Geraint son of Erbin (Middle Welsh Geraint uab Erbin) is a medieval Welsh poem celebrating the hero Geraint and his deeds at the Battle of Llongborth. The poem consists of three-line englyn stanzas and exists in several versions all in Middle Welsh. The earliest surviving version is in the Black Book of Carmarthen, completed around 1250, though the poem may have been composed in the 10th or 11th century. It also appears in the ‘White Book of Rhydderch’, and the ‘Red Book of Hergest’. The poem is significant for its early mention of King Arthur.
The poem concerns a battle fought at ‘Llongborth’ and takes the form of a eulogy to one Geraint. Geraint himself is usually identified as a Dumnonian prince from the late sixth century, whilst Llongborth could be Langport (Somerset) or some miscellaneous llongborth, ‘ship harbour’.
Geraint son of Erbin, Black Book of Carmarthen XXII, Red Book of Hergest XIV.
Before Geraint, the enemy of oppression,
I saw white horses jaded and gory,
And after the shout, a terrible resistance.
Before Geraint, the unflinching foe,
I saw horses jaded and gory from the battle,
And after the shout, a terrible impulsion.
Before Geraint, the enemy of tyranny,
I saw horses white with foam,
And after the shout, a terrible torrent.
In Llongborth I saw the rage of slaughter,
And biers beyond all number,
And red-stained men from the assault of Geraint.
In Llongborth I saw the edges of blades in contact,
Men in terror and blood on the pate,
Before Geraint, the great son of his father.
In Llongborth I saw the spurs
Of men who would not flinch from the dread of the spears,
And the drinking of wine out of the bright glass.
In Llongborth I saw the weapons
Of men, and blood fast dropping,
And after the shout, a fearful return.
In Llongborth I saw Arthur,
And brave men who hewed down with steel,
Emperor, and conductor of the toil.
In Llongborth Geraint was slain,
A brave man from the region of Dyvnaint,
And before they were overpowered, they committed slaughter.
Under the thigh of Geraint were swift racers,
Long-legged, with wheat for their corn,
Ruddy ones, with the assault of spotted eagles.
Under the thigh of Geraint were swift racers,
Long their legs, grain was given them,
Ruddy ones, with the assault of black eagles.
Under the thigh of Geraint were swift racers,
Long-legged, restless over their grain,
Ruddy ones, with the assault of red eagles.
Under the thigh of Geraint were swift racers,
Long-legged, grain-scattering,
Ruddy ones, with the assault of white eagles.
Under the thigh of Geraint were swift racers,
Long-legged, with the pace of the stag,
With a nose like that of the consuming fire on a wild mountain.
Under the thigh of Geraint were swift racers,
Long-legged, satiated with grain,
Grey ones, with their manes tipped with silver.
Under the thigh of Geraint were swift racers,
Long-legged, well deserving of grain,
Ruddy ones, with the assault of grey eagles.
Under the thigh of Geraint were swift racers,
Long-legged, having corn for food,
Ruddy ones, with the assault of brown eagles.
When Geraint was born, open were the gates of heaven,
Christ granted what was asked,
Beautiful the appearance of glorious Prydain.