RIVERS AND LAKES OF WALES 209 



its fishing resources. In its history and early literature 

 we have often direct allusions made to the subject. We 

 find Taliesin, one of the Welsh bards, who flourished 

 about the sixth century, mentioning an incident of his 

 having been found by one of the fugitive princes in a 

 salmon weir ; and descants at some length on the 

 singularity of the circumstance. It would appear that 

 the rents of many lands were held, to pay so much in 

 weight of salmon. The following lines relate to the 

 subject : — 



" In Gwyddno's wear was never seen 

 As good as there to-night hath been. 

 Fair Elphin, dry thy tearful face, 

 No evil hence can sorrow chase : 

 Though deeming thou hast had no gain, 

 Griefs cannot ease the bosom's pain. 

 Doubt not the great Jehovah's power, 

 Though frail, I own a gifted dower ; 

 From rivers, seas, and mountains high, 

 Good to the good will God supply. 



Though weak and fragile, now I'm found 



With foaming ocean's waves around. 



In retribution's hour I'll be 



Three hundred salmons' worth to thee. 



Elphin ! prince of talents rare. 



My capture without anger bear : 



Though low within my net I rest. 



My tongue with gifted power is blest," etc' 



For many ages after this period, Wales was cele- 

 brated, both in prose and verse, for its angling capa- 

 bilities, and for the number and excellent quality of 

 the fish in its waters. Michael Drayton, in 1612, 

 eulogises in song the rivers of South Wales. In his 

 descriptive poem of the country, he says — 



" That Kemney, when she saw these gallant nymphs of Gwent 

 On this appointed match were all so hotly bent, 

 "Where she of ancient time had parted as a mound. 

 The Monumethian fields and Glamorganian ground, 

 Intreats the Taff along, as grey as auy glass ; 

 With whom clear Cunno comes, a lusty Cambrian lass ; 



' Stephen's Literahire of the Cymry. 

 14 



