The Trout
O trout, thoughtful linguist,
(and I shall be a witness to you in your day)
feeding in a homely lake, brave fish,
4 splendid trout from layers of water,
foster son (fervent aim of turbulence)
of Llyn Tegid where fish were fattened.
Go by means of [your] gift[s] (however how far I am),
8 young fish, from the river Conwy
(there is no hidden messenger
or any counsel for the manor but you,
stout and strong) to the bright bank of the river Taf yonder,
12 a father to water.
Steel won't kill you (spawning pool of a bank's splendour),
water won't drown you, Deirans won't challenge you.
No-one will hear you speak,
16 a cowardly man won't see you under the black water.
There will be no need for you, by God and the relics,
to have a chill or be afraid of a rod.
Trust in a poet, fine author of Anglesey,
20 a talisman on the waters of a fresh reddish river,
a fish of three hundred streams, a swift stream,
foamy water for a long time/distance, if [you are] pool-reared,
[you are] a lively leader of the fresh water of Christendom,
24 the purchase of a carrier of a fishing net.
Turn until two nets break,
stout and short, you are a strong creature.
[May] Lord God the King [go] before you freely,
28 and for my sake carry a sign;
love's seal (experiencer of fear
by a word of slander) to be put on it.
Swim towards Creirwy's court
32 (you are my passion) [then] swim no further.
Handless swimming to heaven,
and footless you will come home.
Hurry, don't spend a long time over a ford,
36 bring to us good tidings with you.