298 Aber-Merlyn. 



with animation ; and again he swept the strings in prelude, and burst 

 forth into one of those delightful strains for which he had ever been 

 so distinguished : 



'* Extol the men of Cattraeth, who with the dawn went out with 

 their victorious leader Urien, a renowned elder, the pillar of kings, 

 of matchless valour, a chief of great power. The men of Britain 

 came injabody to Gwen-y-strad to offer battle ; neither the fields nor 

 the woods afforded protection to their enemies, when they came in 

 their fury, like the roaring wave rushing in its might to cover the 

 beach. I have seen brave men in the field, and after the battle, in 

 the morning, the mangled flesh. I saw the place where the shout 

 was given, and where three ranks of men fell ; and the crimson gore 

 covered the ground ; in Gwenystrad was seen a fort, assailed by the 

 laborious toil of warriors. In the pass of the fort have I seen men 

 dyed with red ****** 



* * They jointly fell to the ground, where they 

 lost the day ; their hands were on their crucifix, and horror was in 



the pale faces of the dead warriors. I have seen men * * 



* * * * * * * * anc i 



the blood entangled on their clothes, deal quick and furious thrusts in 

 battle. Men bore patiently the warlike toil, and when there was no 

 flying there they grew outrageous. I am astonished at the courage 

 of Reged's chief. I have seen Urien's brow covered with rage 

 when he furiously attacked the enemy by Lech Wen Galysten ; his 

 anger was satisfied in dealing deadly blows amongst his foes, and 

 his shield in time of need was heaved up to defend him. Euronwy, 

 mayst thou grow desirous of conflict, and till I grow old, and must 

 necessarily die, may I have no constant joy if I praise not Urien." 



It was in the year succeeding the events we have just related, that 

 Edward the First called his high court of parliament; all the tributary 

 lords were summoned, but Llewelyn alone refused, and again the 

 king assembled a new force and entered Wales. The brother of 

 Llewelyn had been detained as hostage at the English court, and 

 had ingratiated himself in the royal favour. And well he played 

 his part, for no sooner were any new measures against his brother 

 determined on than he despatched messengers to inform him. It 

 was with surprise and anger that Edward found the Welsh prepared 

 to resist his arms. A desperate battle ensued, in which the English 

 were victorious. Engagement after engagement took place, and the 

 Welsh were repulsed, and at last obliged to retire to their castles 

 and mountain fastnesses. 



Abergwili and Caermarthen were the only two that defeated all 

 their efforts. Hugh de Percy laid siege to Abergwili, and weeks 

 had elapsed, yet it still held out against all his attempts. It was in 

 vain he tried to reduce it by famine, for their stores seemed either 

 exhaustless or there was some secret communication with the castle, 

 which with all his endeavours he was unable to discover. At last, 

 when he was well-nigh weary of besieging it, the castle was be- 

 trayed into his hands. 



The eminence on which the castle stood was protected partly by 



