Mythology, Celtic -- Wales; Tales -- Wales; Welsh literature -- 1100-1400 -- Translations into English
Then Arthur summoned unto him all the warriors that were in the three
Islands of Britain, and in the three Islands adjacent, and all that were
in France and in Armorica, in Normandy and in the Summer Country, and all
that were chosen footmen and valiant horsemen. And with all these he
went into Ireland. And in Ireland there was great fear and terror
concerning him. And when Arthur had landed in the country, there came
unto him the saints of Ireland and besought his protection. And he
granted his protection unto them, and they gave him their blessing. Then
the men of Ireland came unto Arthur, and brought him provisions. And
Arthur went as far as Esgeir Oervel in Ireland, to the place where the
Boar Trwyth was with his seven young pigs. And the dogs were let loose
upon him from all sides. That day until evening the Irish fought with
him, nevertheless he laid waste the fifth part of Ireland. And on the
day following the household of Arthur fought with him, and they were
worsted by him, and got no advantage. And the third day Arthur himself
encountered him, and he fought with him nine nights and nine days without
so much as killing even one little pig. The warriors inquired of Arthur
what was the origin of that swine; and he told them that he was once a
king, and that God had transformed him into a swine for his sins.
Then Arthur sent Gwrhyr Gwalstawt Ieithoedd, to endeavour to speak with
him. And Gwrhyr assumed the form of a bird, and alighted upon the top of
the lair, where he was with the seven young pigs. And Gwrhyr Gwalstawt
Ieithoedd asked him, “By him who turned you into this form, if you can
speak, let some one of you, I beseech you, come and talk with Arthur.”
Grugyn Gwrych Ereint made answer to him. (Now his bristles were like
silver wire, and whether he went through the wood or through the plain,
he was to be traced by the glittering of his bristles.) And this was the
answer that Grugyn made: “By him who turned us into this form, we will
not do so, and we will not speak with Arthur. That we have been
transformed thus is enough for us to suffer, without your coming here to
fight with us.” “I will tell you. Arthur comes but to fight for the
comb, and the razor, and the scissors which are between the two ears of
Twrch Trwyth.” Said Grugyn, “Except he first take his life, he will
never have those precious things. And to-morrow morning we will rise up
hence, and we will go into Arthur’s country, and there will we do all the
mischief that we can.”
So they set forth through the sea towards Wales. And Arthur and his
hosts, and his horses and his dogs, entered Prydwen, that they might
encounter them without delay. Twrch Trwyth landed in Porth Cleis in
Dyved, and Arthur came to Mynyw. The next day it was told to Arthur that
they had gone by, and he overtook them as they were killing the cattle of
Kynnwas Kwrr y Vagyl, having slain all that were at Aber Gleddyf, of man
and beast, before the coming of Arthur.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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