of Gloyw Wlallt {38} Lydan, the son of
Prince Casnar, one of the nobles of this island.

And thus ends this portion of the Mabinogion.

{Picture: p38.jpg}

BRANWEN THE DAUGHTER OF LLYR.

{Picture: p39.jpg}

Bendigeid Vran, the son of Llyr was the crowned king of this Island, and
he was exalted from the crown of London. {39a} And one afternoon he was
at Harlech in Ardudwy, at his court, and he sat upon the rock of Harlech,
looking over the sea. {39b} And with him were his brother Manawyddan the
son of Llyr, and his brothers by the mother's side, Nissyen and
Evnissyen, and many nobles likewise, as was fitting to see around a king.
His two brothers by the mother's side were the sons of Eurosswydd, by his
mother, Penardun, {40} the daughter of Beli son of Manogan. And one of
these youths was a good youth and of gentle nature, and would make peace
between his kindred and cause his family to be friends when their wrath
was at the highest; and this one was Nissyen; but the other would cause
strife between his two brothers when they were most at peace. And as
they sat thus, they beheld thirteen ships coming from the South of
Ireland, and making towards them, and they came with a swift motion, the
wind being behind them, and they neared them rapidly. "I see ships
afar," said the king, "coming swiftly towards the land. Command the men
of the court that they equip themselves, and go and learn their intent."
So the men equipped themselves and went down towards them. And when they
saw the ships near, certain were they that they had never seen ships
better furnished. Beautiful flags of satin were upon them. And behold
one of the ships outstripped the others, and they saw a shield lifted up
above the side of the ship, and the point of the shield was upwards, in
token of peace. And the men drew near that they might hold converse.
Then they put out boats and came towards the land. And they saluted the
king. Now the king could hear them from the place where he was, upon the
rock above their heads. "Heaven prosper you," said he, "and be ye
welcome. To whom do these ships belong and who is the chief amongst
you?" "Lord," said they, "Matholwch king of Ireland is here and these
ships belong to him." "Wherefore comes he?" asked the king, "and will he
come to the land?" "He is a suitor unto thee, lord," said they, "and he
will not land unless he have his boon." "And what may that be?" enquired
the king. "He desi