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Annunciation Cynewulf reflects on the mystery of the appearance of the angel Gabriel to Mary.
AD 800
Anglo-Saxon Britain 410-1066
Music: Pavel Chesnokov

Via Wikimedia Commons. Licence: Public domain. Source

About this picture …

The Annunciation of the Archangel Gabriel to the Blessed Virgin Mary, as depicted on a fifteenth-century icon of the Annunciation from Kirillo-Belozersky iconostasis, Russia.

Annunciation
‘Christ’ is an Anglo-Saxon poem in three parts by Cynewulf (possibly the 8th century bishop Cynewulf of Lindisfarne, in the Kingdom of Northumbria). In this extract, the poet reflects on the visit of the angel Gabriel to Mary, to tell her that she is to become the earthly mother of the Son of God.
Freely translated from the Old English

See Luke 1:26-38.

YOUNG was the woman,
an untouched maid, he took for mother;
it was with no man’s caresses of love
that the bride grew great with child.
Never then, nor since, in this world
was any woman’s reward its equal;
it was Mystery, the Master’s secret.
All spiritual grace spread the earth;
at his coming many things long cloaked in darkness
were brought to light by the Lord of life:
ancient lore, the lays of prophets;
for the Creator unlocks the secrets of every prophecy
through hearts ready to praise his name.

“Curiosity makes you ask how I kept my maidenhood,
my inward hold, yet became mother
of the Measurer’s mighty Son. To that mystery
no man is party; yet Christ made known
that in David’s dear kinswoman
Eve’s offence is all effaced,
The curse lifted, the lowlier sex exalted.
Hope now springs that endless bliss awaits
both man and woman, in the world to come,
far above in angel-joy, with the Father of Truth.”

Précis

Anglo-Saxon poet Cynewulf reminds us that Mary was chosen by God to be his mother even though she remained a virgin throughout. Although this is a mystery, he says, the coming of Christ itself throws light on many baffling Old Testament prophecies, and the honour paid to Mary clearly proves that women are the equal of men in God’s eyes. (60 / 60 words)

Source

Based on the Old English of ‘Christ’, by Cynewulf. For a literal translation, see Anglo-Saxon Poetry.

Related Video

‘The Pre-Eternal Counsel’ is sung at Great Vespers on the Feast of the Annunciation of the Most Holy Theotokos, kept on March 25th each year (in former times, New Year’s Day). This setting by Russian Pavel Chesnokov (1877–1944) is particularly celebrated.

Further information

Suggested Music

The Pre-Eternal Counsel

Pavel Chesnokov (1877–1944)

Performed by the Men’s Choir of the Valaam Singing Culture Institute.

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Transcript / Notes

REVEALING to Thee the pre-eternal counsel,
Gabriel came and stood before Thee, O Maiden,
and in greeting said:
Rejoice, earth that has not been sown!
Rejoice, burning bush that remains unconsumed!
Rejoice, unsearchable depth!
Rejoice, bridge that leads to Heaven!
Rejoice, ladder raised on high that Jacob saw!
Rejoice, divine jar of manna!
Rejoice, deliverance from the curse!
Rejoice, restoration of Adam;
the Lord is with Thee!

How To Use This Passage

You can use this passage to help improve your command of English.

IRead it aloud, twice or more. IISummarise it in one sentence of up to 30 words. IIISummarise it in one paragraph of 40-80 words. IVMake notes on the passage, and reconstruct the original from them later on. VJot down any unfamiliar words, and make your own sentences with them later. VIMake a note of any words that surprise or impress you, and ask yourself what meaning they add to the words you would have expected to see. VIITurn any old-fashioned English into modern English. VIIITurn prose into verse, and verse into prose. IXAsk yourself what the author is trying to get you to feel or think. XHow would an artist or a photographer capture the scene? XIHow would a movie director shoot it, or a composer write incidental music for it?

For these and more ideas, see How to Use The Copy Book.

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