To every Bard that serves his Grace,
A goodly pension or a place;--
We here call upon our readers, to attend to the origin of the word Bard;
inasmuch as, that term has become applicable to poem-mongers in general.
The learned Mr. Prideaux informs us,--
“BARDUS possessed his father Druis’ place. To his ancestors
Phylosophy, Magick, Politicks, Rites and Ceremonies, this man added
Poetry, and set all their excellencies at a higher key. 2. From him
we have the ancient Bardi, the chroniclers of all heroick actions,
and commenders of their performers, to the imitation of their
posterity, whom an ancient poet thus bespeaketh,--
Vos quoq. qui fortes animas belloq. peremtas,
Laudibus in longum vates deducitis ævum.
Plurima securi fudistis carmina Bardi.
Then you brave Bards securely song,
The praise of dead Pears;
In lofty strains, for to prolong
Their fame for many years.
3. Their esteem was such amongst the greatest commanders, that if
two armies were even at push of pike, and a Bard had step’d in
between them, they would have held their hands, harkened to their
advice, and not have offered to strike until he were out of danger.
4. Famous amongst those Bards (before the coming of our Saviour)
were held Plenidius and Glaskirion, and of late years, Davye Dee,
David ap Williams and others. They say the island Bardsey had
Bardorum Insula, its name, from them, and Aquila, Perdix, Patrick,
Maddoch, and both the Merlins the wisards, were from this
institution.”