The Ascension

"The Ascension" is a poem by Cynewulf, an Old English poet likely active in the 9th century. This work is part of a larger trilogy called Christ and is also known as Christ II. The poem is a lyrical adaptation of a homily on the Ascension of Jesus Christ, originally written by Pope Gregory I the Great.12

Cynewulf's poetry, including "The Ascension," is characterized by its clarity and technical elegance, often drawing on Latin sources and rhetorical principles. While not considered highly original, his work enlivens descriptions with imagery from everyday life and the Germanic epic tradition. The poem is preserved in the Exeter Book, one of the key manuscripts of Old English poetry.13