Taliesin, auch Taliessin war vermutlich ein historischer Barde in Britannien. Er gilt als Verfasser der frühesten überlieferten Werke in walisischer Sprache. Man vermutet, dass Taliesin an wenigstens drei britannischen Königshöfen seiner Zeit die Stellung eines Barden innehatte. Wikipedia
“Do not the brave know
The greatness of their progeny?”
Book of Taliesin (c. 1275?), Oh God, the God of Formation
Kontext: Do not the brave know
The greatness of their progeny?
A country present will meet thee,
And while it may possibly be yours,
Three hundred thousand years save one,
A short hour of the day of everlasting life.
Book of Taliesin (c. 1275?), The Death-song of Uther Pendragon
Kontext: Abiding in heaven was he, my desire,
Against the eagle, against the fear of the unskilful.
I am a bard, and I am a harper,
I am a piper, and I am a crowder.
Of seven score musicians the very great enchanter.
Book of Taliesin (c. 1275?), The First Address of Taliesin
Kontext: Dominus virtutum
Has gathered together those that were in slavery,
And before I existed He had perceived me.
May I be ardently devoted to God!
And before I desire the end of existence,
And before the broken foam shall come upon my lips,
And before I become connected with wooden boards,
May there be festivals to my soul!
“I was with my king
In the heavens
When Lucifer fell
Into the deepest hell.”
The Tale of Taleisin
Kontext: I was with my king
In the heavens
When Lucifer fell
Into the deepest hell.
I carried the banner
Before Alexander.
I know the names of the stars
From the North to the South.
“John the Divine
Called me Merlin,
But all future kings
Shall call me Taliesin.”
The Tale of Taleisin
Kontext: I have come to salvage Elphin's honor and his freedom. Taliesin am I, primary chief bard to Elphin.
Primary chief poet
Am I to Elphin.
And my native country
Is the place of the Summer Stars.
John the Divine
Called me Merlin,
But all future kings
Shall call me Taliesin.
“Sovereign of heaven, let my messages not be rejected.”
Book of Taliesin (c. 1275?), The Death-song of Uther Pendragon
Kontext: May the countenance of Prydain be bright for my guidance.
Sovereign of heaven, let my messages not be rejected.
“I have not been without battle.
Bitter affliction was frequent
Between me and my cousins.”
Book of Taliesin (c. 1275?), Oh God, the God of Formation
Kontext: I have not been without battle.
Bitter affliction was frequent
Between me and my cousins.
Frequent trials fell
Between me and my fellow-countrymen.
There was frequent contention
Between me and the wretched.
Book of Taliesin (c. 1275?), The Battle of the Trees, Englynion Cad Goddau
Variante: Sure-hoofed is my steed in the day of battle
Book of Taliesin (c. 1275?), The Battle of the Trees
Kontext: I have been in a multitude of shapes,
Before I assumed a consistent form.
I have been a sword, narrow, variegated,
I will believe when it is apparent.
I have been a tear in the air,
I have been the dullest of stars.
I have been a word among letters,
I have been a book in the origin.
I have been the light of lanterns,
A year and a half.
I have been a continuing bridge,
Over three score river mouths.
The Tale of Taleisin
Kontext: Fair Elphin, cease your lament!
Swearing profits no-one.
It is not evil to hope
Nor does any man see what supports him,
Not an empty treasure is the prayer of Cynllo,
Nor does God break his promise.
“I gave to an old chief
very great swords of protection.”
Book of Taliesin (c. 1275?), The Death-song of Uther Pendragon
Kontext: I shared my shelter,
a ninth share in Arthur's valour.
I broke a hundred forts.
I slew a hundred stewards.
I bestowed a hundred mantles.
I cut off a hundred heads.
I gave to an old chief
very great swords of protection.
Book of Taliesin (c. 1275?), The Pleasant Things of Taliesin
Book of Taliesin (c. 1275?), The Spoils of Annwn
Book of Taliesin (c. 1275?), Oh God, the God of Formation
Book of Taliesin (c. 1275?), The Spoils of Taliesin, a Song to Urien
Book of Taliesin (c. 1275?), The Pleasant Things of Taliesin
Book of Taliesin (c. 1275?), The Spoils of Annwn
“Excellent in every way around the glens
The two skilful ones make inquiries”
Book of Taliesin (c. 1275?), The First Address of Taliesin
“Multitudes, of beautiful works,
Believed, served with us.”
Book of Taliesin (c. 1275?), The Elegy of the Thousand Sons
Book of Taliesin (c. 1275?), The Elegy of the Thousand Sons
“Thrice three protections,
Returning to the old places,
With a steed used to the field.”
Book of Taliesin (c. 1275?), The Song of the Horses
Book of Taliesin (c. 1275?), The Elegy of the Thousand Sons
Book of Taliesin (c. 1275?), The Spoils of Annwn
Book of Taliesin (c. 1275?), Oh God, the God of Formation
Book of Taliesin (c. 1275?), The First Address of Taliesin
