244 A TOUR ROUND 1S ? ORTH WALES. 



thority even of the Kings, was greatly 

 controuledbythem ; for, being confidered 

 as the interpreters of the Gods, their 

 power, and confcquently the honor paid 

 to them, was incredibly great. 



On all important occafions, the Bards 

 were ambalTadors between contending 

 chiefs; and their perfons were at all 

 times held facred. " Cairbar," fays Of- 

 fian, " feared to ftretch hisfword to the 

 " Bards, though his foul was dark. 

 " Loofe (faid the noble Cathmor) the 

 " Bards. They are the fons of other 

 " times. Their voice fliall be heard in 

 " other years, when the Kings of Te- 

 " mora have failed." They, as well as 

 the Druids, were exempted from all mi- 

 litary fervices, even in times of the 

 greatefl danger;* and, when they at- 

 tended their patrons into the field, to 

 fing their heroic actions, they had a 

 guard affigned them for their protec- 

 tion. 



* Cxf. Lib. VI. f. 14. 



Whatever 



