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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
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
hofon hæþengield,         halge cwelmdon,
breotun boccræftge,         bærndon gecorene,
gæston godes cempan         gare ond lige.
Sum wæs æhtwelig         æþeles cynnes
rice gerefa.         Rondburgum weold,
20
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
"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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
dumbum ond deafum         deofolgieldum,
gæsta geniðlum         gaful onhate,
þam wyrrestum         wites þegnum,
ac ic weorðige         wuldres ealdor
middangeardes         ond mægenþrymmes,
155
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
"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
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
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
"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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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>