A Girl's Pilgrimage
The district's lady of solace
went [like] a nun for the host of heaven
and for Non, the heart conceals it,
4 and for David, meek Eigr,
from fair Anglesey, may she go freely, onwards
to the land of Menevia, my soul,
to seek forgiveness, her kin's prosperity
8 as a result of her promise,
for killing her wretched bruised servant,
thin tormented penitent.
As compensation for the murder of an inspired young poet,
12 sad loss, she undertook a journey.
She of the rose-coloured cheeks set off in haste.
My choice one left Anglesey.
Lord Christ, may the Menai Straits
16 be smooth and gentle at low water.
The flood of Llyfni's stream, bar of pounding waves,
may she pass easily through it.
Y Traeth Mawr, famed afar,
20 let her go through on an ebb tide.
Y Traeth Bychan, confined course,
let my white girl go on this way.
The impassioned prayers are complete:
24 may great Ertro be calm.
We will pay the fee of Barmouth's harbour
for carrying her over at low water.
Dysynni of the nine waves,
28 let the wine-coloured girl on her way to David's fair land.
Deep too are the waves of Dyfi,
freezing water, against her.
Rheidol, for the sake of your good name,
32 give passage to a girl generous with mead.
Ystwyth, deep violent water,
in recompense let her over your breast for me.
Aeron, loud torrent of a lively lover,
36 let the celebrated girl through.
Fair Teifi, filler of the ocean,
let the girl's blessings flourish.
May the girl come and go
40 safely through the boundary river.
She is clad in purple between Menevia and the sea,
long good fortune for me, if I live.
If she killed me, over a long time,
44 sudden exile, at last she will be brought to justice.
May Mary with her protective hand forgive
my modest seagull who killed me.
I will certainly forgive my treasure
48 and I will proclaim her innocence.