'm

GWREANS AN BYS. 'HE CREATION OF THE WORLD,

A CORNISH MYSTERY,

EDITED, WITH A TRANSLATION AND NOTES,

WH1TLEY STOKES, ESQ.

n OF "THE PASSION" (A MIDDLE-CORNISH POEM) : "THE PLAY OF THE SACRA- MENT" (A MIDDLE-ENGLISH DRAMA) : "CORMAC's IRISH GLOSSES" : &C.

WILLIAMS AND NORGATE,

14, HENRIETTA STREET, COVENT GARDEN, LONDON; AND 20, SOUTH FREDERICK STREET, EDINBURGH.

1864.

[The Philological Society is indebted to Mr. EDWIN NORRIS the editor of "The Cornish Drama" &c. for seeing this work through the press, and adding a few various readings &c. distinguished by his initials, — on account of Mr. Stockes's absence in India. F. J. F.]

THE CREATION OF THE WORLD.

THE text of the ' Creation', the Cornish drama now printed, was, like the poem of the 'Passion', which forms part of our last volume, thrust forth on the world by Mr. Davies Gilbert. In the case of the 'Creation', as in that of the 'Passion', Mr. Gilbert interpaged the Cornish text with an English version by John Keigwin.1 So erroneous is Mr. Gilbert's book, in text as well as in translation, that no argument seems needed to justify the Philological Society in printing a corrected edition of the only important relic of Cornish literature which, since the late publi- cation of the Passion, has been unattainable in a trustworthy form.

Mr. Edwin Norris, in his Cornish Drama, II, 441, good- naturedly observes that the average number of errors in Mr. Gilbert's edition of the 'Creation' is not more than twenty in a page. Two or three examples will give some notion of the nature, though not of the number, of these mistakes: — Pp. 2, 3. Try Person yn idne Dewaes

ow kys rayny a bys vickar

"Three Persons in one Godhead

Do reign of the world sovereign." The same, rightly read and translated: —

Try person yn idn dewges

ow kys raynya bys vickan

"Three Persons in one Godhead,

Reigning together for ever."

1 The title of Mr. Gilbert's edition of the 'Creation' is as follows:— The Creation of the World, with Noah's Flood; written in Cornish in the year 1611, by William Jordan; with an English translation, by John Keigwin. Edited by Davies Gilbert, F. R. S., F. S. A. &c. London,

1827.

2 THE CREATION OF THE WORLD.

Pp. 4, 5. Can hasawe them danveys

Ra£e ou servia bys Vichar

"Songs unto me sending

For the serve me the world's Sovereign." The same rightly read and translated: —

Canhasawe them danvenys

rage ow servia bys vickan

"Messengers sent to me

to serve me for ever." Pp. 6, 7. Them y fethow can, hag ow av

Hag y wrowgh ow aradowa.

"To me you shall be singing and answering

And doing my commands." The same rightly read and translated: —

Them y fethow canhagowe

hag y wrewgh ow aradowe

"To me ye [the Angels] shall be messengers,

And ye shall do my commands." Pp. 66, 67. May moyghen y lavyerhy

Der weyll o gorhemen trogha

" But most of her labour shall be.

By gripings I shall command to cut;" The same rightly read and translated: —

May myghea y lavyer hy

der weyll ow gorhemen troghe.

"Let her travail increase

Through breaking my command." Genesis iii. (16.)

The division of the lines in the printed copy is also mar- vellously inaccurate.

Four copies of the present drama are known. A. (from which the text now printed has been taken) is the oldest; it is a paper MS., in small folio, dated Aug. 12°, 1611, preserved in the Bodleian library, and marked N. 219. B. is a copy of A. contained in the first volume of a quarto paper MS. lately presented by Mr. Ley of Bosahan to the Bodleian. C. is in the British Museum, Harleian, N. 1867. It appears from a note in Welsh at the end that Lhuyd collated this copy with A. in 1702. D. is preserved in a paper folio MS. lately in the possession

THE CREATION OF THE WORLD. 3

of Mr. Hotten of Piccadilly, and containing also a copy of the 'Passion'.

The language of the mystery now printed differs from that of the 'Passion' and of the drama published by Mr. Norris chiefly in the following respects: —

1°. The vowel e has often become «, as in arna 'until' = erna: carenga 'love' for kerenge, kerense, tha fto' for '/Ae', plag 'fold' 1614 = /?/e/r, resacke 'a running' 1828, for resell = redeg.

2°. th and gh (cA), in inlaut and auslaut, have become mute, and are consequently interchanged. Thus bedna 'blessing' 1541, for bennath, a vy 'is' 4, for a vyth, and hunythe 2246 for huny: bean 'little' 118, for beghan: gh is put for th in segh 'arrow' 1573, and th for gh in war-lerth 'after' 1795 marth 'horse' 406, peth 'sin' 586, gwreth-tye 'housewife' 942, kerth 'oats' 1066, gorthell 'ark' 2254.

3°. m (mm) has become bm: thus lebmyn 'now' 70, 2239, 2489, thybma 'to me' 570, 2495: kybmar 'take' 692, mabm ' mother' 1203, 1910, a lebma 'hence' 1208, 2079, kebmys 'so many' 1220, 1350, 1ito = kybmys 1284, cabm 'crooked' 1603, 2501, hebma 'this' 2193: obma 'here' 2523.

4°. n (nri) has become dn: thus idn 'one' 6 = udn 1752, 2539, radn 'part' 2356, gwadn 'weak' 1275, 1679, 2479, lodn 'bullock' 1361, 2365, badna 'drop' 1364, pedn 'head' 182, 916, 1019, 1597, defednys forbidden' 1803, blethydmjow 'years' 2404, skydnya 'to descend' (skydn 2369, skydnys, '2305) 2207, bedna 'blessing' 1541, hedna 'that' 2447, 2491, 2509.

5°. The corruption of s into g soft (as in George) is more frequently met with: thus canhagowe 'messengers' 67, drengys 'Trinity' 126, 2238, 2007 blonagath = vol\mtas, 96, carenga 'love' 359, 847, 1754 = carensa 840, sallugye 'to salute' 721 = salugy 1776, sengys 'held', 438, 2236 = synges 2050, thagye 'to thee' 2349, cregye 'to believe' 1602, pegy=petere 2206. For this soft </, we find j (nynjew 'is not' 263) and dg (devydgyow 'sheep' 1070, pydgyaf'I desire' 1364,) 1509, 1670, marrudgyan 'marvels' 1764, 2123 (= marodgyan 1803, 1897, and marogyan 1875) crydgyans 'belief 2316.

6°. Matters of spelling rather than of language are, a. the

a2

4 THE CREATION OF THE WORLD.

frequent occuyence of an inorganic mute e at the end of a word (e. g. hawe mabe 'and my son' 9, tase 'father' 12, neve 'heaven' 15, bothe 'desire' 16, gwreage 'woman' 834), b. the use of i for u (idn 6 'one' = un 10) and u for i (un, 1909, 'in') the using ae to express a (taes): the using ea to express e: thus call 'angel' 47, wheag 'sweet' 95 = irheake 759, dean 'man' 254, 417, teake 'fair' 412, gwreag 'woman' 877 = gwreage 834, beam 'grief 1092, steare 'star' 102, gear 'word' 164, 896 = genre 211, seath 'sit' 66 = seathe, 54, and c. the using of oo or oe to express ci: (e. g. oole 'weep' 2304, nootha 'nakedness' 969, boes 'to be').

7°. Pronominal infixation is less frequent: e. g. 'I am named' is me ew henwis \. 12 instead of y-m gylwyr as in the cor- responding passage, O. 1. So dro hy 'bring it' 1488, my wrug 'made me' 1766.

8°. Lastly, loanwords from the English occur in far greater number.

Passing from the language to the subject matter we may remark that the author imitates and often copies the ordinale called ' Origo Mundi', which stands first in Mr. Norris's Cornish Drama. Some parts, however, are his own ; for example the fall of Lucifer and his angels, Cain's death, Enoch's translation, Seth's prophecy and erection of the pillars. Who the author was remains uncertain. The William Jordan mentioned at the end may well have been only the transcriber, and the occurrence in the stage -directions of such forms as sortis, beastis, garmentis, every ch-on 'every one' and car[i]eth 'they carry' seems to indicate a date prior to 1611, when Jordan completed his manuscript. The author's mention of limbo, too, may tend to shew that the play was com- posed before the Reformation.

The text has been transcribed for press and the translation and notes written, during a voyage to India, apart from books and philological friends. This circumstance will, I trust, induce Celtic scholars to deal leniently with the errors and defects which they will probably find in the following pages.

E. I. S. 'Clarence' lat. 39° 27' S. long. 10° 25' W. August 21, 1862. Whitley Stokes.

THE CREACON OF THE WORLD.

THE CREACON OF THE WORLD.

The first dale [of] ye playe.

[The father must be in a clowde and when he speakethe of heaven let #e levys open]

THE FATHER IN HEAVEN.

Ego sum Alpha et Omega heb dallath na dowethva

pur wyre me ew omma avy than clowdes 5 war face an dower in sertan try person yn idn dewges ow kys raynya bys vickan in mere honor ha vertew

me hawe mabe han spiris sans 10 try ython in vn Substance

comprehendys in vdn dew

[Genesis capite primo] me ew henwis dew an tase

ol gollousacke dres pub dra skon y fythe gwrys der ow rase is neve place ryall thorn trigva

hawe thron setha owe bothe ewe may fo henna

han noore in wethe a wollas

scon worthe compas avit[h] gwryes 20 honna a vythe ow skavall droose rag ow pleasure pub preyse ha thorn honor maga ta

neve omma ew gwryes genaf orthe ow devges in serten1 25 hag yny y fythe gorrys

neb am gorth gans ioye ha cane 1 MS. serten also in line 95.

THE CREATION OF THE WORLD.

THE FATHER IN HEAVEN.

Ego sum Alpha et Omega, Without beginning or end

Right truly I am. Here are under clouds 5 On (the) face of the water certainly Three Persons in one Godhead, Reigning together for ever, In great honour and virtue.

I and my Son and the Holy Ghost, 10 Three are we in one Substance, Comprehended in one God.

[Genesis chap. 1J I am named God the Father, Almighty above everything. Straightway shall be made by my grace is Heaven, a royal place for my dwelling And my throne -seat: my will is That it be that.

And the earth also below

Forthwith shall be made straight. 20 That shall be my footstool For my pleasure always And to my honour as well.

Heaven here is made by me

According to my deity certainly; 25 And in it shall be put

Who worship me with joy and song.

THE CREACON OF THE WORLD.

' naw order elath gloryes

y a vythe ryall ha splan canhasawe them danvenys 30 rage ow servia bys vickan

me a vyn may fons nevra

lemyn pub order thy seat

me a vyn may fo gorrys ha pub onyn thy thecree 35 a vyth gorris thorn service

pan vidnaf ve comanndya

omma nessa thorn throne ve

an kensa try a vithe gwryes cherubyn an vghella 40 ty a vyth des a rage vskys seraphyn inwethe tronys

owe gwerthya oil why a wra pare dell ywe owe bothe nefra omma pub pryes

45 ha te lucyfer golowe yn della yw tha hanow vgha pub call ty a ysa

fo. 1, b. an kensa order ty ywe

gwayte ow gworria war bub tewe 50 jeso gy par del gotha

in second degre yfithe gwryes try order moy yn sertan

des arage thym pryncipatys Tee aseathe omma poran 55 potestas in barth arall

domynashon yn tewma ow praysya hag ow laudia tha hanow nefra heb gyll

THE CREATION OF THE WORLD.

Nine orders of glorious angels

They shall be royal and splendid: Messengers sent to me so To serve me for ever

I will that they be always.

Now every order to its seat

I will that it be put, And every one to his degree 35 Shall be put for my service, When I shall command.

Here next to my throne

The first three shall be made: Cherubin, the highest 40 Thou shalt be, come forth quickly Seraphin, also Thrones.

All ye shall worship me, As is my will ever, Here always.

45 And thou Lucifer of light, Such is thy name, Above every angel thou shalt sit;

Of the first order thou art: See that thou worship me on every side, 50 Unto thee as behoveth.

In (the) second degree shall be made Three orders more, certainly.

Come forth to me, Principalities;

Thou shalt sit here aright 55 Power on (the) other part.

Domination on this side, Praising and lauding My name ever without guile.

1Q THE CREACON OF THE WORLD.

stti tryssa degree a wolas eo me a wra try order moy arthelath order pur vras dewgh a rag omma ja vee ha vertutis kekeffrys

65 ban elath yn barth dyhow

wby a seatb omma heb gowe them y fethow canhagowe hag y wrewgh ow aradowe

gans joy bras ha cane pub preyse

70 lebmyn pan ew thymo gwryes

neve ha noore orth both ow bryes han naw order collenwys ban kynsa jorne spedyes

my a[s] sone gans ow ganow

75 hag a vyn diskynnya

than noore in dan an clowdys hag ow both gwethill ena me a vyn may fo gwellys ow bosaf dew heb parow

so lebmyn yn second jorna

gwraf broster a thesempys yn yborn es a wartha

me a vyn bos golow gwryes

hag ynweth bos deberthva 85 sure inter an gyth han noos ny fyll thym conduyke a dra war an byes der ow gallus

an moar brase yn cutt termyn adro thorn tyre a vyth dreys 90 rag y wetha pur elyn

orth harlutry prest pub preys

THE CREATION OF THE WORLD.

The third degree below 60 I will make three orders more: Lordship, an order right great, Come you forward here to me; And Virtues likewise;

11

65

And the angels on (the) right part, Ye shall sit here without a lie;

To me ye shall be messengers, And ye shall do my commands With great joy and song always.

70 Now since to me are made

Heaven and earth according to my mind's desire, And the nine Orders filled up, And the first day sped,

I will saine them with my mouth.

75 And I will descend

To the earth, under the clouds And my wish perform there I will, that it may be seen That I am God without peer.

so Now in (the) second day

I will make Majesty immediately In (the) sky which is above, I will that light be made.

And also that there be a division 85 Surely between the day and the night. That there fail not to me conduct of aught On the world through my power.

The great sea in a short time

About my earth shall be brought 90 To keep it full bright

From corruption always,

|2 THE CREACON OF THE WORLD.

fo. 2 a. i*i tryssa dyth me a wra

than gwyth sevall yn ban ha doen dellyow teke ha da 95 ha flowres wheag in serten

ow blonogath yw henna

may tockans vnna pur splan

frutes thorn both rag maga seyl a theyg bewnans hogan

100 in peswera dyth bith gwryes

an howle han loer in tevery han steare in weth kekeffrys

rag gwyle golow venary

an ryma yw fyne gonethys

105 ow bannath y rof thethy

in pympas dyth orth ow breis

an puskas heb falladowe hag oil an ethyn keffrys

me a gwra thorn plegadow1 no hag oil an bestas yn beyse

gans prevas a bub sortowe an ryma ew oil teke gwryes

me as sone war barth heb gowe.

LUCYFER IN HEAVEN.

Pays I say oil elath nef 115 golsowowh tha ve lemyn cresowh ow bosaf prince creif hag in weth thewhy cheften * bean ha brase

lucyfer ew ow hanowe 120 pensevicke in nef omma ow howetha ew tanow why a wore ynta henna ow bosaf gwell es an tase

1 MS. falladow. 3 MS. chefter,

THE CREATION OF THE WORLD. 13

The third day I will make

The trees to stand up, And bear leaves fair and good, 95 And sweet flowers surely.

That is my desire

That they bear here full sheen Fruits to my wish to feed

Whomsoever shall bear mortal life

100 In (the) fourth day shall be made

The sun and the moon glittering, And the stars also

To make light for ever. These are finely wrought, 105 My blessing I give to them.

In (the) fifth day according to my mind

The fishes without fail, And all the birds likewise,

I will make to my pleasure; no And all the beasts in (the) world,

With worms of all sorts, These are all made fair:

I bless them together without a lie.

LUCIFER.

Peace, I say, all angels of Heaven! 115 Hearken ye to me now:

Believe ye that I am a strong prince And also a chieftain to you Small and great.

Lucifer is my name:

A Prince in heaven I am: My comrades are Fires,

Ye well know that,

That I am better than the Father.

14 THE CREACON OF THE WORLD.

me ew lantorn nef ywys 125 avell tane ow collowye moy splanna es an drengys henna degowhe destynye

om bosof prynce pur gloryous

oil gans ower ow terlentry 130 y tbesaf heb dowte in case splanna es an howle deverye why a yll warbarthe gwelas ow bosaf sertayn pub preyse

ny vannaf orth eale na moy fo. 2 b. 135 dos thorn statma menas me

henna ew ow thowle devery

maga vras ove avele dew me a gomannd war bub tew myns es yn neif thorn gworthya

uo elathe oil why a glowas

pandra gowsow thym lemyn delnagoma polat brase gorrybowhe all pub onyn why a wore py thorn a

145 an tase gallas a lemma my a dowle nythe omma bis vyckan mara callaf

ANGELL OF LUCYFER. Lucyfer te ew henna

sure abashe myns es in nef 150 creatys n obeli omma

ythota [a] nature creif ha me an creys

sur rag henna theth honora me a vyn vhan drenges

THE CREATION OF THE WORLD. 15

I ani (the) lanthorn of heaven certainly, 125 Like a fire shining,

More sheener than the Trinity; — Of that bear ye witness

Of my being a Prince right glorious.

All with gold a glittering 130 Am I, without doubt in the case, Sheener than the sun surely You may together see

That I am certainly always.

I wish not that any angel ever 135 Should come to my state except me — That is my will certainly.

As great am I as God: I command on every side

All that are in heaven to worship me.

140 Angels all, ye have heard

What say you to me now? Thus am I not a great polat? l Answer ye all every one; Ye know what I am.

145 The Father has gone from hence: I will cast that He come not here For ever if I can.

ANGEL OF LUCIFER. Lucifer, thou art that

Surely above (?) all that are in heaven 150 Created noble here

Thou art of nature strong. And I believe it.

Surely for that honour thee I will above the Trinity.

1 L. 142. A note in the first Edition says here: * It is a common expression in Cornwall to call a great man, a great polat, perhaps from Pol, a head or top'.

THE CREACON OF THE WORLD

ASGELL OF GOD in that degre.

155 te creature unkinda

warbyn }a vaker ow cowse predery prage na wreta

y festa gwryes te gwase lowse gans dew omma

leo gansa pan wres comparya mer tha vlamya y thosta ha payves yfyth ragtho.

ANGELL OF LUCYFER in the second degree speaketh kneelinge, pyw henna a veth mar void

cowse gear warbyn lucyfer 165 heare be hath unto you told

that in heaven ys not his peare

ha me an creyse why an gweall ow terlentry splanna es an howle devery 170 me ath honor them del reyse

OF GOD in that degre.

A taw na gowse a henna

me ath pys creys ow lavar neb an formyas ev omma

an deform arta predar 175 y voth pan vo

mar tregowhe in gregyans na morath why as byth ragtba trustyowh jotha

ANGELL OF LUCYFER in the 3 degree speketh kneeling.

pennagel ew na lavara iso nagew lucyfer worthy omma thagan governa ha bos pedn in nef defry a lavar gowe

THE CREATION OF THE WORLD. 17

ANGEL OF GOD in that degree

155 Thou unnatural creature,

Speaking against thy Maker, Why dost thou not consider Thou wast made a foul fellow By God here?

ICQ With Him when thou dost compare Much to blame art thou,

And pains thou shalt have for it.

ANGEL OF LUCIFER in the second degree Who is that will be so bold

To speak a word against Lucifer? 165 Here he hath unto you told

That in heaven is not his peer,

And I believe it. You see him glittering Sheener than the sun surely — 170 I will honour thee as (is) needful to me.

ANGEL OF GOD in that degree O be silent, speak not of that —

I pray thee believe my word Who formed him here

Will unform him again — consider! 175 When (it) is His will.

If you abide in that belief, Sorrow you shall have for it — Trust ye to this.

ANGEL OF LUCIFER in the third degree Whosoever it is that says iso Lucifer is not worthy Here to govern us

And to be head in heaven, certainly

Tells a lie.

b

THE CREACON OF THE WORLD.

, yea ha worthy pub preyse 185 tha vos in trone ysethys

avel dewe sure hep parowe me an gorth omma del ryes war ow dew glyen kekeffrys rag y bos mar garadow

LUCYFER IN HEAVEN

190 dell wrama raynya omma

yn trone wartha gans glorye why a sethe warbarth genaf myns a golla ortha vee poran ryb ow thenewan

[Let hem offer to assend to y" trone the Angell stayethe hem] 195 I was made of a thought

ye may be glad of suche wight and in heaven so gay I wrought semely am [I] in every sight com vp to me every chone 200 hag in yrna gwraf assaya

ja vos mur war an trone

3 ANGELL OF GOD in the 3 degree

te lucyfer vnkinda

meer ythos ortha vaker dowt ythow theis rag henna 205 gawas meare y displeasure del os worthy ^a henna

pra na wreta predery y festa formys d every

der y wreans eve omma

210 der henna predar inta ef a yll der geare arta

theth destrowhy skemynys

THE CREATION OF THE WORLD. 19

Yea and worthy always 185 To be seated on a throne

Like God surely without peer; I will worship him here as need (is) On my two knees likewise,

Because of his being so loveable.

LUCIFER

190 As I do reign here

On a throne with glory, Do you sit together with me, All that hearken to me, Close by my side.

195 I was made of a thought:

Ye may be glad of such a wight: And in heaven so gay I wrought Seemly am I in every sight.

Come up to me, every one, 200 And then I will essay

To be great on the throne.

ANGEL OF GOD in the third degree. Thou, Lucifer, unnatural

Greatly art thou towards thy Maker; A fear there is to thee for that 205 To have much his displeasure

As thou art worthy for that.

Why dost thou not consider That thou wast formed surely By his workmanship here?

210 For that consider well He can by a word again Destroy thee accursed.

b2

2Q THE CREACON OF THE WORLD.

LUCIFER IN HEAVEN.

ty myhall re stowte ythos

pan wres ortha vy settya 215 me a grys hag an suppose y fynses sche comparya lemyn genaf

na wres na wres na barth dowte

ty na oil tha gowetha 220 mar qwreth me ages clowte

rag henna gwrewh owe gorthya ha warbarth trustyowh vnnaf

why am gweel ow terlentry splanna es an tase deffry 225 henna cresowhe om bosaf

THE FATHER IN HEAVEN

[the father commeth before heven $ speaketh to lucyfer] A lucyfer lucyfer

ty a ve oil lanthorn nef ha drethaf serten pub eare

ty a ve exaltys breyf 230 hag ath settyas pur vghall

fo. 3 b. lemyn mere os vnkinda

orthaf vy pan wres settya rag 5 a oth [leg. eth] tha bayne nefra

ty a wra dyiskynya 235 mahellas ysall

determys ove 3 a vn dra

ha concludys magata tha wythyll vn dean omma

a thore ha sleme pm servia 240 hath place she tha opea

THE CREATION OF THE WORLD. 21

LUCIFER Thou, Michael, art too proud

When thou dost set against me. 215 I believe and suppose it Thou wouldst compare Now with me.

Thou shouldst not, thou shouldst not, have no doubt

Thou nor all thy comrades. 220 If thou dost I will clout you, Therefore do ye worship me, And together trust in me.

You see me a glittering, Sheener than the Father surely 225 That believe ye that I am.

THE FATHER in Heaven

Ah Lucifer, Lucifer

Thou wast all (the) lanthorn of heaven, And by me certainly always

Thou wast exalted soon (?), 230 And thou wast set very high.

Now greatly unnatural

Since thou wouldst set against me For it thou goest to pain for ever.

Thou shalt descend 235 So that thou shouldst go below.

Determined am I on one thing,

And concluded as well, To make a man here

Of earth and slime to serve me 240 And thy place to ope.

22 THE CREACON OF THE WORLD.

rage collenwall an romes a vyth voyd yn nef vskys

drethas sche hath cowetha

[lett hell gape when father nameth yt] efarn ragas a vyth gwrys 245 vskys commandyaf henna ena ty a vyth tregys

ha myns assentyas gen as genas sche an naw order

in paynes bys venary 250 heb rawnson vetholl na fyne yna pub eare ow murnye rag gall ar owe bis worffen why a vith me a levar

LUCYFER IN HEAVEN

Ay a vynta ge orth mab dean 255 pan vo gwryes a slem hager occupya rage sertayne

ow rome ve nagevas peare omma in neve

henna vea hager dra 260 den a vynta gule a bry ja thos omma then plasma neb es lenwys a glorye ragtha warthy nynjew ef

Ha na ny vythe in della 265 me a worthib theis henna an place sure lowre ja warta me a wyth whath rom lowta ha tha worthys sche keffrys

ty am gweall ve creif omma 270 whath purbrowt trebytchya

THE CREATION OF THE WORLD.

To fill up the rooms That will be void in heaven straightway Through thee and thy comrades.

23

Hell for thee shall be made — 345 Straightway I command that: There thou shalt dwell,

And all that assented with thee, With thee of the nine orders.

In pains for ever,

250 Without ransom at all nor fine, There always a mourning For griefs unto (the) end Ye shall be, I say.

LUCIFER

Wouldst thou that the son of man 255 When he shall be made of ugly slime, Should occupy for certain

My room, who never had peer Here in heaven?

That would be an ugly thing 260 Man whom thou wouldst make of clay To come here to this place Which is filled with glory; For it worthy he is not.

And it shall not be so: 265 I will answer thee that.

The place sure enough from him I will keep yet, by my loyalty, And from thee likewise.

Thou shalt see me strong here

270 Yet , full proud (?)

L. 270. The word trebytchya which the Translator has left doubtful, is clearly the French trebucher, and it is used in that sense at line 1582; the meaning may be 'proud falling being', though it seems perhaps somewhat forced. E. N.

24 THE CREACON OF THE WORLD.

Jianter an elath genaffa assentyes ythyns sera

thorn mayntaynya in spyte thys del welta ge

275 for well nor wo I will not go I say yowe so

this will not be thymo ve creis

280 rag me a vinsens serten vgh pub myns

a ve bythgwath whath formys

THE FATHER Taw lucyfer melegas

in gollan del os tha gothys 285 rag skon ty a tha baynes

heb redempcyon thyma creys sure thymo creys

oil tha splandar ha tectar y trayle skon theis tha hacter 290 ha mer vtheck byllen[y]

myghale pryns ow chyvalry

han elath an order nawe an rebellyans ma deffry

than doer ganso mergh ! ha mawe 295 the effarn hager trygva

ena tregans yn paynes

ha golarowe mere pub pryes yn pur serten rag nefra

[All the Angells must haue swords and staves & must come to the rome wher Lucyfer ys]

THE CREATION OF THE WORLD. 25

Half the angels with me They are agreed, Sir,

To maintain me in spite of thee, As thou seest.

275 For weal nor woe I will not go: I say you so,

This will not be, Believe me.

280 For I shall ...(?)

Certainly above every one

That was ever yet formed.

THE FATHER

Be silent, Lucifer accursed,

In heart as thou art proud, 285 For straightway thou shalt go to pains Without redemption, believe me, Surely believe me.

All thy splendour and beauty Shall soon turn to thee to ugliness 290 And very awful villainy.

Michael, prince of my chivalry, And the angels of the nine orders

This rebellion quickly

To the ground with it; girl and boy, 295 To Hell, an ugly dwelling;

There let them dwell in pains, And great griefs always, Very certainly for ever.

L. 280. Vinsens must be the borrowed Latin vincens ; me a will then be the verb 'to go'. 'I go a conqueror'. See Juno's 'divum incedo re- gina' Virgil, Aen. i. E. N.

THE CREACON OF THE WORLD. |

MYCHAELL

Dewne warbarth an nawe order 300 hellyn yn mes lucyfer

a thesempys mes an nef

LUCYFER

ty chet gwraf tha examnya prage y fyn dew ow damnya ha me mar gollowe ha creif

MYCHAELL

305 rag y bosta melagas hag in golan re othys

der reson thys me a breif

ty foole prag na bredersys

a thorn dew y festa gwryes 310 ynweth ganso exaltys

dres myns eall in nef sethys oma yn y drone sethys

[let lucyfer offer to go vpe to the trone]

LUCYFER

even in trone manaf setha han keth place mannaf gwetha 315 whath yn spyta theis

keffrys me ham cowetha der gletha a vyn trea ow bosaf moy worthya

agis an tase sure pub pryes

THE CREATION OF THE WORLD. 27

MICHAEL

Let us come together, the nine orders, 300 Let us hunt out Lucifer,

Forthwith out from heaven.

LUCIFER

Thou fellow, I will examine thee. Why will God condemn me And I so bright and strong?

MICHAEL

305 Because thou art accursed, And in heart overproud,

By reason I will prove to thee.

Thou fool, why consideredst thou not

That thou wast made by God's hand, 310 Also by Him exalted

Above all angels in heaven seated, Here in His throne seated?

LUCIFER

Even on (the) throne will I sit, And the same place I will keep 315 Yet in spite of thee.

Likewise I and my comrades

By sword will try

That I am more worthier

Than the Father surely always.

28 THE CREACON OF THE WORLD.

GABRYELL

320 wanothans myns es yn nef

gwren in kerthe helly yef

tha effarn tha dewolgowe fo. 4 b.

ha why oil ye gowetha

kewgh in kerth in weth gon^a 325 crownkyowhe y gans clethythyow [Let them fight wlh swordis and in the end Lucyfer voydeth $ goeth downe to hell apareled fowle w'h fyre about hem turning to hell and every degre of devylls of lether $ spirytis on cordis runing into y' playne and so remayne ther, 9 angells after Lucyfer goeth to hell]

LUCYFER IN HELL

owte ellas gallaf fasowe ythesaf in Tewolgowe

ny allaf dos anotha in pyth downe ythof towles 330 abarth in efarn kelmys

gans chayne tane a dro thymo

Kyn nam bona lowena yma lower skym[n]ys genaf an Elath sure tha drega

DEUS PATER fo. 5 a. 335 Gallas Lucifer droke preve

mes an nef tha dewolgowe ha lemyn vn y lea ef me a vyn heb falladowe vn dean formya

[Adam and Eva aparlet in whytt lether in a place apoynted by the conveyour $ not to be sene tyll they be called $ thei knell $ ryse]

THE CREATION OF THE WORLD.

29

GABRIEL

320 Let work all that are in heaven! Let us hunt him away To Hell, to darkness!

And all ye his comrades Go ye away also with him, 325 Smite them with swords.

LUCIFER

Out, alas

I am in Darkness:

I cannot come from it. In a deep pit I am cast, 330 Witnin Hell bound,

With a chain of fire around me.

Though I am not joyful There are enough damned with me Of the angels, sure to dwell.

GOD THE FATHER

335 Gone hath Lucifer, evil worm,

Out from the heaven to darkness; And now in his place I will, without fail, Form a man.

30 THE CREACON OF THE WORLD.

34o» in valy ebron devery rag collenwall aredy an le may teth anotha

dell ony onyn ha try

tus ha mab in trinitie 345 me a wra ge dean a bry

havall thagan face whare

hag a wheth yn [th]y body

sperys may hallas bewa han bewnas pan an kelly 350 jan doer te a dreyll arta

[Let Paradyce be fynelye made wyth ii" fayre trees in yt And an appell vpon the tree $ som other frute one the other

Adam save in ban in cloer

ha trayle ja gyke ha tha woys predafr] me thath wrill a thoer havall yro then pen ha tros

[A fowntaine in Paradice $ fyne flowers in yt painted] 355 myns es in tyre hag in moer

warnothans kymar gallus yn serten rag dry ascore ty a vew may fota loose

[Let the father put Adam into paradise] rag tha garenga lemyn 360 me a vyn gwyll paradice place delicyous dres ehau rag ow fleasure yta gwrys

[Lett flowres apeare in paradice] lower flowrys a bub ehan yn place ma yta tevys 365 ha frutes war bub gwethan . y teyf gwaf ha have keffrys

ha lemyn war oil an place

me a wront theis bos gwethyas

THE CREATION OF THE WORLD.

340 In (the) valley of Hebron (?) certainly To fill up readily

The place that he went from.

As we are one and three

Father and son in trinity. 345 I will make thee, man, of clay Like to our face anon.

And blow into thy body

A spirit, that thou mayst live, And the life when thou losest it 350 To the earth thou shalt turn again.

Adam, stand up clearly(?)

And turn to flesh and to blood,

Consider that I have made thee of earth Like to me to the head and foot.

355 All that is in land and in sea

On them take power. Certainly to bring offspring

Thou shalt live till thou art gray.

For love of thee now seo I will make Paradise,

A place delicious above (any) kind: For my pleasure it is made.

Abundance of flowers of every kind

In this place are grown; 365 And fruits on every tree

Shall grow winter and summer likewise.

And now over all the place

I grant to thee to be guardian:

L. 340. Better 'in the valley of the sky' or 'under the sky'; ebron, variously spelt regularly occurs in this sense. See 0, 18, 1245, and suprk 1 82 yborn. Williams in his Dictonary gives also ybron^ ybbern, dec. E. N.

32 THE CREACON OF THE WORLD.

war bub frute losowe ha hays 370 theth pleasure theis me a ase

[poynt to the tree] sowe byth ware thymmo pub pryes

an keth gwethan ma amma gwayt na fe gansy mellyes me athe chardg a vhe pub tra

375 an wethan ma ew henwys

gwethan gothvas droke ha da mar pyth y frute hy tastys

te a vyth dampnys ractha ha subiect ankowe dretha 380 te a vyth predar henna

fo. 5 b. tra morethack ew serten

gwellas adam y honyn heb cowethas

[let the father take a bone owt of adam is syde] adam cuske tha ge lemyn 385 ahanas tenaf asen me a vyn ath tenewan hag a honna pur serten

me a vyn gwyll theis pryas

[Let adam laye downe # slepe wher eva ys $ she by the conveyour must be taken from adam is syde]

skon a wonyn ja asowe 390 me a wra theja parowe

pub ower thes rag ?e weras

ADAM A A A ow Arluth da

benyn hy a v* henwys om corf ve gwressys honna 395 eva am asan ew gwryes ragtha ythose benegas

THE CREATION OF THE WORLD. 33

Over every fruit, herbs and seeds 370 To thy pleasure I leave thee.

But be thou ware for me always

This same tree to kiss: Take care that it be not meddled with,

I charge thee above everything.

375 This tree is named

(The) tree of knowledge of evil and good: If its fruit be tasted

Thou shalt be damned for it; And a subject of Death through it sso Thou shalt be — consider that.

A mournful thing (it) is, certainly, To see Adam by himself, Without companionship.

Adam, sleep thou now: 385 From thee draw a rib I will from thy side,

And of that right certainly

I will make for thee a spouse.

Straightway from one of thy ribs 390 I will make for thee an equal,

Every hour for thee to help thee.

ADAM Oh, Oh, Oh, my good Lord!

Woman she shall be called. Of my body thou madest that. 395 Eve of my rib was made:

Wherefore thou art blessed.

THE CREACON OF THE WORLD.

FATHER

[Let ft/she of dyuers sortis apeare $ serf en beastis as oxen kyne shepe fy such like] Adam yta an puskas ethen in ayre ha bestas

kekeffrys in tyre ha more 400 ro thothans aga henwyn y a [thue] theth gorwmyn

saw na bashe y ' war neb coore

ADA M

[At the Father is comandem' she [leg. they] eryseth] yth henwaf bewgh ha tarow oil an chattall debarowe 405 aga henwyn kemerans

marth ha casak hag asan

ky ha cathe ha logosan

deffrans ethan ha serpentis

[A fyne serpent made wth a mrgyn face <$ yolowe heare vpon her head]

i rof henwyn than puskas 410 shewyan pengarnas selyas

me as recken oil dybblans

[Let the serpent apeare fy also gees $ hennes]

FATHER rag bonas oil teake ha da

yn whea dyth myns es formys aga sona me a wra 415 may fon sythvas dyth henwys

an dyth sure a bowesva

a bub dean a vo sylwys 1 MS. ym.

THE CREATION OF THE WORLD. 35

GOD THE FATHER

Adam, behold the fishes, Birds in air and beasts,

Likewise in land and sea. 400 Give to them their names:

They will come to thy command,

But do not abash (?) them in any way.

ADAM

I name thee Cow, and Bull:

All the cattle separately (?)

405 Their names let them take.

Horse and Mare and Ass, Dog and Cat and Mouse,

Divers Birds and Serpents.

I give names to the Fishes, 410 Breams (?) Gurnets and Eels,

I will reckon them all distinctly.

GOD THE FATHER

For that all are fair and good,

In six days all that are formed, I will bless them 415 So that the seventh day may be called

The day surely of rest

By every man that shall be saved.

c2

3(5 THE CREACON OF THE WORLD.

tin desquethyans ' a hena me a bowas desempys

[After the father hath spoken left hem departe to heaven in a clowde]

LUCYFER

420 Gallas genaf hager dowle

tha pytt efFarn mes an nef ena me a theke an rowle ha lemyn in payne pur greif ythesaf |j]a thewer nefra

425 nynges thymo remedy

an trespas ytho mar vras ny amownt whelas mercye my a wore ny vyn an tase ow foly j[y]mmo gava

fo. 6 a. 430 rag henna oil an vengens

a allaf tha brederye me a vyn goneth dewhans der neb for a vras envy ny wraf vry warbyn pewa

435 me a wore yma formys

gans an tas yn dean a bry havall thotha ythew gwryes oil y gorffe m[ar] pur sembly ny allaf perthy henna

440 envyes ove war y bydn me a vyn towlall neb gyn the dulla mara callaf

gans dew ythew apoyntes warden war oil paradys 445 der henna ythof grevys y wellas eve exaltys

ha me dres $a yseldar 1 MS. dowhethyans.

THE CREATION OF THE WORLD. 37

In declaration of that I will rest forthwith.

LUCYFER 420 There has gone with me an ugly fall

To (the) pit of Hell out of the Heaven. There I shall bring the rule, And now in pain full strong I am to endure always.

425 There is not a remedy to me, The trespass was so great: It avails not to seek mercy: I know the Father will not Forgive me my folly.

430 Therefore all the vengeance

Which I can think on, I will work forthwith

Through some way of great hatred — I make no account of living.

435 I know there is formed

By the Father a man of clay: Like to Him is he made:

All his body so very seemly — I cannot bear that.

440 I am envious against him: I will cast some gin

To deceive him if I can.

By God he is appointed

Warden over all Paradise: 445 Therefore I am grieved To see him exalted,

And me brought to lowness.

38 THE CREACON OF THE WORLD.

tl^a hen a yma gwreghty benyn yw henwys eva 450 gwryes ay ason y fe hy

marthys teke a vhe pub tra saw y skeans yw brvttall

me a vyn mara callaf whelas neb for the themtya 455 par del oma gwase suttall

now ad am ma ow lordya avell duke in paradise

ha me sevyllyake omma

yn efarn yn tane pub preyse 460 yn powan bras ow lesky

Sow an keth adam yw gwryes me a wore heb dowte in case

tha golenwall an romys

es yn nef der ow goth brase 465 a voyd drethaf hawe mayny

Sow mar callaf der thavys gwyll tha adam thym cola

me an drossa tha baynes

na thefa then nef nevera 470 mar a mynna thym cola

so we Eva manaf saya hy ew esya tha dulla es adam in gwyre ynta ha moy symp[e]ll

475 in weth ny dale }m bos gwelys

ow honyn in keth shapema hager ythof defashes ny yll tra bonas hackra why oil a gweall

THE CREATION OF THE WORLD. 39

To that (man) there is a housewife,

A woman (who) is named Eve: 450 Made from his rib was she,

Marvellous fair above everything, But her knowledge is brittle.

I will if I can

Seek some way to tempt her, 455 As I am a subtle fellow.

Now Adam is lording (it) Like a Duke in Paradise, And I a loiterer here,

In hell, in fire always 460 In great pain (?) a burning.

But the same Adam is made,

I know without doubt in (the) case, To fill up the rooms

That are in heaven, through my great pride, 465 Empty through me and my meyny.

But if I can through a device

Make Adam to hearken to me, I shall have brought him to pains,

So that he shall never come to the heaven 470 If he will hearken to me.

But Eve I will essay. She is easier to deceive Than Adam right truly, And more simple.

475 Also it behoves me not to be seen

Myself in this same shape. Uglily am I defaced: Nothing can be uglier Ye all see.

40 THE CREACON OF THE WORLD.

BELZABUB

480 hager lower os me an vow yn myske oil an thewollow nyges hackra

rag henna whela neb jyn

po an vyadg ny dale oye 485 eva thysa a theglyn

mar uthicke pan wella hy theth fegure yn kethe delma

ha mar gwreta bargayne sure

ty a vith lower honorys 490 awos dew kenthewa fure

in forma mar pyth tullys me a vyth compes ganso

LUCYFER

na berth dowte me an prevent [leg. preves] hage thro lower tha paynes 495 me a levar jes fatla

[Let the serpent wait in the plain] an tas a rug der entent

in myske oil prevas in bys formya preve henwis serpent hag ythew wondrys fashes 500 tha virgin deke pur havall

sottall ythew gans henna

a vghe beast na preaf yn bys yn henna manaf entra

ha prevathe tha baradice 505 me a vyn mos heb fyllall

kyn na wore hy cowse banna me as rowle hy del vannaf

THE CREATION OF THE WORLD. 41

BELZEBUB

480 Ugly enough thou art, I vow it: Amongst all the devils There is none uglier.

Therefore seek some gin

Or the journey will not be worth an egg. 485 Eve at thee will wince (?) When she sees so ugly

Thy figure in this same manner.

And if thou makest thy bargain sure

Thou shalt be honoured enough, 490 Notwithstanding God, though He be wise; In this way if He be deceived I shall be straight with Him.

LUCIFER

Have no fear — I will prove him, And bring (him) enough to pains; 495 I will tell thee how.

The Father did by intent

Amongst all (the) worms in (the) world Form a worm named Serpent,

And (it) is wondrously faced, 500 To a fair virgin very like.

Subtle (it) is therewith

Above beast or worm in (the) world. Into that I will enter,

And privately to Paradise 505 I will go without fail.

Though she knows not (how) to speak a drop, I will rule her as I wish;

42 THE CREACON OF THE WORLD.

^ia kyns es dos a lena tha adam ha tha eva 510 me a wra neb enfugy

TOR PEN DEVYLL

gura in della me ath pys

par dell osta jowle \vylly rnar gwreth henna honorys

ty a vyth bys venarye 515 ha pen rowler warnan ny heb dowt in case

LUCYFER

[Let Lucyfer com to the serpent and offer to goe in to her] by and by thou shalt se that ha pur vskes gwraf an pratt

then serpent in spyte thy face

[The serpent voydeth $ stayeth and [Lucyfer ayayn] ofereth to go in to her] 520 Ay redeball dowethy

gorta ha byth thym rowlys gas ve tha entra agye rag ty ny vethys dowtyes drefan y bosta mar deke

[Lucyfer entreth into ye serpent] 525 ty a vyth yntertaynes ha gans eva sure cregys

thyth fysmant jethy a bleake aban oma close entrys

vnas sche [a]barth agye 530 ow voice oil yta changis avel mayteth yn tevery me ne vethaf confethes om bos ynaff fallsurye sottall lower ove * me a greys

fo. 7 a. 535 hag a vyn mos heb gwill gycke in wethan pur smoth heb mycke

avell eall wheake afynes 1 MS. eve.

THE CREATION OF THE WORLD. 43

And before going hence, To Adam and to Eve 510 I will do some harm.

TOR PEN a Demi Do thus, I pray thee,

As thou art a wily devil. If thou doest that, honoured

Thou shalt be for ever, 515 And chief-ruler over us,

Without doubt in (the) case.

LUCIFER

By and bye thou shalt see that, And right quickly I will do the trick To the serpent in spite to her face

520 Ah very evil (one), stop (?), Stay and be ruled by me: Allow me to enter thee,

For thou wilt not be feared, Because thou art so fair.

525 Thou shalt be entertained And by Eve surely believed,

Thy visage will please her. Since I am close entered

In thee, within, 530 My voice lo! it (is) all changed,

Like a maiden in earnest. I shall not be found out,

That there is in me falsehood. Subtle enough I am, I believe.

535 And I will go without doing .... Into a tree right smoothly without . Like a sweet angel adorned.

44 THE CREACON OF THE WORLD.

EVA

[The serpent singeth in the tree] me a vyn mos tha wandra

omma yn myske an flowrys 540 oil pub pleasure an bysma yn plasma yta tevys

may thew confort ja wellas

SERPENT in the tree

eva prage na theta nes

rag cowse orthaf ha talkya 545 vn dra a won am gothvas pur lowenake am gwressa cola orthaf a mennas

EVA

[Then eva wondreth of the Serpent when she speaketh] pew ostashe es in wetban a wartha gans troes ha cane 550 marth ew genaf thath clewas

worthys me nembes negys na byle es devethys

marth ew genaf tha wellas

SERPENT

na gymmar marth v* benynvas 555 me a theth [j]a the wheres

mes a neif gans hast pur vras

rag cowsall theis a henna

omma lemyn pur brevath me athe pys awos neb tra 560 na gymar marth anotha

na owne v* es ow gwellas

THE CREATION OF THE WORLD. 45

EVE

I will go to wander

Here among the flowers. 540 Every pleasure of this world In this place see it grown, So that it is a comfort to see.

SERPENT

Eve, why dost thou not draw near

To speak to me and to talk? 545 One thing, I know of my knowledge, Very joyous would make me, If thou wouldst hearken to me.

EVE

Who art thou that art in (the) tree Above with noise and song ? 550 A marvel is it to me to hear thee,

With thee I have no business, Nor whence thou art come — A marvel is it to me to see.

SERPENT

Take no wonder at all, Goodwife, 555 I have come to help thee

Out of heaven with full great haste,

To speak to thee of that

Here now very privately; I pray thee on account of anything 560 Take no wonder at it,

Nor any fear in seeing me.

4(5 THE CREACON OF THE WORLD.

EVA

nynges owne thym ahanas drefan bose mar deake tha face na whath dowte vethol in bys

565 rag der tha ere yth falsa

ty tha thos an nef totheta ha mara tethe a lena

pur welcom ythose genaf ha thawell ythe fythe cregys

570 lavar thybma thathe negys ha mar callaf ja weras

na berth dout ny vyth nehys

SERPENT

ow nygys a dreyle tha les mar a mynta ow kyfye ' 575 saw yma thym ahanes

dowte pur vras a anfugye mara gwrees ow dyskevera

EVA

[Eva talketh famyl'yarlye wth the serpent and cometh neare hem]

na vannaf tha theskyvra

ow hothman a tra in bys 580 rag henna meare tha volta ty a yll gule tha negys ha ow threst yw y vos da

SERPENT

da cotha yw na thowt perill war ow honesty benyn vas Cregy in the British Museum M. S.

THE CREATION OF THE WORLD. 47

EVE

There is no fear to me of thee, Because thy face is so fair,

Nor yet doubt at all in (the) world.

565 For by thy word it seemed

That thou earnest from the heaven directly; And if thou comest thence

Right welcome art thou to me, And thy gospel shall be believed.

570 Tell to me thy errand, And if I can help thee

Have no fear, thou shalt not be denied.

SERPENT My errand will turn to thy profit

If thou wilt believe me: 575 But there is to me from thee

Very great fear of misfortune, If thou dost discover me.

EVE

I will not discover thee,

My friend, for aught in (the) world. 580 Therefore if thou wishest (?) Thou mayest do thy errand,

And my trust is that it is good.

SERPENT

(jrood it ought to be, fear no peril On my honesty, goodwife;

THE CREACON OF THE WORLD.

'pokeean y whressan fyllell hag y fea peth pur vras

ha me gweifa the vos punyshes

EVA

why a lavar gwyre dremas

henna vea hager dra 590 yma thymma hyrathe bras rag gothevas pan dra vea in cutt termyn ages negys cowsow y praya

SERPENT

me a levar thys eva 595 ha coole orthaf os ehan maga fure te a vea avel dew es awartha hag a vffya pub tra

EVA

myhall sera thewgh gramercy GOO a callen dos then pryckna yth alsan bos pur very henna vea reall dra

bos cooth ja thew awarja ha in pub poynt equall gonsa 605 ha maga fure accomptys

yn erna re sent deffry yth halsan rowlya 2 pur gay ha bos stately }om deuise

y praytha lavar iatla Gio perthy ny allaf pella

1 MS. gousa. * MS. rowtya.

THE CREATION OF THE WORLD. 49

585 Or else I should fail;

And it would be a very great sin, And I ought (?) to be punished.

EVE You say true, excellent one,

That would be an evil thing. 590 There is to me a great longing

To know what thing it may be; In a short time your errand Say, I pray.

SERPENT

I tell to thee, Eve, 595 And listen to me quietly (?) As wise wouldst thou be, As God who is above, And know everything.

EVE

Sir, I may thank you; 600 If I could come to that point I might be full merry;

That would be a royal thing

To be known to God above, And in every point equal with him, cos And as wise accounted;

Then by (the) saints really, I might rule very gaily,

And be stately (according) to my device.

I pray thee tell me how ; 6io I cannot bear longer:

50 THE CREACON OF THE WORLD.

tne a v* sure tha lacka mes te thym a lavara en by and by.

skeans benyn ew brotall eis ha me nygof over sottall

lavar thym kyns es by thy me athe pyese • an nowethys

SERPENT

me a levar thys eva mar gwreth tastya an frutema es oma war an we than

maga fure te a vea avell dew es a wartha in nef vhall a vhan gow vyth ny lavaraf

EVA

[Let eva look angerly on the serpent and profer to depart.]

625 what ew hena tha thevyse tarn v* nyvyth cregys henna me a levar theis

theth cussyllyow in poyntna me a levar theis praga

630 dew a ornas contrary

na thesan tastya henna hay gommandement pur thefry a rose straytly dres pub tra na wrellan mellya worty 635 prag y whreth genaf flattra

SERPENT fo. 8 a. golsow golsow eva ha des nes

THE CREATION OF THE WORLD. 51

I shall be sure to faint Unless thou speak to me By and bye.

Woman's knowledge is brittle, 615 And I am not over -subtle;

Tell me before thou stoppest (?), I pray thee, the news.

SERPENT

I will tell thee, Eve, If thou dost taste this fruit 620 That is here on the tree

As wise thou shalt be

As God that is above

In Heaven, high of high — I will not tell a lie at all.

EVE

625 What is that thy device?

Any jot will not be believed (That I will tell to thee)

Of thy counsels in that point,

I will tell to thee why.

630 God ordained (the) contrary

That we should not taste that, And His commandment full surely

He gave straitly above everything, That we should not meddle with it - 635 Why dost thou flatter with me?

SERPENT

Hearken, hearken, Eve, and come near:

d2

52 THE CREACON OF THE WORLD.

lhame ew genaf tha glowas

ow cregy then gyrryaw na

praga me a levar thies 640 y wruge dew ry an chardgna genas a peva tastys maga fure te a vea

in pub poynt sure avella

an tas ef ny vynsa sure 645 worthe dean vetholl bos mar fure

tha othvas a droke ha da rag henna benynvas eva genas ny vannaf flattra

na ny vanaf usya gowe 650 kooll ge thym men tha gesky

mar mynta bos exaltys poken sertayne venarye why a vyth avell flehys

bo yn assentys te a glow 655 eva gent[i]ll

EVA

yea yea me a glow

hag a rose ?ym chardge mar strayte me am byth payne ha galarow mara gwren t6rry vn ieit

y gommandement thyn reyse par hap in efarne neffra ny an bythe agen trygva

mar ny vyth y voth sewyes.

SERPENT

Taw Taw eva ythos foole 665 ny vynnys kola orthe da me a ragtha ty an owle ow husyll mar gwreth naha genas nygof contentys

THE CREATION OF THE WORLD. 53

Shame there is to me to hear thee, Believing those words.

Why -- I will teU to thee 640 Did God give that charge? By thee if it were tasted As wise thou wouldst be In every point surely as He.

The Father, He would not surely 645 That any man should be so wise

(As) to know of evil and good; Therefore, goodwife, Eve, With thee I will not flatter,

Nor will I use a lie. eso Listen thou to me ....

If thou wouldst be exalted, Or else certainly for ever Ye shall be like children:

Or thou hast assented to it, thou hearest, 655 Gentle Eve.

EVE Yea, yea, I hear,

And He gave to me a charge so strait That I should have pain and griefs

If I should break a jot eeo His commandment given to us;

Perhaps in Hell for ever We shall have our dwelling

If His wish be not followed.

SERPENT

Be silent, be silent, Eve, thou art a fool: 665 Thou wilt not hearken to good. I will go: for it thou shalt weep My counsel if thou dost deny. I am not contented with thee.

54 THE CREACON OF THE WORLD.

fta vea me theth cara 670 ny vynsan theth cossyllya

tha vos bargayne mar vras gwryes

EVA

[She commeth anear the serpent agayne and geveth heed to his words] a cuffan y voja gwyre me a sewsye tha thesyre

drefan te tha thos an nef

SERPENT

675 why a levar gwyre benynvas ny ryse thewh mystrustya * an nef ny the mes tues vas me ew onyn an sortna

[Lett y* serpent bow downe the appll to $ she takethe y* appell]

re why kam* thages dremas eso po an vyadge ny dale tra mes y bart ef an geffa

EVA

ny vannaf bos mar grefnye tha wetha oil ow honyn adam sure dres pub hwny3 685 me an kare po dew deffan the wetha heb shara4

fo. 8. b. SERPENT

me a ysten an skoran kymmar an frute annethy

1 MS., apparently, my stun sty a. a British Museum MS. ran.

3 MS. hwnyth.

4 Br. Mus. MS. heb y shara, "without his share".

670

THE CREATION OF THE WORLD.

Were it not that I love thee, I would not counsel thee

That a bargain so great should be made.

55

EVE

If I knew that this were true I would follow thy desire,

Because thou hast come from the heaven.

SERPENT

675 You say true, goodwife;

No need to thee to mistrust: From the heaven there comes not save good folk; I am one of that sort.

680

Give you a bit (?) to your husband,

Or the journey will not be worth aught But his part, he should get it.

685

EVE

I will not be so greedy

To keep all myself — Adam surely beyond everyone

I love him — or God forbid To keep him without a share.

SERPENT

I will stretch the bough Take the fruit from it.

56 THE CREACON OF THE WORLD.

|

EVA

me a ra in pur serten 690 ny allaf ra pell perthy

pan vo reys tastya anothy

SERPENT nefra na gybmar dowte

te a yll bos pur verry gans tha lagasowe alees 695 te a weall pub tra omma ha pur fure te a v* gwryes evell dew na thowt henna eva me a levar thyes

na vea me theth cara 700 ny vynsan awos neb tra

yn ban tha vos exaltys

EVA

mear a rase thewhy sera

ow ry cusyll jym mar stowte orthowh me a vyn cola 705 ha by god nynges jym dowte

tha dastya a[n] keth avail haw dremas a wor thym grace

tha weyll vyadge mar nob[e]ll ha re thew an drengis tase 710 ef am sett yn ban vhall

hag am gornvall meare heb dowt

SERPENT

ke yn ker eva benynvas te a yll gothvas thym grace rag an vyadge

715 hag adam dell ew dremas

THE CREATION OF THE WORLD.

57

EVE

I will do (so) full certainly: I can no longer forbear, Since it is needful to taste of it.

SERPENT Never take fear,

Thou mayest be right merry. With thine eyes abroad 695 Thou wilt see every thing here. And full wise thou shalt be made Like God — doubt not that — Eve, I say to thee.

Were it not that I love thee, TOO I should not wish on account of anything, On high that thou shouldst be exalted.

EVE Much thanks to thee, Sir,

Giving to me counsel so strong, To you I will hearken, 705 And by God there is not to me fear

To taste the same apple. And my husband will give me thanks

To make a voyage so noble, And by God the Trinity Father 710 He will set me up on high,

And will praise (?) me much without doubt.

SERPENT

Go thou away, Eve, goodwife, Thou mayst give me thanks For the voyage.

715 And Adam, as he is excellent,

58 THE CREACON OF THE WORLD.

'ahanas a wra pur vras

an bargayne ny vyth eddrack

EVA

Farewell ow hothman an nef

me ath kare bys venary 720 tha adam kerras pur greyf me a vyn the sallugye ban avail y presentya

[ Eva departeth to Adam $ presenteth hem the appll]

SERPENT

gwra yn della me ath pys ty a glow keen nawothow 725 kyns ow gwellas ve arta

EVA

adam adam pythesta

golsow thymmo ha des neese yma genaf theth pleycya

na barth dowt a bratt es gwryes 730 may woffas thym grassow

ADAM

welcom eva os benynvas

marsew an nowothow da te a vythe rewardyes

ham hollan yn weth ganja 735 te a v* prest theth plegadow

EVA

[Shew the appell to Adam] fo. 9 a. merowgh merowgh orth henma

tomma gaya ' avail theys

' ^IS. gaya a avail.

THE CREATION OF THE WORLD.

Of thee will make very much:

Of the bargain he will not be repentant.

59

720

EVE Farewell, my friend from heaven!

I will love thee for ever. Unto Adam full strongly go I will, to salute him,

And the apple to present it.

725

SERPENT

Do so, I pray thee. Thou wilt hear other news Before seeing me again.

EVE

Adam, Adam, who art thou?

Hearken to me and come near. There is with me (somewhat) to please thee.

Do not bear doubt of a trick that is done; 730 So that thou mayst give me thanks.

735

ADAM Welcome, Eve, thou art a good wife!

If the news be good Thou shalt be rewarded, And my heart also with it

Thou shalt have ready to thy pleasure.

EVE

Look you, look you at this See here a gay apple for theej

THE C RE AGON OF THE WORLD.

' mar gwreth tastya anotha

eve a drayle thejo tha leas 740 moy eas myllyow a bynsow

ADAM

[Adam is afrayde [at] the sight of the apple] des nes gas ve the wellas mara sewa avail da

lavar p[l]e veva kefys

EVA

praga adam ow fryas 745 der dowte es thyes y wellas lavar jymmo me ath pyes

ADAM

ny bleig thym sight anotha dowt pur vras yma thy ma

nagewa vas me a gryes 750 ty mar pe hemma terrys mes an wethan defennys

ragtha me a v* grevys

EVA

neffra na thowt a henna

adam wheak ow harenga 755 me a levar thys mar pleag yn pan vanar yn bema

sera ha me ow gwandra me a glowas awartha war an weathan ven eal wheake 760 sure ow cana

me am be wondrys fancye orth y wellas in weathan

740

THE CREATION OF THE WORLD.

If thou dost taste of it

It will turn to thee to profit, More than thousands of pounds.

61

ADAM

Come near, leave me to see If (it) be a good apple,

Say where (it) was found.

745

EVE

Why, Adam, my spouse, Much doubt is (there) to thee to see it Tell to me, I pray thee.

750

ADAM

(The) sight of it does not please me: A very great doubt is to me;

It is not good, I believe; Thou if this be plucked From the forbidden tree,

For it I shall be grieved.

755

760

EVE Never doubt of that,

Sweet Adam, my love. I will tell thee, if it please (thee)

In what manner I had it.

Sir, as I was wandering,

I heard above

On the tree a sweet angel

Surely a singing. I had a wondrous fancy, Seeing him in (the) tree,

62 THE CREACON OF THE WORLD.

'ha thevy in curtessye

y profyas avell cothman 765 mere a dacklow ram lowta

ha pur worthy

ADAM

A eva. eva. ty a fyllas

ow cola orthe an eal na droke polat o me a gryes 770 neb a glowses owe cana

hag * athe cossyllyas tha derry an avail na

EVA

sera eve a gowsys jym mar deake 775 ny wothyan tabm y naha hay bromas o mar wheake may wruge eve thyma cola ny thowtys war ow ena a falsurye

780 hay bromas ytho largya

mar gwrean tasty a an frutna avell dew ny a vea ha maga furre

my a fylly in vrna 785 a callan dos then prickna y fea bargayn pur fuer

ADAM

a owte owt warnas eva me a yll cnssya henna

towles on tha vyshew bras 790 ha worthy tha gemeras

MS. na.

765

THE CREATION OF THE WORLD.

And to me in courtesy He proffered like a friend Many things, by my loyalty, And full worthy.

63

770

ADAM Ah Eve, Eve, thou hast failed

Hearkening to that angel. An evil polat he was, I believe, Whom thou heardest singing,

And (who) counselled thee to pluck That apple.

EVE

Sir, he spoke to me so fairly 775 I knew not (how) to deny him aught; And his promise was so sweet That he made me listen;

Thou shouldst not doubt, on my soul, Of falsehood.

785

And his promise was large, If we do taste that fruit Like God we should be, And as wise.

Meseemed then

If I could come to that point

It would be a bargain full wise.

790

ADAM

Ah out, out on thee, Eve, I may curse (?) that.

Fallen are we to great mischief,

And worthy to take it.

64 THE CREACON OF THE WORLD.

fo. 9 b. i henna o hagar vargayne

eva me a lavar theis nebas lowre a vyt[h] an gwayne

pan vo genas cowle comptys 795 soweth aylaas

EVA

[Profer the appell to Adam., he refuseth yt] taw ad am na vyth serrys

ny theth droke whath anotha an keth perill yth towtys

hag a laverys thotha soo oil an perill in pub poynte

saw eve thema a wrontyas nago thema dowte in case

war y perill wondrys coynt

ADAM

a molath then horsen kam BOS ha thage in weth gansa ny an gevyth sure droke lam rag tha veadge in tornma ha worthy ja gawas blame

EVE

[Lett her speak angerly to Adam] Yea yea me an gevyth oil an blame sio tha worthis ge lemyn adam pynag[e]ll for ythe an game

saw a pony dewyow gwryes ny veas mal bew serrys me a wore hena ynta

ADAM 815 Taw Taw na vyth jymmo mar ucky

THE CREATION OF THE WORLD.

That was an ugly bargain, Eve, I will tell to thee; Little enough will be the gain

When it is with thee quite counted. 795 Woe, alas!

EVE

Be silent, Adam, do not be angered:

Evil hath not yet come of it. The same peril I feared,

And told to him soo All the peril in every point.

But he to me warranted That there was not to me doubt in (the) case. On his peril, wondrous quaint.

ADAM

Ah! a curse to the crooked whoreson, 805 And to thee also with him:

We shall surely have it a bad leap, For thy voyage this turn, And worthy to get blame.

EVE

Yea, yea, I shall get all the blame sio From thee now, Adam,

Whatsoever way the game has gone.

But if we were made gods Thou wouldst not be at all (?) angered, I know that well.

ADAM

sis Peace, peace, do not be so foolish to me;

e

THE CREACON OF THE WORLD.

«n serpent o re wylly

ragas she in keth tornma

ef a brefyas lowre gow theis ha genas ymons cregys 820 ow gyrryow a vyth prevys

may fyth lowre payne ractha

EVA

yea yea ythosta ge dean fure

ny vynnys orthaf cola mar ny vethaf ow desyre 825 neffra nyn gwellaf omma methan vn spyes

[Lett her profer to depart]

an eal ega in wethan y cowses gyrryow efan ha me an creys

sso syr war nebas lavarow tast gy part an avallow

po ow harenga ty a gyll

[profer hem the appll]

meir kymar an avail teake po sure inter te hath wreage 835 an garenga quyt a fyll

mar ny vynyth y thebbry

ADAM

henna ythew trewath tra a ban reys jymmo cola 840 po kelly an garensa

es ordnys interranye

fo. 10 a. eva gent[i]ll na vyth serrys me a ra oil del vynny

THE CREATION OF THE WORLD. 67

The serpent was too wily,

For thee in this same turn.

He told enough lies to thee, And by thee they are believed; 820 My words will be proved

So that there will be pains enough for it.

EVE Yea, yea, thou art a wise man,

Thou wilt not listen to me; If I have not my desire 825 Never .... here .... one space.

The angel that was in (the) tree Spoke plain words,

And I believe him.

830 Sir, in few words,

Taste thou part of the apples, Or my love thou shalt lose.

See, take the fair apple, Or surely between thee and thy wife 835 The love quite shall fail,

If thou wilt not eat it.

ADAM

That is a mournful thing Since it is needful to me to hearken, 840 Or to lose the love

That is ordained between us.

Gentle Eve, do not be angered; I will do all as thou wishest:

e2

gg THE CREACON OF THE WORLD.

flrova thymo desempys 845 ha me a ra ye thebbrye

[Eva gevethe hem the appll]

EVA

yea gwra thym indella drevon bew ow harenga

ty a vyth bys venarye meer an avail ma omma 850 kymar ha debar tothta

dowt me genas tha serry

[Adam receveth the appll and doth fast yt and so repenteth and tkroweth yt away]

ADAM

ogh ogh trew ny re behas

ha re dorras an deffen a teball benyn heb grace 855 ty ram tullas ve heb kene

agen corfow nooth gallas

mere warn an pub tenewhan

om gwethen ny gans deel glase

agen prevetta pur glose

860 y whon gwyre dew agen tas y sor thyn y teige pur vras me an suppose

[Eva loketh vpon Adam very strangly and speketh [not] eny thing]

meere mere an gwelta eva yma ef ow toos omma 865 rag meth dean ny a lemma tha gutha in tellar close

FFATHER ad am ad am pandra wreth

prage ny theth thorn welcomma

845

THE CREATION OF THE WORLD.

Bring (it) to me immediately, And I will eat it.

69

850

EVE

Yea, do thus to me, Because my living love

Is to thee for ever. See this apple here, Take and eat quickly,

Lest I be angry with thee.

ADAM Oh, oh, sad! we have sinned,

And have broken the prohibition. O evil woman, without grace, 855 Thou hast deceived me without pity.

Our bodies have gone naked;

Look upon us (on) every side: Let us clothe ourselves with green leaves, Our privities full close.

seo I know truly God our Father

His anger to us will carry very great, I suppose it.

Look, look, seest thou him, Eve? He is coming here:

865 For shame let us come from hence, To hide in a close place.

GOD THE FATHER

Adam, Adam, what dost thou?

Why comest thou not to welcome me?

70 THE CREACON OF THE WORLD.

ADAM

drefan ow bos nooth heb quetb 870 ragas ytheth tha gutha yn tellar ma

FFATHER [fftg leaves redy to cover ther members]

pyw a tbysquethas thyso

tha vos noth tryes corf ha bregh lemyn an frute grace na[th]vo 875 monas the thibbry heb peyghe prag y wresta in della

ADAM

thyma ve why a rose gwreag

hona yw all tha vlamya hy a dorras an avail teake 880 hag an dros thym tha dastya

FFATHER a ban golsta orty hy

ha gwythyll dres ow defan in wheys lavyr tha thybbry ty a wra bys yth worffan 885 eva prag y wresta gye

tulla tha bryas heb ken

EVA

fo. 10 b. an serpent der falsurye

am temptyas tha w[rjuthell hena hag y promysyas tha vee 890 y fethan tha well nefra hemma ew gwyre

THE CREATION OF THE WORLD. 71

ADAM

Because of my being naked without a garment, 870 From thee I went to hide In this place.

GOD THE FATHER

Who discovered to thee

Thy being naked, feet, body and arm? Now the fruit, grace there was not to thee 875 To go to eat it without sin: Why hast thou done so?

ADAM Unto me you gave a wife;

She is all to blame: She broke the fair apple, 880 And brought it to me to taste.

GOD THE FATHER

Since thou hast hearkened to her, And done against my prohibition,

In sweat labour to eat

Thou shalt, even to thy end. 885 Eve, why didst thou

Deceive thy spouse without mercy?

EVE

The Serpent, by falsehood Tempted me to do that; And promised to me

890 That we should be the better always This is true.

72 THE CREACON OF THE WORLD.

FFATHER rag ty tha gulla ortye

ha tulla tha bryas leel nefra gostyth thy gorty 895 me a ordayne bos benyn trust gy thorn gear

may moyghea y lavyer hy

der weyll ow[?] gorhemen troghe na heb mear lavyer defry 900 benytha nystevyth floghe

[the father speketh to the serpent]

prag y wresta malegas lavar aga thulla y

SERPENT

me a lavar theis an case rag bos dethy joy mar vras 905 ha me pub ere ow lesky

FFATHER serpent rag aga themptya

mer a bayne es thyes ornys malegas es dres pub tra

ha dreis preif ha beast in bys

910 owne ahanas rag neffra

dean an gevyth pub preis ha te preif a wra cruppya ha slynckya war doer a heys

ynter ye hays hy ha tee 915 me a wra envy neffra ha henna theth pedn ^a gy

than doer sure a wra croppya1 1 MS. cruppya.

THE CREATION OF THE WORLD.

73

GOD THE FATHER

Because thou didst hearken to her,

And deceive thy loyal spouse, Ever subject to her husband 895 I ordain Woman to be — Trust thou to my word.

Let her travail increase

Through breaking my command, Nor without much travail surely 900 Shall she ever have children.

Why didst thou, Accused, Say, deceive them?

905

SERPENT

I will say to thee the case, For that there was to her joy very great, And I every hour a burning.

GOD THE FATHER

Serpent, for tempting them

Much pain is ordained to thee.

Accursed art thou beyond every thing, And beyond snake and beast in (the) world.

910 Fear of thee for ever

Man shall have it always; And thou, Serpent, shalt creep, And slink on (the) ground along.

Between her seed and thee 915 I will put hatred ever, And she thy head for thee

Shall surely pierce (?) to the Earth.

74 THE CREAQON OF THE WORLD.

|

LUCYTER THE SERPENT

attoma hager vyadge

ma hallaf kyny ellas 920 yth om brovas gwan dyack

may thof poyntyes }a bayne bras tha pytt efarn ow cheif place

[Let Lucyfer com owte of the serpent, the serpent re- mayneth in the tree. And lett hem crepe on his belly to hell w1k great noyse]

me a vyn dallath cruppya

ha slyncya1 war doer a heys 925 them shape ow honyn ytama why a weall omma treylys drog pullat ha brase

kynnam boma lowena

an chorle adam hag eva 930 tha effarn y towns thymmo haga asshew rag neffra poyntys der ganaw an tas

fo. 11 a. han serpent tregahs yna

nefra nythe alena 935 rag ythew malegas bras

ADAM

a dase dew athe wullowys aban ove tha throke towlys graunt theth creator me ath pys na part a oyle a vercy

FFATHER

940 adam kyns es dewath an bys me a wront oyle mercye theis

ha tha eva theth wrethtye MS. slyntya.

THE CREATION OF THE WORLD.

75

920

LUCIFER Here is an ugly voyage,

So that I may lament alas. I have proved myself a weak husbandman, So that I am appointed to great pain, To (the) pit of hell, my chief place.

I will begin to creep

And slink on (the) ground along; 925 To my own shape I am

Turned, you see here — An evil pullat and great.

Though I have not joy,

The churl Adam and Eve 930 To hell will come to me, And their issue for ever

Appointed by the Father's mouth.

And let the serpent dwell there: Never let it come thence 935 For it is accursed greatly.

ADAM

O Father God, from thy light Since I am cast to evil, Grant to thy creature, I pray thee, Some part of (the) oil of mercy.

GOD THE FATHER

940 Adam, before (the) end of the world, I will grant oil of mercy to thee, And to Eve thy goodwife.

76 THE CREACON OF THE WORLD.

' sow pur wyre thy mo ve creis

worth tha wreak drefan cola 945 rag terry an keth frutes

a wrug defenna ju wortes spearn y teg thym ha speras han earbes an keth dorna ty a thebar in tha wheys 950 theth vara pur wyre nefra arna veys arta treyles

an keth doer kyns a wruga1 a thowst omma y fus*

ha tha thowst y theth arta

[Let the father ascend to heaven]

ADAM 955 theth voth rebo collenwys

arluth nef han byes keverys me a yll bos lowanheys kyns es bos dewath an bys cawas an oyle a vercy

960 kynthaw paynes ow cortas in effarn in neb place my ew3 neb an dendyllas drefan an defan terry

FFATHER IN HEAVEN mehall yskydnyow4 eall splan 965 hellowgh adam gans cletha dan hay wreage mes a baradice

ha deaw gweth dothans gwra doen thaga hutha pub Season

aga nootha na ve gwellys

1 MS. wrugaf.

2 MS. fens.

3 MS. ow.

4 MS. yskydmyow.

THE CREATION OF THE WORLD.

But right truly believe me;

Because of hearkening to thy wife 945 To break the same fruits

Which I did forbid thee, Thorns shall bear for me (leg. thee) and briars

And the herbs -- that same earth. Thou shalt eat in thy sweat 950 Thy bread right truly ever, Until thou art again turned

The same earth I made first. From dust here thou wast,

And to dust thou goest again.

77

ADAM 955 Thy will be fulfilled,

Lord of Heaven and the world likewise. I may be glad

Before is (the) end of the world, To get the oil of mercy.

960 Though there be pains waiting In hell, in every place, It is I who have deserved it,

Because of breaking the prohibition.

THE FATHER IN HEAVEN

Michael, descend you, bright Angel. 965 Hunt you Adam with a sword of fire, And his wife, out from Paradise.

And two garments carry unto them To cover them in every season,

That their nakedness be not seen.

962. British Museum Manuscript has ny. — "we have deserved it'

78 THE CREACON OF THE WORLD.

MYCHAELL IN HEAVEN

[desend angell] 970 arluth me a wra henna parys yw genaf pub tra

tha vose thothans a lemma

adam ke in mes an wlase

tha greys an bys tha vewa 975 te tha honyn tha ballas

theth wreag genas tha netha

[The garmentis of skynnes to be geven to adam and eva by the angell. Receave the garmentis. Let them depart owt of paradice and adam and eva folowing them. Let them put on the garmentis and shewe a spyndell and a dystaff]

adam attoma dyllas hage eva thages quetha

ffystenowgh bethans gweskes

980 ffystenowgh trohan daras

rag omma ny wrewgh trega ages tooles tha ballas hages pegans tha netha y towns parys

DEATH

985 me yw cannas dew ankow omma dretha appoyntys rag terry gormenadow

tha adam gans dew ornys ef a verve hay ayshew

990 yn della ythew poyntyes tha vyns a vewa in byes

me the lath a gans ow gew

THE CREATION OF THE WORLD.

79

MICHAEL m HEAVEN

970 Lord I will do that:

Ready with me is everything To go to them from hence.

Adam, go out of the land

To (the) midst of the world to live, 975 Thou thyself to dig,

Thy wife with thee to spin.

Adam here is raiment, And Eve, to clothe you.

Hasten ye, let them be worn.

Hasten ye through the door, For here ye shall not dwell.

Your tools to delve,

And your needments to spin Are prepared.

985

990

DEATH

I am God's messenger, Death,

Here by Him appointed. For breaking commandments

To Adam by God ordained, He should die and his issue.

Thus is it appointed To all that shall live in (the) world, I to slay them with my spear.

THE CREACON OF THE WORLD.

9 adam na eva pegha

ha deffan an tas terry 995 mernans ny wressans tastya mes in pleasure venarye y a wressa prest bewa

omma eve ytho poyntyes

cheif warden war paradice 1000 ha der pegh a coveytes oil y joye ythew kellys may fetha paynes ragtha

gans an Jowle y fowns tulles der an serpent malegas 1005 dell welsowgh warbarth omma

[Death departeth away]

ADAM

henna ythew trewath bras der an serpent malegas

ny tha vonas mar gucky may thew kellys thyn an place 1010 o ornes thyn lean a ioye tha vewa omma neffra

lemyn Eva ow fryas

henna ytho tha folly gye rag henna paynes pur vras 1015 yma ornes ragan ny

may hellyn kyny dretha

EVA

me ny wothyan gwyll dotha

kemys gyrryow teake am b[r]eff der henna war ow ena 1020 me a supposyas eall neff ythova denvenys thym

THE CREATION OF THE WORLD.

Had Adam or Eve not sinned,

And broken the prohibition of the Father, 995 Death they would not have tasted, But in pleasure always They would ever Jive.

Here he was appointed

Chief -warden over Paradise, 1000 And through (the) sin of covetousness All his joy is lost,

So that there should be pains for it.

By the devil they were deceived, Through the accursed serpent, 1005 As ye have seen together here.

81

1010

ADAM

That is great sadness, Through the accursed serpent

That we were so foolish; So that lost for us is the place

Which was ordained to us full of joy, To live here for ever.

Now Eve my spouse,

That was thy folly: Therefore pains full great

Are ordained for us,

So that we may lament through it.

1020

EVE I knew not (how) to do to him,

So many fair words he said to me; Therefore, on my soul,

I supposed an angel of heaven Was sent to me.

THE CREACON OF THE WORLD.

ifcera ken foma cregys y flattering o mur gloryes

ny wothyan guthell nahean 1025 ram lowta1

ADAM a soweth te tha gregye

than Jowle bras hay anfugye rage ytho ef re wylly

pan2 eth in serpent agye 1030 rag tha dulla

fo. 12 a. a ban omma cowle3 dyckles hag a paradice hellys

me a vyn dallath palas

rag cawas susten ha boos 1035 thymo ve ha thorn flehys

hag aparell [h]a thyllas

EVA

yn weth me a vyn netha rag gule dill as thorn cutha ha thorn flehys es genys

ADAM

1040 ethlays gwef pan ove genys

ow terry gormenadow dew hellys4 on a paradice

than noer veys er agen gew tra vetholl a rella leas 1045 ny gavaf omma neb tew na susten moy es bestas fetla wren omwetha bew

1 MS. ram lea lowta.

2 MS. pen?

8 MS. towle. 4 MS. gellys.

THE CREATION OF THE WORLD.

Sir, though I were hanged, His flattering was so glorious,

I knew not (how) to do otherwise, 1025 By my loyalty.

ADAM

Ah, grief! that thou believedst

In the great devil and his mischief! For he was too wily

When he went into a serpent within 1030 To deceive thee.

Since we are quite helpless,

And hunted from Paradise,

I will begin to dig,

To get sustenance and food 1035 For me and for my children, And apparel and raiment.

EVE

Likewise I will spin, To make raiment to cover me,

And for my children that are born,

ADAM

1040 Alas, woe is me that I am born! Breaking God's commandments: Hunted are we from Paradise

To the earth -world for our woe. Anything at all that will do advantage 1045 I shall not find here (on) any side, Nor sustenance more than beasts; How shall we keep ourselves alive?

f2

84 THE CREACON OF THE WORLD.

I

EVA nynsew helma paradice

a nagew adam nagew 1050 ena ythesa flowrys

ha frutes teke aga lew thagan maga

orta meras pan wrellan channgys yw an rowle lemyn 1055 Ellas orthan prif cola

ADAM

[shew her ij sonnes] deaw vabe yma thym genys ha tevys ythyns tha dnes why oil as gweall

cayne ythew ow mabe cotha loeo ha abell ew ow mabe younka flehys evall ha gent[e]ll

[He speakethe to Cayne]

me a vyn thewhy poyntya service tha teag hay gela

rage rowlya eys ha chattell 1065 cayne tha chardge ge a vyth war kerth barlys ha gwaneth

tha wethill an dega leall

[He turnethe to Abell]

hag abell an oblashyon war an beastas han nohan 1070 han devidgyow oil in gweall

ha penvo reys degevy

gorowgh y than mownt tabor hag ena gwrewh aga lyskye

THE CREATION OF THE WORLD. §5

EVE

This hall is not Paradise,

Ah it is not, Adam, it is not! 1050 There were flowers,

And fruits, fair their hue, To feed us.

On them when I do look, Changed is the rule now, 1055 Alas, to listen to that worm!

ADAM

Two sons are born to me, And they are grown to men Ye all see them

Cain is my eldest son, 1060 And Abel is my youngest son — Children humble and gentle.

I will unto you appoint

Service to bear(?) and his fellow

To rule corn and cattle. 1065 Cain, thy charge shall be Over oats, barley and wheat To make the loyal tithe.

And Abel the oblation On the beasts and the oxen IOTO And all the sheep in [the] field.

And when there shall be need to make tithe,

Put them to the Mount Tabor, And there do you burn them,

86 THE CREACON OF THE WORLD.

dowt dew genow tha1 serry 1075 mar ny wreen oblacon leall

CAYNE

adam ow thas caradowe me a ra heb falladowe

tha worhemyn yn tean

reys yw pur -ryes lavyrrya loso ha gones an beise omma

tha gawas theny susten

ABELL [A lamb redy with fyre and insence]

mos then menythe me a vyn ha gwyll an dega lemyn

ha lesky holma pur glane

fo. 12 b. toss han degvas oil a bub tra oblashion sure anotha

me a dylla oil gans tane

CAYME

ye lysky ny vannaf ve an eys nan frutes defrye 1090 taw abell thynio pedn cowge

me a guntell dreyne ha spearn ha glose tha leskye heb beam hag a ra bush brase a vooge

ABELL

cayne nyngew henna gwryes vas 1095 yn gorthyans tha thew an tase gwren agen sacrafice leall MS. that.

THE CREATION OF THE WORLD. 87

Lest God be angry with you 1075 If we make not loyal oblation.

CAIN

Adam, my loveable father, I will do without fail

Thy command altogether.

It is needful, right needful to labour, loso And to till the world here,

To get sustenance for us.

ABEL

I will go to the mountain, And make the tithe now,

And burn all this right clean.

loss And all the tithe of everything, An oblation surely of it

I will set forth all with fire.

CAIN

Burn it I will not The corn nor the fruits certainly: 1090 Be silent, Abel, to me, dolt -head!

I will gather brambles and thorns

And dry cowdung to burn without regret,

And will make a great bush of smoke. .

.

ABEL

Cain, that is not well done; 1095 In honour to God the Father

Let us make our loyal sacrifice.

THE CREACON OF THE WORLD.

dew»a therfyn bos gwerthyes gans an guella frute pub preys me an gwra a vs merwall

1100 cayne ow brodar mere ha predar

henna yw moog wheake

CAYME

taw theth cregye hem a yw gwell defry 1105 te foole crothacke

ABELL

ny yll bos

pan wreth gans glos thethe sacrefice

CAYME

re thew an rose 1110 mensan tha vos ughall cregys

rage errya sure war ow fyn me ath wiske harlot jawdyn may th-omelly theth kylbyn1

[A chawbone readye]

1115 kymar henna te ploos adla war an chala gans askern an chala

ABELL

[Abell ys strycken with a chawe bone and dyethj a trew aylace

MS. kylban.

THE CREATION OF THE WORLD.

God determines (?) to be worshipped With the best fruit always; I will do it above marvel.

1100 Cain my brother, Look and consider;

That is a sweet smoke.

CAIN

Be silent, hang thee! This is better certainly. 1105 Thou bigbellied fool!

ABEL

It cannot be,

Since thou makest with dried cowdung Thy sacrifice.

CAIN

By God who made him, (?) 1110 I should wish [him] to be Hung high.

For striving (?) against me

I will strike thee, rogue, rascal (?),

That thou fall on top of thy back.

1115 Take that

Thou foul knave (?)

On the jowl, with (the) bone of the jowl.

ABEL

O sad! alas!

1099. The Museum Copy has a vo in well, "That it may be for the best".

90 THE CREACON OF THE WORLD.

te'»rom lathas 1120 cayne ow brodar

yn bysma rag tha wreans ty a berth sure gossythyans ken na bredar.

CAYNE

otta marow horssen chorle 1125 ny vannaf bos controllys

he is now ryd owt of the world [Englisch]

y fensan y voos cuthys in neb toll kea

an gwase a vynsa leskye 1130 agen esowe in tevery

ny yllan perthy henna

tha thew nyngeis otham vythe awoos cawas agen pythe me a wore gwyre

[Cast Abell into a dyche]

1135 ow thase ken fova serrys pan glowa an nowethys

y vos lathys me ew heare ny sensaf poynt

merough pymava towles H4o in death tha vonas peddrys nymbes yddrag vythe yn beise

[gans] owe doarn ke thewe lethys par del oma gwicker coynt

FFATHER [when ye father speakethe to Cay me lett hem looke downe]

cayme thyma pyma abell 1145 ow gweryby vskys gwra 1 MS. to.

THE CREATION OF THE WORLD. 91

Thou hast slain me 1120 Cain, my brother.

In this world, for thy deed, Thou shalt surely bear affliction — Think not otherwise.

CAIN

Dead is a whoreson churl: 1125 T will not be controuled:

He is now rid out of the world: I would that he were hidden In some hole of a hedge.

The fellow would have burnt USD Our corn in earnest —

I could not bear that.

Unto God there is no want at all On account of having our property, I know truly.

1135 Though my father should be angered When he. hears the news

That he (Abel) is slain, I am heir; I shall not feel (?) a point.

See ye where he is cast ii4o Into a ditch to be rotted:

I have no repentance in (the) world, By my hand though he be slain, As I am a quaint dealer.

GOD THE FATHER

Cain, for me where is Abel? 1145 Do answer me quickly.

92 THE CREACON OF THE WORLD.

ny won arluthe dyhogall henna ty a wore ynta my nyngof warden thotha

perhaps blygh so mot I go 1150 an lathas pols a lema an harlot ploos

cooth ew eve hag avlethis pan na ylla omweras

y vaw ny vidna boos

FFATHER

1155 yta voice mernans abell

thethe vrodar prest ow kyllwall an doer warnas pub tellar

malegas nefra reby hag oil an tyer a bewhy USD ew malegas yth ober

frute da bydnarre thocka

na dadar avail neb preise ow molath y rof thyja

molath ow mabe haw sperys lies thyso kymar

CAYNE

[Let not cayme looke in the father is face but look down $ quake]

theth voice arluth a glowaf saw tha face me ny wellaf sure er ow gew

moy ew ow gwan oberowe H7o hag in wethe ow fehasowe

THE CREATION OF THE WORLD. 93

CAIN I know not, Lord, certainly —

That - Thou knowest well — I am not warden to him:

Perhaps so mote I go,

use Killed him a little from hence - The foul rascal!

Old is he and wretched: Since he could not keep himself, His servant I would not be.

GOD THE FATHER

1155 Lo! (the) blood of (the) death of Abel, Thy brother, is always calling

From the earth on thee, every where.

Accursed ever be thou, And all the land thou ownest ii6o Is accursed in thy deed.

Good fruit let it never bear,

Nor goodness of apple (at) any time My curse I give to thee;

(The) curse of my Son and my Spirit lies Take unto thee.

CAIN

Thy voice, Lord, I hear, But thy face I do not see, Surely for my woe.

More are my weak deeds, H70 And also my sins,

1U9. A wolf? See Bleit, in Vocabulary. N.

94 THE CREACON OF THE WORLD.

es tell ew tha vercy dew thym tha ava

lemyn deffryth ove ha gwag

pur wyre dres oil tues in byes 1175 me ne won leverall prage

gans peb na vethaf lethys en rage [?] an keth obarma

FFATHER

cayme na vethys in della rag tha latha dean mar qwra iiso eve an gevyth vij kemmys

[Let the father make a marcke in his forehedd this word omega]

token warnas me a wra henna gwelys pan vova

ny vethis gans dean towches

CAYNE

me a vyn mose thorn sera 1185 tha welas pana fara

a wra ef an nowethys

now god speda theis ow thase me a wrug oblashion brase

hag a loskas shower a yees

• [The father depart to heaven]

ADAM

H9o henna ytho1 gwryes pur tha pyma abell cowes henna der nagewa devethys

1189. Lowes a yse, "corn enough". Brit. Mus. Codex. 1 MS. ythe.

THE CREATION OF THE WORLD. 95

Than so is Thy mercy, God, To forgive me.

Now feeble am I and empty

Right truly beyond all folk in (the) world : 1175 I know not (how) to say why

By every one I shall not be slain Here for this same deed.

GOD THE FATHER

Cain, thou shalt not be so: — For if any man shall slay thee iiso He shall get it seven (times) as much.

A token on thee I will make, — When that shall be seen

Thou shalt not be touched by a man.

CAIN

I will go to my Sire, 1185 To see what notice (?)

He will take of the news.

Now God speed thee, my father I I made a great oblation,

And burnt a shower of corn.

ADAM

1190 That was done full well.

Where (is) Abel — say that — That he is not come back?

1185. "To see what an affray he will make at the news." See the Cornish Drama D. 340, where the word should have been so rendered. N.

96 THE CREACON OF THE WORLD.

CAYME

anotha marsses predar

worth y wothyas govena 1195 a rogella ye vrodar

me an syns gwethe es bucka ny won py theth tha wandra

ADAM fo. 13 a. hemma ythew gorryb skave

yma ow gwyll ow holan clave 1200 war tha glowas in tornma

ty ren lathas rom lowta

ow molath theis rag henna ha molath tha vabm ganso

te a vith sure magata 1205 an nowothow pan glowa

y holan terry a wra omskemynes del ota

quicke in ker ke a lebma ny berraf gweall ahanas

1210 rag cavow sevall om saf war doer lemyn vmhelaf

ow holan ter deaw gallas

CAYNE

omskem[i]nys lower ythove

nyngew reis skemyna moye 1215 nyth a nea perth ge cove1 na ow dama in teffrye me a vyn kyns es hethy

mos a lema

[Eva cometh to adam wher he lyeth and she proffer to take hem vpe]

1 MS. vetou.

THE CREATION OF THE WORLD. 97

CAIN

For him if thou art anxious

Ask of his acquaintance ii95 If he have hidden (?) his brother:

I hold him worse than a goblin —

I know not where he has gone to wander.

ADAM

This is a light answer — It is making my heart sick 1200 Hearing thee at this turn.

Thou hast slain him, by my loyalty —

My curse to thee for that, And thy mother's curse with it

Thou shalt have surely as well. 1205 The news when she hears

Her heart will break. Accursed as thou art Quickly go away hence; I cannot bear sight of thee.

1210 For sorrows I stand upright:

On (the) ground now I cast myself, My heart is gone in two.

CAIN

Accursed enough am I,

It is not needful to curse more. 1215 I will not deny thee — bear thou remembrance Nor my mother seriously: I will, rather than stay, Go from hence,

L. 195. a rag ella, "if he be gone forward." B. M. Codex.

g

98 THE CREACON OF THE WORLD.

Ma gwandra a dro in powe 1220 kebmys yw an molothowe

dowt yw thym cawas trygva

EVA

adani pandra whear thewhy

yn delma bonas serrys vn ow holan pur thefry 1225 ythoma pur dewhanhees ortha welas in statema

ADAM

a Eva ow freas kear

ow holan ew ogas troghe oil owe joye ythew pur wyre 1230 kellys der mernans ow floghe neb a geryn an moygha

EVA

sera ny won convethas

ages dewan in neb for agen deaw vabe |a thew grace 1235 ythins pur vew byth na sor1 whath nyngew pell

cayme hag abell te a wore ornys yns tha vownt tabor tha weyll offren dehogall

1240 ha meer cayne yta ena

devethys tha dre tothta rag henna saf y praytha ha gas cavow ja wandra me ne brederaf gwell for

1 MS. for.

L. 1226. orth the welas. B. M. Codex.

THE CREATION OF THE WOULD.

And wander about in (the) country; 1220 So many are the curses,

I have fear of finding a dwelling.

99

EVE

Adam, what vexeth you Thus to be angered? In my heart full surely 1225 I arn greatly grieved,

Seeing thee in this state.

1230

ADAM Ah Eve, my dear spouse,

My heart is nigh broken; All my joy is full truly

Lost, through (the) death of my child Whom I loved the most.

1235

EVE

Sir, I know not (how) to understand

Your grief in any way. Your two sons — thanks to God —

Were quite alive — be not angry It is not long since.

Cain and Abel, (as) thou knowest, Are ordered to Mount Tabor, To make offering certainly.

1240 And see! Cain is there,

Come home very quickly: Therefore stand up, I pray thee, And leave sorrows to wander: I think not of a better way.

100 THE CREACON OF THE WORLD.

ADAM

1245 eva nyngew tha gellas an obar ma tha wellas

lethys yw abell na sor

EVA

[Eva is sorrowfulle tereth her haire $ falleth downe vpon adam. he conforteth her] pewa abell yw lethys

dew defan y foja gwyre 1250 nynges dean vytholl1 in byes tha wythell an kethe murder mes te haw mabe cotha cayne

ADAM

a gans cayne omskemynes ow mabe abell yw lethys 1255 may thove genys tha veare payne

sor dew ha trub[e]ll pub tew yma pub ower ow cressya yn bysma ha drevon bew

ow sure a wra penya 1260 nymbes ioy a dra in byes

EVA

owt aylas pandra vyth gwrys2 hemma ew yeyne nawothowe

ow holan ythew terrys

fensan ow bosaf marowe 1265 soweth bythqwathe bos formys

a te cayne omskemunys

ow molath thejo3 pub preys

MS. vythell. 2 MS. gwyiies. 3 MS. theje.

THE CREATION OF THE WORLD. 1Q1

ADAM

1245 Eve, it is not to hide This work to see.

Slain is Abel: be not troubled.

EVE

What? is Abel slain?

God forbid (it) should be true! 1250 There is no man at all in (the) world To do the same murder,

But thee and my eldest son Cain.

ADAM

Ah! by Cain accursed My son Abel is slain, 1255 So that I am born to great pain.

God's wrath and trouble on every side

Are every hour increasing. In this world and whilst we be alive

He surely will punish me: 1260 I have no joy of aught in (the) world.

EVE Out! alas! what shall be done?

This is cold news: My heart is broken:

I would that I were dead! 1265 Alas ever to be formed!

Ah thou Cain accursed! My curse to thee always!

102 THE CREACON OF THE WORLD.

tienna o gwan obar gwryes

may ma dew ban noer keffrys 1270 warnas pub ere ow crya

rag henna wo^a hemma nefra ny wren rejoycya

mes pub ere oil ow mornya

heb ioy vyth na lowena 1275 der tha wadn ober omma

rag henna voyde a lema na whela agen nea

mab molothow par del os

ow molath thejo pub preys 1280 ha molath tha dase keffrys te a v* in gyth ha noos

CUNE

me ny wraf vry a henna me a levar theis dama kybmys molothow omma 1285 me a wore ny sewenaffa nefra yn beyse

[Cayme speakethe to hys wi/f]

rag henna mos a lema me a vyn ny won pylea

rag bythqwath me nyn kerys

1290 malbew yddrag es thyma

an chorle abell vs latha [leg. lethys] a voyd dama

cuntell warbarth ow fegans me a vyn mos pur vskys 1295 ha woja hemma dewans

pell in devyth tha wandra

THE CREATION OF THE WORLD. 1Q3

That was a weak work done,

So that Ood and the earth also are 1270 Crying on thee every hour.

Therefore after this

Never shall we rejoice. But always all a -mourning,

Without any joy or gladness, 1275 Through thy weak deed here.

Therefore begone from hence, Nor seek to deny us,

Son of curses as thou art.

My curse to thee always, 1280 And thy father's curse likewise

Thou shalt have by day and night.

CUN

I do not make account of that,

I say unto thee mother: So many curses (are) here 1285 I know I shall not prosper Ever in (the) world.

Therefore go from hence I will, I know not where, For never (was) I loved.

1290 No manner (?) of repentance is to me, The churl Abel is dead; Begone, mother.

Gather together our needments:

I will go full quickly, 1295 And after this speedily

To wander far in (the) desert,

104 THE CREACON OF THE WORLD.

CALM ANA his wif

A cayne cayne ow fryas kere ty a wruge pur throog ober tha latha abell dean da

fo. 14 b. 1300 theth owne vrodar ythova haw brodar ve magata rag henna warbyn cunda ytho theis motty latha sor dew yma thyn ragtha

CAYNE

1305 tety valy bram an gathe

nynges yddrag thymo whath awos an keth oberna

ADAM

ow fryas gwella tha geare

gas tha ola hath ega isio gwrew grasse thagen maker agan lavyr in bysma ny an dyllas ha moye

rag henna woja hemma

in chast gwren ny kes vewa 1315 ha carnall ioye in bysma ny a vyn warbarth naha der vothe an tase a vercye

FFATHER adam na wrethe in della

bewa in kethe order na 1320 theth hays a wra incressya

heb number tha accomptya in della ythew appoyntyes

L, 1308. ow gear, "my word." B. M. Codex,

THE CREATION OF THE WORLD.

105

CALMANA

Ah Cain, Cain, my dear spouse,

Thou hast done a full evil deed

To slay Abel, a good man.

1300 Thy own brother was he,

And my brother as well, Therefore against nature

Was it for thee to go to slay him God's anger is to us for it.

CAIN

1305 Tety Daly! a cat's wind!

There is not repentance to me yet On account of that same deed.

ADAM My spouse, behold thy gear;

Leave thy weeping and thy groaning (?), isio Give you thanks to our Maker; Our labour in this world

We have deserved it and more (?).

Therefore after this

Chastely we shall live together, 1315 And carnal joy in this world We will together deny (us),

By (the) wish of the Father of Mercy.

GOD THE FATHER

Adam, thou shalt not thus Live in that same order. 1320 Thy seed will increase

Without number to count: Thus is it appointed.

106 THE CREACON OF THE WORLD.

' ty a vyth mabe denethys

a the corf sure na wra dowtya 1325 henna a vyth havall theis na yll dean bos havalla ha genaf yfyth kerrys

ADAM

[Adam kneleth]

arluth benegas reby

orth ow gwarnya in della 1330 theth vlonogath pur theffry rebo collenwys neffra

CAYNE

Ealmana ow hoer Ifysten

gas ny tha vos a lemma rag nangew hy pryes ynten1 1335 mathew res in ker vaggya degen genan agen pegans

par del osta ow fryas haw hoer abarth mamm ha tase gallas genaf sor an tase 1340 rag latha abell pen braas ynweth molath mam ha taes

reys ew thymo moy es cans

KALMANA

A cayme te a fylles mear

rag gwethell an keth obar

1345 ragtha ythos malegas

fo. 15 a. agen tase ha mamm eva

lower y mowns y ow murnya ganssy ny vyth ankevys an murder bys venary » MS. yttern.

1325

THE CREATION OF THE WORLD.

Thou shalt have a son born

Of thy body surely --do not doubt He shall be like to thee,

Man cannot be liker,

And by me he shall be loved.

107

ADAM

Lord, blessed be Thou,

Warning me thus! 1330 Thy will full surely

Be fulfilled always.

CAIN

Calmana, my sister, hasten:

Let us be hence, For now is it quite time 1335 That it is necessary to voyage away:

Let us carry with us our needments.

As thou art my spouse

And my sister on (the) side of mother and father, The Father's anger hath gone with me 1340 For slaying Abel (the) big -head,

Also (the) curse of mother and father

Is given to me more than a hundred.

CALMANA

O Cain thou hast failed greatly For doing the same deed, 1345 For it thou art accursed.

Our father and mother Eve Enough are they a -mourning By them will not be forgotten The murder for ever,

THE CREACON OF THE WORLD.

1350 flebmys ew ganssy murnys aga hoi an ew terry s

rag cavow methaf y dy

CAYNE

awos henna ny wraf vry na anothans y bys voye 1355 me ny settyaf gwaile gala

genaf lower y a sorras hag am molythys mar vras ny sowynaf gon yn ta nefra yn byes

i860 rag henna dune a lema

yn peldar tha worthe ow thase yn cosow mannaf bewa

po in bushes ha brakes brase rag ny bydgyaf bos gwelys 1365 awos mernans

rag an murder o mar vrase ny yll dew thymo gava

na ny vethaf in neb case

tham taes awos descotha 1370 unwith tha whelas gevyans

KALMANA

[Let hem shew the march] yn henna ythos tba vlamya

dew a settyas marke warnas en in corne tha dale omma

ha in delma y leverys 1375 an gyrryow ma pur thefry

pynagell dean a weall henna hag a wrella tha latha

ef astevyth vij plague moy

THE CREATION OF THE WORLD.

1350 So much is by them mourned, Their heart is broken

For griefs I say ?

CAIN

On account of that I will not care, Nor of them ever more 1355 Will I set (the) value of a straw.

With me they have been angry enough, And have cursed me so greatly I shall not prosper, I know well, Ever in (the) world.

1360 Therefore let us come hence

Into (the) farness from my father: In woods I would live,

Or in bushes and great brakes,

For I desire not to be seen 1365 Because of death.

For the murder was so great

God cannot forgive me, Nor shall I speak in any case

To my father, because of discovery, 1370 Once to seek forgiveness.

CALMANA

Therein thou art to blame: God hath set a mark on thee,

In the horn of thy forehead here

And thus he said 1375 These words right surely: —

Whatsoever man shall see that And shall slay thee,

He shall have sevenfold more.

THE CREACON OF THE WORLD.

CAYNE

an promas me ny roof oye 1380 y dristya ny vannaf vye dowt boos tulles

aban ew pub tra parys deen ny in kerth kekeffres peldar adro in byes

[Some fardell to carre with them]

isss hagen flehis kekeffrys

whath kethyns y mar venys

me a thog ran war ow hyen vskes lemyn

KALMANA

gwra in della me ath peys 1390 me a lead an voos am dorn ow holan ythew serres [terres]

that sithe the time that I was borne bythqwath me nynbeys moy dewan

ADAM

[Show SethJ

fo. 15 b. gorthys rebo dew an tase

1395 mabe thymo yma genys ha tevys tha boya1 brase seth ow mabe ythew henwys why an gweall yta omma

me a bys than leall drenges uoo ha drevo omma yn beys

tha voes leall servant thojo

FFATHER

adam me a levar theys 1 MS. that Baga.

THE CREATION OF THE WORLD.

CAIN

For the promise I will not give an egg 1380 Trust him I will not,

For fear of being deceived.

Since everything is ready, Let us come away also,

Afar, round in (the) world.

1385 And our children also — Yet since they are so small,

I shall carry part on my back Quickly now.

CALMANA

Do so, I pray thee:

1390 I will lead the maid by my hand. My heart is broken,

So that since the time that I was born Never had I greater grief.

ADAM

Worshipped be God the Father!

A son unto me is born, 1395 And grown to a great boy:

My son is named Seth — Ye see him, behold him here.

I pray to the loyal Trinity, And while he shall be here in (the) world To be a loyal servant to it.

GOD THE FATHER

Adam, I will say to thee

112 THE CREACON OF THE WORLD.

•

tba vabe seth ew dowesys

genaf prest thorn servya ve

1405 a skeans y fyth lenwys

hog a gonycke magata ny vyth skeans vyth in beys mes y aswon ev ar wra der a planantis mes a chy

1410 der howle ha steare awartha ef a ra oil deserr^a an pyth a v* woja hemma kekefrys a throg ha da

ADAM

[Adam kneleth $ Seth also] rnear worthyans theis ow formyer 1415 ha gwrear a oil an beyse y bosta arluth heb pare

in pub place rebo gwerthys neb ath honor ny throg fare

yn seth rebo collenwys1 1420 par dell vo tha voth nefra omma pur greyf*

SETH ha me in weth arluth neif

ath leall wones del vo reys par dell osta arluth creif 1425 ha drevon omma in byes clow ge ow leaf

may3 borne grace woja hemma theth welas in lowendar gans tha elath awartha 1430 vhull in neyf

1 MS. tollenwys. a MS. greys. 3 MS. maym.

THE CREATION OF THE WORLD.

Thy son Seth in chosen

By me always to serve me.

1405 With knowledge he shall be filled,

And with cunning as well. There shall be no science in (the) world, But he shall know it;

Through the planets without and within, (?)

1410 By sun and stars above, He shall discern all, The thing which shall be hereafter, Likewise of bad and good.

ADAM

Much worship to Thee, my Former, 1415 And Creator of all the world. Thou art a Lord without peer,

In every place that shall be worshipped ! Whoso honours thee shall not fare ill.

In Seth shall be fulfilled 1420 As is thy will always Here full strong.

SETH And I also, Lord of heaven,

Will serve thee loyally as shall be need, As thou art a strong Lord; 1425 And while we are here in (the) world, Hear thou my voice!

That I may have grace after this To see thee in gladness, With thine Angels above 1430 High in heaven!

THE CREACON OF THE WORLD.

LAMEC in tent peys I say golsowogh a der dro

orthaf ve myns es omma lamec ythew ow hanowe

mabe ythove cresowgh thyma 1435 tha vantusale forsoth

o cayme mabe adam ythove

Sevys an Sythvas degre arluth bras sengys in prof

nymbes pur suer ew bewa 1440 peb am honor par dell goyth

drog polat ove rom lowta na mere a dorn da ny wraf

mes pub eare oil ow pela

a dues wan mar a callaf 1445 ow fancy yw henna

whath kenthew ow hendas cayne pur bad dean lower accomptys

me an kymmar in dysdayne

mar ny vethaf ve prevys 1450 whath mere lacka

moye es vn wreag thym yma thorn pleasure rag gwyll ganssy

ha sure me ew an kensa

bythqwath whath a ve dew wreag

1455 han mowyssye lower plenty yma thym nyngens dentye me as kyef pan vydnaf ve ny sparyaf anothans y malbew onyn a vo teag

1460 saw ythove wondrys trebles skant ny welaf vn banna

THE CREATION OF THE WORLD. 115

LAMECH Peace I say! hearken ye round about

To me (as) many as are here! Lamech is my name:

Son am I -- believe ye me — 1435 To Methuselah forsooth.

Of Cain, Adam's son, am I

Raised, the seventh degree. A great lord held in proof;

There is not full surely living 1440 Any one that honours me as he ought.

An evil polat am I, by my loyalty: Not much with a good hand do I,

But always a -coercing

The weak folk if I can - 1445 My fancy is that.

Yet though my grandfather Cain is A very bad man enough accounted,

I take it in disdain

If I be not proved 1450 Yet much worse.

More than one wife is there to me

According to my pleasure to do with them;

And surely I am the first

That ever yet had two wives.

1455 And maids plenty enough

Are to me — they are not dainty — I find them when I wish, I spare not of them

Especially (?) one who may be fair.

1460 But I am wondrously troubled, Scarce do I see a drop.

h2

THE CREACON OF THE WORLD.

pew an iowle pandra v* gwryes me ny won war ow ena na whath ny gavas gweras

1465 an pleasure es thym in beyse ythew gans gwaracke tedna me a vyn mos pur vskes than forest quyck alema ha latha an strange bestas

1470 a vs kyck an bestas na

na a veast na lodn in beyse ny wressan bythqwath tastya na whath kyke genyn debbrys na gwyne ny vsyan badna

1475 vyctuall erall theyn yma

ha pegans lower tha vewa gans krehen an bestas na me a ra dyllas thyma

par del wrug ow hendasow

1480 haw hendas cayme whath en bew yn defyth yn myske bestas yma ef prest ow pewa

drevan serry an taes dew

towles ew tha vyshow bras 1485 rag drog polat par dell ew ha lenwys a volothowe

[Bow and arw redy with the Servant]

fo. lib. ow servant des mes omma

haw gwaracke dro hy genas me a vyn mos tha wandra 1490 bestas gwylls tha asspeas hag a vyn gans ow sethaw

latha part anothans y L. 1464. ny gavaf, u I find not". B. M. Codex.

THE CREATION OF THE WORLD. H7

Who is the devil? what shall be done? I know not on my soul,

Nor yet hath help been got.

1465 The pleasure that is to me in (the) world

Is to shoot with a bow. I will go full speedily

To the forest quickly from hence, And slay the strange beasts.

1470 What is (the) flesh of those beasts,

Nor of beast nor bullock in (the) world, We never did taste,

Nor yet (is) flesh by us eaten, Nor wine do we use a drop.

1475 Other victual to us there is,

And needments enough to live: With skins of those beasts

I shall make for myself raiment, As did my grandsires.

1480 And my grandsire Cain yet alive In (the) desert, among beasts, He is still living.

Because God the Father was angry

He is cast into great mischief, i486 For a wicked polat as he is, And filled with curses.

My servant, come thou out here,

And my bow bring thou it with thee: I will go to wander, 1490 Wild beasts to espy,

And I shall with my arrows Slay a part of them,

118 THE CREACON OF THE WORLD.

SERVANT

ages gweracke ha sethow genaf y towns y parys 1495 me as lead bez yn cosow hag ena y fythe kevys

plenty lower in pur thefry

[depart lameck. his servant leadethe hem to the Forest near the bus he]

CAYNE

gans pob me ew ankevys

nyn aswon na mere a dues isoo cayne me a vythe henwys mabe cotha adam towles

why a weall tha vysshew bras

whath ow holan ythew stowte awos latha abell lowte 1505 na whath vs molathe an tase

nymbes yddrack v* in beys

why am gweall over devys

ythama warbarth gans bleaw ny bydgyaf bonas gwelys 1510 gans mabe den in bysma bew drefan omboos omskemynes

haw thas adam y volath

gallas genaf hay sor braes drefan henna in neb place 1515 ny allaf cavos powas

mabe molothow yjof gwryes

der henna my ny vethaf

doos in myske pobell neb pryes mes pub ere ow omgwetha 1520 yn cossowe hag in bushes

avell beast prest ow pewa

THE CREATION OF THE WORLD.

119

SERVANT

Your bow and arrows

With me they are ready: 1495 I will lead you to (the) woods, And there will be found

Plenty enough in very earnest.

CAIN By every one I am forgotten,

I know not much people; 1500 Cain I am called

Adam's eldest son, cast, You see, to great mischief.

Yet my heart is stout: Because of slaying Abel (the) lout, 1505 Nor yet of the father's curse

Have I repentance at all in (the) world.

Ye see me overgrown

I am altogether with hair: I do not desire to be seen 1510 By a son of man in this world alive, Because of my being accursed.

And my father Adam his curse

Hath gone with me, and his great anger : Because of that in any place 1515 I cannot find rest —

A son of curses I am made.

Through that I am not

Come among people at any time; But always keeping myself 1520 In woods and in bushes,

Like a beast ever living.

120 THE CREACON OF THE WORLD.

ow folly ythew mar vras

haw holan in weth pur browt ny vanaf tha worth an tase 1525 whylas mercy sure heb dowte kyn namboma lowena

owne yma thym a bub dean

ganso tha vonas lethys saw an tase dew y hunyn 1530 y varck warnaf y settyas

poran gans y owne dewla why oil an gweall

[Shew the marcke] hag yth cowses yn delma na wra dean vyth ow latha 1535 war b[e]yn y thysplesure leel

fo. 17 a. hag owe latha neb a wra

vij gwythe y wra acquyttya

y cowses gans chardge pur greyf

saw whath wos an promes na 1540 mere y thesaf ow towtya

y bedna jym ny vyn ef

[Let hem hyde hem self in a bushe]

rag henna war ow ena me a vyn mos tha gutha

in neb bushe kythew thym greyf

SERVANT

1545 mester da der tha gymmyas me a weall un lodn pur vras han[y]s in bushe ow plattya

sera in myske an bestas strange ythew eve tha welas 1550 merough mester1 pymava

» MS. m.

THE CREATION OF THE WORLD.

My folly is so great,

And my heart also very proud, I will not of the Father 1525 Seek mercy surely without doubt, Though I have not joy.

Fear is to me of every man

By him to be killed; But the Father God Himself 1530 His mark on me hath set

Rightly with his own hands — Ye all see it —

121

And hath spoken thus; That no man shall be slaying me, 1535 On pain of His loyal displeasure.

And he that shall slay me, Seven times he shall pay,

He said, with a very strong charge.

But still notwithstanding that promise 1540 Greatly am I a-fearing

His blessing to me He will not (give).

Therefore on my soul, I will go to hide

In some bush, though it be a grief for me.

SERVANT

1545 Good master, by thy leave, I see a very large bullock

From thee in a bush a-crouching (?).

Sir, among the beasts Strange it is to see 1550 Look you, master, where he is,

122 THE CREACON OF THE WORLD.

•

LAMEC bythware thym na vova dean

rag me ny allaff meddra set ow seth the denewhan may hallan tenna thotha 1555 na berth dowt y fythe gwyskes

SERVANT

[let his man levyll the arrowe; and then shote] nefra na wrewgh why dowtya ken es beast nagew henna

ha strange yw tha vos gwelys

now yta an seth compys 1560 tenhy in ban besyn peyll pardell os archer prevys hag a lathas moy es myell a vestas kyns es lemyn

LAMEC

now yta an seth tennys 1565 han beast sure yma gweskes y vernans gallas ganja

[when cayme is stryken lett bloud appeare % let hem t omble]

lead ve quycke besyn thotha may hallan ve attendya pan vanar Ion ythewa

CAYNE

1570 owt aylas me yw marowe

nymbes bewa na fella gwenys ove der an assow

han segh gallas quyte drethaf pur ogas marow ythof

THE CREATION OF THE WORLD.

123

1555

LAMECH Be thou ware for me that it be not a man,

For I cannot aim; Set mine arrow to a side, That I may shoot at it;

Have no fear, it will be struck.

SERVANT

Do not you doubt: Other than a beast that is not, And strange it is to be seen.

Now behold the arrow straight: 1560 Draw it up to the head, As thou art a proved archer,

And hast slain more than a thousand Of beasts before now.

1565

LAMECH

Now behold the arrow shot, And the beast surely is struck; His death has gone with it.

Lead me quickly even unto it That I may consider (?)

What manner of bullock it is.

CAIN 1570 Out! alas! I am dead!

I shall not have life longer. Pierced am I through the ribs,

And the arrow hath gone quite through me; Very near dead am J.

124 THE CREACON OF THE WORLD.

[Lamec cometh to hem $ fyleth hem]

1575 pardell vema vngrasshes lemyn ythoma plagys

dell welowgh why oil an prove

LAMEC

owt te vyllan pandres gwryes sure hema ew dean lethys isso me an clow prest ow carma

SERVANT

ow karma yma an beast

me an gweall ow trebytchya gall as gonja hager feast

roy y grohan thym I pray tha 1585 tha wyell queth thym tha wyska

fo. 12 b. blewake coynt yw ha hager

ny won pane veast ylla boos yth falsa orth y favoure

y bosa neb bucka noos 1590 ha henna y fyth prevys

[hear Lamec feleth hem]

LAMEC

gorta gas vy the dava

drefan gwelas mar nebas pew osta lavar thymma

marses den po beast bras 1595 dowte ahanas thym yma

CAYNE a soweth vmskemynes

me ew cayne mabe tha adam

THE CREATION OF THE

25

1575 Even as I was graceless, Now am I plagued,

As ye all see the proof.

LAMECH

Out thou villain I what is done? Surely this is a man slain, I hear him still a -crying.

SERVANT A -crying is the beast,

I see him a -tumbling; Gone (it) has with him, ugly beast: Give his skin to me, I pray thee, 1585 To make a garment for me to clothe (me).

Hairy, quaint he is and ugly;

I know not what beast it can be: It should seem by his favour

That he is some goblin of night, 1590 And that shall be proved.

LAMECH Stay, let me feel (?) him,

Because of (my) seeing so little. Who art thou? say to me

If thou art a man or a great beast 1595 A doubt of thee is to me.

CAIN

Ah unhappy! accursed! I am Cain, son to Adam.

126 THE CREACON OF THE WORLD.

genas y thama lethys

molath theis ow thas1 ha mam leoo haw molath ve gans henna

LAMEC pewa te ew cayne mab tha adam

ny allaf cregye henna defalebys os ha cabm

overdevys oil gans henna 1605 ythos gans bleaw

prag ythosta in delma yn bushes ow crowetha marth bras ythew

me ny allaf convethas leio y bosta ge ow hendas

na care v* thym in teffry

CAYNE am corf ythos devethys

hag a adam tha hendas lemyn ythos melagas

ha vij plag te hath flehys 1615 a v* plagys creys 5 a ve

marcke dew warnaf ew sethys

te an gweall in corne ow thale gans dean penvo convethys

worthaf ve serten ny dale 1620 bos mellyes a vs neb tra

LAMEC

te a weall veary nebas banna ny allaf gwelas

tha vos accomptys rom lowta 1 MS. theis tha thas.

THE CREATION OF THE WORLD.

By thee I am slain.

A curse to thee of my father and mother, leoo And my curse with that.

LAMECH What? art thou Cain, son to Adam?

I cannot believe that. Deformed thou art and crooked;

Therewith all overgrown 1605 Thou art with hair.

Why art thou so In bushes a -lying?

A great marvel it is.

I cannot discover IGIO That thou art my grandsire,

Nor any kinsman to me in earnest.

CAIN Of my body thou art come,

And of Adam thy grandsire. Now art thou accursed,

And sevenfold thou and thy children 1615 Shall be plagued — believe me.

God's mark on me is set,

Thou seest it in (the) horn of my forehead; By man when it shall be discovered,

With me certainly ought not 1620 To be meddled on any account.

L4MECH

Thou seest very little, A drop I cannot see

To be accounted, by my loyalty. L. 1620. See 0. 163, 480.

128 THE CREACON OF THE WORLD.

prag y wruge dew settya merck 1625 in corn tha dale thym lavar kyn verhan warnas mar stark1 ny welaf mere ath favoure na merke vetholl yth tale

CAYNE

fo. 18 a. me a levar heb y dye

1630 genaf dew a wrug serry hay volath in pur theffry thym a rose

drefan latha ow brodar abell o henna predar 1635 mara mynta y wothfas

der henna me a thowtyas gans peb a fethan lethys

saw dew thy ma a wrontyas

war y thyspleasure ef ryes 1640 ny vethan in keth della

ha pennagle a wra henna plages y fetha ragtha hay verck y settyas omma

in corne ow thale rag token

1645 ha tha ganas she omskemynys o me tha vo[na]s lethys

en ath dewlaga[s] lemyn

LAMEC

a soweth gwelas an pryes genaf y bosta lethys 1650 marsew ty cayne ow hendas

ow boy a o tha vlamya 1 MS. start.

THE CREATION OF THE WORLD. 129

Why did God set a mark

1625 In (the) horn of thy forehead? — tell to me - Though I look on thee so strongly, I see not much of thy favour,

Nor any mark at all in thy forehead.

CAIN

I will tell without swearing it: 1630 With me God was angry,

And his curse in good earnest Gave to me,

Because of slaying my brother Abel that was — think - less If thou wouldst know it.

Through that I feared

By every one I should be slain, But God to me granted,

On His displeasure (it was) given, 1640 That I should not be so.

And whosoever should do that, Plagues he should have for it, And His mark he set here

In (the) horn of my forehead for a token,

1645 And by thee accursed O me to be slain,

In thy two eyes now!

LAMECH

Ah unhappy! to see the time By me thou art slain, leso If thou art Cain my grandsire.

My boy was to blame, L. 1647. B. M. Codex: — en ath dewla ena lemyn; "in thy hands there now."

130 THE CREACON OF THE WORLD.

»

ef a ornas thym tenna ha me ny wellyn banna

me nebas pur wyre in faes

CAYNE

1655 a lamec drog was ytbos

ha me in weth mear lacka hemma o vengeance pur vras ha just plage ornys thyma soweth an pryes

LAMEC

IGGO cayne whath kenthota ow hen das

tha aswon me ny wothyan na ny wrugaf tha wellas uangew sure lyas blethan drefan bos defalebys

CAYNE

1665 defalebys ove pur veare

hag over devys gans bleawe bewa ythesaf pub eare

in tonidar ha yender reaw

sure nos ha dyth

1670 ny bydgyaf gwelas mabe dean gans ow both in neb termyn mes company leas gwyth a bub beast1

oil an trobell thym yma 1675 an chorle abell rag latha

hema ew gwyer thymo trest

LAMEC prag ye wrusta ye latha

MS. beastas.

THE CREATION OF THE WORLD.

He bade me to shoot, And I saw not a drop

I right truly little ?

131

CAIN 1655 Ah Lamech, an evil fellow art thou,

And I also much worse: This was vengeance full great,

And a just plague ordained for me, Unhappy the time!

LAMECH

1660 Cain, yet though thou art my grandsire, To recognize thee I knew not (how), Nor did I see thee,

Now it is surely many years, Because of being deformed.

CAIN 1665 Deformed am I very much,

And overgrown with hair; I am living always

In heat and coldness of frost,

Surely night and day. IGTO I desire not to see a son of man With my will at any period, But company many times With every beast.

All the trouble is to me 1675 For slaying the churl Abel - This is true, trust to me.

LAMECH Why didst thou slay him?

132 THE CREACON OF THE WORLD.

hag eve tha vrodar nessa

henna o gwadn ober gwryes

CAYNE

fo. 18b. IGSO drefan eve thorn controllya ha me y vrodar cotha

ny wrug refrance thym in beys

der henna me a angras

ha pur vskys an lathas

1685 nymbes yddrag a henna

molath dew ha tas ha mam gallas genaf ve droag lam poran rag an ober na

ow holan whath ythew prowte 1690 kynthoma ogas marowe

mersy whelas yma thym dowte

thymo rag an oberow me a wore y vos dew stowte

thymo ny vidn ef gava 1695 na gevyans me ny whelaf

yethesaf ow tremena

theso ny vannaf gava ow ena ny won pytha

tha effarn ew y drigva 1700 ena tregans gwave ha have

LAMEC

ah soweth gwelas an pryes

cayne ow hengyke ew marowe ragtha ty a vyth lethys

a false lader casadowe 1705 squattys ew tha ampydnyan1

[ kill hem with a staf] 1 MS. apydgnyan.

THE CREATION OF THE WORLD. 133

And he thy nearest brother -

That was a weak deed done.

CUN

1680 Because that he controuled me, And I his eldest brother,

Nor did reverence to me in (the) world.

Through that I was angered, And very quickly slew him — 1685 I have not repentance for that.

(The) curse of God and (my) father and mother Hath gone with me — an ill leap — Right for that deed.

My heart yet is proud, 1690 Though I am nearly dead.

There is a fear to me to seek mercy To me for the deeds.

I know that God is stout:

Me will He not forgive, 1695 Nor forgiveness will I seek.

I am dying:

Thee I will not forgive: My soul I know not where it will go:

In hell is its dwelling; ITOO There let it dwell, winter and summer.

LAMECH Ah unhappy! to see the time,

Cain my ancestor is dead: For it thou shalt be slain, O false, hateful robber! 1705 Dashed out (?) are thy brains.

134 THE CREACON OF THE WORLD.

SERVANT

owt aylas me ew marow haw fedn squatyes pur garow

why an gweall inter dew ran

LAMEC

rag henna moes a lemma 1710 my a vydn gwell a gallaf ny amownt gwythell duwhan lemyn ragtha

[depart away]

i DEVYLL

yma cayne adla marowe devn the hethas tha banowe 1715 han pagya lamec ganso

ii DEVVLL

deas a ena malegas theth vrodar te a lathas

abell neb o dean gwirryan

yn tane te a wra lesky 1720 han keth pagya ma defry

yn effarn why drog lawan [the devills car[i]eth them u>th great noyes to hell]

i DEVYLL

yn pytt ma y wreth trega genaf ve a bar the wollas

hag a loske in tomdar tane

1725 nefra ny thewh a lena

myns na wra both an tas

THE CREATION OF THE WORLD.

135

SERVANT

Out! alas! I am dead, And my head dashed very cruelly. (You see it) into two parts -

LAMECH

Therefore go from hence 1710 I will, the best I can.

It avails not to make lamentation Now for it.

FIRST DEVIL

Cain (the) outlaw is dead: Let us come to fetch him to pains, 1715 And the manslayer (?) Lamech with him.

SECOND DEVIL

Come, O accursed soul! To thy brother, whom thou slewest, Abel, who was an innocent man.

In fire thou shalt burn, 1720 And this same manslayer (?) certainly, In hell, ye wicked fiends.

FIRST DEVIL

In this pit thou shalt dwell With me on the lower side,

And shall burn in heat of fire.

1725 Never shall ye come from thence,

As many as do not the Father's will.

136 THE CREACON OF THE WORLD.

ADAM

fo. 19 a. seth ow mabe [thym] des omma

ha golsow ow daryvas hyrenath bew ove in bysma 1730 ma thove squyth an lavyr bras es thymo pub noos ha dyth

rag henna ke a lemma tha baradice heb lettya han oyle a vercy whela 1735 mar kylleth a vs neb tra

na thowt gorryb ty a vyth oil ath negys

SETH

a das kear ny won for thy na ny vef bythqwath ena 1740 me ny allaf prederye

pana gwarter ythama ser tha whylas paradice

ADAM

gwyth in bans compas tha yest na gymar dowt na mystrust 1745 mes an for a vyth kevys yn vaner ma der ow oberow ena

ty a weall allow ow thryes

pan deth ve a baradice 1750 en an very prynt leskys

pan ve an noer malegas

[An angell in the gate of paradice, a bright sworde in his hand]

ha pan deffasta than plas

in yet vdn call

THE CREATION OF THE WORLD.

137

ADAM Seth, my son, come here (to me),

And hear my declaration; A long time am I alive in this world, i73u So that I am weary of the great labour That is to me every day and night.

Therefore go from hence To Paradise without stopping, And seek the oil of mercy, 1735 If thou canst; for anything

Do not fear, thou shalt have an answer Of all thy errand.

SETH O dear father, I know not a way to it,

Nor was I ever there: 1740 I cannot think

What quarter I am, Sir, to seek Paradise.

ADAM

Keep in the straight road to (the) east, Nor take fear nor mistrust, 1745 But the way shall be found In this manner Through my works there.

Thou wilt see (the) tracks of my feet,

When I came from Paradise, 1750 In the very print burnt,

When the earth was cursed.

And when thou shalt have come to the place Thou wilt find in a gate an angel,

138 THE CREACON OF THE WORLD.

a ro gorthib theis in case 1755 haw desyre ny wraff fillall byth avysshes a bub' tra a welyth ow mabe ena

SETH

[Let scythe depart and folow the prynt of adam is feet to paradice]

ow thas kere mos a lema me a vyn en by and by 1760 hag y teaf thewhy arta

gans gorryb kyns es hethy der both an tas awartha

me a weall ooll tryes ow thas

am lead ve tha baradice 1765 hema ew marudgyan bras an noer sure ny sowenas in for my wruge eave kerras

der temptacon bras an iowle

chasshes on a baradice • 1770 me thyeth genaf hager dowle ha tha vysshew bras cothys ythene der order an tas trew govy

[A tree in paradice with a meyd in the topp $ recking in her armes the serpent]

me a weall an place glory es han call yn yet ow sevall 1775 splan tha welas ha precyous me a vyn mos pur evall en thotha thy salugy

fo. 1 9 b. call dew an nef awartha

theis lowena ha mear ioy

1 MS. but,

THE CREATION OF THE WORLD.

Who will give an answer to thee in (the) case, 1755 And my desire I shall not fail - Be advised of everything Which thou seest, my son, there.

SETH

139

My dear father, go from hence

I will by and bye, 1760 And I will come to you again

With an answer before stopping (?) By (the) will of the Father on high.

I see a print of my father's feet,

Which leads me to Paradise: 1765 These are great marvels:

The earth surely hath not prospered In (the) way he hath made me go.

By great temptation of the devil Chased are we from Paradise, 1770 So that there went with me an ugly cast, And to great mischief fallen Are we by the Father's order, Sad! woe (is) me!

I see the glorious place,

And the angel in a gate a -standing, 1775 Bright to see and precious. I will go very humbly Unto him to salute him.

God's Angel of the heaven on high! Gladness to thee and much joy!

140 THE CREACON OF THE WORLD.

1780 devethis ythof omma

gans adam ow thase thewhy mar della mar thewgh plesys

CHEKUBIN ANGELL seyth des nes ha [thym] lavare tha negissyow heb daunger 1785 ha na gymar owne in bys

SEYTH

ow negys ythew hemma

tha whelas oyle a vercy chardges ythof in della

[gans] ow thas omma thewhy 1790 ages bothe marsew henna

rag ythew ef cothe gyllys

hag in bysma nangew squyth y drobell ythew kemys

whansack nyngew tha drevyth 1795 mes pub eare ma ow crya

war lerth an oyle a vercy

BALL

des nes then yet seth ha myer

te a weall oil paradice avice pub tra ha lavar isoo pandra welleth o strangnes in iarden abarth agy

[Let seyth look into paradice]

SEYTH

ages bothe marsew henna me a vyn skon avycya an marodgyan es ena

THE CREATION OF THE WORLD.

1780 Come am I here

From Adam my father to you, Thus if it please you.

141

ANGEL

Seth, come near and tell (to me) Thine errands without delay, 1785 And take no fear in (the) world.

SETH My errand is this:

To seek oil of mercy: Charged am I thus

By my father here to you, If that be your will.

1790

For he is become old,

And in this world is now weary, His trouble is so much

Desirous he is not of aught, 1795 But always he is a -crying

After the oil of mercy.

A>GEL Come near to the gate, Seth, and look,

Thou wilt see all Paradise. Behold everything and say isoo What thou seest of strangeness In (the) garden within.

SETH

If that be your wish, I will straightway behold

The wonders that are there.

142 ' THE CREACON OF THE WORLD.

[Ther he vyseth all thingis. and seeth ij trees and in the one tree, sytteth mary the virgyn ty in her lappe her son jesus in the tope of the tree of lyfr and in the other tree ye serpent wch caused Eva to eat the appell]

ANGELL

1805 lemyn Seyth lavar thyma abervath pandra welta na wra kelas vn dra

SEYTH

me a weall sure vn gwethan ha serpent vnhy avadn 1810 marow seigh hy avalsa

ANGELL hona ew an keth wethan

a wrug kyns theth vam ha tas debbry an avail an ankan

o defednys gans charge bras 1815 a anow an tas gwella

han serpent na a welta

ythew an very pryfna1 a wrug an iowle tha entra

vnyn hy rag temtya 1820 theth vam eva

der henna dew a sorras

ha tha ve eve2 a ornas alena aga chassya lavar pandra welta moy

SEYTH 1825 me a weall goodly wethan

MS. prydua. MS. ave.

THE CREATION OF THE WORLD.

143

ANGEL

1805 Now Seth, tell to me What thou seest within: Do not hide one thing.

1810

SETH

I see surely a tree, And a serpent in it a -top Dead dry she seemed.

ANGEL This is the same tree

Which heretofore caused thy father and mother To eat the apple of the sorrow,

Which was forbidden with a great charge 1815 By the mouth of the best Father.

And that serpent which thou seest

Is that very serpent Which the devil did enter

Into it, to tempt Thy mother Eve.

1820

Therethrough God was angry

And me he ordered

To chase them from thence — Say what thou seest more.

SETH 1825 I see a goodly tree,

144 THE CREACON OF THE WORLD.

•

hay thop pur vghall in ban besyn neave ma ow tevy

hay gwrethow than door ysall yma ow resacke pur leall 1830 besyn effarn pytt pur greyf

fo. 20 a. hag ena ow brodar cayne

me an gweall ef in mur bayne

hag in trob[e]ll may thew gwef

hag in tope an keth wethan 1835 me a weall vn mayteth wheake ow setha in pur sertan

hag in y devra[n] flogh teake der havall thym indella

ANGELL

[The Angell goeth to the Tree of Lyf and breaketh an appll and taketh iij coores and geveth yt to seyth]

me a lavar theis dibblance 1840 henna lell ythew henwys1 ew an wethan a vewnans me a heath ran an frutyes hag a thro parte anetha avail pur vras

1845 meyr attomma tayre sprusan

a theth mes an avail ma kemerthy ha goer in ban in neb tellar tha gova

ha doag y genas theth tas

isso pen vo dewath y thethyow

hag in doer tha vos anclythys goer sprusan in y anow han thew arall kekeffrys

bethans gorrys in ye thyw fridg 1 MS. hemwys.

THE CREATION OF THE WORLD.

And its top full high above — Even to heaven it is growing.

And its roots to the ground below Are a -running full loyally, 1830 Even to hell, a pit full strong.

And there my brother Cain, I see him in great pain,

And in trouble, so that there is woe to him

And in (the) top of the same tree 1835 I see a sweet maiden, A -sitting very certainly,

And in her bosom a fair child, As seemeth to me so.

ANGEL

I say to thee clearly, 1840 That is truly called, It is the Tree of Life:

I will reach part of the fruits, And will bring part of them, An apple full great.

1845 See, here are three kernels,

Which have come from this apple: Take them and put (them) up, In some place to hide (?),

And carry them with thee to thy father.

isso When shall be (the) end of his days, And (he is) in earth to be buried,' Put a kernel into his mouth, And the two others likewise Let them be put in his two nostrils.

146 THE CREACON OF THE WORLD.

1855 hag y teiff an keth spruse na vn gwethan woja henma

na berth dowt av* pur deake

ha penvo hy cowle devys by a v* pub ear parys i860 tha thone an oyle a vercy

pan vo pymp myell ha pymp cans a vlethydnyow clere passhes

in vrna gwaytyans dewhans

warlerth oyle mercy pub pryes ises ha Salvador in teffry

an dora mes a baynes

lavar theth tas in della ha thotha ythyll trustya

in delma ythew poyntyes 1870 ffysten dewhans a lemma ow banneth theis

SEYTH mear a ras thewhy call due

ow tysqwethas thym pub tra thow thas kere oil par dell ew 1875 me a vyn sure y thysca

an marogyan dell ew braes

me a vyn mos alema in hanow dew a wartha

tha dre tha adam ow thas

[Seyth goes to his father with the coores $ gyveth yt hem]

i860 Lowena thewhy ow thas

devethis a paradice ythof lemyn tha thew gras ow negyssyow ythew gwryes par dell wrussowgh thym orna

THE CREATION OF THE WORLD.

1855 And there shall come from those same kernels A tree after this -

Have no fear — it shall be very fair.

And when it shall be quite grown, It will be always ready

To bear the Oil of Mercy.

147

i860

1865

When (there) shall be five thousand and five hundred

Of years clear passed, Then let him look eagerly

After oil of mercy always, And a Saviour indeed

Shall bring him out of pains.

Tell thy father so, And to it he can trust,

As is appointed. Hasten quickly hence:

My blessing to thee!

SETH Much thanks to you, God's Angel,

A -shewing me everything. To my dear father all as it is 1875 I will surely teach it,

As the wonders are great.

I will go hence, In (the) name of God above, Home to Adam my father.

isso Gladness to thee, my father!

Come from Paradise Am I now, thanks to God! My errands are done, As you did order me.

k2

148 THE CREACON OF THE WORLD.

' <

ADAM

fo. 20 b. 1885 welcom os Seyth genaf ve pana nowethis es genas marsew an oyle a vercy dres genas omma theth tas pur lowan me a vea

SEYTH

isso nagew whath ow thaes forsothe me a levar thewgh dell goeth an gwreanathe a bub tra

pan defa an termyn playne a pympe myell ha v cans vlethan 1895 an oyle a vercy in nena a vyth kevys

yn paradice y whelys

defrans marodgyan heb dowt specyall vn gwethan gloryes 1900 ow hethas in ban pur stowte besyn nef sure me a gryes

hay gwreythow than doer ysall

besyn effarn ow hethas hag ena pur wyer heb fall 1905 ythesa in trobell braes

ow brodar Cayne in paynes

now in toppe an wethan deake ythesa vn virgyn wheake

hay floghe pur semely maylyes 1910 vn y defran wondrys whans

ADAM

gorthis rebo dew an taes ow ry thym an nowethys

THE CREATION OF THE WORLD.

149

ADAM 1885 Welcome art thou, Seth, with me:

What news are with thee? If the Oil of Mercy is

Brought by thee here to thy father, Very glad shall I be.

SETH

1890 It is not yet, my father, forsooth, I tell to you as behoves, The truth of every thing.

When the time shall come plainly Of five thousand and five hundred years, 1895 The Oil of Mercy then Shall be found.

1900

1905

1910

In Paradise I saw

Divers marvels without doubt: Especially a glorious tree,

Reaching aloft full stoutly, Even to heaven, I surely believe.

And its roots to the earth below

Even to hell reaching, And there right truly without fail

Was in great trouble

My brother Cain in pains.

Now in (the) top of the fair tree Was a sweet virgin,

And her child full seemly swaddled In her bosom, wondrous desirably.

ADAM

Worshipped be God the Father, A -giving me the news,

150 THE CREACON OF THE WORLD.

|

sure nymbes bes v* mar vraes

nangew termyn tremenys 1915 a vlethydnyowe1 moy es cans

SEYTH

me a wellas gwethan moy ha serpent in ban ynny marow seigh hy afalsa

ADAM

honna o drog preyf heb nam 1920 a dullas eva tha vabm

der henna nya kylsyn iam ioyes paradice rag nefra

SEYTH

attoma tayr sprusan dryes mes a baradice thewhy 1925 a avail y fons terry s

a theth an wethan defry

ew henwys gwethan a vewnans

an eall a ornas thy ma3

panvo dewath theth dythyow 1930 hath voes gyllys a lema

gorra sprusan yth ganow

ban thew arall pur thybblance in tha thew freyge

fo. 2 1 a. mes an spruse y fyth tevys

1935 gwethan a vyth pure precyous

wosa henna marthys teake in pur theffry

1 MS. ylenydnyowe.

3 MS. I.

' MS. thewy.

THE CREATION OF THE WORLD.

Surely I have not anything (?) so great:

Now is passed a time 1915 Of years more than a hundred.

151

SETH

I saw (one) tree more, And a serpent above in it — Dead dry she seemed.

ADAM

This was an evil worm without exception (?) 1920 Who deceived Eve thy mother: Therethrough we have now lost

(The) joys of Paradise for ever.

SETH

Here are three kernels brought

Out of Paradise to you: 1925 From an apple they were broken, Which came from a tree surely (That) is called (the) Tree of Life.

The angel ordered me,

When should be the end of thy days 1930 And thou wert gone hence,

To put a kernel into thy mouth, And the two others full clearly Into thy two nostrils.

Out of the kernels will be grown 1935 A tree that will be very precious After that, marvellously fair In very earnest.

152 THE CREACON OF THE WORLD.

i ha penvo hy cowle devys

hy a vyth pub eare parys

tha thone an oyle a vercy

ADAM

1940 mere worthyans than drenges tase ow crowntya thymmo sylwans woja henma ken thew pell

seyth ow mabe golsow themma ha theth charrdgya me a ra 1945 in dan ow bannethe pur leall

gwayte an tas an neff gorthya ha pub ere orta cola yn pub otham a vesta ef a wra sure tha succra 1950 hag a vydn the vayntaynya in bysma pell tha vewa ow mabe merke an gyrryow ma

SEYTH

A das kere mere rase thewhy agis dyskans da pub preyse 1955 me a goth in pur thefrye

gorthya dew an leall drengis han mabe gwelha

han spyrys sans aga thry

dell yns onyn me a gryes i960 try fersons yns pur worthy ow kys raynya in joyes in gwlase nef es awartha

ha rag henna y coth thyma gans colan pure aga gwerthya

THE CREATION OF THE WORLD.

And when it shall be quite grown, It will be always ready

To bear the Oil of Mercy.

153

ADAM

1940 Much worship to the Trinity Father, A -granting me salvation,

After this though it is far.

Seth, my son, hearken to me, And thee will I charge 1945 Under my blessing very loyal.

Take care to worship the Father of the heaven And always to hearken to Him. In every need which thou hast He will surely succour thee, 1950 And will support thee

In this world long to live — My son, mark these words.

SETH

O dear father, much thanks to you

For your good teaching at every time: 1955 It behoves me in very earnest

To worship God the loyal Trinity, And the best Son,

And the Holy Spirit, (the) three of them,

As they are one I believe: i960 Three Persons are they full worthy A -reigning together in joys,

In (the) country of heaven that is above.

And therefore it behoves me

With a pure heart to worship them.

154 THE CREACON OF THE WORLD.

I

ADAM

[Lett Death ape are to adam] 1965 coth ha gwan-ythof gyllys nym beas bewa na fella ankaw ythew devethys

ny vyn omma ow gasa tha vewa omma vdn spyes

1970 me an gweall prest gans gew parys thorn gwana pub tew ny geas scappya deva an preys mall ew genaf

me a servyas pell an beyse 1975 aban vema kyns formys

naw cans bloth of me a gryes ha deakwarnegans recknys may thew pryes mos a lema

fo. 21 b. flehys am bes1 denethys

i960 a Eva ow freas mear dewthack warnygans genys a vybbyan hemma ew gwyre heb ow mabe cayne hag abell

yn weth dewthack warnugans 1985 a virhas in pur thibblans

my ambe heb tull na gyll a thalathfas an bysma

han by s ythew incresshys

drethaf ve hag ow flehys

1990 heb number tha vos cornptys

tha thew y whon2 gras ractha

DEATH

adam gwra thymmo parys 1 MS. bef. a MS. whom.

THE CREATION OF THE WORLD.

155

ADAM

1965 Old and weak am I become:

I have not life longer: Death is come:

He will not here leave me To live here one space.

1970 I see him now with a spear

Ready to pierce me (on) every side: There is no escape from him: The time is a desire with me.

I have long served the world: 1975 Since I was first formed

Nine hundred years I am, I believe, And thirty reckoned;

So that it is time to go from hence.

Children have I born i960 Of Eve my spouse many; Thirty -two born

Of sons — this is true —

Without my son Cain and Abel.

Also thirty -two 1985 Of girls, very clearly

I have had, without deceit or guile, From (the) beginning of this world.

And the world is increased, Through me and my children, 1990 Without number to be counted: To God I give thanks for it.

DEATH

Adam, make ready for me.

156 THE CREACON OF THE WORLD.

•

te am gweall ve devethys theth vewnans gans ow spera 1995 the gameras alemma nynges gortas na fella rag henna gwra theth wana der an golan may thella

ADAM

ankow y whon theis mur grace 2000 ow bewnans tha gameras mes an bysma

rag pur sqwyth ove anotha tha thew y whon gras ragtha

gwyn ow bys bos thym fethys 2005 lavyr ha dewhan an beyse

pel rue ren sewyas [leg servyas?] omma

ha rag henna gwraf comena then leall drengys ow ena

i DEVYLL

cowetha bethowgh parys 2010 an thev[o]llow pub onyn ena adam tremenys

dune thy hethas than gegen

then pytt downe barth a wollas

LUCY PER

na na ny wreth in della 2015 yma ken ornes ractha yn lymbo barth awartha ena ef a wra trega

del ew ornes gans an tace

1995

THE CREATION OF THE WORLD.

Thou seest me come, Thy life with my spear To take from hence. There is no longer delay; Therefore I will thrust thee

That it go through the heart.

157

ADAM

Death, I give thee much thanks 2000 For taking my life

Out of this world.

For full weary am I of it, To God I give thanks for it.

White (is) my world that for me are vanquished 2005 (The) labour and sorrow of the world —

Long have I followed [leg. served] it here.

And therefore I do commend My soul to the loyal Trinity.

FIRST DEVIL Comrades, be ye ready, 2010 The devils every one! Adam's soul has passed:

Let us come to fetch it to the kitchen, To the deep pit on the lowest side.

LUCIFER

No, no, thou shalt not do so, 2015 It is otherwise ordained for him. In Limbo on the highest side, There shall he dwell,

As is ordained by the Father.

158 THE CREACON OF THE WORLD.

f ty a wore in Effarnow ' 2020 yma mansyons heb gow neb yma an thewollow a theth mes an nef golow

genaf ve ovv teen rowle vras

fo. 22 a. an chorll adam y drygva

2025 a vyth abarth awartha

in onyn an clowsteifs] na neb na vyth tarn lowena mes in tewolgow bras ena ow kelly presens an tase

2030 ban moygha payne a vetha

y vabe cayne in paynes brase ef a dryg bys venytha yma ef barth a wollas in pytt downe ow leskye

3 DEVYLL

2035 prage na v* an chorle adam in kethe della tremowntys me a wra then horsen cam Boos calassa presonys

mar callaf kyns es hethy 2040 drefan terry gorhemyn

LUCYFEK

me a lavar theis an case kyn wrug adam pegh mr vras ef an geva yddrage tyn

ha dew thothef a awas 2045 y thyspleasure hay sor bras

hag in della ny wrug cayne

Ef a lathas ye vrodar

ny gemeras yddrag vyth 1 MS. Effarne owe.

THE CREATION OF THE WORLD.

Thou knowest in Hell, 2020 Are mansions without a lie, Where are the devils Who came from the heaven of light With me bearing great rule.

The churl Adam his dwelling 2025 Shall be on the upper side In one of those cloisters, Where shall not be a ot of gladness, But in great darkness there,

Losing the Father's presence.

2030 And the greatest pain shall have

His son Cain : in great pains He shall dwell for ever. He is on (the) lowest side In a deep pit a -burning.

159

THIRD DEVIL 2035 Why shall the churl Adam not be

Tormented in that same way? I will make the crooked whoreson Be most hardly imprisoned,

If I can, rather than stay, 2040 Because of breaking a commandment.

LUCIFER

I will tell to thee the case — Though Adam did a sin so great,

He had for it sharp repentance.

And God to him forgave 2045 His displeasure and His great anger, And so did not Cain.

He slew his brother,

Nor had repentance at all,

160 THE CREACON OF THE WORLD.

mes y regoyssyas pur vear1

2050 hag a sor an tas trevyth

yn serten ef ny synges

rag henna bys venary eve a dryge ena deffry in paynes bras avel ky 2055 ioy nef ew thotha kellys

[They go to hell wlh great noyes]

yea Cayne hay gowetha in keth order a vewa an place ew ornas ractha in efarn barth a wollas

2060 hag adams vengens thotha lymbo ew ornys thotha da ragtha ef ha[y] gowetha

ny dastyans an payne bras

[An Angell conveyeth adams soole to lymbo]

i DEVYLL

yth oil agen vyadge ny 2065 ren iowle bras ny dalvyth2 oye tregans an chorle neb yma

dvne ny warbarth a gowetha tha effarnow a lema

then paynes a thewre nefra

[ANGELL]

2070 a ena adara dremas

des genaf ja effarnow ena ornys thies ew place gans an tas theso heb gowe

tha remaynya rag season 1 MS. vean. * MS. dab4.

THE CREATION OF THE WORLD.

But rejoiced very much, 2050 And for the Father's anger aught Certainly he did not care.

Therefore for ever He shall dwell here surely, In great pains like a dog - 2055 Joy of heaven to him is lost.

161

Yea, Cain and his comrades In (the) same order shall live. The place is ordained for him In hell, on (the) lower side.

2060 And Adam, vengeance to him! Limbo is ordained for him: Good for him and his comrades They taste not the great pain.

FIRST DEVIL

See, all our voyage,

2065 By the great Devil, will not be worth an egg! Let the churl dwell where he is.

Come we together, O comrades! To hell from hence,

To the pains that endure for ever.

ANGEL 2070 O soul of Adam excellent!

Come with me to hell: There a place is ordained for thee, By the Father for thee without a lie, To remain for a season.

162 THE CREACON OF THE WORLD.

fo. 22 b. 2o?f pan deffa an oyle a vercy te a vith kerrys then ioye

than nef vghall a vghan

[Lett adam be buried in a fay re tombe wth som churche songis at hys buryall]

SEYTHE

ow thas pan ewa marowe me a vyn y anclythyas 2080 dvn a lebma heb falladow gorryn an corf in gweras gans solempnyty ha cane

mes an dore eve a ve gwryes hag arta then keth gwyrras 2085 ef a v* treylyes serten

ha del ve thym kyns ornys an dayer sprusan yw gorrys in y anow hay fregowe

[The 3 kernels put in his mowthe $ nostrels]

del o ef an kensa dean

2090 a ve gans an tas formyes

yn beth yta ef lebmyn

then tas dew rebo grassies omma rag y oberowe

ENOCH

enoch ythew owe hanowe 2095 leal servant then drengis tas mabe Jared ythov heb gowe Sevys a lydnyathe pur vras heb dowt ythof

ha pur leall an sythvas degre 2100 desendys a adam ove

THE CREATION OF THE WORLD.

2075 When the oil of mercy shall come, Thou shalt be carried to the joy, To heaven, high of height.

163

SETH

Since my father is dead,

I will bury him. 2080 Let us come from hence without fail,

Let us put the corpse in (the) ground With solemnity and song.

Out of the earth he was made, And again to the same ground 2085 He shall be turned again.

And as was formerly ordained to me, The three kernels are put

Into his mouth and his nostrils.

As he was the first man 2090 That was formed by the Father, In a grave behold him now. To the Father God be thanks Here for his works.

ENOCH

Enoch is my name,

2095 A loyal servant to the Trinity Father: Son of Jared am I without a lie: Sprung from lineage full great Without doubt am I.

And very loyally of the seventh degree 2100 Descended from Adam am I;

12

164 THE CREACON OF THE WORLD.

' in oydge me ew in orma

try cans try vgans in prove ha whath pymp moy pan es thym coof in geth hythew

2105 me a beys tha wrear neff

may fon pub eare plegadow tha vonas y servant ef in bysma heb falladowe ha drevone bewe

FFATHER IN HEAVEN

[Enoch kneleth when the father speketh] 2110 enoch me a levar thyes

owe bothe tha vos in delma may fosta qwyck transformys

tha baradice a lemma me a vyn may foes vskys 2115 [b]ethis in corf hag ena

byth parys in termyn ma

hag ena y wres gortas

ogas tha worvan an beyse an mystery ythew pur vras 2120 genaf ny vyth dysclosyes

tha thean vytholl in bysma

[Enoch is caried to paradice]

ENOCH fo. 23 a. gorthyes rebo dew an tas

tha vlonogath rebo gwryes hemma ythew marrudgyan bras 2125 ythesaf ow pose gorthys ny won pylea

me a wore hag a leall gryes gwreans dew y vos henma

THE CREATION OF THE WORLD.

In age I am at this hour

Three hundred three score in proof, And yet five more when I recollect, This day.

2105 I will pray to the Maker of heaven,

That I may be always pleased To be his servant

In this world without fail And whilst I live.

165

FATHEK is HEAVEN

2110 Enoch, I say to thee

That my will is thus - That thou be transformed alive,

From here to Paradise, I will that thou be quickly; 2115 Thou shalt be in body and soul - Be ready at this time.

And there thou shalt tarry

Nigh unto (the) end of the world. The mystery is very great, 2120 By me it shall not be disclosed To any man in this world.

ENOCH

Worshipped be God the Father!

Thy will be done. These are great marvels. 2125 I am being put

I know not where.

I know and loyally believe ' That this is God's doing.

THE CREACON OF THE WORLD.

devethys tha baradice 2130 me a wore gwyre ythoma

place delycyous ' ew hemma peldar ynno me a vewa

der temptacon an teball

ow hendas adam pur weare 2135 eave regollas der avail

an place gloryous pur sure

maythew gweve oil thy asshew

rag henna pobell an beise

na wreugh terry an deffan 2140 a vyth gans dew thugh ornys

dowte tha gawas drog gorfan ha myschef bras war bub tew

mara qwrewgh orthaf cola why asbythe woja henma 2145 ioies nef in vdn rew

SEYTH

kebmys pehas es in byes

gwrres gans tues heb amendya

mathew dew an tas serrys

bythquath gwyell mabe dean omma

2150 distructyon yma ornys

pur serten war oil an beise

may fyth consumys pub tra

henna ythew convethys der an discans es thymma reis 2155 gans an tas es a vghan

an planattis es awartha ban steare inweth magata

ow poyntya mowns pur efan

1 MS. delycyans.

THE CREATION OF THE WORLD.

Come to Paradise 2130 I know truly I am.

A delicious place is this: Long in it I shall live.

Through temptation of the evil one,

My grandsire Adam full truly 2135 He lost through an apple

The glorious place full surely,

So that there is misery to all his issue.

Therefore, people of the world,

Do not ye break the prohibition, 2140 Which is by God ordained to you. Fear to get an evil end,

And great mischief on every side.

If ye do hearken to me,

Ye shall have after this

2145 Joys of heaven in a gift.

167

SETH So many sins are in (the) world

Done by folk without amending, That God the Father is angered

That he ever made a son of man here.

2150 A destruction is ordained

Very certainly over all the world,

So that every thing shall be consumed.

That is understood

Through the teaching that is given \o me 2155 By the Father that is on high.

The planets that are on high, And the stars also as well, Are pointing very plainly.

168 THE CREACON OF THE WORLD.

[Let hem poynt to the sun the moone $ the firmament]

an howle ban loor kekeffrys 2160 oil warbarth ew confethys

than purpose na mowns ow toos

ban distructyon a vyth bras

may fyth an byes destryes der levyaw a thower pur vras 2165 po der dane y fyth leskys

creseugh thyma marsewhy fure

rag henna gwrens tues dowtya an tase dew tha offendya

der neb maner for in beyse

fo. 23 b. 2170 rag voydya an peril na

scryffes yma thym pub tra a thallathfas an bysma may fova leall recordys a vyns tra es ynna gwryes

2175 an leverow y towns y omma why as gweall wondrys Jargya ha pub tra oil in bysma skryff'es yma yn ryma

dowt na vans y ankevys

2180 deaw pillar mannaff poyntya

rag an purpas na whare bryck a ve onyri anetha ha marbell a vyth y gylla

rag sawment a vyth gwryes 2185 than leverowe

an bricke rag na vons leskys der dane v* henna ew gwryes

ban rnarbell tarn consumys

der thower ny v' hema ew gwrez

THE CREATION OF THE WORLD.

169

The sun and the moon likewise 2160 Altogether are understood -

To that purpose they are coming.

And the destruction will be great,

So that the world will be destroyed Through floods of water full great, 2165 Or through fire it will be burnt: Believe me if ye be wise.

Therefore let people fear To offend the Father God

In any kind of way in (the) world.

2170 To avoid that peril,

Written for me is everything From (the) beginning of this world, So that there may be loyal records Of all things that are done in it.

2175 The books behold them here: Ye see them wondrous large ; And everything in this world Is written in these:

Fear not that they shall be forgotten.

2180 Two pillars I will appoint

For that purpose anon : Brick shall one of them be, And marble shall its fellow be.

For preservation shall be made 2185 To the books.

The brick that they be not burnt By any fire, that is made;

And the marble, a jot consumed

By water that there be not, this is made.

170 , THE CREACON OF THE WORLD.

2190 drefan y vos mean garow

wondrys callys'

JARED

an pillars y towns parys

gorrowgh ynna an leverow nynges art v* ankevys 2195 na tra arall sur heb ow

mes vnna [y] mowns skryves

a bub sort oil a leverow egwall vnna ew gorrys pekare ythew an sortow 2200 gorrys vnna der devyes in diffrans ha kehavall

lemyn me as goer in badn hag in nyell sure bys vickan

an record a vythe heb fall 2205 pur wyer kevys

SEYTH

[Putt the pillers upright]

rag henna pobell dowtyans

ha then tas gwren oil pegy na skydnya an keth vengeans

in neb termyn warnan ny 2210 nagen flehys

FFATHER IN HEAVEN

drog ew genaf gwythill dean preshyous7 havan thorn honyn rag cola orthe vdn venyn

glane ef regollas an place

1 In the MS. this and the preceding line come after line 2185.

2 MS. preshyons.

THE CREATION OF THE WORLD.

2190 Because of its being a rough stone

Wondrous hard.

171

JIBED

The pillars behold them ready:

Put ye the books therein: There is no art whatever forgotten, 2195 Nor aught else surely without a lie, But in them are written.

Of every sort of books

Equally in them are put, As are the sorts 2200 Put in them by twos,

Differently and similarly.

Now I will put them up, And strongly sure for ever

The record will be without fail 2205 Right truly found.

SETH

Therefore let people fear,

And to the Father let us all pray. That the same vengeance may not fall

At any time on us, 2210 Nor our children.

FATHER IN HEAVEN I am sorry that I made man Quite like to myself: For hearkening to a woman

He hath clean lost the place.

172 THE CREACON OF THE WORLD.

2215 am leff dyghow pan wrussen pan wrega dryes ow defen mes a baradice pur glane whare an call as gorras

fo. 24 a. an sperys ny drige neffra

2220 in corf mabe dean ve in byes ha reason ew ha praga

rag y voos kyg medall gwryes ha pur vrotall gans henna

nynges dean orthe ow seruya 2225 len ha gwyrryan sure pub pryes saw noye in oil an bysma hay wreag hay flehys keffrys ow bothe ythew in della

gweyll deall war oil an byes 2230 may fythe pub tra consumys mes serten mannaf sawya

NOY

noy mabe lamec gylwys ove arluthe brase oil perthew cove ythof omma in bysma

2235 substance lower ha byth ha da

yma thyma tha vewa maythof sengys rag neffra tha worthya ow arluth da an drengys es a wartha

[Noy commeth before heven fy kneleth]

FFATHER IN HEAVEN

2240 noy des thymma ve lebmyn ha golsow thym a gowsaf

THE CREATION OF THE WORLD.

2215 With my right hand when I had made (him), When he did beyond my prohibition, Full clean out of Paradise

Anon the angel put them.

The spirit shall not dwell always 2220 In (the) body of any son of man in (the) world; And a reason is and why,

Because of his being made soft flesh, And very brittle therewith.

There is no man serving me 2225 Faithful and innocent surely at all time, Save Noah in all this world,

And his wife and his children likewise: My will is thus:

To make a flood over all the world, 2230 So that everything be consumed; But certain I will save.

173

NOAH

Noah son of Lamech I am called; A great lord, all ye bear remembrance - Am I here in this world.

2235 Substance enough of property (?) and good

Is to me to live, So that I am held forever To worship my good Lord, The Trinity that is on high.

FATHER m HEAVEN

2240 Noah, come to me now,

And hearken to me what I shall say.

174 THE CREACON OF THE WORLD.

NOYE

parys ove arluthe brentyn tha vlanogathe lavartha

FFATHER IN HEAVEN noy mar lenwys ew an byes 2245 lemyn a sherewynsy

maythow dewathe devethys vnna a gyke pub huny1 gans peagh pur wyre ew flayrys

ny allaf sparya na moye 2250 heb gwethill mernans a vear spyes

war pobell oil menas tye ha tha wreag ha tha flehys han pythe along thejo gye

[tooles and tymber redy. wth planckis to ma he the arcke, a beam a mallet a cdlkyn yre[n] ropes mass[t]es pyche and tarr]

rag henna fysten ke gwra 2255 gorthell a pi an ekes playnyes hag vnna leas trigva

rowmys y a vythe henwys a veas hag agy inta

gans peyke bethance stanche gwryes 2260 ha try cans kevellyn da

an lysster a vythe in heys

ha hantercans kevellen

inweth te a wra yn leas han vheldar me a vyn 2265 deagwarnygans may fo gwryes war tew a thella[rg] daras

ty1 a wra port ef a v* henwys jystes dretha ty a place3

a leas rag na vo degys

1 MS. hvnythe.

2 MS. da ty.

3 MS. playne.

THE CREATION OF THE WORLD.

175

NOAH

Ready am I, noble Lord, Speak Thou Thy will.

FATHER IN HEAVEN Noah, the world is so filled 2245 Now with wickedness, That there is an end come

In it of flesh of every kind; With sin full truly it is fetid.

I can spare no more 2250 Without doing death of long duration,

On all people except thee, And thy wife and thy children,

And the property that belongs to thee.

Therefore hasten, go, make 2255 An ark of planks planed, And in it many dwellings,

Rooms they shall be named. Without and within well,

With pitch let it be made staunch; 2260 And three hundred cubits good The vessel shall be in length.

And half a hundred cubits

Also thou shalt make in breadth,

And the height I will 2265 That it be made thirty.

On (the) side behind, a door

Thou shalt make — a port it shall be called

Joists through it thou shalt place Across, that it be not shut.

THE \" OF THE WORLD.

2270 a bub ehan a gynda

gorrow ha benaw in wethe aga gorra ty a wra in tha lester abervathe

pub maner boos in by sin a 2275 es ja thybbry gwayte m[a]y trey the rag dean ha beast magata in tha lester gweyt ma fethe

NOVE

fo. 24 b. arluth kref tha arhadowe

me a vra so mot y go 2280 tur lythyowe heb falladowe

me a vyn dallathe strechya

gans ow boell nowyth lemmys me a squat pub pice tymber hag a pleyne oil an planckes 2285 hag a sett pub plyenkyn sure

SEM me a galke thew wondres fyne

nagella dower v1 ynno kyn fova gwryes a owerbyn

y fyth stenche me a ragtha

CHAM

2290 yma peyke thym provyes ha lavonowe pub ehan deffrans1 sortowe a wernow yma parys pur effan

TUB ALL CAYSE

marthe ew genaf a vn dra 2295 y vosta mar vcky noye 1 MS. dreffirans.

THE CREATION OF THE WORLD.

2270 Of every sort of kind

Males and females also, Thou shalt put them In thy vessel within.

All manner of food in this world 2275 That is to eat take care that thou bring, For man and beast also

In thy vessel take care that there be.

NOAH

Strong Lord, thy commands

I will do, so mote I go. 2280 Through obstacles (?) without fail I will begin to strike.

With my axe newly sharpened

I will split every piece of timber, And plane all the planks, 2285 And set every plank sure.

SHEM I will caulk for you wondrously fine,

So that there shall not come any water into it If it be done all over

It will be staunch, I will go for it.

HAM

2290 There is pitch by me provided

And ropes of every kind, Different sorts of masts Are ready very plainly.

177

2295

TUBAL CAIN

A wonder is to me of one thing That thou art so foolish, Noah,

178 THE CREACON OF THE WORLD.

praga ew genas she omma buyldya tester mar worthy

yn creys powe tha worthe an moare

me a syns tha skeans whath 2300 tha voes in cost an parna oil tha lyvyer nyn dale cathe me an to war ow ena gucky ythoes

[Lett Tuball fall a lauyh[i]ng]

NOT

ow hothman na gymmar marthe 2305 ty an oole ha lyas myell kynthota skydnys in wharthe in dewathe heb tull na gyle why a weall deall vskys

gwarnys of gans dew an tase 2310 tha wythell an lesster ma rag ow sawya haw flehys

tha worthe [an] kethe deall na why a weall agy tha space

der lyvyow a thower an brassa 2315 oil an beise a v* bethys

TUBAL

gwell vea a vosta kregys

ty hag oil an grydgyan[s]na a chorll coth te pedn pylles

flatla vynta ge henna 2320 y fythe an beys consumys

oil an dorrowe in beysma kyn fons warbarthe contylles

ny wra dewath an parna

sow ythota gy gockye 2325 oil an beyse a yll gothvas

THE CREATION OF THE WORLD.

Why is it with thee here To build a ship so worthy,

Amid (the) country, off from the sea?

I hold thy science a puff, 2300 To be at cost like that;

All thy labour is not worth a cat, I swear it on my soul; . Foolish art thou.

179

NOAH

My friend, do not have wonder, 2305 Thou shalt weep it and many thousands Although thou art fallen into laughter At (the) end without fraud nor guile, You shall see a flood quickly.

Warned am I by God the Father 2310 To make this ship,

To save me and my children

From that same deluge. You shall see within a space

Through floods of water the greatest, 2315 All the world shall be drowned.

TUBAL Better were it that thou wert hanged,

Thou and all of that belief, Oh old churl, thou peeled head!

How wouldst thou that, 2320 That the world shall be consumed?

All the waters in this world, Though they be gathered together, Will not make an end like that.

But thou art foolish 2325 All the world may know

m2

THE CREACON OF THE WORLD.

vengens war tha ben krehy nynges omma dean in wlase a greys thybm malbe vanna

fo. 25 a. praga pandrew an matter

2330 a vyn dew buthy an beise mara custa lavar thym an occasion me athe pyes der vaner da

NOT

an occasion ew hemma

2335 kemmys pehas es in beyse

ha nynges tarn amendya

may thew an tas dew serrys gans oil pobell an bysma

hag eddrag thothef yma

2340 bythquath mabe dean tha vos gwryes rag henna gwrewgh amendya

ages foly byth nehys yn vrna der vaner da

mara pethowgh repentys 2345 an kethe plage a wra voydya

TUBALL

pew athe wrug ge progowther

tha thesky omma theny y pray tha thym ma lavar

a wrug [dew] cowsall thagye 2350 only heb dean arall v* omma

me a wore yma in pow leas dean a gowse an tase

tues perfyt me an advow

ythyns i ha polatis brase 2355 a wayt boos in favour dew

2330

THE CREATION OF THE WORLD.

Vengeance on thy head hang!

There is not here a man in (the) country Who will believe me in any way.

Why, what is the matter?

Will God drown the world? If thou kriowest, tell to me

The occasion, I pray thee, In a good way.

181

NOAH

The occasion is this 2335 So much sin is in (the) world,

And there is not a jot of amendment, That the Father God is angered With all (the) people of this world.

And repentance to Him there is 2340 That a son of man was ever made — Therefore do you amend,

Let your folly be denied. Then, in a good manner

If you be repentant [lit. repented], 2345 The same plague will depart.

TUBAL

f

Who made thee a preacher

To teach us here? I pray thee, say to me,

Did God speak to thee 2350 Only, without another man at all here?

I know there are in (the) country

Many men to whom the Father speaks,

Perfect folk, I avow it,

Are they, and great points, 2355 Who wait to be in God's favour.

182 T11K CREACON OF THE WORLD.

•

sera tha radn an ryna

ef a vynsa disclosya

an distructyon brase ban lywe

rag henna theth[o] cregye 2360 me ny vannaf moy es kye na mendya ny venyn ny

a woos theth gyrryan wastys

NOY da ew theso gy boes fure

hag oil pobell an bysma 2365 ny v* dew nefra pur wyre

kevys goacke trest thyma1 ragtha bethowgh avysshes

mar ny wrewh vengence pur vras a skydn warnough kyns na pell 2370 rag dew a vydn agen tase

danven lywe a thower pur leall serten tha vethy an byese

rag omsawya ow honyn

keff'rys ow gwreak haw flehys 2375 an lester a vythe genyn

der weras dew vskes gwryes rag voydya an danger ma

TABELL

tety valy bram an gathe my ny gresaf thejo whathe 2380 y fydn dew gwill indella

fo. 25 b. me a woor ny wrug an beys

han bobell myns es vnna tha voos mar gwicke destryes

1 MS. thymo.

THE CREATION OF THE WORLD. 183

Sir, to part of those He would have disclosed

The great distraction and the flood.

Therefore believe in thee 2360 I will not, more than a dog, Nor will we amend

Notwithstanding thy words (be) wasted.

NOAH

Good is it for thee to be wise, And all people of this world, 2365 God will not full truly ever be Found a liar, trust to me: For this be ye advised.

If ye do not, vengeance full great

Shall fall on you before long, For God our Father will 2370 Send a flood of water full loyally, Certainly to drown the world.

To save myself,

Likewise iriy wife and my children, 2375 The ship shall be by us,

Through God's help, quickly made To avoid this danger.

TUBAL

Tety valy, the cat's wind! I believe thee not yet 2380 (That) God will do so.

I know He made not the world,

And the people all that are in it, To be so quickly destroyed.

184 THE CREACON OF THE WORLD.

vnpossyble ythewa 2385 an dower na tha vose kevys

NOY

vnpossyble nyngew tra tha wrear all an bysma

awos destrowy an beyse agy tha ower

2390 rage der gear oil a ve gwryes nef ha noer myns es omma ha der gear arta thym creys ef a yll mar a mynna

y thystrowy der an dower

TUBALL

2395 ny amownt thymma resna genas noy me a hevall me a vyn mos a lemma rag ythota drog eball na vyn nefra bonas vase

2400 pyrra foole ne ve gwelys me a levar theis praga an lester ew dallethys

why a woer nangew polta a vlethydnyow pur leas 2405 moy es vgans

rag mar vras yw dallethys neffra ny vithe dowethis

me an to war ow honssyans

[Let them both depart]

NOY

now an lester ythevv gwryes 2410 teake ha da tham plegadow

2385

THE CREATION OF THE WORLD.

It would be impossible

That that water be found.

185

NOAH

Impossible is not (any) thing To a Creator of all this world,

On account of destroying the world Within an hour.

2390 For by a word all was made

Heaven and Earth, what ever is here, And by a word again, believe me, He can if He will

Destroy it by the water.

TUBAL

2395 It avails not to me to reason With thee, Noah, meseems. I will go hence,

For thou art an evil colt (That) will never be good.

2400 A verier fool was never seen:

I will say to thee why: The ship is begun

Ye know it is now very long while,

Of years full many 2405 More than twenty.

For so great is (it) begun, Never will it be ended,

I swear it on my conscience.

2410

NOAH Now the ship is built

Fair and good to my pleasing.

186 THE CUKACON OF THE WORLD.

a bub ehan a vestas

drewhy quick jym orthe copplow chattell ethyn kekeffrys

dew ha dew benaw ha gorrawe

[The arch redy and all maner of beastis and fowles to be putt in the arch]

SEM

2415 nynges beast na preif in beyse

benaw ha gorawe omma genaf thewhy yma dreys in lester ytowns ena

[Let rayne appeare]

CHAM

a dase lemyn gwrewh parys 2420 an lyw nangew devethys yma lowar dean in beyse kyns lemyn sure a gowjas ages bos why gucky

pan wressowh gwyl an lester 2425 omma prest in creys an tyer moer vyth nyngeja defry the doen in ker

JAPHETH

geas a wressans annotha dowte sor dew nyngessa 2430 thothans nena me a wore1

gwyer

NOVE fo. 26 a. an lywe nangew devethis

may thew da thyne fystena

MS. woja.

THE CREATION OF THE WORLD.

Of every kind of beasts

Bring ye quickly to me by couples, Cattle, birds likewise,

Two and two, females and males.

187

SHEM 2415 There is not beast nor worm in (the) world,

Females and males here, (But) by me to you are brought In (the) ship behold them there.

HAM

O Father, now make ready! 2420 The flood is now come.

There are enough of men in (the) world Before now surely said That you were foolish;

When you did make the ship 2425 Here just in (the) midst of the land, There was not any sea really To carry her away.

2430

JAPHET

A jest they made of it: Fear of God's wrath there was not To them there, I know truly.

NOAH The flood now is come

So that it is good for us to hasten:

1 00

THE WORLD. P"b beast oil

'• jester thaga

d<* yw ornys %mo ve

abervath ow flehys hages gwregath maata an Noer ew

der bethy a

WIFF

an Pyth eg

towW] tho veas • ew thyn aga gawya

2445 a vona

es omma 'eake te * wore hedna

, *"""""""

the colver after] m ker Jemyn ^

terathe mar kyll bos g an go]am in pur

•»• « danven pur vsk 5

IK HEAVEN

marowe ew pub tra a MS. to. ^^ 3 V6WnanS Vnna

THE CREATION OF THE WORLD. 189

Every beast is gone

Into (the) vessel according to their kind, 2435 As is ordained to me.

Go ye within, my children, And your wives as well: The earth is nigh covered

Through the rain that is above. 2440 Thou woman, come within:

Wouldst thou quite drown me?

NOAH'S WIFE.

Needful is it to save what there is. I ought not to throw away -

Good it is for us to save them.

2445 They cost a shower of money, The same tackles that are here - Fair Noah, thou knowest that.

NOAH

Now is it much of way, full truly, Since we lost sight of the land 2450 Therefore for me go, Raven (lit. 'great crow').

2455

Fly away now, and look

If land can be found, And the dove very surely

I will send her very quickly,

Sight of the earth if she can see.

FATHER IN HEAVEN Dead is every thing wherein was Spirit of life:

190 THE CREACON OF THE WORLD.

me a worhemyn whare

than glawe namoy na wrella

[The culver cometh wlh a branche of olyf in her mouthe]

NOY

2460 Then tase dew rebo grassyes an golam ew devethys

ha gensy branche olyf glase

arall bethans delyverys

does ny vydnas an vrane vras 2465 neb caryn hy a gafas

nangew ogas ha blethan

aban dallathfas an lywe marsew bothe dew y honyn

neb ew gwrear noer ha neef 2470 tha slackya an kyth lyw brase

y vothe rebo collenwys omma genan ny pub pryes kekefrys ha mabe ha tase

FFATHEK IN HEAVEN

noy me a worhemyn theis 2475 ke in meas an lester skon

thethe wreag hathe flehys keffrys ethyn bestas ha pub lodn

NOY fo. 26 b. meare worthyans thyes arluth nef

te a weras gwadn ha creaf 2480 in othom sure panvo reys

den in mes bean ha brase chattall ethyn ha bestas

myns a ve in lester dres

THE CREATION OF THE WORLD. ]91

I will command anon

To the rain that it do no more.

NOMI

2460 To the Father God be thanks! The dove is come,

And with her a branch of green olive.

Be another let loose:

Come the raven would not: 2465 Some carrion she has found.

Now it is nigh a year

Since (the) beginning of the flood. If it be (the) will of God Himself,

Who is Maker of Earth and Heaven, 2470 To slacken the same great flood,

His will be fulfilled Here with us always,

Likewise both son and father.

FATHER IN HEAVEN Noah, I command thee 2475 Go out of the vessel forthwith, Thy wife and thy children likewise, Birds, beasts and every bullock.

NOAH

Much worship to Thee, Lord of heaven, Thou hast helped weak and strong 2480 In need surely when it is needful.

Let us come away, small and great, Cattle, birds and beasts,

All that were brought into (the) vessel,

192 • THE CREACON OF THE WORLD.

[An alter redy veary fayre]

yn dewhillyans pehosow 2485 grwethill alter me a vydn me a vidn gwythyll canow

ha sacryfice lebmyn radn ehan a bub sortowe

keffrys bestas hag ethyn 2490 gans henna thy honora

[Som good church songes to be songe at the alter

ha rag hedna gwren ny cana in gwerthyans jen tase omma

and frankensens]

FFATHER IN HEAVEN

hebrna ythew sawer wheake

hag in weth Sacrifice da 2495 pur wyer noy ef thybma a blek a leyn golan pan ewa thyma ve gwryes

rag hedna sure me a wra Benytha woja hebma 2500 in ybbern y fyth gwelys

[a Rayne bowe to appeare]

an gabm thavas in teffry

pesqwythe mays gwella why hy remembra a hanaf why

me a wra bys venarye 2505 trestge thyma

distructyon vythe an parna benytha der thower ny wra wos destrea an bysma ha rag hedna

THE CREATION OF THE WORLD.

193

In atonement for sins 2485 I will make an altar; I will make songs,

And sacrifice now Some kinds of all sorts;

Likewise beasts and birds, 2490 With that to honour thee.

And for that let us sing

In worship to the Father here.

FATHEH IN HEAVEN

This is a sweet savour

And also a good sacrifice; 2495 Right truly, Noah, it pleaseth me, Since it is with loyal heart Made unto me.

2500

Therefore I will surely make A blessing after this,

In (the) sky it shall be seen.

2505

The rainbow really

That you see it always, Remind you of me

I will for ever; Trust thou to me.

Any destruction such as that Never by water shall I make On account of destroying this world; And therefore

194 THE CREACON OF THE WORLD.

2510 cressowgh collenwouh keffrys

an noer vyes a dus arta pub ehan ha beast in byes puskas in moer magata a v* thewgh susten omma

2515 nynges tra in bysma gwryes mes thewhy a wra service bethowh ware na vo lethys

mabe dean genawhy neb pryes

ha mar petha in della 2520 me a vidn ye requyrya

a thewla an kethe dean na y woose a theffa scullya yn havall thymma obma ymadge dean gwregaf shapya 2525 mar am kerowgh dell gotha why a wra orthaf cola

NOY

fo. 27 a. ny a vidn gwyll in della

del ewa dewar theny ha thethe worthy a rag nefra 2530 par dell ew agen dewty

an kethe jornama ew de 5 en tase dew rebo grassyes

why a wellas pub degre leas matters gwarryes 2535 ha creacon oil an byse

In weth oil why a wellas

an keth bysma consumys der lyvyow a thower pur vras

ny ve udn mabe dean sparys 2540 menas noy y wreag hay flehys

THE CREATION OF THE WORLD.

2510 Increase ye, fill ye up likewise

The earth -world with folk again. Every kind of beast in (the) world, Fishes in (the) sea as well,

Shall be to you sustenance here.

2515 There is nothing in this world made,

But to you shall do service: Beware lest there be slain

A son of man by you at any time.

195

2520

And if it be so,

I will require him Of (the) hands of that same man Who shall come to spill his blood. Alike to me here Man's image I shaped, 2525 If you love me as behoveth You will hearken to me.

2530

NOAH We will do so,

As it is a devoir to us, And worship thee for ever

As is our duty.

This same day is a day,

(To the Father God be thanks,)

You have seen every degree,

Many matters played, 2535 And all (the) creation of the world.

Also ye all have seen

This same world consumed Through floods of water very great:

There was not one son of man spared, 2540 Except Noah, his wife, and his children.

n2

196 ' THE CREACON OF THE WORLD.

dewh a vorowe a dermyn

why a weall matters pur vras

ha redempc[y]on granntys

der vercy a thew an tase 2545 tha sawya neb es kellys

mynstrels growgh theny peba may hallan warbarthe downssya 2548 del ew an vaner han geys

Heare endeth the Creacon of the worlde wlh noyes flude wryten by William Jordan: the Xllth of August 1611.'

THE CREATION OF THE WORLD.

Come ye to-morrow in time: Ye shall see matters very great

And redemption granted,

Through mercy of God the Father, 2545 To save (him) who is lost.

Minstrels, do ye pipe to us, That we may together dance, 2548 As is the manner and the jest.

197

NOTES.

L. 2. dowethva from doweth, deweth = W. diwedd 'end' and mo, 'place'

= 0. Ir. mag, Gaul, magus. So trig-va 1. 15, deberth-va 84, powes-

va 416.

L. 4. auy 'is' for a vyth (a+bytti) 1914. L. 6. idn 'one' = «Jn 11, 1759, 1969, 2145. A fuller form is onyn

34, 343, 2182, wonyn ' 389. The other cardinal numbers which

occur in this play are: —

2. deaw (masc.? deaw vabe 1056, 1234, deaw pillar 2180,

deaw gweth 967). Jew, Jyw, de (fern.? dew glyen 188, dew wreag 1344, Jew Za 2521, dew lagas 1647, Jew ran 1708, Jew ara// (sprusan) 1852, Jew Aa Jew 2414, dyw fridg 1853 = Jew freyge 1933, Je yran 1836. plur. devyes 2200. copplow 2412.

3. fry masc. 36, 343, 1958, try person 6, fry fersons 1960,

tayr fern. 1923, tayre 1844, layer 2087.

5. pymp 1861, 2103, jo>ympe 1894.

6. wAea 413 (whegh 4th Commandment). 9. naw 27, 248, 1976, nawe 292, 299.

10. deak 1977, Jea^ 2265.

12. dewthack 1980.

20. egans 1976, ugans 2101, ^ans 1980.

30. deakwarnegans 1977, deagwarnygans 2265.

32. dewthack warnygans 1981.

50. hantercans 2262.

60. try ugans 2102.

65. try ugans ha pymp 2102, 2103. 100. cans 1861, 1894, 1915, 2102. 365. £ry cans try ugans ha pymp 2102, 2103. 900. naw cans 1976. 930. naw cans ha deakwarnegans 1976. 1000, myell 1562, 1861, 1894, 2305; plur. myllyow 740. 5500. pympe myell ha v. cans 1894.

1 Cf. Lith. v-enas. Lett, ic-enas. So in English one is pronounced w- on.

NOTES. 199

The ordinals are as follows:

1. kensa 36, 48, 2089, kynsa 73.

2. second 51 (nessa Genesis 1. 8).

3. tryssa 59, 92.

4. peswera 100.

5. pympas 106.

7. syfAvas 415, 1437, 2099. 10. degvas 1085.

'Sevenfold' is expressed by vy />fo# 1614, vij plague 1378, where

plag, plague (Mid. C. pfefc) = Lat. plica, and 'Seven times' is made

by vij gwythe 1537, where gwythe = Ir. fecht. L. 7. kys-raynya 'to reign together' re-occurs en/ro 1961. So kys-vewa

'to live together' 1314. The prefix kys- = 0. Corn, cet- (chetva

gl. conventus vel conventio, Vocab.), W. cyd. Bys-vickan = Bret.

bizvikenn. L. 10. ^zAorc = the prefix yth + on, the 1. pers. plur. pres. indie, of of

1 1 am ', which occurs (ythof} with the same prefix in 1. 445. L. 14. skon 'forthwith' = NHG. schon: rase seems a blunder for grase,

for ow does not cause vocalic infection. But ow ras occurs in R.

1584.

L. 20. skavall from Lat. scabellum like scauel in the Vocab. L. 29. canhasawe pi. of cannas 'messenger' = W. cennad. L. 61. arthelath 'lordship' for arlethath (arluit[h] gl. dominus, Vocab.),

[more probably archelath 'archangels'; see elath 'angels' in 1. 65. N.] L. 74. sone 'bless', inf. sona 414 = W. swyno, Ir. se'nad, NHG. segen,

Engl. saine, all from Lat. signare, scil. with the cross. L. 79. bosof (also in 11. 116, 123, 133, 225 = bosof 128) is bos 'to be'

with -a/", here apparently a suffix after the possessive pronoun ow. L. 82. yborn 'sky', ybbern 2500 = ebron 0. 18 = huibren (gl. nubes)

Vocab. = W. wybren.

L. 90. elyn = W. ellain 'radiant', 'splendid'. L. 96. blonogath = bolungeth 0. 873, 1165, 1277 for *volunseth, *volun-

teth. From Lat. voluntas.

L. 99. seyl — W. sawl 'such', is spelt suel, suell in P. 2, 1 and 119, 4. L. 104. ry in ry-ma = W. rhyw. With gonethys cf. wanothans 320 and

gunithiat ereu (gl. agricola) Vocab.

L. 107. falladowe pi. of *faltad, afterwards f alias 'a failing'. L. 118. bean (a dissyllable) for behan, beghan. W. bychan. Ir. becc 'little'. L. 120. pen-sevicke 'prince' = pen-devig (gl. princeps) Vocab. W.pen-

defig. L. 125. ow collotvye 'a- shining', from gollowye with the usual provection

of the initial medial after ow. So ow cortas ' waiting ' (gortas} 960,

ow carma 'crying' (garma) 1580, ow crowetha 'lying down' (gro-

wetha} 1607, ow crowntya 'granting' (growntya} 1941, ow pewa

200 NOTES.

'living' (beiva) 1521, ow pose 'being' (hose) 2125, ow toos 'coming' (doos) 2161, ow towtya 'doubting' (dowtya} 1540, ow tysquethas 'shewing' (dysquethas) 1873. Other instances of provection oc- curring in the present drama are: after mar or mar-a, mar qwreth 'if thou dost' (gwretft) 220, mara qwrewgh 2143, mara qwrees 577, mara callaf 'if I can' (gallaf) 442, 1444, mar callaf 466, mar kylleth 1836, mar kill 2455, mara custa 'if thou knowest' (*gusta, *gudhsta} 2331, mar petha 'if it be' (betJid) 2519; after a, a cuffan 'if I had known' (guffan, goth-fen) 672, a callan 'if I could' (gallan) 785; after y or yth, y whressan 'I should do' (gwressan} 585, y ivhreth (gwretK) 635, y whon 'I know' (gon = Skr. vindami} 860, yth towtys 'I feared' (dowtys) 798.

L. 149. abashe is translated 'above' on Keigwin's authority. [Is it not rather abafhe, borrowed from the English? N.]

L. 158. lowse = Bret, louz 'sale'.

L. 188 dew glyen 'two knees', an instance of the Cornish practice of prefixing the numeral ' 2 ' to the parts of the body which occur in pairs. So dew lagas 'two eyes' 1647, defran 1910, devran 1836 'two breasts' (de + bran, iron), dyw fridg 'two nostrils' 1853 = dew freyge 1933.

L. 252. worffen (= worvan 2118, worffan 884), a mutation of gorfen = W. gorphen, Ir. forchenn.

L. 254. ay = the Welsh interrogative particle ai.

L. 270. trebytchya re-occurs infra 1. 1582.

L. 294. mergh (pi. mirhas infra, 1985) = W. merch, Lith. merga, merge'le. Mawe = Ir. mug gen. moga, Goth, magus. Hence mowes 'girl' D. 1877, pi. mowyssye infra, 1455; and perhaps in 1. 295 we should read moz = moos 1390.

L. 320. wanothans better wonethans (gonethans). But why the vocalic in- fection of the initial g found in goneth 432 <fec.?

L. 321. Note the prosthetic^ in yef 'he' and ye 'his' 1.323, 'its' 1088.

L. 354. y«' is to be read dhym 'to me'. So 'j"»' in 1. 475.

L. 406. marth for margh = march (gl. equus) Vocab. Ir. marc, Gaulish ace. (jLaqxav = Ohg. marach, f. meriha. Mhg. march (marc), Ebel.

L. 410. pengarnas pi. of pengarn = W. pengernyn 'gurnard': selyas pi. of seta' (gl. anguilla) Vocab.

L. 411. dybblans 'distinct' Keigwin: pur thybblance 1932.

L. 458. sevyllyake W. sefyllian.

L. 485. zAe^n a mutation of t%^n, which occurs with the initial pro- vected in D. 3048: cf. too ow teglene D. 1217. According to the Rev. R. Williams this is from the negative particle de- and gleny 'to adhere'.

L. 495. fatla 'how', apparently from pa 'what' and delta = del-na, delu-na 'that manner'. In 2318 flatla seems a blunder for fatla.

NOTES. 201

L. 520. dowethy is perhaps connected with deioeth 'end'.

L. 530. yta 'is' (occurs also in 11. 541, 1155, 1240, 1398, 1559, 1564, and appears to be formed from the prefix yth and the verb subst. to, which occurs in the Jtivencus- codex compounded with ar (arta gl. superest). See also 1. 362 and 364. [Qu. rather otta 'see'. N.]

L. 531. mayteth = mahtheid (gl. virgo) Vocab. 0. Ir. macdact in romac- dact gl. superadulta, virgo.

L. 569. awel 'gospel' from evangelium, as el from angelus. The geaweil (gl. evangelium) of the Vocab. is certainly a mistake for aweil which occurs, spelt aweyl, in R. 2464, 2482, and, spelt awayl in D. 551, 924. Compare Bret, auiel pi. auielou, Buh. 50, 52.

L. 598. uffya a mutation of guffya ex *gothfya cf. re woffe 'may he know' 0. 530 = godh-fe (VID, BHU).

L. 603. cooth from AS. cuff. So den uncuth (MS. denunchut} gl. advena Vocab. = dean uncouth 'a stranger' in the Cornish versions of the fourth Commandment.

L. 672. cuffan provected from guffan = *godhfan, gothfen D. 1297.

L. 682. grefnye a mutation of crefnye, W. crafain.

L. 711. gornvall, better perhaps gorvol: cf. W. gorfoli 'to flatter' = gor +moli 'to praise', Ir. wofod.

L. 737. Zowzma for attoma 918.

L. 813. wa/ bew occurs also in 1290 and 1459, and cf. perhaps malbe vanna 2328.

L. 858. om-gwethen 'let us clothe ourselves', a reflexive verb formed by the prefix om-, W. ym-, Br. em-. So om-brovas 'I have proved (provas) myself 920, om-wetha 'to keep (gwetha) oneself 1047, um-helaf 'I cast (whelaf) myself 1211 (cf. omelly 1114), om-sawya 'to save oneself 2373.

L. 881. aban golsta .... ha gwythyll lit. 'since thou hast heard and to do\ This is the Cornish (and Welsh) idiom when two verbs are connected by 'and'. Compare the English 'Let their habitation be void, and no man to dwell in their tents'. Psalm Ixix, 26 (Praycr- Book version). See my note on the 'Passion' St. 175, 1. 2.

L. 917. croppya = cropye P. 134, 3, where it seems to mean 'pierce'. Cf. the Engl. 'to crop up'

L. 920. dyack a mutation of tyack = 0. Corn. *tioc pi. tiogou Vocab.

L. 939. na part for neb part.

L. 965. cletha dan 'a sword of fire' (ton, Ir. tene). Here note the vocalic infection of the initial of ton — the reason being that cletha (W. cleddyf, 0. Ir. claideb) is a fern. «-stem. Similarly fynten woys P. 242, 2 'a fountain of blood' (goys), kymmys ras 'such a quantity of graces' (gras) 0. 1745. So a fern, ta-stem like myl (== Ir. mile) 'thousand', vocalically infects the governed substantive: myl woly 'a thousand of wounds' (goly), R. 998, myl vyl 'a thousand of

202 ' NOTES.

thousands' R. 142, myl vap mam 'a thousand of sons (map} of mothers' 0. 324. So in Irish: mile chemenn 'a thousand of paces' Southampton Psalter, University Library, Cambridge. The same phenomenon occurs in Breton: poan benn 'a pain of (the) head' (penn}.

L. 967. dothans 'to them' (also in L. 2430) = W. iddynt. The usual forms are dhedhe, dedhe.

L. 974. ballas (leg. balas) a mutation of palas 1033 'to dig', W.paliad, Ir. CAL in the reduplicated form cechlatar1 'they dug', tochlaim (do+fo + calaim) 'I dig': cf. Lat. pala.

L. 1037. netha, Bret, neza, W. nyddu 'to spin', vq&eiv, veeiv, nere.

L. 1040. ethlays (= ellas 1055) 'alas', an example of an attempt to the sound of the Welsh and Cornish II So tavethlys D. 551 (W. ta- fellu) Behethlen 0. 2588.

L. 1069. han n-ohan 'and the oxen' (W. ychen, 0. Bret, ohen, Goth. auhsans, Skr. ukshanas). The apparently prosthetic n also occurs in P. 206, 3: dken n-edhyn 'to the birds' and P. 134, 3: dhen n-empynnyon 'to the brains'. It appears to correspond with the second n (d) of the 0. Irish dunnaib, dundaib 'to the'.

L. 1090. bern = bern 'grief D. 2933 (fee. Bret, bernout, ne vern ket ' it is of no consequence', Norris, Cornish Drama II, 210. Ir. brdn.

L. 1105. crothacke = W. crothawg 'big -bellied'.

L. 1114. may th-omelly (better may th-omwhely). This is also a Breton idiom. See my note on the 'Passion' 14, 3. Kylbyn (so the rhyme requires us to read the kylban of the MS.) for kylben, from kyl 'back' = chil (gl. cervix) Vocab. W. cil, Ir. ail, and pen 'head', 'top', cf. pol oil 'occiput'.

L. 1122. cossythyans = W. cystuddiant, from cystudd, a loan from Lat. custodia (cuc?-todia).

L. 1152. avlethis = aflythys D. 451. W. aflwydd 'misfortune'.

L. 1168. er ow gew; cf. er agen gew 1043, gweue 2136. Gew is identi- fied by the Rev. R. Williams with W. gwae 'woe'. But cf. W. gwaew 'pang'.

L. 1173. deffryth = W. difrwyth 'feeble'.

L. 1225. dewhanhees part. pass, of duwenhe R. 1415 is equated by Rev. R. Williams with W. duchanu 'to lampoon'. The subst. dewan (W. duch 'sigh' 'groan'?) occurs infra 1233.

L. 1243. cavow (also infra 1352) = Bret, caffou ' solicitudines '. Buh.

L. 1254. bys-voye = byth + moy 'evermore'.

L. 1303. motty = mos 'to go' + thy 'to his'.

L. 1305. bram 'crepitus ventris', (also infra 2378) = Ir. breim which

1 O'Clery, in whose Glossary this interesting form is found, modernises |t into ceachladar,

NOTES. 203

occurs in the proverb Is fedrr breim nd cnead ( raelior crepitus ven- tris suspirio. Is bram for *brag-m (cf. Ir. braigim, gl. pedo) root BHRAG, Lat. FRA(N)G, Engl. break? or it is connected with Pga'pco?

L. 1332. hoer 'sister' = huir (gl. soror) Vocab. Bret. c'hoar, Ir. siar.

L. 1352. methaf y dy cf. me a levar heb y dye, infra, 1629.

L. 1354. anothans 'of them' also occurs infra 1458, 1492, and is the 0. Welsh onadunt, now onaddynt 'of them'.

L. 1386. venys, a mutation of menys, borrowed from Lat. minutus. So in 0. Welsh munutolau gl. fornilia.

L. 1446. hendas (pi. hendasow 1479) = hendat (gl. avus) Vocab. From hen 'old' = Ir. sen and tat 'father' of Terra?

L. 1471. lodn 'bullock', the modern form of Ion, which occurs infra 1569, is =5 the Gaelic Ion, explained 'elk' in the Highland Society's Dic- tionary.

L. 1488. Observe the pleonastic pronoun in this line. So in 11. 2453, 2454: an golam me as danven 'the dove I will send her', and in 11. 1830, 1831: ow brodar cayne me an gweall ef 'my brother Cain I see him'. So in Breton: eguidot Jesu me an suppli Buh. 194, 'Jesus I supplicate him for thee'.

L. 1490. gwylls 'wild' = W. gwyllt, Goth. viltheis.

L. 1491. sethaw, better sethow 1493, pi. of seth 1. 1553 = 0. Ir. saigit, Lat. sagitta.

L. 1512. haw thas adam y volath lit. 'and my father Adam his curse'. So in 1. 2024 an chorll adam y drygva: 'the churl Adam his dwelling'. See for other Cornish examples of this idiom in my edition of the 'Passion' note on St. 3, 1. 2. So in English: 'for Jesus Christ his sake' in the Collect for all conditions of men, and 'I did pro- myse hym x 1. sterling to pray for my father and mother there sowles ', Letter written in 1528 cited in Bagster's Hexapla Introd. p. 44. For examples of this practice in the Romance languages see Diez III, 70 (2d ed.).

L. 1545. gymmyas 'leave' a mutation of kymmyas (kemeas P. 230, 2, cum- myas D. 3146) = Ital. commiato.

L. 1603. defalebys (also in 1664, 1665) from the negative particle de- and hevelep 'form', a derivative from haval = Lat. similis, Gr.

L. 1611. care = car (gl. amicus) Vocab. Br. kdr 'relative'.

L. 1687. lam 'a leap'. W. llam (0. Welsh lammam gl. salio), Ir. font,

Goth, and Engl. lam-b.

L. 1702. hengyke = hengog (gl. abavus) Vocab. L. 1721. lawan = lawethan 'fiends' (?) R. 139. L. 1724. tomdar = tumder (MS. tunder) gl. calor, Vocab. L. 1743. hans. I conjecture to be for *hens (=* Bret, hent) hins (in cam-

hinsic gl. injuriosus, eun-hinsic gl. Justus, Vocab.), Ir. se~t, Goth.

204 NOTES.

sinps. [But cf. yn haus 'down' 0. 1750, and hauz in Pryce's Vo- cabulary.]

L. 1748. allow, better alow, pi. of ooll 1. 1763. W. ol 'track'. L. 1828. gwrethow pi. of grueit[h]en (gl. radix) Vocab. , W. gwreiddyn.

Cf. Skr. root vrdh, $i£a e% j:^i8ia, Lat. radix, Goth, vaurts. L. 1829. resacke = redeg in redeg -va (gl. cursus) Vocab. Cf. Mid. Welsh

m/ec 'currere', Z. 518. 0. Ir. rith. L. 1919. warn = W. nam 'exception'. L. 1973. mall = W. mall 'desire'.

L. 1976. bloth 'year' = W. blwydd, Bret, bloaz, Ir. bliadan. L. 2012. #e#ew a mutation of kegen = fce^Am (gl. coquina): Vocab. L. 2081. gweras = gueret (gl. humus) Vocab. W. gwered. L. 2137. ^weue = W. gwtiew 'pang'? See note on 1. 1168. L. 2199. pekare = pokara, which occurs in one of the Cornish versions

of the Paternoster gava do ny agan cabmow pokara ny gava 'for- give us our sins as we forgive'. L. 2200. devyes 'twos' = W. devoedd. L. 2201. ke-havall = Ir. co- small, Lat. con-similis. L. 2242. brentyn (also bryntyn) = W. brennhyn 'king', which is often

wrongly compared with Gaulish Brennus. L. 2260. kevellyn = kevellen 2262, W. cyfelin 'cubit'; from cev- and elin

(gl. ulna) Vocab. Goth, aleina, (ohevrj, ulna. L. 2266. a dhellarg = Br. adi-lerch, from lerch 'trace': cf. war tu dy-

larg 0. 961. L. 2282. boell 'axe' = 0. Welsh bahell, bael (in lau-bael), 0. Ir. bidil,

Ohg. bihal, pihal, bigil, pigil (Ebel), Engl. bill. L. 2299. whath for wheth (see 1. 347) = W. chwythya. L. 2304. hothman a mutation of cothman 'acquaintance', 'friend', from

Engl. coth, couth 'known' (0. S. cuff} (see note on 1. 603) and man.

Coth-man is thus the opposite of den uncuth (MS. unchut) , gl. ad- vena. L. 2398. eball = ebol (gl. pullus) Vocab., a derivative from 0. Celtic

*epos (in Epo-mulos) = Lat. equus, Gr. irtjtos, Ir. ech, Skr. acva,

0. Sax. ehu.

L. 2403. polta is perhaps = pols + da 'good'. L. 2425. creys (also cres, crys} 'middle', is identified by the Rev. R.

Williams with Ir. cride 'heart'. L. 2480. reys = Bret, reiz, Mid. Welsh reis, reith = Ir. recht, Lat. rec-

tus, Goth, raihts. L. 2531. de 'day' for deth = W. dydd, Bret. c?et2. [Rather the participle

of dones 'to come'; altered from des to preserve the rhyme. The

meaning will be ^This same day has come'.]

ERRATA.

P. 2, 1. 8 for 'sent to me' read 'to me sent' „ „ 1. 24 for 'myghea' read 'moyghea' P. 3, 1. 4 for 'drama' read 'dramas' „ „ 1. 10 for 'consequently interchanged' read 'consequently dropt,

added or interchanged'

„ „ 1. 13 after 1573 insert 'blygh 'wolf 1149' „ „ 1. 26 add 'So in Icelandic double n after ei, e, i, 6, u and ae is

sounded like dn. For example einn 'one' is pronounced eidn

= Corn, idn, udn."1 4, 1. 7 from bottom, for 'transcribed' read 'transcribed'

8, 1. 52 for 'moy' read 'moy'. 1. 58 for 'tha' read 'tha[m]'

9, 1. 29 for 'sent to me' read 'to me sent'

10, . 73 for 'jorne' read 'jorna'

P. 15, . 129 for 'a glittering' read 'a-glittering', so in p. 21, 1. 223. „ „ . 130 for 'in the case' read 'in (the) case' P. 16, . 162/0?- 'payves' read 'paynes', and as to yfyih compare D.

128.

„ „ . 168 for 'terlentry' read 'terlentry' P. 18, 1. 184 add in margin 'fo. 3 a.' „ „ . 193 for 'golla' read 'golha' P. 19, . 191 for 'a throne' read 'a highest throne' P. 21, . 231 after 'Now' insert 'thou art'

P. 23, . 251 for 'a mourning' read 'a-mourning'. 1. 254 read '(the) son' „ „ 1. 270 trebytcha may here perhaps be translated 'overweigh', see

Cotgrave S. v. tre"bucher. 26, 1. 300 for 'lucyfer' read 'lucyfer'

30, 1. 344 for 'tus' read 'tas.' 1. 358 for 'may' read 'may'

31, 1. 344 read 'Son in Trinity' 33, 1. 395 for 'was' read 'is'

35, 1. 410 read 'Gurnets (and) Eels'. 1. 414 for 'bless' read 'saine'

39, 1. 460 for ' a burning ' read ' a-burning '

40, 1. 480 add in margin 'fo. 6 b.'

42, 1. 527 for 'jethy' read 'jethy'

43, 1. 508 for 'hence' read 'thence'

„ 1. 520 for 'Ah' read 'Wilt thou'. 1. 530 for 'lo! it (is)' read 'is'

206 ERRATA.

P. 44, 1. 555 /or 'wheres' read 'wheras'

P. 45, 1. 541 for 'see it' read 'is'

P. 46, 1. 564 for 'vethol' read 'vetholl'. 1. 577 for 'gwrees' read

1 qwrees ' P. 48, 1. 605 for 'accomptys' read 'acomptys'. 1. 608 for 'deuise' read

' deuyse '

P. 50 in the stage-direction for 'angerly' read 'angerly' P. 54, 1. 686 after 'heb' inert 'y' P. 55, 1. 686 for 'a' read 'his' P. 56, 1. 693 for 'verry' read 'verry' P. 58, 1. 736 for 'henma' read 'herama'; and in the note for 'gay a'

read ' gaye '

P. 59, 1. 718 after 'from' insert 'the' P. 61, 1. 760 for 'a singing' read 'a-singing' P. 63, 1. 764 for 'proffered' read 'proved'

P. 64, 1. 805 after 'gansa' add '[MS. ganso]'. 1. 813 for 'ny' read 'ny' P. 66, 1. 822 delete the second 'yea'. 1. 836 read 'thebbry' P. 67, 1. 822 delete the second 'yea' P. 70, 1. 887 read 'falsurye' P. 72, 1. 897 read 'moyghea' P. 73, 1. 905 read 'a-burning'. 1. 909 for 'snake' read 'worm'. 1. 912

for 'Serpent' read 'worm' P. 76, 1. 953 after 'fus' insert 'guryes' P. 77, 1. 953 after 'wast' insert 'made' P. 78 in the stage-direction, 1. 5 read 'dystaf P. 80, 1. 1018 for 'kemys' read 'kemmys' P. 82, note 2 delete '?' P. 84, 1. 1065 for 'cayne' read 'cayme' P. 85, 1. 1055 for 'that' read 'the' P. 86, 1. 1084 for 'lesky' read 'lesky'. 1. 1090 for 'cowge' read 'cooge'.

1. 1092 for 'leskye' read'leskye' P. 88, 1. 1117 for 'chala' read 'challa' ' P. 89, 1. 1112 after '(?)' insert 'surely'

P. 93, 1. 1149 after 'Perhaps' insert 'a wolf, and add to the note ' blygh • is for bleith (W. blaidd} as segh 'arrow' 1. 1573 is for seth.'

1. 1155 read '(The) voice of (the) death of Abel' and com- pare Genesis IV, 10.

P. 96, 1. 1194 for 'y' read 'y'. In margin for '13 a.' read '13 b.' P. 97 note, for '195' read '1195' P. 100, 1. 1248, insert in margin 'fo. 14 a.' P. 104, 1. 1298 read 'A cayne cayme'. 1. 1303 read 'motty' P. 105, 1. 1305. for 'a' read 'the' P. 110 for 'CAYNE' read 'CAYME'. 1. 1303 for '[terres]' read '[leg.

terres] '

ERRATA.

207

1. 1444 for 'a' read 'an' 1487 in margin for '11 b.'

1. 1559 for 'seth' read

. Ill, . 1397 for 'behold him' read 'he is' .113, . 1403 for 'in' read 'is' ,114, . 1441 insert in margin ' fo. 16 a.' ,115, . 1455 after 'And' insert 'the' 116, . 1470 for 'kyck' read 'kyek'. 1. read '16 b.'

121, .1531 after 'own' mser* 'two'

122, 1558 for 'strange' read 'strang' 'seath'

123, 1556 for 'doubt' read 'fear'. 1. 1564 for 'behold' read 'is'

124, 1586 in margin, for '12' read '17'. 1. 1594 after 'po' insert 'peb'

125, 1594 for 'a' read 'some'

130, 2 from bottom, for 'LAMEC' read 'LAMECK'

134, 1725 for 'ny' read 'ny'

135, 1708 for '(You see it)' read '-You see it—'

136, 1740 read 'prederye'. 1. 1745 read 'gymmar'

137, 1743 for 'in the' read 'in a' 140 for 'CHERUBIN' read 'CHERUBYN'

142, stage-direction 1. 3 for 'Jesus' read ' Jesus '. 1. 1825 for 'wethan'

read 'wythan'

148, 1. 1905 read 'ythesa' 1. 1910 read 'vny' 153, 1. 1950 for 'support' read 'maintain' 156, 1. 1998 for 'may' read 'may' „ 1. 2012 for 'dune' read 'dvne'

159, 1. 2027 for 'of read 'jot'

160, 1. 2056 for 'hay' read 'hay'

„ 1. 2060 for 'adams' read 'adam'

163, 1. 2085 for 'again' read 'certainly'

„ 1. 2091 for 'behold him' read 'he is'

164, 1. 2105 for 'neff' read 'neffe'

169, 1. 2175 for 'behold them' read 'they are' 171, 1. 2192 for 'behold them' read 'are' 176, 1. 2279 for 'vra' read 'ra'

178, 1. 2304 for 'gymmar' read 'gybmar'

179, 1. 2308 for 'flood' read 'deluge'

181, 1. 2334 after 'this' insert ':— '. 1. 2355 for 'wait' read 'look'

183, 1. 2358 for 'distruction' read 'destruction'

184, 1. 2398 for 'drog' read 'droge'

185, 1. 2391 for 'whatever' read 'whatever'. 1. 2403 for 'now very'

read 'now a very'

186, 1. 2424 for 'gwyl' read 'gwyle'

187, 1. 2418 for 'behold them' read 'they are'

188, 1. 2440 for 'abervath' read 'abervathe'

208 ERRATA.

P. 189, 1. 2442 for 'what there is.' read 'the things;'

P. 192, 193. In the MS. lines 2485—2489 stand in this order: — 2485,

2488, 2489, 2486, 2487. P. 202, 1. 12 after 'to' insert 'represent' P. 203, 1. 11 for 'of read 'cf.' P. 204, 1. 5 for '«*' read 'ex'

„ „ 1. 17 for 'devoedd' read 'deuoedd'

„ „ 1. 29 for '0. S.' read 'A. S.'

„ „ 1. 7 from bottom for 'identified' read 'identified'

WORKS BY THE EDITOR.

IRISH GLOSSES. A mediseval Tract in Latin Declen- sion, with Examples explained in Irish. To which are added the Lorica of Gildas with the Gloss thereon, and a Selection of Glosses from the Book of Armagh. Dublin: Printed at the University Press, for the Irish Archaeological and Celtic Society. 1860.

PASCON AGAN ARLUTH. The Passion of Our Lord. A Middle - Cornish Poem edited with a translation and notes. Published for the Philological Society by A. Asher & Co. Berlin, and forming part of the Philo- log. Society's Transact. 1861-2.

THREE IRISH GLOSSARIES. CORMAC'S GLOSS- ARY, Codex A. (from a MS. in the Library of the Royal Irish Academy), O'Davoren's Glossary from a MS. in the Library of the British Museum, and a Glossary to the Calendar of Oingus the Culdee from a MS. in the Library of Trinity College, Dublin. With a Preface and Index. Williams and Norgate, London and Edinburgh 1862.

THE PLAY OF THE SACRAMENT, a Middle-English Drama. Edited from a MS. in the Library of Trinity College, Dublin, with a Preface and Glossary. Pu- blished for the Philological Society by A. Asher & Co. Berlin 1862. (Philolog. Soc. Transact. 1861-2.)

Berlin, printed by A. W. Schade, Stallschreiberstr. 47.

MAY 29

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