Page:The Mabinogion.djvu/531

502 the necessity of maintaining himself and his only son, the unfortanate Elphin, by the produce of the fishing weir mentioned in the text

This disastrous event is commemorated in a proverb still repeated in the Principality.—

The sigh of Gwyddno Garanhir When the wave rolled over his land."

There is also preserved in the Myvyrian Archaiology (L 165), a short poem upon the subject attributed to Gwyddno Garanhir, in which there are some exceedingly poetic and striking passages. The bereft monarch calls upon the author of his distress to view the calamitous effects of his intemperance, pronounces maledictions upon his head, and describes the outcry of the perishing inhabitants of * that unhappy region. The piece bears a strong resemblance to some of the Works of Llywaroh Hên, and is probably as old as the sixth century.

"Stand forth Seithenin aud behold the dwelling of heroes,—the plain of Gwyddno the ocean covers!

Accursed be the sea guard, who after his carousal let .loose the destroying fountain of the raging deep.

Accursed be the watcher, who after his drunken revelry, loosed the fountain of the desolating sea.

A cry from the sea arises above the ramparts; even to heaven does it ascend,—after the fierce excess comes the long cessation!

A cry from the sea ascends above the ramparts; even to heaven does the supplication come!—after the excess there ensues restraint!

A cry from the sea awakens me this night!—

A cry from the sea arises above the winds!

A cry from the sea impels me from my place of rest this night!

After excess comes the far extending death!"

Another composition, attributed to him, is to be found in the valuable collection. It is in the colloquial form, between himself and the king of Faerie, Gwyn ap Nudd.

The magic basket of Gwyddno has a place amongst the Thirteen Precious Things of Britain.—See page 285.