Then he knew that he should soon die, but he bade the seven men to cut offhis head and told them that they must always carry it with them--that itwould never decay and would always be able to speak and be pleasantcompany for them. "A long time will you be on the road," he said. "InHarlech you will feast seven years, the birds of Rhiannon singing to youall the while. And at the Island of Gwales you will dwell for fourscoreyears, and you may remain there, bearing the head with you uncorrupted,until you open the door that looks towards the mainland; and after youhave once opened that door you can stay no longer, but must set forth toLondon to bury the head, leaving it there to look toward France."So they went on to Harlech and there stopped to rest, and sat down to eatand drink. And there came three birds, which began singing a certain song,and all the songs they had ever heard were unpleasant compared with it;and the songs seemed to them to be at a great distance from them, over thesea, yet the notes were heard as distinctly as if they were close by; andit is said that at this repast they continued seven years. At the close ofthis time they went forth to an island in the sea called Gwales. Therethey found a fair and regal spot overlooking the ocean and a spacious hallbuilt for them. They went into it and found two of its doors open, but thethird door, looking toward Cornwall, was closed.
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