Welcome to the blogspot of Melbourne writer, Elizabeth Jane

Welcome to the blogspot of Melbourne writer, Elizabeth Jane

Friday, December 16, 2011

Great little giant

Cawr mawr bychan — great little giant,
Cryf cadarn gwan, gwynion ruddiau — strong, mighty weakling, pale of cheek.
Cyfoethog tlawd — poor wealthy one,
A'n Tad a'n Brawd, awdur brodiau … our Father and Brother, author of brothers ...
Isel uchel — low and high,
Emmanuael, mêl feddyliau … Emmanuel of honeyed thoughts ...
Pali ni myn — he won't have silk,
Nid urael gwyn ei gynhiniau — of no white weaving are his rags;
Yn lle syndal — no fine linen
Ynghylch ei wâl gwelid carpiau … where he lies, only tatters ...
Ei leferydd — and his words
Wrth fugelydd, gwylwyr ffaldau — are for shepherds, the fold-watchers,
Engyl yd fydd — there'll be angels
A nos fal dydd dyfu'n olau- like day, night will become bright ...
Nos lawenydd — a night for joy
I lu bedydd; byddwn ninniau — for all Christendom; so let us be.

This lovely poem was written by Brother Madog sometime in the twelfth century.