Myths and Legends of the Celtic Race - Knowledge Rush

321in the White Mount 235 looking towards France, and no foreignershall invade the land while it is there. On the way the Headwill talk to you, and be as pleasant company as ever in life. InHarlech ye will be feasting seven years and the birds of Rhiannonwill sing to you. And at Gwales in Penvro ye will be feastingfourscore years, and the Head will talk to you and be uncorruptedtill ye open the door looking towards Cornwall. After that yemay no longer tarry, but set forth to London and bury the Head.”Then the seven cut off the head of Bran and went forth, and [372]Branwen with them, to do his bidding. But when Branwen cameto land at Aber Alaw she cried, “Woe is me that I was ever born;two islands have been destroyed because of me.” And she uttereda loud groan, and her heart broke. They made her a four-sidedgrave on the banks of the Alaw, and the place was called YnysBranwen to this day. 236The seven found that in the absence of Bran, Caswallan sonof Beli had conquered Britain and slain the six captains ofCaradawc. By magic art he had thrown on Caradawc the Veil ofIllusion, and Caradawc saw only the sword which slew and slew,but not him who wielded it, and his heart broke for grief at thesight.They then went to Harlech and remained there seven yearslistening to the singing of the birds of Rhiannon—“all the songsthey had ever heard were unpleasant compared thereto.” Thenthey went to Gwales in Penvro and found a fair and spacioushall overlooking the ocean. When they entered it they forgotall the sorrow of the past and all that had befallen them, andremained there fourscore years in joy and mirth, the wondrousHead talking to them as if it were alive. And bards call this “theEntertaining of the Noble Head.” Three doors were in the hall,235 Where the Tower of London now stands.236 These stories, in Ireland and in Wales, always attach themselves to actualburial-places. In 1813 a funeral urn containing ashes and half-burnt bones wasfound in the spot traditionally supposed to be Branwen's sepulchre.