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THE MONARCHY OF BRITAIN.
The Bard of the Palace, under the ancient Welsh Princes, always accompanied the army when it marched into an enemy’s country, and while it was preparing for battle, or dividing the spoils, he performed an ancient song, called Unbennaeth Prydain, the monarchy of Britain. It has been conjectured that this poem referred to the tradition of the Welsh, that the whole Island had once been possessed by their ancestors, who were driven into a corner of it by their Saxon invaders. When the prince had received his share of the spoils, the bard, for the performance of this song, was rewarded with the most valuable beast that remained.—See Jones's Historical Account of the Welsh Bards.
Sons of the Fair Isle!*[1] forget not the time,
Ere spoilers had breath'd the free winds of your clime!
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*Ynys Prydain, the ancient name of Britain, signifies the Fair, or Beautiful Island.
