The White Goddess (11 page)

And
the
number
of
the
ruling
lights

That
scatter
rays
of
fire
 

195
High
above
the
deep.

I
have
been
a
spotted
snake
upon
a
hill;

I
have
been
a
viper
in
a
lake;

I
have
been
an
evil
star
formerly.

I
have
been
a
weight
in
a
mill.
(?)
 

200
My
cassock
is
red
all
over.

I
prophesy
no
evil.

Four
score
puffs
of
smoke

To
every
one
who
will
carry
them
away:

And
a
million
of
angels
,

205
On
the
point
of
my
knife.

Handsome
is
the
yellow
horse
,

But
a
hundred
times
better

Is
my
cream-coloured
one,

Swift
as
the
sea-mew,
 

210
Which
cannot
pass
me

Between
the
sea
and
the
shore.

Am
I
not
pre-eminent
in
the
field
of
blood?

I
have
a
hundred
shares
of
the
spoil.

My
wreath
is
of
red
jewels,
 

215
Of
gold
is
the
border
of
my
shield.

There
has
not
been
born
one
so
good
as
I
,

Or
ever
known
,

Except
Goronwy
,

From
the
dales
of Edrywy.
 

220
Long
and
white
are
my
fingers
,

It
is
long
since
I
was
a
herdsman.

I
travelled
over
the
earth

Before
I
became
a
learned
person.

I
have
travelled,
I
have
made
a
circuit,
 

225
have
slept
in
a
hundred
islands;

I
have
dwelt
in
a
hundred
cities.

Learned
Druids
,

Prophesy
ye
of
Arthur?

Or
is
it
me
they
celebrate
,

230
And
the
Crucifixion
of
Christ,

And
the
Day
of
Judgement
near
at
hand
,

And
one
relating

The
history
of
the
Deluge?

With
a
golden
jewel
set
in
gold
 

235
I
am
enriched
,

And
I
am
indulged
in
pleasure

By
the
oppressive
toil
of
the
goldsmith.

 

 

T
HE
B
ATTLE OF THE
T
REES

(lines 41–42)

 

From
my
seat
at
Fefynedd,

A
city
that
is
strong,

I
matched
the
trees
and
green
things

Hastening
along.
 

 

(lines 43–46)

 

Wayfarers
wondered,

Warriors
were
dismayed

At
renewal
of
conflicts

Such
as
Gwydion
made,
 

(lines 32–35)

 

Under
the
tongue-root

A
fight
most
dread,

And
another
raging

Behind,
in
the
head.
 

(lines 67–70

 

The
alders
in
the
front
line

Began
the
affray,

Willow
and
rowan-tree

Were
tardy
in
array.
 

(lines 104–107)

 

The
holly,
dark
green,

Made
a
resolute
stand;

He
is
armed
with
many
spear-points,

Wounding
the
hand.
 

(lines 117–120)

 

With
foot–beat
of
the
swift
oak

Heaven
and
earth
rung;

‘Stout
Guardian
of
the
Door’

His
name
in
every
tongue.
 

(lines 82, 81, 98, 57)

 

Great
was
the
gorse
in
battle,

And
the
ivy
at
his
prime;

The
hazel
was
arbiter

At
this
charmed
time.
 

(lines 88, 89, 128, 95, 96)

 

Uncouth
and
savage
was
the
[
fir?
]

Cruel
the
ash-tree
–

Turns
not
aside
a
foot-breadth,

Straight
at
the
heart
runs
he.
 

(lines 84–87)

 

The
birch,
though
very
noble,

Armed
himself
but
late:

A
sign
not
of
cowardice

But
of
high
estate.
 

(lines 114, 115, 108, 109)

 

The
heath
gave
consolation

To
the
toil-spent
folk,

The
long-enduring
poplars

In
battle
much
broke.
 

(lines 123, 126)

 

Some
of
them
were
cast
away

On
the
field
of
fight

Because
of
holes
torn
in
them

By
the enemy’s might.
 

(lines 127, 94, 92, 93)

 

Very
wrathful
was
the
[
vine?
]

Whose
henchmen
are
the
elms;

I
exalt
him
mightily

To
rulers
of
realms.
 

(lines 79, 80, 56, 90)

 

In
shelter
linger

Privet
and
woodbine

Inexperienced
in
warfare;

And
the
courtly
pine.