The Death-song of Uther Pendragon

Marwnat Uthyr Pen[dragon] or ‘The Death-Song of Uthyr Pendragon’ – Pendragon is abbreviated in the The Book of Taliesin XLVIII.

The Death-song of Uther Pendragon

[Spoken by Uther]

Am I not with hosts making a din?
I would not cease, between two hosts, without gore.
Am I not he that is called Gorlassar?
My belt was a rainbow to my foe.
Am I not a prince, in darkness,
(To him) that takes my appearance with my two chief baskets?
Am I not, like Cawyl, ploughing?
I would not cease without gore between two hosts.
Is it not I that will defend my sanctuary?
In separating with the friends of wrath.
Have I not been accustomed to blood about the wrathful,
A sword-stroke daring against the sons of Cawrnur?
I shared my shelter,
a ninth share in Arthur’s valour.
I broke a hundred forts.
I slew a hundred stewards.
I bestowed a hundred mantles.
I cut off a hundred heads.
I gave to an old chief
very great swords of protection.
Is it not I that performed the rights of purification,
When Hayarndor went to the top of the mountain?
To my deprivation, to my sorrow, sinew was brave.
The world would not be if not for my offspring.

[Spoken by Taliesin]

I am a bard to be praised. The unskilful
May he be possessed by the ravens and eagle and bird of wrath.
Avagddu came to him with his equal,
When the bands of four men feed between two plains.
Abiding in heaven was he, my desire,
Against teh eagle, against the fear of the unskilful.
I am a bard, and I am a harper,
I am a piper, and I am a crowder.
Of seven score musicians the very great enchanter.
There was of the enamelled honor the privilege.
Hu of the expanded wings.
Thy son, thy barded proclamation,
Thy steward, of a gifted father.
My tongue to recite my death-song.
If of stone-work the opposing wall of the world.
May the countenance of Prydain be bright for my guidance.
Sovereign of heaven, let my messages not be rejected

Marwnat Vthyr Pen[dragon]

Neu vi luossawc yntrydar.
Ny pheidwn rwg deulu heb wyar.
Neu vi a elwir gorlassar.
Vygwreys bu enuys ym hescar.
Neu vi tywyssawc yn tywyll
Am rithwy am dwy pen kawell.
Neu vi eil kawyl yn ardu.
Ny pheidwn heb wyar rwg deulu.
Neu via amuc vy achlessur.
Yn difant a charant casnur.
Neur ordyfneis i waet am wythur.
Cledyfal hydyr rac meibon cawrnur.
Neu vi araunwys vy echlessur.
Nawuetran yg gwrhyt arthur.
Neu vi a torreis cant kaer.
Neu vi aledeis cant maer.
Neu vi arodeis cant llen.
Neu vi aledeis cant pen.
Neu vi arodeis i henpen.
Cledyfawr goruawr gyghallen.
Neu vi oreu terenhyd
Nayarndor edeithor penmynyd.
Ym gweduit ym gofit. hydyr oed gyhir.
Nyt oed vyt ny bei fy eissillyd.


Midwyf bard moladwy yghywreint.
Poet y gan vrein ac eryr ac wytheint.
Auacdu ae deubu y gymeint.
Pan ymbyrth petrywyr rwg dwy geint.
Drigyaw y nefoed ef vychwant.
rac eryr rac ofyn amheirant.
Wyf bard ac wyf telynawr.
Wyf pibyd ac wyf crythawr.
Seith vgein kerdawr dygoruawr
Gyghallen. bu kalch vri vriniat.
Hu escyll edeinat.
Dy vab dy veirdnat
Dy veir dewndat.
Vyn tauawnt y traethu vy marwnat.
Handit o meinat gwrth glodyat
Byt pryt prydein hyscein ymhwyllat.
Gwledic nef ygkennadeu nam doat.