[195c] A chieftain of Mona, the land that enjoyed “the valour of Ervei;” see his Elegy by Taliesin apud Myv. Arch. v. i. p. 70. Ervei was also engaged in the battle of Cattraeth;—
“Red speared was Urvei before the lord of Eiddin.” (Gorch. Mael.)
[195d] That is, in domestic life he was as refined as a lady, modest as a virgin, whilst in war he was brave and high minded.
[195e] The word “teyrn” reminds us of a line which countenances the theory we suggested relative to the expression “edyrn diedyrn,” in stanza xv. but which we omitted to mention in its proper place. It occurs in the “Elegy on Cunedda.” (Myv. Arch. i. p. 71) as follows;—
“Rhag mab edern cyn edyrn anaelew.”
“Before the son of Edeyrn ere his kingdom became fearful.”
[196a] This warrior was probably of the family of Urien Rheged, for a grandson of his, the celebrated Kentigern, was called Cyndeyrn Garthwys. Arthwys son of Ceneu ab Coel was too early for the battle of Cattraeth.
[196b] Tinogad was the son of Cynan Garwyn, and was celebrated for his swift steed, named Cethin.
“Tri marchlwyth ynys Prydain—ar ail marchlwyth aduc Cornann March meibion Eliffer gosgortuawr, a duc Gwrgi a Pheredur arnaw, ac nys gordiuedawd neb namyn Dinogat vab Kynan Garwyn yar y Kethin kyvlym ac aruidiawt ac aglot a gauas yr hynny hyd hediw.” (Triad 11, second series.)
[196c] The possession of slaves, whether of native origin, or derived from the custom of the Romans, prevailed to some extent among the Britons of the fifth and sixth century, and seems to have denoted a certain degree of power on the part of the owners. Taliesin the Druid boasts that he had received “a host of slaves,” (torof keith) from his royal patron Cunedda Wledig. (Myv. Arch. v. i. p. 71.)
[197a] “Bar,” al. “ban,” on the heights.