a new bridal +feast would be set for the wedding. + +In the meantime, Rhiannon planned with Powell to get out of the +trouble. For this purpose, she gave him a magical bag, which he was to +use when the right time should come. + +Quickly the twelve months passed and then Gwawl appeared again, to +claim his bride, and a great feast was spread in his honor. + +All were having a good time, when in the midst of their merriment, a +beggar appeared in the hall. He was in rags, and carried the usual +beggar's wallet for food or alms. He asked only that, out of the +abundance on the table, his bag might be filled. + +Gwawl agreed, and ordered his servants to attend to the matter. + +But the bag never got full. What they put into it, or how much made no +difference. Dish after dish was emptied. By degrees, most of the food +on the table was in the beggar's bag. + +"My soul alive! Will that bag never get full?" asked Gwawl. + +"No, by Heaven! Not unless some rich man shall get into it, stamp it +down with his feet, and call out 'enough.'" + +Then Rhiannon, who sat beside Gwawl, urged him to attempt the task, by +putting his two feet in the bag to stamp it down. + +No sooner had Gwawl done this, than the supposed beggar pushed him +down inside the bag. Then drawing the mouth shut, he tied it tight +over Gwawl's head. + +Then the beggar's rags dropped, and there stood forth the handsome +leader, Powell. He blew his horn, and in rushed his knights who +overcame and bound the followers of Gwawl. + +Then they proceeded to play a merry game of football, using the bag, +in which Gwawl was tied, as men in our day kick pigskin. One called to +his mate, or rival, "What's in the bag?" and others answered, "a +badger." So they played the game of "Badger in the Bag," kicking it +around the hall. + +They did not let the prisoner out of the bag, until he had promised to +pay the pipers, the harpers, and the singers, who should come to the +wedding of Powell and Rhiannon. He must give up all his claims, and +register a vow never to take revenge. This oath given, and promises +made, the bag was opened and the agreements solemnly confirmed in +presence of all. + +Then Gwawl, and every one of his men, knights and servants, were let +go, and they went back to their own country. + +A few evenings later, in the large banqueting hall, Powell and +Rhiannon were married. Besides the great feast, presents were given to +all present, high and low. Then the happy pair made their wedding +journey to Gwawl's palace at Narberth. There the lovely bride gave a +ring, or a gem, to every lord and lady in her new realm, and everybody +was happy. + + + + +XXI + + +WHY THE BACK DOOR WAS FRONT + + +In the days when were no books, or writing, and folk tales were the +only ones told, there was an old woman, who had a bad reputation. She +pretended to be very poor, so as not to attract or tempt robbers. Yet +those who knew her best, knew also, as a subject of common talk, that +she was always counting out her coins. + +Besides this, she lived in a nice house, and it was believed that she +made a living by stealing babies out of their cradles to sell to the +bad fairies. + +It was matter of rumor that she would, for an extra large sum, take a +wicked fairy's ugly brat, and put it in place of a mother's darling. + +In addition to these horrid charges against her, it was rumored that +she laid a spell, or charm, on the cattle of people whom she did not +like, in order to take revenge on them. + +The old woman denied all this, and declared it was only silly gossip +of envious people who wanted her money. She lived so comfortably, she +averred, because her son, who was a stone mason, who made much money +by building chimneys, which had then first come into fashion. When he +brought to her the profits of his jobs, she counted the coins, and +because of this, some people were jealous, and told bad stories about +her. She declared she was thrifty, but neither a miser, nor a +kidnaper, nor a witch. + +One day, this old woman wanted more feathers to stuff into her bed, to +make it softer and feel pleasanter for her old bones to rest upon, for +what she slept on was nearly worn through. So she went to a farm, +where they were plucking geese, and asked for a few handfuls of +feathers. + +But the rich farmer's people refused and ordered her out of the farm +yard. + +Shortly after this event, the cows of this farmer, who was opposed to +chimneys, and did not like her or her son, suffered dreadfully from +the disease called the black quarter. As they had no horse doctors or +professors of animal economy, or veterinaries in those days, many of +the cows died. The rich farmer lost much money, for he had now no milk +or beef to sell. At once, he suspected that his cattle were bewitched, +and that the old woman had cast a spell on them. In those days, it was +very easy to think so. + +So the angry man went one day to the old crone, when she was alone, +and her stout son was away on a distant job. He told her to remove the +charm, which she had laid on his beasts, or he would tie her arms and +legs together, and pitch her into the river. + +The old woman denied vehemently that she possessed any such powers, or +had ever practiced such black arts. + +To make sure of it, the farmer made her say out loud, "The Blessing of +God be upon your cattle!" To clinch the matter, he compelled her to +repeat the Lord's Prayer, which she was able to do, without missing +one syllable. She used the form of words which are not found in the +prayer book, but are in the Bible, and was very earnest, when she +prayed "Forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors." + +But after all that trouble, and the rough way which the rich farmer +took to save his cattle, his efforts were in vain. In spite of that +kind of religion which he professed--which was shown by bullying a +poor old woman--his cattle were still sick, with no sign of +improvement. He was at his wits' end to know what to do next. + +Now, as we have said, this was about the time that chimneys came into +fashion. In very old days, the Cymric house was a round hut, with a +thatched roof, without glass windows, and the smoke got out through +the door and holes in the walls, in the best way it could. The only +tapestry in the hut was in the shape of long festoons of soot, that +hung from the roof or rafters. These, when the wind blew, or the fire +was lively, would swing or dance or whirl, and often fall on the +heads, or into the food, while the folks were eating. When the +children cried, or made wry faces at the black stuff, their daddy only +laughed, and said it was healthy, or was for good luck. + +But by and by, the carpenters and masons made much improvement, +especially when, instead of flint hatchets, they had iron axes and +tools. Then they hewed down trees, that had thick cross branches and +set up columns in the center, and made timber walls and rafters. Then +the house was square or oblong. In other words, the Cymric folks +squared the circle. + +Now they began to have lattices, and, much later, even glass windows. +They removed the fireplace from the middle of the floor and set it at +the end of the house, opposite the door, and built chimneys. + +Then they set the beds at the side, and made sleeping rooms. This was +done by stretching curtains between partitions. They had also a loft, +in which to keep odds and ends. They hung up the bacon and hams, and +strings of onions, and made a mantle piece over the fireplace. They +even began to decorate the walls with pictures and to set pewter +dishes, china cats, and Dresden shepherds in rows on the shelves for +ornaments. + +Now people wore shoes and the floor, instead of being muddy, or dusty, +with pools and puddles of water in the time of rainy weather and with +the pigs and chickens running in and out, was of clay, beaten down +flat and hard, and neatly whitewashed at the edges. Outside, in front, +were laid nice flat flagstones, that made a pleasant path to the front +door. Flowers, inside and out, added to the beauty of the home and +made perfume for those who loved them. + +The rich farmer had just left his old round hut and now lived in one +of the new and better kind of houses. He was very proud of his +chimney, which he had built higher than any of his neighbors, but he +could not be happy, while so many of his cows were sick or dying. +Besides, he was envious of other people's prosperity and cared +nothing, when they, too, suffered. + +One night, while he was standing in front of his fine house and +wondering why he must be vexed with so many troubles, he talked to +himself and, speaking out loud, said: + +"Why don't my cows get well?" + +"I'll tell you," said a voice behind him. It seemed half way between a +squeak and a growl. + +He turned round and there he saw a little, angry man. He was dressed +in red, and stood hardly as high as the farmer's knee. The little old +man glared at the big fellow and cried out in a high tone of voice: + +"You must change your habits of disposing of your garbage, for other +people have chimneys besides you." + +"What has that to do with sickness among my cows?" + +"Much indeed. Your family is the cause of your troubles, for they +throw all their slops down my chimney and put out my fire." + +The farmer was puzzled beyond the telling, for he owned all the land +within a mile, and knew of no house in sight. + +"Put your foot on mine, and then you will have the power of vision, to +see clearly." + +The farmer's big boot was at once placed on the little man's slipper, +and when he looked down he almost laughed at the contrast in size. +What was his real surprise, when he saw that the slops thrown out of +his house, did actually fall down; and, besides, the contents of the +full bucket, when emptied, kept on dripping into the chimney of a +house which stood far below, but which he had never seen before. + +But as soon as he took his foot off that of the tiny little man, he +saw nothing. Everything like a building vanished as in a dream. + +"I see that my family have done wrong and injured yours. Pray forgive +me. I'll do what I can to make amends for it." + +"It's no matter now, if you only do as I ask you. Shut up your front +door, build a wall in its place, and then my family will not suffer +from yours." + +The rich farmer thought all this was very funny, and he had a hearty +laugh over it all. + +Yet he did exactly as the little man in the red cloak had so politely +asked him. He walled up the old door at the front, and built another +at the back of the house, which opened out into the garden. Then he +made the path, on which to go in from the roadway to the threshold, +around the corners and over a longer line of flagstones. Then he +removed the fireplace and chimney to what had been the front side of +the house, but was now the back. For the next thing, he had a copper +doorsill nailed down, which his housemaid polished, until it shone as +bright as gold. + +Yet long before this, his cows had got well, and they now gave more +and richer milk than ever. He became the wealthiest man in the +district. His children all grew up to be fine looking men and women. +His grandsons were famous engineers and introduced paving and drainage +in the towns so that to-day, for both man and beast, Wales is one of +the healthiest of countries. + + + + +XXII + + +THE RED BANDITS OF MONTGOMERY + + +When chimneys were first added to houses in Wales, and the style of +house-building changed, from round to square, many old people found +fault with the new fashion of letting the smoke out. + +They declared they caught colds and sneezed oftener, than in the times +gone by. The chimneys, they said, cost too much money, and were +useless extravagances. They got along well enough, in the good old +days, when the smoke had its own way of getting out. Then, it took +plenty of time to pass through the doors and windholes, for no one +person or thing was in a hurry, when they were young. Moreover, when +the fireplace was in the middle of the floor, the whole family sat +around it and had a sociable time. + +It was true, as they confessed, when argued with, that the smell of +the cooking used to linger too long. The soot also, hung in long +streamers from the rafters, and stuck to the house, like old friends. + +But the greatest and most practical objection of the old folks to the +chimneys was that robbers used them to climb down at night and steal +people's money, when they were asleep. So, many householders used to +set old scythe blades across the new smoke holes, to keep out the +thieves, or to slice them up, if they persisted. + +In Montgomery, which is one of the Welsh shires, there was an epidemic +of robbery, and the doings of the Red Bandits are famous in history. + +Now there was a young widow, whose husband had been killed by the +footpads, or road robbers. She was left alone in the world, with a +little boy baby in the cradle and only one cow in the byre. She had +hard work to pay her rent, but as there were three or four scythes set +in the chimney, and the cow stable had a good lock on it, she thought +she was safe from burglars or common thieves. + +But the Reds picked out the most expert chimney-climber in their gang, +and he one night slipped down into the widow's cottage, without making +any noise or cutting off his nose, toes, or fingers. Then, robbing the +widow of her rent money, he picked the lock of the byre and drove off +the cow. In the morning, the poor woman found both doors open, but +there was no money and no cow. + +While she was crying over her loss, and wringing her hands, because of +her poverty, she heard a knock at the door. + +"Come in," said the widow. + +There entered an old lady with a kindly face. She was very tall and +well dressed. Her cloak, her gloves, and shoes, and the ruffles under +her high peaked Welsh head dress, were all green. The widow thought +she looked like an animated leek. In her right hand was a long staff, +and in her left, under her cloak, she held a little bag, that was +green, also. + +"Why do you weep?" asked the visitor. + +Then the widow told her tale of woe--the story of the loss of her +husband, and how a red robber, in spite of the scythe blades set in +the chimney, had come down and taken away both her money and her cow. + +Now, although she had sold all her butter and cream, she could neither +pay her rent, nor have any buttermilk with her rye bread and flummery. + +"Dry your tears and take comfort," said the tall lady in the green +peaked hat. "Here is money enough to pay your rent and buy another +cow." With that, she sat down at the round table near the peat fire. +Opening her bag, the shining gold coins slid out and formed a little +heap on the table. + +"There, you can have all this, if you will give me all I want." + +At first, the widow's eyes opened wide, and then she glanced at the +cradle, where her baby was sleeping. Then she wondered, though she +said nothing. + +But the next moment, she was laughing at herself, and looking around +at her poor cottage. She tried to guess what there was in it, that the +old lady could possibly want. + +"You can have anything I have. Name it," she said cheerfully to her +visitor. + +But only a moment more, and all her fears returned at the thought that +the visitor might ask for her boy. + +The old lady spoke again and said: + +"I want to help you all I can, but what I came here for is to get the +little boy in the cradle." + +The widow now saw that the old woman was a fairy, and that if her +visitor got hold of her son, she would never see her child again. + +So she begged piteously of the old lady, to take anything and +everything, except her one child. + +"No, I want that boy, and, if you want the gold, you must let me take +him." + +"Is there anything else that I can do for you, so that I may get the +money?" asked the widow. + +"Well, I'll make it easier for you. There are two things I must tell +you to cheer you." + +"What are they?" asked the widow, eagerly. + +"One is, that by our fairy law, I cannot take your boy, until three +days have passed. Then, I shall come again, and you shall have the +gold; but only on the one condition I have stated." + +"And the next?" almost gasped the widow. + +"If you can guess my name, you will doubly win; for then, I shall give +you the gold and you can keep your boy." + +Without waiting for another word, the lady in green scooped up her +money, put it back in the bag, and moved off and out the door. + +The poor woman, at once a widow and mother, and now stripped of her +property, fearing to lose her boy, brooded all night over her troubles +and never slept a wink. + +In the morning, she rose up, left her baby with a neighbor, and went +to visit some relatives in the next village, which was several miles +distant. She told her story, but her kinsfolk were too poor to help +her. So, all disconsolate, she turned her face homewards. + +On her way back she had to pass through the woods, where, on one side, +was a clearing. In the middle of this open space, was a ring of grass. +In the ring a little fairy lady was tripping around and singing to +herself. + +Creeping up silently, the anxious mother heard to her joy, a rhymed +couplet and caught the sound of a name, several times repeated. It +sounded like "Silly Doot." + +Hurrying home and perfectly sure that she knew the secret that would +save her boy, she set cheerily about her regular work and daily tasks. +In fact, she slept soundly that night. + +Next day, in came the lady in green as before, with her bag of money. +Taking her seat at the round table, near the fire, she poured out the +gold. Then jingling the coins in the pile, she said: + +"Now give up your boy, or guess my name, if you want me to help you." + +The young widow, feeling sure that she had the old fairy in a trap, +thought she would have some fun first. + +"How many guesses am I allowed?" she asked. + +"All you want, and as many as you please," answered the green lady, +smiling. + +The widow rattled off a string of names, English, Welsh and Biblical; +but every time the fairy shook her head. Her eyes began to gleam, as if +she felt certain of getting the boy. She even moved her chair around +to the side nearest the cradle. + +"One more guess," cried the widow. "Can it be Silly Doot?" + +At this sound, the fairy turned red with rage. At the same moment, the +door opened wide and a blast of wind made the hearth fire flare up. +Leaving her gold behind her, the old woman flew up the chimney, and +disappeared over the housetops. + +The widow scooped up the gold, bought two cows, furnished her cottage +with new chairs and fresh flowers, and put the rest of the coins away +under one of the flag stones at the hearth. When her boy grew up, she +gave him a good education, and he became one of the fearless judges, +who, with the aid of Baron Owen, rooted out of their lair the Red +Bandits, that had robbed his mother. Since that day, there has been +little crime in Wales--the best governed part of the kingdom. + + + + +XXIII + + +THE FAIRY CONGRESS + + +One can hardly think of Wales without a harp. The music of this most +ancient and honorable instrument, which emits sweet sounds, when heard +in a foreign land makes Welsh folks homesick for the old country and +the music of the harp. Its strings can wail with woe, ripple with +merriment, sound out the notes of war and peace, and lift the soul in +heavenly melody. + +Usually a player on the harp opened the Eistedfodd, as the Welsh +literary congress is called, but this time they had engaged for the +fairies a funny little fellow to start the programme with a solo on +his violin. + +The figure of this musician, at the congress of Welsh fairies, was the +most comical of any in the company. The saying that he was popular +with all the mountain spirits was shown to be true, the moment he +began to scrape his fiddle, for then they all crowded around him. + +"Did you ever see such a tiny specimen?" asked Queen Mab of Puck. + +The little fiddler came forward and drawing his instrument from under +his arm, proceeded to scrape the strings. He had on a pair of moss +trousers, and his coat was a yellow gorse flower. His feet were clad +in shoes made of beetles' wings, which always kept bright, as if +polished with a brush. + +When one looked at the fiddle, he could see that it was only a wooden +spoon, with strings across the bowl. But the moment he drew the bow +from one side to the other, all the elves, from every part of the +hills, came tripping along to hear the music, and at once began +dancing. + +Some of these elves were dressed in pink, some in blue, others in +yellow, and many had glow worms in their hands. Their tread was so +light that the flower stems never bent, nor was a petal crushed, when +they walked over the turf. All, as they came near, bowed or dropped a +curtsey. Then the little musician took off his cap to each, and bowed +in return. + +There was too much business before the meeting for dancing to be kept +up very long, but when the violin solo was over, at a sign given by +the fiddler, the dancers took seats wherever they could find them, on +the grass, or gorse, or heather, or on the stones. After order had +been secured, the chairman of the meeting read regrets from those who +had been invited but could not be present. + +The first note was from the mermaids, who lived near the Green Isles +of the Ocean. They asked to be excused from traveling inland and +climbing rocks. In the present delicate state of their health this +would be too fatiguing. Poor things! + +It was unanimously voted that they be excused. + +Queen Mab was dressed, as befitted the occasion, like a Welsh lady, +not wearing a crown, but a high peaked hat, pointed at the top and +about half a yard high. It was black and was held on by fastenings of +scalloped lace, that came down around her neck. + +The lake fairies, or Elfin Maids, were out in full force. These lived +at the bottom of the many ponds and pools in Wales. Many stories are +told of the wonderful things they did with boats and cattle. + +Nowadays, when they milk cows by electric machinery and use steam +launches on the water, most of the water sprites of all kinds have +been driven away, for they do not like the smell of kerosene or +gasoline. It is for these reasons that, in our day, they are not often +seen. In fact, cows from the creameries can wade out into the water +and even stand in it, while lashing their tails to keep off the flies, +without any danger, as in old times, of being pulled down by the Elfin +Maids. + +The little Red Men, that could hide under a thimble, and have plenty +of room to spare, were all out. The elves, and nixies and sprites, of +all colors and many forms were on hand. + +The pigmies, who guard the palace of the king of the world +underground, came in their gay dresses. There were three of them, and +they brought in their hands balls of gold, with which to play tenpins, +but they were not allowed to have any games while the meeting was +going on. + +In fact, just when these little fellows from down under the earth were +showing off their gay clothes and their treasures from the caves, one +mischievous fairy maid sidled up to their chief and whispered in his +ear: + +"Better put away your gold, for this is in modern Wales, where they +have pawn shops. Three golden balls, two above the one below, which +you often see nowadays, mean that two to one you will never get it +again. These hang out as the sign of a pawnbroker's shop, and what you +put in does not, as a rule, come out. I am afraid that some of the +Cymric fairies from Cornwall, or Montgomery, or Cheshire, might think +you were after business, and you understand that no advertising is +allowed here." + +In a moment, each of the three leaders thrust his ball into his bosom. +It made his coat bulge out, and at this, some of the fairies wondered, +but all they thought of was that this spoiled a handsome fellow's +figure. Or was it some new idea? To tell the truth, they were vexed at +not keeping up with the new fashions, for they knew nothing of this +latest fad among such fine young gallants. + +Much of the chat and gossip, before and after the meeting, was between +the fairies who live in the air, or on mountains, and those down in +the earth, or deep in the sea. They swapped news, gossip and scandal +at a great rate. + +There were a dozen or two fine-looking creatures who had high brows, +who said they were Co-eds. This did not mean that these fairies had +ever been through college. "Certainly the college never went through +them," said one very homely fairy, who was spiteful and jealous. The +simple fact was that the one they called Betty, the Co-ed, and others +from that Welsh village, called Bryn Mawr, and another from Flint, and +another from Yale, and still others from Brimbo and from Co-ed Poeth, +had come from places so named and down on the map of Wales, though +they were no real Co-ed girls there, that could talk French, or +English, or read Latin. In fact, Co-ed simply meant that they were +from the woods and lived among the trees; for Co-ed in Welsh means a +forest. + +The fairy police were further instructed not to admit, and, if such +were found, to put out the following bad characters, for this was a +perfectly respectable meeting. These naughty folks were: + +The Old Hag of the Mist. + +The Invisible Hag that moans dolefully in the night. + +The Tolaeth, a creature never seen, but that groans, sings, saws, or +stamps noisily. + +The Dogs of the Sky. + +All witches, of every sort and kind. + +All peddlers of horseshoes, crosses, charms, or amulets. + +All mortals with brains fuddled by liquor. + +All who had on shoes which water would not run under. + +All fairies that were accustomed to turn mortals into cheese. + +Every one of these, who might want to get in, were to be refused +admittance. + +Another circle of rather exclusive fairies, who always kept away from +the blacksmiths, hardware stores, smelting furnaces and mines, had +formed an anti-iron society. These were a kind of a Welsh "Four +Hundred," or elite, who would have nothing to do with anyone who had +an iron tool, or weapon, or ornament in his hand, or on his dress, or +who used iron in any form, or for any use. They frowned upon the idea +of Cymric Land becoming rich by mining, and smelting, and selling +iron. They did not even approve of the idea that any imps and dwarfs +of the iron mines should be admitted to the meeting. + +One clique of fairies, that looked like elves were in bad humor, +almost to moping. When one of these got up to speak, it seemed as if +he would never sit down. He tired all the lively fairies by +long-winded reminiscences, of druids, and mistletoes, and by telling +every one how much better the old times were than the present. + +President Puck, who always liked things short, and was himself as +lively as quicksilver, many times called these long-winded fellows to +order; but they kept meandering on, until daybreak, when it was time +to adjourn, lest the sunshine should spoil them all, and change them +into slate or stone. + +It was hard to tell just how much business was disposed of, at this +session, or whether one ever came to the point, although there was a +great deal of oratory and music. Much of what was said was in poetry, +or in verses, or rhymes, of three lines each. What they talked about +was mainly in protest against the smoke of factories and collieries, +and because there was so much soot, and so little soap, in the land. + +But what did they do at the fairy congress? + +The truth is, that nobody to-day knows what was done in this session +of the fairies, for the proceedings were kept secret. The only one who +knows was an old Welshman whom the story-teller used to meet once in a +while. He is the one mortal who knows anything about this meeting, and +he won't tell; or at least he won't talk in anything but Welsh. So we +have to find out the gist of the matter, by noticing, in the stories +which we have just read what the fairies did. + + + + +XXIV + + +THE SWORD OF AVALON + + +Many of the Welsh tales are about fighting and wars and no country as +small as Wales has so many castles. Yet these are nearly all in ruins +and children play in them. This is because men got tired of battles +and sieges. + +Everybody knows that after King Arthur's knights had punched and +speared, whacked and chopped at each other with axe and sword long +enough, had slain dragons and tamed monsters, and rescued princesses +from cruel uncles, and good men from dark dungeons, even the plain +people, such as farmers and mechanics, had enough and wanted no more. +Besides this, they wished to be treated more like human beings, and +not have to work so hard and also to keep their money when they earned +it. + +Even King Arthur himself, towards the end of this era, saw that +fashions were changing and that he must change with them. Hardware was +too high in price, and was no longer needed for clothing. He was wise +enough to see that battle axes, maces, swords, lances and armor had +better be put to some better use, when iron was getting scarce and +wool and linen were cheaper. Even the stupid Normans learned that +decency and kindness cost less, and accomplished more in making the +Welshery loyal subjects of the king. + +So when, after many battles, King Arthur went out to have a little war +of his own, and to enjoy the fight, in which he was mortally wounded, +he showed his greatness, even in the hour of death. In truth, it is +given to some men, like Samson, to be even mightier when they die, +than when following the strenuous life. So it was with this great and +good man of Cymry. His love for his people never ceased for one +moment, and in his dying hour he left a bequest that all his people +have understood and acted upon. + +Thus it has come to pass that the Welsh have been really +unconquerable, by Saxon or Norman, or even in these twentieth century +days by Teutons. Though living in a small country, they are among the +greatest in the world, not in force, or in material things, but in +soul. When Belgium was invaded, they not only stood up in battle +against the invader, but they welcomed to their homes tens of +thousands of fugitives and fed and sheltered them. + +Brave as lions, their path of progress has been in faithfulness to +duty, industry, and patience, and along the paths of poetry, music and +brotherhood. Their motto for ages has been, "Truth against the World." + +Now the manner of King Arthur's taking off and his immortal legacy was +on this fashion: + +After doing a great many wonderful things, in many countries, King +Arthur came back to punish the wicked man, Modred. In the battle that +ensued, he received wounds that made him feel that he was very soon to +die. So he ordered his loyal vassal to take his sword to the island of +Avalon. There he must cast the weapon into the deep water. + +But the sword was part of the soul of Arthur. It would not sink out of +sight, until it had given a message, from their king to the Welsh, for +all time. + +After it had been thrown in the water, it disappeared, but rose again. +First the shining blade, and then the hilt, and then a hand was seen +to rise out of the flood. + +Thrice that hand waved the sword round and round. + +This was the prophecy of "the deathless from the dead." King Arthur's +body might be hid in a cave, or molder in the ground, but his soul was +to live and cheer his people. His beloved Cymric nation, with their +undying language, were to rise in power again. + +And the resurrection has been glorious. Not by the might of the +soldier, or by arms or war--though the Welsh never flinch from duty, +or before the foe--but by the power of poet, singer and the narrator +of stories, that touch the imagination, and fire the soul to noble +deeds, have these results come. + +Arthur's good blade, thus waved above the waters, became a veritable +sword of the Spirit. + +Men of genius arose to flush with color the old legends. Prophets, +preachers, monks, missionaries carried these all over Europe, and made +them the vehicles of Christian doctrine. In their new forms, they +fired the imagination and illuminated, as with ten thousand lamps, +many lands and nations, until they held every people in spell. In +miracle and morality play, they reappeared in beauty. They attuned the +harp and instrument of the musician and the troubadour, and these sang +the gospel in all lands, north and south, while telling the stories of +Adam, and of Abraham, of Bethlehem, and of the cross, of the Holy +Grail, and of Arthur and his Knights. All the precious lore of the +Celtic race became transfigured, to illustrate and enforce Christian +truth. The symbolical bowl, the Celtic caldron of abundance, became +the cup of the Eucharist and the Grail the symbol of blessings +eternal. + +By the artists, in the stained glass, and in windows of the great +churches, which were built no longer of wood but of stone, that +blossomed under the chisel, the old legends were, by the new currents +of truth, given a mystic glow. As wonderful as the rise of Gothic +architecture and the upbuilding of cathedrals, as glorious as the +light and art, that beautify the great temples of worship, was this +re-birth of the Arthurian legends. + +For now, again, the old virtues of the knightly days--loyalty, +obedience, redress of wrongs, reverence of womanhood, and the +application of Christian ethics to the old rude rules of decency, +lifted the life of the common people to a nobler plane and ushered in +the modern days. + +Then, after seven hundred years, a host of singers, Tennyson leading +them all, attuned the old Celtic harp. They reset for us the Cymric +melody and colorful incidents in "the light that never was on sea or +land." The old days live again in a greater glory. + +Lady Guest put the Mabinogion into English, and Renan, and Arnold, and +Rolleston, and Rhys, in prose, competed in praise of the heritages +from the old time. Popular education was diffused. The Welsh language +rose again from the dead. Cardiff holds in pure white marble the most +thrilling interpretation of Welsh history, in the twelve white marble +statues of the great men of Wales. The Welsh people, by bloodless +victory, have won the respect of all mankind. + +They set a beacon for the oppressed nations. In the World War of +1914-1918, they helped to save freedom and civilization. They were in +the van. + +Long may the sword of Arthur wave! + + + + + +End of Project Gutenberg's Welsh Fairy Tales, by William Elliot Griffis + +*** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK WELSH FAIRY TALES *** + +This file should be named 7wlsh10.txt or 7wlsh10.zip +Corrected EDITIONS of our eBooks get a new NUMBER, 7wlsh11.txt +VERSIONS based on separate sources get new LETTER, 7wlsh10a.txt + +Produced by Juliet Sutherland, Cam Venezuela and PG Distributed Proofreaders + +Project Gutenberg eBooks are often created from several printed +editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the US +unless a copyright notice is included. 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You can also find out about how to make a +donation to Project Gutenberg, and how to get involved. + + +**Welcome To The World of Free Plain Vanilla Electronic Texts** + +**eBooks Readable By Both Humans and By Computers, Since 1971** + +*****These eBooks Were Prepared By Thousands of Volunteers!***** + + +Title: Welsh Fairy Tales + +Author: William Elliot Griffis + +Release Date: November, 2005 [EBook #9368] +[Yes, we are more than one year ahead of schedule] +[This file was first posted on September 25, 2003] + +Edition: 10 + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 + +*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK WELSH FAIRY TALES *** + + + + +Produced by Juliet Sutherland, Cam Venezuela and PG Distributed Proofreaders + + + + +Welsh Fairy Tales + +By + +WILLIAM ELLIOT GRIFFIS + +1921 + + + +A PREFACE-LETTER TO MY GRANDFATHER + +DEAR CAPTAIN JOHN GRIFFIS: + +Although I never saw you, since you died in 1804, I am glad you were +one of those Welshmen who opposed the policy of King George III and +that you, after coming to America in 1783, were among the first sea +captains to carry the American flag around the world. That you knew +many of the Free Quakers and other patriots of the Revolution and that +they buried you among them, near Benjamin Franklin, is a matter of +pride to your descendants. That you were born in Wales and spoke +Welsh, as did also those three great prophets of spiritual liberty, +Roger Williams, William Penn, and Thomas Jefferson, is still further +ground for pride in one's ancestry. Now, in the perspective of history +we see that our Washington and his compeers and Wilkes, Barre, Burke +and the friends of America in Parliament were fighting the same battle +of Freedom. Though our debt to Wales for many things is great, we +count not least those inheritances from the world of imagination, for +which the Cymric Land was famous, even before the days of either +Anglo-Saxon or Norman. + +W. E. G. + +Saint David's and the day of the Daffodil, March 1, 1921. + + + + +CONTENTS + +I. WELSH RABBIT AND HUNTED HARES + +II. THE MIGHTY MONSTER AFANG + +III. THE TWO CAT WITCHES + +IV. HOW THE CYMRY LAND BECAME INHABITED + +V. THE BOY THAT WAS NAMED TROUBLE + +VI. THE GOLDEN HARP + +VII. THE GREAT RED DRAGON OF WALES + +VIII. THE TOUCH OF CLAY + +IX. THE TOUCH OF IRON + +X. THE MAIDEN OF THE GREEN FOREST + +XI. THE TREASURE STONE OF THE FAIRIES + +XII. GIANT TOM AND GIANT BLUBB + +XIII. A BOY THAT VISITED FAIRYLAND + +XIV. THE WELSHERY AND THE NORMANS + +XV. THE WELSH FAIRIES HOLD A MEETING + +XVI. KING ARTHUR'S CAVE + +XVII. THE LADY OF THE LAKE + +XVIII. THE KING'S FOOT HOLDER + +XIX. POWELL, PRINCE OF DYFED + +XX. POWELL AND HIS BRIDE + +XXI. WHY THE BACK DOOR WAS FRONT + +XXII. THE RED BANDITS OF MONTGOMERY + +XXIII. THE FAIRY CONGRESS + +XXIV. THE SWORD OF AVALON + + + + +I + + +WELSH RABBIT AND HUNTED HARES + + +Long, long ago, there was a good saint named David, who taught the +early Cymric or Welsh people better manners and many good things to +eat and ways of enjoying themselves. + +Now the Welsh folks in speaking of their good teacher pronounced his +name Tafid and affectionately Taffy, and this came to be the usual +name for a person born in Wales. In our nurseries we all learned that +"Taffy was a Welshman," but it was their enemies who made a bad rhyme +about Taffy. + +Wherever there were cows or goats, people could get milk. So they +always had what was necessary for a good meal, whether it were +breakfast, dinner or supper. Milk, cream, curds, whey and cheese +enriched the family table. Were not these enough? + +But Saint David taught the people how to make a still more delicious +food out of cheese, and that this could be done without taking the +life of any creature. + +Saint David showed the girls how to take cheese, slice and toast it +over the coals, or melt it in a skillet and pour it hot over toast or +biscuit. This gave the cheese a new and sweeter flavor. When spread on +bread, either plain, or browned over the fire, the result, in +combination, was a delicacy fit for a king, and equal to anything +known. + +The fame of this new addition to the British bill of fare spread near +and far. The English people, who had always been fond of rabbit pie, +and still eat thousands of Molly Cotton Tails every day, named it +"Welsh Rabbit," and thought it one of the best things to eat. In fact, +there are many people, who do not easily see a joke, who misunderstand +the fun, or who suppose the name to be either slang, or vulgar, or a +mistake, and who call it "rarebit." It is like "Cape Cod turkey" +(codfish), or "Bombay ducks" (dried fish), or "Irish plums" (potatoes) +and such funny cookery with fancy names. + +Now up to this time, the rabbits and hares had been so hunted with the +aid of dogs, that there was hardly a chance of any of them surviving +the cruel slaughter. + +In the year 604, the Prince of Powys was out hunting. The dogs started +a hare, and pursued it into a dense thicket. When the hunter with the +horn came up, a strange sight met his eyes. There he saw a lovely +maiden. She was kneeling on the ground and devoutly praying. Though +surprised at this, the prince was anxious to secure his game. He +hissed on the hounds and ordered the horn to be blown, for the dogs to +charge on their prey, expecting them to bring him the game at once. +Instead of this, though they were trained dogs and would fight even a +wolf, they slunk away howling, and frightened, as if in pain, while +the horn stuck fast to the lips of the blower and he was silent. +Meanwhile, the hare nestled under the maiden's dress and seemed not in +the least disturbed. + +Amazed at this, the prince turned to the fair lady and asked: + +"Who are you?" + +She answered, "My mother named me Monacella. I have fled from Ireland, +where my father wished to marry me to one of his chief men, whom I did +not love. Under God's guidance, I came to this secret desert place, +where I have lived for fifteen years, without seeing the face of man." + +To this, the prince in admiration replied: "O most worthy Melangell +[which is the way the Welsh pronounce Monacella], because, on account +of thy merits, it has pleased God to shelter and save this little, +wild hare, I, on my part, herewith present thee with this land, to be +for the service of God and an asylum for all men and women, who seek +thy protection. So long as they do not pollute this sanctuary, let +none, not even prince or chieftain, drag them forth." + +The beautiful saint passed the rest of her life in this place. At +night, she slept on the bare rock. Many were the wonders wrought for +those who with pure hearts sought her refuge. The little wild hares +were under her special protection, and they are still called +"Melangell's Lambs." + + + + +II + + +THE MIGHTY MONSTER AFANG + + +After the Cymric folk, that is, the people we call Welsh, had come up +from Cornwall into their new land, they began to cut down the trees, +to build towns, and to have fields and gardens. Soon they made the +landscape smile with pleasant homes, rich farms and playing children. + +They trained vines and made flowers grow. The young folks made pets of +the wild animals' cubs, which their fathers and big brothers brought +home from hunting. Old men took rushes and reeds and wove them into +cages for song birds to live in. + +While they were draining the swamps and bogs, they drove out the +monsters, that had made their lair in these wet places. These terrible +creatures liked to poison people with their bad breath, and even ate +up very little boys and girls, when they strayed away from home. + +So all the face of the open country between the forests became very +pretty to look at. The whole of Cymric land, which then extended from +the northern Grampian Hills to Cornwall, and from the Irish Sea, past +their big fort, afterward called London, even to the edge of the +German Ocean, became a delightful place to live in. + +The lowlands and the rivers, in which the tide rose and fell daily, +were especially attractive. This was chiefly because of the many +bright flowers growing there; while the yellow gorse and the pink +heather made the hills look as lovely as a young girl's face. Besides +this, the Cymric maidens were the prettiest ever, and the lads were +all brave and healthy; while both of these knew how to sing often and +well. + +Now there was a great monster named the Afang, that lived in a big +bog, hidden among the high hills and inside of a dark, rough forest. + +This ugly creature had an iron-clad back and a long tail that could +wrap itself around a mountain. It had four front legs, with big knees +that were bent up like a grasshopper's, but were covered with scales +like armor. These were as hard as steel, and bulged out at the thighs. +Along its back, was a ridge of horns, like spines, and higher than an +alligator's. Against such a tough hide, when the hunters shot their +darts and hurled their javelins, these weapons fell down to the +ground, like harmless pins. + +On this monster's head, were big ears, half way between those of a +jackass and an elephant. Its eyes were as green as leeks, and were +round, but scalloped on the edges, like squashes, while they were as +big as pumpkins. + +The Afang's face was much like a monkey's, or a gorilla's, with long +straggling gray hairs around its cheeks like those of a walrus. It +always looked as if a napkin, as big as a bath towel, would be +necessary to keep its mouth clean. Yet even then, it slobbered a good +deal, so that no nice fairy liked to be near the monster. + +When the Afang growled, the bushes shook and the oak leaves trembled +on the branches, as if a strong wind was blowing. + +But after its dinner, when it had swallowed down a man, or two calves, +or four sheep, or a fat heifer, or three goats, its body swelled up +like a balloon. Then it usually rolled over, lay along the ground, or +in the soft mud, and felt very stupid and sleepy, for a long while. + +All around its lair, lay wagon loads of bones of the creatures, girls, +women, men, boys, cows, and occasionally a donkey, which it had +devoured. + +But when the Afang was ravenously hungry and could not get these +animals and when fat girls and careless boys were scarce, it would +live on birds, beasts and fishes. Although it was very fond of cows +and sheep, yet the wool and hair of these animals stuck in its big +teeth, it often felt very miserable and its usually bad temper grew +worse. + +Then, like a beaver, it would cut down a tree, sharpen it to a point +and pick its teeth until its mouth was clean. Yet it seemed all the +more hungry and eager for fresh human victims to eat, especially juicy +maidens; just as children like cake more than bread. + +The Cymric men were not surprised at this, for they knew that girls +were very sweet and they almost worshiped women. So they learned to +guard their daughters and wives. They saw that to do such things as +eating up people was in the nature of the beast, which could never be +taught good manners. + +But what made them mad beyond measure was the trick which the monster +often played upon them by breaking the river banks, and the dykes +which with great toil they had built to protect their crops. Then the +waters overflowed all their farms, ruined their gardens and spoiled +their cow houses and stables. + +This sort of mischief the Afang liked to play, especially about the +time when the oat and barley crops were ripe and ready to be gathered +to make cakes and flummery; that is sour oat-jelly, or pap. So it +often happened that the children had to do without their cookies and +porridge during the winter. Sometimes the floods rose so high as to +wash away the houses and float the cradles. Even those with little +babies in them were often seen on the raging waters, and sent dancing +on the waves down the river, to the sea. + +Once in a while, a mother cat and all her kittens were seen mewing for +help, or a lady dog howling piteously. Often it happened that both +puppies and kittens were drowned. + +So, whether for men or mothers, pussies or puppies, the Cymric men +thought the time had come to stop this monster's mischief. It was bad +enough that people should be eaten up, but to have all their crops +ruined and animals drowned, so that they had to go hungry all winter, +with only a little fried fish, and no turnips, was too much for human +patience. There were too many weeping mothers and sorrowful fathers, +and squalling brats and animals whining for something to eat. + +Besides, if all the oats were washed away, how could their wives make +flummery, without which, no Cymric man is ever happy? And where would +they get seed for another year's sowing? And if there were no cows, +how could the babies or kitties live, or any grown-up persons get +buttermilk? + +Someone may ask, why did not some brave man shoot the Afang, with a +poisoned arrow, or drive a spear into him under the arms, where the +flesh was tender, or cut off his head with a sharp sword? + +The trouble was just here. There were plenty of brave fellows, ready +to fight the monster, but nothing made of iron could pierce that hide +of his. This was like armor, or one of the steel battleships of our +day, and the Afang always spit out fire or poison breath down the +road, up which a man was coming, long before the brave fellow could +get near him. Nothing would do, but to go up into his lair, and drag +him out. + +But what man or company of men was strong enough to do this, when a +dozen giants in a gang, with ropes as thick as a ship's hawser, could +hardly tackle the job? + +Nevertheless, in what neither man nor giant could do, a pretty maiden +might succeed. True, she must be brave also, for how could she know, +but if hungry, the Afang might eat her up? + +However, one valiant damsel, of great beauty, who had lots of +perfumery and plenty of pretty clothes, volunteered to bind the +monster in his lair. She said, "I'm not afraid." Her sweetheart was +named Gadern, and he was a young and strong hunter. He talked over the +matter with her and they two resolved to act together. + +Gadern went all over the country, summoning the farmers to bring their +ox teams and log chains. Then he set the blacksmiths to work, forging +new and especially heavy ones, made of the best native iron, from the +mines, for which Wales is still famous. + +Meanwhile, the lovely maiden arrayed herself in her prettiest clothes, +dressed her hair in the most enticing way, hanging a white blossom on +each side, over her ears, with one flower also at her neck. + +When she had perfumed her garments, she sallied forth and up the lake +where the big bog and the waters were and where the monster hid +himself. + +While the maiden was still quite a distance away, the terrible Afang, +scenting his visitor from afar, came rushing out of his lair. When +very near, he reared his head high in the air, expecting to pounce on +her, with his iron clad claws and at one swallow make a breakfast of +the girl. + +But the odors of her perfumes were so sweet, that he forgot what he +had thought to do. Moreover, when he looked at her, he was so taken +with unusual beauty, that he flopped at once on his forefeet. Then he +behaved just like a lovelorn beau, when his best girl comes near. He +ties his necktie and pulls down his coat and brushes off the collar. + +So the Afang began to spruce up. It was real fun to see how a monster +behaves when smitten with love for a pretty girl. He had no idea how +funny he was. + +The girl was not at all afraid, but smoothed the monster's back, +stroked and played with its big moustaches and tickled its neck until +the Afang's throat actually gurgled with a laugh. Pretty soon he +guffawed, for he was so delighted. + +When he did this, the people down in the valley thought it was +thunder, though the sky was clear and blue. + +The maiden tickled his chin, and even put up his whiskers in curl +papers. Then she stroked his neck, so that his eyes closed. Soon she +had gently lulled him to slumber, by singing a cradle song, which her +mother had taught her. This she did so softly, and sweetly, that in a +few minutes, with its head in her lap, the monster was sound asleep +and even began to snore. + +Then, quietly, from their hiding places in the bushes, Gadern and his +men crawled out. When near the dreaded Afang, they stood up and +sneaked forward, very softly on tip toe. They had wrapped the links of +the chain in grass and leaves, so that no clanking was heard. They +also held the oxen's yokes, so that nobody or anything could rattle, +or make any noise. Slowly but surely they passed the chain over its +body, in the middle, besides binding the brute securely between its +fore and hind legs. + +All this time, the monster slept on, for the girl kept on crooning her +melody. + +When the forty yoke of oxen were all harnessed together, the drovers +cracked all their whips at once, so that it sounded like a clap of +thunder and the whole team began to pull together. + +Then the Afang woke up with a start. + +The sudden jerk roused the monster to wrath, and its bellowing was +terrible. It rolled round and round, and dug its four sets of toes, +each with three claws, every one as big as a plowshare, into the +ground. It tried hard to crawl into its lair, or slip into the lake. + +Finding that neither was possible, the Afang looked about, for some +big tree to wrap its tail around. But all his writhings or plungings +were of no use. The drovers plied their whips and the oxen kept on +with one long pull together and forward. They strained so hard, that +one of them dropped its eye out. This formed a pool, and to this day +they call it The Pool of the Ox's Eye. It never dries up or overflows, +though the water in it rises and falls, as regularly as the tides. + +For miles over the mountains the sturdy oxen hauled the monster. The +pass over which they toiled and strained so hard is still named the +Pass of the Oxen's Slope. When going down hill, the work of dragging +the Afang was easier. + +In a great hole in the ground, big enough to be a pond, they dumped +the carcass of the Afang, and soon a little lake was formed. This +uncanny bit of water is called "The Lake of the Green Well." It is +considered dangerous for man or beast to go too near it. Birds do not +like to fly over the surface, and when sheep tumble in, they sink to +the bottom at once. + +If the bones of the Afang still lie at the bottom, they must have sunk +down very deep, for the monster had no more power to get out, or to +break the river banks. The farmers no longer cared anything about the +creature, and they hardly every think of the old story, except when a +sheep is lost. + +As for Gadern and his brave and lovely sweetheart, they were married +and lived long and happily. Their descendants, in the thirty-seventh +generation, are proud of the grand exploit of their ancestors, while +all the farmers honor his memory and bless the name of the lovely girl +that put the monster asleep. + + + + +III + + +THE TWO CAT WITCHES + + +In old days, it was believed that the seventh son, in a family of +sons, was a conjurer by nature. That is, he could work wonders like +the fairies and excel the doctors in curing diseases. + +If he were the seventh son of a seventh son, he was himself a wonder +of wonders. The story ran that he could even cure the "shingles," +which is a very troublesome disease. It is called also by a Latin +name, which means a snake, because, as it gets worse, it coils itself +around the body. + +Now the eagle can attack the serpent and conquer and kill this +poisonous creature. To secure such power, Hugh, the conjurer, ate the +flesh of eagles. When he wished to cure the serpent-disease, he +uttered words in the form of a charm which acted as a talisman and +cure. After wetting the red rash, which had broken out over the sick +person's body, he muttered: + +"He-eagle, she-eagle, I send you over nine seas, and over nine +mountains, and over nine acres of moor and fen, where no dog shall +bark, no cow low, and no eagle shall higher rise." + +After that, the patient was sure that he felt better. + +There was always great rivalry between these conjurers and those who +made money from the Pilgrims at Holy Wells and visitors to the relic +shrines, but this fellow, named Hugh, and the monks, kept on mutually +good terms. They often ate dinner together, for Hugh was a great +traveler over the whole country and always had news to tell to the +holy brothers who lived in cells. + +One night, as he was eating supper at an inn, four men came in and sat +down at the table with him. By his magical power, Hugh knew that they +were robbers and meant to kill him that night, in order to get his +money. + +So, to divert their attention, Hugh made something like a horn to grow +up out of the table, and then laid a spell on the robbers, so that +they were kept gazing at the curious thing all night long, while he +went to bed and slept soundly. + +When he rose in the morning, he paid his bill and went away, while the +robbers were still gazing at the horn. Only when the officers arrived +to take them to prison did they come to themselves. + +Now at Bettws-y-Coed-that pretty place which has a name that sounds so +funny to us Americans and suggests a girl named Betty the Co-ed at +college--there was a hotel, named the "Inn of Three Kegs." The shop +sign hung out in front. It was a bunch of grapes gilded and set below +three small barrels. + +This inn was kept by two respectable ladies, who were sisters. + +Yet in that very hotel, several travelers, while they were asleep, had +been robbed of their money. They could not blame anyone nor tell how +the mischief was done. With the key in the keyhole, they had kept +their doors locked during the night. They were sure that no one had +entered the room. There were no signs of men's boots, or of anyone's +footsteps in the garden, while nothing was visible on the lock or +door, to show that either had been tampered with. Everything was in +order as when they went to bed. + +Some people doubted their stories, but when they applied to Hugh the +conjurer, he believed them and volunteered to solve the mystery. His +motto was "Go anywhere and everywhere, but catch the thief." + +When Hugh applied one night for lodging at the inn, nothing could be +more agreeable than the welcome, and fine manners of his two +hostesses. + +At supper time, and during the evening, they all chatted together +merrily. Hugh, who was never at a loss for news or stories, told about +the various kinds of people and the many countries he had visited, in +imagination, just as if he had seen them all, though he had never set +foot outside of Wales. + +When he was ready to go to bed, he said to the ladies: + +"It is my custom to keep a light burning in my room, all night, but I +will not ask for candles, for I have enough to last me until sunrise." +So saying, he bade them good night. + +Entering his room and locking the door, he undressed, but laid his +clothes near at hand. He drew his trusty sword out of its sheath and +laid it upon the bed beside him, where he could quickly grasp it. Then +he pretended to be asleep and even snored. + +It was not long before, peeping between his eyelids, only half closed, +he saw two cats come stealthily down the chimney. + +When in the room, the animals frisked about, and then gamboled and +romped in the most lively way. Then they chased each other around the +bed, as if they were trying to find out whether Hugh was asleep. + +Meanwhile, the supposed sleeper kept perfectly motionless. Soon the +two cats came over to his clothes and one of them put her paw into the +pocket that contained his purse. + +At this, with one sweep of his sword, Hugh struck at the cat's paw. +The beast howled frightfully, and both animals ran for the chimney and +disappeared. After that, everything was quiet until breakfast time. + +At the table, only one of the sisters was present. Hugh politely +inquired after the other one. He was told that she was not well, for +which Hugh said he was very sorry. + +After the meal, Hugh declared he must say good-by to both the sisters, +whose company he had so enjoyed the night before. In spite of the +other lady's many excuses, he was admitted to the sick lady's room. + +After polite greetings and mutual compliments, Hugh offered his hand +to say "good-by." The sick lady smiled at once and put out her hand, +but it was her left one. + +"Oh, no," said Hugh, with a laugh. "I never in all my life have taken +any one's left hand, and, beautiful as yours is, I won't break my +habit by beginning now and here." + +Reluctantly, and as if in pain, the sick lady put out her hand. It was +bandaged. + +The mystery was now cleared up. The two sisters were cats. + +By the help of bad fairies they had changed their forms and were the +real robbers. + +Hugh seized the hand of the other sister and made a little cut in it, +from which a few drops of blood flowed, but the spell was over. + +"Henceforth," said Hugh, "you are both harmless, and I trust you will +both be honest women." + +And they were. From that day they were like other women, and kept one +of the best of those inns--clean, tidy, comfortable and at modest +prices--for which Wales is, or was, noted. + +Neither as cats with paws, nor landladies, with soaring bills, did +they ever rob travelers again. + + + + +IV + + +HOW THE CYMRY LAND BECAME INHABITED + + +In all Britain to-day, no wolf roams wild and the deer are all tame. + +Yet in the early ages, when human beings had not yet come into the +land, the swamps and forests were full of very savage animals. There +were bears and wolves by the thousand besides lions and the woolly +rhinoceros, tigers, with terrible teeth like sabres. + +Beavers built their dams over the little rivers, and the great horned +oxen were very common. Then the mountains were higher, and the woods +denser. Many of the animals lived in caves, and there were billions of +bees and a great many butterflies. In the bogs were ferns of giant +size, amid which terrible monsters hid that were always ready for a +fight or a frolic. + +In so beautiful a land, it seemed a pity that there were no men and +women, no boys or girls, and no babies. + +Yet the noble race of the Cymry, whom we call the Welsh, were already +in Europe and lived in the summer land in the South. A great +benefactor was born among them, who grew up to be a wonderfully wise +man and taught his people the use of bows and arrows. He made laws, by +which the different tribes stopped their continual fighting and +quarrels, and united for the common good of all. He persuaded them to +take family names. He invented the plow, and showed them how to use +it, making furrows, in which to plant grain. + +When the people found that they could get things to eat right out of +the ground, from the seed they had planted, their children were wild +with joy. + +No people ever loved babies more than these Cymry folk and it was they +who invented the cradle. This saved the hard-working mothers many a +burden, for each woman had, besides rearing the children, to work for +and wait on her husband. + +He was the warrior and hunter, and she did most of the labor, in both +the house and the field. When there were many little brats to look +after, a cradle was a real help to her. In those days, "brat" was the +general name for little folks. There were good laws, about women +especially for their protection. Any rough or brutish fellow was fined +heavily, or publicly punished, for striking one of them. + +By and by, this great benefactor encouraged his people to the brave +adventure, and led them, in crossing the sea to Britain. Men had not +yet learned to build boats, with prow or stern, with keels and masts, +or with sails, rudders, or oars, or much less to put engines in their +bowels, or iron chimneys for smoke stacks, by which we see the mighty +ships driven across the ocean without regard to wind or tide. + +This great benefactor taught his people to make coracles, and on these +the whole tribe of thousands of Cymric folk crossed over into Britain, +landing in Cornwall. The old name of this shire meant the Horn of +Gallia, or Wallia, as the new land was later named. We think of +Cornwall as the big toe of the Mother Land. These first comers called +it a horn. + +It was a funny sight to see these coracles, which they named after +their own round bodies. The men went down to the riverside or the sea +shore, and with their stone hatchets, they chopped down trees. They +cut the reeds and osiers, peeled the willow branches, and wove great +baskets shaped like bowls. In this work, the women helped the men. + +The coracle was made strong by a wooden frame fixed inside round the +edge, and by two cross boards, which also served as seats. Then they +turned the wicker frame upside down and stretched the hides of animals +over the whole frame and bottom. With pitch, gum, or grease, they +covered up the cracks or seams. Then they shaped paddles out of wood. +When the coracle floated on the water, the whole family, daddy, mammy, +kiddies, and any old aunts or uncles, or granddaddies, got into it. +They waited for the wind to blow from the south over to the northern +land. + +At first the coracle spun round and round, but by and by each daddy +could, by rowing or paddling, make the thing go straight ahead. So +finally all arrived in the land now called Great Britain. + +Though sugar was not then known, or for a thousand years later, the +first thing they noticed was the enormous number of bees. When they +searched, they found the rock caves and hollow trees full of honey, +which had accumulated for generations. Every once in a while the +bears, that so like sweet things, found out the hiding place of the +bees, and ate up the honey. The children were very happy in sucking +the honey comb and the mothers made candles out of the beeswax. The +new comers named the country Honey Island. + +The brave Cymry men had battles with the darker skinned people who +were already there. When any one, young or old, died, their friends +and relatives sat up all night guarding the body against wild beasts +or savage men. This grew to be a settled custom and such a meeting was +called a "wake." Everyone present did keep awake, and often in a very +lively way. + +As the Cymry multiplied, they built many _don_, or towns. All +over the land to-day are names ending in _don_ like London, or +Croydon, showing where these villages were. + +But while occupied in things for the body, their great ruler did not +neglect matters of the mind. He found that some of his people had good +voices and loved to sing. Others delighted in making poetry. So he +invented or improved the harp, and fixed the rules of verse and song. + +Thus ages before writing was known, the Cymry preserved their history +and handed down what the wise ones taught. + +Men might be born, live and die, come and go, like leaves on the +trees, which expand in the springtime and fall in the autumn; but +their songs, and poetry, and noble language never die. Even to-day, +the Cymry love the speech of their fathers almost as well as they love +their native land. + +Yet things were not always lovely in Honey Land, or as sweet as sugar. +As the tribes scattered far apart to settle in this or that valley, +some had fish, but no salt, and others had plenty of salt, but no +fish. Some had all the venison and bear meat they wanted, but no +barley or oats. The hill men needed what the men on the seashore could +supply. From their sheep and oxen they got wool and leather, and from +the wild beasts fur to keep warm in winter. So many of them grew +expert in trade. Soon there were among them some very rich men who +were the chiefs of the tribes. + +In time, hundreds of others learned how to traffic among the tribes +and swap, or barter their goods, for as yet there were no coins for +money, or bank bills. So they established markets or fairs, to which +the girls and boys liked to go and sell their eggs and chickens, for +when the wolves and foxes were killed off, sheep and geese multiplied. + +But what hindered the peace of the land, were the feuds, or quarrels, +because the men of one tribe thought they were braver, or better +looking, than those in the other tribe. The women were very apt to +boast that they wore their clothes--which were made of fox and weasel +skins--more gracefully than those in the tribe next to them. + +So there was much snarling and quarreling in Cymric Land. The people +were too much like naughty children, or when kiddies are not taught +good manners, to speak gently and to be kind one to the other. + +One of the worst quarrels broke out, because in one tribe there were +too many maidens and not enough young men for husbands. This was bad +for the men, for it spoiled them. They had too many women to wait on +them and they grew to be very selfish. + +In what might be the next tribe, the trouble was the other way. There +were too many boys, a surplus of men, and not nearly enough girls to +go round. When any young fellow, moping out his life alone and anxious +for a wife, went a-courting in the next tribe, or in their vale, or on +their hill top, he was usually driven off with stones. Then there was +a quarrel between the two tribes. + +Any young girl, who sneaked out at night to meet her young man of +another clan, was, when caught, instantly and severely spanked. Then, +with her best clothes taken off, she had to stand tied to a post in +the market place a whole day. Her hair was pulled down in disorder, +and all the dogs were allowed to bark at her. The girls made fun of +the poor thing, while they all rubbed one forefinger over the other, +pointed at her and cried, "Fie, for shame!" while the boys called her +hard names. + +If it were known that the young man who wanted a wife had visited a +girl in the other tribe, his spear and bow and arrows were taken away +from him till the moon was full. The other boys and the girls treated +him roughly and called him hard names, but he dare not defend himself +and had to suffer patiently. This was all because of the feud between +the two tribes. + +This went on until the maidens in the valley, who were very many, +while yet lovely and attractive, became very lonely and miserable; +while the young men, all splendid hunters and warriors, multiplied in +the hill country. They were wretched in mind, because not one could +get a wife, for all the maidens in their own tribe were already +engaged, or had been mated. + +One day news came to the young men on the hill top, that the valley +men were all off on a hunting expedition. At once, without waiting a +moment, the poor lonely bachelors plucked up courage. Then, armed with +ropes and straps, they marched in a body to the village in the valley +below. There, they seized each man a girl, not waiting for any maid to +comb her hair, or put on a new frock, or pack up her clothes, or carry +any thing out of her home, and made off with her, as fast as one pair +of legs could move with another pair on top. + +At first, this looked like rough treatment--for a lovely girl, thus to +be strapped to a brawny big fellow; but after a while, the girls +thought it was great fun to be married and each one to have a man to +caress, and fondle, and scold, and look for, and boss around; for each +wife, inside of her own hut was quite able to rule her husband. Every +one of these new wives was delighted to find a man who cared so much +for her as to come after her, and risk his life to get her, and each +one admired her new, brave husband. + +Yet the brides knew too well that their men folks, fathers and +brothers, uncles and cousins, would soon come back to attempt their +recapture. + +And this was just what happened. When a runner brought, to the valley +men now far away, the news of the rape of their daughters, the hunters +at once ceased chasing the deer and marched quickly back to get the +girls and make them come home. + +The hill men saw the band of hunters coming after their daughters. +They at once took their new wives into a natural rocky fortress, on +the top of a precipice, which overlooked the lake. + +This stronghold had only one entrance, a sort of gateway of rocks, in +front of which was a long steep, narrow path. Here the hill men stood, +to resist the attack and hold their prizes. + +It was a case of a very few defenders, assaulted by a multitude, and +the battle was long and bloody. The hill men scorned to surrender and +shot their arrows and hurled their javelins with desperate valor. They +battled all day from sunrise until the late afternoon, when shadows +began to lengthen. The stars, one by one came out and both parties, +after setting sentinels, lay down to rest. + +In the morning, again, charge after charge was made. Sword beat +against shield and helmet, and clouds of arrows were shot by the +archers, who were well posted in favorable situations, on the rocks. +Long before noon, the field below was dotted and the narrow pass was +choked with dead bodies. In the afternoon, after a short rest and +refreshed with food, the valley men, though finding that only four of +the hill fighters were alive, stood off at a distance and with their +long bows and a shower of arrows left not one to breathe. + +Now, thought the victors, we shall get our maidens back again. So, +taking their time to wash off the blood and dust, to bind up their +wounds, and to eat their supper, they thought it would be an easy job +to load up all the girls on their ox-carts and carry them home. + +But the valley brides, thus suddenly made widows, were too true to +their brave husbands. So, when they had seen the last of their lovers +quiet in death, they stripped off all their ornaments and fur robes, +until all stood together, each clad in her own innocence, as pure in +their purpose as if they were a company of Druid priestesses. + +Then, chanting their death song, they marched in procession to the +tall cliff, that rose sheer out of the water. One by one, each +uttering the name of her beloved, leaped into the waves. + +Men at a distance, knowing nothing of the fight, and sailors and +fishermen far off on the water, thought that a flock of white birds +were swooping down from their eyrie, into the sea to get their food +from the fishes. But when none rose up above the waters, they +understood, and later heard the whole story of the valor of the men +and the devotion of the women. + +The solemn silence of night soon brooded over the scene. + +The men of the valley stayed only long enough to bury their own dead. +Then they marched home and their houses were filled with mourning. Yet +they admired the noble sacrifice of their daughters and were proud of +them. Afterwards they raised stone monuments on the field of +slaughter. + +To-day, this water is called the Lake of the Maidens, and the great +stones seen near the beach are the memorials marking the place of the +slain in battle. + +During many centuries, the ancient custom of capturing the bride, with +resistance from her male relatives, was vigorously kept up. In the +course of time, however, this was turned into a mimic play, with much +fun and merriment. Yet, the girls appear to like it, and some even +complain if it is not rough enough to seem almost real. + + + + +V + + +THE BOY THAT WAS NAMED TROUBLE + + +In one of the many "Co-eds," or places with this name, in ancient and +forest-covered Wales, there was a man who had one of the most +beautiful mares in all the world. Yet great misfortunes befell both +this Co-ed mare and her owner. + +Every night, on the first of May, the mare gave birth to a pretty +little colt. Yet no one ever saw, or could ever tell what became of +any one, or all of the colts. Each and all, and one by one, they +disappeared. Nobody knew where they were, or went, or what had become +of them. + +At last, the owner, who had no children, and loved little horses, +determined not to lose another. He girded on his sword, and with his +trusty spear, stood guard all night in the stable to catch the mortal +robber, as he supposed he must be. + +When on this same night of May first, the mare foaled again, and the +colt stood up on its long legs, the man greatly admired the young +creature. It looked already, as if it could, with its own legs, run +away and escape from any wolf that should chase it, hoping to eat it +up. + +But at this moment, a great noise was heard outside the stable. The +next moment a long arm, with a claw at the end of it, was poked +through the window-hole, to seize the colt. + +Instantly the man drew his sword and with one blow, the claw part of +the arm was cut off, and it dropped inside, with the colt. + +Hearing a great cry and tumult outside, the owner of the mare rushed +forth into the darkness. But though he heard howls of pain, he could +see nothing, so he returned. + +There, at the door, he found a baby, with hair as yellow as gold, +smiling at him. Besides its swaddling clothes, it was wrapped up in +flame-colored satin. + +As it was still night, the man took the infant to his bed and laid it +alongside of his wife, who was asleep. + +Now this good woman loved children, though she had none of her own, +and so when she woke up in the morning, and saw what was beside her, +she was very happy. Then she resolved to pretend that it was her own. + +So she told her women, that she had borne the child, and they called +him Gwri of the Golden Hair. + +The boy baby grew up fast, and when only two years old, was as strong +as most children are at six. + +Soon he was able to ride the colt that had been born on the May night, +and the two were as playmates together. + +Now it chanced, the man had heard the tale of Queen Rhiannon, wife of +Powell, Prince of Dyfed. She had become the mother of a baby boy, but +it was stolen from her at night. + +The six serving women, whose duty it was to attend to the Queen, and +guard her child, were lazy and had neglected their duty. They were +asleep when the baby was stolen away. To excuse themselves and be +saved from punishment, they invented a lying story. They declared that +Rhiannon had devoured the child, her own baby. + +The wise men of the Court believed the story which the six wicked +women had told, and Rhiannon, the Queen, though innocent, was +condemned to do penance. She was to serve as a porter to carry +visitors and their baggage from out doors into the castle. + +Every day, for many months, through the hours of daylight, she stood +in public disgrace in front of the castle of Narberth, at the stone +block, on which riders on horses dismounted from the saddle. When +anyone got off at the gate, she had to carry him or her on her back +into the hall. + +As the boy grew up, his foster father scanned his features closely, +and it was not long before he made up his mind that Powell was his +father and Rhiannon was his mother. + +One day, with the boy riding on his colt, and with two knights keeping +him company, the owner of the Co-ed mare came near the castle of +Narberth. + +There they saw the beautiful Rhiannon sitting on the horse block at +the gate. + +When they were about to dismount from their horses, the lovely woman +spoke to them thus: + +"Chieftains, go no further thus. I will carry everyone of you on my +back, into the palace." + +Seeing their looks of astonishment, she explained: + +"This is my penance for the charge brought against me of slaying my +son and devouring him." + +One and all the four refused to be carried and went into the castle on +their own feet. There Powell, the prince, welcomed them and made a +feast in their honor. It being night, Rhiannon sat beside him. + +After dinner when the time for story telling had come, the chief guest +told the tale of his mare and the colt, and how he cut the clawed +hand, and then found the boy on the doorstep. + +Then to the joy and surprise of all, the owner of the Co-ed mare, +putting the golden-haired boy before Rhiannon, cried out: + +"Behold lady, here is thy son, and whoever they were who told the +story and lied about your devouring your own child, have done you a +grievous wrong." + +Everyone at the table looked at the boy, and all recognized the lad at +once as the child of Powell and Rhiannon. + +"Here ends my trouble (pryderi)," cried out Rhiannon. + +Thereupon one of the chiefs said: + +"Well hast thou named thy child 'Trouble,'" and henceforth Pryderi was +his name. + +Soon it was made known, by the vision and word of the bards and seers, +that all the mischief had been wrought by wicked fairies, and that the +six serving women had been under their spell, when they lied about the +Queen. Powell, the castle-lord, was so happy that he offered the man +of Co-ed rich gifts of horses, jewels and dogs. + +But this good man felt repaid in delivering a pure woman and loving +mother from undeserved shame and disgrace, by wisdom and honesty +according to common duty. + +As for Pryderi, he was educated as a king's son ought to be, in all +gentle arts and was trained in all manly exercises. + +After his father died, Pryderi became ruler of the realm. He married +Kieva the daughter of a powerful chieftain, who had a pedigree as long +as the bridle used to drive a ten-horse chariot. It reached back to +Prince Casnar of Britain. + +Pryderi had many adventures, which are told in the Mabinogian, which +is the great storehouse of Welsh hero, wonder, and fairy tales. + + + + +VI + + +THE GOLDEN HARP + + +Morgan is one of the oldest names in Cymric land. It means one who +lives near the sea. + +Every day, for centuries past, tens of thousands of Welsh folks have +looked out on the great blue plain of salt water. + +It is just as true, also, that there are all sorts of Morgans. One of +these named Taffy, was like nearly all Welshmen, in that he was very +fond of singing. + +The trouble in his case, however, was that no one but himself loved to +hear his voice, which was very disagreeable. Yet of the sounds which +he himself made with voice or instrument, he was an intense admirer. +Nobody could persuade him that his music was poor and his voice rough. +He always refused to improve. + +Now in Wales, the bard, or poet, who makes up his poetry or song as he +goes along, is a very important person, and it is not well to offend +one of these gentlemen. In French, they call such a person by a very +long name--the improvisator. + +These poets have sharp tongues and often say hard things about people +whom they do not like. If they used whetstones, or stropped their +tongues on leather, as men do their razors, to give them a keener +edge, their words could not cut more terribly. + +Now, on one occasion, Morgan had offended one of these bards. It was +while the poetic gentleman was passing by Taffy's house. He heard the +jolly fellow inside singing, first at the top and then at the bottom +of the scale. He would drop his voice down on the low notes and then +again rise to the highest until it ended in a screech. + +Someone on the street asked the poet how he liked the music which he +had heard inside. + +"Music?" replied the bard with a sneer. "Is that what Morgan is +trying? Why! I thought it was first the lowing of an aged cow, and +then the yelping of a blind dog, unable to find its way. Do you call +that music?" + +The truth was that when the soloist had so filled himself with strong +ale that his brain was fuddled, then it was hard to tell just what +kind of a noise he was making. It took a wise man to discover the +tune, if there was any. + +One evening, when Morgan thought his singing unusually fine, and felt +sorry that no one heard him, he heard a knock. + +[Illustration: THE MORE MORGAN PLAYED, THE MADDER THE DANCE] + +Instead of going to the door to inquire, or welcome the visitor, he +yelled out "Come in!" + +The door opened and there stood three tired looking strangers. They +appeared to be travelers. One of them said: + +"Kind sir, we are weary and worn, and would be glad of a morsel of +bread. If you can give us a little food, we shall not trouble you +further." + +"Is that all?" said Morgan. "See there the loaf and the cheese, with a +knife beside them. Take what you want, and fill your bags. No man +shall ever say that Taffy Morgan denied anyone food, when he had any +himself." + +Whereupon the three travelers sat down and began to eat. + +Meanwhile, without being invited to do so, their host began to sing +for them. + +Now the three travelers were fairies in disguise. They were journeying +over the country, from cottage to cottage, visiting the people. They +came to reward all who gave them a welcome and were kind to them, but +to vex and play tricks upon those who were stingy, bad tempered, or of +sour disposition. Turning to Taffy before taking leave, one of them +said: + +"You have been good to us and we are grateful. Now what can we do for +you? We have power to grant anything you may desire. Please tell us +what you would like most." + +At this, Taffy looked hard in the faces of the three strangers, to see +if one of them was the bard who had likened his voice in its ups and +downs to a cow and a blind dog. Not seeing any familiar face, he +plucked up his courage, and said: + +"If you are not making fun of me, I'll take from you a harp. And, if I +can have my wish in full, I want one that will play only lively tunes. +No sad music for me!" + +Here Morgan stopped. Again he searched their faces, to see if they +were laughing at him and then proceeded. + +"And something else, if I can have it; but it's really the same thing +I am asking for." + +"Speak on, we are ready to do what you wish," answered the leader. + +"I want a harp, which, no matter how badly I may play, will sound out +sweet and jolly music." + +"Say no more," said the leader, who waved his hand. There was a flood +of light, and, to Morgan's amazement, there stood on the floor a +golden harp. + +But where were the three travelers? They had disappeared in a flash. + +Hardly able to believe his own eyes, it now dawned upon him that his +visitors were fairies. + +He sat down, back of the harp, and made ready to sweep the strings. He +hardly knew whether or not he touched the instrument, but there rolled +out volumes of lively music, as if the harp itself were mad. The tune +was wild and such as would set the feet of young folks agoing, even in +church. + +As Taffy's fingers seemed every moment to become more skillful, the +livelier the music increased, until the very dishes rattled on the +cupboard, as if they wanted to join in. Even the chair looked as if +about to dance. + +Just then, Morgan's wife and some neighbors entered the house. +Immediately, the whole party, one and all, began dancing in the +jolliest way. For hours, they kept up the mad whirl. Yet all the +while, Taffy seemed happier and the women the merrier. + +No telegraph ever carried the news faster, all over the region, that +Morgan had a wonderful harp. + +All the grass in front of the house, was soon worn away by the crowds, +that came to hear and dance. As soon as Taffy touched the harp +strings, the feet of everyone, young and old, began shuffling, nor +could anyone stop, so long as Morgan played. Even very old, lame and +one-legged people joined in. Several old women, whom nobody had ever +prevailed upon to get out of their chairs, were cured of their +rheumatism. Such unusual exercise was severe for them, but it seemed +to be healthful. + +A shrewd monk, the business manager of the monastery near by, wanted +to buy Morgan's house, set up a sanatarium and advertise it as a holy +place. He hoped thus to draw pilgrims to it and get for it a great +reputation as a healing place for the lame and the halt, the palsied +and the rheumatic. Thus the monastery would be enriched and all the +monks get fat. + +But Taffy was a happy-go-lucky fellow, who cared little about money +and would not sell; for, with his harp, he enjoyed both fun and fame. + +One day, in the crowd that stood around his door waiting to begin to +hop and whirl, Morgan espied the bard who had compared his voice to a +cow and a cur. The bard had come to see whether the stories about the +harp were true or not. + +He found to his own discomfort what was the fact and the reality, +which were not very convenient for him. As soon as the harp music +began, his feet began to go up, and his legs to kick and whirl. The +more Morgan played, the madder the dance and the wilder the antics of +the crowd, and in these the bard had to join, for he could not help +himself. Soon they all began to spin round and round on the flagstones +fronting the door, as if crazy. They broke the paling of the garden +fence. They came into the house and knocked over the chairs and sofa, +even when they cracked their shins against the wood. They bumped their +heads against the walls and ceiling, and some even scrambled over the +roof and down again. The bard could no more stop his weary legs than +could the other lunatics. + +To Morgan his revenge was so sweet, that he kept on until the bard's +legs snapped, and he fell down on top of people that had tumbled from +shear weariness, because no more strength was left in them. + +Meanwhile, Morgan laughed until his jaws were tired and his stomach +muscles ached. + +But no sooner did he take his fingers off the strings, to rest them, +than he opened his eyes in wonder; for in a flash the harp had +disappeared. + +He had made a bad use of the fairies' gift, and they were displeased. +So both the monk and Morgan felt sorry. + +Yet the grass grew again when the quondam harper and singer ceased +desolating the air with his quavers. The air seemed sweeter to +breathe, because of the silence. + +However, the fairies kept on doing good to the people of good will, +and to-day some of the sweetest singers in Wales come from the poorest +homes. + + + + +VII + + +THE GREAT RED DRAGON OF WALES + + +Every old country that has won fame in history and built up a +civilization of its own, has a national flower. Besides this, some +living creature, bird, or beast, or, it may be, a fish is on its flag. +In places of honor, it stands as the emblem of the nation; that is, of +the people, apart from the land they live on. Besides flag and symbol, +it has a motto. That of Wales is: "Awake: It is light." + +Now because the glorious stories of Wales, Scotland and Ireland have +been nearly lost in that of mighty England, men have at times, almost +forgotten about the leek, the thistle, and the shamrock, which stand +for the other three divisions of the British Isles. + +Yet each of these peoples has a history as noble as that of which the +rose and the lion are the emblems. Each has also its patron saint and +civilizer. So we have Saint George, Saint David, Saint Andrew, and +Saint Patrick, all of them white-souled heroes. On the union flag, or +standard of the United Kingdom, we see their three crosses. + +The lion of England, the harp of Ireland, the thistle of Scotland, and +the Red Dragon of Wales represent the four peoples in the British +Isles, each with its own speech, traditions, and emblems; yet all in +unity and in loyalty, none excelling the Welsh, whose symbol is the +Red Dragon. In classic phrase, we talk of Albion, Scotia, Cymry, and +Hibernia. + +But why red? Almost all the other dragons in the world are white, or +yellow, green or purple, blue, or pink. Why a fiery red color like +that of Mars? + +Borne on the banners of the Welsh archers, who in old days won the +battles of Crecy and Agincourt, and now seen on the crests on the town +halls and city flags, in heraldry, and in art, the red dragon is as +rampant, as when King Arthur sat with His Knights at the Round Table. + +The Red Dragon has four three-toed claws, a long, barbed tongue, and +tail ending like an arrow head. With its wide wings unfolded, it +guards those ancient liberties, which neither Saxon, nor Norman, nor +German, nor kings on the throne, whether foolish or wise, have ever +been able to take away. No people on earth combine so handsomely loyal +freedom and the larger patriotism, or hold in purer loyalty to the +union of hearts and hands in the British Empire, which the sovereign +represents, as do the Welsh. + +The Welsh are the oldest of the British peoples. They preserve the +language of the Druids, bards, and chiefs, of primeval ages which go +back and far beyond any royal line in Europe, while most of their +fairy tales are pre-ancient and beyond the dating. + +Why the Cymric dragon is red, is thus told, from times beyond human +record. + +It was in those early days, after the Romans in the south had left the +island, and the Cymric king, Vortigern, was hard pressed by the Picts +and Scots of the north. To his aid, he invited over from beyond the +North Sea, or German Ocean, the tribes called the Long Knives, or +Saxons, to help him. + +But once on the big island, these friends became enemies and would not +go back. They wanted to possess all Britain. + +Vortigern thought this was treachery. Knowing that the Long Knives +would soon attack him, he called his twelve wise men together for +their advice. With one voice, they advised him to retreat westward +behind the mountains into Cymry. There he must build a strong fortress +and there defy his enemies. + +So the Saxons, who were Germans, thought they had driven the Cymry +beyond the western borders of the country which was later called +England, and into what they named the foreign or Welsh parts. +Centuries afterwards, this land received the name of Wales. + +People in Europe spoke of Galatians, Wallachians, Belgians, Walloons, +Alsatians, and others as "Welsh." They called the new fruit imported +from Asia walnuts, but the names "Wales" and "Welsh" were unheard of +until after the fifth century. + +The place chosen for the fortified city of the Cymry was among the +mountains. From all over his realm, the King sent for masons and +carpenters and collected the materials for building. Then, a solemn +invocation was made to the gods by the Druid priests. These grand +looking old men were robed in white, with long, snowy beards falling +over their breasts, and they had milk-white oxen drawing their +chariot. With a silver knife they cut the mistletoe from the +tree-branch, hailing it as a sign of favor from God. Then with harp, +music and song they dedicated the spot as a stronghold of the Cymric +nation. + +Then the King set the diggers to work. He promised a rich reward to +those men of the pick and shovel who should dig the fastest and throw +up the most dirt, so that the masons could, at the earliest moment, +begin their part of the work. + +But it all turned out differently from what the king expected. Some +dragon, or powerful being underground, must have been offended by this +invasion of his domain; for, the next morning, they saw that +everything in the form of stone, timber, iron or tools, had +disappeared during the night. It looked as if an earthquake had +swallowed them all up. + +Both king and seers, priests and bards, were greatly puzzled at this. +However, not being able to account for it, and the Saxons likely to +march on them at any time, the sovereign set the diggers at work and +again collected more wood and stone. + +This time, even the women helped, not only to cook the food, but to +drag the logs and stones. They were even ready to cut off their +beautiful long hair to make ropes, if necessary. + +But in the morning, all had again disappeared, as if swept by a +tempest. The ground was bare. + +Nevertheless, all hands began again, for all hearts were united. + +For the third time, the work proceeded. Yet when the sun rose next +morning, there was not even a trace of either material or labor. + +What was the matter? Had some dragon swallowed everything up? + +Vortigern again summoned his twelve wise men, to meet in council, and +to inquire concerning the cause of the marvel and to decide what was +to be done. + +After long deliberation, while all the workmen and people outside +waited for their verdict, the wise men agreed upon a remedy. + +Now in ancient times, it was a custom, all over the world, notably in +China and Japan and among our ancestors, that when a new castle or +bridge was to be built, they sacrificed a human being. This was done +either by walling up the victim while alive, or by mixing his or her +blood with the cement used in the walls. Often it was a virgin or a +little child thus chosen by lot and made to die, the one for the many. + +The idea was not only to ward off the anger of the spirits of the air, +or to appease the dragons under ground, but also to make the workmen +do their best work faithfully, so that the foundation should be sure +and the edifice withstand the storm, the wind, and the earthquake +shocks. + +So, nobody was surprised, or raised his eyebrows, or shook his head, +or pursed up his lips, when the king announced that what the wise men +declared, must be done and that quickly. Nevertheless, many a mother +hugged her darling more closely to her bosom, and fathers feared for +their sons or daughters, lest one of these, their own, should be +chosen as the victim to be slain. + +King Vortigern had the long horn blown for perfect silence, and then +he spoke: + +"A child must be found who was born without a father. He must be +brought here and be solemnly put to death. Then his blood will be +sprinkled on the ground and the citadel will be built securely." + +Within an hour, swift runners were seen bounding over the Cymric +hills. They were dispatched in search of a boy without a father, and a +large reward was promised to the young man who found what was wanted. +So into every part of the Cymric land, the searchers went. + +One messenger noticed some boys playing ball. Two of them were +quarreling. Coming near, he heard one say to the other: + +"Oh, you boy without a father, nothing good will ever happen to you." + +"This must be the one looked for," said the royal messenger to +himself. So he went up to the boy, who had been thus twitted and spoke +to him thus: + +"Don't mind what he says." Then he prophesied great things, if he +would go along with him. The boy was only too glad to go, and the next +day the lad was brought before King Vortigern. + +The workmen and their wives and children, numbering thousands, had +assembled for the solemn ceremony of dedicating the ground by shedding +the boy's blood. In strained attention the people held their breath. + +The boy asked the king: + +"Why have your servants brought me to this place?" + +Then the sovereign told him the reason, and the boy asked: + +"Who instructed you to do this?" + +"My wise men told me so to do, and even the sovereign of the land +obeys his wise councilors." + +"Order them to come to me, Your Majesty," pleaded the boy. + +When the wise men appeared, the boy, in respectful manner, inquired of +them thus: + +"How was the secret of my life revealed to you? Please speak freely +and declare who it was that discovered me to you." + +Turning to the king, the boy added: + +"Pardon my boldness, Your Majesty. I shall soon reveal the whole +matter to you, but I wish first to question your advisers. I want them +to tell you what is the real cause, and reveal, if they can, what is +hidden here underneath the ground." + +But the wise men were confounded. They could not tell and they fully +confessed their ignorance. + +The boy then said: + +"There is a pool of water down below. Please order your men to dig for +it." + +At once the spades were plied by strong hands, and in a few minutes +the workmen saw their faces reflected, as in a looking glass. There +was a pool of clear water there. + +Turning to the wise men, the boy asked before all: + +"Now tell me, what is in the pool?" + +As ignorant as before, and now thoroughly ashamed, the wise men were +silent. + +"Your Majesty, I can tell you, even if these men cannot. There are two +vases in the pool." + +Two brave men leaped down into the pool. They felt around and brought +up two vases, as the boy had said. + +Again, the lad put a question to the wise men: + +"What is in these vases?" + +Once more, those who professed to know the secrets of the world, even +to the demanding of the life of a human being, held their tongues. + +"There is a tent in them," said the boy. "Separate them, and you will +find it so." + +By the king's command, a soldier thrust in his hand and found a folded +tent. + +Again, while all wondered, the boy was in command of the situation. +Everything seemed so reasonable, that all were prompt and alert to +serve him. + +"What a splendid chief and general, he would make, to lead us against +our enemies, the 'Long Knives!'" whispered one soldier to another. + +"What is in the tent?" asked the boy of the wise men. + +Not one of the twelve knew what to say, and there was an almost +painful silence. + +"I will tell you, Your Majesty, and all here, what is in this tent. +There are two serpents, one white and one red. Unfold the tent." + +With such a leader, no soldier was afraid, nor did a single person in +the crowd draw back? Two stalwart fellows stepped forward to open the +tent. + +But now, a few of the men and many of the women shrank back while +those that had babies, or little folks, snatched up their children, +fearing lest the poisonous snakes might wriggle towards them. + +The two serpents were coiled up and asleep, but they soon showed signs +of waking, and their fiery, lidless eyes glared at the people. + +"Now, Your Majesty, and all here, be you the witnesses of what will +happen. Let the King and wise men look in the tent." + +At this moment, the serpents stretched themselves out at full length, +while all fell back, giving them a wide circle to struggle in. + +Then they reared their heads. With their glittering eyes flashing +fire, they began to struggle with each other. The white one rose up +first, threw the red one into the middle of the arena, and then +pursued him to the edge of the round space. + +Three times did the white serpent gain the victory over the red one. + +But while the white serpent seemed to be gloating over the other for a +final onset, the red one, gathering strength, erected its head and +struck at the other. + +The struggle went on for several minutes, but in the end the red +serpent overcame the white, driving it first out of the circle, then +from the tent, and into the pool, where it disappeared, while the +victorious red one moved into the tent again. + +When the tent flap was opened for all to see, nothing was visible +except a red dragon; for the victorious serpent had turned into this +great creature which combined in one new form the body and the powers +of bird, beast, reptile and fish. It had wings to fly, the strongest +animal strength, and could crawl, swim, and live in either water or +air, or on the earth. In its body was the sum total of all life. + +Then, in the presence of all the assembly, the youth turned to the +wise men to explain the meaning of what had happened. But not a word +did they speak. In fact, their faces were full of shame before the +great crowd. + +"Now, Your Majesty, let me reveal to you the meaning of this mystery." + +"Speak on," said the King, gratefully. + +"This pool is the emblem of the world, and the tent is that of your +kingdom. The two serpents are two dragons. The white serpent is the +dragon of the Saxons, who now occupy several of the provinces and +districts of Britain and from sea to sea. But when they invade our +soil our people will finally drive them back and hold fast forever +their beloved Cymric land. But you must choose another site, on which +to erect your castle." + +After this, whenever a castle was to be built no more human victims +were doomed to death. All the twelve men, who had wanted to keep up +the old cruel custom, were treated as deceivers of the people. By the +King's orders, they were all put to death and buried before all the +crowd. + +To-day, like so many who keep alive old and worn-out notions by means +of deception and falsehood, these men are remembered only by the +Twelve Mounds, which rise on the surface of the field hard by. + +As for the boy, he became a great magician, or, as we in our age would +call him, a man of science and wisdom, named Merlin. He lived long on +the mountain, but when he went away with a friend, he placed all his +treasures in a golden cauldron and hid them in a cave. He rolled a +great stone over its mouth. Then with sod and earth he covered it all +over so as to hide it from view. His purpose was to leave this his +wealth for a leader, who, in some future generation, would use it for +the benefit of his country, when most needed. + +This special person will be a youth with yellow hair and blue eyes. +When he comes to Denas, a bell will ring to invite him into the cave. +The moment his foot is over the place, the stone of entrance will open +of its own accord. Anyone else will be considered an intruder and it +will not be possible for him to carry away the treasure. + + + + +VIII + + +THE TOUCH OF CLAY + + +Long, long ago before the Cymry came into the beautiful land of Wales, +there were dark-skinned people living in caves. + +In these early times there were a great many fairies of all sorts, but +of very different kinds of behavior, good and bad. + +It was in this age of the world that fairies got an idea riveted into +their heads which nothing, not even hammers, chisels or crowbars can +pry up. Neither horse power, nor hydraulic force nor sixteen-inch +bombs, nor cannon balls, nor torpedoes can drive it out. + +It is a settled matter of opinion in fairy land that, compared with +fairies, human beings are very stupid. The fairies think that mortals +are dull witted and awfully slow, when compared to the smarter and +more nimble fairies, that are always up to date in doing things. + +Perhaps the following story will help explain why this is. + +These ancient folks who lived in caves, could not possibly know some +things that are like A B C to the fairies of to-day. For the Welsh +fairies, King Puck and Queen Mab, know all about what is in the +telegraphs, submarine cables and wireless telegraphy of to-day. Puck +would laugh if you should say that a telephone was any new thing to +him. Long ago, in Shakespeare's time, he boasted that he could "put a +girdle round the earth in forty minutes." Men have been trying ever +since to catch up with him, but they have not gone ahead of him yet. + +If, only three hundred years ago, this were the case, what must have +been Puck's fun, when he saw men in the early days, working so hard to +make even a clay cup or saucer. These people who slept and ate in cave +boarding-houses, knew nothing of metals, or how to make iron or brass +tools, wire, or machines, or how to touch a button and light up a +whole room, which even a baby can now do. + +There is one thing that we, who have traveled in many fairy lands, +have often noticed and told our friends, the little folks, and that is +this: + +All the fairies we ever knew are very slow to change either their +opinions, or their ways, or their fashions. Like many mortals, they +think a great deal of their own notions. They imagine that the only +way to do a thing is in that which they say is the right one. + +So it came to pass that even when the Cymric folk gave up wearing the +skins of animals, and put on pretty clothes woven on a loom, and ate +out of dishes, instead of clam shells, there were still some fairies +that kept to the notions and fashions of the cave days. To one of +these, came trouble because of this failing. + +Now there was once a pretty nymph, who lived in the Red Lake, to which +a young and handsome farmer used to come to catch fish. One misty day, +when the lad could see only a few feet before him, a wind cleared the +air and blew away the fog. Then he saw near him a little old man, +standing on a ladder. He was hard at work in putting a thatched roof +on a hut which he had built. + +A few minutes later, as the mist rose and the breezes blew, the farmer +could see no house, but only the ripplings of water on the lake's +surface. + +Although he went fishing often, he never again saw anything unusual, +during the whole summer. + +On one hot day in the early autumn, while he stopped to let his horse +drink, he looked and saw a very lovely face on the water. Wondering to +whom it might belong, there rose up before him the head and shoulders +of a most beautiful woman. She was so pretty that he had two tumbles. +He fell off his horse and he fell in love with her at one and the same +time. + +Rushing toward the lovely vision, he put out his arms at that spot +where he had seen her, but only to embrace empty air. Then he +remembered that love is blind. So he rubbed his eyes, to see if he +could discern anything. Yet though he peered down into the water, and +up over the hills, he could not see her anywhere. + +But he soon found out to his joy that his eyes were all right, for in +another place, the face, flower-crowned hair, and her reflection in +the water came again. Then his desire to possess the damsel was +doubled. But again, she disappeared, to rise again somewhere else. + +Five times he was thus tantalized and disappointed. She rose up, and +quickly disappeared. + +It seemed as though she meant only to tease him. So he rode home +sorrowing, and scarcely slept that night. + +Early morning, found the lovelorn youth again at the lake side, but +for hours he watched in vain. He had left his home too excited to have +eaten his usual breakfast, which greatly surprised his housekeeper. +Now he pulled out some sweet apples, which a neighbor had given him, +and began to munch them, while still keeping watch on the waters. + +No sooner had the aroma of the apples fallen on the air, than the +pretty lady of the lake bobbed up from beneath the surface, and this +time quite near him. She seemed to have lost all fear, for she asked +him to throw her one of the apples. + +"Please come, pretty maid, and get it yourself," cried the farmer. +Then he held up the red apple, turning it round and round before her, +to tempt her by showing its glossy surface and rich color. + +Apparently not afraid, she came up close to him and took the apple +from his left hand. At once, he slipped his strong right arm around +her waist, and hugged her tight. At this, she screamed loudly. + +Then there appeared in the middle of the lake the old man, he had seen +thatching the roof by the lake shore. This time, besides his long +snowy beard, he had on his head a crown of water lilies. + +"Mortal," said the venerable person. "That is my daughter you are +clasping. What do you wish to do with her?" + +At once, the farmer broke out in passionate appeal to the old man that +she might become his wife. He promised to love her always, treat her +well, and never be rough or cruel to her. + +The old father listened attentively. He was finally convinced that the +farmer would make a good husband for his lovely daughter. Yet he was +very sorry to lose her, and he solemnly laid one condition upon his +future son-in-law. + +He was never under any pretense, or in any way, to strike her with +clay, or with anything made or baked from clay. Any blow with that +from which men made pots and pans, and jars and dishes, or in fact, +with earth of any sort, would mean the instant loss of his wife. Even +if children were born in their home, the mother would leave them, and +return to fairy land under the lake, and be forever subject to the law +of the fairies, as before her marriage. + +The farmer was very much in love with his pretty prize, and as +promises are easily made, he took oath that no clay should ever touch +her. + +They were married and lived very happily together. Years passed and +the man was still a good husband and lover. He kept up the habit which +he had learned from a sailor friend. Every night, when far from home +and out on the sea, he and his mates used to drink this toast; +"Sweethearts and wives: may every sweetheart become a wife and every +wife remain a sweetheart, and every husband continue a lover." + +So he proved that though a husband he was still a lover, by always +doing what she asked him and more. When the children were born and +grew up, their father told them about their mother's likes and +dislikes, her tastes and her wishes, and warned them always to be +careful. So it was altogether a very happy family. + +One day, the wife and mother said to her husband, that she had a great +longing for apples. She would like to taste some like those which he +long ago gave her. At once, the good man dropped what he was doing and +hurried off to his neighbor, who had first presented him with a +trayful of these apples. + +The farmer not only got the fruit, but he also determined that he +would plant a tree and thus have apples for his wife, whenever she +wanted them. So he bought a fine young sapling, to set in his orchard, +for the children to play under and to keep his pantry full of the fine +red-cheeked fruit. At this his wife was delighted. + +So happy enough--in fact, too merry to think of anything else, they, +both husband and wife, proceeded to set the sapling in the ground. She +held the tree, while he dug down to make the hole deep enough to make +sure of its growing. + +But farmers are sometimes very superstitious. They even believe in +luck, though not in Puck. Some of them have faith in what the almanac, +and the patent medicine may say, and in planting potatoes according to +the moon, but they scout the idea of there being any fairies. + +With the farmer, this had become a fixed state of mind and now it +brought him to grief, as we shall see. For though he remembered what +his wife liked and disliked, and recalled what her father had told +him, he had forgotten that she was a fairy. + +With this farmer and other Welsh mortals, it had become a habit, when +planting a young tree, to throw the last shovelful of earth over the +left shoulder. This was for good luck. The farmer was afraid to break +such a good custom, as he thought it to be. + +So merrily he went to work, forgetting everything in his adherence to +habit. He became so absorbed in his job, that he did not look where +his spadeful went, and it struck his dear wife full in the breast. + +At that moment, she cried out bitterly, not in pain, but in sorrow. +Then she started to run towards the lake. At the shore, she called +out, "Good-by, dear, dear husband." Then, leaping into the water, she +was never seen again and all his tears and those of the children never +brought her back. + + + + +IX + + +THE TOUCH OF IRON + + +Ages ago, before the Cymry rowed in their coracles across the sea, +there was a race of men already in the Land of Honey, as Great Britain +was then called. + +These ancient people, who lived in caves, did not know how to build +houses or to plow the ground. They had no idea that they could get +their food out of the earth. As for making bread and pies, cookies and +goodies, from what grew from the soil, they never heard of such a +thing. They were not acquainted with the use of fire for melting +copper, nor did they know how to get iron out of the ore, to make +knives and spears, arrow heads and swords, and armor and helmets. + +All they could do was to mold clay, so as to make things to cook with +and hold milk, or water. When they baked this soft stuff in the fire, +they found they had pots, pans and dishes as hard as stone, though +these were easily broken. + +To hunt the deer, or fight the wolves and bears, they fashioned clubs +of wood. For javelins and arrows, they took hard stone like flint and +chipped it to points and sharpened it with edges. This was the time +which men now call the Stone Age. When the men went to war, their +weapons were wholly of wood or stone. + +They had not yet learned to weave the wool of the sheep into warm +clothing, but they wore the skins of animals. Each one of the caves, +in which they lived, was a general boarding house, for dogs and pigs, +as well as people. + +When a young man of one tribe wanted a wife, he sallied out secretly +into another neighborhood. There he lay in wait for a girl to come +along. He then ran away with her, and back to his own daddy's cave. + +By and by, when the Cymry came into the land, they had iron tools and +better weapons of war. Then there were many and long battles and the +aborigines were beaten many times. + +So the cave people hated everything made of iron. Anyone of the cave +people, girls or boys, who had picked up iron ornaments, and were +found wearing or using iron tools, or buying anything of iron from the +cave people's enemies, was looked upon as a rascal, or a villain, or +even as a traitor and was driven out of the tribe. + +However, some of the daughters of the cave men were so pretty and had +such rosy cheeks, and lovely bodies, and beautiful, long hair, that +quite often the Cymric youth fell in love with them. + +Many of the cave men's daughters were captured and became wives of the +Cymry and mothers of children. In course of ages, their descendants +helped to make the bright, witty, song-loving Welsh people. + +Now the fairies usually like things that are old, and they are very +slow to alter the ancient customs, to which they have been used; for, +in the fairy world, there is no measure of time, nor any clocks, +watches, or bells to strike the hours, and no almanacs or calendars. + +The fairies cannot understand why ladies change the fashions so often, +and the men their ways of doing things. They wonder why beards are +fashionable at one time; then, moustaches long or short, at another; +or smooth faces when razors are cheap. Most fairies like to keep on +doing the same thing in the old way. They enjoy being like the +mountains, which stand; or the sea, that rolls; or the sun, that rises +and sets every day and forever. They never get tired of repeating +to-morrow what they did yesterday. They are very different from the +people that are always wanting something else, and even cry if they +cannot have it. + +That is the reason why the fairies did not like iron, or to see men +wearing iron hats and clothes, called helmets and armor, when they +went to war. They no more wanted to be touched by iron than by filth, +or foul disease. They hated knives, stirrups, scythes, swords, pots, +pans, kettles, or this metal in any form, whether sheet, barbed wire, +lump or pig iron. + +Now there was a long, pretty stretch of water, near which lived a +handsome lad, who loved nothing better than to go out on moonlight +nights and see the fairies dance, or listen to their music. This youth +fell in love with one of these fairies, whose beauty was great beyond +description. At last, unable to control his passion, he rushed into +the midst of the fairy company, seized the beautiful one, and rushed +back to his home, with his prize in his arms. This was in true +cave-man fashion. When the other fairies hurried to rescue her, they +found the man's house shut. They dared not touch the door, for it was +covered over with iron studs and bands, and bolted with the metal +which they most abhorred. + +The young man immediately began to make love to the fairy maid, hoping +to win her to be his wife. For a long time she refused, and moped all +day and night. While weeping many salt water tears, she declared that +she was too homesick to live. + +Nevertheless the lover persevered. Finding herself locked in with iron +bars, while gratings, bolts and creaking hinges were all about her, +and unable to return to her people, the fairy first thought out a plan +of possible escape. Then she agreed to become the man's wife. She +resolved, at least, that, without touching it, she should oil all the +iron work, and stop the noise. + +She was a smart fairy, and was sure she could outwit the man, even if +he were so strong, and had every sort of iron everywhere in order to +keep her as it were in a prison. So, pretending she loved him dearly, +she said: "I will not be your wife, but, if you can find out my name, +I shall gladly become your servant." + +"Easily won," thought the lover to himself. Yet the game was a harder +one to play than he supposed. It was like playing Blind Man's Buff, or +Hunt the Slipper. Although he made guesses of every name he could +think of, he was never "hot" and got no nearer to the thing sought +than if his eyes were bandaged. All the time, he was deeper and deeper +in love with the lovely fairy maid. + +But one night, on returning home, he saw in a turf bog, a group of +fairies sitting on a log. At once, he thought, they might be talking +about their lost sister. So he crept up quite near them, and soon +found that he had guessed right. After a long discussion, finding +themselves still at a loss, as to how to recover her, he heard one of +them sigh and say, "Oh, Siwsi, my sister, how can you live with a +mortal?" + +"Enough," said the young man to himself. "I've got it." Then, crawling +away noiselessly, he ran back all the way to his house, and unlocked +the door. Once inside the room, he called out his servant's +name--"Siwsi! Siwsi!" + +Astonished at hearing her name, she cried out, "What mortal has +betrayed me? For, surely no fairy would tell on me? Alas, my fate, my +fate!" + +But in her own mind, the struggle and the fear were over. She had +bravely striven to keep her fairyhood, and in the battle of wits, had +lost. + +She would not be wife, but what a wise, superb and faithful servant +she made! + +Everything prospered under her hand. The house and the farm became +models. Not twice, but three times a day, the cows, milked by her, +yielded milk unusually rich in cream. In the market, her butter +excelled, in quality and price, all others. + +Meanwhile, the passion of the lover abated not one jot, or for an +instant. His perseverance finally won. She agreed to become his wife; +but only on one condition. + +"You must never strike me with iron," she said. "If you do, I'll feel +free to leave you, and go back to my relatives in the fairy family." + +A hearty laugh from the happy lover greeted this remark, made by the +lovely creature, once his servant, but now his betrothed. He thought +that the condition was very easy to obey. + +So they were married, and no couple in all the land seemed to be +happier. Once, twice, the cradle was filled. It rocked with new +treasures that had life, and were more dear than farm, or home, or +wealth in barns or cattle, cheese and butter. A boy and a girl were +theirs. Then the mother's care was unremitting, day and night. + +Even though the happy father grew richer every year, and bought farm +after farm, until he owned five thousand acres, he valued, more than +these possessions, his lovely wife and his beautiful children. + +Yet this very delight and affection made him less vigilant; yes, even +less careful concerning the promise he had once given to his fairy +wife, who still held to the ancient ideas of the Fairy Family in +regard to iron. + +One of his finest mares had given birth to a filly, which, when the +day of the great fair came, he determined to sell at a high price. + +So with a halter on his arm, he went out to catch her. + +But she was a lively creature, so frisky that it was much like his +first attempt to win his fairy bride. It almost looked as if she were +a cave girl running away from a lover, who had a lasso in his hand. +The lively and frolicsome beast scampered here and there, grazing as +she stopped, as if she were determined to put off her capture as long +as possible. + +So, calling to his wife, the two of them together, tried their skill +to catch the filly. This time, leaving the halter in the house, the +man took bit and bridle, and the two managed to get the pretty +creature into a corner; but, when they had almost captured her, away +she dashed again. + +By this time, the man was so vexed that he lost his temper; and he who +does that, usually loses the game, while he who controls the wrath +within, wins. Mad as a flaming fire, he lost his brains also and threw +bit and bridle and the whole harness after the fleet animal. + +Alas! alas! the wife had started to run after the filly and the iron +bit struck her on the cheek. It did not hurt, but he had broken his +vow. + +Now came the surprise of his life. It was as if, at one moment, a +flash of lightning had made all things bright; and then in another +second was inky darkness. He saw this lovely wife, one moment active +and fleet as a deer. In another, in the twinkling of an eye, nothing +was there. She had vanished. After this, there was a lonely home, +empty of its light and cheer. + +But by living with human beings, a new idea and form of life had +transformed this fairy, and a new spell was laid on her. Mother-love +had been awakened in her heart. Henceforth, though the law of the +fairy world would not allow her to touch again the realm of earth, +she, having once been wife and parent, could not forget the babies +born of her body. So, making a sod raft, a floating island, she came +up at night, and often, while these three mortals lived, this fairy +mother would spend hours tenderly talking to her husband and her two +children, who were now big boy and girl, as they stood on the lake +shore. + +On his part, the father did not think it "an ideal arrangement," as +some modern married folks do, to be thus separated, wife and husband, +one from the other; but by her coming as near as could be allowed, she +showed her undying love. Even to-day, good people sometimes see a +little island floating on the lake, and this, they point out as the +place where the fairy mother was wont to come and hold converse with +her dear ones. When they merrily eat the pink delicacy, called +"floating island," moving it about with a spoon on its yellow lake of +eggs and cream, they call this "the Fairy Mother's rocking chair." + + + + +X + + +THE MAIDEN OF THE GREEN FOREST + + +Many a palace lies under the waves that wash Cymric land, for the sea +has swallowed up more than one village, and even cities. + +When Welsh fairies yield to their mortal lovers and consent to become +their wives, it is always on some condition or promise. Sometimes +there are several of these, which the fairy ladies compel their mortal +lovers to pledge them, before they agree to become wives. In fact, the +fairies in Cymric land are among the most exacting of any known. + +A prince named Benlli, of the Powys region, found this out to his +grief, for he had always supposed that wives could be had simply for +the asking. All that a man need say, to the girl to whom he took a +fancy, was this: "Come along with me, and be my bride," and then she +would say, "Thank you, I'll come," and the two would trot off +together. This was the man's notion. + +Now Benlli was a wicked old fellow. He was already married, but +wrinkles had gathered on his wife's face. She had a faded, washed-out +look, and her hair was thinning out. She would never be young again, +and he was tired of her, and wanted a mate with fresh rosy cheeks, and +long, thick hair. He was quite ready to fall in love with such a +maiden, whenever his eyes should light upon her. + +One day, he went out hunting in the Green Forest. While waiting for a +wild boar to rush out, there rode past him a young woman whose beauty +was dazzling. He instantly fell in love with her. + +The next day, while on horseback, at the same opening in the forest, +the same maiden reappeared; but it was only for a moment, and then she +vanished. + +Again, on the third day, the prince rode out to the appointed place, +and again the vision of beauty was there. He rode up to her and begged +her to come and live with him at his palace. + +"I will come and be your wedded wife on three conditions: You must put +away the wife you now have; you must permit me to leave you, one night +in every seven, without following after or spying upon me; and you +must not ask me where I go or what I do. Swear to me that you will do +these three things. Then, if you keep your promises unbroken, my +beauty shall never change, no, not until the tall vegetable flag-reeds +wave and the long green rushes grow in your hall." + +The Prince of Powys was quite ready to swear this oath and he solemnly +promised to observe the three conditions. So the Maid of the Green +Forest went to live with him. + +"But what of his old wife?" one asks. + +Ah! he had no trouble from that quarter, for when the newly-wedded +couple arrived at the castle, she had already disappeared. + +Happy, indeed, were the long bright days, which the prince and his new +bride spent together, whether in the castle, or out doors, riding on +horseback, or in hunting the deer. Every day, her beauty seemed +diviner, and she more lovely. He lavished various gifts upon her, +among others that of a diadem of beryl and sapphire. Then he put on +her finger a diamond ring worth what was a very great sum--a king's +ransom. In the Middle Ages, monarchs as well as nobles were taken +prisoners in battle and large amounts of money had to be paid to get +them back again. So a king's ransom is what Benlli paid for his wife's +diamond ring. He loved her so dearly that he never suspected for a +moment that he would ever have any trouble in keeping his three +promises. + +But without variety, life has no spice, and monotony wearies the soul. +After nine years had passed, and his wife absented herself every +Friday night, he began to wonder why it could be. His curiosity, to +know the reason for her going away, so increased that it so wore on +him that he became both miserable in himself and irritable toward +others. Everybody in the castle noticed the change in their master, +and grieved over it. + +One night, he invited a learned monk from the white monastery, not far +away, to come and take dinner with him. The table in the great +banqueting hall was spread with the most delicious viands, the lights +were magnificent, and the music gay. + +But Wyland, the monk, was a man of magic and could see through things. +He noticed that some secret grief was preying upon the Prince's mind. +He discerned that, amidst all this splendor, he, Benlli, the lord of +the castle, was the most miserable person within its walls. So Wyland +went home, resolved to call again and find out what was the trouble. + +When they met, some days later, Wyland's greeting was this: + +"Christ save thee, Benlli! What secret sorrow clouds thy brow? Why so +gloomy?" + +Benlli at once burst out with the story of how he met the Maid of the +Green Forest, and how she became his wife on three conditions. + +"Think of it," said Benlli, groaning aloud. "When the owls cry and the +crickets chirp, my wife leaves my bed, and until the daystar appears, +I lie alone, torn with curiosity, to know where she is, and what she +is doing. I fall again into heavy sleep, and do not awake until +sunrise, when I find her by my side again. It is all such a mystery, +that the secret lies heavy on my soul. Despite all my wealth, and my +strong castle, with feasting and music by night and hunting by day, I +am the most miserable man in Cymric land. No beggar is more wretched +than I." + +Wyland, the monk, listened and his eyes glittered. There came into his +head the idea of enriching the monastery. He saw his chance, and +improved it at once. He could make money by solving the secret for a +troubled soul. + +"Prince Benlli," said he, "if you will bestow upon the monks of the +White Minster, one tenth of all the flocks that feed within your +domain, and one tenth of all that flows into the vaults of your +palace, and hand over the Maiden of the Green Forest to me, I shall +warrant that your soul will be at peace and your troubles end." + +To all this, Prince Benlli agreed, making solemn promise. Then the +monk Wyland took his book, leather bound, and kept shut by means of +metal clasps, and hid himself in the cranny of a rock near the Giant's +Cave, from which there was entrance down into Fairyland. + +He had not long to wait, for soon, with a crown on her head, a lady, +royally arrayed, passed by out of the silvery moonlight into the dark +cave. It was none other than the Maiden of the Green Forest. + +Now came a battle of magic and spells, as between the monk's own and +those of the Green Forest Maiden. He moved forward to the mouth of the +cave. Then summoning into his presence the spirits of the air and the +cave, he informed them as to Benlli's vow to enrich the monastery, and +to deliver the Green Forest Maiden to himself. Then, calling aloud, he +said: + +"Let her forever be, as she now appears, and never leave my side." + +"Bring her, before the break of day, to the cross near the town of the +White Minster, and there will I wed her, and swear to make her my +own." + +Then, by the power of his magic, he made it impossible for any person +or power to recall or hinder the operation of these words. Leaving the +cave's mouth, in order to be at the cross, before day should dawn, the +first thing he met was a hideous ogress, grinning and rolling her +bleared red eyes at him. On her head seemed what was more like moss, +than hair. She stretched out a long bony finger at him. On it, flashed +the splendid diamond, which Benlli had given his bride, the beautiful +Maid of the Green Forest. + +"Take me to thy bosom, monk Wyland," she shrieked, laughing hideously +and showing what looked like green snags in her mouth. "For I am the +wife you are sworn to wed. Thirty years ago, I was Benlli's blooming +bride. When my beauty left me, his love flew out of the window. Now I +am a foul ogress, but magic makes me young again every seventh night. +I promised that my beauty should last until the tall flag reeds and +the long green rushes grow in his hall." + +Amazed at her story, Wyland drew in his breath. + +"And this promise, I have kept. It is already fulfilled. Your spell +and mine are both completed. Yours brought to him the peace of the +dead. Mine made the river floods rush in. Now, waters lap to and fro +among the reeds and rushes that grow in the banqueting hall, which is +now sunk deep below the earth. With the clash of our spells, no charm +can redress our fate. + +"Come then and take me as thy bride, for oath and spell have both +decreed it as thy reward. As Benlli's promise to you is fulfilled, for +the waters flow in the palace vaults, the pike and the dare (fish) +feed there." + +So, caught in his own dark, sordid plot, the monk, who played +conjurer, had become the victim of his own craft. + +They say that Wyland's Cross still recalls the monk, while fishermen +on the Welsh border, can, on nights with smooth water, see towers and +chimneys far below, sunk deep beneath the waves. + + + + +XI + + +THE TREASURE STONE OF THE FAIRIES + + +The Gruffyds were one of the largest of the Welsh tribes. To-day, it +is said that in Britain one man in every forty has this, as either his +first, middle, or last name. It means "hero" or "brave man," and as +far back as the ninth century, the word is found in the Book of Saint +Chad. + +The monks, who derived nearly every name from the Latin, insisted the +word meant Great Faith. + +Another of the most common of Welsh personal names was William; which, +when that of a father's son, was written Williams and was only the +Latin for Gild Helm, or Golden Helmet. + +Long ago, when London was a village and Cardiff only a hamlet, there +was a boy of this name, who tended sheep on the hill sides. His father +was a hard working farmer, who every year tried to coax to grow out of +the stony ground some oats, barley, leeks and cabbage. In summer, he +worked hard, from the first croak of the raven to the last hoot of the +owl, to provide food for his wife and baby daughter. When his boy was +born, he took him to the church to be christened Gruffyd, but every +body called him "Gruff." In time several little sisters came to keep +the boy company. + +His mother always kept her cottage, which was painted pink, very neat +and pretty, with vines covering the outside, while flowers bloomed +indoors. These were set in pots and on shelves near the latticed +windows. They seemed to grow finely, because so good a woman loved +them. The copper door-sill was kept bright, and the broad borders on +the clay floor, along the walls, were always fresh with whitewash. The +pewter dishes on the sideboard shone as if they were moons, and the +china cats on the mantle piece, in silvery luster, reflected both sun +and candle light. Daddy often declared he could use these polished +metal plates for a mirror, when he shaved his face. Puss, the pet, was +always happy purring away on the hearth, as the kettle boiled to make +the flummery, of sour oat jelly, which, daddy loved so well. + +Mother Gruffyd was always so neat, with her black and white striped +apron, her high peaked hat, with its scalloped lace and quilled +fastening around her chin, her little short shawl, with its pointed, +long tips, tied in a bow, and her bright red plaid petticoat folded +back from her frock. Her snowy-white, rolling collar and neck cloth +knotted at the top, and fringed at the ends, added fine touches to her +picturesque costume. + +In fact, young Gruffyd was proud of his mother and he loved her +dearly. He thought no woman could be quite as sweet as she was. + +Once, at the end of the day, on coming back home, from the hills, the +boy met some lovely children. They were dressed in very fine clothes, +and had elegant manners. They came up, smiled, and invited him to play +with them. He joined in their sports, and was too much interested to +take note of time. He kept on playing with them until it was pitch +dark. + +Among other games, which he enjoyed, had been that of "The King in his +counting house, counting out his money," and "The Queen in her +kitchen, eating bread and honey," and "The Girl hanging out the +clothes," and "The Saucy Blackbird that snipped off her nose." In +playing these, the children had aprons full of what seemed to be real +coins, the size of crowns, or five-shilling pieces, each worth a +dollar. These had "head and tail," beside letters on them and the boy +supposed they were real. + +But when he showed these to his mother, she saw at once from their +lightness, and because they were so easily bent, that they were only +paper, and not silver. + +She asked her boy where he had got them. He told her what a nice time +he had enjoyed. Then she knew that these, his playmates, were fairy +children. Fearing that some evil might come of this, she charged him, +her only son, never to go out again alone, on the mountain. She +mistrusted that no good would come of making such strange children his +companions. + +But the lad was so fond of play, that one day, tired of seeing nothing +but byre and garden, while his sisters liked to play girls' games more +than those which boys cared most for, and the hills seeming to beckon +him to come to them, he disobeyed, and slipped out and off to the +mountains. He was soon missed and search was made for him. + +Yet nobody had seen or heard of him. Though inquiries were made on +every road, in every village, and at all the fairs and markets in the +neighborhood, two whole years passed by, without a trace of the boy. + +But early one morning of the twenty-fifth month, before breakfast, his +mother, on opening the door, found him sitting on the steps, with a +bundle under his arm, but dressed in the same clothes, and not looking +a day older or in any way different, from the very hour he +disappeared. + +"Why my dear boy, where have you been, all these months, which have +now run into the third year--so long a time that they have seemed to +me like ages?" + +"Why, mother dear, how strange you talk. I left here yesterday, to go +out and to play with the children, on the hills, and we have had a +lovely time. See what pretty clothes they have given me for a +present." Then he opened his bundle. + +But when she tore open the package, the mother was all the more sure +that she was right, and that her fears had been justified. In it she +found only a dress of white paper. Examining it carefully, she could +see neither seam nor stitches. She threw it in the fire, and again +warned her son against fairy children. + +But pretty soon, after a great calamity had come upon them, both +father and mother changed their minds about fairies. + +They had put all their savings into the venture of a ship, which had +for a long time made trading voyages from Cardiff. Every year, it came +back bringing great profit to the owners and shareholders. In this +way, daddy was able to eke out his income, and keep himself, his wife +and daughters comfortably clothed, while all the time the table was +well supplied with good food. Nor did they ever turn from their door +anyone who asked for bread and cheese. + +But in the same month of the boy's return, bad news came that the good +ship had gone down in a storm. All on board had perished, and the +cargo was totally lost, in the deep sea, far from land. In fact, no +word except that of dire disaster had come to hand. + +Now it was a tradition, as old as the days of King Arthur, that on a +certain hill a great boulder could be seen, which was quite different +from any other kind of rock to be found within miles. It was partly +imbedded in the earth, and beneath it, lay a great, yes, an untold +treasure. The grass grew luxuriantly around this stone, and the sheep +loved to rest at noon in its shadow. Many men had tried to lift, or +pry it up, but in vain. The tradition, unaltered and unbroken for +centuries, was to the effect, that none but a very good man could ever +budge this stone. Any and all unworthy men might dig, or pull, or pry, +until doomsday, but in vain. Till the right one came, the treasure was +as safe as if in heaven. + +But the boy's father and mother were now very poor and his sisters now +grown up wanted pretty clothes so badly, that the lad hoped that he or +his father might be the deserving one. He would help him to win the +treasure for he felt sure that his parent would share his gains with +all his friends. + +Though his neighbors were not told of the generous intentions credited +to the boy's father, by his loving son, they all came with horses, +ropes, crowbars, and tackle, to help in the enterprise. Yet after many +a long days' toil, between the sun's rising and setting, their end was +failure. Every day, when darkness came on, the stone lay there still, +as hard and fast as ever. So they gave up the task. + +On the final night, the lad saw that father and mother, who were great +lovers, were holding each other's hands, while their tears flowed +together, and they were praying for patience. + +Seeing this, before he fell asleep, the boy resolved that on the +morrow, he would go up to the mountains, and talk to his fairy friends +about the matter. + +So early in the morning, he hurried to the hill tops, and going into +one of the caves, met the fairies and told them his troubles. Then he +asked them to give him again some of their money. + +"Not this time, but something better. Under the great rock there are +treasures waiting for you." + +"Oh, don't send me there! For all the men and horses of our parish, +after working a week, have been unable to budge the stone." + +"We know that," answered the principal fairy, "but do you yourself try +to move it. Then you will see what is certain to happen." + +Going home, to tell what he had heard, his parents had a hearty laugh +at the idea of a boy succeeding where men, with the united strength of +many horses and oxen, had failed. + +Yet, after brooding awhile, they were so dejected, that anything +seemed reasonable. So they said, "Go ahead and try it." + +Returning to the mountain, the fairies, in a band, went with him to +the great rock. + +One touch of his hand, and the mighty boulder trembled, like an aspen +leaf in the breeze. + +A shove, and the rock rolled down from the hill and crashed in the +valley below. + +There, underneath, were little heaps of gold and silver, which the boy +carried home to his parents, who became the richest people in the +country round about. + + + + +XII + + +GIANT TOM AND GIANT BLUBB + + +Everyone who has read anything of Welsh history--though not of the +sort that is written by English folks--knows also that Cornwall is, in +soul, a part of Wales. Before the Romans, first, and the Saxons, next, +invaded Britain, the Cymric people lived all over the island, south of +Scotland. + +They were the British people, and nobody ever heard the German name, +"Wales," which means a foreign land; or the word "Welsh," which refers +to foreigners, until men who were themselves outsiders came into +Britain. + +Since that time, it has been much the same, as when a British Jack +Tar, when rambling in Portugal, or China, calls the natives +"foreigners," and tells them to "get out of the way." + +Ages ago, when the Cymric men, with their wives and little ones rowed +over in their coracles, from Gallia, or the Summer Land, to Britain, +the Honey Land, they came first to the promontory which we know as +Cornwall; that is, the Cornu Galliae, or Walliae, which means Horn or +Cape of the new country now called England. Here was a new region, +rich in every kind of minerals. Ages before, the Phoenicians had named +it Britain or the Land of Tin. Within the memory of men now living, +Cornishmen, that is, the miners of Cornwall, on going to California, +discovered gold. + +In Cornwall, as part of the Cymric realm, King Arthur found and +married Guinevere, his queen. It was in Cornwall, also, that Merlin +was hidden. Hear the rhyme: + + Marvelous Merlin is wasted away + By a wicked woman, who may she be? + For she hath pent him in a crag + On Cornwall coast. + +So it happens that thousands of "English" people in Cornwall are +Welsh, by both name or descent, or have translated their names into +English form, even while keeping the Welsh meaning. They are also +Welsh in traits of character. Just as tens of thousands of Welsh +folks, among the first settlers of New England and the American +colonies are described in our histories as "English" people. + +Now in early Cornwall there were many giants. Some were good but +others were bad. One of these, a right fine fellow, was named Tom, and +the other, a bad one, Blubb. This giant had had twenty wives, and was +awfully cruel. Nobody ever knew what became of the twenty maidens he +had married. + +Sometimes people called the big fellow, that lived in a castle, Giant +Blunderbuss, but Blubb was his name for short. He was much taller than +the highest hop pole in Kent. He was made up mostly of head and +stomach, for his chief idea in living was to eat. His skull was as big +as a hogshead, or a push-ball, or a market wagon loaded with carrots. +Indeed, it was strongly suspected by most people that the big bone box +set on his shoulders was as hollow inside as a pumpkin, but that a +cocoanut would hold all the brains he had. At any rate, during one of +his fights with another giant, he had been given an awful thwack from +the other giant's club. Then the sound made, which was heard a long +distance away, was exactly like that when one pounds on an empty +barrel. + +Now this Giant Blubb had built a mighty castle between a big hill and +a river. Under it were vaults of vast size, filled with treasures of +all sorts, gold, silver, jewels and gems. There were cells, in which +he kept his wives, after he had married them. It was the opinion of +his neighbors, that in every case, soon after the honeymoon was over, +he ate them up. + +Yet, if even the devil ought to have his due; one should be fair to +this human monster, and we are bound to say that Giant Blubb denied +these stories as pure gossip. It is certain that such crimes as murder +and cannibalism never could be proved against him. + +To guard his underground treasures, he had two huge and fierce dogs, +supposed to be named Catchem and Tearem. What they were really called +by their master was a secret. Yet anyone who had a piece of meat ready +to throw to them, and knew their names, which were pass words, could +first quiet them. Then he could walk by them and get the treasure. + +Besides these dogs, the only living thing left in the castle when the +giant went out, was the latest Mrs. Blubb. Yet she was in constant +fear of her life, lest her big husband should sometime make a meal of +her. For even she had heard the story that Blubb was a cannibal and +looked at all plump women simply as delicacies, exactly as a boy peers +into the window of a candy shop. + +What made all the country round hate this cruel giant was not wholly +on account of his awful appetite. It was because he had ruined the +King's High Road. Ever since the time of King Lud, whose name we read +in Ludgate Hill, in London, where His Cymric Majesty had lived, this +highway had been free to all. It ran all the way through Cornwall, +from Penzance, and thence eastward to London and beyond. + +When Giant Blubb wished to enlarge his castle, he had the walls and +towers built down to the river's edge. This closed up the big road, so +that people had to go far around and up over the hill, or by boat +along the river. Such a roundabout way took much time and toil, and +was too much trouble for all. + +Everybody had to submit to this extortion, until there came along +Giant Tom, of whom we shall now tell. His real name was Rolling Stone, +for he never stuck long in one place at a job, and cared not a +cucumber for money, or fine clothes. + +This jolly fellow was very good-natured and popular, but often very +lazy. His mother talked with him many times, urging him to learn a +trade, or in some way make an honest living. She found it very hard to +keep anything in her larder, barn, pantry, or cellar, when he was at +home. He measured four feet across his shoulders and at every meal he +ate what would feed three big men. But as he could do six men's work, +when he had a mind to--as often he did--he was always welcome. In +fact, he was too popular for his own good. + +One day, when ten common fellows were trying their utmost to lift a +big long log on a cart, and were unable to do it, Tom came along and +told them to stand back. Then he hoisted the tree on to the wain, +roped it into place, and told the cartman to drive on. Then they all +cheered him, and one of them lifted his Monmouth cap and cried out, +"Hurrah for Giant Tom. He's the fellow to whip Giant Blubb." + +"He is! He is!" they all cried in chorus. + +"Who is this Giant Blubb? Where does he live?" asked Tom, rolling up +his sleeves, for he was just spoiling for a row with a fellow of his +size. + +Then they told the story of how the big bully had ruined the King's +Highway, by building a great wall and tower across the road, to shut +it up, to the grief of many honest men. + +"Never mind, boys. I'll attend to his bacon," said Tom. "Leave the +matter with me, and don't bother to tell the King about it." + +Tom went the next day into town and hired himself out to a beer brewer +to drive the wagon. Perhaps he hoped, also, while in this occupation, +to keep down his thirst. + +He asked the boss to give him the route that led past Giant Blubb's +castle, over the old King's Highway. + +The master of the brewery saw through Tom's purpose. He winked, and +only said: + +"Go ahead, my boy. I'll pay you double wages, if you will open that +road again; but see that Giant Blubb does not get my load of kegs, or +that your carcass doesn't count with those of the twenty wives in his +vaults and make twenty-one." + +Again he winked his eye knowingly to his workmen. Tom drove off. He +occupied all the room on the seat of the cart, which two men usually +filled and left plenty of room on either side. + +Cracking his whip, the new driver kept the four horses on a galloping +pace, until very soon he called out "whoa," before the frowning high +gateway of Giant Blubb. + +Tom shouted from the depth of his lungs: + +"Open the gate and let me drive through. This is the King's Highway." + +The only reply, for a minute, was the barking of the curs. Then a +rattling of bolts was heard, and the great gates swung wide open. + +"Who are you, you impudent fellow? Go round over the hill, or I'll +thrash you," blustered Giant Blubb, in a rage. + +"Better save your breath to cool your porridge, you big boaster, and +come out and fight," said Tom. + +"Fight? You pigmy. I'll just get a switch and whip you, as I would a +bad boy." + +Thereupon Giant Blubb stepped aside into the grove nearby, keeping all +the while an eye on his gate, guarded by his two monstrous dogs. He +selected an elm tree twenty feet high, tore it up by the roots, pulled +off the branches, and peeled it for a whip. This he jerked up and down +to make ready for his task of thrashing "the pigmy." + +Meanwhile Giant Tom upset the wain, drew out the tongue and took off +one of the wheels. Then, as if armed with spear and shield, he +advanced to meet Giant Blubb. He whistled like a boy, as he went +forward. + +In a passion of rage, Giant Blubb lifted his elm switch to strike, but +Tom warded off the blow with his wheel shield. Then he punched him in +the stomach, with the wagon tongue, so hard that the big fellow +slipped and rolled over in the mud: + +Picking himself up, Giant Blubb, now half blind with rage, rushed +against Tom, who, this time, made a lunge which planted the cart +tongue inside Blubb's bowels, and knocked him over. + +But Tom was not a cruel fellow, and had no desire to kill anyone. So +he threw down his war tools, and tearing up a yard or two of grassy +sod rolled it together, and made a plug of it, as big around as a milk +churn. With this, he stopped up the big hole in Giant Blubb's huge +body. + +But instead of thanking Tom, Giant Blubb rushed at him again. He was +in too much of a rage to see anything clearly, while Tom, perfectly +cool, gave the angry monster such a kick, in the place where he kept +his dinner, that he rolled over, and Tom gave him another kick. Then +the plug of sod fell out of his wound. + +As he was bleeding to death, Giant Blubb beckoned to Tom to come up +close, for he could only whisper. + +"You've beaten me on the square, and I like you. Don't think I killed +my twenty wives. They all died naturally. But call the dogs by name, +and they will let you pass. Then, in my vaults, you'll find gold, +silver, and copper. Make these your own and bury me decently. This is +all I ask." + +Tom made himself owner of the castle and all its treasures. He opened +the King's Highway again. He took care of his aged mother, married the +twenty-first wife of Giant Blubb, now a widow, and was always kind to +the sick and poor. + +To-day in Cornwall, they still tell stories of the big fellow who +abolished Giant Blubb's toll gate. + +Centuries afterward, when Christ's gospel came into the land, they +restored Giant Tom's tomb and on it were chiseled these words: + +THE RESTORER OF PATHS TO DWELL IN. + + + + +XIII + + +A BOY THAT VISITED FAIRYLAND + + +Many are the places in Wales where the ground is lumpy and humpy with +tumuli, or little artificial mounds. Among these the sheep graze, the +donkeys bray, and the cows chew the cud. + +Here the ground is strewn with the ruins of cromlechs, or Cymric +strongholds, of old Roman camps, of chapels and monasteries, showing +that many different races of men have come and gone, while the birds +still fly and the flowers bloom. + +Centuries ago, the good monks of St. David had a school where lads +were taught Latin and good manners. One of their pupils was a boy +named Elidyr. He was such a poor scholar and he so hated books and +loved play, that in his case spankings and whippings were almost of +daily occurrence. Still he made no improvement. He was in the habit +also of playing truant, or what one of the monks called "traveling to +Bagdad." One of the consequences was that certain soft parts of his +body--apparently provided by nature for this express purpose--often +received a warming from his daddy. + +His mother loved her boy dearly, and she often gently chided him, but +he would not listen to her, and when she urged him to be more +diligent, he ran out of the room. The monks did not spare the birch +rod, and soon it was a case of a whipping for every lesson not +learned. + +One day, though he was only twelve years old, the boy started on a +long run into the country. The further he got, the happier he felt--at +least for one day. + +At night, tired out, he crept into a cave. When he woke up, in the +morning, he thought it was glorious to be as free as the wild asses. +So like them, he quenched his thirst at the brook. But when, towards +noon, he could find nothing to eat, and his inside cavity seemed to +enlarge with very emptiness, his hunger grew every minute. Then he +thought that a bit of oat cake, a leek, or a bowl of oat meal, whether +porridge or flummery, might suit a king. + +He dared not go out far and pick berries, for, by this time, he saw +that people were out searching for him. He did not feel yet, like +going back to books, rods and scoldings, but the day seemed as long as +a week. Meanwhile, he discovered that he had a stomach, which seemed +to grow more and more into an aching void. He was glad when the sunset +and darkness came. His bed was no softer in the cave, as he lay down +with a stone for his pillow. Yet he had no dreams like those of Jacob +and the angels. + +When daylight came, the question in his mind was still, whether to +stay and starve, or to go home and get two thrashings--one from his +daddy, and another from the monks. But how about that thing inside of +him, which seemed to be a live creature gnawing away, and which only +something to eat would quiet? Finally, he came to a stern resolve. He +started out, ready to face two whippings, rather than one death by +starvation. + +But he did not have to go home yet, for at the cave's mouth, he met +two elves, who delivered a most welcome message. + +"Come with us to a land full of fun, play, and good things to eat." + +All at once, his hunger left him and he forgot that he ever wanted to +swallow anything. All fear, or desire to go home, or to risk either +schooling or a thrashing, passed away also. + +Into a dark passage all three went, but they soon came out into a +beautiful country. How the birds sang and the flowers bloomed! All +around could be heard the joyful shouts of little folks at play. Never +did things look so lovely. + +[Illustration: THE KING SPOKE KINDLY TO ELIDYR, ASKING HIM WHO HE WAS] + +Soon, in front of the broad path along which they were traveling, +there rose up before him a glorious palace. It had a splendid gateway, +and the silver-topped towers seemed to touch the blue sky. + +"What building is this?" asked the lad of his two guides. + +They made answer that it was the palace of the King of Fairyland. Then +they led him into the throne room, where, sat in golden splendor, a +king, of august figure and of majestic presence, who was clad in +resplendent robes. He was surrounded by courtiers in rich apparel, and +all about him was magnificence, such as this boy, Elidyr, had never +even read about or dreamed. + +Yet everything was so small that it looked like Toy Land, and he felt +like a giant among them, even though many of the little men around him +were old enough to have whiskers on their cheeks and beards on their +chins. + +The King spoke kindly to Elidyr, asking him who he was, and whence he +had come. + +While talking thus, the Prince, the King's only son appeared. He was +dressed in white velvet and gold, and had a long feather in his cap. +In the pleasantest way, he took Elidyr's hand and said: + +"Glad to see you. Come and let us play together." + +That was just what Elidyr liked to hear. The King smiled and said to +his visitor, "You will attend my son?" Then, with a wave of his hand, +he signified to the boys to run out and play games. + +A right merry time they did have, for there were many other little +fellows for playmates. + +These wee folks, with whom Elidyr played, were hardly as big as our +babies, and certainly would not reach up to his mother's knee. To +them, he looked like a giant, and he richly enjoyed the fun of having +such little men, but with beards growing on their faces, look up to +him. + +They played with golden balls, and rode little horses, with silver +saddles and bridles, but these pretty animals were no larger than +small dogs, or grayhounds. + +No meat was ever seen on the table, but always plenty of milk. They +never told a lie, nor used bad language, or swear-words. They often +talked about mortal men, but usually to despise them; because what +they liked to do, seemed so absurd and they always wanted foolish and +useless things. To the elves, human beings were never satisfied, or +long happy, even when they got what they wanted. + +Everything in this part of fairyland was lovely, but it was always +cloudy. No sun, star or moon was ever seen, yet the little men did not +seem to mind it and enjoyed themselves every day. There was no end of +play, and that suited Elidyr. + +Yet by and by, he got tired even of games and play, and grew very +homesick. He wanted to see his mother. So he asked the King to let him +visit his old home. He promised solemnly to come back, after a few +hours. His Majesty gave his permission, but charged him not to take +with him anything whatever from fairyland, and to go with only the +clothes on his back. + +The same two elves or dwarfs, who had brought him into fairyland, were +chosen to conduct him back. When they had led him again through the +underground passage into the sunlight, they made him invisible until +he arrived at his mother's cottage. She was overjoyed to find that no +wolf had torn him to pieces, or wild bull had pushed him over a +precipice. + +She asked him many questions, and he told her all he had seen, felt, +or known. + +When he rose up to go, she begged him to stay longer, but he said he +must keep his word. Besides, he feared the rod of the monks, or his +daddy, if he remained. So he made his mother agree not to tell +anything--not even to his father, as to where he was, or what he was +doing. Then he made off and reported again to his playmates in +fairyland. + +The King was so pleased at the lad's promptness in returning, and +keeping his word, and telling the truth, that he allowed him to go see +his mother as often as he wanted to do so. He even gave orders +releasing the two little men from constantly guarding him and told +them to let the lad go alone, and when he would, for he always kept +his word. + +Many times did Elidyr visit his mother. By one road, or another, he +made his way, keeping himself invisible all the time, until he got +inside her cottage. He ran off, when anyone called in to pay a visit, +or when he thought his daddy, or one of the monks was coming. He never +saw any of these men. + +One day, in telling his mother of the fun and good times he had in +fairyland, he spoke of the heavy yellow balls, with which he and the +King's sons played, and how these rolled around. + +Before leaving home, this boy had never seen any gold, and did not +know what it was, but his mother guessed that it was the precious +metal, of which the coins called sovereigns, and worth five dollars +apiece, were made. So she begged him to bring one of them back to her. + +This, Elidyr thought, would not be right; but after much argument, his +parents being poor, and she telling him that, out of hundreds in the +King's palace, one single ball would not be missed, he decided to +please her. + +So one day, when he supposed no one was looking, he picked up one of +the yellow balls and started off through the narrow dark passageway +homeward. + +But no sooner was he back on the earth, and in the sunlight again, +than he heard footsteps behind him. Then he knew that he had been +discovered. + +He glanced over his shoulder and there were the two little men, who +had led him first and had formerly been his guards. They scowled at +him as if they were mad enough to bite off the heads of tenpenny +nails. Then they rushed after him, and there began a race to the +cottage. + +But the boy had legs twice as long as the little men, and got to the +cottage door first. He now thought himself safe, but pushing open the +door, he stumbled over the copper threshold, and the ball rolled out +of his hand, across the floor of hardened clay, even to the nearly +white-washed border, which ran about the edges of the room. It stopped +at the feet of his mother, whose eyes opened wide at the sight of the +ball of shining gold. + +As he lay sprawling on the floor, and before he could pick himself up, +one of the little men leaped over him, rushed into the room, and, from +under his mother's petticoats, picked up the ball. + +They spat at the boy and shouted, "traitor," "rascal," "thief," "false +mortal," "fox," "rat," "wolf," and other bad names. Then they turned +and sped away. + +Now Elidyr, though he had been a mischievous boy, often willful, lazy, +and never liking his books, had always loved the truth. He was very +sad and miserable, beyond the telling, because he had broken his word +of honor. So, almost mad with grief and shame, and from an accusing +conscience, he went back to find the cave, in which he had slept. He +would return to the King of the fairies, and ask his pardon, even if +His Majesty never allowed him to visit Fairyland again. + +But though he often searched, and spent whole days in trying to find +the opening in the hills, he could never discover it. + +So, fully penitent, and resolving to live right, and become what his +father wanted him to be, he went back to the monastery. + +There he plied his tasks so diligently that he excelled all in +book-learning. In time, he became one of the most famous scholars in +Welsh history. When he died, he asked to be buried, not in the monk's +cemetery, but with his father and mother, in the churchyard. He made +request that no name, record, or epitaph, be chiseled on his tomb, but +only these words: + +WE CAN DO NOTHING AGAINST THE TRUTH, BUT ONLY FOR THE TRUTH. + + + + +XIV + + +THE WELSHERY AND THE NORMANS + + +Though their land has been many times invaded, the Welsh have never +been conquered. Powerful tribes, like the Romans, Saxons and Normans, +have tried to overwhelm them. Even when English and German kings +attempted to crush their spirit and blot out their language and +literature, the Welsh resisted and won victory. + +Among the bullies that tried force, instead of justice, and played the +slave-driver, rather than the Good Samaritan's way, were the Normans. +These brutal fellows, when they thought that they had overrun Wales +with their armies, began to build strong castles all over the country. +They kept armed men by the thousands ready, night and day, to rush out +and put to death anybody and everybody who had a weapon in his hand. +Often they burned whole villages. They killed so many Welsh people +that it seemed at times as if they expected to empty the land of its +inhabitants. Thus, they hoped to possess all the acres for themselves. +They talked as if there were no people so refined and so cultured as +they were, while the natives, good and bad, were lumped together as +"the Welshery." + +Yet all this time, with these hundreds of strong castles, bristling +with turrets and towers, no Englishman's life was safe. If he dared to +go out alone, even twenty rods from the castle, he was instantly +killed by some angry Welshman lying in ambush. So the Normans had to +lock themselves up in armor, until they looked like lobsters in their +shells. When on their iron-clad horses they resembled turtles, so that +if a knight fell off, he had to be chopped open to be rid of his metal +clothes. + +Yet all this was in vain, for when the Norman marched out in bodies, +or rode in squadrons, the Welshery kept away and were hidden. + +Even the birds and beasts noticed this, and saw what fools the Normans +were, to behave so brutally. + +As for the fairies, they met together to see what could be done. Even +the reptiles shamed men by living together more peaceably. Only the +beasts of prey approved of the Norman way of treating the Welsh +people. + +At last, it came to pass that, after the long War of the Roses, when +the Reds and the Whites had fought together, a Welsh king sat upon the +throne of England. Henry VIII was of Cymric ancestry. His full name +was Henry Tudor; or, in English, Henry Theodore. + +Among the Welsh, every son, to his own name as a child, such as Henry, +William, Thomas, etc., added that of his father. Thus it happens that +we can usually tell a man by his name; for example, Richards, Roberts, +Evans, Jones, etc., etc., that he is a Welshman. + +When a Welshman went into England to live, if he were a sister's son, +he usually added a syllable showing this, as in the case of Jefferson, +which means sister's son. Our great Thomas Jefferson used to boast +that he could talk Welsh. + +So the living creatures of all sorts in Wales, human beings, fairies, +and animals took heart and plucked up courage, when a Tudor king, +Henry VIII, sat on the throne. + +Now it was Puck who led the fairies as the great peacemaker. He went +first to visit all the most ancient creatures, in order to find out +who should be offered the post of honor, as ambassador, who should be +sent to the great king in London, Henry Tudor, to see what could be +done for Wales. + +First he called on the male eagle, oldest of all birds. Though not +bald-headed, like his American cousin, the Welsh eagle was very old, +and at that time a widower. Although he had been father to nine +generations of eaglets, he sent Puck to the stag. + +This splendid creature, with magnificent antlers, lived at the edge of +the forest, near the trunk of an oak tree. It was still standing, but +was now a mere shell. Old men said that the children of the aborigines +played under it, and here was the home of the god of lightning, which +they worshiped. + +So to the withered oak, Puck went, and offered him the honor of +leadership to an embassy to the King. + +But the stag answered and said: + +"Well do I remember when an acorn fell from the top of the parent oak. +Then, for three hundred years it was growing. Children played under +it. They gathered acorns in their aprons, and the archers made bows +from its boughs. + +"Then the oak tree began to die, and, during nearly thirty tens of +years it has been fading, and I have seen it all. + +"Yet there is one older than I. It is the salmon that swims in the +Llyn stream. Inquire there." + +So of the old mother salmon, Puck went to ask, and this was the answer +which he received. + +"Count all the spots on my body, and all the eggs in my roe--one for +each year. Yet the blackbird is older even than I. Go listen to her +story. She excels me, in both talk and fact." + +And the blackbird opened its orange-colored bill, and answered +proudly: + +"Do you see this flinty rock, on which I am sitting? Once it was so +huge that three hundred yoke of oxen could hardly move it. Yet, today, +it hardly more than affords me room to roost on. + +"What made it so small, do you ask? + +"Well, all I have clone to wear it away, has been to wipe my beak on +it, every night, before I go to sleep, and in the morning to brush it +with the tips of my wing." + +Even Puck, fairy though he was, was astonished at this. But the +blackbird added: + +"Go to the toad, that blinks its eye under the big rock yonder. His +age is greater than mine." + +The toad was half asleep when Puck came, but it opened with alertness, +its beautiful round bright eyes, set in a rim of gold. Then Puck asked +the question: "Oh, thou that carriest a jewel in thy head, are there +any things alive that are older than thou art?" + +"That, I could not be sure of, especially if as many false things are +told about them, as are told about me; but when I was a tadpole in the +pond, that old hag of an owl was still hooting away, in the treetops, +scaring children, as in ages gone. She is older than I. Go and see +her. If age makes wise, she is the wisest of all." + +Puck went into the forest, but at first saw no bird answering to the +description given him. + +He said to himself, "She is, I wonder, who?" + +He was surprised to hear his question repeated, not as an echo, but by +another. Still, he thought it might possibly be his own voice come +back. + +So, in making a catalogue, in his note book, of what he had seen and +heard that day, he put down, "To wit--one echo." + +Again came the sound: + +"To whit--to who, to whit--to who?" Sounded the voice. + +Thinking that this was intended to be a polite question, Puck looked +up. Sure enough, there was the wise bird sitting on a bough, above +him, as sober as a judge. + +"Who! did you ask?" answered Puck and then went on to explain: + +"I am Lord of the Fairies in Welshery, and I seek to know which is the +most venerable, of all the creatures in the Land of the Red Dragon. + +"I am ready to salute you, as the most ancient and honorable of all +living things in the Cymric realm. You are desired to bear a message +to the Great King, in London." + +Tickled by such delicate flattery, and the honors proffered her, this +lady owl, after much blinking and winking, flirting, and fluttering, +at last agreed to go to King Henry VIII in London. The business, with +which she was charged, was to protest against Norman brutality and to +plead for justice. + +Now this old lady-owl, gray with centuries, though she had such short +ears, kept them open by day and during the night, also, for all the +gossip that floated in the air. She knew all about everybody and +everything. From what she had heard, she expected to find the new +King, Henry VIII, a royal fellow in velvet, with a crown on his head, +and his body as big and round as a hogshead, sitting in a room full of +chopping blocks and battle axes. Further, she fancied she would find a +dozen pretty women locked up in his palace, some in the cellar, others +in the pantry, and more in the garret; but all waiting to have their +heads chopped off. + +For the popular story ran that his chief amusement was to marry a wife +one day and slice off her head the next. + +It was said also that the King kept a private graveyard, and took a +walk in it every afternoon to study the epitaphs, which he kept a +scholar busy in writing; and also a man, from the marble yard near by, +to chisel them on the tombs, after his various wives had been properly +beheaded. + +But the owl never could find out whether these fables were wicked +fibs, or fairy tales, or only street talk. + +Puck and the owl together arrived in London, at the palace, when the +King was at his dinner. The butlers and lackeys wanted to keep them +out, but the merry monarch gave orders to let them in at once. He made +the owl perch over the mantel piece, but told Puck to stand upon the +dinner table and walk over the tablecloth. The pepper box was put +away, so that he should not sneeze and the King carefully removed the +mustard pot, for fear the little fairy fellow might fall in it and be +drowned in the hot stuff. + +His Majesty said that, for the time being, Puck should be the Prince +of Wales. Puck strutted about to the amusement of the King and all the +Court ladies, but he kept away from the pepper, which made his nose +tingle, and from the hot soup, for fear he might tumble into it and be +scalded. When the dessert came on, Puck hid himself under a walnut +shell, just for fun. + +It would take too long to tell about all that was said, or the +questions, which the King asked about his Welsh subjects, and which +either the owl or the fairy man answered. According to Puck's story, +Wales was then a most distressful country, though the Welshery, to a +man, wanted to be good and loyal subjects of the Tudors. + +Several times did Puck appeal to the owl, to have his story confirmed, +because this wise bird had lived among the Cymry, centuries before the +Normans came. The owl every time blinked, bowed, and answered +solemnly: + +"To whit, to who. To whit, to who," which in this case showed that she +had learned to speak the Court language. + +"Why, bless my soul, the owl speaks good Cockney Hinglish," whispered +one of the butlers, who had been born in Wales. + +"Yes, but that is the proper way to address His Majesty, King Ennery +the Heighth," answered the other butler, who was a native-born +Londoner. + +Puck and the owl returned to Wales. What happened after that, is the A +B C of history, that everybody knows, and for which all the Welsh +people to this day bless the Tudors, who made the Welsh equal before +the law with any and all Englishmen. Even Puck himself had never seen +anything like the change that quickly took place for the better, nor +did Queen Mab, with her wand, ever work such wonders. + +It was better than a fairy tale, and the effects, very soon seen, were +even more wonderful. Down went the castles into ruins, for rats to run +around in, and wild dogs to yelp and foxes to hide in, or look out of +the casements. To-day, what were once banqueting halls are covered +with moss, and on the ground grass grows, over which sheep graze and +children play; while rooks and crows nest or roost in the tall towers. + +Any Englishman's life was safe anywhere, and Wales became one of the +most easily governed countries in all the wonderful British Empire. + + + +And in the great world-war, that even children, who read these +stories, can remember, Wales, the Land of the Free, the Home of +Deathless Democracy, led all the British Isles, colonies, islands, or +coaling stations around the wide world, in loyalty, valor and +sacrifice. And the handsome son of the King, George, the Prince of +Wales, led the descendants of Welsh archers, now called the Fusileers. +They went into battle, singing, "Old Land our Fathers before us held +so dear"; or they marched, following the band that played "The Men of +Harlech." + +It is because Welsh cherish their traditions, harps, music, language +and noble inheritances, with which they feed their souls, that they +lead the four nations of the British Isles in the nobler virtues, that +keep a nation alive, as well as in the sweet humanities of the Red +Cross and in generous hospitality to the refugee Belgian. True to his +motto, "I serve," the Prince of Wales who came to see us in 1919--as +did his grandfather, whom the story-teller saw when he visited our +Independence Hall in 1860--loved to be the servant of his people. + +What was it that wrought this peaceful wonder of the sixteenth +century? Was it a fairy spell magic ointment, star-tipped wand, +treasures of caves, or ocean depths? Was it anything that dragons, +giants, ogres, or even swords, spears, catapults, or whips and clubs, +or elves or gnomes could do? + +Not a bit of it! Only justice and kindness, instead of brutality and +force. + + + + +XV + + +THE WELSH FAIRIES HOLD A MEETING + + +In the ancient Cymric gatherings, the Druids, poets, prophets, seers, +and singers all had part. The one most honored as the president of the +meeting was crowned and garlanded. Then he was led in honor and sat in +the chair of state. They called this great occasion an Eistedfodd, or +sitting, after the Cymric word, meaning a chair. + +All over the world, the Welsh folks, who do so passionately love +music, poetry and their own grand language, hold the Eistedfodd at +regular intervals. Thus they renew their love for the Fatherland and +what they received long ago from their ancestors. + +Now it happens that the fairies in every land usually follow the +customs of the mortals among whom they live. The Swiss, the Dutch, the +Belgian, the Japanese and Korean fairies, as we all know, although +they are much alike in many things are as different from each other as +the countries in which they live and play. So, when the Welsh fairies +all met together, they resolved to have songs and harp music and make +the piper play his tunes just as in the Eistedfodd. + +The Cymric fairies of our days have had many troubles to complain of. +They were disgusted with so much coal smoke, the poisoning of the air +by chemical fumes, and the blackening of the landscape from so many +factory chimneys. They had other grievances also. + +So the Queen Mab, who had a Welsh name, and another fairy, called +Pwca, or in English King Puck, sent out invitations into every part of +Wales, for a gathering on the hills, near the great rock called Dina's +seat. This is a rocky chair formed by nature. They also included in +their call those parts of western and south England, such as are still +Welsh and spiritually almost a part of Wales. In fact, Cornwall was +the old land, in which the Cymry had first landed when coming from +over the sea. + +The meeting was to be held on a moonlight night, and far away from any +houses, lest the merry making, dancing and singing of the fairies +should keep the farmers awake. This was something of which the yokels, +or men of the plow, often complained. They could not sleep while the +fairies were having their parties. + +Now among the Welsh fairies of every sort, size, dress, and behavior, +some were good, others were bad, but most of them were only full of +fun and mischief. Chief of these was the lively little fellow, Puck, +who lived in Cwm Pwcca, that is, Puck Valley, in Breconshire. + +Now it had been an old custom, which had come down, from the days of +the cave men, that when anyone died, the people, friends and relatives +sat up all night with the corpse. The custom arose, at first, with the +idea of protection against wild beasts and later from insult by +enemies. This was called a wake. The watchers wept and wailed at +first, and then fell to eating and drinking. Sometimes, they got to be +very lively. The young folks even looked on a wake, after the first +hour or two, as fine fun. Strong liquor was too plentiful and it often +happened that quarrels broke out. When heads were thus fuddled, men +saw or thought they saw, many uncanny things, like leather birds, cave +eagles, and the like. + +But all these fantastic things and creatures, such as foolish people +talk about, and with which they frighten children, such as corpse +candles, demons and imps, were ruled out and not invited to the fairy +meeting. Some other objects, which ignorant folks believed in, were +not to be allowed in the company. The door-keeper was notified not to +admit the eagles of darkness, that live in a cave which is never +lighted up; or the weird, featherless bird of leather, from the Land +of Illusion and Phantasy, that brushes its wing against windows, when +a funeral is soon to take place; or the greedy dog with silver eyes. +None of these would be permitted to show themselves, even if they came +and tried to get in. Some other creatures, not recognized in the good +society of Fairyland, were also barred out. + +To this gathering, only the bright and lively fairies were welcome. +Some of the best natured among the big creatures, and especially +giants and dragons, might pay a visit, if they wanted to do so; but +all the bad ones, such as lake hags, wraiths, sellers of liquids for +wakes, who made men drunk, and all who, under the guise of fairies, +were only agents for undertakers, were ruled out. The Night Dogs of +the Wicked Hunter Annum, the monster Afang, Cadwallader's Goats, and +various, cruel goblins and ogres, living in the ponds, and that pulled +cattle down to eat them up, and the immodest mermaids, whose bad +behavior was so well known, were crossed off the list of invitations. + +No ugly brats, such as wicked fairies were in the habit of putting in +the cradles of mortal mothers, when they stole away their babies, were +allowed to be present, even if they should come with their mothers. +This was to be a perfectly respectable company, and no bawling, +squealing, crying, or blubbering was to be permitted. + +When they had all gathered together, at the evening hour, there was +seen, in the moonlight, the funniest lot of creatures, that one could +imagine, but all were neatly dressed and well behaved. + +Quite a large number of the famous Fair Family, that moved only in the +best society of fairyland, fathers, mothers, cousins, uncles and +aunts, were on hand. In fact, some of them had thought it was to be a +wake, and were ready for whatever might turn up, whether solemn or +frivolous. These were dressed in varied costume. + +Queen Mab, who above all else, was a Welsh fairy, and whose name, as +everybody knows who talks Cymric, suggested her extreme youth and +lively disposition, was present in all her glory. + +When they saw her, several learned fairies, who had come from a +distance, fell at once into conversation on this subject. One +remarked: "How would the Queen like to add another syllable to her +name? Then we should call her Mab-gath (which means Kitten, or Little +Puss)." + +"Well not so bad, however; because many mortal daddies, who have a +daughter, call her Puss. It is a term of affection with them and the +little girls never seem to be offended." + +"Oh! Suppose that in talking to each other we call our Queen Mab-gar, +what then?" asked another, with a roguish twinkle in the eye. + +"It depends on how you use it," said a wise one dryly. This fairy was +a stickler for the correct use of every word. "If you meant 'babyish,' +or 'childish,' she, or her friends might demur; but, if you use the +term 'love of children,' what better name for a fairy queen?" + +"None. There could not be any," they shouted, all at once, "but let us +ask our old friend the harper." + +Now such a thing as inquiring into each other's ages was not common in +Fairy Land. Very few ever asked such a question, for it was not +thought to be polite. For, though we hear of ugly fairy brats being +put into the cradles, in place of pretty children, no one ever heard, +either of fairies being born or of dying, or having clocks, or +watches, or looking to see what time it was. Nor did doctors, or the +census clerks, or directory people ever trouble the fairy ladies, to +ask their age. + +Occasionally, however, there was one fairy, so wise, so learned, and +so able to tell what was going to happen to-morrow, or next year, that +the other fairies looked up to such an one with respect and awe. + +Yet these honorables would hardly know what you were talking about, if +you asked any of them how old they might be, or spoke of "old" or +"young." If, by any chance, a fairy did use the world "old" in talking +of their number, it would be for honor or dignity, and they would mean +it for a compliment. + +The fact was, that many of the most lively fairies showed their +frivolous disposition at once. These were of the kind, that, like +kittens, cubs, or babies, wanted to play all the time, yes, every +moment. Already, hundreds of them were tripping from flower to flower, +riding on the backs of fireflies, or harnessing night moths, or any +winged creatures they could saddle, for flight through the air. Or, +they were waltzing with glow worms, or playing "ring around a rosy," +or dancing in circles. They could not keep still, one moment. + +In fact, when a great crowd of the frolicsome creatures got singing +together, they made such a noise, that a squad of fairy policemen, +dressed in club moss and armed with pistils, was sent to warn them not +to raise their voices too high; lest the farmers, especially those +that were kind to the fairies, should be awakened, and feel in bad +humor. + +So the knot of learned fairies had a quiet time to talk, and, when +able to hear their own words, the harper, who was very learned, +answered their questions about Queen Mab as follows: + +"Well, you know the famous children's story book, in which mortals +read about us, and which they say they enjoy so much, is named +Mabinogion, that is, The Young Folks' Treasury of Cymric Stories." + +"It is well named," said another fairy savant, "since Queen Mab is the +only fairy that waits on men. She inspires their dreams, when these +are born in their brains." + +The talk now turned on Puck, who was to be the president of the +meeting. They were expected to show much dignity in his presence, but +some feared he would, as usual, play his pranks. Before he arrived in +his chariot, which was drawn by dragon flies, some of his neighbors +that lived in the valley near by chatted about him, until the gossip +became quite personal. Just for the fun of it, and the amusement of +the crowd, they wanted Puck to give an exhibition, off-hand, of all +his very varied accomplishments for he could beat all rivals in his +special variety, or as musicians say, his repertoire. + +"No. 'Twould be too much like a Merry Andrew's or a Buffoon's +sideshow, where the freaks of all sorts are gathered, such as they +have at those county fairs, which the mortals get up, to which are +gathered great crowds. The charge of admission is a sixpence. I vote +'no.'" + +"Well, for the very reason that Puck can beat the rest of us at spells +and transformations, I should like to see him do for us as many stunts +as he can. I've heard from a mortal, named Shakespeare, that, in one +performance, Puck could be a horse, a hound, a hog, a bear without any +head, and even kindle himself into a fire; while his vocal powers, as +we know, are endless. He can neigh, bark, grunt, roar, and even burn +up things. Now, I should like to see the fairy that could beat him at +tricks. It was Puck himself, who told the world that he was in the +habit of doing all these things, and I want to see whether he was +boasting." + +"Tut, tut, don't talk that way, about our king," said a fourth fairy. + +All this was only chaff and fun, for all the fairies were in good +humor. They were only talking, to fill up the interval until the music +began. + +Now the canny Welsh fairies had learned the trick of catching +farthings, pennies and sixpences from the folks who have more +curiosity in them than even fairies do. These human beings, cunning +fellows that they are, let the curtain fall on a show, just at the +most interesting part. Then they tell you to come next day and find +out what is to happen. Or, as they say in a story paper, "to be +continued in our next." + +Or, worse than all, the story teller stops, at some very exciting +episode, and then passes the hat or collection-box around, to get the +copper or silver of his listeners, before he will go on. + +This time, however, it was Puck himself who came forward and declared +that, unless everyone of the fairies would promise to attend the next +meeting, there should be no music. Now a meeting of the Welshery, +whether fairies or human, without music was a thing not to be thought +of. So, although at first some fairies grumbled and held back, and +were quite sulky about it, even muttering other grumpy words, they at +last all agreed, and Puck sent for the fiddler to make music for the +dance. + + + + +XVI + + +KING ARTHUR'S CAVE + + +In our time, every boy and girl knows about the nuts and blossoms, the +twigs and the hedges, the roots and the leaf of the common hazel bush, +and everybody has heard of the witch hazel. In old days they made use +of the forked branches of the hazel as a divining rod. With this, they +believed that they could divine, or find out the presence of treasures +of gold and silver, deep down in the earth, and hidden from human +eyes. + +And, what boy or girl has never played the game, and sung the ditty, +"London Bridge is falling down, falling down, falling down," even +though nobody now living ever saw it fall? + +Now, our story is about a hazel rod, a Welshman on London Bridge, +treasures in a cave, and what happened because of these. + +It was in the days when London Bridge was not, as we see it to-day, a +massive structure of stone and iron, able to bear up hundreds of cars, +wagons, horses and people, and lighted at night with electric bulbs. +No, when this Welshman visited London, the bridge had a line of shops +on both sides of the passage way, and reaching from end to end. + +Taffy was the name of this fellow from Denbigh, in Wales, and he was a +drover. He had brought, all the way from one of the richest of the +Welsh provinces, a great drove of Black Welsh cattle, such as were in +steady demand by Englishmen, who have always been lovers of roast +beef. Escaping all the risks of cattle thieves, rustlers, and +highwaymen, he had sold his beeves at a good price; so that his +pockets were now fairly bulging out with gold coins, and yet this +fellow wanted more. But first, before going home, he would see the +sights of the great city, which then contained about a hundred +thousand people. + +While he was handling some things in a shop, to decide what he should +take home to his wife, his three daughters and his two little boys, he +noticed a man looking intently, not at him, but at his stick. After a +while, the stranger came up to him and asked him where he came from. + +Now Taffy was not very refined in his manners, and he thought it none +of the fellow's business. He was very surly and made reply in a gruff +voice. + +"I come from my own country." + +The stranger did not get angry, but in a polite tone made answer: + +"Don't be offended at my question. Tell me where you cut that hazel +stick, and I'll make it to your advantage, if you will take my +advice." + +Even yet Taffy was gruff and suspicious. + +"What business is it of yours, where I cut my hazel stick?" he +answered. + +"Well it may matter a good deal to you, if you will tell me. For, if +you remember the place, and can lead me to it, I'll make you a rich +man, for near that spot lies a great treasure." + +Taffy was not much of a thinker, apart from matters concerning cattle, +and his brain worked slowly! He was sorely puzzled. Here was a wizard, +who could make him rich, and he did so love to jingle gold in his +pockets. But then he was superstitious. He feared that this sorcerer +derived all his uncanny knowledge from demons, and Taffy, being rather +much of a sinner, feared these very much. Meanwhile, his new +acquaintance kept on persuading him. + +Finally Taffy yielded and the two went on together to Wales. + +Now in this country, there are many stones placed in position, showing +they were not there by accident, but were reared by men, to mark some +old battle, or famous event. And for this, rough stone work, no +country, unless it be Korea or China, is more famous than Wales. + +On reaching one called the Fortress Rock, Taffy pointed to an old +hazel root, and said to his companion: + +"There! From that stock, I cut my hazel stick. I am sure of it." + +The sorcerer looked at Taffy to read his face, and to be certain that +he was telling the truth. Then he said: + +"Bring shovels and we'll both dig." + +These having been brought, the two began to work until the +perspiration stood out in drops on their foreheads. First the sod and +rooty stuff, and then down around the gravelly mass below, they plied +their digging tools. Taffy was not used to such toil, and his muscles +were soon weary. But, urged on by visions of gold, he kept bravely at +his task. + +At last, when ready to drop from fatigue, he heard his companion say: + +"We've struck it!" + +A few shovelfuls more laid bare a broad flat stone. This they pried +up, but it required all their strength to lift and stand it on edge. +Just below, they saw a flight of steps. They were slippery with wet +and they looked very old, as if worn, ages ago, by many feet passing +up and down them. + +Taffy shrunk back, as a draught of the close, dead air struck his +nostrils. + +"Come on, and don't be afraid. I'm going to make you rich," said the +sorcerer. + +At this, Taffy's eyes glistened, and he followed on down the steps, +without saying a word. At the bottom of the descent, they entered a +narrow passage, and finally came to a door. + +"Now, I'll ask you. Are you brave, and will you come in with me, if I +open this door?" + +By this time, Taffy was so eager for treasure, that he spoke up at +once. + +"I'm not afraid. Open the door." + +The sorcerer gave a jerk and the door flew open. What a sight! + +There, in the faint, red light, Taffy discerned a great cave. Lying on +the floor were hundreds of armed men, but motionless and apparently +sound asleep. Little spangles of light were reflected from swords, +spears, round shields, and burnished helmets. All these seemed of very +ancient pattern. But immediately in front of them was a bell. Taffy +felt some curiosity to tap it. Would the sleeping host of men then +rise up? + +Just then, the sorcerer, speaking with a menacing gesture, and in a +harsh tone, said: + +"Do not touch that bell, or it's all up with us both." + +Moving carefully, so as not to trip, or to stumble over the sleeping +soldiers, they went on, and Taffy, stopping and looking up beheld +before him a great round table. Many warriors were sitting at it. +Their splendid gold inlaid armor, glittering helmets and noble faces +showed that they were no common men. Yet Taffy could see only a few of +the faces, for all had their heads more or less bent down, as if sound +asleep, though sword and spear were near at hand, ready to be grasped +in a moment. + +Outshining all, was a golden throne at the farther end of the table +and on it sat a king. He was of imposing stature, and august presence. +Upon his head was a crown, on which were inlaid or set precious +stones. These shone by their own light, sending out rays so brilliant +that they dazzled Taffy, who had never seen anything like them. The +king held in his right hand a mighty sword. It had a history and the +name of it was Excalibur. In Arthur's hand, it was almost part of his +own soul. Its hilt and handle were of finely chased gold, richly +studded with gems. Yet his head, too, was bent in deep sleep, as if +only thunder could wake him. + +"Are they all, everyone, asleep?" asked Taffy. + +"Each and all," was the answer. + +"When did they fall asleep?" asked the drover. + +"Over a thousand years ago," answered the sorcerer. + +"Tell me who they are, and why here," asked Taffy. + +"They are King Arthur's trusty warriors. They are waiting for the hour +to come, when they shall rise up and destroy the enemies of the Cymry, +and once again possess the whole island of Britain, as in the early +ages, before the Saxons came." + +"And who are those sitting around the table?" asked Taffy. + +The sorcerer seemed tired of answering questions, but he replied, +giving the name of each knight, and also that of his father, as if he +were a Welshman himself; but at this, Taffy grew impatient, feeling as +if a book of genealogy had been hurled at him. + +Most impolitely, he interrupted his companion and cried out: + +"And who is that on the throne?" + +The sorcerer looked as if he was vexed, and felt insulted, but he +answered: + +"It's King Arthur himself, with Excalibur, his famous sword, in his +hand." + +This was snapped out, as if the sorcerer was disgusted at the +interruption of his genealogy, and he shut his mouth tight as if he +would answer no more questions, for such an impolite fellow. + +Seizing Taffy by the hand, he led him into what was the storehouse of +the cave. There lay heaps upon heaps of yellow gold. Both men stuffed +their pockets, belt bags, and the inside of their clothes, with all +they could load in. + +"Now we had better get out, for it is time to go," said the sorcerer +and he led the way towards the cave door. + +But as Taffy passed back, and along the hall, where the host of +warriors were sleeping, his curiosity got the better of him. + +He said to himself, "I must see this host awake. I'll touch that bell, +and find out whether the sorcerer spoke the truth." + +So, when he came to it, he struck the bell. In the twinkling of an +eye, thousands of warriors sprang up, seized their armor, girded their +swords, or seized their spears. All seemed eagerly awaiting the +command to rush against the foe. + +The ground quaked with their tramping, and shook with their tread, +until Taffy thought the cave roof would fall in and bury them all. The +air resounded with the rattle of arms, as the men, when in ranks, +marked time, ready for motion forward and out of the cave. + +But from the midst of the host, a deep sounding voice, as earnest as +if in hot temper, but as deliberate as if in caution against a false +alarm, spoke. He inquired: + +"Who rang that bell? Has the day come?" + +The sorcerer, thoroughly frightened and trembling, answered: + +"No, the day has not come. Sleep on." + +Taffy, though dazzled by the increasing brilliancy of the light, had +heard another deep voice, more commanding in its tones than even a +king's, call out, "Arthur, awake, the bell has rung. The day is +breaking. Awake, great King Arthur!" + +But even against such a voice, that of the sorcerer, now scared beyond +measure, lest the king and his host should discover the cheat, and +with his sword, Excalibur, chop the heads off both Taffy and himself, +answered: + +"No, it is still night. Sleep on, Arthur the Great." + +Erect over all, his head aloft and crowned with jewels, as with stars, +the King himself now spoke: + +"No, my warriors, the day has not yet come, when the Black Eagle and +the Golden Eagle will meet in war. Sleep on, loyal souls. The morning +of Wales has not yet dawned." + +Then, like the gentle soughing of the evening breeze among forest +trees, all sound died away, and in the snap of a finger, all were +asleep again. Seizing the hand of Taffy, the sorcerer hurried him out +of the cave, moved the stone back in its place and motioning to Taffy +to do the same, he quickly shoveled and kicked the loose dirt in the +hole and stamped it down: When Taffy turned to look for him, he was +gone, without even taking the trouble to call his dupe a fool. + +Wearied with his unwonted labors and excitements, Taffy walked home, +got his supper, pondered on what he had seen, slept, and awoke in the +morning refreshed. After breakfast, he sallied out again with pick and +shovel. + +For months, Taffy dug over every square foot of the hill. Neglecting +his business as cattle man, he spent all the money he had made in +London, but he never found that entrance to the cave. He died a poor +man and all his children had to work hard to get their bread. + + + + +XVII + + +THE LADY OF THE LAKE + + +One easily gets acquainted with the Welsh fairies, for nearly all the +good ones are very fond of music. + +Or, they live down in the lakes, or up in the mountains. They are +always ready to help kind or polite people, who treat them well or +will give them a glass of milk, or a saucer of flummery. + +But, oh, what tricks and mischief they do play on mean or stingy or +grumpy folks with bad tempers! They tangle up the harness of the +horses; milk the cows, letting the milk go to waste, on the stable +floor; tie knots in their tails, or keep the dog's mouth shut, when +the robbers come sneaking around. Better not offend a fairy, even +though no higher than a thimble! + +A favorite place for the elfin ladies of the lake is high up in one of +the fresh water mountain ponds. They are cousins to the mermaids, that +swim in the salt water. + +They say that these lake maidens love to come up close to the shore, +to smell the sweet grass and flowers, which the cows like so much. + +Near one of these lakes dwelt a widow, with only one son, named Gwyn. +One day he took his lunch of barley bread and cheese, and went out, as +usual, to tend the cows. Soon he saw rising out of the water, to dress +her long and luxuriant hair, the most beautiful lady he had ever seen. +In her hand she held a golden comb, and was using the bright +lake-surface as a mirror. + +At once Gwyn fell in love with her, and, like an unselfish lad, held +out his refreshments--barley bread and cheese--all he had--bidding her +to come and take. + +But though the lady glided toward him, while he still held out his +hand, she shook her head, saying: + + O thou of the hard baked bread, + It is not easy to catch me + +Sorry enough to miss such a prize, he hurried home to tell his mother. +She, wondering also, whether fairies have teeth to chew, told him to +take soft dough next time. Then, perhaps, the strange lady would come +again. + +Not much sleep did the boy get that night, and, before the sun was up, +he was down by the lake side holding out his dough. + +There, hour after hour, neglecting the cows, he looked eagerly over +the water, but nothing appeared, except ripples started by the breeze. +Again and again, he gazed in hope, only to be disappointed. + +[Illustration: IN A MOMENT HE FORGOT EVERY WORD HE MEANT TO SAY] + +Meanwhile he thought out a pretty speech to make to her, but he kept +his dough and went hungry. + +It was late in the afternoon, when the trees on the hills were casting +long shadows westward, that he gave up watching, for he supposed she +would come no more. + +But just as he started to go back to his mother's cabin, he turned his +head and there was the same lady, looking more beautiful than ever. In +a moment, he forgot every word he meant to say to her. His tongue +seemed to leave him, and he only held out his hand, with the dough in +it. + +But the lake lady, shaking her head, only laughed and said: + + Thou of the soft bread + I will not have thee + +Though she dived under the water and left him sad and lonely, she +smiled so sweetly, as she vanished, that, though again disappointed, +he thought she would come again and she might yet accept his gift. + +His mother told him to try her with bread half baked, that is, midway +between hard crust and soft dough. + +So, having packed his lunch, and much excited, though this time with +bright hopes, Gwyn went to bed, though not to sleep. At dawn, he was +up again and out by the lake side, with his half baked bread in his +hand. + +It was a day of rain and shine, of sun burst and cloud, but no lady +appeared. + +The long hours, of watching and waiting, sped on, until it was nearly +dark. + +When just about to turn homewards, to ease his mother's anxiety, what +should he see, but some cows walking on the surface of the water! In a +few minutes, the lady herself, lovelier than ever, rose up and moved +towards the shore. + +Gwyn rushed out to meet her, with beseeching looks and holding the +half baked bread in his hand. This time, she graciously took the gift, +placed her other hand in his, and he led her to the shore. + +Standing with her on land, he could not speak for many seconds. He +noticed that she had sandals on her feet, and the one on the right +foot was tied in a way rather unusual. Under her winsome smile, at +last, he regained the use of his tongue. Then he burst out: + +"Lady I love you, more than all the world besides. Will you be my +wife?" + +She did not seem at all willing at first, but love begets love. +Finally yielding to his pleadings, she said, rather solemnly: + +"I will be your bride but only on this condition, that if you strike +me three times, without cause, I will leave your house and you only +will be to blame, and it will be forever." + +These words stuck in his mind, and he inwardly made a vow never to +give his lovely wife cause to leave him. + +But not yet did happiness come, for, even while he took oath that he +would rather cut off his right hand, than offend her, she darted away +like an arrow, and, diving in the lake, disappeared. + +At this sudden blow to his hopes and joy, Gwyn was so sorely +depressed, as to wish to take his own life. Rushing up to the top of a +rock, overhanging the deepest part of the lake, he was just about to +leap into the water and drown himself, when he heard a voice behind +him, saying: + +"Hold rash lad, come here!" + +He looked and there down on the shore of the lake, stood a grand +looking old man, with a long white beard. On either side of him was a +lovely maiden. These were his daughters. + +Trembling with fear, the lad slipped down from the rock and drew near. +Then the old man spoke comfortably to him, though in a very cracked +voice. + +"Mortal, do you wish to marry one of my daughters? Show me the one you +love more than the other, and I will consent." + +Now the two maidens were so beautiful, yet so exactly alike, that Gwyn +could not note any difference. As he looked, he began to wonder +whether it had been a different lady, in each case, that rose out of +the water. He looked beyond the old man, to see if there were a third +lady. When he saw none more, he became more distracted. He feared lest +he might choose the wrong one, who had not promised to love him. + +Almost in despair, he was about to run home, when he noticed that one +of the maidens put forward her right foot. Then he saw that her sandal +was tied in the way he had already wondered at. So he boldly went +forward and took her by the hand. + +"This one is mine," said he to the father. + +"You are right," answered the old man. "This is my daughter Nelferch. +Take her and you shall have as many cattle, sheep, horses, hogs, and +goats, as she can count, of each, without drawing in her breath. But I +warn you that three blows, without cause, will send her back to me." + +While the old man smiled, and Gwyn renewed his vow, the new wife began +to count by fives--one, two, three, four, five. + +At the end of each count drawing in a fresh breath, there rose up, out +of the lake, as many sheep, cattle, goats, pigs, and horses, as she +had counted. + +So it happened that the lad, who went out of his mother's cottage, in +the morning, a poor boy, came back to her, a rich man, and leading by +the hand the loveliest creature on whom man or woman had ever looked +upon. + +As for the old man and the other daughter, no one ever saw them again. + +Gwyn and his wife went out to a farm which he bought, and oh, how +happy they were! She was very kind to the poor. She had the gift of +healing, knew all the herbs, which were good for medicine, and cured +sick folk of their diseases. + +Three times the cradle was filled, and each time with a baby boy. +Eight long and happy years followed. They loved each other so dearly +and were so happy together, that Gwyn's vow passed entirely out of his +mind, and he thought no more of it. + +On the seventh birthday of the oldest boy, there was a wedding at some +distance away, and the father and mother walked through a field where +their horses were grazing. As it was too far for Lady Nelferch to walk +all the way, her husband went back to the house, for saddle and +bridle, while she should catch the horse. + +"Please do, and bring me my gloves from off the table," she called, as +he turned towards the house. + +But when he returned to the field, he saw that she had not stirred. +So, before handing his wife her gloves and pointing playfully to the +horses, he gave her a little flick with the gloves. + +Instead of moving, instantly, she heaved a deep sigh. Then looking up +at him with sorrowful and reproachful eyes, she said: + +"Remember our vow, Gwyn. This is the first causeless blow. May there +never be another." + +Days and years passed away so happily, that the husband and father +never again had to recall the promise given to his wife and her +father. + +But when they were invited to the christening of a baby, every one was +full of smiles and gayety, except Nelferch. Women, especially the +older ones, often cry at a wedding, but why his wife should burst into +tears puzzled Gwyn. + +Tapping her on the shoulder, he asked the reason: + +"Because," said she, "this weak babe will be in pain and misery all +its days and die in agony. And, husband dear, you have once again +struck me a causeless blow. Oh, do be on your guard, and not again +break your promise." + +From this time forth, Gwyn was on watch over himself, day and night, +like a sentinel over whom hangs the sentence of death, should he fall +asleep on duty. He was ever vigilant lest, he, in a moment of +forgetfulness, might, by some slip of conduct, or in a moment of +forgetfulness, strike his dear wife. + +The baby, whose life of pain and death of agony Nelferch had foretold, +soon passed away; for, happily, its life was short. Then she and her +husband attended the last rites of sorrow, for Celtic folk always have +a funeral and hold a wake, even when a baby, only a span long, lies in +the coffin. + +Yet in the most solemn moment of the services of burial, Nelferch the +wife, laughed out, so long and with such merriment, that everyone was +startled. + +Her husband, mortified at such improper behavior, touched her gently, +saying: + +"Hush, wife! Why do you laugh?" + +"Because the babe is free from all pain. And, you have thrice struck +me! Farewell!" + +Fleeing like a deer home to their farm, she called together, by its +name, each and every one of their animals, from stable and field; yes, +even those harnessed to the plow. Then, over the mountain all moved in +procession to the lake. + +There, they plunged in and vanished. No trace of them was left, except +that made by the oxen drawing the plow, and which mark on the ground +men still point out. + +Broken hearted and mad with grief, Gwyn rushed into the lake and was +seen no more. The three sons, grieving over their drowned father, +spent their many days wandering along the lakeside, hoping once more +to see one, or both, of their dear parents. + +Their love was rewarded. They never saw their father again, but one +day their mother, Nelferch, suddenly appeared out of the water. +Telling her children that her mission on earth was to relieve pain and +misery, she took them to a point in the lake, where many plants grew +that were useful in medicine. There, she often came and taught them +the virtues of the roots, leaves, juices and the various virtues of +the herbs, and how to nurse the sick and heal those who had diseases. + +All three of Nelferch's sons became physicians of fame and power. +Their descendants, during many centuries, were renowned for their +skill in easing pain and saving life. To this day, Physicians' Point +is shown to visitors as a famous spot, and in tradition is almost +holy. + + + + +XVIII + + +THE KING'S FOOT HOLDER + + +There was a curious custom in the far olden times of Wales. At the +banqueting hall, the king of the country would sit with his feet in +the lap of a high officer. + +Whenever His Majesty sat down to dinner, this official person would be +under the table holding the royal feet. This was also the case while +all sat around the evening fire in the middle of the hall. This +footholding person was one of the king's staff and every castle must +have a human footstool as part of its furniture. + +By and by, it became the fashion for pretty maidens to seek this task, +or to be chosen for the office. Their names in English sounded like +Foot-Ease, Orthopede, or Foot Lights. When she was a plump and petite +maid, they nicknamed her Twelve Inches, or when unusually soothing in +her caresses of the soft royal toes. It was considered a high honor to +be the King's Foot Holder. In after centuries, it was often boasted of +that such and such an ancestor had held this honorable service. + +One picture of castle life, as given in one of the old books tells how +Kaim, the king's officer, went to the mead cellar with a golden cup, +to get a drink that would keep them all wide awake. He also brought a +handful of skewers on which they were to broil the collops, or bits of +meat at the fire. + +While they were doing this, the King sat on a seat of green rushes, +over which was spread a flame-colored satin cover, with a cushion like +it, for his elbow to rest upon. + +In the evening, the harpers and singers made music, the bards recited +poetry, or the good story tellers told tales of heroes and wonders. +During all this time, one or more maidens held the king's feet, or +took turns at it, when tired; for often the revels or songs and tales +lasted far into the night. At intervals, if the story was dull, or he +had either too much dinner, or had been out hunting and got tired, His +Majesty took a nap, with his feet resting upon the lap of a pretty +maiden. This happened often in the late hours, while they were getting +the liquid refreshments ready. + +Then the king's chamberlain gently nudged him, to be wideawake, and he +again enjoyed the music, and the stories, while his feet were held. + +For, altogether, it was great fun. + +Now there was once a Prince of Gwynedd, in Wales, named Math, who was +so fond of having his feet held, that he neglected to govern his +people properly. He spent all his time lounging in an easy chair, +while a pretty maiden held his heels and toes. He committed all public +cares to two of his nephews. These were named for short, Gily and +Gwyd. + +The one whom the king loved best to have her hold his feet was the +fairest maiden in all the land, and she was named Goewen. + +By and by, the prince grew so fond of having his feet held, and +stroked and patted and played with, by Goewen, that he declared that +he could not live, unless Goewen held his feet. And, she said, that if +she did not hold the king's feet, she would die. + +Now this Gily, one of the king's nephews, son of Don, whom he had +appointed to look day by day after public affairs, would often be in +the hall at night. He listened to the music and stories, and seeing +Goewen, the king's foot holder, he fell in love with her. His eye +usually wandered from the story teller to the lovely girl holding the +king's feet, and he thought her as beautiful as an angel. + +Soon he became so lovesick, that he felt he would risk or give his +life to get and have her for his own. But what would the king say? + +Besides, he soon found out that the maiden Goewen cared nothing for +him. + +Nevertheless the passion of the love-lorn youth burned hotly and kept +increasing. He confided his secret to his brother Gwyd, and asked his +aid, which was promised. So, one day, the brother went to King Math, +and begged for leave to go to Pryderi. In the king's name, he would +ask from him the gift of a herd of swine of famous breed; which, in +the quality of the pork they furnished, excelled all other pigs known. +They were finer than any seen in the land, or ever heard of before. +Their flesh was said to be sweeter, juicier, and more tender than the +best beef. Even their manners were better than those of some men. + +In fact, these famous pigs were a present from the King of Fairyland. +So highly were they prized, that King Math doubted much whether his +nephew could get them at any price. + +In ancient Wales the bards and poet singers were welcomed, and trusted +above all men; and this, whether in the palace or the cottage. + +So Gwyd, the brother of the love-sick one, in order to get the herd of +surpassing swine, took ten companions, all young men and strong, +dressed as bards, and pretending by their actions to be such. Then +they all started out together to seek the palace of Pryderi. + +Having arrived, they were entertained at a great feast, in the castle +hall. There Pryderi sat on his throne-chair, with his feet in a +maiden's lap. + +The dinner over, Gwyd was asked to tell a story. + +This he did, delighting everyone so much, that he was voted a jolly +good fellow by all. In fact, Pryderi felt ready to give him anything +he might demand, excepting always his foot holder. + +At once, Gwyd made request to give him the herd of swine. + +At this, the countenance of Pryderi fell, for he had made a promise to +his people, that he would not sell or give away the swine, until they +had produced double their number in the land; for there were no pigs +and no pork like theirs, to be bought anywhere. + +Now this Gwyd was not very cunning, but he had the power of using +magic arts. By these, he could draw the veil of illusion over both the +mind and the eyes of the people. + +So he made answer to Pryderi's objections thus: + +"Keep your promise to your people, oh, most honored Pryderi, and only +exchange them for the gift I make thee," said Gwyd. + +Thereupon, exerting his powers of magic, he created the illusion of +twelve superb horses. These were all saddled, bridled, and +magnificently caparisoned. But, after twenty-four hours, they would +vanish from sight. The illusion would be over. + +With these steeds, so well fitted for hunting, were twelve sleek, +fleet hounds. Taken altogether, here was a sight to make a hunter's +eyes dance with delight. + +So Pryderi gave Gwyd the swine, and he quickly drove them off. + +"For," he whispered to his companion fellows in knavery, "the illusion +will only last until the same hour to-morrow." + +And so it happened. For when Pryderi's men went to the stables, to +groom the horses and feed the hounds, there was nothing in either the +stables or the kennels. + +When they told this to Pryderi, he at once blew his horn and assembled +his knights, to invade the country of Gwynedd, to recover his swine. +Hearing of his coming, King Math went out to meet Pryderi in battle. + +But while he was away with his army, Gily, the lover, seized the +beautiful maiden Goewen, who held the king's feet in her lap. + +She was not willing to marry Gily, but he eloped with her, and carried +her off to his cottage. + +The war which now raged was finally decided by single combat, as was +the custom in old days. By this, the burning of the peasants' houses, +and the ruin which threatened the whole country, ended, and peace +came. + +It was not alone by the strength and fierceness of King Math, but also +by the magic spells of Gwyd, that Pryderi was slain. + +After burying the hero, King Math came back to his palace and found +out what Gily had done. Then he took Goewen away from Gily, and to +make amends for her trouble, in being thus torn from his palace, King +Math made her his queen. Then the lovely Goewen shared his throne +covered with the flame colored satin. One of the most beautiful +maidens of the court was chosen to hold his feet, until such time as a +permanent choice was made. + +As for the two nephews, who had fled from the wrath of their princely +uncle, they were put under bans, as outlaws, and had to live on the +borders of the kingdoms. No one of the king's people was allowed to +give them food or drink. Yet they would not obey the summons of the +king, to come and receive their punishment. + +But at last, tired of being deserted by all good men and women, they +repented in sorrow. Hungry, ragged and forlorn, they came to their +uncle, the king to submit themselves to be punished. + +When they appeared, Math spoke roughly to them, and said: + +"You cannot make amends for the shame you have brought upon me. Yet, +since you obey and are sorry, I shall punish you for a time and then +pardon you. You are to do penance for three years at least." + +Then they were changed into wild deer, and he told them to come back +after twelve months. + +At the end of the year they returned, bringing with them a young fawn. + +As this creature was entirely innocent, it was given a human form and +baptized in the church. + +But the two brothers were changed into wild swine, and driven off to +find their food in the forest. + +At the end of the year, they came back with a young pig. + +The king had the little animal changed into a human being, which, like +every mother's child in that time, received baptism. + +Again the brothers were transformed into animal shape. This time, as +wolves, and were driven out to the hills. + +At the end of a twelve months' period, they came back, three in +number, for one was a cub. + +By this time, the penance of the naughty nephews was over, and they +were now to be delivered from all magic spells. + +So their human nature was restored to them, but they must be washed +thoroughly. In the first place, it took much hot water and lye, made +from the wood ashes, and then a great deal of scrubbing, to make them +presentable. + +Then they were anointed with sweet smelling oil, and the king ordered +them to be arrayed in elegant apparel. They were appointed to hold +honorable office at court, and from time to time to go out through the +country, to call the officers to attend to public business. + +When the time came that the king sought for one of the most beautiful +maidens, who should hold his feet, Gwyd nominated to the prince's +notice his sister Arianrod. The king was gracious, and thereafter she +held his feet at all the banquets. She was looked up to with reverence +by all, and held the office for many years. Thus King Math's +reputation for grace and mercy was confirmed. + + + + +XIX + + +POWELL, PRINCE OF DYFED + + +One of the oldest of the Welsh fairy tales tells us about Pwyle, King +of Fairyland and father of the numerous clan of the Powells. He was a +mighty hunter. He could ride a horse, draw a bow, and speak the truth. +He was always honored by men, and he kept his faith and his promises +to women. The children loved him, for he loved them. In the castle +hall, he could tell the best stories. No man, bard, or warrior, foot +holder or commoner, could excel him in gaining and keeping the +attention of his hearers, even when they were sleepy and wanted to go +to bed. + +One day, when out a hunting in the woods, he noticed a pack of hounds +running down a stag. He saw at once that they were not his own, for +they were snow white in color and had red ears. + +Being a young man, Powell did not know at this time of his life, that +red is the fairy color, and that these were all dogs from Fairyland. +So he drove off the red-eared hounds, and was about to let loose his +own pack on the stag, when a horseman appeared on the scene. + +The stranger at once began to upbraid Powell for being impolite. He +asked why his hounds should not be allowed to hunt the deer. + +Powell spoke pleasantly in reply, making his proper excuses to the +horseman. The two began to like each other, and soon got acquainted +and mutually enjoyed being companions. + +It turned out that the stranger was Arawn, a king in Fairyland. He had +a rival named Hargan, who was beating him and his army in war. + +So Arawn asked Powell to help him against his enemy. He even made +request that one year from that time, Powell should meet Hargan in +battle. He told him that one stroke of his sword would finish the +enemy. He must then sheathe his weapon, and not, on any account, +strike a second time. + +To make victory sure, the Fairy King would exchange shapes with the +mortal ruler and each take not only the place, but each the shape and +form of the other. Powell must go into Fairy Land and govern the +kingdom there, while Arawn should take charge of affairs at Dyfed. + +But Powell was warned, again, to smite down his enemy with a single +stroke of his sword. If, in the heat of the conflict, and the joy of +victory, Powell should forget, and give a second blow to Hargan, he +would immediately come to life and be as strong as ever. + +Powell heeded well these words. Then, putting on the shape of Arawn, +he went into Fairy Land, and no one noticed, or thought of anything +different from the days and years gone by. + +But now, at night, a new and unexpected difficulty arose. Arawn's +beautiful wife was evidently not in the secret, for she greeted Powell +as her own husband. + +After dinner, when the telling of stories in the banqueting hall was +over, the time had come for them to retire. + +But the new bed fellow did not even kiss her, or say "good night," but +turned his back to her and his face to the wall, and never moved until +daylight. Then the new King in Fairy Land rose up, ate his breakfast, +and went out to hunt. + +Every day, he ruled the castle and kingdom, as if he had always been +the monarch. To everybody, he seemed as if he had been long used to +public business, and no questions were asked, nor was there any talk +made on the subject. Everyone took things as matter of course. + +Yet, however polite or gracious he might be to the queen during the +day, in the evening, he spoke not a word, and passed every night as at +the first. + +The twelve months soon sped along, and now the time for the battle in +single combat between Powell and Hargan had fully come. The two +warriors met in the middle of a river ford, and backed their horses +for a charge. Then they rushed furiously at the other. Powell's spear +struck Hargan so hard, that he was knocked out of the saddle and +hurled, the length of a lance, over and beyond the crupper, or tail +strap of his horse. He fell mortally wounded upon the ground. + +Now came the moment of danger and temptation to Powell, for Hargan +cried out: + +"For the love of Heaven, finish your work on me. Slay me with your +sword." + +But Powell was wise and his head was cool. He had kept in mind the +warning to strike only one blow. He called out loudly, so that all +could hear him: + +"I will not repeat that. Slay thee who may, I shall not." + +So Hargan, knowing his end had come, bade his nobles bear him away +from the river shore. + +Then Powell, with his armies, overran the two kingdoms of Fairy Land +and made himself master of all. He took oath of all the princes and +nobles, who swore to be loyal to their new master. + +This done, Powell rode away to the trysting place in a glen, and there +he met Arawn, as had been appointed. They changed shapes, and each +became himself, as he had been before. + +Arawn thanked Powell heartily, and bade him see what he had done for +him. + +Then each one rode back, in his former likeness, to his kingdom. + +Now at Anwyn, no one but Arawn himself knew that anything unusual had +taken place. After dinner, and the evening story telling were over, +and it was time to go to bed, Arawn's wife was surprised in double +measure. + +Two things puzzled her. Her husband was now very tender to her and +also very talkative; whereas, for a whole year, every night, he had +been as silent and immovable as a log. How could it be, in either +case? + +But this time, the wife was silent as a statue. Even though Arawn +spoke to her three times, he received no reply. + +Then he asked directly of her, why she was so silent. She made an +answer that, for a whole year, no word had been spoken in their +bedroom. + +"What?" said he, "did we not talk together, as always before?" + +"No," said she, "not for a year has there been talk or caress between +us." + +At this answer, Arawn was overcome with surprise, and as struck with +admiration at having so good a friend. He burst out first in praise of +Powell, and then told his wife all that had happened during the past +twelve months. She, too, was full of admiration, and told her husband +that in Powell he had certainly found a true friend. + +In Dyfed, when Powell had returned to his own land and castle, he +called his lords together. Then he asked them to be perfectly frank +and free to speak. They must tell him whether they thought him a good +king during the year past. + +All shouted in chorus of approval. Then their spokesman addressed +Powell thus: + +"My lord, never was thy wisdom so great, thy generosity more free, nor +thy justice more manifest, than during the past year." + +When he ceased, all the vassals showed their approval of this speech. + +Then Powell, smiling, told the story of his adventures in exchanging +his form and tasks; at the end of which, the spokesman taking his cue +from the happy faces of all his fellow vassals, made reply: + +"Of a truth, lord, we pray thee, do thou give thanks to Heaven that +thou hast formed such a fellowship. Please continue to us the form of +the kingdom and rule, that we have enjoyed for a year past." + +Thereupon King Powell took oath, kissing the hilt of his sword, and +called on Heaven to witness his promise that he would do as they had +desired. + +So the two kings confirmed the friendship they had made. Each sent the +other rich gifts of jewels, horses and hounds. + +In memory of so wonderful and happy union, of a mortal and a fairy, +Powell was thereafter, in addition to all his titles, saluted as Lord +of Anwyn, which is only another name for the Land of the Fairies. + + + + +XX + + +POWELL AND HIS BRIDE + + +Not far from the castle where King Powell had his court, there was a +hillock called the Mount of Macbeth. It was the common belief that +some strange adventure would befall anyone who should sit upon that +mound. + +He would receive blows, or wounds, or else he would see something +wonderful. + +Thus it came to pass, that none but peaceful bards had ever sat upon +the mound. Never a warrior or a common man had risked sitting there. +The general fear felt, and the awe inspired by the place, was too +great. + +But after his adventure of being King of Fairy Land for a whole year, +everything else to Powell seemed dull and commonplace. So, to test his +own courage, and worthiness of kingship, Powell assembled all his +lords at Narberth. + +After the night's feasting, revelry and story telling, Powell declared +that, next day, he would sit upon the enchanted mound. + +So when the sun was fully risen, Powell took his seat upon the mound, +expecting that, all of a sudden, something unusual would happen. + +For some minutes nothing, whether event or vision, took place. Then he +lifted up his eyes and saw approaching him a white horse on which rode +a lady. She was dressed in shining garments, as if made of gold. +Evidently she was a princess. Yet she came not very near. + +"Does anyone among you know who this lady is?" asked Powell of his +chieftains. + +"Not one of us," was the answer. + +Thereupon Powell ordered his vassals to ride forward. They were to +greet her courteously, and inquire who she was. + +But now the predicted wonder took place. She moved away from them, yet +at a quiet pace that suited her. Though the knights spurred their +horses, and rode fast and furiously, they could not come any nearer to +her. + +They galloped back, and reported their failure to reach the lady. + +Then Powell picked out others and sent them riding after the lady, but +each time, one and all returned, chagrined with failure. A woman had +beaten them. + +So the day closed with silence in the castle hall. There was no merry +making or story telling that night. + +The next day, Powell sat again on the mound and once more the golden +lady came near. + +This time, Powell himself left his seat on the mound, leaped on his +fleetest horse, and pursued the maiden, robed in gold, on the white +horse. + +But she flitted away, as she had done before from the knights. Again +and again, though he could get nearer and nearer to her, he failed. + +Then the baffled king cried out, in despair, "O maiden fair, for the +sake of him whom thou lovest, stay for me." + +Evidently the lady, who lived in the time of castles and courts, did +not care to be wooed in the style of the cave men. Such manners did +not suit her, but with a change of method of making love, her heart +melted. Besides, she was a kind woman. She took pity on horses, as +well as on men. + +Sweet was her voice, as she answered most graciously: + +"I will stay gladly, and it were better for thy horses, hadst thou +asked me properly, long ago." + +To his questions, as to how and why she came to him, she told her +story, as follows: + +"I am Rhiannon, descended from the August and Venerable One of old. My +aunts and uncles tried to make me marry against my will a chieftain +named Gwawl, an auburn-haired youth, son of Clud, but, because of my +love to thee, would I have no husband, and if you reject me, I will +never marry any man." + +"As Heaven is my witness, were I to choose among all the damsels and +ladies of the world, thee would I choose," cried Powell. + +After that, it was agreed that, when a year had sped, Powell should go +to the Palace of the August and Venerable One of old, and claim her +for his bride. + +So, when twelve months had passed, Powell with his retinue of a +hundred knights, all splendidly horsed and finely appareled, presented +himself before the castle. There he found his fair lady and a feast +already prepared at which he sat with her. On the other side of the +table, were her father and mother. + +In the midst of this joyous occasion, when all was gayety, and they +talked together, in strode a youth clad in sheeny satin. He was of +noble bearing and had auburn hair. He saluted Powell and his knights +courteously. + +At once Powell, the lord of Narberth, invited the stranger to come and +sit down as guest beside him. + +"Not so," replied the youth. "I am a suitor, and have come to crave a +boon of thee." + +Without guile or suspicion, Powell replied innocently. + +"Ask what you will. If in my power, it shall be yours." + +But Rhiannon chided Powell. She asked, "Oh, why did you give him such +an answer?" + +"But he did give it," cried the auburn haired youth. Then turning to +the whole company of nobles, he appealed to them: + +"Did he not pledge his word, before you all, to give me what I asked?" + +Then, turning to Powell, he said: + +"The boon I ask is this, to have thy bride, Rhiannon. Further, I want +this feast and banquet to celebrate, in this place, our wedding." + +At this demand, Powell seemed to have been struck dumb. He did not +speak, but Rhiannon did. + +"Be silent, as long as thou wilt," she cried, "but surely no man ever +made worse use of his wits than thou hast done; for this man, to whom +thou gavest thy oath of promise, is none other than Gwawl, the son of +Clud. He is the suitor, from whom I fled to come to you, while you sat +on the Narberth mound." + +Now, out of such trouble, how should the maiden, promised to two men, +be delivered? + +Her wit saved her for the nonce. Powell was bound to keep his word; +but Rhiannon explained to Gwawl, that it was not his castle or hall. +So, he could not give the banquet; but, in a year from that date, if +Gwawl would come for her, she would be his bride. Then, a new bridal +feast would be set for the wedding. + +In the meantime, Rhiannon planned with Powell to get out of the +trouble. For this purpose, she gave him a magical bag, which he was to +use when the right time should come. + +Quickly the twelve months passed and then Gwawl appeared again, to +claim his bride, and a great feast was spread in his honor. + +All were having a good time, when in the midst of their merriment, a +beggar appeared in the hall. He was in rags, and carried the usual +beggar's wallet for food or alms. He asked only that, out of the +abundance on the table, his bag might be filled. + +Gwawl agreed, and ordered his servants to attend to the matter. + +But the bag never got full. What they put into it, or how much made no +difference. Dish after dish was emptied. By degrees, most of the food +on the table was in the beggar's bag. + +"My soul alive! Will that bag never get full?" asked Gwawl. + +"No, by Heaven! Not unless some rich man shall get into it, stamp it +down with his feet, and call out 'enough.'" + +Then Rhiannon, who sat beside Gwawl, urged him to attempt the task, by +putting his two feet in the bag to stamp it down. + +No sooner had Gwawl done this, than the supposed beggar pushed him +down inside the bag. Then drawing the mouth shut, he tied it tight +over Gwawl's head. + +Then the beggar's rags dropped, and there stood forth the handsome +leader, Powell. He blew his horn, and in rushed his knights who +overcame and bound the followers of Gwawl. + +Then they proceeded to play a merry game of football, using the bag, +in which Gwawl was tied, as men in our day kick pigskin. One called to +his mate, or rival, "What's in the bag?" and others answered, "a +badger." So they played the game of "Badger in the Bag," kicking it +around the hall. + +They did not let the prisoner out of the bag, until he had promised to +pay the pipers, the harpers, and the singers, who should come to the +wedding of Powell and Rhiannon. He must give up all his claims, and +register a vow never to take revenge. This oath given, and promises +made, the bag was opened and the agreements solemnly confirmed in +presence of all. + +Then Gwawl, and every one of his men, knights and servants, were let +go, and they went back to their own country. + +A few evenings later, in the large banqueting hall, Powell and +Rhiannon were married. Besides the great feast, presents were given to +all present, high and low. Then the happy pair made their wedding +journey to Gwawl's palace at Narberth. There the lovely bride gave a +ring, or a gem, to every lord and lady in her new realm, and everybody +was happy. + + + + +XXI + + +WHY THE BACK DOOR WAS FRONT + + +In the days when were no books, or writing, and folk tales were the +only ones told, there was an old woman, who had a bad reputation. She +pretended to be very poor, so as not to attract or tempt robbers. Yet +those who knew her best, knew also, as a subject of common talk, that +she was always counting out her coins. + +Besides this, she lived in a nice house, and it was believed that she +made a living by stealing babies out of their cradles to sell to the +bad fairies. + +It was matter of rumor that she would, for an extra large sum, take a +wicked fairy's ugly brat, and put it in place of a mother's darling. + +In addition to these horrid charges against her, it was rumored that +she laid a spell, or charm, on the cattle of people whom she did not +like, in order to take revenge on them. + +The old woman denied all this, and declared it was only silly gossip +of envious people who wanted her money. She lived so comfortably, she +averred, because her son, who was a stone mason, who made much money +by building chimneys, which had then first come into fashion. When he +brought to her the profits of his jobs, she counted the coins, and +because of this, some people were jealous, and told bad stories about +her. She declared she was thrifty, but neither a miser, nor a +kidnaper, nor a witch. + +One day, this old woman wanted more feathers to stuff into her bed, to +make it softer and feel pleasanter for her old bones to rest upon, for +what she slept on was nearly worn through. So she went to a farm, +where they were plucking geese, and asked for a few handfuls of +feathers. + +But the rich farmer's people refused and ordered her out of the farm +yard. + +Shortly after this event, the cows of this farmer, who was opposed to +chimneys, and did not like her or her son, suffered dreadfully from +the disease called the black quarter. As they had no horse doctors or +professors of animal economy, or veterinaries in those days, many of +the cows died. The rich farmer lost much money, for he had now no milk +or beef to sell. At once, he suspected that his cattle were bewitched, +and that the old woman had cast a spell on them. In those days, it was +very easy to think so. + +So the angry man went one day to the old crone, when she was alone, +and her stout son was away on a distant job. He told her to remove the +charm, which she had laid on his beasts, or he would tie her arms and +legs together, and pitch her into the river. + +The old woman denied vehemently that she possessed any such powers, or +had ever practiced such black arts. + +To make sure of it, the farmer made her say out loud, "The Blessing of +God be upon your cattle!" To clinch the matter, he compelled her to +repeat the Lord's Prayer, which she was able to do, without missing +one syllable. She used the form of words which are not found in the +prayer book, but are in the Bible, and was very earnest, when she +prayed "Forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors." + +But after all that trouble, and the rough way which the rich farmer +took to save his cattle, his efforts were in vain. In spite of that +kind of religion which he professed--which was shown by bullying a +poor old woman--his cattle were still sick, with no sign of +improvement. He was at his wits' end to know what to do next. + +Now, as we have said, this was about the time that chimneys came into +fashion. In very old days, the Cymric house was a round hut, with a +thatched roof, without glass windows, and the smoke got out through +the door and holes in the walls, in the best way it could. The only +tapestry in the hut was in the shape of long festoons of soot, that +hung from the roof or rafters. These, when the wind blew, or the fire +was lively, would swing or dance or whirl, and often fall on the +heads, or into the food, while the folks were eating. When the +children cried, or made wry faces at the black stuff, their daddy only +laughed, and said it was healthy, or was for good luck. + +But by and by, the carpenters and masons made much improvement, +especially when, instead of flint hatchets, they had iron axes and +tools. Then they hewed down trees, that had thick cross branches and +set up columns in the center, and made timber walls and rafters. Then +the house was square or oblong. In other words, the Cymric folks +squared the circle. + +Now they began to have lattices, and, much later, even glass windows. +They removed the fireplace from the middle of the floor and set it at +the end of the house, opposite the door, and built chimneys. + +Then they set the beds at the side, and made sleeping rooms. This was +done by stretching curtains between partitions. They had also a loft, +in which to keep odds and ends. They hung up the bacon and hams, and +strings of onions, and made a mantle piece over the fireplace. They +even began to decorate the walls with pictures and to set pewter +dishes, china cats, and Dresden shepherds in rows on the shelves for +ornaments. + +Now people wore shoes and the floor, instead of being muddy, or dusty, +with pools and puddles of water in the time of rainy weather and with +the pigs and chickens running in and out, was of clay, beaten down +flat and hard, and neatly whitewashed at the edges. Outside, in front, +were laid nice flat flagstones, that made a pleasant path to the front +door. Flowers, inside and out, added to the beauty of the home and +made perfume for those who loved them. + +The rich farmer had just left his old round hut and now lived in one +of the new and better kind of houses. He was very proud of his +chimney, which he had built higher than any of his neighbors, but he +could not be happy, while so many of his cows were sick or dying. +Besides, he was envious of other people's prosperity and cared +nothing, when they, too, suffered. + +One night, while he was standing in front of his fine house and +wondering why he must be vexed with so many troubles, he talked to +himself and, speaking out loud, said: + +"Why don't my cows get well?" + +"I'll tell you," said a voice behind him. It seemed half way between a +squeak and a growl. + +He turned round and there he saw a little, angry man. He was dressed +in red, and stood hardly as high as the farmer's knee. The little old +man glared at the big fellow and cried out in a high tone of voice: + +"You must change your habits of disposing of your garbage, for other +people have chimneys besides you." + +"What has that to do with sickness among my cows?" + +"Much indeed. Your family is the cause of your troubles, for they +throw all their slops down my chimney and put out my fire." + +The farmer was puzzled beyond the telling, for he owned all the land +within a mile, and knew of no house in sight. + +"Put your foot on mine, and then you will have the power of vision, to +see clearly." + +The farmer's big boot was at once placed on the little man's slipper, +and when he looked down he almost laughed at the contrast in size. +What was his real surprise, when he saw that the slops thrown out of +his house, did actually fall down; and, besides, the contents of the +full bucket, when emptied, kept on dripping into the chimney of a +house which stood far below, but which he had never seen before. + +But as soon as he took his foot off that of the tiny little man, he +saw nothing. Everything like a building vanished as in a dream. + +"I see that my family have done wrong and injured yours. Pray forgive +me. I'll do what I can to make amends for it." + +"It's no matter now, if you only do as I ask you. Shut up your front +door, build a wall in its place, and then my family will not suffer +from yours." + +The rich farmer thought all this was very funny, and he had a hearty +laugh over it all. + +Yet he did exactly as the little man in the red cloak had so politely +asked him. He walled up the old door at the front, and built another +at the back of the house, which opened out into the garden. Then he +made the path, on which to go in from the roadway to the threshold, +around the corners and over a longer line of flagstones. Then he +removed the fireplace and chimney to what had been the front side of +the house, but was now the back. For the next thing, he had a copper +doorsill nailed down, which his housemaid polished, until it shone as +bright as gold. + +Yet long before this, his cows had got well, and they now gave more +and richer milk than ever. He became the wealthiest man in the +district. His children all grew up to be fine looking men and women. +His grandsons were famous engineers and introduced paving and drainage +in the towns so that to-day, for both man and beast, Wales is one of +the healthiest of countries. + + + + +XXII + + +THE RED BANDITS OF MONTGOMERY + + +When chimneys were first added to houses in Wales, and the style of +house-building changed, from round to square, many old people found +fault with the new fashion of letting the smoke out. + +They declared they caught colds and sneezed oftener, than in the times +gone by. The chimneys, they said, cost too much money, and were +useless extravagances. They got along well enough, in the good old +days, when the smoke had its own way of getting out. Then, it took +plenty of time to pass through the doors and windholes, for no one +person or thing was in a hurry, when they were young. Moreover, when +the fireplace was in the middle of the floor, the whole family sat +around it and had a sociable time. + +It was true, as they confessed, when argued with, that the smell of +the cooking used to linger too long. The soot also, hung in long +streamers from the rafters, and stuck to the house, like old friends. + +But the greatest and most practical objection of the old folks to the +chimneys was that robbers used them to climb down at night and steal +people's money, when they were asleep. So, many householders used to +set old scythe blades across the new smoke holes, to keep out the +thieves, or to slice them up, if they persisted. + +In Montgomery, which is one of the Welsh shires, there was an epidemic +of robbery, and the doings of the Red Bandits are famous in history. + +Now there was a young widow, whose husband had been killed by the +footpads, or road robbers. She was left alone in the world, with a +little boy baby in the cradle and only one cow in the byre. She had +hard work to pay her rent, but as there were three or four scythes set +in the chimney, and the cow stable had a good lock on it, she thought +she was safe from burglars or common thieves. + +But the Reds picked out the most expert chimney-climber in their gang, +and he one night slipped down into the widow's cottage, without making +any noise or cutting off his nose, toes, or fingers. Then, robbing the +widow of her rent money, he picked the lock of the byre and drove off +the cow. In the morning, the poor woman found both doors open, but +there was no money and no cow. + +While she was crying over her loss, and wringing her hands, because of +her poverty, she heard a knock at the door. + +"Come in," said the widow. + +There entered an old lady with a kindly face. She was very tall and +well dressed. Her cloak, her gloves, and shoes, and the ruffles under +her high peaked Welsh head dress, were all green. The widow thought +she looked like an animated leek. In her right hand was a long staff, +and in her left, under her cloak, she held a little bag, that was +green, also. + +"Why do you weep?" asked the visitor. + +Then the widow told her tale of woe--the story of the loss of her +husband, and how a red robber, in spite of the scythe blades set in +the chimney, had come down and taken away both her money and her cow. + +Now, although she had sold all her butter and cream, she could neither +pay her rent, nor have any buttermilk with her rye bread and flummery. + +"Dry your tears and take comfort," said the tall lady in the green +peaked hat. "Here is money enough to pay your rent and buy another +cow." With that, she sat down at the round table near the peat fire. +Opening her bag, the shining gold coins slid out and formed a little +heap on the table. + +"There, you can have all this, if you will give me all I want." + +At first, the widow's eyes opened wide, and then she glanced at the +cradle, where her baby was sleeping. Then she wondered, though she +said nothing. + +But the next moment, she was laughing at herself, and looking around +at her poor cottage. She tried to guess what there was in it, that the +old lady could possibly want. + +"You can have anything I have. Name it," she said cheerfully to her +visitor. + +But only a moment more, and all her fears returned at the thought that +the visitor might ask for her boy. + +The old lady spoke again and said: + +"I want to help you all I can, but what I came here for is to get the +little boy in the cradle." + +The widow now saw that the old woman was a fairy, and that if her +visitor got hold of her son, she would never see her child again. + +So she begged piteously of the old lady, to take anything and +everything, except her one child. + +"No, I want that boy, and, if you want the gold, you must let me take +him." + +"Is there anything else that I can do for you, so that I may get the +money?" asked the widow. + +"Well, I'll make it easier for you. There are two things I must tell +you to cheer you." + +"What are they?" asked the widow, eagerly. + +"One is, that by our fairy law, I cannot take your boy, until three +days have passed. Then, I shall come again, and you shall have the +gold; but only on the one condition I have stated." + +"And the next?" almost gasped the widow. + +"If you can guess my name, you will doubly win; for then, I shall give +you the gold and you can keep your boy." + +Without waiting for another word, the lady in green scooped up her +money, put it back in the bag, and moved off and out the door. + +The poor woman, at once a widow and mother, and now stripped of her +property, fearing to lose her boy, brooded all night over her troubles +and never slept a wink. + +In the morning, she rose up, left her baby with a neighbor, and went +to visit some relatives in the next village, which was several miles +distant. She told her story, but her kinsfolk were too poor to help +her. So, all disconsolate, she turned her face homewards. + +On her way back she had to pass through the woods, where, on one side, +was a clearing. In the middle of this open space, was a ring of grass. +In the ring a little fairy lady was tripping around and singing to +herself. + +Creeping up silently, the anxious mother heard to her joy, a rhymed +couplet and caught the sound of a name, several times repeated. It +sounded like "Silly Doot." + +Hurrying home and perfectly sure that she knew the secret that would +save her boy, she set cheerily about her regular work and daily tasks. +In fact, she slept soundly that night. + +Next day, in came the lady in green as before, with her bag of money. +Taking her seat at the round table, near the fire, she poured out the +gold. Then jingling the coins in the pile, she said: + +"Now give up your boy, or guess my name, if you want me to help you." + +The young widow, feeling sure that she had the old fairy in a trap, +thought she would have some fun first. + +"How many guesses am I allowed?" she asked. + +"All you want, and as many as you please," answered the green lady, +smiling. + +The widow rattled off a string of names, English, Welsh and Biblical; +but every time the fairy shook her head. Her eyes began to gleam, as if +she felt certain of getting the boy. She even moved her chair around +to the side nearest the cradle. + +"One more guess," cried the widow. "Can it be Silly Doot?" + +At this sound, the fairy turned red with rage. At the same moment, the +door opened wide and a blast of wind made the hearth fire flare up. +Leaving her gold behind her, the old woman flew up the chimney, and +disappeared over the housetops. + +The widow scooped up the gold, bought two cows, furnished her cottage +with new chairs and fresh flowers, and put the rest of the coins away +under one of the flag stones at the hearth. When her boy grew up, she +gave him a good education, and he became one of the fearless judges, +who, with the aid of Baron Owen, rooted out of their lair the Red +Bandits, that had robbed his mother. Since that day, there has been +little crime in Wales--the best governed part of the kingdom. + + + + +XXIII + + +THE FAIRY CONGRESS + + +One can hardly think of Wales without a harp. The music of this most +ancient and honorable instrument, which emits sweet sounds, when heard +in a foreign land makes Welsh folks homesick for the old country and +the music of the harp. Its strings can wail with woe, ripple with +merriment, sound out the notes of war and peace, and lift the soul in +heavenly melody. + +Usually a player on the harp opened the Eistedfodd, as the Welsh +literary congress is called, but this time they had engaged for the +fairies a funny little fellow to start the programme with a solo on +his violin. + +The figure of this musician, at the congress of Welsh fairies, was the +most comical of any in the company. The saying that he was popular +with all the mountain spirits was shown to be true, the moment he +began to scrape his fiddle, for then they all crowded around him. + +"Did you ever see such a tiny specimen?" asked Queen Mab of Puck. + +The little fiddler came forward and drawing his instrument from under +his arm, proceeded to scrape the strings. He had on a pair of moss +trousers, and his coat was a yellow gorse flower. His feet were clad +in shoes made of beetles' wings, which always kept bright, as if +polished with a brush. + +When one looked at the fiddle, he could see that it was only a wooden +spoon, with strings across the bowl. But the moment he drew the bow +from one side to the other, all the elves, from every part of the +hills, came tripping along to hear the music, and at once began +dancing. + +Some of these elves were dressed in pink, some in blue, others in +yellow, and many had glow worms in their hands. Their tread was so +light that the flower stems never bent, nor was a petal crushed, when +they walked over the turf. All, as they came near, bowed or dropped a +curtsey. Then the little musician took off his cap to each, and bowed +in return. + +There was too much business before the meeting for dancing to be kept +up very long, but when the violin solo was over, at a sign given by +the fiddler, the dancers took seats wherever they could find them, on +the grass, or gorse, or heather, or on the stones. After order had +been secured, the chairman of the meeting read regrets from those who +had been invited but could not be present. + +The first note was from the mermaids, who lived near the Green Isles +of the Ocean. They asked to be excused from traveling inland and +climbing rocks. In the present delicate state of their health this +would be too fatiguing. Poor things! + +It was unanimously voted that they be excused. + +Queen Mab was dressed, as befitted the occasion, like a Welsh lady, +not wearing a crown, but a high peaked hat, pointed at the top and +about half a yard high. It was black and was held on by fastenings of +scalloped lace, that came down around her neck. + +The lake fairies, or Elfin Maids, were out in full force. These lived +at the bottom of the many ponds and pools in Wales. Many stories are +told of the wonderful things they did with boats and cattle. + +Nowadays, when they milk cows by electric machinery and use steam +launches on the water, most of the water sprites of all kinds have +been driven away, for they do not like the smell of kerosene or +gasoline. It is for these reasons that, in our day, they are not often +seen. In fact, cows from the creameries can wade out into the water +and even stand in it, while lashing their tails to keep off the flies, +without any danger, as in old times, of being pulled down by the Elfin +Maids. + +The little Red Men, that could hide under a thimble, and have plenty +of room to spare, were all out. The elves, and nixies and sprites, of +all colors and many forms were on hand. + +The pigmies, who guard the palace of the king of the world +underground, came in their gay dresses. There were three of them, and +they brought in their hands balls of gold, with which to play tenpins, +but they were not allowed to have any games while the meeting was +going on. + +In fact, just when these little fellows from down under the earth were +showing off their gay clothes and their treasures from the caves, one +mischievous fairy maid sidled up to their chief and whispered in his +ear: + +"Better put away your gold, for this is in modern Wales, where they +have pawn shops. Three golden balls, two above the one below, which +you often see nowadays, mean that two to one you will never get it +again. These hang out as the sign of a pawnbroker's shop, and what you +put in does not, as a rule, come out. I am afraid that some of the +Cymric fairies from Cornwall, or Montgomery, or Cheshire, might think +you were after business, and you understand that no advertising is +allowed here." + +In a moment, each of the three leaders thrust his ball into his bosom. +It made his coat bulge out, and at this, some of the fairies wondered, +but all they thought of was that this spoiled a handsome fellow's +figure. Or was it some new idea? To tell the truth, they were vexed at +not keeping up with the new fashions, for they knew nothing of this +latest fad among such fine young gallants. + +Much of the chat and gossip, before and after the meeting, was between +the fairies who live in the air, or on mountains, and those down in +the earth, or deep in the sea. They swapped news, gossip and scandal +at a great rate. + +There were a dozen or two fine-looking creatures who had high brows, +who said they were Co-eds. This did not mean that these fairies had +ever been through college. "Certainly the college never went through +them," said one very homely fairy, who was spiteful and jealous. The +simple fact was that the one they called Betty, the Co-ed, and others +from that Welsh village, called Bryn Mawr, and another from Flint, and +another from Yale, and still others from Brimbo and from Co-ed Poeth, +had come from places so named and down on the map of Wales, though +they were no real Co-ed girls there, that could talk French, or +English, or read Latin. In fact, Co-ed simply meant that they were +from the woods and lived among the trees; for Co-ed in Welsh means a +forest. + +The fairy police were further instructed not to admit, and, if such +were found, to put out the following bad characters, for this was a +perfectly respectable meeting. These naughty folks were: + +The Old Hag of the Mist. + +The Invisible Hag that moans dolefully in the night. + +The Tolaeth, a creature never seen, but that groans, sings, saws, or +stamps noisily. + +The Dogs of the Sky. + +All witches, of every sort and kind. + +All peddlers of horseshoes, crosses, charms, or amulets. + +All mortals with brains fuddled by liquor. + +All who had on shoes which water would not run under. + +All fairies that were accustomed to turn mortals into cheese. + +Every one of these, who might want to get in, were to be refused +admittance. + +Another circle of rather exclusive fairies, who always kept away from +the blacksmiths, hardware stores, smelting furnaces and mines, had +formed an anti-iron society. These were a kind of a Welsh "Four +Hundred," or élite, who would have nothing to do with anyone who had +an iron tool, or weapon, or ornament in his hand, or on his dress, or +who used iron in any form, or for any use. They frowned upon the idea +of Cymric Land becoming rich by mining, and smelting, and selling +iron. They did not even approve of the idea that any imps and dwarfs +of the iron mines should be admitted to the meeting. + +One clique of fairies, that looked like elves were in bad humor, +almost to moping. When one of these got up to speak, it seemed as if +he would never sit down. He tired all the lively fairies by +long-winded reminiscences, of druids, and mistletoes, and by telling +every one how much better the old times were than the present. + +President Puck, who always liked things short, and was himself as +lively as quicksilver, many times called these long-winded fellows to +order; but they kept meandering on, until daybreak, when it was time +to adjourn, lest the sunshine should spoil them all, and change them +into slate or stone. + +It was hard to tell just how much business was disposed of, at this +session, or whether one ever came to the point, although there was a +great deal of oratory and music. Much of what was said was in poetry, +or in verses, or rhymes, of three lines each. What they talked about +was mainly in protest against the smoke of factories and collieries, +and because there was so much soot, and so little soap, in the land. + +But what did they do at the fairy congress? + +The truth is, that nobody to-day knows what was done in this session +of the fairies, for the proceedings were kept secret. The only one who +knows was an old Welshman whom the story-teller used to meet once in a +while. He is the one mortal who knows anything about this meeting, and +he won't tell; or at least he won't talk in anything but Welsh. So we +have to find out the gist of the matter, by noticing, in the stories +which we have just read what the fairies did. + + + + +XXIV + + +THE SWORD OF AVALON + + +Many of the Welsh tales are about fighting and wars and no country as +small as Wales has so many castles. Yet these are nearly all in ruins +and children play in them. This is because men got tired of battles +and sieges. + +Everybody knows that after King Arthur's knights had punched and +speared, whacked and chopped at each other with axe and sword long +enough, had slain dragons and tamed monsters, and rescued princesses +from cruel uncles, and good men from dark dungeons, even the plain +people, such as farmers and mechanics, had enough and wanted no more. +Besides this, they wished to be treated more like human beings, and +not have to work so hard and also to keep their money when they earned +it. + +Even King Arthur himself, towards the end of this era, saw that +fashions were changing and that he must change with them. Hardware was +too high in price, and was no longer needed for clothing. He was wise +enough to see that battle axes, maces, swords, lances and armor had +better be put to some better use, when iron was getting scarce and +wool and linen were cheaper. Even the stupid Normans learned that +decency and kindness cost less, and accomplished more in making the +Welshery loyal subjects of the king. + +So when, after many battles, King Arthur went out to have a little war +of his own, and to enjoy the fight, in which he was mortally wounded, +he showed his greatness, even in the hour of death. In truth, it is +given to some men, like Samson, to be even mightier when they die, +than when following the strenuous life. So it was with this great and +good man of Cymry. His love for his people never ceased for one +moment, and in his dying hour he left a bequest that all his people +have understood and acted upon. + +Thus it has come to pass that the Welsh have been really +unconquerable, by Saxon or Norman, or even in these twentieth century +days by Teutons. Though living in a small country, they are among the +greatest in the world, not in force, or in material things, but in +soul. When Belgium was invaded, they not only stood up in battle +against the invader, but they welcomed to their homes tens of +thousands of fugitives and fed and sheltered them. + +Brave as lions, their path of progress has been in faithfulness to +duty, industry, and patience, and along the paths of poetry, music and +brotherhood. Their motto for ages has been, "Truth against the World." + +Now the manner of King Arthur's taking off and his immortal legacy was +on this fashion: + +After doing a great many wonderful things, in many countries, King +Arthur came back to punish the wicked man, Modred. In the battle that +ensued, he received wounds that made him feel that he was very soon to +die. So he ordered his loyal vassal to take his sword to the island of +Avalon. There he must cast the weapon into the deep water. + +But the sword was part of the soul of Arthur. It would not sink out of +sight, until it had given a message, from their king to the Welsh, for +all time. + +After it had been thrown in the water, it disappeared, but rose again. +First the shining blade, and then the hilt, and then a hand was seen +to rise out of the flood. + +Thrice that hand waved the sword round and round. + +This was the prophecy of "the deathless from the dead." King Arthur's +body might be hid in a cave, or molder in the ground, but his soul was +to live and cheer his people. His beloved Cymric nation, with their +undying language, were to rise in power again. + +And the resurrection has been glorious. Not by the might of the +soldier, or by arms or war--though the Welsh never flinch from duty, +or before the foe--but by the power of poet, singer and the narrator +of stories, that touch the imagination, and fire the soul to noble +deeds, have these results come. + +Arthur's good blade, thus waved above the waters, became a veritable +sword of the Spirit. + +Men of genius arose to flush with color the old legends. Prophets, +preachers, monks, missionaries carried these all over Europe, and made +them the vehicles of Christian doctrine. In their new forms, they +fired the imagination and illuminated, as with ten thousand lamps, +many lands and nations, until they held every people in spell. In +miracle and morality play, they reappeared in beauty. They attuned the +harp and instrument of the musician and the troubadour, and these sang +the gospel in all lands, north and south, while telling the stories of +Adam, and of Abraham, of Bethlehem, and of the cross, of the Holy +Grail, and of Arthur and his Knights. All the precious lore of the +Celtic race became transfigured, to illustrate and enforce Christian +truth. The symbolical bowl, the Celtic caldron of abundance, became +the cup of the Eucharist and the Grail the symbol of blessings +eternal. + +By the artists, in the stained glass, and in windows of the great +churches, which were built no longer of wood but of stone, that +blossomed under the chisel, the old legends were, by the new currents +of truth, given a mystic glow. As wonderful as the rise of Gothic +architecture and the upbuilding of cathedrals, as glorious as the +light and art, that beautify the great temples of worship, was this +re-birth of the Arthurian legends. + +For now, again, the old virtues of the knightly days--loyalty, +obedience, redress of wrongs, reverence of womanhood, and the +application of Christian ethics to the old rude rules of decency, +lifted the life of the common people to a nobler plane and ushered in +the modern days. + +Then, after seven hundred years, a host of singers, Tennyson leading +them all, attuned the old Celtic harp. They reset for us the Cymric +melody and colorful incidents in "the light that never was on sea or +land." The old days live again in a greater glory. + +Lady Guest put the Mabinogion into English, and Renan, and Arnold, and +Rolleston, and Rhys, in prose, competed in praise of the heritages +from the old time. Popular education was diffused. The Welsh language +rose again from the dead. Cardiff holds in pure white marble the most +thrilling interpretation of Welsh history, in the twelve white marble +statues of the great men of Wales. The Welsh people, by bloodless +victory, have won the respect of all mankind. + +They set a beacon for the oppressed nations. In the World War of +1914-1918, they helped to save freedom and civilization. They were in +the van. + +Long may the sword of Arthur wave! + + + + + +End of Project Gutenberg's Welsh Fairy Tales, by William Elliot Griffis + +*** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK WELSH FAIRY TALES *** + +This file should be named 8wlsh10.txt or 8wlsh10.zip +Corrected EDITIONS of our eBooks get a new NUMBER, 8wlsh11.txt +VERSIONS based on separate sources get new LETTER, 8wlsh10a.txt + +Produced by Juliet Sutherland, Cam Venezuela and PG Distributed Proofreaders + +Project Gutenberg eBooks are often created from several printed +editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the US +unless a copyright notice is included. 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