Longing's Pedigree
I have been sleepless for a second Tegau,
my tears for her sake have been bitter.
For two months I haven't slept
4 because of the one girl's image (love does not sleep)
even a third of a night until last night,
heavy fate, long deep sleep.
As I was taking hold of
8 the edge of my sleep, my noble darling,
she did ask facing me,
love's captive, sad expression,
enquiry by majestic longing,
12 question of a fierce powerful oppressor,
'Where is the poet of lovely tender-handed Dyddgu?
What is your name? Don't sleep'.
Trickery causing painful pangs is a terrible thing.
16 'Open the door. I am mighty'.
'If I were to open, if I had to,
why should I? Who speaks?'
'Some call me (fine intense one)
20 restless opponent of sleep,
Longing son of memory, son of scheming,
son of woe-my-mind, son of yearning,
son of pain, son of malice, son of anger,
24 son of aged appearance, son of grief,
son of sudden pining, son of pangs of desire,
son of Gwawl, son of enchantment, son of wounded Clud,
son of tears, quite frail sleepless son,
28 son of depression, son of constant idleness,
son of black insomnia, son of greeting,
son of Seth son of Adam, son of love.
I am a pure-blooded gentleman,
32 arrogance of a lord, who is in exile;
intense torturer, praise of one as lovely as Eigr,
chieftain of the territory of tears;
I am a servant, copious weeping,
36 of fair Dyddgu, beautiful shapely body,
and also, said the gentle girl,
I am steward of love's cellar.
And sweet modest-mannered Dyddgu
40 will leave me with you all your life'.
I let him in last night,
late lamenter,
Dyddgu's messenger, lovely moon.
44 Many will be my groans for having let him in.