pechod

Updated: September 8, 2025

O pechod Ysprydd Glan!’ and the poor man fell into a more fearful agony than before. Tears trickled down Winifred’s face, I saw them trickling by the moonlight, as she gazed upon the writhing form of her afflicted husband.

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

In a moment I had issued from my tent all was silent but the next moment I again heard groans and voices; they proceeded from the tilted cart where Peter and his wife lay; I drew near, again there was a pause, and then I heard the voice of Peter, in an accent of extreme anguish, exclaim, 'Pechod Ysprydd Glan O pechod Ysprydd Glan! and then he uttered a deep groan.

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

Methought I occasionally heard the word Pechod proceeding from the lips of each, but with no particular emphasis. I supposed they were talking of the innate sin of both their hearts. ‘I wish that man were happy,’ said I to myself, ‘were it only for his wife’s sake, and yet he deserves to be happy for his own.’ The next day Peter was very cheerful, more cheerful than I had ever seen him.

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

I heard no passionate bursts of wild despair on the part of the man. Methought I occasionally heard the word Pechod proceeding from the lips of each, but with no particular emphasis. I supposed they were talking of the innate sin of both their hearts. 'I wish that man were happy, said I to myself, 'were it only for his wife's sake, and yet he deserves to be happy for his own.

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

He made no answer; whereupon, laying her hand gently on his shoulder, she said, in the peculiar soft and tender tone which I had heard her use on a former occasion, ‘Take comfort, Peter; what has happened now to afflict thee?’ Peter removed his hand from his face. ‘The old pain, the old pain,’ said he; ‘I was talking with this young man, and he would fain know what brought me here, he would fain hear my tale, Winifred—my sin: O pechod Ysprydd Glan!

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

Methought I occasionally heard the word Pechod proceeding from the lips of each, but with no particular emphasis. I supposed they were talking of the innate sin of both their hearts. "I wish that man were happy," said I to myself, "were it only for his wife's sake, and yet he deserves to be happy for his own." The next day Peter was very cheerful, more cheerful than I had ever seen him.

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

I did not understand all she said she spoke in her native language, and I was some way apart; she appeared to endeavour to console her husband, but he seemed to refuse all comfort, and, with many groans, repeated 'Pechod Ysprydd Glan O pechod Ysprydd Glan! I felt I had no right to pry into their afflictions, and retired. Now 'pechod Ysprydd Glan, interpreted, is the sin against the Holy Ghost.

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