rdova, belted with the skin of the
deer, and clasped with gold. And over this was a scarf of yellow satin
wrought with green silk, the borders whereof were likewise green. And
the green of the caparison of the horse, and of his rider, was as green
as the leaves of the fir tree, and the yellow was as yellow as the
blossom of the broom. So fierce was the aspect of the knight, that fear
seized upon them, and they began to flee. And the knight pursued them.
And when the horse breathed forth, the men became distant from him, and
when he drew in his breath, they were drawn near to him, even to the
horse's chest. And when he had overtaken them, they besought his mercy.
"You have it gladly!" said he, "fear nought." "Ha, chieftain, since thou
hast mercy upon me, tell me also who thou art," said Rhonabwy. "I will
not conceal my lineage from thee. I am Iddawc the son of Mynyo, yet not
by my name, but by my nickname am I best known." "And wilt thou tell us
what thy nickname is?" "I will tell you; it is Iddawc Cordd Prydain."
"Ha, chieftain," said Rhonabwy, "why art thou called thus?" "I will tell
thee. I was one of the messengers between Arthur and Medrawd his nephew,
at the battle of Camlan; and I was then a reckless youth, and through my
desire for battle, I kindled strife between them, and stirred up wrath,
when I was sent by Arthur the Emperor to reason with Medrawd, and to shew
him, that he was his foster-father and his uncle, and to seek for peace,
lest the sons of the Kings of the Island of Britain, and of the nobles,
should be slain. And whereas Arthur charged me with the fairest sayings
he could think of, I uttered unto Medrawd the harshest I could devise.
And therefore am I called Iddawc Cordd Prydain, for from this did the
battle of Camlan ensue. And three nights before the end of the battle of
Camlan I left them, and went to the Llech Las in North Britain to do
penance. And there I remained doing penance seven years, and after that
I gained pardon."

Then lo! they heard a mighty sound which was much louder than that which
they had heard before, and when they looked round towards the sound;
behold a ruddy youth, without beard or whiskers, {111} noble of mien, and
mounted on a stately courser. And from the shoulders and the front of
the knees downwards the horse was bay. And upon the man was a dress of
red satin wrought with yellow silk, and yellow were the borders of his
scarf. And such parts of his appa