Taliesin

Quotes

1. Let them make their war.

   Whence come night and day?

   Whence will the eagle become gray?

   Whence is it that night is dark?

   Whence is it that the linnet is green?

   The ebullition of the sea,

   How is it not seen?

2. 

   Monks mass like a pack of wolves

   from disputing with the masters who instruct them -

   They know not when deep dark and dawn divorce

   nor who sends the wind, nor who moves it,

   where it disappears to, what land it strikes.

3. 

   Pleasant, a steed with a thick mane in a tangle;

   Also pleasant, crackling fuel.

   Pleasant, desire, and silver fringes;

   Also pleasant, the conjugal ring.

4. 

   There will be commotions and turbulent times,

   Seek no peace — it will not accrue to thee.

   The Ruler of Heaven knows thy prayer.

   From his ardent wrath thy praise has propitiated him

   The Sovereign King of Glory addresses me with wisdom

   Hast thou seen the dominus fortis?

   Knowest thou the profound prediction domini?

5. 

   Perfect was Gweir's prison in the Faery Fort.

   Due to the ministry of Pwyll and Pryderi

   none before him had entered therein.

   In the heavy blue chain a faithful servant kept him

   and for the Spoils of Annwfn keenly he chanted

   and unto Doom shall continue in bard-orison.

   Three fulnesses of Prydwen we entered in:

   Save for seven none came up from Fort Faery.

6. 

   I will offer a prayer to the Trinity,

   May the Eternal grant me to praise thee!

   In the present course, dangerous

   Our work; destruction is a slight impulse of wrath.

   They reckon of the saints a tribe,

   King of heaven, may I be eloquent about thee!

   Before the separation of my soul from my flesh.

7. 

   Who was confessor

   To the gracious Son of Mary?

   What was the most beneficial measure

   Which Adam accomplished?

8. 

   Seven scores, seven scores, seven hundreds of saints,

   And seven thousands and seven ten scores,

   November a number implored,

   Though martyrs good they came.

9. 

   Excellent in every way around the glens

   The two skilful ones make inquiries

10. 

    He would not journey without a foot.

    He would not breed nuts without trees,

    Like seeking for ants in the heath.

    Like an instrument of foolish spoil,

    Like the retinue of an army without a head,

    Like feeding the unsheltered on lichen.

11. 

    The number that have been, and will be,

    Above heaven, below heaven, how many there are.

    And as many as have believed in revelation,

    Believed through the will of the Lord.

    As many as are on wrath through the circles,

    Have mercy, God, on thy kindred.

    May I be meek, the turbulent Ruler,

    May I not endure, before I am without motion.

    Grievously complaineth every lost one,

    Hastily claimeth every needy one.

12. 

    Which was first, is it darkness, is it light?

    Or Adam, when he existed, on what day was he created?

    Or under the earth’s surface, what the foundation?

    He who is a legionary will receive no instruction.