John Roberts (J.R.), who was pastor of the Congre- gational Church at Ruthin at that time. It was a high privilege for him to live under the same roof as the eminent J.R., for he, undoubtedly, exerted good influence over the mind of the young poet; and they had great respect for each other while they lived. As the Blaenffrwyth is mentioned in this chapter, perhaps the reader would like to know what kind of poems the young poet composed in his early days, and we insert his five stanzas to Cromwell as speci- men of his work; which show, not only his poetical ability, but also his sympathy with the great hero of Marston Moor.
CROMWELL.
"O! Gromwell fawreddog, dy gofiant a fydd
Gan Ryddid yn fyth gysegredig;
Cyfodaist ei baner, enillaist y dydd
Ar ormes a thrais melldigedig.
Tydi fyddai'r blaenaf yn myddin y gad,
A'r olaf gan rwystrau yn pallu;
Yr oeddit yn flaenaf i wared dy wlad,
A'r olaf i chwenych mawr allu.
Rhy fuan, hoff wron, y daethost i'r byd
I ddryllio cadwynau'th gyd-ddynion;
Collasant eu rhyddid a brynwyd mor ddrud—
Rhoddasant e'n ol i'w gelynion.
Ond eto, hoff arwr, anfarwol ei fri,
Nid ofer a fu'th ymdrechiadau;
Y rhyddid yr awrhon fwynheir genym ni
Sydd ffrwyth dy ddi-ail weithrediadau.
Yn awr gyda Miltwn O! huna a mewn hedd
Cei fawredd a bri mewn cyflawnder;
Efe gyda'i bin, a thydi gyda'th gledd,
Arweiniech fyddinoedd cyfiawnder.
