bardd

Updated: April 30, 2025

'Not been in Wales; then, of course, you don't understand Welsh; but we were talking of the Bardd Cwsg yes, there are fairies in the Bardd Cwsg, the author of it, Master Ellis Wyn, was carried away in his sleep by them over mountains and valleys, rivers and great waters, incurring mighty perils at their hands, till he was rescued from them by an angel of the Most High, who subsequently showed him many wonderful things.

George Henry Borrow - Lavengro; the Scholar, the Gypsy, the Priest

What do you call it the Bardd Cwsg? 'Yes, the Bardd Cwsg. You pronounce Welsh very fairly; have you ever been in Wales? 'Never, said I.

George Henry Borrow - Lavengro; the Scholar, the Gypsy, the Priest

'Yes, said Peter, 'in his sleep; and on that account the book is called Gweledigaethau y Bardd Cwsg, or, Visions of the Sleeping Bard. 'I do not care for wonders which occur in sleep, said I. 'I prefer real ones; and perhaps, notwithstanding what he says, the man had no visions at all they are probably of his own invention.

George Henry Borrow - Lavengro; the Scholar, the Gypsy, the Priest

"I have read the Bible, sir, and one or two other books." "Did you ever read the Bardd Cwsg?" said I. He looked at me with some surprise. "No," said he, after a moment or two, "I have never read it. I have seen it, but it was far too deep Welsh for me." "I have read it," said I. "Are you a Welshman?" said he. "No," said I; "I am an Englishman."

George Henry Borrow - Wild Wales: Its People, Language and Scenery

"Not been in Wales; then, of course, you don't understand Welsh; but we were talking of the Bardd Cwsg yes, there are fairies in the Bardd Cwsg the author of it, Master Ellis Wyn, was carried away in his sleep by them over mountains and valleys, rivers and great waters, incurring mighty perils at their hands, till he was rescued from them by an angel of the Most High, who subsequently showed him many wonderful things."

George Henry Borrow - Lavengro: The Scholar, the Gypsy, the Priest

‘Not been in Wales; then, of course, you don’t understand Welsh; but we were talking of the Bardd Cwsg—yes, there are fairies in the Bardd Cwsg,—the author of it, Master Ellis Wyn, was carried away in his sleep by them over mountains and valleys, rivers and great waters, incurring mighty perils at their hands, till he was rescued from them by an angel of the Most High, who subsequently showed him many wonderful things.’

George Henry Borrow - Lavengro: The Scholar, The Gypsy, The Priest

To-day neither opinion is held, the Bardd Cwsc is simply a classic and nothing more. The Visions derive considerable value from the light they throw upon the moral and social condition of our country two centuries ago.

Ellis Wynne - The Visions of the Sleeping Bard

Ellis Wynne was only too ready to forego the honor of being the acknowledged author of the Visions if thereby he could the better serve his country. The Bardd Cwsc is not only the most popular of Welsh prose works, but it has also retained its place among the best of our classics.

Ellis Wynne - The Visions of the Sleeping Bard

I will, however, quote from "The Sleeping Bard, or Visions of the World, Death and Hell," his translation of Elis Wyn's "Y Bardd Cwsg."

Edward Thomas - George Borrow: The Man and His Books

Many a guilty conscience has the Bardd Cwsg aroused with its dreadful sights, its strong sighs, its puffs of smoke from the pit, and its showers of sparks from the mouth of the yet lower gulf of Unknown were it not for the Bardd Cwsg perhaps I might not be here. 'I would sooner hear your own tale, said I, 'than all the visions of the Bardd Cwsg.

George Henry Borrow - Lavengro; the Scholar, the Gypsy, the Priest