Concealing Herself With The
Remainder Behind Some Shrubs, Grief Suggested To Her A Stratagem Of
Exquisite Revenge; She Extended Herself
On a heap of earth, as if
dead, within sight of the plunderer, and (as success always
increases avidity) the
Bird immediately seized her and flew away,
but soon fell down dead by the bite of the poisonous animal.
The castle called Maenor Pyrr, {113} that is, the mansion of Pyrrus,
who also possessed the island of Chaldey, which the Welsh call Inys
Pyrr, or the island of Pyrrus, is distant about three miles from
Penbroch. It is excellently well defended by turrets and bulwarks,
and is situated on the summit of a hill extending on the western
side towards the sea-port, having on the northern and southern sides
a fine fish-pond under its walls, as conspicuous for its grand
appearance, as for the depth of its waters, and a beautiful orchard
on the same side, inclosed on one part by a vineyard, and on the
other by a wood, remarkable for the projection of its rocks, and the
height of its hazel trees. On the right hand of the promontory,
between the castle and the church, near the site of a very large
lake and mill, a rivulet of never-failing water flows through a
valley, rendered sandy by the violence of the winds. Towards the
west, the Severn sea, bending its course to Ireland, enters a hollow
bay at some distance from the castle; and the southern rocks, if
extended a little further towards the north, would render it a most
excellent harbour for shipping. From this point of sight, you will
see almost all the ships from Great Britain, which the east wind
drives upon the Irish coast, daringly brave the inconstant waves and
raging sea. This country is well supplied with corn, sea-fish, and
imported wines; and what is preferable to every other advantage,
from its vicinity to Ireland, it is tempered by a salubrious air.
Demetia, therefore, with its seven cantreds, is the most beautiful,
as well as the most powerful district of Wales; Penbroch, the finest
part of the province of Demetia; and the place I have just
described, the most delightful part of Penbroch. It is evident,
therefore, that Maenor Pirr is the pleasantest spot in Wales; and
the author may be pardoned for having thus extolled his native soil,
his genial territory, with a profusion of praise and admiration.
In this part of Penbroch, unclean spirits have conversed, nor
visibly, but sensibly, with mankind; first in the house of Stephen
Wiriet, {114} and afterwards in the house of William Not; {115}
manifesting their presence by throwing dirt at them, and more with a
view of mockery than of injury. In the house of William, they cut
holes in the linen and woollen garments, much to the loss of the
owner of the house and his guests; nor could any precaution, or even
bolts, secure them from these inconveniences. In the house of
Stephen, the spirit in a more extraordinary manner conversed with
men, and, in reply to their taunts, upbraided them openly with
everything they had done from their birth, and which they were not
willing should be known or heard by others.
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