{171c} This stanza explains the expression used in line 116. Seven days, then, we may suppose, formed the whole space of time during which the events related in the Gododin occurred. The action of Homer’s Iliad occupied nearly fifty days. {171d} The daily operations are somewhat differently stated in the fragments of the Gododin, which are appended to “Gorchan Maelderw.” There they are as follows,— “On Tuesday they put on their splendid robes; On Wednesday bitter was their assembly; On Thursday messengers formed contracts; On Friday there was slaughter; On Saturday they dealt mutual blows; On Sunday they were pierced by ruddy weapons; On Monday a pool of blood knee deep was seen.” {172a} See lines 27, &c. It would appear as if the three lines at the end of the stanza were appended to it by some compiler, merely on account of their uniformity of rhyme. {172b} Lit, “At the early arising morn,” or “quickly rising in the morning.” {172c} “Aber;” the junction of rivers; the fall of a lesser river into a greater, or into the sea. By metaphor, a port or harbour. {172d} Or more definitely,—“Occurred the battle of Aber in front of the course.” {172e} Or “a breach was made, and the knoll was pervaded with fire.” {172f} The stanza is imperfect, which accounts for the omission of the hero’s name. From the Gorchan Maelderw we would infer that he was Gwair one of the three “taleithiawg cad,” or coronetted chiefs of battle. (Myv. Arch. ii. 12.) {172g} Probably, the valuables collected within the encampment on the hill. {173a} This word may be taken either in its literal sense, as alluding to the birds of prey that devoured the dead bodies, or else metaphorically as denoting the warriors themselves. In the latter sense Casnodyn uses it in the following passage; “Cynan— Eryr tymyr gwyr, gweilch disaesneg.” Cynan, the eagle of the land of men, who are heroes with no English. In this sense “gwrwnde” would necessarily allude to the colour of the men’s habiliments. {173b} The stanza is thus varied in Gorchan Maelderw, “At the early dawn of morn they marched To conflict, headed by the king in front of the course; Gwair was greeted by the fluid gore In the van of the battle; He was a beloved friend. In the day of distress The wealth of the mountain, the place, And the forward beam of war, wore a murky hue.” (_Gorch. Mael_.) {173c} “Eilin;” in a second; another reading has “meitin,” a word of similar import, signifying a space of time. {173d} “Aber;” ut supra. {173e} The Catrail, or else the vallum of our hero’s camp. {173f} That is, single handed he faces a hundred men of the enemy. {174a} That you should have committed such a slaughter with the same coolness and indifference, as if you were merely revelling over your mead.