Or the son of Nwython, mentioned in the Bruts, (Myv. Arch. ii. 321) and Genealogy of the Saints. (Iolo MSS. 137.) Or else he might have been the son of Llywarch Hen,—
“Och Cynddilig, na buost wraig!”
Oh, Cynddilig, why wert thou not a woman!(Elegy on Old Age.)
The mention made of Aeron in the foregoing stanza naturally led the Bard to speak in this of a chieftain connected therewith.
[170a] Were it not for the anachronism we should be induced to regard this lady as none other than Elen the daughter of Eudav, prince of Erging and Euas, and wife of Macsen Wledig; heroine also of a Romance entitled “The Dream of Macsen Wledig.” As Macsen, however, is known to have been put to death as early as the year 388, Elen’s life could not possibly have been so protracted as to enable her to take a part in the battle of Cattraeth.
[170b] “Dieis.” Al. “her thrusts were penetrating.”
[171a] “Meiwyr,” men of the field. Al. “Meinir,” the slender maid, which might refer to the daughter of Eudav.
[171b] The Gorchan Maelderw clearly indicates that the fire was kindled in the presence of the army, and not for religious purposes before the Deity.
[171c] This stanza explains the expression used in line 116. Seven days, then, we may suppose, formed the whole space of time during which the events related in the Gododin occurred. The action of Homer’s Iliad occupied nearly fifty days.
[171d] The daily operations are somewhat differently stated in the fragments of the Gododin, which are appended to “Gorchan Maelderw.” There they are as follows,—
“On Tuesday they put on their splendid robes;
On Wednesday bitter was their assembly;
On Thursday messengers formed contracts;
On Friday there was slaughter;
On Saturday they dealt mutual blows;
On Sunday they were pierced by ruddy weapons;
On Monday a pool of blood knee deep was seen.”