Page:The Mabinogion.djvu/520

Rh poem which is now called "One of the Four Pillars of Song."

The Almighty made,

Down the Hebron vale,

With his plastic hands,

Adam's fair form:

And five hundred years,

Void of any help,

There he remained and lay

Without a soul.

He again did form,

In calm paradise,

From a left-side rib,

Bliss-throbbing Eve.

Seven hours they were

The orchard keeping,

Till Satan brought strife,

With wiles from hell.

Thence were they driven,

Cold and shivering,

To gain their living,

Into this world.

To bring forth with pain

Their sons and daughters,

To have possession

Of Asia's land.

Twice five, ten and eight,

She was self-bearing,

The mixed burden

Of man-woman.

And once, not hidden,

She brought forth Abel,

And Cain the forlorn,

The homicide.

To him and his mate

Was given a spade,

To break up the soil,

Thus to get bread.

The wheat pure and white,

Summer tilth to sow,

Every man to feed,

Till great yule feast.