PREFACE
Allow me to preface this article with the following acknowledgement and comment. I understand that many of us who follow a Celtic path have incorporated Robert Graves's Celtic Tree Calendar into their spiritual practice. Many of us, and I am among these, find Graves's system to be beautiful and mythopoeically accurate, containing many subtleties of meaning and filled with endless beauties. Many people who love the Tree Calendar feel unhappy and threatened when someone points out that it was recently invented. It is not my purpose here to convince anyone, including myself, that we should abandon the Tree Calendar. Just as many Roman Catholics today pray to the Virgin Mary using the Rosary, which was not an original part of Church tradition, so Celtic shamans today may choose to derive spiritual comfort and gain mythopoeic insight from the Tree Calendar. We must, however, remember that it is modern and not ancient. We should also remember that Graves poetic opinions on the meaning and significance of the Oghams is not holy writ. We may study the Oghams and form our own poetic opinions.
Many of us who depend on the Tree Calendar for our spiritual practices have never read Graves at all, and so, at best, are relying on the opinions and interpretations of others who have. At worst, they are relying on the opinions and interpretations of others who, like themselves, have never read Graves either. Of those who have read Graves, very few have read the Auraicept or the Ogham Tract as contained in the Auraicept. Many of us have never read the Cad Goddeu in any translation other than the one Graves provides, and so must take Graves at his word. The Ogham Tract and other information from the Auraicept posted [in the Oak Grove] at the Oghams Menu to help you with your studies. Here below is the Cad Goddeu with some notes and comments.
THE CAD GODDEU
One of the major sources Graves relies on to support his tree calendar in the White Goddess is the D. W. Nash translation of the Cad Goddeu or Battle of the Trees, a poem written in Middle Welsh and attributed to Taliesin. There was at least one other translation available to him but he does not appear to have referred to the Robert Williams translation at all. Even if the Nash translation is superior to the Williams, as Graves claims, one wonders why Graves did not at least use the Williams as a back up reference. Even the most cursory examination of the two translations shows how different the opinions of separate translators can be.
Furthermore, I am not convinced Graves choose the best translation. Patrick K. Ford, one of the leading Celtic scholars of our day, translated the Cad Goddeu in 1974 with Professors Eric Hamp, R. Geraint Gruffydd, and Dr. Brynley Roberts. The Ford translation differs in many respects from both the Nash and the Williams versions, presented below, but is more in agreement with that of Williams, the one Graves ignores. One very large difference between the Williams and Nash versions is found in lines 60-61 as noted below. Nash was not able to translate eight lines of the medieval Welsh text. Ford's 1974 version of these lines supports the Williams translation.
Graves does not maintain the order of the lines or verses of the original medieval poem. He claims to have discovered the 'true' order in which the trees are arrayed and his calendar is based on this poetic intuition. In the columns below I have placed Graves intuitive interpretation of the Cad Goddeu between the Nash and Williams translations, so you may compare the three texts and come to your own conclusions in regards to accuracy, or lack thereof, of Graves intuition. The line notes following each verse of the Graves interpretation are based on his own comments in "The White Goddess". They indicate which lines in the Nash translation his own version is based on. It is interesting to compare the two versions closely.
THE BATTLE OF THE TREES
| Cad Goddeu – Nash Translation
I have been in many shapes, Before I attained a congenial form. I have been a narrow blade of a sword. (I will believe it when it appears.) I have been a drop in the air. [5] I have been a shining Star. I have been a word in a book. I have been a book originally. I have been a light in a lantern. A year and a half. [10] I have been a bridge for passing over Three-score rivers. I have journeyed as an eagle. I have been a boat on the sea. I have been a director in battle. [15] I have been the string of a child's swaddling clout. I have been a sword in the hand. I have been a shield in the fight. I have been the string of a harp, Enchanted for a year [20] In the foam of water. I have been a poker in the fire. I have been a tree in a covert. There is nothing in which I have not been. I have fought, though small, [25] In the Battle of Goddeu Brig, Before the Ruler of Britain, Abounding in fleets. Indifferent bards pretend, They pretend a monstrous beast, [30] With a hundred heads, And a grievous combat At the root of the tongue. And another fight there is At the back of the head. [35] A toad having on his thighs A hundred claws, A spotted crested snake, For punishing in their flesh A hundred souls on account of their sins. [40] I was in Caer Efynedd, Thither were hastening grasses and trees. Wayfarers perceive them, Warriors are astonished At a renewal of the conflicts [45] Such as Gwydion made. There is calling on Heaven, And on Christ that he would effect Their deliverance, The all-powerful Lord. [50] If the Lord had answered, Through charms and magic skill, Assume the forms of the principal trees, With you in array Restrain the people [55] Inexperienced in battle. When the trees were enchanted There was hope for the trees, That they should frustrate the intention Of the surrounding fires.... [60] Better are three in unison, And enjoying themselves in, a circle, And one of them relating The story of the deluge, And of the cross of Christ, [65] And of the Day of judgement near at hand. The alder-trees in the first line, They made the commencement. Willow and quicken tree, They were slow in their array. [70] The plum is a tree Not beloved of men; The medlar of a like nature, Over coming severe toil. The bean bearing in its shade [75] And army of phantoms. The raspberry makes Not the best of food. In shelter live, The privet and the woodbine, [80] And the ivy in its season. Great is the gorse in battle. The cherry-tree had been reproached. The birch, though very magnanimous, Was late in arraying himself; [85] It was not through cowardice, But on account of his great size. The appearance of the ... Is that of a foreigner and a savage. The pine-tree in the court, [90] Strong in battle, By me greatly exalted In the presence of kings, The elm-trees are his subjects. He turns not aside the measure of a foot, [95] But strikes right in the middle, And at the farthest end. The hazel is the judge, His berries are thy dowry. The privet is blessed. [100] Strong chiefs in war And the ... and the mulberry. Prosperous the beech-tree. The holly dark green, He was very courageous: [105] Defended with spikes on every side, Wounding the hands. The long-enduring poplars Very much broken in fight. The plundered fern; [110] The brooms with their offspring: The furze was not well behaved Until he was tamed The heath was giving consolation, Comforting the people - [115] The black cherry-tree was pursuing. The oak-tree swiftly moving, Before him tremble heaven and earth, Stout doorkeeper against the foe Is his name in all lands. [120] The corn-cockle bound together, Was given to be burnt. Others were rejected On account of the holes made By great violence [125] In the field of battle. Very wrathful the ... Cruel the gloomy ash. Bashful the chestnut-tree, Retreating from happiness. [130] There shall be a black darkness, There shall be a shaking of the mountain, There shall be a purifying furnace, There shall first be a great wave, And when the shout shall be heard, [135] Putting forth new leaves are the tops of the beech, Changing form and being renewed from a withered state; Entangled are the tops of the oak. From the Gorchan of Maelderw. Smiling at the side of the rock [140] (Was) the pear-tree not of an ardent nature. Neither of mother or father, When I was made, Was my blood or body; Of nine kinds of faculties, [145] Of fruit of fruits, Of fruit God made me, Of the blossom of the mountain primrose, Of the buds of trees and shrubs, Of earth of earthly kind. [150] When I was made Of the blossoms of the nettle, Of the water of the ninth wave, I was spell-bound by Math Before I became immortal. [155] I was spell-bound by Gwydion, Great enchanter of the Britons, Of Eurys, of Eurwn, Of Euron, of Medron, In myriads of secrets, [160] I am as learned as Math.... I know about the Emperor When he was half burnt. I know the star-knowledge Of stars before the earth (was made), [165] Whence I was born, How many worlds there are. It is the custom of accomplished bards To recite the praise of their country. I have played in Lloughor, [170] I have slept in purple. Was I not in the enclosure With Dylan Ail Mor, On a couch in the centre Between the two knees of the prince [175] Upon two blunt spears? When from heaven came The torrents into the deep, Rushing with violent impulse. (I know) four-score songs, [180] For administering to their pleasure. There is neither old nor young, Except me as to their poems, Any other singer who knows the whole of the nine hundred Which are known to me, [185] Concerning the blood-spotted sword. Honour is my guide. Profitable learning is from the Lord. (I know) of the slaying of the boar, Its appearing, its disappearing, [190] Its knowledge of languages. (I know) the light whose name is Splendour, And the number of the ruling lights That scatter rays of fire High above the deep. [195] I have been a spotted snake upon a hill; I have been a viper in a lake; I have been an evil star formerly. I have been a weight in a mill.(?) My cassock is red all over. [200] I prophesy no evil. Four score puffs of smoke To every one who will carry them away: And a million of angels, On the point of my knife. [205] Handsome is the yellow horse, But a hundred times better Is my cream-coloured one, Swift as the sea-mew, Which cannot pass me [210] Between the sea and the shore. Am I not pre-eminent in the field of blood? I have a hundred shares of the spoil. My wreath is of red jewels, Of gold is the border of my shield. [215] There has not been born one so good as I, Or ever known, Except Goronwy, From the dales of Edrywy. Long and white are my fingers, [220] It is long since I was a herdsman. I travelled over the earth Before I became a learned person. I have travelled, I have made a circuit, I have slept in a hundred islands; [225] I have dwelt in a hundred cities. Learned Druids, Prophesy ye of Arthur? Or is it me they celebrate, And the Crucifixion of Christ, [230] And the Day of Judgement near at hand, And one relating The history of the Deluge (?) With a golden jewel set in gold I am enriched; [235] And I am indulging in pleasure Out of the oppressive toil of the goldsmith. Nash Translation On-Line Cad Goddeu The Battle of the Trees D.W. Nash translation recorded by Graves in "The White Goddess" |
Cad Goddeu – Graves Interpretation
Graves poetic interpretation of the Battle of the Trees as found in "The White Goddess" |
Cad Goddeu – Williams Translation I have been a multitude of shapes, Before I assumed a consist ant form. I have been a sword, narrow, variegated, I will believe when it is apparent. I have been a tear in the air, [5] I have been in 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. [10] I have been a continuing bridge, Over three score river-mouths. I have been a course, I have been an eagle. I have been a coracle in the sea. I have been complaint in the banquet. [15] I have been a drop in a shower; I have been a sword in the grasp of a hand. I have been a shield in battle. I have been a string in a harp, Disguised for nine years. [20] In water, in foam, I have been a sponge in fire, I have been wood in covert. I am not he who will not sing of A combat though small, [25] The conflict of the battle of Godau of sprigs. Against the Guledig of Prydain, There passed central horses, Fleets full of riches. There passed an animal with wide jaws, [30] On it were a hundred heads. And a battle was contested Under the root of his tongue; And another battle there is In his occiput. [35] A black sprawling toad, With a hundred claws on it, A snake speckled, crested. A hundred souls through sin Shall be tormented in its flesh. [40] I have been in Care Vevenir, Thither hastened grass and trees. Minstrels were singing, Warrior bands were wondering, At the exaltation of the Brython, [45] That Gwydyon effected. There was a calling on the Creator, Upon Christ for causes, Until when the Eternal Should deliver those whom he had made. [50] The Lord answered them, Through language and elements: Take the forms of the principal trees, Arranging yourselves in battle array, And restraining the public. [55] Inexperienced in battle hand to hand. When the trees were enchanted, In the expectation of not being trees, The trees uttered their voices From strings of harmony The disputes ceased. [60] Let us cut short heavy days, A female restrained the din. She came forth altogether lovely. The head of the line, the head was a female. The advantage of a sleepless cow Would not make us give way. The blood of men up to our thighs, The greatest of importunate mental exertions Sported into the world. And one has ended From considering the deluge, And Christ crucified, [65] And the day of judgement near at hand. The alder-trees, the head of the line, Formed the van. The willows and quicken-trees Came late to the army. [70] Plum-trees, they are scarce, Unlonged for men. The elaborate medlar-trees, The objects of contention. The prickly rose bushes, [75] Against a host of giants, The raspberry brake did What is better failed For the security of life. Privet and woodbine [80] And ivy on its front, Life furze to the combat The cherry-tree was provoked. The birch, not withstanding his high mind, Was late before he was arrayed. [85] Not because of his cowardice, But on account of his greatness. The laburnum held in mind, That your wild nature was foreign. Pine-trees in the porch, [90] The chair of distribution By me greatly exalted, In the presence of kings. The elm with his retinue, Did not go aside a foot; [95] He would fight with the centre, And the flanks, and the rear. Hazel-trees, it was judged That ample thy mental exertion. The privet, happy is his lot, [100] The bull of battle, the lord of the world. Morawg and Morydd Were made prosperous in pines. Holly, it was tinted with red, He was a hero. [105] The hawthorn, surrounded by prickles, With pain at his hand. The aspen-wood has been topped, It was topped in battle. The fern that was plundered. [110] The broom in the van of the army, In the trenches he was hurt. The gorse did not do well, Notwithstanding let it overspread. The heath was victorious, keeping off on all sides. The common people were charmed, [115] During the proceeding of the men. The oak, quick moving, Before him, tremble heaven and earth. A valiant door-keeper against an enemy, His name is considered. [120] The blue-bells combined, And caused a consternation. In rejecting, were rejected. Pear-trees, the best intruders in the conflict on the plain. [125] A very wrathful wood, The chestnut is bashful, The opponent of happiness, [130] The jet has become black, The mountain has become crooked, The woods have become a kiln, Existing formerly has the great seas, Since was heard the shout:--- [135] The tops of the birch covered us with leaves. And transformed us, and changed our faded state. The branches of the oak have ensnared us From the Gwarchan Mwelderw. Laughing on the side of rock, [140] The rold (?) is not an ardent nature. Not of mother and father was I made, Did my Creator create me. Of nine-formed faculties, [145] Of the fruit of fruits, Of the fruit of the primordial God, Of primroses and blossoms on the hill, Of the earth, of an earthly course, [150] When I was formed, Of the flower nettles, Of the water of the ninth wave. I was enchanted by Math, Before I became immortal, [155] I was enchanted by Gwydyon The great purifier of the Brithon, Of Eurwys, of Euron, Of Euron, of Modron. Of five battalions of scientific ones, [160] Teachers, children of Math. When the removal occurred, I was enchanted by the Guledig. When he was half-burnt, I was enchanted by the sage Of Sages, in the primitive world. [165] When I had a being; When the host of the world was in dignity, The bard was accustomed to benefits. To the song of praise I am inclined, which the tongue recites. I played in twilight, [170] I slept in purple; I was truly in the enchantment With Dylan, the son of the wave. In the circumference, in the middle, Between the knees of kings, [175] Scattering spears not keen, From heaven when came, To the great deep, floods, In the battle there will be Four score hundreds, [180] That will divide according to their will. Are they neither older or younger, Than myself in their divisions. A wonder, Canhwr are born, every one of nine hundred. He was with me also, [185] With my sword spotted with blood. Honor was allotted to me By the Lord, and protection (was) where he was. If I come to where the boar was killed, He will compose, he will decompose, [190] He will form languages. The strong-handed gleamer, his name, With a gleam he rules his numbers. They would spread out in a flame, When I shall go on high. [195] I have been a speckled snake on the hill, I have been a viper in Llyn. I have been a bill-hook crooked that cuts, I have been a ferocious spear With my chasuble and bowl [200] I will prophesy not badly. Four score smokes On every one that bring. Five battalions of arms Will be caught by my knife. [205] Six steeds of yellow hue A hundred times better is my cream-colored steed, Swift as the sea-mew Which will not pass [210] Between the sea and the shore. Am I not pre-eminent in the field of blood? Over it are a hundred chieftains. Crimson (is) the gem of my belt, Gold my shield border. [215] There has not been born, in the gap, That has been visiting me, Except Goronwy, From the dales of Edrywy. Long white my fingers, [220] It is long since I have been a herdsman. I have travelled the earth, Before I was proficient in learning. I have travelled, I made a circuit, I slept in a hundred islands. [225] A hundred Caers I have dwelt in. Ye intelligent Druids, Declare to Arthur, What is there more early Than I that they sing of. And one is come From considering the deluge And Christ crucified, [230] And the day of future doom. A golden gem in a golden jewel. I am splendid [235] And shall be wanton From the oppression of the metal-workers. Celtic Twilight Early Medieval Resources for Britain, Ireland and Brittany Cad Goddeu or The Battle of Goddeu Translation by Revd. Robert Williams for W.F.Skene's "Four Ancient Books of Wales" 1869. |