Once I was a clever boy learning the arts of Oxford... is a quotation from the verses written by Bishop Richard Fleming (c.1385-1431) for his tomb in Lincoln Cathedral. Fleming, the founder of Lincoln College in Oxford, is the subject of my research for a D. Phil., and, like me, a son of the West Riding. I have remarked in the past that I have a deeply meaningful on-going relationship with a dead fifteenth century bishop... it was Fleming who, in effect, enabled me to come to Oxford and to learn its arts, and for that I am immensely grateful.


Sunday, 27 March 2016

The Resurrection


Christ is Risen, Alleluia!
He is Risen Indeed, Alleluia!


 The Resurrection
Piero della Francesca

 Image:khanacademy.org


Jane Stemp Wickenden posted on the Medieval Religion discussion group the following poem:


Resurrection  - by Piero degli Francheschi, at Borgo



Sleep holds you, sons of war: you may not see
(You whose charmed heads sink heavy in your hands)
How 'twixt the budding and the barren tree
With glory in his staring eyes, he stands.
There's a sharp movement in this shivering morn
That blinds your sense while it breaks your power:
The Phoenix grips the eagle: Christ reborn
Bears high the standard. Sleep a little hour:
Sleep: it were best ye saw not those bright eyes
Prepared to wreck your world with errant flame,
And drive strong men to follow mysteries,
Voices, and winds, and things that have no name.
Dare you leave strength half-proved, duty half-done?
Awake! This God will hunt you from the sun!

James Elroy Flecker.

Mariano Paniello added this link to an illustrated online article about the painting and cognate works which can be viewed at http://www.poderesantapia.com/art/pierodellafrancesca/resurrection.htm



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