Entitled the Ode of the Months, composed by Gwilym Ddu of Arfon, to Sir John Griffydd Llwyd, of Tregarnedd and Dinorwig.
Why the Bard called this piece the “Ode of the Months” I cannot guess; but by what he intimates in the poem, which is that when all nature revives, and the whole animal and vegetable creation are in their full bloom and vigour, he mourned and pined for the decayed state of his country. The hero he celebrates made a brave but successless attempt to rescue it from slavery. It will not be amiss to give a short account of the inhuman massacre of the Bards made by that cruel tyrant Edward the first, which gave occasion to a very fine Ode by Mr. Gray. Sir John Wynne, of Gwydir, a descendant in a direct line from Owain Gwynedd, mentions this particular, and says he searched all the records in the Exchequer at Carnarvon, and in the Tower of London, for the antiquities of his country in general, and of his own family in particular. I shall set down his own words, as I find them in a very fair copy of that history lent me by Sir Roger Mostyn, of Gloddaeth and Mostyn, Bart., a person no less eminent for his generous communicative temper, than for many other public and private virtues.
“This is the most ancient song (i.e. one of Rhys Goch of Eryri’s, a Bard who flourished a.d. 1400) I can find extant of my ancestors since the reign of Edward the first, who caused our Bards all to be hanged by martial law, as stirrers of the people to sedition; whose example being followed by the governors of Wales until Henry the Fourth’s time, was the utter destruction of that sort of men; and since then that kind of people were at some further liberty to sing, and to keep pedigrees, as in ancient time they were wont; since which time we have some light of antiquity by their songs and writings,” &c.
The following is taken from an old British grammar, written in English, by William Salesbury, printed at London, 1567. I have transcribed it faithfully according to the old orthography. “Howbeit when the whole Isle was commonlye called Brytayne, the dwellers Brytons, and accordingly their language Brytishe, I will not refell nor greatly deny; neither can I justly gainsaye, but their tongue then was as copious of syt woordes, and all manner of proper vocables, and as well adornated with woorshipful sciences and honourable knowledge as any other of the barbarous tongues were. And so still continued (though their sceptre declined, and their kingdom decayed, and they also by God’s hand were driven into the most unfertyl region, barenest country, and most desart province of all the isle) untyll the conquest of Wales. For then, as they say, the nobles and the greatest men beyng captives and brought prysoners to the tower of London, there to remayne during their lyves, desired of a common request, that they might have with them all such bokes of their tongue, as they most delited in, and so their petition was heard, and for the lightness soon granted, and thus brought with them all the principallest and chiefest books, as well of their own as of other their friends, of whom they could obtain anye to serve for their purpose. Whose mind was none other but to pass the time, and their predestinate perpetual captivitie in the amenous varietie of over reading and revoluting many volumes and sundry books of divers sciences and strange matters.
“And that is the common answer of the Welshe Bardes (for so they call their country poets) when a man shall object or cast in their teeth the foolysh uncertainty and the phantasticall vanities of their prophecies (which they call Bruts) or the doubtful race and kinde of their uncanonized saynctes: whom that notwithstanding they both invocate and worship wyth the most hyghe honoure and lowliest reverence. Adding and allegying in excuse thereof, that the reliques and residue of the books and monuments, as well as the saynctes lyves, as of their Brutysh prophecies and other sciences (which perished not in the tower, for there, they say, certain were burned) at the commotion of Owain Glyndwr, were in like manner destroyed, and utterly devastat, or at the least wyse that there escaped not one, that was not uncurablye maymed, and irrecuperably torn and mangled.
“‘Llyfrau Cymru au llofrudd
Ir twr Gwyn aethant ar gudd
Ysceler oedd Yscolan
Fwrw’r twrr lyfrau ir tan.’Gutto’r Glyn. a.d. 1450.
“The books of Cymru and their remains went to the White Tower, where they were hid. Cursed was Ysgolan’s act in throwing them in heaps into the fire.”
It is not improbable that our Bard might have been one of those who suffered in the cause of his country, though he had the good luck to escape Edward’s fury. I wish I may be so happy as to convey some faint idea of his merit to the English reader. The original has such touches, as none but a person in the Bard’s condition could have expressed so naturally. However not to anticipate the judicious reader’s opinion, to which I submit mine with all deference, I shall now produce some account of this great man, taken from that skilful and candid antiquary Mr. Robert Vaughan of Hengwrt’s notes on Dr. Powel’s history of Wales, printed at Oxford, 1663.
“Sir John Griffydd Llwyd, knight, the son of Rhys ap Griffydd ap Ednyfed Fychan, was a valiant gentleman, but unfortunate, ‘magnæ quidem, sed calamitosæ virtutis,’ as Lucius Florus saith of Sertorius. He was knighted by king Edward, when he brought him the first news of his queen’s safe delivery of a son at Carnarvon Castle; the king was then at Rhuddlan, at his parliament held there. This Sir Griffydd afterwards taking notice of the extreme oppression and tyranny exercised by the English officers, especially Sir Roger Mortimer, lord of Chirk, and justice of North Wales, towards his countrymen the Welsh, became so far discontented, that he broke into open rebellion, verifying that saying of Solomon, ‘Oppression maketh a wise man mad.’ He treated with Sir Edward Bruce, brother to Robert, then king of Scotland, who had conquered Ireland, to bring or send over men to assist him in his design against the English; but Bruce’s terms being conceived too unreasonable, the treaty came to nought; however being desperate, he gathered all the forces he could, and, in an instant, like a candle that gives a sudden blaze before it is out, overran all North Wales and the Marches, taking all the castles and holds; but to little purpose, for soon after he was met with, his party discomfited, and himself taken prisoner. This was in the year of our Lord 1322.”
I thought so much by way of introduction necessary to commemorate so gallant a person; what became of him afterwards is not mentioned by our historians. However the following poem remains not only as a monument of the hero’s bravery, but of the Bard’s genius.
Before the beginning of May I lived in pomp and grandeur, but now, alas! I am deprived of daily support, the time is as disastrous as when our Saviour Christ was taken and betrayed. How naked and forlorn is our condition! We are exposed to anxious toils and cares. O how heavy is the Almighty’s punishment, that the crimson sword cannot be drawn! I remember how great its size was, and how wide its havoc; numerous are now the oppressed captives who languish in gnashing indignation. Our native Bards are excluded from their accustomed entertainments. How great a stop is put to generosity since a munificent hero, like Nudd, [46a] is confined in prison. The valorous hawk of Griffydd, [46b] so renowned for ravaging and destroying his enemies, is deplored by the expert Bards, who have lost their festivity and mirth in the place where mead was drunk. I cannot bear to think of his injurious treatment. His hospitality has fed thousands. He is, alas! in a forlorn prison, such is the unjust oppression of the land of the Angles. [46c] Years of sorrow have overwhelmed me. I reckon not what becomes of the affairs of this world. The Bards of two hundred regions lament that they have now no protector. This is a certain, but a sad truth. Though the unthinking vulgar do not reflect as I do on the time when my eagle shone in his majesty. I am pierced by the lance of despair. Hard is the fate of my protector, Gwynedd [47a] is in a heavy melancholy mood, its inhabitants are oppressed because of their transgressions. Long has the bright sword, that shone like a torch, been laid aside, and the brave courage of the dauntless Achilles been stopped. The whole pleasant season of May is spent in dismal sorrow; and June is comfortless and cheerless. It increaseth my tribulation, that Griffydd with the red lance is not at liberty. I am covered with chilly damps. My whole fabric shakes for the loss of my chief. I find no intermission to my pain. May I sink, O Christ! my Saviour, into the grave, where I can have repose; for now, alas! the office of the Bard is but a vain and empty name. I am surprised that my despair has not burst my heart, and that it is not rent through the midst in twain. The heavy stroke of care assails my memory, when I think of his confinement, who was endowed with the valour of Urien [47b] in battle. My meditation on past misfortunes is like that of the skilful Cywryd, [47c] the Bard of Dunawd. [47d] My praise to the worthy hero is without vicious flattery, and my song no less affecting than his. My panegyric is like the fruitful genius of Afan Ferddig [48a] in celebrating Cadwallon [48b] of royal enterprise. I can no more sing of the lance, in well-laboured verse. Since thou doest not live, what avails it that the world has any further continuance? Every region proclaims thy generosity. The world droops since thou art lost. There are no entertainments or mirth, Bards are no longer honoured: the palaces are no longer open, strangers are neglected, there are no caparizoned steeds, no trusty endearing friendship. No, our country mourns, and wears the aspect of Lent. There is no virtue, goodness, or any thing commendable left among us, but vice, dissoluteness, and cowardice bear the sway. The great and towering strength of Môn [48c] is become an empty shadow, and the inhabitants of Arfon [48d] are become insignificant below the ford of Rheon. [48e] The lofty land of Gwynedd is become weak. The heavy blow of care strikes her down. We must now renounce all consolation. We are confined in a close prison by a merciless unrelenting enemy; and what avails a bloody and brave contest for liberty.
Having finished the present small collection of the British Bards, I take this opportunity to acquaint the reader, that the time in which they flourished is not accurately set down by Dr. Davies, at the end of his Dictionary, nor by Mr. Llwyd, of the Museum, in his Catalogue of British Writers, in the Archæologia Britannica. Indeed it is impossible to be so exact, as to fix the year when the Bards wrote their several pieces, unless the actions they celebrate are mentioned in our Annals, because some of them lived under several princes. This I thought proper to mention, lest any should blame the translator for his inaccuracy, in settling the Chronology of the Poems.
The Chief of Bards, and Elphin, the son of Gwyddno Goranhir, his Patron.
Gwyddno Goranhir, was a petty king of Cantre’r Gwaelod, whose country was drowned by the sea, in a great inundation that happened about the year 560, through the carelessness of the person into whose care the dams were committed, as appears from a poem of Taliesin upon that sad catastrophe. In his time the famous Taliesin lived, whose birth and education is thus related in our ancient manuscripts. He was found exposed in a wear belonging to Gwyddno, the profit of which he had granted to his son, Prince Elphin, who being an extravagant youth, and not finding the usual success, grew melancholy; and his fishermen attributed his misfortune to his riotous irregular life. When the prodigal Elphin was thus bewailing his misfortune, the fishermen espied a coracle with a child in it, enwrapped in a leathern bag, whom they brought to the young prince, who ordered care to be taken of him, and when he grew up gave him the best education, upon which he became the most celebrated Bard of his time. The accomplished Taliesin was introduced by Elphin to his father Gwyddno’s court, where he delivered him a poem, giving an account of himself, entitled, Hanes Taliesin, or Taliesin’s History; and at the same time another to his patron and benefactor Elphin to console him upon his past misfortune, and to exhort him to put his trust in Divine Providence. This is a fine moral piece, and very artfully addressed by the Bard, who introduces himself in the person and character of an exposed infant. As it is probable that the prince’s affairs took another turn since that period, this was done with great propriety. Sir John Pryse mentions the poem that Taliesin delivered to king Gwyddno, in his Historiæ Britannicæ defensio. “Taliesinus quidem in odula, quam de suis erroribus composuit, sic inscripta Britannicè (Hanes Taliesin) videlicet errores Taliesini, ait se tandem divertisse ad reliquias Trojæ;
“‘Mi a ddaethum yma at Weddillion Troia;’
“neque dubitandum est hoc fuesse opus Taliesini: nam præter innumeros codices vetustissimos, qui inscriptionem hujusmodi attestentur, nullo reclamante, nullus est recentiorum qui vel phrasin illius tam antiquam, carminisve majestatem assequi potuit. Et ideo summus ille vates inter Britannos censetur et nominatur.” I never could procure a perfect nor correct copy of this poem of Taliesin, otherwise I would gratify the curious with a translation of it. It is certain from his history, that he was a very learned man for his time, and seems to have been well versed in the doctrine of the Druids, particularly the μετεμψύχωσις, which accounts for the extravagant flights frequent in his poems. I have now in my possession above fifty of them; but they are so difficult to be understood, on account of their great antiquity, and numerous obsolete words, and negligence of transcribers, that it is too great a task for any man at this distance of time to go about a translation of them. However I have selected this ode, as a specimen of his manner of writing, not as it is the best in the collection, but as it is the only one I could thoroughly understand. There are many spurious pieces fathered upon this Bard, in a great many hands in North Wales; but these are all forged either by the monks, to answer the purposes of the church of Rome, or by the British Bards, in the time of the latter princes of Wales, to spirit up their countrymen against the English, which anybody versed in the language may easily find by the style and matter. It has been my luck to meet with a manuscript of all his genuine pieces now extant, which was transcribed by the learned Dr. Davies, of Mallwyd, from an old manuscript on vellum of the great antiquary Mr. R. Vaughan, of Hengwrt. This transcript I have shewn to the best antiquaries and critics in the Welsh language now living. They all confess that they do not understand above one half of any of his poems. The famous Dr. Davies could not, as is plain from the many obsolete words he has left without any interpretation in his dictionary. This should be a caveat to the English reader concerning the great antiquity of the poems that go under the name of Ossian, the son of Fingal, lately published by Mr. Macpherson. It is a great pity Taliesin is so obscure, for there are many particulars in his poems that would throw great light on the history, notions, and manners of the Ancient Britons, especially of the Druids, a great part of whose learning it is certain he had imbibed. This celebrated Bard was in great favour with all the great men of his time, particularly with Maelgwn Gwynedd, the warlike and victorious king of all Britain, with Elphin his patron, whom he redeemed with his songs from the castle of Tyganwy, where he was upon some account confined by his uncle Maelgwn. He likewise celebrated the victories of Urien Reged, king of Cumbria, and a great part of Scotland, as far as the river Clyde. In short, he was held in so great esteem by posterity, that the Bards mentioned him with the greatest honour in their works. In his poem entitled Anrheg Urien, or Urien’s Present, he says that his habitation was by Llyn Geirionnydd, in the parish of Llan Rhychwyn, in Carnarvonshire, and mentions therein his cotemporary, the famous Aneurin Gwawdrydd, author of the Gododin, an heroic poem on the battle of Cattraeth, of which some account is given in the Dissertatio de Bardis.
i.e. I know the fame of that celebrated genius Aneurin Gwawdrydd, who am Taliesin, whose habitation is by the pool Geirionnydd.—
Having finished this short account of our author, I shall now proceed to his poem, entitled, Dyhuddiant Elphin, or Elphin’s Consolation, which I offer now to the public.
Dr. John David Rhys quotes it at length in his Linguæ Cymraecæ Institutiones Accuratæ; which, to save further trouble, I shall beg leave to transcribe here in his own words. “Cæterum nunc et propter eorum authoritatem, et quod huic loco inter alia maxime quadrant, non pigebit quædem antiquissima Taliesini Cambro-Britannica Carmina subjungere,” &c.
I have nothing more to acquaint the reader with, but that I have used two copies in my translation, one in print by the said Dr. John David Rhys, the other in manuscript by Dr. Thomas Williams. I have followed the copy I thought most correct, and have given the different reading of the manuscript in the margin.
To Elphin, the son of Gwyddno Goranhir, king of Cantre’r Gwaelod, to comfort him upon his ill success at the Wear; and to exhort him to trust in Divine providence.
Fair Elphin, cease to weep, let no man be discontented with his fortune; to despair avails nothing. It is not that which man sees that supports him. Cynllo’s prayer will not be ineffectual. God will never break his promise. There never was in Gwyddno’s Wear such good luck as to-night.
Fair Elphin, wipe the tears from thy face! Pensive melancholy will never profit thee; though thou thinkest thou hast no gain; certainly too much sorrow will do thee no good; doubt not of the great Creator’s wonders; though I am but little, yet am I endowed with great gifts. From the seas and mountains, and from the bottom of rivers, God sends wealth to the good and happy man.
Elphin with the lovely qualities, thy behaviour is unmanly, thou oughtest not to be over pensive. To trust in God is better than to forebode evil. Though I am but small and slender on the beach of the foaming main, I shall do thee more good in the day of distress than three hundred salmons.
Elphin with the noble qualities, murmur not at thy misfortune: though I am but weak on my leathern couch, there dwelleth a gift on my tongue. While I continue to be thy protection, thou needest not fear any disaster. If thou desirest the assistance of the ever blessed Trinity, nothing can do thee hurt.
breviter discutiuntur.
studio et opera
EVANI EVANS, CERETICENSIS.
Si quid mea carmina possunt,
Aonio statuam sublimeis vertice Bardos;
Bardos Pieridum cultores, atque canentis
Phœbi delicias, quibus est data cura perennis
Dicere nobilium clarissima facta virorum,
Aureaque excelsam famam super astra locare.Joh. Lelandus in Assertione Arturii.
GVLIELMO VAVGHAN
De Cors y Gedol Armigero,
et
In Senatu Britannico
Pro Comitatu Meirionnydd Delegato, Provinciae
Praefeeto, Rotulorum Custodi,
Societatis Cymmrodorion Londini Praesidi Summo,
Caeterisque Ejusdem Societatis Membris,
Hanc De Bardis Dissertationem,
Summa, Qua Par Est, Observantia D. D. D.
Evanus Evans.
Quum per multos annos non sine summa voluptate Bardos Britannos horis subsicivis evolverem, et quum hac ætate fere in desuetudinem abiere ejusmodi studia, et quicquid est Britannicae antiquitatis nostrorum pereat incuriâ, non potui quin hanc qualem qualem rudi Minerva dissertatiunculam in vulgus emitterem, quo exteris melius innotescat, quantum in his olim profecêre nostrates.
Bardi apud Celtas originem habuerunt; et Graeci, qui eorurn meminerunt, mira omnino de illis produnt, quae eo magis fidem merentur quod non solebant laudes suas in Barbaros effusè impendere. Cum alibi gentium hodie nulla eorum maneant vestigia nisi apud Cambro-Britannos et Hibernos, Celtarum posteros; è re fore duxi, si aliquid de antiquioribus qui apud nos extant, praelibarem, praemissis de iis in genere ex Scriptoribus Graecis et Latinis elogii, quò augustius in scenam prodeant; et inde venerandae antiquitatis auctoritatem sibi vindicent.
Unde Bardi nomen sunt sortiti, nondum mihi constat; Annii enim Viterbiensis regem Bardum, uti et omnia ejus hujuscemodi commenta, penitus rejicio. Non omnino abludit vox Bâr furor, modo sit ille poeticus quo se agitari fingebant Bardi. Si ea fuerit vocis origo, necesse est ut primitùs scriberetur Barydd. Utcunque sit, nos a multis retrò Seculis furorem illum poeticum voce Awen designamus, quae deduci potest a Gwên, risus vel lætitia: Poetae enim munus est ut homines cantu exhilaret. Non multum ergo contendimus an ea sit vocis origo, cum vocabulorum antiquorum, cujusmodi sunt hominum, officiorum, urbium, montium et fluviorum sit admodum obscura significatio.
His de Bardorum origine praemissis, ad eorum pergamus munus, prout Scriptores Graeci et Latini tradiderunt. Primus sit Diodorus Siculus, qui haec scribit. Εισι και παρ' αυτοις και ποιηται μελων, ους ΒΑΡΔΟΥΣ ονομάζουσι, ουτοι δε μετ' ορyάνων ταις λύραις ομοίων αδοντες, ους μεν υμνουσι, ους δε βλασφηουσι [60a] Non multum dissimile est quod de illis prodit Ammianus Marcellinus. “Bardi (inquit ille) fortia virorum illustrium facta heroicis composita versibus cum dulcibus lyrae modulis cantitarunt.” His Possidonii apud Athenaeum verba addere lubet, qui eorum munus graphicè depingit. Κελτοι πειάyονται μεζ' εαυτων, και πολεμουντες συμξιωτας ους καλονσι παρασιτους. ουτοι δε εyκώμια άυτων, και προς αθρόους λέyουσιν ανθρώπους συνειςωτας, και προς εκατον των καrα μέρος εκείνων ακροωμένων. τα δε ακόυσματα αυτων εισιν οι καλόυμενοι ΒΑΡΔΟΙ. ποιηrαι δε ουτοι rυyχάνουσι yετ ωδης επαίνοις λέyοντες. [60b] Hinc manifesto liquet eorum præcipuum munus fuisse Heroum laudes in cœlum evehere. Sed quum nulla Celticorum vel Gallicorum extent Bardorum opera, ex quibus quam dignè munus gesserint evincatur, operæ pretium est, alium ex eodem Athenaeo locum adducere, ex quo patebit haudquaquam iis defuisse sublime dicendi genus, quod Græci υψος vocant. Posidonius, Luernii, qui Bittitis pater fuit à Romanis profligati, opes cùm enarrat, tradit eum popularem gratiam ancupantem, per agros curru vehi solitum, aurúmque et argentum in turbas Celtarum innumeras eum prosequentes spargere; quin et septum eundem quadratum stadiorum duodecim aliquando cinxisse, in quo potione sumptuosa et exquisita pleni lacus essant, paratáque cibariorum copia, ut complusculis diebus liceret iis quibus placeret, ingredi, fruíque illo apparatu, cum assiduis ministrorum officiis. Epularum diem aliquando cùm ille constituisset, ac præfiniisset, barbarum quendam Poetam tardius caeteris eo commeantem illi occurrisse, ac canentem laudes ejus, excellentésque virtutes celebrasse, vicem verò suam doluisse, ac deflevise, quòd serius adventasset: illum cantu delectatum auri sacculum poposcisse, et accurrenti cantori projecisse: quo sublato, poëtam ejus rursum laudes iterantem praedicasse currûs, quo vehebatur, impressa in terram vestigia aurum et beneficia procreare mortalibus. Sed praestat ipsa Athenaei verba apponere. Ἔτι ὁ Ηοσειδώνιος διηγούγενος κὶ τὀν Λουερνίου του Βιτύιτος πατρὀς πλουτον, του ὑπὸ Ῥωμαίων καθαιρεθέντος, φησὶ, δημαγωγουντα αὐτόν τὀυς ὄχλους ἐν ἅρμάτι φέρεσθαι διὰ τῶν πεδίων, κὶ σπείρειν χρυσὸν, κὶ ἄργυρον τοῖς ἀκολουθόυσαις τῶν Κελτῶν μυριάσι, φράγμα τε ποιεῖν δωδεκασάδιον τετράγωνον, ἐν ᾦ πληρὂυν ληνὸυς πολυτελοῦς πόματος, παρασκενάζειν τε τοσὂυτο βοωμάτων πλῆθος, ὥστε ἐφ᾽ ἡμἑρας πλειονας ἐξεῖναι τοῖς βουλομένοις τῶν παρασκευασζέντων ἀπολαύειν, ἀδιαλείπτως διακονουμένοις. Άφορίσαντος δ' αὐτοῦ προζεσμίαν ποτε τῆς θοινῆς, αφυςερήσαντά τινα τῶν Βαρβἀρων ποιητἠν αφικέσθαι, καἰ συναντήσαντα μετ' ᾠδῆς ὑμνεῖν ἀυτου τἠν ὐπεροχἠν, εαυτὀν δ' ὐποθρήνειν ὅτι ύσέρηκε τὀν δἐ τεφθέντα θυλἀκιον αἰτῆσαι χρυσίου, καἰ ῥίψαι ἀυτῶ παρατρέχοντι, ἀνελόμενον δ' ἐκεῖνον πάλιν ὑμνεῖν, λέγοντα, ΔΙΟΤΙ ΤΑ ΙΧΝΗ ΤΗΣ ΓΗΣ (ΕΦ ΗΣ ΑΡΜΑΤΗΛΑΤΕΙ) ΧΡΥΣΟΝ ΚΑΙ ΕΥΕΡΓΕΣΙΑΣ ΑΝΘΡΩΠΟΙ Σ ΦΕΡΕΙ. [61]
Haec sunt quae (ut pote cui ad Bibliothecas aditus non patet) de antiquis illis in medium proferre licuit. Ad nostros jam venio in quibus non desunt veri et genuini υψους exempla. Nequaquam suo genere Graecis et Latinis poetis cedunt nostri Bardi, quamvis ad eorum normam carmina non texerunt. Quid enim nobis cum exteris? An eorum modulo et pede nostra poemata metenda sunt? Quid, ut taceam de Arabicis et Brachmanicis, et in Europa boreali Scaldis? quid fiet, inquam, de antiquioribus illis Sacrosanctis poetis? quid fiet de Jobo; Davide, et siqui alii θεοδιδακτοι poetae? Sed haec a proposito nostro aliena sunt.
Quum res Britonum, ingruentibus Pictis, Scotis, et Saxonibus, laberentur, dici non potest, quantam libris et veteribus nostrorum monumentis stragem ediderint: adeo ut Bardi et historici verè antiqui, sint admodum rari. E nostris historicis qui Bardorum meminit, primus est Gildas Nennius, qui scripsit, uti ipse narrat, anno 858, et quarto Mervini regis. Sed is locus in nonnullis exemplaribus deest, et ejus auctor clarissimo Vaughano, Nennio antiquior esse videtur, qui eum “vetustum Saxonicægenealogiae autorem” nominat. Sive verò is fuerit Nennius, quod mihi videtur, sive, uti ille mavult, aliquis eo vetustior, omnia quae ibi narrantur quam verissima sunt, quamvis scribentium oscitantia quam fœdissime sint depravata. Nec mendas castigarunt editores Gale et Bertram. Quæ ad Bardos sic se habent. “Item Talhaiarn Tatangen in poemate claruit, et Nuevin, et Taliesin, et Bluchbar, et Cian qui vocatur Gweinchgwant, simul uno tempore in poemate Britannico claruerunt.” Qui locus sic restitui debet. “Item Talhaiarn Tatangwn claruit, et Aneurin, et Taliesin, et Llywarch, et Cian qui vocatur Gwyngwn simul uno tempore in poemate Britannico claruerunt.” Ex iis quos hic nominat Nennius tres tantum extant, nempe Aneurin, Taliesin, et Llywarch cognomento Hen. Meminit tamen Talhaiarni Taliesinus in poemate cui titulus Angar Cyfyndawd, i.e. Concordia discors.
Trwy iaith Talhaiarn,
Bedydd bi ddydd farn.“Ex Talhaiarni sententia
Expiato erit per baptisum in die supremo.”
Uti et Ciani in eodem poemate.
Cian pan ddarfu
Lliaws gyfolu.“Quando Cianus multos carmine celebratet.”
Meminit et ejudem Aneurinus in suo poemate Heroico, cui nomen Gododin.
Un maban y Gian o faen Gwyngwn.
“Unicus Ciani filius ex valido Gwyngwm ortus.”
Sed quum eorum opera aboleverit ætas, nihil ultra de iis dicere possumus. Hoc saltem constat, si Nennio fides adhibenda sit, eos suo seculo Bardos fuisse eximios. Aneurinus, Taliesinus et Llywarch Hen habent multa notatu digna, et quæ rei istius seculi historicæ multum lucis adferunt. Sed quum eorum sint rarissima exemplaria, intellectu sunt quam difficillima, quod sit partim ob scribentium oscitantiam, partìm ob linguam vetustam et obsoletam, quæ in nullo Lexico vel glossario inveniri potest. Unde fit, ut saepe non plus dimidio vel a peritissimo intelligatur. Taliesinus quem nostrates Pen Beirdd; i.e. Bardorum Coryphaeum appellavere, in aulis Britanniae principum vixit, et ibi clara eorum in bello facinora cantavit. Patronos habuit Maelgwyn Gwynedd, eum scilicet quem Gildas Maglocunum vocat, et Urienum Regedensem Cumbriae principem et Elphinum filium Gwyddno Garanir Dominum Cantref Gwaelod, cujus regio a mari absorpta est circa annum 540. Floruerunt Taliesinus et Aneurin Gwawdrydd Mychdeyrn Beirdd, i.e. Bardorum Monarcha, eodem tempore, circa annum 570. Aneurinus, in suo poemate cui titulus Gododin, refert se in bello juxta Cattraeth sub auspiciis Mynyddawc Eiddin, bellum adversus Saxones gessisse, et ibi omnes, tribus exceptis, inter quos erat Aneurinus, bello occubuisse. Fuerunt sub hoc principe in hac expeditione trecenti et sexaginta tres viri nobiles, qui eum ad bellum juxta Cattraeth sunt secuti. Fit hujus exercitus mentio libro Triadum in hunc modum. Teir gosgordd addwyn Ynys Prydain. Gosgordd Mynyddawc Eiddin Yng Cattraeth; a gosgordd Melyn a Chynfelyn; a gosgordd Drywon mab Nudd yn Rhodwydd Arderydd. i.e. Tres fuere nobiles exercitus Insulae Britannicae. Exercitus Mynyddawc Eiddin juxta Cattraeth; Exercitus Melyn et Cynfelyn: et Exercitus Drywon filii Nudd juxta Rhodwydd Arderydd.
Placuit hic nonnulla ex Aneurini Gododinio excerpere, quae licet ob vetustatem et dialecti varietatem sint admodum obscura (fuit enim si non Pictorum lingua, saltem Britannorum septentrionalium dialectus, et ideo hodiernis Cambro-Britannis minus facilis intellectu) attamen lectori baud injucunda fore judicavi, eo quod salvis Græcis et Latinis sit forsan antiquissimum in Europâ poema. Interpretationem in multis claudicare nullus dubito. Ii quibus plura exemplaria videre contigerit, ea felicius enucleabunt. Ego non nisi unum vidi a Thoma Gulielmo Medico practico scriptum, in quo quae sequuntur sic se habebant.
Caeawg Cynhorawg myn ydd elai,
Diphun ym mlaen bun medd a dalai,
Twll tal i rodawr yn i clywai awr,
Ni roddai nawd maint dilynai,
Ni chilia o gamawn, yn i ferai
Waed mal brwyn, gomynei wyr nid elai,
Nis adrawdd Gododin ar llawr Mordai,
Rhag pebyll Madog pan atcorei
Namyn un gwr o gant yn y ddelai.
i.e.
“Caeawg Cynhorawg ubicunque ivit,
- - - hydro meli dedit,
Scutum ejus fuit perforatum, ubicunque audivit
Clamorem, hostibus non pepercit, et eos insecutus est:
Nec prius a bello destitit, quam sanguis effusè fluxerit,
Et eos qui non discedebant securi percussit;
Adeo ut non possit Gododin celebrare facta in aula Mordai
Ex Madoci castris quum domum profectus est
Unus tantum ex centum rediit.”Caeawg Cynhorawg arfawg yngawr,
Cyno diwygwr gwrdd yngwyawr,
Cynran yn rhagwan rhag byddinawr,
Cwyddai bum pumwnt rhag eu llafnawr,
O wyr Deifr a Bryneich dychrawr,
Ugeincant eu difant yn unawr,
Cynt i gig i fleidd nog yt i neithiawr,
Cynt e fydd i fran, nog yt i elawr,
Cyn noe argyfrein e waed i lawr,
Gwerth medd ynghyntedd gan Liweddawr,
Hyfeidd Hir ermygir tra fo Cerddawr.
i.e.
“Caeawg Cynhorawg vir in bello armatus,
Et Cyno qui se strenuum gessit in dimicando,
Ceciderunt numerus ingens eorum hastis transfixi.
Prius lupo parabatur caro, quam nuptiali convivio;
Et corvo prius commodum fuit, quam Libitinæ.
Prius quam humi fluebat ejus sanguis
In aula Lliweddawr mulsum bibit;
Et Hyfeidd Hir celebrabitur, donec erit Cantor.”Gwyr a aeth Gattraeth feddfaeth feddwn,
Ffurf ffrwythlawn, oedd cam nas cymhwyllwn,
I am lafnawr coch, gorfawr, gwrmwn,
Dwys dyngyn ydd ymleddyn aergwn,
Ar deulu Bryneich be ich barnaswn,
Diluw, dyn yn fyw nis gadawswn,
Cyfeillt a gollais, difflais oeddwn,
Rhugl yn ymwrthryn, rhyn rhiadwn.
Ni mynnws gwrawl gwaddawl chwegrwn,
Maban y Gian o faen Gwyngwn.
i.e.
“Viri festinabant Cattraeth, quibus mulsum erat potus,
Formâ eximii, quibus ingratus essem, si non meminerim.
Hastis armati turmatim rubris, magnis et incurvatis,
Pugnabant impetuosi bellatores.
Si mihi liceret [66] sententiam de Deirorum populo ferre,
Æque ac diluvium omnes una strage prostrarem;
Amicum enim amisi incautus,
Qui in resistendo firmus erat - - -
Non petiit magnanimus dotem a socero,
Filius Ciani ex strenuo Cwyngwn ortus.”Yfeis i o win a medd y Mordai,
Mawr maint i wewyr,
Ynghyfarfod gwyr,
Bwyd i eryr erysmygai.
Pan gryssiei Gydywal cyfddwyreai
Awr, gan wyrdd wawr cyn i dodai,
Aessawr ddellt am bellt a adawai,
Parrau ryn rwygiad, dygymmynai
Ynghat blaen bragat briwai.
i.e.
“Ego bibi ex vino et Mulso Mordai,
Cujus hasta fuit immanis magnitudinis.
In belli congressu,
Victum aquilis paravit.
Quando Cydywal festinavit, exortus est clamor
Ante croceam auroram, cum signum dedit,
Scutum in asseres comminutos fregit,
Et hastis lacerantibus percussit,
Et in bello eos qui primam stationem sunt nacti vulneravit.”Gwyr a aeth Gattraeth buant enwawd;
Gwin a medd o aur fu eu gwirawd,
Blwyddyn yn erbyn wrdyn ddefawd,
Trywyr a thriugaint a thrichant eurdorchawd,
O’r sawl yt gryssiassant uch gormant wirawd,
Ni ddiengis namyn tri o wrhydri ffossawd,
Dau gatci Aeron, a Chynon Daearawd
A minnau o’m gwaedffreu gwerth fy ngwenwawd.
i.e.
“Viri ibant ad Cattraeth, et fuere insignes,
Vinum et mulsum ex auries poculis erat eorum potus,
- - - - - - - - -
Trecenti et sexaginta tres auries torquibus insigniti erant,
Ex iis autem qui nimio potu madidi ad bellum properabant,
Non evasere nisi tres, qui sibi gladiis viam muniebant,
Sc. bellator de Aeron et Conanvs Daearawd,
Et egomet ipse (sc. Bardus Aneurinus) sanguine rubens,
Aliter ad hoc carmen compingendum non superstes fuissem.’Pan gryssiei Garadawg i gad,
Mab baedd coed, trychwn, trychiad,
Tarw byddin yn nhrin gymmyniad,
Ef llithiai wydd gwn oi angad,
Ys fy nhyst Ewein fab Eulad,
A Gwrien, a Gwyn, a Gwriad,
O Gattraeth o gymmynad,
O Fryn Hydwn cyn caffad,
Gwedi medd gloyw ar angad,
Ni weles Wrien ei dad.
i.e.
“Quando ad bellum properabat Caradocus,
Filius apri sylvestris qui truncando mutilavit hostes,
Taurus aciei in pugnæ conflictu,
Is lignum (i.e. hastam) ex manu contorsit,
Cujus rei sunt testes Ewein filius Eulad.
Et Gwrien et Gwyn et Gwriad.
Ex Cattraeth et congressu ibi,
Ex Bryn Hydwn ubi prius habitavit, oriundus,
Postquam mulsum lucidum in manu tenuerat,
Non vidit patrem suum Gwrienus.”Cyfwyrein cetwyr cyfarfuant,
Ynghyt, yn unfryt yt gyrchassant,
Byrr eu hoedl, hir eu hoed ar eu carant,
Seith gymmaint o Loegrwys a laddassant,
O gyfryssedd gwragedd gwych a wnaethant,
Llawer mam a’i deigr ar ei hamrant.
i.e.
“Laudo bellatores qui congressi sunt omnes,
Et uno animo hostes adorti sunt,
Fuit eorum vita brevis, et longum amicis desiderium reliquerunt,
Occiderunt tamen ex Saxonibus plus scepties
Ex [68] aemulatione mulierum egregiè egerunt.
Et plurima mater lacrymas pofudit.”Arddyledawc canu, cymman o fri,
Twrf tân, a tharan, a rhyferthi,
Gwryd ardderchawg marchawg mysgi,
Rhudd Fedel rhyfel a eidduni,
Gwr gwnedd, difuddiawg, digymmyni ynghat,
O’r meint gwlad yt glywi.
i.e.
“Debitus est tibi cantus, qui honorem assecutus es maximum,
Qui eras instar ignis, tonitrui et tempestatis,
Viribus eximie, eques bellicose
Rhudd Fedel, bellum meditaris.
Licet vir strenuus adoriatur, eum superabis in bello
Ex quacunque regione eum advenisse audieris.”Arddyledawc canu claer orchorddion,
A gwedi dyrraith dyleinw afon,
Dimcones loflen ben eryron llwyd,
Ef gorau bwyd i ysglyfion.
Or a aeth Gattraeth o aurdorchogion,
Ar neges Mynyddawg mynawg Maon,
Ni ddoeth yn ddiwarth o barth Frython,
Ododin wr bell well no Chynon.
i.e.
“Carmine debent celebrari nobiles proceres,
Qui post conflictum amnes ripas superare fecerunt. [69]
Ejus manus satiavit aquilarum fuscarum gulas,
Is et optime cibum paravit avibus rapacibus,
Ex omnibus enim eis qui ibant ad Cattraeth aureis torquibus insigniti,
Qui partem Mynyddawg in bello defendebant clari satellites,
Nullus ex Britonibus melius suum egit munus
In Gododin, (ex iis qui ex longinquo venerunt) quam Conanus.”Truan yw gennyf i gwedi lludded
Goddef gloes angau trwy anghyffred
Ag eil trwm truan gennyf fi, gweled
Dygwyddaw an gwyr ni pen o dräed
Ac uchenaid hir ac eilywed
Yn ol gwyr pybyr tymyr tudwed
Rhyfawn a Gwgawn Gwiawn a Gwlyged
Gwyr gorsaf gwriaf gwrdd ynghaled
Ys deupo eu henaid hwy wedi trined
Cynnwys yngwlad nef addef afreued
i.e.
“Me maximè dolet post laborem amicos nostros
Subire mortis angorem more inassueto;
Et iterum me maximè dolet quod ipse vidi
Viros nostros in bello gradatim cadentes.
Gemitus est longus et opprobrium
Post homines alacres patriæ decus,
Rhyfawn et Gwgawn Gwiawn et Gwlyged;
Viri qui erant sustentacula (belli sc.) fortissimi et in angustiis magnanimi
Ascendant eorum animæ post pugnam
In regnum cœlorum ubi habitatio est sine ullo desiderio.”Hæc de Aneurino sufficiant.
Floruere eodem seculo et multi alii Bardi inter quos eminet Myrddin Wyllt, id est, Merlinus Sylvestris, qui poema composuit cui titulus Afallennau, id est, pomarium, in quo patroni sui Gwenddolau filii Ceidio munificentiam prædicat.”
Afellen beren bren y sydd fad
Nid bychan dy lwyth sydd ffrwyth arnad
A minnau wyf ofnawg amgelawg am danad
Rhag dyfod y coedwyr coed gymmynad
I gladdu dy wraidd a llygru dy hâd
Fal na thyfo byth afal arnad
A minnau wyf gwyllt gerthrychiad
Im cathrid cythrudd nim cudd dillad
Neum rhoddes Gwenddolau tlysau yn rhad
Ac yntau heddyw fal na buad.
“O arbos pomifera, dulcis et bona,
Non parvum fers onus fructuum;
Ego tui causa anxius et solicitus sum
Ne lignatores arbores ad cædendas veniant,
Et effodiant tuam radicem, et semen corrumpant,
Ita ut nunquam postea pomum feras:
Ego sum ferus, hominibus spectaculum,
Me occupat horor, et vestes me non amiciunt.
Gwenddolau dedit mihi gratis jocularia,
Et ipse est hodie non uti olim fuit.”
Fuit Merlinus Morfrynii filius et Albania oriundus, et alter fuit a Merlino Ambrosio qui vixit tempore Vortigerni, et eò quod nepotem causu interfecerit in insaniam incidit et in Caledoniam recessit sylvam feri instar, ubi, cum animi compos esset, sortem suam carminibus deploravit.
Floruit hoc seculo et Llywarch-hen, i.e. longævus, Urieni Cumbriæ principis consobrinus. Extant ab eo scripta poemata in quibus narrat se a Saxonibus in Povisiam pulsum fuisse, et sibi fuisse viginti quatuor filios auries torquibus insignitos, et omnes patriam defendendo bello occubuisse. Qui plura de hoc viro nobili et Bardo desiderat Cl. Llwydii Archaeologiam Britannicam consulat p. 259.
Vixerunt eodem tempore alii Bardi, sed cum eorum non extent opera, nomina tantum interserere sufficat Tristfardd, Bardd Urien Reged. Dygynnelw, Bardd Owain ap Urien, Afan Ferddig, Bardd Cadwallon ap Cadfan. Golyddan, Bardd Cadwaladr Fendigaid. Sunt in iis qui extant multa quae historico Britannico usui esse possunt: fuere enim Bardi rerum gestarum fidi narratores. Fuit eorum praecipuum munus principum et magnatum laudes, et egregia in bello acta carminibus celebrare, quod et olim de iis observavit Lucanus.
Vos quoque, qui fortes animas belloque peremptas
Laudibus in longum vates dimittis aevum,
Plurima securi fudistis carmina Bardi. Lib.
“Bardi (inquit Lelandus in Assertione Arturii) soli musicis numeris, et illustri nobilium memoriæ conservandæ studebant, canebant illi ad lyram heroum inclyta facta, profuit hoc studium mirificè cognitioni, tanquam per manus posteritati traditae. Unde quoque contigit ut Arturii maximi nomen, fama, gloria utcunque conserventur.” Inventus est enim ejus sepulchrum in monasterio Glastoniensi juxta id quod Bardus cecinerat coram Henrico Secundo, quod satis demonstrat illos historicorum fidorum aequè ac poetarum munus egisse.
Habemus praeter hos quos supra citavimus Bardos, nonnulla carmina anonyma pervetusta, quae Druidum esse existimavit Edvardus Lluyd, cujusmodi sunt Englynion yr Eiry, y bidiau, y gorwynnion. Moris fuisse Druidis carmina almunos docere notavit Caesar: “Magnum ubi versuum numerum edicere dicuntur. Itaque nonnulli annos vicenos in disciplina permanent, neque fas esse existimant ea litteris mandare, quum in reliquis fere rebus publicis privatisque rationibus, Graecis litteris utuntur. Id mihi duabus de causis instituisse videntur; quod neque in vulgus disciplinam efferri velint, neque eos qui discunt litteris confisos minus memoriae studere, quod feré plerisque accidit ut praesidio litterarum diligentiam in discendo ac memoriam remittant.” Genus carminis quo in his usi sunt fuit Englyn Milwr.
Haec de antiquissimis quae nunc extant Bardis Britannicis dicere sufficiat, ad illos nunc accedo qui durante Principum Cambriæ gubernaculo floruerunt. A seculo sexto ad decimum nihil quod novi extat scriptum, saltem non vidi, neque quid causæ esse potuit augurari possum, nisi frequens bellorum strages et Britannorum inter dissidia. In Hoeli Boni, nostris Hywel Dda, legibus fit Bardi aulici mentio, et quænam fuerit ejus ibi conditio, quæ, [73] temporis ratione habitâ, fuit perhonesta. Circa annum 1170 Gruffydd Ap Conan Cambriæ princeps legem Bardis praescripsit, in qua cautum erat ut nullam praeter suam exercerent artem, in qua et dona et pœnas constituit. Eos autem in tres classes divisit, Prydydd, Teuluwr, et Clerwr; et fixum unicuique secundum ordinem statuit stipendium. Eorum electio fieri solebat in solenni principum et procerum concessu, ubi unicuique secundum meritum assignatus est locus. Ille vero qui praecelliat, sellâ donatus est aureâ vel argentea, unde et Cadeirfardd dictus, i.e. Bardus qui sellam assecutus est.
Ab eo tempore multi eximii floruerunt Bardi, et a principibus admodum fovebantur. Meilir qui fuit Gruffini filii Conani Bardus, fuit et ejusdem miles et legatus uti et ipse in ejus epicedio refert.
Yfeis gan deyrn o gyrn eurawg
Arfod faedd feiddiad angad weiniawg
Yn llys Aberffraw er ffaw ffodiawg
Bum o du Gwledig yn lleithawg
Eilwaith ydd eithum yn negessawg
O leufer lliw camawn iawn dywyssawg
Bu fedd aur gylchwy yn fodrwyawg
Torresid gormes yn llynghessawg
Gwedi tonnau gwyrdd gorewynnawg
Dyphuthynt eu seirch meirch rhygyngawg.
i.e.
“Dedit mihi potum ex cornu deaurato princeps,
Cujus impetus erat instar apri ferocis in bello, cujus
Manus erat liberalis
In aula Aberffraw, quod mihi decus et felicitas fuit.
Ex domini mei parte miles fui,
Et iterum legationem obii.
Quum a bello cruento discederet princeps egregius.
Mulsum ex poculo aureo bibebatur in circulo,
Hostium enim invasionem navalem repulimus,
Et post refluxum undarum viridium perspumosarum
Portabant phaleras in littore sicco equi gestientes.”
Nec dedignati sunt ipsi principes hanc artem, animi relaxandi causa, colere, ut testantur Oweni Cyfeiliog principis Provisiæ et Hoeli filii Oweni Venedotiæ principis opera, quibus addere licet Llewellinum ultimum Cambriae principem. De eo enim sic Matt. West. circa natale domini Llewellinus accessit ad regem misericordiam non justitiam petiturus—et paulo post—Rex Edwardus vocalem principem diligenter instructum ad partes Walliae redire permisit. [74] Poematum argumenta erant egregia in bello facinora, libertas, hospitalitas et munificentia, et si quae alia virtus, quae homines domi ornat, et foris hostibus tremendos reddit. Et fuit eorum in accendendis hominum ad clara incepta animis tanta vis, ut nihil aeque sonaret Tyrtaei musa quum suos ad honestam mortem oppetendam hortaretur. Et quaenam, quaeso, reipublicae tam utilis virtus, quum hostibus utrinque premeretur, et cum sola spes, salus et libertas esset in armis, quam magnanimus periculorum contemptus, et ad ea adeunda ardor egregius? Sed præstat Giraldum Cambrensem audire qui iis vixit temporibus, et fuit eorum quæ hic narrantur oculatus testis. “Nec ullo prorsus nisi martio labore vexantur, patriæ tamen tutelæ student et libertatis: pro patria pugnant, pro libertate laborant; pro quibus non solum ferro dimicare, verum etiam vitam dare dulce videtur. Unde et in thoro turpe, in bello mori decus putant. Ac illud poetæ dixerunt—procul hinc avertite pacem, nobilitas cum pace perit, nec mirum si non degenerant. Quorum enim hi reliquiae sunt Æneadae in ferrum pro libertate ruebant. De his igitur spectabile, quod nudi multoties cum ferro vestitis, inermes cum armatis, pedites cum equitibus congredi non verentur, in quo plerumque conflictu sola fiunt agilitate, et animositate victrices. Illis quorum poeta sic meminit, sicut situ sic natura non dissimiles.”
— Populus quos despicit arctos
Felices errore suo, quos ille timorum
Maximus haud urget leti metus, inde ruendi
In ferrum mens prona viris, animaeque capaces
Mortis, et ignavum rediturae parcere vitae.
Et nonnullis interjectis—“Illud in hoc loco notandum videtur, quod Anglorum Rex Henricus Secundus nostris diebus imperatori Constantinoplitano Emmanueli super insulae Britannicae situ ac natura, magisque notabilibus litteris et nunciis inquirenti: inter caetera hoc quasi praecipue notabile rescripsit. In quadam insulae parte sunt gentes quae Wallenses dicuntur, tantae audaciae et ferocitatis ut nudi cum armatis congredi non vereantur, adeo ut sanguinem pro patria fundere promptissime, vitamque velint pro laude pacisci.” Hactenus Giraldus.
Non immerito Bardis tantus fuit habitus honor; ii enim heroum inclyta canentes acta, et majorum illustria proponentas exempla suos ad ardua incitabant, unde et patriae salutem, principibus et proceribus gloriam conciliabant; nec solum illustria aliorum canebant facta, verum ipsi in bello eodem quo in cantibus ardore incitati, multa praeclara fortitudinis exhibebant documenta. Gwalchmai filius Meilir se Cambriae fines adversus Anglos defendisse gloriatur in poemate cui titulus Gorhoffedd Gwalchmai, i.e. ejus Deliciæ. Stationem ejus juxta fluvium Efurnwy fuisse docet non pocul ab agro Salopiensi. Sunt multa in hoc poemate tam heroe quam Bardo digna. Postquam enim excubias per noctem totam egisset Gwalchmai, ad lucem diei appropinquantis laetus, loci et rerum circumjacentium pulchritudine delectatus, omnem curam et solicitudinem amovit, et philomelae cantui, et aquae juxta labantis murmuri, et arborum herbarumque virori attendit, imminens ab hoste periculum contemnens, Marti aeque ac Mercurio paratus, firmum mehercle et generosum pectus!
Poema in hunc modum incipit.
Mochddwyreawg Huan haf dyffestin
Maws llafar adar, mygr, hyar hin.
Mi ydwyf eurddeddf ddiofn yn nhrin
Mi wyf llew rhag llu; lluch fy ngorddin
Gorwyliais nos yn achadw ffin
Gorloes rydau dwfr Dygen Freiddin [77]
Gorlas gwellt didryf, dwfr neud jessin
Gwyrlain yn gware ar wely lliant
Lleithrion eu pluawr, pleidiau eddrin.
i.e.
“O sol æstive, cito oriens propera,
Suavis est cantus avium, et cælum sudum et serenum est.
Ego sum bona indole præditus, et in bello intrepidus,
Sum leo strenuus in fronte exercitus, et meus impetus est violentus,
Totam noctem pervigilavi fines tutando
Ubi sunt vada translucida juxta Dygen Freiddin
Ubi herba in loco solitario crescens perviridis est, et aqua limpida
Mergi ludunt in fluctuum lecto,
Quorum plumæ fulgent, et ipsi inter se certant.”
Non pigebit hic de alio Bardo, scilicet Cynddelw Brydydd Mawr, i.e. Condelao vate eximio, nonnulla ex Oweni Venedotiæ principis epicedio excerpere; fuit enim ille, uti ex historia constat, patriæ propugnator, et in bello fere semper victor. Vixit Cynddelw in Povisia, et fuit Madoci filii Maredudd, illius regionis principis, Bardus aulicus.
Gwersyll torfoedd tew llew lladdai,
Gorsaf tarf, taerfalch fal Gwalchmai,
Gorfaran Gwrfan gorfyddai,
Gwr yn aer yn aros gwaedd fai,
Bryd Erof gryd, arf greu a ddodai,
Brwydr eurgrwydr, eurgrawn ni guddiai,
Bradog waith gwynniaith gwynnygai,
Brys briwgad, brig bragad briwiai,
Brwysc lafneu ynghreu yngrhai celanedd,
Cymminedd cymmynai,
Gwyrdd heli Teivi tewychai,
Gwaedlan gwyr, a llyr ai llanwai,
Gwyrach rudd gorfudd goralwai,
Ar donniar gwyar gonofiai,
Gwyddfeirch tonn torrynt yn ertrai,
Gwythur naws fal traws au treifiai,
Gwyddfid Eingl ynghladd au trychai,
Gwyddgwn coed colled au porthai,
Gwyddwal dyfneual dyfnasai fy modd,
Fy meddiant a gaffaei.
Colleis Arglwydd call nim collai,
Corf eurdorf, eurdal am rhoddai,
Cof cadflawdd am cawdd, a’m carai,
Car cerddawr, cerddau ai cyrchai,
Gryd wascar, llachar, a’m llochai,
Grym dilludd Dillus fab Erfai,
Greddf Greidwyr, a Chywyr a Chai
Glew ddefawd glyw oesdrawd aesdrai,
Ystre hynt, wastad, westrei gwinfydig
Gwyn ei fyd bieufei.
Gwyth escor tra mor, tra Menai,
Gwlydd elfydd elwais o honai,
Tra fu Owain mawr ai meddai,
Medd a gwin a gwirawd fyddai,
Gwynedd wen Gwyndyd len ledpai,
Gwedi gwawr, cad fawr ai cadwai,
Pa wladwr, arwr arwyndai,
Pa wledig a wledych arnai?
i.e.
“Densas turmas in conflictu occidit leo
Qui fuit instar Gwalchmai acris ad fugandum hostes,
Superavit magnas copias Gwrvanni.
Fuit in bello vir qui tubam expectabat,
Similis Erof bellicoso, qui telum cruentum duxit.
Ex bello rediens, in quo aurum nactus est, thesaurum non recondit;
In hostes dolosos certans magnâ excanduit irâ;
Hastæ in bello furiosæ erant in cadaveribus occisorum
Et acies (gladiorum) se invicem contriverunt.
Viridis aqua Teivii pinguis facta fuit.
Fluxus virorum sanguinis et maris eum ripas superare fecit,
Et rubra [79] avis aquatilis, pro nagno hebebat emolumento,
Et per fluvios cruoris natabat,
Et alti marini equi (i.e. fluctus) plangebant in littore.
Magnanimus ille princeps eos instar tyranni oppressit,
Et Anglorum cumulos in fossa truncavit.
Sylvestres canes amiserunt opsonatorem,
Quibus in densis vepribus assolebat esse victus, neque meo assensu,
Neque auxilio indigebat.
Perdidi dominum prudentem, qui me non neglexit,
Cujus corpus erat auro amictum, quique mihi aurum dedit
Cujus memoria (mortui) me lædit: qui me dilexit:
Amicus enim erat Bardo, et eum apetebant carmina
Ille qui homines in bello dissipare fecit, et cujus impetus erat violentus me fovit,
Cujus robur erat ineluctabile instar Dillus filii Erfai,
Et cujus ingenium erat simile Greidwyr, Cywyr et Cai
Herois instar hastam gessit comminutam
Domi autem vitæ cursus erat tranquillus, hospes enim erat munificus
Et ad summam felicitatem pervenit.
Ille victorias reportavit violentus trans sestuarium Menai
Ubi terra est benigna, ex qua beneficium sum nactus:
Donec extitit Owenus magnus qui Monam possesit,
Mulsum, vinum et gwirawd [80] bibimus.
O Venedotia olim beata, Venedotorum tutatem asperum,
Post Heroem bellicosum qui te defendet!
Quis ex nostratibus heros in aedibus vivens magnificis,
Quis princeps te gubernare aequo ac ille valebit?”
Sed non semper in bellatorum laudes effusi erant Bardi; saepe etiam principum et magnatum fata indigna lugubriter canebant. Sed infinitum esset haec singulatim recensere. Unum sat est adducere exemplum, ex quo de aliis facile judicari potest. Leolino Gruffini filio, ultimo Cambriae principe, juxta Buellt dolo sublato, dici non potest quanto id Bardos dolore affecit. Inter quos Gruffydd ap yr ynad coch haec texuit admodum παθητικως.
Llawer llef druan, fal pan fu Gamlan,
Llawer deigr dros rann gwedi gronniaw,
O leas gwanas gwanar eurllaw,
O laith Llewelyn cof dyn nim daw,
Oerfelog calon, dan fron o fraw,
Rhewydd, fal crinwydd y sy’n crinaw,
Poni welwch chwi hynt y gwynt ar glaw?
Poni welwch chwi’r deri yn ymdaraw?
Poni welwch chwi’r mor yn merwino’r tir?
Poni welwch chwi’r gwir yn ymg’weiriaw?
Poni welwch chwi’r haul yn hwylio’r awyr?
Poni welwch chwi syr wedi syrthiaw?
Poni chredwch i Dduw ddyniadon ynfyd
Poni welwch chwi’r byd wedi bydiaw?
Och hyd attat di Dduw na ddaw mor tros dir
Pa beth in gedir i ohiriaw?
Nid oes le i cyrcher rhag carchar braw
Nid oes le i triger och! o’r trigaw,
Nid oes na chyngor, na chlo nag agor,
Na ffordd i esgor brwyn gyngor braw!
i.e.
“Frequens est vox lugubris, veluti olim in Camlan,
Multae lacrymae in genis accumulantur,
Eo quod occidit Cambriae sustentaculum, et ejus dominus munificus.
Ex quo occidit Leolinus de caeteris non curo;
Cor frigidum est sub pectore ob horrorem,
Et is qui prius hilaris erat, jam marcescit.
Nonne videtis venti et imbris cursum?
Nonne videtis quercus in se invicem ruentes?
Nonne videtis mare terram vastans?
Nonne videtis solem ex cursu aerio deflectentem?
Nonne videtis astra ex orbibus corruisse?
Cur Deo non creditis homines, vesani?
Nonne videtis mundi finem adesse?
Exclamabo usque ad te, o Deus, cur terram non absorbet mare,
Et cur diutius relinquimur in angore languere?
Nullus est locus, quem petamus aegri,
Nullus locus, in quo habitemus miseri,
Nullum restat consilium, nullum effugium,
Nulla via, qua evitemus fatum luctuosum.”
Floruere a tempore Gruffini Conani filii ad hunc Leolinum et multi alii Bardi insignes, inter quos eminet Llywarch cognomine Prydydd y Moch, qui Leolini Magni, nostris Llewelyn Ap Iorwerth, victorias multis celebravit odis, uti et fecere Dafydd Benfras, Daniel ap Llosgwrn Mew, Llewelyn Fardd ap Cywryd.
Floruit eodem tempore in Ceretia Phylyp Brydydd, qui Bardus fuit Rhys Geyg et Rhys Ieuanc ex familia Rhys ap Tewdwr oriundus.
Longum esset singulos recensere; de praestantioribus pauca praelibasse sufficit. Cum Cambriam in suam potestatem redegerat Edwardus primus, in Bardos saeviit tyranni instar, et multos suspendi fecit. Quid mirum, cum ipsum Leolinum principem et Davidem fratrem tam inhumaniter tractaverit? Sed Edwardus a Leolino olim in fugum pulsus, noluit illi nec asseclis ignoscere. Hinc illae lacrymae. Bardis objiciebatur quod cives in seditionem excitarunt, id est revera, quod eos ad vindicandum libertatem pristinam majorum more hortarentur. Bardi enim fuere Cambris idem quod olim Atheniensibus oratores, quos ut Graeciam in servitutem redigeret, sibi tradi voluit Philippus Macedo. Regum Angliae justiciarii post Edwardum in Cambria ejus exemplum secuti, Bardos legibus iniquis obnoxios ubique sustulerunt; unde fit ut admodum sint rari ab eo tempore usque ad annum 1400, quo, Anglorum excusso servitutis jugo, sub Oweni Glyndwr auspiciis, se in libertatem priscam vindicarunt Cambri. Hoc aevo multi claruere Bardi, inter quos Iolo Goch Oweni magnificentiam et victorias ad sydera tulit. Fuit enim Owenus Bardorum fautor et Maecenas, et eos undiquaque ad aulam liberalitate provocabat. Eo tempore floruit Dafydd ap Gwilym Bardorum longe venustissimus e Ceretia oriundus. Avunculum habuit Llewelyn ap Gwilym de Cryngae et Dôl Goch, qui eum liberaliter educabat. Patronus ejus fuit Ifor Hael de Bassaleg, cujus munificentiam et magnanimitatem multis prosequitur laudibus. Cum Oweni retro laberentur res, Cambros more inaudito oppressit Henricus IV. et patriae fatum subiere Bardi. Lege enim cautum erat ne annuam peragrationem et conventus, nostris Clera et Cymhortha celebrarent. Haec fuit causa cur multi hoc saeculo tam obscure scripserint: multis enim cantibus Cywydd Brut, i.e. Carminis fatidici nomen indidere; quod et fecere postea cum inter Eboracenses et Lancastrenses grassaretur factio. Henricus V. multum a paterna remisit in Cambros saevitia. Ab eo tempore longa floruit Bardorum series, et in magnatum aedibus alebantur, ubi eorum genealogias et signa gentilitia texebant, eorumque virtutes, scilicet magnanimitatem, hospitalitatem et alias animi atque corporis ingenuas et honestas dotes debita prosequebantur laude. Mos enim fuit Britannis olim, uti et nunc Cambris, ut longam majorum seriem producerent, et Bardi qui hoc munere sunt functi Arwyddfeirdd sunt appellati, et carmen texuere “parasematicum, quod cum prosapia generisve serie, etiam et παρασήματα, id est insignia nobilium et generosorum describit ea, quae in vestibus et vexillis et hujusmodi aliis insignita conspiciuutur, quaeque fiunt aut feruntur, ita ab iis discreta ut nosci possint quorum sint, sive ad quos pertineant, more antiquorum bene meritis tributa, et tanquam ornamenta laudis et gloriae, vel ob propriam vel suorum majorum virtutem comparata.”—Vide Johannis Davidis Rhesi Linguae Cymraecae Institutiones accuratas pag. 146. Ex quo et haec de hujuscemodi Bardo transtulimus p. 303. “Pwy bynnag a ddywetto ei fod yn Arwyddfardd, gwybydded achoedd Brenhinoedd a Thywyssogion, a chyfarwyddyd oddiwrth y tri Phrifardd ynys Prydain, nid amgen, Myrddin ap Morfryn, a Myeddin Emrys a Thaliesin Ben Beirdd.” i.e. “Quicunque voluerit esse Bardus parasematicus, necesse est ut sciat regum et principum stemmata, et sit bene versatus in operibus Merlini Morfrynii filii, Merlini Ambrosii et Taliesini summi Bardi.” Et hoc fuisse antiquitus Bardorum munus annotavit Giraldus Cambrensis. “Hoc mihi notandum videtur, quod Bardi Cambrenses et cantores seu recitatores genealogias habent prædictorum principum in libris eorum antiquis et autenticis, eandemque memoriter tenent a Roderico Magno usque ad Belinum Magnum, et inde usque ad Sylvium, Ascanium et Æneam, et ab ea usque ad Adam generationem linealiter producunt.”