Michael Walsh, compiler and editor of Inspire a Nation Volume I and II, once lived and worked in the shadow of the ruins of Dinas Bran castle. The ancient fort is situated in the town of Llangollen, a jewel set in the crown of the Berwyn Hills of Wales.

Indeed, many a time he climbed to the peak of the small mountain. Then, amidst the ruins of the ancient citadel, he would contemplate and take in the unique scenic beauty of the mountainous landscapes of his then homeland in Wales.

At 11-years-of-age and already a budding poet, he pondered the words of Myfanwy. He thought that Myfanwy was and still is the greatest love poem ever composed. Not a bad appraisal from a poet whose own verse has been compared to the finest British-Irish poetry ever composed.

As it happens, at the time, Michael was unaware of the legend behind the poem-ballad, Myfanwy. Was it her presence or the spirit of the poet Hywel ab Einion that got beneath his young skin?

The song Myfanwy tells the tragic story of the unrequited love of a penniless young poet called Hywel ab Einion for a beautiful young noblewoman who lived in Dinas Bran fortress high above Llangollen in the 14^th century. Do remember, a poet who falls in love is unaware of differences in social class or wealth.

MYFANWY

Why is it anger, O Myfanwy,
That fills your eyes so dark and clear?
Your gentle cheeks, O sweet Myfanwy,
Why blush they not when I draw near?
Where is the smile that once most tender
Kindled my love so fond, so true?
Where is the sound of your sweet words,
That drew my heart to follow you?


What have I done, O my Myfanwy,
To earn your frown? What is my blame?
Was it just play, my sweet Myfanwy,
To set your poet’s love aflame?
You truly once to me were promised,
Is it too much to keep your part?
I wish no more your hand, Myfanwy,
If I no longer have your heart.


Myfanwy, may you spend your lifetime
Beneath the midday sunshine’s glow,
And on your cheeks, O may the roses
Dance for a hundred years or so.
Forget now all the words of promise
You made to one who loved you well,
Give me your hand, my sweet Myfanwy,
But one last time, to say “farewell”.

Then the haunting words: ‘I loved her against reason, against promise, against peace, against hope, against happiness, against all discouragement that could be.’ ~ So says Pip of the disinterested but beautiful Estella in Great Expectations.

Perhaps more appropriately for the budding poet: ‘You have never loved me as I love you, never, never! Yours is not a passionate heart, your heart does not burn in a flame! You are, upon the whole, a sort of fay, or sprite, not a woman’ ~ Thomas Hardy, Jude the Obscure.

These beautifully illustrated stories, rhymes, sonnets and sayings are waiting to be discovered in the beautiful gift books INSPIRE A NATION Volume l and Volume II Michael Walsh and available from AMAZON and KINDLE.

INSPIRE A NATION Volume I and Volume II, Michael Walsh