Mythology, Celtic -- Wales; Tales -- Wales; Welsh literature -- 1100-1400 -- Translations into English
Then Arthur and his hosts proceeded until they overtook the Boar in
Cornwall, and the trouble which they had met with before was mere play to
what they encountered in seeking the comb. But from one difficulty to
another, the comb was at length obtained. And then he was hunted from
Cornwall, and driven straight forward into the deep sea. And thenceforth
it was never known whither he went; and Aned and Aethlem with him. Then
went Arthur to Gelliwic, in Cornwall, to anoint himself, and to rest from
his fatigues.
* * * * *
Said Arthur, "Is there any one of the marvels yet unobtained?" Said one
of his men, "There is--the blood of the witch Orddu, the daughter of the
witch Orwen, of Penn Nant Govid, on the confines of Hell." Arthur set
forth towards the North, and came to the place where was the witch's
cave. And Gwyn ab Nudd, and Gwythyr the son of Greidawl, counselled him
to send Kacmwri, and Hygwyd his brother to fight with the witch. And as
they entered the cave, the witch seized upon them, and she caught Hygwyd
by the hair of his head, and threw him on the floor beneath her. And
Kacmwri caught her by the hair of her head, and dragged her to the earth
from off Hygwyd, but she turned again upon them both, {114} and drove
them both out with kicks and with cuffs.
And Arthur was wroth at seeing his two attendants almost slain, and he
sought to enter the cave; but Gwyn and Gwythyr said unto him, "It would
not be fitting or seemly for us to see thee squabbling with a hag. Let
Hiramren, and Hireidil go to the cave." So they went. But if great was
the trouble of the two first that went, much greater was that of these
two. And Heaven knows that not one of the four could move from the spot,
until they placed them all upon Llamrei, Arthur's mare. And then Arthur
rushed to the door of the cave, and at the door, he struck at the witch,
with Carnwennan his dagger, and clove her in twain, so that she fell in
two parts. And Kaw, of North Britain, took the blood of the witch and
kept it.
Then Kilhwch set forward, and Goreu, the son of Custennin, with him, and
as many as wished ill to Yspaddaden Penkawr. And they took the marvels
with them to his Court. And Kaw of North Britain came and shaved his
beard, skin and flesh, clean off to the very bone from ear to ear. "Art
thou shaved, man?" said Kilhwch. "I am shaved," answered he. "Is thy
daughter mine now?" "She is thine," said he, "but therefore needest thou
not thank me, but Arthur who hath accomplished this for thee. By my free
will thou shouldest never have had her, for with her I lose my life."
Then Goreu the son of Custennin, seized him by the hair of his head, and
dragged him after him to the keep, and cut off his head, and placed it on
a stake on the citadel. Then they took possession of his castle, and of
his treasures.
{Picture: p115.jpg}
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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