Myths and Legends of the Celtic Race - Knowledge Rush

329river Conway is still called the “death-groan of Dylan.” [381]Llew Llaw GyffesThe other infant was seized by Gwydion and brought up underhis protection. Like other solar heroes, he grew very rapidly;when he was four he was as big as if he were eight, and thecomeliest youth that ever was seen. One day Gwydion tookhim to visit his mother Arianrod. She hated the children whohad exposed her false pretensions, and upbraided Gwydion forbringing the boy into her sight. “What is his name?” she asked.“Verily,” said Gwydion, “he has not yet a name.” “Then I laythis destiny upon him,” said Arianrod, “that he shall never havea name till one is given him by me.” On this Gwydion went forthin wrath, and remained in his castle of Caer Dathyl that night.Though the fact does not appear in this tale, it must beremembered that Gwydion is, in the older mythology, the fatherof Arianrod's children.How Llew Got his NameHe was resolved to have a name for his son. Next day he wentto the strand below Caer Arianrod, bringing the boy with him.Here he sat down by the beach, and in his character of a masterof magic he made himself look like a shoemaker, and the boylike an apprentice, and he began to make shoes out of sedges andseaweed, to which he gave the semblance of Cordovan leather.Word was brought to Arianrod of the wonderful shoes that werebeing made by a strange cobbler, and she sent her measure fora pair. Gwydion made them too large. She sent it again, andhe made them too small. Then she came herself to be fitted.While this was going on, a wren came and lit on the boat's mast,and the boy, taking up a bow, shot an arrow that transfixedthe leg between the sinew and the bone. Arianrod admired the [382]brilliant shot. “Verily,” she said, “with a steady hand (llaw gyffes)did the lion (llew) hit it.” “No thanks to thee,” cried Gwydion,“now he has got a name. Llew Llaw Gyffes shall he be calledhenceforward.”