The Mabinogion Vol. 2, Sir Owen Morgan Edwards and Lady Charlotte Schreiber [ereader android .txt] 📗

“It will be easy for me to compass this, although thou mayest think that it will not be easy.”

“Though thou get this, there is yet that which thou wilt not get.  Throughout the world there is not a leash that can hold him, except the leash of Cwrs Cant Ewin.”

“It will be easy for me to compass this, although thou mayest think that it will not be easy.”

“Though thou get this, there is yet that which thou wilt not get.  Throughout the world there is no collar that wilt hold the leash except the collar of Canhastyr Canllaw.”

“It will be easy for me to compass this, although thou mayest think that it will not be easy.”

“Though thou get this, there is yet that which thou p. 92wilt not get.  The chain of Kilydd Canhastyr to fasten the collar to the leash.”

“It will be easy for me to compass this, although thou mayest think that it will not be easy.”

“Though thou get this, there is yet that which thou wilt not get.  Throughout the world there is not a huntsman who can hunt with this dog, except Mabon the son of Modron.  He was taken from his mother when three nights old, and it is not known where he now is, nor whether he is living or dead.”

“It will be easy for me to compass this, although thou mayest think that it will not be easy.”

“Though thou get this, there is yet that which thou wilt not get.  Gwynn Mygdwn, the horse of Gweddw that is as swift as the wave, to carry Mabon the son of Modron to hunt the Boar Trwyth.  He will not give him of his own free will, and thou wilt not be able to compel him.”

“It will be easy for me to compass this, although thou mayest think that it will not be easy.”

“Though thou get this, there is yet that which thou wilt not get.  Thou wilt not get Mabon, for it is not known where he is, unless thou find Eidoel, his kinsman in blood, the son of Aer.  For it would be useless to seek for him.  He is his cousin.”

“It will be easy for me to compass this, although thou mayest think that it will not be easy.”

“Though thou get this, there is yet that which thou wilt not get.  Garselit the Gwyddelian [92] is the chief huntsman of Ireland; the Twrch Trwyth can never be hunted without him.”

“It will be easy for me to compass this, although thou mayest think that it will not be easy.”

“Though thou get this, there is yet that which thou p. 93wilt not get.  A leash made from the beard of Dissull Varvawc, for that is the only one that can hold those two cubs.  And the leash will be of no avail unless it be plucked from his beard while he is alive, and twitched out with wooden tweezers.  While he lives he will not suffer this to be done to him, and the leash will be of no use should he be dead, because it will be brittle.”

“It will be easy for me to compass this, although thou mayest think that it will not be easy.”

“Though thou get this, there is yet that which thou wilt not get.  Throughout the world there is no huntsman that can hold those two whelps, except Kynedyr Wyllt, the son of Hettwn Glafyrawc; he is nine times more wild than the wildest beast upon the mountains.  Him wilt thou never get, neither wilt thou ever get my daughter.”

“It will be easy for me to compass this, although thou mayest think that it will not be easy.”

“Though thou get this, there is yet that which thou wilt not get.  It is not possible to hunt the Boar Trwyth without Gwynn the son of Nudd, whom God has placed over the brood of devils in Annwn, lest they should destroy the present race.  He will never be spared thence.”

“It will be easy for me to compass this, although thou mayest think that it will not be easy.”

“Though thou get this, there is yet that which thou wilt not get.  There is not a horse in the world that can carry Gwynn to hunt the Twrch Trwyth, except Du, the horse of Mor of Oerveddawg.” [93]

“It will be easy for me to compass this, although thou mayest think that it will not be easy.”

“Though thou get this, there is yet that which thou p. 94wilt not get.  Until Gilennhin the king of France shall come, the Twrch Trwyth cannot be hunted.  It will be unseemly for him to leave his kingdom for thy sake, and he will never come hither.”

“It will be easy for me to compass this, although thou mayest think that it will not be easy.”

“Though thou get this, there is yet that which thou wilt not get.  The Twrch Trwyth can never be hunted without the son of Alun Dyved; he is well skilled in letting loose the dogs.”

“It will be easy for me to compass this, although thou mayest think that it will not be easy.”

“Though thou get this, there is yet that which thou wilt not get.  The Twrch Trwyth cannot be hunted unless thou get Aned and Aethlem.  They are as swift as the gale of wind, and they were never let loose upon a beast that they did not kill him.”

“It will be easy for me to compass this, although thou mayest think that it will not be easy.”

“Though thou get this, there is yet that which thou wilt not get; Arthur and his companions to hunt the Twrch Trwyth.  He is a mighty man, and he will not come for thee, neither wilt thou be able to compel him.”

“It will be easy for me to compass this, although thou mayest think that it will not be easy.”

“Though thou get this, there is yet that which thou wilt not get.  The Twrch Trwyth cannot be hunted unless thou get Bwlch, and Kyfwlch, [and Sefwlch,] the grandsons of Cleddyf Difwlch.  Their three shields are three gleaming glitterers.  Their three spears are three pointed piercers.  Their three swords are three griding gashers, Glas, Glessic, and Clersag.  Their three dogs, Call, Cuall, and Cavall, Their three horses, Hwyrdydwg, and p. 95Drwgdydwg, and Llwyrdydwg.  Their three wives, Och, and Geram, and Diaspad.  Their three grandchildren, Lluched, and Vyned, and Eissiwed.  Their three daughters, Drwg, and Gwaeth, and Gwaethav Oil.  Their three handmaids, [Eheubryd, the daughter of Kyfwlch; Gorasgwrn, the daughter of Nerth; and Gwaedan, the daughter of Kynvelyn.]  These three men shall sound the horn, and all the others shall shout, so that all will think that the sky is falling to the earth.”

“It will be easy for me to compass this, although thou mayest think that it will not be easy.”

“Though thou get this, there is yet that which thou wilt not get.  The sword of Gwrnach the Giant; he will never be slain except therewith.  Of his own free will he will not give it, either for a price or as a gift, and thou wilt never be able to compel him.”

“It will be easy for me to compass this, although thou mayest think that it will not be easy.”

“Though thou get this, there is yet that which thou wilt not get.  Difficulties shall thou meet with, and nights without sleep, in seeking this, and if thou obtain it not, neither shalt thou obtain my daughter.”

“Horses shall I have, and chivalry; and my lord and kinsman Arthur will obtain for me all these things.  And I shall gain thy daughter, and thou shalt lose thy life.”

“Go forward.  And thou shalt not be chargeable for food or raiment for my daughter while thou art seeking these things; and when thou hast compassed all these marvels, thou shalt have my daughter for thy wife.”

* * * * *

All that day they journeyed until the evening, and p. 96then they beheld a vast castle, which was the largest in the world.  And lo, a black man, huger than three of the men of this world, came out from the castle.  And they spoke unto him, “Whence comest them, O man?”  “From the castle which you see yonder.”  “Whose castle is that?” asked they.  “Stupid are ye truly, O men.  There is no one in the world that does not know to whom this castle belongs.  It is the castle of Gwrnach the Giant.”  “What treatment is there for guests and strangers that alight in that castle?”  “Oh! chieftain, Heaven protect thee.  No guest ever returned thence alive, and no one may enter therein unless he brings with him his craft.”

Then they proceeded towards the gate.  Said Gwrhyr Gwalstawd Ieithoedd, “Is there a porter?”  “There is.  And thou, if thy tongue be not mute in thy head, wherefore dost thou call?”  “Open the gate.”  “I will not open it.”  “Wherefore wilt thou not?”  “The knife is in the meat, and the drink is in the horn, and there is revelry in the hall of Gwrnach the Giant, and except for a craftsman who brings his craft, the gate will not be opened to-night.”  “Verily, porter,” then said Kai, “my craft bring I with me.”  “What is thy craft?”  “The best burnisher of swords am I in the world.”  “I will go and tell this unto Gwrnach the Giant, and I will bring thee an answer.”

So the porter went in, and Gwrnach said to him, “Hast thou any news from the gate?”  “I have.  There is a party at the door of the gate who desire to come in.”  “Didst thou enquire of them if they possessed any art?”  “I did enquire,” said he, “and one told me that he was well skilled in the burnishing of swords.”  “We have need of him then.  For p. 97some time have I sought for some one to polish my sword, and could find no one.  Let this man enter, since he brings with him his craft.”

The porter thereupon returned, and opened the gate.  And Kai went in by himself, and he saluted Gwrnach the Giant.  And a chair was placed for him opposite to Gwrnach.  And Gwrnach said to him, “Oh man! is it true that is reported of thee that thou knowest how to burnish swords?”  “I know full well how to do so,” answered Kai.  Then was the sword of Gwrnach brought to him.  And Kai took a blue whetstone from under his arm, and asked him whether he would have it burnished white or blue.  “Do with it as it seems good to thee, and as thou wouldest if it were thine own.”  Then Kai polished one half of the blade and put it in his hand.  “Will this please thee?” asked he.  “I would rather than all that is in my dominions that the whole of it were like unto this.  It is a marvel to me that such a man as thou should be without a companion.”  “Oh! noble sir, I have a companion, albeit he is not skilled in this art.”  “Who may he be?”  “Let the porter go forth, and I will tell him whereby he may know him.  The head of his lance will leave its shaft, and draw blood from the wind, and will descend upon its shaft again.”  Then the gate was opened, and Bedwyr entered.  And Kai said, “Bedwyr is very skilful, although he knows not this art.”

And there was much discourse among those who were without, because that Kai and Bedwyr had gone in.  And a young man who was with them, the only son of Custennin the herdsman, got in also.  And he caused all his companions to keep close to him as he passed the three wards, and until he came p. 98into the midst of the castle. [98a]  And his companions said unto the son of Custennin, “Thou hast done this!  Thou art the best of all men.”  And thenceforth he was called Goreu,