Mythology, Celtic -- Wales; Tales -- Wales; Welsh literature -- 1100-1400 -- Translations into English
Then spoke Kynan unto Adeon his brother, “Whether wilt thou rather,” said
he, “tarry in this land, or go back into the land whence thou didst come
forth?” Now he chose to go back to his own land, and many with him. But
Kynan tarried there with the other part and dwelt there.
And they took counsel and cut out the tongues of the women, lest they
should corrupt their speech. And because of the silence of the women
from their own speech, the men of Armorica are called Britons. From that
time there came frequently, and still comes, that language from the
Island of Britain.
And this dream is called the Dream of Maxen Wledig, emperor of Rome. And
here it ends.
HERE IS THE STORY OF LLUDD AND LLEVELYS
Beli the Great, the son of Manogan, had three sons, Lludd, and
Caswallawn, and Nynyaw; and according to the story he had a fourth son
called Llevelys. And after the death of Beli, the kingdom of the Island
of Britain fell into the hands of Lludd his eldest son; and Lludd ruled
prosperously, and rebuilt the walls of London, and encompassed it about
with numberless towers. And after that he bade the citizens build houses
therein, such as no houses in the kingdoms could equal. And moreover he
was a mighty warrior, and generous and liberal in giving meat and drink
to all that sought them. And though he had many castles and cities this
one loved he more than any. And he dwelt therein most part of the year,
and therefore was it called Caer Lludd, and at last Caer London. And
after the stranger-race came there, it was called London, or Lwndrys.
Lludd loved Llevelys best of all his brothers, because he was a wise and
discreet man. Having heard that the king of France had died, leaving no
heir except a daughter, and that he had left all his possessions in her
hands, he came to Lludd his brother, to beseech his counsel and aid. And
that not so much for his own welfare, as to seek to add to the glory and
honour and dignity of his kindred, if he might go to France to woo the
maiden for his wife. And forthwith his brother conferred with him, and
this counsel was pleasing unto him.
So he prepared ships and filled them with armed knights, and set forth
towards France. And as soon as they had landed, they sent messengers to
show the nobles of France the cause of the embassy. And by the joint
counsel of the nobles of France and of the princes, the maiden was given
to Llevelys, and the crown of the kingdom with her. And thenceforth he
ruled the land discreetly, and wisely, and happily, as long as his life
lasted.
After a space of time had passed, three plagues fell on the Island of
Britain, such as none in the islands had ever seen the like of. The
first was a certain race that came, and was called the Coranians; and so
great was their knowledge, that there was no discourse upon the face of
the Island, however low it might be spoken, but what, if the wind met it,
it was known to them. And through this they could not be injured. {4}
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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