Taking Leave of Ifor Hael
Faithful lovers' intent,
Ifor, fair princely lord,
I am going to Gwynedd
4 as I wish, it is very hard.
A man does not go away
who comes back again, two evident gifts.
I could not be two months
8 on the banks of the river Dyfi without you.
The round four-sided heart, lord,
will not lift up (farewell, Ifor!)
nor the most virtuous cheek-wetting eye,
12 nor hand nor thumb where you are not.
The strength I have here is not worthless,
it would not be wise nor good sense
for anyone who loved drinks of wine
16 of the nine [kinds] to leave you.
You are my lord and a most mighty man,
farewell, bright tower of faultless lineage.
May your way be unhindered,
20 Rhydderch's equal, learned understanding of love,
in fierce war, fullest kind of care,
and in peace, well-endowed Ifor.
Long will you be loved above all,
24 great fair ruler of sea and land,
lord of birch trees, united joys
of heaven and earth, pillar of praise.
I would get any gift I wish,
28 I am wealthy and famous,
of fair words, of silver,
and pure gold, well-known to many,
of attire, no bad intent,
32 and splendid French weapons,
willing expenditure, of mead and wine,
of jewels, [I am] a second Taliesin.
Powerful feats, Christendom's potentate,
36 it was you Ifor, father of carousal,
fame of taverns, fine-mannered judge,
the face of liberality who gave them.