It is incumbent to sing of the gay and illustrious tribes, { 168c} That, after the fatal fight, { 168d} filled the river Aeron; { 168e} Their grasp satisfied the hunger { 168f} of the eagles of Clwyd, { 168g} And prepared food for the birds of prey. Of those who went to Cattraeth, wearers of the golden chain, Upon the message of Mynyddawg, sovereign of the people, There came not honourably { 169a} in behalf { 169b} of the Brython, To Gododin, a hero from afar who was better than Cynon.
It is incumbent to sing of so many men of skill, { 169c} Who in their halls { 169d} once led a merry life: { 169e} Ambitious { 169f} and bold, all round the world would Eidol { 169g} seek for melody; But notwithstanding gold, and fine steeds, and intoxicating mead, Only one man of these, who loved the world, returned, Cynddilig of Aeron, one of the Novantian heroes. { 169h}
It is incumbent to sing of the gay and illustrious tribes, That went upon the message of Mynyddawg, sovereign of the people, And the daughter { 170a} of Eudav the Tall, of a faultless gait, { 170b} Apparelled in her purple robes, thoroughly and truly splendid.
The soldiers { 171a} celebrated the praise of the Holy One, And in their { 171b} presence was kindled a fire that raged on high. On Tuesday they put on their dark-brown garments; { 171c} On Wednesday they purified their enamelled armour; On Thursday their destruction was certain; On Friday was brought carnage all around; On Saturday their joint labour was useless; On Sunday their blades assumed a ruddy hue; On Monday was seen a pool knee deep of blood. { 171d} The Gododin relates that after the toil, Before the tents of Madog, when he returned, Only one man in a hundred with him came. { 172a}
At the early dawn of morn, { 172b} There was a battle at the fall of the river, { 172c} in front of the course; { 172d} The pass and the knoll were pervaded with fire; { 172e} Like a boar didst thou { 172f} lead to the mount; The wealth { 172g} of the hill, and the place, And the dark brown hawks { 173a} were stained with gore. { 173b}
Quickly rising, in a moment of time, { 173c} After kindling a fire at the confluence, { 173d} in front of the fence, { 173e} After leading his men in close array, In front of a hundred he pierces the foremost. { 173f} Sad it was that you should have made a pool of blood, As if you but drank mead in the midst of laughter; { 174a} But it was brave of you to slay the little man, { 174b} With the fierce and impetuous stroke of the sword; For like the unrestrained ocean { 174c} had the foe { 174d} put to death A man, who would otherwise have been in rank his equal.