The Celtic Pages

Y Gododdin

Celtic Historic Literature by Aneirin, translation by Joseph Clancy

4

Diademed, to the fore, a wolf's fury, amber beads he wore,
collars, his meed was costly amber.
For cups of wine he drove back the attack, drenched in blood.
Though men of Gwynedd and Gogledd came as Ysgyrran's son counselled,
Shields were broken to bits.

5

Diademed, to the fore, armed for conflict, before his death, fierce man in a fray,
Champion charging at the head of hosts, five companies fell before his blades.
Of Deifr's and Brennych's men two thousand sank to their doom in a single hour.
Before the marriage-feast, meat for wolves; before the altar, tid-bit for crows.
Before his burial, the blood-soaked field; for mead in the hall, a hundred hosts.
While song lasts, Hyfaidd Hir will be praised.

6

Men went to Gododdin, laughter-loving, bitter in battle, each blade in line.
A brief year they were quiet, in peace.
Bodgad's son with his hand took revenge.
Though they went to churches for shriving, old men and young, noble and lowly,
True is the tale, death confronted them.

verses 7, 8, 9 & 10