The Exeter Book (Jebson)/Juliana

by Cynewulf

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,^[1]
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^[1] hi þræce rærdon,
dædum gedwolene,    þa þe dryhtnes æ
feodon þurh firencræft.    Feondscype rærdon,

15

hofon hæþengield,    halge cwelmdon,
breotun boccræftge,    bærndon^[1] 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^[1] 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^[1] 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^[1] 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.^[1]
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^[1]    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^[1] 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^[1]    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^[1] 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^[1] 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,^[1]    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^[1]    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,^[1]    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^[1] 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.^[1]    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^[1]    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^[1] 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^[1] 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^[1] 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,^[1]
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^[1]
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,^[1]

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.^[1]
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^[1]    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^[1] ic wideferg
sweartra gesyrede.    Oft^[1] 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^[1]    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^[1] æfþoncan    edniwedan,
beore druncne.^[1]    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^[1] 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^[1]    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^[1] meaht    mine^[1] 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^[1] cyning

545

in feonda byrig;    þæt is^[1] 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^[1] 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,^[1]
on wita forwyrd.    Wiste he þi gearwor,
manes melda,    magum to secgan,
susles þegnum,    hu him on siðe gelomp.
  ^[1] "georne ær

560

heredon on heahþu    ond his halig word,^[1]
sægdon soðlice    þæt he sigora gehwæs
ofer ealle gesceaft    ana weolde,^[1]
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.^[1]    ða se hearda^[1] 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^[1] 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^[1]    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,^[1]    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,^[1]
gehyrde heo hearm galan    helle deofol.

630

Feond moncynnes    ongon þa on fleam^[1] 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^[1] 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^[1]    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;^[1]    of sceal ic þissum,
secan oþerne    ærgewyrhtum,
gongan iudædum.    Geomor hweorfeð
cen yr ond nyd.    Cyning biþ reþe,

705

sigora syllend,    þonne synnum fah
eh wen ond ur    acle bidað
hwæt him æfter dædum    deman wille
lifes to leane.    lagu feoh 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^[1] 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

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