-W^ELSH BARDS AND MUSIC. 2>lf 



From the deflrudion of the druids by the Romans 

 to the commencement of the fixth century, we have 

 but few accounts (and thefe very obfcure and im- 

 perfed) of the a£tions of the bards; but at thts 

 period they began to refume the harp with an 

 energy that for many centuries had been unex- 

 ampled, to animate their country to refifl the Saxon 

 yoke. From the ninth to the eleventh century, if 

 we are to judge from the few pieces faid to have 

 been compofed during that time, their mufe feems 

 again to have received a check. 



The hiatus continues till the time of Griffith ap 

 Cynan, who reigned in Wales in the beginning of 

 the twelfth century. This prince effected a very 

 eifential reformation in the diforders which had 

 prevailed among the bards. He had been educated 

 in Ireland : and either from having imbibed a par- 

 0ality for the mufic of that country, or from the 

 fuperior excellence of the Irilh to the Welfli muli- 

 cians, he invited feveral of the mofl eminent of 

 them into Wales, under promifes of great reward ; 

 and with their concurrence and advice formed a 

 complete body of inftitutes for the amendment of 

 t^ieir manners, and the corredion of their art and 

 practice *. 



To effe£t this reformation it was firll necefTary to 

 divide them into clafles, and to afTign to each clafs a 

 diftin£l profefTion and employment. The qualifi- 

 cations neceflary for a bard were declared to be 



* Powrel. 



learning 



