CWM BYCHAN. 285 



and they claim our especial interference. I would rather lose half 

 the Principality, than that evil should befal my brave general. He 

 must be rescued. Let a strong body of horse be instantly despatched 

 on this service. Let them utterly exterminate this horde of savages. 

 Let them approach the rocky fastness by some circuitous route, and 

 see that none of the miscreants escape. Whoever will faithfully 

 guide the party to the required spot, shall have a purse of gold and 

 a king's favour for a reward." 



Thalwyn now spoke. « I ask not for favour and reward, neither 

 would I receive any ; yet I will direct them. Every mountain- 

 path I know well. Every ravine and precipice is familiar to me. 

 I could tread over the wildest tracks fearlessly, through the dark- 

 ness and through the tempest." "Stay," interrupted Edward, 

 speaking to one of his attendants, who was about to depart for the 

 purpose of seeing his orders executed, " there may be more in this 

 story than meets the ear ; and it behoves us well to be cautious in 

 receiving such a report." Then, fixing his penetrating eyes upon 

 the youth, he thus interrogated him—" Methinks, by the manner of 

 thy speech, thou art not of Saxon lineage." Thalwyn shrank not 

 beneath his glance, but met it with its equal, and replied : " I am 

 of nobler blood than ever throbbed in Saxon veins 1" " By that 

 proud boast," said the king, " I deem thou art one of these rebel- 

 lious Welsh." " I am, in truth," returned the page, " a child of 

 that oppressed and injured people." " And," said Edward, "would, 

 no doubt, gladly repay some of those injuries by betraying our brave 

 followers to the knives of your savage countrymen. Away with 

 him ! Let him be closely watched. We will soon ascertain the 

 truth of his tale." 



Thalwyn's eyes flashed fire during this accusation ; and at its 



conclusion, stepping boldly up to the king, he thus addressed him : 



" Know, proud prince, that not for all thy broad lands and fawning 

 vassals ; not for all thy boasted fame and bright renown ; not for 

 all the pomp and power that wealth can give ; nor yet to free my 

 country from the hated yoke that now rests upon it : no, not for all 

 these together, would I be guilty of a treacherous deed. To deceive 

 and betray more befit a base Norman robber than a free-born 

 Briton !" A frown gathered on the king's brow ; and the page, as 

 if suddenly recollecting the necessity of subduing his own feelings 

 on the present occasion, changed the tone of high defiance which he 

 had assumed to one of supplicating entreaty. Falling on his knees 

 before Edward, he thus continued: — "Oh! if you have ever felt 

 the tie of gratitude ; if you have ever felt the bond of love ; if you 



