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0:00:23 > 0:00:28- # Nestling high in the mountains
0:00:28 > 0:00:34- # Lies the fairest valley of all
0:00:35 > 0:00:39- # Haunt of the stoat and fox
0:00:40 > 0:00:48- # And home to the kestrel and hawk #
0:00:59 > 0:01:02- Today, Porthmadog - is a lively and busy town.
0:01:03 > 0:01:09- Few of the tourists who come here - will know that it was once home....
0:01:09 > 0:01:12- ..to Eifion Wyn, - one of our most popular poets.
0:01:13 > 0:01:17- But he didn't seek noise - and hustle and bustle.
0:01:17 > 0:01:21- He was attracted by nature, - "nestling high in the mountains."
0:01:30 > 0:01:32- 28 New Street, Porthmadog.
0:01:32 > 0:01:34- This was the poet's home.
0:01:35 > 0:01:38- To make it easier - for other poets to find...
0:01:39 > 0:01:42- ..he painted the Gorsedd logo - above the door.
0:01:43 > 0:01:45- It's still here to this day.
0:02:01 > 0:02:05- He enjoyed company, - but a select company.
0:02:05 > 0:02:09- He would be pestered by people - who wanted a poem from him.
0:02:09 > 0:02:13- This is the way he went to work - at the slate company office in town.
0:02:13 > 0:02:16- He would sneak out via the back door.
0:02:29 > 0:02:33- I know it comes, the honey month - With its tumult in the willows.
0:02:35 > 0:02:37- Despite his clandestine ways...
0:02:37 > 0:02:40- ..Eifion Wyn - was a very plain speaker.
0:02:41 > 0:02:43- He'd say things quite openly.
0:02:43 > 0:02:46- He was no stranger - to arguments in the press.
0:02:47 > 0:02:49- He liked to praise himself too.
0:02:49 > 0:02:52- He says this in a preface - to one of his books.
0:02:53 > 0:02:56- "I well know that - it is not wholly bereft of merit.
0:02:56 > 0:03:01- "There are many who would - call it self-aggrandizement."
0:03:01 > 0:03:04- Eifion Wyn was quite a character.
0:03:04 > 0:03:09- I'd say that Eifion Wyn, - above all, was a romantic poet.
0:03:10 > 0:03:14- He was his era's main lyric poet, - according to Williams Parry.
0:03:14 > 0:03:17- He typically wrote poems about love.
0:03:17 > 0:03:19- There were poems about nature.
0:03:20 > 0:03:23- He praised the beauty - of the countryside.
0:03:23 > 0:03:26- He wrote Welsh patriotic songs too.
0:03:26 > 0:03:29- They're somewhat sentimental.
0:03:29 > 0:03:32- In that respect, - I would suggest this.
0:03:32 > 0:03:35- He was Ceiriog's heir - in the 20th century.
0:03:40 > 0:03:44- Eifion Wyn was born on 2nd May, 1867.
0:03:50 > 0:03:54- He taught at Snowdon Street school - in Porthmadog.
0:03:57 > 0:04:02- He was also a renowned preacher, - very much in demand every Sunday.
0:04:06 > 0:04:13- But preaching on Sunday - and teaching on Monday didn't mix.
0:04:13 > 0:04:16- He would travel quite far to preach.
0:04:16 > 0:04:20- He sometimes couldn't get back - for school at 9.00am on a Monday.
0:04:21 > 0:04:26- His enraged headmaster - wrote an entry in the school logbook.
0:04:26 > 0:04:29- "This preaching business must stop."
0:04:31 > 0:04:34- Ultimately, - it was the teaching that stopped.
0:04:34 > 0:04:38- He became an office clerk - at a slate works in Porthmadog.
0:04:39 > 0:04:42- It's not clear - whether he enjoyed his job.
0:04:42 > 0:04:47- But in that quiet office, - he could think about his poetry.
0:04:49 > 0:04:51- He didn't enjoy the best of health.
0:04:52 > 0:04:55- He caught pneumonia - as a two-year-old.
0:04:55 > 0:04:58- That left its mark on him - for the rest of his life.
0:04:58 > 0:05:01- He suffered from lung ailments.
0:05:01 > 0:05:05- He considered becoming a minister, - but gave up the idea.
0:05:05 > 0:05:08- He believed that his poor health - was an issue.
0:05:09 > 0:05:11- It would have been too much for him.
0:05:18 > 0:05:20- Eifion Wyn wasn't his real name.
0:05:21 > 0:05:23- He was christened Eliseus Williams.
0:05:24 > 0:05:26- Eifion Wyn was a bardic name.
0:05:26 > 0:05:31- He became known as Eifion Wyn - from the moment he won this Chair.
0:05:31 > 0:05:35- He won it at the Pwllheli - town eisteddfod of 1886.
0:05:35 > 0:05:40- It now stands proudly in the foyer - of Porthmadog's primary school.
0:05:40 > 0:05:42- The school is named after him.
0:05:44 > 0:05:49- What is the sea and its tides - - God's very first Creation?
0:05:56 > 0:06:00- Go now to the Autumn woods - When a rainbow's in the trees.
0:06:01 > 0:06:04- One thing strikes you - about his poems.
0:06:04 > 0:06:06- They're easy to understand.
0:06:06 > 0:06:10- This probably explains - his great popularity.
0:06:10 > 0:06:13- His books sold by the thousand, - not by the hundred.
0:06:13 > 0:06:17- Two of his hymns - remain firm favourites even now.
0:06:17 > 0:06:20- "Gospel of peace, - oh, go thee worldwide."
0:06:21 > 0:06:23- "Place on my head your sacred hand."
0:06:24 > 0:06:28- His love poems - are still heart-warming.
0:06:40 > 0:06:43- Take it as a treasure and keep it.
0:06:44 > 0:06:47- I'll try to do without to please you.
0:06:48 > 0:06:51- Take it as a heart - that's whole, my love.
0:06:51 > 0:06:54- I would not want half - of my own heart.
0:07:06 > 0:07:09- Take it as a toy - but remember my cry.
0:07:10 > 0:07:14- It's a fragile plaything - that gold cannot buy.
0:07:22 > 0:07:25- Take it by itself, - don't look for more.
0:07:26 > 0:07:29- The heart won't coexist - as one of two.
0:07:32 > 0:07:35- Send me your old one - please, in exchange.
0:07:36 > 0:07:40- Your part-used heart will do for me.
0:07:57 > 0:08:01- As a lyric poet, - there's a clarity there.
0:08:01 > 0:08:04- There's beauty too, - and that element of sweetness.
0:08:05 > 0:08:09- Contemporary poets described - lyrical poetry as old sweetness.
0:08:10 > 0:08:14- We must remember that Eifion Wyn - came in the wake of The New Bard.
0:08:15 > 0:08:20- Poets who were preachers wrote - philosophical, abstract pieces.
0:08:20 > 0:08:22- Nobody quite understood them.
0:08:22 > 0:08:25- There was no problem - with Eifion Wyn.
0:08:25 > 0:08:28- His poems were direct and simple.
0:08:28 > 0:08:31- His work appealed to ordinary folk.
0:08:31 > 0:08:37- In his day, his themes - struck a chord with his readers.
0:08:47 > 0:08:49- Poets are a funny lot.
0:08:49 > 0:08:53- They'll choose a girl's name - as it suits them.
0:08:53 > 0:08:56- Menna, or Men, - was a popular name at the time.
0:08:57 > 0:09:00- But it makes for good cynghanedd, - and rhymes well.
0:09:00 > 0:09:04- Many of Eifion Wyn's - love poems refer to Men...
0:09:04 > 0:09:08- ..but the poems were probably - about his wife, Annie.
0:09:13 > 0:09:15- I loved you in your youth, Men
0:09:15 > 0:09:18- My heart knows, as does yours
0:09:18 > 0:09:20- Before your April fades, Men
0:09:20 > 0:09:23- Before your buds become flowers.
0:09:27 > 0:09:27- .
0:09:32 > 0:09:32- 888
0:09:32 > 0:09:34- 888- - 888
0:09:40 > 0:09:44- The fairest valley of all.
0:09:49 > 0:09:54- As Mererid mentioned, Eifion Wyn - was involved in poetic quarrels.
0:09:55 > 0:09:59- Most certainly, - a storm broke out in 1900.
0:09:59 > 0:10:02- He was runner-up - for the National Eisteddfod Chair.
0:10:02 > 0:10:06- He was so sure that his ode, - Y Bugail, had deserved better...
0:10:07 > 0:10:12- ..that he published it - so that the public could decide.
0:10:13 > 0:10:15- He came second to Pedrog.
0:10:15 > 0:10:18- Pedrog had won the Chair previously.
0:10:18 > 0:10:21- Eifion Wyn's opinion was clear.
0:10:21 > 0:10:26- One should win the Chair - only once at the Eisteddfod.
0:10:27 > 0:10:30- One effort to captivate the nation.
0:10:44 > 0:10:47- Something similar happened in 1902.
0:10:47 > 0:10:51- There was an Eisteddfod competition - for six lyric poems.
0:10:51 > 0:10:53- Ora Pro Nobis was one entry.
0:10:54 > 0:10:58- Our father, remember the seaman - at night by his mast
0:10:58 > 0:11:03- His ship is so tiny - and your ocean so vast.
0:11:03 > 0:11:07- He published the poems, - with a preface as follows.
0:11:07 > 0:11:12- "These lyrics, as presented, - can speak for themselves.
0:11:12 > 0:11:16- "They were considered - second best by Job."
0:11:16 > 0:11:20- That was a pointed remark - about the adjudicator, JT Job.
0:11:22 > 0:11:29- Our Father, remember the birds
0:11:29 > 0:11:33- Our Father, remember the seaman.
0:11:37 > 0:11:40- However, winning - also brought its problems.
0:11:40 > 0:11:43- He won first prize - at the National Eisteddfod...
0:11:44 > 0:11:47- ..for 12 englynau - on the subject The Garden...
0:11:47 > 0:11:50- ..among them the famous englyn - about heather flowers.
0:11:50 > 0:11:52- The pretty growth of a silent force.
0:11:53 > 0:11:57- However, the work prompted - an even bigger controversy.
0:11:58 > 0:12:01- One W Arthur Roberts - of London wrote this...
0:12:02 > 0:12:05- ..after the 1906 Eisteddfod, - in a letter to the press.
0:12:06 > 0:12:10- "I cannot for the life of me - understand what merit was seen...
0:12:10 > 0:12:15- "..in Eifion Wyn's winning englyn - to the heather flowers.
0:12:15 > 0:12:19- "I know an englyn when I see one, - as well as the next man.
0:12:19 > 0:12:22- "But I cannot even find as much...
0:12:22 > 0:12:27- "..as the grain of a mustard seed - here in descriptive poetry terms."
0:12:27 > 0:12:29- A slap in the face, I'd say.
0:12:29 > 0:12:33- You're right, but Eifion Wyn - himself pulled no punches.
0:12:33 > 0:12:38- Cybi protested at an Eisteddfod - about not being awarded the Chair.
0:12:39 > 0:12:41- Was Eifion Wyn the adjudicator?
0:12:41 > 0:12:45- Yes, and it all kicked off - between them in the press.
0:12:45 > 0:12:47- This is what he said about Cybi.
0:12:47 > 0:12:51- "Poor Cybi, with his giant's face - and his dwarf's nape.
0:12:51 > 0:12:54- "Did ever a weaker opponent - stand on any field?"
0:12:55 > 0:12:59- For one who wrote so beautifully, - he could be vitriolic too.
0:13:02 > 0:13:07- He's remembered for adjudicating - the Crown competition of 1915...
0:13:07 > 0:13:09- ..at the Bangor National Eisteddfod.
0:13:10 > 0:13:12- The subject was The City.
0:13:12 > 0:13:16- He opposed awarding the prize - to TH Parry-Williams.
0:13:16 > 0:13:18- He had one main reason for this.
0:13:18 > 0:13:22- It was because his city - was full of evil and immorality.
0:13:23 > 0:13:28- There was no temple, no faith, - no beauty in that city.
0:13:28 > 0:13:32- He believed that poetry - should be uplifting.
0:13:32 > 0:13:34- That was the standard that he set.
0:13:35 > 0:13:39- He was criticized afterwards - by poets and fellow adjudicators.
0:13:40 > 0:13:44- He was accused of being puritanical - and narrow-minded.
0:13:44 > 0:13:48- He may well have been, - and he was a prickly fellow...
0:13:48 > 0:13:51- ..but he was a man - who kept his own high standards.
0:14:09 > 0:14:13- Walking by the River Dwyfor, - he could find peace of mind.
0:14:13 > 0:14:15- He'd put his quarrels behind him.
0:14:15 > 0:14:19- He derived great pleasure - from fishing in this river.
0:14:19 > 0:14:23- His muse visited him here - many times.
0:14:24 > 0:14:31- I loved you, my Dwyfor, - In the morn of my world.
0:14:31 > 0:14:39- The babbling of your waters - Has entered my soul.
0:14:41 > 0:14:45- Many poets have compared - a river's flow with life's journey.
0:14:46 > 0:14:50- It's especially appropriate, - as the Dwyfor is a short river.
0:14:51 > 0:14:53- You can almost get to know it.
0:14:53 > 0:14:57- You start at its source - in Cwm Pennant, and on to the sea.
0:14:59 > 0:15:01- It changes with the landscape.
0:15:01 > 0:15:05- Sometimes, it flows along smoothly.
0:15:05 > 0:15:07- Gravel lies on the river bed.
0:15:07 > 0:15:09- At other times...
0:15:09 > 0:15:12- ..it's white and foaming.
0:15:13 > 0:15:17- In Yr Afon, - a poem written in simple language...
0:15:17 > 0:15:22- ..the river is portrayed - as a slave girl.
0:15:22 > 0:15:24- She's imprisoned by the banks.
0:15:24 > 0:15:27- She yearns - for the freedom of the sea.
0:15:28 > 0:15:30- She longs to be able to rest...
0:15:31 > 0:15:33- ..in the vast waters of the oceans.
0:15:33 > 0:15:35- It's a simple, lovely lyric.
0:15:47 > 0:15:49- The slave of the banks
0:15:49 > 0:15:51- And a cry for freedom
0:15:53 > 0:15:55- That's the river, - daughter of the deep
0:15:56 > 0:15:58- Trafficked from home.
0:16:01 > 0:16:03- By night and in daylight
0:16:03 > 0:16:05- On sand and on grit
0:16:05 > 0:16:09- It keeps in all places - its face towards home
0:16:09 > 0:16:11- Like a maiden abroad.
0:16:17 > 0:16:20- The old shingle banks cannot slow it
0:16:21 > 0:16:24- Nor greenwoods entice it - except for a rest.
0:16:25 > 0:16:27- It must find the sea.
0:16:31 > 0:16:33- It sighs so sadly
0:16:33 > 0:16:35- On slopes and through fields
0:16:37 > 0:16:40- The yearning persists - and won't go away
0:16:42 > 0:16:44- Till it reaches the sea.
0:17:07 > 0:17:10- Lest we think of Eifion Wyn - as a dour soul...
0:17:10 > 0:17:14- ..we should remember - his love of sport.
0:17:14 > 0:17:17- Cricket and snooker, - or billiards in particular.
0:17:18 > 0:17:22- A letter from the young poet - R Williams Parry testifies to this.
0:17:22 > 0:17:25- He had written to Eifion Wyn...
0:17:25 > 0:17:30- ..requesting a game of billiards - when he was next in Porthmadog.
0:17:30 > 0:17:33- However, he sounded a warning note.
0:17:33 > 0:17:35- "Thus I sing ye budding bards
0:17:35 > 0:17:37- "Meddle ye not with billiards."
0:17:45 > 0:17:51- Some lines and poems by Eifion Wyn - are still heard today.
0:17:52 > 0:17:55- They're easy to sing - when set to music.
0:17:55 > 0:17:59- We must also remember - his contribution as a hymn writer.
0:17:59 > 0:18:03- Seven of his works - are in the Caneuon Ffydd hymn book.
0:18:04 > 0:18:06- Eifion Wyn is still relevant.
0:18:16 > 0:18:19- In his preface - to Telynegion Maes A Mor...
0:18:20 > 0:18:24- ..Eifion Wyn writes about how - he would love to be cherished....
0:18:24 > 0:18:27- ..by his native people - as a lyric poet.
0:18:28 > 0:18:31- Undoubtedly, his wish came true.
0:18:31 > 0:18:34- Of all the images - we hold of Eifion Wyn....
0:18:34 > 0:18:38- ..surely the most enduring - is the image of him...
0:18:38 > 0:18:40- ..as the lord of Cwm Pennant.
0:18:40 > 0:18:43- The fairest valley of all.
0:18:57 > 0:18:59- Nestling high in the mountains
0:18:59 > 0:19:02- Lies the fairest valley of all
0:19:02 > 0:19:04- Haunt of the stoat and fox
0:19:04 > 0:19:06- And home to the kestrel and hawk.
0:19:08 > 0:19:10- I don't own a foot's breadth of it
0:19:11 > 0:19:13- Nor even a sheep or a dog
0:19:15 > 0:19:18- But here by my fire at nightfall
0:19:19 > 0:19:21- I feel that I am lord of it all.
0:19:32 > 0:19:34- I love my single-chimneyed cottage
0:19:35 > 0:19:37- You see in that little ravine
0:19:37 > 0:19:40- Whitewash like snow on its gable
0:19:41 > 0:19:43- And whinberry bushes all round.
0:19:44 > 0:19:46- The door may be low as you enter
0:19:47 > 0:19:50- But it's open by day and by night.
0:19:51 > 0:19:54- Around it, - the tinkling welcoming bells
0:19:54 > 0:19:57- Each season of two clear streams.
0:20:03 > 0:20:05- If ever I go on a day trip
0:20:05 > 0:20:07- To visit a town far away
0:20:08 > 0:20:10- I find myself always listening
0:20:10 > 0:20:13- For a croak or a whistle or bleat.
0:20:15 > 0:20:17- I'm longing to see the old hillside
0:20:18 > 0:20:22- And blueness like sea in the sky
0:20:22 > 0:20:25- And feeling the moss under my feet
0:20:25 > 0:20:29- As we stroll - Gwen, children and I.
0:20:33 > 0:20:36- I'll love this cwm of my boyhood
0:20:36 > 0:20:38- For as long as I love at all.
0:20:39 > 0:20:42- Its slopes grow still dearer
0:20:42 > 0:20:44- As old age holds me in thrall
0:20:46 > 0:20:48- And I ask, with every new dawning
0:20:49 > 0:20:51- My foot on the ridge where it bends
0:20:53 > 0:20:58- Why, Lord, did you make - Cwm Pennant so fair
0:20:59 > 0:21:02- While the life of a shepherd - soon ends?
0:21:05 > 0:21:10- The life of a shepherd soon ends.
0:21:38 > 0:21:40- S4C Subtitles by Adnod Cyf.
0:21:40 > 0:21:40- .