The Carmen Rhythmicum ("Rhythmic Poem") is a 7th-8th century poem written in Latin by Aldhelm. It is the earliest example of the verse form continuous octosyllables, of which he may have been the inventor,[1] and the earliest surviving reference to Cornwall.[2]

Poem

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The original manuscript is preserved uniquely in the Codex Vindobonensis 751 which comprises the papers of Lul, archbishop of Mainz, who was an alumnus of Malmesbury. The original poem bears no title, the name "Carmen Rhythmicum" having been conceived by Ehwald.[3]

Text

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Latin

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After Ehwald (1919)[3]

References

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  1. ^ Lapidge, Michael; Rosier, James (2009). Aldhelm: The Poetic Works. Cambridge: D. S. Brewer. pp. 171–179. ISBN 9781843841982.
  2. ^ Padel, Oliver (2011). The vocabulary of Cornwall's rough ground and documentary evidence for its historic uses. Goon, Hal, Cliff & Croft. Truro: Historic Environment, Cornwall Council. p. 75. ISBN 9781903798720.
  3. ^ a b Ehwald, Rudolf (1919). Aldhelmi Opera. MGH Scriptores. Auctores antiquissimi 15 (in Latin). Berlin: Weidmann. pp. 523–8.
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