Myths and Legends of the Celtic Race - Knowledge Rush

327rules over the one-and-twenty cantrevs of the south. With Māthwere his nephews Gwydion and Gilvaethwy sons of Dōn, whowent the circuit of the land in his stead, while Māth lay with hisfeet in the lap of the fairest maiden of the land and time, Goewindaughter of Pebin of Dōl Pebin in Arvon.Gwydion and the Swine of PryderiGilvaethwy fell sick of love for Goewin, and confided thesecret to his brother Gwydion, who undertook to help him tohis desire. So he went to Māth one day, and asked his leaveto go to Pryderi and beg from him the gift, for Māth, of a herdof swine which had been bestowed on him by Arawn King ofAnnwn. “They are beasts,” he said, “such as never were knownin this island before ... their flesh is better than the flesh of [379]oxen.” Māth bade him go, and he and Gilvaethwy started withten companions for Dyfed. They came to Pryderi's palace in theguise of bards, and Gwydion, after being entertained at a feast,was asked to tell a tale to the court. After delighting every onewith his discourse he begged for a gift of the swine. But Pryderiwas under a compact with his people neither to sell nor give themuntil they had produced double their number in the land. “Thoumayest exchange them, though,” said Gwydion, and thereuponhe made by magic arts an illusion of twelve horses magnificentlycaparisoned, and twelve hounds, and gave them to Pryderi andmade off with the swine as fast as possible, “for,” said he to hiscompanions, “the illusion will not last but from one hour to thesame to-morrow.”The intended result came to pass—Pryderi invaded the landto recover his swine, Māth went to meet him in arms, andGilvaethwy seized his opportunity and made Goewin his wife,although she was unwilling.Death of PryderiThe war was decided by a single combat between Gwydionand Pryderi. “And by force of strength and fierceness, and by theking's feet in his lap while he sat at meat.