Preiddu Annwfn
From the Book of Taliesin
Collated by Charles Squire from translations by Skene, Stephens, Nash and Rhys.

I will praise the Sovereign, supreme Lord of the land,
Who hath extended his dominion over the shore of the world.
Stout was the prison of Gweir¹, in Caer Sidi,
Through the Spite of Pwyll and Pryderi:
No one before him went into it.
The heavy blue chain firmly held the youth,
And before the spoils of Annwn woefully he sang,
And thenceforth till doom he shall remain a bard.
Thrice enough to fill Prydwen² we went into it;
Except seven, none returned from Caer Sidi³.

Am I not a candidate for fame, to be heard in song
In Caer Pedryvan⁴, for times revolving?
The first word from the cauldron, when was it spoken?
By the breath of nine maidens it was gently warmed.
Is it not the cauldron of the chief of Annwn?  What is its fashion?
A rim of pearls is round its edge.
It will not cook the food of a coward or one foresworn.
A sword flashing bright will be raised to him,
And left in the hand of Lleminawg.
And before the door of the gate of Uffern⁵ the lamp was burning.
When we went with Arthur - a splendid labour! -
Except seven, none returned from Caer Vedwyd⁶.

Am I not a candidate for fame, to be heard in song
In Caer Pedryvan, in the Isle of the Strong Door,
Where twilight and pitchy darkness meet together,
And bright wine is the drink of the host?
Thrice enough to fill Prydwen we went into the sea.
Except seven, none returned from Caer Rigor⁷.

I will not allow much praise to the leaders of literature.
Beyond Caer Wydyr⁸ they saw not the prowess of Arthur;
Three-score hundreds stood on the walls;
It was hard to converse with their watchman.
Thrice enough to fill Prydwen we went with Arthur;
Except seven, none returned from Caer Golud⁹.

I will not allow much praise to the spiritless.
They know not on what day, or who caused it,
Or in what hour of the serene day Cwy was born,
Or who caused that he should not go to the dales of Devwy.
They know not the brindled ox with the broad headband,
Whose yoke is seven-score handbreadths.
When we went with Arthur, of mournful memory,
Except seven, none returned from Caer Vandwy¹⁰.

I will not allow much praise to those of drooping courage
They know not on what day the chief arose,
Nor in what hour of the serene day the owner was born,
Nor what animal they keep, with its head of silver.
When we went with Arthur, of anxious striving,
Except seven, none returned from Caer Ochren¹¹.

NOTES:
1: A form of the name Gwydion
2: The name of Athur's ship
3: Revolving Castle
4: Four-cornered castle
5: The Cold Place
6: Castle of Revelry.
7: Kingly Castle
8: Glass Castle
9: Castle of Riches
10: Meaning is unknown
11: Meaning is unknown