The Plan
After some late night deliberation (probably caused by too much coffee), I’ve decided to put more structure in my blog and blog posts. As those who regularly read the blog will know, I work full-time, study part-time and try my best to get as much writing done as possible. I have decided to close my other blog, Ramblings of a Lone Bibliophile and rather put all the posts on Hersenskim, as both have to do with books and writing.
The posts will now follow the following pattern:
· Monday: Fiction Mondays – Bits and pieces of my own fiction
· Tuesday: Bibliophile Ramblings – Books, reading and the life of nerds
· Wednesday: Worldbuilding Wednesday – Well, this one speaks for itself
· Thursday: Interesting Reads – Interesting articles or websites I’ve found and read
· Friday: Ageless Words – Not my own words – though I’d mostly wish it is…
Ageless Words, Part 1:
The idea of the "Ageless Words" on Fridays, is to post bits and pieces of old literature (mostly Medieval or earlier), that I come across in my studies or research, which I find beautiful or intriguing. Each Friday a short piece, with an accompanying translation will be posted along with the website or book where it was found.
This week’s Ageless Words: The Wessobrunner Gebet or Wessobrunn Prayer
The Wessobrunner Prayer is a prayer that was written c790 in Old High German. (The English translation my be found below the original.) Note the use of alliterative verse before the prose prayer. The beginning reminds me of Gylfaginning and Völuspá and illustrates wonderfully how Germanic poetry was adapted as Christianity spread.
Dat gafregin ih mit firahim firiuuizzo meista
Dat ero ni uuas noh ufhimil
noh paum noh pereg ni uuas
ni [...] nohheinig noh sunna ni scein
noh mano ni liuhta noh der mareo seo
Do dar niuuiht ni uuas enteo ni uuenteo
enti do uuas der eino almahtico cot
manno miltisto enti dar uuarun auh manake mit inan
cootlihhe geista enti cot heilac [...]
Dat ero ni uuas noh ufhimil
noh paum noh pereg ni uuas
ni [...] nohheinig noh sunna ni scein
noh mano ni liuhta noh der mareo seo
Do dar niuuiht ni uuas enteo ni uuenteo
enti do uuas der eino almahtico cot
manno miltisto enti dar uuarun auh manake mit inan
cootlihhe geista enti cot heilac [...]
Cot almahtico, du himil enti erda gauuorahtos enti du mannun so manac coot forgapi forgip mir in dina ganada rehta galaupa enti cotan uuilleon uuistom enti spahida enti craft tiuflun za uuidarstantanne enti arc za piuuisanne enti dinan uuilleon za gauurchanne
This I learnt among mortal men as the greatest wonder
That there was neither the earth nor the heaven above
Nor was there any tree nor mountain
Neither any [star] at all, nor did the sun shine
Nor the moon gleam, nor [was there] the glorious sea.
When there was nothing, no ending and no limits,
There was the One Almighty God
Of all beings the greatest in grace, and many with him,
Good spirits, and God [is] holy.
That there was neither the earth nor the heaven above
Nor was there any tree nor mountain
Neither any [star] at all, nor did the sun shine
Nor the moon gleam, nor [was there] the glorious sea.
When there was nothing, no ending and no limits,
There was the One Almighty God
Of all beings the greatest in grace, and many with him,
Good spirits, and God [is] holy.
Almighty God, Who created heaven and earth and gave so much good to men, in Your grace give me right belief and good will, wisdom, wit and strength to resist devils and turn from evil and do Your will.
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| The manuscript of the Wessobrunn Prayer |
May everyone have a wonderful weekend.
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