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+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: 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
+
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