Tales and Legends of the Isle of Wight

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1839 edition. Excerpt: ... Ill THE STORY OF THE STONE-CASED WELL: OR A TALE OF THE DRUIDS. Macb. What is't you do? All. A deed without a name. Macbeth. The Isle of Wight was first peopled by the Cimri: after these came the men of Galedin in naked ships (boats without sails) into the land of Guitt, when their country was drowned, and had lands assigned them by the race of Cimri. Guitt, or Guict, is the ancient British name for the Isle of Wight; it signifies separation: alluding to the fact of its having been before joined to the mainland. In the time of the Romans it was only an island at high water; when the tide was low, men passed over dry-footed.--See Whitlaker's History of Manchester. These two nations came in peace, and lived together in friendship. They tilled their land in security, and warred only against the wolf and the boar. Their venerable Druids governed them by their wisdom and eloquence. These knew the history of dark antiquity. They contemplated the stars of the heavens, and they could foretell what should come to pass in future times. But they wrapped up their mighty knowledge in dark sayings and in symbols, lest the vulgar should profane their traditions. They taught the people to worship the gods; to do no evil; and to exercise fortitude. Or, as the original British runs--" Tri chynnorion doethineb: ufuddhad i ddeddfau Duw; ymgais a lies dyn; a dioddef yn lew pob digwydd by wyd." f The third race of men that came to the land of Guitt were the Coranied who came from the land of Pools. These men were giants in stature, and they despised other men, and delighted in war and blood. They came not in peace, but they seized their lands by the strong arm. They chose for themselves the fertile meadows on the eastern side of the island; there they fed...