and struck them out, and his wife followed
him; but except him and his wife none escaped thence. And then I
suppose, lord," said Matholwch unto Bendigeid Vran, "that he came over
unto thee." "Doubtless he came here," said he, "and gave unto me the
cauldron." "In what manner didst thou receive them?" "I dispersed them
through every part of my dominions, and they have become numerous and are
prospering everywhere, and they fortify the places where they are with
men and arms, of the best that were ever seen."

That night they continued to discourse as much as they would, and had
minstrelsy and carousing, and when it was more pleasant to them to sleep
than to sit longer, they went to rest. And thus was the banquet carried
on with joyousness; and when it was finished, Matholwch journeyed towards
Ireland, and Branwen with him, and they went from Aber Menei, with
thirteen ships and came to Ireland. And in Ireland was there great joy
because of their coming. And not one great man or noble lady visited
Branwen unto whom she gave not either a clasp, or a ring, or a royal
jewel to keep, such as it was honourable to be seen departing with. And
in these things she spent that year in much renown, and she passed her
time pleasant, enjoying honour and friendship. And in the meanwhile, it
chanced that she became pregnant, and in due time a son was born unto
her, and the name that they gave him was Gwern the son of Matholwch, and
they put the boy out to be foster-nursed, in a place where were the best
men of Ireland.

And behold in the second year a tumult arose in Ireland, on account of
the insult which Matholwch had received in Wales, and the payment made
him for his horses. And his foster-brothers, and such as were nearest
unto him, blamed him openly {48a} for that matter. And he might have no
peace by reason of the tumult until they should revenge upon him this
disgrace. And the vengeance which they took was to drive away Branwen
from the same chamber with him, and to make her cook {48b} for the court;
and they caused the butcher, after he had cut up the meat, to come to her
and give her every day a blow on the ear, and such they made her
punishment.

"Verily, lord," said his men to Matholwch, "forbid now the ships and the
ferry boats and the coracles, that they go not into Wales, and such as
come over from Wales hither, imprison them that they go not back for this
thing to be known there." And they did so; and it was