by Thomas Gray

“ The heroic proof she gave of her affection for her Lord [she is supposed to have sucked the poison from a wound Edward I received] is well known. The monuments of his regret, and sorrow for the loss of her, are still to be seen at Northampton, Geddington, Waltham, and other places.↑ 109 It was the common belief of the Welch nation, that King Arthur was still alive in Fairy-Land, and should return again to reign over Britain.↑ 110 Both Merlin [Myrddin] and Taliessin had prophesied, that the Welch should regain their sovereignty over this island ”

“ King James in 1611.] ↑ 121 Taliessin, Chief of the Bards, flourished in the VIth Century. His works are still preserved, and his memory held in high veneration among his Countrymen. [His Book exists in only a thirteenth-century version and many of the poems in it may not be by Taliessin.] ↑ 126 Fierce wars and faithful loves shall moralize my song. ”

“ Milton's Paradise Lost. [i. 537] ↑ [The bards’ names ‘beyond their Welshness, are not of great significance’ (note by Katherine Turner] ↑ [Plinlimmon: a mountain] ↑ 35 The shores of Caernarvonshire opposite to the isle of Anglesey. ↑ 38 Cambden and others observe, that eagles used annually to build their aerie among the rocks of Snowdon, which from thence (as some think) were named by the Welch Craigian-eryri, or the crags of the eagles. At this day (I am told) the highest point of Snowdon is called the eagle's nest. ”