Welsh Journals

county, all of them flowing, without regard for the geological structure of the area, from the mountains of Brecknockshire.* Drayton exclaims:- But Brecknock, long time knowne a Country of much worth, Unto this conflict brings her goodly Fountaines forth For almost not a Brooke of Morgany, nor Gwent, But from her fruitfull wombe doe fetch their hie descent. He was not unaware of the romantic scenery of what we somewhat loosely call the Vale of Neath, for nimbler Neath anon (To all the neighbouring Nymphs for her rare beauties known Besides her double head, to helpe her streame that hath Her handmaids, Melta sweet, cleere Hepsey, and Tragath) From Brecknock forth doth breake.t Gower was regarded as marking the mouth of the River Severn, and it is described as The Glamorganian Gowre, Whose Promontorie (plac't to check the Oceans powre) Kept Severne yet her selfe, till being growne too great, Shee with extended armes unbounds her ancient seat And turning lastlie Sea, resigns unto the Maine What soueraigntie her selfe but latelie did retaine. We have already seen that, before they were walled up for the protection of the coast, the Rhaetic beds at Goldcliffe, east of Newport, glittered with iron pyrites and, as so often has been the case, there were not wanting people who mistook the lustrous brassy mineral for gold hence Drayton- And Goldcliff of his Ore in plentious sort allowes, To spangle their artyers, and deck their amorous browes. See The Evolution of the Bristol Channel (F. J. North), National Museum of Wales publication, 1929, pp. 82-5 t Hepste and Dringarth Drayton appears to have overlooked the River Llia, which joins with the Dringarth to form the Mellte, for he places the name Dringarth at the head of the Llia, and Mellte at the head of the Dringarth.