THE DOOM OF THE GRIFFITHS.

by Elizabeth Gaskell




CHAPTER I.



I have always been much interested by the traditions which are
scattered up and down North Wales relating to Owen Glendower (Owain
Glendwr is the national spelling of the name), and I fully enter into
the feeling which makes the Welsh peasant still look upon him as the
hero of his country. There was great joy among many of the
inhabitants of the principality, when the subject of the Welsh prize
poem at Oxford, some fifteen or sixteen years ago, was announced to
be "Owain Glendwr." It was the most proudly national subject that
had been given for years.

Perhaps, some may not be aware that this redoubted chieftain is, even
in the present days of enlightenment, as famous among his illiterate
countrymen for his magical powers as for his patriotism. He says
himself--or Shakespeare says it for him, which is much the same thing
-


'At my nativity
The front of heaven was full of fiery shapes