13
⟨And⟩ scant and small the bounty proved,
for Gelert was not there.
⟨Unpleased⟩, Llewellyn homeward hied,
when near the portal seat,
⟨His⟩ truant Gelert he espied,
hounding his lord to greet.
⟨But⟩ when he gained the castle door,
aghast the chieftain stood,
⟨the⟩ hound was smear’d with gouts of gore,
his lips and fangs ran blood;
⟨Onward⟩ in haste Llewellyn passed,
(and on went Gelert too,)
⟨And⟩ still where'er his eyes he cast,
fresh blood gouts shock’d his view!
⟨O’erturned⟩ his infant’s bed he found,
the blood-stain’d covert rent,
⟨And⟩ all around, the walls and ground
with recent blood besprent.
⟨Hell-hound⟩! by thee my child’s devour’d!’
the frantic father cried,
⟨And⟩ to his hilt, his vengeful sword,
he plung’d in Gelerts side!
⟨His⟩ suppliant, as to earth he fell,
no pity could impart;
⟨But⟩ still his Gelert’s dying yell,
passed heavy o’er his heart.
⟨Aroused⟩ by Gelert’s dying yell,
some slumberer ’wakened nigh;
⟨What⟩ words the parent’s joy can toll,
to hear his infant cry.
