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Four and twice ten fons were mine,
Us'd in the battle's front to fhine;-
But, low in duft my fons are laid,
Nor one remains his fire to aid.
Ghaftly looks, oh Pyll! thy wound,
Streaming on the blood-ftained ground;
As the yellow flames, thy might
Blaz'd around the field of fight;
Or when the fiery fteed thou prefs'd,
How joy'd thy lonely confort's breast!
But now no more thy might they dread,
Nor joys the partner of thy bed;
For low in duft thy honours lye,
And quick her tranfient pleasures fly.

But fee!-he comes all drench'd in blood,
Gwen great, and Gwen good;
Braveft, nobleft, worthiest son,

Rich with many a conquest won;

Gwen, in thine anger, great,

Strong thine arm, thy frown like fate:

Where the mighty rivers end,

And their course to ocean bend,
There, with the eagle's rapid flight,

How wouldst thou brave the thickest fight!
Oh fatal day! oh ruthless deed!
When the fifters cut thy thread.
Ceafe, ye waves, your troubled roar;
Nor flow, ye mighty rivers more;
For Gwen great, and Gwen good,
Breathlefs lies, and drench'd in blood!

Four and twice ten fons were mine,
Us'd in battle's front to shine;
But-low in duft my fons are laid,
Nor one remains his fire to aid.

Hold, oh hold, my Brain thy feat;
How doth my bofom's monarch beat!
Ceafe thy throbs, perturb'd heart;

Whither would thy ftretch'd ftrings start!
From frenzy dire, and wild affright,

Keep my fenfes thro' this night.

The British language, in which rhyme is as old as poetry itself, had in the fixth century, attained fuch copioufness and mufical refinement, that the Bards commonly compofed in unirythm ftanzas of many lines. The rhymes of modern Italy are as famous for their number, as its language is admired for its pliability in yielding to all the inflections of the voice. Yet the Italian poets are constrained to change the rhyme more than once in a stanza, without producing any other effect than confufion from the diversity. The old performances of the Bards were therefore most happily calculated for accompanying the harp.

For this quality none of the remains of this remote period are more ramarkable than the works of Myrddin ap Morvryn, often called Merlin the Wild; whofe reputation as a Bard is not inferior to the prophetic and magical fame of his great predeceffor, Myrddin Emrys. He was born at Caerwerthevin, near the forest of Celyddon, or Dunkell, in Scotland; where he poffeffed a great estate, which he lost in the war of his Lord Gwenddolau ap Ceidio and Aeddan Vradog against Rhydderch Hael. His mistortunes in Scotland drove him to Wales and there is now extant a poetical dialogue between him and his preceptor Taliefin. He was prefent at the battle of Camlan, in the year 542, where, fighting under the banner of King Arthur, he accidentally flew his own nephew, the son of his fifter Gwenddydds. In confequence of this calamity, he was feized with madness, which affected him every other hour. He fled back to Scotland, and concealed himself in the woods of that country, where, in an interval of recollection, he compofed the following poem, which has many beauties, and is strongly tinctured with the enthusiasm of frenzy. Afterwards he returned to North Wales, and was buried in the Ifle of Enlli', or Bradfey, where there was a college of Black cowled Monks.

+ Myrddin Emrys, or Merdhin Ambrofe, the prophet and reputed magician, born at Caermarthen, was the ton of a Welth His father was nnNun, daughter of a King of South Wales. known. He was made King of Weft Wales by Vortigern; who then reigned in Britain,

Ninnius fays, that Gwrtheyrn (or King Vortigern,) on his leaving North Wales, when he went to fortify himself at Caer. gwrthyrn, gave Myrddin the Caftle he had built in Eryri, and alfo all the provinces of the Weft Country of Britain.-When the Western Counties of Great Britain were infefted with the plague, Gwrtheyrn and his magi, (wife men, or poets,) went, to Gwennefi (Gwenwys, or Monmouthfhire;) he made Myrddin his Arwyddvardd, or Herald, for the Weft of Britain. Ninnius, C. 44. and J. D. Rhys's Grammar.

About A. D. 470, his prophefies concerning the future ftate of Britain were written in profe, and are faid to be compofed at Dinas Emrys, in the parish of Beddgelert, near Snowdon, which were afterwards tranflated into Latin, and published by Geoffrey of Monmouth.

s Differtatio de Bardis, p. 77. Lewis's History of Britain, p. 106. "Awr o'i gof gan Dduw ry gai

Awr ynmhell yr anmbwyllai. S. Deifi i Fyrddia. MS. Myrddin ab Morvryn Hourished A. D. 560. He is faid to have travelled over all Britain and France, and to have prophefied many things more truly, and more plainly, than Merddyn Emyrs.

Sir William Glynn, in Cowydd y Ddraig Gôch. MS.
See more in the 2nd Volume of this work.

AFALLENAU

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THE ORCHARD, BY MYRDDIN, SON OF MORVRYN.

AFALLENAU MYRDDIN:

Y rhai a gawfai gan ei Arglwydd Gwenddolau, ab Ceidio.

I.

A roddes i neb yn un plygeint,
A roed i Ferddin cyn noi henaint ;
Saith afallen beren a faith ugaint,
Yn gyfoed, gyfuwch, gyhyd, gymmaini,
Trwy fròn Teyrnedd y tyfeddaint,
Un ddoled, uched, ai gorthoaint;
Un forwyn bengrech ai gorchedwaint,
Gloywedd ei henw, gloywyn ei Daint.

II.

Afallen beren bren y fydd fád,

Nid bychan dy lwyth fydd ffrwyth arnad,
A minnau wyf ofnawg amegelawg am danad,
Rhag dyfod y coed wyr-goed fymmynad,
I gladdu dy wraidd a ilygru dy hád,
Fal na thyfo byth afal nrnad.

A minnau wyf wylltaf erthrychiad,
I'm cathryd cythrudd ni'm cudd dillad,
Neu'm rhoddes Gwenddolau gorthlyfau yn rhad,
Ac yntau heddyw fal na buad.

III.

Afallen beren bren addfeinus,
Gwafgadfod glodfawr buddfawr hrydus ;
Cyd wnant Benaethau gau gyfefgus,
A mynaich geuawg bwydiawg gwydus,
A gweifionain ffraeth bid arfaethus,
Ydfyddant wyr rhamant rhidd rwyfanus.

IV.

Afallen beren bren hydwf glás
Purfawr ei changen i'w chain wanas,
Canpid cain arwel yn mhryd gorlas
Cyn berw bryd cymmrwyn ffwyr alanas
A mi ddifgoganaf cad am dias,

Pengwern cyfeddgrud nedd eu haddas.

V.

Afallen beren bren a dyf yn Llannerch,
Angerdd a'i hargel rhag rhïau Rhydderch,
Amfather yn ei bon mäon yn ei chylch,
Oedd aelau iddynt ddulloedd dihefeirch,
Mi ni'm car Gwenddydd ac ni'm hennyrch
Wyfgas gan wafawg gwaefaf Rhydderch,
Khy rewiniais ei fab ef a'i ferch,

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Was ever given to man fo acceptable a gift, as that bestowed on Myrddin, ere age had overtaken him? a fair orchard, feven fcore and feven sweet apple trees, all equal in age, height, and magnitude: they poffeffed the flope of a majestic hill, branching high and wide, crowned with lovely foliage a lovely nymph, whofe hair flowed in beauteous ringlets, guarded them; her name Gloy wedd, with the pearly teeth.

Sweet, and excellent apple-tree! thy branches are loaded with delicious fruit. I am full of care, and trouble for thy fafety, left the deftructive woodman should dig thee up by the roots, or otherwife fo injure thy prolific nature, that apples would no more grow on thy branches. For this I am wild with grief, torn with anxiety; anguifh pierces me to the heart. I fuffer no garment to cover my body. These trees were the inestimable gifts of Gwenddolau, he who is now, as if he was not.

Sweet apple-tree, of tall, and ftately growth! how admired thy fhade and fhelter, thy profit, and beauty! Often will mighty lords, and princes form a thousand pretences for frequenting thy recefs; nor lefs eager the falfe and luxurious monks; and equally intent are the idle talkative youths: all hankering after thy apples; they all pretend to prophefy the warlike exploits of their prince.

Sweet apple tree, vigorous in growth, verdant in foliage! large are thy branches, beautiful thy form! Ere the depredations of flaughtering war caufed my thoughts to boil with grief, how beautiful was the fight of thy robe of vivid green! yet hall my prophetic fong announce the day, when a mighty legion fhall revenge my wrongs: the valorous armies of Pengwern, fierce in battle, animated by mighty mead.

Sweet, apple-tree; growing in the lonely glade! fervent valour fhall ftill keep thee fecure from the ftern lords of Rhydderch. Bare is the ground about thee, trodden by mighty warriors; their heroic forms ftrike their foes with terror; Alas? Gwenddydd loves me not, the greets me not: I am hated by the chiefs of Rhydderch; I have ruined his fon

and

Angau a ddug pawb pa rag na'ma' cyfeirch?
A gwedi Gwenddolau neb rhiau ni'm peirch,
Ni'm gogawn gwarwy, ni'm gofwy gorddyrch,
Ac y'ngwaith Arderydd oedd aur fy ngorthyrch,
Cyd bwyf aeleu heddiw gan eiliw eleirch.

VI.

Afallen beren bren blodau esplydd1
A dyf yn argel yn argoedydd ;

Chwedlau a gigleu yn nechreuddydd,

Ryfori gwafawg gwaefaf Meuwydd

Duywaith, a theirgwaith, pedeirgwaith yn undydd,
Amglyw o'm dargan cyn haul nawnnydd :
Och fefu! na ddyfu fy nihenydd,
Cyn dyfod ar fy llaw llaith mab Gwenddydd.

VII.

Afallen beren brcn ail wyddfa
Gwn coed cylch ei gwraidd dywasgotfa,
A mi ddyfgoganaf dyddaw etwa
Medrawd, ac Arthur, modur tyrfa,
Camlan ddarmerthan ddifiau yna
Namyn faith ni ddyrraith o'r gymmanfa
Edryched Gwenhwyfar wedi ei thraha,
Ban atfedd Cadwaladyr
Eglwyfg bendefig ai tywyfa
Gwaeth imi a dderfydd heb efgorfa,

Lleas mab Gwenddydd fy llaw a'i gwna.

VIII.

A fallen beren beraf ei haeron,

A dyf yn argel yn argoed Celyddon;
Cydgeifier ofer fydd herwydd ei haddon,

Yny ddel Cadwaladyr i gynnadl rhyd Rhëon;
Cynangn cychwyn yn erbyn'y Saefon,
Cymry wefillydd cain orfydd eu dragon,
Caffeint o deithi bawb llawen fi Brython,
Ceintor cyrn elwch cathl heddwch a hinon.
Myrddin wyllt a'i cant

and his daughter. Death relieves all, why does he not vifit me? for after Gwenddolau no prince honours me; I am not foothed with diverfion, I am no longer vifited by the fair: yet in the battle of Arderydd I wore the golden torques, though I am now despised by her who is fair as the fnowy fwan.

Sweet apple-tree, covered with delicate bloom, growing unfeen in the fequeftered woods! early with the dawn have I heard that the high-commiffioned chief of Meuwydd was offended with me; twice, three times, alas! four times in the fame day have I heard this; it rung in my years ere the fun had marked the hour of noon. O Jesus ! why was I not taken away by destruction, ere it was the fad fate of my hand to kill the son of Gwenddydd?

Sweet apple-tree, appearing to the eye a large and fair grove of stately trees? monarch of the furrounding woods; fhading all, thyself unshaded! yet shall my fong of prophecy announce the coming again of Medrod* ; and of Arthur, monarch of the warlike hoft again fhall they rufh to the battle of Camlan† ; two days will the conflict laft, and only feven escape from the flaughter. Then let Gwenbwyvar remember the crimes fhe has been guilty of, when Cadwaladr § re poffeffes when an ecclefiaftical hero leads the warriors to battle. Alas! far more lamentable is my destiny, and hope affords no refuge The fon of Gwenddydd is dead, flain by my accurfed hand!

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Sweet apple-tree, loaded with the fweeteft fruit, growing in the lonely wilds of the woods of Celyddon! all feek thee for the fake of thy produce, but in vain; until Cadwaladr comes to the conference of the ford of Rhëon; and Cynan advances to oppose the Saxons in their career. Then fhall the Britons be again victorious, led by their graceful and majestic chief. Then fhall be restored to every one his own. Then fhall the founder of the horn of gladness proclaim the fong of peace, the ferene days of happinefs. Tranflated by Mr. Edw. Williams.

These were the poetical luminaries of the fixth century. Their works are pregnant with feeling, with fancy, and enthusiasm; and do honour to the nation that produced them. Foreigners who fhall read them will be obliged to foften fome of thofe dark colours in which they have usually painted our ancestors. The rays of genius that fhone forth in the Britons, amid the gloom of the dark ages, are more valuable in the eye of reafon, and contribute more to their glory, than all the bloody trophies they erected. But how can their poetry produce this effect, if their language remains unintelligible,if no one will translate it into the other languages of Europe 2?

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25

OF THE CONGRESS OF THE BARDS.

The writings of these ancient Bards deferve to be explored and published, not merely as fources of poetical and philofophical pleasures, but as ftores of historical information. Their origin is not doubtful, like that of fome venerable works which, we have reafon to fear, were drawn together from fabulous records, or vague tradition; these were compofed on recent exploits, and copied immediately from their subjects, and sent abroad among nations that had acted, or feen them. From a diligent investigation and accurate editions of them by learned Welfhmen, many important advantages may be promised to the British history, which, supplied and improved from these curious fountains, would no longer disgust with incredible fables of giants and magicians, but engage by a description of real events, and true heroes. For early poetry has in all countries been known to give the fullest, and most exact picture of life and manners.

The Druids, in their emigration to Ireland, Scotland, &c. had not left Britain entirely destitute of its mufic, which, though no longer communicated by the precepts of that learned order, was perpetuated by practice. It languished indeed for a time, but afterwards grew and flourished in Wales with the other furviving arts of Britain.

"It seems to have been a prerogative peculiar to the ancient Kings of Britain, to prefide in the Eisteddvod, or Congress of the Bards. Accordingly we find a curious circumftance mentioned in Dr. John David Rhys's Grammar, which happened about the middle of the feventh century: King Cadwaladr fat in an Eisteddvod, affembled for the purpose of regulating the Bards, taking into confideration their productions and performance, and giving new laws to Mufic, and Poetry 3. A Bard who played on the harp in the presence of this illuftrious affembly in the Is-gywair, ar y Bragod Dannau, (in the low-kéy, on the Chromatic Strings,) which displeased them much, and was cenfured for the inharmonious effect he produced, because that was of the sound of Pibau Morvydd, (i. e. “ Caniad Pibau Moranydd, fydd ar y Bragod gywair;" the song of Morvydh's pipes, is in the minor key.) It was then ordered, under great penalties, whenever he came before persons skilful in the art, to adopt that of Mwynen Gwynedd, or the pleasing melody of North Wales; which the royal affociates first gave out, and preferred. They even decreed, that none could fing with such true harmony, as with that of Mwynen Gwynedd; because it was in a key which confifted of notes that form melodious concords, and the other was of a compound nature of which fuperiority we have examples in the following tunes; Caniad Ceffyliwr, Caniad o Vawrwyrthiau, Caniad Ieuan ab y Góv, Caniad. Anrheg Dewi, Caniad Cydwgi, Caniad Enion Delyniwr, Caniad Crych ar y Carfi, and many others."

To this period may be referred, not without probability, thofe great but obfcure characters in Welsh mufic, Ithel, Iorwerth, and yr Athro Vêdd', and the Keys, and Chromatic Notes by them invented, and still distinguished by their names in ancient British manuscripts.

About the middle of the ninth century, Roderic the Great, King of all Wales, revised fome of the old British laws, and appointed news. He ordained that all strong holds, caftles, and citadels, should be fortified and kept in repair: that the Churches, and Religious Houses should be re-edified and adorned; and that in all ages, the History of Britain (being faithfully registered) fhould be kept therein.

Caradoc of Llancarvan collected the Acts and Succeffions of the British Princes from Cadwalader to the year 1156. Of his collections there were feveral copies kept in the Abbies of Conway in Caernarvonshire, and at Strata-Florida, or 'Stratflur in Cardiganshire; which received additions as things fell out, when the Bards belonging to thofe Abbies went their ordinary vifitation (called Clêra,) from the one to the other. They contained in them, befides, fuch other occurrences that happened within the Ifle of Britain as were thought worthy of recording. This courfe continued in those Abbies until the year 1270, which was a little before the death of the last Prince Llewelyn, who was flain at Buellt '.

Cambro-Britannica Cymracce Linguæ Inftitutiones, by Dr. John David Rhys, p. 303. Alfo Grammadeg Cymraeg. By John Rhydderch. 12mo, printed at Shrewsbury, 1728, p. 177. From King Cadwaladr's time the old British books, called Brut y Saifon, and Brut y Tywyfogion, began their account; afterwards commanded to be continued and preferved in monafteries by Prince Roderic the Great.

• Mr. Lewis Morris, in one of his MSS. which I have feen, fupposes that they were Druids.

the day. Iorwerth Beli, to the Bishop of Bangor, A. D. 1240. A Defcription of Wales, by Sir John Prife, publifhed by Thomas Ellis, with Mr. Robert Vaughan of Hengwrt's notes, printed A. D. 1663, 4to. p. 41. Only 128 pages were published of it: it is the beft hiftory of Wales extant, as far as it goes. See alfo, Warrington's Hiftory of Wales, p. 134, fecond edit. quarto. And, Enderby's Hift. of Wales, p. 274.

The Herald Bard, Guttyn Owen, who flourished about the year 1480, wrote the best and most perfect copy of that record. King Roderic's palace was at Caer Seiont, or Segont, near Prince Gruffudd ab Cynan, Prince Rhys ab Tudor, and Prince Caernarvon. Alfo, there was a town called Caer Sion, which flood Bleddyn ab Cynvyn, made diligent fearch after the arms, enfigns, on the top of a hill, north of Conway. This was the feat of Gwalch and pedigrees of their ancestors, the nobility and Kings of Gorfedd, where Maelgwn (or, as others fay, his father Cafwallon,) Britain; what they difcovered by their pains in any papers and went to judge between the poets and muficians. He lived at records, were afterwards digested by the Bards, and put into Diganwy, in Rhos, or Creuddyn, and caufed the poets and harpers books. And they ordained Royal Tribes, (there being only 3 to fwim the river Conway. The harpers inftruments were fpoiled; before,) to whom their pofterity to this day, can trace their therefore the poets, whofe tools could not be damaged, carried origin: and alfo 15 Special Tribes, of whom the gentry, efpe

From the era of Codwalader, history is profoundly filent concerning the Welsh Music till about the year 942; a period illuminated by the laws of King Howel*. In these laws we do not find the mufical, or poetical establishment of the national Bards; but they contain such injunctions respecting the Court Bard, and the chief Bard of Wales, as in fome ineasure compenfate for that defect of information. The Bards were in the highest repute, and were supposed to be endowed with powers equal to infpiration. I cannot give a stronger idea of the esteem they were in, than by citing from the Welsh laws the account of their rank in the Prince's Court, the various privileges, rewards, and fees they were entitled to, and the fevere penalties that were enacted to preserve their persons.

r Bardd Teulu, the Court Bard, or Laureat Bard, who was in rank the eighth officer of the King's household, received at his appointment a harp, a whale-bone chefs-board from the king, and a gold-ring from the queen. On the fame occafion he presented a gold-ring to the judge of the palace. He held his land free. The king furnished him with a horfe, and fuch wearing apparel as wère of woollen; and the queen with linen. On the three great festivals of Christmas, Eafter, and Whitfuntide, he fat at the prince's table next to the comptroller of the houfhold; and publicly received from the hands of that officer the harp on which he performed: and was entitled at those festivals to have the Distain, or comptroller of the houshold's garment for his fee. If the Bard defired any favour of the king, he was to play one of his own compofitions; if of a nobleman, three; if of a plebeian, 'till he footh'd him to fleep. Whoever flightly injured the Bard, was fined fix cows and CXX pence. The murderer of a Bard, was fined CXXVI cows. His heriot money was one pound, (i. e. mortuary for the dead.) Gobr Merch, or the marriage fine of his daughter, was CXX pence. Her Cowyll, or nuptial prefent, was one pound and CXX pence. Her Egweddi, or dowry, was three pounds. When he went with other Bards upon his Cléra, or musical peregrination, he was entitled to a double fee. If the queen defired to have music, when she retired from the hall, he was to accompany his harp in three fongs, but in a low voice, that the court might not be diverted from their avocations. He accompanied the army when it marched into an enemy's country; and while it was preparing for battle, or dividing the spoils, he performed an ancient fong, called Unbeniaeth Prydain, the Monarchal Song of Britain

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and for this service, when the prince had received his fhare of the fpoils, was rewarded with the most valuable beast that remained.

r Pencerdd, or chief Bard of the District, was the tenth officer in rank. When he appeared at the Court of the Wesh princes, he fat next to the judge of the palace: none but himself and the Court Bard was allowed to perform in the presence of the prince. When the prince defired to hear mufic, the chief Bard fang to his harp two poems; one in praise of the Almighty, and the other concerning kings and their heroic exploits after which a third poem was performed by the Court Bard. He obtained his pre-eminence by a musical and poetical contest, which was decided by the judge of the palace, who received on this occafion from the successful candidate, as an honorary fee, a bugle-horn, a gold-ring, and a cushion for his chair of dignity. His musical rights and authority were not subject to the control of the prince, and his privilege of protection lasted from the beginning of the first song in the hall of the palace, to the conclu

cially of North Wales are for the most part defcended. And in our books we have mention of the Tribe of the Marches, &c. befides other Tribes called Gwehelyth and Gwehelaethau." British Antiquities Revived, by Robert Vaughan, Efq. printed A. D. 1662, quarto, p. 44.

In the beginning of the reign of Edward the Third, the Welsh Monks were removed to English Abbies, and replaced by Englifh Monks. Dugdale's Monafticon.

* See Silas Taylor, on Gavel-kind, p. 97.

Saxon invaders. When they ravaged the English borders, they dignified their incurfions with the pretext of recovering their hereditary rights. Their Bards therefore entertained them with defcriptions and praifes of the fplendor and courage with which the monarchy of Britain was maintained by its ancient heroes, and inspired them with an ardour of emulating their glorious example. If any thing can be added to the conjectures of fo difcerning a critic as Dr. Wotton, it is, that probably an excellent old poem, called Unbeniaeth Prydain, was conftantly recited in the 8 Set Cyfreithieu Hywel Dda ac Eraill, or Leges Wallica, tranf- field, and accompanied by a tune of the fame antiquity, till, by lated in Latin by Dr. Wotton and Mr. Mofes Williams; and a long interval of peace, or fome other accident, they were both published with a learned preface by Dr. Clarke. Folio. Lon-forgotten, and that afterwards the Bards fupplied what had been don, 1730, p 35, &c. And, Pennant's Tour in Wales, Vol. I. loft from their own inventions," Tranflated Specimens of Welsh 9. Dr. Wotton, the learned editor of Howel's Laws, in a Poetry, in English verfe. 1782, p. 33, note on this paffage, p, 36; conjectures that the title and fubject only were prefcribed, and that the choice and compofition of the Poetry was left to the Bard. The Welsh, fays he, always preferved a tradition, that the whole island had once been poffeffed by their ancestors, who were driven into a corner of it by their

But heed, ye Bards, that for the fign of onset
Ye found the ancienteft of all your rhymes,
Whofe birth tradition notes not, nor who fram'd
Its lofty firains."

Mafon's Caractacus.

fion

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