The Poetry of Wales | Page 4

his deepest feelings, so they furnish
the great themes for the poetry of all nations, more especially in its
ruder stages. The Welsh poet is no exception to the rule. On the
contrary, he indulges in the highest flights of imagination, and borrows
the grandest imagery and choicest description to set forth the Most
High and his wonderful works. No translation can convey to the
English reader the interest and effect which this class of poetry has and
produces upon the Welsh mind, simply because their trains of thought
are so entirely different. The power and expressiveness of the Welsh
language, which cannot be transferred into any English words, also add
materially to the effect of this class of poetry upon the native mind. The
Cymric is unquestionably an original language, and possesses a force
and expression entirely unknown to any of the derivative tongues. The
finer parts of scripture, as the Book of Job and the Psalms, are
immeasurably more impressive in the Welsh than English language.
The native of the Principality, who from a long residence in the
metropolis or other parts of England, and extensive acquaintance with
its people, followed often by mercantile success, so as almost to
become Anglicised, no sooner returns to his native hills, either for a
visit or residence, and upon the Sabbath morn enters the old parish
church or chapel to hear the bible read in the native tongue, than he
feels a transport of delight and joy, to which his heart has been foreign
since he crossed the border, mayhap in youth. Much of this may be
owing to a cause similar to that which fires the Swiss soldier on foreign
service when he hears the chant of his own mountain "_Rans des
vaches_." Something may doubtless be laid to the account of early
association; but, we think, more is justly due to the great
impressiveness and power of his native tongue. The poems, original
and translated, contained in the first part of the ensuing collection, may
convey to the English reader some idea of this class of Welsh poetry.
The love of the beautiful is natural to man, but of all nations the Greeks
entertained the best ideals and cultivated the faculty to the highest
perfection. Their temples have formed models of architectural beauty
for all nations, and the grace and elegance of their statuary have found
students among every people. Much of this taste for the beautiful

mingled with their poetry, which is kin sister to the imitative arts. In
recent times the Italians have inherited the faculty of beauty, and
introduced it into their fine cathedrals and capitols, as well as their
statuary. The French also have displayed the highest ideals of beauty in
their manufactures and fine arts. The Spaniards have introduced into
their poetry some of the inimitable grace and beauty of their Alhambra.
The Latin races appear in modern times to have been pre-distinguished
in the fine arts. Much of the taste for beauty is inherent in the Celtic
races, and this element is very perceptible in the poetry of the Cymric
branch, as will appear from the illustrations contained in the second
part of this collection.
Patriotism, or love of country, is characteristic of all nations, and
manifests itself in their poetical effusions, more especially of the earlier
date. It is but natural that man should feel a profound attachment to the
land of his fathers, to the valley where he spent the early and happier
years of his life, to the hills which bounded that plain, to the church or
chapel where he worshipped in youth, and in whose cemetery rest the
ashes of his kin, to the language of his childhood, its literature, history
and traditions, and more especially to the kind family, neighbours and
friends who watched over his infancy, and entertained his maturer years.
This attachment, which is no other than patriotism, is only deepened by
his removal into a distant land, and among a strange people. Perhaps no
people in modern times have cultivated their patriotic songs more
ardently or even more successfully than the Scotch; though probably
most of this may be owing to their great minstrel Scott, who
transformed their rude ballads into immortal song. Moore did a similar,
though smaller, service for the Irish branch of the Celtic race. And we
most truly think that a Welsh Scott or Moore is only wanting to marry
the lays of Wales to undying verse. The third part of this collection will
contain some of the most spirited of the patriotic poems of Wales.
Humour is inherent in every people, and is more or less characteristic
of every nation. Cervantes among the Spaniards, the Abbate Casti
among the Italians, Jean Paul Richter among the Germans, Voltaire
among the French, Samuel