An Anthology of Medieval English Literature [antikvár]

Caedmon's Hymn Nu sculon herigean heofonrices weard meotodes meahte 7 his modgtí|>anc weorc wuldorfasder swa he wundra gehwaes ece drihten or onstealde. he srest sceop eoröan bearnü heofon to hrofe halig scyppend. ^>a middangeard moncynnes weard ece drihten aefter teode firum foldan frea aslmihtig. (Now let us praise the Keeper of the heavenly kingdom, the might of the Creator and His thought, the works of the glorious Father, how He of each of wonders, eternal Lord, established the beginning. He first created for the children of earth heaven as a roof, the holy Shaper; then middle-earth the Keeper of mankind, eternal Lord, afterwards made for men, [made] the earth, the Lord almighty.) Nunc laudare debemus auctorem regni caelestis potentiam creatoris et consilium iliius facta patris gloriae quomodo ille cum sit aeternus deus omnium miraculorum auctor extitit qui primo filiis hominum caelum pro culmine tecti debinc terram custos humani generis omnipotens creavit Now we must praise the Guardian of Heaven, the might of the Lord and His purpose of mind, the work of the Glorious Father; for He, God Eternal, established each wonder. He, Holy Creator, first fashioned heaven as a roof for the sons of men. Then the Guardian of Mankind adorned this middle-earth below, the world for men, Everlasting Lord, Almighty King. Caedmon's Vision from Bede's História Ecclesiastica In this monastery of Whitby there lived a brother whom God's grace made remarkable. So skilful was he in composing religious and devotional songs, that he could quickly turn whatever passages of Scripture were explained to him into delightful and moving poetry in his own English tongue. These verses of his stirred the hearts of many folk to despise the world and aspire to heavenly things. Others after him tried to compose religious poems in English, but none could compare with him, for he received this gift of poetry as a gift from God and did not acquire it through any humán teacher. For