On those occasions Bards and minstrels were frequent guests at the halls of the nobility, and their company contributed not a little to the general entertainment. The air “Nos Galan,” we may fairly presume, was a favourite at those festivities. {120c} The word “arvaeth” in this poem seems to have a reference throughout to “arwydd,” or _ensign_. Thus we may suppose that Gwenabwy bore the _Dragon_ for his arms, which device conveyed the idea of devastation, rather than that of cultivation. {120d} The Bard, according to his general custom, is here contrasting the two aspects of his hero’s character, the domestic and the martial. {121a} A person of the name of Gwenabwy is mentioned in the Hoiannau of Merddin.—Myv. Arch. v. i. p. 137. {121b} Llywarch Hen had a son of the name of Gwên: see his Elegy on Old Age, where he speaks in rapturous terms of the youth’s valour. “Pedwar meib ar ugaint a’m bu, Eurdorchawg, tywysawg llu; Oedd Gwên goreu o naddu,” &c. Four and twenty sons I have had, Wearing the golden chain, leaders of armies; Gwên was the best of them. {121c} “Mai y _mead y gathleu_.” There seems to be a playful allusion in these words to _mewian_ and _cath_, the mewing of a cat. {121d} “Meirch,” suggested by the name “Marchleu.” {121e} Al. “Maenor,” stones. {121f} Or “by the commander on his prancing charger.” “Llemenig,” might be a proper name, for we find that one of “the three free guests of the court of Arthur,” was so called. Nevertheless, as it would in that character appear somewhat out of place here, we have chosen the etymological sense in preference. {121g} “Vym am,” i.e. vy mam, as it occurs, though with the addition of am vyrn, in 6. {121h} The Bard would here pay an indirect compliment to his own gallantry. {122a} “Bedryolet.” Al. “Spears of quartered ash were scattered from his hand.” {122b} “Veinnyell.” Al. “veingel,” qu. narrow shelter? {122c} Mygedorth is mentioned by Llywarch Hen,— “Yn Llongborth gwelais i vygedorth A gwyr yn godde ammorth A gorvod gwedi gorborth.” In Llongborth I beheld a solemn pile, And men suffering privation, And in a state of subjection after excess of fruition It is likewise alluded to in the Triads,— “Cornan, march meibion Elifer Gosgorddfawr, a ddwg arnaw Gwrgi, Peredur, Dunawd Fyr, a Chynfelyn Drwsgl, i edrych ar fygedorth Gwenddoleu yn Arderydd.” Cornan, the horse of the sons of Elifer with the great retinue, carried Gwrgi, Peredur, Dunawd Fyr, and Cynfelyn the stumbler, to see the funeral pile of Gwenddoleu in Arderydd. “Falsely was it said by Tudlew, That no one’s steeds would be overtaken by Marchleu; As he was reared to bring support to all around, Powerful was the stroke of his sword upon the adversary; Eagerly ascended the ashen spear from the grasp of his hand, From the narrow summit of the awful pile.” _Gorch. Mael_.