196 



sprinkled with the blood of its natives, have probably never 

 been finished. He addresses the heroic sisters of Kendelann, 

 whom he calls Ms sisters, several brothers of the British chief, 

 whom he calls his brothers, and, finally, the hero Keranmael, 

 whom he celebrates next after Kendelann. When he has thus 

 discharged the duties of fraternal piety, he resolves to fly to 

 solitude, thinking that he already feels the cold lance of the 

 Saxon, who will shortly come to give to the flames, the church 

 which serves as the asylum of the illustrious dead, whose praises 

 he has sung. But the blood of so many victims, above all, that 

 of Kendelann and his sisters, whose names the bard is pleased 

 to repeat so lovingly, will finally not be shed in vain : a myste- 

 rious, and invincible warrior, will soon present himself at the 

 head of a numerous army, and will avenge the Britons. Such 

 is the theme of the elegy. The aiithor concludes by addressing 

 pathetically, the young daughters of the British Isle, whom 

 he invites to the heart-rending spectacle, of the palace of 

 Kendelann, and the whole country, in flames. 



I have never seen this poem alluded to in any of our county 

 histories, but as it embodies the British record, of one of the 

 bloodiest, and most important battles of the period, fought 

 within our borders, and the last wail which has reached our 

 times upon the expulsion of the Britons from them, I have 

 thought it worthy of your notice, and subjoin a translation of 

 that portion of it, relating to the " White City," which I suggest 

 must have been Sherston. 



Translation of part op Section V. 



"The White City in the bosom of the wood, since it has been built, 

 always (has seen) blood upon its herbage. 



' ' The White City from the time that it was being built (has seen) its 

 green enclosure in the blood beneath the feet of its warriors. 



" The White City of the valley would rejoice at the termination of a 

 fortunate fight ; (but) its inhabitants, are they returned ? 



The White City between Trenn and Trodonez was more accustomed (to 

 see) the broken buckler returning from battle than the ox in repose. 



" The White City between Trenn and Traval, was more accustomed to 

 see blood upon its pastures than its fallows tilled. 



