The royal blue book: prize productions of the Pittsburgh international

by Robert Humphrey Davies

PREFACE

THIS BOOK contains the prize winning essays and poetical compositions of the Pittsburgh International Eisteddfod, held at Pittsbrugh, Pa., on July 2, 3, 4 and 5, 1913, at which the American Gorsedd was organized. This volume is published to preserve for future generations these intellectual productions of living descendants of an ancient people. Its purpose is to encourage and stimulate continued effort in these lines at each succeeding Gorsedd. In the pages that follow will be found contributions in poetry, history and fiction, of high literary value, interest and merit; a credit to the several authors and of much pride and gratification to all their fellow-Cymry. Cymry! Ho w the old name thrills every loyal Cymro and Cymraes. There is much in their history to fill us with pride. They first appear as a branch or tribe of the Indo-Aryan family, originating somewhere in the "Pamirs," the mysterious heart of Asia. Migrating westward, passing through Asia Minor (possibly Palestine), long before Abraham dwelt in the "Plains of Shinar," or Job in the "Land of Uz." Crossing into Europe, and not a sound nor word from that hoary past as to what befell them in battling their way through this vast region, which now includes Turkey, the Balkan kingdoms, the Austrian and German Empires, France, Belgium and Holland, overcoming all obstacles and opposition until their advent in Prydain. Writing in the sixth century of the Christian era, Taliesin, the great Welsh bard, refers to this arrival in his poem, "Ymarwar Lludd Bychan," evidently basing his account on the tradition recorded in the first part of Triad VI. This Triad may be of interest to the reader. It is quoted here in full:

TRIAD VI. The Three National Pillars Of The Isle Of Britain. First—Hu Gadarn (Hu the Mighty), who originally conducted the nation of the Cymry into the Isle of Britain. They came from the summer country, which is called Defrobani, (that is the place where 'Constantinople now stands), and it was over the Hazy Sea (North Sea) that they came to the Isle of Britain, and to Llydaw (Armorica), where they continued. Second—Prydain, son of Aedd the Great, who first established government and royalty over the Isle of Britain. And before that time there was no justice, but what was done through favor; nor any law, save that of might.