Matholwch, saying that the horses
were disfigured, and injured so that not one of them could ever be of any
use again. "Verily, lord," said one, "it was an insult unto thee, and as
such was it meant." "Of a truth, it is a marvel to me, that if they
desire to insult me, they should have given me a maiden of such high rank
and so much beloved of her kindred, as they have done." "Lord," said
another, "thou seest that thus it is, and there is nothing for thee to do
but to go to thy ships." And thereupon towards his ships he set out.

And tidings came to Bendigeid Vran that Matholwch was quitting the court
without asking leave, and messengers were sent to enquire of him
wherefore he did so. And the messengers that went, were Iddic the son of
Anarawd, and Heveydd Hir. And these overtook him and asked of him what
he designed to do, and wherefore he went forth. "Of a truth," said he,
"if I had known I had not come hither. I have been altogether insulted,
no one had ever worse treatment than I have had here. But one thing
surprises me above all." "What is that?" asked they. "That Branwen the
daughter of Llyr, one of the three chief ladies of this Island, and the
daughter of the King of the Island of the Mighty, should have been given
me as my bride, and that after that I should have been insulted; and I
marvel that the insult was not done me before they had bestowed upon me a
maiden so exalted as she." "Truly, lord, it was not the will of any that
are of the court," said they, "nor of any that are of the council that
thou shouldest have received this insult, and as thou hast been insulted,
the dishonour is greater unto Bendigeid Vran than unto thee." "Verily,"
said he, "I think so. Nevertheless he cannot recall the insult." These
men returned with that answer to the place where Bendigeid Vran was, and
they told him what reply Matholwch had given them. "Truly," said he,
"there are no means by which we may prevent his going away at enmity with
us, that we will not take." "Well, lord," said they, "send after him
another embassy." "I will do so," said he. "Arise Manawyddan son of
Llyr, and Heveydd Hir, and Unic Glew Ysgwyd, and go after him, and tell
him that he shall have a sound horse for every one that has been injured.
And beside that, as an atonement for the insult, he shall have a staff of
silver, as large and as tall as himself, and a plate of gold of the
breadth of his face. And show unto him who it was tha