his stand in the centre of the house, and striking his wand on the floor to enforce silence, announces the wedding which is to take place, sometimes in rhyme, but more frequently in a set speech of prose. The banns were immediately put in, and every preparation made for the wedding. Wat the mole-catcher, as the greatest wag in the parish, was appointed by the squire to the enviable office of _Gwahoddwr_. The following homely lines are a literal translation of those which were written purposely for this occasion, by the reverend John David Rhys, a young poetical clergyman, at this time on a visit with Squire Graspacre. List to the Bidder—a health to all Who dwell in this house, both great and small; Prosperity’s comforts ever attend The Bride and the Bridegroom’s generous friend! His door, may it never need a latch; His hearth a fire, his cottage a thatch; His wife a card, or a spinning wheel; His floor a table, nor on it a meal! On Saturday next a wedding you’ll see, In fair Tregaron, as gay as can be, Between John Rees, called Jack o Sîr Gâr, And Catherine Jones, his chosen fair. Haste to the wedding, its joy to share! Mirth and good humor shall meet ye there; Come one, come all! there’s a welcome true To master and mistress and servants too! Stools shall ye find to sit upon, And tables, and goodly food thereon, Butter and cheese, and flesh and fish (If we can catch them!) all to your wish. There many a lad shall a sweetheart find, And many a lass meet a youth to her mind, While nut-brown ale, both cheap and strong, Shall warm the heart for the dance and song. Oft at a wedding are matches made, When dress’d in their best come youth and maid, And dance together, and whisper and kiss,— Who knows what weddings may rise from this? Whoever may come to the Bidding, note,— There’s thanks to the friend who brings three groat; And ne’er may they hobble on a crutch Whoe’er give the lovers twice as much! Whatever is given, as much they’ll restore— One shilling, or two, or three, or four; Whenever in similar case ’tis claim’d, Else were defaulters ever shamed. {57} So haste to the wedding, both great and small, Master and mistress, and servants, and all! Catti’s at home, Jack’s at sign of the Cat; Now God save the king and the Bidder, Wat.