Metrical Preface to the Pastoral Car

Verse Early Saxon

þis ærendgewrit Agustinus
ofer sealtne sæ suðan brohte
iegbuendum, swa hit ær fore
adihtode dryhtnes cempa,

5

Rome papa. Ryhtspell monig
Gregorius gleawmod gindwod
ðurh sefan snyttro, searoðonca hord.
Forðæm he monncynnes mæst gestriende
rodra wearde, Romwara betest,

10

monna modwelegost, mærðum gefrægost.
Siððan min on englisc ælfred kyning
awende worda gehwelc, and me his writerum
sende suð and norð, heht him swelcra ma
brengan bi ðære bisene, ðæt he his biscepum

15

sendan meahte, forðæm hi his sume ðorfton,
ða ðe lædenspræce læste cuðon.