Taliesin

Quotes

1. When God comes

   A great noise will pierce us,

   The day of judgment terribly.

   Messengers from the door,

   Wind, and sea, and fire.

   lightning and thunder

   A number without flattery.

   The people of the world groaning

   Will be concealed.

2. 

   I shared my shelter,

   a ninth share in Arthur's valour.

   I broke a hundred forts.

   I slew a hundred stewards.

   I bestowed a hundred mantles.

   I cut off a hundred heads.

   I gave to an old chief

   very great swords of protection.

3. 

   Do not the brave know

   The greatness of their progeny?

   A country present will meet thee,

   And while it may possibly be yours,

   Three hundred thousand years save one,

   A short hour of the day of everlasting life.

4. 

   Sure-hoofed is my steed impelled by the spur;

   The high sprigs of alder are on thy shield;

   Bran art thou called, of the glittering branches.

5. 

   The dawn smiles, repelling gloom,

   At the dawn with violence,

   At every meet season,

   At the meet season of his turnings,

   At the four stages of his course,

   I will extol him that judges violence,

   Of the strong din, deep his wrath.

   I am not a man, cowardly, gray,

   A scum near the wattle.

6. 

   Abiding in heaven was he, my desire,

   Against the eagle, against the fear of the unskilful.

   I am a bard, and I am a harper,

   I am a piper, and I am a crowder.

   Of seven score musicians the very great enchanter.

7. 

   May the countenance of Prydain be bright for my guidance.

   Sovereign of heaven, let my messages not be rejected.

8. 

   Kings will shudder [that] day,

   Woe awaits them!

   When the recompenser shall appear,

   Let the heaven appear below.

   A ruddy wind will be brought

   Out to the cinder,

   Until the world is as desolate

   As when created.

9. 

   In manliness he will greet my trouble,

   Should I be bled, I should evidently get better;

   Truly I saw no one before, who saw not in me

   Every indisposition, he will cultivate his business.

10. 

    I have not been without battle.

    Bitter affliction was frequent

    Between me and my cousins.

    Frequent trials fell

    Between me and my fellow-countrymen.

    There was frequent contention

    Between me and the wretched.

11. 

    Pleasant, liquors of the mead-brewer to the multitude;

    Also pleasant, a songster generous, amiable.

    Pleasant, the open field to cuckoos and the nightingale;

    Also pleasant when the weather is serene.

12. 

    The Cymry will be lamenting

    While their souls will be tried

    Before a horde of ravagers.

    The Cymry, chief wicked ones,

    On account of the loss of holy wafers.