Mythology, Celtic -- Wales; Tales -- Wales; Welsh literature -- 1100-1400 -- Translations into English
unless one possessed of lands, and domains, and treasure, shall arise and
tread down with both his feet the food that is within the bag, and shall
say, 'Enough has been put herein.'" Then said Rhiannon unto Gwawl the
son of Clud, "Rise up quickly." "I will willingly arise," said he. So
he rose up, and put his two feet into the bag. And Pwyll turned up the
sides of the bag, so that Gwawl was over his head in it. And he shut it
up quickly and slipped a knot upon the thongs, and blew his horn. And
thereupon behold his household came down upon the palace. And they
seized all the host that had come with Gwawl, and cast them into his own
prison. And Pwyll threw off his rags, and his old shoes, and his
tattered array; and as they came in, every one of Pwyll's knights struck
a blow upon the bag, and asked, "What is here?" "A Badger," said they.
And in this manner they played, each of them striking the bag, either
with his foot or with a staff. And thus played they with the bag. Every
one as he came in asked, "What game are you playing at thus?" "The game
of Badger in the Bag," said they. And then was the game of Badger in the
Bag first played.
"Lord," said the man in the bag, "If thou wouldest but hear me, I merit
not to be slain in a bag." Said Heveydd Hen, "Lord, he speaks truth. It
were fitting that thou listen to him, for he deserves not this."
"Verily," said Pwyll, "I will do thy counsel concerning him." "Behold
this is my counsel then," said Rhiannon; "Thou art now in a position in
which it behoves thee to satisfy suitors and minstrels, let him give unto
them in thy stead, and take a pledge from him that he will never seek to
revenge that which has been done to him. And this will be punishment
enough." "I will do this gladly," said the man in the bag. "And gladly
will I accept it," said Pwyll, "since it is the counsel of Heveydd and
Rhiannon." "Such then is our counsel," answered they. "I accept it,"
said Pwyll. "Seek thyself sureties." "We will be for him," said
Heveydd, "until his men be free to answer for him." And upon this he was
let out of the bag, and his liegemen were liberated. "Demand now of
Gwawl his sureties," said Heveydd, "we know which should be taken for
him." And Heveydd numbered the sureties. Said Gwawl, "Do thou thyself
draw up the covenant." "It will suffice me that it be as Rhiannon said,"
answered Pwyll. So unto that covenant were the sureties pledged.
"Verily, Lord," said Gwawl, "I am greatly hurt, and I have many bruises.
I have need to be anointed, with thy leave I will go forth. I will leave
nobles in my stead, to answer for me in all that thou shall require."
"Willingly," said Pwyll, "mayest thou do thus." So Gwawl went towards
his own possessions.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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