XVI. I have been in the place where Bran was killed,
The son of Gweryd, of far-extending fame,
When the ravens of the battle-field screamed.

XVII. I have been where Llachau was slain,
The son of Arthur, extolled in songs,

When the ravens screamed over blood.

XVIII. I have been where Meurig was killed,
The son of Carreian, of honourable fame,
When the ravens screamed over flesh.

XIX. I have not been where Gwallawg was killed,
The son of Goholeth, the accomplished,

The resister of Lloegir, the son of Lleynawg.

XX. I have been where the soldiers of Prydain were slain, From the East to the North;

I am alive, they in their graves!

XXI. I have been where the soldiers of Prydain were slain,

From the East to the South

I am alive, they in death!

E.

POEMS REFERRING TO EARLY TRADITIONS

WHICH BELONG TO A LATER SCHOOL.

XIX.

THE CHAIR OF CERIDWEN.

BOOK OF TALIESSIN XVI.

Text, vol. ii. p. 158. Notes, vol. ii. p. 405.

SOVEREIGN of the power of the air, thou also
The satisfaction of my transgressions.

At midnight and at matins.

There shone my lights.

Courteous the life of Minawg ap Lleu,

Whom I saw here a short while ago.

The end, in the slope of Lleu.

Ardent was his push in combats;

Avagddu my son also.

10 Happy the Lord made him,

In the competition of songs,

His wisdom was better than mine,
The most skilful man ever heard of.
Gwydyon ap Don, of toiling spirits,
Enchanted a woman from blossoms,
And brought pigs from the south.
Since he had no sheltering cots,
Rapid curves, and plaited chains.

He made the forms of horses

20 From the springing

Plants, and illustrious saddles.
When are judged the chairs,

Excelling them (will be) mine,

My chair, my cauldron, and my laws,

And my pervading eloquence, meet for the chair.

I am called skilful in the court of Don.

I, and Euronwy, and Euron.

I saw a fierce conflict in Nant Frangcon
On a Sunday, at the time of dawn,

30 Between the bird of wrath and Gwydyon.
Thursday, certainly, they went to Mona
To obtain whirlings and sorcerers.

Arianrod, of laudable aspect, dawn of serenity,

The greatest disgrace evidently on the side of the Brython, Hastily sends about his court the stream of a rainbow,

A stream that scares away violence from the earth.

The poison of its former state, about the world, it will leave. They speak not falsely, the books of Beda.

The chair of the Preserver is here.

40 And till doom, shall continue in Europa. May the Trinity grant us

Mercy in the day of judgment.

A fair alms from good men.

XX.

THE DEATH-SONG OF UTHYR PENDRAGON.

BOOK OF TALIESSIN XLVIII.

Text, vol. ii. p. 203. Notes, vol. ii. p. 419.

AMI not with hosts making a din?

I would not cease, between two hosts, without gore.
Am I not he that is called Gorlassar?

(To him) that takes my appearance with my two chief baskets?

Am I not, like Cawyl, ploughing?

I would not cease without gore between two hosts.
Is it not I that will defend my sanctuary?

10 In separating with the friends of wrath.

Have I not been accustomed to blood about the wrathful,

A sword-stroke daring against the sons of Cawrnur?

Have I not shared my cause.

A ninth portion in the prowess of Arthur?

Is it not I that have destroyed a hundred Caers?
Is it not I that slew a hundred governors?

Is it not I that have given a hundred veils ?
Is it not I that cut off a hundred heads?
Is it not I that gave to Henpen

20 The tremendous sword of the enchanter?

Is it not I that performed the rights of purification,
When Hayarndor went to the top of the mountain ?

I was bereaved to my sorrow. My confidence was commensurate.

There was not a world were it not for my progeny.

I am a bard to be praised. The unskilful

May he be possessed by the ravens and eagle and bird of wrath.

Avagddu came to him with his equal,

When the bands of four men feed between two plains,
Abiding in heaven was he, my desire,

30 Against the eagle, against the fear of the unskilful.

I am a bard, and I am a harper,

I am a piper, and I am a crowder.

Of seven score musicians the very great

Enchanter. There was of the enamelled honour the

privilege,

Hu of the expanded wings.

Thy son, thy barded proclamation,

Thy steward, of a gifted father.

My tongue to recite my death-song.

If of stone-work the opposing wall of the world.

40 May the countenance of Prydain be bright for my guidance, Sovereign of heaven, let my messages not be rejected.

XXI.

BOOK OF TALIESSIN XLV.

Text, vol. ii. p. 199. Notes, vol. ii. p. 418.

ISTURBED is the isle of the praise of Hu, the isle of the severe recompenser

Mona of the good bowls, of active manliness. The Menei its door.

I have drunk liquor of wine and bragget, from a brother

departed.

The universal sovereign, the end of every king, the ruinator.
Sorrowful (is) the Dean, since the Archdeacon is interred.
There has not been, there will not be in tribulation his equal.
When Aeddon came from the country of Gwydyon, the
thickly covered Seon.

A pure poison came four nightly fine-night seasons.

The contemporaries fell, the woods were no shelter against the wind on the coast.

10 Math and Eunyd, skilful with the magic wand, freed the elements.

In the life of Gwydyon and Amaethon, there was counsel. Pierced (is) the front of the shield of the strong, fortunate, strong irresistibly.

The powerful combination of his front rank, it was not of great account.

Strong (in) feasting; in every assembly his will was done.