按键盘上方向键 ← 或 → 可快速上下翻页，按键盘上的 Enter 键可回到本书目录页，按键盘上方向键 ↑ 可回到本页顶部！
————未阅读完？加入书签已便下次继续阅读！
ganwy； seem to rear their lofty summits even to the clouds； when viewed from the opposite coast of Anglesey。 They are said to be of so great an extent； that according to an ancient proverb； 〃As Mona could supply corn for all the inhabitants of Wales； so could the Eryri mountains afford sufficient pasture for all the herds； if collected together。〃 Hence these lines of Virgil may be applied to them：…
〃Et quantum longis carpent armenta diebus； Exigua tautum gelidus ros nocte reponet。〃
〃And what is cropt by day the night renews； Shedding refreshful stores of cooling dews。〃
On the highest parts of these mountains are two lakes worthy of admiration。 The one has a floating island in it； which is often driven from one side to the other by the force of the winds； and the shepherds behold with astonishment their cattle； whilst feeding； carried to the distant parts of the lake。 A part of the bank naturally bound together by the roots of willows and other shrubs may have been broken off； and increased by the alluvion of the earth from the shore； and being continually agitated by the winds； which in so elevated a situation blow with great violence； it cannot reunite itself firmly with the banks。 The other lake is noted for a wonderful and singular miracle。 It contains three sorts of fish … eels； trout； and perch； all of which have only one eye； the left being wanting； but if the curious reader should demand of me the explanation of so extraordinary a circumstance； I cannot presume to satisfy him。 It is remarkable also； that in two places in Scotland； one near the eastern； the other near the western sea； the fish called mullets possess the same defect； having no left eye。 According to vulgar tradition； these mountains are frequented by an eagle who； perching on a fatal stone every fifth holiday； in order to satiate her hunger with the carcases of the slain； is said to expect war on that same day； and to have almost perforated the stone by cleaning and sharpening her beak。
CHAPTER X
Of the passage by Deganwy and Ruthlan； and the see of Lanelwy； and of Coleshulle
Having crossed the river Conwy； ｛173｝ or rather an arm of the sea； under Deganwy； leaving the Cistercian monastery of Conwy ｛174｝ on the western bank of the river to our right hand； we arrived at Ruthlan； a noble castle on the river Cloyd； belonging to David； the eldest son of Owen ｛175｝ where； at the earnest invitation of David himself； we were handsomely entertained that night。
There is a spring not far from Ruthlan； in the province of Tegengel； ｛176｝ which not only regularly ebbs and flows like the sea； twice in twenty…four hours； but at other times frequently rises and falls both by night and day。 Trogus Pompeius says； 〃that there is a town of the Garamantes； where there is a spring which is hot and cold alternately by day and night。〃 ｛177｝
Many persons in the morning having been persuaded to dedicate themselves to the service of Christ； we proceeded from Ruthlan to the small cathedral church of Lanelwy； ｛178｝ from whence （the archbishop having celebrated mass） we continued our journey through a country rich in minerals of silver； where money is sought in the bowels of the earth； to the little cell of Basinwerk； ｛179｝ where we passed the night。 The following day we traversed a long quicksand； and not without some degree of apprehension； leaving the woody district of Coleshulle； ｛180｝ or hill of coal； on our right hand； where Henry II。； who in our time； actuated by youthful and indiscreet ardour； made a hostile irruption into Wales； and presuming to pass through that narrow and woody defile； experienced a signal defeat； and a very heavy loss of men。 ｛181｝ The aforesaid king invaded Wales three times with an army； first； North Wales at the above…mentioned place； secondly； South Wales； by the sea…coast of Glamorgan and Goer； penetrating as far as Caermarddin and Pencadair； and returning by Ellennith and Melenith； and thirdly； the country of Powys； near Oswaldestree； but in all these expeditions the king was unsuccessful； because he placed no confidence in the prudent and well…informed chieftains of the country； but was principally advised by people remote from the marches； and ignorant of the manners and customs of the natives。 In every expedition； as the artificer is to be trusted in his trade； so the advice of those people should be consulted； who； by a long residence in the country； are become conversant with the manners and customs of the natives； and to whom it is of high importance that the power of the hostile nation； with whom； by a long and continued warfare； they have contracted an implacable enmity and hatred； should be weakened or destroyed； as we have set forth in our Vaticinal History。
In this wood of Coleshulle； a young Welshman was killed while passing through the king's army； the greyhound who accompanied him did not desert his master's corpse for eight days； though without food； but faithfully defended it from the attacks of dogs； wolves； and birds of prey； with a wonderful attachment。 What son to his father； what Nisus to Euryalus； what Polynices to Tydeus； what Orestes to Pylades； would have shewn such an affectionate regard？ As a mark of favour to the dog； who was almost starved to death； the English； although bitter enemies to the Welsh； ordered the body； now nearly putrid； to be deposited in the ground with the accustomed offices of humanity。
CHAPTER XI
Of the passage of the River Dee； and of Chester
Having crossed the river Dee below Chester； （which the Welsh call Doverdwy）； on the third day before Easter； or the day of absolution （holy Thursday）； we reached Chester。 As the river Wye towards the south separates Wales from England； so the Dee near Chester forms the northern boundary。 The inhabitants of these parts assert； that the waters of this river change their fords every month； and； as it inclines more towards England or Wales； they can； with certainty； prognosticate which nation will be successful or unfortunate during the year。 This river derives its origin from the lake Penmelesmere； ｛182｝ and； although it abounds with salmon； yet none are found in the lake。 It is also remarkable； that this river is never swollen by rains； but often rises by the violence of the winds。
Chester boasts of being the burial…place of Henry； ｛183｝ a Roman emperor； who； after having imprisoned his carnal and spiritual father； pope Paschal； gave himself up to penitence； and； becoming a voluntary exile in this country； ended his days in solitary retirement。 It is also asserted； that the remains of Harold are here deposited。 He was the last of the Saxon kings in England； and as a punishment for his perjury； was defeated in the battle of Hastings； fought against the Normans。 Having received many wounds； and lost his left eye by an arrow in that engagement； he is said to have escaped to these parts； where； in holy conversation； leading the life of an anchorite； and being a constant attendant at one of the churches of this city； he is believed to have terminated his days happily。 ｛184｝ The truth of these two circumstances was declared （and not before known） by the dying confession of each party。 We saw h