Welsh literature -- 18th century; Welsh literature -- Translations into English; Wynne, Ellis, 1671-1734
joined in the affray.” “Well,” said Lucifer, “since ye are all so ready
with your arms, come with me to trounce the other rebels.” But when the
rumour reached these that Lucifer was approaching with three horned
armies, everyone made for his lair.
So he marched on across the desolate plains unresisted, and seeking in
vain the cause of the revolt. After a while, however, one of the King’s
spies returns, quite out of breath: “Most noble, Lucifer! Moloch, your
prince, hath subdued part of the North, and hath cut thousands to pieces
upon the glaciers, but there are three or four dangerous evils still
threatening you.” “Whom meanest thou?” asked Lucifer. “The Slanderer,
the Busybody, and the Lawmonger, have broken out of their prisons and got
free.” “No wonder then,” said the Evil One, “if further troubles arise.”
Then there comes another spy from the South, informing that matters would
soon reach a dire pass in that quarter if the three who had already
thrown the West into utter confusion be not taken, namely, the Huntress,
the Rogue and the Swaggerer. “Since the day I tempted Adam from his
garden,” said Satan, who stood next but one to Lucifer, “I have never
seen so many evils of his race at liberty together. The Huntress, the
Swaggerer, the Rogue, on the one hand, and on the other, the Slanderer,
the Lawmonger and the Busybody—a mixture would make devils reach.”
“Little wonder, verily,” said Lucifer, “that they were so much hated by
all on earth, seeing that they are capable of causing such trouble to us
here.” Not long after, the Huntress comes to meet the King upon the way.
“Ho! grandam o’ the breeches,” cries a shrill-voiced demon, “good night
to you.” “Thy grandam on which side, prithee?” said she, displeased
because he did not “madam” her. “You are a fine king, Lucifer, to keep
such impudent rascals about you; a thousand pities that such a vast realm
should be under so impotent a ruler; would that I might be made its
regent.” Then comes the Swaggerer, nodding in the dark—“Your humble
servant, sir,” saith he to one, over his shoulder; “Are you quite well?”
to another; “Can I be of any service to you?” addressing a third, with a
leering smirk, and to the Huntress: “Your beauty quite fascinates me,
madam.” “Oh oh,” cried she, “away with the hell-hound;” and all join in
the shout: “Away with this new tormentor, hell on hell that he is!” “Let
both be bound together hand and foot,” commanded Lucifer. Soon after the
Lawmonger comes on the scene between two devils. “Ho, ho, thou angel of
peace,” exclaimed Lucifer, “hast thou come? Keep him safe, guards, at
your peril!” Before we had gone far, the Rogue and the Slanderer
appeared, chained between forty devils, and whispering to one another.
“Most noble Lucifer,” began the Rogue, “I am very sorry there is so much
disturbance in your kingdom; but if I may be heard, I will teach you a
better method. Under the pretence of holding a Parliament, you can cite
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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