A grievous descent was made upon his native territory, The price of mead in the hall, and the feast of wine; His blades were scattered about between the two hosts; Illustrious was the knight in front of Gododin; The furze was kindled by the ardent spirit, the bull of conflict. { 138a}
A grievous descent was made in front of the extended riches, { 138b} But the army turned aside, with trailing { 138c} shields, And those shields were shivered before the herd of the roaring Beli. { 138d} A dwarf from the bloody field hastened to the fence; { 139a} And on our side there came a hoary headed man, our chief counsellor, { 139b} Mounted on a prancing iebald psteed, and wearing the golden chain. The Boar { 139c} proposed a compact in front of the course—the great plotter; Right worthy { 139d} was the shout of our refusal, And we cried “Let heaven be our protection, Let his compact be that he should be prostrated by the spear in battle, { 139e} Our warriors, in respect of their far famed fosse, { 139f} Would not quarrel if a host were there to press the ground.”
For the piercing { 140a} of the skilful and most learned man, { 140b} For the fair corpse which fell prostrate on the ground, For the cutting { 140c} of his hair from his head, For Gwydien, the eagle of the air, { 140d} Did Gwyddwg { 141a} bring protection to the field, { 141b} Resembling and honouring his master. Morien of the blessed song, brought protection To the ruined hall, { 141c} and cleft the heads Of the first in youth, in strength, and in old age. Equal to three men, though a maid, was Bradwen; { 141d} Equal to twelve was Gwenabwy, the son of Gwen. { 141e}
For the piercing of the skilful and most learned woman, Her servant bore a shield in the action, And with energy his sword fell upon the heads of the foe; In Lloegyr the churls cut their way before the chieftain. { 142a} He who grasps the mane of a wolf, without a club { 142b} In his hand, will have it gorgeously emblazoned on his robe. { 142c} In the engagement of wrath and carnage, Bradwen perished,—she did not escape.
Carcases { 142d} of gold mailed warriors lay upon the city walls; None of the houses or cities of Christians { 142e} was any longer actively engaged in war; { 142f} But one feeble man, with his shouts, kept aloof The roving birds; { 143a} Truly Syll of Virein { 143b} reports that there were more That had chanced to come from Llwy, { 143c} From around the inlet of the flood; He reports that there were more, At the hour of mattins, { 143d} Than the morning breeze could well support.