Mythology, Celtic -- Wales; Tales -- Wales; Welsh literature -- 1100-1400 -- Translations into English
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
Gwalstawd 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. {102} 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."
{Picture: p102.jpg}
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.
* * * * *
Said Arthur, "Which of the marvels will it be best for us now to seek
first?" "It will be best to seek for the two cubs of Gast Rhymhi." "Is
it known," said Arthur, "where she is?" "She is in Aber Deu Gleddyf,"
said one. Then Arthur went to the house of Tringad, in Aber Cleddyf, and
he enquired of him whether he had heard of her there. "In what form may
she be?" "She is in the form of a she wolf," said he, "and with her
there are two cubs." "She has often slain my herds, and she is there
below in a cave in Aber Cleddyf."
So Arthur went in his ship Prydwen by sea, and the others went by land,
to hunt her. And they surrounded her and her two cubs, and God did
change them again for Arthur into their own form. And the host of Arthur
dispersed themselves into parties of one and two.
* * * * *
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.
Elsewhere in the archive
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account