#24 Tawddgyrch cadwynog

[Tinker]

Explore the Craft of Writing Poetry
Welsh Verse
Features of the Welsh Meters
Welsh Codified Divisions

Tawddgyrch cadwynog, tówdd-girch ca-dóy-nog (two rhyme chain), is the 24th codified Welsh meter, an Awdl. Since it's codification in the 14th century, this stanza form has had many modifications or elaborations. This may be the reason I found conflicting information for this form. I was able to find an ancient poem in Welsh which supports the structure I present here. I cannot translate but I can count syllables and recognize rhyme. I was unable to find a Welsh poem that supports the structure described in Lewis Turco's Book of Forms which I mention below in #5 but I am sure there is one out there somewhere.

The elements of Tawddgyrch cadwynog are:

1. stanzaic, written in any number of quatrains. Each quatrain can become one line, or 2 lines.
2. syllabic, of 4 syllable lines.
3. rhymed, rhyme scheme ABBC.
4. chained, the last word of the stanza is the first word of the next stanza.
5. an alternative frame is that this meter can be written similar to to the rhupunt in a single line that can be flexible and include 3, 4 or 5 sections of 4 syllables each rather than be limited to only 4 sections or the quatrain as shown above.

   xxx A xxx B xxx B xxx C                    xxx A xxx B xxx B xxx C

   or             xxx A xxx B           xxx B xxx C xxx A xxx B xxx B xxx C

   or xxx A xxx B xxx B xxx C               xxx A xxx B xxx B xxx C

   Bogwl kynnenn bugeil kannau Briwa'r grannau bwrw'r gwyr enwoc Bar a brynnen bwrw beiriannau Bwried rannau brwydr dariannoc.                                 Dafydd Nanmor This poem is also an example of the use of cymeriad.

   Welsh Inspiration by Judi Van Gorder                                  Penned one by one, strict stanza form, rhyme is the norm, strenuous fun. A project done, playful brainstorm, poems conform, feel like I won.

   Addewid actor (The actor's pledge) by DC Martinson Would that I might but read and act, This solemn pact I shall profess: From stage each night, in rage or tact, In fib or fact, the play will bless!