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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 


University  of  Toro 
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