Page:The Mabinogion.djvu/162

Rh —Page 121. and men possessed of similar qualities with those in the taloy belonged to Gwenddolen, the celebrated beauty of Arthur*B Court, and are thus described:—

"The Chessboard of Gwenddolen; when the men were placed upon it, they would play of themselves. The Chessboard was of gold, and the men of silver."—Bosanquet MS.

Something of the same kind occurs in the Romance of Sir Gaheret That champion is entertained in the Enchanted Castle of a beautiful Pairy, who engages him in a party at Chess, in a large hall, where flags of black and white marble form the chequer, and the pieces, consisting of massive statues of gold and siver, move at the touch of the magic rod held by the player.

A similar adventure occurs in the Eomanoe of Lancelot du Lac— II. p. 101.