Kay the Seneschal

1. Cei the Fair

Cei is one of the Three Battle-Diademed Men

of the Island of Britain.

His horse, Chestnut Long Neck is one of

the Three Lively Steeds of this Island.

Cei is one of the Three Enchanter Knights

of Arthur's Court.

When hard pressed he will change himself

into any form he wishes, and therefore

no one can overcome him.

Kynyr of the Beautiful Beard,

said to be the father of Cei,

said to his wife:

Damsel, if there is anything of me in your son

his heart will always be cold.

he will be stubborn.

No-one will resist fire and water as well as he,

and there will never be a servant

or an officer equal to him.

Cei has these talents:

nine days and nights his breath will last underwater,

nine days and nine nights he can go without sleep.

A wound from Cei's sword will never heal.

Very subtle is Cei:

he can be as tall as the tallest tree in the forest

when he pleases,

and so great is the heat of his nature,

that in the pouring rain

whatever he holds in his hands stays dry,

and when his companions are coldest

that is kindling for a fire.

There is great tumult and confusion

amongst the host as

those in the flanks turn to the centre

whilst those in the centre rush towards the flanks.

Behold, a rider arrives clad in mail,

both he and his horse,

and the rings are whiter than the whitest lily,

and the rivets are red as the ruddiest blood.

He rides among the host.

It is Cei, the fairest horseman in Arthur's Court.

The men at the front of the army hasten

to the rear to see Cei ride,

and the men who are in the centre

flee to the side from the shock of his horse.

Thus the confusion in the host.

a Lord would give them refuge,

Would even avenge them,

Cei would plead for them

Even as he struck three at a time

( when Celli was lost

Fury ranged free )

Cei would plead for them

Even as he cut them down

before Lord Emrys

I saw Cei in a hurry

Leading the Host.

The long man in wrath,

Heavy in Vengeance,

Terrible in Battle.

When he drank from his horn,

he drank enough for four;

When he came into Battle,

he slew enough for a hundred.

unless God achieved it

Cei could never be slain.

Cei the Fair and Llacheu,

brave in battle,

finished the fight.

On top of Ystawingun

Cei slew nine hags.

He went to Mon

to fight great cats.

He set his shield

against Cath Palug.

When people ask

'who slew Cath Palug ?'

the answer must be

that where nine score champions

and nine scores of leaders failed

Cei the Fair did not.