ould 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 enquire. 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 enquire,
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. {102} Said Gwrhyr, "Who is
it that laments in this house of stone?" "Alas, there is reason enough
for whoever