Early translation into English from Kernowec (Cornish) of The Tale Of Ivan - part 1

St Levan Church (Llanlavan is probably Saint Levan - My poor knowledge of Cwmraeg (Welsh) would suggest so anyway, Llan in Welsh being roughly equivalent to a parish area) - image © Copyright Tim Heaton and licensed for reuse under this Creative Commons Licence.

THE TALE OF IVAN.
( Translated from the Cornish.)

MR EDITOR, I HAVE sent you the following translation of one of the "Inabinogi," or tales for the instruction of youth, which is chiefly curious, as it is the only tale that I am aware of which is in existence in foe Cornish language; at the same time, it may not be disagreeable to some of your readers, to see how the ancients of the times gone by conveyed their lessons of instruction to the young. It is to be found in the 251, 252, pp. of Llwyd's Archaeologia Britannica, with a Welsh translation annexed. 

Yours, PWY. 

Jesus College, Oxford, 23d April 1818.

1 There were formerly a man and woman living in the parish of Llanlavan, in the place which is called Ty Hwrdh.

2 And (the) work became scarce and therefore said the man to his wife, I will go and search for work, and you may live here.

3 He took fair leave, and travelled far towards the East ; and at last he came to the house of a husbandman (Villanus), and asked there for work to perform.

4 What work canst thou perform ? said the husbandman. I can perform every kind of work, said Ivan, Then they agreed for three pounds as the hire of a year..." [cont...]

Blackwood's Edinburgh Magazine 1818