So Taliesin set them free from his charm, and then began to rain questions upon them.
"Why is a stone hard?"
"Why is a thorn sharp-pointed?"
"What is as salt as brine?"
"Who rides the gale?"
"Why is a wheel round?"
"Why is the speech of the tongue different from any other gift?"
These were some of the questions he put, and ended with: "If you and your bards are able, let them give an answer to me, Taliesin."
But none of them could answer a single word.
Then the King dismissed them all with scorn; but still he would not let Elphin go free away.