would seem to favour that view. Nevertheless, granting that the 363
chieftains had indulged too freely in their favourite beverage, it is hardly
credible that the bulk of the army, on which mainly depended the destiny of
the battle, had the same opportunity of rendering themselves equally
incapacitated, or, if we suppose that all had become so, that they did not
recover their sobriety in seven days! The fact appears to be, that Aneurin
in the instances alluded to, intends merely to contrast the social and
festive habits of his countrymen at home with their lives of toil and
privation in war, after a practise common to the Bards, not only of that age,
but subsequently. Or it may be that the banquet, at which the British
leaders were undoubtedly entertained in the hall of Eiddin, was looked upon
as the sure prelude to war, and that in that sense the mead and wine were to
them as poison.



Y GODODIN



I.

Gredyf gwr oed gwas
Gwrhyt am dias
Meirch mwth myngvras
A dan vordwyt megyrwas
Ysgwyt ysgauyn lledan
Ar bedrein mein vuan
Kledyuawr glas glan
Ethy eur aphan