Andreas

Verse Indeterminate Saxon

Hwæt! We gefrunan on fyrndagum
twelfe under tunglum tireadige hæleð,
þeodnes þegnas. No hira þrym alæg
camprædenne þonne cumbol hneotan,

5

syððan hie gedældon, swa him dryhten sylf,
heofona heahcyning, hlyt getæhte.
þæt wæron mære men ofer eorðan,
frome folctogan ond fyrdhwate,
rofe rincas, þonne rond ond hand

10

on herefelda helm ealgodon,
on meotudwange. Wæs hira Matheus sum,
se mid Iudeum ongan godspell ærest
wordum writan wundorcræfte.
þam halig god hlyt geteode

15

ut on þæt igland þær ænig þa git
ellþeodigra eðles ne mihte
blædes brucan. Oft him bonena hand
on herefelda hearde gesceode.
Eal wæs þæt mearcland morðre bewunden,

20

feondes facne, folcstede gumena,
hæleða eðel. Næs þær hlafes wist
werum on þam wonge, ne wæteres drync
to bruconne, ah hie blod ond fel,
fira flæschoman, feorrancumenra,

25

ðegon geond þa þeode. Swelc wæs þeaw hira
þæt hie æghwylcne ellðeodigra
dydan him to mose meteþearfendum,
þara þe þæt ealand utan sohte.
Swylc wæs þæs folces freoðoleas tacen,

30

unlædra eafoð, þæt hie eagena gesihð,
hettend heorogrimme, heafodgimmas
agetton gealgmode gara ordum.
Syððan him geblendan bitere tosomne,
dryas þurh dwolcræft, drync unheorne,

35

se onwende gewit, wera ingeþanc,
heortan on hreðre, (hyge wæs oncyrred),
þæt hie ne murndan æfter mandreame,
hæleþ heorogrædige, ac hie hig ond gærs
for meteleaste meðe gedrehte.

40

þa wæs Matheus to þære mæran byrig
cumen in þa ceastre. þær wæs cirm micel
geond Mermedonia, manfulra hloð,
fordenera gedræg, syþþan deofles þegnas
geascodon æðelinges sið.

45

Eodon him þa togenes, garum gehyrsted,
lungre under linde, (nalas late wæron),
eorre æscberend, to þam orlege.
Hie þam halgan þær handa gebundon
ond fæstnodon feondes cræfte,

50

hæleð hellfuse, ond his heafdes segl
abreoton mid billes ecge. Hwæðre he in breostum þa git
herede in heortan heofonrices weard,
þeah ðe he atres drync atulne onfenge.
Eadig ond onmod, he mid elne forð

55

wyrðode wordum wuldres aldor,
heofonrices weard, halgan stefne,
of carcerne. Him wæs Cristes lof
on fyrhðlocan fæste bewunden.
He þa wepende weregum tearum

60

his sigedryhten sargan reorde
grette, gumena brego, geomran stefne,
weoruda wilgeofan, ond þus wordum cwæð:
"Hu me elþeodige inwitwrasne
searonet seowað! A ic symles wæs

65

on wega gehwam willan þines
georn on mode; nu ðurh geohða sceal
dæde fremman swa þa dumban neat.
þu ana canst ealra gehygdo,
meotud mancynnes, mod in hreðre.

70

Gif þin willa sie, wuldres aldor,
þæt me wærlogan wæpna ecgum,
sweordum, aswebban, ic beo sona gearu
to adreoganne þæt ðu, drihten min,
engla eadgifa, eðelleasum,

75

dugeða dædfruma, deman wille.
Forgif me to are, ælmihtig god,
leoht on þissum life, þy læs ic lungre scyle,
ablended in burgum, æfter billhete
þurh hearmcwide heorugrædigra,

80

laðra leodsceaðena, leng þrowian
edwitspræce. Ic to anum þe,
middangeardes weard, mod staþolige,
fæste fyrhðlufan, ond þe, fæder engla,
beorht blædgifa, biddan wille

85

ðæt ðu me ne gescyrige mid scyldhetum,
werigum wrohtsmiðum, on þone wyrrestan,
dugoða demend, deað ofer eorðan."
æfter þyssum wordum com wuldres tacen
halig of heofenum, swylce hadre segl

90

to þam carcerne. þær gecyðed wearð
þæt halig god helpe gefremede,
ða wearð gehyred heofoncyninges stefn
wrætlic under wolcnum, wordhleoðres sweg
mæres þeodnes. He his maguþegne

95

under hearmlocan hælo ond frofre
beadurofum abead beorhtan stefne:
"Ic þe, Matheus, mine sylle sybbe
under swegle. Ne beo ðu on sefan to forht,
ne on mode ne murn. Ic þe mid wunige

100

ond þe alyse of þyssum leoðubendum,
ond ealle þa menigo þe þe mid wuniað
on nearonedum. þe is neorxnawang,
blæda beorhtost, boldwela fægrost,
hama hyhtlicost, halegum mihtum

105

torht ontyned. þær ðu tyres most,
to widan feore willan brucan.
Geþola þeoda þrea! Nis seo þrah micel
þæt þe wærlogan witebendum,
synnige ðurh searocræft, swencan motan.

110

Ic þe Andreas ædre onsende
to hleo ond to hroðre in þas hæðenan burg.
He ðe alyseð of þyssum leodhete.
Is to þære tide tælmet hwile
emne mid soðe seofon ond twentig

115

nihtgerimes, þæt ðu of nede most,
sorgum geswenced, sigore gewyrðod,
hweorfan of henðum in gehyld godes."
Gewat him þa se halga helm ælwihta,
engla scyppend, to þam uplican

120

eðelrice. He is on riht cyning,
staðolfæst styrend, in stowa gehwam.
ða wæs Matheus miclum onbryrded
niwan stefne. Nihthelm toglad,
lungre leorde. Leoht æfter com,

125

dægredwoma. Duguð samnade,
hæðne hildfrecan, heapum þrungon,
(guðsearo gullon, garas hrysedon),
bolgenmode, under bordhreoðan.
Woldon cunnian hwæðer cwice lifdon

130

þa þe on carcerne clommum fæste
hleoleasan wic hwile wunedon,
hwylcne hie to æte ærest mihton
æfter fyrstmearce feores berædan.
Hæfdon hie on rune ond on rimcræfte

135

awriten, wælgrædige, wera endestæf,
hwænne hie to mose meteþearfendum
on þære werþeode weorðan sceoldon.
Cirmdon caldheorte, (corðor oðrum getang),
reðe ræsboran. Rihtes ne gimdon,

140

meotudes mildse. Oft hira mod onwod
under dimscuan deofles larum,
þonne hie unlædra eafeðum gelyfdon.
Hie ða gemetton modes glawne,
haligne hæle, under heolstorlocan

145

bidan beadurofne þæs him beorht cyning,
engla ordfruma, unnan wolde.
ða wæs first agan frumrædenne
þinggemearces butan þrim nihtum,
swa hit wælwulfas awriten hæfdon

150

þæt hie banhringas abrecan þohton,
lungre tolysan lic ond sawle,
ond þonne todælan duguðe ond geogoðe,
werum to wiste ond to wilþege,
fæges flæschoman. Feorh ne bemurndan,

155

grædige guðrincas, hu þæs gastes sið
æfter swyltcwale geseted wurde.
Swa hie symble ymb þritig þing gehedon
nihtgerimes; wæs him neod micel
þæt hie tobrugdon blodigum ceaflum

160

fira flæschoman him to foddorþege.
þa wæs gemyndig, se ðe middangeard
gestaðelode strangum mihtum,
hu he in ellþeodigum yrmðum wunode,
belocen leoðubendum, þe oft his lufan adreg

165

for Ebreum ond Israhelum;
swylce he Iudea galdorcræftum
wiðstod stranglice. þa sio stefn gewearð
gehered of heofenum, þær se halga wer
in Achaia, Andreas, wæs,

170

(leode lærde on lifes weg),
þa him cirebaldum cininga wuldor,
meotud mancynnes, modhord onleac,
weoruda drihten, ond þus wordum cwæð:
"ðu scealt feran ond frið lædan,

175

siðe gesecan, þær sylfætan
eard weardigað, eðel healdaþ
morðorcræftum. Swa is þære menigo þeaw
þæt hie uncuðra ængum ne willað
on þam folcstede feores geunnan

180

syþþan manfulle on Mermedonia
onfindaþ feasceaftne. þær sceall feorhgedal,
earmlic ylda cwealm, æfter wyrþan.
ðær ic seomian wat þinne sigebroðor
mid þam burgwarum bendum fæstne.

185

Nu bið fore þreo niht þæt he on þære þeode sceal
fore hæðenra handgewinne
þurh gares gripe gast onsendan,
ellorfusne, butan ðu ær cyme."
ædre him Andreas agef andsware:

190

"Hu mæg ic, dryhten min, ofer deop gelad
fore gefremman on feorne weg
swa hrædlice, heofona scyppend,
wuldres waldend, swa ðu worde becwist?
ðæt mæg engel þin eað geferan,

195

halig of heofenum con him holma begang,
sealte sæstreamas ond swanrade,
waroðfaruða gewinn ond wæterbrogan,
wegas ofer widland. Ne synt me winas cuðe,
eorlas elþeodige, ne þær æniges wat

200

hæleða gehygdo, ne me herestræta
ofer cald wæter cuðe sindon."
Him ða ondswarude ece dryhten:
"Eala, Andreas, þæt ðu a woldest
þæs siðfætes sæne weorþan!

205

Nis þæt uneaðe eallwealdan gode
to gefremmanne on foldwege,
ðæt sio ceaster hider on þas cneorisse
under swegles gang aseted wyrðe,
breogostol breme, mid þam burgwarum,

210

gif hit worde becwið wuldres agend.
Ne meaht ðu þæs siðfætes sæne weorðan,
ne on gewitte to wac, gif ðu wel þencest
wið þinne waldend wære gehealdan,
treowe tacen. Beo ðu on tid gearu;

215

ne mæg þæs ærendes ylding wyrðan.
ðu scealt þa fore geferan ond þin feorh beran
in gramra gripe, ðær þe guðgewinn
þurh hæðenra hildewoman,
beorna beaducræft, geboden wyrðeð.

220

Scealtu æninga mid ærdæge,
emne to morgene, æt meres ende
ceol gestigan ond on cald wæter
brecan ofer bæðweg. Hafa bletsunge
ofer middangeard mine, þær ðu fere!"

225

Gewat him þa se halga healdend ond wealdend,
upengla fruma, eðel secan,
middangeardes weard, þone mæran ham,
þær soðfæstra sawla moton
æfter lices hryre lifes brucan.

230

þa wæs ærende æðelum cempan
aboden in burgum, ne wæs him bleað hyge,
ah he wæs anræd ellenweorces,
heard ond higerof, nalas hildlata,
gearo, guðe fram, to godes campe.

235

Gewat him þa on uhtan mid ærdæge
ofer sandhleoðu to sæs faruðe,
þriste on geþance, ond his þegnas mid,
gangan on greote. Garsecg hlynede,
beoton brimstreamas. Se beorn wæs on hyhte,

240

syðþan he on waruðe widfæðme scip
modig gemette. þa com morgentorht
beacna beorhtost ofer breomo sneowan,
halig of heolstre. Heofoncandel blac
ofer lagoflodas. He ðær lidweardas,

245

þrymlice þry þegnas gemette,
modiglice menn, on merebate
sittan siðfrome, swylce hie ofer sæ comon.
þæt wæs drihten sylf, dugeða wealdend,
ece ælmihtig, mid his englum twam.

250

Wæron hie on gescirplan scipferendum,
eorlas onlice ealiðendum,
þonne hie on flodes fæðm ofer feorne weg
on cald wæter ceolum lacað.
Hie ða gegrette, se ðe on greote stod,

255

fus on faroðe, fægn reordade:
"Hwanon comon ge ceolum liðan,
macræftige menn, on mereþissan,
ane ægflotan? Hwanon eagorstream
ofer yða gewealc eowic brohte?"

260

Him ða ondswarode ælmihti god,
swa þæt ne wiste, se ðe þæs wordes bad,
hwæt se manna wæs meðelhegendra,
þe he þær on waroðe wiðþingode:
"We of Marmedonia mægðe syndon

265

feorran geferede. Us mid flode bær
on hranrade heahstefn naca,
snellic sæmearh, snude bewunden,
oðþæt we þissa leoda land gesohton,
wære bewrecene, swa us wind fordraf."

270

Him þa Andreas eaðmod oncwæð:
"Wolde ic þe biddan, þeh ic þe beaga lyt,
sincweorðunga, syllan meahte,
þæt ðu us gebrohte brante ceole,
hea hornscipe, ofer hwæles eðel

275

on þære mægðe. Bið ðe meorð wið god,
þæt ðu us on lade liðe weorðe."
Eft him ondswarode æðelinga helm
of yðlide, engla scippend:
"Ne magon þær gewunian widferende,

280

ne þær elþeodige eardes brucað,
ah in þære ceastre cwealm þrowiað,
þa ðe feorran þyder feorh gelædaþ,
ond þu wilnast nu ofer widne mere
þæt ðu on þa fægðe þine feore spilde."

285

Him þa Andreas agef ondsware:
"Usic lust hweteð on þa leodmearce,
mycel modes hiht, to þære mæran byrig,
þeoden leofesta, gif ðu us þine wilt
on merefaroðe miltse gecyðan."

290

Him ondswarode engla þeoden,
neregend fira, of nacan stefne:
"We ðe estlice mid us willað
ferigan freolice ofer fisces bæð
efne to þam lande þær þe lust myneð

295

to gesecanne, syððan ge eowre
gafulrædenne agifen habbað,
sceattas gescrifene, swa eow scipweardas,
aras ofer yðbord, unnan willað."
Him þa ofstlice Andreas wið,

300

wineþearfende, wordum mælde:
"Næbbe ic fæted gold ne feohgestreon,
welan ne wiste ne wira gespann,
landes ne locenra beaga, þæt ic þe mæge lust ahwettan,
willan in worulde, swa ðu worde becwist."

305

Him þa beorna breogo, þær he on bolcan sæt,
ofer waroða geweorp wiðþingode:
"Hu gewearð þe þæs, wine leofesta,
ðæt ðu sæbeorgas secan woldes,
merestreama gemet, maðmum bedæled,

310

ofer cald cleofu ceoles neosan?
Nafast þe to frofre on faroðstræte
hlafes wiste ne hlutterne
drync to dugoðe. Is se drohtað strang
þam þe lagolade lange cunnaþ."

315

ða him Andreas ðurh ondsware,
wis on gewitte, wordhord onleac:
"Ne gedafenað þe, nu þe dryhten geaf
welan ond wiste ond woruldspede,
ðæt ðu ondsware mid oferhygdum,

320

sece sarcwide. Selre bið æghwam
þæt he eaðmedum ellorfusne
oncnawe cuðlice, swa þæt Crist bebead,
þeoden þrymfæst. We his þegnas synd
gecoren to cempum. He is cyning on riht,

325

wealdend ond wyrhta wuldorþrymmes,
an ece god eallra gesceafta,
swa he ealle befehð anes cræfte,
hefon ond eorðan, halgum mihtum,
sigora selost. He ðæt sylfa cwæð,

330

fæder folca gehwæs, ond us feran het
geond ginne grund gasta streonan:
'Farað nu geond ealle eorðan sceatas
emne swa wide swa wæter bebugeð,
oððe stedewangas stræte gelicgaþ.

335

Bodiað æfter burgum beorhtne geleafan
ofer foldan fæðm. Ic eow freoðo healde.
Ne ðurfan ge on þa fore frætwe lædan,
gold ne seolfor. Ic eow goda gehwæs
on eowerne agenne dom est ahwette.'

340

Nu ðu seolfa miht sið userne
gehyran hygeþancol. Ic sceal hraðe cunnan
hwæt ðu us to duguðum gedon wille."
Him þa ondswarode ece dryhten:
"Gif ge syndon þegnas þæs þe þrym ahof

345

ofer middangeard, swa ge me secgaþ,
ond ge geheoldon þæt eow se halga bead,
þonne ic eow mid gefean ferian wille
ofer brimstreamas, swa ge benan sint."
þa in ceol stigon collenfyrhðe,

350

ellenrofe, æghwylcum wearð
on merefaroðe mod geblissod.
ða ofer yða geswing Andreas ongann
mereliðendum miltsa biddan
wuldres aldor, ond þus wordum cwæð:

355

"Forgife þe dryhten domweorðunga,
willan in worulde ond in wuldre blæd,
meotud manncynnes, swa ðu me hafast
on þyssum siðfæte sybbe gecyðed!"
Gesæt him þa se halga helmwearde neah,

360

æðele be æðelum. æfre ic ne hyrde
þon cymlicor ceol gehladenne
heahgestreonum. Hæleð in sæton,
þeodnas þrymfulle, þegnas wlitige.
ða reordode rice þeoden,

365

ece ælmihtig, heht his engel gan,
mærne maguþegn, ond mete syllan,
frefran feasceafte ofer flodes wylm,
þæt hie þe eað mihton ofer yða geþring
drohtaþ adreogan. þa gedrefed wearð,

370

onhrered hwælmere. Hornfisc plegode,
glad geond garsecg, ond se græga mæw
wælgifre wand. Wedercandel swearc,
windas weoxon, wægas grundon,
streamas styredon, strengas gurron,

375

wædo gewætte. Wæteregsa stod
þreata þryðum. þegnas wurdon
acolmode. ænig ne wende
þæt he lifgende land begete,
þara þe mid Andreas on eagorstream

380

ceol gesohte. Næs him cuð þa gyt
hwa þam sæflotan sund wisode.
Him þa se halga on holmwege
ofer argeblond, Andreas þa git,
þegn þeodenhold, þanc gesægde,

385

ricum ræsboran, þa he gereordod wæs:
"ðe þissa swæsenda soðfæst meotud,
lifes leohtfruma, lean forgilde,
weoruda waldend, ond þe wist gife,
heofonlicne hlaf, swa ðu hyldo wið me

390

ofer firigendstream freode gecyðdest!
Nu synt geþreade þegnas mine,
geonge guðrincas. Garsecg hlymmeð,
geofon geotende. Grund is onhrered,
deope gedrefed, duguð is geswenced,

395

modigra mægen myclum gebysgod."
Him of helman oncwæð hæleða scyppend:
"Læt nu geferian flotan userne,
lid to lande ofer lagufæsten,
ond þonne gebidan beornas þine,

400

aras on earde, hwænne ðu eft cyme."
Edre him þa eorlas agefan ondsware,
þegnas þrohthearde, þafigan ne woldon
ðæt hie forleton æt lides stefnan
leofne lareow ond him land curon:

405

"Hwider hweorfað we hlafordlease,
geomormode, gode orfeorme,
synnum wunde, gif we swicað þe?
We bioð laðe on landa gehwam,
folcum fracoðe, þonne fira bearn,

410

ellenrofe, æht besittaþ,
hwylc hira selost symle gelæste
hlaforde æt hilde, þonne hand ond rond
on beaduwange billum forgrunden
æt niðplegan nearu þrowedon."

415

þa reordade rice þeoden,
wærfæst cining, word stunde ahof:
"Gif ðu þegn sie þrymsittendes,
wuldorcyninges, swa ðu worde becwist,
rece þa gerynu, hu he reordberend

420

lærde under lyfte. Lang is þes siðfæt
ofer fealuwne flod; frefra þine
mæcgas on mode. Mycel is nu gena
lad ofer lagustream, land swiðe feorr
to gesecanne. Sund is geblonden,

425

grund wið greote. God eaðe mæg
heaðoliðendum helpe gefremman."
Ongan þa gleawlice gingran sine,
wuldorspedige weras wordum trymman:
"Ge þæt gehogodon, þa ge on holm stigon,

430

þæt ge on fara folc feorh gelæddon,
ond for dryhtnes lufan deað þrowodon,
on ælmyrcna eðelrice
sawle gesealdon. Ic þæt sylfa wat,
þæt us gescyldeð scyppend engla,

435

weoruda dryhten. Wæteregesa sceal,
geðyd ond geðreatod þurh þryðcining,
lagu lacende, liðra wyrðan.
Swa gesælde iu, þæt we on sæbate
ofer waruðgewinn wæda cunnedan,

440

faroðridende. Frecne þuhton
egle ealada. Eagorstreamas
beoton bordstæðu, brim oft oncwæð,
yð oðerre. Hwilum upp astod
of brimes bosme on bates fæðm

445

egesa ofer yðlid. ælmihtig þær,
meotud mancynnes, on mereþyssan
beorht basnode. Beornas wurdon
forhte on mode, friðes wilnedon,
miltsa to mærum. þa seo menigo ongan

450

clypian on ceole, cyning sona aras,
engla eadgifa, yðum stilde,
wæteres wælmum. Windas þreade,
sæ sessade, smylte wurdon
merestreama gemeotu. ða ure mod ahloh

455

syððan we gesegon under swegles gang
windas ond wægas ond wæterbrogan
forhte gewordne for frean egesan.
Forþan ic eow to soðe secgan wille,
þæt næfre forlæteð lifgende god

460

eorl on eorðan, gif his ellen deah."
Swa hleoðrode halig cempa,
ðeawum geþancul. þegnas lærde
eadig oreta, eorlas trymede,
oððæt hie semninga slæp ofereode,

465

meðe be mæste. Mere sweoðerade,
yða ongin eft oncyrde,
hreoh holmþracu. þa þam halgan wearð
æfter gryrehwile gast geblissod.
Ongan ða reordigan rædum snottor,

470

wis on gewitte, wordlocan onspeonn:
"Næfre ic sælidan selran mette,
macræftigran, þæs ðe me þynceð,
rowend rofran, rædsnotterran,
wordes wisran. Ic wille þe,

475

eorl unforcuð, anre nu gena
bene biddan, þeah ic þe beaga lyt,
sincweorðunga, syllan mihte,
fætedsinces. Wolde ic freondscipe,
þeoden þrymfæst, þinne, gif ic mehte,

480

begitan godne. þæs ðu gife hleotest,
haligne hyht on heofonþrymme,
gif ðu lidwerigum larna þinra
este wyrðest. Wolde ic anes to ðe,
cynerof hæleð, cræftes neosan,

485

ðæt ðu me getæhte, nu þe tir cyning
ond miht forgef, manna scyppend,
hu ðu wægflotan wære bestemdon,
sæhengeste, sund wisige.
Ic wæs on gifeðe iu ond nu þa

490

syxtyne siðum on sæbate,
mere hrerendum mundum freorig,
eagorstreamas, (is ðys ane ma),
swa ic æfre ne geseah ænigne mann,
þryðbearn hæleða, þe gelicne,

495

steoran ofer stæfnan. Streamwelm hwileð,
beateþ brimstæðo. Is þes bat ful scrid,
færeð famigheals, fugole gelicost
glideð on geofone. Ic georne wat
þæt ic æfre ne geseah ofer yðlade

500

on sæleodan syllicran cræft.
Is þon geliccost swa he on landsceare
stille stande, þær hine storm ne mæg,
wind awecgan, ne wæterflodas
brecan brondstæfne, hwæðere on brim snoweð

505

snel under segle. ðu eart seolfa geong,
wigendra hleo, nalas wintrum frod,
hafast þe on fyrhðe, faroðlacende,
eorles ondsware. æghwylces canst
worda for worulde wislic andgit."

510

Him ondswarode ece dryhten:
"Oft þæt gesæleð, þæt we on sælade,
scipum under scealcum, þonne sceor cymeð,
brecað ofer bæðweg, brimhengestum.
Hwilum us on yðum earfoðlice

515

gesæleð on sæwe, þeh we sið nesan,
frecne geferan. Flodwylm ne mæg
manna ænigne ofer meotudes est
lungre gelettan: ah him lifes geweald,
se ðe brimu bindeð, brune yða

520

ðyð ond þreatað. He þeodum sceal
racian mid rihte, se ðe rodor ahof
ond gefæstnode folmum sinum,
worhte ond wreðede, wuldras fylde
beorhtne boldwelan, swa gebledsod wearð

525

engla eðel þurh his anes miht.
Forþan is gesyne, soð orgete,
cuð oncnawen, þæt ðu cyninges eart
þegen geþungen, þrymsittendes,
forþan þe sona sæholm oncneow,

530

garsecges begang, þæt ðu gife hæfdes
haliges gastes. Hærn eft onwand,
aryða geblond. Egesa gestilde,
widfæðme wæg. Wædu swæðorodon
seoðþan hie ongeton þæt ðe god hæfde

535

wære bewunden, se ðe wuldres blæd
gestaðolade strangum mihtum."
þa hleoðrade halgan stefne
cempa collenferhð, cyning wyrðude,
wuldres waldend, ond þus wordum cwæð:

540

"Wes ðu gebledsod, brego mancynnes,
dryhten hælend! A þin dom lyfað!
Ge neh ge feor is þin nama halig,
wuldre gewlitegad ofer werþeoda,
miltsum gemærsod. Nænig manna is

545

under heofonhwealfe, hæleða cynnes,
ðætte areccan mæg oððe rim wite
hu ðrymlice, þeoda baldor,
gasta geocend, þine gife dælest.
Huru is gesyne, sawla nergend,

550

þæt ðu þissum hysse hold gewurde
ond hine geongne geofum wyrðodest,
wis on gewitte ond wordcwidum.
Ic æt efenealdum æfre ne mette
on modsefan maran snyttro."

555

Him ða of ceole oncwæð cyninga wuldor,
frægn fromlice fruma ond ende:
"Saga, þances gleaw þegn, gif ðu cunne,
hu ðæt gewurde be werum tweonum,
þæt ða arleasan inwidþancum,

560

Iudea cynn wið godes bearne
ahof hearmcwide. Hæleð unsælige
no ðær gelyfdon in hira liffruman,
grome gealgmode, þæt he god wære,
þeah ðe he wundra feala weorodum gecyðde,

565

sweotulra ond gesynra. Synnige ne mihton
oncnawan þæt cynebearn, se ðe acenned wearð
to hleo ond to hroðre hæleða cynne,
eallum eorðwarum. æþelinge weox
word ond wisdom, ah he þara wundra a,

570

domagende, dæl nænigne
frætre þeode beforan cyðde."
Him ða Andreas agef andsware:
"Hu mihte þæt gewyrðan in werþeode,
þæt ðu ne gehyrde hælendes miht,

575

gumena leofost, hu he his gif cyðde
geond woruld wide, wealdendes bearn?
Sealde he dumbum gesprec, deafe gehyrdon,
healtum ond hreofum hyge blissode,
ða þe limseoce lange wæron,

580

werige, wanhale, witum gebundene,
æfter burhstedum blinde gesegon.
Swa he on grundwæge gumena cynnes
manige missenlice men of deaðe
worde awehte. Swylce he eac wundra feala

585

cynerof cyðde þurh his cræftes miht.
He gehalgode for heremægene
win of wætere ond wendan het,
beornum to blisse, on þa beteran gecynd.
Swylce he afedde of fixum twam

590

ond of fif hlafum fira cynnes
fif ðusendo. Feðan sæton,
reonigmode, reste gefegon,
werige æfter waðe, wiste þegon,
menn on moldan, swa him gemedost wæs.

595

Nu ðu miht gehyran, hyse leofesta,
hu us wuldres weard wordum ond dædum
lufode in life, ond þurh lare speon
to þam fægeran gefean, þær freo moton,
eadige mid englum, eard weardigan,

600

þa ðe æfter deaðe dryhten secað."
ða gen weges weard wordhord onleac,
beorn ofer bolcan, beald reordade:
"Miht ðu me gesecgan, þæt ic soð wite,
hwæðer wealdend þin wundor on eorðan,

605

þa he gefremede nalas feam siðum,
folcum to frofre beforan cyðde,
þær bisceopas ond boceras
ond ealdormenn æht besæton,
mæðelhægende? Me þæt þinceð,

610

ðæt hie for æfstum inwit syredon
þurh deopne gedwolan. Deofles larum
hæleð hynfuse hyrdon to georne,
wraðum wærlogan. Hie seo wyrd beswac,
forleolc ond forlærde. Nu hie lungre sceolon,

615

werige mid werigum, wræce þrowian,
biterne bryne on banan fæðme."
Him ða Andreas agef ondsware:
"Secge ic ðe to soðe ðæt he swiðe oft
beforan fremede folces ræswum

620

wundor æfter wundre on wera gesiehðe,
swylce deogollice dryhten gumena
folcræd fremede, swa he to friðe hogode."
Him ondswarode æðelinga helm:
"Miht ðu, wis hæleð, wordum gesecgan,

625

maga mode rof, mægen þa he cyðde,
deormod on digle, ða mid dryhten oft,
rodera rædend, rune besæton?"
Him þa Andreas ondsware agef:
"Hwæt frinest ðu me, frea leofesta,

630

wordum wrætlicum, ond þe wyrda gehwære
þurh snyttra cræft soð oncnawest?"
ða git him wæges weard wiðþingode:
"Ne frine ic ðe for tæle ne ðurh teoncwide
on hranrade, ac min hige blissað,

635

wynnum wridað, þurh þine wordlæðe,
æðelum ecne. Ne eom ic ana ðæt,
ac manna gehwam mod bið on hyhte,
fyrhð afrefred, þam þe feor oððe neah
on mode geman hu se maga fremede,

640

godbearn on grundum. Gastas hweorfon,
sohton siðfrome swegles dreamas,
engla eðel þurh þa æðelan miht."
Edre him Andreas agef ondsware:
"Nu ic on þe sylfum soð oncnawe,

645

wisdomes gewit, wundorcræfte
sigesped geseald, (snyttrum bloweð,
beorhtre blisse, breost innanweard),
nu ic þe sylfum secgan wille
oor ond ende, swa ic þæs æðelinges

650

word ond wisdom on wera gemote
þurh his sylfes muð symle gehyrde.
Oft gesamnodon side herigeas,
folc unmæte, to frean dome,
þær hie hyrcnodon haliges lare.

655

ðonne eft gewat æðelinga helm,
beorht blædgifa, in bold oðer,
ðær him togenes, god herigende,
to ðam meðelstede manige comon,
snottre selerædend. Symble gefegon,

660

beornas bliðheorte, burhweardes cyme.
Swa gesælde iu þæt se sigedema
ferde, frea mihtig. Næs þær folces ma
on siðfate, sinra leoda,
nemne ellefne orettmæcgas,

665

geteled tireadige. He wæs twelfta sylf.
þa we becomon to þam cynestole,
þær getimbred wæs tempel dryhtnes,
heah ond horngeap, hæleðum gefrege,
wuldre gewlitegod. Huscworde ongan

670

þurh inwitðanc ealdorsacerd
herme hyspan, hordlocan onspeon,
wroht webbade. He on gewitte oncneow
þæt we soðfæstes swaðe folgodon,
læston larcwide. He lungre ahof

675

woðe wiðerhydig wean onblonden:
'Hwæt, ge syndon earme ofer ealle menn!
Wadað widlastas, weorn geferað
earfoðsiða, ellþeodiges nu
butan leodrihte larum hyrað,

680

eadiges orhlytte æðeling cyðað,
secgað soðlice þæt mid suna meotudes
drohtigen dæghwæmlice. þæt is duguðum cuð
hwanon þam ordfruman æðelu onwocon.
He wæs afeded on þysse folcsceare,

685

cildgeong acenned mid his cneomagum.
þus syndon haten hamsittende,
fæder ond modur, þæs we gefrægen habbað
þurh modgemynd, Maria ond Ioseph.
Syndon him on æðelum oðere twegen

690

beornas geborene, broðorsybbum,
suna Iosephes, Simon ond Iacob.'
Swa hleoðrodon hæleða ræswan,
dugoð domgeorne, dyrnan þohton
meotudes mihte. Man eft gehwearf,

695

yfel endeleas, þær hit ær aras.
þa se þeoden gewat þegna heape
fram þam meðelstede mihtum geswiðed,
dugeða dryhten, secan digol land.
He þurh wundra feala on þam westenne

700

cræfta gecyðde þæt he wæs cyning on riht
ofer middangeard, mægene geswiðed,
waldend ond wyrhta wuldorþrymmes,
an ece god eallra gesceafta.
Swylce he oðerra unrim cyðde

705

wundorworca on wera gesyhðe.
Syþþan eft gewat oðre siðe
getrume mycle, þæt he in temple gestod,
wuldres aldor. Wordhleoðor astag
geond heahræced. Haliges lare

710

synnige ne swulgon, þeah he soðra swa feala
tacna gecyðde, þær hie to segon.
Swylce he wrætlice wundor agræfene,
anlicnesse engla sinra
geseh, sigora frea, on seles wage,

715

on twa healfe torhte gefrætwed,
wlitige geworhte. He worde cwæð:
'ðis is anlicnes engelcynna
þæs bremestan þe mid þam burgwarum
in þære ceastre is. Cheruphim et Seraphim

720

þa on swegeldreamum syndon nemned.
Fore onsyne ecan dryhtnes
standað stiðferðe, stefnum herigað,
halgum hleoðrum, heofoncyninges þrym,
meotudes mundbyrd. Her amearcod is

725

haligra hiw, þurh handmægen
awriten on wealle wuldres þegnas.'
þa gen worde cwæð weoruda dryhten,
heofonhalig gast, fore þam heremægene:
'Nu ic bebeode beacen ætywan,

730

wundor geweorðan on wera gemange,
ðæt þeos onlicnes eorðan sece,
wlitig of wage, ond word sprece,
secge soðcwidum, (þy sceolon gelyfan
eorlas on cyððe), hwæt min æðelo sien.'

735

Ne dorste þa forhylman hælendes bebod
wundor fore weorodum, ac of wealle ahleop,
frod fyrngeweorc, þæt he on foldan stod,
stan fram stane. Stefn æfter cwom,
hlud þurh heardne, hleoðor dynede,

740

wordum wemde. Wrætlic þuhte
stiðhycgendum stanes ongin.
Septe sacerdas sweotolum tacnum,
witig werede ond worde cwæð:
'Ge synd unlæde, earmra geþohta

745

searowum beswicene, oððe sel nyton,
mode gemyrde. Ge mon cigað
godes ece bearn, þone þe grund ond sund,
heofon ond eorðan ond hreo wægas,
salte sæstreamas ond swegl uppe

750

amearcode mundum sinum.
þis is se ilca ealwalda god
ðone on fyrndagum fæderas cuðon.
He Abrahame ond Isace
ond Iocobe gife bryttode,

755

welum weorðode, wordum sægde
ærest Habrahame æðeles geþingu,
þæt of his cynne cenned sceolde
weorðan wuldres god. Is seo wyrd mid eow
open, orgete, magan eagum nu

760

geseon sigores god, swegles agend.'
æfter þyssum wordum weorud hlosnode
geond þæt side sel, (swigodon ealle),
ða ða yldestan eft ongunnon
secgan synfulle, (soð ne oncneowan),

765

þæt hit drycræftum gedon wære,
scingelacum, þæt se scyna stan
mælde for mannum. Man wridode
geond beorna breost, brandhata nið
weoll on gewitte, weorm blædum fag,

770

attor ælfæle. þær orcnawe wearð
þurh teoncwide tweogende mod,
mæcga misgehygd morðre bewunden.
ða se þeoden bebead þryðweorc faran,
stan on stræte of stedewange,

775

ond forð gan foldweg tredan,
grene grundas, godes ærendu
larum lædan on þa leodmearce
to Channaneum, cyninges worde
beodan Habrahame mid his eaforum twæm

780

of eorðscræfe ærest fremman,
lætan landreste, leoðo gadrigean,
gaste onfon ond geogoðhade,
edniwinga andweard cuman,
frode fyrnweotan, folce gecyðan,

785

hwylcne hie god mihtum ongiten hæfdon.
Gewat he þa feran, swa him frea mihtig,
scyppend wera, gescrifen hæfde,
ofer mearcpaðu, þæt he on Mambre becom
beorhte blican, swa him bebead meotud,

790

þær þa lichoman lange þrage,
heahfædera hra, beheled wæron.
Het þa ofstlice up astandan
Habraham ond Isaac, æðeling þriddan
Iacob of greote to godes geþinge,

795

sneome of slæpe þæm fæstan. Het hie to þam siðe gyrwan,
faran to frean dome. Sceoldon hie þam folce gecyðan
hwa æt frumsceafte furðum teode
eorðan eallgrene ond upheofon,
hwær se wealdend wære þe þæt weorc staðolade.

800

Ne dorston þa gelettan leng owihte
wuldorcyninges word. Geweotan ða ða witigan þry
modige mearcland tredan. Forlætan moldern wunigean
open eorðscræfu, woldon hie ædre gecyðan
frumweorca fæder. þa þæt folc gewearð

805

egesan geaclod, þær þa æðelingas
wordum weorðodon wuldres aldor.
Hie ða ricene het rices hyrde
to eadwelan oþre siðe
secan mid sybbe swegles dreamas,

810

ond þæs to widan feore willum neotan.
Nu ðu miht gehyran, hyse leofesta,
hu he wundra worn wordum cyðde,
swa þeah ne gelyfdon larum sinum
modblinde menn. Ic wat manig nu gyt

815

mycel mære spell ðe se maga fremede,
rodera rædend, ða ðu aræfnan ne miht,
hreðre behabban, hygeþances gleaw."
þus Andreas ondlangne dæg
herede hleoðorcwidum haliges lare,

820

oððæt hine semninga slæp ofereode
on hronrade heofoncyninge neh.
ða gelædan het lifes brytta
ofer yða geþræc englas sine,
fæðmum ferigean on fæder wære

825

leofne mid lissum ofer lagufæsten,
oððæt sæwerige slæp ofereode.
þurh lyftgelac on land becwom
to þære ceastre þe him cining engla
ða þa aras siðigean,

830

eadige on upweg, eðles neosan.
Leton þone halgan be herestræte
swefan on sybbe under swegles hleo,
bliðne bidan burhwealle neh,
his niðhetum, nihtlangne fyrst,

835

oðþæt dryhten forlet dægcandelle
scire scinan. Sceadu sweðerodon,
wonn under wolcnum. þa com wederes blæst,
hador heofonleoma, ofer hofu blican.
Onwoc þa wiges heard, (wang sceawode),

840

fore burggeatum. Beorgas steape,
hleoðu hlifodon, ymbe harne stan
tigelfagan trafu, torras stodon,
windige weallas. þa se wisa oncneow
þæt he Marmedonia mægðe hæfde

845

siðe gesohte, swa him sylf bebead,
þa he him fore gescraf, fæder mancynnes.
Geseh he þa on greote gingran sine,
beornas beadurofe, biryhte him
swefan on slæpe. He sona ongann

850

wigend weccean, ond worde cwæð:
"Ic eow secgan mæg soð orgete,
þæt us gystrandæge on geofones stream
ofer arwelan æðeling ferede.
In þam ceole wæs cyninga wuldor,

855

waldend werðeode. Ic his word oncneow,
þeh he his mægwlite bemiðen hæfde."
Him þa æðelingas ondsweorodon,
geonge gencwidum, gastgerynum:
"We ðe, Andreas, eaðe gecyðað

860

sið userne, þæt ðu sylfa miht
ongitan gleawlice gastgehygdum.
Us sæwerige slæp ofereode.
þa comon earnas ofer yða wylm
faran on flyhte, feðerum hremige,

865

us ofslæpendum sawle abrugdon,
mid gefean feredon flyhte on lyfte,
brehtmum bliðe, beorhte ond liðe.
Lissum lufodon ond in lofe wunedon,
þær wæs singal sang ond swegles gong,

870

wlitig weoroda heap ond wuldres þreat.
Utan ymbe æðelne englas stodon,
þegnas ymb þeoden, þusendmælum,
heredon on hehðo halgan stefne
dryhtna dryhten. Dream wæs on hyhte.

875

We ðær heahfæderas halige oncneowon
ond martyra mægen unlytel,
sungon sigedryhtne soðfæstlic lof,
dugoð domgeorne. þær wæs Dauid mid,
eadig oretta, Essages sunu,

880

for Crist cumen, cining Israhela.
Swylce we gesegon for suna meotudes,
æðelum ecne, eowic standan,
twelfe getealde, tireadige hæleð.
Eow þegnodon þrymsittende,

885

halige heahenglas. ðam bið hæleða well
þe þara blissa brucan moton.
þær wæs wuldres wynn, wigendra þrym,
æðelic onginn, næs þær ænigum gewinn.
þam bið wræcsið witod, wite geopenad,

890

þe þara gefeana sceal fremde weorðan,
hean hwearfian, þonne heonon gangaþ."
þa wæs modsefa myclum geblissod
haliges on hreðre, syðþan hleoðorcwide
gingran gehyrdon, þæt hie god wolde

895

onmunan swa mycles ofer menn ealle,
ond þæt word gecwæð wigendra hleo:
"Nu ic, god dryhten, ongiten hæbbe
þæt ðu on faroðstræte feor ne wære,
cyninga wuldur, þa ic on ceol gestah,

900

ðeh ic on yðfare, engla þeoden,
gasta geocend, ongitan ne cuðe.
Weorð me nu milde, meotud ælmihtig,
bliðe, beorht cyning! Ic on brimstreame
spræc worda worn, wat æfter nu

905

hwa me wyrðmyndum on wudubate
ferede ofer flodas. þæt is frofre gast
hæleða cynne. þær is help gearu,
milts æt mærum, manna gehwylcum,
sigorsped geseald, þam þe seceð to him."

910

ða him fore eagum onsyne wearð
æðeling oðywed in þa ilcan tid,
cining cwicera gehwæs, þurh cnihtes had.
þa he worde cwæð, wuldres aldor:
"Wes ðu, Andreas, hal, mid þas willgedryht,

915

ferðgefeonde! Ic þe friðe healde,
þæt þe ne moton mangeniðlan,
grame grynsmiðas, gaste gesceððan."
Feoll þa to foldan, frioðo wilnode
wordum wis hæleð, winedryhten frægn:

920

"Hu geworhte ic þæt, waldend fira,
synnig wið seolfne, sawla nergend,
þæt ic þe swa godne ongitan ne meahte
on wægfære, þær ic worda gespræc
minra for meotude ma þonne ic sceolde?"

925

Him andswarode ealwalda god:
"No ðu swa swiðe synne gefremedest
swa ðu in Achaia ondsæc dydest,
ðæt ðu on feorwegas feran ne cuðe
ne in þa ceastre becuman mehte,

930

þing gehegan þreora nihta
fyrstgemearces, swa ic þe feran het
ofer wega gewinn. Wast nu þe gearwor
þæt ic eaðe mæg anra gehwylcne
fremman ond fyrþran freonda minra

935

on landa gehwylc, þær me leofost bið.
Aris nu hrædlice, ræd ædre ongit,
beorn gebledsod, swa þe beorht fæder
geweorðað wuldorgifum to widan aldre,
cræfte ond mihte. ðu in þa ceastre gong

940

under burglocan, þær þin broðor is.
Wat ic Matheus þurh mænra hand
hrinen heorudolgum, heafodmagan
searonettum beseted. þu hine secan scealt,
leofne alysan of laðra hete,

945

ond eal þæt mancynn þe him mid wunige,
elþeodigra inwitwrasnum,
bealuwe gebundene. Him sceal bot hraðe
weorþan in worulde ond in wuldre lean,
swa ic him sylfum ær secgende wæs.

950

Nu ðu, Andreas, scealt edre geneðan
in gramra gripe. Is þe guð weotod,
heardum heoruswengum scel þin hra dæled
wundum weorðan, wættre geliccost
faran flode blod. Hie þin feorh ne magon

955

deaðe gedælan, þeh ðu drype ðolie,
synnigra slege. ðu þæt sar aber;
ne læt þe ahweorfan hæðenra þrym,
grim gargewinn, þæt ðu gode swice,
dryhtne þinum. Wes a domes georn;

960

læt ðe on gemyndum hu þæt manegum wearð
fira gefrege geond feala landa,
þæt me bysmredon bennum fæstne
weras wansælige. Wordum tyrgdon,
slogon ond swungon, synnige ne mihton

965

þurh sarcwide soð gecyðan.
þa ic mid Iudeum gealgan þehte,
(rod wæs aræred), þær rinca sum
of minre sidan swat ut forlet,
dreor to foldan. Ic adreah feala

970

yrmþa ofer eorðan. Wolde ic eow on ðon
þurh bliðne hige bysne onstellan,
swa on ellþeode ywed wyrðeð.
Manige syndon in þysse mæran byrig
þara þe ðu gehweorfest to heofonleohte

975

þurh minne naman, þeah hie morðres feala
in fyrndagum gefremed habban."
Gewat him þa se halga heofonas secan,
eallra cyninga cining, þone clænan ham,
eaðmedum upp, þær is ar gelang

980

fira gehwylcum, þam þe hie findan cann.
ða wæs gemyndig modgeþyldig,
beorn beaduwe heard, eode in burh hraðe,
anræd oretta, elne gefyrðred,
maga mode rof, meotude getreowe,

985

stop on stræte, (stig wisode),
swa him nænig gumena ongitan ne mihte,
synfulra geseon. Hæfde sigora weard
on þam wangstede wære betolden
leofne leodfruman mid lofe sinum.

990

Hæfde þa se æðeling in geþrungen,
Cristes cempa, carcerne neh.
Geseh he hæðenra hloð ætgædere,
fore hlindura hyrdas standan,
seofone ætsomne. Ealle swylt fornam,

995

druron domlease. Deaðræs forfeng
hæleð heorodreorige. ða se halga gebæd
bilwytne fæder, breostgehygdum
herede on hehðo heofoncyninges þrym,
godes dryhtendom. Duru sona onarn

1000

þurh handhrine haliges gastes,
ond þær in eode, elnes gemyndig,
hæle hildedeor. Hæðene swæfon,
dreore druncne, deaðwang rudon.
Geseh he Matheus in þam morðorcofan,

1005

hæleð higerofne under heolstorlocan,
secgan dryhtne lof, domweorðinga
engla ðeodne. He ðær ana sæt
geohðum geomor in þam gnornhofe.
Geseh þa under swegle swæsne geferan,

1010

halig haligne. Hyht wæs geniwad.
Aras þa togenes, gode þancade
þæs ðe hie onsunde æfre moston
geseon under sunnan. Syb wæs gemæne
bam þam gebroðrum, blis edniwe.

1015

æghwæðer oðerne earme beþehte,
cyston hie ond clypton. Criste wæron begen
leofe on mode. Hie leoht ymbscan
halig ond heofontorht. Hreðor innan wæs
wynnum awelled. þa worde ongan

1020

ærest Andreas æðelne geferan
on clustorcleofan mid cwide sinum
gretan godfyrhtne, sæde him guðgeðingu,
feohtan fara monna: "Nu is þis folc on luste,
hæleð hyder on

1025

gewyrht eardes neosan."
æfter þyssum wordum wuldres þegnas,
begen þa gebroðor, to gebede hyldon,
sendon hira bene fore bearn godes.
Swylce se halga in þam hearmlocan

1030

his god grette ond him geoce bæd,
hælend helpe, ær þan hra crunge
fore hæðenra hildeþrymme,
ond þa gelædde of leoðobendum
fram þam fæstenne on frið dryhtnes

1035

tu ond hundteontig geteled rime,
swylce feowertig,
generede fram niðe, (þær he nænigne forlet
under burglocan bennum fæstne),
ond þær wifa þa gyt, weorodes to eacan,

1040

anes wana þe fiftig
forhte gefreoðode. Fægen wæron siðes,
lungre leordan, nalas leng bidon
in þam gnornhofe guðgeþingo.
Gewat þa Matheus menigo lædan

1045

on gehyld godes, swa him se halga bebead.
Weorod on wilsið wolcnum beþehte,
þe læs him scyldhatan scyððan comon
mid earhfare, ealdgeniðlan.
þær þa modigan mid him mæðel gehedan,

1050

treowgeþoftan, ær hie on tu hweorfan.
ægðer þara eorla oðrum trymede
heofonrices hyht, helle witu
wordum werede. Swa ða wigend mid him,
hæleð higerofe, halgum stefnum

1055

cempan coste cyning weorðadon,
wyrda waldend, þæs wuldres ne bið
æfre mid eldum ende befangen.
Gewat him þa Andreas inn on ceastre
glædmod gangan, to þæs ðe he gramra gemot,

1060

fara folcmægen, gefrægen hæfde,
oððæt he gemette be mearcpaðe
standan stræte neah stapul ærenne.
Gesæt him þa be healfe, hæfde hluttre lufan,
ece upgemynd engla blisse;

1065

þanon basnode under burhlocan
hwæt him guðweorca gifeðe wurde.
þa gesamnedon side herigeas,
folces frumgaras. To þam fæstenne
wærleasra werod wæpnum comon,

1070

hæðne hildfrecan, to þæs þa hæftas ær
under hlinscuwan hearm þrowedon.
Wendan ond woldon wiðerhycgende
þæt hie on elþeodigum æt geworhton,
weotude wiste. Him seo wen gelah,

1075

syððan mid corðre carcernes duru
eorre æscberend opene fundon,
onhliden hamera geweorc, hyrdas deade.
Hie þa unhyðige eft gecyrdon,
luste belorene, laðspell beran,

1080

sægdon þam folce þæt ðær feorrcundra,
ellreordigra, ænigne to lafe
in carcerne cwicne ne gemetton,
ah þær heorodreorige hyrdas lagan,
gæsne on greote, gaste berofene,

1085

fægra flæschaman. þa wearð forht manig
for þam færspelle folces ræswa,
hean, hygegeomor, hungres on wenum,
blates beodgastes. Nyston beteran ræd,
þonne hie þa belidenan him to lifnere

1090

deade gefeormedon. Duruþegnum wearð
in ane tid eallum ætsomne
þurh heard gelac hildbedd styred.
ða ic lungre gefrægn leode tosomne
burgwaru bannan. Beornas comon,

1095

wiggendra þreat, wicgum gengan,
on mearum modige, mæðelhegende,
æscum dealle. þa wæs eall geador
to þam þingstede þeod gesamnod.
Leton him þa betweonum taan wisian

1100

hwylcne hira ærest oðrum sceolde
to foddurþege feores ongyldan;
hluton hellcræftum, hæðengildum
teledon betwinum. ða se tan gehwearf
efne ofer ænne ealdgesiða,

1105

se wæs uðweota eorla dugoðe,
heriges on ore. Hraðe siððan wearð
fetorwrasnum fæst, feores orwena.
Cleopode þa collenferhð cearegan reorde,
cwæð he his sylfes sunu syllan wolde

1110

on æhtgeweald, eaforan geongne,
lifes to lisse. Hie ða lac hraðe
þegon to þance. þeod wæs oflysted,
metes modgeomre, næs him to maðme wynn,
hyht to hordgestreonum. Hungre wæron

1115

þearle geþreatod, swa se ðeodsceaða
reow ricsode. þa wæs rinc manig,
guðfrec guma, ymb þæs geongan feorh
breostum onbryrded. To þam beadulace
wæs þæt weatacen wide gefrege,

1120

geond þa burh bodad beorne manegum,
þæt hie þæs cnihtes cwealm corðre gesohton,
duguðe ond eogoðe, dæl onfengon
lifes to leofne. Hie lungre to þæs,
hæðene herigweardas, here samnodan

1125

ceastrewarena. Cyrm upp astah
ða se geonga ongann geomran stefne,
gehæfted for herige, hearmleoð galan,
freonda feasceaft, friðes wilnian.
Ne mihte earmsceapen are findan,

1130

freoðe æt þam folce, þe him feores wolde,
ealdres geunnan. Hæfdon æglæcan
sæcce gesohte. Sceolde sweordes ecg,
scerp ond scurheard, of sceaðan folme,
fyrmælum fag, feorh acsigan.

1135

ða þæt Andrea earmlic þuhte,
þeodbealo þearlic to geðolianne,
þæt he swa unscyldig ealdre sceolde
lungre linnan. Wæs se leodhete
þrist ond þrohtheard. þrymman sceocan,

1140

modige maguþegnas, morðres on luste,
woldon æninga, ellenrofe,
on þam hysebeorðre heafolan gescenan,
garum agetan. Hine god forstod,
halig of hehðo, hæðenum folce.

1145

Het wæpen wera wexe gelicost
on þam orlege eall formeltan,
þy læs scyldhatan sceððan mihton,
egle ondsacan, ecga þryðum.
Swa wearð alysed of leodhete,

1150

geong of gyrne. Gode ealles þanc,
dryhtna dryhtne, þæs ðe he dom gifeð
gumena gehwylcum, þara þe geoce to him
seceð mid snytrum. þær bið symle gearu
freod unhwilen, þam þe hie findan cann.

1155

þa wæs wop hæfen in wera burgum,
hlud heriges cyrm. Hreopon friccan,
mændon meteleaste, meðe stodon,
hungre gehæfte. Hornsalu wunedon,
weste winræced, welan ne benohton

1160

beornas to brucanne on þa bitran tid,
gesæton searuþancle sundor to rune
ermðu eahtigan. Næs him to eðle wynn.
Fregn þa gelome freca oðerne:
"Ne hele se ðe hæbbe holde lare,

1165

on sefan snyttro! Nu is sæl cumen,
þrea ormæte, is nu þearf mycel
þæt we wisfæstra wordum hyran."
þa for þære dugoðe deoful ætywde,
wann ond wliteleas, hæfde weriges hiw.

1170

Ongan þa meldigan morþres brytta,
hellehinca, þone halgan wer
wiðerhycgende, ond þæt word gecwæð:
"Her is gefered ofer feorne weg
æðelinga sum innan ceastre,

1175

ellþeodigra, þone ic Andreas
nemnan herde. He eow neon gesceod
ða he aferede of fæstenne
manncynnes ma þonne gemet wære.
Nu ge magon eaðe oncyðdæda

1180

wrecan on gewyrhtum. Lætað wæpnes spor
iren ecgheard, ealdorgeard sceoran,
fæges feorhhord. Gað fromlice
þæt ge wiðerfeohtend wiges gehnægan."
Him þa Andreas agef ondsware:

1185

"Hwæt, ðu þristlice þeode lærest,
bældest to beadowe! Wæst þe bæles cwealm,
hatne in helle, ond þu here fysest,
feðan to gefeohte. Eart ðu fag wið god,
dugoða demend. Hwæt, ðu deofles stræl,

1190

icest þine yrmðo. ðe se ælmihtiga
heanne gehnægde, ond on heolstor besceaf,
þær þe cyninga cining clamme belegde,
ond þe syððan a Satan nemdon,
ða ðe dryhtnes a deman cuðon."

1195

ða gyt se wiðermeda wordum lærde
folc to gefeohte, feondes cræfte:
"Nu ge gehyrað hæleða gewinnan,
se ðyssum herige mæst hearma gefremede.
ðæt is Andreas, se me on fliteð

1200

wordum wrætlicum for wera menigo."
ða wæs beacen boden burhsittendum.
Ahleopon hildfrome heriges brehtme
ond to weallgeatum wigend þrungon,
cene under cumblum, corðre mycle

1205

to ðam orlege, ordum ond bordum.
þa worde cwæð weoroda dryhten,
meotud mihtum swið sægde his magoþegne:
"Scealt ðu, Andreas, ellen fremman!
Ne mið ðu for menigo, ah þinne modsefan

1210

staðola wið strangum! Nis seo stund latu
þæt þe wælreowe witum belecgaþ,
cealdan clommum. Cyð þe sylfne,
herd hige þinne, heortan staðola,
þæt hie min on ðe mægen oncnawan.

1215

Ne magon hie ond ne moton ofer mine est
þinne lichoman, lehtrum scyldige,
deaðe gedælan, ðeah ðu drype þolige,
mirce manslaga. Ic þe mid wunige."
æfter þam wordum com werod unmæte,

1220

lyswe larsmeoðas, mid lindgecrode,
bolgenmode; bæron ut hræðe
ond þam halgan þær handa gebundon.
Siþþan geypped wæs æðelinga wynn,
ond hie andweardne eagum meahton

1225

gesion sigerofne, þær wæs sec manig
on þam welwange wiges oflysted
leoda duguðe. Lyt sorgodon
hwylc him þæt edlean æfter wurde.
Heton þa lædan ofer landsceare,

1230

ðragmælum teon, torngeniðlan,
swa hie hit frecnost findan meahton.
Drogon deormodne æfter dunscræfum,
ymb stanhleoðo, stærcedferþne,
efne swa wide swa wegas to lagon,

1235

enta ærgeweorc, innan burgum,
stræte stanfage. Storm upp aras
æfter ceasterhofum, cirm unlytel
hæðnes heriges. Wæs þæs halgan lic
sarbennum soden, swate bestemed,

1240

banhus abrocen. Blod yðum weoll,
hatan heolfre. Hæfde him on innan
ellen untweonde, wæs þæt æðele mod
asundrad fram synnum, þeah he sares swa feala
deopum dolgslegum dreogan sceolde.

1245

Swa wæs ealne dæg oððæt æfen com
sigetorht swungen. Sar eft gewod
ymb þæs beornes breost, oðþæt beorht gewat
sunne swegeltorht to sete glidan.
Læddan þa leode laðne gewinnan

1250

to carcerne. He wæs Criste swa þeah
leof on mode. Him wæs leoht sefa
halig heortan neh, hige untyddre.
þa se halga wæs under heolstorscuwan,
eorl ellenheard, ondlange niht

1255

searoþancum beseted. Snaw eorðan band
wintergeworpum. Weder coledon
heardum hægelscurum, swylce hrim ond forst,
hare hildstapan, hæleða eðel
lucon, leoda gesetu. Land wæron freorig

1260

cealdum cylegicelum, clang wæteres þrym
ofer eastreamas, is brycgade
blæce brimrade. Bliðheort wunode
eorl unforcuð, elnes gemyndig,
þrist ond þrohtheard in þreanedum

1265

wintercealdan niht. No on gewitte blon,
acol for þy egesan, þæs þe he ær ongann,
þæt he a domlicost dryhten herede,
weorðade wordum, oððæt wuldres gim
heofontorht onhlad. ða com hæleða þreat

1270

to ðære dimman ding, duguð unlytel,
wadan wælgifre weorodes brehtme.
Heton ut hræðe æðeling lædan
in wraðra geweald, wærfæstne hæleð.
ða wæs eft swa ær ondlangne dæg

1275

swungen sarslegum. Swat yðum weoll
þurh bancofan, blodlifrum swealg,
hatan heolfre. Hra weorces ne sann,
wundum werig. þa cwom wopes hring
þurh þæs beornes breost, blat ut faran,

1280

weoll waðuman stream, ond he worde cwæð:
"Geseoh nu, dryhten god, drohtað minne,
weoruda willgeofa! þu wæst ond const
anra gehwylces earfeðsiðas.
Ic gelyfe to ðe, min liffruma,

1285

þæt ðu mildheort me for þinum mægenspedum,
nerigend fira, næfre wille,
ece ælmihtig, anforlætan,
swa ic þæt gefremme, þenden feorh leofað,
min on moldan, þæt ic, meotud, þinum

1290

larum leofwendum lyt geswice.
þu eart gescyldend wið sceaðan wæpnum,
ece eadfruma, eallum þinum;
ne læt nu bysmrian banan manncynnes,
facnes frumbearn, þurh feondes cræft

1295

leahtrum belecgan þa þin lof berað."
ða ðær ætywde se atola gast,
wrað wærloga. Wigend lærde
for þam heremægene helle dioful
awerged in witum, ond þæt word gecwæð:

1300

"Sleað synnigne ofer seolfes muð,
folces gewinnan! Nu to feala reordaþ."
þa wæs orlege eft onhrered,
niwan stefne. Nið upp aras
oþðæt sunne gewat to sete glidan

1305

under niflan næs. Niht helmade,
brunwann oferbræd beorgas steape,
ond se halga wæs to hofe læded,
deor ond domgeorn, in þæt dimme ræced;
sceal þonne in neadcofan nihtlangne fyrst

1310

wærfæst wunian wic unsyfre.
þa com seofona sum to sele geongan,
atol æglæca yfela gemyndig,
morðres manfrea myrce gescyrded,
deoful deaðreow duguðum bereafod,

1315

ongan þa þam halgan hospword sprecan:
"Hwæt hogodest ðu, Andreas, hidercyme þinne
on wraðra geweald? Hwæt is wuldor þin,
þe ðu oferhigdum upp arærdest,
þa ðu goda ussa gild gehnægdest?

1320

Hafast nu þe anum eall getihhad
land ond leode, swa dyde lareow þin.
Cyneþrym ahof, þam wæs Crist nama,
ofer middangeard, þynden hit meahte swa.
þone Herodes ealdre besnyðede,

1325

forcom æt campe cyning Iudea,
rices berædde, ond hine rode befealg,
þæt he on gealgan his gast onsende.
Swa ic nu bebeode bearnum minum,
þegnum þryðfullum, ðæt hie ðe hnægen,

1330

gingran æt guðe. Lætað gares ord,
earh ættre gemæl, in gedufan
in fæges ferð. Gað fromlice,
ðæt ge guðfrecan gylp forbegan."
Hie wæron reowe, ræsdon on sona

1335

gifrum grapum. Hine god forstod,
staðulfæst steorend, þurh his strangan miht.
Syððan hie oncneowon Cristes rode
on his mægwlite, mære tacen,
wurdon hie ða acle on þam onfenge,

1340

forhte, afærde, ond on fleam numen.
Ongan eft swa ær ealdgeniðla,
helle hæftling, hearmleoð galan:
"Hwæt wearð eow swa rofum, rincas mine,
lindgesteallan, þæt eow swa lyt gespeow?"

1345

Him þa earmsceapen agef ondsware,
fah fyrnsceaþa, ond his fæder oncwæð:
"Ne magan we him lungre lað ætfæstan,
swilt þurh searwe. Ga þe sylfa to!
þær þu gegninga guðe findest,

1350

frecne feohtan, gif ðu furður dearst
to þam anhagan aldre geneðan.
We ðe magon eaðe, eorla leofost,
æt þam secgplegan selre gelæran;
ær ðu gegninga guðe fremme,

1355

wiges woman, weald, hu ðe sæle
æt þam gegnslege. Utan gangan eft,
þæt we bysmrigen bendum fæstne,
oðwitan him his wræcsið. Habbað word gearu
wið þam æglæcan eall getrahtod!"

1360

þa hleoðrade hludan stefne,
witum bewæled, ond þæt word gecwæð:
"þu þe, Andreas, aclæccræftum
lange feredes! Hwæt, ðu leoda feala
forleolce ond forlærdest! Nu leng ne miht

1365

gewealdan þy weorce. þe synd witu þæs grim
weotud be gewyrhtum. þu scealt werigmod,
hean, hroðra leas, hearm þrowigan,
sare swyltcwale. Secgas mine
to þam guðplegan gearwe sindon,

1370

þa þe æninga ellenweorcum
unfyrn faca feorh ætþringan.
Hwylc is þæs mihtig ofer middangeard,
þæt he þe alyse of leoðubendum,
manna cynnes, ofer mine est?"

1375

Him þa Andreas agef ondsware:
"Hwæt, me eaðe ælmihtig god,
niða neregend, se ðe in niedum iu
gefæstnode fyrnum clommum!
þær ðu syððan a, susle gebunden,

1380

in wræc wunne, wuldres blunne,
syððan ðu forhogedes heofoncyninges word.
þær wæs yfles or, ende næfre
þines wræces weorðeð. ðu scealt widan feorh
ecan þine yrmðu. þe bið a symble

1385

of dæge on dæg drohtaþ strengra."
ða wearð on fleame se ðe ða fæhðo iu
wið god geara grimme gefremede.
Com þa on uhtan mid ærdæge
hæðenra hloð haliges neosan

1390

leoda weorude. Heton lædan ut
þrohtheardne þegn þriddan siðe,
woldon aninga ellenrofes
mod gemyltan. Hit ne mihte swa!
ða wæs niowinga nið onhrered,

1395

heard ond hetegrim. Wæs se halga wer
sare geswungen, searwum gebunden,
dolgbennum þurhdrifen, ðendon dæg lihte.
Ongan þa geomormod to gode cleopian,
heard of hæfte, halgan stefne

1400

weop werigferð, ond þæt word gecwæð:
"Næfre ic geferde mid frean willan
under heofonhwealfe heardran drohtnoð,
þær ic dryhtnes æ deman sceolde.
Sint me leoðu tolocen, lic sare gebrocen,

1405

banhus blodfag, benne weallað,
seonodolg swatige. Hwæt, ðu sigora weard,
dryhten hælend, on dæges tide
mid Iudeum geomor wurde
ða ðu of gealgan, god lifigende,

1410

fyrnweorca frea, to fæder cleopodest,
cininga wuldor, ond cwæde ðus:
'Ic ðe, fæder engla, frignan wille,
lifes leohtfruma, hwæt forlætest ðu me?'
Ond ic nu þry dagas þolian sceolde

1415

wælgrim witu. Bidde ic, weoroda god,
þæt ic gast minne agifan mote,
sawla symbelgifa, on þines sylfes hand.
ðu ðæt gehete þurh þin halig word,
þa ðu us twelfe trymman ongunne,

1420

þæt us heterofra hild ne gesceode,
ne lices dæl lungre oððeoded,
ne synu ne ban on swaðe lagon,
ne loc of heafde to forlore wurde,
gif we þine lare læstan woldon.

1425

Nu sint sionwe toslopen, is min swat adropen,
licgað æfter lande loccas todrifene,
fex on foldan. Is me feorhgedal
leofre mycle þonne þeos lifcearo."
Him þa stefn oncwæð, stiðhycgendum,

1430

wuldorcyninges word hloðrode:
"Ne wep þone wræcsið, wine leofesta,
nis þe to frecne. Ic þe friðe healde,
minre mundbyrde mægene besette.
Me is miht ofer eall,

1435

sigorsped geseald. Soð þæt gecyðeð
mænig æt meðle on þam myclan dæge,
þæt ðæt geweorðeð, þæt ðeos wlitige gesceaft,
heofon ond eorðe, hreosaþ togadore,
ær awæged sie worda ænig

1440

þe ic þurh minne muð meðlan onginne.
Geseoh nu seolfes swæðe, swa þin swat aget
þurh bangebrec blodige stige,
lices lælan. No þe laðes ma
þurh daroða gedrep gedon motan,

1445

þa þe heardra mæst hearma gefremedan."
þa on last beseah leoflic cempa
æfter wordcwidum wuldorcyninges.
Geseh he geblowene bearwas standan
blædum gehrodene, swa he ær his blod aget.

1450

ða worde cwæð wigendra hleo:
"Sie ðe ðanc ond lof, þeoda waldend,
to widan feore wuldor on heofonum,
ðæs ðu me on sare, sigedryhten min,
ellþeodigne, an ne forlæte."

1455

Swa se dædfruma dryhten herede
halgan stefne oððæt hador sægl
wuldortorht gewat under waðu scriðan.
þa þa folctogan feorðan siðe,
egle ondsacan, æðeling læddon

1460

to þam carcerne, woldon cræfta gehygd,
magorædendes mod oncyrran
on þære deorcan niht. þa com dryhten god
in þæt hlinræced, hæleða wuldor,
ond þa wine synne wordum grette

1465

ond frofre gecwæð, fæder manncynnes,
lifes lareow, heht his lichoman
hales brucan: "Ne scealt ðu in henðum a leng
searohæbbendra sar þrowian."
Aras þa mægene rof, sægde meotude þanc,

1470

hal of hæfte heardra wita.
Næs him gewemmed wlite, ne wloh of hrægle
lungre alysed, ne loc of heafde,
ne ban gebrocen, ne blodig wund
lice gelenge, ne laðes dæl,

1475

þurh dolgslege dreore bestemed,
ac wæs eft swa ær þurh þa æðelan miht
lof lædende, ond on his lice trum.
Hwæt, ic hwile nu haliges lare,
leoðgiddinga, lof þæs þe worhte,

1480

wordum wemde, wyrd undyrne
ofer min gemet. Mycel is to secganne,
langsum leornung, þæt he in life adreag,
eall æfter orde. þæt scell æglæwra
mann on moldan þonne ic me tælige

1485

findan on ferðe, þæt fram fruman cunne
eall þa earfeðo þe he mid elne adreah,
grimra guða. Hwæðre git sceolon
lytlum sticcum leoðworda dæl
furður reccan. þæt is fyrnsægen,

1490

hu he weorna feala wita geðolode,
heardra hilda, in þære hæðenan byrig.
He be wealle geseah wundrum fæste
under sælwage sweras unlytle,
stapulas standan, storme bedrifene,

1495

eald enta geweorc. He wið anne þæra,
mihtig ond modrof, mæðel gehede,
wis, wundrum gleaw, word stunde ahof:
"Geher ðu, marmanstan, meotudes rædum,
fore þæs onsyne ealle gesceafte

1500

forhte geweorðað, þonne hie fæder geseoð
heofonas ond eorðan herigea mæste
on middangeard mancynn secan.
Læt nu of þinum staþole streamas weallan,
ea inflede, nu ðe ælmihtig

1505

hateð, heofona cyning, þæt ðu hrædlice
on þis fræte folc forð onsende
wæter widrynig to wera cwealme,
geofon geotende. Hwæt, ðu golde eart,
sincgife, sylla! On ðe sylf cyning

1510

wrat, wuldres god, wordum cyðde
recene geryno, ond ryhte æ
getacnode on tyn wordum,
meotud mihtum swið. Moyse sealde,
swa hit soðfæste syðþan heoldon,

1515

modige magoþegnas, magas sine,
godfyrhte guman, Iosua ond Tobias.
Nu ðu miht gecnawan þæt þe cyning engla
gefrætwode furður mycle
giofum geardagum þonne eall gimma cynn.

1520

þurh his halige hæs þu scealt hræðe cyðan
gif ðu his ondgitan ænige hæbbe."
Næs þa wordlatu wihte þon mare
þæt se stan togan. Stream ut aweoll,
fleow ofer foldan. Famige walcan

1525

mid ærdæge eorðan þehton,
myclade mereflod. Meoduscerwen wearð
æfter symbeldæge, slæpe tobrugdon
searuhæbbende. Sund grunde onfeng,
deope gedrefed. Duguð wearð afyrhted

1530

þurh þæs flodes fær. Fæge swulton,
geonge on geofene guðræs fornam
þurh sealtne weg. þæt wæs sorgbyrþen,
biter beorþegu. Byrlas ne gældon,
ombehtþegnas. þær wæs ælcum genog

1535

fram dæges orde drync sona gearu.
Weox wæteres þrym. Weras cwanedon,
ealde æscberend. Wæs him ut myne
fleon fealone stream, woldon feore beorgan,
to dunscræfum drohtað secan,

1540

eorðan ondwist. Him þæt engel forstod,
se ða burh oferbrægd blacan lige,
hatan heaðowælme. Hreoh wæs þær inne
beatende brim. Ne mihte beorna hloð
of þam fæstenne fleame spowan.

1545

Wægas weoxon, wadu hlynsodon,
flugon fyrgnastas, flod yðum weoll.
ðær wæs yðfynde innan burgum
geomorgidd wrecen. Gehðo mændan
forhtferð manig, fusleoð golon.

1550

Egeslic æled eagsyne wearð,
heardlic hereteam, hleoðor gryrelic.
þurh lyftgelac leges blæstas
weallas ymbwurpon, wæter mycladon.
þær wæs wop wera wide gehyred,

1555

earmlic ylda gedræg. þa þær an ongann,
feasceaft hæleð, folc gadorigean,
hean, hygegeomor, heofende spræc:
"Nu ge magon sylfe soð gecnawan,
þæt we mid unrihte ellþeodigne

1560

on carcerne clommum belegdon,
witebendum. Us seo wyrd scyðeð,
heard ond hetegrim. þæt is her swa cuð,
is hit mycle selre, þæs þe ic soð talige,
þæt we hine alysan of leoðobendum,

1565

ealle anmode, (ofost is selost),
ond us þone halgan helpe biddan,
geoce ond frofre. Us bið gearu sona
sybb æfter sorge, gif we secaþ to him."
þa þær Andrea orgete wearð

1570

on fyrhðlocan folces gebæro,
þær wæs modigra mægen forbeged,
wigendra þrym. Wæter fæðmedon,
fleow firgendstream, flod wæs on luste,
oþþæt breost oferstag, brim weallende,

1575

eorlum oð exle. þa se æðeling het
streamfare stillan, stormas restan
ymbe stanhleoðu. Stop ut hræðe
cene collenferð, carcern ageaf,
gleawmod, gode leof. Him wæs gearu sona

1580

þurh streamræce stræt gerymed.
Smeolt wæs se sigewang, symble wæs dryge
folde fram flode, swa his fot gestop.
Wurdon burgware bliðe on mode,
ferhðgefeonde. þa wæs forð cumen

1585

geoc æfter gyrne. Geofon swaðrode
þurh haliges hæs, hlyst yst forgeaf,
brimrad gebad. þa se beorg tohlad,
eorðscræf egeslic, ond þær in forlet
flod fæðmian, fealewe wægas,

1590

geotende gegrind grund eall forswealg.
Nalas he þær yðe ane bisencte,
ach þæs weorodes eac ða wyrrestan,
faa folcsceaðan, feowertyne
gewiton mid þy wæge in forwyrd sceacan

1595

under eorþan grund. þa wearð acolmod,
forhtferð manig folces on laste.
Wendan hie wifa ond wera cwealmes,
þearlra geþinga ðrage hnagran,
syððan mane faa, morðorscyldige,

1600

guðgelacan under grund hruron.
Hie ða anmode ealle cwædon:
"Nu is gesyne ðæt þe soð meotud,
cyning eallwihta, cræftum wealdeð,
se ðisne ar hider onsende

1605

þeodum to helpe. Is nu þearf mycel
þæt we gumcystum georne hyran."
þa se halga ongann hæleð blissigean,
wigendra þreat wordum retan:
"Ne beoð ge to forhte, þeh þe fell curen

1610

synnigra cynn. Swylt þrowode,
witu be gewyrhtum. Eow is wuldres leoht
torht ontyned, gif ge teala hycgað."
Sende þa his bene fore bearn godes,
bæd haligne helpe gefremman

1615

gumena geogoðe, þe on geofene ær
þurh flodes fæðm feorh gesealdon,
ðæt þa gastas, gode orfeorme,
in wita forwyrd, wuldre bescyrede,
in feonda geweald gefered ne wurdan.

1620

þa ðæt ærende ealwealdan gode
æfter hleoðorcwidum haliges gastes
wæs on þanc sprecen, ðeoda ræswan.
Het þa onsunde ealle arisan,
geonge of greote, þa ær geofon cwealde.

1625

þa þær ofostlice upp astodon
manige on meðle, mine gefrege,
eaforan unweaxne, ða wæs eall eador
leoðolic ond gastlic, þeah hie lungre ær
þurh flodes fær feorh aleton.

1630

Onfengon fulwihte ond freoðuwære,
wuldres wedde witum aspedde,
mundbyrd meotudes. þa se modiga het,
cyninges cræftiga, ciricean getimbran,
gerwan godes tempel, þær sio geogoð aras

1635

þurh fæder fulwiht ond se flod onsprang.
þa gesamnodon secga þreate
weras geond þa winburg wide ond side,
eorlas anmode, ond hira idesa mid,
cwædon holdlice hyran woldon,

1640

onfon fromlice fullwihtes bæð
dryhtne to willan, ond diofolgild,
ealde eolhstedas, anforlætan.
þa wæs mid þy folce fulwiht hæfen,
æðele mid eorlum, ond æ godes

1645

riht aræred, ræd on lande
mid þam ceasterwarum, cirice gehalgod.
þær se ar godes anne gesette,
wisfæstne wer, wordes gleawne,
in þære beorhtan byrig bisceop þam leodum,

1650

ond gehalgode fore þam heremægene
þurh apostolhad, Platan nemned,
þeodum on þearfe, ond þriste bebead
þæt hie his lare læston georne,
feorhræd fremedon. Sægde his fusne hige,

1655

þæt he þa goldburg ofgifan wolde,
secga seledream ond sincgestreon,
beorht beagselu, ond him brimþisan
æt sæs faroðe secan wolde.
þæt wæs þam weorode weorc to geþoligenne,

1660

þæt hie se leodfruma leng ne wolde
wihte gewunian. þa him wuldres god
on þam siðfæte sylfum ætywde,
ond þæt word gecwæð, weoruda dryhten:
"folc of firenum? Is him fus hyge

1665

gað geomriende, geohðo mænað
weras wif samod. Hira wop becom,
murnende mod
fore sneowan.
Ne scealt ðu þæt eowde anforlætan

1670

on swa niowan gefean, ah him naman minne
on ferðlocan fæste getimbre.
Wuna in þære winbyrig, wigendra hleo,
salu sinchroden, seofon nihta fyrst.
Syððan ðu mid mildse minre ferest."

1675

þa eft gewat oðre siðe
modig, mægene rof, Marmedonia
ceastre secan. Cristenra weox
word ond wisdom, syððan wuldres þegn,
æþelcyninges ar, eagum sawon.

1680

Lærde þa þa leode on geleafan weg,
trymede torhtlice, tireadigra
wenede to wuldre weorod unmæte,
to þam halgan ham heofona rices,
þær fæder ond sunu ond frofre gast

1685

in þrinnesse þrymme wealdeð
in woruld worulda wuldorgestealda.
Swylce se halga herigeas þreade,
deofulgild todraf ond gedwolan fylde.
þæt wæs Satane sar to geþolienne,

1690

mycel modes sorg, þæt he ða menigeo geseah
hweorfan higebliðe fram helltrafum
þurh Andreas este lare
to fægeran gefean, þær næfre feondes ne bið,
gastes gramhydiges, gang on lande.

1695

þa wæron gefylde æfter frean dome
dagas on rime, swa him dryhten bebead,
þæt he þa wederburg wunian sceolde.
Ongan hine þa fysan ond to flote gyrwan,
blissum hremig, wolde on brimþisan

1700

Achaie oðre siðe
sylfa gesecan, þær he sawulgedal,
beaducwealm gebad. þæt þam banan ne wearð
hleahtre behworfen, ah in helle ceafl
sið asette, ond syððan no,

1705

fah, freonda leas, frofre benohte.
ða ic lædan gefrægn leoda weorode
leofne lareow to lides stefnan,
mæcgas modgeomre. þær manegum wæs
hat æt heortan hyge weallende.

1710

Hie ða gebrohton æt brimes næsse
on wægþele wigan unslawne.
Stodon him ða on ofre æfter reotan
þendon hie on yðum æðelinga wunn
ofer seolhpaðu geseon mihton,

1715

ond þa weorðedon wuldres agend,
cleopodon on corðre, ond cwædon þus:
"An is ece god eallra gesceafta!
Is his miht ond his æht ofer middangeard
breme gebledsod, ond his blæd ofer eall

1720

in heofonþrymme halgum scineð,
wlitige on wuldre to widan ealdre,
ece mid englum. þæt is æðele cyning!"