KILHWCH AND OLWEN
Kilydd
the son of Prince Kelyddon desired a wife as a
helpmate, and the wife that he chose was
Goleuddydd, the daughter of Prince Anlawdd. And
after their union, the people put up prayers that
they might have an heir. And they had a son
through the prayers of the people. From the time
of her pregnancy Goleuddydd became wild, and
wandered about, without habitation; but when her
delivery was at hand, her reason came back to
her. Then she went to a mountain where there was
a swineherd, keeping a herd of swine. And through
fear of the swine the queen was delivered. And
the swineherd took the boy, and brought him to
the palace; and he was christened, and they
called him Kilhwch, because he had been found in
a swine's burrow. Nevertheless the boy was of
gentle lineage, and cousin unto Arthur; and they
put him out to nurse.
After
this the boy's mother, Goleuddydd, the daughter
of Prince Anlawdd, fell sick. Then she called her
husband unto her, and said to him, "Of this
sickness I shall die, and thou wilt take another
wife. Now wives are the gift of the Lord, but it
would be wrong for thee to harm thy son.
Therefore I charge thee that thou take not a wife
until thou see a briar with two blossoms upon my
grave." And this he promised her. Then she
besought him to dress her grave every year, that
nothing might grow thereon. So the queen died.
Now the king sent an attendant every morning to
see if anything were growing upon the grave. And
at the end of the seventh year the master
neglected that which he had promised to the
queen.
One
day the king went to hunt, and he rode to the
place of burial to see the grave, and to know if
it were time that he should take a wife; and the
king saw the briar. And when he saw it, the king
took counsel where he should find a wife. Said
one of his counsellors, "I know a wife that
will suit thee well, and she is the wife of King
Doged." And they resolved to go to seek her;
and they slew the king, and brought away his wife
and one daughter that she had along with her. And
they conquered the king's lands.
On a
certain day, as the lady walked abroad, she came
to the house of an old crone that dwelt in the
town, and that had no tooth in her head. And the
queen said to her, "Old woman, tell me that
which I shall ask thee, for the love of Heaven.
Where are the children of the man who has carried
me away by violence?" Said the crone,
"He has not children." Said the queen,
"Woe is me, that I should have come to one
who is childless!" Then said the hag,
"Thou needest not lament on account of that,
for there is a prediction that he shall have an
heir by thee, and by none other. Moreover, be not
sorrowful, for he has one son."
The
lady returned home with joy; and she asked her
consort, "Wherefore hast thou concealed thy
children from me?" The king said, "I
will do so no longer." And he sent
messengers for his son, and he was brought to the
Court. His stepmother said unto him, "It
were well for thee to have a wife, and I have a
daughter who is sought of every man of renown in
the world." "I am not yet of an age to
wed," answered the youth. Then she said unto
him, "I declare to thee, that it is thy
destiny not to be suited with a wife until thou
obtain Olwen, the daughter of Yspaddaden
Penkawr." And the youth blushed, and the
love of the maiden diffused itself through all
his frame, although he had never seen her. And
his father inquired of him, "What has come
over thee my son, and what aileth thee?"
"My stepmother has declared to me that I
shall never have a wife until I obtain Olwen, the
daughter of Yspaddaden Penkawr." "That
will be easy for thee," answered his father.
"Arthur is thy cousin. Go, therefore, unto
Arthur, to cut thy hair, and ask this of him as a
boon."
And
the youth pricked forth upon a steed with head
dappled grey, of four winters old, firm of limb,
with shell-formed hoofs, having a bridle of
linked gold on his head, and upon him a saddle of
costly gold. And in the youth's hand were two
spears of silver, sharp, well-tempered, headed
with steel, three ells in length, of an edge to
wound the wind, and cause blood to flow, and
swifter than the fall of the dewdrop from the
blade of reed-grass upon the earth when the dew
of June is at the heaviest. A gold-hilted sword
was upon his thigh, the blade of which was of
gold, bearing a cross of inlaid gold of the hue
of the lightning of heaven: his war-horn was of
ivory. Before him were two brindled
white-breasted greyhounds, having strong collars
of rubies about their necks, reaching from the
shoulder to the ear. And the one that was on the
left side bounded across to the right side, and
the one on the right to the left, and like two
sea-swallows sported around him. And his courser
cast up four sods with his four hoofs, like four
swallows in the air, about his head, now above,
now below. About him was a four-cornered cloth of
purple, and an apple of gold was at each corner,
and every one of the apples was of the value of
an hundred kine. And there was precious gold of
the value of three hundred kine upon his shoes,
and upon his stirrups, from his knee to the tip
of his toe. And the blade of grass bent not
beneath him, so light was his courser's tread as
he journeyed towards the gate of Arthur's Palace.
Spoke
the youth, "Is there a porter?"
"There is; and if thou holdest not thy
peace, small will be thy welcome. I am Arthur's
porter every first day of January. And during
every other part of the year but this, the office
is filled by Huandaw, and Gogigwc, and
Llaeskenym, and Pennpingyon, who goes upon his
head to save his feet, neither towards the sky
nor towards the earth, but like a rolling stone
upon the floor of the court." "Open the
portal." "I will not open it."
"Wherefore not?" "The knife is in
the meat, and the drink is in the horn, and there
is revelry in Arthur's hall, and none may enter
therein but the son of a king of a privileged
country, or a craftsman bringing his craft. But
there will be refreshment for thy dogs, and for
thy horses; and for thee there will be collops
cooked and peppered, and luscious wine and
mirthful songs, and food for fifty men shall be
brought unto thee in the guest chamber, where the
stranger and the sons of other countries eat, who
come not unto the precincts of the Palace of
Arthur. Thou wilt fare no worse there than thou
wouldest with Arthur in the Court. A lady shall
smooth thy couch, and shall lull thee with songs;
and early to-morrow morning, when the gate is
open for the multitude that came hither to-day,
for thee shall it be opened first, and thou
mayest sit in the place that thou shalt choose in
Arthur's Hall, from the upper end to the
lower." Said the youth, "That I will
not do. If thou openest the gate, it is well. If
thou dost not open it, I will bring disgrace upon
thy Lord, and evil report upon thee. And I will
set up three shouts at this very gate, than which
none were ever more deadly, from the top of
Pengwaed in Cornwall to the bottom of Dinsol, in
the North, and to Esgair Oervel, in Ireland. And
all the women in this Palace that are pregnant
shall lose their offspring; and such as are not
pregnant, their hearts shall be turned by
illness, so that they shall never bear children
from this day forward." "What clamour
soever thou mayest make," said Glewlwyd
Gavaelvawr, "against the laws of Arthur's
Palace shalt thou not enter therein, until I
first go and speak with Arthur."
Then
Glewlwyd went into the Hall. And Arthur said to
him, "Hast thou news from the
gate?"--"Half of my life is past, and
half of thine. I was heretofore in Kaer Se and
Asse, in Sach and Salach, in Lotor and Fotor; and
I have been heretofore in India the Great and
India the Lesser; and I was in the battle of Dau
Ynyr, when the twelve hostages were brought from
Llychlyn. And I have also been in Europe, and in
Africa, and in the islands of Corsica, and in
Caer Brythwch, and Brythach, and Verthach; and I
was present when formerly thou didst slay the
family of Clis the son of Merin, and when thou
didst slay Mil Du the son of Ducum, and when thou
didst conquer Greece in the East. And I have been
in Caer Oeth and Annoeth, and in Caer Nevenhyr;
nine supreme sovereigns, handsome men, saw we
there, but never did I behold a man of equal
dignity with him who is now at the door of the
portal." Then said Arthur, "If walking
thou didst enter in here, return thou running.
And every one that beholds the light, and every
one that opens and shuts the eye, let them shew
him respect, and serve him, some with
gold-mounted drinking-horns, others with collops
cooked and peppered, until food and drink can be
prepared for him. It is unbecoming to keep such a
man as thou sayest he is, in the wind and the
rain." Said Kai, "By the hand of my
friend, if thou wouldest follow my counsel, thou
wouldest not break through the laws of the Court
because of him." "Not so, blessed Kai.
It is an honour to us to be resorted to, and the
greater our courtesy the greater will be our
renown, and our fame, and our glory."
And
Glewlwyd came to the gate, and opened the gate
before him; and although all dismounted upon the
horse-block at the gate, yet did he not dismount,
but rode in upon his charger. Then said Kilhwch,
"Greeting be unto thee, Sovereign Ruler of
this Island; and be this greeting no less unto
the lowest than unto the highest, and be it
equally unto thy guests, and thy warriors, and
thy chieftains--let all partake of it as
completely as thyself. And complete be thy
favour, and thy fame, and thy glory, throughout
all this Island." "Greeting unto thee
also," said Arthur; "sit thou between
two of my warriors, and thou shalt have minstrels
before thee, and thou shalt enjoy the privileges
of a king born to a throne, as long as thou
remainest here. And when I dispense my presents
to the visitors and strangers in this Court, they
shall be in thy hand at my commencing." Said
the youth, "I came not here to consume meat
and drink; but if I obtain the boon that I seek,
I will requite it thee, and extol thee; and if I
have it not, I will bear forth thy dispraise to
the four quarters of the world, as far as thy
renown has extended." Then said Arthur,
"Since thou wilt not remain here, chieftain,
thou shalt receive the boon whatsoever thy tongue
may name, as far as the wind dries, and the rain
moistens, and the sun revolves, and the sea
encircles, and the earth extends; save only my
ship; and my mantle; and Caledvwlch, my sword;
and Rhongomyant, my lance; and Wynebgwrthucher,
my shield; and Carnwenhau, my dagger; and
Gwenhwyvar, my wife. By the truth of Heaven, thou
shalt have it cheerfully, name what thou
wilt." "I would that thou bless my
hair." "That shall be granted
thee."
And
Arthur took a golden comb, and scissors, whereof
the loops were of silver, and he combed his hair.
And Arthur inquired of him who he was. "For
my heart warms unto thee, and I know that thou
art come of my blood. Tell me, therefore, who
thou art." "I will tell thee, "
said the youth, "I am Kilhwch, the son of
Kilydd, the son of Prince Kelyddon, by
Goleuddydd, my mother, the daughter of Prince
Anlawdd." "That is true," said
Arthur; "thou art my cousin. Whatsoever boon
thou mayest ask, thou shalt receive, be it what
it may that thy tongue shall name."
"Pledge the truth of Heaven and the faith of
thy kingdom thereof." "I pledge it
thee, gladly." "I crave of thee then,
that thou obtain for me Olwen, the daughter of
Yspaddaden Penkawr; and this boon I likewise seek
at the hands of thy warriors. I seek it from Kai,
and Bedwyr, and Greidawl Galldonyd, and Gwythyr
the son of Greidawl, and Greid the son of Eri,
and Kynddelig Kyvarwydd, and Tathal Twyll Goleu,
and Maelwys the son of Baeddan, and Crychwr the
son of Nes, and Cubert the son of Daere, and
Percos the son of Poch, and Lluber Beuthach, and
Corvil Bervach, and Gwynn the son of Nudd, and
Edeyrn the son of Nudd, and Gadwy the son of
Geraint, and Prince Fflewddur Fflam, and Ruawn
Pebyr the son of Dorath, and Bradwen the son of
Moren Mynawc, and Moren Mynawc himself, and
Dalldav the son of Kimin Côv, and the son of
Alun Dyved, and the son of Saidi, and the son of
Gwryon, and Uchtryd Ardywad Kad, and Kynwas
Curvagyl, and Gwrhyr Gwarthegvras, and Isperyr
Ewingath, and Gallcoyt Govynynat, and Duach, and
Grathach, and Nerthach, the sons of Gwawrddur
Kyrvach (these men came forth from the confines
of hell), and Kilydd Canhastyr, and Canastyr
Kanllaw, and Cors Cant-Ewin, and Esgeir Gulhwch
Govynkawn, and Drustwrn Hayarn, and Glewlwyd
Gavaelvawr, and Lloch Llawwynnyawc, and Aunwas
Adeiniawc, and Sinnoch the son of Seithved, and
Gwennwynwyn the son of Naw, and Bedyw the son of
Seithved, and Gobrwy the son of Echel
Vorddwyttwll, and Echel Vorddwyttwll himself, and
Mael the son of Roycol, and Dadweir Dallpenn, and
Garwyli the son of Gwythawc Gwyr, and Gwythawc
Gwyr himself, and Gormant the son of Ricca, and
Menw the son of Teirgwaedd, and Digon the son of
Alar, and Selyf the son of Smoit, and Gusg the
son of Atheu, and Nerth the son of Kedarn, and
Drudwas the son of Tryffin, and Twrch the son of
Perif, and Twrch the son of Annwas, and Iona king
of France, and Sel the son of Selgi, and Teregud
the son of Iaen, and Sulyen the son of Iaen, and
Bradwen the son of Iaen, and Moren the son of
Iaen, and Siawn the son of Iaen, and Cradawc the
son of Iaen. (They were men of Caerdathal, of
Arthur's kindred on his father's side.) Dirmyg
the son of Kaw, and Justic the son of Kaw, and
Etmic the son of Kaw, and Anghawd the son of Kaw,
and Ovan the son of Kaw, and Kelin the son of
Kaw, and Connyn the son of Kaw, and Mabsant the
son of Kaw, and Gwyngad the son of Kaw, and
Llwybyr the son of Kaw, and Coth the son of Kaw,
and Meilic the son of Kaw, and Kynwas the son of
Kaw, and Ardwyad the son of Kaw, and Ergyryad the
son of Kaw, and Neb the son of Kaw, and Gilda the
son of Kaw, and Calcas the son of Kaw, and Hueil
the son of Kaw (he never yet made a request at
the hand of any Lord). And Samson Vinsych, and
Taliesin the chief of the bards, and Manawyddan
the son of Llyr, and Llary the son of Prince
Kasnar, and Ysperni the son of Fflergant king of
Armorica, and Saranhon, the son of Glythwyr, and
Llawr Eilerw, and Annyanniawc the son of Menw the
son of Teirgwaedd, and Gwynn the son of Nwyvre,
and Fflam the son of Nwyvre, and Geraint the son
of Erbin, and Ermid the son of Erbin, and Dyvel
the son of Erbin, and Gwynn the son of Ermid, and
Kyndrwyn the son of Ermid, and Hyveidd Unllenn,
and Eiddon Vawr Vrydic, and Reidwn Arwy, and
Gormant the son of Ricca (Arthur's brother by his
mother's side; the Penhynev of Cornwall was his
father), and Llawnrodded Varvawc, and Nodawl
Varyf Twrch, and Berth the son of Kado, and
Rheidwn the son of Beli, and Iscovan Hael, and
Iscawin the son of Panon, and Morvran the son of
Tegid (no one struck him in the battle of Camlan
by reason of his ugliness; all thought he was an
auxiliary devil. Hair had he upon him like the
hair of a stag). And Sandde Bryd Angel (no one
touched him with a spear in the battle of Camlan
because of his beauty; all thought he was a
ministering angel). And Kynwyl Sant (the third
man that escaped from the battle of Camlan, and
he was the last who parted from Arthur on
Hengroen his horse). And Uchtryd the son of Erim,
and Eus the son of Erim, and Henwas Adeinawg the
son of Erim, and Henbedestyr the son of Erim, and
Sgilti Yscawndroed the son of Erim. (Unto these
three men belonged these three qualities,--With
Henbedestyr there was not any one who could keep
pace, either on horseback or on foot; with Henwas
Adeinawg, no four-footed beast could run the
distance of an acre, much less could it go beyond
it; and as to Sgilti Yscawndroed, when he
intended to go upon a message for his Lord, he
never sought to find a path, but knowing whither
he was to go, if his way lay through a wood he
went along the tops of the trees. During his
whole life, a blade of reed grass bent not
beneath his feet, much less did one ever break,
so lightly did he tread.) Teithi Hên the son of
Gwynhan (his dominions were swallowed up by the
sea, and he himself hardly escaped, and he came
to Arthur; and his knife had this peculiarity,
that from the time that he came there no haft
would ever remain upon it, and owing to this a
sickness came over him, and he pined away during
the remainder of his life, and of this he died).
And Carneddyr the son of Govynyon Hên, and
Gwenwynwyn the son of Nav Gyssevin, Arthur's
champion, and Llysgadrudd Emys, and Gwrbothu
Hên, (uncles unto Arthur were they, his mother's
brothers). Kulvanawyd the son of Goryon, and
Llenlleawg Wyddel from the headland of Ganion,
and Dyvynwal Moel, and Dunard king of the North,
Teirnon Twryf Bliant, and Tegvan Gloff, and Tegyr
Talgellawg, Gwrdinal the son of Ebrei, and
Morgant Hael, Gwystyl the son of Rhun the son of
Nwython, and Llwyddeu the son of Nwython, and
Gwydre the son of Llwyddeu (Gwenabwy the daughter
of [Kaw] was his mother, Hueil his uncle stabbed
him, and hatred was between Hueil and Arthur
because of the wound). Drem the son of Dremidyd
(when the gnat arose in the morning with the sun,
he could see it from Gelli Wic in Cornwall, as
far off as Pen Blathaon in North Britain.) And
Eidyol the son of Ner, and Glywyddn Saer (who
constructed Ehangwen, Arthur's Hall). Kynyr
Keinvarvawc (when he was told he had a son born
he said to his wife, 'Damsel, if thy son be mine,
his heart will be always cold, and there will be
no warmth in his hands; and he will have another
peculiarity, if he is my son he will always be
stubborn; and he will have another peculiarity,
when he carries a burden, whether it be large or
small, no one will be able to see it, either
before him or at his back; and he will have
another peculiarity, no one will be able to
resist fire and water so well as he will; and he
will have another peculiarity, there will never
be a servant or an officer equal. to him').
Henwas, and Henwyneb (an old companion to
Arthur). Gwallgoyc (another; when he came to a
town, though there were three hundred houses in
it, if he wanted anything, he would not let sleep
come to the eyes of any one whilst he remained
there). Berwyn, the son of Gerenhir, and Paris
king of France, and Osla Gyllellvawr (who bore a
short broad dagger. When Arthur and his hosts
came before a torrent, they would seek for a
narrow place where they might pass the water, and
would lay the sheathed dagger across the torrent,
and it would form a bridge sufficient for the
armies of the three Islands of Britain, and of
the three islands adjacent, with their spoil).
Gwyddawg the son of Menestyr (who slew Kai, and
whom Arthur slew, together with his brothers, to
revenge Kai). Garanwyn the son of Kai, and Amren
the son of Bedwyr, and Ely Amyr, and Rheu Rhwyd
Dyrys, and Rhun Rhudwern, and Eli, and Trachmyr
(Arthur's chief huntsmen). And Llwyddeu the son
of Kelcoed, and Hunabwy the son of Gwryon, and
Gwynn Godyvron, and Gweir Datharwenniddawg, and
Gweir the son of Cadell the son of Talaryant, and
Gweir Gwrhyd Ennwir, and Gweir Paladyr Hir (the
uncles of Arthur, the brothers of his mother).
The sons of Llwch Llawwynnyawg (from beyond the
raging sea). Llenlleawg Wyddel, and Ardderchawg
Prydain. Cas the son of Saidi, Gwrvan Gwallt
Avwyn, and Gwyllennhin the king of France, and
Gwittart the son of Oedd king of Ireland,
Garselit Wyddel, Panawr Pen Bagad, and Ffleudor
the son of Nav, Gwynnhyvar mayor of Cornwall and
Devon (the ninth man that rallied the battle of
Camlan). Keli and Kueli, and Gilla Coes Hydd (he
would clear three hundred acres at one bound: the
chief leaper of Ireland was he). Sol, and Gwadyn
Ossol, and Gawdyn Odyeith. (Sol could stand all
day upon one foot . Gwadyn Ossol, if he stood
upon the top of the highest mountain in the
world, it would become a level plain under his
feet. Gwadyn Odyeith, the soles of his feet
emitted sparks of fire when they struck upon
things hard, like the heated mass when drawn out
of the forge. He cleared the way for Arthur when
he came to any stoppage.) Hirerwm and Hiratrwm.
(The day they went on a visit three Cantrevs
provided for their entertainment, and they
feasted until noon and drank until night, when
they went to sleep. And then they devoured the
heads of the vermin through hunger, as if they
had never eaten anything. When they made a visit
they left neither the fat nor the lean, neither
the hot nor the cold, the sour nor the sweet, the
fresh nor the salt, the boiled nor the raw.)
Huarwar the son of Aflawn (who asked Arthur such
a boon as would satisfy him. It was the third
great plague of Cornwall when he received it.
None could get a smile from him but when he was
satisfied.) Gware Gwallt Euryn. The two cubs of
Gast Rhymi, Gwyddrud and Gwyddneu Astrus. Sugyn
the son of Sugnedydd (who would suck up the sea
on which were three hundred ships, so as to leave
nothing but a dry strand. He was broad-chested).
Rhacymwri, the attendant of Arthur (whatever barn
he was shown, were there the produce of thirty
ploughs within it, he would strike it with an
iron flail until the rafters, the beams, and the
boards were no better than the small oats in the
mow upon the floor of the barn). Dygyflwng, and
Anoeth Veidawg. And Hir Eiddyl, and Hir Amreu
(they were two attendants of Arthur). And Gwevyl
the son of Gwestad (on the day that he was sad,
he would let one of his lips drop below his
waist, while he turned upon the other like a cap
upon his head). Uchtryd Varyf Draws (who spread
his red untrimmed beard over the eight-and-forty
rafters which were in Arthur's Hall). Elidyr
Gyvarwydd. Yskyrdav, the Yscudydd (two attendants
of Gwenhywyvar were they. Their feet were swift
as their thoughts when bearing a message). Brys
the son of Bryssethach (from the Hill of the
Black Fernbrake in North Britain). And Grudlwyn
Gorr. Bwlch, and Kyfwlch, and Sefwlch, the sons
of Cleddyf Kyfwlch, the grandsons of Cleddyf
Difwlch. (Their three shields were three gleaming
glitterers; their three spears were three pointed
piercers; their three swords were three griding
gashers; Glas, Glessic, and Gleisad. Their three
dogs, Call, Cuall, and Cavall. Their three
horses, Hwyrdyddwd, and Drwgdyddwd, and
Llwyrdyddwg. Their three wives, Och, and Garym,
and Diaspad. Their three grandchildren, Lluched,
and Neved, and Eissiwed. Their three daughters,
Drwg, and Gwaeth, and Gwaethav Oll. Their three
handmaids, Eheubryd the daughter of Kyfwlch,
Gorascwrn the daughter of Nerth, Ewaedan the
daughter of Kynvelyn Keudawd Pwyll the half-man).
Dwnn Diessic Unbenn, Eiladyr the son of Pen
Llarcau, Kynedyr Wyllt the son of Hettwn
Talaryant, Sawyl Ben Uchel, Gwalchmai the son of
Gwyar, Gwalhaved the son of Gwyar, Gwrhyr
Gwastawd Ieithoedd (to whom all tongues were
known), and Kethcrwm the Priest. Clust the son of
Clustveinad (though he were buried seven cubits
beneath the earth, he would hear the ant fifty
miles off rise from her nest in the morning).
Medyr the son of Methredydd (from Gelli Wic he
could, in a twinkling, shoot the wren through the
two legs upon Esgeir Oervel in Ireland). Gwiawn
Llygad Cath (who could cut a haw from the eye of
the gnat without hurting him). Ol the son of
Olwydd (seven years before he was born his
father's swine were carried off, and when he grew
up a man he tracked the swine, and brought them
back in seven herds). Bedwini the Bishop (who
blessed Arthur's meat and drink). For the sake of
the golden-chained daughters of this island. For
the sake of Gwenhwyvar its chief lady, and
Gwennhwyach her sister, and Rathtyeu the only
daughter of Clemenhill, and Rhelemon the daughter
of Kai, and Tannwen the daughter of Gweir
Datharwenîddawg. Gwenn Alarch the daughter of
Kynwyl Canbwch. Eurneid the daughter of Clydno
Eiddin. Eneuawc the daughter of Bedwyr. Enrydreg
the daughter of Tudvathar. Gwennwledyr the
daughter of Gwaledyr Kyrvach. Erddudnid the
daughter of Tryffin. Eurolwen the daughter of
Gwdolwyn Gorr. Teleri the daughter of Peul. Indeg
the daughter of Garwy Hir. Morvudd the daughter
of Urien Rheged. Gwenllian Deg the majestic
maiden. Creiddylad the daughter of Lludd Llaw
Ereint. (She was the most splendid maiden in the
three Islands of the mighty, and in the three
Islands adjacent, and for her Gwythyr the son of
Greidawl and Gwynn the son of Nudd fight every
first of May until the day of doom.) Ellylw the
daughter of Neol Kynn-Crog (she lived three
ages). Essyllt Vinwen, and Essyllt Vingul."
And all these did Kilhwch son of Kilydd adjure to
obtain his boon.
Then
said Arthur, "Oh! Chieftain, I have never
heard of the maiden of whom thou speakest, nor of
her kindred, but I will gladly send messengers in
search of her. Give me time to seek her."
And the youth said, "I will willingly grant
from this night to that at the end of the year to
do so." Then Arthur sent messengers to every
land within his dominions to seek for the maiden;
and at the end of the year Arthur's messengers
returned without having gained any knowledge or
intelligence concerning Olwen more than on the
first day. Then said Kilhwch, "Every one has
received his boon, and I yet lack mine. I will
depart and bear away thy honour with me."
Then said Kai, "Rash chieftain! doest thou
reproach Arthur? Go with us, and we will not part
until thou dost either confess that the maiden
exists not in the world, or until we obtain
her." Thereupon Kai rose up. Kai had this
peculiarity, that his breath lasted nine nights
and nine days under water, and he could exist
nine nights and nine days without sleep. A wound
from Kai's sword no physician could heal. Very
subtle was Kai. When it pleased him he could
render himself as tall as the highest tree in the
forest. And he had another peculiarity,--so great
was the heat of his nature, that, when it rained
hardest, whatever he carried remained dry for a
handbreadth above and a handbreadth below his
hand; and when his companions were coldest, it
was to them as fuel with which to light their
fire.
And
Arthur called Bedwyr, who never shrank from any
enterprise upon which Kai was bound. None was
equal to him in swiftness throughout this Island
except Arthur and Drych Ail Kibddar. And although
he was one-handed, three warriors could not shed
blood faster than he on the field of battle.
Another property he had; his lance would produce
a wound equal to those of nine opposing lances.
And
Arthur called to Kynddelig the Guide, "Go
thou upon this expedition with the
chieftain." For as good a guide was he in a
land which he had never seen as he was in his
own.
He
called Gwrhyr Gwalstawt Ieithoedd, because he
knew all tongues.
He
called Gwalchmai the son of Gwyar, because he
never returned home without achieving the
adventure of which he went in quest. He was the
best of footmen and the best of knights. He was
nephew to Arthur, the son of his sister, and his
cousin.
And
Arthur called Menw the son of Teirgwaedd, in
order that if they went into a savage country, he
might cast a charm and an illusion over them, so
that none might see them whilst they could see
every one.
They
journeyed until they came to a vast open plain,
wherein they saw a great castle, which was the
fairest of the castles of the world. And they
journeyed that day until the evening, and when
they thought they were nigh to the castle, they
were no nearer to it than they had been in the
morning. And the second and the third day they
journeyed, and even then scarcely could they
reach so far. And when they came before the
castle, they beheld a vast flock of sheep, which
was boundless and without an end. And upon the
top of a mound there was a herdsman, keeping the
sheep. And a rug made of skins was upon him; and
by his side was a shaggy mastiff, larger than a
steed nine winters old. Never had he lost even a
lamb from his flock, much less a large sheep. He
let no occasion ever pass without doing some hurt
and harm. All the dead trees and bushes in the
plain he burnt with his breath down to the very
ground.
Then
said Kai, "Gwrhyr Gwalstawt Ieithoedd, go
thou and salute yonder man."
"Kai," said he, "I engaged not to
go further than thou thyself." "Let us
go then together," answered Kai. Said Menw
the son of Teirgwaedd, "Fear not to go
thither, for I will cast a spell upon the dog, so
that he shall injure no one." And they went
up to the mound whereon the herdsman was, and
they said to him, "How dost thou fare? O
herdsman!" "No less fair be it to you
than to me." "Truly, art thou the
chief?" "There is no hurt to injure me
but my own." "Whose are the sheep that
thou dost keep, and to whom does yonder castle
belong?" "Stupid are ye, truly! Through
the whole world is it known that this is the
castle of Yspaddaden Penkawr." "And who
art thou?" "I am called Custennin the
son of Dyfnedig, and my brother Yspaddaden
Penkawr oppressed me because of my possessions.
And ye also, who are ye?" "We are an
embassy from Arthur, come to seek Olwen the
daughter of Yspaddaden Penkawr." "Oh
men! the mercy of Heaven be upon you, do not that
for all the world. None who ever came hither on
this quest has returned alive." And the
herdsman rose up. And as he arose, Kilhwch gave
unto him a ring of gold. And he sought to put on
the ring, but it was too small for him, so he
placed it in the finger of his glove. And he went
home, and gave the glove to his spouse to keep.
And she took the ring from the glove when it was
given her, and she said, "Whence came this
ring, for thou art not wont to have good
fortune?" "I went," said he,
"to the sea to seek for fish, and lo, I saw
a corpse borne by the waves. And a fairer corpse
than it did I never behold. And from its finger
did I take this ring." "O man! does the
sea permit its dead to wear jewels? Show me then
this body." "O wife, him to whom this
ring belonged thou shalt see here in the
evening." "And who is he?" asked
the woman. "Kilhwch the son of Kilydd, the
son of Prince Kelyddon, by Goleuddydd the
daughter of Prince Anlawdd, his mother, who is
come to seek Olwen as his wife." And when
she heard that, her feelings were divided between
the joy that she had that her nephew, the son of
her sister, was coming to her, and sorrow because
she had never known any one depart alive who had
come on that quest.
And
they went forward to the gate of Custennin the
herdsman's dwelling. And when she heard their
footsteps approaching, she ran out with joy to
meet them. And Kai snatched a billet out of the
pile. And when she met them she sought to throw
her arms about their necks. And Kai placed the
log between her two hands, and she squeezed it so
that it became a twisted coil. "Oh
woman," said Kai, "if thou hadst
squeezed me thus, none could ever again have set
their affections on me. Evil love were
this." They entered into the house, and were
served; and soon after they all went forth to
amuse themselves. Then the woman opened a stone
chest that was before the chimney-corner, and out
of it arose a youth with yellow curling hair.
Said Gwrhyr, "It is a pity to hide this
youth. I know that it is not his own crime that
is thus visited upon him." "This is but
a remnant," said the woman.
"Three-and-twenty of my sons has Yspaddaden
Penkawr slain, and I have no more hope of this
one than of the others." Then said Kai,
"Let him come and be a companion with me,
and he shall not be slain unless I also am slain
with him." And they ate. And the woman asked
them, "Upon what errand come you here?"
"We come to seek Olwen for this youth."
Then said the woman, "In the name of Heaven,
since no one from the castle hath yet seen you,
return again whence you came." "Heaven
is our witness, that we will not return until we
have seen the maiden." Said Kai, "Does
she ever come hither, so that she may be
seen?" "She comes here every Saturday
to wash her head, and in the vessel where she
washes, she leaves all her rings, and she never
either comes herself or sends any messengers to
fetch them." "Will she come here if she
is sent to?" "Heaven knows that I will
not destroy my soul, nor will I betray those that
trust me; unless you will pledge me your faith
that you will not harm her, I will not send to
her." "We pledge it," said they.
So a message was sent, and she came.
The
maiden was clothed in a robe of flame-coloured
silk, and about her neck was a collar of ruddy
gold, on which were precious emeralds and rubies.
More yellow was her head than the flower of the
broom, and her skin was whiter than the foam of
the wave, and fairer were her hands and her
fingers than the blossoms of the wood anemone
amidst the spray of the meadow fountain. The eye
of the trained hawk, the glance of the
three-mewed falcon was not brighter than hers.
Her bosom was more snowy than the breast of the
white swan, her cheek was redder than the reddest
roses. Whoso beheld her was filled with her love.
Four white trefoils sprung up wherever she trod.
And therefore was she called Olwen.
She
entered the house, and sat beside Kilhwch upon
the foremost bench; and as soon as he saw her he
knew her. And Kilhwch said unto her, "Ah!
maiden, thou art she whom I have loved; come away
with me, lest they speak evil of thee and of me.
Many a day have I loved thee." "I
cannot do this, for I have pledged my faith to my
father not to go without his counsel, for his
life will last only until the time of my
espousals. Whatever is, must be. But I will give
thee advice if thou wilt take it. Go, ask me of
my father, and that which he shall require of
thee, grant it, and thou wilt obtain me; but it
thou deny him anything, thou wilt not obtain me,
and it will be well for thee if thou escape with
thy life." "I promise all this, if
occasion offer," said he.
She
returned to her chamber, and they all rose up and
followed her to the castle. And they slew the
nine porters that were at the nine gates in
silence. And they slew the nine watch-dogs
without one of them barking. And they went
forward to the hall.
"The
greeting of heaven and of man be unto thee,
Yspaddaden Penkawr," said they. "And
you, wherefore come you?" "We come to
ask thy daughter Olwen, for Kilhwch the son of
Kilydd, the son of Prince Kelyddon."
"Where are my pages and my servants? Raise
up the forks beneath my two eyebrows which have
fallen over my eyes, that I may see the fashion
of my son-in-law." And they did so.
"Come hither to-morrow, and you shall have
an answer."
They
rose to go forth, and Yspaddaden Penkawr seized
one of the three poisoned darts that lay beside
him, and threw it after them. And Bedwyr caught
it, and flung it, and pierced Yspaddaden Penkawr
grievously with it through the knee. Then he
said, "A cursed ungentle son-in-law, truly.
I shall ever walk the worse for his rudeness, and
shall ever be without a cure. This poisoned iron
pains me like the bite of a gadfly. Cursed be the
smith who forged it, and the anvil whereon it was
wrought! So sharp is it!"
That
night also they took up their abode in the house
of Custennin the herdsman. The next day with the
dawn, they arrayed themselves in haste and
proceeded to the castle, and entered the hall,
and they said, "Yspaddaden Penkawr, give us
thy daughter in consideration of her dower and
her maiden fee, which we will pay to thee and to
her two kinswomen likewise. And unless thou wilt
do so, thou shalt meet with thy death on her
account." Then he said, "Her four
great-grandmothers, and her four great-grandsires
are yet alive, it is needful that I take counsel
of them." "Be it so," answered
they, "we will go to meat." As they
rose up, he took the second dart that was beside
him, and cast it after them. And Menw the son of
Gwaedd caught it, and flung it back at him, and
wounded him in the centre of the breast, so that
it came out at the small of his back. "A
cursed ungentle son-in-law, truly," said he,
"the hard iron pains me like the bite of a
horse-leech. Cursed be the hearth whereon it was
heated, and the smith who formed it! So sharp is
it! Henceforth, whenever I go up a hill, I shall
have a scant in my breath, and a pain in my
chest, and I shall often loathe my food."
And they went to meat.
And
the third day they returned to the palace. And
Yspaddaden Penkawr said to them, "Shoot not
at me again unless you desire death. Where are my
attendants? Lift up the forks of my eyebrows
which have fallen over my eyeballs, that I may
see the fashion of my son-in-law." Then they
arose, and, as they did so, Yspaddaden Penkawr
took the third poisoned dart and cast it at them.
And Kilhwch caught it and threw it vigorously,
and wounded him through the eyeball, so that the
dart came out at the back of his head. "A
cursed ungentle son-in-law, truly! As long as I
remain alive, my eyesight will be the worse.
Whenever I go against the wind, my eyes will
water; and peradventure my head will burn, and I
shall have a giddiness every new moon. Cursed be
the fire in which it was forged. Like the bite of
a mad dog is the stroke of this poisoned
iron." And they went to meat.
And
the next day they came again to the palace, and
they said, "Shoot not at us any more, unless
thou desirest such hurt, and harm, and torture as
thou now hast, and even more." "Give me
thy daughter, and if thou wilt not give her, thou
shalt receive thy death because of her."
"Where is he that seeks my daughter? Come
hither where I may see thee." And they
placed him a chair face to face with him.
Said
Yspaddaden Penkawr, "Is it thou that seekest
my daughter?" "It is I," answered
Kilhwch. "I must have thy pledge that thou
wilt not do towards me otherwise than is just,
and when I have gotten that which I shall name,
my daughter thou shalt have." "I
promise thee that willingly," said Kilhwch,
"name what thou wilt." "I will do
so," said he.
"Seest
thou yonder vast hill?" "I see
it." "I require that it be rooted up,
and that the grubbings be burned for manure on
the face of the land, and that it be ploughed and
sown in one day, and in one day that the grain
ripen. And of that wheat I intend to make food
and liquor fit for the wedding of thee and my
daughter. And all this I require done in one
day."
"It
will be easy for me to compass this, although
thou mayest think that it will not be easy."
"Though
this be easy for thee, there is yet that which
will not be so. No husbandman can till or prepare
this land, so wild is it, except Amaethon the son
of Don, and he will not come with thee by his own
free will, and thou wilt not be able to compel
him.
"It
will be easy for me to compass this, although
thou mayest think that it will not be easy."
"Though
thou get this, there is yet that which thou wilt
not get. Govannon the son of Don to come to the
headland to rid the iron, he will do no work of
his own good will except for a lawful king, and
thou wilt not be able to compel him."
"It
will be easy for me to compass this."
"Though
thou get this, there is yet that which thou wilt
not get; the two dun oxen of Gwlwlyd, both yoked
together, to plough the wild land yonder stoutly.
He will not give them of his own free will, and
thou wilt not be able to compel him."
"It
will be easy for me to compass this."
"Though
thou get this, there is yet that which thou wilt
not get; the yellow and the brindled bull yoked
together do I require."
"It
will be easy for me to compass this."
"Though
thou get this, there is yet that which thou wilt
not get; the two horned oxen, one of which is
beyond, and the other this side of the peaked
mountain, yoked together in the same plough. And
these are Nynniaw and Peibaw, whom God turned
into oxen on account of their sins."
"It
will be easy for me to compass this."
"Though
thou get this, there is yet that which thou wilt
not get. Seest thou yonder red tilled
ground?"
"I
see it."
"When
first I met the mother of this maiden, nine
bushels of flax were sown therein, and none has
yet sprung up, neither white nor black; and I
have the measure by me still. I require to have
the flax to sow in the new land under, that when
it grows up it may make a white wimple, for my
daughter's head, on the day of thy wedding."
"It
will be easy for me to compass this, although
thou mayest think that it will not be easy."
"Though
thou gets this, there is yet that which thou wilt
not get. Honey that is nine times sweeter than
the honey of the virgin swarm, without scum and
bees, do I require to make bragget for the
feast."
"It
will be easy for me to compass this, although
thou mayest think that it will not be easy."
"The
vessel of Llwyr the son of Llwyryon, which is of
the utmost value. There is no other vessel in the
world that can hold this drink. Of his free will
thou wilt not get it, and thou canst not compel
him."
"It
will be easy for me to compass this, although
thou mayest think that it will not be easy."
"Though
thou get this, there is yet that which thou wilt
not get. The basket of Gwyddneu Garanhir, if the
whole world should come together, thrice nine men
at a time, the meat that each of them desired
would be found within it. I require to eat
therefrom on the night that my daughter becomes
thy bride. He will give it to no one of his own
free will, and thou canst not compel him."
"It
will be easy for me to compass this, although
thou mayest think that it will not be easy."
"Though
thou get this, there is yet that which thou wilt
not get. The horn of Gwlgawd Gododin to serve us
with liquor that night. He will not give it of
his own free will, and thou wilt not be able to
compel him."
"It
will be easy for me to compass this, although
thou mayest think that it will not be easy."
"Though
thou get this, there is yet that which thou wilt
not get. The harp of Teirtu to play to us that
night. When a man desires that it should play, it
does so of itself, and when he desires that it
should cease, it ceases. And this he will not
give of his own free will, and thou wilt not be
able to compel him."
"It
will be easy for me to compass this, although
thou mayest think that it will not be easy."
"Though
thou get this, there is yet that which thou wilt
not get. The cauldron of Diwrnach Wyddel, the
steward of Odgar the son of Aedd, king of
Ireland, to boil the meat for thy marriage
feast."
"It
will be easy for me to compass this, although
thou mayest think that it will not be easy."
"Though
thou get this, there is yet that which thou wilt
not get. It is needful for me to wash my head,
and shave my beard, and I require the tusk of
Yskithyrwyn Benbaedd to shave myself withal,
neither shall I profit by its use if it be not
plucked alive out of his head."
"It
will be easy for me to compass this, although
thou mayest think that it will not be easy."
"Though
thou get this, there is yet that which thou wilt
not get. There is no one in the world that can
pluck it out of his head except Odgar the son of
Aedd, king of Ireland."
"It
will be easy for me to compass this."
"Though
thou get this, there is yet that which thou wilt
not get. I will not trust any one to keep the
tusk except Gado of North Britain. Now the
threescore Cantrevs of North Britain are under
his sway, and of his own free will he will not
come out of his kingdom, and thou wilt not be
able to compel him."
"It
will be easy for me to compass this, although
thou mayest think that it will not be easy."
"Though
thou get this, there is yet that which thou wilt
not get. I must spread out my hair in order to
shave it, and it will never be spread out unless
I have the blood of the jet black sorceress, the
daughter of the pure white sorceress, from Pen
Nant Govid, on the confines of Hell."
"It
will be easy for me to compass this, although
thou mayest think that it will not be easy."
"Though
thou get this, there is yet that which thou wilt
not get. I will not have the blood unless I have
it warm, and no vessels will keep warm the liquid
that is put therein except the bottles of
Gwyddolwyn Gorr, which preserve the heat of the
liquor that is put into them in the east, until
they arrive at the west. And he will not give
them of his own free will, and thou wilt not be
able to compel him."
"It
will be easy for me to compass this, although
thou mayest think that it will not be easy."
"Though
thou get this, there is yet that which thou wilt
not get. Some will desire fresh milk, and it will
not be possible to have fresh milk for all,
unless we have the bottles of Rhinnon Rhin
Barnawd, wherein no liquor ever turns sour. And
he will not give them of his own free will, and
thou wilt not be able to compel him."
"It
will be easy for me to compass this, although
thou mayest think that it will not be easy."
"Though
thou get this, there is yet that which thou wilt
not get. Throughout the world there is not a comb
or scissors with which I can arrange my hair, on
account of its rankness, except the comb and
scissors that are between the two ears of Twrch
Trwyth, the son of Prince Tared. He will not give
them of his own free will, and thou wilt not be
able to compel him."
"It
will be easy for me to compass this, although
thou mayest think that it will not be easy."
"Though
thou get this, there is yet that which thou wilt
not get. It will not be possible to hunt Twrch
Trwyth without Drudwyn the whelp of Greid, the
son of Eri."
"It
will be easy for me to compass this, although
thou mayest think that it will not be easy."
"Though
thou get this, there is yet that which thou wilt
not get. Throughout the world there is not a
leash that can hold him, except the leash of Cwrs
Cant Ewin."
"It
will be easy for me to compass this, although
thou mayest think that it will not be easy."
"Though
thou get this, there is yet that which thou wilt
not get. Throughout the world there is no collar
that will hold the leash except the collar of
Canhastyr Canllaw."
"It
will be easy for me to compass this, although
thou mayest think that it will not be easy."
"Though
thou get this, there is yet that which thou wilt
not get. The chain of Kilydd Canhastyr to fasten
the collar to the leash."
"It
will be easy for me to compass this, although
thou mayest think that it will not be easy."
"Though
thou get this, there is yet that which thou wilt
not get. Throughout the world there is not a
huntsman who can hunt with this dog, except Mabon
the son of Modron. He was taken from his mother
when three nights old, and it is not known where
he now is, nor whether he is living or
dead."
"It
will be easy for me to compass this, although
thou mayest think that it will not be easy."
"Though
thou get this, there is yet that which thou wilt
not get. Gwynn Mygdwn, the horse of Gweddw, that
is as swift as the wave, to carry Mabon the son
of Modron to hunt the boar Trwyth. He will not
give him of his own free will, and thou wilt not
be able to compel him."
"It
will be easy for me to compass this, although
thou mayest think that it will not be easy."
"Though
thou get this, there is yet that which thou wilt
not get. Thou wilt not get Mabon, for it is not
known where he is, unless thou find Eidoel, his
kinsman in blood, the son of Aer. For it would be
useless to seek for him. He is his cousin."
"It
will be easy for me to compass this, although
thou mayest think that it will not be easy."
"Though
thou get this, there is yet that which thou wilt
not get. Garselit the Gwyddelian is the chief
huntsman of Ireland; the Twrch Trwyth can never
be hunted without him."
"It
will be easy for me to compass this, although
thou mayest think that it will not be easy."
"Though
thou get this, there is yet that which thou wilt
not get. A leash made from the beard of Dissull
Varvawc, for that is the only one that can hold
those two cubs. And the leash will be of no avail
unless it be plucked from his beard while he is
alive, and twitched out with wooden tweezers.
While he lives he will not suffer this to be done
to him, and the leash will be of no use should he
be dead, because it will be brittle."
"It
will be easy for me to compass this, although
thou mayest think that it will not be easy."
"Though
thou get this, there is yet that which thou wilt
not get. Throughout the world there is no
huntsman that can hold those two whelps except
Kynedyr Wyllt, the son of Hettwn Glafyrawc; he is
nine times more wild than the wildest beast upon
the mountains. Him wilt thou never get, neither
wilt thou ever get my daughter."
"It
will be easy for me to compass this, although
thou mayest think that it will not be easy."
"Though
thou get this, there is yet that which thou wilt
not get. It is not possible to hunt the boar
Trwyth without Gwynn the son of Nudd, whom God
has placed over the brood of devils in Annwn,
lest they should destroy the present race. He
will never be spared thence."
"It
will be easy for me to compass this, although
thou mayest think that it will not be easy."
"Though
thou get this, there is yet that which thou wilt
not get. There is not a horse in the world that
can carry Gwynn to hunt the Twrch Trwyth, except
Du, the horse of Mor of Oerveddawg."
"It
will be easy for me to compass this, although
thou mayest think that it will not be easy."
"Though
thou get this, there is yet that which thou wilt
not get. Until Gilennhin the king of France shall
come, the Twrch Trwyth cannot be hunted. It will
be unseemly for him to leave his kingdom for thy
sake, and he will never come hither."
"It
will be easy for me to compass this, although
thou mayest think that it will not be easy."
"Though
thou get this, there is yet that which thou wilt
not get. The Twrch Trwyth can never be hunted
without the son of Alun Dyved; he is well skilled
in letting loose the dogs."
"It
will be easy for me to compass this, although
thou mayest think that it will not be easy."
"Though
thou get this, there is yet that which thou wilt
not get. The Twrch Trwyth cannot be hunted unless
thou get Aned and Aethlem. They are as swift as
the gale of wind, and they were never let loose
upon a beast that they did not kill him."
"It
will be easy for me to compass this, although
thou mayest think that it will not be easy."
"Though
thou get this, there is yet that which thou wilt
not get; Arthur and his companions to hunt the
Twrch Trwyth. He is a mighty man, and he will not
come for thee, neither wilt thou be able to
compel him."
"It
will be easy for me to compass this, although
thou mayest think that it will not be easy."
"Though
thou get this there is yet that which thou wilt
not get. The Twrch Trwyth cannot be hunted unless
thou get Bwlch, and Kyfwlch [and Sefwlch], the
grandsons of Cleddyf Difwlch. Their three shields
are three gleaming glitterers Their three spears
are three pointed piercers. Their three swords
are three griding gashers, Glas, Glessic, and
Clersag. Their three dogs, Call, Cuall, and
Cavall. Their three horses, Hwyrdydwg, and
Drwgdydwg, and Llwyrdydwg. Their three wives,
Och, and Garam, and Diaspad. Their three
grandchildren, Lluched, and Vyned, and Eissiwed.
Their three daughters, Drwg, and Gwaeth, and
Gwaethav Oll. Their three handmaids [Eheubryd,
the daughter of Kyfwlch; Gorasgwrn, the daughter
of Nerth; and Gwaedan, the daughter of Kynvelyn].
These three men shall sound the horn, and all the
others shall shout, so that all will think that
the sky is falling to the earth."
"It
will be easy for me to compass this, although
thou mayest think that it will not be easy."
"Though
thou get this, there is yet that which thou wilt
not get. The sword of Gwrnach the Giant; he will
never be slain except therewith. O his own free
will he will not give it, either for a price or
as a gift, and thou wilt never be able to compel
him."
"It
will be easy for me to compass this, although
thou mayest think that it will not be easy."
"Though
thou get this, there is yet that which thou wilt
not get. Difficulties shalt thou meet with, and
nights without sleep, in seeking this, and if
thou obtain it not, neither shalt thou obtain my
daughter."
"Horses
shall I have, and chivalry; and my lord and
kinsman Arthur will obtain for me all these
things. And I shall gain thy daughter, and thou
shalt lose thy life."
"Go
forward. And thou shalt not be chargeable for
food or raiment for my daughter while thou art
seeking these things; and when thou hast
compassed all these marvels, thou shalt have my
daughter for thy wife."
All
that day they journeyed until the evening, and
then they beheld a vast castle, which was the
largest in the world. And lo, a black man, huger
than three of the men of this world, came out
from the castle. And they spoke unto him,
"Whence comest thou, O man?" "From
the castle which you see yonder."
"Whose castle is that?" asked they.
"Stupid are ye truly, O men. There is no one
in the world that does not know to whom this
castle belongs. It is the castle of Gwrnach the
Giant." "What treatment is there for
guests and strangers that alight in that
castle?" "Oh! Chieftain, Heaven protect
thee. No guest ever returned thence alive, and no
one may enter therein unless he brings with him
his craft."
Then
they proceeded towards the gate. Said Gwrhyr
Gwalstawd Ieithoedd, "Is there a
porter?" "There is. And thou, if thy
tongue be not mute in thy head, wherefore dost
thou call?" "Open the gate."
"I will not open it." "Wherefore
wilt thou not?" "The knife is in the
meat, and the drink is in the horn, and there is
revelry in the hall of Gwrnach the Giant, and
except for a craftsman who brings his craft, the
gate will not be opened to-night."
"Verily, porter," then said Kai,
"my craft bring I with me." "What
is thy craft?" "The best burnisher of
swords am I in the world." "I will go
and tell this unto Gwrnach the Giant, and I will
bring thee an answer."
So
the porter went in, and Gwrnach said to him,
"Hast thou any news from the gate?"
"I have. There is a party at the door of the
gate who desire to come in." "Didst
thou inquire of them if they possessed any
art?" "I did inquire," said he,
"and one told me that he was well skilled in
the burnishing of swords." "We have
need of him then. For some time have I sought for
some one to polish my sword, and could find no
one. Let this man enter, since he brings with him
his craft." The porter thereupon returned
and opened the gate. And Kai went in by himself,
and he saluted Gwrnach the Giant. And a chair was
placed for him opposite to Gwrnach. And Gwrnach
said to him, "Oh man! is it true that is
reported of thee that thou knowest how to burnish
swords?" "I know full well how to do
so," answered Kai. Then was the sword of
Gwrnach brought to him. And Kai took a blue
whetstone from under his arm, and asked him
whether he would have it burnished white or blue.
"Do with it as it seems good to thee, and as
though wouldest if it were thine own." Then
Kai polished one half of the blade and put it in
his hand. "Will this please thee?"
asked he. "I would rather than all that is
in my dominions that the whole of it were like
unto this. It is a marvel to me that such a man
as thou should be without a companion."
"Oh! noble sir, I have a companion, albeit
he is not skilled in this art." "Who
may he be?" "Let the porter go forth
and I will tell him whereby he may know him. The
head of his lance will leave its shaft, and draw
blood from the wind, and will descend upon its
shaft again." Then the gate was opened, and
Bedwyr entered. And Kai said, "Bedwyr is
very skilful, although he knows not this
art."
And
there was much discourse among those who were
without, because that Kai and Bedwyr had gone in.
And a young man who was with them, the only son
of Custennin the herdsman, got in also. And he
caused all his companions to keep close to him as
he passed the three wards, and until he came into
the midst of the castle. And his companions said
unto the son of Custennin, "Thou hast done
this! Thou art the best of all men." And
thenceforth he was called Goreu, the son of
Custennin. Then they dispersed to their lodgings,
that they might slay those who lodged therein,
unknown to the Giant.
The
sword was now polished, and Kai gave it unto the
hand of Gwrnach the Giant, to see if he were
pleased with his work. And the Giant said,
"The work is good, I am content
therewith." Said Kai, "It is thy
scabbard that hath rusted thy sword, give it to
me that I may take out the wooden sides of it and
put in new ones." And he took the scabbard
from him, and the sword in the other hand. And he
came and stood over against the Giant, as if he
would have put the sword into the scabbard; and
with it he struck at the head of the Giant, and
cut off his head at one blow. Then they despoiled
the castle, and took from it what goods and
jewels they would. And again on the same day, at
the beginning of the year, they came to Arthur's
Court, bearing with them the sword of Gwrnach the
Giant.
Now,
when they told Arthur how they had sped, Arthur
said, "Which of these marvels will it be
best for us to seek first?" "It will be
best," said they, "to seek Mabon the
son of Modron; and he will not be found unless we
first find Eidoel, the son of Aer, his
kinsman." Then Arthur rose up, and the
warriors of the Islands of Britain with him, to
seek for Eidoel; and they proceeded until they
came before the Castle of Glivi, where Eidoel was
imprisoned. Glivi stood on the summit of his
castle, and he said, "Arthur, what requirest
thou of me, since nothing remains to me in this
fortress, and I have neither joy nor pleasure in
it; neither wheat nor oats? Seek not therefore to
do me harm." Said Arthur, "Not to
injure thee came I hither, but to seek for the
prisoner that is with thee." "I will
give thee my prisoner, though I had not thought
to give him up to any one; and therewith shalt
thou have my support and my aid."
His
followers said unto Arthur, "Lord, go thou
home, thou canst not proceed with thy host in
quest of such small adventures as these."
Then said Arthur, "It were well for thee,
Gwrhyr Gwalstawd Ieithoedd, to go upon this
quest, for thou knowest all languages, and art
familiar with those of the birds and the beasts.
Thou, Eidoel, oughtest likewise to go with my men
in search of thy cousin. And as for you, Kai and
Bedwyr, I have hope of whatever adventure ye are
in quest of, that ye will achieve it. Achieve ye
this adventure for me."
They
went forward until they came to the Ousel of
Cilgwri. And Gwrhyr adjured her for the sake of
Heaven, saying, "Tell me if thou knowest
aught of Mabon the son of Modron, who was taken
when three nights old from between his mother and
the wall." And the Ousel answered,
"When I first came here, there was a smith's
anvil in this place, and I was then a young bird;
and from that time no work has been done upon it,
save the pecking of my beak every evening, and
now there is not so much as the size of a nut
remaining thereof; yet the vengeance of Heaven be
upon me, if during all that time I have ever
heard of the man for whom you inquire.
Nevertheless I will do that which is right, and
that which it is fitting that I should do for an
embassy from Arthur. There is a race of animals
who were formed before me, and I will be your
guide to them."
So
they proceeded to the place where was the Stag of
Redynvre. "Stag of Redynvre, behold we are
come to thee, an embassy from Arthur, for we have
not heard of any animal older than thou. Say,
knowest thou aught of Mabon the son of Modron,
who was taken from his mother when three nights
old?" The Stag said, "When I first came
hither, there was a plain all around me, without
any trees save one oak sapling, which grew up to
be an oak with an hundred branches. And that oak
has since perished, so that now nothing remains
of it but the withered stump; and from that day
to this I have been here, yet have I never heard
of the man for whom you inquire. Nevertheless,
being an embassy from Arthur, I will be your
guide to the place where there is an animal which
was formed before I was."
So
they proceeded to the place where was the Owl of
Cwm Cawlwyd. "Owl of Cwm Cawlwyd, here is an
embassy from Arthur; knowest thou aught of Mabon
the son of Modron, who was taken after three
nights from his mother?" "If I knew I
would tell you. When first I came hither, the
wide valley you see was a wooded glen. And a race
of men came and rooted it up. And there grew
there a second wood; and this wood is the third.
My wings, are they not withered stumps? Yet all
this time, even until to-day, I have never heard
of the man for whom you inquire. Nevertheless, I
will be the guide of Arthur's embassy until you
come to the place where is the oldest animal in
this world, and the one that has travelled most,
the Eagle of Gwern Abwy."
Gwrhyr
said, "Eagle of Gwern Abwy, we have come to
thee an embassy from Arthur, to ask thee if thou
knowest aught of Mabon the son of Modron, who was
taken from his mother when he was three nights
old." The Eagle said, "I have been here
for a great space of time, and when I first came
hither there was a rock here, from the top of
which I pecked at the stars every evening; and
now it is not so much as a span high. From that
day to this I have been here, and I have never
heard of the man for whom you inquire, except
once when I went in search of food as far as Llyn
Llyw. And when I came there, I struck my talons
into a salmon, thinking he would serve me as food
for a long time. But he drew me into the deep,
and I was scarcely able to escape from him. After
that I went with my whole kindred to attack him,
and to try to destroy him, but he sent
messengers, and made peace with me; and came and
besought me to take fifty fish spears out of his
back. Unless he know something of him whom you
seek, I cannot tell who may. However, I will
guide you to the place where he is.
So
they went thither; and the Eagle said,
"Salmon of Llyn Llyw, I have come to thee
with an embassy from Arthur, to ask thee if thou
knowest aught concerning Mabon the son of Modron,
who was taken away at three nights old from his
mother." "As much as I know I will tell
thee. With every tide I go along the river
upwards, until I come near to the walls of
Gloucester, and there have I found such wrong as
I never found elsewhere; and to the end that ye
may give credence thereto, let one of you go
thither upon each of my two shoulders." So
Kai and Gwrhyr Gwalstawd Ieithoedd went upon the
two shoulders of the salmon, and they proceeded
until they came unto the wall of the prison, and
they heard a great wailing and lamenting from the
dungeon. Said Gwrhyr, "Who is it that
laments in this house of stone?" "Alas,
there is reason enough for whoever is here to
lament. It is Mabon the son of Modron who is here
imprisoned; and no imprisonment was ever so
grievous as mine, neither that of Lludd Llaw
Ereint, nor that of Greid the son of Eri."
"Hast thou hope of being released for gold
or for silver, or for any gifts of wealth, or
through battle and fighting?" "By
fighting will whatever I may gain be
obtained."
Then
they went thence, and returned to Arthur, and
they told him where Mabon the son of Modron was
imprisoned. And Arthur summoned the warriors of
the Island, and they journeyed as far as
Gloucester, to the place where Mabon was in
prison. Kai and Bedwyr went upon the shoulders of
the fish, whilst the warriors of Arthur attacked
the castle. And Kai broke through the wall into
the dungeon, and brought away the prisoner upon
his back, whilst the fight was going on between
the warriors. And Arthur returned home, and Mabon
with him at liberty.
Said
Arthur, "Which of the marvels will it be
best for us now to seek first?" "It
will be best to seek for the two cubs of Gast
Rhymhi." "Is it known," asked
Arthur, "where she is!" "She is in
Aber Deu Gleddyf," said one. Then Arthur
went to the house of Tringad, in Aber Cleddyf,
and he inquired of him whether he had heard of
her there. "In what form may she be?"
"She is in the form of a she-wolf,"
said he; "and with her there are two
cubs." "She has often slain my herds,
and she is there below in a cave in Aber
Cleddyf."
So
Arthur went in his ship Prydwen by sea, and the
others went by land, to hunt her. And they
surrounded her and her two cubs, and God did
change them again for Arthur into their own form.
And the host of Arthur dispersed themselves into
parties of one and two.
On a
certain day, as Gwythyr the son of Greidawl was
walking over a mountain, he heard a wailing and a
grievous cry. And when he heard it, he sprang
forward, and went towards it. And when he came
there, he drew his sword, and smote off an
ant-hill close to the earth, whereby it escaped
being burned in the fire. And the ants said to
him, "Receive from us the blessing of
heaven, and that which no man can give we will
give thee." Then they fetched the nine
bushels of flax-seed which Yspaddaden Penkawr had
required of Kilhwch, and they brought the full
measure without lacking any, except one
flax-seed, and that the lame pismire brought in
before night.
As
Kai and Bedwyr sat on a beacon carn on the summit
of Plinlimmon, in the highest wind that ever was
in the world, they looked around them, and saw a
great smoke towards the south, afar off, which
did not bend with the wind. Then said Kai,
"By the hand of my friend, behold, yonder is
the fire of a robber!" Then they hastened
towards the smoke, and they came so near to it,
that they could see Dillus Varvawc scorching a
wild boar. "Behold, yonder is the greatest
robber that ever fled from Arthur," said
Bedwyr unto Kai. "Dost thou know him?"
"I do know him," answered Kai, "he
is Dillus Varvawc, and no leash in the world will
be able to hold Drudwyn, the cub of Greid the son
of Eri, save a leash made from the beard of him
thou seest yonder. And even that will be useless,
unless his beard be plucked alive with wooden
tweezers; for if dead, it will be brittle."
"What thinkest thou that we should do
concerning this?" said Bedwyr. "Let us
suffer him," said Kai, "to eat as much
as he will of the meat, and after that he will
fall asleep." And during that time they
employed themselves in making the wooden
tweezers. And when Kai knew certainly that he was
asleep, he made a pit under his feet, the largest
in the world, and he struck him a violent plow,
and squeezed him into the pit. And there they
twitched out his beard completely with the wooden
tweezers; and after that they slew him
altogether.
And
from thence they both went to Gelli Wic, in
Cornwall, and took the leash made of Dillus
Varvawc's beard with them, and they gave it into
Arthur's hand. Then Arthur composed this Englyn--
Kai
made a leash
Of Dillus son of Eurei's beard.
Were he alive, thy death he'd be.
And
thereupon Kai was wroth, so that the warriors of
the Island could scarcely make peace between Kai
and Arthur. And thenceforth, neither in Arthur's
troubles, nor for the slaying of his men, would
Kai come forward to his aid for ever after.
Said
Arthur, "Which of the marvels is it best for
us now to seek?" "It is best for us to
seek Drudwyn, the cub of Greid the son of
Eri."
A
little while before this, Creiddylad the daughter
of Llud Llaw Ereint, and Gwythyr the son of
Greidawl, were betrothed. And before she had
become his bride, Gwn ap Nudd came and carried
her away by force; and Gwythyr the son of
Greidawl gathered his host together, and went to
fight with Gwyn ap Nudd. But Gwyn overcame him,
and captured Greid the son of Eri, and Glinneu
the son of Taran, and Gwrgwst Ledlwm, and
Dynvarth his son. And he captured Penn the son of
Nethawg, and Nwython, and Kyledyr Wyllt his son.
And they slew Nwython, and took out his heart,
and constrained Kyledyr to eat the heart of his
father. And therefrom Kyledyr became mad. When
Arthur heard of this, he went to the North, and
summoned Gwyn ap Nudd before him, and set free
the nobles whom he had put in prison, and made
peace between Gwyn ap Nudd and Gwythyr the son of
Greidawl. And this was the peace that was
made:--that the maiden should remain in her
father's house, without advantage to either of
them, and that Gwyn ap Nudd and Gwythyr the son
of Greidawl should fight for her every first of
May, from thenceforth until the day of doom, and
that whichever of them should then be conqueror
should have the maiden.
And
when Arthur had thus reconciled these chieftains,
he obtained Mygdwn, Gweddw's horse, and the leash
of Cwrs Cant Ewin.
And
after that Arthur went into Armorica, and with
him Mabon the son of Mellt, and Gware Gwallt
Euryn, to seek the two dogs of Glythmyr Ledewic.
And when he had got them, he went to the West of
Ireland, in search of Gwrgi Severi; and Odgar the
son of Aedd king of Ireland, went with him. And
thence went Arthur into the North, and captured
Kyledyr Wyllt; and he went after Yskithyrwyn
Benbaedd. And Mabon the son of Mellt came with
the two dogs of Glythmyr Ledewic in his hand, and
Drudwyn, the cub of Greid the son of Eri. And
Arthur went himself to the chase, leading his own
dog Cavall. And Kaw, of North Britain, mounted
Arthur's mare Llamrei, and was first in the
attack. Then Kaw, of North Britain, wielded a
mighty axe, and absolutely daring he came
valiantly up to the boar, and clave his head in
twain. And Kaw took away the tusk. Now the boar
was not slain by the dogs that Yspaddaden had
mentioned, but by Cavall, Arthur's own dog.
And
after Yskithyrwyn Penbaedd was killed, Arthur and
his host departed to Gelli Wic in Cornwall. And
thence he sent Menw the son of Teirgwaedd to see
if the precious things were between the two ears
of Twrch Trwyth, since it were useless to
encounter him if they were not there. Albeit it
was certain where he was, for he had laid waste
the third part of Ireland. And Menw went to seek
for him, and he met with him in Ireland, in
Esgeir Oervel. And Menw took the form of a bird;
and he descended upon the top of his lair, and
strove to snatch away one of the precious things
from him, but he carried away nothing but one of
his bristles. And the boar rose up angrily and
shook himself so that some of his venom fell upon
Menw, and he was never well from that day
forward.
After
this Arthur sent an embassy to Odgar, the son of
Aedd king of Ireland, to ask for the Cauldron of
Diwrnach Wyddel, his purveyor. And Odgar
commanded him to give it. But Diwrnach said,
"Heaven is my witness, if it would avail him
anything even to look at it, he should not do
so." And the embassy of Arthur returned from
Ireland with this denial. And Arthur set forward
with a small retinue, and entered into Prydwen,
his ship, and went over to Ireland. And they
proceeded into the house of Diwrnach Wyddel. And
the hosts of Odgar saw their strength. When they
had eaten and drunk as much as they desired,
Arthur demanded to have the cauldron. And he
answered, "If I would have given it to any
one, I would have given it at the word of Odgar
king of Ireland."
When
he had given them this denial, Bedwyr arose and
seized hold of the cauldron, and placed it upon
the back of Hygwyd, Arthur's servant, who was
brother, by the mother's side, to Arthur's
servant, Cachamwri. His office was always to
carry Arthur's cauldron, and to place fire under
it. And Llenlleawg Wyddel seized Caledvwlch, and
brandished it. And they slew Diwrnach Wyddel and
his company. Then came the Irish and fought with
them. And when he had put them to flight, Arthur
with his men went forward to the ship, carrying
away the cauldron full of Irish money. And he
disembarked at the house of Llwydden the son of
Kelcoed, at Porth Kerddin in Dyved. And there is
the measure of the cauldron.
Then
Arthur summoned unto him all the warriors that
were in the three Islands of Britain, and in the
three Islands adjacent, and all that were in
France and in Armorica, in Normandy and in the
Summer Country, and all that were chosen footmen
and valiant horsemen. And with all these he went
into Ireland. And in Ireland there was great fear
and terror concerning him. And when Arthur had
landed in the country, there came unto him the
saints of Ireland and besought his protection.
And he granted his protection unto them, and they
gave him their blessing. Then the men of Ireland
came unto Arthur, and brought him provisions. And
Arthur went as far as Esgeir Oervel in Ireland,
to the place where the Boar Trwyth was with his
seven young pigs. And the dogs were let loose
upon him from all sides. That day until evening
the Irish fought with him, nevertheless he laid
waste the fifth part of Ireland. And on the day
following the household of Arthur fought with
him, and they were worsted by him and got no
advantage. And the third day Arthur himself
encountered him, and he fought with him nine
nights and nine days without so much as killing
even one little pig. The warriors inquired of
Arthur what was the origin of that swine; and he
told them that he was once a king, and that God
had transformed him into a swine for his sins.
Then
Arthur sent Gwrhyr Gwalstawt Ieithoedd, to
endeavour to speak with him. And Gwrhyr assumed
the form of a bird, and alighted upon the top of
the lair, where he was with the seven young pigs.
And Gwrhyr Gwalstawt Ieithoedd asked him,
"By him who turned you into this form, if
you can speak, let some one of you, I beseech
you, come and talk with Arthur." Grugyn
Gwrych Ereint made answer to him. (Now his
bristles were like silver wire, and whether he
went through the wood or through the plain, he
was to be traced by the glittering of his
bristles.) And this was the answer that Grugyn
made, "By him who turned us into this form,
we will not do so, and we will not speak with
Arthur. That we have been transformed thus is
enough for us to suffer, without your coming here
to fight with us." "I will tell you.
Arthur comes but to fight for the comb, and the
razor, and the scissors, which are between the
two ears of Twrch Trwyth." Said Grugyn,
"Except he first take his life, he will
never have those precious things. And to-morrow
morning we will rise up hence, and we will go
into Arthur's country, and there will we do all
the mischief that we can."
So
they set forth through the sea towards Wales. And
Arthur and his hosts, and his horses and his
dogs, entered Prydwen, that they might encounter
them without delay. Twrch Trwyth landed in Porth
Cleis in Dyved, and Arthur came to Mynyw. The
next day it was told to Arthur that they had gone
by, and he overtook them as they were killing the
cattle of Kynnwas Kwrr y Vagyl, having slain all
that were at Aber Gleddyf, of man and beast,
before the coming of Arthur.
Now
when Arthur approached, Twrch Trwyth went on as
far as Preseleu, and Arthur and his hosts
followed him thither, and Arthur sent men to hunt
him; Eli and Trachmyr, leading Drutwyn the whelp
of Greid the son of Eri, and Gwarthegyd the son
of Kaw, in another quarter, with the two dogs of
Glythmyr Ledewig, and Bedwyr leading Cavall,
Arthur's own dog. And all the warriors ranged
themselves around the Nyver. And there came there
the three sons of Cleddyf Divwlch, men who had
gained much fame at the slaying of Yskithyrwyn
Penbaedd; and they went on from Glyn Nyver, and
came to Cwm Kerwyn.
And
there Twrch Trwyth made a stand, and slew four of
Arthur's champions, Gwarthegyd the son of Kaw,
and Tarawc of Allt Clwyd, and Rheidwn the son of
Eli Atver, and Iscovan Hael. And after he had
slain these men, he made a second stand in the
same place. And there he slew Gwydre the son of
Arthur, and Garselit Wyddel, and Glew the son of
Ysgawd, and Iscawyn the son of Panon; and there
he himself was wounded.
And
the next morning before it was day, some of the
men came up with him. And he slew Huandaw, and
Gogigwr, and Penpingon, three attendants upon
Glewlwyd Gavaelvawr, so that Heaven knows, he had
not an attendant remaining, excepting only
Llaesgevyn, a man from whom no one ever derived
any good. And together with these, he slew many
of the men of that country, and Gwlydyn Saer,
Arthur's chief Architect.
Then
Arthur overtook him at Pelumyawc, and there he
slew Madawc the son of Teithyon, and Gwyn the son
of Tringad, the son of Neved, and Eiryawn
Penllorau. Thence he went to Aberteivi, where he
made another stand, and where he slew Kyflas the
son of Kynan, and Gwilenhin king of France. Then
he went as far as Glyn Ystu, and there the men
and the dogs lost him.
Then
Arthur summoned unto him Gwyn ab Nudd, and he
asked him if he knew aught of Twrch Trwyth. And
he said that he did not.
And
all the huntsmen went to hunt the swine as far as
Dyffryn Llychwr. And Grugyn Gwallt Ereint, and
Llwydawg Govynnyad closed with them and killed
all the huntsmen, so that there escaped but one
man only. And Arthur and his hosts came to the
place where Grugyn and Llwydawg were. And there
he let loose the whole of the dogs upon them, and
with the shout and barking that was set up, Twrch
Trwyth came to their assistance.
And
from the time that they came across the Irish
sea, Arthur had never got sight of him until
then. So he set men and dogs upon him, and
thereupon he started off and went to Mynydd
Amanw. And there one of his young pigs was
killed. Then they set upon him life for life, and
Twrch Llawin was slain, and then there was slain
another of the swine, Gwys was his name. After
that he went on to Dyffryn Amanw, and there Banw
and Bennwig were killed. Of all his pigs there
went with him alive from that place none save
Grugyn Gwallt Ereint, and Llwydawg Govynnyad.
Thence
he went on to Llwch Ewin, and Arthur overtook him
there, and he made a stand. And there he slew
Echel Forddwytwll, and Garwyli the son of
Gwyddawg Gwyr, and many men and dogs likewise.
And thence they went to Llwch Tawy. Grugyn Gwrych
Ereint parted from them there, and went to Din
Tywi. And thence he proceeded to Ceredigiawn, and
Eli and Trachmyr with him, and a multitude
likewise. Then he came to Garth Gregyn, and there
Llwydawg Govynnyad fought in the midst of them,
and slew Rhudvyw Rhys and many others with him.
Then Llwydawg went thence to Ystrad Yw, and there
the men of Armorica met him, and there he slew
Hirpeissawg the king of Armorica, and Llygatrudd
Emys, and Gwrbothu, Arthur's uncles, his mother's
brothers, and there was he himself slain.
Twrch
Trwyth went from there to between Tawy and Euyas,
and Arthur summoned all Cornwall and Devon unto
him, to the estuary of the Severn, and he said to
the warriors of this Island, "Twrch Trwyth
has slain many of my men, but, by the valour of
warriors, while I live he shall not go into
Cornwall. And I will not follow him any longer,
but I will oppose him life to life. Do ye as ye
will." And he resolved that he would send a
body of knights, with the dogs of the Island, as
far as Euyas, who should return thence to the
Severn, and that tried warriors should traverse
the Island, and force him into the Severn. And
Mabon the son of Modron, came up with him at the
Severn, upon Gwynn Mygddon, the horse of Gweddw,
and Goreu the son of Custennin, and Menw the son
of Teirgwaedd; this was betwixt Llyn Lliwan and
Aber Gwy. And Arthur fell upon him together with
the champions of Britain. And Osla Kyllellvawr
drew near, and Manawyddan the son of Llyr, and
Kacmwri the servant of Arthur, and Gwyngelli, and
they seized hold of him, catching him first by
his feet, and plunged him in the Severn, so that
it overwhelmed him. On the one side, Mabon the
son of Modron spurred his steed and snatched his
razor from him, and Kyledyr Wyllt came up with
him on the other side, upon another steed, in the
Severn, and took from him the scissors. But
before they could obtain the comb, he had
regained the ground with his feet, and from the
moment that he reached the shore, neither dog,
nor man, nor horse could overtake him until he
came to Cornwall. If they had had trouble in
getting the jewels from him, much more had they
in seeking to save the two men from being
drowned. Kacmwri, as they drew him forth, was
dragged by two millstones into the deep. And as
Osla Kyllellvawr was running after the boar, his
knife had dropped out of the sheath, and he had
lost it, and after that, the sheath became full
of water, and its weight drew him down into the
deep, as they were drawing him forth.
Then
Arthur and his hosts proceeded until they
overtook the boar in Cornwall, and the trouble
which they had met with before was mere play to
what they encountered in seeking the comb. But
from one difficulty to another, the comb was at
length obtained. And then he was hunted from
Cornwall, and driven straight forward into the
deep sea. And thenceforth it was never known
whither he went; and Aned and Aethlem with him.
Then went Arthur to Gelliwic, in Cornwall, to
anoint himself, and to rest from his fatigues.
Said
Arthur, "Is there any one of the marvels yet
unobtained?" Said one of his men,
"There is--the blood of the witch Orddu, the
daughter of the witch Orwen, of Penn Nant Govid,
on the confines of Hell." Arthur set forth
towards the North, and came to the place where
was the witch's cave. And Gwyn ab Nudd, and
Gwythyr the son of Greidawl, counselled him to
send Kacmwri, and Hygwyd his brother to fight
with the witch. As they entered the cave, the
witch seized upon them, and she caught Hygwyd by
the hair of his head, and threw him on the floor
beneath her. And Kacmwri caught her by the hair
of her head, and dragged her to the earth from
off Hygwyd, but she turned again upon them both,
and drove them both out with kicks and with
cuffs.
And
Arthur was wroth at seeing his two attendants
almost slain, and he sought to enter the cave;
but Gwyn and Gwythyr said unto him, "It
would not be fitting or seemly for us to see thee
squabbling with a hag. Let Hiramreu and Hireidil
go to the cave." So they went. But if great
was the trouble of the first two that went, much
greater was that of these two. And heaven knows
that not one of the four could move from the
spot, until they placed them all upon Llamrei,
Arthur's mare. And then Arthur rushed to the door
of the cave, and at the door he struck at the
witch, with Carnwennan his dagger, and clove her
in twain, so that she fell in two parts. And Kaw,
of North Britain, took the blood of the witch and
kept it.
Then
Kilhwch set forward, and Goreu, the son of
Custennin, with him, and as many as wished ill to
Yspaddaden Penkawr. And they took the marvels
with them to his court. And Kaw of North Britain
came and shaved his beard, skin, and flesh clean
off to the very bone from ear to ear. "Art
thou shaved, man?" said Kilhwch. "I am
shaved," answered he. "Is thy daughter
mine now?" "She is thine," said
he, "but therefor needest thou not thank me,
but Arthur who hath accomplished this for thee.
By my free will thou shouldest never have had
her, for with her I lose my life." Then
Goreu, the son of Custennin, seized him by the
hair of his head, and dragged him after him to
the keep, and cut off his head and placed it on a
stake on the citadel. Then they took possession
of his castle, and of his treasures.
And
that night Olwen because Kilhwch's bride, and she
continued to be his wife as long as she lived.
And the hosts of Arthur dispersed themselves,
each man to his own country. And thus did Kilhwch
obtain Olwen, the daughter of Yspaddaden Penkawr.
~
(Translation by Lady
Charlotte Guest)
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