Page:Celtic Stories by Edward Thomas.djvu/109

 even until to-day, I have never heard of the man for whom you inquire. Nevertheless, I will be the guide of Arthur's embassy until you come to the place where is the oldest animal in this world, and the one that has travelled most, the Eagle of Gwern Abwy.'

So she flew along above Gwrhyr, until they came to the precipice above a lake high upon a mountain, where lived the Eagle, and he asked for news of Mabon. The Eagle of Gwern Abwy answered:

'I have been here for a great space of time; when I first came hither there was a rock here, from the top of which I pecked at the stars every evening; and now it is not so much as a span high. From that day to this I have been here, and I have never heard of the man for whom you inquire, except once when I went in search of food as far as Llyn Llyw. And when I came there, I struck my talons into a salmon, thinking he would serve me as food for a long time. But he drew me into the deep, and I was scarcely able to escape from him. After that I went with my whole kindred to attack him, and to try to destroy him; but he sent messengers, and made peace with me; and he came and besought me to take fifty fish-spears out of his back. Unless he know something of him whom you seek, I cannot tell who may. However, I will guide you to the place where he is.'

Gwrhyr bent down and asked through the glassy water of Llyn Llyw the same question. The salmon rose up to the surface, and answered in silence:

'As much as I know I will tell thee. With every tide I go along the river upwards, until I come near to the walls of Gloucester, and there have I found such wrong as I never found elsewhere; and that ye may believe it, let one of you go thither upon each of my two shoulders.' So Kay and Gwrhyr went upon the two shoulders of the