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When they had ceased, they turned to Gryffyn, 



His virtue with as small belief in ; 



Who, straightway from his horse descending, 



And t'wards the East in reverence bending, 



Implored the Saints his prayers to aid ; 



Then, turning to the lake, he said : — 



"Ye wild-duck, widgeon, teal, and coot, 



I charge ye, be no longer mute ! 



That I am (m) Deheubarth's lawful prince, 



These Normans, once for all, convince ! " 



He spoke, and, sudden as a flight 



Of darts, the air was black as night 



With countless wings, that wheeled around ; 



While, far and near, the hills resound ; 



And such a chorus rends the air, 



No mortal ear for long might bear. 



Fear seized the bosom of Fitz Paine ; 

 He'd heard about the Stygian plain. 

 And, for a moment, thought he stood 

 Transported to th' infernal flood. 

 Where all the air is densely crammed 

 With floating spirits of the damned (n) ; 

 And even the sterner heart of Milo 

 Thought of the monstrous forms ex Nilo, 

 Portrayed upon the wondrous pages 

 Of Christian Saints and Pagan Sages. 

 So, leaving Gryffyn to pursue 

 His way alone, these warriors two 

 Back to the King returned, pell mell. 

 With tidings of the miracle. 

 Whereat the King, who was a clerk (o). 

 Uttered, 'tis said, this shrewd remark, 

 Prefixing to 't (although I'm loath 

 To mention it) a good round oath : — 

 " Friends Milo and Fitzpaine," quoth he, 

 " At this strange tale you bring to me 

 Be not surprised ; for though 'tis true 

 These birds refused to notice you, 

 When I am Cambria's lawful King, 

 For me they'll doubtless learn to sing. " 



(>») South Wales. {«) Vide Dante &c. (c) Beauclerc scholar. 



