BookofTaliesin

Llyfr TaliesinThe Book of Taliesin

Peniarth MS 2

The Book of Taliesin is a small manuscript, missing its covers, and thus the beginning of the first poem;luckily, this poem is also contained in the Red Book of Hergest. It contains 56 mostly-complete poems,and a fifty-seventh poem, of which only remains the words: "Darogan Katwal"--thought to be "DaroganKatwaladr," The Prediction of Cadwalladr.

The manuscript was the work of a single scribe, probably living in Glamorgan; this same scribe isthought to have produced other manuscripts, and J. Gwenogvryn Evans believed he worked on parts ofthe White Book of Rhydderch. It's exact history is unknown; it passed through the hands of severalcollectors during the seventeenth century, until finally being bought by Robert Vaughan, who added it tohis library in Hengwrt, and stayed there until it entered the hands of W.W.E. Wynne in Peniarth. It wasthen donated to the National Library of Wales.

The majority of the translations I am using here are from The Four Ancient Books of Wales, by W. F.Skene, 1858. Unfortunately, they are probably not the most accurate translations, but they are the onlyones which, to my knowledge, are public domain. (Even at that I'm not sure, though the book is well outof print.) In constructing this digital manuscript, I have worked using not only Skene's collection, butalso the three volume "Book of Taliesin" diplomatic texts edited by J. Gwenogvryn Evans in the earlypart of the 20th century, and have heavily consulted the images of the manuscript, currently housed onthe NLW website. If you look at the manuscript, it tends to alternate between using red or green initialletters. I have attempted to imitate this as closely as possible, including repeating the inconsistancies ofthe original scribe.

I. Priv Cyfarch Taliesin's First Address

II Marwnat y Vil Veib The Elegy of the Thousand Sons

III Buarch Beird The Fold of the Bards

IV Aduvyneu Taliesin The Pleasant Things of Taliesin

V Deus Duw O God, God of Formation

VI Armes Prydein Vawr The Great Prophesy of Britain

VII Angar Kyfyndawt The Hostile Confederacy

VIII Kat Godeu The Battle of the Trees

IX Mab Gyrfeu Taliesin The Childhood Achievements of Taliesin

X Daronwy Daronwy

XI Cadau Gwallawc Song on Lleenawg

XII Glaswawt Taliesin The Praise of Taliesin

XIII Kadeir Taliesin The Chair of Taliesin

XIV Kerd Veib am Llyr Song Before the Sons of Llyr

XV Kadeir Teyrnon The Chair of the Sovereign

XVI Kadeir Kerrituen The Chair of Cerridwen

Llyfr Taliesin: The Book of Taliesin

http://us.geocities.com/branwaedd/llyfrtaliesin.html (1 of 3) [2006/06/15 08:27:18 AM]

XVII Kanu Ygwynt The Song of the Wind

XVIII Kychwedyl am dodyw o galchuynyd A rumour has come to me

XIX Kanu y Med The Song to Meed

XX Kanu y Cwrwf The Song to Ale

XXI Mic Dinbych In Praise of Tenby

XXII Plaeu yr Reifft The Plagues of Egypt

XXIII Trawsganu Kynon The Satire on Cynan Garwyn

XXIV Lath Moessen The Rod of Moses

XXV Torrit anuyndawl Song of the Horses

XXVI Y gofiessvys byt The Contrived World

XXVII Ar clawr eluyd On the Face of the Earth

XXVIII Ryfedaf na chiawr Alexander the Great

XXIX Ad duw meidat God the Possessor

XXX Preiddu Annwn The Spoils of Annwn, or, The Raid on Annwfn

XXXI Gwaeith Gwenystrad The Battle of Gwenystrad

XXXII Urien Yrechwydd A Song for Urien Rheged

XXXIII Eg gorffowys A Song for Urien Rheged

XXXIV Bei Lleas Vryan A Song for Urien Rheged

XXXV Gweith Argoet Llwyfein The Battle of Argoed Llwyfain, song to Urien

XXXVI Arddwyre Reged A Song for Urien Rheged

XXXVII Yspeil Taliesin The Spoils of Taliesin, a Song to Urien

XXXVIII Rhagoriaeth Gwallawc Song on Gwallawg ab Lleenawg

XXXIX Dadolwch Vryen The Satisfaction of Urien

XL Marwnat Erof The Death-song of Erof [Ercwlf]

XLI Marwnat Madawg The Death-song of Madawg

XLII Marwnat Corroi ap Dayry The Death-song of Cu-Roi son of Daire

XLIII Marwnat Dylan eil Ton The Death-song of Dylan son of the Wave

XLIV Marwnat Owain ap Vryen The Death-song of Owain son of Urien

XLV Marwnat Aeddon The Death-song of Aeddon

XLVI Marwnat Cunedda The Death-song of Cunedda

XLVII Armes Prydein Bychan The Lesser Prophesy of Britain

XLVIII Marwnat Vthyr Pen. The Death-song of Uthyr Pendragon

XLIX Kein gyfedwch A bright festivity

L Rydyrchafwy duw May God exalt

LI Trindawt tragywyd The Eternal Trinity



LII Gwawt Lud y Mawr The Praise of Lludd the Greater

LIII Yn wir dymbi romani kar Truly there will be to me a Roman friend

LIV Ymarwar Llud Bychan The Reconciliation of Lludd the Lesser

LV Kanu y Byt Mawr The Song of the Great World

LVI Kanu y Byt Bychan The Song of the Little World

LVII Darogan Katwal[adr?] Darogan Katwaladr

Back to Taliesin's Home



The Red Book of HergestLlyfr Coch Hergest

Written on vellum, 13 3/8" x 8 1/4", 362 folios. Bicolumnar, numbered 1--1442. Mostly written between1375-1425, it is the work of on Hywel Fychan fab Hywel Goch of Fuellt, for his employer, Hopcyn apTomas ap Einion of Ynys Tawe. So called for the red leather binding, rebound again in moroccan leatheradded in 1851, and for the house of Hergest, Herfordshire, where it was compiled. Presented in 1701 toJesus College, Oxford, by a Rev. T. Wilkins, of Llanbleithain, Glamorgan in Wales. It is best known asthe source of the Mabinogion, as well as having much of its poetry reproduced in The Four AncientBooks of Wales. Images of the great text can be found here.

What is hyperlinked is what I can put up on the web at this time:

Folios iii-iv: beginning of Dares Phrygia in a later hand. Folios v: blank Folio vi: a brief index in a late hand Folios vii-ix: blank.The contents of the book are thus:

Columns Cynhwysion (Cymraeg) Contents (English)

Histories:1-30 1.12 Dares Phrygius On the Fall of Troy

31-230 1.11 Ystorya Brenhined y BrytanyeitThe History of the Kings of Britain byGeoffrey of Monmouth (offsite)

230 1.20-367 1.8 Brut y TywyssogionThe Chronicle of the Princes (French site,text of book in English and Welsh)

367 1.10-377 1.18"Gyldas hen broffwyt y brytanyeit adyweit yn hen hstoryaeu y brytanyeit..."

(about St. Gildas?)

377 1.19-380 Dechreu Cantreuoed Ae Chymydeu The Counties of Wales

381-497 De Carolo Magno On Charlemagne502 1.19-516 1.26 "Y llyfyr hwnn aelwir ymago mundi."

516 128-518 1.14"Blwydyn cysseu o deucant a phum milauu or amser y gwnaethpwyt adaf ynydoeth crisi."

A Brief Chronicle

Miscellania:520--527 1.39 Advice from a Wise Man to his Son

527 1.10-556 1.9 Chwedleu seith Doethon Rufein The Seven Sages of Rome

555 1.10-571 1.23: Breudwyt Ronabwy The Dream of Rhonabwy

571 1.1--577 1.6 Proffwydolyaeth Sibli doeth Prophecies of the Sybil

The Red Book of Hergest

http://us.geocities.com/branwaedd/hindex.html (1 of 4) [2006/06/15 08:27:21 AM]

http://us.geocities.com/branwaedd/mindex.html

http://image.ox.ac.uk/show?collection=jesus&manuscript=ms111

http://www.yorku.ca/inpar/geoffrey_thompson.pdf

http://www.yorku.ca/inpar/geoffrey_thompson.pdf

http://gallica.bnf.fr/scripts/ConsultationTout.exe?O=N050169

http://us.geocities.com/branwaedd/h377-380.html

http://us.geocities.com/branwaedd/cantref.html


http://us.geocities.com/branwaedd/rhonabwy.html

577 1.7--583 1.38 Kyuoessi myrdin agwendyd ychwaerDialogue Between Myrddin and His SisterGwenddydd

584 Gwasgargerd vyrdin yny bed Lament of Myrddin in his Grave

585 1.24Hynn Adywawt Seint Awstin amDewder y Dayar

585 1.39-588 Proffwydolyaeth yr Eryr Prophecy of the Eagle

588 1.27 Tri Dynyon a Gawssant Gampeu Adaf The Hergest Triads

588 1.41 Pann aeth llu y lychlyn When a Host Went Up to Llychlyn

590 1.34 Dechreu y trioedd y rei hynn "Here Begin the Noble Triads"

596 Trioed y meirch Triads of the Horses

600 Enweu Ynys Prydein The Names of the Isle of Britain

Romances

605 The Expedition of Charlemagne toJerusalem and Constantinople, and hisadventures with Hu Gadarn

627 Owein Owain

655 Peredur Peredur

697 Breuddwyd Macsen The Dream of Maxen

705 Cyfranc Lludd a Lleuelys The Adventure of Lludd and Llefelys

The Four Branches of the Mabinogi

710 Pwyll Pendeuc Dyfed Pwyll, Lord of Dyfed

726 Branwen uerch Llyr Branwen, Daughter of Llyr

739 Manawyddan ap Llyr Manawyddan, Son of Llyr

751 Math fab Mathonwy Math, son of Mathonwy

Other Romances

769 Gereint Gereint

810 Culhwch ac Olwen Culhwch and Olwen

845 Ystoria Bown de Hamptwn Bevis of Hampton

Miscellania928 Meddygion Myddfai The Physicians of Myddfai's Herbal961 Welsh Proverbs



http://us.geocities.com/branwaedd/h01.html


http://us.geocities.com/branwaedd/h02w.html






http://us.geocities.com/branwaedd/triads1.html

http://us.geocities.com/branwaedd/h588-598.html#llychlyn

http://us.geocities.com/branwaedd/triads1.html#llychlyn

http://us.geocities.com/branwaedd/triads1.html#triads1

http://us.geocities.com/branwaedd/triads1.html#horses


http://us.geocities.com/branwaedd/names.html

http://us.geocities.com/branwaedd/owain.html

http://us.geocities.com/branwaedd/peredur.html

http://us.geocities.com/branwaedd/macsen.html

http://us.geocities.com/branwaedd/lludd.html

http://us.geocities.com/branwaedd/pwyll.html

http://us.geocities.com/branwaedd/branwen.html

http://us.geocities.com/branwaedd/manawyddan.html

http://us.geocities.com/branwaedd/math.html

http://us.geocities.com/branwaedd/gereint.html

http://us.geocities.com/branwaedd/culhwch.html

975 Imago Mundi

998"A chyt traetho athrawon gerd or sygneuyssyd yn Zodiacus"

999-1019 Brut y Saesson The Chronicle of the Saxons

1020-1022 1.9 Gwrtheyrn Gwrtheneu to Ieuan Vrehnin From Vortigern to King John

1022 1.9--1025: (blank) (blank)

Poetry

1026 The Dialogue of Llewellyn and Gwrnerth

1028 The Mountain Snow

Poems Attributed to Llwyarch Hen:

1030 Bit goch crib keilyawc "Let the cock's comb be red"

1031 Gnawt gwynt or deheu "Usual is the Wind"

Kalangaeaf kalet grawn "The Calends of Winter"

1032 Baglawc bydin bagwy onn "Entangling Is the Snare"

1033 Gorwyn blaen onn "Bright are the Ash-tops"

1034 Goreiste ar vrynn aeruyn uymbryt "Sitting High Upon a Hill"

1036 Kynn bum kein vaglawc bum "I Was Formerly Fair of Limb"

1039 Dym kywardyat unhwch "The Death of Urien"

1041 Maenwynn tra vum yth oet "Maenwynn, When I was Your Age..."

Other Poetry

1042 Gereint Filius Erbin Gereint Son of Erbin

Cadwallawn

1043 Canu Heledd The Heledd Cycle

1049 I Have Freely Greeted

1050 Like a Wheel

A Shout of War

1051 The Fleet of Mona

Christ Jesus, Possessor of Light

1053 How Dismal it Is to See

1054 Prif Gyfarch Taliesin The First Address of Taliesin

1055-1057 Gossymdeith Llefoet Wyneb Olawr The Viaticum of Llevoed Wyneglawr















http://us.geocities.com/branwaedd/bbc22.html










Miscellania

1057-1059Matweith hengyrys o ial yr hwn aelwitbach budugre.

Proverbs

1085-1116 Kymdeithas Amlyn ac Amic The Romance of Amlyn and Amic

1117-1161Pedeir Llythyren arhugeint kymraecyssyd.

A Welsh Grammar

(More Poetry not translated.)

Back to Welsh TextsBack to CLC



http://us.geocities.com/branwaedd/welsh.html

http://us.geocities.com/branwaedd/index.html

The Book of Taliesin

(NLW Peniarth MS 2)

View the manuscript

The Book of Taliesin (Peniarth MS 2), dating from the first half of the fourteenth century, isone of the most famous Welsh manuscripts. It does not appear to have been known by its

present title until the seventeenth century. The volume contains a collection of some of theoldest poems in Welsh, many of them attributed to the poet Taliesin who was active towardsthe end of the sixth century and sang the praise of Urien Rheged and his son Owain ab Urien.

Other poems reflect the kind of learning with which the poet became associated, derivingpartly from Latin texts and partly from native Welsh tradition. It is this manuscript which

preserves the texts of famous poems such as 'Armes Prydein Fawr', 'Preiddeu Annwfn'(which refers to Arthur and his warriors sailing across the sea to win a spear and a cauldron),

and elegies to Cunedda and Dylan eil Ton, as well as the earliest mention in any westernvernacular of the feats of Hercules and Alexander. The manuscript is incomplete, having lost

a number of its original leaves, including the first.

The Book of Taliesin was copied by a single scribe, probably in Glamorgan. The same handwas responsible for four other manuscripts which are also associated with south-east Wales.

By the seventeenth century, however, the Book of Taliesin had reached Radnorshire, andwas in the hands of Hugh Myles of Evenjobb and later of his cousin John Lewis of

Llynwene. Dr John Davies of Mallwyd made a transcript of it between 1631 and 1634 and ithad reached the famous library of Robert Vaughan (c. 1592-1667) at Hengwrt,

Merionethshire, by 1655 at the very latest. It remained at Hengwrt until 1859, when themanuscripts were bequeathed to W. W. E. Wynne of Peniarth. In 1904 he sold the Peniarthand former Hengwrt manuscripts, including the Book of Taliesin, to Sir John Williams who

transferred them to the newly established National Library of Wales five years later.

For a detailed description and further references, see Marged Haycock, 'Llyfr Taliesin', National Library of Wales Journal, 25(1987-8), 357-86.

Mae'r tudalennau yma yng ngofal Swyddog y WeThese pages are maintained by the Web Officer

© LlGC/NLW 1996-2003. Diweddarwyd - 03/03 - Last updated.

The Digital Mirror - Manuscripts - Book of Taliesin

http://www.llgc.org.uk/drych/drych_s041.htm [2006/06/15 08:27:29 AM]

http://www.llgc.org.uk/drych/drych_c041.htm

http://www.llgc.org.uk/help/index_s.htm

http://www.llgc.org.uk/drych/drych_s004.htm

http://www.llgc.org.uk/drych/index_s.htm

http://www.llgc.org.uk/index.htm

http://digidol.llgc.org.uk/METS/LLT00001/frames?div=0&subdiv=0&locale=en&mode=thumbnail

http://www.llgc.org.uk/gwas/index_s.htm

http://www.llgc.org.uk/drych/index_s.htm

http://www.llgc.org.uk/ht/index_s.htm

http://www.llgc.org.uk/cronfa/index_s.htm

http://www.llgc.org.uk/www_s001.htm

http://www.llgc.org.uk/dacy/index_s.htm

http://www.llgc.org.uk/gwyb/index_s.htm

http://www.llgc.org.uk/index.htm

mailto:[email protected]

mailto:[email protected]

Prif CyfarchLlyfr Taliesin I

As the manuscript is missing its front and back pages, the poem is incomplete, starting in the middle. The entire poem isfound in the Red Book of Hergest.

Gan iewyd gan elestron.Ry ganhymdeith achwysson.Blwydyn yg kaer ofanhon.Wyf hen wyf newyd. wyf gwion.Wyf llwyr wyf synwyr keinon.Dy gofi dyhen vrython.Gwydyl kyl diuerogyon.Medut medwon.Wyf bard ny rifafi eillon.Wyf syw llyw wyf syw amrysson.Syhei arahei. arahei nys medei.Si ffradyr yn y fradri.Pos beirdein bronrein a dyfei.A deuhont uch medlestri.A ganhont gam vardoni.A geissont gyfarws nys deubi.Heb gyfreith heb reith heb rodi.A gwedy hynny digoni.Brithuyt abyt dyuysci.Nac eruyn ti hedwch nyth vi.Ren nef rymawyr dy wedi.rac ygres rym gwares dy voli.Ri Rex gle am gogyfarch yn geluyd.A weleisti dñs fortis.Dargoan dwfyn dñiBudyant uffern.Hic nemo in per pgenie.Ef dillygwys ythwryf dñs uirtutu.Kaeth nawt kynnullwys estis iste est.Achyn buasswn asvmseiArnaf. bwyf derwyn y duv diheu.Achyn mynhwyf deryn creu.Achyn del ewynuriw ar vyggeneu.Achyn vyg hyfalle ar y llathen preu.Poet ym heneit ydagyfedeu.Abreid om dyweit llythyr llyfreu.Kystud dygyn gwedy gwely agheu.Ar sawl agigluen vymbardgyfreu.Ry prynwnt wlat nef adef goreu.

Prif Cyfarch Llyfr Taliesin I

http://us.geocities.com/branwaedd/t01w.html (1 of 2) [2006/06/15 08:27:31 AM]

Prif Cyfarch Llyfr Taliesin I


The First Address of TaliesinThe Book of Taliesin I

The Red Book of Hergest XXIIIFrom The Four Ancient Books of Wales

A PRIMITIVE and ingenious address, when thoroughly elucidated.

Which was first, is it darkness, is it light?Or Adam, when he existed, on what day was he created?Or under the earth’s surface, what the foundation?He who is a legionary will receive no instruction.Est qui peccator1 in many things,Will lose the heavenly country, the community of priests.In the morning no one comesIf they sing of three spheres.Angles and Gallwydel,Let them make their war.Whence come night and day?Whence will the eagle become gray?Whence is it that night is dark?Whence is it that the linnet is green?The ebullition of the sea,How is it not seen?There are three fountainsIn the mountain of roses,There is a Caer of defenceUnder the ocean’s wave.Illusive greeter,What is the porter’s name?Who was confessorTo the gracious Son of Mary?What was the most beneficial measureWhich Adam accomplished?Who will measure Uffern?2

How thick its veil?How wide its mouth?What the size of its stones?Or the tops of its whirling trees?Who bends them so crooked?Or what fumes may beAbout their stems?Is it Lleu and Gwydyon3

That perform their arts?Or do they know booksWhen they do?

The First Address of Taliesin

http://us.geocities.com/branwaedd/t01.html (1 of 4) [2006/06/15 08:27:34 AM]

Whence come night and flood?How they disappear?Whither flies night from day;And how is it not seen?Pater noster ambuloGentis tonans in adjuvandoSibilem signumRogantes fortium.4Excellent in every way around the glensThe two skilful ones make inquiriesAbout Caer Oerindan Oerindydd5

For the draught-horses of pector David.They have enjoyment-they move about- May they find me greatly expanding.The Cymry will be lamentingWhile their souls will be triedBefore a horde of ravagers.The Cymry, chief wicked ones,On account of the loss of holy wafers.6There will long be crying and wailing,And gore will be conspicuous.There came by seaThe wood-steeds7 of the strand. The Angles in councilShall see signs ofExultation over Saxons.The praises of the rulersWill be celebrated in Sion8.Let the chief builders beAgainst the fierce Ffichti,9The Morini Brython.Their fate has been predicted;And the reaping of heroesAbout the river Severn.The stealing is disguised of Ken and MasswyFfls amala, ffur, ffir, sel,10

Thou wilt discern the Trinity beyond my ageI implore the Creator, haiHuai11, that the Gentile may vanishFrom the Gospel Equally worthyWith the retinue of the wallCornu ameni dur.12

I have been with skilful men,With Matheu and Govannon,With Eunydd and Elestron,In company with Achwyson,



For a year in Caer Gofannon.13

I am old. I am young. I am Gwion,I am universal, I am possessed of penetrating wit.Thou wilt remember thy old Brython I (And) the Gwyddyl14, kiln distillers,Intoxicating the drunkards.I am a bard; I will not disclose secrets to slaves;I am a guide: I am expert in contests.If he would sow, he would plough; he would plough, he would not reap.If a brother among brothers,Didactic Bards with swelling breasts will ariseWho will meet around mead-vessels,And sing wrong poetryAnd seek rewards that will not be,Without law, without regulation, without gifts.And afterwards will become angry.There will be commotions and turbulent times~,Seek no peace-it will not accrue to thee.The Ruler of Heaven knows thy prayer.From his ardent wrath thy praise has propitiated himThe Sovereign King of Glory addresses me with wisdomHast thou seen the dominus fortis?Knowest thou the profound prediction domini?To the advantage of UffernHic nemo in por progenie15

He has liberated its tumultuous multitude.Dominus virtutum16

Has gathered together those that were in slavery,And before I existed He had perceived me.17

May I be ardently devoted to God!And before I desire the end of existence,And before the broken foam shall come upon my lips,And before I become connected with wooden boards,May there be festivals to my soul!Book-learning scarcely tells meOf severe afflictions after death-bed;And such as have heard my bardic booksThey shall obtain the region of heaven, the best of all abodes.

NOTES

1. Est qui peccator:

2. Uffern: "Hell," derived from the Latin inferno.

3. Lleu and Gwydyon: the main figures of the Mabinogi branch "Math vab Mathonwy." Gwydion is a magician and bard,while his son Lleu is the skillful king who is betrayed by his flower-created wife.



http://us.geocities.com/branwaedd/mabinogi.html

http://www.maryjones.us/ctexts/math.html

4.

5. Caer Oerindan Oerindydd: this location is obscure

6. lost of holy wafers: is this an interpolated reference to the interdict of 1208?

7. wood-steeds: ships

8. Sion: Zion, Jerusalem.

9. Ffichti: Picts

10. Ffls amala, ffur, ffir, sel,: looks like nonsense

11. hai Huai: again, may be poetic nonsense.

12. Matheu... Caer Govannon:

13.

14. Gwyddyl: Irish, here said to be drunkards.

15.

16. Dominus virtutum: Virtuous Lord

17. see Jeremiah 1.5: ""Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart; I appointedyou as a prophet to the nations."



http://www.bandaschool.com/Learning/History/John/interdict.htm

http://bible.gospelcom.net/cgi-bin/bible?language=english&passage=Jeremiah+1&version=NIV

Marvnat y Vil VeibLlyfr Taliesin II

Archaf wedi yr trindawt.

Ren am rothwyr dyvolawt.O ryret pressent periglawt.An gweith an reith gwyth gogyffrawt.Yd edryfynt seint sef kiwdawt.Rex nef bwyf ffraeth o honawt.Kyn yscar vy eneit am knavt.Rymawyr ym pa ym pechawt.

Ty eirolet rac ried.

Bydwyf or trindawt trugared.Iolaf rybechaf eluyd gwaed.Naw rad nef nestic toruoed.A decuet seint seic seithoed.Gwrhydrych ryfyd ieithoed.Morheic mat gynnyd kyhoed.Nifer awyl Duw trychoed.Yn nef yn dayar yn diwed.yn yg yn ehag yn ygwed.Ygcorff yn eneit yn hagwed.Pell pwyll rac rihyd racwed.Athiolaf wledig wlat hed.Poet ym heneit ymbuched.Yn tragywyd ygkyntedYn gwas nef nym gomed.

Ebestyl a merthyri.

Gwerydon gwedwon gofri.A selyf Duw a serui.Glan ieith glan teith dyteithi.Ac yn duun glas dyfyd imi.Hyt pan ruchatwyf vynteithi.Nifer auuant glan lwysGradeu eur golofneu eglwys.Ar meint traethadur a traethwysSywedyd llyfreu llwyrlwys.Rac gwerin digarat diswys.Boet ym heneit y amdiffynnwys.

Marvnat y Vil Veib


Nifer a uuant yn aghyffret

Uffern. oer gwerin gwaretret.Hyt pymhoes byt.Hyt pan dillygwys Christ keithiwet.O dwfyn ueis affwys abret.Meint dyduc Duwtrwy nodet.Dwy vil veib o plant llia.A bimatu et infra.A ledeint yr amistraEdris ertri kila.Deccrawn rachel gwelsit pla.Dybi ierosolima

Nifer seint amorica.

Anifer yn dull toronia.A thorsi trachaer roma.A poli ac alexandria.A garanwys ac indra.Tres partes diuicia.Asicia affrica europa.

Nifer seint capharnawm. marituen anaim

A zabulon a cisuen a ninifen a neptalim.In dubriactus a zorim.Yndi y proffwydwys Crist vab meir verch ioachim.O artemhyl pen echen pan ym.

Nifer seint erechalde.

Clot pell castell marie.Nat attorroed syloe.Eclie retundePhalatie cesarie.Amanion amabute.A dyffrynoed bersabe.A chyncret gwyr cartasine.A reithuoryon retwnde.Ieithoed groec a efreiA lladin gwyr llacharte.

Marvnat y Vil Veib


Nifer seint enugyneit.

Dewrwyr echeurin eu pleit.Rac rihyd rwysc uoleit.Ketwyr neb cu kyneircheit.Yn yg yn ehag ym pop reit.Bwynt dinas in corffac yn heneit.

Nifer seint sicomorialis.

A deproffani ynys.Ar meint glan a vendigwysDwfyr gwin gwyr al distrywys.Ac eirawl ei urdawl pwys.Dan syr seint ryseilwys.

Nifer seint a deily goror.

Effectus re inferior.A superare superior.Ac armonim a thyfor.A dyffryn enor a segor.A chartago mawr a minor.Ac ynys gwyr terwyn mor.

Nifer seint ynys prydein.

Ac iwerdon adwyn ran.Toruoed gweithredoed mirein.A gredis a gweinis y genhyn.

Nifer seint sened anchwant.

O Duw dewin darogant.Ympop ieith ym prydant.Ygkylch eluyd y buant.Ar meint doethur a daroganCrist achyn dybei dybuant.

Nifer seint orient.

A chyfundawt kiwdawt iude.Ieithoed groec ac efrei.A lladin gwyr llacharte.

Marvnat y Vil Veib


Seith vgeint seith vgeint seith cant o seint

A seith mil a seith dec vgeintNouember nifer aduunant.Trwy verthyri mat doethant.Pymthec vgeint seint a uuant.A their mil moralis plant.Hijs decembris uch carant.Tra phen Jessu dichiorant.

Deudeg mil yny gyman

A gredwys trwy lef ieuan.Golychan gobrynant van.Yn nefoed nys digofant.

Naw mil seint a aruolles

Bedyd a chrefyd achyffes.Tr goleith peon poploed gwres.Vffern oer y hachles.Os dofyd ryndigones.Trwy pen pedyr perit anlles.

Qui venerunt angli

In natale dñiMediai nocte in laudemCum pastoribus in bethleem.Niuem angli de celoCum michaele archangloQui precedunt precelioErga animas in mundo.Am niuem angeli.Precedunt confirmati.Vnistrati baptizatiUsque in diem iudicii.Quando fuit Chrstus crucifixus ut sibiIpsi placuisset. venissent ibi in awxilium.Plusquam duodecim legiones angelorumToto orbe terrarum.Jesus Christus uidentem in agonia in mundo.Vt sint nostri auxiliumDuodecim milia miliantemAnte tribunal stantem.

Marvnat y Vil Veib


Qui laudantie LaudantiumTues mores rex regum.

Nifer auu ac auyd

Vch nef is nef meint yssyd.Ar meint a gredwys ygkywyd.A gredis trwy ewyllis dofyd.Meint ar lit trwy yrodyd.Trugar duw dygerenhyd.An bwyr gwar anwar gwledic.Nyth godwyf kyn bwyf diennic.Tost yt gwyn pop colledic.Ffest yd hawl eissywedicny reha bryt ryodic.O ryret pressent pan wyf dic.Traethaf pan vydaf yggroO ossymdeith osepioa ryfyr o merthyr elo.Yn edryfynt seint segerno.O eir pechawt pan ymbo.Dim uch dim meint am clyho.

Marvnat y Vil Veib


The Elegy of the Thousand SonsBook of Taliesin II

I will offer a prayer to the Trinity,

May the Eternal grant me to praise thee!In the present course, dangerousOur work; destruction is a slight impulse of wrath.They reckon of the saints a tribe,King of heaven, may I be eloquent about thee!Before the separation of my soul from my flesh.Thou particularly knowest in what is my sin.

Thy entreaty before the paternal, governanceMay there be to me from the Trinity mercy!I adore, I earnestly long for the elements of blood,Nine degrees of the mystic troops of heaven,And the tenth, saints a preparation of sevens.Heroic numberer of languages,A conspicuous sea-shoal of goodly increase.A number that God will watch with extreme love.In heaven, in earth, at the end,In straits, in expanse, in form,In body, in soul, in habit,Prudence (is) far from the presence of kings.I adore thee, Ruler of the land of peace.Let my soul be in a condition of life;For ever in (his) court;A servant of heaven (to be), he will not refuse me.

Apostles and martyrs,Youths, supplicants of glory,And Solomon (that) served God:Of pure speech, of pure walk, thy qualityAnd a verdant gift will come to me.As long as I keep my faculties.Numbers there were clean and holy,Steps, golden columns of the church.And many writers have declared,Skilled in the fully-holy books,For the multitude discarded anxiety.May my soul be defended from it!

A number there were in the incondurrence

The Elegy of the Thousand Sons


Of Uffern1, a cold refuge;During the five ages of the world,Until when Christ loosened the bondage.From the deep shore of the abyss of evilMany God brought through protection,Two thousand Sons of the children of Ilia.A bimatu et infraSlew the amistra.Edris ertri kilaThe tears of Rachel2, it was seen that a plagueHad come to Jerusalem.

The number of the saints of Armorica,And a number in the form of Toronia,That had broken the advanced Caer of Roma.And Poli and AlexandriaAnd Garanwys and IndraTres partes divicia [divided into three parts--MJ]Asicia, Affrica, Europa [Asia, Africa, Europe].

The number of the saints in Capharnaum3, Marituen, and Naim,And Zabulon and Cisuen and Ninifen and NeptalimIn Dubriactus and ZorimIn it prophesied Christ, the son of Mary, daughter of Joachim;From the chief temple of the chief infidel nation.

The number of the saints of Erechalde,The fame far of the castle of Maria.That broke not again SyloeEcclesie retundePhalatie cesarieAmanion amabute,And the valleys of Bersabe.And before the Christian religion the men of Cartasine,And the severely just ones of Retunde,The languages, Greek and Hebrew,And Latin, men of gleaming pervasion.

The number of saints in scores,Valiant men, golden their party.Before kings a career of praise,Warriors, no one was before them in demanding.In straits, in expanse, in every need,May they be a city to our body and our soul!



The number of the saints of Sicomorialis,And isle of Deffrobani.And the holy multitude that blessedWater, wine, hostile men destroyed.And entreating his exalted weight,Under the stars, saints he planted.

The number of the saints that the upper region holds, Effectus re inferiorA superare superiorAnd armonim and thyforAnd the valley of Enor and Segor,And Carthage the greater and the less,And the green isle, the boundary of the sea.

The number of the saints of the Isle of Prydein [Britain],And Iwerdon [Ireland], a gentle portion.Multitudes, of beautiful works,Believed, served with us.

The number of saints, a synod without desire,From God the divine prophesy.In every tongue they compose,About the earth they were,And so many wisely prophesiedChrist, and before he was, they were.

The number of the saints of the East,And the concord of the nation of Judah.Languages of Greek and Hebrew,And Latin, men of gleaming pervasion.

Seven scores, seven scores, seven hundreds of saints,And seven thousands and seven ten scores,November a number implored,Though martyrs good they came.Fifteen scores of saints there wereAnd three thousand children of Morialis.In these Decembers above relativesOver the head of Jesus utter sighs.

Twelve thousand in the conventionBelieved through the voice of John.They worship, they deserve a portion,In heaven they will not be angry.



Nine thousand saints receivedBaptism, and religion, and confession.Notwithstanding death the punishment of people (is) heat,Uffern, cold its refuge. If the Lord hath satisfied us, Through the head of Peter was made the destitute.

Qui venerunt angliIn natale DominiMedia nocte in laudemCum pastoribus in Bethleezn.Nivem anghi de celoCum Michaele archangloQui precedunt precelioErga animas in mundoAm nivem nivem angeli.Precedunt confirmatiVnistrati baptizatiUsque in diem judicii.Quando fuit Christus crucifixus ut sibiIpse placuisset venissent ibi in auxiliumPlusquam duodecim legiones angelorum.Toto orbe terrarum.Jesus Christus videntem in agonia in mundo.Ut sint nostri auxiiumDuodecim milia miianteinAnte tribunal stantern.Qui laudantie laudantiumTues mores rex regum.

The number that have been, and will be, Above heaven, below heaven, how many there are. And as many as have believed in revelation,Believed through the will of the Lord.As many as are on wrath through the circles,Have mercy, God, on thy kindred.May I be meek, the turbulent Ruler,May I not endure, before I am without motion.Grievously complaineth every lost one,Hastily claimeth every needy one.An exceedingly displeased mind will not runFrom (its) present course, when I am angry.I will declare when I am in the gravel,From the maintenance of gifts,From being numbered, from going to be a martyr



In the reckoning of Saint Segerno.From a word when sin may be to me,Let there be no sigh from those that hear me.

1. Uffern: lit. "inferno"--hell, the underworld, derived from the Latin inferno; it is different from the earlier, more paganWelsh concept of Annwfn as the otherworld/underworld.

2. "Rachel...": see Mt 2:16-18, Jer 31:15:

"A voice was heard in Ramah,sobbing and loud lamentation

Rachel weeping for her childrenand she would not be consoled,

since they were no more."

3. Capharnaum: Capernaum, the city in Galilee where Jesus began and conducted most of his ministry, and where he foundmost of his Apostles.



Buarch BeirdLlyfr Taliesin III

Edympeilli oet ympwyllat.

Y veird brython prydest ofer.Ymryorsseu ymryorsed.Digawn gofal y gofangord.Wyf eissygpren kyfyg ar gerd.Buarth beird ar nys gwypo.Pymtheg mil drostawYny gymhwyssaw.Wyf kerdolyat. wyf keinyat claer.Wyf dur wyf suw.wyf sarff wyf serch yd ymgestaf.Nyt wyf vard syn yn aryfreidaw.Pan gan keinyeit canu ygkof.Nyt ef wnawfut wy ryfed vchon.Handit ami eu herbyniaw.Mal aruoll dillat heb law.Val ymsawd yn llyn heb naw.Tyrui aches ehofyn ygradUchel ygwaed mordwyt trefyd.Creic am wanec. wrth vawr trefnat.An clut yscrut escar nodyat.Creic pen perchen pen anygnat.Yn gwna medut meddawt medyd.Wyf kell wyf dell wyf datweirllet.Wyf logell kerd wyf lle ynnyet.Karaf y gorwyd a goreil clyt.A bard a bryt ny pryn yret.Nyt ef caraf amryssonyat.A geibyl keluyd ny meued med.Madws mynet yr ymdiotA cheluydeit am geluydyt.Achamclwm kystwm kywlat.Bugeil brooed porthoed neirthyaf.Mal ymdeith heb troet y gat.Eri vynnei ymdeith heb troet.Eri vagi kneuha heb goet.Mal keissaw bydueid yg gruc.Mal peireint aureith ynuut.Mal gosgord lluyd heb pen.Mal porthi anclut ar ken.Mal grynniaw tyndei o vro.

Buarch Beird


Mal haedu awyr a bach.Mal eirach a gwaet yscall.Mal gwneuthur goleu y dallMal docni dillat ynoeth.Mal tannu engwyn ar traeth.Mal prothi pyscawt ar laeth.Mal toineuad a deil.Mal lladu llyry a gwyil.Mal todi dyfet rac geir.Wyf bard neuad. wyf kyw kadeir.Digonaf y veird llafar llesteir.Kyn vy argywrein ym garw gyfloc.Ryprynhom ni an llocyth tydi vab meir.

Buarch Beird


The Fold of the BardsBook of Taliesin

MEDITATING were my thoughts

On the vain poetry of the bards of Brython.Making the best of themselves in the chief convention.Enough, the care of the smith’s sledge-hammer.I am in want of a stick, straitened in song,The fold of the bards, who knows it not?Fifteen thousand over itAdjusting itI am a harmonious one; I am a clear singer.I am steel; I am a druid.I am an artificer; I am a scientific one.I am a serpent; I am love; I will indulge in feasting.I am not a confused bard drivelling,When songsters sing a song by memory,They will not make wonderful cries;May I be receiving them.Like receiving clothes without a hand,Like sinking in a lake without swimmingThe stream boldly rises tumultuously in degree.High in the blood of sea-board towns.The rock wave-surrounded, by great arrangement,Will convey for us a defence, a protection from the enemy.The rock of the chief proprietor, the head of tranquillity.The intoxication of meads will cause us to speak.I am a cell, I am a cleft, I am a restoration,I am the depository of song; I am a literary man;I love the high trees, that afford a protection above,And a bard that composes, without earning anger;I love not him that causes contention;He that speaks ill of the skilful shall not possess mead.It is a fit time to go to the drinking,With the skilful men, about art,And a hundred knots, the custom of the country,The shepherd of the districts, support of gates,Like going without a foot to battle.He would not journey without a foot.He would not breed nuts without trees,Like seeking for ants in the heath.Like an instrument of foolish spoil,Like the retinue of an army without a head,Like feeding the unsheltered on lichen.

The Fold of the Bards


Like ridging furrows from the countryLike reaching the sky with a hook,Like deprecating with the blood of thistles,Like making light for the blind,Like sharing clothes to the naked,Like spreading buttermilk on the sands,Like feeding fish upon milk,Like roofing a hail with leaves,Like killing a tortoise with rods.Like dissolving riches before a word.I am a bard of the hail, I am a chick of the chair.I will cause to loquacious bards a hindrance.Before I am dragged to my harsh reward,May we buy thee, that wilt protect us, thou son of Mary.

NOTESThis poems may be referencing the section of the Hanes Taliesin wherein the young Taliesin bests the bards of Maelgwn,leaving them strumming their lips like children.

The Fold of the Bards


Aduvyneu TaliesinLlyfr Taliesin IV

Atwyn rin rypenyt y ryret;

Arall atwyn pan vyd Duw dymgwaret.Atwyn kyfed rwy gomed gogyffret;Arall atwyn y am kyrn kyfyfet.Atwyn Nud ud, bleid [blae]naf;Arall atwyn hael gwyl golystaf.Atwyn aeron yn amser kynhayaf;Arall atwyn gwenith ar galaf.Atwyn heul yn ehwybyr yn nwyfre;Arall atwyn rythalhwyr ae de.Atwyn march mygvras mangre;Arall atwyn dylif yg gwe.Atwyn chwant ac aryant amaerwy;Arall atwyn dy vorwyn modrwy.Atwyn eryr ar lan llyr pan llanhwy;Arall atwyn gwylein yn gwarwy.Atwyn march ac eurgalch gylchwy;Arall atwyn aduwyn yn adwy.Atwyn Eynawn, medic y liaws;Arall atwyn kerdawr hael hygnaws.Atwyn Mei y gogeu ac eaws;Arall atwyn pan vyd hin haws.Atwyn reith a pherpheith neithawr;Arall atwyn kyflwyn a garhawr.Atwyn bryt wrth penyt periglawr;Arall atwyn dydwyn y allawr.Atwyn med yg kynted y gerdawr;Arall atwyn am terwyn toryf vawr.Atwyn cleric catholic yn eglwys;Arall atwyn [h]enefyd yn neuadwys.Atwyn plwyf kymrwy Dwy a towys;Arall atwyn yn amser Paradwys.Atwyn lloer llewychawt yn eluyd;Arall atwyn pan vyd da dymgofyd.Atwyn haf ac araff hirdydArall atwyn athreidaw a geryd.Atwyn blodeu ar warthaf perwyd;Arall atwyn a Chreawdyr kerenhyd.Atwyn didryf ewic ac elein;Arall atwyn ewynawc archueinAtwyn lluarth pan llwyd y genhin;

Aduvyneu Taliesin


Atwyn arall katawarth yn eginAtwyn edystyr yg kebystyr lletrin;Arall atwyn kyweithas a brenhin.Atwyn glew nwy goleith gogywec;Arall atwyn ellëin Gymräec.Atwyn gruc pan vyd ehöec;Arall atwyn morua y warthec.Atwyn tymp pan dyn lloe laeth;Arall atwyn ewynawc marchogaeth.Ac ys imi atwyn nyt gwaeth:Atwyn llat bual wrth tal meduaeth.Atwyn pysc yn y lyn llywyawt;arall atwyn goreil liw gwaryhawt.Atwyn geir a lefeir y Trindawt;Arall atwyn rypenyt y pechawt.Aduwynhaf o'r aduwyndawt:Kerenhyd a Dofyd Dyd Brawt.

Back to Llyfr Taliesin

Aduvyneu Taliesin


The Pleasant Things of TaliesinBook of Taliesin IV

A pleasant virtue, extreme penance to an extreme course;

Also pleasant, when God is delivering me.Pleasant, the carousal that hinders not mental exertion;Also pleasant, to drink together about horns.Pleasant is Nudd1, the superior wolf—lord;Also pleasant, a generous one at Candlemas tide1.Pleasant, berries in the time of harvest;Also pleasant, wheat upon the stalk.Pleasant the sun moving in the firmament;Also pleasant the retaliators of outcries.Pleasant, a steed with a thick mane in a tangle;Also pleasant, crackling fuel.Pleasant, desire, and silver fringes;Also pleasant, the conjugal ring.Pleasant, the eagle on the shore of the sea when it flows;Also pleasant, sea-gulls playing.Pleasant, a horse with gold-enamelled trappings;Also pleasant to be honest in a breach.Pleasant, liquors of the mead-brewer to the multitude;Also pleasant, a songster generous, amiable.Pleasant, the open field to cuckoos and the nightingale;Also pleasant when the weather is serene.Pleasant, right, and a perfect wedding;Also pleasant, a present that is loved.Pleasant, a meal from the penance of a priest;Also pleasant to bring to the altar.Pleasant, mead in a court to a minstrel,Also pleasant, the limiting a great crowd.Pleasant, the catholic clergy in the church,Also pleasant, a minstrel in the hail.Pleasant to bring back the divisions of a parish;Also pleasant to us the time of paradise.Pleasant, the moon, a luminary in the heavens;Also pleasant where there is a good rememberer.Pleasant, summer, and slow long day;Also pleasant to pass out of chastisementPleasant, the blossoms on the tops of the pear-trees;Also pleasant, friendship with the Creator.Pleasant, the solitary doe and the fawn;Also pleasant, the foamy horseblock.

The Pleasant Things of Taliesin


Pleasant, the camp when the leek flourishes;Also pleasant, the charlock in the springing corn.Pleasant, a steed in a leather halter;Also pleasant, alliance with a king.Pleasant, the hero that destroys not the yielding;Also pleasant, the splendid Cymraec language.Pleasant, the heath when it is green;Also pleasant, the salt marsh for cattle.Pleasant, the time when calves draw milk;Also pleasant, foamy horsemanship.And what is pleasant to me is no worse.And the paternal horn by mead-nourished payment.Pleasant, the directing of fish in the pond;Also pleasant, calling about to play.Pleasant, the word that utters the Trinity;Also pleasant, extreme penance for sin.Pleasant, the summer of pleasantness;Communion with the Lord, in the day of judgment.

NOTES

1.: Nudd: perhapse Nudd Hael, mentioned in the triads?

2.: Candlemas tide: the words translated are gwyl golystaf. While gwyl means "feast" (as in a feast day), golystaf isobscure. The modern name for Candlemas is usually Gwyl Fair (Feast of Mary) or Gwyl Chwefror (Feast of February).

The Pleasant Things of Taliesin


Deus Duw DelwatLlyfr Taliesin V

Deus duw delwat.

Gwledic gwaed neirthyat.Crist Jessu gwyliat.Rwysc rihyd amnat.Aduelach kassat.Nym gwnel heb ranned.Moli dy trugared.Ny dyfu yma.Gwledic dy gynnaNy dyfu ny dyfyd.Neb kystal a douydNy ganet yn dyd plwyw.Neb kystal a Duw.Nac nyt adef.Neb kystal ac ef.Vch nef is nef.Nyt gwledic namyn ef.Vch mor is mor.Ef an crewys.Pan dyffo dews.Dyd brawt yn echwrys.Kennadeu o drws.Gwynt. a mor. a than.Lluchet a tharyan.Eiryf. ab gwengan.Llwyth byt yg griduan.Ergelawr. dygetawr llawhethan.Ergelhawr mor a syr.Pan discynho pater.Y dadyl ae nifer.A chyrn gopetror.Ac ennynnu mor.Llwyth byt lloscetawr.Lloscawt ynyal ranRac y vawr varan.Ef tynho achesRac y varanres.Diffurn dyd reges.Gwae ae harhose.Ef tardho talawr.Terdit nef y lawr.

Deus Duw Delwat


Gwynt rud dygetawr.Ech y gadwynawr.Neu byt mor wastatMal pan great.Seith pedyr ae dywawt.Dayar diwarnawt.Dywawt duw sadwrnDayar yn vn ffwrn.Sadwrn vore rwyd.in gwnaho ny culwyd.Tir bydawt tywyd.Gwynt y todo gwyd.Ebryn pop dyhed.Pan losco mynyded.Atuyd triganedA chryn rac rihed.Kyfoethawc ae henuyn.Mor. a tir. a llyn.Atuyd cryn dygryn.A dayar gychwyn.Ac uch pop mehyn.A marw mein uudyn.Eryf argelwch.Ac enynnu llwchTon aghyolwch.Taryan ymrythwch.Teithyawc afar.Ac eryf trwy alar.Ac enynnu trwy varRwg nef a dayar.Pan dyffo trindawtYmaes maestawt.Llu nef ymdanaw.Llwyth llydan attaw.Kyrd a cherdoryonA chathleu egylyon.Drychafant o vedeu.Eirant o dechreu.Eirant kwu coet.Ar gymeint adoet.A rewinywys mor.A wnant mawr gawr.Pryt pan dyffo Ef ae gwahano.Y sawl a uo meu.Ymchaelent y perthgled.

Deus Duw Delwat


Ponyt erlys dy gyfreu.A lefeir dy eneuDy vynet yn du hynt yn nanheuYn tywyll heb leuuereu.Ac ym oed y ereu.Ac ym oed i ieitheu.Ac ym oed i ganwlatAc eu cant lloneit.Canuet gwlat pressent.Ny bum heb gatwent.Oed mynych kyfar chwerwy rof eim kefynderw.Oed mynych kyrys cwydatY rof y am kywlat.Oed mynych kyflafan.Y rofi ar truan.Am goryw hwn vyth.Nym gwnaei dyn byth.Am gyrwys ygcrocA wydwn yn oc.Am gyrrwys ym pren.Dipynwys vympen.Tafaw ti vyn deutroet.Mor tru eu hadoet.Tanaw dyr boenet.Escyrn vyn traet.Tauaw dy vyn dwy vreichNy ny dybyd eu beich.Tauaw dy vyn dwy yscwyd.Handit mor dyuyd.Tauaw dyr cethronYmy wn vyg callon.Tauaw dy gethawt.Y rwg vyn deu lygat.Tauaw yr da allatCoron drein ym iat.Tauaw dy oestruA wanpwyt vyn tu.Teu yw chitheu.Mal yr ywch llaw deheu.Iwch ny byd madeuVy gwan a bereu.A wledic ny wydyein.Pan oed ti a grogein.Gwledic nef gwledic pop tutNy wydein ni grist tut vyhut.

Deus Duw Delwat


Bei ath wybydein.Crist athathechein.Nyt aruollir gwatGan lwyth eissyfflat.Digonsawchi anuatYn erbyn dofydyat.Can mil egylyonYssyd imi yn tyston.A doeth ym kyrchawGwedy vyg crogaw.Ygcroc yn greulet.Myhun ym gwaret.Yn nefoed bu cryt.Pan ym crogyssit.Pan orelwisk eliDy culwyd vch keli.A chenwch deu ieuanRagof y deu gynran.A deu lyfyr yn ach llawYn eu darlleaw.Nys deubi ryrysRygosswy rygossys.Ac awch bi wynnyeithGwerth awch ynuyt areith.Kayator y dyleithArnawch y vffern lleithCrist Jessu uchel ryseilas trychamil blwydynedEr pan yttyw ym buched.Ac eil mil kyn croc.Yt lewychi enoc.Neu nyt atwen drutMeint eu heissillut.Gwlat pressent yth ermut.A chut awch bei odit.Trychan mil blwydyned namyn vnOricodit buched tragywyd.

Deus Duw Delwat


Oh God, the God of FormationBook of Taliesin V

O GOD, the God of formation,

Ruler, strengthener of blood.Christ Jesus, that guards,Princes loud-proclaiming go their course.For a decaying acquisition.It will not make me without shares,The praising thy mercy.There hath not been here;O supreme Ruler;There hath not been; there will not be,One so good as the Lord.There hath not been born in the day of the peopleAny one equal to God.And no one will acknowledgeAny one equal to him.Above heaven, below heaven,There is no Ruler but he.Above sea, below sea,He created us.When God comesA great noise will pierce us,The day of judgment terribly.Messengers from the door,Wind, and sea, and fire.lightning and thunderA number without flattery.The people of the world groaningWill be concealed. A reaching arm will be brought.Will be concealed the sea and stars,When the Father descends,To take vengeance with his hostsWith trumpets penetrating into the four regions.And to set the sea on fire.The nations of the world will be burnt,Until they are reduced to ashes.Was burnt the desert portionBefore his great presence.He will draw a streamBefore his front rank.Kings will shudder (that) day,

Oh God, the God of Formation


Woe awaits them!When the recompenser shall appear,Let the heaven appear below.A ruddy wind will be broughtOut to the cinder,Until the world is as desolateAs when created.Saint Peter says it,The day of the earth;There will come a Saturday,The earth in one furnace.Saturday, a clear morning;The love-diffusing (Lord) will separate us.The land of worldly weather,A wind will melt the trees:There will pass away every tranquillityWhen the mountains are burnt.There will be again inhabitantsWith horns before kings;The mighty One will send them,Sea, and land, and lake.There will be again a trembling terror,And a moving of the earth,And above every field,And ashes the rocks will be;With violent exertion, concealment,And burning of lake.A wave do ye displace,A shield do ye extendTo the travelling woe,And violent exertion through grief.And inflaming through furyBetween heaven and earth.When the Trinity shall comeTo the field of its majesty,The host of heaven about it,An extensive tribe near it,Songs and minstrels.And the hymns of angels,Will raise from the graves,They will entreat from the beginning.They will entreat together publicly,On so great a destiny.Those whom the sea has destroyedWill make a great shout,At the time when cometh



He, that will separate them.As many as are mine,Let them go to the right.Those that have done evil,Let them go to the left side.Do not thy passions counteractWhat thy lips utter?Thy going in thy course into valleys,Dark without lights.And mine were his words.And mine were his languages.And mine was his bright country,And their hundred fuluesses.The hundredth country present.I have not been without battle.Bitter affliction was frequentBetween me and my cousins.Frequent trials fellBetween me and my fellow-countrymen.There was frequent contentionBetween me and the wretched.This ever overcame me,Man would never do it.Those that placed me on the crossI knew when young.That drove me on the tree,My head hung down.Stretched were my two feet,So sad their destiny.Stretched with extreme painThe bones of my feet.Stretched were my two arms,Their burden will not be.Stretched were my two shoulders,So diligently it was done.Stretched were the nails,Within my heart.Stretched was the spiking,Between my two eyes.Thick are the holesOf the crown of thorns in my head.The lance was struckAnd my side was pierced.It will be struck to you also,As your right hand (struck me).To you there will be no forgiveness,



For piercing me with spears.And the Ruler we knew notWhen thou wert hung.Ruler of heaven, Ruler of every people!We knew not, O Christ! that it was thou.If we had known thee,Christ, we should have refrained from thee.A denial will not be receivedFrom the race of the lower country.Ye have committed wickednessAgainst the Creator.A hundred thousand angelsAre to me witnesses,Who came to conduct meAfter my hanging,When hanging cruelly,Myself to deliver meIn heaven there was tremblingWhen I had been hung.When I cried out Eli!1

God love-prospering above heaven.And sing ye, the two Johns,Before me the two primary parts.With two books in your hands,Beading them.There would not come a great difficulty

And yours will be flattery,The value of your foolish speech.Dissolution will closeUpon you to moist Uffern.Christ Jesus high hath founded three hundred thousand years, Since he is in life,And a second thousand before the crossShone Enoch.Do not the brave knowThe greatness of their progeny?A country present will meet thee,And while it may possibly be yours,Three hundred thousand years save one,A short hour of the day of everlasting life.

NOTES

1. A hundred thousand angels... Eli!: Here it is Christ speaking about the crucifixion.



Armes Prydein VawrLlyfr Taliesin VI

Dygogan awen dygobryssyn.

maraned a meued a hed genhyn.A phennaeth ehelaeth a ffraeth vnbyn.A gwedy dyhed anhed ym pop mehyn.Gwyr gwychyr yn trydar kasnar degyn.escut yg gofut ryhyt diffyn.Gwaethyl gwyr hyt Gaer Weir gwasgarawt allmyn.gwnahawnt goruoled gwedy gwehyn.A chymot Kymry a gwyr Dulyn.Gwydyl Iwerdon Mon a Phrydyn.Cornyw a Chludwys eu kynnwys genhyn.Atporyon uyd Brython pan dyorfyn.Pell dygoganher amser dybydyn.Teyrned a bonhed eu gorescyn.Gwyr Gogled yg kynted yn eu kylchyn.ymperued eu racwed y discynnyn.

Dysgogan Myrdin kyueruyd hyn.yn Aber Perydon meiryon mechteyrn.A chyny bei vn reith lleith a gwynyn.o vn ewyllis bryt yd ymwrthuynnyn.Meiryon eu tretheu dychynnullyn.yg ketoed Kymru nat oed a telhyn.yssyd wr dylyedawc a lefeir hyn.(ny dyffei a talei yg keithiwet).

Mab Meir mawr a eir pryt na tharde[r].rac pennaeth Saesson ac eu hoffed.Pell bwynt kychmyn y Wrtheyrn Gwyned.ef gyrhawt allmyn y alltuded.nys arhaedwy neb nys dioes dayar.ny wydynt py treiglynt ym pop aber.pan prynassant Danet trwy fflet called.gan Hors a Hegys oed yng eu ryssed.eu kynnyd bu y wrthyn yn anuonhed.gwedy rin dilein keith y myneur.dechymyd meddaw[t] mawr wirawt o ved.dechymyd agen agheu llawer.dec[h]ymyd anaeleu dagreu gwraged.dychyfroy etgyllaeth pennaeth lletfer.

Armes Prydein Vawr


dechymyd tristit byt a ryher.Pan uyd kechmyn Danet an teyrned.Gwrthottit trindawt dyrnawt a bwyller.y dilein gwlat Vrython a Saesson yn anhed.poet kynt eu reges yn alltuded.no mynet Kymry yn diffroed.

Mab Meir mawr a eir pryt nas terdyn.Kymry rac goeir breyr ac vnbyn.kyneircheit kyneilweit vn reith cwynnyn.vn gor vn gyghor vn eissor ynt.nyt oed yr mawred nas lleferynt.namyn yr hebcor goeir nas kymodynt.y Dduw a Dewi yd ymorchymynynt.talet gwrthodet flet y allmyn.gwnaent wy aneireu eisseu trefdyn.Kymry a Saesson kyferuydyn.y am lanymtreulaw ac ymwrthyn.o diruawr vydinawr pan ymprofyn.Ac am allt lafnawr a gawr a gryn.Ac am Gwy geir kyfyrgeir y am peurllyn.A lluman adaw agarw disgyn.A mal [bwyt] balaon Saesson syrthyn.Kymry kynyrcheit kyfun dullyn.blaen wrth von granwynyon kyfyng oedyn.meiryon yg werth eu geu yn eu creinhyn.Eu bydin ygwaetlin yn eu kylchyn.Ereill ar eu traet trwy goet kilhyn.Trwy uwrch y dinas ffoxas ffohyn.ryfel heb dychwel y tir Prydyn.Attor trwy law gyghor mal mor llithryn.

Meiryon Kaer Geri difri cwynant.rei y dyffryn a bryn nys dirwadant.y Aber Perydon ny mat doethant.anaelau tretheu dychynullant.naw vgein canhwr y discynnant.mawr watwar namyn petwar nyt atcorant.dyhed y eu gwraged a dywedant.eu crysseu yn llawn creu a orolchant.Kymry kyneircheit eneit dichwant.gwyr deheu eu tretheu a amygant.llym llifeit llafnawr llwyr y lladant.ny byd y vedyc mwyn or a wnaant.bydinoed Katwaladyr kadyr y deuant.

Armes Prydein Vawr


rydrychafwynt Kymry kat a wnant.lleith anoleith rydygyrchassant.yg gorffen eu tretheu agheu a wdant.ereill arosceill ryplanhassant.oes oesseu eu tretheu nys escorant.

Yg koet ymas [ym bro] ym bryn.canhwyll yn tywyll a gerd genhyn.Kynan yn racwan ym pop discyn.Saesson rac Brython gwae a genyn.Katwalaldyr yn baladyr gan y unbyn.trwy synhwyr yn llwyr yn eu dichlyn.Pan syrthwynt eu clas dros eu herchwyn.yg custud a chreu rud ar rud allmyn.Yg gorffen pop agreith anreith degyn.Seis ar hynt hyt Gaer Wynt kynt pwy kynt techyn.gwyn eu byt wy Gymry pan adrodynt.ryn gwarawt y trindawt or trallawt gynt.na chrynet Dyfet na Glywyssg.nys gwnaho molawt meiryon mechteyrn.na chynhoryon Saesson keffyn ebryn.nys gwnaho medut meddawt genhyn.heb talet o dynget meint a geffyn.O ymdifeit veibon ac ereill ryn.trwy eiryawl Dewi a seint Prydeyn.hyt ffrwt Ailego ffohawr all[myn].

Dysgogan awen dydaw y dyd.pan dyffo Iwys y vn gwssyl.Vn cor vn gyghor a Lloegyr lloscit.yr gobeith anneiraw ar yn prydaw luyd.A cherd ar alluro a ffo beunyd.ny wyr kud ymda cwd a cwd vyd.Dychyrchwynt gyfarth mal arth o vynyd.y talu gwynyeith gwaet eu hennyd.Atvi peleitral dyfal dillyd.nyt arbettwy car corff y gilyd.Atui pen gaflaw heb emennyd.Atui gwraged gwedw a meirch gweilyd.Atui obein vthyr rac ruthyr ketwyr.A lliaws llaw amhar kyn gwascar lluyd.Kennadeu agheu dycyferwyd.pan safhwynt galaned wrth eu hennyd.Ef dialawr y treth ar gwerth beunyd.ar mynch gennadeu ar geu luyd.

Armes Prydein Vawr


Dygorfu Kymry trwy kyfergyr.yn gyweir gyteir gytson gytffyd

Dygorfu Kymry y peri kat.a llwyth lliaws gwlat a gynnullant.A lluman glan Dewi a drychafant.y tywyssau Gwydyl trwy lieingant.A gynhon Dulyn genhyn y safant.pan dyffont yr gat nyt ymwadant.gofynnant yr Saesson py geissyssant.pwy meint eu dylyet or wlat a dalyant.cw mae eu herw pan seilyassant.cw mae eu kenedloed py vro pan doethant.yr amser Gwrtheyrn genhyn y sathrant.ny cheffir o wir rantir an karant.Neu vreint an seint pyr y saghyssant.neu reitheu Dewi pyr y torrasant.ymgetwynt Gymry pan ymwelant.nyt ahont allmyn or nen y safant.hyt pan tahont seithweith gwerth digonsant.Ac agheu diheu yg werth eu cam.ef talhawr o anawr Garmawn garant.y pedeir blyned ar petwar cant.

Gwyr gwychyr gwallt hiryon ergyr dofyd.o dihol Saesson o Iwerdon dybyd.Dybi o Lego lyghes rewyd.rewinyawt y gat rwyccawt lluyd.Dybi oAlchut gwyr drut diweir.y dihol o Prydein virein luyd.Dybi o Lydaw prydaw gyweithyd.ketwyr y ar katueirch ny pheirch eu hennyd.Saesson o pop partgh y gwarth ae deubyd.ry treghis eu hoes nys dioes eluyd.dyderpi agheu yr du gyweithyd.clefyt a dyllid ac angweryt.Gwedy eur ac aryant a chanhwynyd.boet perth eu disserth ygwerth eu drycffyd.boet mor boet agor eu kussulwyr.boet creu boet agheu eu kyweithyd.Kynan a Chatwaladyr kadyr yn lluyd.Etmyccawr hyt vrawt ffawt ae deubyd.deu vnben degyn dwys eu kussyl.deu orsegyn Saessono pleit Dofyd.deu hael deu gedawl gwlat warthegyd.

Armes Prydein Vawr


deu diarchar barawt vnffawt vn ffyd.deu erchwynawc Prydein mirein luyd.deu arth nys gwna gwarth kyfarth beunyd.

Dysgogan derwydon meint a deruyd.Vynaw hyt Lydaw yn eu llaw yt vyd.Dyuet hyt Danet wy bieiuyd.Wawl hyt Weryt hyt eu hebyr.Llettawt eu pennaeth tros yr echwyd.Attor ar gynhon Saesson ny byd.Atchwelwynt Wydyl ar eu hennyd.rydrychafwynt Gymry kadyr gyweithyd.bydinoed am gwrwf a thwrwf milwyr.A theyrned Dews rygedwys eu ffyd.Iwis y pop llyghes tres a deruyd.A chymot Kynan gan y gilyd.ny alwawr gynhon yn gynifwyr.namyn kechmyn Katwaladyr ae gyfnewitwyr.Eil Kymro llawen llafar a uyd.Am ynys gynwyeit heit a deruyd.pan safhwynt galaned wrth eu hennyd.hyt yn Aber Santwic swynedic vyd.Allmyn ar gychwyn y alltudyd.ol wrth ol attor ar eu hennyd.Saesson wrth agor ar vor peunyd.Kymry gwenerawl hyt vrawt goruyd.Na cheisswynt lyfrawr nac agawr brydyd.Arymes yr ynys hon namyn hyn ny byd.Iolwn i ri a grewys nef ac eluyd.poet tywyssawc Dewi yr kynifwyr.yn yr yg Gelli Kaer am Duw yssyd.ny threinc ny dieinc nyt ardispyd.ny wyw ny wellyc ny phlyc ny chryd.

Armes Prydein Vawr


Armes Prydein VawrThe Prophecy of Prydein the Great

Book of Taliesin VIFrom The Four Ancient Books of Wales

The Awen1 foretells the hastening of

The multitude, possessed of wealth and peace;And a bountiful sovereign, and eloquent princes.And after tranquillity, commotion in every place,Heroic men raising a tumult of fierce contention.Swift the remorse of defending too long.The contention of men even to Caer Weir, the dispersion of the Allmyn.2They made great rejoicing after exhaustion,And the reconciling of the Cymry and the men of Dublin,The Gwyddyl of Iwerdon, Mona, and Prydyn,Cornwall and Clydemen their compact with them.3The Brython will be outcasts, when they shall have done,Far will be foretold the time they shall be.Kings and nobles will subdue them.The men of the North4 at the entry surrounding them,In the midst of their front they will descend.

II.Myrdin5 foretells these will meet,In Aber Peryddon1, the stewards of the kings;And though there be no right of slaughter they complain.Of one will of the mind they will refuse.Stewards their taxes would collect;In the treasures of Cymry, there was not that they would pay.One that is a proprietor says this.There will not come one that will pay in slavery.The great Son6 of Mary declareth, when it did not break outAgainst the chief of the Saxons and their fondness,Far be the scavengers to Gwrtheyrn of Gwynedd.He drove the Allmyn to banishment.No one will attain to anything, but what earth will deprive.They know not what may be passing in every outlet.When they bought Thanet7, through lack of discretion,With Hors and Hengys8, who were in their career,Their prosperity has been derived from us without honour.After a secret, the captive was worked upon at the Ynver.Drunkeness will be pleased with much liquor of mead,Poverty will bear with the death of many.

The Prophecy of Prydein the Great


Terrors will bear with the tears of women;An enervated chief will excite a wailing.The sorrow of time world will bear with much irritation.When the scavengers of Thanet are our kings,May the Trinity ward off the blow that is intended.To agitate the land of the Brython, and the Saxons at variance.Sooner may their kings be in banishment,Than the Cymry should go into exile.

IIIThe great Son of Mary declareth, when will not break outThe Cymry against the surmise of a baron, and princes;Foremost ones in asking, examples, one law they complain,One meeting, one council, of one voice they are.There were none, however great, who did not speak.Except to dispense with Surmises they would not agree.To God and David9 they recommended themselves.Let him pay, let him refrain from a refusal to Allmymm.Let them make ill reports of the wants of the townsman.The Cymry will meet the Saxons.For various mutual consumption and resistance.Of the excessively great army, when they have experience,And on the hill, at the blades and shout, they will tremble,And on the Gwy severe rencounters will follow them.And a banner will come, rough it will descend.And like the budded blossoms the Saxons will fall.The Cymry gathering strength with union of actions.First and last the Granwynyon were in a strait,The stewards to the value of their deceit prostrating them.Their army in the running of blood surrounding them.Others on their feet through woods will retreat.Through the ramparts of the city they wilt flee.A war without returning to the laud of Prydyn.10

The council will be broken by hand, like the sea they will glide away.The stewards of Caer Ceri dishonoured complain.Some the valley and hill do not decline,To Aber Peryddon they came not well.Tremendous taxes they collect.Nine score hundred men they descend.Great mockery, except four, they did not return.Tranquillity to their wives they say,Their shirts full of gore they wash.The Cymry, foremost in asking, profuse of soul,The men of the South will defend their taxes,With sharp-ground blades utterly they will kill.



There will be no advantage to the physician from what they do.The armies of Cadwaladyr11, mighty they come,The Cymry were exalted, a battle they made.A slaughter without measure they assailed.In the end of their taxes, death they know.0thers, large branches they planted.For age of ages their taxes they will not leave off.In wood, in plain, on lull,A candle in the dark will go with them.Cynan12 opening a forward way in every descent.Saxons against the Brython, woe they will sing.Cadwaladyr a pillar with his princes.Though prudence utterly attending to then.When they drop their covering over their support.In affliction, and the crimson gore on the cheeks of the Allmyn.At the end of every expedition spoil they lead.The Saxon on journey as far as Caer Wynt13 formerly who sooner skulked?Happy they, the Cymry, when they say,The Trinity delivered us from time former trouble.Let not Dyved or Glywyssyg tremble.The praise of stewards will not affect kings,Nor shall time councils of the Saxons obtain what they say.Meads shall not cause drunkenness with us,14

Without the payment by fate of what we have.From orphaned sons and others a fewThrough time intercession of David and the saints of Prydeyn,As far as the stream of Arlego they will flee out.

IVThe Awen foretells, the day will come,When he will come to summon to one council,One company, one council, and Lloegyr15 being burnt.In the hope of detracting our most comely army.And the song of another country will flee always.lie knows not a hiding-place for my goods, and where will be a shelter?They raise a barking, like a bear from the mountain.To pay flattery their country will bleed.Again shall come the toil of spears, fierce and sharpThe friend shall not spare the body of his companion.Again shall come the head of a salmon without brains;Again shall come widowed women and spare horses.Again shall come a terrible shout from the assault of the warriors,And many hands unequal before scattering armies.The messengers of death met together,When stood carcases according to their origin,



The tax will be avenged and the value daily,And the many niessages on the false army.

V.The Cymry have prevailed through the rencounter,Completely unanimous: of one voice, of one faith.The Cymry have prevailed to cause battle.And the tribes of many a country they will collect,And the holy banner of David they will raise,To lead the Gwyddyl through the dark blue sea.And the faction of Dublin with us stood,When they come to the battle, they will not deny them selves;They will ask the Saxons what they seek:how much of debt from the country they hold?Whence is their route when they settled?Whence their generation? from what land did they come?Since the time of Gwrtheyrn16 they trample upon us.Truth will not be obtained in the land of discord.Did they not trample entirety on the privilege of our saints?Did they not entirely break through the miracles of David?The Cymry will keep themselves, when they visit.The Allmyn will not go from the places they stand on,Until they shall have paid seven times the value of what they did.And death shall scatter to the value of their wrong.The kin of Garmawn will pay of honour,In four years and four hundred.Valiant men long-haired, the Lord will incite:And a driving of the Saxons from Iwerdon17 there will be.Thence will come from Lengo, a wanton fleet.Time battle was ruined, the armies were torn.There will come from Alclud18, men, bold, faithful,To drive from Prydein bright armies.There will come from Llydaw19, a seasonable ally,Warriors from their war-horses will not regard their origin.Saxons on all sides into disgrace will come;Their age has passed away; there is not a country.Death has been accomplished to the black auxiliary.Disease and duty will deliver us,After gold and silver and what is congenial.Let a bush be their shelter in reward of their bad faith.Let the sea be, let an anchor be, their counsellors.Let gore be, let death be, their auxiliary.Cynan and Cadwaladyr, mighty in armies;They will be honoured until judgment: prosperity will attend them.Two tenacious chiefs; profound their counsel.



Two that will overcome the Saxons, with the aid of the Lord.Two generous ones, two treasurers of a merchant’s country.Two fearless ones, ready, of one fortune, of one faith.Two exalters of Prydein of bright armies.Two bears do not know shame barking daily.Druids foretell what great things will happen.From Mynaw20 to Llydaw in their hands will he.From Dyved to Thanet they will possess.From the light to the ground along their Abers.Their chief partly paid for the land.A nakedness on Cynon, Saxons wi1l not be.The Gwyddyl wi1l return to their native country,The Cymry will raise up a mighty auxiliary.Armies about ale from the tumult of soldiers.And the kings of God that have kept their faithWill summon to every fleet: trouble will end;And Cynan will reconcile them with each other.Cynon will not call in as combatants,Save the scavengers of Cadwaladyr, and his merchants.Like a Cymro, joyful of speech he will be,About the afflicted isle swarms wil1 cease;When the carcases stand according to their race,Even to Aber Santwic it will be noised,That the Allmyn are about to emigrate abroad,One after another, breaking afresh upon their race.The Saxons at anchor on the sea always.The Cymry venerable until doomsday shall be supremeThey will not seek books nor be covetous of poets.The presage of this isle will be no other than this.We will praise the King that created heaven and earth.May David be a leader to the combatants.Ynyr in Gelli Caer21 for God he is;He will not die, he will not run away, he will not exhaustHe will not fade, lie will not fail, he will not bend, be will not tremble.

NOTES

1. Awen: divine poetic inspiration; Taliesin is said to have gained awen from the cauldron of Cerridwen.

2. Allmyn: English, either from Alemani, a large Germanic tribe, or a word meaning "others".

3. Gwyddyl... Clydemen: Gwyddyl are the Irish, Mona is Anglesey, Prydyn is northern Britain and southern Scotland, andClydemen refers to Strathclyde.

4. The men of the North: the Gwyr Gogledd, men such as Urien of Rheged and Peredur of York.

5. Myrdin: Myrddin, now known as Merlin; originally a nobleman and bard who went mad, he later became known as themagician of Uther and Arthur's court.



6. the Great Son: though here refering the Jesus, the original word here is Mabon, who is also known as the Young God,son of the Great Mother.

7. Thanet: part of Kent

8. Hors and Hengys: the legendary Saxon settlers of Britain, brought over by Vortigern; their names mean "Horse andStallion," and they are likely a reflex of the Indo-European Divine Twins, who are associated with horses.

9. David: St. David of Wales

10. Prydyn: northern Britain, as distinguished from Prydain, which is the whole of the isle.

11. Cadwaladyr: Cadwalader the Blessed, last king of the Britons, who was exiled and died in Rome in 681.

12. Cynan: presumably Cynan Garwyn, another late hero of the Britons.

13. Caer Wynt: Winchester

14. Meads shall not cause drunkenness with us: mead was the payment of warriors; in Y Gododdin, the warriors weredrunk on mead before fighting, and were lost. Here, there will be no loss.

15. Lloegyr: England.

16. Gwrtheyrn: the infamous Vortigern, king before Ambrosius Aurelianus's time, who brought Saxon mercenaries toBritain to fight the Picts and Scots; this began the Saxon settlement of Britain.

17. Iwerdon: Ireland

18. Alclud: Dumbarton

19. Llydaw: Llyn Llydaw in Snowdonia?

20. Mynaw: Isle of Man?

21. Gelli Caer: Gelligaer in West Glamorgan?



Angar KyfyndawtLlyfr Taliesin VII

Bard yman ymae neu cheint aganho.

Kanet pan darffo.Sywedydyn yt uo.Haelon am nacco.Nys deubi arotho.Trwy ieith taliessin.Bu dyd emellin.Kian pan darfu.Lliaws y gyfolu.By lleith bit areith auacdu.Neus duc y geluyd.Kyuren argywyd.Gwiawn a leferyd.A dwfyn dyfyd.Gwnaei o varw vyw.Ac aghyfoeth yw.Gwneynt eu delideu.yn oes oesseu.Dydwyth dydyccawtO dyfynwedyd gwawt.Neut angar kyfyndawt.Pwy ychynefawt.Kymeint kerd kiwdawtA delis awch tafawt.Pyr na threthwch traethawt.Llat uch llyn llathrawt.Penillyach pawbDybydaf yna gnawt.Dwfyn dyfu ygnawt.Neur dodyw ystygnawt.Trydyd par ygnat.Trvgein mlynedYt portheisilawrwed.Yn dyfyr kaw a chiwed.Yn eluyd tired.Kanweis am dioed.Kant rihyd odynoed.Kan yw yd aethant.Kan yw y doethant.Kan eilewyd y gant.Ac ef ae darogant.

Angar Kyfyndawt


Lladon verch liant.Oed bychan ychwantY eur ac aryant.Pwyr byw ae diadasGwaet yar wynwasOdit traethatorMawr molhator.Mitwyf taliessin.Ry phrydaf y iawn llinParawt hyt ffinYgkynelw elphin.Neur deiryg hetO rif eur dylyet.Pan gassat ny charat.Anudon a brat.Nu ny chwennych vatTrwy gogyuec an gwawt.A gogyfarchwy brawt wrthyf ny gwybyd nebawt.Doethur prif geluyd.Dispwyllawt sywedyd.Am wyth am edrywthAm doleu dynwedyd.Am gwyr gwawt geluyd.Kerdwn duw yssydTrwy ieith talhayarn.Bedyd bu dyd varn.A varnwys teithiAngerd vardoni.Ef ae rin rodesAwen aghymes.Seith vgein ogyruenYssyd yn awen.Wyth vgein o pop vgein e nyd yn vn.Yn annwfyn y diwyth.Yn annwfyn y gorwyth.Yn annwfyn is eluyd.Y mae ae gwybyd.Py tristit yssydGwell no llewenyd.Gogwn dedyf radeu.Awen pan deffreu.Am geluyd taleu.Am detwyd dieu.am buched ara.Am oesseu yscorua.Am haual teyrned. py hyt eu kygwars.

Angar Kyfyndawt


Am gyhaual ydynt trwy weryt.Mawrhydic. sywyd pan dygfrensitAwel uchel gyt.Pan vyd gohoyw brytPan vyd mor hyfryt.Pan yw gwrd echen.Pan echrewyt uchel.Neu heul pan dodir.Pan yw toi tir.Toi tir pwy meint.Pan tynhit gwytheint.Gwytheint pan tynnit.Pan yw gwyrd gweryt.Gweryt pan yw gwyrd.Pwy echenis kyrd.Kyrd pwy echenis.Ystir pwy ystyrywys.Ystyrywyt yn llyfreuPet wynt pet ffreu.Pet ffreu pet wynt.Pet auon ar hynt.Pet auon yd ynt.Dayar pwy y llet.Neu pwy y thewhet.Gogwn trws llafnawrAm rud am lawr.Gogwn atrefnawrRwg nef a llawrPan atsein aduant.Pan ergyr diuant.Pan lewych aryant.Pan vyd tywyll nant.Anadyl pan yw du.Pan yw ren a uu.Buch pan yw bannawc.Gwreic pan yw serchawc.Llaeth pan yw gwyn.Pan yw glas kelyn.Pan yw baruawt myn.Yn lliaws mehyn.Pan yw baruawt.Pan yw keu efwr.Pan yw medw colwyn.Pan yw lledyf ordwyn.Pan yw brith iyrchwyn.pan yw hallt halwyn

Angar Kyfyndawt


Cwfwf pan yw ystern.Pan yw lletrud gwern.Pan yw gwyrd llinos.Pan yw rud egroes.Neu wreic ae dioes.Pan dygynnu nos. Py datweir yssyd yn eur lliant.Ny wyr neb pan rudir y bron huan.Lliw yn erkynan newydAnahawr ydwyn.Tant teyn py gwyn.Coc py gwyn py gan.Py geidw y didan.Py dydwc garthanGereint ac arman.Py dydwc glein.O erddygnawt veinPan yw per erwein.Pan yw gwyrliw brein.Talhayarn yssydMwyhaf y sywedyd.Pwy amgyfrawd gwydO aches amot dyd.Gogwn da a drwcCwda. cwd amewenir mwcMawr meint gogyhwc.Dawc pwy ae dylifas.Pwy gwawr gorffennas.Pwy agregethas.Eli ac eneas.Gogwn gogeu haf.A uydant y gayaf.Awen aganaf.O dwfyn ys dygaf.Auon kyt beryt.Gogwn y gwrhyt.Gogwn pan dyueiw.Gogwn pan dyleinw.Gogwn pan dillyd.Gogwn pan wescryd.Gogwn py pegorYssyd y dan vor.Gogwn eu heissorPawb yny oscord.Pet gygloyt yn dydPet dyd ymblwydyn.

Angar Kyfyndawt


Pet paladyr ygkat.Pet dos ygkawat.Atuwyn y tannawt.Gwawt nwy mefyl gogyffrawtAches gvyd gwydyon.Gogwn i nebawtPy lenwis auonAr pobyl pharaon.Py dydwc rwynnonBaran achwysson.Py yscawl odefPan drychafafwyt nef.Pwy uu fforch hwylO dayar hyt awyr.Pet byssed am peirAm vn am nedeirPwy enw y deueir.Ny eing yn vn peir.Pan yw mor meddwhawt.Pan yw du pyscawt.Moruwyt uyd eu cnawt.Hyd pan ywmedysc.Pan yw gannawc pysc.Pan yw du troet alarch gwyn.Pedrydawc gwaew llym.Llwyth nef nyt ystyg.Py pedeir tywarchen.Ny wys eu gorffen.Py voch neu py grwydyr hyd.Ath gyfarchaf vargat vard.Gwryth gynnyd escyrn nywl.Gwdynt deu rayadyr gwynt.Traethattor vygofec.Yn efrei yn efroec.Yn efroec yn efrei.Laudatu Laudate Jessu.Eil gweith ym rithat.Bum glas gleissat.Bum ki bum hyd.Bum iwrch ymynyd.Bum kyff bum rawBum bwell yn llaw.Bum ebill yggefelBlwydyn ahanher.Bum keilyawc brithwynAr ieir yn eidin.

Angar Kyfyndawt


Bum amws ar re.Bum tarw toste.Bum bwch melinawr.Mal ymaethawr.Bum gronyn erkennis.Ef tyfwys ymryn.A mettawr am dottawr.Yn sawell ymgyrrawr.Ymrygiawr o law.Wrth vyg godeidaw.Am haruolles yar.Grafrud grib escar.Gorffowysseis naw nosYny chroth yn was.Bum AeduedicBum llat rac gwledic.Bum marw bum byw.Keig ydym ediwBum y arwad awt.Y rac daw bum tawtAm eil kyghores gresGrafrud am rodes.Odit traethattorMawr molhator.Mitwyf taliesinRyphrydaf iawnllin.Parahawt hyt ffin.Ygkynnelw elphin.

Angar Kyfyndawt


The Hostile ConfederacyBook of Taliesin VII

A BARD there is here, who has not sung, what he shall have to sing;

Let him sing; when he shall have finished,An astrologer then he may be.The generous ones refuse me.There will not be one that will give.Through the language of Taliessin,It was a bright dayWhen Kian didPraise the multitude.There will be a slaughter, let there be the speech of Avagddu.1But if he ingeniously bringsThe requisites forward,Gwiawn will declare,O the deep that will come!He would make the dead alive,And destitute of wealth he is.They will not make their cauldrons,That will boil without fire.They will make their metalsIn age of ages.Thy pace that bears theeFrom the deep of panegyric,Is it not the hostile confederacy?What its custom?So much of national songYour tongue has given.Why will ye not recite an orationOf blessing over the liquor of brightness?The theme of every one’s rhapsody.I shall be there according to custom,He was a profound judge.He came after his periodical custom,The third of the equal judges.Three score yearsI have supported an earthly scene,In the water of law and the multitude.In the element of lands.A hundred servants surrounded,A hundred kings made vows.A hundred they are that went,

The Hostile Confederacy


A hundred they are that came.A hundred minstrels sang,And he foretold of them.Lladdon, the daughter of the stream,Little was her desireFor gold and silver,Who is the living one that left her?Blood on the breast;He will probably be spoken of,He will be greatly praised.I am Taliesin,I will delineate the true lineageContinuing until the end,In the pattern of Elphin.2Is not the tributeOf counted gold a debt?When is hated and not loved,Perjury and treason,I desire not advantage,Through the fluctuation of our song.The brother that freely greets,From me no one shall know.The wise man of the primary science,The astrologer reasoned,About wrath, about the resolvent,About the man describing .windings.About men well versed in praise.Let us proceed, God it is,Through the language of Talhaearn,3Baptism was the day of judgment,That judged the characteristicsOf the force of poetry.He and his virtue gaveInspiration without mediocrity,Seven score Ogyrven4

Are in the Awen.5Eight score, of every score it will be one.In the deep it will cease from ire;In the deep it will be excessively angry;In the deep, below the earth;In the sky, above the earth.There is one that knowsWhat sadness is,Better than joy.I know the law of the graces of



The Awen, when it flows,Concerning skilful payments,Concerning happy days,Concerning a tranquil life,Concerning the protection of ages.Concerning what beseenis kings; how long their consolation.Concerning similar things, that are on the face uf the earth.Magnificent astronomy, when communicated,Sees all that is high.When the mind is active,When the sea is pleasant,When the race is valiant,When the high one is supplicated,Or the sun when it is given,When it covers the land.Covering land of what extent?When was drawn the bird of wrath,The bird of wrath when it was drawn.When the earth is green.Who chaunted songs?Songs who chaunted?If true, who has considered them?It has been considered in books,How many winds, how many streams,How many streams, how many winds.How many rivers in their courses,How many rivers there are.The earth, what its breadth;Or what its thickness.I know the noise of the blades,Crimson on all sides, about the floor.I know the regulator,Between heaven and earth;When an opposite hill is echoing,When devastation urges onward,When the silvery (vault) is shining,When the deli shall be gloomy.The breath when it is black,When is best that has been.A cow, when it is horned,A wife, when she is lovely,Milk, when it is white,When the holly is green,When is bearded the kidIn the multitude of fields,



When it is bearded,When the cow-parsnip is created,When is revolving the wheel,When the mallet is fiat,When is spotted the little roebuck,When the salt is brine,Ale, when it is of an active quality.When is of purplish hue the alder.When is green the linnet,When are red the hips,Or a woman when restless,When the night comes on.What reserve there is in the hour of flowing,No one knows whence the bosom of the sun is made ruddy.A stain on a new garment,It is difficult to remove it.The string of a harp, why it complains,The cuckoo, why it complains, why it sings.Why keepeth the agreeable,Why have led the campGereint and Arman.6What brings out the sparkleFrom hard working of the stones.When is sweet-smelling the goat’s-beard plant;When the crows are of a waxen hue.Talhayarn isThe greatest astronomer.What is the imagination of trees.From the muse the agreement of a day.I know good and evil.* * * ** * * *The bowl of whom has flowed,What dawn has finished,Who preached,Eli and Eneas:7

I know the cuckoos of summer,(Where) they will be in the winter.The Awen I sing,From the deep I bring it,A river while it flows,I know its extent;I know when it disappears;I know when it fills;I know when it overflows;



I know when it shrinks;I know what baseThere is beneath the sea.I know their equivalent,Every one in its retinue;How many were heard in a day,How many days in a year.How many shafts in a battle,How many drops in a shower.Mildly he divided them.A greater mockery, the partial stirring up of disgrace,The vicious muse of Gwydyon.8I know the one,That filled the river,On the people of Pharaoh.9Who brought the windingsOf present reasons.What was the active patience,When heaven was upreared.What was a sail-staffFrom earth to sky.How many fingers about the cauldron,About one, about the hand,What name the two wordsWill not deliver in one cauldron.When the sea is turning round,When black are the fish.Marine food shall be their flesh,Until it is transformed,When fish shall contain it.When the foot of the white swan is black,Four-sided the sharp spear.The tribe of heaven will not put down.Which are the four elements.Their end is not known.What pigs, or what wandering of stags.I salute thee, Bard of the border.May he increase thee, (whose) bones (are of) mist.(Where) two cataracts of wind fall.My mind has been expressedIn Hebrew, in Hebraic.In Hebraic, in Hebrew,Laudatu Laudate Jesu.10

A second time was I formed.I have been a blue salmon.



I have been a dog; I have been a stag;I have been a roebuck on the mountain. I have been a stock, I have been a spade I have been an axe in the hand; I have been a pin in a forceps,A year and a half;I have been a speckled white cockUpon hens in Eiddyn.11

I have been a stallion over a stud.I have been a violent bull,I have been a buck of yellow hue,As it is feeding.I have been a grain discovered,Which grew on a hill.He that reaped me placed me,Into a smoke-hole driving me.Exerting of the hand,In afflicting me,A hen received me,With ruddy claws, (and) parting combI rested nine nights.In her womb a child,I have been matured,I have been an offering before the Guledig,12

I have been dead, I have been alive.A branch there was to me of ivy,I have been a convoy,Before God I have been poor.Again advised inc the cherisherWith ruddy claws; of what she gave meScarcely can be recounted;Greatly will it be praised.I am Taliesin.I will delineate the true lineage,That will continue to the end,In the pattern of Elphin.

NOTES

1. Avagddu: the ugly son of Cerridwen, for whom the three drops of awen were originally intended; instead, they fell onthe thumb of Gwion Bach, who became Taliesin.

2. Elphin: Taliesin's patron and foster-father, the hapless son of Gwyddno Garanhir.

3. Talhaearn: contemporaneous bard with the nickname tad awen, meaning "father of inspiration."

4. Ogyrven: in other places ogyrwen or gogyrwen. A difficult subject. Some say it is a cauldron, while Pughe's dictionarysays it is a "a spiritual being or form; a personified idea." Skene equates the term with Cerridwen, while Iolo Morgannwg



claimed it was what the three rays of awen /|\ represented. The word itself may mean "youthful fair one" (og- youthful;wen < gwen "fair/white/blessed (female) one"). Are then seven-score goddesses inside the divine inspiration?

5. Awen: divine inspiration.

6. Gereint and Arman: Gereint may be the Gereint who fought at Longborth; Arman I am not familiar with.

7. Eli and Eneas: Elija and Aeneas? Elija was the famous hermit-prophet of Israel, and would not surprisingly appeal tothe Celtic sensibilities, which had its own concept of the geilt, prophetic madmen who lived in the forest. Aeneas isconsidered an ancestor of the Britons via his grandson Brutus.

8. The vicious muse of Gwydyon.: Gwydion is the great magician (his name meaning wise one, or woodwise, and implies"druid"); his vicious muse may refer to his being a bard, and perhapse a satiric one. In "Math vab Mathonwy", he disguiseshimself as a bard so that he can steal Pryderi's swine.

9. I know... Pharaoh: i.e. Moses

10. Laudatu Laudate Jesu: "praise, praise Jesus"

11. Eiddyn: Edinburgh

12. Guledig: a type of chieftain-warlord.




Kat GodeuLlyfr Taliesin VIII

Bum yn lliaws rith

Kyn bum kisgyfrith.Bum cledyf culurith.Credaf pan writh.Bum deigyr yn awyr.Bum serwaw syr.Bum geir yn llythyr.Bum llyfyr ym prifder.Bum llugyrn lleuferBlwydyn a hanher.Bum pont ar triger.Ar trugein aber.Bum hynt bym eryr.Bum corwc ymyr.Bum darwed yn llat.Bum das ygkawat.Bum cledyf yn aghat.Bum yscwyt ygkat.Bum tant yn telynLletrithawdc naw blwydyn.Yn dwfyr yn ewyn.Bum yspwg yn tan.Bum gwyd yngwarthan.Nyt mi wyf ny ganKeint yr yn bychan.Keint ygkat godeu bric.Rac prydein wledic.Gweint veirch canholic.Llyghessoed meuedic.Gweint mil mawrein.Arnaw yd oed canpen.A chat er dygnawt.Dan von y tauawt.A chat arall yssydYn y wegilyd.Llyffan du gaflaw.Cant ewin arnaw.Neidyr vreith gribawc.Cant eneit trwy bechawtAboenir yny chnawt.Bum ygkaer uefenhit.

Kat Godeu


Yt gryssynt wellt gawyd.Kenynt gerdoryonKryssynt katuaon.Datwyrein y vrythronA oreu gwytyion.Gwelwyssit ar neifon.Ar grist o achwysson.Hyt pan y gwaretteiY ren rwy digonsei.As attebwys dofydTrwy ieith ac eluwyd.Rithwch riedawc wyd.Gantaw yn lluyd.A rwystraw peblic.Kat arllaw annefic.Pan swynhwyt godeu.Y gobeith an godeu.Dygottorynt godeuO pedrydant tanheu.Kwydynt am aereu.Trychwn trymdieu.Dyar gardei bun.Tardei am atgun.Blaen llin blaen bun.Budyant buch anhunNyn gwnei emellun.Gwaet gwyr hyt an clun.Mwyhaf teir aryfgryt.A chweris ymbyt.Ac vn a derywO ystyr dilyw.A christ y croccawA dyd brawt rac llaw.Gwern blaen llinA want gysseuin.Helyc a cherdin.Buant hwyr yr vydin.Eirinwyd yspin.Anwhant o dynin.Keri kywrenhin.Gwrthrychyat gwrthrin.fuonwyd eithyt.Erbyn llu o gewryt.Auanwyd gwneithyt.Ny goreu emwyt.Yr amgelwch bywyt.

Kat Godeu


Ryswyd a gwyduwyt.Ac eido yr y bryt.Mor eithin yr gryt.Siryan seuyssitBedw yr y vawr vryt.Bu hwyr gwiscysseit.Nyt yr y lyfyrder.Namyn yr y vawred.Auron delis bryt.Allmyr uch allfryt.Ffenitwyd ygkynted.Kadeir gygwrysed.Omi goreu ardyrchedRac bron teyrned.Llwyf yr y varanhed.Nyt oscoes troetued.Ef laddei a pheruedAc eithaf a diwed.Collwyd bernyssitEiryf dy aryfgryt.Gwyros gwyn y vyt.Tarw trinteryn byt.Morawc a moryt.Ffawyd ffynyessit.Kelyn glessyssit.Bu ef y gwrhyt.Yspydat amnat.Heint ech y aghat.Gwiwyd gorthorat.Gorthoryssit ygat.Redyn anreithat.Banadyl rac bragatYn rychua briwat.Eithin ny bu vat.Yr hynny gwerinat.Gruc budyd amnat.Dy werin swynat.Hyd gwyr erlynyat.Derw buanawr.Racdaw crynei nef allawr.Glelyn glew drussiawrY enw ym peullawr.Clafuswyd kygres.Kymraw arodes.Gwrthodi gwrthodesEreill o tylles.

Kat Godeu


Per goreu gormesYm plymlwyt maes.Goruthaw kywydAches veilon. wyd.Kastan kewilyd.Gwrthryat fenwyd.Handit du muchyd.Handit crwm mynyd.Handit kyl coetdyd.Handit kyn myr mawr.Er pan gigleu yr awr.An deilas blaen bedw.An dathrith datedw.An maglas blaen derw.O warchan maelderw.Wherthinawc tu creic.Ner nyt ystereic.Nyt o vam athat.Pan ym digonat.Am creu am creat.O nawrith llafant.O ffwyth o frwytheu.O ffwyth duw dechreu.O vriallu a blodeu bre.O vlawt gwyd a godeuO prid o pridret.Pan ym digonetO vlawt danatO dwfyr ton nawvet.Am swynwys i vath.Kyn bum diaeret.Am swynwys i wytyonMawnut o brython.O eurwys o ewronO euron o vodronO pymp pumhwnt keluydon.Arthawon eil mathPan ymdygyaed.Amswynwys i wledic.Pan vei let loscedic.am swynwys sywydonSywyt kyn byt.Pan vei genhyf y votPan vei veint byt.Hard bard bud an gnawtAr wawt y tuedaf a traetho tauawt.

Kat Godeu


Gwaryeis yn llychwrKysceis ym porffor.Neu bum yn yscorGan dylan eil mor.Ygkylchet ymperuedRwg deulin teyrned.Yn deu wayw anchwantO nef pan doethant.Yn annwfyn llifereintWrth urwydrin dybydantPetwar vgeint cant.A gweint yr eu whant.Nyt ynt hyn nyt ynt ieuNo mi yn eu bareu.Aryal canhwr a geni pawb o naw cantOed genhyf inheu.Ygcledyf brith gwaetBri am darwedO douyd o golo lle yd oed.O dof yt las baed.Ef gwrith ef datwrith.Ef gwrith ieithoed.llachar y enw llawfer.Lluch llywei nifer.Ys ceinynt yn ufel.O dof yn uchel.Bum neidyr vreith y mryn.Bum gwiber yn llyn.Bum ser gan gynbyn.Bum bwystuer hyn.Vyg. cassul am kawc.Armaff nyt yn drwc.Petwar vgeint mwcAr pawb a dydwcPymp pemhwnt aghellA ymtal am kyllel.wech march melynell.Canweith yssyd well.Vy march melynganKyfret a gwylan.Mihun nyt eban.Kyfrwg mor a glan.Neu gorwyf gwaetlan.Arnaw cant kynran.Rud em vyg kychwy.eur vy yscwytrwy.

Kat Godeu


Ny ganet yn adwy.A uu ym gowyNamyn goronwyO doleu edrywy.Hir wynn vy myssawr.Pell na bum heussawr.Treigleis y mywn lawrKyn bum lleenawr.Treiglies kylchyneisKysceis cant ynys.Cant caer a thrugys.Derwydon doethur.Darogenwch y arthur.Yssit yssyd gynt.Neur mi ergenhynt.Ac vn aderywO ystyr dilyw.A crhist y croccaw.A dyd brawt rachllaw.Eurein yn euryll.Mi hudwyf berthyllAc vydyf drythyllO erymes fferyll.

Kat Godeu


The Battle of the TreesThe Book of Taliesin VIII.

From The Four Ancient Books of Wales

I HAVE been in a multitude of shapes,

Before I assumed a consistent form.1I have been a sword, narrow, variegated,I will believe when it is apparent.I have been a tear in the air,I have been the dullest of stars.I have been a word among letters,I have been a book in the origin.I have been the light of lanterns,A year and a half.I have been a continuing bridge,Over three score Abers.2I have been a course, I have been an eagle.I have been a coracle in the seas:I have been compliant in the banquet.I have been a drop in a shower;I have been a sword in the grasp of the handI have been a shield in battle.I have been a string in a harp,Disguised for nine years.in water, in foam.I have been sponge in the fire,I have been wood in the covert.I am not he who will not sing ofA combat though small,The conflict in the battle of Godeu of sprigs.Against the Guledig of Prydain,3There passed central horses,Fleets full of riches.There passed an animal with wide jaws,On it there were a hundred heads.And a battle was contestedUnder the root of his tongue;And another battle there isIn his occiput.4A black sprawling toad,With a hundred claws on it.A snake speckled, crested.A hundred souls through sin

The Battle of the Trees


Shall be tormented in its fleshI have been in Caer Vevenir5

Thither hastened grass and treesMinstrels were singingWarrior-bands were wonderingAt the exaltation of the Brython,That Gwydyon6 affected.There was a calling on the Creator,Upon Christ for causes,Until when the EternalShould deliver those whom he had made.The Lord answered them, Through language and elements:Take the forms of time prinncipal trees,Arranging yourselves in battle array,And restraining the public.Inexperienced in battle hand to hand.When the trees were enchanted,In the expectation of not being trees,The trees uttered their voicesFrom strings of harmony,The disputes ceased.Let us cut short heavy days,A female restrained the din.She came forth altogether lovely.The head of the line, the head was a female.The advantage of a sleepless cowWould not make us give way.The blood of men up to our thighs,The greatest of importunate mental exertionsSported in the world.And one has endedFrom considering the deluge,And Christ crucifiedAnd the day of judgement near at handThe alder trees, the head of the line,Formed the van.The willows and quicken treesCame late to the army.Plum-trees, that are scarce, Unlonged for of menThe elaborate medlar-treesTue objects of contention.The prickly rose-bushes,Against a host, of giants,



The raspberry brake didWhat is better failedFor the security of life.Privet and woodbineAnd ivy on its front,Like furze to the combatThe cherry-tree was provoked.The birch, notwithstanding his high mind,Was late before he was arrayed.Not because of his cowardice,But on account of his greatness.The laburnuin held in mind,That your wild nature was foreign.Pine-trees in the porch,The chair of disputation,By me greatly exalted,In the presence of kingsThe elm with his retinue,Did not go aside a footHe would fight with the centre,And the flanks, and the rear.Hazel-trees, it was judged,That ample was thy mental exertionThe privet, happy his lot,The bull of battle, the lord of the worldMorawg and Morydd7

Were made prosperous in pines. Holly, it was tinted with green, He was the hero.The hawthorn, surrounded by prickles, With pain at his hand.The aspen-wood has been topped, It was topped in battle.The fern that was plunderedThe broom, in the van of the army, in the trenches he was hurt.The gorse did not do well, Notwithstanding let it overspread. The heath was victorious, keeping off on all sides.The common people were charmed,During time proceeding of the men.The oak, quickly moving,Before him, tremble heaven and earth.A valiant door-keeper against an enenly,his name is considered.The blue-bells combined,



And caused a consternation.In rejecting, were rejected,Others, that were perforated.Pear-trees, the best intrudersIn time conflict of the plain.A very wrathful wood,The chestnut is bashful,The opponent of happiness,The jet has become black,The mountain has become crooked,The woods have become a kiln,Existing formerly in the great seasSince was heard the shout:--The tops of the birch covered us with leaves,And transformed us, and changed our faded state.The branches of the oak have ensnared usFrom the Gwarchan of Maelderw.8Laughing on the side of the rock,The lord is not of an ardent nature.Not of mother and father,When I was made,Did my Creator create me.9Of nine-formed faculties,Of the fruit of fruits,Of the fruit of the primordial God,Of primroses and blossoms of time hill,Of the flowers of trees and shrubs.Of earth, of an earthly course,When I was formed.Of the flower of nettles,Of the water of the ninth wave.I was enchanted by Math,10

Before I became immortal,I was enchanted by GwydyonThe great purifier of the Brython,Of Eurwys, of Euron,Of Euron, of Modron.11

Of five battalions of scientific ones.Teachers, children of Math.When the removal occurred,I was enchanted by the Guledig.When he was half-burnt,I was enchanted by the sageOf sages, in the primitive world.When I had a being;



When the host of the world was in dignity,The bard was accustomed to benefits.To the song of praise I am inclined, which the tongue recites.I played in the twilight,I slept in purple;I was truly in the enchantmentWith Dylan, the son of the wave.12

In the circumference, in the middle,Between the knees of kings,Scattering spears not keen,From heaven when came,To the great deep, floods,In the battle there will beFour score hundreds,That will divide according to their will.They are neither older nor younger,Than myself in their divisions.A wonder, Canhwr are born, every one of nine hundred.He was with me also,With my sword spotted with blood.honour was allotted to meBy the Lord, and protection (was) where he was.If I come to where the boar was killed,He will compose, he will decompose,He will form languages.The strong-handed gleamer, his name,With a gleam he rules his numbers.They would spread out. in a flame,When I shall go on high.I have been a speckled snake on the hill,I have been a viper in the Llyn.I have been a bill-hook crooked that cuts,I have been a ferocious spearWith my chasuble and bowlI will prophesy not badly,Four score smokesOn every one what will bring.Five battalions of armsWill be caught by my knife.Six steeds of yellow hueA hundred times better isMy cream-coloured steed,Swift as the sea-mewWhich will not passBetween the sea and the shore.



Am I not pre-eminent in the field of blood?Over it are a hundred chieftains.Crimson (is) the gem of my belt,Gold my shield border.There has not been born, in the gap,That has been visiting me,Except Goronwy,13

From the dales of Edrywy.Long white my fingers,It is long since I have been a herdsman.I travelled in the earth,Before I was a proficient in learning.I travelled, I made a circuit,I slept in a hundred islandsA hundred Caers I have dwelt in.Ye intelligent Druids,Declare to Arthur,14

What is there more earlyThan I that they sing of.And one is comeFrom considering the deluge,And Christ crucified,And the day of future doom.A golden gem in a golden jewel.I am splendidAnd shall be wantonFrom the oppression of the metal-workers.15

NOTES

First, it is worth noting that them of a battle of the trees can be seen reflected in the Irish story of The Second Battle ofMagh Turedh:

"And ye, O Be-cuile and O Dianann," said Lugh to his two witches," what power can ye wield in thebattle?"

"Not hard to tell," said they. "We will enchant the trees and the stones and the sods of the earth, so that theyshall become a host under arms against them, and shall rout them in flight with horror and trembling."

And so the battle between the gods (Tuatha De Danann) and titans (Fomoraig) is waged in part by animating the trees andstones. Here, we have another battle; but who is it between? In a later short text, also called "The Battle of the Trees," thebattle is between Arawn and Bran on the side of the underworld, and Amaethon and Gwydion on this side. The battle hereis over a white deer and a dog, both animals which appear in the beginning of the Mabinogi as the animals of Arawn,wrongly pursued by Pwyll. In "The Battle of the Trees," Amaethon steals the animals from "Hell," which is ruled byArawn. Amaethon is able to prevail when his brother Gwydion guesses the name of one of the fighters, Bran, by the factthat he has alder sprigs on his shield. Now, Bran's nephew (son of his sister Branwen) was named Gwern, meaning "alder,"and it is the sister's son who is often the heir or chief defender of the kingdom.

So what exactly is the Battle of the Trees? When one examines part of the outcome of the second battle of MaghTuredh--namely that Lugh forces Bres to reveal the secrets of agriculture--and compares that them to the meaning of



http://www.maryjones.us/ctexts/2maghtured.html

http://www.maryjones.us/ctexts/2maghtured.html

Amaethon's name--"Divine Farmer"--we may be getting bits of a story varient of the gods vs. titans (or Aesir vs. Vanir,etc.) myth.

1. I have been in a multitude of shapes:

2. bridge/Over three score Abers: an aber is the mouth of a river. As for someone being a bridge, this could possibly referto Bran the Blessed, who stretched himself as a bridge over the Liffy in the story of "Branwen uerch Llyr". Or, it could justbe one of the transformations.

3. Guledig of Prydain: a warlord, here over all Britain. Who does this refer to? Arthur is mentioned later in the poem;could it be him?

4. occiput: eye socket.

5. Caer Vevenir: this location is obscure.

6. Gwydyon: the great magician of "Math vab Mathonwy". Father of Lleu, he is a bard and magician, and his name means"wood knowledge".

7. Morawg and Morydd: these figures are obscure.

8. Gwarchan of Maelderw: this is actually a poem in the Book of Aneirin, attributed to Taliesin.

9. Not of mother or father...: This section seems to refer to the creation of Blodeuwedd, the woman of flowers who wasgiven to Lleu as a wife. She later betrays him.

10. Math: the king of Gwynedd and master magician who created Blodeuwedd for his nephew Lleu.

11. Eurwys, of Euron,Of Euron, of Modron: Eurwys and Euron are obscure; Modron is the mother of Mabon, but also the wife of Urien andmother of Owein. She is identifiable with the Gaulish goddess Matrona as well as with Rhiannon.

12. Dylan, son of the wave

13. Goronwy: the lover of Blodeuwedd and the murderer of Lleu; when Lleu is

14. Arthur

15. metalworkers: the word given is fferyll; some see this as the word Fferyllt, which is Vergil, whose book Cerridwenreads from when making her potion for awen.



http://www.maryjones.us/ctexts/branwen.html


Mab Gyfreu TaliessinLlyfr Taliesin IX

Kyfarchaf ym ren

Y ystyrgaw awen.Py dyduc aghenKyn no cherituen.Kyssefin ym bytA uu eissywyt.Meneich aleitPyrnam dyweit.Pyr nam eisgytVn awr nam herlynyt.Py datwyreith mwcPyt echenis drwc.Py ffynhawn a diwcUch argel tywyllwc.Pan yw kalaf cann.Pan yw nos lloergan.arall ny chanhwytDyyscwyt allan.Pan yw gofaranTwrwf tonneu wrth lan.Yn dial dylan.Dydahaed attan.Pan yw mor trwm maen.Pan yw mor llym drawen.Awdosti pwy gwellAe von al y vlaen.Py peris parwytRwg dyn ac annwyt.Pwy gwell y adwytAe ieuanc ae llwyt.A wdostti perth wytPan wych yn kyscwyt.Ae corff ae eneit.Ae argel canhwyt.Eilewyd keluydPyr nam dywedyd.A wdosti cwd uydNos yn arhos dyd.Pet deilen yssyd.Py drychefis mynydKyn rewinyaw eluyd.

Mab Gyfreu Taliessin


Py gynheil magwrDayar yn breswyl.Eneit pwy gwynawrPwy gwelas ef pwy gwyr.Ryfedaf yn llyfreuNas gwdant yn diheu.Eneit pwy y hadneuPwy pryt y haelodeu.Py parth pan dineury wynt a ryffreuRyfel anygnawt.Pechadur periglawt.Ryfedaf ar wawtPan uu y gwadawt.Py goreu medd dawtO ved a bragawt.Py goryw y ffawtAmwyn duw trindawt.Pyr y traethwn i traythawt.Namyn o honaawt.Py peris keinhawcO aryant rodavt.Pan yw mor redegawc.Karr mor eithiawc.Agheu seilyawcYmpop gwlat ys rannawc.Agheu uch an penYs lledan y lenn.Vch nef noe nen.Hynaf uyd dyn pan anherAieu ieu pop amser.Yssit a prydererOr bressent haed.Gwedy anreufedPyr yn gwna ni bryhoedled.Digawn llawrydedKywestwch a bed.Ar gwr an gwnaethOr wlat gwerthefin.Boet ef an duw an duwchAttaw or diwed.

Mab Gyfreu Taliessin


Juvenile Ornaments of TaliesinBook of Taliesin IX

I will address my Lord,

To consider the Awen.What brought necessityBefore the time of Cerridwen.1Primarily through my lifePoverty has been.The wealthy monksWhy will they not speak to me?Why will they not cause me to tremble?One hour that I was not followed,What disappearance of smoke?why sang he evil?What fountain breaks outAbove the covert of darkness?When the reed is white,When it is moonlight night.Another was not sung,It was shaken out,When is apt to be forwardThe noise of waves on the shore.In the vengeance of the ocean,A day will reach them.When a stone is so heavy,When a thorn is so sharp.Knowest thou which is best?Its base or its point,Who caused a partitionBetween man and frigidity?Whose is the wholesomest sore?The young or the old?Kuowest thou what thou artWhen thou art sleeping?Whether a body or a soul,Or a secresy [sic] of perception?The ingenious minstrel,Why does he not inform me?Knowest thou where should beThe night waiting the passing of the day?Knowest thou a sign,How many leaves there are?

Juvenile Ornaments of Taliesin


Who uplifted the mountain,Before the elements fell?Who supports-the structureOf the earth for a habitation?The soul of whom is complained of?Who has seen it, who knows?I wonder in booksThat they know not trulyThe soul, what is its seat.What form its limbs,Through what part it pours out,What air it respires?A war petulant,A sinner endangered.A wonder in mockery,What were its dregs.Which is the best intoxication,Of mead or of bragget?When their happinessWas protected by the God of TrinityWhy should I utter a treatise,Except of thee?Who caused coinOf current silver?When is so currentA car so prickly;Death having a foundation,In every country is shared.Death above our head,Wide is its covering,High above the canopy of heaven.Man is oldest when he is born.And is younger (and) younger continually.2What is there to be anxious about,Of the present attainment?After a want of property,Does it not make to us a shortness of life?Enough of sadness,The visitation of the grave.And the One that made us,From the supreme country,Be he our God, and bring usTo him at the end!

NOTES

This is one of the many "question" poems ascribed to the young Taliesin, who displays his knowledge by asking questions of the reader; the same can be seen inAmergin's famous poem from the Lebor Gabala Erenn.

1. Cerridwen: goddess of awen, divine inspiration



2. Man... younger continually: an example of Celtic paradox, something found quite a bit in medieval Welsh literature.

Back to the Book of Taliesin



DaronwyLlyfr Taliesin X

Dvw differth nefwy

Rac llanw llet ofrwy.Kyntaf attarrwy.Atreis dros vordwy.Py pren a vo mwy;No get daronwy.Nyt wy am nodwyAm gylch balch nefwy.Yssit rin yssyd uwyGwawr gwyr goronwy.Odit ae gwypwy.Hutlath vathonwy.Ygkoet pan tyfwy.Ffrwytheu nwy kymrwy.Ar lan gwyllyonwy.Kynan ae kaffwyPryt pan wledychwy.Dedeuant etwaethTros trei athros traeth.Pedeir prif pennaeth.Ar pymhet nyt gwaeth.Gwyr gwrd ehelaethAr prydein aruaeth.Gwraged a ui ffraeth.Eillon a ui kaethRyferthwy hiraethMed a marchogaeth.Dedeuho dwy rein.Gwedw a gwryawc veinHeyrn eu hadein.Ar wyr yn goryein.Dydeuho kynreinO am tir rufein.Eu kerd a gygeinEu gwawt ayscein.Anan derw a drein.Ar gerd yt gygein.Ki y tynnu.March y rynnyaw.Eidon y wan. hwch y tyruu.Pymhet llwdyn gwyn a wnaeth Jessu.

Daronwy


O wisc adaf y ymtrau.Gwyduet coet kein eu syllu.Hyt yt uuant a hyt yt uu.Pan wnel kymry kamualha.Keir aralluro pwy karonuLlemeis i lam o lam eglwc.Kewssit da nyr gaho drwc.Megedorth run yssef a wc.Rwg kaer rian a chaer rywcRwg dineidyn. a dineidwcEglur dremynt a wyl golwc.Rac rynawt tan dychyfrwymwc.An ren duw an ry amwc.

Daronwy


DARONWY.The Book of Taliesin X


GOD preserve the heavens

From a flood wide spreading.The first surging billowHas rolled over the sea-beach.What tree is greaterThan he, Daronwy?I know not for a refugeAround the proud circle of heaven,That there is a mystery which is greater.The light of the men of Goronwy.Perhaps it may be known,The magic wand of Mathonwy,1In the wood when it grows.Fruits more profitable,On the bank of Gwyllyonwy.Cynan2 shall obtain it,At the time when he governs.There will come yetOver the ebb and over the strand,Four chief sovereignties,And the fifth not worse.Men vehement, extensive.Over Prydain (their) purpose.Women shall be eloquent,Strangers shall be captive,A torrent of longingFor mead and horsemanship.There will come two ladies,A widow, and a slender single one;Iron their wings,On warriors brooding.Chieftains will come,From about the land of Rome.Their song will harmonise,Their praise will spread abroad.The nature of the oak and thornsIn song will harmonise.3A dog to draw,A horse to move.An ox to gore; a sow to turn up.

Daronwy


The fifth fair young beast Jesus madeFrom the apparel of Adam to proceed.The foliage of trees, fair to behold them,Whilst they were, and whilst it was.When the Cymry shall commit transgressions,A foreigner will be found, who will love what wasI have leaped a leap from a clear leap,Good has been dispersed abroad, if a person finds no evil.The funeral-pile of Rhun4, it is an expiation, Between Caer Rian and Caer Rywg,Between Dineiddyn and Dineiddwg;A clear glance and a watchful sight.From the agitation of fire smoke will be raised,And God our Creator will defend us.

NOTES

1 The poem seems to refer to the wand of Math, which is made of the strongest tree (Daronwy may be a name refering tooak), and that possession of the wand or fruit from the tree it came from must have some magical property, perhapse evenindicating sovereignty?

2 Cynan is Cynan Garwyn, a king of Powys, one of the three kings usually prophecied to return to Britain to drive out theSaxons (the other two usually being Arthur and Cadwallader the Blessed).

3 oak and thorns/In song will harmonise: in what seems to be a prophecy of a future time, opposites will be reconciled?What's interesting is that it is the oak and the thorn--the oak being one of the highly symbolic trees in mythology, the kingof trees and representing the thunder god.

4 Rhun: perhapse Rhun ap Maelgwn?


Daronwy


Cadau GwallawcLlyfr Taliesin XI

En enw gwledic nef goludawc.

Y drefynt biewyd gyneil uoawc.Eiric y rethgreu riedawc.Rieu ryfelgar gewheruawc.Ef differth aduwyn llan lleenawc.Torhyt vn hwch ardwyawc.Hir dychyferudein.O brydein gofein.O berth maw ac eidin.Ny chymeryn kyuerbyn.Kyweith kyweithyd clytwyn.Digonwyf digones lyghes.O beleidyr o bleigheit prenwres.Prenyal yw y pawb y trachrwres.Aghyfnent o gadeu digonesGwallawc gwell gwyd nwyt noc arthles.Kat yr agathes o achlesGwawt gognaw y brot digones.Kat ymro vretrwyn trwy wresMawr tan. meidrawl yw y trachwres.Kat yr ae kymrwy kanhon.Kat kat crynei yn aeron.Kat yn arddunyon ac aeronEidywet. eilywet y veibon.Kat ygcoet beit boet ron dyd.Ny medylyeisti dy alon.Kat yn rac uydawl amabon.Nyt atrawd adurawt achubyon.Kat y gwensteri ac estygi lloygyr.Safwawc yn awner.Kat yn ros terra gan wawr.Oed hywst gwragawn egurawn.Yn dechreu yghenyat y geirawr.O rieu o ryfel ry diffawt.Gwyr a digawn godei gwarthegawc.Haeardur a hyfeid a gwallawc.Ac owein mon maelgynig deuawt.A wnaw peithwyr gorweidawc.Ym pen coet cledfein.Atuyd kalaned gwein.A brein ar disperawt.

En enw gwledic nef goludawc


Ym prydein yn eidin yn adeueawc.Yggafran yn aduan brecheinawc.Yn erbyn yn yscwn gaenawc.Ny wyl gwr ny welas gwallawc.

En enw gwledic nef goludawc


Song on LleenawgBook of Taliesin XI

In the name of the Ruler of heaven, the mighty one

The supporter of his friends shall keep possession of his townsSplendid his princely spear.Warlike kings spear-scouting.He will defend the pleasant plain of Lleenawg;.The ruthless pushing shafts are broken.Long they will experienceThe gratitude of Prydain.From the bush of Maw and Eiddyn,They would not take opposition.Friendly the aid of Clydwyn.May I be satisfied! He supplied his fleetFrom spears until the shafts were heated.A coffin to every one his ambition.They cannot reckon the battles foughtBy Gwallawg. Better is wild food than a she-bear.A battle in Agathes in defence,Praise his active judgment caused.A battle in the region of Bretrwyn with heat,A great fire. Limited is his vehemence.A battle, there was a rule of general benefit.A battle, a battle of trembling in Aeron.A battle in Arddunion and Aeron.Bring reproach to the youths.A battle in the wood of Beit at the close of the day.Thou didst not think of thy foes.A battle in the presence of Mabon.1He will not mention the contradiction of the saved.A battle in Gwensteri, and thou subduest Lloegyr.A darting of spears there is made.A battle in the marsh of Terra with the dawn,Easily broken (was) the terrible arch,At the first uttering of the wordyOf kings who were extinguished in the war.Men with full intent to obtain cattle.Haearddur and Hyveidd and Gwallawg,And Owen of Mona of Maelgwnian quality,2Will lay the Peithwyr prostrate,At the end of the wood of Oleddyfein,From which there will be pierced corpses,And the ravens wandering about.

Song on Lleenawg


In Prydain, in Eiddyn3, acknowledged.In Gafran, in the retreat of Brecheinawc.Tn energy, in exalted covering.He sees not a hero, who saw not Gwallawg.

NOTES

1. Mabon: though traditionally the name of a god, "Mabon" has been used as a nickname for Owain ap Urien, while here itseems to refer to Gwallawg. Mabon is a great hunter and a divine youth, so the identification of a hero against the Saxonswith such a figure isn't necessarily surprising.

2. "Maelgwnian quality": that is, one who is like Maelgwn Gwynedd, the great sixth-century king of Gwynedd, who wasboth strong, but ruthless in his pursuit of power.

3. Eiddyn: Edinburgh.


Song on Lleenawg


http://www.maryjones.us/jce/mabon.html

http://www.maryjones.us/jce/owain.html

http://www.maryjones.us/jce/maelgwn.html

Glaswawt TaliessinLlyfr Taliesin XII

Glaswawt Taliessin XXIIII. atal.

Kennadeu am dodynt mor ynt anuonawc.

Dygawn ymlletcynt meint vygkeud awt.Gnawt rwyf yn heli beli wirawt.Gnawt yscwyt yscawn argefyn yscawit.Gnawt gwyth ag adwyth o yspydawtGaer. a nawcant maer maer marwhawt.Atvyd mei ar benei crei gyflogawt.Atvyd mwy ar gonwy creith gwynyeith gwnahawt.Adoerlleith dyrreith anaw barawt.O heyrn erchwyrn edyru dyrnawt.Tri dillyn diachor droc drymluawc.Teri llyghes yn aches arymes kyn brawt.Tri diwedyd kat am dri phriawtGwlat. gwnahawt bat betrawt.Tri o pop tri. tri phechawt.Ac eryri vre varnhawt.llu o seis. eil o ynt. trydyd dygnawt.Ygkymry yd erhy gwraged gweddawt.Rac baran kynan tan tardawt.Katwaladyr ae cwyn.Briwhawt bre a brwyn.Gwellt a tho tei. ty tandawt.Atvyd ryfedawt.Gwr gan verch y vrawt.Dyfynhyn durawtOlin anarawt.O honaw y tyfhawtCoch kattybrudawt.Nyt arbet nanawt.Nachefyn derw na brawt.Wrth lef corn kadwrNaw cant ynafyrdwl.O bedrydant dygnawt.Dygorelwi lesni o laswawt.Efret wrth a gawd ygeudawt.

Glaswawt Taliessin

http://us.geocities.com/branwaedd/t12w.html [2006/06/15 08:28:25 AM]

The Praise of TaliesinBook of Taliesin XII

Messengers to me are come, so numerously are they sent,

We shall bring a mutual conflict, so great is my bosom.Like the effect of the oar in the brine is the liquor of Beli,1Like a light shield on the back of a shadow.Like wrath and indignation from the protectionOf a Caer, and nine hundred govenors became dead.There will be a battle on Menei, a vehement retribution.There will be more on Conwy, the scar of angry strife shall cause it.Cold death the destiny of the ready muse,From the vehement blade by the stroke of Edyrn.Three elegant unrestrainable, fell, heavily laden with forces,Three fleets in the stream, an omen of the day of gloom.Three evenings of battle for three properCountries: a boat was made a burying place.Three of every three: three sinsAnd Eryri2 a hill of judgement.A host of Saxons: the second they were, a third affliction.The Cymry widowhood awaits women.Before the presence of Cynan3 fire broke out.Cadwaladyr4 will bewail him.He injured the country with pain,Straw; and roof of houses; the house he burnt.There will be a wonder.A man with the daughter of his brother.They will cite what is steelOf the lineage of Anarawd.From him proceededCoch, wise his prudence.He will not spare nor defendEither cousin or brother.At the voice of the warrior's horn,Nine hundred (were) anxious,Of universal affliction.Thou wilt be calling forth verdancy from affected praise,It will run to such as is oppressed in bosom.

NOTES

1. ...liquor of Beli: presumably Beli's mead is a propellant of men? And is the Beli one of the contemporary kings, or is itthe mythical Beli Mawr?

2. Eryri: Mount Snowdon.

The Praise of Tenby


3. Cynan: Cynan Garwyn (White Shanks) ap Brochfael, king of Powys (c545-613); like Cadwallader (see below), he wasprophecied to return in the future and fight off the Saxons and Normans.

4. Cadwaladyr: Cadwallader the Blessed, the last king of the Britons, who was exiled to Rome in the seventh century.Early nationalistic legends claimed that Cadwallader would return (such as in the "Armes Prydein Vawr"), much likeArthur is later said to return, in order to defeat the Saxons (later Normans).


The Praise of Tenby


Kadeir TaliessinLlyfr Taliesin XIII

Kadeir Taliessin. XXIIII.

Mydwyf merweryd.

Molawt duw dofyd.Llwrw kyfranc kywyd.Kyfreu dyfynwedyd.Bard bron sywedyd.Pan atleferd.Awen cwdechuyd.Ar veinnyoeth veinyd.Beird llafar lluc de.Eu gwawt nym gre.Ar ystrat ar ystre.Ystryw mawr mire.Nyt mi wyf kerd uut.Gogyfarch veird tut.Ryt ebrwydaf drut.Rytalmarf ehut.Ryduhunaf dremut.Teyrn terwyn volut.Nyt mi wyf kerd vas.Gogyfarch veird treis.Bath vadawl idas.Dofyn eigynaw adas.Pwy am ledwis kas.Kamp ympop noethas.Pan yw dien gwlith.Allat gwenith.Agwlit gwenyn.Aglut ac ystor.Ac elyw tra mor.Ac eur biben llew.A llen aryant gwiw.A rud em a grawn.Ac ewyn eigyawn.Py dyfrys ffynhawnBerwr byryr dawn.Py gyssyllt gwerin.Brecci boned llyn.Allwyth lloer wehyn.Lledyf lloned verlyn.

Kadeir Taliessin


A sywyon synhwyr.A sewyd am loer.A gofrwy gwed gwyr.Gwrth awel awyr.A mall amerin.A gwadawl tra merin.A chorwc gwytrin.Ar llaw pererin.A phybyr a phyc.Ac vrdawl segyrffyc.A llyseu medyc.Lle allwyr venffyc.Abeird ablodeu.A gudic bertheu.A briallu a briwdeil.A blaen gwyd godeu.A mall ameuued.A mynych adneued.A gwin tal kibed.O rufein hyt rossed.A dwfyn dwfyr echwyd.Dawn y lif dofyd.Neu pren purawr vyd.Ffrwythlawn y gynnyd.Rei ias berwidyd.Oduch peir pumwyd.A gwiawn auon.A gofrwy hinon.A mel a meillon.A medgyrn medwonAdwyn y dragon.Dawn y derwydon.

Kadeir Taliessin


The Chair of TaliesinBook of Taliesin XIII

I AM the agitator

Of the praise of God the Ruler.With respect to the concerns of song,The requisites of a profound speaker,A hard, with the breast of an astrologer.When he recitesThe Awen1 at the setting in of the evening.On the fine night of a fine day.Bards loquacious the light will separate.Their praise will not bring me to associate,In the strath, on the course,With aspect of great cunning.I am not a mute artist,Conspicuous among the bards of the people.I animate the bold,I influence the heedless;I wake up the looker on,The enlightener of bold kings.I am not a shallow artist,Conspicuous among kindred bards,The likeness of a subtle portion,The deep ocean (is) suitableWho has filled me with hatred?A prize in every unveiling.When the dew is undisturbed,And the wheat is reaped,And the bees are gentle,And myrrh and frankincense,And transmarine aloes.And the golden pipes of Lleu,2And a curtain of excellent silver,And a ruddy gem, and berries.And the foam of the sea.Why will the fountain hastenWater-cresses of purifying juicy quality?What will join together the common people?Worth the nobility of liquor.And a load that the moon separates,The placid gentleness of Myrddin.3And philosophers of intelligence

The Chair of Taliesin


Will study about the moon.And the influence of an order of men,Exposed to the breeze of the sky.And a soddening and effusion,And a portion after effusion,And the coracle of-glassIn the hand of the pilgrim,And the valiant one and pitch,And the honoured Segyrffyg,And medical plants.A place of complete benefit,And bards and blossoms.And gloomy bushes,And primroses and small herbs,And the points of the tree-shrubs.And deficiency and possession,And frequent pledging.And wine overflowing the brim, From Rome to Rossed.And deep still water,Its stream the gift of God.Or if it will be wood the purifier,Fruitful its increase.Let the brewer give a heat,Over a cauldron of five trees,And the river of Gwiawn,And the influence of fine weather,And honey and trefoil,And mead-horns intoxicatingPleasing to a sovereign,The gift of the Druids.

NOTES

1. Awen: divine inspiration

2. golden pipes of Lleu: whatever this item is is now unknown.

3. Myrddin: another mention of Myrddin in the Taliesin poems; here he's depicted as gentle, which is certainly not foundin the traditional tales.


The Chair of Taliesin


Kerd Veib am LlyrLlyfr Taliesin XIV

Golychafi gulwyd arglwyd pop echen.

Arbenhic toruoed yghyoed am orden.Keint yn yspydawt uch gwirawt aglawen.Keint rac meibon llyr in ebyr henuelen.Gueleis treis trydar ac auar ac aghen.Yt lethrynt lafnawr ar pennawr disgowenKeint rac wd clotleu. Yn doleu hafren.Rac brochuael powys a garwys vy awen.Yn ewyd am antraet gwaet ar dien.Neut amuc yggkadeir opeir kerritwen.Handit ryd vyn tafawt yn adawt gwawt ogyrwen.Gwawt ogyrwen oferen twy digonesArnunt a llefrith a gwlith a mes.Ystryeim yn llwyr kyn clwyr cyffes.Dyfot yn diheu agheu nessnes.Ac am tired enlli dybi dylles.Drychawr llogawr ar glawr aches.A galwn arygwr an digones.An nothwy rac gwyth llwyth aghes.Pan alwer yeys von tiryon vaes.Gwyn en byt wy gwleidon saesson artres.Dodwyf deganhwy y amrysson.A maelgwn uwyhaf y achwysson.Ellygeis vy arglwyd yggwyd deon.Elphin pendefic ryhodigyon.Yssit imi teir kadeir dyweir kysson.Ac yt vrawt parahawt gan gerdoryon.Bum ygkat godeu gan lleu agwydyon.Vy arithwys gwyd eluyd ac elestron.Bum y gan vran yn Iwerdon.Gweleis pan ladwyt mordwyt tyllon.Kigleu gyfarfot am gerdolyon.A gwydyl deifyl diferogyon.O penren wleth hyt luch reon.Kymry yn wnvryt gwrhyt wryon.Gwret dy gymry ygkymelri.Teir kenedyl gwythlawn o iawn teithi.Gwydyl abrython aromani.A wnahon dyhed adyuysci.Ac am teruyn prydein kein y threfi.Keint rac teyrned uch med lestri.

Kerd Veib am Llyr


Ygkeinyon deon im aedyrodi.An dwy pen sywet ket ryferthi.Ys kyweir vyg kadeir ygkaer sidi.Nys plawd neb heint a heneint a uo yndi.Ys gwyr manawyt aphryderi.Teir oryan y am tan a gan recdi.Ac am y banneu ffrydyeu gweilgi.Ar ffynnhawn ffrwythlawn yssydd o duchti.Ys whegach nor gwin gwyn y llyn yndiAgwedy ath iolaf oruchaf kyn gwerytGorot kymot. athi.

Kerd Veib am Llyr


Song Before the Sons of LlyrBook of Taliesin XIV


I will adore the love-diffusing Lord of every kindred

The sovereign of hosts manifestly round the universe.A battle at the feast over joyless beverage,A battle against the sons of Llyr in Ebyr Henfelyn.I saw the oppression of the tumult, and wrath and tribulationThe blades gleamed on the glittering helmets,Against Brochwel of Powys, that loved my Awen.A battle in the pleasant course early against Urien,There falls about our feet blood on destruction.Shall not my chair be defended from the cauldron of Cerridwen?May my tongue be free in the sanctuary of the praise of Gogyrwen.The praise of Gogyrwen is an oblation, which has satisfiedThem, with milk, and dew, and acorns.Let us consider deeply before is heard confession,That death is assuredly coming nearer and nearer.And round the lands of Enlli the Dyfi has poured,Raising the ships on the surface of the plain.And let us call upon him that has made us,That he may protect us from the wrath of the alien nation.When the isle of Mona shall be called a pleasant field,Happy be the mild ones, the affliciton of the Saxons.I came to Deganwy to contendWith Maelgwn1, the greatest in delinqencies,I liberated my lord in the presence of the distributor.Elphin, the sovereign of greatly aspiring ones.There are to me three chairs regular, accordant,And until doom they will continue with the singers.I have been in the battle of Godeu, with Lleu and Gwydion,2They changed the form of the elementary trees and sedges.I have been with Bran in Ireland.3I saw when Morddwydtyllon4 was killed.I hears a meeting about the minstrels,With the Gaels, devils, distillers.From Penryn Wleth to Loch ReonThe Cymry are of one mind, bold heroes.Deliver you the Cymry in tribulation.Three races, cruel from true disposition,Gael, Briton, and Roman,Create discord and confusion.And about the boundary of Prydein, beautiful its towns,

Song Before the Sons of Llyr


There is a battle against the chiefs above the mead-vessels.In the festivals of the Distributor, who bestowed gifts upon me.The chief astrologers received wonderful gifts.Complete is my chair in Caer Siddi,No one will be afflicted with disease or old age that may be in it.Manawyddan and Pryderi know it.5Three utterances, around the fire, will he sing before it,And around its borders are the streams of the ocean.And the fruitful fountain is above it,The liquor Is sweeter than white wine.And when I shall have worshipped you, Most High, before the sod,May I be found in the covenant with You.

1. Maelgwn: Maelgwn Gwynedd, famous king of North Wales in the sixth century.2. Refering to the poem "Cad Goddeu," also in the Book.3. Taliesin does appear as one of the seven survivors of the Battle of Ireland in "Branwen"4. Morddwydtyllon: One of the names used by Bran in the Mabinogi branch of "Branwen," it refers to Bran being piercedin the thighs, which in turn contributes to the role of the Fisher King in the Grail romances.5. Again, Taliesin was one of the seven survivors in "Branwen," along with Manawyddan, Pryderi, and four others.

This poem, attributed to Taliesin, makes a good deal of references to the Mabinogion proper, the Four Branches of theMabinogi, dealing with Pryderi, Manawyddan ap Llyr, Bran and Branwen, and Gwydion. It mentions the Cad Goddeu--theBattle of the Trees, which is another poem from this book, and Caer Siddi, the mythical city of the Cauldron of Annwn inthe Prieddu Annwn, another poem from this book. It's a cobbling together of several mythological themes--the Cauldron ofCerridwen, the Cauldron of Bran, the Cauldron of Annwn; the battles between the Children of Don and the Children ofLlyr, and the inspiration that the bard receives from the Most High.


Song Before the Sons of Llyr





Kadeir Teyrnon.Llyfr Taliesin XV

Kadeir Teyrnon. CCC.

Areith awdyl eglur.

Awen tra messur.Am gwr deu awdur.O echen aladwr.Ae ffonsa ae ffur.Ae reom rechtur.Ae ri rwyfyadur.Aerif yscrythur.Ae goch gochlessurAe ergyr dros uur.Ae kedeir gymessur.Ym plith goscord uur.Neus duc o gawr nur.Meirch gwelw gostrodur.Teyrnon henur.Heilyn pascadur.Treded dofyn doehtur.Y vendigaw arthur.Arthur vendiganar gerd gyfaenat.Arwyneb ygkat.Arnaw bystylat.Pwy y tri chynweissat.A werchetwis gwlat.Pwy y tri chyfarwydA getwis arwyd.A daw wrth awyd.Erbyn eu harglwyd.Ban rinwed rotwyd.Ban vyd hyn hoywed.Ban corn kerdetrwyd.Ban biw wrth echwrd.Ban gwir pan disgleir.Bannach pan lefeir.Ban pan doeth o peir.Ogyrwen awen teir.Bum mynawc mynweir.Ygkorn ym nedeir.Ny dyly kadeir.

Kadeir Teyrnon.


Ni gatwo vyggeir.Kadeir gynif glaer.Awen huawdyl haer.Pwy enw y teir kaer.Rwg lliant a llaer.Nys gwyr ny vo taerEissylut eu maer.Pedeir kaer yssyd.Ym prydein powyssedRieu merweryd.Am nyt vo nyt vyd.Nyt vyd am nyt voLlyghessawr a vo.Llyghessawr a vo.Tohit gwanec tra gro.Tir dylan dirbo.Nac eillt nac ado.Na bryn na thyno.Na rynnawd godo.Rac gwynt pan sorho.Kadeir teyrnon.Keluyd rwy katwo.Keissitor ygno.Keissitor kedic.Ketwyr colledic.Tebygafi dull dic.O diua pendeuicO dull diuynnic.O leon luryc.Dyrchafawt gwledic.Am terwyn hen enwic.Breuhawt bragawt bric.Breuawl eissoric.Oric a merinAm teruyn chwhefrin.Ieithoed edein.Aches ffyscyolinMordwyet merin.O plant saraphin.Dogyn dwfyn diwerin.Dillygein elphin.

Kadeir Teyrnon.


The Chair of the SovereignThe Book of Taliesin XV.


THE declaration of a clear song,

Of unbounded Awen,About a warrior of two authors,Of the race of the steel Ala.With his staff and his wisdom,And his swift irruptions,And his sovereign prince,And his scriptural number,And his red purple,And his assault over the wail,And his appropriate chair,Amongst the retinue of the wall.Did not (he) lead from CawrnurHorses pale supporting burdens?The sovereign elder.The generous feeder.The third deep wise one,To bless Arthur,Arthur the blessed,In a compact song.On the face in battle,Upon him a restless activity.Who are the three chief ministersThat guarded the country?Who are the three skilful (ones)That kept the token?That will come with eagernessTo meet their lord?High (is) the virtue of the course,High will be the gaiety of the old,High (is) the horn of travelling,High the kine in the evening.High (is) truth when it shines,Higher when it speaks.High when came from the cauldronThe three awens of Gogyrwen.I have been Mynawg, wearing a collar,With a horn in my hand.He deserves not the chairThat keeps not my word.

The Chair of the Sovereign


With me is the splendid chair,The inspiration of fluent (end) urgent song.What the name of the three Caere,Between the flood and the ebb?No one knows who is not pressingThe offspring of their president.Four Caers there are,In Prydain, stationary,Chiefs tumultuous.As for what may not be, it will not be.It will not be, because it may not be.Let him be a conductor of fleets.Let the billow cover over the shingle,That the land becomes ocean,So that it leaves not the cliffs,Nor hill nor dale,Nor the least of shelter,Against the wind when it shall rage.The chair of the sovereign He that keeps it is skilful.Let them be sought there!Let the munificent be sought.Warriors lost,I think in a wrathful manner.From the destruction of chiefs,In a butchering manner,From the loricated Legion,Arose the Guledig,Around the old renowned boundary. The sprouting sprigs are broken,Fragile in like manner.Fickle and dissolving.Around the violent borders.Are the flowing languages.The briskly-moving streamOf roving sea-adventurers,Of the children of Saraphin.A task deep (and) pureTo liberate Elphin.


The Chair of the Sovereign


Kadeir KerrituenLlyfr Taliesin XVI

Kadeir Kerrituen. CCC.

Ren rymawr titheu.

Kerreifant om karedeu.Yn deweint ym pyl geineu.Llewychawt vy lleufreu.Mynawc hoedyl minawc ap lleu.A weleis i yma gynheu.Diwed yn llechued lleu.Bu gwrd y hwrd ygkadeu.Auacdu vy mab inheu.Detwyd douyd rwy goreu.Ygkyfamrysson kerdeu.Oed gwell y synhwyr nor veu.Keluydaf gwr a gigleu.Gwydyon ap don dygynuertheu.A hudwys gwreic a vlodeu.A dydwc moch a deheu.Kan bu idaw disgoreu.Drut ymyt a gwryt pletheu.A rithwys gorwydawtY ar plagawtLys. ac enwerys kyfrwyeu.Pan varnher y kadeireu.Arbenhic vdun y veu.Vygkadeir am peir am deduon.Am areith tryadyl gadeir gysson.Rym gelwir kyfrwys yn llys don.Mi ac euronwy ac euron.Gweleis ymlad taer yn nant ffrangeon.Duw sul pryt pylgeint.Rwg wytheint a gwydyon.Dyf ieu yn geugant yd aethant von.Y geissaw yscut a hudolyon.Aran rot drem clot tra gwawr hinon.Mwyhaf gwarth y marth o parth brython.Dybrys am ylys efuys afon.Afon ae hechrys gwrys gwrth terra.Gwenwyn y chybyt kylchbyt eda.Nyt wy dyweit geu llyfreu beda.Kadeir getwided yssyd yma.

Kadeir Kerrituen


A hyt vrawt parawt yn europa.An rothwy y trindawt.Trugared dydbrawtKein gardawt gan wyrda.

Kadeir Kerrituen


The Chair of CerridwenBook of Taliesin XVI

Sovereign of the power of the air, thou also

The satisfaction of my transgressionsAt midnight and at matinsThere shone my lights.Courteous the life of Minawg ap Lleu,Whom I saw here a short while ago.The end, in the slope of Lleu.Ardent was his push in combats;Avagddu my son also.Happy the Lord made him,In the competition of songs,His wisdom was better than mine,The most skillful man ever heard of.Gwydion the son of Don, of toil severe,Formed a woman out of flowers,And brought the pigs from the South,Though he had no pigstyes for them;The bold traveller out of plated twigsFormed a cavalcade,From the springingPlants, and illustrious saddles.When are judged the chairs,Excelling them (will be) mineMy chair, my cauldron and my laws,And my parading eloquence, meet for the chair.I am called skilful in the court of Don.I and Euronwy, and Euron.I saw a fierce conflict in Nant FrangeonOn a Sunday, at the time of dawn,Between the bird of wrath and GwydionThursday, certainly they went to MonaTo obtain whirlings and sorcerers.Arianrhod, of laudable aspect, dawn of serenityThe greatest disgrace evidently on the side of the Brython,Hastily sends about his court the stream of a rainbow,A stream that scares away violence from the earth.The poison of its former state, about the world, it will leave.They speak not falsely, the books of Bede.The chair of the Preserver is here.And till doom, shall continue in EuropaMay the Trinity grant us

The Chair of Cerridwen


Mercy in the day of judgment.A fair alms from good men.

The Chair of Cerridwen


Kanu YgwyntLlyfr Taliesin XVII

Kanu Ygwynt. CCC. ATAL.

Dechymic pwy yw.

Creadt kyn dilyw.Creadur kadarnHeb gic heb ascwrn.Heb wytheu heb waet.Heb pen aheb traet.Ny bed hyn ny byd ieu.No get y dechreu.Ny daw oe odeuYr ofyn nac agheu.Ny dioes eisseuGan greaduryeu.Mawr Duw mor wynneuBan daw o dechreu.Mawr y verth ideuY gwr ae goreu.Ef ymaes ef ygkoetHeb law a heb troet.Heb heneint heb hoet.Heb eidigaf adoet.Ac ef yn gyfoetA phymhoes pymhoet.A heuyd yssyd hynPet pemhwnt ulwydyn.Ac ef yn gyflet.Ac wyneb tytwet.Ac ef ny anet.Ac ef ny welet.Ef ar vor ef ar tirNy wyl ny welir.Ef yn aghywirNy daw pan vynnir.Ef ar tir ef ar vorEf yn anhebcor.Ef yn diachorEf yn dieissor.Ef o pedeirorNi byd wrth gyghorEf kychwyn agor

Kanu Ygwynt


O duch maen mynuorEf llafar ef mut.Ef yn anuynut.Ef yn wrd ef yn drut.Pan tremyn trostut.Ef mut ef llafar.Ef yn ordear.Mwyhaf y vanyarAr wyneb dayar.Ef yn da ef yn drwc.Ef yn angelwc.Ef yn anamlwc.Kanys gwyl golwc.Ef yn drwc ef yn da.Ef hwnt ef yma.Ef a antrefnaNi diwc awna.Oc ef yn dibechEf yn wlyp ef yn sych.Ef a dawyn vynych.O wres heul. ac oeruel lloer.Lloer yn anllesHandit llei y gwres.Vu gwr ae goreu.Yr holl greaduryeu.Ef bieu dechreu.A diwed diheu.A diwed diheu.Nyt kerdawr keluyd.Ny mohwy dofyd.Nyt kywir keinyat.Ny molhwy y tat.Ny nawt vyd aradyr.Heb heyrn heb hatNy bu oleuat.Kyn ile creat.Ny byd effeirat.Ny bendicco auyrllat.Ny wybyd anygnat.Y seith lauanat.Deg wlat darmerthat.Yn e gylawr wlat.Decuet digarat.Digarwys eu tat.Digaru kawatYn rwy rewinyat.

Kanu Ygwynt


Llucuffer llygrat.Eissor eissyflatSeith seren yssyd.O seithnawn dofyd.seon sywedyd.A wyr eu defnydMarca mercedus.Ola olimusLuna lafurus.Jubiter, venerus.O heul o hydyruerYt gyrch lloer llenfer.Nyt cof yn ofer.Nyt croc ny creter.An tat an pater.An kar an kymer.Yn ren nyn ranherGan lu llucuffer.

Kanu Ygwynt


Song to the WindBook of Taliesin XVII

Guess who it is.

Created before the deluge.A creature strong,Without flesh, without bone,Without veins, without blood,Without head, and without feet.It will not be older, it will not be younger,Than it was in the beginning.There will not come from his designFear or death.He has no wantsFrom creatures.Great God! the sea whitensThe tenth were discarded,They loved not their Father.A loveless showerIn utter ruin.Llucufer the corrupter,Like his destitute countrySeven stars there are,Of the seven gifts of the Lord.The student of the starsKnows their substance.Marca mercedusOla olimusLuna lafurusJubiter venerusFrom the sun freely flowingThe moon fetches light.Remembrance is not in vain,No cross if not believed.Our Father! Our Father!Our relative and companion.Our Sovereign, we shall not be separated.By the host of Llucufer.


http://us.geocities.com/branwaedd/t17.html [2006/06/15 08:28:49 AM]



A rumour has come to me from CalchvynydBook of Taliesin XVIII

A rumour has come to me from Calchvynyd,

A disgrace in the south country, a praiseworthy pillage.And he will give to a lion the fierceness of his baptism.Full is his strath of joyful produce.The people are satiated with warfare, the strangers are satiated,A battle of encroachment, during the excessive heat of the country,A wonder of Cymry that relate it.Let the cattle of the son of Idno come to Dyved.And let no one dare not to come.To pay a hundred cows I will give one calf.The slaughter of thy foes about thy country,Like fire it heats a vapour where it happens to be.When we made an expedition to the land of Gwydno1,There was a corpse delicately fair between the gravel and the pebbles on the bank.When he returned in the autumn from the country of Clydesmen,2The cow did not low to her calf.Will greet Mabon3 from another country,A battle, when Owain4 defends the cattle of his country.A battle in the ford of Alclud,5 a battle in the Gwen,A battle, in conjunction of tumult to them.A battle against Rodawys of snowy-white aspect,Brandishing of spears and black, and bright sheets,A battle on this side of the gleaming guiding heart of oak.A shield in hand, the camp trembling,Saw Mabon on the fair portion of Reidol.Against the kine6 of Reged they engaged,If they had wings they would have flown.Against Mabon without corpses they would not go.Meeting, they descend and commence the battle.The country of Mabon7 is pierced with destructive slaughter.When Owain descends for the kine of his father,There broke out lime, and wax, and hawthorn.Is it not fair prey for any one to take a bald cow?Support each other against men with ruddy spears.Against the four-way-spreading conflagration,Against the mighty rising.Against gore on flesh,Against a dismal straining.A rumour came to me,From the bright lands of the South.

A rumor has come


Splendid and liberal chiefs declareThat thou shalt not be addressed by vulgar ones.About the ford of the boundary, about the alders his battle-places.When was caused the battle of the king, sovereign, prince,Very wild will the kine be before Mabon.From the meeting of Gwrgun.The resting-place of the corpses of some was in Run.There was joy, there will be for ravens.Loud the talk of men afterBattle. Escaped not the shield of Owain.With notched shield an opposing in battle tumult,Cattle would not run about without crimson faces.Crimson were the kine of Bender, and great his grace,Gore surrounding the top of his head.And a white face conspicuous the gasping.The golden saddle (was) drenched in gore, as to its appearance.The Gwentians praise the booty, the booty was extended,The booty in front of the eager battle of the eager strangers.A booty of heads with forked branches. On the shieldsAwfully the blades are falling about the head.A battle in front of Owain, great, great his rage.A fine day, they fell, men, defending (their) country.There rested the extreme-impelling advantage of their father.

NOTES

1. Gwydno: Possibly Gwyddno Garanhir of Ceredigion, the father of Elphin, the mythical Taliesin's patron.

2. Clydesment: that is, men of Strathclyde, ruled by Rhydderch the Generous.

3. Mabon: the young god, identified with Apollo in Roman times for his patronage of art and music. Mabon is also a greathunter in the story of "Culhwch and Olwen". Here, Owain ap Urien is identified with Mabon, which may in part bebecause of the legend that Owain's mother was the goddess Modron, who is the mother of Mabon.

4. Owain: Owain ap Urien, the Arthurian Yvain who is famous for rescuing maidens and befriending lions. In reality, hewas a fierce warrior against the Northumbrians, who were encroaching on his kingdom of Rheged. When Urien wasassassinated (ca. 590), he was only able to maintain the kingdom for a few years before he was betrayed by other Britishkings, one even his brother.

5. Alclud: modern Dumbarton.

6. kine: plural of cow; the term "bull of battle" was often used in early Welsh poetry, and so this may be another instanceof comparing warriors and bovine-type animals.

7. "country of Mabon": either refering to Rheged, the country of Owain, or to a section of what is now Scotland whichapparently was called "Mabon," though whether it was for the god or not is unknown.

Back to the Book of TaliesinBack to Welsh TextsBack to CLC

A rumor has come




A rumor has come


Kanu y MedLlyfr Taliesin XIX

Kanu y Med. XXIIII.

Golychaf wledic pendiuic pop wa.

Gwr agynheil ynef arglwyd pop tra.Gwr a wnaeth y dwfyr y bawb yn da.Medhet maelgwn mon ac an medwa.Ae vedgorn ewyn gwerlyn gwymha.As kynnull gwenyn ac nys mwynha.Med hidleit moleit molut y pop tra.Lleaws creadur a vac terra.A wnaeth duw y dyn yr y donha.Rei drut rei mut ef ae mwynha.rei gwyllt rei dof douyd ae gwna.Yn dillig vdunt yn dillat yda.Yn uwyt yn diawt hyt vrawt yt parhaGolychafi wledic pendefic gwlat hed.Y dillwg elphin o alltuted.Y gwr am rodes y gwin ar cwrwf ar med.Ar meirch mawr modur mirein eu gwed.Am rothwy etwa mal diwed.Trwy vod duw y ryd twy enryded.Pump pemhwnt kalan gykyman hed.Elffinawc varchawc medhwyrdy ogled.

Kanu y Med


Song to MeadBook of Taliesin XIX

I WILL adore the Ruler, chief of every place,

Him, that supports the heaven: Lord of everything.Him, that made the water for every one good,Him, that made every gift, and prospers it.May Maelgwn of Mona be affected with mead, and affect us,From the foaming mead-horns, with the choicest pure liquor,Which the bees collect, and do not enjoy.Mead distilled sparkling, its praise is everywhere.The multitude of creatures which the earth nourishes,God made for man to enrich him.Some fierce, some mute, he enjoys them.Some wild, some tame, the Lord makes them.Their coverings become clothing.For food, for drink, till doom they will continue.I will implore the Ruler, sovereign of the country of peace,To liberate Elphin from banishment.The man who gave me wine and ale and mead.And the great princely steeds, beautiful their appearance,May he yet give me bounty to the end.By the will of God, he will give in honour,Five five-hundred festivals in the way of peace.Elphinian knight of mead, late be thy time of rest.

Song to Mead


Kanu y CwrwfLlyfr Taliesin XX

Kany y Cwrwf. XXIIII.

Teithi etmynt

Gwr a gatwynt gwynt.Pan del yrihyd.Goruloedawc eluyd.Menhyt yn tragywyd.Ys tidi a uedyd.Dylif a deweint a dyd.Dyd ymamogawr.Nos ym orffowyssawr.Maswed auolhawr.Y wrth wledic mawr.Mawr duw digones.Heul haf ae rywres.Ac ef digones.Bud coet amaes.Galwetawr yrachesAr eilic aghymes.Galwettawr pop neges.Deus dymgwares.Achyn dybydynLlwyth byt yr vnbryn.Ny ellynt ronynHeb gyfoeth mechteyrn.Ef ae tawd yn llynHyny vo eginyn.Ef ae tawd weith arall.Hyny vo yn vall.Dreuhawc dyderuyd.Dysgofac yr eluyd.Golchettawr y lestri.Bit goryw y vrecci.A phan vo anawell.Dydyccawr o gell.Dydyccawr rac rieu.Ykein gefedeu.Nys gwrthryn pop deu.Y mel ae goreu.Duw etuynt ynof.Yd vyd yn y vod

Kanu y Cwrwf


Llaryaf uw trindawt.Gorwyth medw medwhawt.O vynut pyscawtO meint y godrefi.Grayan mor heli.Kyn traeth reuerthi.Grayan mor heli:Y dan tywawt.Am kud y ar teithiawc.Mi hun am gwarawt.Ny digonir nebawt.Heb gyfoeth y trindawt.

Teithi etmygant.

Yn tryffin garantGallawc gallwgyd. anchwantSybwll symaduant.Ban erdifel tanc.Neu nos cwt dyuyd.Kwd dirgel rac dyd.A wyr kerd geluyd.Py gel kallonyd.Am dyro amde.Or parth dan dwyre.Py dyduc llyw gayaf.Py gyt dechreu lle.Yn dewis echiawc.Ffus. ffons ffodiawc.Ef duhun hunawc.Ef gobryn karawc.Kymry kaernedawc.Ytat garadawc.Dear meneiuon.Dear mynawc mon.Mawr erch anudon.Gwenhwys gwallthiryon.Am gaer wyragon.Pwy a tal y keinon.Ae maelgwn o von.Ae coel ae kanawon.Ai gwrwedw ae veibon.Nyt anchward y alon.O ynyr wystlon.Ef kyrch kerdoryon.

Kanu y Cwrwf


Se syberw seon.Neur dierueis i rin.Ymordei vfin.Ymorhred gododin.Ys ceirurith kyfrenhin.Bran bore dewin.Wyf kerdenhin hen.Wyf kyfreu lawen.Athraw ydygen.Meu molawt vryen.Eiryan eiryoes.Llyminawc llumoes.Ruduedel anwys.Rudyn ae llynvys.Kat yn hardnenwys.Ynyr ae briwys.Kant kalan kynnwys.Kant car amyuwys.Gweleis wyr goruawr.A dygyrchynt awr.Gweleis waet ar llawr.Rac ruthyr cledyfawr.Glessynt escyll gwawr.Escorynt vy waywar.Trychant kalan kyman clotuawr.Ynyr ar tir yn wir cochawr.

Kanu y Cwrwf


Song To AleBook of Taliesin XX

The qualities shall be extolled

Of the man that chained the wind.When his powers come,Extremely noisy the elements;For ever will thy impulse be,Thou dost pervadeThe tide of darkness and day.The day, there will be a shelter to me,The night, it will be rested.Softness is praised.From a great Guiledig.The great God causedThe sun of summer, and its excessive heat;And he causedThe abundance of the wood and field.lie is the powerful cause of the stream,Flowing abundantly.It is the powerful cause of every kindness;God redeemed meAnd before they came,The people of the world to the one hill,They will not be able to do the least,Without the power of the King.lie shall steep it in the Llyn,Until it shall sprout.lie shall steep it another timeUntil it is sodden.Not for a long time will be finishedWhat the elements produce.Let his vessels be washed,Let his wort be clear.And when there shall be an exciter of song,Let it be brought from the cell,Let it be brought before kings.in splendid festivals.Will not oppose every twoThe honey that made it.God’s departure in me,As long as the world is in being,The mildest is the Trinity.The provocative of the drunkard is drunkenness.

Song To Ale


The fishes might showThe capacity of the lodgmentsOf the gravel of the salt sea,Before it overwhelms the strand.The gravel of the salt seaBelow the sandWill conceal me from the prvileged one.Myself he will deliver.No one will be satsified,Without the power of the trinity.

II

Qualities they will honour

In the boundary of Garant.The mighty ones, without desire, from the reckingMarsh will remove,When the string of harmony resounds,Or the shades of night approach,The hidden retreat from day.Do the skilful in song knowWhere the powerful artist is concealed?That will give me a robeFrom the gate when he ascends.When the chief leads, in winter,What melody is commenced together.In choosing loud fame,With haste the fortunate will run,lie will awake the sleeper.He will merit CarawgOf the many-citied Cymry,The father of Caradawg;The sound of the Meneivians,The sound of Mynawg of Mona.The great terrible perjuredGwentians, long-haired.On account of Caer Wyrangon.Who will pay hte precious reward?Is it Maelgwn from Mona?Or shall it come from Aeron?Or Coel or Canawon?Or Gwrweddw or his sons?His enemies shall not exult [sic]From the hostages of Ynyr.To him will resort the minstrels,

Song To Ale


The star of magnificent stars.have I not disarmed the mystery?In Mordei Uffin,In the seas of Gododin,He is a sharer of varied words,The raven of the morning divining.I am an aged exile,I am of joyful talents,And the stroke of malice.Mine, the praising of Urien,Of splendid purity of life.Very keen his conduct of hosts,The ruddy-reaping of the steep.Ruddyn formed them,At the battle in Llarddnenwys,It was Ynyr that broke them to pieces.A hundred festivals holdingA hundred friends he defended.I saw mighty men,Who hastened to the shout of war;I saw blood on the groundFrom the assault of swords.They tinged with blue the wings of the dawn;They threw off the spears.Three hundred festivals complete of the renownedYnyr, on the earth indeed there will be redness.


Song To Ale




Etmic DinbychLlyfr Taliesin XXI

Archaf y wen y duw plwyf escori.

perchen nef a llawer pwylluawr wofri.

Aduwyn gaer yssyd ar glawr gweilgi.bit lawen ygkalan eiryan yri.Ac amser pan wna mor mawr wrhydri.ys gnawt gorun beird uch med lestri.Dydybyd gwanec ar vrys dybrys idi.Adawhwynt ywerlas o glas ffichti.Ac am bwyf o dews dros vygwedi.pan gattwyf amot kymot a thi.

Aduwyn gaer yssyd ar llydan llyn.Dinas diachor mor oe chylchyn.gogyfarch ty prydein kwd gygein hyn.Blaen llyn ap erbin boet teu voyn.Bu goscor a bu kerd yn eil mehyn.Ac eryr uch wybyr a llwybyr granwyn.Rac vd felyc nac escar gychwyn.Clot wascar a gwanar yd ymdullyn.

Aduwyn gaer yssyd ar ton nawuet.aduwyn eu gwerin yn ymwaret.ny wnant eu dwynuyt trwy veuylhaet.nyt ef eu defawt bot yn galet.Ny llafaraf eu ar vyn trwydet.noc eillon deutraeth gwell kaeth dyfet.kyweithyd o ryd wled waretret.kynnwys rwg pop deu goreu kiwet.

Aduwyn gaer yssyd ae gwna kyman.medut a molut ac adar bann.llyfyn y cherdeu yn y chalan.Am arglwyd hywyd hewr eiran.kyn y vynet yn y adwyt yn deruin llan.ef am rodes med a gwin o wydrin ban.

Aduwyn gaer yssyd yn yr eglan.atuwyn y[t] rodir y pawb y ran.Atwen yn dinbych gorwen gwylan.kyweithyd wleidud ud erllyssan.Oed ef vyn defawt i nos galan.lledyfdawt y gan ri ryfel eiran.

Etmic Dinbych


A llen lliw ehoec a medu prein.hyny uwyf tauawt ar veird prydein.

Aduwyn gaer yssyd ae kyffrwy kedeu.oed meu y rydeu a dewisswn.Ny lafaraf i deith, reith ryscatwn,ny dyly kelenic ny wyppo hwn.yscriuen brydein bryder briffwn.yn yt wna tonneu eu hymgyffrwn.pereit hyt pell y gell a treidwn.

Aduwyn gaer yssyd yn ardwyrein.Gochawn y medut y molut gofrein.Aduwyn ar eu hor escor gynfrein.Godef gwrych dymbi hir y hadein.dychyrch bar karrec crec mor ednein.llit y mywn tyghet treidet trath[r]umein.A bleidut gorllwyt goreu affein.Dimpyner oduch llat pwyllad cofein.Bendith culwyd nef gytlef a fein.ar nyn gwnel yn vrowyr gorwyr owein.

Aduwyn gaer yssyd ar lan lliant.aduwyn yt rodir y pawb y chwant.Gogyfarch ti vynet boet teu uwyant.Gwaywawr ryn rein a derllyssant.Duw merchyr gwelais wyr ygkyfnofant.Dyf ieu bu gwartheu a amugant.Ac yd oed vriger coch ac och ar dant.Oed lludued vynet dyd y doethant.Ac am Gefyn llech vaelwy kylchwy vriwant.


Etmic Dinbych


The Praise of Tenby Book of Taliesin XXI

Taliesin ae Cant {"Taliesin sang this"}

I make a request to God, Shepherd of the people,

Ruler of heaven and earth, supreme in wisdom.

There is a fair fort upon the sea; A splendid rise, joyful on holidays. And when the sea is extremely turbulent, The clamour of bards over cups of mead is customery. Comes a swift wave toward it, They leave the gray-green1 ocean to the Picts. And may I have, O God, through my prayer, When I may keep terms, reconciliation with thee.

There is a fair fort upon the wide water,An impregnable fortress, surrounded by sea. Ask, Britain, whose home is this? O leader of the line of Ab Erbin, let it be yours! There was a company and there was a song In the fortification and an eagle on high On the path of the white-faced. Before a splendid lord, starting up against the foe, A warrior of widespread fame, they assembled.

There is a fair fort upon the ninth wave; Fair its folk in resting themselves. They do not make their pleasant life through shame; 'Tis not their custom to be stingy. I shall not speak falsely of my welcome;Better the captive of Dyfed than the yeoman of Deudraeth! A host of the free in the midst of a feast; Narrow between two of the best of people.

There is a fair fort, whose company fosters pleasure And praise and the cry of birds. Joy and songs on its holidays, around a ready lord, a radiant distributor. Before his going into an oaken chest, he gave me mead and wine from a glass cup.

There is a fair fort on the coast;

The Praise of Tenby


pleasantly, each is given his share. I know in Tenby, pure white the seagull, the host of Bleiddudd, lord of the fort. It was my custom on holidays, appeasement by the bright king of battle and a heather-coloured mantle and courtly privilege, until I held tongue over the bards of Britain.

There is a fair fort, which abounds in song; the freedoms I sought were mine. I do not speak of rights: the law I kept; he who does not know this deserves no gifts. The writings of Britain were its chief concern, Where the waves toss. Let it last long, the cell I visited!

There is a fair fort standing on high. Excellent its pleasures, its praise lofty. Fair all around it, enclosure of champions, relentless sea-spume comes to me, far-reaching its fingers, it explodes to the top of the rock; raucous the little sea-bird. Anger forsworn, let it flee beyond the mountains. And to Bleiddudd the best prosperity there may be. I shall be burdened over beer with the task of memories. The blessing of the lord of harmonious heaven will endure. He who will not make us fellow-countrymen of the descendant of Owain.

There is a fair fort upon the sea-shore. Pleasantly, each is given his desire. Ask Gwynedd, let it be yours. Rough, stiff spears they earned. On Wednesday, I saw men in conflict; on Thursday, it was reproaches they contended with. And hair was red with blood, and lamenting on harps. Weary were the men of Gwynedd the day they came, and atop the stone of Maelwy they shelter shields. A host of kinsmen fell by the descendant {of Owain?}.

NOTE:1. "green-gray sea": Interestingly enough, the word for blue, grey, and green in Welsh are the same--glas (Glas is also anIrish word for both grey and green). It has been supposed that the Green Knight of Sir Gawain and the Green Knight mayhave originally been the Grey Knight, linking him to Arawn Lord of Annwfn (the Otherworld) from the story of "PwyllPendeuc Dyfed"; meanwhile, green is equally associated with death in Irish myth. This has no real bearing on the text athand, except to show the problems of translation--that the words for green and grey are the same in Welsh, causing a littleconfusion.

The Praise of Tenby


Glas also means "pale, young, raw" as well as "blue, green, grey."

Alternate words are gwyrdd for green, llwyd for grey. Llwyd is also one of Manawyddan's enemies in "Manawyddan vabLlyr." Glas is the only word for blue.

Tenby is a sea-town in Dyfed, in Pembrokeshire. From the fifth century until the high middle ages, it was ruled by theIrish, which may account for the mention of "the ninth wave," a symbol from Irish mythology which otherwise doesn'tappear in Wales, and for the heavily Irish elements of "Pwyll Pendeuc Dyfed" in The Mabinogion.

Some have speculated that the historical Taliesin may have been from Tenby, or from South Wales at any rate, as this areashows up in his poetry (or the poetry attributed to him).

The Praise of Tenby


Plaeu yr ReifftLlyfr Taliesin XXII

Plaeu yr Reift. X. C.

Efrei etuyl ar veib israel

Vchel enuryt.Kyt rif dilynRydyn esseyn.Rygadwys duw dialAr plwyf pharaonus.Dec pla poeniKyn eu bodi.Ymor affwys.Kyssefinpla pyscawt difa.Dignawt annwyt.Eilpla llyffeint lluossawc.Llewssynt ffronoed.Tei a threfneuAthyleeuAchelleu bwyt.Tryded gwydbet.Gwychyr gohoget gwalatwyt.Petwar iccwrCur am ystyr edynogyon.Eil kyguhaesFfrwyth coet a maesCuwt kylyon.Pymhet bwystnon.Ar holl vibnonEgiption.Belsit miletO trwm alletDeritolyon.Chwechet heb eu.Chwyssic crugeuCreitheu moryon.Seithuet taryanKynllysc athanA glaw kynwyt.Gwynt gordiberth.Ar deil a gwyd.Wythuet lloscus.Llydan eu clust.

Plaeu yr Reifft


Blodeu kyfys.Nawuet aruthyrDiuedlawc vthyrDoniawc nofus.Du tywyllwcDrem aneglwcEgiptius.Dec veinyoethMwyhaf gwynyeithAr plwyf kynrein.Crist iessu christ ioni grein.Hut ynt clydwr.Chwechant milwrMilet efrei.

Plaeu yr Reifft


The Plagues of EgyptThe Book of Taliesin XXII


THE Hebrews took upon the sons of Israel,

High in mind,A joint number in succession.They approached.God kept vengeanceOn the people of Pharaonus.Ten plagues painingBefore their being drownedIn the bottomless sea.The first plague, fish destroyingWith unusual cold.The second plague, frogs abundant,They filled the rivers,The houses and furniture,And couches,And closets of meat.The third, gnats,Bold and sharp, were arranged.The fourth, a sharp watery humourStrikes in the manner of winged insects.Next were devouredThe fruits of the trees arid the fieldBy a crop of flies.The fifth, murrain.On all the childrenOf the Egyptians,Animals were destroyed.With a heavy diseaseThey were all smitten.The sixth, without deceit,Sweating imposthumes,The scars of ants.The seventh, thunder,Hail and fire,And rain destructive.Wind blasting the tops,On leaves and shrubs.The eighth, locusts,Broad their ears,Devouring flowers.

The Plagues of Egypt


The ninth, prodigiousTo be spoken of, terrible,Like waves floatingBlack darkness.With a countenance gloomy.Tenth, in the nightThe greatest afflictionOn the people of the tribes,Christ Jesus, Christians, are prostrateUntil they are in shelter.The six hundred warriorsOf the Hebrew soldiers.

The Plagues of Egypt


Trawsganu Kynan GarwynLlyfr Taliesin XXIII

Kynan kat diffret

kanyt geu gofyget.kant gorwyd kyfretCant llen ehoecCant armell ym arffret.Cledyf gwein karreccant kynan kaffat.katellig ystret.kat ar wy kyrchet.Gwenhwys a ladet.kat ymon mawr tec.Tra menei mynetkat yg cruc dymet.Nac ny rywelet.Mab brochuael brolet.kernyw kyfarchet.Dystwc aghyffretMyg kynnelw o gynan.Aeleu fflam lydan.kat ygwlat brachan.Tegyrned truanlluryc yn ymwan.kyngen kymangan.kigleu ymdidan.kylch byt gwochuan. am arllofeis ket.Gwrthelgwn trefbret.aryant eu tudet.o vn o vaen gyffret.A phympwnt cathet.dyrngell gwell honeb.kas anweletkat anyscoget.gwaywawr ebrifet.A lafyn gwyarlet.erglyt a molet.gworwyd a gworgret.aercol ar gerdet.y biw rac ffriw neb.Eidywet eidunet.ny mawl ieu tyghet.ynyd am iolet.

Trawsganu Kynan Garwyn


kadeu ergynnan.kwfwyrein mawrtan.katlan god aran.crinyt rac kynan.eissor llyw heechan.nerthi athwlat lydan.pawb yny gochvan.keith ynt gynan.

Trawsganu Kynan Garwyn


Satire Of Cynan Garwyn son of BrochwaelBook of Taliesin XXIII

Cynan, the exciter of battle,

Bestowed on me treasure,For not, false the gloryOf the stout hunting dogs of the domain.Ahundred steeds of equal pace,Silver their covering.Ahundred legions in greenOf one front running together.A hundred urchins in my bosomAnd a battalion of cats.Asword with sheath of stone.A fist-cell better than any.A hundred Cynan had,Hateful not to see,From the vales of Cadell.In battle they were not shaken.To the battle on Wy there resortedSpears innumerable.The Gwentians were slain,With the gore-drenched blade.A battle in Mona, great, fair,Hovering over, and praisedOver the Menei, there wentHorses and confident ones.A battle on the hill of Dyved.Slaughter stings in motion.Nor were seenThe kine before the countenance of any one.Let the son of Brochwael boast,He will declare his wish.Let Cornwall greet,The younger will not praise fate.The incomprehensible will depressIn the day that is praised by me,My patron of Cynan.Battles arose.A woeful spreading flame,There raises up a great fire.A battle in the country of Brachan,A warring scene of tumult,Miserable princes.

Satire Of Cynan Garwyn son of Brochwael


Were made to tremble before Cynan.The breastplate being transfixed,Like a ruler, they cried out,Cyngen of perfect songThou wilt help with thy wide country.A saying was heard.Every one in his red place,Be the circle red, they say ironically,They will enslave thy Cynan.


Satire Of Cynan Garwyn son of Brochwael




Lath MoessenLlyfr Taliesin XXIV

O pop aduer y torof uroder dychyfaerawt.

But adefic. y grist gwledic dogyn volawt.Dy bwyth duw kein. yn arffet meir y heissorawt.Hynt gwiryoned kyflawn rihid kynnelw o honawt.Gwyeil iesse dy pobyl ïude. dychyfaerawt.Hu gelwir lleu o luch aleho yr eu pechawt.Deheu reen mynyd adien mwyn kyfundawt.Yn ran eluyd yn temhyl selyf seil o gyffrawt.Gorfunet gwas colofyn dias ffest fflemychawt.Paradwys drws. bugeil dews duun gwledychawt.Neu rigigleu gan proffwydeu llenawc.Geni iessu a rydarfu. hyt y uuced.A uei uuched y pop ried bwyt parawt.Kyn perissit bei mi prytwn periwlawt.Ry duc claer nyt. dayar a yspeidawt.Ar von diffwys pan disgynnwys dy amgyffrawt.Gwlat priodawr nys duc mwynuawr bei im oho honawt.Meint dy godet boet imdyrat. gwyeil iesseArat iessu llathyr y blodeu.Mawr gwyrth yn y vryt o duw donyeu.Ef oed ygnat. ygnat oed ef. dewin diheu.Gwr y cussyl i pop vfyd rac geu.Ef yssyd gafael clayar nifer toeu.Cunlleith y luyd deheu.Y mal bydewin dilit o lu lloneit.Hubyd y gwrth vn mab meir moli reen.Huarwas gwaso duw treidas pet wyr pet gwiryon.Dy rac afael kyfoet coet kyflawn.Lledyssit gein o arffet iessu.Rud ny popon moch y dyscatO rodi rat rex meibon.Newyd anaw mawr glywant dynyadon.Guir y rat gwas porthyant heb wr adon.Dygwerthydyd pop vchis rac derwydon.Nudris ny widyn llarychwel gwelet mabon.Dydugant thus ac eur delus o ethiopia.O duw gorden a duw reen rex meneifon.Herot gystic ny bu godic. y geleudon.Dy poenedic gwallat peues perchen meibon.Pan aeth dofyd parth pan dillydNilus habed. ryduc herot. annwyt gayafawl.

Lath Moessen


Kyflawn vonhed. ygkaer nazaredNyt aeth peues perchen anaw.Byt adebryat hu bwyf yth rat tut gorchordeon.Geni douyd dyduc perchen lleg egylyon.

Lath Moessen


The Rod of MosesThe Book of Taliesin XXIV.


FROM every return his host of brothers he reencountered,

Advantage acknowledged to Christ the Ruler, portion of praise.The glorious God sits on the lap of Mary his counterpart.The course of truth, perfect nobility, a pattern of thee.Rods of Jesse, thy people Judah reencountered.

Dexterous Lord, courteous, faultless, of gentle concord.In respect of the earth, in the temple of Solomon, foundation of impulse,The door of Paradise; shepherd of God; profoundly he reignedWas it not heard from learned prophetsThat the birth of Jesus had taken place; during his life, That there would be life to all kings, a life prepared or ready.Before thou wouldst have caused, if I had not recorded the danger.He brought what was bright; he did not cease from the earth.On the sea deep, when descended thy emotion.A country native brought not the greatly-kind; be to me from theeThe greatness of thy tribulation; be to me thy grace, rods of Jesse,And the grace of Jesus, glittering its flowers.

The Rod of Moses


Torrit anuyndawlLlyfr Taliesin XXV

Torrit anuyndawl

Tuth iawl dan yscawl.Ef iolen o duch llawrTan tanhwytin gwawrUch awel uchelUch no phop nyfelMawr y anyfel.Ny thric y gofelNo meithawr llyr.Llyr llwybyr y tebyrDy var ygkynebyrGwawr gwen gwrthuchyr.Wrth war wrth wrysWrth pop heuelis.Wrth heuelis nwythonWrth pedyr afaon.Ardwyreafi a varn gwrysKadarn trydar dwfyn y gas.Nyt mi gwr llwfyr llwytCrwybyr wrth clwyt.Hut vyn deu garant.Deu dich uwar dichwantOm llaw yth law dyt dwy dim.Trithri nodetAtcor ar henet.A march mayawc.A march genethawc.A march karadawc.Kymrwy teithiawc.A march gwythur.A march gwardur.A march arthur.Ehofyn rodi cur.A march taliessin.A march lleu letuegin.A phebyr llei llwynin.A grei march cunin.Kornan kyneiwawcA wyd awydawc.Du moreod enwawc.March brwyn bro bradawc.

Torrit anuyndawl


Ar tri carn aflawc.Nyt ant gynt hilaw.Kethin march keidaw.Carn avarn arnaw.Yscwydurith yscodic.Gorwyd llemenic.March ryderc rydic.Llwyt lliw elleic.A llamrei llawn elwic.Affroenuoll gwyrenhic.March sadyrnin.A march custenhin.Ac ereil yn trinRac tir all gwin.Henwyn mat dyduc.Kychwedyl o hiraduc.Bum hwch bum bwchBum syw bum swch.Bum bann bum banhwch.Bum gawr ym rythwch.Bum llif yn eirth Bum ton yn egheirth.Bum yscafyn ysceinat dilyw.Bum kath pennrith ar tri phreu.Bum pell. bum pen.Gafyr ar yscaw pren.Bum garan gwala gwelet golwc.Tragwres milet moryal.Katwent kenedyl da.Or yssyd is awyr gwedy kassolwn.Nyt byw ormod meint am gwyr.

Torrit anuyndawl


The Song of the HorsesBook of Taliesin XXV

It broke out with matchless fury.

The rapid vehement fire.Him we praise above the earth,Fire, the fiery meteor of the dawn.Above the high gale,Higher than every cloud.Great his animal.He will not delayNor the wedding-feast of Llyr.His path is like a water-course,Thy rage in the chief streams.The dawn smiles, repelling gloom,At the dawn with violence,At every meet season,At the meet season of his turnings,At the four stages of his course,I will extol him that judges violence,Of the strong din, deep his wrath.I am not a man, cowardly, gray,A scum near the wattle.The illusion of my two relatives,Two groans of affliction without appetite.From my hand to thy hand God will give naught.Thrice three protections,Returning to the old places,With a steed used to the field.And the steed of Genethawg,And the steed of Caradawg,Perfect for travelling.And the steed of Gwythur,And the steed of Gwarddur,And the steed of Arthur.Dauntless to cause an ache,And the steed of Taliessin,And the steed of Lieu half domesticated,And of Pebyr, the dark gray of the grove.And Grei, the steed of Cunin.Cornan stubborn in the conflict,Of ardent desires,The Black, from the seas famous,The steed of Brwyn, betrayer of the country.

The Song of the Horses


And the three cloven-footed onesThey will not go a journey conveniently,The terrible steed of Ceidaw,A hoof with bribery on it.Mottle-shouldered YsgodigThe steed of LlemenigThe horse of Rhydderch RhyddigOf the gray colour of a pear.And Llamre, full of inherent vigour,And Froenvoll of a vigorous growth,The steed of Sadyrnin,And the steed of Constantine.And others handling,For the country, the smart of foreigners.The good Henwyn broughtA tale from lliraddug.I have been a sow, I have been a buck,I have been a sage, I have been a snout,I have been a horn, I have been a wild sow,I have been a shout in battle.I have been a torrent on the slope,I have been a wave on the extended shore.I have been the light sprinkling of a deluge,I have been a cat with a speckled head on three trees.I have been a circumference, I have been a head.A goat on an elder-tree.I have been a crane well filled, a sight to behold.Very ardent the animals of Morial,They kept a good stock.Of what is below the air, say the hateful men,Too many do not live, of those that know me.

The Song of the Horses


Y gofeissvys bytLlyfr Taliesin XXVI

Y gofeissvys byt. Bu deu tech arwlat gwledychyssit.

Bu haelhaf berthaf or ryanet.Bu terwyn gwenwyn gwae y gywlat.Ef torres ar dar teir gweith ygkat.Ac ef ny vyd corgwyd y wlat dar plufawrPebyr pell athrechwys coet gyrth y godiwawdAlexander. yn hual eurin gwae a garcharerNy phell garcharwyt. agheu dybuAc lle ef kafas ergyr o luNeb kynnoc ef ny darchawdMyuwed bed berthrwyd or adwyndawtHael alexander ae kymerth yna.Gwlat syr a siryoel a gwlat syriaA gwlat dinifdra. a gwlat dinitra.Gwlat pers a mers a gwlat y kanna.Ac ynyssed pleth a phletheppa.A chiwdawt babilon ac agasciaMawr a gwlat galldarus bychan y da.Hyt yd ymduc y tir tywarch ynaAc yt wnahont eu bryt wrth eu helyaY wedant gwystlon y europa.Ac anreithaw gwladoed gwyssy oed terra.Gwyrthyr gwenynt wraged gordynt yma.Bron loscedigyon gwyled gwastra.O gadeu afor pan atrodetDigonynt brein gwneint pen brithretY milwyr mageidawn pan attrodet.Neu wlat yth weisson ti pan diffydet.Ny byd yth escor escor lludet.Rac gofal yr hual ae agaletMilcant riallu a uu varw rac sychet.Eu geu gogwilleu ar eu milet.As gwenwynwys y was kyn noe trefret.Kyn no hyn bei gwell digonet.Ym harglwyd gwlatlwyd gwlat gogonet.Vn wlat ior oror goreu ystlyned.Diwyccwyf digonwyf poet genhyt ty gyffret.Ar sawl am clyw poet meu eu hunet.Digonwynt wy vod duw kyn gwisc tytwet.

Y gofeissvys byt


The Contrived WorldThe Book of Taliesin XXVI.


He was dexterous that fairly ruled over a country,

He was most generous, with most beautiful queens,He was a violent poison of woe to his fellow-countrymen.He broke upon Darius three times in battle.And he will not be a dwarf shrub in the country of the plumed Darius.Strenuous, far he conquered, the wood-pushing overtookAlexander; in the golden fetters of woe he is imprisoned.He was not long imprisoned; death came.And where he had moving of armies,No one before him was exalted,To go to the grave, rich and prosperous, from the pleasure,The generous Alexander took him there.The land of Syr and Siryol, and the land of Syria,And the land of Dinifdra, and land of Dinitra;The land of Persia and Mersia, and the land of Canna;And the isles of Pleth and Pletheppa;And the state of Babilon and AgasciaGreat, and the land of Galldarus, little its good.Until the earth produced, sod was there.And they do their wills by hunting them.They render hostages to Europa.And plunder the countries of the peoples of the earth.Furiously they pierce women, they impel here,Before the burned ones there was a devastation of modesty,Of battles when the sorrow was mentioned.They satisfy the ravens, they make a head of confused running,The soldiers of the possessor of multitudes, when they are mentioned.Nor a country to thy young men, when it is destroyed,There will not be for thy riddance, a riddance of burthen.From the care of the fetter and its hardship.A hundred thousand of the army died from thirst:False their plans with their thousands.Was poisoned his youth before he came home.Before this, it would have been better to have been satisfied.To my lord land-prospering, a country glorious,One country may the Lord, the best region connect.May I reform, may I be satisfied. Be ‘with thee the fullness,And as many as hear rue, be mine their unity.May they satisfy the will of God before the clothing of the sod.

The Contrived World


Ar clawr eluydLlyfr Taliesin XXVII

Ar clawr eluyd y gystedlyd ny ryanet.

Teir person duw. vn mab adwyn terwyn trinet.Mab yr dwydit. mab yr dyndit. vn mab ryued.Mab duw dinas. mab gwen meirgwas. mat gwas gwelet.O hil ade ac abrahae yn ryanet.O hil dofyd dogyn dwfynwedyd llu ryanet.Dyduc o eir deill abydeir o pop aelet.Pobyl ginhiawc. goec gamwedawc salw amnyned.Rydrychafom erbyn trindawt gwedy gwaret.Croes cristyn glaer. lluryc llachar rac pop aelat.Rac pop anuaws poet yn dilis dinas diffret.

Ar clawr eluyd


On the Face of the EarthBook of Taliesin XXVII.

On the face of the earth his equal was not born,

Three persons of God, one Son gentle, strong Trinity.Son of the Godhead, Son of the Manhood, one son wonderful.Son of God, a fortress, Son of tile blessed Mary, a good son to see.Great his destiny, great God supreme, a glorious portion. Of the race of Adam, and Abraham he was born.Of the race of the Lord, a portion of the eloquent host, was he born.He brought by a word the blind and deaf from every ailment.A people gluttonous, vain, iniquitous, vile, perverse, We have risen against the Trinity, after redemption.The Cross of Christ clearly, a breastplate gleaming against every ailment.Against every hardship may it be certainly a city of protection.

On the Face of the Earth


Ryfedaf na chiawrLlyfr Taliesin XXVIII

Ryfedaf na chiawr

Adef nef y lawrO dyfot rwyf gawrAlexander mawr.Hewys hayarndawnCledyfal anwogawn.Aeth dan eigyawn.Dan eigawn eithydY geisiaw keuydyt.A geisso keluydytBit o iewin y vryt.Eithyd oduch gwynt.Rwg deu grifft ar huntY welet dremynt.Dremynt awelesPressent ny chymes.Gweles ryfedawt.Gorllin gan pyscawt.Aeidunwys y ny vryt.A gafas or byt.A heuyt oe diwedGan duw trugared.

Ryfedaf na chiawr


Alexander the GreatThe Book of Taliesin XXVIII.


I WONDER that there is not proclaimed

An acknowledgment of heaven to the earth.Of the coming of a giant Ruler,Alexander the Great.Alexander, possessor of multitudes.Passionate, iron-gifted,Eminent for sword-strokes.He went under the sea,Under the sea he went,To seek for science.Whoever seeks science,Let him be clamorous in mind.He wont above the wind,Between two griffins on a journey,To see a sight.A sight he saw,The present was not sufficient.He saw a wonder.A superiority of lineage with fishes.‘What he desired in his mind,He had from the world.And also at his endWith God, mercy.

Alexander the Great


Ad duw meidatLlyfr Taliesin XXIX

Ad duw meidat duw dofydat dewin trugar.

Mawr enwerys pan ym nodeist i trwy tonyar.Toruoed mossen gwledic reen gwae eu hescar.Ys argafu perif aelu reglyt y par.Ac y vorawc a orugost newyd y par.Neur dineuwy trwy ryferthwy a uawd adar.Adrycheif heul hyt gollewein y bu dayar.Ti a nodyd a rygeryd o pop kachar.Namyn toruoed teryd eu gawr trwm eu dear.A nawd ninheu rac adwydeu uffern anwar.Ad duw meidat duw dofydat dewin trugar.Ys teu ti wlat nef. ys wrth tagnef it y kery.Nyt oes ludet nac eissywet yth wlat dofyd.Ny pherir neb ny byd escar neb yw gilyd.Mi a wydyon beis deallwn rac kewilyd.Karu o honawt y lan trindawt o neb keluyd.Beird ach gogan. Wynt acharan yn tragywyd.Ny bu agwael y rodeist israel. yn llaw dauyd.Alexander keffei llawer nifer y wyr.Nyf ef nerthas ony chafas dy gerenhyd.Ae vydinoed ae vawr gadeu ae gamluyd.Pan doethant yr dayar buant dear eu dihenyd.Selyf ygnat a gennis gwlat. bu gwell noc yd.Mab teyrnon. bu gnawt berthon oe gyweithyd.Iago feibon a uu verthon ar eu heluyd.A dygymuant arannyssant trwy eir dofyd.Auel wiryon a uu lwydon a gymyrth ffyd.Y vrawt kaim bu diwerin drwc y gussyl.Aser a soyw yn awyr loyw eu kyweithyd.Seren agel a dwyn nifer raceu milwyr.A llath voessen ef ae toruoed ar eu heluyd.Rudech dalen vd eilladem vd ei genhym.Llafar amut a doeth a drut as diwygyd.Gwledic cwd vn cwd dirperyan dihenyd.Molaf inheu presswyl toruoed adef menwyt.Molaf inheu adawt goreu goreilenw byt.Prif teyrnas a duc ionas o perued kyt.Kiwdawt niniuen bu gwr llawen pregethyssit.Riein tra mor bu kyscawt ior yscoryssit.Ac auaria meir merch anna mawr y phenyt.Yr dy haeled a thurgared vechteyrn byt.

Ad duw meidat


An bwym ninheu ynef kaereu kynnwys genhyt.

Ad duw meidat


God the PossesorBook of Taliesin XXIX.


AND God the possessor, God the regulator, merciful diviner,

Great, wonderful, when thou protectedst me through the wave.The hosts of Moses, sovereign Lord, woe their dispersion!Pharaoh and his host perceived them, cursing the cause,And to sea thou madest new the, cause.Did he not allure them through an inundation that drowns birds?From where the sun rises to the west there was land.Thou wouldst protect those that thou lovest from every prisonExcept hosts, vehement their shout, heavy their din.And protect us also from the miseries of Uffern fierce.And God the possessor, God the regulator, merciful divinity;Thine is the country of heaven, it is in peace that thou lovest.There is not weariness, nor want in thy country; Lord.No one will be ordered; no one will be an enemy to another.I would have known, if I had understood, for shame,That thou lovest, the Holy Trinity, any one that is skilful.Bards disparage you; they love much for ever.That was not vile, the Israel which thou placedst in the hand of David.Alexander had a large number of men.He would not have been strong, had he not thy friendship,With his armies and great battles ;and his tortuous hosts.When they came to the land they were sad in their death.

God the Possesor


Preiddeu AnnwnLlyfyr Taliesin XXX

Golychaf wledic pendeuic gwlat ri.

py ledas y pennaeth dros traeth mundi.bu kyweir karchar gweir yg kaer sidi.trwy ebostol pwyll a phryderi.Neb kyn noc ef nyt aeth idi.yr gadwyn trom las kywirwas ae ketwi.A rac preidu annwfyn tost yt geni.Ac yt urawt parahawt yn bardwedi.Tri lloneit prytwen yd aetham ni idi.nam seith ny dyrreith o gaer sidi.

Neut wyf glot geinmyn cerd ochlywir.yg kaer pedryuan pedyr ychwelyt.yg kynneir or peir pan leferit.O anadyl naw morwyn gochyneuit.Neu peir pen annwfyn pwy y vynut.gwrym am y oror a mererit.ny beirw bwyt llwfyr ny ry tyghit.cledyf lluch lleawc idaw rydyrchit.Ac yn llaw leminawc yd edewit.A rac drws porth vffern llugyrn lloscit.A phan aetham ni gan arthur trafferth lethrit.nam seith ny dyrreith o gaer vedwit.

Neut wyf glot geinmyn kerd glywanawr.yg kaer pedryfan ynys pybyrdorechwyd a muchyd kymyscetorgwin gloyw eu gwirawt rac eu gorgord.Tri lloneit prytwen yd aetham ni ar vor.nam seith ny dyrreith o gaer rigor.

Ny obrynafi lawyr llen llywyadurtra chaer wydyr ny welsynt wrhyt arthur.Tri vgeint canhwr a seui ar y mur.oed anhawd ymadrawd ae gwylyadur.tri lloneit prytwen yd aeth gan arthur.nam seith ny dyrreith o gaer golud.

Ny obrynaf y lawyr llaes eu kylchwyny wdant wy py·dyd peridyd pwy.

Preiddeu Annwn


py awr ymeindyd y ganet cwy.Pwy gwnaeth ar nyt aeth doleu defwy.ny wdant wy yr ych brych bras y penrwy.seith vgein kygwng yny aerwy.A phan aetham ni gan arthur auyrdwl gofwy.nam seith ny dyrreith o gaer vandwy.

Ny obrynafy lawyr llaes eu gohen.ny wdant py dyd peridyd pen.Py awr ymeindyd y ganet perchen.Py vil a gatwant aryant y pen.Pan aetham ni gan arthur afyrdwl gynhen.nam seith ny dyrreith o gaer ochren.

Myneich dychnut val cunin cor.gyfranc udyd ae gwidanhor.Ae vn hynt gwynt ae vn dwfyr mor.Ae vn vfel tan twrwf diachor. Myneych dychnut val bleidawr.o gyfranc udyd ae gwidyanhawrny wdant pan yscar deweint a gwawr.neu wynt pwy hynt pwy y rynnawd.py va diua py tir a plawd.bet sant yn·diuant a bet allawr.Golychaf y wledic penefic mawr.na bwyf trist crist am gwadawl.

Preiddeu Annwn


The Raid on the OtherworldThe Book of Taliesin XXX.


I WILL praise the sovereign, supreme king of the land,

Who hath extended his dominion over the shore of the world.Complete was the prison of Gweir in Caer Sidi,Through the spite of Pwyll and Pryderi.No one before him went into it.The heavy blue chain held the faithful youth,And before the spoils of Annwvn woefully he sings,And till doom shall continue a bard of prayer.Thrice enough to fill Prydwen, we went into it;Except seven, none returned from Caer Sidi

Am I not a candidate for fame, if a song is heard? In Caer Pedryvan, four its revolutions; In the first word from the cauldron when spoken,From the breath of nine maidens it was gently warmed.Is it not the cauldron of the chief of Annwvn? What is its intention?A ridge about its edge and pearls.It will not boil the food of a coward, that has not been sworn,A sword bright gleaming to him was raised, And in the hand of Lleminawg it was left.And before the door of the gate of Uffern [hell] the lamp was burning.And when we went with Arthur; a splendid labour, Except seven, none returned from Caer Vedwyd.

Am I not a candidate for fame with the listened songIn Caer Pedryvan, in the isle of the strong door?The twilight and pitchy darkness were mixed together.Bright wine their liquor before their retinue.Thrice enough to fill Prydwen we went on the sea,Except seven, none returned from Caer Rigor.

I shall not deserve much from the ruler of literature,Beyond Caer Wydyr they saw not the prowess of Arthur.Three score Canhwr stood on the wall,Difficult was a conversation with its sentinel.Thrice enough to fill Prydwen there went with Arthur,Except seven, none returned from Caer Golud.

I shall not deserve much from those with long shields.

The Raid on the Otherworld


They know not what day, who the causer,What hour in the serene day Cwy was born.Who caused that he should not go to the dales of Devwy.They know not the brindled ox, thick his head-band.Seven score knobs in his collar.And when we went with Arthur of anxious memory,Except seven, none returned from Caer Vandwy.

I shall not deserve much from those of loose bias,They know not what day the chief was caused.What hour in the serene day the owner was born.What animal they keep, silver its head.When we went with Arthur of anxious contention,Except seven, none returned from Caer Ochren.

Monks congregate like dogs in a kennel,From contact with their superiors they acquire knowledge,Is one the course of the wind, is one the water of the sea?Is one the spark of the fire, of unrestrainable tumult?Monks congregate like wolves,From contact with their superiors they acquire knowledge.They know not when the deep night and dawn divide.Nor what is the course of the wind, or who agitates it,In what place it dies away, on what land it roars.The grave of the saint is vanishing from the altar-tomb.I will pray to the Lord, the great supreme,That I be not wretched. Christ be my portion.

This is that most famous of poems, the "Prieddu Annwn," wherein only Arthur and his seven warriors raid Annwfn (theOtherworld) for a magic cauldron. It stands as a sort of mid-way point between The Mabinogi's Cauldron of Regeneration,and the Holy Grail.

The Raid on the Otherworld


Gweith GwenystradLlyfr Taliesin XXXI

Arwyre gwyr katraeth gan dyd.

am wledic gweithuudic gwarthegyd.Vryen hwn anwawt eineuyd.kyfedeily teyrned ae gofynryfelgar. rwysc enwir rwyf bedyd.Gwyr prydein adwythein yn lluyd.gwen ystrad ystadyl kat kynygyd.ny nodes na maes na choedydtut achles dy ormes pan dyuyd.Mal tonnawr tost eu gawr dros eluyd.Gweleis wyr gwychyr yn llyud.A gwedy boregat briwgic.Gweleis i twrwf teirffin traghedic.gwaed gohoyw gofaran gochlywyd.yn amwyn gwen ystrat y gwelitgofur hag a gwyr llawr lludedic.Yn drws ryt gweleis y wyr lletrudyon.eiryf dillwg y rac blawr gofedon.Vn ynt tanc gan aethant golludyonllaw yg croes gryt ygro garanwynyon.kyfedwynt y gynrein kywym don.gwanecawr gollychynt rawn eu kaffon.Gweleis i wyr gospeithic gospylat.A gwyar a uaglei ar dillat.A dullyaw diaflym dwys wrth kat.kat gwortho ny bu ffo pan pwyllattglyw reget reuedaf i pan ueidat.Gweleis i ran reodic am vryenpan amwyth ae alon. yn llech wengalystem y wytheint oed llafynaessawr gwyr goborthit wrth aghen.Awyd kat a diffo eurowyn.

Ac yny vallwyf y henym dygyn agheu aghen.Ny bydif yn dirwen.na m olwyf i vryen.

Gweith Gwenystrad


The Battle of GwenystradBook of Taliesin XXXI

The men of Catraeth arose with the dawn,

About the Guledig, of work a profitable merchant.This Urien, without mockery is his regret.He sustains the sovereignty and its demands.Warlike, the grandeur of a perfect prince of baptism.The men of Prydain hurtful in battle array,At Gwenystrad, continuously offerers of battle.Protected neither the field nor woodsThe people with shelter when tribulation comes.Like the wave loud roaring over the beach,I saw valiant men in battle array,And after the morning, battle-mangled flesh.I saw a tumult of three limits slain,A shout active in front was heard.In defending Gwenystrad was seenA mound and slanting ground obstructing.In the pass of the ford I saw men gory-tinted,Dropping their arms before the pallid miserable ones.They join in peace as they were losers.Hand on the cross they wail on the gravel bank of Garanwynyon.The tribes revel over the rising wave.The billows protect the hair of their captures.I saw men of splendid progressWith blood that clotted on the garments,Toiling energetically and incessantly in battle.The covering battle, where there was no flight, when contrived.The ruler of Reged, I am astonished at what was dared.I saw a brow covered with rage on Urien,When he furiously attacked his foes at the white stoneOf Galystem. His rage was a blade;The bucklered men were sustained in need.May a desire of battle come on Eurwyn.

And until I fail in old age,In the sore necessity of death,May I not be smiling,If I praise not Urien.

The Battle of Gwenystrad


Urien YrechwyddLlyfr Taliesin XXXII

Uryen yr echwyd. haelaf dyn bedyd.

lliaws a rodyd y dynyon eluyd.Mal y kynnullyd yt wesceryd.llawen beird bedyd tra vo dy uuchyd.ys mwy llewenyd gan clotuan clotryd.ys mwy gogonyant vot Uryen ae plant.Ac ef yn arbennic yn oruchel wledic.yn dinas pellennic. yn keimyat kynteic.lloegrwys ae gwydant pan ymadrodant.agheu a gawssant a mynych godyantllosci eu trefret a dwyn eu tudetac eimwnc collet a mawr aghyffretheb gaffel gwaret. rac vryen reget.Reget diffreidyat clot ior agor gwlatvy mod yssyd arnat. O pop erclywatdwys dy peleitrat pan erclywat kat.kat pan y kyrchynt gwnyeith a wneit.Tan yn tei kyn dyd rac vd yr echwyd.Yr echwyd teccaf ae dynyon haelhaf.gnawt eigyl heb waessaf. am teyrn glewhaf.glewhaf eissyllyd tydi goreu yssyd.or a uu ac a uyd. nyth oes kystedlyd.pan dremher arnaw ys ehalaeth y braw.Gnawt gwyled ymdanaw am teyrn gocnaw.Amdanaw gwyled. a lliaws maranhedeurteyrn gogled arbenhic teyrned.

Ac yny vallwyf henYm dygyn agheu aghen.ny bydif ym dirwenna molwyfi vryen.


Urien Yrechwydd


Song for Urien RhegedBook of Taliesin XXXII

Urien of the cultivated plain,

The most generous man of baptism,Abundance has been givenTo the men of earth.As it has been gathered,It has been scattered.Joyful the bards of baptismWhilst thy life continues.There is greater joyFor the high-famed, and liberal of praise.It is greater glory,That Urien and his children should exist.And he especiallyThe supreme Guledig.In a distant city,A principal pilgrim,The Lloegrians know him,When they converse.Death they had,And frequent vexation,Burning their homesteads,And drawing their coverings.And loss,And great incomprehension,Without obtaining deliveranceFrom Urien Rheged.The protector of Rheged,The praise of Ier, the anchor of the country.My inclination is on thee,Of every hearing.Heavy thy spear-throwing,When the battle is heard,When they resort to battle,A smarting is made.Fire in houses before day,Before the sovereign of the cultivated plain,The most fair cultivated plain,And its most generous men.The Angles are accustomed to be without homageFrom most valiant king.A most valiant progeny,

Song for Urien Rheged


Thine is the best.Of those who have been, or will be,There is not thy match.When he is looked upon,Very great is the terror.It is usual to look for him,For an active king.Around him a modest demeanour,And the varied multitude,The splendid prince of the North,The choicest of princes.

And when I fail in age,In the sore necessity of death,May I not be smiling,If I praise not Urien.

Song for Urien Rheged


Eg gorffowysLlyfr Taliesin XXXIII

Eg gorffowys

Can rychedwysParch ach vinnwys.A med meuedwys.Meuedwys medY oruoledA chein tiredImi yn ryfed.Aryfed mawrAc eur ac awr.Ac awr achetAchyfriuetAchyfruiyant.A rodi chwant.Chwant oe rodiYr vy llochi.Yt lad yt grycYt vac yt vyc.Yt vyc yt vac.Yt lad yn rac.Rachwed rothitY veird y byt.Byt yn geugantItti yt wedant Wrth dy ewyllis.Duw ryth perisRieu ygnisRac ofyn dybris.Annogyat katDiffreidyat gwlat.Gvlat diffreidyat.Kat annogyat Gnawt am danatTwrwf pystylat.Pystalat twrwfAc yuet cwrwf.Kwrwf oe yfetA chein trefretA chein tudetImi ryanllofet.Llwyfenyd van.Ac eirch achlan

Eg gorffowys


Yn vn tryganMawr abychanTaliessin ganTidi ae didan.Ys tidi goreuOr a gigleuY wrd lideu.Molaf inheuDy weithredeu.Ac yny vallwyf henYm dygyn agheu aghen.Ni bydif ym dirwenNa molwyf vryen.

Eg gorffowys


A Song for Urien RhegedBook of Taliesin XXXIII

In rest,

A song I kept.Respect and plentyAnd mead I possessed.I possessed mead.His triumph,And fair lands,A great wonder.And gold and hour,And hour and treasure,And plentyAnd esteem.And giving a desire,A desire of giving itTo encourage me.He slays, he plagues,He cherishes, he honours,He honours, he cherishes,He slays before him.Presence was givenTo the bards of the world.Ever certainlyTo thee they sayAccording to thy willGod hath caused to theeThe shoulder of kingsAgainst despicable fear.Incitement of battleThe protection of a country.The country protectedBattle of incitementUsual about theeThe tumult of capering,The capering of tumultAnd drinking of ale.Ale for the drinking,And a fair homestead,And beautiful clothing,To me has been extended.The lofty Llwyvenydd,And requests open.

A Song for Urien Rheged


In one dwellGreat and little.Taliesin’s song.Thou comfortest it.Thou art the bestOf those that have heardHis vehement animosities.I also will praiseThy deeds.

And until I fail in old age,in the sore necessity of death, May I not be smiling, If I praise not Urien.



Bei Lleas UrienLlyfr Taliesin XXXIV

Ar vn blyned

gwin a mall a med.Ac eilewyd gorot.ae pen ffuneuei pawb oe wytAe varch ydanawa chwanec anawwyth vgein vn lliwbiw blith ac ychenNy bydwn lawenys cu kyn eithydA briger wen olcheta gran gwyarlleta gwr bwrr bythic.Am ys gwin ffeleic.Am sorth am porth am pentauaw gwas yr drwsae dayar a gryndygwynyc ychyngarOssit vch ymrynOssit vch ym pantOssit vch ymynyd.Ossit vch yn riwOssit vch yg clawdVch hynt vch asNac vn trew na deuNy bydei ar newynGorgoryawc gorlassawceil agheu oed y par. vn yn darwedA gwrhyt diasseda heit am vereuAe tec gwyduaeudyfynt ymplymnwyt.yg godeu gweith mynaw.bud am li am law.o loi a biw.a phop kein agenbei lleas vryen.y eis kygryn kygryt.ac elor y dygetam waet gwyr gonodet.

Bei Lleas Vrien


A uei wedw y wreic.Am ys gwin mynyc gyltwn.kyn naphar kyfwyrein kymarangwarandaw py trwstae mor adugyn.wrth y pedyt.neut vryen ae gryn.neut vryen ae gwant.neut vryen a oruyd.neut vryen ae briw.neut vryen a blawd.vch ym pop kamas.ny nawd y raceu.a phreideu yny gylchyn.gorlassar.yn llad y escar.

Ac yny vallwyfi henYm dygyn agheu aghen.ny bydif ym dyrwen.na molwyf vryen.

Bei Lleas Vrien


A Song for Urien RhegedBook of Taliesin XXXIV

In one year

One that providesWine and bounty and mead,And manliness without enmity,And a musician excelling,With a swarm of spears about him.With ribbands at their heads,And their fair appearances.Every one went from his presence,They came into the conflict,And his horse under him.Purposing the affair of Mynaw.And more harmony,Advantage flowing about his hand.Eight score of one colourOf calves and cows.Much cows and oxen.And every fair need.I should not be joyfulIf Urien were slain.He is dear before he went.A Saxon shivering, trembling,With hair white-washed,And a bier his destiny,With a bloody face.For the blood of men a little protected.And a man of the intrenchment persevering,Whose wife is a widow.Mine is the wine of the prince,Mine is the wine of frequent parties,My chance, my aid, my head.Since the rising up will not causeA striking fronting one another.Porter, listen.What is the noise: is it the earth that quakes?Or is it the sea that swells?Whitened, clinging together, against the infantry.If there is a cry on the hill,Is it not Urien that terrifies?If there is a cry in the valley,Is it not Urien that pierces?



If there is a cry in the mountain,Is it not Urien that conquers?If there is a cry on the slope,Is it not Urien that wounds?If there is a sigh on the dyke,Is it not Urien that is active?A cry of a journey over the plain,A cry in every meandering vale.Nor will one sneeze or twoProtect from death.He would not be on famineWith spoils surrounding him.Over-querulous, trailing, of a blue tint.Like death was his spear,Killing his enemy.

And until I fail in old age,In. the sore necessity of death,May I not be smiling,If I praise not Urien.



Gweith Argoet LlwyfainLlyfr Taliesin XXXV

E Bore duw sadwrn kat uawr a uu.

or pan dwyre heul hyt pan gynnu.dygrysswys flamdwyn yn petwar llu.godeu a reget y ymdullu.dyuwy o argoet hyt arvynyd.ny cheffynt eiryos hyt yr vn dyd.Atorelwis flamdwyn vawr trebystawt.A dodynt yg gwystlon a ynt parawt.Ys attebwys. Owein dwyrein ffossawt.nyt dodynt nyt ydynt nyt parawt.A cheneu vab coel bydei kymwyawclew. kyn as talei o wystyl nebawt.Atorelwis vryen vd yr echwyd.o byd ymgyfaruot am gerenhyd.dyrchafwn eidoed oduch mynyd.Ac am porthwn wyneb oduch emyl.A dyrchafwn peleidyr oduch pen gwyr.A chyrchwn fflamdwyn yn y luyd.A lladwn ac ef ae gyweithyd.A rac gweith argoet llwyfeinby llawer kelein.Rudei vrein rac ryfel gwyr.A gwerin a grysswys gan einewyd.Armafy blwydyn nat wy kynnyd.

Ac yny vallwyfy henym dygyn agheu aghen.ny bydif ymdyrwenna molwyf vryen.

Gweith Argoet Llwyfain


The Affair Of Argoed LlwyfainThe Book of Taliesin XXXV

In the morning of Saturday there was a great battle,From when the sun rose until it gained its height.Flamdwyn hastened in four hostsGodeu and Reged to overwhelm.They extended from Argoed to Arvynyd.They retained not life during one day.Flaindwyn called out again, of great impetuosity,Will they give hostages? are they ready?Owain answered, Let the gashing appear,They will not give, they are not, they are not ready.And Ceneu, son of Coel, would be an irritated lionBefore he would give a hostage to any one.Urien called out again, the lord of the cultivated region,If there be a meeting for kindred,Let us raise a banner above the mountain,And advance our persons over the border.And let us misc our spears over the heads of men,And rush upon Flamdwyn in his army,And slaughter with him and his followers.And because of the affair of Argoed Llwyfain,There was many a corpse.The ravens were red from the warring of men.And the common people hurried with time tidings.And I will divine the year that I am not increasing.



The Affair of Argoed Llwyfain




Arddwyre RegedLlyfr Taliesin XXXVI

Ardwyre reget ryssed rieu.

neu ti rygosteis kyn bwyf teu.gnissynt kat lafnawr a chat vereu.Gnissynt wyr ydan kylch wyawr.lleeu gowy gwyn gwylein ymathreuny mat vrwytrwyt.Ri ny mat geuyd ymarmerth gwledic gwrth kymryeu.nys gyrr neges y geissatongochawn marchawc mwth molut gwryon.o dreic adaw doethaw don.yny doeth vlph yn treis ar y alon.hyny doeth vryen yn edyd yn aeron.ny bu kyfergyryat ny bu gynnwys.Talgynawt vryen yrac powysny bu hyfrwt brwt echen gyrryshyueid a goodin a lleu towys.dewr yn enmyned atheith gwyduwysdiueuyl dydwyn ygwaet gwydena weles lluyuenyd. Udyd kygryn.yn eidoed kyhoed yn eil mehynkat yn ryt alclut kat ymynuer.kat gellawr brewyn. kat hir eurur.kat ymprysc. katleu kat yn aberioed ydygyfranc adur breuermawr kat glutuein gweith pencoetllwyth llithyawc cun ar ormant gwaet.Atueilaw gwyn gouchyr kytmynan eigyl edyl gwrthryt.lletrud a gyfranc ac vlph yn rytgwell ganher gwledic pyr yganety vd prydein pen perchen broestlawny vd. nyt ymduc dillat na glas na gawrna choch nac ehoec vyc mor llawr.nyt ardodes y vordwyt dros voel maelawrveirch o genedyl vrych mor greidawl.Haf ydan ayaf ac araf llaw.A ryt a roywyd eu harwylaw.A gwest ydan geird ac ymdwyraw.Ac hyt orffen byt edrywyt kaw.gofydin goyscub. dyhawl am delwdilewr am leuuereu.

Arddwyre Reged


neu vi erthycheis yn eis rac hwydpeleidyr ar yscwyd. yscwyt yn llawgodeu a reget yn ymdullyaw.neu vi a weleis wr yn buarthaw.sarff soned virein segidyd lawr.Neu vi gogwn ryfel yd argollawr.Ar meint a gollwyf y argollawr.neu vi neu ymgorwyth medu medlyngan hyfeid hywr hywst dilynneu vi neu yscenhedeis kyscawt gweithendithrychwys vy rieu radeu lawengwacsa gwlat da. wrth uruwyn.

Ac yny vallwyfy henym dygyn agheu aghenny bydif ym dirwenna molwyf vryen.

Arddwyre Reged


Song for UrienBook of Taliesin XXXVI

Extol the career of the kings of Reged.

Was I not an expense to thee, though I am thineThey brandished the blade of battle, and spears of battle,Men brandished under the round shield; lightsWhite gulls trampled.It was not fell fought. A false king is not good.The Guledig will prepare himself against contusions.He will not drive the business of those that seek him.We shall have a nimble horseman, of Gwirion’s fame,A leader of fair promise, wise as Don.Until Ulph came with violence on his enemies.Until Urien came in the day to Aeron.He was not an agressor, there appeared notThe uplifted front of Urien before Powys.Was not easily treated the heat of the compact of the tribes,Hyveidd and Gododin and the lion prince.Bold in patience, and journey of joint summons.Without pollution he drew blood in his veins.(He) that saw Llwyvenydd humbly will tremble,A conspicuous banner in the second place,A battle in the ford of Alclud, a battle at the Inver.The battle of Cellawr Brewyn. The battle of Hireurur.A battle in the underwood of Cadleu, a battle in Aberioed.He interposes with the steel loud (and) great.The battle of Cludvein, the affair of the head of the wood.A tribe attracted of dogs to a plentitude of blood.To destroy supreme felicity is the aimOf the Angles, a hostile crew.Ruddy-stained from the conflict with Ulph at the ford.Better is born the Guledig, forward was born his lord,Prydain’s chief proprietor, harmonious his lord.He bare not clothes, either blue or gray,Or red or green; he will not honour the ground.He placed not his thigh over Mod Maelaur,On horses of the speckled race of Mor GreidiawlSummer until winter, and gently in hand,On ford, and course exercising them.And a guest under songs and exalting one’s self,And until the end of the world was perceived the band.They arrange, they sweep about chainless for an image,Uncowardly about lights did I not mangle?



I strove against the fall of spears on shoulders.Shield in hand, Godeu and Reged protecting;Did I not see a man folding cattle?A serpent of enchantment, a comely trampler of the ground.Do I not know a war wherein he was lost,And how much I lose by his perishing?I shall not be extremely angry to possess mead-Iiquor.From the heroic Hyveidd, of hospitable course.Wit not I that was permitted (to have) shelter of the battle.My kings were broken off from cheerful graces,Shelter of the country good to the oppressed.

And until I fail in age,In the sore necessity of death,May I not be smiling,If I praise not Urien.



Yspeil TaliessinLlyfr Taliesin XXXVII

Eg gwrhyt gogyueirch yn trafferth

gwaetwyf a wellwyf yn kerth wir.gweleis i rac neb nym gwelespop annwyl. ef diwyl y neges.Gweleis i pasc am leu am lys.Gweleis i deil o dyuyn adowys.Gweleis i keig kyhafal y blodeu.Neur weleis vd haelhaf y dedueu.Gweleis i lyw katraeth tra maeubit vy nar nwy hachar kymryeuGwerth vy nat mawr uyd y uud y radeupen maon milwyr am de. preid lydanpren onhyt yw vy awen gwenyscwydawr y rac glyw gloyw glas gwenglew ryhawt glewhaf vn yw vryen.nym gorseif gwarthegyd. gordeargoryawc gorlassawc gorlassargoriaga gordwyre. Pop reisag dilew du merwyd ymordeivd tra blawd yn yd el oth vod.Vared melynawr yn neuadmaranhedawc diffreidawc yn aeron.mawr y wyn y anyant. Ac eilonmawr dyfal ial am y alon.mawr gwrnerth ystlyned vrython.mal rot tanhwydin dros eluyd.mal ton teithiawc llwyfenyd.mal kathyl kyfliw gwen a gweithenVal mor mwynauawr yw vryen.Vn y[w] egin echangryt gwawr.Vn yw rieu rwyfyadur a dyawr.Vn yw maon meirch mwth miledawr.Dechreu mei ym powys bydinawr.Vn yw yn deuwy pan ofwy y weirin.Eryr tir tuhir tythremyn.Adunswn y ar orwyd ffysciolin.Tut ynyeil gwerth yspeil taliessin.Vn yw gwrys gwr llawr a gorwyd.Vn yn breyr benffyc y arglwyd.Vn yn hyd hydgre yn diuant.Vn yn bleid banadlawc anchwant.

Yspeil Taliessin


Vn yn gwlat vab eginyr.Ac vn wed ac vnswn katua ketwyrVnswn y drwc yieaian.A cheneu a nud hael a hirwlat y danaw.Ac os it yt wydif ym gwenEf gwneif beird byt yn llawen.kyn mynhwyf meirw meib gwydenGwaladyr gwaed gwenwlat Vryen.

Yspeil Taliessin


The Spoils of Taliesin, a Song to UrienLlyfr Taliesin XXXVII

Four Ancient Books of Wales

In manliness he will greet my trouble,

Should I be bled, I should evidently get better;Truly I saw no one before, who saw not in meEvery indisposition, he will cultivate his business.I saw a feeding about a lion for plants,I saw leaves of luxuriant growth.I saw a branch with equal blossoms.Did I not see a prince? most liberal his customs,I saw the ruler of Cathraeth beyond the plainsBe my oak the gleaming spirit of the Cymry.The value of my cry great will be its advantage to degrees.The chief of men, shield of warriors.The extensive booty of the ashen shaft is my fair Awen.A shield before a prince, bright his smile,Heroic, aspiring, the most heroic is UrienA merchant will not oppose me. TumultuousThe slothful one, brightly shines the blue of the enamelled covering; prolific and highly exaltedEvery one; a step without skill on the side of the watery fronts of the MordeiA chief excessively active to us he will come of thy will.Active the yellow-gray one in the hall.Full of people. A protector in Aeron.Great his energy, his poets, and his musicians,Very fierce is Ial against his enemies.May great strenght of men beconnected with Brython.Like the wheeling of a fiery meteor over the earth.Like a wave that governs Llwyvenydd.Like the harmonious ode of Gwen and Gweithen,Like Mor the greatly courteous is Urien.In his early career an intrepid hero.He is such a ruler of kings as Dyawr,He is one as a chaser of the swift horses of the multitude.In the beginning of May in Powys, in battle array,He is one, coming when he visits his people.Eagle of the land, extensive thy glance.I would have requested an active courserOf vigorous trot, the price of the spoil of Taliesin.One is the violent course on the bottom and the summit,One is the gift of a baron to a lord.One is the herd of stags in their fight.One is the wolf not covetous of broom,

The Spoils of Taliesin


One is the country where a son is born,And of one form and one sound is the battle-place of warriors.Of one sound they will evilly yokeAnd Ceneu and Nudd Hael, and an extensive country under him.And if I obtain for myself a smile, He will make the bards ever joyful.Before that I could wish dead the sons of Gwyden,May the happy country of Urien be filled with blood.

The Spoils of Taliesin


Rhagoriaeth GwallawcLlyfr Taliesin XXXVIII

En enw gwledic nef gorchordyon. rychanant

ry chwynant y dragon.Gwrthodes gogfres gwelydon lliawsrun a nud a nwython.ny golychaf an gnawt beird o vrython.Ryfed hael o sywyd sywedyd. Vn llerygethlyd rygethlicrydylyfaf rychanaf y wledic.yny wlat yd oed ergrynicnym gwnel nys gwnaf ec newic.Anhawd diollwg awdloed ny diffycy wledic ny omed.O edrych awdyl trwm teyrnedyny uyw nys deubyd bud bed.Ny digonont hoffed oe buchynt.kaletach yr arteith hael hynt.Toryf pressennawl tra phrydein tra phryderrygohoyw rylyccrawr rylyccrer.rytharnawr rybarnawr.rybarn pawb ygwr banheraeninat yn ygnat ac eluet.Nyt ygwr dilaw y daeretgwas greit agwrhyt gotraet.Eneichawc gwallawc ynllywet.hwyrwedawc gwallawc artebet.Ny ofyn yneb awnech udneut ym vd nac neut ychdarwerther tewued yn diwed haf.nys kynnyd namyn chwech.Chwechach it gynan o hynnydchwedlawc trwydedawc traeth dyd.Yeyrned ygwned nwys med mactebic heul haf huenydsoned ganmwyhaf kenhafgan doeth ygan llu eilassafbint bydi derwyt bryt hafpryt mab lleenawc lliawc.Hamgwawl gwnngwawl.gwnn gwres. tarth gwres gwres tarthtra gynnis yd eghis heb warth.cleda cledifa cledifarch.

Rhagoriaeth Gwallawc


Nyt amtyrr y lu y ledrat.nyt amescut y gaw y kywlat.Tyllynt tal yscwydawr rac taleu y veirch.O march trwst moryal.rithcar riallu gwynawcrigwystlant gweiryd goludawco gaer glut hyt gaer garadawc.ystadyl tir penprys a gwallawcteyrned tewrn tagwedawc.

Rhagoriaeth Gwallawc


Song on Gwallawg ab LleenawgBook of Taliesin XXXVIII

In the name of the Ruler of the high powers of heaven,

They sing of, they deplore the prince;He rejected uniform ranks of the rulers,Of the hosts of Rhun and Nudd and Nwython.I will not praise contrary to the custom of the Bards of the Brython.Wonderfully liberal of the knowledge of astrologers.One station of the complete songster; excellent of song,I ardently desire; I will sing to the Guledig.In the country where he was trembling,He will not cause me to be unable to form the lay.It is difficult to utter odes;That will not be deficient to the Guledig that does not refuse.Of looking at a heavy ode of sovereigntyIn his life will not come the advantage of the grave.They will not be satisfied with the gratification of their lives.Harder the torment of a liberal course,A multitude present beyond Prydain.Thy excessive care of the too sprightly is corrupted.Let it be corrupted. He shall be cut to pieces he shall be judged.He will judge all, the supreme man.With his will as a judge; and let him be benefited,Not the man that claims the mortuary.A youth violent that regrets the milky food,Like the herald of Gwallawg guiding on.Of a forbearing aspect is the countenance of Gwallawg.He inquires of no one what he has doneIs he not my chief? Is there not sold to youThick mead in the end of summer?There will not increase save six.Sweeter to thee is conversation from elders.Talkative is the privileged oratorOf kings in the luxuriant circle of the good mead.Like the sun, the warm animator of summer, let him sound the greatest song.I will sing the wise song, the song of the host of harmony, They will be, thou wilt be a Druid in summer time, the aspect of the sonOf Lleenawg, with a flowing manly robe.Light, a robe of heat; vapour of heat, heat of vapour.Whilst it rose it was contained without disgrace.A sword will destroy the swordsman’s horse;His host will not break me to theft,The native country of a slave is not free to him,

Song on Gwallawg ab Lleenawg


They will perforate the fronts of shields before the fronts of horses.From his steed of tumult Morial shall appear before the hostFiercely impassioned. They shall pledge the rich plainsFrom Caer Clud to Caer Caradawg,The support of the land of Penprys and Gwallawg,The king of the kings of tranquil aspect.

Song on Gwallawg ab Lleenawg


Dadolwch VryenLlyfr Taliesin XXXIX

Lleuuyd echassaf

vryen a gyrchaf.pan del vygwaessaf.Ar parth goreuhafNyt mawr ym dawr bythNyt af attaduntNy chyrchafi gogledkyn pei am laweredNyt reit im hoffed.Lloyfenyd tiredYs meu y gwyled.ys meu y delideumed o uualeugan teyrn goreu.Teyrned pop ieithRagot yt gwynirKyt ef mynasswnNyt oed well a gerwn.weithon y gwelafNamyn y duw vchafDy teyrn veibonWykanan eu hyscyrron

minyw dirmygaf.idaw yt ganaf.kynnwys a gaffaf.ydan eilassaf.gweheleith a welaf.ganthunt ny bydaf.ar meiteyrned.y gwnelwn gyghwystled.Vyren nym gomed.ys meu eu reufed.ys meu y llared.ae gorefrasseua da dieisseu.haelaf rygigleu.it oll yd ynt geith.ys dir dy oleith.gweyhelu henwn.kyn ys gwybydwn.

Dadolwch Vryen


y meint a gaffaf.nys dioferaf.haelaf dynedonyn tired eu galon.

Ac yny vallwyfi henym dygyn agheu aghenny bydaf ym dirwenna molwyfi vryen.

Dadolwch Vryen


The Satisfaction of UrienBook of Taliesin XXXIX

The lion will be most implacable;

I will not deplore him.Urien I will approach,To him I will sing.When will come my surety,I shall obtain admission.Of the very best part,Under the flow of melody,It concerns me not much,The everlasting lineage which I see.I will not go to them, I will not be with them.I will not address the NorthAnd the kings of the plain.Though there should be for manyThat I should see a mutual pledging.I have no need of affection:Urien will not refuse meThe lands of Llwyvenydd.Mine is their wealth,Mine are the festivals,Mine is the produce,Mine are the metals,And its rich productions.Mead out of buffalo-hornsAnd good in abundance,From the best prince,The most generous that has been heard of.The chiefs of every languageTo thee are all captive.For thee there will be lamentation when thy death is certain.Though I should have preferred himAfter being benefited, I would grow old.There was not one that I loved better,(Of those) that I knew before.At times I seeThe amount of what I shall have.Except to God supreme,I will not renounceThy royal sons,The most generous of men,Their spears shall resound

The Satisfaction of Urien


In the land of their enemies.



The Satisfaction of Urien


Marwnat ErofLlyfr Taliesin XL

Ymchoeles eluyd

val nos yn dydodyfot clot rydercwlff pen bedyd.Ercwlff adywedei.agheu nas riuei.yscwydawr ymordeiarnaw atorrei.Ercwlf sywessydermin lloer egyd.Pedeir colofneu kyhytrudeur areu hyt.Colofneu ercwlfnys arueid bygwl.Bygwl nys beidei.Gwres heul nys gadei.Nyt yd aeth neb is nefhyt yd aeth ef.Ercwlf mur ffossawt.As am dut tywawt.As rodwy trindawtrugared dydbrawtyn vndawt heb eisseu.


Marwnat Erof


The Death-song of Erof.The Book of Taliesin XL.


WERE changed the elements

Like night into day,When came the gloriously-free,Ercwlf chief of baptism.Ercwlf said,That he valued not death.Shield of the MordeiUpon him it broke.Ercwlf the arranger,Determined, frantic.Four columns of equal length;Ruddy gold along them.The columns of ErcwlfWill not dare a threatening,A threatening will not dare.The heat of the sun did not leave him.No one went to heavenUntil went he,Ercwlf the wall-piercer.May the sand be my covering,May the Trinity grant meMercy on the day of judgment,In unity without want.

"Ercwlf" is Hercules. Interestingly enough, Hercules is equated with Ogmios, the god credited with inventing ogham, theCeltic alphabet, and with John the Baptist, which may explain "Ercwlf chief of baptism."

However, "Erof" is never mentioned in this poem, but in the poem following it.

The Death


Marwnat MadawgLlyfr Taliesin XLI

Madawc mur menwyt.

Madawc kyn bu bed.Bu dinas edryssed.O gamp a chymwed.Mab vythyr kyn lleasOe law dy wystlas.Dybu erof greulawn.Llewenyd anwogawn.Tristyt anwogawn.A oryw erof greulawn.Brattau iessuAc ef yn credu.Dayar yn crynuac eluyd yn gardu.A chyscoc ar ybytA bedyd ar grytLlam anwogawnA oryw erof creulawn.Mynet yn y trefynYm plith oer gethernHyt yg waelawt vffern.

Marwnat Madawg


The Death-Song of MadawgThe Book of Taliesin XLI.


MADAWG,1 the joy of the wall,

Madawg, before he was in the grave,Was a fortress of abundanceOf games, and society.The son of Uthyr before he was slain,From his hand he pledged thee.Erof the cruel came,Of impotent joy;Of impotent sorrow.Erof the cruel causedTreacheries to Jesus.Though he believed.The earth quaking,And the elements darkening,And a shadow on the world,And baptism trembling.An impotent stepWas taken by fierce Erof,Going in the course of thingsAmong the hideous fiendsEven to the bottom of Uffern.2

1. In "Arthur and Eilwod," Madawg is mentioned as a son of Uthyr, and hence the brother of Arthur, who was slain. It ispossible that there is an early tradition (or even fact) that Arthur was the younger brother, that Madawg was intended as thesuccessor but was killed by one Erof, and that Arthur was then hidden for safety.

2. Uffern: lit. "hell" from the Latin "inferno"

The Death


http://us.geocities.com/branwaedd/eagle.html

Marwnat Corroi m. DayryLlyfr Taliesin XLII

Dy ffynhawn lydan dylleinw aches.

Dydaw dyhebcyr dy bris dybrys.Marwnat corroy am kyffroes.Oer deni gwr garw y anwyteu.A oed voy y drwc nys mawr gicleuMab dayry dalei lyw ar vor deheuDathyl oed y glot kyn noe adneu.Dy ffynhawn lydan delleinw nonneu.Dydaw dyhebcyr dybrwys dybreu.Mawrnat corroy genhyfinheu.Oer deni.Dy ffynhawn lydan dylleinw dyllyr.Dy sawth dychyrch traeth diuwg dybyr.Gwr a werescyn mawr y varanres.A wedy mynaw mynet trefyd.A --ant wy ffres ffra wynyonyd.Tra uu uudugere bore dugrawr.Chwedleu am gwydir owir hytlawr.Kyfranc corroi a chocholyn.Lliaws eu teruysc am eu teruyn.Tardei pen amwern gwerin goaduwyn.Kaer y sy gulwyd ny gwyd ny grin.Gwyn y vyt yr eneit ae harobryn.

Marwnat Corroi m. Dayry


The Death-song of Corroi, Son of Dayry.The Book of Taliesin XLII.


THY large fountain fills the river,

Thy coming will make thy value of little worth,The death-song of Corroy agitates me.If the warrior will allure, rough his temper.And his evil was greater than its renown was great,To seize the son of Dayry, lord of the southern sea,Celebrated was his praise before she was entrusted to him.

Thy large fountain fills the stream.Thy coming will cause saddling without haste,The death-song of Corroi is with me now,If (the warrior) will allure.

Thy large fountain fills the deep.Thy arrows traverse the strand, not frowning or depressed.The warrior conquers, great his rank of soldiers,And after penetrating enters townsAnd . . . the pure stream was promptly whitened.Whilst the victorious one in the morning heaps carnage;Tales will be known to me from sky to earth,Of the contention of Corroi and Cocholyn,Numerous their tumults about their borders,Springs the chief o'er the surrounding mead of the somewhat gentle wood.A Caer there was, love-diffusing, not paling, not trembling. Happy is he whose soul is rewarded.

This poem, interestingly enough, refers specifically to the Irish story "The Tragic Death of Cu-Roi mac Dairi," from theUlster Cycle. The "Cocholyn" who causes Corroi's death is the hero Cu Chulain/Cuchulainn. The "she" referred to in thefirst stanza is Blathnat, the wife of Cu-Roi, who was carried off by him, but was the lover of Cuchulainn. In some ways,the story--particularly the name of the woman--parallels the story of Lleu Llaw Gyffes in The Mabinogi, with Lleu asCu-Roi, Cuchulainn as Gronw, and Blathnat as Bloddeuwed (both their names mean "flowerface" or something similar).

The poem also shows the extent of Irish influence--particularly that of Ulster--on Welsh literature and myth by the time ofthe eleventh or twelfth century; the other prominent example of direct influence (as opposed to similarities of theme) isthat of "Culhwch and Olwen," wherein Irish heroes of the Ulster cycle are listed among Arthur's warriors, and in the storyof "Branwen uerch Llyr," in which the iron house of "The Intoxication of the Ulstermen" is used.

The Death of Corroi


http://us.geocities.com/branwaedd/mabinogi.html

http://us.geocities.com/branwaedd/culhwch1.html


Marwnat Dylan Eil TonLlyfr Taliesin XLIII

Taliesin ae cant

An duw uchaf dewin doethaf mwyhaf aued

Py delifmaes pwy ae swynas ynllaw trahael.Neu gynt noc ef. pwy uu tagnef ar redyf gefel.Gwrthrif gwaftrawt gwenwyn awnaeth gweith gwythloned. Gwanu dylan. Addythic lan. treif ynhytyruer.Ton iwerdon. Athon yanad. athon ogled.Athon prydein toruoed virein yn petwared. Golychafi tat duw douydat gwlat heb om-ed. Creawdyr celi an kynnwyf ni yn trugared.

Marwnat Dylan eil Ton


The Death-song of Dylan, son of the WaveThe Book of Taliesin XLIII


ONE God Supreme, divine, the wisest, the greatest his habitation,

When he came to the field, who charmed him in the hand of the extremely liberal.Or sooner than he, who was on peace on the nature of a turn.An opposing groom, poison made, a wrathful deed,Piercing Dylan, a mischievous shore, violence freely flowing.Wave of Iwerdon, and wave of Manau, and wave of the North,And wave of Prydain, hosts comely in fours.I will adore the Father God, the. regulator of the country, without refusing.The Creator of Heaven, may he admit us into mercy.

1. "wave of Iwerdon...North": Iwerdon--Ireland; Manau--North Britain; "The North"--lit. Prydyn, Southern Scotland, ruledby Picts.

Dylan was the twin-brother of Lleu and hence son of Arianrhod.

The Death-song of Dylan, son of the Wave


Marwnad OweinLlyfr Taliesin XLIV

Eneit owein ap vryen.

gobwyllit y ren oe reit.Reget ud ae cud tromlas.nyt oed vas y gywydeit.Iscell kerdglyt clot uawrescyll gawr gwaywawr llifeit.canycheffir kystedlyd.y vd llewenyd llatreit.Medel galon geueilat.eissylut y tat ae teit.Pan ladawd Owein fflamdwyn.Nyt oed uwy noc et kysceit.kyscit lloegyr llydan nifera leuuer yn eu llygeit.A rei ny ffoynt hayach.a oedynt [hya]ch no reit.Owein ae cospes yn drutmal cnut [y]n dylut deueit.Gwr gwiw uch y amliw seirch.a rodei veirch y eircheit.kyt as cronyei mal calet.ny rannet rac y eneit.Eneit. O. ap vryen.

Marwnad Owein


The Death-Song of OwainBook of Taliesin XLIV

The soul of Owain son of Urien. May its Lord consider its need.

The chief of Reged, the heavy sward conceals him. His knowledge was not shallow.A low cell (contains) the renowned protector of bards, the wings of dawn were the flowing of his lances.For there will not be found a match for the chief of the glittering west.The reaper of the tenacious foes. The offspring of his father and grandfather.When Flamdwyn killed Owain, there was not one greater than he sleeping.A wide number of Lloegyr went to sleep with light in their eyesAnd those that fled not instantly were beyond necessity.Owain valiantly chastised them, like a pack (of wolves) pursuing sheep.A worthy man, upon his many-coloured trappings, he would give horses to those that asked.While he hoarded hard money, it was not shared for his soul.The soul of Owain, son of Urien.


The Death-Song of Owain




Marwnat AeddonLlyfr Taliesin XLV

Echrys ynys gwawt hu ynys gwrys gobetror.

Mon mat goge gwrhyt eruei. menei y dor.Lleweis wirawt gwin a bragawt gan vrawt escor.Tyrn wofrwy diwed pop rwyf rewinetor.Tristlawn deon yr archaedon kan rychior.Nyt uu nyt vi ygkymelri y gyfeissor.Pan doeth aedon. o wlat wytyon seon teudor.Gwenwyn pyr doeth pedeir pennoeth meinoeth tymborKwyndynt kyfoet ny bu clyt coet gwynt ygohor.Math ac eunyd. hutwyt geluyd ryd eluinor.Y myw gwytyon ac amaethon. at oed kyghor.Twll tal y rodawc ffyryf ffodiawc. ffyryf diachor.Katarn gygres y varanres ny bu werthuor.Katarn gyfed ym pop gorsed gwnelit y vod.Cu kynaethwy hyt tra uwyf uyw kyr bwylletor.Am bwyfi gan grist. hyt na bwyf trist ran ebostol.Hael archaedon gan egylyon. cynwyssetor.

Echrys ynys gwawt hynys gwrys gochyma.

Y rac budwas. kymry dinas. aros ara.Draganawl ben priodawr perchen ymretonia.Difa gwledic or bendefic ae tu terra.Pedeir morwyn wedy eu cwyn dygnawt eu tra.Erdygnawt wir ar vor heb ar tir hir eu trefra.Oe wironyn na digonyn dim gofettra.Kerydus wyf na chyrbwyllwyf am rywnel da.Y lwrw lywy pwy gwahardwy pwy attrefna.Y wrw aedon pwy gynheil mon mwyn gowala.Am bwyfi gan grist hyt na bwyf trist o drwc o da.Ran trugared y wlat ried buched gyfa.

Marwnat Aeddon


The Elegy of Aeddon MorThe Book of Taliesin XLV

from The Four Ancient Books of Wales

Disturbed is the isle of the praise of Hu, the isle of the severe recompenser

Mona of the good bowls, of active manliness. The Menei its door.I have drunk liquor of wine and bragget, from a brother departed.The universal sovereign, the end of every king, the ruinator.Sorrowful (is) the Dean, since the Archdeacon is interred.There has not been, there will not be in tribulation his equal.When Aeddon come from the country of Gwydyen, the thickly covered Seon.A pure poison came four nightly fine-night seasons.The contemporaries fell, the woods were no shelter against the wind on the coast.Math and Eunyd, skilful with the magic wand, freed the elements.In the life of Gwydion and Amaethon, there was counsel.Pierced (is) the front of the shield of the strong, fortunate, strong irresistibly.The powerful combination of his front rank, it was not of great account.Strong (in) feasting; in every assembly his will was done.Beloved he went first; while I am alive, he shall be commemorated.May I be with Christ, so that I may not be sorrowful, when an apostle,The generous Archdeacon amounts angels may he be contained.

Disturbed (is) the isle of the praise of Hu, the isle of the severe ruler.

Before the victorious youth, the fortress of the Cymry remained tranquil.The dragon chief, a rightful proprietor in Prydein.A sovereign is gone, alas! the chief that is gone to the earth.Four damsels, after their lamentation, performed their office.Very grievous truly on sea, without land, long their dwelling.On account of his integrity (it was) that they were not satiated with distress.I am blamable if I mention not his good action.In the place of Llywy, who shall prohibit, who shall order?In the place of Aeddon, who shall support Mona's gentle authorities?May I be with Christ, that I may not be sorrowful, for evil or good.Share of mercy in the country of the governor of perfect life.

From W.F. Skene's The Four Ancient Books of Wales. Aeddon is Taliesin's son, as said in theMabiongion's "Dream of Rhonabwy". The references to Gwydion, Math, and Amaethon are reminiscentof the Cad Goddeu; the mention of a "Dragon Chief" would in Welsh be "Pendragwn"--Pendragon, thetitle of King Arthur. Mona is the Isle of Anglesy, off the coast of Wales. Hu Gadarn might by Lleu, butis mostly likely a French Romantic hero, transferred to thirteenth century Wales, not the ancient god IoloMorganawg thought him to be.

The Death-song of Aeddon Mor



The Death-song of Aeddon Mor



Marwnad CuneddaLlyfr Taliesin XLVI

Mydwyf taliessin deryd gwawt godolaf vedyd.

Bedyd rwyd rifedeu eidolyd.kyfrwnc allt ac allt ac echwydErgrynawr cunedaf creisseryd.ygkaer weir achaer liwelyd.Ergrynawt kyfatwt kyfergyr.kyfanwanec tan tramyr ton.llupawt glew ygilyd.kan kafas y whel uch eluyd.mal vcheneit gwynt wrth onwyd.kefynderchyn ygwn ygyfyl kyfachetwyn achoelyn kerenhyd.Gwiscant veird kywrein kanonhyd.marw cunedaf agwynaf agwynit.Cwynitor tewdor tewdum diarchar.Dychyfal dychyfun dyfynveisdyfyngleis dychyfun.Ymadrawd cwdwdawd caletlwm.kaletach wrth elyn noc ascwrn.ys kynyal cunedaf kyn kywys athytwet.ywyneb a gatwet kanweith cyn bu lleith yndorglwytDychludent wyr bryneich ympymlwyt.Ef canet racyofyn ae arswyt oergerdet.kyn bu dayr dogyn ydwet.heit haual am wydwal gwnebrwyt.gweinaw gwaeth llyfred noc adwyt.Adoet hun dimyaw agwynaf amlys am grys cynedafAm ryaflaw hallt am hydyruer mor.Am breid afwrn aballaf.gwawt veird aogon aogaf.Ac ereill arefon arifaf.Ryfedawr yn erulawdAnaw cant gorwyd kyn kymun cuneda.Rymafei biw blith yrhaf.Rymafei edystrawt ygayaf.Rymafei win gloyw ac olew.Rymafei torof keith rac vn trew.Ef dyfal ogressur o gyflew gweladur.Pennadur pryt llew lludwy uedei gywlat rac mab edern kyn edyrn anaelew.Ef dywal diarchar diedig.Am ryfreu agheu dychyfyg.Ef goborthi aes ymanregorawl gwir gwrawl oed y vnbyn.

Marwnad Cunedda


Dymhun achyfatcun athal gwin kamda.diua hun o goelig.

Marwnad Cunedda


The Death-son of CuneddaThe Book of Taliesin XLVI


I AM Taliesin the ardent;

I will enrich the praise of baptism.At the baptism of the ruler, the worshipper wondered,The conflict of the rocks and rocks and plain.There is trembling from fear of Cunedda the burner,In Caer Weir and Caer Lliwelydd.There is trembling from the mutual encounter.A complete billow of fire over the seas,A wave in which the brave fell among his companions.A hundred received his attack on the earth,Like the roaring of the wind against the ashen spears.His dogs raised their backs at his presence,They protected, and believed in his kindness.The bards are arranged according to accurate canons.The death of Cunedda, which I deplore, is deplored.Deplored be the strong protector, the fearless defender,He will assimilate, he will agree with the deep and shallow,A deep cutting he will agree to.(His) discourse raised up the bard stricken in poverty.Harder against an enemy than a bone.Pre-eminent is Cunedda before the furrow (i. e. the grave)And the sod. His face was keptA hundred times before there was dissolution. A doorhurdleThe men of Bryniich carried in the battle.They became pale from fear of him and his terror chillmoving.Before the earth was the portion of his end.Like a swarm of swift dogs about a thicket.Sheathing (swords is) a worse co~vardice than adversity.The destiny of an annihilating sleep I deplore,For the palace, for the shirt of Cunedda;For the salt streams, for the freely-dropping sea.For the prey, and the quantity I lose.The sarcasm of bards that disparage I will harrow,And others that thicken I will count.He was to be admired in the tumult with nine hundred horse.Before the communion of Cunedda,There would be to me much cows in summer,There would be to me a steed in winter,There would be to me bright wine and oil.There would be to me a troop of slaves against any advance.

The Death-Song of Cunedda


He was diligent of heat from an equally brave visitor.A chief of lion aspect, ashes become his fellow-countrymen,Against the son of Edern,1 before the supremacy of terrors,He was fierce, dauntless, irresistible,For the streams of death he is distressed.He carried the shield in the pre-eminent place,Truly valiant were his princes.Sleepiness, and condolence, and pale front,A good step, will destroy sleep from a believer.

1. "son of Edern": Cunedda was the son of Edern son of Padern. Cunedda founded the dynasty of Gwynedd in the third orfourth century--literally, he was "ruler of the Votadini" (Latin for "Gwynedd"). Moreover, his lineage suggests Romanparentage--"Edern son of Pader" is "Aeternus son of Paternus," common Roman names.

Most rulers of Wales could trace their lineage back to him; even the British royal family of today could, if they felt like it:through Henry II to Scotland, from Kenneth mac Alpin to Bruide, who was descended of Maelgwn Gwynedd, who wasdescended of Cunedda. Fun piece of trivia for ya.

The Death-Song of Cunedda


Armes Prydain BychanLlyfr Taliesin XLVII

Dygogan awen dygobryssyn.

Maranhed ameuued a hed genhyn.A phennaeth ehalaeth a ffraeth vnbyn.A gwedy dyhed anhed ym pop mehyn.Seith meib o veli dyrchafyssyn.Kaaswallawn alludd a chestudyn.Diwed plo coll iago o tir prydyn.Gwlat uerw dyderuyd hyt valaon.Lluddedic eu hoelyon ym deithic eu hafwyn.Gwlat wehyn vargotyon.Kollawt kymry oll eu haelder.Ynrygystlyned o pennaeth weisson.Rydybyd llyminawcA uyd gwr chwannawcY werescyn monA rewinyaw gwyned.Oe heithaf oe pherued.Oe dechreu oe diwed.A chymryt y gwystlon.Ystic y wynebNyt estwg y nebNa chymry na saesson.Dydaw gwr o gwdA wna kyfamrud.A chat y gynhon.Arall a dyfydPellenawc y luydLlewenyd y vrython.

Armes Prydain Bychan


The Lesser Prophecy of BritainBook of Taliesin XLVII

The Awen foretells the hastening of

The multitude, possessed of wealth and peaceAnd a bountiful sovereign, and eloquent princes,And after tranquillity, commotion in every place.The seven sons of Beli arose.Caswallawn, and Lludd, and Cestuddyn,Diwed, Plo, Coil, Iago from the land of Prydyn.A country boiling will be made as far as Balaon.Tiied out their nails, ready for journeying thcir reins.Borderers of a ravaging country.The Cymry lost all their bounty.In the alliance of the sovereign’s servants,Llyminawg will appearWho will be an ambitious man,To subdue Mona,And to ruin Gwynedd,From its extremity to its centre.From its beginning, from its end,And to take its pledges.Persevering his face,lie will submit to none,Whether Cymry or Saxons.A person will come from concealment,That will make an universal stain of red,And a battle of strifes.Another will come,Far-extending his armies,A triumph to the Brython.


The Awen foretells the hastening




Marwnat Vthyr Pen[dragon]Llyfr Taliesin XLVIII

Neu vi luossawc yntrydar.

Ny pheidwn rwg deulu heb wyar.Neu vi a elwir gorlassar.Vygwreys bu enuys ym hescar.Neu vi tywyssawc yn tywyllAm rithwy am dwy pen kawell.Neu vi eil kawyl yn ardu.Ny pheidwn heb wyar rwg deulu.Neu via amuc vy achlessur.Yn difant a charant casnur.Neur ordyfneis i waet am wythur.Cledyfal hydyr rac meibon cawrnur.Neu vi araunwys vy echlessur.Nawuetran yg gwrhyt arthur.Neu vi a torreis cant kaer.Neu vi aledeis cant maer.Neu vi arodeis cant llen.Neu vi aledeis cant pen.Neu vi arodeis i henpen.Cledyfawr goruawr gyghallen.Neu vi oreu terenhydNayarndor edeithor penmynyd.Ym gweduit ym gofit. hydyr oed gyhir.Nyt oed vyt ny bei fy eissillyd.Midwyf bard moladwy yghywreint.Poet y gan vrein ac eryr ac wytheint.Auacdu ae deubu y gymeint.Pan ymbyrth petrywyr rwg dwy geint.Drigyaw y nefoed ef vychwant.rac eryr rac ofyn amheirant.Wyf bard ac wyf telynawr.Wyf pibyd ac wyf crythawr.Seith vgein kerdawr dygoruawrGyghallen. bu kalch vri vriniat.Hu escyll edeinat.Dy vab dy veirdnatDy veir dewndat.Vyn tauawnt y traethu vy marwnat.Handit o meinat gwrth glodyatByt pryt prydein hyscein ymhwyllat.Gwledic nef ygkennadeu nam doat.

Marwnat Vthyr Pendragon


Marwnat Vthyr Pendragon


The Death-song of Uther PendragonThe Book of Taliesin XLVIII


Am I not with hosts making a din?

I would not cease, between two hosts, without gore.Am I not he that is called Gorlassar?My belt was a rainbow to my foe.Am I not a prince, in darkness,(To him) that takes my appearance with my two chief baskets?Am I not, like Cawyl, ploughing?I would not cease without gore between two hosts.Is it not I that will defend my sanctuary?In separating with the friends of wrath.Have I not been accustomed to blood about the wrathful,A sword-stroke daring against the sons of Cawrnur?I shared my shelter,a ninth share in Arthur's valour.I broke a hundred forts.I slew a hundred stewards.I bestowed a hundred mantles.I cut off a hundred heads.I gave to an old chiefvery great swords of protection.Is it not I that performed the rights of purification,When Hayarndor went to the top of the mountain?To my deprivation, to my sorrow, sinew was brave.The world would not be if not for my offspring.I am a bard to be praised. The unskilfulMay he be possessed by the ravens and eagle and bird of wrath.Avagddu came to him with his equal,When the bands of four men feed between two plains.Abiding in heaven was he, my desire,Against teh eagle, against the fear of the unskilful.I am a bard, and I am a harper,I am a piper, and I am a crowder.Of seven score musicians the very great enchanter.There was of the enamelled honor the privilege.Hu of the expanded wings.Thy son, thy barded proclamation,Thy steward, of a gifted father.My tongue to recite my death-song.If of stone-work the opposing wall of the world.May the countenance of Prydain be bright for my guidance.

The Death-song of Uther Pendragon


Sovereign of heaven, let my messages not be rejected

The Death-song of Uther Pendragon


Kein GyfedwchLlyfr Taliesin XLIX

Kein gyfedwch

Y am deulwchLlwch am pleit.Pleit am gaer.Kaer yn ehaerRy yscrifyatVirein ffo racdaw.Ar lleg kawMwyedic ueinDreic amgyffreu.O duch lleeuLlestreu llat.Llat yn eurgyrn.Eurgyrn yn llaw.Llaw yn ysci.Ysci ymodrydafUur ythiolafBudic veliAmhanogan. riRygeidw y teithi.Ynys vel veliTeithiawc oed idi.Pymp pennaeth dimbiO wydyl ffichtiO pechadur kadeithiO genedyl ysci.Pymp. ereill dymgoiO nordmyn mandi.Whechet ryfedri.O heu hyt vedi.seithuet o heniY weryt dros li.Wythuet lin x a dyuiNyt llwyded escori.Gynt gwaed venni.Galwawr eryriAnhawd y deui.Iolwn eloiPan ynbo gan geliAdef nef dimbi.

Kein Gyfedwch


Kein Gyfedwch


A bright festivityBook of Taliesin XLIX

A bright festivity

About the two lakes,The lake on my side.The side about the Caer,The Caer in urgencyHas been described.A comely flight from it;And the legion of the bandAugmented stones.The dragon will flow around,Above the places,Vessels of liquor,Liquor in golden horns,Golden horns in hand,hand on the knife,The knife on the rallying point.Truly I implore thee,Victorious Beli,Son of Manogan, the king,That will preserve the qualitiesOf the honey isle of Beli,He had a right to it.Five chiefs there will beOf the Gwyddyl Ffichti,Of a sinner’s disposition,Of the race of the knife.Five others there will be,Of the Norddmyn’s place,The sixth a wonderful king,From sowing to reaping.The seventh proceededTo land over the flood.The eighth of the line of Dyvi.Shall not be separated from prosperity,Before the shout of Venni.The calls of Eryri.With difficulty thou wilt come.Let us implore Eloi,When we may be with Celi,A dwelling of heaven will be to me.

A bright festivity



A bright festivity




Rydyrchafwy duwLlyfr Taliesin L

Rydyrchafwy duw ar plwyf brython

Arwyd llewenyd lluyd o von.Kyfryssed gwyned brys gorchordyon.Ffaw claer o pop aer kaffel gwystlon.Powys dybydant dwys ygkyfleudon.Gwyr goruyn gorynt ar eu deduon.Deulu yd ant bydant gysson.Yn vn redyf vn eir kyweir kymon.Kyfranantyn iawn keredigiawn vaon.Pan welych wyr ryn am lyn aeron.Pan vo trwm tywi a theiui auon.Wy gwnant aer ar vrys am lys lonyon.A geunis adewis yn orllwython.Ny nothwy dinass oed rac yr wython.Dynclut. dyn maerut dyn daryfon.Nyt oed lwyr degyn dyn riedonPan dyfu gatwallawnDros eigyawn iwerdon.Yd atrefnwys nefwy yn ardnefon.Keinyadon moch clywyf eu gofalon.Marchawc lu mor taer am gaer llion.A dial idwal ar aranwynyon.A gware pelre a phen saesson.Ys trabludyo y gath vreith ae haghyfieithon.O ryt ar taradyr hyt ym porth wygyr y mon.Ieuanc didwynas dinas maon.Or pan amygir mel a meillon.Gadent eu hamrydar ae hamrysson.Nyt diwystyl godi dic wrth alon.rydyrchafwy duw ar plwyf brython.

Rydyrchafwy Duw


May God exaltBook of Taliesin L

May God exalt over the community of Brythou

The sign of gladness of a host from Mona.There is a contention among the active patriots of Gwynedd.Of bright radiancy, from every battle to have pledges.Powys will become grave in embraces.Men, great-craving, will act on their laws.Two hosts will go, they will be consonant.Of one disposition, of one word, harmonious, compact.They will divide justly the people of Ceredigiawn.When thou seest men few about Llyn Aeron.When will be heavy Tywi and Teivi rivers,They will make battle in haste about Llys Llonion.What he saw he left over-ladet.He protected not cities from indignations.A man warm, a man that guards, a man of impulse.He was not an utterly clownish man, Rieddomt.When Cadwallawn cameOver the ocean of Iwerdon,He regulated heaven as high creator.Songsters, soon may I hear their cares,An army of horsemen so harassing about Caer Llion,And the revenge of Idwal on Aranwynyon,And playing at ball with heads of Saxons.There will be troubled the Cat Vreith and its strange language,From the ford at Taradyr, as far as Perth Wygyr in Mona. A youth brought them to Dinas Mona.From the time when is defended the honey and cloverThey leave their noise and contention,Not unpledged to raise anger against enemies.May God exalt over the community of Brython.


May God exalt




Trindawt tragywydLlyfr Taliesin LI

Trindawt tragywyd

A oreu eluyd.A gwedy eluydAdaf yn geluyd.A gwedy adaf.Day goreu eua.Yr israel bendigeitA oreu murgreit.Gwrd y gyrbwylleit.Glan y gywydeit.Deudec tref yr israel. dwyrein gywychafael.Deudec meib yr israel. a oreu duw hael.Deudec meib yr israel buant gytuaeth.Deudec du dinam. teir mam ae maeth.Vn gwr ae crewys creawdyr ae gwnaeth.Mal y gwna a vynho a uo pennaeth.Deudeg meib yr israel a wnaeth culwyd.mal y gwna a vynho a uo arglwyd.Deudec meib yr israel a wnaeth dofyd.Maly y gwna a vynho a vo keluyd.Deudec meib yr israel dymgofuO ganhat iessu.Ac vn tat ae buAtheir mam udu.O nadu y doeth ratAc eissydyd mat.A meir mat great.A christ vy nerthat.Arglwyd pop gwenwlat.A alwaf a eilw pop ryd.Hu bo vyg hynnyd.Genhyt gerenhyd.

Trindawt tragywyd


The Eternal TrinityBook of Taliesin LI

The eternal Trinity

Made the element,After the element,Adam wonderfully.And after Adam,Well he made Eva.The blessed IsraelThe mighty Spirit made.Ardent the suggestion,Clear the reasoning.Twelve towns of Israel, rising equally high,Twelve sons of Israel the generous God madeTwelve sons of Israel were nursed together.Twelve good, blameless, three mothers nursed them.One person created them, the Creator made them.As he will do as he pleases, who is supreme.Twelve sons of Israel made the Lord.As he will do as he pleases, who is skilful. [sic]Twelve sons of Israel bore rewardOf the mission of Jesus.And one father there was to themAnd three mothers to them.From them came graceAnd good offspring.And Mary, good, created,And Christ, my strengthener,Lord of every fair country.And I will call on and sing to thee every day;For has been my desireFriendship with thee.

The Eternal Trinity


Gwawlt Lud y MawrLlyfr Taliesin LII

Kathyl goreu gogant

Wyth nifer nodant.Duw llun dybydantPeithiawc ydant.Duw mawrth y tannant.Gwyth yn yscarant.Duw merchyr medantRyodres rychwant.Duw ieu escorantEidyolyd anchwant.Duw gwener dyd gormant.Yg wat gwyr gonofant.Duw sadwrn * ** * * *Duw sul yn geugantDiheu dybydant.Pymp llong a phym cantOranant oniantO brithi brithoiNuoes nuediSychedi edi euroiEil coet cogniAntared dymbi.Pawb y adonaiAr weryt pwmpai.Darofum daroganGwaed hir rac gorman.Hir kyhoed kyghan.Katwaladyr a chynan.Byt budyd bychan.Difa gwres huan.Dysgogan deruydAuu auudyd.Wybyr geironydKerd awn y genhyd.Wylhawt eil echwydYn torroed mynyd.Ban beu llawn hyd.Brython ar gyghyr.Y vrython dymbiGwaet gwned ofri.

Gwawlt Lud y Mawr


Guedy eur ac eurynni.Diffeith moni a lleenni.Ac eryri anhed yndi.Dyscogan perffeithAnhed ym diffeith.Kymry pedeir ieith.Symudant eu hareith.Yt y vi y uuch y uuch vreithA wnaho gwynyeith.Meindyd brefawt.Meinoeth berwhawt.Ar tir berwhodawrYn llogoed yssadawr.Kathyl gwae canhatorKylch prydein amgor.Dedeuant vn gyghorY wrthot gwarthmor.Boet gwir vennhrytDragwynawl byt.Dowys dolhwyc kytDolaethwy eithyt.Kynran llawn ytGyfarch kynutHeb eppa heb henuonha.Heb ofur byt.Byt auyd diffeith dyreit.Kogeu tyghettor.Hoywwed trwy groywed.Gwyr bychein bron otwyllyd.Toruennhawl tuth iolyd.Hwedyd ar vedydNy wancyllellawr cledyfawr meiwyr.Nyt oed udu y puchysswnAnaw angerdawl trefdyn.Ac y wyr kared creudyn.Kymry eigyl gwydyl prydyn.Kymry kyfret ac ascen.Dygedawr gwydueirch ar llyn.Gogled o wenwynuyd o hermyn.O echlur caslur caslyn.O echen adaf henyn.Dygedawr trydw y gychwynBranes o goscord gwyrein.Meryd milet seithinAr vor agor ar cristin.Vuch o vor vuch o vynyd.

Gwawlt Lud y Mawr


Vch o vor ynyal ebryn.Coet maes tyno abryn.Pop arawt heb erglywaw nebawtO vynawc o pop mehyn.Yt vi brithretA lliaws gyniret.A gofut am wehyn.Dialeu trwy houw gredeu bresswyloGodi creawdyr kyfoethawc duw vrdin.Pell amser kyn no dyd brawtY daw diwarnawt.A dwyrein darlleawrTeruyn tiryon tir iwerdon.Y prydein yna y daw datwyrein.Brython o vonhed rufein.Ambi barnodyd o aghygres dieu.Dysgogan sywedydyonYgwlat y colledigyon.Dysgogan deruydonTra mor tra brython.Haf ny byd hinon.Brythawt breu breyryon.Ae deubyd o gwanfretTra erin tat ket.Mil ym brawt prydein vrdin.Ac yam gyffwn kyffin.Na chwyaf ygoglyt gwernGwerin gwaelotwed uffern.Ergrynaf kyllestric kaenGan wledic gwlat anorffen.

Gwawlt Lud y Mawr


The Praise of Lludd the GreatThe Book of Taliesin LII.


THE best song they will dispraise,

Eight numbers they will protect,Monday, they will come,Devastating they will go.Tuesday, they will portionAnger against the adversary.Wednesday, they will reap.Pomp in excess.Thursday, they will part withThe undesired possessor.Friday, a day of abundanceIn the blood of men they will swim.Saturday ...Sunday, certainly,Assuredly there will comeFive ships and five hundredThat make supplication-O Brithi, Brithi!Co-occupancy or battle.Brithi, Brithanai!Before battle, battle of spears in the field.Son of the wood of Cogni,There will be an adventuring ofEvery one to AdonaiOn the sward of Pwmpai.An intimation they prophesyA long cry against overwhelming,Long the public harmonyOf Cadwaladyr and Cynan.The world's profit (is) small,The heat of the sun is lost.The Druid will prophesyWhat has been will be.Sky of Geirionydd,I would go with theeGloomy like the evening,In the recesses of the mountain.When should be the full lengthThe Brython in chasing.To the Brython there will be

The Praise of Lludd the Great


Blood of glorious strenuousness,After gold and golden trinkets.The devastation of Moni and Lleeni,And Eryri, a dwelling in it.It is a perfect prophecy,With dwellings laid waste.The Cymry of four languagesShall change their speech.Until shall come the cow, theThat shall cause a blessingOn a fine day lowing,On a fine night being boiled,On the land of the boiler,In the ships of the consumer.Let the song of woe be chantedAround the encircling border of Prydain.They will come, with one purpose,To resist a maritime disgrace.Be true the happinessOf the sovereign of the world.The worshippers adored together,speckled cowTo the dale of greivous water it was gone.A portion full of cornInvites conflagration.Without Eppa, without a cow-stall.Without a luxury of the world.The world will be desolate, useless.The deceitful will be fated.Activity through freshness.Small men are almost deceivedBy the white-bellied trotter.A hawk upon baptismThe swords of warriors will not pierce Cyllellawr.They had not what they wished for.Violent is the grasp of the townman,And to warriors there is a love of blood.Cymry [Welsh], Angles [English], Gwyddyl [Irish], of Prydyn [southern Scotland].The Cymry, swift in mischief,Will launch their ships on the lake.The North has been poisoned by roversOf a livid hateful hue and form.Of the race of Adam the ancient.The third will be brought to set out,Ravens of the accurate retinue,The sluggish animals of Seithin.



On sea, an anchor on the Christian.A cry from the sea, a cry from the mountain,A cry from the sea, they vigorously utter.Wood, field, dale, and hillEvery speech without any one attending,High minded from every placeThere will be confusion.A multitude enraged,And distress diffusedVengeances through ready belief abiding.That the Creator afflicts, the powerful God of exalted state.A long time before the day of doom. There will come a day And a reader will rise,In the pleasant border of the land of Iwerdon [Ireland], To Prydain then will come exaltation, Brython of the nobility of Rome.There will be to me a judge unprejudiced, void of guile;The astrologers [or diviners] prophesy,In the land of the lost ones.Druids prophesyBeyond the sea, beyond the Brython.The summer will not be serene weather,The noblemen shall be broken, It will come to them from treacheryBeyond the effusion of the father of Ked.A thousand in the judgment of exalted Prydain,And within its united boundary.May I not fall into the embrace of the swamp,Into the mob that peoples the depths of Uffern [hell].I greatly fear the flinty coveringWith the Guledig [warlord] of the boundless country.



Yn wir dymbi romani karLlyfr Taliesin LIII

Yn wir dymbi romani kar.

Odit o vab dyn arall y par.Rac daw ryglywhawr maw gyfagarA bydin a gwaetlin ar y escar.A thriganed kyrn a gwerin trygar.Ry thrychynt rygyrchynt ygledyfar.Brein ac eryron gollychant wyar.Arllwybyr gwrit arth gwrys diarchar.Ardyrched katwaladyr lluch allachar.Ar wyneb bydinawr broed ynyal.

Yn wir dymbi dydranoueu.

Gofunet dysgogan ygkynechreu.Blwydyned budic rossed rihyd reitheu.Gayaf gyt llyry llym llywit llogeu.Keithiawn eilyssaf mynut ryffreu.Prit myr ryuerthwy ar warr tonneu.Elyrch dymdygyrch tani o glawr balcheu.Arth a llewderllys oleu bylleu.Ef dibyn y teruyn o rud vereu.Rwy keissut kystud rybud rageu.Rac y varanres ae vawr vedeu.Credeu cwydynt tyrch torrynt toruoed taleu.Y kynnif katwaladyr clot lathyr leu.Dydyrchafwy dreic o parth deheu.Gan was rydad las yn dyd dyfieu.

Yn wir dymbi hael hywred.

Tyruawt molut mawr edryssed.Llwybyr tew lluossawc llydan y wed.Hyt pan uwynt seith ieith y ri gwynedHyt pan traghwy traghawt trydar.Ri eidun duhun duded.Treis ar eigyl a hunt i alltuted.Trwy vor llithrant eu heissilled.

Yn wir dymbi teithiawc mon.

Yn wir dymbi romani kar


Ffaw dreic diffredyat y popyl brython.Pen lluyd perchyd llurygogyon.Dwfyn dargoan dewin drywon.Pebyllyawnt ar tren a tharanhon.Gorllechant gordyfynt y geissaw mon.Pell debet by hyt o iwerdon.Tec ffaw dillygyaw kessarogyon.

Dysgogan delwat o agarat dyhed.

Gogwn pan perit kat arwinued.Arth o deheubarth yn kyfarth gwynedYn amwyn rihyd ryfed rossed.Y cheiric altirat y darinerthed.Gayaf kelenic yn lleu tied.Kyflewynt aessawr yggawr ygcled.Y gynnif katwaladyr ar ior gwyned.

Yn wir dydeuhawr dyderbi hyn.

Lloegyr oll ymellun eu meuoed genhyn.Gwelet artebet y gawr brychwyn.Rwng aseth vereu a hayarn gwyn.Galwhawr ar vor. gwaywawr aegryn.Nuchawnt yn eigawn tra llydan lyn.Hallt ac yn yssed vyd eu budyn.

Yn wir dymbi dy dra hafrn.

Vrthenedic prydein brenhin gorden.Llary lywyd lluyd lliaws y echen.Teyrnas kyfadas caso iaen.Gwerin byt yn wir bydawnt lawen.Medhawnt ar peiron berthwyr echen.Fflemychawt hirell ty uch hafren.Bydhawt kymry kynnull yn discowen.Y kynnif katwaladyr bythit llawen.Peneri cerdoryon clot y gweithen.

Yn wir dedeuhawr

Ae lu ae longawrAe taryf yscwytawrAe newityaw gwaywawr.A gwedy gwychyr awr



Y uod ef gwnelawrKylch prydein boFlemychit ygno.Dreic nyt ymgelhoYr meint y do.Nyt yscawn ioletGorescyn dyuet.Dydyccawt ynwetTra merin reget.Perif perchen ket.Gwledychawt yn eluet.Hael hydyr y dylif.Goruawr y gynnif.wrth awyryohifKatwaladyr gweith heinif.



Truly there will be to me a Roman friendBook of Taliesin LIII

Truly there will be to me a Roman friend.

Possibly from the son of another man he will causeBefore him that he heard the expanding tumult.And an army and flow of blood on his enemy.And let horses sound, and the multitude (be) merciful.They would cut, they would greatly assemble in the sword of conflict.Ravens and eagles adore blood.The ruddy path of the violent bear is fearless.Let Cadwaladyr rise ardent and gleamingOn the face of the embattled hosts of vigorous countries.

Truly there will be to me a day-share of frailties,

A vow of prophecy in the first beginning.Years victorious, an excess of extensive rights.When winter overspreads, sharp the steering of ships.Confined the flow of harmony, courteous, respiring.Glorious the appearance of the torrent on the top of the waves.The swans resort round the morsel on the face of the surges.Bear and lion empty the bright pools.The boundary depends upon crimson spears.Too much is sought chastisement, a caution to the fronts.Before his ranks and great possessions,Creeds fall, collars are broken by the crowds in front.To the combat of Cadwaladyr, of splendidly-read fame,There arose a dragon from the south,By a free youth he was slain on a Thursday.

Truly there will be to me bounteous heroism,

A royal eulogy of fame of great abundance.A path thick, abundant, broad its form.Until there be seven languages to the king of Gwynedd,Until exhausting tumult passes away,A king fond of a sleepless covering,Violence of Angles, and a journey to banishment,Through a sea will glide their offspring.

Truly there will be to me one having a right to Mona.

Truly there will be to me a Roman friend


Glorious the protection of the dragon to the people of the Brython.Chief of armies, a respecter of breastplated men.Deep, the prophecy divine of the Druids.They would pitch their tents. on Tren and Taranhon.They would lie in ambush, to take Mona.Far to go away be it a length from Iwerdon.Fair the honour to liberate the Caesarians.

Predict a scene of unlovely discord.

I know when a battle was caused over wine and meadA bear from Deheubarth barking at Gwynedd.Defending too long wonderful superfluity.Its fortified uplands were prepared,On the calends of winter placing lands.The mutual reflection on shields in the shout of the sword,To the combat of Cadwaladyr on the lord of Gwynedd.

Truly it will come, this will come to pass.

All Lloegyr will lose their possessions by us.Seeing the aspects of the speckled white men,Between the shafts of arrows and white iron,A shouting on the sea, a lance-darting trembling of slaughter--They will languish in the ocean, beyond the broad lake,Sea and isles will be their gain.

Truly there will come to me from beyond Hafren

Repelled of Prydein, a king of destiny.A mild ruler of armies, numerous his progeny.A kingdom suitable, hateful from ice.The common people of the wodd truly will be joyful.They possess energies, a tribe of rich men.The flash flamed over the region of Hafren.Let the Cymry be collected splendidlyTo the combat of Cadwaladyr; be joyfulThe chief minstrels with the glory of the battle.

Truly lie will come

With his host and ships,And scaring shields,And changing lances,And after a valiant shout,



His will will be done.May the circle of PrydeinBe enflarned there.The dragon will not hide himself,However many may come.Not light the praiseOf conquering Dyved.He will bear likewiseOver the effusions of Beged.The creator, possessor of treasure,Generous, daring his flow,Immense his battle.By airing the skinOf Cadwaladyr, an active work.






Ymarwar Llud BychanLlyfr Taliesin LIV

En enw trindawt kardawt kyfrwys.

Llwyth lliaws anuaws eu henwerys.Dy gorescynnan prydein prif van ynys.Gwyr gwlat yr ascia a gulat gafis.Pogyl pwyllat enwir eu tir ny wys.Famen gowyreis herwyd maris.Amlaes eu peisseu pwy eu heuelis.A phwyllat dyvyner ober efnis.Europin arafin arafanis.Cristyawn difryt diryd dilis.Kyn ymarawr llud a lefelis.Dysgogettawr perchen y wen ynysRac pennaeth o rufein kein y echrysNyt rys nyt kyfrwys ri rwyf y areith.Arywelei aryweleis o aghyfyeith.Dullator petrygwern llugyrn ymdeith.rac ryuonic kynran baran godeith.Rytalas mab grat rwyf y areithKymry ny danhyal ryfel ar geith.Pryderaf pwyllaf pwy y hymdeith.Brythonic yniwis dydyrchefis.

Ymarwar Llud Bychan


The Reconciliation of Lludd the LessThe Book of Taliesin LIV


In the name of the God of Trinity, of knowing charity,

A tribe numerous, ungentle their arrogance,Have overrun Prydain, chief of isles.Men of the land of Asia, and land of Gafls.A people of perfect prudence, their country is not known,Their mother country; they deviated on account of the sea.Flowing their coats; who is like them?With discretion let the work of foes be brought about,Europin, Arafin, Arafanis.The Christian unmindful was impelled certainlyBefore the reconciliation of Llud and Llevelys.The possessor of the fair isle trembledBefore the chief from Rome, of splendid terror.Neither hesitating nor crafty the king, fluent his speech.Who has seen what I have seen of the strange speech?There were formed a square mast, the clarions of journey,Before the presence of Roman leader there is conflagration.The son of Gradd, of fluent speech, retaliated,Cymry burning: war on slaves.I will consider, I will deliberate who caused them to go.The Brythonic energy arose.

The Reconciliaiton of Lludd the Less


http://us.geocities.com/branwaedd/lludd.html

Kanu y Byt MawrLlyfr Taliesin LV

Gvolychaf vyn tat.

Vyn duw vyn neirthat.A dodes trwy vy iat Eneit ym pwyllat.Am goruc yn gwylat.Vy seith llafanat.O tan a dayar.A dwfyr ac awyr.A nywl a blodeuA gwynt godeheu.Eil synhwyr pwyllatYm pwyllwys vyn tat.Vn yw a rynnyaf.A deu a tynaf.A thri a wedaf.A phetwar a vlassaaf.A phymp a welaf.A chwech a glywaf.A seith a arogleuaf.Ac a agdiwedaf.Seith awyr ysydO duch sywedyd.a their ran y myrMor ynt amrygyr.Mor uawr a ryfedY byt nat vn wed.Ry goruc duw vryAry planete.Ry goruc sola.Ry goruc luna.Ry goruc marcaY marcarucia.Ry goruc venus.Ry goruc venerus.Ry goruc seuerus.A seithued saturnus.Ry goruc duw da.Pymp gwregys terraPa hyt yt para.Vn yssyd oer.Ar trydyd yssyd wres

Kanu y Byt Mawr


A dyofac anlles.Petweryd paradwysGwerin a gynnwys.Pymhet artymherawdA pyrth y vedyssawt.Yn tri yt rannatYn amgan pwyllat.Vn ywyr asia.Deu ywyr affrica.Tri yw europa.Bedyd gygwara.Hyt vrodic yt para.Pan varnher pop traRy goruc vy awenY voli vyren.Mydwy taliessin Areith lif dewinParahawt hyt finYg kynnelw elphin.

Kanu y Byt Mawr


Song to the Great WorldBook of Taliesin LV

I will adore my Father,

My God, my strengthener,Who infused through my headA soul to direct me.Who has made for me in perception,My seven faculties.Of fire and earth,And water and air,And mist and flowers,And southerly wind.Other senses of perceptionThy father formed for me.One is to have instinctWith the second I touch,With the third I call,With the fourth I taste,With the fifth I see,With the sixth I hear.With the seventh I smell.And I foresay,Seven airs there are,Above the astronomer,And three parts the seas.How they strike on all sides.How great and wonderful,The world, not of one form,Did God make above,On the planets.He made Sola,He made Luna,He made MarcaAnd Marcarucia,He made Venus,He made Venerus,He made Severus,And the seventh Saturrnts,The good God madeFive zones of the earth,For as long as it will last.One is cold,And the second is cold,

Song to the Great World


And the third is heat,Disagreeable, unprofitable.The fourth, paradise,The people will contain.The fifth is the temperate,And the gates of the universe.Into three it is divided,In the minstrelsy of perception.One is Asia,The second is Africa,The third is Europa.The baptism of consolation,Until doomsday it will continue,When everything will be judged.My Awen has caused meTo praise my king.I am Taliessin,With a speed flowing as a diviner.Continuing to the endIn the pattern of Elphin.


Song to the Great World




Kanu y Byt BychanLlyfr Taliesin LVI

Kein geneis kanaf.

Byt vndyd mwyhaf.Lliaws a bwyllafAc a bryderaf.Kyfarchaf y veird byt.Pryt nam dyweidPy gynheil y byt.Na syrch yn eissywyt.Neur byt bei syrchei.Py ar yt gwydei.Pwy ae gogynhalei.Byt mor yw aduant.Pan syrch yn diuantEtwa yn geugant.Byt mor yw ryfed.Na syrch yn vnwed.byt mor yw oditMor vawr yt sethritJohannes. Matheus.Lucas. a Marcus.Wy a gynheil y bytTrwy rat yr yspryt.

Kanu y Byt Bychan


Song to the Little WorldBook of Taliesin LVI

The beautiful I sing of, I will sing.

The world one day more.Much I reason,And I meditate.I will address the bards of the world,Since it is not told meWhat supports the world,That it falls not into vacancy.Or if the world should fall,On what would it fall?Who would uphold it?The world, how it comes again,When it falls in decay,Again in the enclosing circle.The world, how wonderful it is,That it falls not at once.The world, how peculiar it is,So great was it trampled on.Johannes, Mattheus,Lucas, and Marcus,They sustain the worldThrough the grace of the Spirit.

Song of the Little World


Darogan Katwal[adr]Llyfr Taliesin LVII

Marchawg March mwth, mysterin,

ar ddeu wyneb, beir vrwydrin--Rhodiawg brad--llad i drenghiac yn Eryi i oloiBan ddel cad waladr gownayn ol, ym Hrydein, ben ma;ai amlwg oes moes nywia;ai ffnieu, vydd in vadva.Ys deubi, yna,Sais i erchi bwyta:Dogn wyr: o drarhyvyg, troseda.Ieuhaw gwraig gan washen gas a nywia.tremyg--brad a wnaA weleist vyngharyn gware am priawd?Gweleis gelein vain,a brain ar ddygnawd.Ac or rhyddamweingwall grain cleddyvawd...

Ac am lan.

Darogan Kadwaladr


The Prediction of KadwaladrBook of Taliesin 57

The knight of the swift bay horse

with the double face, creates turmoil:With treachery afoot, a blessing hisdeath and burial in Snowdonia.When our war-lord comes he will make,in a mead in Prydein, a chief place.His manifest life will invigorate morals:and his confines will be to us an Eden.There will come, thither,A Saxon seeking hospitality.Grief he will know; from excessof presumption, he will sinThe yoking of a wife by a vassalwill renew old hatred: he willknow grief: from presumptioncomes contempt; he commits treason.Did you see my friendplaying with my spouce?I saw a slim corse,and crows full of activity.But the catastrophe lacks the prostrate formof the sword-stroke.And beyond the bank of...

ac am lan.

[here the manuscript ends.]

SOURCEPoems from the Book of Taliesin. ed. and trans. by J. Gwenogvryn Evans. Series of Welsh Texts. Llanbedrog, N. Wales.1915.

Darogan Kadwaladr


Taliesin, Chief Bard of Britain"As soon as Elphin saw the forehead, he said, 'behold the radiant forehead!' (i.e. tal iesin)."

--Ystoria Taliesin, 16th C.

The bard Taliesin is a disputed character. Some evidence indicates he truly exited, while the stories abouthim are obviously ancient myths attached to his name. These myths lead some to believe, like RobertGraves, that there were three Taliesins--a god of poetry, a sixth century poet who served under KingUrien of Rheged, and a thirteenth century scholar who wrote what is known as the Llyfr Taliesin, acollection of the poetry of Taliesin 2 and Taliesin 3, with bardic fragments attributed to Taliesin 1.

As a god, Taliesin is similar to Fionn MacCumhill, who gained knowledge from the Salmon of Wisdom.He is a shape-shifter, and is often associated with the Children of Llyr. His original name was GwionBach--literally, "Fair Boy". (It is worth noting that "Gwion" and "Fionn" are the same name, but indifferent branches of the Celtic languages.) However, upon drinking the magic potion of Cerridwen, hebecame enlightend--"gained awen" (poetic inspiration).

The historical Taliesin was a bard who lived in the 6th century, and was tied to the House of Rheged, asassumed by the large number of poems written for Urien of Rheged and his son Owein ap Urien (yes,these are the same as Urians of Gorre and his son Yvain of Arthurian romance). This Taliesin is said insome manuscripts to have been the son of a St. Henwg, and friend to Myrddin Wyllt, the later Myrddinwho fought in the Battle of Arthuret.

To say that Taliesin was a bard is to admit that what we know of the status of "bard" in the sixth andseventh century is very small. Originally, bards were a subset of the druids, the priestly caste of the Celts.As such, they had a religious and social function. What of this function continued into the Christian era isup to debate. Certainly, even in the very late Llyfr Taliesin, which was presumed to have been transcribedat a monestary (Strata Florida is one supposition), yet the poems are filled with allusions to gods anddruids. One doubts that the monks were ignorant of the original role of the bards. However, whether thisreflects the role of the historical Taliesin is unknown.

The poems of Taliesin are found in three groups:

● Llyfr Taliesin: the Book of Taliesin, the 13th c. manuscript

● Hanes Taliesin: the History of Taliesin, a late 16th c. manuscript, not "authentic" (i.e. very late in thetradition)

There are also poems attributed to Taliesin (or variations on poems found in the LT) which can be foundin the The Black Book of Carmarthen and the The Red Book of Hergest.

Finally, there are several short biographies on Taliesin collected by Charlotte Guest, which may or maynot be forgeries by Iolo Morgannwg.

Back to the Hall's Index

Taliesin

http://us.geocities.com/branwaedd/tindex.html [2006/06/15 08:31:37 AM]

http://us.geocities.com/branwaedd/taliesin.html

http://us.geocities.com/branwaedd/bbcindex.html

http://us.geocities.com/branwaedd/ttexts.html

http://us.geocities.com/branwaedd/hbindex.html

BookofTaliesin

Documents

Transcript of BookofTaliesin