Four Ancient Books of Wales: X. Poems Attributed to Llywa...

I. THE Calends of winter, hard is the grain; The leaves are on the move, the plash is full; In the morning before he sets off, Woe to him that trusts to a stranger. II. The Calends of winter, the time of pleasant gossiping, The gale and the storm keep equal pace; It is the work of the wise to keep a secret. III. The Calends of winter, the stags are lean, Yellow, the tops of birch, deserted the summer dwelling; Woo to him who for a trifle deserves disgrace. IV. The Calends of winter, the tops of the branches are bent; Uproar from the mouth of the vicious is common; Where there is no natural gift there will be no learning. V. The Calends of winter, blustering is the weather, Unlike the beginning of summer; Except God, there is none that divines. VI. The Calends of Winter, gay the plumage of birds; Short the day; loud the cuckoos; Mercifully has the most beneficent God made them. VII, The Calends of winter, it is hard and dry; Very black is the raven, quick the arrow from the bow; At the stumbling of the old, the smile of the youth is apt to break out. VIII. The Calends of winter, lean is the stag: Woe to the weak! if he chafes, it will be but for a short while; Truly better is amiability than beauty. IX. The Calends of winter, bare is where the heath is burnt, The plough is in the furrow; the ox at work; Amongst a hundred there is hardly a friend.