Page:The Mabinogion.djvu/516

Rh One Being has prepared it,

Out of all creatures,

By a tremendous blast,

To wreak vengeance

On Maelgwn Gwynedd."

And while he was thus singing his verse near the door, there arose a mighty storm of wind, so that the king and all his nobles thought that the castle would fall on their heads. And the king caused them to fetch Elphin in haste from his dungeon, and placed him before Taliesin. And it is said, that immediately he sang a verse, so that the chains opened from about his feet.

I adore the Supreme, Lord of all animation,—

Him that supports the heavens, Ruler of every extreme,

Him that made the water good for all,

Him who has bestowed each gift, and blesses it;—

May abundance of mead be given Maelgwn of Anglesey, who supplies us,

From his foaming meadhorns, with the choicest pure liquor.

Since bees collect, and do not enjoy,

We have sparkling distilled mead, which is universally praised.

The multitude of creatures which the earth nourishes

God made for man, with a view to enrich him;—

Some are violent, some are mute, he enjoys them,

Some are wild, some are tame; the Lord makes them;—

Part of their produce becomes clothing;

For food and beverage till doom will they continue.

I entreat the Supreme, Sovereign of the region of peace,

To liberate Elphin from banishment,

The man who gave me wine, and ale, and mead,

With large princely steeds, of beautiful appearance;

May he yet give me; and at the end,

May God of his good will grant me, in honour,

A succession of numberless ages, in the retreat of tranquillity.

Elphin, knight of mead, late be thy dissolution!"

And afterwards he sang the ode which is called "The Excellence of the Bards."

What was the first man

Made by the God of heaven;

What the fairest flattering speech

That was prepared by Ieuav;