elf, gladly will I oppose my body to his." And this answer they took
back to Pryderi. "Truly," said Pryderi, "I shall require no one to
demand my rights but myself."

Then these two came forth and armed themselves, and they fought. And by
force of strength, and fierceness, and by the magic and charms of
Gwydion, Pryderi was slain. And at Maen Tyriawc, {87} above Melenryd,
was he buried, and there is his grave.

And the men of the South set forth in sorrow towards their own land; nor
is it a marvel that they should grieve, seeing that they had lost their
lord, and many of their best warriors, and for the most part, their
horses and their arms.

The men of Gwynedd went back joyful and in triumph. "Lord," said Gwydion
unto Math, "would it not be right for us to release the hostages of the
men of the South, which they pledged unto us for peace? for we ought not
to put them in prison." "Let them then be set free," said Math. So that
youth, and the other hostages that were with him, were set free to follow
the men of the South.

Math himself went forward to Caerdathyl. Gilvaethwy the son of Don, and
they of the household that were with him went to make the circuit of
Gwynedd as they were wont, without coming to the court. Math went into
his chamber, and caused a place to be prepared for him whereon to
recline, so that he might put his feet in the maiden's lap. "Lord," said
Goewin, "seek now another {88} to hold thy feet, for I am now a wife."
"What meaneth this?" said he. "An attack, lord, was made unawares upon
me; but I held not my peace, and there was no one in the court who knew
not of it. Now the attack was made by thy nephews, lord, the sons of thy
sister, Gwydion the son of Don, and Gilvaethwy the son of Don; unto me
they did wrong, and unto thee dishonour." "Verily," he exclaimed, "I
will do to the utmost of my power concerning this matter. But first I
will cause thee to have compensation, and then will I have amends made
unto myself. As for thee, I will take thee to be my wife, and the
possession of my dominions will I give unto thy hands."

And Gwydion and Gilvaethwy came not near the court, but stayed in the
confines of the land until it was forbidden to give them meat and drink.
At first they came not near unto Math, but at last they came. "Lord,"
said they, "Good day to thee." "Well," said he, "is it to make me
compensation that ye are come?" "Lord," they said, "we are at thy will."
"By my