[387] "And the evening and the morning were the first day," &c. ver. 5. We also still say a se'nnight, a fortnight.
[388] Like the excommunication of the catholic church.
[389] Such a custom would contravene the principles of the druidic or bardic system, which prohibited them from using arms. The remark seems to have been extended to a general application by Richard, from a single instance recorded by Cæsar, of a druidic election in Gaul thus decided.
[390] According to the opinion of the Welsh antiquaries, the system of druidical knowledge forms the basis of the Triads. If this be the case, it must be confessed that the bards possessed a profound knowledge of human nature, uncommon critical sagacity, and a perfect acquaintance with the harmony of language and the properties of metre. For example, the subjects of the poetical Triads are,
The Welsh language.
Fancy and invention.
The design of poetry.
Nature of just thinking.
Rules of arrangement.
Rules of description.
Variety of matter and invention.
Rules of composition; comprising the laws of
verse, rhyme, stanzas, consonancy or alliteration,
and accent.
We quote a few of these Triads to show their nature and structure.
The three qualifications of poetry;—endowment of genius, judgment from experience, and happiness of mind.
The three foundations of judgment;—bold design, frequent practice, and frequent mistakes.
The three foundations of learning;—seeing much, suffering much, and studying much.
The three foundations of happiness;—a suffering with contentment, a hope that it will come, and a belief that it will be.