 Section 4 of the Mabinogen, Volume 2 by Anonymous, translated by Charlotte Guest, this LibriVox recording is in the public domain. And after their union, the people put up prayers that they might have an heir, and they had a son through the prayers of the people, from the time of her pregnancy, though Luthith became wild, and wandered about without habitation. But when her delivery was at hand, her reason came back to her. Then she went to a mountain where there was a swine herd keeping a herd of swine. And through fear of the swine, the queen was delivered. And the swine herd took the boy and brought him to the palace, and he was christened, and they called him Kill Witch, because he had been found in a swine's burrow. Nevertheless, the boy was of gentle lineage, and cousin unto Arthur, and they put him out to nurse. After this, the boy's mother, go Luthith, the daughter of Prince, on Loth fell sick. Then she called her husband unto her, and said to him, Of this sickness I shall die, and thou wilt take another wife. Now wives are the gift of the Lord, but it would be wrong for thee to harm thy son. Therefore I charge thee that thou take not a wife until thou see a briar with two blossoms upon my grave. And this he promised her. Then she besought him to dress her grave every year, that nothing might grow thereon. So the queen died. Now the king sent an attendant every morning to see if anything were growing upon the grave. And at the end of the seventh year, the master neglected that which he had promised to the queen. One day the king went to hunt, and he rode to the place of burial to see the grave, and to know if it were time that he should take a wife, and the king saw the briar. And when he saw it, the king took counsel where he should find a wife, said one of his counselors, I know a wife, that will suit thee well, and she is the wife of king dogged. And they resolved to go to seek her, and they slew the king and brought away his wife, and one daughter that she had along with her. And they conquered the king's lands. On a certain day as the lady walked abroad, she came to the house of an old crown that dwelt in the town, and that had no tooth in her head. And the queen said to her old woman, tell me that which I shall ask thee for the love of heaven, where are the children of the man who has carried me away by violence? Said the crown, he has not children. Said the queen, woe is me, that I should have come to one who is childless. Then said the hag thou needest not lament, on account of that for there is a prediction that he shall have an heir by thee, and by none other. Moreover, be not sorrowful, for he has one son. The lady returned home with joy, and she asked her consort, wherefore hast thou concealed thy children from me? The king said, I will do so no longer, and he sent messengers for his son, and he was brought to the court. His stepmother said unto him, it were well for thee to have a wife, and I have a daughter who is sought a very man of her noun in the world. I am not yet of an age to wed, answered the youth. Then said she unto him, I declare to thee, that it is thy destiny not to be suited with a wife, until thou obtain all when the daughter of Ispa, Thaden, Pencour. And the youth blushed, and the love of the maiden diffused itself through all his frame, although he had never seen her. And his father inquired of him, what has come over thee, my son, and what aleth thee? My stepmother has declared to me, that I shall never have a wife, until I obtain all when the daughter of Ispa, Thaden, Pencour. That will be easy for thee, answered his father, Arthur is thy cousin. Go therefore unto Arthur to cut thy hair, and ask this of him as a boon. And the youth perked forth upon a steed with head, dappled gray, of four winters old, form of limb, with shell formed hoofs, having a bridle of linked gold on his head, and upon him a saddle of costly gold. And in the youth's hand were two spears of silver, sharp, well tempered, headed with steel, three elves in length, of an edge to wound the wind, and cause blood to flow, and swifter than the fall of the dew drop from the blade of reed grass upon the earth, when the dew of June is at the heaviest. A gold-hilted sword was upon his thigh, the blade of which was of gold, bearing a cross of inlaid gold of the hue of the lightning of heaven. His war horn was of ivory, before him were two brindle white breasted gray hounds, having strong collars of rubies about their necks, reaching from the shoulder to the ear. And the one that was on the left side bounded across to the right side, and the one on the right to the left, and like to see swallows sported around him. And his coarser cast up four sods with his four hoofs, like four swallows in the air, about his head, now above, now below. About him was a four-cornered cloth of purple, and an apple of gold was at each corner, and every one of the apples was of the value of an hundred kind. And there was precious gold of the value of three hundred kind upon his shoes, and upon his stirrups from his knee to the tip of his toe. And the blade of grass bent not beneath him, so light was his coarser's dread as he journeyed towards the gate of Arthur's palace. Spoke the youth, is there a porter? There is, and if thou holdest not thy peace, small will be thy welcome. I am Arthur's porter every first day of January, and during every other part of the year, but this, the office is filled by Juan Da, and Go Gigwick, and Les Kenem, and Penping Guion, who goes upon his head to save his feet, neither towards the sky nor towards the earth, but like a rolling stone upon the floor of the court. Open the portal, I will not open it, wherefore not? The knife is in the meat, and the drink is in the horn, and there is revelry in Arthur's hall, and none may enter therein but the son of a king of a privileged country, or a craftsman bringing his craft. But there will be refreshment for thy dogs and for thy horses, and for thee there will be colapsed, cooked in peppered, and luscious wine and mirthful songs, and food for fifty men shall be brought unto thee in the guest chamber, where the stranger and the sons of other countries eat, who come not unto the precincts of the palace of Arthur. That will fare no worse there than thou wouldest with Arthur in the court, a lady shall smooth thy couch, and shall lull thee with songs, and early tomorrow morning when the gate is open for the multitude that came hither today, for thee shall it be opened first, and thou mayest sit in the place that thou shall choose in Arthur's hall from the upper end to the lower. So the youth that will I not do, if thou openest the gate it is well, if thou dost not open it I will bring disgrace upon thy Lord, and evil will report upon thee, and I will set up three shouts at this very gate, than which none were ever more deadly from the top of Pengwad in Cornwall to the bottom of Densaw in the north, and to Ezger or Vel in Ireland, and all the women in this palace that are pregnant shall lose their offspring, and such as are not pregnant their hearts shall be turned by illness so that they shall never bear children from this day forward. What clamour so ever thou mayest make, said Gluwid of the Moir against the laws of Arthur's palace, shall thou not enter therein until I first go and speak with Arthur. Then Gluwid went into the hall, and Arthur said to him, hast thou news from the gate? Half of my life has passed, and half of thine I was here to fore in Karsa, and Asa, and Saq, and Salag, in Lothur and Fotur, and I've been here to fore in India the Great, and India the Lesser, and I was in the battle of Daur inner, when the 12 hostages were brought from Lich, Lin, and I have also been in Europe, and in Africa, and in the islands of Corsica, and in Khar, Berth, Wich, and Berthach, and Berthach, and I was present when formerly thou did slay the family of Chris, the son of Maren, and when thou did slay Mildew, the son of Dukum, and when thou didst conquer Greece in the east, and I've been in Khar F and Aneth, and in Khar, Nevin, Her, non-supreme sovereigns, handsome men, saw we there, but never did I behold a man of equal dignity with him who is now at the door of the portal. Then said Arthur, if walking, thou didst enter in here, returned thou running, and everyone that beholds the light, and everyone that opens and shuts the eye, let him show him respect and serve him. Some with gold mounted, drinking horns, others with colapsed, cooked, and prepped, until food and drink can be prepared for him. It is unbecoming to keep such a man as thou, sayest he is, in the wind and the rain. Said Kai, by the hand of my friend, if thou wouldst follow my counsel, thou wouldst not break through the laws of the court because of him. Not so, blessed Kai, it is an honor to us to be resorted to, and the greater our courtesy, the greater will be our renown and our fame and our glory. And Glu rid came to the gate, and opened the gate before him, and although all dismounted upon the horseback at the gate, yet did he not dismount, but he wrote in upon his charger. Then said Kilvidge, greeting be unto thee, sovereign ruler of this island, and be this greeting no less unto the lowest than unto the highest, and be it equally unto thy guests, and thy warriors, and thy chieftains, that all partake of it as completely as thyself, and complete be thy favor, and thy fame, and thy glory throughout all this island. Greeting unto thee also, said Arthur, sit thou between two of my warriors, and thou shalt have minstrels before thee, and thou shalt enjoy the privileges of a king born to a throne, as long as thou remainest here. And when I dispense my presence to the visitors and strangers in this court, they shall be in thy hand as at my commencing. Said the youth, I came not here to consume, meet, and drink, but if I obtain the boon that I seek, I will require thee, and extol thee, and if I have it not, I will bear forth thy dispraise to the four quarters of the world, as far as thy renown has extended. Then said Arthur, since thou wilt not remain here, chieftain, thou shalt receive the boon whatsoever thy tongue may name, as far as the wind dries, and the rain moistens, and the sun revolves, and the sea encircles, and the earth extends, save only my ship, and my mantle, and Cala de Vil, which my sword, and Wango my aunt, my lance, and wine, neb, guar, butcher, my shield, and carn when how my dagger, and when my wife, by the truth of heaven, thou shalt have it cheerfully, name what thou wilt, I wait that thou blest my hair, that shalt be granted thee. And Arthur took a golden comb, and scissors whereof the loops were of silver, and he combed his hair. And Arthur inquired of him who he was, for my heart warms unto thee, and I know that thou art come of my blood, tell me therefore who thou art. I will tell thee, so the youth I am kill-rich, the son of kill-ith, the son of Prince Cala, Tham, Ba, Gu, Lu, Thith, my mother, the daughter of Prince An, Loth. That is true, said Arthur, thou art my cousin, whatsoever boon thou mayest ask, thou shalt receive, be it what it may that thy tongue shall name. Pledge the truth of heaven, and the faith of thy kingdom thereof, I pledge it thee gladly. I crave of thee, then, that thou obtain for me Alwyn, the daughter of Iss, Pathva, Den, Pencar, and this boon I likewise seek at the hands of thy warriors. I seek it from Kai and Bedward, and Gribh, Dahl, Dahl, Donald, and Gribh Thur, the son of Gribh, Dahl, and Gribh, the son of Erie, and Kin, Phileg, Gwai, Vah, Wih, Wih, and Thivah, Thwau, Golu, and Mel, Wis, the son of Baethon, and Gwai, Chur, the son of Ness, and Kuber, the son of Dair, and Perkos, the son of Paak, and Lubur, Bu, Thach, and Korvel, Bur, Thach, and Gwin, the son of Ned, and Edern, the son of Ned, and God, we, the son of Geraint, and Prince Biffel, Thur, Pham, and Ruan, Pepper, the son of Dora, and Brodwin, the son of Morin, Minnaak, and Morin, Minnaak himself, and Dahl, Dahl, the son of Kim and Kav, and the son of Elan, Divid, and the son of Saidi, and the son of Gweran, and Uch, Turd, and Ardwad, Qad, and Kin, was Kur, Vagal, and Kur, Gwer, Hire, and Gwerth, the Gavos, and Espery, Evan, Gath, and Gal, Kuwait, Gov, and Nott, and Duach, and Grapach, and Nerth, Lach, the sons of Gwa, Ur, Thar, Kur, Vach, these men came forth from the confines of Hel, and Kilith, Kanhaster, and Kanhaster, Kall, Lach, and Kors, Kant, Irwin, and Eskir, Kulwitsch, Gov, and Khan, and Thrust, Wern, Heyon, and Glul, Wid, Gavil, Bar, and Lach, Lawwin, Nick, Yakh, and On, was Antonar, Yakh, and Sennach, the son of Scythebid, and Wyn, Wyn, Wyn, the son of Nagh, and Bed, Ir, the son of Scythebid, and Gov, Rir, the son of Ekul, Vord, Wid, Thuil, and Ekul, Vord, Wid, Thuil, himself, and May, of the son of Vord, Kall, and Dad, Weir, Dall, Pen, and Ghar, Wilai, the son of Gwerth, Wot, Gwer, and Gwerth, Wot, Gwer, himself, and Gormont, the son of Rikka, and Benny, the son of Thir, Gov, Wod, and Dagon, the son of Elar, and Sellev, the son of Smoit, and Gask, the son of Athu, and Nerth, the son of Khadar, and Redwes, the son of Trithon, and Twers, the son of Perth, and Twers, the son of Anmus, and Ayon, a king of France, and Sellev, and Teraga, the son of Ayon, and Sellev, the son of Ayon, and Dudwin, the son of Ayon, and Moron, the son of Ayon, and S韩, and Khadar, the son of Ayon. They were men of Khair, the Thou of Arthurs, Kindred, on his father's side, Der Mik, the son of Khaw, end Restic, the son of Khaw, and Et Mik, the son of Khaw, and Ang 살h, the son of Khaw, and Auvon, the son of Khaw, and Kelan, the son of Khaw, and K Zonehaa, and Naav זהh, of call. And again, God, the Son of Call. And then Burt, the Son of Call. And Co, the Son of Call. And Melch, the Son of Call. And Guin, was the Son of Call. And Ard, with the Son of Call. And Eger, when the Son of Call. And Neb, the Son of Call. And Gilded, the Son of Call. And Calc, was the Son of Call. And who will the Son of Call? He never yet made a request at the hand of any Lord. And Samson, Vincych. And Talis, the Chief of the Bards. And Mama, withal, the Son of Lure. And Larry, the Son of Prince, Kansnar. And Isbrenny, the Son of the Lord God, King of Armarica. And Sauron, Han, the Son of Glythbore. And Lauer, Ayah, Lure. And Ani, Ani, Waq, the Son of Geir, Waq. And Guin, the Son of Nir, Ver, Ver. And Flam, the Son of Nir, Ver. And Geraint, the Son of Urban. And Ermin, the Son of Urban. And Biddle, the Son of Urban. And Gwyn, the Son of Ermin. And Ermid, and Kin, Duarn, the Son of Ermid. And Helvide, Olin, and Aydin, Bar, Bidric, and Ridewin, Ari. And Gorma, the Son of Ricca, Arthur's brother. By his mother's side, the Panhev Neb. Of Cornwall, was his father. And Laun, Wath, Bed, Bar, Waq. And Nodal, Bar, Twirt. And Berth, the Son of Cado. And Wad, the Win, the Son of Belly. And Iskaban, Heil. And Iskaban, the Son of Panhev. And Voron, the Son of Tegin. No one struck him in the battle of Kamlan. By reason of his ugliness, all thought he was an auxiliary devil. Hair had he upon him like the hair of a stag. And Sand, the bird angel, no one touched him with a spear. In the battle of Kamlan, because of his beauty, all thought he was a ministering angel. And Kin, Wul, Saan, the third man, that escaped from the battle of Kamlan. And he was the last who parted from Arthur on hand, grown his horse. And Archdred, the Son of Aram. And Uzz, the Son of Aram. And Henwus, Aydin, Nod, the Son of Aram. And Hen, the Dester, the Son of Aram. Seguili, and Seguili. Yah, Iskaban, Druid, Son of Aram. Unto these three men belonged these three qualities. With Hen, the Dester, there was not anyone who could keep pace, either on horseback or on foot. With Henwus, Aydin, Nod, no forefooted beast could run the distance of an acre, much less could it go beyond it. And as to Seguili, Iskaban, Druid, when he intended to go upon a message for his Lord, he never sought to find a path, but knowing whether he was to go, if his way lay through or would he went along the tops of the trees. During his whole life, a blade of regress bent not beneath his feet, much less did one ever break, so lightly did he tread. Tithy Hen, the Son of Gwyn Han, his dominions were swallowed up by the sea, and he himself hardly escaped. And he came to Arthur, and his knife had this peculiarity, that from the time that he came there, no half could ever remain upon it. And knowing to this, a sickness came over him. And he pined away during the remainder of his life, and of this he died. And Karn, Nethler, the Son of Gow, and Yan, Hen, and Gwyn, Gwyn, the Son of Nave, Gessivin, Arthur's champion, and Les, God, Druid, Imus, and wordbath through Hen, uncles and Arthur, or they, his mother's brothers, his mother's brothers, Kall, Vanna, Wig, the Son of Goryan, and Len, Lwag, Wiffle, from the headland of Ganyan, and Divin, Wal, Mel, and Dunar, King of the North, Ter, Nan, Twift, Blayant, and Teg, Ban, Gloth, and Teg, Itag, Log, Gerd, Dunal, the Son of Ebrei, and Morgant, Hale, Hwistil, the Son of Run, the Son of Rhaithon, and Lu, Thu, the Son of Ngai, and Gwarder, the Son of Thu, when, up with Wai, the daughter of Kall, was his mother. Heel, his uncle, stabbed him, and hatred was between Heel and Arthur, because of the wound. Drem, the Son of Drem, is dead. When the night arose in the morning with the sun, he could see it from Jellywick in Cornwall, as far as Ben Lothion in North Britain, and I, Dial, the Son of Ner, and Gloth, the then-sayer, who constructed E. Han, Gwen, Arthur's Hall, Kinner, Kahn, Bar, Bak, when he was told he had a son born, he said to his wife, Damsel, if thy son be mine, his heart will be always cold, and there will be no warmth in his hands, and he will have another peculiarity. If he is my son, he will always be stubborn, and he will have another peculiarity when he carries a burden, whether it be large or small, no one will be able to see it, either before him or at his back, and he will have another peculiarity, no one will be able to resist water and fire, so well as he will, and he will have another peculiarity, there will never be a servant or an officer equal to him. Han was, and Han, Gwen, Nab, an old companion to Arthur. While Goeik, another, when he came to a town, though there were 300 houses in it, if he wanted anything, he would not let sleep come to the eyes of anyone whilst he remained there, but when the son of Garenher and Paris, King of France, and Osla, Guala, Bar, who bore a short broad dagger, when Arthur and his host came before a torrent, they would seek for a narrow place where they might pass the water and would lay the sheath dagger across the torrent, and it would form a bridge sufficient for the armies of the three islands of Britain and of the three islands adjacent with their spoil. Goeik, Thog, the son of Minister, Bruce Lou Chai, and whom Arthur slew together with his brothers to revenge Chai. Garen, Nguyen, the son of Chai, and Omron, the son of Bedworth, and Eli, Omron, and Rue, Robert, Drivers, and Ron, Rue Verne, and Ahila, and Drachmer, Arthur's chief Huntsman, and Lure, Thu, the son of Kilkud, and Hanabuai, the son of Corayon, and Nguyen, God, Rue, Ron, and Gweer, Arthur, Nguyen, Thog, and Gweer, the son of Khadel, the son of Thali, Yant, and Gweer, Ger, Herd, and Rue, and Rue, Paul, and Dure, Herd, the uncles of Arthur, the brothers of his mother, the sons of Lich, La, Nguyen, Nog, from beyond the raging sea, then Leog, Whittle, and Arthur, Chog, Pry, Dane, Kaz, the son of Saidi, Gweer, Ron, Gwalt, Av, Nguyen, and Gwyl, Lennon, the king of France, and Gritwart, the son of Ed, king of Ireland, Gar, Slit, Whittle, Pan, Nar, Pen, Bagat, and Fleudor, the son of Nog, Gwyn, Haibar, mayor of Cornwall, and Devon, the knife man that rallied the battle of Camelon, Kelly, and Cooley, and Gila Coase, hid, he would clear 300 acres at one bound, the cheap leaper of Ireland, was he, so, and Gwaden, Osil, and Gwaden, Odeoth, so, could stand all day upon one foot, Gwaden, Osil, if he stood upon the top of the highest mountain in the world, it would become a level plain under his feet, Gwaden, Odeoth, those soles of his feet emitted sparks afar when they struck upon things hard, like the heated mass when drawn out of the forge, he cleared the way for Arthur when he came to any stoppage. Haram and Haratrim, the day they went on a visit, three cantreves provided for their entertainment, and they feasted until noon and drank until night when they went to sleep, and then they devoured the heads of the vermin through hunger, as if they had never eaten anything, when they made a visit they left neither the fat nor the lean, neither the hot nor the cold, the sour nor the sweet, the fresh nor the salt, the boiled nor the raw, who are our war, the son of Aflan, who asked Arthur such a boon as would satisfy him. It was the third great plague of Cornwall when he received it, none could get a smile from him, but when he was satisfied, Guar, Guar, Gualt, Uren, the two cubs of gas, Rimi, Gwith, Rudd, and Gwith, New, Osilus, Siggan, the son of Signa, Dith, who would suck up the sea on which were three hundred ships, so as to leave nothing but a dry strand, he was broad-chested, rock and rye, the attendant of Arthur, whatever barn he was shown were there the produce of thirty plows within it, he would strike it with an iron flail, until the rafters, the beams, and the boards were no better than the small oats in the mow upon the floor of the barn. Diggy, Fwing, and Anath by Dog, and Her, Idle, and Her, and Moe, they were two attendants of Arthur, and Gwevil, the son of Grestad, on the day that he was sad, he would let one of his lips drop below his waist, while he turned up the other like a cap upon his head. Out which Trid, Barre, draws, who spread his red untrimmed beard over the eight and forty rafters which were in Arthur's hall. In the dirt of our Widd, Isk, Her, Dog, and Isk, you, Dith, two attendants of Guen, Wyvar, were they, their feet were swift as their thoughts, when bearing a message, burst the son of Briss Bouch, from the hill of the black, fernbreak in north britain, and Grudlin, Gore, Biewitch, and Kerr-Filch, and Silfwich, the sons of Klediff, Kelfwich, the grandsons of Klediff, Diffwich, their three heels were three gleaming clitoris, their three spears were three pointed piercers, their three sores were three grinding gashes, glass classic, and glass son, their three dogs, Kaul, Kual, and Kabal, their three horses, Her, Dith, Thud, and their Dith, Thud, and Lid, Rith, Wyth, Thurg, their three wives, Ock, and Garum, and Diaspad, their three grandchildren, Luched, and Nevid, and Islywed, their three daughters, Durg, Gwath, and Gwath, Thad, Al, their three handmaids, Ihu, Bird, the daughter of Gifth, Wilch, Gora, Squirm, the daughter of North, Ih, Iwi, Don, the daughter of Kin, Delm, Kudad, Pryl, the half-man, Dwin, Diestigum, Ben, I, later, the son of Pen, Larkow, Kain, Nader, Willow, the son of Edwin, Talar, Jan, Sao, Ben, Ucho, Gwouch, Mai, the son of Guar, Gual, Havid, the son of Guar, Guayher, Gwas, Frod, Ieth, Thed, to whom all tongues were known, and Gath, Kron, the priest, Klus, the son of Klus, Bhanad, though he were buried seven cubits beneath the earth, he would hear the aunt, fifty miles off, rise from her nest in the morning, Nader, the son of Ne, Rith, Dith, from Gally, Wick, he could, in a twinkling, shoot the wren through the two legs upon last year, Orville, in Ireland. Guayheran, literally, God, Coth, who would cut a hawk from the eye of the net without hurting him. O, the son of O, Rith, seven years before he was born, his father, Swine, were carried off, and when he grew up a man, he tracked the Swine and brought them back in seven herds. Bed we need the bishop who blessed Arthur's meat and drink, for the sake of the golden chained daughters of this island, for the sake of Guayheran, Yvar, its chief lady, and Guayheran, Yvar, her sister, and Rath Thieu, the only daughter of Clemenhill, and Rhelemon, the daughter of Khai, and Tanwen, the daughter of Guayher, daughter of Wenna, Thog, Guen, a large, the daughter of Kin, Wil, Ken, Wich, you nigh the daughter of Clemdo, I din, you knock, the daughter of Edward, and Rheedreg, the daughter of Tad, Lathar, Guen, Wil, Leader, the daughter of Guen, Leader, Ke, Baach, he, Thur, did, did, the daughter of Tri, Fin, Iro, Wen, the daughter of Guen, Do, Wen, Gore, Thelaery, the daughter of Poo, Indeg, the daughter of Garwe, Her, Morved, the daughter of Yurin, Regid, Guen, Nillion, Deg, the Majestic Maiden, Gref, the Lyad, the daughter of Led, Law, Arrant, she was the most splendid maiden in the three Addons of the mighty, and in the three Addons adjacent, and for her, with her, the son of Guid, Do, and Guen, the son of Nod, Bight, every first of May, until the day of Doon, Do, Lou, the daughter of Neol, Ken, Quag, she lived three ages, Esilt, Linwen, and Esilt, Lingo, and all these, Do, Kill, Wich, Son of Kill, Lyft, Adjur, to obtain his boon. Then said Arthur, O' Chieftain, I've never heard of the maiden of whom thou speakest, nor of her kindred, but I will gladly send messengers and search of her. Give me time to seek her, and the use that I will willingly grant from this night to that, at the end of the year, to do so. Then Arthur sent messengers to every land within his dominions, to seek for the maiden, and at the end of the year, Arthur's messengers returned without having gained any knowledge or intelligence concerning Alwen more than on the first day. Then said Killwitch, every one has received his boon, and I yet lack mine, I will depart, and bear away thy honor with me. Then said Ky, Rache, Chieftain, dust thou, reproach Arthur, go with us, and we will not part, until thou dost either confess, that the maiden exists not in the world, or until we obtain her. Thereupon Ky rose up, Ky had this peculiarity, that his breath lasted nine nights and nine days underwater, and he could exist nine nights and nine days without sleep. A wound from Ky's sword, no physician could heal, very subtle was Ky when it pleased him, he could render himself as tall as the highest tree in the forest, and he had another peculiarity, so great was the heat of his nature, that when it rained hardest, whatever he carried remained dry, for a hand breath above and a hand breath below his hand, and when his companions were coldest, it was to them as fuel with which to light their fire. And Arthur called Bedward, who never shrank from any enterprise upon which Ky was bound, none were equal to him in swiftness throughout this island, except Arthur and Durge I'll kid Tharr, and although he was one-handed, three warriors could not shed blood faster than he on the field of battle. Another property he had, his lands were produced a wound equal to those of nine opposing lances. And Arthur called to Ken Felig, the guide, go thou upon this expedition with the Chieftain, for as good a guide it was he in a land which he had never seen as he was in his own. He called Gurur Kual Stot Itheth, because he knew all tons, he called Rochma, the son of Guar, because he never returned home without achieving the adventure of which he went in quest. He was the best of Whitman, and the best of Knights, he was nephew to Arthur, the son of his sister, and his cousin. And Arthur called Menma, the son of Thier Gloweth, in order that if they went into a savage country he might cast a charm and an illusion over them so that none might see them whilst they could see everyone. In the Kale Witch and Alwyn, or the Torch, with part one, section five of the Mabinogen, volume two by Anonymous, translated by Charlotte Guest. This LibriVox recording is in the public domain. Section five, Kale Witch and Alwyn, part two. They journeyed until they came to a vast open plain, wherein they saw a great castle, which was the fairest of the castles of the world, and they journeyed that day until the evening, and when they thought they were nigh to the castle, they were no nearer to it than they had been in the morning. And the second and the third day they journeyed, and even then scarcely could they reach so far, and when they came before the castle they beheld a vast flock of sheep, which was boundless and without an end. And upon the top of a mound there was a herdsman keeping the sheep, and a rug made of skins was upon him, and by his side was a shaggy mastiff, larger than a steed nine winters old. Never had he lost even a land from his flock, much less a large sheep. He let no occasion ever pass without doing some hurt and harm. All the dead trees and bushes in the plain, he burnt with his breath down to the very ground. Then said Kai, we're her, guals, dot, I of theft, go thou and salute, yonder man. Kai said he, I engaged, not to go further than thou thyself, let us go then together, answered Kai. Said Manu, the son of Tyr, Gwed, fear not to go thither, for I will cast a spell upon the dog, so that he shall injure no one. And they went up to the mound whereon the herdsman was, and they said to him, how dost thou fare, O herdsman, no less fair be it to you than to me? Truly art thou the chief, there is no hurt to injure me but my own. Whose are the sheep that thou dost keep, and whom does yonder castle belong? Stupid are ye truly, through the whole world, is it known that this is the capital of Ispa-tha-den-pen-kwar? And who art thou? I am called Kustenin, the son of Daphne Digg, and my brother Ispa-tha-den-pen-kwar oppressed me because of my possession. And ye also, who are ye, we are an embassy from Arthur, come to seek Alwyn, the daughter of Ispa-tha-den-pen-kwar. O men, the mercy of heaven be upon you, do not that for all the world. None who ever came hither on this quest has returned alive, and the herdsman rose up, and as he arose Kilwitch gave unto him a ring of gold, and he sought to put on the ring, but it was too small for him, so he placed it in the finger of his glove. And he went home and gave the glove to his spouse to keep. And she took the ring from the glove when it was given her, and she said, Whence came this ring for thou art not want to have good fortune? I went said he to the sea to seek for fish, and lo I saw a corpse borne by the waves, and a fairer corpse than it did I never behold, and from its finger did I take this ring. O man, does the sea permit its dead to wear jewels? Show me then this body. O wife, him to whom this ring belong, thou shalt see here in the evening. And who is he as the woman, Kilwitch the son of Kilith, the son of Prince Caliphon, by Glu the theth, the daughter of Prince Anloth, his mother, who has come to seek Alwyn as his wife. And when she heard that her feelings were divided between the joy that she had, that her nephew, the son of her sister, was coming to her, and saw her because she had never known anyone to part of life who had come on that quest. And they went forward to the gate of Custennan, the herdsman's dwelling, and when she heard their footsteps approaching, she ran out with joy to meet them. And Kai snatched a billet out of the pile, and when she met them, she sought to throw her arms about their necks, and Kai placed the log between her two hands, and she squeezed it so that it became a twisted coil. O woman, see Kai, if thou had squeezed me, thus none could ever again have set their affections on me. Evil love were this. They entered into the house and were served, and soon after they all went forth to amuse themselves. Then the woman opened a stone chest that was before the chimney corner, and out of it arose a youth with yellow curling hair. Said Gwer Har, it is a pity to hide this youth. I know that it is not his own crime, that is thus visited upon him. This is but a remnant, said the woman. Three and twenty of my sons has this spout thud done, Pankoir slain, and I have no more hope of this one than of the others. Then said Kai, let him come and be a companion with me, and he shall not be slain, unless I also am slain with him. And they ate. And the woman asked them upon what errand come you here? We come to seek all one for this youth. Then said the woman, in the name of heaven, since no one from the castle hath yet seen you, return again when she came. Heaven is our witness that we will not return until we have seen the maiden. Said Kai, does she ever come hither so that she may be seen? She comes here every Saturday to wash her head, and in the vessel where she washes, she leaves all her rings, and she never either comes herself or sends any messengers to fetch them. Will she come here if she is sent to? Heaven knows that I will not destroy my soul, nor will I betray those that trust me, unless you will pledge me your faith that you will not harm her. I will not send to her. We pledge it, said they, so a message was sent, and she came. The maiden was clothed in a robe of flame-colored silk, and about her neck was a collar of ready gold on which were precious emeralds and rubies. More yellow was her head than the flower of the broom, and her skin was whiter than the foam of the wave, and fairer were her hands and her fingers than the blossoms of the wood and eminy amidst the spray of the meadow fountain. The eye of the trained hawk, the glance of the three-mute falcon, was not brighter than hers. Her bosom was more snowy than the breast of the white swan. Her cheek was redder than the reddest roses. Who so beheld her was filled with her love. Four white tree foils sprung up wherever she trod, and therefore was she called Alwyn. She entered the house and sat beside Kilwitch upon the foremost bench, and as soon as he saw her, he knew her, and Kilwitch said unto her, Our maiden, thou art she whom I have loved, come away with me, lest they speak evil of the end of me. Many a day have I loved thee. I cannot do this, for I pledge my faith to my father not to go without his counsel, for his life will last only until the time of my espousals. Whatever is, must be, but I will give thee advice, if thou wilt take it. Go, ask me of my father, and that which she shall require thee granted, and thou wilt obtain me. But if thou do not him anything, thou wilt not obtain me, and it will be well for thee if thou escape with thy life. I promise all this, if occasion, offer, said he. She returned to her chamber, and they all rose up and followed her to the castle, and they slew the nine porters that were at the nine gates in silence, and they slew the nine watchdogs without one of them barking, and they went forward to the hall. The greeting of heaven, and of man, be unto thee, is but the then penquare, said they, and you, wherefore come you? We come to ask thy daughter, Alwyn, for Kilwitch, the son of Kilith, the son of Prince Kelithon. Where are my pages and my servants? Raise up the forks beneath my two eyebrows, which have fallen over my eyes, that I may see the fashion of my son-in-law. And they did so. Come hither tomorrow, and you shall have an answer. They rose to go forth and his spout, that in penquare seized one of the three poisoned darts that lay beside him, and threw it after them, and bed were caught it, and flung it, and pierced his spout, and penquare grievously with it through the knee. Then he said it cursed, ungentle, son-in-law truly, I shall ever walk the worse for his rudeness, and shall ever be without a cure. This poisoned iron pains me like the bite of a gadfly, cursed be the smith who forged it, and the anvil whereon it was wrought, so sharp is it. That night also they took up their abode in the house of Custon and the herdsmen. The next day with the dawn they arrayed themselves in haste, and proceeded to the castle, and entered the hall, and they said, is spout, then penquare, give us thy daughter in consideration of her dour, and her maiden fee, which we will pay to thee, and to kinswomen likewise. And unless thou wilt do so, thou shall meet with thy death on her account. Then he said her four great-grandmothers, and her four great-grandsires are yet alive. It is needful that I take counsel of them. Be it so answered they, we will go to meet. As they rose up he took the second dart that was beside him, and casted after them, and menna, the son of Goeth, caught it and flung it back at him, and wounded him in the center of the breast, so that it came out at the small of his back. A cursed, ungentle, son-in-law truly said he, the hard iron pains me like the bite of a horse leech, cursed be the hearth whereon it was heeded, and the smith who formed it so sharp as it. Henceforth, whenever I go up a hill, I shall have a scant in my breath, and a pain in my chest, and I shall often loathe my food, and they went to meet. In the third day they returned to the palace, and is spout, then penquare, said to them, shoot not at me again, unless you desire death. Where are my attendants? Lift up the forks of my eyebrows, which have fallen over my eyeballs, that I may see the fashion of my son-in-law. Then they arose, and as they did so, is pat, for them penquare, took the third poison dart, and casted at them, and kill which, caught it, and threw it vigorously, and wounded him through the eyeball, so that the dart came out at the back of his head. A cursed, ungentle son-in-law truly, as long as I remain alive, my eyesight will be the worst. Whenever I go against the wind, my eyes will water, and for adventure my head will burn, and I shall have a giddiness every new moon. Cursed be the fire in which it was forged, like the bite of a mad dog is the stroke of this poisoned iron, and they went to meet. And the next day they came again to the palace, and they said, shoot not at us any more, unless thou desirest such hurt and harm and torture, as thou now hast done even more. Give me thy daughter, and if thou wilt not give her, thou shall receive thy death because of her. Where is he that seeks my daughter? Come hither, where I may see thee. And they placed him in a chair, face to face with him. Said is Thaddon Pankhwa, is it thou that seekest my daughter? It is I, answered Kilwich, I must have thy pledge, that thou wilt not do towards me, otherwise than is just. And when I have gotten that which I shall name my daughter, thou shalt have, I promise thee that willingly, said Kilwich, name what thou wilt, I will do so, said he. See, as thou yonder, vast hill, I see it, I require that it be rooted up, and that the grubbings be burned for manure on the face of the land, and that it be plowed and sown in one day, and in one day that the grain ripen. And of that wheat I intend to make food and liquor fit for the wedding of thee and my daughter. And all this I require to be done in one day. It will be easy for me to compass this, although thou mayest think that it will not be easy. Though this be easy for thee, there is yet that which will not be so. No husband can tell or prepare this land, so wild is it, except Amethon, the son of Don, and he will not come with thee by his own free will, and thou wilt not be able to compel him. It will be easy for me to compass this, although thou mayest think that it will not be easy. Though thou get this, there is yet that which thou wilt not get. Galvanon, the son of Don, to come to the headland to rid the iron, he will do no work of his own good will except for a lawful king, and that will not be able to compel him. It will be easy for me to compass this, though thou get this, there is yet that which thou wilt not get. The two done oxen of Gwill will lead both yoke together to plow the wild land yonder stoutly. He will not give them of his own free will, and that will not be able to compel him. It will be easy for me to compass this, though thou get this, there is yet that which thou wilt not get. The yellow and the brindle bowl yoke together, do I require. It will be easy for me to compass this, though thou get this, there is yet that which thou wilt not get. The two horned oxen, one of which is beyond, and the other the side of the peaked mountain yoke together in the same plow, and these are Nenia and Paibaw, whom God turned into oxen on account of their sins. It will be easy for me to compass this, though thou get this, there is yet that which thou wilt not get. Seeest thou yonder red till ground, I see it. When first I met the mother of this maiden, nine bushels of flax were sown therein, and none has yet sprung up, neither white nor black, and I have the measure by me still. I require to have the flax to sow in the new land yonder, that when it grows up it may make a white wimple for my daughter's head on the day of thy wedding. It will be easy for me to compass this, although thou mayest think that it will not be easy. Though thou get this, there is yet that which thou wilt not get. Honey, that is nine times sweeter than the honey of the virgin swarm, without scum and bees, do I require to make rag it for the feast. It will be easy for me to compass this, although thou mayest think that it will not be easy. The vessel of Laiwer, the son of Laiwer Ron, which is of the utmost value. There is no other vessel in the world that can hold this drink of his free will. Thou wilt not get it, and thou canst not compel him. It will be easy for me to compass this, although thou mayest think that it will not be easy. Though thou get this, there is yet that which thou wilt not get. The basket of Gwerth new go run here. If the whole world should come together, thrice, nine minute at a time, the meat that each of them desired would be found within it, I require to eat there from on the night that my daughter becomes by bride. He will give it to no one of his own free will, and thou canst not compel him. It will be easy for me to compass this, although thou mayest think that it will not be easy. Though thou get this, there is yet that which thou wilt not get. The horn of will God, God of Din, to serve us with liquor that night. He will not give it of his own free will, and thou wilt not be able to compel him. It will be easy for me to compass this, although thou mayest think that it will not be easy. Though thou get this, there is yet that which thou wilt not get. The harp of a tear to play to us that night. When a man desires that it should play, it does so of itself. And when he desires that it should cease, it ceases. And this he will not give of his own free will, and thou wilt not be able to compel him. It will be easy for me to compass this, although thou mayest think that it will not be easy. Though thou get this, there is yet that which thou wilt not get. The cauldron of dew, knock, whiffle, the steward of Ogder, the son of Hyde, king of Ireland, to boil the meat for thy marriage feast. It will be easy for me to compass this, although thou mayest think that it will not be easy. Though thou get this, there is yet that which thou wilt not get. It is needful for me to wash my head and shave my beard, and I require the tusk of Isch, if your wind bend by to shave myself with all. Neither shall I profit by its use, if it be not plucked alive out of his head. It will be easy for me to compass this, although thou mayest think that it will not be easy. Though thou get this, there is yet that which thou wilt not get. There is no one in the world that can pluck it out of his head, except Ogder, the son of Hyde, king of Ireland. It will be easy for me to compass this. Though thou get this, there is yet that which thou wilt not get. I will not trust any one to keep the tusk, except Goddow of North Britain. Now the three scored cantreves of North Britain are under his sway, and of his own free will he will not come out of his kingdom, and thou wilt not be able to compel him. It will be easy for me to compass this, although thou mayest think that it will not be easy. Though thou get this, there is yet that which thou wilt not get. I must spread out my hair in order to shave it, and it will never be spread out, unless I have the blood of the jet black sorceress, the daughter of the pure white sorceress, compend not gov'ed on the confines of hell. It will be easy for me to compass this, although thou mayest think that it will not be easy. Though thou get this, there is yet that which thou wilt not get. I will not have the blood, unless I have it warm, and no vessels will keep warm the liquid that is put therein, except the bottles of Gweir, Thal, Nguyen, Gore, which preserve the heat of the liquor that is put into them in the east, until they arrive at the west. And he will not give them of his own free will, and thou wilt not be able to compel him. It will be easy for me to compass this, although thou mayest think that it will not be easy. Though thou get this, there is yet that which thou wilt not get. Some will desire fresh milk, and it will not be possible to have fresh milk for all, unless we have the bottles of Wren, Wren, Barn, Odd, wherein no liquor ever turns sour, and he will not give them of his own free will, and thou wilt not be able to compel him. It will be easy for me to compass this, although thou mayest think that it will not be easy. Though thou get this, there is yet that which thou wilt not get. Throughout the world there is not a comb or scissors with which I can arrange my hair, on account of its rankness, except the comb and scissors that are between the two ears of Twerth, Twerth, the son of Prince Tyred. He will not give them of his own free will, and thou wilt not be able to compel him. It will be easy for me to compass this, although thou mayest think that it will not be easy. Though thou get this, is not a leash that can hold him except the leash of Curse, Kant, Ewan. It will be easy for me to compass this, although thou mayest think that it will not be easy. Though thou get this, there's yet that which thou wilt not get. Throughout the world there's no color that wilt hold the leash, except the color of can, haste, or can law. It will be easy for me to compass this, although thou mayest think that it will not be easy. Though thou get this, there is yet that which thou wilt not get. The chain of Calid can haste her to fasten the color to the leash. It will be easy for me to compass this, although thou mayest think that it will not be easy. Though thou get this, there is yet that which thou wilt not get. Throughout the world there is not a huntsman who can hunt with this dog, except Mabon, the son of Maudran. He was taken from his mother when three nights old, and it is not known where he now is, nor whether he is living or dead. It will be easy for me to compass this, although thou mayest think that it will not be easy. Though thou get this, there is yet that which thou wilt not get. Go win, mug, dune, the house of Guethu, that is as swift as the wave to carry Mabon to the son of Maudran, to hunt the boar, twirth. He will not give him of his own free will, and thou wilt not be able to compel him. It will be easy for me to compass this, although thou mayest think that it will not be easy. Though thou get this, there is yet that which thou wilt not get. Thou wilt not get, Mabon, for it is not known where he is, unless thou find I, Del, his skinsman in blood, the son of Ier, for it will be useless to seek for him. He is his cousin. It will be easy for me to compass this, although thou mayest think that it will not be easy. Though thou get this, there is yet that which thou wilt not get. Garslet, the Gwythlin, is the chief huntsman of Ireland. The church, truth, can never be hunted without him. It will be easy for me to compass this, although thou mayest think that it will not be easy. Though thou get this, there is yet that which thou wilt not get. A leash made from the beard of Dysil, a bar, a balk, for that is the only one that can hold those two cubs. And the leash will be of no avail unless it be plugged from his beard while he is alive, and twitched out with wooden tweezers. While he lives, he will not suffer this to be done to him, and the leash will be of no use should he be dead, because it will be brittle. It will be easy for me to compass this, although thou mayest think that it will not be easy. Though thou get this, there is yet that which thou wilt not get. Throughout the world, there is no huntsman that can hold those two welps, except Kin, Edur, Willot, the son of Hetwin, Glaffer, Ock. He is nine times more wild than the wildest beast upon the mountains. Him wilt thou never get, neither wilt thou ever get my daughter. It will be easy for me to compass this, although thou mayest think that it will not be easy. Though thou get this, there is yet that which thou wilt not get. It is not possible to hunt the boar. Truth without Gwyn, the son of Nud, whom God has placed over the brooded devils, in Onwin, lest they should destroy the present race. He will never be spared It will be easy for me to compass this, although thou mayest think that it will not be easy. Though thou get this, there is yet that which thou wilt not get. There is not a horse in the world that can carry Gwyn to hunt the torch. Truth except due the horse of Mor, of Ur, the Thog. It will be easy for me to compass this, although thou mayest think that it will not be easy. Though thou get this, there is yet that that which thou wilt not get, until Gelenin, the king of France, shall come, that which truth cannot be hunted. It will be unseemly for him to leave his kingdom for thy sake, and he will never come hither. It will be easy for me to compass this, although thou mayest think that it will not be easy. Though thou get this, there is yet that which thou wilt not get, that which truth can never be hunted without the son of Elan, David, he is well skilled in letting loose the dogs. It will be easy for me to compass this, although thou mayest think that it will not be easy. Though thou get this, there is yet that which thou wilt not get, that which truth cannot be hunted unless thou get honored and еслиun. They are as swift as the gale of wind, and they will never let loose upon a beast that they did not kill him. It will be easy for me to compass this, although thou mayest think that it will not be easy. there is yet that which thou wilt not get, Arthur and his companions, to hunt the twerch-truth, he is a mighty man, and he will not come for thee, neither wilt thou be able to compel him. It will be easy for me to compass this, although thou may us think that it will not be easy. Though thou get this, there is yet that which thou wilt not get, the twerch-truth cannot be hunted, unless thou get vouch, and quiff, welch, and self-welch, the grandsons of clefteth, dive-filch. There are three shields, are three gleaming glitterers, there are three spears, are three pointed piercers, there are three swords, are three griding gashers, glass, glassic, and clersog, there are three dogs, caw, quaw, and cavel, there are three horses, where die, dwig, and dwig, die, dwig, and luri, dry, dwig, there are three wives, ox, and garum, and diaspod, there are three grandchildren, luchid, and binid, and ice-the-wed, there are three daughters, dwig, and graith, and graith of oil, there are three handmaids, effew, brood, the daughter of quiff, welch, goros, quirm, the daughter of north, and grudan, the daughter of kin, bellen, these three men shall sound the horn, and all the other shall shout, so that all will think that the sky is falling to the earth. It will be easy for me to compass this, although thou mayest think that it will not be easy. Though thou get this, there is yet that which thou wilt not get, the sort of gir, notch, the giant, he will never be slain, except therewith of his own free will. He will not give it either for a price or as a gift, and thou wilt never be able to compel him. It will be easy for me to compass this, although thou mayest think that it will not be easy. Though thou get this, there's yet that which thou wilt not get. Difficulties shall thou meet with and nights without sleep in seeking this, and if thou obtain it not, neither shall thou obtain my daughter. Horses shall I have and chivalry, and my lord and kinsman, Arthur, will obtain for me all these things, and I shall gain thy daughter, and thou shalt lose thy life. Go forward, and thou shalt not be chargeable for food or raiment for my daughter, while thou art seeking these things, and when thou hast compassed all these marvels, thou shalt have my daughter or thy wife. End of Section 5, Section 6 of the Mabinogen, Volume 2, by Anonymous, translated by Charlotte Guest. This LibriVox recording is in the public domain. Kilwich in Alwyn, Part 3. All that day they journeyed until the evening, and then they beheld a vast castle, which was the largest in the world. And lower black man, huger than three of the men of this world, came out from the castle, and they spoken to him, whence comest them, O man, from the castle, which you see yonder, whose castle is that, to ask they? Stupid are ye truly, O men, there is no one in the world that does not know to whom this castle belongs. It is the castle of Guernach, the giant. What treatment is there for guests and strangers that alight in that castle? O chieftain, heaven protect thee, no guest ever return, dance alive, and no one may enter therein, unless he brings with him his craft. Then they proceeded towards the gate, said Guernach, Guelstad, I theft, is there a porter? There is, and thou, if thy tongue be not mute in thy head, wherefore dost thou call? Open the gate, I will not open it, wherefore wilt thou not? The knife is in the meat, and the drink is in the horn, and there is revelry in the hall of Guernach, the giant, and except for a craftsman who brings his craft, the gate will not be open tonight. Barely porter, then said Ky, my craft bring I with me. What is thy craft? The best burnisher of swords am I in the world. I will go and tell this unto Guernach, the giant, and I will bring thee an answer. So the porter went in, and Guernach said to him, hast thou any news from the gate? I have, there is a party at the door of the gate who desire to come in. Didst thou inquire of them if they possessed any art? I did inquire, said he, and one told me that he was well skilled in the burnishing of swords. We have need of him, then, for some time have I sought for someone to polish my sword, and could find no one, let this man enter since he brings with him his craft. The porter thereupon returned and opened the gate, and Ky went in by himself, and he saluted, Guernach, the giant, and a chair was placed for him opposite to Guernach, and Guernach said to him, O man, is it true that is reported of thee that thou knowest how to burnish swords? I know full well how to do so, answered Ky. Then was the sword of Guernach brought to him, and Ky took a blue, wet stone from under his arm, and asked him whether he would have it burnished white or blue. Do with it, as it seems good to thee, and as thou wouldest if it were thine own. Then Ky polished one half of the blade, and put it in his hand. Will this please thee ask thee I would rather than all that is in my dominions that the whole of it were like unto this? It is a marvel to me that such a man as thou should be without a companion. O, noble sir, I have a companion, albeit he is not skilled in this art. Who may he be? Let the porter go forth, and I will tell him whereby he may know him. The head of his lance will leave its shaft and draw blood from the wind, and will descend upon its shaft again. Then the gate was opened, and Bedwer entered, and Ky said, Bedwer is very skillful, although he knows not this art. And there was much discourse among those who were without, because that Ky and Bedwer had gone in, and the young man who was with them, the only son of Kastennin, the herdsman, got in also, and he caused all his companions to keep close to him as he passed the three wards, and until he came into the midst of the castle, and his companions said unto the son of Kastennin, Thou hast done this, thou art the best of all men, and thus forth he was called Gauru, the son of Kastennin. Then they dispersed to their lodgings, that they might slay those who lodged therein, unknown to the giant. The sword was now polished, and Ky gave it unto the hand of Gvernach, the giant, to see if he were pleased with his work. And the giant said, The work is good, I am content therewith. Said Ky, it is thy scabbard, that hath rusted thy sword, give it to me that I may take out the wooden sides of it, and put in new ones. And he took the scabbard from him, and the sword in the other hand, and he came and stood over against the giant as if he would have put the sword into the scabbard, and with it he struck at the head of the giant, and cut off his head at one blow. Then they dispoiled the castle, and took from it what goods and jewels they would, and again on the same day at the beginning of the year they came to Arthur's court, bearing with them the sword of Gvernach, the giant. And when they had told Arthur how they had sped, Arthur said, Which of these marvels will it be best for us to seek first? It will be best that they to seek Mabon, the son of Modron, and he will not be found unless we first find Idoel, the son of Heir, his kinsmen. Then Arthur rose up, and the warriors of the islands of Britain with him, to seek for Idoel, and they proceeded until they came before the castle of Gliwy, where Idoel was in prison. Gliwy stood on the summit of his castle, and he said, Arthur, what requires thou of me, since nothing remains to me in this fortress? And I have neither joy nor pleasure in it, neither wheat nor oats, seek not therefore to do me harm. Said Arthur, not to injure thee, came I hither but to seek for the prisoner that is with thee. I will give thee my prisoner, though I had not thought to give him up to any one, and therewith shall thou have my support and my aid. His followers said unto Arthur, Lord, go thou home, thou canst not proceed with thy host in quest of such small adventures as these. Then said Arthur, it work well for thee, were hire, gwalt, stod, I thoeth to go upon this quest, for thou knowest all languages, and art familiar with those of the birds and the beasts. Thou, Idoel, oughtst likewise to go with my men in search of thy cousin. And as for you, Kai and Bedwer, I have hope of whatever adventure ye are in quest of, that ye will achieve it, achieve ye this adventure for me. They went forward until they came to the also of Kilgwy, and were hire, adjured her for the sake of heaven, saying, tell me if thou knowest all of Maybond, the son of Modron, who was taken when three nights old from between his mother and the wall. And the also answered, when I first came here, there was a smith's handle in this place, and I was then a young bird, and from that time no work has been done upon it, save the pecking of my beak every evening, and now there is not so much as the size of a nut remaining thereof, yet the vengeance of heaven be upon me if during all that time I've ever heard of the man for whom you inquire. Nevertheless I will do that which is right, and that which is fitting that I should do for an embassy from Arthur. There is a race of animals who were formed before me, and I will be your guide to them. So they proceeded to the place where it was the stag of red in ver. Stag of red in ver, behold we are come to thee, an embassy from Arthur, for we have not heard of any animal older than thou. Say, knowest thou ought of Maybond, the son of Modron, who was taken from his mother when three nights old. The stag said, when first I came hither, there was a plain all around me without any trees, save one oak sapling, which grew up to be an oak with a hundred branches, and that oak has since perished, so that now nothing remains of it but the withered stump, and from that day to this I've been here, yet have I never heard of the man for whom you inquire. Nevertheless, being an embassy from Arthur, I will be your guide to the place where there is an animal which was formed before I was. So they proceeded to the place where was the owl of Quim, call wid, owl of Quim, call wid, here is an embassy from Arthur. Knowest thou ought of Maybond, the son of Modron, who was taken after three nights from his mother? If I knew, I would tell you, when first I came hither, the wide valley you see was a wooded glen, and a race of men came and rooted it up. And there grew there a second wood, and this wood is the third. My wings are they not withered stumps, yet all this time, even until today, I've never heard of the man for whom you inquire. Nevertheless, I will be the guide of Arthur's embassy until you come to the place where is the oldest animal in this world, and the one that has traveled most, the eagle of Guern, Abui. Guern Hire said, Eagle of Guern, Abui, we have come to thee an embassy from Arthur to ask thee if thou knowest ought of Maybond, the son of Modron, who was taken from his mother when he was three nights old. The eagle said, I've been here for a great space of time, and when I first came hither there was a rock here, from the top of which I packed up the stars every evening, and now it is not so much as a span high. From that day to this I've been here, and I've never heard of the man for whom you inquire, except once when I went in search of food as far as Lynn Lou, and when I came there I struck my talons into a salmon, thinking he was serving us food for a long time, but he drew me into the deep, and I was scarcely able to escape from him. After that I went with my whole kindred to attack him and to try to destroy him, but he sent messengers and made peace with me, and came and besought me to take fifty fish spears out of his back, unless he knows something of him whom you seek I cannot tell who may, however I will guide you to the place where he is. So they went thither, and the eagle said, salmon of Lynn Lou, I have come to thee with an embassy from Arthur to ask thee if thou knowest art concerning may bond the son of Modron, who was taken away at three nights old from his mother. As much as I know I will tell thee, with every tithe I go along the river upwards until I come near to the walls of Gloucester, and there have I found such wrong as I never found elsewhere. And to the end that ye may give credence there too, let one of you go thither upon each of my two shoulders. Sochai and Gwerhire wall stod, I theft went upon the two shoulders of the salmon, and they proceeded until they came unto the wall of the prison, and they heard a great wailing and lamenting from the dungeon. Said Gwerhire, who is it that laments in this house of stone? Alas, there is reason enough for whoever is here to lament. It is may bond the son of Modron, who is here imprisoned, and no imprisonment was ever so grievous as mine, neither that of lead, law, rent, nor that of gride the son of airy, hast thou hope of being released for gold, or for silver, or for any gifts of wealth, or through battle and fighting? By fighting will whatever I may gain be obtained. Then they went thence and returned to Arthur, and they told him where may bond the son of Modron was imprisoned, and Arthur summoned the warriors of the island, and they journeyed as far as Gloucester to the place where may bond was imprisoned. Chai and Bedwer went upon the shoulders of the fish, whilst the warriors of Arthur attacked the castle, and Chai broke through the wall into the dungeon and brought away the prisoner upon his back, whilst the fight was going on between the warriors, and Arthur returned home and may bond with him at liberty. Said Arthur, which of the marvels will it be best for us now to seek first? It will be best to seek for the two cubs of ghast, rem he is it known, said Arthur, where she is? She is in Aber du Gleth Thith, said one. Then Arthur went to the house of Dringad in Aber Gleth Thith, and he inquired of him whether he had heard of her there. In what form may she be? She is in the form of a she-wolf, said he, and with her there are two cubs. She is often slain by herds, and she is there below in a cave in Aber Gleth Thith. So Arthur went in his ship, prid, when by sea, and the others went by land to hunt her, and they surrounded her and her two cubs, and God did change them again for Arthur into their own form, and the host of Arthur dispersed themselves into parties of one and two. On a certain day, as with Thur, the son of Greiddall, was walking over a mountain, he heard a wailing and a grievous cry, and when he heard it he sprung forward and went towards it, and when he came there he drew his sword and smote off an ant hill close to the earth, whereby it escaped being burned in the fire. And the ant said to him, receive from us the blessing of heaven, and that which no man can give, we will give thee. Then they fetched the nine bushels of flax seed, which is pa the den pen quare, had required a kill witch, and they brought the full measure without lacking any except one flax seed, and that the lame pismire brought in before night. As Kai and Bedworth sat on a beacon karn on the summit of Plin Lemon, in the highest wind that ever was in the world, they looked around them and saw a great smoke towards the south, a far off, which did not bend with the wind. Then said Kai, by the hand of my friend, behold, Yonder is the fire of a robber. Then they hastened towards the smoke, and they came so near to it, that they could see Dillis, bar, valk, scorching a wild boar. Behold, Yonder is the greatest robber that ever fled from Arthur, said Bedworth unto Kai. Thus thou know him, I do know him, answered Kai, he is Dillis, bar, valk, and no leash in the world will be able to hold, drud, win, the cub of gride, the son of Ari, save a leash made from the beard of him, thou see as Yonder. And that even will be useless unless his beard be plucked alive with wooden tweezers, for if dead it will be brittle. What thinkest thou that we should do concerning this, said Bedworth, let us suffer him, said Kai, to eat as much as he will of the meat, and after that he will fall asleep, and during that time they employed themselves in making the wooden tweezers. And when Kai knew certainly that he was asleep, he made a pit under his feet, the largest in the world, and he struck him a violent blow and squeezed him into the pit, and there they twitched out his beard completely with the wooden tweezers, and after that they slew him altogether. And from thence they both went to Gally Wick in Cornwall and took the leash made of Dillis of our Vox beard with them, and they gave it unto Arthur's hand. Then Arthur composed this englin, Kai made a leash of Dillis, son of Yuri's beard, were he alive, thy death he'd be. And thereupon Kai was wroth, so that the warriors of the island could scarcely make peace between Kai and Arthur, and thence forth neither in Arthur's troubles, nor for the slaying of his men would Kai come forward to his aid for ever after. Said Arthur, which of the marvels is it best for us now to seek? It is best for us to seek, Trudwin, the cub of Gryde, the son of Erie. A little while before this Kai the lad, the daughter of Ludlaw, Errant, and Gryther, the son of Grydal, were betrothed. And before she become as Bride, Gwyn, Op, Nud came and carried her away by force, and Gwyther, the son of Grydal, gathered his host together and went to fight with Gwyn, Op, Nud, but Gwyn overcame him and captured Gryde, the son of Erie, and Glynne, the son of Tarn, and Gurg Wist, Ludlam, and Din Varth, his son. And he captured Pen, the son of Nethog, and Nwethon, and Kai Lader, wilt his son, and they slew Nwethon and took out his heart and constrained Kai Lader to eat the heart of his father. And there from Kai Lader became mad, when Arthur heard of this, he went to the north and summoned Gwyn, Op, Nud, before him, and set free the nobles whom he had put in prison and made peace between Gwyn, Op, Nud, and Gwyther, the son of Grydal. And this was the peace that was made, that the maiden should remain in her father's house without advantage to either of them, and that Gwyn, Op, Nud, and Gwyther, the son of Grydal, should fight for her every first of May from thence forth until the day of Dune, and that whichever of them should then be conquered should have the maiden. And when Arthur had best reconciled these chieftains, he obtained Magdwyn, Gweddwa's horse, and the leash of Kerr's Count Ewen. And after that, Arthur went in to Amoraka, and with him made bond the son of Meld, and Gwer Gwalt Eryn to seek the two dogs of Glythmer, Ledwyck, and when he had got them, he went to the west of Ireland in search of Gurgie, Severi, and Aggar, the son of Edd, King of Ireland, went with him, and thence went Arthur into the north and captured Calder, Gwilt, and he went after Isk, Ifther, Wyn, Penn, Beth, and made bond the son of Meld, came with the two dogs of Glythmer, Ledwyck, in his hand, and Gweddwyn, the cub of Gryd, the son of Errie. And Arthur went himself to the chase, leading his own dog, Cavill, and caught of North Britain, mounted Arthur's mare, Lam Rye, and was first in the attack, then caught of North Britain, wielded a mighty axe, and absolutely daring, he came valiantly up to the boar, and clavours head in twain, and caught, took away the tusk, now the boar was not slain by the dogs that Isk, Gweddwyn, had mentioned, but by Cavill, Arthur's own dog. And after Isk, Ifther, Wyn, Penn, Bath, was killed, Arthur and his host departed to Glywyck and Cornwall, and then he sent Menweth, the son of Tyr, Gwedd, to see if the precious things were between the two ears of Twerch, Twerth, since it were useless to encounter him if they were not there. Albeit it was certain where he was, for he had laid waste the third part of Ireland, and Menweth went to seek for him, and he met with him in Ireland, in Esgir, Orville. And Menweth took the form of a bird, and he descended upon the top of his lair and strove to snatch away one of the precious things from him, but he carried away nothing, but one of his bristles. And the boar rose up angrily and shook himself so that some of his venom fell upon Menweth, and he was never well from that day forward. After this, Arthur sent an embassy to Odgar, the son of F, King of Ireland, to ask for the cauldron of Notch, Whithill, his purveyor. And Odgar commanded him to give it, but Dewar Notch said, Heaven is my witness, if it would avail him anything even to look at it, he should not do so. And the embassy of Arthur returned from Ireland with his denial. And Arthur set forward with a small retiny and entered into Pridwen, his ship, and went over to Ireland, and they proceeded into the house of Dewar, Notch, Whithill, and the host of Odgar saw their string. When they had eaten and drank as much as they desired, Arthur demanded to have the cauldron, and he answered if I would have given it to anyone, I would have given it at the word of Odgar, King of Ireland. When he had given them this denial, Bedward arose and seized hold of the cauldron and placed it upon the back of Hig, Whid, Arthur's servant, who was brother, by the mother's side, to Arthur's servant, Cauchamry, his office was always to carry Arthur's cauldron and to place fire under it. And Len, Lee, Og, Whithill, seized Cal, the the Wilch and Brandish did, and they slew Dewar, Notch, Whithill, and his company. Then came the Irish and fought with them, and when he had put them to flight, Arthur with his men went forward to the ship, carrying away the cauldron full of Irish money, and he disembarked at the house of Louis Thin, the son of Cal, Qued, at fourth, Curth Thin, in David, and there is the measure of the cauldron. Then Arthur summoned under him all the warriors that were in the three islands of Britain, and in the three islands adjacent, and all that were in France, and in Amorica, in Normandy, and in the summer country, and all that were chosen footmen and valiant horsemen, and with all these he went into Ireland, and in Ireland there was great fear and terror concerning him, and when Arthur landed in the country, there came unto him the saints of Ireland and besought his protection, and he granted his protection unto them, and they gave him their blessing. Then the men of Ireland came unto Arthur and brought him provisions, and Arthur went as far as as gear orval in Ireland to the place where the boar, Frith, was with his seven young pigs, and the dogs were let loose upon him from all sides. That day until evening the Irish fought with him, nevertheless, he laid waste the fifth part of Ireland, and on the day following the household of Arthur fought with him, and they were worsted by him and got no advantage, and the third day Arthur himself encountered him, and he fought with him nine nights and nine days without so much as killing even one little pig. The warriors inquired of Arthur what was the origin of that swine, and he told them that he was once a king, and that God had transformed him into a swine for his sins. Then Arthur sent Gwerhaar Gwaal Stott I felt to endeavor to speak with him, and Gwerhaar assumed the form of a bird and allotted upon the top of the lair where he was with the seven young pigs, and Gwerhaar Gwaal Stott I felt asked him by him who turned you into this form if you can speak that someone of you I beseech you come and talk with Arthur. Grugin Gry Rich Arendt made answer to him. Now his bristles were like silver wire and whether he went through the wood or through the plane he was to be traced by the glittering of his bristles. And this was the answer that Grugin made by him who turned us into this form we will not do so and we will not speak with Arthur. That we have been transformed thus is enough for us to suffer without your coming here to fight with us. I will tell you Arthur comes but to fight for the comb and the razor and the scissors which are between the two ears of Torch Trith said Grugin except he first take his life he will never have those precious things and tomorrow morning we will rise up hence and we will go into Arthur's country and there will we do all the mischief that we can. So they set forth through the sea towards Wales and Arthur and his hosts and his horses and his dogs entered Pridwen that they might encounter them without delay Torch Trith landed in Port Claes and dived and the same night Arthur came to min you the next day it was told to Arthur that they had gone by and he overtook them as they were killing the cattle of kin was quir e boggle having slain all that were at Aber Glethwyth of man and beast before the coming of Arthur. Now when Arthur approached Torch Trith went on as far as Presley and Arthur and his hosts followed him thither and Arthur sent men to hunt him Eli and Torch Myer leading Drutwen the welp of ride the son of Errie and Guareth Thig Duh the son of Ca in another quarter with the two dogs of Glethmyr Ledhwyth and Bedwer leading Cavel Arthur's own dog and all the warriors range themselves around the Niver and there came there the three sons of Clefith Dived Welch men who had gained much fame at the slaying of Iskith Er Wynne Penn Beth and they went on from Glen Niver and came to Kim Kerwin and there Twerch Trith made a stand and slew four of Arthur's champions Cor Thig the son of Ca and Toroch of Alt Clef and Ridewin the son of Eli Atver and his Gavon Hale and after he has slain these men he made a second stand in the same place and there he slew Guadre son of Arthur and Garslet Wifle and glue the son of Iskod and Iskhan the son of Pan-Nan and there he himself was wounded and the next morning before it was day some of the men came up with him and he slew Hwanda and Gogi Kua and Pen-Pingon three attendants upon Lul Wyd Gavel Blawer so that heaven knows he had not an attendant remaining accepting only less given a man from whom no one ever derived any good and together with these he slew many of the men of that country and Gil E. Din Sayer Arthur's chief architect then Arthur overtook him at Palom Yaak and there he slew Hwadak the son of Tytheon and Gwyn the son of Dringad the son of Nevid and Aron Pen-Laurao thence he went to Aberty by where he made another stand and where he slew Ky-Fluss the son of Ky-Nam and Quill and him King of France then he went as far as Gwyn it's to and there the men and the dogs lost him then Arthur summoned unto him Gwyn Abnud and he asked him if he knew Art of Torch Trith and he said that he did not and all the huntsmen went to hunt the swine as far as Dithrin Lyche were and Gwyn Gwalt Arendt and Lwai Dog Gauvin Nyad closed with them and killed all the huntsmen so that their escape but one man only and Arthur and his host came to the place where Gwyn and Lyche Dog were and there he let loose the hold of the dogs upon them and with the shout embarking that was set up Torch Trith came to their assistance and from the time that they came across the Irish sea Arthur had never got sight of him until then so he set men and dogs upon him and there upon he started off and went to Men Yeth Amania and there one of his young pigs was killed then they set upon him life for life and Torch Lwain was slain and then there was slain a mother of the swine Gris was his name after that he went on to Dithrin Amanua and there Banua and then we were killed of all his pigs there went with him alive from that place none saved Gruggen Gwalt Irant and Rye Dog Govvyn Nyad then he went on to Lwitch Ewen and Arthur overtook him there and he made a stand and there is Lwetchil for Thith Twill and Gar Wille the son of Quith Fog Quire and many men and dogs likewise and thence they went to Lwitch Tawe Gruggen Gerr Itch Irant parted from them there and went to Din Tyree and thence he proceeded to Sarah Dick Yeowyn and Eli and Trockmere with him and a multitude likewise then he came to Garth Gruggen and there the Y Dog Govyn Nyad fought in the midst of them and slew Rude Thiew Wa Ries and many others with him then Y Dog went thence to Eastrod U and there the men Amorakha met him and there he slew Herb by Sog and the king of Amorakha and Lig Gertruth Emmis and Gerr Bathu Arthur's uncles his mother's brothers and there was he himself slain Twerch Trith went from there to between Tawee and Urus and Arthur summoned all Cornwall and Devon unto him to the estuary of the Severn and he said to the warriors of this island Twerch Trith has slain many of my men but by the valor of warriors while I live he shall not go into Cornwall and I will not follow him any longer but I will oppose him life to life ye ye as ye will and he resolved that he would send a body of knights with the dogs of the island as far as Uus who should return dense to the Severn and that tried warriors should traverse the island and force him into the Severn in Maybond the son of Modron came up with him at the Severn upon Gwyn Mig Thon the horse of Gwethu and Kauru the son of Kastennan and Menwa the son of Tir Gweth this was betwixt Lynne Luan and Aber Gwai and Arthur fell upon him together with the champions of Britain and Asla Gil-le-Var-Wa Dru-Nir and Mana withon the son of Lear and Kakum Rai the son of Arthur and Gwyn Gili and they seized hold of him catching him first by his feet and plunged him in the Severn so that it overwhelmed him on the one side Maybond the son of Modron spurred his steed and snatched his razor from him and Kaila Dru-Nir Wilt came up with him on the other side upon another steed in the Severn and took from him the scissors but before they could obtain the comb he had regained the ground with his feet and from the moment that he reached the shore neither dog nor man nor horse could overtake him until he came to Cornwall if they had had trouble in getting the jewels from him much more had they in seeking to save the two men from being drowned Kakum Rai as they drew him forth was dragged by two millstones into the deep and as Asla Gil-le-Var-Wa was running after the bore his knife had dropped out of his sheath and he had lost it and after that the sheath became full of water and its weight drew him down into the deep as they were drawing him forth then Arthur and his hosts proceeded until they overtook the bore in Cornwall and the trouble which they had met with before was the mere play to what they encountered in seeking the comb but from one difficulty to another the comb was at length obtained and then he was hunted from Cornwall and driven straight forward into the deep sea and then forth it was never known whether he went and Oned and Ethlem with him then went Arthur to Gullywick in Cornwall to anoint himself and to rest from his fatigues said Arthur is there any one of the marvels yet unobtain said one of his men there is the blood of the witch or through the daughter of the witch Orwen of Penn Naught Govid on the confines of hell Arthur sent forth towards the north and came to the place where was the witch's cave and Gwynn Obnud and Gwaiethor the son of Gryd Dall counts on him to send cock and rye and Higwid his brother to fight with the witch and as they enter the cave the witch seized upon them and she caught Higwid by the hair of his head and threw him on the floor beneath her and cocked and rye caught her by the hair of her head and dragged her to the earth from off Higwid but she turned again upon them both and drove them both out with kicks and with cuffs and Arthur was wroth at seeing his two attendants almost slain and he sought to enter the cave but Gwynn and Gwaiethor said unto him it would not be fitting or seemly for us to see thee squabbling with a hag that harem ren and harem ideal go to the cave so they went but if great was the trouble of the two first that went much greater was that of these two and heaven knows that not one of the four could move from the spot until they placed them all upon Lom Rye Arthur's mare and then Arthur rushed to the door of the cave and at the door he struck at the witch with and clover and twain so that she fell in two parts and Caw of North Britain took the blood of the witch and kept it then Kelwich set forward and Garou the son of Kastennin with him and as many as wished ill to Ispa Thaden Penquar and they took the marvels with them to his court and Caw of North Britain came and shaved his beard skin and flesh clean off to the very bone from ear to ear Arthur Shaveman said Kelwich I'm Shave dancer he is thy daughter mine now she is thine said he but therefore needest thou not thank me but Arthur who hath accomplished this for thee by my free will thou shouldest never have had her for with her I lose my life then Garou the son of Kastennin seized him by the hair of his head and dragged him after him to the keep and cut off his head and placed it on a stake on the citadel and they took possession of his castle and of his treasures and that night Alwyn became Kelwich's bride and she continued to be his wife as long as she lived and the hosts of Arthur dispersed themselves each man to his own country and thus did Kelwich obtain Alwyn the daughter of Ispa Thaden Penquar End of Section 6 Section 7 of the Mabinogen Volume 2 by Anonymous translated by a Charlotte Guest This Librivox recording is in the public domain The dream of Maxine Oolidig Maxine Oolidig was emperor of Rome and he was a comelier man and a better and wiser than any emperor that had been before him and one day he held a council of kings and he said to his friends I desire to go tomorrow to hunt and the next day in the morning he set forth with his retinue and came to the valley of the river that flowed towards Rome and he hunted through the valley until midday and with them also were two and thirty crowned kings that were his vassals not for the delight of hunting went the emperor with them but to put himself on equal terms with those kings and the sun was high in the sky over their heads and the heat was great and sleep came upon Maxine Oolidig and his attendant student set up their shields around him upon the shafts of their spears to protect him from the sun and they placed a golden amul shield under his head and so Maxine slept and he saw a dream and this is the dream that he saw he was journeying along the valley of the river towards its source and he came to the highest mountain in the world and he thought that the mountain was as high as the sky and when he came over the mountain it seemed to him that he went through the fairest and most level regions that man ever yet beheld on the other side of the mountain and he saw large and mighty rivers descending from the mountain to the sea and towards the mouths of the rivers he proceeded and as he journeyed thus he came to the mouth of the largest river ever seen and he beheld a great city at the entrance of the river and a vast castle in the city and he saw many high towers of various colors in the castle and he saw a fleet at the mouth of the river the largest ever seen and he saw one ship among the fleet larger was it by far and fairer than all the others of such part of the ship as he could see above the water one plank was gilded and the other silvered over he saw a bridge of the bone of the whale from the ship to the land and he thought that he went along the bridge and came into the ship and a sail was hoisted on the ship and along the sea and the ocean was it born then it seemed that he came to the fairest island in the whole world and he traversed the island from sea to sea even to the farthest shore of the island valleys he saw and steeps and rocks of wondrous height and rugged precipices never yet saw he the like and thence he beheld an island in the sea facing this rugged land and between him and this island was a country of which the plain was as large as the sea the mountain as vast as the wood and from the mountain he saw a river that flowed through the land and fell into the sea and at the mouth of the river he beheld a castle the fairest that man ever saw and the gate of the castle was open and he went into the castle and in the castle he saw a fair hall of which the roof seemed to be all gold the walls of the hall seemed to be entirely of glittering precious gems the doors all seemed to be of gold golden seats he saw in the hall and silver tables and on a seat opposite to him he beheld two auburn-haired youths playing at chess he saw a silver board for the chess and golden pieces thereon the garments of the youths were of jet-black satin and chaplets of ready-gold bound their hair whereon were sparkling jewels of great price rubies and gems alternately with imperial stones buskins of new cordovan leather on their feet fastened by slides of red gold and beside a pillar in the hall he saw a hoary-headed man in a chair of ivory with the figures of two eagles of ready-gold thereon bracelets of gold were upon his arms and many rings upon his hands and a golden torquus about his neck and his hair was bound with a golden diadem he was of powerful aspect a chessboard of gold was before him and a rod of gold and a steel file in his hand and he was carving out chessmen and he saw a maiden sitting before him in a chair of ready-gold not more easy than to gaze upon the sun when brightest was it to look upon her by reason of her beauty a vest of white silk was upon the maiden with clasps of red gold at the breast and a circled of gold tissue was upon her and a frontlet of red gold upon her head and rubies and gems were in the frontlet alternating with pearls and imperial stones and a girdle of ready-gold was around her she was the fairest sight that man ever beheld the maiden arose from her chair before him and he threw his arms about the neck of the maiden and they too sat down together in the chair of gold and the chair was not less roomy for them both than for the maiden alone and as he had his arms about the maiden's neck and his cheek by her cheek behold through the chafing of the dogs that they're leashing and the clashing of the shields as they struck against each other and the beating together of the shafts of the spears and the naing of the horses and their prancing the emperor awoke and when he awoke nor spirit nor existence was left him because of the maiden whom he had seen in his sleep for the love of the maiden pervaded his whole frame then his household spake under him Lord said, there is not past the time for thee to take thy food there upon the emperor mounted his palfry the saddest man that mortal ever saw and went forth towards Rome and thus he was during the space of a week when they of the household went to drink wine and meet out of golden vessels he went not with any of them when they went to listen to songs and tales he went not with them there neither could he be persuaded to do anything but sleep and as often as he slept he beheld in his dreams the maiden he loved best but except when he slept he saw nothing of her for he knew not where in the world she was one day the page of the chamber spake under him now although he was page of the chamber he was king of the romans Lord said he all thy people reviled thee wherefore do they revile me asked the emperor because they can get neither message nor answer from thee as men should have from their lord this is the cause why thou art spoken evil of you said the emperor do thou bring unto me the wise men of Rome and I will tell them wherefore I am sorrowful then the wise men of Rome were brought to the emperor and he spake to them sages of Rome said he I've seen a dream and in the dream I beheld a maiden and because of the maiden is there neither life nor spirit nor existence within me Lord they answered since thou judged us worthy to counsel thee we will give thee counsel and this is our counsel that thou send messengers for three years to the three parts of the world to seek for thy dream and as thou know us not what day or what night good news may come to thee the hope thereof will support thee so the messengers journeyed for the space of a year wandering about the world and seeking tidings concerning his dream but when they came back at the end of the year they knew not one word more than they did the day they set forth and then was the emperor exceeding sorrowful for he thought that he should never have tidings of her home best he loved then spoke the king of the romans unto the emperor Lord said he go forth to hunt by the way that thou did seem to go whither it were to the east or to the west so the emperor went forth to hunt and he came to the bank of the river behold said he this is where I was when I saw the dream and I went towards the source of the river westward and there upon 13 messengers of the emperors set forth and before them they saw a high mountain which seemed to them to touch the sky now this was the guys in which the messengers journeyed one sleeve was on the cap of each of them in front as a sign that they were messengers in order that through what hostile land so ever they might pass no harm might be done them and when they were come over this mountain they beheld vast plains and large rivers flowing there through behold said they the land which our masters saw and they went along the mouths of the rivers until they came to the mighty river which they saw flowing to the sea and the vast city and the many colored high towers in the castle they saw the largest fleet in the world in the harbor of the river and one ship that was larger than any of the others behold again said they the dream that our masters saw and in the great ship they crossed the sea and came to the island of britain and they traversed the island until they came to snowden behold said they the rugged land that our masters saw and they went forward until they saw angstly before them and until they saw arvin likewise behold said they the land our masters saw in his sleep and they saw aber sain and a castle at the mouth of the river the portal of the castle saw they opened and into the castle they went and they saw a hall in the castle then said they behold the hall which he saw in his sleep they went into the hall and they beheld two youths playing a chess on the golden bench and they beheld the hoary-headed man beside the pillar in the ivory chair carving chessmen and they beheld the maiden sitting on a chair of ruddy gold the messengers bent down upon their knees empress of Rome all hail ha gentles said the maiden ye bear the seeming of honorable men and the badge of envoys what mockery is this ye do to me we mock thee not lady but the emperor of Rome has seen thee in his sleep and he has neither life nor spirit left because of thee thou shalt have of us therefore the choice lady whether thou wilt go with us and be made empress of Rome or that the emperor come hither and take thee for his wife ha lords said the maiden i will not deny what you say neither will i believe it too well if the emperor loved me let him come here to seek me and by day and night the messengers hide them back and when their horses fail they bought other fresh ones and when they came to Rome they saluted the emperor and asked their boon which was given to them according as they named it we will be thy guides lords said they over sea and over land to the place where is the woman whom best thou love us for we know her name and her kindred and her race and immediately the emperor set forth with his army and these men were his guides towards the island of britain they went over the sea in the deep and he conquered the island from belly the son of managan and his sons and drove them to the sea and went forward even unto arvan and the emperor knew the land when he saw it and when he beheld the castle of abert sain look yonder said he there is the castle wherein i saw the damsel whom i best loved and he went forward into the castle and into the hall and there he saw kynan the son of yudav and adion the son of yudav playing at chess and he saw yudav the son of carat doc sitting on a chair of ivory carving chessman and the maiden whom he had beheld in his sleep he saw sitting on a chair of gold empress of rome said he all hail and the emperor threw his arms about her neck and that night she became his bride and the next day in the morning the damsel asked her maiden portion and he told her to name what she would and she asked to have the island of britain for her father from the channel to the irish sea together with the three adjacent islands to hold under the empress of rome and to have three chief castles made for her in whatever places she might choose in the island of britain and she chose to have the highest castle made at arvan and they brought their the earth from rome that it might be more helpful for the emperor to sleep and sit and walk upon after that the two other castles were made for her which were carlion and karmathan and one day the emperor went to hunt at karmathan and he came so far as the top of revivar and there the emperor pitched his tent and that in camping places called kadeer maxon even to this day and because that he built the castle with a myriad of many called it carved then then helanda thought her to make high roads from one castle to another throughout the island of britain and the roads were made and for this cause are they called the roads of hellen lou thought that she was sprung from a native of this island and the men of the island of britain would not have made these great roads for any save for her seven years did the emperor tear in this island now at that time the men of rome had a custom that whatsoever emperor should remain in other lands more than seven years should remain to his own overthrow and should never return to rome again so they made a new emperor and this one wrote a letter of threat to maxon there was not in the letter but only this if thou comest and if thou ever comest to rome and even unto carlion came this letter to maxon and these tidings then sent he a letter to the man who styled himself emperor in rome there was not in that letter also but only this if i come to rome and if i come and there upon maxon set forth towards rome with his army and vanquished france and burgundy and every land on the way and sat down before the city of rome a year was the emperor before the city and he was no nearer taking it than the first day and after him there came the brothers of helen lew thawk from the island of britain and a small host with them and better warriors were in that small host then twice as many romans and the emperor was told that a host was seen halting close to his army and encamping and no man ever saw a fairer or better appointed host for its size nor more handsome standards and helen went to see the host and she knew the standards of her brothers then came conan the son of yudav and adion the son of yudav to meet the emperor and the emperor was glad because of them and embraced them then they looked at the romans as they attacked the city said conan to his brother we will try to attack the city more expertly than this so they measured by night the height of the wall and they sent their carpenters to the wood and a ladder was made for every four men of their number now when these were ready every day at midday the emperors went to meet and they ceased to fight on both sides till all had finished eating and in the morning the men of britain took their food and they drank until they were invigorated and while the two emperors were at meet the britains came to the city and placed their ladders against it and forthwith they came in through the city the new emperor had not time to arm himself when they fell upon him and slew him and many others with him and three nights and three days were they subduing the men that were in the city and taking the castle and others of them kept the city lest any of the host of maxon should come therein until they had subjected all to their will then spake maxon to helen lu thought i marvel lady said he that my brothers have not conquered this city for me lord emperor she answered the wisest use in the world are my brothers go there litter and ask the city of them and if it be in their possession thou shalt have it gladly so the emperor and helen went and demanded the city and they told the emperor that none had taken the city and that none could give it him but the men of the island of britain then the gates of the city of rome were opened and the emperor sat on the throne and all the men of rome submitted themselves unto him the emperor then set unto conan and adion lord said he i've now had possession of the whole of my empire this host gave the eye unto you to vanquish whatever region he may desire in the world so they set forth and conquered lands and castles and cities and they slew all the men but the women they kept alive and thus they continued until the young men that had come with them were grown gray headed from the length of time they were upon this conquest then spoke conan unto adion his brother whether without rather said he tarry in this land or go back into the land when thou didst come forth now he chose to go back to his own land and many with him but conan tarried there with the other part and dwelt there and they took counsel and cut out the tongues of the women lest they should corrupt their speech and because of the silence of the women from their own speech the men of amorica are called britains from that time there came frequently and still comes that language from the island of britain and this tale is called the dream of maxon euladig emperor of rome and here it ends end of section seven end of mabinogen volume two by anonymous translated by charlotte guest