{168a} “Ariant,” money contributed towards any thing; thus “ariant cwynos,” supper money, was paid by the gentry and freeholders towards the maintenance of the officers of the court; “ariant gwastrodion,” money of the equerries, was paid by the king’s tenants in villainage once a year, to furnish provender for his horses; “ariant am y vedd” would likewise be a contribution paid towards a banquet of mead. Gwaednerth made his enemies, as it were, pay him this tribute with the gold of their armour. {168b} His history is unknown. {168c} Or, “retinue.” {168d} “Dyrraith;” law of fate; death, {168e} Probably Ayr in Scotland, rather than Aeron in Wales. {168f} Lit. “the head.” {168g} I.e. the Clyde. Al. “The brown eagles.” Llywarch Hen speaks of “the brown eagles” (eryron llwyd) and of “the eagle with the brown beak,” (eryr pengarn llwyd.) {169a} Lit. “Without reproach.” {169b} Or, “From the region.” {169c} Al. “Men of privilege.” {169d} “Llogell;” a receptacle, a depository, a closet. It might here refer more particularly to the room which contained the viands. “Llogail” would be a wattled room. {169e} The frequent repetition of the word “byd” in this stanza is remarkable. {169f} Lit. “not without ambition.” {169g} Eidol is specified by name as being the most indefatigable in his pursuit after mirth. A person of that name and character is mentioned in a poem attributed to Cuhelyn. See Myv. Arch. i. 164. {169h} Or, “the grandson of Enovant.” Al. “One out of a hundred,” Cynddilig might have been the son of Cor Cnud, whose grave is recorded in the Englynion y Beddau. (Myv. Arch. i. 11.) “Kian a ud diffaith cnud. Draw o tuch pen bet alltud Bet Cindilic mab Corknud.” Or the son of Nwython, mentioned in the Bruts, (Myv. Arch. ii. 321) and Genealogy of the Saints. (Iolo MSS. 137.) Or else he might have been the son of Llywarch Hen,— “Och Cynddilig, na buost wraig!” Oh, Cynddilig, why wert thou not a woman! (Elegy on Old Age.) The mention made of Aeron in the foregoing stanza naturally led the Bard to speak in this of a chieftain connected therewith. {170a} Were it not for the anachronism we should be induced to regard this lady as none other than Elen the daughter of Eudav, prince of Erging and Euas, and wife of Macsen Wledig; heroine also of a Romance entitled “The Dream of Macsen Wledig.” As Macsen, however, is known to have been put to death as early as the year 388, Elen’s life could not possibly have been so protracted as to enable her to take a part in the battle of Cattraeth. {170b} “Dieis.” Al. “her thrusts were penetrating.” {171a} “Meiwyr,” men of the field. Al. “Meinir,” the slender maid, which might refer to the daughter of Eudav. {171b} The Gorchan Maelderw clearly indicates that the fire was kindled in the presence of the army, and not for religious purposes before the Deity.