Page:The Mabinogion.djvu/62

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NOTES.
35

said to have excelled all the other kings, procured his assassination during the expedition.

According to Llywarch Hen's Elegy upon Urien Bheged, this event occurred in a place called Aberlleu.[1]

The Triads mention Uovan Llawdivo as the assassin. Of him little is known; but that he was a person of some note is evident from the circumstance of his grave being recorded.

"The grave of Llovan Llawdivo
Is on the strand of Menai, where makes the wave a sullen sound."[2]

"The Genealogy of the Saints records that Urien came into South Wales, and was instrumental with the sons of Geredig ab Ounedda, and his nephews, in expelling the Gwyddelians, who had gained a footing there from about the time of Maxen Wledig."—Camb. Biog.

The old Romancers connect him with South Wales, and call him King Uryens of Gore, evidently intended for Gower in Glamorganshire.

Thus it is recorded in the Morte d' Arthur, "Thenne the Kyng remeued in to Walys, and lete crye a grete feste that it shold be boldyn at Pentecost after the incoronacion of hym at the Cyte of Garlyon, vnto the feste come kyng Lott of Lowthean, and of Orkeney with fine C knygtes with hym. Also there come to the feste kynge TJryena of gore with four C knyghtes with hym."

But to return to Owain; it appears from the manner in which be is always mentioned by contemporary Bards, that be greatly distinguished himself in his country's cause, subsequently to the death of his father, but with what ultimate success we are not acquainted.

There exists an ancient Poem, printed among those of Taliesin, called the Elegy of Owain ap Urien, and containing several very beautiful and spirited passages. It commences,

" The soul of Owain ap Urien
May its Lord consider its exigencies,—
Reged's chief the green turf covers."


In the course of this Elegy, the Bard bursts forth with all the energy of the Awen,

"Could Uoegria sleep with the light upon her eyes?"[3]

  1. Myr. Arch. i. 105.
  2. Myr. Arch. i. 78.
  3. This line, with the substitution of Cambria for Lloegria [England], was taken as the subject of a speech to rouse the Welsh to the due consideration of their literature, by the Rev. Thomas Price of Crickhowel, at the Meeting