This warrior, against arms more stern
Than Morvyth wields, his fame must earn!
Were he—as oft he boasts in sighs—
A man of martial enterprise,
With goodly shaft and steady bow
His love and chivalry he’d shew!
The following poems, which were originally published in the Cambrian Quarterly Magazine, may serve as a more interesting specimen of the poetical quarrels of the Welsh bards.
CONTROVERSY BETWEEN TWO BARDS, THE LOVERS OF GWEN OF DOL.
Two bards were in love with this lady; one of them sent a peacock to her as a ‘llatai,’ or love messenger. As soon as his rival gained intelligence of this, he addressed himself to the fox in a strain, of which the following is an imitation, entreating him to murder the peacock.
TO THE FOX.
Most dainty thief, with dusky tail,
Wouldst thou on choicest food regale—
In lonely grove romantic dine—
To Dol thy lordly limbs incline!
Plump ducks thy crafty taste have fed
(As well thy dignity becomes);
