Above Machynlleth, in the parish of Llanwrin, is Mathafarn, where lived a great poet and soothsayer, David Llwyd, who was a bitter opponent of Richard III., and a partisan of James Earl of Pembroke. He subsequently threw himself into the party of Henry Earl of Richmond, who is said to have stayed a night at Mathafarn on his way to Bosworth field in August, 1485. David Llwyd was regarded by his countrymen as invested with prophetic powers; and he had a tame sea-gull that perched on his shoulder, and was supposed to communicate the secrets of the future in his ear. On the occasion of the visit of Henry of Richmond that prince asked him as to what would be the event of his contest with Richard. David begged to be allowed the night for consideration. He tossed in bed, unable to sleep, and his gull afforded him no counsel. Then his wife asked him why he was so restless. He told her what his difficulty was. “Fool,” said she; “prophesy success. If he succeeds, your future is made. If he fails, he will never return from the battlefield to reproach you.” This satisfied the seer. This adventure has given rise to a Welsh proverb: “Take a wife’s advice unasked.” The story goes on to say that Henry heard what had occasioned the prophecy of good event, and he said, “Llwyd, as I shall win, lend me your grey horse.” David could not refuse. The earl rode the grey horse to Bosworth, but the grey mare remained at Mathafarn. Some verses composed on Richard III. by the poet have been preserved. They have been thus rendered in English:-- “King Henry hath fought and bravely done, Our friend the golden circlet hath won, The bards re-echo the gladsome strain For the good of the world crooked R is slain. That straddling letter, so pale and sad, In England’s realm no honour had. For ne’er could R in the place of I Rule England’s nation royally.” The “R” so crooked stands for Richard, and the “I” so upright stands for Iorwerth, or Edward IV. Above Mathafarn is Cemmes Road Station, and hence a branch line runs up the Dyfi to Mallwyd and Dinas Mawddwy. The lower portion of the valley, though pleasing, lacks grandeur, but the scenery improves as we ascend. George Borrow thus describes it:-- “Scenery of the wildest and most picturesque description was rife and plentiful to a degree; hills were here, hills were there; some tall and sharp, others huge and humpy; hills were on every side; only a slight opening to the west seemed to present itself. What a valley! I exclaimed. But on passing through the opening I found myself in another, wilder and stranger, if possible. Full to the west was a long hill rising up like the roof of a barn, an enormous round hill on its north-east side, and on its south-east the tail of the range which I had long had on my left--there were trees and groves and running waters, but all in deep shadow, for night was now close at hand.” [Illustration: OLD BRIDGE, DINAS MAWDDWY]