Welsh Journals

characteristics acclaimed are common to most of the heroes, nevertheless, they may be taken and accepted as fair reflections of the accredited standard of conduct which really existed between a nobleman and his poet. Dafydd Llwyd and his son Rhys are extolled by Gutyn Goch Brydydd6 for their goodness of heart and generosity, but above all for their strength of character. Rhys seems to have been particularly well liked by contemporary poets. One of them, Lewys Mon,7 refers to him as Rhys ap Dafydd ap Dafydd ap Rhydderch, which rather supports Principal Davies's contention that Dafydd ap Rhydderch was the first of the family to settle at Gogerddan. Rhys appears to have been a man of a stern, decisive turn of mind, who was much feared by any miscreants of Llanbadarn Fawr. Of more than ordinary interest is a cywydd by Lewis Trefnant 'To Rhys Dafydd Llwyd when he went on a pilgrimage to Rome'.8 The poet tells how, heavy of heart, he has been ever watchful, gazing towards Calais, ever since his young lord left for Saint Peter's. Full of hiraeth, he tells of his fear lest some danger befall his patron on his way to seek the papal blessing and a remission of his sins. St. Padarn, second only to St. Peter, will ensure his safe return. His father will converse with none, except to seek some news; but the poet assures him that Rhys will soon be home again. His sisters are full of anguish, and Catrin (Phis wife) likewise is filled with anxiety. Even the poet himself admits to his pangs of worry, although he knows full well that no danger will befall the pilgrim. However, when Rhys returns to his courtly home and estate, and hair again grows on his tonsured head, all will play the pipes of glee in an endless succession of happiness. The world will be the merrier when Rhys the generous is home again full of grace at Gogerddan. And may the lord and pilgrim have a long life. Rhys's son Rhisiart is said by Sion Ceri9 to have been a stout [tree] among brushwood, while his liberality and commanding presence inspired Huw Arwystl10 to express these thoughts in a very fine stanza: Gold and wine, Rhisiart, you gave to the weak. Yesterday you were anointed with God's grace, and His countenance smiled on you; whoever was embittered-you tamed; and to the devil any wolf of a man who dared speak when your wrath was kindled and you had commanded peace. For his munificence, says Matthew Brwmfield,11 Rhisiart ap Rhys is the equal of Mordaf, Ifor Hael, and Nudd, and to-day he had not his peer. This Rhisiart, who was the first to assume the surname Prys, and his son John are the subject of an elegy by Sion Cain,12 wherein he enumerates the various public offices held by them. Of its kind it is an interesting cywydd, inasmuch as it reveals the poet's favourable reactions to the part played by the squires in the public life of Tudor Wales. There is, says he, cold anguish and great weeping in all parts of Deheubarth at Sir Richard's passing. It was a ninefold hurt to carry to the churchyard the sturdy and courtly Prys of Gogerddan. This man who boasted his lineage from Rhydderch, is there from among men of the nine counties an officer as powerful as he? A Justice [of the Peace] revered and pure, a generous and gentle Lieutenant, and Custos Rotulorum Sir Sion Prys after an unblemished life went to his grave as a saint. A gentleman of many offices, he was one of the Council of the Marches. Truly what living is there for a poet. He gave three gifts in one.