2o8 The Honey-Makers 



the men who would not yield. The Gododin relates, that 

 on the Coast of Mordei, Before the tents of Madog, when 

 he returned, But one man in a hundred came with him." 



Farther in the story we learn that mead was not always a 

 blessing to the heroes. 



" The heroes marched to Cattraeth, loquacious was the 

 host ; Blue mead was their liquor, and it proved their 

 poison ; In marshalled array they cut through the engines 

 of war ; And after the joyful cry, silence ensued ! They 

 should have gone to churches to perform penance ; The 

 inevitable strife of death was about to pierce them. The 

 heroes marched to Cattraeth, filled with mead and drunk, 

 Compact and vigorous ; I should wrong them were I to 

 neglect their fame ; Around the mighty, red, and murky 

 blades, Obstinately and fiercely the dogs of war would 

 fight." 



Later we read, — 



" The heroes marched to Cattraeth with the dawn ; Their 

 peace was disturbed by those who feared them ; A hundred 

 thousand with three hundred engaged in mutual overthrow ; 

 Drenched in gore, they marked the fall of the lances ; The 

 post of war was most manfully and with gallantry main- 

 tained, Before the retinue of Mynyddawg the Courteous. 

 The heroes marched to Cattraeth with the dawn ; Feelingly 

 did their home friends regret their absence ; Mead they 

 drank, yellow, sweet, ensnaring ; That year is the point to 

 which many a minstrel turns ; Redder were their swords 

 than their plumes, Their blades were white as lime ; and 

 into four parts were their helmets cloven, Even those of the 

 retinue of Mynyddawg the Courteous." 



After the batde of Cattraeth, — 



'•' Yudvwlch and Cyvwlch the Tall drank the bright mead 

 together by the light of torches ; though pleasant to the 

 taste, a fatal foe. Gwarthleo was of the number, young, 



