KILHWCH AND OLWEN
OR THE
TWRCH TRWYTH



Kilydd the son of Prince Kelyddon desired a wife as a helpmate, and
the wife that he chose was Goleuddydd, the daughter of Prince
Anlawdd. And after their union, the people put up prayers that they
might have an heir. And they had a son through the prayers of the
people. From the time of her pregnancy Goleuddydd became wild, and
wandered about, without habitation; but when her delivery was at
hand, her reason came back to her. Then she went to a mountain where
there was a swineherd, keeping a herd of swine. And through fear of
the swine the queen was delivered. And the swineherd took the boy,
and brought him to the palace; and he was christened, and they called
him Kilhwch, because he had been found in a swine's burrow.
Nevertheless the boy was of gentle lineage, and cousin unto Arthur;
and they put him out to nurse.

After this the boy's mother, Goleuddydd, the daughter of Prince
Anlawdd, fell sick. Then she called her husband unto her, and said
to him, "Of this sickness I shall die, and thou wilt take another
wife. Now wives are the gift of the Lord, but it would be wrong for
thee to harm thy son. Therefore I charge thee that thou take not a
wife until thou see a briar with two blossoms upon my grave." And
this he promised her. Then she besought him to dress her grave every