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xxviii
THE LIFE OF

his generous friend Ivor survived, his house was a retreat to him from all oppression; there he was entertained like ‘the three free guests in the court of Arthur[1].’ Indeed the poet seems to have felt the warmest affection for every member of the family of that good and hospitable chieftain.

His melancholy feelings at the loss of the friends of his youth, his patron and the lady of his love—are pathetically described in a poem in which he invokes the summer to visit Glamorganshire with its choicest blessings[2]. After beautifully describing that fertile region under the influence of the serene messenger, his soul becomes suddenly overclouded,—the grave of his friend is brought to his remembrance, and he concludes with an abrupt transition—(addressing the Summer)—

And thus mid all thy radiant flow’rs,
Thy thick’ning leaves and glossy bow’rs,
The poet’s task shall be to glean
Roses and flow’rs that softly bloom,
And trefoils wove in pavement green,
With sad humility to grace
His golden Ivor’s resting place!

When Davyth ap Gwilym became oppressed with age, and a pilgrim as it were in the world, bereft of his dearest friends, he laid aside every thing unbe-

  1. Tri Thrwyddedog ac anfoddog Llys Arthur.
  2. The bard often expressed his gratitude for the generous contribution raised for him by the men of Glamorgan; and the poems No. 93 and 11 of the original were composed particularly on the occasion.