Lutwin's Eva und Adam

28. The Sons of Adam discuss the Miraculous Tree

Codex Vindob. 2980, Folio 98v, 145 x 102 mm. Placed before l. 3660 and illustrates ll. 3632-3699.

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Text

She was buried at Adam's side with great honour. As I have mentioned before, the green branch of the olive-tree had been planted at the grave. . . .Amidst their lamentation, they [the children] were glad that the tree was flourishing which had only recently been planted there. They often studied it. They tended it carefully. Not a morning passed without their going to the tree in order to inspect whether there was any fruit on it. That was foolishness! The tree grew so that it was tall and fair, and its foliage was so thick that neither rain nor the rays of the sun could penetrate it. I have never heard of a tree that was so beautiful to behold. If one in death's despair was seated under the tree, he would at once forget all his woes. It brought much joy. Frost and snow never harmed it as it does other trees. It was much loved by Adam's children, yet they could never find any fruit upon it, despite its being so beautiful, as every morning they hunted through its leaves." (3632-3699, Translation by Halford, 1984, pp. 294-295)

Analysis

"The branch now resembling a small cruciform tree is growing out of the middle of the closed sarcophagus. On the left a bearded man in a grey robe and a brown cowl is pointing at the tree. On the right another bearded man is in discussion with two younger men. . . .The man in the cowl is probably Seth, who after the others have left, remains behind to pray for his parents (3711-3717)." (Halford, 1980, p. 34)

Bibliography

Halford, M-B. Illustration and Text in Lutwin's Eva und Adam: Codex Vindob. 2980, Goppinger Arbeiten zur Germanistik, 303; Stuttgart: Kummerle Verlag, 1980.

Halford, M-b. Lutwin's Eva und Adam, Goppingen Arbeiten zur Germanistik, Goppingen: Kummerle Verlag, 1984.