Wonder tales of ancient Wales - PREFACE. - The Stories in this book are told entirely in our own words and according to our own methods, and we believe that a large proportion of them have not appeared hitherto in an English garb. One of them, namely, Llew, has never been seen before in any attire, for it is new-born. We went to Welsh literature, and, having borrowed the underlying ideas of certain attractive stories, we placed them, so far as language is concerned, in an English setting, which, allowing for difference of idiom and word, represents sufficiently the sentiment and colour of the Welsh original. It follows, therefore, that the reader may at times possess what is practically a direct translation, or again, it may be that he is perusing what our imagination has supplied to heighten effect or fill out a slender outline. Our earnest hope is that the result of our joint labour-this Welsh spirit speaking through an English voice-will win the benison both of the critic and of the general public. The prontlnciation and meaning of the proper names are indicated phonetically in marginal notes, and the syllable to be stressed is usually marked by an acute accent. G is always pronounced like the t oo in t pool, and dd like the t h in this. Oi is a diphthong, and the short and long - marks indicate the volume of the vowels. -- CONTENTS -- Llew - - - - Bwcar Trwyn - The Sea-Maiden - - Owain of Drws Coed - Llyn Tegid - - Dafydd Meurig - - Elfod the Priest - - The Wyvern - - Meredydd - - The Strand of the Bitter Cry Idwal of Nant Clwyd - Modred the Druid - Einon and Olwen - - A LIST OF THE DRAWINGS. Llew - - - - Bwcar Trwyn - Owain of Drws Coed - Dafydd Meurig - - The Wyvern - - - TheStrand of the Bitter Cry Idwal of Nant Clwyd - Einon and Olwen - - Frontispiece Page 16 LLEW. Lleu, lion. ONG, long ago, in the village of Pennant, there lived two very poor people who had one little boy named Llew. They were so poor that Llew had to feed on the coarsest food, and he wore scarcely any clothes at all. But that did not trouble him. He was as happy as the day is long, and in the warm summer time he tumbled about amongst the rich hay, while in winter he rolled in the snow, or perhaps climbed the tall trees to keep himself warm. One golden summer morning, as he was pushing along through a big swathe of hay, he came to a place where a circle of rich grass grew, under the stems that had fallen before the mowers scythes. His eyes lit upon a tiny old man, whose clothing had got entangled in some thorns. He was the quaintest little thing Llew had ever seen. His coat was blue and he wore a curious cap fashioned out of skins, while his legs were enclosed in trousers which also covered his feet and came out to a point at his toes. Sad, blinding tears were trickling down his face, his mouth was puckered into sorrowful lines, and his snowy beard lay in confusion over his shoulders. Yet his face was kind, and the boy felt not the slightest fear. Hullo I said Llew. Who are you Oh please set me free, cried the little old man. Of course I will replied Llew, who was a kind little fellow. But whats your name As he said this he gently picked the thorns away from the little mans coat till he was quite at liberty. Thank you, Llew, he said and sat down on a wisp of hay. Now you want to know my name, and who I am Well, Im one of a large family called the Tylwyth T g. We live somewhere not farfrom here, and we love all people who are kind, and hate those who are cruel, and since there is kindness in your heart so that you have done me good LLEW. 3 service, whenever you may chance to be in trouble, sing to us, and my kith and kin will be sure to try to help you...