II. CHRISTIAN POETRY1. CÆDMONIAN SCHOOL[Concerning the man Cædmon, we have nothing but Bede’s account in hisEcclesiastical History(seep. 179 below) and Cædmon’s Hymn.Genesiswas first published in Amsterdam 1655, next in 1752. The first editions broughtGenesisunder Cædmon’s name, because of Bede’s account. There is, however, no such clue in the manuscript. The assignment ofGenesisto Cædmon was questioned by Hicks as early as 1689. The Cædmonian authorship was defended in the early part of the nineteenth century by Conybeare and Thorpe. It is now agreed that all the Cædmonian Paraphrases are probably by different authors.Cf. A. S. Cook, “The Name Cædmon,”Publications of the Modern Language Association of America, vi, 9, and “Cædmon and the Ruthwell Cross,”Modern Language Notes, v, 153.]CÆDMON’S HYMN[Text used: Kluge,Angelsächsisches Lesebuch.Prose translation: Kennedy,The Cædmon Poems, p. xvii.The poem is interesting in that it is found in two texts, the Northumbrian and the West Saxon. It is the only thing we have that was undoubtedly written by Cædmon.]Now shall we praisethe Prince of heaven,The might of the Makerand his manifold thought,The work of the Father:of what wonders he wroughtThe Lord everlasting,when he laid out the worlds.5He first raised upfor the race of menTheheaven as a roof,the holy Ruler.Then the world below,the Ward of mankind,The Lord everlasting,at last establishedAs a home for man,the Almighty Lord.Primo cantavitCædmonistud carmen.6.The many synonyms (known as “kennings”) make this passage impossible to translate into smooth English. This fact is true in a measure of all old English poetry, but it is especially the case with this hymn.BEDE’S DEATH SONG[Text used: Kluge,Angelsächsisches Lesebuch.This poem was attributed to Bede, who died in 735, by his pupil, Cuthbert, who translated it into Latin. The Northumbrian version is in a manuscript at St. Gall.These verses are examples of gnomic poetry, which was very popular in Old English literature. Miss Williams, in herGnomic Poetry in Anglo-Saxon(Columbia University Press, 1914), p. 67, says that this is the earliest gnomic expression in Old English for which a definite date may be set.Text criticism: Charlotte D’Evelyn, “Bede’s Death Song,”Modern Language Notes, xxx, 31.]Beforeleaving this lifethere lives no oneOf men of wisdomwho will not needTo consider and judge,ere he sets on his journey,What his soul shall be grantedof good or evil—5After his day of deathwhat doom he shall meet.1.Bede, the author of theEcclesiastical History of England, was the greatest figure in the English church of the seventh and eighth centuries.SELECTIONS FROM GENESIS[The poem readily divides itself into two parts:Genesis A, the bulk of the poem, andGenesis B, lines 235-853. The latter is a translation from the Old Saxon. The passage here translated is fromGenesis A.GENESIS ACritical edition ofGenesis A: F. Holthausen,Die ältere Genesis, Heidelberg, 1914.Translation: C. W. Kennedy,The Cædmon Poems, New York, 1916, p. 7.Partial translation: W. F. H. Bosanquet,The Fall of Man or Paradise Lost of Cædmon, London, 1869.Date and place: Early eighth century; Northern England. The author was obviously acquainted withBeowulf.Source: Vulgate Bible; first twenty-two chapters.]The Offering of Isaac2845Thenthe powerful Kingput to the testHis trusted servant;tried him sorelyTo learn if his lovewas lasting and certain.With strongest wordshe sternly said to him:“Hear me and hastenhence, O Abraham.2850As thou leavest, leadalong with theeThy own child Isaac!As an offering to meThyself shalt sacrificethy son with thy hands.When thy steps have struggledup the steep hill-side,To the height of the landwhich from here I shall show you—2855When thine own feet have climbed,there an altar erect me,Build a fire for thy son;and thyself shalt kill himWith the edge of the swordas a sacrifice to me;Let the black flame burnthe body of that dear one.”He delayed not his going,but began at once2860To prepare for departure:he was compelled to obeyThe angel of the Lord,and he loved his God.And then the faultlessfather AbrahamGave up his night’s rest;he by no means failedTo obey the Lord’s bidding,but the blessed man2865Girded his gray sword,God’s spirit he showedThat he bore in his breast.His beasts then he fed,This aged giver of gold.To go on the journeyTwo young men he summoned:his son made the third;He himself was the fourth.He set forward eagerly2870From his own homeand Isaac with him,The child ungrown,as charged by his God.Then he hurried aheadand hastened forthAlong the pathsthat the Lord had pointed,The way through the waste;till the wondrous bright2875Dawn of the third dayover the deep waterArose in radiance.Then the righteous manSaw the hill-tops risehigh around him,As the holy Rulerof heaven had shown him.Then Abraham saidto his serving-men:2880“O men of mine,remain here nowQuietly in this place!We shall quickly returnWhen we two have performedthe task before usWhich the Sovereign of soulshas assigned us to do.”The old man ascendedwith his own son2885To the place which the Lordhad appointed for them,Went through the wealds;the wood Isaac carried—His father the fire and the sword.Then first inquiredThe boy young in winters,in these words of Abraham:“Fire and sword, my father,we find here ready:2890Where is the glorious offeringwhich to God on the altarThou thinkest to bringand burn as a sacrifice?”Abraham answered(he had only one thingThat he wished to perform,the will of the Father):“The Sovereign of allhimself shall find it,2895As the Lord of menshall believe to be meet.”Up the steep hill struggledthe stout-hearted man,Leading the childas the Lord had charged,Till climbing he cameto the crest of the height,To the place appointedby the powerful Lord,2900Following the commandsof his faithful Master.He loaded the altarand lighted the fire,And fettered fastthe feet and handsOf his beloved sonand lifted upon itThe youthful Isaac,and instantly grasped2905The sword by the hilt;his son he would killWith his hands as he promisedand pour on the fireThe gore of his kinsman.—Then God’s servant,An angel of the Lord,to Abraham loudlySpoke with words.He awaited in quiet2910The behests from on highand he hailed the angel.Then forthwith spokefrom the spacious heavensThe messenger of God,with gracious words:“Burn not thy boy,O blessed Abraham,Lift up the ladalive from the altar;2915The God of Glorygrants him his life!O man of the Hebrews,as meed for thy obedience,Through the holy handof heaven’s King,Thyself shall receivea sacred reward,A liberal gift:the Lord of Glory2920Shall favor thee with fortune;his friendship shall beMore sacred than thy sonhimself to thee.”The altar still burned.Abraham was blessedBy the King of mankind,the kinsman of Lot,With the grace of God,since he gave his son,2925Isaac, alive.Then the aged man lookedAround over his shoulder,and a ram he sawNot far awayfastened aloneIn a bramble bush—Haran’s brothersaw it.Then Abraham seized itand set it on the altar2930In eager hastefor his own son.With his sword he smote it;as a sacrifice he adornedThe reeking altarwith the ram’s hot blood,Gave to his Godthis gift and thanked himFor all of the favorsthat before and after2935The Lord had allowed himin his loving grace.1.This selection is based directly on the biblical account of the offering of Isaac. The clearness with which the picture is visualized by the poet, and the fine restraint in the telling of the dramatic incident make this passage a fitting close for the paraphrase of Genesis.2928.Haran, the brother of Abraham, is mentioned in Genesis, 11:26, ff.SELECTIONS FROM EXODUS[Critical edition: Francis A. Blackburn,Exodus and Daniel, Boston and London, 1907, Belles-Lettres Series.Translation: Kennedy,The Cædmon Poems, p. 99.There can be no doubt that bothExodusandDanielare by different hands fromGenesis AorGenesis B, and they are themselves by different authors.]The Crossing of the Red SeaWhen these words had been utteredthe army arose;300Still stood the seafor the staunch warriors.The cohorts liftedtheir linden-shields,Their signals on the sand.The sea-wall mounted,Stood upright overIsrael’s legion,For day’s time;then the doughty band305Was of one mind.The wall of the sea-streamsHeld them unharmedin its hollow embrace.Theyspurned not the speechnor despised its teaching,Asthe wise man endedhis words of exhortingAnd the noise diminishedand mingled with the sound.310Then thefourth tribetraveled foremost,Went into the waves,the warriors in a bandOver the green ground;the goodly Jewish troopStruggled aloneover the strange pathBefore their kinsmen.So the King of heaven315For that day’s workmade deep reward,He gave them a greatand glorious victory,That to them should belongthe leadershipIn the kingdom, and triumphover their kinsmen and tribesmen.When they stepped on the sand,as a standard and sign320A beacon they raisedover the ranks of shields,Among the godly group,a golden lion,The boldest of beastsover the bravest of peoples.At the hands of their enemyno dishonor or shameWould they deign to endureall the days of their life,325While boldly in battlethey might brandish their shieldsAgainst any people.The awful conflict,The fight was at the front,furious soldiersWielding their weapons,warriors fearless,And bloody wounds,and wild battle-rushes,330The jostling of helmetswhere the Jews advanced.Marching after the armywere the eagerseamen,The sons of Reuben;raising their shieldsThe sea-vikings bore themover the salt waves,A multitude of men;a mighty throng335Went bravely forth.The birthright of ReubenWas forfeited by his sins,so that he followed afterIn his comrade’s track.In the tribes of the Hebrews,The blessings of the birthrighthis brother enjoyed,His riches and rank;yet Reuben was brave.340Followinghim camethe folk in crowds,The sons of Simeonin swarming bands,The third great host.With hoisted bannersOver the watery paththe war-troop pressedDewy under their shafts.When daylight shone345Over the brink of the sea,—the beacon of God,The bright morning,—the battle-lined marched.Each of the tribestraveled in order.At the head of the helmetedhost was one man,Mightiest in majestyand most renowned;350He led forward the folkas they followed the cloud,By tribes and by troops.Each truly knewThe right of rankas arranged by Moses,Every man’s order.They were all from one father.Theirsacred sirereceived hisland-right,355Wise in counsel,well-loved by his kinsmen.He gave birth to a brave,bold-hearted race,The sage patriarchto a sacred people,To the Children of Israel,the chosen of God.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .The folk were affrightedwith fear of the ocean;Sad were their souls.The sea threatened death;The sides of the hillwere soaked with blood;450Gory was the flood,confusion on the waves,The water full of weapons;the wave-mist arose.The Egyptians turnedand journeyed backward;They fled in fright;fear overtook them;Hurrying in hastetheir homes they sought;455Their pride had fallen;they felt sweep over themThe welling waters;not one returnedOf the host to their homes,but behind they were lockedBy Wyrd in the waves.Where once was the pathThe breakers beatand bore down the army.460The stream stood up;the storm aroseHigh to the heavens,the harshest of noises.Dark grew the clouds.The doomed ones criedWith fated voices;the foam became bloody.The sea-walls were scatteredand the skies were lashed465With the direst of deaths;the daring ones were slain,The princes in their pomp—they were past all helpIn the edge of the ocean.Their armor shoneHigh over the hosts.Over the haughty ones pouredThe stream in its strength.Destroyed were the troop470And fettered fast;they could find no escape.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .The Egyptians wereFor that day’s workdeeply punished,Because not any of the armyever came home;Of that mighty multitudethere remained not a one510Who could tell the taleof the traveling forthWho could announce in the citiesthe sorrowful newsTo the wives of the warriorsof the woeful disaster.But the sea-death swallowedthe sinful men,And their messengers too,in the midst of their power,515And destroyed their pride,for they strove against God.299.Moses has just finished telling the children of Israel that he has been able to make the sea part its waves so that they may walk across unharmed.307, 308.This passage is obscure in meaning.310.The tribe of Judah lead the way. They are followed by the tribe of Reuben (v. 331) and then by the tribe of Simeon (v. 340). This order is perhaps taken from Numbers, chapter ii.331.The Children of Israel are called “sailors” in the poem, but no satisfactory explanation has been made of the usage.335, 336.See Genesis 49:4.354.This refers to God’s promise to Abraham. See Genesis 15:18; 22:17.
1. CÆDMONIAN SCHOOL[Concerning the man Cædmon, we have nothing but Bede’s account in hisEcclesiastical History(seep. 179 below) and Cædmon’s Hymn.Genesiswas first published in Amsterdam 1655, next in 1752. The first editions broughtGenesisunder Cædmon’s name, because of Bede’s account. There is, however, no such clue in the manuscript. The assignment ofGenesisto Cædmon was questioned by Hicks as early as 1689. The Cædmonian authorship was defended in the early part of the nineteenth century by Conybeare and Thorpe. It is now agreed that all the Cædmonian Paraphrases are probably by different authors.Cf. A. S. Cook, “The Name Cædmon,”Publications of the Modern Language Association of America, vi, 9, and “Cædmon and the Ruthwell Cross,”Modern Language Notes, v, 153.]CÆDMON’S HYMN[Text used: Kluge,Angelsächsisches Lesebuch.Prose translation: Kennedy,The Cædmon Poems, p. xvii.The poem is interesting in that it is found in two texts, the Northumbrian and the West Saxon. It is the only thing we have that was undoubtedly written by Cædmon.]Now shall we praisethe Prince of heaven,The might of the Makerand his manifold thought,The work of the Father:of what wonders he wroughtThe Lord everlasting,when he laid out the worlds.5He first raised upfor the race of menTheheaven as a roof,the holy Ruler.Then the world below,the Ward of mankind,The Lord everlasting,at last establishedAs a home for man,the Almighty Lord.Primo cantavitCædmonistud carmen.6.The many synonyms (known as “kennings”) make this passage impossible to translate into smooth English. This fact is true in a measure of all old English poetry, but it is especially the case with this hymn.BEDE’S DEATH SONG[Text used: Kluge,Angelsächsisches Lesebuch.This poem was attributed to Bede, who died in 735, by his pupil, Cuthbert, who translated it into Latin. The Northumbrian version is in a manuscript at St. Gall.These verses are examples of gnomic poetry, which was very popular in Old English literature. Miss Williams, in herGnomic Poetry in Anglo-Saxon(Columbia University Press, 1914), p. 67, says that this is the earliest gnomic expression in Old English for which a definite date may be set.Text criticism: Charlotte D’Evelyn, “Bede’s Death Song,”Modern Language Notes, xxx, 31.]Beforeleaving this lifethere lives no oneOf men of wisdomwho will not needTo consider and judge,ere he sets on his journey,What his soul shall be grantedof good or evil—5After his day of deathwhat doom he shall meet.1.Bede, the author of theEcclesiastical History of England, was the greatest figure in the English church of the seventh and eighth centuries.SELECTIONS FROM GENESIS[The poem readily divides itself into two parts:Genesis A, the bulk of the poem, andGenesis B, lines 235-853. The latter is a translation from the Old Saxon. The passage here translated is fromGenesis A.GENESIS ACritical edition ofGenesis A: F. Holthausen,Die ältere Genesis, Heidelberg, 1914.Translation: C. W. Kennedy,The Cædmon Poems, New York, 1916, p. 7.Partial translation: W. F. H. Bosanquet,The Fall of Man or Paradise Lost of Cædmon, London, 1869.Date and place: Early eighth century; Northern England. The author was obviously acquainted withBeowulf.Source: Vulgate Bible; first twenty-two chapters.]The Offering of Isaac2845Thenthe powerful Kingput to the testHis trusted servant;tried him sorelyTo learn if his lovewas lasting and certain.With strongest wordshe sternly said to him:“Hear me and hastenhence, O Abraham.2850As thou leavest, leadalong with theeThy own child Isaac!As an offering to meThyself shalt sacrificethy son with thy hands.When thy steps have struggledup the steep hill-side,To the height of the landwhich from here I shall show you—2855When thine own feet have climbed,there an altar erect me,Build a fire for thy son;and thyself shalt kill himWith the edge of the swordas a sacrifice to me;Let the black flame burnthe body of that dear one.”He delayed not his going,but began at once2860To prepare for departure:he was compelled to obeyThe angel of the Lord,and he loved his God.And then the faultlessfather AbrahamGave up his night’s rest;he by no means failedTo obey the Lord’s bidding,but the blessed man2865Girded his gray sword,God’s spirit he showedThat he bore in his breast.His beasts then he fed,This aged giver of gold.To go on the journeyTwo young men he summoned:his son made the third;He himself was the fourth.He set forward eagerly2870From his own homeand Isaac with him,The child ungrown,as charged by his God.Then he hurried aheadand hastened forthAlong the pathsthat the Lord had pointed,The way through the waste;till the wondrous bright2875Dawn of the third dayover the deep waterArose in radiance.Then the righteous manSaw the hill-tops risehigh around him,As the holy Rulerof heaven had shown him.Then Abraham saidto his serving-men:2880“O men of mine,remain here nowQuietly in this place!We shall quickly returnWhen we two have performedthe task before usWhich the Sovereign of soulshas assigned us to do.”The old man ascendedwith his own son2885To the place which the Lordhad appointed for them,Went through the wealds;the wood Isaac carried—His father the fire and the sword.Then first inquiredThe boy young in winters,in these words of Abraham:“Fire and sword, my father,we find here ready:2890Where is the glorious offeringwhich to God on the altarThou thinkest to bringand burn as a sacrifice?”Abraham answered(he had only one thingThat he wished to perform,the will of the Father):“The Sovereign of allhimself shall find it,2895As the Lord of menshall believe to be meet.”Up the steep hill struggledthe stout-hearted man,Leading the childas the Lord had charged,Till climbing he cameto the crest of the height,To the place appointedby the powerful Lord,2900Following the commandsof his faithful Master.He loaded the altarand lighted the fire,And fettered fastthe feet and handsOf his beloved sonand lifted upon itThe youthful Isaac,and instantly grasped2905The sword by the hilt;his son he would killWith his hands as he promisedand pour on the fireThe gore of his kinsman.—Then God’s servant,An angel of the Lord,to Abraham loudlySpoke with words.He awaited in quiet2910The behests from on highand he hailed the angel.Then forthwith spokefrom the spacious heavensThe messenger of God,with gracious words:“Burn not thy boy,O blessed Abraham,Lift up the ladalive from the altar;2915The God of Glorygrants him his life!O man of the Hebrews,as meed for thy obedience,Through the holy handof heaven’s King,Thyself shall receivea sacred reward,A liberal gift:the Lord of Glory2920Shall favor thee with fortune;his friendship shall beMore sacred than thy sonhimself to thee.”The altar still burned.Abraham was blessedBy the King of mankind,the kinsman of Lot,With the grace of God,since he gave his son,2925Isaac, alive.Then the aged man lookedAround over his shoulder,and a ram he sawNot far awayfastened aloneIn a bramble bush—Haran’s brothersaw it.Then Abraham seized itand set it on the altar2930In eager hastefor his own son.With his sword he smote it;as a sacrifice he adornedThe reeking altarwith the ram’s hot blood,Gave to his Godthis gift and thanked himFor all of the favorsthat before and after2935The Lord had allowed himin his loving grace.1.This selection is based directly on the biblical account of the offering of Isaac. The clearness with which the picture is visualized by the poet, and the fine restraint in the telling of the dramatic incident make this passage a fitting close for the paraphrase of Genesis.2928.Haran, the brother of Abraham, is mentioned in Genesis, 11:26, ff.SELECTIONS FROM EXODUS[Critical edition: Francis A. Blackburn,Exodus and Daniel, Boston and London, 1907, Belles-Lettres Series.Translation: Kennedy,The Cædmon Poems, p. 99.There can be no doubt that bothExodusandDanielare by different hands fromGenesis AorGenesis B, and they are themselves by different authors.]The Crossing of the Red SeaWhen these words had been utteredthe army arose;300Still stood the seafor the staunch warriors.The cohorts liftedtheir linden-shields,Their signals on the sand.The sea-wall mounted,Stood upright overIsrael’s legion,For day’s time;then the doughty band305Was of one mind.The wall of the sea-streamsHeld them unharmedin its hollow embrace.Theyspurned not the speechnor despised its teaching,Asthe wise man endedhis words of exhortingAnd the noise diminishedand mingled with the sound.310Then thefourth tribetraveled foremost,Went into the waves,the warriors in a bandOver the green ground;the goodly Jewish troopStruggled aloneover the strange pathBefore their kinsmen.So the King of heaven315For that day’s workmade deep reward,He gave them a greatand glorious victory,That to them should belongthe leadershipIn the kingdom, and triumphover their kinsmen and tribesmen.When they stepped on the sand,as a standard and sign320A beacon they raisedover the ranks of shields,Among the godly group,a golden lion,The boldest of beastsover the bravest of peoples.At the hands of their enemyno dishonor or shameWould they deign to endureall the days of their life,325While boldly in battlethey might brandish their shieldsAgainst any people.The awful conflict,The fight was at the front,furious soldiersWielding their weapons,warriors fearless,And bloody wounds,and wild battle-rushes,330The jostling of helmetswhere the Jews advanced.Marching after the armywere the eagerseamen,The sons of Reuben;raising their shieldsThe sea-vikings bore themover the salt waves,A multitude of men;a mighty throng335Went bravely forth.The birthright of ReubenWas forfeited by his sins,so that he followed afterIn his comrade’s track.In the tribes of the Hebrews,The blessings of the birthrighthis brother enjoyed,His riches and rank;yet Reuben was brave.340Followinghim camethe folk in crowds,The sons of Simeonin swarming bands,The third great host.With hoisted bannersOver the watery paththe war-troop pressedDewy under their shafts.When daylight shone345Over the brink of the sea,—the beacon of God,The bright morning,—the battle-lined marched.Each of the tribestraveled in order.At the head of the helmetedhost was one man,Mightiest in majestyand most renowned;350He led forward the folkas they followed the cloud,By tribes and by troops.Each truly knewThe right of rankas arranged by Moses,Every man’s order.They were all from one father.Theirsacred sirereceived hisland-right,355Wise in counsel,well-loved by his kinsmen.He gave birth to a brave,bold-hearted race,The sage patriarchto a sacred people,To the Children of Israel,the chosen of God.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .The folk were affrightedwith fear of the ocean;Sad were their souls.The sea threatened death;The sides of the hillwere soaked with blood;450Gory was the flood,confusion on the waves,The water full of weapons;the wave-mist arose.The Egyptians turnedand journeyed backward;They fled in fright;fear overtook them;Hurrying in hastetheir homes they sought;455Their pride had fallen;they felt sweep over themThe welling waters;not one returnedOf the host to their homes,but behind they were lockedBy Wyrd in the waves.Where once was the pathThe breakers beatand bore down the army.460The stream stood up;the storm aroseHigh to the heavens,the harshest of noises.Dark grew the clouds.The doomed ones criedWith fated voices;the foam became bloody.The sea-walls were scatteredand the skies were lashed465With the direst of deaths;the daring ones were slain,The princes in their pomp—they were past all helpIn the edge of the ocean.Their armor shoneHigh over the hosts.Over the haughty ones pouredThe stream in its strength.Destroyed were the troop470And fettered fast;they could find no escape.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .The Egyptians wereFor that day’s workdeeply punished,Because not any of the armyever came home;Of that mighty multitudethere remained not a one510Who could tell the taleof the traveling forthWho could announce in the citiesthe sorrowful newsTo the wives of the warriorsof the woeful disaster.But the sea-death swallowedthe sinful men,And their messengers too,in the midst of their power,515And destroyed their pride,for they strove against God.299.Moses has just finished telling the children of Israel that he has been able to make the sea part its waves so that they may walk across unharmed.307, 308.This passage is obscure in meaning.310.The tribe of Judah lead the way. They are followed by the tribe of Reuben (v. 331) and then by the tribe of Simeon (v. 340). This order is perhaps taken from Numbers, chapter ii.331.The Children of Israel are called “sailors” in the poem, but no satisfactory explanation has been made of the usage.335, 336.See Genesis 49:4.354.This refers to God’s promise to Abraham. See Genesis 15:18; 22:17.
[Concerning the man Cædmon, we have nothing but Bede’s account in hisEcclesiastical History(seep. 179 below) and Cædmon’s Hymn.Genesiswas first published in Amsterdam 1655, next in 1752. The first editions broughtGenesisunder Cædmon’s name, because of Bede’s account. There is, however, no such clue in the manuscript. The assignment ofGenesisto Cædmon was questioned by Hicks as early as 1689. The Cædmonian authorship was defended in the early part of the nineteenth century by Conybeare and Thorpe. It is now agreed that all the Cædmonian Paraphrases are probably by different authors.Cf. A. S. Cook, “The Name Cædmon,”Publications of the Modern Language Association of America, vi, 9, and “Cædmon and the Ruthwell Cross,”Modern Language Notes, v, 153.]
[Concerning the man Cædmon, we have nothing but Bede’s account in hisEcclesiastical History(seep. 179 below) and Cædmon’s Hymn.
Genesiswas first published in Amsterdam 1655, next in 1752. The first editions broughtGenesisunder Cædmon’s name, because of Bede’s account. There is, however, no such clue in the manuscript. The assignment ofGenesisto Cædmon was questioned by Hicks as early as 1689. The Cædmonian authorship was defended in the early part of the nineteenth century by Conybeare and Thorpe. It is now agreed that all the Cædmonian Paraphrases are probably by different authors.
Cf. A. S. Cook, “The Name Cædmon,”Publications of the Modern Language Association of America, vi, 9, and “Cædmon and the Ruthwell Cross,”Modern Language Notes, v, 153.]
CÆDMON’S HYMN[Text used: Kluge,Angelsächsisches Lesebuch.Prose translation: Kennedy,The Cædmon Poems, p. xvii.The poem is interesting in that it is found in two texts, the Northumbrian and the West Saxon. It is the only thing we have that was undoubtedly written by Cædmon.]Now shall we praisethe Prince of heaven,The might of the Makerand his manifold thought,The work of the Father:of what wonders he wroughtThe Lord everlasting,when he laid out the worlds.5He first raised upfor the race of menTheheaven as a roof,the holy Ruler.Then the world below,the Ward of mankind,The Lord everlasting,at last establishedAs a home for man,the Almighty Lord.Primo cantavitCædmonistud carmen.6.The many synonyms (known as “kennings”) make this passage impossible to translate into smooth English. This fact is true in a measure of all old English poetry, but it is especially the case with this hymn.
[Text used: Kluge,Angelsächsisches Lesebuch.Prose translation: Kennedy,The Cædmon Poems, p. xvii.The poem is interesting in that it is found in two texts, the Northumbrian and the West Saxon. It is the only thing we have that was undoubtedly written by Cædmon.]
[Text used: Kluge,Angelsächsisches Lesebuch.
Prose translation: Kennedy,The Cædmon Poems, p. xvii.
The poem is interesting in that it is found in two texts, the Northumbrian and the West Saxon. It is the only thing we have that was undoubtedly written by Cædmon.]
Now shall we praisethe Prince of heaven,The might of the Makerand his manifold thought,The work of the Father:of what wonders he wroughtThe Lord everlasting,when he laid out the worlds.5He first raised upfor the race of menTheheaven as a roof,the holy Ruler.Then the world below,the Ward of mankind,The Lord everlasting,at last establishedAs a home for man,the Almighty Lord.Primo cantavitCædmonistud carmen.
Now shall we praisethe Prince of heaven,
The might of the Makerand his manifold thought,
The work of the Father:of what wonders he wrought
The Lord everlasting,when he laid out the worlds.
5He first raised upfor the race of men
Theheaven as a roof,the holy Ruler.
Then the world below,the Ward of mankind,
The Lord everlasting,at last established
As a home for man,the Almighty Lord.
Primo cantavitCædmonistud carmen.
6.The many synonyms (known as “kennings”) make this passage impossible to translate into smooth English. This fact is true in a measure of all old English poetry, but it is especially the case with this hymn.
6.The many synonyms (known as “kennings”) make this passage impossible to translate into smooth English. This fact is true in a measure of all old English poetry, but it is especially the case with this hymn.
BEDE’S DEATH SONG[Text used: Kluge,Angelsächsisches Lesebuch.This poem was attributed to Bede, who died in 735, by his pupil, Cuthbert, who translated it into Latin. The Northumbrian version is in a manuscript at St. Gall.These verses are examples of gnomic poetry, which was very popular in Old English literature. Miss Williams, in herGnomic Poetry in Anglo-Saxon(Columbia University Press, 1914), p. 67, says that this is the earliest gnomic expression in Old English for which a definite date may be set.Text criticism: Charlotte D’Evelyn, “Bede’s Death Song,”Modern Language Notes, xxx, 31.]Beforeleaving this lifethere lives no oneOf men of wisdomwho will not needTo consider and judge,ere he sets on his journey,What his soul shall be grantedof good or evil—5After his day of deathwhat doom he shall meet.1.Bede, the author of theEcclesiastical History of England, was the greatest figure in the English church of the seventh and eighth centuries.
[Text used: Kluge,Angelsächsisches Lesebuch.This poem was attributed to Bede, who died in 735, by his pupil, Cuthbert, who translated it into Latin. The Northumbrian version is in a manuscript at St. Gall.These verses are examples of gnomic poetry, which was very popular in Old English literature. Miss Williams, in herGnomic Poetry in Anglo-Saxon(Columbia University Press, 1914), p. 67, says that this is the earliest gnomic expression in Old English for which a definite date may be set.Text criticism: Charlotte D’Evelyn, “Bede’s Death Song,”Modern Language Notes, xxx, 31.]
[Text used: Kluge,Angelsächsisches Lesebuch.
This poem was attributed to Bede, who died in 735, by his pupil, Cuthbert, who translated it into Latin. The Northumbrian version is in a manuscript at St. Gall.
These verses are examples of gnomic poetry, which was very popular in Old English literature. Miss Williams, in herGnomic Poetry in Anglo-Saxon(Columbia University Press, 1914), p. 67, says that this is the earliest gnomic expression in Old English for which a definite date may be set.
Text criticism: Charlotte D’Evelyn, “Bede’s Death Song,”Modern Language Notes, xxx, 31.]
Beforeleaving this lifethere lives no oneOf men of wisdomwho will not needTo consider and judge,ere he sets on his journey,What his soul shall be grantedof good or evil—5After his day of deathwhat doom he shall meet.
Beforeleaving this lifethere lives no one
Of men of wisdomwho will not need
To consider and judge,ere he sets on his journey,
What his soul shall be grantedof good or evil—
5After his day of deathwhat doom he shall meet.
1.Bede, the author of theEcclesiastical History of England, was the greatest figure in the English church of the seventh and eighth centuries.
1.Bede, the author of theEcclesiastical History of England, was the greatest figure in the English church of the seventh and eighth centuries.
SELECTIONS FROM GENESIS[The poem readily divides itself into two parts:Genesis A, the bulk of the poem, andGenesis B, lines 235-853. The latter is a translation from the Old Saxon. The passage here translated is fromGenesis A.GENESIS ACritical edition ofGenesis A: F. Holthausen,Die ältere Genesis, Heidelberg, 1914.Translation: C. W. Kennedy,The Cædmon Poems, New York, 1916, p. 7.Partial translation: W. F. H. Bosanquet,The Fall of Man or Paradise Lost of Cædmon, London, 1869.Date and place: Early eighth century; Northern England. The author was obviously acquainted withBeowulf.Source: Vulgate Bible; first twenty-two chapters.]The Offering of Isaac2845Thenthe powerful Kingput to the testHis trusted servant;tried him sorelyTo learn if his lovewas lasting and certain.With strongest wordshe sternly said to him:“Hear me and hastenhence, O Abraham.2850As thou leavest, leadalong with theeThy own child Isaac!As an offering to meThyself shalt sacrificethy son with thy hands.When thy steps have struggledup the steep hill-side,To the height of the landwhich from here I shall show you—2855When thine own feet have climbed,there an altar erect me,Build a fire for thy son;and thyself shalt kill himWith the edge of the swordas a sacrifice to me;Let the black flame burnthe body of that dear one.”He delayed not his going,but began at once2860To prepare for departure:he was compelled to obeyThe angel of the Lord,and he loved his God.And then the faultlessfather AbrahamGave up his night’s rest;he by no means failedTo obey the Lord’s bidding,but the blessed man2865Girded his gray sword,God’s spirit he showedThat he bore in his breast.His beasts then he fed,This aged giver of gold.To go on the journeyTwo young men he summoned:his son made the third;He himself was the fourth.He set forward eagerly2870From his own homeand Isaac with him,The child ungrown,as charged by his God.Then he hurried aheadand hastened forthAlong the pathsthat the Lord had pointed,The way through the waste;till the wondrous bright2875Dawn of the third dayover the deep waterArose in radiance.Then the righteous manSaw the hill-tops risehigh around him,As the holy Rulerof heaven had shown him.Then Abraham saidto his serving-men:2880“O men of mine,remain here nowQuietly in this place!We shall quickly returnWhen we two have performedthe task before usWhich the Sovereign of soulshas assigned us to do.”The old man ascendedwith his own son2885To the place which the Lordhad appointed for them,Went through the wealds;the wood Isaac carried—His father the fire and the sword.Then first inquiredThe boy young in winters,in these words of Abraham:“Fire and sword, my father,we find here ready:2890Where is the glorious offeringwhich to God on the altarThou thinkest to bringand burn as a sacrifice?”Abraham answered(he had only one thingThat he wished to perform,the will of the Father):“The Sovereign of allhimself shall find it,2895As the Lord of menshall believe to be meet.”Up the steep hill struggledthe stout-hearted man,Leading the childas the Lord had charged,Till climbing he cameto the crest of the height,To the place appointedby the powerful Lord,2900Following the commandsof his faithful Master.He loaded the altarand lighted the fire,And fettered fastthe feet and handsOf his beloved sonand lifted upon itThe youthful Isaac,and instantly grasped2905The sword by the hilt;his son he would killWith his hands as he promisedand pour on the fireThe gore of his kinsman.—Then God’s servant,An angel of the Lord,to Abraham loudlySpoke with words.He awaited in quiet2910The behests from on highand he hailed the angel.Then forthwith spokefrom the spacious heavensThe messenger of God,with gracious words:“Burn not thy boy,O blessed Abraham,Lift up the ladalive from the altar;2915The God of Glorygrants him his life!O man of the Hebrews,as meed for thy obedience,Through the holy handof heaven’s King,Thyself shall receivea sacred reward,A liberal gift:the Lord of Glory2920Shall favor thee with fortune;his friendship shall beMore sacred than thy sonhimself to thee.”The altar still burned.Abraham was blessedBy the King of mankind,the kinsman of Lot,With the grace of God,since he gave his son,2925Isaac, alive.Then the aged man lookedAround over his shoulder,and a ram he sawNot far awayfastened aloneIn a bramble bush—Haran’s brothersaw it.Then Abraham seized itand set it on the altar2930In eager hastefor his own son.With his sword he smote it;as a sacrifice he adornedThe reeking altarwith the ram’s hot blood,Gave to his Godthis gift and thanked himFor all of the favorsthat before and after2935The Lord had allowed himin his loving grace.1.This selection is based directly on the biblical account of the offering of Isaac. The clearness with which the picture is visualized by the poet, and the fine restraint in the telling of the dramatic incident make this passage a fitting close for the paraphrase of Genesis.2928.Haran, the brother of Abraham, is mentioned in Genesis, 11:26, ff.
[The poem readily divides itself into two parts:Genesis A, the bulk of the poem, andGenesis B, lines 235-853. The latter is a translation from the Old Saxon. The passage here translated is fromGenesis A.
Critical edition ofGenesis A: F. Holthausen,Die ältere Genesis, Heidelberg, 1914.Translation: C. W. Kennedy,The Cædmon Poems, New York, 1916, p. 7.Partial translation: W. F. H. Bosanquet,The Fall of Man or Paradise Lost of Cædmon, London, 1869.Date and place: Early eighth century; Northern England. The author was obviously acquainted withBeowulf.Source: Vulgate Bible; first twenty-two chapters.]
Critical edition ofGenesis A: F. Holthausen,Die ältere Genesis, Heidelberg, 1914.
Translation: C. W. Kennedy,The Cædmon Poems, New York, 1916, p. 7.
Partial translation: W. F. H. Bosanquet,The Fall of Man or Paradise Lost of Cædmon, London, 1869.
Date and place: Early eighth century; Northern England. The author was obviously acquainted withBeowulf.
Source: Vulgate Bible; first twenty-two chapters.]
2845Thenthe powerful Kingput to the testHis trusted servant;tried him sorelyTo learn if his lovewas lasting and certain.With strongest wordshe sternly said to him:“Hear me and hastenhence, O Abraham.2850As thou leavest, leadalong with theeThy own child Isaac!As an offering to meThyself shalt sacrificethy son with thy hands.When thy steps have struggledup the steep hill-side,To the height of the landwhich from here I shall show you—2855When thine own feet have climbed,there an altar erect me,Build a fire for thy son;and thyself shalt kill himWith the edge of the swordas a sacrifice to me;Let the black flame burnthe body of that dear one.”He delayed not his going,but began at once2860To prepare for departure:he was compelled to obeyThe angel of the Lord,and he loved his God.And then the faultlessfather AbrahamGave up his night’s rest;he by no means failedTo obey the Lord’s bidding,but the blessed man2865Girded his gray sword,God’s spirit he showedThat he bore in his breast.His beasts then he fed,This aged giver of gold.To go on the journeyTwo young men he summoned:his son made the third;He himself was the fourth.He set forward eagerly2870From his own homeand Isaac with him,The child ungrown,as charged by his God.Then he hurried aheadand hastened forthAlong the pathsthat the Lord had pointed,The way through the waste;till the wondrous bright2875Dawn of the third dayover the deep waterArose in radiance.Then the righteous manSaw the hill-tops risehigh around him,As the holy Rulerof heaven had shown him.Then Abraham saidto his serving-men:2880“O men of mine,remain here nowQuietly in this place!We shall quickly returnWhen we two have performedthe task before usWhich the Sovereign of soulshas assigned us to do.”The old man ascendedwith his own son2885To the place which the Lordhad appointed for them,Went through the wealds;the wood Isaac carried—His father the fire and the sword.Then first inquiredThe boy young in winters,in these words of Abraham:“Fire and sword, my father,we find here ready:2890Where is the glorious offeringwhich to God on the altarThou thinkest to bringand burn as a sacrifice?”Abraham answered(he had only one thingThat he wished to perform,the will of the Father):“The Sovereign of allhimself shall find it,2895As the Lord of menshall believe to be meet.”Up the steep hill struggledthe stout-hearted man,Leading the childas the Lord had charged,Till climbing he cameto the crest of the height,To the place appointedby the powerful Lord,2900Following the commandsof his faithful Master.He loaded the altarand lighted the fire,And fettered fastthe feet and handsOf his beloved sonand lifted upon itThe youthful Isaac,and instantly grasped2905The sword by the hilt;his son he would killWith his hands as he promisedand pour on the fireThe gore of his kinsman.—Then God’s servant,An angel of the Lord,to Abraham loudlySpoke with words.He awaited in quiet2910The behests from on highand he hailed the angel.Then forthwith spokefrom the spacious heavensThe messenger of God,with gracious words:“Burn not thy boy,O blessed Abraham,Lift up the ladalive from the altar;2915The God of Glorygrants him his life!O man of the Hebrews,as meed for thy obedience,Through the holy handof heaven’s King,Thyself shall receivea sacred reward,A liberal gift:the Lord of Glory2920Shall favor thee with fortune;his friendship shall beMore sacred than thy sonhimself to thee.”The altar still burned.Abraham was blessedBy the King of mankind,the kinsman of Lot,With the grace of God,since he gave his son,2925Isaac, alive.Then the aged man lookedAround over his shoulder,and a ram he sawNot far awayfastened aloneIn a bramble bush—Haran’s brothersaw it.Then Abraham seized itand set it on the altar2930In eager hastefor his own son.With his sword he smote it;as a sacrifice he adornedThe reeking altarwith the ram’s hot blood,Gave to his Godthis gift and thanked himFor all of the favorsthat before and after2935The Lord had allowed himin his loving grace.
2845Thenthe powerful Kingput to the test
His trusted servant;tried him sorely
To learn if his lovewas lasting and certain.
With strongest wordshe sternly said to him:
“Hear me and hastenhence, O Abraham.
2850As thou leavest, leadalong with thee
Thy own child Isaac!As an offering to me
Thyself shalt sacrificethy son with thy hands.
When thy steps have struggledup the steep hill-side,
To the height of the landwhich from here I shall show you—
2855When thine own feet have climbed,there an altar erect me,
Build a fire for thy son;and thyself shalt kill him
With the edge of the swordas a sacrifice to me;
Let the black flame burnthe body of that dear one.”
He delayed not his going,but began at once
2860To prepare for departure:he was compelled to obey
The angel of the Lord,and he loved his God.
And then the faultlessfather Abraham
Gave up his night’s rest;he by no means failed
To obey the Lord’s bidding,but the blessed man
2865Girded his gray sword,God’s spirit he showed
That he bore in his breast.His beasts then he fed,
This aged giver of gold.To go on the journey
Two young men he summoned:his son made the third;
He himself was the fourth.He set forward eagerly
2870From his own homeand Isaac with him,
The child ungrown,as charged by his God.
Then he hurried aheadand hastened forth
Along the pathsthat the Lord had pointed,
The way through the waste;till the wondrous bright
2875Dawn of the third dayover the deep water
Arose in radiance.Then the righteous man
Saw the hill-tops risehigh around him,
As the holy Rulerof heaven had shown him.
Then Abraham saidto his serving-men:
2880“O men of mine,remain here now
Quietly in this place!We shall quickly return
When we two have performedthe task before us
Which the Sovereign of soulshas assigned us to do.”
The old man ascendedwith his own son
2885To the place which the Lordhad appointed for them,
Went through the wealds;the wood Isaac carried—
His father the fire and the sword.Then first inquired
The boy young in winters,in these words of Abraham:
“Fire and sword, my father,we find here ready:
2890Where is the glorious offeringwhich to God on the altar
Thou thinkest to bringand burn as a sacrifice?”
Abraham answered(he had only one thing
That he wished to perform,the will of the Father):
“The Sovereign of allhimself shall find it,
2895As the Lord of menshall believe to be meet.”
Up the steep hill struggledthe stout-hearted man,
Leading the childas the Lord had charged,
Till climbing he cameto the crest of the height,
To the place appointedby the powerful Lord,
2900Following the commandsof his faithful Master.
He loaded the altarand lighted the fire,
And fettered fastthe feet and hands
Of his beloved sonand lifted upon it
The youthful Isaac,and instantly grasped
2905The sword by the hilt;his son he would kill
With his hands as he promisedand pour on the fire
The gore of his kinsman.—Then God’s servant,
An angel of the Lord,to Abraham loudly
Spoke with words.He awaited in quiet
2910The behests from on highand he hailed the angel.
Then forthwith spokefrom the spacious heavens
The messenger of God,with gracious words:
“Burn not thy boy,O blessed Abraham,
Lift up the ladalive from the altar;
2915The God of Glorygrants him his life!
O man of the Hebrews,as meed for thy obedience,
Through the holy handof heaven’s King,
Thyself shall receivea sacred reward,
A liberal gift:the Lord of Glory
2920Shall favor thee with fortune;his friendship shall be
More sacred than thy sonhimself to thee.”
The altar still burned.Abraham was blessed
By the King of mankind,the kinsman of Lot,
With the grace of God,since he gave his son,
2925Isaac, alive.Then the aged man looked
Around over his shoulder,and a ram he saw
Not far awayfastened alone
In a bramble bush—Haran’s brothersaw it.
Then Abraham seized itand set it on the altar
2930In eager hastefor his own son.
With his sword he smote it;as a sacrifice he adorned
The reeking altarwith the ram’s hot blood,
Gave to his Godthis gift and thanked him
For all of the favorsthat before and after
2935The Lord had allowed himin his loving grace.
1.This selection is based directly on the biblical account of the offering of Isaac. The clearness with which the picture is visualized by the poet, and the fine restraint in the telling of the dramatic incident make this passage a fitting close for the paraphrase of Genesis.2928.Haran, the brother of Abraham, is mentioned in Genesis, 11:26, ff.
1.This selection is based directly on the biblical account of the offering of Isaac. The clearness with which the picture is visualized by the poet, and the fine restraint in the telling of the dramatic incident make this passage a fitting close for the paraphrase of Genesis.
2928.Haran, the brother of Abraham, is mentioned in Genesis, 11:26, ff.
SELECTIONS FROM EXODUS[Critical edition: Francis A. Blackburn,Exodus and Daniel, Boston and London, 1907, Belles-Lettres Series.Translation: Kennedy,The Cædmon Poems, p. 99.There can be no doubt that bothExodusandDanielare by different hands fromGenesis AorGenesis B, and they are themselves by different authors.]The Crossing of the Red SeaWhen these words had been utteredthe army arose;300Still stood the seafor the staunch warriors.The cohorts liftedtheir linden-shields,Their signals on the sand.The sea-wall mounted,Stood upright overIsrael’s legion,For day’s time;then the doughty band305Was of one mind.The wall of the sea-streamsHeld them unharmedin its hollow embrace.Theyspurned not the speechnor despised its teaching,Asthe wise man endedhis words of exhortingAnd the noise diminishedand mingled with the sound.310Then thefourth tribetraveled foremost,Went into the waves,the warriors in a bandOver the green ground;the goodly Jewish troopStruggled aloneover the strange pathBefore their kinsmen.So the King of heaven315For that day’s workmade deep reward,He gave them a greatand glorious victory,That to them should belongthe leadershipIn the kingdom, and triumphover their kinsmen and tribesmen.When they stepped on the sand,as a standard and sign320A beacon they raisedover the ranks of shields,Among the godly group,a golden lion,The boldest of beastsover the bravest of peoples.At the hands of their enemyno dishonor or shameWould they deign to endureall the days of their life,325While boldly in battlethey might brandish their shieldsAgainst any people.The awful conflict,The fight was at the front,furious soldiersWielding their weapons,warriors fearless,And bloody wounds,and wild battle-rushes,330The jostling of helmetswhere the Jews advanced.Marching after the armywere the eagerseamen,The sons of Reuben;raising their shieldsThe sea-vikings bore themover the salt waves,A multitude of men;a mighty throng335Went bravely forth.The birthright of ReubenWas forfeited by his sins,so that he followed afterIn his comrade’s track.In the tribes of the Hebrews,The blessings of the birthrighthis brother enjoyed,His riches and rank;yet Reuben was brave.340Followinghim camethe folk in crowds,The sons of Simeonin swarming bands,The third great host.With hoisted bannersOver the watery paththe war-troop pressedDewy under their shafts.When daylight shone345Over the brink of the sea,—the beacon of God,The bright morning,—the battle-lined marched.Each of the tribestraveled in order.At the head of the helmetedhost was one man,Mightiest in majestyand most renowned;350He led forward the folkas they followed the cloud,By tribes and by troops.Each truly knewThe right of rankas arranged by Moses,Every man’s order.They were all from one father.Theirsacred sirereceived hisland-right,355Wise in counsel,well-loved by his kinsmen.He gave birth to a brave,bold-hearted race,The sage patriarchto a sacred people,To the Children of Israel,the chosen of God.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .The folk were affrightedwith fear of the ocean;Sad were their souls.The sea threatened death;The sides of the hillwere soaked with blood;450Gory was the flood,confusion on the waves,The water full of weapons;the wave-mist arose.The Egyptians turnedand journeyed backward;They fled in fright;fear overtook them;Hurrying in hastetheir homes they sought;455Their pride had fallen;they felt sweep over themThe welling waters;not one returnedOf the host to their homes,but behind they were lockedBy Wyrd in the waves.Where once was the pathThe breakers beatand bore down the army.460The stream stood up;the storm aroseHigh to the heavens,the harshest of noises.Dark grew the clouds.The doomed ones criedWith fated voices;the foam became bloody.The sea-walls were scatteredand the skies were lashed465With the direst of deaths;the daring ones were slain,The princes in their pomp—they were past all helpIn the edge of the ocean.Their armor shoneHigh over the hosts.Over the haughty ones pouredThe stream in its strength.Destroyed were the troop470And fettered fast;they could find no escape.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .The Egyptians wereFor that day’s workdeeply punished,Because not any of the armyever came home;Of that mighty multitudethere remained not a one510Who could tell the taleof the traveling forthWho could announce in the citiesthe sorrowful newsTo the wives of the warriorsof the woeful disaster.But the sea-death swallowedthe sinful men,And their messengers too,in the midst of their power,515And destroyed their pride,for they strove against God.299.Moses has just finished telling the children of Israel that he has been able to make the sea part its waves so that they may walk across unharmed.307, 308.This passage is obscure in meaning.310.The tribe of Judah lead the way. They are followed by the tribe of Reuben (v. 331) and then by the tribe of Simeon (v. 340). This order is perhaps taken from Numbers, chapter ii.331.The Children of Israel are called “sailors” in the poem, but no satisfactory explanation has been made of the usage.335, 336.See Genesis 49:4.354.This refers to God’s promise to Abraham. See Genesis 15:18; 22:17.
[Critical edition: Francis A. Blackburn,Exodus and Daniel, Boston and London, 1907, Belles-Lettres Series.Translation: Kennedy,The Cædmon Poems, p. 99.There can be no doubt that bothExodusandDanielare by different hands fromGenesis AorGenesis B, and they are themselves by different authors.]
[Critical edition: Francis A. Blackburn,Exodus and Daniel, Boston and London, 1907, Belles-Lettres Series.
Translation: Kennedy,The Cædmon Poems, p. 99.
There can be no doubt that bothExodusandDanielare by different hands fromGenesis AorGenesis B, and they are themselves by different authors.]
When these words had been utteredthe army arose;300Still stood the seafor the staunch warriors.The cohorts liftedtheir linden-shields,Their signals on the sand.The sea-wall mounted,Stood upright overIsrael’s legion,For day’s time;then the doughty band305Was of one mind.The wall of the sea-streamsHeld them unharmedin its hollow embrace.Theyspurned not the speechnor despised its teaching,Asthe wise man endedhis words of exhortingAnd the noise diminishedand mingled with the sound.310Then thefourth tribetraveled foremost,Went into the waves,the warriors in a bandOver the green ground;the goodly Jewish troopStruggled aloneover the strange pathBefore their kinsmen.So the King of heaven315For that day’s workmade deep reward,He gave them a greatand glorious victory,That to them should belongthe leadershipIn the kingdom, and triumphover their kinsmen and tribesmen.When they stepped on the sand,as a standard and sign320A beacon they raisedover the ranks of shields,Among the godly group,a golden lion,The boldest of beastsover the bravest of peoples.At the hands of their enemyno dishonor or shameWould they deign to endureall the days of their life,325While boldly in battlethey might brandish their shieldsAgainst any people.The awful conflict,The fight was at the front,furious soldiersWielding their weapons,warriors fearless,And bloody wounds,and wild battle-rushes,330The jostling of helmetswhere the Jews advanced.Marching after the armywere the eagerseamen,The sons of Reuben;raising their shieldsThe sea-vikings bore themover the salt waves,A multitude of men;a mighty throng335Went bravely forth.The birthright of ReubenWas forfeited by his sins,so that he followed afterIn his comrade’s track.In the tribes of the Hebrews,The blessings of the birthrighthis brother enjoyed,His riches and rank;yet Reuben was brave.340Followinghim camethe folk in crowds,The sons of Simeonin swarming bands,The third great host.With hoisted bannersOver the watery paththe war-troop pressedDewy under their shafts.When daylight shone345Over the brink of the sea,—the beacon of God,The bright morning,—the battle-lined marched.Each of the tribestraveled in order.At the head of the helmetedhost was one man,Mightiest in majestyand most renowned;350He led forward the folkas they followed the cloud,By tribes and by troops.Each truly knewThe right of rankas arranged by Moses,Every man’s order.They were all from one father.Theirsacred sirereceived hisland-right,355Wise in counsel,well-loved by his kinsmen.He gave birth to a brave,bold-hearted race,The sage patriarchto a sacred people,To the Children of Israel,the chosen of God.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .The folk were affrightedwith fear of the ocean;Sad were their souls.The sea threatened death;The sides of the hillwere soaked with blood;450Gory was the flood,confusion on the waves,The water full of weapons;the wave-mist arose.The Egyptians turnedand journeyed backward;They fled in fright;fear overtook them;Hurrying in hastetheir homes they sought;455Their pride had fallen;they felt sweep over themThe welling waters;not one returnedOf the host to their homes,but behind they were lockedBy Wyrd in the waves.Where once was the pathThe breakers beatand bore down the army.460The stream stood up;the storm aroseHigh to the heavens,the harshest of noises.Dark grew the clouds.The doomed ones criedWith fated voices;the foam became bloody.The sea-walls were scatteredand the skies were lashed465With the direst of deaths;the daring ones were slain,The princes in their pomp—they were past all helpIn the edge of the ocean.Their armor shoneHigh over the hosts.Over the haughty ones pouredThe stream in its strength.Destroyed were the troop470And fettered fast;they could find no escape.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .The Egyptians wereFor that day’s workdeeply punished,Because not any of the armyever came home;Of that mighty multitudethere remained not a one510Who could tell the taleof the traveling forthWho could announce in the citiesthe sorrowful newsTo the wives of the warriorsof the woeful disaster.But the sea-death swallowedthe sinful men,And their messengers too,in the midst of their power,515And destroyed their pride,for they strove against God.
When these words had been utteredthe army arose;
300Still stood the seafor the staunch warriors.
The cohorts liftedtheir linden-shields,
Their signals on the sand.The sea-wall mounted,
Stood upright overIsrael’s legion,
For day’s time;then the doughty band
305Was of one mind.The wall of the sea-streams
Held them unharmedin its hollow embrace.
Theyspurned not the speechnor despised its teaching,
Asthe wise man endedhis words of exhorting
And the noise diminishedand mingled with the sound.
310Then thefourth tribetraveled foremost,
Went into the waves,the warriors in a band
Over the green ground;the goodly Jewish troop
Struggled aloneover the strange path
Before their kinsmen.So the King of heaven
315For that day’s workmade deep reward,
He gave them a greatand glorious victory,
That to them should belongthe leadership
In the kingdom, and triumphover their kinsmen and tribesmen.
When they stepped on the sand,as a standard and sign
320A beacon they raisedover the ranks of shields,
Among the godly group,a golden lion,
The boldest of beastsover the bravest of peoples.
At the hands of their enemyno dishonor or shame
Would they deign to endureall the days of their life,
325While boldly in battlethey might brandish their shields
Against any people.The awful conflict,
The fight was at the front,furious soldiers
Wielding their weapons,warriors fearless,
And bloody wounds,and wild battle-rushes,
330The jostling of helmetswhere the Jews advanced.
Marching after the armywere the eagerseamen,
The sons of Reuben;raising their shields
The sea-vikings bore themover the salt waves,
A multitude of men;a mighty throng
335Went bravely forth.The birthright of Reuben
Was forfeited by his sins,so that he followed after
In his comrade’s track.In the tribes of the Hebrews,
The blessings of the birthrighthis brother enjoyed,
His riches and rank;yet Reuben was brave.
340Followinghim camethe folk in crowds,
The sons of Simeonin swarming bands,
The third great host.With hoisted banners
Over the watery paththe war-troop pressed
Dewy under their shafts.When daylight shone
345Over the brink of the sea,—the beacon of God,
The bright morning,—the battle-lined marched.
Each of the tribestraveled in order.
At the head of the helmetedhost was one man,
Mightiest in majestyand most renowned;
350He led forward the folkas they followed the cloud,
By tribes and by troops.Each truly knew
The right of rankas arranged by Moses,
Every man’s order.They were all from one father.
Theirsacred sirereceived hisland-right,
355Wise in counsel,well-loved by his kinsmen.
He gave birth to a brave,bold-hearted race,
The sage patriarchto a sacred people,
To the Children of Israel,the chosen of God.
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
The folk were affrightedwith fear of the ocean;
Sad were their souls.The sea threatened death;
The sides of the hillwere soaked with blood;
450Gory was the flood,confusion on the waves,
The water full of weapons;the wave-mist arose.
The Egyptians turnedand journeyed backward;
They fled in fright;fear overtook them;
Hurrying in hastetheir homes they sought;
455Their pride had fallen;they felt sweep over them
The welling waters;not one returned
Of the host to their homes,but behind they were locked
By Wyrd in the waves.Where once was the path
The breakers beatand bore down the army.
460The stream stood up;the storm arose
High to the heavens,the harshest of noises.
Dark grew the clouds.The doomed ones cried
With fated voices;the foam became bloody.
The sea-walls were scatteredand the skies were lashed
465With the direst of deaths;the daring ones were slain,
The princes in their pomp—they were past all help
In the edge of the ocean.Their armor shone
High over the hosts.Over the haughty ones poured
The stream in its strength.Destroyed were the troop
470And fettered fast;they could find no escape.
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
The Egyptians were
For that day’s workdeeply punished,
Because not any of the armyever came home;
Of that mighty multitudethere remained not a one
510Who could tell the taleof the traveling forth
Who could announce in the citiesthe sorrowful news
To the wives of the warriorsof the woeful disaster.
But the sea-death swallowedthe sinful men,
And their messengers too,in the midst of their power,
515And destroyed their pride,for they strove against God.
299.Moses has just finished telling the children of Israel that he has been able to make the sea part its waves so that they may walk across unharmed.307, 308.This passage is obscure in meaning.310.The tribe of Judah lead the way. They are followed by the tribe of Reuben (v. 331) and then by the tribe of Simeon (v. 340). This order is perhaps taken from Numbers, chapter ii.331.The Children of Israel are called “sailors” in the poem, but no satisfactory explanation has been made of the usage.335, 336.See Genesis 49:4.354.This refers to God’s promise to Abraham. See Genesis 15:18; 22:17.
299.Moses has just finished telling the children of Israel that he has been able to make the sea part its waves so that they may walk across unharmed.
307, 308.This passage is obscure in meaning.
310.The tribe of Judah lead the way. They are followed by the tribe of Reuben (v. 331) and then by the tribe of Simeon (v. 340). This order is perhaps taken from Numbers, chapter ii.
331.The Children of Israel are called “sailors” in the poem, but no satisfactory explanation has been made of the usage.
335, 336.See Genesis 49:4.
354.This refers to God’s promise to Abraham. See Genesis 15:18; 22:17.