The Dream, Another version of WoO 155 nr. 12, Hess 205 (mp3)

The Dream (Duet), Hess 205 (1810).

This Welsh folk song is the original version of the song which is now catalogued as WoO 155 Nr. 14. This version differs in the ritornello between the verses and in the conclusion. The manuscript of this version is in the Paris Conservatory.

The Dream

Last night worn with anguish that tortur'd my breast,
When my senses benumb'd I at length sank to rest;
The passion that waking has ruled o'er my mind
Still woke in my dreams where it rov'd unconfin'd.

Methought that my fair one, o'ercome by my pain,
Assented at length to reward her fond swain;
And soon at the altar she stood by my side,
To the priest I already "I will" had replied.

Her reply I awaited with transport of soul,
When, death to my hopes! did the matin bell toll,
I started, awoke, and with horror I found,
'Twas a dream that maliciously fled at the sound.

O Vision that thus hast beguiled my poor heart!
Fly to her and shew all the truth without art;
Present me the victim of love and despair,
And incline to compassion the obdurate fair.

	----David ap Gwillim, translated from the Welsh by Rev'd Roberts of Pentre.

The Welsh original (which bears little resemblance to Rev'd Roberts' translation beyond the title) follows:

Y Breuddwyd

Fal yr oeddwn, gwyddwn gel,
Yn dargwsg mewn lle dirgel.
Gwelais are glais dichlais dydd
Breuddwyd yn ael boreddydd.
Gwelwn fy mod yn rhodiaw
A'm llu bytheiais i'm llaw,
Ac i fforest yn gestwng,
Teg blas, nid ty taeog blwng.
Gollyngwn i yn ddioed,
Debygwn, y cwn i'r coed.
Clywwn oraiu, lleisiau llid,
Canu'n aml, cwn yn ymlid.

Ewig wen uwch y llennyrch
A welwn, carwn y cyrch,
A rhawt fytheiaid ar hynt
Yn ei hol, iawn eu helynt;
Cyrchu'r allt dros ddiwalltrum,
A thros ddwy esgair a thrum,
A thrachefn dros y cefnydd
Ar hynt un helynt a hydd,
A dyfod wedy dofi,
A minnau'n ddig, i'm nawdd i;
Dwyffroen noeth, deffro wneuthum,
Wr glwth, yn y bwth y bum.

Cefais hynafwraig gyfiawn,
Pan oedd ddydd, yn ddedwydd iawn.
Addef a wneuthum iddi,
Goel nos, fal y gwelwn i:

  'Rho Duw, wraig gall, pei gallud
Rhyw derfyn ar hyn o hud,
Ni chyfflybwn, gwn ganclwyf,
Neb a thi.  Anogaith wyf.'

  'Da o beth, diobeithiwr,
Yw dy freyddwyd, od wyd wr.
Y cwn heb gel a welud
I'th law, pei gwypud iaith lud,
Da hwylwyr diau helynt,
Dy lateion eon ynt.
A'r ewig wen, unbennes
A garud di, hoen geirw tes,
Diau yw hyn, y daw hi 
I'th nawdd, a Duw i'th noddi.'

---Dafydd ap  Gwilym: Poems 
	The Welsh Classics (1994)

Hess: 205

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