When They Wanted Salt They Said,
Halgein Ydorum, Bring Salt:
Salt is called {Greek text} in Greek,
and Halen in British, for that language, from the length of time
which the Britons (then called Trojans, and afterwards Britons, from
Brito, their leader) remained in Greece after the destruction of
Troy, became, in many instances, similar to the Greek.
It is remarkable that so many languages should correspond in one
word, {Greek} in Greek, Halen in British, and Halgein in the Irish
tongue, the g being inserted; Sal in Latin, because, as Priscian
says, "the s is placed in some words instead of an aspirate," as
{Greek} in Greek is called Sal in Latin, {Greek} - semi - {Greek} -
septem - Sel in French - the A being changed into E - Salt in
English, by the addition of T to the Latin; Sout, in the Teutonic
language: there are therefore seven or eight languages agreeing in
this one word. If a scrupulous inquirer should ask my opinion of
the relation here inserted, I answer with Augustine, "that the
divine miracles are to be admired, not discussed." Nor do I, by
denial, place bounds to the divine power, nor, by assent, insolently
extend what cannot be extended. But I always call to mind the
saying of St. Jerome; "You will find," says he, "many things
incredible and improbable, which nevertheless are true; for nature
cannot in any respect prevail against the lord of nature." These
things, therefore, and similar contingencies, I should place,
according to the opinion of Augustine, among those particulars which
are neither to be affirmed, nor too positively denied.
CHAPTER IX
Passage over the rivers Lochor and Wendraeth; and of Cydweli
Thence we proceeded towards the river Lochor, {93} through the
plains in which Howel, son of Meredyth of Brecheinoc, after the
decease of king Henry I., gained a signal victory over the English.
Having first crossed the river Lochor, and afterwards the water
called Wendraeth, {94} we arrived at the castle of Cydweli. {95} In
this district, after the death of king Henry, whilst Gruffydd son of
Rhys, the prince of South Wales, was engaged in soliciting
assistance from North Wales, his wife Gwenliana (like the queen of
the Amazons, and a second Penthesilea) led an army into these parts;
but she was defeated by Maurice de Londres, lord of that country,
and Geoffrey, the bishop's constable. {96} Morgan, one of her sons,
whom she had arrogantly brought with her in that expedition, was
slain, and the other, Malgo, taken prisoner; and she, with many of
her followers, was put to death. During the reign of king Henry I.,
when Wales enjoyed a state of tranquillity, the above-mentioned
Maurice had a forest in that neighbourhood, well stocked with wild
animals, and especially deer, and was extremely tenacious of his
venison. His wife (for women are often very expert in deceiving
men) made use of this curious stratagem. Her husband possessed, on
the side of the wood next the sea, some extensive pastures, and
large flocks of sheep.
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