Birds of Paradise
Anglo-Saxon poet Cynewulf paints a word-picture of heaven and the seraph-band that swoops and soars before the throne.
800
Anglo-Saxon Britain 410-1066
Anglo-Saxon poet Cynewulf paints a word-picture of heaven and the seraph-band that swoops and soars before the throne.
800
Anglo-Saxon Britain 410-1066
Cynewulf (possibly the 8th century bishop Cynewulf of Lindisfarne) lets his raptures flow on the Seraphim, the angels described by Isaiah, Ezekiel and St John the Divine; the singing angels, who surround the throne of God in heaven.
freely translated from the Old English
See Isaiah 6:1-3
WHEREFORE the kindred of the Seraphim, quick to act, strengthened to authority, steadfast in the truth, rise up amidst the angel host in worship; how excellently the tireless throng sings! far and near reaches their voice, sonorous in its slow beauty.
They have the choicest office in the King’s service. This Christ granted them: that they may feast their eyes upon his presence, arrayed with the brightness of the sun, for ever and ever, praising the Mighty far and wide. With their wings they veil the face of the Lord Almighty, the everlasting King,* and they throng about the royal throne, eager to try which may swoop nearest our Saviour in their flight, within those peaceful courts.
Adoring the Adorable, in happy light they call out these words, glorifying the noble Author of all creation: “Holy art thou, holy! Prince of the high angels, truly Lord of Victory! Holy shalt thou ever be, King of Kings!”
freely translated from the Old English
In the Liturgy of St James, we sing: “Before him go the choirs of Angels, with every rule and authority, the many-eyed Cherubim and the six-winged Seraphim, veiling their sight and crying out the hymn: Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia.”
1. What is the author aiming to achieve in writing this?
2. Note any words, devices or turns of phrase that strike you. How do they help the author communicate his ideas more effectively?
3. What impression does this passage make on you? How might you put that impression into words?
Based on The English Critic (1939) by NL Clay, drawing on The New Criticism: A Lecture Delivered at Columbia University, March 9, 1910, by J. E. Spingarn, Professor of Comparative Literature in Columbia University, USA.
Suggest answers to this question. See if you can limit one answer to exactly seven words.
In what way are the seraphim especially favoured?