Mythology, Celtic -- Wales; Tales -- Wales; Welsh literature -- 1100-1400 -- Translations into English
So they cut off his head, and these seven went forward therewith. And
Branwen was the eighth with them, and they came to land at Aber Alaw, in
Talebolyon, and they sat down to rest. And Branwen looked towards
Ireland and towards the Island of the Mighty, to see if she could descry
them. "Alas," said she, "woe is me that I was ever born; two Islands
have been destroyed because of me!" Then she uttered a loud groan and
there broke her heart. And they made her a four-sided grave and buried
her upon the banks of the Alaw.
Then the seven men journeyed forward towards Harlech, bearing the head
with them; and as they went behold there met them a multitude of men and
of women. "Have you any tidings?" asked Manawyddan. "We have none,"
said they, "save that Caswallawn, the son of Beli, has conquered the
Island of the Mighty, and is crowned King in London." "What has become,"
said they, "of Caradawc the son of Bran, and the seven men who were left
with him in this Island?" "Caswallawn came upon them, and slew six of
the men, and Caradawc's heart broke for grief thereof; for he could see
the sword that slew the men, but knew not who it was that wielded it.
Caswallawn had flung upon him the Veil of Illusion, so that no one could
see him slay the men, but the sword only could they see. And it liked
him not to slay Caradawc, because he was his nephew the son of his
cousin. And now he was the third whose heart had broke through grief.
Pendaran Dyved, who had remained as a young page with these men, escaped
into the wood," said they.
Then they went on to Harlech, and there stopped to rest, and they
provided meat and liquor, and sat down to eat and to drink. And there
came three birds, and began singing unto them a certain song, and all the
songs they had ever heard were unpleasant compared thereto; and the birds
seemed to them to be at a great distance from them over the sea, yet they
appeared as distinct as if they were close by; and at this repast they
continued seven years.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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