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The Digital Index of Middle English Verse
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DIMEV 2479
IMEV 1474
NIMEV 1474
In beginning word it was / And the word at God it was
‘In principio erat verbum’ (Gospel ‘In die natalis ad altam missam’) — 16 rough couplets
Note: For other versions of this Gospel see 463 and 874.
Title(s): ‘In principio erat verbum’
Subjects: scripture texts, Engl. trans. of
Versification: — two-line — aa


Manuscript Witnesses:
1.Source: Oxford, Bodleian Library Bodley 425 (SC 2325), ff. 66v-67
First Lines:
In biginning worde it was
and þe worde at gode it ras…
Last Lines:
…Of oneli sone fadir þat es
fful of happe and sothefastnes
Note: 40 lines.
Attributed Title: In principio erat verbum & verbum (f. 66v)
Editions:
Heuser, Wilhelm. “Eine vergessene handscrift des Surteespsalters und die dort eingeschalteten mittelenglischen gedichte.” Anglia 29 (1906): 385-412: 400-1.
2.Source: Oxford, Bodleian Library Bodley 425 (SC 2325), f. 106v
3.Source: Cambridge UK, Cambridge University Library Addit. 6860 [olim Macro 18, olim Gurney 75], f. 99
First Lines:
In bygingnys word it was
At god him self þe word it ros…
Last Lines:
…And god hym self þe word is he
þat was and euirmor schal be
Note: Written as prose.