Mythology, Celtic -- Wales; Tales -- Wales; Welsh literature -- 1100-1400 -- Translations into English
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Thereupon the two Kings approached each other in the middle of the Ford,
and encountered, and at the first thrust, the man who was in the stead of
Arawn struck Havgan on the centre of the boss of his shield, so that it
was cloven in twain, and his armour was broken, and Havgan himself was
borne to the ground an arm's and a spear's length over the crupper of his
horse, and he received a deadly blow. "O Chieftain," said Havgan, "what
right hast thou to cause my death? I was not injuring thee in any thing,
and I know not wherefore thou wouldest slay me. But for the love of
Heaven, since thou hast begun to slay me, complete thy work." "Ah,
Chieftain," he replied, "I may yet repent doing that unto thee. Slay
thee who may, I will not do so." {17} "My trusty Lords," said Havgan,
"bear me hence. My death has come. I shall be no more able to uphold
you." "My Nobles," also said he who was in the semblance of Arawn, "take
counsel and know who ought to be my subjects." "Lord," said the Nobles,
"all should be, for there is no King over the whole of Annwvyn but thee."
"Yes," he replied, "it is right that he who comes humbly should be
received graciously, but he that doth not come with obedience, shall be
compelled by the force of swords." And thereupon he received the homage
of the men, and he began to conquer the country; and the next day by noon
the two kingdoms were in his power. And thereupon he went to keep his
tryst, and came to Glyn Cuch.
And when he came there, the king of Annwvyn was there to meet him, and
each of them was rejoiced to see the other. "Verily," said Arawn, "may
Heaven reward thee for thy friendship towards me, I have heard of it.
When thou comest thyself to thy dominions," said he, "thou wilt see that
which I have done for thee." "Whatever thou hast done for me, may Heaven
repay it thee."
Then Arawn gave to Pwyll Prince of Dyved his proper form and semblance,
and he himself took his own; and Arawn set forth towards the Court of
Annwvyn; and he was rejoiced when he beheld his hosts, and his household,
whom he had not seen so long; but they had not known of his absence, and
wondered no more at his coming than usual. And that day was spent in joy
and merriment; and he sat and conversed with his wife and his nobles. And
when it was time for them rather to sleep than to carouse, they went to
rest.
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Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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