Y DOSPARTH IV.
X.
AWDL I GAIO.
The bard mentions a number of saints whose protection, he prays, may be favourable to Caio. His attachment to the place he compares to the attachment of the Addanc, or beaver, to the deep waters, from whence he cannot be driven but with great difficulty. He next mentions the festivities of Caio, in which were recited, or sung, different poetical composi- tions, accompanied with harps and other stringed instruments. He then proceeds in praise of the military valour of the men of Caio,-a land, which in his eyes, appeared a paradise, in which there was no lack of any thing that could contribute to the earthly happiness and comfort of its inhabitants. He concludes by praying for its preservation, and its protection by guardian saints.
CAIO wèn ucho a nodd Non a'i mab,
A Mair a'r gwyryvon;
Asa, Cynin a'i weision;
Iesu hael a groeso hon.
Hon a'i gwyr gwychion yn rhoi gwin o wŷdd,
A noddo Sant Awstin;
A gwragedd teg yw'r egin,
Oll oll; ac a ddel o'i llin.
X. An ode in praise of Caio. 1. Caio, a hundred in the north- east part of Caermarthenshire, in which the river Cothi rises on the borders of Cardiganshire. Froin the valley on this stream the bard as- sumed his cognomen-Lewis Glyn Cothi. The district being his natale solum, he tunes his lyre to the high- est notes of praise.
1. a nodd=a nodda, will protect.
3. Asa=Asav, saint Asa, the disciple of Cyndeyrn Garthwys, and his successor in the abbacy of Llanelwy, or St. Asaph: he had 965 monks; 300 were labourers out of doors; 300, servants within; and 300, learned and religious. He died about the year 590. See Glossary to Davydd ab Gwilym's works. In Bonedd Saint Ynys Prydain Asa, or Asav, is said to be the son of Sawyl Ben Uchel, and grandson to Pabo Post Prydain. Llanasa, in Flintshire, is dedicated to him; of which parish the present incumbent, the Rev. Henry Parry, has written a valuable topography.
6. Sant Austin, saint Augustine,
the Father of the Latin church, born
in the year 354; died in 431. There
was another called Awstin Vynach,
the apostle of the Saxons, and first
archbishop of Canterbury, who died
in 604. See Glossary to Davydd ab
Gwilym's works.
