Another similar saying which I have heard many a time is “Esmwyth cwsg cawl dwr”—easily sleeps water broth.
Mr. John Davies, of the National Library of Wales, Aberystwyth, in the “Cambrian Notes and Queries,” says: “‘Esmwyth cwsg cawl dwr’ is an old saying in Cardiganshire, especially in the parish of Llandyssul. About the year 1830 my grandfather was constable of the parish, ‘Lladron Defaid’ (sheep stealers) were very popular at that time; so old Siams Isaac, of Pantrhedynen, was called from his bed one winter night to take a prisoner to Cardigan Gaol, who was caught red-handed in the act of killing the sheep in his house. On the road going from Horeb to Newcastle Emlyn the constable and prisoner went into a public house and called for a pint of beer and bread and cheese each. After resuming their journey for about a hundred yards, the landlady of the public house called after them that the man had stolen a knife from the house. A search was made, and the knife was found in the pocket of the ‘Lleidr Defaid.’ After the usual compliment of a few rounds of old-fashioned boxing, he was taken safely to a place of correction, and never returned to Tregroes. So the old woman who happened to live next door always said to John, her husband, ‘Esmwyth cwsg cawl dwr John bach,’ (water broth, easy sleep, John dear).
“CYNGHOR GWRAIG HEB EI OFYN.”
(A Woman’s advice without asking for it).
When King Henry VII. (then Earl of Richmond) was on his way through Wales to Bosworth Field, he consulted Dafydd Llwyd of Mathavarn, as to the final issue of the coming struggle with Richard III. Dafydd was a country gentleman, a bard, a wizard, and a prophet. On this occasion, however, he did not know how to prophecy, and was greatly perplexed. Fortunately, his wife was a very shrewd woman, who, having discovered her husband’s embarrassment or trouble of mind, secretly advised him to tell Henry that he would be successful in dethroning Richard III. and in making himself King. She assured her husband that if the prediction failed of its fulfilment, he would hear no more on the subject, but that it would make his fortune if confirmed by the event. Henry went on his way to Bosworth, rejoicing, and we know that the prophecy became true. Hence originated the proverb, “Cynghor gwraig heb ei ofyn,” which implies that it is always a good thing to follow a woman’s advice, when she gives you an advice without asking for it.
In an old book entitled “The History of the Principality of Wales, etc.,” by Robert Burton, published as early as the year 1695, the writer when speaking of Cardiganshire says:—“They have a proverb ‘Bu Arthur ond tra fu’; that is, ‘Arthur was only whilst he was.’ It is honourable for old men if they can say, ‘We have been brave fellows.’ They have another proverb, ‘Ni thorres Arthur nawdd gwraig,’ that is, ‘King Arthur never violated the refuge of a woman.’ For the King was the mirror of knighthood. By the woman’s refuge we may understand her tongue, (and no valiant man will revenge her words with his blows).”
The above sayings mentioned by Robert Burton 200 years ago have fallen into disuse now, but I have occasionally heard, “Ni thorres Arthur nawdd gwraig.”