Beltaine Poem for Pryderi

by Gwernin posted on June 13, 2019
Related: Welsh Culture, Creative Writing, dean, Pryderi

by G.R. Grove

Gold-haired boy-child, Beltane born,

Wisdom’s son, mother’s Worry,

horse-fond lad, Epona’s foal,

swift you grew, swift your running.

Land-lord-fostered, well-loved child,

hard your parting from that home;

joy your coming brought to two –

Annwn’s Head and his Great Queen.

Sorrow fled Rhiannon’s face,

her false penance now was done.

Hail, Pryderi, Dyfed’s Heir –

Hail, Pryderi, hail!

Sharp-speared warrior, once you went

with great Bran to Ireland fair.

Fierce you fought there; from that fray

seven only did survive.

Feasting followed; four-score years

with sweet bird-song pleasant passed.

Bran’s head buried, home you brought

Manawydan, wise and strong, 

soon to be your mother’s mate,

in green Dyfed long to live.

Hail, Pryderi, Dyfed’s Prince –

Hail, Pryderi, hail!

Slow years passed; you ruled alone,
generous, joyous, glad in hall.
Then from Gwynedd strangers came
cloaked in magic, offering
three deceptions, Gwydion’s work:
gold that glittered but soon fled.
You chose wrongly, broke your geis –
vengeance followed, blood and ruin.
Youth and magic beat you down,
yet your courage never failed.
Hail, Pryderi, Dyfed’s Loss –
Hail, Pryderi, hail!


by Gwernin posted on June 13, 2019 | Related: Welsh Culture, Creative Writing, dean, Pryderi
Citation: Gwernin, "Beltaine Poem for Pryderi", Ár nDraíocht Féin, June 13, 2019, https://staging.ng.adf.org/article/beltaine-poem-for-pryderi/