Open [38.2 MB]

Centers of Irish Influence in England
addrest to "My Lord Aldhelm, the Archimandrite (i. e.,
the Abbot) , enriched in the study of letters, adorned by
honey-bearing work by night, who in a marvelous manner
has acquired in the land of the Saxons that which some in
foreign parts hardly obtain by
dint of toilsome labor.
Cellanus, born in the island of Ireland, dwelling obscurely
in an extreme corner of the land of the Franks, near those
of a famous colony of Christ, greeting in the whole and
sure Trinity." Cellanus then proceeds to pay Aldhelm
some compliments and inter alia tells him that tho
they were not worthy to hear him at home, they read his
finely composed works painted with the attractions of
various flowers. He reports how he had heard praises of
his Latin and goes on to say: "If you would refresh the
sad heart of a pilgrim, send him some small discourses
(sermunculos) from your sweet lips,
the rills derived
from which pure fountain may refresh the minds of many
in the place where rest the holy remains of the Lord
Fursa." 1
William of Malmesbury, to whom we are indebted
for the letter of Cellan gives us only one clause from
Aldhelm's reply, which is not illuminating. "I wonder,"
he says, "that from the renowned and flower bearing fields
of the Franks, the activity of your fraternity addresses
such a poor little creature (tantillum homunculum) as
myself, sprung from the Saxon race and cradled in my
tender years under a northern sky (sub Arctos axe)."
Another letter to Aldhelm, which as it has been pre-
served to us is anonymous, is with great probability
identified as written by Cellan. In this letter the writer
describes himself as "an Irishman of unknown name,"
and at that time he had probably not yet become abbot
a Giles, Aldhelmi Opera, 331; Bonif. Ep. 4 (Mayor's Bede, p. 298).
259