The Mabinogion, Guest’s 1877 edition
Gwydion
Gwydion obtains Pryderi’s swine through an exchange involving enchanted horses, dogs and shields. He warns his companions that the illusion will last only until the same hour the next day. Later, he brings the wounded eagle-form of Llew down from an oak through successive verses. A stroke of his wand returns Llew to human shape, after which physicians complete his recovery.
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In the sources
Principal account
LiteraryGwydion obtains Pryderi’s swine through an exchange involving enchanted horses, dogs and shields. He warns his companions that the illusion will last only until the same hour the next day.
Further detail
LiteraryLater, he brings the wounded eagle-form of Llew down from an oak through successive verses. A stroke of his wand returns Llew to human shape, after which physicians complete his recovery.
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
needful that we journey with speed. The illusion will not last but from the one hour to the same tomorrow." And that night they journeyed as far as theOpen this page in the book
Passage & edition details
Location recorded at citation review: The Mabinogion, Guest’s 1877 edition; active reader leaf 441
Exact passage checked against active scan text and original-leaf mapping; scan line breaks normalised.
- Edition
- IMJ-0240-E001
- Reader page
- IMJ-0240-E001-P0441
- Original scan leaf
- 442
- Recorded leaf number
- 442
- Current Reader position
- 433
- Reader verification
- Source-preserving update confirmed
Source 2
The Mabinogion
with his magic wand, so that he returned to his own form. No one ever saw a more piteous sight, for he was nothing but skin and bone. Then heOpen this page in the book
Passage & edition details
Location recorded at citation review: The Mabinogion, Guest’s 1877 edition; active reader leaf 456
Exact passage checked against active scan text and original-leaf mapping; scan line breaks normalised.
- Edition
- IMJ-0240-E001
- Reader page
- IMJ-0240-E001-P0456
- Original scan leaf
- 457
- Recorded leaf number
- 457
- Current Reader position
- 448
- Reader verification
- Source-preserving update confirmed
Continue exploring
Arianrod
The mother who places conditions on Llew’s name, arms and marriage.
Same subject and traditionArthur in the Mabinogion
The courtly ruler whose household gathers the companions and quests of Guest’s Welsh romances.
Same subject and traditionBranwen
The princess whose marriage alliance becomes the centre of a catastrophe between two islands.
Same subject and traditionCaridwen
The maker of an inspiration-cauldron whose intended gift is diverted to Gwion Bach.