_To Llewelyn the Great_, _composed by Einion the son of Gwgan_, _about_
1244.
I invoke the assistance of the God of Heaven, Christ our Saviour, whom to
neglect is impious. That gift is true which descendeth from above. The
gifts that are given me are immortal, to discern, according to the great
apostle, _what is right and decent_; and, among other grand subjects, to
celebrate my prince, who avoids not the battle nor its danger; Llewelyn
the generous, the maintainer of Bards. He is the dispenser of happiness
to his subjects, his noble deeds cannot be sufficiently extolled. His
spear flashes in a hand accustomed to martial deeds. It kills and puts
its enemies to flight by the palace of Rheidiol. {20a} I have seen, and
it was my heart's delight, the guards of Lleision {20b} about its grand
buildings; numberless troops of warriors mounted on white steeds. They
encompassed our eagle: Llewelyn the magnanimous hero, whose armour
glistened; the maintainer of his rights. He defended the borders of
Powys, a country renowned for its bravery; he defended its steep passes,
and supported the privileges of its prince. Obstinate was his resistance
to the treacherous English. In Rhuddlan he was like the ruddy fire
flaming with destructive light. There have I seen Llewelyn the brave
gaining immortal glory. I have seen him gallantly ploughing the waves of
Deva, when the tide was at its height. I have seen him furious in the
conflict of Chester, where he doubly repaid his enemies the injuries he
suffered from them. It is but just that he should enjoy the praise due
to his valour. I will extol thee, and the task is delightful. Thou art
like the eagle amongst the nobles of Britain. Thy form is majestic and
terrible, when thou pursuest thy foes. When thou invadest thy enemies,
where Owain thy predecessor invaded them in former times; full proud was
thy heart in dividing the spoils, it happened as in the battles of
Kulwydd and Llwyvein. {21a} Thy beautiful steeds were fatigued with the
labour of the day, where the troops wallowed in gore, and were thrown in
confusion. The bow was full bent before the mangled corse, the spear
aimed at the breast in the country of Eurgain. {21b} The army at Offa's
Dike panted for glory, the troops of Venedotia, and the men of London,
were as the alternate motion of the waves on the sea-shore, where the
sea-mew screams; great was our happiness to put the Normans to fear and
consternation. Llewelyn the terrible with his brave warriors effected
it; the prince of glorious and happy Mona. He is its ornament and
distinguished chief.
The lord of Demetia {21c} mustered his troops, and out of envy met his
prince in the field. The inhabitants of Stone-walled Carmarthen were
hewn to pieces in the conflict. Nor fort, nor castle, could withstand
him: and before the gates the English were trampled under foot. Its
chief was sad, the unsheathed sword shone bright, and hundreds of hands
were engaged in the onset at Llan Huadain. {22a} In Cilgeran {22b} they
purchased glory and honour . . . In Aber Teivi the hovering crows were
numberless . . . thick were the spears besmeared with gore. The ravens
croaked, they were greedy to suck the prostrate carcases. Llewelyn, may
such fate attend thy foes. Mayest thou be more prosperous than the noble
Llywarch {22c} with his bloody lance. Thy glory shall not be obscured.
There is none that exceedeth thee in bestowing gifts on the days of
solemnity. In battle thy sword is conspicuous. Wherever thou goest to
war, to whatever distant clime, glory follows thee from the rising to the
setting sun. I have a generous and noble prince, the lord of a large
territory. He is renowned for his coolness and conduct. Whole troops
fall before him; he defendeth his men like an eagle. My prince's brave
actions will be celebrated in the country by Tanad. {22d} He is valorous
as a lion, who can resist his lance? He is charitable to the needy, and
his relief is not sought in vain. My prince is dressed in fine purple
robes. He is like generous Nudd {22e} in bestowing presents. Like
valiant Huail {22f} in defying his enemy. He is like Rhydderch {22g} in
distributing his gold. Let his praise resound in every country. He
possesses a large territory and immense riches wherever you turn your
eyes. In wealth he is equal to Mordaf; like him he opens his liberal
hand to the Bard. He is like warlike Rhun {23a} in bestowing his
favours. He is the subject of my meditation. I am to him as an hand or
an eye. {23b} He is not descended from a base degenerate stock; and I
myself am descended from his father's courtiers. His fury in battle is
like lightning when he attacks the foe: his heart glows with ardour in
the field like magnanimous Gwriad. {23c} His enemies are scattered as
leaves on the side of hills drove by tempestuous hurricanes. He is the
honourable support and owner of Hunydd. {23d} He is the grace, the
ornament of Arvon. {23e} Llewelyn, terror of thy enemy, death issued out
of thy hand in the South. Thou art to us like an anchor in the time of
storm. Protector of our country, may the shield of God protect thee.
Britain, fearless of her enemies, glories in being ruled by him, by a
chief who has numerous troops to defend her; by Llewelyn, who defies his
enemies from shore to shore. He is the joy of armies, and like a lion in
danger. He is the emperor and sovereign of sea and land. He is a
warrior that may be compared to a deluge, to the surge on the beach that
covereth the wild salmons. His noise is like the roaring wave that
rusheth to the shore, that can neither be stopped or appeased. He puts
numerous troops of his enemies to flight like a mighty wind. Warriors
crowded about him, zealous to defend his just cause; their shields shone
bright on their arms. His Bards make the vales resound with his praises;
the justice of his cause, and his bravery in maintaining it, are
deservedly celebrated. His valour is the theme of every tongue. The
glory of his victories is heard in distant climes. His men exult about
their eagle. To yield or die is the fate of his enemies--they have
experienced his force by the shivering of his lance. In the day of
battle no danger can turn him from his purpose. He is conspicuous above
the rest, with a large, strong, crimson lance. He is the honour of his
country, great is his generosity, and a suit is not made to him in vain.
Llewelyn is a tender-hearted prince. He can nobly spread the feast, yet
is he not enervated by luxury. May he that bestowed on us a share of his
heavenly revelation, grant him the blessed habitation of the saints above
the stars.