OF THE

WELSH BARD S:

PRESERVED, BY TRADITION AND AUTHENTIC MANUSCRIPTS, FROM VERY REMOTE ANTIQUITY;

NEVER BEFORE PUBLISHED.

TO THE BARDIC TUNES ARE ADDED

Variations for the Harp, Harpfichord, Violin, or Flute:

WITH A SELECT COLLECTION OF THÈ

PENNILLION AND ENGLYNION,
OR, EPIGRAMMATIC STANZAS, POETICAL BLOSSOMS,
AND PASTORAL SONGS, OF WALES,

WITH ENGLISH TRANSLATION S.

LIKEWISE, A GENERAL

HISTORY OF THE BARDS AND DRUIDS,

FROM THE EARLIEST PERIOD TO THE PRESENT TIME:

WITH AN ACCOUNT OF THEIR MUSIC AND POETRY.

TO WHICH IS PREFIXED, A COPIOUS DISSERTATION ON THE

Musical Instruments of the Aboriginal Britons.

DEDICATED, BY PERMISSION,

TO HIS ROYAL HIGHNESS THE PRINCE OF WALES,

Printed for the AUTHOR, and Sold at N 122, in MOUNT STREET, near Berkeley Square.-1794

Price 1/. 11s. 6d.

Entered at Stationers Hall.

23

THE

George Augustus Frederick Prince of Wales.

Thise ancient Remains of the Welsh Bards, which I presume to lay before your Royal Highnijs, are, I would hope, not unworthy of such distinguished patronage.

In the country from which you derive your august title Music has ever been numbered among its chosen entertainments, and, when united with Poetry, afforded a species of luxury, innocent and instructive

There was a time, when the Princes of Wales claimed, as theirprerogative, to preside in the Congress of the Bards, and thought it not unbecoming their station to assign in person those rewards, which were decreed to merit in that famed solemnity. The name of the Bard was re-vered by Royalty itself; and the number and skill of his Poets gave dig -nity to the throne of the Prince, and stability to his renown.

Many of the following compositions have often resounded, in the day of festival, through the Halls of your illustrious Predecessors : and I am persuaded that your Royal Highness will feel some interest in restoring to public notice, what has received so honourable a sanction; áne will deign to ratify with your approbation these venerable remains of Harmony and Poetry, which descend to you as your hereditary right.

Sam

an

The facility with which your Royal Highness has conde-scended to become the Patron this work, is a noble proof of ツ early attachment to the interests of polite literature, and a favour-able presage of its future and permanent welfare.

Whatever be the success of this attempt to save from oblivion the remaining vestiges of the "Bards, it will serve as a memorial of the zealous veneration I shall ever entertain for your Royal Highness's person áno noble protection of the Arts, while I have the honour to be. Your Royal Highness Wost-Dutiful and

Most Devoted Servant,

dward Jones.