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Juliana
Verse Indeterminate Saxon
-
Hwæt! We ðæt hyrdon hæleð eahtian,
deman dædhwate, þætte in dagum gelamp
Maximianes, se geond middangeard,
arleas cyning, eahtnysse ahof,
- 5
-
cwealde cristne men, circan fylde,
geat on græswong godhergendra,
hæþen hildfruma, haligra blod,
ryhtfremmendra. Wæs his rice brad,
wid ond weorðlic ofer werþeode,
- 10
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lytesna ofer ealne yrmenne grund.
Foron æfter burgum, swa he biboden hæfde,
þegnas þryðfulle. Oft hi þræce rærdon,
dædum gedwolene, þa þe dryhtnes æ
feodon þurh firencræft. Feondscype rærdon,
- 15
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hofon hæþengield, halge cwelmdon,
breotun boccræftge, bærndon gecorene,
gæston godes cempan gare ond lige.
Sum wæs æhtwelig æþeles cynnes
rice gerefa. Rondburgum weold,
- 20
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eard weardade oftast symle
in þære ceastre Commedia,
heold hordgestreon. Oft he hæþengield
ofer word godes, weoh gesohte
neode geneahhe. Wæs him noma cenned
- 25
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Heliseus, hæfde ealdordom
micelne ond mærne. ða his mod ongon
fæmnan lufian, (hine fyrwet bræc),
Iulianan. Hio in gæste bær
halge treowe, hogde georne
- 30
-
þæt hire mægðhad mana gehwylces
fore Cristes lufan clæne geheolde.
ða wæs sio fæmne mid hyre fæder willan
welegum biweddad; wyrd ne ful cuþe,
freondrædenne hu heo from hogde,
- 35
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geong on gæste. Hire wæs godes egsa
mara in gemyndum, þonne eall þæt maþþumgesteald
þe in þæs æþelinges æhtum wunade.
þa wæs se weliga þæra wifgifta,
goldspedig guma, georn on mode,
- 40
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þæt him mon fromlicast fæmnan gegyrede,
bryd to bolde. Heo þæs beornes lufan
fæste wiðhogde, þeah þe feohgestreon
under hordlocan, hyrsta unrim
æhte ofer eorþan. Heo þæt eal forseah,
- 45
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ond þæt word acwæð on wera mengu:
"Ic þe mæg gesecgan þæt þu þec sylfne ne þearft
swiþor swencan. Gif þu soðne god
lufast ond gelyfest, ond his lof rærest,
ongietest gæsta hleo, ic beo gearo sona
- 50
-
unwaclice willan þines.
Swylce ic þe secge, gif þu to sæmran gode
þurh deofolgield dæde biþencest,
hætsð hæþenweoh, ne meaht þu habban mec,
ne geþreatian þe to gesingan.
- 55
-
Næfre þu þæs swiðlic sar gegearwast
þurh hæstne nið heardra wita,
þæt þu mec onwende worda þissa."
ða se æþeling wearð yrre gebolgen,
firendædum fah, gehyrde þære fæmnan word,
- 60
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het ða gefetigan ferend snelle,
hreoh ond hygeblind, haligre fæder,
recene to rune. Reord up astag,
siþþan hy togædre garas hlændon,
hildeþremman. Hæðne wæron begen
- 65
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synnum seoce, sweor ond aþum.
ða reordode rices hyrde
wið þære fæmnan fæder frecne mode,
daraðhæbbende: "Me þin dohtor hafað
geywed orwyrðu. Heo me on an sagað
- 70
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þæt heo mæglufan minre ne gyme,
freondrædenne. Me þa fraceðu sind
on modsefan mæste weorce,
þæt heo mec swa torne tæle gerahte
fore þissum folce, het me fremdne god,
- 75
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ofer þa oþre þe we ær cuþon,
welum weorþian, wordum lofian,
on hyge hergan, oþþe hi nabban."
Geswearc þa swiðferð sweor æfter worde,
þære fæmnan fæder, ferðlocan onspeon:
- 80
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"Ic þæt geswerge þurh soð godu,
swa ic are æt him æfre finde,
oþþe, þeoden, æt þe þine hyldu
winburgum in, gif þas word sind soþ,
monna leofast, þe þu me sagast,
- 85
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þæt ic hy ne sparige, ac on spild giefe,
þeoden mæra, þe to gewealde.
Dem þu hi to deaþe, gif þe gedafen þince,
swa to life læt, swa þe leofre sy."
Eode þa fromlice fæmnan to spræce,
- 90
-
anræd ond yreþweorg, yrre gebolgen,
þær he glædmode geonge wiste
wic weardian. He þa worde cwæð:
"ðu eart dohtor min seo dyreste
ond seo sweteste in sefan minum,
- 95
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ange for eorþan, minra eagna leoht,
Iuliana! þu on geaþe hafast
þurh þin orlegu unbiþyrfe
ofer witena dom wisan gefongen.
Wiðsæcest þu to swiþe sylfre rædes
- 100
-
þinum brydguman, se is betra þonne þu,
æþelra for eorþan, æhtspedigra
feohgestreona. He is to freonde god.
Forþon is þæs wyrþe, þæt þu þæs weres frige,
ece eadlufan, an ne forlæte."
- 105
-
Him þa seo eadge ageaf ondsware,
Iuliana (hio to gode hæfde
freondrædenne fæste gestaþelad):
"Næfre ic þæs þeodnes þafian wille
mægrædenne, nemne he mægna god
- 110
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geornor bigonge þonne he gen dyde,
lufige mid lacum þone þe leoht gescop,
heofon ond eorðan ond holma bigong,
eodera ymbhwyrft. Ne mæg he elles mec
bringan to bolde. He þa brydlufan
- 115
-
sceal to oþerre æhtgestealdum
idese secan; nafað he ænige her."
Hyre þa þurh yrre ageaf ondsware
fæder feondlice, nales frætwe onheht:
"Ic þæt gefremme, gif min feorh leofað
- 120
-
gif þu unrædes ær ne geswicest,
ond þu fremdu godu forð bigongest
ond þa forlætest þe us leofran sind,
þe þissum folce to freme stondað,
þæt þu ungeara ealdre scyldig
- 125
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þurh deora gripe deaþe sweltest,
gif þu geþafian nelt þingrædenne,
modges gemanan. Micel is þæt ongin
ond þreaniedlic þinre gelican,
þæt þu forhycge hlaford urne."
- 130
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Him þa seo eadge ageaf ondsware,
gleaw ond gode leof, Iuliana:
"Ic þe to soðe secgan wille,
bi me lifgendre nelle ic lyge fremman.
Næfre ic me ondræde domas þine,
- 135
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ne me weorce sind witebrogan,
hildewoman, þe þu hæstlice
manfremmende to me beotast,
ne þu næfre gedest þurh gedwolan þinne
þæt þu mec acyrre from Cristes lofe."
- 140
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ða wæs ellenwod, yrre ond reþe,
frecne ond ferðgrim, fæder wið dehter.
Het hi þa swingan, susle þreagan,
witum wægan, ond þæt word acwæð:
"Onwend þec in gewitte, ond þa word oncyr
- 145
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þe þu unsnyttrum ær gespræce,
þa þu goda ussa gield forhogdest."
Him seo unforhte ageaf ondsware
þurh gæstgehygd, Iuliana:
"Næfre þu gelærest þæt ic leasingum,
- 150
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dumbum ond deafum deofolgieldum,
gæsta geniðlum gaful onhate,
þam wyrrestum wites þegnum,
ac ic weorðige wuldres ealdor
middangeardes ond mægenþrymmes,
- 155
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ond him anum to eal biþence,
þæt he mundbora min geweorþe,
helpend ond hælend wið hellsceaþum."
Hy þa þurh yrre Affricanus,
fæder fæmnan ageaf on feonda geweald
- 160
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Heliseo. He in æringe
gelædan het æfter leohtes cyme
to his domsetle. Duguð wafade
on þære fæmnan wlite, folc eal geador.
Hy þa se æðeling ærest grette,
- 165
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hire brydguma, bliþum wordum:
"Min se swetesta sunnan scima,
Iuliana! Hwæt, þu glæm hafast,
ginfæste giefe, geoguðhades blæd!
Gif þu godum ussum gen gecwemest,
- 170
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ond þe to swa mildum mundbyrd secest,
hyldo to halgum, beoð þe ahylded fram
wraþe geworhtra wita unrim,
grimra gyrna, þe þe gegearwad sind,
gif þu onsecgan nelt soþum gieldum."
- 175
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Him seo æþele mæg ageaf ondsware:
"Næfre þu geþreatast þinum beotum,
ne wita þæs fela wraðra gegearwast,
þæt ic þeodscype þinne lufie,
buton þu forlæte þa leasinga,
- 180
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weohweorðinga, ond wuldres god
ongyte gleawlice, gæsta scyppend,
meotud moncynnes, in þæs meahtum sind
a butan ende ealle gesceafta."
ða for þam folce frecne mode
- 185
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beotwordum spræc, bealg hine swiþe
folcagende, ond þa fæmnan het
þurh niðwræce nacode þennan,
ond mid sweopum swingan synna lease.
Ahlog þa se hererinc, hospwordum spræc:
- 190
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"þis is ealdordom uncres gewynnes
on fruman gefongen! Gen ic feores þe
unnan wille, þeah þu ær fela
unwærlicra worda gespræce,
onsoce to swiðe þæt þu soð godu
- 195
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lufian wolde. þe þa lean sceolan
wiþerhycgendre, witebrogan,
æfter weorþan, butan þu ær wiþ hi
geþingige, ond him þoncwyrþe
æfter leahtorcwidum lac onsecge,
- 200
-
sibbe gesette. Læt þa sace restan,
lað leodgewin. Gif þu leng ofer þis
þurh þin dolwillen gedwolan fylgest,
þonne ic nyde sceal niþa gebæded
on þære grimmestan godscyld wrecan,
- 205
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torne teoncwide, þe þu tælnissum
wiþ þa selestan sacan ongunne,
ond þa mildestan þara þe men witen,
þe þes leodscype mid him longe bieode."
Him þæt æþele mod unforht oncwæð:
- 210
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"Ne ondræde ic me domas þine,
awyrged womsceaða, ne þinra wita bealo.
Hæbbe ic me to hyhte heofonrices weard,
mildne mundboran, mægna waldend,
se mec gescyldeð wið þinum scinlace
- 215
-
of gromra gripe, þe þu to godum tiohhast.
ða sind geasne goda gehwylces,
idle, orfeorme, unbiþyrfe,
ne þær freme meteð fira ænig
soðe sibbe, þeah þe sece to him
- 220
-
freondrædenne. He ne findeð þær
duguþe mid deoflum. Ic to dryhtne min
mod staþelige, se ofer mægna gehwylc
waldeð wideferh, wuldres agend,
sigora gehwylces. þæt is soð cyning."
- 225
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ða þam folctogan fracuðlic þuhte
þæt he ne meahte mod oncyrran,
fæmnan foreþonc. He bi feaxe het
ahon ond ahebban on heanne beam,
þær seo sunsciene slege þrowade,
- 230
-
sace singrimme, siex tida dæges,
ond he ædre het eft asettan,
laðgeniðla, ond gelædan bibead
to carcerne. Hyre wæs Cristes lof
in ferðlocan fæste biwunden,
- 235
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milde modsefan, mægen unbrice.
ða wæs mid clustre carcernes duru
behliden, homra geweorc. Halig þær inne
wærfæst wunade. Symle heo wuldorcyning
herede æt heortan, heofonrices god,
- 240
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in þam nydclafan, nergend fira,
heolstre bihelmad. Hyre wæs halig gæst
singal gesið. ða cwom semninga
in þæt hlinræced hæleða gewinna,
yfeles ondwis. Hæfde engles hiw,
- 245
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gleaw gyrnstafa gæstgeniðla,
helle hæftling, to þære halgan spræc:
"Hwæt dreogest þu, seo dyreste
ond seo weorþeste wuldorcyninge,
dryhtne ussum? ðe þes dema hafað
- 250
-
þa wyrrestan witu gegearwad,
sar endeleas, gif þu onsecgan nelt,
gleawhycgende, ond his godum cweman.
Wes þu on ofeste, swa he þec ut heonan
lædan hate, þæt þu lac hraþe
- 255
-
onsecge sigortifre, ær þec swylt nime,
deað fore duguðe. þy þu þæs deman scealt,
eadhreðig mæg, yrre gedygan."
Frægn þa fromlice, seo þe forht ne wæs,
Criste gecweme, hwonan his cyme wære.
- 260
-
Hyre se wræcmæcga wið þingade:
"Ic eom engel godes ufan siþende,
þegn geþungen, ond to þe sended,
halig of heahþu. þe sind heardlicu,
wundrum wælgrim, witu geteohhad
- 265
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to gringwræce. Het þe god beodan,
bearn waldendes, þæt þe burge þa."
ða wæs seo fæmne for þam færspelle
egsan geaclad, þe hyre se aglæca,
wuldres wiþerbreca, wordum sægde.
- 270
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Ongan þa fæstlice ferð staþelian,
geong grondorleas, to gode cleopian
"Nu ic þec, beorna hleo, biddan wille
ece ælmihtig, þurh þæt æþele gesceap
þe þu, fæder engla, æt fruman settest,
- 275
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þæt þu me ne læte of lofe hweorfan
þinre eadgife, swa me þes ar bodað
frecne færspel, þe me fore stondeð.
Swa ic þe, bilwitne, biddan wille
þæt þu me gecyðe, cyninga wuldor,
- 280
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þrymmes hyrde, hwæt þes þegn sy,
lyftlacende, þe mec læreð from þe
on stearcne weg." Hyre stefn oncwæð
wlitig of wolcnum, word hleoþrade:
"Forfoh þone frætgan ond fæste geheald,
- 285
-
oþþæt he his siðfæt secge mid ryhte,
ealne from orde, hwæt his æþelu syn."
ða wæs þære fæmnan ferð geblissad,
domeadigre. Heo þæt deofol genom
...... "ealra cyninga cyning to cwale syllan.
- 290
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ða gen ic gecræfte þæt se cempa ongon
waldend wundian, weorud to segon
þæt þær blod ond wæter bu tu ætgædre
eorþan sohtun. ða gen ic Herode
in hyge bisweop þæt he Iohannes bibead
- 295
-
heafde biheawan, ða se halga wer
þære wiflufan wordum styrde,
unryhtre æ. Eac ic gelærde
Simon searoþoncum þæt he sacan ongon
wiþ þa gecorenan Cristes þegnas,
- 300
-
ond þa halgan weras hospe gerahte
þurh deopne gedwolan, sægde hy dryas wæron.
Neþde ic nearobregdum þær ic Neron bisweac,
þæt he acwellan het Cristes þegnas,
Petrus ond Paulus. Pilatus ær
- 305
-
on rode aheng rodera waldend,
meotud meahtigne minum larum.
Swylce ic Egias eac gelærde
þæt he unsnytrum Andreas het
ahon haligne on heanne beam,
- 310
-
þæt he of galgan his gæst onsende
in wuldres wlite. þus ic wraþra fela
mid minum broþrum bealwa gefremede,
sweartra synna, þe ic asecgan ne mæg,
rume areccan, ne gerim witan,
- 315
-
heardra heteþonca." Him seo halge oncwæð
þurh gæstes giefe, Iuliana:
"þu scealt furþor gen, feond moncynnes,
siþfæt secgan, hwa þec sende to me."
Hyre se aglæca ageaf ondsware,
- 320
-
forhtafongen, friþes orwena:
"Hwæt, mec min fæder on þas fore to þe,
hellwarena cyning, hider onsende
of þam engan ham, se is yfla gehwæs
in þam grornhofe geornfulra þonne ic.
- 325
-
þonne he usic sendeð þæt we soðfæstra
þurh misgedwield mod oncyrren,
ahwyrfen from halor, we beoð hygegeomre,
forhte on ferðþe. Ne biþ us frea milde,
egesful ealdor, gif we yfles noht
- 330
-
gedon habbaþ; ne durran we siþþan
for his onsyne ower geferan.
þonne he onsendeð geond sidne grund
þegnas of þystrum, hateð þræce ræran,
gif we gemette sin on moldwege,
- 335
-
oþþe feor oþþe neah fundne weorþen,
þæt hi usic binden ond in bælwylme
suslum swingen. Gif soðfæstra
þurh myrrelsan mod ne oðcyrreð,
haligra hyge, we þa heardestan
- 340
-
ond þa wyrrestan witu geþoliað
þurh sarslege. Nu þu sylfa meaht
on sefan þinum soð gecnawan,
þæt ic þisse noþe wæs nyde gebæded,
þragmælum geþread, þæt ic þe sohte."
- 345
-
þa gen seo halge ongon hæleþa gewinnan,
wrohtes wyrhtan, wordum frignan,
fyrnsynna fruman: "þu me furþor scealt
secgan, sawla feond, hu þu soðfæstum
þurh synna slide swiþast sceþþe,
- 350
-
facne bifongen." Hyre se feond oncwæð,
wræcca wærleas, wordum mælde:
"Ic þe, ead mæg, yfla gehwylces
or gecyðe oð ende forð
þara þe ic gefremede, nalæs feam siðum,
- 355
-
synna wundum, þæt þu þy sweotolicor
sylf gecnawe þæt þis is soð, nales leas.
Ic þæt wende ond witod tealde
þriste geþoncge, þæt ic þe meahte
butan earfeþum anes cræfte
- 360
-
ahwyrfan from halor, þæt þu heofoncyninge
wiðsoce, sigora frean, ond to sæmran gebuge,
onsægde synna fruman. þus ic soðfæstum
þurh mislic bleo mod oncyrre.
þær ic hine finde ferð staþelian
- 365
-
to godes willan, ic beo gearo sona
þæt ic him monigfealde modes gælsan
ongean bere grimra geþonca,
dyrnra gedwilda, þurh gedwolena rim.
Ic him geswete synna lustas,
- 370
-
mæne modlufan, þæt he minum hraþe,
leahtrum gelenge, larum hyreð.
Ic hine þæs swiþe synnum onæle
þæt he byrnende from gebede swiceð,
stepeð stronglice, staþolfæst ne mæg
- 375
-
fore leahtra lufan lenge gewunian
in gebedstowe. Swa ic brogan to
laðne gelæde þam þe ic lifes ofonn,
leohtes geleafan, ond he larum wile
þurh modes myne minum hyran,
- 380
-
synne fremman, he siþþan sceal
godra gumcysta geasne hweorfan.
Gif ic ænigne ellenrofne
gemete modigne metodes cempan
wið flanþræce, nele feor þonan
- 385
-
bugan from beaduwe, ac he bord ongean
hefeð hygesnottor, haligne scyld,
gæstlic guðreaf, nele gode swican,
ac he beald in gebede bidsteal gifeð
fæste on feðan, ic sceal feor þonan
- 390
-
heanmod hweorfan, hroþra bidæled,
in gleda gripe, gehðu mænan,
þæt ic ne meahte mægnes cræfte
guðe wiðgongan, ac ic geomor sceal
secan oþerne ellenleasran,
- 395
-
under cumbolhagan, cempan sænran,
þe ic onbryrdan mæge beorman mine,
agælan æt guþe. þeah he godes hwæt
onginne gæstlice, ic beo gearo sona,
þæt ic ingehygd eal geondwlite,
- 400
-
hu gefæstnad sy ferð innanweard,
wiðsteall geworht. Ic þæs wealles geat
ontyne þurh teonan; bið se torr þyrel,
ingong geopenad, þonne ic ærest him
þurh eargfare in onsende
- 405
-
in breostsefan bitre geþoncas
þurh mislice modes willan,
þæt him sylfum selle þynceð
leahtras to fremman ofer lof godes,
lices lustas. Ic beo lareow georn
- 410
-
þæt he monþeawum minum lifge
acyrred cuðlice from Cristes æ,
mod gemyrred me to gewealde
in synna seað. Ic þære sawle ma
geornor gyme ymb þæs gæstes forwyrd
- 415
-
þonne þæs lichoman, se þe on legre sceal
weorðan in worulde wyrme to hroþor,
bifolen in foldan." ða gien seo fæmne spræc:
"Saga, earmsceapen, unclæne gæst,
hu þu þec geþyde, þystra stihtend,
- 420
-
on clænra gemong? þu wið Criste geo
wærleas wunne ond gewin tuge,
hogdes wiþ halgum. þe wearð helle seað
niþer gedolfen, þær þu nydbysig
fore oferhygdum eard gesohtes.
- 425
-
Wende ic þæt þu þy wærra weorþan sceolde
wið soðfæstum swylces gemotes
ond þy unbealdra, þe þe oft wiðstod
þurh wuldorcyning willan þines."
Hyre þa se werga wið þingade,
- 430
-
earm aglæca: "þu me ærest saga,
hu þu gedyrstig þurh deop gehygd
wurde þus wigþrist ofer eall wifa cyn,
þæt þu mec þus fæste fetrum gebunde,
æghwæs orwigne. þu in ecne god,
- 435
-
þrymsittendne, þinne getreowdes,
meotud moncynnes, swa ic in minne fæder,
hellwarena cyning, hyht staþelie.
þonne ic beom onsended wið soðfæstum,
þæt ic in manweorcum mod oncyrre,
- 440
-
hyge from halor, me hwilum biþ
forwyrned þurh wiþersteall willan mines,
hyhtes æt halgum, swa me her gelamp
sorg on siþe. Ic þæt sylf gecneow
to late micles, sceal nu lange ofer þis,
- 445
-
scyldwyrcende, scame þrowian.
Forþon ic þec halsige þurh þæs hyhstan meaht,
rodorcyninges giefe, se þe on rode treo
geþrowade, þrymmes ealdor,
þæt þu miltsige me þearfendum,
- 450
-
þæt unsælig eall ne forweorþe,
þeah ic þec gedyrstig ond þus dolwillen
siþe gesohte, þær ic swiþe me
þyslicre ær þrage ne wende."
ða seo wlitescyne wuldres condel
- 455
-
to þam wærlogan wordum mælde:
"þu scealt ondettan yfeldæda ma,
hean helle gæst, ær þu heonan mote,
hwæt þu to teonan þurhtogen hæbbe
micelra manweorca manna tudre
- 460
-
deorcum gedwildum." Hyre þæt deofol oncwæð:
"Nu ic þæt gehyre þurh þinne hleoþorcwide,
þæt ic nyde sceal niþa gebæded
mod meldian, swa þu me beodest,
þreaned þolian. Is þeos þrag ful strong,
- 465
-
þreat ormæte. Ic sceal þinga gehwylc
þolian ond þafian on þinne dom,
womdæda onwreon, þe ic wideferg
sweartra gesyrede. Oft ic syne ofteah,
ablende bealoþoncum beorna unrim
- 470
-
monna cynnes, misthelme forbrægd
þurh attres ord eagna leoman
sweartum scurum, ond ic sumra fet
forbræc bealosearwum, sume in bryne sende,
in liges locan, þæt him lasta wearð
- 475
-
siþast gesyne. Eac ic sume gedyde
þæt him banlocan blode spiowedan,
þæt hi færinga feorh aleton
þurh ædra wylm. Sume on yðfare
wurdon on wege wætrum bisencte,
- 480
-
on mereflode, minum cræftum
under reone stream. Sume ic rode bifealh,
þæt hi hyra dreorge on hean galgan
lif aletan. Sume ic larum geteah,
to geflite fremede, þæt hy færinga
- 485
-
ealde æfþoncan edniwedan,
beore druncne. Ic him byrlade
wroht of wege, þæt hi in winsele
þurh sweordgripe sawle forletan
of flæschoman fæge scyndan,
- 490
-
sarum gesohte. Sume, þa ic funde
butan godes tacne, gymelease,
ungebletsade, þa ic bealdlice
þurh mislic cwealm minum hondum
searoþoncum slog. Ic asecgan ne mæg,
- 495
-
þeah ic gesitte sumerlongne dæg,
eal þa earfeþu þe ic ær ond siþ
gefremede to facne, siþþan furþum wæs
rodor aræred ond ryne tungla,
folde gefæstnad ond þa forman men,
- 500
-
Adam ond Aeue, þam ic ealdor oðþrong,
ond hy gelærde þæt hi lufan dryhtnes,
ece eadgiefe anforleton,
beorhtne boldwelan, þæt him bæm gewearð
yrmþu to ealdre, ond hyra eaferum swa,
- 505
-
mircast manweorca. Hwæt sceal ic ma riman
yfel endeleas? Ic eall gebær,
wraþe wrohtas geond werþeode,
þa þe gewurdun widan feore
from fruman worulde fira cynne,
- 510
-
eorlum on eorþan. Ne wæs ænig þara
þæt me þus þriste, swa þu nu þa,
halig mid hondum, hrinan dorste,
næs ænig þæs modig mon ofer eorþan
þurh halge meaht, heahfædra nan
- 515
-
ne witgena. þeah þe him weoruda god
onwrige, wuldres cyning, wisdomes gæst,
giefe unmæte, hwæþre ic gong to þam
agan moste. Næs ænig þara
þæt mec þus bealdlice bennum bilegde,
- 520
-
þream forþrycte, ær þu nu þa
þa miclan meaht mine oferswiðdest,
fæste forfenge, þe me fæder sealde,
feond moncynnes, þa he mec feran het,
þeoden of þystrum, þæt ic þe sceolde
- 525
-
synne swetan. þær mec sorg bicwom,
hefig hondgewinn. Ic bihlyhhan ne þearf
æfter sarwræce siðfæt þisne
magum in gemonge, þonne ic mine sceal
agiefan gnorncearig gafulrædenne
- 530
-
in þam reongan ham." ða se gerefa het,
gealgmod guma, Iulianan
of þam engan hofe ut gelædan
on hyge halge hæþnum to spræce
to his domsetle. Heo þæt deofol teah,
- 535
-
breostum inbryrded, bendum fæstne,
halig hæþenne. Ongan þa hreowcearig
siðfæt seofian, sar cwanian,
wyrd wanian, wordum mælde:
"Ic þec halsige, hlæfdige min,
- 540
-
Iuliana, fore godes sibbum,
þæt þu furþur me fraceþu ne wyrce,
edwit for eorlum, þonne þu ær dydest,
þa þu oferswiþdest þone snotrestan
under hlinscuan helwarena cyning
- 545
-
in feonda byrig; þæt is fæder user,
morþres manfrea. Hwæt, þu mec þreades
þurh sarslege! Ic to soþe wat
þæt ic ær ne sið ænig ne mette
in woruldrice wif þe gelic,
- 550
-
þristran geþohtes ne þweorhtimbran
mægþa cynnes. Is on me sweotul
þæt þu unscamge æghwæs wurde
on ferþe frod." ða hine seo fæmne forlet
æfter þræchwile þystra neosan
- 555
-
in sweartne grund, sawla gewinnan,
on wita forwyrd. Wiste he þi gearwor,
manes melda, magum to secgan,
susles þegnum, hu him on siðe gelomp.
"georne ær
- 560
-
heredon on heahþu ond his halig word,
sægdon soðlice þæt he sigora gehwæs
ofer ealle gesceaft ana weolde,
ecra eadgiefa." ða cwom engel godes
frætwum blican ond þæt fyr tosceaf,
- 565
-
gefreode ond gefreoðade facnes clæne,
leahtra lease, ond þone lig towearp,
heorogiferne, þær seo halie stod,
mægþa bealdor, on þam midle gesund.
þæt þam weligan wæs weorc to þolianne,
- 570
-
þær he hit for worulde wendan meahte,
sohte synnum fah, hu he sarlicast
þurh þa wyrrestan witu meahte
feorhcwale findan. Næs se feond to læt,
se hine gelærde þæt he læmen fæt
- 575
-
biwyrcan het wundorcræfte,
wiges womum, ond wudubeamum,
holte bihlænan. ða se hearda bibead
þæt mon þæt lamfæt leades gefylde,
ond þa onbærnan het bælfira mæst,
- 580
-
ad onælan, se wæs æghwonan
ymbboren mid brondum. Bæð hate weol.
Het þa ofestlice yrre gebolgen
leahtra lease in þæs leades wylm
scufan butan scyldum. þa toscaden wearð
- 585
-
lig tolysed. Lead wide sprong,
hat, heorogifre. Hæleð wurdon acle
arasad for þy ræse. þær on rime forborn
þurh þæs fires fnæst fif ond hundseofontig
hæðnes herges. ða gen sio halge stod
- 590
-
ungewemde wlite. Næs hyre wloh ne hrægl,
ne feax ne fel fyre gemæled,
ne lic ne leoþu. Heo in lige stod
æghwæs onsund, sægde ealles þonc
dryhtna dryhtne. þa se dema wearð
- 595
-
hreoh ond hygegrim, ongon his hrægl teran,
swylce he grennade ond gristbitade,
wedde on gewitte swa wilde deor,
grymetade gealgmod ond his godu tælde,
þæs þe hy ne meahtun mægne wiþstondan
- 600
-
wifes willan. Wæs seo wuldres mæg
anræd ond unforht, eafoða gemyndig,
dryhtnes willan. þa se dema het
aswebban sorgcearig þurh sweordbite
on hyge halge, heafde bineotan
- 605
-
Criste gecorene. Hine se cwealm ne þeah,
siþþan he þone fintan furþor cuþe.
ða wearð þære halgan hyht geniwad
ond þæs mægdnes mod miclum geblissad,
siþþan heo gehyrde hæleð eahtian
- 610
-
inwitrune, þæt hyre endestæf
of gewindagum weorþan sceolde,
lif alysed. Het þa leahtra ful
clæne ond gecorene to cwale lædan,
synna lease. ða cwom semninga
- 615
-
hean helle gæst, hearmleoð agol,
earm ond unlæd, þone heo ær gebond
awyrgedne ond mid witum swong,
cleopade þa for corþre, ceargealdra full:
"Gyldað nu mid gyrne, þæt heo goda ussa
- 620
-
meaht forhogde, ond mec swiþast
geminsade, þæt ic to meldan wearð.
Lætað hy laþra leana hleotan
þurh wæpnes spor, wrecað ealdne nið,
synne gesohte. Ic þa sorge gemon,
- 625
-
hu ic bendum fæst bisga unrim
on anre niht earfeða dreag,
yfel ormætu." þa seo eadge biseah
ongean gramum, Iuliana,
gehyrde heo hearm galan helle deofol.
- 630
-
Feond moncynnes ongon þa on fleam sceacan,
wita neosan, ond þæt word acwæð:
"Wa me forworhtum! Nu is wen micel
þæt heo mec eft wille earmne gehynan
yflum yrmþum, swa heo mec ær dyde."
- 635
-
ða wæs gelæded londmearce neah
ond to þære stowe þær hi stearcferþe
þurh cumbolhete cwellan þohtun.
Ongon heo þa læran ond to lofe trymman
folc of firenum ond him frofre gehet,
- 640
-
weg to wuldre, ond þæt word acwæð:
"Gemunað wigena wyn ond wuldres þrym,
haligra hyht, heofonengla god.
He is þæs wyrðe, þæt hine werþeode
ond eal engla cynn up on roderum
- 645
-
hergen, heahmægen, þær is help gelong
ece to ealdre, þam þe agan sceal.
Forþon ic, leof weorud, læran wille,
æfremmende, þæt ge eower hus
gefæstnige, þy læs hit ferblædum
- 650
-
windas toweorpan. Weal sceal þy trumra
strong wiþstondan storma scurum,
leahtra gehygdum. Ge mid lufan sibbe,
leohte geleafan, to þam lifgendan
stane stiðhydge staþol fæstniað,
- 655
-
soðe treowe ond sibbe mid eow
healdað æt heortan, halge rune
þurh modes myne. þonne eow miltse giefeð
fæder ælmihtig, þær ge frofre agun
æt mægna gode, mæste þearfe
- 660
-
æfter sorgstafum. Forþon ge sylfe neton
utgong heonan, ende lifes.
Wærlic me þinceð þæt ge wæccende
wið hettendra hildewoman
wearde healden, þy læs eow wiþerfeohtend
- 665
-
weges forwyrnen to wuldres byrig.
Biddað bearn godes þæt me brego engla,
meotud moncynnes, milde geweorþe,
sigora sellend. Sibb sy mid eowic,
symle soþ lufu." ða hyre sawl wearð
- 670
-
alæded of lice to þam langan gefean
þurh sweordslege. þa se synscaþa
to scipe sceohmod sceaþena þreate
Heliseus ehstream sohte,
leolc ofer laguflod longe hwile
- 675
-
on swonrade. Swylt ealle fornom
secga hloþe ond hine sylfne mid,
ærþon hy to lande geliden hæfdon,
þurh þearlic þrea. þær XXX wæs
ond feowere eac feores onsohte
- 680
-
þurh wæges wylm wigena cynnes,
heane mid hlaford, hroþra bidæled,
hyhta lease helle sohton.
Ne þorftan þa þegnas in þam þystran ham,
seo geneatscolu in þam neolan scræfe,
- 685
-
to þam frumgare feohgestealda
witedra wenan, þæt hy in winsele
ofer beorsetle beagas þegon,
æpplede gold. Ungelice wæs
læded lofsongum lic haligre
- 690
-
micle mægne to moldgræfe,
þæt hy hit gebrohton burgum in innan,
sidfolc micel. þær siððan wæs
geara gongum godes lof hafen
þrymme micle oþ þisne dæg
- 695
-
mid þeodscipe. Is me þearf micel
þæt seo halge me helpe gefremme,
þonne me gedælað deorast ealra,
sibbe toslitað sinhiwan tu,
micle modlufan. Min sceal of lice
- 700
-
sawul on siðfæt, nat ic sylfa hwider,
eardes uncyðgu; of sceal ic þissum,
secan oþerne ærgewyrhtum,
gongan iudædum. Geomor hweorfeð
ᚳ ᚣ ond ᚾ. Cyning biþ reþe,
- 705
-
sigora syllend, þonne synnum fah
ᛖ ᚹ ond ᚢ acle bidað
hwæt him æfter dædum deman wille
lifes to leane. ᛚ ᛇ beofað,
seomað sorgcearig. Sar eal gemon,
- 710
-
synna wunde, þe ic siþ oþþe ær
geworhte in worulde. þæt ic wopig sceal
tearum mænan. Wæs an tid to læt
þæt ic yfeldæda ær gescomede,
þenden gæst ond lic geador siþedan
- 715
-
onsund on earde. þonne arna biþearf,
þæt me seo halge wið þone hyhstan cyning
geþingige. Mec þæs þearf monaþ,
micel modes sorg. Bidde ic monna gehwone
gumena cynnes, þe þis gied wræce,
- 720
-
þæt he mec neodful bi noman minum
gemyne modig, ond meotud bidde
þæt me heofona helm helpe gefremme,
meahta waldend, on þam miclan dæge,
fæder, frofre gæst, in þa frecnan tid,
- 725
-
dæda demend, ond se deora sunu,
þonne seo þrynis þrymsittende
in annesse ælda cynne
þurh þa sciran gesceaft scrifeð bi gewyrhtum
meorde monna gehwam. Forgif us, mægna god,
- 730
-
þæt we þine onsyne, æþelinga wyn,
milde gemeten on þa mæran tid.
Amen.
Notes
-
6. MS god hergendra.<text>
-
12. MS of.<text>
-
16. MS bærdon.<text>
-
38. MS þære.<text>
-
46. MS in.<text>
-
78. MS swor.<text>
-
86. MS geweald.<text>
-
91. MS glæd mod.<text>
-
116. MS ænig.<text>
-
128. MS þrea med lic.<text>
-
151. MS gæste.<text>
-
171. MS yldo.<text>
-
196. MS wiþer hycgen de.<text>
-
218. MS metet.<text>
-
264. MS welgrim.<text>
-
271. MS to cleopianne.<text>
-
288. MS domeadigra, a late spelling.<text>
-
294. MS bispeop.<text>
-
313. MS asengan.<text>
-
325. MS se.<text>
-
334. MS ge mete.<text>
-
338. MS neod cyrreð.<text>
-
348. MS soðfæst at the end of one line,
tum at the beginning of the next.<text>
-
354. MS sindon.<text>
-
371. MS hyrað.<text>
-
456. MS ond (Tironian "and" ) dettan.<text>
-
467. MS þy.<text>
-
468. MS of.<text>
-
479. MS onweg.<text>
-
485. MS eald.<text>
-
486. MS drucne.<text>
-
492. MS þeah.<text>
-
508. MS ge wordun.<text>
-
521. MS miclam.<text>
-
521. MS min.<text>
-
544. MS helwerena.<text>
-
545. MS his.<text>
-
549. MS wiþ.<text>
-
555. MS gewinna.<text>
-
559. A folio has been lost from the manuscript here.<text>
-
560. missing; weorc supplied by Holthausen.<text>
-
562. MS wolde.<text>
-
577. MS bi lænan.<text>
-
577. hearda supplied by Thorpe.<text>
-
586. MS æleð.<text>
-
599. MS meahtum.<text>
-
620. MS for hogd.<text>
-
628. MS Iulianan.<text>
-
630. MS flean.<text>
-
658. a word is missing from the MS. frofre is supplied by
Strunk and Krapp, but is metrically dubious. Trautmann supplied freme.<text>
-
687. MS sele. Note that beorsetle is a nonce word.<text>
-
701. MS uncyðþu.<text>
-
723. MS miclam.<text>