The White Goddess (10 page)

But
strikes
right
in
the
middle
,

And
at
the
farthest
end.

The
hazel
is
the
judge
,

His
berries
are
thy
dowry.
 

100
The
privet
is
blessed.

Strong
chiefs
in
war

Are
the…and
the
mulberry.

Prosperous
the
beech-tree.

The
holly
dark
green,
 

105
He
was
very
courageous:

Defended
with
spikes
on
every
side,

Wounding
the
hands.

The
long-enduring
poplars

Very
much
broken
in
fight.
 

110
The
plundered
fern
;

The
brooms
with
their
offspring:

The
furze
was
not
well
behaved

Until
he
was
tamed.

The
heath
was
giving
consolation,
 

115
Comforting
the
people.

The
black
cherry-tree
was
pursuing.

The
oak-tree
swiftly
moving
,

Before
him
tremble
heaven
and
earth
,

Stout
doorkeeper
against
the
foe
 

120
Is
his
name
in
all
lands.

The
corn-cockle
bound
together,

Was
given
to
be
burnt.

Others
were
rejected

On
account
of
the
holes
made
 

125
By
great
violence

In
the
field
of
battle.

Very
wrathful
the…

Cruel
the
gloomy
ash.

Bashful
the
chestnut-tree
,

130
Retreating
from
happiness.

There
shall
be
a
black
darkness,

There
shall
be
a
shaking
of
the
mountain
,

There
shall
be
a
purifying
furnace
,

There
shall
first
be
a
great
wave
,

135
And
when
the
shout
shall
be
heard
–

Putting
forth
new
leaves
are
the
tops
of
the
beech
,

Changing
form
and
being
renewed
from
a
withered
state;

Entangled
are
the
tops
of
the
oak.

From
the
Gorchan
of Maelderw.
 

140
Smiling
at
the
side
of
the
rock

(
Was
)
the
pear-tree
not
of
an
ardent
nature.

Neither
of
mother
or
father
,

When
I
was
made
,

Was
my
blood
or
body;
 

145
Of
nine
kinds
of
faculties,

Of
fruit
of
fruits
,

Of
fruit
God
made
me
,

Of
the
blossom
of
the
mountain
primrose
,

Of
the
buds
of
trees
and
shrubs
,

150
Of
earth
of
earthly
kind.

When
I
was
made

Of
the
blossoms
of
the
nettle,

Of
the
mater
of
the
ninth
wave,

I
was
spell-bound
by
Math
 

155
Before
I
became
immortal.

I
was
spell-bound
by
Gwydion
,

Great
enchanter
of
the
Britons
,

Of Eurys,
of Eurwn
,

Of Euron,
of Medron
,

160
In
myriads
of
secrets
,

I
am
as
learned
as
Math….

I
know
about
the
Emperor

When
he
was
half
burnt.

I
know
the
star-knowledge
 

165
Of
stars
before
the
earth
(was
made)
,

Whence
I
was
born,

How
many
worlds
there
are.

It
is
the
custom
of
accomplished
bards

To
recite
the
praise
of
their
country.
 

170
have
played
in
Lloughor,

I
have
slept
in
purple.

Was
I
not
in
the
enclosure

With
Dylan
Ail
Mor
,

On
a
couch
in
the
centre
 

175
Between
the
two
knees
of
the
prince

Upon
two
blunt
spears?

When
from
heaven
came

The
torrents
into
the
deep
,

Rushing
with
violent
impulse.
 

180
(I
know)
four-score
songs
,

For
administering
to
their
pleasure.

There
is
neither
old
nor
young,

Except
me
as
to
their
poems,

Any
other
singer
who
knows
the
whole
of
the
nine
hundred
 

185
Which
are
known
to
me,

Concerning
the
blood-spotted
sword.

Honour
is
my
guide.

Profitable
learning
is
from
the
Lord.

(I
know)
of
the
slaying
of
the
boar,
 

190
Its
appearing,
its
disappearing
,

Its
knowledge
of
languages.

(I
know)
the
light
whose
name
is
Splendour
,