About 1160, Owain Cyveiliog, one of the most distinguished Princes of
Powis, flourished; he was a great warrior and an eminent poet; several
specimens of his writings are given in the _Archaiology of Wales_,
published by the late patriotic Owain Jones Myfyr. His poem called the
_Hirlas Horn_ (the long blue horn,) is a masterpiece. It used to be the
custom with the prince, when he had gained a battle, to call for the
horn, filled with metheglin, or mead, and drink the contents at one
draught, then sound it to show that there was no deception; each of his
officers following his example. Mrs. Hemans has given a beautiful song,
in Parry's second volume of _Welsh Melodies_, on the subject, concluding
thus:--
"Fill higher the HIRLAS' forgetting not those
Who shar'd its bright draught in the days which are fled!
Tho' cold on their mountains the valiant repose,
Their lot shall be lovely--renown to the dead!
While harps in the hall of the feast shall be strung,
While regal ERYRI[3] with snow shall be crown'd--
So long by the bard shall their battles be sung,
And the heart of the hero shall burn at the sound:
The free winds of Cambria shall swell with their name,
And OWAIN's rich HIRLAS be fill'd to their fame!"
[3] Snowdon.
* * * * *