A rich anthology of English translations of 20th century Welsh-language poetry comprising over 300 poems reflecting the richness and diversity of Welsh bardic craftsmanship together with short biographical notes on the 97 poets and the 26 translators.

Blodeugerdd gyfoethog o gyfieithiadau Saesneg o gerddi yn yr iaith Gymraeg o'r 20fed ganrif yn cynnwys dros 300 o gerddi yn adlewyrchu cyfoeth ac amrywiaeth celfyddyd farddonol Gymreig ynghyd â nodiadau bywgraffyddol byr am y 97 bardd a'r 26 cyfieithydd.

The most notable feature of this anthology is its size. The poems are the product of one century and aimed to introduce modern Welsh poetry to the non-Welsh-speaking reader. How is it that a language, spoken by a minority of the inhabitants of a small country, can produce such a bulky volume? When we consider the attitude of the ruling classes down the ages towards the Welsh language, it is astonishing that a translation was even in demand. The volume is dedicated in Welsh to Tony Conran and Joseph Clancy, two poets whose translations into Welsh are well known and command respect. Some of the poets represented have translated their own poems; a few write in English and Welsh. Twm Moris does not allow his poems to be translated into English.

The beginning of the 20th Century witnessed a revival, if not a renaissance, in Welsh poetry, thanks mainly to scholars such as John Morris Jones. The outstanding poet of this early period is T. Gwynn Jones, and it is fitting that the selection starts with his work. The choice of poems, however, leaves much to be desired. Why not ‘Ymadawiad Arthur’, the poem with which he rose to fame in 1902? ‘Argoed’ is the long poem chosen, but the rest are wholly unrepresentative. ‘Penmon’ and ‘Hydref’ (Autumn) would have given the reader a more balanced view of his work.

The influence of the eisteddfod on Welsh poetry cannot be dismissed lightly. Most of the poets represented can be called Eisteddfod poets. The notable exceptions in the earlier period are Saunders Lewis and Iorwerth C. Peate. Winning one of the major literary awards at the National Eisteddfod gives the poet a status. Regional and local eisteddfodau also play their part in providing opportunity and subjects for poems and unbiased adjudication. John Rowlands, in his admirable Introduction, reminds his readers that ‘. . . poetry in Welsh is a fun thing’. We now have acknowledged ‘performance poets’ (Twm Morris among them) addressing their audiences in public houses, in schools, and at family and social gatherings. The audience at the Literary Tent of the National Eisteddfod can be counted in hundreds.

How does this volume strike the Welsh-speaker who is familiar with the poems in Welsh? A few remarks must suffice. Gwyn Thomas’s translation of his poems ‘The Nativity Play’ and ‘The Last Things’ are admirable, as are Dic Jones’s rendering of his two poems ‘Harvest’ and ‘Spring’. I was delighted to see Caradog Prichard’s poem ‘The Bargain’, addressing the starlings in Trafalgar Square. ‘A Young Girl’ by Waldo Williams was translated by Gwenith Davies and was awarded a prize by the Arts Council in the 1960s. Tony Conran’s translation here would not have deprived her of the accolade. Gillian Clarke, I’m afraid, relied on the dictionary to translate Donald Evans’s poem ‘Pig-killing Day’, where gwrych , the bristles on the animal’s skin, was mistaken for gwrych ‘a hedge’. And Mike Jenkins seems unaware that 'Pry’r Gannwyll' is the Welsh name for the crane-fly, Daddy Longlegs.

Mistakes and slips can be remedied in later editions. This generous selection of 20th century Welsh poetry in translation should help in breaking down barriers and gives a great deal of pleasure.

Mari Ellis

It is possible to use this review for promotional purposes, but the following acknowledgement should be included: A review from www.gwales.com, with the permission of the Welsh Books Council.

Gellir defnyddio’r adolygiad hwn at bwrpas hybu, ond gofynnir i chi gynnwys y gydnabyddiaeth ganlynol: Adolygiad oddi ar www.gwales.com, trwy ganiatad Cyngor Llyfrau Cymru.