Part 14 (2/2)

Lx.x.xV.

There was a reinforcement of {189a} troops, A supply of penetrating weapons, And a host of men in the vanguard, Presenting a menacing front; In the days of strenuous exertion, In the eager conflict, They displayed their valour.

After the intoxication, When they drank the mead, Not one was spared.

Though Gorwylam Was awhile successful, When the retort was made, it broke the charge Of the horses and men, by fate decreed.

Lx.x.xVI.

When the host of Pryder {189b} arrives, I anxiously count {190a} the bands, Eleven complete battalions; There is now a precipitate flight {190b} Along the road of lamentation.

Affectionately have I deplored, {190c} Dearly have I loved, The ill.u.s.trious dweller of the wood, {190d} And the men of Argoed, {190e} Accustomed, in the open plain, {191a} To marshal their troops.

For the benefit of the chiefs, the lord of the war {191b} Laid upon rough {191c} boards, Midst a deluge of grief, The viands for the banquet, Where they caroused together;-he conducted us to a bright {191d} fire, And to a carpet of white and fresh {191e} hide.

Lx.x.xVII.

Geraint, {191f} from the South, did raise a shout, And on the white water {192a} was his buckler pierced. {192b} Lord of the spear, a gentle lord!

The praise of mountain and sea Will he render our youth, even thou, Geraint, wilt render them, Who hast been a generous commander.

Lx.x.xVIII.

Instantaneously is his fame wafted on high; His anchors {192c} from the scene of action {192d} cannot be restrained.

Unflinching eagle {192e} of the forward heroes, He bore the toil, and brilliant was his zeal; The fleetest coursers he outstripped in war, But was quite a lamb {193a} when the wine from the goblet flowed.

Ere he reached the gra.s.sy tomb, and his cheeks became pale in death, {193b} He presided over the banquet of mead, and honoured it with the generous horn. {193c}

Lx.x.xIX.

Ruin {193d} he brought upon every fair region, {193e} And a fettering valour he displayed; {193f} The front of his s.h.i.+eld was pierced.

Caso Hir, {194a} when roused to anger, Defended Rhuvoniawg. {194b} A second time they {194c} challenged, {194d} and were crushed By the warlike steeds with gory trappings.

His martial n.o.bles {194e} formed a firm array, And the field was reddened, when he was greatly affronted; Severe in the conflict, with blades he slaughtered, And sad news {194f} from the war he brought, Which he wove {195a} into a song for the calends of January. {195b} Adan, {195c} the son of Ervai, there did pierce, Adan pierced the haughty boar; Even he, who was like a dame, a virgin, and a hero. {195d} And when the youth thus possessed the properties of a king, {195e} He, stained with blood, brought deliverance to Gwynedd, Ere the turf was laid upon the gentle face Of the generous dead; but now undisturbed In regard to fame and gain, he reposes in the grave, Namely, Garthwys Hir, {196a} from the land of Rhuvoniawg.

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