1. Neu-Kelte 🌻💙💛🌻
#MythologyMonday: `#Pwyll passed the year in Annwfn in hunting, singing, dancing, friendship and conversation with his companions until the night that the engagement was [to be]. The date of that night came as clearly to the memory of the farthest man in the land as it did to he himself. He went to the appointment, along with the nobles of the country. As soon as he came to the ford, a horseman rode up and spoke thus:
'Good men,' said he 'listen well. Between [these] two kings is this appointment, and that between their two persons [only]. Each one is a claimant against the other, over issues of land and territory. May all [the rest] of you stand back, and let [the fight] be between them [alone].'
At that the two kings closed in on one another to the middle of the ford for their encounter. At the first onslaught the king who was in the place of Arawn[15] struck Hafgan in the middle of the boss of his shield, so it split in two halves and all his armour was broken and Hafgan was a spear-and-arms length over the back of his horse and onto the ground, with a mortal wound upon him.
'Chieftain,' said Hafgan 'what right have you to my death?[16] I was not bringing any claim against you, I do not know why you are killing me either; but by God', he said 'since you have begun my death, finish it [now]!'
'Chieftain,' he replied 'it may be that I would regret doing what I did to you[17]. Find someone [else] to kill you; [but] I will not kill you.'[18]
'My faithful peers,' said Hafgan 'carry me away from here. The conclusion of my death is truly upon me. I am in no condition to uphold you any more.'
'Peers of mine' said the man who was in the place of Arawn 'take a reckoning[19], and find out those [out there] who owe me allegiance.'
'Lord, everybody owes you [allegiance], as there is [now] no other king in the whole of Annwfn but yourself.'
'Aye' said he '[for those] who come in peace, the reception will be just. Whoever does not come compliantly, let them be impelled by force of arms.' Then he took homage from the men, and began to take possession of the land, and by noon the next day both the two kingdoms were in his power. At that he made for his meeting place and came to Glyn Cuch. When he got there Arawn was awaiting him. Each greeted the other.
'Well,' said Arawn 'God repay you for your friendship. I have heard all about it.'
'Aye' he replied 'when you come yourself to your country you will see what I have done for you.'
'Whatever you have done for me, may God repay you.' #Celtic
Source: https://www.mabinogi.net/pwyll.htm
Pwyll Pen Annwfn: First Branch of the Mabinogi

New translation of the Four Branches of the Mabinogi including notes, searchable bibliography and links page

Apr 28, 2025 at 4:43pmWeb
Show thread1. Neu-Kelte 🌻💙💛🌻Apr 28, 2025
#MythologyMonday: `#Arawn then gave #Pwyll Pendeuic Dyuet [back] his own form and his appearance, while he for his part took back his own form and appearance. Arawn went towards his court in Annwfn and rejoiced on seeing his host and his household, having not seen them for [such] a long time. They, however, knew nothing of his absence and were no more surprised at his arrival than before. He passed that day with cheerfulness and merriment, sitting talking to his wife and his noblemen. When it became more timely to sleep than to carouse, [off] they went to bed.
He made for the bed, and his wife came with him. The first thing he did was talk with his wife and join in sensual pleasure and love-making with her. She had not been used to that for a year, and that is what she thought. 'O God,' she wondered 'what is the different mind that is in him tonight, [so different] from that which has been in him for the last year?' She lay in thought for a long time. After that, he woke up and tried speaking to her once, twice, and a third time. No answer could he get from her.
'Why won't you speak to me?'
'I tell you,' she replied 'for a year I have not spoken even so much anywhere like this.'
'Why,' said he 'we've been talking all the time.'
'Shame on me,' she replied '[but] for the last year, from whenever we were enfolded in bed clothes there has been no affection, no conversation, nor you even turning your face towards me: let alone anything other than which might have happened between us.'
Then he began thinking. 'Lord God,' he said to himself 'a uniquely strong and unwavering friend is the one with whom I have made [this] friendship.'
He then spoke to his wife: 'Lady,' he said 'You mustn't blame me. Between me and God, I haven't slept with you for a year since last night, nor have I laid down [here].' And he told her the whole story.
'By my confession to God,' said she 'a strong hold you have on your friend, for warding off bodily temptation, and keeping faith with you.'
'That was what I was thinking while I was silent with you.'
'No wonder,' she replied.[20]` #Celtic
Source: https://www.mabinogi.net/pwyll.htm
Pwyll Pen Annwfn: First Branch of the Mabinogi

New translation of the Four Branches of the Mabinogi including notes, searchable bibliography and links page