Some Specimens of the Poetry of the Ancient Welsh Bards Part 1

Some Specimens of the Poetry of the Ancient Welsh Bards.

by Evan Evans.

PREFACE.

As there is a natural curiosity in most people to be brought acquainted with the works of men, whose names have been conveyed down to us with applause from very early antiquity, I have been induced to think, that a translation of some of the Welsh Bards would be no unacceptable present to the public. It is true they lived in times when all Europe was enveloped with the dark cloud of bigotry and ignorance; yet, even under these disadvantageous circ.u.mstances, a late instance may convince us, that poetry shone forth with a light, that seems astonis.h.i.+ng to many readers. They who have perused the works of Ossian, as translated by Mr.

Macpherson, will, I believe, be of my opinion.

I mean not to set the following poems in compet.i.tion with those just mentioned; nor did the success which they have met with from the world, put me upon this undertaking. It was first thought of, and encouraged some years before the name of Ossian was known in England. I had long been convinced, that no nation in Europe possesses greater remains of ancient and genuine pieces of this kind than the Welsh; and therefore was inclined, in honour to my country, to give a specimen of them in the English language.

As to the genuineness of these poems, I think there can be no doubt; but though we may vie with the Scottish nation in this particular, yet there is another point, in which we must yield to them undoubtedly. The language of their oldest poets, it seems, is still perfectly intelligible, which is by no means our case.

The works of Taliesin, Llywarch Hen, Aneurin Gwawdrydd, Myrddin Wyllt, Avan Verddig, who all flourished about the year 560, a considerable time after Ossian, are hardly understood by the best critics and antiquarians in Wales, though our language has not undergone more changes than the Erse. Nay, the Bards that wrote a long while after, from the time of William the Conquerer to the death of Prince Llewelyn, are not so easy to be understood; but that whoever goes about to translate them, will find numerous obsolete words, not to be found in any Dictionary or Glossary, either in print or ma.n.u.script.

What this difference is owing to, I leave to be determined by others, who are better acquainted, than I am, with such circ.u.mstances of the Scottish Highlands, as might prove more favourable towards keeping up the perfect knowledge of their language for so many generations. But, be that as it may, it is not my intent to enter into the dispute, which has arisen in relation to the antiquity of Ossian's poems. My concern is only about the opinion the world may entertain of the intrinsic value of those which I offer. They seem to me, though not so methodical and regular in their composition as many poems of other nations, yet not to be wanting in poetical merit; and if I am not totally deceived in my judgment, I shall have no reason to repent of the pains I have taken to draw them out of that state of obscurity, in which they have hitherto been buried, and in which they run great risk of mouldering away.

It might perhaps be expected, that I should say something of the Bards in general on this occasion; but as I have treated that subject in my Latin Dissertation, which I shall annex to these translations, it will be sufficient to observe here, that the usual subjects of their poems were the brave feats of their warriors in the field, their hospitality and generosity, with other commendable qualities in domestic life, and elegies upon their great men, which were sung to the harp at their feasts, before a numerous audience of their friends and relations. This is the account that the Greek and Roman writers have given of them, as I have shown at large in the above-mentioned treatise, which I intend to publish.

The following poems, from among many others of greater length, and of equal merit, were taken from a ma.n.u.script of the learned Dr. Davies, author of the Dictionary, which he had transcribed from an ancient vellom MS. which was wrote, partly in Edward the Second and Third's time, and partly in Henry the Fifth's, containing the works of all the Bards from the Conquest to the death of Llewelyn, the last prince of the British line. This is a n.o.ble treasure, and very rare to be met with; for Edward the First ordered all our Bards, and their works, to be destroyed, as is attested by Sir John Wynne of Gwydir, in the history he compiled of his ancestors at Carnarvon. What remained of their works were conveyed in his time to the Exchequer, where he complains they lay in great confusion, when he had occasion to consult them.

As to the translation, I have endeavoured to render the sense of the Bards faithfully, without confining myself to too servile a version; nor have I, on the other hand, taken liberty to wander much from the originals; unless where I saw it absolutely necessary, on account of the different phraseology and idiom of language.

If this small collection has the good fortune to merit the attention of the public, I may, in some future time, if G.o.d permit me life and health, proceed to translate other select pieces from the same ma.n.u.script. The poems, in the original, have great merit; and if there is none in the translation of this specimen, it must be owing entirely to my inability to do the Bards justice. I am not the only person who admires them: men of the greatest sense and learning in Wales do the same.

It must be owned, that it is an arduous task to bring them to make any tolerable figure in a prose translation; but those who have any candour, will make allowances. What was said of poetry in general by one of the wits, that _it is but Prose run mad_, may very justly be applied to our Bards in particular: for there are not such extravagant flights in any poetic compositions, except it be in the Eastern, to which, as far as I can judge by the few translated specimens I have seen, they bear a great resemblance.

I have added a few Notes, to ill.u.s.trate some historical facts alluded to in the poems, and a short account of each poem, and the occasion it was written upon, as far as it could be traced from our ancient ma.n.u.scripts.

I have been obliged to leave blanks in some places, where I did not understand the meaning in the original, as I had but one copy by me, which might be faulty. When I have an opportunity to collate it with other copies, I may clear these obscure pa.s.sages.

SPECIMENS OF ANCIENT WELSH POETRY.

_A_ POEM _composed by Owain Cyveiliog_, _prince of Powys_, _ent.i.tled by him_ HIRLAS, _from a large drinking horn so called_, _used at feasts in his palace_. _He was driven out of his country by Owain Gwynedd_, _prince of North Wales_, _and Rhys-ap-Griffydd-ap-Rhys-ap-Tewdwr_, _prince of South Wales_, A.D. 1167, _and recovered it_, _by the help of the Normans and English_, _under Henry the second_. _He flourished about_ A.D. 1160, _in the time of Owain Gwynedd and his son David_.

_This poem was composed on account of a battle fought with the English at Maelor_, _which is a part of the counties of Denbigh and Flint_, _according to the modern division_.

When the dawn arose, the shout was given; the enemy gave an ominous presage; our men were stained with blood, after a hard contest; and the borders of Maelor Drefred were beheld with wonder and astonishment.

Strangers have I driven away undaunted from the field with b.l.o.o.d.y arms.

He that provokes the brave man, ought to dread his resentment.

Fill, cup-bearer, fill with alacrity the horn of Rhys, in the generous prince's hall; for Owain's hall was ever supported by spoils taken from the enemy; and in it thou hearest of the relief of thousands. There the gates are ever open.

O cup-bearer, who, with patience, mindest thy duty, forsake us not; fetch the horn, that we may drink together, whose gloss is like the wave of the sea; whose green handles shew the skill of the artist, and are tipped with gold. Bring the best meath, and put it in Gwgan Draws's hand, for the n.o.ble feats which he hath achieved: the offspring of Gronwy, who valiantly fought in the midst of dangers; a race of heroes for worthy acts renowned: and men, who, in every hards.h.i.+p they undergo, deserve a reward; who are in the battle foremost: the guardians of Sabrina. Their friends exult, when they hear their voice. The festal shout will cease when they are gone.

Fill thou the yellow-tipped horn, badge of honour and mirth, full of frothing meath; and if thou art desirous to have thy life prolonged to the year's end, stop not the reward due to his virtue, for it is unjust; and bring it to Griffydd, with the crimson lance. Bring wine in the transparent horn; for he is the guardian of Arwystli, {10a} the defence of its borders; a dragon of Owain the generous, whose descent is from Cynvyn; a dragon he was from the beginning, that never was terrified in the battle; his brave actions shall follow him. The warriors went to purchase renown, flushed with liquor, and armed like Edwin; they paid for their mead, like Belyn's {10b} men, in the days of yore. And as long as men exist, their valour shall be the common theme of Bards.

Fill thou the horn; for it is my inclination, that we may converse in mirth and festivity with our brave general; put it in the hand of the worthy Ednyfed, with his spear broken to pieces, and his s.h.i.+eld pierced through.

Like the bursting of a hurricane upon the smooth sea . . . in the conflict of battle, they would soon break in pieces the sides of a golden-bordered s.h.i.+eld: their lances were besmeared with gore, after piercing the heads of their enemies; they were vigorous and active in the defence of delightful Garthan. {11a} Heard ye in Maelor the noise of war, the horrid din of arms, their furious onset, loud as in the battle of Bangor, {11b} where fire flashed out of their spears? There two princes engaged, when the carousing of Morach Vorvran {11c} happened.

Fill thou the horn; for it is my delight, in the place where the defenders of our country drink mead, and give it to Selyf the fearless, the defence of Gwygyr; {11d} woe to the wretch that offends him, eagle-hearted hero: and to the son of Madoc, the famous and generous Tudur, like a wolf when he seizes his prey, is his a.s.sault in the onset.

Two heroes, who were sage in their counsels, but active in the field, the two sons of Ynyr, who, on the day of battle, were ready for the attack, heedless of danger, famous for their exploits; their a.s.sault was like that of strong lions, and they pierced their enemies like brave warriors; they were lords of the battle, and rushed foremost with their crimson lances; the weight of their attack was not to be withstood; their s.h.i.+elds were broke asunder with much force, as the high-sounding wind on the beach of the green sea, and the encroaching of the furious waves on the coast of Talgarth. {12a}

Fill, cup-bearer, as thou regardest thy life; fill the horn, badge of honour at feasts, the hirlas {12b} drinking-horn, which is a token of distinction, whose tip is adorned with silver, and it's cover of the same metal; and bring it to Tudur, the eagle of battles, filled with the best wine; and if thou dost not bring us the best of all, thy head shall fly off: give it in the hand of Moreiddig, encourager of songs, whose praise in battle is celebrated; they were brethren of a distant clime, of an undaunted heart, and their valour was observable in their countenance.

Can I forget their services? . . . Impetuous warriors, wolves of the battle, their lances are besmeared with gore; they were the heroes of the chief of Mochnant, {12c} in the region of Powys. Their honour was soon purchased by them both; they seized every occasion to defend their country, in the time of need, with their b.l.o.o.d.y arms, and they kept their borders from hostile invasion. Their lot is praise; it is like a mournful elegy to me to lose them both! O Christ! how pensive am I for the loss of Moreiddig, which is irreparable.

Pour thou out the horn, though they desire it not, the drinking horn, hirlas, with cheerfulness, and deliver it into the hand of Morgant, one who deserves to be celebrated with distinguished praise. It was like poison to me, to be deprived of him, and that he was pierced - - - - by the keen sword.

Pour, cup-bearer, from a silver vessel, an honourable gift, badge of distinction. On the large plains of Gwestun {13a} I have seen a miracle; to stop the impetuosity of Gronwy, was more than a task for an hundred men. The warriors pointed their lances, courted the battle, and were profuse of life; they met their enemies in the conflict, and their chieftain was consumed by fire near the surges of the sea. {13b} They rescued a n.o.ble prisoner, Meurig the son of Griffydd, of renowned valour; they were all of them covered with blood when they returned, and the high hills and the dales enjoyed the sun equally. {13c}

Pour the horn to the warriors, Owain's n.o.ble heroes, who were equally active and brave. They a.s.sembled in that renowned place, where the s.h.i.+ning steel glittered. Madoc and Meilir were men accustomed to violence, and maintained each other in the injuries they did to their enemies; they were the s.h.i.+elds of our army, and the teachers of warlike attack. Hear ye, by drinking mead, how the lord of Cattraeth went with his warriors in defence of his just cause, the guards of Mynyddawc {13d} about their distinguished chief. They have been celebrated for their bravery, and their speedy march. But n.o.body has ever performed so n.o.ble an exploit as my warriors, in the tough land of Maelor, in rescuing the captive.

Pour out, cup-bearer, sweet and well strained mead, (the thrust of the spear is red in the time of need,) from the horns of wild oxen, covered with gold, for the honour, and the reward of the souls of those departed heroes. Of the numerous cares that surround princes, no one is conscious here but G.o.d and myself. The man who neither gives nor takes quarter, and cannot be forced by his enemies to abide to his word, Daniel the valiant and beautiful: O cup-bearer, great is the task to entreat him; his men will not cease dealing death around them, till he is mollified.

Cup-bearer, our shares of mead are to be given us equally before the bright s.h.i.+ning tapers. Cup-bearer, hadst thou seen the action in the land of Llidwm, {14a} the men whom I honour have but what is their just reward. Cup-bearer, hadst thou seen the armed chiefs, encompa.s.sing Owain, who were his s.h.i.+eld against the violence of his foes, when Cawres {14b} was invaded with great fury. Cup-bearer, slight not my commands: may we all be admitted into Paradise by the King of kings; and long may the liberty and happiness of my heroes continue, where the truth is to be discerned distinctly.

A POEM

_To Myfanwy Fechan_ {15a} _of Castell Dinas Bran_, {15b} _composed by Howel-ap-Einion Lygliw_, {15c} _a Bard who flourished about A.D._ 1390.

I am without spirit, O thou that hast enchanted me, as Creirwy {15d} enchanted Garwy. {15e} In whatever part of the world I am, I lament my absence from the marble castle of Myfanwy. Love is the heaviest burden, O thou that s.h.i.+nest like the heavens, and a greater punishment cannot be inflicted than thy displeasure, O beautiful Myfanwy. I who am plunged deeper and deeper in love, can expect no other ease, O gentle fair Myfanwy with the jet eyebrows, than to lose my life upon thy account. I sung in golden verse thy praises, O Myfanwy; this is the happiness of thy lover, but the happiness is a misfortune. The well-fed steed carried me pensive like Trystan, {15f} and great was his speed to reach the golden summit of Bran. Daily I turn my eyes, and see thee, O thou that s.h.i.+nest like the waves of Caswennan. {15g} Charming sight to gaze on thee in the s.p.a.cious royal palace of Bran. I have rode hard, mounted on a fine high-bred steed, upon thy account, O thou with the countenance of cherry-flower bloom. The speed was with eagerness, and the strong long-ham'd steed of Alban {16a} reached the summit of the highland of Bran. I have composed, with great study and pains, thy praise, O thou that s.h.i.+nest like the new-fallen snow on the brow of Aran. {16b} O thou beautiful flower descended from Trefor. {16c} Hear my sorrowful complaint. I am wounded, and the great love I bear thee will not suffer me to sleep, unless thou givest me a kind answer. I, thy pensive Bard, am in as woeful plight as Rhun {16d} by thy palace, beautiful maid. I recite, without either flattery or guile, thy praise, O thou that s.h.i.+nest like the meridian sun, with thy stately steps. Should'st thou, who art the luminary of many countries, demand my two eyes, I would part with them on thy account, such is the pain I suffer. They pain me while I look on the glossy walls of thy fine habitation, and see thee beautiful as the morning sun. I have meditated thy praise, and made all countries resound with it, and every singer was pleased in chanting it. So affecting are the subjects of my mournful tale, O Myfanwy, {16e} that lookest like flakes of driven snow. My loving heart sinks with grief without thy support, O thou that hast the whiteness of the curling waves.

Heaven has decreed, that I should suffer tormenting pain, and wisdom and reason were given in vain to guard against love. When I saw thy fine shape in scarlet robes, thou daughter of a generous chief, I was so affected, that life and death were equal to me. I sunk away, and scarce had time to make my confession. Alas! my labour in celebrating thy praises, O thou that s.h.i.+nest like the fine spider's webs on the gra.s.s in a summer's day, is vain. It would be a hard task for any man to guess how great my pain is. It is so afflicting, thou bright luminary of maids, that my colour is gone. I know that this pain will avail me nothing towards obtaining thy love, O thou whose countenance is as bright as the flowers of the haw-thorn. O how well didst thou succeed in making me to languish, and despair. For heaven's sake, pity my distressed condition, and soften the penance of thy Bard. I am a Bard, who, though wounded by thee, sing thy praises in well sounding verse, thou gentle maid of slender shape, who hinderest me to sleep by thy charms. I bring thy praises, bright maid, to thy neat palace at Dinbrain; {17} many are the songs that I rehea.r.s.e to celebrate thy beautiful form.

AN ODE

_Of David Benvras_, _to Llewelyn the Great_, _Prince of Wales_, _A.D._ 1240.

He who created the glorious sun, and that cold pale luminary the moon, grant that I attain the heights of poetry, and be inspired with the genius of Myrddin; {18a} that I may extol the praise of heroes, like Aneurin, {18b} in the day he sung his celebrated G.o.dodin; that I may set forth the happiness of the inhabitants of Venedotia, the n.o.ble and prosperous prince of Gwynedd, the stay and prop of his fair and pleasant country. He is manly and heroic in the battle, his fame overspreadeth the country about the mountain of Breiddin. {18c} Since G.o.d created the first man, there never was his equal in the front of battle. Llewelyn the generous, of the race of princes, has struck terror and astonishment in the heart of kings. When he strove for superiority with Loegria's king, when he was wasting the country of Erbin, {18d} his troops were valiant and numerous. Great was the confusion when the shout was given, his sword was bathed in blood; proud were his n.o.bles to see his army; when they heard the clas.h.i.+ng of swords, then was felt the agony of wounds {18e} - - - - - Many were the gashes in the conflict of war. Great was the confusion of the Saxons about the ditch of Knocking. {19a} The sword was broke in the hand of the warrior. Heads were covered with wounds, and the flood of human gore gushed in streams down the knees.

Llewelyn's empire is wide extended, he is renowned as far as Porth Ysgewin. {19b} Constantine was not his equal in undergoing hards.h.i.+ps.

Had I arrived to the height of prophecy, and the great gift of ancient poesy, I could not relate his prowess in action; no, Taliesin {19c} himself was unequal to the task. Before he finishes his course in this world, after he has lived a long life on earth, ere he goes to the deep and bone-bestrewed grave, ere the green herb grows over his tomb, may He that turned the water into wine, grant that he may have the Almighty's protection, and that for every sin, with which he hath been stained, he may receive remission. May Llewelyn, the n.o.ble and generous, never be confounded or ashamed when he arrives at that period; and may he be under the protection of the saints.

A POEM

_To Llewelyn the Great_, _composed by Einion the son of Gwgan_, _about_ 1244.