remainder of the life of Little Hunchback was spent in watchings and jealousy, which furnished a favourite subject for the muse of his rival[1]; though it proved to him also a source of endless troubles, as, considering Morvyth still his own, he missed no opportunity of procuring an interview, till, at length, he found means to run away with her[2]. But after strict search the fugitives were found and once more separated; and our bard, being rigorously prosecuted by Hunchback, was fined in a very heavy penalty, which being unable to pay, he was imprisoned[3]. In such esteem, however, was the poet held by his countrymen, that the county of Glamorgan released him from confinement by discharging the fine. It is said that he had nearly taken Morvyth away a second time; and a friend asking him if he would again run the hazard which a step must expose him to, which had once cost him so dearly, he answered—‘Yes, I will, in the name of God and the men of Glamorgan!’ which expression became
- ↑ The bard seldom failed to introduce the Bwa Bach into all his poems to Morvyth after this event, particularly from No. 76 to No. 90, wherein he is placed in many ludicrous situations, and several humorous adventures are related; but it would retard our progress too much in this sketch to notice them all. Indeed the bard seems to have been so delighted with ridiculing his rival, as partly to forget his own loss, and to amuse himself by laughing even at his lost spouse. As she and Hunchback passed him by chance on horseback, on the banks of the Wye, he made a pretence of drowning himself. See No. 74.
- ↑ See No. 80, 81, and 82.
- ↑ See the Poems No. 88 and 92.
