The works of Mrs. Hemans :: :: University of Virginia Library

Let the yellow mead shine for the sons of the brave,
By the bright festal torches around us that wave!
Set open the gates of the prince's wide hall,
And hang up the chief's ruddy spear on the wall!
There is peace in the land we have battled to save:
Then spread ye the feast, bid the wine-cup foam high,
That those may rejoice who have fear'd not to die!

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Let the horn, whose loud blast gave the signal for fight,
With the bee's sunny nectar now sparkle in light,
Let the rich draught it offers with gladness be crown'd,
For the strong hearts, in combat that leap'd at its sound!
Like the billow's dark swell, was the path of their might,
Red, red as their blood, fill the wine-cup on high,
That those may rejoice who have fear'd not to die!

And wake ye the children of song from their dreams,
On Maelor's wild hills, and by Dyfed's fair streams!
Bid them haste with those strains of the lofty and free,
Which shall float down the waves of long ages to be.
Sheath the sword which hath given them unperishing themes,
And pour the bright mead: let the wine-cup foam high,
That those may rejoice who have fear'd not to die!

Wine, as well as mead, is frequently mentioned in the poems of the ancient British bards.

The horn was used for two purposes, to sound the alarm in war, and to drink the mead at feasts.

Maelor, part of the counties of Denbigh and Flint. Dyfed, (said to signify a land abounding with streams of water,) the modern Pembrokeshire.