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What man is the Porter
a Dialogue between
Arthur and Glewlwyd Mighty-grasp

 

Arthur:

Glewlwyd:

Arthur:

Glewlwyd:

Arthur:

Glewlwyd:

Arthur:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cei:

 

 

 

 

 

 

Arthur:

What man is porter?

Glewlwyd Mighty-grasp. What man asks it?

Arthur and Cei the Fair.

Who travels with you?

The best men in the world are mine.

Into my house they shall not come unless you vouch for them.

I shall vouch for them, and you will see them:

the vultures of Elei, wise men three;  

Mabon son of Modron, Uther Pendragon’s man,

Cystaint son of Banon, and Gwyn Godyfrion.

My servants were harsh in asserting their rights.

Manawydan son of Llyr, profound in counsel:

Manawyd brought home a pierced shield from Tryfrwyd;

And Mabon son of Mellt who stained the grass with gore;

And Anwas the Winged, and Llwych of the Windy Hand,

Who were accustomed to defend Eidyn on the borders.

Its lord would shelter them, where my nephew destroyed them.

Cei pleaded with them while he slew them three by three.

When Celli was lost there was savagery.

Cei pleaded with them while he hewed them down.

Though Arthur was but playing he caused blood to flow

In the hall of Wrnach fighting with a witch.

He slew Pen-palach in the hall of Dissethach.

On the heights of Eidyn he fought with champions

By the hundreds they fell to Bedwyr’s four-pronged spear

On the shores of Tryfrwyd, combating with Garwlwyd

Furious was his nature both with sword and shield.

 An army was but vanity compared with Cei in battle.

His sword in battle was not to be averted.

He was the resolute lord of a legion for the kingdom’s good.

Bedwyr and Bridlaw, nine hundred to watch,

Six hundred to attack was their attack worth.

The young men I had, it was better when they were alive.

Before the lords of Emrys I have seen Cei in haste.

Prince of the plunder, the unrelenting warrior to his enemy;

Heavy was he in his vengeance; terrible was his fighting.

When he would drink from a horn, he would drink as much as four;

When into battle he came he slew as would a hundred.

Unless God should accomplish it, Cei’s death would be unattainable.

Worthy Cei and Llachau used to fight battles,

Before the pain of livid spears ended the conflict.

On the top of Ystarfingun Cei slew nine witches.

Worthy Cei went to Ynys Mon to destroy lions.

Little protection did his shield offer against Palug’s Cat.

When people shall ask, “Who slew Palug’s Cat?”

Nine score fierce ones used to fall for her food,

Nine score chieftains used to fail to kill her

but Cei did not fail.

 

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