Y Gododin: A Poem of the Battle of CattraethAneirin
History
Y Gododin: A Poem of the Battle of Cattraeth
Aneirin
Cattraeth, Battle of, Catterick, England, ca. 600 -- Poetry
{174b} “Dynin,” the dwarf, who had killed the British herald, contrary
to the law of war. Al, “ * * * with the edge and stroke of the sword,
the fierce warrior.”
“It was such a thrust to the little man.” (Gorch. Mael.)
{174c} “Mor ddiachor;” it may be also translated “how unrestrainedly.”
The Gorchan Maelderw has it “mor diachar,” _how unamiably_, which seems
to be required by the rhythmical run of the passage;
“Oed mor diachar
Yt wanei escar.”
{174d} It is not quite clear whether this person be the same with the
one mentioned in stanza lli. or whether another event, of a similar
character with that described therein, be not here introduced. We are
inclined, however, to consider both passages as referring to the same act
of treachery.
{174e} Probably from the top of the rampart.
{174f} “Cynyt,” (cynnud) fire wood. The bushes growing out of the sides
of the vallum checked not his fall. Al. “Cywydd,” his song; though this
word derived from _cy_ and _gwydd_, may likewise have the same meaning as
the former.
{174g} “Cywrenhin,” (cywreinin) accurate, elaborate; well formed,
handsome. If it may be taken actively, the meaning in this place would
be skilful or talented, which epithet would apply well to him as a bard.
{175a} It will be recollected that the “gorgeous pilgrim,” (line 534)
broke down the encampment; on the supposition, then, that he was
identical with the “foe” mentioned in the last stanza, we may imagine him
encountering Owain with his badge of truce at the very breach he was
making, and that he then and there put him to death. It is not
impossible, however, but that Owain was another herald who renewed the
offer of peace, after the death of the “delight of the bulwark of toil,”
and that both were dishonourably slain by the same perfidious messenger.
{175b} That is, he was entitled in right of his office, as herald, to
every protection and safety, whilst engaged in proposing terms of peace.
{175c} Lit. “The best branch.” “The wand denotes privilege.” See Iolo
MSS. p. 634.
{175d} Lit. “due.”
{175e} “Three things are forbidden to a bard; immorality, to satirize,
and to _bear arms_.” (Institutional Triads.)
{175f} Quasi dicat, “did not wear one.”
{176a} That is, avenge his death. There is a reference here to the
custom of distributing gifts out of a coffer, suggested by the similarity
between the expressions “pridd prenial,” the earthly shrine or coffin,
and “prid prenial,” the price chest.
{176b} “Barn ben” might have the sense of _adjudged to lose her head_,
capitis damnata; in which case the passage would be translated as
follows:—
“It was a violation of privilege to sentence a woman to death.”
The other construction is, however, more especially countenanced by a
similar expression in “Gwasgargerdd Vyrddin” where the meaning is
obvious.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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