“Gelyn i Sais, car i saint.”
The Saxon’s foe, the friend of Saints.
[136a] “Lleithig,” a throne, or the dais of the hall; in the latter sense it would have reference to a banquet, and perhaps “tal” would mean the front or principal seat where Cynon sat. When, however, the battle commenced, the chieftain quitted the convivial board, and displayed the valour of a distinguished soldier.
[136b] His first thrust being so effectual. Al. “were not recognised,” having been so greatly mutilated.
[136c] Al. “in the day of gallantry.”
[136d] I.e. Elphin son of Gwyddno ab Gorvynion ab Dyvnwal Hen king of Gwent. In the early part of his life he was the patron of Taliesin, whom he found when an infant in a leathern bag, exposed on a stake of his father’s wear. “When Elphin was afterwards imprisoned in the castle of Dyganwy by Maelgwn Gwynedd, Taliesin by the influence of his song procured his release. There is a poem in the Myvyrian Archaiology, entitled the “Consolation of Elphin,” said to have been written by the chief of Bards.
Or, more likely, because of his connection with the North, he was one of the sons of Urien Rheged, mentioned by Llywarch Hen in the following triplet,—
“Pwylrai Wallawg, marchawg trin,
Er echwydd gwneuthur dyvin,
Yn erbyn cyvrysedd Elphin.”Gwallawg, the knight of tumult, would violently rave,
With a mind determined to try the sharpest edge,
Against the conflict of Elphin.
[137a] Probably the Epidii, in Cantyre and Argyleshire. Al. “Hud a phyd,” “The valour of the forward Elphin had recourse to wiles and stratagems.”
[138a] Morien is probably alluded to here again, whose especial department seems to have been the superintendence of the martial fire. “Mur greit,” to which we have given the same meaning as to “Murgreit,” (line 292) might, however, in connection with the rest of the verse be differently translated; thus “The furze was kindled on the rampart by the ardent bull of conflict,” or “The furze was kindled by the ardent bulwark, the bull of conflict.” The latter construction seems to be favoured by a stanza in “Cyvoesi Merddin,” (Myvyrian Archaiology, vol. i. p. 148) where Morien is styled “mur trin,” “the bulwark of conflict.”
“Marw Morgeneu marw kyvrennin
Marw Moryen mur trin
Trymmav oed am dy adoed di Vyrdin.”Morgeneu dead, Kyvrenin dead,
Morien the bulwark of conflict dead;
Most sad the lingering that thou art left, O Merddin.