'Cariad y Lechi'

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Oh come to me, fy nghariad,

Enchant yourself of my allure.

Harken my song on the crisp, cold air—

Clyw fy alaw yn yr awyr oer.

 

Unleash yourself upon me!

Plough the depths of your greed.

Let your morthwyl flail upon me,

and rive your axe into my seams.

Come—dress me to your own desires,

shape me with your cyffell and irons.

Adorn me with the titles of your noblewomen—

Y Boneddigesau Saes.

 

Yes, take me.

Bind me.

Hawk me.

Use me as you will.

 

For I will be shelter from y glaw,

I will pave your paths fel arian.

I will line your gentry’s gaming tables,

and demarcate your peasants’ land.

Chalk and carve your words upon me,

and I will enrich your masters beyond their dreams.

 

Oh, how you will love me—

how you will worship my name.

 

But beware now, Cariad!

For I am avaricious.

There is hunger in my beauty,

a darkness beneath the sheen.

As you come to take me,

I will take you in turn.

The young, the strong, the brave or foolish

I take you all the same.

 

I am widow-maker, orphan-maker,

siren of the dark.

I take your limbs, I break your bones,

I catch you falling from my face.

I inhabit the pores of your skin

That no soap can ever cleanse

 

And I will fill your lungs.

With every breath you take

I draw you closer to my breast.

 

Yes I will snuff your candle’s flame

And I will be your gravestone,

for it is I who will pry you apart.

And empty your marriage bed