Taliesin

Quotes

1. I am not meet for petty men, slack their habit:

   They know not, they, on what day who was made,

   what hour of the fine day was born to whom,

   who made him who went not to the dale of Tefwy.

   They know not, they, the great Speckled Ox in headgear

   with seven-score links in its collar-chain.

   And when we went with Arthur, a sorry visit,

   Save for seven none came up from Fort Divine Height.

2. 

   I adore the sovereign lord of the royal land -

   May his dominion extend over the reaches of the cosmos!

3. 

   I am not meet for petty men, the book a boss:

   They saw not Arthur's virtue beyond the Fort of Glasses.

   Three score centuries of men stationed on the wall:

   to speak with its sentinel was not easy.

   Three fulnesses of Prydwen we went with Arthur,

   Save for seven none came up from Fort Hindrance.

4. 

   Pleasant to bring back the divisions of a parish;

   Also pleasant to us the time of paradise.

   Pleasant, the moon, a luminary in the heavens;

   Also pleasant where there is a good rememberer.

5. 

   I am old. I am young. I am Gwion,

   I am universal, I am possessed of penetrating wit.

6. 

   Composed for renown am I, a verse heard

   four times over in the four-quartered fort

   in the song of the cauldron when first it gave voice,

   warmed by the breath of nine maidens.

   The Chief of Annwn's cauldron, who finished

   the rim around its edge with pearl,

   swore never should it cook a coward's food?

   A bright flashing sword was raised to it

   and it was left in the hand of Llenlleawc

   and lanterns shone before Hell's mouth's door

   and when we went in with Arthur trouble glittered:

   Save for seven none came up from Fort Mead-mad.

7. 

   I am not meet for petty men, slack their spirit:

   They know not, they, what day the Chief was made,

   what hour of the fine day was born the owner,

   what a beast they keep with its silver head.

   When we went with Arthur, a sorry strife,

   Save for seven none came up from Fort Hoar-side.

8. 

   A hallowed grave in dying, with the grave an altar:

   I adore the sovereign lord, the great,

   That I be not sad, Christ grant me.

9. 

   Composed for renown am I, a verse heard

   on the stone-doored isle in the four-quartered fort.

   Tranquillity and obscurity mingled

   shiny wine their drink before their retinue.

   Three fulnesses of Prydwen we went upon the main,

   Save for seven none came up from Castle Rigor.

10. 

    And entreating his exalted weight,

    Under the stars, saints he planted.

11. 

    It is a fit time to go to the drinking,

    With the skilful men, about art,

    And a hundred knots, the custom of the country,

    The shepherd of the districts, support of gates,

    Like going without a foot to battle.

12. 

    And what is pleasant to me is no worse.

    And the paternal horn by mead-nourished payment.

    Pleasant, the directing of fish in the pond;

    Also pleasant, calling about to play.