Aber-Merlyn. 297 



And now the sound of hoofs was heard, and they could descry a 

 horseman riding at full speed and making" for the castle. They de- 

 scended from the terrace, and Hymel led Eva to her own apartment, 

 bidding her dispel her gloomy dreams in sleep, while he himself 

 hastened to the court-yard. When he arrived, he found a crowd 

 gathered round the horsemen, but as soon as he approached they 

 dispersed to their respective duties. He was immediately informed 

 that the English forces were on their way to Abergwili, under the 

 command of Hugh de Percy, that they had ravaged the country and 

 laid waste the villages through which they passed, arid had pitched 

 their tents at G wenystrad,. a few miles from Llandilo-vawr, that a 

 small detachment had been sent to that place, and strictly prohibited 

 any from quitting the village. He, however, had eluded their vigi- 

 lance, and had ridden over the mountains by the nearest passes to 

 warn the castle, and put them on their guard. Immediately the 

 whole castle was alive, and messengers were despatched to the sur- 

 rounding villages to gather in the men ; and the risen sun beheld the 

 troops issuing from the castle, led by their gallant chief. 



The two forces met at G wenystrad and engaged. The battle 

 raged long and fiercely, and victory hung doubtful over the conflict- 

 ing armies ; but a shaft from the bow of Hymel wounded the English 

 leader and decided the contest. No sooner did the English see their 

 commander fall than they took to flight. The greatest part escaped, 

 carrying with them their wounded commander, but some were made 

 prisoners. 



The meeting between Hymel and his betrothed was tender and 

 affectionate ; the sadness that hung over her brow had altogether 

 been dispersed, and the event of the encounter with the English had 

 dissipated from her mind all its mournful thoughts, and brightened 

 her countenance with smiles. There is no holier intercourse than 

 the communion of blighted hearts, it is one that ought never to be 

 broken in upon or disturbed, and since such was doubtless the opinion 

 of the author of the manuscript, I must not, fair reader, intrude upon 

 the lovers' privacy. 



It was on the evening of the succeeding day that all the chief- 

 tains were assembled to celebrate the marriage of Eva with her 

 cousin. The castle hall exhibited all the rude splendour and hospi- 

 tality of the ancient Britons. Goat's and deer's flesh seethed in their 

 very skins made the tables groan beneath their weight, while sheep 

 and kine roasted whole sent up their savoury odours. Crw and 

 hydromel were in abundance, and imparted their inspiring influence. 

 It was a scene of joy and gladness, of feasting and merriment. The 

 intercourse, however, that subsisted between them and their more 

 civilized neighbours, had somewhat tamed the fierce and unruly revel- 

 lings of the Welsh, and bridled them in a measure by the rules of 

 good breeding imposed by the laws of chivalry. 



And now the last of Cambria's boasted bards took the harp, and 

 swept upon its strings a few wild and unconnected notes, and, raising 

 his looks to heaven, he seemed as though awaiting the flow of poesy 

 and indignation ; and now his features beamed with fire and glowed 



