_A_ POEM _composed by Owain Cyveiliog_, _prince of Powys_, _entitled by
him_ HIRLAS, _from a large drinking horn so called_, _used at feasts in
his palace_. _He was driven out of his country by Owain Gwynedd_,
_prince of North Wales_, _and Rhys-ap-Griffydd-ap-Rhys-ap-Tewdwr_,
_prince of South Wales_, A.D. 1167, _and recovered it_, _by the help of
the Normans and English_, _under Henry the second_. _He flourished
about_ A.D. 1160, _in the time of Owain Gwynedd and his son David_.
_This poem was composed on account of a battle fought with the English at
Maelor_, _which is a part of the counties of Denbigh and Flint_,
_according to the modern division_.
When the dawn arose, the shout was given; the enemy gave an ominous
presage; our men were stained with blood, after a hard contest; and the
borders of Maelor Drefred were beheld with wonder and astonishment.
Strangers have I driven away undaunted from the field with bloody arms.
He that provokes the brave man, ought to dread his resentment.
Fill, cup-bearer, fill with alacrity the horn of Rhys, in the generous
prince's hall; for Owain's hall was ever supported by spoils taken from
the enemy; and in it thou hearest of the relief of thousands. There the
gates are ever open.
O cup-bearer, who, with patience, mindest thy duty, forsake us not; fetch
the horn, that we may drink together, whose gloss is like the wave of the
sea; whose green handles shew the skill of the artist, and are tipped
with gold. Bring the best meath, and put it in Gwgan Draws's hand, for
the noble feats which he hath achieved: the offspring of Gronwy, who
valiantly fought in the midst of dangers; a race of heroes for worthy
acts renowned: and men, who, in every hardship they undergo, deserve a
reward; who are in the battle foremost: the guardians of Sabrina. Their
friends exult, when they hear their voice. The festal shout will cease
when they are gone.
Fill thou the yellow-tipped horn, badge of honour and mirth, full of
frothing meath; and if thou art desirous to have thy life prolonged to
the year's end, stop not the reward due to his virtue, for it is unjust;
and bring it to Griffydd, with the crimson lance. Bring wine in the
transparent horn; for he is the guardian of Arwystli, {10a} the defence
of its borders; a dragon of Owain the generous, whose descent is from
Cynvyn; a dragon he was from the beginning, that never was terrified in
the battle; his brave actions shall follow him. The warriors went to
purchase renown, flushed with liquor, and armed like Edwin; they paid for
their mead, like Belyn's {10b} men, in the days of yore. And as long as
men exist, their valour shall be the common theme of Bards.
Fill thou the horn; for it is my inclination, that we may converse in
mirth and festivity with our brave general; put it in the hand of the
worthy Ednyfed, with his spear broken to pieces, and his shield pierced
through.
Like the bursting of a hurricane upon the smooth sea . . . in the
conflict of battle, they would soon break in pieces the sides of a
golden-bordered shield: their lances were besmeared with gore, after
piercing the heads of their enemies; they were vigorous and active in the
defence of delightful Garthan. {11a} Heard ye in Maelor the noise of
war, the horrid din of arms, their furious onset, loud as in the battle
of Bangor, {11b} where fire flashed out of their spears? There two
princes engaged, when the carousing of Morach Vorvran {11c} happened.
Fill thou the horn; for it is my delight, in the place where the
defenders of our country drink mead, and give it to Selyf the fearless,
the defence of Gwygyr; {11d} woe to the wretch that offends him,
eagle-hearted hero: and to the son of Madoc, the famous and generous
Tudur, like a wolf when he seizes his prey, is his assault in the onset.
Two heroes, who were sage in their counsels, but active in the field, the
two sons of Ynyr, who, on the day of battle, were ready for the attack,
heedless of danger, famous for their exploits; their assault was like
that of strong lions, and they pierced their enemies like brave warriors;
they were lords of the battle, and rushed foremost with their crimson
lances; the weight of their attack was not to be withstood; their shields
were broke asunder with much force, as the high-sounding wind on the
beach of the green sea, and the encroaching of the furious waves on the
coast of Talgarth. {12a}
Fill, cup-bearer, as thou regardest thy life; fill the horn, badge of
honour at feasts, the hirlas {12b} drinking-horn, which is a token of
distinction, whose tip is adorned with silver, and it's cover of the same
metal; and bring it to Tudur, the eagle of battles, filled with the best
wine; and if thou dost not bring us the best of all, thy head shall fly
off: give it in the hand of Moreiddig, encourager of songs, whose praise
in battle is celebrated; they were brethren of a distant clime, of an
undaunted heart, and their valour was observable in their countenance.
Can I forget their services? . . . Impetuous warriors, wolves of the
battle, their lances are besmeared with gore; they were the heroes of the
chief of Mochnant, {12c} in the region of Powys. Their honour was soon
purchased by them both; they seized every occasion to defend their
country, in the time of need, with their bloody arms, and they kept their
borders from hostile invasion. Their lot is praise; it is like a
mournful elegy to me to lose them both! O Christ! how pensive am I for
the loss of Moreiddig, which is irreparable.
Pour thou out the horn, though they desire it not, the drinking horn,
hirlas, with cheerfulness, and deliver it into the hand of Morgant, one
who deserves to be celebrated with distinguished praise. It was like
poison to me, to be deprived of him, and that he was pierced - - - - by
the keen sword.
Pour, cup-bearer, from a silver vessel, an honourable gift, badge of
distinction. On the large plains of Gwestun {13a} I have seen a miracle;
to stop the impetuosity of Gronwy, was more than a task for an hundred
men. The warriors pointed their lances, courted the battle, and were
profuse of life; they met their enemies in the conflict, and their
chieftain was consumed by fire near the surges of the sea. {13b} They
rescued a noble prisoner, Meurig the son of Griffydd, of renowned valour;
they were all of them covered with blood when they returned, and the high
hills and the dales enjoyed the sun equally. {13c}
Pour the horn to the warriors, Owain's noble heroes, who were equally
active and brave. They assembled in that renowned place, where the
shining steel glittered. Madoc and Meilir were men accustomed to
violence, and maintained each other in the injuries they did to their
enemies; they were the shields of our army, and the teachers of warlike
attack. Hear ye, by drinking mead, how the lord of Cattraeth went with
his warriors in defence of his just cause, the guards of Mynyddawc {13d}
about their distinguished chief. They have been celebrated for their
bravery, and their speedy march. But nobody has ever performed so noble
an exploit as my warriors, in the tough land of Maelor, in rescuing the
captive.
Pour out, cup-bearer, sweet and well strained mead, (the thrust of the
spear is red in the time of need,) from the horns of wild oxen, covered
with gold, for the honour, and the reward of the souls of those departed
heroes. Of the numerous cares that surround princes, no one is conscious
here but God and myself. The man who neither gives nor takes quarter,
and cannot be forced by his enemies to abide to his word, Daniel the
valiant and beautiful: O cup-bearer, great is the task to entreat him;
his men will not cease dealing death around them, till he is mollified.
Cup-bearer, our shares of mead are to be given us equally before the
bright shining tapers. Cup-bearer, hadst thou seen the action in the
land of Llidwm, {14a} the men whom I honour have but what is their just
reward. Cup-bearer, hadst thou seen the armed chiefs, encompassing
Owain, who were his shield against the violence of his foes, when Cawres
{14b} was invaded with great fury. Cup-bearer, slight not my commands:
may we all be admitted into Paradise by the King of kings; and long may
the liberty and happiness of my heroes continue, where the truth is to be
discerned distinctly.