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Pa Gur: Some extra credit.

Pa Gur

Pa Gur, is an unnamed poem from the "Black Book of Carmarthen" which is a collection of random medieval Welsh works of various functions and dates.  The given name, Pa Gur, derives from the 1st line of the poem which reads: "Pa Gur yv y porthaur"  which means "What man is the gatekeeper?"  The poem can be dated from around 1100 to 1160 and the Black Book of Carmarthen itself was compiled around 1250.  The poem is 90 lines long and is incomplete, terminating part way through line 90.  For this reason, I am not considering this work as part of my basic Arthurian studies list, but rather as a bit of "extra credit."

The poem opens with Arthur asking who the gatekeeper is, and a man replies Glewlwyd Great-Grasp, who returns with "What man asks it?" "Arthur and Cai the fair."  "What [band] goes with you?"  "The best men in the world."  Arthur then goes into a short "name-list" of his followers then breaks into a "praise list", primarily focused on the prowess and accomplishments of Cai but touches on other warriors including Bedwyr and even Arthur himself (which may be Cai talking but it is not clear).  Arthur begins a short lament about how he wishes his servants were still alive and then goes back to praising Cai.  The poem cuts off there, unfortunately.

The poem is short enough where we could go over it line by line but that job is done better in The Early Welsh Arthurian Poems by Patrick Sims-Willams.  It is found in Arthur of the Welsh, which has a link in the previous post.  I don't need to go over every reference but I want to bring to light a few interesting things.

Those of you who read Culhwch and Olwen will notice some similarities right off the bat.  You may have noticed some similar character names but also that a similar Gatekeeper sequence happened twice in Culhwch as well.  There is also a similar (but much longer) name/accomplishment - list in Culhwch. 

Cai, in this work, has become near immortal.  In Culhwch he can hold his breath and go without sleep for 9 days, he can also grow as tall as a tree when he wishes.  In Pa Gur "Unless it were God who accomplished it/ Cai's death were unattainable."  Most of the poem is dedicated to Cai's accomplishments.

Another interesting thing of note is that Arthur seems that he is bad off.  He is having to ask the gatekeeper for entry himself when normally Cei or another follower would do this.  Also he is lamenting the death of his servants, stating that things were easier when he had them.  He seems to be travelling light so many of his men might be dead.  Or, perhaps Arthur may be showing his unwelcome "tyrant" personna used almost exclusively in the "saints lives" which are from around the same time.  Maybe this is why Arthur has to vouch for his followers and beg entry.  Unfortunately, we will never know as the poem is incomplete.  I personally wish to hear more about the mysterious Palug's Cat!
(apparently it was born from a pig!)

Thanks for reading!
Joe







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