GDG 42

This poem develops an extended comparison between Morfudd and the sun. In the opening lines the poet can be seen as it were searching for an adequate image to convey the whiteness of her skin. Two conventional images come first, snow and the foam of a wave, but both are inadequate, and only the source of all light, the sun itself will do. The sun was of course a common enough image in love poetry, by Dafydd himself (e.g. 105.30, 130.10, 139.15–16) and by his predecessors. What is unique about this poem is the development of the image's further potential in terms of the sun's movement in the sky, conveying the ambiguity of Dafydd's attitude towards Morfudd.The occasional disappearance of the sun behind clouds represents Morfudd's inconstancy, and the setting of the sun corresponds to the necessity for her to return to her husband's house each night. But despite the negative impact which is so obvious in the image, the poem closes on a provocative note by proposing an arrangement which would ensure constant light for the world.

The poem is discussed by John Rowlands, 'Morfudd fel yr Haul', YB, vi (1971), 16–44, and in HGDG 22–5, and by Eurys Rolant, 'Morfudd fel yr Haul', Y Traethodydd  , cxxxiii (1978), 95–101.

12. Gwenhwyfar   Guinevere, wife of King Arthur, known for her adultery with Lancelot, or Melwas in Welsh tradition. Cf. 64.26 where she is referred to as 'merch Ogfran Gawr', and see further 128.33n.

38. Eluned   This could be the maidservant of the Lady of the Fountain in Owein, as Rolant suggested (1978, 100), but Luned is the normal form of her name. It is more likely that this is the saint who was one of the daughters of Brychan Brycheiniog, see 140.9n.

52. y Penrhyn   most probably y Penrhyn-coch in the parish of Llanbadarn Fawr, not far from Dafydd's home at Brogynin.