The literature of the Kymry; being a critical essay on the history of the language and literature of Wales, during the twelfth and two succeeding centuries ... / By Thomas Stephens.

  • Stephens, Thomas, 1821-1875.
Date:
1849
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: The literature of the Kymry; being a critical essay on the history of the language and literature of Wales, during the twelfth and two succeeding centuries ... / By Thomas Stephens. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    Llygad Gwr has Owain Cyveiliog has [in the Hirlas] ... Gwilym Ddu has .. 36 lines ending in 32 36 16 45 ed, i, dd, dith, and an. 24 lines rhyming in en, 24 ... ed, 20 ... eid, 18 16 16 16 14 32 30 an, ir, yr, ant, and yn. edd, and yd. and Ap yr Ynad, in Marwnad Llywelyn, ends 104 lines in aw. This species of affectation seems to have belonged pe¬ culiarly to this period; for to their credit be it said, it was not adopted by the bards of the succeeding centuries. Much however of this monotony arose from the simpli¬ city of their metres. From time to time these were great¬ ly improved ; and even during the period under considera¬ tion, many new metres were invented. Those in use prior to the time of Meilir were the following:— o 1. “ Gordian y Gyhydedd For.” This requires the line to consist of no more than four syllables, and the lines to be no more than eight in each verse. Each of the lines must have the same rhyme; and the poet has the privilege of choosing the number of lines from four to eight. 2. “ Y Gyhydedd Gaeth.” This is the same as the short metri- city, in all respects, except in the length of the lines, which should consist of five syllables. 3. “ Y Gyhydedd Drosgl,” (Rugged.) The same as the two pre¬ ceding, except in the length of the lines being six syllables. 4. “Y Gyhydedd Lefn,” (Smooth,) has seven syllables in each line, and is privileged to range from four to twelve lines in each verse. 5. “Y Gyhydedd Wastad,” (Regular,) has Octosyllabic lines, and verses ranging from four to sixteen lines each. 6. “ Y Gyhydedd Draws,” (Cross,) is the same as the last, only that there are nine syllables in each line. 7. “Y Gyhydedd Wen,” (Flowing.) Ten syllables; in other respects the same. 8. “ Y Gyhydedd Laes,” (Heavy.) Eleven syllables, &c. 9. “Y Gyhydedd Hir,” (Long,) is privileged to have as many