Codex Junius 11 Part 1

Codex Junius 11.

by Unknown.

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 G.o.d, for angel dwellers, wardens of the soul. The angel legions knew the blessedness of G.o.d, 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 G.o.d. They boasted greatly, in their banded strength, that they could share with G.o.d His glorious dwelling, s.p.a.cious 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 G.o.d 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 h.e.l.l. 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, wrapped in fire and piercing cold, smoke-veils and ruddy flame. And over that wretched realm He spread the brooding terror of torment. They had wrought grievous wrong together against G.o.d. Grim the reward they gained!

(ll. 47-77) Fierce of heart, they boasted they would take the kingdom, and easily. But their hope failed them when the Lord, High King of heaven, lifted His hand against their host. The erring spirits, in their sin, might not prevail against the Lord, but G.o.d, the Mighty, in His wrath, smote their insolence and broke their pride, bereft these impious souls of victory and power and dominion and glory; despoiled His foes of bliss and peace and joy and radiant grace, and mightily avenged His wrath upon them to their destruction. His heart was hardened against them; with heavy hand He crushed His foes, subdued them to His will, and, in His wrath, drove out the rebels from their ancient home and seats of glory. Our Lord expelled and banished out of heaven the presumptuous angel host. All-wielding G.o.d dismissed the faithless horde, a hostile band of woeful spirits, upon a long, long journey. Crushed was their pride, their boasting humbled, their power broken, their glory dimmed. Thenceforth those dusky spirits dwelt in exile. No cause had they to laugh aloud, but, racked with pangs of h.e.l.l, they suffered pain and woe and tribulation, cloaked with darkness, knowing bitter anguish, a grim requital, because they sought to strive with G.o.d.

(ll. 78-81) Then was there calm as formerly in heaven, the kindly ways of peace. The Lord was dear to all, a Prince among His thanes, and glory was renewed of angel legions knowing blessedness with G.o.d.

II

(ll. 82-91) The citizens of heaven, the home of glory, dwelt again in concord. Strife was at an end among the angels, discord and dissension, when those warring spirits, shorn of light, were hurled from heaven. Behind them stretching wide their mansions lay, crowned with glory, prospering in grace in G.o.d's dominion, a sunny, fruitful land, empty of dwellers, when the accursed spirits reached their place of exile within h.e.l.l's prison-walls.

(ll. 92-102) Then our Lord took counsel in the thoughts of His heart how He might people, with a better host, the great creation, the native seats and gleaming mansions, high in heaven, wherefrom these boastful foes had got them forth. Therefore with mighty power Holy G.o.d ordained, beneath the arching heavens, that earth and sky and the far-bounded sea should be established, earth-creatures in the stead of those rebellious foes whom He had cast from heaven.

(ll. 103-119) As yet was nought save shadows of darkness; the s.p.a.cious earth lay hidden, deep and dim, alien to G.o.d, unpeopled and unused. Thereon the Steadfast King looked down and beheld it, a place empty of joy. He saw dim chaos hanging in eternal night, obscure beneath the heavens, desolate and dark, until this world was fashioned by the word of the King of glory. Here first with mighty power the Everlasting Lord, the Helm of all created things, Almighty King, made earth and heaven, raised up the sky and founded the s.p.a.cious land. The earth was not yet green with gra.s.s; the dark waves of the sea flowed over it, and midnight darkness was upon it, far and wide.

(ll. 119-134) Then in radiant glory G.o.d's holy spirit moved upon the waters with wondrous might. The Lord of angels, Giver of life, bade light shine forth upon the s.p.a.cious earth. Swiftly was G.o.d's word fulfilled; holy light gleamed forth across the waste at the Creator's bidding. Over the seas the Lord of victory divided light from darkness, shadow from radiant light.

The Lord of life gave both a name. By the word of G.o.d the gleaming light was first called day. And in the beginning of creation was G.o.d well pleased. The first day saw the dark and brooding shadows vanish throughout the s.p.a.cious earth.

III

(ll. 135-143) The day departed, hasting over the dwellings of earth. And after the gleaming light the Lord, our maker, thrust on the first of evenings. Murky gloom pressed hard upon the heels of day; G.o.d called it night. Our Lord sundered them, one from the other; and ever since they follow out the will of G.o.d to do it on the earth.

(ll. 143-153) Then came a second day, light after darkness. And the Lord of life ordained a pleasant firmament amid the waters.

Our Lord sundered the seas and established the heavens. By His word the King, Almighty G.o.d, raised them above the earth. The waters were divided under the heavens by His holy might; the waters were sundered from the waters, under the firmament.

(ll. 154-168) Then came hasting over the earth the third fair morning. Not yet were the wide ways and s.p.a.cious tracts useful unto G.o.d, but the land lay covered by the deep. The Lord of angels, by His word, commanded that the waters come together, which now beneath the heavens hold their course and place ordained. Then suddenly, wide-stretching under heaven, lay the sea, as G.o.d gave bidding. The great deep was sundered from the land. The Warden of life, the Lord of hosts, beheld the dry ground far outspread. And the King of glory called it earth.

For the ocean-billows and the wide-flung sea He set a lawful path and lettered them....

((LACUNA--two to three leaves missing))

IV

(ll. 169-191) ....It did not seem good to the Lord of heaven that Adam should longer be alone as warden and keeper of this new Paradise. Wherefore the King, Almighty G.o.d, wrought him an helpmeet; the Author of life made woman and brought her unto the man whom He loved. He took the stuff of Adam's body, and secretly drew forth a rib from his side. He was fast asleep in peaceful slumber; he knew no pain nor any pang; there came no blood from out the wound, but the Lord of angels drew forth from his body a growing rib, and the man was unhurt. Of this G.o.d fashioned a lovely maid, breathing into her life and an eternal soul. They were like unto the angels. The bride of Adam was a living spirit. By G.o.d's might both were born into the world in the loveliness of youth. They knew no sin nor any evil, but in the hearts of both there burned the love of G.o.d.

(ll. 192-195) Then the Gracious King, Lord of all human kind, blessed these two, male and female, man and wife, and spake this word:

(ll. 196-205) "Be fruitful and multiply, and fill the green earth with your seed and increase, sons and daughters. And ye shall have dominion over the salt sea, and over all the world. Enjoy the riches of earth, the fish of the sea, and the fowls of the air. To you is given power over the herds which I have hallowed, and the wild beasts, and over all living things that move upon the earth; all living things, which the depths bring forth throughout the sea, shall be subject unto you."

((LACUNA--One or more leaves missing))

(ll. 206-234) And our Lord beheld the beauty of His works and the abundance of all fruits of this new creation: Paradise lay pleasant and inviting, filled with goodly store and endless blessings. Bountifully a running stream, a welling spring, watered that pleasant land. Not yet did clouds, dark with wind, carry the rains across the s.p.a.cious earth; nathless the land lay decked with increase. Out from this new Paradise four pleasant brooks of water flowed. All were divisions of one beauteous stream, sundered by the might of G.o.d when He made the earth, and sent into the world. And one of these the mortal dwellers of earth called Pison, which compa.s.seth the land of Havilah about with shining waters. And in that land, as books tell us, the sons of men from far and near find out the best of gold and precious gems. And the second floweth round about the land and borders of the Ethiopians, a s.p.a.cious kingdom. Its name is Gihon. The third is Tigris, whose abundant stream lieth about the limits of a.s.syria. Likewise also the fourth, which now through many a folk-land men call Euphrates....

((LACUNA--At least one, possibly two, leaves missing))

(Beginning of "Genesis B")

V

(ll. 235-236) "...Eat freely of the fruit of every other tree.

From that one tree refrain. Beware of its fruit. And ye shall know no dearth of pleasant things."

(ll. 237-245) Eagerly they bowed them down before the King of heaven, and gave Him thanks for all, for His teachings and counsels. And He gave them that land to dwell in. Then the Holy Lord, the Steadfast King, departed into heaven. And the creatures of His hand abode together on the earth. They had no whit of care to grieve them, but only to do the will of G.o.d for ever. Dear were they unto G.o.d as long as they would keep His holy word.

VI

(ll. 246-260) The Holy Lord, All-wielding G.o.d, with mighty hand had wrought ten angel-orders in whom He trusted well, that they would do Him service, and work His will. Therefore G.o.d gave them reason, with His own hands shaped them, and stablished them in bliss. But one He made so great and strong of heart, He let him wield such power in heaven next unto G.o.d, so radiant-hued He wrought him, so fair his form in heaven which G.o.d had given, that he was like unto the shining stars. He should have sung his Maker's praise, and prized his bliss in heaven. He should have thanked his Lord for the great boon He showered on him in the heavenly light, and let him long enjoy. But he turned him to a worse thing, and strove to stir up strife against the Highest Lord of heaven, who sitteth on the throne of glory.

(ll. 261-276) Dear was he to our Lord. Nor could it long be hid from G.o.d that pride was growing in His angel's heart. He set himself against his Leader, scoffed at G.o.d with boasting, and would not serve Him. He said his form was beautiful and bright, gleaming and fair of hue. Nor could he find it in his heart to serve the Lord G.o.d, or be subject to Him. It seemed to him that he had greater strength and larger following than Holy G.o.d might have. Many words the angel spake in his presumption. By his own power alone he thought to build a stronger throne and mightier in heaven. He said his heart was urging him to toil, to build a stately palace in the north and west. He said he doubted in his heart if he would still be subject unto G.o.d:

(ll. 277-291) "Why should I slave?" quoth he. "I need not serve a master. My hands are strong to work full many a wonder. Power enough have I to rear a goodlier throne, a higher in the heavens.

Why should I fawn for His favour, or yield Him such submission?

I may be G.o.d as well as He! Brave comrades stand about me; stout-hearted heroes who will not fail me in the fray. These valiant souls have chosen me their lord. With such peers one may ponder counsel, and gain a following. Devoted are these friends and faithful-hearted; and I may be their lord and rule this realm. It seemeth no wise right to me that I should cringe a whit to G.o.d for any good. I will not serve Him longer."

(ll. 292-298) Now when G.o.d had heard all this, how His angel was beginning to make presumptuous head against his Leader, speaking rash words of insolence against his Lord, needs must he make atonement for that deed, endure the woe of strife, and bear his punishment, most grievous of all deaths. And so doth every man who wickedly thinketh to strive with G.o.d, the Lord of might.

(ll. 299-319) Then Almighty G.o.d, High Lord of heaven, was filled with wrath, and hurled him from his lofty throne. He had gained his Master's hate, and lost His favour. G.o.d's heart was hardened against him. Wherefore he needs must sink into the pit of torment because he strove against the Lord of heaven. He banished him from grace and cast him into h.e.l.l, into the deep abyss where he became a devil. The Fiend and all his followers fell from heaven; three nights and days the angels fell from heaven into h.e.l.l. G.o.d changed them all to devils. Because they heeded not His deed and word, therefore Almighty G.o.d hurled them into darkness, deep under earth, crushed them and set them in the mirk of h.e.l.l. There through the never-ending watches of the night the fiends endure an unremitting fire. Then at the dawn cometh an east wind, and bitter frost, ever a blast of fire or storm of frost. And each must have his share of suffering wrought for his punishment. Their world was changed when G.o.d filled full the pit of h.e.l.l with His foes!

(ll. 320-322) But the angels who kept their faith with G.o.d dwelt in the heights of heaven.

VII

(ll. 322-336) The other fiends who waged so fierce a war with G.o.d lay wrapped in flames. They suffer torment, hot and surging flame in the midst of h.e.l.l, broad-stretching blaze of fire and bitter smoke, darkness and gloom, because they broke allegiance unto G.o.d. Their folly and the angel's pride deceived them. They would not heed the word of G.o.d. Great was their punishment!

They fell, through folly and through pride, to fiery depths of flame in h.e.l.l. They sought another home devoid of light and filled with fire--a mighty flaming death. The fiends perceived that through the might of G.o.d, because of their presumptuous hearts and boundless insolence, they had won a measureless woe.

(ll. 337-355) Then spake their haughty king, who formerly was fairest of the angels, most radiant in heaven, beloved of his Leader and dear unto his Lord, until they turned to folly, and Almighty G.o.d was moved to anger at their wantonness, and hurled him down to depths of torment on that bed of death. He named him with a name, and said their leader should be called from thenceforth Satan. He bade him rule the black abyss of h.e.l.l in place of striving against G.o.d. Satan spake--who now must needs have charge of h.e.l.l and dwell in the abyss--in bitterness he spake who once had been G.o.d's angel, radiant-hued in heaven, until his pride and boundless arrogance betrayed him, so that he would not do the bidding of the Lord of hosts. Bitterness was welling in his heart; and round him blazed his cruel torment.

These words he spake:

(ll. 355-367) "This narrow place is little like those other realms we knew, on high in heaven, allotted by my Lord, though the Almighty hath not granted us to hold our state, or rule our kingdom. He hath done us wrong to hurl us to the fiery depths of h.e.l.l, and strip us of our heavenly realm. He hath ordained that human kind shall settle there. That is my greatest grief that Adam--wrought of earth--should hold my firm-set throne and live in joy, while we endure this bitter woe in h.e.l.l.

(ll. 368-388) "Alas! could I but use my hands and have my freedom for an hour, one winter hour, then with this host I would-- But bands of iron crush me down, the bondage of my chains is heavy. I am stripped of my dominion. Firmly are h.e.l.l's fetters forged upon me. Above me and below a blaze of fire! Never have I seen a realm more fatal--flame una.s.suaged that surges over h.e.l.l. Ensnaring links and heavy shackles hold me. My ways are trammelled up; my feet are bound; my hands are fastened. Closed are the doors of h.e.l.l, the way cut off. I may not escape out of my bonds, but mighty gyves of tempered iron, hammered hot, press hard upon me. G.o.d hath set His foot upon my neck. So I know the Lord of hosts hath read the purpose of my heart, and knew full well that strife would grow between our host and Adam over the heavenly realm, had I the freedom of my hands.

VIII