 | The Dawn in Britain |  |
Lo, as covenant was, this last day of the moon,
All new assembled in the wilds of Arden,
Brennus with Gauls; and Heremod with tall Almains,
At grove which hallowed to the woody god,
(Arduina named,) is in the forest side.
Terrible of aspect, armed forth to the wars,
Behold those Almain youth, five hundred spears.
They to the plain descend, at day, with Brennus.
Who tiding sent before, where he should pass;
Wherefore Gauls daily gather in green paths,
With steeds and arms, unto the Britain prince.
All new assembled in the wilds of Arden,
Brennus with Gauls; and Heremod with tall Almains,
At grove which hallowed to the woody god,
(Arduina named,) is in the forest side.
Terrible of aspect, armed forth to the wars,
Behold those Almain youth, five hundred spears.
They to the plain descend, at day, with Brennus.
Who tiding sent before, where he should pass;
Wherefore Gauls daily gather in green paths,
With steeds and arms, unto the Britain prince.
But warned of this new stir, hath prudent Correus
Tiding sent to his sister, beyond seas:
Which passed, his messengers find, the queen, Corwen,
At Troynovant, with Belin Britons' king.
King Belinus and his lords, with their armed servants,
Uprose anon. To Kent's sea, those march forth;
From Dover port, to pass. There, gathered ships,
They hastily loose from shore. They then, next morn,
With prosperous sail, arrive in Belges' Gaul;
Where, lo, (with Briton-cries!) out of their keels,
Descend, three thousand spears, to the fast land.
Tiding sent to his sister, beyond seas:
Which passed, his messengers find, the queen, Corwen,
At Troynovant, with Belin Britons' king.
King Belinus and his lords, with their armed servants,
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From Dover port, to pass. There, gathered ships,
They hastily loose from shore. They then, next morn,
With prosperous sail, arrive in Belges' Gaul;
Where, lo, (with Briton-cries!) out of their keels,
Descend, three thousand spears, to the fast land.
Also in a tall hoy, Corwenna embarked,
(So dreads her mother's heart,) at Troynovant.
Her ship much buffeted then, in billows, was
Two days. Next rising sun, come under Gaul,
They draw down sail; and row inshore with oars:
Where ride already keels of Britain fashion,
And tents are seen, of Belin, pitched beyond!
Nor she waits, mother, ladder from the board;
But leapt down, in her woman's garments, wades
The queen, in running surges, to white sand:
For, from her masthead, was, like glittering cloud,
Seen as a mighty army; and it divines
Her mother's heart, is power of her son Brennus.
Impatient, towards King Belin's camp, she hies.
Her seemeth some nightmare which withholds, so cloys,
Her hasting feet. She runs, of all unwist;
For look those only inward to the land;
And hides her tall ship's mast much dunéd sand.
(So dreads her mother's heart,) at Troynovant.
Her ship much buffeted then, in billows, was
Two days. Next rising sun, come under Gaul,
They draw down sail; and row inshore with oars:
Where ride already keels of Britain fashion,
And tents are seen, of Belin, pitched beyond!
Nor she waits, mother, ladder from the board;
But leapt down, in her woman's garments, wades
The queen, in running surges, to white sand:
For, from her masthead, was, like glittering cloud,
Seen as a mighty army; and it divines
Her mother's heart, is power of her son Brennus.
Impatient, towards King Belin's camp, she hies.
Her seemeth some nightmare which withholds, so cloys,
Her hasting feet. She runs, of all unwist;
For look those only inward to the land;
And hides her tall ship's mast much dunéd sand.
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Even now had Belin sent his horse-folk out,
Descry that marching of armed Gauls, heard Brennus
Descends, to meet him, at the very coast;
Whence he, in arms, would overfare to Britain.
Much moved was Belin, in his tent-door, seeing
(Nor wist he she had sailed,) his mother Corwen!
His scouts, returned, bring word of nation strange,
Great-statured wights, not Gauls, that march with Brennus.
Is dread, to hear the songs of whose rude throats,
In tongue uncouth. Now they, as who rest out
This mid-day's heat, lodge yonder, on green grass,
By a flood side: which heard, issues King Belin,
With shining arms, amidst the Britons' camp;
Where, marshalled all his power, he mounts tall steed.
Descry that marching of armed Gauls, heard Brennus
Descends, to meet him, at the very coast;
Whence he, in arms, would overfare to Britain.
Much moved was Belin, in his tent-door, seeing
(Nor wist he she had sailed,) his mother Corwen!
His scouts, returned, bring word of nation strange,
Great-statured wights, not Gauls, that march with Brennus.
Is dread, to hear the songs of whose rude throats,
In tongue uncouth. Now they, as who rest out
This mid-day's heat, lodge yonder, on green grass,
By a flood side: which heard, issues King Belin,
With shining arms, amidst the Britons' camp;
Where, marshalled all his power, he mounts tall steed.
Then, like as falcon compasseth wide skies,
With aery skritches, when her birds she sees
Lie in some peril; so this careful queen,
In making shrill lament, anew hies forth,
All on her feeble feet. And she outrunning
Her damsels' train, and even the armed young men,
Beyond deep sand, came to that hollow stream,
Where her heart pants, as wanting living breath.
But turned to her again her weary spirits,
She wakes the further shore and slumbering men,
With her shrill shrieks, calling on her son Brennus,
Beyond that twin-banked river streaming wide.
Upstart Gauls, Almains, then, confused from sleep.
A woman cries. Son, cease from impious wars,
So shall thy brother cease: cease, my son Brennus!
And I will send to call thine uncle Correus,
That he be arbiter, betwixt your griefs.
Then all Gauls knew, it is the Britain queen.
With aery skritches, when her birds she sees
Lie in some peril; so this careful queen,
In making shrill lament, anew hies forth,
All on her feeble feet. And she outrunning
Her damsels' train, and even the armed young men,
Beyond deep sand, came to that hollow stream,
Where her heart pants, as wanting living breath.
But turned to her again her weary spirits,
She wakes the further shore and slumbering men,
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Beyond that twin-banked river streaming wide.
Upstart Gauls, Almains, then, confused from sleep.
A woman cries. Son, cease from impious wars,
So shall thy brother cease: cease, my son Brennus!
And I will send to call thine uncle Correus,
That he be arbiter, betwixt your griefs.
Then all Gauls knew, it is the Britain queen.
Britons, from Belin's camp, in this, approach,
With spended bows; and clad in glittering mails,
Went down, before them, to the river's brink,
Belin, who lights from steed. The mother queen
Beckons, that all keep silence. She calls then,
Her sons to parley, each standing on his strand,
And she, in the cold tide, somewhat, descended.
That royal mother spread abroad her hands,
Twixt both hosts, cries, What wicked hap, alas!
Arms brother's hand against a brother's life?
Why trouble ye these bowels, again; my sons?
Could Britain not contain what this one womb?
Would I had carried you, till now, therein!
Were such, my sons, more tolerable case,
Than bear this heart, which swells up in my chest,
With immense grief. So saying, rent Corwen queen
Her upper weed and aged paps displaied,
Fountains, whereat both sons had sucked, at once;
For were they twins. She, furious, beats, alas!
Her royal breast; strait stooping, took she up
That river's ooze, and strewed her reverend hairs.
With spended bows; and clad in glittering mails,
Went down, before them, to the river's brink,
Belin, who lights from steed. The mother queen
Beckons, that all keep silence. She calls then,
Her sons to parley, each standing on his strand,
And she, in the cold tide, somewhat, descended.
That royal mother spread abroad her hands,
Twixt both hosts, cries, What wicked hap, alas!
Arms brother's hand against a brother's life?
Why trouble ye these bowels, again; my sons?
Could Britain not contain what this one womb?
Would I had carried you, till now, therein!
Were such, my sons, more tolerable case,
Than bear this heart, which swells up in my chest,
With immense grief. So saying, rent Corwen queen
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Fountains, whereat both sons had sucked, at once;
For were they twins. She, furious, beats, alas!
Her royal breast; strait stooping, took she up
That river's ooze, and strewed her reverend hairs.
Then, as beside her mind, in the cold tide,
Forgate her eld, she goes. On the twin brinks,
Still gazing, negligent of warlike arms;
Stand opposed hosts. Queen Corwen shrilly cries,
If evil you, were I, O, my loved sons,
Of one . . .! no more, (for immense dool so chokes
A mother's throat,) queen Corwen couth say forth.
Like then to heifer, whom hath stung the brese,
She headlong rushing, plasheth to mid-stream.
Where currents deep. There fail her feeble knees:
She, ah, drenching! Lady of Britain, is borne down!
Forgate her eld, she goes. On the twin brinks,
Still gazing, negligent of warlike arms;
Stand opposed hosts. Queen Corwen shrilly cries,
If evil you, were I, O, my loved sons,
Of one . . .! no more, (for immense dool so chokes
A mother's throat,) queen Corwen couth say forth.
Like then to heifer, whom hath stung the brese,
She headlong rushing, plasheth to mid-stream.
Where currents deep. There fail her feeble knees:
She, ah, drenching! Lady of Britain, is borne down!
Straight, in their ranks, uprisen, have cast strong men,
On every hand, their arms: leapt, from both brinks,
Hundred, as frogs, lo, sudden down, at once!
Then truce, in all hearts, was of enmities,
Whilst hurl they and wade; some, like to otters, swim;
That thresh, with furious force, the sliding stream.
Before them all, like scaley water-snake,
Rusheth King Belin, in a shining harness.
Brennus comes, mainly staying on stiff lance,
In his bright mails, whereon the sunbeams break;
And seems in tumult of that water's race,
As flame. But outwent all their valiant men,
Belin in shole, Brennus in hollow stream.
Each to mid-current wins. Each prince's arms,
His mother strongly uplifts and girds. They bear,
Unto small eyot, twixt them both, now her;
With comfrey and watermints and loosestrife, deckt;
And willow-herb, and hemmed with lilies white;
Whereon have timbered swans their shield-broad nest.
They her softly all-drooping set, and do outwring
Her upper weed. Each brother looked then, erst,
On brother, as looks hound on felon wolf.
She vomiting, dismaied, much water, faints!
But come again her spirits, her feeble arms
Them both constrain, in fervent long embrace,
Each to each pap: then melt their frozen hearts.
On every hand, their arms: leapt, from both brinks,
Hundred, as frogs, lo, sudden down, at once!
Then truce, in all hearts, was of enmities,
Whilst hurl they and wade; some, like to otters, swim;
That thresh, with furious force, the sliding stream.
Before them all, like scaley water-snake,
Rusheth King Belin, in a shining harness.
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In his bright mails, whereon the sunbeams break;
And seems in tumult of that water's race,
As flame. But outwent all their valiant men,
Belin in shole, Brennus in hollow stream.
Each to mid-current wins. Each prince's arms,
His mother strongly uplifts and girds. They bear,
Unto small eyot, twixt them both, now her;
With comfrey and watermints and loosestrife, deckt;
And willow-herb, and hemmed with lilies white;
Whereon have timbered swans their shield-broad nest.
They her softly all-drooping set, and do outwring
Her upper weed. Each brother looked then, erst,
On brother, as looks hound on felon wolf.
She vomiting, dismaied, much water, faints!
But come again her spirits, her feeble arms
Them both constrain, in fervent long embrace,
Each to each pap: then melt their frozen hearts.
Each germain marvels, in his secret breast,
They lately variance had, for glory base!
Then both, laid their right hands, twixt her cold palms,
Swear by All-seeing Sun, and this stream's god;
And by all-nourishing bosom of the ground;
Peace, without guile, and to abide, henceforth,
By the arbitrage of king Correus. Men muse viewing
Those twin strong boars weep on their mother's breast.
Whilst yet all on her gaze, and on her sons;
And read her venerable mother-looks,
Creeps inward sweetness in their warlike hearts.
They lately variance had, for glory base!
Then both, laid their right hands, twixt her cold palms,
Swear by All-seeing Sun, and this stream's god;
And by all-nourishing bosom of the ground;
Peace, without guile, and to abide, henceforth,
By the arbitrage of king Correus. Men muse viewing
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Whilst yet all on her gaze, and on her sons;
And read her venerable mother-looks,
Creeps inward sweetness in their warlike hearts.
King Belin bade, proclaim, a loud-voiced herald,
Unto all then, Gauls of Britain and the Main;
Is peace established, twixt Dunwallon's sons.
Lo, upbear the princes both, the queen Corwen,
From chilling flood, then to the Britons' bank!
There certain gentlewomen, which the seas,
With her, have passed, receiving, lead the queen,
Apart, to covert-bowering alders, where,
With fire they her recomfort and dry cloth.
Unto all then, Gauls of Britain and the Main;
Is peace established, twixt Dunwallon's sons.
Lo, upbear the princes both, the queen Corwen,
From chilling flood, then to the Britons' bank!
There certain gentlewomen, which the seas,
With her, have passed, receiving, lead the queen,
Apart, to covert-bowering alders, where,
With fire they her recomfort and dry cloth.
Brennus takes horse, the flood again to pass.
Is cry then heard, mongst Britons, shout to arms!
For strangers issue yonder, from dark grove;
Are Almain warmen of Duke Heremod.
Horsemen, have these, (to whom Welsh tongue uncouth,)
Ridden unperceived, the stream, above, to pass;
And fall unwares, on Brennus' enemies' backs.
Britons stand hastily then, in ordinance,
With spended bows, ready to loose; but Brennus,
Spurred forth, by signs, by shout, warns Heremod.
Loud, Belin cries to Britons, Hold your hands!
Each brother, twixt the hosts, his brother shields;
Each greedy give, for germain's life, his life.
Is cry then heard, mongst Britons, shout to arms!
For strangers issue yonder, from dark grove;
Are Almain warmen of Duke Heremod.
Horsemen, have these, (to whom Welsh tongue uncouth,)
Ridden unperceived, the stream, above, to pass;
And fall unwares, on Brennus' enemies' backs.
Britons stand hastily then, in ordinance,
With spended bows, ready to loose; but Brennus,
Spurred forth, by signs, by shout, warns Heremod.
Loud, Belin cries to Britons, Hold your hands!
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Each greedy give, for germain's life, his life.
Eftsoons cometh Heremod. Seven noble youths,
Lo, on his bridle wait; of whom chief is
That Sigfried earl. And help him these to light:
Nor yet his wound is whole, under his harness.
Of them all Heremod saved the lives in fight:
Wherefore they vowed their lives, to keep his life.
Belin, with ethling Heremod, joins right hands,
Whilst heralds truce proclaim; in both the tongues,
To Gauls and Almains. Those of Brennus, part,
To Belin pass. Sith lodged in neighbour camps,
At the sea side; they tarry still for Correus.
Lo, on his bridle wait; of whom chief is
That Sigfried earl. And help him these to light:
Nor yet his wound is whole, under his harness.
Of them all Heremod saved the lives in fight:
Wherefore they vowed their lives, to keep his life.
Belin, with ethling Heremod, joins right hands,
Whilst heralds truce proclaim; in both the tongues,
To Gauls and Almains. Those of Brennus, part,
To Belin pass. Sith lodged in neighbour camps,
At the sea side; they tarry still for Correus.
After few days, that king renowned, arrives,
With flower of Gauls and chief estates and druids.
And joys the noble king, heard this accord,
Made twixt his sister's sons; and them embraced.
They bring him on, with worship, through their camps
Where royal Correus, salute thousand throats.
Much of the welfare of the queen Corwen,
The sire asks of her sons, as they forthride.
Corwenna's tent, stretcht yonder, on a dune,
Lo, stands apart; who issues is the queen!
Nor yet discerns she, is Correus to her rides.
With flower of Gauls and chief estates and druids.
And joys the noble king, heard this accord,
Made twixt his sister's sons; and them embraced.
They bring him on, with worship, through their camps
Where royal Correus, salute thousand throats.
Much of the welfare of the queen Corwen,
The sire asks of her sons, as they forthride.
Corwenna's tent, stretcht yonder, on a dune,
Lo, stands apart; who issues is the queen!
Nor yet discerns she, is Correus to her rides.
Hath each not seen, since when, in their first youth,
They playferes were, in Moel's court, their sire,
The other's face. And what day led Dunwallon,
Briton, her virgin bride, who noble was,
And valorous most, mongst princes which her sought;
She, maiden, goddess, seemed in beauty and grace,
(Now old are both;) and tamer of fierce steeds,
Was comely, as a god, young Correus.
Once more, he lights before her, from war-steed.
The same fresh looks, now rugged-browed and hoary!
Once more, their lips together meet and kiss.
And whilst they gaze, with infinite affect,
One upon other; each gan, as whilere,
The other's infant-name to murmur dear.
Long, hand, those germains stand, in hand, as when,
With linkéd palms, they gathered flowers, in fere,
In the spring mead: and Corwen smiles and weeps.
Sith her two sons, to Correus, she commends.
But when again, with Correus, as behoves,
The princes mount, to Council-tent, to ride;
Them bids return to sup the queen Corwen:
And bring, friend of her sons, duke Heremod.
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The other's face. And what day led Dunwallon,
Briton, her virgin bride, who noble was,
And valorous most, mongst princes which her sought;
She, maiden, goddess, seemed in beauty and grace,
(Now old are both;) and tamer of fierce steeds,
Was comely, as a god, young Correus.
Once more, he lights before her, from war-steed.
The same fresh looks, now rugged-browed and hoary!
Once more, their lips together meet and kiss.
And whilst they gaze, with infinite affect,
One upon other; each gan, as whilere,
The other's infant-name to murmur dear.
Long, hand, those germains stand, in hand, as when,
With linkéd palms, they gathered flowers, in fere,
In the spring mead: and Corwen smiles and weeps.
Sith her two sons, to Correus, she commends.
But when again, with Correus, as behoves,
The princes mount, to Council-tent, to ride;
Them bids return to sup the queen Corwen:
And bring, friend of her sons, duke Heremod.
Three days, in fellowship, dwell then forth and feast,
Almains and Gauls; and who are come with Correus.
The fourth morn, keel arrives, from Island Britain,
With embassage. Lo, who mount, much people suing,
From wide sea-strand, be messengers, public heralds.
Those led before the kings, done reverence,
With solemn cheer, make declaration thus:
Lords gathered, this moot-month, to Cantion cliff,
Two days, at the truce hill, held parliament;
Whereafter, reason heard of all would speak,
They caused it be proclaimed and published thus:
Deceased Dunwallon, chosen of the gods,
All lordships should revert to former state.
And, for now war Dunwallon's sons abroad,
And threaten bring in Britain foreign harms;
Be banned those princes from the Isle, henceforth.
All lords, of common read then and accord,
Did swear, on burning altars of the gods,
This to maintain, with all their arméd powers.
Almains and Gauls; and who are come with Correus.
The fourth morn, keel arrives, from Island Britain,
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From wide sea-strand, be messengers, public heralds.
Those led before the kings, done reverence,
With solemn cheer, make declaration thus:
Lords gathered, this moot-month, to Cantion cliff,
Two days, at the truce hill, held parliament;
Whereafter, reason heard of all would speak,
They caused it be proclaimed and published thus:
Deceased Dunwallon, chosen of the gods,
All lordships should revert to former state.
And, for now war Dunwallon's sons abroad,
And threaten bring in Britain foreign harms;
Be banned those princes from the Isle, henceforth.
All lords, of common read then and accord,
Did swear, on burning altars of the gods,
This to maintain, with all their arméd powers.
Fierce ire flames in the germain princes' hearts;
And kindles, even in breast of prudent Correus,
Disdain: loud clamour Gauls; shout Heremod's Almains!
And drawn that mingled host out thousand glaives,
And shaking spears, would in their furious mood,
Straight ship for Britain: but, sith, pious voice
Prevails of Corwen, widow of Dunwallon.
She, mongst the princes, counsels, mother queen;
They send enquire of certain oracle,
Which not far off, on this sea-coast, of name.
Horsemen of Correus leap anon to steeds,
As birds in flight. And they already, at eve,
Before an isle, lies nigh to land, arrive;
Whereto durst none, but he bear in his hand,
With devout heart, some sacred gift, approach:
Which cast to waves, he long, loud, shouts from strand!
And kindles, even in breast of prudent Correus,
Disdain: loud clamour Gauls; shout Heremod's Almains!
And drawn that mingled host out thousand glaives,
And shaking spears, would in their furious mood,
Straight ship for Britain: but, sith, pious voice
Prevails of Corwen, widow of Dunwallon.
She, mongst the princes, counsels, mother queen;
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Which not far off, on this sea-coast, of name.
Horsemen of Correus leap anon to steeds,
As birds in flight. And they already, at eve,
Before an isle, lies nigh to land, arrive;
Whereto durst none, but he bear in his hand,
With devout heart, some sacred gift, approach:
Which cast to waves, he long, loud, shouts from strand!
But sea-gods, the same night, whence lately set
The sun, unchained so great tempestuous blast;
That broken were, in rage of storm, the most,
Not drawn up, on the shore, of Brennus' ships.
Dunwallon's sons see their repair cut off;
And darkened, on the morrow, were their looks,
Which sit, in council, with king Correus.
The sun, unchained so great tempestuous blast;
That broken were, in rage of storm, the most,
Not drawn up, on the shore, of Brennus' ships.
Dunwallon's sons see their repair cut off;
And darkened, on the morrow, were their looks,
Which sit, in council, with king Correus.
Returned Corwenna's messengers, those record,
They heard a sea-god's voice, from billows, roaring,
Should brothers strive, within their mother's womb?
Dark saying; and which might, yet, no tongue unfold:
Till quoth the queen, perceiving the hid sense;
Should not their Foster Land her sons invade.
New ferment grows: loud Main and Island Gauls
Call on their captains, lead them to far wars!
They heard a sea-god's voice, from billows, roaring,
Should brothers strive, within their mother's womb?
Dark saying; and which might, yet, no tongue unfold:
Till quoth the queen, perceiving the hid sense;
Should not their Foster Land her sons invade.
New ferment grows: loud Main and Island Gauls
Call on their captains, lead them to far wars!
Now fortuned, this year, came to court of Correus,
Where Brennus sojourned, men, outlandish wights,
Being merchants lading foreign wares on mules,
Which strangers were of speech and hew and fashion.
And lately those had overpassed vast Alps.
Brennus had, oft time, through interpreters,
Heard them the penury of Gaul's soil reproach;
Boasting in theirs more rich and happier life,
Where men a mingled juice, blood of the earth,
Wont drink, which gift is of the blesséd gods.
Low-statured men, those did, and of loose life,
Defraud the people, in their merchandise.
He smally accounts their valour in the wars.
Whence whispered had prince Brennus, in men's ears,
Might not he Britain win; that soil of theirs,
Called Summer Land, he would attempt in arms.
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Being merchants lading foreign wares on mules,
Which strangers were of speech and hew and fashion.
And lately those had overpassed vast Alps.
Brennus had, oft time, through interpreters,
Heard them the penury of Gaul's soil reproach;
Boasting in theirs more rich and happier life,
Where men a mingled juice, blood of the earth,
Wont drink, which gift is of the blesséd gods.
Low-statured men, those did, and of loose life,
Defraud the people, in their merchandise.
He smally accounts their valour in the wars.
Whence whispered had prince Brennus, in men's ears,
Might not he Britain win; that soil of theirs,
Called Summer Land, he would attempt in arms.
New spirit invades, of warfare, all men's hearts,
They think it long, till they the sons of Corwen,
Follow with blowing war-horns. Prudent Correus
Permits, to his young men, that enterprise.
And ready is Heremod, duke, to march with Brennus.
Him pricks forth noble impotent desire,
Of glory, and after death high-mounded tomb,
Guerdon of great war-deeds and deathless song.
Their moot-place, Correus sets, in forest Arden.
They think it long, till they the sons of Corwen,
Follow with blowing war-horns. Prudent Correus
Permits, to his young men, that enterprise.
And ready is Heremod, duke, to march with Brennus.
Him pricks forth noble impotent desire,
Of glory, and after death high-mounded tomb,
Guerdon of great war-deeds and deathless song.
Their moot-place, Correus sets, in forest Arden.
To gather greater power, wends Heremod home.
The Briton princes bring him on his journey.
Three ravens flying, lo, then, from dark grove,
Great flock of skritching daws before them drive;
And fell their bloody beaks many, to ground.
One of those ravens also wounded is.
Much did dispute thereof then augurers;
And more, when this sun set, and now they lodge,
Under thick boughs; and supper being dight,
On the three princes' heads, were seen to rest
As flickering flames; which read divining druids,
Unto each, portend great glory, in time to come.
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Three ravens flying, lo, then, from dark grove,
Great flock of skritching daws before them drive;
And fell their bloody beaks many, to ground.
One of those ravens also wounded is.
Much did dispute thereof then augurers;
And more, when this sun set, and now they lodge,
Under thick boughs; and supper being dight,
On the three princes' heads, were seen to rest
As flickering flames; which read divining druids,
Unto each, portend great glory, in time to come.
Sith Corwen widow-queen; and royal Correus,
Part from each other; but with presage sad,
They should again not meet. He to Lutece
Rides forth, his royal city; and her white sails
Soon lifted to the wind, lo, under land!
To governance of Dunwallon's royal house,
(Wherein she daughters left,) this noble queen
Repairs again, by ship, to island Britain.
Part from each other; but with presage sad,
They should again not meet. He to Lutece
Rides forth, his royal city; and her white sails
Soon lifted to the wind, lo, under land!
To governance of Dunwallon's royal house,
(Wherein she daughters left,) this noble queen
Repairs again, by ship, to island Britain.
Wide springs, in Belges' Gaul, that name of Brennus!
Youth rise up, which would prove their warlike worth,
In all Gauls' Sénones' marches, from their hearths.
Soon full of armed men marching, are all paths.
Now, at the appointed time, to Arden forest,
Approach, lo, warlike thousands of the Gauls.
Careless of idle words of banishment,
Come from Isle Britain, triple bands of horse,
Called the trimarch. But Almain Heremod
Not yet arrives. Pass the meanwhile, in Arden,
Britons and Gauls, in martial exercises;
And kindle battle chants of bards their hearts.
Youth rise up, which would prove their warlike worth,
In all Gauls' Sénones' marches, from their hearths.
Soon full of armed men marching, are all paths.
43
Approach, lo, warlike thousands of the Gauls.
Careless of idle words of banishment,
Come from Isle Britain, triple bands of horse,
Called the trimarch. But Almain Heremod
Not yet arrives. Pass the meanwhile, in Arden,
Britons and Gauls, in martial exercises;
And kindle battle chants of bards their hearts.
But Corwen, sick, these days, might not return,
To Gaul, to take farewell of her loved sons.
She harness sends them, shields and glaives and helms,
Of all the best, which hanged had on the walls,
Or deckt high roof-tree, of Dunwallon's hall,
With loving message. She them both commends,
To Gauls' and Britons' gods, with daily breath.
Moreover, she sends their father's silver cup,
The lip of gold; Govannon's divine work,
Whence might they pour libations to the gods;
And make them merry, in land of enemies.
To Heremod, Corwen sends, (whom, with her sons,
She numbers,) targe, whereon, for nombril, formed,
Which might sustain his life, a mother's breast.
To Gaul, to take farewell of her loved sons.
She harness sends them, shields and glaives and helms,
Of all the best, which hanged had on the walls,
Or deckt high roof-tree, of Dunwallon's hall,
With loving message. She them both commends,
To Gauls' and Britons' gods, with daily breath.
Moreover, she sends their father's silver cup,
The lip of gold; Govannon's divine work,
Whence might they pour libations to the gods;
And make them merry, in land of enemies.
To Heremod, Corwen sends, (whom, with her sons,
She numbers,) targe, whereon, for nombril, formed,
Which might sustain his life, a mother's breast.
Now in midst of the third month, as forward was,
Nighs to Gauls' camps, in Arden, Heremod,
With power of Almains; such as, ere, not seen,
In warlike Gaul. Him stayed uncertain omens;
And swelled against them currents of the Rhine:
Wherefore had Almains marched about to place,
Where they his giddy flood might safely pass;
Casting in pious Heremod a white steed,
Their sacrifice, unto that river's god.
Nighs to Gauls' camps, in Arden, Heremod,
44
In warlike Gaul. Him stayed uncertain omens;
And swelled against them currents of the Rhine:
Wherefore had Almains marched about to place,
Where they his giddy flood might safely pass;
Casting in pious Heremod a white steed,
Their sacrifice, unto that river's god.
In Aella's marches, king of seven tribes,
Duke chosen was lately ethling Heremod,
Namely of that year's outfaring Saxon youth:
Whence he, to the great warfare now of Brennus,
Leads army of foot, twelve thousand and light horse.
Gauls hail, then, with loud throats, their Almain guests;
As they, in the green wood, pass by to lodge.
Kills hundred beves, at even, royal Correus,
And without number sheep. Then called are Almains,
To meat; and soon those sit, by hundred hearths,
Mingled with warlike Gauls; and drink the best,
And merry make. Chant, lacking common speech,
Then, Gauls and Almains loud hymns of their gods.
Sith risen, some wrestle; other vie, in dance,
Other in race. Not seld leaps, mongst sharp swords,
His mastery for to show, some naked Almain.
Gauls beckon them to drink. And bards endite
Their measures sweet, at the lords' evening fires.
Duke chosen was lately ethling Heremod,
Namely of that year's outfaring Saxon youth:
Whence he, to the great warfare now of Brennus,
Leads army of foot, twelve thousand and light horse.
Gauls hail, then, with loud throats, their Almain guests;
As they, in the green wood, pass by to lodge.
Kills hundred beves, at even, royal Correus,
And without number sheep. Then called are Almains,
To meat; and soon those sit, by hundred hearths,
Mingled with warlike Gauls; and drink the best,
And merry make. Chant, lacking common speech,
Then, Gauls and Almains loud hymns of their gods.
Sith risen, some wrestle; other vie, in dance,
Other in race. Not seld leaps, mongst sharp swords,
His mastery for to show, some naked Almain.
Gauls beckon them to drink. And bards endite
Their measures sweet, at the lords' evening fires.
45
When springs new morrow's sacred light, king Correus,
Amongst the princes, offers sacrifices;
And priests look in the bowels. Then they declare,
Will of the gods, the mingled hosts remove.
Returned, the dukes, in haste, mount their war-steeds;
And put the army in ordinance to march.
With Gauls, in every troop, fare mingled Almains.
Amongst the princes, offers sacrifices;
And priests look in the bowels. Then they declare,
Will of the gods, the mingled hosts remove.
Returned, the dukes, in haste, mount their war-steeds;
And put the army in ordinance to march.
With Gauls, in every troop, fare mingled Almains.
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