Paying a Debt

	Cywyddau, fair and wise growth,

	a beautiful armful, the ample growth of a skilful poet of song—

	there was never (a point of complaint)

4	a single organ as evident as they.

	My breast is the stone house of love (of one mother and one father)

	which has betrayed me.

	The whole compass of the grey thief

8	was begotten from the same thing.

	I gave her (some duties)

	fluent praise from my possession,

	the voice of a harp and a clock,

12	too much of a gift; a drunkard gave it.

	I sowed like a loving fool

	her praise in Gwynedd from one end to the other.

	Abundant seed flies luxuriantly,

16	that's a fine sowing.

	Everyone was staunchly after me,

	and their 'Who?' was in every street.

	The unsilent paternoster

20	of all those who played the longest hand string

	in every feast (wondrous multitude)

	is her poem [which is] splendid for her.

	A tongue grew acclaim

24	(she has a fair smile), an Amen of praise,

	for at the end of every prayer,

	(true memory) she is named.

	She is the sister (the colour of the rays of sunshine)

28	of the horse-riding daughter of Gwgon.

	I have the same voice, where it would stand,

	as the cuckoo, May's hired maid.

	It cannot, because of its nature,

32	[produce] but one voice, with its grey mantle.

	The cuckoo does not cease its prattling,

	it grows hoarse between rock and sea.

	It does not sing a cywydd, happy oath,

36	nor an accent except 'Cuckoo!'

	It's known in Anglesey that I was a monk's servant

	with too much of a burden

	who does not do (two sneezes are good)

40	any labour but one (a thick breast).

	[With a] restless mind, an honest plea,

	I followed like [one] holding [his] breath,

	[and] used in order to honour her

44	the deep materials of poetry for her.

	Farewell now without being able to find

	either a hiding place because of her or a shelter.

	She has a heap, if she will save it,

48	and if it is put on good land:

	seven and seven score cywyddau for slender Morfudd

	of [the] straight beautiful body.

	I am a wretch because of her love,

52	let them be taken, I am blameless.

	Worthy love does not ask for money;

	she no longer owes me anything.