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diff --git a/old/gddn10.txt b/old/gddn10.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..05a3533 --- /dev/null +++ b/old/gddn10.txt @@ -0,0 +1,6997 @@ +The Project Gutenberg EBook of Y Gododin, by Aneurin + +Copyright laws are changing all over the world. Be sure to check the +copyright laws for your country before downloading or redistributing +this or any other Project Gutenberg eBook. + +This header should be the first thing seen when viewing this Project +Gutenberg file. Please do not remove it. Do not change or edit the +header without written permission. + +Please read the "legal small print," and other information about the +eBook and Project Gutenberg at the bottom of this file. Included is +important information about your specific rights and restrictions in +how the file may be used. You can also find out about how to make a +donation to Project Gutenberg, and how to get involved. + + +**Welcome To The World of Free Plain Vanilla Electronic Texts** + +**eBooks Readable By Both Humans and By Computers, Since 1971** + +*****These eBooks Were Prepared By Thousands of Volunteers!***** + + +Title: Y Gododin + +Author: Aneurin + +Release Date: February, 2006 [EBook #9842] +[This file was first posted on October 23, 2003] + +Edition: 10 + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: US-ASCII + +*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK, Y GODODIN *** + + + + +Transcribed by David Price, email ccx074@coventry.ac.uk + + + + +Y GODODIN + + + + +PREFACE + + + +Aneurin, the author of this poem, was the son of Caw, lord of Cwm Cawlwyd, or +Cowllwg, a region in the North, which, as we learn from a Life of Gildas in +the monastery of Fleury published by Johannes a Bosco, comprehended Arecluta +or Strath Clyde. {0a} Several of his brothers seem to have emigrated from +Prydyn in company with their father before the battle of Cattraeth, and, +under the royal protection of Maelgwn Gwynedd, to have settled in Wales, +where they professed religious lives, and became founders of churches. He +himself, however, remained behind, and having been initiated into the +mysteries of Bardism, formed an intimate acquaintance with Owen, Cian, +Llywarch Hen, and Taliesin, all likewise disciples of the Awen. By the rules +of his order a Bard was not permitted ordinarily to bear arms, {0b} and +though the exceptional case, in which he might act differently, may be said +to have arisen from "the lawlessness and depredation" {0c} of the Saxons, +Aneurin does not appear to have been present at Cattraeth in any other +capacity than that of a herald Bard. Besides the absence of any intimation +to the contrary, we think the passages where he compares Owen to himself, and +where he makes proposals at the conference, and above all where he attributes +his safety to his "gwenwawd," conclusive on the subject. His heraldic +character would be recognised by all nations, according to the universal law +of warfare, whereas it is very improbable that any poetic effusion which he +might have delivered, could have influence upon a people whose language +differed so materially from his own. + +The Gododin was evidently composed when the various occurrences that it +records were as yet fresh in the author's mind and recollection. It is +divided into stanzas, which, though they now amount to only ninety-seven, are +supposed to have originally corresponded in point of number with the +chieftains that went to Cattraeth. This is strongly intimated in the +declaration subjoined to Gorchan Cynvelyn, and cited in the notes at page 86, +and thence would we infer that the Gorchanau themselves are portions of the +Gododin, having for their object the commemoration of the persons whose names +they bear. Of course all of them, with the exception of the short one of +Adebon, contain passages that have been transposed from other stanzas, which +may account for their disproportionate lengths. This is especially the case +with Gorchan Maelderw, the latter, and by far the greater portion whereof, is +in the Carnhuanawc MS. detached from the former, and separately entitled +"Fragments of the Gododin and other pieces of the sixth century." That they +were "incantations," cannot be admitted; and if the word "gorchan," or +"gwarchan" mean here anything except simply "a canon, or fundamental part of +song," we should be inclined to consider it as synonymous with "gwarthan," +and to suppose that the poems in question referred to the camps of Adebon, +Maelderw, and Cynvelyn:- + + +"Gwarchan Cynvelyn ar Ododin." {0d} + + +According to the tenor of the Cynvelyn statement, every stanza would bring +before us a fresh hero. This principle we have not overlooked in the +discrimination and arrangements of proper names, though owing to evident +omissions and interpolations, an irregularity in this respect occasionally +and of necessity occurs. + +Aneurin, like a true poet of nature, abstains from all artful introduction or +invocation, and launches at once into his subject. His eye follows the +gorgeously and distinctively armed chiefs, as they move at the head of their +respective companies, and perform deeds of valour on the bloody field. He +delights to enhance by contrast their domestic and warlike habits, and +frequently recurs to the pang of sorrow, which the absence of the warriors +must have caused to their friends and relatives at home, and reflects with +much genuine feeling upon the disastrous consequences, that the loss of the +battle would entail upon these and their dear native land. And though he +sets forth his subject in the ornamental language of poetry, yet he is +careful not to transgress the bounds of truth. This is strikingly instanced +in the manner in which he names no less than four witnesses as vouchers for +the correctness of his description of Caradawg. Herein he produces one of +the "three agreements that ought to be in a song," viz. an agreement "between +truth and the marvellous." {0e} + +He also gives "relish to his song," {0f} by adopting "a diversity of +structure in the metre;" for the lyric comes in occasionally to relieve the +solemnity of the heroic, whilst at the same time the latter is frequently +capable of being divided into a shorter verse, a plan which has been observed +in one of the MSS. used on the present occasion; e. g. the twelfth stanza is +thus arranged, - + + +Gwyr a aeth Gattraeth gan ddydd + Neus goreu } gywilydd + O gadeu } + Wy gwnaethant } gelorwydd + Yn geugant } + A llafn aur llawn anawdd ym bedydd + Goreu yw hyn cyn cystlwn carennydd + Ennaint creu} oe henydd + Ac angeu} + Rhag byddin} pan fu ddydd + Wawdodyn } + Neus goreu dan bwylliad neirthiad gwychydd. + + +But though Aneurin survived the battle of Cattraeth to celebrate the memory +of his less fortunate countrymen in this noble composition, he also +ultimately met with a violent death. The Triads relate that he was killed by +the blow of an axe, inflicted upon his head by Eiddin son of Einigan, which +event was in consequence branded as one of "the three accursed deeds of the +Isle of Britain." {0g} + +His memory, however, lived in the Gododin, and the estimation in which the +poem was held by his successors has earned for him the title of "medeyrn +beirdd," the king of Bards. Davydd Benvras 1190-1240, prays for that genius +which would enable him + + +"To sing praises as Aneurin of yore, +The day he sang the Gododin. {0h} + + +Risserdyn 1290-1340 in an Ode to Hywel ab Gruffydd speaks of + + +"A tongue with the eloquence of Aneurin of splendid song." {0i} + + +And Sevnyn 1320-1378 asserts that + + +"The praise of Aneurin is proclaimed by thousands." {0j} + + +Such is the language in which the mediaeval Bards were accustomed to talk of +the author of the Gododin. + +The basis of the present translation is a MS. on vellum apparently of about +the year 1200. In that MS. the lines are all written out to the margin, +without any regard to the measure. Capital letters are never introduced but +at the beginning of paragraphs, where they are ornamented and coloured +alternately red and green. At page 20 Gwilym Tew and Rhys Nanmor {0k} are +mentioned as the owners of the Book, but the names are written in a hand, and +with letters more modern than the MS. It at one time belonged to Mr. Jones +the Historian of Brecknockshire, and came latterly into the possession of the +late Rev. T. Price, with whose Executrix, Mrs. E. Powell of Abergavenny, it +now remains. The author of the Celtic Researches took a transcript of it, +which he communicated to the Rev. W. J. Rees, of Cascob, who had previously +copied the said transcript by the permission of the Rev. E. Davies. Mr. +Rees's copy was afterwards collated by Dr. Meyer with Mr. Davies's +transcript, and the only inaccuracy which had crept in was by him carefully +corrected. Dr. Meyer again transcribed Mr. Rees's copy for the use of the +present work, and that version in its turn has been collated by Mr. Rees, +during the progress of the work through the press, with the transcript in his +possession. To these two gentlemen the translator is under deep obligations. + +Also to Mr. Owen Williams of Waunfawr, for the loan of three other manuscript +copies of the Gododin. Two of them occur in the same book, which purports to +have been a transcript made by the Rev. David Ellis, the first part, A.D. +1775 of an old book, the second part, June 7, 1777, of a book supposed to +have been written by Sion Brwynog about the year 1550. In these versions the +stanzas are not divided. The third version appears in a book containing a +variety of poems and articles in prose, of which, however, the writer or +copyist is not known, though one "Davydd Thomas" is mentioned in a poor +modern hand as being the owner. Our poem is therein headed "Y Gododin. +Aneurin ae cant. Gyda nodau y Parchedig Evan Evans." These "nodau" are +marginal notes, and evidently the different readings of another version. + +The different copies or versions used are distinguished as follow; - + +Myvyrian ... 1 +D. Ellis ... 2 +Ditto ... 3 +D. Thomas ... 4 +E. Evans ... 5 +P. Panton ... 6 +E. Davies ... 7 +Dr. Meyer ... 8 + +Nos 1 and 6 are those which are printed in the Archaiology of Wales, vol. i. +All words that differ in form or meaning, though not in orthography, from +those of No. 7, are duly arranged at the foot of the page {0l}, from which it +will be seen that 1, 2, 3, 5, generally agree one with the other, whilst 4 +and 6 also for the most part go together. + +It is to be observed, moreover, that though we have taken No. 7 as our text, +we have not servilely confined ourself to it, but that wherever any of the +other versions have been considered preferable, we have unhesitatingly +adopted them. The different meanings, however, are generally inserted in the +notes. + + + +INTRODUCTION + + + +The country situate between the Humber and the Clyde in North Britain was, +for the most part, originally occupied by the Cymry, who here, as well as in +the west, displayed no mean valour in opposition to the Roman arms. The +latter certainly prevailed; nevertheless it is to be noticed that they did +not finally destroy, nor indeed to any material extent alter the national +features of Prydyn. This is evident from the manner in which the conquerors +thought fit to incorporate into their own geographical vocabulary many of the +local names, which they found already in use; and above all from the purely +ancestral character which the native chieftains exhibited on emerging from +the Roman ruins in the fifth century. Indeed to permit the defeated princes, +under certain restrictions, to enjoy their former rights and jurisdictions, +was perfectly in accordance with the usual policy of the Romans, as we may +learn from the testimony of Tacitus, who remarks, in reference to the British +king Cogidunus, that they granted to him certain states according to ancient +custom, and the reason assigned is that they might have even kings as +instruments of slavery. {1a} The homage of the subjugated provinces seems to +have consisted principally in the payment of a tribute of money, and the +furnishing of soldiers for foreign service. + +Such, no doubt, was the position of Cunedda Wledig, who "began to reign about +A.D. 328, and died in 389"; {1b} +and who, according to the Historia Britonum attributed to Nennius, "venerat +de parte sinistrali, id est, de regione quae vocatur Manau Guotodin," {1c} +the heights of Gododin, and the same apparently with the territory of the +Ottadeni. + +In the Myvyrian Archaiology, v. 1, p. 71, is printed an Elegy on Cunedda, the +work of one who had actually partaken of his royal munificence, who had +received from him "milch cows, horses, wine, oil, and a host of slaves." The +writer with respect to the martial prowess of his patron, observes, + + +"Trembling with fear of Cunedda, +Will be Caer Weir and Caer Liwelydd." + + +And again, + + +"A hundred times ere his shield was shattered in battle, +Bryneich obeyed his commands in the conflict." + + +The modern names of the localities, mentioned in these extracts, are +respectively Warwick, Carlisle {2a} and Bernicia. The two latter are in the +immediate vicinity of the Ottadeni; the former, being further removed, would +indicate the direction and extent of his arms. + +From other sources we learn that Cunedda was the son of Edeyrn ab Padarn +Peisrudd, by Gwawl, daughter of Coel Godebog, and that he was entitled, in +right of his mother, to certain territories in Wales. When these were +invaded by the Gwyddyl, his sons, twelve in number, left their northern home +for the purpose of recovering the same, in which they were successful, though +the enemy was not finally extirpated until the battle at Cerrig y Gwyddyl, in +the succeeding generation. It is asserted by some that Cunedda accompanied +his sons in this expedition, and that it was undertaken as much through +inability to retain possession of their more immediate dominions, as from the +desire of acquiring or regaining other lands. However, though the sons +settled in Wales and on its borders, it is more accordant with the drift of +the Poem, already cited, to suppose that Cunedda himself died in the North. +Nevertheless, it is undoubted that the native chieftains began to suffer in +that part of the island from barbarian incursions even before the departure +of the Romans. Thus Ammianus Marcellinus, with reference to the year 364, +bears testimony, that "the Picts and Saxons and Scots and Attacots harassed +the Britons with continual oppressions." {2b} + +The final abandonment of the island by the Romans occurred, according to +Zosimus, about A.D. 408 or 409, at which time the native princes arose to the +full enjoyment of feudal dignity and power. In the North, among others, we +find Pabo Post Prydain, a descendant of Coel Godebog in the 4th degree, and +Cynvarch Oer, a member of another branch of the same family; both of whom, +however, were compelled by the inroads of the predatory hordes, to leave +their territories and seek refuge in Wales, though it would appear that +Urien, son of the latter, succeeded subsequently in recovering his paternal +dominion. + +The struggle continued, and the enemies had gradually extended themselves +along the coasts, when in 547 they received an important reinforcement by the +arrival of Ida with forty ships. Gododin, Deivyr, and Bryneich, being +situated on the eastern shore, would be especially exposed to the ravages of +these marauders. Indeed it does not appear that Gododin ever recovered its +pristine independence after the death of Cunedda, at least we do not hear +that any of his sons subsequently asserted their claims to it, or had +anything to do with the administration of its government: they all seem to +have ended their days in their western dominions. Deivyr and Bryneich, +however, were more fortunate, for we find that they were ruled as late as the +6th century by British monarchs, among whom are named Gall, Diffedell, and +Disgyrnin, the sons of Disgyvyndawd; {3a} though there is reason to believe +that at that time they were in treacherous alliance with the Saxons. A Triad +positively affirms, that "there were none of the Lloegrwys who did not +coalesce with the Saxons, save such as were found in Cornwall, and in the +Commot of Carnoban in Deivyr and Bryneich." {3b} And it is a remarkable +fact, as corroborative of this statement, that the Cymry ever after, as may +be seen in the works of the Bards, applied the term Bryneich to such of their +kindred as joined with the enemies of their country. + +Certain it is, that, at the period of our Poem, the people of the three +provinces in question were open enemies of the Cymry, as appears from stanzas +iii, v, and ix. When we see there how the Bard commends one hero for not +yielding to the army of Gododin, and celebrates the praise of another who +committed an immense slaughter amongst the men of Deivyr and Bryneich, and +threatens, in the case of a third party, that if they were suspected of +leaning to the Bernician interest, he would himself raise his hand against +them, we can come to no other conclusion than that those countries were +arrayed against the Cymry when the battle of Cattraeth took place. + +Ida had to encounter a powerful opponent in the person of Urien, king of +Rheged, a district in or near which Cattraeth lay, as we infer from two poems +of Taliesin. Thus, one entitled "Gwaith Gwenystrad," commences with the +words, + + +"Extol the men of Cattraeth, who, with the dawn, +Went with their victorious leader +Urien, a renowned elder." {3c} + + +In the other, called "Yspail Taliesin," Urien is styled "Glyw Cattraeth," the +ruler of Cattraeth. {4a} At the same time he is generally spoken of under +the title of Rheged's chief. + +The leader of the hostile forces in the battle of Gwenystrad is not named, +but in the battle of Argoed Llwyvein we find him to be Flamddwyn or the Torch +bearer, a name by which the Britons delighted to designate the formidable +Ida. Flamddwyn's army on this occasion consisted of four legions, which +reached from Argoed to Arvynydd, and against them were arrayed the men of +Goddeu and Rheged, under the command of Ceneu ab Coel, and Owain, and "Urien +the prince." + +Argoed, bordering on Deivyr and Bryneich, was ruled by Llywarch Hen, who +after his abdication and flight into Powys, pathetically records the loyal +attachment of his former subjects, - + + +"The men of Argoed have ever supported me." {4b} + + +The Historia Britonum enumerates three other kings, who with Urien fought +against the Saxons in the North, viz., Rhydderch, Gwallawg, and Morgant, +though the latter, under the impulse of envy, procured the assassination of +Urien, in the Isle of Lindisfarne. + +After the Saxons had finally established themselves on the eastern coast, in +the forementioned countries, an immense rampart, extending nearly from the +Solway to the Frith of Forth, was erected, either with the view of checking +their further progress westward, or else by mutual consent of the two +nations, as a mere line of demarcation between their respective dominions. +This wall cannot have an earlier date, for it runs through the middle of the +country originally occupied by the Gadeni, and could not of course have been +constructed as a boundary by them; nor can it be referred to a more recent +period, as there could be no reason for forming such a fence after the Saxons +had intruded upon the whole country which it divides. This was the famous +CATRAIL, which we presume to be identical with CATTRAETH, where the +disastrous battle of that name, as sung by Aneurin, was fought. + +Catrail means literally "the war fence" (cad-rhail), but on the supposition +that it is synonymous with Cattraeth, the rhyme in the Gododin would +determine the latter to be the correct term, or that by which Aneurin +distinguished the line. The meaning of Cattraeth would be either "the war +tract" (cad-traeth), or "the legal war fence" (cad-rhaith); the latter of +which would give some countenance to the idea that it was formed by mutual +agreement. + +The whole course of the Catrail, which may be traced from the vicinity of +Galashiels to Peel-fell, is upwards of forty five miles. The most entire +parts of it show that it was originally a broad and deep fosse; having on +each side a rampart, which was formed of the natural soil, that was thrown +from the ditch, intermixed with some stones. Its dimensions vary in +different places, which may be owing to its remains being more or less +perfect. In those parts where it is pretty entire, the fosse is twenty +seven, twenty six, and twenty five feet broad. But in those places where the +rampart has been most demolished the fosse only measures twenty two and a +half feet, twenty and eighteen, and in one place only sixteen feet wide. As +the ramparts sloped on the inside, it is obvious that in proportion as they +were demolished, the width of the fosse within would be diminished. In some +of the most entire parts the ramparts are from six to seven, and even nine or +ten feet high, and from eight to ten and twelve feet thick. They are, no +doubt, less now than they were originally, owing to the effects of time and +tillage. {5a} + +Such is the Catrail, and were it identical with Cattraeth, we should +naturally expect to meet with some allusions to a work of that description in +the body of the Poem. Nor are we herein disappointed, for the expressions +"ffosawd," {5b} "clawdd," {5c} "ffin," {5d} "cladd clodvawr," {5e} +"goglawdd," {5f} "clawdd gwernin," {5g} and "gorffin Gododin," {5h} are +undoubtedly such allusions, though we readily admit that some of them may, +and probably do, refer to the ordinary circular forts of the Britons, of whom +there are several along the line. It may be added here that Taliesin in his +description of the battle of Gwenystrad, where the men of Cattraeth fought +under Urien, speaks of a "govwr" or an intrenchment, that was "assailed by +the laborious toil of warriors." + +Having thus satisfied ourselves as to the nature and locality of Cattraeth; +the general subject of the Poem becomes apparent. It was a battle fought at +the barrier in question between the Cymry and the Saxons, the most extended +in its design and operations on the part of the former, as it proved to them +the most disastrous in its results, of all that had hitherto taken place +between the two people in that part of the island. + +The details of this bloody encounter, as we gather them from the Poem, were +as follow: At the call of Mynyddawg, lord of Eiddin, whose dominions lay +peculiarly exposed, both by sea and land, to the attack of the enemy, the +native chieftains of Prydyn, aided by many of their relatives and friends +from Gwynedd and Cernyw, entered into a mutual alliance in behalf of their +common country. {6a} In one place the daughter of Eudav {6b} is joined with +Mynyddawg, as one upon whose errand the expedition was undertaken, but +whether she was his wife, or ruled over a territory adjacent to, or equally +threatened with his own, does not appear. The troops under their respective +leaders arrived at Eiddin, where they were sumptuously entertained by +Mynyddawg, {6c} and where they established their head quarters. The generals +named in the Poem amount in number to about ninety, but this was not the +third part of the whole, which consisted of "three hundred and sixty three +chieftains wearing the golden torques." {6d} The aggregate number of men +that followed these illustrious leaders is not told, but if an average may be +formed from what we know respecting a few cases, it will appear to have been +immense. Mynyddawg's retinue consisted of "three hundred;" {6e} there were +"five battalions of five hundred men each," "three levies of three hundred +each;" "three bold knights" had each "three hundred of equal quality;" {6f} +thus averaging about four hundred for each commander, which, multiplied by +three hundred and sixty three, would exhibit an overwhelming army of a +hundred and forty five thousand, and two hundred men! Yet the Poet describes +the numerical advantages possessed by the enemy as greatly superior. + +These forces, being all placed on the western side of the dyke, would +approach the land of their enemies as they marched to the field of battle, +hence the reason why Aneurin uses the expressions "Gwyr a aeth Gattraeth," +and "Gwyr a aeth Gododin," as synonymous. + +The enemies, as before observed, were the Saxons, aided on this occasion by +many of the Lloegrians, namely, such of the natives as had submitted to their +sway in the provinces they had already conquered. They concentrated their +forces in Gododin, and marched westward in the direction of the great fence, +where the Britons were awaiting them. Aneurin has not thought fit to record +the names of any of their generals, with the single exception of Dyvnwal +Vrych, {7a} who, to entitle him to that distinction, must have figured +prominently on the field of battle. + +The engagement commenced on a Tuesday, and continued for a whole week, the +last four days being the most bloody. {7b} For some time both parties fought +gallantly, and with almost equal success; fortune perhaps upon the whole +appearing to favour the Cymry, who not only slew a vast number of their +adversaries, but partially succeeded in recovering their lost dominions. {7c} +At this critical juncture a dwarfish herald arrived at the fence, proposing +on the part of the Saxons a truce or compact, which, however, was indignantly +rejected by the natives, and the action renewed. {7d} The scales now rapidly +turned. In one part of the field such a terrible carnage ensued, that there +was but one man left to scare away the birds of prey, which hovered over the +carcases of the slain. {7e} In another, where our Bard was stationed, a +portion of the allied army, owing to the absence of its general, became panic +stricken. {7f} Aneurin was taken prisoner, hurried off to a cave or dungeon, +and loaded with chains. {7g} At length a conference was submitted to, which +was held at a place called Llanveithin, at which Aneurin, who had been +forcibly liberated by one of the sons of Llywarch Hen, insisted upon the +restoration of part of Gododin, or the alternative of continuing the fight. +The Saxon herald met the proposal by killing the British Bard Owain, who was +of course unarmed. {7h} Such a violation of privilege excited then the whole +energies of the Cymry, who rose as one man, and gave the entire scene a more +bloody character than it had yet presented. + +Victory, however, at length proclaimed in favour of the usurpers, and so +decisively, that out of the three hundred and sixty three chieftains that +went to the field of Cattraeth, three only returned alive, Cynon, and +Cadreith, and Cadlew of Cadnant, besides Aneurin himself. {7i} The number of +common soldiers that fell must be conjectured. + +We have said that the battle commenced on a Tuesday; it would appear from two +passages, namely, where the meeting of reapers in the hall of Eiddin, {7j} +and the employment of Gwynwydd in protecting the corn on the highlands, {8a} +are spoken of, that the time of year in which it occurred was the harvest. + +It is not, however, so easy to determine the exact year when all this +happened. Neither Arthur nor Urien are mentioned as being present, and +though the stanzas containing their names may have been lost, it must be +admitted that in the case of such distinguished warriors reason will not +warrant the supposition: the fair inference would be that they were dead at +the time. This view is, moreover, supported by readings of the Gododin, +where certain heroes are compared to the said chiefs respectively, "of +Arthur," "un Urien," which would hardly have been done had these latter been +alive. The death of Arthur is placed in the year 542; Owain, who died at +Cattraeth, slew Ida, A.D. 560, and Urien is said to have been assassinated +about 567; the battle under consideration must have happened subsequently, +probably about the year usually assigned it, viz., 570. This was in the +reign of Rhun, a descendant in the 4th degree of Cunedda Wledig, King of +Gododin! + +The vulgar opinion is that the Britons lost the battle in consequence of +having marched to the field in a state of intoxication; and it must be +admitted that there are many passages in the Poem, which, simply considered, +would seem to favour that view. Nevertheless, granting that the 363 +chieftains had indulged too freely in their favourite beverage, it is hardly +credible that the bulk of the army, on which mainly depended the destiny of +the battle, had the same opportunity of rendering themselves equally +incapacitated, or, if we suppose that all had become so, that they did not +recover their sobriety in seven days! The fact appears to be, that Aneurin +in the instances alluded to, intends merely to contrast the social and +festive habits of his countrymen at home with their lives of toil and +privation in war, after a practise common to the Bards, not only of that age, +but subsequently. Or it may be that the banquet, at which the British +leaders were undoubtedly entertained in the hall of Eiddin, was looked upon +as the sure prelude to war, and that in that sense the mead and wine were to +them as poison. + + + +Y GODODIN + + + +I. + +Gredyf gwr oed gwas +Gwrhyt am dias +Meirch mwth myngvras +A dan vordwyt megyrwas +Ysgwyt ysgauyn lledan +Ar bedrein mein vuan +Kledyuawr glas glan +Ethy eur aphan +Ny bi ef a vi +Cas e rof a thi +Gwell gwneif a thi +Ar wawt dy uoli +Kynt y waet elawr +Nogyt y neithyawr +Kynt y vwyt y vrein +Noc y argyurein +Ku kyueillt ewein +Kwl y uot a dan vrein +Marth ym pa vro +Llad un mab marro + +II. + +Kayawc kynhorawc men y delhei +Diffun ymlaen bun med a dalhei +Twll tal y rodawr ene klywei +Awr ny rodei nawd meint dilynei +Ni chilyei o gamhawn eny verei +Waet mal brwyn gomynei gwyr nyt echei +Nys adrawd gododin ar llawr mordei +Rac pebyll madawc pan atcoryei +Namen un gwr o gant eny delhei + +III. + +Kaeawc kynnivyat kywlat erwyt +Ruthyr eryr en ebyr pan llithywyt +E arnot a vu not a gatwyt +Grwell a wnaeth e aruaeth ny gilywyt +Rac bedin ododin odechwyt +Hyder gymhell ar vreithel vanawyt +Ny nodi nac ysgeth w nac ysgwyt +Ny ellir anet ry vaethpwyt +Rac ergyt catvannan catwyt + +IV. + +Kaeawc kynhorawc bleid e maran +Gwevrawr godrwawr torchawr am rann +Bu gwevrawr gwerthvawr gwerth gwin vann +Ef gwrthodes gwrys gwyar disgrein +Ket dyffei wyned a gogled e rann +O gussyl mab ysgyrran +Ysgwydawr angkyuan + +V. + +Kaeawc kynhorawc aruawc eg gawr +Kyn no diw e gwr gwrd eg gwyawr +Kynran en racwan rac bydinawr +Kwydei pym pymwnt rac y lafnawr +O wyr deivyr a brennych dychiawr +Ugein cant eu diuant en un awr +Kynt y gic e vleid nogyt e neithyawr +Kynt e vud e vran nogyt e allawr +Kyn noe argyurein e waet e lawr +Gwerth med eg kynted gan lliwedawr +Hyueid hir ermygir tra vo kerdawr + +VI. + +Gwyr a aeth Ododin chwerthin ognaw +Chwerw en trin a llain en emdullyaw +Byrr vlyned en hed yd ynt endaw +Mab botgat gwnaeth gwynnyeith gwreith e law +Ket elwynt e lanneu e benydyaw +A hen a yeueing a hydyr a llaw +Dadyl diheu angheu y eu treidaw + +VII. + +Gwyr a aeth Ododin chwerthin wanar +Disgynnyeis em bedin trin diachar +Wy lledi a llavnawr heb vawr drydar +Colovyn glyw reithuyw rodi arwar + +VIII. + +Gwyr a aeth gatraeth oed fraeth eu llu +Glasved eu hancwyn a gwenwyn vu +Trychant trwy beiryant en cattau +A gwedy elwch tawelwch vu +Ket elwynt e lanneu e benydu +Dadyl dieu angheu y eu treidu + +IX. + +Gwyr a aeth gatraeth veduaeth uedwn +Fyryf frwythlawn oed cam nas kymhwyllwn +E am lavnawr coch gorvawr gwrmwn +Dwys dengyn ed emledyn aergwn +Ar deulu brenneych beych barnasswn +Dilyw dyn en vyw nys adawsswn +Kyueillt a golleis diffleis vedwn +Rugyl en emwrthryn rynn riadwn +Ny mennws gwrawl gwadawl chwegrwn +Maban y gian o vaen gwynngwn + +X. + +Gwyr a aeth gatraeth gan wawr +Trauodynt en hed eu hovnawr +Milcant a thrychant a emdaflawr +Gwyarllyt gwynnodynt waewawr +Ef gorsaf yng gwryaf eg gwryawr +Rac gosgord mynydawc mwynvawr + +XI. + +Gwyr a aeth gatraeth gan wawr +Dygymyrrws eu hoet eu hanyanawr +Med evynt melyn melys maglawr +Blwydyn bu llewyn llawer kerdawr +Coch eu cledyuawr na phurawr +Eu llain gwyngalch a phedryollt bennawr +Rac gosgord mynydawc mwynvawr + +XII. + +Gwyr a aeth gatraeth gan dyd +Neus goreu o gadeu gewilid +Wy gwnaethant en geugant gelorwyd +A llavnawr llawn annawd em bedyd +Goreu yw hwn kyn kystlwn kerennyd +Enneint creu ac angeu oe hennyd +Rac bedin Ododin pan vudyd +Neus goreu deu bwyllyat neirthyat gwychyd + +XIII. + +Gwr a aeth gatraeth gan dyd +Ne llewes ef vedgwyn veinoethyd +Bu truan gyuatcan gyvluyd +E neges ef or drachwres drenghidyd +Ny chryssiws gatraeth +Mawr mor ehelaeth + E aruaeth uch arwyt +Ny bu mor gyffor +O eidyn ysgor + A esgarei oswyd +Tutuwlch hir ech e dir ae dreuyd +Ef lladei Saesson seithuet dyd +Perheit y wrhyt en wrvyd +Ae govein gan e gein gyweithyd +Pan dyvu dutvwch dut nerthyd +Oed gwaetlan gwyaluan vab Kilyd + +XIV. + +Gwr a aeth gatraeth gan wawr +Wyneb udyn ysgorva ysgwydawr +Crei kyrchynt kynnullynt reiawr +En gynnan mal taran twryf aessawr +Gwr gorvynt gwr etvynt gwr llawr +Ef rwygei a chethrei a chethrawr +Od uch lled lladei a llavnawr +En gystud heyrn dur arbennawr +E mordei ystyngei a dyledawr +Rac erthgi erthychei vydinawr + +XV. + +O vreithyell gatraeth pan adrodir +Maon dychiorant eu hoet bu hir +Edyrn diedyrn amygyn dir +A meibyon godebawc gwerin enwir +Dyforthynt lynwyssawr gelorawr hir +Bu tru a dynghetven anghen gywir +A dyngwt y dutvwlch a chyvwlch hir +Ket yvein ved gloyw wrth leu babir +Ket vei da e vlas y gas bu hir + +XVI. + +Blaen echeching gaer glaer ewgei +Gwyr gweiryd gwanar ae dilynei +Blaen ar e bludue dygollouit vual +Ene vwynvawr vordei +Blaen gwirawt vragawt ef dybydei +Blaen eur a phorphor kein as mygei +Blaen edystrawr pasc ae gwaredei +Gwrthlef, ac euo bryt ae derllydei +Blaen erwyre gawr buduawr drei +Arth en llwrw byth hwyr e techei + +XVII. + +Anawr gynhoruan +Huan arwyran +Grwledic gwd gyffgein +Nef enys brydein +Garw ryt rac rynn +Aes elwrw budyn +Bual oed arwynn +Eg kynted eidyn +Erchyd ryodres +E ved medwawt +Yuei win gwirawt +Oed eruit uedel +Yuei win gouel +Aerueid en arued +Aer gennin vedel +Aer adan glaer +Kenyn keuit aer +Aer seirchyawc +Aer edenawc +Nyt oed diryf y ysgwyt +Gan waywawr plymnwyt +Kwydyn gyuoedyon +Eg cat blymnwyt +Diessic e dias +Divevyl as talas +Hudid e wyllyas +Kyn bu clawr glas +Bed gwruelling vreisc + +XVIII. + +Teithi etmygant +Tri llwry novant +Pymwnt a phymcant +Trychwn a thrychant +Tri si chatvarchawc +Eidyn euruchawc +Tri llu llurugawc +Tri eur deyrn dorchawc +Tri marchawc dywal +Tri chat gyhaual +Tri chysneit kysnar +Chwerw vysgynt esgar +Tri en drin en drwm +Llew lledynt blwm +Eur e gat gyngrwn +Tri theyrn maon +A dyvu o vrython +Kynri a Chenon +Kynrein o aeron +Gogyuerchi yn hon +Deivyr diuerogyon +A dyvu o vrython +Wr well no Chynon +Sarph seri alon + +XIX. + +Eveis y win a med e mordei + Mawr meint e vehyr + Yg kyuaruot gwyr +Bwyt e eryr erysmygei +Pan gryssyei gydywal kyfdwyreei +Awr gan wyrd wawr kyui dodei +Aessawr dellt ambellt a adawei +Pareu rynn rwygyat dygymmynei +E gat blaen bragat briwei +Mab syvno sywedyd ae gwydyei + A werthws e eneit + Er wyneb grybwyllyeit +A llavyn lliveit lladei +Lledessit ac a thrwys ac affrei +Er amot aruot arauethei + Ermygei galaned + O wyr gwychyr gwned +Em blaen gwyned gwanei + +XX. + +Eveis y win a med e mordei +Can yueis disgynneis rann fin fawd ut +Nyt didrachywed colwed drut +Pan disgynnei bawb ti disgynnot +Ys deupo gwaeanat gwerth na phechut +Pressent i drawd oed vreichyawr drut + +XXI. + +Gwyr a aeth gatraeth buant enwawc +Gwin a med o eur vu eu gwirawt +Blwydyn en erbyn urdyn deuawt +Trywyr a thri ugeiut a thrychant eurdorchawc +Or sawl yt gryssyassant uch gormant wirawt +Ny diengis namyn tri o wrhydri fossawt +Deu gatki aeron a chenon dayrawt +A minheu om gwaetfreu gwerth vy gwennwawt + +XXII. + +Uyg car yng wirwar nyn gogyffrawt +O neb o ny bei o gwyn dragon ducawt +Ni didolit yng kynted o ved gwirawt +Ef gwnaei ar beithing perthyng aruodyawc +Ef disgrein eg cat disgrein en aelawt +Neus adrawd gododin gwedy fossawt +Pan vei no llwyeu llymach nebawt + +XXIII. + +Aryf angkynnull agkyman dull agkysgoget +Tra chywed vawr treiglessyd llawr lloegrwys giwet +Heessit eis ygkynnor eis yg cat uereu +Goruc wyr lludw +A gwraged gwydw + Kynnoe angheu +Greit vab hoewgir +Ac ysberi + Y beri creu + +XXIV. + +Arwr y dwy ysgwyt adan +E dalvrith ac eil tith orwydan +Bu trydar en aerure bu tan +Bu ehut e waewawr bu huan +Bu bwyt brein bu bud e vran +A chyn edewit en rydon +Gran wlith eryr tith tiryon +Ac o du gwasgar gwanec tu bronn +Beird byt barnant wyr o gallon +Diebyrth e gerth e gynghyr +Diua oed e gynrein gan wyr +A chynn e olo a dan eleirch +Vre ytoed wryt ene arch +Gorgolches e greu y seirch +Budvan vab bleidvan dihavarch + +XXV. + +Cam e adaw heb gof camb ehelaeth +Nyt adawei adwy yr adwriaeth +Nyt edewes e lys les kerdoryon prydein +Diw calan yonawr ene aruaeth +Nyt erdit e dir kevei diffeith +Drachas anias dreic ehelaeth +Dragon yg gwyar gwedy gwinvaeth +Gwenabwy vab gwenn gynhen gatraeth + +XXVI. + +Bu gwir mal y meud e gatlew +Ny deliis meirch neb marchlew +Heessit waywawr y glyw +Y ar llemenic llwybyr dew +Keny vaket am vyrn am borth +Dywal y gledyual emborth +Heessyt onn o bedryollt y law +Y ar veinnyell vygedorth +Yt rannei rygu e rywin +Yt ladei a llauyn vreith o eithin +Val pan vel medel ar vreithin +E gwnaei varchlew waetlin + +XXVII. + +Issac anuonawc o barth deheu +Tebic mor lliant y deuodeu + O wyled a llaryed + A chein yuet med +Men yth glawd e offer e bwyth madeu +Ny bu hyll dihyll na heu diheu +Seinnyessyt e gledyf ym penn mameu +Murgreit oed moleit ef mab gwydneu + +XXVIII. + +Keredic caradwy e glot +Achubei gwarchatwei not +Lletvegin is tawel kyn dyuot +E dyd gowychyd y wybot +Ys deupo car kyrd kyvnot +Y wlat nef adef atnabot + +XXIX. + +Keredic karadwy gynran +Keimyat yg cat gouaran +Ysgwyt eur crwydyr cadlan +Gwaewawr uswyd agkyuan +Kledyual dywal diwan +Mal gwr catwei wyaluan +Kynn kysdud daear hynn affan +O daffar diffynnei e vann +Ys deupo kynnwys yg kyman +Can drindawt en undawt gyuan + +XXX. + +Pan gryssyei garadawc y gat +Mal baed coet trychwn trychyat +Tarw bedin en trin gormynyat +Ef llithyei wydgwn oe anghat +Ys vyn tyst ewein vab eulat +A gwryen a gwynn a gwryat +O gatraeth o gymynat +O vrynn hydwn kynn caffat +Gwedy med gloew ar anghat +Ny weles vrun e dat + +XXXI. + +Gwyr a gryssyasant buant gytneit +Hoedyl vyrryon medwon uch med hidleit +Gosgord mynydawc enwawc en reit +Gwerth eu gwled e ved vu eu heneit +Caradawc a madawc pyll ac yeuan +Gwgawn a gwiawn gwynn a chynvan +Peredur arveu dur gwawr-dur ac aedan +Achubyat eng gawr ysgwydawr angkyman +A chet lledessynt wy lladassan +Neb y eu tymhyr nyt atcorsan + +XXXII. + +Gwyr a gryssyassant buant gytvaeth +Blwydyn od uch med mawr eu haruaeth +Mor dru eu hadrawd wy angawr hiraeth +Gwenwyn eu hadlam nyt mab mam ae maeth +Mor hir eu hetlit ac eu hetgyllaeth +En ol gwyr pebyr temyr gwinvaeth +Gwlyget gododin en erbyn fraeth +Ancwyn mynydawc enwawc e gwnaeth +A phrit er prynu breithyell gatraeth + +XXXIII. + +Gwyr a aeth gatraeth yg cat yg gawr +Nerth meirch a gwrymseirch ac ysgwydawr +Peleidyr ar gychwyn a llym waewawr +A llurugeu claer a chledyuawr +Ragorei tyllei trwy vydinawr +Kwydei bym pymwnt rac y lavnawr +Ruuawn hir ef rodei eur e allawr +A chet a choelvein kein y gerdawr + +XXXIV. + +Ny wnaethpwyt neuad mor orchynnan +Mor vawr mor oruawr gyvlavan +Dyrllydut medut moryen tan +Ny thraethei na wnelei kenon kelein +Un seirchyawc saphwyawc son edlydan +Seinnyessit e gledyf empenn garthan +Noc ac esgyc canec vurvawr y chyhadvan +Ny mwy gysgogit wit uab peithan + +XXXV. + +Ny wnaethpwyt neuad mor anvonawc +Ony bei voryen eil caradawc +Ny diengis en trwm elwrw mynawc +Dywal dywalach no mab ferawc +Fer y law faglei fowys varchawc +Glew dias dinas e lu ovnawc +Rac bedin ododin bu gwasgarawc +Y gylchwy dan y gymwy bu adenawc +Yn dyd gwyth bu ystwyth neu bwyth atveillyawc +Dyrllydei vedgyrn eillt mynydawc + +XXXVI. + +Ny wnaethpwyt neuad mor diessic +No Chynon lary vronn geinnyon Wledic +Nyt ef eistedei en tal lleithic +E neb a wanei nyt adwenit +Raclym e waewawr +Calch drei tyllei vydinawr +Rac vuan y veirch rac rygiawr +En dyd gwyth atwyth oed e lavnawr +Pan gryssyei gynon gan wyrd wawr + +XXXVII. + +Disgynsit en trwm yg kessevin +Ef diodes gormes ef dodes fin +Ergyr gwayw rieu ryvel chwerthin +Hut effyt y wrhyt elwry elfin +Eithinyn uoleit mur greit tarw trin + +XXXVIII. + +Disgynsit en trwm yg kesseuin +Gwerth med yg kynted a gwirawt win +Heyessyt y lavnawr rwg dwy vydin +Arderchawc varchawc rac gododin +Eithinyn uoleit mur greit tarw trin + +XXXIX. + +Disgynsit en trwm rac alauoed wyrein +Wyre llu llaes ysgwydawr +Ysgwyt vriw rac biw beli bloedvawr +Nar od uch gwyar fin festinyawr +An deliit kynllwyt y ar gynghorawr +Gorwyd gwareurffrith rin ych eurdorchawr +Twrch goruc amot emlaen ystre ystrywawr +Teilingdeith gwrthyat gawr +An gelwit e nef bit athledhawr +Emyt ef krennit e gat waewawr +Catvannan er aclut clotvawr +No chynhennit na bei llu idaw llawr + +XL. + +Am drynni drylaw drylenn +Am lwys am difiwys dywarchen +Am gwydaw gwallt e ar benn +Y am wyr eryr gwydyen +Gwyduc neus amuc ac wayw +Ardullyat diwyllyat e berchen +Amuc moryen gwenwawt +Murdyn a chyvrannv penn +Prif eg weryt ac an nerth ac am hen +Trywyr yr bod bun bratwen +Deudec gwenabwy vab gwen + +XLI. + +Am drynni drylaw drylenn +Gweinydyawr ysgwydawr yg gweithyen +En aryal cledyual am benn +En lloegyr drychyon rac trychant unben +A dalwy mwng bleid heb prenn +En e law gnawt gwychnawt eny lenn +O gyurang gwyth ac asgen +Trenghis ny diengis bratwen + +XLII. + +Eurar vur caer krysgrwydyat +Aer cret ty na thaer aer vlodyat +Un ara ae leissyar argatwyt +Adar brwydryat +Syll o virein neus adrawd a vo mwy +O damweinnyeit llwy +Od amluch lliuanat +Neus adrawd a vo mwy +Enawr blygeint +Na bei kynhawel kynheilweing + +XLIII. + +Pan vuost di kynnivyn clot +En amwyn tywyssen gordirot +O haedot en gelwit redyrch gwyr not +Oed dor diachor diachor din drei +Oed mynut wrth olut ae kyrchei +Oed dinas e vedin ae cretei +Ny elwit gwinwit men na bei + +XLIV. + +Ket bei cann wr en vn ty +Atwen ovalon keny +Pen gwyr tal being a dely + +XLV. + +Nyt wyf vynawc blin +Ny dialaf vy ordin +Ny chwardaf y chwerthin +A dan droet ronin +Ystynnawc vyg glin +A bundat y +En ty deyeryn +Cadwyn heyernyn +Am ben vyn deulin +O ved o vuelin +O gatraeth werin +Mi na vi aneurin +Ys gwyr talyessin +Oveg kywrenhin +Neu cheing e ododin +Kynn gwawr dyd dilin + +XLVI + +Goroled gogled gwr ae goruc +Llary vronn haeladon ny essyllut +Nyt emda daear nyt emduc +Mam mor eiryan gadarn haearn gaduc +O nerth e cledyf claer e hamuc +O garchar amwar daear em duc +O gyvle angheu o anghar dut +Keneu vab llywarch dihauareh drut + +XLVII. + +Nyt ef borthi gwarth gorsed +Senyllt ae lestri llawn med +Godolei gledyf e gared +Godolei lemein e ryuel +Dyfforthsei lynwyssawr oe vreych +Rac bedin ododin a brennych +Gnawt ene neuad vyth meirch +Gwyar a gwrymseirch +Keingyell hiryell oe law +Ac en elyd bryssyaw +Gwen ac ymhyrdwen hyrdbleit +Disserch a serch ar tro +Gwyr nyt oedyn drych draet fo +Heilyn achubyat pob bro + +XLVIII. + +Llech leutu tut leu leudvre + Gododin ystre +Ystre ragno ar y anghat +Angat gynghor e leuuer cat + Cangen gaerwys + Keui drillywys +Tymor dymhestyl tymhestyl dymor +E beri restyr rac riallu +O dindywyt yn dyvu + Wyt yn dy wovu +Dwys yd wodyn +Llym yt wenyn +Llwyr genyn llu +Ysgwyt rugyn +Rac tarw trin + Y dal vriw vu + +XLIX. + +Erkryn e alon ar af (ar) +Er y brwydrin trin trachuar +Kwr e vankeirw +Am gwr e vanncarw +Byssed brych briwant barr +Am bwyll am disteir am distar +Am bwyll am rodic am rychward +Ys bro ys brys treullyawt rys en riwdrec +Ny hu wy ny gaffo e neges +Nyt anghwy a wanwy odiwes + +L. + +Ny mat wanpwyt ysgwyt +Ar gynwal carnwyt +Ny mat dodes y vordwyt +Ar vreichir mein-llwyt +Gell e baladyr gell +Gellach e obell +Y mae dy wr ene gell +Yn cnoi anghell +Bwch bud oe law idaw +Poet ymbell angell + +LI. + +Da y doeth adonwy at wen +Ym adawssut wenn heli bratwen +Gwnelut lladut llosgut +No moryen ny waeth wnelut +Ny delyeist nac eithaf na chynhor +Ysgwn drem dibennor +Ny weleist e morchwyd mawr marchogyon +Wynedin my rodin nawd y Saesson + +LII. + +Gododin gomynaf dy blegyt +Tynoeu dra thrumein drum essyth +Gwas chwant y aryant heb emwyt +O gussyl mab dwywei dy wrhyt +Nyt oed gynghorwann +Wael y rac tan veithin +O lychwr y lychwr lluch bin +Lluchdor y borfor beryerin +Llad gwaws gwan maws mur trin +Anysgarat ac vu y nat ac aneurin + +LIII. + +Kywyrein ketwyr kywrennin +E gatraeth gwerin fraeth fysgyolin +Gwerth med yg kynted a gwirawt win +Heyessit e lavnawr rwng dwy vedin +Arderchauc varchawc rac gododin +Eithinyn voleit murgreit tarw trin + +LIV. + +Kywyrein ketwyr kywrenhin +Gwlat atvel gochlywer a eu dilin +Dygoglawd ton bevyr beryerin +Men yd ynt eilyassaf elein +O brei vrych ny welych weyelin +Ny chemyd haed ud a gordin +Ny phyrth mevyl moryal eu dilin +Llavyn durawt barawt e waetlin + +LV. + +Kywyrein ketwyr kywrenhin +Gwlat atvel gochlywer eu dilin +Ef lladawd a chymawn a llain +A charnedawr tra gogyhwc gwyr trin + +LVI. + +Kywyrein ketwyr hyuaruuant +Y gyt en un vryt yt gyrchassant +Byrr eu hoedyl hir eu hoet ar eu carant +Seith gymeint o loegrwys a ladassant +O gyvryssed gwraged gwyth a wnaethant +Llawer mam ae deigyr ar y hamrant + +LVII. + +Ny wnaethpwyt neuad mor dianaf +Lew mor hael baran llew llwybyr vwyhaf +A chynon laryvronn adon deccaf +Dinas y dias ar llet eithaf +Dor angor bedin bud eilyassaf +Or sawl a weleis ac a welav +Ymyt en emdwyn aryf gryt gwryt gwryaf +Ef lladei oswyd a llavyn llymaf +Mal brwyn yt gwydynt rac y adaf +Mab klytno clot hir canaf +Yty or clot heb or heb eithaf + +LVIII. + +O winveith a medweith +Dygodolyn gwnlleith +Mam hwrreith + Eidol enyal +Ermygei rac vre +Rac bronn budugre +Breein dwyre + Wybyr ysgynnyal +Kynrein en kwydaw +Val glas heit arnaw + Heb giliaw gyhaual +Synnwyr ystwyr ystemel +Y ar weillyon gwebyl + Ac ardemyl gledyual +Blaen ancwyn anhun +Hediw an dihun + Mam reidun rwyf trydar + +LIX. + +O winveith a medweith yd aethant +E genhyn llurugogyon +Nys gwn lleith lletkynt +Cyn llwyded eu lleas dydaruu +Rac catraeth oed fraeth eu llu +O osgord vynydawc wawr dru +O drychant namen un gwr ny dyvu + +LX. + +O winveith a medveith yt gryssyassant +Gwyr en reit moleit eneit dichwant +Gloew dull y am drull yt gytvaethant +Gwin a med amall a amucsant +O osgord vynydawc am dwyf atveillyawc +A rwyf a golleis om gwir garant +O drychan riallu yt gryssyassant +Gatraeth tru namen vn gwr nyt atcorsant + +LXI. + +Hv bydei yg kywyrein pressent mal pel +Ar y e hu bydei ene uei atre + Hut amuc ododin + O win a med en dieding +Yng ystryng ystre +Ac adan gatvannan cochre, +Veirch marchawc godrud e more + +LXII. + +Angor dewr daen +Sarph seri raen +Sengi wrymgaen + Emlaen bedin +Arth i arwynawl drussyawr dreissyawr +Sengi waewawr +En dyd cadyawr + Yg clawd gwernin +Eil nedic nar +Neus duc drwy var +Gwled y adar + O drydar drin +Kywir yth elwir oth enwir weithret +Ractaf ruyuyadur mur catuilet +Merin a madyein mat yth, anet + +LXIII. + +Ardyledawc canu kyman caffat +Ketwyr am gatraeth a wnaeth brithret +Brithwy a wyar sathar sanget +Sengi wit gwned bual am dal med +A chalaned kyuurynged +Nyt adrawd kibno wede kyffro +Ket bei kymun keui dayret + +LXIV. + +Ardyledawc canu kyman ovri +Twrf tan a tharan a ryuerthi +Gwrhyt arderchawc varchawc mysgi +Ruduedel ryuel a eiduni +Gwr gwned divudyawc dimyngyei +Y gat or meint gwlat yd y klywi +Ae ysgwyt ar y ysgwyd hut arolli +Wayw mal gwin gloew o wydyr lestri +Aryant am yued eur dylyi +Gwinvaeth oed waetnerth vab llywri + +LXV. + +Ardyledawc canu claer orchyrdon +A gwedy dyrreith dyleinw aeron +Dimcones lovlen benn eryron +Llwyt ef gorevvwyt y ysgylvyon +Or a aeth gatraeth o eur dorchogyon +Ar neges mynydawc mynawc maon +Ny doeth en diwarth o barth vrython +Ododin wr bell well no Chynon + +LXVI. + +Ardyledawc canu kenian kywreint +Llawen llogell byt bu didichwant +Hu mynnei engkylch byt eidol anant +Yr eur a meirch mawr a med medweint +Namen ene delei o vyt hoffeint +Kyndilic aeron wyr enouant + +LXVII. + +Ardyledawc canu claer orchyrdon +Ar neges mynydawc mynawc maon +A merch eudaf hir dreis gwananhon +Oed porfor gwisgyadur dir amdrychyon + +LXVIII. + +Dyfforthes meiwyr molut nyuet +Baran tan teryd ban gynneuet +Duw mawrth gwisgyssant eu gwrym dudet +Diw merchyr peri deint eu calch doet +Divyeu bu diheu eu diuoet +Diw gwener calaned amdyget +Diw sadwrn bu divwrn eu kytweithret +Diw sul eu llavneu rud amdyget +Diw llun hyt benn clun gwaetlun gwelet +Neus adrawd gododin gwedy lludet +Rac pebyll madawc pan atcoryet +Namen un gwr o gant ene delhet + +LXIX. + +Mochdwyreawc y more +Kynnif aber rac ystre +Bu bwlch bu twlch tande +Mal twrch y tywysseist vre +Bu golut mynut bu lle +Bu gwyar gweilch gwrymde + +LXX. + +Moch dwyreawc y meitin +O gynnu aber rac fin +O dywys yn tywys yn dylin +Rac cant ef gwant gesseuin +Oed garw y gwnaewch chwi waetlin +Mal yuet med drwy chwerthin +Oed llew y lladewch chwi dynin +Cledyual dywal fysgyolin +Oed mor diachor yt ladei +Esgar gwr haual en y a bei + +LXXI. + +Disgynnwys en affwys dra phenn +Ny deliit kywyt kywrennin benn +Disgiawr breint vu e lad ar gangen +Kynnedyf y ewein esgynnv ar ystre +Ystwng kyn gorot goreu gangen +Dilud dyleyn cathleu dilen +Llywy llyvroded rwych ac asgen +Anglas asswydeu lovlen +Dyphorthes ae law luric wehyn +Dymgwallaw gwledic dal +Oe brid brennyal + +LXXII. + +Eidol adoer crei grannawr gwynn +Dysgiawr pan vei bun barn benn +Perchen meirch a gwrymseirch +Ac ysgwydawr yaen +Gyuoet a gyuergyr esgyn disgyn + +LXXIII. + +Aer dywys ry dywys ryvel +Gwlat gord garei gwrd uedel +Gwrdweryt gwaet am iroed +Seirchyawr am y rud yt ued +Seingyat am seirch seirch seingyat +Ar delw lleith dygiawr lludet +Peleidyr en eis en dechreu cat +Hynt am oleu bu godeu beleidryal + +LXXIV. + +Keint amnat am dina dy gell +Ac ystauell yt uydei dyrllydei +Med melys maglawr +Gwrys aergynlys gan wawr +Ket lwys lloegrwys lliwedawr +Ry benyt ar hyt yd allawr +Eillt wyned klywere arderched +Gwananhon byt ved +Savwy cadavwy gwyned +Tarw bedin treis trin teyrned +Kyn kywesc daear kyn gorwed +But orfun gododin bed + +LXXV. + +Bedin ordyvnat en agerw +Mynawc lluydawc llaw chwerw +Bu doeth a choeth a syberw +Nyt oed ef wrth gyued gochwerw +Mudyn geinnyon ar y helw +Nyt oed ar lles bro pob delw + +LXXVI. + +An gelwir mor a chynnwr ym plymnwyt +Yn tryvrwyt peleidyr peleidyr gogymwyt +Goglyssur heyrn lliveit llawr en assed +Sychyn yg gorun en trydar +Gwr frwythlawn flamdur rac esgar + +LXXVII. + +Dyfforthes cat veirch a chatseirch +Greulet ar gatraeth cochre +Mae blaenwyd bedin dinus +Aergi gwyth gwarth vre +An gelwir ny faw glaer fwyre +Echadaf heidyn haearnde + +LXXVIII. + +Mynawc gododin traeth e annor +Mynawc am rann kwynhyator +Rac eidyn aryal flam nyt atcor +Ef dodes e dilis yg kynhor +Ef dodes rac trin tewdor +En aryal ar dywal disgynnwys +Can llewes porthes mawrbwys +O osgord vynydawc ny diangwys +Namen vn aryf amdiffryf amdiffwys + +LXXIX. + +O gollet moryet ny bu aessawr +Dyfforthyn traeth y ennyn llawr +Ry duc oe lovlen glas lavnawr +Peleidyr pwys preiglyn benn periglawr +Y ar orwyd erchlas penn wedawr +Trindygwyd trwch trach y lavnawr +Pan orvyd oe gat ny bu foawr +An dyrllys molet med melys maglawr + +LXXX. + +Gweleis y dull o benn tir adoun +Aberth am goelkerth a disgynnyn +Gweleis oed kenevin ar dref redegein +A gwyr nwythyon ry gollessyn +Gweleis gwyr dullyawr gan awr adevyn +A phenn dyvynwal a breych brein ae cnoyn + +LXXXI. + +Mat vydic ysgavynwyn asgwrn aduaon +Aelussawc tebedawc tra mordwy alon +Gwrawl amdyvrwys goruawr y lu +Gwryt vronn gwrvan gwanan arnaw +Y gynnedyf disgynnu rac naw riallu +Yg gwyd gwaed a gwlat a gordiynaw +Caraf vy vudic lleithic a vu anaw +Kyndilic aeron kenhan lew + +LXXXII. + +Carasswn disgynnu yg catraeth gessevin +Gwert med yg kynted a gwirawt win +Carasswn neu chablwys ar llain +Kyn bu e leas oe las uffin +Carasswn eil clot dyfforthes gwaetlin +Ef dodes e gledyf yg goethin +Neus adrawd gwrhyt rac gododyn +Na bei mab keidyaw clot un gwr trin + +LXXXIII. + +Truan yw gennyf vy gwedy lludet +Grodef gloes angheu trwy angkyffret +Ac eil trwm truan gennyf vy gwelet +Dygwydaw an gwyr ny penn o draet +Ac ucheneit hir ac eilywet +En ol gwyr pebyr temyr tudwet +Ruvawn a gwgawn gwiawn a gwlyget +Gwyr gorsaf gwryaf gwrd yg calet +Ys deupo eu heneit wy wedy trinet +Kynnwys yg wlat nef adef avneuet + +LXXXIV. + +Ef gwrthodes tres tra gwyar llyn +Ef lladei val dewrdull nyt echyn +Tavloyw ac ysgeth tavlet wydrin +A med rac teyrned tavlei vedin +Menit y gynghor men na lleveri +Lliaws ac vei anwaws nyt odewyt +Rac ruthyr bwyllyadeu a chledyvawr +Lliveit handit gwelir llavar lleir + +LXXXV. + +Porthloed vedin +Porthloed lain +A llu racwed +En ragyrwed +En dyd gwned +Yg kyvryssed +Buant gwychawc +Gwede meddawt +A med yuet +Ny bu waret +An gorwylam +Enyd frwythlam +Pan adroder torret ergyr +O veirch a gwyr tyngir tynget + +LXXXVI. + + Pan ym dyvyd lliaws pryder + Pryderaf fun + Fun en ardec + Aryal redec + Ar hynt wylaw + Ku kystudywn + Ku carasswn + Kelleic faw + Ac argoedwys + Guae gordyvnwys + Y emdullyaw +Ef dadodes arlluyd pwys ar lles rieu + Ar dilyvyn goet + Ar diliw hoet + Yr kyvedeu +Kyvedwogant ef an dyduc ar dan adloyw + Ac ar groen gwynn goscroyw + +LXXXVII. + +Gereint rac deheu gawr a dodet +Lluch gwynn gwynn dwll ar ysgwyt +Yor yspar llary yor +Molut mynut mor +Gogwneif heissyllut gwgynei gereint +Hael mynawc oedut + +LXXXVIII. + +Diannot e glot e glutvan +Diachor angor ygkyman +Diechyr eryr gwyr govaran +Trin odef eidef oed eiryan +Ragorei veirch racvuan +En trin lletvegin gwin o bann +Kyn glasved a glassu eu rann +Bu gwr gwled od uch med mygyr o bann + +LXXXIX. + +Dienhyt y bob llawr llanwet +E hual amhaual afneuet +Twll tall e rodawr +Cas o hir gwythawc +Rywonyawc diffreidyeit +Eil gweith gelwideint a mallet +Yg catveirch a seirch greulet +Bedin agkysgoget yt vyd cat voryon +Cochro llann bann ry godhet +Trwm en trin a llavyn yt lladei +Garw rybud o gat dydygei +Cann calan a darmeithei +Ef gwenit adan vab ervei +Ef gwenit adan dwrch trahawc +Un riein a morwyn a mynawc +A phan oed mab teyrn teithyawc +Yng gwyndyt gwaed glyt gwaredawc +Kyn golo gweryt ar rud +Llary hael etvynt digythrud +O glot a chet echyawc +Neut bed garthwys hir o dir rywonyawc + +XC. + +Peis dinogat e vreith vreith +O grwyn balaot ban wreith +Chwit chwit chwidogeith +Gochanwn gochenyn wyth geith +Pan elei dy dat ty e helya +Llath ar y ysgwyd llory eny llaw +Ef gelwi gwn gogyhwch +Giff gaff dhaly dhaly dhwc dhwc +Ef lledi bysc yng corwc +Mal ban llad llew llywywc +Pan elei dy dat ty e vynyd +Dydygei ef penn ywrch pen gwythwch penn hyd +Penn grugyar vreith o venyd +Penn pysc o rayadyr derwennyd +Or sawl yt gyrhaedei dy dat ty ae gicwein +O wythwch a llewyn a llwyuein +Nyt anghei oll ny uei oradein + +XCI. + +Peum dodyw angkyvrwng o angkyuarc +Nym daw nym dyvyd a uo trymach +Ny magwyt yn neuad a vei lewach +Noc ef nac yng cat a vei wastadach +Ac ar ryt benclwyt pennawt oed e veirch +Pellynic e glot pellws e galch +A chyn golo gweir hir a dan dywarch +Dyrllydei vedgyrn un mab feruarch + +XCII. + +Gueleys y dull o bentir a doyn +Aberthach coelcerth a emdygyn +Gueleys y deu oc eu tre re ry gwydyn +O eir nwython ry godessyn +Gueleys y wyr tylluawr gan waur a doyn +A phen dyuynwal vrych brein ae knoyn + +XCIII. + +Gododin gomynnaf oth blegyt +Yg gwyd cant en aryal en emwyt +A guarchan mab dwywei da wrhyt +Poet yno en vn tyno treissyt +Er pan want maws mor trin +Er pan aeth daear ar aneirin +Mi neut ysgaras nat a gododin + +XCIV. + +Llech llefdir aryf gardith tith ragon +Tec ware rac gododin ystre anhon +Ry duc diwyll o win bebyll ar lles tymyr +Tymor tymestyl tra merin llestyr +Tra merin llu llu meithlyon +Kein gadrawt rwyd rac riallu +O dindywyt en dyuuwyt yn dyvuu +Ysgwyt rugyn rac doleu trin tal vriw vu + +XCV. + +Dihenyd y bop llaur llanwet +Y haual amhal afneuet +Twll tal y rodauc +Cas o hir gwychauc +Rywynyauc diffret +Eil with gwelydeint amallet +Y gat veirch ae seirch greulet +Bit en anysgoget bit get +Uoron gwychyrolyon pan ry godet +Trwm en trin a llain yt ladei +Gwaro rybud o gat dydygei +Gant can yg calan darmerthei +Ef gwenit a dan vab uruei +Ef gwenit a dan dwrch trahauc +Un riein a morwyn a menauc +A chan oed mab brenhin teithiaug +Ud gwyndyt gwaet kilyd gwaredawc +Kyn golo gweryt ar grud hael etvynt +Doeth dygyrchet y get ae glot ae echiauc +Uot bed gorthyn hir o orthir rywynauc + +XCVI. + +Am drynnv drylav drylen +Am lwys am diffwys dywarchen +Trihuc baruaut dreis dili plec hen +Atguuc emorem ae guiau hem +Hancai ureuer uragdenn +At gwyr a gwydyl a phrydein +At gu kelein rein rud guen +Deheuec gwenauwy mab gwen + +XCVII. + +Am giniav drylav drylen +Trym dwys tra diffwys dywarchen +Kemp e lumen arwr baruawt asgell +Vreith edrych eidyn a breithell +Goruchyd y lav loften +Ar gynt a gwydyl a phryden +A chynhyo mwng bleid heb pren +Eny law gnavt gwychlaut ene lenn +Prytwyf ny bei marw morem +Deheuec gwenabwy mab gwen + + + + +THE GODODIN. + + + + +I. + +He was a man in mind, in years a youth, {79a} +And gallant in the din of war; +Fleet, thick-maned chargers {79b} +Were ridden {79c} by the illustrious hero; +A shield, light and broad, +Hung on the flank of his swift and slender steed; +His sword was blue and gleaming, +His spurs were of gold, {80a} his raiment was woollen. {80b} +It will not be my part +To speak of thee reproachfully, +A more choice act of mine will be +To celebrate thy praise in song; +Thou hast gone to a bloody bier, +Sooner than to a nuptial feast; {80c} +Thou hast become a meal for ravens, +Ere thou didst reach the front of conflict. {80d} +Alas, Owain! my beloved friend; +It is not meet that he should be devoured by ravens! {81a} +There is swelling sorrow {82a} in the plain, +Where fell in death the only son of Marro. + +II. + +Adorned with his wreath, leader of rustic warriors, {82b} whenever he came +By his troop unattended, {83a} before maidens would he serve the mead; +But the front of his shield would be pierced, {83b} if ever he heard +The shout of war; no quarter would he give to those whom he pursued; +Nor would he retreat from the combat until blood flowed; +And he cut down like rushes {83c} the men who would not yield. +The Gododin relates, that on the coast of Mordei, {84a} +Before the tents of Madog, when he returned, +But one man in a hundred with him came. {84b} + +III. + +Adorned with his wreath, the chief of toil, his country's rod {84c} of power, +Darted like an eagle {84d} to our harbours, {84e} when allured +To the compact {85a} that had been formed; his ensign was beloved, {85b} +More nobly was his emblazoned resolution {85c} performed, for he retreated +not, +With a shrinking mind, {85d} before the host of Gododin. +Manawyd, {85e} with confidence and strength thou pressest upon the tumultuous +fight, +Nor dost thou regard {86a} either spear or shield; +No habitation rich in dainties can be found, +That has been kept out of the reach of thy warriors' charge. {86b} + +IV. + +Adorned with a wreath was the leader, {87a} the wolf {87b} of the holme, +Amber beads {87c} in ringlets encircled his temples; {87d} +Precious was the amber, worth a banquet of wine. {87e} +He repelled the violence of men, as they glided along; +For Venedotia and the North would have come to his share, +By the advice of the son of Ysgyran, {88a} +The hero of the broken shield. {88b} + +V. + +Adorned with his wreath was the leader, and armed in the noisy conflict; +Chief object of observation {88c} was the hero, and powerful in the gory +field, +Chief fighter {88d} in the advanced division, in front of the hosts; +Five battalions {89a} fell before his blades; +Even of the men of Deivyr and Bryneich, {89b} uttering groans, +Twenty hundred perished in one short hour; +Sooner did he feed the wolf {90a} with his carcase, than go to the nuptial +feast; {90b} +He sooner became the raven's prey, than approached the altar; {90c} +He had not raised the spear ere his blood streamed to the ground; {90d} +This was the price of mead in the hall, amidst the throng; +Hyveidd Hir {90e} shall be celebrated whilst there remains a minstrel. + +VI. + +The heroes marched to Gododin, and Gognaw laughed, {91a} +But bitter were they in the battle, {91b} when they stood arranged according +to their several banners; +Few were the years of peace which they had enjoyed; +The son of Botgad caused a throbbing by the energy of his hand; +They should have gone to churches to do penance, +The old and the young, the bold and the mighty; {91c} +The inevitable strife of death was about to pierce them. + +VII. + +The heroes marched to Gododin, Gwanar {92a} laughed, +As his jewelled army {92b} went down {92c} to the terrific toil. +Thou slayest them with blades, when there is not much chattering; +Thou, powerful supporter of the living law, producest the silence of death. +{92d} + +VIII. + +The heroes marched to Cattraeth, loquacious was the host; +Blue {93a} mead was their liquor, and it proved their poison; {93b} +In marshalled array they cut through the engines of war; {93c} +And after the joyful cry, silence {93d} ensued! +They should have gone to churches to perform penance; +The inevitable strife of death was about to pierce them. + +IX. + +The heroes marched to Cattraeth, filled with mead and drunk, +Compact and vigorous; {94a} I should wrong them were I to neglect their fame; +Around the mighty, red, and murky blades, +Obstinately and fiercely the dogs of war {94b} would fight; +If I had judged you to be of the tribe of Bryneich, {94c} +Not the phantom of a man would I have left alive. {94d} +I lost a friend, myself being unhurt, +As he openly withstood the terror of the parental chief; +Magnanimously did he refuse the dowry of his father-in-law; {94e} +Such was the son of Cian {95a} from the stone of Gwyngwn. + +X. + +The heroes marched to Cattraeth with the dawn; +Their peace was disturbed by those who feared them; +A hundred thousand with three hundred {95b} engaged in mutual overthrow; +Drenched in gore, they marked the fall of the lances; {96a} +The post of war {96b} was most manfully and with gallantry maintained, +Before the retinue of Mynyddawg the Courteous. {96c} + +XI. + +The heroes marched to Cattraeth with the dawn; +Feelingly did their relatives {96d} regret their absence; +Mead they drank, yellow, sweet, ensnaring; +That year is the point to which many {96e} a minstrel turns; +Redder were their swords than their plumes, {97a} +Their blades were white as lime, {97b} and into four parts were their helmets +cloven, {97c} +Even those of {97d} the retinue of Mynyddawg the Courteous. + +XII. + +The heroes marched to Cattraeth with the day; +Was not the most celebrated of battles disgraced? {97e} +They put to death {98a} Gelorwydd +With blades. The gem of Baptism {98b}was thus widely taunted; - +"Better that you should, ere you join your kindred, +Have a gory unction {98c} and death far from your native homes, +At the hand of the host of Gododin, when the day arrives." +Is not a hero's power best when tempered with discretion? + +XIII. + +The hero {98d} marched to Cattraeth with the day; +Truly {99a} he quaffed the white mead on serene nights; {99b} +Miserable, though success had been predicted, {99c} +Proved his mission, which he undertook through soaring ambition; {99d} +There hastened not to Cattraeth +A chief, with such a magnificent design of enterprize +Blazoned on his standard; +Never was there such a host +From the fort of Eiddin, {99e} +That would scatter abroad the mounted ravagers. +Tudvwlch Hir, {100a} deprived of {100b} his land and towns, +Slaughtered the Saxons for seven days; {100c} +His valour should have protected him in freedom; {100d} +His memory is cherished by his fair {100e} associates; +When Tudvwlch arrived, the supporter of the land, {100f} +The post of the son of Kilydd {100g} became a plain of blood. + +XIV. + +The heroes {100h} marched to Cattraeth with the dawn, +But none of them received protection from their shields, +To blood they resorted, being assembled in gleaming armour; {101a} +In the van was, loud as thunder, the din of targets. {101b} +The envious, the fickle, and the base, +Would he tear and pierce with halberts; +From an elevated position {101c} he slew, with a blade, +In iron affliction, {101d} their steel-clad commander; {101e} +He subdued the Mordei that owed him homage; {101f} +Before Erthai {102a} even an army groaned. {102b} + +XV. + +When the tale shall be told of the battle of Cattraeth, +The people will utter sighs; {102c} long has been their grief on account of +the warriors' absence; +There will be a dominion without a sovereign, {102d} and a smoking land. +The sons of Godebog, an upright clan, +Bore the furrower {102e} on a long bier. +Miserable {103a} was the fate, though just the necessity, +Decreed for Tudvwlch and Cyvwlch the Tall; {103b} +Together they drank the bright mead by the light {103c} of torches, {103d} +Though pleasant to the taste, it proved a lasting foe. {103e} + +XVI. + +Before, above the splendid fort of Eching {103f} he shewed a frowning aspect; +{103g} +Whilst young and forward men composed his retinue; +Before, on the Bludwe, {104a} would the horn cheer his heart, {104b} +Making all the Mordei full of joy; {104c} +Before, his beverage would be braggett; +Before, he displayed the grandeur of gold and rich purple; +Before, pampered steeds would bear him safe away, +Even Gwarthlev, who deserved a comely name; {104d} +Before, the victorious chief would turn aside the ebbing tide; +His command was ever to go forward, {105a} loth was he to skulk. + +XVII. + +And now the early leader, +The sun, is about to ascend, +Sovereign of the revolving {105b} lights, {105c} +In the heaven of Britain's isle. {105d} +Direful was the flight before the shaking +Of the shield of the pursuing victor; {105e} +Bright {105f} was the horn +In the hall of Eiddin; {105g} +With pomp was he bidden {105h} +To the feast of intoxicating mead; +He drank the beverage of wine, +At the meeting of reapers; {106a} +He drank transparent wine, +With a battle-daring purpose. {106b} +The reapers sang of war, +War with the shining wing; {106c} +The minstrels sang of war, +Of harnessed {106d} war, +Of winged war. +No shield was unexpanded {107a} +In the conflict of spears; +Of equal age they fell {107b} +In the struggle of battle. +Unshaken in the tumult, +Without dishonour {107c} did he retaliate on the foe; +Buried {107d} was whoever he willed, +Ere the grave of the gigantic {107e} Gwrveling +Itself became a green sward. + +XVIII. + +The complement {107f} of the surrounding country {107g} +Were, three forward chiefs of the Novantae; {107h} +Five battalions of five hundred men each; {108a} +Three levies {108b} of three hundred each; +Three hundred knights of battle {108c} +From Eiddin, arrayed in golden armour; +Three loricated hosts, +With three kings wearing the golden torques; {108d} +Three bold knights, +With three hundred of equal quality; +Three of the same order, mutually jealous, +Bitterly would they chase the foe, +Three dreadful in the toil; +They would kill a lion flat as lead. {108e} +There was in the war a collection of gold. {108f} +Three sovereigns of the people +Came from amongst the Brython, {109a} +Cynrig and Cynon {109b} +And Cynrain {109c} from Aeron, {109d} +To greet {110a} the ashen lances {110b} +Of the men who dropped from Deivyr. {110c} +Came there from the Brython, +A better man than Cynon, +Who proved a serpent to his sullen foes? + +XIX. + +I drank of the wine and the mead of the Mordei; +Great was the quantity of spears, +In the assembly of the warriors; +He {110d} was solemnising a banquet for the eagle. +When Cydywal {110e} hurried forth to battle, he raised +The shout with the green dawn, and dealt out tribulation, {110f} +And splintered shields about the ground he left, +And darts of awful tearing did he hew down; +In the battle, the foremost in the van he wounded. +The son of Syvno, {111a} the astronomer, knew, +That he who sold his life, +In the face of warning, +With sharpened blades would slaughter, +But would himself be slain by spears and crosses. {111b} +According to the compact, {111c} he meditated a convenient attack, +And would boast {111d} of a pile of carcases +Of gallant men of toil, +Whom in the upper part of Gwynedd {111e} he pierced. + +XX. + +I drank of the wine and the mead of the Mordei, +And because I drank, I fell by the edge of a gleaming sword, {112a} +Not without desiring a hero's prowess; {112b} +And when all fell, thou didst also fall. {112c} +Thus when the issue comes, it were well not to have sinned. +Present, in his thrusting course, showed a bold and mighty arm. {112d} + +XXI. + +The heroes who marched to Cattraeth were renowned, +Wine and mead out of golden goblets was their beverage, +That year was to them one of exalted solemnity, +Three hundred and sixty-three chieftains, wearing the golden torques; {113a} +Of those who hurried forth after the excess of revelling, +But three escaped by valour from the funeral fosse, {113b} +The two war-dogs {114a} of Aeron, and Cynon the dauntless, {114b} +And myself, from the spilling of blood, the reward of my candid song. {114c} + +XXII. + +My friend in real distress, we should have been by none disturbed, +Had not the white-bannered commander {115a} led forth his army; +We should not {115b} have been separated in the hall from the banquet of +mead, +Had he not laid waste our convenient groves; {115c} +He crept into the martial field, he crept into our families. {115d} +The Gododin relates how that, after the fight in the fosse, +When we had no dwellings, {116a} none were more destitute. {116b} + +XXIII. + +Scattered, broken, motionless is the weapon, {116c} +That used to penetrate through the great horde, {116d} the numerous {117a} +horde of the Lloegrians. {117b} +Shields were strewn on the sea coast, {117c} shields in the battle of lances; +Men were reduced to ashes, {117d} +And women rendered widows, +Before his death. {117e} +O Graid, son of Hoewgi, {117f} +With thy spears +Didst thou cause an effusion of blood. + +XXIV. + +There was the hero, with both his shoulders covered, {118a} +By a variegated shield, and possessing the swiftness of a warlike steed; +There was a noise in the mount of slaughter, {118b} there was fire, {118c} +Impetuous were the lances, there was a sunny gleam, {118d} +There was food for ravens, the raven there did triumph, {118e} +And before he would let them go free, +With the morning dew, like the eagle in his glad course, +He scattered them on either side, and like a billow overwhelmed them in +front. +The Bards of the world judge those to be men of valour, +Whose counsels are not divulged to slaves. {119a} +The spears in the hands of the warriors were causing devastation; +And ere was interred under {119b} the swan-white steed, {119c} +One who had been energetic in his commands, +His gore had thoroughly washed his armour: {119d} +Such was Buddvan, {119e} the son of Bleiddvan the Bold. + +XXV. + +It were wrong not to record his magnificent feat; +He would not leave an open gap, through cowardice; {120a} +The benefit of Britain's minstrels never quitted his court +Upon the calends of January; {120b} according to his design, {120c} +His land should not be ploughed, though it might become wild; +He was a mighty dragon of indignant disposition; +A commander in the bloody field, {120d} after the feast of wine, +Was Gwenabwy {121a} the son of Gwen, {121b} in the strife of Cattraeth. + +XXVI. + +True it was, as the songs relate, {121c} +No one's steeds {121d} overtook Marchleu; +The lances {121e} hurled by the commanding earl, +In his prancing career, {121f} strewed a thick path; +As he had been reared for slaughter by the aid of my mother, {121g} +Furious was the stroke of his sword whilst lending support to others; {121h} +Ashen shafts were scattered from the grasp of his hand, {122a} +Above the narrow summit {122b} of the solemn pile, {122c} +The place where one caused the smoke to ascend; {122d} +He would slaughter with the blade, whilst his arms were full of furze; {122e} +As when a reaping comes in the interval of fine weather, {122f} +Would Marchleu {123a} make the blood to flow. + +XXVII. + +Lower down {123b} was sent from the southern region, {123c} +One whose conduct {123d} resembled the flowing sea; {123e} +He was full of modesty and gentleness, +When allowed to quaff the mead: +But along the rampart to Offer, {123f} even to the point of Maddeu, {123g} +Enraged, he was glutted with carnage, and scattering, with desolation; {124a} +His sword resounded on the heads of mothers; +He was an ardent spirit, {124b} praise be to him, the son of Gwyddneu. {124c} + +XXVIII. + +Caredig, {124d} lovely is his fame; +He would protect and guard his ensign, +Gentle, {125a} lowly, calm, before the day arrived +When he the pomp of war should learn; +When comes the appointed time of the friend of song, {125b} +May he recognise his home in the heavenly region. + +XXIX. + +Ceredig, {125c} amiable leader, +A wrestler {126a} in the impetuous {126b} fight; +His golden shield dazzled {126c} the field of battle, +His lances, when darted, were shivered into splinters, +And the stroke of his sword was fierce and penetrating; +Like a hero would he maintain his post. +Before he received the affliction of earth, {126d} before the fatal blow, +He had fulfilled his duty in guarding his station. +May he find a complete reception +With the Trinity in perfect Unity. + +XXX. + +When Caradawg {126e} rushed into battle, +It was like the tearing onset of the woodland boar; {127a} +Bull of the army in the mangling fight, +He allured the wild dogs by the action of his hand; {127b} +My witnesses {127c} are Owain the son of Eulat, +And Gwrien, and Gwynn, and Gwriad; {127d} +But from Cattraeth, and its work of carnage, {127e} +From the hill of Hydwn, ere it was gained, {127f} +After the clear mead was put into his hand, +He saw no more the hill {128a} of his father. + +XXXI. + +The warriors marched with speed, together they bounded onward; +Short lived were they, - they had become drunk over the distilled mead. +The retinue of Mynyddawg, renowned {128b} in the hour of need; +Their life was the price of their banquet of mead. +Caradawg, {128c} and Madawg, {128d} Pyll, and Ieuan, +Gwgawn, {129a} and Gwiawn, Gwynn {129b} and Cynvan, +Peredur {129c} with steel arms, Gwawrddur, {129d} and Aeddan; {129e} +A defence were they in the tumult, though with shattered shields; {130a} +When they were slain, they also slaughtered; +Not one to his native home returned. + +XXXII. + +The heroes marched with speed, together were they regaled +That year over mead, and mighty was their design; +How sad to mention them, {130b} how doleful their commemoration! {130c} +Poison is the home to which they have returned, they are not as sons by +mothers nursed; {130d} +How long our vexation, how long our regret, +For the brave warriors, whose native place was the feast of wine! {130e} +Gwlyget {131a} of Gododin, having partaken of the speech inspiring +Banquet of Mynyddawg, performed illustrious deeds, {131b} +And paid a price {131c} for the purchase of the battle of Cattraeth. + +XXXIII. + +The heroes went to Cattraeth in marshalled array, and with shout of war, +{131d} +With powerful steeds, {131e} and dark brown harness, and with shields, +With uplifted {131f} javelins, and piercing lances, +With glittering mail, and with swords. +He excelled, and penetrated through the host, +Five battalions fell before his blade; +Rhuvawn Hir, {132a} - he gave gold {132b} to the altar, +And gifts and precious stones {132c} to the minstrel. + +XXXIV. + +No hall {132d} was ever made so eminently perfect, +So great, so magnificent for the slaughter; {133a} +Morien {133b} procured {133c} and spread the fire, +And would not say but that Cynon {133d} should see {133e} the corpse +Of one harnessed, armed with a pike, and of a wide spread fame; {133f} +His sword resounded on the summit occupied by the camp, {133g} +Nor was he moved {134a} aside in his course by a ponderous stone from the +wall of the fort, {134b} +And never again will the son of Peithan {134c} be moved. + +XXXV. + +No hall was ever made so impregnable; {134d} +Had not Morien been like Caradawg, {134e} +The forward Mynawg, {134f} with his heavy armour, {134g} would not have +escaped; +Enraged, he was fiercer than the son of Pherawg, {135a} +Stout his hand, and, mounted on his steed, {135b} he dealt out flames upon +the retreating foe. +Terrible in the city was the cry of the timid multitude, +The van of the army of Gododin was scattered; +His buckler {135c} was winged with fire for the slaughter; +In the day of his wrath {135d} he was nimble - a destructive retaliator; +The dependants of Mynyddawg deserved their horns of mead. + +XXXVI. + +No hall was ever made so immoveable +As that of Cynon with the gentle breast, sovereign of the saints; {135e} +He sat no longer on his elevated throne, {136a} +Whom he pierced were not pierced again, {136b} +Keen was the point of his lance, +It perforated the enamelled armour, it penetrated through the troops; +Swift in the van were his horses, in front they tore along; +In the day of his anger {136c} blasting was his blade, +When Cynon rushed into battle with the green dawn. + +XXXVII. + +A grievous descent was made upon his native territory; +He {136d} suffered an encroachment - he fixed a limit; +His spear forcibly pushed the laughing chiefs of war; +Even as far as Ephyd {137a} reached the valour of the forward Elphin: +The furze was kindled by the ardent spirit, the bull of conflict. + +XXXVIII. + +A grievous descent was made upon his native territory, +The price of mead in the hall, and the feast of wine; +His blades were scattered about between the two hosts; +Illustrious was the knight in front of Gododin; +The furze was kindled by the ardent spirit, the bull of conflict. {138a} + +XXXIX. + +A grievous descent was made in front of the extended riches, {138b} +But the army turned aside, with trailing {138c} shields, +And those shields were shivered before the herd of the roaring Beli. {138d} +A dwarf from the bloody field hastened to the fence; {139a} +And on our side there came a hoary headed man, our chief counsellor, {139b} +Mounted on a prancing iebald psteed, and wearing the golden chain. +The Boar {139c} proposed a compact in front of the course - the great +plotter; +Right worthy {139d} was the shout of our refusal, +And we cried "Let heaven be our protection, +Let his compact be that he should be prostrated by the spear in battle, +{139e} +Our warriors, in respect of their far famed fosse, {139f} +Would not quarrel if a host were there to press the ground." + +XL. + +For the piercing {140a} of the skilful and most learned man, {140b} +For the fair corpse which fell prostrate on the ground, +For the cutting {140c} of his hair from his head, +For Gwydien, the eagle of the air, {140d} +Did Gwyddwg {141a} bring protection to the field, {141b} +Resembling and honouring his master. +Morien of the blessed song, brought protection +To the ruined hall, {141c} and cleft the heads +Of the first in youth, in strength, and in old age. +Equal to three men, though a maid, was Bradwen; {141d} +Equal to twelve was Gwenabwy, the son of Gwen. {141e} + +XLI. + +For the piercing of the skilful and most learned woman, +Her servant bore a shield in the action, +And with energy his sword fell upon the heads of the foe; +In Lloegyr the churls cut their way before the chieftain. {142a} +He who grasps the mane of a wolf, without a club {142b} +In his hand, will have it gorgeously emblazoned on his robe. {142c} +In the engagement of wrath and carnage, +Bradwen perished, - she did not escape. + +XLII. + +Carcases {142d} of gold mailed warriors lay upon the city walls; +None of the houses or cities of Christians {142e} was any longer actively +engaged in war; {142f} +But one feeble man, with his shouts, kept aloof +The roving birds; {143a} +Truly Syll of Virein {143b} reports that there were more +That had chanced to come from Llwy, {143c} +From around the inlet of the flood; +He reports that there were more, +At the hour of mattins, {143d} +Than the morning breeze could well support. + +XLIII. + +When thou, famous conqueror! +Wast protecting the ear of corn in the uplands, +Deservedly were we said to run {144a} like marked men; {144b} +The entrance to Din Drei {144c} was not guarded, +There was a mountain with riches {144d} for those who should approach it, +And there was a city {144e} for the army that should venture to enter; +But Gwynwydd's name was not heard where his person was not seen. {144f} + +XLIV. + +Though there be a hundred men in one house, +I know the cares of war, {145a} +The chief of the men must pay the contribution. {145b} + +LXV. + +I am not headstrong and petulant, +I will not avenge myself on him who drives me on, {145c} +I will not laugh in derision; +This particle {145d} shall go under foot. {145e} +My limbs {145f} are racked, +And I am loaded, {146a} +In the subterraneous house; +An iron chain +Passes over my two knees; +Yet of the mead and of the horn, {146b} +And of the host of Cattraeth, +I Aneurin will sing {146c} +What is known to Taliesin, +Who communicates to me his thoughts, {146d} +Or a strain of Gododin, +Before the dawn of the bright day. {146e} + +XLVI. + +The chief exploit of the North {146f} did the hero accomplish, +Of a gentle breast, a more liberal lord could not be seen, +Earth does not support, {147a} nor has mother borne +Such an illustrious, powerful, steel clad warrior; +By the force of his gleaming sword he protected me, +From the cruel subterraneous prison he brought me out, +From the chamber of death, from a hostile region; +Such was Ceneu, son of Llywarch, energetic and bold. {147b} + +XLVII. + +He would not bear the reproach of a congress, {147c} +Senyllt, {147d} with his vessels full of mead; - +His sword rang {148a} for deeds of violence, +He shouted and bounded with aid for the war, +And with his arm proved a comprehensive {148b} support, {148c} +Against the armies of Gododin and Bryneich. +Booths for the horses were prepared in the hall, {148d} +There was streaming gore, and dark brown harness, +And from his hand issued a thread {148e} of gleam; {148f} +Like a hunter shooting with the bow +Was Gwen; {148g} and the attacking parties mutually pushed each other, +Friend and foe by turns; +The warriors did not cut their way to flee, {148h} +But were the generous defenders of every region. + +XLVIII. + +To Llech Leucu, {149a} the land of Lleu, {149b} and Lleudvre, {149c} +To the course of Gododin, +And to the course of Ragno, close at hand, +Even that hand which directed the splendour of battle, +With the branch of Caerwys, {149d} +Before it was shattered +By the season of the storm, - by the storm of the season, {149e} +To form a rank against a hundred thousand men, {149f} +Coming from Dindovydd, +In the region of Dyvneint, {150a} +Deeply did they design, {150b} +Sharply did they pierce, +Wholly did they chant, +Even the army with the battered shields; +And before the bull of conflict, +The hostile van was broken. + +XLIX. + +The foes have in sorrow greatly trembled, +Since the battle of most active tumult, +At the border of Ban Carw; {150c} +Round the border of Ban Carw +The fingers of Brych {150d} were hurt by the shaft of a spear. {150e} +In defence of Pwyll, {150f} of Disteir and Distar, +In defence of Pwyll, of Rodri, and of Rhychwardd, +A stout {151a} bow was spent by Rhys {151b} in Rhiwdrech; +They that were not bold would not attain their purpose; +None escaped that was once overtaken and pierced. {151c} + +L. + +Not meetly was his buckler pierced +Upon the flank of his steed; {151d} +Not meetly did he mount {152a} +His long legged, slender, grey charger; +Dark was his shaft, dark, +Darker was his saddle; {152b} +Thy hero {152c} is in a cell, {152d} +Gnawing the shoulder of a buck, {152e} +May his hand triumph, +But far be the shoulder of venison. {152f} + +LI. + +It is well that Adonwy came to the support of Gwen; {153a} +Bradwen {153b} abandoned the foaming brine, +And fought, slaughtered, and burned, though Morien +She did not surpass in martial deeds. +Thou didst not regard the rear or the van +Of the towering, unhelmetted {153c} presence; +Thou didst not observe the great swelling sea of knights, +That would mangle, and grant no shelter to the Saxons. {153d} + +LII. + +Gododin! in respect of thee will I demand {154a} +The dales beyond the ridge of Drum Essyd; {154b} +The slave, {154c} greedy of wealth, cannot control himself; +By the counsel of thy son, {154d} let thy valour shine forth. +The place appointed for the conference +Was not mean, {154e} in front of Llanveithin; {154f} +From twilight to twilight he revelled; {154g} +Splendid and full was the purple of the pilgrim; {154h} +He killed the defenceless, {154i} the delight of the bulwark of toil, {154j} +His inseparable companion, whose voice was like that of Aneurin. {155a} + +LIII. + +Together arise the foremost fighting warriors, {155b} +And in a body march to Cattraeth, with noise and eager speed; +The effects {155c} of the mead in the hall, and of the beverage of wine. +Blades were scattered between the two armies +By an illustrious knight, in front of Gododin. +Furze was set on fire by the ardent spirit, the bull of battle. {155d} + +LIV. + +Together arise the expert warriors, +And the stranger, {155e} the man with the crimson robe, pursue; +The encampment is broken down by the gorgeous pilgrim, {156a} +Where the young deer were in full melody. {156b} +Amongst the spears of Brych {156c} thou couldst see no rods; {156d} +With the base the worthy can have no concord; {156e} +Morial {156f} in pursuit will not countenance their dishonourable deeds, +With his steel blade ready for the effusion of blood. + +LV. + +Together arise the associated {156g} warriors, +Strangers to the country, their deeds shall be proclaimed; +There was slaughtering with axes and blades, {157a} +And there was raising large cairns over the heroes of toil. + +LVI. + +The experienced {157b} warriors met together, +And all with one accord sallied forth; {157c} +Short were their lives, long is the grief of those who loved them; +Seven times their number of Lloegrians had they slain; +After the conflict their wives {157d} raised a scream; {157e} +And many a mother has the tear on her eyelash. + +LVII. + +No hall was ever made so faultless; +Nor was there a lion so generous, a majestic lion on the path, so kind {158a} +As Cynon of the gentle breast, the most comely lord. +The fame {158b} of the city extends to the remotest parts; +It was the staying {158c} shelter of the army, the benefit of flowing melody. +{158d} +Of those whom I have seen, or shall hereafter see +On earth, engaged in arms, the battle cry, and war, {159a} the most heroic +was he, +Who slew the mounted ravagers with the keenest blade; +Like rushes did they fall before his hand. +O son of Clydno, {159b} of lasting {159c} fame! I will sing to thee +A song of praise, without beginning, {159d} without end. + +LVIII. + +After the feast of wine and the banquet of mead, +Enriched with the first fruits of slaughter, +The mother of Spoliation, {159e} +Was the energetic Eidol; {159f} +He honoured the mount of the van, {160a} +In the presence of Victory. +The hovering ravens, +Ascend in the sky; {160b} +The foremost spearmen around him thicken, {160c} +Like a crop of green barley, {160d} +Without the semblance of a retreat. +Warriors in wonder shake their javelins, +With pouting and pallid lips, +Caused by the keenness of the destructive sword; +From the front of the banquet, deprived of sleep +They vigorously spring forth, {161a} upon the awaking +Of the mother {161b} of the Lance, the leader of the din. + +LIX. + +From the feast of wine and the banquet of mead, they marched +To the strife of mail-clad warriors; {161c} +I know no tale of slaughter which records +So complete a destruction. +Before Cattraeth loquacious was the host; +But of the retinue of Mynyddawg, greatly to be deplored, {162a} +Out of three hundred {162b} men, only one returned. + +LX. + +From the feast of wine and the banquet of mead, with speed they marched, +Men renowned in difficulty, prodigal of their lives; +In fairest order {162c} round the viands they together feasted; +Wine and mead and tribute {162d} they enjoyed. +From the retinue of Mynyddawg ruin has come to me; {163a} +And I have lost my general {163b} and {163c} my true friends. +Of the regal army of three hundred men that hastened to Cattraeth, +Alas! none have returned, save one alone. + +LXI. + +Impetuous as a ball, {163d} in the combat of spears, was Present, +And on his horse would he be found, when not at home; +Yet illusive {163e} was the aid which he brought against Gododin; +For though apart from the wine and mead he was unrestrained, +He perished {164a} on the course; +And red stained warriors ride {164b} +The steeds of the knight, who had been in the morning bold. + +LXII. + +Angor, {164c} thou who scatterest the brave, +And piercest {164d} the sullen like a serpent; +Thou tramplest upon those who in strong mail are clad, +In front of the army; {164e} +Like an enraged bear, guarding and assaulting, {164f} +Thou tramplest upon the furious, {165a} +In the day of capture, +In the dank entrenchment; {165b} +Like the mangling dwarf, {165c} +Who in his fury prepared +A banquet for the birds, +In the tumultuous fight. +Cywir {165d} art thou named from thy righteous (enwir) deed; +Leader, director, and bulwark (mur) of the course of battle {165e} +Is Merin; {165f} and fortunately (mad) wert thou, Madien, born. + +LXIII. + +It is incumbent to sing of the complete acquisition +Of the warriors, who at Cattraeth made a tumultuous rout, +With confusion and blood, and treading and trampling; +Men of toil {166a} were trampled because of the contribution of mead in the +horn; {166b} +But the carnage of the combatants {166c} +Cannot be described even by the cup of bounty, {166d} +After the excitement of the battle is over, +Notwithstanding so much splendid eloquence. + +LXIV. + +It is incumbent to sing of so much renown, +The tumult of fire, of thunder, and tempest, +The glorious gallantry of the knight of conflict. {167a} +The ruddy reapers of war are thy desire, {167b} +Thou man of toil, {167c} but the worthless thou beheadest; {167d} +The whole length of the land shall hear of thee in battle; +With thy shield upon thy shoulder, thou dost incessantly cleave +With thy blade, {167e} until blood flows {167f} like bright wine out of glass +vessels; {167g} +As the contribution {168a} for mead thou claimest gold; +Wine nourished was Gwaednerth, {168b} the son of Llywri. + +LXV. + +It is incumbent to sing of the gay and illustrious tribes, {168c} +That, after the fatal fight, {168d} filled the river Aeron; {168e} +Their grasp satisfied the hunger {168f} of the eagles of Clwyd, {168g} +And prepared food for the birds of prey. +Of those who went to Cattraeth, wearers of the golden chain, +Upon the message of Mynyddawg, sovereign of the people, +There came not honourably {169a} in behalf {169b} of the Brython, +To Gododin, a hero from afar who was better than Cynon. + +LXVI. + +It is incumbent to sing of so many men of skill, {169c} +Who in their halls {169d} once led a merry life: {169e} +Ambitious {169f} and bold, all round the world would Eidol {169g} seek for +melody; +But notwithstanding gold, and fine steeds, and intoxicating mead, +Only one man of these, who loved the world, returned, +Cynddilig of Aeron, one of the Novantian heroes. {169h} + +LXVII. + +It is incumbent to sing of the gay and illustrious tribes, +That went upon the message of Mynyddawg, sovereign of the people, +And the daughter {170a} of Eudav the Tall, of a faultless gait, {170b} +Apparelled in her purple robes, thoroughly and truly splendid. + +LXVIII. + +The soldiers {171a} celebrated the praise of the Holy One, +And in their {171b} presence was kindled a fire that raged on high. +On Tuesday they put on their dark-brown garments; {171c} +On Wednesday they purified their enamelled armour; +On Thursday their destruction was certain; +On Friday was brought carnage all around; +On Saturday their joint labour was useless; +On Sunday their blades assumed a ruddy hue; +On Monday was seen a pool knee deep of blood. {171d} +The Gododin relates that after the toil, +Before the tents of Madog, when he returned, +Only one man in a hundred with him came. {172a} + +LXIX. + +At the early dawn of morn, {172b} +There was a battle at the fall of the river, {172c} in front of the course; +{172d} +The pass and the knoll were pervaded with fire; {172e} +Like a boar didst thou {172f} lead to the mount; +The wealth {172g} of the hill, and the place, +And the dark brown hawks {173a} were stained with gore. {173b} + +LXX. + +Quickly rising, in a moment of time, {173c} +After kindling a fire at the confluence, {173d} in front of the fence, {173e} +After leading his men in close array, +In front of a hundred he pierces the foremost. {173f} +Sad it was that you should have made a pool of blood, +As if you but drank mead in the midst of laughter; {174a} +But it was brave of you to slay the little man, {174b} +With the fierce and impetuous stroke of the sword; +For like the unrestrained ocean {174c} had the foe {174d} put to death +A man, who would otherwise have been in rank his equal. + +LXXI. + +He fell headlong down the precipice, {174e} +And the bushes {174f} supported not his noble {174g} head; +It was a violation of privilege to kill him on the breach, {175a} +It was a primary law that Owain should ascend upon the course, {175b} +And extend before the onset the branch of peace, {175c} +And that he should pursue the study of meet {175d} and learned strains. +Excellent man, the assuager of tumult and battle, +Whose very grasp dreaded a sword, {175e} +And who bore in his hand an empty corslet. {175f} +O sovereign, dispense rewards +Out of his earthly shrine. {176a} + +LXXII. + +Eidol, with frigid blood and pale complexion, +Spreading carnage, when the maid was supreme in judgment; {176b} +Owner of horses and strong trappings, +And transparent {176c} shields, +Instantaneously makes an onset, - ascending and descending. + +LXXIII. + +The leader of war with eagerness {177a} conducts the battle, +Mallet of the land, {177b} he loved the mighty reapers; {177c} +Stout youth, the freshness of his form was stained with blood, +His accoutrements resounded, his chargers made a clang; {177d} +His cheeks {177e} are covered with armour, +And thus, image of death, he scatters desolation in the toil; +In the first onset his lances penetrate the targets, {177f} +And a track of surrounding light is made by the aim of the darting of his +spears. + +LXXIV. + +The saints {178a} exert their courage, {178b} for the destruction of thy +retreat, {178c} +And the cellar, {178d} which contained, and where was brewed {178e} +The mead, that sweet ensnarer. +With the dawn does Gwrys {178f} make the battle clash; +Fair gift, {178g} - marshal of the Lloegrian tribes; {178h} +Penance he inflicts until repentance ensues; {178i} +May the dependants of Gwynedd hear of his renown; +With his ashen shaft he pierces to the grave; +Pike of the conflict of Gwynedd, +Bull of the host, oppressor of the battle of princes; {179a} +Though thou hast kindled the land {179b} before thy fall, +At the extreme boundary {179c} of Gododin will be thy grave. + +LXXV. + +Involved in vapours was the man {179d} accustomed to armies, +High minded, bitter handed leader of the forces; {179e} +He was expert, and ardent, and stately, +Though at the social banquet he was not harsh. {180a} +They {180b} removed and possessed his valuable treasures, +And not the image of a thing for the benefit of the region was left. + +LXXVI. + +We are called! The sea and the borders are in conflict; {180c} +Spears are mutually darting, spears all equally destructive; +Impelled are sharp weapons of iron, {180d} gashing is the blade, {180e} +And with a clang the sock {180f} descends upon the pate; +A successful warrior was Fflamddwr {180g} against the enemy. + +LXXVII. + +He supported martial steeds and harness of war; +Drenched with gore, on the red-stained field of Cattraeth, +The foremost shaft in the host is held by the consumer of forts, {181a} +The brave {181b} dog of battle, upon the towering hill. +We are called to the gleaming {181c} post of assault, +By the beckoning hand {181d} of Heiddyn, {181e} the ironclad chief. + +LXXVIII. + +The sovereign, who is celebrated in the Gododin, {181f} +The sovereign, for whom our eye-lids {182a} weep, +From the raging flame of Eiddyn {182b} turned not aside; {182c} +He stationed men of firmness in command, {182d} +And the thick covering guard {182e} he placed in the van, +And vigorously he descended upon the scattered foe; +In that he had revelled, he likewise sustained the main weight; +Of the retinue of Mynyddawg, none escaped, +Save one man by slow steps, thoroughly weakened, and tottering every way. +{182f} + +LXXIX. + +Having sustained a loss, {182g} Moried bore no shield, +But traversed the strand {183a} to set the ground on fire; +Firmly he grasped in his hand a blue blade, +And a shaft ponderous as the chief priest's {183b} crozier; +He rode a grey stately {183c} headed charger, +And beneath his blade there was a dreadful fall of slaughter; +When overpowered {183d} he fled not from the battle, - +Even he who poured out to us the famous mead, that sweet ensnarer. + +LXXX. + +I beheld the array from the highland of Adowyn, {183e} +And the sacrifice brought down to the omen fire; {183f} +I saw what was usual, a continual running towards the town, {184a} +And the men of Nwython inflicting sharp wounds; +I saw warriors in complete order approaching with a shout, +And the head of Dyvnwal Vrych {184b} by ravens {184c} devoured. + +LXXXI. + +Blessed Conqueror, of temper mild, the strength {184d} of his people, +With his blue streamers displayed towards the sea-roving foes. {185a} +Brave is he on the waters, most numerous his host; +Manly his bosom, loud his shout in the charge of arms. +Usual was it for him {185b} to make a descent before nine armaments, {185c} +With propulsive strokes, {185d} in the face of blood and of the country. +I love thy victorious throne, which teemed with harmonious strains. +O Cynddilig of Aeron, {185e} thou lion's whelp. + +LXXXII. + +I could wish to have been the first to shed my blood in Cattraeth, +As the price {186a} of the mead and beverage of wine in the hall; +I could wish to have been hurt by the blade of the sword, +Ere he was slain on the green plain of Uphin. {186b} +I loved the son of renown, who sustained the bloody fight, {186c} +And made his sword descend upon the violent. +Can a tale of valour be related before Gododin, +In which the son of Ceidiaw {186d} has not his fame as a man of war? + +LXXXIII. + +Sad it is for me, after all our toil, +To suffer the pang of death through indiscretion; +And doubly grievous and sad for me to see +Our men falling headlong to the ground, {187a} +Breathing the lengthened sigh, and covered with reproaches. +After the strenuous warriors have extended their country's bounds, +Rhuvawn {187b} and Gwgawn, {187c} Gwiawn and Gwlyged, {187d} +Men at their post most gallant, valiant in difficulties, +May their souls, now that their conflict is ended, {187e} +Be received into the heavenly region, the abode of tranquillity. + +LXXXIV. + +Tres repelled the foe through {188a} a pool of gore, +And slaughtered like a hero such as asked no quarter, {188b} +With a sling and a spear; {188c} - he flung off his glass goblet +Containing the mead, {188d} and in defence of his sovereignty overthrew an +army; +His counsel always prevailed, and the multitude would not speak before him, +{188e} +Whilst those that were cowards were not left alive, +Before the onset of his battle-axes, {188f} and his sharpened sword, {188g} +And where his blue banner was seen to wave. {188h} + +LXXXV. + +There was a reinforcement of {189a} troops, +A supply of penetrating weapons, +And a host of men in the vanguard, +Presenting a menacing front; +In the days of strenuous exertion, +In the eager conflict, +They displayed their valour. +After the intoxication, +When they drank the mead, +Not one was spared. +Though Gorwylam +Was awhile successful, +When the retort was made, it broke the charge +Of the horses and men, by fate decreed. + +LXXXVI. + +When the host of Pryder {189b} arrives, +I anxiously count {190a} the bands, +Eleven complete battalions; +There is now a precipitate flight {190b} +Along the road of lamentation. +Affectionately have I deplored, {190c} +Dearly have I loved, +The illustrious dweller of the wood, {190d} +And the men of Argoed, {190e} +Accustomed, in the open plain, {191a} +To marshal their troops. +For the benefit of the chiefs, the lord of the war {191b} +Laid upon rough {191c} boards, +Midst a deluge of grief, +The viands for the banquet, +Where they caroused together; - he conducted us to a bright {191d} fire, +And to a carpet of white and fresh {191e} hide. + +LXXXVII. + +Geraint, {191f} from the South, did raise a shout, +And on the white water {192a} was his buckler pierced. {192b} +Lord of the spear, a gentle lord! +The praise of mountain and sea +Will he render our youth, even thou, Geraint, wilt render them, +Who hast been a generous commander. + +LXXXVIII. + +Instantaneously is his fame wafted on high; +His anchors {192c} from the scene of action {192d} cannot be restrained. +Unflinching eagle {192e} of the forward heroes, +He bore the toil, and brilliant was his zeal; +The fleetest coursers he outstripped in war, +But was quite a lamb {193a} when the wine from the goblet flowed. +Ere he reached the grassy tomb, and his cheeks became pale in death, {193b} +He presided over the banquet of mead, and honoured it with the generous horn. +{193c} + +LXXXIX. + +Ruin {193d} he brought upon every fair region, {193e} +And a fettering valour he displayed; {193f} +The front of his shield was pierced. +Caso Hir, {194a} when roused to anger, +Defended Rhuvoniawg. {194b} +A second time they {194c} challenged, {194d} and were crushed +By the warlike steeds with gory trappings. +His martial nobles {194e} formed a firm array, +And the field was reddened, when he was greatly affronted; +Severe in the conflict, with blades he slaughtered, +And sad news {194f} from the war he brought, +Which he wove {195a} into a song for the calends of January. {195b} +Adan, {195c} the son of Ervai, there did pierce, +Adan pierced the haughty boar; +Even he, who was like a dame, a virgin, and a hero. {195d} +And when the youth thus possessed the properties of a king, {195e} +He, stained with blood, brought deliverance to Gwynedd, +Ere the turf was laid upon the gentle face +Of the generous dead; but now undisturbed +In regard to fame and gain, he reposes in the grave, +Namely, Garthwys Hir, {196a} from the land of Rhuvoniawg. + +XC. + +The garment of Tinogad, {196b} which was of divers colours, +Made of the speckled skins of young wolves, +His jerks and starts and juggling motion, +I fain would lampoon, they were lampooned by his eight slaves. {196c} +When thy father went out to hunt, +With his pole upon his shoulder, and his provisions in his hand, +He would call to his dogs that were of equal size, +Catch it, catch it - seize it, seize it - bring it, bring it; +He would kill a fish in his coracle, +Even as a princely lion in his fury {197a} kills his prey; +When thy father climbed up the mountain, +He brought back the head {197b} of a roebuck, {197c} the head of a wild boar, +the head of a stag, +The head of a grey moor hen from the hill, +The head of a fish from the falls of the Derwent; {197d} +As many as thy father could reach with his flesh piercer, +Of wild boars, lions, and foxes, {197e} +It was certain death to them all, {197f} unless they proved too nimble. + +XCI. + +Were he to narrow {198a} my dominions through extortion, {198b} +The arrival of no enemy would prove to me more formidable. {198c} +The man has not been nursed who could be more festive in the hall +Than he, or steadier in the field of battle. +On the ford of Penclwyd {198d} Pennant were his steeds; +Far spread was his fame, compact was his armour; +And ere the long grass covered him beneath the sod, +He, the only son of Morarch, {198e} poured out the horns of mead. + +XCII. + +I saw the array from the highland of Adoen, +Carrying the sacrifice to the omen fire; {199a} +I saw the two, {199b} who from their station quickly and heavily fell; +By the commands of Nwython, greatly were they afflicted. +I saw the warriors, who had made the great breach, approaching with the dawn, +{199c} +And the head of Dyvnwal Vrych by ravens devoured. + +XCIII. + +Gododin, in respect of thee will I demand, {199d} +In the presence {199e} of a hundred that are named {199f} with deeds of +valour, +And of Gwarthan the son of Dwywau, {200a} of gallant bravery, +Let Tre Essyd be ours in one entire dale. {200b} +Since the stabbing of the delight of the bulwark of battle, +Since Aneurin was under ground, {200c} +My voice has not been divorced from Gododin. + +XCIV. + +Echo speaks of the formidable {200d} and dragon-like {200e} weapons, +And of the fair game, {200f} which was played in front of the unclaimed +course of Gododin. +Profusely did he bring a supply {200g} of wine into the tents, for the +benefit of the natives, {200h} +In the season of the storm, as long as it trickled from the vessels, +And the army, a well nourished host, continued to drop in. +A splendid troop of warriors, successful against a hundred men, +Is led from Dindovydd in Dyvneint. {201a} +Before Doleu {201b} in battle, worn out were the shields, and battered the +helmets. + +XCV. + +He brought ruin upon every fair region, {201c} +And a fettering valour he displayed; +The front of his shield was pierced; +Caso Hir, arrayed in pomp, {201d} +Protected Rhuvoniawg. +A second time were they wounded, {201e} and crushed +By his warlike steeds, and gore-stained were their coffins. {201f} +Always immoveable, always liberal of aid, +Would be his gallant nobles, when roused to anger. +Severe in the conflict, with blades he slaughtered; +And agonising news from the war he brought, +Which he wove into a hundred songs for the calends of January. +Adan {202a} the son of Urvei there did pierce, +Adan pierced the haughty boar, +Even he who was like Urien, {202b} a maid, and a hero. +And as the youth was thus endowed with the properties of a king, +Lord of Gwynedd, and of the blood of Cilydd, {202c} he proved our deliverer; +Ere the turf was laid upon the face of the generous dead, +Wisely did he seek the field, with praise and high sounding fame: +The grave of Gorthyn Hir {202d} is seen {202e} from the highlands of +Rhuvoniawg. + +XCVI. + +On account of the piercing of the skilful and most learned man, {203a} +On account of the fair corpse, which fell prostrate upon the ground, +Thrice six officers judged the atrocious deed {203b} at the hour of mattins, +And Morien lifted up again his ancient lance, +And, roaring, stretched out {203c} death +Towards the warriors, the Gwyddyl, {203d} and the Prydyn; {203e} +Whilst towards the lovely, slender, blood-stained body of Gwen, +Sighed Gwenabwy, the only son of Gwen. + +XCVII. + +On account of the afflicting {203f} of the skilful and most learned man +Grievously and deeply, when he fell prostrate upon the ground, +The banner was pompously {204a} unfurled, and borne by a man in the flank; +{204b} +A tumultuous scene was beheld {204c} in Eiddin, and on the battle field. +The grasp of his hand performed deeds of valour +Upon the Cynt, {204d} the Gwyddyl, and the Prydyn. +He who meddles with the mane of a wolf, without a club +In his hand, will have it gorgeously emblazoned on his robe. +Fain would I sing, - "would that Morien had not died." +I sigh for Gwenabwy, the son of Gwen. {204e} + + + +Footnotes: + +{0a} Perhaps Cawlwyd is a compound of Caw Clwyd, that is, the Clyde of Caw. + +{0b} Institutional Triads. + +{0c} Ibid. + +{0d} Myvyrian Archaiology, vol. i. page 60. + +{0e} Bardic Triads. + +{0f} Bardic Triads. + +{0g} Triad 48, third series. + +{0h} Myv. Arch. vol. i. p. 308. + +{0i} Ib. p. 403. + +{0j} Ib. p. 504. + +{0k} Gwilym Tew flourished A.D. 1340-1470, and Rhys Nanmor, A.D. 1440-1480. + +{0l} In this eText the extensive alternate readings, mentioned in this +passage, are not given. There are so many that it becomes impossible to read +the Welsh text because of the continual footnotes. + +{1a} Tacit. Julii Agric. vita, cap. xiv. + +{1b} Cambrian Biography, sub voce. + +{1c} Stevenson's Nennius, p. 52. + +{2a} It is stated in the Iolo MSS. that Cunedda Wledig held his court in +Carlisle. + +{2b} Am. Marcel. 1. 20. + +{3a} Triad 39, third series. + +{3b} Triad 7. + +{3c} Myv. Arch. v. i. p. 52. + +{4a} Myv. Arch. v. i. p 57. + +{4b} Elegy on Old Age. + +{5a} Chalmers's Caledonia, v. i. pp. 239, &c. + +{5b} 1. 231. + +{5c} 1. 289. + +{5d} 1. 386. + +{5e} 1. 393. + +{5f} 1. 534. + +{5g} 1. 607. + +{5h} 1. 713. + +{6a} 1. 32 + +{6b} 1. 648. + +{6c} Stanzas xvii. xxxii lxxxvi. + +{6d} 1. 229. + +{6e} 1. 86, 584. + +{6f} Stanza xviii. + +{7a} 1. 753, 884. + +{7b} Stanza lxviii. + +{7c} Stanza xiv. + +{7d} Stanza xxxix. + +{7e} Stanza xlii. + +{7f} Stanza xliii. + +{7g} Stanza lxv. + +{7h} Stanza lii. + +{7i} Stanza xxi. + +{7j} Stanza xvii. + +{8a} Stanza xliii. + +{79a} Or, "The youth was endowed with a manly disposition," the word OED +being taken as a verb (oedd) rather than as a substantive; though it ought to +be remarked, as indicative of the sense in which it was regarded by the +copyist, that MS. No. 3, which has generally supplied the DD where it was +considered necessary, has it not in the present instance. + +{79b} Al. charger, in the singular number. The favourite steed of our hero, +supposing him to be the son of Urien Rheged, is, in the Triads, called +"Carnavlawg" (cloven-hoofed) and is said to have been "one of the three +horses of depredation of the Isle of Britain," (Myv. Arch. vol. ii. page 20.) +Taliesin in his Elegy on Owain son of Urien, describes him as + +"Gwr gwiw uch ei amliw seirch +A roddei feirch +I eirchiaid." + +A worthy hero seated on variegated trappings, +Who would give steeds to those that asked him. + - Myv. Arch. vol. i. p. 59. + +THICK MANE was regarded as one of the good points of a horse; thus Taliesin, +- + + "Atuyn march myngvras mangre." +Beautiful in a tangle is a thick-maned horse. + - Ib. p, 28. + +{79c} Lit. "Were under the thigh of;" an expression frequently employed by +the early bards to denote the act of riding. See "Elegy upon Geraint ab +Erbin," by Llywarch Hen. + +{80a} One of the sons of Llywarch Hen is similarly represented as a youth, - + +"That wore the golden spurs," + - Owen's Ll. Hen, p. 131. + +In the days of chivalry, of which the era of the Gododin may fairly be +considered as the commencement, the privilege of decorating arms, and the +accoutrements of horses with gold, was exclusively confined to knights, and +their families; squires being only permitted the use of silver for the +purpose. (St. Palaye, 1. 247, 284.) + +{80b} "Pan," pannus - down, fur, ermine, or fulled cloth. + +{80c} This is not literally true of Owain ab Urien, for he was married to a +daughter of Culvynawyd Prydain. + +{80d} "Argyvrein," might perhaps come from ARGYVRAU, paraphernalia; a +portion or dowry. + +"Ymogel ddwyn gwraig atat yn enw ei HARGYVRAU." + +Beware of taking to thyself a wife for the sake of her portion. +(Cato Gymraeg.) + +In that case, the passage should be rendered, - + +Ere thou didst obtain thy nuptial dowry; + +which reading would be supported by the allusion to the nuptial feast in the +preceding passage. Nevertheless the term "argynrein," occurring in three +other copies, would certainly point to the signification given in the text; +"argyvrein" being capable of the same meaning, whilst "argynrein" has no +reference whatever to the nuptial dowry. + +{81a} The manner in which the person here commemorated is associated with +the ravens, leads us to suspect that he was none other than Owain ab Urien, +who is traditionally reported to have had an army of ravens in his service, +by which, however, we are probably to understand an army of men with those +birds emblazoned on their standard, even as his descendants still bear them +in their coats of arms. Not only do the Welsh Romances and Bards of the +middle ages allude to these ravens, but even Taliesin and Llywarch Hen, seem +pointedly to connect them with Urien or his son. Thus the former in an Ode +on the battle of Argoed Llwyvaen, (Myv. Arch. vol. i. p. 53) in which Owain +commanded the Cumbrian forces, under his father against Ida, says, - + +"A rhag gwaith Argoed Llwyfain +Bu llawer celain +Rhuddei frain rhag rhyfel gwyr." + +Because of the battle of Argoed Llwyvain, +There happened many a dead carcase, +And the ravens were coloured with the war of men. + +And Llywarch Hen in his "Elegy on Urien Rheged" has the following +expressions; - + +"Pen a borthav ar vy nhu; Pen Urien, +Llary, llyw ei lu; +Ac ar ei vron wen vran ddu. + +Pen a borthav mywn vy nghrys; pen Urien, +Llary llywiai lys: +Ac ar ei vron wen vran ai hys." + +I bear by my side a head; the head of Urien, +The mild leader of his army; +And on his white bosom the sable raven is perched. + +I bear in my shirt a head; the head of Urien, +That governed a court with mildness; +And on his white bosom the sable raven doth glut. +(Owen's Ll. Hen. p. 24.) + +This supposition would considerably enhance the point and beauty of the +passage in the text; for a sad or unbecoming thing, indeed, ("cwl," A FAULT) +would it be that one who fought by the aid of ravens should himself be +eventually devoured by them. + +Moreover, a tradition prevails, that Owain the son of Urien was actually +engaged in the battle of Cattraeth. Thus Lewis Glyn Cothi, a poet of the +fifteenth century, observes; - + +"Bwriodd Owain ab Urien +Y tri thwr yn Nghattraeth hen. +Ovnodd Arthur val goddaith +Owain, ei vrain a'i fon vraith." +(I. 140.) + +Owain son of Urien overthrew +The three towers of Cattraeth of old; +Arthur dreaded, as the flames, +Owain, his ravens, and his parti-coloured staff. + +But to the view which would identify our hero with the son of Urien there is +this objection, that the poem describes the former as the son of Marro or +Marco; nor can the difficulty be got over, without supposing that this was +another name of Urien. Or if that be inadmissible, the line, in which +Owain's name occurs, may be translated, - + +Alas, the beloved friend of Owain; + +an alteration, which will do no great violence to the allusion about the +ravens. + +{82a} Al. "March," as if addressing the horse of the slain; - + +O steed, in what spot +Was slaughtered, &c. + +{82b} "Cynhaiawc," (cyn-taiawg.) Adopting this version for the sake of +variety, and under the impression that all the different readings of this +poem are not the mere result of orthographical accident, but that the forms +of obscure or illegible words were sometimes determined by tradition, we must +believe that the TAIOGION, who composed the army of Madog, were simply his +own tenants or dependants. + +{83a} "Diffun," (di-ffun.) FFUN is any thing united together, and is used +at line 803 for a band of men. Some read "diffyn," (protection or defence) +and in that case the sense of the passage would seem to be, + +He brought protection to women, and mead he distributed. + +The former reading is preferred, inasmuch as it exhibits in a more natural +and consistent manner the twofold character of Madog, as a soldier and a +courtier, which appears to be the object of the Bard to delineate. Our +inference on this point is moreover supported by more obvious passages of +that description, which occur again in the Poem, such as, - + +"Ragorei veirch racvuan +En trin lletvegin gwin o bann." + +He surpassed the fleetest steeds +In war, but was a tame animal when he poured the wine from the goblet. + +The epithet "cynhaiawc," assuming it to be the proper term, would also, by +reason of its contrasting effect, considerably enhance the value of our +hero's domestic and social courtesy. + +{83b} "Twll tal y rodawr." Dr. Owen Pughe translates this "the front +opening of his chariot;" "twll ar ysgwyd," however, in the lxxxvii stanza, +evidently refers to a shield, and this sense is, moreover, supported by +"tyllant tal ysgwydawr," in Taliesin's Ode on Gwallawg, as well as "rac twll +y gylchwy," used by Cynddelw. The meaning therefore appears to be that +wherever the battle raged, there would the chief be found, so boldly and +DIRECTLY fighting as to have the very boss of his shield perforated by the +spears of his enemy. + +{83c} "Brwyn." From the practice which the Welsh Bards commonly had of +adapting their descriptive similes to the names, armorial bearings, or some +other peculiarities of their heroes, we may infer that the chieftain, who is +celebrated in this stanza, is none other than Madog ab Brwyn. Indeed one +copy reads "mab brwyn," the son of Brwyn, rather than MAL brwyn, as above. +He is distinguished in the Triads with Ceugant Beilliog and Rhuvon, under the +appellation of the "three golden corpses," because their weight in gold was +given by their families to have their bodies delivered up by the enemy. +(Myv. Arch. vol. ii. p. 69.) Madog ab Brwyn was the grandson of Cunedda +Wledig, lord of Gododin. + +{84a} A maritime region in the north, as we infer, not only from the works +of Aneurin, but also from those of Taliesin and Merddin. + +{84b} The rest having been slain. + +{84c} "Erwyt" (erwyd) a pole, or a staff to mete with, and, like the +GWIALEN, an emblem of authority. "I will - mete out the valley of Succoth." +(Psalm lx. 6.) A similar expression occurs in Llywarch Hen's Poems with +reference to Urien Rheged, viz. + + "Oedd cledyr cywlad rhwydd." + +which W. Owen has translated, - + +"That was the prompt defender of his neighbourhood." + +{84d} Llywarch Hen says in like manner of his own son Gwen, - + + "Rhythr eryr yn ebyr oeddyd." +In the assault like the eagle at the fall of rivers thou wert. + +The eagle was probably the armorial badge of the hero of this stanza. + +{84e} Al. "y lyr," to our shore. We have here an instance of the kindred +signification of some of the different readings found in the Poem. Both +words are used in juxtaposition in the following extracts; - + +"Gwelais ar vorwyn - +Lliw golau tonau taenverw gwenyg +Llanw EBYR ar LLYR, lle ni mawr-drig." +(Cynddelw.) + +I beheld on a maiden +The bright hue of the spreading ebullition of the breakers of the waves, +Of the flood of the effluxes of rivers, on the strand, where it tarries not +long. + +"Oedd ei var - +Megys twrv EBYR yn LLYR llawn." +(Cynddelw.) + +His rage +Was like the tumult of the mouths of rivers with a full margin. + +"Calan hyddvrev, tymp dydd yn edwi, +Cynhwrv yn EBYR, LLYR yn llenwi." +(Ll P. Moch.) + +The beginning of October, the period of the falling off of day, +There is tumult in the mouths of rivers, filling up the shore. + +{85a} "I ammod." This was probably a confederation entered into by the +different princes, for the purpose of uniting their forces against the common +enemy; a supposition corroborated by the word "cywlad," just used. The poet +might, however, have intended a play upon the word "ammod," because of its +great resemblance in sound to "ammwyd," a BAIT, to which the eagle was +allured, "llithywyt" (llithiwyd) a strictly sporting term. + +{85b} "A garwyd," al. "a gatwyt" "was preserved, or protected." + +{85c} The connection between "arvaeth," and the bannerial device is very +obvious at lines 110, 111. + +"Mor ehelaeth +E aruaeth uch arwyt." + +With such a magnificent +Design of enterprize blazoned on his standard. + +{85d} "O dechwyt," i.e. TECH WYD. + +{85e} We have adopted "Manawyd" as a proper name, under the impression that +the different stanzas of the Gododin, albeit regular links of the same +general subject, are nevertheless in a manner each complete in itself, and +therefore that it would be more natural, where the drift of the paragraph +allowed, or seemed to have that tendency, to look out for the names of the +chiefs, who may be thus distinctly introduced; according to the tenor of the +following declaration which is appended to "Gorchan Cynvelyn." (Myv. Arch. +vol. i. page 61.) + +"Canu un Canuauc a dal pob Awdyl o'r Gododin heruyd breint yngcerd amrysson. +Tri chanu a thriugeint a thrychant a dal pob un or Gorchaneu . . . Achaws yu +am goffau yn y Gorchaneu rivedi Guyr a aethant y Gatraeth nog y dyle gur +vyned i ymlad heb arveu; Ny dyle Bard myned i amrysson heb y gerd honno." + +Every Ode of the Gododin is equivalent to a single song, according to the +privilege of poetical competition. Each of the incantations is equal to +three hundred and sixty-three songs, because the number of the men who went +to Cattraeth is commemorated in the Incantations, and as no man should go to +battle without arms, so no Bard ought to contend without that Poem. + +It is true that in the Vellum MS. as transcribed by Davies, this does not +form a distinct stanza, but is a continuation of the preceding one. +Nevertheless in other copies a detached position is given to it, which seems +required also by the opening sentence, and particularly by the rhyme. + +We find, moreover, that Manawyd was anciently used as a proper name, for not +to mention Manawydan and Culvynawyd, we have Manawyd in one of Taliesin's +Poems as undoubtedly the name of a person. + +"Ys gwyr Manawyd a Phryderi." +(Myv. Arch. vol. i. p. 67.) + +The name of Pryderi occurs further on in our Poem. + +Manawyd is mentioned likewise in the Dialogue between Arthur, Cai, and +Glewlwyd, - + +"Neus duc Manavid eis tull o Trywrid" +(Myv. Arch. vol. i. p. 167.) + +Dr. O. Pughe translates the line in the Gododin thus - + +"There was a confident impelling forward of the shaft of the variegated +standard." + +{86a} "Ny nodi," (ni nodi) THOU DOST NOT MARK, thou art blind to the arms of +the enemy both defensive and offensive. "Nodi," may also have reference to +"nod" in the third line of the stanza. + +{86b} Al. "Protected against the assault of the battle of Manau;" i.e. +Mannau Gododin, or according to others, Mannau in which A.D. 582 Aidan mac +Gavran was victorious. (See Ritson's Annals of Caledonia, Vol. ii. p. 35.) + +{87a} One reason for not regarding "Caeawc" as a proper name, may be +discovered in the manner in which the expression "cawawc cynhorawc" is used +in an anonymous poem of an early date, apud Myv. Arch. vol. i. page 180. The +author, though he evidently borrowed it from the Gododin, as indeed his +allusion to Cattraeth a few lines before would likewise imply, employs it +merely as an epithet. + +{87b} An allusion probably to his armorial bearings. Another reading gives +"bled e maran," on the open strand. + +{87c} "This singular fact of the ancient Britons wearing amber beads, is +confirmed by many beads of amber having been found in the barrows on +Salisbury plain, which have been recently dug. I understand that in several +of these graves, pieces of amber like beads have been met with; and in one as +many beads were found as would have made a wreath." (S. Turner's Vind. 208, +209.) + +{87d} "Am ran." "Tri argau gwaed: gwaed hyd RAN, a gwaed hyd gwll, a gwaed +hyd lawr; sev yw hynny, gwaed hyd WYNEB, gwaed hyd ddillad, a gwaed a reto +hyd lawr." (Law Triads, Myv. Arch, vol. iii. p. 342.) Hence "amrant," the +eyelid. + +{87e} Lit. "the place of wine," otherwise "a horn of wine," + +"Ef a'm rhoddes medd a gwin o wydrin BAN. + +He gave me mead and wine from the transparent horn. +(Taliesin.) + +Al. "gwrnvann," the place of the urn. In that case the line might be thus +translated, - + +Precious was the amber, but its price was the grave. + +{88a} The hero of this stanza we take to be the "son of Ysgyran" himself. +He disdained the eager advance of the enemy; for such was his will, that he +had only to declare it, to make Venedotia and the North acknowledge his +power, and submit to his jurisdiction; or, it may be, to march unanimously to +his side. Supposing "gwyar," however, to be the correct reading, we might +render the line thus, - + +He repelled violence, and gore trickled to the ground. + +Perhaps the identity of the person commemorated with the son of Ysgyran would +become more evident by the addition of a comma after "gyssul," thus, - + +"Ket dyffei wyned a gogled e rann +O gussyl, - mah Ysgyrran." + +Who Ysgyran, or Cyran (the YS being a mere prefix) was, we have no means of +knowing, as the name does not occur any where in history. + +{88b} Al. "The maimed shield-bearer," (ysgwydwr.) + +{88c} "Cyn-nod," the principal mark or butt; the most conspicuous, owing to +his being in advance of his men, and perhaps on account of his stature also, +if "eg gawr," or "yggawr" mean GIANTLIKE. + +{88d} "Cyn-ran;" the foremost share, or participation of an action. + +{89a} "Pymwnt," (i.e. pum mwnt; "deg myrdd yn y mwnt,") five hundred +thousand, which, multiplied by five, would give us 2,500,000 as the number of +men who composed the above battalions. + +{89b} Deivyr and Bryneich, (DEIRA AND BERNICIA) are situated on the eastern +coast of the island, the river Humber, as we learn from the Triads, (Myv. +Arch. vol. ii. p. 68) flowing through a portion thereof. In a document which +has been published in the Iolo MSS. Argoed Derwennydd, (Derwent wood +probably) and the river Trenn or Trent, are mentioned as the extreme +boundaries of the region. The triads moreover speak of the three sons of +Dysgyvedawg, (or Dysgyvyndawd) viz. Gall, Difedel, and Ysgavnell, under the +appellation of the "three monarchs of Deivyr and Bryneich," (Ibid. p. 64) +about the period, as it would appear, of our Poem. + +It is clear from the above passage in the Gododin, as well as from those +lines, (78, 79.) + +"Ar deulu brenneych beych barnasswn +Dilyw dyn en vyw nys adawsswn." + +If I had judged you to be of the tribe of Bryneich, +Not the phantom of a man would I have left alive; + +that the people of those countries were not at the time in question on +friendly terms with the neighbouring Britons; which circumstance is further +apparent from the contemporary testimony of Llywarch Hen, who speaks of Urien +as having conquered the land of Bryneich; + +"Neus gorug o dir Brynaich." + +This, it is true, might have a reference to the Saxon tribes, who had +succeeded at an early period, in establishing themselves along the coast in +that part of the island, yet the disparaging manner in which the grave of +Disgyrnin Disgyfedawt, evidently the father of the "three monarchs," is +spoken of in the Englynion y Beddau, inclines us strongly to the belief that +it was the Aborigines themselves who were thus guilty of treason to the +common weal. + +"Cigleu don drom dra thywawd, +Am vedd Dysgyrnyn Dysgyveddawd, +Aches trwm angwres pechawd." + +Hear the sullen wave beyond the strand, +Round the grave of Dysgyrnyn Dysgyveddawd, +Heavy the burning impulse raised by sin. +(Myv. Arch. vol. i. p. 78.) + +{90a} An allusion to the name of our hero's father, (Bleiddan) and probably +to his own standard. + +{90b} "Neithyawr." Al. "than go to the altar." + +{90c} Al. "elawr" a BIER, "than obtained a bier." He was devoured by the +birds of prey ere he could be removed for interment. + +{90d} Or, "Ere he received his nuptial dowry, his blood streamed down." + +{90e} Hyveidd Hir was the son of Bleiddan Sant, of Glamorgan, (the +celebrated Lupus.) According to the Triads he was one of the three alien +kings, upon whom dominion was conferred for their mighty deeds, and for their +praiseworthy and gracious qualities. + +"Tri eilldeyrn ynys Prydain: Gwrgai vab Gwrien yn y Gogledd, a Chadavael vab +Cynvedw yng Ngwynedd, a Hyveidd Hir vab Bleiddan Sant ym Morganwg: sev y +rhodded Teyrnedd iddynt am eu campau a'u cynneddvau clodvorion a rhadvorion." +(Triad, 26, third series.) + +Taliesin, in his Ode to Urien, speaks of Hyveidd in conjunction with Gododin; +- + +"Hyveidd a Gododin a lleu towys." +(Myv. Arch. vol. i. p. 57.) + +His name also occurs in another poem, by the same Bard, "to Gwallawg ap +Lleenawg;" - + +"Haearnddur a Hyfeidd a Gwallawg +Ac Owein Mon Maelgynig ddefawd +A wnaw peithwyr gorweiddiawg." + +Haearnddur and Hyveidd and Gwallawg, +And Owain of Mon, of Maelgynian manner, +Would prostrate the ravagers. +(Myv. Arch. vol. i. p. 64.) + +The epithet "Hir," (LONG or TALL) applied to Hyveidd, countenances the view +of his being conspicuous on account of his size. + +{91a} Gognaw must have been the son of Botgad. The name, as well as that of +the preceding hero, occurs in an Ode which Taliesin addressed to Gwallawg ab +Lleenawg. + +"Gognaw ei brawd digones." + +If, however, it be not a proper name in this stanza, it may be rendered +either "with laughter and sprightliness," or "they were a laughing energy." + +{91b} Al. "As with blades they dealt mutual blows." + +{91c} "A llaw," A HAND; metaphorically POWER. Al. "a allaw," WHO IS ABLE. + +{92a} The same consideration which induced us to regard "Manawyd" as a +proper name in a former stanza, has caused us to leave "Gwanar" untranslated +in this place. It is not improbable, however, from the shortness of this +sonnet, that the line containing the name of its hero may have been lost. In +that case we should translate "chwerthin wanar," "their leader laughed." +That Gwanar was occasionally used as a proper name by the ancient Britons, +appears from Triad xl. (first series) where we find one of the sons of Lliaws +ab Nwyvre so called. He flourished however before the date of the Gododin, +and cannot on that account be identified with the Gwanar of the text. +Taliesin uses the word in his "Mic Dinbych," apparently as a proper name; - + +"Clod wasgar a Gwanar ydd ymddullyn." + +{92b} Or "gem of a regiment;" his choice regiment. + +{92c} Al. "digynny," WENT UP. + +{92d} The Bard in the two last lines seems to be addressing Death, or Fate, +which he designates as "the strong pillar of the living law," or the law of +nature, just as the Latins called it "dura necessitas," "mortis dura lex," +"fatalis Parcarum lex," &c. The expressions "heb vawr drydar," and "arwar," +indicative of the effects of death, are introduced by way of contrast to the +noisy mirth which characterised the warriors' march to the field of battle. +"Arwar" signifies literally a QUIESCENT STATE, or STATE OF GENERAL REST; +PACIFICATION; and as such is a very proper term to denote the character of +death. + +"O ARWAR daiar down i gyd dyddbrawd." +(Ll. P. Moch.) + +From the silent state of earth we shall all come at the judgment day. + +{93a} As the word "glas," though primarily signifying BLUE, has also a very +general sense, and may mean merely PALE or FRESH, yet as we find decided +colours attributed to mead elsewhere in the poem, such as "melyn," (yellow) +and "gwyn" (white) we have thought proper to retain the literal acceptation +in this place, as a poetical variety, however inapplicable to the beverage in +question it may seem. + +{93b} "Impia sub dulci melle venena latent." + +{93c} The name of the chieftain, who commanded this particular troop, is not +mentioned, unless (which is not very probable) we take "Trychant" in the +third line as a proper name, and translate thus, - + +" Trychant marshals his men, armed with the weapons of war." + +Or, are we to understand by "trwy beiryant," that he marshalled his men by +means of some instrument or machinery? + +{93d} I.e. the silence of death. + +{94a} "Fyryf frwythlawn," i.e. "FYRV frwythlawn;" the sense of "FURV +frwythlawn" would seem to be "in vigorous order." + +{94b} The followers of the son of Cian (A LITTLE DOG) are evidently called +"aergwn," (DOGS OF WAR) in allusion to his patronymic, as well as to the name +of his residence, "maen gwyngwn," (THE STONE OF THE WHITE DOGS.) Probably +also the figure of a dog was charged on their banner. + +{94c} The Bernicians, as we have already noticed, were at this time opposed +to the British patriots. The Cymry carried a traditional hatred of that +people with them into Wales, and applied the term BRYNEICH to such of their +kindred as allied themselves to the enemies of their country, as is +abundantly manifest in the works of the mediaeval Bards. - See STEPHEN'S +Literature of the Kymry, p. 265.) + +{94d} Or, "Like a deluge, I would not have left a man alive." + +{94e} It is very probable that the son of Cian had married a daughter of one +of the chiefs of Bryneich, which would thus account for the Bard's lurking +apprehension at first, that he might be induced to barter his allegiance for +the dowry to be expected with his wife. His fears however were groundless; +for such were the purity and patriotism of our youthful hero, that he even +refused the dowry when it was offered to him, and braved his father-in-law's +anger withal. + +{95a} In Gorchan Maelderw we read of - + +"The only son of Cian from Trabannawg." + +Cian was a Bard, and is mentioned as such by Nennius in the following +passage, - + +"Item Talhaern Talanguen in Poemate claruit, et Nuevin et Taliessin, et +Bluchbar, et Cian qui vocatur Gueinchguant (CIAN WHO IS CALLED GWYNGWN) simul +uno tempore in poemate Britannico claruerunt." + +Taliesin likewise represents him in that character in a Poem entitled, "Angar +Cyvyndawd." (Myv. Arch. vol. i. p. 34.) + +"Cian pan ddarvu +Lliaws gyvolu." + +When Cian sang the praise of many. + +The circumstance of his being thus a poet, and classed with Aneurin (Nuevin) +would account for the intimacy which subsisted between the latter and his +son. + +Cian is said to have been the servant of Peris, and to them conjointly is +Llangian in Caernarvonshire dedicated. Cian is commemorated on the 11th of +December. - See Rees's Welsh Saints, p. 302. + +{95b} It is probable that THREE HUNDRED was the number which composed the +retinue of Mynyddawg, and that a HUNDRED THOUSAND, a large round figure, is +chosen to denote the preponderance of the enemy's forces that were arrayed in +opposition. This view seems more in unison with reason, as well as with the +grammatical construction of the passage, ("emdaflawr" being a middle verb) +than the supposition that the "milcant a thrychant" formed the total of the +army of the Cymry. + +{96a} Or, "They served as butts for the falling lances." + +{96b} "Gorsaf;" "Gorsav arv," A MAGAZINE OF ARMS. "Brwydr orsavawl," a +pitched battle. + +{96c} "Mynyddawg Mwynvawr." The Triads call him "Mynyddawg Eiddin," EDIN, +hence EDINBURGH, which probably corresponds with his original place of +residence, or at any rate may be considered as being situate within the +limits of his ancient dominions. "The retinue of Mynyddawg Eiddin at +Cattraeth" is represented as one of "the three honourable retinues of the +Isle of Britain," because the men who composed it had joined their +chieftain's standard of their own accord, and marched at their own expense, +claiming neither pay nor reward for their service, from king or country. + +"Tair gosgordd addwyn Ynys Prydain; Gosgordd Belyn vab Cynvelyn yng nghadvel +Caradawg ab Bran; a gosgordd Mynyddawg Eiddin yng Nghattraeth; a Gosgordd +Drywon ab Nudd Hael yn Rhodwydd Arderydd yn y Gogledd; sev ydd elai bawb yn y +rhai hynny ar eu traul eu hunain heb aros govyn, ac heb erchi na thal nag +anrheg y gan wlad na chan Deyrn; ac achaws hynny au gelwid hwy y tair +gosgordd addwyn." +(Triad 79, third series.) + +{96d} "Hanyanawr," their natural relatives; "hangenawr," those who stood in +need of them, their families and friends. The line may likewise be rendered, +- + +"Esteemed for their age and disposition." + +{96e} Al. "llawen," MERRY; "the merry minstrel." + +{97a} These plumes must accordingly have been themselves red. That military +men at this period did wear feathers of particular colours as distinctive +badges, is further evident from the testimony of Llywarch Hen, who describes +himself as having worn "yellow plumes." + +"Gwedy meirch hywedd, a chochwedd ddillad, +A phluawr melyn, +Main vy nghoes, nid oes ym dremyn!" +(Elegy on Cynddylan.) + +After the sleek tractable steeds, and garments of ruddy hue, +And the waving yellow plumes, +Slender is my leg, my piercing look is gone." + +In some copies we read "phurawr" (purawr) WHAT PURIFIES. + +{97b} Their weapons were red and white from the effects of BLOOD and GORE. + +{97c} Mr. Davies and Dr. Pughe seem to have preferred the expression +"PEDRYOLET bennawr," which they construed into FOUR POINTED HELMETS: +"pedryollt," SPLIT INTO FOUR PARTS, would appear, however, to be much more +accordant with the descriptive tenor of the passage. + +{97d} As in the two preceding lines is contained a compliment to military +valour, the evident drift of the poem requires that it should be applied to +the British party; hence "rac" in this place must be understood to mean that +the toiling warriors were FROM or OF the retinue of Mynyddawg rather than +from those who confronted him. + +{97e} Disgraced by the blasphemous taunts and treachery of the enemy. + +{98a} "Ceugant yw angeu," (adage.) The line might be rendered, - + +"Without end they multiplied the wooden biers;" + +An expression similar to that made use of by Llywarch Hen, in reference to +the battle of Llongborth: - + +"Ac elorawr mwy no maint. +And biers innumerable. +(Elegy upon Geraint ab Erbin.) + +"Ceugant," translated WITHOUT END, is properly a Druidic term, signifying the +circle of eternity. + +"Cylch y ceugant, ac nis gall namyn Duw eu dreiglaw." +The circle of infinitude, none but God can pervade it. +(Barddas.) + +"Tri phren rhydd yn forest y brenhin; pren crib eglwys; a phren peleidyr a +elont yn rhaid y brenhin; a PHREN ELAWR." +(Welsh Laws.) + +{98b} He is described as of "Baptism" in contradistinction to the infidel +Saxons. + +{98c} A reference to the last unction. See St. James, v. 14. + +{98d} I.e. Tudvwlch Hir, the hero of this particular stanza. + +{99a} "Ne." The statement at line 138 would determine the affirmative +character of this word. + +{99b} "Veinoethyd," (MEINOETHYDD;) not "in the celebration of May Eve," +which is Davies's rendering, as we clearly infer from the conjunction of the +word with "meinddydd," (confessedly a SERENE DAY) in Kadeir Taliesin and +Gwawd y Lludd Mawr. (See Myv. Arch. v. i. pp. 37, 74.) + +{99c} "Gynatcan." Al. "gyvatcan," (CYVADGAN) a proverb. "Though his +success was proverbial." + +{99d} Or, "Through ambition he was a soarer." The person here commemorated +was of an ambitious turn of mind, and bore armorial ensigns of a +corresponding character, which were looked upon, in a manner, as prophetic of +his successful career as a warrior, but the result of this battle miserably +belied such a promise. + +"Prenial yw i bawb ei drachwres." +The path of glory leads but to the grave. + - (Taliesin.) + +{99e} Where Edinburgh now stands; and which was probably the head quarters +of Mynyddawg, (see line 89 note.) In a poem printed in Davies's Mythology of +the Druids, p. 574, and supposed to have been written by Aneurin, Tudvwlch +and Cyvwlch are represented as feasting with Mynyddawg. + +"Gan Vynydawc +Bu adveiliawc +Eu gwirodau." +Destructive were their wassails with Mynyddawg. + +{100a} In the Poem alluded to, Tudvwlch Hir is described as a MAN OF +DIGNITY, "breein," and as having in conjunction with Cyvwlch made breaches in +the bastions of forts, - + +"A oreu vwlch ar vann caerau." + +The Gorchan Maelderw in like manner speaks of him as, - + +"Tudvwlch the oppressor of war, the destroyer of forts." + +{100b} "Ech," [Greek text]. + +{100c} Lit. "until the seventh day;" - an expression intended probably to +denote the space of a week. The operations of each day are specified further +on in the Poem. In like manner we are presented in "Gwawd Lludd y Mawr," +(Myv. Arch. vol. i. p. 74) with an enumeration of certain martial deeds that +were performed on each day during an entire week. + +{100d} Lit. "Should have made him a free man," or "should have continued +him," &c. + +{100e} Al. "ugain," A SCORE, + +{100f} Al. the powerful supporter - "drut nerthyd." + +{100g} Kilydd is mentioned in the Mabinogi of "Kilhwch and Olwen," where he +is represented as the son of Prince Kelyddon. + +{100h} "Gwyr;" al. the hero, "gwr." + +{101a} Lit. "the gleamers assembled." The 1, 2, 3, and 6, versions, "cyn +hynt treiawr," might be translated "ere the return of the ebbing tide," and +the meaning of the whole would seem to be, that the men, having marched to +the field of battle at dawn, experienced a bloody engagement before the +evening; the space of time between tide and tide being equal to the length of +a day. + +{101b} "Like the thunder of heaven was the clashing of the shields." - +(Gorch. Mael.) + +{101c} "Od uch lle." Al. "Od uch lled," ABOVE THE PLAIN. + +{101d} Mark the antithesis "gwr llawr" - "arbennawr," and "cethrawr" - +"llavnawr." + +{101e} "En gystud heyrn;" an allusion to the instrument which caused his +death. "Ferreus somnus." + +{101f} It is clear from this statement that Erthai was the lawful lord of +the Mordei. He had been deprived of his dominions for a time, probably +through the usurpation of the "steel-clad commander," but at length succeeded +in recovering them. Who Erthai was we know not; Llywarch Hen had a son, +whose name bore some resemblance to the word: he is mentioned in the +following triplet; - + +"The best three men in their country, +For protecting their habitation, +Eithyr and ERTHYR and Argad." +(Elegy on Old Age.) + +{102a} Al. "Erthgi," which is obviously the same as "Arthgi," a BEAR-DOG. +The rhythmical run of the line seems, however, to point to the other as the +proper word. + +{102b} "Erthychei;" there is here evidently an allusion to the name of the +hero, (that is, supposing the name adopted in the translation to be the right +one) which consideration induces us to prefer it to the other reading, viz. +"erthrychei." "With the latter word, however, we should translate the +passage as follows; - + +"In the front Erthai would mangle an army." + +{102c} Al. "dychurant," WILL BE AFFLICTED. + +{102d} Probably Edeyrn may have been the hero of this stanza, and that a +play upon the word is intended in the expression "edyrn diedyrn." Edyrn the +kingdom will remain, but Edyrn the king is gone. + +{102e} "Gowyssawr," the furrower of battle: the designation of a warrior. + +"Wyr i Vleddyn arv leiddiad +A oedd draw yn CWYSAW CAD." +(Hywel Cilan.) + +A grandson of Bleddyn with the weapon of slaughter, +Was yonder furrowing the battle. + +Al. "lynwyssawr," "the plague;" or "the pool maker," in reference to the +effusion of blood which he caused on the field of battle. + +As just observed, this individual may have been Edeyrn, the son of Nudd ab +Beli ab Rhun ab Maelgwn ab Caswallon Lawhir ab Einiawn Yrth ab Cunedda ab +Edeyrn ab Padarn Beisrudd by Gwawl daughter of COEL GODEBOG, who would be +removed from the field of battle by his own clan. + +{103a} "Bu truan," just as in line 107. + +{103b} The names of both these persons, as we have already seen, occur +together in a Poem attributed to Aneurin, and printed in Davies's Mythology +of the Druids. The latter, moreover, appears in the Tale of "Kilhwch and +Olwen," where a daughter of his is likewise mentioned by the name of +Eheubryd. Cyvwlch is there stated to have been one of the three grandsons of +Cleddyv Divwlch, the other two being Bwlch and Sevwich. "Their three shields +are three gleaming glitterers. Their three spears are three pointed +piercers. Their three swords are three griding gashers, Glas, Glesig, and +Clersag." (page 291.) + +{103c} "Leu," the root of "goleu," "lleuad," &c. The other reading "liw," +is equally proper, even as we still say "liw dydd," "liw nos," &c. + +{103d} Lit. "rush-light." + +{103e} Lit. "its enmity lasted long." The latter portion of this stanza, +which refers to Tudvwlch and Cyvwlch, seems to have been misplaced. + +{103f} Qu. "Icenorum arx?" + +{103g} "Ewgei," E WGEI from "gwg," A FROWN. Al. "negei," HE SHEWED +RESISTANCE, from "nag," a DENIAL. So in "Englynion y Beddau;" - + +"Y Beddau hir yn Ngwanas +Ni chavas ae dioes +Pwy vynt hwy, pwy eu NEGES." + +i.e. "who will own, or who will deny them." + +{104a} Can this mean BLOOD or BLOODY FIELD? It is certain that Meigant +(600-630) uses the word in that sense; - + +"PLWDE y danav hyd ymhen vy nghlun," +(Myv. Arch. vol. i. p. 160) + +Under me was blood to the top of my knee. + +{104b} "Digalonnit," the other reading "dygollovit," (dygoll ovid) would +signify that the horn BANISHED HIS SORROW. + +{104c} Al. "Even on the foam-bordered Mordei." + +{104d} Which "Gwarthlev," ( the voice of reproach) was not. Davies makes +"eno bryt," into a proper name, and construes the sentence thus; - + +"Whilst Gwarthlev and Enovryd were pouring forth the liquor." + +{105a} "Arch." Al. "arth en llwrw." "He was an impetuous bear." There may +be here a faint allusion to the name Gwarthlev, nor is it unlikely that his +ensign bore the figure of a bear. + +{105b} "Gwd," (gwdd) THAT TURNS ROUND. + +{105c} "Gyfgein," (cyvgein) CO-LIGHT. + +{105d} A peculiarity observable in Welsh documents is, that they frequently +consign general circumstances to the island of Britain in particular. This +may be exemplified by the account which is given of the deluge in Triad 13. +(Third Series;) - + +"The three awful events of the ISLE OF BRITAIN; first, the bursting of the +lake of waters, and the overwhelming of the face of all lands; so that all +mankind were drowned, excepting Dwyvan and Dwyvach, who escaped in a naked +vessel, and of them the Isle of Britain was repeopled," &c. + +{105e} Gwrveling. + +{105f} Al. "ungentle." + +{105g} Vide supra, lines 89, 113. + +{105h} As there is nothing to rhyme with "ryodres," probably there is a line +left out here. + +{106a} It would appear from this that the feast was given in celebration of +the time of harvest. That the Britons, like the Jews, exhibited signs of +great joy at that season, may be inferred from the following Triads of +Dyvnwal Moelmud. (Myv. Arch. vol. iii. p. 283.) + +"Tair clud udcorn sydd; dygynnull gwlad gan riaint a phencenedloedd, CORN +CYNHAUAV, a chorn cad a rhyvel rhag gormes gorwlad ac estron." + +There are three trumpet progressions; the assembly of a country according to +heads of families and chiefs of tribes, the horn of harvest, and the horn of +war and of battle against the oppression of neighbours and aliens. + +"Tair clud addwyn y sydd; beirdd yn darogan heddwch, CYRCH CYNHAUAV, a +phriodas." + +There are three happy progressions; bards announcing peace, a meeting in +harvest time, and a marriage. + +"Tri corn cynghlud y sydd; CORN CYNHAUAV, corn dadlau, a chorn goly-chwyd." + +There are three horns for mutual progression; the horn of harvest, the horn +of contention, and the horn for religious adoration. + +{106b} "Arvel," which is required on account of the rhyme. + +{106c} Bright shields, which are here likened to wings. + +"Y gylchwy dan y gymwy bu adenawc." +Line 361 + +His round shield was with fire winged for slaughter. + +{106d} An allusion to the trappings of the horses. + +{107a} "Diryf." "Rhyv;" that enlarges or swells out; "diryv," without +enlargement. A descriptive reference to the expanding or bulging effects of +spears when hurled against a shield. + +{107b} Al. "with equal step they thickly assembled," "cnydyn" from CNYDIAW, +to yield a crop. And "cynfedion" from CYD together, and PEDION, feet. + +{107c} Al. "unprofitably." + +{107d} "Hudid" (huddid) covered over. + +{107e} Query, "vras" to rhyme with "glas"? + +{107f} "Teithi;" THE CHARACTER, i.e. of the military preparations. + +{107g} "Amgant;" al. "etmygant;" in which case the passage might be +rendered, - + +"Famous were the characteristics +Of, &c." + +{107h} The Novantae comprised the present districts of Galloway, Carrick, +Kyle, and Cunningham. + +{108a} If we have interpreted "pumcant" aright, as giving the number of men +in each battalion, it would appear that "mwnt," though primarily standing for +one hundred thousand, has also a general sense. This view of it might in +like manner apply to the statement made at line 49. + +{108b} "Trychwn," i.e. tri cwn (a head) a regiment commanded by one head. + +{108c} Al. "Thrice six," &c. Al. "Three noisy," &c. That as many as 300 +commanders should issue from Eiddin, can only be explained on the supposition +that, because of its proximity to Cattraeth, it formed the principal station +of the allied forces. + +{108d} Lit. "golden kings wearing chains." The manner in which the greater +and lesser numbers are placed in juxtaposition (lines 184-187) makes it very +probable that the latter designate the commanders of the troops there +mentioned. And we may well suppose that the statement from line 188 to line +191 is a mere continuation of the character of the "three bold knights." + +{108e} LEAD, being heavy, answers to "trwm" in the preceding line. + +{108f} A reference to the armour of the soldiers. + +{109a} Or "who were Brython." The Brython were the third "social tribe of +the Isle of Britain," who "came from the land of Llydaw, and were descended +from the primitive tribe of the Cymry," (Triad 5, third series.) Being the +third principal tribe that settled in Britain, it is probable that their +original inheritance was Alban, one of the "three principal provinces of the +Isle of Britain," (See Triad 2) which they must have occupied prior to the +time of Prydain the son of Aedd Mawr. Dunbarton is Dun Bretton, i.e. Dinas y +Brython. + +{109b} Cynon was the son of Clydno Eiddin, and one of the three counselling +warriors of Arthur. + +"Tri chyngoriad varchawg llys Arthur; Cynon ab Clydno Eiddin, Arawn ab +Cynvarch, a Llywarch Hen ab Elidyr Lydanwyn." +(Triad 86, first series.) + +He was also one of the "three ardent lovers," on account of his passion for +Morvydd, daughter of Urien Rheged. + +"Tri serchawg Ynys Prydain; Caswallawn mab Beli am Flur merch Fugnach Gorr, a +Thrystan mab Tallwch am Essyllt gwreig March Meirchiawn ei ewythr, a Chynon +ab Clydno Eiddun am Forwydd verch Urien." +(Tr. 53.) + +Cynon ab Clydno Eiddin was educated at the college of Llancarvan, and is said +to have answered one of the seven questions proposed by Cattwg Ddoeth, the +President, as follows, - + +"Pa gamp decav ar ddyn? +Atteb. Cyweirdeb." +(Cynan ab Clydno Eiddin ai dywawd.) + +What is man's fairest quality? +Answer. Sincerity. + +His grave is recorded in the Englynion y Beddau. (Myv. Arch. vol i. p. 79.) + +{109c} We adopt this as a proper name, because it makes up the number three. +A person of that name is mentioned in the following stanza; - + +"A glywaist ti chwedl Cynrain, +Pen cyngor Ynys Prydain, +Gwell ydyw cadw nag olrhain." + +Hast thou heard the saying of Cynrain, +The chief counsellor of the Island of Britain? +Better to keep than to pursue. +(Iolo MSS. pp. 251, 651.) + +The word has however been construed "chief spearmen," and "of the stock of." + +{109d} There is a place so called in Cardiganshire. + +{110a} Al. "gogyverth," to oppose. + +{110b} "Yn hon," from ON an ash, and by metonymy, a spear. Or, as "hon" +means what is present to the sight, we may construe the passage thus, - + +"To greet openly," &c. + +{110c} "Deivyr diverogion," the droppers of Deivyr; not "the men who dropped +INTO Deira," as Davies has it. Deivyr and Bryneich were now opposed to the +British patriots. See lines 50, 78. + +{110d} Namely Cydywal, a chieftain of Gwynedd, now stationed in the region +of Mordei; considering the disaster that ensued, it appeared whilst he +presided over the banquet in his own camp, as if he were merely preparing a +feast for the birds of prey. + +{110e} His history is unknown. + +{110f} "Cyn y," i.e. CYNI. + +{111a} Nothing is known of this diviner. + +{111b} The "croes" was probably a kind of cross bow. Taliesin in "Gwaith +Gwenystrad" says of the slain warriors, - + +"Llaw ynghroes" - + +Which has been translated by Ieuan Vardd, + +"Their hands were on the crucifix [cross.]" +(Myv. Arch. vol. i. p. 52.) + +Al. "Athrwys," (ath-rhwys) "very vigorously." + +{111c} This appears to have been the compact entered into by the different +tribes of the Britons, for the purpose of withstanding the usurpation of the +common foe. See line 32. + +{111d} "Ermygei," which might also, and perhaps more literally, be rendered +HE PAID RESPECT TO. The other reading "dirmygei," would mean HE SPURNED, or +DISHONOURED. + +{111e} "Blaen Gwynedd," the borders of North Wales, whither the Saxon +encroachment had already extended. + +{112a} "Fawd ut," i.e. ffawddyd, from ffawdd, radiation, splendour. We may +also render the sentence as follows, - + +"I fell by the radiant rampart, (ffin)" + +the epithet RADIANT having a reference to the arms of the soldiers. + +{112b} Or, as a moral reflection, - + +"A hero's prowess is not without ambition." + +There are various readings of the word which is here translated PROWESS, e.g. +cobnet, colwed, eofned, but all of them are capable of that construction, +thus "cobnet" comes from COBIAW, to thump, "colwed," from COL a sting, or a +prop, whilst "eofned" literally means fearlessness. + +{112c} In Maelderw's stanzas thus, - + +"When all went up, thou didst go down." + +In another place, - + +"When all were extended, thou didst also fall." + +{112d} The line in Gorchan Maelderw, Myv. Arch. vol. i. p. 62, has been +translated by Dr. W. O. Pughe, + +"Present, ere he spoke, was carried with the arms." +(Dict. VOCE Breichiawl.) + +That in the other Gorchan of Maelderw, page 85, may be rendered, + +Present narrates that he was carried with the arms. + +{113a} Lit. "Three heroes and three score and three hundred, wearing the +golden torques." + +{113b} If "ffosawd" ever bears the meaning assigned to it by Dr. Pughe, it +must have derived it from the practise of fighting in the FOSSE of a camp, +(which would be peculiarly GASHING) for on his own showing the word has no +other etymon than that of "ffos," a DITCH, a TRENCH. From the same root +Merddin gives it the sense of burial - defossio. + + "A hyt vraut yth goffaaf +Dy FFOSSAUT trallaut trymmaf." +(Myv. Arch. vol. i. p. 149.) + +Until doom will I remember +Thy interment, which was a most heavy affliction. + +Likewise Taliesin; - + +"Hyd ydd aeth ef +Ercwlf mur FFOSAWD +As arnut tywawd." +(Myv. Arch. i. p. 69.) + +Until he, Ercwlf, +Descended into the fosse of the rampart, +And was covered with sand. + +{114a} Their names are given in "Gwarchan Cynvelyn." (Myv. Arch. vol. i. +page 60. Davies's Mythology, page 622.) + +Three warriors and three score and three hundred, +To the conflict of Cattraeth went forth; +Of those who hastened from the mead of the cup-bearers, +Three only returned, +Cynon and Cadreith, and Cadlew of Cadnant, +And I myself from the shedding of blood. - + +{114b} The grave of Cynon is thus recorded; - + +"Bet gur gwaud urtin +In uchel titin in isel gwelitin +Bet Cynon mab Clytno Idin." + +The grave of a warrior of high renown +Is in a lofty region - but a lowly bed; +The grave of Cynon the son of Clydno Eiddin. + +And in another stanza; + +"Piau y bet y dann y brin +Bet gur gwrt yng Kiuiscin +Bet Kinon mab Clytno Idin." + +Whose is the grave beneath the hill? +It is the grave of a warrior valiant in the conflict, - +The grave of Cynon the son of Clydno Eiddin. +(Myv. Arch. vol. i. p. 79.) + +A saying of Cadreith has been preserved in the Englynion y Clywed. + +"A glyweisti a gant Cadreith +Fab Porthawr filwr areith +Ni char Dofydd diobeith." +(Myv. Arch. i. 175.) + +Hast thou heard what Cadreith sang, +The son of Porthawr, with the warlike speech? +God loves not the despairer. + +{114c} "Gwenwawd." It might be translated "flattering song," but CANDID or +SACRED seems more consonant with the character of a Bard, whose motto was "Y +gwir yn erbyn y byd." We may presume that Aneurin on this occasion displayed +his heraldic badge, which, according to the law of nations, would immediately +cause a cessation of hostilities. + +"Tair braint Beirdd ynys Prydain; Trwyddedogaeth lle'r elont; nas dycer arv +noeth yn eu herbyn: a gair eu gair hwy ar bawb." + +The three primary privileges of the Bards of the Isle of Britain; maintenance +wherever they go; that no naked weapon be borne in their presence; and their +word be preferred to that of all others. (Institutional Triads. See also +Myv. Arch. vol. iii. Laws of Dyvnwal Moelmud.) + +"Sed me per hostes Mercurius celer +Denso paventem sustulit aere. +(Horace Carm. lib. ii. Ode 7.) + +{115a} "Gwyn dragon;" probably Hengist, who bore, as his arms, a WHITE +PRANCING HORSE upon a red field. There is here accordingly an allusion to +the first arrival of the Saxons, which was the cause to the Britons of all +their national calamities for many a long year after. + +Al. "Had it not been for the two hundred (al. ten hundred) men of the white- +bannered commander." + +{115b} Or, "we were not - until." &c. + +{115c} Lit. "thorn bushes." For an illustration of the advantage which the +natives would derive from their woods and thickets in times of war, the +reader is referred to a story told of Caradoc in the Iolo MSS. pp. 185, 597. +which on account of its length we cannot transfer into our pages. + +{115d} Or more sententiously, as Davies has it, + +"Base is he in the field, who is base to his own relatives." + +The construction adopted in the text, might allude to the marriage of Rowena +with Vortigern. + +{116a} "Llwyeu," from "llwyv," a FRAME, a PLATFORM, a LOFT. Or it may be +"llwyv," an ELM TREE, in reference to the devastation of the groves just +mentioned. The elm was very common in the island at the period under +consideration. Taliesin celebrates a battle entitled "Gwaith Argoed +Llwyvein," which means "the battle of the forest of elms." + +"A rhag gwaith Argoed LIwyvain +Bu llawer celain." +(Myv. Arch. vol. i. p. 53.) + +Al. "When we were deprived of our sharpened weapons." + +{116b} Thus in Gorchan Maelderw, - + +"There trod not, in Gododin, on the surface of the fosse, +When deprived of his sharpened weapon, none more destitute." + +{116c} One reading has "the weapon of death," another, "the death-formed +weapon, is broken and motionless." + +{116d} If we give an affirmative meaning to the words "angkynnull +agkymandull agkysgoget," the couplet might be thus rendered, - + +"They assembled in arms, and in complete array they moved along, +And rolled through the mighty horde." + +It is observable that Carnhuanawc adopted this affirmative form in a similar +passage with which "Gorchan Tudvwlch" opens, thus: + +"Arv ynghynnull, +Yn nghymandull, + Twrv yn agwedd; +Y rhag meiwedd, +Y rhag mawredd, +Y rhag madiedd." + +They assemble in arms, +The forces are marshalled, + Tumult approaches: +In the van are the warlike, +In the van are the noble, +In the van are the good. + +And he moreover traces a similarity between this style and that of Tacitus, +wherein the latter describes the effects of Galgacus's address upon his +British followers; - + +"Jamque agmina, et armorum fulgores, audentissimi, cujusque procursu, simul +instruebantur acies." +(See Hanes Cymru, p. 96.) + +{117a} Al. "llawr," "and PROSTRATE the horde of the Lloegrians." + +{117b} The Lloegrians were the second "social tribe" that settled in +Britain. Their province was that of Lloegyr, by which the Welsh still +designate England, (Triads v. ii. first series) though there is reason to +believe that it was originally of much smaller extent. The Lloegrians for +the most part coalesced with the Saxons, (Triad vii. third series) and +grievously harassed the Cymry in the sixth century. + +"Cynddylan, cae di y rhiw, +Er yddaw Lloegyrwys heddiw; +Amgeledd am un nid gwiw!" +(Llywarch Hen.) + +Cynddylan, guard thou the cliff, +Against any Lloegrians that may come this day; +Concern for one should not avail. + +{117c} "Ygcynuor," i.e. "yn cynvor." Al. "cynnor," THE ENTRANCE. Al. +"ynghynwr," IN THE TURMOIL. + +{117d} This probably refers to the enemy, who, being pagans, burnt their +dead. The fact might have been suggested to the poet's mind, by the name of +his hero "Graid," which signifies HEAT. + +{117e} Viz. that of Graid. + +{117f} The rhyme determines this form, which occurs in 1. In Gorchan +Maelderw, we have, instead of Graid the son of Hoewgi, "Braint the son of +Bleiddgi." + +{118a} "Orwydan," from Gorwydd. Another way of translating these lines +would be - + +"There was the hero of the two shielded wings, +The one with the variegated front; the other of like quality with Prydwen; + +which was the name of Arthur's shield; - + +"Tarian a gymmerai Arthur ar ei Ysgwydd, yr hon a elwid Prydwen." + +A shield did Arthur take upon his shoulder, which was called Prydwen. +(Gr. ab Arthur.) + +The supposition that Arthur's shield had already acquired a notable renown is +indirectly corroborated by an alleged contemporary poem, "Preiddiau Annwn." +(Myv. Arch. vol. i. p. 45) in which his ship of the same name is clearly +invested with a similarly extravagant character, - + +"Tri lloneid Prydwen ydd aetham ni ar for." + +{118b} Al. "in the midst of arms." + +{118c} Perhaps scintillations from the clash of arms. + +{118d} Occasioned by the brightness of the arms. Al. "Clouded was the dawn, +and the sun," Al. "there was misery." + +{118e} "BUD e vran," an allusion to the name of BUDvan. + +{119a} An old Adage says, - + +"Nac addev dy rin i was." +Reveal not thy secrets to a servant. + +{119b} Perhaps buried on the field of battle, where the horses would trample +on his grave; or the expression might allude to the mode of his being +conveyed by horses to his last resting place. + +{119c} "Eleirch," lit. SWANS, but the expression "meirch eilw eleirch," +(horses of the colour of swans) in the Maelderw version, seems to favour the +translation we have given above. + +{119d} Or, "the trappings" of his charger. + +{119e} His history is not known. + +{120a} That is, he would not cowardly desert his post, and thus leave an +opening in the rank. + +{120b} During the Christmas festivities, which lasted for twelve days: + +"Llon ceiliog a thwylluan +Au DEUDDENG-NYDD yn hoean" + - Engl. y Misoedd. + +On those occasions Bards and minstrels were frequent guests at the halls of +the nobility, and their company contributed not a little to the general +entertainment. The air "Nos Galan," we may fairly presume, was a favourite +at those festivities. + +{120c} The word "arvaeth" in this poem seems to have a reference throughout +to "arwydd," or ENSIGN. Thus we may suppose that Gwenabwy bore the DRAGON +for his arms, which device conveyed the idea of devastation, rather than that +of cultivation. + +{120d} The Bard, according to his general custom, is here contrasting the +two aspects of his hero's character, the domestic and the martial. + +{121a} A person of the name of Gwenabwy is mentioned in the Hoiannau of +Merddin. - Myv. Arch. v. i. p. 137. + +{121b} Llywarch Hen had a son of the name of Gwen: see his Elegy on Old +Age, where he speaks in rapturous terms of the youth's valour. + +"Pedwar meib ar ugaint a'm bu, +Eurdorchawg, tywysawg llu; +Oedd Gwen goreu o naddu," &c. + +Four and twenty sons I have had, +Wearing the golden chain, leaders of armies; +Gwen was the best of them. + +{121c} "Mai y MEAD Y GATHLEU." There seems to be a playful allusion in +these words to MEWIAN and CATH, the mewing of a cat. + +{121d} "Meirch," suggested by the name "Marchleu." + +{121e} Al. "Maenor," stones. + +{121f} Or "by the commander on his prancing charger." "Llemenig," might be +a proper name, for we find that one of "the three free guests of the court of +Arthur," was so called. Nevertheless, as it would in that character appear +somewhat out of place here, we have chosen the etymological sense in +preference. + +{121g} "Vym am," i.e. vy mam, as it occurs, though with the addition of am +vyrn, in 6. + +{121h} The Bard would here pay an indirect compliment to his own gallantry. + +{122a} "Bedryolet." Al. "Spears of quartered ash were scattered from his +hand." + +{122b} "Veinnyell." Al. "veingel," qu. narrow shelter? + +{122c} Mygedorth is mentioned by Llywarch Hen, - + +"Yn Llongborth gwelais i vygedorth +A gwyr yn godde ammorth +A gorvod gwedi gorborth." + +In Llongborth I beheld a solemn pile, +And men suffering privation, +And in a state of subjection after excess of fruition + +It is likewise alluded to in the Triads, - + +"Cornan, march meibion Elifer Gosgorddfawr, a ddwg arnaw Gwrgi, Peredur, +Dunawd Fyr, a Chynfelyn Drwsgl, i edrych ar fygedorth Gwenddoleu yn +Arderydd." + +Cornan, the horse of the sons of Elifer with the great retinue, carried +Gwrgi, Peredur, Dunawd Fyr, and Cynfelyn the stumbler, to see the funeral +pile of Gwenddoleu in Arderydd. + +"Falsely was it said by Tudlew, +That no one's steeds would be overtaken by Marchleu; +As he was reared to bring support to all around, +Powerful was the stroke of his sword upon the adversary; +Eagerly ascended the ashen spear from the grasp of his hand, +From the narrow summit of the awful pile." +GORCH. MAEL. + +{122d} "Vygu," or "the place where he would suffocate some one." + +{122e} Or, "he would cut (lladd, mow) with a blade armfuls of furze." The +furze was for the purpose of supplying the pile. + +{122f} When the weather is unsettled in harvest time, the reapers display +greater energy and activity during the intervals of sunshine; hence the point +of the simile. + +{123a} Nothing more is known of this chieftain. + +{123b} Or "Isaac," as a proper name. + +{123c} "O barth deheu." "Deheu," literally means THE RIGHT, and as the mid- +day sun is to the right of a person looking eastward, the word is also taken +to signify the south; hence we say "deheudir" for South Wales. The "parth +deheu" in this place must accordingly mean some district south of the scene +of action, such as Wales, where Gwyddno and his family resided, would be. + +{123d} "Devodeu," manners, customs. + +{123e} That is, the ebb and influx of the tide represented the contrary +aspects of his character, the mild and the impetuous, which are respectively +described in the succeeding lines. + +{123f} Al. "FROM the point of Maddeu." + +{123g} If we take this "clawdd" to be the Catrail, we must look for Offer +and Maddeu towards the extremity most remote from head quarters, i.e. the +fort of Eiddin, (Edinburgh) and it is rather remarkable that, whilst the +Catrail is generally supposed to terminate southward at the Peel-fell, some +eminent antiquaries have fixed its furthest point at Castle OVER, where there +is a British fort, and others have thought that they could trace it in the +MAIDEN-WAY near the Roman wall, though it must be confessed that these +supposed continuations are by a third party regarded as Roman roads. The +similarity between the words Offer and Over is very obvious. Baxter +identifies OVER with OLICLAVIS, which is naught else but OL Y CLAWDD the +extremity of the rampart. + +{124a} Al. "There was no young offspring that he cut not to pieces, no aged +man that he did not scatter about." + +{124b} "Murgreit." The title is ascribed by Taliesin to the Deity. + +"Trindawd tragywydd +A oreu elvydd, +A gwedi elvydd, +Addav yn gelvydd; +A gwedi Adda, +Y goreu Eva; +Yr Israel bendigaid +A oreu MURGRAIA." + +The eternal Trinity +Made the elements; +And after the elements +Adam wonderfully; +And after Adam +He made Eve; +The blessed Israel +The MIGHTY SPIRIT made. +(Gwawd Gwyr Israel.) + +{124c} Gwyddneu or Gwyddno Garanhir, lord of Cantrev y Gwaelod, A.D. 460- +520. Three poems attributed to him are preserved in the Myvyrian +Archaiology. A character mentioned in the Mabinogion, goes by the name of +Gwyddneu ab Llwydau. + +{124d} Mr. Davies thinks that this warrior was the son of Cunedda, who gave +his name to Ceredigion. As Cunedda, however, flourished in the early part of +the fifth century, the martial age of his son Ceredig would not well coincide +with the date of this poem. There was another Caredig, who succeeded Maelgwn +Gwynedd as king of the Britons, about A.D. 590. + +{125a} "Lletvegin;" lit. a DOMESTIC ANIMAL. We have another example here of +the Bard's favourite practice of contrasting the different qualities of the +person whom he celebrates. + +{125b} Or "When the appointed time of his departure is at hand," q.d., "gar +cyrdd," from "cerdd" a WALK. The adopted reading, however, is very strongly +corroborated by passages in other poems, where "cyrdd" is unmistakeably used +as the plural of "cerdd," a SONG, e.g. - + +"Cyrdd a cherddorion +A chathleu englynion." + +Songs and minstrels, +And Angel's melodies. +(Taliesin.) + +"Ys cad ffyrdd, ys CAR CYRDD cyflef." + +"He is the roads of battle, he is the friend of harmonious songs." +(Cynddelw.) + +"Llary deyrn cedyrn yn cadw gwesti CYRDD, +CERDDORION gyflochi." + +A mild prince of mighty men keeping festivals of songs, +And equally protecting the minstrels. +(Llygad Gwr.) + +"Arddelw cain ffyrdd CYRDD CYFLEF, +Urddedig wledig wlad nef." + +Claim the splendid paths of harmonious songs, +Consecrated governor of the kingdom of heaven. +(Bleddyn Vardd.) + +{125c} A favourite saying of a person of that name has been preserved in the +following triplet; + +"A glywaist ti chwedl Ceredig +Brenin doeth detholedig? +Pawb a'i droed ar syrthiedig." + +Hast thou heard the saying of Ceredig, +A wise and select king? +Every one has his foot on the fallen. +(Iolo M.S. pp. 259, 664.) + +{126a} The other reading "ceiniad" would mean a MINSTREL, which, on the +supposition that the chieftain of the present is the same with that of the +preceding stanza, would further support the textual construction which we +have given there to "car cyrdd," viz. THE FRIEND OF SONG. + +{126b} Al. "gowan," gashing. + +{126c} Al. "Crwydyr," perambulated. + +{126d} "Cystudd daear," BURIED; "cystudd haiarn," KILLED. See line 128. + +{126e} Caradawg Vreichvras, chief elder (pen hynaiv) of Gelliwig in +Cornwall. (Triad lxiv. first series.) According to the Triads he was one of +the battle knights of the Isle of Britain, and in the Englyn attributed to +Arthur he is styled "Pillar of Cymru." + +"Tri chadvarchawg Teyrn ynys Prydain: Caradawc Vreiehvras, a Llyr Lluyddawg, +a Mael ab Menwaed o Arllechwedd; ac Arthur a gant iddynt hynn o Englyn, + +Sev ynt vy nhri chadvarchawg +Mael hir a Llyr Lluyddawg, +A cholovn Cymru Caradawg." +(Triad 29.) + +Caradawg's horse Lluagor is recorded as one of the three battle horses of the +Island. (Trioedd y Meirch, Myv. Arch. vol. ii. p. 20.) + +{127a} This simile has evidently some connection with the story told of +Caradawg, that owing to his well founded confidence in his wife's virtue, he +was able to carve a certain Boar's head, an adventure in which his compeers +failed. It is remarkable also that the Boar's head, in some form or other, +appears as the armorial bearing of all of his name. See the "Dream of +Rhonabwy." - Note. Al. "red boar." + +{127b} This statement may have two meanings, the one real, as indicative of +what did actually take place, namely, that the dogs came out of the +neighbouring woods to feed upon the corpses which had fallen by the band of +Caradawg; the other allegorical, as referring to himself in his character of +a boar or a bull, the wild dogs being his enemies, who thus hunted and baited +him. + +{127c} We may infer from this admission that the Bard's statements, though +poetically adorned, are, as to the main facts, framed with a strict regard to +truth. Thus no less than four vouchers for the correctness of his +description of Caradawg's valour are presented to our notice by name. + +{127d} Gwriad was the son of Gwrien, one of the three princes of vassal +origin. (See line 56: notes.) Gwynn might have been either Gwyn Godyvron +or Gwyn ab Nudd; both alluded to in the Mabinogi of Kilhwch and Olwen. + +{127e} Lit. its MANGLING or HEWING. + +{127f} We should have been tempted to construe the line thus, - + +"From the broken hill of ENCOUNTER," + +Making "kynn caffat" into one word "cynghaffad," had we not been precluded by +the peculiar metre which version third presents throughout, and which +accordingly requires "cyn" in this place to rhyme with "fryn." - + +"O fryn } caffad." +Hydwn cyn } + +Possibly "Hydwn" may be identified with HDDDINAM or HADINGTOUN, in the +province of Valentia. + +{128a} Al. "vron," the presence. Caradawg's father was Llyr Merini, a +prince of Cornwall. + +{128b} Al. "eurawc," covered with gold. + +{128c} Caradawg Vreichvras, just mentioned. + +{128d} These two were doubtless sons of Llywarch Hen, mentioned together in +the following stanza; - + +"Na Phyll, na Madawg, ni byddynt hiroedlawg, +Or ddevawd y gelwynt; +'Rhoddyn!' - 'na roddyn!' - cyngrair byth nis erchynt!" + +Nor Pyll, nor Madawg, would be long lived, +If according to custom there was a calling - +"Surrender!" "They would not surrender!" quarters they ever scorned. +(Elegy on Old Age, &c.) + +{129a} Two persons named Gwgan and Gwion occur together in a Triad, as +having been sentinels in the battle of Bangor, A.D. 603. As that event, +however, happened subsequently to the battle of Cattraeth, where the heroes +of the stanza were killed, the parties could not be the same. There was +another Gwgawn, designated Llawgadarn, who is ranked with Gwrnerth and Eidiol +in a Triad of the three strong men of Britain. + +"Tri gyrddion ynys Prydain: Gwrnerth Ergydlym, a laddes yr arth mwyav ac a +welwyd erioed a saeth wellten; a Gwgawn Llawgadarn, a dreiglis maen maenarch +o'r glynn i benn y mynydd, ac nid oedd llai na thrugain ych ai tynnai; ac +Eidiol Gadarn, a laddes o'r Saeson ym mrad Caersallawg chwechant a thrigain a +chogail gerdin o fachlud haul hyd yn nhywyll." +(Triad lx. third series.) + +Favourite expressions of both Gwgan and Gwiawn are recorded in Chwedlau'r +Doethion. (Iolo MSS. pp. 251, 651.) + +"A glywaist ti chwedl Gwgan, +Gwedi dianc o'r ffwdan? +Addaw mawr a rhodd fechan." + +Hast thou heard the saying of Gwgan, +After escaping from the turmoil? +Great promise and a small gift. + +"A glywaist ti chwedl Gwiawn, +Dremynwr, golwg uniawn? +Duw cadarn a farn pob iawn." + +Hast thou heard the saying of Gwiawn, +The observer of accurate sight? +The mighty God will determine every right. + +{129b} See proceeding stanza. Gwion and Gwyn are mentioned together as the +sons of Cyndrwyn by Llywarch Hen. See his Elegy on Cynddylan. + +{129c} The son of Evrog, and one of the knights of the court of Arthur, who +found the Greal. - + +"Tri marchawg llys Arthur a gawsant y Greal. Galath vab Llawnselot dy Lak, a +Pheredur mab Evrawc Iarll, a Bort mab brenin Bort. Y ddau gyntav oeddynt +wery o gorph, a'r trydydd oedd ddiweir am na wnaeth pechawd cnawdol ond +unwaith a hynny drwy brovedigaeth yn yr amser yr ennillawdd ev * * o verch +Brangor yr hon a vu ymerodres yn Constinobl, or honn y doeth y genhedlaeth +vwyav o'r byd, ac o genhedlaeth Joseph o Arimathea y hanoeddyn ell tri, ac o +lin Davydd brophwyd mal y tystiolaetha Ystoria y Greal." + - (Triad lxi. first series.) + +{129d} This name occurs in the Tale of Twrch Trwyth, page 259. + +{129e} Probably Aeddon the son of Ervei: see line 845. + +{130a} Or affirmatively, "a shield in the battle." + +{130b} Or "how sad their award." + +{130c} "How grievous is the longing for them." + +{130d} This line is full of poetical beauty, and forcibly exhibits how the +baneful effects of the banquet, or the engagement to which it was the +prelude, prevented the return of the warriors home, which their friends so +ardently desired. + +{130e} This figure is similar to that in the fourth line of the stanza. + +{131a} His name occurs again in the poem. The "horn of Gwlgawd Gododin" is +mentioned in the Tale of "Kilhwch and Olwen," p. 283. + +{131b} Or in reference to the banquet itself, - "notable were its effects, +and it was the price which bought the battle of Cattraeth," i.e. bought, or +brought about its disastrous consequences. + +{131c} That is, contributed his life towards a victory. + +{131d} Or GIANTLIKE; a reference to his stature, implied in the title "Hir," +(tall) which was attached to his name. See stanza V. note. + +{131e} Lit. "With the strength of steeds." + +{131f} "Ar gychwyn," poised, ready to fly. + +{132a} Rhuvawn is celebrated in a Triad as one of the three blessed kings of +the Isle of Britain. + +"Tri gwyndeyrn ynys Prydain; Rhun ab Maelgwn, Owain ab Urien, a Rhuawn Bevr +ab Dewrath Wledig." +(Triad xxv. third series.) + +In another Triad he is recorded as one of the three imperious ones of the +island. + +"Tri trahawc ynys Prydein; Gwibei drahawc a Sawyl ben uchel a Ruuawn Peuyr +drahawc." +(Triad xxxiv. second series.) + +Other versions, however, of the same Triad, give Rhun mab Einiawn in the room +of Rhuvawn Pebyr. + +He is also styled one of the three golden corpses of the Isle of Britain, +because, when he was slain, his body was redeemed for its weight in gold. + +"Tri eurgelein ynys Prydain: Madawc mab Brwyn; Ceugant Beilliawc; a Rhuawn +Bevr, ab Gwyddnaw Garanhir; sev yu gelwid felly achaws rhoddi eu pwys yn aur +am danynt o ddwylaw au lladdes." +(Tr. lxxvii. third series.) + +His grave is alluded to by Hywel the son of Owain Gwynedd, about A.D. 1160, +in these lines; - + +"Tonn wenn orewyn a orwlych bet +Gwytua ruuawn bebyr ben teyrnet." +(Myv. Arch v. i. p. 277.) + +The white wave, mantled with foam, bedews the grave, +The resting place of Rhuvawn Pebyr, chief of kings. + +{132b} There may be some slight allusion here to the circumstance mentioned +in the last Triad. + +{132c} Coelvain; the stones of omen, an honorary reward. In this stanza +Rhuvawn is celebrated as pious, valiant, and hospitable. + +{132d} The hall (neuadd) might have been the camp itself, or it might have +been the general's tent, answering to the Roman praetorium. Along the extent +of the Catrail there are several forts of the British people, which were +built either on the contiguous hills, or on the neighbouring heights. A +field in the neighbourhood of Dolgelley, which exhibits clear vestiges of an +ancient encampment, goes by the name of "NEUADD GOCH." + +"Neuadd pob diddos." +Every shelter is a hall. +(Adage.) + +{133a} Or, "so great, so immense was the slaughter." Another reading; "So +great, a sea of radiance was the slaughter," "mor o wawr," in reference to +the brightness of the weapons. + +{133b} Morien Manawc is mentioned in the "Dream of Rhonabwy", as one of the +counsellors of Arthur, (p. 416.) His grave is pointed out in the following +lines; - (Myv. Arch. vol. i. page 79.) + +"E Beteu ae cut gwitwal +Ny llesseint heb ymtial +Gwrien Morien a Morial. + +The graves that have their mounds together, +Are theirs, who fell not unavenged, +Gwrien, Morien, and Morial. + +His memory was much cherished by the mediaeval Bards, who not unfrequently +compare their patrons to him. Thus Risserdyn (1290, 1340) says that Hywel ap +Gruffydd had "vreich Moryen," the arm of Morien; and his contemporary Madawg +Dwygraig eulogises Gruffydd ap Madawg as being "ail Morien," a second Morien. + +{133c} "Medut," from "meddu," to possess, or it may signify "DRUNK," from +"meddw." The kindling of the fire seems to have been for the purpose of +annoying the enemy. Perhaps the allusion to fires, which occurs so +frequently in the Poem, may, in some measure, explain the burnt and calcined +features of many of our old camps. + +{133d} Cynon was probably the general of this camp, under whom Morien +fought. + +{133e} "Welei." Al. MAKE. + +{133f} Meaning HIMSELF. Another reading of the latter part of the line +would be "with his brass armour shattered." + +{133g} I.e. the camp occupied by the enemy, as the next line clearly +indicates. + +{134a} "Noc ac escyc," from "ysgog," to stir. Al. "Noe ac Eseye," as if +they were the names of some Saxon officers, who hurled the stone. In this +case we should render it, + +"Noe and Eseye hurled a massive stone from the wall of the fort, +And never," &c. + +as if he were crushed beneath it. Adopting the former reading, however, we +must observe the point of the words "ysgyg" and "ysgogit," the one indicative +of his undaunted courage, the other of his motionless state in death. + +"Marw yw - +Nid ysgyg er meddyg mwy." + - Dr. S. Cent. + +He is dead; he will stir no more for all the doctor's art. + +{134b} Cyhadvan, cyd advan, a co-retreat. + +{134c} Al. Teithan. + +{134d} Or "tumultuous," annovawc, from AN not and DOV, tame, gentle, Al. +"anvonawc," sent, ordered. + +{134e} See a description of his warlike character in the thirtieth stanza. + +{134f} That is, Morien himself, who bore the epithet Mynawg or Manawg, +(HIGH-MINDED.) See preceding stanza, note two. + +{134g} "Yn trwm," as a person "seirchiawc saphwyawc - (and perhaps) +elydnan," would necessarily be. The bundles of combustible materials, which +he also carried, would add to the weight of his armour, and tend to retard +his movements. Or, "yn trwm" may refer to the battle, as being a PRESSURE, +or a SAD affair. + +{135a} Qu. Pedrawg, whose son Bedwyr was one of the three crowned chiefs of +battle? + +{135b} "Varchawc" may be coupled with "fowys," indicating that the enemy +fled on horseback. + +{135c} "Cylchwy," means a circular inclosure as well as a shield, and in +that sense it can be taken here, as showing that Morien surrounded the camp +with fire. + +{135d} "Gwyth;" another reading gives "gwych," which would have the same +meaning as "gowychydd," line 296. + +{135e} Whether we read "ceinion" or "gleinion," we should have the same +meaning, viz. - "of the saints," the Britons being thus distinguished from +the pagan Saxons. Thus Llywarch Hen says of Geraint that he was + +"Gelyn i Sais, car i saint." + +The Saxon's foe, the friend of Saints. + +{136a} "Lleithig," a THRONE, or THE DAIS OF THE HALL; in the latter sense it +would have reference to a banquet, and perhaps "tal" would mean the front or +principal seat where Cynon sat. When, however, the battle commenced, the +chieftain quitted the convivial board, and displayed the valour of a +distinguished soldier. + +{136b} His first thrust being so effectual. Al. "were not recognised," +having been so greatly mutilated. + +{136c} Al. "in the day of gallantry." + +{136d} I.e. Elphin son of Gwyddno ab Gorvynion ab Dyvnwal Hen king of Gwent. +In the early part of his life he was the patron of Taliesin, whom he found +when an infant in a leathern bag, exposed on a stake of his father's wear. +"When Elphin was afterwards imprisoned in the castle of Dyganwy by Maelgwn +Gwynedd, Taliesin by the influence of his song procured his release. There +is a poem in the Myvyrian Archaiology, entitled the "Consolation of Elphin," +said to have been written by the chief of Bards. + +Or, more likely, because of his connection with the North, he was one of the +sons of Urien Rheged, mentioned by Llywarch Hen in the following triplet, - + +"Pwylrai Wallawg, marchawg trin, +Er echwydd gwneuthur dyvin, +Yn erbyn cyvrysedd Elphin." + +Gwallawg, the knight of tumult, would violently rave, +With a mind determined to try the sharpest edge, +Against the conflict of Elphin. + +{137a} Probably the Epidii, in Cantyre and Argyleshire. Al. "Hud a phyd," +"The valour of the forward Elphin had recourse to wiles and stratagems." + +{138a} Morien is probably alluded to here again, whose especial department +seems to have been the superintendence of the martial fire. "Mur greit," to +which we have given the same meaning as to "Murgreit," (line 292) might, +however, in connection with the rest of the verse be differently translated; +thus "The furze was kindled on the rampart by the ardent bull of conflict," +or "The furze was kindled by the ardent bulwark, the bull of conflict." The +latter construction seems to be favoured by a stanza in "Cyvoesi Merddin," +(Myvyrian Archaiology, vol. i. p. 148) where Morien is styled "mur trin," +"the bulwark of conflict." + +"Marw Morgeneu marw kyvrennin +Marw Moryen mur trin +Trymmav oed am dy adoed di Vyrdin." + +Morgeneu dead, Kyvrenin dead, +Morien the bulwark of conflict dead; +Most sad the lingering that thou art left, O Merddin. + +{138b} The meaning seems to be, that the enemies directed their attack to +the part which abounded most with riches, or where the treasures were +collected, or it may refer to the banquet; "alavvedd," signifying the FLOWING +MEAD. + +{138c} "Llaes;" al. "lliaws," NUMEROUS. + +{138d} Beli son of Benlli, a famous warrior in North Wales. Allusion is +made to his burying place in Englynion y Beddau; - + +"Pieu y bedd yn y maes mawr, +Balch ei law ar ei lavnawr? +Bedd Beli vab Benlli gawr." + +Who owns the grave in the great plain, +Proud his hand upon his spear? +The grave of Beli son of Benlli Gawr. +(Myv. Arch. v. i. p. 82.) + +Or Beli son of Rhun, a sovereign of North Wales. + +{139a} "Ffin;" i.e. the Catrail. + +{139b} The contrast between the appearances of the two heralds is +remarkable. + +{139c} I.e. the "Nar," the puny messenger of the Saxons, compared here to a +"twrch," a BOAR, or a MOLE. + +{139d} "Of a worthy character." + +{139e} Or, "the battle spear." + +{139f} "A clat," cladd, a trench. "In those parts where it (the Catrail) is +pretty entire, - the fosse is twenty-six and twenty-five feet broad; and in +one place which was measured by Dr. Douglas, the fosse was twenty-seven and a +half feet broad. But in those parts where the rampart has been most +demolished, the fosse only measures twenty-two and a half feet, twenty, and +eighteen; and in one place only sixteen feet wide." Chalmers's Caledonia, +vol. i. Al. "aclut," i.e. Alclud, (Dunbarton.) "The warriors upon the far- +famed Alclyde." + +{140a} Or, "in behalf of the power." + +{140b} Being skilled in the knowledge of the stars. + +{140c} Lit. "For the falling." To pull one's hair was looked upon in the +light of a great insult, as we may well infer from the kindred one of +handling the beard, which was punishable by law. Thus e.g. a man might +legally beat his wife "am ddymuno mevl ar varv ei gwr" - for wishing disgrace +on the beard of her husband. Such a treatment appears to have been offered +to Gwydion, which made his attendant determined upon avenging his cause. + +{140d} "Awyr eryr," a title given to him in reference to the sublime +character of his profession. Gwydien, or Gwydion, was one of the three +blessed astronomers of the Isle of Britain, + +"Tri gwyn Seronyddion ynys Prydain. Idris Gawr, a Gwydion mab Don, a Gwyn ab +Nudd; a chan vaint eu gwybodau am y ser a'u hanianau a'i hansoddau y +darogenynt a chwenychid ei wybod hyd yn nydd brawd." +(Triad lxxxix. third series.) + +Two stanzas entitled "Cad Goddau," published in the Myv. Arch. vol. i. p. +167, are ascribed to him. He is reported to have been buried in Morva +Dinllev. See Englynion y Beddau, (Myv. Arch. vol. i. p. 78.) + +{141a} Gwyddwg seems to have been in the service of Gwydien. + +{141b} Al. "protect him with his spear," (wayw.) The other reading (waen) +is preferred on account of the rhyme. + +{141c} "Murdyn;" it may be "mur dyn," (THE BULWARK OF MEN) as descriptive of +the character of Morien, who is elsewhere styled "mur trin," see line 382, +note. + +{141d} We meet in British history with several instances of female heroism; +the following Triad records the names of three viragos in particular; - + +"Tri gwrvorwyn ynys Prydain; Llewei verch Seithwedd Saidi; a Mederai +Badellvawr, a Rhorei vawr verch Usber Galed." +(Triad 96, third series.) + +The Englynion Beddau y Milwyr point out the graves of others, - + +"Y beteu yn y morva ys bychan ae haelwy +Y mae Sanant Syberv vun y mae Run ryvel achwy +Y mae Carwen verch Kennin y mae lledin a llywy." +(Myv. Arch. i. 82.) + +The graves on the shore, on which but little generosity has been bestowed, +Are those of Sanant the courteous maid, of Rhun foremost in the war, +Of Carwen daughter of Cennyn, of Lledyn and Llywy. + +{141e} His character has been described before in stanza xxv. + +{142a} The servant in question, for "unben" does not exclusively mean a +monarch, but it is applied also as a complimentary appellation like the +modern Sir, "Ha unben! Duw a'ch noddo." "O Sir! God protect you." (Kilhwch +and Olwen.) + +{142b} Al. "heb benn," a headless wolf. + +{142c} It would appear as if the servant retaliated in kind upon the slayer +of his mistress, who was either a wolf in disposition, or bore it as a badge; +and that such a deed entitled him to bear a coat charged with figures +emblematic thereof. + +{142d} "Ysgrwydiat." Al. "Gold mailed warriors slept in death, +(cysgrwyddiad) on the city walls." + +{142e} "Cred," of faith, as distinguished from the unbelieving Saxons. + +{142f} "Aerflawdd," nimble for slaughter. "There was a tribute of carnage, +nor were they long engaged in the tumult of battle." +GORCH MAEL. + +{143a} Another version gives "the birds of battle;" but both doubtless refer +to the birds of prey which roved to the scene of battle, prepared to perch +upon the carcases of the dead. There is something extremely natural and +affecting in the conduct of the "feeble man," as here described. + +{143b} Or, "of fair observation:" probably the very individual who warded +off the birds. The Gorchan Maelderw would indicate that Syll was an +incorrect transcript of PELLOID or PELLWYD, which word would supply the blank +after BRWYDRYAT, and make the line rhyme with the preceding. The passage +would then be, "and drove away the roving birds. Truly, Mirain," &c. + +{143c} A river so called, which cannot now be identified, as there are +several in the South of Scotland, which would admit of this Welsh form; such +as, the Leith, the Lugar, &c. Perhaps it is the same with Aber Lleu, where +Urien Rheged was assassinated, and Aber Llyw mentioned in the "Elegy on Old +Age" by Llywarch Hen. + +{143d} "In the day of conflict." GORCH. MAEL. + +{144a} Al. "look." + +{144b} "Gwyr nod;" this expression has two significations, it means both +"men of note" and "slaves." The lines that follow seem to restrict it here +to the latter sense. + +{144c} The word Din indicates it to have been a camp or a fort. + +{144d} "We may suppose this to refer to the property that was collected +within the camp on the summit of the hill. + +{144e} "Dinas," a fortified town. In these lines we have a graphic picture +of the panic stricken state of that portion of the army in which Aneurin +happened to be at this particular time; and it is a fitting prelude to the +account of his incarceration which he gives in the succeeding stanza but one. +But whilst the bard exposes his own incapacity, he pays an indirect +compliment to the skill and courage of Gwynwydd; such a state of affairs, he +seems to say, was owing to the absence of that hero on the heights. + +{144f} Meaning, perhaps, that had he himself been present, this cowardice +would not have been manifested. We may, however, render the line thus, - +"Vines are not named when they are not found," and regard it as a proverb +intended to illustrate the truth of the foregoing statements, viz. that no +mention would have been made of such things had they not really existed. +Truth was a necessary element of Welsh Poetry. + +{145a} "Ceny," i.e. cyni. Llywarch Hen has introduced a stanza into his +"Elegy on Old Age," very similar in some of its expressions; + +"Adwen leverydd cyni +Vran; pan disgynai yn nghyvyrdy +Pen gwr, pan gwin a ddyly." + +{145b} "Talben," a fixed charge, or a tax. A very natural reflection from +the head of a family! + +{145c} "Gorddin;" what impels or drives forward; what is posterior, +ultimate, or following; the rear. (Dr. Pughe's Dict.) It would appear from +this that the captive was pushed along towards his prison by some person from +behind. + +{145d} I.e. this treatment I despise, it is beneath my notice, I will regard +it as a particle of dust under my feet. There was a maxim in reference to a +really felt trouble which said; - + +"Nid a gwaew yn ronyn." +Pain will not become a particle. + +{145e} How true to nature this disclaimer of any peevish and revengeful +feelings when the power of fully exercising them was taken away! And yet his +conduct, as implied in "gorddin," at the same time belied such a declaration. + +{145f} Lit. "my knee." The prisoner here very naturally gives vent to his +feelings in reference to the racking pain which was inflicted upon him. + +{146a} "BUNDAT," from PWN. In the original the line is imperfect, the +particular part of his person that was thus pained being left unmentioned. + +{146b} He here summons back his courage, and bursts into expressions of +defiance as to the irresistible freedom of his AWEN, declaring that he would +still in his dismal prison celebrate the praise of his countrymen, to the +disparagement of his enemies at the battle of Cattraeth. + +{146c} Lit. "make," "compose;" [Greek text]. + +{146d} Perhaps this may mean no more than that Taliesin's mind was akin to +his own. + +{146e} The dawn of the following morning; or, it may, be the day of liberty. + +{146f} Or we may put "goroledd gogledd" in apposition with "gwr," and +construe it thus, - + +"The hero, the joy of the North, effected it," + +i.e. my deliverance. Llywarch Hen and his sons came from the North. + +{147a} Lit. "There does not walk upon the earth." + +{147b} "Dihafarch drud," the same epithets are applied to Llywarch in the +following Englyn y Clywed. - + +"A glyweisti a gant Llywarch, +Oedd henwr drud dihavarch; +Onid cyvarwydd cyvarch." + +Didst thou hear what Llywarch sang, +The intrepid and bold old man? +Greet kindly though there be no acquaintance. + +{147c} He would not submit to arbitration, which would imply an inability to +assert their rights by force of arms. + +{147d} Senyllt was the son of Cedig ab Dyvnwal Hen, and father of Nudd Hael. +The word means seneschal, and perhaps Senyllt acted in that character, and +had derived his name from thence. The term in the etymological sense would +be applied to Gwen. + +{148a} Al. "He bestowed his sword upon the," &c. + +{148b} Al. "lynwyssawr;" "he was a plague;" or "with his arm he made pools +of blood." + +{148c} "Seil," lit. "foundation." + +{148d} This seems to countenance the idea suggested in the note to line 346, +that the NEUADD was none other than the camp itself. + +{148e} "Keingyell," ceingel; a hank of thread. + +{148f} This was probably his sword which flashed. + +{148g} Llywarch Hen's son, see note to line 272. He was slain "ar ryd +vorlas," on the ford of Morlas, which, as far as its etymology is concerned, +would very well answer to the scene of the battle of Cattraeth. + +{148h} There is much poetic force in this line. + +{149a} Perhaps LUCE Bay, near LEUCOpibia. + +{149b} Llywarch Hen, in his Elegy on Urien Rheged, speaks thus, - + +"Yn Aber LLEU lladd Urien." +In Aber LLEU Urien was slain. + +{149c} Probably on the river LID, or Liddel, on the northern borders of +Cumberland. + +{149d} It is not unlikely that the "cangen Caerwys," formed a part of the +great fleet of Geraint, who is styled in Brut Tysilio, "Geraint Caerwys." + +{149e} A poetical definition of a storm in winter. + +{149f} "Rhiallu" means also the power of a sovereign, but as it is not +likely that Aneurin would acknowledge the regal claims of the enemy, we have +thought it more consistent with the general design of the poem to adopt a +construction, which shows the advantages possessed by the enemy over the +natives in point of numerical strength. + +"Deg myrdd yn y rhiallu, deg rhiallu yn y vynta, a deg mynta yn y gatyrva." + +Ten myriads in the riallu ten times the riallu, in the mynta, ten mynta in +the catyrva. + +{150a} "Dyvu wyt," dyvnwydd; or according to Gorch. Mael. dyvwn, i.e. Devon, +the country of Geraint ab Erbin, - "Gwr dewr o goettir Dyvnaint." (Llywarch +Hen.) + +{150b} "Yd wodyn," from GWODDEW, purpose or design. Al. "foddyn," did they +drown. + +{150c} Qu. CARBANtium in the province of Valentia? + +{150d} Dyvynawl Vrych, or Donald Brec, who is said in the Scotch Chronicles +to have been slain in the battle of Vraithe Cairvin, (qu. Carw van?) by Owain +king of the Britons. He is introduced to our notice again in the Gododin. + +{150e} Or, A BOLT. + +{150f} Pwyll in some of the pedigrees of Gwynvardd Dyved is said to be the +son of Argoel, or Aircol Law Hir, son of Pyr y Dwyrain; but Mr. Davies in the +"Rites and Mythology of the Druids," states that he was the son of Meirig, +son of Aircol, son of Pyr, which is rather confirmed by some other MS. +Pedigrees. In Taliesin's "Preiddeu Annwn," he is mentioned, with his son +Pryderi, as having joined Arthur in some perilous expeditions. + +"Bu cywair carchar Gwair ynghaer Sidi +Trwy ebostol Pwyll a Phryderi." &c. + +Arranged was the prison of Gwair in Caer Sidi +By the ministration of Pwyll and Pryderi. &c. +(Myv. Arch. i. 45.) + +Pwyll is the hero of one of the Mabinogion. + +{151a} Brwys; "of fine growth," "large." + +{151b} Llywarch Hen speaks of a person of this name. + +"Tywarchen Ercal ar ar dywal +Wyr, o edwedd Morial; +A gwedy Rhys mae rhysonial." +(Elegy on Cynddylan.) + +The sod of Ercal is on the ashes of fierce +Men, of the progeny of Morial; +And after Rhys there is great murmuring of woe. + +{151c} Al. "from the place where he was once overtaken." + +{151d} This stanza evidently contains a reproof to one of the British +chiefs, who turned coward on the field of battle. The circumstances +mentioned in the two first lines, that his shield was pierced behind him, "ar +grymal carnwyd," (on the crupper of his horse) would indicate that he was +then in the act of fleeing, holding his shield in such a position, as best to +protect his back from the darts of his pursuers. Of this the Bard remarks +"ni mad," it was not honourable, "non bene." + +{152a} Lit. "placed his thigh on." Llywarch Hen gives quite a different +account of his own son Pyll; - + +"Mad ddodes ei vorddwyd dros obell +Ei orwydd, o wng ac o bell." +(On Old Age.) + +Gracefully he placed his thigh over the saddle +Of his steed, on the near and farther side. + +{152b} We may suppose that the Bard looks upon the dark hue of his +accoutrements as ominous of a mournful and dishonourable result. + +{152c} A sarcastic irony addressed to the coward himself, who probably had +boasted of some heroic deeds that he would perform. Where are they? And +where is this brave warrior? Not distinguishing himself on the field of +battle; not entering cities in triumph; but in a cell gnawing the shoulder of +a buck. + +{152d} "Gell." This word has a reference to "gell," DARK, and it may be +that Aneurin regarded the one as typical of the other; that he thought the +man who appeared in dark armour would eventually be found in a dark cellar. +It is not clear whether this person secreted himself, or whether he was +placed by his enemies in the "cell" here mentioned. If the former, we may +regard his eating the venison as a further proof of his unwarlike character; +if the latter, "cnoi angell bwch" may be considered as something tantamount +to living upon bread and water in our days. + +{152e} Al. "hwch," a sow. + +{152f} Al. "May triumph be far from his hand." + +{153a} See line 468. It may be inferred from this place that the person +just spoken of had abandoned Gwen, which shows his character in still blacker +colours. + +{153b} See line 404. O shame upon the nameless knight, to flee where a +woman fought! + +{153c} "Dibennor;" this word may signify either the rabble who were not +invested with military accoutrements, or such as had no regular commander, or +the infantry as distinguished from the cavalry mentioned in the succeeding +line. Though so many were ready to attack the Saxons, the circumstance could +not inspire our hero(!) with any corresponding amount of patriotic feelings. + +{153d} "It is well that Adonwy came, that Adonwy came to the defence of +those that were left; +Bradwen fought, slaughtered, and burned; +Thou didst not guard either the extremity or the entrance +Of the towering town; thy helmet did I not behold from the sea, +From the rampart of the sea, O thou knight worse than a slave." +GORCH. MAEL. + +{154a} This stanza refers to a conference, to which the Cymry were at length +fain to submit. + +{154b} TRIMUNTIUM, belonging to the Selgovae, in Valentia. Al. "The dales +beyond the ridges that were cultivated." + +{154c} "Gwas," which means also youth. It is probable that the messenger or +herald of the Saxons is here meant, who being of an avaricious mind made +exorbitant demands, was "heb ymwyd," could not keep his "gwyd," his +inclinations or desires, within his own breast. Nor was Aneurin on the other +hand willing that his countrymen should make concessions; rather than that, +he calls upon them to put forth their strength once more, and assert their +rights on the field of battle. + +{154d} Aneurin, addressing his country. + +{154e} Al. "Plentiful." + +{154f} Llancarvan in Glamorganshire was anciently called by this name. Al. +"tan veithin;" qu. tan eithin, gorze fire? + +{154g} "Luthvin," (glwth vin.) Al. "the edge of his sword gleamed." + +{154h} The Saxon herald. + +{154i} "Gnaws gwan," him, who was necessarily in a weak or defenceless +state, namely the British herald. + +{154j} By the "bulwark of toil" is probably understood Morien. + +{155a} Being like him a Bard. + +{155b} "Cynrennin." Al. "expert." The conference having been so +egregiously violated by the assassination of the British herald, is +immediately broken up, and the advice of Aneurin eagerly followed. + +{155c} Their loquacity and haste had been greatly excited by liquor. + +{155d} See Notes to stanza xxxviii. + +{155e} The treacherous herald before mentioned. + +{156a} Another way of construing these two lines would be, - + +"Strangers to the country, their deeds shall be heard of; +The bright wave murmured along on its pilgrimage;" + +in reference to the British heroes. + +{156b} According to version 4, - + +"Where they had collected together the most melodious deer." + +The deer were collected within the encampment for the purpose of supplying +the army with food, or so as to be out of the reach of the enemy. The +locality was probably that of Ban Carw, the Deer Bank. + +{156c} Dyvynawl Brych. + +{156d} I.e. no pacific insignia. + +{156e} A moral reflection suggested by the perfidy of the Saxons at the +conference of Llanveithin. + +{156f} Morial is recorded in one of the Englynion y Beddau, (see line 348, +note 2) as one who fell not unavenged. His name occurs in one of Llywarch +Hen's poems, (see line 495. note 2.) Meugant gives an account of the +expedition of one Morial to Caer Lwydgoed (Lincoln) from whence he brought a +booty of 1500 bullocks. + +{156g} Or, "mutually sharing" the toils of war. + +{157a} These two lines may be translated in reference to the Saxon herald; + +"The stranger with the crimson robe pursued, +And slaughtered with axes and blades." + +{157b} "Cywrein." Al. "The warriors arose, met together, and with one +accord," &c. + +{157c} Or, "made the assault." + +{157d} Or, simply, "women." + +{157e} "Gwich," a shriek; Al. "acted bravely." Al. "were greatly +exasperated;" or perhaps for "gwyth" we should read GWEDDW, "their wives they +made widows." Gruffydd ap yr Ynad Coch in his Elegy upon Llywelyn, (Myv. +Arch. i. 396) makes use of similar sentiments, in the following lines, - + +Llawer deigr hylithr yn hwylaw ar rudd +Llawer ystlys rhudd a rhwyg arnaw +Llawer gwaed am draed wedi ymdreiddiaw +Llawer gweddw a gwaedd y amdanaw +Llawer meddwl trwm yn tomrwyaw. +Llawer mam heb dad gwedi ei adaw +Llawer hendref fraith gwedi llwybrgodaith +A llawer diffaith drwy anrhaith draw +Llawer llef druan fal ban fu'r Gamlan. + +Many a slippery tear sails down the cheek, +Many a wounded side is red with gore, +Many a foot is bathed in blood, +Many a widow raises the mournful shriek, +Many a mind is heavily troubled, +Many a son is left without a father, +Many an old grey town is deserted, +Many are ruined by yonder deed of war, +Many a cry of misery arises as erst on Camlan field. + +{158a} Al. "Nor was there a hero (lew from glew)" &c. Al. "Nor was there a +lion so generous, in the presence of a lion of the greatest course;" the +latter description referring to some other chief of renown. + +{158b} Or the CRY, "dias;" being either the shout of battle, or the voice of +distress. + +{158c} "Angor," from ANG and GOR; lit. a STAYING ROUND, which indicates the +city in question to have been of a circular form. Probably it was one of the +forts which are so commonly seen on our hills. + +{158d} That is, either the place where Bards were entertained, or where the +deer were protected. See line 535. + +{159a} "Gwryd," MANLINESS, as displayed in war. + +{159b} I.e. Cynon. + +{159c} Or, "wide." + +{159d} A similar expression has been used before (line 512) "nac eithaf na +chynor." A "clod heb or heb eithaf," simply means immortal praise. + +{159e} The distinguishing feature of this stanza is its prosopopaeia, or its +change of things into persons, as in the case of Hwrreith, Buddugre, and +Rheiddyn, which are translated respectively Spoliation, Victory, and the +Lance. + +{159f} Eidol or Eidiol Gadarn is recorded as one of the three strong men of +Britain, having, at the meeting on Salisbury plain, slain 660 Saxons with a +billet of wood. + +"Tri Gyrddion Ynys Prydain; Gwrnerth Ergydlym, a laddes yr arth mwyaf ac a +welwyd erioed a saeth wellten; a Gwgawn Lawgadarn, a dreiglis maen Maenarch +or glynn i ben y mynydd, ac nid oedd llai na thrugain ych ai tynnai; ac +Eidiol Gadarn, a laddes o'r Saeson ym mrad Caersallawg chwechant a thrugain a +chogail gerdin o fachlud haul yd yn nhywyll." +(Triad 60. third series.) + +The time here specified "from sunset until dark," will not be found to tally +at all with the commencement of the fight at Cattraeth, which is said to have +been "with the day," and "with the dawn;" this circumstance is fatal to +Davies's theory. + +The first lines of this stanza may be translated in divers ways, such as, - + +"With a feast of wine and a banquet of mead, endowed +By Cynlaith, mother of Hwrraith, was the energetic Eidol." + +Also, - + +"With a feast of wine and a banquet of mead, +Did his brave (HWRRAITH from HWRDD) mother +Cynlaith, enrich +The energetic Eidol." + +Again, - + +"With a feast of wine and a banquet of mead, +Did his mother Hwrraith +At the first fall of the dew (CYN LLAITH) enrich +The energetic Eidol." + +{160a} The hill on which the vanguard was stationed. + +{160b} Waiting their prey. + +{160c} "Cynydaw" (cnydiaw) to yield a crop. Cynydaw means also to rise; and +we may thus construe the passage, - + +"The foremost spearmen spring up around him." + +Another reading gives "cwydaw" to fall, in allusion to the slaughter of the +men; adopting this expression, it would seem that "arnaw" was more applicable +to "racvre," the mount of the van. + +{160d} "Glas heid," (glas haidd) green barley. It is rather singular that +the words, without the slightest alteration, will admit of another simile +equally beautiful and appropriate, viz. - GLAS HAID, a blue swarm of flies. +The word GLAS may be indicative of the prevailing colour of the dress or +armour of the men, + +"As from the rocky cliff the shepherd sees +Clustering in heaps on heaps the driving bees, +Rolling, and blackening, swarms succeeding swarms, +With deeper murmurs and more hoarse alarms; +Dusky they spread, a close embodied crowd, +And o'er the vale descends the living cloud." +(Pope's Homer, b. ii. l. 111.) + +{161a} "Hedin;" this word seems of kindred nature with haidd (barley) and is +here translated accordingly; (hedeg, to shoot out, or to ear, as corn.) +Another version gives "hediw," (HEDDYW, today.) + +{161b} It is still very common in Wales to call the cause or origin of any +thing by the name of mam: thus, for instance, we say "mam y drwg" of the +chief instigator of mischief. What we are to understand by the "mother of +the lance" it is not very easy to determine; it might have been courage or +the sense of wrong, or quarrel, or any other cause which excited the Britons +to fight. + +{161c} Al. "They marched and chanted, clad in coat of mail." + +{162a} "Vawr dru," &c. Al. "miserable hero." + +{162b} This confirms the view we have taken of the "milcant a thrychant" at +line 86. + +{162c} "Gloew dull;" in bright array. It may refer also to the viands. + +{162d} "Mai;" Taliesin, in like manner, says of Urien, that he was, - + +"Un yn darwedd +Gwin a mal a medd." + +One who was generous of wine, and bounty, and mead. + +"Mal," properly speaking, seems to have been a certain tribute, as above. +Thus we read in Welsh legends; - + +"He gave his domain of Clynog to God and to Beuno for ever, without either +contribution or tax (heb na mal nac ardreth.") +(Buch. Beuno.) + +Again, - + +"There is neither contribution nor tax, (na mal na threth) which we ought to +pay." +(H. Car. Mag. Mabinogion.) + +The word in the text may signify gifts or presents; or it may mean MEAL, +(mal, what is ground) in allusion to the more substantial portion of the +feast. + +{163a} Lit. "I am being ruined." + +{163b} Mynyddawg himself. + +{163c} Al. "From amongst." + +{163d} That is, free and precipitate in his course, as a ball flies through +the air. This simile seems to have been borrowed from a popular game among +the Britons called PELRE, which consisted in the beating of a ball backwards +and forwards, and is alluded to by Taliesin in the following lines; + +"Ceiniadon moch clywid eu govalon: +Marchawglu mor daer am Gaer Llion; +A dial Idwal ar Aranwynion +A gware pelre a phen Saeson." +(Myv. Arch. i. p. 73.) + +Songsters, soon would their cares be heard; +An army of horsemen so harassing round Caer Llion; +And the revenge of Idwal on the Aranwynians; +And the playing of ball-buffetting with Saxon heads. + +Al. "mab Pel;" Present the son of Pel. + +{163e} "Hud:" has this word any reference to "HUDwg," a racket for ball +playing? + +{164a} "Ystryng;" from YS and TRYNG or TRENGU. + +{164b} "Adan;" that is A DAN, will go under. Lit. "under the red-stained +warriors go the steeds," &c. "Ymdan march," is a well known phrase for +mounting a horse. + +{164c} The same, it may be, with Angar, one of the sons of Caw of Cwm +Cawlwyd, and brother of Aneurin. A saying of his occurs in the Chwedlau'r +Doethion. (Iolo MSS. pp. 256, 554.) + +"A glyweist ti chwedl Angar +Mab Caw, Catfilwr clodgar? +Bid tonn calon gan alar." + +Hast thou heard the saying of Angar, +Son of Caw the celebrated warrior? +The heart will break with grief. + +{164d} "Raen," from RHA, which is also the root of RHAIN, spears. + +{164e} This passage, in another form, occurs three times in the Maelderw +version and may be translated as follows; + +"Angor, thou scatterer of the brave, +Serpent, piercing pike, +And immovable stone in the front of the army." + +{164f} Al. "Oppressor, dressed in thy shining white robes." + +{165a} "Gwaenawr." Al. "The spears." Al. "The stones." + +{165b} That is, the fosse of the Catrail, or that which surrounded one of +the camps. + +{165c} See lines 386, 524, 534. Al. "like ploughing the furrow." + +{165d} The Bard in this stanza evidently plays upon the names of three of +the British heroes, showing how appropriately they represented their +respective characters; CYWIR, ENWIR; MERIN, MUR; MADIEN, MAD. Perhaps it +would be better to transpose the two first, and read the line as it occurs in +one stanza of the Gorchan Maelderw; + +"Enwir ith elwir oth gywir weithred." +Enwir art thou named from thy righteous deed; + +for in "Kilhwch and Olwen" we meet with a person bearing the name of Gweir +Gwrhyd ENNWIR, who is said to have been an uncle of Arthur, his mother's +brother. + +{165e} "Bulwark of every tribe." Al. "of every language." GORCH. MAELDERW. + +{165f} Merin the son of Merini ab Seithenyn, king of the plain of Gwyddno, +whose land was overflowed by the sea. He is said to have been the founder of +the church of Llanverin, or Llanvetherin, Monmouthshire. In the Gorchan +Maelderw Merin is called the son of Madieith. + +{166a} Al. "Gwynedd." + +{166b} I.e. the drinking horn. "Dial;" GORCH. MAEL. "to take vengeance for +the contribution of mead." Owain Cyveiliog alludes to this circumstance in +his Poem on the Hirlas Horn; - + +"Kigleu am dal met myned dreig Kattraeth." +(Myv. Arch. i. 266.) + +That this author was acquainted with the Gododin appears further from the +following, + +"Nid ym hyn dihyll nam hen deheu;" + +where he evidently refers to line 290 of our Poem. + +{166c} "Cyvyringet," those who met together between the two armies; from +cyvrwng, cyd-rhwng. + +{166d} "Cibno ced," seems to have been the cup of drink presented to bards +and minstrels by their entertainers. (See line 345.) Not even the speech +inspiring influence of this cup, could elicit an adequate description of the +slaughter which ensued at Cattraeth. + +{167a} Or, "the gallantry of the glorious knight of conflict." + +{167b} Lit. "Ruddy reaping." Al. "Ruddy reaper, thou pantest for war." + +{167c} Al. "Thou man of Gwynedd." + +{167d} Lit. "Thou unmanest;" di-mwng. + +{167e} "Llain." Al. "lance." + +{167f} The expression "until blood flows" is not in the original. + +{167g} That glass vessels were used by the Britons in the sixth century is +further proved by the testimony of Llywarch Hen, who speaks of + +"Gwyr ni giliynt rhag ovn gwayw, +Ac yved gwin o wydr gloyw." +(Elegy upon Geraint) + +Men who would not flinch from the dread of the spear, +And the quaffing of wine out of the bright glass. + +{168a} "Ariant," money contributed towards any thing; thus "ariant cwynos," +supper money, was paid by the gentry and freeholders towards the maintenance +of the officers of the court; "ariant gwastrodion," money of the equerries, +was paid by the king's tenants in villainage once a year, to furnish +provender for his horses; "ariant am y vedd" would likewise be a contribution +paid towards a banquet of mead. Gwaednerth made his enemies, as it were, pay +him this tribute with the gold of their armour. + +{168b} His history is unknown. + +{168c} Or, "retinue." + +{168d} "Dyrraith;" law of fate; death, + +{168e} Probably Ayr in Scotland, rather than Aeron in Wales. + +{168f} Lit. "the head." + +{168g} I.e. the Clyde. Al. "The brown eagles." Llywarch Hen speaks of "the +brown eagles" (eryron llwyd) and of "the eagle with the brown beak," (eryr +pengarn llwyd.) + +{169a} Lit. "Without reproach." + +{169b} Or, "From the region." + +{169c} Al. "Men of privilege." + +{169d} "Llogell;" a receptacle, a depository, a closet. It might here refer +more particularly to the room which contained the viands. "Llogail" would be +a wattled room. + +{169e} The frequent repetition of the word "byd" in this stanza is +remarkable. + +{169f} Lit. "not without ambition." + +{169g} Eidol is specified by name as being the most indefatigable in his +pursuit after mirth. A person of that name and character is mentioned in a +poem attributed to Cuhelyn. See Myv. Arch. i. 164. + +{169h} Or, "the grandson of Enovant." Al. "One out of a hundred," Cynddilig +might have been the son of Cor Cnud, whose grave is recorded in the Englynion +y Beddau. (Myv. Arch. i. 11.) + +"Kian a ud diffaith cnud. +Draw o tuch pen bet alltud +Bet Cindilic mab Corknud." + +Or the son of Nwython, mentioned in the Bruts, (Myv. Arch. ii. 321) and +Genealogy of the Saints. (Iolo MSS. 137.) Or else he might have been the +son of Llywarch Hen, - + +"Och Cynddilig, na buost wraig!" +Oh, Cynddilig, why wert thou not a woman! +(Elegy on Old Age.) + +The mention made of Aeron in the foregoing stanza naturally led the Bard to +speak in this of a chieftain connected therewith. + +{170a} Were it not for the anachronism we should be induced to regard this +lady as none other than Elen the daughter of Eudav, prince of Erging and +Euas, and wife of Macsen Wledig; heroine also of a Romance entitled "The +Dream of Macsen Wledig." As Macsen, however, is known to have been put to +death as early as the year 388, Elen's life could not possibly have been so +protracted as to enable her to take a part in the battle of Cattraeth. + +{170b} "Dieis." Al. "her thrusts were penetrating." + +{171a} "Meiwyr," men of the field. Al. "Meinir," the slender maid, which +might refer to the daughter of Eudav. + +{171b} The Gorchan Maelderw clearly indicates that the fire was kindled in +the presence of the army, and not for religious purposes before the Deity. + +{171c} This stanza explains the expression used in line 116. Seven days, +then, we may suppose, formed the whole space of time during which the events +related in the Gododin occurred. The action of Homer's Iliad occupied nearly +fifty days. + +{171d} The daily operations are somewhat differently stated in the fragments +of the Gododin, which are appended to "Gorchan Maelderw." There they are as +follows, - + +"On Tuesday they put on their splendid robes; +On Wednesday bitter was their assembly; +On Thursday messengers formed contracts; +On Friday there was slaughter; +On Saturday they dealt mutual blows; +On Sunday they were pierced by ruddy weapons; +On Monday a pool of blood knee deep was seen." + +{172a} See lines 27, &c. It would appear as if the three lines at the end +of the stanza were appended to it by some compiler, merely on account of +their uniformity of rhyme. + +{172b} Lit, "At the early arising morn," or "quickly rising in the morning." + +{172c} "Aber;" the junction of rivers; the fall of a lesser river into a +greater, or into the sea. By metaphor, a port or harbour. + +{172d} Or more definitely, - "Occurred the battle of Aber in front of the +course." + +{172e} Or "a breach was made, and the knoll was pervaded with fire." + +{172f} The stanza is imperfect, which accounts for the omission of the +hero's name. From the Gorchan Maelderw we would infer that he was Gwair one +of the three "taleithiawg cad," or coronetted chiefs of battle. (Myv. Arch. +ii. 12.) + +{172g} Probably, the valuables collected within the encampment on the hill. + +{173a} This word may be taken either in its literal sense, as alluding to +the birds of prey that devoured the dead bodies, or else metaphorically as +denoting the warriors themselves. In the latter sense Casnodyn uses it in +the following passage; + +"Cynan - +Eryr tymyr gwyr, gweilch disaesneg." + +Cynan, the eagle of the land of men, who are heroes with no English. + +In this sense "gwrwnde" would necessarily allude to the colour of the men's +habiliments. + +{173b} The stanza is thus varied in Gorchan Maelderw, + +"At the early dawn of morn they marched +To conflict, headed by the king in front of the course; +Gwair was greeted by the fluid gore +In the van of the battle; +He was a beloved friend. +In the day of distress +The wealth of the mountain, the place, +And the forward beam of war, wore a murky hue." +(GORCH. MAEL.) + +{173c} "Eilin;" in a second; another reading has "meitin," a word of similar +import, signifying a space of time. + +{173d} "Aber;" ut supra. + +{173e} The Catrail, or else the vallum of our hero's camp. + +{173f} That is, single handed he faces a hundred men of the enemy. + +{174a} That you should have committed such a slaughter with the same +coolness and indifference, as if you were merely revelling over your mead. + +{174b} "Dynin," the dwarf, who had killed the British herald, contrary to +the law of war. Al, " * * * with the edge and stroke of the sword, the +fierce warrior." + +"It was such a thrust to the little man." +(Gorch. Mael.) + +{174c} "Mor ddiachor;" it may be also translated "how unrestrainedly." The +Gorchan Maelderw has it "mor diachar," HOW UNAMIABLY, which seems to be +required by the rhythmical run of the passage; + +"Oed mor diachar +Yt wanei escar." + +{174d} It is not quite clear whether this person be the same with the one +mentioned in stanza lli. or whether another event, of a similar character +with that described therein, be not here introduced. We are inclined, +however, to consider both passages as referring to the same act of treachery. + +{174e} Probably from the top of the rampart. + +{174f} "Cynyt," (cynnud) fire wood. The bushes growing out of the sides of +the vallum checked not his fall. Al. "Cywydd," his song; though this word +derived from CY and GWYDD, may likewise have the same meaning as the former. + +{174g} "Cywrenhin," (cywreinin) accurate, elaborate; well formed, handsome. +If it may be taken actively, the meaning in this place would be skilful or +talented, which epithet would apply well to him as a bard. + +{175a} It will be recollected that the "gorgeous pilgrim," (line 534) broke +down the encampment; on the supposition, then, that he was identical with the +"foe" mentioned in the last stanza, we may imagine him encountering Owain +with his badge of truce at the very breach he was making, and that he then +and there put him to death. It is not impossible, however, but that Owain +was another herald who renewed the offer of peace, after the death of the +"delight of the bulwark of toil," and that both were dishonourably slain by +the same perfidious messenger. + +{175b} That is, he was entitled in right of his office, as herald, to every +protection and safety, whilst engaged in proposing terms of peace. + +{175c} Lit. "The best branch." "The wand denotes privilege." See Iolo MSS. +p. 634. + +{175d} Lit. "due." + +{175e} "Three things are forbidden to a bard; immorality, to satirize, and +to BEAR ARMS." (Institutional Triads.) + +{175f} Quasi dicat, "did not wear one." + +{176a} That is, avenge his death. There is a reference here to the custom +of distributing gifts out of a coffer, suggested by the similarity between +the expressions "pridd prenial," the earthly shrine or coffin, and "prid +prenial," the price chest. + +{176b} "Barn ben" might have the sense of ADJUDGED TO LOSE HER HEAD, capitis +damnata; in which case the passage would be translated as follows: - + +"It was a violation of privilege to sentence a woman to death." + +The other construction is, however, more especially countenanced by a similar +expression in "Gwasgargerdd Vyrddin" where the meaning is obvious. + +"Pan dyvo y brych cadarn +Hyt yn Rhyt Pengarn +Lliwaut gwyr treuliaut Karn +Pendevic Prydein yno PEN BARN;" +(Myv. Arch. i. 132.) + +And on that account is preferred here. There is reason to think that the +Lady in question is the daughter of Eudav, already mentioned, upon whose +message, as well as that of Mynyddawg, "the gay and the illustrious tribes," +proceeded to Cattraeth. It is observable, as confirmatory of this view, that +Eidol was introduced into our notice before in the stanza immediately +preceding that in which she is celebrated. + +{176c} "Iaen," like ice. + +{177a} "Rhy," excessively. + +{177b} "Gwlad GORDD," "GWRDD werydd." In the Triads Eidol is called one of +the three GYRDDION of the Isle of Britain. (Triad, 60.) + +{177c} The agricultural character of the usual employments of the early +Britons in times of peace, is clearly inferred from the frequent use of the +word "medel," in reference to their soldiery. + +{177d} Or, "He sounded for steeds, he sounded for harness." + +{177e} "AM grudd;" his cheeks all AROUND. + +{177f} Or, "the ribs." + +{178a} The Cymry were thus styled to distinguish them from the Saxons, who +were pagans. See supra, line 365. + +{178b} "Amnant," from "avn," boldness, courage. + +{178c} "Cell;" a cell, a closet, a grove. Perhaps it here means a HOUSE, or +HABITATION in general. + +{178d} Lit. the room, or chamber. + +{178e} "Yt vyddei dyrllyddei;" where was, where was brewed; or, "where it +was wont to brew." + +{178f} A person of the name of "Gwres the son of Rheged," is mentioned in +the "Dream of Rhonabwy," in conjunction with Owain ab Urien. Gwrys seems to +have been a Venedotian chief. + +{178g} The Welsh poets frequently represent a man of worth, as a CED, or a +gift. + +{178h} As the Lloegrians have been shown before to be clearly amongst the +enemies of the British chiefs, (see line 547) the meaning of this sentence +is, that the hero under consideration was the conqueror, or the master of the +Lloegrians; and that he thus marshalled them against their will. In like +manner Einion ab Gwalchmai describes Llywelyn as, - + +"Llywelyn llew glwys, Loegrwys lugyrn." +Llywelyn the amiable lion, the torch of the Lloegrians. + +{178i} "Attawr;" al. "allawr," the altar. A metaphor borrowed from the +discipline of the church, and in keeping with the title of saints, by which +the chieftain and his followers are designated. + +{179a} Lit. "the battle of sovereignty," + +{179b} "Cynnest," Al. "cyn cywest," "before thou art allied to the earth," +before thou formest an acquaintance or connection with the earth by falling +thereon. + +{179c} "Gorffin;" the Catrail. + +{179d} We have repeatedly seen that fire was resorted to in this war, for +the purpose of annoying or destroying the adversary, or else in self defence, +with the view of keeping him at bay. On the part of the Britons the fire +department seems to have been presided over by Morien; and indeed the title +"Mynawc," which we have here translated high-minded, and which is elsewhere +connected with the name of Morien, would induce us to infer that the Bard, in +the above stanza, is presenting us once more with a prospect of that hero +surrounded by his own blazing engines. + +{179e} "Lluyddawg." Al. "The successful (llwyddawg) bitter-handed, high- +minded chief;" who may have been Llyr lluyddawg. (Tr. xxiii.) + +{180a} The contrast between his conduct in war and his domestic character is +here noticed. + +{180b} I.e. the enemy. + +{180c} Or, "we are called to the sea and the borders, (or to the harbours +"cynnwr," from cyn-dwfr) to engage in the conflict." + +{180d} Lit. "Sharpened iron." + +{180e} "Llavn." + +{180f} "Sychyn," a small ploughshare. Doubtless a weapon resembling it, and +bearing the same name. Al. "Syrthyn," "They fell headlong with a clang." + +{180g} We have adopted this as a proper name from its similarity to +Fflewddur Fflam, the name of one of the three sovereigns of Arthur's court, +who preferred remaining with him as knights, although they had territories +and dominions of their own. + +"Tri unben Llys Arthur; Goronwy ab Echel Forddwydtwll, a Chadraith ab Porthor +Godo; a Fleidur Fflam mab Godo; sef oeddent yn Dywysogion yn Berchennogion +Gwlad a Chyfoeth, a gwell oedd ganddynt no hynny aros yn Farchogion yn Llys +Arthur, gan y bernid hynny yn bennaf ar bob anrhydedd a bonheddigeiddrwydd, a +ellid wrth ygair y Tri Chyfiawn Farchawg." +(Triad, 114, third series.) + +If, however, it be not a proper name, the line might be rendered, - + +"A successful warrior, flaming in steel, before the enemy." + +{181a} "Dinus;" from "din," a fort, and "ysu," to consume. + +{181b} "Gwych." Al. "the angry." + +{181c} Or, "the honourable." + +{181d} "Echadaf," i.e. "ech," [Greek text] ex, and "adav," a hand. + +{181e} A person of this name is ranked in the Triads as one of the three +"trwyddedawg hanvodawg," or free guests of the court of Arthur. (Myv. Arch. +ii. 73 ) + +{181f} Or, "the sovereign of the impregnable strand, or extremity of +Gododin," traeth y annor (an nhor.) + +{182a} "Am rann, (i.e. amrant.) See line 40. + +{182b} The city of Mynyddawg, from whence he was called Mynyddawg Eiddyn. + +{182c} Or, "The raging flame turns not from Eiddyn." + +{182d} Or, "at the entrance or gate." + +{182e} "Trusi;" al. "trin;" "he placed a thick cover in front of the +battle." + +{182f} The effects of his toil in battle. + +{182g} Al. "O goledd," by arrangement, being actuated by the same motive as +that which induced Gwrgan the Freckled long before to "enact a law that no +one should bear a shield, but only a sword and bow;" hence it is said, "his +countrymen became very heroic." (Iolo MSS. p. 351.) + +{183a} Lit. "the strand supported." Traeth means also the extremity of a +district, and may accordingly be applied here to the boundary line between +Gododin and the British dominions. + +{183b} "Periglawr;" one who has to do with what is extreme, or dangerous; +one who administers extreme unction; a parish priest. + +{183c} Al. "penifeddawr," giddy-headed. Al. "penufuddawr" having an +obedient head - rein-obeying. + +{183d} Al. "The mounted spearman." + +{183e} Another reading gives "Odren" but the one adopted above suits the +rhyme better. + +{183f} There is a reference here to some pagan ceremonies to which the +Saxons had recourse, for the purpose either of propitiating their gods, or of +receiving omens at their altars. + +{184a} A body of British soldiers under the command of Nwython son of +Gildas, and nephew of Aneurin, seem to have taken advantage of the peculiar +position of the enemy, who were now probably unarmed, and to have attacked +them, which caused the latter, as usual, to seek refuge by flight in one of +the neighbouring forts. That we are right in adopting Nwython as a proper +name would appear, moreover, from two different passages in the fragments of +the Gododin subjoined to Gorchan Maelderw, where "the son of Nwython," is +distinctly mentioned as one of the heroes that fell at Cattraeth. + +{184b} Donald Brec, or as he is called in Latin, Dovenal Varius, king of the +Scots, who was slain by Owain, king of the Strathclyde Britons in the battle +of Vraithe Cairvin, otherwise Calatros, which in sound somewhat resembles +Galltraeth, or Cattraeth. It is true that the Scottish chronicles assign a +much later date to that event, than the era of the Gododin, nevertheless as +they themselves are very inconsistent with one another on that point, giving +the different dates of 629, 642, 678 and 686, it is clear that no implicit +deference is due to their chronological authority, and that we may, +therefore, reasonably acquiesce in the view which identifies Dyvnwal Vrych, +with Donald Brec, seeing the striking similarity which one name bears to the +other. + +{184c} Supposing the person who killed Donald to be the same with Owain, son +of Urien, there may be here an allusion to his men as well as to the birds of +prey. See line 18 note one. + +{184d} Lit. "The bone;" even as it is popularly said at this day that a man +who gives great support to another is his back bone. + +"Caletach wrth elyn nog asgwrn." +Harder to an enemy than a bone. +(Elegy on Cunedda.) + +{185a} Or, "whilst the foes range the sea." + +{185b} Lit. "It was his characteristic or property." + +{185c} "Naw rhiallu;" the literal amount of this force would be 900,000; +"naw," however, may have here the meaning of "nawv," FLOATING; "naw rhiallu," +a fleet. + +{185d} "Gorddinau;" from "gorddin," what impels or drives forward; or the +word may mean TRIBES, from "cordd"; and then the passage would be: + +"In the face of blood, of the country, and of the tribes." + +{185e} Cynddilig was introduced to our notice before, (line 645) as a person +who loved the world in company with the melody-seeking Eidol. + +{186a} Or, "as the alternative." + +{186b} That this is a proper name, appears from the following passage in +Taliesin's "Canu y Cwrw;" - + +"Ev cyrch cerddorion +Se syberw Seon +Neu'r dierveis i rin +Ymordei Uffin +Ymhoroedd Gododin." + +{186c} Or, "who caused the stream of blood." + +{186d} Gwenddoleu ap Ceidiaw is recorded in the Triads as the head of one of +the three "teulu diwair," or faithful tribes of the Isle of Britain, because +his men maintained the war for six weeks after he was slain in the battle of +Arderydd, A.D. 577. He is also joined with Cynvar and Urien, under the title +of the three "tarw cad" or bulls of battle, on account of their impetuosity +in rushing upon the enemy. + +{187a} "Pen o draed;" from head to foot. Not, as Davies translates it, +"from the highest to the lowest," as is evident from a similar phrase in +Cynddelw, (Myv. Arch. vol. i. p. 220.) + +"Yd kwytynt pennawr penn o draed;" + +where the word "pennawr" refers to one particular rank, if not to an +individual. + +{187b} See line 344. + +{187c} See line 324. + +{187d} See line 335. + +{187e} Lit. "after their conflict." + +{188a} "Tra;" "whilst the gory pool continued to fill." + +{188b} "Erchyn;" al. "echyn," "and slew them like a hero; they were not +saved." + +{188c} Or, "he darted with the spear," or, "they were prostrated with the +spear." + +{188d} "A medd," with the mead. He abandoned the social banquet, or a life +of luxury, at the call of public duty. + +{188e} Al. "Is there a place where the people do not relate the greatness of +his counsel?" + +{188f} "Bwylliadau," (i.e. bwyelliadau) the strokes of his battle-axe. +Another version gives "bwyll yaddeu," which may be rendered, "Pwyll +assaulted." + +"With a rush Pwyll made the assault." + +{188g} "Lliveit handit;" which were sharpened. + +{188h} Al. "Where his founding blade was seen." + +{189a} Or, "maintenance for." + +{189b} There were two persons who bore this name in the sixth century, the +one was Pryderi the son of Dolor, chief of the people of Deivyr and Bryneich, +and was distinguished with Tinwaed and Rhineri, under the epithet of the +three strong cripples of the isle of Britain: + +"Tri Gwrddvaglawg ynys Prydain; Rhineri mab Tangwn; a Thinwaed Vaglawg; a +Phryderi mab Doler Deivr a Bryneich." +(Triad, 75.) + +The other was Pryderi, the son of Pwyll Pen Annwn, a chieftain of Dyved, +which country is by Lewis Glyn Cothi called "Gwlad Pryderi;" and by Davydd ab +Gwilym, "Pryderi dir." He is styled one of the three strong swineherds of +Britain, having tended the swine of Pendaran his foster father, during the +absence of his father in the unknown world. + +"Tri Gwrddveichiad ynys Prydain; cyntav vu Pryderi vab Pwyll Pendaran Dyved, +a getwis voch ei dad tra yttoedd yn Annwn; ac yng nglyn Cwch yn Emlyn y +cetwis eve wynt." &c. +(Triad, 101.) + +In the Tale of Math Mathonwy, he is said to have been buried at Maen Tyriawg, +near Ffestiniog. We may therefore presume that the Englynion y Beddau refer +to the other in the following passage; + +"Yn Abergenoli y mae Bet Pryderi +Yn y terau tormeu tir." + +In Abergenoli is the grave of Pryderi, +Where the waves beat against the shore. + +A saying of Pryderi has been thus recorded; - + +"Hast thou heard the saying of Pryderi, +The wisest person in counselling? +There is no wisdom like silence." +(Iolo MSS. p. 661.) + +{190a} "Pryderaf," I am anxious about; a word suggested by the name of the +chief. + +{190b} A result brought about by the arrival of Pryderi's troops. + +{190c} "Have I been afflicted." + +{190d} "Celaig;" from CEL, the root also of Celtiaid and Celyddon. + +{190e} There were two territories of this name, Argoed Derwennydd, (Derwent +wood apparently) and Argoed Calchvynydd, "between the river Tren and the +river Tain, that is the river of London." (Iolo MSS. p. 476.) One of them, +the former probably, was the patrimony of Llywarch Hen. + +"Cyn bum cain vaglawg, bum cyfes eiriawg, +Ceinvygir ni eres; +Gwyr Argoed eirioed a'm porthes." +(Elegy on Old Age.) + +Before I appeared with crutches, I was eloquent in my complaint, +It will be extolled, what is not wonderful - +The men of Argoed have ever supported me! + +{191a} "Gwal." "The Cymmry appropriated this name to regions that were +cultivated and had fixed inhabitancy, as opposed to the wilds, or the +unsettled residences of the Celtiaid, Celyddon, Gwyddyl, Gwyddelod, +Ysgotiaid, and Ysgodogion; which are terms descriptive of such tribes as +lived by hunting and tending their flocks." (Dr. Pughe, sub. voce.) Both +descriptions of persons are thus included in the Bard's affectionate regret. +Al. "accustomed at the rampart." + +{191b} "Pwys;" pressure or weight. Or perhaps "arlwydd pwys" means "the +legitimate lord," in opposition to usurpers, just as a wedded wife is styled +"gwraig bwys," as distinguished from a concubine. + +{191c} "Dilyvn;" or perhaps "dylyvn," smooth. + +{191d} Al. "rekindled." + +{191e} "Gosgroyw," rather fresh. + +{191f} Geraint, the son of Erbin, was prince of Dyvnaint, (Devon) and one of +the three owners of fleets of the Isle of Britain, each fleet consisting of +120 ships, and each ship being manned by 120 persons. + +"Tri Llynghesawg ynys Prydain; Geraint mab Erbin; Gwenwynwyn mab Nav; a March +mab Meirchion; a chweugain llong gan bob un o'r Llynghesogion, a chweugain +llongwyr ymhob llong." +(Triad 68, Third series.) + +Llywarch Hen wrote an Elegy upon Geraint, in which the place of his death is +thus mentioned; - + +"Yn Llongborth y llas Geraint, +Gwr dewr o goettir Dyvnaint, +Wyntwy yn lladd gyd a's lleddaint." + +At Llongborth was Geraint slain, +A strenuous warrior from the woodland of Dyvnaint, +Slaughtering his foes as he fell. + +Geraint ab Erbin was the grandfather of Aneurin, but as he died in king +Arthur's time, A.D. 530, we can hardly identify him with the Geraint of the +text, who probably was a son, or some other relation, that had inherited his +fleet. + +{192a} "Llwch gwyn," probably "Vanduara," GWYN DWR, or White Water, which +seems to have been one of the old designations of a river in Renfrewshire. +(See CALEDONIA ROMANA, p. 143.) Adar y y llwch gwyn, the birds of the white +lake, is a mythological epithet for vultures. Their history is recorded in +the Iolo MSS. p. 600. + +{192b} Al. "There was a white badge on his shield." + +{192c} Lit. "his anchor." + +{192d} "Cyman," "cydvan," (i.e. cyd man) the place of gathering. Al. "his +broken anchor." + +{192e} It is not improbable that the eagle was charged on Geraint's +standard, for it is also frequently alluded to in Llywarch Hen's Elegy - e.g. + +"Oedd re redaint dan vorddwyd Geraint, +Garhirion, grawn odew, +Rhuddion, rhuthr eryron glew." + +Under the thigh of Geraint were fleet runners, +With long hams, fattened with corn; +They were red ones; their assault was like the bold eagles. + +{193a} "Lledvegin," an animal partly reared in a domestic way. We have +chosen the lamb as being one of the animals most commonly reared in this +manner. Nevertheless, a previous wildness, with reference to the military +aspect of his character, might be intended to be conveyed in this epithet. + +"LLEDVEGYN is a kine, or what shall be tamed in a house; namely, such as a +fawn, or a fox, or a wild beast similar to those." (Welsh Laws.) + +{193b} "Rhan," see lines 40 and 732. + +{193c} Or, "He presided over the feast, pouring from the horn the splendid +mead." So Cynddelw, - + +"Baran lew llew lloegyr oual +Lleduegin gwin gwyrt uual." +(Myv. Arch. v. i. p. 225.) + +{193d} As the natural consequence of military operations. + +{193e} "Llawr llaned," ground of smooth surface. Al. "llanwed," every +region was filled with slaughter. + +{193f} "Hual amhaval," like a fetter. "Avneued" from "avn," courage. + +{194a} The sound of the name, in connection with the word "hual," in a +former line, makes it very probable that the hero mentioned was of the tribe +of Caswallon Law Hir, celebrated as one of the "hualogion deulu" of the Isle +of Britain, called so because the men bound themselves together with the +"hualau," or fetters of their horses, to sustain the attack of Serigi Wyddel, +whom Caswallon slew with his own hand, when he drove the Irish out of +Anglesey. + +"Tri hualogion teulu Y. P. Teulu Caswallon Llawhir a ddodasant hualeu eu +Meirch ar eu traed pob deu o naddynt wrth ymladd a Serigi Wyddel yng Cerrig y +Gwyddyl y Mon, a theulu Rhiwallon mab Uryen yn ymladd ar Saeson, a theulu +Belyn o Leyn yn ymladd ag Etwyn ym mryn Ceneu yn Rhos." +(Triad 49, first series.) + +Caswallon Law Hir was the son of Einion Yrth ab Cunedda Wledig, king of +Gododin. He succeeded to the sovereignty of North Wales, A.D. 443, and is +said to have died in 517. There was a Cas son of Seidi, who was one of the +heroes of Arthur's Court. + +{194b} A hundred in the middle part of North Wales, so called from Rhuvon +son of Cunedda Wledig, whose inheritance it was. + +{194c} Probably the enemy. + +{194d} Or, "the shout was raised." + +{194e} Cadvorion, i.e. cad-vawrion; or, it may be, more literally, cad- +vorion, "martial ants," in reference to their activity. + +{194f} Lit. "warning." + +{195a} Lit. "prepared." + +{195b} The popular air "Nos Galan" is supposed to have been a relic of the +musical entertainments of this season. + +{195c} A chieftain of Mona, the land that enjoyed "the valour of Ervei;" see +his Elegy by Taliesin apud Myv. Arch. v. i. p. 70. Ervei was also engaged in +the battle of Cattraeth; - + +"Red speared was Urvei before the lord of Eiddin." +(Gorch. Mael.) + +{195d} That is, in domestic life he was as refined as a lady, modest as a +virgin, whilst in war he was brave and high minded. + +{195e} The word "teyrn" reminds us of a line which countenances the theory +we suggested relative to the expression "edyrn diedyrn," in stanza xv. but +which we omitted to mention in its proper place. It occurs in the "Elegy on +Cunedda." (Myv. Arch. i. p. 71) as follows; - + +"Rhag mab EDERN cyn EDYRN anaelew." +Before the son of Edeyrn ere his kingdom became fearful." + +{196a} This warrior was probably of the family of Urien Rheged, for a +grandson of his, the celebrated Kentigern, was called Cyndeyrn Garthwys. +Arthwys son of Ceneu ab Coel was too early for the battle of Cattraeth. + +{196b} Tinogad was the son of Cynan Garwyn, and was celebrated for his swift +steed, named Cethin. + +"Tri marchlwyth ynys Prydain - ar ail marchlwyth aduc Cornann March meibion +Eliffer gosgortuawr, a duc Gwrgi a Pheredur arnaw, ac nys gordiuedawd neb +namyn Dinogat vab Kynan Garwyn yar y Kethin kyvlym ac aruidiawt ac aglot a +gauas yr hynny hyd hediw." +(Triad 11, second series.) + +{196c} The possession of slaves, whether of native origin, or derived from +the custom of the Romans, prevailed to some extent among the Britons of the +fifth and sixth century, and seems to have denoted a certain degree of power +on the part of the owners. Taliesin the Druid boasts that he had received "a +host of slaves," (torof keith) from his royal patron Cunedda Wledig. (Myv. +Arch. v. i. p. 71.) + +{197a} "Bar," al. "ban," on the heights. + +{197b} Or, the chief, the best. + +{197c} Many places in Wales bear the name of this animal, where it appears +to have been common in ancient times, such as "Bryn yr iwrch," "Ffynon yr +iwrch," and the like. Hunting the roebuck is recognised in the Welsh Laws; +and is called one of the three cry hunts (helva ddolev.) + +"Mi adaen iwrch er nas daliwyv." (Adage.) +I know a roebuck, though I may not catch him. + +{197d} "Derwenydd;" Derventio, the river Derwent in Cumberland. + +{197e} "Llewyn a llwyvein." It is difficult to ascertain the particular +animals which these terms respectively represent. The former might denote a +young lion, a white lion, or any beast in general to whose eating faculties +the word LLEWA would be applicable. The latter might signify any animal +whose haunts were the elm forests, or whose property was to LLYVU or to lick, +as does a dog. The fox being named llwynog from LLWYN a forest, and the +forests in the North being chiefly of elm, it is not unlikely but that the +said animal was frequently called LLWYVAIN in that part of the country when +the Bard wrote, though it is not known now by that name. It is remarkable +that both terms also signify certain kinds of wood. The former the herb +orach, the latter the elm. + +{197f} Al. "None would escape." + +{198a} "Angcyvrwng;" lit. "were he to place me without an intervening +space," that is, were he to straiten me on every side. + +{198b} When any thing is taken away or used, or when any thing is done, the +owner not knowing it, or without asking his leave, it is called ANGHYVARCH. +"Anghyvarchwyr," extortioners. W. Salesbury, 1 Cor. v. + +{198c} Lit. "There would not come, there would not be to me, one more +formidable." + +{198d} The head of the river Clyde in Scotland. + +{198e} "Veruarch." Morach Morvran is often mentioned by the poets on +account of his celebrated banquet. + +"Cygleu yn Maelawr gawr vawr vuan, +A garw ddisgyr gwyr a gwyth erwan; +Ac ymgynnull, am drull, am dramwyan, +Mal y bu yn Mangor am ongyr dan; +Pan wnaeth dau deyrn uch cyrn cyvrdan, +Pan vu gyveddach Morach Morvran." + +In Maelor the great, the hastening shout was heard, +And the dreadful shrieks of men with gashing wounds in pain; +And together thronging to seek a cure, round and round they strayed, +As it was in Bangor for the fire of the brunt of spears; +When over horns two princes caused discord, +While in the banquet of Morach Morvran. +(Owain Cyveiliog.) + +{199a} This stanza evidently refers to the same transaction as that which is +recorded in the lxxxth, though the details are somewhat differently +described. + +{199b} One of these, we may presume, was Dyvnwal Vrych. + +{199c} The whole line may be thus translated; + +"I saw the men, who with the dawn, dug the deep pit." Al. "I saw at dawn a +great breach made in the wall at Adoen." + +{199d} See stanza lii. + +{199e} "Yngwydd." + +{199f} "Yr enwyd." + +{200a} Gwarthan the son of Dunawd by Dwywe his wife, "who was slain by the +pagan Saxons in their wars in the north." (Iolo MSS. p. 556.) + +{200b} Or, "let it be forcibly seized in one entire region." + +{200c} An allusion to his incarceration, see lines 440, 445. + +{200d} Gardith; i.e. garw deith (or teithi.) + +{200e} Tithragon; i.e. teith-dragon. + +{200f} A pitched battle. + +"Gwr yn gware a Lloegyrwys." (Cynddelw.) +A man playing with the Lloegrians. + +{200g} Or, "did he bring and supply." + +{200h} "Tymyr;" native place. + +{201a} "Dyvnuyt;" see also stanza, xlviii. + +{201b} One of the officers appointed to the command of Geraint's fleet. + +{201c} This stanza, with the exception of a few words, is the same with the +lxxxix. + +{201d} Or "valiantly." + +{201e} "Gwelydeint," from "gwelyd," a wound; or "gwelyddeint," they took +repose in the grave. + +{201f} Al. "with the gory trappings," as in the other stanza. + +{202a} Al. "a dau," the two sons, and two haughty boars. + +{202b} Al. "riein," a lady. + +{202c} Cilydd was the son of Celyddon Wledig, and father of Cilhwch who is +the hero of an ancient dramatic tale of a singular character. + +{202d} In a former stanza he is called Garthwys Hir. + +{202e} "Nod;" is a conspicuous mark. + +{203a} See stanza xl. + +{203b} "Dyli," condition or impulse. + +{203c} "Vracden;" from "brag," a sprouting out, and "ten," stretched. + +{203d} The Irish. + +{203e} The inhabitants of Scotland. + +"Hon a oresgyn +Holl Loegr a Phrydyn." (Taliesin.) + +She will conquer +All England and Scotland. + +{203f} "Giniaw," from "cyni," affliction. + +{204a} "Cemp," i.e. "camp," a feat, surpassingly. + +{204b} Or, "at his side." + +{204c} Al. "Arreith;" i.e. "a rhaith;" "the sentence of the law was that +they should search;" or "the jury searched." Al. "in various directions they +searched." + +{204d} Probably the Cantii or people of Kent. + +{204e} If the stanza, however, is not properly completed here, we may assign +the sigh to Gwenabwy himself, in reference probably to his father, as in the +preceding stanza. + + + + +*** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK, Y GODODIN *** + +This file should be named gddn10.txt or gddn10.zip +Corrected EDITIONS of our eBooks get a new NUMBER, gddn11.txt +VERSIONS based on separate sources get new LETTER, gddn10a.txt + +Project Gutenberg eBooks are often created from several printed +editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the US +unless a copyright notice is included. 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You can also find out about how to make a +donation to Project Gutenberg, and how to get involved. + + +**Welcome To The World of Free Plain Vanilla Electronic Texts** + +**eBooks Readable By Both Humans and By Computers, Since 1971** + +*****These eBooks Were Prepared By Thousands of Volunteers!***** + + +Title: Y Gododin + +Author: Aneurin + +Release Date: February, 2006 [EBook #9842] +[This file was first posted on October 23, 2003] + +Edition: 10 + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: US-ASCII +</pre> +<p><a name="startoftext"></a></p> +<p>Transcribed by David Price, email ccx074@coventry.ac.uk</p> +<div class="GutenbergBlankLines3"><br /><br /><br /></div> +<h1>Y GODODIN</h1> +<div class="GutenbergBlankLines3"><br /><br /><br /></div> +<h2>PREFACE</h2> +<div class="GutenbergBlankLines2"><br /><br /></div> +<p>Aneurin, the author of this poem, was the son of Caw, lord of Cwm +Cawlwyd, or Cowllwg, a region in the North, which, as we learn from +a Life of Gildas in the monastery of Fleury published by Johannes a +Bosco, comprehended Arecluta or Strath Clyde. <a name="citation0a"></a><a href="#footnote0a">{0a}</a> +Several of his brothers seem to have emigrated from Prydyn in company +with their father before the battle of Cattraeth, and, under the royal +protection of Maelgwn Gwynedd, to have settled in Wales, where they +professed religious lives, and became founders of churches. He +himself, however, remained behind, and having been initiated into the +mysteries of Bardism, formed an intimate acquaintance with Owen, Cian, +Llywarch Hen, and Taliesin, all likewise disciples of the Awen. +By the rules of his order a Bard was not permitted ordinarily to bear +arms, <a name="citation0b"></a><a href="#footnote0b">{0b}</a> and though +the exceptional case, in which he might act differently, may be said +to have arisen from “the lawlessness and depredation” <a name="citation0c"></a><a href="#footnote0c">{0c}</a> +of the Saxons, Aneurin does not appear to have been present at Cattraeth +in any other capacity than that of a herald Bard. Besides the +absence of any intimation to the contrary, we think the passages where +he compares Owen to himself, and where he makes proposals at the conference, +and above all where he attributes his safety to his “gwenwawd,” +conclusive on the subject. His heraldic character would be recognised +by all nations, according to the universal law of warfare, whereas it +is very improbable that any poetic effusion which he might have delivered, +could have influence upon a people whose language differed so materially +from his own.</p> +<p>The Gododin was evidently composed when the various occurrences that +it records were as yet fresh in the author’s mind and recollection. +It is divided into stanzas, which, though they now amount to only ninety-seven, +are supposed to have originally corresponded in point of number with +the chieftains that went to Cattraeth. This is strongly intimated +in the declaration subjoined to Gorchan Cynvelyn, and cited in the notes +at page 86, and thence would we infer that the Gorchanau themselves +are portions of the Gododin, having for their object the commemoration +of the persons whose names they bear. Of course all of them, with +the exception of the short one of Adebon, contain passages that have +been transposed from other stanzas, which may account for their disproportionate +lengths. This is especially the case with Gorchan Maelderw, the +latter, and by far the greater portion whereof, is in the Carnhuanawc +MS. detached from the former, and separately entitled “Fragments +of the Gododin and other pieces of the sixth century.” That +they were “incantations,” cannot be admitted; and if the +word “gorchan,” or “gwarchan” mean here anything +except simply “a canon, or fundamental part of song,” we +should be inclined to consider it as synonymous with “gwarthan,” +and to suppose that the poems in question referred to the camps of Adebon, +Maelderw, and Cynvelyn:-</p> +<div class="GutenbergBlankLines1"><br /></div> +<p>“Gwarchan Cynvelyn ar Ododin.” <a name="citation0d"></a><a href="#footnote0d">{0d}</a></p> +<div class="GutenbergBlankLines1"><br /></div> +<p>According to the tenor of the Cynvelyn statement, every stanza would +bring before us a fresh hero. This principle we have not overlooked +in the discrimination and arrangements of proper names, though owing +to evident omissions and interpolations, an irregularity in this respect +occasionally and of necessity occurs.</p> +<p>Aneurin, like a true poet of nature, abstains from all artful introduction +or invocation, and launches at once into his subject. His eye +follows the gorgeously and distinctively armed chiefs, as they move +at the head of their respective companies, and perform deeds of valour +on the bloody field. He delights to enhance by contrast their +domestic and warlike habits, and frequently recurs to the pang of sorrow, +which the absence of the warriors must have caused to their friends +and relatives at home, and reflects with much genuine feeling upon the +disastrous consequences, that the loss of the battle would entail upon +these and their dear native land. And though he sets forth his +subject in the ornamental language of poetry, yet he is careful not +to transgress the bounds of truth. This is strikingly instanced +in the manner in which he names no less than four witnesses as vouchers +for the correctness of his description of Caradawg. Herein he +produces one of the “three agreements that ought to be in a song,” +viz. an agreement “between truth and the marvellous.” <a name="citation0e"></a><a href="#footnote0e">{0e}</a></p> +<p>He also gives “relish to his song,” <a name="citation0f"></a><a href="#footnote0f">{0f}</a> +by adopting “a diversity of structure in the metre;” for +the lyric comes in occasionally to relieve the solemnity of the heroic, +whilst at the same time the latter is frequently capable of being divided +into a shorter verse, a plan which has been observed in one of the MSS. +used on the present occasion; e. g. the twelfth stanza is thus arranged, +-</p> +<div class="GutenbergBlankLines1"><br /></div> +<p>Gwyr a aeth Gattraeth gan ddydd<br /> Neus +goreu } gywilydd<br /> O gadeu }<br /> Wy +gwnaethant } gelorwydd<br /> Yn geugant +}<br /> A llafn aur llawn anawdd ym bedydd<br /> Goreu +yw hyn cyn cystlwn carennydd<br /> Ennaint +creu} oe henydd<br /> Ac angeu}<br /> Rhag +byddin} pan fu ddydd<br /> Wawdodyn +}<br /> Neus goreu dan bwylliad neirthiad gwychydd.</p> +<div class="GutenbergBlankLines1"><br /></div> +<p>But though Aneurin survived the battle of Cattraeth to celebrate +the memory of his less fortunate countrymen in this noble composition, +he also ultimately met with a violent death. The Triads relate +that he was killed by the blow of an axe, inflicted upon his head by +Eiddin son of Einigan, which event was in consequence branded as one +of “the three accursed deeds of the Isle of Britain.” <a name="citation0g"></a><a href="#footnote0g">{0g}</a></p> +<p>His memory, however, lived in the Gododin, and the estimation in +which the poem was held by his successors has earned for him the title +of “medeyrn beirdd,” the king of Bards. Davydd Benvras +1190-1240, prays for that genius which would enable him</p> +<div class="GutenbergBlankLines1"><br /></div> +<p>“To sing praises as Aneurin of yore,<br />The day he sang the +Gododin. <a name="citation0h"></a><a href="#footnote0h">{0h}</a></p> +<div class="GutenbergBlankLines1"><br /></div> +<p>Risserdyn 1290-1340 in an Ode to Hywel ab Gruffydd speaks of</p> +<div class="GutenbergBlankLines1"><br /></div> +<p>“A tongue with the eloquence of Aneurin of splendid song.” +<a name="citation0i"></a><a href="#footnote0i">{0i}</a></p> +<div class="GutenbergBlankLines1"><br /></div> +<p>And Sevnyn 1320-1378 asserts that</p> +<div class="GutenbergBlankLines1"><br /></div> +<p>“The praise of Aneurin is proclaimed by thousands.” <a name="citation0j"></a><a href="#footnote0j">{0j}</a></p> +<div class="GutenbergBlankLines1"><br /></div> +<p>Such is the language in which the mediæval Bards were accustomed +to talk of the author of the Gododin.</p> +<p>The basis of the present translation is a MS. on vellum apparently +of about the year 1200. In that MS. the lines are all written +out to the margin, without any regard to the measure. Capital +letters are never introduced but at the beginning of paragraphs, where +they are ornamented and coloured alternately red and green. At +page 20 Gwilym Tew and Rhys Nanmor <a name="citation0k"></a><a href="#footnote0k">{0k}</a> +are mentioned as the owners of the Book, but the names are written in +a hand, and with letters more modern than the MS. It at one time +belonged to Mr. Jones the Historian of Brecknockshire, and came latterly +into the possession of the late Rev. T. Price, with whose Executrix, +Mrs. E. Powell of Abergavenny, it now remains. The author of the +Celtic Researches took a transcript of it, which he communicated to +the Rev. W. J. Rees, of Cascob, who had previously copied the said transcript +by the permission of the Rev. E. Davies. Mr. Rees’s copy +was afterwards collated by Dr. Meyer with Mr. Davies’s transcript, +and the only inaccuracy which had crept in was by him carefully corrected. +Dr. Meyer again transcribed Mr. Rees’s copy for the use of the +present work, and that version in its turn has been collated by Mr. +Rees, during the progress of the work through the press, with the transcript +in his possession. To these two gentlemen the translator is under +deep obligations.</p> +<p>Also to Mr. Owen Williams of Waunfawr, for the loan of three other +manuscript copies of the Gododin. Two of them occur in the same +book, which purports to have been a transcript made by the Rev. David +Ellis, the first part, A.D. 1775 of an old book, the second part, June +7, 1777, of a book supposed to have been written by Sion Brwynog about +the year 1550. In these versions the stanzas are not divided. +The third version appears in a book containing a variety of poems and +articles in prose, of which, however, the writer or copyist is not known, +though one “Davydd Thomas” is mentioned in a poor modern +hand as being the owner. Our poem is therein headed “Y Gododin. +Aneurin ae cant. Gydâ nodau y Parchedig Evan Evans.” +These “nodau” are marginal notes, and evidently the different +readings of another version.</p> +<p>The different copies or versions used are distinguished as follow; +-</p> +<p>Myvyrian ... 1<br />D. Ellis ... 2<br />Ditto ... 3<br />D. Thomas +... 4<br />E. Evans ... 5<br />P. Panton ... 6<br />E. Davies ... 7<br />Dr. +Meyer ... 8</p> +<p>Nos 1 and 6 are those which are printed in the Archaiology of Wales, +vol. i. All words that differ in form or meaning, though not in +orthography, from those of No. 7, are duly arranged at the foot of the +page <a name="citation0l"></a><a href="#footnote0l">{0l}</a>, from which +it will be seen that 1, 2, 3, 5, generally agree one with the other, +whilst 4 and 6 also for the most part go together.</p> +<p>It is to be observed, moreover, that though we have taken No. 7 as +our text, we have not servilely confined ourself to it, but that wherever +any of the other versions have been considered preferable, we have unhesitatingly +adopted them. The different meanings, however, are generally inserted +in the notes.</p> +<div class="GutenbergBlankLines2"><br /><br /></div> +<h2>INTRODUCTION</h2> +<div class="GutenbergBlankLines2"><br /><br /></div> +<p>The country situate between the Humber and the Clyde in North Britain +was, for the most part, originally occupied by the Cymry, who here, +as well as in the west, displayed no mean valour in opposition to the +Roman arms. The latter certainly prevailed; nevertheless it is +to be noticed that they did not finally destroy, nor indeed to any material +extent alter the national features of Prydyn. This is evident +from the manner in which the conquerors thought fit to incorporate into +their own geographical vocabulary many of the local names, which they +found already in use; and above all from the purely ancestral character +which the native chieftains exhibited on emerging from the Roman ruins +in the fifth century. Indeed to permit the defeated princes, under +certain restrictions, to enjoy their former rights and jurisdictions, +was perfectly in accordance with the usual policy of the Romans, as +we may learn from the testimony of Tacitus, who remarks, in reference +to the British king Cogidunus, that they granted to him certain states +according to ancient custom, and the reason assigned is that they might +have even kings as instruments of slavery. <a name="citation1a"></a><a href="#footnote1a">{1a}</a> +The homage of the subjugated provinces seems to have consisted principally +in the payment of a tribute of money, and the furnishing of soldiers +for foreign service.</p> +<p>Such, no doubt, was the position of Cunedda Wledig, who “began +to reign about A.D. 328, and died in 389”; <a name="citation1b"></a><a href="#footnote1b">{1b}</a>and +who, according to the Historia Britonum attributed to Nennius, “venerat +de parte sinistrali, id est, de regione quæ vocatur Manau Guotodin,” +<a name="citation1c"></a><a href="#footnote1c">{1c}</a> the heights +of Gododin, and the same apparently with the territory of the Ottadeni.</p> +<p>In the Myvyrian Archaiology, v. 1, p. 71, is printed an Elegy on +Cunedda, the work of one who had actually partaken of his royal munificence, +who had received from him “milch cows, horses, wine, oil, and +a host of slaves.” The writer with respect to the martial +prowess of his patron, observes,</p> +<div class="GutenbergBlankLines1"><br /></div> +<p>“Trembling with fear of Cunedda,<br />Will be Caer Weir and +Caer Liwelydd.”</p> +<div class="GutenbergBlankLines1"><br /></div> +<p>And again,</p> +<div class="GutenbergBlankLines1"><br /></div> +<p>“A hundred times ere his shield was shattered in battle,<br />Bryneich +obeyed his commands in the conflict.”</p> +<div class="GutenbergBlankLines1"><br /></div> +<p>The modern names of the localities, mentioned in these extracts, +are respectively Warwick, Carlisle <a name="citation2a"></a><a href="#footnote2a">{2a}</a> +and Bernicia. The two latter are in the immediate vicinity of +the Ottadeni; the former, being further removed, would indicate the +direction and extent of his arms.</p> +<p>From other sources we learn that Cunedda was the son of Edeyrn ab +Padarn Peisrudd, by Gwawl, daughter of Coel Godebog, and that he was +entitled, in right of his mother, to certain territories in Wales. +When these were invaded by the Gwyddyl, his sons, twelve in number, +left their northern home for the purpose of recovering the same, in +which they were successful, though the enemy was not finally extirpated +until the battle at Cerrig y Gwyddyl, in the succeeding generation. +It is asserted by some that Cunedda accompanied his sons in this expedition, +and that it was undertaken as much through inability to retain possession +of their more immediate dominions, as from the desire of acquiring or +regaining other lands. However, though the sons settled in Wales +and on its borders, it is more accordant with the drift of the Poem, +already cited, to suppose that Cunedda himself died in the North. +Nevertheless, it is undoubted that the native chieftains began to suffer +in that part of the island from barbarian incursions even before the +departure of the Romans. Thus Ammianus Marcellinus, with reference +to the year 364, bears testimony, that “the Picts and Saxons and +Scots and Attacots harassed the Britons with continual oppressions.” +<a name="citation2b"></a><a href="#footnote2b">{2b}</a></p> +<p>The final abandonment of the island by the Romans occurred, according +to Zosimus, about A.D. 408 or 409, at which time the native princes +arose to the full enjoyment of feudal dignity and power. In the +North, among others, we find Pabo Post Prydain, a descendant of Coel +Godebog in the 4th degree, and Cynvarch Oer, a member of another branch +of the same family; both of whom, however, were compelled by the inroads +of the predatory hordes, to leave their territories and seek refuge +in Wales, though it would appear that Urien, son of the latter, succeeded +subsequently in recovering his paternal dominion.</p> +<p>The struggle continued, and the enemies had gradually extended themselves +along the coasts, when in 547 they received an important reinforcement +by the arrival of Ida with forty ships. Gododin, Deivyr, and Bryneich, +being situated on the eastern shore, would be especially exposed to +the ravages of these marauders. Indeed it does not appear that +Gododin ever recovered its pristine independence after the death of +Cunedda, at least we do not hear that any of his sons subsequently asserted +their claims to it, or had anything to do with the administration of +its government: they all seem to have ended their days in their western +dominions. Deivyr and Bryneich, however, were more fortunate, +for we find that they were ruled as late as the 6th century by British +monarchs, among whom are named Gall, Diffedell, and Disgyrnin, the sons +of Disgyvyndawd; <a name="citation3a"></a><a href="#footnote3a">{3a}</a> +though there is reason to believe that at that time they were in treacherous +alliance with the Saxons. A Triad positively affirms, that “there +were none of the Lloegrwys who did not coalesce with the Saxons, save +such as were found in Cornwall, and in the Commot of Carnoban in Deivyr +and Bryneich.” <a name="citation3b"></a><a href="#footnote3b">{3b}</a> +And it is a remarkable fact, as corroborative of this statement, that +the Cymry ever after, as may be seen in the works of the Bards, applied +the term Bryneich to such of their kindred as joined with the enemies +of their country.</p> +<p>Certain it is, that, at the period of our Poem, the people of the +three provinces in question were open enemies of the Cymry, as appears +from stanzas iii, v, and ix. When we see there how the Bard commends +one hero for not yielding to the army of Gododin, and celebrates the +praise of another who committed an immense slaughter amongst the men +of Deivyr and Bryneich, and threatens, in the case of a third party, +that if they were suspected of leaning to the Bernician interest, he +would himself raise his hand against them, we can come to no other conclusion +than that those countries were arrayed against the Cymry when the battle +of Cattraeth took place.</p> +<p>Ida had to encounter a powerful opponent in the person of Urien, +king of Rheged, a district in or near which Cattraeth lay, as we infer +from two poems of Taliesin. Thus, one entitled “Gwaith Gwenystrad,” +commences with the words,</p> +<div class="GutenbergBlankLines1"><br /></div> +<p>“Extol the men of Cattraeth, who, with the dawn,<br />Went +with their victorious leader<br />Urien, a renowned elder.” <a name="citation3c"></a><a href="#footnote3c">{3c}</a></p> +<div class="GutenbergBlankLines1"><br /></div> +<p>In the other, called “Yspail Taliesin,” Urien is styled +“Glyw Cattraeth,” the ruler of Cattraeth. <a name="citation4a"></a><a href="#footnote4a">{4a}</a> +At the same time he is generally spoken of under the title of Rheged’s +chief.</p> +<p>The leader of the hostile forces in the battle of Gwenystrad is not +named, but in the battle of Argoed Llwyvein we find him to be Flamddwyn +or the Torch bearer, a name by which the Britons delighted to designate +the formidable Ida. Flamddwyn’s army on this occasion consisted +of four legions, which reached from Argoed to Arvynydd, and against +them were arrayed the men of Goddeu and Rheged, under the command of +Ceneu ab Coel, and Owain, and “Urien the prince.”</p> +<p>Argoed, bordering on Deivyr and Bryneich, was ruled by Llywarch Hen, +who after his abdication and flight into Powys, pathetically records +the loyal attachment of his former subjects, -</p> +<div class="GutenbergBlankLines1"><br /></div> +<p>“The men of Argoed have ever supported me.” <a name="citation4b"></a><a href="#footnote4b">{4b}</a></p> +<div class="GutenbergBlankLines1"><br /></div> +<p>The Historia Britonum enumerates three other kings, who with Urien +fought against the Saxons in the North, viz., Rhydderch, Gwallawg, and +Morgant, though the latter, under the impulse of envy, procured the +assassination of Urien, in the Isle of Lindisfarne.</p> +<p>After the Saxons had finally established themselves on the eastern +coast, in the forementioned countries, an immense rampart, extending +nearly from the Solway to the Frith of Forth, was erected, either with +the view of checking their further progress westward, or else by mutual +consent of the two nations, as a mere line of demarcation between their +respective dominions. This wall cannot have an earlier date, for +it runs through the middle of the country originally occupied by the +Gadeni, and could not of course have been constructed as a boundary +by them; nor can it be referred to a more recent period, as there could +be no reason for forming such a fence after the Saxons had intruded +upon the whole country which it divides. This was the famous CATRAIL, +which we presume to be identical with CATTRAETH, where the disastrous +battle of that name, as sung by Aneurin, was fought.</p> +<p>Catrail means literally “the war fence” (cad-rhail), +but on the supposition that it is synonymous with Cattraeth, the rhyme +in the Gododin would determine the latter to be the correct term, or +that by which Aneurin distinguished the line. The meaning of Cattraeth +would be either “the war tract” (cad-traeth), or “the +legal war fence” (cad-rhaith); the latter of which would give +some countenance to the idea that it was formed by mutual agreement.</p> +<p>The whole course of the Catrail, which may be traced from the vicinity +of Galashiels to Peel-fell, is upwards of forty five miles. The +most entire parts of it show that it was originally a broad and deep +fosse; having on each side a rampart, which was formed of the natural +soil, that was thrown from the ditch, intermixed with some stones. +Its dimensions vary in different places, which may be owing to its remains +being more or less perfect. In those parts where it is pretty +entire, the fosse is twenty seven, twenty six, and twenty five feet +broad. But in those places where the rampart has been most demolished +the fosse only measures twenty two and a half feet, twenty and eighteen, +and in one place only sixteen feet wide. As the ramparts sloped +on the inside, it is obvious that in proportion as they were demolished, +the width of the fosse within would be diminished. In some of +the most entire parts the ramparts are from six to seven, and even nine +or ten feet high, and from eight to ten and twelve feet thick. +They are, no doubt, less now than they were originally, owing to the +effects of time and tillage. <a name="citation5a"></a><a href="#footnote5a">{5a}</a></p> +<p>Such is the Catrail, and were it identical with Cattraeth, we should +naturally expect to meet with some allusions to a work of that description +in the body of the Poem. Nor are we herein disappointed, for the +expressions “ffosawd,” <a name="citation5b"></a><a href="#footnote5b">{5b}</a> +“clawdd,” <a name="citation5c"></a><a href="#footnote5c">{5c}</a> +“ffin,” <a name="citation5d"></a><a href="#footnote5d">{5d}</a> +“cladd clodvawr,” <a name="citation5e"></a><a href="#footnote5e">{5e}</a> +“goglawdd,” <a name="citation5f"></a><a href="#footnote5f">{5f}</a> +“clawdd gwernin,” <a name="citation5g"></a><a href="#footnote5g">{5g}</a> +and “gorffin Gododin,” <a name="citation5h"></a><a href="#footnote5h">{5h}</a> +are undoubtedly such allusions, though we readily admit that some of +them may, and probably do, refer to the ordinary circular forts of the +Britons, of whom there are several along the line. It may be added +here that Taliesin in his description of the battle of Gwenystrad, where +the men of Cattraeth fought under Urien, speaks of a “govwr” +or an intrenchment, that was “assailed by the laborious toil of +warriors.”</p> +<p>Having thus satisfied ourselves as to the nature and locality of +Cattraeth; the general subject of the Poem becomes apparent. It +was a battle fought at the barrier in question between the Cymry and +the Saxons, the most extended in its design and operations on the part +of the former, as it proved to them the most disastrous in its results, +of all that had hitherto taken place between the two people in that +part of the island.</p> +<p>The details of this bloody encounter, as we gather them from the +Poem, were as follow: At the call of Mynyddawg, lord of Eiddin, whose +dominions lay peculiarly exposed, both by sea and land, to the attack +of the enemy, the native chieftains of Prydyn, aided by many of their +relatives and friends from Gwynedd and Cernyw, entered into a mutual +alliance in behalf of their common country. <a name="citation6a"></a><a href="#footnote6a">{6a}</a> +In one place the daughter of Eudav <a name="citation6b"></a><a href="#footnote6b">{6b}</a> +is joined with Mynyddawg, as one upon whose errand the expedition was +undertaken, but whether she was his wife, or ruled over a territory +adjacent to, or equally threatened with his own, does not appear. +The troops under their respective leaders arrived at Eiddin, where they +were sumptuously entertained by Mynyddawg, <a name="citation6c"></a><a href="#footnote6c">{6c}</a> +and where they established their head quarters. The generals named +in the Poem amount in number to about ninety, but this was not the third +part of the whole, which consisted of “three hundred and sixty +three chieftains wearing the golden torques.” <a name="citation6d"></a><a href="#footnote6d">{6d}</a> +The aggregate number of men that followed these illustrious leaders +is not told, but if an average may be formed from what we know respecting +a few cases, it will appear to have been immense. Mynyddawg’s +retinue consisted of “three hundred;” <a name="citation6e"></a><a href="#footnote6e">{6e}</a> +there were “five battalions of five hundred men each,” “three +levies of three hundred each;” “three bold knights” +had each “three hundred of equal quality;” <a name="citation6f"></a><a href="#footnote6f">{6f}</a> +thus averaging about four hundred for each commander, which, multiplied +by three hundred and sixty three, would exhibit an overwhelming army +of a hundred and forty five thousand, and two hundred men! Yet +the Poet describes the numerical advantages possessed by the enemy as +greatly superior.</p> +<p>These forces, being all placed on the western side of the dyke, would +approach the land of their enemies as they marched to the field of battle, +hence the reason why Aneurin uses the expressions “Gwyr a aeth +Gattraeth,” and “Gwyr a aeth Gododin,” as synonymous.</p> +<p>The enemies, as before observed, were the Saxons, aided on this occasion +by many of the Lloegrians, namely, such of the natives as had submitted +to their sway in the provinces they had already conquered. They +concentrated their forces in Gododin, and marched westward in the direction +of the great fence, where the Britons were awaiting them. Aneurin +has not thought fit to record the names of any of their generals, with +the single exception of Dyvnwal Vrych, <a name="citation7a"></a><a href="#footnote7a">{7a}</a> +who, to entitle him to that distinction, must have figured prominently +on the field of battle.</p> +<p>The engagement commenced on a Tuesday, and continued for a whole +week, the last four days being the most bloody. <a name="citation7b"></a><a href="#footnote7b">{7b}</a> +For some time both parties fought gallantly, and with almost equal success; +fortune perhaps upon the whole appearing to favour the Cymry, who not +only slew a vast number of their adversaries, but partially succeeded +in recovering their lost dominions. <a name="citation7c"></a><a href="#footnote7c">{7c}</a> +At this critical juncture a dwarfish herald arrived at the fence, proposing +on the part of the Saxons a truce or compact, which, however, was indignantly +rejected by the natives, and the action renewed. <a name="citation7d"></a><a href="#footnote7d">{7d}</a> +The scales now rapidly turned. In one part of the field such a +terrible carnage ensued, that there was but one man left to scare away +the birds of prey, which hovered over the carcases of the slain. <a name="citation7e"></a><a href="#footnote7e">{7e}</a> +In another, where our Bard was stationed, a portion of the allied army, +owing to the absence of its general, became panic stricken. <a name="citation7f"></a><a href="#footnote7f">{7f}</a> +Aneurin was taken prisoner, hurried off to a cave or dungeon, and loaded +with chains. <a name="citation7g"></a><a href="#footnote7g">{7g}</a> +At length a conference was submitted to, which was held at a place called +Llanveithin, at which Aneurin, who had been forcibly liberated by one +of the sons of Llywarch Hen, insisted upon the restoration of part of +Gododin, or the alternative of continuing the fight. The Saxon +herald met the proposal by killing the British Bard Owain, who was of +course unarmed. <a name="citation7h"></a><a href="#footnote7h">{7h}</a> +Such a violation of privilege excited then the whole energies of the +Cymry, who rose as one man, and gave the entire scene a more bloody +character than it had yet presented.</p> +<p>Victory, however, at length proclaimed in favour of the usurpers, +and so decisively, that out of the three hundred and sixty three chieftains +that went to the field of Cattraeth, three only returned alive, Cynon, +and Cadreith, and Cadlew of Cadnant, besides Aneurin himself. <a name="citation7i"></a><a href="#footnote7i">{7i}</a> +The number of common soldiers that fell must be conjectured.</p> +<p>We have said that the battle commenced on a Tuesday; it would appear +from two passages, namely, where the meeting of reapers in the hall +of Eiddin, <a name="citation7j"></a><a href="#footnote7j">{7j}</a> and +the employment of Gwynwydd in protecting the corn on the highlands, +<a name="citation8a"></a><a href="#footnote8a">{8a}</a> are spoken of, +that the time of year in which it occurred was the harvest.</p> +<p>It is not, however, so easy to determine the exact year when all +this happened. Neither Arthur nor Urien are mentioned as being +present, and though the stanzas containing their names may have been +lost, it must be admitted that in the case of such distinguished warriors +reason will not warrant the supposition: the fair inference would be +that they were dead at the time. This view is, moreover, supported +by readings of the Gododin, where certain heroes are compared to the +said chiefs respectively, “of Arthur,” “un Urien,” +which would hardly have been done had these latter been alive. +The death of Arthur is placed in the year 542; Owain, who died at Cattraeth, +slew Ida, A.D. 560, and Urien is said to have been assassinated about +567; the battle under consideration must have happened subsequently, +probably about the year usually assigned it, viz., 570. This was +in the reign of Rhun, a descendant in the 4th degree of Cunedda Wledig, +King of Gododin!</p> +<p>The vulgar opinion is that the Britons lost the battle in consequence +of having marched to the field in a state of intoxication; and it must +be admitted that there are many passages in the Poem, which, simply +considered, would seem to favour that view. Nevertheless, granting +that the 363 chieftains had indulged too freely in their favourite beverage, +it is hardly credible that the bulk of the army, on which mainly depended +the destiny of the battle, had the same opportunity of rendering themselves +equally incapacitated, or, if we suppose that all had become so, that +they did not recover their sobriety in seven days! The fact appears +to be, that Aneurin in the instances alluded to, intends merely to contrast +the social and festive habits of his countrymen at home with their lives +of toil and privation in war, after a practise common to the Bards, +not only of that age, but subsequently. Or it may be that the +banquet, at which the British leaders were undoubtedly entertained in +the hall of Eiddin, was looked upon as the sure prelude to war, and +that in that sense the mead and wine were to them as poison.</p> +<div class="GutenbergBlankLines2"><br /><br /></div> +<h2>Y GODODIN</h2> +<div class="GutenbergBlankLines2"><br /><br /></div> +<p>I.</p> +<p>Gredyf gwr oed gwas<br />Gwrhyt am dias<br />Meirch mwth myngvras<br />A +dan vordwyt megyrwas<br />Ysgwyt ysgauyn lledan<br />Ar bedrein mein +vuan<br />Kledyuawr glas glan<br />Ethy eur aphan<br />Ny bi ef a vi<br />Cas +e rof a thi<br />Gwell gwneif a thi<br />Ar wawt dy uoli<br />Kynt y +waet elawr<br />Nogyt y neithyawr<br />Kynt y vwyt y vrein<br />Noc +y argyurein<br />Ku kyueillt ewein<br />Kwl y uot a dan vrein<br />Marth +ym pa vro<br />Llad un mab marro</p> +<p>II.</p> +<p>Kayawc kynhorawc men y delhei<br />Diffun ymlaen bun med a dalhei<br />Twll +tal y rodawr ene klywei<br />Awr ny rodei nawd meint dilynei<br />Ni +chilyei o gamhawn eny verei<br />Waet mal brwyn gomynei gwyr nyt echei<br />Nys +adrawd gododin ar llawr mordei<br />Rac pebyll madawc pan atcoryei<br />Namen +un gwr o gant eny delhei</p> +<p>III.</p> +<p>Kaeawc kynnivyat kywlat erwyt<br />Ruthyr eryr en ebyr pan llithywyt<br />E +arnot a vu not a gatwyt<br />Grwell a wnaeth e aruaeth ny gilywyt<br />Rac +bedin ododin odechwyt<br />Hyder gymhell ar vreithel vanawyt<br />Ny +nodi nac ysgeth w nac ysgwyt<br />Ny ellir anet ry vaethpwyt<br />Rac +ergyt catvannan catwyt</p> +<p>IV.</p> +<p>Kaeawc kynhorawc bleid e maran<br />Gwevrawr godrwawr torchawr am +rann<br />Bu gwevrawr gwerthvawr gwerth gwin vann<br />Ef gwrthodes +gwrys gwyar disgrein<br />Ket dyffei wyned a gogled e rann<br />O gussyl +mab ysgyrran<br />Ysgwydawr angkyuan</p> +<p>V.</p> +<p>Kaeawc kynhorawc aruawc eg gawr<br />Kyn no diw e gwr gwrd eg gwyawr<br />Kynran +en racwan rac bydinawr<br />Kwydei pym pymwnt rac y lafnawr<br />O wyr +deivyr a brennych dychiawr<br />Ugein cant eu diuant en un awr<br />Kynt +y gic e vleid nogyt e neithyawr<br />Kynt e vud e vran nogyt e allawr<br />Kyn +noe argyurein e waet e lawr<br />Gwerth med eg kynted gan lliwedawr<br />Hyueid +hir ermygir tra vo kerdawr</p> +<p>VI.</p> +<p>Gwyr a aeth Ododin chwerthin ognaw<br />Chwerw en trin a llain en +emdullyaw<br />Byrr vlyned en hed yd ynt endaw<br />Mab botgat gwnaeth +gwynnyeith gwreith e law<br />Ket elwynt e lanneu e benydyaw<br />A +hen a yeueing a hydyr a llaw<br />Dadyl diheu angheu y eu treidaw</p> +<p>VII.</p> +<p>Gwyr a aeth Ododin chwerthin wanar<br />Disgynnyeis em bedin trin +diachar<br />Wy lledi a llavnawr heb vawr drydar<br />Colovyn glyw reithuyw +rodi arwar</p> +<p>VIII.</p> +<p>Gwyr a aeth gatraeth oed fraeth eu llu<br />Glasved eu hancwyn a +gwenwyn vu<br />Trychant trwy beiryant en cattau<br />A gwedy elwch +tawelwch vu<br />Ket elwynt e lanneu e benydu<br />Dadyl dieu angheu +y eu treidu</p> +<p>IX.</p> +<p>Gwyr a aeth gatraeth veduaeth uedwn<br />Fyryf frwythlawn oed cam +nas kymhwyllwn<br />E am lavnawr coch gorvawr gwrmwn<br />Dwys dengyn +ed emledyn aergwn<br />Ar deulu brenneych beych barnasswn<br />Dilyw +dyn en vyw nys adawsswn<br />Kyueillt a golleis diffleis vedwn<br />Rugyl +en emwrthryn rynn riadwn<br />Ny mennws gwrawl gwadawl chwegrwn<br />Maban +y gian o vaen gwynngwn</p> +<p>X.</p> +<p>Gwyr a aeth gatraeth gan wawr<br />Trauodynt en hed eu hovnawr<br />Milcant +a thrychant a emdaflawr<br />Gwyarllyt gwynnodynt waewawr<br />Ef gorsaf +yng gwryaf eg gwryawr<br />Rac gosgord mynydawc mwynvawr</p> +<p>XI.</p> +<p>Gwyr a aeth gatraeth gan wawr<br />Dygymyrrws eu hoet eu hanyanawr<br />Med +evynt melyn melys maglawr<br />Blwydyn bu llewyn llawer kerdawr<br />Coch +eu cledyuawr na phurawr<br />Eu llain gwyngalch a phedryollt bennawr<br />Rac +gosgord mynydawc mwynvawr</p> +<p>XII.</p> +<p>Gwyr a aeth gatraeth gan dyd<br />Neus goreu o gadeu gewilid<br />Wy +gwnaethant en geugant gelorwyd<br />A llavnawr llawn annawd em bedyd<br />Goreu +yw hwn kyn kystlwn kerennyd<br />Enneint creu ac angeu oe hennyd<br />Rac +bedin Ododin pan vudyd<br />Neus goreu deu bwyllyat neirthyat gwychyd</p> +<p>XIII.</p> +<p>Gwr a aeth gatraeth gan dyd<br />Ne llewes ef vedgwyn veinoethyd<br />Bu +truan gyuatcan gyvluyd<br />E neges ef or drachwres drenghidyd<br />Ny +chryssiws gatraeth<br />Mawr mor ehelaeth<br /> E aruaeth +uch arwyt<br />Ny bu mor gyffor<br />O eidyn ysgor<br /> A +esgarei oswyd<br />Tutuwlch hir ech e dir ae dreuyd<br />Ef lladei Saesson +seithuet dyd<br />Perheit y wrhyt en wrvyd<br />Ae govein gan e gein +gyweithyd<br />Pan dyvu dutvwch dut nerthyd<br />Oed gwaetlan gwyaluan +vab Kilyd</p> +<p>XIV.</p> +<p>Gwr a aeth gatraeth gan wawr<br />Wyneb udyn ysgorva ysgwydawr<br />Crei +kyrchynt kynnullynt reiawr<br />En gynnan mal taran twryf aessawr<br />Gwr +gorvynt gwr etvynt gwr llawr<br />Ef rwygei a chethrei a chethrawr<br />Od +uch lled lladei a llavnawr<br />En gystud heyrn dur arbennawr<br />E +mordei ystyngei a dyledawr<br />Rac erthgi erthychei vydinawr</p> +<p>XV.</p> +<p>O vreithyell gatraeth pan adrodir<br />Maon dychiorant eu hoet bu +hir<br />Edyrn diedyrn amygyn dir<br />A meibyon godebawc gwerin enwir<br />Dyforthynt +lynwyssawr gelorawr hir<br />Bu tru a dynghetven anghen gywir<br />A +dyngwt y dutvwlch a chyvwlch hir<br />Ket yvein ved gloyw wrth leu babir<br />Ket +vei da e vlas y gas bu hir</p> +<p>XVI.</p> +<p>Blaen echeching gaer glaer ewgei<br />Gwyr gweiryd gwanar ae dilynei<br />Blaen +ar e bludue dygollouit vual<br />Ene vwynvawr vordei<br />Blaen gwirawt +vragawt ef dybydei<br />Blaen eur a phorphor kein as mygei<br />Blaen +edystrawr pasc ae gwaredei<br />Gwrthlef, ac euo bryt ae derllydei<br />Blaen +erwyre gawr buduawr drei<br />Arth en llwrw byth hwyr e techei</p> +<p>XVII.</p> +<p>Anawr gynhoruan<br />Huan arwyran<br />Grwledic gwd gyffgein<br />Nef +enys brydein<br />Garw ryt rac rynn<br />Aes elwrw budyn<br />Bual oed +arwynn<br />Eg kynted eidyn<br />Erchyd ryodres<br />E ved medwawt<br />Yuei +win gwirawt<br />Oed eruit uedel<br />Yuei win gouel<br />Aerueid en +arued<br />Aer gennin vedel<br />Aer adan glaer<br />Kenyn keuit aer<br />Aer +seirchyawc<br />Aer edenawc<br />Nyt oed diryf y ysgwyt<br />Gan waywawr +plymnwyt<br />Kwydyn gyuoedyon<br />Eg cat blymnwyt<br />Diessic e dias<br />Divevyl +as talas<br />Hudid e wyllyas<br />Kyn bu clawr glas<br />Bed gwruelling +vreisc</p> +<p>XVIII.</p> +<p>Teithi etmygant<br />Tri llwry novant<br />Pymwnt a phymcant<br />Trychwn +a thrychant<br />Tri si chatvarchawc<br />Eidyn euruchawc<br />Tri llu +llurugawc<br />Tri eur deyrn dorchawc<br />Tri marchawc dywal<br />Tri +chat gyhaual<br />Tri chysneit kysnar<br />Chwerw vysgynt esgar<br />Tri +en drin en drwm<br />Llew lledynt blwm<br />Eur e gat gyngrwn<br />Tri +theyrn maon<br />A dyvu o vrython<br />Kynri a Chenon<br />Kynrein o +aeron<br />Gogyuerchi yn hon<br />Deivyr diuerogyon<br />A dyvu o vrython<br />Wr +well no Chynon<br />Sarph seri alon</p> +<p>XIX.</p> +<p>Eveis y win a med e mordei<br /> Mawr meint e vehyr<br /> Yg +kyuaruot gwyr<br />Bwyt e eryr erysmygei<br />Pan gryssyei gydywal kyfdwyreei<br />Awr +gan wyrd wawr kyui dodei<br />Aessawr dellt ambellt a adawei<br />Pareu +rynn rwygyat dygymmynei<br />E gat blaen bragat briwei<br />Mab syvno +sywedyd ae gwydyei<br /> A werthws e eneit<br /> Er +wyneb grybwyllyeit<br />A llavyn lliveit lladei<br />Lledessit ac a +thrwys ac affrei<br />Er amot aruot arauethei<br /> Ermygei +galaned<br /> O wyr gwychyr gwned<br />Em blaen gwyned +gwanei</p> +<p>XX.</p> +<p>Eveis y win a med e mordei<br />Can yueis disgynneis rann fin fawd +ut<br />Nyt didrachywed colwed drut<br />Pan disgynnei bawb ti disgynnot<br />Ys +deupo gwaeanat gwerth na phechut<br />Pressent i drawd oed vreichyawr +drut</p> +<p>XXI.</p> +<p>Gwyr a aeth gatraeth buant enwawc<br />Gwin a med o eur vu eu gwirawt<br />Blwydyn +en erbyn urdyn deuawt<br />Trywyr a thri ugeiut a thrychant eurdorchawc<br />Or +sawl yt gryssyassant uch gormant wirawt<br />Ny diengis namyn tri o +wrhydri fossawt<br />Deu gatki aeron a chenon dayrawt<br />A minheu +om gwaetfreu gwerth vy gwennwawt</p> +<p>XXII.</p> +<p>Uyg car yng wirwar nyn gogyffrawt<br />O neb o ny bei o gwyn dragon +ducawt<br />Ni didolit yng kynted o ved gwirawt<br />Ef gwnaei ar beithing +perthyng aruodyawc<br />Ef disgrein eg cat disgrein en aelawt<br />Neus +adrawd gododin gwedy fossawt<br />Pan vei no llwyeu llymach nebawt</p> +<p>XXIII.</p> +<p>Aryf angkynnull agkyman dull agkysgoget<br />Tra chywed vawr treiglessyd +llawr lloegrwys giwet<br />Heessit eis ygkynnor eis yg cat uereu<br />Goruc +wyr lludw<br />A gwraged gwydw<br /> Kynnoe angheu<br />Greit +vab hoewgir<br />Ac ysberi<br /> Y beri creu</p> +<p>XXIV.</p> +<p>Arwr y dwy ysgwyt adan<br />E dalvrith ac eil tith orwydan<br />Bu +trydar en aerure bu tan<br />Bu ehut e waewawr bu huan<br />Bu bwyt +brein bu bud e vran<br />A chyn edewit en rydon<br />Gran wlith eryr +tith tiryon<br />Ac o du gwasgar gwanec tu bronn<br />Beird byt barnant +wyr o gallon<br />Diebyrth e gerth e gynghyr<br />Diua oed e gynrein +gan wyr<br />A chynn e olo a dan eleirch<br />Vre ytoed wryt ene arch<br />Gorgolches +e greu y seirch<br />Budvan vab bleidvan dihavarch</p> +<p>XXV.</p> +<p>Cam e adaw heb gof camb ehelaeth<br />Nyt adawei adwy yr adwriaeth<br />Nyt +edewes e lys les kerdoryon prydein<br />Diw calan yonawr ene aruaeth<br />Nyt +erdit e dir kevei diffeith<br />Drachas anias dreic ehelaeth<br />Dragon +yg gwyar gwedy gwinvaeth<br />Gwenabwy vab gwenn gynhen gatraeth</p> +<p>XXVI.</p> +<p>Bu gwir mal y meud e gatlew<br />Ny deliis meirch neb marchlew<br />Heessit +waywawr y glyw<br />Y ar llemenic llwybyr dew<br />Keny vaket am vyrn +am borth<br />Dywal y gledyual emborth<br />Heessyt onn o bedryollt +y law<br />Y ar veinnyell vygedorth<br />Yt rannei rygu e rywin<br />Yt +ladei a llauyn vreith o eithin<br />Val pan vel medel ar vreithin<br />E +gwnaei varchlew waetlin</p> +<p>XXVII.</p> +<p>Issac anuonawc o barth deheu<br />Tebic mor lliant y deuodeu<br /> O +wyled a llaryed<br /> A chein yuet med<br />Men yth +glawd e offer e bwyth madeu<br />Ny bu hyll dihyll na heu diheu<br />Seinnyessyt +e gledyf ym penn mameu<br />Murgreit oed moleit ef mab gwydneu</p> +<p>XXVIII.</p> +<p>Keredic caradwy e glot<br />Achubei gwarchatwei not<br />Lletvegin +is tawel kyn dyuot<br />E dyd gowychyd y wybot<br />Ys deupo car kyrd +kyvnot<br />Y wlat nef adef atnabot</p> +<p>XXIX.</p> +<p>Keredic karadwy gynran<br />Keimyat yg cat gouaran<br />Ysgwyt eur +crwydyr cadlan<br />Gwaewawr uswyd agkyuan<br />Kledyual dywal diwan<br />Mal +gwr catwei wyaluan<br />Kynn kysdud daear hynn affan<br />O daffar diffynnei +e vann<br />Ys deupo kynnwys yg kyman<br />Can drindawt en undawt gyuan</p> +<p>XXX.</p> +<p>Pan gryssyei garadawc y gat<br />Mal baed coet trychwn trychyat<br />Tarw +bedin en trin gormynyat<br />Ef llithyei wydgwn oe anghat<br />Ys vyn +tyst ewein vab eulat<br />A gwryen a gwynn a gwryat<br />O gatraeth +o gymynat<br />O vrynn hydwn kynn caffat<br />Gwedy med gloew ar anghat<br />Ny +weles vrun e dat</p> +<p>XXXI.</p> +<p>Gwyr a gryssyasant buant gytneit<br />Hoedyl vyrryon medwon uch med +hidleit<br />Gosgord mynydawc enwawc en reit<br />Gwerth eu gwled e +ved vu eu heneit<br />Caradawc a madawc pyll ac yeuan<br />Gwgawn a +gwiawn gwynn a chynvan<br />Peredur arveu dur gwawr-dur ac aedan<br />Achubyat +eng gawr ysgwydawr angkyman<br />A chet lledessynt wy lladassan<br />Neb +y eu tymhyr nyt atcorsan</p> +<p>XXXII.</p> +<p>Gwyr a gryssyassant buant gytvaeth<br />Blwydyn od uch med mawr eu +haruaeth<br />Mor dru eu hadrawd wy angawr hiraeth<br />Gwenwyn eu hadlam +nyt mab mam ae maeth<br />Mor hir eu hetlit ac eu hetgyllaeth<br />En +ol gwyr pebyr temyr gwinvaeth<br />Gwlyget gododin en erbyn fraeth<br />Ancwyn +mynydawc enwawc e gwnaeth<br />A phrit er prynu breithyell gatraeth</p> +<p>XXXIII.</p> +<p>Gwyr a aeth gatraeth yg cat yg gawr<br />Nerth meirch a gwrymseirch +ac ysgwydawr<br />Peleidyr ar gychwyn a llym waewawr<br />A llurugeu +claer a chledyuawr<br />Ragorei tyllei trwy vydinawr<br />Kwydei bym +pymwnt rac y lavnawr<br />Ruuawn hir ef rodei eur e allawr<br />A chet +a choelvein kein y gerdawr</p> +<p>XXXIV.</p> +<p>Ny wnaethpwyt neuad mor orchynnan<br />Mor vawr mor oruawr gyvlavan<br />Dyrllydut +medut moryen tan<br />Ny thraethei na wnelei kenon kelein<br />Un seirchyawc +saphwyawc son edlydan<br />Seinnyessit e gledyf empenn garthan<br />Noc +ac esgyc canec vurvawr y chyhadvan<br />Ny mwy gysgogit wit uab peithan</p> +<p>XXXV.</p> +<p>Ny wnaethpwyt neuad mor anvonawc<br />Ony bei voryen eil caradawc<br />Ny +diengis en trwm elwrw mynawc<br />Dywal dywalach no mab ferawc<br />Fer +y law faglei fowys varchawc<br />Glew dias dinas e lu ovnawc<br />Rac +bedin ododin bu gwasgarawc<br />Y gylchwy dan y gymwy bu adenawc<br />Yn +dyd gwyth bu ystwyth neu bwyth atveillyawc<br />Dyrllydei vedgyrn eillt +mynydawc</p> +<p>XXXVI.</p> +<p>Ny wnaethpwyt neuad mor diessic<br />No Chynon lary vronn geinnyon +Wledic<br />Nyt ef eistedei en tal lleithic<br />E neb a wanei nyt adwenit<br />Raclym +e waewawr<br />Calch drei tyllei vydinawr<br />Rac vuan y veirch rac +rygiawr<br />En dyd gwyth atwyth oed e lavnawr<br />Pan gryssyei gynon +gan wyrd wawr</p> +<p>XXXVII.</p> +<p>Disgynsit en trwm yg kessevin<br />Ef diodes gormes ef dodes fin<br />Ergyr +gwayw rieu ryvel chwerthin<br />Hut effyt y wrhyt elwry elfin<br />Eithinyn +uoleit mur greit tarw trin</p> +<p>XXXVIII.</p> +<p>Disgynsit en trwm yg kesseuin<br />Gwerth med yg kynted a gwirawt +win<br />Heyessyt y lavnawr rwg dwy vydin<br />Arderchawc varchawc rac +gododin<br />Eithinyn uoleit mur greit tarw trin</p> +<p>XXXIX.</p> +<p>Disgynsit en trwm rac alauoed wyrein<br />Wyre llu llaes ysgwydawr<br />Ysgwyt +vriw rac biw beli bloedvawr<br />Nar od uch gwyar fin festinyawr<br />An +deliit kynllwyt y ar gynghorawr<br />Gorwyd gwareurffrith rin ych eurdorchawr<br />Twrch +goruc amot emlaen ystre ystrywawr<br />Teilingdeith gwrthyat gawr<br />An +gelwit e nef bit athledhawr<br />Emyt ef krennit e gat waewawr<br />Catvannan +er aclut clotvawr<br />No chynhennit na bei llu idaw llawr</p> +<p>XL.</p> +<p>Am drynni drylaw drylenn<br />Am lwys am difíwys dywarchen<br />Am +gwydaw gwallt e ar benn<br />Y am wyr eryr gwydyen<br />Gwyduc neus +amuc ac wayw<br />Ardullyat diwyllyat e berchen<br />Amuc moryen gwenwawt<br />Murdyn +a chyvrannv penn<br />Prif eg weryt ac an nerth ac am hen<br />Trywyr +yr bod bun bratwen<br />Deudec gwenabwy vab gwen</p> +<p>XLI.</p> +<p>Am drynni drylaw drylenn<br />Gweinydyawr ysgwydawr yg gweithyen<br />En +aryal cledyual am benn<br />En lloegyr drychyon rac trychant unben<br />A +dalwy mwng bleid heb prenn<br />En e law gnawt gwychnawt eny lenn<br />O +gyurang gwyth ac asgen<br />Trenghis ny diengis bratwen</p> +<p>XLII.</p> +<p>Eurar vur caer krysgrwydyat<br />Aer cret ty na thaer aer vlodyat<br />Un +ara ae leissyar argatwyt<br />Adar brwydryat<br />Syll o virein neus +adrawd a vo mwy<br />O damweinnyeit llwy<br />Od amluch lliuanat<br />Neus +adrawd a vo mwy<br />Enawr blygeint<br />Na bei kynhawel kynheilweing</p> +<p>XLIII.</p> +<p>Pan vuost di kynnivyn clot<br />En amwyn tywyssen gordirot<br />O +haedot en gelwit redyrch gwyr not<br />Oed dor diachor diachor din drei<br />Oed +mynut wrth olut ae kyrchei<br />Oed dinas e vedin ae cretei<br />Ny +elwit gwinwit men na bei</p> +<p>XLIV.</p> +<p>Ket bei cann wr en vn ty<br />Atwen ovalon keny<br />Pen gwyr tal +being a dely</p> +<p>XLV.</p> +<p>Nyt wyf vynawc blin<br />Ny dialaf vy ordin<br />Ny chwardaf y chwerthin<br />A +dan droet ronin<br />Ystynnawc vyg glin<br />A bundat y<br />En ty deyeryn<br />Cadwyn +heyernyn<br />Am ben vyn deulin<br />O ved o vuelin<br />O gatraeth +werin<br />Mi na vi aneurin<br />Ys gwyr talyessin<br />Oveg kywrenhin<br />Neu +cheing e ododin<br />Kynn gwawr dyd dilin</p> +<p>XLVI</p> +<p>Goroled gogled gwr ae goruc<br />Llary vronn haeladon ny essyllut<br />Nyt +emda daear nyt emduc<br />Mam mor eiryan gadarn haearn gaduc<br />O +nerth e cledyf claer e hamuc<br />O garchar amwar daear em duc<br />O +gyvle angheu o anghar dut<br />Keneu vab llywarch dihauareh drut</p> +<p>XLVII.</p> +<p>Nyt ef borthi gwarth gorsed<br />Senyllt ae lestri llawn med<br />Godolei +gledyf e gared<br />Godolei lemein e ryuel<br />Dyfforthsei lynwyssawr +oe vreych<br />Rac bedin ododin a brennych<br />Gnawt ene neuad vyth +meirch<br />Gwyar a gwrymseirch<br />Keingyell hiryell oe law<br />Ac +en elyd bryssyaw<br />Gwen ac ymhyrdwen hyrdbleit<br />Disserch a serch +ar tro<br />Gwyr nyt oedyn drych draet fo<br />Heilyn achubyat pob bro</p> +<p>XLVIII.</p> +<p>Llech leutu tut leu leudvre<br /> Gododin ystre<br />Ystre +ragno ar y anghat<br />Angat gynghor e leuuer cat<br /> Cangen +gaerwys<br /> Keui drillywys<br />Tymor dymhestyl tymhestyl +dymor<br />E beri restyr rac riallu<br />O dindywyt yn dyvu<br /> Wyt +yn dy wovu<br />Dwys yd wodyn<br />Llym yt wenyn<br />Llwyr genyn llu<br />Ysgwyt +rugyn<br />Rac tarw trin<br /> Y dal vriw vu</p> +<p>XLIX.</p> +<p>Erkryn e alon ar af (ar)<br />Er y brwydrin trin trachuar<br />Kwr +e vankeirw<br />Am gwr e vanncarw<br />Byssed brych briwant barr<br />Am +bwyll am disteir am distar<br />Am bwyll am rodic am rychward<br />Ys +bro ys brys treullyawt rys en riwdrec<br />Ny hu wy ny gaffo e neges<br />Nyt +anghwy a wanwy odiwes</p> +<p>L.</p> +<p>Ny mat wanpwyt ysgwyt<br />Ar gynwal carnwyt<br />Ny mat dodes y +vordwyt<br />Ar vreichir mein-llwyt<br />Gell e baladyr gell<br />Gellach +e obell<br />Y mae dy wr ene gell<br />Yn cnoi anghell<br />Bwch bud +oe law idaw<br />Poet ymbell angell</p> +<p>LI.</p> +<p>Da y doeth adonwy at wen<br />Ym adawssut wenn heli bratwen<br />Gwnelut +lladut llosgut<br />No moryen ny waeth wnelut<br />Ny delyeist nac eithaf +na chynhor<br />Ysgwn drem dibennor<br />Ny weleist e morchwyd mawr +marchogyon<br />Wynedin my rodin nawd y Saesson</p> +<p>LII.</p> +<p>Gododin gomynaf dy blegyt<br />Tynoeu dra thrumein drum essyth<br />Gwas +chwant y aryant heb emwyt<br />O gussyl mab dwywei dy wrhyt<br />Nyt +oed gynghorwann<br />Wael y rac tan veithin<br />O lychwr y lychwr lluch +bin<br />Lluchdor y borfor beryerin<br />Llad gwaws gwan maws mur trin<br />Anysgarat +ac vu y nat ac aneurin</p> +<p>LIII.</p> +<p>Kywyrein ketwyr kywrennin<br />E gatraeth gwerin fraeth fysgyolin<br />Gwerth +med yg kynted a gwirawt win<br />Heyessit e lavnawr rwng dwy vedin<br />Arderchauc +varchawc rac gododin<br />Eithinyn voleit murgreit tarw trin</p> +<p>LIV.</p> +<p>Kywyrein ketwyr kywrenhin<br />Gwlat atvel gochlywer a eu dilin<br />Dygoglawd +ton bevyr beryerin<br />Men yd ynt eilyassaf elein<br />O brei vrych +ny welych weyelin<br />Ny chemyd haed ud a gordin<br />Ny phyrth mevyl +moryal eu dilin<br />Llavyn durawt barawt e waetlin</p> +<p>LV.</p> +<p>Kywyrein ketwyr kywrenhin<br />Gwlat atvel gochlywer eu dilin<br />Ef +lladawd a chymawn a llain<br />A charnedawr tra gogyhwc gwyr trin</p> +<p>LVI.</p> +<p>Kywyrein ketwyr hyuaruuant<br />Y gyt en un vryt yt gyrchassant<br />Byrr +eu hoedyl hir eu hoet ar eu carant<br />Seith gymeint o loegrwys a ladassant<br />O +gyvryssed gwraged gwyth a wnaethant<br />Llawer mam ae deigyr ar y hamrant</p> +<p>LVII.</p> +<p>Ny wnaethpwyt neuad mor dianaf<br />Lew mor hael baran llew llwybyr +vwyhaf<br />A chynon laryvronn adon deccaf<br />Dinas y dias ar llet +eithaf<br />Dor angor bedin bud eilyassaf<br />Or sawl a weleis ac a +welav<br />Ymyt en emdwyn aryf gryt gwryt gwryaf<br />Ef lladei oswyd +a llavyn llymaf<br />Mal brwyn yt gwydynt rac y adaf<br />Mab klytno +clot hir canaf<br />Yty or clot heb or heb eithaf</p> +<p>LVIII.</p> +<p>O winveith a medweith<br />Dygodolyn gwnlleith<br />Mam hwrreith<br /> Eidol +enyal<br />Ermygei rac vre<br />Rac bronn budugre<br />Breein dwyre<br /> Wybyr +ysgynnyal<br />Kynrein en kwydaw<br />Val glas heit arnaw<br /> Heb +giliaw gyhaual<br />Synnwyr ystwyr ystemel<br />Y ar weillyon gwebyl<br /> Ac +ardemyl gledyual<br />Blaen ancwyn anhun<br />Hediw an dihun<br /> Mam +reidun rwyf trydar</p> +<p>LIX.</p> +<p>O winveith a medweith yd aethant<br />E genhyn llurugogyon<br />Nys +gwn lleith lletkynt<br />Cyn llwyded eu lleas dydaruu<br />Rac catraeth +oed fraeth eu llu<br />O osgord vynydawc wawr dru<br />O drychant namen +un gwr ny dyvu</p> +<p>LX.</p> +<p>O winveith a medveith yt gryssyassant<br />Gwyr en reit moleit eneit +dichwant<br />Gloew dull y am drull yt gytvaethant<br />Gwin a med amall +a amucsant<br />O osgord vynydawc am dwyf atveillyawc<br />A rwyf a +golleis om gwir garant<br />O drychan riallu yt gryssyassant<br />Gatraeth +tru namen vn gwr nyt atcorsant</p> +<p>LXI.</p> +<p>Hv bydei yg kywyrein pressent mal pel<br />Ar y e hu bydei ene uei +atre<br /> Hut amuc ododin<br /> O +win a med en dieding<br />Yng ystryng ystre<br />Ac adan gatvannan cochre,<br />Veirch +marchawc godrud e more</p> +<p>LXII.</p> +<p>Angor dewr daen<br />Sarph seri raen<br />Sengi wrymgaen<br /> Emlaen +bedin<br />Arth i arwynawl drussyawr dreissyawr<br />Sengi waewawr<br />En +dyd cadyawr<br /> Yg clawd gwernin<br />Eil nedic nar<br />Neus +duc drwy var<br />Gwled y adar<br /> O drydar drin<br />Kywir +yth elwir oth enwir weithret<br />Ractaf ruyuyadur mur catuilet<br />Merin +a madyein mat yth, anet</p> +<p>LXIII.</p> +<p>Ardyledawc canu kyman caffat<br />Ketwyr am gatraeth a wnaeth brithret<br />Brithwy +a wyar sathar sanget<br />Sengi wit gwned bual am dal med<br />A chalaned +kyuurynged<br />Nyt adrawd kibno wede kyffro<br />Ket bei kymun keui +dayret</p> +<p>LXIV.</p> +<p>Ardyledawc canu kyman ovri<br />Twrf tan a tharan a ryuerthi<br />Gwrhyt +arderchawc varchawc mysgi<br />Ruduedel ryuel a eiduni<br />Gwr gwned +divudyawc dimyngyei<br />Y gat or meint gwlat yd y klywi<br />Ae ysgwyt +ar y ysgwyd hut arolli<br />Wayw mal gwin gloew o wydyr lestri<br />Aryant +am yued eur dylyi<br />Gwinvaeth oed waetnerth vab llywri</p> +<p>LXV.</p> +<p>Ardyledawc canu claer orchyrdon<br />A gwedy dyrreith dyleinw aeron<br />Dimcones +lovlen benn eryron<br />Llwyt ef gorevvwyt y ysgylvyon<br />Or a aeth +gatraeth o eur dorchogyon<br />Ar neges mynydawc mynawc maon<br />Ny +doeth en diwarth o barth vrython<br />Ododin wr bell well no Chynon</p> +<p>LXVI.</p> +<p>Ardyledawc canu kenian kywreint<br />Llawen llogell byt bu didichwant<br />Hu +mynnei engkylch byt eidol anant<br />Yr eur a meirch mawr a med medweint<br />Namen +ene delei o vyt hoffeint<br />Kyndilic aeron wyr enouant</p> +<p>LXVII.</p> +<p>Ardyledawc canu claer orchyrdon<br />Ar neges mynydawc mynawc maon<br />A +merch eudaf hir dreis gwananhon<br />Oed porfor gwisgyadur dir amdrychyon</p> +<p>LXVIII.</p> +<p>Dyfforthes meiwyr molut nyuet<br />Baran tan teryd ban gynneuet<br />Duw +mawrth gwisgyssant eu gwrym dudet<br />Diw merchyr peri deint eu calch +doet<br />Divyeu bu diheu eu diuoet<br />Diw gwener calaned amdyget<br />Diw +sadwrn bu divwrn eu kytweithret<br />Diw sul eu llavneu rud amdyget<br />Diw +llun hyt benn clun gwaetlun gwelet<br />Neus adrawd gododin gwedy lludet<br />Rac +pebyll madawc pan atcoryet<br />Namen un gwr o gant ene delhet</p> +<p>LXIX.</p> +<p>Mochdwyreawc y more<br />Kynnif aber rac ystre<br />Bu bwlch bu twlch +tande<br />Mal twrch y tywysseist vre<br />Bu golut mynut bu lle<br />Bu +gwyar gweilch gwrymde</p> +<p>LXX.</p> +<p>Moch dwyreawc y meitin<br />O gynnu aber rac fin<br />O dywys yn +tywys yn dylin<br />Rac cant ef gwant gesseuin<br />Oed garw y gwnaewch +chwi waetlin<br />Mal yuet med drwy chwerthin<br />Oed llew y lladewch +chwi dynin<br />Cledyual dywal fysgyolin<br />Oed mor diachor yt ladei<br />Esgar +gwr haual en y a bei</p> +<p>LXXI.</p> +<p>Disgynnwys en affwys dra phenn<br />Ny deliit kywyt kywrennin benn<br />Disgiawr +breint vu e lad ar gangen<br />Kynnedyf y ewein esgynnv ar ystre<br />Ystwng +kyn gorot goreu gangen<br />Dilud dyleyn cathleu dilen<br />Llywy llyvroded +rwych ac asgen<br />Anglas asswydeu lovlen<br />Dyphorthes ae law luric +wehyn<br />Dymgwallaw gwledic dal<br />Oe brid brennyal</p> +<p>LXXII.</p> +<p>Eidol adoer crei grannawr gwynn<br />Dysgiawr pan vei bun barn benn<br />Perchen +meirch a gwrymseirch<br />Ac ysgwydawr yaen<br />Gyuoet a gyuergyr esgyn +disgyn</p> +<p>LXXIII.</p> +<p>Aer dywys ry dywys ryvel<br />Gwlat gord garei gwrd uedel<br />Gwrdweryt +gwaet am iroed<br />Seirchyawr am y rud yt ued<br />Seingyat am seirch +seirch seingyat<br />Ar delw lleith dygiawr lludet<br />Peleidyr en +eis en dechreu cat<br />Hynt am oleu bu godeu beleidryal</p> +<p>LXXIV.</p> +<p>Keint amnat am dina dy gell<br />Ac ystauell yt uydei dyrllydei<br />Med +melys maglawr<br />Gwrys aergynlys gan wawr<br />Ket lwys lloegrwys +lliwedawr<br />Ry benyt ar hyt yd allawr<br />Eillt wyned klywere arderched<br />Gwananhon +byt ved<br />Savwy cadavwy gwyned<br />Tarw bedin treis trin teyrned<br />Kyn +kywesc daear kyn gorwed<br />But orfun gododin bed</p> +<p>LXXV.</p> +<p>Bedin ordyvnat en agerw<br />Mynawc lluydawc llaw chwerw<br />Bu +doeth a choeth a syberw<br />Nyt oed ef wrth gyued gochwerw<br />Mudyn +geinnyon ar y helw<br />Nyt oed ar lles bro pob delw</p> +<p>LXXVI.</p> +<p>An gelwir mor a chynnwr ym plymnwyt<br />Yn tryvrwyt peleidyr peleidyr +gogymwyt<br />Goglyssur heyrn lliveit llawr en assed<br />Sychyn yg +gorun en trydar<br />Gwr frwythlawn flamdur rac esgar</p> +<p>LXXVII.</p> +<p>Dyfforthes cat veirch a chatseirch<br />Greulet ar gatraeth cochre<br />Mae +blaenwyd bedin dinus<br />Aergi gwyth gwarth vre<br />An gelwir ny faw +glaer fwyre<br />Echadaf heidyn haearnde</p> +<p>LXXVIII.</p> +<p>Mynawc gododin traeth e annor<br />Mynawc am rann kwynhyator<br />Rac +eidyn aryal flam nyt atcor<br />Ef dodes e dilis yg kynhor<br />Ef dodes +rac trin tewdor<br />En aryal ar dywal disgynnwys<br />Can llewes porthes +mawrbwys<br />O osgord vynydawc ny diangwys<br />Namen vn aryf amdiffryf +amdiffwys</p> +<p>LXXIX.</p> +<p>O gollet moryet ny bu aessawr<br />Dyfforthyn traeth y ennyn llawr<br />Ry +duc oe lovlen glas lavnawr<br />Peleidyr pwys preiglyn benn periglawr<br />Y +ar orwyd erchlas penn wedawr<br />Trindygwyd trwch trach y lavnawr<br />Pan +orvyd oe gat ny bu foawr<br />An dyrllys molet med melys maglawr</p> +<p>LXXX.</p> +<p>Gweleis y dull o benn tir adoun<br />Aberth am goelkerth a disgynnyn<br />Gweleis +oed kenevin ar dref redegein<br />A gwyr nwythyon ry gollessyn<br />Gweleis +gwyr dullyawr gan awr adevyn<br />A phenn dyvynwal a breych brein ae +cnoyn</p> +<p>LXXXI.</p> +<p>Mat vydic ysgavynwyn asgwrn aduaon<br />Aelussawc tebedawc tra mordwy +alon<br />Gwrawl amdyvrwys goruawr y lu<br />Gwryt vronn gwrvan gwanan +arnaw<br />Y gynnedyf disgynnu rac naw riallu<br />Yg gwyd gwaed a gwlat +a gordiynaw<br />Caraf vy vudic lleithic a vu anaw<br />Kyndilic aeron +kenhan lew</p> +<p>LXXXII.</p> +<p>Carasswn disgynnu yg catraeth gessevin<br />Gwert med yg kynted a +gwirawt win<br />Carasswn neu chablwys ar llain<br />Kyn bu e leas oe +las uffin<br />Carasswn eil clot dyfforthes gwaetlin<br />Ef dodes e +gledyf yg goethin<br />Neus adrawd gwrhyt rac gododyn<br />Na bei mab +keidyaw clot un gwr trin</p> +<p>LXXXIII.</p> +<p>Truan yw gennyf vy gwedy lludet<br />Grodef gloes angheu trwy angkyffret<br />Ac +eil trwm truan gennyf vy gwelet<br />Dygwydaw an gwyr ny penn o draet<br />Ac +ucheneit hir ac eilywet<br />En ol gwyr pebyr temyr tudwet<br />Ruvawn +a gwgawn gwiawn a gwlyget<br />Gwyr gorsaf gwryaf gwrd yg calet<br />Ys +deupo eu heneit wy wedy trinet<br />Kynnwys yg wlat nef adef avneuet</p> +<p>LXXXIV.</p> +<p>Ef gwrthodes tres tra gwyar llyn<br />Ef lladei val dewrdull nyt +echyn<br />Tavloyw ac ysgeth tavlet wydrin<br />A med rac teyrned tavlei +vedin<br />Menit y gynghor men na lleveri<br />Lliaws ac vei anwaws +nyt odewyt<br />Rac ruthyr bwyllyadeu a chledyvawr<br />Lliveit handit +gwelir llavar lleir</p> +<p>LXXXV.</p> +<p>Porthloed vedin<br />Porthloed lain<br />A llu racwed<br />En ragyrwed<br />En +dyd gwned<br />Yg kyvryssed<br />Buant gwychawc<br />Gwede meddawt<br />A +med yuet<br />Ny bu waret<br />An gorwylam<br />Enyd frwythlam<br />Pan +adroder torret ergyr<br />O veirch a gwyr tyngir tynget</p> +<p>LXXXVI.</p> +<p> Pan ym dyvyd lliaws pryder<br /> Pryderaf +fun<br /> Fun en ardec<br /> Aryal +redec<br /> Ar hynt wylaw<br /> Ku +kystudywn<br /> Ku carasswn<br /> Kelleic +faw<br /> Ac argoedwys<br /> Guae +gordyvnwys<br /> Y emdullyaw<br />Ef +dadodes arlluyd pwys ar lles rieu<br /> Ar dilyvyn +goet<br /> Ar diliw hoet<br /> Yr +kyvedeu<br />Kyvedwogant ef an dyduc ar dan adloyw<br /> Ac +ar groen gwynn goscroyw</p> +<p>LXXXVII.</p> +<p>Gereint rac deheu gawr a dodet<br />Lluch gwynn gwynn dwll ar ysgwyt<br />Yor +yspar llary yor<br />Molut mynut mor<br />Gogwneif heissyllut gwgynei +gereint<br />Hael mynawc oedut</p> +<p>LXXXVIII.</p> +<p>Diannot e glot e glutvan<br />Diachor angor ygkyman<br />Diechyr +eryr gwyr govaran<br />Trin odef eidef oed eiryan<br />Ragorei veirch +racvuan<br />En trin lletvegin gwin o bann<br />Kyn glasved a glassu +eu rann<br />Bu gwr gwled od uch med mygyr o bann</p> +<p>LXXXIX.</p> +<p>Dienhyt y bob llawr llanwet<br />E hual amhaual afneuet<br />Twll +tall e rodawr<br />Cas o hir gwythawc<br />Rywonyawc diffreidyeit<br />Eil +gweith gelwideint a mallet<br />Yg catveirch a seirch greulet<br />Bedin +agkysgoget yt vyd cat voryon<br />Cochro llann bann ry godhet<br />Trwm +en trin a llavyn yt lladei<br />Garw rybud o gat dydygei<br />Cann calan +a darmeithei<br />Ef gwenit adan vab ervei<br />Ef gwenit adan dwrch +trahawc<br />Un riein a morwyn a mynawc<br />A phan oed mab teyrn teithyawc<br />Yng +gwyndyt gwaed glyt gwaredawc<br />Kyn golo gweryt ar rud<br />Llary +hael etvynt digythrud<br />O glot a chet echyawc<br />Neut bed garthwys +hir o dir rywonyawc</p> +<p>XC.</p> +<p>Peis dinogat e vreith vreith<br />O grwyn balaot ban wreith<br />Chwit +chwit chwidogeith<br />Gochanwn gochenyn wyth geith<br />Pan elei dy +dat ty e helya<br />Llath ar y ysgwyd llory eny llaw<br />Ef gelwi gwn +gogyhwch<br />Giff gaff dhaly dhaly dhwc dhwc<br />Ef lledi bysc yng +corwc<br />Mal ban llad llew llywywc<br />Pan elei dy dat ty e vynyd<br />Dydygei +ef penn ywrch pen gwythwch penn hyd<br />Penn grugyar vreith o venyd<br />Penn +pysc o rayadyr derwennyd<br />Or sawl yt gyrhaedei dy dat ty ae gicwein<br />O +wythwch a llewyn a llwyuein<br />Nyt anghei oll ny uei oradein</p> +<p>XCI.</p> +<p>Peum dodyw angkyvrwng o angkyuarc<br />Nym daw nym dyvyd a uo trymach<br />Ny +magwyt yn neuad a vei lewach<br />Noc ef nac yng cat a vei wastadach<br />Ac +ar ryt benclwyt pennawt oed e veirch<br />Pellynic e glot pellws e galch<br />A +chyn golo gweir hir a dan dywarch<br />Dyrllydei vedgyrn un mab feruarch</p> +<p>XCII.</p> +<p>Gueleys y dull o bentir a doyn<br />Aberthach coelcerth a emdygyn<br />Gueleys +y deu oc eu tre re ry gwydyn<br />O eir nwython ry godessyn<br />Gueleys +y wyr tylluawr gan waur a doyn<br />A phen dyuynwal vrych brein ae knoyn</p> +<p>XCIII.</p> +<p>Gododin gomynnaf oth blegyt<br />Yg gwyd cant en aryal en emwyt<br />A +guarchan mab dwywei da wrhyt<br />Poet yno en vn tyno treissyt<br />Er +pan want maws mor trin<br />Er pan aeth daear ar aneirin<br />Mi neut +ysgaras nat a gododin</p> +<p>XCIV.</p> +<p>Llech llefdir aryf gardith tith ragon<br />Tec ware rac gododin ystre +anhon<br />Ry duc diwyll o win bebyll ar lles tymyr<br />Tymor tymestyl +tra merin llestyr<br />Tra merin llu llu meithlyon<br />Kein gadrawt +rwyd rac riallu<br />O dindywyt en dyuuwyt yn dyvuu<br />Ysgwyt rugyn +rac doleu trin tal vriw vu</p> +<p>XCV.</p> +<p>Dihenyd y bop llaur llanwet<br />Y haual amhal afneuet<br />Twll +tal y rodauc<br />Cas o hir gwychauc<br />Rywynyauc diffret<br />Eil +with gwelydeint amallet<br />Y gat veirch ae seirch greulet<br />Bit +en anysgoget bit get<br />Uoron gwychyrolyon pan ry godet<br />Trwm +en trin a llain yt ladei<br />Gwaro rybud o gat dydygei<br />Gant can +yg calan darmerthei<br />Ef gwenit a dan vab uruei<br />Ef gwenit a +dan dwrch trahauc<br />Un riein a morwyn a menauc<br />A chan oed mab +brenhin teithiaug<br />Ud gwyndyt gwaet kilyd gwaredawc<br />Kyn golo +gweryt ar grud hael etvynt<br />Doeth dygyrchet y get ae glot ae echiauc<br />Uot +bed gorthyn hir o orthir rywynauc</p> +<p>XCVI.</p> +<p>Am drynnv drylav drylen<br />Am lwys am diffwys dywarchen<br />Trihuc +baruaut dreis dili plec hen<br />Atguuc emorem ae guiau hem<br />Hancai +ureuer uragdenn<br />At gwyr a gwydyl a phrydein<br />At gu kelein rein +rud guen<br />Deheuec gwenauwy mab gwen</p> +<p>XCVII.</p> +<p>Am giniav drylav drylen<br />Trym dwys tra diffwys dywarchen<br />Kemp +e lumen arwr baruawt asgell<br />Vreith edrych eidyn a breithell<br />Goruchyd +y lav loften<br />Ar gynt a gwydyl a phryden<br />A chynhyo mwng bleid +heb pren<br />Eny law gnavt gwychlaut ene lenn<br />Prytwyf ny bei marw +morem<br />Deheuec gwenabwy mab gwen</p> +<div class="GutenbergBlankLines3"><br /><br /><br /></div> +<h2>THE GODODIN.</h2> +<div class="GutenbergBlankLines3"><br /><br /><br /></div> +<p>I.</p> +<p>He was a man in mind, in years a youth, <a name="citation79a"></a><a href="#footnote79a">{79a}</a><br />And +gallant in the din of war;<br />Fleet, thick-maned chargers <a name="citation79b"></a><a href="#footnote79b">{79b}</a><br />Were +ridden <a name="citation79c"></a><a href="#footnote79c">{79c}</a> by +the illustrious hero;<br />A shield, light and broad,<br />Hung on the +flank of his swift and slender steed;<br />His sword was blue and gleaming,<br />His +spurs were of gold, <a name="citation80a"></a><a href="#footnote80a">{80a}</a> +his raiment was woollen. <a name="citation80b"></a><a href="#footnote80b">{80b}</a><br />It +will not be my part<br />To speak of thee reproachfully,<br />A more +choice act of mine will be<br />To celebrate thy praise in song;<br />Thou +hast gone to a bloody bier,<br />Sooner than to a nuptial feast; <a name="citation80c"></a><a href="#footnote80c">{80c}</a><br />Thou +hast become a meal for ravens,<br />Ere thou didst reach the front of +conflict. <a name="citation80d"></a><a href="#footnote80d">{80d}</a><br />Alas, +Owain! my beloved friend;<br />It is not meet that he should be devoured +by ravens! <a name="citation81a"></a><a href="#footnote81a">{81a}</a><br />There +is swelling sorrow <a name="citation82a"></a><a href="#footnote82a">{82a}</a> +in the plain,<br />Where fell in death the only son of Marro.</p> +<p>II.</p> +<p>Adorned with his wreath, leader of rustic warriors, <a name="citation82b"></a><a href="#footnote82b">{82b}</a> +whenever he came<br />By his troop unattended, <a name="citation83a"></a><a href="#footnote83a">{83a}</a> +before maidens would he serve the mead;<br />But the front of his shield +would be pierced, <a name="citation83b"></a><a href="#footnote83b">{83b}</a> +if ever he heard<br />The shout of war; no quarter would he give to +those whom he pursued;<br />Nor would he retreat from the combat until +blood flowed;<br />And he cut down like rushes <a name="citation83c"></a><a href="#footnote83c">{83c}</a> +the men who would not yield.<br />The Gododin relates, that on the coast +of Mordei, <a name="citation84a"></a><a href="#footnote84a">{84a}</a><br />Before +the tents of Madog, when he returned,<br />But one man in a hundred +with him came. <a name="citation84b"></a><a href="#footnote84b">{84b}</a></p> +<p>III.</p> +<p>Adorned with his wreath, the chief of toil, his country’s rod +<a name="citation84c"></a><a href="#footnote84c">{84c}</a> of power,<br />Darted +like an eagle <a name="citation84d"></a><a href="#footnote84d">{84d}</a> +to our harbours, <a name="citation84e"></a><a href="#footnote84e">{84e}</a> +when allured<br />To the compact <a name="citation85a"></a><a href="#footnote85a">{85a}</a> +that had been formed; his ensign was beloved, <a name="citation85b"></a><a href="#footnote85b">{85b}</a><br />More +nobly was his emblazoned resolution <a name="citation85c"></a><a href="#footnote85c">{85c}</a> +performed, for he retreated not,<br />With a shrinking mind, <a name="citation85d"></a><a href="#footnote85d">{85d}</a> +before the host of Gododin.<br />Manawyd, <a name="citation85e"></a><a href="#footnote85e">{85e}</a> +with confidence and strength thou pressest upon the tumultuous fight,<br />Nor +dost thou regard <a name="citation86a"></a><a href="#footnote86a">{86a}</a> +either spear or shield;<br />No habitation rich in dainties can be found,<br />That +has been kept out of the reach of thy warriors’ charge. <a name="citation86b"></a><a href="#footnote86b">{86b}</a></p> +<p>IV.</p> +<p>Adorned with a wreath was the leader, <a name="citation87a"></a><a href="#footnote87a">{87a}</a> +the wolf <a name="citation87b"></a><a href="#footnote87b">{87b}</a> +of the holme,<br />Amber beads <a name="citation87c"></a><a href="#footnote87c">{87c}</a> +in ringlets encircled his temples; <a name="citation87d"></a><a href="#footnote87d">{87d}</a><br />Precious +was the amber, worth a banquet of wine. <a name="citation87e"></a><a href="#footnote87e">{87e}</a><br />He +repelled the violence of men, as they glided along;<br />For Venedotia +and the North would have come to his share,<br />By the advice of the +son of Ysgyran, <a name="citation88a"></a><a href="#footnote88a">{88a}</a><br />The +hero of the broken shield. <a name="citation88b"></a><a href="#footnote88b">{88b}</a></p> +<p>V.</p> +<p>Adorned with his wreath was the leader, and armed in the noisy conflict;<br />Chief +object of observation <a name="citation88c"></a><a href="#footnote88c">{88c}</a> +was the hero, and powerful in the gory field,<br />Chief fighter <a name="citation88d"></a><a href="#footnote88d">{88d}</a> +in the advanced division, in front of the hosts;<br />Five battalions +<a name="citation89a"></a><a href="#footnote89a">{89a}</a> fell before +his blades;<br />Even of the men of Deivyr and Bryneich, <a name="citation89b"></a><a href="#footnote89b">{89b}</a> +uttering groans,<br />Twenty hundred perished in one short hour;<br />Sooner +did he feed the wolf <a name="citation90a"></a><a href="#footnote90a">{90a}</a> +with his carcase, than go to the nuptial feast; <a name="citation90b"></a><a href="#footnote90b">{90b}</a><br />He +sooner became the raven’s prey, than approached the altar; <a name="citation90c"></a><a href="#footnote90c">{90c}</a><br />He +had not raised the spear ere his blood streamed to the ground; <a name="citation90d"></a><a href="#footnote90d">{90d}</a><br />This +was the price of mead in the hall, amidst the throng;<br />Hyveidd Hir +<a name="citation90e"></a><a href="#footnote90e">{90e}</a> shall be +celebrated whilst there remains a minstrel.</p> +<p>VI.</p> +<p>The heroes marched to Gododin, and Gognaw laughed, <a name="citation91a"></a><a href="#footnote91a">{91a}</a><br />But +bitter were they in the battle, <a name="citation91b"></a><a href="#footnote91b">{91b}</a> +when they stood arranged according to their several banners;<br />Few +were the years of peace which they had enjoyed;<br />The son of Botgad +caused a throbbing by the energy of his hand;<br />They should have +gone to churches to do penance,<br />The old and the young, the bold +and the mighty; <a name="citation91c"></a><a href="#footnote91c">{91c}</a><br />The +inevitable strife of death was about to pierce them.</p> +<p>VII.</p> +<p>The heroes marched to Gododin, Gwanar <a name="citation92a"></a><a href="#footnote92a">{92a}</a> +laughed,<br />As his jewelled army <a name="citation92b"></a><a href="#footnote92b">{92b}</a> +went down <a name="citation92c"></a><a href="#footnote92c">{92c}</a> +to the terrific toil.<br />Thou slayest them with blades, when there +is not much chattering;<br />Thou, powerful supporter of the living +law, producest the silence of death. <a name="citation92d"></a><a href="#footnote92d">{92d}</a></p> +<p>VIII.</p> +<p>The heroes marched to Cattraeth, loquacious was the host;<br />Blue +<a name="citation93a"></a><a href="#footnote93a">{93a}</a> mead was +their liquor, and it proved their poison; <a name="citation93b"></a><a href="#footnote93b">{93b}</a><br />In +marshalled array they cut through the engines of war; <a name="citation93c"></a><a href="#footnote93c">{93c}</a><br />And +after the joyful cry, silence <a name="citation93d"></a><a href="#footnote93d">{93d}</a> +ensued!<br />They should have gone to churches to perform penance;<br />The +inevitable strife of death was about to pierce them.</p> +<p>IX.</p> +<p>The heroes marched to Cattraeth, filled with mead and drunk,<br />Compact +and vigorous; <a name="citation94a"></a><a href="#footnote94a">{94a}</a> +I should wrong them were I to neglect their fame;<br />Around the mighty, +red, and murky blades,<br />Obstinately and fiercely the dogs of war +<a name="citation94b"></a><a href="#footnote94b">{94b}</a> would fight;<br />If +I had judged you to be of the tribe of Bryneich, <a name="citation94c"></a><a href="#footnote94c">{94c}</a><br />Not +the phantom of a man would I have left alive. <a name="citation94d"></a><a href="#footnote94d">{94d}</a><br />I +lost a friend, myself being unhurt,<br />As he openly withstood the +terror of the parental chief;<br />Magnanimously did he refuse the dowry +of his father-in-law; <a name="citation94e"></a><a href="#footnote94e">{94e}</a><br />Such +was the son of Cian <a name="citation95a"></a><a href="#footnote95a">{95a}</a> +from the stone of Gwyngwn.</p> +<p>X.</p> +<p>The heroes marched to Cattraeth with the dawn;<br />Their peace was +disturbed by those who feared them;<br />A hundred thousand with three +hundred <a name="citation95b"></a><a href="#footnote95b">{95b}</a> engaged +in mutual overthrow;<br />Drenched in gore, they marked the fall of +the lances; <a name="citation96a"></a><a href="#footnote96a">{96a}</a><br />The +post of war <a name="citation96b"></a><a href="#footnote96b">{96b}</a> +was most manfully and with gallantry maintained,<br />Before the retinue +of Mynyddawg the Courteous. <a name="citation96c"></a><a href="#footnote96c">{96c}</a></p> +<p>XI.</p> +<p>The heroes marched to Cattraeth with the dawn;<br />Feelingly did +their relatives <a name="citation96d"></a><a href="#footnote96d">{96d}</a> +regret their absence;<br />Mead they drank, yellow, sweet, ensnaring;<br />That +year is the point to which many <a name="citation96e"></a><a href="#footnote96e">{96e}</a> +a minstrel turns;<br />Redder were their swords than their plumes, <a name="citation97a"></a><a href="#footnote97a">{97a}</a><br />Their +blades were white as lime, <a name="citation97b"></a><a href="#footnote97b">{97b}</a> +and into four parts were their helmets cloven, <a name="citation97c"></a><a href="#footnote97c">{97c}</a><br />Even +those of <a name="citation97d"></a><a href="#footnote97d">{97d}</a> +the retinue of Mynyddawg the Courteous.</p> +<p>XII.</p> +<p>The heroes marched to Cattraeth with the day;<br />Was not the most +celebrated of battles disgraced? <a name="citation97e"></a><a href="#footnote97e">{97e}</a><br />They +put to death <a name="citation98a"></a><a href="#footnote98a">{98a}</a> +Gelorwydd<br />With blades. The gem of Baptism <a name="citation98b"></a><a href="#footnote98b">{98b}</a>was +thus widely taunted;—<br />“Better that you should, ere +you join your kindred,<br />Have a gory unction <a name="citation98c"></a><a href="#footnote98c">{98c}</a> +and death far from your native homes,<br />At the hand of the host of +Gododin, when the day arrives.”<br />Is not a hero’s power +best when tempered with discretion?</p> +<p>XIII.</p> +<p>The hero <a name="citation98d"></a><a href="#footnote98d">{98d}</a> +marched to Cattraeth with the day;<br />Truly <a name="citation99a"></a><a href="#footnote99a">{99a}</a> +he quaffed the white mead on serene nights; <a name="citation99b"></a><a href="#footnote99b">{99b}</a><br />Miserable, +though success had been predicted, <a name="citation99c"></a><a href="#footnote99c">{99c}</a><br />Proved +his mission, which he undertook through soaring ambition; <a name="citation99d"></a><a href="#footnote99d">{99d}</a><br />There +hastened not to Cattraeth<br />A chief, with such a magnificent design +of enterprize<br />Blazoned on his standard;<br />Never was there such +a host<br />From the fort of Eiddin, <a name="citation99e"></a><a href="#footnote99e">{99e}</a><br />That +would scatter abroad the mounted ravagers.<br />Tudvwlch Hir, <a name="citation100a"></a><a href="#footnote100a">{100a}</a> +deprived of <a name="citation100b"></a><a href="#footnote100b">{100b}</a> +his land and towns,<br />Slaughtered the Saxons for seven days; <a name="citation100c"></a><a href="#footnote100c">{100c}</a><br />His +valour should have protected him in freedom; <a name="citation100d"></a><a href="#footnote100d">{100d}</a><br />His +memory is cherished by his fair <a name="citation100e"></a><a href="#footnote100e">{100e}</a> +associates;<br />When Tudvwlch arrived, the supporter of the land, <a name="citation100f"></a><a href="#footnote100f">{100f}</a><br />The +post of the son of Kilydd <a name="citation100g"></a><a href="#footnote100g">{100g}</a> +became a plain of blood.</p> +<p>XIV.</p> +<p>The heroes <a name="citation100h"></a><a href="#footnote100h">{100h}</a> +marched to Cattraeth with the dawn,<br />But none of them received protection +from their shields,<br />To blood they resorted, being assembled in +gleaming armour; <a name="citation101a"></a><a href="#footnote101a">{101a}</a><br />In +the van was, loud as thunder, the din of targets. <a name="citation101b"></a><a href="#footnote101b">{101b}</a><br />The +envious, the fickle, and the base,<br />Would he tear and pierce with +halberts;<br />From an elevated position <a name="citation101c"></a><a href="#footnote101c">{101c}</a> +he slew, with a blade,<br />In iron affliction, <a name="citation101d"></a><a href="#footnote101d">{101d}</a> +their steel-clad commander; <a name="citation101e"></a><a href="#footnote101e">{101e}</a><br />He +subdued the Mordei that owed him homage; <a name="citation101f"></a><a href="#footnote101f">{101f}</a><br />Before +Erthai <a name="citation102a"></a><a href="#footnote102a">{102a}</a> +even an army groaned. <a name="citation102b"></a><a href="#footnote102b">{102b}</a></p> +<p>XV.</p> +<p>When the tale shall be told of the battle of Cattraeth,<br />The +people will utter sighs; <a name="citation102c"></a><a href="#footnote102c">{102c}</a> +long has been their grief on account of the warriors’ absence;<br />There +will be a dominion without a sovereign, <a name="citation102d"></a><a href="#footnote102d">{102d}</a> +and a smoking land.<br />The sons of Godebog, an upright clan,<br />Bore +the furrower <a name="citation102e"></a><a href="#footnote102e">{102e}</a> +on a long bier.<br />Miserable <a name="citation103a"></a><a href="#footnote103a">{103a}</a> +was the fate, though just the necessity,<br />Decreed for Tudvwlch and +Cyvwlch the Tall; <a name="citation103b"></a><a href="#footnote103b">{103b}</a><br />Together +they drank the bright mead by the light <a name="citation103c"></a><a href="#footnote103c">{103c}</a> +of torches, <a name="citation103d"></a><a href="#footnote103d">{103d}</a><br />Though +pleasant to the taste, it proved a lasting foe. <a name="citation103e"></a><a href="#footnote103e">{103e}</a></p> +<p>XVI.</p> +<p>Before, above the splendid fort of Eching <a name="citation103f"></a><a href="#footnote103f">{103f}</a> +he shewed a frowning aspect; <a name="citation103g"></a><a href="#footnote103g">{103g}</a><br />Whilst +young and forward men composed his retinue;<br />Before, on the Bludwe, +<a name="citation104a"></a><a href="#footnote104a">{104a}</a> would +the horn cheer his heart, <a name="citation104b"></a><a href="#footnote104b">{104b}</a><br />Making +all the Mordei full of joy; <a name="citation104c"></a><a href="#footnote104c">{104c}</a><br />Before, +his beverage would be braggett;<br />Before, he displayed the grandeur +of gold and rich purple;<br />Before, pampered steeds would bear him +safe away,<br />Even Gwarthlev, who deserved a comely name; <a name="citation104d"></a><a href="#footnote104d">{104d}</a><br />Before, +the victorious chief would turn aside the ebbing tide;<br />His command +was ever to go forward, <a name="citation105a"></a><a href="#footnote105a">{105a}</a> +loth was he to skulk.</p> +<p>XVII.</p> +<p>And now the early leader,<br />The sun, is about to ascend,<br />Sovereign +of the revolving <a name="citation105b"></a><a href="#footnote105b">{105b}</a> +lights, <a name="citation105c"></a><a href="#footnote105c">{105c}</a><br />In +the heaven of Britain’s isle. <a name="citation105d"></a><a href="#footnote105d">{105d}</a><br />Direful +was the flight before the shaking<br />Of the shield of the pursuing +victor; <a name="citation105e"></a><a href="#footnote105e">{105e}</a><br />Bright +<a name="citation105f"></a><a href="#footnote105f">{105f}</a> was the +horn<br />In the hall of Eiddin; <a name="citation105g"></a><a href="#footnote105g">{105g}</a><br />With +pomp was he bidden <a name="citation105h"></a><a href="#footnote105h">{105h}</a><br />To +the feast of intoxicating mead;<br />He drank the beverage of wine,<br />At +the meeting of reapers; <a name="citation106a"></a><a href="#footnote106a">{106a}</a><br />He +drank transparent wine,<br />With a battle-daring purpose. <a name="citation106b"></a><a href="#footnote106b">{106b}</a><br />The +reapers sang of war,<br />War with the shining wing; <a name="citation106c"></a><a href="#footnote106c">{106c}</a><br />The +minstrels sang of war,<br />Of harnessed <a name="citation106d"></a><a href="#footnote106d">{106d}</a> +war,<br />Of winged war.<br />No shield was unexpanded <a name="citation107a"></a><a href="#footnote107a">{107a}</a><br />In +the conflict of spears;<br />Of equal age they fell <a name="citation107b"></a><a href="#footnote107b">{107b}</a><br />In +the struggle of battle.<br />Unshaken in the tumult,<br />Without dishonour +<a name="citation107c"></a><a href="#footnote107c">{107c}</a> did he +retaliate on the foe;<br />Buried <a name="citation107d"></a><a href="#footnote107d">{107d}</a> +was whoever he willed,<br />Ere the grave of the gigantic <a name="citation107e"></a><a href="#footnote107e">{107e}</a> +Gwrveling<br />Itself became a green sward.</p> +<p>XVIII.</p> +<p>The complement <a name="citation107f"></a><a href="#footnote107f">{107f}</a> +of the surrounding country <a name="citation107g"></a><a href="#footnote107g">{107g}</a><br />Were, +three forward chiefs of the Novantæ; <a name="citation107h"></a><a href="#footnote107h">{107h}</a><br />Five +battalions of five hundred men each; <a name="citation108a"></a><a href="#footnote108a">{108a}</a><br />Three +levies <a name="citation108b"></a><a href="#footnote108b">{108b}</a> +of three hundred each;<br />Three hundred knights of battle <a name="citation108c"></a><a href="#footnote108c">{108c}</a><br />From +Eiddin, arrayed in golden armour;<br />Three loricated hosts,<br />With +three kings wearing the golden torques; <a name="citation108d"></a><a href="#footnote108d">{108d}</a><br />Three +bold knights,<br />With three hundred of equal quality;<br />Three of +the same order, mutually jealous,<br />Bitterly would they chase the +foe,<br />Three dreadful in the toil;<br />They would kill a lion flat +as lead. <a name="citation108e"></a><a href="#footnote108e">{108e}</a><br />There +was in the war a collection of gold. <a name="citation108f"></a><a href="#footnote108f">{108f}</a><br />Three +sovereigns of the people<br />Came from amongst the Brython, <a name="citation109a"></a><a href="#footnote109a">{109a}</a><br />Cynrig +and Cynon <a name="citation109b"></a><a href="#footnote109b">{109b}</a><br />And +Cynrain <a name="citation109c"></a><a href="#footnote109c">{109c}</a> +from Aeron, <a name="citation109d"></a><a href="#footnote109d">{109d}</a><br />To +greet <a name="citation110a"></a><a href="#footnote110a">{110a}</a> +the ashen lances <a name="citation110b"></a><a href="#footnote110b">{110b}</a><br />Of +the men who dropped from Deivyr. <a name="citation110c"></a><a href="#footnote110c">{110c}</a><br />Came +there from the Brython,<br />A better man than Cynon,<br />Who proved +a serpent to his sullen foes?</p> +<p>XIX.</p> +<p>I drank of the wine and the mead of the Mordei;<br />Great was the +quantity of spears,<br />In the assembly of the warriors;<br />He <a name="citation110d"></a><a href="#footnote110d">{110d}</a> +was solemnising a banquet for the eagle.<br />When Cydywal <a name="citation110e"></a><a href="#footnote110e">{110e}</a> +hurried forth to battle, he raised<br />The shout with the green dawn, +and dealt out tribulation, <a name="citation110f"></a><a href="#footnote110f">{110f}</a><br />And +splintered shields about the ground he left,<br />And darts of awful +tearing did he hew down;<br />In the battle, the foremost in the van +he wounded.<br />The son of Syvno, <a name="citation111a"></a><a href="#footnote111a">{111a}</a> +the astronomer, knew,<br />That he who sold his life,<br />In the face +of warning,<br />With sharpened blades would slaughter,<br />But would +himself be slain by spears and crosses. <a name="citation111b"></a><a href="#footnote111b">{111b}</a><br />According +to the compact, <a name="citation111c"></a><a href="#footnote111c">{111c}</a> +he meditated a convenient attack,<br />And would boast <a name="citation111d"></a><a href="#footnote111d">{111d}</a> +of a pile of carcases<br />Of gallant men of toil,<br />Whom in the +upper part of Gwynedd <a name="citation111e"></a><a href="#footnote111e">{111e}</a> +he pierced.</p> +<p>XX.</p> +<p>I drank of the wine and the mead of the Mordei,<br />And because +I drank, I fell by the edge of a gleaming sword, <a name="citation112a"></a><a href="#footnote112a">{112a}</a><br />Not +without desiring a hero’s prowess; <a name="citation112b"></a><a href="#footnote112b">{112b}</a><br />And +when all fell, thou didst also fall. <a name="citation112c"></a><a href="#footnote112c">{112c}</a><br />Thus +when the issue comes, it were well not to have sinned.<br />Present, +in his thrusting course, showed a bold and mighty arm. <a name="citation112d"></a><a href="#footnote112d">{112d}</a></p> +<p>XXI.</p> +<p>The heroes who marched to Cattraeth were renowned,<br />Wine and +mead out of golden goblets was their beverage,<br />That year was to +them one of exalted solemnity,<br />Three hundred and sixty-three chieftains, +wearing the golden torques; <a name="citation113a"></a><a href="#footnote113a">{113a}</a><br />Of +those who hurried forth after the excess of revelling,<br />But three +escaped by valour from the funeral fosse, <a name="citation113b"></a><a href="#footnote113b">{113b}</a><br />The +two war-dogs <a name="citation114a"></a><a href="#footnote114a">{114a}</a> +of Aeron, and Cynon the dauntless, <a name="citation114b"></a><a href="#footnote114b">{114b}</a><br />And +myself, from the spilling of blood, the reward of my candid song. <a name="citation114c"></a><a href="#footnote114c">{114c}</a></p> +<p>XXII.</p> +<p>My friend in real distress, we should have been by none disturbed,<br />Had +not the white-bannered commander <a name="citation115a"></a><a href="#footnote115a">{115a}</a> +led forth his army;<br />We should not <a name="citation115b"></a><a href="#footnote115b">{115b}</a> +have been separated in the hall from the banquet of mead,<br />Had he +not laid waste our convenient groves; <a name="citation115c"></a><a href="#footnote115c">{115c}</a><br />He +crept into the martial field, he crept into our families. <a name="citation115d"></a><a href="#footnote115d">{115d}</a><br />The +Gododin relates how that, after the fight in the fosse,<br />When we +had no dwellings, <a name="citation116a"></a><a href="#footnote116a">{116a}</a> +none were more destitute. <a name="citation116b"></a><a href="#footnote116b">{116b}</a></p> +<p>XXIII.</p> +<p>Scattered, broken, motionless is the weapon, <a name="citation116c"></a><a href="#footnote116c">{116c}</a><br />That +used to penetrate through the great horde, <a name="citation116d"></a><a href="#footnote116d">{116d}</a> +the numerous <a name="citation117a"></a><a href="#footnote117a">{117a}</a> +horde of the Lloegrians. <a name="citation117b"></a><a href="#footnote117b">{117b}</a><br />Shields +were strewn on the sea coast, <a name="citation117c"></a><a href="#footnote117c">{117c}</a> +shields in the battle of lances;<br />Men were reduced to ashes, <a name="citation117d"></a><a href="#footnote117d">{117d}</a><br />And +women rendered widows,<br />Before his death. <a name="citation117e"></a><a href="#footnote117e">{117e}</a><br />O +Graid, son of Hoewgi, <a name="citation117f"></a><a href="#footnote117f">{117f}</a><br />With +thy spears<br />Didst thou cause an effusion of blood.</p> +<p>XXIV.</p> +<p>There was the hero, with both his shoulders covered, <a name="citation118a"></a><a href="#footnote118a">{118a}</a><br />By +a variegated shield, and possessing the swiftness of a warlike steed;<br />There +was a noise in the mount of slaughter, <a name="citation118b"></a><a href="#footnote118b">{118b}</a> +there was fire, <a name="citation118c"></a><a href="#footnote118c">{118c}</a><br />Impetuous +were the lances, there was a sunny gleam, <a name="citation118d"></a><a href="#footnote118d">{118d}</a><br />There +was food for ravens, the raven there did triumph, <a name="citation118e"></a><a href="#footnote118e">{118e}</a><br />And +before he would let them go free,<br />With the morning dew, like the +eagle in his glad course,<br />He scattered them on either side, and +like a billow overwhelmed them in front.<br />The Bards of the world +judge those to be men of valour,<br />Whose counsels are not divulged +to slaves. <a name="citation119a"></a><a href="#footnote119a">{119a}</a><br />The +spears in the hands of the warriors were causing devastation;<br />And +ere was interred under <a name="citation119b"></a><a href="#footnote119b">{119b}</a> +the swan-white steed, <a name="citation119c"></a><a href="#footnote119c">{119c}</a><br />One +who had been energetic in his commands,<br />His gore had thoroughly +washed his armour: <a name="citation119d"></a><a href="#footnote119d">{119d}</a><br />Such +was Buddvan, <a name="citation119e"></a><a href="#footnote119e">{119e}</a> +the son of Bleiddvan the Bold.</p> +<p>XXV.</p> +<p>It were wrong not to record his magnificent feat;<br />He would not +leave an open gap, through cowardice; <a name="citation120a"></a><a href="#footnote120a">{120a}</a><br />The +benefit of Britain’s minstrels never quitted his court<br />Upon +the calends of January; <a name="citation120b"></a><a href="#footnote120b">{120b}</a> +according to his design, <a name="citation120c"></a><a href="#footnote120c">{120c}</a><br />His +land should not be ploughed, though it might become wild;<br />He was +a mighty dragon of indignant disposition;<br />A commander in the bloody +field, <a name="citation120d"></a><a href="#footnote120d">{120d}</a> +after the feast of wine,<br />Was Gwenabwy <a name="citation121a"></a><a href="#footnote121a">{121a}</a> +the son of Gwên, <a name="citation121b"></a><a href="#footnote121b">{121b}</a> +in the strife of Cattraeth.</p> +<p>XXVI.</p> +<p>True it was, as the songs relate, <a name="citation121c"></a><a href="#footnote121c">{121c}</a><br />No +one’s steeds <a name="citation121d"></a><a href="#footnote121d">{121d}</a> +overtook Marchleu;<br />The lances <a name="citation121e"></a><a href="#footnote121e">{121e}</a> +hurled by the commanding earl,<br />In his prancing career, <a name="citation121f"></a><a href="#footnote121f">{121f}</a> +strewed a thick path;<br />As he had been reared for slaughter by the +aid of my mother, <a name="citation121g"></a><a href="#footnote121g">{121g}</a><br />Furious +was the stroke of his sword whilst lending support to others; <a name="citation121h"></a><a href="#footnote121h">{121h}</a><br />Ashen +shafts were scattered from the grasp of his hand, <a name="citation122a"></a><a href="#footnote122a">{122a}</a><br />Above +the narrow summit <a name="citation122b"></a><a href="#footnote122b">{122b}</a> +of the solemn pile, <a name="citation122c"></a><a href="#footnote122c">{122c}</a><br />The +place where one caused the smoke to ascend; <a name="citation122d"></a><a href="#footnote122d">{122d}</a><br />He +would slaughter with the blade, whilst his arms were full of furze; +<a name="citation122e"></a><a href="#footnote122e">{122e}</a><br />As +when a reaping comes in the interval of fine weather, <a name="citation122f"></a><a href="#footnote122f">{122f}</a><br />Would +Marchleu <a name="citation123a"></a><a href="#footnote123a">{123a}</a> +make the blood to flow.</p> +<p>XXVII.</p> +<p>Lower down <a name="citation123b"></a><a href="#footnote123b">{123b}</a> +was sent from the southern region, <a name="citation123c"></a><a href="#footnote123c">{123c}</a><br />One +whose conduct <a name="citation123d"></a><a href="#footnote123d">{123d}</a> +resembled the flowing sea; <a name="citation123e"></a><a href="#footnote123e">{123e}</a><br />He +was full of modesty and gentleness,<br />When allowed to quaff the mead:<br />But +along the rampart to Offer, <a name="citation123f"></a><a href="#footnote123f">{123f}</a> +even to the point of Maddeu, <a name="citation123g"></a><a href="#footnote123g">{123g}</a><br />Enraged, +he was glutted with carnage, and scattering, with desolation; <a name="citation124a"></a><a href="#footnote124a">{124a}</a><br />His +sword resounded on the heads of mothers;<br />He was an ardent spirit, +<a name="citation124b"></a><a href="#footnote124b">{124b}</a> praise +be to him, the son of Gwyddneu. <a name="citation124c"></a><a href="#footnote124c">{124c}</a></p> +<p>XXVIII.</p> +<p>Caredig, <a name="citation124d"></a><a href="#footnote124d">{124d}</a> +lovely is his fame;<br />He would protect and guard his ensign,<br />Gentle, +<a name="citation125a"></a><a href="#footnote125a">{125a}</a> lowly, +calm, before the day arrived<br />When he the pomp of war should learn;<br />When +comes the appointed time of the friend of song, <a name="citation125b"></a><a href="#footnote125b">{125b}</a><br />May +he recognise his home in the heavenly region.</p> +<p>XXIX.</p> +<p>Ceredig, <a name="citation125c"></a><a href="#footnote125c">{125c}</a> +amiable leader,<br />A wrestler <a name="citation126a"></a><a href="#footnote126a">{126a}</a> +in the impetuous <a name="citation126b"></a><a href="#footnote126b">{126b}</a> +fight;<br />His golden shield dazzled <a name="citation126c"></a><a href="#footnote126c">{126c}</a> +the field of battle,<br />His lances, when darted, were shivered into +splinters,<br />And the stroke of his sword was fierce and penetrating;<br />Like +a hero would he maintain his post.<br />Before he received the affliction +of earth, <a name="citation126d"></a><a href="#footnote126d">{126d}</a> +before the fatal blow,<br />He had fulfilled his duty in guarding his +station.<br />May he find a complete reception<br />With the Trinity +in perfect Unity.</p> +<p>XXX.</p> +<p>When Caradawg <a name="citation126e"></a><a href="#footnote126e">{126e}</a> +rushed into battle,<br />It was like the tearing onset of the woodland +boar; <a name="citation127a"></a><a href="#footnote127a">{127a}</a><br />Bull +of the army in the mangling fight,<br />He allured the wild dogs by +the action of his hand; <a name="citation127b"></a><a href="#footnote127b">{127b}</a><br />My +witnesses <a name="citation127c"></a><a href="#footnote127c">{127c}</a> +are Owain the son of Eulat,<br />And Gwrien, and Gwynn, and Gwriad; +<a name="citation127d"></a><a href="#footnote127d">{127d}</a><br />But +from Cattraeth, and its work of carnage, <a name="citation127e"></a><a href="#footnote127e">{127e}</a><br />From +the hill of Hydwn, ere it was gained, <a name="citation127f"></a><a href="#footnote127f">{127f}</a><br />After +the clear mead was put into his hand,<br />He saw no more the hill <a name="citation128a"></a><a href="#footnote128a">{128a}</a> +of his father.</p> +<p>XXXI.</p> +<p>The warriors marched with speed, together they bounded onward;<br />Short +lived were they,—they had become drunk over the distilled mead.<br />The +retinue of Mynyddawg, renowned <a name="citation128b"></a><a href="#footnote128b">{128b}</a> +in the hour of need;<br />Their life was the price of their banquet +of mead.<br />Caradawg, <a name="citation128c"></a><a href="#footnote128c">{128c}</a> +and Madawg, <a name="citation128d"></a><a href="#footnote128d">{128d}</a> +Pyll, and Ieuan,<br />Gwgawn, <a name="citation129a"></a><a href="#footnote129a">{129a}</a> +and Gwiawn, Gwynn <a name="citation129b"></a><a href="#footnote129b">{129b}</a> +and Cynvan,<br />Peredur <a name="citation129c"></a><a href="#footnote129c">{129c}</a> +with steel arms, Gwawrddur, <a name="citation129d"></a><a href="#footnote129d">{129d}</a> +and Aeddan; <a name="citation129e"></a><a href="#footnote129e">{129e}</a><br />A +defence were they in the tumult, though with shattered shields; <a name="citation130a"></a><a href="#footnote130a">{130a}</a><br />When +they were slain, they also slaughtered;<br />Not one to his native home +returned.</p> +<p>XXXII.</p> +<p>The heroes marched with speed, together were they regaled<br />That +year over mead, and mighty was their design;<br />How sad to mention +them, <a name="citation130b"></a><a href="#footnote130b">{130b}</a> +how doleful their commemoration! <a name="citation130c"></a><a href="#footnote130c">{130c}</a><br />Poison +is the home to which they have returned, they are not as sons by mothers +nursed; <a name="citation130d"></a><a href="#footnote130d">{130d}</a><br />How +long our vexation, how long our regret,<br />For the brave warriors, +whose native place was the feast of wine! <a name="citation130e"></a><a href="#footnote130e">{130e}</a><br />Gwlyget +<a name="citation131a"></a><a href="#footnote131a">{131a}</a> of Gododin, +having partaken of the speech inspiring<br />Banquet of Mynyddawg, performed +illustrious deeds, <a name="citation131b"></a><a href="#footnote131b">{131b}</a><br />And +paid a price <a name="citation131c"></a><a href="#footnote131c">{131c}</a> +for the purchase of the battle of Cattraeth.</p> +<p>XXXIII.</p> +<p>The heroes went to Cattraeth in marshalled array, and with shout +of war, <a name="citation131d"></a><a href="#footnote131d">{131d}</a><br />With +powerful steeds, <a name="citation131e"></a><a href="#footnote131e">{131e}</a> +and dark brown harness, and with shields,<br />With uplifted <a name="citation131f"></a><a href="#footnote131f">{131f}</a> +javelins, and piercing lances,<br />With glittering mail, and with swords.<br />He +excelled, and penetrated through the host,<br />Five battalions fell +before his blade;<br />Rhuvawn Hir, <a name="citation132a"></a><a href="#footnote132a">{132a}</a>—he +gave gold <a name="citation132b"></a><a href="#footnote132b">{132b}</a> +to the altar,<br />And gifts and precious stones <a name="citation132c"></a><a href="#footnote132c">{132c}</a> +to the minstrel.</p> +<p>XXXIV.</p> +<p>No hall <a name="citation132d"></a><a href="#footnote132d">{132d}</a> +was ever made so eminently perfect,<br />So great, so magnificent for +the slaughter; <a name="citation133a"></a><a href="#footnote133a">{133a}</a><br />Morien +<a name="citation133b"></a><a href="#footnote133b">{133b}</a> procured +<a name="citation133c"></a><a href="#footnote133c">{133c}</a> and spread +the fire,<br />And would not say but that Cynon <a name="citation133d"></a><a href="#footnote133d">{133d}</a> +should see <a name="citation133e"></a><a href="#footnote133e">{133e}</a> +the corpse<br />Of one harnessed, armed with a pike, and of a wide spread +fame; <a name="citation133f"></a><a href="#footnote133f">{133f}</a><br />His +sword resounded on the summit occupied by the camp, <a name="citation133g"></a><a href="#footnote133g">{133g}</a><br />Nor +was he moved <a name="citation134a"></a><a href="#footnote134a">{134a}</a> +aside in his course by a ponderous stone from the wall of the fort, +<a name="citation134b"></a><a href="#footnote134b">{134b}</a><br />And +never again will the son of Peithan <a name="citation134c"></a><a href="#footnote134c">{134c}</a> +be moved.</p> +<p>XXXV.</p> +<p>No hall was ever made so impregnable; <a name="citation134d"></a><a href="#footnote134d">{134d}</a><br />Had +not Morien been like Caradawg, <a name="citation134e"></a><a href="#footnote134e">{134e}</a><br />The +forward Mynawg, <a name="citation134f"></a><a href="#footnote134f">{134f}</a> +with his heavy armour, <a name="citation134g"></a><a href="#footnote134g">{134g}</a> +would not have escaped;<br />Enraged, he was fiercer than the son of +Pherawg, <a name="citation135a"></a><a href="#footnote135a">{135a}</a><br />Stout +his hand, and, mounted on his steed, <a name="citation135b"></a><a href="#footnote135b">{135b}</a> +he dealt out flames upon the retreating foe.<br />Terrible in the city +was the cry of the timid multitude,<br />The van of the army of Gododin +was scattered;<br />His buckler <a name="citation135c"></a><a href="#footnote135c">{135c}</a> +was winged with fire for the slaughter;<br />In the day of his wrath +<a name="citation135d"></a><a href="#footnote135d">{135d}</a> he was +nimble—a destructive retaliator;<br />The dependants of Mynyddawg +deserved their horns of mead.</p> +<p>XXXVI.</p> +<p>No hall was ever made so immoveable<br />As that of Cynon with the +gentle breast, sovereign of the saints; <a name="citation135e"></a><a href="#footnote135e">{135e}</a><br />He +sat no longer on his elevated throne, <a name="citation136a"></a><a href="#footnote136a">{136a}</a><br />Whom +he pierced were not pierced again, <a name="citation136b"></a><a href="#footnote136b">{136b}</a><br />Keen +was the point of his lance,<br />It perforated the enamelled armour, +it penetrated through the troops;<br />Swift in the van were his horses, +in front they tore along;<br />In the day of his anger <a name="citation136c"></a><a href="#footnote136c">{136c}</a> +blasting was his blade,<br />When Cynon rushed into battle with the +green dawn.</p> +<p>XXXVII.</p> +<p>A grievous descent was made upon his native territory;<br />He <a name="citation136d"></a><a href="#footnote136d">{136d}</a> +suffered an encroachment—he fixed a limit;<br />His spear forcibly +pushed the laughing chiefs of war;<br />Even as far as Ephyd <a name="citation137a"></a><a href="#footnote137a">{137a}</a> +reached the valour of the forward Elphin:<br />The furze was kindled +by the ardent spirit, the bull of conflict.</p> +<p>XXXVIII.</p> +<p>A grievous descent was made upon his native territory,<br />The price +of mead in the hall, and the feast of wine;<br />His blades were scattered +about between the two hosts;<br />Illustrious was the knight in front +of Gododin;<br />The furze was kindled by the ardent spirit, the bull +of conflict. <a name="citation138a"></a><a href="#footnote138a">{138a}</a></p> +<p>XXXIX.</p> +<p>A grievous descent was made in front of the extended riches, <a name="citation138b"></a><a href="#footnote138b">{138b}</a><br />But +the army turned aside, with trailing <a name="citation138c"></a><a href="#footnote138c">{138c}</a> +shields,<br />And those shields were shivered before the herd of the +roaring Beli. <a name="citation138d"></a><a href="#footnote138d">{138d}</a><br />A +dwarf from the bloody field hastened to the fence; <a name="citation139a"></a><a href="#footnote139a">{139a}</a><br />And +on our side there came a hoary headed man, our chief counsellor, <a name="citation139b"></a><a href="#footnote139b">{139b}</a><br />Mounted +on a prancing iebald psteed, and wearing the golden chain.<br />The +Boar <a name="citation139c"></a><a href="#footnote139c">{139c}</a> proposed +a compact in front of the course—the great plotter;<br />Right +worthy <a name="citation139d"></a><a href="#footnote139d">{139d}</a> +was the shout of our refusal,<br />And we cried “Let heaven be +our protection,<br />Let his compact be that he should be prostrated +by the spear in battle, <a name="citation139e"></a><a href="#footnote139e">{139e}</a><br />Our +warriors, in respect of their far famed fosse, <a name="citation139f"></a><a href="#footnote139f">{139f}</a><br />Would +not quarrel if a host were there to press the ground.”</p> +<p>XL.</p> +<p>For the piercing <a name="citation140a"></a><a href="#footnote140a">{140a}</a> +of the skilful and most learned man, <a name="citation140b"></a><a href="#footnote140b">{140b}</a><br />For +the fair corpse which fell prostrate on the ground,<br />For the cutting +<a name="citation140c"></a><a href="#footnote140c">{140c}</a> of his +hair from his head,<br />For Gwydien, the eagle of the air, <a name="citation140d"></a><a href="#footnote140d">{140d}</a><br />Did +Gwyddwg <a name="citation141a"></a><a href="#footnote141a">{141a}</a> +bring protection to the field, <a name="citation141b"></a><a href="#footnote141b">{141b}</a><br />Resembling +and honouring his master.<br />Morien of the blessed song, brought protection<br />To +the ruined hall, <a name="citation141c"></a><a href="#footnote141c">{141c}</a> +and cleft the heads<br />Of the first in youth, in strength, and in +old age.<br />Equal to three men, though a maid, was Bradwen; <a name="citation141d"></a><a href="#footnote141d">{141d}</a><br />Equal +to twelve was Gwenabwy, the son of Gwen. <a name="citation141e"></a><a href="#footnote141e">{141e}</a></p> +<p>XLI.</p> +<p>For the piercing of the skilful and most learned woman,<br />Her +servant bore a shield in the action,<br />And with energy his sword +fell upon the heads of the foe;<br />In Lloegyr the churls cut their +way before the chieftain. <a name="citation142a"></a><a href="#footnote142a">{142a}</a><br />He +who grasps the mane of a wolf, without a club <a name="citation142b"></a><a href="#footnote142b">{142b}</a><br />In +his hand, will have it gorgeously emblazoned on his robe. <a name="citation142c"></a><a href="#footnote142c">{142c}</a><br />In +the engagement of wrath and carnage,<br />Bradwen perished,—she +did not escape.</p> +<p>XLII.</p> +<p>Carcases <a name="citation142d"></a><a href="#footnote142d">{142d}</a> +of gold mailed warriors lay upon the city walls;<br />None of the houses +or cities of Christians <a name="citation142e"></a><a href="#footnote142e">{142e}</a> +was any longer actively engaged in war; <a name="citation142f"></a><a href="#footnote142f">{142f}</a><br />But +one feeble man, with his shouts, kept aloof<br />The roving birds; <a name="citation143a"></a><a href="#footnote143a">{143a}</a><br />Truly +Syll of Virein <a name="citation143b"></a><a href="#footnote143b">{143b}</a> +reports that there were more<br />That had chanced to come from Llwy, +<a name="citation143c"></a><a href="#footnote143c">{143c}</a><br />From +around the inlet of the flood;<br />He reports that there were more,<br />At +the hour of mattins, <a name="citation143d"></a><a href="#footnote143d">{143d}</a><br />Than +the morning breeze could well support.</p> +<p>XLIII.</p> +<p>When thou, famous conqueror!<br />Wast protecting the ear of corn +in the uplands,<br />Deservedly were we said to run <a name="citation144a"></a><a href="#footnote144a">{144a}</a> +like marked men; <a name="citation144b"></a><a href="#footnote144b">{144b}</a><br />The +entrance to Din Drei <a name="citation144c"></a><a href="#footnote144c">{144c}</a> +was not guarded,<br />There was a mountain with riches <a name="citation144d"></a><a href="#footnote144d">{144d}</a> +for those who should approach it,<br />And there was a city <a name="citation144e"></a><a href="#footnote144e">{144e}</a> +for the army that should venture to enter;<br />But Gwynwydd’s +name was not heard where his person was not seen. <a name="citation144f"></a><a href="#footnote144f">{144f}</a></p> +<p>XLIV.</p> +<p>Though there be a hundred men in one house,<br />I know the cares +of war, <a name="citation145a"></a><a href="#footnote145a">{145a}</a><br />The +chief of the men must pay the contribution. <a name="citation145b"></a><a href="#footnote145b">{145b}</a></p> +<p>LXV.</p> +<p>I am not headstrong and petulant,<br />I will not avenge myself on +him who drives me on, <a name="citation145c"></a><a href="#footnote145c">{145c}</a><br />I +will not laugh in derision;<br />This particle <a name="citation145d"></a><a href="#footnote145d">{145d}</a> +shall go under foot. <a name="citation145e"></a><a href="#footnote145e">{145e}</a><br />My +limbs <a name="citation145f"></a><a href="#footnote145f">{145f}</a> +are racked,<br />And I am loaded, <a name="citation146a"></a><a href="#footnote146a">{146a}</a><br />In +the subterraneous house;<br />An iron chain<br />Passes over my two +knees;<br />Yet of the mead and of the horn, <a name="citation146b"></a><a href="#footnote146b">{146b}</a><br />And +of the host of Cattraeth,<br />I Aneurin will sing <a name="citation146c"></a><a href="#footnote146c">{146c}</a><br />What +is known to Taliesin,<br />Who communicates to me his thoughts, <a name="citation146d"></a><a href="#footnote146d">{146d}</a><br />Or +a strain of Gododin,<br />Before the dawn of the bright day. <a name="citation146e"></a><a href="#footnote146e">{146e}</a></p> +<p>XLVI.</p> +<p>The chief exploit of the North <a name="citation146f"></a><a href="#footnote146f">{146f}</a> +did the hero accomplish,<br />Of a gentle breast, a more liberal lord +could not be seen,<br />Earth does not support, <a name="citation147a"></a><a href="#footnote147a">{147a}</a> +nor has mother borne<br />Such an illustrious, powerful, steel clad +warrior;<br />By the force of his gleaming sword he protected me,<br />From +the cruel subterraneous prison he brought me out,<br />From the chamber +of death, from a hostile region;<br />Such was Ceneu, son of Llywarch, +energetic and bold. <a name="citation147b"></a><a href="#footnote147b">{147b}</a></p> +<p>XLVII.</p> +<p>He would not bear the reproach of a congress, <a name="citation147c"></a><a href="#footnote147c">{147c}</a><br />Senyllt, +<a name="citation147d"></a><a href="#footnote147d">{147d}</a> with his +vessels full of mead;—<br />His sword rang <a name="citation148a"></a><a href="#footnote148a">{148a}</a> +for deeds of violence,<br />He shouted and bounded with aid for the +war,<br />And with his arm proved a comprehensive <a name="citation148b"></a><a href="#footnote148b">{148b}</a> +support, <a name="citation148c"></a><a href="#footnote148c">{148c}</a><br />Against +the armies of Gododin and Bryneich.<br />Booths for the horses were +prepared in the hall, <a name="citation148d"></a><a href="#footnote148d">{148d}</a><br />There +was streaming gore, and dark brown harness,<br />And from his hand issued +a thread <a name="citation148e"></a><a href="#footnote148e">{148e}</a> +of gleam; <a name="citation148f"></a><a href="#footnote148f">{148f}</a><br />Like +a hunter shooting with the bow<br />Was Gwen; <a name="citation148g"></a><a href="#footnote148g">{148g}</a> +and the attacking parties mutually pushed each other,<br />Friend and +foe by turns;<br />The warriors did not cut their way to flee, <a name="citation148h"></a><a href="#footnote148h">{148h}</a><br />But +were the generous defenders of every region.</p> +<p>XLVIII.</p> +<p>To Llech Leucu, <a name="citation149a"></a><a href="#footnote149a">{149a}</a> +the land of Lleu, <a name="citation149b"></a><a href="#footnote149b">{149b}</a> +and Lleudvre, <a name="citation149c"></a><a href="#footnote149c">{149c}</a><br />To +the course of Gododin,<br />And to the course of Ragno, close at hand,<br />Even +that hand which directed the splendour of battle,<br />With the branch +of Caerwys, <a name="citation149d"></a><a href="#footnote149d">{149d}</a><br />Before +it was shattered<br />By the season of the storm,—by the storm +of the season, <a name="citation149e"></a><a href="#footnote149e">{149e}</a><br />To +form a rank against a hundred thousand men, <a name="citation149f"></a><a href="#footnote149f">{149f}</a><br />Coming +from Dindovydd,<br />In the region of Dyvneint, <a name="citation150a"></a><a href="#footnote150a">{150a}</a><br />Deeply +did they design, <a name="citation150b"></a><a href="#footnote150b">{150b}</a><br />Sharply +did they pierce,<br />Wholly did they chant,<br />Even the army with +the battered shields;<br />And before the bull of conflict,<br />The +hostile van was broken.</p> +<p>XLIX.</p> +<p>The foes have in sorrow greatly trembled,<br />Since the battle of +most active tumult,<br />At the border of Ban Carw; <a name="citation150c"></a><a href="#footnote150c">{150c}</a><br />Round +the border of Ban Carw<br />The fingers of Brych <a name="citation150d"></a><a href="#footnote150d">{150d}</a> +were hurt by the shaft of a spear. <a name="citation150e"></a><a href="#footnote150e">{150e}</a><br />In +defence of Pwyll, <a name="citation150f"></a><a href="#footnote150f">{150f}</a> +of Disteir and Distar,<br />In defence of Pwyll, of Rodri, and of Rhychwardd,<br />A +stout <a name="citation151a"></a><a href="#footnote151a">{151a}</a> +bow was spent by Rhys <a name="citation151b"></a><a href="#footnote151b">{151b}</a> +in Rhiwdrech;<br />They that were not bold would not attain their purpose;<br />None +escaped that was once overtaken and pierced. <a name="citation151c"></a><a href="#footnote151c">{151c}</a></p> +<p>L.</p> +<p>Not meetly was his buckler pierced<br />Upon the flank of his steed; +<a name="citation151d"></a><a href="#footnote151d">{151d}</a><br />Not +meetly did he mount <a name="citation152a"></a><a href="#footnote152a">{152a}</a><br />His +long legged, slender, grey charger;<br />Dark was his shaft, dark,<br />Darker +was his saddle; <a name="citation152b"></a><a href="#footnote152b">{152b}</a><br />Thy +hero <a name="citation152c"></a><a href="#footnote152c">{152c}</a> is +in a cell, <a name="citation152d"></a><a href="#footnote152d">{152d}</a><br />Gnawing +the shoulder of a buck, <a name="citation152e"></a><a href="#footnote152e">{152e}</a><br />May +his hand triumph,<br />But far be the shoulder of venison. <a name="citation152f"></a><a href="#footnote152f">{152f}</a></p> +<p>LI.</p> +<p>It is well that Adonwy came to the support of Gwen; <a name="citation153a"></a><a href="#footnote153a">{153a}</a><br />Bradwen +<a name="citation153b"></a><a href="#footnote153b">{153b}</a> abandoned +the foaming brine,<br />And fought, slaughtered, and burned, though +Morien<br />She did not surpass in martial deeds.<br />Thou didst not +regard the rear or the van<br />Of the towering, unhelmetted <a name="citation153c"></a><a href="#footnote153c">{153c}</a> +presence;<br />Thou didst not observe the great swelling sea of knights,<br />That +would mangle, and grant no shelter to the Saxons. <a name="citation153d"></a><a href="#footnote153d">{153d}</a></p> +<p>LII.</p> +<p>Gododin! in respect of thee will I demand <a name="citation154a"></a><a href="#footnote154a">{154a}</a><br />The +dales beyond the ridge of Drum Essyd; <a name="citation154b"></a><a href="#footnote154b">{154b}</a><br />The +slave, <a name="citation154c"></a><a href="#footnote154c">{154c}</a> +greedy of wealth, cannot control himself;<br />By the counsel of thy +son, <a name="citation154d"></a><a href="#footnote154d">{154d}</a> let +thy valour shine forth.<br />The place appointed for the conference<br />Was +not mean, <a name="citation154e"></a><a href="#footnote154e">{154e}</a> +in front of Llanveithin; <a name="citation154f"></a><a href="#footnote154f">{154f}</a><br />From +twilight to twilight he revelled; <a name="citation154g"></a><a href="#footnote154g">{154g}</a><br />Splendid +and full was the purple of the pilgrim; <a name="citation154h"></a><a href="#footnote154h">{154h}</a><br />He +killed the defenceless, <a name="citation154i"></a><a href="#footnote154i">{154i}</a> +the delight of the bulwark of toil, <a name="citation154j"></a><a href="#footnote154j">{154j}</a><br />His +inseparable companion, whose voice was like that of Aneurin. <a name="citation155a"></a><a href="#footnote155a">{155a}</a></p> +<p>LIII.</p> +<p>Together arise the foremost fighting warriors, <a name="citation155b"></a><a href="#footnote155b">{155b}</a><br />And +in a body march to Cattraeth, with noise and eager speed;<br />The effects +<a name="citation155c"></a><a href="#footnote155c">{155c}</a> of the +mead in the hall, and of the beverage of wine.<br />Blades were scattered +between the two armies<br />By an illustrious knight, in front of Gododin.<br />Furze +was set on fire by the ardent spirit, the bull of battle. <a name="citation155d"></a><a href="#footnote155d">{155d}</a></p> +<p>LIV.</p> +<p>Together arise the expert warriors,<br />And the stranger, <a name="citation155e"></a><a href="#footnote155e">{155e}</a> +the man with the crimson robe, pursue;<br />The encampment is broken +down by the gorgeous pilgrim, <a name="citation156a"></a><a href="#footnote156a">{156a}</a><br />Where +the young deer were in full melody. <a name="citation156b"></a><a href="#footnote156b">{156b}</a><br />Amongst +the spears of Brych <a name="citation156c"></a><a href="#footnote156c">{156c}</a> +thou couldst see no rods; <a name="citation156d"></a><a href="#footnote156d">{156d}</a><br />With +the base the worthy can have no concord; <a name="citation156e"></a><a href="#footnote156e">{156e}</a><br />Morial +<a name="citation156f"></a><a href="#footnote156f">{156f}</a> in pursuit +will not countenance their dishonourable deeds,<br />With his steel +blade ready for the effusion of blood.</p> +<p>LV.</p> +<p>Together arise the associated <a name="citation156g"></a><a href="#footnote156g">{156g}</a> +warriors,<br />Strangers to the country, their deeds shall be proclaimed;<br />There +was slaughtering with axes and blades, <a name="citation157a"></a><a href="#footnote157a">{157a}</a><br />And +there was raising large cairns over the heroes of toil.</p> +<p>LVI.</p> +<p>The experienced <a name="citation157b"></a><a href="#footnote157b">{157b}</a> +warriors met together,<br />And all with one accord sallied forth; <a name="citation157c"></a><a href="#footnote157c">{157c}</a><br />Short +were their lives, long is the grief of those who loved them;<br />Seven +times their number of Lloegrians had they slain;<br />After the conflict +their wives <a name="citation157d"></a><a href="#footnote157d">{157d}</a> +raised a scream; <a name="citation157e"></a><a href="#footnote157e">{157e}</a><br />And +many a mother has the tear on her eyelash.</p> +<p>LVII.</p> +<p>No hall was ever made so faultless;<br />Nor was there a lion so +generous, a majestic lion on the path, so kind <a name="citation158a"></a><a href="#footnote158a">{158a}</a><br />As +Cynon of the gentle breast, the most comely lord.<br />The fame <a name="citation158b"></a><a href="#footnote158b">{158b}</a> +of the city extends to the remotest parts;<br />It was the staying <a name="citation158c"></a><a href="#footnote158c">{158c}</a> +shelter of the army, the benefit of flowing melody. <a name="citation158d"></a><a href="#footnote158d">{158d}</a><br />Of +those whom I have seen, or shall hereafter see<br />On earth, engaged +in arms, the battle cry, and war, <a name="citation159a"></a><a href="#footnote159a">{159a}</a> +the most heroic was he,<br />Who slew the mounted ravagers with the +keenest blade;<br />Like rushes did they fall before his hand.<br />O +son of Clydno, <a name="citation159b"></a><a href="#footnote159b">{159b}</a> +of lasting <a name="citation159c"></a><a href="#footnote159c">{159c}</a> +fame! I will sing to thee<br />A song of praise, without beginning, +<a name="citation159d"></a><a href="#footnote159d">{159d}</a> without +end.</p> +<p>LVIII.</p> +<p>After the feast of wine and the banquet of mead,<br />Enriched with +the first fruits of slaughter,<br />The mother of Spoliation, <a name="citation159e"></a><a href="#footnote159e">{159e}</a><br />Was +the energetic Eidol; <a name="citation159f"></a><a href="#footnote159f">{159f}</a><br />He +honoured the mount of the van, <a name="citation160a"></a><a href="#footnote160a">{160a}</a><br />In +the presence of Victory.<br />The hovering ravens,<br />Ascend in the +sky; <a name="citation160b"></a><a href="#footnote160b">{160b}</a><br />The +foremost spearmen around him thicken, <a name="citation160c"></a><a href="#footnote160c">{160c}</a><br />Like +a crop of green barley, <a name="citation160d"></a><a href="#footnote160d">{160d}</a><br />Without +the semblance of a retreat.<br />Warriors in wonder shake their javelins,<br />With +pouting and pallid lips,<br />Caused by the keenness of the destructive +sword;<br />From the front of the banquet, deprived of sleep<br />They +vigorously spring forth, <a name="citation161a"></a><a href="#footnote161a">{161a}</a> +upon the awaking<br />Of the mother <a name="citation161b"></a><a href="#footnote161b">{161b}</a> +of the Lance, the leader of the din.</p> +<p>LIX.</p> +<p>From the feast of wine and the banquet of mead, they marched<br />To +the strife of mail-clad warriors; <a name="citation161c"></a><a href="#footnote161c">{161c}</a><br />I +know no tale of slaughter which records<br />So complete a destruction.<br />Before +Cattraeth loquacious was the host;<br />But of the retinue of Mynyddawg, +greatly to be deplored, <a name="citation162a"></a><a href="#footnote162a">{162a}</a><br />Out +of three hundred <a name="citation162b"></a><a href="#footnote162b">{162b}</a> +men, only one returned.</p> +<p>LX.</p> +<p>From the feast of wine and the banquet of mead, with speed they marched,<br />Men +renowned in difficulty, prodigal of their lives;<br />In fairest order +<a name="citation162c"></a><a href="#footnote162c">{162c}</a> round +the viands they together feasted;<br />Wine and mead and tribute <a name="citation162d"></a><a href="#footnote162d">{162d}</a> +they enjoyed.<br />From the retinue of Mynyddawg ruin has come to me; +<a name="citation163a"></a><a href="#footnote163a">{163a}</a><br />And +I have lost my general <a name="citation163b"></a><a href="#footnote163b">{163b}</a> +and <a name="citation163c"></a><a href="#footnote163c">{163c}</a> my +true friends.<br />Of the regal army of three hundred men that hastened +to Cattraeth,<br />Alas! none have returned, save one alone.</p> +<p>LXI.</p> +<p>Impetuous as a ball, <a name="citation163d"></a><a href="#footnote163d">{163d}</a> +in the combat of spears, was Present,<br />And on his horse would he +be found, when not at home;<br />Yet illusive <a name="citation163e"></a><a href="#footnote163e">{163e}</a> +was the aid which he brought against Gododin;<br />For though apart +from the wine and mead he was unrestrained,<br />He perished <a name="citation164a"></a><a href="#footnote164a">{164a}</a> +on the course;<br />And red stained warriors ride <a name="citation164b"></a><a href="#footnote164b">{164b}</a><br />The +steeds of the knight, who had been in the morning bold.</p> +<p>LXII.</p> +<p>Angor, <a name="citation164c"></a><a href="#footnote164c">{164c}</a> +thou who scatterest the brave,<br />And piercest <a name="citation164d"></a><a href="#footnote164d">{164d}</a> +the sullen like a serpent;<br />Thou tramplest upon those who in strong +mail are clad,<br />In front of the army; <a name="citation164e"></a><a href="#footnote164e">{164e}</a><br />Like +an enraged bear, guarding and assaulting, <a name="citation164f"></a><a href="#footnote164f">{164f}</a><br />Thou +tramplest upon the furious, <a name="citation165a"></a><a href="#footnote165a">{165a}</a><br />In +the day of capture,<br />In the dank entrenchment; <a name="citation165b"></a><a href="#footnote165b">{165b}</a><br />Like +the mangling dwarf, <a name="citation165c"></a><a href="#footnote165c">{165c}</a><br />Who +in his fury prepared<br />A banquet for the birds,<br />In the tumultuous +fight.<br />Cywir <a name="citation165d"></a><a href="#footnote165d">{165d}</a> +art thou named from thy righteous (<i>enwir</i>) deed;<br />Leader, +director, and bulwark (<i>mur</i>) of the course of battle <a name="citation165e"></a><a href="#footnote165e">{165e}</a><br />Is +Merin; <a name="citation165f"></a><a href="#footnote165f">{165f}</a> +and fortunately (<i>mad</i>) wert thou, Madien, born.</p> +<p>LXIII.</p> +<p>It is incumbent to sing of the complete acquisition<br />Of the warriors, +who at Cattraeth made a tumultuous rout,<br />With confusion and blood, +and treading and trampling;<br />Men of toil <a name="citation166a"></a><a href="#footnote166a">{166a}</a> +were trampled because of the contribution of mead in the horn; <a name="citation166b"></a><a href="#footnote166b">{166b}</a><br />But +the carnage of the combatants <a name="citation166c"></a><a href="#footnote166c">{166c}</a><br />Cannot +be described even by the cup of bounty, <a name="citation166d"></a><a href="#footnote166d">{166d}</a><br />After +the excitement of the battle is over,<br />Notwithstanding so much splendid +eloquence.</p> +<p>LXIV.</p> +<p>It is incumbent to sing of so much renown,<br />The tumult of fire, +of thunder, and tempest,<br />The glorious gallantry of the knight of +conflict. <a name="citation167a"></a><a href="#footnote167a">{167a}</a><br />The +ruddy reapers of war are thy desire, <a name="citation167b"></a><a href="#footnote167b">{167b}</a><br />Thou +man of toil, <a name="citation167c"></a><a href="#footnote167c">{167c}</a> +but the worthless thou beheadest; <a name="citation167d"></a><a href="#footnote167d">{167d}</a><br />The +whole length of the land shall hear of thee in battle;<br />With thy +shield upon thy shoulder, thou dost incessantly cleave<br />With thy +blade, <a name="citation167e"></a><a href="#footnote167e">{167e}</a> +until blood flows <a name="citation167f"></a><a href="#footnote167f">{167f}</a> +like bright wine out of glass vessels; <a name="citation167g"></a><a href="#footnote167g">{167g}</a><br />As +the contribution <a name="citation168a"></a><a href="#footnote168a">{168a}</a> +for mead thou claimest gold;<br />Wine nourished was Gwaednerth, <a name="citation168b"></a><a href="#footnote168b">{168b}</a> +the son of Llywri.</p> +<p>LXV.</p> +<p>It is incumbent to sing of the gay and illustrious tribes, <a name="citation168c"></a><a href="#footnote168c">{168c}</a><br />That, +after the fatal fight, <a name="citation168d"></a><a href="#footnote168d">{168d}</a> +filled the river Aeron; <a name="citation168e"></a><a href="#footnote168e">{168e}</a><br />Their +grasp satisfied the hunger <a name="citation168f"></a><a href="#footnote168f">{168f}</a> +of the eagles of Clwyd, <a name="citation168g"></a><a href="#footnote168g">{168g}</a><br />And +prepared food for the birds of prey.<br />Of those who went to Cattraeth, +wearers of the golden chain,<br />Upon the message of Mynyddawg, sovereign +of the people,<br />There came not honourably <a name="citation169a"></a><a href="#footnote169a">{169a}</a> +in behalf <a name="citation169b"></a><a href="#footnote169b">{169b}</a> +of the Brython,<br />To Gododin, a hero from afar who was better than +Cynon.</p> +<p>LXVI.</p> +<p>It is incumbent to sing of so many men of skill, <a name="citation169c"></a><a href="#footnote169c">{169c}</a><br />Who +in their halls <a name="citation169d"></a><a href="#footnote169d">{169d}</a> +once led a merry life: <a name="citation169e"></a><a href="#footnote169e">{169e}</a><br />Ambitious +<a name="citation169f"></a><a href="#footnote169f">{169f}</a> and bold, +all round the world would Eidol <a name="citation169g"></a><a href="#footnote169g">{169g}</a> +seek for melody;<br />But notwithstanding gold, and fine steeds, and +intoxicating mead,<br />Only one man of these, who loved the world, +returned,<br />Cynddilig of Aeron, one of the Novantian heroes. <a name="citation169h"></a><a href="#footnote169h">{169h}</a></p> +<p>LXVII.</p> +<p>It is incumbent to sing of the gay and illustrious tribes,<br />That +went upon the message of Mynyddawg, sovereign of the people,<br />And +the daughter <a name="citation170a"></a><a href="#footnote170a">{170a}</a> +of Eudav the Tall, of a faultless gait, <a name="citation170b"></a><a href="#footnote170b">{170b}</a><br />Apparelled +in her purple robes, thoroughly and truly splendid.</p> +<p>LXVIII.</p> +<p>The soldiers <a name="citation171a"></a><a href="#footnote171a">{171a}</a> +celebrated the praise of the Holy One,<br />And in their <a name="citation171b"></a><a href="#footnote171b">{171b}</a> +presence was kindled a fire that raged on high.<br />On Tuesday they +put on their dark-brown garments; <a name="citation171c"></a><a href="#footnote171c">{171c}</a><br />On +Wednesday they purified their enamelled armour;<br />On Thursday their +destruction was certain;<br />On Friday was brought carnage all around;<br />On +Saturday their joint labour was useless;<br />On Sunday their blades +assumed a ruddy hue;<br />On Monday was seen a pool knee deep of blood. +<a name="citation171d"></a><a href="#footnote171d">{171d}</a><br />The +Gododin relates that after the toil,<br />Before the tents of Madog, +when he returned,<br />Only one man in a hundred with him came. <a name="citation172a"></a><a href="#footnote172a">{172a}</a></p> +<p>LXIX.</p> +<p>At the early dawn of morn, <a name="citation172b"></a><a href="#footnote172b">{172b}</a><br />There +was a battle at the fall of the river, <a name="citation172c"></a><a href="#footnote172c">{172c}</a> +in front of the course; <a name="citation172d"></a><a href="#footnote172d">{172d}</a><br />The +pass and the knoll were pervaded with fire; <a name="citation172e"></a><a href="#footnote172e">{172e}</a><br />Like +a boar didst thou <a name="citation172f"></a><a href="#footnote172f">{172f}</a> +lead to the mount;<br />The wealth <a name="citation172g"></a><a href="#footnote172g">{172g}</a> +of the hill, and the place,<br />And the dark brown hawks <a name="citation173a"></a><a href="#footnote173a">{173a}</a> +were stained with gore. <a name="citation173b"></a><a href="#footnote173b">{173b}</a></p> +<p>LXX.</p> +<p>Quickly rising, in a moment of time, <a name="citation173c"></a><a href="#footnote173c">{173c}</a><br />After +kindling a fire at the confluence, <a name="citation173d"></a><a href="#footnote173d">{173d}</a> +in front of the fence, <a name="citation173e"></a><a href="#footnote173e">{173e}</a><br />After +leading his men in close array,<br />In front of a hundred he pierces +the foremost. <a name="citation173f"></a><a href="#footnote173f">{173f}</a><br />Sad +it was that you should have made a pool of blood,<br />As if you but +drank mead in the midst of laughter; <a name="citation174a"></a><a href="#footnote174a">{174a}</a><br />But +it was brave of you to slay the little man, <a name="citation174b"></a><a href="#footnote174b">{174b}</a><br />With +the fierce and impetuous stroke of the sword;<br />For like the unrestrained +ocean <a name="citation174c"></a><a href="#footnote174c">{174c}</a> +had the foe <a name="citation174d"></a><a href="#footnote174d">{174d}</a> +put to death<br />A man, who would otherwise have been in rank his equal.</p> +<p>LXXI.</p> +<p>He fell headlong down the precipice, <a name="citation174e"></a><a href="#footnote174e">{174e}</a><br />And +the bushes <a name="citation174f"></a><a href="#footnote174f">{174f}</a> +supported not his noble <a name="citation174g"></a><a href="#footnote174g">{174g}</a> +head;<br />It was a violation of privilege to kill him on the breach, +<a name="citation175a"></a><a href="#footnote175a">{175a}</a><br />It +was a primary law that Owain should ascend upon the course, <a name="citation175b"></a><a href="#footnote175b">{175b}</a><br />And +extend before the onset the branch of peace, <a name="citation175c"></a><a href="#footnote175c">{175c}</a><br />And +that he should pursue the study of meet <a name="citation175d"></a><a href="#footnote175d">{175d}</a> +and learned strains.<br />Excellent man, the assuager of tumult and +battle,<br />Whose very grasp dreaded a sword, <a name="citation175e"></a><a href="#footnote175e">{175e}</a><br />And +who bore in his hand an empty corslet. <a name="citation175f"></a><a href="#footnote175f">{175f}</a><br />O +sovereign, dispense rewards<br />Out of his earthly shrine. <a name="citation176a"></a><a href="#footnote176a">{176a}</a></p> +<p>LXXII.</p> +<p>Eidol, with frigid blood and pale complexion,<br />Spreading carnage, +when the maid was supreme in judgment; <a name="citation176b"></a><a href="#footnote176b">{176b}</a><br />Owner +of horses and strong trappings,<br />And transparent <a name="citation176c"></a><a href="#footnote176c">{176c}</a> +shields,<br />Instantaneously makes an onset,—ascending and descending.</p> +<p>LXXIII.</p> +<p>The leader of war with eagerness <a name="citation177a"></a><a href="#footnote177a">{177a}</a> +conducts the battle,<br />Mallet of the land, <a name="citation177b"></a><a href="#footnote177b">{177b}</a> +he loved the mighty reapers; <a name="citation177c"></a><a href="#footnote177c">{177c}</a><br />Stout +youth, the freshness of his form was stained with blood,<br />His accoutrements +resounded, his chargers made a clang; <a name="citation177d"></a><a href="#footnote177d">{177d}</a><br />His +cheeks <a name="citation177e"></a><a href="#footnote177e">{177e}</a> +are covered with armour,<br />And thus, image of death, he scatters +desolation in the toil;<br />In the first onset his lances penetrate +the targets, <a name="citation177f"></a><a href="#footnote177f">{177f}</a><br />And +a track of surrounding light is made by the aim of the darting of his +spears.</p> +<p>LXXIV.</p> +<p>The saints <a name="citation178a"></a><a href="#footnote178a">{178a}</a> +exert their courage, <a name="citation178b"></a><a href="#footnote178b">{178b}</a> +for the destruction of thy retreat, <a name="citation178c"></a><a href="#footnote178c">{178c}</a><br />And +the cellar, <a name="citation178d"></a><a href="#footnote178d">{178d}</a> +which contained, and where was brewed <a name="citation178e"></a><a href="#footnote178e">{178e}</a><br />The +mead, that sweet ensnarer.<br />With the dawn does Gwrys <a name="citation178f"></a><a href="#footnote178f">{178f}</a> +make the battle clash;<br />Fair gift, <a name="citation178g"></a><a href="#footnote178g">{178g}</a>—marshal +of the Lloegrian tribes; <a name="citation178h"></a><a href="#footnote178h">{178h}</a><br />Penance +he inflicts until repentance ensues; <a name="citation178i"></a><a href="#footnote178i">{178i}</a><br />May +the dependants of Gwynedd hear of his renown;<br />With his ashen shaft +he pierces to the grave;<br />Pike of the conflict of Gwynedd,<br />Bull +of the host, oppressor of the battle of princes; <a name="citation179a"></a><a href="#footnote179a">{179a}</a><br />Though +thou hast kindled the land <a name="citation179b"></a><a href="#footnote179b">{179b}</a> +before thy fall,<br />At the extreme boundary <a name="citation179c"></a><a href="#footnote179c">{179c}</a> +of Gododin will be thy grave.</p> +<p>LXXV.</p> +<p>Involved in vapours was the man <a name="citation179d"></a><a href="#footnote179d">{179d}</a> +accustomed to armies,<br />High minded, bitter handed leader of the +forces; <a name="citation179e"></a><a href="#footnote179e">{179e}</a><br />He +was expert, and ardent, and stately,<br />Though at the social banquet +he was not harsh. <a name="citation180a"></a><a href="#footnote180a">{180a}</a><br />They +<a name="citation180b"></a><a href="#footnote180b">{180b}</a> removed +and possessed his valuable treasures,<br />And not the image of a thing +for the benefit of the region was left.</p> +<p>LXXVI.</p> +<p>We are called! The sea and the borders are in conflict; <a name="citation180c"></a><a href="#footnote180c">{180c}</a><br />Spears +are mutually darting, spears all equally destructive;<br />Impelled +are sharp weapons of iron, <a name="citation180d"></a><a href="#footnote180d">{180d}</a> +gashing is the blade, <a name="citation180e"></a><a href="#footnote180e">{180e}</a><br />And +with a clang the sock <a name="citation180f"></a><a href="#footnote180f">{180f}</a> +descends upon the pate;<br />A successful warrior was Fflamddwr <a name="citation180g"></a><a href="#footnote180g">{180g}</a> +against the enemy.</p> +<p>LXXVII.</p> +<p>He supported martial steeds and harness of war;<br />Drenched with +gore, on the red-stained field of Cattraeth,<br />The foremost shaft +in the host is held by the consumer of forts, <a name="citation181a"></a><a href="#footnote181a">{181a}</a><br />The +brave <a name="citation181b"></a><a href="#footnote181b">{181b}</a> +dog of battle, upon the towering hill.<br />We are called to the gleaming +<a name="citation181c"></a><a href="#footnote181c">{181c}</a> post of +assault,<br />By the beckoning hand <a name="citation181d"></a><a href="#footnote181d">{181d}</a> +of Heiddyn, <a name="citation181e"></a><a href="#footnote181e">{181e}</a> +the ironclad chief.</p> +<p>LXXVIII.</p> +<p>The sovereign, who is celebrated in the Gododin, <a name="citation181f"></a><a href="#footnote181f">{181f}</a><br />The +sovereign, for whom our eye-lids <a name="citation182a"></a><a href="#footnote182a">{182a}</a> +weep,<br />From the raging flame of Eiddyn <a name="citation182b"></a><a href="#footnote182b">{182b}</a> +turned not aside; <a name="citation182c"></a><a href="#footnote182c">{182c}</a><br />He +stationed men of firmness in command, <a name="citation182d"></a><a href="#footnote182d">{182d}</a><br />And +the thick covering guard <a name="citation182e"></a><a href="#footnote182e">{182e}</a> +he placed in the van,<br />And vigorously he descended upon the scattered +foe;<br />In that he had revelled, he likewise sustained the main weight;<br />Of +the retinue of Mynyddawg, none escaped,<br />Save one man by slow steps, +thoroughly weakened, and tottering every way. <a name="citation182f"></a><a href="#footnote182f">{182f}</a></p> +<p>LXXIX.</p> +<p>Having sustained a loss, <a name="citation182g"></a><a href="#footnote182g">{182g}</a> +Moried bore no shield,<br />But traversed the strand <a name="citation183a"></a><a href="#footnote183a">{183a}</a> +to set the ground on fire;<br />Firmly he grasped in his hand a blue +blade,<br />And a shaft ponderous as the chief priest’s <a name="citation183b"></a><a href="#footnote183b">{183b}</a> +crozier;<br />He rode a grey stately <a name="citation183c"></a><a href="#footnote183c">{183c}</a> +headed charger,<br />And beneath his blade there was a dreadful fall +of slaughter;<br />When overpowered <a name="citation183d"></a><a href="#footnote183d">{183d}</a> +he fled not from the battle,—<br />Even he who poured out to us +the famous mead, that sweet ensnarer.</p> +<p>LXXX.</p> +<p>I beheld the array from the highland of Adowyn, <a name="citation183e"></a><a href="#footnote183e">{183e}</a><br />And +the sacrifice brought down to the omen fire; <a name="citation183f"></a><a href="#footnote183f">{183f}</a><br />I +saw what was usual, a continual running towards the town, <a name="citation184a"></a><a href="#footnote184a">{184a}</a><br />And +the men of Nwython inflicting sharp wounds;<br />I saw warriors in complete +order approaching with a shout,<br />And the head of Dyvnwal Vrych <a name="citation184b"></a><a href="#footnote184b">{184b}</a> +by ravens <a name="citation184c"></a><a href="#footnote184c">{184c}</a> +devoured.</p> +<p>LXXXI.</p> +<p>Blessed Conqueror, of temper mild, the strength <a name="citation184d"></a><a href="#footnote184d">{184d}</a> +of his people,<br />With his blue streamers displayed towards the sea-roving +foes. <a name="citation185a"></a><a href="#footnote185a">{185a}</a><br />Brave +is he on the waters, most numerous his host;<br />Manly his bosom, loud +his shout in the charge of arms.<br />Usual was it for him <a name="citation185b"></a><a href="#footnote185b">{185b}</a> +to make a descent before nine armaments, <a name="citation185c"></a><a href="#footnote185c">{185c}</a><br />With +propulsive strokes, <a name="citation185d"></a><a href="#footnote185d">{185d}</a> +in the face of blood and of the country.<br />I love thy victorious +throne, which teemed with harmonious strains.<br />O Cynddilig of Aeron, +<a name="citation185e"></a><a href="#footnote185e">{185e}</a> thou lion’s +whelp.</p> +<p>LXXXII.</p> +<p>I could wish to have been the first to shed my blood in Cattraeth,<br />As +the price <a name="citation186a"></a><a href="#footnote186a">{186a}</a> +of the mead and beverage of wine in the hall;<br />I could wish to have +been hurt by the blade of the sword,<br />Ere he was slain on the green +plain of Uphin. <a name="citation186b"></a><a href="#footnote186b">{186b}</a><br />I +loved the son of renown, who sustained the bloody fight, <a name="citation186c"></a><a href="#footnote186c">{186c}</a><br />And +made his sword descend upon the violent.<br />Can a tale of valour be +related before Gododin,<br />In which the son of Ceidiaw <a name="citation186d"></a><a href="#footnote186d">{186d}</a> +has not his fame as a man of war?</p> +<p>LXXXIII.</p> +<p>Sad it is for me, after all our toil,<br />To suffer the pang of +death through indiscretion;<br />And doubly grievous and sad for me +to see<br />Our men falling headlong to the ground, <a name="citation187a"></a><a href="#footnote187a">{187a}</a><br />Breathing +the lengthened sigh, and covered with reproaches.<br />After the strenuous +warriors have extended their country’s bounds,<br />Rhuvawn <a name="citation187b"></a><a href="#footnote187b">{187b}</a> +and Gwgawn, <a name="citation187c"></a><a href="#footnote187c">{187c}</a> +Gwiawn and Gwlyged, <a name="citation187d"></a><a href="#footnote187d">{187d}</a><br />Men +at their post most gallant, valiant in difficulties,<br />May their +souls, now that their conflict is ended, <a name="citation187e"></a><a href="#footnote187e">{187e}</a><br />Be +received into the heavenly region, the abode of tranquillity.</p> +<p>LXXXIV.</p> +<p>Tres repelled the foe through <a name="citation188a"></a><a href="#footnote188a">{188a}</a> +a pool of gore,<br />And slaughtered like a hero such as asked no quarter, +<a name="citation188b"></a><a href="#footnote188b">{188b}</a><br />With +a sling and a spear; <a name="citation188c"></a><a href="#footnote188c">{188c}</a>—he +flung off his glass goblet<br />Containing the mead, <a name="citation188d"></a><a href="#footnote188d">{188d}</a> +and in defence of his sovereignty overthrew an army;<br />His counsel +always prevailed, and the multitude would not speak before him, <a name="citation188e"></a><a href="#footnote188e">{188e}</a><br />Whilst +those that were cowards were not left alive,<br />Before the onset of +his battle-axes, <a name="citation188f"></a><a href="#footnote188f">{188f}</a> +and his sharpened sword, <a name="citation188g"></a><a href="#footnote188g">{188g}</a><br />And +where his blue banner was seen to wave. <a name="citation188h"></a><a href="#footnote188h">{188h}</a></p> +<p>LXXXV.</p> +<p>There was a reinforcement of <a name="citation189a"></a><a href="#footnote189a">{189a}</a> +troops,<br />A supply of penetrating weapons,<br />And a host of men +in the vanguard,<br />Presenting a menacing front;<br />In the days +of strenuous exertion,<br />In the eager conflict,<br />They displayed +their valour.<br />After the intoxication,<br />When they drank the +mead,<br />Not one was spared.<br />Though Gorwylam<br />Was awhile +successful,<br />When the retort was made, it broke the charge<br />Of +the horses and men, by fate decreed.</p> +<p>LXXXVI.</p> +<p>When the host of Pryder <a name="citation189b"></a><a href="#footnote189b">{189b}</a> +arrives,<br />I anxiously count <a name="citation190a"></a><a href="#footnote190a">{190a}</a> +the bands,<br />Eleven complete battalions;<br />There is now a precipitate +flight <a name="citation190b"></a><a href="#footnote190b">{190b}</a><br />Along +the road of lamentation.<br />Affectionately have I deplored, <a name="citation190c"></a><a href="#footnote190c">{190c}</a><br />Dearly +have I loved,<br />The illustrious dweller of the wood, <a name="citation190d"></a><a href="#footnote190d">{190d}</a><br />And +the men of Argoed, <a name="citation190e"></a><a href="#footnote190e">{190e}</a><br />Accustomed, +in the open plain, <a name="citation191a"></a><a href="#footnote191a">{191a}</a><br />To +marshal their troops.<br />For the benefit of the chiefs, the lord of +the war <a name="citation191b"></a><a href="#footnote191b">{191b}</a><br />Laid +upon rough <a name="citation191c"></a><a href="#footnote191c">{191c}</a> +boards,<br />Midst a deluge of grief,<br />The viands for the banquet,<br />Where +they caroused together;—he conducted us to a bright <a name="citation191d"></a><a href="#footnote191d">{191d}</a> +fire,<br />And to a carpet of white and fresh <a name="citation191e"></a><a href="#footnote191e">{191e}</a> +hide.</p> +<p>LXXXVII.</p> +<p>Geraint, <a name="citation191f"></a><a href="#footnote191f">{191f}</a> +from the South, did raise a shout,<br />And on the white water <a name="citation192a"></a><a href="#footnote192a">{192a}</a> +was his buckler pierced. <a name="citation192b"></a><a href="#footnote192b">{192b}</a><br />Lord +of the spear, a gentle lord!<br />The praise of mountain and sea<br />Will +he render our youth, even thou, Geraint, wilt render them,<br />Who +hast been a generous commander.</p> +<p>LXXXVIII.</p> +<p>Instantaneously is his fame wafted on high;<br />His anchors <a name="citation192c"></a><a href="#footnote192c">{192c}</a> +from the scene of action <a name="citation192d"></a><a href="#footnote192d">{192d}</a> +cannot be restrained.<br />Unflinching eagle <a name="citation192e"></a><a href="#footnote192e">{192e}</a> +of the forward heroes,<br />He bore the toil, and brilliant was his +zeal;<br />The fleetest coursers he outstripped in war,<br />But was +quite a lamb <a name="citation193a"></a><a href="#footnote193a">{193a}</a> +when the wine from the goblet flowed.<br />Ere he reached the grassy +tomb, and his cheeks became pale in death, <a name="citation193b"></a><a href="#footnote193b">{193b}</a><br />He +presided over the banquet of mead, and honoured it with the generous +horn. <a name="citation193c"></a><a href="#footnote193c">{193c}</a></p> +<p>LXXXIX.</p> +<p>Ruin <a name="citation193d"></a><a href="#footnote193d">{193d}</a> +he brought upon every fair region, <a name="citation193e"></a><a href="#footnote193e">{193e}</a><br />And +a fettering valour he displayed; <a name="citation193f"></a><a href="#footnote193f">{193f}</a><br />The +front of his shield was pierced.<br />Caso Hir, <a name="citation194a"></a><a href="#footnote194a">{194a}</a> +when roused to anger,<br />Defended Rhuvoniawg. <a name="citation194b"></a><a href="#footnote194b">{194b}</a><br />A +second time they <a name="citation194c"></a><a href="#footnote194c">{194c}</a> +challenged, <a name="citation194d"></a><a href="#footnote194d">{194d}</a> +and were crushed<br />By the warlike steeds with gory trappings.<br />His +martial nobles <a name="citation194e"></a><a href="#footnote194e">{194e}</a> +formed a firm array,<br />And the field was reddened, when he was greatly +affronted;<br />Severe in the conflict, with blades he slaughtered,<br />And +sad news <a name="citation194f"></a><a href="#footnote194f">{194f}</a> +from the war he brought,<br />Which he wove <a name="citation195a"></a><a href="#footnote195a">{195a}</a> +into a song for the calends of January. <a name="citation195b"></a><a href="#footnote195b">{195b}</a><br />Adan, +<a name="citation195c"></a><a href="#footnote195c">{195c}</a> the son +of Ervai, there did pierce,<br />Adan pierced the haughty boar;<br />Even +he, who was like a dame, a virgin, and a hero. <a name="citation195d"></a><a href="#footnote195d">{195d}</a><br />And +when the youth thus possessed the properties of a king, <a name="citation195e"></a><a href="#footnote195e">{195e}</a><br />He, +stained with blood, brought deliverance to Gwynedd,<br />Ere the turf +was laid upon the gentle face<br />Of the generous dead; but now undisturbed<br />In +regard to fame and gain, he reposes in the grave,<br />Namely, Garthwys +Hir, <a name="citation196a"></a><a href="#footnote196a">{196a}</a> from +the land of Rhuvoniawg.</p> +<p>XC.</p> +<p>The garment of Tinogad, <a name="citation196b"></a><a href="#footnote196b">{196b}</a> +which was of divers colours,<br />Made of the speckled skins of young +wolves,<br />His jerks and starts and juggling motion,<br />I fain would +lampoon, they were lampooned by his eight slaves. <a name="citation196c"></a><a href="#footnote196c">{196c}</a><br />When +thy father went out to hunt,<br />With his pole upon his shoulder, and +his provisions in his hand,<br />He would call to his dogs that were +of equal size,<br />Catch it, catch it—seize it, seize it—bring +it, bring it;<br />He would kill a fish in his coracle,<br />Even as +a princely lion in his fury <a name="citation197a"></a><a href="#footnote197a">{197a}</a> +kills his prey;<br />When thy father climbed up the mountain,<br />He +brought back the head <a name="citation197b"></a><a href="#footnote197b">{197b}</a> +of a roebuck, <a name="citation197c"></a><a href="#footnote197c">{197c}</a> +the head of a wild boar, the head of a stag,<br />The head of a grey +moor hen from the hill,<br />The head of a fish from the falls of the +Derwent; <a name="citation197d"></a><a href="#footnote197d">{197d}</a><br />As +many as thy father could reach with his flesh piercer,<br />Of wild +boars, lions, and foxes, <a name="citation197e"></a><a href="#footnote197e">{197e}</a><br />It +was certain death to them all, <a name="citation197f"></a><a href="#footnote197f">{197f}</a> +unless they proved too nimble.</p> +<p>XCI.</p> +<p>Were he to narrow <a name="citation198a"></a><a href="#footnote198a">{198a}</a> +my dominions through extortion, <a name="citation198b"></a><a href="#footnote198b">{198b}</a><br />The +arrival of no enemy would prove to me more formidable. <a name="citation198c"></a><a href="#footnote198c">{198c}</a><br />The +man has not been nursed who could be more festive in the hall<br />Than +he, or steadier in the field of battle.<br />On the ford of Penclwyd +<a name="citation198d"></a><a href="#footnote198d">{198d}</a> Pennant +were his steeds;<br />Far spread was his fame, compact was his armour;<br />And +ere the long grass covered him beneath the sod,<br />He, the only son +of Morarch, <a name="citation198e"></a><a href="#footnote198e">{198e}</a> +poured out the horns of mead.</p> +<p>XCII.</p> +<p>I saw the array from the highland of Adoen,<br />Carrying the sacrifice +to the omen fire; <a name="citation199a"></a><a href="#footnote199a">{199a}</a><br />I +saw the two, <a name="citation199b"></a><a href="#footnote199b">{199b}</a> +who from their station quickly and heavily fell;<br />By the commands +of Nwython, greatly were they afflicted.<br />I saw the warriors, who +had made the great breach, approaching with the dawn, <a name="citation199c"></a><a href="#footnote199c">{199c}</a><br />And +the head of Dyvnwal Vrych by ravens devoured.</p> +<p>XCIII.</p> +<p>Gododin, in respect of thee will I demand, <a name="citation199d"></a><a href="#footnote199d">{199d}</a><br />In +the presence <a name="citation199e"></a><a href="#footnote199e">{199e}</a> +of a hundred that are named <a name="citation199f"></a><a href="#footnote199f">{199f}</a> +with deeds of valour,<br />And of Gwarthan the son of Dwywau, <a name="citation200a"></a><a href="#footnote200a">{200a}</a> +of gallant bravery,<br />Let Tre Essyd be ours in one entire dale. <a name="citation200b"></a><a href="#footnote200b">{200b}</a><br />Since +the stabbing of the delight of the bulwark of battle,<br />Since Aneurin +was under ground, <a name="citation200c"></a><a href="#footnote200c">{200c}</a><br />My +voice has not been divorced from Gododin.</p> +<p>XCIV.</p> +<p>Echo speaks of the formidable <a name="citation200d"></a><a href="#footnote200d">{200d}</a> +and dragon-like <a name="citation200e"></a><a href="#footnote200e">{200e}</a> +weapons,<br />And of the fair game, <a name="citation200f"></a><a href="#footnote200f">{200f}</a> +which was played in front of the unclaimed course of Gododin.<br />Profusely +did he bring a supply <a name="citation200g"></a><a href="#footnote200g">{200g}</a> +of wine into the tents, for the benefit of the natives, <a name="citation200h"></a><a href="#footnote200h">{200h}</a><br />In +the season of the storm, as long as it trickled from the vessels,<br />And +the army, a well nourished host, continued to drop in.<br />A splendid +troop of warriors, successful against a hundred men,<br />Is led from +Dindovydd in Dyvneint. <a name="citation201a"></a><a href="#footnote201a">{201a}</a><br />Before +Doleu <a name="citation201b"></a><a href="#footnote201b">{201b}</a> +in battle, worn out were the shields, and battered the helmets.</p> +<p>XCV.</p> +<p>He brought ruin upon every fair region, <a name="citation201c"></a><a href="#footnote201c">{201c}</a><br />And +a fettering valour he displayed;<br />The front of his shield was pierced;<br />Caso +Hir, arrayed in pomp, <a name="citation201d"></a><a href="#footnote201d">{201d}</a><br />Protected +Rhuvoniawg.<br />A second time were they wounded, <a name="citation201e"></a><a href="#footnote201e">{201e}</a> +and crushed<br />By his warlike steeds, and gore-stained were their +coffins. <a name="citation201f"></a><a href="#footnote201f">{201f}</a><br />Always +immoveable, always liberal of aid,<br />Would be his gallant nobles, +when roused to anger.<br />Severe in the conflict, with blades he slaughtered;<br />And +agonising news from the war he brought,<br />Which he wove into a hundred +songs for the calends of January.<br />Adan <a name="citation202a"></a><a href="#footnote202a">{202a}</a> +the son of Urvei there did pierce,<br />Adan pierced the haughty boar,<br />Even +he who was like Urien, <a name="citation202b"></a><a href="#footnote202b">{202b}</a> +a maid, and a hero.<br />And as the youth was thus endowed with the +properties of a king,<br />Lord of Gwynedd, and of the blood of Cilydd, +<a name="citation202c"></a><a href="#footnote202c">{202c}</a> he proved +our deliverer;<br />Ere the turf was laid upon the face of the generous +dead,<br />Wisely did he seek the field, with praise and high sounding +fame:<br />The grave of Gorthyn Hir <a name="citation202d"></a><a href="#footnote202d">{202d}</a> +is seen <a name="citation202e"></a><a href="#footnote202e">{202e}</a> +from the highlands of Rhuvoniawg.</p> +<p>XCVI.</p> +<p>On account of the piercing of the skilful and most learned man, <a name="citation203a"></a><a href="#footnote203a">{203a}</a><br />On +account of the fair corpse, which fell prostrate upon the ground,<br />Thrice +six officers judged the atrocious deed <a name="citation203b"></a><a href="#footnote203b">{203b}</a> +at the hour of mattins,<br />And Morien lifted up again his ancient +lance,<br />And, roaring, stretched out <a name="citation203c"></a><a href="#footnote203c">{203c}</a> +death<br />Towards the warriors, the Gwyddyl, <a name="citation203d"></a><a href="#footnote203d">{203d}</a> +and the Prydyn; <a name="citation203e"></a><a href="#footnote203e">{203e}</a><br />Whilst +towards the lovely, slender, blood-stained body of Gwen,<br />Sighed +Gwenabwy, the only son of Gwen.</p> +<p>XCVII.</p> +<p>On account of the afflicting <a name="citation203f"></a><a href="#footnote203f">{203f}</a> +of the skilful and most learned man<br />Grievously and deeply, when +he fell prostrate upon the ground,<br />The banner was pompously <a name="citation204a"></a><a href="#footnote204a">{204a}</a> +unfurled, and borne by a man in the flank; <a name="citation204b"></a><a href="#footnote204b">{204b}</a><br />A +tumultuous scene was beheld <a name="citation204c"></a><a href="#footnote204c">{204c}</a> +in Eiddin, and on the battle field.<br />The grasp of his hand performed +deeds of valour<br />Upon the Cynt, <a name="citation204d"></a><a href="#footnote204d">{204d}</a> +the Gwyddyl, and the Prydyn.<br />He who meddles with the mane of a +wolf, without a club<br />In his hand, will have it gorgeously emblazoned +on his robe.<br />Fain would I sing,—“would that Morien +had not died.”<br />I sigh for Gwenabwy, the son of Gwen. <a name="citation204e"></a><a href="#footnote204e">{204e}</a></p> +<div class="GutenbergBlankLines2"><br /><br /></div> +<p>Footnotes:</p> +<p><a name="footnote0a"></a><a href="#citation0a">{0a}</a> Perhaps +Cawlwyd is a compound of Caw Clwyd, that is, the Clyde of Caw.</p> +<p><a name="footnote0b"></a><a href="#citation0b">{0b}</a> Institutional +Triads.</p> +<p><a name="footnote0c"></a><a href="#citation0c">{0c}</a> Ibid.</p> +<p><a name="footnote0d"></a><a href="#citation0d">{0d}</a> Myvyrian +Archaiology, vol. i. page 60.</p> +<p><a name="footnote0e"></a><a href="#citation0e">{0e}</a> Bardic +Triads.</p> +<p><a name="footnote0f"></a><a href="#citation0f">{0f}</a> Bardic +Triads.</p> +<p><a name="footnote0g"></a><a href="#citation0g">{0g}</a> Triad +48, third series.</p> +<p><a name="footnote0h"></a><a href="#citation0h">{0h}</a> Myv. +Arch. vol. i. p. 308.</p> +<p><a name="footnote0i"></a><a href="#citation0i">{0i}</a> Ib. +p. 403.</p> +<p><a name="footnote0j"></a><a href="#citation0j">{0j}</a> Ib. +p. 504.</p> +<p><a name="footnote0k"></a><a href="#citation0k">{0k}</a> Gwilym +Tew flourished A.D. 1340-1470, and Rhys Nanmor, A.D. 1440-1480.</p> +<p><a name="footnote0l"></a><a href="#citation0l">{0l}</a> In +this eText the extensive alternate readings, mentioned in this passage, +are not given. There are so many that it becomes impossible to +read the Welsh text because of the continual footnotes.</p> +<p><a name="footnote1a"></a><a href="#citation1a">{1a}</a> Tacit. +Julii Agric. vita, cap. xiv.</p> +<p><a name="footnote1b"></a><a href="#citation1b">{1b}</a> Cambrian +Biography, sub voce.</p> +<p><a name="footnote1c"></a><a href="#citation1c">{1c}</a> Stevenson’s +Nennius, p. 52.</p> +<p><a name="footnote2a"></a><a href="#citation2a">{2a}</a> It +is stated in the Iolo MSS. that Cunedda Wledig held his court in Carlisle.</p> +<p><a name="footnote2b"></a><a href="#citation2b">{2b}</a> Am. +Marcel. 1. 20.</p> +<p><a name="footnote3a"></a><a href="#citation3a">{3a}</a> Triad +39, third series.</p> +<p><a name="footnote3b"></a><a href="#citation3b">{3b}</a> Triad +7.</p> +<p><a name="footnote3c"></a><a href="#citation3c">{3c}</a> Myv. +Arch. v. i. p. 52.</p> +<p><a name="footnote4a"></a><a href="#citation4a">{4a}</a> Myv. +Arch. v. i. p 57.</p> +<p><a name="footnote4b"></a><a href="#citation4b">{4b}</a> Elegy +on Old Age.</p> +<p><a name="footnote5a"></a><a href="#citation5a">{5a}</a> Chalmers’s +Caledonia, v. i. pp. 239, &c.</p> +<p><a name="footnote5b"></a><a href="#citation5b">{5b}</a> 1. +231.</p> +<p><a name="footnote5c"></a><a href="#citation5c">{5c}</a> 1. +289.</p> +<p><a name="footnote5d"></a><a href="#citation5d">{5d}</a> 1. +386.</p> +<p><a name="footnote5e"></a><a href="#citation5e">{5e}</a> 1. +393.</p> +<p><a name="footnote5f"></a><a href="#citation5f">{5f}</a> 1. +534.</p> +<p><a name="footnote5g"></a><a href="#citation5g">{5g}</a> 1. +607.</p> +<p><a name="footnote5h"></a><a href="#citation5h">{5h}</a> 1. +713.</p> +<p><a name="footnote6a"></a><a href="#citation6a">{6a}</a> 1. +32</p> +<p><a name="footnote6b"></a><a href="#citation6b">{6b}</a> 1. +648.</p> +<p><a name="footnote6c"></a><a href="#citation6c">{6c}</a> Stanzas +xvii. xxxii lxxxvi.</p> +<p><a name="footnote6d"></a><a href="#citation6d">{6d}</a> 1. +229.</p> +<p><a name="footnote6e"></a><a href="#citation6e">{6e}</a> 1. +86, 584.</p> +<p><a name="footnote6f"></a><a href="#citation6f">{6f}</a> Stanza +xviii.</p> +<p><a name="footnote7a"></a><a href="#citation7a">{7a}</a> 1. +753, 884.</p> +<p><a name="footnote7b"></a><a href="#citation7b">{7b}</a> Stanza +lxviii.</p> +<p><a name="footnote7c"></a><a href="#citation7c">{7c}</a> Stanza +xiv.</p> +<p><a name="footnote7d"></a><a href="#citation7d">{7d}</a> Stanza +xxxix.</p> +<p><a name="footnote7e"></a><a href="#citation7e">{7e}</a> Stanza +xlii.</p> +<p><a name="footnote7f"></a><a href="#citation7f">{7f}</a> Stanza +xliii.</p> +<p><a name="footnote7g"></a><a href="#citation7g">{7g}</a> Stanza +lxv.</p> +<p><a name="footnote7h"></a><a href="#citation7h">{7h}</a> Stanza +lii.</p> +<p><a name="footnote7i"></a><a href="#citation7i">{7i}</a> Stanza +xxi.</p> +<p><a name="footnote7j"></a><a href="#citation7j">{7j}</a> Stanza +xvii.</p> +<p><a name="footnote8a"></a><a href="#citation8a">{8a}</a> Stanza +xliii.</p> +<p><a name="footnote79a"></a><a href="#citation79a">{79a}</a> +Or, “The youth was endowed with a manly disposition,” the +word <i>oed</i> being taken as a verb (oedd) rather than as a substantive; +though it ought to be remarked, as indicative of the sense in which +it was regarded by the copyist, that MS. No. 3, which has generally +supplied the <i>dd</i> where it was considered necessary, has it not +in the present instance.</p> +<p><a name="footnote79b"></a><a href="#citation79b">{79b}</a> +Al. charger, in the singular number. The favourite steed of our +hero, supposing him to be the son of Urien Rheged, is, in the Triads, +called “Carnavlawg” (cloven-hoofed) and is said to have +been “one of the three horses of depredation of the Isle of Britain,” +(Myv. Arch. vol. ii. page 20.) Taliesin in his Elegy on Owain +son of Urien, describes him as</p> +<p>“Gwr gwiw uch ei amliw seirch<br />A roddei feirch<br />I eirchiaid.”</p> +<p>A worthy hero seated on variegated trappings,<br />Who would give +steeds to those that asked him.<br />—Myv. Arch. vol. i. p. 59.</p> +<p><i>Thick mane</i> was regarded as one of the good points of a horse; +thus Taliesin,—</p> +<p> “Atuyn march myngvras mangre.”<br />Beautiful +in a tangle is a thick-maned horse.<br />—Ib. p, 28.</p> +<p><a name="footnote79c"></a><a href="#citation79c">{79c}</a> +Lit. “Were under the thigh of;” an expression frequently +employed by the early bards to denote the act of riding. See “Elegy +upon Geraint ab Erbin,” by Llywarch Hen.</p> +<p><a name="footnote80a"></a><a href="#citation80a">{80a}</a> +One of the sons of Llywarch Hen is similarly represented as a youth,—</p> +<p>“That wore the golden spurs,”<br />—Owen’s +Ll. Hen, p. 131.</p> +<p>In the days of chivalry, of which the era of the Gododin may fairly +be considered as the commencement, the privilege of decorating arms, +and the accoutrements of horses with gold, was exclusively confined +to knights, and their families; squires being only permitted the use +of silver for the purpose. (St. Palaye, 1. 247, 284.)</p> +<p><a name="footnote80b"></a><a href="#citation80b">{80b}</a> +“Pan,” pannus—down, fur, ermine, or fulled cloth.</p> +<p><a name="footnote80c"></a><a href="#citation80c">{80c}</a> +This is not literally true of Owain ab Urien, for he was married to +a daughter of Culvynawyd Prydain.</p> +<p><a name="footnote80d"></a><a href="#citation80d">{80d}</a> +“Argyvrein,” might perhaps come from <i>argyvrau</i>, paraphernalia; +a portion or dowry.</p> +<p>“Ymogel ddwyn gwraig atat yn enw ei <i>hargyvrau</i>.”</p> +<p>Beware of taking to thyself a wife for the sake of her portion.<br />(Cato +Gymraeg.)</p> +<p>In that case, the passage should be rendered,—</p> +<p>Ere thou didst obtain thy nuptial dowry;</p> +<p>which reading would be supported by the allusion to the nuptial feast +in the preceding passage. Nevertheless the term “argynrein,” +occurring in three other copies, would certainly point to the signification +given in the text; “argyvrein” being capable of the same +meaning, whilst “argynrein” has no reference whatever to +the nuptial dowry.</p> +<p><a name="footnote81a"></a><a href="#citation81a">{81a}</a> +The manner in which the person here commemorated is associated with +the ravens, leads us to suspect that he was none other than Owain ab +Urien, who is traditionally reported to have had an army of ravens in +his service, by which, however, we are probably to understand an army +of men with those birds emblazoned on their standard, even as his descendants +still bear them in their coats of arms. Not only do the Welsh +Romances and Bards of the middle ages allude to these ravens, but even +Taliesin and Llywarch Hen, seem pointedly to connect them with Urien +or his son. Thus the former in an Ode on the battle of Argoed +Llwyvaen, (Myv. Arch. vol. i. p. 53) in which Owain commanded the Cumbrian +forces, under his father against Ida, says,—</p> +<p>“A rhag gwaith Argoed Llwyfain<br />Bu llawer celain<br />Rhuddei +frain rhag rhyfel gwyr.”</p> +<p>Because of the battle of Argoed Llwyvain,<br />There happened many +a dead carcase,<br />And the ravens were coloured with the war of men.</p> +<p>And Llywarch Hen in his “Elegy on Urien Rheged” has the +following expressions;—</p> +<p>“Pen a borthav ar vy nhu; Pen Urien,<br />Llary, llyw ei lu;<br />Ac +ar ei vron wen vran ddu.</p> +<p>Pen a borthav mywn vy nghrys; pen Urien,<br />Llary llywiai lys:<br />Ac +ar ei vron wen vran ai hys.”</p> +<p>I bear by my side a head; the head of Urien,<br />The mild leader +of his army;<br />And on his white bosom the sable raven is perched.</p> +<p>I bear in my shirt a head; the head of Urien,<br />That governed +a court with mildness;<br />And on his white bosom the sable raven doth +glut.<br />(Owen’s Ll. Hen. p. 24.)</p> +<p>This supposition would considerably enhance the point and beauty +of the passage in the text; for a sad or unbecoming thing, indeed, (“cwl,” +<i>a fault</i>) would it be that one who fought by the aid of ravens +should himself be eventually devoured by them.</p> +<p>Moreover, a tradition prevails, that Owain the son of Urien was actually +engaged in the battle of Cattraeth. Thus Lewis Glyn Cothi, a poet +of the fifteenth century, observes;—</p> +<p>“Bwriodd Owain ab Urien<br />Y tri thwr yn Nghattraeth hen.<br />Ovnodd +Arthur val goddaith<br />Owain, ei vrain a’i fon vraith.”<br />(I. +140.)</p> +<p>Owain son of Urien overthrew<br />The three towers of Cattraeth of +old;<br />Arthur dreaded, as the flames,<br />Owain, his ravens, and +his parti-coloured staff.</p> +<p>But to the view which would identify our hero with the son of Urien +there is this objection, that the poem describes the former as the son +of Marro or Marco; nor can the difficulty be got over, without supposing +that this was another name of Urien. Or if that be inadmissible, +the line, in which Owain’s name occurs, may be translated,—</p> +<p>Alas, the beloved friend of Owain;</p> +<p>an alteration, which will do no great violence to the allusion about +the ravens.</p> +<p><a name="footnote82a"></a><a href="#citation82a">{82a}</a> +Al. “March,” as if addressing the horse of the slain;—</p> +<p>O steed, in what spot<br />Was slaughtered, &c.</p> +<p><a name="footnote82b"></a><a href="#citation82b">{82b}</a> +“Cynhaiawc,” (cyn-taiawg.) Adopting this version for +the sake of variety, and under the impression that all the different +readings of this poem are not the mere result of orthographical accident, +but that the forms of obscure or illegible words were sometimes determined +by tradition, we must believe that the <i>taiogion</i>, who composed +the army of Madog, were simply his own tenants or dependants.</p> +<p><a name="footnote83a"></a><a href="#citation83a">{83a}</a> +“Diffun,” (di-ffun.) <i>Ffun</i> is any thing united +together, and is used at line 803 for a band of men. Some read +“diffyn,” (protection or defence) and in that case the sense +of the passage would seem to be,</p> +<p>He brought protection to women, and mead he distributed.</p> +<p>The former reading is preferred, inasmuch as it exhibits in a more +natural and consistent manner the twofold character of Madog, as a soldier +and a courtier, which appears to be the object of the Bard to delineate. +Our inference on this point is moreover supported by more obvious passages +of that description, which occur again in the Poem, such as,—</p> +<p>“Ragorei veirch racvuan<br />En trin lletvegin gwin o bann.”</p> +<p>He surpassed the fleetest steeds<br />In war, but was a tame animal +when he poured the wine from the goblet.</p> +<p>The epithet “cynhaiawc,” assuming it to be the proper +term, would also, by reason of its contrasting effect, considerably +enhance the value of our hero’s domestic and social courtesy.</p> +<p><a name="footnote83b"></a><a href="#citation83b">{83b}</a> +“Twll tal y rodawr.” Dr. Owen Pughe translates this +“the front opening of his chariot;” “twll ar ysgwyd,” +however, in the lxxxvii stanza, evidently refers to a shield, and this +sense is, moreover, supported by “tyllant tal ysgwydawr,” +in Taliesin’s Ode on Gwallawg, as well as “rac twll y gylchwy,” +used by Cynddelw. The meaning therefore appears to be that wherever +the battle raged, there would the chief be found, so boldly and <i>directly</i> +fighting as to have the very boss of his shield perforated by the spears +of his enemy.</p> +<p><a name="footnote83c"></a><a href="#citation83c">{83c}</a> +“Brwyn.” From the practice which the Welsh Bards commonly +had of adapting their descriptive similes to the names, armorial bearings, +or some other peculiarities of their heroes, we may infer that the chieftain, +who is celebrated in this stanza, is none other than Madog ab Brwyn. +Indeed one copy reads “mab brwyn,” the son of Brwyn, rather +than <i>mal</i> brwyn, as above. He is distinguished in the Triads +with Ceugant Beilliog and Rhuvon, under the appellation of the “three +golden corpses,” because their weight in gold was given by their +families to have their bodies delivered up by the enemy. (Myv. +Arch. vol. ii. p. 69.) Madog ab Brwyn was the grandson of Cunedda +Wledig, lord of Gododin.</p> +<p><a name="footnote84a"></a><a href="#citation84a">{84a}</a> +A maritime region in the north, as we infer, not only from the works +of Aneurin, but also from those of Taliesin and Merddin.</p> +<p><a name="footnote84b"></a><a href="#citation84b">{84b}</a> +The rest having been slain.</p> +<p><a name="footnote84c"></a><a href="#citation84c">{84c}</a> +“Erwyt” (erwyd) a pole, or a staff to mete with, and, like +the <i>gwialen</i>, an emblem of authority. “I will—mete +out the valley of Succoth.” (Psalm lx. 6.) A similar +expression occurs in Llywarch Hen’s Poems with reference to Urien +Rheged, viz.</p> +<p> “Oedd cledyr cywlad rhwydd.”</p> +<p>which W. Owen has translated,—</p> +<p>“That was the prompt defender of his neighbourhood.”</p> +<p><a name="footnote84d"></a><a href="#citation84d">{84d}</a> +Llywarch Hen says in like manner of his own son Gwen,—</p> +<p> “Rhythr eryr yn ebyr oeddyd.”<br />In +the assault like the eagle at the fall of rivers thou wert.</p> +<p>The eagle was probably the armorial badge of the hero of this stanza.</p> +<p><a name="footnote84e"></a><a href="#citation84e">{84e}</a> +Al. “y lyr,” to our shore. We have here an instance +of the kindred signification of some of the different readings found +in the Poem. Both words are used in juxtaposition in the following +extracts;—</p> +<p>“Gwelais ar vorwyn—<br />Lliw golau tonau taenverw gwenyg<br />Llanw +<i>ebyr</i> ar <i>llyr</i>, lle ni mawr-drig.”<br />(Cynddelw.)</p> +<p>I beheld on a maiden<br />The bright hue of the spreading ebullition +of the breakers of the waves,<br />Of the flood of the effluxes of rivers, +on the strand, where it tarries not long.</p> +<p>“Oedd ei var—<br />Megys twrv <i>ebyr</i> yn <i>llyr</i> +llawn.”<br />(Cynddelw.)</p> +<p>His rage<br />Was like the tumult of the mouths of rivers with a +full margin.</p> +<p>“Calan hyddvrev, tymp dydd yn edwi,<br />Cynhwrv yn <i>ebyr</i>, +<i>llyr</i> yn llenwi.”<br />(Ll P. Moch.)</p> +<p>The beginning of October, the period of the falling off of day,<br />There +is tumult in the mouths of rivers, filling up the shore.</p> +<p><a name="footnote85a"></a><a href="#citation85a">{85a}</a> +“I ammod.” This was probably a confederation entered +into by the different princes, for the purpose of uniting their forces +against the common enemy; a supposition corroborated by the word “cywlad,” +just used. The poet might, however, have intended a play upon +the word “ammod,” because of its great resemblance in sound +to “ammwyd,” a <i>bait</i>, to which the eagle was allured, +“llithywyt” (llithiwyd) a strictly sporting term.</p> +<p><a name="footnote85b"></a><a href="#citation85b">{85b}</a> +“A garwyd,” al. “a gatwyt” “was preserved, +or protected.”</p> +<p><a name="footnote85c"></a><a href="#citation85c">{85c}</a> +The connection between “arvaeth,” and the bannerial device +is very obvious at lines 110, 111.</p> +<p>“Mor ehelaeth<br />E aruaeth uch arwyt.”</p> +<p>With such a magnificent<br />Design of enterprize blazoned on his +standard.</p> +<p><a name="footnote85d"></a><a href="#citation85d">{85d}</a> +“O dechwyt,” i.e. <i>tech wyd</i>.</p> +<p><a name="footnote85e"></a><a href="#citation85e">{85e}</a> +We have adopted “Manawyd” as a proper name, under the impression +that the different stanzas of the Gododin, albeit regular links of the +same general subject, are nevertheless in a manner each complete in +itself, and therefore that it would be more natural, where the drift +of the paragraph allowed, or seemed to have that tendency, to look out +for the names of the chiefs, who may be thus distinctly introduced; +according to the tenor of the following declaration which is appended +to “Gorchan Cynvelyn.” (Myv. Arch. vol. i. page 61.)</p> +<p>“Canu un Canuauc a dal pob Awdyl o’r Gododin heruyd breint +yngcerd amrysson. Tri chanu a thriugeint a thrychant a dal pob +un or Gorchaneu . . . Achaws yu am goffau yn y Gorchaneu rivedi Guyr +a aethant y Gatraeth nog y dyle gur vyned i ymlad heb arveu; Ny dyle +Bard myned i amrysson heb y gerd honno.”</p> +<p>Every Ode of the Gododin is equivalent to a single song, according +to the privilege of poetical competition. Each of the incantations +is equal to three hundred and sixty-three songs, because the number +of the men who went to Cattraeth is commemorated in the Incantations, +and as no man should go to battle without arms, so no Bard ought to +contend without that Poem.</p> +<p>It is true that in the Vellum MS. as transcribed by Davies, this +does not form a distinct stanza, but is a continuation of the preceding +one. Nevertheless in other copies a detached position is given +to it, which seems required also by the opening sentence, and particularly +by the rhyme.</p> +<p>We find, moreover, that Manawyd was anciently used as a proper name, +for not to mention Manawydan and Culvynawyd, we have Manawyd in one +of Taliesin’s Poems as undoubtedly the name of a person.</p> +<p>“Ys gwyr Manawyd a Phryderi.”<br />(Myv. Arch. vol. i. +p. 67.)</p> +<p>The name of Pryderi occurs further on in our Poem.</p> +<p>Manawyd is mentioned likewise in the Dialogue between Arthur, Cai, +and Glewlwyd,—</p> +<p>“Neus duc Manavid eis tull o Trywrid”<br />(Myv. Arch. +vol. i. p. 167.)</p> +<p>Dr. O. Pughe translates the line in the Gododin thus —</p> +<p>“There was a confident impelling forward of the shaft of the +variegated standard.”</p> +<p><a name="footnote86a"></a><a href="#citation86a">{86a}</a> +“Ny nodi,” (ni nodi) <i>thou dost not mark</i>, thou art +blind to the arms of the enemy both defensive and offensive. “Nodi,” +may also have reference to “nod” in the third line of the +stanza.</p> +<p><a name="footnote86b"></a><a href="#citation86b">{86b}</a> +Al. “Protected against the assault of the battle of Manau;” +i.e. Mannau Gododin, or according to others, Mannau in which A.D. 582 +Aidan mac Gavran was victorious. (See Ritson’s Annals of +Caledonia, Vol. ii. p. 35.)</p> +<p><a name="footnote87a"></a><a href="#citation87a">{87a}</a> +One reason for not regarding “Caeawc” as a proper name, +may be discovered in the manner in which the expression “cawawc +cynhorawc” is used in an anonymous poem of an early date, apud +Myv. Arch. vol. i. page 180. The author, though he evidently borrowed +it from the Gododin, as indeed his allusion to Cattraeth a few lines +before would likewise imply, employs it merely as an epithet.</p> +<p><a name="footnote87b"></a><a href="#citation87b">{87b}</a> +An allusion probably to his armorial bearings. Another reading +gives “bled e maran,” on the open strand.</p> +<p><a name="footnote87c"></a><a href="#citation87c">{87c}</a> +“This singular fact of the ancient Britons wearing amber beads, +is confirmed by many beads of amber having been found in the barrows +on Salisbury plain, which have been recently dug. I understand +that in several of these graves, pieces of amber like beads have been +met with; and in one as many beads were found as would have made a wreath.” +(S. Turner’s Vind. 208, 209.)</p> +<p><a name="footnote87d"></a><a href="#citation87d">{87d}</a> +“Am ran.” “Tri argau gwaed: gwaed hyd <i>ran</i>, +a gwaed hyd gwll, a gwaed hyd lawr; sev yw hynny, gwaed hyd <i>wyneb</i>, +gwaed hyd ddillad, a gwaed a reto hyd lawr.” (Law Triads, +Myv. Arch, vol. iii. p. 342.) Hence “amrant,” the +eyelid.</p> +<p><a name="footnote87e"></a><a href="#citation87e">{87e}</a> +Lit. “the place of wine,” otherwise “a horn of wine,”</p> +<p>“Ef a’m rhoddes medd a gwin o wydrin <i>ban</i>.</p> +<p>He gave me mead and wine from the transparent horn.<br />(Taliesin.)</p> +<p>Al. “gwrnvann,” the place of the urn. In that case +the line might be thus translated,—</p> +<p>Precious was the amber, but its price was the grave.</p> +<p><a name="footnote88a"></a><a href="#citation88a">{88a}</a> +The hero of this stanza we take to be the “son of Ysgyran” +himself. He disdained the eager advance of the enemy; for such +was his will, that he had only to declare it, to make Venedotia and +the North acknowledge his power, and submit to his jurisdiction; or, +it may be, to march unanimously to his side. Supposing “gwyar,” +however, to be the correct reading, we might render the line thus,—</p> +<p>He repelled violence, and gore trickled to the ground.</p> +<p>Perhaps the identity of the person commemorated with the son of Ysgyran +would become more evident by the addition of a comma after “gyssul,” +thus,—</p> +<p>“Ket dyffei wyned a gogled e rann<br />O gussyl,— mah +Ysgyrran.”</p> +<p>Who Ysgyran, or Cyran (the <i>ys</i> being a mere prefix) was, we +have no means of knowing, as the name does not occur any where in history.</p> +<p><a name="footnote88b"></a><a href="#citation88b">{88b}</a> +Al. “The maimed shield-bearer,” (ysgwydwr.)</p> +<p><a name="footnote88c"></a><a href="#citation88c">{88c}</a> +“Cyn-nod,” the principal mark or butt; the most conspicuous, +owing to his being in advance of his men, and perhaps on account of +his stature also, if “eg gawr,” or “yggawr” +mean <i>giantlike</i>.</p> +<p><a name="footnote88d"></a><a href="#citation88d">{88d}</a> +“Cyn-ran;” the foremost share, or participation of an action.</p> +<p><a name="footnote89a"></a><a href="#citation89a">{89a}</a> +“Pymwnt,” (i.e. pum mwnt; “deg myrdd yn y mwnt,”) +five hundred thousand, which, multiplied by five, would give us 2,500,000 +as the number of men who composed the above battalions.</p> +<p><a name="footnote89b"></a><a href="#citation89b">{89b}</a> +Deivyr and Bryneich, (<i>Deira and Bernicia</i>) are situated on the +eastern coast of the island, the river Humber, as we learn from the +Triads, (Myv. Arch. vol. ii. p. 68) flowing through a portion thereof. +In a document which has been published in the Iolo MSS. Argoed Derwennydd, +(Derwent wood probably) and the river Trenn or Trent, are mentioned +as the extreme boundaries of the region. The triads moreover speak +of the three sons of Dysgyvedawg, (or Dysgyvyndawd) viz. Gall, Difedel, +and Ysgavnell, under the appellation of the “three monarchs of +Deivyr and Bryneich,” (Ibid. p. 64) about the period, as it would +appear, of our Poem.</p> +<p>It is clear from the above passage in the Gododin, as well as from +those lines, (78, 79.)</p> +<p>“Ar deulu brenneych beych barnasswn<br />Dilyw dyn en vyw nys +adawsswn.”</p> +<p>If I had judged you to be of the tribe of Bryneich,<br />Not the +phantom of a man would I have left alive;</p> +<p>that the people of those countries were not at the time in question +on friendly terms with the neighbouring Britons; which circumstance +is further apparent from the contemporary testimony of Llywarch Hen, +who speaks of Urien as having conquered the land of Bryneich;</p> +<p>“Neus gorug o dir Brynaich.”</p> +<p>This, it is true, might have a reference to the Saxon tribes, who +had succeeded at an early period, in establishing themselves along the +coast in that part of the island, yet the disparaging manner in which +the grave of Disgyrnin Disgyfedawt, evidently the father of the “three +monarchs,” is spoken of in the Englynion y Beddau, inclines us +strongly to the belief that it was the Aborigines themselves who were +thus guilty of treason to the common weal.</p> +<p>“Cigleu don drom dra thywawd,<br />Am vedd Dysgyrnyn Dysgyveddawd,<br />Aches +trwm angwres pechawd.”</p> +<p>Hear the sullen wave beyond the strand,<br />Round the grave of Dysgyrnyn +Dysgyveddawd,<br />Heavy the burning impulse raised by sin.<br />(Myv. +Arch. vol. i. p. 78.)</p> +<p><a name="footnote90a"></a><a href="#citation90a">{90a}</a> +An allusion to the name of our hero’s father, (Bleiddan) and probably +to his own standard.</p> +<p><a name="footnote90b"></a><a href="#citation90b">{90b}</a> +“Neithyawr.” Al. “than go to the altar.”</p> +<p><a name="footnote90c"></a><a href="#citation90c">{90c}</a> +Al. “elawr” a <i>bier</i>, “than obtained a bier.” +He was devoured by the birds of prey ere he could be removed for interment.</p> +<p><a name="footnote90d"></a><a href="#citation90d">{90d}</a> +Or, “Ere he received his nuptial dowry, his blood streamed down.”</p> +<p><a name="footnote90e"></a><a href="#citation90e">{90e}</a> +Hyveidd Hir was the son of Bleiddan Sant, of Glamorgan, (the celebrated +Lupus.) According to the Triads he was one of the three alien +kings, upon whom dominion was conferred for their mighty deeds, and +for their praiseworthy and gracious qualities.</p> +<p>“Tri eilldeyrn ynys Prydain: Gwrgai vab Gwrien yn y Gogledd, +a Chadavael vab Cynvedw yng Ngwynedd, a Hyveidd Hir vab Bleiddan Sant +ym Morganwg: sev y rhodded Teyrnedd iddynt am eu campau a’u cynneddvau +clodvorion a rhadvorion.”<br />(Triad, 26, third series.)</p> +<p>Taliesin, in his Ode to Urien, speaks of Hyveidd in conjunction with +Gododin;—</p> +<p>“Hyveidd a Gododin a lleu towys.”<br />(Myv. Arch. vol. +i. p. 57.)</p> +<p>His name also occurs in another poem, by the same Bard, “to +Gwallawg ap Lleenawg;”—</p> +<p>“Haearnddur a Hyfeidd a Gwallawg<br />Ac Owein Mon Maelgynig +ddefawd<br />A wnaw peithwyr gorweiddiawg.”</p> +<p>Haearnddur and Hyveidd and Gwallawg,<br />And Owain of Mon, of Maelgynian +manner,<br />Would prostrate the ravagers.<br />(Myv. Arch. vol. i. +p. 64.)</p> +<p>The epithet “Hir,” (<i>long</i> or <i>tall</i>) applied +to Hyveidd, countenances the view of his being conspicuous on account +of his size.</p> +<p><a name="footnote91a"></a><a href="#citation91a">{91a}</a> +Gognaw must have been the son of Botgad. The name, as well as +that of the preceding hero, occurs in an Ode which Taliesin addressed +to Gwallawg ab Lleenawg.</p> +<p>“Gognaw ei brawd digones.”</p> +<p>If, however, it be not a proper name in this stanza, it may be rendered +either “with laughter and sprightliness,” or “they +were a laughing energy.”</p> +<p><a name="footnote91b"></a><a href="#citation91b">{91b}</a> +Al. “As with blades they dealt mutual blows.”</p> +<p><a name="footnote91c"></a><a href="#citation91c">{91c}</a> +“A llaw,” <i>a hand</i>; metaphorically <i>power</i>. +Al. “a allaw,” <i>who is able</i>.</p> +<p><a name="footnote92a"></a><a href="#citation92a">{92a}</a> +The same consideration which induced us to regard “Manawyd” +as a proper name in a former stanza, has caused us to leave “Gwanar” +untranslated in this place. It is not improbable, however, from +the shortness of this sonnet, that the line containing the name of its +hero may have been lost. In that case we should translate “chwerthin +wanar,” “their leader laughed.” That Gwanar +was occasionally used as a proper name by the ancient Britons, appears +from Triad xl. (first series) where we find one of the sons of Lliaws +ab Nwyvre so called. He flourished however before the date of +the Gododin, and cannot on that account be identified with the Gwanar +of the text. Taliesin uses the word in his “Mic Dinbych,” +apparently as a proper name;—</p> +<p>“Clod wasgar a Gwanar ydd ymddullyn.”</p> +<p><a name="footnote92b"></a><a href="#citation92b">{92b}</a> +Or “gem of a regiment;” his choice regiment.</p> +<p><a name="footnote92c"></a><a href="#citation92c">{92c}</a> +Al. “digynny,” <i>went up</i>.</p> +<p><a name="footnote92d"></a><a href="#citation92d">{92d}</a> +The Bard in the two last lines seems to be addressing Death, or Fate, +which he designates as “the strong pillar of the living law,” +or the law of nature, just as the Latins called it “dura necessitas,” +“mortis dura lex,” “fatalis Parcarum lex,” &c. +The expressions “heb vawr drydar,” and “arwar,” +indicative of the effects of death, are introduced by way of contrast +to the noisy mirth which characterised the warriors’ march to +the field of battle. “Arwar” signifies literally a +<i>quiescent state</i>, or <i>state of general rest</i>; <i>pacification</i>; +and as such is a very proper term to denote the character of death.</p> +<p>“O <i>arwar</i> daiar down i gyd dyddbrawd.”<br />(Ll. +P. Moch.)</p> +<p>From the silent state of earth we shall all come at the judgment +day.</p> +<p><a name="footnote93a"></a><a href="#citation93a">{93a}</a> +As the word “glas,” though primarily signifying <i>blue</i>, +has also a very general sense, and may mean merely <i>pale</i> or <i>fresh</i>, +yet as we find decided colours attributed to mead elsewhere in the poem, +such as “melyn,” (yellow) and “gwyn” (white) +we have thought proper to retain the literal acceptation in this place, +as a poetical variety, however inapplicable to the beverage in question +it may seem.</p> +<p><a name="footnote93b"></a><a href="#citation93b">{93b}</a> +“Impia sub dulci melle venena latent.”</p> +<p><a name="footnote93c"></a><a href="#citation93c">{93c}</a> +The name of the chieftain, who commanded this particular troop, is not +mentioned, unless (which is not very probable) we take “Trychant” +in the third line as a proper name, and translate thus,—</p> +<p>“ Trychant marshals his men, armed with the weapons of war.”</p> +<p>Or, are we to understand by “trwy beiryant,” that he +marshalled his men by means of some instrument or machinery?</p> +<p><a name="footnote93d"></a><a href="#citation93d">{93d}</a> +I.e. the silence of death.</p> +<p><a name="footnote94a"></a><a href="#citation94a">{94a}</a> +“Fyryf frwythlawn,” i.e. “<i>fyrv</i> frwythlawn;” +the sense of “<i>furv</i> frwythlawn” would seem to be “in +vigorous order.”</p> +<p><a name="footnote94b"></a><a href="#citation94b">{94b}</a> +The followers of the son of Cian (<i>a little dog</i>) are evidently +called “aergwn,” (<i>dogs of war</i>) in allusion to his +patronymic, as well as to the name of his residence, “maen gwyngwn,” +(<i>the stone of the white dogs</i>.) Probably also the figure +of a dog was charged on their banner.</p> +<p><a name="footnote94c"></a><a href="#citation94c">{94c}</a> +The Bernicians, as we have already noticed, were at this time opposed +to the British patriots. The Cymry carried a traditional hatred +of that people with them into Wales, and applied the term <i>Bryneich</i> +to such of their kindred as allied themselves to the enemies of their +country, as is abundantly manifest in the works of the mediæval +Bards.—See STEPHEN’S Literature of the Kymry, p. 265.)</p> +<p><a name="footnote94d"></a><a href="#citation94d">{94d}</a> +Or, “Like a deluge, I would not have left a man alive.”</p> +<p><a name="footnote94e"></a><a href="#citation94e">{94e}</a> +It is very probable that the son of Cian had married a daughter of one +of the chiefs of Bryneich, which would thus account for the Bard’s +lurking apprehension at first, that he might be induced to barter his +allegiance for the dowry to be expected with his wife. His fears +however were groundless; for such were the purity and patriotism of +our youthful hero, that he even refused the dowry when it was offered +to him, and braved his father-in-law’s anger withal.</p> +<p><a name="footnote95a"></a><a href="#citation95a">{95a}</a> +In Gorchan Maelderw we read of—</p> +<p>“The only son of Cian from Trabannawg.”</p> +<p>Cian was a Bard, and is mentioned as such by Nennius in the following +passage,—</p> +<p>“Item Talhaern Talanguen in Poemate claruit, et Nuevin et Taliessin, +et Bluchbar, et Cian qui vocatur Gueinchguant (<i>Cian who is called +Gwyngwn</i>) simul uno tempore in poemate Britannico claruerunt.”</p> +<p>Taliesin likewise represents him in that character in a Poem entitled, +“Angar Cyvyndawd.” (Myv. Arch. vol. i. p. 34.)</p> +<p>“Cian pan ddarvu<br />Lliaws gyvolu.”</p> +<p>When Cian sang the praise of many.</p> +<p>The circumstance of his being thus a poet, and classed with Aneurin +(Nuevin) would account for the intimacy which subsisted between the +latter and his son.</p> +<p>Cian is said to have been the servant of Peris, and to them conjointly +is Llangian in Caernarvonshire dedicated. Cian is commemorated +on the 11th of December.—See Rees’s Welsh Saints, p. 302.</p> +<p><a name="footnote95b"></a><a href="#citation95b">{95b}</a> +It is probable that <i>three hundred</i> was the number which composed +the retinue of Mynyddawg, and that a <i>hundred thousand</i>, a large +round figure, is chosen to denote the preponderance of the enemy’s +forces that were arrayed in opposition. This view seems more in +unison with reason, as well as with the grammatical construction of +the passage, (“emdaflawr” being a middle verb) than the +supposition that the “milcant a thrychant” formed the total +of the army of the Cymry.</p> +<p><a name="footnote96a"></a><a href="#citation96a">{96a}</a> +Or, “They served as butts for the falling lances.”</p> +<p><a name="footnote96b"></a><a href="#citation96b">{96b}</a> +“Gorsaf;” “Gorsav arv,” <i>a magazine of arms</i>. +“Brwydr orsavawl,” a pitched battle.</p> +<p><a name="footnote96c"></a><a href="#citation96c">{96c}</a> +“Mynyddawg Mwynvawr.” The Triads call him “Mynyddawg +Eiddin,” <i>Edin</i>, hence <i>Edinburgh</i>, which probably corresponds +with his original place of residence, or at any rate may be considered +as being situate within the limits of his ancient dominions. “The +retinue of Mynyddawg Eiddin at Cattraeth” is represented as one +of “the three honourable retinues of the Isle of Britain,” +because the men who composed it had joined their chieftain’s standard +of their own accord, and marched at their own expense, claiming neither +pay nor reward for their service, from king or country.</p> +<p>“Tair gosgordd addwyn Ynys Prydain; Gosgordd Belyn vab Cynvelyn +yng nghadvel Caradawg ab Bran; a gosgordd Mynyddawg Eiddin yng Nghattraeth; +a Gosgordd Drywon ab Nudd Hael yn Rhodwydd Arderydd yn y Gogledd; sev +ydd elai bawb yn y rhai hynny ar eu traul eu hunain heb aros govyn, +ac heb erchi na thal nag anrheg y gan wlad na chan Deyrn; ac achaws +hynny au gelwid hwy y tair gosgordd addwyn.”<br />(Triad 79, third +series.)</p> +<p><a name="footnote96d"></a><a href="#citation96d">{96d}</a> +“Hanyanawr,” their natural relatives; “hangenawr,” +those who stood in need of them, their families and friends. The +line may likewise be rendered,—</p> +<p>“Esteemed for their age and disposition.”</p> +<p><a name="footnote96e"></a><a href="#citation96e">{96e}</a> +Al. “llawen,” <i>merry</i>; “the merry minstrel.”</p> +<p><a name="footnote97a"></a><a href="#citation97a">{97a}</a> +These plumes must accordingly have been themselves red. That military +men at this period did wear feathers of particular colours as distinctive +badges, is further evident from the testimony of Llywarch Hen, who describes +himself as having worn “yellow plumes.”</p> +<p>“Gwedy meirch hywedd, a chochwedd ddillad,<br />A phluawr melyn,<br />Main +vy nghoes, nid oes ym dremyn!”<br />(Elegy on Cynddylan.)</p> +<p>After the sleek tractable steeds, and garments of ruddy hue,<br />And +the waving yellow plumes,<br />Slender is my leg, my piercing look is +gone.”</p> +<p>In some copies we read “phurawr” (purawr) <i>what purifies</i>.</p> +<p><a name="footnote97b"></a><a href="#citation97b">{97b}</a> +Their weapons were red and white from the effects of <i>blood</i> and +<i>gore</i>.</p> +<p><a name="footnote97c"></a><a href="#citation97c">{97c}</a> +Mr. Davies and Dr. Pughe seem to have preferred the expression “<i>pedryolet</i> +bennawr,” which they construed into <i>four pointed helmets</i>: +“pedryollt,” <i>split into four parts</i>, would appear, +however, to be much more accordant with the descriptive tenor of the +passage.</p> +<p><a name="footnote97d"></a><a href="#citation97d">{97d}</a> +As in the two preceding lines is contained a compliment to military +valour, the evident drift of the poem requires that it should be applied +to the British party; hence “rac” in this place must be +understood to mean that the toiling warriors were <i>from</i> or <i>of</i> +the retinue of Mynyddawg rather than from those who confronted him.</p> +<p><a name="footnote97e"></a><a href="#citation97e">{97e}</a> +Disgraced by the blasphemous taunts and treachery of the enemy.</p> +<p><a name="footnote98a"></a><a href="#citation98a">{98a}</a> +“Ceugant yw angeu,” (adage.) The line might be rendered,—</p> +<p>“Without end they multiplied the wooden biers;”</p> +<p>An expression similar to that made use of by Llywarch Hen, in reference +to the battle of Llongborth:—</p> +<p>“Ac elorawr mwy no maint.<br />And biers innumerable.<br />(Elegy +upon Geraint ab Erbin.)</p> +<p>“Ceugant,” translated <i>without end</i>, is properly +a Druidic term, signifying the circle of eternity.</p> +<p>“Cylch y ceugant, ac nis gall namyn Duw eu dreiglaw.”<br />The +circle of infinitude, none but God can pervade it.<br />(Barddas.)</p> +<p>“Tri phren rhydd yn forest y brenhin; pren crib eglwys; a phren +peleidyr a elont yn rhaid y brenhin; a <i>phren elawr</i>.”<br />(Welsh +Laws.)</p> +<p><a name="footnote98b"></a><a href="#citation98b">{98b}</a> +He is described as of “Baptism” in contradistinction to +the infidel Saxons.</p> +<p><a name="footnote98c"></a><a href="#citation98c">{98c}</a> +A reference to the last unction. See St. James, v. 14.</p> +<p><a name="footnote98d"></a><a href="#citation98d">{98d}</a> +I.e. Tudvwlch Hir, the hero of this particular stanza.</p> +<p><a name="footnote99a"></a><a href="#citation99a">{99a}</a> +“Ne.” The statement at line 138 would determine the +affirmative character of this word.</p> +<p><a name="footnote99b"></a><a href="#citation99b">{99b}</a> +“Veinoethyd,” (<i>meinoethydd</i>;) not “in the celebration +of May Eve,” which is Davies’s rendering, as we clearly +infer from the conjunction of the word with “meinddydd,” +(confessedly a <i>serene day</i>) in Kadeir Taliesin and Gwawd y Lludd +Mawr. (See Myv. Arch. v. i. pp. 37, 74.)</p> +<p><a name="footnote99c"></a><a href="#citation99c">{99c}</a> +“Gynatcan.” Al. “gyvatcan,” (<i>cyvadgan</i>) +a proverb. “Though his success was proverbial.”</p> +<p><a name="footnote99d"></a><a href="#citation99d">{99d}</a> +Or, “Through ambition he was a soarer.” The person +here commemorated was of an ambitious turn of mind, and bore armorial +ensigns of a corresponding character, which were looked upon, in a manner, +as prophetic of his successful career as a warrior, but the result of +this battle miserably belied such a promise.</p> +<p>“Prenial yw i bawb ei drachwres.”<br />The path of glory +leads but to the grave.<br />—(Taliesin.)</p> +<p><a name="footnote99e"></a><a href="#citation99e">{99e}</a> +Where Edinburgh now stands; and which was probably the head quarters +of Mynyddawg, (see line 89 note.) In a poem printed in Davies’s +Mythology of the Druids, p. 574, and supposed to have been written by +Aneurin, Tudvwlch and Cyvwlch are represented as feasting with Mynyddawg.</p> +<p>“Gan Vynydawc<br />Bu adveiliawc<br />Eu gwirodau.”<br />Destructive +were their wassails with Mynyddawg.</p> +<p><a name="footnote100a"></a><a href="#citation100a">{100a}</a> +In the Poem alluded to, Tudvwlch Hir is described as a <i>man of dignity</i>, +“breein,” and as having in conjunction with Cyvwlch made +breaches in the bastions of forts,—</p> +<p>“A oreu vwlch ar vann caerau.”</p> +<p>The Gorchan Maelderw in like manner speaks of him as,—</p> +<p>“Tudvwlch the oppressor of war, the destroyer of forts.”</p> +<p><a name="footnote100b"></a><a href="#citation100b">{100b}</a> +“Ech,” εχ.</p> +<p><a name="footnote100c"></a><a href="#citation100c">{100c}</a> +Lit. “until the seventh day;”—an expression intended +probably to denote the space of a week. The operations of each +day are specified further on in the Poem. In like manner we are +presented in “Gwawd Lludd y Mawr,” (Myv. Arch. vol. i. p. +74) with an enumeration of certain martial deeds that were performed +on each day during an entire week.</p> +<p><a name="footnote100d"></a><a href="#citation100d">{100d}</a> +Lit. “Should have made him a free man,” or “should +have continued him,” &c.</p> +<p><a name="footnote100e"></a><a href="#citation100e">{100e}</a> +Al. “ugain,” <i>a score</i>,</p> +<p><a name="footnote100f"></a><a href="#citation100f">{100f}</a> +Al. the powerful supporter—“drut nerthyd.”</p> +<p><a name="footnote100g"></a><a href="#citation100g">{100g}</a> +Kilydd is mentioned in the Mabinogi of “Kilhwch and Olwen,” +where he is represented as the son of Prince Kelyddon.</p> +<p><a name="footnote100h"></a><a href="#citation100h">{100h}</a> +“Gwyr;” al. the hero, “gwr.”</p> +<p><a name="footnote101a"></a><a href="#citation101a">{101a}</a> +Lit. “the gleamers assembled.” The 1, 2, 3, and 6, +versions, “cyn hynt treiawr,” might be translated “ere +the return of the ebbing tide,” and the meaning of the whole would +seem to be, that the men, having marched to the field of battle at dawn, +experienced a bloody engagement before the evening; the space of time +between tide and tide being equal to the length of a day.</p> +<p><a name="footnote101b"></a><a href="#citation101b">{101b}</a> +“Like the thunder of heaven was the clashing of the shields.”— +(Gorch. Mael.)</p> +<p><a name="footnote101c"></a><a href="#citation101c">{101c}</a> +“Od uch lle.” Al. “Od uch lled,” <i>above +the plain</i>.</p> +<p><a name="footnote101d"></a><a href="#citation101d">{101d}</a> +Mark the antithesis “gwr llawr”—“arbennawr,” +and “cethrawr”—“llavnawr.”</p> +<p><a name="footnote101e"></a><a href="#citation101e">{101e}</a> +“En gystud heyrn;” an allusion to the instrument which caused +his death. “Ferreus somnus.”</p> +<p><a name="footnote101f"></a><a href="#citation101f">{101f}</a> +It is clear from this statement that Erthai was the lawful lord of the +Mordei. He had been deprived of his dominions for a time, probably +through the usurpation of the “steel-clad commander,” but +at length succeeded in recovering them. Who Erthai was we know +not; Llywarch Hen had a son, whose name bore some resemblance to the +word: he is mentioned in the following triplet;—</p> +<p>“The best three men in their country,<br />For protecting their +habitation,<br />Eithyr and <i>Erthyr</i> and Argad.”<br />(Elegy +on Old Age.)</p> +<p><a name="footnote102a"></a><a href="#citation102a">{102a}</a> +Al. “Erthgi,” which is obviously the same as “Arthgi,” +a <i>bear-dog</i>. The rhythmical run of the line seems, however, +to point to the other as the proper word.</p> +<p><a name="footnote102b"></a><a href="#citation102b">{102b}</a> +“Erthychei;” there is here evidently an allusion to the +name of the hero, (that is, supposing the name adopted in the translation +to be the right one) which consideration induces us to prefer it to +the other reading, viz. “erthrychei.” “With +the latter word, however, we should translate the passage as follows;—</p> +<p>“In the front Erthai would mangle an army.”</p> +<p><a name="footnote102c"></a><a href="#citation102c">{102c}</a> +Al. “dychurant,” <i>will be afflicted</i>.</p> +<p><a name="footnote102d"></a><a href="#citation102d">{102d}</a> +Probably Edeyrn may have been the hero of this stanza, and that a play +upon the word is intended in the expression “edyrn diedyrn.” +Edyrn the kingdom will remain, but Edyrn the king is gone.</p> +<p><a name="footnote102e"></a><a href="#citation102e">{102e}</a> +“Gowyssawr,” the furrower of battle: the designation of +a warrior.</p> +<p>“Wyr i Vleddyn arv leiddiad<br />A oedd draw yn <i>cwysaw cad</i>.”<br />(Hywel +Cilan.)</p> +<p>A grandson of Bleddyn with the weapon of slaughter,<br />Was yonder +furrowing the battle.</p> +<p>Al. “lynwyssawr,” “the plague;” or “the +pool maker,” in reference to the effusion of blood which he caused +on the field of battle.</p> +<p>As just observed, this individual may have been Edeyrn, the son of +Nudd ab Beli ab Rhun ab Maelgwn ab Caswallon Lawhir ab Einiawn Yrth +ab Cunedda ab Edeyrn ab Padarn Beisrudd by Gwawl daughter of COEL GODEBOG, +who would be removed from the field of battle by his own clan.</p> +<p><a name="footnote103a"></a><a href="#citation103a">{103a}</a> +“Bu truan,” just as in line 107.</p> +<p><a name="footnote103b"></a><a href="#citation103b">{103b}</a> +The names of both these persons, as we have already seen, occur together +in a Poem attributed to Aneurin, and printed in Davies’s Mythology +of the Druids. The latter, moreover, appears in the Tale of “Kilhwch +and Olwen,” where a daughter of his is likewise mentioned by the +name of Eheubryd. Cyvwlch is there stated to have been one of +the three grandsons of Cleddyv Divwlch, the other two being Bwlch and +Sevwich. “Their three shields are three gleaming glitterers. +Their three spears are three pointed piercers. Their three swords +are three griding gashers, Glas, Glesig, and Clersag.” (page 291.)</p> +<p><a name="footnote103c"></a><a href="#citation103c">{103c}</a> +“Leu,” the root of “goleu,” “lleuad,” +&c. The other reading “liw,” is equally proper, +even as we still say “liw dydd,” “liw nos,” +&c.</p> +<p><a name="footnote103d"></a><a href="#citation103d">{103d}</a> +Lit. “rush-light.”</p> +<p><a name="footnote103e"></a><a href="#citation103e">{103e}</a> +Lit. “its enmity lasted long.” The latter portion +of this stanza, which refers to Tudvwlch and Cyvwlch, seems to have +been misplaced.</p> +<p><a name="footnote103f"></a><a href="#citation103f">{103f}</a> +Qu. “Icenorum arx?”</p> +<p><a name="footnote103g"></a><a href="#citation103g">{103g}</a> +“Ewgei,” <i>e wgei</i> from “gwg,” <i>a frown</i>. +Al. “negei,” <i>he shewed resistance</i>, from “nag,” +a <i>denial</i>. So in “Englynion y Beddau;”—</p> +<p>“Y Beddau hir yn Ngwanas<br />Ni chavas ae dioes<br />Pwy vynt +hwy, pwy eu <i>neges</i>.”</p> +<p>i.e. “who will own, or who will deny them.”</p> +<p><a name="footnote104a"></a><a href="#citation104a">{104a}</a> +Can this mean <i>blood</i> or <i>bloody field</i>? It is certain +that Meigant (600-630) uses the word in that sense;—</p> +<p>“<i>Plwde</i> y danav hyd ymhen vy nghlun,”<br />(Myv. +Arch. vol. i. p. 160)</p> +<p>Under me was blood to the top of my knee.</p> +<p><a name="footnote104b"></a><a href="#citation104b">{104b}</a> +“Digalonnit,” the other reading “dygollovit,” +(dygoll ovid) would signify that the horn <i>banished his sorrow</i>.</p> +<p><a name="footnote104c"></a><a href="#citation104c">{104c}</a> +Al. “Even on the foam-bordered Mordei.”</p> +<p><a name="footnote104d"></a><a href="#citation104d">{104d}</a> +Which “Gwarthlev,” ( the voice of reproach) was not. +Davies makes “eno bryt,” into a proper name, and construes +the sentence thus;—</p> +<p>“Whilst Gwarthlev and Enovryd were pouring forth the liquor.”</p> +<p><a name="footnote105a"></a><a href="#citation105a">{105a}</a> +“Arch.” Al. “arth en llwrw.” “He +was an impetuous bear.” There may be here a faint allusion +to the name Gwarthlev, nor is it unlikely that his ensign bore the figure +of a bear.</p> +<p><a name="footnote105b"></a><a href="#citation105b">{105b}</a> +“Gwd,” (gwdd) <i>that turns round</i>.</p> +<p><a name="footnote105c"></a><a href="#citation105c">{105c}</a> +“Gyfgein,” (cyvgein) <i>co-light</i>.</p> +<p><a name="footnote105d"></a><a href="#citation105d">{105d}</a> +A peculiarity observable in Welsh documents is, that they frequently +consign general circumstances to the island of Britain in particular. +This may be exemplified by the account which is given of the deluge +in Triad 13. (Third Series;)—</p> +<p>“The three awful events of the <i>Isle of Britain</i>; first, +the bursting of the lake of waters, and the overwhelming of the face +of all lands; so that all mankind were drowned, excepting Dwyvan and +Dwyvach, who escaped in a naked vessel, and of them the Isle of Britain +was repeopled,” &c.</p> +<p><a name="footnote105e"></a><a href="#citation105e">{105e}</a> +Gwrveling.</p> +<p><a name="footnote105f"></a><a href="#citation105f">{105f}</a> +Al. “ungentle.”</p> +<p><a name="footnote105g"></a><a href="#citation105g">{105g}</a> +Vide supra, lines 89, 113.</p> +<p><a name="footnote105h"></a><a href="#citation105h">{105h}</a> +As there is nothing to rhyme with “ryodres,” probably there +is a line left out here.</p> +<p><a name="footnote106a"></a><a href="#citation106a">{106a}</a> +It would appear from this that the feast was given in celebration of +the time of harvest. That the Britons, like the Jews, exhibited +signs of great joy at that season, may be inferred from the following +Triads of Dyvnwal Moelmud. (Myv. Arch. vol. iii. p. 283.)</p> +<p>“Tair clud udcorn sydd; dygynnull gwlad gan riaint a phencenedloedd, +<i>corn cynhauav</i>, a chorn cad a rhyvel rhag gormes gorwlad ac estron.”</p> +<p>There are three trumpet progressions; the assembly of a country according +to heads of families and chiefs of tribes, the horn of harvest, and +the horn of war and of battle against the oppression of neighbours and +aliens.</p> +<p>“Tair clud addwyn y sydd; beirdd yn darogan heddwch, <i>cyrch +cynhauav</i>, a phriodas.”</p> +<p>There are three happy progressions; bards announcing peace, a meeting +in harvest time, and a marriage.</p> +<p>“Tri corn cynghlud y sydd; <i>corn cynhauav</i>, corn dadlau, +a chorn goly-chwyd.”</p> +<p>There are three horns for mutual progression; the horn of harvest, +the horn of contention, and the horn for religious adoration.</p> +<p><a name="footnote106b"></a><a href="#citation106b">{106b}</a> +“Arvel,” which is required on account of the rhyme.</p> +<p><a name="footnote106c"></a><a href="#citation106c">{106c}</a> +Bright shields, which are here likened to wings.</p> +<p>“Y gylchwy dan y gymwy bu adenawc.”<br />Line 361</p> +<p>His round shield was with fire winged for slaughter.</p> +<p><a name="footnote106d"></a><a href="#citation106d">{106d}</a> +An allusion to the trappings of the horses.</p> +<p><a name="footnote107a"></a><a href="#citation107a">{107a}</a> +“Diryf.” “Rhyv;” that enlarges or swells +out; “diryv,” without enlargement. A descriptive reference +to the expanding or bulging effects of spears when hurled against a +shield.</p> +<p><a name="footnote107b"></a><a href="#citation107b">{107b}</a> +Al. “with equal step they thickly assembled,” “cnydyn” +from <i>cnydiaw</i>, to yield a crop. And “cynfedion” +from <i>cyd</i> together, and <i>pedion</i>, feet.</p> +<p><a name="footnote107c"></a><a href="#citation107c">{107c}</a> +Al. “unprofitably.”</p> +<p><a name="footnote107d"></a><a href="#citation107d">{107d}</a> +“Hudid” (huddid) covered over.</p> +<p><a name="footnote107e"></a><a href="#citation107e">{107e}</a> +Query, “vras” to rhyme with “glas”?</p> +<p><a name="footnote107f"></a><a href="#citation107f">{107f}</a> +“Teithi;” <i>the character</i>, i.e. of the military preparations.</p> +<p><a name="footnote107g"></a><a href="#citation107g">{107g}</a> +“Amgant;” al. “etmygant;” in which case the +passage might be rendered,—</p> +<p>“Famous were the characteristics<br />Of, &c.”</p> +<p><a name="footnote107h"></a><a href="#citation107h">{107h}</a> +The Novantæ comprised the present districts of Galloway, Carrick, +Kyle, and Cunningham.</p> +<p><a name="footnote108a"></a><a href="#citation108a">{108a}</a> +If we have interpreted “pumcant” aright, as giving the number +of men in each battalion, it would appear that “mwnt,” though +primarily standing for one hundred thousand, has also a general sense. +This view of it might in like manner apply to the statement made at +line 49.</p> +<p><a name="footnote108b"></a><a href="#citation108b">{108b}</a> +“Trychwn,” i.e. tri cwn (a head) a regiment commanded by +one head.</p> +<p><a name="footnote108c"></a><a href="#citation108c">{108c}</a> +Al. “Thrice six,” &c. Al. “Three noisy,” +&c. That as many as 300 commanders should issue from Eiddin, +can only be explained on the supposition that, because of its proximity +to Cattraeth, it formed the principal station of the allied forces.</p> +<p><a name="footnote108d"></a><a href="#citation108d">{108d}</a> +Lit. “golden kings wearing chains.” The manner in +which the greater and lesser numbers are placed in juxtaposition (lines +184-187) makes it very probable that the latter designate the commanders +of the troops there mentioned. And we may well suppose that the +statement from line 188 to line 191 is a mere continuation of the character +of the “three bold knights.”</p> +<p><a name="footnote108e"></a><a href="#citation108e">{108e}</a> +<i>Lead</i>, being heavy, answers to “trwm” in the preceding +line.</p> +<p><a name="footnote108f"></a><a href="#citation108f">{108f}</a> +A reference to the armour of the soldiers.</p> +<p><a name="footnote109a"></a><a href="#citation109a">{109a}</a> +Or “who were Brython.” The Brython were the third +“social tribe of the Isle of Britain,” who “came from +the land of Llydaw, and were descended from the primitive tribe of the +Cymry,” (Triad 5, third series.) Being the third principal +tribe that settled in Britain, it is probable that their original inheritance +was Alban, one of the “three principal provinces of the Isle of +Britain,” (See Triad 2) which they must have occupied prior to +the time of Prydain the son of Aedd Mawr. Dunbarton is Dun Bretton, +i.e. Dinas y Brython.</p> +<p><a name="footnote109b"></a><a href="#citation109b">{109b}</a> +Cynon was the son of Clydno Eiddin, and one of the three counselling +warriors of Arthur.</p> +<p>“Tri chyngoriad varchawg llys Arthur; Cynon ab Clydno Eiddin, +Arawn ab Cynvarch, a Llywarch Hen ab Elidyr Lydanwyn.”<br />(Triad +86, first series.)</p> +<p>He was also one of the “three ardent lovers,” on account +of his passion for Morvydd, daughter of Urien Rheged.</p> +<p>“Tri serchawg Ynys Prydain; Caswallawn mab Beli am Flur merch +Fugnach Gorr, a Thrystan mab Tallwch am Essyllt gwreig March Meirchiawn +ei ewythr, a Chynon ab Clydno Eiddun am Forwydd verch Urien.”<br />(Tr. +53.)</p> +<p>Cynon ab Clydno Eiddin was educated at the college of Llancarvan, +and is said to have answered one of the seven questions proposed by +Cattwg Ddoeth, the President, as follows,—</p> +<p>“Pa gamp decav ar ddyn?<br />Atteb. Cyweirdeb.”<br />(Cynan +ab Clydno Eiddin ai dywawd.)</p> +<p>What is man’s fairest quality?<br />Answer. Sincerity.</p> +<p>His grave is recorded in the Englynion y Beddau. (Myv. Arch. +vol i. p. 79.)</p> +<p><a name="footnote109c"></a><a href="#citation109c">{109c}</a> +We adopt this as a proper name, because it makes up the number three. +A person of that name is mentioned in the following stanza;—</p> +<p>“A glywaist ti chwedl Cynrain,<br />Pen cyngor Ynys Prydain,<br />Gwell +ydyw cadw nag olrhain.”</p> +<p>Hast thou heard the saying of Cynrain,<br />The chief counsellor +of the Island of Britain?<br />Better to keep than to pursue.<br />(Iolo +MSS. pp. 251, 651.)</p> +<p>The word has however been construed “chief spearmen,” +and “of the stock of.”</p> +<p><a name="footnote109d"></a><a href="#citation109d">{109d}</a> +There is a place so called in Cardiganshire.</p> +<p><a name="footnote110a"></a><a href="#citation110a">{110a}</a> +Al. “gogyverth,” to oppose.</p> +<p><a name="footnote110b"></a><a href="#citation110b">{110b}</a> +“Yn hon,” from <i>on</i> an ash, and by metonymy, a spear. +Or, as “hon” means what is present to the sight, we may +construe the passage thus,—</p> +<p>“To greet openly,” &c.</p> +<p><a name="footnote110c"></a><a href="#citation110c">{110c}</a> +“Deivyr diverogion,” the droppers of Deivyr; not “the +men who dropped <i>into</i> Deira,” as Davies has it. Deivyr +and Bryneich were now opposed to the British patriots. See lines +50, 78.</p> +<p><a name="footnote110d"></a><a href="#citation110d">{110d}</a> +Namely Cydywal, a chieftain of Gwynedd, now stationed in the region +of Mordei; considering the disaster that ensued, it appeared whilst +he presided over the banquet in his own camp, as if he were merely preparing +a feast for the birds of prey.</p> +<p><a name="footnote110e"></a><a href="#citation110e">{110e}</a> +His history is unknown.</p> +<p><a name="footnote110f"></a><a href="#citation110f">{110f}</a> +“Cyn y,” i.e. <i>cyni</i>.</p> +<p><a name="footnote111a"></a><a href="#citation111a">{111a}</a> +Nothing is known of this diviner.</p> +<p><a name="footnote111b"></a><a href="#citation111b">{111b}</a> +The “croes” was probably a kind of cross bow. Taliesin +in “Gwaith Gwenystrad” says of the slain warriors,—</p> +<p>“Llaw ynghroes”—</p> +<p>Which has been translated by Ieuan Vardd,</p> +<p>“Their hands were on the crucifix [cross.]”<br />(Myv. +Arch. vol. i. p. 52.)</p> +<p>Al. “Athrwys,” (ath-rhwys) “very vigorously.”</p> +<p><a name="footnote111c"></a><a href="#citation111c">{111c}</a> +This appears to have been the compact entered into by the different +tribes of the Britons, for the purpose of withstanding the usurpation +of the common foe. See line 32.</p> +<p><a name="footnote111d"></a><a href="#citation111d">{111d}</a> +“Ermygei,” which might also, and perhaps more literally, +be rendered <i>he paid respect to</i>. The other reading “dirmygei,” +would mean <i>he spurned</i>, or <i>dishonoured</i>.</p> +<p><a name="footnote111e"></a><a href="#citation111e">{111e}</a> +“Blaen Gwynedd,” the borders of North Wales, whither the +Saxon encroachment had already extended.</p> +<p><a name="footnote112a"></a><a href="#citation112a">{112a}</a> +“Fawd ut,” i.e. ffawddyd, from ffawdd, radiation, splendour. +We may also render the sentence as follows,—</p> +<p>“I fell by the radiant rampart, (ffin)”</p> +<p>the epithet <i>radiant</i> having a reference to the arms of the +soldiers.</p> +<p><a name="footnote112b"></a><a href="#citation112b">{112b}</a> +Or, as a moral reflection,—</p> +<p>“A hero’s prowess is not without ambition.”</p> +<p>There are various readings of the word which is here translated <i>prowess</i>, +e.g. cobnet, colwed, eofned, but all of them are capable of that construction, +thus “cobnet” comes from <i>cobiaw</i>, to thump, “colwed,” +from <i>col</i> a sting, or a prop, whilst “eofned” literally +means fearlessness.</p> +<p><a name="footnote112c"></a><a href="#citation112c">{112c}</a> +In Maelderw’s stanzas thus,—</p> +<p>“When all went up, thou didst go down.”</p> +<p>In another place,—</p> +<p>“When all were extended, thou didst also fall.”</p> +<p><a name="footnote112d"></a><a href="#citation112d">{112d}</a> +The line in Gorchan Maelderw, Myv. Arch. vol. i. p. 62, has been translated +by Dr. W. O. Pughe,</p> +<p>“Present, ere he spoke, was carried with the arms.”<br />(Dict. +<i>Voce</i> Breichiawl.)</p> +<p>That in the other Gorchan of Maelderw, page 85, may be rendered,</p> +<p>Present narrates that he was carried with the arms.</p> +<p><a name="footnote113a"></a><a href="#citation113a">{113a}</a> +Lit. “Three heroes and three score and three hundred, wearing +the golden torques.”</p> +<p><a name="footnote113b"></a><a href="#citation113b">{113b}</a> +If “ffosawd” ever bears the meaning assigned to it by Dr. +Pughe, it must have derived it from the practise of fighting in the +<i>fosse</i> of a camp, (which would be peculiarly <i>gashing</i>) for +on his own showing the word has no other etymon than that of “ffos,” +a <i>ditch</i>, a <i>trench</i>. From the same root Merddin gives +it the sense of burial— defossio.</p> +<p> “A hyt vraut yth goffaaf<br />Dy <i>ffossaut</i> +trallaut trymmaf.”<br />(Myv. Arch. vol. i. p. 149.)</p> +<p>Until doom will I remember<br />Thy interment, which was a most heavy +affliction.</p> +<p>Likewise Taliesin;—</p> +<p>“Hyd ydd aeth ef<br />Ercwlf mur <i>ffosawd<br /></i>As arnut +tywawd.”<br />(Myv. Arch. i. p. 69.)</p> +<p>Until he, Ercwlf,<br />Descended into the fosse of the rampart,<br />And +was covered with sand.</p> +<p><a name="footnote114a"></a><a href="#citation114a">{114a}</a> +Their names are given in “Gwarchan Cynvelyn.” (Myv. +Arch. vol. i. page 60. Davies’s Mythology, page 622.)</p> +<p>Three warriors and three score and three hundred,<br />To the conflict +of Cattraeth went forth;<br />Of those who hastened from the mead of +the cup-bearers,<br />Three only returned,<br />Cynon and Cadreith, +and Cadlew of Cadnant,<br />And I myself from the shedding of blood.—</p> +<p><a name="footnote114b"></a><a href="#citation114b">{114b}</a> +The grave of Cynon is thus recorded;—</p> +<p>“Bet gur gwaud urtin<br />In uchel titin in isel gwelitin<br />Bet +Cynon mab Clytno Idin.”</p> +<p>The grave of a warrior of high renown<br />Is in a lofty region—but +a lowly bed;<br />The grave of Cynon the son of Clydno Eiddin.</p> +<p>And in another stanza;</p> +<p>“Piau y bet y dann y brin<br />Bet gur gwrt yng Kiuiscin<br />Bet +Kinon mab Clytno Idin.”</p> +<p>Whose is the grave beneath the hill?<br />It is the grave of a warrior +valiant in the conflict,—<br />The grave of Cynon the son of Clydno +Eiddin.<br />(Myv. Arch. vol. i. p. 79.)</p> +<p>A saying of Cadreith has been preserved in the Englynion y Clywed.</p> +<p>“A glyweisti a gant Cadreith<br />Fab Porthawr filwr areith<br />Ni +char Dofydd diobeith.”<br />(Myv. Arch. i. 175.)</p> +<p>Hast thou heard what Cadreith sang,<br />The son of Porthawr, with +the warlike speech?<br />God loves not the despairer.</p> +<p><a name="footnote114c"></a><a href="#citation114c">{114c}</a> +“Gwenwawd.” It might be translated “flattering +song,” but <i>candid</i> or <i>sacred</i> seems more consonant +with the character of a Bard, whose motto was “Y gwir yn erbyn +y byd.” We may presume that Aneurin on this occasion displayed +his heraldic badge, which, according to the law of nations, would immediately +cause a cessation of hostilities.</p> +<p>“Tair braint Beirdd ynys Prydain; Trwyddedogaeth lle’r +elont; nas dycer arv noeth yn eu herbyn: a gair eu gair hwy ar bawb.”</p> +<p>The three primary privileges of the Bards of the Isle of Britain; +maintenance wherever they go; that no naked weapon be borne in their +presence; and their word be preferred to that of all others. (Institutional +Triads. See also Myv. Arch. vol. iii. Laws of Dyvnwal Moelmud.)</p> +<p>“Sed me per hostes Mercurius celer<br />Denso paventem sustulit +aere.<br />(Horace Carm. lib. ii. Ode 7.)</p> +<p><a name="footnote115a"></a><a href="#citation115a">{115a}</a> +“Gwyn dragon;” probably Hengist, who bore, as his arms, +a <i>white prancing horse</i> upon a red field. There is here +accordingly an allusion to the first arrival of the Saxons, which was +the cause to the Britons of all their national calamities for many a +long year after.</p> +<p>Al. “Had it not been for the two hundred (al. ten hundred) +men of the white-bannered commander.”</p> +<p><a name="footnote115b"></a><a href="#citation115b">{115b}</a> +Or, “we were not—until.” &c.</p> +<p><a name="footnote115c"></a><a href="#citation115c">{115c}</a> +Lit. “thorn bushes.” For an illustration of the advantage +which the natives would derive from their woods and thickets in times +of war, the reader is referred to a story told of Caradoc in the Iolo +MSS. pp. 185, 597. which on account of its length we cannot transfer +into our pages.</p> +<p><a name="footnote115d"></a><a href="#citation115d">{115d}</a> +Or more sententiously, as Davies has it,</p> +<p>“Base is he in the field, who is base to his own relatives.”</p> +<p>The construction adopted in the text, might allude to the marriage +of Rowena with Vortigern.</p> +<p><a name="footnote116a"></a><a href="#citation116a">{116a}</a> +“Llwyeu,” from “llwyv,” a <i>frame</i>, a <i>platform</i>, +a <i>loft</i>. Or it may be “llwyv,” an <i>elm tree</i>, +in reference to the devastation of the groves just mentioned. +The elm was very common in the island at the period under consideration. +Taliesin celebrates a battle entitled “Gwaith Argoed Llwyvein,” +which means “the battle of the forest of elms.”</p> +<p>“A rhag gwaith Argoed LIwyvain<br />Bu llawer celain.”<br />(Myv. +Arch. vol. i. p. 53.)</p> +<p>Al. “When we were deprived of our sharpened weapons.”</p> +<p><a name="footnote116b"></a><a href="#citation116b">{116b}</a> +Thus in Gorchan Maelderw,—</p> +<p>“There trod not, in Gododin, on the surface of the fosse,<br />When +deprived of his sharpened weapon, none more destitute.”</p> +<p><a name="footnote116c"></a><a href="#citation116c">{116c}</a> +One reading has “the weapon of death,” another, “the +death-formed weapon, is broken and motionless.”</p> +<p><a name="footnote116d"></a><a href="#citation116d">{116d}</a> +If we give an affirmative meaning to the words “angkynnull agkymandull +agkysgoget,” the couplet might be thus rendered,—</p> +<p>“They assembled in arms, and in complete array they moved along,<br />And +rolled through the mighty horde.”</p> +<p>It is observable that Carnhuanawc adopted this affirmative form in +a similar passage with which “Gorchan Tudvwlch” opens, thus:</p> +<p>“Arv ynghynnull,<br />Yn nghymandull,<br /> Twrv +yn agwedd;<br />Y rhag meiwedd,<br />Y rhag mawredd,<br />Y rhag madiedd.”</p> +<p>They assemble in arms,<br />The forces are marshalled,<br /> Tumult +approaches:<br />In the van are the warlike,<br />In the van are the +noble,<br />In the van are the good.</p> +<p>And he moreover traces a similarity between this style and that of +Tacitus, wherein the latter describes the effects of Galgacus’s +address upon his British followers;—</p> +<p>“Jamque agmina, et armorum fulgores, audentissimi, cujusque +procursu, simul instruebantur acies.”<br />(See Hanes Cymru, p. +96.)</p> +<p><a name="footnote117a"></a><a href="#citation117a">{117a}</a> +Al. “llawr,” “and <i>prostrate</i> the horde of the +Lloegrians.”</p> +<p><a name="footnote117b"></a><a href="#citation117b">{117b}</a> +The Lloegrians were the second “social tribe” that settled +in Britain. Their province was that of Lloegyr, by which the Welsh +still designate England, (Triads v. ii. first series) though there is +reason to believe that it was originally of much smaller extent. +The Lloegrians for the most part coalesced with the Saxons, (Triad vii. +third series) and grievously harassed the Cymry in the sixth century.</p> +<p>“Cynddylan, cae di y rhiw,<br />Er yddaw Lloegyrwys heddiw;<br />Amgeledd +am un nid gwiw!”<br />(Llywarch Hen.)</p> +<p>Cynddylan, guard thou the cliff,<br />Against any Lloegrians that +may come this day;<br />Concern for one should not avail.</p> +<p><a name="footnote117c"></a><a href="#citation117c">{117c}</a> +“Ygcynuor,” i.e. “yn cynvor.” Al. “cynnor,” +<i>the entrance</i>. Al. “ynghynwr,” <i>in the turmoil</i>.</p> +<p><a name="footnote117d"></a><a href="#citation117d">{117d}</a> +This probably refers to the enemy, who, being pagans, burnt their dead. +The fact might have been suggested to the poet’s mind, by the +name of his hero “Graid,” which signifies <i>heat</i>.</p> +<p><a name="footnote117e"></a><a href="#citation117e">{117e}</a> +Viz. that of Graid.</p> +<p><a name="footnote117f"></a><a href="#citation117f">{117f}</a> +The rhyme determines this form, which occurs in 1. In Gorchan +Maelderw, we have, instead of Graid the son of Hoewgi, “Braint +the son of Bleiddgi.”</p> +<p><a name="footnote118a"></a><a href="#citation118a">{118a}</a> +“Orwydan,” from Gorwydd. Another way of translating +these lines would be—</p> +<p>“There was the hero of the two shielded wings,<br />The one +with the variegated front; the other of like quality with Prydwen;</p> +<p>which was the name of Arthur’s shield;—</p> +<p>“Tarian a gymmerai Arthur ar ei Ysgwydd, yr hon a elwid Prydwen.”</p> +<p>A shield did Arthur take upon his shoulder, which was called Prydwen.<br />(Gr. +ab Arthur.)</p> +<p>The supposition that Arthur’s shield had already acquired a +notable renown is indirectly corroborated by an alleged contemporary +poem, “Preiddiau Annwn.” (Myv. Arch. vol. i. p. 45) +in which his ship of the same name is clearly invested with a similarly +extravagant character,—</p> +<p>“Tri lloneid Prydwen ydd aetham ni ar for.”</p> +<p><a name="footnote118b"></a><a href="#citation118b">{118b}</a> +Al. “in the midst of arms.”</p> +<p><a name="footnote118c"></a><a href="#citation118c">{118c}</a> +Perhaps scintillations from the clash of arms.</p> +<p><a name="footnote118d"></a><a href="#citation118d">{118d}</a> +Occasioned by the brightness of the arms. Al. “Clouded was +the dawn, and the sun,” Al. “there was misery.”</p> +<p><a name="footnote118e"></a><a href="#citation118e">{118e}</a> +“<i>Bud</i> e vran,” an allusion to the name of <i>Bud</i>van.</p> +<p><a name="footnote119a"></a><a href="#citation119a">{119a}</a> +An old Adage says,—</p> +<p>“Nac addev dy rin i was.”<br />Reveal not thy secrets +to a servant.</p> +<p><a name="footnote119b"></a><a href="#citation119b">{119b}</a> +Perhaps buried on the field of battle, where the horses would trample +on his grave; or the expression might allude to the mode of his being +conveyed by horses to his last resting place.</p> +<p><a name="footnote119c"></a><a href="#citation119c">{119c}</a> +“Eleirch,” lit. <i>swans</i>, but the expression “meirch +eilw eleirch,” (horses of the colour of swans) in the Maelderw +version, seems to favour the translation we have given above.</p> +<p><a name="footnote119d"></a><a href="#citation119d">{119d}</a> +Or, “the trappings” of his charger.</p> +<p><a name="footnote119e"></a><a href="#citation119e">{119e}</a> +His history is not known.</p> +<p><a name="footnote120a"></a><a href="#citation120a">{120a}</a> +That is, he would not cowardly desert his post, and thus leave an opening +in the rank.</p> +<p><a name="footnote120b"></a><a href="#citation120b">{120b}</a> +During the Christmas festivities, which lasted for twelve days:</p> +<p>“Llon ceiliog a thwylluan<br />Au <i>deuddeng-nydd</i> yn hoean”<br />—Engl. +y Misoedd.</p> +<p>On those occasions Bards and minstrels were frequent guests at the +halls of the nobility, and their company contributed not a little to +the general entertainment. The air “Nos Galan,” we +may fairly presume, was a favourite at those festivities.</p> +<p><a name="footnote120c"></a><a href="#citation120c">{120c}</a> +The word “arvaeth” in this poem seems to have a reference +throughout to “arwydd,” or <i>ensign</i>. Thus we +may suppose that Gwenabwy bore the <i>Dragon</i> for his arms, which +device conveyed the idea of devastation, rather than that of cultivation.</p> +<p><a name="footnote120d"></a><a href="#citation120d">{120d}</a> +The Bard, according to his general custom, is here contrasting the two +aspects of his hero’s character, the domestic and the martial.</p> +<p><a name="footnote121a"></a><a href="#citation121a">{121a}</a> +A person of the name of Gwenabwy is mentioned in the Hoiannau of Merddin.—Myv. +Arch. v. i. p. 137.</p> +<p><a name="footnote121b"></a><a href="#citation121b">{121b}</a> +Llywarch Hen had a son of the name of Gwên: see his Elegy on Old +Age, where he speaks in rapturous terms of the youth’s valour.</p> +<p>“Pedwar meib ar ugaint a’m bu,<br />Eurdorchawg, tywysawg +llu;<br />Oedd Gwên goreu o naddu,” &c.</p> +<p>Four and twenty sons I have had,<br />Wearing the golden chain, leaders +of armies;<br />Gwên was the best of them.</p> +<p><a name="footnote121c"></a><a href="#citation121c">{121c}</a> +“Mai y <i>mead y gathleu</i>.” There seems to be a +playful allusion in these words to <i>mewian</i> and <i>cath</i>, the +mewing of a cat.</p> +<p><a name="footnote121d"></a><a href="#citation121d">{121d}</a> +“Meirch,” suggested by the name “Marchleu.”</p> +<p><a name="footnote121e"></a><a href="#citation121e">{121e}</a> +Al. “Maenor,” stones.</p> +<p><a name="footnote121f"></a><a href="#citation121f">{121f}</a> +Or “by the commander on his prancing charger.” “Llemenig,” +might be a proper name, for we find that one of “the three free +guests of the court of Arthur,” was so called. Nevertheless, +as it would in that character appear somewhat out of place here, we +have chosen the etymological sense in preference.</p> +<p><a name="footnote121g"></a><a href="#citation121g">{121g}</a> +“Vym am,” i.e. vy mam, as it occurs, though with the addition +of am vyrn, in 6.</p> +<p><a name="footnote121h"></a><a href="#citation121h">{121h}</a> +The Bard would here pay an indirect compliment to his own gallantry.</p> +<p><a name="footnote122a"></a><a href="#citation122a">{122a}</a> +“Bedryolet.” Al. “Spears of quartered ash were +scattered from his hand.”</p> +<p><a name="footnote122b"></a><a href="#citation122b">{122b}</a> +“Veinnyell.” Al. “veingel,” qu. narrow +shelter?</p> +<p><a name="footnote122c"></a><a href="#citation122c">{122c}</a> +Mygedorth is mentioned by Llywarch Hen,—</p> +<p>“Yn Llongborth gwelais i vygedorth<br />A gwyr yn godde ammorth<br />A +gorvod gwedi gorborth.”</p> +<p>In Llongborth I beheld a solemn pile,<br />And men suffering privation,<br />And +in a state of subjection after excess of fruition</p> +<p>It is likewise alluded to in the Triads,—</p> +<p>“Cornan, march meibion Elifer Gosgorddfawr, a ddwg arnaw Gwrgi, +Peredur, Dunawd Fyr, a Chynfelyn Drwsgl, i edrych ar fygedorth Gwenddoleu +yn Arderydd.”</p> +<p>Cornan, the horse of the sons of Elifer with the great retinue, carried +Gwrgi, Peredur, Dunawd Fyr, and Cynfelyn the stumbler, to see the funeral +pile of Gwenddoleu in Arderydd.</p> +<p>“Falsely was it said by Tudlew,<br />That no one’s steeds +would be overtaken by Marchleu;<br />As he was reared to bring support +to all around,<br />Powerful was the stroke of his sword upon the adversary;<br />Eagerly +ascended the ashen spear from the grasp of his hand,<br />From the narrow +summit of the awful pile.”<br /><i>Gorch. Mael</i>.</p> +<p><a name="footnote122d"></a><a href="#citation122d">{122d}</a> +“Vygu,” or “the place where he would suffocate some +one.”</p> +<p><a name="footnote122e"></a><a href="#citation122e">{122e}</a> +Or, “he would cut (lladd, mow) with a blade armfuls of furze.” +The furze was for the purpose of supplying the pile.</p> +<p><a name="footnote122f"></a><a href="#citation122f">{122f}</a> +When the weather is unsettled in harvest time, the reapers display greater +energy and activity during the intervals of sunshine; hence the point +of the simile.</p> +<p><a name="footnote123a"></a><a href="#citation123a">{123a}</a> +Nothing more is known of this chieftain.</p> +<p><a name="footnote123b"></a><a href="#citation123b">{123b}</a> +Or “Isaac,” as a proper name.</p> +<p><a name="footnote123c"></a><a href="#citation123c">{123c}</a> +“O barth deheu.” “Deheu,” literally means +<i>the right</i>, and as the mid-day sun is to the right of a person +looking eastward, the word is also taken to signify the south; hence +we say “deheudir” for South Wales. The “parth +deheu” in this place must accordingly mean some district south +of the scene of action, such as Wales, where Gwyddno and his family +resided, would be.</p> +<p><a name="footnote123d"></a><a href="#citation123d">{123d}</a> +“Devodeu,” manners, customs.</p> +<p><a name="footnote123e"></a><a href="#citation123e">{123e}</a> +That is, the ebb and influx of the tide represented the contrary aspects +of his character, the mild and the impetuous, which are respectively +described in the succeeding lines.</p> +<p><a name="footnote123f"></a><a href="#citation123f">{123f}</a> +Al. “<i>from</i> the point of Maddeu.”</p> +<p><a name="footnote123g"></a><a href="#citation123g">{123g}</a> +If we take this “clawdd” to be the Catrail, we must look +for Offer and Maddeu towards the extremity most remote from head quarters, +i.e. the fort of Eiddin, (Edinburgh) and it is rather remarkable that, +whilst the Catrail is generally supposed to terminate southward at the +Peel-fell, some eminent antiquaries have fixed its furthest point at +Castle <i>Over</i>, where there is a British fort, and others have thought +that they could trace it in the <i>Maiden-way</i> near the Roman wall, +though it must be confessed that these supposed continuations are by +a third party regarded as Roman roads. The similarity between +the words Offer and Over is very obvious. Baxter identifies <i>Over</i> +with <i>Oliclavis</i>, which is naught else but <i>ol y clawdd</i> the +extremity of the rampart.</p> +<p><a name="footnote124a"></a><a href="#citation124a">{124a}</a> +Al. “There was no young offspring that he cut not to pieces, no +aged man that he did not scatter about.”</p> +<p><a name="footnote124b"></a><a href="#citation124b">{124b}</a> +“Murgreit.” The title is ascribed by Taliesin to the +Deity.</p> +<p>“Trindawd tragywydd<br />A oreu elvydd,<br />A gwedi elvydd,<br />Addav +yn gelvydd;<br />A gwedi Adda,<br />Y goreu Eva;<br />Yr Israel bendigaid<br />A +oreu <i>Murgraia</i>.”</p> +<p>The eternal Trinity<br />Made the elements;<br />And after the elements<br />Adam +wonderfully;<br />And after Adam<br />He made Eve;<br />The blessed +Israel<br />The <i>mighty Spirit</i> made.<br />(Gwawd Gwyr Israel.)</p> +<p><a name="footnote124c"></a><a href="#citation124c">{124c}</a> +Gwyddneu or Gwyddno Garanhir, lord of Cantrev y Gwaelod, A.D. 460-520. +Three poems attributed to him are preserved in the Myvyrian Archaiology. +A character mentioned in the Mabinogion, goes by the name of Gwyddneu +ab Llwydau.</p> +<p><a name="footnote124d"></a><a href="#citation124d">{124d}</a> +Mr. Davies thinks that this warrior was the son of Cunedda, who gave +his name to Ceredigion. As Cunedda, however, flourished in the +early part of the fifth century, the martial age of his son Ceredig +would not well coincide with the date of this poem. There was +another Caredig, who succeeded Maelgwn Gwynedd as king of the Britons, +about A.D. 590.</p> +<p><a name="footnote125a"></a><a href="#citation125a">{125a}</a> +“Lletvegin;” lit. a <i>domestic animal</i>. We have +another example here of the Bard’s favourite practice of contrasting +the different qualities of the person whom he celebrates.</p> +<p><a name="footnote125b"></a><a href="#citation125b">{125b}</a> +Or “When the appointed time of his departure is at hand,” +q.d., “gar cyrdd,” from “cerdd” a <i>walk</i>. +The adopted reading, however, is very strongly corroborated by passages +in other poems, where “cyrdd” is unmistakeably used as the +plural of “cerdd,” a <i>song</i>, e.g.—</p> +<p>“Cyrdd a cherddorion<br />A chathleu englynion.”</p> +<p>Songs and minstrels,<br />And Angel’s melodies.<br />(Taliesin.)</p> +<p>“Ys cad ffyrdd, ys <i>car cyrdd</i> cyflef.”</p> +<p>“He is the roads of battle, he is the friend of harmonious +songs.”<br />(Cynddelw.)</p> +<p>“Llary deyrn cedyrn yn cadw gwesti <i>cyrdd</i>,<br /><i>Cerddorion</i> +gyflochi.”</p> +<p>A mild prince of mighty men keeping festivals of songs,<br />And +equally protecting the minstrels.<br />(Llygad Gwr.)</p> +<p>“Arddelw cain ffyrdd <i>cyrdd cyflef</i>,<br />Urddedig wledig +wlad nef.”</p> +<p>Claim the splendid paths of harmonious songs,<br />Consecrated governor +of the kingdom of heaven.<br />(Bleddyn Vardd.)</p> +<p><a name="footnote125c"></a><a href="#citation125c">{125c}</a> +A favourite saying of a person of that name has been preserved in the +following triplet;</p> +<p>“A glywaist ti chwedl Ceredig<br />Brenin doeth detholedig?<br />Pawb +a’i droed ar syrthiedig.”</p> +<p>Hast thou heard the saying of Ceredig,<br />A wise and select king?<br />Every +one has his foot on the fallen.<br />(Iolo M.S. pp. 259, 664.)</p> +<p><a name="footnote126a"></a><a href="#citation126a">{126a}</a> +The other reading “ceiniad” would mean a <i>minstrel</i>, +which, on the supposition that the chieftain of the present is the same +with that of the preceding stanza, would further support the textual +construction which we have given there to “car cyrdd,” viz. +<i>the friend of song</i>.</p> +<p><a name="footnote126b"></a><a href="#citation126b">{126b}</a> +Al. “gowan,” gashing.</p> +<p><a name="footnote126c"></a><a href="#citation126c">{126c}</a> +Al. “Crwydyr,” perambulated.</p> +<p><a name="footnote126d"></a><a href="#citation126d">{126d}</a> +“Cystudd daear,” <i>buried</i>; “cystudd haiarn,” +<i>killed</i>. See line 128.</p> +<p><a name="footnote126e"></a><a href="#citation126e">{126e}</a> +Caradawg Vreichvras, chief elder (pen hynaiv) of Gelliwig in Cornwall. +(Triad lxiv. first series.) According to the Triads he was one +of the battle knights of the Isle of Britain, and in the Englyn attributed +to Arthur he is styled “Pillar of Cymru.”</p> +<p>“Tri chadvarchawg Teyrn ynys Prydain: Caradawc Vreiehvras, +a Llyr Lluyddawg, a Mael ab Menwaed o Arllechwedd; ac Arthur a gant +iddynt hynn o Englyn,</p> +<p>Sev ynt vy nhri chadvarchawg<br />Mael hir a Llyr Lluyddawg,<br />A +cholovn Cymru Caradawg.”<br />(Triad 29.)</p> +<p>Caradawg’s horse Lluagor is recorded as one of the three battle +horses of the Island. (Trioedd y Meirch, Myv. Arch. vol. ii. p. +20.)</p> +<p><a name="footnote127a"></a><a href="#citation127a">{127a}</a> +This simile has evidently some connection with the story told of Caradawg, +that owing to his well founded confidence in his wife’s virtue, +he was able to carve a certain Boar’s head, an adventure in which +his compeers failed. It is remarkable also that the Boar’s +head, in some form or other, appears as the armorial bearing of all +of his name. See the “Dream of Rhonabwy.”—Note. +Al. “red boar.”</p> +<p><a name="footnote127b"></a><a href="#citation127b">{127b}</a> +This statement may have two meanings, the one real, as indicative of +what did actually take place, namely, that the dogs came out of the +neighbouring woods to feed upon the corpses which had fallen by the +band of Caradawg; the other allegorical, as referring to himself in +his character of a boar or a bull, the wild dogs being his enemies, +who thus hunted and baited him.</p> +<p><a name="footnote127c"></a><a href="#citation127c">{127c}</a> +We may infer from this admission that the Bard’s statements, though +poetically adorned, are, as to the main facts, framed with a strict +regard to truth. Thus no less than four vouchers for the correctness +of his description of Caradawg’s valour are presented to our notice +by name.</p> +<p><a name="footnote127d"></a><a href="#citation127d">{127d}</a> +Gwriad was the son of Gwrien, one of the three princes of vassal origin. +(See line 56: notes.) Gwynn might have been either Gwyn Godyvron +or Gwyn ab Nudd; both alluded to in the Mabinogi of Kilhwch and Olwen.</p> +<p><a name="footnote127e"></a><a href="#citation127e">{127e}</a> +Lit. its <i>mangling</i> or <i>hewing</i>.</p> +<p><a name="footnote127f"></a><a href="#citation127f">{127f}</a> +We should have been tempted to construe the line thus,—</p> +<p>“From the broken hill of <i>encounter</i>,”</p> +<p>Making “kynn caffat” into one word “cynghaffad,” +had we not been precluded by the peculiar metre which version third +presents throughout, and which accordingly requires “cyn” +in this place to rhyme with “fryn.”—</p> +<p>“O fryn } caffad.”<br />Hydwn cyn }</p> +<p>Possibly “Hydwn” may be identified with <i>Hdddinam</i> +or <i>Hadingtoun</i>, in the province of Valentia.</p> +<p><a name="footnote128a"></a><a href="#citation128a">{128a}</a> +Al. “vron,” the presence. Caradawg’s father +was Llyr Merini, a prince of Cornwall.</p> +<p><a name="footnote128b"></a><a href="#citation128b">{128b}</a> +Al. “eurawc,” covered with gold.</p> +<p><a name="footnote128c"></a><a href="#citation128c">{128c}</a> +Caradawg Vreichvras, just mentioned.</p> +<p><a name="footnote128d"></a><a href="#citation128d">{128d}</a> +These two were doubtless sons of Llywarch Hên, mentioned together +in the following stanza;—</p> +<p>“Na Phyll, na Madawg, ni byddynt hiroedlawg,<br />Or ddevawd +y gelwynt;<br />‘Rhoddyn!’—‘na roddyn!’—cyngrair +byth nis erchynt!”</p> +<p>Nor Pyll, nor Madawg, would be long lived,<br />If according to custom +there was a calling—<br />“Surrender!” “They +would not surrender!” quarters they ever scorned.<br />(Elegy +on Old Age, &c.)</p> +<p><a name="footnote129a"></a><a href="#citation129a">{129a}</a> +Two persons named Gwgan and Gwion occur together in a Triad, as having +been sentinels in the battle of Bangor, A.D. 603. As that event, +however, happened subsequently to the battle of Cattraeth, where the +heroes of the stanza were killed, the parties could not be the same. +There was another Gwgawn, designated Llawgadarn, who is ranked with +Gwrnerth and Eidiol in a Triad of the three strong men of Britain.</p> +<p>“Tri gyrddion ynys Prydain: Gwrnerth Ergydlym, a laddes yr +arth mwyav ac a welwyd erioed a saeth wellten; a Gwgawn Llawgadarn, +a dreiglis maen maenarch o’r glynn i benn y mynydd, ac nid oedd +llai na thrugain ych ai tynnai; ac Eidiol Gadarn, a laddes o’r +Saeson ym mrad Caersallawg chwechant a thrigain a chogail gerdin o fachlud +haul hyd yn nhywyll.”<br />(Triad lx. third series.)</p> +<p>Favourite expressions of both Gwgan and Gwiawn are recorded in Chwedlau’r +Doethion. (Iolo MSS. pp. 251, 651.)</p> +<p>“A glywaist ti chwedl Gwgan,<br />Gwedi dianc o’r ffwdan?<br />Addaw +mawr a rhodd fechan.”</p> +<p>Hast thou heard the saying of Gwgan,<br />After escaping from the +turmoil?<br />Great promise and a small gift.</p> +<p>“A glywaist ti chwedl Gwiawn,<br />Dremynwr, golwg uniawn?<br />Duw +cadarn a farn pob iawn.”</p> +<p>Hast thou heard the saying of Gwiawn,<br />The observer of accurate +sight?<br />The mighty God will determine every right.</p> +<p><a name="footnote129b"></a><a href="#citation129b">{129b}</a> +See proceeding stanza. Gwion and Gwyn are mentioned together as +the sons of Cyndrwyn by Llywarch Hên. See his Elegy on Cynddylan.</p> +<p><a name="footnote129c"></a><a href="#citation129c">{129c}</a> +The son of Evrog, and one of the knights of the court of Arthur, who +found the Greal.—</p> +<p>“Tri marchawg llys Arthur a gawsant y Greal. Galath vab +Llawnselot dy Lak, a Pheredur mab Evrawc Iarll, a Bort mab brenin Bort. +Y ddau gyntav oeddynt wery o gorph, a’r trydydd oedd ddiweir am +na wnaeth pechawd cnawdol ond unwaith a hynny drwy brovedigaeth yn yr +amser yr ennillawdd ev * * o verch Brangor yr hon a vu ymerodres yn +Constinobl, or honn y doeth y genhedlaeth vwyav o’r byd, ac o +genhedlaeth Joseph o Arimathea y hanoeddyn ell tri, ac o lin Davydd +brophwyd mal y tystiolaetha Ystoria y Greal.”<br />—(Triad +lxi. first series.)</p> +<p><a name="footnote129d"></a><a href="#citation129d">{129d}</a> +This name occurs in the Tale of Twrch Trwyth, page 259.</p> +<p><a name="footnote129e"></a><a href="#citation129e">{129e}</a> +Probably Aeddon the son of Ervei: see line 845.</p> +<p><a name="footnote130a"></a><a href="#citation130a">{130a}</a> +Or affirmatively, “a shield in the battle.”</p> +<p><a name="footnote130b"></a><a href="#citation130b">{130b}</a> +Or “how sad their award.”</p> +<p><a name="footnote130c"></a><a href="#citation130c">{130c}</a> +“How grievous is the longing for them.”</p> +<p><a name="footnote130d"></a><a href="#citation130d">{130d}</a> +This line is full of poetical beauty, and forcibly exhibits how the +baneful effects of the banquet, or the engagement to which it was the +prelude, prevented the return of the warriors home, which their friends +so ardently desired.</p> +<p><a name="footnote130e"></a><a href="#citation130e">{130e}</a> +This figure is similar to that in the fourth line of the stanza.</p> +<p><a name="footnote131a"></a><a href="#citation131a">{131a}</a> +His name occurs again in the poem. The “horn of Gwlgawd +Gododin” is mentioned in the Tale of “Kilhwch and Olwen,” +p. 283.</p> +<p><a name="footnote131b"></a><a href="#citation131b">{131b}</a> +Or in reference to the banquet itself,—“notable were its +effects, and it was the price which bought the battle of Cattraeth,” +i.e. bought, or brought about its disastrous consequences.</p> +<p><a name="footnote131c"></a><a href="#citation131c">{131c}</a> +That is, contributed his life towards a victory.</p> +<p><a name="footnote131d"></a><a href="#citation131d">{131d}</a> +Or <i>giantlike</i>; a reference to his stature, implied in the title +“Hir,” (tall) which was attached to his name. See +stanza V. note.</p> +<p><a name="footnote131e"></a><a href="#citation131e">{131e}</a> +Lit. “With the strength of steeds.”</p> +<p><a name="footnote131f"></a><a href="#citation131f">{131f}</a> +“Ar gychwyn,” poised, ready to fly.</p> +<p><a name="footnote132a"></a><a href="#citation132a">{132a}</a> +Rhuvawn is celebrated in a Triad as one of the three blessed kings of +the Isle of Britain.</p> +<p>“Tri gwyndeyrn ynys Prydain; Rhun ab Maelgwn, Owain ab Urien, +a Rhuawn Bevr ab Dewrath Wledig.”<br />(Triad xxv. third series.)</p> +<p>In another Triad he is recorded as one of the three imperious ones +of the island.</p> +<p>“Tri trahawc ynys Prydein; Gwibei drahawc a Sawyl ben uchel +a Ruuawn Peuyr drahawc.”<br />(Triad xxxiv. second series.)</p> +<p>Other versions, however, of the same Triad, give Rhun mab Einiawn +in the room of Rhuvawn Pebyr.</p> +<p>He is also styled one of the three golden corpses of the Isle of +Britain, because, when he was slain, his body was redeemed for its weight +in gold.</p> +<p>“Tri eurgelein ynys Prydain: Madawc mab Brwyn; Ceugant Beilliawc; +a Rhuawn Bevr, ab Gwyddnaw Garanhir; sev yu gelwid felly achaws rhoddi +eu pwys yn aur am danynt o ddwylaw au lladdes.”<br />(Tr. lxxvii. +third series.)</p> +<p>His grave is alluded to by Hywel the son of Owain Gwynedd, about +A.D. 1160, in these lines;—</p> +<p>“Tonn wenn orewyn a orwlych bet<br />Gwytua ruuawn bebyr ben +teyrnet.”<br />(Myv. Arch v. i. p. 277.)</p> +<p>The white wave, mantled with foam, bedews the grave,<br />The resting +place of Rhuvawn Pebyr, chief of kings.</p> +<p><a name="footnote132b"></a><a href="#citation132b">{132b}</a> +There may be some slight allusion here to the circumstance mentioned +in the last Triad.</p> +<p><a name="footnote132c"></a><a href="#citation132c">{132c}</a> +Coelvain; the stones of omen, an honorary reward. In this stanza +Rhuvawn is celebrated as pious, valiant, and hospitable.</p> +<p><a name="footnote132d"></a><a href="#citation132d">{132d}</a> +The hall (neuadd) might have been the camp itself, or it might have +been the general’s tent, answering to the Roman prætorium. +Along the extent of the Catrail there are several forts of the British +people, which were built either on the contiguous hills, or on the neighbouring +heights. A field in the neighbourhood of Dolgelley, which exhibits +clear vestiges of an ancient encampment, goes by the name of “<i>Neuadd +Goch</i>.”</p> +<p>“Neuadd pob diddos.”<br />Every shelter is a hall.<br />(Adage.)</p> +<p><a name="footnote133a"></a><a href="#citation133a">{133a}</a> +Or, “so great, so immense was the slaughter.” Another +reading; “So great, a sea of radiance was the slaughter,” +“mor o wawr,” in reference to the brightness of the weapons.</p> +<p><a name="footnote133b"></a><a href="#citation133b">{133b}</a> +Morien Manawc is mentioned in the “Dream of Rhonabwy”, as +one of the counsellors of Arthur, (p. 416.) His grave is pointed +out in the following lines;—(Myv. Arch. vol. i. page 79.)</p> +<p>“E Beteu ae cut gwitwal<br />Ny llesseint heb ymtial<br />Gwrien +Morien a Morial.</p> +<p>The graves that have their mounds together,<br />Are theirs, who +fell not unavenged,<br />Gwrien, Morien, and Morial.</p> +<p>His memory was much cherished by the mediæval Bards, who not +unfrequently compare their patrons to him. Thus Risserdyn (1290, +1340) says that Hywel ap Gruffydd had “vreich Moryen,” the +arm of Morien; and his contemporary Madawg Dwygraig eulogises Gruffydd +ap Madawg as being “ail Morien,” a second Morien.</p> +<p><a name="footnote133c"></a><a href="#citation133c">{133c}</a> +“Medut,” from “meddu,” to possess, or it may +signify “<i>drunk</i>,” from “meddw.” +The kindling of the fire seems to have been for the purpose of annoying +the enemy. Perhaps the allusion to fires, which occurs so frequently +in the Poem, may, in some measure, explain the burnt and calcined features +of many of our old camps.</p> +<p><a name="footnote133d"></a><a href="#citation133d">{133d}</a> +Cynon was probably the general of this camp, under whom Morien fought.</p> +<p><a name="footnote133e"></a><a href="#citation133e">{133e}</a> +“Welei.” Al. <i>make</i>.</p> +<p><a name="footnote133f"></a><a href="#citation133f">{133f}</a> +Meaning <i>himself</i>. Another reading of the latter part of +the line would be “with his brass armour shattered.”</p> +<p><a name="footnote133g"></a><a href="#citation133g">{133g}</a> +I.e. the camp occupied by the enemy, as the next line clearly indicates.</p> +<p><a name="footnote134a"></a><a href="#citation134a">{134a}</a> +“Noc ac escyc,” from “ysgog,” to stir. +Al. “Noe ac Eseye,” as if they were the names of some Saxon +officers, who hurled the stone. In this case we should render +it,</p> +<p>“Noe and Eseye hurled a massive stone from the wall of the +fort,<br />And never,” &c.</p> +<p>as if he were crushed beneath it. Adopting the former reading, +however, we must observe the point of the words “ysgyg” +and “ysgogit,” the one indicative of his undaunted courage, +the other of his motionless state in death.</p> +<p>“Marw yw—<br />Nid ysgyg er meddyg mwy.”<br />—Dr. +S. Cent.</p> +<p>He is dead; he will stir no more for all the doctor’s art.</p> +<p><a name="footnote134b"></a><a href="#citation134b">{134b}</a> +Cyhadvan, cyd advan, a co-retreat.</p> +<p><a name="footnote134c"></a><a href="#citation134c">{134c}</a> +Al. Teithan.</p> +<p><a name="footnote134d"></a><a href="#citation134d">{134d}</a> +Or “tumultuous,” annovawc, from <i>an</i> not and <i>dov</i>, +tame, gentle, Al. “anvonawc,” sent, ordered.</p> +<p><a name="footnote134e"></a><a href="#citation134e">{134e}</a> +See a description of his warlike character in the thirtieth stanza.</p> +<p><a name="footnote134f"></a><a href="#citation134f">{134f}</a> +That is, Morien himself, who bore the epithet Mynawg or Manawg, (<i>high-minded</i>.) +See preceding stanza, note two.</p> +<p><a name="footnote134g"></a><a href="#citation134g">{134g}</a> +“Yn trwm,” as a person “seirchiawc saphwyawc—(and +perhaps) elydnan,” would necessarily be. The bundles of +combustible materials, which he also carried, would add to the weight +of his armour, and tend to retard his movements. Or, “yn +trwm” may refer to the battle, as being a <i>pressure</i>, or +a <i>sad</i> affair.</p> +<p><a name="footnote135a"></a><a href="#citation135a">{135a}</a> +Qu. Pedrawg, whose son Bedwyr was one of the three crowned chiefs of +battle?</p> +<p><a name="footnote135b"></a><a href="#citation135b">{135b}</a> +“Varchawc” may be coupled with “fowys,” indicating +that the enemy fled on horseback.</p> +<p><a name="footnote135c"></a><a href="#citation135c">{135c}</a> +“Cylchwy,” means a circular inclosure as well as a shield, +and in that sense it can be taken here, as showing that Morien surrounded +the camp with fire.</p> +<p><a name="footnote135d"></a><a href="#citation135d">{135d}</a> +“Gwyth;” another reading gives “gwych,” which +would have the same meaning as “gowychydd,” line 296.</p> +<p><a name="footnote135e"></a><a href="#citation135e">{135e}</a> +Whether we read “ceinion” or “gleinion,” we +should have the same meaning, viz.—“of the saints,” +the Britons being thus distinguished from the pagan Saxons. Thus +Llywarch Hen says of Geraint that he was</p> +<p>“Gelyn i Sais, car i saint.”</p> +<p>The Saxon’s foe, the friend of Saints.</p> +<p><a name="footnote136a"></a><a href="#citation136a">{136a}</a> +“Lleithig,” a <i>throne</i>, or <i>the dais of the hall</i>; +in the latter sense it would have reference to a banquet, and perhaps +“tal” would mean the front or principal seat where Cynon +sat. When, however, the battle commenced, the chieftain quitted +the convivial board, and displayed the valour of a distinguished soldier.</p> +<p><a name="footnote136b"></a><a href="#citation136b">{136b}</a> +His first thrust being so effectual. Al. “were not recognised,” +having been so greatly mutilated.</p> +<p><a name="footnote136c"></a><a href="#citation136c">{136c}</a> +Al. “in the day of gallantry.”</p> +<p><a name="footnote136d"></a><a href="#citation136d">{136d}</a> +I.e. Elphin son of Gwyddno ab Gorvynion ab Dyvnwal Hen king of Gwent. +In the early part of his life he was the patron of Taliesin, whom he +found when an infant in a leathern bag, exposed on a stake of his father’s +wear. “When Elphin was afterwards imprisoned in the castle +of Dyganwy by Maelgwn Gwynedd, Taliesin by the influence of his song +procured his release. There is a poem in the Myvyrian Archaiology, +entitled the “Consolation of Elphin,” said to have been +written by the chief of Bards.</p> +<p>Or, more likely, because of his connection with the North, he was +one of the sons of Urien Rheged, mentioned by Llywarch Hen in the following +triplet,—</p> +<p>“Pwylrai Wallawg, marchawg trin,<br />Er echwydd gwneuthur +dyvin,<br />Yn erbyn cyvrysedd Elphin.”</p> +<p>Gwallawg, the knight of tumult, would violently rave,<br />With a +mind determined to try the sharpest edge,<br />Against the conflict +of Elphin.</p> +<p><a name="footnote137a"></a><a href="#citation137a">{137a}</a> +Probably the Epidii, in Cantyre and Argyleshire. Al. “Hud +a phyd,” “The valour of the forward Elphin had recourse +to wiles and stratagems.”</p> +<p><a name="footnote138a"></a><a href="#citation138a">{138a}</a> +Morien is probably alluded to here again, whose especial department +seems to have been the superintendence of the martial fire. “Mur +greit,” to which we have given the same meaning as to “Murgreit,” +(line 292) might, however, in connection with the rest of the verse +be differently translated; thus “The furze was kindled on the +rampart by the ardent bull of conflict,” or “The furze was +kindled by the ardent bulwark, the bull of conflict.” The +latter construction seems to be favoured by a stanza in “Cyvoesi +Merddin,” (Myvyrian Archaiology, vol. i. p. 148) where Morien +is styled “mur trin,” “the bulwark of conflict.”</p> +<p>“Marw Morgeneu marw kyvrennin<br />Marw Moryen mur trin<br />Trymmav +oed am dy adoed di Vyrdin.”</p> +<p>Morgeneu dead, Kyvrenin dead,<br />Morien the bulwark of conflict +dead;<br />Most sad the lingering that thou art left, O Merddin.</p> +<p><a name="footnote138b"></a><a href="#citation138b">{138b}</a> +The meaning seems to be, that the enemies directed their attack to the +part which abounded most with riches, or where the treasures were collected, +or it may refer to the banquet; “alavvedd,” signifying the +<i>flowing mead</i>.</p> +<p><a name="footnote138c"></a><a href="#citation138c">{138c}</a> +“Llaes;” al. “lliaws,” <i>numerous</i>.</p> +<p><a name="footnote138d"></a><a href="#citation138d">{138d}</a> +Beli son of Benlli, a famous warrior in North Wales. Allusion +is made to his burying place in Englynion y Beddau;—</p> +<p>“Pieu y bedd yn y maes mawr,<br />Balch ei law ar ei lavnawr?<br />Bedd +Beli vab Benlli gawr.”</p> +<p>Who owns the grave in the great plain,<br />Proud his hand upon his +spear?<br />The grave of Beli son of Benlli Gawr.<br />(Myv. Arch. v. +i. p. 82.)</p> +<p>Or Beli son of Rhun, a sovereign of North Wales.</p> +<p><a name="footnote139a"></a><a href="#citation139a">{139a}</a> +“Ffin;” i.e. the Catrail.</p> +<p><a name="footnote139b"></a><a href="#citation139b">{139b}</a> +The contrast between the appearances of the two heralds is remarkable.</p> +<p><a name="footnote139c"></a><a href="#citation139c">{139c}</a> +I.e. the “Nar,” the puny messenger of the Saxons, compared +here to a “twrch,” a <i>boar</i>, or a <i>mole</i>.</p> +<p><a name="footnote139d"></a><a href="#citation139d">{139d}</a> +“Of a worthy character.”</p> +<p><a name="footnote139e"></a><a href="#citation139e">{139e}</a> +Or, “the battle spear.”</p> +<p><a name="footnote139f"></a><a href="#citation139f">{139f}</a> +“A clat,” cladd, a trench. “In those parts where +it (the Catrail) is pretty entire,—the fosse is twenty-six and +twenty-five feet broad; and in one place which was measured by Dr. Douglas, +the fosse was twenty-seven and a half feet broad. But in those +parts where the rampart has been most demolished, the fosse only measures +twenty-two and a half feet, twenty, and eighteen; and in one place only +sixteen feet wide.” Chalmers’s Caledonia, vol. i. +Al. “aclut,” i.e. Alclud, (Dunbarton.) “The +warriors upon the far-famed Alclyde.”</p> +<p><a name="footnote140a"></a><a href="#citation140a">{140a}</a> +Or, “in behalf of the power.”</p> +<p><a name="footnote140b"></a><a href="#citation140b">{140b}</a> +Being skilled in the knowledge of the stars.</p> +<p><a name="footnote140c"></a><a href="#citation140c">{140c}</a> +Lit. “For the falling.” To pull one’s hair was +looked upon in the light of a great insult, as we may well infer from +the kindred one of handling the beard, which was punishable by law. +Thus e.g. a man might legally beat his wife “am ddymuno mevl ar +varv ei gwr”—for wishing disgrace on the beard of her husband. +Such a treatment appears to have been offered to Gwydion, which made +his attendant determined upon avenging his cause.</p> +<p><a name="footnote140d"></a><a href="#citation140d">{140d}</a> +“Awyr eryr,” a title given to him in reference to the sublime +character of his profession. Gwydien, or Gwydion, was one of the +three blessed astronomers of the Isle of Britain,</p> +<p>“Tri gwyn Seronyddion ynys Prydain. Idris Gawr, a Gwydion +mab Don, a Gwyn ab Nudd; a chan vaint eu gwybodau am y ser a’u +hanianau a’i hansoddau y darogenynt a chwenychid ei wybod hyd +yn nydd brawd.”<br />(Triad lxxxix. third series.)</p> +<p>Two stanzas entitled “Cad Goddau,” published in the Myv. +Arch. vol. i. p. 167, are ascribed to him. He is reported to have +been buried in Morva Dinllev. See Englynion y Beddau, (Myv. Arch. +vol. i. p. 78.)</p> +<p><a name="footnote141a"></a><a href="#citation141a">{141a}</a> +Gwyddwg seems to have been in the service of Gwydien.</p> +<p><a name="footnote141b"></a><a href="#citation141b">{141b}</a> +Al. “protect him with his spear,” (wayw.) The other +reading (waen) is preferred on account of the rhyme.</p> +<p><a name="footnote141c"></a><a href="#citation141c">{141c}</a> +“Murdyn;” it may be “mur dyn,” (<i>the bulwark +of men</i>) as descriptive of the character of Morien, who is elsewhere +styled “mur trin,” see line 382, note.</p> +<p><a name="footnote141d"></a><a href="#citation141d">{141d}</a> +We meet in British history with several instances of female heroism; +the following Triad records the names of three viragos in particular;—</p> +<p>“Tri gwrvorwyn ynys Prydain; Llewei verch Seithwedd Saidi; +a Mederai Badellvawr, a Rhorei vawr verch Usber Galed.”<br />(Triad +96, third series.)</p> +<p>The Englynion Beddau y Milwyr point out the graves of others,—</p> +<p>“Y beteu yn y morva ys bychan ae haelwy<br />Y mae Sanant Syberv +vun y mae Run ryvel achwy<br />Y mae Carwen verch Kennin y mae lledin +a llywy.”<br />(Myv. Arch. i. 82.)</p> +<p>The graves on the shore, on which but little generosity has been +bestowed,<br />Are those of Sanant the courteous maid, of Rhun foremost +in the war,<br />Of Carwen daughter of Cennyn, of Lledyn and Llywy.</p> +<p><a name="footnote141e"></a><a href="#citation141e">{141e}</a> +His character has been described before in stanza xxv.</p> +<p><a name="footnote142a"></a><a href="#citation142a">{142a}</a> +The servant in question, for “unben” does not exclusively +mean a monarch, but it is applied also as a complimentary appellation +like the modern Sir, “Ha unben! Duw a’ch noddo.” +“O Sir! God protect you.” (Kilhwch and Olwen.)</p> +<p><a name="footnote142b"></a><a href="#citation142b">{142b}</a> +Al. “heb benn,” a headless wolf.</p> +<p><a name="footnote142c"></a><a href="#citation142c">{142c}</a> +It would appear as if the servant retaliated in kind upon the slayer +of his mistress, who was either a wolf in disposition, or bore it as +a badge; and that such a deed entitled him to bear a coat charged with +figures emblematic thereof.</p> +<p><a name="footnote142d"></a><a href="#citation142d">{142d}</a> +“Ysgrwydiat.” Al. “Gold mailed warriors slept +in death, (cysgrwyddiad) on the city walls.”</p> +<p><a name="footnote142e"></a><a href="#citation142e">{142e}</a> +“Cred,” of faith, as distinguished from the unbelieving +Saxons.</p> +<p><a name="footnote142f"></a><a href="#citation142f">{142f}</a> +“Aerflawdd,” nimble for slaughter. “There was +a tribute of carnage, nor were they long engaged in the tumult of battle.”<br /><i>Gorch +Mael</i>.</p> +<p><a name="footnote143a"></a><a href="#citation143a">{143a}</a> +Another version gives “the birds of battle;” but both doubtless +refer to the birds of prey which roved to the scene of battle, prepared +to perch upon the carcases of the dead. There is something extremely +natural and affecting in the conduct of the “feeble man,” +as here described.</p> +<p><a name="footnote143b"></a><a href="#citation143b">{143b}</a> +Or, “of fair observation:” probably the very individual +who warded off the birds. The Gorchan Maelderw would indicate +that Syll was an incorrect transcript of <i>pelloid</i> or <i>pellwyd</i>, +which word would supply the blank after <i>brwydryat</i>, and make the +line rhyme with the preceding. The passage would then be, “and +drove away the roving birds. Truly, Mirain,” &c.</p> +<p><a name="footnote143c"></a><a href="#citation143c">{143c}</a> +A river so called, which cannot now be identified, as there are several +in the South of Scotland, which would admit of this Welsh form; such +as, the Leith, the Lugar, &c. Perhaps it is the same with +Aber Lleu, where Urien Rheged was assassinated, and Aber Llyw mentioned +in the “Elegy on Old Age” by Llywarch Hen.</p> +<p><a name="footnote143d"></a><a href="#citation143d">{143d}</a> +“In the day of conflict.” <i>Gorch. Mael</i>.</p> +<p><a name="footnote144a"></a><a href="#citation144a">{144a}</a> +Al. “look.”</p> +<p><a name="footnote144b"></a><a href="#citation144b">{144b}</a> +“Gwyr nod;” this expression has two significations, it means +both “men of note” and “slaves.” The lines +that follow seem to restrict it here to the latter sense.</p> +<p><a name="footnote144c"></a><a href="#citation144c">{144c}</a> +The word Din indicates it to have been a camp or a fort.</p> +<p><a name="footnote144d"></a><a href="#citation144d">{144d}</a> +“We may suppose this to refer to the property that was collected +within the camp on the summit of the hill.</p> +<p><a name="footnote144e"></a><a href="#citation144e">{144e}</a> +“Dinas,” a fortified town. In these lines we have +a graphic picture of the panic stricken state of that portion of the +army in which Aneurin happened to be at this particular time; and it +is a fitting prelude to the account of his incarceration which he gives +in the succeeding stanza but one. But whilst the bard exposes +his own incapacity, he pays an indirect compliment to the skill and +courage of Gwynwydd; such a state of affairs, he seems to say, was owing +to the absence of that hero on the heights.</p> +<p><a name="footnote144f"></a><a href="#citation144f">{144f}</a> +Meaning, perhaps, that had he himself been present, this cowardice would +not have been manifested. We may, however, render the line thus,—“Vines +are not named when they are not found,” and regard it as a proverb +intended to illustrate the truth of the foregoing statements, viz. that +no mention would have been made of such things had they not really existed. +Truth was a necessary element of Welsh Poetry.</p> +<p><a name="footnote145a"></a><a href="#citation145a">{145a}</a> +“Ceny,” i.e. cyni. Llywarch Hen has introduced a stanza +into his “Elegy on Old Age,” very similar in some of its +expressions;</p> +<p>“Adwen leverydd cyni<br />Vran; pan disgynai yn nghyvyrdy<br />Pen +gwr, pan gwin a ddyly.”</p> +<p><a name="footnote145b"></a><a href="#citation145b">{145b}</a> +“Talben,” a fixed charge, or a tax. A very natural +reflection from the head of a family!</p> +<p><a name="footnote145c"></a><a href="#citation145c">{145c}</a> +“Gorddin;” what impels or drives forward; what is posterior, +ultimate, or following; the rear. (Dr. Pughe’s Dict.) +It would appear from this that the captive was pushed along towards +his prison by some person from behind.</p> +<p><a name="footnote145d"></a><a href="#citation145d">{145d}</a> +I.e. this treatment I despise, it is beneath my notice, I will regard +it as a particle of dust under my feet. There was a maxim in reference +to a really felt trouble which said;—</p> +<p>“Nid â gwaew yn ronyn.”<br />Pain will not become +a particle.</p> +<p><a name="footnote145e"></a><a href="#citation145e">{145e}</a> +How true to nature this disclaimer of any peevish and revengeful feelings +when the power of fully exercising them was taken away! And yet +his conduct, as implied in “gorddin,” at the same time belied +such a declaration.</p> +<p><a name="footnote145f"></a><a href="#citation145f">{145f}</a> +Lit. “my knee.” The prisoner here very naturally gives +vent to his feelings in reference to the racking pain which was inflicted +upon him.</p> +<p><a name="footnote146a"></a><a href="#citation146a">{146a}</a> +“<i>Bundat</i>,” from <i>pwn</i>. In the original +the line is imperfect, the particular part of his person that was thus +pained being left unmentioned.</p> +<p><a name="footnote146b"></a><a href="#citation146b">{146b}</a> +He here summons back his courage, and bursts into expressions of defiance +as to the irresistible freedom of his <i>awen</i>, declaring that he +would still in his dismal prison celebrate the praise of his countrymen, +to the disparagement of his enemies at the battle of Cattraeth.</p> +<p><a name="footnote146c"></a><a href="#citation146c">{146c}</a> +Lit. “make,” “compose;” ποιεω.</p> +<p><a name="footnote146d"></a><a href="#citation146d">{146d}</a> +Perhaps this may mean no more than that Taliesin’s mind was akin +to his own.</p> +<p><a name="footnote146e"></a><a href="#citation146e">{146e}</a> +The dawn of the following morning; or, it may, be the day of liberty.</p> +<p><a name="footnote146f"></a><a href="#citation146f">{146f}</a> +Or we may put “goroledd gogledd” in apposition with “gwr,” +and construe it thus,—</p> +<p>“The hero, the joy of the North, effected it,”</p> +<p>i.e. my deliverance. Llywarch Hen and his sons came from the +North.</p> +<p><a name="footnote147a"></a><a href="#citation147a">{147a}</a> +Lit. “There does not walk upon the earth.”</p> +<p><a name="footnote147b"></a><a href="#citation147b">{147b}</a> +“Dihafarch drud,” the same epithets are applied to Llywarch +in the following Englyn y Clywed.—</p> +<p>“A glyweisti a gant Llywarch,<br />Oedd henwr drud dihavarch;<br />Onid +cyvarwydd cyvarch.”</p> +<p>Didst thou hear what Llywarch sang,<br />The intrepid and bold old +man?<br />Greet kindly though there be no acquaintance.</p> +<p><a name="footnote147c"></a><a href="#citation147c">{147c}</a> +He would not submit to arbitration, which would imply an inability to +assert their rights by force of arms.</p> +<p><a name="footnote147d"></a><a href="#citation147d">{147d}</a> +Senyllt was the son of Cedig ab Dyvnwal Hen, and father of Nudd Hael. +The word means seneschal, and perhaps Senyllt acted in that character, +and had derived his name from thence. The term in the etymological +sense would be applied to Gwen.</p> +<p><a name="footnote148a"></a><a href="#citation148a">{148a}</a> +Al. “He bestowed his sword upon the,” &c.</p> +<p><a name="footnote148b"></a><a href="#citation148b">{148b}</a> +Al. “lynwyssawr;” “he was a plague;” or “with +his arm he made pools of blood.”</p> +<p><a name="footnote148c"></a><a href="#citation148c">{148c}</a> +“Seil,” lit. “foundation.”</p> +<p><a name="footnote148d"></a><a href="#citation148d">{148d}</a> +This seems to countenance the idea suggested in the note to line 346, +that the <i>Neuadd</i> was none other than the camp itself.</p> +<p><a name="footnote148e"></a><a href="#citation148e">{148e}</a> +“Keingyell,” ceingel; a hank of thread.</p> +<p><a name="footnote148f"></a><a href="#citation148f">{148f}</a> +This was probably his sword which flashed.</p> +<p><a name="footnote148g"></a><a href="#citation148g">{148g}</a> +Llywarch Hen’s son, see note to line 272. He was slain “ar +ryd vorlas,” on the ford of Morlas, which, as far as its etymology +is concerned, would very well answer to the scene of the battle of Cattraeth.</p> +<p><a name="footnote148h"></a><a href="#citation148h">{148h}</a> +There is much poetic force in this line.</p> +<p><a name="footnote149a"></a><a href="#citation149a">{149a}</a> +Perhaps <i>Luce</i> Bay, near <i>Leuco</i>pibia.</p> +<p><a name="footnote149b"></a><a href="#citation149b">{149b}</a> +Llywarch Hen, in his Elegy on Urien Rheged, speaks thus,—</p> +<p>“Yn Aber <i>Lleu</i> lladd Urien.”<br />In Aber <i>Lleu</i> +Urien was slain.</p> +<p><a name="footnote149c"></a><a href="#citation149c">{149c}</a> +Probably on the river <i>Lid</i>, or Liddel, on the northern borders +of Cumberland.</p> +<p><a name="footnote149d"></a><a href="#citation149d">{149d}</a> +It is not unlikely that the “cangen Caerwys,” formed a part +of the great fleet of Geraint, who is styled in Brut Tysilio, “Geraint +Caerwys.”</p> +<p><a name="footnote149e"></a><a href="#citation149e">{149e}</a> +A poetical definition of a storm in winter.</p> +<p><a name="footnote149f"></a><a href="#citation149f">{149f}</a> +“Rhiallu” means also the power of a sovereign, but as it +is not likely that Aneurin would acknowledge the regal claims of the +enemy, we have thought it more consistent with the general design of +the poem to adopt a construction, which shows the advantages possessed +by the enemy over the natives in point of numerical strength.</p> +<p>“Deg myrdd yn y rhiallu, deg rhiallu yn y vynta, a deg mynta +yn y gatyrva.”</p> +<p>Ten myriads in the riallu ten times the riallu, in the mynta, ten +mynta in the catyrva.</p> +<p><a name="footnote150a"></a><a href="#citation150a">{150a}</a> +“Dyvu wyt,” dyvnwydd; or according to Gorch. Mael. dyvwn, +i.e. Devon, the country of Geraint ab Erbin,—“Gwr dewr o +goettir Dyvnaint.” (Llywarch Hen.)</p> +<p><a name="footnote150b"></a><a href="#citation150b">{150b}</a> +“Yd wodyn,” from <i>gwoddew</i>, purpose or design. +Al. “foddyn,” did they drown.</p> +<p><a name="footnote150c"></a><a href="#citation150c">{150c}</a> +Qu. <i>Carban</i>tium in the province of Valentia?</p> +<p><a name="footnote150d"></a><a href="#citation150d">{150d}</a> +Dyvynawl Vrych, or Donald Brec, who is said in the Scotch Chronicles +to have been slain in the battle of Vraithe Cairvin, (qu. Carw van?) +by Owain king of the Britons. He is introduced to our notice again +in the Gododin.</p> +<p><a name="footnote150e"></a><a href="#citation150e">{150e}</a> +Or, <i>a bolt</i>.</p> +<p><a name="footnote150f"></a><a href="#citation150f">{150f}</a> +Pwyll in some of the pedigrees of Gwynvardd Dyved is said to be the +son of Argoel, or Aircol Law Hir, son of Pyr y Dwyrain; but Mr. Davies +in the “Rites and Mythology of the Druids,” states that +he was the son of Meirig, son of Aircol, son of Pyr, which is rather +confirmed by some other MS. Pedigrees. In Taliesin’s “Preiddeu +Annwn,” he is mentioned, with his son Pryderi, as having joined +Arthur in some perilous expeditions.</p> +<p>“Bu cywair carchar Gwair ynghaer Sidi<br />Trwy ebostol Pwyll +a Phryderi.” &c.</p> +<p>Arranged was the prison of Gwair in Caer Sidi<br />By the ministration +of Pwyll and Pryderi. &c.<br />(Myv. Arch. i. 45.)</p> +<p>Pwyll is the hero of one of the Mabinogion.</p> +<p><a name="footnote151a"></a><a href="#citation151a">{151a}</a> +Brwys; “of fine growth,” “large.”</p> +<p><a name="footnote151b"></a><a href="#citation151b">{151b}</a> +Llywarch Hen speaks of a person of this name.</p> +<p>“Tywarchen Ercal ar âr dywal<br />Wyr, o edwedd Morial;<br />A +gwedy Rhys mae rhysonial.”<br />(Elegy on Cynddylan.)</p> +<p>The sod of Ercal is on the ashes of fierce<br />Men, of the progeny +of Morial;<br />And after Rhys there is great murmuring of woe.</p> +<p><a name="footnote151c"></a><a href="#citation151c">{151c}</a> +Al. “from the place where he was once overtaken.”</p> +<p><a name="footnote151d"></a><a href="#citation151d">{151d}</a> +This stanza evidently contains a reproof to one of the British chiefs, +who turned coward on the field of battle. The circumstances mentioned +in the two first lines, that his shield was pierced behind him, “ar +grymal carnwyd,” (on the crupper of his horse) would indicate +that he was then in the act of fleeing, holding his shield in such a +position, as best to protect his back from the darts of his pursuers. +Of this the Bard remarks “ni mad,” it was not honourable, +“non bene.”</p> +<p><a name="footnote152a"></a><a href="#citation152a">{152a}</a> +Lit. “placed his thigh on.” Llywarch Hen gives quite +a different account of his own son Pyll;—</p> +<p>“Mad ddodes ei vorddwyd dros obell<br />Ei orwydd, o wng ac +o bell.”<br />(On Old Age.)</p> +<p>Gracefully he placed his thigh over the saddle<br />Of his steed, +on the near and farther side.</p> +<p><a name="footnote152b"></a><a href="#citation152b">{152b}</a> +We may suppose that the Bard looks upon the dark hue of his accoutrements +as ominous of a mournful and dishonourable result.</p> +<p><a name="footnote152c"></a><a href="#citation152c">{152c}</a> +A sarcastic irony addressed to the coward himself, who probably had +boasted of some heroic deeds that he would perform. Where are +they? And where is this brave warrior? Not distinguishing +himself on the field of battle; not entering cities in triumph; but +in a cell gnawing the shoulder of a buck.</p> +<p><a name="footnote152d"></a><a href="#citation152d">{152d}</a> +“Gell.” This word has a reference to “gell,” +<i>dark</i>, and it may be that Aneurin regarded the one as typical +of the other; that he thought the man who appeared in dark armour would +eventually be found in a dark cellar. It is not clear whether +this person secreted himself, or whether he was placed by his enemies +in the “cell” here mentioned. If the former, we may +regard his eating the venison as a further proof of his unwarlike character; +if the latter, “cnoi angell bwch” may be considered as something +tantamount to living upon bread and water in our days.</p> +<p><a name="footnote152e"></a><a href="#citation152e">{152e}</a> +Al. “hwch,” a sow.</p> +<p><a name="footnote152f"></a><a href="#citation152f">{152f}</a> +Al. “May triumph be far from his hand.”</p> +<p><a name="footnote153a"></a><a href="#citation153a">{153a}</a> +See line 468. It may be inferred from this place that the person +just spoken of had abandoned Gwen, which shows his character in still +blacker colours.</p> +<p><a name="footnote153b"></a><a href="#citation153b">{153b}</a> +See line 404. O shame upon the nameless knight, to flee where +a woman fought!</p> +<p><a name="footnote153c"></a><a href="#citation153c">{153c}</a> +“Dibennor;” this word may signify either the rabble who +were not invested with military accoutrements, or such as had no regular +commander, or the infantry as distinguished from the cavalry mentioned +in the succeeding line. Though so many were ready to attack the +Saxons, the circumstance could not inspire our hero(!) with any corresponding +amount of patriotic feelings.</p> +<p><a name="footnote153d"></a><a href="#citation153d">{153d}</a> +“It is well that Adonwy came, that Adonwy came to the defence +of those that were left;<br />Bradwen fought, slaughtered, and burned;<br />Thou +didst not guard either the extremity or the entrance<br />Of the towering +town; thy helmet did I not behold from the sea,<br />From the rampart +of the sea, O thou knight worse than a slave.”<br /><i>Gorch. +Mael</i>.</p> +<p><a name="footnote154a"></a><a href="#citation154a">{154a}</a> +This stanza refers to a conference, to which the Cymry were at length +fain to submit.</p> +<p><a name="footnote154b"></a><a href="#citation154b">{154b}</a> +<i>Trimuntium</i>, belonging to the Selgovæ, in Valentia. +Al. “The dales beyond the ridges that were cultivated.”</p> +<p><a name="footnote154c"></a><a href="#citation154c">{154c}</a> +“Gwas,” which means also youth. It is probable that +the messenger or herald of the Saxons is here meant, who being of an +avaricious mind made exorbitant demands, was “heb ymwyd,” +could not keep his “gwyd,” his inclinations or desires, +within his own breast. Nor was Aneurin on the other hand willing +that his countrymen should make concessions; rather than that, he calls +upon them to put forth their strength once more, and assert their rights +on the field of battle.</p> +<p><a name="footnote154d"></a><a href="#citation154d">{154d}</a> +Aneurin, addressing his country.</p> +<p><a name="footnote154e"></a><a href="#citation154e">{154e}</a> +Al. “Plentiful.”</p> +<p><a name="footnote154f"></a><a href="#citation154f">{154f}</a> +Llancarvan in Glamorganshire was anciently called by this name. +Al. “tan veithin;” qu. tân eithin, gorze fire?</p> +<p><a name="footnote154g"></a><a href="#citation154g">{154g}</a> +“Luthvin,” (glwth vin.) Al. “the edge of his +sword gleamed.”</p> +<p><a name="footnote154h"></a><a href="#citation154h">{154h}</a> +The Saxon herald.</p> +<p><a name="footnote154i"></a><a href="#citation154i">{154i}</a> +“Gnaws gwan,” him, who was necessarily in a weak or defenceless +state, namely the British herald.</p> +<p><a name="footnote154j"></a><a href="#citation154j">{154j}</a> +By the “bulwark of toil” is probably understood Morien.</p> +<p><a name="footnote155a"></a><a href="#citation155a">{155a}</a> +Being like him a Bard.</p> +<p><a name="footnote155b"></a><a href="#citation155b">{155b}</a> +“Cynrennin.” Al. “expert.” The conference +having been so egregiously violated by the assassination of the British +herald, is immediately broken up, and the advice of Aneurin eagerly +followed.</p> +<p><a name="footnote155c"></a><a href="#citation155c">{155c}</a> +Their loquacity and haste had been greatly excited by liquor.</p> +<p><a name="footnote155d"></a><a href="#citation155d">{155d}</a> +See Notes to stanza xxxviii.</p> +<p><a name="footnote155e"></a><a href="#citation155e">{155e}</a> +The treacherous herald before mentioned.</p> +<p><a name="footnote156a"></a><a href="#citation156a">{156a}</a> +Another way of construing these two lines would be,—</p> +<p>“Strangers to the country, their deeds shall be heard of;<br />The +bright wave murmured along on its pilgrimage;”</p> +<p>in reference to the British heroes.</p> +<p><a name="footnote156b"></a><a href="#citation156b">{156b}</a> +According to version 4,—</p> +<p>“Where they had collected together the most melodious deer.”</p> +<p>The deer were collected within the encampment for the purpose of +supplying the army with food, or so as to be out of the reach of the +enemy. The locality was probably that of Ban Carw, the Deer Bank.</p> +<p><a name="footnote156c"></a><a href="#citation156c">{156c}</a> +Dyvynawl Brych.</p> +<p><a name="footnote156d"></a><a href="#citation156d">{156d}</a> +I.e. no pacific insignia.</p> +<p><a name="footnote156e"></a><a href="#citation156e">{156e}</a> +A moral reflection suggested by the perfidy of the Saxons at the conference +of Llanveithin.</p> +<p><a name="footnote156f"></a><a href="#citation156f">{156f}</a> +Morial is recorded in one of the Englynion y Beddau, (see line 348, +note 2) as one who fell not unavenged. His name occurs in one +of Llywarch Hen’s poems, (see line 495. note 2.) Meugant +gives an account of the expedition of one Morial to Caer Lwydgoed (Lincoln) +from whence he brought a booty of 1500 bullocks.</p> +<p><a name="footnote156g"></a><a href="#citation156g">{156g}</a> +Or, “mutually sharing” the toils of war.</p> +<p><a name="footnote157a"></a><a href="#citation157a">{157a}</a> +These two lines may be translated in reference to the Saxon herald;</p> +<p>“The stranger with the crimson robe pursued,<br />And slaughtered +with axes and blades.”</p> +<p><a name="footnote157b"></a><a href="#citation157b">{157b}</a> +“Cywrein.” Al. “The warriors arose, met together, +and with one accord,” &c.</p> +<p><a name="footnote157c"></a><a href="#citation157c">{157c}</a> +Or, “made the assault.”</p> +<p><a name="footnote157d"></a><a href="#citation157d">{157d}</a> +Or, simply, “women.”</p> +<p><a name="footnote157e"></a><a href="#citation157e">{157e}</a> +“Gwich,” a shriek; Al. “acted bravely.” +Al. “were greatly exasperated;” or perhaps for “gwyth” +we should read <i>gweddw</i>, “their wives they made widows.” +Gruffydd ap yr Ynad Coch in his Elegy upon Llywelyn, (Myv. Arch. i. +396) makes use of similar sentiments, in the following lines,—</p> +<p>Llawer deigr hylithr yn hwylaw ar rudd<br />Llawer ystlys rhudd a +rhwyg arnaw<br />Llawer gwaed am draed wedi ymdreiddiaw<br />Llawer +gweddw a gwaedd y amdanaw<br />Llawer meddwl trwm yn tomrwyaw.<br />Llawer +mam heb dad gwedi ei adaw<br />Llawer hendref fraith gwedi llwybrgodaith<br />A +llawer diffaith drwy anrhaith draw<br />Llawer llef druan fal ban fu’r +Gamlan.</p> +<p>Many a slippery tear sails down the cheek,<br />Many a wounded side +is red with gore,<br />Many a foot is bathed in blood,<br />Many a widow +raises the mournful shriek,<br />Many a mind is heavily troubled,<br />Many +a son is left without a father,<br />Many an old grey town is deserted,<br />Many +are ruined by yonder deed of war,<br />Many a cry of misery arises as +erst on Camlan field.</p> +<p><a name="footnote158a"></a><a href="#citation158a">{158a}</a> +Al. “Nor was there a hero (lew from glew)” &c. +Al. “Nor was there a lion so generous, in the presence of a lion +of the greatest course;” the latter description referring to some +other chief of renown.</p> +<p><a name="footnote158b"></a><a href="#citation158b">{158b}</a> +Or the <i>cry</i>, “dias;” being either the shout of battle, +or the voice of distress.</p> +<p><a name="footnote158c"></a><a href="#citation158c">{158c}</a> +“Angor,” from <i>ang</i> and <i>gor</i>; lit. a <i>staying +round</i>, which indicates the city in question to have been of a circular +form. Probably it was one of the forts which are so commonly seen +on our hills.</p> +<p><a name="footnote158d"></a><a href="#citation158d">{158d}</a> +That is, either the place where Bards were entertained, or where the +deer were protected. See line 535.</p> +<p><a name="footnote159a"></a><a href="#citation159a">{159a}</a> +“Gwryd,” <i>manliness</i>, as displayed in war.</p> +<p><a name="footnote159b"></a><a href="#citation159b">{159b}</a> +I.e. Cynon.</p> +<p><a name="footnote159c"></a><a href="#citation159c">{159c}</a> +Or, “wide.”</p> +<p><a name="footnote159d"></a><a href="#citation159d">{159d}</a> +A similar expression has been used before (line 512) “nac eithaf +na chynor.” A “clod heb or heb eithaf,” simply +means immortal praise.</p> +<p><a name="footnote159e"></a><a href="#citation159e">{159e}</a> +The distinguishing feature of this stanza is its prosopopæia, +or its change of things into persons, as in the case of Hwrreith, Buddugre, +and Rheiddyn, which are translated respectively Spoliation, Victory, +and the Lance.</p> +<p><a name="footnote159f"></a><a href="#citation159f">{159f}</a> +Eidol or Eidiol Gadarn is recorded as one of the three strong men of +Britain, having, at the meeting on Salisbury plain, slain 660 Saxons +with a billet of wood.</p> +<p>“Tri Gyrddion Ynys Prydain; Gwrnerth Ergydlym, a laddes yr +arth mwyaf ac a welwyd erioed a saeth wellten; a Gwgawn Lawgadarn, a +dreiglis maen Maenarch or glynn i ben y mynydd, ac nid oedd llai na +thrugain ych ai tynnai; ac Eidiol Gadarn, a laddes o’r Saeson +ym mrad Caersallawg chwechant a thrugain a chogail gerdin o fachlud +haul yd yn nhywyll.”<br />(Triad 60. third series.)</p> +<p>The time here specified “from sunset until dark,” will +not be found to tally at all with the commencement of the fight at Cattraeth, +which is said to have been “with the day,” and “with +the dawn;” this circumstance is fatal to Davies’s theory.</p> +<p>The first lines of this stanza may be translated in divers ways, +such as,—</p> +<p>“With a feast of wine and a banquet of mead, endowed<br />By +Cynlaith, mother of Hwrraith, was the energetic Eidol.”</p> +<p>Also,—</p> +<p>“With a feast of wine and a banquet of mead,<br />Did his brave +(<i>hwrraith</i> from <i>hwrdd</i>) mother<br />Cynlaith, enrich<br />The +energetic Eidol.”</p> +<p>Again,—</p> +<p>“With a feast of wine and a banquet of mead,<br />Did his mother +Hwrraith<br />At the first fall of the dew (<i>cyn llaith</i>) enrich<br />The +energetic Eidol.”</p> +<p><a name="footnote160a"></a><a href="#citation160a">{160a}</a> +The hill on which the vanguard was stationed.</p> +<p><a name="footnote160b"></a><a href="#citation160b">{160b}</a> +Waiting their prey.</p> +<p><a name="footnote160c"></a><a href="#citation160c">{160c}</a> +“Cynydaw” (cnydiaw) to yield a crop. Cynydaw means +also to rise; and we may thus construe the passage,—</p> +<p>“The foremost spearmen spring up around him.”</p> +<p>Another reading gives “cwydaw” to fall, in allusion to +the slaughter of the men; adopting this expression, it would seem that +“arnaw” was more applicable to “racvre,” the +mount of the van.</p> +<p><a name="footnote160d"></a><a href="#citation160d">{160d}</a> +“Glas heid,” (glas haidd) green barley. It is rather +singular that the words, without the slightest alteration, will admit +of another simile equally beautiful and appropriate, viz.—<i>glas +haid</i>, a blue swarm of flies. The word <i>glas</i> may be indicative +of the prevailing colour of the dress or armour of the men,</p> +<p>“As from the rocky cliff the shepherd sees<br />Clustering +in heaps on heaps the driving bees,<br />Rolling, and blackening, swarms +succeeding swarms,<br />With deeper murmurs and more hoarse alarms;<br />Dusky +they spread, a close embodied crowd,<br />And o’er the vale descends +the living cloud.”<br />(Pope’s Homer, b. ii. l. 111.)</p> +<p><a name="footnote161a"></a><a href="#citation161a">{161a}</a> +“Hedin;” this word seems of kindred nature with haidd (barley) +and is here translated accordingly; (hedeg, to shoot out, or to ear, +as corn.) Another version gives “hediw,” (<i>heddyw</i>, +today.)</p> +<p><a name="footnote161b"></a><a href="#citation161b">{161b}</a> +It is still very common in Wales to call the cause or origin of any +thing by the name of mam: thus, for instance, we say “mam y drwg” +of the chief instigator of mischief. What we are to understand +by the “mother of the lance” it is not very easy to determine; +it might have been courage or the sense of wrong, or quarrel, or any +other cause which excited the Britons to fight.</p> +<p><a name="footnote161c"></a><a href="#citation161c">{161c}</a> +Al. “They marched and chanted, clad in coat of mail.”</p> +<p><a name="footnote162a"></a><a href="#citation162a">{162a}</a> +“Vawr dru,” &c. Al. “miserable hero.”</p> +<p><a name="footnote162b"></a><a href="#citation162b">{162b}</a> +This confirms the view we have taken of the “milcant a thrychant” +at line 86.</p> +<p><a name="footnote162c"></a><a href="#citation162c">{162c}</a> +“Gloew dull;” in bright array. It may refer also to +the viands.</p> +<p><a name="footnote162d"></a><a href="#citation162d">{162d}</a> +“Mai;” Taliesin, in like manner, says of Urien, that he +was,—</p> +<p>“Un yn darwedd<br />Gwin a mal a medd.”</p> +<p>One who was generous of wine, and bounty, and mead.</p> +<p>“Mal,” properly speaking, seems to have been a certain +tribute, as above. Thus we read in Welsh legends;—</p> +<p>“He gave his domain of Clynog to God and to Beuno for ever, +without either contribution or tax (heb na mal nac ardreth.”)<br />(Buch. +Beuno.)</p> +<p>Again,—</p> +<p>“There is neither contribution nor tax, (na mal na threth) +which we ought to pay.”<br />(H. Car. Mag. Mabinogion.)</p> +<p>The word in the text may signify gifts or presents; or it may mean +<i>meal</i>, (mâl, what is ground) in allusion to the more substantial +portion of the feast.</p> +<p><a name="footnote163a"></a><a href="#citation163a">{163a}</a> +Lit. “I am being ruined.”</p> +<p><a name="footnote163b"></a><a href="#citation163b">{163b}</a> +Mynyddawg himself.</p> +<p><a name="footnote163c"></a><a href="#citation163c">{163c}</a> +Al. “From amongst.”</p> +<p><a name="footnote163d"></a><a href="#citation163d">{163d}</a> +That is, free and precipitate in his course, as a ball flies through +the air. This simile seems to have been borrowed from a popular +game among the Britons called <i>pelre</i>, which consisted in the beating +of a ball backwards and forwards, and is alluded to by Taliesin in the +following lines;</p> +<p>“Ceiniadon moch clywid eu govalon:<br />Marchawglu mor daer +am Gaer Llion;<br />A dial Idwal ar Aranwynion<br />A gware pelre a +phen Saeson.”<br />(Myv. Arch. i. p. 73.)</p> +<p>Songsters, soon would their cares be heard;<br />An army of horsemen +so harassing round Caer Llion;<br />And the revenge of Idwal on the +Aranwynians;<br />And the playing of ball-buffetting with Saxon heads.</p> +<p>Al. “mab Pel;” Present the son of Pel.</p> +<p><a name="footnote163e"></a><a href="#citation163e">{163e}</a> +“Hud:” has this word any reference to “<i>hud</i>wg,” +a racket for ball playing?</p> +<p><a name="footnote164a"></a><a href="#citation164a">{164a}</a> +“Ystryng;” from <i>ys</i> and <i>tryng</i> or <i>trengu</i>.</p> +<p><a name="footnote164b"></a><a href="#citation164b">{164b}</a> +“Adan;” that is <i>â dan</i>, will go under. +Lit. “under the red-stained warriors go the steeds,” &c. +“Ymdan march,” is a well known phrase for mounting a horse.</p> +<p><a name="footnote164c"></a><a href="#citation164c">{164c}</a> +The same, it may be, with Angar, one of the sons of Caw of Cwm Cawlwyd, +and brother of Aneurin. A saying of his occurs in the Chwedlau’r +Doethion. (Iolo MSS. pp. 256, 554.)</p> +<p>“A glyweist ti chwedl Angar<br />Mab Caw, Catfilwr clodgar?<br />Bid +tonn calon gan alar.”</p> +<p>Hast thou heard the saying of Angar,<br />Son of Caw the celebrated +warrior?<br />The heart will break with grief.</p> +<p><a name="footnote164d"></a><a href="#citation164d">{164d}</a> +“Raen,” from <i>rha</i>, which is also the root of <i>rhain</i>, +spears.</p> +<p><a name="footnote164e"></a><a href="#citation164e">{164e}</a> +This passage, in another form, occurs three times in the Maelderw version +and may be translated as follows;</p> +<p>“Angor, thou scatterer of the brave,<br />Serpent, piercing +pike,<br />And immovable stone in the front of the army.”</p> +<p><a name="footnote164f"></a><a href="#citation164f">{164f}</a> +Al. “Oppressor, dressed in thy shining white robes.”</p> +<p><a name="footnote165a"></a><a href="#citation165a">{165a}</a> +“Gwaenawr.” Al. “The spears.” Al. +“The stones.”</p> +<p><a name="footnote165b"></a><a href="#citation165b">{165b}</a> +That is, the fosse of the Catrail, or that which surrounded one of the +camps.</p> +<p><a name="footnote165c"></a><a href="#citation165c">{165c}</a> +See lines 386, 524, 534. Al. “like ploughing the furrow.”</p> +<p><a name="footnote165d"></a><a href="#citation165d">{165d}</a> +The Bard in this stanza evidently plays upon the names of three of the +British heroes, showing how appropriately they represented their respective +characters; <i>Cywir</i>, <i>enwir</i>; <i>Merin</i>, <i>mur</i>; <i>Madien</i>, +<i>mad</i>. Perhaps it would be better to transpose the two first, +and read the line as it occurs in one stanza of the Gorchan Maelderw;</p> +<p>“Enwir ith elwir oth gywir weithred.”<br />Enwir art +thou named from thy righteous deed;</p> +<p>for in “Kilhwch and Olwen” we meet with a person bearing +the name of Gweir Gwrhyd <i>Ennwir</i>, who is said to have been an +uncle of Arthur, his mother’s brother.</p> +<p><a name="footnote165e"></a><a href="#citation165e">{165e}</a> +“Bulwark of every tribe.” Al. “of every language.” +<i>Gorch. Maelderw</i>.</p> +<p><a name="footnote165f"></a><a href="#citation165f">{165f}</a> +Merin the son of Merini ab Seithenyn, king of the plain of Gwyddno, +whose land was overflowed by the sea. He is said to have been +the founder of the church of Llanverin, or Llanvetherin, Monmouthshire. +In the Gorchan Maelderw Merin is called the son of Madieith.</p> +<p><a name="footnote166a"></a><a href="#citation166a">{166a}</a> +Al. “Gwynedd.”</p> +<p><a name="footnote166b"></a><a href="#citation166b">{166b}</a> +I.e. the drinking horn. “Dial;” <i>Gorch. Mael</i>. +“to take vengeance for the contribution of mead.” +Owain Cyveiliog alludes to this circumstance in his Poem on the Hirlas +Horn;—</p> +<p>“Kigleu am dal met myned dreig Kattraeth.”<br />(Myv. +Arch. i. 266.)</p> +<p>That this author was acquainted with the Gododin appears further +from the following,</p> +<p>“Nid ym hyn dihyll nam hen deheu;”</p> +<p>where he evidently refers to line 290 of our Poem.</p> +<p><a name="footnote166c"></a><a href="#citation166c">{166c}</a> +“Cyvyringet,” those who met together between the two armies; +from cyvrwng, cyd-rhwng.</p> +<p><a name="footnote166d"></a><a href="#citation166d">{166d}</a> +“Cibno ced,” seems to have been the cup of drink presented +to bards and minstrels by their entertainers. (See line 345.) +Not even the speech inspiring influence of this cup, could elicit an +adequate description of the slaughter which ensued at Cattraeth.</p> +<p><a name="footnote167a"></a><a href="#citation167a">{167a}</a> +Or, “the gallantry of the glorious knight of conflict.”</p> +<p><a name="footnote167b"></a><a href="#citation167b">{167b}</a> +Lit. “Ruddy reaping.” Al. “Ruddy reaper, thou +pantest for war.”</p> +<p><a name="footnote167c"></a><a href="#citation167c">{167c}</a> +Al. “Thou man of Gwynedd.”</p> +<p><a name="footnote167d"></a><a href="#citation167d">{167d}</a> +Lit. “Thou unmanest;” di-mwng.</p> +<p><a name="footnote167e"></a><a href="#citation167e">{167e}</a> +“Llain.” Al. “lance.”</p> +<p><a name="footnote167f"></a><a href="#citation167f">{167f}</a> +The expression “until blood flows” is not in the original.</p> +<p><a name="footnote167g"></a><a href="#citation167g">{167g}</a> +That glass vessels were used by the Britons in the sixth century is +further proved by the testimony of Llywarch Hen, who speaks of</p> +<p>“Gwyr ni giliynt rhag ovn gwayw,<br />Ac yved gwin o wydr gloyw.”<br />(Elegy +upon Geraint)</p> +<p>Men who would not flinch from the dread of the spear,<br />And the +quaffing of wine out of the bright glass.</p> +<p><a name="footnote168a"></a><a href="#citation168a">{168a}</a> +“Ariant,” money contributed towards any thing; thus “ariant +cwynos,” supper money, was paid by the gentry and freeholders +towards the maintenance of the officers of the court; “ariant +gwastrodion,” money of the equerries, was paid by the king’s +tenants in villainage once a year, to furnish provender for his horses; +“ariant am y vedd” would likewise be a contribution paid +towards a banquet of mead. Gwaednerth made his enemies, as it +were, pay him this tribute with the gold of their armour.</p> +<p><a name="footnote168b"></a><a href="#citation168b">{168b}</a> +His history is unknown.</p> +<p><a name="footnote168c"></a><a href="#citation168c">{168c}</a> +Or, “retinue.”</p> +<p><a name="footnote168d"></a><a href="#citation168d">{168d}</a> +“Dyrraith;” law of fate; death,</p> +<p><a name="footnote168e"></a><a href="#citation168e">{168e}</a> +Probably Ayr in Scotland, rather than Aeron in Wales.</p> +<p><a name="footnote168f"></a><a href="#citation168f">{168f}</a> +Lit. “the head.”</p> +<p><a name="footnote168g"></a><a href="#citation168g">{168g}</a> +I.e. the Clyde. Al. “The brown eagles.” Llywarch +Hen speaks of “the brown eagles” (eryron llwyd) and of “the +eagle with the brown beak,” (eryr pengarn llwyd.)</p> +<p><a name="footnote169a"></a><a href="#citation169a">{169a}</a> +Lit. “Without reproach.”</p> +<p><a name="footnote169b"></a><a href="#citation169b">{169b}</a> +Or, “From the region.”</p> +<p><a name="footnote169c"></a><a href="#citation169c">{169c}</a> +Al. “Men of privilege.”</p> +<p><a name="footnote169d"></a><a href="#citation169d">{169d}</a> +“Llogell;” a receptacle, a depository, a closet. It +might here refer more particularly to the room which contained the viands. +“Llogail” would be a wattled room.</p> +<p><a name="footnote169e"></a><a href="#citation169e">{169e}</a> +The frequent repetition of the word “byd” in this stanza +is remarkable.</p> +<p><a name="footnote169f"></a><a href="#citation169f">{169f}</a> +Lit. “not without ambition.”</p> +<p><a name="footnote169g"></a><a href="#citation169g">{169g}</a> +Eidol is specified by name as being the most indefatigable in his pursuit +after mirth. A person of that name and character is mentioned +in a poem attributed to Cuhelyn. See Myv. Arch. i. 164.</p> +<p><a name="footnote169h"></a><a href="#citation169h">{169h}</a> +Or, “the grandson of Enovant.” Al. “One out +of a hundred,” Cynddilig might have been the son of Cor Cnud, +whose grave is recorded in the Englynion y Beddau. (Myv. Arch. +i. 11.)</p> +<p>“Kian a ud diffaith cnud.<br />Draw o tuch pen bet alltud<br />Bet +Cindilic mab Corknud.”</p> +<p>Or the son of Nwython, mentioned in the Bruts, (Myv. Arch. ii. 321) +and Genealogy of the Saints. (Iolo MSS. 137.) Or else he +might have been the son of Llywarch Hen,—</p> +<p>“Och Cynddilig, na buost wraig!”<br />Oh, Cynddilig, +why wert thou not a woman!<br />(Elegy on Old Age.)</p> +<p>The mention made of Aeron in the foregoing stanza naturally led the +Bard to speak in this of a chieftain connected therewith.</p> +<p><a name="footnote170a"></a><a href="#citation170a">{170a}</a> +Were it not for the anachronism we should be induced to regard this +lady as none other than Elen the daughter of Eudav, prince of Erging +and Euas, and wife of Macsen Wledig; heroine also of a Romance entitled +“The Dream of Macsen Wledig.” As Macsen, however, +is known to have been put to death as early as the year 388, Elen’s +life could not possibly have been so protracted as to enable her to +take a part in the battle of Cattraeth.</p> +<p><a name="footnote170b"></a><a href="#citation170b">{170b}</a> +“Dieis.” Al. “her thrusts were penetrating.”</p> +<p><a name="footnote171a"></a><a href="#citation171a">{171a}</a> +“Meiwyr,” men of the field. Al. “Meinir,” +the slender maid, which might refer to the daughter of Eudav.</p> +<p><a name="footnote171b"></a><a href="#citation171b">{171b}</a> +The Gorchan Maelderw clearly indicates that the fire was kindled in +the presence of the army, and not for religious purposes before the +Deity.</p> +<p><a name="footnote171c"></a><a href="#citation171c">{171c}</a> +This stanza explains the expression used in line 116. Seven days, +then, we may suppose, formed the whole space of time during which the +events related in the Gododin occurred. The action of Homer’s +Iliad occupied nearly fifty days.</p> +<p><a name="footnote171d"></a><a href="#citation171d">{171d}</a> +The daily operations are somewhat differently stated in the fragments +of the Gododin, which are appended to “Gorchan Maelderw.” +There they are as follows,—</p> +<p>“On Tuesday they put on their splendid robes;<br />On Wednesday +bitter was their assembly;<br />On Thursday messengers formed contracts;<br />On +Friday there was slaughter;<br />On Saturday they dealt mutual blows;<br />On +Sunday they were pierced by ruddy weapons;<br />On Monday a pool of +blood knee deep was seen.”</p> +<p><a name="footnote172a"></a><a href="#citation172a">{172a}</a> +See lines 27, &c. It would appear as if the three lines at +the end of the stanza were appended to it by some compiler, merely on +account of their uniformity of rhyme.</p> +<p><a name="footnote172b"></a><a href="#citation172b">{172b}</a> +Lit, “At the early arising morn,” or “quickly rising +in the morning.”</p> +<p><a name="footnote172c"></a><a href="#citation172c">{172c}</a> +“Aber;” the junction of rivers; the fall of a lesser river +into a greater, or into the sea. By metaphor, a port or harbour.</p> +<p><a name="footnote172d"></a><a href="#citation172d">{172d}</a> +Or more definitely,—“Occurred the battle of Aber in front +of the course.”</p> +<p><a name="footnote172e"></a><a href="#citation172e">{172e}</a> +Or “a breach was made, and the knoll was pervaded with fire.”</p> +<p><a name="footnote172f"></a><a href="#citation172f">{172f}</a> +The stanza is imperfect, which accounts for the omission of the hero’s +name. From the Gorchan Maelderw we would infer that he was Gwair +one of the three “taleithiawg cad,” or coronetted chiefs +of battle. (Myv. Arch. ii. 12.)</p> +<p><a name="footnote172g"></a><a href="#citation172g">{172g}</a> +Probably, the valuables collected within the encampment on the hill.</p> +<p><a name="footnote173a"></a><a href="#citation173a">{173a}</a> +This word may be taken either in its literal sense, as alluding to the +birds of prey that devoured the dead bodies, or else metaphorically +as denoting the warriors themselves. In the latter sense Casnodyn +uses it in the following passage;</p> +<p>“Cynan—<br />Eryr tymyr gwyr, gweilch disaesneg.”</p> +<p>Cynan, the eagle of the land of men, who are heroes with no English.</p> +<p>In this sense “gwrwnde” would necessarily allude to the +colour of the men’s habiliments.</p> +<p><a name="footnote173b"></a><a href="#citation173b">{173b}</a> +The stanza is thus varied in Gorchan Maelderw,</p> +<p>“At the early dawn of morn they marched<br />To conflict, headed +by the king in front of the course;<br />Gwair was greeted by the fluid +gore<br />In the van of the battle;<br />He was a beloved friend.<br />In +the day of distress<br />The wealth of the mountain, the place,<br />And +the forward beam of war, wore a murky hue.”<br />(<i>Gorch. Mael</i>.)</p> +<p><a name="footnote173c"></a><a href="#citation173c">{173c}</a> +“Eilin;” in a second; another reading has “meitin,” +a word of similar import, signifying a space of time.</p> +<p><a name="footnote173d"></a><a href="#citation173d">{173d}</a> +“Aber;” ut supra.</p> +<p><a name="footnote173e"></a><a href="#citation173e">{173e}</a> +The Catrail, or else the vallum of our hero’s camp.</p> +<p><a name="footnote173f"></a><a href="#citation173f">{173f}</a> +That is, single handed he faces a hundred men of the enemy.</p> +<p><a name="footnote174a"></a><a href="#citation174a">{174a}</a> +That you should have committed such a slaughter with the same coolness +and indifference, as if you were merely revelling over your mead.</p> +<p><a name="footnote174b"></a><a href="#citation174b">{174b}</a> +“Dynin,” the dwarf, who had killed the British herald, contrary +to the law of war. Al, “ * * * with the edge and stroke +of the sword, the fierce warrior.”</p> +<p>“It was such a thrust to the little man.”<br />(Gorch. +Mael.)</p> +<p><a name="footnote174c"></a><a href="#citation174c">{174c}</a> +“Mor ddiachor;” it may be also translated “how unrestrainedly.” +The Gorchan Maelderw has it “mor diachar,” <i>how unamiably</i>, +which seems to be required by the rhythmical run of the passage;</p> +<p>“Oed mor diachar<br />Yt wanei escar.”</p> +<p><a name="footnote174d"></a><a href="#citation174d">{174d}</a> +It is not quite clear whether this person be the same with the one mentioned +in stanza lli. or whether another event, of a similar character with +that described therein, be not here introduced. We are inclined, +however, to consider both passages as referring to the same act of treachery.</p> +<p><a name="footnote174e"></a><a href="#citation174e">{174e}</a> +Probably from the top of the rampart.</p> +<p><a name="footnote174f"></a><a href="#citation174f">{174f}</a> +“Cynyt,” (cynnud) fire wood. The bushes growing out +of the sides of the vallum checked not his fall. Al. “Cywydd,” +his song; though this word derived from <i>cy</i> and <i>gwydd</i>, +may likewise have the same meaning as the former.</p> +<p><a name="footnote174g"></a><a href="#citation174g">{174g}</a> +“Cywrenhin,” (cywreinin) accurate, elaborate; well formed, +handsome. If it may be taken actively, the meaning in this place +would be skilful or talented, which epithet would apply well to him +as a bard.</p> +<p><a name="footnote175a"></a><a href="#citation175a">{175a}</a> +It will be recollected that the “gorgeous pilgrim,” (line +534) broke down the encampment; on the supposition, then, that he was +identical with the “foe” mentioned in the last stanza, we +may imagine him encountering Owain with his badge of truce at the very +breach he was making, and that he then and there put him to death. +It is not impossible, however, but that Owain was another herald who +renewed the offer of peace, after the death of the “delight of +the bulwark of toil,” and that both were dishonourably slain by +the same perfidious messenger.</p> +<p><a name="footnote175b"></a><a href="#citation175b">{175b}</a> +That is, he was entitled in right of his office, as herald, to every +protection and safety, whilst engaged in proposing terms of peace.</p> +<p><a name="footnote175c"></a><a href="#citation175c">{175c}</a> +Lit. “The best branch.” “The wand denotes privilege.” +See Iolo MSS. p. 634.</p> +<p><a name="footnote175d"></a><a href="#citation175d">{175d}</a> +Lit. “due.”</p> +<p><a name="footnote175e"></a><a href="#citation175e">{175e}</a> +“Three things are forbidden to a bard; immorality, to satirize, +and to <i>bear arms</i>.” (Institutional Triads.)</p> +<p><a name="footnote175f"></a><a href="#citation175f">{175f}</a> +Quasi dicat, “did not wear one.”</p> +<p><a name="footnote176a"></a><a href="#citation176a">{176a}</a> +That is, avenge his death. There is a reference here to the custom +of distributing gifts out of a coffer, suggested by the similarity between +the expressions “pridd prenial,” the earthly shrine or coffin, +and “prid prenial,” the price chest.</p> +<p><a name="footnote176b"></a><a href="#citation176b">{176b}</a> +“Barn ben” might have the sense of <i>adjudged to lose her +head</i>, capitis damnata; in which case the passage would be translated +as follows:—</p> +<p>“It was a violation of privilege to sentence a woman to death.”</p> +<p>The other construction is, however, more especially countenanced +by a similar expression in “Gwasgargerdd Vyrddin” where +the meaning is obvious.</p> +<p>“Pan dyvo y brych cadarn<br />Hyt yn Rhyt Pengarn<br />Lliwaut +gwyr treuliaut Karn<br />Pendevic Prydein yno <i>pen</i> <i>Barn</i>;”<br />(Myv. +Arch. i. 132.)</p> +<p>And on that account is preferred here. There is reason to think +that the Lady in question is the daughter of Eudav, already mentioned, +upon whose message, as well as that of Mynyddawg, “the gay and +the illustrious tribes,” proceeded to Cattraeth. It is observable, +as confirmatory of this view, that Eidol was introduced into our notice +before in the stanza immediately preceding that in which she is celebrated.</p> +<p><a name="footnote176c"></a><a href="#citation176c">{176c}</a> +“Iaen,” like ice.</p> +<p><a name="footnote177a"></a><a href="#citation177a">{177a}</a> +“Rhy,” excessively.</p> +<p><a name="footnote177b"></a><a href="#citation177b">{177b}</a> +“Gwlad <i>gordd</i>,” “<i>gwrdd</i> werydd.” +In the Triads Eidol is called one of the three <i>gyrddion</i> of the +Isle of Britain. (Triad, 60.)</p> +<p><a name="footnote177c"></a><a href="#citation177c">{177c}</a> +The agricultural character of the usual employments of the early Britons +in times of peace, is clearly inferred from the frequent use of the +word “medel,” in reference to their soldiery.</p> +<p><a name="footnote177d"></a><a href="#citation177d">{177d}</a> +Or, “He sounded for steeds, he sounded for harness.”</p> +<p><a name="footnote177e"></a><a href="#citation177e">{177e}</a> +“<i>Am</i> grudd;” his cheeks all <i>around</i>.</p> +<p><a name="footnote177f"></a><a href="#citation177f">{177f}</a> +Or, “the ribs.”</p> +<p><a name="footnote178a"></a><a href="#citation178a">{178a}</a> +The Cymry were thus styled to distinguish them from the Saxons, who +were pagans. See supra, line 365.</p> +<p><a name="footnote178b"></a><a href="#citation178b">{178b}</a> +“Amnant,” from “avn,” boldness, courage.</p> +<p><a name="footnote178c"></a><a href="#citation178c">{178c}</a> +“Cell;” a cell, a closet, a grove. Perhaps it here +means a <i>house</i>, or <i>habitation</i> in general.</p> +<p><a name="footnote178d"></a><a href="#citation178d">{178d}</a> +Lit. the room, or chamber.</p> +<p><a name="footnote178e"></a><a href="#citation178e">{178e}</a> +“Yt vyddei dyrllyddei;” where was, where was brewed; or, +“where it was wont to brew.”</p> +<p><a name="footnote178f"></a><a href="#citation178f">{178f}</a> +A person of the name of “Gwres the son of Rheged,” is mentioned +in the “Dream of Rhonabwy,” in conjunction with Owain ab +Urien. Gwrys seems to have been a Venedotian chief.</p> +<p><a name="footnote178g"></a><a href="#citation178g">{178g}</a> +The Welsh poets frequently represent a man of worth, as a <i>ced</i>, +or a gift.</p> +<p><a name="footnote178h"></a><a href="#citation178h">{178h}</a> +As the Lloegrians have been shown before to be clearly amongst the enemies +of the British chiefs, (see line 547) the meaning of this sentence is, +that the hero under consideration was the conqueror, or the master of +the Lloegrians; and that he thus marshalled them against their will. +In like manner Einion ab Gwalchmai describes Llywelyn as,—</p> +<p>“Llywelyn llew glwys, Loegrwys lugyrn.”<br />Llywelyn +the amiable lion, the torch of the Lloegrians.</p> +<p><a name="footnote178i"></a><a href="#citation178i">{178i}</a> +“Attawr;” al. “allawr,” the altar. A metaphor +borrowed from the discipline of the church, and in keeping with the +title of saints, by which the chieftain and his followers are designated.</p> +<p><a name="footnote179a"></a><a href="#citation179a">{179a}</a> +Lit. “the battle of sovereignty,”</p> +<p><a name="footnote179b"></a><a href="#citation179b">{179b}</a> +“Cynnest,” Al. “cyn cywest,” “before thou +art allied to the earth,” before thou formest an acquaintance +or connection with the earth by falling thereon.</p> +<p><a name="footnote179c"></a><a href="#citation179c">{179c}</a> +“Gorffin;” the Catrail.</p> +<p><a name="footnote179d"></a><a href="#citation179d">{179d}</a> +We have repeatedly seen that fire was resorted to in this war, for the +purpose of annoying or destroying the adversary, or else in self defence, +with the view of keeping him at bay. On the part of the Britons +the fire department seems to have been presided over by Morien; and +indeed the title “Mynawc,” which we have here translated +high-minded, and which is elsewhere connected with the name of Morien, +would induce us to infer that the Bard, in the above stanza, is presenting +us once more with a prospect of that hero surrounded by his own blazing +engines.</p> +<p><a name="footnote179e"></a><a href="#citation179e">{179e}</a> +“Lluyddawg.” Al. “The successful (llwyddawg) +bitter-handed, high-minded chief;” who may have been Llyr lluyddawg. +(Tr. xxiii.)</p> +<p><a name="footnote180a"></a><a href="#citation180a">{180a}</a> +The contrast between his conduct in war and his domestic character is +here noticed.</p> +<p><a name="footnote180b"></a><a href="#citation180b">{180b}</a> +I.e. the enemy.</p> +<p><a name="footnote180c"></a><a href="#citation180c">{180c}</a> +Or, “we are called to the sea and the borders, (or to the harbours +“cynnwr,” from cyn-dwfr) to engage in the conflict.”</p> +<p><a name="footnote180d"></a><a href="#citation180d">{180d}</a> +Lit. “Sharpened iron.”</p> +<p><a name="footnote180e"></a><a href="#citation180e">{180e}</a> +“Llavn.”</p> +<p><a name="footnote180f"></a><a href="#citation180f">{180f}</a> +“Sychyn,” a small ploughshare. Doubtless a weapon +resembling it, and bearing the same name. Al. “Syrthyn,” +“They fell headlong with a clang.”</p> +<p><a name="footnote180g"></a><a href="#citation180g">{180g}</a> +We have adopted this as a proper name from its similarity to Fflewddur +Fflam, the name of one of the three sovereigns of Arthur’s court, +who preferred remaining with him as knights, although they had territories +and dominions of their own.</p> +<p>“Tri unben Llys Arthur; Goronwy ab Echel Forddwydtwll, a Chadraith +ab Porthor Godo; a Fleidur Fflam mab Godo; sef oeddent yn Dywysogion +yn Berchennogion Gwlad a Chyfoeth, a gwell oedd ganddynt no hynny aros +yn Farchogion yn Llys Arthur, gan y bernid hynny yn bennaf ar bob anrhydedd +a bonheddigeiddrwydd, a ellid wrth ygair y Tri Chyfiawn Farchawg.”<br />(Triad, +114, third series.)</p> +<p>If, however, it be not a proper name, the line might be rendered,—</p> +<p>“A successful warrior, flaming in steel, before the enemy.”</p> +<p><a name="footnote181a"></a><a href="#citation181a">{181a}</a> +“Dinus;” from “din,” a fort, and “ysu,” +to consume.</p> +<p><a name="footnote181b"></a><a href="#citation181b">{181b}</a> +“Gwych.” Al. “the angry.”</p> +<p><a name="footnote181c"></a><a href="#citation181c">{181c}</a> +Or, “the honourable.”</p> +<p><a name="footnote181d"></a><a href="#citation181d">{181d}</a> +“Echadaf,” i.e. “ech,” εχ ex, and +“adav,” a hand.</p> +<p><a name="footnote181e"></a><a href="#citation181e">{181e}</a> +A person of this name is ranked in the Triads as one of the three “trwyddedawg +hanvodawg,” or free guests of the court of Arthur. (Myv. +Arch. ii. 73 )</p> +<p><a name="footnote181f"></a><a href="#citation181f">{181f}</a> +Or, “the sovereign of the impregnable strand, or extremity of +Gododin,” traeth y annor (an nhor.)</p> +<p><a name="footnote182a"></a><a href="#citation182a">{182a}</a> +“Am rann, (i.e. amrant.) See line 40.</p> +<p><a name="footnote182b"></a><a href="#citation182b">{182b}</a> +The city of Mynyddawg, from whence he was called Mynyddawg Eiddyn.</p> +<p><a name="footnote182c"></a><a href="#citation182c">{182c}</a> +Or, “The raging flame turns not from Eiddyn.”</p> +<p><a name="footnote182d"></a><a href="#citation182d">{182d}</a> +Or, “at the entrance or gate.”</p> +<p><a name="footnote182e"></a><a href="#citation182e">{182e}</a> +“Trusi;” al. “trin;” “he placed a thick +cover in front of the battle.”</p> +<p><a name="footnote182f"></a><a href="#citation182f">{182f}</a> +The effects of his toil in battle.</p> +<p><a name="footnote182g"></a><a href="#citation182g">{182g}</a> +Al. “O goledd,” by arrangement, being actuated by the same +motive as that which induced Gwrgan the Freckled long before to “enact +a law that no one should bear a shield, but only a sword and bow;” +hence it is said, “his countrymen became very heroic.” +(Iolo MSS. p. 351.)</p> +<p><a name="footnote183a"></a><a href="#citation183a">{183a}</a> +Lit. “the strand supported.” Traeth means also the +extremity of a district, and may accordingly be applied here to the +boundary line between Gododin and the British dominions.</p> +<p><a name="footnote183b"></a><a href="#citation183b">{183b}</a> +“Periglawr;” one who has to do with what is extreme, or +dangerous; one who administers extreme unction; a parish priest.</p> +<p><a name="footnote183c"></a><a href="#citation183c">{183c}</a> +Al. “penifeddawr,” giddy-headed. Al. “penufuddawr” +having an obedient head—rein-obeying.</p> +<p><a name="footnote183d"></a><a href="#citation183d">{183d}</a> +Al. “The mounted spearman.”</p> +<p><a name="footnote183e"></a><a href="#citation183e">{183e}</a> +Another reading gives “Odren” but the one adopted above +suits the rhyme better.</p> +<p><a name="footnote183f"></a><a href="#citation183f">{183f}</a> +There is a reference here to some pagan ceremonies to which the Saxons +had recourse, for the purpose either of propitiating their gods, or +of receiving omens at their altars.</p> +<p><a name="footnote184a"></a><a href="#citation184a">{184a}</a> +A body of British soldiers under the command of Nwython son of Gildas, +and nephew of Aneurin, seem to have taken advantage of the peculiar +position of the enemy, who were now probably unarmed, and to have attacked +them, which caused the latter, as usual, to seek refuge by flight in +one of the neighbouring forts. That we are right in adopting Nwython +as a proper name would appear, moreover, from two different passages +in the fragments of the Gododin subjoined to Gorchan Maelderw, where +“the son of Nwython,” is distinctly mentioned as one of +the heroes that fell at Cattraeth.</p> +<p><a name="footnote184b"></a><a href="#citation184b">{184b}</a> +Donald Brec, or as he is called in Latin, Dovenal Varius, king of the +Scots, who was slain by Owain, king of the Strathclyde Britons in the +battle of Vraithe Cairvin, otherwise Calatros, which in sound somewhat +resembles Galltraeth, or Cattraeth. It is true that the Scottish +chronicles assign a much later date to that event, than the era of the +Gododin, nevertheless as they themselves are very inconsistent with +one another on that point, giving the different dates of 629, 642, 678 +and 686, it is clear that no implicit deference is due to their chronological +authority, and that we may, therefore, reasonably acquiesce in the view +which identifies Dyvnwal Vrych, with Donald Brec, seeing the striking +similarity which one name bears to the other.</p> +<p><a name="footnote184c"></a><a href="#citation184c">{184c}</a> +Supposing the person who killed Donald to be the same with Owain, son +of Urien, there may be here an allusion to his men as well as to the +birds of prey. See line 18 note one.</p> +<p><a name="footnote184d"></a><a href="#citation184d">{184d}</a> +Lit. “The bone;” even as it is popularly said at this day +that a man who gives great support to another is his back bone.</p> +<p>“Caletach wrth elyn nog asgwrn.”<br />Harder to an enemy +than a bone.<br />(Elegy on Cunedda.)</p> +<p><a name="footnote185a"></a><a href="#citation185a">{185a}</a> +Or, “whilst the foes range the sea.”</p> +<p><a name="footnote185b"></a><a href="#citation185b">{185b}</a> +Lit. “It was his characteristic or property.”</p> +<p><a name="footnote185c"></a><a href="#citation185c">{185c}</a> +“Naw rhiallu;” the literal amount of this force would be +900,000; “naw,” however, may have here the meaning of “nawv,” +<i>floating</i>; “naw rhiallu,” a fleet.</p> +<p><a name="footnote185d"></a><a href="#citation185d">{185d}</a> +“Gorddinau;” from “gorddin,” what impels or +drives forward; or the word may mean <i>tribes</i>, from “cordd”; +and then the passage would be:</p> +<p>“In the face of blood, of the country, and of the tribes.”</p> +<p><a name="footnote185e"></a><a href="#citation185e">{185e}</a> +Cynddilig was introduced to our notice before, (line 645) as a person +who loved the world in company with the melody-seeking Eidol.</p> +<p><a name="footnote186a"></a><a href="#citation186a">{186a}</a> +Or, “as the alternative.”</p> +<p><a name="footnote186b"></a><a href="#citation186b">{186b}</a> +That this is a proper name, appears from the following passage in Taliesin’s +“Canu y Cwrw;”—</p> +<p>“Ev cyrch cerddorion<br />Se syberw Seon<br />Neu’r dierveis +i rin<br />Ymordei Uffin<br />Ymhoroedd Gododin.”</p> +<p><a name="footnote186c"></a><a href="#citation186c">{186c}</a> +Or, “who caused the stream of blood.”</p> +<p><a name="footnote186d"></a><a href="#citation186d">{186d}</a> +Gwenddoleu ap Ceidiaw is recorded in the Triads as the head of one of +the three “teulu diwair,” or faithful tribes of the Isle +of Britain, because his men maintained the war for six weeks after he +was slain in the battle of Arderydd, A.D. 577. He is also joined +with Cynvar and Urien, under the title of the three “tarw cad” +or bulls of battle, on account of their impetuosity in rushing upon +the enemy.</p> +<p><a name="footnote187a"></a><a href="#citation187a">{187a}</a> +“Pen o draed;” from head to foot. Not, as Davies translates +it, “from the highest to the lowest,” as is evident from +a similar phrase in Cynddelw, (Myv. Arch. vol. i. p. 220.)</p> +<p>“Yd kwytynt pennawr penn o draed;”</p> +<p>where the word “pennawr” refers to one particular rank, +if not to an individual.</p> +<p><a name="footnote187b"></a><a href="#citation187b">{187b}</a> +See line 344.</p> +<p><a name="footnote187c"></a><a href="#citation187c">{187c}</a> +See line 324.</p> +<p><a name="footnote187d"></a><a href="#citation187d">{187d}</a> +See line 335.</p> +<p><a name="footnote187e"></a><a href="#citation187e">{187e}</a> +Lit. “after their conflict.”</p> +<p><a name="footnote188a"></a><a href="#citation188a">{188a}</a> +“Tra;” “whilst the gory pool continued to fill.”</p> +<p><a name="footnote188b"></a><a href="#citation188b">{188b}</a> +“Erchyn;” al. “echyn,” “and slew them +like a hero; they were not saved.”</p> +<p><a name="footnote188c"></a><a href="#citation188c">{188c}</a> +Or, “he darted with the spear,” or, “they were prostrated +with the spear.”</p> +<p><a name="footnote188d"></a><a href="#citation188d">{188d}</a> +“A medd,” with the mead. He abandoned the social banquet, +or a life of luxury, at the call of public duty.</p> +<p><a name="footnote188e"></a><a href="#citation188e">{188e}</a> +Al. “Is there a place where the people do not relate the greatness +of his counsel?”</p> +<p><a name="footnote188f"></a><a href="#citation188f">{188f}</a> +“Bwylliadau,” (i.e. bwyelliadau) the strokes of his battle-axe. +Another version gives “bwyll yaddeu,” which may be rendered, +“Pwyll assaulted.”</p> +<p>“With a rush Pwyll made the assault.”</p> +<p><a name="footnote188g"></a><a href="#citation188g">{188g}</a> +“Lliveit handit;” which were sharpened.</p> +<p><a name="footnote188h"></a><a href="#citation188h">{188h}</a> +Al. “Where his founding blade was seen.”</p> +<p><a name="footnote189a"></a><a href="#citation189a">{189a}</a> +Or, “maintenance for.”</p> +<p><a name="footnote189b"></a><a href="#citation189b">{189b}</a> +There were two persons who bore this name in the sixth century, the +one was Pryderi the son of Dolor, chief of the people of Deivyr and +Bryneich, and was distinguished with Tinwaed and Rhineri, under the +epithet of the three strong cripples of the isle of Britain:</p> +<p>“Tri Gwrddvaglawg ynys Prydain; Rhineri mab Tangwn; a Thinwaed +Vaglawg; a Phryderi mab Doler Deivr a Bryneich.”<br />(Triad, +75.)</p> +<p>The other was Pryderi, the son of Pwyll Pen Annwn, a chieftain of +Dyved, which country is by Lewis Glyn Cothi called “Gwlad Pryderi;” +and by Davydd ab Gwilym, “Pryderi dir.” He is styled +one of the three strong swineherds of Britain, having tended the swine +of Pendaran his foster father, during the absence of his father in the +unknown world.</p> +<p>“Tri Gwrddveichiad ynys Prydain; cyntav vu Pryderi vab Pwyll +Pendaran Dyved, a getwis voch ei dad tra yttoedd yn Annwn; ac yng nglyn +Cwch yn Emlyn y cetwis eve wynt.” &c.<br />(Triad, 101.)</p> +<p>In the Tale of Math Mathonwy, he is said to have been buried at Maen +Tyriawg, near Ffestiniog. We may therefore presume that the Englynion +y Beddau refer to the other in the following passage;</p> +<p>“Yn Abergenoli y mae Bet Pryderi<br />Yn y terau tormeu tir.”</p> +<p>In Abergenoli is the grave of Pryderi,<br />Where the waves beat +against the shore.</p> +<p>A saying of Pryderi has been thus recorded;—</p> +<p>“Hast thou heard the saying of Pryderi,<br />The wisest person +in counselling?<br />There is no wisdom like silence.”<br />(Iolo +MSS. p. 661.)</p> +<p><a name="footnote190a"></a><a href="#citation190a">{190a}</a> +“Pryderaf,” I am anxious about; a word suggested by the +name of the chief.</p> +<p><a name="footnote190b"></a><a href="#citation190b">{190b}</a> +A result brought about by the arrival of Pryderi’s troops.</p> +<p><a name="footnote190c"></a><a href="#citation190c">{190c}</a> +“Have I been afflicted.”</p> +<p><a name="footnote190d"></a><a href="#citation190d">{190d}</a> +“Celaig;” from <i>cel</i>, the root also of Celtiaid and +Celyddon.</p> +<p><a name="footnote190e"></a><a href="#citation190e">{190e}</a> +There were two territories of this name, Argoed Derwennydd, (Derwent +wood apparently) and Argoed Calchvynydd, “between the river Tren +and the river Tain, that is the river of London.” (Iolo +MSS. p. 476.) One of them, the former probably, was the patrimony +of Llywarch Hen.</p> +<p>“Cyn bum cain vaglawg, bum cyfes eiriawg,<br />Ceinvygir ni +eres;<br />Gwyr Argoed eirioed a’m porthes.”<br />(Elegy +on Old Age.)</p> +<p>Before I appeared with crutches, I was eloquent in my complaint,<br />It +will be extolled, what is not wonderful—<br />The men of Argoed +have ever supported me!</p> +<p><a name="footnote191a"></a><a href="#citation191a">{191a}</a> +“Gwal.” “The Cymmry appropriated this name to +regions that were cultivated and had fixed inhabitancy, as opposed to +the wilds, or the unsettled residences of the Celtiaid, Celyddon, Gwyddyl, +Gwyddelod, Ysgotiaid, and Ysgodogion; which are terms descriptive of +such tribes as lived by hunting and tending their flocks.” +(Dr. Pughe, sub. voce.) Both descriptions of persons are thus +included in the Bard’s affectionate regret. Al. “accustomed +at the rampart.”</p> +<p><a name="footnote191b"></a><a href="#citation191b">{191b}</a> +“Pwys;” pressure or weight. Or perhaps “arlwydd +pwys” means “the legitimate lord,” in opposition to +usurpers, just as a wedded wife is styled “gwraig bwys,” +as distinguished from a concubine.</p> +<p><a name="footnote191c"></a><a href="#citation191c">{191c}</a> +“Dilyvn;” or perhaps “dylyvn,” smooth.</p> +<p><a name="footnote191d"></a><a href="#citation191d">{191d}</a> +Al. “rekindled.”</p> +<p><a name="footnote191e"></a><a href="#citation191e">{191e}</a> +“Gosgroyw,” rather fresh.</p> +<p><a name="footnote191f"></a><a href="#citation191f">{191f}</a> +Geraint, the son of Erbin, was prince of Dyvnaint, (Devon) and one of +the three owners of fleets of the Isle of Britain, each fleet consisting +of 120 ships, and each ship being manned by 120 persons.</p> +<p>“Tri Llynghesawg ynys Prydain; Geraint mab Erbin; Gwenwynwyn +mab Nav; a March mab Meirchion; a chweugain llong gan bob un o’r +Llynghesogion, a chweugain llongwyr ymhob llong.”<br />(Triad +68, Third series.)</p> +<p>Llywarch Hen wrote an Elegy upon Geraint, in which the place of his +death is thus mentioned;—</p> +<p>“Yn Llongborth y llas Geraint,<br />Gwr dewr o goettir Dyvnaint,<br />Wyntwy +yn lladd gyd a’s lleddaint.”</p> +<p>At Llongborth was Geraint slain,<br />A strenuous warrior from the +woodland of Dyvnaint,<br />Slaughtering his foes as he fell.</p> +<p>Geraint ab Erbin was the grandfather of Aneurin, but as he died in +king Arthur’s time, A.D. 530, we can hardly identify him with +the Geraint of the text, who probably was a son, or some other relation, +that had inherited his fleet.</p> +<p><a name="footnote192a"></a><a href="#citation192a">{192a}</a> +“Llwch gwyn,” probably “Vanduara,” <i>Gwyn Dwr</i>, +or White Water, which seems to have been one of the old designations +of a river in Renfrewshire. (See <i>Caledonia Romana</i>, p. 143.) +Adar y y llwch gwyn, the birds of the white lake, is a mythological +epithet for vultures. Their history is recorded in the Iolo MSS. +p. 600.</p> +<p><a name="footnote192b"></a><a href="#citation192b">{192b}</a> +Al. “There was a white badge on his shield.”</p> +<p><a name="footnote192c"></a><a href="#citation192c">{192c}</a> +Lit. “his anchor.”</p> +<p><a name="footnote192d"></a><a href="#citation192d">{192d}</a> +“Cyman,” “cydvan,” (i.e. cyd man) the place +of gathering. Al. “his broken anchor.”</p> +<p><a name="footnote192e"></a><a href="#citation192e">{192e}</a> +It is not improbable that the eagle was charged on Geraint’s standard, +for it is also frequently alluded to in Llywarch Hen’s Elegy—e.g.</p> +<p>“Oedd re redaint dan vorddwyd Geraint,<br />Garhirion, grawn +odew,<br />Rhuddion, rhuthr eryron glew.”</p> +<p>Under the thigh of Geraint were fleet runners,<br />With long hams, +fattened with corn;<br />They were red ones; their assault was like +the bold eagles.</p> +<p><a name="footnote193a"></a><a href="#citation193a">{193a}</a> +“Lledvegin,” an animal partly reared in a domestic way. +We have chosen the lamb as being one of the animals most commonly reared +in this manner. Nevertheless, a previous wildness, with reference +to the military aspect of his character, might be intended to be conveyed +in this epithet.</p> +<p>“<i>Lledvegyn</i> is a kine, or what shall be tamed in a house; +namely, such as a fawn, or a fox, or a wild beast similar to those.” +(Welsh Laws.)</p> +<p><a name="footnote193b"></a><a href="#citation193b">{193b}</a> +“Rhan,” see lines 40 and 732.</p> +<p><a name="footnote193c"></a><a href="#citation193c">{193c}</a> +Or, “He presided over the feast, pouring from the horn the splendid +mead.” So Cynddelw,—</p> +<p>“Baran lew llew lloegyr oual<br />Lleduegin gwin gwyrt uual.”<br />(Myv. +Arch. v. i. p. 225.)</p> +<p><a name="footnote193d"></a><a href="#citation193d">{193d}</a> +As the natural consequence of military operations.</p> +<p><a name="footnote193e"></a><a href="#citation193e">{193e}</a> +“Llawr llaned,” ground of smooth surface. Al. “llanwed,” +every region was filled with slaughter.</p> +<p><a name="footnote193f"></a><a href="#citation193f">{193f}</a> +“Hual amhaval,” like a fetter. “Avneued” +from “avn,” courage.</p> +<p><a name="footnote194a"></a><a href="#citation194a">{194a}</a> +The sound of the name, in connection with the word “hual,” +in a former line, makes it very probable that the hero mentioned was +of the tribe of Caswallon Law Hir, celebrated as one of the “hualogion +deulu” of the Isle of Britain, called so because the men bound +themselves together with the<br />“hualau,” or fetters of +their horses, to sustain the attack of Serigi Wyddel, whom Caswallon +slew with his own hand, when he drove the Irish out of Anglesey.</p> +<p>“Tri hualogion teulu Y. P. Teulu Caswallon Llawhir a ddodasant +hualeu eu Meirch ar eu traed pob deu o naddynt wrth ymladd a Serigi +Wyddel yng Cerrig y Gwyddyl y Mon, a theulu Rhiwallon mab Uryen yn ymladd +ar Saeson, a theulu Belyn o Leyn yn ymladd ag Etwyn ym mryn Ceneu yn +Rhos.”<br />(Triad 49, first series.)</p> +<p>Caswallon Law Hir was the son of Einion Yrth ab Cunedda Wledig, king +of Gododin. He succeeded to the sovereignty of North Wales, A.D. +443, and is said to have died in 517. There was a Cas son of Seidi, +who was one of the heroes of Arthur’s Court.</p> +<p><a name="footnote194b"></a><a href="#citation194b">{194b}</a> +A hundred in the middle part of North Wales, so called from Rhuvon son +of Cunedda Wledig, whose inheritance it was.</p> +<p><a name="footnote194c"></a><a href="#citation194c">{194c}</a> +Probably the enemy.</p> +<p><a name="footnote194d"></a><a href="#citation194d">{194d}</a> +Or, “the shout was raised.”</p> +<p><a name="footnote194e"></a><a href="#citation194e">{194e}</a> +Cadvorion, i.e. cad-vawrion; or, it may be, more literally, cad-vorion, +“martial ants,” in reference to their activity.</p> +<p><a name="footnote194f"></a><a href="#citation194f">{194f}</a> +Lit. “warning.”</p> +<p><a name="footnote195a"></a><a href="#citation195a">{195a}</a> +Lit. “prepared.”</p> +<p><a name="footnote195b"></a><a href="#citation195b">{195b}</a> +The popular air “Nos Galan” is supposed to have been a relic +of the musical entertainments of this season.</p> +<p><a name="footnote195c"></a><a href="#citation195c">{195c}</a> +A chieftain of Mona, the land that enjoyed “the valour of Ervei;” +see his Elegy by Taliesin apud Myv. Arch. v. i. p. 70. Ervei was +also engaged in the battle of Cattraeth;—</p> +<p>“Red speared was Urvei before the lord of Eiddin.”<br />(Gorch. +Mael.)</p> +<p><a name="footnote195d"></a><a href="#citation195d">{195d}</a> +That is, in domestic life he was as refined as a lady, modest as a virgin, +whilst in war he was brave and high minded.</p> +<p><a name="footnote195e"></a><a href="#citation195e">{195e}</a> +The word “teyrn” reminds us of a line which countenances +the theory we suggested relative to the expression “edyrn diedyrn,” +in stanza xv. but which we omitted to mention in its proper place. +It occurs in the “Elegy on Cunedda.” (Myv. Arch. i. +p. 71) as follows;—</p> +<p>“Rhag mab <i>edern</i> cyn <i>edyrn</i> anaelew.”<br />Before +the son of Edeyrn ere his kingdom became fearful.”</p> +<p><a name="footnote196a"></a><a href="#citation196a">{196a}</a> +This warrior was probably of the family of Urien Rheged, for a grandson +of his, the celebrated Kentigern, was called Cyndeyrn Garthwys. +Arthwys son of Ceneu ab Coel was too early for the battle of Cattraeth.</p> +<p><a name="footnote196b"></a><a href="#citation196b">{196b}</a> +Tinogad was the son of Cynan Garwyn, and was celebrated for his swift +steed, named Cethin.</p> +<p>“Tri marchlwyth ynys Prydain—ar ail marchlwyth aduc Cornann +March meibion Eliffer gosgortuawr, a duc Gwrgi a Pheredur arnaw, ac +nys gordiuedawd neb namyn Dinogat vab Kynan Garwyn yar y Kethin kyvlym +ac aruidiawt ac aglot a gauas yr hynny hyd hediw.”<br />(Triad +11, second series.)</p> +<p><a name="footnote196c"></a><a href="#citation196c">{196c}</a> +The possession of slaves, whether of native origin, or derived from +the custom of the Romans, prevailed to some extent among the Britons +of the fifth and sixth century, and seems to have denoted a certain +degree of power on the part of the owners. Taliesin the Druid +boasts that he had received “a host of slaves,” (torof keith) +from his royal patron Cunedda Wledig. (Myv. Arch. v. i. p. 71.)</p> +<p><a name="footnote197a"></a><a href="#citation197a">{197a}</a> +“Bar,” al. “ban,” on the heights.</p> +<p><a name="footnote197b"></a><a href="#citation197b">{197b}</a> +Or, the chief, the best.</p> +<p><a name="footnote197c"></a><a href="#citation197c">{197c}</a> +Many places in Wales bear the name of this animal, where it appears +to have been common in ancient times, such as “Bryn yr iwrch,” +“Ffynon yr iwrch,” and the like. Hunting the roebuck +is recognised in the Welsh Laws; and is called one of the three cry +hunts (helva ddolev.)</p> +<p>“Mi adaen iwrch er nas daliwyv.” (Adage.)<br />I +know a roebuck, though I may not catch him.</p> +<p><a name="footnote197d"></a><a href="#citation197d">{197d}</a> +“Derwenydd;” Derventio, the river Derwent in Cumberland.</p> +<p><a name="footnote197e"></a><a href="#citation197e">{197e}</a> +“Llewyn a llwyvein.” It is difficult to ascertain +the particular animals which these terms respectively represent. +The former might denote a young lion, a white lion, or any beast in +general to whose eating faculties the word <i>llewa</i> would be applicable. +The latter might signify any animal whose haunts were the elm forests, +or whose property was to <i>llyvu</i> or to lick, as does a dog. +The fox being named llwynog from <i>llwyn</i> a forest, and the forests +in the North being chiefly of elm, it is not unlikely but that the said +animal was frequently called <i>llwyvain</i> in that part of the country +when the Bard wrote, though it is not known now by that name. +It is remarkable that both terms also signify certain kinds of wood. +The former the herb orach, the latter the elm.</p> +<p><a name="footnote197f"></a><a href="#citation197f">{197f}</a> +Al. “None would escape.”</p> +<p><a name="footnote198a"></a><a href="#citation198a">{198a}</a> +“Angcyvrwng;” lit. “were he to place me without an +intervening space,” that is, were he to straiten me on every side.</p> +<p><a name="footnote198b"></a><a href="#citation198b">{198b}</a> +When any thing is taken away or used, or when any thing is done, the +owner not knowing it, or without asking his leave, it is called <i>Anghyvarch</i>. +“Anghyvarchwyr,” extortioners. W. Salesbury, 1 Cor. +v.</p> +<p><a name="footnote198c"></a><a href="#citation198c">{198c}</a> +Lit. “There would not come, there would not be to me, one more +formidable.”</p> +<p><a name="footnote198d"></a><a href="#citation198d">{198d}</a> +The head of the river Clyde in Scotland.</p> +<p><a name="footnote198e"></a><a href="#citation198e">{198e}</a> +“Veruarch.” Morach Morvran is often mentioned by the +poets on account of his celebrated banquet.</p> +<p>“Cygleu yn Maelawr gawr vawr vuan,<br />A garw ddisgyr gwyr +a gwyth erwan;<br />Ac ymgynnull, am drull, am dramwyan,<br />Mal y +bu yn Mangor am ongyr dan;<br />Pan wnaeth dau deyrn uch cyrn cyvrdan,<br />Pan +vu gyveddach Morach Morvran.”</p> +<p>In Maelor the great, the hastening shout was heard,<br />And the +dreadful shrieks of men with gashing wounds in pain;<br />And together +thronging to seek a cure, round and round they strayed,<br />As it was +in Bangor for the fire of the brunt of spears;<br />When over horns +two princes caused discord,<br />While in the banquet of Morach Morvran.<br />(Owain +Cyveiliog.)</p> +<p><a name="footnote199a"></a><a href="#citation199a">{199a}</a> +This stanza evidently refers to the same transaction as that which is +recorded in the lxxxth, though the details are somewhat differently +described.</p> +<p><a name="footnote199b"></a><a href="#citation199b">{199b}</a> +One of these, we may presume, was Dyvnwal Vrych.</p> +<p><a name="footnote199c"></a><a href="#citation199c">{199c}</a> +The whole line may be thus translated;</p> +<p>“I saw the men, who with the dawn, dug the deep pit.” +Al. “I saw at dawn a great breach made in the wall at Adoen.”</p> +<p><a name="footnote199d"></a><a href="#citation199d">{199d}</a> +See stanza lii.</p> +<p><a name="footnote199e"></a><a href="#citation199e">{199e}</a> +“Yngwydd.”</p> +<p><a name="footnote199f"></a><a href="#citation199f">{199f}</a> +“Yr enwyd.”</p> +<p><a name="footnote200a"></a><a href="#citation200a">{200a}</a> +Gwarthan the son of Dunawd by Dwywe his wife, “who was slain by +the pagan Saxons in their wars in the north.” (Iolo MSS. +p. 556.)</p> +<p><a name="footnote200b"></a><a href="#citation200b">{200b}</a> +Or, “let it be forcibly seized in one entire region.”</p> +<p><a name="footnote200c"></a><a href="#citation200c">{200c}</a> +An allusion to his incarceration, see lines 440, 445.</p> +<p><a name="footnote200d"></a><a href="#citation200d">{200d}</a> +Gardith; i.e. garw deith (or teithi.)</p> +<p><a name="footnote200e"></a><a href="#citation200e">{200e}</a> +Tithragon; i.e. teith-dragon.</p> +<p><a name="footnote200f"></a><a href="#citation200f">{200f}</a> +A pitched battle.</p> +<p>“Gwr yn gware a Lloegyrwys.” (Cynddelw.)<br />A +man playing with the Lloegrians.</p> +<p><a name="footnote200g"></a><a href="#citation200g">{200g}</a> +Or, “did he bring and supply.”</p> +<p><a name="footnote200h"></a><a href="#citation200h">{200h}</a> +“Tymyr;” native place.</p> +<p><a name="footnote201a"></a><a href="#citation201a">{201a}</a> +“Dyvnuyt;” see also stanza, xlviii.</p> +<p><a name="footnote201b"></a><a href="#citation201b">{201b}</a> +One of the officers appointed to the command of Geraint’s fleet.</p> +<p><a name="footnote201c"></a><a href="#citation201c">{201c}</a> +This stanza, with the exception of a few words, is the same with the +lxxxix.</p> +<p><a name="footnote201d"></a><a href="#citation201d">{201d}</a> +Or “valiantly.”</p> +<p><a name="footnote201e"></a><a href="#citation201e">{201e}</a> +“Gwelydeint,” from “gwelyd,” a wound; or “gwelyddeint,” +they took repose in the grave.</p> +<p><a name="footnote201f"></a><a href="#citation201f">{201f}</a> +Al. “with the gory trappings,” as in the other stanza.</p> +<p><a name="footnote202a"></a><a href="#citation202a">{202a}</a> +Al. “a dau,” the two sons, and two haughty boars.</p> +<p><a name="footnote202b"></a><a href="#citation202b">{202b}</a> +Al. “riein,” a lady.</p> +<p><a name="footnote202c"></a><a href="#citation202c">{202c}</a> +Cilydd was the son of Celyddon Wledig, and father of Cilhwch who is +the hero of an ancient dramatic tale of a singular character.</p> +<p><a name="footnote202d"></a><a href="#citation202d">{202d}</a> +In a former stanza he is called Garthwys Hir.</p> +<p><a name="footnote202e"></a><a href="#citation202e">{202e}</a> +“Nod;” is a conspicuous mark.</p> +<p><a name="footnote203a"></a><a href="#citation203a">{203a}</a> +See stanza xl.</p> +<p><a name="footnote203b"></a><a href="#citation203b">{203b}</a> +“Dyli,” condition or impulse.</p> +<p><a name="footnote203c"></a><a href="#citation203c">{203c}</a> +“Vracden;” from “brag,” a sprouting out, and +“ten,” stretched.</p> +<p><a name="footnote203d"></a><a href="#citation203d">{203d}</a> +The Irish.</p> +<p><a name="footnote203e"></a><a href="#citation203e">{203e}</a> +The inhabitants of Scotland.</p> +<p>“Hon a oresgyn<br />Holl Loegr a Phrydyn.” (Taliesin.)</p> +<p>She will conquer<br />All England and Scotland.</p> +<p><a name="footnote203f"></a><a href="#citation203f">{203f}</a> +“Giniaw,” from “cyni,” affliction.</p> +<p><a name="footnote204a"></a><a href="#citation204a">{204a}</a> +“Cemp,” i.e. “camp,” a feat, surpassingly.</p> +<p><a name="footnote204b"></a><a href="#citation204b">{204b}</a> +Or, “at his side.”</p> +<p><a name="footnote204c"></a><a href="#citation204c">{204c}</a> +Al. “Arreith;” i.e. “a rhaith;” “the sentence +of the law was that they should search;” or “the jury searched.” +Al. “in various directions they searched.”</p> +<p><a name="footnote204d"></a><a href="#citation204d">{204d}</a> +Probably the Cantii or people of Kent.</p> +<p><a name="footnote204e"></a><a href="#citation204e">{204e}</a> +If the stanza, however, is not properly completed here, we may assign +the sigh to Gwenabwy himself, in reference probably to his father, as +in the preceding stanza.</p> +<div class="GutenbergBlankLines3"><br /><br /><br /></div> +<p>*** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK, Y GODODIN ***</p> +<pre> + +******This file should be named gddn10h.htm or gddn10h.zip****** +Corrected EDITIONS of our EBooks get a new NUMBER, gddn11h.htm +VERSIONS based on separate sources get new LETTER, gddn10ah.htm + +Project Gutenberg eBooks are often created from several printed +editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the US +unless a copyright notice is included. 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