THE FOUR ANCIENT BOOKS OF WALES
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THE dissolution of the religious houses in Wales during the reign of Henry VIII, and the dispersion of their libraries, led to many Welsh manuscripts passing into the hands of private individuals. Collections of Welsh manuscripts soon began to be formed by persons who took an interest in the history and literature of their country. In the early 1600s many of the manuscripts came into the possession of Robert Vaughan which he amassed at Hengwrt, his home, preserving many unique texts which might otherwise have been lost. Later these become known as the Hengwrt-Peniarth Collection (from the houses from which they were successively preserved). They then formed the nucleus of the National Library of Wales and are still in its care.
This is William Skene's anthology of dark-age Welsh Bardic poetry sourced from this collection. Often cited, this book contains every remaining piece of Bardic poetry known. The poems are translated from four manuscripts: THE BLACK BOOK OF CAERMARTHEN, THE RED BOOK OF HERGEST (source of the Mabinogion), THE BOOK OF TALIESSIN and THE BOOK OF ANEURIN, all of which date from the twelfth to the fifteenth centuries A.D. The poems themselves date from much earlier, probably from the sixth century by internal evidence.
This volume is one of the treasures of world literature. It is also the only true source material for the study of Bardic lore, which reputedly preserved the impenetrable and arcane beliefs of the Druids. Much of the subject matter is related to mead-inspired battles, particularly the renowned Gododin cycle. However, the poetry rises above the gory combat to achieve an artistic height that would not be reached again for many centuries. The poems are infused throughout with mystic clarity, strange flashes of wisdom, and insight into humanity and nature.
33% of the Publishers profit from the sale of this book will be donated to The Prince's Trust
Excerpt from THE FOUR ANCIENT BOOKS OF WALES
XCII. SONG TO THE WIND (from the BOOK OF TALIESSIN XVII)
GUESS who it is.
Created before the deluge.
A creature strong,
Without flesh, without bone,
Without veins, without blood,
Without head, and without feet.
It will not be older, it will not be younger,
Than it was in the beginning.
There will not come from his design
10 Fear or death.
He has no wants
From creatures.
Great God! the sea whitens
When it comes from the beginning.
Great his beauties,
The one that made him.
He, in the field, he, in the wood,
Without hand and without foot.
Without old age, without age.
20 Without the most jealous destiny
And he (is) coeval
With the five periods of the five ages.
And also is older,
Though there be five hundred thousand years.
And he is as wide
As the face of the earth,
And he was not born,
And he has not been seen.
He, on sea, he, on land,
30 He sees not, he is not seen.
He is not sincere,
He will not come when it is wished.
He, on land, he, on sea,
He is indispensable,
He is unconfined,
He is unequalled.
He from four regions,
He will not be according to counsel.
He commences his journey
40 From above the stone of marble.
He is loud-voiced, he is mute.
He is uncourteous.
He is vehement, he is bold,
When he glances over the land.
He is mute, he is loud-voiced.
He is blustering.
Greatest, his banner
On the face of the earth.
He is good, he is bad,
50 He is not bright,
He is not manifest,
For the sight does not see (him).
He is bad, he is good.
He is yonder, he is here,
He will disorder.
He will not repair what he does
And he sinless,
He is wet, he is dry,
He comes frequently
60 From the heat of the sun, and the coldness of the moon.
The moon is without benefit,
Because less, her heat.
One Person has made it,
All the creatures.
He owns the beginning
And the end without falsehood.
Not skilful, the minstrel
That praises not the Lord.
Not true, the songster
70 That praises not the Father.
Not usual will a plough be
Without iron, without seed.
There was not a light
Before the creation of heaven;
There will not be a priest,
That will not bless the wafer;
The perverse will not know
The seven faculties.
Ten countries were provided,
80 In the angelic country.
The tenth were discarded,
They loved not their Father.
A loveless shower
In utter ruin.
Llucufer the corrupter,
Like his destitute country
Seven stars there are,
Of the seven gifts of the Lord.
The student of the stars
90 Knows their substance.
Marca mercedus
Ola olimus
Luna lafurus
Jubiter venerus
From the sun freely flowing
The moon fetches light.
Remembrance is not in vain,
No cross if not believed.
Our Father! Our Father!
100 Our relative and companion.
Our Sovereign, we shall not be separated.
By the host of Llucufer.
Table of Contents for THE FOUR ANCIENT BOOKS OF WALES
THE FOUR ANCIENT BOOKS OF WALES |
CHAPTER I. THE POEMS CONTAINED IN THE FOUR ANCIENT BOOKS OF WALES. |
CHAPTER II. THE LITERATURE OF WALES SUBSEQUENT TO THE TWELFTH CENTURY. |
CHAPTER III. SOURCES OF THE EARLY HISTORY OF WALES. |
CHAPTER IV. STATE OF THE COUNTRY IN THE SIXTH CENTURY, AND ITS HISTORY PRIOR TO A.D. . |
CHAPTER V. STATE OF BRITAIN IN A.D. WHEN GILDAS WROTE, AND KINGS OF THE LINE OF DYFI. |
CHAPTER VI. MANAU GODODIN AND THE PICTS. |
CHAPTER VII. THE RACES OF BRITAIN AND THE PLACE OF THE PICTS AMONG THEM. |
CHAPTER VIII. THE CELTIC DIALECTS AND THE PROBABLE CHARACTER OF THE PICTISH LANGUAGE. |
CHAPTER IX. THE CELTIC TOPOGRAPHY OF SCOTLAND, AND THE DIALECTIC DIFFERENCES INDICATED BY IT. |
CHAPTER X. CUMBRIA AND THE MEN OF THE NORTH. |
CHAPTER XI. RECENT CRITICISM OF MYTHOLOGICAL POEMS EXAMINED. |
CHAPTER XII. RECENT CRITICISM OF HISTORICAL POEMS EXAMINED. |
CHAPTER XIII. TRUE PLACE OF THE POEMS IN WELSH LITERATURE. |
CHAPTER XIV. RESULT OF THE EXAMINATION OF THE POEMS, AND THEIR CLASSIFICATION. |
TRANSLATION OF THE POEMS |
I. HISTORICAL POEMS CONTAINING ALLUSIONS TO EVENTS PRIOR TO A.D. |
A. POEMS REFERRING TO EARLY TRADITIONS. |
I. THE RECONCILIATION OF LLUD THE LESS. |
II. THE DEATH-SONG OF CORROI, SON OF DAYRY. |
III. THE DEATH-SONG OF EROF. |
IV. BOOK OF TALIESSIN XLI. |
V. BOOK OF TALIESSIN XLVI. |
B.POEMS REFERRING TO ARTHUR THE GULEDIG. |
VI. THE CHAIR OF THE SOVEREIGN. |
VII. BLACK BOOK OF CAERMARTHEN XXXI. |
VIII. BOOK OF TALIESSIN XXX. |
IX. GERAINT, SON OF ERBIN. |
C. POEMS REFERRING TO GWYDYON AP DON AND HIS GWYDDYL AND THE BRITHWYR. |
X. DARONWY. |
XI. THE PRAISE` OF LLUDD THE GREAT |
XII. BOOK OF TALIESSIN XIV. |
XIII.THE BATTLE OF GODEU. |
XIV. BOOK OF TALIESSIN I. |
XV. DEATH-SONG OF DYLAN SON OF THE WAVE. |
XVI. BLACK BOOK OF CAERMARTHEN XXXV. |
XVII. RED BOOK OF HERGEST XXII. |
D. POEM REFERRING TO GWYDDNO AND GWYNN AP NUDD. |
XVIII. BLACK BOOK OF CAERMARTHEN XXXIII. |
E. POEMS REFERRING TO EARLY TRADITIONS WHICH BELONG TO A LATER SCHOOL |
XIX. THE CHAIR OF CERIDWEN. |
XX. THE DEATH-SONG OF UTHYR PENDRAGON. |
XXI. BOOK OF TALIESSIN XLV. |
XXII. THE PRAISE OF TALIESSIN. |
XXIII. BLACK BOOK OF CAERMARTHEN XXXVIII. |
F.POEMS RELATING TO CITIES OF THE CYMRY AND THEIR LEGENDARY HEROES. |
XXIV. BLACK BOOK OF CAERMARTHEN XV. |
XXV. BOOK OF TALIESSIN XXI. |
XXVI. BLACK BOOK OF CAERMARTHEN VIII. |
XXVIII. BOOK OF TALIESSIN XXV. |
XXIX. THE VERSES OF THE GRAVES. |
II. HISTORICAL POEMS CONTAINING ALLUSIONS TO EVENTS SUBSEQUENT TO A.D. . |
G. POEMS REFERRING TO WAR BETWEEN SONS OF LLYWARCH HEN AND MWG MAWR DREFYDD. |
XXX. NAMES OF THE SONS OF LLYWARCH HEN. |
XXXI. BLACK BOOK OF CAERMARTHEN XXX. |
XXXII. BLACK BOOK OF CAERMARTHEN XXXIV. |
XXXIII. RED BOOK OF HERGEST XI. |
H. POEMS RELATING TO GWALLAWG AP LLEENAWG. |
XXXIV. BLACK BOOK OF CAERMARTHEN XXXII. |
XXXV. BOOK OF TALIESSIN XI. |
XXXVI. BOOK OF TALIESSIN XXXVIII. |
I. POEMS RELATING TO URIEN REGED. |
XXXVII. RED BOOK OF HERGEST XVII. |
XXXVIII. BOOK OF TALIESSIN XXXI. |
XXXIX. BOOK OF TALIESSIN XXXII. |
XL. BOOK OF TALIESSIN XXXIII. |
XLI. BOOK OF TALIESSIN XXXIV. |
XLII. BOOK OF TALIESSIN XXXVI. |
XLIII. THE SATISFACTION OF URIEN. |
XLIV. THE SPOILS OF TALIESSIN, A SONG TO URIEN. |
XLV. RED BOOK OF HERGEST XII. |
J. POEMS RELATING TO URIEN AND HIS SON OWEN. |
XLVI. BOOK OF TALIESSIN XVIII. |
XLVII. THE AFFAIR OF ARGOED LLWYFAIN. |
XLVIII. THE DEATH-SONG OF OWAIN. |
K. POEMS RELATING TO THE BATTLE OF ARDDERYD. |
XLIX. BLACK BOOK OF CAERMARTHEN I. |
L. BLACK BOOK OF CAERMARTHEN XVII. |
L. THE GODODIN POEMS. |
LI. BOOK OF ANEURIN I. |
LII. BOOK OF ANEURIN II. |
LIII. BOOK OF ANEURIN IV. |
LIV. BOOK OF ANEURIN V. |
LV. SONG TO ALE. |
M. POEMS RELATING TO CADWALLAWN. |
LVI. BOOK OF TALIESSIN XLIX. |
LVII. BOOK OF TALIESSIN L. |
LVIII. RED BOOK OF HERGEST XV. |
N. PREDICTIVE POEMS RELATING TO CADWALADYR. |
LIX. THE OMEN OF PRYDEIN THE GREAT. |
LX. BOOK OF TALIESSIN XLVII. |
LXI. BOOK OF TALIESSIN LIII. |
O. POEMS CONNECTED WITH POWYS. |
LXII. SATIRE OF CYNAN GARWYN SON OF BROCHWAEL. |
LXIII. RED BOOK OF HERGEST XVI. |
P. POEMS WHICH MENTION HENRY, OR THE SON OF HENRY |
LXIV. A DIALOGUE BETWEEN MYRDIN AND HIS SISTER GWENDYDD. |
LXV. A FUGITIVE POEM OF MYRDIN IN HIS GRAVE. |
LXVI. BLACK BOOK OF CAERMARTHEN XVI. |
LXVII. BLACK BOOK OF CAERMARTHEN XVIII. |
LXVIII. RED BOOK OF HERGEST XX. |
LXIX. RED BOOK OF HERGEST XIX. |
LXX. RED BOOK OF HERGEST XXI. |
III. MISCELLANEOUS POEMS FROM THE BLACK BOOK OF CAERMARTHEN. |
Q. POEMS ATTRIBUTED TO OTHER EARLY BARDS. |
LXXI. MEIGANT. |
LXXII. CUHELYN. |
XXIII. BLACK BOOK OF CAERMARTHEN IV. |
LXXIV. THE CYNGHOGION OF ELAETH. |
LXXV. BLACK BOOK OF CAERMARTHEN XXI. |
R. ANONYMOUS POEMS ON RELIGIOUS SUBJECTS. |
LXXVI. BLACK BOOK OF CAERMARTHEN V. |
LXXVII. BLACK BOOK OF CAERMARTHEN VI. |
LXXVIII. BLACK BOOK OF CAERMARTHEN VII. |
LXXIX. BLACK BOOK OF CAERMARTHEN IX. |
LXXX. BLACK BOOK OF CAERMARTHEN X. |
LXXXI. BLACK BOOK OF CAERMARTHEN XI. |
LXXXII. BLACK BOOK OF CAERMARTHEN XII. |
LXXXIII. BLACK BOOK OF CAERMARTHEN XIII. |
LXXXIV. BLACK BOOK OF CAERMARTHEN XXV. |
LXXXV. BLACK BOOK OF CAERMARTHEN XXIX. |
S. POEMS RELATING TO YSCOLAN. |
LXXXVI. BLACK BOOK OF CAERMARTHEN XXVI. |
LXXXV. BLACK BOOK OF CAERMARTHEN XXIX. |
S. POEMS RELATING TO YSCOLAN. |
LXXXVI. BLACK BOOK OF CAERMARTHEN XXVI. |
LXXXVII. BLACK BOOK OF CAERMARTHEN XXVII. |
IV. MISCELLANEOUS POEMS FROM THE BOOK OF ANEURIN. |
T. POEM CONTAINING ANCIENT PROVERBS. |
LXXXVIII. BOOK OF ANEURIN III. |
V. MISCELLANEOUS POEMS FROM THE BOOK OF TALIESSIN. |
U. POEMS RELATING TO THE LIFE AND OPINIONS OF TALIESSIN. |
LXXXIX. THE FOLD OF THE BARDS. |
XC. HOSTILE CONFEDERACY. |
XCI. THE CHAIR OF TALIESSIN. |
XCII. SONG TO THE WIND. |
XCIII. SONG TO MEAD. |
XCIV. SONG TO THE GREAT WORLD. |
XCV. SONG TO THE LITTLE WORLD. |
XCVI. JUVENILE ORNAMENTS OF TALIESSIN. |
XCVII. THE ELEGY OF THE THOUSAND SONS. |
XCVIII. THE PLEASANT THINGS OF TALIESSIN. |
XCIX. BOOK OF TALIESSIN V. |
C. BOOK OF TALIESSIN XXVII. |
V. POEMS RELATING TO JEWISH HISTORY. |
CI. THE PLAGUES OF EGYPT. |
CII. THE ROD OF MOSES. |
CIII. BOOK OF TALIESSIN XXIX. |
CIV. BOOK OF TALIESSIN LI. |
W. POEMS RELATING TO LEGENDS OF ALEXANDER THE GREAT. |
CV. THE CONTRIVED WORLD. |
CVI. BOOK OF TALIESSIN XXVIII. |
VI. MISCELLANEOUS POEMS FROM THE RED BOOK OF HERGEST. |
X. POEMS ATTRIBUTED TO LLYWARCH HEN. |
CVII. RED BOOK OF HERGEST V. |
CVIII. RED BOOK OF HERGEST VI. |
CIX. RED BOOK OF HERGEST VII. |
CX. RED BOOK OF HERGEST VIII. |
CXI. RED BOOK OF HERGEST IX. |
CXII. RED BOOK OF HERGEST X. |
CXIII. RED BOOK OF HERGEST XIII. |
Y. POEMS BEGINNING "EIRY MYNYD." |
CXIV. RED BOOK OF HERGEST IV. |
CXV. RED BOOK OF HERGEST III. |
Z. POEMS ON VARIOUS SUBJECTS. |
CXVI. RED BOOK OF HERGEST XVIII. |
CXVII. THE VIATICUM OF LLEVOED WYNEBGLAWR. |
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