In one of the regions of Brittany, during early Christianity there was a city, now destroyed, called either Chris or Keris. In those days, that is, in the 5th century, the region was ruled by Gradlon, nicknamed Meur, which means “Great”. Gradlon was in respectful friendship with the holy man, Gwennole, the founder and first abbot of the first monastery in Armorica. This is all that history has preserved about this city, this ruler and this monk.
However, folk singers also provide other information. According to their version, Ker-is or the city of Is, the capital of the possessions of King Gradlon, was protected from sea floods by a huge well or reservoir, into which excess water flowed during strong tides. This well was closed by a secret door, and the king always kept the key to it with him in order to unlock and lock it when necessary. And then one day Princess Dahut, his daughter, wanting to finally amuse her lover, with whom she had been feasting all night, stole the treasured key from her father, unlocked the well, and the city was flooded. Saint Gwennole allegedly predicted this disaster, which formed the basis of the following ballad.
I
Who hasn't heard from the old days:
The city of Is was rich and strong
And King Gradlon reigned in it.
The holy sage said to him:
"Love will destroy your crown,
The feasts will destroy your palace.
Whoever feasts on fish
Will find shelter at the bottom
And it will end up as food for fish.
And the one who drinks and drinks wine,
Tom is destined to gain
Water when it goes to the bottom.”
II
And again the relatives have a great feast,
The king shakes his head:
- I'm retiring.
- Is the evening really going to disappear?
You'll get a good night's sleep in the morning.
But, sir, your power.
The princess's friend is right there.
While everyone is eating and drinking:
– Get the treasured key, Dahut!
- What? Key? Oh, if that's the case,
We'll quietly steal the key
And in an instant we will unlock the well!
III
Who would have seen how King Gradlon
Sleeping, covered with gray hair,
He would probably be delighted.
Covered with a purple robe,
The mighty king is fast asleep,
The chain on his chest is burning with fire.
Would there be a sentry in the bedroom,
He would have seen at one o'clock at night,
How his daughter entered his chamber.
Slipped to the bed barefoot
And, bending over my father,
He removes the chain with the key.
IV
King Gradlon sleeps and sleeps,
And a groan rose over the plain:
- Flood! Water from all sides!
Wake up, king! Trouble, ruin!
In the saddle! Jump at full speed!
The abyss is bursting into space!
V
- Forester, forester, tell me,
Have you seen this way
Gradlona on a dashing horse?
- No, I didn’t see the king,
I heard the earth shake
And the sound of hooves flies into the fields.
- Fisherman, tell me the whole truth,
You haven't seen a sea maiden,
Golden-haired, above the water?
- There was a girl here alone,
How pitifully she sang!
And the wave echoed the song...
Translated from Russian · original on wisdomlib.ru