[153b] See line 404. O shame upon the nameless knight, to flee where a woman fought!
[153c] “Dibennor;” this word may signify either the rabble who were not invested with military accoutrements, or such as had no regular commander, or the infantry as distinguished from the cavalry mentioned in the succeeding line. Though so many were ready to attack the Saxons, the circumstance could not inspire our hero(!) with any corresponding amount of patriotic feelings.
[153d] “It is well that Adonwy came, that Adonwy came to the defence of those that were left;
Bradwen fought, slaughtered, and burned;
Thou didst not guard either the extremity or the entrance
Of the towering town; thy helmet did I not behold from the sea,
From the rampart of the sea, O thou knight worse than a slave.”
Gorch. Mael.
[154a] This stanza refers to a conference, to which the Cymry were at length fain to submit.
[154b] Trimuntium, belonging to the Selgovæ, in Valentia. Al. “The dales beyond the ridges that were cultivated.”
[154c] “Gwas,” which means also youth. It is probable that the messenger or herald of the Saxons is here meant, who being of an avaricious mind made exorbitant demands, was “heb ymwyd,” could not keep his “gwyd,” his inclinations or desires, within his own breast. Nor was Aneurin on the other hand willing that his countrymen should make concessions; rather than that, he calls upon them to put forth their strength once more, and assert their rights on the field of battle.
[154d] Aneurin, addressing his country.
[154e] Al. “Plentiful.”
[154f] Llancarvan in Glamorganshire was anciently called by this name. Al. “tan veithin;” qu. tân eithin, gorze fire?