Here begins the Mabinogi. Pwyll, prince of Dyvet, reigned over the seven cantrefs of this country. One day when he was at Arberth, his main court, he took a fancy to go hunting. The place on his estates that he had in mind for hunting was Glynn Cuch. He left Arberth the same night and arrived at Llwyn Diarwya where he spent the night.
Pwyll Prince of Dyvet
The next day he got up, in the youth of the day, and went to Glynn Cuch to run his dogs into the woods. His horn sounded the gathering for the hunt; he rushed after the dogs and soon lost his companions. As he listened to the barking of the dogs, he heard those of another pack; the voice was not the same and this pack advanced to meet his. At this moment a level clearing presented itself to his view in the wood, and, just as his pack appeared on the edge of the clearing, he saw one deer fleeing in front of the other. He arrived in the middle of the clearing when the pack that was pursuing him reached him and knocked him down. Pwyll began to consider the color of these dogs without thinking anymore of the deer, he had never seen one like any hunting dog in the world. They were a bright, lustrous white, and they had red ears, a red as shiny as their whiteness. Pwyll advanced towards the dogs, chased away the pack which had killed the deer and called his dogs to the cure. At that moment he saw coming following the pack, a knight mounted on a large iron-gray horse, a hunting horn around his neck, wearing a gray wool hunting outfit.
The knight advanced towards him and spoke to him thus: “Prince, I know who you are, and I will not salute you.
“That is because you are perhaps,” replied Pwyll, “of such a rank that you can dispense with it.
– It is certainly not the eminence of my rank that prevents me from doing so.
– What then, lord?
– By me and God, your rudeness and your lack of courtesy.
– What rudeness, lord, have you noticed in me?
– I have never seen anyone commit a greater crime than chasing away a pack that killed a deer and calling his own to the priesthood! this is indeed a lack of courtesy; and, even if I do not take revenge on you, through me and God, I will give you a bad reputation for the value of more than a hundred deer.
– If I have wronged you, I will redeem your friendship.
– In what way?
– It will be according to your dignity; I don't know who you are.
– I am crowned king in my home country.
– Lord, good day to you! And what country are you from?
– From Annwvyn; I am Arawn, king of Annwvyn.
– In what way, lord, will I obtain your friendship?
– Behold: there is someone whose domains are just opposite mine and who continually makes war against me; it is Hafgan king of Annwvyn. If you rid me of this scourge, and you can easily, you will easily obtain my friendship.
– I will gladly do it. Tell me how I'll get there.
- Here's how. I will form an intimate brotherhood with you; I will put you in my place in Annwvyn; I will give you to sleep with you every night the most beautiful woman you have ever seen. You will have my face and my appearance, so that there will be neither valet, nor officer, nor anyone among those who have ever followed me, who suspects that it is not me. And this, until the end of this year, starting tomorrow. Our interview will then take place in this location.
– Well, but, even after spending a year there, according to what indications will I be able to meet the man you say?
– The meeting between him and I is set for one year this evening, on the ford; be there in my guise; give him one blow, and he won't survive. He will ask you for a second one, but do not give it despite his pleas. Even though I hit him, the next day he fought with me even harder.
– Fine, but what will I do for my estate?
– I will ensure, said Arawn, that there is neither man nor woman in your states who can suspect that it is I who have taken your features, I will go in your place.
– Gladly, I am leaving.
– Your journey will be without difficulty; nothing will stand in your way until you arrive in my States: I will be your guide. “
He led Pwyll until he was within sight of the courtyard and houses. "I entrust, he said, into your hands my court and my domains. Between; there is no one who hesitates to recognize you. By the way you see the service being done, you will learn the manners of the court. “
Pwyll went to court. There he saw bedrooms, halls, apartments with the most beautiful decorations that could be seen in a house. As soon as he entered the room, squires and young valets ran to disarm him. Each of them greeted him as they arrived. Two knights came to strip him of his hunting attire and dress him in a golden brocade garment. The room was prepared; he saw the family enter, the suite, the most beautiful and best-equipped troop that had ever been seen, and with them the queen, the most beautiful woman in the world, dressed in a golden habit of lustrous brocade. After washing, they sat down to table: the queen on one side of Pwyll, the earl, he supposed, on the other. He began to chat with the queen and he judged, from his conversation, that she was indeed the wisest woman, with the noblest character and language, that he had ever seen. They had food, drink, music, compote as they wished; it was indeed of all the courts he had seen in the world, the best furnished with food, drinks, golden dishes and royal jewels. When it was time to sleep, he and the queen went to bed. As soon as they were in bed, he turned his back on her and remained with his face fixed towards the edge of the bed, without saying a single word to her until morning. The next day there was nothing but cheerfulness and friendly conversation between them. But, whatever their affection during the day, he did not behave one night until the end of the year differently from the first. He passed the time in hunts, songs, feasts, friendly relations, conversations with his companions, until the night fixed for the meeting. There was not a man, even in the most distant parts of the kingdom, who did not have this encounter in mind. He went there with the gentlemen of his estates.
As soon as he arrived, a knight stood up and spoke thus: “Nobles, listen to me carefully: this meeting is between the two kings, between their two bodies only. Each of them claims land and domains from the other. You can all stay calm, as long as you let the matter be resolved between the two of them. “
Immediately the two kings approached each other towards the middle of the ford, and came to blows. At the first shock, Arawn's replacement hit Hafgan in the middle of the buckle of the shield so that he split him in two, shattered the armor and threw Hafgan to the ground, with the full length of his arm and his head. throws over the rump of his mortally wounded horse.
» Ah, prince, cried Hafgan, what right did you have to my death? I didn't ask you for anything; you had no motive, to my knowledge, to kill me. In the name of God, since you have started, finish me.
“Prince,” he replied, “it may be that I repent of what I have done to you; look for who is killing you, for my part, I will not kill you.
– My noble faithful, take me from here; it's done with me; I am no longer in a position to ensure your fate any longer.
– My nobles, said Arawn’s replacement, inquire and know who my vassals should be.
– Lord, replied the nobles; everyone here must be; there is no other king in all Annwvyn but you.
– Well, it is right to welcome those who show themselves to be submissive subjects; for those who will not come to submit, let them be forced to do so by force of arms.
He immediately received homage from the vassals, and began to take possession of the country; By midday the next day both kingdoms were in his power. He then left for the place of meeting, and went to Glynn Cuch. There he found Arawn waiting for him; each of them gave the other a joyful welcome: “God reward you,” said Arawn, “you have behaved like a comrade, I have learned that. When you return to your country, he added, you will see what I have done for you.
“God bless you,” replied Pwyll.
Arawn then restored his form and features to Pwyll, prince of Dyvet, and took back his own; then he returned to his court in Annwvyn. He was happy to be with his people and his family, whom he had not seen for a long time. For them, they had not felt his absence, and his arrival did not seem, this time, more extraordinary than usual. He spent the day in gaiety, joy, rest and conversations with his wife and his nobles. When it seemed time for them to sleep rather than drink, they went to bed. The king went to bed and his wife went to join him. After a few moments of conversation, he indulged in the pleasures of love with her. As she hadn't been used to it for a year, she started to think.
» God, she said, how is it that he had feelings this night different from all the other nights for a year now? “
She remained thoughtful for a long time. In the meantime, he woke up. He spoke to her first, then a second, then a third, without getting an answer. Why, he said, don't you answer me?
– I will tell you, she replied, more than I have said in this place for a year.
- How ? We talked about many things.
– Shame on me, if it was a year ago last night, from the moment we found ourselves in the folds of these bed sheets, there were games and conversations between us; if you even turned your face towards me, let alone speak of more important things! “
He too became pensive. » Truly, Lord God, he cried, there is no friendship more solid and more constant than that of the companion whom I have found. “
Then he said to his wife: “Princess, do not accuse me; by me and God, I haven't slept with you, I haven't laid down by your side for a year last night. »
And he told him about his adventure. » I attest to it God, she said, you have laid your hand on a solid friend both in battles, and in the trials of the body and in the fidelity he has kept to you.
– Princess, that was precisely what I was thinking about when I was silent towards you.
“So it wasn’t surprising,” she replied.
Pwyll, prince of Dyvet, also returned to his domains and his country. He began by asking his nobles what they thought of his government that year compared to other years.
» Lord, they replied, never have you shown so much courtesy, never have you been more amiable; you have never spent your wealth with so much ease; your administration has never been better than this year.
– By me and God, he cried, it is truly right that you show your gratitude to the man you had in your midst. Here is the adventure as it happened. »
And he told it to them all the way through. » Truly, lord, they said, God be blessed for having provided you with such friendship. The government we had this year, you won’t take it back from us?
– No, by me and God, as far as is in my power. “
From that moment on, they worked to consolidate their friendship; They sent each other horses, hunting dogs, falcons, all the precious objects that each of them believed would please the other. Following his stay in Annwvyn, as he had ruled there so successfully and united the two kingdoms into one on the same day, the qualification of Prince of Dyvet for Pwyll was left aside, and he was no longer called as Pwyll, chief of Annwvyn.
One day he was at Arberth, his principal court, where a feast had been prepared, with a large retinue of vassals. After the first meal, Pwyll got up, went for a walk, and went to the top of a mound higher than the courtyard, called Gorsedd Arberth. "Lord," said someone from the court, "the privilege of this mound is that every nobleman who sits there does not leave without having received blows and wounds, or having seen a prodigy. .
– Blows and wounds, he replied, I do not fear them in the midst of such a troop. As for the prodigy, I would not be sorry to see him. I'm going to sit on the mound. “
This is what he did. As they were seated, they saw coming, along the main road which led from the mound, a woman mounted on a pale white horse, large, very large; she wore a golden and lustrous outfit. The horse appeared to all the spectators to be advancing at a slow and even pace. He arrived at the height of the mound. "Men," said Pwyll, "is there any among you who knows that woman on horseback yonder?
“No one, lord,” they replied.
– Let someone meet her on the road to find out who she is. »
One of them got up eagerly and went to meet him; but when he arrived in front of her on the road, she passed him. He began to pursue her at his fastest pace; but the more he hurried, the further she found herself from him.
Seeing that it was no use pursuing her, he returned to Pwyll and said to him: “Lord, it is useless for any man on foot in the world to pursue her.
“Well,” replied Pwyll, “go to the court, take the fastest horse you see there, and follow it. »
The valet went to get the horse and left. Arriving on level ground, he made the horse feel the spurs; but the more he hit him, the further she found herself from him, and yet her horse seemed to have kept the same pace that she had given him at the beginning. His horse is weakening. When he saw that his foot was missing, he returned to Pwyll. “Lord,” he said, “it is useless for anyone to pursue this lady. I did not before know a horse faster than this in all the kingdom, and yet it did me no good to pursue her.
“Certainly,” said Pwyll, “there is some story of witchcraft beneath it. Let's return to the court. “
They went there and spent the day there. The next day they remained there from the time they got up until it was time to eat. When the first meal was over, Pwyll said: “We are going to go to the top of the mound, all of us who were there yesterday. And you, he said to a squire, bring the fastest horse you know into the fields. “
The page obeys; they went to the mound with the horse. They had barely sat there when they saw the woman on the same horse, with the same clothing, following the same route. »Here, said Pwyll, is yesterday’s rider. Be ready, valet, to find out who she is.
– Gladly, lord. “
The squire mounted his horse, but before he was properly seated in the saddle, she had passed by him, leaving a certain distance between them; she didn't seem to be in any more hurry than the previous day. He set his horse to a trot, thinking that, however leisurely his pace, he would reach it. As this did not succeed, he threw his horse at full speed; but he gained no more ground than if he had been in step. The more he struck the horse, the farther she found herself from him, and yet she did not seem to be moving at a faster pace than before. Seeing that his pursuit was fruitless, he returned to Pwyll. » Lord, the horse can't do more than you saw him do.
– I see, he replied, that it is of no use to anyone to pursue her. By me and God, she must have a mission for someone from this plain; but she doesn't take the time to explain it. Let's return to the court. “
They went there and spent the night there, having music and drinks as they wanted.
The next day they passed the time in entertainment until meal time. When the meal was over, Pwyll said: “Where is the troop with whom I was, yesterday and the day before yesterday, at the top of the mound?
“Here we are, lord,” they replied.
– Let’s go sit there.
– And you, he said to his squire, saddle my horse well, go quickly with him on the road, and bring my spurs. “
The servant did so. They went to the mound. They had barely been there a moment when they saw the rider coming by the same route, in the same outfit, and advancing at the same pace. "Knave," said Pwyll, "I see the horsewoman coming; give me my horse. » He was no sooner in the saddle than she had already overtaken him. He turned bridle after her, and released the reins to his impetuous and fiery horse, convinced that he would reach her in the second or third bound. He found himself no closer to her than before. He launched his horse at full speed. Seeing that it was no use pursuing her, Pwyll cried out: “Young girl, for the love of the man you love most, wait for me.
– Gladly, she said; It would have been better for the horse if you had made this request some time ago. » The girl stopped and waited. She threw back the part of her veil that covered her face, fixed her eyes on him and began to converse with him.
“Princess,” said Pwyll, “where do you come from and why are you traveling?”
“For my own business,” she replied, “and I am happy to see you.”
- Welcome. » In Pwyll's eyes, the faces of all the maids or women he had seen were of no charm compared to his own. » Princess, he added, will you tell me a word about your affairs?
– Yes, by me and God, she replied, my main business was to seek to see you.
– This is, for me, the best deal for which you can come. Will you tell me who you are?
– Prince, I am Rhiannon, daughter of Heveidd Hen. They want to give me to someone in spite of myself. I have not wanted any man, and that out of love for you, and I will never want anyone, unless you reject me. It is to get your answer on this subject that I came.
– By me and God, here it is: If I were given the choice between all the women and maids in the world, it is you that I would choose.
- Well ! If this is your will, arrange an appointment for me before I am given to another.
- The earliest would be best; attach it wherever you want.
– Well, lord, in a year's time, this evening, a feast will be prepared by me, in preparation for your arrival, in the court of Heveidd.
– Gladly, I will be there on the appointed day.
– Stay healthy, lord, and remember your promise. I am leaving. “
They separated, Pwyll returned to his people and his retinue. Whatever request was made to him about the young girl, he moved on to other subjects. They spent the year at Arberth until the appointed time. He equipped himself with his knights, the hundredth, and went to the court of Heveidd Hen. He was given a warm welcome. There was great gathering, great joy, and great preparations of a feast for him. All the resources of the court were disposed of according to his will. The room was prepared and we sat down to table: Heveidd Hen sat on one side of Pwyll, Rhiannon on the other; and, after them, each according to his dignity. We began to eat, drink and talk.
After having finished eating, just as we were starting to drink, we saw a tall, dark young man enter, with a princely appearance, dressed in brocade. From the entrance to the room, he greeted Pwyll and his companions. "God bless you, my soul," said Pwyll, "come and sit down."
– No, he replied, I am a petitioner and I am going to present my request.
- Gladly.
– Lord, it is with you that I have business and it is to make a request of you that I have come.
– Whatever the object, if I can make you hold it, you will have it.
– Alas! said Rhiannon, Why do you make such an answer?
“He did it well, princess,” said the stranger, in the presence of these gentlemen.
– What is your request, my soul? said Pwyll.
– You must sleep tonight with the woman I love most; it is to claim it from you, as well as the preparations and supplies for the feast, that I have come here. “
Pwyll remained silent, finding nothing to answer. “Be silent as much as you like,” cried Rhiannon; I have never seen a man more slow-witted than you.
– Princess, he replied, I didn’t know who he was.
– This is the man to whom they wanted to give me in spite of myself, Gwawl, son of Clut, a warlike and rich character. But since you have failed to speak as you did, give me to him to save yourself from shame.
– Princess, I don’t know what your answer is; I will never be able to take it upon myself to say what you advise me.
– Give me to him and I’ll make sure he never has me.
- What do you mean ?
– I will give you a small bag in your hand; keep it well. He will claim from you the feast and all its preparations and supplies, but none of this is yours. I will distribute it to the troops and family. You will answer him along these lines. As far as I'm concerned, I'll give him a deadline of one year, starting tonight, to sleep with me. At the end of the year, find yourself with your bag, with your knights, you hundredth, in the orchard up there. When he is in full fun and compote, enter, dressed in beggar's clothes, bag in hand, and ask only for a full bag of food. Even if we stuffed all the food and drink into these seven cantrevs, I will ensure that it is no more full than before. When a large quantity has been stuffed into it, he will ask you if your bag will never be full. You will answer him that it will not be, unless a very powerful nobleman gets up, presses the food into the bag with his feet and says: “We have put enough. » He's the one I'll make go there to crush the food. Once he is in, turn the bag around until it is over his head and tie a knot with the bag straps. Have a good horn around your neck, and, as soon as the sack is tied on it, sound the horn: this will be the signal agreed between you and your knights. At this sound, let them rush into the courtyard.
Gwawl said to Pwyll: “It is time that I had an answer to my request.
“All that you have asked of me of what is in my possession,” he replied, “you will have.”
– My soul, said Rhiannon to him, for the feast with all the provisions, I have arranged in favor of the men of Dyvet, of my family and of the companies which are here; I will not allow it to be given to anyone. A year from now tonight, a feast will be prepared in this room for you, my soul, for the night you sleep with me.
Gwawl returned to his lands, Pwyll en Dyvet, and there they spent the year until the time appointed for the feast in the court of Eveidd Hen.
Gwawl, son of Clut, went to the feast prepared for him; he entered the courtyard and received a warm welcome. As for Pwyll, chief of Annwvyn, he went to the orchard with his knights, him hundredth, as Rhiannon had recommended to him, equipped with his bag. He put on heavy rags and heavy shoes. When he knew that we had finished eating and were starting to drink, he walked straight to the room. Arriving at the entrance, he greeted Gwawl and his companions, men and women. » God gives you well, said Gwawl, be welcome in his name.
– Lord, he replied, I have a request to make of you.
– May she be welcome; If you make me a suitable request, you will get it.
– Suitable, lord; I only ask out of need. Here's what I'm asking: fill the little bag you see with food.
– This is indeed a modest request; I gladly grant it to you: bring him some food. “
A large number of officers stood up and began to fill the bag. No matter how much we put some in, it wasn't any fuller than when we started. » My soul, said Gwawl, will your bag ever be full?
– It will never be, by me and God, whatever is put into it, unless a master of lands, domains and vassals stands up, presses the food with both feet into the bag and don't say: "We've had enough." »
“Champion,” said Rhiannon to Gwawl, son of Clut, “get up quickly.
– Gladly, he replied.
He stood up and put both feet in the bag. Pwyll twisted the bag so that Gwawl was over his head, and quickly closed the bag, tied it with the straps, and blew the horn. The people of his household invaded the courtyard, seized all those who had come with Gwawl and exposed him himself in his own prison (the sack). Pwyll threw off the rags, the big shoes, and all his crude clothes. Each of his people as they entered knocked on the bag and said: "What's in there?"
– A badger, replied the others. The game consists of hitting the bag, either with your foot or with a stick.
So they played the bag game. Everyone entering asked: "What game are you playing there?
“The Badger game in the bag,” they replied. And this is how the game of Badger in the Bag was played for the first time.
“Lord,” said the man in the sack to Pwyll, “if you would listen to me, it is not treatment worthy of me to be beaten like this in this sack.
– Lord, also said Eveidd Hen, he speaks the truth. This is not treatment worthy of him.
“Well,” replied Pwyll, “I will take your advice on that subject.
“This is what you have to do,” said Rhiannon; you are in a situation which requires you to satisfy the solicitors and the artists. Let him give to everyone in your place and take pledges from him that there will never be either complaint or vengeance against him. He is punished enough.
“I agree willingly,” said the man with the bag.
“I will,” said Pwyll, “if Eveydd and Rhiannon agree.”
– That’s our opinion, they replied.
– So I accept: find sureties for him.
“We will be,” replied Eveydd, “until his men are free and answer for him. Thereupon they let him out of the bag and freed his nobles.
“Ask Gwawl for bonds now,” said Eveydd to Pwyll; “we know all that can be accepted from him.” » Eveydd listed the sureties.
Now, said Gwawl to Pwyll, arrange the treaty yourself.
– Je me contente, répondit-il, de celui qu’a proposé Rhiannon. Cet arrangement fut confirmé par les cautions.
» En vérité, seigneur, dit alors Gwawl, je suis moulu et couvert de contusions. J’ai besoin de bains : avec ta permission, je m’en irai et je laisserai des nobles ici à ma place pour répondre à chacun de ceux qui viendront vers toi en solliciteurs.
– Je le permets volontiers, répondit Pwyll.
Gwawl retourna dans ses terres. On prépara la salle pour Pwyll, ses gens et ceux de la cour en outre. Puis tous se mirent à table et chacun s’assit dans le même ordre qu’il y avait un an pour ce soir-là. Ils mangèrent et burent. Quand le moment fut venu, Pwyll et Rhiannon se rendirent à leur chambre. La nuit se passa dans les plaisirs et le contentement. Le lendemain, dans la jeunesse du jour, Rhiannon dit : » Seigneur, lève-toi, et commence à satisfaire les artistes; ne refuse aujourd’hui à personne ce qu’il te demandera.
– Je le ferai volontiers, dit Pwyll, et aujourd’hui et les jours suivants, tant que durera ce banquet « .
Pwyll se leva et fit faire une publication invitant les solliciteurs et les artistes à se montrer et leur signifiant qu’on satisferait chacun d’eux suivant sa volonté et sa fantaisie. Ce qui fut fait. Le banquet se continua et, tant qu’il dura, personne n’éprouva de refus. Quand il fut terminé, Pwyll dit à Eveydd : » Seigneur, avec ta permission, je partirai pour Dyvet demain.
– Eh bien, répondit Eveydd, que Dieu aplanisse la voie devant toi. Fixe le terme et le moment où Rhiannon ira te rejoindre.
– Par moi et Dieu, répondit-il, nous partirons tous les deux ensemble d’ici.
– C’est bien ton désir, seigneur ?
– Oui, par moi et Dieu. «
Ils se mirent en marche le lendemain pour Dyvet et se rendirent à la cour d’Arberth, où un festin avait été préparé pour eux. De tout le pays, de toutes les terres, accoururent autour d’eux les hommes et les femmes les plus nobles. Rhiannon ne laissa personne sans lui faire un présent remarquable, soit collier, soit anneau, soit pierre précieuse.
Ils gouvernèrent le pays d’une façon prospère cette année, puis une seconde. Mais la troisième, les hommes du pays commencèrent à concevoir de sombres pensées, en voyant sans héritier un homme qu’ils aimaient autant qu’ils faisaient leur seigneur et leur frère de lait : ils le prièrent de se rendre auprès d’eux. La réunion eut lieu à Presseleu, en Dyvet.
» Seigneur, lui dirent-ils, nous ne savons si tu vivras aussi vieux que certains hommes de ce pays, et nous craignons que tu n’aies pas d’héritier de la femme avec laquelle tu vis. Prends-en donc une autre qui te donne un héritier. Tu ne dureras pas toujours; aussi, quand même tu voudrais rester ainsi, nous ne te le permettrions pas.
– Il n’y a pas encore longtemps, répondit Pwyll, que nous sommes ensemble. Il peut arriver bien des choses. Remettez avec moi cette affaire d’ici à un an. Convenons de nous réunir aujourd’hui dans un an, et alors je suivrai votre avis. » On convint du délai.
Avant le terme fixé, un fils lui naquit, à Arberth même. La nuit de sa naissance, on envoya des femmes veiller la mère et l’enfant. Les femmes s’endormirent, ainsi que Rhiannon la mère. Ces femmes étaient au nombre de six. Elles veillèrent bien une partie de la nuit; mais, dès avant minuit, elles s’endormirent et ne se réveillèrent qu’au point du jour. Aussitôt réveillées, leurs yeux se dirigèrent vers l’endroit où elles avaient placé l’enfant : il n’y avait plus trace de lui.
» Hélas ! s’écria une d’elles, l’enfant est perdu !
– Assurément, dit une autre, on trouvera que c’est une trop faible expiation pour nous de la perte de l’enfant que de nous brûler ou de nous tuer !
– Y a-t-il au monde, s’écria une autre, un conseil à suivre en cette occasion ?
– Oui, répondit une d’elles, j’en sais un bon.
– Lequel ? dirent-elles toutes. I y a ici une chienne de chasse avec ses petits. Tuons quelques-uns des petits, frottons de leur sang le visage et les mains de Rhiannon, jetons les os devant elle et jurons que c’est elle qui a tué son fils. Notre serment à nous six l’emportera sur son affirmation à elle seule. «
Elles s’arrêtèrent à ce projet.
Vers le jour, Rhiannon s’éveilla et dit : » Femmes, où est mon fils ?
– Princesse, ne nous demande pas ton fils; nous ne sommes que plaies et contusions, après notre lutte contre toi; jamais, en vérité, nous n’avons vu autant de force chez une femme; il ne nous a servi de rien de lutter contre toi : tu as toi-même mis en pièces ton fils. Ne nous le réclame donc pas.
Malheureuses, répondit-elle, par le Seigneur Dieu qui voit tout, ne faites pas peser sur moi une fausse accusation. Dieu qui sait tout, sait que c’est faux. Si vous avez peur, j’en atteste Dieu, je vous protégerai.
– Assurément, s’écrièrent-elles, nous ne nous exposerons pas nous-mêmes à mal pour personne au monde.
– Malheureuses, mais vous n’aurez aucun mal en disant la vérité. » En dépit de tout ce qu’elle put leur dire de beau et d’attendrissant, elle n’obtint d’elles que la même réponse.
A ce moment, Pwyll se leva, ainsi que sa troupe et toute sa maison. On ne put lui cacher le malheur. La nouvelle s’en répandit par le pays. Tous les nobles l’apprirent; ils se réunirent et envoyèrent des messagers à Pwyll pour lui demander de se séparer de sa femme après un forfait aussi horrible. Pwyll leur fit cette réponse : » Vous ne m’avez demandé de me séparer de ma femme que pour une seule raison : c’est qu’elle n’avait pas d’enfant. Or, je lui en connais un. Je ne me séparerai donc pas d’elle. Si elle a mal fait, qu’elle en fasse pénitence. » Rhiannon fit venir des docteurs et des sages, et il lui parut plus digne d’accepter une pénitence que d’entrer en discussion avec les femmes. Voici la pénitence qu’on lui imposa : elle resterait pendant sept ans de suite à la cour d’Arberth, s’assoirait chaque jour à côté du montoir de pierre qui était à l’entrée, à l’extérieur, raconterait à tout venant qui lui paraîtrait l’ignorer toute l’aventure et proposerait, aux hôtes et aux étrangers, s’ils voulaient le lui permettre, de les porter sur son dos à la cour. Il arriva rarement que quelqu’un consentît à se laisser porter. Elle passa ainsi une partie de l’année.
En ce temps-là, il y avait comme seigneur à Gwent Is-coed Teyrnon Twryv Vliant. C’était le meilleur homme du monde. Il avait chez lui une jument qu’aucun cheval ou jument dans tout le royaume ne surpassait en beauté. Tous les ans, dans la nuit des calendes de mai, elle mettait bas, mais personne n’avait jamais de nouvelles du poulain. Un soir, Teyrnon dit à sa femme : » Femme, nous sommes vraiment bien nonchalants : nous avons chaque année un poulain de notre jument et nous n’en conservons aucun !
– Que peut-on y faire ? répondit-elle.
– Que la vengeance de Dieu soit sur moi, si, cette nuit, qui est celle des calendes de mai, je ne sais quel genre de destruction m’enlève ainsi mes poulains. » Il fit rentrer la jument, se revêtit de son armure et commença sa garde.
Au commencement de la nuit, la jument mit bas un poulain grand et accompli qui se dressa sur ses pieds immédiatement. Teyrnon se leva et se mit à considérer les belles proportions du cheval. Pendant qu’il était ainsi occupé, il entendit un grand bruit, et, aussitôt après, il vit une griffe pénétrer par une fenêtre qui était sur la maison et saisir le cheval par la crinière. Teyrnon tira son épée et trancha le bras à partir de l’articulation du coude, si bien que cette partie et le poulain lui restèrent à l’intérieur. Là-dessus, tumulte et cris perçants se firent entendre. Il ouvrit la porte et s’élança dans la direction du bruit. Il n’en voyait pas l’auteur à cause de l’obscurité, mais il se précipita de son côté et se mit à sa poursuite. S’étant souvenu qu’il avait laissé la porte ouverte, il revint. A la porte même, il trouva un petit garçon emmailloté et enveloppé dans un manteau de brocart. Il le prit : l’enfant était fort pour l’âge qu’il paraissait. Il ferma la porte et se rendit à la chambre où était sa femme. » Dame, dit-il, dors-tu ?
– Non, seigneur; je dormais, mais je me suis réveillée quand tu es entré.
– Voici pour toi un fils, dit-il, si tu veux en avoir un qui n’a jamais été à toi.
– Seigneur, qu’est-ce que cette aventure ?
– Voici. » Et il lui raconta toute l’histoire.
» Eh bien, seigneur, dit-elle, quelle sorte d’habit a-t-il ?
– Un manteau de brocart, répondit-il.
– C’est un fils de gentilhomme. Nous trouverions en lui distraction et consolation, si tu voulais. Je ferais venir des femmes et je leur dirais que je suis enceinte.
– Je suis de ton avis à ce sujet, répondit Teyrnon.
Ainsi firent-ils. Ils firent administrer à l’enfant le baptême alors en usage et on lui donna le nom de Gwri Wallt Euryn (aux cheveux d’or), parce que tout ce qu’il avait de cheveux sur la tête était aussi jaune que de l’or.
On le nourrit à la cour jusqu’à ce qu’il eût un an. Au bout de l’année, il marchait d’un pas solide; il était plus développé qu’un enfant de trois ans grand et gros. Au bout d’une seconde année d’éducation, il était aussi gros qu’un enfant de six ans. Avant la fin de la quatrième année, il cherchait à gagner les valets des chevaux pour qu’ils le laissassent les conduire à l’abreuvoir.
» Seigneur, dit alors la dame à Teyrnon, où est le poulain que tu as sauvé la nuit où tu as trouvé l’enfant ?
– Je l’ai confié aux valets des chevaux, répondit-il, en leur recommandant de bien veiller sur lui.
– Ne ferais-tu pas bien, seigneur, de le faire dompter et de le donner à l’enfant, puisque c’est la nuit même où tu l’as trouvé que le poulain est né et que tu l’as sauvé ?
– Je n’irai pas là contre. Je t’autorise à le lui donner.
– Dieu te le rende, je le lui donnerai donc. «
On donna le cheval à l’enfant; la dame se rendit auprès des valets d’écurie et des écuyers pour leur recommander de veiller sur le cheval et de faire qu’il fût bien dressé pour le moment où l’enfant irait chevaucher, avec ordre de la renseigner à son sujet.
Au milieu de ces occupations, ils entendirent de surprenantes nouvelles au sujet de Rhiannon et de sa pénitence. Teyrnon, à cause de la trouvaille qu’il avait faite, prêta l’oreille à cette histoire et s’en informa incessamment jusqu’à ce qu’il eût entendu souvent les nombreuses personnes qui fréquentaient la cour plaindre Rhiannon pour sa triste aventure et sa pénitence. Teyrnon y réfléchit. Il examina attentivement l’enfant et trouva qu’à la vue, il ressemblait à Pwyll1, chef d’Annwn, comme il n’avait jamais vu fils ressembler à son père. L’aspect de Pwyll lui était bien connu, car il avait été son homme autrefois. Il fut pris ensuite d’une grande tristesse à la pensée du mal qu’il causait en retenant l’enfant lorsqu’il le savait fils d’un autre. Aussitôt qu’il trouva à entretenir sa femme en particulier, il lui remontra qu’ils ne faisaient pas bien de retenir l’enfant et de laisser ainsi peser tant de peine sur une dame comme Rhiannon, l’enfant étant le fils de Pwyll, chef d’Annwn. La femme de Teyrnon tomba d’accord avec lui pour envoyer l’enfant à Pwyll.
» Nous en recueillerons, dit-elle, trois avantages : d’abord, remerciements et aumône pour avoir fait cesser la pénitence de Rhiannon; des remerciements de la part de Pwyll pour avoir élevé l’enfant et le lui avoir rendu; en troisième lieu, si l’enfant est de noble nature, il sera notre fils nourricier et nous fera le plus de bien qu’il pourra. » Ils s’arrêtèrent à cette résolution.
Pas plus tard que le lendemain, Teyrnon s’équipa avec ses chevaliers, lui troisième, son fils quatrième, monté sur le cheval dont il lui avait fait présent. Ils se dirigèrent vers Arberth et ne. tardèrent pas à y arriver. Ils aperçurent Rhiannon assise à côté du montoir de pierre. Lorsqu’ils arrivèrent à sa hauteur, elle leur dit » Seigneur, n’allez pas plus loin; je porterai chacun de vous jusqu’à la cour : c’est là ma pénitence pour avoir tué mon fils et l’avoir moi-même mis en pièces.
– Dame, répondit Teyrnon, je ne crois pas qu’un seul de nous ici aille sur ton dos.
Aille qui voudra, dit l’enfant, pour moi, je n’irai pas.
– Ni nous non plus, assurément, mon âme, dit Teyrnon. Ils entrèrent à la cour, où on les reçut avec de grandes démonstrations de joie.
On commençait justement un banquet; Pwyll venait de faire son tour de Dyvet. Ils se rendirent à la salle et allèrent se laver. Pwyll fit bon accueil à Teyrnon. On s’assit : Teyrnon, entre Pwyll et Rhiannon, ses deux compagnons plus haut, à côté de Pwyll, et l’enfant entre eux. Après qu’on eut fini de manger et que l’on commença à boire, ils se mirent à causer. Teyrnon, lui, raconta toute l’aventure de la jument et de l’enfant, comme l’enfant avait passé pour le sien et celui de sa femme, comment ils l’avaient élevé. » Voici ton fils, princesse, ajouta-t-il; ils ont bien tort ceux qui t’ont faussement accusée. Quand j’ai appris la douleur qui t’accablait, j’en ai éprouvé grande peine et compassion. Je ne crois pas qu’il y ait dans toute l’assistance quelqu’un qui ne reconnaisse l’enfant pour le fils de Pwyll.
– Personne n’en doute, répondirent-ils tous.
– Par moi et Dieu, mon esprit serait délivré de son souci (pryderi), si c’était vrai.
– Princesse, s’écria Pendaran Dyvet, tu as bien nommé ton fils, Pryderi; cela lui va parfaitement : Pryderi, fils de Pwyll, chef d’Annwn.
– Voyez, dit Rhiannon, si son propre nom à lui ne lui irait pas mieux encore.
– Quel nom a-t-il ? dit Pendaran Dyvet.
– Nous lui avons donné le nom de Gwri Wallt Euryn (Cheveux d’or).
– Pryderi sera son nom, dit Pendaran.
– Rien de plus juste, dit Pwyll, que de lui donner le nom qu’a dit sa mère, lorsqu’elle a eu à son sujet joyeuse nouvelle.
On s’arrêta à cette idée.
» Teyrnon, dit Pwyll, Dieu te récompense, pour avoir élevé cet enfant jusqu’à cette heure; il est juste aussi que lui-même, s’il est vraiment noble, te le rende.
– Seigneur, répondit-il, pas une femme au monde n’aura plus de chagrin après son fils que la femme qui l’a élevé n’en aura après lui. Il est juste qu’il ne nous oublie ni moi ni elle pour ce que nous avons fait pour lui.
– Par moi et Dieu, répondit Pwyll, tant que je vivrai, je te maintiendrai, toi et tes biens, tant que je pourrai maintenir les miens à moi-même. Quand ce sera son tour, il aura encore plus de raisons que moi de te soutenir. Si c’est ton avis et celui de ces gentilshommes, comme tu l’as nourri jusqu’à présent, nous le donnerons désormais à élever à Pendaran Dyvet. Vous serez compagnons, et pour lui, tous les deux, pères nourriciers.
– C’est une bonne idée », dit chacun.
On donna donc l’enfant à Pendaran Dyvet. Les nobles du pays partirent avec lui. Teyrnon Twryv Vliant et ses compagnons se mirent en route au milieu des témoignages d’affection et de joie. Il ne s’en alla pas sans qu’on lui eût offert les joyaux les plus beaux, les chevaux les meilleurs et les chiens les plus recherchés, mais il ne voulait rien accepter. Ils restèrent ensuite dans leurs domaines. Pryderi, fils de Pwyll, chef d’Annwn, fut élevé avec soin, comme cela se devait, jusqu’à ce qu’il fut devenu le jeune homme le plus agréable, le plus beau et le plus accompli en toute prouesse qu’il y eût dans tout le royaume. Ils passèrent ainsi des années et des années, jusqu’au moment où le terme de l’existence arriva pour Pwyll, chef d’Annwn. Après sa mort, Pryderi gouverna les sept cantrevs de Dyvet d’une façon prospère, aimé de ses vassaux et de tous ceux qui l’entouraient. Ensuite, il ajouta à ses domaines les trois cantrevs d’Ystrat Tywi et quatre cantrevs de Ceredigyawn : on les appelle les sept cantrevs de Seisyllwch. Il fut occupé à ces conquêtes jusqu’au moment où il lui vint à l’esprit de se marier. Il choisit pour femme Kicva, fille de Gwynn Gohoyw, fils de Gloyw Wallt Lydan, fils de Casnar Wledic, de la race des princes de cette île. Ainsi se termine cette branche des Mabinogion.
