Welsh Journals

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The Poet and the Grey Brother By DAFYDD AP GWILYM (1320-1388). IT would do me no manner of good, If the maiden who lives in the wood Were to hear what the Grey Brother said about her to-day! To him I went in all humbleness My sins to confess. I made it clear at the. time That I was only a writer of second-rate rhyme; And then that my head and my heart were awhirl With love of the beautiful dark-browed girl. But my love was hopeless, and all my wooing Brought me nothing but pining and rueing; And though I have praised her through all the land Yet have I failed to win her hand. The Grey Brother said-Do you think By making a god out of paper and ink You can cheat retribution, and stay The rigour of Judgement Day ? If for the health of your soul you care Cease your rhyming and take to prayer; Metre and rhyme were not in the plan When God decreed the redemption of man. You strolling minstrels you can only express Roguery, vanity, wantoness, And inveigle humanity's feet Into the mire of sin and deceit. Praise not the flesh which is evil Lest the soul fall a prey to the devil. I answered the Friar With Ire-