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Elene

Verse Indeterminate Saxon

: þa wæs agangen geara hwyrftum
tu hund ond þreo geteled rimes,
swylce XXX eac, þinggemearces,
wintra for worulde, þæs þe wealdend god
5: acenned wearð, cyninga wuldor,
in middangeard þurh mennisc heo,
soðfæstra leoht. þa wæs syxte gear
Constantines caserdomes,
þæt he Romwara in rice wearð
10: ahæfen, hildfruma, to hereteman.
Wæs se leodhwata lindgeborga
eorlum arfæst. æðelinges weox
rice under roderum. He wæs riht cyning,
guðweard gumena. Hine god trymede
15: mærðum ond mihtum, þæt he manegum wearð
geond middangeard mannum to hroðer,
werþeodum to wræce, syððan wæpen ahof
wið hetendum. Him wæs hild boden,
wiges woma. Werod samnodan
20: Huna leode ond Hreðgotan,
foron fyrdhwate Francan ond Hugas.
Wæron hwate weras,
gearwe to guðe. Garas lixtan,
wriðene wælhlencan. Wordum ond bordum
25: hofon herecombol. þa wæron heardingas
sweotole gesamnod ond eal sib geador.
For folca gedryht. Fyrdleoð agol
wulf on wealde, wælrune ne mað.
Urigfeðera earn sang ahof,
30: laðum on laste. Lungre scynde
ofer burg enta beaduþreata mæst,
hergum to hilde, swylce Huna cyning
ymbsittendra awer meahte
abannan to beadwe burgwigendra.
35: For fyrda mæst. Feðan trymedon
eoredcestum, þæt on ælfylce
deareðlacende on Danubie,
stærcedfyrhðe, stæðe wicedon
ymb þæs wæteres wylm. Werodes breahtme
40: woldon Romwara rice geþringan,
hergum ahyðan. þær wearð Huna cyme
cuð ceasterwarum. þa se casere heht
ongean gramum guðgelæcan
under earhfære ofstum myclum
45: bannan to beadwe, beran ut þræce
rincas under roderum. Wæron Romware,
secgas sigerofe, sona gegearwod
wæpnum to wigge, þeah hie werod læsse
hæfdon to hilde þonne Huna cining;
50: ridon ymb rofne, þonne rand dynede,
campwudu clynede, cyning þreate for,
herge to hilde. Hrefen uppe gol,
wan ond wælfel. Werod wæs on tyhte.
Hleopon hornboran, hreopan friccan,
55: mearh moldan træd. Mægen samnode,
cafe to cease. Cyning wæs afyrhted,
egsan geaclad, siððan elþeodige,
Huna ond Hreða here sceawede,
ðæt he on Romwara rices ende
60: ymb þæs wæteres stæð werod samnode,
mægen unrime. Modsorge wæg
Romwara cyning, rices ne wende
for werodleste, hæfde wigena to lyt,
eaxlgestealna wið ofermægene,
65: hrora to hilde. Here wicode,
eorlas ymb æðeling, egstreame neah
on neaweste nihtlangne fyrst,
þæs þe hie feonda gefær fyrmest gesægon.
þa wearð on slæpe sylfum ætywed
70: þam casere, þær he on corðre swæf,
sigerofum gesegen swefnes woma.
þuhte him wlitescyne on weres hade
hwit ond hiwbeorht hæleða nathwylc
geywed ænlicra þonne he ær oððe sið
75: gesege under swegle. He of slæpe onbrægd,
eofurcumble beþeaht. Him se ar hraðe,
wlitig wuldres boda, wið þingode
ond be naman nemde, (nihthelm toglad):
"Constantinus, heht þe cyning engla,
80: wyrda wealdend, wære beodan,
duguða dryhten. Ne ondræd þu ðe,
ðeah þe elþeodige egesan hwopan,
heardre hilde. þu to heofenum beseoh
on wuldres weard, þær ðu wraðe findest,
85: sigores tacen." He wæs sona gearu
þurh þæs halgan hæs, hreðerlocan onspeon,
up locade, swa him se ar abead,
fæle friðowebba. Geseah he frætwum beorht
wliti wuldres treo ofer wolcna hrof,
90: golde geglenged, (gimmas lixtan);
wæs se blaca beam bocstafum awriten,
beorhte ond leohte: "Mid þys beacne ðu
on þam frecnan fære feond oferswiðesð,
geletest lað werod." þa þæt leoht gewat,
95: up siðode, ond se ar somed,
on clænra gemang. Cyning wæs þy bliðra
ond þe sorgleasra, secga aldor,
on fyrhðsefan, þurh þa fægeran gesyhð.
Heht þa onlice æðelinga hleo,
100: beorna beaggifa, swa he þæt beacen geseah,
heria hildfruma, þæt him on heofonum ær
geiewed wearð, ofstum myclum,
Constantinus, Cristes rode,
tireadig cyning, tacen gewyrcan.
105: Heht þa on uhtan mid ærdæge
wigend wreccan, ond wæpenþræce
hebban heorucumbul, ond þæt halige treo
him beforan ferian on feonda gemang,
beran beacen godes. Byman sungon
110: hlude for hergum. Hrefn weorces gefeah,
urigfeðra, earn sið beheold,
wælhreowra wig. Wulf sang ahof,
holtes gehleða. Hildegesa stod.
þær wæs borda gebrec ond beorna geþrec,
115: heard handgeswing ond herga gring,
syððan heo earhfære ærest metton.
On þæt fæge folc flana scuras,
garas ofer geolorand on gramra gemang,
hetend heorugrimme, hildenædran,
120: þurh fingra geweald forð onsendan.
Stopon stiðhidige, stundum wræcon,
bræcon bordhreðan, bil in dufan,
þrungon þræchearde. þa wæs þuf hafen,
segn for sweotum, sigeleoð galen.
125: Gylden grima, garas lixtan
on herefelda. Hæðene grungon,
feollon friðelease. Flugon instæpes
Huna leode, swa þæt halige treo
aræran heht Romwara cyning,
130: heaðofremmende. Wurdon heardingas
wide towrecene. Sume wig fornam.
Sume unsofte aldor generedon
on þam heresiðe. Sume healfcwice
flugon on fæsten ond feore burgon
135: æfter stanclifum, stede weardedon
ymb Danubie. Sume drenc fornam
on lagostreame lifes æt ende.
ða wæs modigra mægen on luste,
ehton elþeoda oð þæt æfen forð
140: fram dæges orde. Daroðæsc flugon,
hildenædran. Heap wæs gescyrded,
laðra lindwered. Lythwon becwom
Huna herges ham eft þanon.
þa wæs gesyne þæt sige forgeaf
145: Constantino cyning ælmihtig
æt þam dægweorce, domweorðunga,
rice under roderum, þurh his rode treo.
Gewat þa heriga helm ham eft þanon,
huðe hremig, (hild wæs gesceaden),
150: wigge geweorðod. Com þa wigena hleo
þegna þreate þryðbold secan,
beadurof cyning burga neosan.
Heht þa wigena weard þa wisestan
snude to sionoðe, þa þe snyttro cræft
155: þurh fyrngewrito gefrigen hæfdon,
heoldon higeþancum hæleða rædas.
ða þæs fricggan ongan folces aldor,
sigerof cyning, ofer sid weorod,
wære þær ænig yldra oððe gingra
160: þe him to soðe secggan meahte,
galdrum cyðan, hwæt se god wære,
boldes brytta, "þe þis his beacen wæs
þe me swa leoht oðywde ond mine leode generede,
tacna torhtost, ond me tir forgeaf,
165: wigsped wið wraðum, þurh þæt wlitige treo."
Hio him ondsware ænige ne meahton
agifan togenes, ne ful geare cuðon
sweotole gesecggan be þam sigebeacne.
þa þa wisestan wordum cwædon
170: for þam heremægene þæt hit heofoncyninges
tacen wære, ond þæs tweo nære.
þa þæt gefrugnon þa þurh fulwihte
lærde wæron, (him wæs leoht sefa,
ferhð gefeonde, þeah hira fea wæron),
175: ðæt hie for þam casere cyðan moston
godspelles gife, hu se gasta helm,
in þrynesse þrymme geweorðad,
acenned wearð, cyninga wuldor,
ond hu on galgan wearð godes agen bearn
180: ahangen for hergum heardum witum.
Alysde leoda bearn of locan deofla,
geomre gastas, ond him gife sealde
þurh þa ilcan gesceaft þe him geywed wearð
sylfum on gesyhðe, sigores tacen,
185: wið þeoda þræce. Ond hu ðy þriddan dæge
of byrgenne beorna wuldor
of deaðe aras, dryhten ealra
hæleða cynnes, ond to heofonum astah.
ðus gleawlice gastgerynum
190: sægdon sigerofum, swa fram Siluestre
lærde wæron. æt þam se leodfruma
fulwihte onfeng ond þæt forð geheold
on his dagana tid, dryhtne to willan.
ða wæs on sælum sinces brytta,
195: niðheard cyning. Wæs him niwe gefea
befolen in fyrhðe, wæs him frofra mæst
ond hyhta nihst heofonrices weard.
Ongan þa dryhtnes æ dæges ond nihtes
þurh gastes gife georne cyðan,
200: ond hine soðlice sylfne getengde
goldwine gumena in godes þeowdom,
æscrof, unslaw. þa se æðeling fand,
leodgebyrga, þurh larsmiðas,
guðheard, garþrist, on godes bocum
205: hwær ahangen wæs heriges beorhtme
on rode treo rodora waldend
æfstum þurh inwit, swa se ealda feond
forlærde ligesearwum, leode fortyhte,
Iudea cyn, þæt hie god sylfne
210: ahengon, herga fruman. þæs hie in hynðum sculon
to widan feore wergðu dreogan!
þa wæs Cristes lof þam casere
on firhðsefan, forð gemyndig
ymb þæt mære treo, ond þa his modor het
215: feran foldwege folca þreate
to Iudeum, georne secan
wigena þreate hwær se wuldres beam,
halig under hrusan, hyded wære,
æðelcyninges rod. Elene ne wolde
220: þæs siðfates sæne weorðan,
ne ðæs wilgifan word gehyrwan,
hiere sylfre suna, ac wæs sona gearu,
wif on willsið, swa hire weoruda helm,
byrnwiggendra, beboden hæfde.
225: Ongan þa ofstlice eorla mengu
to flote fysan. Fearoðhengestas
ymb geofenes stæð gearwe stodon,
sælde sæmearas, sunde getenge.
ða wæs orcnæwe idese siðfæt,
230: siððan wæges helm werode gesohte.
þær wlanc manig æt Wendelsæ
on stæðe stodon. Stundum wræcon
ofer mearcpaðu, mægen æfter oðrum,
ond þa gehlodon hildesercum,
235: bordum ond ordum, byrnwigendum,
werum ond wifum, wæghengestas.
Leton þa ofer fifelwæg famige scriðan
bronte brimþisan. Bord oft onfeng
ofer earhgeblond yða swengas;
240: sæ swinsade. Ne hyrde ic sið ne ær
on egstreame idese lædan,
on merestræte, mægen fægerre.
þær meahte gesion, se ðone sið beheold,
brecan ofer bæðweg, brimwudu snyrgan
245: under swellingum, sæmearh plegean,
wadan wægflotan. Wigan wæron bliðe,
collenferhðe, cwen siðes gefeah,
syþþan to hyðe hringedstefnan
ofer lagofæsten geliden hæfdon
250: on Creca land. Ceolas leton
æt sæfearoðe, sande bewrecene,
ald yðhofu, oncrum fæste
on brime bidan beorna geþinges,
hwonne heo sio guðcwen gumena þreate
255: ofer eastwegas eft gesohte.
ðær wæs on eorle eðgesyne
brogden byrne ond bill gecost,
geatolic guðscrud, grimhelm manig,
ænlic eoforcumbul. Wæron æscwigan,
260: secggas ymb sigecwen, siðes gefysde.
Fyrdrincas frome foron on luste
on Creca land, caseres bodan,
hilderincas, hyrstum gewerede.
þær wæs gesyne sincgim locen
265: on þam hereþreate, hlafordes gifu.
Wæs seo eadhreðige Elene gemyndig,
þriste on geþance, þeodnes willan
georn on mode þæt hio Iudeas
ofer herefeldas heape gecoste
270: lindwigendra land gesohte,
secga þreate. Swa hit siððan gelamp
ymb lytel fæc þæt ðæt leodmægen,
guðrofe hæleþ to Hierusalem
cwomon in þa ceastre corðra mæste,
275: eorlas æscrofe, mid þa æðelan cwen.
Heht ða gebeodan burgsittendum
þam snoterestum side ond wide
geond Iudeas, gumena gehwylcum,
meðelhegende, on gemot cuman,
280: þa ðe deoplicost dryhtnes geryno
þurh rihte æ reccan cuðon.
ða wæs gesamnod of sidwegum
mægen unlytel, þa ðe Moyses æ
reccan cuðon. þær on rime wæs
285: þreo M þæra leoda
alesen to lare. Ongan þa leoflic wif
weras Ebrea wordum negan:
"Ic þæt gearolice ongiten hæbbe
þurg witgena wordgeryno
290: on godes bocum þæt ge geardagum
wyrðe wæron wuldorcyninge,
dryhtne dyre ond dædhwæte.
Hwæt, ge ealle snyttro unwislice,
wraðe wiðweorpon, þa ge wergdon þane
295: þe eow of wergðe þurh his wuldres miht,
fram ligcwale, lysan þohte,
of hæftnede. Ge mid horu speowdon
on þæs ondwlitan þe eow eagena leoht,
fram blindnesse bote gefremede
300: edniowunga þurh þæt æðele spald,
ond fram unclænum oft generede
deofla gastum. Ge to deaþe þone
deman ongunnon, se ðe of deaðe sylf
woruld awehte on wera corþre
305: in þæt ærre lif eowres cynnes.
Swa ge modblinde mengan ongunnon
lige wið soðe, leoht wið þystrum,
æfst wið are, inwitþancum
wroht webbedan. Eow seo wergðu forðan
310: sceðþeð scyldfullum. Ge þa sciran miht
deman ongunnon, ond gedweolan lifdon,
þeostrum geþancum, oð þysne dæg.
Gangaþ nu snude, snyttro geþencaþ,
weras wisfæste, wordes cræftige,
315: þa ðe eowre æ æðelum cræftige
on ferhðsefan fyrmest hæbben,
þa me soðlice secgan cunnon,
ondsware cyðan for eowic forð
tacna gehwylces þe ic him to sece."
320: Eodan þa on geruman reonigmode
eorlas æcleawe, egesan geþreade,
gehðum geomre, georne sohton
þa wisestan wordgeryno,
þæt hio þære cwene oncweðan meahton
325: swa tiles swa trages, swa hio him to sohte.
Hio þa on þreate M manna
fundon ferhðgleawra, þa þe fyrngemynd
mid Iudeum gearwast cuðon.
þrungon þa on þreate þær on þrymme bad
330: in cynestole caseres mæg,
geatolic guðcwen golde gehyrsted.
Elene maþelode ond for eorlum spræc:
"Gehyrað, higegleawe, halige rune,
word ond wisdom. Hwæt, ge witgena
335: lare onfengon, hu se liffruma
in cildes had cenned wurde,
mihta wealdend. Be þam Moyses sang,
ond þæt word gecwæð weard Israhela:
'Eow acenned bið cniht on degle,
340: mihtum mære, swa þæs modor ne bið
wæstmum geeacnod þurh weres frige.'
Be ðam Dauid cyning dryhtleoð agol,
frod fyrnweota, fæder Salomones,
ond þæt word gecwæþ wigona baldor:
345: 'Ic frumþa god fore sceawode,
sigora dryhten. He on gesyhðe wæs,
mægena wealdend, min on þa swiðran,
þrymmes hyrde. þanon ic ne wende
æfre to aldre onsion mine.'
350: Swa hit eft be eow Essaias,
witga for weorodum, wordum mælde,
deophycggende þurh dryhtnes gast:
'Ic up ahof eaforan gingne
ond bearn cende, þam ic blæd forgeaf,
355: halige higefrofre, ac hie hyrwdon me,
feodon þurh feondscipe, nahton foreþances,
wisdomes gewitt; ond þa weregan neat,
þe man daga gehwam drifeð ond þirsceð,
ongitaþ hira goddend, nales gnyrnwræcum
360: feogað frynd hiera þe him fodder gifað,
ond me Israhela æfre ne woldon
folc oncnawan, þeah ic feala for him
æfter woruldstundum wundra gefremede.'
Hwæt, we þæt gehyrdon þurh halige bec
365: þæt eow dryhten geaf dom unscyndne,
meotod mihta sped, Moyse sægde
hu ge heofoncyninge hyran sceoldon,
lare læstan. Eow þæs lungre aþreat,
ond ge þam ryhte wiðroten hæfdon,
370: onscunedon þone sciran scippend eallra,
dryhtna dryhten, ond gedwolan fylgdon
ofer riht godes. Nu ge raþe gangaþ
ond findaþ gen þa þe fyrngewritu
þurh snyttro cræft selest cunnen,
375: æriht eower, þæt me ondsware
þurh sidne sefan secgan cunnen."
Eodan ða mid mengo modcwanige,
collenferhðe, swa him sio cwen bead.
Fundon þa D forþsnottera
380: alesen leodmæga, þa ðe leornungcræft
þurh modgemynd mæste hæfdon,
on sefan snyttro. Heo to salore eft
ymb lytel fæc laðode wæron,
ceastre weardas. Hio sio cwen ongan
385: wordum genegan, (wlat ofer ealle):
"Oft ge dyslice dæd gefremedon,
werge wræcmæcggas, ond gewritu herwdon,
fædera lare, næfre furður þonne nu,
ða ge blindnesse bote forsegon,
390: ond ge wiðsocon soðe ond rihte,
þæt in Bethleme bearn wealdendes,
cyning anboren, cenned wære,
æðelinga ord. þeah ge þa æ cuðon,
witgena word, ge ne woldon þa,
395: synwyrcende, soð oncnawan."
Hie þa anmode ondsweredon:
"Hwæt, we Ebreisce æ leornedon,
þa on fyrndagum fæderas cuðon
æt godes earce, ne we geare cunnon
400: þurh hwæt ðu ðus hearde, hlæfdige, us
eorre wurde. We ðæt æbylgð nyton
þe we gefremedon on þysse folcscere,
þeodenbealwa, wið þec æfre."
Elene maðelade ond for eorlum spræc,
405: undearninga ides reordode
hlude for herigum: "Ge nu hraðe gangað,
sundor asecaþ þa ðe snyttro mid eow,
mægn ond modcræft, mæste hæbben,
þæt me þinga gehwylc þriste gecyðan,
410: untraglice, þe ic him to sece."
Eodon þa fram rune, swa him sio rice cwen,
bald in burgum, beboden hæfde,
geomormode, georne smeadon,
sohton searoþancum, hwæt sio syn wære
415: þe hie on þam folce gefremed hæfdon
wið þam casere, þe him sio cwen wite.
þa þær for eorlum an reordode,
gidda gearosnotor, (ðam wæs Iudas nama,
wordes cræftig): "Ic wat geare
420: þæt hio wile secan be ðam sigebeame
on ðam þrowode þeoda waldend,
eallra gnyrna leas, godes agen bearn,
þone orscyldne eofota gehwylces
þurh hete hengon on heanne beam
425: in fyrndagum fæderas usse.
þæt wæs þrealic geþoht! Nu is þearf mycel
þæt we fæstlice ferhð staðelien,
þæt we ðæs morðres meldan ne weorðen
hwær þæt halige trio beheled wurde
430: æfter wigþræce, þy læs toworpen sien
frod fyrngewritu ond þa fæderlican
lare forleten. Ne bið lang ofer ðæt
þæt Israhela æðelu moten
ofer middangeard ma ricsian,
435: æcræft eorla, gif ðis yppe bið,
swa þa þæt ilce gio min yldra fæder
sigerof sægde, (þam wæs Sachius nama),
frod fyrnwiota, fæder minum,
eaferan,
440: wende hine of worulde ond þæt word gecwæð:
'Gif þe þæt gelimpe on lifdagum
þæt ðu gehyre ymb þæt halige treo
frode frignan, ond geflitu ræran
be ðam sigebeame on þam soðcyning
445: ahangen wæs, heofonrices weard,
eallre sybbe bearn, þonne þu snude gecyð,
min swæs sunu, ær þec swylt nime.
Ne mæg æfre ofer þæt Ebrea þeod
rædþeahtende rice healdan,
450: duguðum wealdan, ac þara dom leofað
ond hira dryhtscipe,
in woruld weorulda willum gefylled,
ðe þone ahangnan cyning heriaþ ond lofiað.'
þa ic fromlice fæder minum,
455: ealdum æwitan, ageaf ondsware:
'Hu wolde þæt geweorðan on woruldrice
þæt on þone halgan handa sendan
to feorhlege fæderas usse
þurh wrað gewitt, gif hie wiston ær
460: þæt he Crist wære, cyning on roderum,
soð sunu meotudes, sawla nergend?'
ða me yldra min ageaf ondsware,
frod on fyrhðe fæder reordode:
'Ongit, guma ginga, godes heahmægen,
465: nergendes naman. Se is niða gehwam
unasecgendlic, þone sylf ne mæg
on moldwege man aspyrigean.
Næfre ic þa geþeahte þe þeos þeod ongan
secan wolde, ac ic symle mec
470: asced þara scylda, nales sceame worhte
gaste minum. Ic him georne oft
þæs unrihtes ondsæc fremede,
þonne uðweotan æht bisæton,
on sefan sohton hu hie sunu meotudes
475: ahengon, helm wera, hlaford eallra
engla ond elda, æðelust bearna.
Ne meahton hie swa disige deað oðfæstan,
weras wonsælige, swa hie wendon ær,
sarum settan, þeah he sume hwile
480: on galgan his gast onsende,
sigebearn godes. þa siððan wæs
of rode ahæfen rodera wealdend,
eallra þrymma þrym, þreo niht siððan
in byrgenne bidende wæs
485: under þeosterlocan, ond þa þy þriddan dæg
ealles leohtes leoht lifgende aras,
ðeoden engla, ond his þegnum hine,
soð sigora frea, seolfne geywde,
beorht on blæde. þonne broðor þin
490: onfeng æfter fyrste fulwihtes bæð,
leohtne geleafan. þa for lufan dryhtnes
Stephanus wæs stanum worpod;
ne geald he yfel yfele, ac his ealdfeondum
þingode þrohtherd, bæd þrymcyning
495: þæt he him þa weadæd to wræce ne sette,
þæt hie for æfstum unscyldigne,
synna leasne, Sawles larum
feore beræddon, swa he þurh feondscipe
to cwale monige Cristes folces
500: demde to deaþe. Swa þeah him dryhten eft
miltse gefremede, þæt he manegum wearð
folca to frofre, syððan him frymða god,
niða nergend, naman oncyrde,
ond he syððan wæs sanctus Paulus
505: be naman haten, ond him nænig wæs
ælærendra oðer betera
under swegles hleo syðþan æfre,
þara þe wif oððe wer on woruld cendan,
þeah he Stephanus stanum hehte
510: abreotan on beorge, broðor þinne.
Nu ðu meaht gehyran, hæleð min se leofa,
hu arfæst is ealles wealdend,
þeah we æbylgð wið hine oft gewyrcen,
synna wunde, gif we sona eft
515: þara bealudæda bote gefremmaþ
ond þæs unrihtes eft geswicaþ.
Forðan ic soðlice ond min swæs fæder
syðþan gelyfdon
þæt geþrowade eallra þrymma god,
520: lifes lattiow, laðlic wite
for oferþearfe ilda cynnes.
Forðan ic þe lære þurh leoðorune,
hyse leofesta, þæt ðu hospcwide,
æfst ne eofulsæc æfre ne fremme,
525: grimne geagncwide, wið godes bearne.
þonne ðu geearnast þæt þe bið ece lif,
selust sigeleana, seald in heofonum.'
ðus mec fæder min on fyrndagum
unweaxenne wordum lærde,
530: septe soðcwidum, (þam wæs Symon nama),
guma gehðum frod. Nu ge geare cunnon
hwæt eow þæs on sefan selest þince
to gecyðanne, gif ðeos cwen usic
frigneð ymb ðæt treo, nu ge fyrhðsefan
535: ond modgeþanc minne cunnon."
Him þa togenes þa gleawestan
on wera þreate wordum mældon:
"Næfre we hyrdon hæleð ænigne
on þysse þeode, butan þec nu ða,
540: þegn oðerne þyslic cyðan
ymb swa dygle wyrd. Do swa þe þynce,
fyrngidda frod, gif ðu frugnen sie
on wera corðre. Wisdomes beðearf,
worda wærlicra ond witan snyttro,
545: se ðære æðelan sceal ondwyrde agifan
for þyslicne þreat on meþle."
Weoxan word cwidum, weras þeahtedon
on healfa gehwær, sume hyder, sume þyder,
þrydedon ond þohton. þa cwom þegna heap
550: to þam heremeðle. Hreopon friccan,
caseres bodan: "Eow þeos cwen laþaþ,
secgas to salore, þæt ge seonoðdomas
rihte reccen. Is eow rædes þearf
on meðelstede, modes snyttro."
555: Heo wæron gearwe, geomormode
leodgebyrgean, þa hie laðod wæron
þurh heard gebann; to hofe eodon,
cyðdon cræftes miht. þa sio cwen ongan
weras Ebresce wordum negan,
560: fricggan fyrhðwerige ymb fyrngewritu,
hu on worulde ær witgan sungon,
gasthalige guman, be godes bearne,
hwær se þeoden geþrowade,
soð sunu meotudes, for sawla lufan.
565: Heo wæron stearce, stane heardran,
noldon þæt geryne rihte cyðan,
ne hire andsware ænige secgan,
torngeniðlan, þæs hio him to sohte,
ac hio worda gehwæs wiðersæc fremedon,
570: fæste on fyrhðe, þæt heo frignan ongan,
cwædon þæt hio on aldre owiht swylces
ne ær ne sið æfre hyrdon.
Elene maþelade ond him yrre oncwæð:
"Ic eow to soðe secgan wille,
575: ond þæs in life lige ne wyrðeð,
gif ge þissum lease leng gefylgað
mid fæcne gefice, þe me fore standaþ,
þæt eow in beorge bæl fornimeð,
hattost heaðowelma, ond eower hra bryttað,
580: lacende lig, þæt eow sceal þæt leas
apundrad weorðan to woruldgedale.
Ne magon ge ða word geseðan þe ge hwile nu on unriht
wrigon under womma sceatum, ne magon ge þa wyrd bemiðan,
bedyrnan þa deopan mihte." ða wurdon hie deaðes on wenan,
585: ades ond endelifes, ond þær þa ænne betæhton
giddum gearusnottorne, (þam wæs Iudas nama
cenned for cneomagum), þone hie þære cwene agefon,
sægdon hine sundorwisne: "He þe mæg soð gecyðan,
onwreon wyrda geryno, swa ðu hine wordum frignest,
590: æriht from orde oð ende forð.
He is for eorðan æðeles cynnes,
wordcræftes wis ond witgan sunu,
bald on meðle; him gebyrde is
þæt he gencwidas gleawe hæbbe,
595: cræft in breostum. He gecyðeð þe
for wera mengo wisdomes gife
þurh þa myclan miht, swa þin mod lufaþ."
Hio on sybbe forlet secan gehwylcne
agenne eard, ond þone ænne genam,
600: Iudas to gisle, ond þa georne bæd
þæt he be ðære rode riht getæhte
þe ær in legere wæs lange bedyrned,
ond hine seolfne sundor acigde.
Elene maþelode to þam anhagan,
605: tireadig cwen: "þe synt tu gearu,
swa lif swa deað, swa þe leofre bið
to geceosanne. Cyð ricene nu
hwæt ðu þæs to þinge þafian wille."
Iudas hire ongen þingode (ne meahte he þa gehðu bebugan,
610: oncyrran rex geniðlan; he wæs on þære cwene gewealdum):
"Hu mæg þæm geweorðan þe on westenne
meðe ond meteleas morland trydeð,
hungre gehæfted, ond him hlaf ond stan
on gesihðe bu samod geweorðað,
615: streac ond hnesce, þæt he þone stan nime
wið hungres hleo, hlafes ne gime,
gewende to wædle, ond þa wiste wiðsæce,
beteran wiðhyccge, þonne he bega beneah?"
Him þa seo eadige ondwyrde ageaf
620: Elene for eorlum undearnunga:
"Gif ðu in heofonrice habban wille
eard mid englum ond on eorðan lif,
sigorlean in swegle, saga ricene me
hwær seo rod wunige radorcyninges,
625: halig under hrusan, þe ge hwile nu
þurh morðres man mannum dyrndun."
Iudas maðelade, (him wæs geomor sefa,
hat æt heortan, ond gehwæðres wa,
ge he heofonrices hyht swa mode
630: ond þis ondwearde anforlete,
rice under roderum, ge he ða rode ne tæhte):
"Hu mæg ic þæt findan þæt swa fyrn gewearð
wintra gangum? Is nu worn sceacen,
CC oððe ma geteled rime.
635: Ic ne mæg areccan, nu ic þæt rim ne can.
Is nu feala siðþan forðgewitenra
frodra ond godra þe us fore wæron,
gleawra gumena. Ic on geogoðe wearð
on siðdagum syððan acenned,
640: cnihtgeong hæleð. Ic ne can þæt ic nat,
findan on fyrhðe þæt swa fyrn gewearð."
Elene maðelade him on ondsware:
"Hu is þæt geworden on þysse werþeode
þæt ge swa monigfeald on gemynd witon,
645: alra tacna gehwylc swa Troiana
þurh gefeoht fremedon? þæt wæs fyr mycle,
open ealdgewin, þonne þeos æðele gewyrd,
geara gongum. Ge þæt geare cunnon
edre gereccan, hwæt þær eallra wæs
650: on manrime morðorslehtes,
dareðlacendra deadra gefeallen
under bordhagan. Ge þa byrgenna
under stanhleoðum, ond þa stowe swa some,
ond þa wintergerim on gewritu setton."
655: Iudas maðelade, gnornsorge wæg:
"We þæs hereweorces, hlæfdige min,
for nydþearfe nean myndgiaþ,
ond þa wiggþræce on gewritu setton,
þeoda gebæru, ond þis næfre
660: þurh æniges mannes muð gehyrdon
hæleðum cyðan, butan her nu ða."
Him seo æðele cwen ageaf ondsware:
"Wiðsæcest ðu to swiðe soðe ond rihte
ymb þæt lifes treow, ond nu lytle ær
665: sægdest soðlice be þam sigebeame
leodum þinum, ond nu on lige cyrrest."
Iudas hire ongen þingode, cwæð þæt he þæt on gehðu gespræce
ond on tweon swiðost, wende him trage hnagre.
Him oncwæð hraðe caseres mæg:
670: "Hwæt, we ðæt hyrdon þurh halige bec
hæleðum cyðan þæt ahangen wæs
on Caluarie cyninges freobearn,
godes gastsunu. þu scealt geagninga
wisdom onwreon, swa gewritu secgaþ,
675: æfter stedewange hwær seo stow sie
Caluarie, ær þec cwealm nime,
swilt for synnum, þæt ic hie syððan mæge
geclænsian Criste to willan,
hæleðum to helpe, þæt me halig god
680: gefylle, frea mihtig, feores ingeþanc,
weoruda wuldorgeofa, willan minne,
gasta geocend." Hire Iudas oncwæð
stiðhycgende: "Ic þa stowe ne can,
ne þæs wanges wiht ne þa wisan cann."
685: Elene maðelode þurh eorne hyge:
"Ic þæt geswerige þurh sunu meotodes,
þone ahangnan god, þæt ðu hungre scealt
for cneomagum cwylmed weorðan,
butan þu forlæte þa leasunga
690: ond me sweotollice soð gecyðe."
Heht þa swa cwicne corðre lædan,
scufan scyldigne (scealcas ne gældon)
in drygne seað, þær he duguða leas
siomode in sorgum VII nihta fyrst
695: under hearmlocan hungre geþreatod,
clommum beclungen, ond þa cleopigan ongan
sarum besylced on þone seofeðan dæg,
meðe ond meteleas, (mægen wæs geswiðrod):
"Ic eow healsie þurh heofona god
700: þæt ge me of ðyssum earfeðum up forlæten,
heanne fram hungres geniðlan. Ic þæt halige treo
lustum cyðe, nu ic hit leng ne mæg
helan for hungre. Is þes hæft to ðan strang,
þreanyd þæs þearl ond þes þroht to ðæs heard
705: dogorrimum. Ic adreogan ne mæg,
ne leng helan be ðam lifes treo,
þeah ic ær mid dysige þurhdrifen wære
ond ðæt soð to late seolf gecneowe."
þa ðæt gehyrde sio þær hæleðum scead,
710: beornes gebæro, hio bebead hraðe
þæt hine man of nearwe ond of nydcleofan,
fram þam engan hofe, up forlete.
Hie ðæt ofstlice efnedon sona,
ond hine mid arum up gelæddon
715: of carcerne, swa him seo cwen bebead.
Stopon þa to þære stowe stiðhycgende
on þa dune up ðe dryhten ær
ahangen wæs, heofonrices weard,
godbearn on galgan, ond hwæðre geare nyste,
720: hungre gehyned, hwær sio halige rod,
þurh feondes searu foldan getyned,
lange legere fæst leodum dyrne
wunode wælreste. Word stunde ahof
elnes oncyðig, ond on Ebrisc spræc:
725: "Dryhten hælend, þu ðe ahst doma geweald,
ond þu geworhtest þurh þines wuldres miht
heofon ond eorðan ond holmþræce,
sæs sidne fæðm, samod ealle gesceaft,
ond þu amæte mundum þinum
730: ealne ymbhwyrft ond uprador,
ond þu sylf sitest, sigora waldend,
ofer þam æðelestan engelcynne,
þe geond lyft farað leohte bewundene,
mycle mægenþrymme. Ne mæg þær manna gecynd
735: of eorðwegum up geferan
in lichoman mid þa leohtan gedryht,
wuldres aras. þu geworhtest þa
ond to þegnunge þinre gesettest,
halig ond heofonlic. þara on hade sint
740: in sindreame syx genemned,
þa ymbsealde synt mid syxum eac
fiðrum gefrætwad, fægere scinaþ.
þara sint IIII þe on flihte a
þa þegnunge þrymme beweotigaþ
745: fore onsyne eces deman,
singallice singaþ in wuldre
hædrum stefnum heofoncininges lof,
woða wlitegaste, ond þas word cweðaþ
clænum stefnum, (þam is ceruphin nama):
750: 'Halig is se halga heahengla god,
weoroda wealdend! Is ðæs wuldres ful
heofun ond eorðe ond eall heahmægen,
tire getacnod.' Syndon tu on þam,
sigorcynn on swegle, þe man seraphin
755: be naman hateð. He sceal neorxnawang
ond lifes treo legene sweorde
halig healdan. Heardecg cwacaþ,
beofaþ brogdenmæl, ond bleom wrixleð
grapum gryrefæst. þæs ðu, god dryhten,
760: wealdest widan fyrhð, ond þu womfulle
scyldwyrcende sceaðan of radorum
awurpe wonhydige. þa sio werge sceolu
under heolstorhofu hreosan sceolde
in wita forwyrd, þær hie in wylme nu
765: dreogaþ deaðcwale in dracan fæðme,
þeostrum forþylmed. He þinum wiðsoc
aldordome. þæs he in ermðum sceal,
ealra fula ful, fah þrowian,
þeowned þolian. þær he þin ne mæg
770: word aweorpan, is in witum fæst,
ealre synne fruma, susle gebunden.
Gif þin willa sie, wealdend engla,
þæt ricsie se ðe on rode wæs,
ond þurh Marian in middangeard
775: acenned wearð in cildes had,
þeoden engla, (gif he þin nære
sunu synna leas, næfre he soðra swa feala
in woruldrice wundra gefremede
dogorgerimum; no ðu of deaðe hine
780: swa þrymlice, þeoda wealdend,
aweahte for weorodum, gif he in wuldre þin
þurh ða beorhtan bearn ne wære),
gedo nu, fæder engla, forð beacen þin.
Swa ðu gehyrdest þone halgan wer
785: Moyses on meðle, þa ðu, mihta god,
geywdest þam eorle on þa æðelan tid
under beorhhliðe ban Iosephes,
swa ic þe, weroda wyn, gif hit sie willa þin,
þurg þæt beorhte gesceap biddan wille
790: þæt me þæt goldhord, gasta scyppend,
geopenie, þæt yldum wæs
lange behyded. Forlæt nu, lifes fruma,
of ðam wangstede wynsumne up
under radores ryne rec astigan
795: lyftlacende. Ic gelyfe þe sel
ond þy fæstlicor ferhð staðelige,
hyht untweondne, on þone ahangnan Crist,
þæt he sie soðlice sawla nergend,
ece ælmihtig, Israhela cining,
800: walde widan ferhð wuldres on heofenum,
a butan ende ecra gestealda."
ða of ðære stowe steam up aras
swylce rec under radorum. þær aræred wearð
beornes breostsefa. He mid bæm handum,
805: eadig ond ægleaw, upweard plegade.
Iudas maþelode, gleaw in geþance:
"Nu ic þurh soð hafu seolf gecnawen
on heardum hige þæt ðu hælend eart
middangeardes. Sie ðe, mægena god,
810: þrymsittendum þanc butan ende,
þæs ðu me swa meðum ond swa manweorcum
þurh þin wuldor inwrige wyrda geryno.
Nu ic þe, bearn godes, biddan wille,
weoroda willgifa, nu ic wat þæt ðu eart
815: gecyðed ond acenned allra cyninga þrym,
þæt ðu ma ne sie minra gylta,
þara þe ic gefremede nalles feam siðum,
metud, gemyndig. Læt mec, mihta god,
on rimtale rices þines
820: mid haligra hlyte wunigan
in þære beorhtan byrig, þær is broðor min
geweorðod in wuldre, þæs he wære wið þec,
Stephanus, heold, þeah he stangreopum
worpod wære. He hafað wigges lean,
825: blæd butan blinne. Sint in bocum his
wundor þa he worhte on gewritum cyðed."
Ongan þa wilfægen æfter þam wuldres treo,
elnes anhydig, eorðan delfan
under turfhagan, þæt he on XX
830: fotmælum feor funde behelede,
under neolum niðer næsse gehydde
in þeostorcofan. He ðær III mette
in þam reonian hofe roda ætsomne,
greote begrauene, swa hio geardagum
835: arleasra sceolu eorðan beþeahton,
Iudea cynn. Hie wið godes bearne
nið ahofun, swa hie no sceoldon,
þær hie leahtra fruman larum ne hyrdon.
þa wæs modgemynd myclum geblissod,
840: hige onhyrded, þurh þæt halige treo,
inbryrded breostsefa, syððan beacen geseh,
halig under hrusan. He mid handum befeng
wuldres wynbeam, ond mid weorode ahof
of foldgræfe. Feðegestas
845: eodon, æðelingas, in on þa ceastre.
Asetton þa on gesyhðe sigebeamas III
eorlas anhydige fore Elenan cneo,
collenferhðe. Cwen weorces gefeah
on ferhðsefan, ond þa frignan ongan
850: on hwylcum þara beama bearn wealdendes,
hæleða hyhtgifa, hangen wære:
"Hwæt, we þæt hyrdon þurh halige bec
tacnum cyðan, þæt twegen mid him
geþrowedon, ond he wæs þridda sylf
855: on rode treo. Rodor eal geswearc
on þa sliðan tid. Saga, gif ðu cunne,
on hwylcre þyssa þreora þeoden engla
geþrowode, þrymmes hyrde."
Ne meahte hire Iudas, ne ful gere wiste,
860: sweotole gecyþan be ðam sigebeame,
on hwylcne se hælend ahafen wære,
sigebearn godes, ær he asettan heht
on þone middel þære mæran byrig
beamas mid bearhtme, ond gebidan þær
865: oððæt him gecyðde cyning ælmihtig
wundor for weorodum be ðam wuldres treo.
Gesæton sigerofe, sang ahofon,
rædþeahtende, ymb þa roda þreo
oð þa nigoðan tid, hæfdon neowne gefean
870: mærðum gemeted. þa þær menigo cwom,
folc unlytel, ond gefærenne man
brohton on bære beorna þreate
on neaweste, (wæs þa nigoðe tid),
gingne gastleasne. þa ðær Iudas wæs
875: on modsefan miclum geblissod.
Heht þa asettan sawlleasne,
life belidenes lic on eorðan,
unlifgendes, ond up ahof
rihtes wemend þara roda twa
880: fyrhðgleaw on fæðme ofer þæt fæge hus,
deophycgende. Hit wæs dead swa ær,
lic legere fæst. Leomu colodon
þreanedum beþeaht. þa sio þridde wæs
ahafen halig. Hra wæs on anbide
885: oððæt him uppan æðelinges wæs
rod aræred, rodorcyninges beam,
sigebeacen soð. He sona aras
gaste gegearwod, geador bu samod
lic ond sawl. þær wæs lof hafen
890: fæger mid þy folce. Fæder weorðodon,
ond þone soðan sunu wealdendes
wordum heredon. Sie him wuldor ond þanc
a butan ende eallra gesceafta!
ða wæs þam folce on ferhðsefan,
895: ingemynde, swa him a scyle,
wundor þa þe worhte weoroda dryhten
to feorhnere fira cynne,
lifes lattiow. þa þær ligesynnig
on lyft astah lacende feond.
900: Ongan þa hleoðrian helledeofol,
eatol æclæca, yfela gemyndig:
"Hwæt is þis, la, manna, þe minne eft
þurh fyrngeflit folgaþ wyrdeð,
iceð ealdne nið, æhta strudeð?
905: þis is singal sacu. Sawla ne moton
manfremmende in minum leng
æhtum wunigan. Nu cwom elþeodig,
þone ic ær on firenum fæstne talde,
hafað mec bereafod rihta gehwylces,
910: feohgestreona. Nis ðæt fæger sið.
Feala me se hælend hearma gefremede,
niða nearolicra, se ðe in Nazareð
afeded wæs. Syððan furþum weox
of cildhade, symle cirde to him
915: æhte mine. Ne mot ænige nu
rihte spowan. Is his rice brad
ofer middangeard. Min is geswiðrod
ræd under roderum. Ic þa rode ne þearf
hleahtre herigean. Hwæt, se hælend me
920: in þam engan ham oft getynde,
geomrum to sorge! Ic þurh Iudas ær
hyhtful gewearð, ond nu gehyned eom,
goda geasne, þurh Iudas eft,
fah ond freondleas. Gen ic findan can
925: þurh wrohtstafas wiðercyr siððan
of ðam wearhtreafum, ic awecce wið ðe
oðerne cyning, se ehteð þin,
ond he forlæteð lare þine
ond manþeawum minum folgaþ,
930: ond þec þonne sendeð in þa sweartestan
ond þa wyrrestan witebrogan,
þæt ðu, sarum forsoht, wiðsæcest fæste
þone ahangnan cyning, þam ðu hyrdest ær."
Him ða gleawhydig Iudas oncwæð,
935: hæleð hildedeor, (him wæs halig gast
befolen fæste, fyrhat lufu,
weallende gewitt þurh witgan snyttro),
ond þæt word gecwæð, wisdomes ful:
"Ne þearft ðu swa swiðe, synna gemyndig,
940: sar niwigan ond sæce ræran,
morðres manfrea, þæt þe se mihtiga cyning
in neolnesse nyðer bescufeð,
synwyrcende, in susla grund
domes leasne, se ðe deadra feala
945: worde awehte. Wite ðu þe gearwor
þæt ðu unsnyttrum anforlete
leohta beorhtost ond lufan dryhtnes,
þone fægran gefean, ond on fyrbæðe
suslum beþrungen syððan wunodest,
950: ade onæled, ond þær awa scealt,
wiðerhycgende, wergðu dreogan,
yrmðu butan ende." Elene gehyrde
hu se feond ond se freond geflitu rærdon,
tireadig ond trag, on twa halfa,
955: synnig ond gesælig. Sefa wæs þe glædra
þæs þe heo gehyrde þone hellesceaþan
oferswiðedne, synna bryttan,
ond þa wundrade ymb þæs weres snyttro,
hu he swa geleafful on swa lytlum fæce
960: ond swa uncyðig æfre wurde,
gleawnesse þurhgoten. Gode þancode,
wuldorcyninge, þæs hire se willa gelamp
þurh bearn godes bega gehwæðres,
ge æt þære gesyhðe þæs sigebeames,
965: ge ðæs geleafan þe hio swa leohte oncneow,
wuldorfæste gife in þæs weres breostum.
ða wæs gefrege in þære folcsceare,
geond þa werþeode wide læded,
mære morgenspel manigum on andan
970: þara þe dryhtnes æ dyrnan woldon,
boden æfter burgum, swa brimo fæðmeð,
in ceastra gehwære, þæt Cristes rod,
fyrn foldan begræfen, funden wære,
selest sigebeacna þara þe sið oððe ær
975: halig under heofenum ahafen wurde,
ond wæs Iudeum gnornsorga mæst,
werum wansæligum, wyrda laðost,
þær hie hit for worulde wendan meahton,
cristenra gefean. ða sio cwen bebead
980: ofer eorlmægen aras fysan
ricene to rade. Sceoldon Romwarena
ofer heanne holm hlaford secean
ond þam wiggende wilspella mæst
seolfum gesecgan, þæt ðæt sigorbeacen
985: þurh meotodes est meted wære,
funden in foldan, þæt ær feala mæla
behyded wæs halgum to teonan,
cristenum folce. þa ðam cininge wearð
þurh þa mæran word mod geblissod,
990: ferhð gefeonde. Næs þa fricgendra
under goldhoman gad in burgum,
feorran geferede. Wæs him frofra mæst
geworden in worlde æt ðam willspelle,
hlihende hyge, þe him hereræswan
995: ofer eastwegas, aras brohton,
hu gesundne sið ofer swonrade
secgas mid sigecwen aseted hæfdon
on Creca land. Hie se casere heht
ofstum myclum eft gearwian
1000: sylfe to siðe. Secgas ne gældon
syððan andsware edre gehyrdon,
æðelinges word. Heht he Elenan hæl
abeodan beadurofre, gif hie brim nesen
ond gesundne sið settan mosten,
1005: hæleð hwætmode, to þære halgan byrig.
Heht hire þa aras eac gebeodan
Constantinus þæt hio cirican þær
on þam beorhhliðe begra rædum
getimbrede, tempel dryhtnes
1010: on Caluarie Criste to willan,
hæleðum to helpe, þær sio halige rod
gemeted wæs, mærost beama
þara þe gefrugnen foldbuende
on eorðwege. Hio geefnde swa,
1015: siððan winemagas westan brohton
ofer lagufæsten leofspell manig.
ða seo cwen bebead cræftum getyde
sundor asecean þa selestan,
þa þe wrætlicost wyrcan cuðon
1020: stangefogum, on þam stedewange
girwan godes tempel, swa hire gasta weard
reord of roderum. Heo þa rode heht
golde beweorcean ond gimcynnum,
mid þam æðelestum eorcnanstanum
1025: besettan searocræftum ond þa in seolfren fæt
locum belucan. þær þæt lifes treo,
selest sigebeama, siððan wunode
æðelum anbræce. þær bið a gearu
wraðu wannhalum wita gehwylces,
1030: sæce ond sorge. Hie sona þær
þurh þa halgan gesceaft helpe findaþ,
godcunde gife. Swylce Iudas onfeng
æfter fyrstmearce fulwihtes bæð,
ond geclænsod wearð Criste getrywe,
1035: lifwearde leof. His geleafa wearð
fæst on ferhðe, siððan frofre gast
wic gewunode in þæs weres breostum,
bylde to bote. He þæt betere geceas,
wuldres wynne, ond þam wyrsan wiðsoc,
1040: deofulgildum, ond gedwolan fylde,
unrihte æ. Him wearð ece rex,
meotud milde, god, mihta wealdend.
þa wæs gefulwad se ðe ær feala tida
leoht gearu
1045: inbryrded breostsefa on þæt betere lif,
gewended to wuldre. Huru, wyrd gescreaf
þæt he swa geleaffull ond swa leof gode
in worldrice weorðan sceolde,
Criste gecweme. þæt gecyðed wearð,
1050: siððan Elene heht Eusebium
on rædgeþeaht, Rome bisceop,
gefetian on fultum, forðsnoterne,
hæleða gerædum to þære halgan byrig,
þæt he gesette on sacerdhad
1055: in Ierusalem Iudas þam folce
to bisceope burgum on innan,
þurh gastes gife to godes temple
cræftum gecorene, ond hine Cyriacus
þurh snyttro geþeaht syððan nemde
1060: niwan stefne. Nama wæs gecyrred
beornes in burgum on þæt betere forð,
æ hælendes. þa gen Elenan wæs
mod gemynde ymb þa mæran wyrd,
geneahhe for þam næglum þe ðæs nergendes
1065: fet þurhwodon ond his folme swa some,
mid þam on rode wæs rodera wealdend
gefæstnod, frea mihtig. Be ðam frignan ongan
cristenra cwen, Cyriacus bæd
þæt hire þa gina gastes mihtum
1070: ymb wundorwyrd willan gefylde,
onwrige wuldorgifum, ond þæt word acwæð
to þam bisceope, bald reordode:
"þu me, eorla hleo, þone æðelan beam,
rode rodera cininges ryhte getæhtesð,
1075: on þa ahangen wæs hæðenum folmum
gasta geocend, godes agen bearn,
nerigend fira. Mec þæra nægla gen
on fyrhðsefan fyrwet myngaþ.
Wolde ic þæt ðu funde þa ðe in foldan gen
1080: deope bedolfen dierne sindon,
heolstre behyded. A min hige sorgað,
reonig reoteð, ond geresteð no
ærþan me gefylle fæder ælmihtig,
wereda wealdend, willan minne,
1085: niða nergend, þurh þara nægla cyme,
halig of hiehða. Nu ðu hrædlice
eallum eaðmedum, ar selesta,
þine bene onsend in ða beorhtan gesceaft,
on wuldres wyn. Bide wigena þrym
1090: þæt þe gecyðe, cyning ælmihtig,
hord under hrusan þæt gehyded gen,
duguðum dyrne, deogol bideð."
þa se halga ongan hyge staðolian,
breostum onbryrded, bisceop þæs folces.
1095: Glædmod eode gumena þreate
god hergendra, ond þa geornlice
Cyriacus on Caluariæ
hleor onhylde, hygerune ne mað,
gastes mihtum to gode cleopode
1100: eallum eaðmedum, bæd him engla weard
geopenigean uncuðe wyrd,
niwan on nearwe, hwær he þara nægla swiðost
on þam wangstede wenan þorfte.
Leort ða tacen forð, þær hie to sægon,
1105: fæder, frofre gast, ðurh fyres bleo
up eðigean þær þa æðelestan
hæleða gerædum hydde wæron
þurh nearusearwe, næglas on eorðan.
ða cwom semninga sunnan beorhtra
1110: lacende lig. Leode gesawon
hira willgifan wundor cyðan,
ða ðær of heolstre, swylce heofonsteorran
oððe goldgimmas, grunde getenge,
næglas of nearwe neoðan scinende
1115: leohte lixton. Leode gefægon,
weorud willhreðig, sægdon wuldor gode
ealle anmode, þeah hie ær wæron
þurh deofles spild in gedwolan lange,
acyrred fram Criste. Hie cwædon þus:
1120: "Nu we seolfe geseoð sigores tacen,
soðwundor godes, þeah we wiðsocun ær
mid leasingum. Nu is in leoht cymen,
onwrigen, wyrda bigang. Wuldor þæs age
on heannesse heofonrices god!"
1125: ða wæs geblissod se ðe to bote gehwearf
þurh bearn godes, bisceop þara leoda,
niwan stefne. He þam næglum onfeng,
egesan geaclod, ond þære arwyrðan
cwene brohte. Hæfde Ciriacus
1130: eall gefylled, swa him seo æðele bebead,
wifes willan. þa wæs wopes hring,
hat heafodwylm ofer hleor goten,
(nalles for torne tearas feollon
ofer wira gespon), wuldres gefylled
1135: cwene willa. Heo on cneow sette
leohte geleafan, lac weorðode,
blissum hremig, þe hire brungen wæs
gnyrna to geoce. Gode þancode,
sigora dryhtne, þæs þe hio soð gecneow
1140: ondweardlice þæt wæs oft bodod
feor ær beforan fram fruman worulde,
folcum to frofre. Heo gefylled wæs
wisdomes gife, ond þa wic beheold
halig heofonlic gast, hreðer weardode,
1145: æðelne innoð, swa hie ælmihtig
sigebearn godes sioððan freoðode.
Ongan þa geornlice gastgerynum
on sefan secean soðfæstnesse
weg to wuldre. Huru, weroda god
1150: gefullæste, fæder on roderum,
cining ælmihtig, þæt seo cwen begeat
willan in worulde. Wæs se witedom
þurh fyrnwitan beforan sungen
eall æfter orde, swa hit eft gelamp
1155: ðinga gehwylces. þeodcwen ongan
þurh gastes gife georne secan
nearwe geneahhe, to hwan hio þa næglas selost
ond deorlicost gedon meahte,
dugoðum to hroðer, hwæt þæs wære dryhtnes willa.
1160: Heht ða gefetigean forðsnotterne
ricene to rune, þone þe rædgeþeaht
þurh gleawe miht georne cuðe,
frodne on ferhðe, ond hine frignan ongan
hwæt him þæs on sefan selost þuhte
1165: to gelæstenne, ond his lare geceas
þurh þeodscipe. He hire þriste oncwæð:
"þæt is gedafenlic þæt ðu dryhtnes word
on hyge healde, halige rune,
cwen seleste, ond þæs cininges bebod
1170: georne begange, nu þe god sealde
sawle sigesped ond snyttro cræft,
nerigend fira. þu ðas næglas hat
þam æðelestan eorðcyninga
burgagendra on his bridels don,
1175: meare to midlum. þæt manigum sceall
geond middangeard mære weorðan,
þonne æt sæcce mid þy oferswiðan mæge
feonda gehwylcne, þonne fyrdhwate
on twa healfe tohtan secaþ,
1180: sweordgeniðlan, þær hie ymb sige winnað,
wrað wið wraðum. He ah æt wigge sped,
sigor æt sæcce, ond sybbe gehwær,
æt gefeohte frið, se ðe foran lædeð
bridels on blancan, þonne beadurofe
1185: æt garþræce, guman gecoste,
berað bord ond ord. þis bið beorna gehwam
wið æglæce unoferswiðed
wæpen æt wigge. Be ðam se witga sang,
snottor searuþancum, (sefa deop gewod,
1190: wisdomes gewitt), he þæt word gecwæð:
'Cuþ þæt gewyrðeð þæt þæs cyninges sceal
mearh under modegum midlum geweorðod,
bridelshringum. Bið þæt beacen gode
halig nemned, ond se hwæteadig,
1195: wigge weorðod, se þæt wicg byrð.'"
þa þæt ofstlice eall gelæste
Elene for eorlum. æðelinges heht,
beorna beaggifan, bridels frætwan,
hire selfre suna sende to lace
1200: ofer geofenes stream gife unscynde.
Heht þa tosomne þa heo seleste
mid Iudeum gumena wiste,
hæleða cynnes, to þære halgan byrig
cuman in þa ceastre. þa seo cwen ongan
1205: læran leofra heap þæt hie lufan dryhtnes,
ond sybbe swa same sylfra betweonum,
freondræddenne, fæste gelæston
leahtorlease in hira lifes tid,
ond þæs latteowes larum hyrdon,
1210: cristenum þeawum, þe him Cyriacus
bude, boca gleaw. Wæs se bissceophad
fægere befæsted. Oft him feorran to
laman, limseoce, lefe cwomon,
healte, heorudreorige, hreofe ond blinde,
1215: heane, hygegeomre, symle hælo þær
æt þam bisceope, bote fundon
ece to aldre. ða gen him Elene forgeaf
sincweorðunga, þa hio wæs siðes fus
eft to eðle, ond þa eallum bebead
1220: on þam gumrice god hergendum,
werum ond wifum, þæt hie weorðeden
mode ond mægene þone mæran dæg,
heortan gehigdum, in ðam sio halige rod
gemeted wæs, mærost beama
1225: þara þe of eorðan up aweoxe,
geloden under leafum. Wæs þa lencten agan
butan VI nihtum ær sumeres cyme
on Maias kalend. Sie þara manna gehwam
behliden helle duru, heofones ontyned,
1230: ece geopenad engla rice,
dream unhwilen, ond hira dæl scired
mid Marian, þe on gemynd nime
þære deorestan dægweorðunga
rode under roderum, þa se ricesta
1235: ealles oferwealdend earme beþeahte. Finit.
þus ic frod ond fus þurh þæt fæcne hus
wordcræftum wæf ond wundrum læs,
þragum þreodude ond geþanc reodode
nihtes nearwe. Nysse ic gearwe
1240: be ðære rode riht ær me rumran geþeaht
þurh ða mæran miht on modes þeaht
wisdom onwreah. Ic wæs weorcum fah,
synnum asæled, sorgum gewæled,
bitrum gebunden, bisgum beþrungen,
1245: ær me lare onlag þurh leohtne had
gamelum to geoce, gife unscynde
mægencyning amæt ond on gemynd begeat,
torht ontynde, tidum gerymde,
bancofan onband, breostlocan onwand,
1250: leoðucræft onleac. þæs ic lustum breac,
willum in worlde. Ic þæs wuldres treowes
oft, nales æne, hæfde ingemynd
ær ic þæt wundor onwrigen hæfde
ymb þone beorhtan beam, swa ic on bocum fand,
1255: wyrda gangum, on gewritum cyðan
be ðam sigebeacne. A wæs secg oð ðæt
cnyssed cearwelmum, ᚳ drusende,
þeah he in medohealle maðmas þege,
æplede gold. ᚣ gnornode
1260: ᚾ gefera, nearusorge dreah,
enge rune, þær him ᛖ fore
milpaðas mæt, modig þrægde
wirum gewlenced. ᚹ is geswiðrad,
gomen æfter gearum, geogoð is gecyrred,
1265: ald onmedla. ᚢ wæs geara
geogoðhades glæm. Nu synt geardagas
æfter fyrstmearce forð gewitene,
lifwynne geliden, swa ᛚ toglideð,
flodas gefysde. ᛇ æghwam bið
1270: læne under lyfte; landes frætwe
gewitaþ under wolcnum winde geliccost,
þonne he for hæleðum hlud astigeð,
wæðeð be wolcnum, wedende færeð
ond eft semninga swige gewyrðeð,
1275: in nedcleofan nearwe geheaðrod,
þream forþrycced.
Swa a þeos world eall gewiteð,
ond eac swa some þe hire on wurdon
atydrede, tionleg nimeð,
1280: ðonne dryhten sylf dom geseceð
engla weorude. Sceall æghwylc ðær
reordberendra riht gehyran
dæda gehwylcra þurh þæs deman muð,
ond worda swa same wed gesyllan,
1285: eallra unsnyttro ær gesprecenra,
þristra geþonca. þonne on þreo dæleð
in fyres feng folc anra gehwylc,
þara þe gewurdon on widan feore
ofer sidne grund. Soðfæste bioð
1290: yfemest in þam ade, eadigra gedryht,
duguð domgeorne, swa hie adreogan magon
ond butan earfeðum eaðe geþolian,
modigra mægen. Him gemetgaþ eall
ældes leoma, swa him eðost bið,
1295: sylfum geseftost. Synfulle beoð,
mane gemengde, in ðam midle þread,
hæleð higegeomre, in hatne wylm,
þrosme beþehte. Bið se þridda dæl,
awyrgede womsceaðan, in þæs wylmes grund,
1300: lease leodhatan, lige befæsted
þurh ærgewyrht, arleasra sceolu,
in gleda gripe. Gode no syððan
of ðam morðorhofe in gemynd cumað,
wuldorcyninge, ac hie worpene beoð
1305: of ðam heaðuwylme in hellegrund,
torngeniðlan. Bið þam twam dælum
ungelice. Moton engla frean
geseon, sigora god. Hie asodene beoð,
asundrod fram synnum, swa smæte gold
1310: þæt in wylme bið womma gehwylces
þurh ofnes fyr eall geclænsod,
amered ond gemylted. Swa bið þara manna ælc
ascyred ond asceaden scylda gehwylcre,
deopra firena, þurh þæs domes fyr.
1315: Moton þonne siðþan sybbe brucan,
eces eadwelan. Him bið engla weard
milde ond bliðe, þæs ðe hie mana gehwylc
forsawon, synna weorc, ond to suna metudes
wordum cleopodon. Forðan hie nu on wlite scinaþ
1320: englum gelice, yrfes brucaþ
wuldorcyninges to widan feore.
Amen.