Page:Illustrations of the history of medieval thought and learning.djvu/29

Rh of Loughderg, who made a critical edition of the Psalms; and there is at all events evidence to shew that the Scots possessed, in common with the Britons, a Latin version of the Bible distinct from the vulgate. It has been thought too that the Greek language which had almost ceased to be known elsewhere in the west, was widely cultivated in the schools of Ireland.

But of greater significance is the fact that there reigned, not only among her professed scholars but also among the plain missionaries whom she sent forth to preach the gospel to the heathen, a classical spirit, a love of literature for its own sake, a keen delight in poetry. The very field of study of which the Latin was taught to say, This wisdom descendeth not from above, but is earthly, sensual, devilish, was that to which the Scot turned with the purest enthusiasm. The gaiety of the Celtic nature made him shew his devotion to the classical poets by imitating them. Saint Columban, the apostle of Burgundy, whom men knew as the stern preacher of an austere discipline, as the haughty rebuker of kings, was wont to seek refreshment from his religious labours in sending his friends