Some Specimens of the Poetry of the Ancient Welsh BardsEvans, Evan
General
Some Specimens of the Poetry of the Ancient Welsh Bards
Evans, Evan
Welsh poetry -- To 1550; Welsh poetry -- Translations into English
has brought thee to a low condition. Llewelyn has wasted thy land, thy
men are killed by the sea - - - - He has entirely subdued Gwyddgrug,
{33a} where the English ran away, with a precipitate flight, full of
horror and consternation. Thy fields are miserably wasted, thy cloister,
and thy neat houses, are ashes. The palace of Elsmere {33b} was with
rage and fury burnt by fire. Ye all now enjoy peace by submitting to our
prince, for wherever he goeth with his forces, whether it be hill or
dale, it is the possession of one sole proprietor. Our lion has brought
to Trallwng three armies that will never turn their backs, the residence
of our enemies ever to be abhorred. The numerous Bards receive divers
favours from him. He took Gwyddgrug. See you who succeeds in Mochnant
{33c} when he victoriously marches through your country. On its borders
the enemy were routed, and the Argoedwys {33d} were furiously attacked,
and covered with blood. We have two palaces now in our possession. Let
Powys {33e} see who is the valiant king of her people, whether it argueth
prudence to act treacherously. Whether a Norman chief be preferable to a
conquering Cymro. We have a prince, consider it, who, though silent
about his own merit, putteth Lloegr to flight, and is fully bent to
conquer the land that was formerly in the possession of Cadwallon, the
son of Cadfan, the son of Iago - - - - - A noble lion, the governor of
Britain, and her defence, Llewelyn, numerous are thy battles, thou brave
prince of the mighty, that puttest the enemy to flight. Mayest thou my
friend and benefactor overcome in every hardship. He is a prince with
terrible looks who will conquer in foreign countries, as well as in Môn
the mother of all Wales. His army has made its way broad thro’ the
ocean, and filled the hills, promontories, and dales. The blood flowed
about their feet when the maimed warriors fought. In the battle of Coed
Aneu, {34a} thou supporter of Bards, didst overthrow thy enemies. The
other hard battle was fought at Dygen Ddyfnant, {34b} where thousands
behaved themselves with manly valour. The next contest, where noble
feats were achieved, was on the hill of Bryn yr Erw, {34c} where they saw
thee like a lion foremost in piercing thy enemies, like a strong eagle, a
safeguard to thy people. Upon this account they will no longer dispute
with thee. They vanish before thee like the ghosts of Celyddon. {34d}
Thou hast taken Gwyddgrug and Dyfnant by force, and Rhuddlan with its red
borders, and thousands of thy men overthrew Dinbych, {34e} Foelas, {34f}
and Gronant; {34g} and the men of Carnarvon, thy friends, were busy in
action, and Dinas Emreis {34h} strove bravely in thy cause, and they
vanquished with the renowned Morgant {34i} at their head all that stood
before them. Thy pledges know not where to turn their faces, they cannot
enjoy mirth or rest. Thou wert honourably covered with blood, and thy
wound is a glory to thee.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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