The Mabinogion, Guest’s 1877 edition
Elphin
Gwyddno gives Elphin the weir’s proceeds in the hope of improving his fortune. When the expected fish are absent, a leathern bag becomes the only apparent yield. Elphin nevertheless asks whether the bag may hold the expected value. He carries the child gently and hears a poem consoling him against despair.
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In the sources
Principal account
LiteraryGwyddno gives Elphin the weir’s proceeds in the hope of improving his fortune. When the expected fish are absent, a leathern bag becomes the only apparent yield.
Further detail
LiteraryElphin nevertheless asks whether the bag may hold the expected value. He carries the child gently and hears a poem consoling him against despair.
Context & interpretation
This entry follows the narrative in Charlotte Guest’s 1877 collection, including its particular spellings and arrangement of tales. Characters, enchantments and explanations of place names are presented as features of these stories; the translation alone does not establish their historical reality or a single original religious meaning.
Original passages
Source 1
The Mabinogion
had an only son named Elphin, the most hapless of youths, and the most needy.Open this page in the book
Passage & edition details
Location recorded at citation review: The Mabinogion, Guest’s 1877 edition; active reader leaf 498
Exact passage checked against active scan text and original-leaf mapping; scan line breaks normalised.
- Edition
- IMJ-0240-E001
- Reader page
- IMJ-0240-E001-P0498
- Original scan leaf
- 499
- Recorded leaf number
- 499
- Current Reader position
- 490
- Reader verification
- Source-preserving update confirmed
Source 2
The Mabinogion
that before had been trotting, and he carried him as softly as if he had been sitting in the easiest chair in the world. And presently the boy madeOpen this page in the book
Passage & edition details
Location recorded at citation review: The Mabinogion, Guest’s 1877 edition; active reader leaf 499
Exact passage checked against active scan text and original-leaf mapping; scan line breaks normalised.
- Edition
- IMJ-0240-E001
- Reader page
- IMJ-0240-E001-P0499
- Original scan leaf
- 500
- Recorded leaf number
- 500
- Current Reader position
- 491
- Reader verification
- Source-preserving update confirmed
Continue exploring
Caridwen
The maker of an inspiration-cauldron whose intended gift is diverted to Gwion Bach.
Shared source pageGwion Bach
The cauldron-stirrer whose accidental taste brings foreknowledge and a flight through changing forms.
Shared source pageTaliesin in Guest’s Tale
The miraculous child whose poetry consoles the man who finds him in a weir.
Same subject and traditionArianrod
The mother who places conditions on Llew’s name, arms and marriage.