Blessed is the birch tree
In the valley of the Wye
Its branches falling
Now one at a time,
Now two
And will be there
When the battle rages in Ardudwy,
The lowing of cattle
Around the ford of Mochnwy
Spears and battle cry in Degannwy
And Edwin in Anglesey
When he takes over,
The young greenhorns
Fighting diffidently
Being decked out
In blooded garments

Blessed is the birch tree in Pumlumon
Which will watch
When people's fury will be high
And will see the French
Decked out in armour
And in the back of the hearth
Food for monsters -
And monks
Often
Will be horsemen

Blessed is the birch tree
On the top of Dinfythwy
Which will know
When the battle rages in Ardudwy
The dart of the phalanx
For Edryfwy
The crossing of the Taf
The other over Tawe,
Yet another destruction
On the two banks of the Wye;
And the wringer of this havoc
His name will Garwy be,
The topmost man in Anglesey
Will govern them
With women
Windswept
And men
Beaten up.

A happier one than me awaits it,
The time of Cadwaladr
A poem
Will he sing to it.

From 'The Black Book of Carmarthen
Translated by Merion Pennar
Llanerch 1989 isbn 0 947992 31 6