Myths and legends ; the Celtic race . the mouse— 111 doth it become a manof thy rank to touch such a reptile as this. I willnot let it go, by Heaven,** said Manawyddan, and bythat he abode, although the scholar offered him a poundof money to let it go free. I care not,** said thescholar, except that I would not see a man of ranktouching such a reptile,** and with that he went his way. As Manawyddan was placing the cross-beam on thetwo forks of his gallows, a priest came towards himriding on a horse with trappings, and the same conver-sation ensued. The priest offered three pounds for themouses
Myths and legends ; the Celtic race . the mouse— 111 doth it become a manof thy rank to touch such a reptile as this. I willnot let it go, by Heaven,** said Manawyddan, and bythat he abode, although the scholar offered him a poundof money to let it go free. I care not,** said thescholar, except that I would not see a man of ranktouching such a reptile,** and with that he went his way. As Manawyddan was placing the cross-beam on thetwo forks of his gallows, a priest came towards himriding on a horse with trappings, and the same conver-sation ensued. The priest offered three pounds for themouses life, but Manawyddan refused to take any pricefor it. Willingly, lord, do thy good pleasure,** saidthe priest, and he, too, went his way. Then Manawyddan put a noose about the mousesneck and was about to draw it up when he saw comingtowards him a bishop with a great retinue of sumpter-horses and attendants. And he stayed his work andasked the bishops blessing. Heavens blessing beunto thee,** said the bishop ; what work art thou376. I will not let it go 3/6 THE TALE OF PRYDERI AND MANAWYDDAN upon ? Hanging a thief, replied Manawyddan. Thebishop offered seven pounds rather than see a man ofthy rank destroying so vile a reptile. Manawyddanrefused. Four-and-twenty pounds was then offered,and then as much again, then all the bishops horses andbaggage—all in vain. Since for this thou wilt not,said the bishop, do it at whatever price thou wilt. I will do so, said Manawyddan ; I will that Rhiannonand Pryderi be free. That thou shalt have, saidthe (pretended) bishop. Then Manawyddan demandsthat the enchantment and illusion be taken off for everfrom the seven Cantrevs of Dyfed, and finally insiststhat the bishop shall tell him who the mouse is and whythe enchantment was laid on the country. I am Llwydson of Kilcoed, replies the enchanter, and the mouseis my wife; but that she is pregnant thou hadst neverovertaken her. He goes on with an explanation whichtakes us back to the first CM
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Keywords: ., bookcentury1900, bookdecade1910, booksubjectcelticl, bookyear1910
