Mythology, Celtic -- Wales; Tales -- Wales; Welsh literature -- 1100-1400 -- Translations into English
And when they had sat down, they asked the hag where were the people of
the house. And the hag spoke not, but muttered. Thereupon behold the
people of the house entered; a ruddy, clownish, curly-headed man, with a
burthen of faggots on his back, and a pale slender woman, also carrying a
bundle under her arm. And they barely welcomed the men, and kindled a
fire with the boughs. And the woman cooked something, and gave them to
eat, barley bread, and cheese, and milk and water.
And there arose a storm of wind and rain, so that it was hardly possible
to go forth with safety. And being weary with their journey, they laid
themselves down and sought to sleep. And when they looked at the couch,
it seemed to be made but of a little coarse straw full of dust and
vermin, with the stems of boughs sticking up there-through, for the
cattle had eaten all the straw that was placed at the head and the foot.
And upon it was stretched an old russet-coloured rug, threadbare and
ragged; and a coarse sheet, full of slits, was upon the rug, and an
ill-stuffed pillow, and a worn-out cover upon the sheet. And after much
suffering from the vermin, and from the discomfort of their couch, a
heavy sleep fell on Rhonabwy’s companions. But Rhonabwy, not being able
either to sleep or to rest, thought he should suffer less if he went to
lie upon the yellow calf-skin that was stretched out on the floor. And
there he slept.
As soon as sleep had come upon his eyes, it seemed to him that he was
journeying with his companions across the plain of Argyngroeg, and he
thought that he went towards Rhyd y Groes on the Severn. As he
journeyed, he heard a mighty noise, the like whereof heard he never
before; and looking behind him, he beheld a youth with yellow curling
hair, and with his beard newly trimmed, mounted on a chestnut horse,
whereof the legs were grey from the top of the forelegs, and from the
bend of the hindlegs downwards. And the rider wore a coat of yellow
satin sewn with green silk, and on his thigh was a gold-hilted sword,
with a scabbard of new leather of Cordova, belted with the skin of the
deer, and clasped with gold. And over this was a scarf of yellow satin
wrought with green silk, the borders whereof were likewise green. And
the green of the caparison of the horse, and of his rider, was as green
as the leaves of the fir-tree, and the yellow was as yellow as the
blossom of the broom. So fierce was the aspect of the knight, that fear
seized upon them, and they began to flee. And the knight pursued them.
And when the horse breathed forth, the men became distant from him, and
when he drew in his breath, they were drawn near to him, even to the
horse’s chest. And when he had overtaken them, they besought his mercy.
“You have it gladly,” said he, “fear nought.” “Ha, chieftain, since thou
hast mercy upon me, tell me also who thou art,” said Rhonabwy. “I will
not conceal my lineage from thee, I am Iddawc the son of Mynyo, yet not
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