{144e} “Dinas,” a fortified town. In these lines we have a graphic picture of the panic stricken state of that portion of the army in which Aneurin happened to be at this particular time; and it is a fitting prelude to the account of his incarceration which he gives in the succeeding stanza but one. But whilst the bard exposes his own incapacity, he pays an indirect compliment to the skill and courage of Gwynwydd; such a state of affairs, he seems to say, was owing to the absence of that hero on the heights. {144f} Meaning, perhaps, that had he himself been present, this cowardice would not have been manifested. We may, however, render the line thus,—“Vines are not named when they are not found,” and regard it as a proverb intended to illustrate the truth of the foregoing statements, viz. that no mention would have been made of such things had they not really existed. Truth was a necessary element of Welsh Poetry. {145a} “Ceny,” i.e. cyni. Llywarch Hen has introduced a stanza into his “Elegy on Old Age,” very similar in some of its expressions; “Adwen leverydd cyni Vran; pan disgynai yn nghyvyrdy Pen gwr, pan gwin a ddyly.” {145b} “Talben,” a fixed charge, or a tax. A very natural reflection from the head of a family! {145c} “Gorddin;” what impels or drives forward; what is posterior, ultimate, or following; the rear. (Dr. Pughe’s Dict.) It would appear from this that the captive was pushed along towards his prison by some person from behind. {145d} I.e. this treatment I despise, it is beneath my notice, I will regard it as a particle of dust under my feet. There was a maxim in reference to a really felt trouble which said;— “Nid â gwaew yn ronyn.” Pain will not become a particle. {145e} How true to nature this disclaimer of any peevish and revengeful feelings when the power of fully exercising them was taken away! And yet his conduct, as implied in “gorddin,” at the same time belied such a declaration. {145f} Lit. “my knee.” The prisoner here very naturally gives vent to his feelings in reference to the racking pain which was inflicted upon him. {146a} “_Bundat_,” from _pwn_. In the original the line is imperfect, the particular part of his person that was thus pained being left unmentioned. {146b} He here summons back his courage, and bursts into expressions of defiance as to the irresistible freedom of his _awen_, declaring that he would still in his dismal prison celebrate the praise of his countrymen, to the disparagement of his enemies at the battle of Cattraeth. {146c} Lit. “make,” “compose;” ποιεω. {146d} Perhaps this may mean no more than that Taliesin’s mind was akin to his own. {146e} The dawn of the following morning; or, it may, be the day of liberty. {146f} Or we may put “goroledd gogledd” in apposition with “gwr,” and construe it thus,— “The hero, the joy of the North, effected it,” i.e. my deliverance. Llywarch Hen and his sons came from the North.