Friendly was the aid of Clydwyn, fupplied in abundance was his fleet with the glittering fhafts of tumults— ambition provides for every one a grave! Galgacus fatiated the devouring jaws of battle; better is the food of violent flaughter than the bear; the battle of Agathes, by fame protected, filled the hungry mouth of her brother. There was a battle in the region of Bretrwyn-amidst the heat of violent fire the ambitious fhews himself politic. There was the battle of Ir, in well conducted order; there was the battle in Aeron, the trembling conflict; the battles in Arddunion, and Aeron proclaim reproach to the fons of men. At a battle in the woods of Beid, ruddy be the spear! thou didst not confider thy foes! From the battles near Llydawdol, and Mabon, he who records to other times tells of none that escaped; at the battle in Gwensteri, to bring Lloegria low, the hafty spears were shivered; at the battle on the plain of Terra, with the dawn, the death-dealing blows fent their fleet meffengers of pain, on first uttering the fhout of war, by chiefs delighting in tumultuous slaughter. Men who made hoftile inroads for the lowing herds were Haearnddur, and Hyvaidd, and Galgacus; and Owain of Mona, with iron-guarded head*, wont to proftrate low the men of spears. At the end of the forest of fwords lay ftrewed the bodies which sheathed the blades, and in wild confufion the ravens hovering over. It is acknowledged in Prydain, and in Eiddyn, in Gavran, and in the out-poft of Brycheiog, clad in the armour of terror, scouting in the path of war, none will fee a hero who faw not Galgacus. Could the fituation of the places mentioned in the above piece be traced out, one might form a probable conjecture in what part of North Britain lay the territory of Galgacus. One place mentioned is well known, and that is Eiddyn, or Edinburgh; and there is reafon to fuppofe, from hints in other ancient pieces, that Aeron lay farther South, either in, or near Northumberland. I have little doubt bnt that a perfon, having a knowledge of the Southern parts of Scotland, and the North of England, would be able to recognize feveral places mentioned by the bards who were natives of those districts. Owain o Feirion. See more, in the firft Volume of Carte's Hiftory of England, page 124. AN INVOCATION TO THE WIND. A literal Tranflation from a Poem by David ab Gwilym. The Welsh Bards of the middle ages had a clafs of poetical compofitions, which may be peculiarly called their own, confifting of pieces, wherein fome being, real, or imaginary, was invoked to be the messenger of the Poet's commands; and which generally related to love fubjects; and sometimes the meflage was addreffed to a patron, requesting a favourite gift. The fubverfion of the ancient government, by the conqueft of Edward the Firft, was the cause of great alterations even in the literary compofitions of the Welsh; and in that period it was that these message poems became very common and popular in the country. Wind of the firmament, of ready course and strong of voice, in ranging far away! A terrible being art thou, uttering founds moft hoarfe; the bravado of the world, without foot, or wing: it is a wonder how awfully thou hast been placed, from the ftorehouse of the fky, without any one fupport; and now how swiftly doft thou run over the hill! Tell me, my never-refting friend, of thy journey on fome northern blast over the dale. Ah, friend, go from Aeront brightly fair, with a clear note; ftop thou not, nor goffip; fear not becaufe of little Hunchback. A complaint of impeachment ferving ill-nature! My country and its bleffings are a prison to me !-Soon thou wouldeft ftrip the bush when thou art bufied in fcattering leaves: no one will queftion thee, none will ftop thee, nor arrayed hoft, nor deputed hand, nor the blue blade, nor flood, nor rain inadvertently thou wilt not be hindered by a mother's fon: fire will not burn thee; thou wilt not be weakened by deceit; drown thou wilt not, through lack of any warning; thou wilt not get entangled, for thou art without an angle; the fwift fteed is not wanted under thee, nor bridge over the ftream, nor boat; no catchpole will arreft thee, nor the power of a clan, in thy day of triumph, thou that winnowest the feathered tops of trees. No eye can ken thee on thy vaft naked couch; a thoufand fhall hear thee, neft of the pouring rain: thou art God's bounty along the earth, thou roaring and irritating, breaker of the top of the oak, thou fhouter, in the morn of day, on high; thou wafter of the heap of chaff, gruff of voice! Thou comeft a tempeft on a calm of the fea; a fickle youth on the fand bank'd *This will bear another construction-following the custom of Maelgwn: a common name among the Britons, that means, wearing a helmet. + On the banks of the river Aeron in Cardiganshire. I Literally, the Little Bow, the common epithet, which the poet gave to his fortunate competitor for fair Morvudd; his real name was Rys Grugan, who was a captain in the English army at the celebrated battle of Crefly. 1 water: water: an eloquent and enticing thief art thou; the scatterer, and heaper of the fallen leaves. Thou privileged impeller, the wafter of the hill, thou ruthlefs lord of the firmament, that Ayeft over the whole bofom of the briny ocean to the extremities of the world! Storm of the hill be above to night! Wretched am I, that I fhould have placed my affection on Morvudd, a gentle and fplendid maid! A nymph who made me a captive!-Run on high towards her father's houfe; ftorm the door, and cause it to be opened, before the day appears, to receive my meffage; and find a way to her, if that can be, and utter the note of my figh. Thou that comest from the far-extending figns, fay thus to my fincere and generous one-" Whilft in the world I remain, I shall be a faithful lover: and woe is to my face without her, if true that she is not unfaithful !" Go high! thou fhalt see the fair one-Go low! choose a course, thou running element! Go to the yellow-haired Morvudd.-Profperous be thy return!-Farewell thou friendly gale! AN INVOCATION ADDRESSED TO ST. DWYNWEN*. The following is a Literal Translation of a poem, felected from the works of David ab Gwilym, printed in Welsh, at London, in 1789, edited by Meff. O. Jones and W. Owen. This Bard flourished about the middle of the thirteenth century. He has always been a great favourite with his countrymen, and is generally denominated the Ovid of Wales. DWYNWEN, fair as the hoary tears of morning, thy golden image in its choir, illumed with waxen torch, well knows the pains of yonder cross-grained mortals how to cure! A wight that watches within thy choir, bleft is his happy turn, thou splendid beauty! with ailings, nor with tortured mind, none fhall return from Llanddwyn †. Thy extended guardianship I crave, within thy holy district! Anxiety and pain opprefs me! My troubled breast, for a fair maid, is one continued fwell of amorous paffion! Uncealing pain, that springs from cares! Hence my disease, full well I know. If I have not Morvudd‡, and yet alive-behold, it is vain to live! Oh! make me well-(more pleafing is the theme)-from this my languor, this my grief! Blend thy good offices of love with God's free bounties, deigned through thee to man, for one bleft year. Potent golden image, thou needeft never dread the fin of unrefifting flesh! He, that is peace complete, will not undo his work-God has made, that thou shalt not depart from heaven. No prude shall ken thee, through the paffing year, when whifpering good advice to us, in difficulties that may thwart our love. The jealous one, a black and envious man, bare fcare-crow, never can do thee harm, in his fierce fits of anger; he shall never cudgel thee, who art of nature chaste. Haften with thy reward. Hush, virgin!-It will not be a tedious concern. From Llanddwyn, a much reforted spot, I know of many a happy turn, thou jewel of the land of faith! Heaven has not refused thee an easy access to peace; the praise of fluent tongue, man will not refuse to thee. The good effect of prayers is always fure. Thou, who art called of God, fable-crowned maid, should envy come, heaven is thy refuge, and manly arms. Let them be kept in mind. Bold would be the man to force my love away, whilft, through the leaves of May, fhe vifits me. Oh, Dwynwen! once if thou wouldest bid, beneath the woods of May, my Morvudd, gay and sprightly, to pass the long and lingering day, fair Dwynwen, I fhould bless thee. Show me, from thy bright endowments, that thou art no coquette-Dwynwen, good and wife! By all thou didst endure in troubles, of penance, in this world, and all its wrongs; by all that faith and animating piety thou hadft whilft thou wert here alive; by thy fecluded state, most pure; the chastity of thy restrained flesh; if more is needful, by the foul of Brychan Yrth, of powerful arm, I pray, chaste jewel, through thy prevailing faith, effect my cure! The daughter of Brychan, a prince of a part of Wales, comprehended in the prefent county of Brecon. She was esteemed the tutelar faint of lovers. + A church in Môn, or Anglefey, dedicated to Dwynwen, and the great refort of her votaries. This lady was the theme of feven fcore and seven poems of our bard. Yet he was unfuccefsful; for her father married her to a hunchbacked old man, who had more wealth than the man of fong. But he contrived to carry her off twice from her husband, which brought him into much trouble. See a former poem in page 43. ANECDOTE ANECDOTE OF EINION, THE BARD, of the ancient Houfe of TREVEILIR, in the parish of Trefdraeth, in ANGLESEY; who flourished about A. D. 1166: now the feat of Charles Evans, Efq. Eingian, (or Einion,) was the fon of Gwalchmai, the son of Meilir, and lord of Tre Veilir, in Anglefey: He was an intrepid warrior, an excellent mufician, and poet. There are five pieces ftill preserved of his poetry, in old Welfh manuscripts: he was lineally defcended of Bards, from age to age. His coat of arms was, " Argent, 3 war-sadles, ftirruped Or." Tradition informs us, that Ednyfed Vychan, had a beautiful daughter, (by Neft, the daughter of the illuftrious, Llywarch ab Brân,) whofe name was Angharad. This young lady had many fuitors, and in confequence of the number of folicitations which had been made to the father, to obtain his daughter; he at last proposed to her the following rural mode, which should decide her fate, in a husband: and that was, which ever of her admirers, proved to be the best leaper over Aber nodwydd, fhould be possessed of her; which was agreed to by Angharad; (knowing her favourite Einion was eminent in the 24 British Games, which were then very much in vogue in Wales:) confequently, a day was fixed upon, and publicly announced for the trial of fkill, in the British Olympick, wherein Einion, the fon of Gwalchmai, won the lady at that exhibition of activity, by leaping the immense distance of fifty feet; at hop, ftep, and jump, over the brook, called Abernodwydd; and in commemoration of which, three ftones, at thofe intervals, were immediately erected on the spot, and where they still remain to this day, in a dingle called Naid-Abernodwydd, or the leap of Abernodwydd, near the domain of Plas-Gwynn, in Anglefey; (now the feat of Paul Panton. Efq.) Tradition farther fays, that one of his rival competitors, was so affected at his discomfiture, and lofs of the lady, that he died on the fpot. The conqueror, Einion, fome time after, parted from his wife and family, in fome difcontent, or probably was obliged to go to the wars in South Wales, with Prince Owen Gwynedd, to whom he was advocate, and lived abroad for fome years; but on returning home he found, when he came to the door of his houfe at Treveilir, that on that day his wife was married to another: he then defired to play a tune upon his old harp, which stood in the hall, opposite the door; and while he was thus playing, his wife came forth, when the following dialogue passed between them : Pwy wyti? Eingian am galwan', fo'm gwelir, amgylch, Fab Gwalchmai ab Meilir Swrn-ebud, fiwrnai o-hir, Pa le buoft? Búm yn Ngwent, yn Nghent, yn nghûdd, yn mynnau, Búm yn Nyffryn gwyn y gwydd Aro, mae gan i arwydd. Fe edrychai ei wraig arno, ac ynteu a ddywedai; Nag edrych Angharad dan odryn fy ngwallt Lle bu wyllt fy nrhemyn ; Er gweled blaened i'm blino, madws Angharad ni red o nghof Eingian aeth i ti'n anghof. Os collais Angharad, wych eirian ei rhyw, Rhodd Ednyfed Fychan; Ni chollaf, ewch chwi allan, Na'm gwely, na'm tŷ, na'm tân. Neidiais, a buriais heb orwydd danaf, Wel dyna feiftrolrwydd! Naid fawr, deiliw gwawr y gwŷdd, Deg-troedfedd, baelwedd hylwydd, a deugain, A digon o w'rantrwydd; 'A'r rhêdd a fu ddigon rhwydd Amy naid tros Abernodwydd. Eingian fab Gwalchmai, ai Cânt. Who are you? Einion, I am of Meilir's noble race, The fon of Gwalchmai*, hero of renown: In Kent, in Monmouth, and in Alpian plains; Which once fhone bright of lovely funny hue: Since home I quitted for an adverse lot; If I have loft Angharad, lovely fair, The gift of brave Ednyfed, and my spouse; Nor bed, nor board, nor yet my ancient house. I once have leap'd, to fhew my active power, Full fifty-feet, as ftill the truth is known, And many witneffes can ftill atteft, Gwalchmai, as well as Meilir, were celebrated Bards, the former was Lord of Malltraeth, and the latter was Lord of Tre-veilir, in Anglesey. AN AN ADDRESS TO OWEN GLYN-DWR, containing a DESCRIPTION of his MANSION and GROUNDS; Written about A. D. 1390, By the Bard, IOLO GOCH. A literal Translation from the Welsh. I have repeatedly given my word and promise to pay this vifit: every man should be always mindful to fulfil his engagement! It is a nice point; 'tis juft; it is a matter of great confequence: it is a propitious vow, to go to Owen's palace. There fhall I go forthwith, and there shall I make my abode, to be refpectfully entertained with him, and his honourable companions. My noble Lord, the Cler's benefactor, will deign to receive a decrepid bard: Poefy is loud in praise of his liberality to the aged. To a palace furrounded with water I go; of hundreds, the most excellent: a Baron's palace, the manfion of generofity, the refort of Bards for their benefit. The magnificent habitation of the chief lord of Powis, and the hope of deferving petitioners. This is its defcription, and fituation; encircled with a moat filled with water. The entrance into this goodly edifice, is by a coftly gate, on a bridge over the pool. Gothic arches, adorned with mouldings, every arch archwife alike. A tower of St. Patrick, in the elegant antique order, like the cloister of Westminster. Every angle united together with girders, a compact, noble, golden chancel, concatenated in linked order, like an arched vault, all conjoined in harmony. A Neapolitan building of eighteen apartments, a fair timber ftructure, on the fummit of a green hill, reared towards Heaven, on four admirable pilaiters. On the top of each of these firm wooden fupporters, is fixed a timber floor, of curious architecture: and thefe four pleasant and elegant floors, connected together, and divided into eight chamber-lofts; every part, and stately front, covered with shingles; and chimneys to convey away the fmoke. Nine halls of fimilar construction, and a wardrobe over every one. Neat, clean, commodious, well furnished warehouses, like fhops in London. A quadrangular church, well built, and white-wafhed. Chapels well glazed. Plenty on every fide; every part of the house a palace an orchard, and vineyard well fenced. Yonder, below, are feen herds of ftags feeding in the park the rabbet-warren of the chief Lord of the nation. Implements; mettlefome steeds; and fair meadows of grafs, and hay; well ordered corn fields; a good corn-mill on a clear stream; and a stone turret for a pigeon-house. A deep and fpacious fish-pond for the cafting of nets, where may be found pikes, and gwyniad, or mearlings, in plenty. Three tables well furnished with the best breed of peacocks All neceffary tools, and inftruments for every kind of work. and cranes. The best Salopian ale, choice wasfail, and braggets; wines, and all kinds of liquors, and manchets; and the Cook with his fire in the noble kitchen. His refidence is an encampment of Bards; every one finds there a lodging. His wife, the best of wives; I am bleffed with her politeness, with wine, and mead. A charming female of a noble extraction, liberal, and of an honourable family. His children come in pairs; a beautiful neft of chieftains. A lock, or a latchet, is feldom feen within his manfion, or a door-keeper, or porter: refreshments are never wanting; hunger, thirst, want, or reproach, are never known in Sycharth: the proprietor of this demain is hardy and valiant, and the best of Britons: a tall, active, accomplished gentleman owns this most delightful palace*. See more in the first volume, page 39. Owen ab Griffith Vaughan, Baron, and Lord of Glyndyfrdwy, died in A. D. 1415; and his estate now belongs to Colonel Salisbury Vaughan, of Rûg, in Merionethshire. About this period, the British Nobility lived in a princely state, as appears by the rules fettled by Llywelyn de Bromfield and his Council, for the management of his houfhold. He had the following officers; a fteward of his houfhold, chamberlain, chaplains, almoner, usher of the hall, gentlemen of the horfe, butler, cook, baker, door-keeper of the chambers, porter, groom of the horse, apparitor, with their affiftants. One part of the marshal of the hall's duty was, every day after dinner was over, to deliver with an audible voice, what the expence of the table amounted to, and at the fame time, to admonish to œconomy. When his Lordship rode out, he was attended by all his officers, and by about a dozen Efquires. From Llyfr Coch Asaph; written about A. D. 1315. HI PHILOSOPHICAL OBSERVATIONS, PRE- The Eagle's ftrength is in his beak. There 58 PRECEPTS, AND PROVERBS, OF THE ANCIENT BRITISH SAGES. There is also, an elegant Ode by Anacreon, which is not diffimilar to the foregoing idea: "Nature to every creature is a friend;" "Horns arm the bull, and hoofs the horse defend; LLYMA RINWEDDAU Y CEILIOG. -- "Nature to man has given strong-fenfe in ftore, THESE ARE THE QUALITIES OF THE CHANTICLEER. Y Ceiliog fydd Organ y nôs-Rhingyll y dydd- The cock is the organ of the night-the herald Bardd y tywyllwch---Tarfær yfbrydion drwg---Meddyg of the day-the bard of darkness-the scarer of y cleifion-Gobaith y carcharion-Cyfarwyddyd y evil fpirits-the physician of the fick-the hope of cyfeiliorn.-Rhybuddiwr gwasanaethwyr Duw, a'r the prifoners-the guide of the wanderer-the bwsmyn, a'r trafaelwyr; Ceryddwr y cysgaduriaid. warner of the fervants of God, and of the husbandArwydd yw ei ganiad ymlaen ysbryd dâ; a chyn y cano ef a gúr ei yftlys deirgwaith a'i adenydd, mal wrth argyboeddi Petr am wadu ei Arglwydd, I ddibuno ei galoni erchi nawdd Dduw, gan dderchafu ei ben tu a'r Nefoedd; a phan ddifgyno i'r llawr, a phan welo ef ei luniaeth ef a gán i ddiolch i Dduw, ac a eilw ei gymmar, a'i gyd-etifeddion atto, i ddangos eu lluniaeth iddynt, cyny treulio ddim ei bûn, yn arwydd grás, a chywirdeb. Iachaf cig llwdn gwyllt, Iwrch. Iachaf pyfgod môr, Llythi. Tachaf pyfgod dwr croyw, Brithyll. Difg yn graff a welych; Tri pheth fy'n cadw y Byd yn ei lé: Cof; a Chyfrif; a Mefur. Campau uwchlaw Cammau; Haelioni, a Chydfód, a Chywirdeb. Tri pheth a ffynna ar dés: Gwenith; Gwenyn; a Més. Tri pheth a geiff y Cybydd am ei dda: Poen yn ei gasglu; Gofal yn ei gadw; a thriftwch yn ei golli. Tri Rhwystr pen ffordd ; Cneuen; Merch wen; a Gwiwair. Nid Marchog, heb ffonn. Nid Peddeftr, heb fŵa. Afgre lân, diogel ei pherchen. Clywid Corn, cyny gweler. Gwafgu'r baid cyn no'i cherdded. Melys pangaer, chwerw pan daler. Nid y bore y mae cammol diwrnod tég. Malyfaf y gwellt nefaf i'r ddaear. men, and the travellers; and the reprover of the fleepers. His fong is a fignal before a good spirit; and before he crows he flaps his fides three times with his wings, (as he did to rebuke Peter for denying Chrift,) to awake his heart to feek the protec tion of God, by lifting up his head towards heaven; then when he defcends to the ground, and beholds his food, he crows, to thank the Deity, and he calls his partner and his family to him, to fhew them their food, before he takes any thing himself, as a token of virtue and justice. *. The Romans fixed their Vigils from the Crowing of the Cock: and in Heathen mythology, the Cock is facred to Minerva, Mars, Apollo, and Efculapius. The wholesomest flesh of wild beasts, is the Roe-Buck. Of wild fowls, the Partridge. Of sea fish, the Flounder, or flat fish. Honey stained with a fting. Praise not a fair day, until night. Sweetest the grass, nearest the ground. Gorea |