Mythology, Celtic -- Wales; Tales -- Wales; Welsh literature -- 1100-1400 -- Translations into English
All that day they journeyed until the evening, and then they beheld a
vast castle, which was the largest in the world. And lo, a black man,
huger than three of the men of this world, came out from the castle. And
they spoke unto him, "Whence comest them, O man?" "From the castle which
you see yonder." "Whose castle is that?" asked they. "Stupid are ye
truly, O men. There is no one in the world that does not know to whom
this castle belongs. It is the castle of Gwrnach the Giant." "What
treatment is there for guests and strangers that alight in that castle?"
"Oh! chieftain, Heaven protect thee. No guest ever returned thence
alive, and no one may enter therein unless he brings with him his craft."
Then they proceeded towards the gate. Said Gwrhyr Gwalstawd Ieithoedd,
"Is there a porter?" "There is. And thou, if thy tongue be not mute in
thy head, wherefore dost thou call?" "Open the gate." "I will not open
it." "Wherefore wilt thou not?" "The knife is in the meat, and the
drink is in the horn, and there is revelry in the hall of Gwrnach the
Giant, and except for a craftsman who brings his craft, the gate will not
be opened to-night." "Verily, porter," then said Kai, "my craft bring I
with me." "What is thy craft?" "The best burnisher of swords am I in
the world." "I will go and tell this unto Gwrnach the Giant, and I will
bring thee an answer."
So the porter went in, and Gwrnach said to him, "Hast thou any news from
the gate?" "I have. There is a party at the door of the gate who desire
to come in." "Didst thou enquire of them if they possessed any art?" "I
did enquire," said he, "and one told me that he was well skilled in the
burnishing of swords." "We have need of him then. For some time have I
sought for some one to polish my sword, and could find no one. Let this
man enter, since he brings with him his craft."
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account