CORNISH DEDICATIONS. 447 



the Lives of S. Samson it is distinctly stated that Anne came 

 from Gwent, * ' de Vensetia provincia, quae proxima est eidem 

 Demetiae, exorta est ;" and Grwent at that time included 

 Morganwg or Griamorganshire. Afrella was a younger sister, 

 and "was married to Umbraf el, brother of Amwn the black. She 

 was mother of three sons, born before Anne had any child. 



Amwn and his wife were in sore trouble at being without 

 offspring. But one day being together in church, they heard a 

 discourse upon the merits and powers of a certain scholar 

 (Librarius) in the north, to whom great numbers resorted. So 

 Amwn and his wife started to consult him, with presents in 

 their hands, just as now Hindoos might journey to some famous 

 fakir. After a toilsome bit of travel they reached the place 

 where this renowned man was, and found him in the midst of a 

 throng of suppliants, some deriving healing, some requiring 

 discovery of objects that had been lost, some benediction on a 

 new undertaking, some a good curse pronounced against an 

 enemy. 



They told the great man that they desired to have a son, 

 whereupon the "Librarius" advised Amwn to make a rod of 

 silver as tail as his wife, and to give it as an alms for his soul 

 and that of Anna. Amwn promptly declared that he would 

 give three such rods. The medicine-man then bade them retire 

 into his "hospitium." These rods of metal of a man's height 

 meet us in another legend, and apparently should be brought 

 into connexion with such stones as were set up "pro anima sua," 

 which are found in Celtic countries. 



In process of time Anna bore a son, and he was named 

 Samson. 



From his birth, Anna urged her husband to dedicate him to 

 the Lord — at least so says the Life, — but this seems to be an 

 adaptation of the story of Hannah and the child Samuel. 

 However, Amwn was unwilling to consent. Having got a son 

 he resolved on keeping him, but his reluctance was overcome 

 when Samson proved to be but the first of a string of children. 



For his education, Samson was entrusted to S. Hltyd. 

 Samson remained at college till old Amwn was very iU, and sent 

 for his son. Samson was at first reluctant to go to his father, 

 but went finally, when his master insisted on it. 



