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Misc. dialogue and question-and-answer literature

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Periphyseon (John Scottus Eriugena)

form undefined

John Scottus Eriugena

John Scottus Eriugena

(fl 9th century)

Irish scholar and theologian who had been active as a teacher at the palace school of Charles the Bald.

A philosophical-theological work, running to five books, written by the continental Irish scholar known as John Scottus Eriugena (fl. 9th century). Presented in the form of a dialogue between teacher and student, it develops a Neoplatonic cosmology that classifies nature (natura) according to two main questions: whether or not it is created and whether or not it creates. On this basis, four types of natura are distinguished: (1) the Creator, who creates but is not created, (2) the causae primordiales or causes of Creation (which create and are created), (3) the temporal effects of Creation (which do not create), and (4) non-being, for which neither holds true. In presenting many of his cases, Eriugena draws heavily on Greek Christian sources. Already somewhat influential in Eriugena’s own life-time, the work gained special prominence among scholars and philosophers of the 12th century and onwards.

Prebiarum de multorium exemplaribus

prose

Prif gyuarch geluyd

verse

beg. Prif gyuarch geluyd, pan ry leat?

Taliesin

Taliesin

(fl. 6th century)

renowned British poet, known both as a historical poet at the court of Urien and other rulers and as a more fictionalised persona of supreme status. Poems attributed to him survive in the 14th-century manuscript now known as the Book of Taliesin (NLW Peniarth 2).

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Poem attributed to the legendary poet Taliesin.

The quarrel between Finn and Oisín

verse

beg. Is derb lem-sae, cia domaimse in fer líath

Poem cast as a dialogue between Finn and Oisín, with prose introduction and conclusion.

Slécht sís a Scandláin dom réir

verse

14 st.

beg. Slécht sís, a Scandláin, dom réir

Colum Cille

Colum Cille

(fl. 6th century)

founder and abbot of Iona, Kells (Cenandas) and Derry (Daire).

See more (ascr.)Scandlán Mór

Scandlán Mór

(d. 643 x 646)

King of Osraige, son of Colmán son of Bicne Cáech. He is best known in relation to the Synod of Druim Cett, at which time his father was king of Osraige and Scandlán, apparently a youth, was held hostage by Áed mac Ainmirech, overking from the Cenél Conaill branch of the Uí Néill. According to Adomnán, Colum Cille conferred a blessing on him and Scandlán would later take up the kingship of Osraige. He is sometimes given as a son of Cend Fáelad. Charles-Edwards suggests that a pedidgree may have been the source of confusion (Rawl. B 502: Cend Fáelad m. Colmain cuius filius Scandlain).

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Early Irish dialogue poem betwen Colum Cille and Scandlán Mor, in which the latter promises him tribute from the Osraige and receives a blessing from the saint. Specifically, Scandlán and the Osraige are asked to pay tribute at Durrow every third year until Judgment Day.

Tecosca Cormaic

form undefined

A collection of Old Irish maxims presented as words of advice by the legendary judicious king of Ireland Cormac mac Airt in reply to questions asked by his son and successor Cairpre (Lifechair). The maxims cover a variety of topics relating especially to the nature of good kingship.

Tochmarc Ailbe

prose

prosimetrum

Early Irish prosimetric text which relates the story how an aging Finn mac Cumaill wooed Ailbe Grúadbrecc, daughter of Cormac mac Airt. A significant part of the text is taken up by their conversations, which involve a series of riddles and verbal games that establish their mental and intellectual complementarity.

Tochmarc Emire

prose

Úar in lathe do Lum Laine

verse

9 st.

beg. Úar in lathe do Lum Laine

Old Irish poem (9 qq) attributed to Ailbe. It is in the form of a dialogue between Tethna, daughter of king Cormac mac Airt, and her lover Lom Laine. Máirín O Daly, who edited the poem, has suggested that their names may be guises for Gráinne and Diarmait, as known from the early prose narrative of Finn and Gráinne.

Vita sancti Galli metrica (Notker)

verse

prosimetrum

prose

Notker Balbulus

Notker Balbulus

(c.840–912)

A monk, teacher and poet at the monastery of St. Gall, who had received training from Iso and the Irishman Marcellus/Móengal; author of a prosimetrical Life of St Gall.

Prosimetrical version of the Life of St Gall, written by Notker Balbulus and extant only in fragmentary form.

Welsh verse Mandeville

verse

beg. Dydd da i ti y Gigfran

Richard ap John of Scorlegan

Richard ap John of Scorlegan

(fl. 1578–1611)

No short description available

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Versified Welsh version of the Travels of Sir John Mandeville, attributed to Richard ap John of Scorlegan (16th century).

Ymddiddan Arthur a'r eryr

verse

52 st.

beg. Es ryfedaf kann wyf bard

Middle Welsh poem in englyn form, possibly of the 12th century, cast as a dialogue between Arthur and an eagle, who later reveals himself to be the spirit of Arthur’s late nephew, Eliwlad son of Madoc ap Uthyr. The conversation serves as a vehicle for religious instruction, touching on themes such as God’s omnipotence and the significance of prayer.

Ymddiddan Gwyddno Garanhir a Gwyn ap Nudd

verse

14 st.

beg. Tarw trin anfidin blawt

Ymddiddan Melwas a Gwenhwyfar

verse

Medieval Welsh dialogue poem set during a royal feast at which Gwenhwyfar taunts and converses with a stranger, who identifies himself as Melwas of an Otherworldly island (Isle of Glass). The narrative background to the poem is thought to be a tale of Arthur’s expedition to the Otherworld, in which he rescues Gwenhwyfar from an enchanted prison presided over by Melwas. Extant copies of the poem are late, dating from the 16th and 17th centuries, and show a degree of textual corruption, but scholars have argued for an older core, possibly going back to the mid-12th century.

Ymddiddan Myrddin a Thaliesin

verse

beg. Mor truan genhyf mor truan

Ymddiddan Ugnach a Thaliesin

verse

11 st.

beg. Marchauc a girch y dinas

Ymddiddan y corff a'r enaid

prose

A Middle Welsh prose version of the second half of the Dialogus inter corpus et animam.

Ymryson y corff a'r enaid

prose