“If I to bet were a bit inclined, One hundred pounds I’d lay On every hoof old Boxer had, The best that fed upon hay. But he would scorn, As one well born, To be accounted not worth a thorn. He’d toss his head and proudly neigh Unless he were leading horse. “The chapel choir for a practice came, It was upon Monday night, To the glory of God an anthem sing In harmony and might. But each would lead, And each decreed That not a note would he proceed, He’d hold it a purposed slur and slight Unless he were leading horse. “A deacon to choose at Tal-y-Coed, Most woeful discord wrought, For every chapel-member declared The office was that he sought. And he would scorn, For this thing born, To be set back, as not worth a thorn, By all the _sciet_, a thing of naught! For he would be leading horse. “Our Boxer once was set in the shafts When flow’ry June was gay, And ordered to draw a wain, upheaped With burden of balmy hay. But he thought scorn As one well born To be accounted not worth a thorn, In second place, and behind our bay, For he would be leading horse. “He backed, as stubborn as mule could be, And, backing over a rock, Adown he tumbled, with load atop, A frightful wreckage and shock. He broke his back, For he would not hack As a common cart-horse; and thus, alack! The haughty Boxer was dead as a stock Because he’d be leading horse. “When folks see merit in any man, That man will be thrust afore. But he who elbows and pushes his way Is surely esteemed a bore. And I declare Let all beware Lest they the fall of Boxer share, For that’s the fate for him in store Who’ll only be leading horse.” [Illustration: OWEN GLYNDWR’S HOUSE, MACHYNLLETH] CHAPTER XVI MACHYNLLETH Pronunciation of the name--Owen Glyndwr--His history--David Gam--Fish--Lakes--Bugeilyn--Llyn Penrhaiadr--Towyn--Inscribed stone of S. Cadvan--Who Cadvan was--Tal y Llyn--Bass fishing--Llanegryn and its screen--Peniarth--The Wynn family--Welsh names--The Arms of Wales--The Three Feathers. THE pronunciation of this name demands a smattering of knowledge as to how to speak it intelligibly to a Welshman; but the clerks at railway stations delivering tickets to the place are prepared to accept every laboured effort to pronounce and mispronounce it. To ensure being understood, call the place “Măhúntleth.”