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0:00:42 > 0:00:44- "Woe to us, Adam's feeble progeny
0:00:45 > 0:00:48- "(Upsurge of grace), - how short is the summer.
0:00:49 > 0:00:53- "Between me and God, - it's true that most vexatious
0:00:53 > 0:00:55- "(As it ends) is summer's coming.
0:00:56 > 0:01:01- From the old earth cometh summer
0:01:01 > 0:01:04- "And a gentle most cloudless sky
0:01:04 > 0:01:07- "And a merry sun - and its colour in summer
0:01:08 > 0:01:10- "And a pleasant evening air
0:01:11 > 0:01:14- "And the world joyful in summer."
0:01:22 > 0:01:26- It's such a pity that a mere shell - remains of this beautiful abbey.
0:01:27 > 0:01:30- Yet there's just enough - for us to imagine...
0:01:30 > 0:01:32- ..what a beautiful building it was.
0:01:33 > 0:01:36- We can imagine Dafydd ap Gwilym - worshipping here.
0:01:36 > 0:01:39- Maybe he stayed here - on one of his amorous tours.
0:01:40 > 0:01:42- Maybe, but here's the odd thing.
0:01:42 > 0:01:47- Something as solid as stone - from that time has disappeared...
0:01:47 > 0:01:50- ..and yet things as soft as words - have lasted.
0:01:53 > 0:01:57- To Paradise, I sing in praise
0:02:11 > 0:02:15- Dafydd ap Gwilym is surely - the most famous of all Welsh poets.
0:02:16 > 0:02:20- In his day, he was probably - the greatest poet in Europe.
0:02:20 > 0:02:22- Who exactly was he?
0:02:22 > 0:02:25- Facts are few and far between.
0:02:25 > 0:02:29- For example, we aren't certain - where he was buried.
0:02:29 > 0:02:32- Some think his grave - is here in Talley.
0:02:32 > 0:02:36- Others say - it's in Strata Florida Abbey.
0:02:37 > 0:02:41- Whatever the truth, - we know that he was from Dyfed.
0:02:41 > 0:02:46- His mother's family came from north - Pembrokeshire and south Ceredigion.
0:02:46 > 0:02:50- Another fact - is almost universally accepted.
0:02:50 > 0:02:53- He was born at Brogynin, - not far from Aberystwyth.
0:03:03 > 0:03:05- Born was the bard in Brogynin
0:03:07 > 0:03:09- He whose cywydd was like wine
0:03:14 > 0:03:17- We can be fairly sure - that it was here...
0:03:17 > 0:03:22- ..about 700 years ago, - that Dafydd ap Gwilym was born.
0:03:22 > 0:03:26- Most people accept these - to be the ruins of the poet's home.
0:03:27 > 0:03:31- The building still stood - until about a century ago.
0:03:31 > 0:03:35- It was known as Ty Dafydd - - Dafydd's house.
0:03:46 > 0:03:49- A mile or two from his birthplace...
0:03:49 > 0:03:54- ..are places named in his poem - Taith I Garu - journey for love.
0:03:56 > 0:04:00- One is Eleirch or Elerch, - a mile or so that way.
0:04:00 > 0:04:04- Bwlch Meibion Dafydd - is this very crossroads.
0:04:04 > 0:04:08- All these places remain - and can still be seen today.
0:04:15 > 0:04:17- Dafydd ap Gwilym is a symbol.
0:04:18 > 0:04:21- He's a clear and very strong symbol - of Welshness.
0:04:22 > 0:04:25- Just as Owain Glyndwr - is a political figurehead...
0:04:26 > 0:04:28- ..Dafydd ap Gwilym - is literature's icon.
0:04:29 > 0:04:33- He represents something much more - than just himself - what a man!
0:04:39 > 0:04:41- As we can well imagine...
0:04:41 > 0:04:45- ..Dafydd ap Gwilym - had many ancestors who were poets.
0:04:45 > 0:04:48- They came from Nevern - in north Pembrokeshire.
0:04:49 > 0:04:52- Dafydd would have probably - known all their names.
0:04:53 > 0:04:54- Names such as...
0:04:54 > 0:04:59- ..Gwilym ap Gwrwared - ap Cuhelyn Fardd ap Gwynfardd Dyfed.
0:04:59 > 0:05:03- As well as being poets, - they were also noblemen.
0:05:03 > 0:05:08- Some of them - worked alongside the King's men...
0:05:08 > 0:05:13- ..who settled here after the killing - of Llywelyn the Last...
0:05:13 > 0:05:16- ..some 50 years - before Dafydd's time.
0:05:19 > 0:05:23- Not far from Nevern - lies Newcastle Emlyn.
0:05:24 > 0:05:29- Young Dafydd ap Gwilym came here - as his uncle's apprentice.
0:05:29 > 0:05:35- His uncle was Llywelyn ap Gwilym, - the constable of the castle.
0:05:35 > 0:05:40- He probably taught Dafydd Latin, - as well as the family history.
0:05:40 > 0:05:43- He also taught him - how to write poetry.
0:05:44 > 0:05:46- This would explain...
0:05:46 > 0:05:50- ..how Dafydd was familiar - with foreign literature.
0:05:50 > 0:05:54- He knew the conventions - of French literature, for instance.
0:05:55 > 0:05:58- His ancestors - would have spoken French.
0:05:58 > 0:06:01- He may have inherited - this knowledge from his uncle.
0:06:09 > 0:06:14- As a rule, poets of this period - earned their living in only one way.
0:06:15 > 0:06:18- They had to sing the praises - of the nobility.
0:06:18 > 0:06:21- But Dafydd ap Gwilym - was himself a nobleman.
0:06:22 > 0:06:25- He was free to write poems - about anything he chose.
0:06:29 > 0:06:33- In one of his poems, - he makes reference to this place.
0:06:34 > 0:06:38- He sings of the waterfall - tripping over these very rocks.
0:06:38 > 0:06:41- He calls it the place - where the Teifi boils over.
0:06:47 > 0:06:50- The Teifi boils over to this day.
0:06:55 > 0:06:59- He enjoys life, - even in his intense poems.
0:06:59 > 0:07:03- He assumes a very positive attitude.
0:07:03 > 0:07:06- He views everything positively.
0:07:06 > 0:07:11- Even the holy saints wear a smile - in Dafydd ap Gwilym's work.
0:07:13 > 0:07:16- I respect the vivacity - that permeates his work.
0:07:22 > 0:07:25- I had the chance - to portray Dafydd ap Gwilym...
0:07:26 > 0:07:30- ..in one of Cwmni Theatr Cymru's - early productions.
0:07:30 > 0:07:34- It was a most enjoyable play, - Pan Ddel Mai - when May comes.
0:07:34 > 0:07:38- It emphasized - Dafydd's humour and joie de vivre.
0:07:40 > 0:07:44- Companion of love and birds - Memory of lovers and their friend
0:07:45 > 0:07:49- Rather than being a poet - in a dusty old cell...
0:07:49 > 0:07:52- ..the outdoors - attracts Dafydd ap Gwilym.
0:07:52 > 0:07:55- "A room is better if it grows", - he sang.
0:07:55 > 0:08:00- He prefers to be - where trees and flowers grow.
0:08:00 > 0:08:03- One poem that shows - his love of nature...
0:08:03 > 0:08:06- ..is Mis Mai A Mis Tachwedd - - May and November.
0:08:06 > 0:08:08- In it, he praises the month of May.
0:08:09 > 0:08:11- It allows him - to visit his girlfriends.
0:08:16 > 0:08:19- May And November
0:08:20 > 0:08:23- "Hail to thee, - Fair chancel of the greenwood
0:08:23 > 0:08:27- "Summer month of May, - since it is this I long for
0:08:27 > 0:08:29- "Mighty knight, lover's boon
0:08:29 > 0:08:32- "Green-chained master - of the wild forests
0:08:32 > 0:08:34- "Companion of love and birds
0:08:35 > 0:08:38- "Memory of lovers and their friend.
0:08:38 > 0:08:41- "Memory of Morfudd, my golden girl
0:08:41 > 0:08:45- "And the thrill - of all the escapades of love."
0:08:47 > 0:08:51- He then berates November - for being a black, angry month.
0:08:51 > 0:08:54- "It forbids all from making love."
0:08:59 > 0:09:02- "It causes grim rain and short days
0:09:02 > 0:09:04- "And wind to strip the trees
0:09:04 > 0:09:07- "And sluggishness, dreadful frailty
0:09:07 > 0:09:10- "And a trailing cloak and hail
0:09:10 > 0:09:12- "And incites floods and colds
0:09:12 > 0:09:15- "And brown torrents in streams
0:09:15 > 0:09:18- "And roaring in rivers
0:09:18 > 0:09:21- "And daylight inflamed and darkening
0:09:21 > 0:09:23- "And a heavy cold sky
0:09:23 > 0:09:26- "Whose colour blots out the moon.
0:09:27 > 0:09:29- "May it suffer, it's an easy threat
0:09:30 > 0:09:32- "Two misfortunes - for its discourtesy."
0:09:38 > 0:09:41- He wishes on November - a double dose of bad luck.
0:09:41 > 0:09:44- It's a month lacking in manners!
0:09:44 > 0:09:48- We may not be familiar today - with all the words of the poem...
0:09:48 > 0:09:53- ..but Dafydd ap Gwilym - clearly prefers summer to winter.
0:09:54 > 0:10:01- Dafydd had obviously set out - to portray nature in his poetry.
0:10:01 > 0:10:05- The poems are full of detailed - and vivid descriptions.
0:10:05 > 0:10:09- He describes scenes in forests.
0:10:09 > 0:10:13- He sings of springtime, nature - reawakening, and of creatures.
0:10:14 > 0:10:17- He often uses the image - of birds as poets singing.
0:10:17 > 0:10:19- He identified with them.
0:10:25 > 0:10:28- "Fair gull on the tide, indeed
0:10:28 > 0:10:31- "Of the same hue as snow - or the white moon
0:10:31 > 0:10:34- "Your beauty is without blemish
0:10:35 > 0:10:38- "A piece like the sun, - gauntlet of the brine."
0:10:39 > 0:10:43- Words from the famous poem - Yr Wylan - the seagull.
0:10:43 > 0:10:49- The best way to get to know the poet - is probably through his poems.
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0:11:19 > 0:11:21- By reading the poems...
0:11:21 > 0:11:24- ..we discover things - about the poet's character...
0:11:25 > 0:11:28- ..but we must examine the clues, - like a detective.
0:11:28 > 0:11:32- He somehow conceals - more about himself...
0:11:32 > 0:11:34- ..than he actually reveals.
0:11:35 > 0:11:39- I would not entice you by trickery - From your house, fine bright tower
0:11:44 > 0:11:48- Not only are we impressed with - the subject variety in his poetry...
0:11:48 > 0:11:52- ..with its strength of cynghanedd, - but also his spirit.
0:11:53 > 0:11:57- He believes that life - is to be lived to the limits.
0:11:57 > 0:12:00- The world of nature - is to be praised and enjoyed too.
0:12:01 > 0:12:04- Pretty girls - are to be loved to the limits.
0:12:07 > 0:12:11- But one event in his life - struck him down with sadness.
0:12:13 > 0:12:18- Around the year 1346, - his uncle Llywelyn was murdered...
0:12:19 > 0:12:23- ..by Norman soldiers, - who by then ruled Newcastle Emlyn.
0:12:24 > 0:12:27- Dafydd's sadness is obvious - in his elegy to his uncle.
0:12:28 > 0:12:34- "Llywelyn was, in truth, a wise man - Before earth was laid about him."
0:12:35 > 0:12:38- His mourning - may possibly explain something.
0:12:38 > 0:12:41- Dafydd ap Gwilym - moved far away from Dyfed.
0:12:42 > 0:12:44- He went to the court - of a fellow nobleman.
0:12:45 > 0:12:47- He was Ifor Hael of Gwern y Cleppa.
0:12:52 > 0:12:55- Look at all those people - passing by along the M4.
0:12:56 > 0:12:58- We're between Cardiff and Newport.
0:12:59 > 0:13:03- Do they know they're so close - to the Court of Ifor Hael?
0:13:03 > 0:13:09- It was here that Dafydd encountered - troubadours from Provence in France.
0:13:09 > 0:13:14- There were also other influences - in this once grand location.
0:13:14 > 0:13:18- Yes, but it has been a ruin - for a long time.
0:13:18 > 0:13:23- Two centuries have passed since - Ieuan Brydydd Hir's famous poem.
0:13:24 > 0:13:28- "Thorns and blight of thistle own it - Briars, where once was greatness."
0:13:55 > 0:13:58- Here it is, the Court of Ifor Hael.
0:14:02 > 0:14:05- Among these ruins was once a poet - who was ahead of his time.
0:14:06 > 0:14:08- He was an adventurous poet.
0:14:08 > 0:14:11- He would use French - and English words when necessary.
0:14:12 > 0:14:14- Codarmur was used for coat armour.
0:14:14 > 0:14:16- He rhymed "Fleur de Lis" with "mis".
0:14:17 > 0:14:21- He'd refer to the new coin, - the florin.
0:14:22 > 0:14:28- Glamorgan was very receptive - to external influences.
0:14:28 > 0:14:32- The Normans had been there - for a long time.
0:14:32 > 0:14:36- Possibly, Dafydd's awareness - of foreign literature grew...
0:14:36 > 0:14:41- ..on account of his connection - with Ifor Hael in Glamorgan.
0:14:43 > 0:14:46- Dafydd would use - the new words of his time.
0:14:46 > 0:14:52- The poems show his familiarity - with other cultures...
0:14:52 > 0:14:55- ..but they were also - wholly Welsh in essence.
0:14:56 > 0:14:59- I have a copy - of a Welsh and Latin dictionary.
0:15:00 > 0:15:03- It was published in 1632 - by John Davies, Mallwyd.
0:15:04 > 0:15:08- There are examples - on practically every page...
0:15:08 > 0:15:12- ..of words that were first used - in Dafydd's work.
0:15:12 > 0:15:14- He quotes lines from Dafydd's work.
0:15:28 > 0:15:33- We often think of Dafydd ap Gwilym - as the romantic lover.
0:15:33 > 0:15:36- But I wonder whether - he was a good-looking fellow?
0:15:37 > 0:15:39- We only have one description of him.
0:15:40 > 0:15:44- It was written in 1572 - by a man called David Johns.
0:15:46 > 0:15:49- "I met an old woman, - who had met another...
0:15:49 > 0:15:52- ..who had conversed - with Dafydd ap Gwilym.
0:15:52 > 0:16:00- "Tall was he, with long blonde hair, - full of ringlets and silver rings."
0:16:02 > 0:16:05- So he had seen someone, - who had seen someone else...
0:16:06 > 0:16:08- ..who had seen Dafydd ap Gwilym.
0:16:08 > 0:16:11- She had recalled him - being a tall, slender man...
0:16:12 > 0:16:14- ..with long blonde hair.
0:16:14 > 0:16:17- I can't say - if it's an accurate description.
0:16:18 > 0:16:20- Yet it's a striking portrayal.
0:16:24 > 0:16:29- His image as a romantic poet - has strengthened over the centuries.
0:16:30 > 0:16:32- He wrote so many love poems.
0:16:33 > 0:16:38- One lady with whom he was - completely smitten was Morfudd.
0:16:38 > 0:16:42- But there was a problem. - She was married to someone else.
0:16:48 > 0:16:50- "The girl from Eithinfynydd
0:16:50 > 0:16:54- "My fair sweetheart, - she will not come to a love tryst.
0:16:54 > 0:16:57- "Narrow eyebrows, tender gaze
0:16:57 > 0:17:00- "Fine golden hair, - sudden harsh frown
0:17:00 > 0:17:04- "My state of blessedness - against sadness about death
0:17:04 > 0:17:06- "My shapely young goddess
0:17:06 > 0:17:10- "My mirror, - radiance in golden colour
0:17:11 > 0:17:13- "She is my share, my golden maiden
0:17:13 > 0:17:17- "My jewel - in the shade of the hillside
0:17:17 > 0:17:21- "My love for her grows ever greater.
0:17:24 > 0:17:26- "I wouldn't wish to live, - my sickness
0:17:26 > 0:17:29- "If I couldn't have - the fine modest girl.
0:17:30 > 0:17:32- "For that reason I suffer pain.
0:17:33 > 0:17:36- "Gentle Morfudd, I will die."
0:17:42 > 0:17:46- But one lady alone - wasn't enough for Dafydd ap Gwilym.
0:17:46 > 0:17:50- As well as Morfudd, - he also took a fancy to Dyddgu.
0:17:51 > 0:17:53- She was a more noble lady.
0:17:53 > 0:17:56- Dafydd fell for her completely.
0:17:56 > 0:17:59- "Whiter than the snow of spring
0:17:59 > 0:18:03- "I am bereft for love - of the gentle girl."
0:18:05 > 0:18:10- That's Dafydd at his best, - complaining again.
0:18:11 > 0:18:13- He'll die if he doesn't get his way.
0:18:14 > 0:18:17- But I think it's done - tongue in cheek.
0:18:17 > 0:18:22- This sets Dafydd apart - from all his contemporaries.
0:18:22 > 0:18:26- He didn't take himself - too seriously.
0:18:27 > 0:18:30- One self-image favoured by him - was that of the fool.
0:18:32 > 0:18:35- He was a Charlie Chaplin figure.
0:18:35 > 0:18:38- That comparison has been made.
0:18:38 > 0:18:41- Calamitous things - were forever happening to him.
0:18:42 > 0:18:46- His plans never worked out, - especially with girlfriends.
0:18:46 > 0:18:48- A good example - is Trafferth Mewn Tafarn.
0:18:49 > 0:18:53- He fancies this girl. - He buys her food and fine wine.
0:18:53 > 0:18:55- He says enchanting things to her.
0:18:56 > 0:18:59- He decides to seduce her - once everyone's gone to bed.
0:19:00 > 0:19:05- He clatters into pots and furniture. - Pandemonium ensues all around.
0:19:05 > 0:19:09- Trouble At An Inn
0:19:10 > 0:19:13- "I had a nasty fall - making a commotion there
0:19:13 > 0:19:16- "There were no good feats.
0:19:16 > 0:19:19- "I hit my forehead - on the edge of the table
0:19:19 > 0:19:21- "Where there was a loose basin
0:19:22 > 0:19:24- "And a noisy brass pan.
0:19:24 > 0:19:27- "The table fell, a heavy piece
0:19:27 > 0:19:30- "And the two trestles - and all the utensils.
0:19:31 > 0:19:35- "I came up (it was a remorseful - tale) - Welshmen love me!
0:19:35 > 0:19:38- "By thick walls where there were
0:19:38 > 0:19:41- "Three Englishmen - in one stinking bed
0:19:41 > 0:19:44- "Worrying about their three packs
0:19:44 > 0:19:46- "Hickin and Jenkin and Jack."
0:19:47 > 0:19:49- He loved poking fun at the English.
0:19:50 > 0:19:52- They couldn't find him anywhere.
0:19:53 > 0:19:56- He sneaks back to his bed - to lick his wounds.
0:19:57 > 0:20:02- He failed to reach the girl's bed - and asks God for forgiveness.
0:20:02 > 0:20:04- "I prayed, not in fearless fashion
0:20:05 > 0:20:07- "In hiding, like one afraid
0:20:07 > 0:20:09- "Through the power - of sincere prayer
0:20:09 > 0:20:12- "And through the grace of Jesus
0:20:12 > 0:20:16- "I escaped (thank goodness - that saints are close by)
0:20:16 > 0:20:18- "I beg to God for forgiveness."
0:20:22 > 0:20:26- There's more than one image, - one character in his work.
0:20:26 > 0:20:28- Was he a godly man or not?
0:20:28 > 0:20:31- He often suggests - that God blesses his romances.
0:20:32 > 0:20:35- Yet he's very obviously sinning!
0:20:35 > 0:20:37- Therefore, it's difficult to know.
0:20:37 > 0:20:42- That uncertainty - is another reason for his appeal.
0:20:42 > 0:20:44- Everyone can pick and choose.
0:20:44 > 0:20:47- You find the Dafydd ap Gwilym - who appeals to you.
0:20:52 > 0:20:56- Not all his poetry - is filled with raucousness.
0:20:57 > 0:21:01- Dafydd converses in verse - with the Brother Llwyd.
0:21:01 > 0:21:03- He was possibly a local monk.
0:21:03 > 0:21:08- The poet is advised to recite - the paternoster and pray...
0:21:08 > 0:21:12- ..than write endless poems - about women.
0:21:14 > 0:21:17- Dafydd begs to differ, of course.
0:21:17 > 0:21:19- He answers the old monk like this.
0:21:19 > 0:21:22- "God is not as cruel - as old men say."
0:21:22 > 0:21:24- He adds his own further opinion.
0:21:25 > 0:21:29- "A girl is the fairest thing - in heaven, besides God himself."
0:21:36 > 0:21:39- He revels in the beauty - of nature and of love...
0:21:39 > 0:21:43- ..but Dafydd is also very aware - of the end of life.
0:21:43 > 0:21:48- He fears that the pleasures - of this world are transient.
0:21:49 > 0:21:52- Woe to us, Adam's feeble progeny
0:21:52 > 0:21:55- "(Upsurge of grace) - how short is the summer."
0:21:58 > 0:22:04- He realizes that summer is brief - and that winter will come very soon.
0:22:09 > 0:22:13- Nobody knows for sure - how Dafydd ap Gwilym died.
0:22:13 > 0:22:17- Some believe that he fell victim - to the Black Death.
0:22:17 > 0:22:22- We're unsure about the resting place - of this poetic colossus.
0:22:22 > 0:22:26- Many people think the grave - is here at Strata Florida.
0:22:26 > 0:22:31- "Beneath the sad yew tree - Lies Dafydd, sweet cywydd writer."
0:22:40 > 0:22:42- The mystery of Dafydd ap Gwilym.
0:22:42 > 0:22:46- It's part of the myth, - and part of the image.
0:22:47 > 0:22:51- It gives us scope perhaps - to create this heroic figure.
0:22:54 > 0:22:58- He fills that large void - between Llywelyn and Owain Glyndwr.
0:22:59 > 0:23:03- He's still with us, - in a way, in his work.
0:23:03 > 0:23:06- In his work, he is immortal.
0:23:52 > 0:23:54- S4C Subtitles by Adnod Cyf.
0:23:54 > 0:23:54- .