LXIX. Fe ellir rhodio lawer ffair, A charu merch o lawer plwy', LXX. Nid oes ymorol fawr am serch, AR GERDD-GYVARVOD Y CANORION, 7 HYDREV, 1820*. 1. CADWENT undeb meibion Brython Tra bythawl oes; Llived arnynt lâd ynddigon Tra bythawl oes. Telyn bid yn peroriannu, Calon lan i lon ddyddanu, Lloned ganiad hoenus Gymru Tra bythawl oes. 2. Ceisient glod y Cymmrodorion Tra bythawl oes; Bid cysondeb y Canorion Tra bythawl oes; Cerdd adseinia tran Eryri, Tra cyvunant Beirdd i ganu Byth yn iaith anwylaidd Cymru. Tra bythawl oes. The following lines, adapted to the popular Welsh air of " Ar hyd y Nos," were sung at the meeting of the Canorion, at the Freemason's Tavern, on the 7th of this month. Some account of this new society is given by Mr. Parry in a subsequent page.-ED. ENGLISH POETRY. TRANSLATION OF THE PRECEDING ODE BY HYWEL I love the summer's sultry day, For I have loved with fond desire, CERIDWEN, comely, shapely, fair, * The Welsh reader will perceive, that some liberties have been taken in this translation, and especially towards the conclusion, where, from the ambiguous brevity of the original, it became necessary to guess at the poet's meaning. This, however, it is hoped, has been preserved throughout with tolerable fidelity, although it is necessarily amplified in the English lines, in which the elliptical conciseness of the Welsh could not possibly be retained. This Ode appears to have been addressed to a lady, by whom the poet had been slighted; and it may be inferred from the commencement, that he was about to renounce her, for the toils of war, though he seems to have relented towards the close. If a comparison might be drawn between Hywel and either of the classical writers, it would probably be with Catullus, whom he much resembles in the delicate conceits of his love sentiments. It should be mentioned, however, that the poems of Hywel are far from affording the most favourable specimens of the awen of the twelfth century, adorned, as that æra was, by the productions of Gwalehmai, Llywarch ab Llywelyn, and Cynddelw.-ED. Thus young, thus charming to the view, That she should be as bounteous too, As free to give as she is sweet. A suppliant pilgrim I repair Yet, say, how long, unkind one, say, Think what thou art ;-and may in Heaven TRANSLATIONS OF THE PENNILLION. LXVII. THOU dear little Gwen, kindest maiden of all, With cheeks fair and ruddy, and teeth white and small, With thy blue sparkling eyes, and thy eye-brows so bright, Ah, how I would love thee, sweet girl, if I might! STANZAS ON THE LATE EISTEDDFOD AT WREXHAM*. COME Sound the string, And boldly sing Our native Cymru's praise: Pour for her the tranced measure, Big with hope and promised pleasure, Tell, how vast, how rich the treasure Hail tuneful band Of this proud land, Who erst consigned to fame Holiest musings deeply flowing, While in every breast was glowing Cymru's quenchless flame. The irregularity of these stanzas is owing to the peculiar style of the melody, and is intended to convey to the English reader an idea of some of the Welsh Pennillion. The stanzas were sung at the Eisteddfod by Mr. Parry. WALES. METROPOLITAN CAMBRIAN INSTITUTION.-At the last General Meeting of this Society it was proposed, that a silver medal should be offered for the best Welsh translation of Gray's celebrated Ode, entitled the "Bard," the compositions to be transmitted to the secretary before the 1st of March, and the prize to be awarded on the 22nd of May, the Society's anniversary. And, should the project of an Eisteddfod on the last-mentioned day be adopted, it is in contemplation to propose another subject for an original poem, and also two subjects for English essays, to be decided at the same time. Meanwhile every exertion, compatible with the means of the Institution, is made towards carrying into effect the laudable objects, for which it was established. Several books and some MSS. have already been purchased, which, if the society should ever experience the patronage it so amply merits, may prove the foundation of a valuable national library. It should also be mentioned, that two or three patriotic individuals have made donations of books. It is proposed, that the library shall be established at the Welsh School in Gray's-Inn Lane, as soon as a room can be prepared for the purpose; in which event the books and MSS., already deposited there, will be incorporated with those belonging to the Institution. EISTEDDFOD AT WREXHAM.—The Editor feels a pleasure in being able to lay before his readers the following account of the musical competition at the late Eisteddfod in Powys, not only because the writer was an ear-witness of what he relates, but because he is, in other respects, so competent a judge of the subject of his communication. It is gratifying to find, from the latter part of his letter, that the cultivation of Welsh music is likely to meet, in the metropolis, with the encouragement it so well deserves and it is to be hoped, that none of those natives of Cymru, for whom "the mazy running soul of melody" has any charms, will omit this opportunity of testifying their attachment to their own mountain airs. To the EDITOR of the CAMBRO-BRITON. SIR, A circumstance occurred at the Wrexham Eisteddfod, which ought to be noticed particularly in its relation to Welsh music. |