Preiddeu Annwfn poem text

G. Beggan

2018-11-03 16:57:04 UTC

Taliesin, _Preiddeu Annwfn_ (_The Plunder of Annwen_)
circa A.D. 600
(based upon J. Rhys translation, 1891.)
I adore the noble prince and High King
Who extended his sway over the world’s strand.
Perfect was the captivity of Gwair in Caer Sidi,
Through the warning of Pwyll and Pryderi.
Before him no one entered into it,
Into the heavy dark chain, a trusty youth was guarded;
And at the plundering of Annwen grievously did he sing,
And till doom will he remain a bard afterwards.
Three shiploads of Prydwen, we went to sea;
Seven alone did return from Caer Sidi.
In Caer Pedryvan, [in Four-Cornered isle,]
[This poem] of the cauldron would be spoken
By the breath of nine maidens it [the cauldron] would be kindled.
The top of Annwen’s cauldron - what is it like?
A rim it has, with pearls, round its border;
It boils not a coward’s food; it would not be perjured.
The sword of Llwch Lleawc would be lifted to it.
And in the hand of Lleminawc was it left.
And before the door of Annwen’s gate lamps were burning,
And when we accompanied Arthur, a brilliant effort,
Seven alone did return from Caer Veddwit.
At Caer Pedryvan, in the Quick-door isle,
At dusk and in the blackness of night they mix
The sparkling wine, the drink before their retinue.
Three shiploads of Prydwen, we went to sea;
Seven alone did return from Caer Rigor.
I merit not the laurel of the ruler of letters.
Beyond Caer Wydyr they saw not Arthur’s valor.
Three score Canhwr stood on the wall;
Hard it was found to converse with the sentinel.
Three shiploads of Prydwen, we went with Arthur;
Seven alone did return from Caer Goludd.
I merit not the laurel of those of long shields;
They know not the Lord’s day, or who he is,
What hour of early day he was born, or where,
Who made . . . went not . . .
They know not the Speckled Ox with the stout halter,
With seven score joints in his collar.
When we went with Arthur, on an anxious visit,
Seven alone did return from Caer Vandwy.
I merit not the laurel of those of long shields;
They know not the day of the Lord and Chief,
What hour of early day he was born the Master,
Or what horde guards the silver of His head.
When we went with Arthur, anxious contest,
Seven alone did return from Caer Ochren.
-PFJT
http://members.aol.com/PFJTurner/SKS.html

The poem Preiddeu Annwn or "The Spoils of Annwfyn" is an account of an attack by Welsh Normans in 1177 on an abbey in N.E. Co. Galway, Ireland. Poetry and legends were seized and taken to Wales where they were modified and embedded into the Welsh landscape, creating a fictitious Mabinogi landscape in Wales.
Nothing in the structure of the poem, which has been dated to the interval 9th - 12th century, prevents it being dated to c.1177. Though it appears in the Book of Taliesin, there NEVER was a Welsh poet - or a man - of that name. Such a fictitious poet has become a convenient political explanation in Wales for the existence of Middle Welsh poetry translated from the works of gaelic poets seized at this abbey. The abbey was one of at least two which were in succession sited within the great circular fortress called Regia Altera in Ptolemy's map of Hibernia. Regia Altera lies in the true landscape of the Mabinogi, as indeed does Pryderi's tumulus to this day. This circular fortress also had the names Caer Sidi, Caer Ochren, the Glass Fortress, etc. It was not however the Four-Peaked Fortress, though it was not far apart from it.