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Literary
February 1, 1834
The Liberator
Boston, Suffolk County, Massachusetts
What is this article about?
Metrical English version of the ancient Weissenbrun Hymn, discovered in an 8th-century Franconia manuscript. The hymn describes the creation of the world by Almighty God, the presence of divine spirits, and a prayer for faith, grace, and moral strength against evil. Translated and illustrated by Rev. J.J. Conybeare.
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Full Text
[From the British Magazine.]
THE WEISSENBRUN HYMN
This is a metrical version of the Weissenbrun Hymn, so called from its discovery in a manuscript belonging to the convent of that place in Franconia, supposed to be of the eighth century. The original Teutonic, with an Anglo-Saxon, and a literal English version, is given by the late Rev. and excellent J. J. Conybeare, in his 'Illustrations of Anglo-Saxon Poetry.'
This I've heard from ancient sages,
Men the chief of elder ages,
That in time of old gone by,
There was not the heaven on high—
Heaven on high, nor earth below;
Then nor star was seen to glow;
Nor the sun was shining bright;
Nor the moon gave forth her light;
Nor was mountain then, nor tree;
Nor the interminable sea;
Of this universal round
Not a whit from bound to bound.
But though lower world was none,
Yet there wanted not the one
Almighty God in being then
He, most merciful to men!
And with him there were of old
Godlike spirits manifold.
Holy God Almighty, Thou
Heaven and earth hast fashioned now,
And Thy creature man dost bless
With provisions numberless:
Me Thy way in mercy show,
And on me Thy grace bestow.
Faith, to Thy pure truth resigned;
Prompt to serve a willing mind;
Prudent heart, and active hand,
Craft of Satan to withstand;
Evil ever to eschew,
And Thy will, O God, to do.
THE WEISSENBRUN HYMN
This is a metrical version of the Weissenbrun Hymn, so called from its discovery in a manuscript belonging to the convent of that place in Franconia, supposed to be of the eighth century. The original Teutonic, with an Anglo-Saxon, and a literal English version, is given by the late Rev. and excellent J. J. Conybeare, in his 'Illustrations of Anglo-Saxon Poetry.'
This I've heard from ancient sages,
Men the chief of elder ages,
That in time of old gone by,
There was not the heaven on high—
Heaven on high, nor earth below;
Then nor star was seen to glow;
Nor the sun was shining bright;
Nor the moon gave forth her light;
Nor was mountain then, nor tree;
Nor the interminable sea;
Of this universal round
Not a whit from bound to bound.
But though lower world was none,
Yet there wanted not the one
Almighty God in being then
He, most merciful to men!
And with him there were of old
Godlike spirits manifold.
Holy God Almighty, Thou
Heaven and earth hast fashioned now,
And Thy creature man dost bless
With provisions numberless:
Me Thy way in mercy show,
And on me Thy grace bestow.
Faith, to Thy pure truth resigned;
Prompt to serve a willing mind;
Prudent heart, and active hand,
Craft of Satan to withstand;
Evil ever to eschew,
And Thy will, O God, to do.
What sub-type of article is it?
Hymn Or Psalm
Poem
What themes does it cover?
Religious
Moral Virtue
What keywords are associated?
Weissenbrun Hymn
Creation
Almighty God
Divine Mercy
Moral Prayer
Ancient Sages
Franconia Manuscript
What entities or persons were involved?
J. J. Conybeare
Literary Details
Title
The Weissenbrun Hymn
Author
J. J. Conybeare
Subject
Creation Of Heaven And Earth, Prayer For Divine Grace And Moral Strength
Form / Style
Metrical Version Of An Ancient Teutonic Hymn
Key Lines
This I've Heard From Ancient Sages,
Men The Chief Of Elder Ages,
That In Time Of Old Gone By,
There Was Not The Heaven On High—
Holy God Almighty, Thou
Heaven And Earth Hast Fashioned Now,
Faith, To Thy Pure Truth Resigned;
And Thy Will, O God, To Do.