Codex Junius 11 | Page 3

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Codex Junius 11

This file contains translations from the Anglo-Saxon of the following
works: "Genesis A", "Genesis B", "Exodus", "Daniel", and "Christ and
Satan". All are works found in the manuscript of Anglo-Saxon verse
known as "Junius 11."
These works were originally written in Anglo-Saxon, sometime
between the 7th and 10th Centuries A.D. Although sometimes ascribed
to the poet Caedmon (fl. late 7th Century), it is generally thought that
these poems do not represent the work of one single poet.

This electronic edition was proofed, edited, and prepared by Douglas B.
Killings ([email protected]), December 1995.

BIBLIOGRAPHY:
Other Translations --
Bradley, S.A.J.: "Anglo-Saxon Poetry" (Everyman Press, London,
1982)
Critical Editions --
Doane, A.N. (ed.): "Genesis A: A New Critical Edition" (University of
Wisconsin Press, Madison, 1978)
Doane, A.N. (ed.): "The Saxon Genesis: An Edition of the West Saxon
Genesis B and the Old Saxon Vatican Genesis" (University of
Wisconsin Press, Madison, 1991)
Dobbie, Elliot VanKirk (ed.): "The Anglo-Saxon Poetic Records, vol. I
- The Junius Manuscript" (Columbia University Press, New York,
1937)
Farrell, R.T. (ed.): "Daniel and Azarias" (Methuen & Co. Ltd., London,
1974)
Tolkein, J.R.R. (ed.): "The Old English Exodus" (Oxford University

Press, Oxford, 1981)

GENESIS (Genesis A & B)
NOTE: This work is generally believed to be a composite of two
separate poems, usually referred to as "Genesis A" (or "The Earlier
Genesis") and "Genesis B" (or "The Later Genesis"). "Genesis A" is the
work at lines #1-234 and #852-2935; "Genesis B" is interpolated into
"Genesis A" at lines #235-851.
The reason for this interpolation is not known. Perhaps the original
compiler preferred the version of the story presented in "Genesis B", or
perhaps the text of "Genesis A" from which he was working with was
missing this section. Adding to this confusion is evidence that "Genesis
B" appears to be a translation from an earlier and separate Old Saxon
retelling of the biblical "Book of Genesis", a fragment of which
(corresponding to lines #791-817 of "Genesis B") survives.
"Genesis", like the other poems of "Codex Junius 11", is not a direct
translation into Anglo-Saxon of the Old Testament "Book of Genesis".
Rather, it is an effort to retell the story in the poetry and style of the
Germanic Epic, a style still popular with the Anglo-Saxons at the time
"Junius 11" was compiled.
--DBK

LIBER I
I
(ll. 1-28) Right is it that we praise the King of heaven, the Lord of hosts,
and love Him with all our hearts. For He is great in power, the Source
of all created things, the Lord Almighty. Never hath He known
beginning, neither cometh an end of His eternal glory. Ever in majesty
He reigneth over celestial thrones; in righteousness and strength He
keepeth the courts of heaven which were established, broad and ample,
by the might of God, for angel dwellers, wardens of the soul. The angel
legions knew the blessedness of God, celestial joy and bliss. Great was
their glory! The mighty spirits magnified their Prince and sang His
praise with gladness, serving the Lord of life, exceeding blessed in His
splendour. They knew no sin nor any evil; but dwelt in peace for ever
with their Lord. They wrought no deed in heaven save right and truth,

until the angel prince in pride walked in the ways of error. Then no
longer would they work their own advantage, but turned away from the
love of God. They boasted greatly, in their banded strength, that they
could share with God His glorious dwelling, spacious and heavenly
bright.
(ll. 28-46) Then sorrow came upon them, envy and insolence and pride
of the angel who first began that deed of folly, to plot and hatch it forth,
and, thirsting for battle, boasted that in the northern borders of heaven
he would establish a throne and a kingdom. Then was God angered and
wrathful against that host which He had crowned before with radiance
and glory. For the traitors, to reward their work, He shaped a house of
pain and grim affliction, and lamentations of hell. Our Lord prepared
this torture-house of exiles, deep and joyless, for the coming of the
angel hosts. Well He knew it lay enshrouded in eternal night, and filled
with woe,