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.Those who gave these fairies an ungracious welcome were subject to bad luckduring the rest of their lives, but those who were good to the little folk became the recipients of their favour.Old Morgan ap Rhys sat one night in his own chimney corner making himself comfortable with his pipe andhis pint of cwnv da.The good ale having melted his soul a trifle, he was in a more jolly mood than wasFairy Music 34 British Goblins: Welsh folk-lore, fairy mythology, legends and traditionsnatural to him, when there came a little rap at the door, which reached his ear dully through the smoke of hispipe and the noise of his own voice - for in his merriment Morgan was singing a roistering song, though hecould not sing any better than a haw - which is Welsh for a donkey.But Morgan did not take the trouble toget tip at sound of the rap; his manners were not the most refined; he thought it was polite enough for a manon hospitable purposes bent to bawl forth in ringing Welsh, 'Gwaed dyn a'i gilydd ! Why don't you come inwhen you've got as far as the door ?' The welcome was not very polite, but it was sufficient.The door opened,and three travellers entered, looking worn and weary.Now these were the fairies from Cader Idris, disguisedin this manner for purposes of observation, and Morgan never suspected they were other than they appeared.'Good sir,' said one of the travellers, 'we are worn and weary, but all we seek is a bite of food to put in ourwallet, and then we will go on our way.' 'Waw, lads ! is that all you want ? Well, there, look you, is the loafand the cheese, and the knife lies by them, and you may cut what you like, and fill your bellies as well asyour wallet, for never shall it be said that Morgan ap Rhys denied bread and cheese to a fellow creature.' Thetravellers proceeded to help themselves, while Morgan continued to drink and smoke, and to sing after hisfashion, which was a very rough fashion indeed.As they were about to go, the fairy travellers turned toMorgan and said, 'Since you have been so generous we will show that we are grateful.It is in our power togrant you any one wish you may have; therefore tell us what that wish may be.' Ho, ho!' said Morgan, 'is thatthe case? Ah, I see you are making sport of me.Wela, wela, the wish of my heart is to have a harp that willplay under my fingers.no matter how ill I strike it; a harp that will play lively tunes, look you; no melancholymusic for me !' He had hardly spoken, when to his astonishment, there on the hearth before him stood asplendid harp, and he was alone.'Waw!' cried Morgan, 'they're gone already.' Then looking behind him hesaw they had not taken the bread and cheese they had cut off; after all.' 'Twas the fairies, perhaps,' hemuttered, but sat serenely quaffing his beer, and staring at the harp.There was a sound of footsteps behindhim, and his wife came in from out doors with some friends.Morgan feeling very jolly, thought he wouldraise a little laughter among them by displaying his want of skill upon the harp.So he commenced to play -oh, what a mad and capering tune it was ! 'Waw!' said Morgan, 'but this is a harp.Holo ! what ails you all ?'For as fast as he played his neighbours danced, every man, woman, and child of them all footing it like madcreatures.Some of them bounded up against the roof of the cottage till their heads cracked again others spunround and round, knocking over the furniture; and, as Morgan went on thoughtlessly playing, they began topray to him to stop before they should be jolted to pieces.But Morgan found the scene too amusing to wantto stop; besides, he was enamoured of his own suddenly developed skill as a musician ; and he twanged thestrings and laughed till his sides ached and the tears rolled down his cheeks, at the antics of his friends.Tiredout at last he stopped, and the dancers fell exhausted on the floor, the chairs, the tables, declaring the diawlhimself was in the harp.'I know a tune worth two of that,' quoth Morgan, picking up the harp again ; but atsight of this motion all the company vanished from the house and escaped, leaving Morgan rolling merrily inhis chair.Whenever Morgan got a little tipsy after that, he would get the harp and set everybody round him todancing; and the consequence was he got a bad name, and no one would go near him.But all theirprecautions did nor prevent the neighbours from being caught now and then, when Morgan took his revengeby making them dance till their legs were broken, or some other damage was done them.Even lame peopleand invalids were compelled to dance whenever they heard the music of this diabolical telyn.In short,Morgan so abused his fairy gift that one night the good people came and took it away from him, and he neversaw it more.The consequence was he became morose, and drank himself to death - a warning to all whoaccept from the fairies favours they do not deserve.III.The music of the Tylwyth Teg has been variously described by people who claim to have heard it; but as arule with much vagueness, as of a sweet intangible harmony, recalling the experience of Caliban:Fairy Music 35 British Goblins: Welsh folk-lore, fairy mythology, legends and traditionsThe isle is full of noises;Sounds, and sweet airs, that give delight, and hurt not.Sometimes a thousand twanging instrumentsWill hum about mine ears
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