"It has been the fashion to style this famous relic of Anglo-Saxon literature u SCRIPTURE PARAPHRASE, but such a title is both inadequate and misleading. It is inadequate since Caedmon's work, though in the main based . . . on certain statements in the Hebrew Scriptures on Biblical hints and Oriental imagery, is nevertheless, in the form in which we have received it, virtually an original production, incorporating Rabbinical fancies, glosses and comments, but still adorned with such innumerable touches of the poet's own imagination as to constitute it a distinct and independent version . . . Whence Caedmon obtained the information which he evidently possessed of Rabbinical learning, it is impossible to say; ... it is perfectly supposable that he derived his Rabbinical interpretations directly through Oriental sources . . . If we consider this poem simply as the first strain of sacred song in Christianized England of which we have any record, written in an age of general illiteracy high literary merit is remarkable. Intrinsically it takes high rank in our literature. In chasteness of diction, in smoothness of versification, in purity of thought, in the human sympathy which breathes forth in every line, no less than in the invention of incident, the arrangement of episodes and the dignified tone of the ending, it is worthy of the high place which, in days gone by, it held in the estimation of the Venerable Beda, of King Alfred, and of the learned Dujon; and which it still holds in the heart of every lover of Anglo-Saxon poetry of the present day. "-From the EPIC OF THE FALL OF MAN. By S. HUMPHREYS GURTEEN, New York and London, 1896.]

its

MOST right it is to chant the ceaseless praise

Of Him who guards the starry heights of bliss

And ever, with enraptured hearts, adore

The Glory-King of Heaven's Angelic host.

In Him alone, the Lord Eternal, dwells Might uncreated. He is Head supreme Of all exalted creatures. He alone Knew no beginning and shall have no end,

Holding for evermore Almighty sway O'er Thrones and Principalities and Powers.

High in His Majesty, with Justice clothed,

Omnipotent to do His Sovereign will, He ruled the Heavenly concaves, which at first,

By power divine, were stretched out far and wide

Throughout unbounded space, celestial Home

Of those who guard the spirits of the just.

Then, had the Angelic host triumphant joy

And in the light of God's eternal Throne

Found their one guerdon of allegiance. Bright messengers were they of Heavenly love

Swift to perform God's will. In blissful mood

They praised the Lord of Life, or prostrate fell

In deepest adoration at the feet
Of Him who made them, their eternal

Accursed they dwelt. No longer did they raise

The loud derisive laugh; for ceaseless

woe,

Deep racking pain, grief unassuageable And hydra-headed torture, all around. Enthroned in blackest darkness, mocked

their cries;

Just retribution for the unholy war They thought to wage against Almighty God.

Then, once again, there reigned celestial Peace

Within the walls and battlements of Heaven.

The Great Supreme, to all His servants dear.

Increased their joys, and blissful harmony

Throughout the loyal hosts of Heaven's domain,

Held undisputed sway.

Strife, Fear and Hate, Offspring of traitorous and unholy thought,

From Heaven expelled, found refuge in the dark

And joyless shades of God's great torture-house.

And now, that broad domain of Heaven's fair realm,

The fairest and most powerful to move Rebellious lust, in lonely grandeur stood;

Its palaces so richly wrought and fair, Conceived and fashioned by rebellious skill,