Livonian Rhymed Chronicle

Folio 192r

Livonian Rhymed Chronicle • c. 1290 (copied 1415)

Original (Middle High German)

Got der hymel unde erden / den un den erthen / aller geschepfe alse gewalt / geschuf so in der gotheit balt / drisse cleine unde gros / den louffen noch den willen blos / Thore unde blysse... / Allen den dy cristen sint / wir werhen grosz Sint / y is wir den namen eren / unde daz von sunden keren / do wolhor dut ou lone geben / der by duz eyn ewik seben / Wir sollen eine rede heben an / dy got der cristheit began / du hat dynartere gelert / do spit her an den dritten tage / unde losthe mache rede dy clage / yst du her von hymmen duz / za hymmel von der erde bluz / o sunghe her syny heiligen geist / y zu dy gelouben volleist / desnoch was dy manich kint / do suythe her syny boten hyn / syne gnade was myt yn / do sy quamen eyn du kint / do her sy hate hen gesant / als dy folk bekerchen / unde den gelouben lerthen

English Translation

God, who created heaven and earth, all creatures in His divine power, the small and the great alike, the course of stars and the free will — He shaped all things in His godly strength. To all those who are Christians, we offer great greeting. You who honor the name of Christ and turn away from sin, to you God shall give reward and grant eternal life. We shall now begin a tale of what God began for Christendom. He taught His followers well, and on the third day He rose again, releasing many from their sorrow and lamentation. He ascended from earth to heaven and sent forth His Holy Spirit to strengthen all the faithful. Yet many peoples still remained unconverted, so He sent His messengers forth, and His grace was upon them. When they came among the peoples where He had sent them, they converted the folk and taught them the true faith. Much opposition stood before them, but God poured His grace upon them and they performed great miracles. Some bore the crown of martyrdom, as the apostles too endured. Great signs and wonders they wrought with their holy power. Thus many a people was converted and came to know the Christian faith. Where once there was only darkness, the light of Christ drove it away. God delivered them from all distress and gave them their heavenly reward. [The opening page contains the Prologue. The large ornamental 'G' initial begins the invocation of God as creator. A red 'W' initial in the right column marks the start of the apostolic mission narrative. Two columns of approximately 40 lines each.]