THE TRIADS
Project Gutenberg EPUB3 edition
Bulfinch, Thomas
The Triads are a peculiar species of poetical composition, of which the Welsh bards have left numerous examples. They are enumerations of a triad of persons, or events, or observations, strung together in one short sentence. This form of composition, originally invented, in all likelihood, to assist the memory, has been raised by the Welsh to a degree of elegance of which it hardly at first sight appears susceptible. The Triads are of all ages, some of them probably as old as anything in the language. Short as they are individually, the collection in the Myvyrian Archaeology occupies more than one hundred and seventy pages of double columns. We will give some specimens, beginning with personal triads, and giving the first place to one of King Arthur's own composition:
"I have three heroes in battle: Mael the tall, and Llyr, with his army, And Caradoc, the pillar of Wales."
"The three principal bards of the island of Britain:— Merlin Ambrose Merlin the son of Mprfyn, called also Merlin the Wild, And Taliesin, the chief of the bards."
"The three golden-tongued knights of the court of Arthur:— Gawain, son of Gwyar, Drydvas, son of Tryphin, And Ehwlod, son of Madag, ap Uther."
"The three honorable feasts of the island of Britain:— The feast of Caswallaun, after repelling Julius Caesar from this isle; The feast of Aurelius Ambrosius, after he had conquered the Saxons; And the feast of King Arthur, at Carleon upon Usk."
"Guenever, the daughter of Laodegan the giant, Bad when little, worse when great."
Next follow some moral triads:
"Hast thou heard what Dremhidydd sung, An ancient watchman on the castle walls? A refusal is better than a promise unperformed."
"Hast thou heard what Llenleawg sung, The noble chief wearing the golden torques? The grave is better than a life of want."
"Hast thou heard what Garselit sung, The Irishman whom it is safe to follow? Sin is bad, if long pursued."
"Hast thou heard what Avaon sung, The son of Taliesin, of the recording verse? The cheek will not conceal the anguish of the heart."
"Didst thou hear what Llywarch sung, The intrepid and brave old man? Greet kindly, though there be no acquaintance."