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Maxen Wledig was emperor of Rome, and he was a comelier man, and a better
and a wiser than any emperor that had been before him. {116} And one day
he held a council of Kings, and he said to his friends, "I desire to go
to-morrow to hunt." And the next day in the morning he set forth with
his retinue, and came to the valley of the river that flowed towards
Rome. And he hunted through the valley until mid-day. And with him also
were two and thirty crowned kings, that were his vassals; not for the
delight of hunting went the emperor with them, but to put himself on
equal terms with those kings. {117}
And the sun was high in the sky over their heads, and the heat was great.
And sleep came upon Maxen Wledig. And his attendants stood and set up
their shields around him upon the shafts of their spears to protect him
from the sun, and they placed a gold enamelled shield under his head, and
so Maxen slept.
And he saw a dream. And this is the dream that he saw. He was
journeying along the valley of the river towards its source; and he came
to the highest mountain in the world. And he thought that the mountain
was as high as the sky; and when he came over the mountain, it seemed to
him that he went through the fairest and most level regions that man ever
yet beheld, on the other side of the mountain. And he saw large and
mighty rivers descending from the mountain to the sea, and towards the
mouths of the rivers he proceeded. And as he journeyed thus, he came to
the mouth of the largest river ever seen. And he beheld a great city at
the entrance of the river, and a vast castle in the city, and he saw many
high towers of various colours in the castle. And he saw a fleet at the
mouth of the river, the largest ever seen. And he saw one ship among the
fleet; larger was it by far, and fairer than all the others. Of such
part of the ship as he could see above the water, one plank was gilded
and the other silvered over. He saw a bridge of the bone of the whale
from the ship to the land, and he thought that he went along the bridge
and came into the ship. And a sail was hoisted on the ship, and along
the sea and the ocean was it borne. Then it seemed that he came to the
fairest island in the whole world, and he traversed the island from sea
to sea, even to the farthest shore of the island. Valleys he saw, and
steeps, and rocks of wondrous height, and rugged precipices. {118a} Never
yet saw he the like. And thence he beheld an island in the sea, facing
this rugged {118b} land. And between him and this island was a country
of which the plain was as large as the sea, the mountain as vast as the
wood. And from the mountain he saw a river that flowed through the land
and fell into the sea. And at the mouth of the river, he beheld a
castle, the fairest that man ever saw, and the gate of the castle was
open, and he went into the castle. And in the castle he saw a fair hall
of which the roof seemed to be all gold, the walls of the hall seemed to
be entirely of glittering precious gems, the doors all seemed to be of
gold. Golden seats he saw in the hall, and silver tables. And on a seat
opposite to him, he beheld two auburn-haired youths playing at chess. He
saw a silver board for the chess, and golden pieces thereon. The
garments of the youths were of jet black satin, and chaplets of ruddy
gold bound their hair, whereon were sparkling jewels of great price,
{119} rubies, and gems, alternately with imperial stones. Buskins of new
cordovan leather on their feet, fastened by slides of red gold.
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And beside a pillar in the hall he saw a hoary-headed man, in a chair of
ivory, with the figures of two eagles of ruddy gold thereon. Bracelets
of gold were upon his arms, and many rings upon his hands, and a golden
torquis about his neck; and his hair was bound with a golden diadem. He
was of powerful aspect. A chessboard of gold was before him, and a rod
of gold, and a steel file in his hand. And he was carving out chessmen.
And he saw a maiden sitting before him in a chair of ruddy gold. Not
more easy than to gaze upon the sun when brightest, was it to look upon
her by reason of her beauty. A vest of white silk was upon the maiden,
with clasps of red gold at the breast; and a surcoat of gold tissue was
upon her, and a frontlet of red gold upon her head, and rubies and gems
were in the frontlet, alternating with pearls and imperial stones. And a
girdle of ruddy gold was around her. She was the fairest sight that man
ever beheld.
The maiden arose from her chair before him, and he threw his arms about
the neck of the maiden, and they two sat down together in the chair of
gold: and the chair was not less roomy for them both, than for the maiden
alone. And as he had his arms about the maiden's neck, and his cheek by
her cheek, behold, through the chafing of the dogs at their leashing, and
the clashing of the shields as they struck against each other, and the
beating together of the shafts of the spears, and the neighing of the
horses and their prancing, the emperor awoke.
And when he awoke, nor spirit nor existence was left him, because of the
maiden whom he had seen in his sleep, for the love of the maiden pervaded
his whole frame. {120} Then his household spake unto him. "Lord," said
they "is it not past the time for thee to take thy food?" Thereupon the
emperor mounted his palfrey, the saddest man that mortal ever saw, and
went forth towards Rome.
And thus he was during the space of a week. When they of the household
went to drink wine and mead out of golden vessels, he went not with any
of them. When they went to listen to songs and tales, he went not with
them there; neither could he be persuaded to do anything but sleep. And
as often as he slept, he beheld in his dreams the maiden he loved best;
but except when he slept he saw nothing of her, for he knew not where in
the world she was.
One day the page of the chamber spake unto him; now, although he was page
of the chamber, he was king of the Romans. "Lord," said he, "all thy
people revile thee." "Wherefore do they revile me?" asked the emperor.
"Because they can get neither message nor answer from thee, as men should
have from their lord. This is the cause why thou art spoken evil of."
"Youth," said the emperor, "do thou bring unto me the wise men of Rome,
and I will tell them wherefore I am sorrowful."
Then the wise men of Rome were brought to the emperor, and he spake to
them. "Sages of Rome," said he, "I have seen a dream. And in the dream
I beheld a maiden, and because of the maiden is there neither life, nor
spirit, nor existence within me." "Lord," they answered, "since thou
judgest us worthy to counsel thee, we will give thee counsel. And this
is our counsel; that thou send messengers for three years to the three
parts of the world, to seek for thy dream. And as thou knowest not what
day or what night good news may come to thee, the hope thereof will
support thee."
So the messengers journeyed for the space of a year wandering about the
world, and seeking tidings concerning his dream. But when they came back
at the end of the year they knew not one word more than they did the day
they set forth. And then was the emperor exceeding sorrowful, for he
thought that he should never have tidings of her whom best he loved.
Then spoke the king of the Romans unto the emperor. "Lord," said he, "go
forth to hunt by the way that thou didst seem to go, whither it were to
the east or to the west." So the emperor went forth to hunt, and he came
to the bank of the river. "Behold," said he, "this is where I was when I
saw the dream, and I went towards the source of the river westward."
And thereupon thirteen messengers of the emperor's set forth, and before
them they saw a high mountain, which seemed to them to touch the sky. Now
this was the guise in which the messengers journeyed; one sleeve was on
the cap of each of them in front; as a sign that they were messengers, in
order that through what hostile land soever they might pass no harm might
be done them. And when they were come over this mountain they beheld
vast plains, and large rivers flowing therethrough. "Behold," said they,
"the land which our master saw."
And they went along the mouths of the rivers, until they came to the
mighty river which they saw flowing to the sea, and the vast city, and
the many-coloured high towers in the castle. They saw the largest fleet
in the world, in the harbour of the river, and one ship that was larger
than any of the others. "Behold again," said they, "the dream that our
master saw." And in the great ship they crossed the sea, and came to the
Island of Britain. And they traversed the island until they came to
Snowdon. "Behold," said they, "the rugged {122} land that our master
saw." And they went forward until they saw Anglesey before them, and
until they saw Arvon likewise. "Behold," said they, "the land our master
saw in his sleep." And they saw Aber Sain, and a castle at the mouth of
the river. The portal of the castle saw they open, and into the castle
they went, and they saw a hall in the castle. Then said they, "Behold
the hall which he saw in his sleep."
They went into the hall, and they beheld two youths playing at chess on
the golden bench. And they beheld the hoary-headed man beside the
pillar, in the ivory chair, carving chessmen. And they beheld the maiden
sitting on a chair of ruddy gold.
The messengers bent down upon their knees. "Empress of Rome, all hail!"
"Ha, gentles," said the maiden, "ye bear the seeming of honourable men,
and the badge of envoys, what mockery is this ye do to me?" "We mock
thee not, lady, but the emperor of Rome hath seen thee in his sleep, and
he has neither life nor spirit left because of thee. Thou shall have of
us therefore the choice, lady, whether thou wilt go with us and be made
empress of Rome, or that the emperor come hither and take thee for his
wife?" "Ha, lords," said the maiden, "I will not deny what you say,
neither will I believe it too well. If the emperor love me, let him come
here to seek me."
And by day and night the messengers hied them back. And when their
horses failed, they bought other fresh ones. And when they came to Rome
they saluted the emperor, and asked their boon, which was given to them
according as they named it. "We will be thy guides, lord," said they,
"over sea and over land, to the place where is the woman whom best thou
lovest, for we know her name, and her kindred, and her race."
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And immediately the emperor set forth with his army. And these men were
his guides. Towards the Island of Britain they went over the sea and the
deep. And he conquered the Island from Beli the son of Manogan, and his
sons, and drove them to the sea, and went forward even unto Arvon. And
the emperor knew the land when he saw it. And when he beheld the castle
of Aber Sain, "Look yonder," said he, "there is the castle wherein I saw
the damsel whom I best love." And he went forward into the castle and
into the hall, and there he saw Kynan the son of Eudav, and Adeon the son
of Eudav, playing at chess. And he saw Eudav the son of Caradawc,
sitting on a chair of ivory carving chessmen. And the maiden whom he had
beheld in his sleep, he saw sitting on a chair of gold. "Empress of
Rome," said he, "all hail!" And the emperor threw his arms about her
neck; and that night she became his bride.
And the next day in the morning, the damsel asked her maiden portion. And
he told her to name what she would, and she asked to have the Island of
Britain for her father, from the Channel to the Irish Sea, together with
the three adjacent islands to hold under the empress of Rome; and to have
three chief castles made for her, in whatever places she might choose in
the Island of Britain. And she chose to have the highest castle made at
Arvon. And they brought thither earth from Rome that it might be more
healthful for the emperor to sleep, and sit, and walk upon. After that
the two other castles were made for her, which were Caerlleon and
Caermarthen.
And one day, the emperor went to hunt at Caermarthen, and he came so far
as the top of Brevi Vawr, and there the emperor pitched his tent. And
that encamping place is called Cadeir Maxen, even to this day. And
because that he built the castle with a myriad of men, he called it
Caervyrddin. Then Helen bethought her to make high roads from one castle
to another throughout the Island of Britain. And the roads were made.
And for this cause are they called the roads of Helen Luyddawc, {124}
that she was sprung from a native of this island, and the men of the
Island of Britain would not have made these great roads {125} for any
save for her.
Seven years did the emperor tarry in this Island. Now, at that time, the
men of Rome had a custom that whatsoever emperor should remain in other
lands more than seven years, should remain to his own overthrow, and
should never return to Rome again.
So they made a new emperor. And this one wrote a letter of threat to
Maxen. There was nought in the letter but only this, "If thou comest,
and if thou ever comest to Rome." And even unto Caerlleon came this
letter to Maxen, and these tidings. Then sent he a letter to the man who
styled himself emperor in Rome. There was nought in that letter also but
only this, "If I come to Rome, and if I come."
And thereupon Maxen set forth towards Rome with his army, and vanquished
France and Burgundy, and every land on the way, and sat down before the
city of Rome.
A year was the emperor before the city, and he was no nearer taking it
than the first day. And after him there came the brothers of Helen
Luyddawc from the Island of Britain, and a small host with them, and
better warriors were in that small host than twice as many Romans. And
the emperor was told that a host was seen, halting close to his army and
encamping, and no man ever saw a fairer or better appointed host for its
size, nor more handsome standards.
And Helen went to see the hosts, and she knew the standards of her
brothers. Then came Kynan the son of Eudav, and Adeon the son of Eudav,
to meet the emperor. And the emperor was glad because of them, and
embraced them.
Then they looked at the Romans as they attacked the city. Said Kynan to
his brother, "We will try to attack the city more expertly than this." So
they measured by night the height of the wall, and they sent their
carpenters to the wood, and a ladder was made for every four men of their
number. Now when these were ready, every day at mid-day the emperors
went to meat, and they ceased to fight on both sides till all had
finished eating. And in the morning the men of Britain took their food,
and they drank until they were invigorated. And while the two emperors
were at meat, the Britons came to the city, {126a} and placed their
ladders against it, and forthwith they came in through the city.
The new emperor had not time to arm himself when they fell upon him, and
slew him and many others with him. And three nights and three days were
they subduing the men that were in the city and taking the castle. And
others of them kept the city, lest any of the host of Maxen should come
therein, until they had subjected all to their will.
Then spake Maxen to Helen Luyddawc, "I marvel, lady," said he, "that thy
brothers have not conquered this city for me." {126b} "Lord, emperor,"
she answered, "the wisest youths in the world are my brothers. Go thou
thither and ask the city of them, and if it be in their possession thou
shalt have it gladly." So the emperor and Helen went and demanded the
city. And they told the emperor that none had taken the city, and that
none could give it him, but the men of the Island of Britain. Then the
gates of the city of Rome were opened, and the emperor sat on the throne
and all the men of Rome submitted themselves unto him.
The emperor then said unto Kynan and Adeon, "Lords," said he, "I have now
had possession of the whole of my empire. This host give I unto you to
vanquish whatever region ye may desire in the world."
So they set forth and conquered lands, and castles and cities. And they
slew all the men, but the women they kept alive. And thus they continued
until the young men that had come with them were grown grey headed, from
the length of time they were upon this conquest.
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Then spoke Kynan unto Adeon his brother, "Whether wilt thou rather," said
he, "tarry in this land, or go back into the land whence thou didst come
forth?" Now he chose to go back to his own land and many with him. But
Kynan tarried there with the other part, and dwelt there.
And they took counsel and cut out the tongues of the women, lest they
should corrupt their speech. And because of the silence of the women
from their own speech, the men of Armorica are called Britons. From that
time there came frequently, and still comes, that language from the
Island of Britain.
And this tale is called the Dream of Maxen Wledig, emperor of Rome. And
here it ends.
Footnotes:
{7a} Add "successively."
{7b} And he summoned to him.
{10} Add "bespattered."
{11} And it may be that I shall have as much entertainment on account of
the hunting as they.
{15} Good Sir.
{17} There.
{19} And his words reached Geraint.
{22} As thou art impartial concerning the question of right between us.
{27} More probably "though." The ambiguity of the original would be
best expressed by "while."
{36a} "Lest he should be overtaken by a piteous death."
{36b} "Thine I do not consider a protection, nor thy warning a warning."
{38} "Wilt thou not at last be silent? Thy protection do I not consider
such."
{39} "I declare to Heaven," said he, "that thy protection I do not
regard as such. Hold thy peace, at last."
{40} He spoke not a word, being angry.
{47a} "Do thou not go to his land beyond the bridge."
{47b} "I will go my way in spite of the one thou speakest of."
{48a} In a very rough and bitter manner.
{48b} Gereint took the road that he had meant to take; it was not the
road that led to the town from the bridge that he took, but the road that
led to the ground that was hard, and rugged, and high, and ridgy.
{49} But it was unfair for Gereint to have to fight him, so small was
he, and so difficult to take aim at, and so hard were the blows he gave.
And they did not end that part of their fight until their horses fell
down on their knees.
{53} "To complete thy death."
{64} And what she did was to call her tutor to her, and she commanded
him to dress her grave every year in such a way that nothing would grow
on it.
{66} And there were two silver spears, sharpened, in his hand. A
prince's glaive was in his hand, a cubit from hilt to edge, that would
draw blood from the wind; swifter was it than.
{67} Yes. And as for thee, thy head is not under thy control; curt is
thy greeting.
{70a} Carnwenhan.
{70b} Dress.
{71a} Galldovydd.
{71b} Cnychwr.
{71c} And Adwy.
{71d} Annwas.
{71e} Sinoit.
{72a} Ysperin.
{72b} Erinit.
{74a} Llenuleawc.
{74b} Gwrdival.
{74c} Kai was said to be his son.
{75a} Add, "And from him is Paris named."
{75b} Gweir, son of Cadellin Talaryant (Cadellin of the silver brow).
{76a} His flat breast was ruddy.
{77a} Hwyrdyddwc, Drwgdyddwc, and Llwyrdyddwc.
{77b} Cethtrwm.
{78a} Gweirdathar Wenidawc.
{78b} Canhwch.
{78c} Arwy.
{81a} "We all of us will come there," said Kai.
{81b} This dialogue consists of a series of repartees, with a play upon
words which it is impossible to follow in the translation.
{82} "Oh man, since the sea does not allow a beautiful dead man in it,
show me that dead body." "Oh woman, the one to whom the dead body
belongs thou wilt see here this evening."
{84a} "I promise all this, and will obtain it," said he.
{84b} "Where are my bad servants and my knaves?"
{85a} Knee-pan.
{87} The two oxen of Gwlwlwyd Wineu.
{89} The harp of Teirtu to console me that night.
{92} Garselit Wyddel.
{93} Moro Oerveddawc.
{98a} And what he and his companions with him did was this--they crossed
the three wards until he was within the fortress.
{98b} Glini.
{99a} Glini.
{99b} Add "some of."
{100} There was but one horn on each side of my head, and there were no
trees here except one oak sapling.
{102} And they proceeded until they came to the wall opposite to where
the prisoner was, where they heard lamentations and groaning on the other
side of the wall.
{103} And it was piteous to hear them. And he hastened to the place.
{105} Dyvnarth.
{108a} Hosts of Ireland.
{108b} And when all the hosts had fled, Arthur and his men went to their
ship in their sight, carrying with them the cauldron full of Irish money.
{108c} Llwyddeu.
{109} And he only killed one of his young pigs.
{110} Add "same night Arthur."
{111a} Aber Tywi.
{111b} Kynlas.
{111c} And ever since they had crossed the Irish Sea, he had not
appeared to them until then.
{112a} And there was killed a young boar from among his pigs.
{112b} And there was killed a young boar and a young sow.
{114} But she turned again upon Kacmwri; she beat both men soundly,
disarmed them, and drove them out.
{116} Maxen Wledig was an emperor at Rome. And the comeliest man was
he, and the wisest, and the one that was most fit to be an emperor, of
all that had been before him.
{117} Not for the delight of hunting went the emperor so far as that,
but to make himself such a man that he would be lord over those kings.
{118a} Valleys he saw, and precipices, and wondrous high rocks, and a
rugged, waterless land.
{118b} Barren.
{119} Sparkling jewels laboriously wrought.
{120} There was no joint of his bones, or cavity of his nails, not to
speak of anything larger than these, that was not full of the maiden's
love.
{122} Waterless.
{124} Helen of the Legions.
{125} Legions.
{126a} Over the wall into the city.
{126b} That it was not for me that thy brothers conquered the city.