Mythology, Celtic -- Wales; Tales -- Wales; Welsh literature -- 1100-1400 -- Translations into English
Gwrhyr said, “Eagle of Gwern Abwy, we have come to thee an embassy from
Arthur, to ask thee if thou knowest aught of Mabon the son of Modron, who
was taken from his mother when he was three nights old.” The Eagle said,
“I have been here for a great space of time, and when I first came hither
there was a rock here, from the top of which I pecked at the stars every
evening; and now it is not so much as a span high. From that day to this
I have been here, and I have never heard of the man for whom you inquire,
except once when I went in search of food as far as Llyn Llyw. And when
I came there, I struck my talons into a salmon, thinking he would serve
me as food for a long time. But he drew me into the deep, and I was
scarcely able to escape from him. After that I went with my whole
kindred to attack him, and to try to destroy him, but he sent messengers,
and made peace with me; and came and besought me to take fifty fish
spears out of his back. Unless he know something of him whom you seek, I
cannot tell who may. However, I will guide you to the place where he
is.”
So they went thither; and the Eagle said, “Salmon of Llyn Llyw, I have
come to thee with an embassy from Arthur, to ask thee if thou knowest
aught concerning Mabon the son of Modron, who was taken away at three
nights old from his mother.” “As much as I know I will tell thee. With
every tide I go along the river upwards, until I come near to the walls
of Gloucester, and there have I found such wrong as I never found
elsewhere; and to the end that ye may give credence thereto, let one of
you go thither upon each of my two shoulders.” So Kai and Gwrhyr
Gwalstawt Ieithoedd went upon the two shoulders of the salmon, and they
proceeded until they came unto the wall of the prison, and they heard a
great wailing and lamenting from the dungeon. Said Gwrhyr, “Who is it
that laments in this house of stone?” “Alas, there is reason enough for
whoever is here to lament. It is Mabon the son of Modron who is here
imprisoned; and no imprisonment was ever so grievous as mine, neither
that of Lludd Llaw Ereint, nor that of Greid the son of Eri.” “Hast thou
hope of being released for gold or for silver, or for any gifts of
wealth, or through battle and fighting?” “By fighting will whatever I
may gain be obtained.”
Then they went thence, and returned to Arthur, and they told him where
Mabon the son of Modron was imprisoned. And Arthur summoned the warriors
of the Island, and they journeyed as far as Gloucester, to the place
where Mabon was in prison. Kai and Bedwyr went upon the shoulders of the
fish, whilst the warriors of Arthur attacked the castle. And Kai broke
through the wall into the dungeon, and brought away the prisoner upon his
back, whilst the fight was going on between the warriors. And Arthur
returned home, and Mabon with him at liberty.
* * * * *
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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