The heroes marched to Cattraeth with the day;
Was not the most celebrated of battles disgraced? [97e]
They put to death [98a] Gelorwydd
With blades. The gem of Baptism [98b]was thus widely taunted;—
“Better that you should, ere you join your kindred,
Have a gory unction [98c] and death far from your native homes,
At the hand of the host of Gododin, when the day arrives.”
Is not a hero’s power best when tempered with discretion?
XIII.
The hero [98d] marched to Cattraeth with the day;
Truly [99a] he quaffed the white mead on serene nights; [99b]
Miserable, though success had been predicted, [99c]
Proved his mission, which he undertook through soaring ambition; [99d]
There hastened not to Cattraeth
A chief, with such a magnificent design of enterprize
Blazoned on his standard;
Never was there such a host
From the fort of Eiddin, [99e]
That would scatter abroad the mounted ravagers.
Tudvwlch Hir, [100a] deprived of [100b] his land and towns,
Slaughtered the Saxons for seven days; [100c]
His valour should have protected him in freedom; [100d]
His memory is cherished by his fair [100e] associates;
When Tudvwlch arrived, the supporter of the land, [100f]
The post of the son of Kilydd [100g] became a plain of blood.
XIV.
The heroes [100h] marched to Cattraeth with the dawn,
But none of them received protection from their shields,
To blood they resorted, being assembled in gleaming armour; [101a]
In the van was, loud as thunder, the din of targets. [101b]
The envious, the fickle, and the base,
Would he tear and pierce with halberts;
From an elevated position [101c] he slew, with a blade,
In iron affliction, [101d] their steel-clad commander; [101e]
He subdued the Mordei that owed him homage; [101f]
Before Erthai [102a] even an army groaned. [102b]
XV.
When the tale shall be told of the battle of Cattraeth,
The people will utter sighs; [102c] long has been their grief on account of the warriors’ absence;
There will be a dominion without a sovereign, [102d] and a smoking land.
The sons of Godebog, an upright clan,
Bore the furrower [102e] on a long bier.
Miserable [103a] was the fate, though just the necessity,
Decreed for Tudvwlch and Cyvwlch the Tall; [103b]
Together they drank the bright mead by the light [103c] of torches, [103d]
Though pleasant to the taste, it proved a lasting foe. [103e]
XVI.
Before, above the splendid fort of Eching [103f] he shewed a frowning aspect; [103g]
Whilst young and forward men composed his retinue;
Before, on the Bludwe, [104a] would the horn cheer his heart, [104b]
Making all the Mordei full of joy; [104c]
Before, his beverage would be braggett;
Before, he displayed the grandeur of gold and rich purple;
Before, pampered steeds would bear him safe away,
Even Gwarthlev, who deserved a comely name; [104d]
Before, the victorious chief would turn aside the ebbing tide;
His command was ever to go forward, [105a] loth was he to skulk.