the priests alone"; and we find they performed this office in the war against the Midianites“. “ Sound an alarm, your silver Trumpets found, “ And call the brave, and only brave; around." I have now concluded the account I intended of the Musical Instruments of the Ancient Britons, or Welsh, viz. the Harp, the Crythau, the Bagpipes, the Pibgorn, (or Cornicyll,) the Bugle-Horn, and the Tabret, or Drum ; that is, Six in number; the two Crwths being the same species of instrument; the Pibgorn, and the Cornicyll likewise, so similar to each other, that I include them as one. Two of the above, instruments were unfortunately omitted in the musical trophy, at the beginning of this Differtation ; that is, the Bagpipes, and the Cornicyll, as they are now but rarely to be seen in Wales, and consequently were forgot to be delineated, till after the engraving was executed. The following are the National Melodies, or Bardic Tunes and Songs of the Aboriginal Britons, for Wellh, who formerly inhabited all this island,) which have been handed down to us by tradition, and some of them from very remote antiquity: These have often resounded through the Cambrian halls, in the days of festival, with an unlimited harmony of Harps, Crwths, Pipes, and Voices. The original melodies of the Airs are preserved here with the most scrupulous fidelity : the only licence I have taken, is the addition of new Basses, and have given Variations to many of the Tunes; because, since the regular Eisteddvodau, or Bardic Congresses, have been discontinued, which were the conservators, and correctors of our Music, Poetry, and History, the performers on the Harp, and Crwth of the latter ages had forgot, and mutilated the original harmony of these ruins of genius. Most of them were never before committed to writing, at least not . in modern notes. I have colleeted these Bardic Songs, and Tunes, with infinite pains, from hearing the old Musicians, or Minstrels of Wales, play them on their instruments, and from their being chaunted by the Peasantry, as well as the Pennillion, or Poetical Blossoms, which are usually sung to these Melodies, and were retained in the same oral manner 3. What is most pleasing to the generality of people, is that which is most familiar and common, and this accounts, in some degree, for these venerable remains of Music, and Poetry, having so long been preserved by tradition. The striking merit of many of these native Melodies, is that of their being so extremely characteristic of their origin : some of them probably were extempore compofitions of the Bards “, excited by incidental events, on various occasions, at different periods. Some are Mournful, and Pathetic; others breathe a spirit of Heroisms; some are tinctured with Gaiety and Mirth; others again with Rurality, Simplicity and Love, as refined taste is always most favourable to love, and friendship. But, the choicest style of music of the Welsh themselves, is that in the Bragod Gywair, (in the compound, or minor key,) which generally expresses a plaintive content, or a pleasing tranquillity. Even the most inferior of these Tunes, and Ballads are not destitute of harmony, or nature. Some of the Airs undoubtedly are very ancient; and the latest of them were probably composed previous to the reign of Elizabeth'. See more on the subject in the preceding pages 54, and 55, also among the following Music; and in the Second Volume of this Work. “ Such were the sounds, that o'er the crested pride “ As down the steep of Snowdon's shaggy fide « Of the first Edward scatter'd wild dismay, 1“ “ He wound with toilfome march his long array.” Gray's Bard. In the early ages, the character of a Druidic-Bard was perhaps the most revered, and accomplished of all others; it appears also, that Music was so united with Poetry, Mythology, Philosophy, Government, Manners, and Science in general, that an universal knowledge was requisite to qualify a Bard for the attainment of fo exalted a rank and station 1 " And the Levites stood with the instruments of David, heard. The Welsh terms for a Trumpet are Udgorn, Tolgorn, or and the priests with Trumpets.” 2d Chronicles, Chap. XXIX. Llú gorn; and a Trumpeter is called Bardd- birgorn, or the Long v. 26." And seven priests shall bear before the ark feven Trum- Horn Bard ; therefore, probably the Welsh Heralds found pets of rams-horns. And the seventh day ye shall compass the ed the Trumpet.-See also the preceding pages 30 and 58.-3 city seven times, and the priests shall blow with the Trum- Chronicles, XX. v. 21, 28.-And 1 Chronicles, XV. v. 5 and 28. pets." Joshua, Chap. VI. v. 4.-i Kings, Chap. I. v. 34 and 39: 3 See the Pennillion and Sonnets in p. 60; &c. - Blow up the Trumpet in the new moon, in the time ap 4 « Thefe venerable ancient Song-enditers pointed, on our folemn feast-day.”- Pfalm LXXXI. v. 3. - “ Soar'd many a pitch above our modern writers ; Numbers, Chap. XXXI. v.6.--2 Chronicles, Chap. V. v. “ With rough majestic force they mov'd the heart, 12. Deuteronomy, Chap. XX. v. 2.-1 Maccabees, Chap. III. v. « And Atrength and nature made amends for art." Rowe. 58.- Exodus, XIX. v. 19. s If Heroic Songs had still been continued to be sung, as they “ By the loud Trumpet which our courage aids, were formerly, I am well perfuaded that our modern warriors “ We learn that found, as well as sense, persuades.” Waller. would have fought with greater success than they sometimes The Cornet was a different instrument from the Trumpet, have done:--and probably blown by the Chiefs. See the 2d Book of Samuel, o The resources in music are inexhaustible; and Dr. Johnson Chap. VI. v. 5:-Daniel, Chap. III. v. 5.-1 Chronicles, Chap says, that Music is the only sensual pleasure without vice. xv.-Fudges, Chap. VII. v. 18. and 22. 7 Vide the explanatory notes to the different Tunes. The tone of the Bugle Horn is more melodious and softer & See the seven excellencies in p:83 ; the games in p. 36: And, than the brazen Trumpet, and poffibly it would be farther the feparation of the Bardic profesion in pp. 29, 83,84, and 85. vwwwwwwwww VVVV } 2 1 AR hyd y Nós Page 178 1 N 175 D - 157 1 Sao gất, Tón - ( 123 ) AND SONGS. 151 and 185 Hoffedd Modryb Marged, 173 161 174 153 Hai down, 156 149 M 124 167 127 129 175 143-144-145-14h 175 149 153 157 135 164 142 167 167 168 168 169-170-171 159—ібо 172 Р 173 165-166 Plygiad y Bedol, 183 148 60_62_&c. 179 R 179-180 140 Rhyban Morvydd, 149 150 133 135 148 158 163 173 Syr Harri Ddů 156 179 183 173 T 125 183 y Ceiliog dû : or, Tudor and Catherine, 130-131-132 Tyb y Tywysog, 137 147 129 148 141 Tr ban gwyr Morgannwg, 176 Tros y garreg, 163 135-136 U Urfula, 137 147 W 125 152 Winifreda , or, Hen Sibyl, 150 183 r 139 124 1 bên môn, r Galon Drom, 147 162 149 167 174 r Gádlys; or, Of Noble Race was Shenkin, 168, and 184 Yftwffwl, 128 Ř V wyna 'n vyz Yr Eos lais, 181–182 ood 200000 The following Triad was omitted to be inserted, as the first Triad, in page 10. In page 12, the catch-word at bottom, instead of as, read, at. -In page 14, the 9th line, correct Vortigern.- In page 17, In page 23, the 6th, and 14th lines of the notes, instead of Ninnius, correct Nennius. In page 28, the text catch-word to be, 9 Gorhoffedd Harlech Castle, in Merionethshire, was formerly a celebrated Fortress, and is said to have been built by that war. -like Prince, Maelgwn Gwynedd about A.D.530. , In the beginning of the Sixth Century it was called Twr Bronwen y Brenhinoedd, from Bronwen, the Daughter of Prince LLŷr of Harlech, who probably lived in the Castle;and the highest Turret of it, to this day, goes by the name of Bronwen's Tower. This Fortress was rebuilt, or repair'd, about the Year 877, by Collwyn ab Tangno, one of the fifteen Tribes of North Wales, and Lord of Evionydd, Ardudwy and part of LLớn; and from him it was called Caer-Collwyn, or Collwyn's Castle. This venerable Castle is perhaps the oldest remains of all the British Forts; and a doft ftately Structure of invulnerable itrength both by Art and Nature, being situated on a lofty Rock which commands a fine Bay of the Sea', and the Passage of entrance upon that Coast .. Nennius's Brit: Hist: and from Ancient M.S. + The County of Mirionydd has always been famed for Mufi , Poetry, and Hospitality. Erddigan Caer Waun * Thri Minstrelsy of Chisk faste பேதியாக Caftell y Waiin,or Chirk Castle, in Denbighshire, is the grand Mansion of the Middletons, and the moft perfect habitahle Castle in Wales; It stands upon an eminence, and commands a most beautiful picturesque Country. When it was occupied by its anciert Bacons it appears to have been the receptacle of Bards. |