Seligor's Castle, fun for all the children of the world. Dragons n Troll
dottido@hotmail.co.uk will reach me from wherever you are.
SELIGOR'S CASTLE PRESENTS A PLAY FOR YOU
ST. GEORGE AND THE DRAGON
A Cornish Christmas Play 1833
Author Unknown?
And so the stage is set, let me introduce the characters;
Father ChristmasTurkish Knight
Saint GeorgeKing of Egypt
The DragonThe Doctor
The Giant Turpin
{Enter the Turkish knight.}
Turkish Knight
Open your doors, and let me in, I hope your favours I shall win;
Whether I rise or whether I fall,
I'll do my best to please you all.
Saint George is here, and swears he will come in,
And, if he does, I know he'll pierce my skin.
If you will not believe what I do say,
Let Father Christmas come in - clear the way,
{Retires.}
{Enter Father Christmas.}
Father Christmas
Here come I, old Father Christmas.
Welcome, or welcome not,
I hope old Father Christmas
Will never be forgot.
I am not come here to laugh or to jeer,
But for a pocketfull of money, and a skinfull of beer.
If you will not believe what I do say,
Come in the King of Egypt - clear the way.
{Enter the King of Egypt.}
King of Egypt
Here I, the King of Egypt, boldly do appear,
Saint George, Saint George, walk in, my only son and heir.
Walk in, my son Saint George, and boldly act thy part,
That all the people here may see thy wond'rous art.
{Enter Saint George.}
Saint George
Here come I, Saint George, from Britain did I spring,
I'll fight the Dragon bold, my wonders to begin.
I'll clip his wings, he shall not fly:
I'll cut him down, or else I die.
{Enter the Dragon.}
Dragon
Who's he that seeks the Dragon's blood,
And calls so angry, and so loud?
That English dog, will he before me stand?
I'll cut him down with my courageous hand.
With my long teeth, and scurvy jaw,
Of such I'd break up half a score,
And stay my stomach, till I'd more.
{St. George and the Dragon fight, the Dragon is killed.}
Father Christmas
Is there a doctor to be found
All ready, near at hand,
To cure a deep and deadly wound,
And make the champion stand?
{Enter Doctor}
Doctor
Oh! yes, there is a doctor to be found
All ready, near at hand,
To cure a deep and deadly wound,
And make the champion stand.
Father Christmas
What can you cure?
Doctor
All sorts of diseases,
Whatever you pleases,
The phthisic, the palsy, and the gout;
If the devil's in, I'll blow him out.
Father Christmas
What is your fee?
Doctor
Fifteen pound, it is my fee,
The money to lay down.
But, as 'tis such a rogue as thee,
I cure for ten pound.
I carry a little bottle of alicumpane,
Here Jack, take a little of my flip flop,
Pour it down thy tip top,
Rise up and fight again.
{The Doctor performs his cure, the fight is renewed,
and the Dragon again is killed.}
Saint George
Here am I, Saint George,
That worthy champion bold.
And with my sword and spear
I won three crowns of gold.
I fought the fiery dragon,
And brought him to the slaughter;
By that I won fair Sabra,
The King of Egypt's daughter.
Where is the man, that now will me defy?
I'll cut his giblets full of holes,
and make his buttons fly.
{The Turkish Knight advances.}
Turkish Knight
Here come I, the Turkish knight,
Come from the Turkish land to fight.
I'll fight Saint George, who is my foe,
I'll make him yield before I go;
He brags to such a high degree,
He think there's none can do the like of he.
Saint George
Where is the Turk, that will before me stand?
I'll cut him down with my courageous hand.
{The fight, the Knight is overcome, and falls on one knee.}
Turkish Knight
Oh! pardon me, Saint George, pardon of thee I crave,
Oh! pardon me this night, and I will be thy slave.
Saint George
No pardon shalt thou have, while I have foot to stand,
So rise thee up again, and fight out sword in hand.
{They fight again, and the Knight is killed,
Father Christmas calls for the Doctor again}
Father Christmas
Is there a doctor to be found
All ready, near at hand,
To cure a deep and deadly wound,
And make the champion stand?
{Enter Doctor}
Doctor
Oh! yes, there is a doctor to be found
All ready, near at hand,
To cure a deep and deadly wound,
And make the champion stand.
Father Christmas
What can you cure?
Doctor
All sorts of diseases,
Whatever you pleases,
The phthisic, the palsy, and the gout;
If the devil's in, I'll blow him out.
Father Christmas
What is your fee?
Doctor
Fifteen pound, it is my fee,
The money to lay down.
But, as 'tis such a rogue as thee,
I cure for ten pound.
I carry a little bottle of alicumpane,
Here Jack, take a little of my flip flop,
Pour it down thy tip top,
Rise up and fight again.
{The Doctor performs his cure, the fight is renewed,
and the Turkish Knight is killed again.}
{Enter the Giant Turpin.}
Giant Turpin
Here come I, the Giant, bold Turpin is my name,
And all the nations round do tremble at my fame.
Where'er I go, they tremble at my sight,
No lord or champion long with me would fight.
Saint George
Here's one that dares to look thee in the face,
And soon will send thee to another place.
{They fight, and the Giant is killed, medical aid is called again as before. }
Father Christmas
Is there a doctor to be found
All ready, near at hand,
To cure a deep and deadly wound,
And make the champion stand?
{Enter Doctor}
Doctor
Oh! yes, there is a doctor to be found
All ready, near at hand,
To cure a deep and deadly wound,
And make the champion stand.
Father Christmas
What can you cure?
Doctor
All sorts of diseases,
Whatever you pleases,
The phthisic, the palsy, and the gout;
If the devil's in, I'll blow him out.
Father Christmas
What is your fee?
Doctor
Fifteen pound, it is my fee,
The money to lay down.
But, as 'tis such a rogue as thee,
I cure for ten pound.
I carry a little bottle of alicumpane,
Here Jack, take a little of my flip flop,
Pour it down thy tip top,
Rise up and fight again.
{ The cure is performed by the Doctor, who then, according to the stage
direction, is given a basin of girdy grout, and a kick, and driven out.}
Father Christmas
Now, ladies and gentlemen, your sport is most ended.
So prepare for the hat, which is highly commended.
The hat it would speak, if it had but a tongue.
Come throw in your money, and think it no wrong.
It's a little early for a play with Father Christmas in it, but I thought it so good and hope that lots of you will print it out and maybe put it on as a small play for the family at Christmas time.
Do send me some pictures to my email address if you do. Seligor xxx
dottido@gmail.com
SELIGOR SAYS THIS ONE HAS A 12 CERTIFICATE.
A Curious Incident.
A paddle steamer drifted down from the sky, full of revellers and merry-makers dressed in the bright costumes of days gone by: gentlemen in stove-pipe hats and ladies in bright crinolines, twirling parasols in the early afternoon sunlight: yellow, lavender, pink and jade green. As the unlikely vessel came to a gentle rest beside the abandoned and desolate factories along the old canal tow-path, bemused children and office workers on the way back to work after late dinner breaks flocked to gawp at the strange sight, calling down in wonder from the City's old stone bridge and even traffic came to a standstill as trucks, buses and taxis stopped, passengers and drivers disembarking to view this unparalleled thing. "Are they filming a new series of Dr Who?" asked an old lady peering this way and that but there wasn't a TARDIS in sight. But soon a police-man did arrive, a puzzled frown upon his face. "I was told nothing about this," he muttered underneath his breath as he radioed back to HQ for backup. "They must be breaking any number of city by-laws and regulations. And ere, I'm blowed if it ain't a gambling ship without a license too, most likely!" Making his way down the refuse choked old steps towards the filthy canal, kicking with disgust at old cans and junkie's discarded needles, the police constable was more than astonished to find the paddle-steamer's broad gangway lowered to receive him, a couple of strong-armed sailors in striped pullovers and blue-peaked caps grinning at him broadly and inviting him on board. Behind them, smartly dressed toffs smiled pleasantly, bending to whisper quietly into the ears of beautiful women in low-cut dresses, their faces half-hidden behind fluttering fans. "Welcome aboard, PC Cooper-Smith!" A neatly uniformed and bearded man came forward to greet him. From the elegent beading on his cap and jacket and the piping down his trousers, PC Cooper-Smith imagined he must be the Captain of this extraordinary vessel. "Welcome aboard," said the Captain again and taking the Police Constable's hand in his he pumped it warmly. "Welcome aboard and Happy Birthday!" The paddle-steamers great round wheels began to start turning again, a whistle blew sharply three times and amidst shouts of what-ho! from the distinguished gentlemen and shouts of hurrah! from their lovely companions, the paddle-steamer lifted into the sky again, drifting lazily and leisurely over the grimey streets of London and the bemused crowds beneath it, never to be seen again.
* * *
The papers refused to print the story, not wishing to look foolish and the Home Office insisted that no such incident ever took place. But I was one of the children that witnessed that strange event thirty-five years ago and I still recall it clearly and vividly. Ten years ago I even tried to conduct my own private investigation into the affair, going as far as locating, after an extensive search, the then young police constable's wife. "Yer what?" she belched through heavily painted and drink-loosened lips, her breath reeking of gin. "I ain't seen'im now for twenty bleedin' years. What do you want comin' round here dredging up old stories? Pox off!" The local police were equally unforthcoming. "I'm sorry Sir," the stony-faced Desk-Sergeant explained, "but we have no record of any such incident. And even if we did I'm not sure we'd want to discuss it with the public. You haven't been drinking have you, Sir?"
But I had not. Leaning now upon the parapet of the old stone bridge in one of the less salubrious parts of Hackney I can't imagine how a full-sized Yankee paddle-steamer could have possibly fitted in the narrow waters of the sad and neglected canal beneath me... But it did!
Where better to have another Dragon Story than Dragons and Trolls
THE PRINCE AND THE DRAGON
A FAIRY STORY FROM THE CRIMSON FAIRY BOOK
edited by Andrew Lang
Once upon
a time... There lived an Emperor who had three sons. They were all fine
young men, and fond of hunting, and scarcely a day passed without
one or other of them going out to look for game.
One morning the eldest of the three princes mounted his horse and
set out for a neighbouring forest, where wild animals of all sorts
were to be found. He had not long left the castle, when a hare
sprang out of a thicket and dashed across the road in front.The
young man gave chase at once, and pursued it over hill and dale,
till at last the hare took refuge in a mill which was standing by
the side of a river. The prince followed and entered the mill, but
stopped in terror by the door, for, instead of a hare, before him
stood a dragon, breathing fire and flame. At this fearful sight the
prince turned to fly, but a fiery tongue coiled round his waist, and
drew him into the dragon's mouth, and he was seen no more.
A week passed away, and when the prince never came back everyone in
the town began to grow uneasy. At last his next brother told the
emperor that he likewise would go out to hunt, and that perhaps he
would find some clue as to his brother's disappearance. But hardly
had the castle gates closed on the prince than the hare sprang out
of the bushes as before, and led the huntsman up hill and down dale,
till they reached the mill. Into this the hare flew with the prince
at his heels, when, lo! instead of the hare, there stood a dragon
breathing fire and flame; and out shot a fiery tongue which coiled
round the prince's waist, and lifted him straight into the dragon's
mouth, and he was seen no more.
Days went by, and the emperor waited and waited for the sons who
never came, and could not sleep at night for wondering where they
were and what had become of them. His youngest son wished to go in
search of his brothers, but for long the emperor refused to listen
to him, lest he should lose him also. But the prince prayed so hard
for leave to make the search, and promised so often that he would be
very cautious and careful, that at length the emperor gave him
permission, and ordered the best horse in the stables to be saddled
for him.
Full of hope the young prince started on his way, but no sooner was
he outside the city walls than a hare sprang out of the bushes and
ran before him, till they reached the mill. As before, the animal
dashed in through the open door, but this time he was not followed
by the prince. Wiser than his brothers, the young man turned away,
saying to himself: 'There are as good hares in the forest as any
that have come out of it, and when I have caught them, I can come
back and look for you.'
For many hours he rode up and down the mountain, but saw nothing,
and at last, tired of waiting, he went back to the mill. Here he
found an old woman sitting, whom he greeted pleasantly. 'Good morning to you, little mother,' he said; and the old woman
answered: 'Good morning, my son.' 'Tell me, little mother,' went on the prince, 'where shall I find my
hare?'
'My son,' replied the old woman, 'that was no hare, but a dragon who
has led many men hither, and then has eaten them all.' At these
words the prince's heart grew heavy, and he cried, 'Then my brothers
must have come here, and have been eaten by the dragon!'
'You have guessed right,' answered the old woman; 'and I can give
you no better counsel than to go home at once, before the same fate
overtakes you.'
'Will you not come with me out of this dreadful place?' said the
young man.
'He took me prisoner, too,' answered she, 'and I cannot shake off
his chains.'
'Then listen to me,' cried the prince. 'When the dragon comes back,
ask him where he always goes when he leaves here, and what makes him
so strong; and when you have coaxed the secret from him, tell me the
next time I come.'
So the prince went home, and the old woman remained in the mill, and
as soon as the dragon returned she said to him:
'Where have you been all this time--you must have travelled far?'
'Yes, little mother, I have indeed travelled far.' answered he. Then
the old woman began to flatter him, and to praise his cleverness;
and when she thought she had got him into a good temper, she said:
'I have wondered so often where you get your strength from; I do
wish you would tell me. I would stoop and kiss the place out of pure
love!' The dragon laughed at this, and answered:
'In the hearthstone yonder lies the secret of my strength.'
Then the old woman jumped up and kissed the hearth; whereat the
dragon laughed the more, and said:
'You foolish creature! I was only jesting. It is not in the
hearthstone, but in that tall tree that lies the secret of my
strength.' Then the old woman jumped up again and put her arms round
the tree, and kissed it heartily. Loudly laughed the dragon when he
saw what she was doing.
'Old fool,' he cried, as soon as he could speak, 'did you really
believe that my strength came from that tree?'
'Where is it then?' asked the old woman, rather crossly, for she did
not like being made fun of.
'My strength,' replied the dragon, 'lies far away; so far that you
could never reach it. Far, far from here is a kingdom, and by its
capital city is a lake, and in the lake is a dragon, and inside the
dragon is a wild boar, and inside the wild boar is a pigeon, and
inside the pigeon a sparrow, and inside the sparrow is my strength.'
And when the old woman heard this, she thought it was no use
flattering him any longer, for never, never, could she take his
strength from him.
The following morning, when the dragon had left the mill, the prince
came back, and the old woman told him all that the creature had
said. He listened in silence, and then returned to the castle, where
he put on a suit of shepherd's clothes, and taking a staff in his
hand, he went forth to seek a place as tender of sheep.
For some time he wandered from village to village and from town to
town, till he came at length to a large city in a distant kingdom,
surrounded on three sides by a great lake, which happened to be the
very lake in which the dragon lived. As was his custom, he stopped
everybody whom he met in the streets that looked likely to want a
shepherd and begged them to engage him, but they all seemed to have
shepherds of their own, or else not to need any. The prince was
beginning to lose heart, when a man who had overheard his question
turned round and said that he had better go and ask the emperor, as
he was in search of some one to see after his flocks.
'Will you take care of my sheep?' said the emperor, when the young
man knelt before him.
'Most willingly, your Majesty,' answered the young man, and he
listened obediently while the emperor told him what he was to do.
'Outside the city walls,' went on the emperor, 'you will find a
large lake, and by its banks lie the richest meadows in my kingdom.
When you are leading out your flocks to pasture, they will all run
straight to these meadows, and none that have gone there have ever
been known to come back. Take heed, therefore, my son, not to suffer
your sheep to go where they will, but drive them to any spot that
you think best.'
With a low bow the prince thanked the emperor for his warning, and
promised to do his best to keep the sheep safe. Then he left the
palace and went to the market-place, where he bought two greyhounds,
a hawk, and a set of pipes; after that he took the sheep out to
pasture. The instant the animals caught sight of the lake lying
before them, they trotted off as fast as their legs would go to the
green meadows lying round it. The prince did not try to stop them;
he only placed his hawk on the branch of a tree, laid his pipes on
the grass, and bade the greyhounds sit still; then, rolling up his
sleeves and trousers, he waded into the water crying as he did so:
'Dragon! dragon! if you are not a coward, come out and fight with
me!' And a voice answered from the depths of the lake:
'I am waiting for you, O prince'; and the next minute the dragon
reared himself out of the water, huge and horrible to see. The
prince sprang upon him and they grappled with each other and fought
together till the sun was high, and it was noonday. Then the dragon
gasped:
'O prince, let me dip my burning head once into the lake, and I will
hurl you up to the top of the sky.' But the prince answered, 'Oh,
ho! my good dragon, do not crow too soon! If the emperor's daughter
were only here, and would kiss me on the forehead, I would throw you
up higher still!' And suddenly the dragon's hold loosened, and he
fell back into the lake.
As soon as it was evening, the prince washed away all signs of the
fight, took his hawk upon his shoulder, and his pipes under his arm,
and with his greyhounds in front and his flock following after him
he set out for the city. As they all passed through the streets the
people stared in wonder, for never before had any flock returned
from the lake.
The next morning he rose early, and led his sheep down the road to
the lake. This time, however, the emperor sent two men on horseback
to ride behind him, with orders to watch the prince all day long.
The horsemen kept the prince and his sheep in sight, without being
seen themselves. As soon as they beheld the sheep running towards
the meadows, they turned aside up a steep hill, which overhung the
lake. When the shepherd reached the place he laid, as before, his
pipes on the grass and bade the greyhounds sit beside them, while
the hawk he perched on the branch of the tree. Then he rolled up his
trousers and his sleeves, and waded into the water crying:
'Dragon! dragon! if you are not a coward, come out and fight with
me!' And the dragon answered:
'I am waiting for you, O prince,' and the next minute he reared
himself out of the water, huge and horrible to see. Again they
clasped each other tight round the body and fought till it was noon,
and when the sun was at its hottest, the dragon gasped:
'O prince, let me dip my burning head once in the lake, and I will
hurl you up to the top of the sky.' But the prince answered:
'Oh, ho! my good dragon, do not crow too soon! If the emperor's
daughter were only here, and would kiss me on the forehead, I would
throw you up higher still!' And suddenly the dragon's hold loosened,
and he fell back into the lake.
As soon as it was evening the prince again collected his sheep, and
playing on his pipes he marched before them into the city. When he
passed through the gates all the people came out of their houses to
stare in wonder, for never before had any flock returned from the
lake.
Meanwhile the two horsemen had ridden quickly back, and told the
emperor all that they had seen and heard. The emperor listened
eagerly to their tale, then called his daughter to him and repeated
it to her.
'To-morrow,' he said, when he had finished, 'you shall go with the
shepherd to the lake, and then you shall kiss him on the forehead as
he wishes.'
But when the princess heard these words, she burst into tears, and
sobbed out:
'Will you really send me, your only child, to that dreadful place,
from which most likely I shall never come back?'
'Fear nothing, my little daughter, all will be well. Many shepherds
have gone to that lake and none have ever returned; but this one has
in these two days fought twice with the dragon and has escaped
without a wound. So I hope to-morrow he will kill the dragon
altogether, and deliver this land from the monster who has slain so
many of our bravest men.'
Scarcely had the sun begun to peep over the hills next morning, when
the princess stood by the shepherd's side, ready to go to the lake.
The shepherd was brimming over with joy, but the princess only wept
bitterly. 'Dry your tears, I implore you,' said he. 'If you will
just do what I ask you, and when the time comes, run and kiss my
forehead, you have nothing to fear.'
Merrily the shepherd blew on his pipes as he marched at the head of
his flock, only stopping every now and then to say to the weeping
girl at his side:
'Do not cry so, Heart of Gold; trust me and fear nothing.' And so
they reached the lake.
In an instant the sheep were scattered all over the meadows, and the
prince placed his hawk on the tree, and his pipes on the grass,
while he bade his greyhounds lie beside them. Then he rolled up his
trousers and his sleeves, and waded into the water, calling:
'Dragon! dragon! if you are not a coward, come forth, and let us
have one more fight together.' And the dragon answered: 'I am
waiting for you, O prince'; and the next minute he reared himself
out of the water, huge and horrible to see. Swiftly he drew near to
the bank, and the prince sprang to meet him, and they grasped each
other round the body and fought till it was noon. And when the sun
was at its hottest, the dragon cried:
'O prince, let me dip my burning head in the lake, and I will hurl
you to the top of the sky.' But the prince answered:
'Oh, ho! my good dragon, do not crow too soon! If the emperor's
daughter were only here, and she would kiss my forehead, I would
throw you higher still.'
Hardly had he spoken, when the princess, who had been listening, ran
up and kissed him on the forehead. Then the prince swung the dragon
straight up into the clouds, and when he touched the earth again, he
broke into a thousand pieces. Out of the pieces there sprang a wild
boar and galloped away, but the prince called his hounds to give
chase, and they caught the boar and tore it to bits. Out of the
pieces there sprang a hare, and in a moment the greyhounds were
after it, and they caught it and killed it; and out of the hare
there came a pigeon. Quickly the prince let loose his hawk, which
soared straight into the air, then swooped upon the bird and brought
it to his master. The prince cut open its body and found the sparrow
inside, as the old woman had said.
'Now,' cried the prince, holding the sparrow in his hand, 'now you
shall tell me where I can find my brothers.'
'Do not hurt me,' answered the sparrow, 'and I will tell you with
all my heart.' Behind your father's castle stands a mill, and in the
mill are three slender twigs. Cut off these twigs and strike their
roots with them, and the iron door of a cellar will open. In the
cellar you will find as many people, young and old, women and
children, as would fill a kingdom, and among them are your
brothers.'
By this time twilight had fallen, so the prince washed himself in
the lake, took the hawk on his shoulder and the pipes under his arm,
and with his greyhounds before him and his flock behind him, marched
gaily into the town, the princess following them all, still
trembling with fright. And so they passed through the streets,
thronged with a wondering crowd, till they reached the castle.
Unknown to anyone, the emperor had stolen out on horseback, and had
hidden himself on the hill, where he could see all that happened.
When all was over, and the power of the dragon was broken for ever,
he rode quickly back to the castle, and was ready to receive the
prince with open arms, and to promise him his daughter to wife. The
wedding took place with great splendour, and for a whole week the
town was hung with coloured lamps, and tables were spread in the
hall of the castle for all who chose to come and eat. And when the
feast was over, the prince told the emperor and the people who he
really was, and at this everyone rejoiced still more, and
preparations were made for the prince and princess to return to
their own kingdom, for the prince was impatient to set free his
brothers.
The first thing he did when he reached his native country was to
hasten to the mill, where he found the three twigs as the sparrow
had told him. The moment that he struck the root the iron door flew
open, and from the cellar a countless multitude of men and women
streamed forth. He bade them go one by one wheresoever they would,
while he himself waited by the door till his brothers passed
through. How delighted they were to meet again, and to hear all that
the prince had done to deliver them from their enchantment. And they
went home with him and served him all the days of their lives, for
they said that he only who had proved himself brave and faithful was
fit to be king.
"Cariwch," medd Dafydd,
"fy nhelyn i mi,
Ceisiaf cyn marw
roi tôn arni hi.
Codwch fy nwylaw
i gyrhaedd y tant;
Duw a'ch bendithio
fy ngweddw a'm plant!"
"Neithiwr mi glywais
lais angel fel hyn:
'Dafydd, tyrd adref,
a chwarae trwy'r glyn!'
Delyn fy mebyd,
ffarwel i dy dant!
Duw a'ch bendithio
fy ngweddw a'm plant!"
"Bring me my harp,"
was David's sad sigh,
"I would play
one more tune before I die.
Help me, dear wife,
put the hands to the strings,
I wish my loved ones
the blessing God brings."
"Last night an angel
called with heaven's breath:
David, play, and come
through the gates of death!
Farewell, faithful harp,
farewell to your strings,
I wish my loved ones
the blessing God brings.
"The Welsh tradition is, that a Bard who lay on his death
bed, called for his harp and played the above air, requesting
at the same time, that it might be performed at his funeral"
--- and it was accordingly played on the harp, at the Parish church
of Ynys Cynhaiarn; in which parish the house called "Careg-Wen"
in Carnarvonshire is situated. J. Parry's "Welsh
Harper"
I have hopefully chosen some lovely, happy cartoons for the children of the world. It is very difficult not to know what is right and what could offend but all I can do is hope that I have chosen wisely . Diddily Dee Dot
Followed further down the page, after Rhodri tries everything he can think of, rather than fly to South Wales for St. David's Day.
You will find the fabulous Welsh National Anthem which I am sure all of you will know from the Wonderful Welsh Rugby Teams.
A St David’s Day Out
“But Dad, there is still snow outside the cave, how can we possibly go on holiday when it's still winter?" Rhodri answered looking as surprised, as his mother did at his father’s suggestion that they all go on holiday. "And why not may I ask? This cave isn’t the warmest place, and your mother hasn’t hardly been through the door all winter, she could do with a break after being cooped up for three whole months, couldn’t you Marion?" Gwilym said as he reached to get his rucksack out of the big cupboard. "Isn't that so Mother?" Gwilym shouted back into the kitchen. "Yes if you say so Gwilym, though I can't imagine what outdoor clothes I have got to wear, not for this weather anyway." Marion answered him carefully not knowing what it was her dearest darling had planned for the family now!! "Well Mam, I think you can rule your swim suit out, unless Dad can conjure up the sunshine." Rhodri laughed. Trefina walked into the living room. "Well I want to know were we are going before I agree to anything. Snowdon is going to be cold no matter if we travel up it or down it, it is still winter outside Dad! “Who said anything about Snowdon? Eh I didn’t" Gwilym snorted, puffing out two rings of white smoke from his nostrils. "Hey dad, do be careful what you are doing with your snout, where ever we go I want my hairy bits still on my head and my scales still attached to my body, Mum make him tell us were he wants to take us too now?” Marion looked over the top of her reading glasses at her husband and sighed. "Well then my dear would you like to go, they tell me the weather is really nice in the South of France at this time of year." She added seriously. "The South of France, oh yeah we’ll get there and back in a day I’m sure," Trefina said sarcastically "unless you are thinking of flying?" "And there is your answer my darling.” Gwilym answered, “We are going to fly.” "Fly! Fly father…. You're not being serious I hope, since when have we flown anywhere." "Well that's it, we haven't son, Come on lad, when did you last use your wings? "Use them,” Rhodri gasped, “used them, I didn't even know that they were "usable" until Mam stopped me cutting them off last summer, Fancy Dress stuff thats what I thought." "Idiot," Trefina said as she walked past her brother, clacking him on the side of the head as she passed him. "Mind you if your brains were in your wings, and you did cut them off, you wouldn't be missing anything." "Ma-a-am, tell her to stop smacking me across my head," Rhodri wailed and held his talons over his head as Trefina flicked her arm out to clack him again. Marion frowned at her daughter then turned back to her husband. "Right Gwil, are you being serious about this holiday thing? I mean it would be nice to get out and stretch our wings again, but the young ones have never flown?" "All the more reason for them to get some practise in." Gwilym smiled. "It will do them good." "Do us good, it will bloody kill us," Rhodri swore, "I wouldn’t even know where to begin." Trefina laughed, "Oh that easy Rhod, you just go to the ledge outside the cave, I’ll come up behind you and give you a shove, then when your falling, open your wings and flap and you're flying.” “And what happens if they don’t flap, smartypants?” Rhodri asked pulling a face at his sister. “Well in that case you will be dead before you reach the bottom, and will I be able to have your Liverpool shirt, please?” Trefina started to laugh. “Hey mam can you imagine the story in the Blaenau Gazette. "Young dragon found at the bottom of Snowdon, Plaid Cymru worry that there may be more dragons living in the vicinity of the mountains, they are thinking of calling on George the Dragon slayer in England to seek out any more.” "Trefina that is enough, your father is right, it is about time we taught you how to fly, so why not now?” Marion started to lay the breakfast table. “I mean it is St David’s day tomorrow and wouldn’t it be nice to take a trip down to St David’s to have a look at the old place. Maybe go and visit an odd relation or too.” "There now I do have the occasional good idea wife, I knew I could rely on you to help out.” A big smile spread across his face. “ Right it's settled, we are going somewhere nice for St David’s Day and that’s that, come on then you two let's get a bit of practise in before breakfast." "No, no Gwil, let’s have breakfast first, Rhodri can hardly walk on an empty stomach let alone fly. "Well I don’t mind giving it a go, but I think I shall have some egg, bacon and what ever will fit on my plate first, if this is going to be my last meal. I’d like it to be a nice one.” "Goodness me girl, don't talk like that, dragons have flying for a long time, long before man could walk." Her mother said putting the grill on. "Come on then let's get on with it then it’s practise, practise, practise." Breakfast over and the dragon family stood outside the entrance to the cave. Rhodri walked to the edge and looked down. Far below lay the lower mountains of Snowdonia. "Hey Dad don’t you think it would be a good idea to go down the mountain a bit to start with, say like ten foot off the ground. What if I do jump and these puny things don’t open, or they aren't strong enough to support my weight? What then, what if I don’t move the levers properly?" "What levers Rhodri, you don't have any levers son, it will all be in your head you were born with wings therefore you can fly, a bit like riding a bike?" “I can’t ride a bike dad, and I wasn’t born with one so …” For goodness sake Rhodri, don’t be such a whinge, why do you think they are stuck to your back for, winding your mother’s wool?" Gwilym turning to Marion, “but is it true Marion, have we never taught the boy to fly?" "No I don't think so my darling, I don't suppose we had any real reason too before, we usually take the same route as the Snowdonian Railway." Marion sneezed and everybody ducked quickly to one side. “Marion do try to warn us when you’re going to sneeze sweetheart, remember what happened to the poor dog dear.” Gwilym couldn’t help but smile as he thought of the poor dogs tail, one minute long and curly, and the next a smoking wick as it ran into the river to cool its burning bits and pieces. “Well I have been thinking about this holiday Dad, being as you and mum can do all this flying thing…” Rhodri began then let Trefina take over. “And Rhodri and I are quite happy to stay at home, so why don’t you take mum away for the weekend and you can have a lot more fun without being saddled with us? “We are old enough now Mum, and I have already made plans for the weekend,” “ And I was supposed to be going to a fire breathing contest up at Llangernyw quarry tomorrow afternoon.” Rhodri added and looked at his mam with his big green eyes Trefina flashed her a huge smile. “You know this would be a better idea Mam? Don’t you.” She pleaded. “Well I suppose so, what do you think Gwil?” Marion walked over and put her arm around her husband’s shoulders. “Well would you look at that?” Gwilym remarked looking up at the sky. “I do believe we are going to have some more snow, did it say I was going to snow tomorrow Marion?” “Well,” Marion said turning towards the two kids and winking. “Well Gwil, maybe we should leave the South of France for this year, we’ll go next year when the kids are a bit older, eh?” Gwilym smiled down at his wife. “That sound’s like a wonderful idea my love. Sorry kids but it looks like we are going to have to put that holiday off again this year” The two older dragons walked into the cave, followed by two very relieved younger dragons. “Give me five” Rhodri said smiling. “On the side, brother,” Trefina said laughing. Share Dorothy Milnes, copyright 1986
It is believed that a weaver from Mid Glamorgan, Evan James,
wrote the words one morning in January 1856 to a tune composed
by his son James James.
The date of the song's adoption as the national anthem is subject
to debate, but it is known that the tune was given prominence
in 1874, and since that date has been considered the song which
expresses Welsh nationalism.
Mae hen wlad fy nhadau yn anwyl i mi,
Gwlad beirdd a chantorion, enwogion o fri;
Ei gwrol rhyfelwyr, gwlad garwyr tra mad,
Tros ryddid collasant eu gwaed.
Chorus: Gwlad, gwlad, pleidiol wyf i'm gwlad,
Tra mor yn fur
I'r bur hoff bau,
O bydded i'r heniaith barhau.
2. Hen Gymru fynyddig, paradwys y bardd,
Pob dyffryn, pob clogwyn, i'm golwg sydd hardd;
Trwy deimlad gwladgarol, mor swynol yw si
Ei nentydd, afonydd, i mi. Chorus:
3. Os treisiodd y gelyn fy ngwlad dan ei droed,
Mae hen iaith y Cymry mor fyw ag erioed,
Ni luddiwyd yr awen gan erchyll law brad,
Na thelyn berseiniol fy ngwlad. Chorus:
Engl. text: A.P. Graves
O land of my fathers O land of my love
Dear mother of minstrels who kindle and move
And hero on hero who at honors proud call
For freedom their lifeblood let fall
Wales Wales oh but my heart is with you
As long as the sea,
Your bulwark shall be
To Cymru my heart shall be true.
O land of the mountains, the bard's paradise,
Whose precipice, valleys lone as the skies,
Green murmuring forest, far echoing flood
Fire the fancy and quicken the blood
Wales Wales oh but my heart is with you
As long as the see,
Your bulwark shall be
To Cymru my tongue shall be true.
For tho' the fierce foeman has ravaged your realm,
The old speech of Cymru he cannot o'erwhelm,
Our passionate poets to silence command
Or banish the harp from your strand.
Wales Wales oh but my heart is with you
As long as the see,
Your bulwark shall be
To Cymru my tongue shall be true.