[184b] Donald Brec, or as he is called in Latin, Dovenal Varius, king of the Scots, who was slain by Owain, king of the Strathclyde Britons in the battle of Vraithe Cairvin, otherwise Calatros, which in sound somewhat resembles Galltraeth, or Cattraeth. It is true that the Scottish chronicles assign a much later date to that event, than the era of the Gododin, nevertheless as they themselves are very inconsistent with one another on that point, giving the different dates of 629, 642, 678 and 686, it is clear that no implicit deference is due to their chronological authority, and that we may, therefore, reasonably acquiesce in the view which identifies Dyvnwal Vrych, with Donald Brec, seeing the striking similarity which one name bears to the other.
[184c] Supposing the person who killed Donald to be the same with Owain, son of Urien, there may be here an allusion to his men as well as to the birds of prey. See line 18 note one.
[184d] Lit. “The bone;” even as it is popularly said at this day that a man who gives great support to another is his back bone.
“Caletach wrth elyn nog asgwrn.”
Harder to an enemy than a bone. (Elegy on Cunedda.)
[185a] Or, “whilst the foes range the sea.”
[185b] Lit. “It was his characteristic or property.”
[185c] “Naw rhiallu;” the literal amount of this force would be 900,000; “naw,” however, may have here the meaning of “nawv,” floating; “naw rhiallu,” a fleet.
[185d] “Gorddinau;” from “gorddin,” what impels or drives forward; or the word may mean tribes, from “cordd”; and then the passage would be:
“In the face of blood, of the country, and of the tribes.”
[185e] Cynddilig was introduced to our notice before, (line 645) as a person who loved the world in company with the melody-seeking Eidol.