A
very learned man, the Rev. Edward Davies, published in the early part
of this century two important books on Celtic antiquity. The second
of these books, The Mythology and Rites of the British Druids,
contains, with much other interesting matter, the charming story of
Taliesin. Bryant's book on mythology was then in vogue, and Bryant,
in the fantastical manner so common in those days, found in Greek
mythology what he called an arkite idolatry, pointing to Noah's
deluge and the ark. Davies, wishing to give dignity to his Celtic
mythology, determines to find the arkite idolatry there too, and the
style in which he proceeds to do this affords a good specimen of the
extravagance which has caused Celtic antiquity to be looked upon with
so much suspicion. The story of Taliesin begins thus:-
'In former times there was a man of noble descent in Penllyn. His
name was Tegid Voel, and his paternal estate was in the middle of the
Lake of Tegid, and his wife was called Ceridwen.'
Nothing could well be simpler; but what Davies finds in this simple
opening of Taliesin's story is prodigious:-
'Let us take a brief view of the proprietor of this estate. Tegid
Voel--BALD SERENITY--presents itself at once to our fancy. The
painter would find no embarrassment in sketching the portrait of this
sedate venerable personage, whose crown is partly stripped of its
hoary honours.
Pages:
26
27
28
29
30
31
32
33
34
35
36
37
38
39
40
41
42
43
44
45
46
47
48
49
50