Hey dear people! 🙂
For today, I have another song by Ffynnon for you. This time, it is a medieval englyn – a short poetic form traditional to Wales and Cornwall – written by Ieuan Brydydd Hir. It is a lament over the state of the court of Ifor ap Llywelyn of Bassaleg in Gwent, who was a patron of bards, including one of the greatest Welsh poets – Dafydd ap Gwilym. – It was also Dafydd ap Gwilym who gave him the name Ifor Hael (Ifor the Generous). The translation below comes from Ffynnon’s website.
The hall of Ifor the generous, poor it looks A cairn, it lies amongst alders Thorns and the blight of the thistle own it Briars, where once there was greatness
The muses are no longer there No bards nor joyous tables No gold within its walls No armour, no generous giver
Cold grief for Dafydd, skilled in song The burying of Ifor in the earth Paths where once there was singing Are now the haunts of the owl
Despite the brief glory of lords Their greatness and their walls end Houses on the sand Are a strange place for there to be pride
My Inner MishMash 