Cattle would not run about without crimson faces. Crimson were the kine of Beuder, and great his grace, Gore surrounding the top of his head. And a white face conspicuous the gasping. The golden saddle (was) drenched in gore, as to its appearance. The Gwentians praise the booty, the booty was extended, The booty in front of the eager battle of the eager strangers. A booty of heads with forked branches. On the shields 60 Awfully the blades are falling about the head. A battle in front of Owain, great, great his rage. A fine day, they fell, men, defending (their) country. There rested the extreme-impelling advantage of their father. XLVII. THE AFFAIR OF ARGOED LLWYFAIN. BOOK OF TALIESSIN XXXV. Text, vol. ii. p. 189. Notes, vol. ii. p. 413. EN the morning of Saturday there was a great battle, Godeu and Reged to overwhelm. They extended from Argoed to Arvynyd. They retained not life during one day. Owain answered, Let the gashing appear, 10 They will not give, they are not, they are not ready. And Ceneu, son of Coel, would be an irritated lion Urien called out again, the lord of the cultivated region, Let us raise a banner above the mountain, And advance our persons over the border. And let us raise our spears over the heads of men, And slaughter with him and his followers. The ravens were red from the warring of men. In the sore necessity of death, If I praise not Urien. XLVIII. THE DEATH-SONG OF OWAIN. BOOK OF TALIESSIN XLIV. Text, vol. ii. p. 199. Notes, vol. ii. p. 417. HE soul of Owain son of Urien. May its Lord consider its need. The chief of Reged, the heavy sward conceals him. His knowledge was not shallow. A low cell (contains) the renowned protector of bards, the wings of dawn were the flowing of his lances. For there will not be found a match for the chief of the glittering west. The reaper of the tenacious foes. The offspring of his father and grandfather. When Flamdwyn killed Owain, there was not one greater than he sleeping. C A wide number of Lloegyr went to sleep with light in their eyes. And those that fled not instantly were beyond necessity. pursuing sheep. 10 A worthy man, upon his many-coloured trappings, he would give horses to those that asked. While he hoarded hard money, it was not shared for his soul. The soul of Owain, son of Urien. K. POEMS RELATING TO THE BATTLE OF ARDDERYD. XLIX. BLACK BOOK OF CAERMARTHEN I. Text, vol. ii. p. 3. Notes, vol. ii. p. 320. I OW sad with me, how sad! Have Cedwyv and Cadvan perished? TALIESSIN. II. It was Maelgwn that I saw combating, His household before the tumult of the host is not silent. MYRDIN. III. Before two men in Nevtur will they land, Before Errith and Gurrith on a pale white horse. Alas for his death! a great journey they came. TALIESSIN. IV. Rys, the one-toothed, a span was his shield; Even to thee has complete prosperity come. Cyndur has been slain; beyond measure they deplore; slain; Three men of note, whose esteem was great with Elgan. MYRDIN. v. Through and through, in excess and excess they came, From yonder and yonder there came to me Bran and Melgan; Slay, in their last conflict, Diwel The son of Erbin, and his men, they did. TALIESSIN. VI. The host of Maelgwn, it was fortunate that they cameSlaughtering men of battle, penetrating the gory plain, Even the action of Ardderyd, when there will be a crisis, Continually for the hero they will prepare. MYRDIN. VII. A host of flying darts, reeking will be the gory plain; A host, when they will return to the combat. TALIESSIN. VIII. The seven sons of Eliffer, seven heroes when put to proof, They will not avoid seven spears in their seven divisions. MYRDIN. IX. Seven blazing fires, seven opposing armies, The seventh Cynvelyn in every foremost place. TALIESSIN. X. Seven thrusting spears, seven rivers-ful Of the blood of chieftains will they fill. 2 B |