"There is neither contribution nor tax, (na mal na threth) which we
ought to pay." (H. Car. Mag. Mabinogion.)
The word in the text may signify gifts or presents; or it may mean
_meal_, (mal, what is ground) in allusion to the more substantial portion
of the feast.
{163a} Lit. "I am being ruined."
{163b} Mynyddawg himself.
{163c} Al. "From amongst."
{163d} That is, free and precipitate in his course, as a ball flies
through the air. This simile seems to have been borrowed from a popular
game among the Britons called _pelre_, which consisted in the beating of
a ball backwards and forwards, and is alluded to by Taliesin in the
following lines;
"Ceiniadon moch clywid eu govalon:
Marchawglu mor daer am Gaer Llion;
A dial Idwal ar Aranwynion
A gware pelre a phen Saeson." (Myv. Arch. i. p. 73.)
Songsters, soon would their cares be heard;
An army of horsemen so harassing round Caer Llion;
And the revenge of Idwal on the Aranwynians;
And the playing of ball-buffetting with Saxon heads.
Al. "mab Pel;" Present the son of Pel.
{163e} "Hud:" has this word any reference to "_hud_wg," a racket for
ball playing?
{164a} "Ystryng;" from _ys_ and _tryng_ or _trengu_.
{164b} "Adan;" that is _a dan_, will go under. Lit. "under the
red-stained warriors go the steeds," &c. "Ymdan march," is a well known
phrase for mounting a horse.
{164c} The same, it may be, with Angar, one of the sons of Caw of Cwm
Cawlwyd, and brother of Aneurin. A saying of his occurs in the
Chwedlau'r Doethion. (Iolo MSS. pp. 256, 554.)
"A glyweist ti chwedl Angar
Mab Caw, Catfilwr clodgar?
Bid tonn calon gan alar."
Hast thou heard the saying of Angar,
Son of Caw the celebrated warrior?
The heart will break with grief.
{164d} "Raen," from _rha_, which is also the root of _rhain_, spears.
{164e} This passage, in another form, occurs three times in the Maelderw
version and may be translated as follows;
"Angor, thou scatterer of the brave,
Serpent, piercing pike,
And immovable stone in the front of the army."
{164f} Al. "Oppressor, dressed in thy shining white robes."
{165a} "Gwaenawr." Al. "The spears." Al. "The stones."
{165b} That is, the fosse of the Catrail, or that which surrounded one
of the camps.
{165c} See lines 386, 524, 534. Al. "like ploughing the furrow."
{165d} The Bard in this stanza evidently plays upon the names of three
of the British heroes, showing how appropriately they represented their
respective characters; _Cywir_, _enwir_; _Merin_, _mur_; _Madien_, _mad_.
Perhaps it would be better to transpose the two first, and read the line
as it occurs in one stanza of the Gorchan Maelderw;
"Enwir ith elwir oth gywir weithred."
Enwir art thou named from thy righteous deed;
for in "Kilhwch and Olwen" we meet with a person bearing the name of
Gweir Gwrhyd _Ennwir_, who is said to have been an uncle of Arthur, his
mother's brother.
{165e} "Bulwark of every tribe." Al. "of every language." _Gorch.
Maelderw_.
{165f} Merin the son of Merini ab Seithenyn, king of the plain of
Gwyddno, whose land was overflowed by the sea. He is said to have been
the founder of the church of Llanverin, or Llanvetherin, Monmouthshire.
In the Gorchan Maelderw Merin is called the son of Madieith.
{166a} Al. "Gwynedd."
{166b} I.e. the drinking horn. "Dial;" _Gorch. Mael_. "to take
vengeance for the contribution of mead." Owain Cyveiliog alludes to this
circumstance in his Poem on the Hirlas Horn;--
"Kigleu am dal met myned dreig Kattraeth." (Myv. Arch. i. 266.)
That this author was acquainted with the Gododin appears further from the
following,
"Nid ym hyn dihyll nam hen deheu;"
where he evidently refers to line 290 of our Poem.
{166c} "Cyvyringet," those who met together between the two armies; from
cyvrwng, cyd-rhwng.
{166d} "Cibno ced," seems to have been the cup of drink presented to
bards and minstrels by their entertainers. (See line 345.) Not even the
speech inspiring influence of this cup, could elicit an adequate
description of the slaughter which ensued at Cattraeth.
{167a} Or, "the gallantry of the glorious knight of conflict."
{167b} Lit. "Ruddy reaping." Al. "Ruddy reaper, thou pantest for war."
{167c} Al. "Thou man of Gwynedd."
{167d} Lit. "Thou unmanest;" di-mwng.
{167e} "Llain." Al. "lance."
{167f} The expression "until blood flows" is not in the original.
{167g} That glass vessels were used by the Britons in the sixth century
is further proved by the testimony of Llywarch Hen, who speaks of
"Gwyr ni giliynt rhag ovn gwayw,
Ac yved gwin o wydr gloyw." (Elegy upon Geraint)
Men who would not flinch from the dread of the spear,
And the quaffing of wine out of the bright glass.
{168a} "Ariant," money contributed towards any thing; thus "ariant
cwynos," supper money, was paid by the gentry and freeholders towards the
maintenance of the officers of the court; "ariant gwastrodion," money of
the equerries, was paid by the king's tenants in villainage once a year,
to furnish provender for his horses; "ariant am y vedd" would likewise be
a contribution paid towards a banquet of mead. Gwaednerth made his
enemies, as it were, pay him this tribute with the gold of their armour.
{168b} His history is unknown.
{168c} Or, "retinue."
{168d} "Dyrraith;" law of fate; death,
{168e} Probably Ayr in Scotland, rather than Aeron in Wales.
{168f} Lit. "the head."
{168g} I.e. the Clyde. Al. "The brown eagles." Llywarch Hen speaks of
"the brown eagles" (eryron llwyd) and of "the eagle with the brown beak,"
(eryr pengarn llwyd.)
{169a} Lit. "Without reproach."
{169b} Or, "From the region."
{169c} Al. "Men of privilege."
{169d} "Llogell;" a receptacle, a depository, a closet. It might here
refer more particularly to the room which contained the viands.
"Llogail" would be a wattled room.
{169e} The frequent repetition of the word "byd" in this stanza is
remarkable.
{169f} Lit. "not without ambition."
{169g} Eidol is specified by name as being the most indefatigable in his
pursuit after mirth. A person of that name and character is mentioned in
a poem attributed to Cuhelyn. See Myv. Arch. i. 164.
{169h} Or, "the grandson of Enovant." Al. "One out of a hundred,"
Cynddilig might have been the son of Cor Cnud, whose grave is recorded in
the Englynion y Beddau. (Myv. Arch. i. 11.)
"Kian a ud diffaith cnud.
Draw o tuch pen bet alltud
Bet Cindilic mab Corknud."
Or the son of Nwython, mentioned in the Bruts, (Myv. Arch. ii. 321) and
Genealogy of the Saints. (Iolo MSS. 137.) Or else he might have been
the son of Llywarch Hen,--
"Och Cynddilig, na buost wraig!"
Oh, Cynddilig, why wert thou not a woman!
(Elegy on Old Age.)
The mention made of Aeron in the foregoing stanza naturally led the Bard
to speak in this of a chieftain connected therewith.
{170a} Were it not for the anachronism we should be induced to regard
this lady as none other than Elen the daughter of Eudav, prince of Erging
and Euas, and wife of Macsen Wledig; heroine also of a Romance entitled
"The Dream of Macsen Wledig." As Macsen, however, is known to have been
put to death as early as the year 388, Elen's life could not possibly
have been so protracted as to enable her to take a part in the battle of
Cattraeth.
{170b} "Dieis." Al. "her thrusts were penetrating."
{171a} "Meiwyr," men of the field. Al. "Meinir," the slender maid,
which might refer to the daughter of Eudav.
{171b} The Gorchan Maelderw clearly indicates that the fire was kindled
in the presence of the army, and not for religious purposes before the
Deity.
{171c} This stanza explains the expression used in line 116. Seven
days, then, we may suppose, formed the whole space of time during which
the events related in the Gododin occurred. The action of Homer's Iliad
occupied nearly fifty days.
{171d} The daily operations are somewhat differently stated in the
fragments of the Gododin, which are appended to "Gorchan Maelderw."
There they are as follows,--
"On Tuesday they put on their splendid robes;
On Wednesday bitter was their assembly;
On Thursday messengers formed contracts;
On Friday there was slaughter;
On Saturday they dealt mutual blows;
On Sunday they were pierced by ruddy weapons;
On Monday a pool of blood knee deep was seen."
{172a} See lines 27, &c. It would appear as if the three lines at the
end of the stanza were appended to it by some compiler, merely on account
of their uniformity of rhyme.
{172b} Lit, "At the early arising morn," or "quickly rising in the
morning."
{172c} "Aber;" the junction of rivers; the fall of a lesser river into a
greater, or into the sea. By metaphor, a port or harbour.
{172d} Or more definitely,--"Occurred the battle of Aber in front of the
course."
{172e} Or "a breach was made, and the knoll was pervaded with fire."
{172f} The stanza is imperfect, which accounts for the omission of the
hero's name. From the Gorchan Maelderw we would infer that he was Gwair
one of the three "taleithiawg cad," or coronetted chiefs of battle.
(Myv. Arch. ii. 12.)
{172g} Probably, the valuables collected within the encampment on the
hill.
{173a} This word may be taken either in its literal sense, as alluding
to the birds of prey that devoured the dead bodies, or else
metaphorically as denoting the warriors themselves. In the latter sense
Casnodyn uses it in the following passage;
"Cynan--
Eryr tymyr gwyr, gweilch disaesneg."
Cynan, the eagle of the land of men, who are heroes with no English.
In this sense "gwrwnde" would necessarily allude to the colour of the
men's habiliments.
{173b} The stanza is thus varied in Gorchan Maelderw,
"At the early dawn of morn they marched
To conflict, headed by the king in front of the course;
Gwair was greeted by the fluid gore
In the van of the battle;
He was a beloved friend.
In the day of distress
The wealth of the mountain, the place,
And the forward beam of war, wore a murky hue." (_Gorch. Mael_.)
{173c} "Eilin;" in a second; another reading has "meitin," a word of
similar import, signifying a space of time.
{173d} "Aber;" ut supra.
{173e} The Catrail, or else the vallum of our hero's camp.
{173f} That is, single handed he faces a hundred men of the enemy.
{174a} That you should have committed such a slaughter with the same
coolness and indifference, as if you were merely revelling over your
mead.
{174b} "Dynin," the dwarf, who had killed the British herald, contrary
to the law of war. Al, " * * * with the edge and stroke of the sword,
the fierce warrior."
"It was such a thrust to the little man." (Gorch. Mael.)
{174c} "Mor ddiachor;" it may be also translated "how unrestrainedly."
The Gorchan Maelderw has it "mor diachar," _how unamiably_, which seems
to be required by the rhythmical run of the passage;
"Oed mor diachar
Yt wanei escar."
{174d} It is not quite clear whether this person be the same with the
one mentioned in stanza lli. or whether another event, of a similar
character with that described therein, be not here introduced. We are
inclined, however, to consider both passages as referring to the same act
of treachery.
{174e} Probably from the top of the rampart.
{174f} "Cynyt," (cynnud) fire wood. The bushes growing out of the sides
of the vallum checked not his fall. Al. "Cywydd," his song; though this
word derived from _cy_ and _gwydd_, may likewise have the same meaning as
the former.
{174g} "Cywrenhin," (cywreinin) accurate, elaborate; well formed,
handsome. If it may be taken actively, the meaning in this place would
be skilful or talented, which epithet would apply well to him as a bard.
{175a} It will be recollected that the "gorgeous pilgrim," (line 534)
broke down the encampment; on the supposition, then, that he was
identical with the "foe" mentioned in the last stanza, we may imagine him
encountering Owain with his badge of truce at the very breach he was
making, and that he then and there put him to death. It is not
impossible, however, but that Owain was another herald who renewed the
offer of peace, after the death of the "delight of the bulwark of toil,"
and that both were dishonourably slain by the same perfidious messenger.
{175b} That is, he was entitled in right of his office, as herald, to
every protection and safety, whilst engaged in proposing terms of peace.
{175c} Lit. "The best branch." "The wand denotes privilege." See Iolo
MSS. p. 634.
{175d} Lit. "due."
{175e} "Three things are forbidden to a bard; immorality, to satirize,
and to _bear arms_." (Institutional Triads.)
{175f} Quasi dicat, "did not wear one."
{176a} That is, avenge his death. There is a reference here to the
custom of distributing gifts out of a coffer, suggested by the similarity
between the expressions "pridd prenial," the earthly shrine or coffin,
and "prid prenial," the price chest.
{176b} "Barn ben" might have the sense of _adjudged to lose her head_,
capitis damnata; in which case the passage would be translated as
follows:--
"It was a violation of privilege to sentence a woman to death."
The other construction is, however, more especially countenanced by a
similar expression in "Gwasgargerdd Vyrddin" where the meaning is
obvious.
"Pan dyvo y brych cadarn
Hyt yn Rhyt Pengarn
Lliwaut gwyr treuliaut Karn
Pendevic Prydein yno _pen Barn_;" (Myv. Arch. i. 132.)
And on that account is preferred here. There is reason to think that the
Lady in question is the daughter of Eudav, already mentioned, upon whose
message, as well as that of Mynyddawg, "the gay and the illustrious
tribes," proceeded to Cattraeth. It is observable, as confirmatory of
this view, that Eidol was introduced into our notice before in the stanza
immediately preceding that in which she is celebrated.
{176c} "Iaen," like ice.
{177a} "Rhy," excessively.
{177b} "Gwlad _gordd_," "_gwrdd_ werydd." In the Triads Eidol is called
one of the three _gyrddion_ of the Isle of Britain. (Triad, 60.)
{177c} The agricultural character of the usual employments of the early
Britons in times of peace, is clearly inferred from the frequent use of
the word "medel," in reference to their soldiery.
{177d} Or, "He sounded for steeds, he sounded for harness."
{177e} "_Am_ grudd;" his cheeks all _around_.
{177f} Or, "the ribs."
{178a} The Cymry were thus styled to distinguish them from the Saxons,
who were pagans. See supra, line 365.
{178b} "Amnant," from "avn," boldness, courage.
{178c} "Cell;" a cell, a closet, a grove. Perhaps it here means a
_house_, or _habitation_ in general.
{178d} Lit. the room, or chamber.
{178e} "Yt vyddei dyrllyddei;" where was, where was brewed; or, "where
it was wont to brew."
{178f} A person of the name of "Gwres the son of Rheged," is mentioned
in the "Dream of Rhonabwy," in conjunction with Owain ab Urien. Gwrys
seems to have been a Venedotian chief.
{178g} The Welsh poets frequently represent a man of worth, as a _ced_,
or a gift.
{178h} As the Lloegrians have been shown before to be clearly amongst
the enemies of the British chiefs, (see line 547) the meaning of this
sentence is, that the hero under consideration was the conqueror, or the
master of the Lloegrians; and that he thus marshalled them against their
will. In like manner Einion ab Gwalchmai describes Llywelyn as,--
"Llywelyn llew glwys, Loegrwys lugyrn."
Llywelyn the amiable lion, the torch of the Lloegrians.
{178i} "Attawr;" al. "allawr," the altar. A metaphor borrowed from the
discipline of the church, and in keeping with the title of saints, by
which the chieftain and his followers are designated.
{179a} Lit. "the battle of sovereignty,"
{179b} "Cynnest," Al. "cyn cywest," "before thou art allied to the
earth," before thou formest an acquaintance or connection with the earth
by falling thereon.
{179c} "Gorffin;" the Catrail.
{179d} We have repeatedly seen that fire was resorted to in this war,
for the purpose of annoying or destroying the adversary, or else in self
defence, with the view of keeping him at bay. On the part of the Britons
the fire department seems to have been presided over by Morien; and
indeed the title "Mynawc," which we have here translated high-minded, and
which is elsewhere connected with the name of Morien, would induce us to
infer that the Bard, in the above stanza, is presenting us once more with
a prospect of that hero surrounded by his own blazing engines.
{179e} "Lluyddawg." Al. "The successful (llwyddawg) bitter-handed,
high-minded chief;" who may have been Llyr lluyddawg. (Tr. xxiii.)
{180a} The contrast between his conduct in war and his domestic
character is here noticed.
{180b} I.e. the enemy.
{180c} Or, "we are called to the sea and the borders, (or to the
harbours "cynnwr," from cyn-dwfr) to engage in the conflict."
{180d} Lit. "Sharpened iron."
{180e} "Llavn."
{180f} "Sychyn," a small ploughshare. Doubtless a weapon resembling it,
and bearing the same name. Al. "Syrthyn," "They fell headlong with a
clang."
{180g} We have adopted this as a proper name from its similarity to
Fflewddur Fflam, the name of one of the three sovereigns of Arthur's
court, who preferred remaining with him as knights, although they had
territories and dominions of their own.
"Tri unben Llys Arthur; Goronwy ab Echel Forddwydtwll, a Chadraith ab
Porthor Godo; a Fleidur Fflam mab Godo; sef oeddent yn Dywysogion yn
Berchennogion Gwlad a Chyfoeth, a gwell oedd ganddynt no hynny aros
yn Farchogion yn Llys Arthur, gan y bernid hynny yn bennaf ar bob
anrhydedd a bonheddigeiddrwydd, a ellid wrth ygair y Tri Chyfiawn
Farchawg." (Triad, 114, third series.)