wild wales-第102章

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from　the　pulpit；　repaired　to　the　vestry；　and　having　taken　off　his　
gown　went　into　a　pew；　and　standing　up　began　a　discourse；　from　which　
I　learned　that　there　was　to　be　a　sacrament　on　the　ensuing　Sabbath。　　
He　spoke　with　much　fervency；　enlarging　upon　the　high　importance　of　
the　holy　communion；　and　exhorting　people　to　come　to　it　in　a　fit　
state　of　mind。　　When　he　had　finished　a　man　in　a　neighbouring　pew　
got　up　and　spoke　about　his　own　unworthiness；　saying　this　and　that　
about　himself；　his　sins　of　commission　and　omission；　and　dwelling　
particularly　on　his　uncharitableness　and　the　malicious　pleasure　
which　he　took　in　the　misfortunes　of　his　neighbours。　　The　clergyman　
listened　attentively；　sometimes　saying　〃Ah！〃　and　the　congregation　
also　listened　attentively；　a　voice　here　and　there　　frequently　
saying　〃Ah。〃　　When　the　man　had　concluded　the　clergyman　again　spoke；　
making　observations　on　what　he　had　heard；　and　hoping　that　the　rest　
would　be　visited　with　the　same　contrite　spirit　as　their　friend。　　
Then　there　was　a　hymn　and　we　went　away。

The　moon　was　shining　on　high　and　cast　its　silvery　light　on　the　
tower；　the　church；　some　fine　trees　which　surrounded　it；　and　the　
congregation　going　home；　a　few　of　the　better　dressed　were　talking　
to　each　other　in　English；　but　with　an　accent　and　pronunciation　
which　rendered　the　discourse　almost　unintelligible　to　my　ears。

I　found　my　way　back　to　my　inn　and　went　to　bed；　after　musing　awhile　
on　the　concluding　scene　of　which　I　had　been　witness　in　the　church。



CHAPTER　XCVII



Llandovery　…　Griffith　ap　Nicholas　…　Powerful　Enemies　…　Last　Words　…　
Llandovery　Church　…　Rees　Pritchard　…　The　Wiser　Creature　…　God's　
better　than　All　…　The　Old　Vicarage。


THE　morning　of　the　ninth　was　very　beautiful；　with　a　slight　tendency　
to　frost。　　I　breakfasted；　and　having　no　intention　of　proceeding　on　
my　journey　that　day；　I　went　to　take　a　leisurely　view　of　Llandovery　
and　the　neighbourhood。

Llandovery　is　a　small　but　beautiful　town；　situated　amidst　fertile　
meadows。　　It　is　a　water…girdled　spot；　whence　its　name　Llandovery　or　
Llanymdyfri；　which　signifies　the　church　surrounded　by　water。　　On　
its　west　is　the　Towey；　and　on　its　east　the　river　Bran　or　Brein；　
which　descending　from　certain　lofty　mountains　to　the　north…east　
runs　into　the　Towey　a　little　way　below　the　town。　　The　most　striking　

object　which　Llandovery　can　show　is　its　castle；　from　which　the　inn；　
which　stands　near　to　it；　has　its　name。　　This　castle；　majestic　
though　in　ruins；　stands　on　a　green　mound；　the　eastern　side　of　which　
is　washed　by　the　Bran。　　Little　with　respect　to　its　history　is　
known。　　One　thing；　however；　is　certain；　namely　that　it　was　one　of　
the　many　strongholds；　which　at　one　time　belonged　to　Griffith　ap　
Nicholas；　Lord　of　Dinevor；　one　of　the　most　remarkable　men　which　
South　Wales　has　ever　produced；　of　whom　a　brief　account　here　will　
not　be　out　of　place。

Griffith　ap　Nicholas　flourished　towards　the　concluding　part　of　the　
reign　of　Henry　the　Sixth。　　He　was　a　powerful　chieftain　of　South　
Wales　and　possessed　immense　estates　in　the　counties　of　Carmarthen　
and　Cardigan。　　King　Henry　the　Sixth；　fully　aware　of　his　importance　
in　his　own　country；　bestowed　upon　him　the　commission　of　the　peace；　
an　honour　at　that　time　seldom　vouchsafed　to　a　Welshman；　and　the　
captaincy　of　Kilgarran；　a　strong　royal　castle　situated　on　the　
southern　bank　of　the　Teivi　a　few　miles　above　Cardigan。　　He　had　many　
castles　of　his　own；　in　which　he　occasionally　resided；　but　his　chief　
residence　was　Dinevor；　half　way　between　Llandovery　and　Carmarthen；　
once　a　palace　of　the　kings　of　South　Wales；　from　whom　Griffith　
traced　lineal　descent。　　He　was　a　man　very　proud　at　heart；　but　with　
too　much　wisdom　to　exhibit　many　marks　of　pride；　speaking　generally　
with　the　utmost　gentleness　and　suavity；　and　though　very　brave　
addicted　to　dashing　into　danger　for　the　mere　sake　of　displaying　his　
valour。　　He　was　a　great　master　of　the　English　tongue；　and　well　
acquainted　with　what　learning　it　contained；　but　nevertheless　was　
passionately　attached　to　the　language　and　literature　of　Wales；　a　
proof　of　which　he　gave　by　holding　a　congress　of　bards　and　literati　
at　Carmarthen；　at　which　various　pieces　of　eloquence　and　poetry　were　
recited；　and　certain　alterations　introduced　into　the　canons　of　
Welsh　versification。　　Though　holding　offices　of　trust　and　emolument　
under　the　Saxon；　he　in　the　depths　of　his　soul　detested　the　race；　
and　would　have　rejoiced　to　see　it　utterly　extirpated　from　Britain。　　
This　hatred　of　his　against　the　English　was　the　cause　of　his　doing　
that　which　cannot　be　justified　on　any　principle　of　honour；　giving　
shelter　and　encouragement　to　Welsh　thieves；　who　were　in　the　habit　
of　plundering　and　ravaging　the　English　borders。　　Though　at　the　head　
of　a　numerous　and　warlike　clan；　which　was　strongly　attached　to　him　
on　various　accounts；　Griffith　did　not　exactly　occupy　a　bed　of　
roses。　　He　had　amongst　his　neighbours　four　powerful　enemies　who　
envied　him　his　large　possessions；　with　whom　he　had　continual　
disputes　about　property　and　privilege。　　Powerful　enemies　they　may　
well　be　called；　as　they　were　no　less　personages　than　Humphrey　Duke　
of　Buckingham；　Richard　Duke　of　York；　who　began　the　contest　for　the　
crown　with　King　Henry　the　Sixth；　Jasper　Earl　of　Pembroke；　son　of　
Owen　Tudor；　and　half…brother　of　the　king；　and　the　Earl　of　Warwick。　　
These　accused　him　at　court　of　being　a　comforter　and　harbourer　of　
thieves；　the　result　being　that　he　was　deprived　not　only　of　the　
commission　of　the　peace；　but　of　the　captaincy　of　Kilgarran；　which　
the　Earl　of　Pembroke；　through　his　influence　with　his　half…brother；　
procured　for　himself。　　They　moreover　induced　William　Borley　and　
Thomas　Corbet；　two　justices　of　the　peace　for　the　county　of　
Hereford；　to　grant　a　warrant　for　his　apprehension　on　the　ground　of　
his　being　in　league　with　the　thieves　of　the　Marches。　　Griffith　in　
the　bosom　of　his　mighty　clan　bade　defiance　to　Saxon　warrants；　
though　once　having　ventured　to　Hereford　he　nearly　fell　into　the　
power　of　the　ministers　of　justice；　only　escaping　by　the　
intervention　of　Sir　John　Scudamore；　with　whom　he　was　connected　by　
marriage。　　Shortly　afterwards；　the　civil　war　breaking　out；　the　Duke　
of　York　apologised　to　Griffith；　and　besought　his　assistance　against　
the　king　which　the　chieftain　readily　enough　promised；　not　out　of　
affection　for　York；　but　from　the　hatred　which　he　felt；　on　account　
of　the　Kilgarran　affair；　for　the　Earl　of　Pembroke；　who　had　sided；　
very　naturally；　with　his　half…brother；　the　king；　and　commanded　his　
forces　in　the　west。　　Griffith　fell　at　the　great　battle　of　
Mortimer's　cross；　which　was　won　for　York　by　a　desperate　charge　made　
right　at　Pembroke's　banner　by　Griffith　and　his　Welshmen；　when　the　
rest　of　the　Yorkists　were　wavering。　　His　last　words　were：　　
〃Welcome；　Death！　since　honour　and　victory　make　for　us。〃

The　power　and　wealth　of　Griffith　ap　Nicholas；　and　also　parts　of　his　
character；　have　been　well　described　by　one　of　his　bards；　Gwilym　ab　
Ieuan　Hen；　in　an　ode　to　the　following　effect：…


〃Griffith　ap　Nicholas；　who　like　thee
For　wealth　and　power　and　majesty！
Which　most　abound；　I　cannot　say；
On　either　side　of　Towey　gay；
From　hence　to　where　it　meets　the　brine；
Trees　or　stately　towers　of　thine？
The　chair　of　judgment　thou　didst　gain；
But　not　to　deal　in　judgments　vain　…
To　thee　upon　thy　judgment　chair
From　near　and　far　do　crowds　repair；
But　though　betwixt　the　weak　and　strong
No　questions　rose　from　right　or　wrong
The　strong　the　weak　to　thee　would　hie；
The　strong　to　do　thee　injury；
And　to　the　weak　thou　wine　wouldst　deal；
And　wouldst　trip　up　the　mighty　heel。
A　lion　unto　the　lofty　thou；
A　lamb　unto　the　weak　and　low。
Much　thou　resemblest　Nudd　of　yore；
Surpassing　all　who　went　before；
Like　him　thou'rt　fam'd　for　bravery；
For　noble　birth　and　high　degree。
Hail；　captain　of　Kilgarran's　hold！
Lieutenant　of　Carmarthen　old！
Hail；　chieftain；　Cambria's　choicest　boast！
Hail；　justice；　at　the　Saxon's　cost！
Seven　castles　high　confess　thy　sway；
Seven　palaces　thy　hands　obey。
Against　my　chief；　with　envy　fired；
Three　dukes　and　judges　two　conspired；
But　thou　a　dauntless　front　didst　show；
And　to　retreat　they　were　not　slow。
O；　with　what　gratitude　is　heard
From　mouth　of　thine　the　whispered　word；
The　deepest　pools　in　rivers　found
In　summer　are　of　softest　sound；
The　sage　concealeth　what　he　knows；
A　deal　of　talk　no　wisdom　shows；
The　sage　is　silent　as　the　grave；
Whilst　of　his　lips　the　fool　is　slave；
Thy　smile　doth　every　joy　impart；
Of　faith　a　fountain　is　thy　heart；
Thy　hand　is　strong；　thine　eye　is　keen；
Thy　head　o'er　every　head　is　seen。〃


The　church　of　Llandovery　is　a　large　edifice　standing　at　the　
southern　extremity　of　the　town　in　the　vicinity　of　the　Towey。　　The　
outside　exhibits　many　appearances　of　antiquity；　but　the　interior　
has　been　sadly　modernized。　　It　contains　no　remarkable　tombs；　I　was　
pleased；　however；　to　observe　upon　one　or　two　of　the　monuments　the　
name　of　Ryce；　the　appellation　of　the　great　clan　to　which　Griffith　
ap　Nicholas　belonged；　of　old　the　regal　race　of　South　Wales。　　On　
inquiring　of　the　clerk；　an　intelligent　young　man　who　showed　me　over　
the　sacred　edifice；　as　to　the　state　of　the　Church　of　England　at　
Llandovery；　he　gave　me　a　very　cheering　account；　adding；　however；　
that　before　the　arrival　of　the　present　incumbent　it　was　very　low　
indeed。　　〃What　is　the　clergyman's　name？〃　said　I；　〃I　heard　him　
preach　last　night。〃

〃I　know　you　did；　sir；〃　said　the　clerk；　bowing；　〃for　I　saw　you　at　
the　service　at　Llanfair　…　his　name　is　Hughes。〃

〃Any　relation　of　the　clergyman　at　Tregaron？〃　said　I。

〃Own　brother；　sir。〃

〃He　at　Tregaron　bears　a　very　high　character；〃　said　I。

〃And　very　deservedly；　sir；〃　said　the　clerk；　〃for　he　is　an　excellent　
man；　he　is；　however；　not　more　worthy　of　his　high　character　than　his　
brother　here　is　of　the　one　which　he　bears；　which　is　equally　high；　
and　which　the　very　dissenters　have　nothing　to　say　against。〃

〃Have　you　ever　heard；〃　said　I；　〃of　a　man　of　the　name　of　Rees　
Pritchard；　who　preached　within　these　walls　some　two　hundred　years　
ago？〃

〃Rees　Pritchard；　sir！　　Of　course　I　have　…　who　hasn't　heard　of　the　
old　vicar　…　the　Welshman's　candle？　　Ah；　he　was　a　man　indeed！　　We　
have　some　good　men　in　the　Church；　very　good；　but　the　old　vicar　…　
where　shall　we　find　his　equal？〃

〃Is　he　buried　in　this　church？〃　said　I。

〃No；　sir；　he　was　buried　out　abroad　in　the　churchyard；　near　the　wall　
by　the　Towey。〃

〃Can　you　show　me　his　tomb？〃　said　I。　　〃No；　sir；　nor　can　any　one；　his　
tomb　was　swept　away　more　than　a　hundred　years　ago　by　a　dreadful　
inundation　of　the　river；　which　swept　away　not　only　tombs　but　dead　
bodies　out　of　graves。　　But　there's　his　house　in　the　market…place；　
the　old　vicarage；　which　you　should　go　and　see。　　I　would　go　and　show　
it　you　myself　but　I　have　church　matters　just　now　to　attend　to　…　the　
place　of　church　clerk　at　Llandovery；　long　a　sinecure；　is　anything　
but　that　under　the　present　clergyman；　who；　though　not　a　Rees　
Pritchard；　is　a　very　zealous　Christian；　and　not　unworthy　to　preach　
in　the　pulpit　of　the　old　vicar。〃

Leaving　the　church　I　went　to　see　the　old　vicarage；　but　before　
saying　anything　respecting　it；　a　few　words　about　the　old