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arthuriad

reliques

Ancient Welsh Poetry
1 Geraint son of Erbin - Longborth
2 The Dialogue of Gwyddno Garanhir and Gwyn ap Nudd
3 Gododdin by Aneurin - excerpt
4 The Sayings of Wise Men

Geraint son of Erbin
Black Book of Carmarthen XXII.
Red Book of Hergest XIV.

Before Geraint, the of oppression, 
I saw white horses jaded and gory,
And after the shout, a terrible resistance.

Before Geraint, the unflinching foe, 
I saw horses jaded and gory from the battle, 
And after the shout, a terrible impulsion.

Before Geraint, the enemy of tyranny, 
I saw horses white with foam,
And after the shout, a terrible torrent.

In Llongborth I saw the rage of slaughter, 
And biers beyond all number,
And red-stained men from the assault of Geraint.

In Llongborth I saw the edges of blades in contact, 
Men in terror and blood on the pate,
Before Geraint, the great son of his father.

In Llongborth I saw the spurs
Of men who would not flinch from the dread of the spears, 
And the drinking of wine out of the bright glass.

In Llongborth I saw the weapons
Of men, and blood fast dropping,
And after the shout, a fearful return.

In Llongborth I saw Arthur,
And brave men who hewed down with steel, 
Emperor, and conductor of the toil.

In Llongborth Geraint was slain, 
A brave man from the region of Dyvnaint,
And before they were overpowered, they committed slaughter.

Under the thigh of Geraint were swift racers, 
Long-legged, with wheat for their corn,
Ruddy ones, with the assault of spotted eagles.

Under the thigh of Geraint were swift racers, 
Long their legs, grain was given them,
Ruddy ones, with the assault of black eagles.

Under the thigh of Geraint were swift racers, 
Long-legged, restless over their grain,
Ruddy ones, with the assault of red eagles.

Under the thigh of Geraint were swift racers, 
Long-legged, grain-scattering,
Ruddy ones, with the assault of white eagles.

Under the thigh of Geraint were swift racers, 
Long-legged, with the pace of the stag,
With a nose like that of the consuming fire on a wild mountain.

Under the thigh of Geraint were swift racers, 
Long-legged, satiated with grain,
Grey ones, with their manes tipped with silver.

Under the thigh of Geraint were swift racers, 
Long-legged, well deserving of grain,
Ruddy ones, with the assault of grey eagles.

Under the thigh of Geraint were swift racers, 
Long-legged, having corn for food,
Ruddy ones, with the assault of brown eagles.

When Geraint was born, open were the gates of heaven, 
Christ granted what was asked,
Beautiful the appearance of glorious Prydain.

The Dialogue of Gwyddno Garanhir and Gwyn ap Nudd
The Black Book of Carmarthen XXXIII

excerpt 1

Before Caer Vandwy a host I saw, 
Shields were shattered and ribs broken
Renowned and splendid was he who made the assault.

Gwyn ab Nud, the hope of armies, 
Sooner would legions fall before the hoofs
Of thy horses, than broken rushes to the ground.

excerpt 2

I have been in the place where was killed Gwendoleu, 
The son of Ceidaw, the pillar of songs, 
When the ravens screamed over blood.

I have been in the place where Bran was killed, 
The son of Gweryd, of far-extending fame, 
When the ravens of the battle-field screamed.

I have been where Llachau was slain,
The son of Arthur, extolled in songs,
When the ravens screamed over blood.

I have been where Meurig was killed, 
The son of Carreian, of honourable fame, 
When the ravens screamed over flesh.

1 have not  been where Gwallawg was killed,
The son of Goholeth, the accomplished,
The resister of Lloegir, the son of Lleynawg.

I have been where the soldiers of Prydain were slain,
From the East to the North;
I am alive, they in their graves!

I have been where the soldiers of Prydain were slain,
From the East to the South
I am alive, they in death!

The Gododdin
BOOK OF ANEURIN I
Translation by Joseph Clancy

Y Gododdin Preserved in the thirteenth century, Llyfr Aneirin, Y Gododdin has a claim to be one of the earliest Welsh poems (or sequence of poems). It contains one reference to Arthur, which may or may not be a later interpolation; if it is original it is the earliest of all references to Arthur.

excerpt

CII
He thrust beyond three hundred, most bold,
He cut down the centre and far wing.
He proved worthy, leading noble men;
He gave from his herd steeds for winter.
He brought black crows to a fort's
Wall, though he was not Arthur.
He made his strength a refuge,
The front line's bulwark, Gwawrddur.

or:

He charged before three hundred of the finest,
He cut down both centre and wing,
He excelled in the forefront of the noblest host,
He gave gifts of horses from the herd in winter.
He fed black ravens on the rampart of a fortress
Though he was no Arthur.
Among the powerful ones in battle,
In the front rank, Gwawrddur was a palisade.

Englynion y Clyweid
The Sayings of Wise Men
From the Red Book of Talgarth

Hast thou heard what Teilo sang,
The man who was penitent?
It is not good to strike against God.