Song of Taliesen

13th Century Translation of 6th Century Welsh Bard

I have been a wave on the ocean And I have been a fish therein I was cast away, and found again.

I was brought by the 9th wave On the shore of the Land And the sack could not hold me.

I have ridden beneath two ravens And served in the kitchen And all places are alike unto me!

Who can tell the Tale of Arthur? Who knows the hidden tales of Arfon? Who tells of Weyland, or of Gwynhwyfar?

Who shall tell the tales? Who shall remember the stories?

I have been in Caer Sidi In the Spiral Castle of Glass And the letters on the standing stones Are no secret from me.

I have searched the Castle of Glass And the stys of Annwyn I have asked of the Wise And of the Foolish. I go where I will, for who shall gainsay me?

Who knows the End Of the Spiral Dance? And Who knows the Beginning?

I have been the narrow blade of a sword That kills without cutting And the Void is my homeland.

I have passed through Fire, Water, Earth and Air And looked upon Chaos and Order; All places are alike unto me!

I have been made of flowers And of cold steel and brass Fire and ice are alike unto me.

I have loved a Maiden of Flowers And been husband to the Mother of All And I have bedded the Morrigan .... And lived to sing of it.

Who knows the heart And secret thoughts of Annwyn?

I have been in Annwyn And Tir na n'Og I have danced the Spiral Dance And drunk from the Hierlas at daybreak.

I am brother to Dragons, companion of Owls; And I know the Secret Name of the Cat.

I am the Oak tree, strong to the storm, And I am the grass growing in the cracks, bending to every breeze.

I am the lovers' whisper, in the deeps of love And I am the shout of the captains on the battlefield. I am the Song of the Birds And the endless murmur of the mountain stream.

Many names have I, but only one Nature; I am the Singer, and the Song, And I hold Three Things in trust.

The words of the scholars are clear to me And the secrets of the Ollamhs

I invoke the blessings of the Inspirer of Wisdom, And the Maker of Poets.

I am the Lapwing: I disguise the Secret!

I am the Roebuck: I hide the Secret!

I am the Hound with Red Ears: I guard the Secret! I am but a Fool; It is but my Nature. I AM! I WAS! I WILL BE!

I have been a wave on the ocean And I have been a fish therein I was cast away, and found again.

Many things am I; many things know I; But no man knows the Grave of Arthur.

Celtic Lion

Scribed this 14th day of November, 1997

I prithee, an thou hast enjoyed rest and merriment whilst pausing at the Gallery, scribe thy thoughts to the good gentle below.

songsmith@oocities.com
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