The Mabinogion | Page 4

his
actions. But it is requisite that care be taken not to push the
etymological dissection too far. Thus, "Caer Arianrod" should be taken
simply as the "Camp of Arianrod," and not rendered the "Camp of the
silver circle," because the latter, though it might possibly have
something to do with the reason for which the name was borne by
Arianrod herself, had clearly no reference to its application to her
camp.
It appears to me, then, looking back upon what has been advanced:-
I. That we have throughout Europe, at an early period, a great body of
literature, known as Mediaeval Romance, which, amidst much that is
wholly of Teutonic origin and character, includes certain well-marked
traces of an older Celtic nucleus.
II. Proceeding backwards in time, we find these romances, their
ornaments falling away at each step, existing towards the twelfth
century, of simpler structure, and with less encumbered Celtic features,
in the works of Wace, and other Bards of the Langue d'Oil.

III. We find that Geoffrey of Monmouth, Layamon, and other early
British and Anglo-Saxon historians, and minstrels, on the one hand,
transmitted to Europe the rudiments of its after romance, much of
which, on the other hand, they drew from Wales.
IV. Crossing into Wales we find, in the Mabinogion, the evident
counterpart of the Celtic portion of the continental romance, mixed up,
indeed, with various reflex additions from beyond the border, but still
containing ample internal evidence of a Welsh original.
V. Looking at the connexion between divers of the more ancient
Mabinogion, and the topographical nomenclature of part of the country,
we find evidence of the great, though indefinite, antiquity of these tales,
and of an origin, which, if not indigenous, is certainly derived from no
European nation.
It was with a general belief in some of these conclusions, that I
commenced my labours, and I end them with my impressions strongly
confirmed. The subject is one not unworthy of the talents of a Llwyd or
a Prichard. It might, I think, be shown, by pursuing the inquiry, that the
Cymric nation is not only, as Dr. Prichard has proved it to be, an early
offshoot of the Indo-European family, and a people of unmixed descent,
but that when driven out of their conquests by the later nations, the
names and exploits of their heroes, and the compositions of their bards,
spread far and wide among the invaders, and affected intimately their
tastes and literature for many centuries, and that it has strong claims to
be considered the cradle of European Romance.
C. E. G. DOWLAIS, August 29th, 1848.

THE LADY OF THE FOUNTAIN

King Arthur was at Caerlleon upon Usk; and one day he sat in his
chamber; and with him were Owain the son of Urien, and Kynon the
son of Clydno, and Kai the son of Kyner; and Gwenhwyvar and her

handmaidens at needlework by the window. And if it should be said
that there was a porter at Arthur's palace, there was none. Glewlwyd
Gavaelvawr was there, acting as porter, to welcome guests and
strangers, and to receive them with honour, and to inform them of the
manners and customs of the Court; and to direct those who came to the
Hall or to the presence-chamber, and those who came to take up their
lodging.
In the centre of the chamber King Arthur sat upon a seat of green
rushes, over which was spread a covering of flame-coloured satin, and
a cushion of red satin was under his elbow.
Then Arthur spoke, "If I thought you would not disparage me," said he,
"I would sleep while I wait for my repast; and you can entertain one
another with relating tales, and can obtain a flagon of mead and some
meat from Kai." And the King went to sleep. And Kynon the son of
Clydno asked Kai for that which Arthur had promised them. "I, too,
will have the good tale which he promised to me," said Kai. "Nay,"
answered Kynon, "fairer will it be for thee to fulfill Arthur's behest, in
the first place, and then we will tell thee the best tale that we know." So
Kai went to the kitchen and to the mead- cellar, and returned bearing a
flagon of mead and a golden goblet, and a handful of skewers, upon
which were broiled collops of meat. Then they ate the collops and
began to drink the mead. "Now," said Kai, "it is time for you to give me
my story." "Kynon," said Owain, "do thou pay to Kai the tale that is his
due." "Truly," said Kynon, "thou are older, and art a better teller of
tales, and hast seen more marvellous things than I; do thou therefore
pay Kai his tale." "Begin thyself," quoth