The Lilac Fairy Book, part 39 · page 21 2101But from that time no work has been done upon it, save that every evening I have pecked at it, till now there is not so much as the size of a nut remaining thereof.102Yet all that time I have never once heard of the man you name.103Still, there is a race of beasts older than I, and I will guide you to them.’104So the ousel flew before them, till she reached the stag of Redynvre; but when they inquired of the stag whether he knew aught of Mabon he shook his head.105‘When first I came hither,’ said he, ‘the plain was bare save for one oak sapling, which grew up to be an oak with a hundred branches.106All that is left of that oak is a withered stump, but never once have I heard of the man you name.107Nevertheless, as you are Arthur’s men, I will guide you to the place where there is an animal older than I’; and the stag ran before them till he reached the owl of Cwm Cawlwyd.108But when they inquired of the owl if he knew aught of Mabon he shook his head.109‘When first I came hither,’ said he, ‘the valley was a wooded glen; then a race of men came and rooted it up.110After that there grew a second wood, and then a third, which you see.111Look at my wings also--are they not withered stumps?112Yet until to-day I have never heard of the man you name.113Still, I will guide you to the oldest animal in the world, and the one that has travelled most, the eagle of Gwern Abbey.’114And he flew before them, as fast as his old wings would carry him, till he reached the eagle of Gwern Abbey, but when they inquired of the eagle whether he knew aught of Mabon he shook his head.115‘When I first came hither,’ said the eagle, ‘there was a rock here, and every evening I pecked at the stars from the top of it.116Now, behold, it is not even a span high!117But only once have I heard of the man you name, and that was when I went in search of food as far as Llyn Llyw.118I swooped down upon a salmon, and struck my claws into him, but he drew me down under water till scarcely could I escape him.119Then I summoned all my kindred to destroy him, but he made peace with me, and I took fifty fish spears from his back.120Unless he may know something of the man whom you seek I cannot tell who may.121But I will guide you to the place where he is.’122So they followed the eagle, who flew before them, though so high was he in the sky, it was often hard to mark his flight.123At length he stopped above a deep pool in a river.124‘Salmon of Llyn Llyw,’ he called, ‘I have come to thee with an embassy from Arthur to inquire if thou knowest aught concerning Mabon the son of Modron.’125And the salmon answered:126‘As much as I know I will tell thee.127With every tide I go up the river, till I reach the walls of Gloucester, and there have I found such wrong as I never found elsewhere.128And that you may see that what I say is true let two of you go thither on my shoulders.’129So Kai and Gwrhyr went upon the shoulders of the salmon, and were carried under the walls of the prison, from which proceeded the sound of great weeping.130‘Who is it that thus laments in this house of stone?’131‘It is I, Mabon the son of Modron.’132‘Will silver or gold bring thy freedom, or only battle and fighting?’ asked Gwrhyr again.133‘By fighting alone shall I be set free,’ said Mabon.134Then they sent a messenger to Arthur to tell him that Mabon was found, and he brought all his warriors to the castle of Gloucester and fell fiercely upon it; while Kai and Bedwyr went on the shoulders of the salmon to the gate of the dungeon, and broke it down and carried away Mabon.135And he now being free returned home with Arthur.1 2← previousThe Lilac Fairy Book, part 38next →The Lilac Fairy Book, part 40↑ back to The Lilac Fairy BookThis page in Markdown → https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg3454/39/page/2/