We earlier recounted this motif, wherein one not of this
world bids us take up the text of
a new truth; touching upon the
cases of Augustine of Hippo, Muhammad of Mecca -- and Edward of Moscow.
Yet another case has just come to our attention -- that of
Caedmon the neatherd, as recounted by Bede:
[Caedmon had] gone out of the house
where the entertainment was, to the stable, where he had to take care of the
horses that night, he there composed himself to rest at the proper time; a
person appeared to him in his sleep, and saluting him by his name, said,
“Caedmon, sing some song to me.” He answered, “I cannot sing; for that was the
reason why I left the entertainment, and retired to this place because I could
not sing.” The other who talked to him, replied, “However, you shall sing.”
“What shall I sing?” rejoined he. “Sing the beginning of created beings,” said
the other. Hereupon he presently began to sing verses to the praise of God,
which he had never heard.
-- Beda Venerabilis, Historia
ecclesiastica gentis Anglorum
| 'Quid', inquit, 'debeo cantare?' -- At ille, 'Canta', inquit,' principium creaturarum'. |
Laus deo ! Sublatum est!
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