satin wrought with green silk, the borders whereof were likewise
green. And the green of the caparison of the horse, and of his
rider, was as green as the leaves of the fir-tree, and the yellow was
as yellow as the blossom of the broom. So fierce was the aspect of
the knight, that fear seized upon them, and they began to flee. And
the knight pursued them. And when the horse breathed forth, the men
became distant from him, and when he drew in his breath, they were
drawn near to him, even to the horse's chest. And when he had
overtaken them, they besought his mercy. "You have it gladly," said
he, "fear nought." "Ha, chieftain, since thou hast mercy upon me,
tell me also who thou art," said Rhonabwy. "I will not conceal my
lineage from thee, I am Iddawc the son of Mynyo, yet not by my name,
but by my nickname am I best known." "And wilt thou tell us what thy
nickname is?" "I will tell you; it is Iddawc Cordd Prydain." "Ha,
chieftain," said Rhonabwy, "why art thou called thus?" "I will tell
thee. I was one of the messengers between Arthur and Medrawd his
nephew, at the battle of Camlan; and I was then a reckless youth, and
through my desire for battle, I kindled strife between them, and
stirred up wrath, when I was sent by Arthur the Emperor to reason
with Medrawd, and to show him, that he was his foster-father and his
uncle, and to seek for peace, lest the sons of the Kings of the
Island of Britain, and of the nobles, should be slain. And whereas
Arthur charged me with the fairest sayings he could think of, I
uttered unto Medrawd the harshest I could devise. And therefore am I
called Iddawc Cordd Prydain, for from this did the battle of Camlan
ensue. And three nights before the end of the battle of Camlan I
left them, and went to the Llech Las in North Britain to do penance.
And there I remained doing penance seven years, and after that I
gained pardon."