t. Its
chief was sad, the unsheathed sword shone bright, and hundreds of hands
were engaged in the onset at Llan Huadain. {22a} In Cilgeran {22b} they
purchased glory and honour . . . In Aber Teivi the hovering crows were
numberless . . . thick were the spears besmeared with gore. The ravens
croaked, they were greedy to suck the prostrate carcases. Llewelyn, may
such fate attend thy foes. Mayest thou be more prosperous than the noble
Llywarch {22c} with his bloody lance. Thy glory shall not be obscured.
There is none that exceedeth thee in bestowing gifts on the days of
solemnity. In battle thy sword is conspicuous. Wherever thou goest to
war, to whatever distant clime, glory follows thee from the rising to the
setting sun. I have a generous and noble prince, the lord of a large
territory. He is renowned for his coolness and conduct. Whole troops
fall before him; he defendeth his men like an eagle. My prince's brave
actions will be celebrated in the country by Tanad. {22d} He is valorous
as a lion, who can resist his lance? He is charitable to the needy, and
his relief is not sought in vain. My prince is dressed in fine purple
robes. He is like generous Nudd {22e} in bestowing presents. Like
valiant Huail {22f} in defying his enemy. He is like Rhydderch {22g} in
distributing his gold. Let his praise resound in every country. He
possesses a large territory and immense riches wherever you turn your
eyes. In wealth he is equal to Mordaf; like him he opens his liberal
hand to the Bard. He is like warlike Rhun {23a} in bestowing his
favours. He is the subject of my meditation. I am to him as an hand or
an eye. {23b} He is not descended from a base degenerate stock; and I
myself am descended from his father's courtiers. His fury in battle is
like lightning when he attacks the foe: his heart glows with ardour in
the field like magnanimous Gwriad. {23c} His enemies are scattered as
leaves on the side of hills drove by tempestuous hurricanes. He is the
honourable support and owner of Hunydd. {23d} He is the grace, the
ornament of Arvon. {23e} Llewelyn, terror of thy enemy, death issued out
of thy hand in the South. Thou art to us like an anchor in the time of
storm. Protector of our country, may the shield of God protect thee.
Britain, fearless of her enemies, glories in being ruled by him, by a
chief who has numerous troops to defend her; by Llewelyn, who defies his
enemies from shore to shore. He