*at v, 
 
 VMra ^"fl 
 
 H
 
 THE GWYNEDDION; 
 
 AN ACCOUNT 
 
 HELD IN SEPTEMBER, 1828: 
 
 TOGETHER WITH 
 
 THE PRIZE ESSAYS AND POEMS 
 
 SUBJECTS PROPOSED 
 
 FOR ADJUDICATION AT THAT MEETING. 
 
 CHESTER : 
 
 PRINTED BY T. GRIFFITH, GROS VENO R-STREET, 
 
 AND SOLD BY THE BOOKSELLERS IN CHESTER, NORTH WALES, LONDON, LIVERPOOL, 
 SIANCHESTER, AND SHREWSBURY. 
 
 MDCCCXXX.
 
 TO 
 
 SIR EDWARD MOSTYN, BARONET, 
 
 TALACRE, 
 
 PRESIDENT OF THE 
 
 ROYAL DENBIGH EISTEDDFOD, 
 
 PATRIOTIC REPRESENTATIVE OF THE ILLUSTRIOUS FAMILY 
 OF THE MUNIFICENT PATRON OF THE 
 
 MEMORABLE BARDIC EISTEDDFOD HELD AT CAERWYS, 
 IN THE REIGN, AND UNDER THE 
 
 SANCTION OF QUEEN ELIZABETH, 
 
 THE FOLLOWING PAGES 
 
 ARE MOST RESPECTFULLY DEDICATED, 
 
 BY HIS MOST DEVOTED 
 
 AND OBEDIENT SERVANT, 
 
 THOMAS GRIFFITH.
 
 PREFACE. 
 
 THE month of September, of the year 1828, was a period pe- 
 culiarly honourable to Gwynedd, and especially so to the Clwydian 
 hills and vallies ; and will be referred to by the sons of Cambria, 
 with delight and exultation, as long as her language shall maintain 
 its distinctive character, or minstrelsy and song retain their magi- 
 cal influence in elevating the soul to deeds of glory, stimulating our 
 youth to the tender passions, in soothing the decrepitude of age, 
 and in ministering comfort in the season of affliction. 
 
 Whoever casts a cursory eye over this remark, will at once per- 
 ceive that the subject of reference here pointed at, is the late 
 splendid EISTEDDFOD held at Denbigh, ^vhich has properly ac- 
 quired the appellation of Royal, from the patronage and presence 
 of a distinguished member of the house of Brunswick. 
 
 The design of this publication is two-fold ; first, to place upon 
 record, in a respectable form, the history of the proceedings connected 
 with that interesting Congress ; and secondly, to preserve and per- 
 petuate the admirable compositions there produced the genuine 
 effusions of the native A wen. 
 
 The Publisher respectfully begs to observe, that the delay of the 
 work has arisen from circumstances in which he had no participa- 
 tion, and from causes over which he had no controul. Of those 
 circumstances and causes he declines even the enumeration ; and 
 would only observe, that when he undertook the publication upon 
 his own responsibility, it had been abandoned in every other quar- 
 ter, and the valuable materials were in danger of being consigned 
 to perpetual oblivion.
 
 VI 
 
 In the selection, arrangement, and preparation of the different 
 articles, the Publisher has heen favoured with the valuable assist- 
 ance of several competent individuals, to whom the Welsh public, 
 as well as himself, are under great obligation. If the whole of the 
 compositions had been given, the book would necessarily have been 
 swelled to a bulk, that would have raised its price, so as to render 
 its purchase difficult, if not impossible, to many. Those articles, 
 therefore, which have been deemed the best, have been inserted ; 
 but, for the reason just mentioned, many of those omitted have 
 very high claims to literary merit. 
 
 Without further remark, the work is now committed to the can- 
 dour of the Principality : If the Publisher has the good for- 
 tune to obtain, what he has anxiously sought the general appro- 
 bation his main object will be secured. 
 
 Chester, August, 1830.
 
 CONTENTS. 
 
 Page 
 
 Dedication ... .... .... .. iii 
 
 Preface .... . -\ - .... ... .. y 
 
 FIRST DAY. 
 
 Arrangements for the Listeddfod .... . . 1 
 
 Premiums, and the subject for each .... .... .... . . 2 
 
 Proclamation on opening the Eisteddfod .... . .. 5 
 
 The President's speech .... .... .... . . . 6 
 
 Englynion ... .... .... .... . . ib. 
 
 Letters on being admitted honorary members .... ... ..10 
 
 Speech of the Rev. Thomas Price . . 12 
 
 Adjudication of the Prizes .... .... .... ... ..13 
 
 Speech of the Rev. Mr. Hughes . .,. .... .... ..15 
 
 Speech of the Rev. Mr. Blackwell ... ..19 
 
 Ordinary and the Concert .... .... .... . . 22 
 
 SECOND DAY. 
 
 Procession to meet His Royal Highness the Duke of Sussex .... ..23 
 
 Address to his Royal Highness .... .... . . ib. 
 
 His Royal Highness's answer .... .... .... . . 24 
 
 Pennill, by Mr. Davies, Bardd Nantglyn , .... .... ..25 
 
 Acrostic address to his Royal Highness the Duke of Sussex ... .. ib 
 
 Englynion on the Royal Duke's visit . .... . . 26 
 
 Englyn on Sir S. Glynne's coming of age ..-. .... ..27 
 
 Contest for the Gold Harp . . 29 
 
 The Concert . . ib. 
 
 THIRD DAY. 
 
 Contest for the Best Singer with the Harp . . 30 
 
 The Oratorio and Ball . . ib. 
 
 List of the Nobility and Gentry present ... .... .... ..31 
 
 ESSAYS AND POEMS. 
 
 Essay on the Flintshire Castles ... .... . . 1 
 
 Traethawd ar Angenrheidrwydd Cyfraith, i gynnal Moesau da . . 53 
 
 Awdl ar Wledd Belsassar (Gan G. Williams) . . 67 
 
 Awdl ar Wledd Belsassar (Gan R. Parry j . . 84 
 
 Awdl ar Wledd Belsassar (Gan Parch. E. Evans) ... .... . . 96 
 
 Cywydd ar Ymdrech Buddug yn Erbyn y Rhufeiniaid ... . . 117 
 
 Galarnad' ar Farwolaeth y Gwir Barch. Dr. Heber .... . . 129 
 
 Merits of Mr. O. Jones, alias My vyr .... .... .... ..136 
 
 Cywydd o Gofiadwriaeth am Owain Myfyr ... .... . . 138 
 
 Cywydd ar Ganlre'r Gwaelod .... .... ... ..147 
 
 Awdl ar Amaethyddiaeth .... .... .... ..157 
 
 Yr Englyn Buddugawl ar yr Awyren .... .... .... ..170 
 
 APPENDIX. 
 
 List of Patrons and Vice-Patrons .... .... .... ..171 
 
 Committee and Honorary Members .... .... .... ..172 
 
 List of Bards and Minstrels .. .... .... .... ..173 
 
 Subscriptions in aid of the Eisteddfod .... . .. ib. 
 
 Abstract of Treasurer's accounts ... .... ..174 
 
 Honorary Testimonials ... .... ..175
 
 AN ACCOUNT OF THE PROCEEDINGS 
 
 AT THE 
 
 ROYAL DENBIGH EISTEDDFOD 
 
 THIS great National Congress of Cambrian Bards was held at 
 Denbigh on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday, the 16th, 17th, 
 and 18th of September, 1828, under the sanction of the Cymmro- 
 dorion Society in Gwynedd. The assembly had excited a power- 
 ful interest throughout the northern part of the Principality, and 
 was equal, if not superior, to any similar festival that has been 
 held, either metropolitan or provincial, since the revival of the 
 Eisteddfodau in the year 1819. For this assumption a reasonable 
 foundation is laid in the unparalleled patronage it received from 
 distinguished individuals, of which we shall give a general outline. 
 Sir Edward Mostyn, of Talacre, Bart, had notified his acceptance of 
 the office of President, than whom a more public-spirited Welsh- 
 man does not exist in the Principality ; he had also a peculiar claim 
 upon this distinction : He is the representative and heir of Piers 
 Mostyn, who presided at the Eisteddfod at Caerwys, in the reign of 
 Queen Elizabeth ; and also a lineal descendant of Richard ap Hywel 
 ap Efan Vaughan, Esq. of Mostyn, under whose management the 
 great Eisteddfod was held at Caerwys, in the reign of Henry VIII. 
 on the 2nd of July, 1523. The list of Patrons to this meeting com- 
 prised no less than eleven noblemen, two bishops, and three baro- 
 nets, namely, Marquis of Anglesey, Lords Grosvenor, Powys, 
 Bagot, Dungannon, Kenyon, Newborough, Plymouth, Dynevor, 
 Clive, and Ashley ; the Bishops of St. Asaph and Bangor ; and Sirs 
 W. W. Wynn, E. P. Lloyd, and C. Morgan. Of Vice-Presidents, 
 there were upwards of fifty of the most distinguished gentry in the 
 Principality, comprehending in their number eight baronets, and 
 eight members of parliament. About sixty gentlemen, of respect- 
 able character and active talents, acted as a Committee, and who 
 
 B
 
 2 
 
 sedulously applied their time and influence in arranging to the best 
 advantage the multiform business of the meeting. And lastly, the 
 immediate superintendance of the Eisteddfod was confided to that 
 talented gentleman, John Parry. Esq. author of the Welsh Melo- 
 dies, who on more than one occasion had occupied a similar station 
 in the arrangement of the Cambrian meetings in London, with great 
 credit to himself, and advantage to the establishment. In addition 
 to the numerous attractions which this most interesting national fes- 
 tival produced, his Royal Highness the Duke of Sussex, a visitor at 
 the splendid and hospitable mansion of Colonel Hughes, of Kinmel 
 Park, had signified his intention to honour it with his presence, and 
 for that purpose had even condescended to relinquish another en- 
 gagement which his Royal Highness had previously entered into. 
 Nothing could be more fortunate for the splendour and popularity of 
 this meeting than the visit of the Royal Duke to the Principality at 
 so critical a juncture, nor could the revival of this ancient ceremony 
 be associated with a circumstance more likely to increase the inter- 
 est which in all other respects it so powerfully excited. 
 
 As early as April, Mr. Parry had the authority of the Committee 
 to engage some of the most celebrated musicians and vocalists in the 
 kingdom, and among these distinguished individuals were Miss 
 Stephens, Miss Johnston, Mr. Braham, Mr. Collyer, Mr. Atkins, 
 Mr. Parry, Mr. Parry, Jun. and Mr. J. J. Jones, B.M. of Oxford. 
 
 Having conveyed some idea of the splendid auspices under which 
 the Denbigh Eisteddfod was to be celebrated, it may be necessary 
 to advert to the subjects announced for competition, and the value 
 of the premiums annexed to the successful candidates. These will 
 best be understood by the announcement published tmder the direc- 
 tion of the Committee : 
 
 1st. A Premium of Ten Guineas, and a Medal of the value 
 of Five Guineas, for the best AWDL, in Welsh, on " Gwledd Bel- 
 skazzar" (Belshazzar's Feast.) 
 
 2nd. For the best CYWYDD, in Welsh, on " Buddug" (Boa- 
 dicea,) a Premium of Seven Guineas, and a Medal of the value of 
 Three Guineas. 
 
 3rd. For the best ENOLYN, on YrAwyren," (The Air Balloon,) 
 a Premium of Three Guineas, and a Medal of the value of Two 
 Guineas. 
 
 4th. For the best WELSH ESSAY, on " AngJienrheidTwydd Cyf- 
 rfdth i gynnal moesau da" (the necessity of Law for the moral re- 
 straint of the People,) a Premium of Seven Guineas, and a Medial 
 of the value of Three Guineas.
 
 5th. For the best ENGLISH ESSAY, containing " An Historical 
 Account of the Flintshire Castles," a Premium of Seven Guineas, 
 and a Medal of the value of Three Guineas. 
 
 6th. For the best CYWYDD, on " Diolchgar ac anfarwol Goffad- 
 wriaeth am y Gwasanaeth a tcnaeth Owain Myfyr i'w wlad drwy go- 
 leddu ei Hiaith, a chasglu ynghyd lawer o hen Ysgrifenadau Cymreig 
 oedd ar wasgar ac yn debyg ou colli," (To the immortal memory of 
 Mr. Owen Jones, for the services he rendered to the Literature of 
 his Country,) a Premium of the value of Three Guineas. 
 
 7th. For " The best Catalogue of Welsh M.S.S. in North Wales, 
 in addition to those already extant," a Medal of the value of Five 
 Guineas. 
 
 8th. For " The best Collection of unpublished Welsh Penillion," 
 a Premium of Five Guineas. 
 
 9th. A Gold Harp for the best proficient on the Triple Harp, 
 who has already gained a prize for his performance on that instru- 
 ment. 
 
 10th. A Premium of Five Guineas, or a Silver Harp of that 
 value, to the best performer on the Triple Harp, from among the 
 general competitors. (No one will be prevented from competing 
 for this prize but the gainer of the Golden Harp.) 
 
 llth. A Premium of Three Guineas for the second best per- 
 former on the same instrument. 
 
 12th. A Premium of Three Guineas for the best Singer with 
 the Harp, and a Premium of Two Guineas for the second best 
 Singer with the same instrument. 
 
 13th. The Royal Medal of the Metropolitan Cymmrodorion, for 
 the best POEM, in Welsh, on " Cantref Gwaelod," (The Low-land 
 Hundred.) 
 
 14th. The Gwyneddigion Medal for the best Welsh POEM, on 
 " Amaethyddiaeth" (Agriculture.) 
 
 ]5th. The Denbigh Welsh Literary Society's Medal, of the 
 value of Five Pounds, for the best AWDL, on " Coffaducriaeth am y 
 diweddar Barchedig Goromoy Owain, y Bardd Cymreig enwocaf yn 
 ei oes." (To the memory of the late Rev. Goronwy Owen, the 
 most eminent Welsh Poet of his time.) 
 
 On TUESDAY the ISth SEPTEMBER, 1828, 
 This splendid Festival commenced under the most gratifying auspi- 
 ces. For several previous days, the weather bore an unfavourable 
 aspect, and it was apprehended the original intention of the Commit- 
 tee to hold the meeting with the precincts of the Castle would be
 
 frustrated, arrangements having been made that in the event of 
 rain, the Congress should be held in the Town Hall, a place very 
 inadequate to admit the great influx of company that was assembled. 
 Happily, however, the weather was highly propitious. The sun 
 arose in a bright, unclouded sky, and gilded with his rays the oppo- 
 site acclivities of the beautiful Vale of Clwyd, and the tops of the 
 numerous mansions on its shelving sides. At an early hour in the 
 morning, groups of country people were entering the town in every 
 direction, many of them carolling their ditties in their native tongue, 
 as if they had already caught, by the power of sympathy, the spi- 
 rit of the Cambrian pennillion. Nor had the inhabitants of the re- 
 spectable town of Denbigh been unmindful of the honour it was 
 destined to receive by being selected as the favoured spot for holding 
 this ancient Bardic Congress, and as incidentally connected with this, 
 of the privilege of being visited by a Prince so nearly allied to the 
 British crown as the Duke of Sussex. On the tower of the Church, 
 the Burgess's tower, and on the grand entrance of the Castle, nu- 
 merous flags waved to the wind, and the utmost efforts of two or 
 three Church bells were busily engaged in announcing the joyous 
 occasion. 
 
 Between nine and ten o'clock, the Gentlemen of the Committee 
 assembled at the Town Hall, at the entrance of which the excellent 
 Band of the Royal Denbigh Militia had stationed themselves, and 
 played several national and other airs. Here also were assembled 
 the Bards, Minstrels, and a vast coucourse of friends, who soon 
 after ten o'clock joined the procession, formed by the Corporation, 
 in their robes, the President, several of the Vice-Presidents, and 
 Committee, towards the Bowling-Green, entering by the Burgess's 
 Tower. In the first instance, the procession entered the Grand 
 Gateway of the Castle,* and, in the open square within its walls, 
 
 * This Castle stands on the summit of a rock, sloping on all bat one side, which is precipitous. 
 It was built by Henry de Lacy, Earl of Lincoln, to whom King Edward I. had given the Lord- 
 ship. After the death of this Earl, the Castle and Lordship devolved to Thomas, Earl of Lancaster, 
 who married Alicia, his daughter. On his attainder, Edward II. bestowed them upon his favourite 
 Hugh Despencer, who deprived the inhabitants of Denbigh of the privileges granted them by 
 Lacy. On the execution of Despencer, this lordship and Castle again escheated to tke crown, 
 and were by Edward III. given to Roger Mortimer, Earl of March, who placed his arms over the 
 chief gate. After his attainder and death, the King gianted them to William Montacute, Earl of 
 Salisbury . he died anno 1333, and on the reversal of the attainder of the Earl of March, they 
 were restored to bis grandson Roger ; and by the marriage of Anne, sister to another Rogrr, last 
 Earl of March, with Richard PI a u tag e net, Earl of Cambridge, it came into the house of York, and 
 so to the Crown. lu the year 1503, Queen Elizabeth bestowed them on her favourite Robert Dud- 
 ley, Earl Leicester, who raised the rents of his tenants from 2502. to 9001 and also arbitrarily in- 
 closed the waste lands. At present this, and the manors of Bromfield and Yade, are in the Crown, 
 superintended by a steward appointed by the King The grand entrance was formerly through a 
 large gate, having a pointed arch, and flanked by two octagonal towel's, now in ruins. The breaches 
 about this building show the manner of its construction, which was this : two walls occupy ing the 
 extremities of the intended thickness were first built iu the ordinary manner, with a vacuity
 
 the Eisteddfod was formally opened by the following proclamation, 
 read in Welsh by Mr. Blackwell, and in English by Aneurin Owen, 
 Esq. viz. 
 
 WELSH. " Y Gwir yn erbyn y byd. Yn y flwyddyn 1828, pan 
 oedd yr haul yn Alban Elfed, yn awr anterth, ar y 16eg o fis Medi, y 
 cyhoeddir gorsedd yn nghastell Dinbych, yn Ngwynedd, i roddi 
 gwys a gwahawdd i bawb a gyrchont yma, lie nad oes noeth arf yn 
 eu herbyn, ac y cyhoeddir barn gorsedd ar bob awenydd a barddoni 
 a roddir dan ei hystyriaeth, yn llygad haul ac yn ngwyneb goleuni 
 Y Gwir yn erbyn y byd." 
 
 ENGLISH. " The Truth against the world. In the year 1828, 
 when the sun is on the point of the autumnal equinox, in the fore- 
 noon of the 16th of September, this gorsedd, duly proclaimed, is 
 opened in the Castle of Denbigh, in Gwynedd, with invitation to 
 all, where no naked weapon is lawful, to pronounce judgment on all 
 works of genius submitted to them, in the eye of the sun, and face 
 of the light 
 
 The Truth against the world." 
 
 The company then proceeded to the Bowling- Green, where 
 benches had been placed for the auditory, in front of an elevated 
 stage, eleven yards by eight, on which were seated the Bards, Cor- 
 poration, the Gentlemen who occupied an official character, and 
 some of the most distinguished visitants, amongst whom were Lord 
 Bagot, Sir Edward Mostyn, Sir W. W. Wynn, the Ladies con- 
 nected with these distinguished families, and a great number of 
 others. Neither the limits of the work, nor the nature of the 
 subject, will allow of a lengthened digression, or we could occupy 
 several pages, and very pleasantly to ourselves, in describing the 
 transcendantly beautiful view of the Vale of Clwyd from this lovely 
 spot. We do not think that any scenery is equal to it in the king- 
 dom. So thought all the strangers that had never before had the 
 opportunity of witnessing it. 
 
 About eleven o'clock the trumpet sounded the signal of the open- 
 
 bet\ 
 dr 
 
 December in that year, after his retreat from Chester, in a tower, now called the King's Tower, 
 probably in memory of that event In 1646, this Castle was in the hands of the royalists; the go- 
 vernor was William Salisbury, commonly called Blue Stockings. It was besieged by General 
 IWytton, who sat down before it about the 16th of July ; but it did not surrender till the 3rd of No- 
 vember, and then on most honourable conditions. It is said to have been blown up after the 
 rentoraton of Cuarle* II.
 
 ing of the Congress, and Sir Edward Mostyn took the chair, placed 
 at the front of the stage. 
 
 The worthy Baronet immediately addressed the meeting, in a 
 speech replete with intense national feeling, which elicited the ap- 
 plause of the auditory. He said, if he did not feel deeply inter- 
 ested in the cause of the present meeting, he should not think him- 
 self deserving of the blood of his ancestors ; but he would say with 
 unhesitating confidence, he had all the ardour which his progenitors 
 could boast. When he was first solicited to take the chair upon this 
 occasion, he acceded to the request without hesitation ; this did 
 not arise from any confidence in his own ability, but purely from his 
 fixed purpose to show his devotedness to the interests of the Prin- 
 cipality, and particularly to its literature ; he wished to make him- 
 self useful to his neighbours. He regretted, indeed, that the task 
 which had devolved upon him, had not fallen into more competent 
 hands, but still as he had undertaken it, he would sustain it with 
 zeal and alacrity. The object of the Eisteddfod was known to be 
 the cultivation of the ancient British language, and the revival of 
 its literature. Formerly these meetings had been held under the 
 sanction of royal authority, and he had the gratification of knowing 
 that his ancestors had made a prominent figure in their transactions. 
 Much as he regarded the royal sanction, he would say that he 
 paid a still higher regard to the calls of his countrymen, than to the 
 mandates of royalty. It was, however, a peculiarly gratifying fea- 
 ture in the present Eisteddfod, that we should have the presence of 
 a royal Prince, nearly allied to the throne. His Royal Highness 
 the Duke of Sussex, who was pre-eminently distinguished as the 
 patron of every thing that had for its object a national good, had 
 condescendingly signified his intention of honouring the meeting 
 with his presence ; he was sure they would be anxious to show to 
 him every possible token of respect; and also to convince their 
 friends of England, that they had not lost their ancient character 
 for hospitality. The worthy Baronet concluded, by emphatically 
 declaring that his heart was devoted, and ever should be, to the 
 honour and interests of the principality. Loud and reiterated ap- 
 plauses followed this address. 
 
 The President then requested the Bards to come forward, and 
 on the invitation the following Englynion were recited : 
 Diwrnod a gwen rhad arno ydyw hwn, 
 
 Da haul i'w ddysgleirio, 
 
 A dynion serchlawn dano 
 
 Yn dal Diliau Breintiau 'n bro.
 
 Breintiau, defodau da fad, em hynaif 
 Mewn hanes a phrofiad, 
 Er cynnal gwir aceniad 
 Arferion gleinion ein gwlad. 
 
 Sef cadw 'n faith ein hiaith i'w mwynhau i'n hoes 
 Cadw hanesion Lyfrau, 
 Cofion ein dewrion di an, 
 Rhag tan a rhwyg y tonau. 
 
 Wele fraint ar oleu fryn, e'ang wyl 
 Yn ngolwg Clwyd Ddyffryn ; 
 Gwelwn gael yn hael yn hyn 
 Rymusder SIR E. MOSTYN. 
 
 Robert Davies, Nantglyn. 
 
 Eisteddfod yn glod i'n Gwledydd, amgylch, 
 Ymgais di hefelydd, 
 Hynaws iawn Gymro hen sydd 
 Gaed erom yn Gadeirydd. 
 
 I'r Awen, o'r goreuwyr, y rhoddgu 
 Wr hawddgar ger Gwespyr 
 Yw 'r haelaf a gaf o'r Gwyr, 
 Ifor ydyw i'w Frodyr. 
 
 Ei einioes in' sy dan sel,-^-er i'w Dy 
 Fyn'd ar dan yn ufel, 
 Nid dwr na than a'i gwan, gwel, 
 Na gyrfa gwynt nag oerfel. 
 
 Simwnt Fychan glan ei glod,-^a fydrodd 
 O'i fedrus fyfyrdod 
 I'w Deulu hen Awdl hynod, 
 Wele 'n ben o'u hil yn bod. 
 
 Wm. Edwards, Ysgeifiog. 
 
 Gwybodaeth, ah ! daeth ei dwthwn Ditibych 
 Sy'n danbaid oil, gwelwn, 
 O duedd nawdd y dydd hwn 
 Ar ei chynnydd crechw?riwn. 
 
 Y Brython, ow ! bu'r laith yn wan bn 'n weddw, 
 Bu 'n eiddil, bu 'n druan, 
 Henffych laith, wythwaith weithian, 
 Gwedi 'r Iocs hi gwyd i'l* Ian.
 
 8 
 
 Tra er, tra chofier, tra chwyth tra mydrer, 
 Trwy ymadrodd dilyth, 
 Tra 'n gwlwm trwy 'n gwehelyth, 
 Ei llwyr barch ni chollir byth. 
 
 Effro duedd fFrwd Awen yn llonwych 
 Sy 'n llenwi 'n ei helfen ; 
 Hoff ran hardd o'r Dyffryn hen 
 Gwyrdd odiaeth ail gardd Eden. 
 
 Mor fad ydyw 'r wlad oladog ! <loniol 
 Fa 'i dynion ardderchog 
 Gwlad is chwa, gwlad eos a chog, 
 Gwlad anwyl yw 'r hen Glwyd enwog. 
 
 Dug enwog dai 'n deg unawl i'n talaith 
 O'n teulu breninawl ; 
 Cawn ni Feirdd wneud can o iawl 
 I SUSSECS, \vr grasusawl. 
 
 Plaid Beirddion, feibion hoyw-br yw 'n LLYWYDD 
 Galluog, mwyn dymher, 
 Enw bydd tra bo Awen be"r 
 I MOSTYN a'i gymhwysder. 
 
 Thomas Jones, neu Thos. Gwynedd. 
 
 Mae 'n gwau laith olen a thelyn, gosteg 
 Ar Gastell Caledfryn ; 
 Grymusder geir i Mostyn 
 Y gwr hardd a garo hyn. 
 
 Sef Llywydd i'n dydd uniawn daeth, siriawl, 
 Fal seren Barddonraeth I 
 Gadeirwr geidwad araeth, 
 Rwydd iawn fodd, rydd i ni faeth. 
 
 Parodawl Feirdd puredig, o'u dyfais 
 Rydd gerdd dafod unig ; 
 Difai i lu pendefig, 
 Hyfa ddawn, a phwy fo ddig ? 
 
 Ar doriad caniad cynhes 'r hen Fyfyr 
 Yn fwyfwy wnai loches 
 Emyn-waith gaed i'n mynwes 
 Odug foliant, Uwyddiant, a lies.
 
 9 
 
 Siriawl yw'r laitli, ddisorod gan Gomer 
 A gemau tra pharod, 
 Blethiadawl, arglwyddawl glod, 
 'Mhob achau ni bu uchod. 
 
 Er gwyro y' mhlith gwerin ei baner 
 Ddug Bonedd i'w meithrin ; 
 Wefusawl dafodawl fin, 
 Melusawl a mawl iesin. 
 
 Daeth iesin o barth Essecs o'i Fawredd 
 I furiau Brythonecs 
 Nid Syr yw, ond brawd Sior Rex 
 Dacw sais, Duke o Sussecs. 
 
 Gosteg i'n Duke Augusta syw rinwedd 
 Serenawg ddaeth yma ; 
 Hir oes glau a'i ddyddiau 'n dda, 
 Amen : yn awr ymuna'. 
 
 Samuel Evans, Callestr. 
 
 Mae 'nghalon yn ymloni neu megis 
 Ymagor neu hollti ; 
 Gan mor ferth brydferth yw bri 
 Ar esgyll 'r Awen wisgi. 
 
 Pa werth dirfawr, pa wen ? ba brydferth 
 Ber odfa mor addien ; 
 Cystal lie a'r Castell hen 
 I drawiad plant yr Awen. 
 
 Anrhydedd i Gallestr ydi ac achoa 
 Go uchel i'w gyfri, 
 Yn awr fod ein Lly wydd ni, 
 Hynaws, yn d'od o honi. 
 
 Isallt y'mhlwy Llanasa yno mae 
 Ei annedd a'i drigfa 
 Prifion, fendithion da ; 
 Wych iawn-wr, a'i amgylchyna. 
 
 Di nac, lie oedd Talacre i feirdd 
 Yn fwrdd a chartrefle ; 
 Gwinoedd yn llynoedd drwy'r lie, 
 Ac arian i'r rhai gore'. 
 
 John Roberts, Hersedd. 
 C
 
 10 
 
 Extempore, for the Fair Weather for the Day. 
 
 'R wy 'n chwennych dweud Englyn chwaneg dilys, 
 Y dylem heb attreg, 
 Heb rwystro, tra bo 'r osteg, 
 Mawrhau ein Duw am 'r bin deg. 
 
 John Roberts, Hersedd. 
 
 Simon Jones, Dinbych, a blind bard, and John Evans, of Wrex- 
 ham, also recited some Englynion, which were extremely well re- 
 ceived, but of which copies were not supplied. The former 
 appeared to possess the vis comica in no small degree ; the ex- 
 pression of his countenance was irresistibly ludicrous, and might vie 
 with that of the favoured son of Momus Listen himself. His re- 
 cital elicited roars of laughter, and shouts of applause. 
 
 The following letters (together with one from Mr. Wordsworth) 
 were then read, from gentlemen who had been elected honorary 
 members of the Cymmrodorion Society in Gwynedd : 
 
 SIR, I am sorry that, from happening not to be in London when your 
 favour arrived, 1 have so long delayed acknowledging the receipt of it. But I 
 beg leave to express, through you, to the Members of the Cymmrodorion Society 
 in Gwynedd, that I feel greatly honoured at being chosen by them to be an 
 Honorary Member of their Society. 
 
 That the ancient British literature should be preserved, and the poetry and 
 music of Wales encouraged, are objects worthy the attention and patronage of 
 those who now, as their descendants, represent the most ancient inhabitants of 
 our common island. And it has given me, for some years, a very high gratifica- 
 tion to see that the gentlemen of Wales have so zealously exerted themselves in 
 behalf of objects so truly national and so laudable, because Wales possesses an- 
 cient remains of her old Bards and Writers what cannot be convicted of later 
 fabrication, and what in some respects no other country can parallel. 
 
 I beg to return you thanks for the communication, and have the honour to 
 be, Sir, 
 
 Your's, most faithfully and sincerely, 
 
 SHARON TURNER. 
 
 SIR, I was duly honoured with the very flattering information that I had 
 been elected an Honorary Member of the Cymmrodorion Society of Gwynedd, 
 for which I beg permission to return my most respectful acknowledgments. 
 
 1 was at the same time obliged with your invitation to attend the Musical and 
 Poetical Festival of this year, and 1 should be extremely glad to be present on 
 so interesting an occasion, did the great distance permit. If, by any unforeseen 
 chance, I should be in Kngland about the time, I would be much pleased with 
 the opportunity of attending. But there is so great a distance between Gwynedd
 
 11 
 
 and the frontiers of Strathclwydd, that my best wishes for the prosperity of the 
 meeting, must, I fear, be accepted, in lieu of my personal attendance. 
 
 I am, Sir, 
 
 Your obliged humble servant, 
 Edinburgh, 3rd March, 1828. WALTER SCOTT. 
 
 Keswick, 9th May, 1828. 
 
 SIR, I have the pleasure to acknowledge the receipt of your letter, inform- 
 ing me of the honour which the Cymmrodorion Society in Gwynedd have been 
 pleased to confer upon me, in electing me one of the Honorary Members: an 
 honour of which I am duly sensible, and which is peculiarly gratifying to me, 
 because one of the works by which I hope to be remembered hereafter, relates 
 mainly to Welsh tradition and Welsh history. 
 
 I have the honour to remain, Sir, 
 
 Your obliged and obedient humble servant, 
 
 ROBERT SOUTHEY. 
 
 Sloperton Cottage, Devizes, July 10th, 1828. 
 
 SIR, By some accident it was not till within these few days that I received 
 the letter with which you have favoured me, communicating the very flattering 
 intelligence that the Members of the Cymmrodorion Society had done me the 
 honour of enrolling me on their list as a Member. I beg you will express my 
 warmest thanks to these gentlemen for the distinction they have conferred on 
 me : and also say, what happiness it will give me to attend their next meeting, 
 should I be lucky enough to have it in my power. 
 
 I have the honour to be, Sir, 
 
 Your very obliged servant, 
 
 THOMAS MOORE. 
 
 The foregoing letters were addressed to " R. P. Jones, Esq. 
 M.D. Honorary Secretary, Sfc. Denbigh." 
 
 The REV. W. JENKINS REES, Rector of Casgob, Radnorshire, 
 read some English lines, addressed to the Denbigh Eisteddfod, 
 written by his friend the Rev. H. Jones, of Merthyr Tydvil. This 
 composition was truly an unique acrostic, the initial letters of each 
 line forming a Welsh Englyn. The following lines, the initials of 
 which give the word " Eisteddfod" are a pretty fair specimen of the 
 composition : 
 
 E nough, my Muse ! the fame of ancient days 
 
 I n all its splendours Denbigh's green displays ; 
 
 S uch as by statute princes did convene, 
 
 T he pride of Cambria, an Eisteddfod scene, 
 
 E nacted were by GRIFFITH, Conan's son, 
 
 D iplomas bardic, as by Bleddyn done ; 
 
 D esign'd t' afford to each his proper place, 
 
 F or Bards were then, as now, a chequer'd race : 
 
 O f Minstrels too, ordain'd were orders nine, 
 
 D istinguish'd each as more or less divine.
 
 12 
 
 The REV. THOMAS PRICE, of Crickhowell, now offered himself to 
 the notice of the meeting, and spoke to the following effect : The 
 present was an occasion upon which the natives of the Principality 
 claimed the privilege of recalling to mind the ancient usages of the 
 nation; and as that platform had been proclaimed, by sound of 
 trumpet, as a field upon which every friend to his country might be 
 permitted to marshal his patriotic feelings, and pass them in review, 
 it was with unfeigned delight he had listened to that note of prepa- 
 ration, and had hastened to attend its call ; though he had little else 
 to plead for his appearance there than the mere privileges of the 
 day. While some were then involved in the intricate alliterations 
 of bardic compositions, and came possibly involved in the contem- 
 plation of the deep and awful mysteries of Druidism, though he 
 was himself neither bard nor minstrel, he had still ventured within 
 those bardic precincts ; in the full assurance that no other qualifica- 
 tion would be required there, and no other credentials demanded, 
 than those of sincere and hearty wishes for the success of every in- 
 stitution which had for its object the cultivation of nationality and 
 patriotism ; and he hoped he might be pardoned if he did not suc- 
 ceed in expressing that national ardour which the proceedings of 
 that day naturally tended to inspire. He thought that upon such 
 an occasion, ancient prepossessions and even prejudices should not 
 be subjected to too severe a reprehension, as they were not unfre- 
 quently interwoven with the very grounds of patriotism. He then 
 took a review of ancient recollections, and observed, that in con- 
 templating these subjects the mind was often led into scenes of tu- 
 mult and of peril ; but, though much of the advantages which his 
 countrymen had acquired in those perilous times remained to them 
 at this day, it was a consolation to be assured that their evils ex- 
 isted only in recollection. The beacon of Moel Fanutu, no longer 
 cast its blasting glare over that lovely valley that was now spread 
 before them, and the peaceful inhabitants were no longer alarmed by 
 the shout of Caledfryn, nor the wail of Morfa Rhuddlan. The Rev. 
 Gentleman then adverted to the dark and mysterious ages of my- 
 thological gloom, before even the twilight of history had glimmered 
 upon the land. In other departments of antiquarian research, there 
 was some index to guide the judgment. The labelled window, the 
 pointed arch, the tessalated pavement all theso stamped their par- 
 ticular sera and their date ; but the gray stones of the mountain earn, 
 and the rude moss-grown pillar of the Druid, set all research and 
 even conjecture at defiance. Yet, nevertheless, in this period of 
 mists and shadows, there existed a style and tone of poetic feeling
 
 13 
 
 forming a species in itself, and entirely distinct from that to be 
 found in any other country. And, in a Congress of Bards, he 
 hoped he might be excused if he alluded to a subject so intimately 
 connected with those which they professed to investigate. He then 
 described the character of poetic imagination found in the Greek 
 and Roman classics, and that which succeeded to it in the romances 
 of chivalry ; he also alluded to the tone of feeling in Ossian, and in 
 the Scandanavian mythology. But he said, that the character of 
 imaginary existence which now lay hid in the ancient British re- 
 mains, was no less original and striking. Perhaps some one might 
 ask him to point out the particular bearing of this discovery ; but 
 he would answer, that he himself had only seen the distant break- 
 ers, and had not made the shore ; he had only picked up a few float- 
 ing fragments of the drifting produce. It remained for some other 
 to discover the land, some literary Columbus, who should add a 
 new world to those already known. The Rev. Gentleman concluded 
 by adverting to the hope that was now entertained, that some me- 
 morial would be raised to perpetuate the memory of Mr. Owen 
 Jones, an individual who had distinguished himself as one of the 
 best promoters of Welsh literature. [In the course of this elo- 
 quent address, of which the above sketch conveys but a very in- 
 adequate idea, the Rev. Gentleman was repeatedly interrupted by 
 the loud plaudits of his auditory.] 
 
 THE ADJUDICATION OF THE PRIZES. 
 
 A most interesting scene now took place in the distribution of 
 the Premiums and Medals to the successful candidates. The first 
 subject for adjudication was, for the best Englyn on " Yr Awyren^ 
 (the Air Balloon) for which the premium of three guineas and a 
 medal of the value of two guineas were assigned. On this subject 
 the Rev. Walter Davies, Mr. Blackwell, and Mr. Aneurin Owen, 
 were the judges, and we give the decision in their own words : 
 " When a prize is offered for the best Englyn, on a given subject, 
 it is generally expected that it contains the name of the subject pro- 
 posed that the properties thereof be well defined, without exple- 
 tives or irrelevant matter that the language be unadulterated the 
 prosody correct and the elisions of .syllables be avoided. Now 
 among the one hundred and forty Englynion upon this subject, many 
 fair examples have been offered, which do not include the subject 
 by name : they were, therefore, laid aside. Others are replete with 
 elisions, which though allowable to a certain extent in a poem of 
 some length, are yet to be considered as blemishes in an Englyn of
 
 14 
 
 the short compass of thirty syllables." After some further criteria 
 on the requisites of Englynion, the judges decided the premium in 
 favour of " Eryr Gwemabwy" who, being called upon to make his 
 appearance ' stood confessed' in the person of " Bardd Nantglyn" 
 Mr. Robert Davies. He was then invested by Lady Harriet Wynn 
 with the medal, upon which was engraved a Balloon emerging from 
 a mass of dark clouds into an atmosphere of refulgent brightness. 
 He then stood forward and recited the successful Englynion, which 
 will be found in the subsequent pages among the Prize Poems, and is 
 considered a choice specimen of Welsh epigrammatic poetry. 
 
 The next presentation (which does not appear in the list published) 
 was a splendid silver medal, value five guineas, the gift of the Den- 
 bigh Literary Society, to the REV. RICHARD NEWCOME, the talent- 
 ed Warden of Ruthin, for his History of Denbigh Castle. The 
 Rev. Gentleman, who was invested with the medal by the Hon. 
 Miss Bagot, expressed his sense of the honour in suitable terms. 
 He observed that he was indebted for any merit which this produc- 
 tion might be thought to possess to the great kindness of a noble- 
 man, (we believe Lord Bagot) whom he had the happiness to see 
 present on this occasion, and from whose valuable collection of 
 M.S.S. he had extracted much of the most valuable part of his ma- 
 terials. That nobleman was endeared to all who had the honour of 
 his acquaintance, or the happiness to reside in the same part of the 
 country, by the many virtues with which he was adorned. (Ap- 
 plause.) And, as the descendant of " Hosanau Gleision" (John 
 Salusbury) so celebrated for his defence of Denbigh Castle in the 
 days of anarchy and rebellion in which he lived, he was justly enti- 
 tled to the respect of every true Welshman. (Loud cheers.) The 
 Rev. Gentleman concluded by observing, that the value of the 
 medal was greatly enhanced by the fair hand from which he had re- 
 ceived it. 
 
 The best Cywydd, in Welsh, on JBuddug, (Boadicea, Queen of 
 the Iceni) held out a premium of seven guineas, and a medal of 
 the value of three guineas. The report of the judges upon this 
 subject (Messrs. W. Davies, Blackwell, and A. Owen) was con- 
 veyed in the following terms : " Six competitors have entered the 
 lists. Merddyn Emrys, Rhydderch, and Brasydoc, appear in the 
 first rank ; and Cynfelyn, Diglyn, and Anhysbys, bring up the rear. 
 We adjudge the medal to Merddyn Emrys" Upon a call for the 
 author, the REV. MR. HUGHES, of Bodfarry, presented himself,
 
 16 
 
 and received from the meeting repeated greetings of applause. Mrs. 
 Heaton, of Plas Heaton, having invested him with the medal, the 
 Rev. Gentleman addressed the assembly as follows : 
 
 " Mr. President, my Lords, Ladies, and Gentlemen, Honoured 
 as I am on the present occasion, and called upon as I am by the 
 ancient custom of these festivals, as well as the ardent feelings of a 
 truly Welsh heart, to express my sense of that honour, I can only 
 regret my inability to do justice to those feelings. (Applause.) It 
 is unnecessary for me, in an enlightened assembly like this, where 
 all are so well acquainted with every thing relating to these meet- 
 ings, to enter into a detail of the origin and object of Eisteddfodau ; 
 let it suffice, that these meetings were designed, and are well calcu- 
 lated to promote and cherish the poetry, music, and general litera- 
 ture of Cambria, and to kindle in the breasts of her sons an ardent 
 and enthusiastic love of their country. (Loud cheers.) This is my 
 answer to all the objections that can be urged against their utility, 
 and that keeping up and propagating, at the present day, the an- 
 cient British language. ( Cheers.) The elements of that language, 
 according to Sir W. Jones, whose extensive travels and deep re- 
 searches afforded excellent opportunities of judging, and rendered 
 his opinions most valuable, enters into the composition of every 
 tongue in Europe, and in many of those of the distant regions of 
 Asia ; and is, in all probability, one of the three tongues into which 
 the primitive language of the world was divided. (Applause.) It 
 is not, gentlemen, in my estimation, the least valuable feature in 
 the advantages of the Welsh language, that it has been the means 
 of preserving the peasantry of the Principality from the pestilent 
 contamination of such writers as Paine, Hone, Carlisle, and I will 
 even add Cobbett ! (Applause and laughter.) In every period of 
 popular excitement and commotion in England, Wales has ever re- 
 mained in a state of peaceable subordination. No tumultuous as- 
 semblages were ever seen on her hills no cry of disaffection re- 
 sounded through her vallies and while other parts of the kingdom 
 required the presence and occasional interference of the military, 
 to keep the people in subjection to the laws, a few constables alone 
 have been sufficient to preserve the peace and good order of the 
 Principality. (Much cheering.) When we contemplate the natural 
 advantages of our country, we have abundant cause to be thankful 
 to the giver of all good. The water from our green hills trickles 
 down and fertilizes the smiling valleys beneath ; clothing them in 
 luxuriant verdure, and causing them to bring forth in abundance the 
 fruits of the earth. If we cannot compete in wealth, arising from
 
 16 
 
 extensive commerce and manufactures, with our neighbours in 
 England, we are rich in the natural products of our soil ; and we 
 cannot forget that we are hlessed with every comfort and conve- 
 nience that can promote human happiness. (Loud applause.) If 
 we cannot boast of such stupendous monuments of human skill and 
 industry, and antient splendour, as the great wall of China, the 
 pyramids of Egypt, or the ruins of Palmyra, we can point with 
 exultation to those beautiful structures, the Menai and Conway 
 bridges, as a triumphant specimen of the state of the arts and 
 sciences amongst us." (Cheering.) The Rev. Gentleman in con- 
 clusion dwelt upon the courage and heroism displayed by their fore- 
 fathers, as a subject deserving of being kept in perpetual remem- 
 brance. The Roman legions, invincible in every other part of the 
 world where they made their appearance, could never conquer the 
 ancient Britons ; and even the first Edward could only effect or pre- 
 serve his conquests by courting the friendship and conciliating the 
 temper of their ancestors. The loyalty of the Welsh people was 
 proverbial, and they would yield to no part of the empire in love 
 to the Sovereign or obedience to the laws. Reverting again to their 
 ancient language, and the powerful influence its cultivation had in 
 producing the advantages he had named, he would merely say, 
 ESTO PERPETUA ! ( Loud and long continued cheering.) 
 
 The next subject to be disposed of was the best English Essay, 
 containing " An Historical Account of the Flintshire Castles" for 
 which was offered a premium of seven guineas and a medal of the 
 value of three guineas. The Rev. R. Newcome delivered the 
 opinion of the judges (the Rev. H. Parry, of Llanasa, and himself) 
 upon the merits of the four Essays sent in on this subject. He said, 
 ' We are of opinion that these Essays are written in a most mas- 
 terly manner, and that they would do credit to the members of a 
 learned University. But as the one with the signature of " Buddig" 
 contains some very curious and new information upon the subject, 
 we give that Essay the preference. The other three are on an 
 equality, and are so excellent that we cannot help suggesting to the 
 Committee the propriety of presenting each with such medals as 
 their funds will afford." The successful 'candidate proved to be 
 Miss Angharad Llwyd, and Miss Mostyn was invested with the 
 medal as her substitute. The other .three competitors were requested 
 to avow themselves, when H. Maxwell, Esq. of Denbigh, and Mr. 
 Edward Parry, of Chester, stood forward ; the third we understand 
 was the Rv. Mr. Probart of Bolton, who had already gained no
 
 17 
 
 less than eight prizes and medals. Miss Llwyd intends publishing 
 her Essay, in a Pamphlet ; the Committee, therefore, favoured the 
 Publisher with the one written by Mr. Parry, and which will be 
 found in the following pages. 
 
 The subject next for decision, was, for the best CYWYDD, or 
 " Diolchgar ac anfarwol Goffadwriaeth am y Gwasanaeth a wnaeth 
 Owain Myfyr i'w wldd drwy goleddu ei Hiaith, a chasglu ynghyd lower 
 o hen Ysgrifeniadau Cymreig oedd ar wasgar, ac yn debyg o'u colli" 
 (To the immortal memory of Mr. Owen Jones, for the service he 
 rendered to the literature of his country.) The premium assigned 
 to the successful competitor by the committee was three guineas ; 
 to which an additional two guineas were added by Mr. R. Llwyd, of 
 Chester. The Rev. Mr. Hughes read the adjudication of this prize, 
 the judges of which were the Rev. R. Williams, of Meifod, and the 
 Rev. Mr. Richards, of Caerwys ; their decision was as follows : 
 " Of the Poems upon Owain Myfyr, three, by Cofiadur, Peryddon, 
 and Ap Cyridwen, possess great merit, and exhibit undoubted 
 marks of poetical genius. The latter, perhaps, has more of the 
 genuine simplicity and wild peculiarities of Welsh Bardism, and 
 probably would be preferred by the Welsh Bards in general. His 
 lines, from 80 to 100 are eminently beautiful. But we prefer Cof- 
 iadur, as exhibiting more taste, a better plan, and a happier ar- 
 rangement, combined with much elegance of diction. We could 
 easily cite many instances. His idea of the earlier Bards rising in 
 review, with all their respective peculiarities, at the command of 
 Owain Myfyr, is singularly happy and well managed. In general, 
 our Welsh poems are defective in their plan and the arrangement 
 of their matter, and therefore encouragement should be given to 
 those who improve in this respect. The adoption of Cqfiadur's 
 poem, will, in our opinion, reflect credit upon the Eisteddfod, which 
 has awakened the energies of his A wen." Cofiadur was called for, 
 and he appeared in the person of Samuel Evans, of Caerwys, who 
 received the congratulations of the company. 
 
 The prize for the best Welsh Essay on " Anghenrheidrunjdd Cyf' 
 rait/t i gynnal moesau da" (the necessity of law for the moral restraint 
 of the people) a premium of seven guineas, and a medal of the value 
 of three guineas. To the successful composition for this prize a 
 most handsome tribute was paid by the judges. The candidates 
 were twelve in number, but the successful one, bearing the 
 cognomen of Solon, the] Rev. Samuel Roberts, of Llanbrynmair, 
 
 D
 
 18 
 
 not appearing, the medal was, pro tempore, given to Mr. Edward 
 Parry, of Chester, who was invested by Miss Shipley. The medal 
 represents the hand of Divine Justice holding the scales equally 
 poised from the clouds ; the scrolls denote the legislative power, the 
 fasces and sword the executive. 
 
 For " tlie best collection of the unpitblished Welsh Pennillion," the 
 premium of five guineas was awarded to Cojiadur, Absalom Roberts, 
 of Llanrwst. The number of Pennillion produced by this collector 
 amounted to 816. 
 
 Some Pennillion singing was now introduced, in order to diversify 
 the entertainment. The blind harper of Llangollen swept the 
 strings, while several of the Dadgeiniaid sang repeated rounds, and 
 were much applauded. 
 
 The royal medal of the Metropolitan Cymmrodorion for the best 
 Poem in Welsh, on " Cantref Gwaelod," (the Lowland Hundred) 
 was awarded to " Elydr Lydanivyn" (Wm. Rees, of Llansannan) 
 who was invested with this honourable distinction by Lady Harriet 
 Wynn. 
 
 The Gwyneddigion medal for the best Welsh Poem, on " Amaeth- 
 yddiaetk," (Agriculture) was adjudged to the Rev. Edward Hughes, 
 of Bodfarry, who was invested by the Hon. Mrs. Madocks. 
 
 The Denbigh Welsh Literary Society's Medal of the value of five 
 pounds for the best Welsh Awdl, to the memory of the late Rev. 
 Goronwy Owen, was not awarded, for though there were several 
 candidates, their merits were not considered to be entitled to any 
 reward. For the same reason, the prize of five guineas for the best 
 Catalogue of Welsh M.S.S. was withheld. 
 
 The next and most interesting subject for adjudication was for 
 the best Awdl, in Welsh, on " Gwledd Belsassar" (Belshazzar's 
 Feast.) This was the first and principal prize, being a premium of 
 ten guineas, and a medal of the value of five guineas. On this sub- 
 ject, said the judges, " the number of candidates amount to eighteen, 
 out of which twelve appear to be tolerable compositions. Out of 
 the twelve, some rank in the first class, some in the second, some 
 under the line, and some again are of the ' Oi Polloi' The chair, 
 in our opinion, belongs to a volumnious writer, who in his ' furor,' 
 scarcely knows when or where to halt, and has signed his name
 
 19 
 
 " Belteshazzar" We have given him the cognomen Second, as a 
 brother candidate of his has assumed the same signature. The parts 
 in which he excels, are the following : the lamentations of the cap- 
 tive tribes of Judah and Benjamin, when their harps were hung 
 upon the willows of the rivers of Babylon Aurora, on the tiptoe, 
 gilding the Assyrian sky on the morning of Bel's anniversary the 
 Bardd Teulu of the Babylonian dynasty, whilst his hands awake to 
 ecstacy the living lyre, chaunts in unison the celestial pedigree of 
 the monarch of the world the blasphemous oration of the Eastern 
 Despot, who ( made the earth tremble.' This is a master-piece of 
 its kind and might challenge comparison with that of the Prince of 
 fallen Angels in Milton's Pandaemonium ; when Blasphemy was 
 at its acme, Solyma's sacred utensils profaned to the honour of the 
 Colossal Golden-God in the centre of the Hall Lo ! all of a sudden, 
 the myriad luminous lights of the massy chandeliers dwindle into a 
 bluish glimmering, just sufficient for the thousand lords of the Baby- 
 lonian empire to discover their monarch's distress his convulsive 
 agony at the ominous appearance of the ' Hand upon the Wall, 1 
 writing ' Mene mene, Tekel,' &c. The dotted breaks in the last 
 part of Belshazzar's vaunting speech, are admirably conceived to 
 delineate the horrors which had taken possession of the blasphemous 
 monarch's mind, so as utterly to paralyze his powers of utterance. 
 We consider this part of the Ode in itself sufficient to hare gained 
 the prize, were all the rest obliterated." The author of the compo- 
 sition was called for, but not appearing, Mr. Edward Parry, of 
 Chester, advanced, and said, the composition was that of the Rev. 
 Evan Evans, of Chester, who was necessarily detained from attend- 
 ing the meeting by other engagements. [The announcement of Mr. 
 Evans's name was accompanied with shouts of applause.] Mr. 
 Blackwell was invested with the medal by Lady Mostyn, as the 
 proxy of his friend, Mr. Evans, and conducted to the Bardic chair 
 in triumph, amid the shouts of the assembly. The chair, which had 
 hitherto been vacant on the platform, was decorated with oak leaves 
 and blue ribbons, and was the identical one in which the famed Bard, 
 Twm or Nant, was installed at St. Asaph, 1791. 
 
 Mr. Blackwell then presented himself to the notice of the meeting, 
 and returned thanks for his absent friend in most eloquent, feeling, 
 and affectionate terms, nearly as follows : " I regret, that on this 
 occasion, I am only a representative. My academical avocations, 
 and the task imposed upon me as one of the adjudicators, would not 
 allow me to aspire to any higher character ; but I am glad that I 
 now stand the representative of a school-fellow and a friend, who,
 
 20 
 
 like myself, is indebted to a benevolent hand for an introduction to 
 the light of public notice from the obscure paths of life. (Immense 
 cheering.) I shall take care to tell him of the applause with which 
 his name was greeted, and that by the badge with which I have just 
 been invested, his country has enlisted him in her service that 
 from henceforth every throb of his heart, and every faculty of his 
 soul, is exclusively to be dedicated to the literature and the general 
 interests of his native hills. ( Cheers.) Many things conspire to 
 make this one of the happiest days of my life. I am surrounded by 
 Beirdd and Ofyddion, whom I venerate, and by Patrons, to whom I 
 owe every thing in life. I wish such a day would last a hundred 
 years. (Cheering.) At these meetings, the patrons and the patro- 
 nised come in collision here the patrons greet their protegees with 
 approving smiles, and the patronised, after sitting and toiling at 
 magazines and their pamphlets, ' report progress and ask leave to 
 sit again.' (Applause.) It is a fact not generally known beyond 
 the confines of the Principality, that our monthly press issues out no 
 fewer than fourteen periodicals, and, what is an anomaly in the his- 
 tory of literature, to the pages of these the peasantry are almost the 
 only contributors. ( Great Applause.) And what has been the re- 
 sult ? Look to our cottages ; there is scarcely a shelf without its 
 magazine and its bible. (Cheers.) Indeed were I requested to 
 point out the most striking feature of the Principality, I would not 
 speak of the wooded glen that echoes the sounding cataract, or the 
 blue lake that chequers the mountain scenery. I would mention 
 none of Nature's beauties nor would I allude to the stupendous 
 works of art that link our shores 1 would fix my finger upon a 
 bold, virtuous, and intelligent peasantry, who love their God and 
 honour their king (Loud Cheers ) a peasantry with whom justice 
 has sometimes to adjust her balance, but seldom to exert her sword. 
 ( Three distinct rounds of applause followed this beautiful climax.) 
 Should any thing more than another make my present situation 
 pleasing, it is that I am seated in a chair the spoil of one of Twm 
 or Nanfs bardic contests but I am sorry that even this classic sta- 
 tion has not enabled me to return in a better manner the greetings 
 with which, as my friend's locem tenens, you have been pleased to 
 receive me. 
 
 As a tribute to humble merit, and genius struggling with adver- 
 sity, we cannot refrain from quoting the opinion of the judges on 
 the composition of ' CatwgJ one of the candidates for the premier 
 prize. " We cannot but lament" (said they) " that so beautiful,
 
 21 
 
 versified, and correct a writer as " Catwg" should go unrewarded. 
 His poem is of the moderate length of 498 lines has but very few 
 blemishes, and the only reason of his not succeeding to the chair is 
 his being, in our opinion, only inferior in some happy thoughts and 
 expressions to the successful candidate." The allusion was to 
 Griffith Williams, a bard in the humble station of a labourer in the 
 Caernarvon slate quarries, with a wife and a large family, solely de- 
 pendent on him for support, and of most exemplary conduct and 
 demeanour. He had borne away three prizes at Rhuddlan, Caer- 
 marthen, and on a subject proposed by the London Gwyneddigion. 
 It would be an act of genuine patriotism to cut asunder the trammels 
 in which this poor bard is bound, and, in some measure, to relieve 
 him from the load of worldly care by which his genius is borne down 
 and crippled, in the gloomy reflection that upon the sweat of his 
 brow alone, and the inadequate perhaps precarious remuneration 
 for his daily labour, his wife and little ones are dependent for sub- 
 sistence. 
 
 The Rev. HENRY PARRY (the stated business of the day being 
 now over) informed the meeting that a premium of 5 had been 
 offered in one of the Welsh Magazines, for the best Elegy on the 
 death of the late lamented Bishop Heber ; and that Mr. Richards, 
 of Caerwys, and himself, were decidedly of opinion that the premium 
 was due to " Galarwr Glan Isis" (Banks of the Isis) whom he had 
 great pleasure in announcing to the assembly was that talented gen- 
 tleman Mr. Blackwell to whose exertions the present festival 
 was so greatly indebted (loud applause followed the announcement.) 
 
 Mr. BLACKWELL, addressed the meeting both in the ancient British 
 and the English language. At the close of his address, he announc- 
 ed that a premium of five sovereigns would be given the following 
 morning for the best Englynion on the visit of the Duke of Sussex ; 
 and a premium of one sovereign for the best on the coming of age 
 of Sir Stephen Richard Glynne, Bart. 
 
 Sir W. W. WYNN, after pronouncing a panegyric as warm as it 
 was well merited upon the zeal and ability of their worthy President, 
 proposed the thanks of the meeting for his services, which was 
 passed by acclamation ; and was followed by the waving of hats and 
 handkerchiefs for several minutes. 
 
 Sir EDWARD returned thanks, in terms exceeding (if possible) the 
 ardour and feeling he displayed at the opening of the meeting ; and 
 concluded by proposing " three cJteersfor the ladies" without whom, 
 he said, nature would be a void, and life not worth possessing ; and
 
 22 
 
 to whose kind attendance this national festival owed much of the 
 eclat with which it was celebrated. The gallantry of the worthy 
 Baronet was most warmly seconded hy the male part of the audi- 
 tory, and it was several minutes before the applause subsided. 
 
 The company then separated about three o'clock ; some to pro- 
 menade on the green, where the Royal Denbigh Band, which played 
 at intervals during the day, continued to make their well-tuned in- 
 struments " discourse most eloquent music" for about an hour 
 longer. 
 
 The ordinary at the Crown Inn was well-attended, where the host, 
 Mr. Green, had provided abundance of the good things of this life, 
 to entertain his guests. Venison and game were in profuse abund- 
 ance, being most liberally supplied to both the Bull and the Crown 
 Inns, by the worthy proprietor of Kinmel Park. Dr. Jones, the 
 active Secretary of the committee, presided, and the vice chair was 
 filled by the Rev. E. Williams, of Llanrhaiadr. The utmost convivi- 
 ality prevailed throughout the evening. 
 
 THE CONCERT. 
 
 The Miscellaneous Concert at the Town Hall in the evening, was 
 numerously and fashionably attended ; the room was, in fact, a 
 bumper. A well-contrived orchestra, with a platform in front, was 
 constructed at the upper end of the room, having a convenient recess 
 for the accommodation of the performers when not engaged on the 
 platform. The selections were most judicious, and were highly cre- 
 ditable to the good taste of Mr. Parry, (" Bardd Alaw" ) the con- 
 ductor. They consisted principally either of some of the most po- 
 pular songs, glees, and chorusses now extant, or of the most favourite 
 national melodies of Cambria. The performers seemed to vie with 
 each other in their exertions to give effect to the several parts as- 
 signed them. The whole went off extremely well. 
 
 WEDNESDAY the 17th SEPTEMBER, 1828. 
 
 This morning was delightfully fair and clear, and although much 
 company had arrived the preceding day, the town was now literally 
 crammed. At eight o'clock the Bards were summoned to the Town 
 Hall, where the successful Poems and Essays were read with ad- 
 mirable effect, and much applauded. At the time appointed for the 
 visit of the Duke of Sussex, the Corporation left town to meet his
 
 23 
 
 Royal Highness, and proceeding to the confines, in the following 
 order, awaited his arrival : 
 
 Band. 
 Members of three Friendly Societies, two and two. 
 
 Royal Denbigh Band. 
 V The Bards and Minstrels. 
 
 ' f'~ THE HARP 
 
 decorated with ribbons and borne by two men. 
 
 Members of the Denbigh Literary Society, with banner, staves, and rosettes. 
 
 Members of the Cymmrodorion Society, banner, staves, and rosettes. 
 
 The Corporation of Denbigh. 
 
 Beadle. 
 Mace Bearers. 
 
 Capital Burgesses, two and two. 
 
 John Copner Williams, Esq. Deputy Recorder. 
 
 Thos. Hughes, Esq. Bailiff. David Hughes, Esq. Bailiff. 
 
 John Hughes, Esq. Alderman. John Parry, Esq. Alderman. 
 
 The Recorder, J. Wynn Griffith, Esq. 
 
 Members of the Committee, two and two. 
 
 R. P. Jones, Esq. M . D. Honorary Secretary. 
 
 The Vice- Presidents. 
 
 Sir W. W. Wynn, Bart. ^l^S^SX' { ** Heaton, Esquire. 
 
 A long train of Gentlemen, two and two. 
 
 Carriages, &c. 
 
 On his Royal Highness's approach, the Recorder addressed him 
 in the following terms : " May it please your Royal Highness, as 
 Recorder of this Borough I am deputed by the Aldermen, Bailiffs, 
 and Capital Burgesses, to present to your Royal Highness their 
 dutiful and loyal Address, upon your Royal Highness's visit to the 
 Principality, and to express to your Royal Highness how highly 
 they appreciate your condescension in honouring them with your 
 presence at the National Festival this day. With your Royal 
 Highness's permission, I will read the Address." 
 
 "TO HIS ROYAL HIGHNESS THE DUKE OF SUSSEX. 
 
 " SIR, We, the Aldermen, Bailiffs, and Capital Burgesses, of the Borough 
 of Denbigh, assembled by special Convocation, beg leave to congratulate your 
 Royal Highness upon your arrival in the Principality. Anxious upon all occa- 
 sions to testify our loyalty and attachment to the House of Brunswick, under 
 whose mild and constitutional sway we have enjoyed so many blessings, we eagerly 
 embrace the opportunity which your Royal Highness's visit to us has fortunately 
 afforded, to present your Royal Highness, in the most respectful terms, the 
 Freedom of our ancient Corporation, as the most appropriate token of personal 
 regard for so distinguished a member of the Royal Family we have it in our 
 power to confer. 
 
 " It would have been particularly gratifying to us upon any occasion to have 
 marked your Royal Highness's visit to our ancient Borough with every possible
 
 24 
 
 respect, but under the peculiar circumstances which now occur, we feel impe- 
 ratively bound to acquit ourselves of that obligation by an ardent feeling of 
 gratitude for the truly courteous and liberal spirit in which your Royal Highness 
 has condescended to honour our national Festival, or Eisteddfod, with your pre- 
 sence, and by that means so powerfully contributed to increase in splendour and 
 effect those popular attractions which must ensure its eventual success, .and thus 
 promote the combined objects for which this and other meetings of x? 1c j,ailar kind 
 have been really revived. 
 
 " Signed and passed under the seal of the Corporation, at the Council Cham- 
 ber of and in the said Borough, the tenth day of September, 1828. 
 
 (Signed) " J. W. GRIFFITH, RECORDER." 
 
 The Learned Recorder then proceeded : " I am also instructed 
 by the Members of the Convocation to convey to your Royal High- 
 ness their warmest acknowledgments for this high mark of your 
 Royal Highness's respect, and to present your Royal Highness in 
 this box the freedom of this ancient borough, which is the highest 
 compliment they have in their power to confer. I feel particularly 
 proud that I have been selected to address your Royal Highness 
 upon the present occasion ; as it gives me an opportunity of testify- 
 ing my respect for your Royal Highness, by personally expressing 
 the high sense I entertain of your Royal Highness's public and 
 private virtues." 
 
 The Recorder then presented his Royal Highness with the free- 
 dom of the Borough in an elegant Gold Box, upon which was en- 
 graved the following Englyn : 
 " Ar ymweliadei Riawl Uchelder, Duff Sitssecs, yn Eisteddfod Diribych, 
 
 ary I6eg, lleg, a ISfedofis Medi, 1828. 
 Trwydd Dinbych, deg anrhegiad, gwiw estyn. 
 
 I AUGUSTUS benllad, 
 
 Am ei haelaf ymweliad 
 
 A Gwledd barddoni ein gwlad." 
 
 His Royal Highness then read the following reply : 
 
 *' Aldermen, Bailiffs, and Capital Burgesses of the Borough of Denbigh Gen- 
 tlemen, I thank you for your congratulations on my arrival in the Principality. 
 
 " I am fully sensible of the compliment paid to my person by conferring on me 
 the freedom of your ancient Corporation, accompanied with the assurances of 
 your loyalty to our most gracious Sovereign, (whom may God long preserve !) 
 and of your attachment to the House of Brunswick. 
 
 " Born and educated in those principles which placed my family upon the 
 throne of these realms, it has ever been my most anxious wish to mix with my 
 fellow subjects, and to participate with them in all those festivities that tend to 
 commemorate and keep up a spirit of liberty and national independence, which 
 we have sworn to maintain with our lives. 
 
 " Among the many institutions of this kind, the Eisteddfod is the most ancient, 
 and therefore I am delighted in being permitted to witness a scene which must be
 
 25 
 
 highly interesting to all well-wishers of their country, and most particularly gra- 
 tifying to the inhabitants of the Principality, amongst whom I have the peculiar 
 happiness to find myself upon the present occasion. 
 
 (Signed) " AUGUSTUS FREDERICK." 
 
 The procession then returned through the town with the band 
 playing " God save the King" and proceeded to the Bowling Green 
 in the Castle, amidst the waving of handkerchiefs from the ladies in 
 the windows, and the shouts of the multitude which lined the streets. 
 His Royal Highness kept his hat off all the time, bowing most con- 
 descendingly to all around. On ascending the platform, his Royal 
 Highness was again greeted by the waving of hats and handker- 
 chiefs for several minutes, and was conducted to his seat by the 
 President. 
 
 The proceedings commenced by Mr. Parry singing the celebrated 
 
 national song of his own composition, " Oh let the Kind Minstrel" 
 
 with the following additional stanza, in honour of the Royal Duke, 
 
 which he composed on the spur of the moment, the previous evening: 
 
 Long life to the Prince from whose generous heart 
 
 The stream of sweet charity silently flows ; 
 Who fosters the progress of Science and Art, 
 Whose presence a lustre on Cambria bestows : 
 In strains of past ages, Oh ! let us all sing, 
 Till Clwyd's mighty mountains responsively ring, 
 To welcome the Brother of Britain's good King. 
 His Royal Highness appeared to be highly gratified with this 
 out-pouring of Cambrian gratitude and loyalty, and bowed repeat- 
 edly while it was being sung, all the company joining in the chorus. 
 Mr. Parry presented the Royal visitor with a copy of the song, 
 which his Royal Highness was pleased to receive most graciously. 
 
 The following Pennill on the occasion by Robert Davies, the 
 celebrated Bard of Nantglyn, was also recited : 
 Balch yw Cymru weled Llin 
 
 Ei Brenin ar ei bronydd, 
 Yn talu teg ymweliad da 
 
 Eisteddfod bena'r gwledydd ; 
 Ei Enw fydd ar ucha'r fainc 
 
 Tra chof, tra chainc, tra Phrydydd. 
 
 TRANSLATION. Wales is proud to behold a relative of her King 
 honouring her Grand Eisteddfod with his presence ; his name will 
 be cherished while memory lasts, song records, or bard exists. 
 
 E
 
 26 
 
 The successful competitor for the prize of two sovereigns for the 
 best Englynion on the Royal Duke's visit, was declared to be Catwg, 
 who, being called upon to avow himself, proved to be Griffith 
 Williams, of Llandegai, Caernarvonshire, who advanced and recited 
 the following composition : 
 
 Y ban a difalch bendefig astud, 
 Sef Augustus Ffrederic; 
 Rhydd y daeth, heb arwydd dig, 
 I noddi 'r iaith Wyneddig. 
 
 Croesaw, mawr groesaw i'r grasol Funer, 
 A fo yn feunyddiol ; 
 Ei glod am ryddid gwladol 
 Erys yn wir oesau 'n ol. 
 
 Wele, yn awr yn ein Blaenorion Sior, 
 A'i siriol frawd tirion, 
 Dueddiad iV henwlad lion, 
 Ac i noddi Gwyneddion. 
 
 Ha ! gwir aerod i goron ! ein ceraint, 
 Ac ein carwyr flyddlon, 
 Dianach o waed union 
 Tewdwr, a meib Tudur Mon. 
 
 Catwg. 
 GRIFFITH WILLIAMS, or GUTYN PERIS. 
 
 Mr. Blackwell then read the following literal Translation : " The 
 exalted but condescending Prince the literary Augustus Frederick. 
 Free he comes, where rancour is banished, to patronize the language 
 of Gwynedd. 
 
 Let us proclaim our loftiest welcome to the gracious Lord ; let 
 future ages tell his love of constitutional liberty. 
 
 See, now, our own chiefs George and his brother, in whom kind- 
 ness smiles. They have an inclination to this their ancient country, 
 and to cherish the choice things of Gwynedd. 
 
 Right heirs of the crown our own relations our faithful friends ! 
 Spotless from Tewdwr s noble blood sons of Mona's Tudor I" 
 
 The reading was followed by a burst of applause, and the bard 
 presented the Englynion to the Royal Duke, who expressed his 
 acknowledgments. 
 
 Then followed the subjoined Englyn, on the coming of age of Sir
 
 27 
 
 Stephen Glynne, for which a premium of two guineas had been 
 offered. 
 
 Yr Englyn Buddugol ar ddyfodiad Syr Stephen Glyn, i'w oed. 
 Syr Steven Glyn (perthyn i'w parthau lonwych 
 Lawenydd yn ddiau) 
 Daeth y gwr doeth-gu ciriau 
 I'w lawn oed, gwnawn lawenhau. 
 
 Myfyr, or JOHN OWEN, Holywell. 
 
 The following Acrostic address to the Royal Duke was also com- 
 posed on the occasion by the bard whose name it bears : 
 A wake ! my muse, attune the British lyre, 
 U prise, and issue forth poetic fire ; 
 G reet now a Prince who will not disregard 
 U npolish'd verses from a Cambrian bard ; 
 S trains of extatic joy and lofty flights 
 T he presence of the Royal Duke excites : 
 U nto our Congress, Knights are come, and Peers ; 
 S hall we not hail the day with echoing cheers I 
 
 F estivities with such refulgent rays 
 R ome never held in her most glorious days ; 
 E ffusions of the Cambrian muse shall please 
 D ukes, Princes, Ladies, Lords, and all degrees : 
 E ncomiums of the highest notes shall ring, 
 R esounding sweetly from each bardic string ; 
 I ncreasing splendour, honours, and rewards, 
 C rown us, and Royalty our cause regards ; 
 K ings will henceforward patronize the bards. 
 
 D iffusive are the pleasures we enjoy ; 
 U nfeigned praises shall our tongues employ ; 
 K ind patrons will the lovely muse inspire ; 
 E ncouragement brings forth the latent fire ; 
 
 O lympiads of the Cambrian rites will raise 
 F ine geniuses, well vers'd in odes of praise. 
 
 S uccess to all who patronize our cause, 
 
 U p then, and greet them with a loud applause I 
 
 S alute the Royal Duke with thundering cheers ; 
 
 S end forth resounding peals for Knights and Peers ; 
 
 E nforce your voices all with life and glee ; 
 
 X press your rapturous joy, with three times three ! 
 
 P. JONES, -Liverpool.
 
 28 
 
 And now came on the contest for the Silver Harp. The com- 
 petitors were as under : 
 
 Richard Pugh, of Dolgellau, who played Difynvch y Brenin, or 
 the King's Delight. Edward Jones, of Llangollen (blind) who 
 played Pen Rhaw. [During his performance, the Duke of Sussex 
 emphatically said, " How beautiful !"] Hugh Pugh, of Dolgellau, 
 Nos Galan, with variations. John Roberts, Mold, Difynvch y 
 Bretiin. Edward Humphreys, Welshpool, Merch Megan, or Mar- 
 garet's Daughter. Richard Jones, Llangollen, Sweet Richard. 
 
 After a fair trial of skill, Edward Jones, (the blind harper) 
 was declared victor, and was invested with the medal by Lady 
 Mostyn. 
 
 The Judges to decide on the merits of the performers in this prize, 
 as well as the one following, were the Hon. Mrs. Cunliffe, Mr. 
 Aneurin Owen Pugh, and Mr. Parry, the conductor, who concurred 
 in recommending that a medal should be presented to Hugh Pugh, 
 and Richard Jones, two boys of very great promise. 
 
 The Rev. T. Price, of Crickhowel, Radnorshire, in announcing 
 the contest for the Gold Harp, took occasion to address the meeting 
 at considerable length. The Rev. gentleman commenced with a 
 warm panegyric upon the powers and sweetness of this national 
 instrument. He had heard the light and airy vibrations of the guitar 
 of the south the war song of " the wolf" of the northern nations 
 " Come to me and I'll give you flesh" the inspiriting pibroch or 
 Donald Ddu, and the highland clans ; the martial drums and 
 trumpets of England : but none had the soul-stirring powers of the 
 Welsh Harp, in rousing to deeds of valour, or kindling a poetic fire 
 in the breasts of all who heard it. Even the melodies of Erin, 
 breathed ' in dying sounds her green hills among,' and in which the 
 prevalence of the minor third and the flat seventh cast a shade of 
 melancholy over even her liveliest strains ; even those were less 
 plaintive, and less calculated to calm the ruffled passions and soothe 
 the soul to peace, than were the " native woodnotes wild" of Cam- 
 bria's lyre, touched by the skilful hand of her minstrels. The 
 thrilling tones of the Welsh Harp now heard within the ancient 
 walls of the Denbigh Castle, and in the presence of a member of the 
 Royal family, were calculated, at once, to revive in the mind of every 
 Welshman the recollection of the ancient glories of Cambria in the 
 days of her Owens, her Llywetyns, and her Tudors ; and to con- 
 trast her situation then with what it was at present under the mild 
 and constitutional sway of the House of Brunswick. Cambrians
 
 29 
 
 were ever grateful for the blessings they enjoyed under the dominion 
 of that Royal House ; and their loyalty to it ever was, and ever 
 would be, firm and unshaken. Thus it was, that while some of the 
 other portions of the British empire continued to be rent with in- 
 testine broils, and presented a scene of tumult and confusion bor- 
 dering upon rebellion, the sons of Cambria were contented and 
 happy, engaged in singing Penillion reviving their national fes- 
 tivals and cultivating the language and literature of the ancient 
 Britons. He congratulated his countrymen upon an occupation at 
 once so peaceable and so rational as that in which they were now 
 engaged ; and he was of opinion that the aristocracy and gentry of 
 the country were promoting its best interests in giving encourage- 
 ment to these national meetings. The Rev. Gentleman concluded 
 an eloquent and effective address, in the course of which he was 
 often interrupted by the loud plaudits of the assembled multitude, 
 by pronouncing the following Englyn, on the Harp, which obtained 
 the prize on a former occasion : 
 
 Plethiadau tannau tynnion Y delyn 
 
 I'r dilesg feddylion, 
 
 Odlau Saint yw adlais hon, 
 
 Llais neu fawl llys nefolion. 
 
 The grand contest for the Gold Harp now took place, for which 
 there were only two competitors, viz. Richard Jones, of Liverpool, 
 who played " Codiad yr Ehedydd," or the Rising of the Lark ; and 
 Richard Roberts, of Caernarvon, who played " Sweet Richard." 
 This was a most delightful performance, and afforded great satisfac- 
 tion to the lovers of the national instrument. The prize was well 
 and ably contested for, but victory was awarded to Richard Roberts, 
 who had his honours conferred by the hands of the Royal Duke, to 
 whom the successful minstrel acknowledged his obligations. 
 
 The Ordinary at the Bull Inn was very well attended. Dr. 
 Jones was in the chair, and the Rev. Ellis Roberts, Llanynys, filled 
 the vice chair. 
 
 THE CONCERT. 
 
 The second Concert was brilliantly attended, and went off, if 
 possible, with greater eclat than the former one. The performance 
 concluded with the national anthem by Miss Stephens, full chorus 
 by the company. Mr. Braham also sang the following additional 
 verse in Welsh, composed by Dr. Owen Pughe :
 
 Mai haul o dirion des 
 Tros Brydain taena les 
 Hir oes ein lor ; 
 Ein Breintiau, er ein mael 
 Areilied ef yn hael 
 A delo ini gael, 
 
 Oes bir i Sior ! 
 
 The enthusiasm excited by this verse exceeds all description ; and 
 Mr. Braham seemed to participate warmly in it. 
 
 THURSDAY the ISth SEPTEMBER, 1828. 
 The only business of the Eisteddfod left unfinished, was the con- 
 test, for a premium of three guineas, for the best singer with the 
 harp, and a premium of two guineas for the second best. This 
 trial of skill took place at the head quarters of the Bards, the Three 
 Wolf Heads, before the Rev. R. B. Clough, the Judge. Seven 
 competitors appeared, all of whom displayed considerable ability in 
 this kind of vocal performance, which is peculiar to the Cymry. 
 The first prize was adjudged to Thomas Edwards, of Corweii, and 
 the minor one to Richard Jones. 
 
 THE ORATORIO 
 
 At the Chapel, at twelve o'clock, presented the same display of 
 rank and fashion as were present on the Green and at the Concerts. 
 To mention the parts of the performance worthy of commendation, 
 would be to enumerate every subject. The chorusses were very 
 effectively given, particularly Handel's Hailstone Chorus, with 
 which the second part was introduced, at the special request of an 
 amateur of distinction. 
 
 The Ordinary at the Crown Inn, this day, was pre-eminently 
 distinguished; Sir Edward Mostyn presided. Several excellent 
 speeches were given, and the greatest hilarity prevailed. 
 
 THE BALL 
 
 The Town Hall was brilliantly illuminated this evening, and 
 crowded with a most elegant company. About ten o'clock the 
 Royal Denbigh Band struck up " God save the King," which was 
 no sooner heard than all was in motion ; the ladies, superbly dressed, 
 formed two columns, and left an opening for his Royal Highness the
 
 Duke of Sussex to pass. As he entered, cheers, waving of hand- 
 kerchiefs, and clapping of hands ensued, and the Royal visitor ap- 
 peared highly pleased ; he remained about two hours, when he de- 
 parted, expressing the very great delight he had experienced, and 
 passing a high but deserved compliment on the beauty of Cambria's 
 fail" daughters. So crowded was the Town Hall, that it was with 
 difficulty sufficient room could be found for the dance. The orches- 
 tra was occupied by Mr. Stephenson's excellent quadrille band, over 
 which the three concluding lines from Mr. Parry's additional stanza 
 were inscribed : 
 
 " In strains of past ages, oh ! let us all sing, 
 Till ClwyiFs mighty mountains responsively ring, 
 To welcome the brother of Britain's good King." 
 Upon the arrival of the Royal Duke and his party, from Kinmel, 
 his Highness was received at the entrance door by the Recorder, 
 J. W. Griffith, Esq. R. P. Jones, Esq. M. D. Honorary Secretary, 
 and the gentlemen belonging to the Committee, bearing wands, and 
 conducted to the upper end of the room, where a carpet was spread, 
 on which was placed a chair for the Royal visitor. After the de- 
 parture of his Royal Highness, a good part of the company,, which 
 consisted of upwards of 400 persons, continued the festive dance 
 for a considerable time, but the Hall was completely cleared by 
 three o'clock in the morning. 
 
 Previous to commencing that part of the present work which will 
 contain the ESSAYS and POEMS, the Publisher thinks he cannot do 
 better, than by subjoining the following list of nobility and gentry, 
 whose numbers and respectability will give the reader a tolerably 
 correct idea of the splendid attractions of this national fete : 
 
 His Royal Highness the Duke of Sussex, Colonel, Mrs. and Miss F. Hughes, 
 and the following party from Kinmel Lady Cecilia Buggin, Prince Cimitelli, 
 General and the Hon. Mrs. Fitzroy, Mr. and Mrs. Williams Bulkeley, Mr. and 
 Mrs. Hawkins Pennant, and the two Misses Pennant, Mrs. and Miss Payne, Miss 
 Clarke, Col. James Hughes, Col. Grey, Mr. Bell, and Mr. Walker.- Sir Watkin 
 and Lady Harriet W. Wynn ; Lord Bagot, Hon. W. Bagot, and the Hon. Misses 
 Bagot ; Sir Edward and Lady Mostyn, Miss Mostyn, and Mr. Slaughter ; Lord 
 and Lady Avonmore; Sir Edward and Lady Pryce Lloyd, Mr. Pryce Lloyd, and 
 the Misses Lloyd; Mr. Mostyn, and Lady Harriet Lloyd; Sir John and Lady 
 Williams, Mr. Williams, and the Misses Williams; Lady Glynne, Sir Stephen 
 Glynne, the Hon. and Rev. G. N. Grenvilleand Lady Charlotte; the Lord Bishop 
 of St. Asaph, the Misses Luxmore, and the Misses Cunliffe ; Sir Frederick and 
 Lady Henneker ; the Hon. Mrs. Cunlifie and Mr. Cunlifie ; Sir W. and Lady 
 Clarke ; Hon. and Rev. Mr. Legge; Mr. and the Hon. Mrs. lleaton, Plas Hea- 
 ton, and Miss Baroston, Chester; the Hon. Misses Henneker; Mr. and Mrs.
 
 32 
 
 Maddocks, Glan y Wern ; Mr. Mrs. Mr. and Miss Wynne, Coed-coch; CoL and 
 Mrs. Wynne, Garthewyn; Mr. Wynne Griffith, Garn, Messrs. G. E. W. and Rev. 
 F. Griffith ; Mr. Maxwell, Denbigh ; Mr. and Mrs. Mostyn, Calcot Hall ; Mr. 
 and Mrs. Pryce, Brynbella ; Mr. Mrs. and Miss Lloyd, Rhaggat ; Col. Mrs. and 
 the Misses Salisbury, Galltfaenan; the Rev. the Warden of Ruthin, Mrs. New- 
 come, and family ; Mr. and Mrs. Harrison, Saithaelwyd ; Mrs. Mr. R. and the 
 Misses Yorke, Erddig; Mr. Price Rhiwlas; Col. Peers and family, Plasnewydd; 
 Major Howard ; Major and Mrs. Jones, Wepre ; Mr. and Mrs. Lloyd, Cefn ; 
 Mr. and Mrs. Jones Panton, Plas Onn ; Mrs. and Miss Lewis, Glan yr afon . 
 Miss Davies, Nantcribba; Mr. Mrs. and Miss C lough; Mr. Charles Evans; Mr- 
 Johnson and Mr. Applethwaite, Linley Hall, Leicestershire ; Mr. R. B. Clough 
 and family, Astrad ; Mr. R. B. Clough, Min y Don ; Rev. A. Clough, Mold ; 
 Mr. Mrs. and Miss Clough, Gorphwysfa ; Mr. Wynne Sparrow, Anglesea; Mr. 
 and Mrs. Taylor and family, Lymin ; Mrs. Johnson, Chester ; Mr. and Mrs. Ab- 
 lett, Llanbedr Hall ; Mr. Bulkeley, and Mrs. Owen, Tedsmere Hall ; Major and 
 Miss Harrison, and Mr. Taylor ; Mr. and Mrs. Downward, Bathafarn ; Mrs. 
 Wynne and family, Euarth ; Mr. Evans and party, Cotton Hall; Rev. G. 
 Roberts, Bottwnog; Rev. J. Evans, Bottwnog; Mr. G. Evans, Wigfair; ME. 
 Syers, Liverpool ; Rev. T. Davies, Llanddoged ; Rev. Mr. James, Mold ; Rev. 
 Mr. Meredith, Llanferras: Rev. James Hughes, Llangwn ; Rev. E. Evans, Bet- 
 twsyCoed; Rev. D. L.Jones, St. Asaph; Rev. Mr. Jenkins, Gwyddelwern; 
 Rev. Mr. Joues, Rhiwabon; Mr. Evans, Caermarthen ; Rev. John Roberts, St. 
 Asaph; Rev. Mr. and Mrs. Jones, and Miss Hughes, Denbigh; Dr. Camming, 
 Dr. and Mrs. Jones, Chester ; Dr. R. P. Jones, Denbigh ; Mr. and the Misses 
 Jones, Phis yn LI an; Mr. and Mrs. Wynne Eyton, Leeswood: Mr. and Mrs. 
 Bulkeley Owen ; Mr. Lloyd Wynne, Mr. Wynne and family, Coed-c6ch ; Mr. 
 and the Misses Davies, Plas draw ; Mr. and Mrs. Humphreys Jones and family, 
 Ruthin ; Mr. and Mrs. G. Roskell and family, Flint ; Mr. Mrs. and Miss Naylor, 
 Plas Clough ; Mr. Vaughan, Nannau ; Mr. and Mrs. Beevor, Cefn-cdch ; Mr. 
 Kenrick, Merthyn; Mr. Jones Panton, Llandyfnan ; Miss Foulkes, Eriviatt; 
 Rev. E. Thelwell, aad Mr. B. Thelwell ; the Misses Peel and party, Dolhyfryd : 
 Mr. and the Misses Garnons, Colomendy ; Dr. Williams, Denbigh ; Mr. and 
 Mrs. Marsden and family ; the Messrs. Panton, Anglesea ; the Misses Howarth, 
 Denbigh ; Mr. and Mrs. Sankey, Holy well; Mr. Gibson; Mr. Williamson, Green- 
 field; Mr. Griffith, Chester; Mr. and Mrs. O. Foulkes, Chester; Mr. Sheriff 
 Titley, Chester ; Rev. Thomas Wynne Edwards, Rhuddlan ; Mr. and Mrs. Jeyes, 
 London ; Mr. Roberts, Coppy , and the Misses Roberts ; Mr. Sankey, Denbigh ; 
 Mr. J. C.Williams, Denbigh; Rev. Mr. and Mrs. Jones, Llanychan; Mr. and 
 Miss Twisden, Denbigh ; Rev. Charles Clough, Mold ; Mr. Alderman Hughes, 
 and T. Hughes. Denbigh ; Rev. J. Jones, Llanfair ; Rev. J. and Mrs. Owen, 
 Conway; Rev. R. Chambres and family, Llys-meircbion ; Rev. F. and Mrs. 
 Owen; Rev. W. M. Williams, Flint; Rev. T.Hughes, Llanbedr; Rev. H. 
 Parry, Llanasa; Dr. Owen Pnghe ; Mr. A. O. Pughe ; Rev. Mr. Hughes, Bod- 
 farry; Rev. T. Price, Crickhowel; Rev. E. Williams, Llangernew; Rev. G. 
 and Mrs. Strong ; Rev. W. J. Rees ; Rev. J. Williams, Beaumaris ; Miss Angharad 
 Llwyd ; Rev. Mr. Trevor, Caernarvon ; Mr. Bythel, St. Asaph ; Rev. J. Jones, 
 Denbigh; Mr. Alderman Parry and Mr. R. Parry, Denbigh; Mr. and Mrs. 
 Humphreys, St. Asaph; Miss Williams, Holywell; Mr. J. Eyton, Flint; Miss 
 Phillips; Mr. E. Davies, Ruthin; Mr. J. Williams, Ruthin; Mr. Mrs. and the 
 Misses E. Jonee, Denbigh ; Mr. and Mrs. J. V. Home, Denbigh ; Mr. and Mrs.
 
 33 
 
 T. Evans, Denbigh; Mr. and Mrs. Jackson, Abergele; Mr. and Mrs. Lloyd 
 Williams, Denbigh; Mr. G. Reade, Llanrwst; Miss Bickley; Mr. Oldfield, 
 Messrs. J. C. and Rev. Mr. Oldfield, Bettws ; Mr. H. Lloyd, Denbigh ; Mrs. 
 Thomas, Denbigh; Mr. Osborne; Mr. and Mrs. Griffith, Caerhun; Mrs. Mos- 
 tyn, Denbigh ; Mr. J. Dawson, Nant ; Miss Heaton, Denbigh ; Rev. Mr. Hamer, 
 Bangor; Rev. J. and Mrs. Owen, Denbigh; Mr. Lloyd, Tros y Park; Misses 
 Owen, Conway ; Mr. S. Edwardes, Denbigh ; Mr. Fenton, Nantglyn ; Mr. T. 
 Jones, Holywell ; Mrs. Price, Denbigh ; Mr. J. Hughes, St. Asaph ; Rev. T. L. 
 Hughes, the Cottage, St. Asaph ; Rev. Ellis Roberts, Llanynys ; Mr. Edwards, 
 Denbigh; Mr. Wright, Llanrwst; Mr. W. Jones, St. Asaph; Mrs. Price, Bod- 
 nant ; Rev. Mr. and Mrs. Price ; the Messrs. Wyatt and families ; Rev. Mr. Pro- 
 bert; Mr. and Mrs. Lovet; Rev. D. Williams, Llanrbaiadr; Mr. Lewis, London} 
 Mr. Brind, London, &c. &c.
 
 ESSAY, 
 
 CONTAINING AN 
 
 HISTORICAL ACCOUNT 
 
 OP 
 
 THE FLINTSHIRE 
 
 BY MR. EDWARD PARRY, CHESTER. 
 
 " Cas gwr ni charo 
 " Y wlad a'i macco."
 
 The following Essay on " the Castles of Flintshire' was one of 
 the four presented at the Denbigh Eisteddfod, and bears the Signa- 
 ture of 1 GWLADGARWR.' All the compositions on this subject received 
 from the Adjudicators unqualified eulogiums, and for which, being so 
 much on a par, each Gentleman received a handsome Silver Medal. 
 Miss ANGHARAD LLWYD intends publishing her production in a 
 separate form ; those of H. MAXWELL, Esq. and the Rev. MR. 
 PROBERT have been reclaimed by their respective authors. But, Jest 
 the public should be disappointed in not having either of the Essays 
 on this interesting subject in tJie present volume, the Committee have 
 deemed it proper to supply the Publisher with that of Mr. Parry.
 
 ESSAY. 
 
 FLINTSHIRE was made into a separate County by our con- 
 queror Edward I. in the year of our Lord 128$. Its geographical 
 situation is as follows : on the south-east it is bounded by part of 
 Denbighshire, on the south-west by a large portion of the same 
 county, on the north by the Irish channel, and on the north-east it 
 is separted from Cheshire by the estuary of the Dee, the ancient 
 Seteia Estuarium of Ptolemy. Though the smallest county in North 
 Wales, it possesses a large portion of interesting objects for the in- 
 vestigation of the antiquary, and the researches of the historian. 
 
 The whole Principality, indeed, abounds in multifarious substan- 
 ces ; but nature has particularly bestowed an abundant share of 
 valuable minerals on Flintshire. Its productions are at once very 
 conducive to the prosperity of the arts, of vast importance to trade, 
 and, from its maritime situation, have become equally so, in a com- 
 mercial point of view. Though it does not possess such mountain- 
 ous features as some of its adjacent neighbours, yet, from its diver- 
 sified beauties, it has charms of a very engaging character ! It 
 abounds with numerous vestiges of antiquity, is associated, through 
 various epochs, with the most important events illustrative of Brit- 
 ish history, and is strongly calculated to attract the inquiring mind 
 to a county long famed as the asylum of freedom and religion,* the 
 residence of a people who from the earliest records have been dis- 
 tinguished by independency of spirit and acquirement of learning, -f- 
 who for ages defended their rights, and breathed defiance against 
 their oppressors. By a view of these truths, the mind of the his- 
 torian is furnished with objects which at once excite and gratify his 
 researches. 
 
 The mountains, whose surface is covered with rare and uncom- 
 mon plants, have their bowels replete with the most valuable and 
 
 * Alluding to the great Monastery at Bangor Iscoed, and the Hallelujah Victory at Maes Gamon. 
 
 t A specimen of the dignity of her sons may be found in the last reign, three of whom filled, at 
 the same time, the impoitant offices of the Lord Mayor of London, the Lord Chief Justice of the 
 King's Bench, and the Dean of Arches, viz. Boydel, Kenyon, and Owen. Flintshire is also 
 proud to rank among her sons that champion of literature and celebrated tourist, the late Mr. 
 Pennant, of Downing.
 
 useful minerals, yet for centuries was this rich source of wealth* 
 disregarded, and, because the casket appeared rough and uninviting, 
 no enquiries were made after the jewels it contained within. 
 
 In the first geographicalf account we have of Wales, the portion 
 of the country forming the present county of Flint, was comprised 
 in the territory of the hrave and warlike Ordovices, who have long 
 been celebrated for the noble and resolute stand they made against 
 a power combining in itself the science and skill of the conquerors 
 of the world ; and it was not until further resistance was unavailing, 
 that the power of Rome prevailed under its great General Julius 
 Agricola, who considered it prudent not to venture upon his Cale- 
 donian expedition before he had entirely subdued so formidable and 
 determined a race of people as the Ordovices. 
 
 These facts will sufficiently shew that the Romans, on their arri- 
 val, did not find our ancient British ancestors such hordes of igno- 
 rant savages (as some historians would have us believe), but a peo- 
 ple, though widely differing from their invaders in temper, custom, 
 and manners, yet strongly imbued with the spirit of genuine free- 
 dom the true amor patriae, and, if let alone, were contented with 
 their condition. 
 
 Their great object was to preserve their liberty as free as the air 
 they breathed in, and whenever that was attempted to be encroached 
 upon, by any undue extension of arbitrary power, they never ceased 
 struggling till the galling yoke of despotism was removed. This 
 was the spirit that animated their minds, and this the temper that 
 pervaded their actions when their country was invaded by the Ro- 
 mans.:): 
 
 The Ordovices were excited by a patriotism seldom exceeded in 
 the annals of nations, and stimulated by a noble ambition, never 
 satisfied but by victory, and never extinguished but by death ! They 
 fought with a bravery that astonished the legionary troops, per- 
 formed prodigies of valour, which earned for them the character of 
 " Invincible" and disputed every inch of ground with a tenacity and 
 obstinacy that extorted from their enemies the tribute of admira- 
 tion and esteem. 
 
 This county, then, can boast of being the theatre of the most he- 
 
 Camden says that silver mines were frequent in Flintshire.- -See Fuller's Walei. 
 
 t Ptolemy's Map of Britain ; he flourished the latter end of the first and the beginning of the 
 second century. 
 
 \ See Caesar de Bello Gallico, lib. 1, 4, 5 et 6. Ammianus Marcellinus, lib. 15. Diodorus Sicu- 
 s, lib. 6. Tacitus in Vita Agricola. Htilliugfleet Origines Rritanuica. 
 
 5 Tacitus describes the spirit of resistance by the emphatic term pervicaria, a stubborn immo- 
 bility of character.
 
 roic courage and martial prowess. And, while it made a bold and a 
 continued stand for liberty, the inhabitants were furnished with op- 
 portunities by the example of their assailants, and impelled by their 
 circumstances to study the art of fortification ; and, in later times, 
 the necessity for these military defences would naturally suggest it- 
 self, from the geographical position of the county, as an important 
 portion of Wales, and most open to attack from the English border. 
 
 No wonder then that the elevated grounds of Flintshire should 
 be celebrated for such defensive works, as the remains of encamp- 
 ments lines of circumvallations strong holds hill fortresses cas- 
 tles * and castellated mansions, testify to this day. Specimens of 
 military architecture, which abound in the diversified style of dif- 
 ferent and distant periods, constitute some of the most prominent 
 and very interesting features of its picturesque scenery. 
 
 The Romans generally chose for the scite of their camps and 
 forts some rising ground, frequently a lingula or little tongue of 
 land, formed by the confluence of two rivers. But the Britons se- 
 lected the most lofty and least accessible mountains, the summit of 
 which they fortified, by excavating deep trenches in the solid rock, 
 adding vallum of loose stones dug out of the fosses, and in succeed- 
 ing times, by adding strong walls of masonry, and erecting massy 
 circular towers, with other works of defence. 
 
 The long range of British posts, which are placed in a line of 
 considerable elevation along the south-western side of this county, 
 called the " Clwydian Hills," is a fine specimen of real British for- 
 tification, whose escarpments boldly face towards England, and form 
 a noble frontier of ancient bulwarks against an invading foe. 
 
 Although the main object of this Essay is to supply a disquisition 
 on the ancient Castles of Flintshire, yet will it not be irrelevant to 
 introduce a few preliminary observations on the chain of posts 
 which borders upon its frontiers, and which, like the castles them- 
 selves, were designed as securities against the irruption of hostile 
 bands. 
 
 These British posts extend, nearly in a half circle, from north to 
 south, from Prestatyn, on the estuary of the Dee, to Caer Estyn, 
 in the parish of Hope. They are so placed as to defend the few 
 passes to be found between them in the whole range. I have not 
 been able to meet with any information from our ancient records re- 
 specting their origin,f and cannot therefore ascertain at what period 
 
 * The great Dr. Johnson, when speaking of the Welsh fortresses, says " that one of the castles 
 in Wales would contain all the castles he had seen in Scotland." See hit Tow in Walet. 
 + The celebrated antiquary Mr. King, of Norfolk, says that the British posts and ramparts
 
 they were erected or formed ; but that they were in use in very 
 early times is certain. In the first century of the Christian era, 
 post bulwarks of defence were very prevalent through the whole 
 island. The celebrated Agricola,* after his conquest of the Ordo- 
 vices, in the year 80, built several fortresses, nearly similar to our 
 British posts, to keep in subjection the newly conquered country. 
 In the second century, say 118, Emperor Adrian visited Britain, 
 and one of the chief objects which he had in view was to fortify and 
 secure the frontiers against the incursion of enemies. Where the 
 natural bulwarks of mountains, seas, and rivers were wanting, he 
 substituted ditches, walls, posts, and other ramparts. 
 
 In the third century, the Emperor Severus built a famous wall 
 from the German to the Irish ocean ; this was eighty miles long. 
 One of our ancient bards notices this rampart thus, 
 " Gorug Severus, waith Cain, 
 Yn draws dros ynys Brydain 
 Rhag gwerin gythrawl, gwawl fain." 
 
 British posts in general bad no certain form, but were all render- 
 ed defencible by deep ditches and high banks, formed with stones 
 which were ready on the spot. They are always placed on the 
 summits of the highest mountains, at a certain distance, but never 
 out of sight of each other, so that by fire or any other signal the 
 approach of an enemy might soon be made known throughout the 
 whole line. 
 
 The scarcity of water and other necessaries which naturally would 
 be required, shews that these ramparts were not intended for con- 
 stant residence, but mere temporary retreats, and depots for their 
 different cattle and families on a sudden invasion. While the war- 
 rior kept the field, all that was dear and valuable to him and his 
 country was committed to these fortresses. 
 
 Mod Hiraddug is the first that forms this range of ramparts ; this 
 is conspicuously placed on a very steep and rocky hill in the parish 
 of Cwm. On the accessible part, it has a double agger of loose 
 stones. Mr. Pennant, our celebrated tourist, was of opinion " that 
 prior to the castle of Dyserth, another post might have been on that 
 rock, and, in such case, should be esteemed the first post and the 
 guard of the shore ; and that the great artificial mount above New- 
 bear the strongest indication of having been imitation of architecture in the more eastern part of 
 the world, and goes at length to prove that they are very unlike to any of the Saxon, Danish, or 
 Kormnn structure, and adduces many points in which they perfectly resemble Pha-nician, Syrian, 
 and Median castles. 
 
 * Paulinus, one of Julius Agricola's Generals, resided for some time in the vicinity of St. 
 Asaph ; there is to this day a township and a respectable farm-house of the name of Sryn Pautin,
 
 market, called ' Copy Goleuni,' which is seen from most of the 
 others, might be the spot whence the signal was given of the ap- 
 proach of the enemy by sea." When the situation of this mount, 
 which embraces a view* of the other posts as well as of the sea and 
 the inland parts of the country, is considered, the conjecture of our 
 countryman is very rational and probable, and receives additional 
 strength from the import of its name, Cop y Goleuni, which signi- 
 fies the Mount of Lights, the ancient mode of giving alarm being by 
 making fires on the most elevated hills. 
 
 The next in proximity to Moel Hiraddug is Mod y Goer, in the 
 parish of Bodfari. This stands a little above the pass leading from 
 the village of Bodfari to the vale of Clwyd. Although Bodfari is 
 mentioned as having been a considerable Roman station, there is 
 not at present visible the smallest vestige nor any trace of Roman 
 footsteps, except perhaps in the name. 
 
 Bryn y Cloddiau (or the Hill of Ditches) is the third post. The 
 entrenchments on the summit of this hill are very considerable, be- 
 ing better than a mile and a half in circumference, and surrounded 
 by enormous ditches and other defences. This is evidently the 
 largest post throughout the whole line. 
 
 Moel Arthur is the fourth, and is situated on the top of a moun- 
 tain, at a great height above Penbedw, in the parish of Nannerch. 
 This is a very strong post, and is defended by ditches and dikes 
 of extreme depth ; probably this post was called Moel Arthur after 
 our celebrated and renowned Prince Arthur - ,f who has given name to 
 a variety of places in Britain. 
 
 The fifth is Moel y Caerau (or the Fortified Mount), an immense 
 artificial mount on the highest point of Halkin mountain. 
 
 The sixth is Moel y Goer (or the Hill of the Fortress), a very 
 strong post on the summit of a hill in the parish of Northop. A 
 little below this post is a raised mound of earth, which is still per- 
 ceptible. That such small elevations, in the immediate vicinity of 
 fortifications were not unusual in early times, we are assured from 
 history ;J and it is equally certain that they were not erected for 
 military defence, but to afford a suitable station for the leaders of 
 armies to harangue and encourage their troops against their assail- 
 
 * The view from this mount is very extensive : the Cumberland hills, the Caernarvonshire and 
 Merionethshire mountains, are very discernible : aud, on a fine clear day, Scotland, the Isle of 
 Man, and Ireland may be seen. 
 
 + The Welsh M.S.' Chronicle by Mr. Jones, Gelli Lyfdy, says, that when King Arthur had con- 
 cluded peace with the Saxons, he made North Wales his principle residence, and that he had two 
 halls in Flintshire, one at Caerwys, and the other at Nannerch, and that Nannerch Church itandi 
 on the scite of his Chapel, then called Capely gwiail (or the Chapel of twigs). 
 
 t Henry'* History of Britain, vol. 1, page 54. 
 
 G
 
 8 
 
 ants in the time of war. In after times, this post was the scene of 
 a cruel and bloody occurrence ; here it was that Howel Gwynedd (a 
 warm partizan of our valiant countryman Owain Glyndivr) was 
 taken, and, in a heedless hour, beheaded on the spot. 
 
 Mod Fenlli is the next in contiguity, below which, on a lesser 
 hill, is Moel y Gaer. This closes the defensive posts on this line, 
 which, from one extremity to the other, embraces a distance of not 
 less than twenty-five miles. Caer Estyn, and another post on Caer- 
 gwrle rock, defended the frontiers on the Cheshire side. 
 
 Dismissing this historical sketch of the ancient British posts, I 
 shall now proceed to the principle object of disquisition, namely, 
 " An Historical Account of the Flintshire Castles." As far as I have 
 been enabled to ascertain, the number of these is thirteen ; and, in 
 order to preserve some uniformity in the arrangement, I shall take 
 them from their geographical situation and their contiguity to each 
 other, rather than from their presumed antiquity, respecting which 
 there is much diversity of opinion. I shall therefore commence 
 with the 
 
 CASTLE OF CAERGWRLE. 
 
 The remaining vestiges of this truly ancient fortress are situated 
 on the summit of a great rock, overhanging the village of Caer- 
 gwrle. It is well defended by nature, being precipitous on one 
 side, and of steep declivity on the others. Its present remains are 
 very inconsiderable, there being only a part of one tower and some 
 walls left. The ruins however are sufficient to indicate that it could 
 never have been a place of much importance ; the accessible parts 
 were protected by fosses of extreme depth, cut through the live 
 rock. 
 
 On the side fronting the north-east there is a somewhat extended 
 area, and the remains of a rampart of earth and stones, with a foss, 
 resembling those usually observable in the British posts, are still 
 discernible ; thence its origin may be fairly concluded to be British : 
 it is certain that in early times it was in the possession of the 
 Britons, and the probability is, that this pass into Wales was de- 
 fended by this Castle and the neighbouring fortress of Caer Estyn. 
 
 Of the precise period when, or by whom, the Castle was erected, 
 no trace is to be obtained from history ; but from the circumstance 
 above recited, and what follows, its origin may with tolerable cer- 
 tainty be placed antecedent to the Norman invasion. Indeed, the 
 general structure of the Castle bears no resemblance to the Norman 
 architecture, particularly in the deficiency of its towers and its ob- 
 long form. Yet, indisputable evidence exists that Caergwrle has
 
 9 
 
 been a Roman station, (probably an out-post to DevaJ and was dis- 
 tinguished by the usual accompaniment of Roman luxury, for in 
 Camden's time, 1606, a gardener discovered here, by digging, an 
 hypocaust, which is described as hewn out of the solid rock, six 
 yards and a quarter long, five yards broad, and somewhat more than 
 half a yard in height. The floor was of brick, set in mortar, the 
 roof supported by pillars, and consisting of polished tiles perfo- 
 rated ; on these were laid certain brick tubes, which conveyed the 
 heat to the room above : on some of the tiles were inscribed the 
 letters Legio XX. which seem to point out the founders. In cor- 
 roboration of this assumption, it may also be remarked, that Ro- 
 man bricks have been found in the ruins of an old house at Hope, 
 and large beds of iron cinders discovered near Caer Estyn, in this 
 parish, the supposed works of the Romans. In addition to these 
 facts, Roman roads are visible in two or three places, especially in 
 the fields of Plds teg ; besides, the etymology of the name of this 
 place is strongly illustrative of the fact Caergawrleng, corrupted 
 into Caergwrle, the station of the Victorious Legion, the twentieth 
 Legion being called Legio Vicessima Victrix ; in the ancient British 
 idiom The Giant Legion. 
 
 In addition to what has been advanced of the claims of our 
 countrymen to the honour of being the founders of this Castle, I 
 shall only observe, that none of the enumerated Roman appendages, 
 or any others, were ever discovered within the walls of the for- 
 tress, a circumstance which is confirmatory of the presumption that 
 the invaders were not the original possessors. I am happy to say 
 that our very intelligent countryman, Mr. Pennant, decidedly con- 
 curs in the position I have been endeavouring to establish. 
 
 The first circumstance that is mentioned in history respecting this 
 Castle is in 867, when Roderick the Great divided the Principality of 
 Wales into Cantrefs ; he denominated this fortress and the adjoin- 
 ing lands by the name of Cantref y Rhiw. But, in 877, when the 
 Saxons invaded North Wales, they comprehended it in their hun- 
 dred called Exestan, and added it to the county of Chester. From 
 this time we have no account until 1280, when it was in the posses- 
 sion of Edward the First ; this monarch bestowed it and all its pri- 
 vileges on David, brother to Prince Llywelyn, who but a short 
 time before had basely deserted the cause of his country by joining 
 the English against his brother. However, David did not long en- 
 joy the fruits of his treachery, for very soon afterwards he expe- 
 rienced many causes of dissatisfaction, of fear, and of jealously, 
 respecting the honour he held under Edward. He was sued by
 
 10 
 
 William Venables, an Englishman, for the village of Hope and 
 Estyn, contrary to the spirit of the agreement by which he held 
 them from the King. Venables cut down his woods at Llyweni and 
 Hope, and sold the timber to go to Ireland. David also was 
 threatened by Reginald de Grey, and other Justiciaries, to be de- 
 prived of the Castle and lands he possessed, and he was also re- 
 quired to deliver his children as hostages for his future fidelity ; 
 another instance of tyranny triumphing over the weak: this strongly 
 corroborates the fact of the quotation used by Pompey 
 <l He that trusts his freedom to a tyrant, 
 " That moment becomes a slave." 
 
 These, and other rigorous outrages, which the English were 
 perpetrating on the borders of Wales, gave a just cause of com- 
 plaint; and so galling were their acts of oppression, that the 
 resentment of several eminent chieftains, as well as of the quiet 
 portion of the people, drove them to a vigorous resistance. In 
 this dilemma some leading individuals waited upon David and urged 
 him to a reconciliation with his brother Llywelyn, at the same time 
 using every argument of incitement likely to act on a courageous 
 and wounded spirit " to desert the cause of a merciless ravager 
 to retrieve the honour he had lost to return to the duty he owed 
 his country, and to shield her in the hour of danger ;" David's views 
 at this time were in accordance with the wishes of his countrymen, 
 overwhelmed perhaps with feelings of remorse for the miseries he 
 had caused, or moved by an impulse of patriotism, or what is still 
 more probable, stung with the unworthy treatment he had recently 
 received from the English Prince, he consented to renew his friend- 
 ship to embark in the common cause and once more to rouse all 
 his energies to fight in the defence of his country. 
 
 This object having been resolved upon, and the concert for a 
 general insurrection arranged, David, anxious to shew his determined 
 attachment to his brother and country, commenced the campaign 
 with " a gallant exploit :" he left a garrison* at this castle, collected 
 his followers together, and on the evening of Palm Sunday, when 
 favoured by a stormy and dark night, surprised the castle of Haw- 
 arden, the garrison of which he indiscriminately put to the sword. 
 
 This action was looked upon as a signal for revolt ; the Cambrians 
 rose in every direction, volunteered their service, and in the frenzy 
 of joy, they ravaged and destroyed the country all before them. 
 The spirit of their fathers seemed to kindle in every bosom ; and 
 
 Welsh Chronicle, page 337.
 
 1J 
 
 animated by the thoughts of Llywetyn and David having united, they 
 looked forward with full confidence of enjoying their ancient laws 
 and privileges, unmolested by the foreign yoke which lay so heavily 
 upon them. 
 
 The King of England, hearing of this disaster, immediately rallied 
 his forces, sent an army to Caergwrle, and laid seige to the castle. 
 In a short time the garrison was obliged to surrender.* 
 
 After this, Edward granted it, with its privileges, to his consort 
 Queen Eleanor, who, on her journey to Caernarvon, to give the 
 Welsh a Prince " born among them." lodged in this Castle, from 
 which incident it acquired the name of Queen Hope, which it re- 
 tains to the present time. At this period, or soon afterwards, it 
 was, by some accident or other, set on fire j- and burnt. 
 
 In 1283, when Edward divided Wales into counties, he made 
 this vicinity a part of the connty of Flint. 
 
 Edward the Second granted this Castle in 1307 to John de Crom- 
 well, in consideration of which he was obliged to repair the Castle, 
 then in a ruinous state. 
 
 In 1317, when Edward was engaged in the wars with Scotland, 
 he directed;): Cromwell to raise fifty foot soldiers upon his demesne, 
 to go and assist the King. 
 
 Caergwrle and Hope received their first charter from Edward the 
 Black Prince, dated at Chester, 1351 ; in which he directed that 
 the Constable of the Castle for the time being should be Mayor, 
 and was to choose two Bailiffs annually from the Burgesses. All 
 the privileges which this charter granted, were confirmed by Richard 
 the Second in 1388. This monarch made a grant of this territory to 
 John de Holland, Earl of Huntington, who, after the deposition of 
 his royal master, was beheaded at Plessy, in Essex. 
 
 On the first of January, 1401, Henry the Fourth granted the 
 Castle and manor to Sir John Stanley, in whose family it remained 
 for some time. 
 
 Henry the Eighth, about 1540, incorporated Caergwrle with the 
 county of Denbigh ; but, to accommodate the Earl of Derby, who 
 wished to have his land in the same shire, this monarch again re- 
 stored it to the county of Flint, attached to which it remains to this 
 day. 
 
 By a provision in its ancient charter, the inhabitants of Caer- 
 gwrle, as well as those of Hope, enjoy the privilege of voting for a 
 Member of Parliament for the boroughs of Flintshire. 
 
 Powell's Wales, page 350. + Camden, 63. 
 
 Dugdale's Baronage, vol. 2, p. 44. Rotuli Scottia, 136. } febright M S.5.
 
 12 
 
 I shall now proceed to some historical facts that have connexion 
 with the 
 
 CASTLE OF OVERTON. 
 
 This fortress (of which there are now no visible remains) stood 
 on the lofty ridge of a piece of ground still known by the name of 
 Castle-fold* 
 
 It was built about the year 1 150, by Madog ap Meredydd, Lord 
 of Overton, and last Prince of Powys ; a name well known to the 
 Welsh historian, from his base conduct in deserting his country and 
 forming an alliance with the King of England : he joined his forces 
 with Randulph, Earl of Chester, againt our celebrated countryman 
 Owain Gwynedd. His character, notwithstanding this, was both 
 virtuous and beneficent ; he was one, as Powell informs us in his 
 Welsh Chronicle, " that feared God and relieved the poor." 
 
 Tradition says, that Madoc made this Castle his residence, from 
 which incident it received the additional name of Madog, Overton 
 Madog. 
 
 At the time of the conquest, this place went by the name of 
 Ovretone, a name which at once points out its then owner as a Saxon ; 
 whenever the Saxons conquered any place, they always made it a 
 rule to change its name. At a subsequent period, in the time of 
 the Normans, it was granted to Robert fitzhugh. 
 
 In the seventh of Edward the first, about 1278, it was in the 
 possession of Robert de Crevecceur.^ This person established a weekly 
 market at Overton, which was held every Wednesday. 
 
 In order to secure the frontiers of his conquest, Edward sent 
 Reginald de Grey, Justiciary of Chester, purposely to Overton, to 
 grant to the inhabitants, or such as would become burgesses, suitable 
 lands (within the territory of the Castle) " for them to build bur- 
 gages with.";}; From that time it forms one of the contributary 
 boroughs which has the privilege of voting for a Member of Parlia- 
 ment. 
 
 History is silent respecting any other transaction of this Castle, 
 excepting its being granted by Edward the Third, in 1331, to the 
 Baron of Knockyn. 
 
 I cannot conclude the historical account of this fortress, without 
 noticing the singularity of a certain spot that is in the .immediate 
 neighbourhood, " which divides England from Wales the provinces 
 
 ' Leland, in bis Itinerary, Vol. VI. p 16, mentions " that there was a pratty pyle or Castel at 
 Oureton in ancient tyme, the which was throwen downe by the vyolence of the Dee Ryver chang- 
 ing its bottom ; for of old tyme Dee ran halfe a mile from the Castel yn a place of the valley 
 caulled Whiston, where now is wodeand ploughed ground ryght again Oureton." 
 
 + Harlmn MSS. No 2074-75. J Dugdale, I. 668. { Pennant, Vol. I. 306.
 
 13 
 
 of Canterbury and York the diocesses of Litchfield and Coventry, 
 Chester and St. Asaph the Counties of Flint, Salop, and Denbigh 
 the hundreds of Oswestry, Maelor, and Bromfield the parishes of 
 Ettesmere, Overton, and Erbistock and the townships of Duddeston 
 and Knolton ! /" 
 
 I next proceed to 
 
 EULO CASTLE. 
 
 The ruins of this small fortress stand on the edge of a deep din- 
 gle, the accessible parts well guarded by a very strong wall, which 
 forms a noble defence. The interior consisted of two parts, the 
 largest of which had an oblong tower, rounded at one end, fifteen 
 yards long and twelve yards wide. The other part had also an ob- 
 long court, at the extremity of which there was a circular tower, 
 now finely covered with ivy, which gives it a gloomy appearance. 
 
 History, and even tradition, are silent about its founder ; probably 
 it was built by one of the Lords of Tegengl, who had it as one of 
 the out-posts between Mold and Chester. It must have been in a 
 demolished state for some hundred years past, for Leland in his 
 Itinerary represents it as a " Ruinous Castle or pile, belonging to 
 Hoele," (most probably the antiquary meant Howel) " a gentle- 
 man of Flyntshire, that by ancient accustume was wont to give the 
 bagge of the Sylver Harpe* to the best harper of North Walys, as 
 by ancient priviliges of his ancestors that dwellith at Penrin in Flynt- 
 shire"-\ 
 
 Adjoining this Castle there is a wood still called Coed Eulo, very 
 celebrated for the memorable repulse that a part of the flower of 
 Henry the second's army received in 1157, from David and Conan, 
 sons of our gallant hero, Owain Gwynedd. This warrior had his 
 forces encamped near Basingwerk, but in order to stop the progress 
 of Henry's army, he sent his sons with a strong detachment of his 
 forces to this wood ; after reconnoitring awhile, some skirmishes 
 commenced ; these were but feints to draw the Endglish into the 
 dangerous and narrow passes between the hills ; they suffered the 
 enemy to advance along the streights, and Henry, too confident 
 in the strength and dicipline of his troops, ordered them to march 
 forward, till at length his forces got entangled in the wood, and 
 other snares which were laid for them. The Welsh in the mean 
 time sprang upon the enemy all of a sudden, and so fierce and un- 
 
 * Thomas ap Richard ap Howel, or (Hoelc} lord of Mottyn, was cotempoiay with Leland, in 
 whose family the above privilege was long invested. The Silver Harp that wa given at Caerwyi 
 in Uuroii Elizabeth's time is now at Mostyu. 
 
 t Lcland's Itinerary, Vol 5. p. 56.
 
 14 
 
 expected was the attack, that the cries of the English were horrible, 
 and the slaughter equally dreadful ;* the remaining part of the 
 English were routed in all directions, and followed even to Henry's 
 camp, which then lay on Saltney Marsh, near Chester.f 
 
 The result of this battle, one might think, would (in some degree) 
 have repressed Henry's hopes of success, which he had previously 
 entertained of a conquest of Wales. However, he was not intimi- 
 dated by any trivial reverse ; he immediately broke up his camp, 
 and with a resolute mind adopted other decided measures. He 
 leaves his camp, and with every precaution marches his army along 
 the coast of the Dee, as far as Coleshill, with a view of throwing 
 himself into the rear of O wain's forces, and to cut off all commu- 
 nication with their supplies ; but, before this could be done, he was 
 obliged to suffer himself to have another engagement, and under 
 disadvantages equal to those that part of his army had experienced 
 before. He was again defeated, and Eustace Fitz John\ and Robert 
 de Cmirci, two of his Barons high in rank and courage, were slain 
 in battle ; Henry de Essex also, Standard Bearer of England, was 
 seized with a panic ; he threw the standard down, and with vehe- 
 mence cried out " the King is slain." The alarm flew with electric 
 rapidity through the English ranks ; the Welsh, profiting by this 
 incident, defeated a part of the enemy the route would have been 
 general had not Henry made his appearance at the moment ; he im- 
 mediately rallied his forces, repulsed the Welsh with double fury, 
 and advanced his army a second time to endeavour to get between 
 Owain and the mountains. The cautious Welshman was however 
 aware of the meditated manoeuvre. He sounded a retreat from a 
 hill above Bagillt, to this day called JBryn Dychwelwch (or the Hill 
 of Retreat), and accordingly retired to a spot near St. Asaph, 
 which also to this day bears the name of " Cil Owain" (or Owen's 
 Retreat), where he effectually evaded the designs of the enemy. 
 
 Henry, upon this, was obliged to fortify himself in the Castle of 
 Rhuddlan. Owen, in the mean time quitted his place of retreat by 
 St. Asaph, and encamped in a strong post called Bryny Pin; this 
 being well defended by great ramparts and ditches, he was enabled 
 frequently to baffle and annoy the invaders. Henry, finding himself 
 foiled in all his further attempts to obtain a decided advantage, after 
 a few skirmishes, the war ended, and the English monarch no doubt, 
 was very glad to abandon an enterprise by which he had gained 
 neither glory for himself, nor any profitable possessions for his 
 
 Ix>td Littleton's History of Henry II. Vol. 2 p. 72--T3. + Powell's Wales, 207. 
 
 * Lord Littleton's History of Henry. { Guil. Newbrig, lib. 2. c. 5.
 
 kingdom. From this time we have no account of the Castle until 
 it became an appurtenance to the manor of Montalto, or Mold. Its 
 new owners, very probably, deserted this fortress and preferred that 
 of Mold, which had many decided advantages in point of security 
 and situation, to terrify the neighbouring country, and keep in awe 
 all other future assailants ; consequently we hear nothing of Eulo 
 Castle until the 26th of Henry the Eighth, when it was in the posses- 
 sion of the crown. The King granted it to Peter Stanley, Esq. 
 one of the gentlemen of his household.* 
 
 Edward Stanley held it in the time of Queen Elizabeth, who, for 
 an acknowledgment, received the sum of 20 10s. per annum.f 
 
 Afterwards it came, by purchase, to the possession of John Davies, 
 Esq. Llanerch, but now it is the property of Davies Cooke, Esq. in 
 right of his mother. 
 
 The next in the order of arrangement is the 
 CASTLE OF MOLD. 
 
 This fortress stood on a lofty mount, commonly called Baity Hill, 
 which is partly artificial and partly natural. Of the building, there 
 are not now the smallest remains, neither have we any certainty 
 about its founders, or as to the period of its original foundation. It 
 is not unlikely but that some of the ancient Britons had a sort of 
 fortress here, and that the Saxons, and afterwards the Normans, 
 who, aware of so eligible a situation on the borders of the frontiers, 
 should embrace the convenience it offered, and erect on it a Castle. 
 
 Beside the natural difficulty of the ascent, there is every appear- 
 ance of its being strongly intrenched by great ditches, around which 
 are stones, the only vestiges of its ramparts. 
 
 The first historical account we have of this Castle is in the reign 
 of William Rufus, about 1093, when it was in the possession of 
 Eustace Cruer, who then did homage for Mold and Hope-dale. It 
 soon afterwards came into the possession of Roger de Monte Alto, 
 who was Seneschal of Chester in the year 1 130. 
 
 The English at this time had obtained several important posses- 
 sions in the Marches of Wales, where they had erected many for- 
 tresses that proved at once a protection to their kingdom, and a 
 source of annoyance to the enemy. Amongst these the Castle of 
 Mold was noted for its strength, and was no less a defence to its 
 possessors than a scourge to the ancient inhabitants. After the 
 English had the fortress in possession, several unsuccessful attempts 
 
 Harlcian M.S.S. No. 1968-10. + Harleian M.S.S. 1970.7. 
 
 H
 
 16 
 
 were made for its recovery, which were unavailing, till at length the 
 Welsh, no longer able to bear the insults and the plundering rava- 
 gers of the garrison, put themselves in arms under their gallant 
 Prince, Owain Givynedd, who for multiplied injuries determined, if 
 possible, to avenge himself and his country by the destruction of 
 the fortress ; for so intolerable had their sufferings become, that they 
 declared their resolution to seek an honourable death, rather than 
 submit any longer to the arbitrary conduct of the invaders. With 
 this declaration, and animated by the anticipated conquest of so 
 important a hold, Owain laid siege to the Castle, but so desperate 
 and determined were the garrison in defence of their fortress, that 
 for a considerable time all hopes of success were deemed impossi- 
 sible. The Welsh however were determined to pursue their under- 
 taking at the expence of all that was dear to man ! Owen stimu- 
 lated his men, and by his example and perseverance he doubly in- 
 creased the energy and exertion of his forces, till at length their 
 object was effected ! The Castle was levelled to the ground, and 
 the whole garrison made prisoners ! 
 
 The feelings of the Welsh, after their triumph over so powerful 
 and obstinate a foe, may be more easily conjectured than described. 
 This victory gave just cause for exultation and joy, and so elated 
 was their heroic Prince that, he quite forgot the mortification he for 
 some time before had been subject to. The English, on the other 
 hand, were all on the alert, and most anxious to regain the honour 
 they had lost ; they were not willing to yield the palm of glory to 
 the Welsh without having another struggle. Accordingly they re- 
 solved upon the most vigorous hostilities, but nothing in the shape 
 of an extensive enterprise occurred until the year 1149, when Ran- 
 dulph, Earl of Chester, made some very formidable preparations 
 for invading the country : he raised a very numerous army of Eng- 
 lish, besides his own vassals ; he collected from different parts of 
 England a large body of troops, and also formed, for this design, 
 an alliance with that traitor Madog ap Maredydd, Prince of Powys, 
 who for some reasons or other treacherously deserted the cause of 
 his country by joining the inveterate enemy of the land of his 
 fathers. No doubt he had previously entertained hopes (should the 
 result prove favourable) of building his own independence on the 
 ruins of that of his rival. With these numerous and united forces 
 Randulph marches into Flintshire : Owen, in the mean time, was 
 aware of bis progress, as on all other occasions he had taken every 
 prudent precaution against a surprise ; he leaves Mold Castle with 
 a determined mind either to keep his dominion as free as the air
 
 17 
 
 from foreign invaders, or otherwise lose his valuable life in the at- 
 tempt ! He did not suffer the enemy to advance many miles but, 
 contrary to the usual custom of the Welsh in declining a general 
 engagement, he on this occasion determined to have the first onset, 
 and accordingly marched against the English army, whom he en- 
 countered at no great distance from this fortress. Randulph, who 
 had relied much on the superiority of his troops, both in numbers 
 and discipline, no doubt looked forward for victory with confidence 
 as to the result of the engagement ; but " the race is not always to 
 the swift, nor the battle to the strong." Owen availed himself of 
 the ardour of his men and the justness of his cause gave them bat- 
 tle, and so sudden and impetuous was his attack, that all resistance 
 on the part of the enemy became fruitless ! ! The English were 
 obliged to seek their security in a most disgraceful flight, and so 
 vigorous were the Welsh in their victorious pursuit, that only a few 
 of the English leaders returned to Chester to announce the result 
 of the contest, while the fugitives owed their escape more to the 
 swiftness of their horses* than to the courage of their assailants ! 
 
 This distinguished victory over the invaders seemed to have the 
 desired effect, for so decisive was the result that the English for the 
 time gave up all thoughts of prosecuting their favourite project ; and 
 indeed some years had elapsed before they made any further ef- 
 forts towards subduing North Wales. 
 
 The Welsh, therefore, as far as foreign hostilities could affect 
 them, might have enjoyed a considerable degree of repose, and 
 hopes might reasonably have been entertained of restoring that 
 prosperity, of which they had been deprived by a long succession of 
 wars and other calamities connected therewith. But it was the 
 misfortune of the Welsh at this, as well as at all other times, to 
 quarrel among themselves : the suspension of this external warfare 
 was but an occasion for the revival of domestic dissensions and fa- 
 mily feuds ; this national sin of our countrymen soon terminated 
 the peaceable state of their affairs. Owain disagreed with his bro- 
 ther Cadwaladr, which produced internal commotion. The Eng- 
 lish, taking advantage of this incident, and anxious to repair their 
 late disasters, laid siege to this Castle and wrested it from the 
 Welsh ;f it was afterwards re-taken by Prince Ltywdyn ap Jor- 
 werth>\ in the year 1198. After this it must have formed a part of 
 the dominion of the Lords Marchers till 1267, when it was for the 
 
 Welsh Chronicle, p. 197. 202. History of the Gwydir Family, p. 4. 
 
 + Red Book of Hergest, at Jesus College Oxford. % Llwyd's Commentariolum, 157.
 
 18 
 
 third time besieged, taken, and entirely demolished, by Gryffvdd 
 ap Gwenwynwyn, Lord of Powys, who at this time had returned to 
 his allegiance to Prince Llywelyn ap Gryffudd. 
 
 The Castle, however, was once more re-built by the English, 
 who seem to have remained in the unmolested possession of it till 
 the revolt of Sir Gryffudd Llwyd.* For a time he adhered to the 
 invaders, till finding their yoke intolerable, he collected a great 
 number of his countrymen and over-ran North Wales ; and in 1322, 
 among other fortresses he took this Castle. Being however unable 
 to defend the different places he had taken, he was soon defeated 
 and made prisoner. After a short confinement at Rhuddlan Castle, 
 he was executed.f 
 
 From this time the Castle remained in the peaceable possession of 
 the English until its final destruction, the time of which I have not 
 been able to ascertain. Having treated on all the historical facts 
 relating to this fortress, I shall now proceed to the next in conti- 
 guity, which is 
 
 HA WARDEN CASTLE. 
 
 The remains of this once important fortress stand on an elevated 
 spot, now inclosed in Sir Stephen Glynne's park. Though sur- 
 rounded with ancient oaks and other high trees, its turrets soar 
 above all the wood and command a very extensive scenery. The 
 windings of the Dee and the Irish channel is a fine sea view : on 
 the other side, that immense track of land called the Vale Royal of 
 Cheshire, forms one of the most beautiful inland scenes in this part 
 of the country. 
 
 The original founders of this Castle cannot be traeed ; several 
 historians are of opinion that the Britons were in possession of it 
 in very early times, and prior to the desperate opposition of the 
 Ordovices, had to defend this part of the country against the Cor- 
 navii and the invading Romans. Trueman's Hill, Conna's Hey, the 
 Roft, and several other ancient fortified heights, which surround 
 this fortress, and formed after the British manner, strongly corro- 
 borate the conjecture of its having been of British origin. However, 
 history is silent about any of its transactions until about the year 790. 
 At this time Offa, King of Mercia, made the celebrated Dyke, called 
 Claiodd Offa, as a boundary betwixt his kingdom and that of Wales. 
 Hawarden was then in his dominions ; afterwards it came into the 
 possession of the Saxons; at this time it received the name of Weorden, 
 or Haweorden, which, according to the Saxon language implies the 
 
 He was Knighted by Edward I. at Rhuddlan. + Powell, 289. Wynn, 313.
 
 19 
 
 head land above the lake, and is particularly descriptive of its situ- 
 ation, as standing on an elevation above the Dee. 
 
 In 876 Anarawd, son of Roderic the Great, became the Prince 
 of Gwynedd. At that period the Britons of Cumberland were very 
 much disturbed, their country being over-run by the Danes and 
 Saxons, so much so, that they were obliged to seek a more peaceful 
 habitation. They followed their leader Robert into North Wales, 
 and obtained permission from Anarawd to settle in the counties of 
 Flint and Denbigh,* under a stipulation that they would assist 
 Anarawd to expel the Saxons. Both parties agreed, and animated 
 by the hope of regaining their ancient possessions, they set to work 
 with unexampled bravery, routed the Saxons on all sides, and even- 
 tually settled in their newly conquered districts : however they were 
 not long in a peaceful state ; the Saxons were anxious to wipe away 
 their disgrace, and, if possible, to recover their territories ; they 
 collected a great force and entered Wales. The North Britons, 
 apprised of their approach, gave them the meeting, and such was 
 the reception the invaders received, that another victory was the 
 immediate result. After this the Britons took possession of the 
 whole country from Chester to Conway. 
 
 Hawarden Castle had now become a very important hold, being 
 so nearly situated on the frontiers, and always most open to attack. 
 We learn from a Saxonf M.S. that in 946, SitsylU,\ a Welsh no- 
 bleman, was appointed Governor of Hawarden Castle ; how long 
 he was able to hold it is not ascertained. 
 
 Cambrian Biography, page 7. 
 
 T To illustrate the dark and superstitious character of that age, I may observe that the M.S. goes 
 on to state that, Sitsyllt married Lady Trawst, who, among others, went to the Christian temple at 
 Hawarden, to pray to the image of the Virgin Mary for rain; the Virgin had in her hand a very 
 large cross, called the Holy Rood, which, while the Lady was in the act of prayer, fell down 
 upon her, and killed her ; upon which a great uproar was raised, and it was resolved to try the 
 Holy Rood for the murder ; a Jury was summoned, whose designation is thus given : 
 41 Hincot and Hancot, Span of Mancot , 
 " Leech and Leach of Cnmberbeach ; 
 Peet and Peat, with Corbin of the Gate ; 
 " Milling and Hnget, with Gill and Puget."1T 
 
 Who upon strictly examining of the evidence, gave their verdict ' Wilful Murder' against the 
 Holy Rood. After much consultation the image was ordered to be drowned in the River Dee ; the 
 tide being strong, carried the Holy Rood near to the walls of the City of Chester. The inha- 
 bitants buried it at the place where it was found, and erected a monument of stone over it, with 
 this inscription: 
 
 " The Jews their God did crucify, 
 
 " The Hardeners theirs did drowne, 
 " 'Cause with their wants she'd not comply, 
 
 " And lies under this cold stone." 
 
 It is conjectured that the fine piece of ground over which Chester Races are now run , received its 
 former name, Rood-Eye, from the above historical tradition. The monument, in the form of a 
 cross, is still on the Roodee, though the inscription is totally defaced. 
 
 t From this Sitsyllt all the noble families of England received the surname of Cecil. 
 1 Several of the descendants of the above Jurymen are still living, and retain tbeir names. A Mr. CORBIN still 
 lives at the GATE !
 
 20 
 
 Before the Norman conquest, Hawarden was the chief manor and 
 the capital of the hundred of Atiscross ; and on the invasion of 
 William the Conqueror it was in the possession of Edwin, the vali- 
 ant but wicked sovereign of Deira, a region of which the county of 
 Northumberland formed a part. Here, on driving the Welsh 
 Prince from his territory, the miscreant or misguided King had 
 probably a palace, from whence he might hear, if not see, that his 
 cruel orders were executed. 
 
 From this period Hawarden appears to have been a strong and 
 favourite hold of the Saxons, until the conquest, when William set 
 aside the Saxon line and established himself King of England. 
 After settling his own affairs, he was anxious to remunerate his 
 friends and followers with some of the principal estates in this 
 country ; accordingly we find Hawarden Castle comprehended in the 
 vast grant* made to his kinsman Hugh Lupus^ whom he created 
 Earl of Chester. 
 
 This fortress afterwards was held by the tenure of Seneschalship, 
 under the Earls of Chester, by the Barons of Montalto, who made 
 it their residence.f 
 
 A respectable genealogist^: informs us, that soon after the con- 
 quest, Hawarden was in the possession of Roger Fitzvalarine, a son 
 of one of the numerous adventurers that espoused the cause and 
 followed the fortune of the Norman Conqueror. Roger, having 
 frequent contests with the Welsh, was often glad to save himself by 
 retreating to this strong hold. 
 
 After the extinction of the Barons of Montalto and the Earls of 
 Chester, owing to the want of a male issue, this, with the other 
 fortress annexed, were resumed by the crown. In 1245 Henry the 
 Third bestowed it upon his son, afterwards Edward the First. 
 
 Hawarden Castle is connected with a very singular and curious 
 piece of history, arising from those contingencies of warfare which 
 no sagacity can foresee nor limited power prevent. Some time dur- 
 ing the rebellion, the potent Earl of Leicester took prisoners, at the 
 battle of Lewes, King Henry the Third and his son Prince Ed- 
 ward ; the former he carried about as a state pageant, and the latter 
 he committed to close custody in Hereford Castle I In order to fur- 
 ther his insurrection, the Earl, in 1264, held a political conference 
 at this Castle with Llywelyn Prince of Wales, when both entered 
 into an inquisitor league, by which each pledged his honour to 
 
 * This wonderful grant contained all the land from Chester to Couway, the County of Chester, 
 the Lordship of Tegengl and Rhyfoniog; over these he was empowered with sovereign authority. 
 \ Camden, Vol. II. 826. % Collin's Peerage, Vol. 1. 48.
 
 21 
 
 promote the execution of their respective designs. By this com- 
 pact, peace was made between the Welsh frontiers and the Marches 
 of Cheshire. In the month of June, the year following, the cap- 
 tive monarch was, under existing circumstances, necessiated to re- 
 nounce his assumed rights to several of his unjustly acquired pos- 
 sessions ; among others he was compelled to give up this fortress,* 
 and, what was still more mortifying to Henry's feelings, he was 
 obliged to make an absolute cession of the whole Sovereignty of 
 Wales and its Baronial suffrages. By this treaty the Barons were 
 compelled to make their submission for their tenure to Llywelyn, 
 tfie Prince of Wales, instead of to Henry, King of England ! ! 
 
 It was also agreed by another treaty, f signed at Montgomery, 
 that in future the Dee should be the boundary between England and 
 Wales, from Wirral, in Cheshire, to Holt, in Denbighshire, and 
 thence in a direct line to Pengwern, the present Shrewsbury. After 
 bringing matters to this state, strange as it may appear, the Earl of 
 Leicester, who had instigated the rebellion, was now labouring to 
 suppress the same ! This he conducted in a deceitful though mas- 
 terly manner ; he eventually succeeded, and Hawarden was again, 
 under Papal power, restored to the crown. An admonitionary Bull 
 was issued, excatJiedra, from the reigning Pope to Ottoboni, the then 
 legate to the Prince of Wales, requiring him to surrender all the 
 territory he had lately taken from the King. Though at the mo- 
 ment the mandate did not produce the desired effect, it soon ope- 
 rated in a disunion among the parties ; the Lords Marchers made a 
 grand effort to liberate their Prince this they effected, together 
 with the taking of the whole country from Chester to Hereford, 
 spreading their victorious army with horror and dismay. 
 
 Under these varying scenes, Leicester broke up with Llywelyn, 
 and, like a coward, joined the strongest side ; for the English had now 
 become the most powerful. After several conflicts, disgraceful to 
 both, the Earl, for the sake of putting an end to the war, and with 
 a view to cement a re-union, offered his daughter Eleanor de Mont- 
 ford to the Prince of Wales, which, according to the policy of 
 Llywelyn, was an offer not to be refused. The Pope brought on a 
 pacification between the parties, during which time this Castle was 
 probably destroyed by the command of Llywelyn, for he agrees 
 among other articles, to restore his lands in Hawarden, etc. to Roger 
 de Monte Alto, provided the latter would not build any Castle, for- 
 tress, or other strong hold there for the ensuing thirty years.J But, 
 
 Rymcr, Vol. 1. 15. + Annales Cestriences. * Rymer, Vol. I. 845.
 
 22 
 
 like all other restrictive injunctions which are dictated in a tyranical 
 spirit, and unsupported by an adequate force, this agreement fell to 
 the ground, for in 1280 this Castle was garrisoned by the English 
 and went by the name of Castrum Regis. 
 
 The next year, say 1281, was distinguished by a general insur- 
 rection of the Welsh under Prince Llywelyn and his brother David, 
 the latter having entered into engagements with the former, first 
 deserting the English with whom he had for some time previous 
 unnaturally allied himself. But having, in my account of the Castle 
 of Caergwrle, already given some particulars of this reconciliation 
 and its immediate result, it is unnecessary to repeat them here ; 
 suffice it to say that David led his valiant men against their enemy, 
 and his first achievement was the taking of this Castle by " coup de 
 main" made prisoner Roger de Clifford, Justiciary of Chester, and 
 " horrible dictu, put the whole garrison to the sword ! !" 
 
 David suffered for this in the most severe and inhuman manner ;* 
 as soon as he was taken, he was sent to Shrewsbury in chains, and 
 because he had been made a Baron of England, Edward was de- 
 termined to have him tried as such. With this view he summoned 
 eleven Earls and one hundred Barons to sit in judgment at his 
 trial ; the King himself presided in person,f and no doubt influ- 
 enced the decision of the judges to silence the claims of humanity. 
 By this assembly David was doomed to die as a traitor, and con- 
 demned to five different kinds of punishments ; as part of the 
 condemnation alludes to what he did at this fortress, I shall specify 
 the whole : first he was to be drawn at the tails of horses, through the 
 streets of Shrewsbury, to the place of execution, because he was a 
 traitor to the King who made him a Knight to be hanged for having 
 murdered Fulk Trigald and other Knights in the Castle of Hawar- 
 den his heart and bowels to be burned, because those murders had been 
 perpetrated on Palm Sunday his head to be cut off his body to be 
 quartered, and to be hung up in different parts of the kingdom.^ This 
 bloody sentence was executed on David to its utmost rigour a judg- 
 ment in itself sufficient to disgrace a barbarous nation, much more 
 a court composed of free-born Englishmen ; every generous principle 
 and every spark of humanity seemed to have extinguished in national 
 revenge, which had seized on our invaders, and to gratify still more 
 the eyes of the people, John de Vaus, the then Chief Justice of 
 
 Wynn's Wales 236. 
 
 i Rytner, Vol. II. 247-48. Matthew West, 177. Annals Waverliences, 238. 
 t The Inhabitants of York and Winchester contended with a savage ferocity for the right shoulder 
 of this unfortunate Prince ; the other quarters were sent to Bristol and Northampton. 
 } Outline's History of England, page 898.
 
 23 
 
 England, ordered his head to be sent to London, and there to be 
 fixed on a pole to be gazed* at by the populace. 
 
 Hawarden, after the death of David, appears to have been for a 
 considerable time in the family of Montalto ; but owing to the vari- 
 able nature or property, arising from the uncertainty of life, Robert, 
 the last Baron of Montalto, in 1327, for want of issue, passed this 
 manor with several other possessions to Isabel the Queen-mother, 
 after which, on account of her great disgrace, it reverted to the 
 crown. 
 
 Edward the Third, in 1337, granted the Stewardship of Hawar- 
 den, &c. to Montacute, Earl of Salisbury, in whose family it con- 
 tinued until the year 1400, when his great nephew John, Earl of 
 Salisbury, joined the interest of Richard the Second against Henry 
 the Fourth, who on the fifth of January routed Salisbury, and on 
 the night of the sixth he was assaulted at his lodgings in Cirences- 
 ter ; the following morning he was, with other noblemen, beheaded 
 by the populace.f After this, the Castle became by Act of Parlia- 
 ment, 7th of Henry the Fourth, the property of the crown. 
 
 In 1411 Henry granted it, by patent, to his son the Duke of Cla- 
 rence ; at his death, which happened in 1420, for want of issue, it 
 again reverted to the crown. 
 
 Henry the Sixth granted all his property in Flintshire to his 
 mother, Queen Catharine.^ The Castle and lordship of Hawarden, 
 together with Mohendale, was then worth 66 13*. 4e?. per annum, 
 which she enjoyed until her death, January 7, 1437 ; on her demise 
 Henry granted it to Sir Thomas Stanley. 
 
 In 1450 it was resumed by the crown, and in 1451 granted to 
 Edward Prince of Wales ; but in the year 1454 a fine was levied 
 upon the Castle and manor to the use of Richard Neville and Alice 
 his wife, and to their son-in-law Sir Thomas Stanley, who after 
 the battle of Bosivorth-jield was created Earl of Derby ; after his 
 decease, it became the property of his second wife Margaret Countess 
 of Richmond, mother to our countryman Henry VII. the great restor- 
 er of our rights and privileges. This monarch visited Hawarden Castle 
 in 1494, attended by the Earl of Derby and several other noblemen; 
 the King resided here for a month, diverting himself with the 
 amusement of stag hunting. 
 
 On the death of Margaret, it descended to the Derby family, and 
 
 Matthew Westminster, 177, T.Wyke, 111. J. Rossi, 166. Annals Waverliences, 238. 
 + Dr. Henry's History of Great Britain, Vol IX, page 9.. 
 i This Catharine married Owain Tudor, Pen Mynydd Mon. 
 J See. Rolls of Parliament at that time; there is a copy at Tnlacre. 
 
 I
 
 24 
 
 continued in their possession until the demise of James, the noble 
 and heroic Earl, who, being taken in the unfortunate affair at the 
 fatal battle of Worcester, was beheaded by the insurgents in 1651. 
 
 It was purchased under the ever memorable and commemorative 
 Sequestration Act, by Mr. Serjeant Glynne, a character highly cele- 
 brated through the various politics of his day, so much so, that the 
 crafty Cromwell made him one of his councillors. Butler, in his 
 Hudibras, notices his conduct while impeaching the character of 
 the Earl of Stratford, and the arraignment of the twelve BisJiops, in 
 the following singular couplet : 
 
 " Did not the learned Glynne and Maynard, 
 To make good subjects traitors, strain hard." 
 
 During the time of the civil wars, Hawarden Castle, like all 
 other important holds in the island, suffered the changes of fortune. 
 At an early part of the contest it was seized by the anti-royalists 
 and garrisoned by the Parliamentary forces, having been treacher- 
 ously given up by the then Governor, who kept it for the use 
 of Parliament until 1645. This year a cessation of arms took 
 place between Charles and the Irish rebels ; the Duke of Ormond 
 dispatched from Ireland a number of forces under the command of 
 Lieutenant Colonel Marrow, who on the 22nd of November landed 
 at Mostyn : these were immediately ordered to attack and invest 
 the Castle of Hawarden, then garrisoned by Sir Thomas Middle- 
 ton's regiment. On their arrival, they sent a verbal summons to the 
 garrison, accompanied by a trumpet, as the avant courier; then 
 followed several written communications between the Commander 
 of the fortress and that of the royalists. The letters* are strikingly 
 illustrative of the complexion of the times ; one of them, from 
 Thomas Sandford, Captain of the fire-locks, threatens the garrison 
 by saying " that he never gives nor takes quarter," and concludes 
 his epistle thus, " 1 am no bread and cheese rogue, but as ever a 
 loyalist, and will be while I can write the name of T. Sandford." 
 
 All this ridiculous menacing eloquence, and the utmost effort of 
 the loyal cause, would have been unavailable for a considerable pe- 
 riod had not fresh resources been found, and more physical power 
 applied ; Major Gibson obtained a reinforcement from Chester of 
 300 citizens, and the companies under Captains Throp and Morgel, 
 these having joined the other forces, a vigorous attack was made the 
 following day. The garrison at last, for want of provision, was 
 obliged to hang out the " white flag," so, as Rushworth says, " after 
 
 * The curious may find the letters inserted in Rushworth's Collection. Vol II. 4. and Pennant's 
 Wales.
 
 25 
 
 a fortnight's siege, and much ink and little blood spilt, the Castle, 
 being in want of provision, was surrendered to Sir Michael Earnley, 
 on condition to march out with half arms and two pair of colours 
 flying, and the others furled, and to have a convoy either to Wem 
 or Nantwyche." 
 
 It appears that the royalists kept possession of the Castle subse- 
 quent to the surrender of Chester to Sir William Brereton, in 1645. 
 After a close siege for one month, it was reluctantly given up in 
 March by the then Governor Sir William Neale, who had received 
 the King's mandate* not to offer further resistance ; in consequence 
 the Parliamentary forces, under General Mytton, took possession of 
 it until December 22, when the Parliament, alarmed for their own 
 safety, owing to the dissatisfaction which prevailed among their 
 troops, ordered this fortress, with four others in North Wales, f to 
 be dismantled : this was done so far as to render it untenable as a 
 place of defence. The further destruction of it took place about 
 the year 1665, by the then owner Sir William Glynne, the first 
 Baronet of that family. 
 
 In order to find out its original form and extent, the present 
 owner's 'great grandfather, Sir J. Glynne, caused all the rubbish 
 from its foundation to be removed, and with great labour laid open 
 its interior, whence it appears to be of a pentagonal form, with a 
 strong square entrance gateway on its widest side, and another a 
 kind of barbican. At one dingle was placed the keep or citadel, 
 consisting of a circular nearly entire ; the other parts comprise 
 fragments of high walls and various buildings, particularly some 
 artfully contrived subterraneous rooms, supposed to have been ap- 
 propriated as places of confinement for the security of prisoners. 
 
 Its remaining vestiges are mere ruins a shadow, compared with 
 its original magnificence a true picture of all terrestrial things. In- 
 stead of being the pride and rendezvous of the haughty Baron and 
 his revelling Chieftains, 
 
 " 'Tis now the raven's bleak abode, 
 
 "Tis now the apartment of the toad ; 
 
 And there the fox securely feeds, 
 
 And there the poisonous adder breeds, 
 
 Conceal'd in ruins, moss, and weeds." 
 The next in proximity, according to the plan set out, is 
 
 FLINT CASTLE. 
 
 This fortress is situated on an isolated rock that juts out towards 
 the sea, a little north-east of the town. Formerly the channel of 
 
 M.S. at the Library at Motyn. t Whitelock, 231.
 
 26 
 
 the Dee ran immediately under the base of its towers, and even 
 now at high tides the waves wash its walls. 
 
 The building was originally of a square form, strengthened by 
 large circular towers at each angle, one of which was disjoined, but 
 had a commnication with the other part by means of a draw-bridge ; 
 this is called the double tower. It appears from the present re- 
 mains to have been much larger than the others, and consists of two 
 concentric circular walls, each six feet thick, comprising between 
 them an open space of twenty feet in diameter. This is certainly 
 the strongest part of the Castle, and is denominated by Froissart, Le 
 Donjon, to which the same historian informs us the unfortunate 
 Richard the Second retired, as the place of the greatest security, 
 when he was in danger of being taken by his rival- Bolingbroke. 
 
 Its interior had a gallery, where persons might retire, as the der- 
 nier resort ; this had a sort of zigzag communication up and down, 
 and was furnished with four arch openings : it also consists of a 
 square area, about half an acre. The remaining pointed windows, 
 on the west side, are sufficient to indicate that.this, like many other 
 ancient buildings, was altered according to the vogue of fashion. 
 On the north-east side it has an out-work called the barbican, which 
 consists of a square tower ; this probably was nothing more than a 
 kind of postern. 
 
 The period, when this Castle was originally erected, has been* 
 a question involved in obscurity and doubt. Camden* asserts 
 that it was began by Henry the Second, in 1157, and finished by 
 Edward the First. Lord Lyttleton, in his history of Henry, is of 
 the same opinion; but Lealandf, who is a good authority on the 
 subject, attributes its foundation to Edward the First ; he is fol- 
 lowed by Fabian and Stowe. The late Mr. Pennant, who was well 
 versed in these things, was not satisfied as to the time, and frankly 
 owns " that the founder of this Castle is uncertain." The proba- 
 bility is, that subsequent to the signal defeat of Henry at Eulo, and 
 the great dismay which followed at Coleshill, which is close by, this 
 monarch, in order to cover his army and prevent such disaster in 
 future, might have caused some sort of a fortification to be erected 
 here, and then Edward afterwards, acquainted with the eligibility 
 of the situation, as bordering on the sea, strengthened and enlarged 
 it to its present form. This monarch resided here in 12774 and 
 RE-BUILT the '^Castle^ which shews that he was not the original 
 founder but an enjarger. This enlargement must have been very 
 
 Cough's Camdeii, Vol. II. 558. + Lealand Colcct. Tom. II. 420. 
 
 t Rymer, Vol. II. 86. } Warrington's Wales, 470.
 
 prejudicial to the men of Flint, for in 1281, among other grievan- 
 ces, they complained " that the King builded the Castell on their 
 soil," by which means " the noblest and the best of the countrie be 
 injured ;" and, although the Justiciary had received the Royal 
 mandate to " grant them remuneration of ground, equally in good- 
 ness and quality," they did not receive " in lieu* neither land nor 
 monie." The rolls of Edward notice this place very frequently. 
 
 In the time of King Henry the Fifth, Flint Castle was in the 
 possession of the Chamberlain of Chester, and he appointed Nicho- 
 las Hawbuck Constable, who kept it, with four men at arms and 
 twelve archers, at the expence of one hundred and forty-six pounds 
 per annum.f 
 
 An order was issued in 1280 for the custody of the gate, when 
 the Constable, as the Governor, was appointed an annual salary 
 of 10 a year. 
 
 During the insurrection of Llywelyn and David, in 1280, the 
 Welsh, wearied by a long series of oppression, took this Castle by 
 surprise ; at the same time the South Wales Chieftains took the 
 Castle of Aberystwyth : but Edward soon afterwards compelled them 
 to fly in precipitation, leaving it undefended.^: 
 
 In 1290 an order was issued for superintending the works of this 
 fortress, as well as those of Rhuddlan. 
 
 There is a chasm in history respecting the affairs of this fortress 
 until 1311, when " the infatuated" and impotent Edward II. re- 
 ceived the haughty but particular favourite, Piers Gaveston, who a 
 little before was banished from the country for his ill deeds. This 
 Piers so corrupted Prince Edward's principles, that his father 
 obliged him to make a solemn oath never to suffer his return, and 
 indeed the King's last admonition, on his dying bed, was that under 
 pain of incurring his paternal malediction, he never should recal the 
 banished Gaveston.^ When a King is guilty of such acts, how can 
 he expect his subjects to obey his laws? for here we have an in- 
 stance of royalty disobeying his parent's last injunction, and vio- 
 lating his most sacred oath ! ! 
 
 The next account we have of Flint Castle is in 1333, when Ed- 
 ward the Third granted it, together with several other fortresses, to 
 his son the Black Prince, and to his heirs the Kings of England. 
 Two years after, 1335, the Black Prince was ordered, as Earl of 
 Chester, to take into custody the Castle of Flint and Rhuddlan ; 
 he was also required to furnish^f the same with men and provisions. 
 
 Powell, 3C. + MS. Clcop F. 111. folio 1176. J Carte's England. Vol. II. 193. 
 I Henry's Britain, Vol VII. 117. IT Stowe, 214. Doddridge, 126.
 
 28 
 
 Richard the Second, in 1385, granted this fortress, together with 
 the Chief Justiciary of Chester, to the infamous Robert Vere, Earl 
 of Oxford.* Fourteen years after it was surrendered to Percy, Earl 
 of Northumberland, who hasely deserted and treacherously in- 
 veigled his sovereign. In this " dolorous Castell," as Hall styles it, 
 was deposed the unfortunate, because inefficient, monarch Richard 
 the Second. Through the hypocritical management of Percy, he 
 was betrayed and put under the power of his rival Bolingbroke, 
 who insidiously intimated that he only wanted an interview with the 
 monarch for two exclusive purposes, which were to give the nation 
 a Parliament and to have his own land restored to him. 
 
 Richard's conduct on that occasion clearly shewed his weakness, 
 as well as the wanton and deceitful villainy of the Earl. 
 The King, on his return from Ireland, was met by Percy at Con- 
 way ; when he delivered the purport of his message, the King 
 doubted much the sincerity of the Earl, but to remove all doubt, 
 and to quiet the apprehension of his royal master, the Earl accom- 
 panied him to church, attended high mass, and at the altar took the 
 oath of allegiance and fidelity. This being done, the King proceeded 
 with the Earl, but, to his sorrow, he soon perceived that a snare 
 had been laid for him, and likewise the error that he had fallen into 
 by placing his confidence in a sacramental oath ! In a defile, near 
 the top of Penmaen Rhos, he saw a numerous band of soldiers, bear- 
 ing upon their standard the Northumberland arms ! He was shocked 
 at the appearance, and would have escaped from the decoy, but the 
 Earl sprang forward, caught hold of the bridle, and forcibly di- 
 rected his course onwards f In this dilemma the poor deluded 
 Prince had only just time to reproach the vile wretch for his per- 
 jury, by observing, that the God he had sworn to that morning 
 would, at the day of judgment, amply retaliate the atrocious and 
 blasphemous deed he had perpetrated that day. He caused his 
 royal prisoner to stop at Rhuddlan for refreshment, and conveyed 
 him with promptitude that evening to the Castle of Flint. 
 
 The following morning Richard was greatly astonished by seeing 
 a numerous army marching along the beech, and commanded by his 
 rival the Duke of Lancaster, who, after surrounding the Castle, 
 received the King with that mock appearance of respect which can 
 only be necessary when the last act of cruelty is to be completed. 
 After dinner the King came down from the keep to meet Boling- 
 broke, who, on the appearance of his sovereign, fell on his knees, 
 
 Grose's Antiquities of England and Wales.
 
 29 
 
 with his cap in his hand ; this ceremony he repeated, and for some 
 time assumed a dutiful and respectfid conduct. The King, on see- 
 ing this apparent act of submission, took off his hoode, and spoke 
 first " Fair cousin of Lancaster, you are right welcome." The 
 Duke, who very courteously was still bowing, said " My liege 
 Lord, I am come before you sent for me, the reason why I will 
 shew you ; the common fame among our people is such, that ye 
 have for the space of twenty years ruled them very rigorously, but 
 if it please our Lord, I will help you to govern better." Then the 
 King answered and said, " Sith it pleaseth you, it pleaseth me 
 much." The Duke immediately threw off the mask, and adding 
 insolence to infamy, "with a high sharpe voice badde bring forth the 
 King's horses ; and then two little naggs, not worth forty francs, 
 were brought forth." The King was set on the one, and the Earl 
 of Salisbury on the other, and thus the Duke brought the King 
 from Flint to Chester, where he was delivered to the Duke of 
 Gloucester's son, who led him straight to the Castle.* 
 
 As the immortal Shakespeare observed, " Kings are but elevated 
 men," and, if the testimony of Froissart may be credited, Richard 
 did not experience the ingratitude of man alone, but he received an 
 additional sting from that portion of the brute creation which is 
 supposed to be incapable of caprice : his favourite dog deserted him 
 on this occasion, and, as if endued with the knowledge of his ap- 
 proaching fate, after he was let loose, he went and fawned on his 
 rival Bolingbroke ! 
 
 The story is very singular, and as it relates to the transactions of 
 this fortress I shall here insert it, as translated by that friend and 
 furtherer of literature, Thomas Johns, Esq. M.P. Havod-uchdryd : 
 
 " King Richard had a greyhound called Math, beautiful beyond 
 measure, who would not notice nor follow any one beside the King. 
 Whenever the King rode abroad, the greyhoundf was loosed by the 
 person who had him in keep, and ran instantly to caress him, by 
 placing his two fore-feet on his shoulders. It fell out that as the 
 King and the Duke of Lancaster were conversing in the court of 
 Flint Castle, their horses being ready for them to mount, the grey- 
 hound was untied, but instead of running as usual to the King, he 
 left him and leaped to the Duke of Lancaster's shoulders, paying 
 him every court, as he used to caress the King. The Duke, not 
 
 * Stowe's Annals, 321. 
 
 t The greyhound seems to have been a famous prognosticator in these times, for when the armies 
 of the two rivals, John of Moiitford and Charles de Blois, were ou the point of engaging, Ixjrd 
 Charles's greyhound left him and caressed Montford who won the battle '!
 
 30 
 
 acquainted with this greyhound, asked the King the meaning of all 
 this fondness, saying < What does this mean ?' ' Cousin, (replied 
 the King) it means a great deal for you, and very little for me.' 
 ' How ! (said the Duke) pray explain it.' ' I understand by it (re- 
 plied the King) that this greyhound fondles and pays his court to 
 you this day as King of England, which you will surely be, and I 
 shall be deposed, for the natural instinct of the dog shews it to you ; 
 keep him therefore by your side, for he will now leave me and fol- 
 low you.' The Duke of Lancaster treasured up what the King had 
 said, and paid attention to the greyhound, who would never more 
 follow Richard of Bourdeaux, but kept by the side of the Duke of 
 Lancaster, as witnessed by thirty tJtousand men /" 
 
 Henry the Sixth, in 1422, granted* to his mother, Lady Catha- 
 rine, Queen of England, the crown fees of several villages and for- 
 tresses ; among the rest she had the fees of the Castle and Town of 
 Flint, then worth 46 3s. 4c?. per annum. 
 
 It appears from a M.S. accountf in the Harleian collection, that 
 although this Castle did not suffer during Owain Glyndwrs insur- 
 rection, yet several of the Flintshire men took up armsj and joined 
 their gallant countryman. Henry, Prince of Wales, added a jewel 
 to the crown by procuring a pardon from his father to his tenants 
 in these parts, who, under their patriotic delusion of ideal inde- 
 pendence, had forfeited their allegiance by joining the rebellion. 
 
 From this period nothing appears in any of our historic records 
 respecting this fortress, until the civil wars in the reign of Charles 
 the First, when this county took an active part in behalf of roy- 
 alty. Sir Roger Mostyn was one of the first that took up arms in 
 defence of his sovereign, against the rebellion of his subjects ; he 
 was appointed Governor of Flint Castle, and after repairing and 
 putting it in a defensible state, at his own expence, he garrisoned 
 the same for the King. Whitelock, in his memoirs, makes this 
 honourable mention of Sir Roger ; " This Colonel Mostyn is my 
 sister's son, a gentleman of good parts and mettle, of a very an- 
 cient family, large possessions, and great interest in that county ; 
 so that in twelve hours he raised fifteen hundred men for the King /" 
 With these forces he took the Castle of Hawarden, and afterwards 
 marched with his regiment into the City of Chester, then besieged 
 by the rebel forces : but, I may add, like many others that joined 
 their sovereign at that time, Sir Roger Mostyn suffered such pri- 
 
 See Rolls of Parliament at that time. t Haleian M.S. No. 2099. 
 
 J Besides the Castles in this comity, the old mansion called Gwasanau, near Mold, was garri- 
 soned in the civil wars of that lime for the King, and was taken by the Parliament General, Sir 
 \Villiaui Brcreton.
 
 31 
 
 vations that displayed much more real patriotism than ever was ex- 
 iiibited on the Parliamentary side ;* however justifiable the right of 
 resistance might have been on one part, or the corrupt system of 
 the existing government on the other. 
 
 This Castle was closely besieged in 1643 by the Parliamentary 
 forces, under the command of Sir William Brereton and Sir Thos. 
 Middleton ; but was ably and nobly defended by Sir Roger Mos- 
 tyn and his garrison during a long siege of great hardship, and 
 though they had been reduced to the last necessity, even to live on 
 horseflesh ! still they did not deliver it up till the King had sent a 
 specific order to surrender, but their courage and bravery procured 
 for them very favourable terms. 
 
 Two years after this, about 1645, this fortress was retaken by 
 the royalists, and, as appears by articles of convention, received an 
 additional strength. The whole garrison from Beeston Castle, after 
 a most gallant defence, capitulated, and was permitted to march to 
 this place with all the honours of war. Notwithstanding this ac- 
 cession of strength, the force was not equal to the one by which 
 they were opposed, for on the 29th of August, 1646, it was sur- 
 rendered to Major- General Mytton. The following year it was, 
 like other important Castles in Wales, dismantled under a general 
 order from the Parliament. 
 
 Among other rights, on the restoration, Flint Castle was resumed 
 by the crown, where it is still vested, and governed by a Constable, 
 who, according to ancient royal grants, appears in the two-fold ca- 
 pacity of civil and military, for he is both Governor of the Castle 
 and Mayor of the Borough. This closes the affairs of Flint Castle, 
 
 I shall now proceed to that of 
 
 BASINGWERK CASTLE. 
 
 The remains of this fortress are visible in the foundation of a 
 wall near the turnpike road, and close by the commencement of 
 Offas Dyke. Its founder was Richard, f son of Hugh Lupus Earl 
 of Chester ; and the first notice. we have of it is by Bradshaw, in 
 his life of St. Werburgh, who informs us that Richard, after his 
 return from Normandy, where he had been educated, was anxious 
 to commence his reign with an act of piety ; consequently, in the 
 year 1099, he attempted a pilgrimage to the Well of St. Wenefrede, 
 
 He spent about 60,000 in the service of his country ! His house at Mostyn, which was gar- 
 risoned for the royal cause, was stripped of all its valuables was himself taken prisoner, confined 
 for some time at Conway Castle, and after being released, he was obliged to desert his family 
 mansion and retire for several years to a small farm-house, called Plat Ucha, \ mile from Mostju 
 
 T Lord Ly ttletou's History of Henry II. 338. 
 
 K
 
 32 
 
 which is close by, but, either on his journey thither or on his return, 
 he was suddenly surprised, and was obliged to seek shelter at Bas- 
 ingwerk Abbey. Tradition informs, that in this emergency he ap- 
 plied to St. Wenefrede for advice and assistance ; the good Saint, 
 iinxious to relieve him from his difficulties, took his distressed state 
 into serious contemplation, and, after putting her saintly power to 
 work, miraculously raised certain sands between Flintshire and the 
 opposite coast, by which means his Constable and men marched 
 over the estuary to his relief; from this occurrence, that part of 
 the sands still retain the appellation of the Constable's sands. 
 
 The Castle was demolished in the reign of King Stephen.* In 
 order to secure a retreat on any future disaster, Henry the Second, 
 in 1157, after the ambuscade at Coed Eulo, re-built more strongly, 
 fortified, and supplied it with a very powerful garrison ;f he also 
 cleared all the passes, cut down the woods, which at that time were 
 very dangerous, affording shelter, as he keenly experienced, to his 
 enemies.^ After his defeat, Henry never would venture his army 
 among our woods, but always marched his forces along the open 
 land. 
 
 The same monarch, profiting by late experience, left here another 
 species of fencible forces, for he established a house of Knights 
 Templars a military order first instituted at the Holy Land, and 
 introduced into England the preceding reign, for the protection of 
 pilgrims that came to perform their vows to our patroness saint, 
 who, at that time, was held in great reputation. 
 
 This fortress was not of long existence, for the Welsh, aware of 
 its importance in the hand of an enemy, looked upon it with a jealous 
 eye, as detrimental to their liberty and a check to their proceedings. 
 In order to remove this nuisance, our countrymen, in 1 165, under 
 their gallant Prince, Owain Gicynedd, laid siege to, and immediately 
 took and levelled it to the ground ;J[ from which time this fortress 
 occurs no more as a place of defence. 
 
 About one mile higher up we come to the site of another fortress. 
 This was called 
 
 HOLYWELL CASTLE, 
 
 And is situated in a field called Bryny Castell, close by the church ; 
 the site is in an eligible situation as a place of defence, being very 
 
 History of Henry II. t Matthew Paris, 129. 
 
 t Matthew Paris, 81. M.S. Chronicle, from Brutus to the end of the reign of Edward IV. in 
 St Peter'i College, Cambridge. 
 
 I Dr Powell's History of Wales. V Dr. Powell's History of Wales, 223.
 
 33 
 
 steep on two sides, and projecting over a little valley ; there are not 
 at present any vestiges left. After a long quest of its founder, I 
 find it thus noticed in the Archiology of Wales " Yfloydyn honno 
 1200 ydd adail-adodd iarll Kaer Lleon gastell Treffynon"* which may 
 be thus translated " This year, 1200, the Earl of Chester built the 
 Castle of Holywell." This Earl was Randulph, third Earl of 
 Chester. 
 
 The Castle was but of short duration, for in 1210, when King 
 John was with his army in Ireland, Prince Llywelyn ap Jorwerth, 
 entered the Earl's dominion ; among other exploits he destroyed 
 this Castle, and returned home with great spoil. From that time 
 it does not appear to have been the cause of any future contentions. 
 
 The next in proximity is 
 
 CASTELL TY MAEN. 
 
 This fortress was situated on a great mount, now finely covered 
 with fir trees, near Orsedd, in the parish of Whitford, and is said, 
 by the Welsh antiquaries,f to have been the residence of Ednowain 
 BendeW) or Ednowain the Thickskull, the founder of one of the 
 fifteen tribes of North Wales, whose descendants still possess vast 
 estates in this part of the country. Of the transactions connected 
 with this Castle history is silent. 
 
 From hence I proceed to 
 
 CASTELL EDWIN. 
 
 The site of this fortress is discernible on the top of Axton moun- 
 tain, in the parish of Llanasa, and is to this day called Bryn y Cas- 
 tell, or Castle Hill. When, or by whom, this fortress was built 
 cannot be ascertained ; the place is not noticed by any of our histo- 
 rians even Mr. Pennant is silent on the subject. 
 
 I find that, at the conquest, the whole of Flintshire, which was 
 called by the Saxons Englefield, and afterwards by the Normans 
 Atiscross, was in the possession of Edwin, last Earl of Mercia ; he 
 was grandson to Howel Dda, and Lord of Tegeingl, and flourished 
 about the year 1041 ;| he had a hall near Northop, called Llys Ed- 
 win, and the probability is, that as this fortress bears his name, he 
 was the founder. 
 
 In 1113, Hugh Lupus excited King Henry to prepare an army 
 against Wales, complaining, among other things, that the men of 
 
 Archiology of Wale, Vol. II. 444. 
 
 + Pennant, of Downing, aud his companion the Rev. J. Lloyd, Caerwyi. 
 
 % Cambrian Biography.
 
 34 
 
 Oronwy ab Owain ab Edwin, Lord of Tegeingl, had wasted the 
 county of Chester. 
 
 The situation is very eligible for a Castle, and admirably well 
 adapted for a place of defence, being on the top of a hill, to which 
 there is an ascent on every side for the space of nearly half a mile, 
 so that it had a very decided advantage on all sides to guard against 
 the enemy; this commands a view of nearly the whole range of the 
 British posts. 
 
 There is every reason to suppose that the great battle fought un- 
 der the renowned Agricola, which completed the conquest of this 
 country, and in which there was a great slaughter, took place near 
 to this spot. In support of this conjecture, it may be observed, 
 that on the west side, and on the brow of the hill which is close by, 
 there is a place to this day called Bryn y Saethau, or the Hill of 
 Arrows, probably from being the station of the archers in the en- 
 gagement ; close to this is Bryn y Lladdfa, or the Hill of Slaughter, 
 a name peculiarly appropriated to the site of battle ; and it may also 
 be remarked, that great quantities of human bones have, from time 
 to time, been found here, so much so, that the neighbouring farmers 
 carry the soil for manure. I have been credibly informed by an eye 
 witness, " that he saw a common spade put down in the earth up to 
 the handle in nothing else but a mass of human bones !" 
 
 A little below this again is Pant y Gwae, or the Hollow of Woe. 
 Between this place and Mostyn, about one mile and a half distant, 
 there is on an elevation a singular monument, denominated Maen 
 Achwynfan, or the Stone of Lamentation and Weeping, on* which 
 is cut some very curious figures ; the height of the stone is twelve 
 feet, and two feet four inches wide at the base, the form is that of 
 an ancient obelisk in the early 'ages of Christianity; from the sur- 
 rounding tumuli, there cannot be a doubt but that this monument of 
 antiquity was erected as a memorial of the dead, probably for the 
 heroes who were slain in the great battle before alluded to. 
 
 The tumuli in the whole neighbourhood are quite observable, and 
 their view must be a high treat to the curious traveller ; indeed, in 
 no part of North Wales is to be seen such an assemblage of them. 
 The great mount above Newmarket is a very fine tumulus, and the 
 ridge of the hill from this to Bryn y Castell, is marked throughout 
 with verdant tumuli.* The urns found in them prove to be sepul- 
 chral ; human bones are found in some, and silver coins-j- in others. 
 
 * The number of large ones may be called twenty seven. 
 
 + I am informed, that one T. Jones, of Axton, digged into one of the tumuli, and found an urn 
 full of silver coin* / he went and sold them, and, with the money he received, built himself a 
 bouse : from this circumstance he is called Twm y Pet Coch, or The Red Pot Tom.
 
 35 
 
 These circumstances are strikingly illustrative of the fact, that 
 this neighbourhood has been the scene of some great slaughter and 
 bloodshed ; and there is no doubt but the victims who fell in this 
 murderous conflict were the Ordovices, a tribe unquestionably one of 
 the bravest of the ancient British nation, and who, as we are in- 
 formed by Tacitus* and several other historians, defended their 
 country and liberty against the Romans with the most heroic forti- 
 tude, and were the last people in Britain unconquered by the con- 
 querors of the world. 
 
 From here I proceed to the next fortress in contiguity, which is 
 PRESTATYN CASTLE. 
 
 On an elevated spot, in a meadow not far from Nant Mill, are to 
 be seen the few remaining vestiges of Prestatyn Castle, but they are 
 so inconsiderable that it is impossible to form any idea of the ori- 
 ginal form of the fortress. It was formerly surrounded by a foss, 
 which is still seen at a certain distance from the Castle. 
 
 The celebrated Pennant was of opinion, that it was originally 
 built by the Welsh, but we are left in the dark as to the period 
 when that took place. If our countrymen built it, their invaders 
 must have wrested it from them, for in 1167 it was in the possession 
 of Henry II. At this time the combined forces of Owain Gwynedd 
 and Rhys, Prince of South Wales, laid siege to it, but so strong 
 was the garrison, and so obstinate the defence the English made, 
 that three months had elapsed before our gallant countrymen accom- 
 plished their objects. The destruction of this Castle by them, ap- 
 pears to have completed their triumph over the English, who were 
 now entirely dislodged from their conquests in Gwynedd.f 
 
 The next in proximity is 
 
 DYSERTH CASTLE. 
 
 On the summit of a high rock, above Dyserth Church, stand the 
 remains of this fortress ; of its early history little is known, not 
 even its founder. It has had a variety of names, viz. Din Colyn, 
 Castell y Ffailion, and Castell Gerri ;J these may truly be called 
 Welsh names, and from which it is highly probable that it was 
 originally a British post, and afterwards a Castle. 
 
 The first notice we have of it, is in 1241, when Henry III. in 
 order to strengthen the line of the Marches, caused it to be repair- 
 ed, and, for the purpose of more tenacious defence, made some 
 additions to it. Its existence was not of a long duration, for in 
 twenty years after, about 1261, it was, with that of Deganicy, near 
 
 * Tacitus An. 1. 12, c. 31. + See Life of Owain GwynedJ. J Llwyd'i Itinerary.
 
 36 
 
 Con way, rased to the ground by our countryman Llywelyn ap Gru- 
 ffydd. Einion,* the son of Rhirid Flaidd, was slain at the siege of 
 this Castle ; a cross was erected as a monument to his bravery, and 
 the spot is to this day called Croes Einion. This cross was orna- 
 mented with some very curious sculpture, and is now suppposed to 
 form the stile into the church yard at Dyserth. 
 
 1 must not pass by without noticing a curious circumstance that 
 took place in the neighbourhood, between Sir Robert Pounderling, 
 Constable of this Castle, and a valiant Welshman called Theodore. 
 Sir Robert was celebrated for his prowess at tournaments, not only 
 in brandishing a sword or handling a lance, but particularly so in 
 the pugilistic art ; notwithstanding all this, at a tournament held in 
 this county, the gallant Welshman accepted his challenge, and in 
 the combat struck out one of Sir Robert's eyes. 
 
 When a similar fete was proclaimedf to be held at the English 
 Court, our countryman attended and challenged his old antagonist ; 
 Sir Robert, profiting by past experience, declined the combat, which 
 shewed that he not only possessed valour but prudence, alleging as 
 a justifiable apology, that he felt no inclination, nor indeed had the 
 least desire, to run the risk of having his other eye knocked out by 
 a Welshman. 
 
 The remaining vestiges of the Castle are very little interesting ; 
 they merely consist of a few shattered fragments of walls, 
 round which the creeping ivy entwines itself through its caverns 
 the fox looks out for his prey and on its ruins the lonely thistle 
 shakes its head. Nothing is now heard to break the solemn silence 
 that pervades these remains of antiquity, but the croaking of the 
 raven, the crowing of the crow, and the shrieks of the owl. 
 
 The vast masses of stone that lie about its foundation, shew that 
 its destruction was not the effect of time, but was overthrown by 
 mining apparatus, a practice in use previous to the discovery of 
 gunpowder. 
 
 I shall now proceed to give an account of the last of the Flintshire 
 fortresses, which is 
 
 RHUDDLAN CASTLE. 
 
 The ruins of this long-famed and celebrated fortress have a fine 
 appearance even at a distance, and when approached, the beholder 
 is struck with awe, especially when the mind reflects upon the tran- 
 sactions that took place in its precincts the sight is solemn and 
 impressive. Within these walls vibrated the voice of man, sound- 
 
 Hengwrt M.S.S. + Leland's Itinerary, Vol. XII. 21.
 
 37 
 
 ing hilarity and yrief in their turn. Here once lived the heroic 
 Princes of Wales and their brave followers, employing their courage 
 defence of the land of their nativity beneath these splendid arches 
 were tuned the ancient harps of Cymru, who 
 
 " Gave to rapture all their trembling strings" 
 
 Well might one of our modern bards exclaim, whilst viewing a 
 similar ruin, 
 
 " Y llwybrau gynt lie bu 'r gan, 
 Yw lleoedd y ddylluan." 
 
 In after times, here it was where dwelt ambition, ruling with a 
 rod of iron within these walls was practised that well known fraud 
 when the haughty Edward deceived our countrymen, in promising 
 them a Prince of their " own blood" and here it was where he 
 held his mock parliament and extinguished our independence ! In 
 one of these cells was imprisoned the last of our Princes, where 
 the savage conqueror caused him to lie in chains, and would not 
 grant him a hearing here it was where one kingdom fell, and 
 another raised ; one Prince put up, and another set down ! 
 
 Here it was where the pretended peace-maker, Archbishop Peck- 
 ham, attempted to obtain that by duplicity and deceit, which he 
 could not by uprightness and truth and here it was Avhere he 
 thundered out his popish condemnation against our country. 
 
 Instead of being the residence of the restless Edward and his 
 warriors, who made our forefathers shudder with the clanging of 
 their arms, now the hissing serpent glides along its passages 
 poisonous reptiles conceal themselves beneath the bushy brambles 
 and here the daw, and other birds of prey, protect their unfledged 
 young ! 
 
 The remaining vestiges proclaim its former magnificence ; they 
 remind us of the pomp and grandeur of its possessors, now gone 
 down to the dust and they shew us the decay to which sublunary 
 objects are destined, in spite of every effort to rescue them from 
 the all-devouring gulph of oblivion. 
 
 Its form nearly approximates to a square, and has six towers, two 
 of them standing at the two opposite corners, and one at each of the 
 other corners. One is called Twr y Brenin, (or the King's Tower) 
 and the other, Twr y Silod ; these remain tolerably entire. The 
 ditch that surrounds the Castle is both deep and wide, and faced 
 with stone on both sides ; the escarpments towards the river were 
 defended by steep walls, which enclosed an area nearly forming an 
 octagonal shape, and its principal entrance seems to have been at 
 the north-west angle. About two hundred yards to the south of
 
 38 
 
 the Castle there is an artificial mount, the site of another fortress ; 
 this, to all appearance, was of very early date. The conjecture 
 would not be void of probability, were I to say that this was in 
 being in 790, when the celebrated battle of Rhuddlan Marsh took 
 place, and where our brave monarch, Caradoc, fell in defending his 
 country against the famous Offa, King of Mercia, who is also said to 
 have been slain in the conflict.* 
 
 Two of our most celebrated historians were of opinion, that the 
 original founder of this fortress was Llywelyn ap Seisyllt,\ who 
 reigned over North Wales from 1015 to 1020, and who, they inform 
 us, made this Castle his residence. It continued to be the seat of 
 royalty until 1063, when Gruffydd ap Llywelyn gave offence to 
 Edward the Confessor, by receiving one of his rebellious subjects. 
 In retaliation for this offence, Harold, son of Edwin, Earl of Kent, 
 took the Castle and burnt down the palace. J In this transaction 
 Gruffydd had a very narrow escape for his life ; the English troops 
 presented themselves at the gates before he was aware of the dan- 
 ger, but fortunately for him, there was a vessel in the harbour, to 
 which he fled with a few of his attendants, and the wind being in 
 their favour, they escaped with safety. 
 
 The Castle was soon restored and rebuilt by the Welsh, who 
 continued to be its possessors until 1098, when Robert, a nephew 
 to Hugh Lupus, Earl of Chester, wrested it from them ; Robert, 
 after this event, was surnamed de Rhuddlan : he received a man- 
 date from William the Conqueror to refortify the place, which he 
 did by erecting new works, and made it his military residence, by 
 which means he was enabled to aimoy^j the surrounding inhabitants 
 and carry on his marauding system. 
 
 While the Norman warrior was thus situated, he received a visit 
 from Prince Gruffydd ap Conan, who earnestly solicited his aid 
 against some foes by whom he had been assailed. Robert afforded 
 him every assistance, but afterwards a quarrel took place between 
 them ; the result was that Gruffydd attacked Robert in the Castle 
 of Rhuddlan, took and burnt part of the building, and killed a 
 great number of his men, so that very few escaped. || 
 
 This grand barrier fortress was, by order of Henry II. repaired 
 and furnished with a strong garrison ; and prior to his quitting the 
 
 His coffin was discovered about one hundred years ago near Vaenol Vawr, and is now to be 
 seen at Downing, the seat of David Pennant, Esq. 
 
 t Powell's Annotations on Giraldus Cainbriensis, item. Lib. 11. c. 10., and Gough's Camden, 
 Vol II. 558. 
 
 J Powell's Wales, 100. } Matthew Westminster, 429. 
 
 It Gsugh's Camden, Vol, II. 558. II Hanes Gruffydd ab Conao, in the Archiology of Walei, vol. 2.
 
 39 
 
 country for a campaign in France, he gave it to Hugh Beauchamp. 
 Notwithstanding all this, in 1 169, while Henry was engaged in his 
 foreign wars, it was attacked by our gallant countrymen, Owain 
 Gwynedd, his brother Cadwaladr, and Rhys ap Gruffydd ; and 
 after two months' blockade, they took and dismantled it.|| It was 
 again recovered by the English, and Henry bestowed it with 
 Emma, his natural sister, on Dafydd ap Owen, son of Owain 
 Gwynedd. 
 
 In 1187, when Baldwin, Archbishop of Canterbury, was preach- 
 ing the crusade through Wales, he stopped at this Castle, and 
 David entertained him " very nobly."f David must have resigned it 
 to the English again, for we have an account,;): that in the latter end 
 of the reign of Richard I. about 1198, Ran die Blundeville, Earl of 
 Chester, was suddenly and unexpectedly attacked here by a body of 
 Welsh, and with an incompetent force lay in the greatest distress, 
 until he was relieved by his Lieutenant, Roger de Lacy> who with 
 great promptitude collected a great number of idle persons toge- 
 ther, such as itinerant minstrels, fiddlers, tinkers, panders, &c. &c. 
 with these he marched towards Rhuddlan ; the Welsh, observing at 
 a distance an immense crowd, concluded it to be the English army, 
 which induced them to fly in precipitation. The Earl, grateful for 
 his deliverance, rewarded Lacy by appointing him Magisterium Om- 
 nium Peccatortim et Meretricum Totius Cestreshire. 
 
 In the time of Prince Henry, afterwards Henry the Fifth, this 
 fortress belonged to the Chamberlain of Chester, and as such the 
 Prince appointed Henry de Conway to be Constable thereof, which 
 he kept with nine men at arms and thirty archers, at the expence of 
 422 15s. He?, per annum. 
 
 During the reign of King John, about the year 1214, this Castle 
 was again besieged and taken by the Welsh, under their Prince 
 Llywelyn ap Jorwerth. This fortress is noticed as being the last 
 Castle King John held in this country, the Cambrians having en- 
 tirely driven him beyond the frontiers.^ 
 
 Llywelyn had married Princess Joan, daughter of King John, 
 but owing to many imprudent acts committed by this monarch, and 
 the wild disorder of his conduct, (happily for posterity) he convulsed 
 every part of his dominion, and loosened every tie of duty or af- 
 fection which bind the subject to the Prince. This conduct of John 
 
 n Matthew Paris, 81. Powell, 208, 224. Littleton's Henry If. Vol II. 493. 
 + Giraldus Cambriences' Itin. 872. Sir R. C. Hoare's Edition XI. 134. 
 * Leicester's History of Chester, 142. \ M.S. Cleop. FT. 111. folio 1176. 
 
 IT Powell's Wales, 270. Wynn's Wales, 237. 
 
 L
 
 40 
 
 brought on him the curse of Rome, and the Pope released Wales 
 from the interdict under which it had lain ; he also absolved Llyw- 
 elyn from the oaths of homage and allegiance* which he had taken 
 at the late peace. The native spirit of our countrymen, after being 
 confined in narrow limits by the agency of various causes, was now 
 set on fire and burst through every restraint ; the Cambrian volcano 
 poured down its irruptive violence and vengeance on the heads of 
 their oppressors Llywelyn laid waste the Marches with fire 
 and sword, and made himself complete master of North Wales, 
 which he retained for a considerable time. 
 
 The next account we have of this fortress is in 1277, when 
 Llywelyn ap Gruffydd refused to do homage to Edward the First. 
 This monarch marched into Wales at the head of a very consider- 
 able army, and amongst others he took this Castle. So important 
 did the conqueror consider this strong hold, that previous to the 
 accomplishment of his design, he made it the rendezvousf of all his 
 forces destined for that purpose ; he sent thither a great quantity of 
 ammunition and provisions for the support of the advancing division 
 of his army. 
 
 Llywelyn, knowing from experience of how much importance 
 this fortress would be to his interest, in conjunction with his brother 
 David, both being awake to a sense of their common danger, made 
 a most vigorous attack upon it, which however proved unavailing. 
 On the approach of the English army, our Princes were under the 
 necessity of retreating, judging it more prudent to avail themselves 
 of every opportunity of cutting off the detached parties of the 
 enemy, than with unequal force to fight them in the open field.J A 
 favourable opportunity offered itself not far from this fortress the 
 Cambrians put to flight a large detachment of the English army, 
 and fourteen ensigns were taken in the conflict ; the Lords Audley 
 and Clifford, the son of William de Valance, Richard de Arger- 
 ton, and several other chiefs were slain. Edward himself was 
 obliged to retire for protection to Hope Castle, a fortress^ he had 
 lately taken. The result of this battle materially checked the pro- 
 gress of the invader, so much so, that he was not able to perform 
 any action of moment until the following autumn. 
 
 In order to prevent the success of any future attempts of the 
 Welsh, the King of England adopted every known method to ren- 
 
 " Matthew Paris, 194. Annals Waverliences, 174. British Antiquities Revived, by Vaughan of 
 Hengwrt, 26. 
 
 + Matthew Westminster, 370. T. Walsingham, 6 Hollinshead II. 278-279. 
 i Welsh Chronicle, 337. } T. Wyke's Chronicle, 210. 
 
 tf Welsh Chronicle, 372. Camdcn's Britanica, 688.
 
 41 
 
 der this fortress impregnable ; for this purpose he strengthened the 
 old works, and enlarged it much with new ones : this being done 
 the English monarch made it his place of residence, and in 1282 
 issued out orders from this Castle, to the Sheriffs of the adjacent 
 counties, to raise and send to him, according to a fixed ratio, a 
 number of hatchet men, who were to cut down the woods and form 
 roads and passages for his army to advance to the interior ; without 
 these securities his troops could not proceed any further with safety.* 
 
 During these transactions, the crafty Peckham, Archbishop of 
 Canterbury, was endeavouring to reconcile matters between the 
 contending parties ; with this view he sent monitary letters, in the 
 King's name, to Llywelyn and his brother David, in which he re- 
 proved them for their late revolt, urged them to return to their al- 
 legiance, and if they had any grievances to point them out, for all 
 of which (if just) he would endeavour to obtain redress. The 
 domineering prelate at the same time intimated, that in case our 
 Princes would not comply with his mandate, they should feel the 
 power of an irritated nation, together with the severest censures of 
 the holy church.f 
 
 In answer to this Llywelyn thought proper to call a council, which 
 was held at Aber, in Caernarvonshire ; after consulting together, he 
 sent his memorial, written in a strain of eloquence that would not 
 dishonour a Prince of the nineteenth century. He enumerated the 
 various injuries that he and his people had received from Edward's 
 ambition, and from the plundering ravages of delegated power ; he 
 expressed this with firmness, and demanded justice, as far as the 
 rights of nations and the spirit of the then existing treaties extend- 
 ed, which the unjust conduct of the King of England had hitherto 
 denied him. J Similar memorials were sent by David, the noblemen 
 of Tegeingl, the men of Rhos, and most of the other chieftains 
 in Wales, all complaining of injuries received of the violation of 
 the treaty and of the cruelty and oppression of the English. 
 
 The Archbishop delivered these memorials to the King, who was 
 then at Rhuddlan Castle, and urged him to pay some regard to the 
 complaints of the Welsh. The King's answer was, " that though 
 there was no excuse to be found for their conduct, yet he was still 
 desirous of doing justice to their complaints." On the mildness of 
 this answer, the prelate pressed the matter further, and in order to 
 
 Guthrie's History of England, Vol I. 95. 
 
 + J Rossi's Antiquities of Warwickshire, 165. T. Wyke's Chron. 110. Welsh Cbron. 388. 
 t Welsh Chronicle, taken from the Records of Canterbury. 
 
 \ In 1281, the nohlemen of Tegeingl's memorial contained, among a number of other griev- 
 ances, the wrong done to the men of Merton, I.lys Edwin, See. Sec.
 
 42 
 
 bring things to a close, he requested the King would allow the 
 Welsh chieftains free access to his presence, to unfold their own 
 grievances and plead their own cause ; but the King's answer was 
 very sophistical, and totally unworthy of such a Prince : he said 
 " they might freely come and depart, if it s/uruld appear that injus- 
 tice they ought to return in safety"* With this ungenerous reply the 
 Archbishop hastened to Llywelyn to Snowden, and wished to re- 
 present the matter as the present gracious disposition of the King ;f 
 but the thing was too barefaced to be credited our Princes were 
 possessed of too much good sense to be cajoled with such deceit : 
 besides, late experience had taught them better than to trust any 
 matter of importance in the hands of the English. Llywelyn again 
 called a council ; after much conference on the subject, they agreed 
 that the design of the English monarch was to entrap them in a 
 snare, and they saw that all that was dear to free-born Britons was 
 at stake ! and that this was the time for manly resistance. Fired at 
 Edward's behaviour, Llywelyn (as best became an injured Prince) 
 invoked his followers to join him to defend their country and their 
 liberties to the last moment of their lives, rather than submit and 
 yield their obedience to a merciless ravager. The following verse 
 of the BardJ of Snowden to his countrymen, strongly represents 
 the conduct of Llywelyn on that occasion : 
 
 " Sons of Snowden, yours tlie meed, 
 
 Like BRITONS live, like BRITONS bleed; 
 
 Your COUNTRY, PARENTS, CHILDREN, save, 
 
 Or fill one GREAT AND GLORIOUS GRAVE! !" 
 
 Prince Llywelyn sent the prelate back with the following manly 
 but generous reply, " TJiat as the guardian of his peoples safety, his 
 conscience alone should direct his submission ! Nor would he consent to 
 any compliance which might derogate from the dignity of his station /" 
 
 The pride and indignation of the haughty Edward would natu- 
 rally be raised to a high pitch, on receiving such an answer from a 
 Prince so inferior in power, but certainly far superior in talents, 
 spirit, and patriotism. When the answer was made known to the 
 English monarch, he indignantly declared " that no other terms should 
 be offered in future, butt/ie entire unconditional submission of Llywelyn 
 and his people ." 
 
 All negotiations were now at an end the Archbishop, no longer 
 
 Welsh Chron 363.4. t Ibid. 364. J R. Llwyd's, Esq. of Chester, Vol. of Poems 
 
 ;- I am informed that Hie original documents which passed between these I'riucts' were com- 
 pared by the Keeper of the Records at the Tower, and that Llj welyu's language and spirit was far 
 superior to that of Edward.
 
 43 
 
 treading the paths of benevolence in the rights of this injured peo- 
 ple, pronounced them accursed, and thundered against them the 
 whole force of ecclesiastical denunciation. 
 
 The King of England was now determined to subdue, and if pos- 
 sible to crush, every spark of independence in that country, which 
 hitherto no courage could conquer no authority restrain nor no 
 foreign laws keep in subjection. Edward issued out writs from 
 Rhuddlan to all his Lieutenants of Counties summoned all the 
 Sheriffs of England to make extra preparations and then convened 
 the whole power of Great Britain ! And for what design ? To 
 oppose a patriotic Prince of Wales, who, together with a remnant 
 of his followers were asserting their independence in the land of 
 their forefathers, all adopting as it were, with one voice, that no- 
 ble sentiment of the Bard 
 
 " And whilst our arms and hands can save us, 
 Never shall their chains enslave us, 
 But the rights our fathers gave us, 
 
 We will keep or die /" 
 
 The situation of our countrymen here claims every sympathy and 
 admiration ; and to see a band of heroes stationed on the only moun- 
 tain left them, calmly asserting their rights, and for the last time 
 struggling for their freedom, is truly affecting. The courage and 
 bravery of the Cambrians here is admirable ! Resolved with Spartan 
 fortitude to defend t/ieir national liberties, or die in the attempt ! 
 
 The great and warlike appointments, and the extensive prepara- 
 tions made throughout England, mark the eager spirit of Edward, 
 as well as the difficulty he entertained of conquering the Principa- 
 lity of Wales ^whose strength was only as one-twelfth to that of 
 England: 
 
 While these preparations were making, Llywelyn went to South 
 Wales to endeavour to get fresh resources, and left his brother 
 David in possession of Snowden. Edward, in the mean time, ral- 
 lied his forces, collected his army together, and on the first of No- 
 vember left Rhuddlan and advanced as far as Conway. 
 
 But an event soon followed which closed the life, but not the 
 glory of our renowned Llywelyn ; after a long struggle, in an un- 
 equal contest, our Prince fell in that noble and glorious work of de- 
 fending the rights of his country. It is supposed that he was be- 
 trayed by Rhys ap Maredydd, a South Wales chieftain, and one 
 Adam de Francton plunged his spear into the body of the unarmed* 
 
 Henry de Knjrgliton de Event, Aug. 24G4. Humphrey I.lwyd's Breviaiy. Welsh Chroniclf, 
 347. Fiolliushea-l, 281.
 
 44 
 
 and defenceless Llywelyn ; elated with the triumph he had thus 
 achieved, he severed the Prince's head from his body, and despatch- 
 ed it to Edward, who was then at Conway. The bleeding trophy 
 was received by the King with barbarous exultation, totally unwor- 
 thy of a magnanimous Prince. That he should rejoice in the fall of 
 such a formidable enemy was not unnatural, but the insult offered 
 to his mangled remains was unpardonable, a true picture of cruelty 
 and tyranny. The event gave additional courage to the English, 
 and before the Welsh could repair the loss they sustained by the 
 death of their Prince, the enemies followed up their victorious ca- 
 reer, took possession of Snowden, the Castle of Dolbadarn, and 
 routed the Welsh in all directions ; thus in confusion and dismay, 
 they fled on every side rocks, woods, and caves were the shelter* 
 of the remaining part of the Cymry they were vigorously pursued 
 with fire and sword, and the inoffensive as well as the unresisting 
 natives were slaughtered without mercy. An ancient historian has 
 observed, that more than three thousand perished in this dreadful 
 carnage !f What generous lover of his country, who reads this 
 tragic history, but would pronounce over the manes of these brave 
 defenders of their country the emphatic sentiment of the poet, 
 
 " Rest, ye brave dead ! 'midst the hills of your sires ; 
 
 Oh ! who would not slumber, \v\\enfreedom expires f 
 
 Lonely and voiceless your halls must remain, 
 
 The children of song may not breathe in the chain." HEMANS. 
 Prince David managed to conceal himself and family for some 
 months after, almost famished for want of provisions ; in this di- 
 lemma, twoj of his retainers, who are supposed to have been bribed 
 by the English, treacherously delivered their Prince to Edward's 
 ambition, and on the night of the 21st of June he sent a detach- 
 ment of his army, and took David and his family in a morass. This 
 Prince, with his wife, two sons, and seven daughters, were brought 
 prisoners to Rhuddlan Castle, where the King then resided.^ 
 
 David was examined at Rhuddlan, and several very curious re- 
 lics were found upon him ; among the rest was one called Croes- 
 enydd,\\ or a part of the real cross of Christ, highly venerated by 
 the Princes of Wales, and the crown of the celebrated King 
 Arthur, || || which, with several others, were taken from him and 
 delivered to the King. 
 
 Polidore'3 Virgil, 324 Hollinshead, 382 + Polidore, 282 
 
 J Eiiiion ap Ivan and Goronwy ap Davydd J Rymer, Vol 11,247. II Matthew Westminster, 177- 
 II J. Rossi's Ant. Warw. 202 *=ce Annals Waverlicnces, 238. 
 HI Ntmiius says that Prince Arthur brought a part of the real cross from the Holy Land.
 
 45 
 
 In this deserted situation, our Prince requested he might see the 
 King, but, after many solicitations, the indulgence was denied 
 him ;* he was imprisoned for a while at this Castle, and afterwards 
 sent in chains to Shrewsbury, where he was condemned to five 
 different punishments, and those cruel in the extreme.f 
 
 The death of David closed the sovereignty of the ancient British 
 empire, which, according to the Cambrian Records, continued from 
 the first coming of Brutus, 1136 before Christ, to 1282 after Christ, 
 a period combining not less than two t/iousand four hundred and eigh- 
 teen years ! When we consider this, we cannot be surprised at the 
 resolute courage with which they rallied around the standard of 
 their independence ; a reflection on their patriotic perseverance, even 
 at this distant period, is enough to awaken in our breasts the emo- 
 tions of sympathy and regret. 
 
 The ancient Britons bravely withstood the army of Imperial 
 Rome, and ably resisted the utmost efforts of the Picts, Scots, and 
 Saxons, and through various changes of fortune, afterwards suc- 
 cessfully resisted the Norman Princes. 
 
 But it is not to their valarous spirit alone, that I would call the 
 attention of the reader ; there are other circumstances that claim 
 our admiration. The virtues and hospitality of the people the 
 simple and unsophisticated manners by which they were distin- 
 guished and an enthusiastic fondness for their national music, are 
 in themselves a sufficient testimony to the nobility of their character. 
 These good qualities were united with an ardent love of liberty, 
 contentment in their situation, and a strong attachment to their 
 native mountains. Though they had no ambition to add to their 
 own territory, by aggressions upon that of their neighbours, they 
 were forced into a long and unequal contest in defence of their na- 
 tive rights. 
 
 The King of England having at length reached the height of his 
 ambition, in the final conquest of Wales, annexed it to that of 
 England, and in order to secure the obedience of the newly sub- 
 dued country, and rivet the fetters he had put on, Edward intro- 
 duced English jurisprudence, divided North Wales into counties, 
 and appointed proper officers to enforce the obedience of his reluct- 
 ant subjects. 
 
 In order to further his designs jmd accomplish his projects, the 
 Conqueror took up his residence at Rhuddlan Castle, and there 
 promulgated the famous bodyj: of laws called " The Statutes of 
 
 ' J. Rossi's Ant War. 106 + See Carte, 195, from the Chronicles of Dunstable. 
 
 i Leges \Valia, 542 Welsh Chronicle, 377.
 
 46 
 
 Rhuddlan.*\ From this ancient fortress he issued out a proclama- 
 tion to all the inhabitants of Wales, pledging himself that he would 
 take them under his protection, and at the same time giving them 
 assurances that they should enjoy their ancient land and liberties as 
 heretofore, reserving for himself only the same rents, duties, and 
 service, which were always claimed by the Princes of Wales.;}: 
 
 Edward soon forfeited his hollow promises in this instance, for he 
 granted to his followers a considerable portion of the best land in 
 the Principality ; he gave the Lordship of Ruthin to Reginald de 
 Grey the Lordship of Denbigh to the Earl of Lincoln and all 
 his other adherents were amply rewarded for their service by the 
 grants of vast estates. 
 
 With a view to conciliate the minds and redress the grievances of 
 the Welsh Clergy, Edward sent for the Archbishop of Canterbury 
 to come to Rhuddlan, who issued out orders for repairing the dif- 
 ferent churches that had been injured by the late war. The King 
 also made a recompence to " Master Richard Barnard, Parson of 
 Rhuddlan," for some land taken from him previous to his enlarging 
 the Castle.^f 
 
 For the injuries done to the inhabitants of Rhuddlan during the 
 war, Edward made this town a free borough, and granted it great 
 privileges; as a further proof of his good will, he attempted)! to 
 remove the See of St. Asaph to Rhuddlan, but to this the Pope 
 would not give his consent. 
 
 These liberal and lenient measures were a wise policy in Edward, 
 but the subsequent introduction of foreign laws and rigorous treat- 
 ment, supported by other harsh and oppressive measures, were not 
 at all likely to suit a people sore with injuries, and so attached 
 to their native Princes. It may still be affirmed, however, that in 
 no part of the busy transactions of Edward's life, did he display a 
 greater depth of policy than he did in the preservation of his newly 
 acquired territory. Some times he flattered and soothed the vin- 
 dictive spirit of the fiery Cambrians, and at other times he punished 
 with rigour their unbending obstinacy ; in these alternate fits of 
 kindness and severity, he experienced much difficulty in curbing the 
 eager patriotism of our contrymen. Though he had done away 
 with the royal power of Wales vanquished the brave and generous 
 
 Though these Statutes are very little attended to, either by lawyers or historians, the learned 
 Judge Barrington says that they deserve particular attention. They not only inform us what were 
 the customs in Wales at that time, but likewise the remedy provided by the law of England. 
 
 + There is a M.S. of this law in the Heugwrt Collection --Llwyd's Archiology. 
 
 $ Henry de Knyghton de Event Ang. 2465. Kymer, II 277. Welsh Chronicle 374. 
 
 } Welsh Chronicle, 377. IT Rot Wallia, 76. H Carte, Vol. 1. 196.
 
 47 
 
 Llywelyn exposed his lifeless head to the derision of the multi- 
 tude and cruelly murdered his brother David he still found that 
 the Welsh would not willingly bend their knee to one whom they 
 looked upon as an usurper of their rights and privileges. They 
 promised him submission, however, providing he would govern them 
 in person, or that they were willing to be governed by a chieftain 
 of their own country, but firmly declared that they would yield no 
 obedience to any person who was not born in Wales and resided 
 among them. At last their wishes were gratified ; the idea struck 
 Edward that his Queen was pregnant, and he instantly sent orders 
 for Eleanor to come to Wales. Though it was then in the depth 
 of winter, and the season severely cold, he caused her to be re- 
 moved to Caernarvon Castle, the place designed for her accouch- 
 ment. Notwithstanding her advanced state of pregnancy, her deli- 
 cate and critical situation, she performed her journey on horseback ! 
 
 A little before the time of the Queen's delivery, Edward issued 
 a proclamation that he would hold his Parliament* at Rhuddlan, for 
 the purpose of taking into consideration the best mode of securing the 
 public welfare of Wales ; and he particularly desired all the Welsh 
 chieftains to meet him there. Edward delayed to call them into 
 council until Sir Gruffyth Llwyd ( Knighted on the occasion) brought 
 the news of his having a son born at Caernarvon on the 25th of April. 
 He immediately commanded the attendance of the Welsh chief- 
 tains, and there practised his well known fraud and deceit ; he com- 
 menced his harrangue by stating, that in consequence of their long 
 expressed desire to have a Prince, a native of their own country, 
 if they would promise obedience to the one he named he would in- 
 dulge them by nominating a person whose life had hitherto been irre- 
 proachable, one who was born among them and could not speak a 
 word of English.f The Welsh eagerly assented to acknowledge 
 such a person for their future ruler ; but little did they think, when 
 expressing their acclamation of joy, and tendering unbounded pro- 
 
 There is now standing at Rhuddlan a part of the wall of the house wherein Edward I. held his 
 Parliament. The late Dean Shipley of St. Asaph, at the instance of the Rev. Henry Parry, Lianas*, 
 caused a tablet to be placed upon it, with the following inscription: 
 
 This Fragment 
 
 Is the Remains of the Building 
 
 Wherein King Edward the First 
 
 Held his Parliament, 
 
 A D. 1283 ; 
 In which was passed the Statute of Rhuddlan, 
 
 Securing 
 
 To the Principality of Wale> 
 Its Judicial Rights 
 And Independence, 
 t Stow' Annals, 203. Powell, 37G. 
 
 M
 
 48 
 
 raises of obedience, who this Prince should be, when the King in- 
 formed them that their future Prince was his own son, born in Caer- 
 narvon Castle a few days before I ! Their surprise was great, but 
 as they were bound by the letter of their promise, they submitted, 
 and the only consolation left was the hope of the young Prince mak- 
 ing his residence among them, which with tolerable magnanimity 
 assisted them to sustain their disappointment. 
 
 The King and his Queen must have resided in this Castle for 
 many months after this, for in 1284 Princess Eleanor* was born 
 here. The finishing of this stupendous work occupied a consider- 
 able time, as in 1291 there was an orderf for overlooking its works. 
 
 Notwithstanding the drains which a continued warfare had made 
 from this country, it still remained very populous, for Edward po- 
 litically raised fifteen thousand men from these parts in aid of his 
 Scottish expedition ;J but unwilling soldiers are not like volunteers, 
 and the consequence nearly proved fatal to him. Owing to national 
 prejudices, frequent quarrels took place between the English and 
 Welsh troops, and in the end (but not before some mortal conflicts 
 had occurred) the Welsh separated themselves from the English, 
 and left them " to fight their own battles." 
 
 The next account we have of this fortress is in 1322, when Sir 
 Gruffydd Llwyd, owing to the rapacity of the Lords Marchers, cre- 
 ated and headed an insurrection, and attempted to recover the lost 
 liberty of the country. He over-ran North Wales, and took several 
 Castles ; but at last he was taken prisoner, confined in Rhuddlan 
 Castle, and afterwards executed. 
 
 Richard II. dined at this fortress in 1399, on his way to Flint 
 Castle, where he was delivered by the Earl of Northumberland into 
 the power of his rival Bolingbroke.^f 
 
 The crown fees of the Castle and " Vill of JRot/telane," were 
 granted to Catherine Queen of England, in 1422, by her son Henry 
 VI.; they were then worth 42/. 12s. 6d.\\ 
 
 The fortress was totally neglected from ^ this time until the civil 
 wars of Charles, when it was occupied by the Royalists, but after a 
 short siege the garrison was obliged to surrender to General Myt- 
 ton in July, 1646. The same year it was, by order of Parliament, 
 dismantled, together with several other Castles. 
 
 According to the plan set out, this fortress is the last in rotation 
 for disquisition, and consequently ends the subject of this Essay. 
 
 Fuller's Worthies of Wales. + Rot. Wallia, 98. t Carte, Vol II. 264. 
 
 \ Dalrymple's Annals of Scotland, Vol. II 257. IT Stowe, 391. 
 H Rolls of Parliament at that time.
 
 49 
 
 But I cannot for a moment deny myself the pleasure of connecting 
 therewith a narration of events, illustrating the national worth 
 and character of my countrymen, who have been as memorable 
 for their uniform loyalty to the crown since the union, as they were 
 tenacious of their rights and privileges before that event took place. 
 
 There is no portion in the whole history of Wales of deeper in- 
 terest than that which records the subjugation of our country by 
 England ; nor is there any circumstance more likely to excite the 
 feeling of the Welsh patriot, than a reflection upon the sturdy and 
 unyielding valour with which his ancestors maintained so long and 
 unequal a struggle in defence of their country. But I shall now 
 endeavour to throw a veil over the hostile warfare that took place 
 between the ancient Britons and their oppressors, the latter of 
 whom, by their superior physical resources, crushed the glowing 
 patriotism of Cambrian courage. 
 
 We, however, acknowledge with gratitude " that we were con- 
 quered to our gain, and undone to our advantage" When English 
 generosity appeared, Welsh loyalty increased ; our countrymen soon 
 found out that the change was beneficial. Instead of precarious li- 
 berty, they now began to enjoy a permanent and solid freedom, 
 secured by equal and fixed laws, and established under one august 
 monarch. We shall find the remnant of the ancient British nation, 
 after being the victims of ambition for so many centuries, now 
 rivalling their conquerors in their duties as loyal subjects, und unit- 
 ing in interest and mingling in friendship with their old enemies 
 at last both nations cemented together and became one. Now the 
 highest point of ambition is, who shall be the most useful to the 
 arts and best affected to the British crown ! 
 
 Though the population of London alone is greater than that of all 
 Wales, we cannot give up the high claim our country has to the pro- 
 duction of men of erudition, patriotism, and talent I I would have our 
 English friends know, that they have derived more benefits and ad- 
 vantages from Welshmen than is generally apprehended. Let not 
 my country blush when I mention the names of a few of her dis- 
 tingushed sons, who have contributed so largely to the welfare of 
 Britain. An eminent sage of the lawf hath affirmed, that our ad- 
 mirable system of jurisprudence the present laws of England 
 were first instituted by a Welshman, Dyfnwal Moelmud ; he also 
 says that no material changes have been made in that system, either 
 by the Romans, the Saxons, Danes, or Normans ; if that be the 
 
 Vaughan of Hengwrt. + Sir John Fortescu* , Laudibus Legiim Anglia.
 
 50 
 
 case, I consider that from a Welshman we have received the justly 
 boasted constitution of the empire ! 
 
 The arts and sciences of England are indebted to a Welshman, 
 Asser Menevensis, at whose instance the Great Alfred first founded 
 the University of Oxford ! 
 
 The people of England, and all who have respect to the word of 
 God, are indebted to a Welshman, Tyndal, for the FIRST transla- 
 tion of the BIBLE into the ENGLISH LANGUAGE ! Mr. Horn Took 
 calls it the immortal translation, and the standard of the language. 
 
 The commercial interests of England are indebted to a Welsh- 
 man, Sir Richard Clough, at whose suggestion Sir Thomas Gres- 
 ham first built the Royal Exchange, in London 
 
 The inhabitants of the Metropolis (no one ought to be ignorant 
 of this) are for ever indebted to a Welshman, Sir Hugh Myddleton, 
 of Denbigh, who, at the expence of his own ruin, caused a river of 
 spring water to run into that great City. This useful and vital 
 fluid rushes through thousands of ramifications, and supports the 
 life of its inhabitants I 
 
 I should be wanting in gratitude were I to omit mentioning the 
 valuable services of another illustrious Welshman, Sir Wm. Jones, 
 who left his own country for the benefit of millions of his fellow crea- 
 tures in a distant climate. I shall not dwell on the extraordinary dili- 
 gence with which he laboured in the mines of jurisprudence, neither 
 shall I enter into any particulars respecting his wonderful pursuits in 
 the study of Oriental learning ;* his very volumnious works, now 
 before the public, are a sufficient proof to convince the world of his 
 pre-eminence in both. Rather than I should be charged with par- 
 tiality, in over-rating the merits of this bright ornament of human 
 society, I shall here repeat the language of Sir Robert Chambers, 
 his successor in the Presidential Chair of the Asiatick Society at 
 Calcutta, who, in eulogising the character of my countryman, said 
 " If ever the English settlement in India shall add to the splendour 
 of their prosperity in commerce and war, the honour and pride of 
 having, beyond all former example, communicated to Europe the 
 wisdom and learning of Asia, for that well-earned honour, that just 
 principle of honest pride, they must own themselves indebted to 
 Sir William Jones." 
 
 Nor is it unworthy of remark, that the inhabitants of Great 
 
 His wonderful capacity for the acquisition of languages lias never been exceeded, he knew no 
 less than thirty-three ; his proficiency in these particulars has been, and is the subject of admira- 
 tion and applause: even the most enlightened professors of the doctrines of Brama confess with 
 pride, delight, and surprise, that his knowledge of their sacred dialects was most correct and pro- 
 found !
 
 51 
 
 Britain, in a considerable degree, are indebted to Welsh blood for 
 the salvation of this country I I allude to the great General of the 
 age, the Duke of Wellington, who, when he was President of the 
 Cambrian Society in London, publicly declared that he " felt proud 
 in acknowledging, that he had Welsh blood running through his veins /" 
 And, though last not least, it is a fact that the throne of England 
 is indebted to a Welshman, Henry VII. grandson to Sir Owain 
 Tudor , for amicably uniting the houses of York and Lancaster, and 
 adding to this realm, without the shedding of blood, the kingdom 
 of Scotland ! By Henry's marriage with the heiress of York, he 
 united the two rival houses, and by that of his daughter with James 
 IV. of Scotland, were united the two rival nations ! 
 
 From Henry's loins, in the female line, has sprung our present 
 excellent sovereign George IV. Thus the three nations are united 
 together, and the British Isles are eventually placed under one head ; 
 and in that head aboriginal rights the claims of connexion and 
 the pretensions of conquest are happily concentred. 
 
 I eulogize the deeds of some of my distinguished countrymen, 
 not with a view of provoking unhallowed jealousy, or sowing the 
 seeds of discord, but for the purpose of shewing our English friends 
 that, while we as Welshmen cheerfully acknowledge the benefits our 
 country has derived from its annexation to the crown of England, 
 the blessings of incorporation have been reciprocal. Henceforward, 
 therefore, the sons of Albion, Erin, Caledonia, and Walia, may 
 harmoniously join in the noble sentiment of the Bard 
 " The Shamrock of Erin, so brilliant and green, 
 Entwined with the Leek and the Thistle has been ; 
 Oh ! may they for ever a safeguard compose, 
 To shelter from danger Old England's fair Rose : 
 And grant that Great Britain, for ever may be, 
 The terror of tyrants, the > friend of the free : 
 Mewn awenfwyn laioen byw byth y bo hi ! /" 
 
 GWLADGARWR.
 
 TRAETHAWD 
 
 AR 
 
 ANGENRHEIDRWYDD CYFRAITH 
 
 i 
 GYNNAL MOESAU DA; 
 
 GAN 
 MR. SAMUEL ROBERTS, LLANBRYNMAIR. 
 
 " Sains populi suprema lex."
 
 CYNffWYSIAD. 
 
 Dangosir bod gweithredoedd ac ymddygiadau y goruchafDrygi- 
 oni colon dyn Natur cyfansoddiad cymdeithas A Hanes gwahanol 
 genedlaet/tau y byd, yn cyduno i egluro natur, i gadarnhau guririonedd, 
 ac i arddangos pwysfavrrogrwydd y gosodiad dan sylw.
 
 TRAETHAWD. 
 
 I DESTUN mor bwysig, wedi ei eirio mor ddealladwy, afreidiol 
 fyddai Rhaglith. 
 
 " Moesau da" ydyw ymddygiad addas dyn, yn mhob perthynas, 
 fel aelod cymdeithas ; a " Chyfraith" ydyw rheol osodedig ei ym- 
 ddygiad fel y cyfryw, a bygythiad o gosp am drosedd yn gefaogiad 
 iddi. 
 
 Dengys Gweithredoedd ac Ymddygiadau y Goruchaf Drygioni 
 calon Dyn Natur cyfansoddiad Cymdeithas a Hanes cenedlaetb.au 
 y byd, bod Cyfraith yn angenrheidiol i gynnal moesau da. 
 
 I.-Canfyddir hyn yn boll Weithredoedd ac Ymddygiadau Llywydd 
 doeth y bydoedd. Uniondeb ydyw egwyddor sylfaenol ei natur, a 
 pherffeithrwydd trefn ydyw nodweddiad gogoneddus ei weithred- 
 oedd oil. Y mae yn llywodraetnu mewn doethineb yr hyn a gre'odd 
 mewn daioni. Gwelir yn holl ranau y Beirianwaith " olwyn yn 
 troi mewn olwyn" gan hardd-ddangos y cywreinrwyddd cysonaf. 
 Yn yr eangder diderfyn o'n hamgylch, myrdd myrddiynau o heuliau 
 a ser a gylch-droant yn rheolaidd, yn ol eu deddfau priodol, gan 
 fwynseinio y beroriaeth felysaf yn astud glust y bydoedd. Rhwymir 
 hyfrydwch Pleiades, a datodir rhwymau Orion ; dygir allan Maz- 
 zaroth yn eu hamser, a thywysir Arcturus a'i feibion wrth reol ae 
 mewn doethineb. Byddinir y ser gan Jehofa, geilw hwynt oil wrth 
 eu henwau, ac ni phalla un. Edwyn yr haul ei osodiadau a chyf- 
 lawna y ddaear ei chylch-droion, mewn modd rheolaidd, gan dywys 
 yn olynol ei thymhorau a'i blynyddoedd. Efe a roddes ei ddeddf i'r 
 mor i fod yn attalfa i ymchwydd llifeiriol ei donau. Gwisgodd oleuni 
 fel dilledyn, a sefydlodd orseddfainc ei frenhin-llys yn y nefoedd ar 
 balmant o berlau. Cyhoeddodd ei gyfraith Ian yn nghlyw seraphiaid 
 ac angylion, a gwisgodd gleddyf daufiniog cyfiawnder er amddiflyn 
 ei gogoniant. Deolodd ei throseddwyr o drigfanau hyfrydlawn 
 Paradwys gan eu cloi mewn cadwynau tragywyddol, dan dywyllwch 
 hyd farn y dydd mawr. Hysbysodd, wedi hyny, i ddynion egwydd- 
 orion ei lywodraeth. A chan ymofidio yn ei galon wrth weled eu 
 haml ddrygioni, claddodd ar unwaith fyrdd o wrthryfelwyr yn 
 ninystr ofhadAvy tonau'r diluw. Cododd drachefn o Seir, ymlewyrch- 
 odd o fynydd Paran, disgynodd mewn cerbyd o dan ar ben Sinai ; 
 
 N
 
 daeth gyda myrddiwn o weinidogion ei lys, a thanllyd " gyfraith" 
 o'i ddeheulaw. Ysgrifenodd yr unrhyw a'i fys ei him ; a chyda sain 
 udgorn a lief geiriau, archodd ei chyhoeddi i'r holl bobl, ei selio a 
 gwaed, a'i chadw, mewn arch o aur, dros oesoedd tragywyddol. 
 Rhoddodd, wedi hyny, " orchymyn ar orchymyn" er " cynnal 
 moesau da," gan eglur arddangos, yn ei holl ymddygiadau, fod 
 ufudd-dod i'r gyfraith yn hollol angenrheidiol er dedwyddwch ac 
 anrhydedd dyn. Ac, yn ddiweddaf oil, yn lie gwneutlmr ei gyfraith 
 yn ddirym, o'i wir gariad at droseddwyr euog, aberthodd, heb arbed, 
 Oen anwyl ei fynwes, ar allor cytiawnder, er dangos i'r bydoedd 
 gadernid ei orsedd, dysgleirdeb ei gorou, ac uniondeb ei gyfraith. 
 
 II. Ymddengys " Angenrheidrwydd cyfraith i gynnal moesau 
 da" yn wyneb mawr ddrygioni calon dyn. 
 
 Ardystia genau y gwirionedd ei him bod calonau plant dynion yn 
 llawn ynddynt i wneuthur drwg ; a bod holl fwriad meddylfryd eu 
 calonau yn unig yn ddrygionus bob amser. Er cael y driniaeth orau, 
 a'r gwrteithiad brasaf yn lie grawnwin y maent yn dwyn grawn 
 gwenwyn. Eu calon anneallus hwy a dywyllwyd. Er tybied eu 
 bod yn ddoethion, aethant yn ffyliaid. Newidiasant ogoniant yr 
 anllygredig Dduw i gyffelybiaeth llun dyn llygredig, ac ehediaid, ac 
 ymlusgiaid, a phed war-earn oli on. Ymroddasant i wyniau gwarthus 
 gan wneuthur brynti. Ymlanwasant a phob anghyfiawnder, godineb, 
 anwiredd, cybydd-dod, drygioni, cenfigen, llofruddiaeth, cynhen, 
 twyll, drwg-anwydau : yn hustyngwyr, yn athrodwyr, yn gas gan- 
 ddynt Dduw, yn drahaus, yn feilchion, yn ffrostwyr, yn ddychym- 
 mygwyr drygioni, yn anufuddion i rieni, yn anneallus, yn dorwyr 
 ammod, ynan^haredig, yn anghymmodlawn, yn annhrugarogion ; ie, 
 gwyrasant oil ; aethant i gyd yn anfuddiol ; bedd agored y w eu ceg ; 
 a'u tafodau y gwnaethant ddichell ; gwenwyn aspiaid sydd dan eu 
 gwefusau. Biian yw eu traed i dywallt gwaed. Distry w ac aflwydd 
 sydd yn eu holl ffyrdd : ac er gwybod fod y cyfry w bethau yn haeddu 
 marwolaeth, cyd-ymfoddlonant ynddynt. Ymhyfrydant mewn gwaed 
 a dinystr, ac ymwerthant i wneuthur drwg. Defnyddir hael-roddion 
 cysui-awl y nef i andwyo dynoliaeth. Distryw ydyw tueddbeniad y 
 difyr-gampau mwyaf dewisedig. Mynych y gwelir creulondeb yn 
 lie sancteiddrwydd yn argraphedig ar flprwynau y meirch ; ac 
 ysgelerder yn lie diniweidrwydd ar addurn y cerbydau. Cynhen 
 a chabledd ydyw cylch plethedig y chwareufwrdd. Boddir y syn- 
 hwyrau cyflymaf a'r teimladau tyneraf mewn glythineb ameddwdod. 
 Gwisgir gwen dichell, arferir geiriau teg, a thrwy dwyll sarphaidd, 
 hud-ddenir y forwyn brydweddol i aberthu ei diweirdeb ar allor 
 chwant, ac i werthu ei hanrhydedd a'i chysur am ddifyrwch munud
 
 awr : yna cefnir ami yn ei hadfyd, d'iystyrir yn ysgornllyd ei chwyn- 
 ion a'i dagrau, a gwneir ei hing a'i chyfyngder yn destun gwatwar- 
 gerdd. Dilynir, drachefn, " y fenyw wenieithus" gan luoedd o 
 " ieuenctyd heb ddeall," er bod ei ffordd yn arwain i ystafelloedd 
 angau. I'w Hetty y inae cyrchfa myrddiynau, er mai colledigaeth 
 ydyw ceidwad ei phorth, a bod " Y ffordd i uffern" yn argraphedig, 
 mewn llythyrenau o dan, ar gapan ei drws. Er hefyd mai anrhaith 
 ynfydion andwyedig ydyw dodrefn ei thy, ac mai gwobr anwiredd 
 sy'n mwgdarthu ei gwely, eto codir hi i eistedd wrth fwrdd anrhyd- 
 edd, ac i farchogaeth mewn rhwysg ar olwynion gorwychder. 
 Halogir y doniau mwyaf awenyddawl trwy eu camddefnyddio i lygru 
 myfyrdod y gal on, i oreuro yr aflendid ffieiddiaf, i dwyll-dawelu 
 dychrynfeydd cydwybod glwyfedig, ac i esmwyth-balmantu y brif- 
 ffordd lithrig lydan sy'n arwain i waered i eigion gehenna. Gwefusau 
 y plentyn, cyn dysgu iawn dori geiriau, a ymsymudant i gablu, a 
 thafod bloesg yr henwr penllwyd a draetha gabledd. Gogwyddir y 
 glust, gan wenu yn ddifyrlawn, i wrando ar lais hudoliaeth ; a dir- 
 gel-ddychymmygir twyll yn swn y fflangell, wrth fur y carchardy, 
 ac yngolwg y pren dioddef. Coronir rhinwedd a drain ; rhoddir 
 corsen gwawd yn ei deheulaw ; perir iddi blygu pen yn nghongl pob 
 he'ol ; teflir lien ddu dros ei hwyneb cu hardd-deg, er cuddio ei 
 gwrid a'i dagrau ; ac wedi ei hymlid yn archolledig i anialdiroedd 
 enciliad, rhoddir ei choron seiriandeg ar ben llygredd, a gwisgir 
 drygioni yn ei mantell dywysogaidd. Arweinir y " March coch," 
 gydabanllefaugorfoledd, ar balmant o esgyrn, drwy afonydd o waed. 
 Halogir y gwyryfon a'u mamau o fewn y muriau cysegredig ; aberthir 
 babanod diniwed, ffrwyth y bru, ar allorau eilunod ; ac, i beffeithio 
 yr ysgelerder gorwarthus, cyfenwir hyny yn ddwyfol addoliad ! 
 Dyma, yn ol y profion egluraf, ydyw tuedd naturiol calon lygredig 
 dyn. Gesyd droell naturiaeth yn fflam Lleinw deyrnasoedd ag 
 annhrefn Lliwia foroedd a gwaed A thry y gwledydd e'angaf yn 
 feusydd galanas. Nid dichonadwy gwadu na chelu y gwirionedd 
 hwn ; ac er bod cip-olwg arno, yn ei liw dychrynllyd, yn ddigon i beri 
 i ddyngarwch a rhinwedd dywallt dagrau o waed, eto rhaid oedd ei 
 grybwyll er dangos bod " cyfraith yn angenrheidiol i gynnal moesau 
 da." ' Cyfraith' sydd i ffrwyno cynddaredd dyn pan y mae nwydau 
 aflywodraethus ei galon ar ymdori allan fel rhuthr meirch porthian- 
 nus. < Cyfraith ' ydyw yr unig wrthglawdd sydd i attal diluw 
 llygredd rhag gorlifo yn rhyferthwy dinystriol dros y byd. ' Cyf- 
 raith' ydyw cleddyf daufiniog cyfiawnder i ddial gwaed ei lladded- 
 igion merthyredig. ' Cyfraith' ydyw tarian brofedig rhinwedd, i 
 ddiffodd picellau tanllyd trachwant a llygredd, a'i hunig arfogaeth
 
 68 
 
 yn wyneb ymosodiadau ei gelynion. ' CyfraitJ^ fel craig fawr, 
 ydyw cysgodfa ddi'ogel diniweidrwydd, tlodi a gwendid yn wyneb 
 rhuthrgyrchoedd cynddeiriog creulondeb, trais a gormes, a ' Chyf- 
 raith ' hefyd, ydyw unig amddiffynfa " moesau da" yn nydd y 
 frwydr. 
 
 III. Dengys natur cyfansoddiad Cymdeithas bod " Cyfraith yn 
 angenrheidiol i gynnal moesau da." 
 
 Trefnodd y Gorucbaf i ddynion gymdeithasu a'u gilydd ; ac heb 
 gymdeithas diflanai ein cysuron a darfyddai ein hanfodiad. Trwy 
 gyfathrach anocheladwy rhoddwyd i lawr sylfaen cymdeithas ; a 
 ffurfiwyd, mewn canlyniad, Haws o gysylltiadau perthynasol, megis 
 Tad, Mam ; Gwr, Gwraig ; Brawd, Chwaer ; Car, Cymmydog, ac 
 amryw eraill. Felly, lie y mae cyfathrach, rhaid o angenrheidrwydd 
 bod yno gysylltiadau perthynasol; a He y mae cysylltiadau perthynasol, 
 rhaid, yn ol egwyddorion cyntaf natur, bod dyledswyddau perthynasol 
 yn sylfaenedig arnynt ; a lie mae dyledswyddau perthynasol, rhaid, 
 yn ol yr ail osodiad, bod rhyw rwymedigaethau sefydledig i'w cyf- 
 lawni heblaw mympwy cyfnewidiol colon dyn ; oblegid nid " sic 
 volo" hunanoldeb a gormes sydd i fod yn rhe'ol cymdeithas. Mewn 
 gair, lie y mae dynion rhaid bod cyfathrach ; lie y mae cyfathrach rhaid 
 bod perthynas ; lie y mae perthynas rhaid bod dyledswydd ; a He y mae 
 dyledswydd rhaid bod " cyfraith;" canys nis gall Penryddid fod 
 yn sylfaen i hardd-adail tangnefedd a dedwyddwch : " Cyfraith," 
 gan hyny, ydyw sylfaen cadernid tarian amddiffyn ernes cyn- 
 nydd mammaeth dedwyddwch rhwymyn perffeithrwydd-a choron 
 gogoniant pob cymdeithas. Ond yn 
 
 IV. Hanes gwahanol Genedlaetb.au y byd a rydd y dangosiad 
 egluraf a'r prawf cadarnaf o " Angenrheidrwydd cyfraith i gynnal 
 moesau da." 
 
 Llwyr afreidiol, gan hyny, fyddai sefyll yn hir i ddyrus-resymu 
 ar dir egwyddorion pan y mae ffeithiau anwadadwy a hirfaith brofiad 
 yn cyduno i egluro a chadarnau y gosodiad dan sylw. 
 
 Y mae cyfiawnder diialeddol wedi gorfod ysgrifenu, flwyddyn ar ol 
 blwyddyn, mewn llythyrenau cochion o waed a than, a hyny yn 
 mron ar ben pob heol, bod " Cyfraith yn angenrheidiol i gynnal 
 moesau da ;" ac y mae un linell o gof-lyfr cyfiawnder, yn ddigon i 
 beri i'r Gwrth-ddeddfwyr mwyaf cyndyn a phenrydd guddio eu 
 penau mewn cywilydd a dychryn, a gwrido, dan leni gwarth, mewn 
 distawrwydd tragywyddol. 
 
 Tan aden cyfraith y meithrinwydy Celfyddydau a'r Gwybodaethau 
 sydd yn addurno dyn. Sefydliad, cyfraith mewn gwlad, yn ol unol 
 dystiolaethau yr Awduron enwocaf, ydyw y cam cyntaf o'i derchafiad
 
 59 
 
 a'i gogoniant. Rhoddir y lie cyntaf i hyn, a'r pwys mwyaf ar hyn, 
 mewn Hanes-lyfrau. Heb gyfraith ni chefnogir celfyddyd ; heb 
 gelfyddyd ni fegir gwybodaeth ; heb wybodaeth ni thrinir masnach ; 
 ac heb fasnach ni chyrhaeddir na chyfoeth, na gogoniant na chadernid. 
 
 Sefydliad cyfraith, yn ddiddadl, a ddarfu genedlu a meithrin yn 
 y fynwes ddynol y ddwy egwyddor fawr a ydynt a'r lywodraeth benaf 
 ar galon dyn, sef ofn gwarth, a chariad at anrhydedd. Y mae yr 
 egwyddorion hyn yn ami yn gryfach na deniadau rhinwedd, ac yn 
 llymach na chleddyf cyfiawnder. Medrant ffrwyno cybydd-dod, 
 anlladrwydd, balchder, anmolchgarwch, cenfigen, ac amryw ddrwg- 
 anwydau eraill y rhai ydynt yn annghyrhaeddadwy i fflangell cosp : a 
 gallant goroni haelfrydedd, gostyngeiddrwydd, a rhinweddau eraill 
 na fedr cyfiawnder cyhoeddus byth en gwobrwyo. Dyma y cym- 
 hellai cryfaf i foesgarwch a rhinwedd, a dyma y gadwyn aur blethedig 
 sydd yn tueddu fwyaf i gadw cymdeithas yn dangnefeddus, a'r byd 
 mewn iawn drefh. A'r ystyriaeth o effeithiau daionus cyfraith yn 
 yr ystyr yma, a barodd i rai ei galw, " The masterpiece of human 
 genius" 
 
 Dengys y President De Goguet, yn ol cydrediad tystiolaethau y 
 Teithwyr a'r Hynafyddion cywiraf, bod dynion cyn sefydliad cyfraith 
 yn grwydriaid gwylltion ac annedwydd, creulawn-ac anifeilaidd; yn 
 ddieithriaid i egwyddorion dyngarwch ; yn amddifaid o gysuron dyn- 
 oliaeth; yn by wiolaethu ar ddail a gwreiddiau ; ac yn trigo mewn ffau- 
 au ac ogofeydd, gan ymhyfrydu mewn ffieidd-dra, gwaed, a dinystr. 
 
 Yn narluniad y Bardd Homer o'r Cyclopiaid, yn y nawfed Llyfr 
 o'i Odyssey, canfyddir drych cywir o sefyllfa dynion heb gyfraith. 
 Trais a gormes ydoedd cylch terfyn pob tylwyth. Nwyd a chwant 
 ydoedd unig re'ol eu holl ymddygiadau. Ni chyd-ymgynghorent 
 mewn amgylchiadau o bwys, ni chynnorthwyent y gwan dan ei faicli, 
 ac ni chydymdeimlent a'r gorthrymedig yn ei adfyd. Ni hauent eu 
 tir, ac ni fedent gynnyrch eu meusydd. Dringent y creigiau fel geifr 
 gwylltion, ar eu traed a'u dwylaw. Trigent, ar dywydd te"g, ar 
 gopaau y mynyddoedd ; ac yn nydd y dryc-hin ymguddient dan gys- 
 god y clogwyni. Eu Benywod a syrthient i afaelion y treiswy'r 
 cryfaf, neu a ddilynent yn olynol y cynllwynwyr cyfrwysaf. Ni ad- 
 nebyddid eu tadau gan y plant a enid. Ac yr oedd cysur a bywyd 
 gwas a morwyn, gwraig a phlentyn, yn troi yn gyfangwbl ar fympwy 
 afresymol a thymmer nwydwyllt y gormeswr creulonaf. 
 
 Dengys Tully, yn eu Lythyr at ei frawd Quintus, mai doethineb 
 i sefydlu cyfreithiau da, mewn cysylltiad a deniadau areithyddiaeth 
 i dynu sylw atynt, oedd yr unigfoddion effeithiol i wareiddio dynion 
 anfoesgar, i feithrin gwybodaeth a rhinwedd, ac i gorpholi tylwythau
 
 6(5 
 
 gwylltion a gwasgaredig yn gymdeithasau trefhus a heddychlawn, 
 dan reolaeth egwyddorion cyfiawnder. A thrwy egluro a chefiiogi 
 yr un egwyddorion yn ei areithiau, ei ysgrifeniadau, yn gystal ag 
 yn ei holl- ymddygiadau yr ennillodd yr anrhydedd o gael ei alw yn 
 " Dad ei wldd, ac Ail-sylfaenydd Rhufain." 
 
 Yr ystyriaeth o " Angenrheidrwydd Cyfraith i gynnal moesa da" 
 a gynhyrfodd y Deddfroddwyr doethaf yn y cynoesoedd, cyn dysgu 
 y gelfyddyd o ysgrifenu, i gyfansoddi eu cyfreithiau ar fesur cerdd, 
 yn y modd manylaf, i gael eu canu yn yr eisteddfodau cyhoeddus, fel 
 y byddai iddynt wneuthur argraph dyfnach a mwy arosol ar galonau 
 y werin : a hyn hefyd oedd yr amcan mewn golwg wrth weinycldu y 
 cyfreithiau hyny yn mhyrth y dinasoedd, ger bron yr holl bobl, fel 
 y byddai gwarth a chosp y troseddwr yn fwy cyhoeddus ac yn fwy 
 effeithiol. 
 
 Ar ol y diluw, pan y darfu i'r Noachidse ollwng dros gof egwydd- 
 orion cyfiawnder, ac esgeuluso gosodiadau cyfraith seithbtyg yr hen 
 batriarch eu tad, , torodd annhrefo i mewn i'w mysg, terfynodd yr 
 annhrefn hwnw mewn ymwasgariad, a suddodd y nifer amlaf o'r 
 tylwythau gwasgaredig hyny i ddyfnderoedd eithaf barbareidd-dra 
 ac anwybodaeth. 
 
 Medrusrwydd i sefydlu cyfreithiau buddiol, mewn cysylltiad ag 
 awdurdod i sicrau ufudd-dod iddynt, a ddarfu dderchafu Nimrod, 
 Assur, a Chedorlaomer i sefyllfaoedd o anrhydedd, eu codi i orsedd- 
 au brenhinol, a'u cymhwyso i ysgwyd teyrn-w'iail awdurdod : a hyn 
 hefyd a ddarfu anfarwoli eu henwau fel sylfaenwyr ymerodraethau 
 eang Babilon, Assyria, a Phersia. 
 
 Yn amser Ninus, Semiramis, a Ninyas, pan oedd ymerodraeth 
 Assyria yn uwchder ei chadernid a'i gogoniant, yr oedd ynddi dri 
 chynghor tra enwog, yn gyfansoddedig, gan mwyaf, o Hynafiaid 
 doethaf y genedl, i sefydlu cyfreithiau addas ; a thri o Lysoedd 
 cyffredinol i weinyddu y cyfreithiau mewn cyfiawnder. Ond yn 
 amser Sardanapalus, pan oedd y brenhin yn amlach yn ei windy nag 
 yn ei Lys, syrthiodd yr hen ymerodraeth fawr hono yn ysglyfaeth i 
 wrthryfelwyr ; ac mewn dychryn ac anobaith taniodd y brenin ei 
 lys, difaodd ei drysorau gwerthfawrocaf yn y danllwyth, a llosgodd 
 ei bun ynghanol ei efnuchiaid a'i ordderchadon. 
 
 Ar ol bwrw ymaith iau Assyria, syrthiodd y Mediaid, am nad 
 oedd ganddynt gyfreithiau sefydledig, i eithafoedd annhrefn; ac 
 ymddyrysu yr oeddynt mewn terfysg dlorphwys nes i Deioces, trwy 
 ddoethineb ei ymddygiadau ac uniondeb ei egwyddorion, ennill eu 
 sylw a'u cymmeradwyaeth, a chael annogaeth ganddynt i sefydlu
 
 cyfreithiau ac i gymmeryd awenau y lly wodraeth yn ei law ; yna 
 mwynasant dangnefedd, a ffynasant. 
 
 Tan lywodraeth cyfreithiau uniawn yr ennillodd yr Aipht y fath 
 enwogrwydd yn y dyddiau gynt nes ei bod yn " f'ammaeth y celfydd- 
 ytlan, yn gryd y gwybodaethau, yn wlad y doethion, ac yn gynllun 
 ymerodraethau emvocaf y byd." Trwy gyhoeddi yr annogaethau 
 cryfaf. a sefydlu y rhwymedigaethau dwysaf i'r amaethwyr fod yn 
 ddiwyd i'r masnachwyr fod yn onest i'r plant fod yn ufudd i'r 
 gwragedd fod yn ddiwair i'r swyddogion fod yn heddychol i'r 
 barnwyr fod yn gyfiawn ac i'r brenin fod yn dad y genedl, blodeu- 
 odd eu gwlad fel gardd Paradwys. Gwisgodd eu dolydd y gwyrdd- 
 lesni harddaf, a dygodd eu meusydd bob rhyw ffrwyth, yn gnwd 
 toreithiog. Llwythwyd eu trysordai a llawnder. Huliwyd eu 
 byrddau a danteithion. A llanwyd eu calonau a llawenydd. Teyrn- 
 asodd heddwch o fewn eu rhagfur, trefn o fewn eu temlau, cyfiawnder 
 o fewn eu llysoedd, a fFyniant o fewn eu palasau. Cefnogid ieuenctyd 
 awenyddgar perchid y fenyw rinweddol anrhydeddid coron pen- 
 llwydni ymgrymid i'r offeiriad ffyddlawn gwisgid y swyddog 
 teilwng yn mantell sidanaidd derchafiad rhoddid modrwy berlawg 
 awdurdod am fys y doeth dysgleiriai caclwyn aur anrhydedd am 
 wddf y gwladgarwr allefid "Abrec" o flaen gwir noddwyr y genedl. 
 
 Yn nyddiau y barnwyr y rhai oeddynt yn gweinyddu cyfiawnder, 
 yn ol rheol y gyfrailh, yr oedd Israel yn llwyddo, ac yn cael llon- 
 yddwch ; oncl pan ymlygrodd eu blaenoriaid gan wyro barn, 
 " ymadawodd y gogoniant." 
 
 Doethineb Solomon yn sefydlu cyfreithiau da, a'i ymdrech i farnu 
 ei ddeiliaicl mewn cyfiawnder ydoedd sylfaen ei gyfoeth, ei enwog- 
 rwydd, a'i ogoniant. Hyn a barodd i frenhinoedd Arabia a holl 
 dywysogion y ddaear geisio gweled ei wyneb, gan ddwyn iddo an- 
 rhegion aur acarian ; arfau a gwisgoedd; meirch amulod; eppaod a 
 pbeunod ; coed algummim a pher-aroglau ; ac ifori a meini gwerthfawr 
 lawer iawn. Hyn a doddodd ysbryd Brenines gyfrwysgall Seba, 
 ac a barodd iddi dori allan mewn syndod a dywedyd, bod ei weinid- 
 ogion oil yn wyufydedig, a'i bobl oil yn ddedwydd. Efe a eisteddai 
 ar orsedd o ifori, wedi ei haddurno a blodau o aur pur, i dderbyn ei 
 gennadon, i gyhoeddi ei gyfreithiau, ac i weinyddu cyfiawnder. Deu- 
 ddeg o lewod a gylchynent ei droedfainc i ddangos y dylai gorseddfa 
 barn fod yn faureddawg ac ofnadwy. Ond cymmeryd cip-olwg o 
 lestri eideml, oddodrefn i lys, ac o add urn hafdy coedwig Libanus, 
 mewn cysylltiad a rhifedi ei gerbydau, helaethrwydd ei fasnach, go- 
 goniant ei ymerodraeth, adedwyddwcheiddeiliaid, canfyddirar un- 
 waith bod cyfreithiau addas yn sicrau cadwraeth "moesau da;" ac yn
 
 62 
 
 sylfaen cyfoeth ac enwogrwydd a gogoniant a dedwyddwch. Nid rhyf- 
 edd, gan hyny, oedd clywed Solomon, y doethaf o ddynion, yndywed- 
 yd, a hyny pan oeddei benwyni yn anrhydeddusach na 'i goron, Mai 
 trwy farn y cadarneir gwlad, y sicreir gorsedd, ac yr amleir y 
 cyfiawn. 
 
 Yr hyn a dragy wyddolodd warth, ac a gyflymodd ddinystr Jehoiacim 
 oedd ei gynddaredd a'i ryfyg yn taflu " Llyfr y gyfraith " i'r tan, ar 
 ol ei ddarnio yn gyntaf a chyllell ysgrifenydd. 
 
 Esgeuluso darllen y 'gyfraith,' ar y gwyliau gosodedig, yn ol ordin- 
 ad y Goruchaf, a achosodd ddiwreiddiad y genedl luddewig o'u 
 gwlad hyfrydlawn, ac a barodd drais-gludiad dodrefh drudfawr eu 
 teml a'u llysoedd i hulio byrddau tywysogion Babilon, ac i addurno 
 ternl eu duw, Belus. 
 
 O erddi blodeuog yr Aipht, Caldea, a Phalestine, hawdd i'r han- 
 esydd groesi i diroedd Groeg ; ac yno, mewn cylch bychan, ceir y 
 profion cadarnaf a'r amlygiadau egluraf o "angenrheidrwydd cyfraith 
 i gynnal moesati da." 
 
 Er bod y cudd-chwedlau paganaidd yn priodoli cryn enwogrwydd 
 i'r Titaniaid, y Pelasgi, y Cariaid, ac eraill o'r cynfrodorion ; eto, y 
 gwir yw, mai crwydriaid annedwydd a barbaraidd oeddynt cyn 
 sefydliad cyfraith yn eu tir. Cyfraith, trwy feithrin eu rhinweddau 
 dysgleirwych, a gloywi eu doniau awenyddawl, a ddarfu eu codi, o 
 radd i radd, i enwogrwydd anfarwol. Trwy sefydlu cyfraith y caf- 
 odd Cecrops yr anrhydedd o fod yn achnbydd Attica yn blanydd 
 Athen yn sylfeinydd teml Minerva ac yn sefydlydd llys yr 
 Areopagus. 
 
 Yr ystyriaeth o " angenrheidrwydd cyfraith i gynnal moesau da," 
 a barodd i frenhinoedd a duwiau blygu, heb rwgnach, i ddedryd yr 
 Areopagitse. Hyn a barodd i Amphyction sefydlu y cynghor-lys a 
 dawelodd ei wlad, ac a anfarwolodd ei enw. Hyn a enwogodd y 
 Delphinium, y Paladium, a'r Prytaneum fel llysoedd barn. Hyn a 
 dderchafodd Cranaus, Erechtheus a Theseus i'r fath uwchafiaeth ar eu 
 gorseddau brenhinol. Hyn a gynhyrfodd erwindeb Draco, diwyg- 
 iwr Athen, ac a barodd iddo selio, mewn effaith, ei gyfreithiau a 
 gwaed. Hyn a barodd i Solon ail-gadarnhau yr Areopagus, a sefydlu 
 " senedd y pedwar cant," mewn gobaith y byddent, fel dwy angor 
 ansymudadwy, yn ddigon i ddiogelu y wlad rhagmyned yn ddrylliau 
 o flaen tonau chwyddedig aflywodraeth a gormes : a'i ddoethineb fel 
 Deddfwr, ydoedd coron ei barch a'i enwogrwydd, ac unig sylfaen ei 
 awdurdod a'i ddefnycldioldeb. Doethineb ac ymdrech Lycurgus, fel 
 deddfwr, a ennillodd iddo yr enwad anrhydeddus "Cyfaill y duwiau;" 
 a hyn a barodd i annhrefn ffoi o Sparta ac a'i derchafodd, mewn galla
 
 63 
 
 a gogoniant, goruwch ei holl gymmydogesau. Tan reolaeth Pelo- 
 pidas ac Epaminondas y gwnaed y " Ttebanpigs" yn " Arglwyddi 
 Groeg." Dysgyblaeth cyfreithiau milwraidd Groeg a wnaeth ei 
 milwyr yn anorchfygadwy, ac a anfarwolodd eu gorchestion wrth 
 dreflan Marathon yn mwlch y Thermopylae wrth dref Platea ar 
 benrhyn Mycale wrth ynys Salamis wrth yr afon Granicus ac 
 wrth drefydd Arbela ac Issus. Hyn hefyd a roddodd goron buddug- 
 oliaeth ar ben mintai o honynt, ar wastadedd Cunaxa, yn nghanol 
 myrddiynau o'u gelynion, ac a ddi'ogelodd eu dychweliad i'w gwlad, 
 drwy rwystrau aneirif, dan lywyddiaeth Xenophon. Yr ystyriaeth 
 o " Angenrheidrwydd cyfraith i gynnal moesau da," a barodd i'w 
 doethion ddywedyd, 
 
 " Ymwylltia y werin pan gysgo y brenin ; 
 Ond byddant yn ddedwydd pen ddeffry y Llywydd." 
 Hyn a barodd i Philip o Macedon, ac Alexander Fawr ar ei ol, 
 ymostwng yn wirfoddol i erfyn addysgiadau yn egwyddorion Rhe'ol- 
 aeth gan yr Athronydd Xenocrates. 
 
 Tan effeithiolaeth uniongyrchol cyfreithiau rhagorawl Lycurgus a 
 Solon y niiniwyd cynion Phidias y cywreiniwyd pwyntel Zeuxis 
 y melyswyd rhyddiaith Herodotus, tad Hanesyddiaeth y mes- 
 urwyd dywediadau a gorphwys-donau Isocrates y coronwyd yr 
 Awen gan Euripides a Sophocles y cynhyrfwyd hyawdledd De- 
 mosthenes a Thucydides y meithrinwyd gwladgarwch Pericles a 
 Cimon y taniwyd gwroldeb Miltiades, Pausanias a Leonidas ac y 
 gloywyd rhinweddau dysgleirwych yr Athrawon anfarwol Zeno a 
 Socrates. A dengys Xenophon, yn ei Cyropoedia, mai yn ngherbyd 
 rhinwedd, dan effeithiolaeth egwyddorion cyfreithiau da, y march- 
 og-odd Cyrus, drwy fyrdd o elynion, o fwthyn bugail i orsedd 
 Babilon. 
 
 " Salus populi suprema lex," ydoedd egwyddor sylfaenol Lly- 
 wodraeth Rhufain pan yn ei llawn ogoniant. Dyma ydoedd Ar- 
 wyddair ei Deddf-lyfrau diweddglo deuddeg llech ei chyfraith 
 yr Alpha a'r Omega yn nghredo doethion ei senedd a thestuu 
 amryw o gyfansoddiadau anfarwol ei phrif Awenyddion. Yr eg- 
 wyddor hon a ddarfu ei derchafu i eistedd, fel Brenines, ar orsedd 
 y ddaear, a'i dysgu i ysgwyd ei theyrnw'ialen gyda rhwysg cyffred- 
 inol. Tra dan lywodraeth hon, yr oedd ei muriau o feini marmor, 
 ei llysoedd wedi eu gwisgo ag aur, ei themlau yn addurnedig gan 
 berlau, a'r perarogl puraf yn llenwi ei holl gyssegroedd. Tra dan 
 lywodraeth hon, yr oedd ei thrysordai yn llawnion, ei hathrofaon 
 yn enwog, a'i llengau milwraidd yn anorchfygadwy. Tra dan 
 lywodraeth hon, yr oedd ei chymmydogesau yn plygu ger ei bron i 
 
 O
 
 64 
 
 dderbyn y gyfraith o'i genau, gan fvvrw eu hanrhegion wrth ei tliraecl 
 a'i haddoli fel Ymerodres y ddaear. Trwy ei threfn filwraidd, 
 cyraylodd ogoniant Carthage, Persia, Assyria, a Macedonia ; a 
 tharawodd ddychryn trwy ^Ethiopia, Parthia, Germany, a'r India. 
 Ond pan unwaith yr ymadawodd cyfiawnder o'i llysoedd barn, 
 newidiodd yr aur coeth da, a diflannodd yr boll ogoniant. Nid 
 oedd ei milwyr mwy yn anorchfygadwy. Ei thywysogion, fel 
 hyddod heb gael porfa, oeddynt ddinerth o flaen yr ymlidwyr. An- 
 rheithiwyd ei thrysordai gan y gelyn. Maluriwyd ei themlau addur- 
 nedig, a than 1 wyd ei meini caboledig yn mhen pob heol. Llychwinwyd 
 ei halloran harddaf gan Iwch a mwg a gwaed. Rhydodd ei delwau 
 dysgleiriaf. Taflvvyd ei chofgolofnau mwyaf cedyrn i'r llwch. Ffodd 
 Awenydd. Distawodd y gan. Aeth y dolydd gwyrddleision yn 
 unialdir diffrwyth. Llwyr ddifwynwyd ar unwaith. 
 
 " Terra potens armis atque ubere glebae." Cododd pob annrhefn 
 ei ben, ac ymledodd drygioni fel pla dros y wlad. Y genedl, gan 
 ymlygru a ymlygrodd. Y morwynion a arferent anlladrwydd o'u 
 mebyd ; a'r gwragedd a wenent ar eu gau-gariadau wrth fyrddau eu 
 Jiarglwyddi, ac a werthent, heb wrido, eu diweirdeb i estroniaid, 
 gau yfed eu llwyddiant o'u llestri pri'odas. Trwy hyn aeth y di- 
 rywiad yn gyffredinol. Gwelwyd epil yr Enwogion a fedrent beri i 
 Pyrrhus a Hannibal grynu, heb wroldeb i wisgo y cleddyf heb fedr 
 i dria y gwys heb ddawn i sefyll ar y Rostrum ac heb gy- 
 mhwysder i blygu wrth yr allor. 
 
 Traddodiadau y Noachidae ydoedd sylfaen cyfansoddiad Ym- 
 erodraeth eang China ; a'r cyfreithiau a sylfaenwyd ar yr egwydd- 
 orion hyny er wedi eu llygru yn fawr gan Confucius, Mencius, ac 
 eraill ydyw y gadwyn blethedig a rwymodd ei myrddiynau aneirif 
 i gydweithredu mewn undeb, yn wyneb chwyldroadau dinystriol o 
 ddwy i dair mil o flynyddoedd. 
 
 Y mae'n wir bod coelgrefydd, i raddau galarus yn gyssylltiedig 
 ag egwyddorion y rhan grefyddol o'r Gyfundraith Dderwyddol, eto 
 rhaid addef mai y gosodiadau gwladol sylfaenedig ami, oeddynt yr 
 unig foddion effeithiol i gadw y werin mewn ufudd-dod a thangnef- 
 edd : a hyn hefyd, yn benaf, a ddarfu godi Archdderwyddon Mon 
 i'r eisteddleoedd uwchaf ar Orseddau Magi y Gorllewin. 
 
 Trwy sefydlu cyfreithiau uniawn y darfu i Charlemagne ac Alfred 
 Fawr, Sylfeinydd Athrofa Rhydychen, wasgaru, i raddau, y ty- 
 wyllwch dudew barbaraidd oedd yn gorchuddio Ewrop yn y nawfed 
 ganrif ; a thrwy hyn hefyd yr ennillodd Hywel Dda a Blegvvryd ei 
 weinidog y fath barch ac enwogrwydd yn y ganrif ganlynol. 
 
 Tan effeithiolaeth iachusawl sefydliadau a chyfreithiau da, y
 
 65 
 
 vvyneb llydan y " Byd Newydd" yn ymadnewyddu i wisgo harddwch. 
 Gwelir yno yn awr fyrdd o blant yn cyrchu yn finteioedd i'r Ys- 
 golion ; ac yn eu dychweliad adref gyda'r hwyr, clywir y llenyrch 
 a'r gelltydd, oeddynt unwaith yn drigleoedd dreigiau, yn adseinio 
 eu difyr ganiadau. Meithrinir yno yn bresennol y celfyddydau a'r 
 gwybodaethau a addurnant ddyn. Eu Hathrofaon sefydledig a flod- 
 euant dan nawdd y Llywodraeth, a'u pinaglau cyssegredig a dderch- 
 afant eu penau hyd y nefoedd. 
 
 Canfyddir, yn rhy amlwg, o'r tu arall, effeithiau galarus ac an- 
 dwyol penrhyddid ac annuwiaeth yn y difrod galaethus a oddi- 
 weddodd Ffrainc, yn amser y chwyldroad, yn niwedd y ganrif 
 ddiweddaf. Llanwyd y wlad o derfysg a dychryn. Lliwiwyd yr 
 heolydd a gwaed. Ni pherchid na gwraig na gwyryf ; ac ni arbedid 
 y plentyn sugno mwy na'r henwr penllwyd. Nid oedd tawelwch i 
 dad wrth ei fwrdd gyda'i blant na d'iogelwch i br'iod yn ei wely 
 gyda'i anwylyd na nodded i efrydydd yn ei lyfrgell gyda'i Fibl 
 na chyssegr i addolwr yn ei deml wrth yr Allor. Mwrddrwyd yno 
 filoedd o wirioniaid, heb gysgod prawf, chwaethach awdurdod 
 cyfraith. Yna, wedi tyngu tragywyddol elyniaeth i drefn rheolaeth 
 freninol, a thragywyddol ffyddlondeb i chwech o ffug-sefydliadau 
 gwahanol, a hyny o fewn cylch o ddeutu chwe' blynedd, plygodd y 
 genedl ddiofrydedig i ruddfan a gwaedu dan orthrymder gormeswr. 
 
 Cyn terfynu y Llythyr hwn, erfyniaf genad i gyfeirio meddwl y 
 darllenydd at dri o adsylwadau. 
 
 1. Canfyddir, yn wyneb yr ystyriaeth o bwys a gwirionedd y 
 testun dan sylw bod deddfwyr doethion, a lly wiawdwyr cyfiawn yn 
 teilyngu yr anrhydedd a'r parch, mwyaf. " Awdurdodau goruchel" 
 a gweinidogion gosodedig gan y Goruchaf ydynt, er dial Hid ar 
 ddrwgweithredwyr ac er mawl i'r gweithredwyr da. G wisgo y 
 maent gleddyf cyfiawnder, ac " angenrhaid yw ymostwng iddynt," 
 nid yn unig o herwydd y " formidine posnoe," ond o herwydd y 
 " virtutis amore" hefyd. Nid rhyfedd, gan hyny, eu bod, yn ol hen 
 arferiad, yn cael eu galw yn " conditores imperiorum," am eu bod 
 yn gwneuthur " bythod o bridd yn ddinasoedd o farmer :" yn 
 " Perpetui principes," am eu bod yn teyrnasu yn eu gosodiadau 
 gwladol dros oesoedd^tragy wyddol pan eu hunain wedi eu rhifo gyda'r 
 marwolion : yn " Salvatores," am eu bod yn ymlid gormes a 
 therfysg i ddiyngan diroedd anghof : ac yn " Patres patriae," am 
 eu bod yn gwneuthur y Gyfraith, nid yn ddagr dichell nac yn gleddyf 
 gormes ond yn " ffon gonestrwydd, yn darian diniweidrwydd, ac 
 yn etifeddiaeth y tlawd." 
 
 2. Canfyddir, yn amlwg, y dylid talu, gyda llawenydd, " deyrnged
 
 66 
 
 a tholl ac ofh a pharch i'r rhai sydd yn gwylied ar hyn yma." Y 
 mae holl ysgogiadau cymdeithas, a holl egwyddorion masnachaeth. 
 yn eu gwahanol gyssylltiadau aneirif yn gofyn eu sylw manylaf, a 
 hyny yn feunyddiol. Nid bycban gan hyny yw eu gofal, ac nid 
 ysgafn eu baich : ac nid yw ond cyfiawnder iddynt gael cefhogiad a 
 chynnaliaeth. Heb deyrngcd ni chynnelir llywodraeth, heb lywod- 
 raeth ni chedwir trefn, heb drefn ni chefnogir " nioesau da," ac heb 
 foesau da ni chyrhaeddir na dedwyddwch nac enwogrwydd. 
 
 Canfyddir, yn olaf, y dylem ni fel Prydeiniaid, gydnabod, mewn 
 ysbryd diolchgar, ein rhwymedigaethau annrhaethadwy i Lywydd y 
 bydoedd, am y rhagorfreintiau lliiosog a fwyneir genym dan nawdd 
 llywodraeth dirion Teulu Brunswick. Dan effeithiolaeth union- 
 gyrchol gosodiadau rhagorol llywodraeth ein gwlad, y meithrinwyd 
 yn mynwesau ein hamaethwyr a'n masnachwyr ein morwyr a'n 
 milwyr ein llywiawdwyr a'n hathrawon i'e, a'n rh'ianedd hefyd 
 y rhinweddau dysgleirwych ag ydynt wedi derchafu Prydain i fod 
 yn Eden y byd o ran ei ffrwythlonedd yn Dyrus y byd o ran ei 
 masnach yn Fabilon y byd o ran ei gogoniant yn Rhufain y byd 
 o ran ei hawdurdod yn Athen y byd o ran ei dysgeidiaeth ac yn 
 Gaersalem y byd o ran ei chrefydd. 
 
 SOLON.
 
 AWDLAU 
 
 AR 
 
 WLEDD BELSASSAR.
 
 AWDI, 
 
 AR WLEDD BELSASSAR, 
 
 GAN CA TWO. 
 
 Y CYNNWYSIAD. 
 
 RHAN I. 
 
 Gwledd Belsassar hyd llinell 5. Dull Belsassar yn dangos 
 llygredd dyn trwy bechod, 9. Pechod yn waharddedig, 13. Dial 
 am bechod, 17. Israel am eu pechodau yn cael eu caetbgludo i 
 Babilon am 70 mlynedd, eu gwaradwydd, a'u cystudd yno, 27. Y 
 gelynion yn gofyn can ganddynt, 31. Yn diystyru Duw ac yn cym- 
 mell Israel i addoli eu duwiau, 27. Israel yn dewis marw yn hytrach 
 na hyny, 41. Israel, gan alaru, yn troi eu hwynebau tua'r Demi 
 Santaidd, 45. Duw yn gogoneddu ei enw trwy eu gwaredu o'r 
 tan, 49. Cerydd Israel yn fendithiol i'w dwyn i edifeirwch, 53. Y 
 Caldeaid yn ymgaledu, 61. Yr awdwr yn esgyn i ucheldir, ac yn 
 darogan gwarediad Israel, gan ganfod byddinoedd y Mediaid a'r 
 Persiaid yn ymgyrchu tua Babilon, 75. Agweddau y byddinoedd 
 a'u cyflymder, 85. Cyrus yn eu rheoleiddio, eu harddwch a'u 
 heofnder, 89. Darostwng y wlad, 91. Gobrias a Gadata yn encilio 
 o'r ddinas at Cyrus, 93. Gwarchae ar Babilon ddwy flynedd, 99. 
 Prophwydoliaeth am Cyrus, 103. Belsassar yn ei ddinas gadarn, 
 107. Sylwiadau ar y ddinas, 143. Annuwioldeb ei phreswylwyr, 
 163. Cyrus yn gwarchae oddiallan, a Belsassar oddifewn yn ddiofal 
 yn hyderu yn ei dduwiau, a chadernid y ddinas, 171. Dyfodiad yr 
 wyl flynyddol, 175. 
 
 RHAN II. 
 
 Belsassar yn ordeinio gwledd i fil o arglwyddi, 179. Gresynu am 
 na chyfranai i drueiniaid, ymprydio a gweddio Duw, yn hytrach 
 na gwledda ar y fath amser, pan yr oedd y gelynion oddiallan yn 
 darparu dinystr y lie ac yntau, 191. Parotoi y wledd, danteithion y 
 wlad ar y byrddau, 197. Dyfodiad y brenin a'i dywysogion i mewn, 
 201. Eu hymddygiad annuwiol yn sarau Duw, ac yn tynu ei \vg 
 ef arnynt, 229. Bysedd Haw dyn yn ysgrifenu ar y pared, 233. 
 Chwyldroi y wledd o elwch i alar, a chyffro ac ystumiau y brenin, 
 235. Galw am y doethion i ddarllen yr ysgrifen, hwythau yn methu, 
 243. Y brenin yn flin arno, a phawb yn synu, 239. Nitocris yn 
 cysuro 'r brenin gan hyspysu iddo am Daniel, 253. Galw Daniel 
 ger bron, 255. Araeth y brenin wrtho, 273. Araeth Daniel, 330.
 
 70 
 
 Yr ysgrifen a'i deongliad, 345. Y doethion yn synu, 349. Eofhder, 
 Daniel, 353. Y brenin yn gorchymyn cyflawni ei addewid i Daniel, 
 355. Distawrwydd mawr, ac o herwydd dryraed yr argoelion, pawb 
 yn dihoeni, ymollwng 'a chysgu, 361. Y dinaswyr yn feddwon, y 
 gwylwyr ar porthorion yn cysgu, Pyrtli yr afon heb eu cau, yr afon 
 yn sech, Gobrias a Gadata yn arwain llu ar hydd-di i'r ddirias, ac yn 
 myned ar hyd yr heolydd i agori pyrth y caerau i Cyrus a'i luoedd, 
 383. S6r a Lloer yn eu goleuo, 385. Y dinasyddion yn eu cwsg, 
 891. Cyrus a'i luoedd yn cymmeryd y ddinas, 399. Y prif bechodau 
 a dynodd farn ar y ddinas, 407. Y lladdedigon, Belsassar a'i holl 
 deulu yn lladdedig, 415. Darius yn dyfod i'r frenhiniaeth, 417. Cyrus 
 yn rhyddau Israel, a hwythau yn myned i'wgwlad, 421. Sicrwydd 
 cyflawniad y prophwydoliaethau yn ol trefn Rhagluniaeth, 425. 
 Pechod yn achos trallodus chwyldroion byd, a Rhagluniaeth y Nef 
 yn goruwchreoli pob petb i ddwyn i ben amcanion y Goruchaf, 429. 
 Tri thro hynod yn Babilon o herwydd pechod, a'r diweddaf oedd 
 drymaf, 445. Diweddglo. 
 
 f 
 
 RHAN I. 
 
 GWLEDD Belsassar, ar ei oriau olaf ; 
 Eli el wch a'i nethau, 
 Ai einioes ef yn nesau 
 I gyngerth, ing, ac angau. 
 
 Dull Belsassar a'n harwedd i weled, 
 
 Er alaeth, y llygredd 
 
 A wnai bechod i'n buchedd ; 
 
 Yr hyn wnai Iwgr yn ei wledd. 
 
 Pechod yw gwaelod pob gwyn, gwaharddai 
 Y Gwir Dduw ei ganlyn, 
 Gan rybuddiaw y daw dyn 
 I ddialedd o'i ddilyn. 
 
 Dielir pawb a'i dilyn, dial dwys 
 A dal Duw i'w blentyn 
 Am bechod, werraod ei wyn 
 A ddiarbed rydderbyn. 
 
 Gwthiwyd plant Duw yn gaethion, o'u tiroedd 
 
 Torwyd yr luddewon 
 
 Am bechod, mewn trafodion, 
 
 Ei bobl ant i Babilon.
 
 71 
 
 I flin oddef seithneg o flynyddau 
 Dihedd, ohyd dan waradwyddiadau, 
 Yn nhir gelynion, yn oer galonau ; 
 Mawr oedd euogrwydd, a mor o ddagrau ; 
 A niweidiwyd caniadau ei bobloedd ; 
 Griddfanu ydoedd greddf eu heneidiau. 
 
 Gweled dirmyg eu galon afrywiog, 
 
 A friwiai eu calon, 
 
 Yn gofyn cerdd Iwysgerdd, Ion, 
 
 sy w ganiadau S'fon. 
 
 A deuai waetb-waeth, eu Duw a hwythau 
 A dra-diystyrid drwy dost eiriau : 
 Mynai 'r galon brydion eu bwriadau 
 Erchyllach, trawsach treisian, eu trosi 
 A'u dwyn i addoli mudion ddelwau. 
 
 Coelio duwiau y Caldeaid, gwydus ! 
 Gwadu 'r Duw bendigaid ! 
 Mawr yw hyn ! gwell meirw, o rliaid : 
 Ebai 'r hyawdl Hebreaid. 
 
 Galarant, truant eu trem, 
 Ami sylwant, at Demi Salem, 
 Nes cyrhaedd mynwes cariad 
 Eu dwyfol dosduriol Dad. 
 
 A'u Duw mad ac ofnadwy, 
 Yn eu mysg, a wnai enw mwy 
 Hynod iddo ei hunan, 
 Ac o'r tan eu gwared hwy. 
 
 Garw ddial gai 'r luddewon ond etto, 
 Bu 'n dattod y galon : 
 Marwhau a thymheru hon 
 
 1 ddiwygiad oedd ddigon. 
 
 Bu gwaeth, er eu bygythio, 
 Ddynion afradlon y fro. 
 Ni fawrhaid yn y fro hon, 
 Dduw oesawl na'i dda weision. 
 Gerthed eu bai I gwrthod budd, 
 A rhoi heibio bob rhy budd ; " 
 A chan gyd-bechu 'n gadarn, 
 Hwy ant, addfedant i farn. 
 P
 
 72 
 
 O'r dyffyrn, esgyn a wnaf yn odrist, 
 Gan edrych beth welaf ; 
 O dir uchel edrychaf, 
 Ac amlwg olwg a gaf. 
 
 I'r caethion dilon mae dydd yn nesu 
 I'w haneisor Lywydd 
 Gerth rwymo eu gorthrymydd, 
 A'u galw hwy draw i'w gwlad rydd. 
 
 Wele lu mawr ar erfawr yrfa, 
 
 Yn ymadael o derfyn Media, 
 
 Oil heb arswyd, a llu o Bersia, 
 
 A rhai ymunwyr o Armenia, 
 
 Trwy ammod yn troi ynaa; anrheithiant 
 
 Bawb a lynant yn Babilonia. 
 
 Y milwyr ar eu camelod, 
 Wych ryfelwyr a chawrfilod, 
 A meirch dihafeirch yn dyfod, 
 Glewion, arfawg lu anorfod. 
 
 Yn ol y gad, niwl a gerdd, 
 
 Lluwch ogylch, llwch a'u hagerdd. 
 
 A'r niwl yn troi yn olau 
 
 Trwy dan gwyllt rhwng traed yn gwau. 
 
 Hwy a lymion garlamant ; 
 
 Yma yn swta nesant. 
 
 Wele, ddoniawl Faeslywydd union, 
 Cyrus, nai Darius, hynod Wron, 
 Yn effraw fyddinaw ei ddynion ; 
 Reoleiddia ei ddewr liiyddion : 
 Yn ewybr ac yn hoewon ymrestrant, 
 A bygylant wynebau galon. 
 
 Hwy Ian want Fabilonia oludog; 
 Wele 'r wlad yn sathrfa 
 Am bechod: bythol nod wna 
 Yn ninystr y fan yna. 
 
 Acw, wele, encilwyr o'r ddinas, 
 Addas gyfarwyddwyr, 
 Gobrias ac y Bre'yr 
 Gadata gyda y gwyr.
 
 73 
 
 Ceiswyr gwaed am waed ydynt a dial; 
 Deuwr a a rhagddynt 
 Er y caerau a'r cyrynt, 
 Dau a i mewn er dim ynt. 
 
 Gwedi rhwygo y fro fras, 
 Gwrdd unant ger y ddinas. 
 
 Ychydig o ymdrechiadau a fa 
 
 fewn dwy o flwyddau; 
 Gwelwyd o ddeutu 'r gwaliau, 
 Ymdrin ddygn am dro neu ddan. 
 
 Cawn hanes cyn ei eni am Cyrus 
 
 Ddaionus, a'i emvi 
 
 Yn addwyn frenin iddi; 
 
 Y chwyl hon yr ymchwel hi. 
 
 Belsassar i'w bias iesin ; 
 Ei gref nawdd ef y w ei ddin ; 
 Ac adail gaerog ydyw, 
 Drych hefyd i 'r hollfyd y w. 
 
 Ymaros uwchlaw ei muriau a wnaf, 
 
 1 wneud sylwiadau 
 O'i hynod ryfeddodau 
 Lliosog, cyn ei llesgau. 
 
 Anhafal y w hon hefyd ; 
 Hon sydd ben dinasoedd byd. 
 Meithder i bellder heb ail 
 Yw hyd a lied ei hadail : 
 Pymtheng milltir, mewn tir teg, 
 Ydyw, Petrual wiwdeg; 
 
 Triugain milltir ogylch 
 Yw hon ; a chaer yn ei chylch ; 
 A chan porth pres eres wrdd; 
 A dw'r agwrdd yn drogylch. 
 
 Trwyddi hefyd traidd afon yn dyfod 
 Rhwng deufur uchelion, 
 A phyrth pres ddwy res ar hon, 
 Trwy y murian tra mawrion. 
 
 Wele ynddi grogerddi agyrddion, 
 A gwiwfad eres golygfa dirion 
 Bhodfeydd hygyrch llennyrch dillynion-
 
 74 
 
 Uwchlaw y ddinas, iach le i ddynion ; 
 Lie sawrus llysiau irion sydd yna 
 Awyr a gluda eu harogl hedion. 
 
 Wil ei hofflysoedd hi a'i phalasan; 
 Fireinied ei hamlwg fawrion demlau, 
 Yn ddirhynodol gan addurniadan, 
 Eu parwyd hwy a lanwyd o luniau 
 Liu daear a lie y duwiau ynddynt; 
 Rhai nad ydynt werth rhoi eu nodiadau. 
 
 Ynddynt hefyd, drymllyd drem I 
 Sylwais, mae llestri Salem : 
 Anaddas, ni a wyddom, 
 Eu lie an a duwiau 'r dom. 
 
 Y brif ddinas sydd brawf o ddoniau 
 
 Ceinwiw, odidog, y cyndadau: 
 
 Ni henwid byth ei hynod bethau, 
 
 Rhy faith aros rhifo ei thyrau 
 
 Lie mynych y llummanau; llawn weithion 
 
 Yw hon o feithion hynafiaethau. 
 
 Ond annuw iawn y dynion 
 Oil a drefyd ar hyd hon. 
 Lleddir, gosdyngir y da, 
 Dyrchir, dyheddir didda. 
 Llosgi, lliidd, a dyspaddu, 
 Ar arch rydd Llywydd y llu. 
 
 Dynion yn trin dewiniaeth sy yna, 
 A swyn a hudoliaeth; 
 Ni bu rai a wyrai waeth, 
 Ar ddaear, i audduwiaeth. 
 
 Rhoddi mawrhydi i Merodach, 
 Nebo, Nergal, ac i Faal folach, 
 Gas weision, ac i Shesach; gan wadu, 
 Cablu, nid caru, Duw cywirach. 
 
 Gan angerddol, reddfol rym 
 Llygredd yn ei holl awgrym, 
 Goddefir pob dfwg ddyfais; 
 Balchder, gorthrymder, a thrais : 
 Pob pechod a bennodir 
 Sydd yn hon : hi sawdd yn wir.
 
 75 
 
 Gwyr Cyrus ger y caerau y gwyliant : 
 A'r trigolion hwythau 
 
 'u mewn hwynt; ac yn mwynau 
 Da fyd a phob defodau. 
 
 I'w mur, a'u duwiau meirwon, a dorau 
 Hyderai 'r trigolion ; 
 Na welid yna alon 
 
 1 beri brad a braw bron. 
 
 A deiiai gwyl y duw gau hono oedd 
 
 Flynyddol ei chykhau, 
 
 Er rhoi diolch i'r duwiau, 
 
 A gwledd i'w rhyfedd fawrau. 
 
 BHAN II. 
 
 BELSASSAR lawn cyfaredd, 
 Archai a darluniai 'r wledd, 
 I'w gweini yn ddi gynnil; 
 Gwledd fawr i'w arglwyddi fil. 
 
 Och ! frenin, na cbyfranai 
 I dlodion, efryddion rai. 
 I wledda nid dyma 'r dydd ; 
 Mae Cyrus am y caerydd. 
 Ha ! frenin ofer, annuw, 
 Ymprydia, gweddiia Dduw. 
 Darparu a sychu sydd 
 I fynu dy afonydd: , 
 Lyw annuw, nid crindduw, cre'd, 
 Na mur, a wna ymwared. 
 Tithau, pe gwypit weithion, 
 Tydi a syrthi 'r nos hon ! 
 
 A'r wledd rhagddi, a gweini coginiaeth; 
 Ymroed i'r perwyl, mawr y darpariaeth; 
 Byrddau a drefnwyd, huliwyd yn helaetli. 
 Y rhai a lanwyd a phob ryw luniaetb, 
 Seigiau y dywysogaetb, yn ddestlus, 
 Sy 'n ddiarbedns yn y ddarbodaeth. 
 
 A deddyw mawr Lyw y wledd 
 Gyfeiryd mewn rhwysgfewredd ;
 
 76 
 
 A'i segur dywysogion, 
 Gwyr a fawraid ger ei fron. 
 
 Maith imi lenwi darluniad ollawl 
 Eu dull a'u hymddygiad: 
 Diwyrni gellir dirnad 
 Fod i 'r wledd defodau 'r wlad. 
 
 Eisteddant, mawrant eu Rhi 
 A rhodres i'w fawrhydri. 
 Ow ! ni welir un holiad, 
 A fyn y Rhi ofyn rhad 
 Duw weithion, er bendithiaw 
 Y wledd, o roddion ei law. 
 Na, na, i loddesta 'dd ant ; 
 Duw uniawn ni adwaenant. 
 Ymborthant, fawr, erfawr rill ; 
 Draw o'u gwydd aid a'r gweddill : 
 Heb son am ffyddlon goffau 
 Gwir roddwr trugareddau. 
 Gweini gwin i'w min mynant 
 Breisgion wyr, brwysgo a wnant. 
 
 A mawrau eu duwiau am eu dyhedd 
 Arddyrchu ogylch, yr ordderch wragedd ; 
 Peri halawgrwysg i bob rhyw lygredd, 
 Er gwae a dylaith, rhwyg a diialedd ; 
 Sarhau Duw, nes o'r diwedd ryfygu 
 Taer ymyru a llestri ty 'r Mawredd. 
 
 Ennynai hyn yn union, 
 Eiddigedd Naf, uchaf I6n. 
 Gwelid gwg am y drwg dra 
 I'r brenin, er braw yna. 
 
 Ys arwydd echrys, er ei ddychryn, 
 I'w weled ar y pared purwyn, 
 Lie y daeth bysedd llaw dyn i gerfio : 
 Brined yno y barnwyd annyn. 
 
 Ei Iwydd a'i wledd a luddiwyd ; o elwch 
 
 I alar chwyldrowyd, 
 
 O'i wres a'i rodres i rwyd 
 
 Gwae, erysi, ac arswyd. 
 
 Gweddnewidiai, delwai 'r dyn 
 Gan gyffro, agro, egryn,
 
 77 
 
 A rhwymau llwynau 'r Llyw od, 
 O ddeutu yn ymddattod. 
 Curai ynghyd, dybryd wedd ! 
 Ei ddeulin gan ddialedd. 
 
 Galwai 'n groch, mewn broch a braw adwythig, 
 Y doethion, gan addaw, 
 Os cai a ddarllenai 'r llaw, 
 Roi addien wobrau iddaw. 
 
 Daeth yno bob doethineb a ahvai : 
 
 Ond wele fethineb, 
 
 O honynt ni chaed wyneb 
 
 A'i lleai ni allai neb. 
 
 Y brenin ni b'ai 'r unwedd, 
 Cyffroai, newidiai 'i wedd ; 
 Terfysgus arswydus ai ; 
 Gorsynai gwyr ei senedd. 
 
 Yna daeth i'w enaid ef 
 Arswydus, gwynofus gnif. 
 
 ! anhydyn, elyn Naf ! 
 Pa lid i'w ofid a yf ? 
 
 Yn ystod y trafod trwm, 
 A dyryswch direswm, 
 Daeth Nitocris, megis mam 
 Dyner, a newydd dinam, 
 Fod i Ddaniel fad ddoniau 
 
 1 gael rhin a'i eglurau. 
 Daniel uwchlaw 'r dewiniaid 
 
 Oedd ddoeth a dewr ddyddiau 'th daid. 
 
 Galwer am hwn, hwn, ebai hi a all 
 Ei ollawl ddeongli: 
 Cais Ddaniel, oruchel Ri, 
 Llaw Daniel all dy weini. 
 
 Ei llais ddadebrai y llu 
 O brudd wyn braidd i wenu. 
 Cennadon ai 'n union, a 
 Daniel a gyrchid yna. 
 
 Yn chwai medd y Llyw, Na chel 
 Dy enw, ai ti yw Daniel ?
 
 78 
 
 Imi yn hygoel mynega ai ti 
 Wyt o gaethglud Juda, 
 Dewinydd, deonglydd da 
 Fu rymus i'r fro yma ? 
 
 Methodd doethion i'w honi dd'iorlludd 
 Ddarllen a deongli 
 Yr ysgrif, fel y gweli 
 M or deg, ar fy mhared i. 
 
 Yr ysgrifen os darlleni yn llawn 
 Gan ei llwyr ddeongli, 
 Ysgafn borphor a wisgi, 
 Ag aur dorch anrhegir di. 
 
 Cai harddwch, parch, ac urddas y trydydd 
 Lyw tradewr i'm teyrnas ; 
 Dy enw fydd mawr i'm dinas, 
 Dy fri trwy Galdea fras. 
 
 Ebai Daniel, Bid yna 
 
 Dy anrhegion heirddion, ha ! 
 
 Cai roi 'r rhai'n i'w carwr hwy, 
 
 Dibris genyf dy wobrwy. 
 
 Yr ysgrifen darllenaf ; 
 
 I glyw y Rhi egluraf. 
 
 Clyw, O frenin, nis celaf wirionedd ; 
 Duw a ranai i'th dad yn dirionwedd, 
 Doraeth mirain, llywodraeth a mawredd. 
 Yntau ai 'n fradwr, treisiwr trahauswedd. 
 Crynai fyd i gyd yn gydwedd rhagddo ; 
 Rhag yno ddirio ei fawr gynddaredd. 
 
 A fynai a laddai o lid, 
 A fynai a gadwai i gyd, 
 A fynai ostyngai ei 'stad, 
 Ac a fynai dyrchai i'w dud, 
 Archai, ac a fynai gai fod. 
 
 Uchder ei falchder a fiiwir achos 
 
 I'r Goruchaf wgu, 
 
 A'i droi 'n is ; o deyrnasu 
 
 I waeth 'stad na chaethwas du. 
 
 Pablwyd, ac o fysg pobloedd 
 Gyrwyd ef, digariad oedd.
 
 79 
 
 Y pwyll i'w galon pallai, 
 Megis calon eidion ai : 
 Di anwydau dyn ydoedd ; 
 Un fel uthr anghenfil oedd ; 
 Gyda 'r cyfryw 'n byw, a bod 
 Ar wellt, fel rhyw wylltfilod. 
 A chyd a hvvy gwlychwyd ef 
 Gan, a than wlith y wiwnef. 
 
 Hyd oni wybu, a chydnabod pwy 
 Oedd pen pob awdurdod, 
 A phrif Ly w pob byw a bod, 
 Bam, iawnder, a brenindod. 
 
 Tithau, ei fab, ti aethost 
 Yn flaenawr rhy fawr ei fost. 
 
 Ymgodaist yma gwed'yn, heb ystyr, 
 Heb ostwng mewn dychryn ; 
 A dilynaist ei linyn, 
 Er gwybod o honod hyn. 
 
 Diystyraist, gwatworaist Dduw tirion, 
 Ti heddyw, alwaist am sancteiddolion 
 A daionus lestri ei dy union; 
 Yma daethant; a chyda'th gymdeithion, 
 A chyda 'r ordderchadon, buost ti 
 I'w halogi, y'ngwydd ei olygon. 
 
 Moliennaist, addolaist dy ddelwau, 
 
 A dy fwyn oeddynt eu defnyddiau, 
 
 Gyda braenus, wywedig breniau; 
 
 Dison ydynt a disyniadau. 
 
 A Duw 'th bywyd a 'th biau ni pherchaist ; 
 
 Ti hawdd adewaist Dduw y duwiau. 
 
 ger ei fron anfonid 
 
 Y darn llaw, megis dwrn llid, 
 
 1 fanol ysgrifenu 
 
 Dy ddychrynllyd ddedryd ddu. 
 
 Samaritan Ian a ganlyn 
 
 airm? 2PA /D 
 
 A'i heglurad gwelir yw hyn. 
 Y farn yw hyn : Dy freniniaeth 
 Rhifai Dduw, a'i rhif hi a ddaeth 
 Q
 
 80 
 
 I ben ; ef a'i gorphenodd 
 Er ei fawl, mewn cywir fodd. 
 
 Tithau, pwyswyd ti, weithion, 
 Yn gywir, fry, ger ei fron, 
 Mewn tafol oesol, iesin ; 
 Gwael wyd, fe 'th bi-ofwyd yn brin. 
 
 Dy freniniaeth helaeth hon, 
 Heddy w, a roed yn ddwy ran ; 
 Persiaid a Mediaid a'i myn. 
 Gwir hefyd yw 'r ysgrifen. 
 
 Y doethion heb son a synant i gyd, 
 A diwyd wrandawant 
 Ar Ddaniel lawn urdduniant: 
 Rhyfeddu o'r neilldu wnant. 
 
 Tester a iawnder un-Duw cyhoeddai, 
 Cyhuddodd yr annuw. 
 
 ! agyrddwas y Gwir-Dduw: 
 Eon a dewr dros enw Duw v 
 
 Archai y Llyw, gwyw heb gel, 
 
 Ei adduned i Ddaniel. 
 
 Ni wenai yno wyneb 
 
 Gan fraw: nid annistaw neb. 
 
 Gan drymion argoelion gwelwant; 
 Wedi hyny y dihoenant; 
 Ymbell i ing ymollyngant: 
 Dir y gwasgwyd, a dargysgant. 
 
 Rhag cyni af fi o'r fan 
 
 1 syllu betb sy' allan. 
 
 A gwelaf fod trigolion y gaered 
 
 Yn gorwedd, fel meirwon, 
 
 Yn ei bytbau yn ben boethion; 
 
 Liu anfuddiol, oil yn feddwon : 
 
 Neb effro yn gwylio galon 
 
 Ar ei tbyrau, na phorthorion. 
 
 O rhyfedd ! Pyrth yr afon heb eu cau I 
 
 Och ! hithau 'n sech weithion I 
 
 Ar hyd yr hon 
 
 Wele alon !
 
 81 
 
 Ac wele, yr encilwyr i'r flaenrhes 
 Yn eres flaenorwyr, 
 Gobrias, ac y breyr 
 Gadata. Pa gynna gwyr ? 
 
 Taerion torant 
 I fewn, hyf ant, 
 Agorant byrth y gaered; 
 Llyna y llwybr, yn llawn lied, 
 Heb oludd, hyd deml Belus, 
 I Gyrus yn "agored. 
 
 O'r ffurfafen ysblenydd 
 Lleuer, ser, a lloer y sydd. 
 
 Ac eilwaith y trigolion i'w cael 
 Yn eu cwsg echryslon. 
 Oni faeddir hwy 'n feddwon ? 
 Oni syrth y ddinas hon ? 
 
 Wele, Gyrus a'i lu gwrol, treiddiant 
 Trwyddi yn fuddugol; 
 Taro wnant cyn troi yn ol ; 
 Ennillant hi yn ollol. 
 
 Cyn y borau gwnaed ei theiau 
 Hi yn feddau anufuddion. 
 Cyrus, yntau, a'i lummanau 
 Ar ei chaerau, orwych Wron. 
 
 Rhedeg i ryfyg rhydost, 
 I uchder, balchder, a bost, 
 Ac i ddewis gaudduwiaeth, 
 I chwerwedd, o'r diwedd daeth: 
 Gorddwys watwor y Gwir-Dduw, 
 Ysu yn dost weision Duw, 
 Pechod na bu wermod waeth, 
 A'u dug i farnedigaetb. 
 
 O wledda traws ! O ladd trwm I 
 Ac uthrol y rhwyg athrwm. 
 Lluoedd ar luoedd a las 
 O ddynion, yn y ddinas. 
 
 Taro Belsassar yn farwol o'i gwsg, 
 A'i osgordd freninol ;
 
 82 
 
 Medi yn ddiammodol, 
 Heb adaw neb o'i dy 'n ol. 
 Yna Darius yn dirion, 
 A ddaeth i'r freniniaeth hon. 
 
 Cyrus ddaionus yna a ollwng 
 Allan gaethglud Juda ; 
 Ant tu a'u gwlad ddifrad dda, 
 I rydd eilfyd o'r ddalfa. 
 
 Fob rhyw ddwyfol brophwydoliaeth heb ludd, 
 A gwbla Rhagluniaeth : 
 Yn ol y Gair dwyfol daeth 
 Y rarn hon ar freniniaeth. 
 
 Chwyldrdau, troellau trailed, gweledig 
 
 Dreigliadau tra hynod 
 
 Fu ac sydd beunydd yn bod 
 
 Heb achos, ond o bechod. 
 
 A rhagluniaeth lor goleuni a geir 
 Yn goruwch re'oli 
 Pob gwaith a chwyl : ymchwyl i 
 Fwriadon ei Fawrhydi. 
 
 Daw baich ar wlad a becho heb ommedd : 
 
 Bu yma dri chwyldro 
 
 Terwyn, a Duw yn taro 
 
 Yn drymach, trymach bob tro. 
 
 Gwir yw gymmysgu yr laith 
 
 Am enwir, yma unwaitb, 
 
 Troi dyn anhydyn yn ail 
 
 I annofus anifail, 
 
 O'i uchder i isder; a 
 
 Dwyn einioes y dyn yna : 
 
 Holl edryd y llywodraeth, 
 
 Heddyw, i ddistryw a ddaeth. / 
 
 Aeth i'r llwch harddwch eurdde, 
 
 A llwyr ddinystriwyd y lie. 
 
 " Syrthiodd Babilon." Son sydd, 
 
 Heb gel, o wlad bwygilydd. 
 
 Llwybr i ddyn lie bu 'r ddinas, 
 
 Ni welir drwy 'r certhdir cas. 
 
 Nid oes ol ei heolydd ; 
 
 Ei hanes hi, hyny sydd.
 
 83 
 
 Trefle y Fwltur aflan, 
 Trigfod gwestfilod y\v 'r fan. 
 Man anial, yn dal dilyth 
 Nodau barn, heb newid byth. 
 Gwylia, ddaear ! gwel ddiwedd 
 Ynfyd Lyw a'i anfad wledd. 
 
 Crist fu 'n golygu trefn gwledd ; dywedai 
 
 Ei odidog Fawredd, 
 
 Yn llwyr oil, y dull a'r wedd 
 
 IV gweini i ogonedd. 
 
 Boed i ddyn a dderbyn ddysg 
 Wledda yn ol ei addysg : 
 Ac ni chair gvvae, na chwerwedd, 
 Dafn o lid o fewn y wledd. 
 
 G. WILLIAMS, neu 
 
 Gutyn Peris.
 
 G AN DANIEL, GLAN AF ON EUPHRATES. 
 
 BYB GVNNWYSIAD O*B PRIP BENAU. 
 
 Belsassar mewn rhwysg a mawredd yn cynnal Gwledd ardderchog 
 yn Mabilon fawr, i fil o Dywysogion, pan ydoedd y ddinas tan war- 
 chae, gan luoedd y Mediaid a'r Persiaid. Gwylarbenig yn y ddinas. 
 
 -Llawenydd a gorfoledd y trigolion Paratoadau mawrion ar gyfer 
 
 y wledd. Y Dinasyddion, yn eu hynfydrwydd, yn lladd ac yn 
 aberthu i dduwiau a delwau Babilon Yn gwedd'io ar Bel a Nebo 
 eu gwared rhag Cyrus a'i fyddinoedd. Mawrion y ddinas, yn eu 
 harddwch a'u gwychder, yn cyfeirio tu allys y Brenin. Arlwyadau 
 y wledd. Y cynteddau yn llawn o bob hyfrydwch, a mwyniant 
 daearol. Hyfryd sain y Cerddorion. Harddwch mawreddog Bel- 
 sassar.-Disglaer brydferthwch ei Ordderchadon, yn synu Urddasolion 
 y wledd. Araeth Belsassar wrth y Tywysogion. Ei benderfyniad 
 i fyned allan dranoeth i ymladd a lluoedd Cyrus. Ychydig sylwadau 
 ar fawredd a gogoniant Nabucodonosor. Ei ymddygiad tu ag at yr 
 luddewon. Ei orchest yn Nghaersalem. Ysbail y ddinas yn ei 
 feddiant. Belsassar a'i westeion yn rhyfygus gablu Duw 'r nefoedd. 
 Yn anfon am lestri 'r deml, nid yn unig i harddu 'r wledd, ond yn 
 benaf i ddiystyru Duw Israel. Difyrwch y wledd yn dechreu siglo. 
 Anwadalwch mwyniant daearol. Bysedd Haw dyn ar galchiad y 
 pared yn llys y Brenin. Angel yn ysgrifenu barn yn ei erbyn. 
 Dirfawr syndod Belsassar. Euogrwydd ei gydwybod yn rhwygo ei 
 enaid. Y doethion a'r dewiniaid yn methu dirnad y geiriau. 
 Dychryndod y gwahoddedigion. Daniel y prophwyd yn egluro 'r 
 geiriau. Dinystr Babilon a'i delwau yn nesau, yn ol prophwydol- 
 iaeth Esay.-Lluoedd Cyrus wrth y muriau.-Yn troi afon Euphrates. 
 Diiofalwch y gwilwyr. Y gelynion yn annisgwyliadwy yn myned 
 i mewn i'r ddinas yn nyfnder nos.-Y canlyniadau arswydus. Cedyrn 
 y llu yn cyfeirio tu a llys y Brenin. Dinystr ofnadwy yn y lie. 
 Lladd Belsassar. Golwg ar ardderchawgrwydd Babilon a'i hardal- 
 oedd, yn nydd ei llwyddiant.-Ei hanghyfannedd-dra presennol.-Yn 
 gadael Babilon fawr, y ddinas deg, a'i phalasau hefyd, yn garneddau 
 i adar y nefoedd, ac i ddreigiau yr anialwch.
 
 85 
 
 BELSASSAR wnai lachar wledd, 
 
 I'w Wroniaid eirianwedd, 
 
 Yn Mabilon dirion deg, 
 
 Lydan ddiiias oleudeg, 
 
 Gwledd fawr, gwyl o ddifyrwch, 
 
 I'w weision hoff loywoa fflwch, 
 
 Dewisol flodau Asia, 
 
 Ar ddiwrnod hynod o ha', 
 
 Mewn rhyfeddawl freiniawl fri, 
 
 Eurog wledd i'w arglwyddi. 
 
 Ar godiad haul araul rhoed banerau, 
 I chwifiaw 'r uchelion, dirion dyrau; 
 Yn addurnawl ddisglaer hyd y caerau, 
 Mae prydweddol, urddasol dduwiesau ; 
 Gyda 'u gwridog deg gariadau 'n hoy won, 
 Rhodiai y mawrion ar hyd y muriau. 
 
 Gwylmabsant prysur hoyweglur hyglod, 
 Llawen wledd ddifyr, a lion loyw ddefod, 
 Dydd cyfeddach, gloddest, a thrybestod, 
 Gwych wyl addurnawl, ac uchel ddiwrnod ; 
 Jubili heini hynod ysblenydd, 
 
 fawr lawenydd efo 'r eilunod. 
 
 Y teirw a'r hyrddod lladdent trwy 'r hirddydd, 
 
 A cheirw gwylltion, o ochrau y gelltydd, 
 
 Carnolion daear, ac adar coedydd ; 
 
 Mawr y w y lluniaeth, a mwy 'r llawenydd, 
 
 Drwy hylon der heolydd Babilon, 
 
 Ni fu dynion yn fwy eu dywenydd. 
 
 Gorfeddwent yn grefyddol, aberthent 
 
 1 borthi chwant cnawdol : 
 Gwyl fwystfilaidd, ffiaidd, ffol, 
 Aflan oedd yn flynyddol. 
 
 Dynion gwalltgo', gwedi rhwystro, 
 Yma 'n boddio meini byddar ; 
 Lladd aberthau, i ffol ddelwau, 
 Gwyl i dduwiau gwael y ddaear. 
 
 Delwau arian, ac aur dilin molent 
 Yn mhalas y brenin ; 
 Delwau o goed, diawl a gwin, 
 A Iwyr wyrai lu 'r werin.
 
 86 
 
 Mawr ddiwrnod yn bod i Bel trwy 'r deyrnas, 
 Yw hwn o urddas i'w heini arddel ; 
 Difyr drwy bybyr dre' Babel, y w 'r llu, 
 Yma yn llonychu mewn llanw uchel. 
 
 AT Nebo bloeddio wnai 'r blaid eu gwared 
 Rhag Cyrus y Persiaid ; 
 Eu gelyn, cyndyn y'i caid, 
 A'i orenwog wroniaid. 
 
 Dydd y wledd a anrhydeddid, teml yr haul 
 Oleuni araul, a wiwlan eurid : 
 Drwy barthau 'r dre' aberthid i'r duwiau, 
 A llu o ddelwau 'n y lie addolid. 
 
 Gwledd i ddangos nerth prydferthwch palas 
 Ll'iosog deyrnas, llys ei gadarnwch ; 
 Tai a gerddi teg, barddwch ei fawredd ; 
 Gwledd o oferedd, a gloyw ddifyrwch. 
 
 Goreufalch deg wyryfon y ddinas, 
 A ddawnsia 'n yn hyfrydlon ; 
 A gwelid lluoedd gwiwlon, 
 
 bobl wych yn Babilon. 
 
 Pybyr yw llongwyr y llynges, rhwyfant 
 Ar afon Euphrates, 
 Disglaer blaid ganaid gynhes 
 Ydynt hwy o dan y tes. 
 
 Teg brydnawn o lawn lawenydd haelwych 
 A heulwen o gynnydd, 
 Yma ar Belsassar sydd, 
 Is ei blaned ysblenydd. 
 
 Eirian eu tegwch, rhianod hygar, 
 A dynai i fynu dan ei faniar ; 
 
 1 bias iesin y brenin Belsassar, 
 Y goleudeg, emog, le digymhar, 
 
 Yn llu hyweddgu hawddgar, wrth wahodd, 
 Yn gain y deuodd enwogion daear. 
 
 Ei hoyw Iwysaidd, chwyrn bylaw weision, 
 Parod y'nt hwythau, per yw danteithion, 
 Ei bybyr gaerau o bob rhagorion, 
 A gwresog hylwydd wiw groeso calon ; 
 Lluniwyd y byrddau 'n llawnion a dysglau, 
 Rhyw hynod seigiau i'r hen d'wysogion.
 
 87 
 
 I'r werinos Belsassar a ranai 
 Ddiodydd, a bwydydd ni arbedai ; 
 Gan y gweision yr oedd gwin, ac osai ; 
 Hoi I gynnydd ei geurydd a agorai, 
 Ystor o drysor didrai cenedloedd, 
 A golud oesoedd yno gludasai. 
 
 Gwin yn anghyffredin eang flFrydiau, 
 Sydd yn afonydd yn ei drigfanau ; 
 Lie na fu ei eilydd, llawn afalau, 
 Fob rhagorol, a pher ethol flFrwythau 
 Mil o ddolydd, a mel Jdiliau helaeth, 
 A llawen odiaeth yw 'r holl eneidiau. 
 
 Ac O ! mor ryfedd ydyw 'r cynteddau, 
 O bob teg, harddaf liwdeg wyrdd flodau ; 
 Lion, eres annedd llawn o rosynau ; 
 Mawr oedd ei barlwr, a myrdd o berlau, 
 A digonedd o deganau euraid, 
 Yn wychion delaid, a chanaid olau. 
 
 Nyth o wagedd yn ei thegwch, difyr 
 Ysdafell hyfrydwch, 
 Fob mwynder, hoff lawnder fflwch, 
 Oedd yno, a diddanwch. 
 
 Cerddorion tynion eu tannau y sy'n 
 Dadseinio 'r anneddau, 
 Holl fywyd gwynfyd sy'n gwau, 
 Drwy y gorwych der gaerau. 
 
 Hoyw loywdeg fel yr haul ydoedd y gwr 
 Yn ei gaerawg wisgoedd, 
 A ser yn wir seirian oedd, 
 Ei lawen hyfryd luoedd. 
 
 Ar orseddfeinciau gorau y gwron, 
 
 Yn eu teg dlysau, a'u gynau gwynion, 
 
 Hardd eurwych ydoedd ei ordderchadon ; 
 
 Ar y gweddaidd, arafaidd wyryfon, 
 
 Yn y wledd ardderchawg heulawg hylon, 
 
 Eryraidd sylwai yr urddasolion, 
 
 Eu hawddgar, liwgar, olygon, erfai, 
 
 Yno der daniai eneidiau 'r dynion. 
 
 Agor ymadrodd mewn geiriau medrus, 
 Wnai Belsassar ffraeth, mewn afiaeth nwyfus, 
 R
 
 88 
 
 With ei holl wrolion, dynion dawnus, 
 Yn y plas eirian, tirion, pleserus, 
 Ar sedd oleuwedd liwus o arian, 
 Yn wr hoyw dyddan, ac anrhydeddus. 
 
 " O dywysogion dewrion, a durawl, 
 
 " O waed gwroniaid hoywdeg, eirianawl, 
 
 " Pybyr feibion eryron arwrawl, 
 
 " A redodd oesau anrhydeddusawl, 
 
 " Yn wychion arfogion anorchfygawl ; 
 
 " Awn allan y foru 'n yn llu niferawl ; 
 
 " Ar Gyms a'i wyr gwrawl yn ddiau, 
 
 " Ni a wnawn wyrthiau, fy nynion nerthawl. 
 
 " Ei fawr gad o'r wlad erlidiwn, ei wyr 
 
 " A'i wersyll ysbeiliwn, 
 
 " A'i ryfelwyr a falwn, 
 
 " Anfad gawr, yn fwyd i gwn". 
 
 Codai 'r enwog d'wysogion, 
 Oil i fynu yn llu lion. 
 
 " O ! frenin y fawr annedd, 
 " A glyw yr ardderchog wledd, 
 " Mae arfau ein teidiau teg, 
 " Heb rydu bob rhyw adeg ; 
 " Duwiau yr hen Gal do aid, 
 " A gweision dewrion dy daid, 
 " Anorfod ddynion erfawr, 
 " Dorai lu daear i lawr ; 
 " Gwae i Gyrus goeg wron, 
 " Ddwyn saeth at y ddinas hon ; 
 " Bel ein duw o'n blaen a dyr 
 " Uthr filain wrthryfelwyr." 
 
 Yn eu d'iod yr andwyant Gyrus, 
 
 A gorwag ymffrostiant ; 
 
 O'r oror ei wyr a yrant ; 
 
 Ei drueiniaid a drywanant, 
 
 A'i liiyddion ef a laddant : 
 
 Y llys hynod oil a seiniant ; mewn gorchest 
 
 A gloddest y gwleddant.* 
 
 Belshazzar and his lords are in the midst of their revels, the cups going round apace, and all 
 upon the merry pin, drinking confusion, it may be, to Cyrus and his army, and roaring out huzzas, 
 in confidence of the speedy raising of the siege. M. Henry's Ex. 5 ch. Daniel.
 
 89 
 
 Nerthol, arwrol ar eiriau yw pawb 
 Mewn pybyr feddyliau ; 
 Ni fu dynion gweigion gau, 
 Mwy anorfod mewn arfau. 
 
 Hawdd yw son yn ddisynwyr, 
 Am ymladd a lladd yn llwyr, 
 Holl luoedd, dorfoedd dirfawr, 
 Y Persiaid a'r Mediaid mawr, 
 A chael glan oruchel glod, 
 I'w henwau bawb yn hynod, 
 A rhodio ffordd anrhydedd, 
 Mewn gwynfyd a hyfryd hedd. 
 
 Yma y sodda 'r niasweddion hoeuus, 
 
 Y' nghanol gorchestion ; 
 
 Adail ddisail y nos hon 
 
 A godant yn Nghaergwdion. 
 
 Yn y wledd oleuwedd Ian, 
 Seiniant glod, eu hynod, hen 
 Deidiau, a'u troiau mewn trin, 
 A chabledd ryfedd i'r Ion, 
 Y nefol drag'wyddol Gun : 
 Ar ei sedd, O ! mawr yw swn 
 Belsassar, loddestgar ddyn. 
 
 Llawer o falchder a fu 
 Yn dilyn hwn a'i deulu ; 
 Rhyfelgar anwar enaid, 
 Hynod oedd yn ei hen daid ; 
 Y ffordd yr ai hdnai hawl, 
 Eimillodil Asia 'n ollawl : 
 Hen Dyrusf hynod orwych, 
 Firain dref eirian ei drych ; 
 Hardd ddinas mewn urddas oedd, 
 Cre' gadarn fel craig ydoedd ; 
 Trwy derfysg, tyrau dirfawr, 
 Hon chwalwyd, llosgwyd i'r llawr. 
 Tref Sidon wiwlon deg wedd, 
 A gorniwyd oil yn garnedd : 
 A thrwm y gwnai orthrymu, 
 Fob rhy w fan trwy Gana'n gu ; 
 
 + Nebuchadnezzar besieged Tyre for thirteen years, when he took the City and razed it to the 
 ground.
 
 90 
 
 Rhoddodd Salem mewn rhuddwaed, 
 Tynai y dref tan ei draed, 
 A'i dynion mewn cadwynau, 
 Yn dyn a roes dan yr iau. 
 
 O ! Gana'n deg, Ion eurdeg Ian ardal. 
 A'i llysoedd enwog, y lie sydd anial ; 
 Ei hyfryd deml oedd hefyd ddihafal, 
 Geinwedd, ysbeiliwyd ganddo, was Belial : 
 Ar y difyr wyr d'iofal, y nos hon, 
 O du 'r luddewon daw awr i dd'ial. 
 
 E dynasai Nebucodonosor, 
 Gwron aflonydd, a gerwin flaenor, 
 Oludoedd trymion, o wledydd tramor ; 
 Iddo anrhegion ddeuai yn rhagor ; 
 Tra iesin oedd y trysor cysegrlan, 
 A gafodd yn Nghana'n, eirian oror. 
 
 Cysegrwyd, rhoddwyd y rhai 'n 
 Yn nhemlau, caerau cywrain, 
 Eilunod Babel hoenwych, 
 Fawr iawn dref, eirian ei drych ; 
 Drwy allu Bel dryllio byd, 
 A wnai 'r hyfion wyr, befyd. 
 
 Yn ngbanol eu boll orfoledd bloeddient 
 Yn gableddus ryfedd ; 
 Llygrwyd, halogwyd y wledd, 
 Yn erwin mewn anwiredd. 
 
 Plant Israel yn wael a welwyd yno, 
 Enw eu Duw a gablwyd ; 
 Y cadarn JOR watworwyd ! 
 Daeth y wledd i ryfedd rwyd. 
 
 Y mae 'r llywydd mawr llawen i'w weled 
 A'i olwg fel mellten ; 
 Disgleiriad ei oes glaerwen, 
 Sy', wr balch, agos ar ben. 
 
 I'w lys der galwodd am lestri gwiwlan, 
 Teml fawrglod, ty hynod Duw ei bunan, 
 Ei ryfedd ddisgleirwedd ddysglau arian, 
 Y gemau, a'r perlau o aur purlan 
 Gafwyd yno 'n gyfan, mewn gorfoledd, 
 I iselu mawredd Salem eirian.
 
 91 
 
 Y meiliau harddwych yn llonwych llanwant, 
 At eu pen llywydd yn ufydd yfant ; 
 Mawl i'vv duwiau a'u delwau dalant : 
 Ar bob gem o Salem mamvl sylwant, 
 Fel disglaer ser lleuerant yn y wledd, 
 Trwy ei orwych annedd ter wreichionant. 
 
 Onid olwyn anwadalwch, 
 Ydoedd einioes eu dyddanwch ? 
 Euraidd forau o ddifyrch, 
 Nos o alar yno, sylwch ! 
 
 Yma, siwrwd araserol, am enyd 
 Yw mwyniant daearol; 
 Yn y dydd annedwyddol, 
 Y rhaid yn wir rodio 'n ol. 
 
 Duw nef wen lawen oleuwedd ganfu 
 Eu gwyfyd a'u gwagedd ; 
 Ei olwg mewn d'ialedd 
 Droes i lawr, d'rysai y wledd. 
 
 I farnu hwn, a'i freniniaeth rwysgfawr 
 I wasgfa marwolaeth, 
 Angel yn ddirgel a ddaeth, 
 I'w Iwys hylon lys helaeth. 
 
 Gweled y pared purwyn a lanwodd 
 Ei Iwynau a dychryn ; 
 Gallu Duw, ac 61 Haw dyn, 
 Iddo, tost oedd y testyn. 
 
 Wele bwys 61 y bysedd ar y mAr, 
 Yn rhwymo 'i holl agwedd, 
 Erchyll y clwyf archoll cledd, 
 I'w enaid yn ei annedd. 
 
 Cydwybod, hynod oedd hon, yn dangos 
 Ei dynged echryslon ; 
 Dirgelfdd droi ei galon, 
 Tarawai frath trwy ei fron. 
 
 D'fau cydwj'bod euog sy' ffwrnais 
 UflFernol gynddeiriog, 
 Ac u\vch ben ei pherchenog, 
 Mae mynyddau, creigiau crog.
 
 92 
 
 Rhy w eirias, grychias ferw grochan, o'i fewn 
 Yw ei fymves frwmstan, 
 AU i gynhwrf twrf y tan, 
 A'r swn dw'r sy'n y daran. 
 
 O bobyl enwog y Babiloniaid, 
 
 E alwodd yno lu o dde win laid, 
 
 Holl ddirgel gynghor yr oror euraid, 
 
 A llyfrau, caeth reolau cythreuliaid ; 
 
 Er (Ionian, blodau 'r blaid, ni chadd heddwch, 
 
 O 1 na dyddanwch nid oedd i'w enaid. 
 
 Maeddwyd astronomyddion, a delwodd 
 Holl deulu 'r seryddion ; 
 Er addaw aur, a rhoddion, 
 Ddarnau teg, am ddirnad hon. 
 Wedi eu llenwi a dallineb mae 'r 
 Mawrion, mewn trychineb ; 
 A dyddan iach nid oedd neb, 
 O ! ni wenai un wyneb. 
 
 IOB trag'wyddol, rhyfeddol ei foddion, 
 A'i weithredoedd sy'n y moroedd mawrion, 
 Beth yw cyrhaeddiadau doniau dynion, 
 At amgyffred ei galed ddirgelion ? 
 Eglurau, golau ar hon, nid allai 
 Y gwyr a chwiliai y goruchelion. 
 
 Gan Ddaniel ardderchog, yr hoff brophwyd, 
 Er mor dywell, y Hindi ddarllenwyd, 
 Yn y glan glorian hon a eglurwyd, 
 Geiriau y bysedd a gywir bwyswyd ; 
 Mae 'r orsedd mewn mawr arswyd ysgeler, 
 Y brenin, cofier, yn brin iawn cafwyd. 
 
 Darfu ar gynnydd y dirfawr giniaw, 
 Y mae 'r brenin gerwin yn ymguraw, 
 Gan ofid, e welid llu yn wylaw ; 
 Y per gerddorion sy'n dystion distaw, 
 Loesau i'w bronau, a braw echryslon, 
 Yn awr mae 'r eigion ar ymrwygaw. 
 
 O ! ddinas Babilon wiwlon olan, 
 Cryfion a mawrion ydyw ei muriau ; 
 Mae gwancus eirth Cyrus wrth y caerau ; 
 Eu llafur erfawr i'w llifo 'r arfau :
 
 93 
 
 Er tegwch a phybyrwch ei barau, 
 Ei phlant enwir, ddyrnir heno 'n ddaruau ; 
 Eu hannedwydd eneidiau arswydol, 
 A yrir i ingol oror angau. 
 
 Yn ei oes wiwlan Esay a welodd, 
 
 Y cawr a sonir, Cyrus a enwodd ; iisaiahch. 45.) 
 
 Duw IOR yn gadarn ei darian gododd, 
 
 Cofiai ei elynion, O ! cyflawnodd, 
 
 Yn ddidwn a dd'wedodd am Fabiloii, 
 
 I'r luddewon yn ei air addawodd. 
 
 hon luddewon a ddeuant yn Ian, 
 Adre' i Gana'n wen drwy ogoniant ; 
 Bro Salem a breswyliant hir ddyddiau ; 
 Yno eu telynau eto lonant. 
 
 Y ddinas a'i meddiannau agorir 
 
 1 Gyrus yn dd'iau ; 
 Dryllir, dulir eu delwau ; 
 Mae nos hir yma 'n nesau. 
 
 Mae 'r gadres fel mawr gedrwydd llonwych, 
 Yn llenwi y meusydd ; 
 O flaen y dre' aflonydd, 
 Rliif y ser o arf'au sydd. 
 
 Trwy waith chwyrn, cedyrn cydwedd trwyadl 
 Y troed pwysau mawredd ; 
 Dw'r yr afon, dro rhyfedd, 
 Yn is i lawr nos y wledd ! 
 
 Prysur fu llu y Persiaid, hoff eirian, 
 A pharod y Mediaid ; 
 Eu dynion dewrion diriaid, 
 Dreiddiai 'r lie drwy ddw'r a llaid. 
 
 Ni bu gosgorddion y wledd fawreddog ; 
 Ei milwyr na'i gwilwyr yn wagelog 
 Gelynawl, estronawl weis tarianog, 
 Yn dorf a agorai y dref gaerog ; 
 Llu dirfawr, llewod arfog yn rhwygo, 
 Oedd y nos hono 'n y ddinas enwog. 
 
 Gwedi 'r mwyniant, gogoniant gwiw gynnydd, 
 Y bu erchylldod, a difrod efrydd ; 
 Llifai gwaed a gwin drwy 'r gerwin geurydd ; 
 Ar hyd y fan rhedai afonydd :
 
 94 
 
 Gwilwyr a sawdwyr y sydd, fawr nifer, 
 Yn dyrau ysgeler, draws eu gilydd. 
 
 Do'i Mediaid a Phersiaid i'w hoff orsedd, 
 
 A mor o ddiluw, a mawr ddialedd, 
 
 Mai bleiddiaid, yn ddiriaid llawn cynddaredd, 
 
 Dryllient urddas y ddinas gadarnwcdd ; 
 
 Llwyr fwriwyd i'r llawr fawredd gwledd ddifyr, 
 
 Liu o ryfelwyr a'u holl orfoledd. 
 
 Gollyngwyd o gell angau, niferi 
 
 farwol genadau ; 
 
 Y llymion, sythion saethau, 
 
 Y sydd drwy 'u gilydd yn gwau. 
 
 1 wledd y bonedd arbenig, 
 
 Y deuai 'r fyddin dorf eiddig : 
 Mae ei elynion mileinig, 
 Yma 'n lleueru mewn llurig. 
 
 Ysdafell y gweis difyr, agorwyd 
 Gan Gyrus yn bybyr ; 
 Mesurai bawb, amser byr, 
 Ro'i i fil o ryfelwyr. 
 
 Taflwyd a hyrddiwyd o'u hurddas, hygar 
 
 Enwogion y ddinas ; 
 
 Daeth angeu a'i gleddeu glas, 
 
 I dori y gwyr diras. 
 
 Belsassar anwar a fawr ddychrynwyd, 
 Ei dy o'r gelynion drwg a lanwyd, 
 Ei hygar Ian wragedd, greulon rwygwyd, 
 A'i wiwlwys, addurnawl lys, a ddarniwyd ; 
 Yn ei wledd, hwn a laddwyd yn farwol, 
 A'i holl weis gwrol a hyll wasgarwyd. 
 
 Babilon ddihafal ei hardaloedd, 
 
 Trwy hen osau, arglwyddes teyrnasoedd ; 
 
 E fu ar lion hynod, wych freninoedd ; 
 
 Dinas ddisgleirwen, llawen ei lluoedd, 
 
 A dynion nwyfus o dan y nefoedd ; 
 
 Gwlad hoff orenwog, gloyw ei dyffrynoedd, 
 
 Sinar hardd, yn ardd wen oedd is haulwen, 
 
 Bro, ail i Eden ber olau ydoedd.
 
 96 
 
 Hon ydoedd orwych, hynodwedd acres, 
 Lon firaiu heini wiwlan frenines 
 Y tiroedd a'r moroedd, ddigydmhares : 
 Dyddiau o fawr boenau fu i'r baenes, 
 E dalwyd i'r hudoles ; Duw 'r lluoedd 
 A dorai 'r gwleddoedd o dai 'r arglwyddes. 
 
 Hen ardal anial, unig, yr awron 
 Yw 'r orawr nodedig ; 
 Lie bu y wledd foneddig, 
 Yn y dre 'does dyn a drig ! 
 
 Ar ol Babilon fawr ei gogoniant, 
 Ynysoedd laweroedd a alarant : 
 Yn y llwybrau mynych, lie bu 'r mwyniant, 
 Yn awr y dreigiau an war a drigant ; 
 Adar lu, nythu a wnant trwy 'i chaerau, 
 Yn ei phalasau yr anlioff leisiant.
 
 AR WLEDD BELSASSAR, 
 
 GAN BEL TESA SSAR. 
 ARGUMENT. 
 
 PART I. 
 
 The Poem opens with a description of Babylon, its magnificence 
 and various beauties. The Euphrates flowing through the City, on 
 the banks of which the Jews are discovered weeping, lamenting 
 their captivity, and longing after Zion. A prophet is introduced, 
 who reminds them that their sins are the cause of their afflictions. 
 He calls them to repentance, and encourages them by reminding 
 them of former instances of divine interference in behalf of a peni- 
 tent people, as illustrated in the deliverances of their forefathers. 
 He declares the intentions of Jehovah to raise a deliverer for them 
 describes the armies of the Lord assembling in defence of his 
 people, approaching the City, and preparing to besiege it details 
 the particular circumstances which should attend the taking of 
 Babylon, the transfer of the Kingdom, and the consequent deliver- 
 ance of the Jews. He is here interrupted by a confused noise 
 occasioned by the approach of the army of Cyrus. The Medes 
 surround the City, and are daily assailed by the taunts and scoffs of 
 the Babylonians ; who trust in the strength of their massive walls. 
 
 PART II. 
 
 The second part opens with a description of the morning, which 
 is hailed by the Babylonians as the day on which they hold the 
 annual Feast in honour of their gods. Their festive mirth. The 
 dance and song. The Hecatombs that are offered by the priests. 
 The temple crowded with votive worshippers. The king goes in 
 procession to the house of his god. The heralds proclaim the royal 
 Feast, and invite the nobles to attend. The setting sun is repre- 
 sented as hastening to the horizon, unwilling to witness the scene of 
 iniquity. The nobles are seen on their way to the palace. The 
 banqueting hall and the scene of clamourous mirth, &c. are depicted. 
 Whilst the king is blasphemously defying the God of the Jews, 
 
 * Barnwyd mai yr A well lion a deilyngai y G.ulair.
 
 97 
 
 the handwriting appears on the wall.-His fear and consternation, &c. 
 He calls for the wise men, who are unable to decipher the mys- 
 terious characters.-The prophet Daniel is summoned, who interprets 
 them. The clash of arms and the voice of contending warriors are 
 heard without the walls of the palace. Lest he should witness the 
 dreadful scene of slaughter which is about to follow, the Poet retires. 
 
 Y DOSPABTH I. 
 
 HANBYCH, dref hoenwych, ar finion ffrydiau 
 
 Euphrades bereiddlon ; 
 Ei mur a'i dorau mawrion, 
 Ei thyroedd a'i llysoedd lion. 
 
 Neud yw, o Seithdlws daear, y flaenaf, 
 
 O luniant digymhar. 
 A hardd y sai' r dduwies war, 
 Orsynawl, yn mro Sinar. 
 
 Hyd yr heolydd daw yr awelon 
 Ag iraidd arogl o'i gerddi aeron. 
 Ei brig-gauedig gedrwydd-gysgodion 
 A oera ias wyniawl twymwres hinon. 
 A'i hydrwyadl Bedryon, O mor wych ; 
 Ei llwyni llonwych, a'i llynau llawnion. 
 
 Hen ac ieuangc, mewn gorfywiog awydd, 
 Ar hyd ei helaeth, hyfryd heolydd, 
 Draw eu gwelir, yn gwau drwy eu gilydd, 
 Yn annybenawl fyrddiynau, beunydd. 
 Trwyddi brwd sibrwd y sydd, fal mor-ferw, 
 A'i uchel lanw yn golchi 'i lenydd, 
 
 Ei chan dor, hwyr a borau, drwy rygnawg 
 Rugl eu henwawg bybyr golynau, 
 Uwch eu twrf na rhoch tyrfau yn dyar, 
 Neu ruad anwar mor a'i donau. 
 
 Ar ael y fron araul, fry, 
 Saif yr hoenlon syw freinlys : 
 Wyneb haul, a'i wymp belydr, 
 A'i serena'n gan mal gwydr. 
 Aur telaid llawer talaeth 
 A bro, i'w euro a aeth.
 
 Wrth ystlys y llys mae 'r lion, 
 Grogedig, erddi gwyrddion. 
 A'u haeron draw ar irwydd 
 Sy'n chwarae : a'u blodau blydd 
 Ym min nos y mynwesant 
 Wlych y nen, a'i lochi wnant. 
 A phan y daw 'r gu-wawr gain 
 I agor dor y dwyrain, 
 Agorant eu brig araul, 
 A'u mynwes, i wres yr haul. 
 
 Euphrades sydd yn ffrydio drwy ganol 
 Y dref wirodiaethol, drwy farw-deithio, 
 Fel un fai 'n dymuno rhoi adlewych 
 I bob rhyw wrthddrych iawnwych yno. 
 
 Draw, ar bob Haw, mae lliaws 
 O blanhigion, irion naws. 
 A thai heirdd fythol-wyrddion 
 Dew gelli, a llwyni lion. 
 Godreon ei minion myg 
 A hulir a mer helyg. 
 Eu blagur a oblygynt 
 Uwch y don, O wyched ynt ! 
 A glwys y maent hyd ei glan 
 Yn chwyfiaw, a chyhwfan, 
 Gan wyraw dan yr awel 
 Eu brigau irfoddau fel 
 Rhyw ddi rif hardd wyryfon, 
 Euraid wallt, yn crymu 'r don. 
 
 Ond ust I ar fy nghlust y daw 
 Swn alaeth, a sain wylaw. 
 Er mor bybyr mur Babel, 
 Nid yw mor fangaw nas del 
 Fry drosto afar dristyd, 
 Ail i fwth y sala 'i fyd. 
 Draw gwelaf ryw drigolion, 
 A llwyd wedd gerllaw y don, 
 Yn eistedd, ac yn astud 
 Dremiaw ar ei chwyldro mud. 
 Pryder, mal pry', a edwodd 
 Y rudd wen, a'i hiraidd nodd
 
 99 
 
 A wywodd gan boeth waeau 
 Hiraethlon yn y fron frau. 
 
 Acw hongiant, ar helyg gangau, o'i mewn, 
 
 Eu mwynion delynau. 
 
 Ton y gwynt arnynt yii gwau, lleinw finion 
 Euphrades union a phrid seiniau. 
 
 Neulltuedig, unig ynt, 
 Odiaeth wahanol ydynt, 
 Egwyddawr ac agweddion, 
 I'r bobl oil drwy Babilon. 
 Yn nhy Bel ni ymbiliant, 
 Yn ei wedd plygu ni wnant. 
 A duwiau y Caldeaid, 
 Yn eu gwydd, mal dim a gaid. 
 Jehofa, Duw eu tadau, 
 A gaiff o hyd ei goffau. 
 
 Son yn ddidau wnant am farnau' 
 Ion a'i wyrthiau, a'i law nerthol, 
 Dros eu tadau yn mhob bylchau, 
 A'i fawr radau, pan fu reidiol. 
 
 ' Ond yn awr gwrthodwyd ni, ' 
 Cwynent mewn eithaf cyni. 
 ' O'n gwlad enedigol Ion, 
 ' Oil dodwyd ni 'n alltudion. 
 
 < Y traed hyn fu 'n troedio ael 
 
 * Mynydd Caersalem anwael, 
 
 * Och ! ond trwm, ni chant dramwy, 
 ' Chwaith ei dol na'i maenol mwy. 
 
 * Yn iach Sion dirion deg, 
 
 ' Ni chawn ni byth ychwaneg 
 
 < Droedio 'th heolydd drudwych, 
 
 * Na moli yn dy deml wych. 
 ' Y llygaid hyn, cyn eu cau, 
 ' Ni welant Salem olau. 
 
 ' Ond salaidd iawn dyselir 
 
 4 Eu gwawl mewn alltudiawl dir.' 
 
 Yna deuai rhyw Brophwyd eon, draw, 
 
 O'r dref, at yr afon, 
 I draddawd ymadroddion, 
 Er gwellau briwiau eu bron.
 
 100 
 
 Ar orsaf las y safai, ac atto 
 
 Yn gyttun y cyrchai, 
 Heb un yn goll, yr holl rai; 
 A'r gwr mal hyn 'r agorai : 
 
 " O chwi, hil Abr'am ! ystyriwch Iwybrau 
 
 *' Jehofa, a'i ddidwyll ryfeddodau. 
 
 " Eich ynfyd fywyd, a'ch anfad feiau, 
 
 " A dyrat y Hid, a'r holl drallodau 
 
 " Sydd yn disgyn, peunydd, ar eich penau 
 
 " Yma, o gyrhaedd Caersalem gaerau. 
 
 " Cyndyn, anhydyn, fu eich eneidiau, 
 " Gan niweidio gweis Duw a'i genadau ; 
 " Gwadu eu gwiredd, a gwawdio 'u geiriau, 
 " A'u bwrw i ddyfnion chwerwon garcharau: 
 " A byw chwed'yn mewn erchyll bechodau, 
 " A rhoi addoliad i bob rhyw ddelwau. 
 
 " Rhoddasoch i Moloch, a'i fflam aelau, 
 " Eich meibion tirion, yn faith bentyrau : 
 " Ac er trymion fygythion, ac aethau, 
 " A mawr-res hynod o ymrysonau, 
 " A Duw 'n ei fawredd yn codi 'n forau, 
 " A rhoi llin ar lin o'i dduwiol enau ; 
 " Arfeddyd pob rhyw foddau i droi 'n ol 
 " Dorau gelynol eich dur galonau; 
 
 " Oil, er hyn, dryllio 'r iau, 
 
 " Och ! waeth-waeth a wnaech chwithau : 
 
 " Yna Duw a'ch gadawodd 
 
 " I'ch rhwysg, i fynu fe 'ch rhodd, 
 
 " I dd'od yn wael ddiadell, 
 
 " Mor isel, i Babel bell. 
 
 " Etto rhagorol Dduw trugarawg 
 " Yw llywydd Israel, a galluawg. 
 " Ni fydd hwyr i faddeu i'r euawg, 
 " A adawo 'i feiau andwyawg. 
 " Y mae yn ei natur dosturiawg 
 " Radau foroedd i'r edifeiriawg. 
 " Ac er iddo mewn dig gorhaeddawg 
 " Bin rhoi yn nwylaw estron halawg, 
 " A'n gyru, mal defaid gwasgarawg, 
 " O araul fryniau Israel freiniawg ;
 
 101 
 
 " Er hyn ni phery yr hawg i'n cospi, 
 " A'n trallodi a'i ddigter llidiawg. 
 
 " Gan hyn, hil lago, na wan lewygwch 
 " O dan famau Ion cyfion, ond cofiwch 
 " Ymwneud a'i fawredd mewn edifeirwch, 
 " A llwyr wylo mewn diball arolwch ; 
 " Fe gly w ef eich lief o'r llwch ; a buan 
 " Iwch daw a diddan lawch a dedwyddwclu 
 
 " Ystyriwch ei dosturi, 
 
 " A nawdd gynt, i'n tadau ni. 
 
 " Ei wyrthiau a'i law nerthol 
 
 " I'w darwain hwy, droiau 'n ol, 
 
 " O dir Ham, er dorau heyrn, 
 
 " A grymusder gonnesdeyrn. 
 
 " E roddodd Flaenor iddynt, 
 
 " A ddug ar adenydd gwynt, 
 
 " Eu lluoedd oil yn llawen 
 
 " O'r Aipht, er ffromder ei rhen. 
 
 " Arweiniodd, tu ar anial, 
 
 " Y dorf, a bu gerwin dal 
 
 " I'r Aiphtiaid, rhwng canaid-droch, 
 
 " A muriau caeth y Mor Coch. 
 
 " Fe yr Ion hyf Arweinydd 
 " I ninnau 'n ddiau ryw ddydd. 
 " Yn ei fryd e fwriadawdd 
 " O bell godi i ni nawdd. 
 " Mae sain o'r dwyrain yn d'od, 
 " Twrw ei In, mal taer lewod, 
 " Yn gannoedd yn ymgynnull, 
 " Yn dorf ofnadwy ei dull. 
 " Ac a byw lid i gwblau 
 " Ei fawr odiaeth fwriadau ; 
 " Ac oil yn barod i'r gad, 
 " Arosant ei air-wysiad, 
 " A gant o'i enau, heb gel, 
 " ' Ewch bawb, dinystriwch Babel ; 
 " ' Heddyw yr wyf yn rhoddi 
 " ' Y lie chweg yn eich Haw chwi. 
 " ' Ond dygwch holl had lago 
 " ' Yn ol i'w hen freiniol fro.'
 
 J02 
 
 " A'i fur o'i ogylch, mal 'r ymfawryga 
 
 " Acw, Lyw diwall hen enwog Galdea ; 
 
 " Cadarn yw weithion, mewn cedr y nytha, 
 
 ft Echrys ei wyddfod ar uchorseddfa. 
 
 " Y rhen, ar yngan yr hwn yr hongia 
 
 " Edef einioes y rhifed a fyna ; 
 
 " Da ysblenydd y gwledydd a gluda, 
 
 " Ar eu hanal ethol ffrwythau 'r ymlytha ; 
 
 " Yn ei warsythrwydd di'ystyr sathra, 
 
 " A'r wreng a dreng, a throstynt y dringa 
 
 " I anrhydedd, a rhodia yn goegfalch, 
 
 " Ffroen-uchelfalch ar ei ffraenwych wylfa* 
 
 " Etto creadur yttwyd, 
 
 " Uwch yw Duw, er uched wyd. 
 
 " Er iddo ef ein rhoddi 
 
 " Yn dlawd wystl yn dy law di, 
 
 " Yn eu lid, a'n hymlid ni 
 
 " O'n gwlad, mewn tyn galedi ; 
 
 " Y pair, ar ol ein puraw 
 
 " O'n sorod oil, ys oer daw ; 
 
 " Yna oil deuwn allan 
 
 " Yn ein pwys, mal glwys aur glan. 
 
 " Ond llwyr ysir, llosgir llu 
 
 " Y galon, wnai 'n bygylu. 
 
 " Un wedd a ddi'enyddwyr 
 
 " Y tri llanc, er gwanc y gwyr. 
 " Ni phery felly dy far 
 
 " Yn oesoedd Belsassar ; 
 
 " E ddaw Duw a'i ddydd dial, 
 
 " A'i ddwrn dwys rhydd erwin dal. 
 
 " O ! ofered dy furiau, 
 
 " A lluoedd y tyroedd tau, 
 
 " Dy aerwyr dewrfryd eres, 
 
 " Dy aur prid, a'th gan dor pres, 
 
 " Ban y del i'th erbyn di 
 
 " Ein lor a'i lu aneiri'. 
 
 " Cyn hir fe'u gwelir yn gwau 
 
 " Yn gad fawr rhag dy furiau ; 
 
 " A'u attal mor hawdd itti 
 
 " Daraw y llawr gwneud i'r Hi 
 
 " Yn Euphrades ber-ffrydiol 
 
 " Ddolenu i'w darddle 'n ol.
 
 103 
 
 " O I feibion S'ion, y sydd 
 " Mewn poenau trymion peunydd, 
 " Ac anhafal ddygn ofid, 
 " Wrth adgofio eu bro brid, 
 " Sefwch, ac edrychwch ar der iechyd- 
 " wriaeth yr Arglwydd, i'n rhwydd arweddyd, 
 " O lafurio 'n Mabel i fro 'n mebyd, 
 " Mewn aidd sanctaidd a hoenus ieuengctyd. 
 " Dirwynu mae 'r der ennyd, mae 'n agos, 
 " I Dduw ddangos rhyw ffordd i ddiengyd. 
 " Megis gynt y mor pan agorai, 
 " A'r lorddonen wen pan wahanai, 
 " E drydd Euphrades yn drai, a daw 'n sych ; 
 " Ni chwery glwysglych ar ei glasglai. 
 
 " Mwy ni fFrydia drwy ei bala 
 " Na'i harllwysfa ei dwr lles-fawr, 
 " Ond gor-ruthrau aerawg lengau, 
 " A'u glain arfau gloewon erfawr. 
 
 " Gwae i Fab'lon, ) , 
 
 , , ' > drom yn nesu 
 
 " Mae y noson J 
 
 " I'w rhoi 'n isel 1 , 
 
 V lawenychu. 
 " A hi n uchel J 
 
 " Daw yr ornest a hi 'n bloddest 
 
 " Ac yn gloddest, gan goleddu 
 
 " Fob erchylldod, a rhoi mawrglod 
 
 " I'w heilunod, a'u moliannu. 
 
 " Pan fo 'i mawrion yn westeion, 
 
 " A'u berw 'n hoenlon, drwy 'r breninlys, 
 
 Yn clodfori Bel a'i foli, 
 
 " A dyioli ei nawdd dilys. 
 
 " Dorau Euphrades derwych 
 
 " Lleibia'r Sanct, gan wneud llwybr sych ; 
 
 " A thrwyddynt rhuthra eiddig 
 
 " Arfogion dewrion a dig : 
 
 " Ar ei gwaelod y rhodiant, a'i gwely 
 
 " Gwiwlon a orlanwant, 
 " A'u hyfion eirf chwyfio wnant, 
 " A'u glanau a ddysgleiniant. 
 
 " Hyrddiant, dewr-dyrant drwy y dorau, 
 " Fry i y ddinas yn fyrddiynau,
 
 104 
 
 " A chyferfydd cyd-chwyf eu harfau 
 " O flaen y llys, yn flin eu lleisiau. 
 
 " Can's i'r fan bo'r buria 'n bod, 
 
 " Yr a'r aruthr eryrod. 
 
 " Y Gwylwyr a fygylant, lluosog 
 
 " Fr Llys y gorruthrant, 
 
 " A'r Brenin yn ei win a wanant, 
 
 " A'i arliiyddwyr dewr a laddant, 
 
 " A'i ruddain goron a roddant ar ben 
 
 " Ei Llyw addien, mewn bri a llwyddiant. 
 
 " Fel hyn, mewn munudyn, a 
 
 " Diaillt deyrnedd Caldea, 
 
 " Yn ddirwystr, i ddewr estron, 
 
 " Yr hwn yw offeryn Ion 
 
 " I gwblau ei eirau ef, 
 
 " A'n hedryd ninnau adref. 
 " Ein lor gwiwlwys a gyffry ei galon 
 " I'n hadfer ni, a'n rhoddi yn rhyddion ; 
 " Egyr ddorau ein carcharau chwerwon, 
 " Rhwyddha was hoywwych, ein iFordd i Si'on. 
 " Y ddinas a theml ddawnus Ion, diiau, 
 " Cyweiria fylchau ei muriau mawrion. 
 
 " Dedryd i'r deml ei dodrefn, 
 
 " A hon a dry i'w hen drefn ; 
 
 " A'ch llygaid chwi, yn ddi'au, 
 
 " A welant hyn cyn eu cau. 
 " O hil Abr'am ! cawn ettwa Iwybro 
 " Ar hyd ein hyfryd fabol hoy wfro ; 
 " Cawn drem ar Salem cyn noswylio, 
 
 ' A moli Ion yn ei deml yno." 
 * * * 
 
 Bloedd uchel drwy Fabel fawr, 
 Twrf terfysg trafod dirfawr : 
 " Gwelir galon mewn golwg 
 Drwy 'r glyn draw argoelion drwg. 
 Y Mediaid, yn haid ddi hedd, 
 A Chyrus wych i'w harwedd, 
 I'r ddinas sy'n rhwydd nesau, 
 Ceuwch diriwch y dorau." 
 Dyna 'u hoer-drwst yn hwyr-droi, 
 A rhwnc-lusg eu barau 'n cloi.
 
 105 
 
 Wele 'r gethin fyddin fawr 
 
 Yn nesu, 'n llu aneisawr, 
 
 A'u llummanau 'n gwau i'r gwynt, 
 
 Ac ornaidd olwg arnynt. 
 
 Milein feirch a chammelod, 
 
 Yn dyrau ar dyrau 'n dod; 
 
 A phar anadl eu ffroenau 
 
 Ryw Iwyd niwl, ar led yn hau. 
 
 Is carna 'u rhwysg cryna 'r ar, 
 
 Dros enwog frodir Sinar. 
 
 Deuant, gwersyllant ger serth 
 
 Furiau Babilon fawr-werth. 
 A'r Babiloniaid a gaid i'w gwawdio 
 Oddiar eu muriau, gan ddewr ymheuro ; 
 Deisyf eu gwaethaf, a dwys fygythio ; 
 A throi gwed'yn saethau i'w hergydio ; 
 Yn fawr eu host gan ymffrostio, beunydd, 
 O'u henwog gaerydd ; a'u didranc herio. 
 
 Ond ni wna gwawd dynion gwael 
 
 I'r Mediae! dewr ymadael ; 
 
 O dyn warchadle nid a 
 
 Y ddinas nes meddianna. 
 
 YR AIL DDOSPARTH. 
 
 Y wawr weddus, a'i bysedd rhuddain, 
 Sydd draw yn agor dor y dwyrain. 
 Drwy y coed mae'r adar cain, a'u didlawd, 
 Dyner arawd yn eu harwyrain. 
 
 (O'i bias iesin na chai Belsassar 
 Wel'd ei rhuddgain oleuder hawddgar 
 Y tro olaf, cyn myn'd trwy alar, 
 O'i aur orsedd i fedd yn fyddar.) 
 
 Nid cynt y ceir hynt yr haul 
 Draw yn nhy 'r dwyrain araul, 
 Nad y w 'r bobloedd, drwy Bab'lon, 
 A dawnsiau, a llefau lion, 
 I'w arwyrain ar wawriad 
 Gwyl Bel, yn uchel eu nad. 
 
 Mwynber seiniau offerynau, 
 A'u per-leisiau pur luosog,
 
 106 
 
 Sy'n gorlenwi 'r ddinas drwyddi 
 A gorhysi sarllach gwresog. 
 
 A Bel sy'n agor ei byrth 
 I reibio am yr ebyrth. 
 
 Drwy 'i gynteddau ceir eidionau 
 
 A'u brefiadau, heb rifedi, 
 
 Ei allorau ag offrymau 
 
 Ac aberthau braisg i borthi. 
 
 Pob cell a chafell o'i chwr, 
 Olynol, a dyn lenwir 
 O grefyddol addolwyr, 
 Yn fangaw dorf erfyngar. 
 Wele draw gammelod, ri, 
 Dan feichiawg, letliawg Iwythi, 
 O ddrudion roddion at raid 
 Bel ffur a'i abl offeiriaid. 
 
 O'i lys mewn urddas y daw Belsassar, 
 Mewn diwyg edmyg, a'i hoyw gydmhar, 
 A llu o wychion osgyrdd llachar 
 Yn ei ddilyd, gan ddiwyd ddyar ; 
 A'r lion drigolion i'w gar sy'n gwarau 
 Eu penau 'n ddiau tu a'r ddaear. 
 
 A rhed o'i flaen Herodion yn gwaeddi 
 A gwedd odidoglon ; 
 Traidd eu lief hyd hardd a lion, 
 Boblawg, heolydd Bab'lon. 
 ' Chwi enwog Dywysogion, 
 ' Heirddion ser y ddinas hon, 
 ' Iwch oil y mae annerch war 
 ' O bias iesin Belsassar. 
 ' Rhyngodd bodd iddo roddi 
 ' Ei chwyl wahoddiad i chwi 
 ' Heno i dd'od yn unwedd, 
 ' Wrth ei wys, i'w lys a'i wledd.' 
 
 Fel byn i derfyn y dydd, 
 Yn llawn o bob llawenydd, 
 Y ceir Babel uchel, Ion, 
 Drwy 'i hylon der heolydd. 
 
 Y mae yr haul, draw mor wylaidd, fel un 
 Yn flin o'r drych ffiaidd,
 
 107 
 
 A brys yn ei olwg braidd 
 I guddio 'i wyneb gweddaidd. 
 
 Yn awr mae lleni hwyrol yn estyn 
 
 Eu hedyn achludol 
 Dros y ddinas urddasol, 
 A bryn, a dyffryn, a dol. 
 
 Wele eirian wawl arall 
 Yn cyfodi, gwedi gwyll, 
 Nes troi llywel Babel bell 
 Yn ail ddydd, o loywaidd ddull. 
 Ffaglau a llusernau sydd, 
 Drwy y ddinas urddaswedd, 
 A'u ter dan y gwatwar dydd, 
 Nes hwnt yru nos o'i sedd. 
 
 Yn mhob annedd mae gwledda, amhuredd, 
 
 A mawrwyn, a thraha, 
 Nes llanw Babel uchel a 
 Garm elwch, a grymiala. 
 
 Troi i'r llys mewn brys o'r bron 
 Yn awr y mae 'r Blaenorion, 
 I fawr hoen y WLEDD FREINIOL, 
 Yn eu rhif, heb un ar ol. 
 I'r neuadd y crynhoant 
 Yn lion iawn, a'i llenwi wnant. 
 Eu mawr ri, er mor eang, 
 I'w dwyn y sydd o dan sang. 
 Rhed byrddau 'n rhengau drwy 'r wych 
 Fan neuadd, mewn trefn hoywych. 
 A than gu ddanteithion gant, 
 A gwiw seigiau, gosigant. 
 Moethau, a phob ammeuthyn, 
 A fedd dae'r at foddio dyn. 
 Ar glau aur-gawgiau i gyd, 
 A siglant, mewn modd soeglyd. 
 Llugyrn aur o'i lliwgar nen 
 Acw hongiant, a thair cangen 
 A ddeillia o'i liardd a lion 
 Golofnau naddawg-lyfnion ; 
 Mai ser, a'u lleuer, yn llu, 
 O'r entyrch yn amrantu.
 
 JOS 
 
 Ac ar y inur ceir mawrwych 
 
 Ddelwau nmith, o gerfwaith gwycli, 
 
 O'r gwyr a fu ragorol 
 
 Yn y bau, flynyddau 'n ol. 
 
 Nimrod, yr hwn osodawdd 
 
 Dda sail eu dinas ddi sawdd ; 
 
 A Belus, a phawb eilwaith, 
 
 O'u myg odidogion inaith. 
 
 A cherf-lun Bel a welir 
 
 Yn mherfedd ydd annedd hir, 
 
 O aur bath, yn rhoi ei bwys 
 
 Ar golofn farmer gulwys. 
 
 A moes addas ymseddu 
 Mae 'r gwesteion lion, yn llu, 
 Nes llenwi 'r neuadd addien 
 Heb un bwlch, o ben i ben. 
 Brithir y rhengau hirion 
 A 11 u o rianod lion, 
 Y cbweg belydru tegwcb 
 Prid o'u fflur wynebpryd fflwch, 
 Mai swyn a melus wenwyn 
 Yn dallu a denu dyn. 
 Uwchlaw y saif uchel sedd 
 Y Brenin, fab eirianwedd, 
 Gan fain glain yn dysgleiniaw 
 Yn loyw ei drem a'i liw draw. 
 Gerllaw, mewn gwawr a llewycb, 
 Y ceir ei war gydmhar gwych; 
 A'i gwisg mor lachar a gaid, 
 Yn llegu gwawl y llygaid. 
 Hwynt y w canol-bwynt yn awr 
 Yr boll dorf a'r llu dirfawr : 
 Y rhai sydd, mal disglaer ser, 
 Yn llawen yn eu lleuer. 
 
 Ffrystio weithion y mae 'r caethion, 
 A'u twrw 'n eon, a'u tro 'n hoy waidd ;- 
 OH yn gwisgi droedio i weini 
 I'w harglwyddi, yn rhyglyddaidd. 
 
 Wele yn awr lawen wi 
 Wynfydawg yn cyfodi.
 
 109 
 
 Dadwrdd, dwndwr, a thwrw, 
 
 A garw forach a gor-ferw, 
 
 Gan win yn llosg-ennynu, 
 
 Arfoloch yw rhoch eu rhu. 
 Mae pob tafod yn rhoi mawrglod 
 IV heilunod, a hael hdni 
 Holl oruchel fawredd Babel, 
 A'i diogel fur diwegi. 
 
 Yn eu mysg y clywir mawl 
 
 Alawau 'r Bardd teuluawl, 
 
 Y sydd ar ei sedd, eirieos, 
 
 Uwch y mil, mewn gwycha moes ; 
 
 A'i lais yn dilyn ei law, 
 
 Mewn hwyl yn tra mwyn eiliaw. 
 Gan draethu tras Belsassar, ei achau, 
 A'i wychedd digymhar ; 
 
 A'i gyfodi gwedi 'n gar 
 
 I dduwiau 'r nef a'r ddaear. 
 Ar unwaith wele 'r annedd 
 
 Heb air, ac mor fud a'r bedd. 
 
 Dacw Belsassar yn barod, 
 
 A'i araith ddyfaith ar ddod. 
 
 * O I chwi odidog dywysogion, 
 
 ' Lion en golwg, a llawen galon, 
 ' Dra y gweloch oleuder gwiwlon 
 ' Yn teru 'n wyneb eich teyrn union ; 
 ' Ond un ddi wg dyna ddigon, yna 
 ' Edwa, ys oera, 'ch boll gysuron. 
 
 * Yr wyf yn ddewin ar bob cyfrinion, 
 
 * le adwaenaf feddyliau dynion, 
 
 * O draw gwelaf ddyfnder y galon 
 
 ' O hyd i'r gwaelod, a phob dirgelion. 
 
 < Breuddwyd, a phob arwyddion, sydd i mi 
 
 ' Yn ail i oleuni gloyw haul hinon. 
 
 ' Ar Fabel ddihefelydd, a'i gwenawl 
 
 * Ogoniant, wyf Lywydd. 
 ' Diddadl i mi 'n gystadlydd 
 ' Mewn gallu, ni fu ni fydd. 
 
 * Pwy yn gydmhar i Belsassar 
 ' Drwy fro daear, o fri d'ien ?
 
 110 
 
 ' Ydwyf benaf, ac urddasaf, 
 ' Lyw uclielaf dan gylch haulwen. 
 ' Mae 'n fri i ddaear fy nghariaw, a'r haul 
 ' Roi 'i wen i'm goleuaw ; 
 
 ' Y lloer a'r ser ar bob Haw* 
 
 ' I'm mwyniant sy'n ymunaw. 
 ' A pha dduw drwy 'r hoff ddaear i FEL 
 ' A'i foliant yn gymhar, 
 
 ' A daena ei aden war 
 
 ' I loclii 'n dinas lachar. 
 
 ' Iselwyd Duw Caersalem, 
 ' Er rhoch ei lid a'i fraich lem, 
 ' A'i astrus wyrthiau rhestrol, 
 ' A'i ddoniau ef ddyddiau 'n ol. 
 ' Ac er ei holl ffrostgar waith, 
 ' Neu driniad ei daraniaith, 
 ' A chaeth fygythion, a chur, 
 ' I'w haedd-alon, a'i ddolur, 
 ' A son am Sion a'i sant aidd enw, 
 
 ' A'i ddinwyth ogoniant, 
 c Ei fawl, a thy ei foliant, 
 
 < A'i dirion ragorion gant. 
 O flaen BEL e ddiflanai 
 
 ' Ei holl nerth, a phallu wnai. 
 ' Ei deml wych, a'i dy mawl ef, 
 ' Heddyw sydd yn anhaddef. 
 ' A'i haur lestri yr awrhon 
 ' A geir yn brid ger ein brdn, 
 
 * Yn deg dlysau diogel 
 
 Yn hulio bwrdd Cylchwyl BEL. 
 ' Deuwch, a llenwch hwy 'n llawnion, uchel 
 
 ' Rhown iechyd BEL weithion, 
 ' Am 'r orfodaeth helaeth hon 
 ' Ar Dduw gau yr luddewon. 
 
 ' Wele fi 'n rhoddi 'r awrhon 
 
 * Her i Dduw yr * * * * a 
 
 < * * * * Qch * * * edrychwch draw 
 Arwyddion i'm cythruddaw. 
 
 a Wele fi 'n roddi 'r awrhon 
 Her i Dduw yr luddewon . 
 Och ! gwelwcb, edrychwch draw !
 
 Ill 
 
 ' Gan eu llwg, yn llewygol, 
 ' Fy enaid a naid yn ol ! ' 
 
 ' Y Brenin I ! ' eb ar unwaith, 
 Yr holl lu, mewn teryll iaitli. 
 ' Yna chwi, cynneliwch ef.' 
 Ond garw uchled y grochlef, 
 ' Draw ! hwnt, draw, ar y pared ! 
 ' Rhyw law yn chwyfiaw ar led ! ' 
 
 Ar y wal draw, e welir 
 Ger gwen y canwyllbren hir, 
 Ryw ddigorph ddelw anelwig, 
 Deneu, gul, heb gnawd neu gig. 
 O mor drwm, ar y mur draw, 
 A llesgaidd y mae 'n llusgaw ; 
 Ac a bys, fel fflamawg bin, 
 Llysg eiriau, a llws gerwin. 
 
 ! a'r newid wnai 'r neuadd, 
 Sigla, dygryna pob gradd. 
 Traidd trwy eigion y fron frau 
 Waedd ddwys yr arglwyddesau. 
 Dacw gerf-lun Bel uchelwawr 
 O'i le yn cwympo i lawr. 
 Llewyga gwawl y llugyrn, 
 Deryw eu chwai belydr chwyrn 
 Oil, ond rhyw wyrdd-der teryll ; 
 Llewyrn yw, 'n lleueru 'n hyll, 
 
 1 ddangos gweddau ingawl 
 
 Ac ercbyll, rbwng gwyll a gwawl. 
 Aeth fferdod drwy 'u liaolodau, 
 Fel caethion mewn cyffion can. 
 
 Dyheu mae mynwes euog Belsassar, 
 Fel arth udgar, anwar, newynog. 
 Mae braw y Llaw alluog yn berwi 
 Trwy ei wythi ei waed toreithiog. 
 
 Dafhau o annwn sydd yn defhynu 
 Acw i'w enaid euog, ac yn cynnu ; 
 Mewn llewyg drathost mae 'n llygadrythu 
 Ar yr ysgrifen sydd yn'serenu 
 Rhag ei wyneb, ac yn daroganu 
 Rbes o wythawl ddamweiniau er saetlm 
 U
 
 112 
 
 Tan i enaid y brwnt, a'i ennynu. 
 
 Gan boen a gloes mae 'r gwyneb yn glasu, 
 
 Dan ymwylltiaw, a'r llygaid yn melltu. 
 
 Cyhyr y bochau sydd yn crybychu, 
 
 A'r dannedd ifori yn rhydynu. 
 
 Diflin y mae ei freichiau 'n ymdaflu, 
 
 Mai dyn ar foddi, yn 'screen ymdrechu. 
 
 Mae llinynau llyui y llwynau 'n llamu 
 
 Gan ddychryn, a glin mewn glin yn glynu. 
 
 Braw 'r canlyniad sy'n irad fraenaru, 
 
 Fel fflamawg eirf miniawg yn ymwanu, 
 
 Ei ddiriaid enaid, gan ei ddirdynu. 
 
 Ys garw uched y mae yn ysgrechu ; 
 
 Deuwch weithion, dywysogion sywgu, 
 
 Symudwcb y rhin sy i'm dychrynu ; 
 
 A ddaw o fil ddim un i ddyfalu 
 
 Ystyr yr ysgrifen, a'i dilenu ? 
 
 Ond d'wed golygon trymion yn tremu, 
 
 Uwch un ymadrodd, nad ych yn medru. 
 
 Yna mae 'n gwaeddi, a'i lais yn crynu, 
 
 Yn groch ac ercbyll, Gyrwch i gyrchu 
 
 Y doethion a'r dewinion i dynu 
 
 Yr hug a wahardd i'r drygau oerddu, 
 
 Odid a lunia, gael eu dadlcnu. 
 
 Ac i y rhai y ceir rhu anynawd 
 
 Fy nhlawd gydwybod i yn adebu. 
 
 Ac\v yn hedeg y gwelir cenadwyr 
 Drwy bob congl i ymofyn deonglwyr. 
 Ar wib rbedant, y doethion a'r brudwyr, 
 I'r Llys rh'ieddawg, a'r holl seryddwyr. 
 Saif draw, ger y LLAW, yr holl wyr yn fud, 
 Oil yn astud i ddarllen ei hystyr : 
 
 Tremiant a syllant yn syn ; ac yna 
 Dadganant mewn dychryn, 
 ' BYS DUW, mae 'n hysbys, yw hyn : 
 ' Rhyw hael-ddysg uwch marwol-ddyn.' 
 
 A'u geiriau, mal eirf gerwin, trywanant 
 
 Trwy enaid y brenin. 
 Ac uthrol ei ysgethrin 
 Lafar bloesg, a'i lafur blin. 

 
 113 
 
 Yn hyn y daw 'r * frenhines i'r golwg, 
 
 Yn gain ei mwnwg, a gwen ei mynwes, 
 Mor urdden, a gwen gynes ar ei min, 
 
 I roi i'r Brenin ryw eurber hanes. 
 O eirian Lyw, bydd fyw fyth, 
 
 ' Drwy gofus oes dragyfyth ; 
 
 ' Na ddalier dy feddyliau 
 
 ' Yn gaethion, drwy goelion gau ; 
 
 ' Ffoed dy wae, y mae gwr mad 
 
 ' Yn y deyrnas a'u dirnad. 
 ' Yr hwn sy'n deall rhiniau, a'u dyben, 
 
 ' Yn debyg i'r duwiau : 
 x * Drwy nodi dirwyniadau 
 
 * Yr hyn y sydd ar nesau. 
 
 ' Oedd ef ddeonglydd hyfad 
 
 ' Breuddwydion dyfnion dy Dad. 
 
 ' Fel mellten, drwy 'r nen, i'w nol, 
 
 ' Gyrer rhedegwyr gwrol ; 
 
 ' Er dim prysured yma 
 
 ' Y gwr doeth er drwg er da.' 
 Tawelu, llonyddu 'n awr, 
 
 I raddau, mae cythruddwawr 
 
 Belsassar, a lliniarn 
 
 Mae ei wedd lem, a'i drem dru. 
 
 Yn ei olwg ef eilwaith 
 
 Sedda anesmwythdra maith. 
 
 Gwibio rhwng ofn a gobaith, 
 
 Y ceir ei fyddyliau caith. 
 
 Mae 'n eofo etto 'n oftii 
 
 Y Llaw dan, a'i hamcan hi. 
 
 Mae 'n awchus etto 'n rhusaw ; 
 
 Mae 'n ddyrys, rhwng brys a braw. 
 
 Am y ddor yn agoryd 
 
 Edrych, mewn hirnych, o hyd. 
 Ac o'r diwedd dacw 'r dewin yn dyfod 
 I'r ystafell iesin. 
 
 Eir ag ef, rhwng byrddau 'r gwin, 
 
 Yn lion ger bron y brenin. 
 Yna Belsassar, yn war ei eiriau, 
 Drwy ofn a hyder, rhy' oryniadau, 
 
 b Nitocris, Belshazzar's mother.
 
 114 
 
 ' A wyt ti Ddaniel hynod dy ddoniau, 
 ' O glud Caersalem, glodgar ei seiliau ? 
 
 * I ti y cyfranwyd tecaf riniau 
 
 ' Hwnt a ddaw oddiwrth y santaidd Dduwiau, 
 
 ' I ddwyn dyfnion ddirgelion i'r golau, 
 
 ' Deall arwyddion o dywyll raddau. 
 
 ' Acw, yn ellain, mae rhwng y canwyllau, 
 
 ' Ryw law uthr, hynod, a fflur lyth'renau, 
 
 * Na cheir drwy Fabel, na'i chaerau hyfryd, 
 ' Wr i agoryd ystyr y geiriau. 
 
 ' Os gelli di eu deall, 
 
 ' A'u heglurau yn glaer oil, 
 
 * Cei fawl, o urddasawl ddull, 
 ' A pharch yn agos a phell. 
 
 ' Cei wisgo 'r porphor perffaith, 
 ' A diwyg o geindeg waith. 
 ' Am dy wddf, yn era i'w dwyn, 
 ' Y rhoir gwiwder aur-gadwyn. 
 ' Yn nghlau ragorfreintiau 'r fro 
 
 * Yn drydydd ti gei droedio.' 
 
 Yna Daniel yn dyner a ettyb, 
 
 Etto 'n llawn gwrolder, 
 " Aur rhudd i eraill rhodder, 
 " I ti boed d' anrhegion ter. 
 
 " Etto 'r ysgrifen a ddarllenaf 
 
 " I'r Brenin, a'i rhin a olrheiuiaf. 
 
 " Yn awr, O Lyw ! clyw lais claf y fflamlaw 
 
 " Yn dygnawl eiliaw dy gnul olaf. 
 
 " Awdwr y nefoedd, daear, a neifion, 
 
 " Ynad yr anwir, a thad yr union ; 
 
 " Y DUW MAWR, ac i eilunod meirwon 
 
 " Ni rydd ei hygaraf urdd a'i goron : 
 
 " Gan ddial ar ei alon ; a rhoi hedd, 
 
 " Drwy hynawsedd, i ei druain weision. 
 
 " Y Duw a roes i dy Dad 
 " Oruch mawr, a chymmeriad ; 
 " Gallu odiaeth, rhwysg llydan, 
 " A chlod dros y byd achlan. 
 " Y Duw 'r hwn y meiddiaist di 
 " Y nos hon ei lysenwi,
 
 115 
 
 " A halogi LLESTRI Had 
 " Ei ddilys dy addoliad ; 
 " Owl ac yfed, a halawg wetus, win 
 
 " O honynt yn wawdus ; 
 " A'i herio ef yn ddi rus, 
 " Drwy 'i annog yn druenus. 
 
 ' Rhoddi hoywfri i dduwiau hyfreg, 
 " O arian, ac aur, pren, neu gareg ; 
 " A gwawdio gallu gwiwdeg Duw Sion, 
 " A'i enw tirion, a phob gwatwareg. 
 
 < MENE.' 
 
 " < Yr IEHOFAH hwnw a rifodd 
 " ' Dy gu deyrnas di, ac a'i darniodd. 
 
 TECEL; 
 
 " ' Yn y clorianau dwys fe'th bwysodd 
 " ' Yn noeth-gyfion, a phrin y'th gafodd. 
 
 ' PERES.' 
 
 " ' A'th freniniaeth fraen a wahanodd, 
 " ' I'w weis y Mediaid fe'i symudodd.' " 
 
 ' Dowch a'r lion anrhegion rhad, 
 ' I wobrwyo 'r Hebread. 
 ' Amser a eglura 'n glau 
 ' Ai gtwir ydyw y geiriau.' 
 
 Twrf alaeth, hynt rhyfelwyr a ddeillia 
 
 Oddiallan i'r fagwyr. 
 Trwst arfau, a gwaeddau gwyr, 
 A dewr wawch yr ymdrechwyr. 
 
 Dynesu mae 'r llu i'r llys, ^hwy Umlaut 
 
 Ryw gelanedd ddyrys : 
 Ciliaf draw, mewn braw a brys, 
 Rhag achreth y rhwyg echrys. 
 
 Y PARCH. EVAN EVANS, 
 
 Darlythydd Cymraeg 
 Yn Eglwys St. Martin, Caerlleon, 
 A Churad Christleton.
 
 CYWYDD 
 
 AR 
 
 YMDRECH BUDDUG YN ERBYN Y RHUFEINIAID, 
 
 CAN 
 
 Y PARCH. E. HUWS, BODFARY.
 
 CYWYDD* 
 
 AR 
 
 YMDRECH BUDDUG YN ERBYN Y RHUFEINIAID, 
 
 GAN MERDDIN EMRYS. 
 
 Y CYNNWYSIAD. 
 
 EfFeithiau Rhyddid trwy 'r byd, ac yn fwy enwedig yn Mrydain. 
 Rhwysg a theyrnormesiad y Rhufeiniaid. Araeth Boadicea i'w 
 deiliaid. Yr ysbryd o ryddid a ennynodd ynddynt. Dinystr 
 Llundain, a golygiad o Dafwys, a'i gorfoledd ar yr achosion. Hu 
 Gadarn, a duwiau eraill, y n arwyddocau eu boddlonrwydd o ymdrech 
 y Brython. Y Derwyddon yn rhoddi yr un arwyddion o'r aberthau. 
 Tri chan mil yn ymgynnull at Boadicea^ a'i merched. Darluniad 
 o honynt Darluniad o'r nosvvaith o flaen y frwrydr. Gwroliaeth 
 Boadicea, ei merched, a'i milwyr yn eu hymdrech. Darluniad o'r 
 noswaith ganlynol. Ymsyniadau Boadicea yn ei llys. Ei hynafiaid 
 yn ymddangos iddi, ac yn ei chefnogi i farw yn hytrach na bod yn 
 gaeth Ymdrech natur rhwng bywyd a marwolaeth. Ysbryd ei 
 gwr yn ymddangos iddi, ac .yn hysbysu yr hyn a ddygwyddai i 
 genedl y Rryihou.-JBoadicea yn cymmeryd y gwenwyn, ac yn marw. 
 
 O ! Ryddid I pa arwyddion 
 A welir, ar dir a'r don, 
 O'th anian, a thywyniad 
 Dy wres ar y fynwes fa3 ? 
 Nid trwy fron gwron y gad 
 Yn unig mae d' ennyniad, 
 Ond treiddi ddwy lili 16n 
 Y Fenyw, ic y Fanon ; 
 A'r lliwgar rudd a'r llygad 
 Yn dan gwyllt wnai di 'n y gad. 
 Rhagot ti, na rhwygiad ton, 
 Na chaerau, muriau maverion 
 Y Rhufain hen, na rhyfedd 
 Dwr daear Seinar, a sedd 
 
 Bernid mai y Cywydd hwn a deilyngai y Tlwi. 
 V
 
 120 
 
 Y Brenin mawr ! mawr ! (neb mwy) 
 Ynt rai i gyd, ond rhwygadwy ! 
 Fal yr elfen felltenawg, 
 Drwy 'r nef draw 'n rhuaw yr hawg : 
 Tra rhwng creigiau, holltau hen, 
 Tyr ddorau trwy 'r ddaearen ; 
 Ar led, trwy fronau 'r cedyrn 
 Ymdaeni, chwali 'n dra chwyrn. 
 
 Yn Mrydain gynt, mawr ydoedd 
 D' effeithiau 'mhob cyrau c'oedd; 
 Nes codi 'n Ynys Cedyrn, 
 Rhag pob plaid, warcheidwaid chwyrn. 
 CASWALLON, iawn wron oedd ; 
 ARTHUR, ei mur rhwng moroedd ! 
 CARADOG I cywir wedi 
 Caed ei fron : Frython o fri ! 
 Ond etto, 'n ol rhifo 'r rhai'n 
 Am Rydid, a llu 'Mrydain, 
 Mwy 'n y cof, mi wn, y ca' 
 Y syw FOADICEA. 
 
 Os trwy 'r byd, gwaedlyd fu gwaith 
 Rhufeiniaid, a'u rhif unwaith ; 
 Mwy wedi yma ydoedd 
 Eu gwyn, a ganlyn yn g'oedd ! 
 Nid digon oedd rhoi 'n Bonedd, 
 Bri, a gwlad, dan eu byr gledd : 
 Anrheithio, a llywio 'n llym, 
 (Warth egraidd) mal wrth awgrym; 
 Gwyr Rhufain, garw eu rhyfyg, 
 Yn malchedd eu mawredd myg , 
 A dybient lie dygent did, 
 Ddadwreiddio 'n ddi-oed Ryddid : 
 Fal y b'ai fawl a bywyd, 
 Ar gledd bwynt arglwyddi byd. 
 Arglwyddi 'r byd rhyglyddawl, 
 I'r byd rho'ent hefyd eu hawl : 
 Tybio wnaent (ond tyb wan oedd) 
 Yn isel o'n Hynysoedd ; 
 A'n cedyrn, hen eu civvdawd, 
 Iddynt hwy mal oeddynt wawd ; 
 A'r Fenyw, pob rhyw fwyniant 
 Och oedd, fal tybient, i'w chwant !
 
 121 
 
 Ond Ah ! y mawr enaid oedd 
 O'r golwg, yn nirgeloedd 
 Prydain hen : ei helfen hi, 
 Yn ei hoi, yw tan-Beli. 
 Y Rhyddid mor hrid i'w hro 
 Fawr oedd, ac heb farweiddio, 
 Yn fynwes y wen Fanon 
 T'wynai 'n fr\vd, taniai 'n y fron: 
 Gwae ffrewyll a'i cyffroawdd; 
 Ennyn hwn oedd yno 'n hawdd ! 
 Clywaf ei llais : " Rhag trais trwch 
 " Mawr elyn, ymwrolwch : 
 " Ymwrolwch ; mawr alwad, 
 " A hir, i'n gylwir o'n gwlad ! 
 " Sy'n wylaw dan sen alon, 
 " Curwyr dwys rhwng caerau 'r don. 
 " A oes bri, i chwi, o'u chwant, 
 " Neu i Fonedd, na fynant ? 
 " Oes trysor rhwng ein moroedd ? 
 " Hwn i gyd yw eu rhan g'oedd ! 
 " Oes hardd bryd gyd a theg wedd, 
 " I'r feny w o hir fonedd ? 
 " Ow ! trechir hwn i'w trachwant ; 
 " Diderfyn och wyn eu chwant ! 
 " I minnau, er fy monedd, 
 " Caniatau mwynau mewn hedd 
 " Rhan ni wnaent, o'r hyn iawn oedd 
 " I'm i gyd : a myg ydoedd. 
 " Ac o ddirmyg i fyg-waed, 
 " Ffrewyllau, gweliau, a gwaed, 
 " Treisio fy merched wedi, 
 " Yw 'r hyn oil sydd i'n rhan ni ! 
 " Ymwrolwch : mawr alwad, 
 " Hir, hir i'n glywir o'n gwlad : 
 " Angau ir gwych, ing ar gaeth, 
 " Gwelwch ! neu fuddugoliaeth ! 
 
 Ar y gair yr ai gorwynt 
 Drwy 'r wlad, o'i hen gariad gynt ; 
 A than anian ennynawdd 
 I ryfel yn uchel nawdd. 
 Lie 'r alon oil, ar olwg, 
 Yn y man, oedd dan a m wg ;
 
 122 
 
 A ergydiwyd o'r goedwig, 
 
 A min y don, manau dig. 
 
 Hen Dafwys, oedd ddwys ei ddydd, 
 
 A lanwyd o lawenydd. 
 
 Ac fal cawr dirfawr o'i don, 
 
 D'ai i fynu 'mhlaid y Fanon ; 
 
 Ac o'i werdd-wisg, a'i wyrdd-wallt, 
 
 Y llifai, rhedai ddwfr hallt ! 
 
 Crochlefodd, bloeddiodd o blaid, 
 
 (Eon ddolef !) hen ddeiliaid : 
 
 A chwarddodd, pan welodd waith 
 
 Troi 'n ddolydd ddolydd eilwaith, 
 
 Y dref lawn, dra aflonydd, 
 
 Gaerawg, flodeuawg ei dydd ; 
 
 Lie trigai, pwysai, heb baid, 
 
 Rhif anwir o'r Rhufeiniaid. 
 
 Ei fwyniant ef oedd fyned 
 
 A holl dwrw ei lanw ar led, 
 
 Yn chwyrn drwy gedyrn goedydd, 
 
 Lie neidiai a rhedai 'r hydd : 
 
 A'i Frython, rai gwychion gynt, 
 
 Am ei Iwydd a ymladdynt. 
 
 Hen gadarn Hu 'n y goedwig, 
 A lleisiau y duwiau dig, 
 A gly wid ar glau awel 
 Y gwynt, yn arwydd ddi gel, 
 O'u gwiw nerthawl gynnorthwy 
 I'w Brython : tirion ynt hwy I 
 Ar eu tanllyd gerbydau, 
 Trwy 'r tir y gwelir hwy 'n gwau ; 
 A'u harfau, fal fflamau fflwcli 
 Yn niwloedd yr anialwch ! 
 
 Derwyddon wedi roddynt 
 Arwyddion gwychion, fal gynt, 
 Gwiw Iwyddiant, o goluddion 
 Aberthau, nid lluniau lion ! 
 Tri chan mil o heppil Hu 
 Ar unwaith, heb ymranu : 
 O finau eu hafonydd, 
 Pysgodwyr a helwyr hydd ;
 
 123 
 
 A llwythau myg llaeth a mel, 
 Gwyr iachus a goruchel, 
 A gynnullent, gain allu, 
 At eu Banon galon gu ; 
 Sef Banon, a'i bron a'i bri, 
 Eres un ar Iseni. 
 
 Hon welaf ! nid yw 'n wylaw! 
 Dwfn ei bryd, a diofn braw : 
 Am ddial, sef dial da, 
 Mae 'n arfawg fal Minerfa. 
 IV merched, ow dynged waeth ! 
 Difuddio 'u hetifeddiaeth! 
 Eu gruddiau (gynt llivriau llwydd) 
 Teg wridawg toa gw'radwydd ; 
 Dan eu gwallt, gadwynawg gudd, 
 Euraidd wawr, ar y ddwyrudd ! 
 Tosturi o'u cyni caeth, 
 A chofiant o uchafiaeth, 
 Rhiieni, sef bri a braint 
 Tad a Mam, a'u cam cymmaint, 
 A ennynodd yn anian 
 Dieithriaid, a deiliaid dan. 
 
 Drwy 'r nos, a mawr achos oedd 
 Y gwylient yn nirgeloedd 
 Y coedydd, a'u cauedig 
 Gysgodion o freisgion frig : 
 Wrth eu tanau, gorau gwawl, 
 Di-brinaf nod wybrenawl. 
 Can rhyfel, neud uchel don 
 A derw addysg Derwyddon, 
 Eres Laid, tra ar eu swydd 
 Ys dorent ar ddystarwydd ! 
 
 Gwawriodd dydd : a haf-ddydd hwn, 
 A roi wen-deg ar wyndwn : 
 Ac eur-wisg ar bob goror, 
 Ochrau inaith, a cliyrau mor. 
 Pan ro'ed bloedd gyhoedd drwy 'r gad 
 Ar filoedd i ryfeliad, 
 Ebrwydd, ar arwydd, hir rif, 
 Banerawg, byw, aneirif;
 
 124 
 
 Cerbydau, a charnau chwyrn 
 Meirch y gad, mawr-wych gedyrn ; 
 Y darian, a'r pladuriau, 
 Dros y tir gwelir yn gwau : 
 Torf wasgar, lawn terfysgoedd, 
 Fob cerbyd fal ysbryd oedd ! 
 Ar y gelyn oer gilwg, 
 Rhuthrent, a gyrent mewn gwg ; 
 Yntau 'n ddur, a mur un modd, 
 Un enaid a'i hennynodd. 
 Y Fanon, un eon, oedd 
 Blaenores y blin yroedd : 
 Ac ar gerbyd tanllyd hon, 
 Aflonydd, fyw olwynion ; 
 Ei dwy ferch, diau o fodd, 
 Cain luniau, a'i canlynodd. 
 
 Eu llygaid yn danbaid ynt, 
 A'u galar oil a gelynt : 
 Dial a roes, do, ail wrid 
 Ar ruddiau 'r rhai'n o Ryddid ! 
 A'u bronau, caerau cariad, 
 Yn noethion, gwynion, drwy 'r gad 
 Eu gyriad sydd ar gorwynt, 
 A'u gwallt yn droellau 'n y gwynt ! 
 
 Gwroniaid myg yr ynys, 
 Milwyr o fraint, mal ar frys, 
 Wrth weled hyfed yw hynt, 
 Yr eiddil dair, ymroddynt, 
 Eu holwynion dilynanf , 
 Ail fywyd ac ysbryd gant. 
 Weithiau o'u bwau buain, 
 Syth yr bed saethau yr rbai'n ; 
 A'r hir-bell bicell i'w bon, 
 I galonau gelynion. 
 Pladuriau, (arfau erfawr 
 Poethion olwynion) i lawr 
 Megys yd, (och waedlyd chwant !) 
 Mil o eraill maluriant : 
 Tra gyrant, troau gorwyllt, 
 Trwy lu blin byddin fal byllt.
 
 125 
 
 Drwy 'r gwaed, hyd yr egwydydd, 
 Weithiau 'r ant, rhedant yn rhydd, 
 J ganol (O fawr gyni !) 
 Gelynion llymion yn Hi. 
 Liu ar lu yn llwyr a'i lawr, 
 Torfoedd ar dorfoedd dirfawr ; 
 Llaw wrth law (difraw) a dur 
 Irad alon yw 'r dolur. 
 Angau 'mhob lliwiau a Hun, 
 Oer a welir, arw eilun : 
 A'i waeddiadau oedd ddidawl, 
 Rhwng bloedd y miloedd a'u mawl. 
 Ond O ! er lly wio 'r lluoedd, 
 Gan ysbryd yn danllyd oedd, 
 Rhyw dynged, dynged ingol 
 Fr Brython wychion sy'n ol ! 
 Aeth cri a gweddi i'r gwynt, 
 Ran duwiau ni wrandawynt ! 
 Trwy amryw gad ofhadwy, 
 A brad oedd ymweliad mwy : 
 Yr oeddynt i gyrhaeddyd 
 Rhoddiad o ben Rhyddid byd. 
 
 Y ddu nos a ddynesodd : 
 Tafl dy len, f ' awen, o fodd, 
 Ar y maes lie 'n oer a mud 
 Hyd elltydd y'ngwaed alltud, 
 Wyth deg mil, wych beppil chwym, 
 Rhin a gwaed yr hen gedyrn, 
 Sy'n gorwedd, gorwedd yn gau, 
 Mawr och ing 1 yn mraich angau ! 
 Na ad glyst yn dyst i don 
 Ing, llewyg angau, llwon ; 
 Gwaedd bycbain, gweddw a beichiawg, 
 Yr hen a'r ieuangc yr hawg, 
 A roddid, rhag gofid gwaeth, 
 (Ofer wylo) i farwolaeth I 
 Tafl guddlen ar elfen wyllt 
 Tonau gyrwynt, tan gorwyllt ; 
 A nyddent, o'u hanneddau, 
 Goruvvcli brig y goedwig gau. 
 I'r enaid sydd wir union, 
 A theimliul di frad da fron,
 
 126 
 
 Uwcblaw cred gyffred eu gwaith 
 Yu niben eu hanobaith ! 
 
 Yn nirgelaf ystafell 
 Ei llys gynt, lie bu llais gwell ; 
 Y Fanon, o wiw fonedd, 
 Yn awr y sy'n oer ei sedd. 
 Nid wylaw mae 'n ei dulen, 
 Er ar law pwysaw y pen ; 
 A grudd brudd ; ond gradd a bri 
 Na chwynant yn ei chyni, 
 Yn ei gwedd ynt enwog wawl, 
 A mawredd uwchlaw marwawl ! 
 
 Eisoes o'r byd a'i drasau, 
 A mawredd hwn, ymryddau 
 Wna 'i hysbryd ; byd heb oedi 
 Ysbrydion i'w bron yw bri. 
 O'i blaen y tybia luniau 
 Hynafiaid yn dibaid wau : 
 Gwyr o einioes goronawg, 
 Oesoedd hir oesoedd yr hawg ! 
 Tra heibio 'r ant, trwy barau, 
 Amneidiant, a mwyn nodau, 
 Ar hon ei hil i'w dilyn, 
 A'u hiaith, fal tybia, y w hyn : 
 " Pa le, BOADICEA, 
 " Dan gel yn ddiiogel dda, 
 " Y trigi 'n awr, erfawr wawd 
 " Rhufeinwyr, neu rhy fvvyn-wawd ! 
 " I fynu dal dy fonedd ; 
 " Na gwall o barch, gwell yw bedd ; 
 " Na foddia 'u gwyn, na fydd gaeth.' 
 A chiliant fal drychiolaeth I 
 
 Marwolaeth oedd mawr alwad 
 Eu geiriau ; i'w bronau brad : 
 Ond anian wan dynai 'n ol, 
 Ar fin yr annherfynol. 
 Nes ymddangos y noson, 
 O'i gwr, a bri ger ei bron ; 
 A dywedyd, " Ynfyd waith 
 " Ymddiried mwy i ddewr-waitli
 
 127 
 
 " Dy gedyrn, O ! dig ydynt 
 " Y duwiau, llawn gwyrthiau gynt 
 " A allai ddyn, briddyn brau, 
 " (Mwy na dynes mewn doniau) 
 " A wnaethost, er annoethion, 
 " Dros Ryddid brid i bob bron : 
 " Ond pwy, er ofnadwy nerth 
 " Da ddoniau, nad yw ddinerth, 
 " Rhag tynged, mewn addfed ndd, 
 " Neu arfaeth sy' annorfod ? 
 " Hir dynged o flaned flin 
 " A gyrhaedd wych a gwerin, 
 " O'n heppil aneiddil ni, 
 " Oer syniad i'r Iseni I 
 " Rhufeiniaid, Saesoniaid sydd 
 " A Daeniaid o'r un deunydd : 
 " Am oesoedd yn ormesawl 
 " Y byddant, honant eu hawl 
 " I'n tiroedd, lie 'r anturiant ; 
 " Anhap blin fydd hyn i'n plant I 
 " Rhwng creigiau, muriau mawrion 
 " Yn dal yr orllewin don, 
 " A mynyddau ; caerau c'oedd, 
 " A pher anwyl ddyffrynoedd 
 " Y trigant : ond torant did, 
 " I ymroddi am Ryddid. 
 " Yno 'n hir, yn ein hwyrion, 
 " A'u gwaed yn bur-waed o'n bon, 
 " I Ryddid y ceir haddef, 
 " A'i gwych wna 'n wrthrych dan 
 " Tros oesoedd oesoedd a ddel 
 " Er Rhufain hir ei rhyfel, 
 " A Saesoniaid, haid di hedd, 
 " Hi ni ddaw yno 'i ddiwedd. 
 " A'u bwau, a saethau syn, 
 " Gwiliant hi rhag pob gelyn : 
 " Yn ei hachles, mynwes niawl, 
 " Ger y llanw gorllewinawl. 
 " Ond daw 'r dydd, pan fydd i fod 
 " Uniondeb, a iawn undod : 
 " A'r gwaed a fu 'n ergydiaw 
 " Gelyniaeth, ddu-driniaeth draw, 
 X
 
 128 
 
 " O ddwy genedl ddig unwaith, 
 " Cyd-unir : rhoddir un Rhaith ! 
 " Ond er, eu huno 'n diriawn 
 " Digymmysg eu dysg a'u dawn 
 " A fyddant, a rhyfeddawl 
 " Gwn, un dydd, a fydd dy fawl, 
 " Yn eu hiaith : ni una hon 
 " Yn oes oesoedd a Saeson." 
 Dywedodd : a d'ioedi 
 Diflanodd, o'i hanfodd hi : 
 A'i breichiau, tra brawychodd 
 Estynai ; mynai 'mhob modd, 
 Ei ddala : awydd ddiles ! 
 Gwynt yn awr a gaent yn nes ! 
 
 Ar hyn, y gwemvyn i'w gwaed 
 A roddodd ; a'r teg rudd-waed, 
 O'i gruddiau, fu 'n lliwiau lion, 
 A giliawdd at y galon. 
 Ei hysbryd, g'yd a fu 'n gau, 
 Yn araf ei synwyrau 
 Ddadgloai : fal rhedai 'n rhydd 
 O'i agored wiw gaerydd. 
 Tua 'r nef y dolefodd, 
 " Yn iachfyd, o anwychfodd: 
 " 'R wyn dyfod dyfod, nid oes 
 '' / mi ran mwy or einioes." 
 
 Y PARCH. E. Huws, 
 
 Bodfary.
 
 GALARNAD 
 
 AR FARWOLAETH Y GWIR BARCH. DR. HEBER, 
 
 DIWEDDAR ESGOS CALCUTTA, 
 GAN Y PARCH, J. BLACKWELL, TREFFYNNON.
 
 GALARNAD 
 
 AB FARWOLAETH YR ESGOB HEBER, 
 
 GAN ALARWR GL AN ISIS. 
 
 LLE treigla 'r Caveri 1 yn donau tryloywon, 
 
 Rhwng glenydd lie cliwardd y pomgranad a'r pin, 
 Lie tyfa perlysiau yn llwyni teleidion, 
 
 Lie distyll eu cangau y neithdar a'r gwin ; 
 Eisteddai Hindoo ar lawr i alaru, 
 Ei ddagrau yn llif dros ei ruddiau melynddu, 
 A'i fron braidd rhy lawn i'w dafod lefaru, 
 
 Ymdorai ei alaeth fel hyn dros ei fin. 
 " Fy ngwlad ! O fy ngwlad, lie gorwedd fy nhadau ! 
 
 A'i mangre y nos fyddi byth fel yn awr ? 
 Y Seren a dybiais oedd Seren y borau, 
 
 Ar nawn ei dysgleirdeb a syrthiodd i lawr ; 
 Y dwyrain a wenai, y tymmor tywynodd, 
 A godrau y cwmwl cadduglyd oreurodd ; 
 Dysgwyliais am haul ond y Seren fachludodd 
 
 Cyn i mi weled ond cysgod y wawr. 
 " Fy ngwlad ! O fy ngwlad ! yn ofer yr hidlwyd 
 
 I'th fynwes fendithion rhagorach nag un, 
 Yn ofer ag urdd bryd a phryd y'th anrhegwyd, 
 
 Cywreindeb i fab, a phrydferthwch i fun ; 
 Yn ofer tywyni mewn gwedd ddigyfartal, 
 A blodau amryliw yn hulio dy anial, 
 A nentydd yn siarad ar wely o risial, 
 
 A phob peth yn ddwyfol ond ysbryd y dyn. 
 " Yn ofer y tardd trwy dy dir heb eu gofyn 
 
 Ddillynion per anian yn fil ac yn fyrdd ; 
 Yn ofer y gwiswgyd pob dol a pbob dyffryn 
 
 A dillad Paradwys yn wyn ac yn wyrdd ; 
 Yn ofer rhoi awen o Nef i dy adar, 
 A gwythi o berl i fritho dy ddaear ; 
 Yn ofer pob dawn tra mae bonllef a thrydar 
 
 Yr anghred a'i anrhaith yn llenwi dy flfyrdd. 
 " Dy goelgrefydd greulon wna d' ardd yn anialdir, 
 
 Ei sylfaen y w gwaed, a gorthrymder a chum : 
 Pa oergri fwrlymaidd o'r Ganged a glywir ? 
 
 Maban a foddwyd gan grefydd y fam :
 
 132 
 
 Ond gwaddod y gwae iddi hithau ddaw heibio ; 
 O I dacw 'r nen gan y goelcerth yn rhuddo, 
 Ac uchel glogwyni y Malwah 3 'n adseinio 
 Gan ddolef y >veddw o ganol y fflam. 
 
 " Gobeithiais cyn hyn buasai enw Duw Israel, 
 
 A'r aberth anfeidrol ar ael Calfari, 
 Yn destun pob cerddi o draeth Coromandel, 
 
 A chonglau Bengal hyd i eithaf Tickree;* 
 Ac onid oedd Bramah 5 yn crynu ar ei cherbyd, 
 Er y pryd y bu Swartz yn cyhoeddi fod bywyd 
 Yn angau y groes i Baganiaid dwyreinfyd ? 
 
 Pan gredodd fy nhad yr hyn ddysgodd i mi. s 
 
 " A'th ddoniau yn uwch, ac yn uwch dy sefyllfa, 
 
 A'th enaid yn dan o ennyniad y Nef, 
 Cyhoeddaist ti, HEBER, yr unrhyw ddiangfa, 
 
 Gyd a'r un serch ac addfwynder ag ef ; 
 Dyferai fel gwlith ar y rhos dy hyawdledd, 
 Ennillai 'r digred at y groes a'r gwirionedd, 
 Llonyddai 'r gydwybod mewn nefol drugaredd ; 
 
 Mor chwith na chaf byth mwyach gly wed dy lef ! 
 
 " Doe i felynion a gwynion yn dryfrith, 
 
 Cyfrenit elfenau danteithion y nen ; 
 Y plant a feithrinit nesaant am dy fendith, 
 
 A gwenant wrth deimlo dy law ar eu pen ; 
 Doe y datgenit fod Nef i'r trallodus 
 Heddyw ffraethineb sy fud ar dy wefus 
 Ehedaist o'r ddaear heb wasgfa ofidus, 
 
 I weled dy Brynwr heb gwmwl na lien. 7 
 
 " Fy ngwlad ! O fy ngwlad ! bu ddrwg i ti 'r diwrnod 
 'R aeth HEBER o rwymau marwoldeb yn rhydd ; 
 
 Y grechwen sy'n codi o demlau 'r eilunod, 
 Ac uffern yn ateb y grechwen y sydd ; 
 
 Juggernaut* erch barotoa 'i olwynion 
 
 Olwynion a liwir gan gochwaed dy feibion 
 
 Duodd y nos ac i deulu Duw S'ion 
 Diflanodd pob gobaith am weled y dydd." 
 
 Yn araf, fy mrawd, paid, paid anobeithio, 
 Gwanai gam ag addewid gyfoethog yr Ida : 
 
 A ddiffydd yr haul am i seren fachludo ? 
 Os pallodd yr aber, a sychodd y mor ?
 
 133 
 
 Na, na, fe ddaw boreu bydd un Haleluia, 
 YD ennyn o'r Gauts hyd gopaau Himalaya? 
 Bydd baner yr Oen ar bob clogwyn yn India, 
 O aelgerth Cashgur hyd i garth Travancore. 
 
 A hwyrach mai d' wyrion a gasglant y delwau, 
 
 A fwrir i'r wadd ar bob twmpath a bryn, 
 IV gosod ar feddrod ein HEBER yn rhesau, 
 
 Ei gyfran o ysbail ddymunodd cyn hyn : 
 HEBER ! ei en\v ddeffrodd alarnadau, 
 Gydymaith mewn galar, rho fenthyg dy dannau, 
 Cymmysgwn ein cerddi, cymmysgwn ein drgrau, 
 Os dinodd y gerdd bydd y llygad yn llyn. 
 
 Yn anterth dy Ivvydd, HEBER, syrthiaist i'r beddrod, 
 
 Cyn i dy goryn ddwyn un blewyn brith ; 
 Yn nghanol dy lesni y gwywaist i'r gwaelod, 
 
 A'th ddeilen yn ir gan y wawrddydd a'r gwlith : 
 Mewn mynyd newidiaist y mitre am goron, 
 A'r fantell esgobawl am wisg wen yn Sion, 
 Ac acen galarnad am hymn anfarwolion, 
 
 A thithau gymmysgaist dy hymn yn eu plith. 
 
 Llwyni Academus cynorsaf dy Iwyddiant, 
 
 Lie gwridaist wrth glod y dysgedig a'r gwar ; 
 Y cangau a eiliaist a droed yn adgofiant 
 
 O alar ac alaeth i'r lluoedd a'th gar : 
 Llygaid ein ieuenctid, a ddysgwyd i'th hoffi, 
 Wrth weled dy ardeb 11 yn britho 'n ffenestri, 
 A lanwant, gan gofio fod ffrydiau Caveri, 
 
 Yn golchi dy fynwent wrth draeth Tranquebar. 
 
 Llaith oedd dy fin gan wlithoedd Castalia, 
 
 O Helicon yfaist yn moreu dy oes ; 
 Ond hoffaist wlith Hermon a ffrydiau Siloa, 
 
 A swyn pob testunau daearol a ffoes : 
 Athrylith, Athroniaeth, a dysg ar Awenau, 
 A blethent eu llawryf o gylch dy arleisiau ; 
 Tithau 'n ddi fost a dderbyniaist eu cedau, 
 
 Fw hongian yn offrwm ar drostan y groes. 
 
 Pan oedd byd yn agor ei byrth i dy dderbyn, 
 Gan addaw pob mwyniant os unit ag ef, 
 
 Cofleidiaist y groes, a chyfrifaist yn elyn 
 Bob meddwl a geisiai fyn'd rhyngot a'r Nef :
 
 134 
 
 Yn Hodnet 12 yn hir saif dy enw ar galonau 
 
 Y diriaid ddychwelwyd yn saint trwy 'th bregethau 
 
 Araddifad ga'dd borth yn dy briod a thithau 
 
 Y weddw a noddaist y wan wneist yn gref. 
 Gadewaist a'th garant, yn ysbryd Cenadwr 
 
 Y nofiaist dros donau trochionog y mor, 
 I ddatgan fod lesu yn berffaith Waredwr, 
 
 I Fahmond Delhi, ac i Frahmin Mysore ; 
 Daeth bywyd ac adnerth i Eglwys y dwyrain 
 Offrymwyd ar allor Duw Israel a Phrydain 
 Yn nagrau a galar Hindoo gallwn ddarllain 
 
 Na sengaist ti India heb gwmni dy IOR. 
 O ! Gor Trichinopoly, cadw di 'n ddi'ogel 
 
 Weddillion y Sant i fwynau melus hun, 
 Pan ferwo y weilgi ar Ian Coromandel, 
 
 Gofynir adfeilion ei babell bob tm ; 
 Ond tawed ein pruddgerdd am bennill melusach, 
 A ganodd ein HEBER ar dannau siriolach ; 
 Yn arwyl y Bardd, a pha odlau cymhwysach 
 
 Dilynir ei elor na'i odlau eu hun ? 
 " Diangaist i'r bedd pa'm galarwn am danat, 
 
 " Er mai trigfa galar a niwl ydyw 'r bedd ? 
 " Agorwyd ei ddorau o'r blaen gan dy Geidwad, 
 
 " A'i gariad wna'r ddunos yn ddiwrnod o hedd. 
 " Diangaist i'r bedd ac wrth adael marwoldeb, 
 
 " Rhwng hyder ac ofn os unwaith petrusaist, 
 " Agoraist dy lygaid yn nydd trag'wyddoldeb, 
 
 " Ac Angel a ganodd yr Anthem a gly waist." 13 
 
 I Caveri-Avon yn ngorllewin Hindostan, a lifa beibio Trichinopoly, claddfa yr Esgob Heber, 
 ac a ymarllwysa i for Cororaandel, wrth Tranquebar. 
 
 - Ganges prif afon India gwrthddrych addoliad y Brahminiaid. Cyffredin ydyw i wragedd 
 daflu eu mabanod i'w tbonau er mwyn boddio y duw Himalaya, a elwiryn Dad y Ganges. 
 
 3 Y Malwah rhes o fynyddoedd uchel yn nghanol Hindostan. Nid yw cynghor na cherydd 
 Prydeinaidd yn gallu ihwystro yr arfer greulon gyunwynol o losgi gweddwou byw gyd a'u 
 gwyr meirw. 
 
 4 Nid anghyffelyb Hindostan i driouglyn : Coromandel, Tickree, a Bengal, ydynt y conglau. 
 
 5 RR A.MAII, prif dduwies y Brahminiaid. 
 
 6 Tybir bod tua 40,000 o Gristionnginn, ond bod mwy na'u banner yn Babyddion, yn y Caraatic. Nid yw prin werth 
 crybwyll mai un o nil ijtfjWaa Swarts.Ccuadwr enwog, tua cban uilynyikl yn ol, y w yr Hinduo a tldychymyga y r Alarnad. 
 
 7 AnfcaudisyfydagymmeroddHEnF.il ymaith traymwynai drochfa dwymn. Y dydd o'r blaen, y Sabboth, cyf- 
 lawnai ddyledtwyddau ei daitb lisgobawl. 
 
 8 JUGORRNAVT, un o eilunod pcnaf Hindostan. Ar ei gylchwyl llusgir cf ar gert anferth i ymweled a'i hafi>ty. 
 Ymdafla miloedii u'i addolwyi dan ei olwyniou tryuiun, ac yuo y llethir hwynt. 
 
 9 GACTS, mynyddoedd uchel wrth Travancore, penrhyn DEUKCUL. }Iimalaya, rnynyddoedd uwch, wrth Cashgur, 
 penrbyn GOGLEDDUL Hindustan. 
 
 10 LUVYNI ACADEMUS. Nid oes ond a wypo a ddichon ddychymygu y parch a dalwyd yn Rhydychain i IlKBK.n, 
 a'r parch a delir yno etto i'w enn-. Yno y dacth gyntaf i wyjil yr oes drwy ci Kalestine, a gy ncithwyd i Gymraeg mor 
 irddetehog gan yr unig wi cyfaddan i' r gorchwyi, yr cnwocaf Ciymro, Dr. 1'ughe. 
 
 II ARDiiu, PORTRAIT. 
 
 12 HOD.VET, yn Amwythig ; yno y cyflawnai HEBER swydd Bugail Cristionogol ynddifcfl hyd ciiymmudiad i India. 
 
 13 Gwel y Gwyliedydd am Ilydn-f, 1327.
 
 CYWYDD 
 
 o 
 
 DDIOLCHGAR AC ANFARWOL GOFFADWRIAETH 
 
 AH 
 
 OWAIN MYFYR, 
 
 GAN MR. SAMUEL EVANS, GERLLAW CAERWYS.
 
 THE MERITS* 
 
 OP 
 
 MR. OWEN JONES, alias MYVYR, 
 
 THE ESTIMABLE 
 COLLECTOR AND PRESERVER OF WELSH LITERATURE, 
 
 ADDRESSED TO SIR EDWARD MOSTYN, BART. 
 
 THE PRINCELY PRESIDENT OF THE DENBIGH EISTEDDVOD. 
 
 (FROM THE VISION OF TALIESIN, IN LLWVD'S POEMS.) 
 
 After celebrating other Votaries of the Muses, the Author proceeds : 
 
 AND He, who still, with liberal hand explores 
 The storied hoard, poetic page restores, 
 Unfolds the Volumes to his Country's view, 
 And bids her Chiefs and Sages breathe anew : 
 To him, the Bard, the kindest words addrest, 
 And clasp'd the generous Patron to his breast ; 
 Look'd on the cliffs he lov'd, with patriot fire, 
 The roll of ages held his Country's Lyre ; 
 And, as the Gift, with parent hand was given, 
 Struck on its dulcet chords, the strains of Heaven ! 
 Then said, with Angel voice, " thy boon be this," 
 And soar'd to re-assume the Lyre of Bliss. 
 
 Mr. Jones was the son of a respectable freeholder in Llanvihangel-GIyn-y- 
 My vyr, (St. Michael in the Valley of the Contemplative,) in the county of Denbigh, 
 descended from Marchweithian, ( the Equestrian,) founder of one of the fifteen 
 Patrician Tribes of North Wales, whose territory was the uplands of Hiraethog, 
 and whose armorial symbol was a lion rampant, argent, in a field gules ; to which 
 Mr. Jones added the encouraging motto '* A't'rf divudd y diwyd" " the indus- 
 trious will not be unrewarded." Of this origin also are the Prices of Rhiwlas, 
 and that true lover of his country, the late Baron Price; the Wynnes of Sychtyn, 
 of which house was Dr. Wynne, Bishop of St. Asaph, in 1714, of whom Willis, 
 in his Survey, speaks so highly ; the Wynnes of Voelas, the Pantons of Anglesey i 
 and Rhys Vawr ab Meredydd, of Bryn Gwyn, in Yspytty, the intrepid Standard- 
 bearer of Henry the Seventh, at the battle of Bosworth. 
 
 The above biographical and genealogical notices (copies of which were liberally and gratu- 
 itously disseminated at the Denbigh Eisteddvod,) were supplied by that zealous ami indefatigable 
 promoter of the interests of his country the unmatched Welsh herald and antiquary of his age 
 and the. warm-hearted and intimate friend of Mr. Owen Jones, Richard Llwyd, Esq. of Chester. 
 
 [Publisher ]
 
 137 
 
 Mr. Owen Jones, was the founder of the Gwyneddigion, or North Wales 
 Society ; to this Gentleman his country is indebted for the three copious volumes 
 of the Archaiology of Wales, or British Classics ; for a valuable edition of a 
 favourite Bard, Davydd ab Gwilym, the Ovid of Wales ; for an edition of that 
 pious and useful work, Dyhewyd y Cristion ; and for his generous and unremitted 
 exertion in behalf of Literature. His Countrymen, the Cambrian Society, offered 
 him their thanks by public advertisement, in September, 1802. 
 
 If the M&cenas's and the Medicis's of past times, have deservedly received 
 from grateful Science, the Fama Superstes ; if Patrons born on the lap of Plenty, 
 who have encouraged Learning, and cherished its votaries with means which it has 
 cost them no care to collect, no effort to create, and no forbearance to amass, 
 live in Anvarwol ciriau (immortal strains ;) what meed is to be given to that merit, 
 which, born in a situation where industry was necessary to existance, has liberally 
 given of its produce to rescue the neglected Literature of his Country from the 
 destruction, which awaited it ? To munificence thus enhanced, the voice of praise, 
 the lyre, and the lay, is alike unequal, but the reward which the bosom of worth 
 invariably pants for, is to be found in the future. 
 
 " Some there are of nobler aim, 
 
 " Who spurn the inglorious lot, and feel within, 
 
 " The generous hope of well deserved praise." 
 
 Yea, Posterity will recognise, with grateful admiration, the Patron of Learning, 
 not in the possessor of a Coronet, but in the person of a Citizen ; not in the palace 
 of Opulence, but in the toil of Thames-street ; and, I contemplate with pleasure, 
 the day when those, on whose lips the ancient language of Britain shall still live, 
 will place the name of Owen Jones on the apex of the pyramid, that shall rise to 
 record the benefactors of our Country. And when my worthy compatriots are 
 disposed to do honour to the memory of Mr. Jones, and to themselves, the writer 
 will be most happy to contribute.
 
 CYWYDD 
 
 O GOFFADWRIAETH AM OWAIN MYFYR, 
 
 GAN GOFIADUR C OF- AD AIL. 
 
 THE ARGUMENT. 
 
 If it is the chief praise of Bards, that they can confer immortality, 
 greater praise is still due to those, who have been the means of pre- 
 serving their works. The works of ancient Poets preserved by such 
 means. The chief collectors of manuscripts, and cultivators of the 
 Welsh language celebrated. MYFYR, the chief of them his birth 
 descent native place and account of his life. His ardent love 
 of native country, countrymen, and language. His establishment 
 of the Gwyneddigion Society. The effects of the encouragement 
 given by that Society to the cultivation of the Welsh language, 
 Poetry, and Music. His Archaiology of Wales, with a description 
 of the Bards and Historians, according to the costume and manners 
 of the respective ages in which they flourished. His care for the 
 moral and religious improvement of his countrymen evinced by his 
 re-editing of Dyhewydy Cristion. The shade of an ancient Bard 
 proclaiming his celebrity from the Monument in London. The 
 conclusion. 
 
 OS penaf a mwyaf mawl 
 Y Beirddion, arab urddawl, 
 A'u swydd, bawb, yn oesoedd byd, 
 Rhe'ol fu, rhoi ail-fywyd : * 
 Pa glod, a difeddrod fawl 
 A roddir i wyr haeddawl, 
 A ail-godent, lu gwedi, 
 Yn g'oedd, yn ein oesoedd ni, 
 O fawrion Feirddion a fu, 
 O'u claddiad, i'w coleddu ? 
 Di-barhad yw, heb y rhai'n, 
 Hanes y Beirdd eu hunain." 
 Drwy ofal dyfal un dydd, 
 Yr Iliad \ o'r heolydd. 
 A'r Eneaid,^. rin awen, 
 O dan poeth, (dyna eu pen I) 
 
 See Horace, Lib. 4, Ode 8. 
 
 + It is said, that at first the Iliad of Homer was reheavsed about the Streets of Greece, in de- 
 tached pieces, before it was collected and published in its present form. 
 
 * Alluding to the wish expressed by Virgil that his Eneids might be burnt.
 
 139 
 
 Achubwyd: cafwyd cof-waith, 
 Etto 'n Beirdd, yn heirdd, a'n hiail h. 
 I ninnau ('r Cymry) 'n unwedd, 
 Fal pe bai, o fol pob bedd. 
 
 Os ti, 'r hwn a geri 'r gwaith, 
 A ofyni 'n hyf unwaith, 
 " Pwy o'r gwyr, pur o gariad 
 " I ddawn Iwys eu haddien wlad, 
 " A'i choleddwyr, awch Iwyddawl, 
 " Deilyngaf o'r mwyaf mawl?" 
 Yn mysg y teg-addysg wyr, 
 O ! ymofyn am MYFYR !* 
 
 Hir y bu drwy Gyraru gynt, 
 (Ein talaith) anfad helynt: 
 Dan estron, a dinystriad, 
 Drwy 'r cleddyf, pryf, a pLob brad, 
 Beirdd enwog, a'u barddoniaeth, 
 Er gyru hen Gymru 'n gaeth ! 
 A chwedi, od ychydig, 
 O ddwysder a dyfhder dig, 
 A ddiangent ; dydd ingol 
 Eu tew nych oedd etto 'n ol : 
 Sef, bod yn llwyd bryf-fwyd brau, 
 Ar golliant mewn llyfr-gellau. 
 
 O'r diwedd, mewn hedd mwyuad, 
 Wedi eilio ein dwy-wlad, 
 Coleddwyr, gwyr rb agora wl, 
 O ddawn myg, yn haeddu mawl, 
 A ddaient, yn nawdd awen, 
 Gyda pharch, i godi ' phen. 
 Sion Dafydd, ddysgedydd gwych, 
 Oedd iawn-ben i swydd Ddinbych ; 
 Ac Ab Prys, hysbys y son, 
 A fu arall i Feirion. 
 Lewis Mon yn union wr, 
 Wychawl oedd : a cboleddwr 
 Barddoniaeth odiaeth wedi, 
 A'n helaeth hynafiaeth ni. 
 Mae 'r Bardd Hir, yn wir a'i waith, 
 Yn mrigyn y Cymreig-waith : 
 
 The Bardic name of Mr Owen Jocet .
 
 140 
 
 Ac Owain Pugh, gwn y pen 
 A b'iau, fal mab awen ! 
 Ond etto, 'n ol rhifo 'r hawg, 
 Y gwyr hyn, rhai gor-enwawg : 
 Carwyr, goleu-wyr eu gwlad, 
 A'u henwau 'n ddiwahaniad, 
 Fal prif-wladawl, ddoniawl ddyn, 
 Am MYFYR, rhaid ymofyn. 
 Hanil ' wnaeth hwn, un ethol, 
 
 wyr-bri, fu 'n oesi 'n ol: 
 Sef Wynniaid, a saif enwawg 
 Mewn hanes, yn rhes, yr hawg ! 
 A Phrysiaid (bur-blaid o'u bon) 
 Y Rhiwlas oedd wyr haelion. 
 Ei wraidd oedd, nid o radd wan 
 Mawr ach ethawl, Marchweithan 
 A'i dyfiad, rhad, a hir hedd, 
 
 Yn eginyn o Gwynedd ! 
 
 Da ydy w, a di-adwyth : 
 
 Y Llew* yw arwydd y llwyth. 
 
 Mab ieuengaf, cuaf, cain, 
 
 1 ddiwyd wr oedd OWAIN ; 
 A choeliaf mai uchelwr, 
 
 O eiddo gwych, oedd y gwr. 
 Bin OWAIN, (da fu 'r newydd) 
 Ei awel deg, a'i liw dydd. 
 (Teg cofiaw) gynta' cafodd, 
 A henwf fu, a hwmv o'i fodd : 
 O Lanfihangel gwelych ! 
 Glyn y Myfyr, awyr wych ! 
 Oddiyno, 'n awydd anian, 
 Mabolaetb, (rhagluniaeth glan) 
 Ai' Gaerludd, gwr i Iwyddo 
 A da ddawn, gwn ydoedd O. 
 Llwyddo wnaeth, a Haw Dduw 
 Yn Llundain, enw, a llawnder, 
 Iddo rhoes ; ac einioes gyd 
 A chalon ddifrycheulyd. 
 
 Ond er ei Iwydd, nid ai 'r wlad 
 A'i magodd, dan ddirmygiad : 
 
 The Cret of Mr. Owen Jones was a Lion rampant, and his motto " Nid difudd y ditayd. 
 t Viz : Myfyr.
 
 141 
 
 Ei galon Ion ar lynoedd 
 Myfyrdod, a'i dyndod oedd. 
 Ac anwyl oedd pob gwyneb, 
 O'i hen wlad yn anad neb, 
 I'w noddwr awenyddawl, 
 
 fin hen Dafwys, a'i fawl ! 
 Cof i'r rhai'n y w cyfranu 
 
 O'i Iwyddiant fwyniant tra fu : 
 
 A galarent, gul orwedd 
 
 Un o'i fath, Ow ! yn ei fedd ! 
 
 Pan nad oedd un pen na dysg 
 
 1 noddi awen hyddysg ; 
 
 A'r hen-iaith, er ei rhinwedd, 
 (Pwy gred ?) ar fyned i fedd : 
 Y'nghanol he'ol a haid, 
 Aswy eu s\vn, o Saesoniaid, 
 Le nid dof, ar Ian Tafwys, 
 Gwelwn ! ei lawn galon Iwys 
 A gludodd gariad gwladol 
 I'r nen, uwch pen-uchaf Pol.* 
 Gwelodd, pan edrychodd draw, 
 Pawb welodd, (nid heb wylaw) 
 Ddigynhwrf idd ogoniant 
 Hen Gymru, hoff lu, a'i phlant ! 
 Mae 'r dewr-weilch Gymmrodorion, 
 Liu a fu, a'u Llew o F6n : 
 A'u Goronwy gy wreinwaith : 
 Och ! heb un i achub iaith ! 
 Gwelodd a synodd Ab Sion ; 
 Gwelodd ! a'i wladol galon 
 Ferwinodd ; a'i fawr enaid 
 Ynddo, fal iawn Gymro gaid. 
 Hwn ddygodd Wyneddigion, 
 O wladawl, iawn frawdawl fron, 
 Coleddwyr, hoffwyr effaith, 
 A'r rhin oedd, yn yr hen iaith, 
 Ac addas Gymdeithas deg, 
 Yn Llundain, (enwau llondeg) 
 Sefydlodd : hudodd hoyw-don 
 Kin iaith, a'i heffaith i hon. 
 
 St Paul's.
 
 142 
 
 Anfonent yna 'n fynych, 
 
 Heirdd dlysau, sef gwobrau gwych, 
 
 I Gymru, a'i llu oedd lion, 
 
 I noddi awenyddion. 
 
 A buan, buan y bu 
 IV gwiw nodded gynnyddu ; 
 Ac ennyn yn nbir Gwynedd 
 A Deb.au (manau a'i medd) 
 Rhwng creigiau fal caerau c'oedd 
 Mwyn addysg, a mynyddoedd, 
 Dan awen, neud o newydd ; 
 Sef tan nod anian ein dydd, 
 Na ddiffydd nawdd ei effaith, 
 Tra byddo Gymro nac iaith !* 
 
 Ond penaf a mwyaf maeth 
 Owain Sion, iawn wasanaeth ! 
 1'w Gymru, a'i llu, er lies, 
 A fu anwyl i'w fynwes, 
 Yn ei fwriad anfarwol 
 At ei nawdd, oedd etto 'n ol. 
 
 A hyn ydoedd, bynodawl 
 Uno dysg, a hynod wawl 
 Hen oesoedd, a'u hanesion 
 (Eres ynt I) gyda 'r oes hon : 
 Ac awen, awen ddiwyw 
 Hen Feirddion, a Beirddion by w I 
 
 Yn ei ddrych,f gorwych y gwaitb, 
 O Daliesin, a'i dlys-waith, 
 Mewn barddas, mwyna' Beirddion, 
 O rin mawr, hyd 'Ronwy Mon, 
 A ddaeant ; fal addawyd, 
 O feddau 'r llyfr-gellau i gyd ! 
 Ac wele 'n gyd, gwelwn gant 
 O un enaid ennynant. 
 Bardd-telyn Llychlyn y llyw 
 Hyf aden, cyntaf ydyw ; 
 Y'ngwisg, (a hardd-wisg yw hon) 
 Awdwr addysg Derwyddon. 
 
 The Gwyncddigion, and especially Myfyr, may be looked upon as the renovators of Welih 
 Literature in our days, 
 t The Archaiology of Waler
 
 143 
 
 Aneurin, Myrddin, un niodd, 
 Ddalenawg a ddilynodd 
 Bin Llyivarch, wych alarch, hen : 
 A Llyivarch nad yw 'n llawen.* 
 Cynddelw, Bardd Cynddylan 
 O ddawn myg, ddaiai 'n y man : 
 Yr lolo, Tudur AM, 
 A hynaws Haws, ar led, 
 
 Feirddion, awen fawr-ddysg, 
 A sain mwyn, y sy'n eu mysg. 
 Galw a wnaed ar Fab Gwilim, 
 O'i Iwch dd'ai, ni lechai ddim : 
 Er Morfudd, lie 'r ymguddiodd, 
 Wnai 'n fflwch y tew-lwch a'i todd. 
 
 Amrywiol, fal mae 'r awen, 
 A dull oes, diau a lien, 
 Yw eu gwisgad, a'u gosgedd, 
 Beirdd Uys, ynt o bur ddull hedd ; 
 Y llurig yw dull ereill, 
 Awyr-liw yw lliw y lleill. 
 Yn eu gwaith, a'u henwog wedd, 
 Eu hoes welir, a'u sylwedd. 
 
 Rhai ganant, mewn rhyw gyni, 
 Am blant oil wylant yn 111 ! 
 Anian y lleill ennyn llid, 
 
 1 ymroddi am ryddid. 
 Yn y gad, enwog ydynt, 
 
 A'u gwallt yn troelli 'n y gwynt. 
 
 A'u telyn, y Beirdd-teulu 
 
 A ganant, lleisiant yn llu. 
 
 I'w noddwyr, 'ie, nyddant 
 
 Fob un ei gerdd, pawb iawn g ant. 
 
 A'r gerdd, fwyaf enwawg yw, 
 
 A'r fwynaf wnair i'r fenyw. 
 
 Gyda Beirdd, a gaid a'u bon, 
 Hyd o raddau 'r Derwyddon, 
 Haneswyr yr hen oesoedd, 
 Gan M YFYR, deg wyr, wnaed g'oedd : 
 
 * Mourning for the death of his sons slain in battle. 
 Z
 
 144 
 
 A'r doethion gynt rai dethawl, 
 Gyda 'u plant, gwelsant y gwawl. 
 Gwaith cymmysg, pob dysg a dawn, 
 Yn ei gof-lyfr, yw 'n gyflawn, 
 Drwy 'r uesoedd, dig oesoedd gynt, 
 Anliylaw yn eu helynt, 
 Hyd i'r Fanon* derfynodd 
 Hil Tudur, mur yn mhob modd. 
 
 Ond nid tros ddysg hyddysg hn, 
 Na diwad enaid awen, 
 Mwya' ofal ein MYFYR 
 A fu am Gymru a'i gwyr. 
 Tu hwnt i'r byd, enbyd waedd, 
 Ei gariad ef a gyrhaedd : 
 A'i lafur, yn bur ddi baid, 
 A rana nawdd i'r enaid. 
 Tra 'r Cristion, a'i fron, a'i fryd 
 Yw i Dduw, a'i Ddyhewyd,\ 
 Ei gu nerthol gynnorthwy, 
 O lyfyr MYFYR fydd mwy : 
 A sonia 'n ei wasanaeth, 
 Yn y nef, am hyn a wnaeth. 
 
 Y fath a hyn (o gofyn gwyr) 
 Yw : a mwyfwy a MYFYR : 
 Ef yw 'r gwr, o'i fawr gariad, 
 Yn ei Iwydd, i Iwydd ei wlad, 
 A dreuliodd, o'i fodd, dda'i fyd, 
 Was ufudd, a'i oes hefyd, 
 Dda oedran ! a'i ddiwydrwydd, 
 Dros Gymru, ei llu, a'i llwydd : 
 A'i dysg, a'i dawn, dasg ei dydd, 
 Uwch rhifwn ! O I a'i chrefydd ! 
 
 Tithau, fy ngwlad, wiwfad wedd, 
 Dywed, pa beth yw diwedd, 
 A wnaethost dithau 'n etbol, 
 Addwyn wr I iddo yn ol ? 
 Pa golofn eofh.a wnaist, 
 Neu gof-adail gyfodaist ; 
 
 Queen Elizabeth. 
 
 + Dyhewydy Cristion, or the Christian's Resolution, translated from the English bjr Dr. X 
 Davits, and it-edited by the late Mr. O. Jones.
 
 146 
 
 diriawn goffadwriaeth, 
 
 O'r hyn oil, i'th rhan a wnaeth ? 
 O ! nid rhaid i'w enaid rhydd 
 Dy gariad, na dy gerydd ! 
 Dy Foelydd di ofalant 
 Gadw y cof, rai gwiw-deg, gant, 
 Am MYFYR ; a'r gwyr garant, 
 Yn eu plith, ddaioni ' plant. 
 Mae 'i Farwdon, yn myfyrdod 
 Fob dyffryn, a glyn o glod. 
 
 Ond, ha ! pan dros Loegria Iwys, 
 A hyd hefyd i Tafwys, 
 Edrychaf, gwelaf golofh,* 
 Megys cawr dirfawr nad ofo, 
 A'i phen goruwch pob nennawr, 
 Twrf torfoedd lluoedd y llawr. 
 Ac ar y pen wybrenawl, 
 Uwch mvvg, i'm golwg mewn gwawl, 
 Y tybiaf fod un tebyg 
 
 1 Fardd mwyn, o nef urdd niyg, 
 A'i wedd, o ddull hedd, a lliw 
 Ei hir-laes wisg awyr-liw I 
 
 I lawr, yn awr, un eiriau, 
 Y dengys a'i fys y fan, 
 A'r lieol lie rhoe awen, 
 Wrth Dafwys, ei phwys a'i phen. 
 A dywed, " tra rhed, a'i rhin, 
 " Hen Dafwys hon, a'i deu-fin, 
 " Rhwng tyrau, muriau mawrion, 
 " Y ddinas hir, ddawnus hon, 
 " Tra byddo 'n goleuo g^\vlad, 
 " Hwyl llewyrch haul a lleuad ; . 
 " Na glyn, na dyffryn, na dysg, 
 " Dawn, haeddiant, awen hyddysg : 
 " Am MYFYR bydd ymofyn, 
 " A'i glod, ar bob tafod dyn." 
 
 Dy wedodd : ond nid awdwr 
 Marwolaeth gaeth oedd y gwr : 
 
 The Monument near London Bridge, and overlooking Thames-Street
 
 146 
 
 Neu neidio, yn anodiaeth, 
 I nosf ddiderfyn a wnaeth : 
 Mwy tanllyd ei ysbryd oedd, 
 Ar ei nawf, a'i i'r nefoedd : 
 Lie MYFYR, a'r gwyr i gyd 
 Da 'u hawen, a'u Dyhewyd : 
 Lie 'r trag'wyddawl Iwysawl len, 
 Bywyd, a phurdeb awen. 
 
 MR. SAMUEL EVANS, 
 
 Gerllaw Caerwys* 
 
 t See the conclusion of Gray's Bard.
 
 CYWYDD 
 
 AR 
 
 GANTRE R GWAELOD, 
 
 CAN 
 MR. WILLIAM REES, LLANSANNAN.
 
 CYWYDD 
 
 AR GANTRE'R GWAELOD, 
 
 GAN ELIDIR LYDANWYN. 
 
 
 Y CYNNWYSIAD. 
 
 Golwg ar y wlad o ran ei sefyllfa. Cywreindeb y trigolion yn 
 llunio Sarn Badrig i argau y mor. Golwg ar y gwaith. Dychym- 
 mygu i'r trigolion heriaw y mor wedi ei gorphen.-Golwg ar ansawdd 
 y wlad. Seithionyn, ceidwad y dyfrddorau, yn ei feddwdod, yn eu 
 gadael yn agored y mor yn gorlifo i mewn ei araitli yntau wrth y 
 brodorion ar ei ddyfodiad. Eu dychryn eu ffoad. Y mor yn eu 
 goddiweddyd llawer yn boddi rhai yn d'ianc. Un o'r rhai a ddi- 
 angasai yn sefyll ar fryn i olygu y dystryw. Ei alarus gwyn uwch 
 ben ei wlad. Adolwg ar y difrod. Y diweddglo. 
 
 Dalier sulw, fod y n6d >v^ yn y Cy wydd, yn nodi y banau wythsUl ynddo. 
 
 OLRHEINIAF, holaf helynt, 
 A gwedd yr amserau gynt ; 
 A rhoed Ner lawnder o Iwydd, 
 I olrhain i fanylrwydd ; 
 Rho anian, o dy dan di, 
 Dy gymhorth, O dwg imi, 
 I roi yn awr, eirian nod, 
 Golwg ar Gantre'r Gwaelod. 
 
 Hyfryd wlad o Leyn fad fwyth, 
 Wastad hyd Aberystwyth ; 
 Llain hir o amaethdir mad, 
 A morfa eang mawrfad : 
 Y mor oedd fal mur iddi, 
 Hallt wregys i'w hystlys hi ; 
 lach afon Mawddach hefyd 
 Ai trwyddi, i'w gweini i gyd, 
 Ei dwfr melus, iachus oedd, 
 I'w diodi, da ydoedd. 
 Dolenai trwy 'r ardal lonwawr, 
 Yna myn'd wnai i'r eigion mawr.
 
 150 
 
 Dynion mirein cywrein cu 
 Oeddynt yn eu hanneddu ; 
 Hwy wnaynt yn gadr Sarn Badrig, 
 I ddal o'r fro 'r dyfnfor dig ; 
 Cadwynynt acw ei donau, 
 A darn o fur cadarn cau ; 
 Gwregysynt ei gry gesig, 
 Ffrwyno a dal eu ffroenau dig. 
 lawn y mynwn am unwaith, 
 Roi amlwg olwg o'r gwaith, 
 Pan ydoedd y pen awdur 
 Yn llunio gwaith maith y mur ; 
 Certwyni, meni 'n myned, 
 Hyd y Iwys ardal ar 1M ; 
 J O'r bore gwyn hyd derfyn dydd, 
 I Eu gwelid yn gwau trwy ' gilydd ; 
 Cludo llwythi o feini 'n fad, 
 Wyr dilesg i'r adeilad : 
 A chywrein seiri meini 
 Yno a'i teg furynt hi ; 
 Rhoddynt y brwd gymrwd gwych, 
 I'w dal, adail deleidwych, 
 Mor erfai nad allai 'r don 
 Chwalu eu goruchwylion : 
 Asio 'r Sarn na osiai 'r serth 
 Weilgi, a'i ddwfr rhualgerth, 
 Ddyfod trosti i lenwi 'r wlad, 
 Teilwng y cai ataliad. 
 
 Ac ar ben gorphen y gwaith, 
 Y gwyr mewn enwog araith, 
 Heriasant, arwyr iesin, 
 Hell oror y blyngfor blin : 
 Gofyn gwaethaf, gwaethaf gau 
 Dannedd ei ffyrnig donau ! 
 " Ha I tyred yma, dringa dros 
 " Ein mur yn ddiymaros ; 
 f " Croeso iti, os medri, y mor, 
 ( " Gyra dy donau i'n goror ; 
 " Ymwrola 'n mawr elyn, 
 " Yma rhed trwy 'r muriau hyn 
 " Gormod gwaith ddwywaith i'th ddig 
 " Aflonydd don fileinig !
 
 151 
 
 " Er cryfed, garwed dy gur, 
 " Un dyrnfedd o'n cadarnfur, 
 " Ni syfl byth, dilyth y deil, 
 " Y furiedig fawr adeil ;-r- 
 " Er i'th eigion greuloni 
 " Yn derwyn i'w herbyn hi, 
 " A'i churo 'n dra chwerw-wyllt, 
 " Gwaetha 'th galon, hon ni hyllt : 
 " Try 'n ol dwrw llanw y llif, 
 " A dialedd y dylif." 
 
 A hedd a gawsant fwynau, 
 Yn addas am flynyddau ; 
 Yn eu bro oraddien brid, 
 Yr oeddynt mewn gwiw ryddid. 
 
 Gwlad oludog, enwog oedd, 
 Ail Eden araul ydoedd ; 
 Ni bu harddach, mwynach man, 
 Fwy enwog o fewn anian : 
 Llwyni coed llawn cauedig, 
 Ir-leision, breisgion eu brig ; 
 Adar man yn chwibanu 
 Beunydd yn y coedydd cu ; 
 Adlais eos dlos awen, 
 Gynt ro'i wawd trwy Gantre wen. 
 Heirdd balasau golau gwych, 
 Adeiladau teleidwych ; 
 Muriau, a gwawr marmor gwyn 
 Addurnawl, ydoedd arnyn' : 
 A rhoent, pan dywynai 'r haul, 
 Ei derydyr gwiwfad araul, 
 Adliwiau hynod loywon, 
 Tra heirdd ar y Gantre' hon. 
 Gerddi iwanferth gwyrddion-fad, 
 Llawn o ffrwythau, moethau mad ; 
 J Perlleni a llwyni llawniawn, 
 \ Afalau 'n grog, felynawg rawn : 
 A'r dolydd, O ! mor delaid, 
 Yn feillion gwynion a gaid ; 
 lachusawl heirdd fuchesoedd, 
 Yn llaethog, serchog, ys oedd ; 
 A defaid ac wyn dofiou, 
 Grychneidynt, llamynt yn lion : 
 Aa
 
 152 
 
 Ni bu gwell d'iadellau 
 Yn bod yn Ewropa bau : 
 Ac anwyl deg, ganol dydd, 
 Gwelid yn mreichiau 'u gilydd, 
 Heirdd R'ianod yn rhodiaw 
 Yn mysg meillion lion gerllaw : 
 Edrych a wnaynt trwy ddrychau 
 AT oror y cefnfor cau ; 
 Gweled llongau 'n llengau lion, 
 Yn nofiaw wyneb neifion ; 
 Gan ddwyn o'r mor drysorion, 
 I'n hardal ddihafal bon ; 
 Delaid gyfoethog dalaeth 
 Ei chlod yn dra hynod aeth ; 
 Gwyneb anian yn gwenu 
 Arni i'w berth addurno bu. 
 
 Ond daeth arni gyni a gwall, 
 A gerwin olwg arall ; 
 Ca'dd y fad wlad oludog 
 Y mawrddwfr, glasddwfr yn glog ! 
 
 Seiihionyn feddwyn a fu, 
 I'w d'iachos fradychu : 
 Gadawai gwedi diod, 
 Y glwth folerwr di glod, 
 Y dyfrddor yn agored, 
 I'r nior a'i lif mawr ei led, 
 Ddyfod trosti a'i soddi 'n serth, 
 I'w eigionfol dig anferth I 
 Y mawr weilgi dyfiili dig, 
 A'i chwai ddadwrdd chwyddedig, 
 D'od i'r fro tan riio 'r oedd, 
 Llidiog ac erchyll ydoedd. 
 
 Yn ei biaith, bloeddio weithon, 
 Yn ercbyll wnai 'r deryll ddn, 
 A d'wedyd gyda dadwrdd, 
 " Wyr I deffrowch I a ffowch i ffwrdd ! 
 " Fi piau 'r wlad, gwnewch 'madael 
 " Yn cbwyrn, rhaid i mi ei chael ; 
 " Dw'r heli ydyw 'r bawlydd ; 
 " Brenin arni, myfi fydd.
 
 153 
 
 " Ni chaiff mwyach legach lu 
 
 " O ddynion, ei meddiannu ; 
 
 " Ond morfeirch, dewrfeirch y ddn 
 
 " Fyddant ei hetifeddion. 
 
 " Clywch chwithau I ciliwch, weithon ! 
 
 " Bob gwr, o le dw'r y d6n ; 
 
 " Ar frys rliaid myned o'r fro, 
 
 " Neu fygu yn fy eigion ! 
 
 " Ha I p'le mae 'ch Sarn gadarn-gau ? 
 " Dorau heiyrn cedyrn cau, 
 " Muriau gwych oedd genych gynt 
 " I'm hatal ? Dirym ytynt ! 
 " Muriau i ddal llif moryd ? 
 " Pw ! ffoledd, gwagedd i gyd ! 
 " Un fath a phe b'aswn farch ! 
 " Ni chymmer dw'r eich a'mharch ; 
 " Drylliaf eich Sarn gadarnaf, 
 " A thrwyddi ar egni 'r af." 
 
 Tros yr oror ai 'r mor maith 
 Ar redfa chwern ruadfaith ; 
 Ac O ! gyni, gwaeddi gwyllt, 
 Tan guriad t6nau gorwyllt 1 
 Gwrolion yn hagr welwi 
 Yn llwyd yn nghanol y lli' ! 
 A'u plant bychain, rhai'n yn rhi' 
 Yn eu gwydd yno yn gwaeddi ; 
 Er eu gwaeddi egn'iol, 
 Ni thro'i ton neifion yn ol. 
 Chwerw unllais ddychrynllyd, 
 Dolef trwy 'r Gantref i gyd. 
 
 Y gu rywiog wiw R'ian, 
 Foneddigaidd loywaidd Ian, 
 Er teced, a hardded hon, 
 Y lili gain oleulon, 
 Ni phrisiai 'r mor ragoriaeth 
 Y Fun, ond trosti fe aeth ; 
 Boddai fonedd unwedd a 
 Y seilion wyr isela' ; 
 Yr annoeth wr dirinwedd, 
 Yn wael, a'r doeth yr un wedd,
 
 154 
 
 Wnaent gydfoddi 'n Hi' llaitli, 
 Oer annedd gaent ar unwaith. 
 
 Gallai fod rhai 'n priiodi 
 Yn lion, pan ruthrodd y Hi', 
 A throi 'r gwleddoedd yn floedd flin, 
 A gorwyllt ddychryn gerwin. 
 Ceisio d'ianc gwnai 'r llanciau 
 Heb rus o'r enbydus bau ; 
 A buain am eu bywyd 
 Y rhedynt, gwylltynt i gyd. 
 
 Rhedeg wnai 'r mor rhuadwy 
 Heb aros i'w hanos hwy ; 
 Yn fileinig aflonydd, 
 T6nau ar eu sodlau sydd : 
 Llawer ga'dd eu cydgladdu 
 Tan drochion y ddofndon ddn. 
 ( O flaen y d6n flin e dynodd, 
 \ I'r Ian, o'r anhoff fan, rhai ffodd. 
 
 Gwelaf un o'r brodorion 
 Mewn chwerwder tan brudd-der bron : 
 Drwy ing a braw 'n dringo bryn 
 Trumawg, i roddi tremyn, 
 Golwg ar Gantre'r Gtcaelod, 
 Gwelai fe anaele nod ; 
 A'r golwg dyr ei galon, 
 Dyrydd frfith hyd wraidd ei fron ! 
 Crochlefai, e waeddai 'n vryllt, 
 A gerwin ohvg orwyllt : 
 " Ow !" medd o, " 'n hoywfro hyfryd, 
 " Er ei gwae, mae 'n for i gyd ! 
 " Mewn nerth mae 'r dwfr certb yn can, 
 " A dynion rhwng ei donau ; 
 " Suddant yn brudd brudd eu bron. 
 " I ei leidiawg waelodion ! 
 " Mae Mam fad a Nhad o'n hoi, 
 " (O gyni I) yn ei ganol ; 
 " O I f ' enaid I hwy 'r fynud hon 
 " Sy a deifr tros eu dwyfron. 
 
 * " Wele, don neifion mewn nerth, 
 " Yn gym acw at Gricerth ;
 
 155 
 
 " Trwy ofid aeth ein trefi 
 
 " Yn llwyr i eigion y Hi' ; 
 
 " O'u hylon drigolion gynt, 
 
 " Hanes nid oes o honynt. 
 
 " A Chaer Wyddno amdowyd 
 
 " Tan gynhwr' y llifddw'r llwyd ! 
 
 f " Yn soddi cair Cadair Cedawl, 
 
 \ " Y mor hallt a'i cymmer i'w hawl ; 
 
 f " Palasau del gwyr uchelwaed, 
 
 \ " Y tonau a'u troes tan eu traed !" 
 
 Try 'i weddlaith unwaith yno, 
 
 A'i drem am yr ola' dro ; 
 
 A chwai y rhedai i'r aig, 
 
 Ei ddagrau tros y ddugraig ; 
 
 Ac fel hyn yn syn o'i serch, 
 
 E lunia 'i ola' anerch : 
 
 " Y fwyn wlad fu 'n oludog, 
 
 " A llawn o bob grawn yn grog, 
 
 " Aethost ti 'n Hyn heli hallt ; 
 
 " D'iau y mor a dywallt 
 
 " Ddyfroedd trwy 'th ddyfFrynoedd ffraw, 
 
 " Yna i'w haddig anhuddaw ; 
 
 " A'th holl fFrwythawl dyfawl dir, 
 
 " A dw'r llanw dirllenwir." 
 
 Dan wylaw yna draw e drodd, 
 O'i golwg fe a giliodd ; 
 Gorfu ado ei fro fras, 
 Delaid, yn mol mor dulas ! 
 
 Tywod sy'n llenwi 'r teiau, 
 A'r pysg yn gymysg sy'n gwau ; 
 Morfeirch dihefeirch hyfion, 
 Llymriaid arw haid yr awr hon, 
 Sy'n heigiau 'n amlhau yn mlith 
 Y gweunydd lie bu gwenith ! 
 E geir, lie bu yd a gwin, 
 Fawr grugiau o forgregin ! 
 Hoff lysoedd a phalasau 
 Gan nerth y dyfroedd certh cau, 
 Eu cydiawl furiau cedyrn, 
 Ddatodid, chwelid yn chwyrn ! 
 E dyna certh dorian cau, 
 'R anoddyfh trwy 'r neuaddau.
 
 156 
 
 Dw'r dylif doa 'r dolydd 
 Fu 'n serchog, ddeiliog ryw ddydd ; 
 Yn llawn meillion ceinion cu, 
 Wnai wyneb y wlad wenn. 
 Ydlanau hynod lawnion 
 A chwalodd, daflodd y don ; 
 Deisi gwenith dysgynynt 
 1'r eigion, (anhylon hynt !) 
 f A gwin melus iV ganmoli 
 I Doraeth llawn, a drwythai y Hi' ; 
 A gwridiai y gwirodydd, 
 Liwiau 'r don tros lawer dydd ! 
 Medd per yn meddwi y pysg, 
 Gemau a llaid yn gymysg ! 
 
 Felly 'r aeth y dalaeth deg, 
 A'i chyfoeth, (anwych ofeg :) 
 Fel nad oes, yn ein hoes ni, 
 Hanes am gwys o honi. 
 
 Gwelir eto 'i thrigolion 
 Bob cnawd, fore brawd ger bron ; 
 E rwygir bol yr eigion, 
 Chwelir croth dofngroth y don ! 
 Gwewyr esgor ar for fydd, 
 I fawr radd,' ryw foreuddydd ! 
 Pob ton a'i dynion yn d'od, 
 Chwyda 'r meirw o'i cheudod ! 
 Gelwir hwy at eu gilydd, 
 I y farn ofnadwy fydd : 
 Yna, fe dderfydd anian, 
 Awyr, a thir, dw'r, a than. 
 
 WILLIAM BEES, 
 
 Llansannan.
 
 AWBIi 
 
 AR AMAETHYDDIAETH, 
 
 GAN 
 
 Y PARCH. EDVYARD HUHES, A.M. 
 BODFARY.
 
 GWYNEDDIGION SOCIETY, 
 
 WHOSE LIBERAL AND PATRIOTIC EXERTIONS, 
 
 X EARLY SIXTY YEARS, 
 
 HAVE BEEN DIRECTED TO THE CULTIVATION OF THE 
 
 WELSH LANGUAGE, ITS POETRY, MUSIC, AND LITERATURE 
 
 IN GENERAL, 
 
 I DEDICATE THIS 
 
 POEM. 
 
 KDWARD HUGHES. 
 
 BODFARY, 24th OCTOBER, IMS.
 
 AWDL 
 
 AR A M AET H Y DDI A ET H, 
 
 GAN GWYNEDDYN. 
 THE ARGUMENT. 
 
 Agriculture contemplated as man's first employment. Its influ- 
 ence on his life, manners, and habitation. A view of the countries 
 where it is neglected.-Its interesting effects in Switzerland, Holland, 
 England, and particularly in the Principality of Wales. Agricultu- 
 ral Societies. Sir W. W. Wynn. Description of several late 
 
 improvements in the Principality. Menai Bridge. The future 
 progress and happy results of a still more perfect state of Agricul- 
 ture contemplated. The conclusion. 
 
 DY nodded, awen Adda, 
 Gofynaf, un ddoethaf dda, 
 I'm i gyrhaedd magwrawl 
 Fawrad Amaethiad, a'i mawl. 
 Os hon, i ardd Ion, werdd Iwys 
 Y ber wiwdeg Baradwys, 
 A rwyddodd ffrwyth pereiddiaf, 
 Yn ol gorchymyn y Naf, 
 Mwy o borth yma ' berthyn, 
 O'i hylaw ddwylaw i ddyn ; 
 Pan o'i chwys, heb hon, ni cha' 
 Lafurwr i'w law fara. 
 
 Ei gwaith ar ddiffaith rhydd wen, a'i chnydau, 
 
 Gwych neidiant yn llawen : 
 Nawdd ei rhad wna ddaear hen, 
 Anial, Iwyd, yn ail Eden. 
 
 Da y w 'n ei heffaith, i'r dyn a'i hoffo : 
 Uchaf i wledydd, yw ei chofleidio : 
 Da yw ei lluniaeth, a diwall yno, 
 I drefi 'n llawnion, draw a fu 'n llunio : 
 A hon, i'w Brython eu bro addurnodd, 
 A da y llwyddodd Duw ei holl eiddo ! 
 Bb
 
 160 
 
 Gwel ddyn ! gwael yw ei ddoniau 
 Heb drin hon, heb droi na hau ! 
 Mieri, a d'rysni draw, 
 A rydd y ddaear iddaw : 
 A'i fryd yw, lie 'n foreu daeth, 
 Hylaw yru Helwriaeth. 
 Gwyllt yw, mewn gwall o duedd 
 I degwch, harddwch, a hedd : 
 A gwrthddrych o'n nych hen ni,* 
 Drwy eiuioes ei drueni I 
 
 Amaethyddiaeth, faeth foethol, wnai iddo 
 
 Anneddu 'n gartrefol : 
 Gan ddwyn un anfwyu yn ol, 
 A'i ddenu i wedd ddynol. 
 
 Trwy ei maith addysg, try Amaethyddiaeth 
 
 Ddyn ; neu tora i addwyn naturiaeth : 
 
 Rhydd i'w llu wiwdrefn, rhwydd a llywodraeth, 
 
 Di'au fwy o elw, a da fy woliaeth : 
 
 Y creulon wylltion a wnaeth yn ddofiawn, 
 
 Tyner eu gloywddawn, tan ei harglvvyddiaeth. 
 
 Lie raae 'n hau, try 'r cytiau caeth 
 Yn dai lion, a da 'u lluniaeth : 
 Lliiestai, hyll eu hystyr, 
 Yn borthladdau '11 minau myr ; 
 A threfi helaeth, ryfedd, 
 Llawnion, a gwychion eu gwedd. 
 
 O'i dwylaw, eiddaw addas a'i lluniaeth, 
 
 Y llonir pob dinas : 
 A dyn a wir edwyn ras, 
 A dethawl ffyrdd cymdeithas. 
 
 O brysied ! aed heb ruso, 
 Hyd i Affrig i'w deffro : 
 I'r 'Meriff aed, er morio, 
 At Tndiaid, weiniaid yno : 
 Myr de'au, tra 'n mordwyo, 
 Pob ynys, pawb a uno : 
 A'th fawr rad, (hwyliad ei hynt) 
 Dduw arnynt a'u haddurno. 
 
 The fallen state of man.
 
 161 
 
 Myfyriwn, edrychwn draw, 
 Ar wledydd i'w herlidiaw : 
 Marwaidd, er teg dymmorau, 
 Y'nt heb hon, i'w lion wellau ! 
 Pwy a'th drin, Palestina f 
 Ni welir tir ynot ' da ! 
 Ni dchuv o dir addewid, 
 Ond caethder, llymder, a llid ! 
 O ddiffyg hoywaidd eflFaith 
 Ei dawn yn gyflawn a'i gwaitb, 
 Llwyr redodd lie o'r Idal,* 
 Fu 'n Eden, yn siglen sal. 
 O'i llafur, y gwall hefyd, 
 (Heblaw trawsder, balchder byd) 
 Y barodd fod Iberia 
 Yn llymdir, nid doldir da. 
 
 Yr haul, a'i des, rbeoli dydd o'i nef, 
 Wna 'n ofer a'r wledydd : 
 
 Man neu bartb, lie mwyna' bydd, 
 
 M ethiant yw heb Amaethydd ! 
 Och ! gweled afiach goelion neu fwriad 
 
 Niferoedd o ddynion ; 
 Och ! draw gweled iach drigolion, 
 Heb wiw ryddid, hoywber roddion ; 
 Heb un doeth, i ddwyn bendithion, 
 O deg wledydd, da 'u gwaelodion ;f 
 Heb 'nabod, hynod yw hon corn ' helaetht 
 
 Amaethiaeth, a'i moethion ! 
 
 Ond dyro i'm hynt clirion, 
 Awen deg, a hoyw iawn don, 
 Hyd wledydd, a bronydd bri, 
 Dylanwad ei haelioni. 
 Lluniodd, addurnodd yn dda 
 Hael feusydd hyd Helfesia : 
 A'i chreigiau ' wnaeth, ochrawg nen, 
 Yn addas i'r winwydden. 
 Ethyl for a'i dyfr-ddorau, 
 Dyfnder mewn caethder mae 'n cau : 
 
 * Campagna di Roma. 
 
 t The writer here alludes to the deplorable state of agriculture under the Turkish government. 
 
 $ lotto diffundit copia coniu. 
 
 i The Sluices, in Holland.
 
 162 
 
 A'i chynnydd, fel haf-ddydd hir. 
 Sy hael-deg ar Iseldir.* 
 Yn nabob lie del, gwel ei gwaith ! 
 Mae 'n deilwng o'i mwyn dalaith : 
 Gwna bob gwlad yn Baradwys, 
 Fob dyffryn, a glyn deg Iwys I 
 
 Cbwi feusydd, bronydd, bryniau ! chwi goedydd I 
 
 Chweg ydynt eicb ffrwythau ; 
 A llawnion y'ch winllanau, 
 A wnaeth hon yn lion wellau ! 
 
 A rhin gwiw Iwydded y rhan ogleddawl ; 
 O ! rho'ed ger llwynau 'r yd gorllewinawl ; 
 Ei da a rano 'i wledydd dwyreiniawl ; 
 Da yw i eithaf deau ei hethawl : 
 Yn Mrydain firiain o fawl, cartrefed, 
 O fy Nuw, bydded yno fwy buddiawl. 
 
 Wrth sain ein Brydain a'n bro, 
 Wyd, f ' awen, yn adfywio : 
 Eheda, er meitbdra mor, 
 I gyrhaedd y deg oror : 
 Amaetbiad y wlad lydan 
 Dduwies gu, fo'th ddewis gan. 
 Addurnodd hon, hawdd ddirnad, 
 Ddyffirynau, a glynau 'n gwlad : 
 Yn mynydd, a phob maenol, 
 Dengys yn hysbys ei hoi. 
 Lliw 'r dolydd, a'r llawr deiliog, 
 Lie nytha 'r fran, lie can cog, 
 A gwyrddion heirdd-deg erddi, 
 Y'nt fawr-waith ei heffaith hi. 
 Mor iawn deg y w mawrion dai ! 
 (O fendith os i fan-dai !) 
 Llanau, a threfi llawnion, 
 Addurnodd a harddodd hon ! 
 Cynnydd Amaethydd yw 'r mad wiw gysur, 
 
 A geisia 'r ymddifad : 
 Gwel wen elusen y wlad, 
 Chwiorydd hi a chariad.f 
 
 The Netherlands 
 
 f Great as the charity of our country is, yet, even the most prrjudiced must allow, that tli 
 iiiiiripal resource of the poor is Agriculture.
 
 163 
 
 Ar Frydain, fro gain, Nef 'ro gynnydd ; 
 Rhag pallu, methu o Amaethydd : 
 Cnydau, clau ydau i'w gwaelodydd ; 
 Corniog, da gwlanog rhoed i'w glenydd : 
 A chadwed Duw 'n ei choedydd lyngesau, 
 Y gorau gwaliau rhag garw gywilydd ! 
 
 Llaw-forwyn yw llafur-waith 
 Fob newydd, gelfydd deg waith. 
 Mae rhediad ei mawrhydi 
 Uwch pontydd ein nentydd ni :* 
 Sef dyfr-ffosydd sydd lesad 
 Draw 'n ei dilyn drwy 'n dwy-wlad. 
 
 Marsiandaeth heb Amaethydd, 
 Och weled dosted f 'ai 'i dydd ! 
 Ni ollyngai 'r naill angor, 
 Di'an, fyth nid ai i for : 
 Ni hwyliai yn ei helynt, 
 Flin ei gwedd, o flaen y gwynt, 
 Heb ddaear ffrwyth yn llwythi, 
 I'w gludo 'n awr o'n gwlad ni. 
 
 Cryfder a gymmer y gad yn ddilys, 
 
 O ddwylaw Amaethiad ; 
 Gwyr morwyr (da wyr di wad) 
 Y mor-d'ranau 'i mawr driniad. 
 
 O ! mirain yw ei mawredd, 
 A gwiwlon gwlad a goledd ; 
 Mae golwg o'i hymgeledd 
 Ar Lloegria, er ei llygredd : 
 Hi ni ad un gwastadedd, 
 Na bryn, yn hon, heb rinwedd : 
 lechyd diwyd, hyfryd, da, 
 I bawb una, 'i bob annedd. 
 
 A thi, ein mad henwlad hon, 
 Ein Gwalia, enwog, wiwlon, 
 Derbyniaist di wir benaf 
 Fendithion newyddion Naf ! 
 A mynych iawn o'm annedd, 
 Ar dy fynwes, achles hedd, 
 
 One of these is Pont y Cysylltu, ntar Llangfolleu.
 
 164 
 
 Pan dremiaf, wylaf foliant,* 
 
 Am dy Iwydd, byw Iwydd dy Want, 
 
 Lie gynt, yn y gwynt yn gwau, 
 
 Gwisg gadarn, oedd gysgodau, 
 
 Sef deri, a d'rysni draw, 
 
 Eu anialwch yn' eiliaw ; 
 
 Meillionog, ddeiliog ddolydd, 
 
 Yw 'r llawr, yn awr, yn fy nydd : 
 
 Llawr gwanwyn yd, lie 'r gwenith, 
 
 A ffrwythau blodau 'n ei blith I 
 
 A'i gyrau 'n ddwy deg oror, 
 
 A'i odrau 'n ymylau mor ! 
 
 Cwyd hen Gltvyd heb arswyd ben, 
 
 A gwenu mae 'n ddi gynhen, 
 
 Ar effaith maith Amaethiad, 
 
 A'i lliwiau sydd, a'i llesad ; 
 
 A'i flFrvvythau 'n ochrau pob nant, 
 
 A'u cu rawn, a'i coronant. 
 
 Yr erchyll hen Gestyll gwel, 
 
 Yn y diwedd yn dawel : 
 
 Mwy nid y'nt y niariau dig, 
 
 Am elyniaeth mileinig ; 
 
 Na 'r unrhyw ' wnaent yr anrhaith 
 
 O Iwydd diwydrwydd da 'i waith : 
 
 Yn He gwyr chwyrn Lloegr a'u chwant, 
 
 Adar nos a deyrnasant ! 
 
 Pan o'r Gaer,\ ar ddisglaer ddydd, 
 Yr ymwelaf a'r moelydd ; 
 Draw a ranant diriona' 
 Hardd ddyffryn, ar ddyffryn dda, 
 M6r gu, o Gymru deg wedd, 
 I'm y w gwyneb myg Wynedd ! 
 Dwyre, dwyre, di oror, 
 Dy greigiau, penmanau mdr ; 
 A dangos, O ! dangos di, 
 Draw 'r aradr drwy Eryri ! 
 Syndod, a rhyfeddod fydd 
 Yma 'i daith, i ymdeithydd, 
 
 * Wylaf foliant. To shed tears of praise, is as natural to man, as to shed tears of gratitude, 
 which is but a common expression. 
 
 f Behind the Author's bouse is Mod y Goer, so called on account of its triple circumvallation : 
 and from the summit of which, the prospect over the Vale of Clwyd, a part of St. George's Channel, 
 and the Caernarvonshire Hills, is one of the most beautiful and picturesque, that can be imagined.
 
 165 
 
 Ar hyn a wnaeth Amaethiud, 
 
 A'i chrog Iwydd hyd ochrau gwlad ! 
 
 Gweled dan deyrnged iV dur 
 
 Hynotaf orseddnatur! 
 
 Mynych saif, goris manau 
 
 Tirion, a wnai hon eu hau : 
 
 Gwel feusydd, mvch raeusydd niaith, 
 
 I'w dilyn yn y Dalaith ; 
 
 for hyd oror eira, 
 Cribawg, fynyddawg fan ia. 
 
 Crechwena 'r Wyddfa mor werdd 
 Ei gwasg hi, yw ei gwisg hardd : 
 Mae 'n nod rhyfeddod i fyrdd ; 
 A'i phen ag wybren a g'wrdd. 
 
 Oddiyno, anhawdd aiiian, 
 A'i chreigiau, nid muriau man, 
 Ni rwystra 'i gyrfa deg wedd, 
 
 1 Feirion, a'i hy' favvredd : 
 Lie a dwg ei Uaw-degwch, 
 A'i nerth ar dir serth a'i swell, 
 A'i gwir nawdd, o gyrau 'n is, 
 Hyd odrau hynod Idris ! 
 
 O ffyniant, hwyliant heul-wen i'r bwriad. 
 
 Ar Berwyn rhoed las-len ; 
 Ar Ddyfrdicy ac Wy deg wen, 
 A hyfryd finau Hafren. 
 
 Gwyr enwog a wir unant 
 Oil heddyw yn ei llwyddiant : 
 Hau gweiriau hwy a garant, 
 A gwartheg teg a werthant. 
 I rinwedd gwobrau ranant, 
 Ac ydau dwys a godant : 
 Holl Arfon a Mon a'n inedd. 
 A'n Gwynedd yn ogoniant. 
 
 YmfFrostied, synied y Sais 
 Ki ddefaid wledd a'i ddyfaie : 
 Os tewion, a gwychion, gwel 
 Yr y chain y'nt oruchel : 
 Nid llai Ihvydd, yn rhwydd i'n rhaid, 
 Ein diddofion, da ddefaid :
 
 166 
 
 A'n ychain ni sy'n iachus, 
 
 Dtion, a breision heb rus. 
 
 A Llyw gwych, nid a Haw gaetli, 
 
 Yma ' ethol Amaethiaeth. 
 
 Ar hon, wr rhadlon, y rhydd, 
 
 Wiw daeniad, ei adenydd. 
 
 Gwir wellad, a gorau llun 
 Ar rywogaeth, odiaeth wen, 
 Di'au bydd : da yw y bon 
 
 Wynnstay i einioes dyn. 
 Clod i'r enwog, a'r cu wladwr yno, 
 
 Da yn ei wleddoedd, y dena 'i Iwyddo : 
 Torai ia i lawer, eu tir i lawio ; 
 A da yr adwaenir ei dir dano : 
 Prif ddyn ar frigyn y fro Syr Watkin,* 
 Gwych hyn a gwerin, a gewch yn gwirio. 
 Pe medrwn gweuwn ar gan, 
 
 1 fil eraill fawl eirian : 
 Carwyr, goleuwyr eu gwlad, 
 Am ethawl ein Amaethiad. 
 Ond i lais hen Daliesin, 
 Neu Homer fwynber ei fin, 
 
 Rhy ddwys iawn gynnwys yn gain, 
 Ar araith eu harwyrain. 
 Mae 'r rhai'Ta i gyd i'w mawrau, 
 Dan Sior a dawnus eiriau : 
 Mab i un a fu 'n wiw faeth 
 Maith addysg Amaethyddiaeth. 
 Llwydded, a rhwydded a rhad Duw anwyl 
 
 Eu daionus fwriad : 
 Ac unwn ninnau ganiad, 
 O ran llwydd i'r iawn wellad. 
 
 Ond pwy a chlodadwy don, 
 Da nodded awenyddion, 
 All adrodd, ar ddull hydr-iaith, 
 Amcanion gwychion a gwaith, 
 Digoll yd, a gwelladau, 
 Amaethiad y fwynwlad fau ? 
 
 As tbc Duke of Bedford, Mr. Coke, and others have been so much celebrated for their encour- 
 agement to English Agriculture, the Author did not deem it foreign to his subject to introduce the 
 name of Sir W. VV. Wynne, as one ,of the chief cncouragers of Agriculture in the Principality. 
 This he has done, without the most distant view of disparaging others.
 
 167 
 
 Hynt dwfr, i'r He myno, tyn, 
 
 Llwyr devv-ffrwd uwcblaw 'r dyffryn : 
 
 A phrif-ffyrdd (ei phur effaith) 
 
 A fyddant gofiant o'i gwaith. 
 
 Ffrwynodd, attaliodd y twrf, 
 
 A llanw gwyn, llawn o gynhwrf ; 
 
 Lie 'r pysgod, gwaelod oedd gu, 
 
 A ennillodd iawn allu : 
 
 I borthi, rhoddi i'n rhaid, 
 
 Filoedd o anifeiliaid ! 
 
 Heirdd drefydd nevvydd a naid, 
 
 A thwymnol, wrth ei lianmaid, 
 
 A'i gwyrth yvv y llong-byrth llawn, 
 
 Amryw Dyrtts, nior diriawn I 
 
 Ceir pob maeth arddwriaeth dda, 
 
 Gain lun, a'i gwen a lona : 
 
 Ceir lluniaetli, cor llawenydd, 
 
 A Ihvyr deg, ceir Uawer dydd : 
 
 Lie nad oedd i'n lloni dir, 
 
 Nac afiaith i'n a gofir ; 
 
 Dim ond natur bur yn bod, 
 
 Glynau, a chornchwiglenod. 
 
 O Gwalia fwyn, gxveli faint dy hynod, 
 
 Wahanol ragorfraint ! 
 Dy anian ydyw ennaint 
 Y tir hwn, nis tery baint. 
 
 Maith eiddaw Araaethyddiaeth, 
 Yw 'r hyn oil i'w rban a wnaeth 
 Celfyddyd byd, beb oedi, 
 Golud, a nerth ein g\vlad ni. 
 Rhiiodd, a nofiodd Neifion, 
 A gwlych mawr, o amgylch Mon, 
 Ac iddi g\vnai honni bawl, 
 Am oesoedd yn ormesawl : 
 A thybiai nad allai dyn 
 Ei fawr rwysg ef oresgyn. 
 
 Ond dyn, ar fin y tonau a gododd 
 
 Ei gedyrn golofnau : 
 A dodwyd birion didau, 
 Er yno 'i nerth, arno 'n iau. 
 C c
 
 168 
 
 Cadarn yr haiarn, fal rhwyd, 
 O graig i graig a grogwyd. 
 Dros gryfion, fawrion furiau, 
 Fal hil aneiddil hen law : 
 Gawri myg, ar gyrau mor, 
 A dig ofwy 'n dygyfor. 
 Daliant, goruwch y dylif, 
 Yr hniarn-ffbrdd braff-ffordd brif : 
 Yn yrfa o hen Arfon, 
 Hyd odrau ymylau M6n. 
 Wrth weled y nerthol-waith, 
 O haiarn dwys arno 'i daith ; 
 A gwyr byd ar gerbydau, 
 Uwch ei b6n, ar ei nen iau : 
 Draw 'n gym yn dra gorwyllt, 
 Gan hau o garnau dan gwyllt. 
 A mawr dwrf amryw dorfoedd, 
 A'u cernau blin, cyrn a bloedd 
 Ei dwrw Neifion droe 'n afar, 
 A'i grychiawg, ewynawg war, 
 Ostyngai : nid Menai mwy, 
 Yrfa 'i aruthr ryferthwy.* 
 
 Nesau mae 'n dd'iau 'r mwyn ddydd, 
 Wawr lawn o wir lawenydd, 
 Pan yn ol prophwydoliaeth, 
 Daw amser mwynber pob maeth ! 
 Mawr ddoniau amryw ddynion, 
 A geisiant y llwyddiant lion : 
 Profant Iwydd eu harglwyddiaeth, 
 Dawn y Ner i'r dyn a wnaeth. 
 Chwiliant ffyrdd yr uchelion, 
 A'u rhwysg ar ein daear hon ; 
 A chludant, o'u chwiliadau, 
 Bob arwydd llwydd a gwellau. 
 
 Gwelwn ben, diben da obaith, pob rhodd, 
 
 Pob rhwyddwych gelfyddiaeth ! 
 Gwneud y ddaear, foddgar faeth, 
 Yn olau Eden eilwaith. 
 
 * Should it be maintained, that Highways, Meuai Bridge, and other similar improvements, hare 
 no connexion with Agriculture, let it be recollected, that the commandment given to man, to 
 " subdue the Earth," seems to comprehend every improvement that can be made upon its surface.
 
 169 
 
 O ! mor wir felys fydd mawr orfoledd 
 Y dydd o gynnyrch y daw ddigonedd ! 
 E doir rhanau daear a rhinwedd, 
 Newyn i'n heinioes ni wna anhunedd. 
 A mwynau a wnair mewn hecld, heb ofid 
 Y da addewid, le, diddiwedd. 
 O brysied, deued y dydd ! 
 
 Boed, fy Nuw, byd fo newydd ! 
 
 Byd llawnder mwynber a maeth, 
 
 Heddwch, ac Amaethyddiaeth. 
 
 Mwy ni fydd man i fyddin ; 
 
 A rhad e geir yd a gwin ! 
 
 Y gwaewffyn o hen goffa, 
 
 Gwnant gyllt'rau, pladuriau da ! 
 
 Y Hew a'r hydd, c'ant lonydd wledd, 
 
 Yr oen a'r blaidd yr unwedd ! 
 
 A dyn a edwyn ei waith, 
 
 A'i alwad cyntaf, eilwaith : 
 
 Gwnend daear yn war o wedd, 
 
 Boddio 'i Dduw, byw ddiddiwedd. 
 
 PARCH. EDWARD HUGHES, 
 
 Bodfari.
 
 YR KNGLYN BUDDUGAWL 
 
 AR 
 
 YR AWYREN 
 
 GAN ERYJR GWERNABWY. 
 f 
 
 AWYREN, belen, glud bali, drwy chvrs, 
 
 Derch hynt hyd wybreni ; 
 Nwyf wib long, bau nawf, heb li, 
 A Haw dyn yn llyw dani. 
 
 MR. ROBERT DAVIES. 
 
 Nantglyn. 
 
 TRANSLATION. 
 
 That air-filled body, the balloon, a silken vehicle, by a blast see 
 soaring on its course through ethereal regions ; as a ship of lively 
 range, aloft it swims, without a flood, having for a guide the hand 
 of man beneath. 
 
 CAERLLEON ; ARGRAFFWYD OAN T. GRUFFYDD.
 
 APPENDIX. 
 
 LIST OF 
 PATRONS, VICE-PATRONS, COMMITTEE, &c. 
 
 Under whose direction the Royal Denbigh Eisteddvod was conducted. 
 
 PRESIDENT, * 
 
 SIR EDWARD MOSTYN, BART. TALACRE. 
 PATRONS. 
 
 Lord Grosvenor 
 
 Lord Powys 
 
 Lord Bagot 
 
 Lord Dungannon 
 
 Lord Kenyon 
 
 Lord Newborough 
 
 Lord Plymouth 
 
 Right Rev. Lord Bishop of St. Asaph 
 
 Right Rer. Lord Bishop of Bangor 
 
 Marquis of Anglesey 
 
 Lord Dynevor 
 
 Lord Clive 
 
 Lord Ashley, M. P. 
 
 Sir W. W. Wynn, Bart. M. P. 
 
 Sir E. P. Lloyd, Bart. M. P. 
 
 Sir Charles Morgan, Bart. M. P. 
 
 VICE-PATRONS. 
 
 Right Hon. C. W. W. Wynn. M. P. 
 
 Sir T. Mostyn, Bart. M. P. 
 
 Sir T. Hanmer, Bart. 
 
 Sir R. W. Vaughan, Bart. M. P. 
 
 Sir R Williams, Bart. M. P. 
 
 Sir John Williams, Bart 
 
 Sir Foster Cunliflfe, Bart. 
 
 Sir Richard Puleston, Bart. 
 
 Hon. Frederick West 
 
 Hon. P. R. D. Burrell 
 
 H. Clive, Esq. M. P. 
 
 J. W. Griffith, Esq. 
 
 G. H. D. Pennant, Esq. M. P. 
 
 Colonel Vaughan, Rug 
 
 J. Price, Esq. 
 
 Sir D. Erskine, Bart. 
 
 Sir H. Browne, Knt. 
 
 Colonel Hughes, M. P. 
 
 Very Rev. the Dean of St. Asaph 
 
 R. M. Bulkeley, Esq. 
 
 T. D. Cooke, Esq. 
 
 Thomas Fitzhugh, Esq. 
 
 T. Mostyn Edwards, Esq. 
 
 J. Heaton, Esq. 
 
 LI. B. Hesketh, Esq. 
 
 Dr. Howard, Rector of Denbigh 
 
 E. M. Lloyd, Esq. Pengwern 
 
 E. Lloyd, Esq. Cefn 
 
 Capt. Lloyd, Royal Denbigh Militia 
 
 J. Madocks, Esq. 
 
 J. Marsden, Esq 
 
 Colonel Maxwell 
 
 F. R. West, Esq. M. P. 
 H. M. Mostyn, Esq. 
 
 D. Pennant, Esq. 
 Francis Richard Price, Esq. 
 Colonel Salusbury 
 
 C. W. G. Wynne, Esq. 
 J. LI. Wynne, Esq. 
 R. W. Wynne, Esq. 
 S. Yorke, Esq. 
 P. W. Yorke, Esq. 
 Edward Grainger, Esq. 
 Edward Slaughter, Esq. 
 
 G. Naylor, Esq. 
 Rev. W. W. Edwards 
 Wilson Jones, Esq. 
 Rev. E. Thelwall 
 Bevis Thelwall, Esq. 
 Spire Hughes, Esq. 
 J. B. Hesketh, Esq. 
 Thomas Lloyd, Esq. 
 
 E. Lloyd, Esq. 
 Major Harrison 
 
 Sir Stephen Glynne, Bart. 
 Sir John S. P. Salusbury 
 Rev. Dr. Wynne 
 Philip Lloyd Fletcher, Esq. 
 R. M. Biddulph, Esq. 
 The Hon. and Rev. G. Neville Grenville 
 John Williams, Esq. 
 J. Townshend, Esq. 
 Rev. J. M. Luxmoore 
 Edward Lloyd Williams, Esq. 
 Dd
 
 172 
 
 COMMITTEE. 
 
 Rev. R. C. Chambres 
 Rev. R. Clough 
 Rev. R. B. Clough 
 Rev. A. B. Clough 
 Rev. T. W. Edwards 
 E. Edwards, Esq. 
 S. Edwardes, Esq. 
 T. Evans, Esq. 
 James Eyton, Esq. 
 Rev. E. Hughes 
 Rev. J. Jones 
 Rev. J. Jones, Rhuddlau 
 R. H. Jones, Esq. 
 Mr. W. Jones 
 Rev. J. Jones, Henllan 
 Rev. D. L. Jones 
 Rev. J. Jones. Denbigh 
 Mr. Joseph Jones 
 Rev. LI. Lloyd 
 II. Lloyd, Esq 
 Rev. R. Newcome 
 Rev. W. H. Owen 
 Rev. H. Parry 
 Mr. E. Parry, Chester 
 A. O. Pughe, Esq. 
 Rev. R. Richards 
 Rev. T. Richards 
 Rev R. LI. A. Roberts 
 R. Roberts, Esq. 
 Rev. J. Smalley 
 Rev. G. Strong 
 J. Twiston, Esq. 
 
 COMMITTEE OF MANAGEMENT. 
 
 In publishing this list, we cannot avoid noticing the indefatigable 
 zeal of the Chairman, J. Heaton, Esq. to whose perseverance, in 
 a great meitsure, the success which attended the Eisteddvod is mainly 
 to be attributed : 
 
 JOHN HEATON, ESQ. PLAS HEATON, CHAIRMAN. 
 
 J. Williams, Esq. M. D. 
 
 R. Lloyd Williams, Esq. 
 
 J. C. Williams, Esq. 
 
 Rev. R. Williams 
 
 Rev. E. Williams 
 
 J. V. Home, Esq. 
 
 Rev. L. Richards 
 
 J. Williams, Esq. Abbey 
 
 Rev. J. Owen 
 
 Walter Cecil Davies, Esq. 
 
 H. P. Clough, Ksq. 
 
 John Hughes, Esq. 
 
 J. Parry, Esq. 
 
 Thomas Hughes, Esq. 
 
 Edward Jones, Esq. 
 
 James Hughes, Esq. 
 
 J. Uughes,jun. Esq. 
 
 Robert Roberts, Esq. 
 
 John Roberts, Esq. 
 
 David Hughes, Esq. 
 
 Rev. J. Jackson 
 
 Gabriel Hughes, Esq. 
 
 Rev. Ellis Roberts 
 
 Rev. J. Jones, Llangynhafal 
 
 Rev. R. Jones 
 
 Rev. F. Owep 
 
 Rev. J. Davies 
 
 Rev. Edmund Williams 
 
 William Chambers, Esq. 
 
 Rev. E. Jones 
 
 Rev. E. J. Owen 
 
 John Madocks, Esq. Glan y Wern 
 Edward Edwards, Esq. Denbigh 
 Samuel Edwardes, Esq. Denbigh 
 Thomas Evans, Esq. Denbigh 
 Rev. John Jones, Denbigh 
 Hugh Lloyd, I^q. Tros y Park 
 Aneurin Owen, Esq. 
 Charles Sankey, Esq. Treasurer 
 
 HONORARY 
 
 Richard Roberts, Esq. 
 
 John Twiston, Esq. 
 
 Dr. John Williams 
 
 Richard Lloyd Williams, Esq. 
 
 J. Vaughan Home, Esq. 
 
 John Williams, Esq. Abbey 
 
 Thomas Hughes, Lsq. Astrad Cottage 
 
 R. P. Jones, M. D. Hon. Secretary. 
 
 MEMBERS. 
 
 Mrs. Hemans 
 
 Miss Cotton 
 
 Miss Angharad Lloyd 
 
 Miss F. A. Luxmoore 
 
 Miss Jones, Crosswood, Montgomery 
 
 Miss Davies, Manavon 
 
 Miss Walters, Darowen 
 
 Miss Richards, Darowen 
 
 Miss Jane Richards, Darowen 
 
 -Sir Walter Scott, Bart. 
 
 W. O. Pughe, Esq. L.L.D. 
 
 Rev. Walter Davies 
 
 Rev W. J. Rees 
 
 Rev. J. Jenkins 
 
 Griffith Jones, Esq. London, 
 
 Mr. John Parry, London 
 
 Richard Llwyd, Esq. Chester 
 l Sharon Turner, Esq. 
 j Robert Southey, Esq. L.L.D. 
 j Thomas Moore, Esq.
 
 173 
 
 LIST OF THE BARDS AND MINSTRELS. 
 
 It would have been very desirable to have had the Bardic names, 
 places of residence, &c. of those who attended on this interesting 
 occasion ; and it is to be feared many are omitted, the Secretary be- 
 ing utterly unable to offer so correct a list as he could have wished :- 
 
 W. O. Pughe, Esq. L.L.D. Idrison 
 
 John Roberts, Hersedd 
 
 Edward Jones 
 
 John Parry 
 
 Thomas Williams Pererin 
 
 Richard Williams 
 
 William Parry 
 
 John Owen, Liverpool 
 
 Evan Evans 
 
 Richard Jones 
 
 Joshua Davies 
 
 Simon Jones 
 
 Edward Evans 
 
 Thomas Edwards 
 
 John Evans 
 
 Peter Jones Pedr Fardd 
 
 Daniel Jcnes 
 
 William Williams 
 
 John Williams 
 
 Absolom Roberts 
 
 Rev. J. Blackwell ^/M 
 
 Griffith Williams Guttyn Peru 
 
 Morris Hughes 
 
 Joseph Williams 
 
 Richard Davies 
 
 Thomas Jones Thomas Gwynedd 
 
 William Davies 
 
 Rev. Edward Hughes, Bodfarry 
 
 Robert Jones 
 
 Edward Jones 
 
 William Edwards, Ysceifiog 
 
 Robert Lloyd 
 
 William Rees Gicilym Hiraethoy 
 
 Samuel Roberts 
 
 David Hughes 
 
 William Edwards Gicilym Padarn 
 
 Joseph Williams 
 
 Richard Roberts, Harper 
 
 John Lewis 
 
 Robert Davies Barrfd Nantglyn 
 
 Hugh Roberts 
 
 Evan Daniel 
 
 Richard Williams 
 
 David Jones 
 
 Stephen Davies 
 
 John Conway 
 
 LIST OF DONATIONS 
 
 Of the Cymmrodorion Society in Gwynedd, to promote the objects of 
 the Grand Eisteddvod at Denbigh, in 1828. 
 
 Sir Edward Mostyn, Bart 
 
 John Heaton, Esq. Plas Heaton .. 
 John Madocks, Esq. GJan y Wern .. 
 John W. Griffith, Esq. Garn .... 
 John Price, Esq Hope Hall .. .. 
 Sir Henry browne, Bron-y-wylfa .. 
 Wilson Jones, Esq Gelligyuan .. 
 Rev. E. Williams, Vicar Llanrhaiadr. 
 Thomas Evans, Esq Denbigh . . . . 
 Mr Humphreys, Rose Hill .... 
 
 Richard LI. Williams, Esq 
 
 D Williams, Esq. Grove House . . 
 John Lloyd Wynne, Esq Coed Coeh 
 Rev Stephen Donne, Oswestry .. 
 T. Hughes, Esq Astrad Cottage . . 
 
 James Hughes, Esq Ruthin 
 
 Rev. J. Jones, Denbigh 
 
 S. Edwardes, Esq ditto 
 
 Mr Gee, ditto 
 
 E Edwards, Esq ditto 
 
 Mr. Price Price 
 
 Mrs. Naylor, Plas Clough 
 
 George Naylor, Esq. 
 
 Rev R LI. Roberts, Llangwyfan .. 
 Rt. Rev The Ld. Bp. of St. Asaph. 
 Mr Green, Crown Inn, Denbigh .. 
 Walter Wyatt, Etq. St. Asaph .. 
 
 . 
 
 s. 
 
 d. 
 
 100 
 
 
 
 
 
 5 
 
 5 
 
 
 
 5 
 
 1 
 
 
 
 5 
 
 
 
 
 
 5 
 
 5 
 
 
 
 5 
 
 5 
 
 
 
 5 
 
 5 
 
 
 
 3 
 
 3 
 
 
 
 1 
 
 3 
 
 
 
 2 
 
 2 
 
 
 
 2 
 
 2 
 
 
 
 2 
 
 2 
 
 
 
 5 
 
 5 
 
 
 
 1 
 
 1 
 
 
 
 2 
 
 2 
 
 
 
 2 
 
 2 
 
 
 
 1 
 
 1 
 
 
 
 1 
 
 1 
 
 
 
 1 
 
 1 
 
 
 
 1 
 
 1 
 
 
 
 I 
 
 1 
 
 
 
 2 
 
 2 
 
 
 
 3 
 
 3 
 
 
 
 1 
 
 1 
 
 
 
 10 
 
 10 
 
 
 
 3 
 
 3 
 
 
 
 1 
 
 1 
 
 
 
 Charles Calveley, Esq. ditto 
 
 J. Vaughan Home, Esq. Denbigh . . 
 Richard By thell, Esq. St. Asaph . . 
 
 Rev. D. L Jones, ditto 
 
 Rev. J. Smaller. Cwm 
 
 Rev. J. Roberts, Henllan .... ' 
 Mr. Roberts, Bull Inn, Denbigh . . 
 Rer. W. H. Owen, Tremeirchion .. 
 Lloyd Bamford Hesketb, Esq. 
 Col Hughes, Esq. Kinmel Park . . 
 
 F. R. West, Esq. M. P 
 
 Capt. Caldecott, Dolben 
 
 Richard Roberts, Esq Grove Place. 
 Rev. J. Jones, Rector of St. George. 
 The Very Rev the Dean of St. Asaph 
 John Twiston, Esq. Denbigh . . 
 The Right Hon. Lord Bagot .. .. 
 The Right Hon. Lord Ashley, M. P. 
 Edwin Wyatt, Esq St Asaph 
 Joseph Ablett, Esq Llanbedr Hall. . 
 Simon Yorke, Esq. Erthig . . 
 J. H. Salisbury, Esq. Gallt-faenan .. 
 
 Charles Sankey, Esq 
 
 The Misses Peel, Dolhyfryd .. .. 
 
 J Wright, Esq. Oaklands 
 
 P. Read, Esq. Llanrwst 
 
 Sir Thomas Mostyn, Bart. M. P. . . 
 
 . . A. 
 220 
 220 
 
 550 
 20 
 10 10 
 300 
 110 
 110 
 
 550 
 1 1 
 
 10 10 
 
 10 
 330 
 
 10 
 550 
 550 
 220 
 220 
 220 
 110 
 
 10
 
 174 
 
 Sir W. W. Wynn, Bart. M. P. 
 Rev. R. Myddleton, Gwaunyuog 
 Rev. R. Newcome, Ruthin . . 
 Rev. R. Richards, Caerwys . 
 Rev Archdeacon Jones, Llanbedr 
 G. H D. Pennant, Esq. M. P. 
 Colonel Wynne, Gartbewin .. 
 
 Rev. G. Strong, Dyserth 2 
 
 Mr. S. Williams, Denbigh 1 1 
 
 Sir J.Williams, Bart, Bodelwyddan. 5 5 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Rev. Henry Parry, Llanasa 1 1 
 
 Rev. Edward Owen 220 
 
 1 1 
 5 
 5 5 
 
 2 
 
 Rev. A. B. Clougb, Jesus College.. 220 
 
 Thomas Lloyd, Esq Marie 300 
 
 Sir Edward Pryce Lloyd, Bart M P. 550 
 
 Rev Thos. W Edwards, Rhuddlan.. 220 
 
 Colonel Vaughan, Rug ... .. 550 
 
 Edward Lloyd, Esq Rug 500 
 
 Rev Ur Howard, Denbigh .. 330 
 
 Sir Stephen Glynne, Baronet .. 1010 
 
 Rev. R. Jones, Derwen 110 
 
 Edward Jones Hughes, Esq .. 110 
 
 Hugh Roberts, Esq 110 
 
 Rev. J. Boulger, Llanrwst . . . . 110 
 
 An Account of Money paid to the Public Performers who were engaged 
 
 for the Eisteddvod. 
 
 To Mr. 
 
 Miss Stephens and Miss Johnstone- 
 Messrs. Collyer and Atkins~~~~~~w- 
 
 Mr. J. Jones, B. M. Oxford 
 
 Signior and Madame 
 
 . s. D. 
 
 115 10 
 
 120 
 
 60 
 
 30 
 
 26 5 
 
 20 13 
 
 Total 
 
 8
 
 
 (,5 (5 
 
 oceooooo 
 ooooooeo 
 
 s 
 
 S H 
 
 oo 
 
 J= 
 fc-H 
 
 IP 
 
 Is* 
 
 itl 
 
 * i-g 
 
 S3 
 was 
 
 - 
 
 w * S 
 
 l 
 
 h 
 
 4 8 
 
 ._; a 
 
 ||I 
 
 in* 
 111 
 
 .H c "^ 
 
 11 11 
 
 o ^ B a 
 
 111 2 
 
 ISHs 
 
 o 3 S >. 
 
 > a a e
 
 J76 
 
 HONORARY TESTIMONIALS. 
 
 The liberal spirit and efficient services of Sir Edward Mostyn, 
 has been deservedly the theme of universal admiration. These were 
 duly appreciated by the Committee, who, at a full meeting, held 
 on the 6th of April, 1829, Charles Sankey, Esq. in the Chair, 
 unanimously passed the following resolution : " That a Gold Harp, 
 after the model of the ancient Welsh Harp, to be designed by Mr. 
 Ellis, be presented to Sir Edward Mostyn, Bart, of Talacre, Pre- 
 sident of the Royal Eisteddvod, as a memorial of his patriotism on 
 that occasion." In conformity with this resolution, the elegant tri- 
 bute of respect was executed ; and, on the 17th of September, a 
 deputation of the Committee waited on the worthy Baronet in or- 
 der to its presentation, when the following address was also read 
 by Dr. Phillips Jones, the Secretary : 
 
 " To Sir Edward Mostyn, of Talacre, Bart. President of the 
 
 Royal Denbigh Eisteddvod, A. D. 1828. 
 SIR, 
 
 " The Committee of the Denbigh Royal Eisteddvod have the 
 honor to present to you this model of the Welsh Harp, designed to 
 commemorate that Eisteddvod and your Presidency. 
 
 " The Committee cannot but feel how inadequate a testimonial 
 this token is of your services on that occasion ; but they hail it, as 
 affording them an opportunity of expressing the high sense they en- 
 tertain of the liberal and patriotic manner in which you encouraged 
 and promoted that brilliant Festival, when, under your happy aus- 
 pices, and gladdened by the gracious presence of that illustrious 
 Prince, His Royal Highness the Duke of Sussex the Rank, the 
 Talent and unrivalled Beauty of Cambria assembled in joyous con- 
 cord in the ancient Fortress of Denbigh. 
 
 " That you may long live to enjoy the well merited regard, 
 esteem, and respect of your fellow Britons, is the ardent wish of 
 " Your devoted faithful friends and Servants, 
 
 " Thomas Evans, 
 " J. V. Home, 
 
 (Signed on behalf of the Committee} " Edward Edwards, 
 
 " Thomas Hughes, 
 " Charles Sankey, Treasurer. 
 " Richd. Phillips Jones, M. D. Hon. Secretary. 
 
 While the gentlemen of the Committee were zealously alive to 
 the transcendant services of their excellent President, they were
 
 177 
 
 not less impressed with the merits of their Secretary, whose sedu- 
 lous and able attentions had contributed, in no small degree, to the 
 splendour of the Festival. Accordingly, at a General Meeting of 
 the Committee, held on the 7th of October, 1828, J. Heaton, of 
 Plas Heaton, Esq. in the Chair, it was resolved, " That the sum 
 of twenty-five pounds be appropriated towards the purchase of a 
 Piece of Plate, to be presented to Dr. Phillips Jones, for his zealous 
 and patriotic services in promoting the objects of the Eisteddvod." 
 Mr. Ellis, of John-street, Oxford-street, London, Medalist to 
 the Royal Cambrian Institution, was requested to execute, after 
 his own design, a drinking goblet of an ancient form. Mr. 
 Ellis thought of the Hirlas Horn, and he completed one of the 
 most beautiful, as it is the most unique, pieces of workmanship 
 ever beheld. It is an elegantly carved horn, about eighteen inches 
 long, brilliantly polished, and richly mounted, the cover highly 
 ornamented with chased oak leaves, and the tip adorned with an 
 acorn ; the horn resting on luxuriant branches of an oak tree, ex- 
 quisitely finished in chased silver. Around the cover is engraved 
 the following inscription : " Presented by the Cymmrodorion in 
 Gwynedd, to RICHARD PHILLIPS JONES, M. D. for his unwearied ex- 
 ertions in promoting the Royal Eisteddvod, held at Denbigh, 1828." 
 The horn (the inside of which is lined with silver) will contain 
 about three half pints ; and we doubt not that it will be often passed 
 around, filled with Cwrw da, in remembrance of the interesting 
 event which it is intended to commemorate 
 
 " And former times renew in converse sweet." 
 
 In a London print, is contained the following description, and 
 the ancient use to which this celebrated utensil was devoted: 
 " About 1160, Owain Cyveiliog, one of the most distinguished 
 Princes of Powys, flourished ; he was a great warrior and an emi- 
 nent poet ; several specimens of his writings are given in the 
 Archaiology of Wales, published by the late patriotic Owain Jones, 
 Myfyr. His Poem called the Hirlas Horn (the Long Blue Horn) 
 is a masterpiece. It used to be the custom with the Prince, when 
 he had gained a battle, to call for the horn, filled with metheglin or 
 mead, and drink the contents at one draught, then sound it to show 
 that there was no deception ; each of his officers followed his ex- 
 ample. Mrs. Hemans has given a beautiful song, in Parry's Second 
 Volume of Welsh Melodies, on the subject, concluding thus 
 
 " Fill higher the HIRLAS ! forgetting not those 
 
 Who shar'd its bright draught in the days which are fled !
 
 178 
 
 Tho' cold on their mountains the valiant repose, 
 Their lot shall be lovely renown to the dead ! 
 
 While harps in the hall of the feast shall be strung, 
 While regal ERYRI with snow shall be crown' d 
 
 So long by the Bard shall their battles be sung, 
 
 And the heart of the Hero shall burn at the sound ; 
 
 The free winds of Cambria shall swell with their name, 
 
 And OWAIN'S rich HIRLAS be fill'd to their fame !" 
 
 In addition to the above presentations, thanks were voted to the 
 above gentlemen, as also to John Heaton, of Plas Heaton, Esq. 
 the active Chairman of the Committee ; and to the following gen- 
 tlemen, who had undertaken the task of acting as adjudicators in 
 deciding on the merits of the various compositions: The Rev. 
 Walter Davies, Manavon ; The Rev. Rowland Williams, Meivod ; 
 The Rev. J. Blackwell ; The Rev. John Jones, Llanfair ; The Rev. 
 the Warden of Ruthin ; The Rev. Henry Parry, Llanasa ; The 
 Rev. R. Richards, Caerwys ; The Rev. J. Jones, Llanychan ; Dr. 
 Owen Pughe ; The Rev. Edward Hughes, Bodfarry ; Aneurin 
 Owen, Esq. ; and Mr. Robt. Davies,Bard of Nantglyn. 
 
 ERRATA. 
 In a note, page 3, for Oxen Dean of Arches, read 
 
 FINIS.
 
 x. asr j 
 
 
 m