Cavall's Tale
(also known as Gellert's Tale)

by Maredudd Cymysglyd ap Cynan Dudwiol
Pencenedl a Pencerth, Ty Bonddu
(© 1994, Eric C. Smith)
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The hounds of faith and honor running to the hunter's call
To run to ground the prey and bringing meat to master's hall
But 'ware should masters be of anger risen temporal
Or Cavall's fate for those who serving give their masters all
If hounds are taught to fear the passing out the castle wall
No beast will e'er be found save those that fear the hunter's call
If Cavall's tale be told it was his master's will to guard
An infant left alone but for a faithful hound unscarred
But when the prince returned to see his pride and Cavall's ward
The life he held most dear was gone by blood the peace was marred
T'was naught but crib and Cavall found with blood stains in the yard
Yet Cavall came with joyous heart, his master's bodyguard
 
The Prince's anger flaring as he gazed upon the hound
His anger searching ever till an outlet he had found
His spear he drew in silence, urged by anger now unbound
The spearhead piercing swiftly through the gentlest heart around
As Cavall's life-light faded did his master hear the sound
The crying of an infant rising from the blood-soaked ground
 
There 'neath the crib lay bundled was the prince's pride and heir
And next to crying infant was a sight to bring despair
A great grey wolf lay silent, from its eyes a glassy stare
It seems the wolf came hunting for the infants life to snare
But Cavall was at watch and for the wolf he would not spare
T'was wolf whose life departed ne'er again to see his lair
 
The prince looked down upon his hound and then upon his son
And then upon the wolf's dead corpse and knew what he had done
His faithful hound had lost his life, his only crime but one
To serve his master truly well without comparison
By striking out in anger 'fore the story was begun
This hound of faith and honor on the hunt would no more run
 
For hounds of faith and honor serving in the master's hall
These beasts of praise remember yearning for the hunter's call
But 'ware should masters be of those who suffer Cavall's fall
Who lose their life in service giving to their masters all
When hounds are taught to fear the passing out the castle wall
No beast will e'er be found save those that fear the hunter's call

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