Praise of Ieuan Llwyd ab Ieuan Fwyaf
It is May, the bird-poets of the shore are splendid,
the woods are a fine green, a weaving of trees,
piercing and complex is the intricate song of a bird,
4 it is I who made it famous, mine is the longing.
Not because I do not get new gifts and nourishment
in Anglesey, joyous provision,
there is no lack of feasts, bounty free to all,
8 it is a dear one that is absent, thoughts of sadness.
Tables are heaped high, poets' booty,
there is a bright courteous retinue,
[but] what was not mine, holy God, was love's service,
12 not desire to greet a girl, [but] great desire which is
worse:
that I do not see Ieuan, faultless upbringing,
[and] that he does not see me, high-born lord.
I will go to him, dearest union,
16 I am not bold without him, sustenance without fear.
I am wild whilst I see fullness of youth,
service of wine has turned to poison within me,
after inheritance of terror, cruelly does poetry
20 come to me from public weeping.
The place where he is is a green field, I will proclaim it,
a playful possesion, true love-making,
strong happy land where hospitality of yearning grows
24 and shining shoots of trees, fine territory.
In my eyes his lordship is supreme,
hawk of Llawdden's line, hunting with hawks.
He is a saviour of poets, a musician's supply of liquor,
28 a chieftain who loved the hour of song.
I will be a lazy servant on my visit,
the golden lord is an unceasing welcomer.
In spring I will be his one serf, fine feast,
32 winter, autumn and nourishing summer.
Well does he maintain an author, fair maintenance,
he always wishes me well, he made me fearless.
The battle-defender wears steel-chased armour on the land of the
frail seashore,
36 excellent fearless defender [who receives] homage from the
English.
The lord's nature is [to hear] supplication willingly,
he gives sustenance, say all, without fail.
He welcomes visitors, gives attire and arms,
40 customs of Huail, lavish feast.
Zealous, fearless aristocracy,
unstinting, none other is so manly,
faultless, splendid defender, brave fierce intent,
44 golden faultless prince of profound nobility.
Good weapon to frighten men, martial strength of Llyr,
he took away my fears, good protection.
My foster father is a doublet to me
48 as strong as a double thickness breast-plate, good honour.