The Oath
I love, wild and passionate work,
A noble girl, Esyllt's niece,
A wild white little painter with golden hair,
4 She is full of love, a goldfinch,
Of the same colour as Fflur and shining gossamer,
A very elegant branch of fierce white.
Some say to me, strong bound love,
8 'The best girl is taking a husband
This year, a second Eluned,
Joy of a treasure, it's a sad man who trusts her'.
I don't dare, a weak mind,
12 (Woe to the poet who is a faithful fool!)
Twice the colour of summer, to take the girl
By force, of the colour of thorn flower.
Her proud family, the hawks of Gwynedd,
16 The best of our country, the host of its feasts,
Would kill me for preventing her
From marrying the man, a hateful battle!
Unless I may have, gentle one with golden word,
20 Her for myself, the colour of the beautiful appearance of
Mary,
There is not, my hidden life,
At all in my serious and sad mind,
By the image of Cadfan - is it infallible? -
24 And the living cross, a wish for a wife ever.