l formed,
handsome. If it may be taken actively, the meaning in this place would
be skilful or talented, which epithet would apply well to him as a bard.

{175a} It will be recollected that the "gorgeous pilgrim," (line 534)
broke down the encampment; on the supposition, then, that he was
identical with the "foe" mentioned in the last stanza, we may imagine him
encountering Owain with his badge of truce at the very breach he was
making, and that he then and there put him to death. It is not
impossible, however, but that Owain was another herald who renewed the
offer of peace, after the death of the "delight of the bulwark of toil,"
and that both were dishonourably slain by the same perfidious messenger.

{175b} That is, he was entitled in right of his office, as herald, to
every protection and safety, whilst engaged in proposing terms of peace.

{175c} Lit. "The best branch." "The wand denotes privilege." See Iolo
MSS. p. 634.

{175d} Lit. "due."

{175e} "Three things are forbidden to a bard; immorality, to satirize,
and to _bear arms_." (Institutional Triads.)

{175f} Quasi dicat, "did not wear one."

{176a} That is, avenge his death. There is a reference here to the
custom of distributing gifts out of a coffer, suggested by the similarity
between the expressions "pridd prenial," the earthly shrine or coffin,
and "prid prenial," the price chest.

{176b} "Barn ben" might have the sense of _adjudged to lose her head_,
capitis damnata; in which case the passage would be translated as
follows:--

"It was a violation of privilege to sentence a woman to death."

The other construction is, however, more especially countenanced by a
similar expression in "Gwasgargerdd Vyrddin" where the meaning is
obvious.

"Pan dyvo y brych cadarn
Hyt yn Rhyt Pengarn
Lliwaut gwyr treuliaut Karn
Pendevic Prydein yno _pen Barn_;" (Myv. Arch. i. 132.)

And on that account is preferred here. There is reason to think that the
Lady in question is the daughter of Eudav, already mentioned, upon whose
message, as well as that of Mynyddawg, "the gay and the illustrious
tribes," proceeded to Cattraeth. It is observable, as confirmatory of
this view, that Eidol was introduced into our notice before in the stanza
immediately preceding that in which she is celebrated.

{176c} "Iaen," like ice.

{177a} "Rhy," excessively.

{177b} "Gwlad _gordd_," "_gwrdd_ werydd." In the Triads Eidol is called
on