The Stealing of the Swine (Illustrated)

The Stealing of the Swine (Illustrated)

Math the son of Mathonwy was lord over Gwynedd,

and Pryderi son of Pwyll was lord over twenty-one cantrefs in the south, namely the seven cantrefs of Dyfed, and the seven of Morgannwg, and the four of Ceredigion, and the three of Ystrad Tywi.

At that time Math son of Mathonwy could not live unless his feet were in the lap of a virgin, except when the turmoil of war prevented him. The maiden who was with him was Goewin daughter of Pebin from Dol Pebin in Arvon, and she was the fairest maiden of her generation known at the time. Math found peace at Caer Dathyl in Arfon. He was unable to circuit the land, but Gilfaethwy son of Don, and Gwydion son of Don, his nephews, sons of his sisters, together with the retinue would circuit the land on his behalf. The maiden was always with Math. But Gilfaethwy son of Don set his heart on the maiden, and loved her to the extent that he did not know what to do about it. and behold his colour and face and form were wasting away because of his love for her, so that it was not easy to recognise him. One day Gwydion, his brother looked at him closely.

'Lad, he said, 'what has happened to you?'

'Why,' said the other, “what is wrong with me?'

'I can see that you are losing your looks and colour, and what has happened to you?' said Gwydion.

'Lord brother,' said Gilfaethwy, 'there is no point my telling anyone what has happened.'

“Why is that, my friend?' he said.

'You know of Math son of Mathonwy's special attribute', said Gilfaethwy. 'Whatever whispering goes on between people- no matter how quiet-once the wind catches hold of it then Math will know about it.'

'That's true,' said Gwydion; 'say no more. I know your thoughts; you love Goewin.'

When Gilfaethwy realized that his brother knew what was on his mind, he heaved the heaviest sigh in the world.

“Friend , stop your sighing,' said Gwydion; ' you will not get anywhere like that. The only thing to do is for me to arrange that Gwynedd and Powys and Deheubarth, gather for war, so that you can get the maiden; and cheer up, because I will arrange it for you.'

'Lord,' said Gwydion, 'I hear that some kind of creatures that have never been in this island before have arrived in the South.'

'What are they called?' said Math.

'Hobeu, lord.'

'What sort of animals are they?'

'Small animals whose flesh is better than beef. They are small, their name varies. They are called moch now.

'Who owns them?'

'Pryderi son of Pwyll-they were sent him from Annwfn, by Arawn, king of Annwfn.' (And to this day that name survives in the term for a side of pork, half a hob.)

'Well,' said Math, 'how can we get them from him?'

'I will go with eleven men disguised as poets, lord, to ask for the swine.'

'He could refuse you,' said Math.

“My plan is not a bad one, lord,' he said. 'I will not return without the swine.' 'Very well,' said Math, 'Then go on your way'.

Gwydion and Gilvaethwy, together with ten men, travelled to Ceredigion, to the place now called Rhuddlan Teivi; Pryderi had a court there.

 They entered disguised as poets. They were made welcome. Gwydion was seated next to Pryderi that night.

'Well,' said Pryderi, 'we would like to have a story from some of the young men over there.'

'Our custom, Lord,' said Gwydion, 'is that on the first night we come to a great man, the chief poet performs. I would be happy to tell a story.'

Gwydion was the best story teller in the world. And that night he entertained the court with amusing anecdotes and stories, until he was admired by everyone in the court, and Pryderi enjoyed conversing with him.

When that was over, 'Lord,' said Gwydion, 'can anyone deliver my request to you better than I myself?'

'No indeed,' said Pryderi, 'yours is a very good tongue.'

'Then this is my request, lord: to ask you for the animals that were sent to you from Annwfn.'

'Well,' he replied, 'that would be the easiest thing in the world, were there not an agreement between me and my people concerning them; namely, that I should not part with them until they had bred twice their number in the land.'

'Lord,' said Gwydion, 'I can free you from those words. This is how: do not give me the pigs tonight, but do not refuse me either. Tomorrow I will show you something you can exchange for them.'

That night Gwydion and his companions went to their lodging to confer.

'My men,' said Gwydion, 'We will not get the swine by asking for them.'

'Well,' they said, 'What plan is there to get them?'

'I will make sure we get them .' said Gwydion. Then he drew on his skills, and began to demonstrate his magic, and he conjured up twelve stallions...

...and twelve hounds, each one black with a white breast, and twelve collars with twelve leashes on them, and anyone who saw them would think they were of gold; and twelve saddles on the horses , and where there should have been of iron there was gold, and the bridles were of the same workmanship.

Gwydion came to Pryderi with the steeds and the dogs.

'Good day to you, lord,' he said.

'May God prosper you,' said the Pryderi, 'and welcome.'

'Lord,' he said.

'Here is a way out from what you said last night concerning the swine, that you would not give them away or sell them. You can exchange them for something better. I will give you these twelve horses, fully equipped as they are with their saddles and bridles, and these twelve hounds that you see, with their collars and leashes, and the twelve golden shields you can see over there.' (He had conjured those up out of toadstools).

'Well,' he said, 'we will take advice.' They decided to give Gwydion the swine and take from him in return the horses and hounds and shields.

Then they took their leave, and set off with the swine.

'My brave men', said Gwydion, 'We must move quickly. The magic will only last until tomorrow'.

(First, they travelled through the district of Creuddyn.)

And that night they journeyed as far as the upper part of Ceredigiawn, to the place which, from that cause, is called Mochdrev still.

And the next day they took their course through Melenydd, and came that night to the town which is likewise for that reason called Mochdrev between Keri and Arwystli.

And thence they journeyed forward; and that night they came as far as that Commot in Powys, which also upon account thereof is called Mochnant, and there tarried they that night.

And they journeyed thence to the Cantrev of Rhos, and the place where they were that night is still called Mochdrev.

“My men,” said Gwydion, “we must push forward to the fastnesses of Gwynedd with these animals, for there is a gathering of hosts in pursuit of us.” So they journeyed on to the highest town of Arllechwedd, and there they made a sty for the swine, and therefore was the name of Creuwyryon given to that town.

And after they had made the sty for the swine, they proceeded to Math the son of Mathonwy, at Caer Dathyl. And when they came there, the country was rising. “What news is there here?” asked Gwydion. “Pryderi is assembling one-and-twenty Cantrevs to pursue after you,” answered they. “It is marvellous that you should have journeyed so slowly.” “Where are the animals whereof you went in quest?” said Math. “They have had a sty made for them in the other Cantrev below,” said Gwydion.