Y Gododin: A Poem of the Battle of Cattraeth Part 14

LXXVIII.

The sovereign, who is celebrated in the G.o.dodin, {181f} The sovereign, for whom our eye-lids {182a} weep, From the raging flame of Eiddyn {182b} turned not aside; {182c} He stationed men of firmness in command, {182d} And the thick covering guard {182e} he placed in the van, And vigorously he descended upon the scattered foe; In that he had revelled, he likewise sustained the main weight; Of the retinue of Mynyddawg, none escaped, Save one man by slow steps, thoroughly weakened, and tottering every way.

{182f}

LXXIX.

Having sustained a loss, {182g} Moried bore no shield, But traversed the strand {183a} to set the ground on fire; Firmly he grasped in his hand a blue blade, And a shaft ponderous as the chief priest's {183b} crozier; He rode a grey stately {183c} headed charger, And beneath his blade there was a dreadful fall of slaughter; When overpowered {183d} he fled not from the battle,- Even he who poured out to us the famous mead, that sweet ensnarer.

Lx.x.x.

I beheld the array from the highland of Adowyn, {183e} And the sacrifice brought down to the omen fire; {183f} I saw what was usual, a continual running towards the town, {184a} And the men of Nwython inflicting sharp wounds; I saw warriors in complete order approaching with a shout, And the head of Dyvnwal Vrych {184b} by ravens {184c} devoured.

Lx.x.xI.

Blessed Conqueror, of temper mild, the strength {184d} of his people, With his blue streamers displayed towards the sea-roving foes. {185a} Brave is he on the waters, most numerous his host; Manly his bosom, loud his shout in the charge of arms.

Usual was it for him {185b} to make a descent before nine armaments, {185c} With propulsive strokes, {185d} in the face of blood and of the country.

I love thy victorious throne, which teemed with harmonious strains.

O Cynddilig of Aeron, {185e} thou lion's whelp.

Lx.x.xII.

I could wish to have been the first to shed my blood in Cattraeth, As the price {186a} of the mead and beverage of wine in the hall; I could wish to have been hurt by the blade of the sword, Ere he was slain on the green plain of Uphin. {186b} I loved the son of renown, who sustained the b.l.o.o.d.y fight, {186c} And made his sword descend upon the violent.

Can a tale of valour be related before G.o.dodin, In which the son of Ceidiaw {186d} has not his fame as a man of war?

Lx.x.xIII.

Sad it is for me, after all our toil, To suffer the pang of death through indiscretion; And doubly grievous and sad for me to see Our men falling headlong to the ground, {187a} Breathing the lengthened sigh, and covered with reproaches.

After the strenuous warriors have extended their country's bounds, Rhuvawn {187b} and Gwgawn, {187c} Gwiawn and Gwlyged, {187d} Men at their post most gallant, valiant in difficulties, May their souls, now that their conflict is ended, {187e} Be received into the heavenly region, the abode of tranquillity.

Lx.x.xIV.

Tres repelled the foe through {188a} a pool of gore, And slaughtered like a hero such as asked no quarter, {188b} With a sling and a spear; {188c}-he flung off his gla.s.s goblet Containing the mead, {188d} and in defence of his sovereignty overthrew an army; His counsel always prevailed, and the mult.i.tude would not speak before him, {188e} Whilst those that were cowards were not left alive, Before the onset of his battle-axes, {188f} and his sharpened sword, {188g} And where his blue banner was seen to wave. {188h}

Lx.x.xV.

There was a reinforcement of {189a} troops, A supply of penetrating weapons, And a host of men in the vanguard, Presenting a menacing front; In the days of strenuous exertion, In the eager conflict, They displayed their valour.

After the intoxication, When they drank the mead, Not one was spared.

Though Gorwylam Was awhile successful, When the retort was made, it broke the charge Of the horses and men, by fate decreed.

Lx.x.xVI.

When the host of Pryder {189b} arrives, I anxiously count {190a} the bands, Eleven complete battalions; There is now a precipitate flight {190b} Along the road of lamentation.

Affectionately have I deplored, {190c} Dearly have I loved, The ill.u.s.trious dweller of the wood, {190d} And the men of Argoed, {190e} Accustomed, in the open plain, {191a} To marshal their troops.

For the benefit of the chiefs, the lord of the war {191b} Laid upon rough {191c} boards, Midst a deluge of grief, The viands for the banquet, Where they caroused together;-he conducted us to a bright {191d} fire, And to a carpet of white and fresh {191e} hide.

Lx.x.xVII.

Geraint, {191f} from the South, did raise a shout, And on the white water {192a} was his buckler pierced. {192b} Lord of the spear, a gentle lord!

The praise of mountain and sea Will he render our youth, even thou, Geraint, wilt render them, Who hast been a generous commander.

Lx.x.xVIII.

Instantaneously is his fame wafted on high; His anchors {192c} from the scene of action {192d} cannot be restrained.

Unflinching eagle {192e} of the forward heroes, He bore the toil, and brilliant was his zeal; The fleetest coursers he outstripped in war, But was quite a lamb {193a} when the wine from the goblet flowed.

Ere he reached the gra.s.sy tomb, and his cheeks became pale in death, {193b} He presided over the banquet of mead, and honoured it with the generous horn. {193c}

Lx.x.xIX.

Ruin {193d} he brought upon every fair region, {193e} And a fettering valour he displayed; {193f} The front of his shield was pierced.

Caso Hir, {194a} when roused to anger, Defended Rhuvoniawg. {194b} A second time they {194c} challenged, {194d} and were crushed By the warlike steeds with gory trappings.

His martial n.o.bles {194e} formed a firm array, And the field was reddened, when he was greatly affronted; Severe in the conflict, with blades he slaughtered, And sad news {194f} from the war he brought, Which he wove {195a} into a song for the calends of January. {195b} Adan, {195c} the son of Ervai, there did pierce, Adan pierced the haughty boar; Even he, who was like a dame, a virgin, and a hero. {195d} And when the youth thus possessed the properties of a king, {195e} He, stained with blood, brought deliverance to Gwynedd, Ere the turf was laid upon the gentle face Of the generous dead; but now undisturbed In regard to fame and gain, he reposes in the grave, Namely, Garthwys Hir, {196a} from the land of Rhuvoniawg.