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Wales and the French Revolution Series
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(Welsh Poems) An address to the Welsh in the time of war 1803 (selection)by John Thomas, Pentrefoelas (Eos Gwynedd; 1742–1818)Location: Welsh Poetry od the French Revolution 1789–1805, rhif / no. 12 SCROLL DOWN FOR ENGLISHDowch yn brysur, wŷr a llanciau, Ni godwn arfau i gyd yn awr, I gadw’r wlad lle’r oedd ein tadau, Rhag Bonaparte a’i fintai fawr; Os digwydd fod i’w gychod gychwyn, Cyn cyrraedd terfyn cwr ein tir, Eu cwffio a’u boddi ceiff y baeddod, A’u cwympo yn hynod cyn pen hir; Ond cael yr Arglwydd ar ein hochor, Yn ein goror, enwog Wawr, Ni ddichon Ffrainc a’i holl gadernid Mewn taeraidd lid mo’n torri i lawr. Arglwydd, edrych yn Dy fawredd, Ar eu cabledd, eiriau certh; Na ad i’r gelyn gael ei wynfyd Tra fo byd i ddifa’r berth; Cadernid Ffrainc yw Bonaparti, A rhif ei llestri yn rhwyfo’r lli; Os rhoi Di gennad, Duw gogoned, Dan dy nodded yr ydym ni; Nid lliaws llu, na gallu’r twllwch, All dorri’n heddwch, dirion hawl: I’r Hwn a all addo a rhannu llwyddiant, Y bytho’r moliant, byth a’r mawl. ... Y Cymry gwiwlwys, cymrwch galon Os daw achosion, deuwch oll; A chofiwch chwithau, rhai sy gartre, Wneud eich goreu, na ’dewch goll, Dros ein brenin, gwlad, a’n heglwys, A’n rhyddid dilys, rhodd y Tad; Hyn yw’r achos, enwir i chwi, Inni ymgodi yma’n gad: Siôr a’i ddeiliaid a siŵr ddalio, Llaw Duw fyddo’n llwyddo ei fainc, A ni, fel dawnus filwyr dano, A fedro ffrwyno ynfydrwydd Ffrainc. TRANSLATION Come quickly, men and boys, we will all raise weapons now to save the land of our fathers from Bonaparte and his great band; if he happens to launch his boats, the boars will be beaten and drowned before long, and truly felled, before they reach the furthest boundary of our land; provided that we have God on our side, in our land, famous Lord, France and all its might will not be able to cut us down in a ferocious rage. Lord, in Your greatness, behold their blasphemy, vehement word; do not allow the enemy to achieve his heart’s desire, while there is a world to devour the bush; Bonaparti is France’s strength, and France’s vessels travel the ocean; if You, God of glory, give leave, we are under Your protection; no numerous hosts, nor the force of darkness can break our peace, gentle right: may the praise and glory forever be to Him who can promise and share success. ... Lovely Welshmen, take heart if action comes, come all of you; and, you at home, remember to do your best (don’t allow loss), for our king, country, and our church, and our genuine liberty, the Father’s gift; this is the reason cited to you that we raise an army here: George and his subjects will surely defend, may God’s hand facilitate George’s throne, and we, as able soldiers under him, can curb France’s madness.
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