Page:Poetical Remains.pdf/334

From Wikisource
Jump to navigation Jump to search
This page has been validated.

302



OWEN GLYNDWR'S WAR SONG.




Saw ye the blazing star?*[1]
The heavens look down on freedom's war,
    And light her torch on high!
Bright on the dragon-crest†[2]
It tells that glory's wing shall rest,
    When warriors meet to die!

  1. * The year 1402 was ushered in with a comet or blazing star, which the bards interpreted as an omen favourable to the cause of Glyndwr. It served to infuse spirit into the minds of a superstitious people, the first success of their chieftain confirmed this belief, and gave new vigour to their actions.—Vide Pennant.

  2. †Owen Glyndwr styled himself the Dragon; a name he assumed in imitation of Uther, whose victories over the Saxons were foretold by the appearances of a star with a dragon beneath, which Uther used as his badge; and on that account it became a favourite one with the Welsh.—Pennant.