The Mabinogion Vol. 3 | Page 4

of Pwyll Prince of Dyved, and
was called Pwyll Chief of Annwvyn from that time forward.
* * * * *
Once upon a time, Pwyll was at Narberth his chief palace, where a feast
had been prepared for him, and with him was a great host of men. And

after the first meal, Pwyll arose to walk, and he went to the top of a
mound that was above the palace, and was called Gorsedd Arberth.
"Lord," said one of the Court, "it is peculiar to the mound that
whosoever sits upon it cannot go thence, without either receiving
wounds or blows, or else seeing a wonder." "I fear not to receive
wounds and blows in the midst of such a host as this, but as to the
wonder, gladly would I see it. I will go therefore and sit upon the
mound."
And upon the mound he sat. And while he sat there, they saw a lady, on
a pure white horse of large size, with a garment of shining gold around
her, coming along the high way that led from the mound; and the horse
seemed to move at a slow and even pace, and to be coming up towards
the mound. "My men," said Pwyll, "is there any among you who knows
yonder lady?" "There is not, Lord," said they. "Go one of you and meet
her, that we may know who she is." And one of them arose, and as he
came upon the road to meet her, she passed by, and he followed as fast
as he could, being on foot; and the greater was his speed, the further
was she from him. And when he saw that it profited him nothing to
follow her, he returned to Pwyll, and said unto him, "Lord, it is idle for
any one in the world to follow her on foot." "Verily," said Pwyll, "go
unto the palace, and take the fleetest horse that thou seest, and go after
her."
And he took a horse and went forward. And he came to an open level
plain, and put spurs to his horse; and the more he urged his horse, the
further was she from him. Yet she held the same pace as at first. And
his horse began to fail; and when his horse's feet failed him, he returned
to the place where Pwyll was. "Lord," said he, "it will avail nothing for
any one to follow yonder lady. I know of no horse in these realms
swifter than this, and it availed me not to pursue her." "Of a truth," said
Pwyll, "there must be some illusion here. Let us go towards the palace."
So to the palace they went, and they spent that day. And the next day
they arose, and that also they spent until it was time to go to meat. And
after the first meal, "Verily," said Pwyll, "we will go the same party as
yesterday to the top of the mound. And do thou," said he to one of his
young men, "take the swiftest horse that thou knowest in the field."

And thus did the young man. And they went towards the mound, taking
the horse with them. And as they were sitting down they beheld the
lady on the same horse, and in the same apparel, coming along the
same road. "Behold," said Pwyll, "here is the lady of yesterday. Make
ready, youth, to learn who she is." "My Lord," said he, "that will I
gladly do." And thereupon the lady came opposite to them. So the
youth mounted his horse; and before he had settled himself in his
saddle, she passed by, and there was a clear space between them. But
her speed was no greater than it had been the day before. Then he put
his horse into an amble, and thought that notwithstanding the gentle
pace at which his horse went, he should soon overtake her. But this
availed him not; so he gave his horse the reins. And still he came no
nearer to her than when he went at a foot's pace. And the more he urged
his horse, the further was she from him. Yet she rode not faster than
before. When he saw that it availed not to follow her, he returned to the
place where Pwyll was. "Lord," said he, "the horse can no more than
thou hast seen." "I see indeed that it avails not that any one should
follow her. And by Heaven," said he, "she must needs have an errand to
some one in this plain, if her haste would allow her to declare it. Let us
go back to the palace." And to the palace they went, and they spent that
night in songs and feasting, as it pleased