Page:Celtic Stories by Edward Thomas.djvu/117

 'I do not laugh,' was the reply; 'but pity it is that men so little should be guardians of this island after the men who used to guard it.'

Then they stretched themselves out to rest on the grass under an alder, and Iddawc pointed out to Rhonabvvy a stone in the ring of Arthur, telling him that it had the power to make him remember all that he would see this day.

As they rested, Rhonabwy saw troop after troop of armed men riding down and encamping about the ford, and Iddawc told him who were the men and horses all in crimson; who were those riding upon black-legged white horses; and those who were all white except for the jet-black borders of their white scarves, the black shoulders of the white horses, and the black points to their snowy banners; and those who were jet-black with white points and borders. All were haughty riders and one of the knights on the black-legged white horses spurred so furiously into the river that he drenched Arthur and his counsellors. The youth standing before Arthur turned, therefore, and struck the knight's horse over the nostrils with the sheathed sword. Instantly the man reined in his horse with a scattering of foam like a mill-wheel, and drew his sword half out of the scabbard, asking loudly:

'Didst thou strike for insult or for counsel?'

'Thou dost lack counsel,' said the youth, 'thus to drench the Emperor.'

'For counsel then will I take the blow,' answered the knight, and mounted the bank.

'That', said Iddawc, 'was Adaon the son of Taliesin, wisest and most eloquent youth in this island. The quick-tempered youth standing before Arthur is Elphin the son of Gwyddno.'