Introduction
When Elfric, Abbot of Eynsham near Oxford during the reign of Ethelred the Unready (r. 978-1916), came to preach on August 15th, the Feast of the Repose of Mary, he was unusually tightlipped. Some of what was passed around he regarded as legend, but he was sure of one thing: that Mary did not go home to heaven all on her own.
WE read here and there in books, that very often angels came at the departure of good men, and with spiritual hymns led their souls to heaven. And, what is yet more certain, at their departure some have heard the singing of male and female voices, accompanied by a great light and a sweet perfume.*
Now if Jesus has often shown such honour at the death of his saints, and commanded their souls to be brought to him with heavenly hymns, how much more, do you imagine, would he now, today, send the heavenly host to meet his own mother, that they with light beyond measure, and hymns beyond words, might lead her to the throne which was prepared for her from the beginning of the world?
There is no doubt that all the heavenly host would rejoice with unspeakable bliss in her coming. Indeed, we believe that the Lord himself came to meet her, and benignly, delightedly, placed her by him on his throne.*
Translated and abridged
See St Chad and the Invisible Choir.
In the service books of the Eastern churches, Ode VIII of the Canon for the feast says: ‘The angelic hosts were amazed, seeing their Master in Zion, bearing in His arms a woman’s soul; for as befitteth a Son, He exclaimed to her in all-pure manner: Come, O pure one, and be glorified with thy Son and God!’
Précis
Elfric, Abbot of Eynsham, reflected on the death of the Virgin Mary, and surmised what might have happened on the basis of stories current in his own time of the death of Christian saints. He thought it safe to suppose that for his own mother, Christ would have sent choirs of angels and sweet odours as he brought her home. (60 / 60 words)
Elfric, Abbot of Eynsham, reflected on the death of the Virgin Mary, and surmised what might have happened on the basis of stories current in his own time of the death of Christian saints. He thought it safe to suppose that for his own mother, Christ would have sent choirs of angels and sweet odours as he brought her home.
Variations: 1.increase the length of this precis to exactly 65 words. 2.reduce the length of this precis to exactly 55 words. 3.introduce one of the following words into the precis: about, because, besides, if, must, not, ought, until.
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Word Games
Spinners Find in Think and Speak
For each group of words, compose a sentence that uses all three. You can use any form of the word: for example, cat → cats, go → went, or quick → quickly, though neigh → neighbour is stretching it a bit.
This exercise uses words found in the accompanying passage.
1 Indeed. More. Some.
2 Accompany. Do. Honor.
3 He. Mother. We.
Variations: 1. include direct and indirect speech 2. include one or more of these words: although, because, despite, either/or, if, unless, until, when, whether, which, who 3. use negatives (not, isn’t, neither/nor, never, nobody etc.)
Opposites Find in Think and Speak
Suggest words or phrases that seem opposite in meaning to each of the words below. We have suggested some possible answers; see if you can find any others.
This exercise uses words found in the accompanying passage.
Variations: 1.instead of opposites, suggest words of similar meaning (synonyms). 2.use a word and its opposite in the same sentence. 3.suggest any 5 opposites formed by adding -less.
Homophones Find in Think and Speak
In each group below, you will find words that sound the same, but differ in spelling and also in meaning. Compose your own sentences to bring out the differences between them.
This exercise uses words found in the accompanying passage.
High Tiles Find in Think and Speak
Make words (three letters or more) from the seven letters showing below, using any letter once only. Each letter carries a score. What is the highest-scoring word you can make?
Your Words ()
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