Pwyll is the hero of one of the Mabinogion.

{151a} Brwys; "of fine growth," "large."

{151b} Llywarch Hen speaks of a person of this name.

"Tywarchen Ercal ar ar dywal Wyr, o edwedd Morial; A gwedy Rhys mae rhysonial." (Elegy on Cynddylan.)

The sod of Ercal is on the ashes of fierce Men, of the progeny of Morial; And after Rhys there is great murmuring of woe.

{151c} Al. "from the place where he was once overtaken."

{151d} This stanza evidently contains a reproof to one of the British chiefs, who turned coward on the field of battle. The circumstances mentioned in the two first lines, that his shield was pierced behind him, "ar grymal carnwyd," (on the crupper of his horse) would indicate that he was then in the act of fleeing, holding his shield in such a position, as best to protect his back from the darts of his pursuers. Of this the Bard remarks "ni mad," it was not honourable, "non bene."

{152a} Lit. "placed his thigh on." Llywarch Hen gives quite a different account of his own son Pyll;—

"Mad ddodes ei vorddwyd dros obell Ei orwydd, o wng ac o bell." (On Old Age.)

Gracefully he placed his thigh over the saddle Of his steed, on the near and farther side.

{152b} We may suppose that the Bard looks upon the dark hue of his accoutrements as ominous of a mournful and dishonourable result.

{152c} A sarcastic irony addressed to the coward himself, who probably had boasted of some heroic deeds that he would perform. Where are they? And where is this brave warrior? Not distinguishing himself on the field of battle; not entering cities in triumph; but in a cell gnawing the shoulder of a buck.

{152d} "Gell." This word has a reference to "gell," dark, and it may be that Aneurin regarded the one as typical of the other; that he thought the man who appeared in dark armour would eventually be found in a dark cellar. It is not clear whether this person secreted himself, or whether he was placed by his enemies in the "cell" here mentioned. If the former, we may regard his eating the venison as a further proof of his unwarlike character; if the latter, "cnoi angell bwch" may be considered as something tantamount to living upon bread and water in our days.

{152e} Al. "hwch," a sow.

{152f} Al. "May triumph be far from his hand."

{153a} See line 468. It may be inferred from this place that the person just spoken of had abandoned Gwen, which shows his character in still blacker colours.

{153b} See line 404. O shame upon the nameless knight, to flee where a woman fought!

{153c} "Dibennor;" this word may signify either the rabble who were not invested with military accoutrements, or such as had no regular commander, or the infantry as distinguished from the cavalry mentioned in the succeeding line. Though so many were ready to attack the Saxons, the circumstance could not inspire our hero(!) with any corresponding amount of patriotic feelings.

{153d} "It is well that Adonwy came, that Adonwy came to the defence of those that were left; Bradwen fought, slaughtered, and burned; Thou didst not guard either the extremity or the entrance Of the towering town; thy helmet did I not behold from the sea, From the rampart of the sea, O thou knight worse than a slave."

Gorch. Mael.

{154a} This stanza refers to a conference, to which the Cymry were at length fain to submit.

{154b} Trimuntium, belonging to the Selgovae, in Valentia. Al. "The dales beyond the ridges that were cultivated."

{154c} "Gwas," which means also youth. It is probable that the messenger or herald of the Saxons is here meant, who being of an avaricious mind made exorbitant demands, was "heb ymwyd," could not keep his "gwyd," his inclinations or desires, within his own breast. Nor was Aneurin on the other hand willing that his countrymen should make concessions; rather than that, he calls upon them to put forth their strength once more, and assert their rights on the field of battle.

{154d} Aneurin, addressing his country.

{154e} Al. "Plentiful."

{154f} Llancarvan in Glamorganshire was anciently called by this name. Al. "tan veithin;" qu. tan eithin, gorze fire?

{154g} "Luthvin," (glwth vin.) Al. "the edge of his sword gleamed."

{154h} The Saxon herald.

{154i} "Gnaws gwan," him, who was necessarily in a weak or defenceless state, namely the British herald.

{154j} By the "bulwark of toil" is probably understood Morien.

{155a} Being like him a Bard.

{155b} "Cynrennin." Al. "expert." The conference having been so egregiously violated by the assassination of the British herald, is immediately broken up, and the advice of Aneurin eagerly followed.

{155c} Their loquacity and haste had been greatly excited by liquor.

{155d} See Notes to stanza xxxviii.

{155e} The treacherous herald before mentioned.

{156a} Another way of construing these two lines would be,—

"Strangers to the country, their deeds shall be heard of; The bright wave murmured along on its pilgrimage;"

in reference to the British heroes.

{156b} According to version 4,—

"Where they had collected together the most melodious deer."

The deer were collected within the encampment for the purpose of supplying the army with food, or so as to be out of the reach of the enemy. The locality was probably that of Ban Carw, the Deer Bank.

{156c} Dyvynawl Brych.

{156d} I.e. no pacific insignia.

{156e} A moral reflection suggested by the perfidy of the Saxons at the conference of Llanveithin.

{156f} Morial is recorded in one of the Englynion y Beddau, (see line 348, note 2) as one who fell not unavenged. His name occurs in one of Llywarch Hen's poems, (see line 495. note 2.) Meugant gives an account of the expedition of one Morial to Caer Lwydgoed (Lincoln) from whence he brought a booty of 1500 bullocks.

{156g} Or, "mutually sharing" the toils of war.

{157a} These two lines may be translated in reference to the Saxon herald;

"The stranger with the crimson robe pursued, And slaughtered with axes and blades."

{157b} "Cywrein." Al. "The warriors arose, met together, and with one accord," &c.

{157c} Or, "made the assault."

{157d} Or, simply, "women."

{157e} "Gwich," a shriek; Al. "acted bravely." Al. "were greatly exasperated;" or perhaps for "gwyth" we should read gweddw, "their wives they made widows." Gruffydd ap yr Ynad Coch in his Elegy upon Llywelyn, (Myv. Arch. i. 396) makes use of similar sentiments, in the following lines,—

Llawer deigr hylithr yn hwylaw ar rudd Llawer ystlys rhudd a rhwyg arnaw Llawer gwaed am draed wedi ymdreiddiaw Llawer gweddw a gwaedd y amdanaw Llawer meddwl trwm yn tomrwyaw. Llawer mam heb dad gwedi ei adaw Llawer hendref fraith gwedi llwybrgodaith A llawer diffaith drwy anrhaith draw Llawer llef druan fal ban fu'r Gamlan.

Many a slippery tear sails down the cheek, Many a wounded side is red with gore, Many a foot is bathed in blood, Many a widow raises the mournful shriek, Many a mind is heavily troubled, Many a son is left without a father, Many an old grey town is deserted, Many are ruined by yonder deed of war, Many a cry of misery arises as erst on Camlan field.

{158a} Al. "Nor was there a hero (lew from glew)" &c. Al. "Nor was there a lion so generous, in the presence of a lion of the greatest course;" the latter description referring to some other chief of renown.

{158b} Or the cry, "dias;" being either the shout of battle, or the voice of distress.

{158c} "Angor," from ang and gor; lit. a staying round, which indicates the city in question to have been of a circular form. Probably it was one of the forts which are so commonly seen on our hills.

{158d} That is, either the place where Bards were entertained, or where the deer were protected. See line 535.

{159a} "Gwryd," manliness, as displayed in war.

{159b} I.e. Cynon.

{159c} Or, "wide."

{159d} A similar expression has been used before (line 512) "nac eithaf na chynor." A "clod heb or heb eithaf," simply means immortal praise.

{159e} The distinguishing feature of this stanza is its prosopopaeia, or its change of things into persons, as in the case of Hwrreith, Buddugre, and Rheiddyn, which are translated respectively Spoliation, Victory, and the Lance.

{159f} Eidol or Eidiol Gadarn is recorded as one of the three strong men of Britain, having, at the meeting on Salisbury plain, slain 660 Saxons with a billet of wood.

"Tri Gyrddion Ynys Prydain; Gwrnerth Ergydlym, a laddes yr arth mwyaf ac a welwyd erioed a saeth wellten; a Gwgawn Lawgadarn, a dreiglis maen Maenarch or glynn i ben y mynydd, ac nid oedd llai na thrugain ych ai tynnai; ac Eidiol Gadarn, a laddes o'r Saeson ym mrad Caersallawg chwechant a thrugain a chogail gerdin o fachlud haul yd yn nhywyll." (Triad 60. third series.)

The time here specified "from sunset until dark," will not be found to tally at all with the commencement of the fight at Cattraeth, which is said to have been "with the day," and "with the dawn;" this circumstance is fatal to Davies's theory.

The first lines of this stanza may be translated in divers ways, such as,—

"With a feast of wine and a banquet of mead, endowed By Cynlaith, mother of Hwrraith, was the energetic Eidol."

Also,—

"With a feast of wine and a banquet of mead, Did his brave (hwrraith from hwrdd) mother Cynlaith, enrich The energetic Eidol."

Again,—

"With a feast of wine and a banquet of mead, Did his mother Hwrraith At the first fall of the dew (cyn llaith) enrich The energetic Eidol."

{160a} The hill on which the vanguard was stationed.

{160b} Waiting their prey.

{160c} "Cynydaw" (cnydiaw) to yield a crop. Cynydaw means also to rise; and we may thus construe the passage,—

"The foremost spearmen spring up around him."

Another reading gives "cwydaw" to fall, in allusion to the slaughter of the men; adopting this expression, it would seem that "arnaw" was more applicable to "racvre," the mount of the van.

{160d} "Glas heid," (glas haidd) green barley. It is rather singular that the words, without the slightest alteration, will admit of another simile equally beautiful and appropriate, viz.—glas haid, a blue swarm of flies. The word glas may be indicative of the prevailing colour of the dress or armour of the men,

"As from the rocky cliff the shepherd sees Clustering in heaps on heaps the driving bees, Rolling, and blackening, swarms succeeding swarms, With deeper murmurs and more hoarse alarms; Dusky they spread, a close embodied crowd, And o'er the vale descends the living cloud." (Pope's Homer, b. ii. l. 111.)

{161a} "Hedin;" this word seems of kindred nature with haidd (barley) and is here translated accordingly; (hedeg, to shoot out, or to ear, as corn.) Another version gives "hediw," (heddyw, today.)

{161b} It is still very common in Wales to call the cause or origin of any thing by the name of mam: thus, for instance, we say "mam y drwg" of the chief instigator of mischief. What we are to understand by the "mother of the lance" it is not very easy to determine; it might have been courage or the sense of wrong, or quarrel, or any other cause which excited the Britons to fight.

{161c} Al. "They marched and chanted, clad in coat of mail."

{162a} "Vawr dru," &c. Al. "miserable hero."

{162b} This confirms the view we have taken of the "milcant a thrychant" at line 86.

{162c} "Gloew dull;" in bright array. It may refer also to the viands.

{162d} "Mai;" Taliesin, in like manner, says of Urien, that he was,—

"Un yn darwedd Gwin a mal a medd."

One who was generous of wine, and bounty, and mead.

"Mal," properly speaking, seems to have been a certain tribute, as above. Thus we read in Welsh legends;—

"He gave his domain of Clynog to God and to Beuno for ever, without either contribution or tax (heb na mal nac ardreth.") (Buch. Beuno.)

Again,—

"There is neither contribution nor tax, (na mal na threth) which we ought to pay." (H. Car. Mag. Mabinogion.)

The word in the text may signify gifts or presents; or it may mean meal, (mal, what is ground) in allusion to the more substantial portion of the feast.

{163a} Lit. "I am being ruined."

{163b} Mynyddawg himself.

{163c} Al. "From amongst."

{163d} That is, free and precipitate in his course, as a ball flies through the air. This simile seems to have been borrowed from a popular game among the Britons called pelre, which consisted in the beating of a ball backwards and forwards, and is alluded to by Taliesin in the following lines;

"Ceiniadon moch clywid eu govalon: Marchawglu mor daer am Gaer Llion; A dial Idwal ar Aranwynion A gware pelre a phen Saeson." (Myv. Arch. i. p. 73.)

Songsters, soon would their cares be heard; An army of horsemen so harassing round Caer Llion; And the revenge of Idwal on the Aranwynians; And the playing of ball-buffetting with Saxon heads.

Al. "mab Pel;" Present the son of Pel.

{163e} "Hud:" has this word any reference to "hudwg," a racket for ball playing?

{164a} "Ystryng;" from ys and tryng or trengu.

{164b} "Adan;" that is a dan, will go under. Lit. "under the red-stained warriors go the steeds," &c. "Ymdan march," is a well known phrase for mounting a horse.

{164c} The same, it may be, with Angar, one of the sons of Caw of Cwm Cawlwyd, and brother of Aneurin. A saying of his occurs in the Chwedlau'r Doethion. (Iolo MSS. pp. 256, 554.)

"A glyweist ti chwedl Angar Mab Caw, Catfilwr clodgar? Bid tonn calon gan alar."

Hast thou heard the saying of Angar, Son of Caw the celebrated warrior? The heart will break with grief.

{164d} "Raen," from rha, which is also the root of rhain, spears.

{164e} This passage, in another form, occurs three times in the Maelderw version and may be translated as follows;

"Angor, thou scatterer of the brave, Serpent, piercing pike, And immovable stone in the front of the army."

{164f} Al. "Oppressor, dressed in thy shining white robes."

{165a} "Gwaenawr." Al. "The spears." Al. "The stones."

{165b} That is, the fosse of the Catrail, or that which surrounded one of the camps.

{165c} See lines 386, 524, 534. Al. "like ploughing the furrow."

{165d} The Bard in this stanza evidently plays upon the names of three of the British heroes, showing how appropriately they represented their respective characters; Cywir, enwir; Merin, mur; Madien, mad. Perhaps it would be better to transpose the two first, and read the line as it occurs in one stanza of the Gorchan Maelderw;

"Enwir ith elwir oth gywir weithred." Enwir art thou named from thy righteous deed;

for in "Kilhwch and Olwen" we meet with a person bearing the name of Gweir Gwrhyd Ennwir, who is said to have been an uncle of Arthur, his mother's brother.

{165e} "Bulwark of every tribe." Al. "of every language." Gorch. Maelderw.

{165f} Merin the son of Merini ab Seithenyn, king of the plain of Gwyddno, whose land was overflowed by the sea. He is said to have been the founder of the church of Llanverin, or Llanvetherin, Monmouthshire. In the Gorchan Maelderw Merin is called the son of Madieith.

{166a} Al. "Gwynedd."

{166b} I.e. the drinking horn. "Dial;" Gorch. Mael. "to take vengeance for the contribution of mead." Owain Cyveiliog alludes to this circumstance in his Poem on the Hirlas Horn;—

"Kigleu am dal met myned dreig Kattraeth." (Myv. Arch. i. 266.)

That this author was acquainted with the Gododin appears further from the following,

"Nid ym hyn dihyll nam hen deheu;"

where he evidently refers to line 290 of our Poem.

{166c} "Cyvyringet," those who met together between the two armies; from cyvrwng, cyd-rhwng.

{166d} "Cibno ced," seems to have been the cup of drink presented to bards and minstrels by their entertainers. (See line 345.) Not even the speech inspiring influence of this cup, could elicit an adequate description of the slaughter which ensued at Cattraeth.

{167a} Or, "the gallantry of the glorious knight of conflict."

{167b} Lit. "Ruddy reaping." Al. "Ruddy reaper, thou pantest for war."

{167c} Al. "Thou man of Gwynedd."

{167d} Lit. "Thou unmanest;" di-mwng.

{167e} "Llain." Al. "lance."

{167f} The expression "until blood flows" is not in the original.

{167g} That glass vessels were used by the Britons in the sixth century is further proved by the testimony of Llywarch Hen, who speaks of

"Gwyr ni giliynt rhag ovn gwayw, Ac yved gwin o wydr gloyw." (Elegy upon Geraint)

Men who would not flinch from the dread of the spear, And the quaffing of wine out of the bright glass.

{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.

{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.

{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.

"Pan dyvo y brych cadarn Hyt yn Rhyt Pengarn Lliwaut gwyr treuliaut Karn Pendevic Prydein yno pen Barn;" (Myv. Arch. i. 132.)

And on that account is preferred here. There is reason to think that the Lady in question is the daughter of Eudav, already mentioned, upon whose message, as well as that of Mynyddawg, "the gay and the illustrious tribes," proceeded to Cattraeth. It is observable, as confirmatory of this view, that Eidol was introduced into our notice before in the stanza immediately preceding that in which she is celebrated.

{176c} "Iaen," like ice.

{177a} "Rhy," excessively.

{177b} "Gwlad gordd," "gwrdd werydd." In the Triads Eidol is called one of the three gyrddion of the Isle of Britain. (Triad, 60.)

{177c} The agricultural character of the usual employments of the early Britons in times of peace, is clearly inferred from the frequent use of the word "medel," in reference to their soldiery.

{177d} Or, "He sounded for steeds, he sounded for harness."

{177e} "Am grudd;" his cheeks all around.

{177f} Or, "the ribs."

{178a} The Cymry were thus styled to distinguish them from the Saxons, who were pagans. See supra, line 365.

{178b} "Amnant," from "avn," boldness, courage.

{178c} "Cell;" a cell, a closet, a grove. Perhaps it here means a house, or habitation in general.

{178d} Lit. the room, or chamber.

{178e} "Yt vyddei dyrllyddei;" where was, where was brewed; or, "where it was wont to brew."

{178f} A person of the name of "Gwres the son of Rheged," is mentioned in the "Dream of Rhonabwy," in conjunction with Owain ab Urien. Gwrys seems to have been a Venedotian chief.

{178g} The Welsh poets frequently represent a man of worth, as a ced, or a gift.

{178h} As the Lloegrians have been shown before to be clearly amongst the enemies of the British chiefs, (see line 547) the meaning of this sentence is, that the hero under consideration was the conqueror, or the master of the Lloegrians; and that he thus marshalled them against their will. In like manner Einion ab Gwalchmai describes Llywelyn as,—

"Llywelyn llew glwys, Loegrwys lugyrn."

Llywelyn the amiable lion, the torch of the Lloegrians.

{178i} "Attawr;" al. "allawr," the altar. A metaphor borrowed from the discipline of the church, and in keeping with the title of saints, by which the chieftain and his followers are designated.

{179a} Lit. "the battle of sovereignty,"

{179b} "Cynnest," Al. "cyn cywest," "before thou art allied to the earth," before thou formest an acquaintance or connection with the earth by falling thereon.

{179c} "Gorffin;" the Catrail.

{179d} We have repeatedly seen that fire was resorted to in this war, for the purpose of annoying or destroying the adversary, or else in self defence, with the view of keeping him at bay. On the part of the Britons the fire department seems to have been presided over by Morien; and indeed the title "Mynawc," which we have here translated high-minded, and which is elsewhere connected with the name of Morien, would induce us to infer that the Bard, in the above stanza, is presenting us once more with a prospect of that hero surrounded by his own blazing engines.

{179e} "Lluyddawg." Al. "The successful (llwyddawg) bitter-handed, high-minded chief;" who may have been Llyr lluyddawg. (Tr. xxiii.)

{180a} The contrast between his conduct in war and his domestic character is here noticed.

{180b} I.e. the enemy.

{180c} Or, "we are called to the sea and the borders, (or to the harbours "cynnwr," from cyn-dwfr) to engage in the conflict."

{180d} Lit. "Sharpened iron."

{180e} "Llavn."

{180f} "Sychyn," a small ploughshare. Doubtless a weapon resembling it, and bearing the same name. Al. "Syrthyn," "They fell headlong with a clang."

{180g} We have adopted this as a proper name from its similarity to Fflewddur Fflam, the name of one of the three sovereigns of Arthur's court, who preferred remaining with him as knights, although they had territories and dominions of their own.

"Tri unben Llys Arthur; Goronwy ab Echel Forddwydtwll, a Chadraith ab Porthor Godo; a Fleidur Fflam mab Godo; sef oeddent yn Dywysogion yn Berchennogion Gwlad a Chyfoeth, a gwell oedd ganddynt no hynny aros yn Farchogion yn Llys Arthur, gan y bernid hynny yn bennaf ar bob anrhydedd a bonheddigeiddrwydd, a ellid wrth ygair y Tri Chyfiawn Farchawg." (Triad, 114, third series.)

If, however, it be not a proper name, the line might be rendered,—

"A successful warrior, flaming in steel, before the enemy."

{181a} "Dinus;" from "din," a fort, and "ysu," to consume.

{181b} "Gwych." Al. "the angry."

{181c} Or, "the honourable."

{181d} "Echadaf," i.e. "ech," [Greek word] ex, and "adav," a hand.

{181e} A person of this name is ranked in the Triads as one of the three "trwyddedawg hanvodawg," or free guests of the court of Arthur. (Myv. Arch. ii. 73 )

{181f} Or, "the sovereign of the impregnable strand, or extremity of Gododin," traeth y annor (an nhor.)

{182a} "Am rann, (i.e. amrant.) See line 40.

{182b} The city of Mynyddawg, from whence he was called Mynyddawg Eiddyn.

{182c} Or, "The raging flame turns not from Eiddyn."

{182d} Or, "at the entrance or gate."

{182e} "Trusi;" al. "trin;" "he placed a thick cover in front of the battle."

{182f} The effects of his toil in battle.

{182g} Al. "O goledd," by arrangement, being actuated by the same motive as that which induced Gwrgan the Freckled long before to "enact a law that no one should bear a shield, but only a sword and bow;" hence it is said, "his countrymen became very heroic." (Iolo MSS. p. 351.)

{183a} Lit. "the strand supported." Traeth means also the extremity of a district, and may accordingly be applied here to the boundary line between Gododin and the British dominions.

{183b} "Periglawr;" one who has to do with what is extreme, or dangerous; one who administers extreme unction; a parish priest.

{183c} Al. "penifeddawr," giddy-headed. Al. "penufuddawr" having an obedient head—rein-obeying.

{183d} Al. "The mounted spearman."

{183e} Another reading gives "Odren" but the one adopted above suits the rhyme better.

{183f} There is a reference here to some pagan ceremonies to which the Saxons had recourse, for the purpose either of propitiating their gods, or of receiving omens at their altars.

{184a} A body of British soldiers under the command of Nwython son of Gildas, and nephew of Aneurin, seem to have taken advantage of the peculiar position of the enemy, who were now probably unarmed, and to have attacked them, which caused the latter, as usual, to seek refuge by flight in one of the neighbouring forts. That we are right in adopting Nwython as a proper name would appear, moreover, from two different passages in the fragments of the Gododin subjoined to Gorchan Maelderw, where "the son of Nwython," is distinctly mentioned as one of the heroes that fell at Cattraeth.

{184b} Donald Brec, or as he is called in Latin, Dovenal Varius, king of the Scots, who was slain by Owain, king of the Strathclyde Britons in the battle of Vraithe Cairvin, otherwise Calatros, which in sound somewhat resembles Galltraeth, or Cattraeth. It is true that the Scottish chronicles assign a much later date to that event, than the era of the Gododin, nevertheless as they themselves are very inconsistent with one another on that point, giving the different dates of 629, 642, 678 and 686, it is clear that no implicit deference is due to their chronological authority, and that we may, therefore, reasonably acquiesce in the view which identifies Dyvnwal Vrych, with Donald Brec, seeing the striking similarity which one name bears to the other.

{184c} Supposing the person who killed Donald to be the same with Owain, son of Urien, there may be here an allusion to his men as well as to the birds of prey. See line 18 note one.

{184d} Lit. "The bone;" even as it is popularly said at this day that a man who gives great support to another is his back bone.

"Caletach wrth elyn nog asgwrn."

Harder to an enemy than a bone. (Elegy on Cunedda.)

{185a} Or, "whilst the foes range the sea."

{185b} Lit. "It was his characteristic or property."

{185c} "Naw rhiallu;" the literal amount of this force would be 900,000; "naw," however, may have here the meaning of "nawv," floating; "naw rhiallu," a fleet.

{185d} "Gorddinau;" from "gorddin," what impels or drives forward; or the word may mean tribes, from "cordd"; and then the passage would be:

"In the face of blood, of the country, and of the tribes."

{185e} Cynddilig was introduced to our notice before, (line 645) as a person who loved the world in company with the melody-seeking Eidol.

{186a} Or, "as the alternative."

{186b} That this is a proper name, appears from the following passage in Taliesin's "Canu y Cwrw;"—

"Ev cyrch cerddorion Se syberw Seon Neu'r dierveis i rin Ymordei Uffin Ymhoroedd Gododin."

{186c} Or, "who caused the stream of blood."

{186d} Gwenddoleu ap Ceidiaw is recorded in the Triads as the head of one of the three "teulu diwair," or faithful tribes of the Isle of Britain, because his men maintained the war for six weeks after he was slain in the battle of Arderydd, A.D. 577. He is also joined with Cynvar and Urien, under the title of the three "tarw cad" or bulls of battle, on account of their impetuosity in rushing upon the enemy.

{187a} "Pen o draed;" from head to foot. Not, as Davies translates it, "from the highest to the lowest," as is evident from a similar phrase in Cynddelw, (Myv. Arch. vol. i. p. 220.)

"Yd kwytynt pennawr penn o draed;"

where the word "pennawr" refers to one particular rank, if not to an individual.

{187b} See line 344.

{187c} See line 324.

{187d} See line 335.

{187e} Lit. "after their conflict."

{188a} "Tra;" "whilst the gory pool continued to fill."

{188b} "Erchyn;" al. "echyn," "and slew them like a hero; they were not saved."

{188c} Or, "he darted with the spear," or, "they were prostrated with the spear."

{188d} "A medd," with the mead. He abandoned the social banquet, or a life of luxury, at the call of public duty.

{188e} Al. "Is there a place where the people do not relate the greatness of his counsel?"

{188f} "Bwylliadau," (i.e. bwyelliadau) the strokes of his battle-axe. Another version gives "bwyll yaddeu," which may be rendered, "Pwyll assaulted."

"With a rush Pwyll made the assault."

{188g} "Lliveit handit;" which were sharpened.

{188h} Al. "Where his founding blade was seen."

{189a} Or, "maintenance for."

{189b} There were two persons who bore this name in the sixth century, the one was Pryderi the son of Dolor, chief of the people of Deivyr and Bryneich, and was distinguished with Tinwaed and Rhineri, under the epithet of the three strong cripples of the isle of Britain:

"Tri Gwrddvaglawg ynys Prydain; Rhineri mab Tangwn; a Thinwaed Vaglawg; a Phryderi mab Doler Deivr a Bryneich." (Triad, 75.)

The other was Pryderi, the son of Pwyll Pen Annwn, a chieftain of Dyved, which country is by Lewis Glyn Cothi called "Gwlad Pryderi;" and by Davydd ab Gwilym, "Pryderi dir." He is styled one of the three strong swineherds of Britain, having tended the swine of Pendaran his foster father, during the absence of his father in the unknown world.

"Tri Gwrddveichiad ynys Prydain; cyntav vu Pryderi vab Pwyll Pendaran Dyved, a getwis voch ei dad tra yttoedd yn Annwn; ac yng nglyn Cwch yn Emlyn y cetwis eve wynt." &c. (Triad, 101.)

In the Tale of Math Mathonwy, he is said to have been buried at Maen Tyriawg, near Ffestiniog. We may therefore presume that the Englynion y Beddau refer to the other in the following passage;

"Yn Abergenoli y mae Bet Pryderi Yn y terau tormeu tir."

In Abergenoli is the grave of Pryderi, Where the waves beat against the shore.

A saying of Pryderi has been thus recorded;—

"Hast thou heard the saying of Pryderi, The wisest person in counselling? There is no wisdom like silence." (Iolo MSS. p. 661.)

{190a} "Pryderaf," I am anxious about; a word suggested by the name of the chief.

{190b} A result brought about by the arrival of Pryderi's troops.

{190c} "Have I been afflicted."

{190d} "Celaig;" from cel, the root also of Celtiaid and Celyddon.

{190e} There were two territories of this name, Argoed Derwennydd, (Derwent wood apparently) and Argoed Calchvynydd, "between the river Tren and the river Tain, that is the river of London." (Iolo MSS. p. 476.) One of them, the former probably, was the patrimony of Llywarch Hen.

"Cyn bum cain vaglawg, bum cyfes eiriawg, Ceinvygir ni eres; Gwyr Argoed eirioed a'm porthes." (Elegy on Old Age.)

Before I appeared with crutches, I was eloquent in my complaint, It will be extolled, what is not wonderful— The men of Argoed have ever supported me!

{191a} "Gwal." "The Cymmry appropriated this name to regions that were cultivated and had fixed inhabitancy, as opposed to the wilds, or the unsettled residences of the Celtiaid, Celyddon, Gwyddyl, Gwyddelod, Ysgotiaid, and Ysgodogion; which are terms descriptive of such tribes as lived by hunting and tending their flocks." (Dr. Pughe, sub. voce.) Both descriptions of persons are thus included in the Bard's affectionate regret. Al. "accustomed at the rampart."

{191b} "Pwys;" pressure or weight. Or perhaps "arlwydd pwys" means "the legitimate lord," in opposition to usurpers, just as a wedded wife is styled "gwraig bwys," as distinguished from a concubine.

{191c} "Dilyvn;" or perhaps "dylyvn," smooth.

{191d} Al. "rekindled."

{191e} "Gosgroyw," rather fresh.

{191f} Geraint, the son of Erbin, was prince of Dyvnaint, (Devon) and one of the three owners of fleets of the Isle of Britain, each fleet consisting of 120 ships, and each ship being manned by 120 persons.

"Tri Llynghesawg ynys Prydain; Geraint mab Erbin; Gwenwynwyn mab Nav; a March mab Meirchion; a chweugain llong gan bob un o'r Llynghesogion, a chweugain llongwyr ymhob llong." (Triad 68, Third series.)

Llywarch Hen wrote an Elegy upon Geraint, in which the place of his death is thus mentioned;—

"Yn Llongborth y llas Geraint, Gwr dewr o goettir Dyvnaint, Wyntwy yn lladd gyd a's lleddaint."

At Llongborth was Geraint slain, A strenuous warrior from the woodland of Dyvnaint, Slaughtering his foes as he fell.

Geraint ab Erbin was the grandfather of Aneurin, but as he died in king Arthur's time, A.D. 530, we can hardly identify him with the Geraint of the text, who probably was a son, or some other relation, that had inherited his fleet.

{192a} "Llwch gwyn," probably "Vanduara," Gwyn Dwr, or White Water, which seems to have been one of the old designations of a river in Renfrewshire. (See Caledonia Romana, p. 143.) Adar y y llwch gwyn, the birds of the white lake, is a mythological epithet for vultures. Their history is recorded in the Iolo MSS. p. 600.

{192b} Al. "There was a white badge on his shield."

{192c} Lit. "his anchor."

{192d} "Cyman," "cydvan," (i.e. cyd man) the place of gathering. Al. "his broken anchor."

{192e} It is not improbable that the eagle was charged on Geraint's standard, for it is also frequently alluded to in Llywarch Hen's Elegy—e.g.

"Oedd re redaint dan vorddwyd Geraint, Garhirion, grawn odew, Rhuddion, rhuthr eryron glew."

Under the thigh of Geraint were fleet runners, With long hams, fattened with corn; They were red ones; their assault was like the bold eagles.

{193a} "Lledvegin," an animal partly reared in a domestic way. We have chosen the lamb as being one of the animals most commonly reared in this manner. Nevertheless, a previous wildness, with reference to the military aspect of his character, might be intended to be conveyed in this epithet.

"Lledvegyn is a kine, or what shall be tamed in a house; namely, such as a fawn, or a fox, or a wild beast similar to those." (Welsh Laws.)

{193b} "Rhan," see lines 40 and 732.

{193c} Or, "He presided over the feast, pouring from the horn the splendid mead." So Cynddelw,—

"Baran lew llew lloegyr oual Lleduegin gwin gwyrt uual." (Myv. Arch. v. i. p. 225.)

{193d} As the natural consequence of military operations.

{193e} "Llawr llaned," ground of smooth surface. Al. "llanwed," every region was filled with slaughter.

{193f} "Hual amhaval," like a fetter. "Avneued" from "avn," courage.

{194a} The sound of the name, in connection with the word "hual," in a former line, makes it very probable that the hero mentioned was of the tribe of Caswallon Law Hir, celebrated as one of the "hualogion deulu" of the Isle of Britain, called so because the men bound themselves together with the "hualau," or fetters of their horses, to sustain the attack of Serigi Wyddel, whom Caswallon slew with his own hand, when he drove the Irish out of Anglesey.

"Tri hualogion teulu Y. P. Teulu Caswallon Llawhir a ddodasant hualeu eu Meirch ar eu traed pob deu o naddynt wrth ymladd a Serigi Wyddel yng Cerrig y Gwyddyl y Mon, a theulu Rhiwallon mab Uryen yn ymladd ar Saeson, a theulu Belyn o Leyn yn ymladd ag Etwyn ym mryn Ceneu yn Rhos." (Triad 49, first series.)

Caswallon Law Hir was the son of Einion Yrth ab Cunedda Wledig, king of Gododin. He succeeded to the sovereignty of North Wales, A.D. 443, and is said to have died in 517. There was a Cas son of Seidi, who was one of the heroes of Arthur's Court.

{194b} A hundred in the middle part of North Wales, so called from Rhuvon son of Cunedda Wledig, whose inheritance it was.

{194c} Probably the enemy.

{194d} Or, "the shout was raised."

{194e} Cadvorion, i.e. cad-vawrion; or, it may be, more literally, cad-vorion, "martial ants," in reference to their activity.

{194f} Lit. "warning."

{195a} Lit. "prepared."

{195b} The popular air "Nos Galan" is supposed to have been a relic of the musical entertainments of this season.

{195c} A chieftain of Mona, the land that enjoyed "the valour of Ervei;" see his Elegy by Taliesin apud Myv. Arch. v. i. p. 70. Ervei was also engaged in the battle of Cattraeth;—

"Red speared was Urvei before the lord of Eiddin." (Gorch. Mael.)

{195d} That is, in domestic life he was as refined as a lady, modest as a virgin, whilst in war he was brave and high minded.

{195e} The word "teyrn" reminds us of a line which countenances the theory we suggested relative to the expression "edyrn diedyrn," in stanza xv. but which we omitted to mention in its proper place. It occurs in the "Elegy on Cunedda." (Myv. Arch. i. p. 71) as follows;—

"Rhag mab edern cyn edyrn anaelew."

"Before the son of Edeyrn ere his kingdom became fearful."

{196a} This warrior was probably of the family of Urien Rheged, for a grandson of his, the celebrated Kentigern, was called Cyndeyrn Garthwys. Arthwys son of Ceneu ab Coel was too early for the battle of Cattraeth.

{196b} Tinogad was the son of Cynan Garwyn, and was celebrated for his swift steed, named Cethin.

"Tri marchlwyth ynys Prydain—ar ail marchlwyth aduc Cornann March meibion Eliffer gosgortuawr, a duc Gwrgi a Pheredur arnaw, ac nys gordiuedawd neb namyn Dinogat vab Kynan Garwyn yar y Kethin kyvlym ac aruidiawt ac aglot a gauas yr hynny hyd hediw." (Triad 11, second series.)

{196c} The possession of slaves, whether of native origin, or derived from the custom of the Romans, prevailed to some extent among the Britons of the fifth and sixth century, and seems to have denoted a certain degree of power on the part of the owners. Taliesin the Druid boasts that he had received "a host of slaves," (torof keith) from his royal patron Cunedda Wledig. (Myv. Arch. v. i. p. 71.)

{197a} "Bar," al. "ban," on the heights.

{197b} Or, the chief, the best.

{197c} Many places in Wales bear the name of this animal, where it appears to have been common in ancient times, such as "Bryn yr iwrch," "Ffynon yr iwrch," and the like. Hunting the roebuck is recognised in the Welsh Laws; and is called one of the three cry hunts (helva ddolev.)

"Mi adaen iwrch er nas daliwyv." (Adage.) I know a roebuck, though I may not catch him.

{197d} "Derwenydd;" Derventio, the river Derwent in Cumberland.

{197e} "Llewyn a llwyvein." It is difficult to ascertain the particular animals which these terms respectively represent. The former might denote a young lion, a white lion, or any beast in general to whose eating faculties the word llewa would be applicable. The latter might signify any animal whose haunts were the elm forests, or whose property was to llyvu or to lick, as does a dog. The fox being named llwynog from llwyn a forest, and the forests in the North being chiefly of elm, it is not unlikely but that the said animal was frequently called llwyvain in that part of the country when the Bard wrote, though it is not known now by that name. It is remarkable that both terms also signify certain kinds of wood. The former the herb orach, the latter the elm.

{197f} Al. "None would escape."

{198a} "Angcyvrwng;" lit. "were he to place me without an intervening space," that is, were he to straiten me on every side.

{198b} When any thing is taken away or used, or when any thing is done, the owner not knowing it, or without asking his leave, it is called Anghyvarch. "Anghyvarchwyr," extortioners. W. Salesbury, 1 Cor. v.

{198c} Lit. "There would not come, there would not be to me, one more formidable."

{198d} The head of the river Clyde in Scotland.

{198e} "Veruarch." Morach Morvran is often mentioned by the poets on account of his celebrated banquet.

"Cygleu yn Maelawr gawr vawr vuan, A garw ddisgyr gwyr a gwyth erwan; Ac ymgynnull, am drull, am dramwyan, Mal y bu yn Mangor am ongyr dan; Pan wnaeth dau deyrn uch cyrn cyvrdan, Pan vu gyveddach Morach Morvran."

In Maelor the great, the hastening shout was heard, And the dreadful shrieks of men with gashing wounds in pain; And together thronging to seek a cure, round and round they strayed, As it was in Bangor for the fire of the brunt of spears; When over horns two princes caused discord, While in the banquet of Morach Morvran. (Owain Cyveiliog.)

{199a} This stanza evidently refers to the same transaction as that which is recorded in the lxxxth, though the details are somewhat differently described.

{199b} One of these, we may presume, was Dyvnwal Vrych.

{199c} The whole line may be thus translated;

"I saw the men, who with the dawn, dug the deep pit." Al. "I saw at dawn a great breach made in the wall at Adoen."

{199d} See stanza lii.

{199e} "Yngwydd."

{199f} "Yr enwyd."

{200a} Gwarthan the son of Dunawd by Dwywe his wife, "who was slain by the pagan Saxons in their wars in the north." (Iolo MSS. p. 556.)

{200b} Or, "let it be forcibly seized in one entire region."

{200c} An allusion to his incarceration, see lines 440, 445.

{200d} Gardith; i.e. garw deith (or teithi.)

{200e} Tithragon; i.e. teith-dragon.

{200f} A pitched battle.

"Gwr yn gware a Lloegyrwys." (Cynddelw.) A man playing with the Lloegrians.

{200g} Or, "did he bring and supply."

{200h} "Tymyr;" native place.

{201a} "Dyvnuyt;" see also stanza, xlviii.

{201b} One of the officers appointed to the command of Geraint's fleet.

{201c} This stanza, with the exception of a few words, is the same with the lxxxix.

{201d} Or "valiantly."

{201e} "Gwelydeint," from "gwelyd," a wound; or "gwelyddeint," they took repose in the grave.

{201f} Al. "with the gory trappings," as in the other stanza.

{202a} Al. "a dau," the two sons, and two haughty boars.

{202b} Al. "riein," a lady.

{202c} Cilydd was the son of Celyddon Wledig, and father of Cilhwch who is the hero of an ancient dramatic tale of a singular character.

{202d} In a former stanza he is called Garthwys Hir.

{202e} "Nod;" is a conspicuous mark.

{203a} See stanza xl.

{203b} "Dyli," condition or impulse.

{203c} "Vracden;" from "brag," a sprouting out, and "ten," stretched.

{203d} The Irish.

{203e} The inhabitants of Scotland.

"Hon a oresgyn Holl Loegr a Phrydyn." (Taliesin.)

She will conquer All England and Scotland.

{203f} "Giniaw," from "cyni," affliction.

{204a} "Cemp," i.e. "camp," a feat, surpassingly.

{204b} Or, "at his side."

{204c} Al. "Arreith;" i.e. "a rhaith;" "the sentence of the law was that they should search;" or "the jury searched." Al. "in various directions they searched."

{204d} Probably the Cantii or people of Kent.

{204e} If the stanza, however, is not properly completed here, we may assign the sigh to Gwenabwy himself, in reference probably to his father, as in the preceding stanza.

THE END