The Black Book of Carmarthen
I. The Dialogue of Myrddin and Taliesin
Myrddin:
How sad with me, how said,
Cedfyl and Cadfan are fallen!
The slaughter was terrible,
Shields shattered and bloody.
Taliesin:
I saw Maelgwn battling--
The host acclaimed him.
Myrddin:
Before two men in battles they gather
Before Erith and Gwrith on pale horses.
Slender bay mounts will they bring
Soon will come the host of Elgan.
Alas for his death, after a great joy!
Taliesin:
Gap-toothed Rhys, his shield a span--
To him came battle's blessing.
Cyndur has fallen, deplorable beyond measure
Generous men have been slain--
Three notable men, greatly esteemed by Elgan.
Myrddin:
Again and again, in great throngs they came,
There came Bran and Melgan to meet me.
At the last, they slew Dyel,
The son of Erbin, with all his men.
Taliesin:
Swifly came Maelgwn's men,
Warriors ready for battle, for slaughter armed.
For this battle, Arderydd, they have made
A lifetime of preparation.
Myrddin:
A host of spears fly high, drawing blood.
From a host of vigorous warriors--
A host, fleeing; a host, wounded--
A host, bloody, retreating.
Taliesin:
The seven sons of Eilfer, seven heroes,
Will fail to avoid seven spears in the battle.
Myrddin:
Seven fires, seven armies,
Cynelyn in every seventh place.
Taliesin:
Seven spears, seven rivers of blood
From seven chieftains, fallen.
Myrddin:
Seven score heroes, maddened by battle,
To the forest of Celyddon they fled.
Since I Myrddin, am second only to Taliesin,
Let my words be heard as truth.
The first poem in The Black Book of Carmarthen.
It holds many similarities to Geoffrey's Vita Merlini, wherein Merlin has fled the Battle of Arthuret to Celidon Woods, to live life as a mad hermit. He is comforted by Taliesin and Ganidea his sister, called Gwenddydd in Welsh.