A TOUR ROUND NORTH WALES. 267 



Early in the twelfth century, mufic 

 and poetry had approached their iitmoft 

 degree of perfection in Wales ; nor by 

 the common fate of the arts in other 

 countries, did they fuddently fall from 

 the eminence they had attained. If 

 during the fucceeding age, they indica^ 

 ted any fymptoms of decay, remedy was al- 

 ways, fo diligently applied by the (kill of 

 theEifteddfod, to the declining part, that 

 they preferved their former vigour, and 

 perhaps acquired even additional gra- 

 ces. 



By the cruel policy of Edward I. who, 

 though he had conquered this country, 

 did not think himfelf fecure in his tri- 

 umph, whilft the warm and energetic 

 fongs of a race of men, deemed almoft 

 jnfpired, were permitted to overawe the 

 vulgar, was affefted a total malTacre of 

 the Welfli Bards. The enfuing fcene 

 tp this, Gray had finely defcribed : 



On dreary Arvon's (hofe they lie 

 Smear'd with gore, and ghaftly pale ; 



Far, 



