Gwilym Glyn And Ruth Of Dyffryn
In the depth of yonder valley,
Where the fields are bright and sunny,
Ruth was nurtured fair and slender
Neath a mother's eye so tender.
Listening to the thrush's carols.
Was her pleasure in her gambols,
And ere she grew up a maiden
Gwilym's voice was sweet in Dyffryn.
Together did they play in childhood,
Together ramble in the greenwood,
T
Together pluck the primrose yellow.
Both grew up in youthful beauty
On the lap of peace and plenty,
And before they could discover
Love had linked its silent fetter.
Ruth had riches--not so Gwilym,
Her stern sire grew cold unto him,
And at length forbade him coming
Any more to visit Dyffryn.
Gwilym thence would roam the wild-wood,
Where he wander'd in his childhood,
And would shun his home and hamlet,
Pensive sitting in the thicket.
Ruth would, weeping, walk the garden,
And survey the blank horizon
For a passing glimpse of Gwilym--
But all vain her tears and wailing.
Gwilym said, "I'll cross the ocean,
And abide among the heathen,
In the hope of getting riches,
Which alone the father pleases."
But, before he left his country,
Once, by stealth, he met the lady,
And beneath the beech's shadow
Vow'd undying love in sorrow.
Much the weeping--sad the sighing,
When they parted in the gloaming,
Gwilym for a distant region,
Ruth behind in desolation.
Time flew fast, and many a wooer
Came to Ruth an ardent lover;
But in vain they sought the maiden,
For she held her troth unbroken.
Owain Wynn had wealth in plenty,
Earnest was his deep entreaty,
And tho' favour'd by the father,
Yet all vain was his endeavour.
Years now pass'd since Ruth saw Gwilym,
But her dreams were always of him,
And tho' morning undeceived her,
Nightly did she see him near.
One fair evening Ruth was sitting
In the spot of their last parting,
When she thought she saw her Gwilym
Cross the meadows green of Dyffryn.
Was it fact or apparition?
Slow she mov'd to test the vision,
Who was there but her own true love
Come to claim her in the green grove.
Gwilym now possessed abundance,
Gold and pearls displayed their radiance,
Soon the father gave him welcome
To his house and daughter handsome.
Quick the wedding-day was settled,
Ruth to Gwilym then was married,
Long they lived in bliss and plenty,
Pride and envy of the valley.
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