The Anathemata
Mabinog’s Liturgy (continued)
Wherefore we malkinsa three
for all our sisters
of Anglia et Walliae and of Albanyb
our un-witched aves pay
if only on this, HER NIGHT OF ALL.
Unto the bairn, as three clerks inclining
when they confess themselves before his Stone
at the Introit-time.1
David Jones notes
1 Cf. Dunbar. On the Nativity of Christ.
‘All clergy do to him inclyne
And bow unto that bairn benying.’
Cf. also how at the beginning of Mass, during the singing of the Introit by the choir, the Confiteor is said at the steps of the altar, first by the celebrant alone to the deacon and sub-deacon, and then by these, as representing all those present, to the celebrant.
additional notes
DJ note 1: benying: benign.
Confiteor: The prayer of confession of sins.
b England, Wales, Scotland.
see also
semantic structures
glossary
a malkin: witch.
comments
The witches agree, on this special occasion, to say their prayers (Ave Maria