Part 10 (1/2)

Whitby, we must remember, was founded by Celtic, and not by Roman monks. It was founded by monks who came from Ireland to Iona, and from thence to Northumbria. To them the teaching of Christ had come from Jerusalem and the East rather than from Rome. So here again, perhaps, we can see the effect of the Celts on our literature. It was from Celtic monks that Caedmon heard the story of the war in heaven.

After telling of this war, Caedmon goes on to relate how the wicked angels ”into darkness urged them their darksome way.”

”They might not loudly laugh, But they in h.e.l.l-torments, Dwelt accursed.

And woe they knew Pain and sorrow, Torment endured With darkness decked, Hard retribution, For that they had devised Against G.o.d to war.”

Then after all the fierce clash of battle come a few lines which seem like peace after war, quiet after storm.

”Then was after as before Peace in heaven, Fair-loving thanes, The Lord dear to all.”

Then G.o.d grieved at the empty s.p.a.ces in heaven from whence the wicked angels had been driven forth. And that they might at last be filled again, he made the world and placed a man and woman there. This to the chief of the fallen angels was grief and pain, and his heart boiled within him in anger.

”Heaven is lost to us,” he cried; ”but now that we may not have it, let us so act that it shall be lost to them also. Let us make them disobey G.o.d, ”Then with them will he be wroth of mind, Will cast them from his favor, Then shall they seek this h.e.l.l And these grim depths, Then may we have them to ourselves as va.s.sals, The children of men in this fast durance.”

Then Satan asks who will help him to tempt mankind to do wrong.

”If to any followers I princely treasure gave of old while we in that good realm happy sate,” let him my gift repay, let him now aid me.

So one of Satan's followers made himself ready. ”On his head the chief his helmet set,” and he, ”wheeled up from thence, departed through the doors of h.e.l.l lionlike in air, in hostile mood, dashed the fire aside, with a fiend's power.”

Caedmon next tells how the fiend tempted first the man and then the woman with guileful lies to eat of the fruit which had been forbidden to them, and how Eve yielded to him. And having eaten of the forbidden fruit, Eve urged Adam too to eat, for it seemed to her that a fair new life was open to her. ”I see G.o.d's angels,” she said,

”Encompa.s.s him With feathery wings Of all folk greatest, Of bands most joyous.

I can hear from far And so widely see, Through the whole world, Over the broad creation.

I can the joy of the firmament Hear in heaven.

It became light to me in mind From without and within After the fruit I tasted.”

And thus, urged by Eve, Adam too ate of the forbidden fruit, and the man and woman were driven out of the Happy Garden, and the curse fell upon them because of their disobedience.

So they went forth ”into a narrower life.” Yet there was left to them ”the roof adorned with holy stars, and earth to them her ample riches gave.”

In many places this poem is only a paraphrase of the Bible. A paraphrase means the same thing said in other words. But in other places the poet seems to forget his model and sings out of his own heart. Then his song is best. Perhaps some of the most beautiful lines are those which tell of the dove that Noah sent forth from the ark.

”Then after seven nights He from the ark let forth A palid dove To fly after the swart raven, Over the deep water, To quest whether the foaming sea Had of the green earth Yet any part laid bare.

Wide she flew seeking her own will, Far she flew yet found no rest.

Because of the flood With her feet she might not perch on land, Nor on the tree leaves light.

For the steep mountain tops Were whelmed in waters.

Then the wild bird went At eventide the ark to seek.

Over the darling wave she flew Weary, to sink hungry To the hands of the holy man.”

A second time the dove is sent forth, and this is how the poet tells of it:--

”Far and wide she flew Glad in flying free, till she found a place On a gentle tree. Gay of mood she was and glad Since she sorely tired, now could settle down, On the branches of the tree, on its beamy mast.

Then she fluttered feathers, went a flying off again, With her booty flew, brought it to the sailor, From an olive tree a twig, right into his hands Brought the blade of green.