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§Iu   %U\IX   %GQk 


Cjcfotb 

HORACE    HART,    PRINTER   TO  THE    UNIVERSITY 


Original  juries 
104 


V 


(BrxUj  $irglisjj  fttfi   Sorijelg, 


be  dxeter  Stoufc, 


AN  ANTHOLOGY  OF  ANGLO-SAXON  POETKY 

PRESENTED  TO  EXETER  CATHEDRAL  BY  LEOFRIC,  FIRST  BISHOP 

OF  EXETER  (1050-1071),  AND  STILL  IN  THE  POSSESSION 

OF  THE  DEAN  AND  CHAPTER, 


EDITED  FROM  THE  MANUSCRIPT, 
WITH  A    TRANSLATION,   NOTES,   INTRODUCTION,   ETC., 

BY 

ISEAEL    GOLLANCZ,    M.A., 

LATE    SCHOLAR    OF    CHRIST'S   COLLEGE,    CAMBRIDGE  ; 
gUAIN    STUDENT.    ITNIVERSITY    COLLEGE,    LONDON  ;     EDITOR    OF    '  PRE-TUDOR   TEXTS. 


'  I.  ittgrrl  CEngliBc  boc  be  gehtoilcum  bingum  o"  leo&toisau  (jetoovhl ; 
'  One  Great  EnelWi   Book  on  all  sorts  of  subjects  wrong]  it  in  Terse.' 

Leq/HcU  Venations, 


PART  I.     POEMS   I -VIII. 


LONDON: 

PUBLISHED    FOR    THE    EARLY    ENGLISH    TEXT    SOCIETY, 
BY  KEGAN   PAUL,  TRENCH,  TRUBNEtt  &  CO.,  LIMITED, 

PATMBHOM  11:    HOI     1      (  iiamm.  "AD,   W.c. 

MDCCCXCV. 


PR 
Ills 

A* 

'Mo  r  o  4- 


TO 

DR.   JOHN    PEILE 

MASTER    OF    CHRIST'S    COLLEGE 

THIS    WORK 
IS    GRATEFULLY     DEDICATED 


xf\\ 


PREFATORY  NOTE. 


It  is  proposed  to  issue  the  present  edition  of  the  '  Exeter 
Book '  in  three  parts.  Part  II,  completing  the  text  will,  in 
all  probability,  be  ready  for  publication  by  January,  1894. 
Part  III,  containing*  notes,  introductions,  indexes,  will  follow 
in  due  course.  The  Manumissions,  Charters,  and  other 
Documents  prefixed  to  the  MS.  will  form  a  supplementary 
brochure.  The  entire  work  will,  it  is  hoped,  be  completed 
by  the  end  of  1895.  In  accordance  with  the  Society's 
present  practice  the  accompanying  instalment  is  published 
in  advance.  All  the  longer  poems  of  the  Codex  will  be 
found  therein  ;  in  bulk  it  represents  about  three-fifths  of 
the  whole.  The  Editor  begs  leave  to  point  out  that  the 
notes  at  the  bottom  of  the  page  are  strictly  limited  to 
variations  from  the  MS.,  which  has  been  scrupulously 
followed.  Italic  letters,  when  not  otherwise  commented  on, 
represent  the  customary  Anglo-Saxon  contractions ;  the  small 
clarendon  type,  used  occasionally  after  stops,  indicates  that  in 
the  original  the  size  of  the  respective  letters  is  intermediate 
between  ordinary  small  and  capital  letters.  No  attempt  has 
been  made  to  normalize  the  spelling  of  the  text,  and  in 
matters  of  interpretation  the  reading  of  the  MS.  has  been 
preferred  to  plausible  emendations.  It  is  surprising  to  find 
how  often  the  MS.  is  correct.  Difficult  and  doubtful  passages 
will  be  duly  discussed  in  the  fuller  'Notes  and  Illusi  rations,1 
(Part  III);  meanwhile,  the  translation  may  perhaps  eerve  ai 
1  liiirl\  adequate  commentary  to  the  text 

I.  (i. 


CONTENTS  OF  PAET  I. 


PAGE 

Dedication .         .  v 

Prefatory  Note .  vii 

I.  Christ 2 

II.  Saint  Guthlac 104   ^ 

III.  Azaeiah.         .         .         .         .         .         .         .         .  188 

IV.  The  Phcenix 200 

V.  Saint  Juliana        .......  242 

VI.  The  Wanderer       . 286 

VII.  The  Endowments  of  Men 292 

VIII.  A  Father's  Instruction 300 


THE   EXETER   BOOK. 


[I.  CHRIST.    A.     THE  NATIVITY] 

P-] 

*cyninge  •  *[fol.  8  a.] 

Su  eart  se  weall-stan     be  $a  wyrhtan  iu 
wit5-wurpon  to  weorce     wel  J>e  geriseS 

f>set  pu  heafoc£  sie     healle  mserre  4 

and  gesomnige  side  weallas 
fseste  gefoge  flint  unbrsecne 
feet  geond  eorS-b[j/W]g  eall     eagna  gesihbe 

wundrien  to  worlde     wuldres  ealdor*  8 

gesweotula  nu  burh  searo-crseft     bin  sylfes  weorc 
sotS-fsest  sigor-beorht     and  sona  forlset 
weall  wi5  wealle     nu  is  bam  weorce  bearf 

J>get  se  crse/tga  cume     and  se  cyning  sylfa  12 

and  bonne  gebete     nu  gebrosnad  is 
hus  under  hrofe     he  J?aet  hra  gescop 
leomo  laemena     nu  sceal  lif-frea 

f»one  wergan  heap     wrabum  ahreddan  16 

earme  from  egsan  swa  he  oft  dyde 
eala  ]>u  reccend  and  bu  riht  cyning 
se  J?e  locan  healde'S  lif  ontynetS 

eadga  us  siges     obrum  forwyrned  20 

wlitigan  wil-sibes     gif  his  weorc  ne  deag 

4.  MS.  heafoft.  7.  MS.  b  [yri]  g.  The  g  just  visible.  After  b  there  is 
what  I  take  to  be  the  upper  part  of  a  curved  y  still  traceable,  resembling  in 
shape  an  o  (certainly  not  a  u).  eagna ;  originally  -nan,  the  erased  n  visible. 
10.  MS.  forlet  (i.  e.  se).         12.  MS.  crsestga.  14.  hra  can  hardly  be  read 

owing  to  the  action  of  some  liquid  on  8  a,  8  b.         18.  MS.  ]>a.         20.  eadga  : 


I.  CHRIST.     A.  THE  NATIVITY. 

I. 

to  the  King. 

Thou  art  the  wall- stone  that  the  workmen  once 

rejected  from  the  work  :  well  it  beseemeth  thee, 

that  thou  shouldst  be  head  of  the  noble  hall,  4 

and  join  together  with  firm  fastening 

the  spacious  walls,  the  flint  unbreakable, 

so  that,  throughout  earth's  cities,  all  things  endowed  with  sight 

may  wonder  evermore,  0  Prince  of  glory  !  8 

Through  thy  skill  let  thine  own  work  now  appear 

firm,  gloriously  bright,  and  forthwith  leave 

wall  against  wall.     Now  is  there  need  for  the  work 

that  the  Craftsman  and  the  King  Himself  should  come,  1a 

and  should  then  restore  the  house  beneath  the  roof, 

which  now  is  waste.     He  formed  the  body, 

the  limbs  of  clay  ;  now  shall  He,  Lord  of  life, 

deliver  the  abject  band  from  foes,  16 

the  wretched  ones  from  terror,  as  He  oft  did. 

O  thou  Ruler  and  thou  just  King! 

He  who  holdeth  the  locks,  who  openeth  life! 

bless  us  with  victory,  with  a  bright  career,  ao 

denied  unto  another,  if  his  work  be  worthless. 

after  ga,  which  comes  at  the  end  of  the  line,  a  small  piece  of  parchment  ha* 
been  cut  out :  at  most  one  letter  could  have  been  on  it,  but  probably  none  at 
all.  a  1.  wil-si)>es,  the  last  two  letters  can  scarcely  be  read,  and  all  the  letters 
are  barely  vittfile. 

B  2 


4  I.       CHRIST.       22-54. 

hum  we  for  f>earfe     }>as  word  sprecatS 

[nu  gemcersijgisft     bone  pe  mon  gescop 

J^set  he  ne  hete     ■  '  '  ceose  sprecan  24 

cearfulra  ping     pe  we  in  carcerne 

sittat5  sorgende    sunnan  wip-«]i$ 

hwonne  us  lif-frea     leoht  ontyne 

weorSe  ussum  mode     to  mund-boran  28 

and  ]?get  tydre  gewitt     tire  bewinde 

gedo  nsic  ]?8es  wyrSe     J>e  he  to  wuldre  forlet 

p&  we  hean-lice     hweorfan  sceoldan 

to  J?is  enge  lond     eftle  bescyrede  32 

forjjon  secgan  mseg     se  Se  so"S  spriceS 

j^set  he  ahredde     f>a  for-hwyrfed  wees 

frum-cyn  fira     wses  seo  fsemne  geong 

msegtS  manes  leas     pe  he  *him  to  meder  geceas  •     *[8  6.]         36 

pset  wees  geworden     butan  weres  frigum 

J>eet  f>urh  bearnes  gebyrd     bryd  eacen  wearS 

neenig  efenlic  f>am     eer  ne  sij)f>an 

in  worlde  gewearS     wifes  gearnung  40 

f>eet  degol  wees     dryhtnes  geryne 

eal  giofu  geest-lic     grund-sceat  geond-spreot  • 

}?eer  wisna  fela     wear's  inlihted 

lare  long-sume     burn  lifes  fruman  •  44 

pe  33r  under  hoSman     biholen  leegon 

witgena  woS-song     }>a  se  waldend  cwom 

sepe  reorda  gehwees     ryne  gemiclaS 

Sara  pe  geneahhe     noman  scyppendes  48 

)?urh  ho[r]scne  had     hergan  willaS  • 

eala  sibbe  gesihS     Bancta  hierusalem  ■ 

cyne-stola  cyst     cristes  burg-lond 

engla  e]?el-stol     and  pa,  ane  in  pe  52 

saule  soS-fsestra     simle  gerestaS 

wuldrum  hremge     neefre  wommes  tacn 


23. gia8.     Five  or  six  letters  are  quite  faded  before  -giaft.     24.  hete 

*  ceose,  the  MS.  is  hardly  readable  here ;  two  or  three  letters  are  obliterated 


I.       CHRIST.       A.       THE    NATIVITY.  0 

Verily  in  our  need  we  speak  these  words, 

(we  beseech)  Him  who  created  man 

that  He  may  not  choose  to  speak  in  hate  24 

the  doom  of  us  so  sorrowful,  who  in  prison 

sit  yearning  for  the  sun's  bright  course, 

until  the  Lord  of  life  revealeth  the  light  to  us, 

until  He  become  our  soul's  protector,  28 

and  wreathe  the  feeble  mind  with  splendour  : 

may  He  make    us   thus  worthy,  whom  He  hath  admitted  unto 

when  we  must  needs  depart  in  abject  plight 

unto  this  narrow  land,  bereft  of  home.  33 

Verily  he  may  say  it  who  speaketh  truth, 
that  when  the  race  of  men  was  all  depraved, 
He  saved  it.     Young  was  the  maiden, 

a  damsel  sinless,  whom  He  chose  for  His  mother.  36 

It  came  to  pass  without  man's  wooing, 
that  the  bride  was  great  by  child-conception. 
Never  before  or  after  in  the  world 

was  any  meed  of  woman  like  to  that ;  4° 

it  was  a  secret  mystery  of  the  Lord  ; 
all  ghostly  grace  o'erspread  earth's  region  j 
then  many  a  thing  became  enlightened 

through  life's  Creator,  precepts  of  ancient  day,  44 

which  erewhile  in  darkness  lay  concealed, 
the  sages'  songs  prophetic,  when  the  Ruler  came , 
He  who  enlargeth  the  course  of  every  word 
of  those  that,  in  their  wisdom,  wish  48 

to  praise  enow  the  name  of  their  Creator. 

O  sight  of  peace !  holy  Jerusalem  ! 
choicest  of  royal  thrones  I  citadel  of  Christ ! 
the  native  seat  of  angels  and  of  the  just,  5a 

the  souls  of  whom  alone  rest  in  thee  ever, 
exulting  in  their  glories.     Never  the  sign  of  crime 

before  ceote.  26.  wi[/-«]iC,  the  italicued  letters  arc  almost  obliterated. 

,1     MM.  fo.        33.  n tfc  It  kardly  titbit.        49.  MS.  hoscne. 


6  I.      CHRIST.      55-85. 

in  j?am  eard-gearde     eawed  weor^eS- 

ac  pe  firina  gehwylc     feor  abuge'S  56 

wsergtSo  and  gewinnes     bist  to  wuldre  full 

halgan  hyhtes     swa  J>u  gehaten  eart 

sioh  nu  sylfa  pe  geond     J>as  sidan  gesceaft 

swylce  rodores  hrof    rume  geond-wlitan  60 

ymb  healfa  gehwone     hu  f>ec  heofones  cyning 

siSe  geseceS     and  sylf  cyme's 

mine's  eard  in  pe     swa  hit  ser  gefyrn 

witgan  wis-faeste     wordsm  ssegdon  64 

cySdon  cristes  gebyrd     cwsedon  pe  to  frofre 

burga  bet-licast  •     nu  is  f>set  beam  cymen 

awaecned  to  wyrpe    weorcum  ebrea* 

bringeS  blisse  pe     benda  onlyse(5  68 

nif>um  genetSde     nearo-*f>earfe  conn     *[9a.] 

hu  se  earcna  sceal     are  gebidan  : —  :  7 

[II.] 

EAla  wifa  wynn     geond  wuldres  J>rym  • 
faerane  freo-licast  •     ofer  ealne  foldan  sceat  72 

pees  pe  a3fre  sund-buend  secgan  hyrdon  • 
arece  us  f>aet  geryne     J?set  pe  of  roderum  cwom 
hu  f>u  encnunge     aefre  onfenge 

bearnes  J>urh  gebyrde     and  J>one  gebed-scipe  76 

sefter  nion-wisan     mod  ne  cuSes  • 
ne  we  socS-lice     swylc  ne  gefrugnan 
in  aer-dagum     aefre  gelimpan 

f>aet  Su  in  sundur-giefe     swylce  befenge  80 

ne  we  J?sere  wyrde  wenan  J^urfon 
toweard  in  tide  huru  treow  in  pe 
weorS-licu  wunade     nu  f>u  wuldres  f>rym 

bosme  gebaere     and  no  gebrosnad  wearS  84 

maeg'S-had  se  micla     swa  eal  manna  beam 

70.   One  line  space  between  the  sections. 


I.       CHRIST.       A.       THE    NATIVITY.  7 

shall  in  that  dwelling-place  be  seen, 

but  every  sin  shall  flee  afar  from  thee,  56 

all  curse  and  conflict ;  thou  art  gloriously  full 

of  holy  promise,  as  thou  art  named. 

See  now  thyself  how  the  wide  creation 

and  heaven's  roof  survey eth  thee  all  about  60 

on  every  side,  and  how  the  King  of  heaven 

seeketh  thee  in  His  course,  and  cometh  Himself, 

and  taketh  His  dwelling  in  thee,  as  erewhile  in  days  of  yore 

the  wisest  prophets  spake  in  words  ;  64 

they  made  known  the  birth  of  Christ  and  told  it  for  thy  comfort, 

thou  best  of  cities!    Now  the  Child  is  come, 

awakened  to  destroy  the  Hebrews'  works; 

He  bringeth  thee  joy;  He  looseneth  thy  bonds;'  68 

He  hath  adventured  Him  for  men  ;  He  knoweth  their  dire  need, — 

how  the  wretched  must  await  compassion. 


II. 

flA/A/ 
•     '  Oh  thou  joy  of  women  in  the  glory  of  glories ! 

maiden  the  fairest  o'er  all  the  region  of  the  earth,  72 

that  the  ocean-dwellers  have  ever  heard  tell  of, 

unfold  to  us  the  mystery  that  came  to  thee  from  the  skies, 

how  thou  didst  ever  receive  increase 

by  child-conception,  and  yet  thou  knewest  not  -  76 

communion  after  human  fashion. 

Truly  we  have  not  heard  that  ever 

in  days  of  yore  the  like  hath  happened, 

such  as  thou  in  special  grace  receivedst,  80 

nor  may  we  hope  the  thing  to  come  to  pass 

in  future  time.     Verily  the  faith  that  dwelt  in  thee 

was  worshipful,  since  thou  didst  l>ear  within  thy  bosom 

the  flower  of  glory,  and  thy  great  maidenhood  84 

was  not  destroy*  I      All  the  children  of  men 


8  I.       CHRIST.       86-II9. 

sorgum  sawaS     swa  eft  ripatS 

cennat5  to  cwealme    cwsetS  sio  eadge  meeg 

symle  sigores  full     Sancta,  maria-  88 

hwa3t  is  f>eos  wundrung     pe  ge  wanaS 

and  geoinrende    gehbum  msenatS 

sunu  solimse     somod  his  dohtor 

fricgatS  burh  fyrwet     hu  ic  fsemnan-had  92 

mund  minne  geheold  and  eac     modor  gewearS 

nisere  meotudes  suna     forban  baet  monnum  nis 

cutS  geryne     ac  crist  onwrah 

in  dauides     dyrre  msegan  •  96 

bget  is  euan  scyld     eal  for-pynded 

weergSa  aworpen     and  gewuldrad  is 

se  heanra  had     hyht  is  onfangen 

beet  nu  bletsung  mot     bsem  gemsene  100 

werum  and  wifum     a  to  worulde  fortS 

in  bam  up-lican     engla  dreame  • 

*  mid  socS-feeder     symle  wunian  •  *  [9  b.  ] 

eala  earendel     engla  beorhtast  104 

ofer  middan-geard     monnum  sended 

and  soft-fsesta     sunnan  leoina 

torht   ofer  tunglas     bu  tida  gehwane 

of  sylfum  be     symle  inlihtes  •  108 

swa  bu  god  of  gode     gearo  acenned 

sunu  soban  faeder     swegles  in  wuldre 

butan  anginne     sefre  vvsere  • 

Swa  fee  nu  for  bearfuin     bin  agen  geweorc  112 

bidecS  burh  byldo     fast  bu  ba  beorhtan  us  • 

sunnan  onsende     and  pe  sylf  cyme 

bset  (5u  inleohte     ba  pe  longe  ser- 

brosme  bebeahte     and  in  beostrum  her  116 

sseton  sin-neahtes     synnum    bifealdne 

deorc  deabes  sceadu     dreogan  sceoldan  • 

nu  we  hyht-fulle     haelo  gelyfacS 

91.  MS.  solim§  {i.e.  se).    113.  byldo  corrected  from  hyldo.     118.  sceadu,  d 
corrected  from  iS.  ■ 


I.       CHRIST.       A.       THE    NATIVITY.  9 

as  they  sow  in  sorrow,  so  afterwards  they  reap, 

they  bring  forth  for  death.'     Spake  the  blessed  maiden, 

ever  full  of  triumph,  the  holy  Mary  : —  88 

'  What  is  this  wonder  which  ye  wonder  at, 
and  bemoan  and  grievously  lament, 
thou  son  and  thou  daughter  of  Salem  1 

Ye  ask  enquiringly  how  I  preserved  92 

my  maidenhood,  my  plighted  troth,  and  yet  became 
great  mother  of  the  Creator's  Son.     Verily  to  men 
the  mystery  is  not  known  ;  but  Christ  revealed 
in  David's  beloved  kinswoman,  96 

that  the  guilt  of  Eve  is  all  concluded, 
the  curses  overthrown,  and  the  humbler  sex 
is  glorified.     Hope  is  gained 

that  now  for  both  alike,  for  men  and  women,  100 

blessing  may  for  evermore  abide, 
amid  the  harmony  of  angels  high  above, 
with  the  Father  of  truth,  to  all  eternity.' 

Lo  !   thou  bright  ray,  brightest  of  angels  104 

sent  to  men  upon  this  middle-earth, 
and  sun-beam  true  and  constant, 
bright  beyond  the  stars,  thou  from  thyself 

illuminest  for  ever  all  the  tides  of  time.  108 

Even  as  thou,  God  indeed  begotten  of  God, 
Son  of  the  true  Father,  wast  ever 
without  beginning  in  the  heaven's  glory, 

so  now  thine  own  work  in  its  need  1 1 1 

prayeth  thee  boldly  that  thou  send  us 
the  bright  sun,  and  that  thou  thyself  conn •. 
to  enlighten  those  who  long  since 

were  wrapt  in  darkness,  and  here  in  gloom  116 

;it   tho  long  night  shrouded  in  sin: 
death's  dark  shadow  had  they  to  endure. 
Hopeful  now,  we  trust  the  salvation 


10 


I.       CHRIST.       120-153. 


}mrh  fjset  word  godes     weorodum  brungen  120 

f>e  on  frymcSe  wees     feeder  selmihtigum 

efen-ece  mid  god     and  nu  eft  geweartS 

flaesc  firena  leas     f»set  seo  fsemne  gebeer 

geomrum  to  geoce     god  waes  mid  us  124 

gesewe.n  butan  synnum     somod  eardedon 

mihtig  meotudes  beam     and  se  mornies  sunu 

gej^wsere  on  feode     we  f>aes  f>onc  magon 

secgan  sige-dryhtne     symle  bi  gewyrhtum  128 

J>ees  f>e  he  hine  sylfne  us     sendan  wolde  • 

eala  geesta  god     hu  pu  gleawlice 

mid  noman  ryhte     nemned  weere 

emmanuhel     swa  hit  engel  gecwsecS  132 

serest  on  ebresc     j?eet  is  e/t  gereht 

rume  bi  gerynum     nu  is  rodera  weard 

god  sylfa  mid  us     swa  f>set  gomele  gefyrn 

ealra  cyninga  cyning     and  j?one  cleenan  eac  136 

sacerd  soft-lice     seegdon  toweard  • 

swa  se  msere  iu     melchisedech  • 

gleaw  in  gseste     god-frym  on-*wrah     *[10  a.] 

eces  alwaldan     se  waes  se  bringend  140 

lara  leedend     f>am  longe  his 

hyhtan  hider-cyme     swa  him  gehaten  waes 

f>gette  sunu  meotudes     sylfa  wolde 

gefaelsian     foldan  meegcSe  •  144 

swylce  grundas  eac     gsestes  meegne 

sij>e  gesecan     nu  hie  softe  J?83S 

bidon  in  bendum     hwonne  beam  godes 

cwome  to  cearigum     forf>on  c  weed  on  swa  148 

suslum  gesleehte     nu  fu  sylfa  cum 

heofones  heah-cyning     bring  us  heelo-lif 

werigum  wite-J>eowum     wope  forcymenum 

bitrum  bryne-tearum     is  seo  bot  gelong  152 

eal  set  _pe  anum     ofer-f>earfum 

133.  MS.  est.         153.  About  Jive  letters  obliterated  after  anum. 


I.       CHRIST.       A.      THE    NATIVITY.  11 

brought  to  the  hosts  of  men  through  the  word  of  God,  120 

which  was  in  the  beginning  co-eternal 

with  the  Almighty  Father,  with  God,  and  is  now  become 

flesh  void  of  blemish,  that  the  maiden  bare, 

as  a  help  for  the  troubled.     God  was  seen  among  us  124 

without  sin;   together  they  dwelt, 

the  Creator's  mighty  Son  and  the  son  of  man, 

in  peace  among  folk.     Wherefore  we  must  ever, 

dutifully,  say  thanks  unto  the  Lord  triumphant  128 

that  He  was  willing  to  send  to  us  Himself. 

Oh,  God  of  all  spirits !  how  wisely  Thou 
wast  named  with  name  aright 

Emmanuel  !  as  the  angel  spake  the  word  132 

in  Hebrew  first,  which  fully  in  its  secret  meaning 
is  thus  interpreted  : — '  Now  is  the  Guardian  of  the  skies, 
God  Himself,  with  us':    even  as  in  days  of  yore 
old  men  declared  aright  that  the  King  136 

of  all  kings  and  eke  the  pure  priest  was  to  come ; 
thus  long  ago  the  great  Melchizedec, 
the  wise  of  spirit,  revealed  the  majesty  divine 
of  the  eternal  Ruler;  he  was  the  law-bringer,  140 

the  bringer  of  doctrine,  unto  those  who  long 
hoped  for  His  advent,  for  it  was  promised  them 
that  the  Son  Himself  of  the  Creator 

would  purify  the  races  of  earth,  144 

and  also  in  His  course  would  seek  the  abyss, 
by  the  might  of  His  spirit.     Patiently  now 
have  they  waited  in  their  bonds  until  God's  Child 
should  come  to  the  afflicted;  therefore  spake  thus  148 

those  cast  in  torments:   'Come  thou  now  thyself, 
high  King  of  heaven,  bring  salvation  unto  us, 
weary  thralls,  worn  out  with  weeping, 

with  bitter  burning  tears.     The  remedy  resteth  152 

alone  in  Thee  for  the  overmuch  oppressed. 


12  I.       CHRIST.       154-183. 

heeftas  hyge-geomre     hider  [gesece 

ne  leei]  pe  behindan  •     jxmne  pu  heonan  cyrre 

msenigo  Ipus  micle     ac  ]?u  miltse  on  us  156 

gecytS  cyne-lice     crist  nergende 

wuldres  seeding     ne  lset  awyrgde  ofer  us 

onwald  agan     leef  us  ecne  gefean 

wuldres  pines     pset  pee  weorcSien  160 

weoroda  wuldor-cyning     pa,  pu  geworhtes  aer 

hondum  }>inum     pu  in  hean-nissum 

wunast  wide  ferh     mid  waldend  feeder:  7 


[in.] 

eAla  ioseph  min     iacobes  beam  164 

mseg  dauides     niaeran  cyninges  . 
nu  J>u  freode  scealt    fseste  gedselan 
alsetan  lufan  mine  •     Ic  lungre  earn 

deope  gedrefed     dome  bereafod-  168 

forSon  ic  worn  for  pe     worde  hsebbe 
sidra  sorga     and  sar-cwida  • 

hearmes  gehyred     and  me  *hosp  sprecatS     *  [10  6.] 
torn-worda  fela     ic  tearas  sceal  172 

geotan  geomor-mod  •     god  eaf>e  mseg 
gehaelan  hyge-sorge     heortan  minre 
afrefran  fea-sceaftne  •     eala  feemne  geong 

msegS  maria-     hwset  bemurnest  Su  176 

cleopast  cearigende     ne  ic  culpan  in  pe 
incan  senigne     aefre  onfunde  • 
womma  geworhtra  \  and  Jm  pa  word  spricest 
swa  pu  sylfa  sie     synna  gehwylcre  180 

firena  gefylled     ic  to  fela  hsebbe 
fees  byrd-scypes     bealwa  onfongen  • 
hu  mseg  ic  ladigan     laf>an  sprsece 

154.  About  ten  letters  quite  faded  after  hider.     163.  One  line  space  between 
the  sections. 


I.      CHRIST.       A.      THE   NATIVITY.  13 

Visit  us  here,  captives  sad  in  spirit, 
nor  leave  behind  thee,  when  thou  turnst  from  hence, 
so  great  a  throng !  but  royally  show  forth  1 56 

thy  mercy  unto  us,  Christ  the  Saviour! 
Prince  of  Glory!  let  not  the  accursed 
have  power  over  us :  grant  us  thy  glory's 

endless  joy,  that  those  may  worship  thee,  160 

great  Lord  of  hosts,  whom  thou  first  wroughtest 
with  thy  hands.     Thou  in  the  high  places 
dwellest  for  ever  with  the  all-ruling  Father.' 

[Mary.]  '  Lo,  Joseph  mine,  child  of  Jacob,  164 

kinsman  of  the  great  King  David, 

must  thou  forthwith  renounce  thy  troth, 

and  leave  my  love T     [Joseph.]  'Very  deeply 

am  I  troubled,  bereft  of  honour,  168 

for  because  of  thee  I  have  heard,  in  words, 

much  great  grief,  many  sorry  speeches, 

much  insult,  and  they  utter  scorn  against  me, 

and  many  angry  words:  sad  in  mind  172 

I  must  shed  tears.     God  may  easily 

heal  the  deep  sorrow  of  my  heart, 

and  comfort  me  distressed.     Alas,  young  damsel, 

Mary  maiden  !'     [Mary.]  'Why  mournest  thou  176 

and  lamentest  sorrowing?  Never  found  I 

fault  in  thee  or  any  cause  of  blame 

for  evil  done,  and  yet  thou  speakest  such  words, 

as  thou  thyself  wert  filled  with  every  sin  1S0 

nn'l   all  transgression.'     [Joseph.]  'Too  much  bulc 

have  I  received  from  this  conception. 

How  can  I  escape  the  hateful  words, 


14  t,       CHRIST.       184-217. 

of>J>e  andswa,ic     asnige  findan •  184 

wraf>um  to-wif>ere     is  fset  wide  cutS 

£aet  ic  of  )?am  torhtan     temple  dryhtnes 

onfeng  freo-lice     fsemnan  claene 

womma  lease  •     and  nu  gehwyrfed  is  188 

J>urh  nat-hwylees     me  naw|?er  deag 

secge  ne  swige     gif  ic  soft  sprece  • 

J?onne  sceal  dauides     dohtor  sweltan 

stanum  astyrfed     gen  strengre  is  192 

J?set  ic  morj^or  hele     scyle  man-swara  • 

laj>  leoda  gehwam     lifgan  sij^an 

fracoS  in  folcum     J>a  seo  fsemne  onwrah  • 

ryht-geryno     and  f>us  reordade  •  196 

Soft  ic  secge     J>urh  sunu  meotudes 

gsesta  geocend     j?eet  ic  gen  ne  conn 

f>urh  gemsec-scipe     monnes  ower 

senges  on  eortSan     ac  me  eaden  wearS  200 

geongre  in  geardum     £>8et  me  gabrihel 

heofones  heag-engel     hselo  gebodade. 

ssegde  soS-lice     fset  me  swegles  gsest 

leoman  onlyhte     sceolde  ic  lifes  j?rym  204 

geberan  beorhtne  sunu     beam  eacen  godes 

torhtes  tir-fruma[w]     nu  ic  his  tempel  earn 

gefremed  butan  facne     in  me  frofre  gsest 

ge-*eardode     nu  J>u  ealle  forlset         *[11  a.]  208 

sare  sorg-ceare     saga  ecne  J>onc 

mserum  meotodes  sunu     }>8et  ic  his  modor  gewearS 

faemne  forS  se-fieah     and  Ipu  faeder  cweden 

woruld-cund  bi  wene     sceolde  witedom  212 

in  him  sylfum  beon     sotSe  gefylled  • 

eala  pu  so(5a     and  j?u  sib-sum  a 

ealra  cyninga  cyning     crist  ael-mihtig 

hu  f>u  ser  wsere     eallum  geworden  216 

worulde  J?rymmum     mid  f>inne  wuldor-f seder 

206.  MS.  tir-fruma. 


I.       CHRIST.       A.       THE    NATIVITY.  15 

or  how  can  I  find  any  answer  184 

'gainst  my  foes  ?  Tis  widely  known 

that  from  the  glorious  temple  of  the  Lord, 

I  joyfully  received  a  maiden  pure 

and  spotless;  and  now  all  is  changed,  188 

through  whom  I  know  not.     Neither  availeth  me, 

to  speak  or  to  be  silent;  speak  I  the  truth, 

then  must  David's  daughter  die, 

slain  with  stones  ;  yet  is  it  harder  192 

to  conceal  crime,  to  be  doomed  to  live  hereafter 

perjured,  hateful  unto  all  the  folk, 

accursed  'mong  men.'  Then  the  maid  unravelled 

the  true  mystery,  and  thus  she  spake  :  196 

1  Truly  I  say,  by  the  Son  of  the  Creator, 
the  Saviour  of  souls,  that  yet  I  know  not 
in  fellowship  any  man 

anywhere  on  earth ;   but  it  was  granted  me,  200 

while  young  and  in  my  home,  that  Gabriel, 
heavens  archangel,  bade  me  hail, 
and  truly  said  that  heaven's  spirit 

should  with  his  ray  illumine  me,  that  I  should  bear  204 

life's  glory,  an  illustrious  son,  the  mighty  Child  of  God, 
of  the  bright  Creator.     Now,  without  guilt,  am  I 
become  His  temple ;  the  spirit  of  comfort 

hath  dwelt  within  me.     Dismiss  thou  then  208 

all  sorry  care,  and  say  eternal  thanks 

unto  the  Lord's  great  Son  that  I  have  become  His  mother, 
nathless  a  maiden  still,  and  thou,  according  to  the  hope, 
art  called  His  earthly  father,  should  the  prophecy  212 

be  fulfilled  aright  in  Him  Himself.' 

O  thou  true  and  thou  peaceful 
King  of  all  kings,  Christ  Almighty  I 

how  wast  thou,  with  thy  glorious  Father,  216 

existent  before  all  the  world's  estates, 


16  I.       CHRIST.       218-251. 

cild  acenned     )?urh  his  craift  and  meaht  • 

nis  senig  nu     eorl  under  lyfte 

secg  searo-jxmcol     to  j?ses  swiSe  gleaw*  220 

pe  p-xt  asecgan  msege  sund  buendum  ■ 

areccan  mid  ryhte     hu  pe  rodera  weard 

set  frymfte  genom     him  to  freo-bearne 

j?set  wses  f>ara  ]?inga     pe  her  )?eoda  cynn  234 

gefrugnen  mid  folcum     set  fruman  serest 

geworden  under  wolcnum     J?set  witig  god 

lifes  ord-fruma     leoht  and  J?ystro 

gedselde  dryhtlice     and  him  wses  domes  geweald  228 

and  p&  wisan  abead     weoroda  ealdor  • 

nu  sie  geworden  for))  a     to  widan  feore  • 

leoht  lixende  gefea     lifgendra  gehwam 

pe  in  cneorissum     cende  weorSen  232 

and  J>a  sona  gelomp     J?a  hit  swa  sceolde 

leoma  leohtade     leoda  mseg}?uni 

torht  mid  tunglum     sefter  Jxm  tida  bigong 

sylfa  sette     J>set  pu  sunu  wsere  .  236 

efen-eardigende     mid  Jnnne  engan  frean 

ser  jxm  oht  J?isses     sefre  gewurde  • 

pu  eart  seo  snyttro     pe  f>as  sidan  gesceaft 

mid  f>i  waldende     worhtes  ealle  •  240 

for]?on  nis  senig  pees  horse     ne  f>ses  hyge-crseftig 

pe  J?in  from-*cyn  msege     fira  bearnum         *[116.] 

sweotule  gesejmn     cum  nu  sigores  weard 

meotod  mon-cynnes     and  June  milttse  her  244 

arfsest  ywe     us  is  eallum  neod 

f>set  we  f>in  medren-cynn     motan  cunnan 

ryht-geryno     nu  we  areccan  ne  msegon 

J?set  fsedren-cynn-     fier  owihte  .  248 

J>u  f»isne  middan-geard     milde  geblissa 

f>urh  Sinne  her-cyme     hselende  crist* 

and  )?a  gyldnan  geatu     pe  in  gear-dagum 

244.  MS.  milstse. 


I.     CHRIST.      A.      THE    NATIVITY.  17 

a  child  begotten  by  His  skill  and  might  ! 

There  is  not  now  any  man  under  heaven, 

any  one  cunning  and  so  very  wise,  220 

who  can  tell  unto  the  ocean-dwellers, 

and  expound  aright,  how  the  Warden  of  the  skies 

took  thee  in  the  beginning  for  his  noble  child. 

Of  those  things  which  the  race  of  men  224 

hath  learnt  among  the  nations  here,  first  in  the  beginning 

it  came  to  pass  beneath  the  clouds,  that  the  wise  God, 

Life's  Beginner,  parted  in  lordly  wise 

light  and  darkness;  and  His  was  the  wielding  of  decree,        228 

and  thus  He,  Lord  of  hosts,  declared: 

'Let  there  be  now  for  ever  and  for  ever 
a  bright-shining  joy  for  each  of  living  men 
who  in  their  generations  shall  be  born  ! '  232 

And  so  anon  it  came  to  pass,  when  it  was  to  be, — 
a  splendour  shining  bright  amidst  the  stars 
lighted,  in  the  course  of  ages,  the  races  of  mankind. 
Himself  He  had  ordained  that  thou,  the  Son,  shouldst  be,     236 
co-dwelling  with  fchy  only  Lord, 
ere  aught  of  this  had  ever  come  to  pass. 
Thou  art  the  Wisdom,  who  with  the  Ruler 
wroughtest  all  this  wide  creation  :  240 

wherefore  there  is  no  man  so  wise  or  so  profound, 
that  he  can  truly  show  thy  origin 
unto  the  sons  of  men.     Come  now,  Lord  of  triumph, 
Creator  of  mankind,  and  graciously  show  forth  1 1  ( 

thy  mercy  here  :  we  all  desire 
that  we  may  know  thy  mother-kin, 
a  mystery  indeed  ;  we  cannot  now  expound 
further  at  all  the  kin  paternal.  248 

Bless  thou  kindly  this  middle-earth 
by  thy  coming  hither,  Saviour  Christ  1 
and  tin-    golden  gatet  that    in  days  of  old 


18  I.       CHRIST.    252-282. 

ful  longe  aer     bilocen  stodan  252 

heofona  heah  frea     hat  ontynan 

and  usic  J>onne  gesece     j?urh  p>in  sylfes  gong 

eatS-mod  to  eorf»an     us  is  )?inra  arna  J?earf« 

hafa"5  se  awyrgda     wulf  tostenced  356 

deor  dsed-scua     dryhten  £>in  eowde 

wide  towrecene     £>aet  Su  waldend  aer 

blode  gebohtes     J?set  se  bealo-fulla 

hynetS  heard-lice     and  him  on  haeft  ninieS  260 

ofer  usse  nioda  lust     for]?on  we  nergend  J>e 

biddaS  georn-lice     breost- gehygdum 

f>set  f>u  hraed-lice     helpe  gefremme 

wergum  wreccan     faet  se  wites  bona  •  264 

in  helle  grund     hean  gedreose 

and  f>in  hond-geweorc     hselefja  scyppend 

mote  arisan     and  on  ryht  cuman 

to  f>am  up-cundan     aef>elan  rice  •  268 

)?onan  us  aer  J>urh  syn-lust     se  swearta  gaest 

forteah  and  fortylde     J>set  we  tires  wone 

a  butan  ende  sculon     ermfu  dreogan 

butan  J?u  usic  fon  ofost-licor     ece  dryhten  272 

aet  f>am  leod-sceaf>an     lifgende  god 

helm  alwihta     hredclan  wille  :  7 


[IV.] 

eAla  f>u  msera     middan-geardes 
seo  claeneste     cwen  *ofer  eorjmn         *[12  a.]  276 

Jmra  [/]e  gewurde     to  widan  feore 
hu  pec  mid  ryhte     ealle  reord-berend 
hatatS  and  secgat5     haeleS  geond  foldan 

blij?e  mode     j?aet  f>u  bryd  sie  2S° 

}>aes  selestan     swegles  bryttan- 
Swylce  J>a  hyhstan     on  heofonum  eac 

257.  eowde;  d  corrected  from  $.         274.  Space  of  about  the  third  of  a 


I.     CHRIST.       A.    THE    NATIVITY.  19 

full  long  ago  stood  locked,  252 

do  thou,  high  Lord  of  heaven,  bid  open, 

and  visit  us  then,  coming  thy  very  self 

humbly  to  earth !     We  need  thy  gracious  favour  ! 

The  accursed  wolf,  the  beast  of  darkness,  256 

hath  scattered,  Lord,  thy  flock, 

dispersed  it  far  and  wide  ;    what  thou,  Omnipotent,  of  old 

didst  buy  with  thy  blood,  the  baleful  one 

cruelly  oppresseth,  and  taketh  it  in  bondage,  260 

despite  our  anxious  longing.     Wherefore,  Saviour, 

we  pray  thee  earnestly,  with  our  heart's  inmost  thoughts, 

that  speedily  thou  grant  help  unto  us, 

weary  wretches,  that  the  mind's  destroyer  264 

may  fall  low  down  to  hell's  abyss, 

and  that  thy  handiwork,  Creator  of  all  men, 

may  then  arise  and  come  aright 

unto  the  noble  realm  in  heaven  above,  268 

whence  erst  the  swart  spirit,  through  our  love  of  sin, 

beguiled  us  and  misled  us,  so  that,  void  of  glory, 

we  must  ever  without  end  bear  misery, 

unless  thou,  O  Lord  eternal,  living  God,  272 

Helm  of  all  created  things,  wilt  free  us 

the  more  speedily  from  man's  destroyer. 

IV. 

O  thou  glorious  lady  of  this  middle-world ! 
thou  purest  woman  throughout  the  earth,  276 

of  those  that  were  from  time  eternal, 
how  rightly  do  all  men  with  gift  of  speech 
upon  this  earth  name  thee,  and  say, 

blithe  in  their  hearts,  that  thou  art  bride  280 

of  heaven's  chief  Lord  ! 
So  too  the  highest  in  the  heavens, 

line  between  the  sections.  277.    MS.  J>ara  ege  wurde;   a  letter  erased 

ege. 

Q  2 


20  I.      CHRIST.    283-315. 

cristes  J>egnas     cwefatS  and  singaS 

J>aet  pu  sie  hlgefdige     halgum  meahtum  284 

wuldor-weorudes     and  worl[cf]-cundra 

hada  under  heofonum     and  hel-wara  • 

forf>on  J?u  J>set  ana     ealra  monna 

gef>ohtest  frymlice     frist-hycgende  288 

J?set  \>n  Jmine  msegcS-had     meotude  brohtes 

sealdes  butan  synnum     nan  swylc  ne  cwom 

senig  oJ?er     ofer  ealle  men 

bryd  beaga  hroden     pe  J>a  beorhtan  lac  292 

to  heofon-hame     hlutre  mode 

si]?]mn  sende     forSon  heht  sigores  fruma 

his  heah-bodan     hider  gefleogan* 

of  his  msegen-J^rymme  and  pe  meahta  sped  296 

snude  cyftan     pset  J?u  sunu  dryhtnes 

J>urh  claene  gebyrd     cennan  sceolde 

monnum  to  miltse     and  pe  maria  forcS 

efne  unwemme     a  gehealden  300 

eac  we  J?set  gefrugnon     peet  gefyrn  bi  J?e  • 

sotS-fsest  ssegde     sum  wotS-bora 

in  eald-dagum     esaias 

past  he  wsere  gelaeded     p&t  he  lifes  gesteald  304 

in  J>am  ecan  ham     eal  sceawode  • 

wlat  f>a  swa  wis-fsest     witga  geond  J?eod-land 

of»f>set  he  gestarode  f>ser  gestaj>elad  wses 

sej^elic  ingong     eal  wees  gebunden  308 

deoran  since     duru  ormsete 

wundur-clommum  bewrij^en     wende  swi(5e 

psdt  senig  elda     sefre  meahte 

swa  fsestlice     fore-scyttelsas  312 

on  ecnesse     o  in-hebba 

dppe  tSaes  ceaster-hlides     clustor  onlucan  • 

ser  him  *godes  engel     jmrh  glsedne  gef>onc      *[12  6-] 


285.  MS.  worl  cundra.         302.  woS-bora  ;  there  is  a  hyphen  in  MS. ;  prob- 
ably added  by  a  later  hand,  as  the  ink  is  rather  paler  than  that  of  the  letters. 


I.     CHRIST.      A.       THE    NATIVITY.  21 

the  thanes  of  Christ,  declare  and  sing, 

that  thou,  by  holy  might,  art  lady  284 

of  the  host  of  glory,  and  of  the  ranks  of  men 

on  earth  'neath  heaven,  and  of  those  that  dwell  in  hell, 

for  that  thou  alone  of  all  mankind 

nobly  didst  resolve  in  thy  high  thoughts,  288 

to  bring  thy  maidenhood  unto  the  Lord, 

and  give  it  sinlessly.     There  hath  not  come 

among  all  men  such  another 

ring-adorned  bride,  who  would  send  again  292 

with  spirit  pure  the  glorious  gift 

unto  the  heavenly  home.    Wherefore  the  Lord  triumphant 

bade  His  arch-angel  hither  fly 

from  His  great  glory,  and  anon  make  known  to  thee  296 

His  might's  avail,  that  thou,  in  pure  conception, 

shouldst  bear  the  Son  of  the  Supreme, 

in  mercy  to  mankind,  and  nathless,  Mary, 

hold  thee  e'en  unspotted  evermore.  300 

Eke  have  we  heard  what  long  ago 

the  poet  truly  spake  concerning  thee, 

in  days  of  old,  to  wit,  Isaiah, 

that  he  was  led  where  he  beheld  aright  304 

life's  dwelling-place  in  the  eternal  home ; 

looked  then  the  wise  soothsayer  o'er  all  land, 

till  that  he  gazed  where  there  was  placed 

a  noble  door-way;   all  bound  about  308 

with  precious  metal  was  the  door  immense, 

begirt  with  wondrous  bands;  he  pondered  deeply, 

how  any  mortal  man  might  ever 

raise  those  bolts  so  firmly  fixed,  3** 

ever  unto  all  eternity, 

or  unlock  the  fastening  of  that  city-gate, 

until  God's  angel  joyfully  to  him 


22  I.       CHRIST.    316-349. 

j?a  wisan  onwrah     and  f>aet  word  acwaeS  316 

ic  J>e  mseg  secgan     J>set  so$  gewearS 

j?set  Sas  gyldnan  gatu  giet  sume  sif»e 

god  sylf  wile     gaestes  msegne 

gefselsian     feeder  sel-mihtig  320 

and  fmrh  J?a  fsestan  locu     foldan  neosan 

and  hio  \>onne  sefter  him     ece  stondetS 

shnle  singales     swa  beclysed 

]>cet  nsenig  of>er     nymf>e  nergend  god  324 

hy  sefre  ma     eft  onluce'S* 

nu  ]>set  is  gefylled     )?get  se  froda  pa 

mid  eagum  fser    on-wlatade  • 

}m  eart  J>8et  weall-dor  jmrh  f>e  waldend  frea  328 

sene  on  J>as  eorftan     ut-siSade 

and  efne  swa  \>ec  gemette     meahtum  gehrodene 

clsene  and  gecorene     crist  sel-mihtig 

swa  tSe  sefter  him     engla  J>eoden  332 

eft  unmaele     selces  finges 

liofm-caegan     bileac  lifes  brytta 

iowa  us  nu  f>a  are     f>e  se  engel  J>e 

godes  spel-boda     gabriel  brohte  336 

huru  j?8es  biddaS     burg-sittende 

J^set  (5u  ]?a  frofre     folcum  cySe 

J)inre  sylfre  sunu     si]}J>an  we  motan 

an-modlice     ealle  hyhtan  340 

nu  we  on  J>set  beam  foran     breostum  stariaft 

gep>inga  us  nu     J^ristum  wordum 

Ipsdt  he  us  ne  lsete     leng  owihte 

in  Jrisse  deatS-dene     gedwolan  hyran  344 

ac  f>set  he  usic  geferge     in  feeder-rice 

J>aer  we  sorg-lease     si)?)mn  motan 

wunigan  in  wuldre     mid  weoroda  god  • 

eala  j?u  halga     heofona  dryhten  348 

J?u  mid  feeder  j?inne     gefyrn  waere 

339.  MS.  motam. 


I.     CHRIST.       A.       THE    NATIVITY.  23 

disclosed  the  way  and  spake  these  words  : —  316 

1 1  may  tell  thee  (what  truly  came  to  pass), 
that  these  golden  gates  yet  on  a  time 
God  Himself  will  make  resplendent, 

the  Almighty  Father,  by  His  spirit's  might,  320 

and  will  visit  earth  through  these  firm  gates, 
and  after  Him  shall  they  remain  for  ever, 
to  all  eternity,  so  firmly  closed, 

that  not  any  other  save  the  Saviour  God  324 

shall  ever  open  them  again/ 

Now  is  fulfilled  what  the  wise  man  then 
with  eyes  there  looked  upon : 

thou  art  the  wall-door;  through  thee  the  Lord,  the    Ruler    328 
proceeded  once  unto  this  earth ; 
and  even  thus  He  found  thee  all  arrayed  in  might, 
pure  and  choice,  He,  Christ  Almighty; 

thus  the  Prince  of  angels,  the  Lord  of  life,  332 

closed  thee,  all  unblemished, 
after  Him  again,  as  with  a  wondrous  key. 
Show  us  now  the  grace  that  the  angel  Gabriel, 
God's  messenger,  brought  unto  thee !  336 

Verily  we  city-dwellers  pray  for  this, 
that  thou  reveal  to  men  their  comfort, 
thine  own  son.     Hereafter  we  may 

all  with  one  accord  rejoice,  340 

now  that  we  behold  the  child  upon  thy  breast: 
plead  now  for  us  with  earnest  words 
that  He  suffer  us  not  any  longer 

to  obey  error  in  this  vale  of  death,  344 

but  that  He  lead  us  to  the  Father's  realm, 
where  sorrowless  hereafter  we  may 
abide 'in  glory,  with  the  Lord  of  hosts. 

O  thou  holy  Lord  of  heaven,  348 

thou  witli  thy  Father  wast  of  old 


24  I.      CHRIST.    350-381. 

efen-wesende     in  fain  sef  elan  ham  • 

naes  senig  fa  giet     engel  geworden 

ne  fees  miclan     msegen-fryinmes  nan  •  352 

Se  in  roderum  up     rice  biwitigaS 

feodnes  fryS-gesteald     *  and  his  fegnunga-      [*13a.J 

fa  fu  aerest  wsere     mid  fone  ecan  frean 

sylf  settende     fas  sidan  gesceaft-  356 

brade  bryten-grundas     bsem  inc  is  geniaene 

heah-gaest  hleofsest     we  f  e  hselend  crist 

f  urh  eaS-medu     ealle  biddaS 

f  set  f  u  gehyre     hsefta  stefne  360 

f  inra  wied-fiowa     nergende  god 

nu  we  sind  geswencte     furh  ure  sylfra  gewill 

habbatS  wraec-msecgas     wergan  gaestas 

hetlen  hel-sceaf  a     hearde  genyrwad  364 

gebunden  bealo-rapum     is  seo  bot  gelong 

eall  set  fe  anum     ece  dryhten- 

hreow-cearigum  help     J?set  fin  hider-cyme 

afrefre  fea-sceafte     f  eah  we  faehf  o  witS  fee  368 

furh  firena  lust     gefremed  haebben* 

Ara  nu  onbehtum     and  usse  yrmfa  gefenc 

hu  ive  tealtrigatS     tydran  mode 

hwearfia'S  heanlice     cym  nu  haelefa  cyning  372 

ne  lata  to  lange     us  is  lissa  fearf 

f  set  fu  us  ahredde     and  us  haelo-giefe 

so(5-faest  sylle     faet  we  siffan  forS 

fa  sellan  fing     symle  moten  376 

gef eon  on  f  eode     f  inne  will  an :  7 

[v.] 

6Ala  seo  wlitige     weorS-mynda  full 
heah  and  halig    heofon-cund  f  rynes 
brade  geblissad     geond  bryten-wongas  380 

fa  mid  ryhte  sculon     reord-berende 
361.  MS.  med.       371.  MS.  J>e.       377.  One-line  space  between  the  sections. 


I.     CHRIST.      A.      THE    NATIVITY.  25 

co-eval  in  that  noble  home. 

As  yet  there  was  not  any  angel  formed, 

nor  any  of  the  mighty  host  of  glory,  352 

which  guardeth  the  kingdom  in  the  skies  above, 

the  noble  dwelling  of  the  Lord  and  of  His  thanes, 

when  Thou  first,  with  the  eternal  Lord, 

wast  Thyself  founding  all  this  wide  creation,  356 

this  broad  expanse  of  earth.     Ye  twain  have  fellowship 

with  the  protecting  Spirit.     O  Saviour  Christ, 

in  lowliness  we  all  beseech  thee, 

that  thou  hear  the  voice  of  these  thy  captives,  360 

of  thy  hard-pressed  slaves,  O  Saviour  God ! 

How  are  we  troubled  through  our  own  desires ! 

Us  wretched  exiles  have  the  accursed  sprites, 

the  hateful  hell-fiends  cruelly  constrained,  364 

and  bound  with  baleful  cords.     The  cure  resteth 

all  with  Thee  alone,  O  Lord  eternal. 

Help  the  wretched  so  that  thine  advent  here 

may  comfort  the  forlorn,  though  through  our  lust  of  sin        368 

we  have  engaged  in  feud  'gainst  Thee. 

Favour  now  thy  servants,  and  regard  our  miseries, 

how  we  stumble  being  feeble-minded, 

and  wander  abjectly.     Come  now,  O  King  of  men,  37a 

tarry  not  too  long !  We  need  thy  mercy, 

that  thou  deliver  us,  and  give  us  truly 

thy  healing  grace,  so  that  henceforward 

we  may  for  ever,  in  this  world,  376 

do  the  better  things,  and  ivork  thy  will. 

V. 

O  beauteous  and  worshipful,  t 
lii-li  and  holy,  heavenly  Trinity, 

widely  blessed  throughout  tjie  plains  of  earth,  380 

whom  all  the  wretched  dwellers  upon  earth, 


26  I.      CHRIST.    382-415. 

earme  eor5-ware     ealle  maegcnc 

hergan  healice     nu  us  hselend  god 

warfaest  onwrah     pat  we  hine  witan  motan  384 

forj^on  hy  dsed-hwaete     dome  geswiSde 

pcet  sotS-faeste     seraphinnes  cynn 

uppe  mid  englum     a  bremende 

unaJ>reotendum     £>rymmum  *  singatS     *[13  5.]  388 

ful  healice     hludan  stefne 

faegre  feor  and  neah     habbaf?  folgojm 

cyst  mid  cyninge     him  J?aet  crist  forgeaf 

p>aet  hy  motan  his  aet-wiste     eagum  brucan  392 

simle  singales     swegle  gehyrste 

weorSian  waldend     wide  and  side 

and  mid  hyra  ftyrum     frean  sel-mihtges 

onsyne  wear[dfta]8     ecan  dryhtnes  396 

and  ymb  J>eoden-stol     ]?ringatS  georne 

hwylc  hyra  nehst  maege     ussum  nergendo 

flihte  lacan     fritS-geardura  in 

lonaS  leof-licne     and  in  leohte  him  400 

fa  word  cweJmS     and  wuldriaS 

aefelne  ord-fruman     ealra  gesceafta- 

halig  eart  f>u  halig     heah-engla  brego 

socS  sigores  frea     simle  j?u  bist  halig  404 

dryhtna  dryhten     a  fin  dom  wuna(5 

eorft-lic  mid  aeldum     in  aelce  tid 

wide  geweorf  ad     f  u  eart  weoroda  god 

forfon  fu  gefyldest     foldan  and  rodoras  408 

wigendra  hleo    wuldres  fines 

helm  al-wihta     sie  f  e  in  heannessum 

ece  haelo     and  in  eorfan  lof 

beorht  mid  beornum     fu  gebletsad  leofa  412 

fe  in  dryhtnes  noman     dugefum  cwome 

heanum  to  hrof re     f  e  in  heahf  um  sie 

a  butan  ende     ece  herenis  • 

396.  'MS.  wear®. 


I.     CHRIST.      A.       THE    NATIVITY.  27 

endowed  with  speech,  must  rightly  with  all  power 

praise  highly,  for  now  the  trusty  Saviour 

hath  revealed  God  unto  us  that  we  may  know  Him ;  384 

wherefore  they,  the  zealous  ones,  the  glory-crowned, 

the  race  of  Seraphim,  the  true  and  just, 

above  'mid  angels  ever  praising, 

sing  in  unwearying  numbers,  388 

full  highly  and  with  strain  exalted, 

sweetly,  far  and  near.     They  have  the  choicest 

service  with  their  King.     Christ  granted  them 

that  with  their  eyes  they  may  enjoy  His  being,  392 

and  for  ever  ceaselessly  adore  the  Kuler 

far  and  wide,  wrapt  in  bright  harmony  : 

and  with  their  wings  they  guard  the  presence 

of  the  Lord  Almighty,  the  eternal  King,  396 

and  throng  around  the  throne,  all  eager 

which  one  of  them  may  nearest  to  our  Saviour 

disport  in  flight  within  the  courts  of  peace  ; 

they  praise  the  Loved  One,  and  in  His  light  40.0 

these  words  they  speak  to  Him,  and  glorify 

the  noble  source  of  all  created  things  : — 

*  Holy  art  thou,  holy,  Lord  of  archangels, 
true  Lord  of  triumph,  ever  art  thou  holy,  404 

Kings  of  kings,  ever  thy  glory  liveth, 
on  earth    'mong  men  to  all  eternity, 
honoured  far  and  wide.     Thou  art  God  of  hosts, 
for  thou  hast  filled  the  earth  and  heavens,  408 

Shield  of  warriors,  with  thy  glory; 
Helm  of  all  things,  endless  Hosanna  be  to  thee 
in  the  highest,  and  on  earth  'mong  men 

noble  praise.     Abide  thou  blessed,  412 

that  in  the  Lord's  name  earnest  unto  men, 
to  comfort  the  dejected :  in  the  high  heavens 
eternal   praise  be  thine,   world  without  end.' 


28  I.      CHRIST.    416-446. 

eala  hwaet  J>aet  is  wrsec-lic  wrixl     in  wera  life  416 

f>aette  mon-cynnes     milde  scyppend 

onfeng  set  fsemnan     flaesc  unwemme 

and  sio  weres  friga     wiht  ne  cuf>e 

ne  furli  ssed  ne  cwom     sigores  agend  420 

monnes  ofer  moldan     ac  Jwet  wses  ma  eras  ft 

J?onne  hit  eorS-buend     ealle  cuf>an 

j?urh  geryne     hu  he  rodera  J?riin 

heofona  heah  frea     helpe  gefremede  424 

monna  cynne     f>urh  *  his  modor  hrif     *[14a.] 

and  swa  forS  gongende     folca  nergend 

his  forgif-nesse     gumum  to  helpe 

dseletS  dogra  gehwam     dryhten  weoroda  428 

for]?on  we  hine  dom-hwate     dsedum  and  wordum 

hergen  hold-lice     J>aet  is  healic  raed 

monna  gehwylcum     pe  gemynd  hafacS 

J>aet  he  symle  oftost     and  inlocast  432 

and  georn-licost     god  weorj^ige 

he  him  j^eere  lisse     lean  forgildetS 

se  gehalgoda     hselend  sylfa 

efne  in  J?am  etSle     J>8er  he  ser  ne  cwom  436 

in  lifgendra     londes  wynne 

J?aer  he  gesaslig     sif>jmn  eardatS 

ealne  widan  feorh     wunaS  butan  ende  : — Ame?i :  7 

[B.    THE  ASCENSION.] 

[I-] 
~|m  TY  DV  GEORNLICE     G^EST-gerynum  44o 

^k  mon  se  maera     mod-crsefte  sec 

^fc        jxirh  scfan  snyttro     ps&t  ])u  so<5  wile 
-A-      1       hu  p>aet  geeode     J?a  se  sel-inihtiga 
acenned  wearS     pmrh  clsenne  had  444 

si)>}?an  he  marian     msegtSa  weolman 
mserre  meowlan     mund-heals  geceas  • 

419.  MS.  niht  (for  uiht  =  wiht).  439.  Two-line  space  between  the  sections. 


I.     CHRIST.      B.      THE    ASCENSION.  29 

Lo !  what  a  wondrous  change  is  this  in  the  life  of  men,    416 
that  the  benign  Creator  of  mankind 
took  from  a  damsel  flesh  immaculate, 
nor  knew  she  aught  of  love  of  man, 

nor  came  the  Lord  of  triumph  down  to  earth  420 

through  seed  of  man ;  but  it  was  greater  craft 
than  all  the  men  that  dwell  on  earth  might  know, 
how  He,  the  glory  of  the  skies,  through  mystery, 
the  heaven's  high  Lord,  framed  help  424 

for  mankind,  through  his  mother's  womb. 
And  aye  unceasingly  the  Saviour  of  mankind 
dealeth  each  day  his  forgiveness  unto  folk, 

to  help  them;  He,  the  Lord  of  hosts.  428 

Wherefore  must  we  praise  Him  faithfully, 
zealous  in  deed  and  word.     This  is  a  noble  rede 
for  every  one  of  men  that  hath  a  mind, 

that  aye  most  often  and  most  inwardly,  432 

and  most  yearningly,  he  worship  God. 
He  will  recompense  him  for  the  love, 
yea,  the  hallowed  Saviour  himself, 

e'en  in  the  country  where  he  came  ne'er  before,  436 

in  the  joy  of  the  land  of  the  living, 
where  happy  ever  after  he  shall  dwell, 
and  rest  for  evermore,  time  without  end.     Amen. 

B.     THE  ASCENSION. 

I. 

Seek  thou  now  eagerly  with  all  thy  power  of  mind,  440 

with  the  secrets  of  thy  spirit,  thou  great  man, 
that  thou  mayst  know  aright,  through  thy  soul's  wisdom. 
how  it  came  about,  when  the  Almighty 

was  born  into  the  world  in  purity,  444 

after  he  chose  out  Mary  as  protector, 
ohoicett  of  maidens  1  damsel  renowned! 


30  I.       CHRIST.    447-482. 

J>aet  Jwr  in  hwitum     hrreglum  gewerede 

englas  ne  ooeowdun     J>a  se  seeding  cwom  448 

beorn  in  betlem     bodan  waeron  gear  we 

pa  furh  hleof>or-cwide     hyrduni  cySdon 

saegdon  socSne  gefean     J>aette  sunu  waere 

in  middan-geard     meotudes  acenned  452 

in  betleme     hwaefre  in  bocum  ne  cwiS 

J>aet  hy  in  hwitum  J>aer     hraeglum  ooywden  • 

in  f>a  aefelan  tid     swa  hie  eft  dydon  • 

$a  se  brega  maera  •     to  bethania  456 

*f>eoden  J>rym-fsest     his  J?egna  gedryht       *[14&.] 

gelatSade  leof  weorud     hy  J>ses  lareowes 

on  J>am  wil-daege     word  ne  gehyrwdon 

hyra  sinc-giefan     sona  waeron  gearwe  460 

hselecS  mid  hlaford     to  faere  halgan  byrg 

£>aer  him  tacna  fela     tires  brytta 

onwrah  wuldres  helm     word-gerynum 

aerjxm  up-stige     an-cenned  sunu  464 

efen-ece  beam     agnum  faeder 

J>aes  ymb  feowertig     \>e  he  of  foldan  aer 

from  deatSe  aras     dagena  rimes  • 

hsefde  f>a  gefylled     swa  aer  biforan  sungon  468 

witgena  word     geond  woruld  innan 

jmrh  his  frowinga     fegnas  heredon  • 

lufedun  leof-wendum     lifes  agend 

faeder  frum-sceafta     he  him  faegre  f>aes  472 

leofum  gesijmm     lean  aefter  geaf 

and  J>aet  word  acwaeS     waldend  engla 

gefysed  frea  mihtig     to  feeder  rice 

gefeotS  ge  on  ferfrSe     naefre  ic  from-hweorfe  476 

ac  ic  lufan  symle     laeste  wiS  eowic 

and  eow  meant  giefe     and  mid-wunige 

awo  to  ealdre     J>aet  eow  aefre  ne  bitS 

Jmrh  gife  mine     godes  onsien  •  48° 

Farat5  nu  geond  ealne  •     yrmenne  grund  • 

geond  wid-wegas  •     weoredum  cytSacS  • 


I.     CHRIST.       B.       THE    ASCENSIOX.  31 

that  there  appeared  not  angels  then  arrayed 

in  robes  of  white,  when  the  Prince,  the  Chief,  448 

came  into  Bethlehem.     Angels  were  ready, 

who  revealed  in  accents  clear  and  told 

to  shepherds  the  sure  joy  that  there  was  born 

in  middle-earth,  in  Bethlehem,  452 

a  Son  of  the  Creator;  yet  in  books  it  saith  not 

that  they  appeared  there  at  that  glorious  tide, 

in  robes  of  white,  e'en  as  they  did  anon, 

when  the  great  Leader  in  Bethany,  456 

the  Lord  majestic,  gathered  His  band  of  thanes, 

the  host  beloved;  on  that  welcome  day 

they  slighted  not  the  word  of  their  Teacher, 

of  their  bounteous  Dispenser;  soon  were  they  dight,  460 

men  with  their  master,  for  the  holy  city  : 

there  splendour's  Lord,  the  Helm  of  glory, 

revealed  full  many  a  sign  to  them  in  mystic  words, 

ere  He  arose,  only  begotten  Son,  464 

Child  with  his  own  Father  co-eternal, 

forty  numbered  days  after  he  had  first 

ascended  from  the  earth,  from  death. 

Then  had  he  fulfilled  the  prophets'  words,  468 

as  they  had  sung  before  throughout  the  world,— 

yea,  by  his  passion.     His  thanes  lauded  Him, 

they  praised  lovingly  the  Lord  of  life, 

the  Father  of  creation  !      Wherefore  in  aftertime  472 

he  nobly  recompensed  His  beloved  comrades, 

and  these  words  spake  He,  Prince  of  angels, 

mighty  Lord,  while  hastening  to  his  Father's  realm : — 

1  Rejoice  ye  in  spirit,  ne'er  will  I  turn  away,  476 

but  I  will  show  my  love  towards  you  ever, 
and  grant  you  might  and  abide  with  you 
ever  to  all  eternity,  and  through  my  grace 
ye  shall  ne'er  know  the  want  of  sustenance.  480 

Go  now  o'er  all  the  spacious  earth, 
«< Vr  the  wide  ways,  announce  to  men, 


32  I.      CHRIST.   483-516. 

bodiaS  and  brema$«     beorhtne  geleafan« 

and  fulwiaS     folc  under  roderum  •  484 

hweorfatS  to  heofonum  •     hergas  breotaj^  • 

fyllatS  and  feogatS  •     feond-scype  dwaesca'S  • 

sibbe  sawaS  •     on  sefan  manna  • 

}?urh  meahta  sped  •     ic  eow  mid-wunige  •  488 

fortS  on  frofre  •     and  eow  friSe  healde  • 

strength,  sta]x>l-fsestre  •     *on  stowa  gehware  •    *[15a.] 

Sa  weartS  semninga     sweg  on  lyfto* 

hlud  gehyred  •     heofon-engla  f>reat«  492 

weorud  wlite-scyne  •     wuldres  aras  • 

cwomun  on  corSre  •     cyning  ure  gewat  • 

}mrh  J>ses  temples  hrof •     j?ser  hy  to-segun  • 

f>a  J>e  leofes  f»a  gen  •     last  weardeduw  •  496 

on  }?am  f>ing-stede  •     f>egnas  gecorene  • 

gesegon  hi  on  heahfm  •     hlaford  stigan  • 

god-bearn  of  grundum  •     him  wses  geomor  sefa  • 

hat  set  heortan  •     hyge  murnende  •  500 

j?ees  f>e  hi  swa  leofne  •     leng  ne  mostun  • 

geseon  under  swegle  •     song  ahofun  • 

aras  ufan-cunde  •     seeding  heredun  • 

lofedun  lif-fruman  •     leohte  gefegun  •  504 

J?e  of  J>aes  hgelendes  •     heafelan  lixte  • 

gesegon  hy  ael-beorhte  •     englas  twegen  • 

fsegre  ymb  \>mt  frum-bearn  •     frsetwum  blican  • 

cyninga  wuldor  •     cleopedon  of  heah)?u  •  508 

wordum  wrset-licum*     ofer  wera  mengu- 

beorhtan  reorde  •     hwaet  bidaS  ge 

galilesce  •     guman  on  hwearfte  •     , 

Nu  ge  sweotule  geseoS-     socSne  dryhten  •  512 

on  swegl  faran  .     sigores  agend  . 

wile  up  heonan  •     eard  gestigan  • 

aejbelinga  ord  •     mid  f>as  engla  gedryht  • 

ealra  folca  fruma  •     feeder  efel-stoll :  7  5l6 

496.  MS.  weardedum.  503.  MS.  herednm.  5 16.   One  line  space 

between  the  sections. 


I.    CHRIST.      B.       THE    ASCENSION.  33 

preach  and  proclaim  the  hright  belief, 

and  baptize  folk  beneath  the  skies,  484 

turn  them  to  heaven  ;    break  idols, 

cast  them  down  and  hate  them ;     extinguish  enmity, 

sow  peace  within  the  minds  of  men, 

by  virtue  of  your  powers.     I  will  ever  stay  with  you  488 

in  solace,  and  will  keep  you  in  peace 

with  steadfast  strength  in  every  place  ! ' 

Then  suddenly,  a  sound  was  heard 
loud  in  the  air ;  a  band  of  heavenly  angels,  492 

the  messengers  of  glory,  a  beauteous  host, 
in  legion  came ;  our  king  departed 
through  the  temple's  roof,  where  they  beheld, 
they  who  watched  still  the  dear  One's  track,  496 

the  chosen  thanes,  there  in  the  meeting-place, — 
they  saw  the  Lord,  the  Child  divine,  ascend 
from  earth  into  the  heights :  their  souls  were  sad, 
their  spirit's  grief  was  hot  within  their  hearts,  500 

for  now  they  might  no  longer  see  'neath  heaven 
One  so  beloved.     Then  raised  a  song 
the  messengers  celestial,  praised  they  the  Prince, 
they  lauded  life's  Creator,  joyed  they  in  the  light  504 

which  glistened  from  the  Saviour's  head, 
saw  they  angels  twain,  resplendent,  fair, 
shining  in  splendour  'round  that  first-born  Child, 
the  glory  of  all  kings  ;  they  cried  out  from  on  high  508 

in  wondrous  words  over  the  hosts  of  men, 
with  voices  clear :  *  Why  bide  ye  here, 
and  stand  about,  ye  Galilean  men? 

Now  see  ye  the  true  King,  the  Lord  of  victory,  512 

manifestly  wending  to  the  skies; 
the  Chief  of  princes  with  these  hosts  of  angels, 
the  Lord  of  all  mankind,  up  from  hence 

will   soar   unto    Hi-    native   lmnir,    His    Fat  licr-land.'  516 

D 


34  I.      CHRIST.      517-546. 


pi.] 

WE  mid  J>yslice*     freate  willaS* 
ofer  lieofona  gehlidu  •     hlaford  fergan  • 
to  J>sere  beorhtan  byrg*     mid  J>as  bliSan  gedryt* 
ealra  sige-bearna  •     )?set  seleste*  520 

*and  sej^eleste  •     J»e  ge  her  onstariaS  • 
and  in  frofre  geseoS*     frsetwum  blican  •     *[15i.J 
wile  eft  swa-beah  •     eorSan  msegSe  • 

sylfa  gesecan.     side  herge-  524 

and  Iponne  gedeman*     cbeda  gehwylce* 
]?ara  <Se  gefremedon  •     folc  under  roderum  • 
Sa  wses  wuldres  weard  •     wolcnura  bifen  t  • 
heah-engla  cyning*     ofer  lirofas  upp*  528 

haligra  helm  •     hyht  vva?s  geniwad  • 
blis  in  burgum  •     J>urh  J?ses  beornes  cyme  • 
gesset  sige-hremig  •     on  ba  swibran  hand  • 

ece  ead-fruma*     agnum  feeder*  532 

gewitan  him  ba  gongan  •     to  hierusalem  • 
hasletS  hyge-rofe  •     in  (5a  halgan  burg  • 
geomor-mode  •     f»onan  hy  god  nyhst  • 

up-stigende*     eagum  segun*  536 

hyra  wil-gifan*     fser  wses  wopes  hring* 
torne  bitolden  •     wses  seo  treow  lufu  • 
hat  set  heortan  •     hre#er  innan  weoll  • 

beorn  breost-sefa  •     bidon  ealle  f>ser  •  540 

J?egnas  brym-fulle  •     J>eodnes  gehata  • 
in  f>aere  torhtan  by  rig  •     tyn  niht  ba-gen  • 
swa  him  sylf  bibead  •     swegles  agend  • 

ser  £on  up-stige  •     ealles  waldend  •  544 

on  heofona  gehyld     hwite  cwoman  • 
eorla  ead-giefan  •     englas  to-geanes  • 

527.  MS.  bifengun.  539.  MS.  hreder.  540.  MS.  beorn,  an  erasure 

leticeen  b  and  o ;   bidan. 


I.     CIITUST.       B.      THE    ASCENSION.  35 


II. 


'Fain  would  we  o'er  the  vaults  of  heaven 
conduct  the  Lord  with  all  this  company, 
this  joyous  band,  unto  the  shining  burgh.' 

'He  whom  ye  gaze  on  here,  the  best  520 

and  noblest  of  all  the  sons  of  triumph, 
He  whom  ye  see  in  solace  shining  resplendently, 
will  surely  yet  again  with  ample   host 

Himself  revisit  all  the  races  of  the  earth,  524 

and  then  will  judge  each  single  deed 
that  folk  beneath  the  heavens  have  performed/ 

Then  was  glory's  Guardian,  the  archangels'  King, 
the  Helm  of  holy  men,  wrapt  in  clouds  528 

high  o'er  the  roofs.     Joy  and  bliss  were  renewed 
within  the  cities,  at  the  Prince's  coming. 
On  His  own  Father's  right  hand  sat  He  down 
triumphant,  the  eternal  Source  of  good.  532 

Then  went  they  journeying  to  Jerusalem, 
unto  that  holy  burgh,  the  valiant  men 
sad  in  spirit,  from  that  spot  where  they  had  seen 
so  late  with  their  own  eyes  God  rise  aloft,  536 

their  kind  Dispenser :  there  was  unbroken   weeping, 
their  faithful  love  was  overwhelmed  with  grief, 
hot  in  their  hearts  their  spirits  boiled  within, 
their  breast-thoughts  burned.     All  His  glorious  thanes  5^0 

awaited  there  the  Lord's  behests, 
within  the  noble  city,  yet  ten   nights, 
as  Himself  the  Lord  of  heaven  bade, 

ere  He,  Omnipotent,  ascended  high  544 

to  heaven's  keeping,  and  white  angels  camo 
towiinl  the  bounteous  Prince  of  warrior-men, 

i)  2 


36  r.     christ.     547-580. 

tSoet  is  wel  cweden  •     swa  gewritu  secgaft  ■ 

\>cet  him  al-beorhte     englas  togeanes  •  548 

in  J?a  halgan  tid  •     heapum  c woman  • 

sigan  on  swegle  •     fa  wses  symbla  maest  • 

geworden  in  wuldre  •     wel  J>set  gedafenaS  • 

feet  to  j^sere  blisse  •     beorhte  gewerede  •  552 

in  J?ses  peodnes  burg  •     f>egnas  cwoman  • 

weorud  wlite-scyne  •     gesegon  wil-cuman  • 

on  heah-setle  •     heofones  waldend  • 

folca  feorh-giefan  •     frsetwum  *  ealles  waldend     *[16a.]  556 

middan-geardes    and  msegen-prymmcs 

hafaS  nu  se  halga     helle  bireafod 

ealles  ]?ses  gafoles     J?e  hi  gear-dagum 

in  J?aet  orlege     unryhte  swealg-  560 

nu  sind  forcumene     and  in  cwic-susle 

gehynde  and  gehsefte     in  helle  grund 

dugujmm  bidseled     deofla  cempan 

ne  meahtan  wiper- brogan     wige  spowan  564 

weepna  wyrpum     sif>J?an  wuldres  cyning 

heofon-rices  helm     hilde  gefremede 

wij?  his  eald-feondum     anes  meahtum 

peer  he  of  haefte  ahlod     huf>a  maeste-  568 

of  feonda  byrig     folces  unrim  • 

J>isne  ilcan  f>reat     J?e  ge  her  on-stariaft 

wile  nu  gesecan     sawla  nergend 

gsesta  gief-stol     godes  agen  beam  572 

sefter  gu$-plegan     nu  ge  geare  cunnon 

hwaet  se  hlaford  is     se  J?isne  here  laedetS 

nu  ge  from-lice     freondum  to-geanes 

gongatS  glsed-mode     geatu  ontynaft  •  576 

wile  into  eow     ealles  waldend 

cyning  on  ceastre     corcSre  ne  lytle 

fyrn-weorca  fruma     folc  gelsedan 

in  dreama  dream     &e  he  on  deoflum  genom  580 

548.  MS.  aelbeorhte.         564.  MS.  ne,ahtan. 


I.    CHRIST.      B.      THE    ASCENSION.  37 

It  is  well-spoken,  as  the  Scriptures  say, 

that  all-bright  angels  at  that  holy  tide  548 

in  legions  came,  descending  in  the  clouds 

to  meet  Him;   then  the  greatest  jubilee 

arose  within  the  Glory.     'Tis  well  befitting 

that  His  servants  came  to  the  Beatitude,  552 

into  the  Prince's  city,  brightly  clad, 

a  beauteous  host:   they  saw  the  welcome  Guest 

on  His  high  throne,  the  heaven's  Lord, 

Source  of  men's  life,  ruling  in  splendour  all, —  556 

the  middle-earth  and  the  majestic  host. 

Now  hath  the  holy  One  despoiled  hell 
of  all  the  tribute  that  in  ancient  days 

it  basely  gorged  within  that  place  of  strife.  560 

Now  are  they  quelled,  the  devils'  champions, 
in  living  torture  humbled  and  held  bound, 
bereft  of  prowess,  in  hell's  abyss : 

the  hostile  foes  might  not  speed  in  battle  564 

witli  weapon-thrusts,  when  He,  the  King  of  glory, 
the  Helm  of  heaven's  realm,  waged  war, 
with  his  sole  might,  against  his  ancient  foes. 
Then  drew  He  forth  from  durance  the  best  spoil,  £<>8 

a  folk  unnumbered  from  the  burgh  of  fiends, 
this  very  band  which  ye  gnze  on  here. 
Now  will  He  visit  the  spirits'  throne  of  grace 
the  proper  Child  of  God,  Saviour  of  souls,  573 

after  the  war-play.     Now  ye  know  right   well 
what  Lord  is  He  that  leadeth  this  company  ; 
now  boldly  go  ye  forward  *to  meet  friends, 
joyful  in  spirit.     Open,  O  ye  gates  !  57<* 

the  Lord  of  all,  the  King,  creation's  Source, 
will  lead  through  you  unto  the  city, 
unto  the  joy  of  joys,  with  host  not  small, 
the  folk  which  from  the  devils  He  hath  r  It  580 


38  I.      CHRIST,       581-611. 

j?urh  his  sylfes  sygor     sib  sceal  gemsene 

englum  and  seklum     a  for<5  lieonan 

wesan  wide-ferh  •     wser  is  set-somne 

godes  and  monna     gsest-halig  treow  584 

lufu  lifes  hyht     and  ealles  leohtes  gefea* 

hwaet  we  nu  gehyrdan     hu  J>3et  hselu-bearn 

Jmrh  his  hyder-cyme     hals  eft  forgeaf 

gefreode  and  gefreojmde     folc  under  wolcnum  588 

maere  meotudes  sunu      \)cct  nu  monna  gehwylc 

cwic  *J?endan  her  wunat     geceosan  mot     *[16  6.] 

swa  helle  hienjm     swa  heofones  maerfm 

swa  "past  leohte  leoht     swa  <5a  lajmn  niht  592 

swa  J^rymines  J>raece     swa  J?rystra  wraece  • 

swa  mid  dryhten  dream-     swa  mid  deoflum  hream . 

swa  wite  mid  wrajmm     swa  wuldor  mid  arum 

swa  lif  swa  deacS     swa  him  leofre  biS  596 

to  gefremmanne     £>eiiden  flaesc  and  gaest 

wuniacS  in  worulde     wuldor  £>aes  age 

jn*ynysse  f>rym     jxmc  butan  ende :  7 

[in.] 

T\^ET  is  f>ees  wyrtfe     pcetio,  wer-J>eode  600 

■*-'     secgen  dryhtne  ]?onc     dugufta  gehwylcre 

\>e  us  sitS  and  aer     simle  gefremede 

Jmrh  monig-fealdra     maegna  geryno  • 

he  us  cet  giefetS     and  aehta  sj3ed  604 

welan  ofer  wid-lond     and  weder  lif>e 

under  swegles  hleo     sunne  and  mona 

aej^elast  tungla     eallum  scinatS 

heofon-condelle     hselejmm  on  eorSan  608 

dreosetS  deaw  and  ren     duguSe  weccaj? 

to  feorh-nere     fira  cynne 

iecaS  eorS-welan-     f>aes  we  ealles  sculon 

599.   One  line  space  between  the  sections. 


I.    CHRIST.      B.       THE    ASCENSION.  39 

through  His  own  victory.     Peace  shall  be  shared 

by  angels  and  by  men  henceforth  evermore 

to  all  eternity :   'twixt  God  and  men 

there  is  a  covenant,  a  ghostly  pledge, —  584 

love,  and  life's  hope,  and  joy  of  all  the  light. 

Lo!  we  have  now  heard  how  the  Saviour-Child 
dispensed  again  salvation  by  His  advent  hither, 
how  He,  the  Lord's  great  Son,  freed  and  protected  588 

folk  'neath  the  clouds,  that  now  each  man, 
while  he  is  dwelling  here  alive,  must  choose, — 
be  it  hell's  shame,  or  heaven's  fame, 

be  it  the  shining  light,  or  the  loathsome  night,  592 

be  it  majestic  state,  or  the  rash  ones'  hate, 
be  it  song  with  the  Lord,  or  with  devils  discord, 
be  it  torment  with  the  grim,  or  glory  with  cherubim, 
be  it  life,  or  death,  as  it  shall  liefer  be  596 

for  him  to  act  while  flesh  and  spirit  dwell 
within  the  world.  Wherefore  let  glory  be, 
thanks  endless,  to  the  noble  Trinity. 


III. 

'Tis  therefore  fitting  that  the  tribes  of  men  600 

give  thanks  unto  the  Lord  for  every  good 
which  late  and  early  He  hath  ever  rendered  us, 
through  mystery  of  wonders  manifold. 

He  giveth  us  food  and  fulness  of  possessions,  604 

wealth  o'er  the  spacious  earth,  and  gentle  weather 
under  the  heaven's  protection ;    sun  and  moon, 
noblest  of  constellations,  heaven's  candles, 

shine  for  all  men  on  earth  alike;  '>oS 

d<  w  i;ilh  tli  :ind   rain  ;  they  call  abundance  forth 
to  nourish  life,  for  all  the  race  of  men; 
earth's  riches  they  increase.     For  all  this  must  we 


40  I.       CHRIST.       612-645. 

secgan  J>onc  and  lof*     }?eodne  ussum-  612 

and  hum  faare  hselo  •     p>e  he  us  to  hyhte  forgcaf* 

t5a  he  )?a  yrmtSu .     eft-oncyrde 

get  [h] is  up-stige  •     J>e  we  aer  drugon 

and  gejringade     J^eod-buendum  •  616 

wiS  feeder  swaesne     faehfa  mseste 

cyning  an-boren     cwide  eft-onhwearf 

saulum  to  sibbe     se  ]>e  aer  sungen  [wees] 

J?urh  yrne  hyge  •     aelduwi  to  sorge  •  620 

Ic  Ipec  ofer  eorcSan  geworhte*    on  J>aere  J>u  scealt  yrnif>um  lifgan  • 

wunian  in  gewinne     *  and  wraece  dreogan     *[17a.] 

feondum  to  hroJ)or     fus-leotS  galan 

and  to  )?a?re  ilean  scealt     eft  geweorJ?an  624 

wyrmum  aweallen     )?onan  wites  fyr 

of  j?sere  eorftan  scealt     eft  gesecan- 

Hwaet  us  J>is  se  seeding     ycSre  gefremede 

j?a  lie  leomum  onfeng  •     and  lic-homan  628 

monnes  magu-tudre  •     si)?J>an  meotodes  sunu 

engla  elpel  •     upgestigan 

wolde  weoroda  god*     us  se  willa  bicwom 

heanum  to  helpe     on  )?a  halgan  tid  •  632 

bi  )?on  giedd  awraec     iob  swa  he  cufte 

herede  helm  wera     hselend  lofede 

and  mid  sib-lufan     sunu  waldendes 

freo-noman  cende     and  hine  fugel  nemde  636 

fone  iudeas  •     ongietan  ne  meahtan  • 

in  (Sa?re  god-cundan     gaestes  strengtSu 

wa3s  f>83s  fugles  flyht     feondum  on  eorjmn  • 

dyrne  and  degol  •     )?am  \> e  deorc  gewit  640 

hsefdon  on  hre]?re     heortan  stsenne  • 

noldan  hi  J) a  torhtan  •     tacen  oncnawan  • 

J>e  him  beforan  fremede.     freo-bearn  godes  • 

monig  mis-lie  •     geond  middan-geard  644 

swa  se  faela  fugel  •     flyges  cunnode  • 

615.  MS.  is.         61S.  [wees]  evidently  omitted  by  the  scribe. 


I.     CHRIST.      B.      THE    ASCENSION.  41 

give  thanks  and  praise  unto  our  Lord,  612 

yet  first  for  our  salvation,  which  He  gave  us  as  our  hope, 

at  His  ascension,  when  He  turned  away 

the  miseries  which  we  had  suffered  erst, 

when  He,  the  one-born  King,  on  man's  behalf,  616 

compounded  with  His  Father,  the  Beloved, 

the  greatest  feud,  averted  the  decree, 

for  our  souls'  peace,  which  had  been  sung  erewhile 

in  angry  mood  for  sorrow  unto  men  : —  620 

'I  wrought  thee  on  the  earth,  on  it  shalt  thou  live  in  want, 
shalt  dwell  in  toil,  and  exile  shalt  endure, 
shalt  sing  the  death-song  for  thy  foes'  delight, 
and  shalt  be  turned  again  to  that  same  earth,  624 

with  worms  o'ercharged,  from  whence  thou  shalt 
thereafter  seek  the  fire  of  punishment.' 

Lo  !    this  the  noble  Prince  assuaged  for  us 
when  He  took  limb  and  fleshly  covering  628 

from  child  of  man,  when  He  willed   to  ascend 
to  the  land  of  angels,  He  the  Creator's  Son, 
the  God  of  hosts  :  upon  that  holy  tide, 

the  wish  arose  to  help  us,  wretched  ones.  632 

Of  this  Job  sang  a  song  as  he  well  could; 
he  praised  the  Helm  of  men,  lauded  the  Saviour, 
and  in  tender  love  devised  a  noble  name 

for  the  Ruler's  Son,  and  named  Him  as  a  bird,  636 

a  name  which  Jews  might  nowise  understand. 
By  the  Spirit's  strength  divine, 
hidden  and  secret  from  his  foes  on  earth 

was  that  bird's  flight,  from  those  who  ill  their  breasts  640 

had  understanding  dark,  a  stony  heart: 
tliey  would  not  recognise  the  glorious  signs 
which  the  noble  child  of  God  wrought  before  them, 
many  and  various,  on  the  middle-earth.  644 

Thus  the  noble  bird  assayed  his  flight ; 


42  I.      CHRIST.      646-679. 

hwilum  engla  eard  •     up  gesohtc  • 

modig  meahtum  Strang  •     f>one  maran  liain  • 

hwilum  he  to  cor]xin     eft  gestylde  •  648 

Jmrh  gsestes  giefe     grund-sceat  sohte  • 

wende  to  worulde     bi  pon  se  witga  song  • 

he  waes  upp-hafen     engla  feeSmum 

in  his  £>a  miclan  •     meahta  spede  •  652 

heali  and  halig     ofer  heofona  f>rym . 

ne  meahtan  f>a  )> ees  fugles  •     flyht  gecnawan  • 

*J>e  pees  up-stiges     and-ssec  fremedon     *[17  6.] 

and  pset  ne  gelyfdon     pcette  lif-fruma  656 

in  monnes  hiw     ofer  meegna  j?rym 

halig  from  hrusan     ahafen  wurde  • 

tSa  us  geweortSade     se  J>as  world  gescop 

godes  gsest-sunu     and  us  giefe  sealde  660 

uppe  mid  englum     ece  staf>elas 

and  eac  monig-fealde     modes  snyttru 

seow  and  sette     geond  sefan  monna  • 

Sumum  word-laf>e     wise  sendecS  664 

on  his  modes  gemynd     jmrh  his  mu)?es  geest 

sej>ele  andgiet  •     se  maeg  eal  fela  • 

singan  and  secgan     J?am  bi<5  snyttru  craeft  • 

bifolen  on  ferfte  •     Sum  mseg  fingrum  wel  •  668 

hlude  fore  haelejmm     hearpan  stirgan* 

gleo-beam  gretan*     Sum  maeg  god-cunde« 

reccan  ryhte  se  •     Sum  mseg  ryne  tungla  • 

secgan  side  gesceaft*     Sum  maeg  searolice  672 

word-cwide  writan*     Sumum  wiges  sped- 

giefecS  set  gvipe     pomie  gar-getrum 

ofer  scild-hreadan     sceotend  sendatS 

flacor  flan-geweorc  •     Sum  maeg  fromlice  676 

ofer  sealtne  see     sund-wudu  drifan 

hreran  holni-f>raece  •     Sum  maeg  heanne  beam 

staelgne  gestigan  •     Sum  mseg  styled  sweord  • 

h 

654  MS.  fly,t.  673.  MS.  Suinu. 


I.     CHRIST.      B.      THE   ASCENSION.  43 

whilom  He  sought  on  high  the  angels'  land, 

the  noble  home,  proud,  strong  in  might, 

whilom  He  again  descended  to  the  earth,  648 

He  sought  earth's  region  in  his  spirit's  grace, 

and  wended  to  the  world  :  of  this  the  prophet  sang  : — 

'He  was  borne  aloft  embraced  in  angels'  arms 
into  the  spacious  glory  of  His  might,  652 

high  and  holy,  above  the  heaven's  splendour.' 

They  might  not  know  of  that  bird's  flight, 
who  made  denial  of  the  ascension, 

and  who  believed  not  that  life's  Author,  656 

in  form  of  man,  holy  from  the  earth, 
was  raised  above  the  glorious  hosts. 
Then  God's  Spirit-Son  who  shaped  the  world, 
ennobled  us  and  gave  us  gifts,  660 

eternal  seats  with  the  angels  on  high, 
and   wisdom,  too,  of  mind,  full-manifold, 
He  sowed  and  set  within  men's  soul. 

To  one  He  sendeth  to  memory's  seat  664 

charm  of  wise  words,  through  the  spirit  of  the  mouth, 
and  noble  understanding.     He   can  sing 
and  say  full  many  things,  within  whose  soul 
is  hid  the  power  of  wisdom.     One  can  full  well  608 

with  fingers,  loud  before  the  warriors,  wake  the  harp, 
and  greet  the  glee-beam :  one  can  expound  aright 
the  law  divine:  one  can  tell  the  constellations'  course, 
the  wide  creation:  one  cunningly  can  write  673 

the  spoken  word  :  to  one  he  givcth  battle-speed, 
when   in  the  light  the  shooters  send 
the  storm  of  darts,  swift-flying  arrow-work, 
over  the  shield's  defence :  one  can  boldly  676 

o'er  the  Bali  tet  drive  the  ocean-wood 
and  itir  the  w;itci'.s  rush:  one  can  ascend 
the   lofty  tree   and    iteep  1   OD6    r.m    work 


44  I.      CHRIST.       680-709. 

wsepen  gewyrcan  •     Sum  con  wonga  bigoug  •  680 

wegas  wid-gielle     swa  se  waldend  us 

god-bearn  on  grundura     his  giefe  bryttatS- 

Nyle  he  amgum  anum  •     ealle  gesyllan 

gaestes  snyttru     J>y  lses  him  gielp  scef>J>e  684 

j>urh  his  anes  crseft    ofer  ofre  fortS:  7 


[IV.] 

*JT\US  god  meahtig     geofum  uu-hneawum  •     *[  18  a.] 
-L'cyning  al-wihta  •     crseftum  weorSaj) 
eorJ)an  tuddor     swylce  eadgum  blsed  688 

seletS  on  swegle     sibbe  rseref) 
ece  to  ealdre     engla  and  monna 
swa  he  his  weorc  weorj^atS-     bi  J?on  se  witga  cwsetS 
pcet  a-hsefen  wseren     halge  gimmas  692 

hsedre  heofon-tungol     healice  upp« 
sunne  and  mona-     hwset  sindan  j?a 
gimmas  swa  scyne     buton  god  sylfa 

he  is  se  sotS-fsesta*     sunnan  leoma  696 

englum  and  eorS-warum     8ef>ele  scima 
ofer  middan-geard     mona  lixe# 
ga3st-lic  tungol     swa  seo  godes  circe 

jmrh  gesomninga*     sotSes  and  ryhtes  700 

l)eorhte  bliceS     swa  hit  on  bocum  cwif> 
sif>J>an  of  grundum     god-bearn  a-stag* 
cyning  clsenra  gehwses     fa  seo  circe  her- 

se-fyllendra     eaht-nyese  bad-  704 

under  hsef>enra«     hyrda  gewealdum 
j;ser  (5a  syn-sceaSan     sopes  ne  giemdon 
gsestes  f>earfe     ac  hi  godes  tempel 

brsecan  and  bserndon     blod-gyte  worhtan  708 

feodan  and.  fyldon     hwsefre  forS  bicwom 

685.  forS,  the  only  word  on  the  last  line  0/176;  the  rest  of  the  line  blank. 
698.  MS.  lixed.         709.  MS.  feodan;  between  o  and  d  a  letter  erased  in  MS. 


I.    CHRIST.      B.      THE   ASCENSION. 


45 


steeled  sword  and  weapon :  one  knoweth  the  plains'  direction,  680 

the  wide  ways.     Thus  the  Ruler,  Child  divine, 

dispenseth  unto  us  His  gifts  on  earth  ; 

He  will  not  give  to  any  one  man  all 

the  spirit's  wisdom,  lest  pride  injure   him,  684 

placed  far  above  the  rest  by  power  of  himself  alone. 


IV. 


Thus  mighty  God,  King  of  all  created  things, 
ennobleth  by  these  crafts,  by  gifts  unsparing, 
earth's  progeny,  and  giveth  joy  688 

unto  the  blessed  in  heaven,  and  setteth  peace 
for  angels  and  for  men  to  all  eternity. 
He  honoureth  His  work,  even  as  the  prophet  said, 
that  holy  gems  were  raised  aloft  692 

on  high,  the  stars  serene  of  heaven, 
the  sun  and  moon.  What  are  these 
gems  so  bright,  but  God  Himself? 

He  is  the  sun's  true  beam,  696 

the  noble  light  for  angels  and  for  men : 
the  moon  shineth  o'er  the  middle-earth, 
a  spiritual  star,  e'en  as  God's  Church 
gleameth  brightly  through  the  congregations 
of  the  True  and  Just;  as  it  saith  in  books, 
that  when  the  Child  divine,  the  King  all  pure, 
had  ascended  from  the  earth,  then  the  Church  here 
of  the  faithful  ones  endured  oppression  704 

'neath  heathen  shepherds'  rule ; 
then  the  sinful  took  no  heed  of  truth, 
nor  of  their  spirit's  needs,  but  brake  and  burned 
God's  temple,  wrought  bloodshed,  708 

hated  and  destroyed;    yet  through  the  Spirit's  grace 


lib       *  5 


700 


^5^' 


46  I.      CHRIST.       710-744. 

Jmrh  gsestes  giefe  •     godes  f>egna  bleed 
sefter  up-stige     ecan  dryhtnes  • 

bi  Jmn  Salomon  song-     sunu  dauifes  712 

giedda  gearo-snottor  •     gaest-geryimra 
waldend  wer-J>eoda     and  beet  word  acwsetS 
cuS  J>aet  geweor'Se'S     bcette  cyning  engla 

meotud  meahtum  swift     munt  gestylletS  716 

gehleapetS  hea-dune     hyllas  and  cnollas  • 
bewriS  mid  his  wuldre  •     woruld  alysetS 
ealle  eortS-*  buend     Jmrh  f>one  sefelan  styll  •     *[18  b.] 
waes  se  forma  hlyp     jm  he  on  faemnan  astag  720 

msegetS  un-msele     and  J^ser  mennisc  hiw 
onfeng  bntan  firenum     hcet  to  frofre  geweartS 
eallum  eorS-warura     wses  se  oJ?er  stiell 

bearnes  gebyrda*     Jm  he  in  binne  wees  724 

in  cildes  hiw     clajmm  bewnnden 
ealra  Jjrymma  J^rym     wees  se  Jmdda  hlyp 
rodor-cyninges  raes     )?a  he  on  rode  astag 

feeder  frofre  gsest     wses  se  feorSa  stiell  728 

in  byrgenne     f»a  he  Jmne  beam  ofgeaf 
fold-seme  fsest     w*es  se  fifta  hlyp 
j?a  he  hell-warena     heap  forbygde 

in  cwic-snsle     cyning  inne  gebond  732 

feonda  fore-sprecan     fyrnum  teagum 
grom-hydigne     fzer  he  gen  lige'5 
in  carcerne     clommum  gefsestnad 

synnuwi  gesseled  •     wses  se  siexta  hlyp  736 

haliges  hyht-plega     f>a  he  to  heofonum  astag 
on  his  eald-cyftSe     j)a  wses  engla  f»reat 
on  J>a  halgan  tid     hleahtre  blij^e 

wynnum  geworden     gesawan  wnldres  f>rym  740 

se}?elinga  ord     e}>les  neosan 
beorhtra  bolda     pa  wear's  burg-warum  • 
eadgum  ece  gefea*     sej^elinges  plega 

Jms  her  on  grundum     godes  ece  beam  .  744 

710.  MS.  blos^S.  731.  MS.  werena. 


I.     CHRIST.      B.      THE   ASCENSION.  47 

the  welfare  of  God's  servants  was  maintained 

after  the  eternal  Lord's  ascent : 

of  this  thing  Solomon  the  son  of  David  sang,  712 

all-wise  in  song  and  secrets  spiritual, 

the  ruler  of  the  nations,  and  these  words  he  spake: — 

'This  shall  be  known  that  the  angels'  King, 
the  Lord  strong  in  His  might,  shall  mount  a  hill,  716 

shall  leap  the  lofty  downs,  shall  with  His  glory  wreathe 
the  hills  and  knolls,  and  by  that  noble  bound 
shall  free  the  world  and  all  that  dwell  on  earth/ 

The  first  leap  was  when  He  descended  to  the  damsel,         720 
the  spotless  maid,  and  sinlessly  took  there 
a  human  form,  which  was  a  solace 
for  all  men  on  earth.     The  second  spring  was  this, 
the  infant's  birth,  when  He,  the  Glory  of  all  glories,  724 

swathed  in  clothes  was  in  the  manger 
in  child-form.     The  third  leap  was 

the  heavenly  King's  career  when  He,  the  Father's  solace, 
mounted  on  the  rood.     The  fourth  spring  was  728 

into  the  tomb,  when  he  left  the  tree, 
(and  lay)  fast  within  the  earth-house.     The  fifth  leap  was 
when  he  bowed  down  the  multitude  of  hell-folk 
in  living  torment,  and  bound  their  king  within,  732 

the  devils'  spokesman,  so  grim  of  spirit, 
with  fiery  fetters,- where  he  yet  lieth 
in  the  prison  there,  fastened  with  bonds, 

;uid  bound  with  sins.     The  sixth  leap  was  736  ' 

the  holy  One's  exultant  revel  when  He  to  heaven  ascended, 
onto  his  ancient  home:  then,  the  hosts  of  angels 
were  blithe  with  laughter  and  with  joy, 

upon  that  holy  tide  :  they  saw  the  Crown  of  glory,  740 

the  Prince  of  nobles,  draw  near  his  native  land, 
the  bright  abodes ;  then  was  the  Prince's  revel 
eternal  joy  for  the  happy  folk  within  that  burgh. 

Tims  the  eternal  Child  of  God,  here  upon  earth,  744 


48  I.       CHRIST.       745-778.        . 

ofer  heah  hleojm     hlypum  stylde 

modig  sefter  muntum     swa  we  men  sculon 

heortan  gehygdum     hlypum  styllan 

of  meegne  in  msegen  •     maerj?um  tilgan  748 

pcet  we  to  f»am  hyhstan     hrofe  gestigan 

halgura  weorcura     J>aer  is  hyht  and  blis 

gef>ungen  f>egn-weorud  .  is  us  fearf  micel 

pcet  we  mid  heortan     ha3lo  secen  •  752 

J>aer  we  mid  gseste     georne  *  gelyfaS     *[19  0.] 

fset  f>8et  hselo-bearn     heonan  u'p-stige 

mid  usse  lic-homan     lifgende  god 

forj^on  we  a  sculon     idle  lustas  756 

syn-wunde  forseon     and  pses  sellran  gefeon 

habbaS  we  us  to  frofre     feeder  on  roderum 

selmeahtigne     he  his  aras  J>onan 

halig  of  heahSu     hider  onsendetS  760 

J>a  us  gescildaf)     wi(S  sce]}J>endra 

efglum  earh-farum     pi  lses  un-holdan- 

wunde  gewyrcen     ponne  wroht-bora 

in  folc  godes     fortS  onsendeS  764 

of  his  braegd-bogan     biterne  stral 

forj^on  we  feeste  sculon     wiS  p&m  fser-scyte 

symle  wserlice  •     wearde  healdan 

J>y  laes  se  attres  ord     in-gebuge  768 

biter  bord-gelac     under  ban-locan 

feonda  fser-searo     past  bi<5  frecne  wund 

blatast  benna     utan  us  beorgan  jm 

j^enden  we  on  eorSan     eard  weardigen  772 

utan  us  to  feeder     freofa  wilnian 

biddan  beam  godes     and  f>one  bliSan  gsest 

pcet  he  us  gescilde     wi5  sceafan  waepnum  • 

la)?ra  lyge-searwum     se  us  lif  forgeaf  776 

leomu  lie  and  gsest*     si  him  lof  symle 

pwch  woruld  worulda  •     wuldor  on  heofnuw :  7 

757.  MS.  sellan.      762.  MS.  englum.      766.  MS.  fcer,scyte.      iff.  MS.  se. 
778.  Half-line  space  betiveen  the  sections. 


I.     CHRIST.      B.     THE   ASCENSION.  49 

sprang  by  leaps  over  the  lofty  hills, 
boldly  from  mount  to  mount,  so  must  we  men, 
in  our  hearts'  thoughts,  by  such  leaps  spring 
from  virtue  unto  virtue  and  strive  for  glory,  748 

so  that  through  holy  works  we  may  rise 
unto  the  highest  height,  where  there  is  joy  and  bliss 
and  ministering  legions  glorious.     Great  is  our  need, 
that  we  should  seek  salvation  there  with  our  hearts,  752 

where  we  earnestly  in  spirit  place  our  faith, 
so  that  the  Saviour-Child,  the  living  God, 
may  with  our  bodies  soar  aloft  from  hence. 
Wherefore  we  must  ever  scorn  all  idle  lusts  756 

and  wounds  of  sin,  and  rejoice  in  what  is  goodlier; 
we  have  our  solace  in  the  Almighty, 
our  Father  in  heaven  :)  He,  the  holy  One,  will  send 
His  messengers  down  hither  from  on  high  760 

to  shield  us  from  the  noxious  arrow-flights 
of  those  that  do  us  scathe,  lest  fiends 
should  work  us  wounds,  when  the  Accuser 
sendeth  forth  the  bitter  shaft  764 

among  God's  folk  from  his  drawn  bow. 
Wherefore  we  must  firmly  and  aye  warily 
keep  watch  against  the  sudden  shot, 

lest  the  envenomed  point,  the  bitter  dart,  768 

the  sudden  wile  of  foes,  should  enter  in 
beneath  the  bones',  enclosure  :  that  is  a  grievous  wound, 
the  ghastliest  of  gashes.     Let  us  then  guard  ourselves, 
while  we  hold  habitation  upon  earth ;  77a 

let  us  desire  peace  from  the  Father, 
and  pray  the  Son  of  God,  and  eke  the  kindly  Spirit, 
that  He  shield  us  from  the  spoilers'  weapons, 
from  the  lying  wiles  of  foes;  He  gave  us  life,  776 

limbs,  body,  and  eke  spirit:  ever  to  Him  be  prtite, 
glory   in   thf   hoavui«,   world    without  end. 

£ 


50  1.      CHRIST.       779-810. 


[v.] 

NE  fearf  him  ondraedan     deofla  strselas 
senig  on  eorSan     selda  cynnes  780 

gromra  gar-fare     gif  hine  god  scildef) 
duguSa  dryhten     is  J?am  dome  neah 
Ipcet  we  gelice  sceolon     leanura  hleotan 

swa  we  wide  feorh     weorcum  hlodun  784 

geond  sidne  grund  .  us  secgaft  bee 
hii  set  serestan     ead-*mod  astag  •       *[19  &.] 
in  middan-geard     msegna  gold-hord 

in  faemnan  fseftm     freo  beam  godes  •  788 

halig  of  heahj?u  huru  ic  wene  me  • 
and  eac  ondrgede  •  dom  ffy  re}>ran  • 
Sonne  eft  cymeS     engla  J>eoden 

\>e  ic  ne  heold  teala     Ipcet  me  haelend  min  792 

on  bocum  bibead     ic  j?ses  brogan  sceal 
geseon  s/n-wrsece     fees  \>e  ic  soft  talge       V 
peer  monig  beoS     on  gemot  \xded 

fore  onsyne     eces  deman  796 

porme  •   h  •  cwacacS  •     gehyre'S  cyning  mseSlan  • 
rodera  ryhtend*     sprecan  ref>e  word 
f>am  J>e  him  aer  in  worulde     wace  hyrdon 

fendan  •  fjj  •  and  *f  .     yj»ast  meahtan  800 

frofre  findan     J>ser  sceal  forht  monig 
on  Jmm  wong-stede     werig  bidan 
hwaet  him  sefter  daedum     deman  wille 

wrafra  wita     bif>  se  •  ^  •  scaecen  804 

eorf>an  fraetwa    h  •  wses  longe . 

Is  •  flodum  bilocen     lif-wynna  dasl  • 

P  •  on  foldan     Iponne  fraetwe  sculon 

byrnan  on  baele     blac  rasettecS  808 

recen  reada  leg     relpe  scri^eS* 

geond  woruld  wide     wongas  hreosatS 

783.  hleotan,  h  evidently  added  later.        790.  MS.  clyre])ran.         795.  MS. 


I.    CHRIST.       B.     THE    ASCENSION.  51 


No  one  of  the  race  of  men  on  earth 
need  fear  the  devil's  shafts,  780 

the  spear-flight  of  the  fiends,  if  God,  the  Lord  of  hosts, 
shieldeth  him.     The  day  of  doom  is  nigh, 
so  that  we  shall  gain  the  recompense 

that  by  our  works  we  have  amassed  on  this  wide  earth,        784 
during  the  length  of  life.     Books  tell  us, 
how  at  first  the  noble  Son  of  God, 
glory's  Treasury,  holy  from  on  high, 

humbly  descended  to  the  middle-earth  788 

into  the  damsel's  keeping.     Verily  I  ween, 
and  eke  I  fear,  a  doom  the  sterner, 
when  the  Prince  of  angels  cometh  a  second  time, 
for  that  I  kept  not  well  that  which  my  Saviour  792 

bade  me  in  his  books  :    therefore  shall  I  see 
terror  and  sin-vengeance,  I  know  full  well, 
when  many  shall  be  brought  unto  the  concourse 
before  the  presence  of  the  eternal  Judge.  796 

Then  the  Keen  shall  quake,  when  he  heareth  the  king, 
heaven's  ruler,  speak  and  utter  wrathful  words 
to  those  who  erewhile  in  the  world  obeyed  him  feebly, 
while  Yearning  and  Need  might  most  easily  800 

find  solace :  there  many  a  one  afeard 
shall  wearily  await  upon  that  plain 
what  fearful  penalty  He  will  adjudge  to  him 
after  his  deeds  :    then  the  Winsomeness  of  earthly  gauds       804 
shall  be  all  changed.     Longsince,  the  portion  of  life's  joys, 
allotted  Us,  by  Lake-floods  was  enclosed, 
our  Fortune  on  the  earth  :    then  shall  earthly  gauds 
consume  in  fire  ;  bright  and  swift  808 

the  ruddy  flame  shall  rage  and  fiercely  stride 
o'er  the  wide  world ;  the  plains   shall  fall, 

Inda'S.  797-807.     The  runic  letter*  in  the  text  are  taken  to  represent 

■;,,!,,  //,,.  wordi  :— Cene,  Yfel,  Nyd,  Wyn,  tfr,  Lagu,  Feoh. 


i 


E    2 


.1~-*- 


52  I.       CHRIST.       8H-844. 

burg-stede  berstaft     brond  biS  on  tyhte 

seletS  eald-gestreon     unmurnlice  81  a 

geesta  gifrast     pcet  geo  guman  heoldan 

f>enden  him  on  eorf>an     onmedla  wa?s- 

forf>on  ic  leofra  gehwone     leeran  wille 

fast  he  ne  ageele     gsestes  J>earfe  816 

ne  on  gylp  geote     }?enden  god  wille 

post  he  her  in  worulde    wunian  mote 

somed  sif>ian     sawel  in  lice 

in  J»am  gsest-hofe     scyle  gumena  gehwylc  820 

on  his  gear-dagum     georne  bif>encan 

pcet  us  milde  bicwom     meahta  waldend 

aet  *aerestan     J>urh  }>8es  engles  word  •     *[20  a-'] 

hi (5  nn  eorneste     ponne  eft  cymet5  824 

re<5e  and  ryhtwis     rodor  bi$  onhrered 

and  J>as  miclan  gemetu     middan-geardes 

beheofia'S  •     ponne  beorht  cyning  leanacS 

J>ass  pe  hy  on  eorf>an     eargum  dsedum  828 

lifdon  leahtrum  fa  •     f>aes  hi  longe  sculon 

ferS-werige  onfon     in  fyr-ba#e 

waelmum  biwrecene  wraf>-lic  and-le&n  • 

ponne  rnasgna  cyning     on  gemot  cymetS  S3 2 

}?rymma  msesta     J?eod-egsa  bi(S 

hlud  gehyred     bi  heofon-woman 

cwaniendra  cirm     cerge  reota(5 

fore  onsyne     eces  deman  836 

pa  pe  hyra  weorcum     wace  truwiacS 

Saer  bi)?  o(5-ywed     egsa  mara 

ponne  from  frum -gesceape     gefrsegen  wurde 

sefre  on  eorSan     J>ser  bi(5  eeghwylcum  840 

syn-wyrcendra     on  J?a  snudan  tid 

leofra  micle     ponne  eall  f»eos  lame  gesceaft 

p&r  he  hine  sylfne     on  J>am  sige-freate 

behydan  msege     ponne  herga  frum  a  844 


830.  MS.  fyr  bade.  835.  MS.  cwanendra. 


I.     CHRIST.      B.    THE    ASCENSION.  53 

the  citadels  shall  crash;  the  fire  shall  on  its  way; 

unpityingly  shall  he,  greediest  of  guests,  burn  up  8ia 

the  ancient  treasures  which  men  held  of  old, 

while  pride  dwelt  with  them  upon  earth. 

Wherefore  I  will  instruct  each  well-beloved 

lest  he  be  careless  of  his  spirit's  need,  816 

or  pour  it  forth  in  boasting,  whilst  God  willeth 

that  he  may  dwell  here  in  the  world, 

whilst  soul  with  body,  the  guest-house  it  is  in, 

may  journey  on  together.     Each  man  must  820 

consider  in  his  life-days  well, 

how  He,  the  Lord  of  might,  was  kind  to  us 

at  first,  according  to  the  angel's  word. 

He  will  then  be  stern  when  he  cometh  again,  824 

wrathful  and  rigorous.     The  heavens  shall  shake, 

and  all  the  great  estates  of  middle-earth 

shall  wail,  when  the  bright  King  requiteth  them 

for  that  they  lived  on  earth  in  wicked  deeds,  828 

crime-stained :  wherefore  they  must  long, 

aweary  of  themselves,  beset  with  flames,  endure 

dire  retribution  in  the  bath  of  fire, 

when  the  mighty  King  cometh  to  the  concourse  there,  832 

with  greatest  majesty  :  then  men's  terror, 

the  cry  of  mourners,  shall  be  heard  aloud, 

amid  the  noises  of  the  heavens ;  sadly  shall  they  wail 

afore  the  presence  of  the  eternal  Judge,  836 

who  have  but  faint  reliance  in  their  works. 

Then  shall  be  seen  a  greater  terror 

than  ever  hath  been  heard  of  on  the  earth, 

since  the  beginning:  there  at  that  sudden  time  840 

« ;u  li  sinner  will  have  liefer  far 

tlmn  all  this  transient  creation 

MM  place  where  he  may  hide  him 

in  that  rush  of  triumph,  when  the  Lord  of  hosts,  844 


54  I.       CHRIST.      845-874. 

8eJ>elinga  ord     eallum  demeft 

leofum  ge  LuSum     lean  sefter  ryhte 

J?eoda  gehwylcre     is  us  f>earf  micel 

])cet  we  gsestes  wlite     ser  J>am  gryre-brogan  848 

on  J>as  gsesnan  tid     georne  bij?encen« 

Nu  is  f>on  gelicost     swa  we  on  lagu-flode 

ofer  cald  wseter     ceolura  HcSan 

geond  sidne  see     sund-hengestum  852 

fiod-wudu  fergen  .  is  })9et  frecne  stream  • 

yt5a  ofermaeta     J?e  we  her  on  lacatS 

geond  pas  wacan  woruld     windge  holmas  , 

ofer  deop  gelad     wses  se  drohtaft  strong  856 

ser  J»on  we  to  londe     geliden  *ha3fdon     *[20  b.~\ 

ofer  hreone  hrycg     J>a  us  help  bicwom 

peet  us  to  hselo     hylpe  gelsedde  / 

godes  gsest-sunu     and  us  giefe  sealde  860 

\)8dt  we  oncnawan  magun  ofer  ceoles  bord 

hwaer  we  sselan  sceolon     sund-hengestas 

ealde  y(S-mearas     ancrum  fseste 

utan  us  to  £>8ere  hyfte     hylit ,  staf>elian  •  864 

fta  us  gerymde     rodera  waldend 

halge  on  heahf>u    J>a  he  heofonum  astag : — :/  :/  \j 

[C.    THE  DAY  OF  JUDGMENT.] 

BONNE  MID  FERE     fold-buende 
se  micla  dseg     meahtan  dryhtnes  868 

set  midre  niht     msegne  bihlseme'S 
scire  gesceafte     swa  oft  sceaSa  fsecne 
£>eof  jmst-lice     \>e  on  fystre  fare^S 
on  sweartre  niht     sorg-lease  haeletS  873 

semninga  for-fehtS     sleepe  gebundne 
eorlas  ungearwe     yfles  gena?ge(5 

866.  Two-line  space  between  the  sections. 


I.     CHRIST.      C.    THE    DAY    OF   JUDGMENT.  55 

the  Chief  of  princes,  shall  adjudge  to  all, 

to  friends  and  foes,  to  every  one  of  men, 

a  righteous  recompense.     Great  is  our  need, 

that  in  this  barren  time,  ere  that  grim  terror,  848 

we  should  fain  bethink  us  of  our  spirit's  grace. 

Now  'tis  most  like  as  if  we  fare  in  ships 
on  the  ocean-flood,  over  the  water  cold, 

and  drive  the  flood- wood  through  the  spacious  sea,  85  a 

with  horses  of  the  deep :  a  perilous  stream  is  this 
of  boundless  waves,  and  these  are  stormy  seas,  on  which 
we  toss  about,  here  in  this  feeble  world, 

o'er  the  deep  paths.     The  way  was  hard,  856 

ere  that  we  had  sailed  unto  the  land, 
over  the  troubled  main;  then  came  there  help  to  us, 
that  brought  us  to  the  haven  of  salvation, 
God's  Spirit-Son,  and  gave  us  grace  860 

that  we  may  know,  e'en  from  the  vessel's  deck, 
where  we  must  bind  with  anchors  fast 
our  ocean-steeds,  old  stallions  of  the  waves. 
O  let  us  rest  our  hope  in  that  same  port,  864 

which  the  Sovereign  of  the  skies  opened  for  us, 
holy  on  high,  when  He  to  heaven  ascended. 


C.    THE  DAY  OF  JUDGMENT. 

With  sudden  fear,  at  midnight  then, 

the  mighty  Lord's  great  day,  868 

.shall  boldly  strike  earth's  habitants  £+***** 

and  the  bright  creation,  even  as  some  wily  robber,  '  f»**  * 

■ 
some  daring  thief  that  prowleth  in  the  dark, 

in  the  swart   night,  Burpriseth  suddenly  87a 

careless  mortals  bound  in  sin  p. 

tad  evilly  assaullctli   men   tnpreptred. 


56  I.       CHEIST.      875-909. 

swa  on  syne  beorg     somod  up  cymeS 

msegen-folc  micel     meotude  getrywe  876 

beorht  and  blij^e     bim  vveorfe'S  blsed  gifen  ■ 

fonne  from  feovverum     fold  an  sceatum 

f am  ytemestum     eorjmn  rices 

englas  sel-beorhte     on  efen  blawaS  880 

byman  on  brehtme     beofaS  middan-geard 

hruse  under  hoelefmm  ,  hlydaS  tosomne 

trume  and  torhte     wiS  tungla  gong 

singatS  and  swinsiaf)     suj>an  and  norf>an  884 

eastan  and.  westan     ofer  tealle  gesceaft 

weccatS  of  deafte     dryht-gumena  beam 

eall  monna  cynn     *to  meotud-sceafte     *[21  a.] 

eges-lic  of  peere  ealdan  moldan     hataS  hy  upp-astandan  888 

sneome  of  slsepe  f>y  fsestan     fser  mon  mceg  sorgende  folc 

gehyran  hyge-geomor     hearde  gefysed 

cearum  cwif»ende     cwicra  gewyrhtu 

forhte  a-fserde     pcet  bi^  fore-tacna  msest  892 

jmra  \ e  ser  dplpe  sift     sefre  gewurde 

monnum  o]>ywed     J?ar  gemengde  beo"5 

onhselo  gelac     engla  and  deofla 

beorhtra  and  blacra     weor)?etS  bega  cyme  896 

hwitra  and  sweartra     swa  him  is  bam  sceapen 

ungelice     englum  and  deoflum 

\)onne  semninga     on  syne  beorg 

sujmn  eastan     sunnan  leoma  900 

cyrnetS  of  scyppende     scynan  leohtor 

\)onne  hit  men  nisegen     modum  ahycgan 

beorhte  blican     Iponne  beam  godes 

j?urh  heofona  gehleodu     hider  otS-ywetS  904 

cyme<5  wundorlic     cristes  onsyn 

8e})el-cyninges  wlite     eastan  fram  roderum 

on  sefan  swete     sinum  folce 

biter  bealo-fullum     gebleod  wundrum  •  908 

eadgum  and  earmuv/i     ungelice 

885.  M8.  healle. 


I.     CHRIST. 


THE    DAY    OF   JUDGMENT. 


57 


ate 


So  to  Sion's  hill  a  mighty  host, 

radiant  and  blithe,  shall  ascend  together, 

the  faithful  of  the  Lord  :  glory  shall  be  given  them. 

Then  from  the  world's  four  coiners, 

from  the  uttermost  regions  of  the  realm  of  earth, 

resplendent  angels  shall  loudly,  with  one  accord, 

sound  their  trumpets,  and  mid-earth  shall  quake, 

and  the  region  under  men.     Boldly  and  gloriously 

shall  they  blow  together  toward  the  stars'  career, 

and  sing  and  chant  from  south  and  north, 

from  east  and  west,  o'er  all  creation, 

and  wake  from  death  unto  the  final  doom, 

aghast  from  the  old  earth,  the  sons  of  warrior-men 

and  all  mankind,  and  bid  them  arise 

forthwith  from  their  deep  sleep.     There  one  may  hear 

a  sorrowing  host,  dismal  and  hard  bestead, 

sorely  afeard,  bewailing  woefully 

their  deeds  when  living.     This  shall  be  the  greatest  sign 

of  all  those  which  aye,  erewhile  or  since, 

were  shown  to  men :  to  wit,  the  hidden  hosts 

of  angels  and  of  devils,  the  bright  and  dark, 

shall  be  commingled ;  there  shall  come  both, 

the  white  and  black,  as  a  home  is  shaped  for  them, 

for  angels  and  for  devils,  all  unlike. 

Then  suddenly  to  Sion's  hill 
a  sun-beam  from  south-east  shall  come 
from  the  Creator,  shining  more  brilliantly 
than  men  may  ween  of  in  their  minds, 
and  gleaming  brightly  ;  then  the  Son  of  God 
hitherward  shall  appear  o'er  heaven's  vaults  ; 
wondrous  from  the  east  of  heaven  shall  come 
Christ's  presence,  the  aspect  of  the  noble  King, 

t -minded   to  his  own   folk, 
litter  to  the  baleful,  marvellously  visaged, 
diversely  for  the  blcsted  and  the  forlorn. 


876 

880 


884 


it* 


888 


892 


896 

90O 

CMO) 
904 


908 


58  I.       CHRIST.      91O-944. 

he  bit5  jmm  godum     glsed-mod  on  gesihf>e  • 
wlitig  wynsumlic     weorude  p&m  halgan  • 

on  gefean  faeger  •     freond  and  leoftael  •  912 

lufsum  and  lif>e  leofum  monnum 
to  sceawianne  J?one  scynan  wlite 
weftne  mid  willum     waldendes  cyme 

maegen-cyninges     ]mm  Ipe  him  on  mode  aer  916 

wordum  and  weorcum  wel  gecwemdun  • 
he  bit5  ]?am  yflum  eges-lic  and  grim-lie 
to  geseonne     synnegum  monnum 

j?am  peer  mid  firenum  *cuma"S     forS  for-worhte  .  *[21  &.]       920 
Ipset  maeg  wites  to  wearninga     J>am  pe  hafacS  wisne  gefoht 
Ipat  se  him  eallunga     owiht  ne  ondraedecS 
se  for  "Saere  onsyne     egsan  ne  weorJ>etS 

forht  on  fer<5e     porme  he  frean  gesihcS  924 

ealra  gesceafta*     cmdweardne  faran 
mid  maegen-wundrum     mongum  to  fringe 
ond  him  on  healfa  gehwowe     heofon-engla  f>reat 
ymb-utan  faratS     selbeorhtra  scolu  928 

hergas  haligra     heapum  geneahhe  . 
dyneS  deop  gesceaft     and  fore  dryhtne  faereS 
W83lm-fyra  maest     ofer  widne  grund  « 

hlemmetS  hata  leg     heofonas  berstatS  932 

trume  and  torhte     tungol  of-hreosaS 
poime  weorj^ecS  sunne     sweart  gewended 
on  blodes  hiw     seo  "Se  beorhte  scan 

ofer  aer-woruld     aelda  bearnum  <  936 

Mona  \>cet  sylfe     Ipe  aer  mon-cynne 
nihtes  lyhte     nif>er  gehreose'S 
and  steorran  swa  some     stredaS  of  heofone 

J?urh  5a  strongan  lyft     stormum  abeatne  •  940 

Wile  aelmihtig     mid  his  engla  gedryht 
maegen-cyninga  meotod     on  gemot  cuman 
frym-faest  f>eoden  ,  bi(5  J?aer  his  fegna  eac 

hrej>-eadig  heap  .  halge  sawle  944 

927.  MS.  gehwore. 


I.     CHRIST.       C.     THE    DAY    OF   JUDGMENT.  59 

For  the  good,  the  holy  company,  He  shall  be 
joyful  of  presence,  beauteous;  winsome, 

fair  in  delight,  loving  and  gracious.  912 

Sweet  shall  it  be  and  pleasant  for  His  beloved 
to  view  that  radiant  aspect, 
all  benign  of  will,  the  coming  of  the  Ifculer, 
of  the  mighty  King,  yea,  for  those  erewhile  916 

who  pleased  Him  well,  by  words  and  works. 
For  the  evil  ones,  the  sinful,  He  shall  be 
terrific  and  fearful  to  behold, 

for  those  who  come  there  aye  fordone  by  crime.  920 

It  may  be  for  a  sign  unto  his  mind  who  hath  wise  thought, 
that  he  need  dread  him  nought  at  all, 
who  afore  that  presence  becometh  not 

afeard  with  terror  in  his  soul,  when  he  see'th  the  Lord         924 
of  all  created  things  advance  before  him 
with  mighty  wonders  to  the  doom  of  many, 
while  on  each  side  of  Him  bands  of  heavenly  angels 
fare  round  about,  legions  of  all-bright  ones,  928 

companies  of  the  holy,  with  full  many  a  host. 
The  great  creation  shall  resound,  and  before  the  Lord  shall  go 
the  greatest  of  all  raging  fires  throughout  the  spacious  earth : 
hot  flame  shall  roar,  the  heavens  shall  burst,  932 

the  steadfast  and  bright  planets  shall  fall  down;      ^^»«^» 
then  shall  the  sun  be  changed,  all  swart, 
to  the  hue  of  blood,,  the  sun  which  brightly  shone 
for  the  sons  of  men  above  the  former  world  :  936 

likewise  the  moon  which  erewhile  gave  light 
for  mankind  in  the  night  shall  fall  adown, 
and  the  stars  too  shall  descend  from  heaven, 
tempest-driven  through  the  stormy  air.  940 

Then  the  Almighty,  the  Creator  of  great  Kings, 
will  come  unto  the  concourse  with  His  angel-host, 
lie  the   Lord  majestic:  there  eke  of  His  serrftntfl  ilieit*  shall  I" 
a  proud  and  li.ippy  band  i  the  holy  souls  944 


60  I.      CHRIST.      945-974. 

mid  hyra  frean  faraS     \>o\\ne  folca  weard 

fmrh  egsan  f>rea     eortSan  msegcSe 

sylfa  geseceS  .  weorf>e<5  geond  sidne  grund 

hlud  gehyred     heofon-byman  stefh  948 

and  on  seofon  healfa   "swogatS  windas 

blawaS  brecende     bearhtma  mseste 

weccacS  and  woniacS     woruld  mid  storme  • 

*fylla(5  mid  feore     foldan  gesceafte  •     *[22  «.]  952 

"Sonne  heard  gebrec     hlud  un-msete 

swar  and  swicSlic     sweg-dynna  maest 

seldnm  eges-lic     eawed  weor]3e(5 

peer  msegen  werge     monna  cynnes  956 

wornum  hweorfaS     on  .widne  leg 

fa  Jpser  cwice  meteS     cwelmende  f/r 

sume  up  sume  nifer     seldes  fulle  • 

ponne  bi(5  untweo     fset  fser  adames  •  960 

cfn  cearena  full     cwif>e"S  gesargaeZ 

nales  fore  lytlum     leode  geomre 

ac  fore  fam  msestan     msegen-earfefum. 

%orme  eall  £>reo     on  efen  nimecS  964 

won  fyres  wselm     wide  tosomne 

se  swearta  lig     sees  mid  hyra  fiscum 

eorfan  mid  hire  beorgum     and  up-heofon 

torhtne  mid  his  tunglum     teon-leg  somod  968 

fryfmm  bsernetS     freo  eal  on  an 

grimme  togsedre     grorna(S  gesargad 

eal  middan-geard     on  f>a  mseran  tid  :j 

[ii.] 

8WA  se  gifra  gsest     grundas  geond-sece'S  972 

hifende  leg     heah-getimbro 
fylletS  on  fold-wong     fyres  egsan 

960.  MS.  untreo.  adames:  the  first  and  seconds,  in  tliu  ivord  resemble*  the 
rounded  Celtic  et,  and  is  different  to  the  ordinary  letter  employed  hy  the 
scribe.       961.  MS.  gesargaS.       970.  gesargad;    d   originally    S,  the   stroke 


I.     CHRIST.       C.     THE    DAY    OF   JUDGMENT.  61 

with  their  Lord  shall  fare,  when  the  Guardian  of  all  folk 

Himself  shall  visit  with  dread  punishment 

the  races  of  the  earth :  then  through  the  spacious  plain 

the  voice  of  heaven's  trumpet  shall  be  heard  aloud,  948 

and  on  the  seven  sides  the  winds  shall  howl 

and  blow  and  break  with  greatest  noise, 

and  wake  and  waste  the  world  with  storm, 

and  with  their  breath  o'erthrow  the  earth's  creation.  952 

Then  a  hard  crash,  loud,  immeasurable, 

heavy  and  violent,  the  greatest  of  fierce  dins, 

terrible  for  mortals,  shall  be  manifest. 

Then  legions  of  the  race  of  men,  accursed,  956 

shall  wend  in  multitudes  into  wide  flame, 

and  living  shall  there  feel  destroying  fires, 

some  up,  some  down,  fulfilled  with  burning. 

Small  doubt  that  there  the  cheerless  race  of  Adam,  960 

shall  utter  lamentations,  full  of  sorrows, 

afflicted  with  no  feeble  tribulation, 

but  with  great  anguish,  direfullest  and  worst, 

when  the  pallid  surge  of  fire,  the  swarthy  flame,  964 

shall  seize  all  those  three  things,  at  once,  alike, 

and  far  and  wide;  to  wit,  seas  with  their  fish, 

earth  with  her  hills,  and  heaven  above 

bright  with  its  stars ;  the  avenging  flame  968 

shall  fiercely  burn  all  three,  at  once, 

with  fearful  onset :  all  middle-earth, 

afflicted  at  that  mighty  time,  shall  mourn. 


II. 

So  shall  the  greedy  guest  pervade  the  earth  ;  972 

Um  ravaging  flame  shall  hurl  with  fire's  terror 
the  lofty  buildings  down  unto  the  plain; 

hat  been  erased.     971.  One  line  ttpnee  between  the  tectiom.     972.  MS.  SWA, 
the  scribe  ha*  forgotten  to  put  the  utrohe  through  the  A. 


62  I.      CHRIST.      975-IO08. 

wid-msere  blaest     woruld  mid-ealle 

hat  heoro-gifre     hreosacS  geneahhe  976 

to-brocene  burg-weallas     beorgas  gemeltatS 

and  heah-cleofu     \a  wi(5  holme  ser 

faeste  wiS  flodum     foldan  scefdun 

sticS  and  staetS-fsest     sta]?elas  wiS  waege  980 

waetre  windendum.   Ipomie  wihta  gehwylce 

deora  and  fugla     deaS-leg  nimeS 

faeretS  aefter  foldan     fyr-swearta  leg 

*weallende  wiga     swa  eer  wseter  fleowan     *[22  b.~]  984 

flodas  afysde  •     ponne  on  fyr-bafte 

swelaS  sse-fiscas     sundes  getwaefde 

waeg-deora  gehwylc     werig  sweltetS 

byrnef)  waeter  swa  weax     J?aer  biS  wundra  ma  988 

J>onwe  hit  aenig  on  mode     maege  afencan 

hu  J?aet  gestun  and  se  storm     and  seo  stronge  lyft 

brecaS  brade  gesceaft     beornas  gretacS 

wepatS  wanende     wergum  stefnum  992 

heane  hyge-geomre     hreowum  gedreahte  • 

Seof>eS  swearta  leg     synne  on  fordonum 

and  gold-fraetwe     gleda  forswelgatS 

eall  aer-gestreon     ej>el-cyninga  •  996 

8aer  bi(S  cirm  and  cearu     and  cwicra  gewin 

gehreow  and  hlud  wop     bi  heofon- woman 

earmlic  aelda  gedreag     J^onan  aenig  ne  maeg 

firen-daedum  fah     fricS  gewinnan  1000 

leg-bryne  losian     londes  ower  • 

Ac  f>aet  fyr  nimeS     f>urh  foldan  gehwaet 

graefetS  grim-lice     georne  asececS 

innan  and  utan     eorftan  sceatas  1004 

o^aet  eall  hafaS     aeldes  leoma 

woruld-widles  worn     waelme  forbaerned  • 

Son  we  mihtig  god     on  J?one  maeran  beorg 

mid  ])j  maestan     maegen-f>rymme  cymetS  1008 

978.  MS.  Jm.  979.  MS.  scehdun. 


I.     CHRIST.       C.     THE    DAY    OF    JUDGMENT.  03 

the  fierce-devouring,  hot,  wide-spreading  blast 

shall  overthrow  the  world  withal ;  all  shattered  976 

the  city-walls  shall  fall;  the  hills  shall  melt 

and  the  high  cliffs,  which  erewhile  parted  earth 

stoutly  and  steadfastly  from  ocean, 

firm-set  against  the  floods,  bulwarks  against  the  wave  980 

and  circling  water.     Then  shall  the  death-flame  seize 

each  living  creature,  beast  and  bird  ; 

the  fire-swart  flame  shall  fare  through  earth 

like  a  raging  warrior;  where  erst  the  waters  flowed,  984 

the  rushing  floods,  in  a  sea  of  fire  shall  burn 

the  fishes  of  the  deep ;  bereft  of  swimming-craft 

each  of  the  beasts  of  ocean  shall  a-weary  die ; 

water  shall  burn  as  wax;  there  shall  more  wonders  be  988 

than  any  mortal  may  conceive  in  mind, 

when  the  roar  and  the  storm  and  the  raging  wind 

shall  break  the  broad  creation  ;  men  shall  wail 

and  weep  and  moan  with  abject  voices,  99a 

humble,  sad  in  mind,  overwhelmed  with  penitence. 

The  swart  flame  shall  seethe  on  those  damned  by  sin, 

and  gledes  shall  gorge  the  golden  ornaments, 

all  the  ancient  treasures  of  the  kings  of  earth.  996 

There  shall  be  cry  and  sorrow,  the  strife  of  those  alive, 

misery  and  loud  lament  'mid  the  heaven's  roar, 

the  sorry  plight  of  men.     Thence  not  any  man 

stained  with  sinful  crime,  may  peace  achieve,  1000 

or  anywhere  escape  the  burning  flame ; 

but  the  fire  shall  seize  each  thing  on  earth, 

shall  fiercely  delve  and  eagerly  shall  search 

the  tracts  of  earth  within  and  without,  1004 

until  the  fire's  glow  hath  purged  with  heat 

all  the  stain  of  the  world's  pollution. 

Then  the  mighty  God,  the  heavenly  angels'  King, 
shall  come  with  greatest  majesty  1008 


64  I.       CHRIST.       IOO9-IO42. 

heofon-engla  cyning     halig  seined 

wuldorlic  ofer  weredum     waldende  god« 

ond  hine  ymb-utan     ae^el-dugutS  betast 

halge  here-fetSan     hlutre  blicaS  10 1  a 

eadig  engla  gedryht     in-geJ»oncum 

forhte  beofiatS     fore  feeder  egsan. 

forj^on  nis  aenig  wundor     hu  him  woruld-monna 

seo  unclsene  gecynd     cearum  sorgende  1016 

hearde  ondrede  •     ^onne  sio  halge  gecynd 

*hwit  and  heofon-beorht     heag-engla  maegen     [*23  a.] 

for  "Ssere  onsyne  beotS     egsan  afyrhte 

bidatS  beofiende     beorhte  gesceafte  1020 

dryhtnes  domes     daga  eges-licast 

weorf»e'S  in  worulde     porme  wuldor-cyning 

J>urh  f>rym  J>reat5     f>eoda  gehwylce 

hate'3  a-risan     reord-berende  1024 

of  fold-grafum     folc  anra  gehwyle 

cuman  to  gemote  •     mon-cynnes  gehwone  . 

Iporme  eall  hrafte     adames  cynn 

onfeh(S  flaesce     weor^eS  fold-rasste  1028 

eardes  set  ende     sceal  ponne  anra  gehwyle 

fore  cristes  cyme     cwic  arisan 

leoftum  onfon     and  lic-homan 

ed-geong  wesan     hafaft  eall  on  him  1032 

J?aes  ]>e  he  on  foldan     in  fyrn-dagum 

godes  dppe  gales     on  his  gaeste  gehlod 

geara  gongum     hafaft  aet-gaedre  l>u 

lie  and  sawle     sceal  on  leoht  cuman  1036 

sinra  weorca  wlite     and  worda  gemynd 

and  heortan  gehygd     fore  heofona  cyning  • 

Donne  bij?  geyced     and  geedniwad 

mon-cyn  J?urh  meotud     micel  ariseS  1040 

dryht-folc  to  dome     sij>f>an  deaf>es  bend 

to-lese<5  lif-frumat     lyft  bi<S  onbaerned 

1027.  adames  see  note,  1.  960.     1042.  MS.  lif-fruman. 


I.     CHRIST.       C.     THE    DAY    OF    JUDGMENT.  05 

unto  that  noble  hill ;  glorious  o'er  His  hosts, 

the  sovereign  God  shall  shine  in  holiness ; 

and,  Him  around,  the  goodliest  chivalry, 

the  holy  warrior-band,  the  blessed  angel-troop,  1012 

shall  brightly  gleam  ;  they  tremble 

in  terror  of  the  Father,  in  their  inmost  thoughts  afeard. 

Wherefore  'tis  no  wonder  that  the  unclean  race 

of  worldly  men  shall  sorely  be  a-dread  10  t  6 

and  sorrowfully  wail,  whenas  the  holy  race, 

the  white  and  heavenly  bright,  the  archangels'  host, 

before  that  Presence  shall  be  with  fear  affrighted; 

trembling  the  radiant  creatures  shall  abide  1020 

their  Sovereign's  doom.     Most  terrible  of  days  in  the  world 

that  day  shall  be,  when  the  glorious  King 

shall  mightily  o'erwhelm  full  every  race, 

and  bid  each  single  folk,  creatures  of  speech,  1024 

arise  from  out  their  earthy  graves, 

and  come  each  man  to  that  assembly. 

Then  full  quickly  shall  Adam's  kin  take  flesh, 

there  shall  be  an  end  of  their  earthly  rest,  1028 

and  of  their  sojourn  ;  then  at  Christ's  coming 

each  one  of  them  shall  rise  up  quickened, 

and  shall  take  limb  and  fleshly  covering, 

and  shall  be  young  again,  and  have  within  him  all  1032 

that  he  on  earth,  in  former  days, 

in  the  course  of  years,  heaped  upon  his  soul, 

of  good  or  bad ;  he  shall  have  together 

both  the  body  and  the  soul ;  the  image  of  his  works,  io^fi 

and  the  memory  of  his  words,  and  the  thoughts  of  his  heart, 

shall  come  to  light  before  the  heaven's  King. 

Then  mankind  shall  be  multiplied  and  renewed 

by  its  Creator:  a  mighty  multitude  1040 

sliall  arise  to  judgment,  after  life's  Author  sh.-ill   unbind 

the  bonds  of  dentli;  tin-  riir  .shall  Ik?  kindled, 

F 


66  I.       CHRIST.       IO43-IO77. 

hreosatS  heofon-steorran     hyjmS  wide 

gifre  glede     gaestas  hweorfaS  1044 

on  ecne  eard     opene  weor^acS 

ofer  middan-geard     monna  dsede  ■ 

ne  magun  hord  wera     heortan  gefohtas 

fore  waldende     wihte  bemijmn-  1048 

ne  sindon  him  daeda  dyrne     ac  })8er  biS  dryhtne  cu"S 

on  )mm  miclan  daege     hu  monna  gehwylc 

aar  earnode     eces  lifes 

and  eall  andwe&rd     Ipcet  hi  aer  oplpe  sitS  1052 

worhtun  in  worulde  •     ne  bio  fser  wilit  for-*holen     *[23  &.] 

monna  gehygda     ac  se  masra  daeg 

hre}>er-locena  hord     heortan  ge)?ohtas 

ealle  aetyweo1  .  ser  sceal  gej>encan  1056 

gaestes  fearfe     sepe  gode  myntetS 

bringan  beorhtne  wlite     ]?onne  bryne  Costa's 

hat  heoru-gifre     hu  gehealdne  sind 

sawle  wi<S  synnum     fore  sige-deman«  1060 

ISonne  sio  by  man  stefen     and  se  beorhta  segn 

and  J>aet  hate  fyr     and  seo  hea  duguft 

and  se  engla  Iprym     and  se  egsan  J>rea 

and  se  hearda  daeg     and  seo  hea  rod  1064 

ryht  araered     rices  to  beacne 

folc-dryht  wera     biforan  bonnacS 

sawla  gehwylce     f>ara  J>e  si(S  olplpe  aer 

on  lic-homan     leoj^um  onfengen  •  106S 

tSonwe  weoroda  maest     fore  waldende 

ece  and  ed-geong     awdweard  gaecS 

neode  and  nyde     bi  noman  gehatne 

bera<S  breosta  hord     fore  beam  godes  1072 

feores  fraetwe     wile  faeder  eahtan 

hu  gesunde  suna     sawle  bringen 

of  J»am  eole     J>e  hi  on  lifdon- 

ftonne  beoo1  bealde  •     J>a  f>e  beorhtne  wlite  1076 

meotude  bringacS     bi(5  hyra  meaht  and  gefea 


I.     CHRIST.       C.     THE    DAY    OF    JUDGMENT.  67 

heaven's  stars  shall  fall ;  the  greedy  fire 

shall  ravage  far  and  wide;  souls  shall  wend  1044 

to  their  eternal  home ;  the  deeds  of  men 
shall  be  full    manifest  throughout  mid-earth. 
The  treasured  thoughts  of  men,  the  meditations  of  their  heart, 
may  nowise  be  concealed  before  the  Ruler;  1048 

deeds  are  not  dark  to  Him  ;  but  there  on  that  great  day 
it  shall  be  known  unto  the  Lord  how  every  man 
shall  ere  have  merited  eternal  life, 

and  all  shall  be  revealed  that  each  hath  wrought,  105  a 

early  or  late  on  earth.     Nought  shall  be  hid  there 
of  the  thoughts  of  men,  but  that  great  day 
discloseth  all  the  locked  mind's  treasury, 

all  meditations  of  the  heart.     He  must  think  1056 

erewhile  of  his  spirit's  need,  who  would  bring  to  God 
an  aspect  fair,  when  the  hot  devouring  fire 
assayeth  before  the  Judge  triumphant 

how  souls  have  been  restrained  from  sin.  1060 

Lo,  then  the  trumpet's  voice  and  the  bright  sign, 
and  the  hot  fire  and  the  exalted  warrior-band, 
and  the  glory  of  the  angels  and  the  pang  of  terror, 
and  the  stern  day  and  the  high  rood,  1064 

raised  up  erect  in  sign  of  mastery, 
shall  summon  forward  all  the  hosts  of  men, 
the  souls  of  all  that  early  or  late 

took  limb  within  the  body's  covering.  1068 

Whenas  the  greatest  host,  appearing  before  the  Sovereign, 
eternal  and  with  youth  renewed,  shall  fare, 
by  force  and  need,  yea,  called  by  name, 

and  shall  bear  before  God's  Child  their  bosoms'  hoard,         107,1 
the  treasures  of  their  life,  then  will  the  Father  see 
how  all  unmarred  His  sons  may  bring  their  souls 
e'en  from  the  land  in  which  they  lived  erewhile. 
Tin  n  shall  they  be  bold  that  bring  the  Lord  1076 

an  Biped    fair  ;  their  might  and  joy  shall   !■»• 

p  a 


68  I.      CHRIST.       TO78-TIO7. 

swiSe  gesselig-lic     sawlum  to  gielde 

wuldor-lean  weorca  .  wel  is  fam  pe  motuw 

on  pa  grimman  tid     gode  lician  :  7  1080 


[in.] 

PJER  him  sylfe  geseoft     sorga  mseste 
syn-fa  men     sarig-fercSe  • 
ne  bitS  him  to  are     pset  peer  fore  ell-J^eodum 
usses  dryhtnes  rod     andweard  stondecS  1084 

beacna  beorhtast     blode  bestemed 
heofon-cyninges     hlutran  dreore 
biseon  mid  swate  fset  ofer  side  gesceaft 

scire  scinecS .  sceadu  *beocS  bidyrned  •     *[24  a.]  1088 

J>aer  se  leohta  beam     leodum  byrhtecS 
fset  p eah  to  teonum     [geteod]     weorf)eS 
feodum  to  £>rea     ]?am  pe  Iponc  gode 

wom-wyrcende  wita  ne  cubun  1092 

bges  he  on  J?one  halgan  beam     ahongen  waes 
fore  mon-cynnes     man-forwyrhtu  • 
bser  he  leof-lice     lifes  ceapode 

beoden  mon-cynne     on  bam  daege  1096 

mid  by  weor<5e     fe  no  worn  dyde 
his  lic-homa     leahtra  firena 
mid  by  usic  alysde     pees  he  eft-lean  wile 

burh  eorneste     ealles  genomian*  n  00 

ftonne  sio  reade     rod  ofer  ealle 
swegle  scinetS     on  bgere  sunnan  gyld 
on  pa  forhtlice     firenum  fordone 

swearte  syn-wyrcend     sorgum  wlitaft  n  04 

geseocS  him  to  bealwe     pcet  him  betst  bicwom 
bser  hy  hit  to  gode     ongietan  wolclan 
and  eac  ba  ealdan  wunde     and  pa,  openan  dolg 

1079.  M&  motum.  1080.  lician  :y  the  only  tvord  in  the  line  dividing 

the  sections.  1088.  MS.  bydyrned.         1090.  [geteod],  conjectural. 


I.    CHRIST.       C.     THE    DAY    OE    JUDGMENT.  69 

full  happy,  their  souls'  recompense, 

their  works'  great  meed.     Well  is  it  for  those 

who  at  that  awful  time  are  pleasing  unto  God  !  1080 


III. 

There  men  stained  with  sin,  sad  in  their  soul,  shall  see 
the  greatest  sorrow  for  themselves  in  this, — 
not  for  their  grace  shall  it  be  that  our  Lord's  rood, 
of  beacons  the  brightest,  shall  stand  forth  there  1084 

before  the  diverse  tribes  of  men,  moist  with  the  gore 
of  heaven's  King,  with  His  pure  blood, 
o'erflowing  with  His  sweat,  that  o'er  the  wide  creation 
it  shall  shine  full  clear  ;  shadow  shall  be  banished,  1088 

where'er  the  bright  beam  shineth  forth  for  folk; 
yet  it  shall  be  for  the  discomfiture 
and  torment  of  all  those  who  working  ill 

did  not  know  the  thanks  due  unto  God,  1093 

in  that  He  was  hanged  upon  the  holy  tree 
for  mankind's  base  misdeeds, 
where  He,  our  Sovereign,  He  whose  body 

wrought  no  crime,  nor  any  wicked  sin,  1096 

sold  His  life  lovingly  upon  that  day, 
for  mankind's  sake,  for  that  same  price 
with  which  He  ransomed  us;  for  all  this 

sternly  will  He  exact  His  payment  then,  uco 

when  through  all  heaven,  yea,  instead  of  sun, 
the  red  rood  ahull  shine  forth ; 
fearfully  and  sorrowfully  they  shall  look  thereon, 
black  workers  of  sin  defiled  by  wickedness;  11 04 

the   best    thing    in    tin-    world   shall    seem    their    banc, 

when  they  would  bin  regard  it  as  their  bliws; 
with  souls  aweary  they  shall  eke  behold 


70  T.       CHRIST.       T 1 08-1 142. 

on  hyra  dryhtne  geseoS     dreorig-ferSe  1108 

swa  him  mid  naeglum  ]?urh-drifan  niS-hycgende 

J>a  hwitan  honda     and  f>a  halgan  fet 

and  of  his  sidan  swa  some     swat  forletan 

pser  blod  and  wseter     butu  set-somne  1 1 1 2 

ut  bicwoman     fore  eagna  gesyhtS 

rinnan  fore  rincura     J?a  he  on  rode  wses  • 

eall  f>is  magon  him  sylfe     geseon  ponne 

open  orgete     pest  he  for  selda  lufan  iu6 

firen-fremmendra     fela  frowade  • 

magun  leoda  beam     leohte  oncnawan 

hu  hine  lygnedon     lease  on  gelponcum 

hysptun  hearm-cwidum     and  on  his  hleor  somod  11 20 

hyra  spatl  speowdon     spraecon  him  edwit 

and  on  fone  eadgan     andwlitem  swa  some 

hel-fuse  men     hondum  slogun 

folmum  areahtum  and  fystum  eac  •  1 1 24 

and  ymb  his  heafod     heardne  gebigdon 

beag  fyrnenne  •     *blinde  on  gef>oncum  •     *[24  &.] 

dysge  and  gedwealde     gesegun  J>a  dumban  gesceaft 

eorcSan  eal-grene     and  up-rodor  11 28 

forhte  gefelan     frean  J^rowinga 

and  mid  cearum  cwiSdun  feah  hi  cvvice  naeron 

fa  hyra  scyppend     sceaf>an  onfengon 

syngum  hondum  .  sunne  wear (5  adwaesced  1132 

J?ream  aj>rysmed     }>a  sio  f»eod  geseah 

in  hierusalem     godwebba  cyst 

J?eet  ser  "5am  halgan     huse  sceolde 

to  weorJ?unga     weorud  sceawian  11 36 

ufan  eall  forbaerst     ]>wt  hit  on  eorf»an  laeg 

on  twam  styccum     p aes  temples  segl 

wundor-bleom  geworht     to  wlite  J>aes  huses 

sylf  slat  on  tu     swylce  hit  seaxes  ecg  1140 

scearp  f>urh-wode  scire  burstan 

muras  and  stanas     monge  aefter  foldan 

1 131.  31 S.  }>a  J>e  hyra. 


I.     CHRIST.       C.     THE    DAY    OF   JUDGMENT.  71 

the  ancient  wounds  and  open  sores  upon  the  Lord,  1108 

even  as  the  base  contrivers  pierced  with  nails 

the  white  hands  and  the  holy  feet, 

and  from  his  side  too  let  out  the  gore, 

and  blood  and  water  both  at  once  n  12 

came  gushing  forth  before  the  people  there, 

in  sight  of  their  eyes,  when  He  was  on  the  rood. 

All  this  may  they  themselves  then  see 

open  and  manifest,  that  He  bore  much  11 16 

for  love  of  men,  for  wicked  sinners'  sake  ; 

the  sons  of  men  may  easily  perceive 

how  they,  false  in  their  thoughts,  belied  Him, 

mocked  Him  with  insults,  and  on  His  face  too  11 20 

spat  their  spittle;  spake  to  Him  with  taunt, 

and  e'en  upon  the  blessed  visage 

the  hell-prone  men  struck  with  their  hands, 

with  outstretched  palms,  and  with  their  fists,  11 24 

and  wreathed  a  hard  thorn-crown 

about  his  head,  blind  in  their  thoughts, 

foolish  and  erring.     They  saw  how  dumb  creation, 

the  earth  all  green  and  heaven  above,  11 28 

felt  fearfully  the  sufferings  of  the  Lord  ; 

and  sorely  mourned  they,  though  they  were  not  quick, 

when  impious  men  seized  on  their  Creator 

with  sinful  hands.     The  sun  became  obscured,  1132 

darkened  with  misery  ;  then  in  Jerusalem 

the  people  saw  the  choicest  of  all  textures, 

which  folk  erewhile  were  wont  to  wonder  at, 

as  the  glory  of  the  holy  house,  11 36 

burst  all  right  down,  so  that  in  pieces  twain 

it  lay  upon  the  earth  ;  the  temple's  veil, 

with  wondrous  colours  wrought  to  adorn  that  house, 

in  twain  was  rent,  as  if  a  falchion's  edge  11 40 

full  sharp,  had  passed  there-through.     Sheer  crashed 

walls  and  stones  a-many  throughout  earth, 


72  I.       CHRIST.       II43-II77. 

and  seo  eorfte  eac     egsan  myrde 

beofode  on  bearhtme     and  se  brada  see  1144 

cyftde  crseftes  meaht     and  of  clomme  braec 

up  yrriiiga     on  eorfan  f£e(5m 

ge  on  stede  scynum     steorran  forleton 

hyra  sweesne  wlite,    on  J?a  sylfan  tid  n  48 

heofon  hluttre  ongeat     hwa  hine  healice 

torhtne  getremede     tungol-gimmum  • 

forbon  he  his  bodan  sende     J?a  waes  geboren  serest 

gesceafta  scir-cyning  •  hwset  eac  scyldge  men  1152 

gesegon  to  soSe     f>y  sylfan  dsege 

J?e  on  fro  wade     feod-wundor  micel 

\>cetie  eortSe  ageaf    jm  hyre  on  laegun 

eft  lifgende     up  astodan  11 56 

J?a  pe  heo  ser  fa3ste     bifen  hsefde 

deade  bibyrgde     J?e  dryhtnes  bibod 

heoldon  on  href>re  •     hell  eac  ongeat 

scyld-wreccende  •     \>at  se  scyppend  cwom  11 60 

waldende  god     J?a  heo  Ipcet  weorud  ageaf 

hlop>e  of  J>am  hatan  hrebre     hyge  wearS  mongum  blissad 

*sawlum  sorge  to-glidene  •     hwaet  eac  sse  cySde     *[25  a.] 

hwa  hine  gesette     on  sidne  grand  1164 

tir-meahtig  cyning  ■  forfon  he  hine  tredne  him 

ongean  gyrede     foime  god  wolde 

ofer  sine  y(5e  gan     eah-stream  ne  dorste 

his  frean  fet     flode  bisencan  •  u  68 

ge  eac  beamas  onbudon     hwa  hy  mid  bledum  sceop 

monge  nales  lea*     $a  mihtig  god 

on  hira  anne  gestag     J>ser  he  earfefu 

gebolade  fore  fearfe     feod-buendra  11 72 

laftlicne  deatS     leodum  to  helpe  • 

Sa  wearS  beam  monig     blodigum  tearum 

birunnen  under  rindum     reade  and  J?icce 

sep  wear"S  to  swate  •     feet  asecgan  ne  maguw  1 1 76 

fold-buende     Jnirh  frod  gewit 

1 1 58.  MS.  bibyrgede,  i.  e.  bibyrgde.     1168.  MS.  fream.     1176.  MS.  magum. 


I.     CHRIST.       C.     THE    PAY    OF    JUDGMENT.  73 

and  all  the  earth  was  marred  through  fear, 

and  quaked  full  suddenly ;  and  the  broad  sea  1 144 

showed  forth  its  power's  might,  and  angrily 

from  durance  brake  over  earth's  bosom; 

yea,  in  their  beauteous  place  the  stars  forsook 

their  aspect  sweet;  at  that  same  time  1148 

the  radiant  heaven  discerned  who  erst 

had  made  it  bright  on  high  with  starry  gems; 

forsooth  it  sent  its  heralds,  when  first  was  born 

creation's  noble  King.     Yea,  even  guilty  men  1152 

beheld  in  sooth  on  that  same  day 

whereon  He  suffered,  a  marvel  passing  great, 

to  wit,  earth  yielded  those  who  in  her  lay  ; 

they  stood  up  living  once  again,  n  56 

those  whom  she  had  erewhile  held  fast, 

the  dead  and  buried,  who  had  kept  in  mind 

the  Lord's  command.     Hell,  the  sin-avenging, 

knew  also  that  the  Maker  and  the  ruling  God  11 60 

was  come,  when  she  gave  up  the  multitude, 

the    host,    from    her    hot    bosom ;    the    hearts    of    many    were 

then  comforted, 
their  sorrows  vanished  from  their  souls.    Yea,  eke  the  sea  declared 
who  had  set  it  on  its  spacious  bed, —  1164 

the  gloriously  mighty  King ;  therefore  it  made  itself 
passable  for  him,  when  God  would  fare 
over  its  wave ;  the  water-stream  dared  not 

with  its  flood  submerge  its  Master's  feet.  1168 

Y<  ;i.  trees,  a  many,  nowise  few,  likewise  proclaimed 
who  shaped  them  with  their  blossoms,  when  mighty  God 
on  one  of  them  ascended,  where  He  endured 
miseries  for  the  need  of  earth's  inhabitants,  11 72 

a  loathsome  death,  to  succour  men. 
Then  was  many  a  tree  beneath  its  bark  suffused 
with  bloody  tears,  all  red  and  thiek  ; 

thcil  Mp   was   turned   to  gOFC.      Btfth'l   habitant  -  1176 

may  not  declare  from  their  deep  understanding, 


74:  I.      CHRIST.       1 1 78-I208. 

hu  fela  J>a  onfundun     pa,  gefelan  ne  magun 

dryhtnes  J>rowinga     deade  gesceafte 

pa,  pe  9ef>elast  sind     eorcSan  gecynda  11 80 

and  heofones  eac     heah-getimbro  • 

eall  fore  }mni  anum     unrot  gewearS 

forht  afongen     J>eah  hi  fertS-gewit 

of  hyra  aef>elum     senig  ne  cuf>en  1184 

wendon  swa  peah.  wundrum     fa  hyra  waldend  for 

of  lic-homan     leode  ne  cufan 

mod-blinde  men     meotud  oncnawan 

flintum  heardran     pwt  hi  frea  nerede  1188 

fram  hell-cwale     halgum  meahtum 

alvvalda  god     pcet  set  serestan 

fore-foncle  men     from  fruman  worulde 

j^urh  wis  gewit     witgan  dryhtnes  119a 

halge  hige-gleawe     haelej»um  saegdon 

oft  nales  sene     ymb  poet  eef>ele  beam  • 

^set  se  earcnan  stan     eallum  sceolde 

to  hleo  and  to  hroj^er     *haelej?a  cynne     *[25  6.]  11 96 

weortSan  in  worulde     wuldres  agend 

eades  ord-fruma     j?urh  p&,  8e)?elan  cwenn  :  7 


[IV.] 

HWses  wenetS  se     pe  mid  gewitte  nyle 
gemuuan  ]m  mildan     meotudes  lare  1200 

and  eal  tSa  earfe<5u     pe  he  fore  seldum  adreag 
forj^on  pe  he  wolde     fset  we  wuldres  eard 
in  ecnesse     agan  mosten* 

Swa  J>am  biS  grorne     on  J>am  grimman  dsege  1204 

domes  p2es  miclan     f>am  pe  dryhtnes  sceal 
deatS-firenum  forden     dolg  sceawian 
wunde  and  wite     on  werigum  sefan 
geseoc5  sorga  imeste     hu  se  sylfa  cyning  1208 

1198.  Space  of  about  a  third  of  a  line  between  the  sections. 


I.     CHRIST.       C.    THE    DAY    OF    JUDGMENT.  75 

how  many  things  which  cannot  feel,  insensate  things, 

experienced  then  the  sufferings  of  the  Lord. 

Those  that  are  noblest  of  the  species  of  the  earth,  1180 

and  eke  the  lofty  structures  of  the  heaven, 

all,  for  that  alone,  grew  suddenly 

sad  and  afeard;  though  by  their  natures 

they  knew  not  any  mental  wit,  11 84 

yet  wondrously  had  they  knowledge,  when  their  Lord 

fared  from  His  body.     Benighted  men, 

harder  than  flints,  would  not  then 

acknowledge  their  Maker,  that  the  Lord,  Almighty  God,       1188 

had  saved  them  from  hell-torment 

by  His  holy  might,  nor  that  of  yore, 

in  the  world's  beginning,  the  prophets  of  the  Lord, 

far-seeing  men,  holy  and  nobly-minded,  1192 

had  told  to  folk  about  the  noble  Child, 

oft-times,  not  once,  through  their  wise  understanding, 

that  through  the  noble  woman  He  should  be 

a  precious  stone  here  in  the  world  11 96 

for  the  refuge  and  the  help  of  all  mankind, 

the  Lord  of  glory,  the  first  Cause  of  bliss. 


IV. 

What  hope  hath  he  who  wittingly  disdaineth 
to  bear  in  mind  the  gentle  teaching  of  the  Lord,  1200 

and  all  the  miseries  that  He  bore  for  men, 
for  that  He  wished  that  we  might  possess, 
to  all  eternity,  the  home  of  glory  1 

Sad  indeed  shall  be  their  lot,  on  the  grim  day  1204 

of  that  great  doom,  who,  damned  by  deadly  sin, 
arc  forced  to  see  with  saddened  souls 
the  scars  and  wounds  and  torments  of  the  Lord ; 
they  shall  see  the  greatest  of  sorrows,  how  the  King  Himself  1208 


76  I.       CHRIST.       1209-1242. 

mid  sine  lic-homan     lysde  of  firenum 

J>urh  milde  mod     \>cet  hy  mostun  man-weorca 

tome  lifgan     and  tires  bleed 

ecne  agan     by  J>9es  ecSles  J>onc  121 2 

byra  waldende     wita  ne  cuf>on«         f. 

For)?on  fser  to  teonuin  J>a     tacen  geseoS 

orgeatu  on  gode     ungesselge 

\>onne  crist  sitetS     on  his  cyne-stole  12 16 

on  heah-setle     heofon-meegna  god 

feeder  selmihtig     folca  gehwylcum 

scyppend  scinende     sciifecS  bi  gewyrbtum 

eall  aefter  rybte     rodera  waldeud-  1220 

Tponne  beoS  gesomnad     on  J»a  swij^ran  bond 

J?a  cleenan  folc     criste  sylfum 

gecorene  bi  cystum     J>a  eer  sinne  cwide  georne 

lustura  lsestun      on  byra  lif-dagum*  1224 

ond  J>ser  wom-sceajmn     on  J>one  wyrsan  dsel 

fore  scyppende     scyrede  weorfjatS 

batecS  bim  gewitan     on  fa  winstran  hond 

sigora  socS  cyning     synfulra  weorud*  1228 

p8dY  hy  arasade     reota"5  *  and  beofiatS     *[26  a.] 

fore  frean  forhte     swa  fule  swa  gset 

unsyfre  folc     arna  ne  wenacS* 

Sonne  biS  gsesta  d6m     fore  gode  sceaden  •  1232 

wera  cneorissum     swa  hi  geworbtun  ser 

faer  bi<5  on  eadgum     e(5  gesyne 

]?reo  tacen  somod     fees  pe  hi  hyra  feodnes  wel 

wordum  and  weorcum     willan  heoldon-  1236 

an  is  serest     orgeate  j?ser 

J?a3t  hy  fore  leodum     leohte  blicaj? 

blsede  and  byrbte     ofer  burga  gesetu 

him  onscina<5     eer-gewyrhtu  1240 

on  sylfra  gebwam     sunnan  beorhtran  • 

of>er  is  to-eacan     andgete  swa  some 

1 231.  MS.  weneaft,  i.e.  wena'd. 


I.     CHRIST.       C.     THE    DAY    OF    JUDGMENT. 


77 


1224 


with  His  own  body  ransomed  them  from  sin, 

in  gentle  mood,  so  that  they  might  live 

void  of  ill-deeds,  and  have  the  bliss 

of  endless  glory.     They  did  not  know  how  to  give  thanks    1212 

unto  their  Sovereign  for  this  heritage; 

therefore  shall  they  see  there  to  their  sorrow 

signs  unpropitious  manifest  in  God, 

when  Christ  shall  sit  on  his  royal  throne,  1216 

on  his  high  seat,  when  the  Almighty  Father, 

the  radiant  Creator,  God  of  the  heavenly  hosts, 

shall  prescribe  all  righteously 

for  every  man  according  to  his  works.  1220 

Then  shall  be  gathered  on  the  right  hand 
of  Christ  Himself  the  cleanly  folk, 
chosen  for  their  virtues,  who  in  their  life-days 
had  joyfully  performed  His  word. 
And  the  workers  of  harm  shall  be  disposed 
before  their  Maker  on  the  worser  side ; 
the  true  King  of  victory  shall  bid  the  band 
of  the  sinful  wend  them  unto  the  left  hand, 
where  they,  discovered,  shall  wail  and  quake, 
afeard  before  the  Lord,  as  foul  as  goats, 
an  unpure  folk, — they  may  expect  no  grace. 
When  the  spirits'  doom  shall  be  adjudged  'fore  God 
to  men's  generations,  as  they  wrought  erewhile, 
there  shall  easily  three  signs  be  visible, 
at  once,  upon  the  blessed,  for  that  they  kept  well 
their  Lord's  desire,  by  words  and  works.  1236 

One  sign  is  first  full  manifest,  to  wit, 
that  they  shall  shine  witli  light  before  the  folk, 
with  glory  and  with  brightness,  over  the  cities'  dwelling ; 
their  former  doings  shall  shine  upon  them,  1240 

upon  each  of  them,  brighter  than  the  sun. 
There  is  eke  a  second  likewise  manifest 


W"t  CV&*  f*C%  f^^mJ 


1228 

1232 


78  I.      CHRIST.       1 243-1 277. 

pwt  hy  him  in  wuldre  witon     waldendes  giefe 

and  onseotS     eagum  to  wynne  1244 

pset  hi  on  heofon-rice     hlutru  dreamas 

eadge  mid  englum     agan  motura* 

Sonne  bitS  J>ridde     hu  on  J>ystra  bealo 

pcet  gesselige  weorud     gesihtS  J>set  fordone  1248 

sar  J^rowian     synna  to  wite 

weallendne  lig     and  wyrma  wlite 

bitrum  ceaflum     byrnendra  scole 

of  jmm  him  aweaxetS     wynsum  gefea  1252 

\>omxe  hi  J>aet  yfel  geseocS     oftre  dreogan 

J>set  hy  )?urh  miltse    meotudes  genaeson  • 

'Sonne  hi  py  geornor     gode  }?onciaS 

blsedes  and  blissa    pe  hy  bu  geseocS  1256 

pazt  he  hy  generede     from  niS-cwale 

and  eac  forgeaf    ece  dreamas 

bitS  him  hel  bilocen     heofon-rice  agiefen  , 

swa  sceal  gewrixled     ]mm  pe  ser  wel  heoldon  1260 

]mrh  mod-lufan     meotudes  willan- 

Sonne  biS  f>am  ofrum     ungelice 

willa  geworden     magon  weana  to  fela 

geseon  on  him  selfum     synne  genoge  1264 

atol-earfocSa     ser  gedenra 

peer  him  sorgendum     sar  oSclife'S- 

*  f>roht  J?eod-bealu    on  f>reo  healfa     *[26  b.] 

an  is  f»ara     pazt  hy  him  yrmf>a  to  fela  1268 

grim  helle  fyr     gearo  to  wite 

araZweard  seo<5     on  f>a  hi  awo  sculon 

wrcec-winnende     wsergcSu  dreogan 

ponne  is  him  oJ>er     earfefu  swa  some  1272 

scyldgum  to  sconde     J?aet  hi  J^aer  scoma  mseste 

dreogatS  fordone     on  him  dryhten  gesihtS. 

nales  feara  sum     firen-bealu  latSlic 

and  pcet  sell-beorhte     eac  sceawiacS  1276 

heofon-engla  here     and  hselefa  beam 

1246.  MS.  motum. 


I.     CHRIST.       C.     THE    DAY    OF   JUDGMENT.  79 

that  they  shall  know,  for  their  glory,  the  Ruler's  grace, 

and  shall  behold,  for  their  eyes'  delight,  1244 

that,  as  saints,  amid  angels,  they  are  to  own 

pure  ecstacies  in  heaven's  realm. 

Then  the  third  shall  be,  how  that  the  blessed  band 

shall  see  the  lost  ones  in  the  baleful  gloom  1248 

suffering,  in  penance  for  their  sins,  sore  pain, 

the  surging  flame  and  luring  serpents, 

with  their  bitter  jaws, — a  shoal  of  burning  creatures  ; 

thence  winsome  joy  shall  wax  for  them,  1252 

when  they  see  other  men  endure  the  ill, 

that  they  escaped,  through  mercy  of  the  Lord. 

Then  shall  they  give  thanks  to  God  the  more  eagerly 

for  their  glory  and  delights,  when  they  see,  1256 

that  he  both  saved  them  from  cruel  torment 

and  also  gave  to  them  eternal  joys; 

hell  shall  be  locked  for  them,  heaven's  kingdom  shall  be  given 

them. 
This  shall  be  granted  unto  them  that  ere  kept  well,  1260 

tliough  their  souls'  love,  the  will  of  the  Creator. 
Then  all  unlike  shall  be  the  joy  forsooth 
of  the  other  men  ;  they  may  see  in  themselves 
too  many  woes,  and  sins  enough,  1264 

and  dire  afflictions  for  their  former  doings ; 
there  sore  pain  shall  cleave  to  them,  the  sorrowing  ones, 
and  suffering  and  mortal  ill,  from  sources  three. 
One  of  them  is,  that  they  shall  see  before  them  1268 

too  many  miseries,  and  hell's  grim  fire 
ready  for  their  punibhing,  where  in  wretchedness, 
they  shall  suffer  aye  damnation. 

Then  a  second  misery,  likewise,  1372 

shall  shame  the  guilty,  that  they  there,  undone  by  sin, 
shall  suffer  greatest  contumely  ;  the  Lord  shall  see  in  them 
no  few  loathsome  evil  sins, 
and  the  all-bright  band  of  heavenly  angels  u7^» 

lull  'lie     like,    :i!i<l    ill.-    sons    of    men. 


80  I.     CHRIST.       I278-T3TT. 

ealle  eorcS-buend     and  atol  deofol 

raircne  maegen-craeft     man-womma  gehwone- 

Magon  }?urh  f>a  lic-homan     leahtra  firene  1280 

geseon  on  p am  sawlum     beocS  J>a  syngan  flaesc 

scandum  £urh-waden     swa  ]?aet  scire  glass 

fset  mon  yj>aest  mseg     eall  fmrh-wlitan  • 

Sonne  biS  )?aet  J>ridde     J^earfendum  sorg  1284 

cwtyende  cearo     Ipcet  hy  on  J>a  claenan  seocS 

hu  hi  fore  god-daedum     glade  blissiatS 

pa,  hy  unsaelge     aer  forhogdun 

to  donne     ponne  him  dagas  laestun  ,  1288 

and  be  hyra  weorcum     wepende  sar 

pait  hi  aer  freolice     fremedon  unryht 

geseoS  hi  )?a  betran     blaede  scinan  • 

ne  bi<5  him  hyra  yrmcSu     an  to  wife  1292 

ac  Jrnra  oJ>erra     ead  to  sorgum 

J?aes  pe  hy  swa  fasgre  gefean     on  fyrn-dagum  • 

and  swa  aenlice     an-forletun 

J>urh  leaslice     lices  wynne  1296 

earges  flaesc-homan     idelne  lust . 

psdr  hi  ascamode     scondum  gedreahte 

swiciaft  on  swiman     syn-byrf>enne 

firen-weorc  beratS     on  Ipcet  pa,  folc  seoS-  1300 

waere  him  j?on  betre     fast  hy  healo-*daede     *[27  a.] 

eelces  unryht es     aer  gescomeden 

fore  anum  men     eargra  weorca 

godes  bodan  ssegdon     fast  hi  to  gyrne  wiston  1304 

firen-daeda  on  him  ,  ne  maeg  £>urh  ]?aet  flaesc  se  scrift 

geseon  on  f>aere  sawle     hwaef>er  him  mon  socS  pe  lyge 

sagaS  on  hine  sylfne     porme  he  J?a  synne  bigaecS 

maeg  mon  swa  peah  gelacnigan     leahtra  gehwylcne  1308 

yfel  unclaene     gif  he  hit  anum  gesegcS 

and  naenig  bihelan  ma?g     on  ])am  heardan  daege 

worn  unbeted     "$aer  hit  f»a  weorud  geseot)* 

1294.  MS.  gefeon.  131 1.  unbeted.     MS.  fS  corrected  to  d. 


I.     CHRIST.      C.     THE    DAY    OF    JUDGMENT.  81 

All  earth's  inhabitants,  and  the  fell  devil, 

shall  behold  their  darksome  craft  and  every  stain  of  guilt ; 

through  their  bodies  they  may  see  upon  their  souls  1280 

their  sins  of  shame ;  ignominiously  the  sinful  flesh 

shall  be  transpierced,  as  'twere  clear  glass, 

that  men  may  most  easily  see  all  through. 

A  third  sorrow  for  the  wretched  shall  then  be,  1284 

yea,  dire  lament,  that  they  behold  the  pure, 
how  gladly  they  rejoice  in  the  good  deeds, 
that  they,  unhappy  ones,  despised  to  do 

before,  when  still  their  days  availed  them  ;  1 288 

and  weeping  sore  because  of  their  own  works, 
because  they  freely  wrought  unrighteousness  before, 
they  shall  behold  their  betters  shine  in  glory. 
Not  merely  their  own  misery  shall  be  their  bale,  1292 

but  the  blessedness  of  those  others  shall  be  their  grief, 
in  that  they  in  former  days  forsook 
delights  so  fair  and  so  incomparable 

for  the  body's  all-delusive  joy,  1296 

and  for  the  vain  desire  of  the  vile  flesh. 
There  abashed,  o'er  whelmed  with  shame, 
they  shall  wander  giddily,  and  bear  their  wicked  works, 
the  burden  of  their  sins,  and  the  folk  shall  gaze  thereon.     1300 
'Twere  better  for  them  had  they  erst  felt  shame 
for  each  base  deed  and  each  transgression, 
and  for  their  evil  works,  before  one  man, 
and  had  told  God's  servant  that  too  well  they  knew  1304 

ill-deeds  within  them.     The  confessor  cannot  sec 
through  the  flesh  into  the  soul,  whether  a  man  tell  him 
truth  or  lie  about  himself,  when  he  avoweth  his  sins; 
yet  one  can  heal  every  transgression  1308 

and  unclean  evil,  if  he  tell  it  but  to  one; 
and  none  may  there  conceal  on  that  stern  day 
crime  unamended;  multitudes  shall  see  it. 

a 


c^r^ 


82  I.      CHRIST.      13 1 2-1 342. 

eala  J>8er  we  nu  magon     wraj>e   firene  1312 

geseon  on  ussura  sawlum     synna  wunde 

mid  lic-homan     leahtra  gehygdu 

eagum  uncleene     in-gef>oncas  • 

ne  J?set  senig  mseg     of>rum  gesecgan  1316 

mid  hu  micle  elne     seghwylc  wille 

Jmrh  ealle  list     lifes  tiligan 

feores  forhtlice     forS  acSolian 

syn-rust  fwean     and  hine  sylfne  ]?rean  1320 

and  Ipcet  worn  aerran     wunde  hselan 

J>one  lytlan  fyrst     J?e  her  lifes  sy 

pmt  he  msege  fore  eagum     eor(5-buendra 

unscomiende     e(51es  mid  monnum  1324 

brucan  bysmerleas     ftendan  bu  somod 

lie  and  sawle     lifgan  mote: 

[v.] 

NY  we  sceolon  georne     gleawlice  Jjurh-seon 
usse  href>er-cofan     heortan  eagum  1328 

innan  uncyste     we  mid  J?am  o(5rum  ne  magun 
heafod-gimmum     hyge-J^onces  fercS 
e&gwn  f>urh-wlitan     oenge  J?inga 

h  weeper  him  yfel  pe  god     under  wunige  1332 

pcet  he  on  J?a  grimman  tid     gode  licie 
potme  he  ofer  weoruda  gehwyle  •     *wuldre  scinetS    *[27&.] 
of  his  heah-setle     hlutran  lege 

fjeer  he  fore  englum     and  fore  etyeodum  1336 

to  J?am  eadgestum     serest  mee^leS- 
and  him  swseslice     sibbe  gehatetS 
heofona  heah-cyning     halgan  reorde 

frefre(5  he  fgegre     and  him  frij?  beodecS  1340 

hate<5  hy  gesunde     and  gesenade 
on  ef>el  faran     engla  dreames 

1326.  Space  of  half- line  between  the  sections.  T329-  MS-  mnan. 

1337.  &8'  msedleS. 


I.     CHRIST.       C.     THE    DAY    OF    JUDGMENT.  83 

Verily,  we  shall  then  behold,  131  a 

with  the  body's  eyes,  our  base  iniquities, 

the  wounds  of  our  sins  upon  our  souls, 

our  thoughts  of  wickedness,  our  impure  cogitations. 

Not  any  man  may  tell  it  to  another,  1316 

with  how  great  zeal,  by  every  artifice, 

each  man  desireth  to  attain  life's  goal, 

anxious  to  protract  existence  forth, 

to  wash  away  the  rust  of  sin,  afflicting  himself,  1320 

to  heal  the  blemish  of  some  former  wound, 

during  the  little  span  that  there  is  here  of  life, 

so  that  before  the  eyes  of  earth's  inhabitants 

he  may  enjoy  his  home  'mong  men  1324 

blameless  and  unashamed,  as  long  as 

body  and  soul  may  both  together  live. 


V. 

Now  must  we  fain  discreetly  pierce, 
with  our  heart's  eyes,  the  chamber  of  the  breast,  1328 

unto  the  sin  within  ;  with  those  other  eyes, 
the  jewels  of  the  head,  we  may  not 
anywhit  survey  the  home  of  inmost  thought, 
whether  evil  or  good  dwell  there  beneath,  1332 

so  that  at  that  dread  time  it  may  please  God, 
when,  from  His  lofty  throne,  with  flame  all-pure, 
He  shall  shine  in  glory  o'er  each  multitude, 
where,  before  angels  and  before  all  folk, 
II'    shall  speak  first  to  those  most  happy  ones, 
and  lovingly  shall  promise  them  goodwill, 
He,  the  heaven's  high  King  ;    and  witli  His  holy  voice 
shall  greatly  comfort  them,  and  shall  proclaim   their  peace,  1340 
and  .shall  bid  them  then,  fall  nfe  and  Mewed 
fnre  to  tin*  li-.m,-  of  angels'  harmony, 

u  2 


84  I.       CHRIST.         I343- J  376. 

and  pses  to  widan  feore     willum  neotmi  • 

onfotS  nu  mid  freondum     mines  feeder  rice  1344 

pcet  eow  wses  ser  woruldum     wynlice  gearo 

blaed  mid  blissum     beorht  eoles  wlite 

hwonne  ge  pa,  lif-welan     mid  J>am  leofjYjtum 

swase  swegl-dreamas     geseon  mosten  1348 

ge  paes  earnedon     J>a  ge  earme  men 

woruld-J>earfende     willum  onfenguw 

on  mildum  sefan  •     Bonne  liy  him  J>urh  minne  noman 

eatSmode  to  eow     arna  bsedun  1352 

ponne  ge  hyra  hulpon     and  him  hleo<5  gefon 

hingrendum  hlaf    and  hraegl  nacedum 

and  J>a  pe  on  sare     seoce  lagun 

aefjVjdon  tinsofte     adle  gebundne  1356 

to  fam  ge  holdlice  hyge  sta}>eladon 

mid  modes  myne     eall  ge  past  me  dydon  • 

Bonne  ge  hy  mid  sibbum  sohtun     and  hyra  sefan  trymedon 

fortS  on  frofre     fses  ge  fsegre  sceolon  1360 

lean  mid  leofum     lange  bi  ucan  •  , 

OnginnetS  ponne  to  J»am  yflum     ungelice 

wordum  meeolan     pe  him  bi(S  on  pa,  wynstran  bond 

J?urh  egsan  J>rea     alwalda  god  •  1364 

ne  J>urfon  hi  ponne  to  meotude     miltse  gewenan 

lifes  ne  lissa     ac  f>8er  lean  cumatS 

werum  bi  gewyrhtum     worda  ,  and  dseda 

reord-berendum     sceolon  f>one  ryhtan  d6m  1368 

senile  gesefnan     *  egsan  fulne  ,    *[28  a.] 

bit5  f>ser  seo  miccle     milts  afyrred 

J>eod-buendura     on  ]mm  dsege 

J?a?s  selmihtigan  •     ponne  he  yrringa  1372 

on  past  frsete  folc     firene  staelecS 

la)?um  wordum     hatecS  hyra  lifes  riht 

araZweard  ywan     past  he  him  ser  forgeaf 

syngum  to  saelura     onginnecS  sylf  cwecSan  1376 

1347.  MS.  leoftum.  1350.  MS.  onfenguni.  1356.  MS.  sefdon. 

1370.  MS.  miccle.  1375.  MS.  ySan. 


1.     CHRIST.       C.     THE    DAY    OE    JUDGMENT.  85 

and  at  will  enjoy  it  unto  all  eternity : — 

'Receive  ye  now,  'mid  friends,  my  Father's  realm,     1344 
the  bliss  and  the  glories  and  the  radiant  beauty  of  that  home, 
which  joyfully,  before  all  worlds,  was  dight  for  you, 
when,  with  the  best  beloved,  ye  might  behold 
life's  riches,  the  sweet  delights  of  heaven.  1348 

This  ye  merited  when  ye  willingly  received 
poor  men,  the  needy  of  the  world, 
in  gentle  mood ;  when  in  my  name 

they  humbly  prayed  you  for  compassion,  1352 

then  helped  ye  them,  and  gave  them  sheltering, 
bread  to  the  hungry,  and  garment  to  the  naked, 
and  those  that  lay  sick  in  sore  pain, 

and  suffered  grievously,  bound  by  disease,  1356 

their  spirits  ye  sustained  in  kindly  wise, 
yea,  with  the  soul's  affection.    All  this  ye  did  for  me, 
when  ye  sought  them  with  goodwill,  and  aye  in  comfort 
stayed  their  spirits;  wherefore  ye  shall  gloriously  1360 

long  enjoy  reward  with  my  beloved.' 

Then  with  words  full  different  will  the  All-ruling  God 
begin  to  speak,  with  fearful  threatening, 

unto  the  wicked,  who  shall  be  on  His  left  hand.  1364 

They  may  not  then  expect  compassion  from  the  Lord, 
nor  life  nor  grace;  but  recompense  for  words  and  deeds 
shall  come  to  mortals  there,  to  those  with  speech  endowed, 
according  to  their  works :  they  shall  endure  1368 

the  only  righteous,  though  an  awful,  doom. 
There,  on  that  day,  the  great  compassion 
of  the  Almighty  One  shall  be  far  removed 

from  the  inhabitants  of  earth,  when  He  shall  angrily,  137a 

in  hostile  words,  charge  their  trangressions 
on  impious  folk,  and  shall  bid  them  then  present 
their  life's  account  before  Him,  which  He  erewhile  gave 
to  1  lie  in    li.ise  sinners,  for  their  bliss.     The  Almighty  Lord 

Bimaelf  1376 


86  I.       CHKTST.       I377-I4IO. 

swa  he  to  anum  sprece     and  hwaefre  ealle  mametS 

firen-synnig  folc     frea  selmihtig  • 

hwset  ic  f>ec  mon     minum  hondum 

asrest  geworhte     and  pe  andgiet  sealde  1380 

of  lame  ic  pe  leoJ?e  gesette     geaf  ic  (5e  lifgendne  gsest 

arode  pe  ofer  ealle  gesceafte     gedyde  ic  pcet  pu  onsyn  hsefdest 

mseg-wlite  me  gelicne     geaf  ic  pe  eac  meahta  sped 

welan  ofer  wid-londa  gehwylc  .  nysses  Jm  wean  asni'gne  dsel* 

ftystra  fast  }>u  J^olian  sceolde     pu  pees  J>onc  ne  wisses  13S5 

pa,  ic  fte  swa  scienne     gesceapen  hsefde 

wynlicne  geworht     and  pe  welan  forgyfen 

pcet  Su  mostes  wealdan     worulde  gesceaftum  ■  1 3S8 

tSa  ic  pe  on  J>a  faegran     foldan  gesette 

to  neotenne     neorxna  wonges 

beorhtne  blaed- welan     bleom  scinende  • 

Sa  J>u  lifes  word     lsestan  noldes  1392 

ac  min  bibod  brsece     be  frines  bonan  worde 

faacnum  feonde     furf>or  hyrdes 

scej^endum  seeaf>an     ]?onwe  jmium  scyppende  • 

nu  ic  $a  ealdan  race     anforlsete  1396 

hu  J>u  set  asrestan     yfle  gehogdes 

firen-weorcum  forlure     f>eet  ic  8e  to  fremum  sealde 

J?a  ic  pe  goda  swa  fela     forgiefen  hsefde 

and  pe  on  fara  eallum     eades  to  lyt  1400 

mode  fuhte     gif  )?u  meahte  sped 

efen-micle  *gode     agan  ne  moste  •     *[28  b.] 

$a  pu.  of  ]?an  gefean  •     fremde  wurde 

feondum  to  willan     feor  aworpen  1404 

neorxna  wonges  wlite     nyde  sceoldes 

agiefan  geomor-mod     gsesta  ef»el  • 

earg  and  unrot     eallum  bidseled 

dugej?um  and  dreamum     and  J>a  bidrifen  wurde  1408 

on  pas  J>eostran  weoruld     J?a3r  )?u  J>olades  sijbj^an 

ma?gen-earfej?u     micle  stunde 

1380.  3IS.  salde. 


I.     CHRIST.       C.     THE    DAY    OF    JUDGMENT.  87 

shall  then  begin  to  speak  as  if  He  spake  to  one, 
and  nathless  shall  He  mean  all  sinning  folk  : — 

1  Lo,  man  !  with  mine  own  hands  I  made  thee 
at  the  first,  and  granted  to  thee  wisdom  ;  1380 

I  formed  thee  limbs  of  clay :  I  gave  a  living  spirit  unto  thee ; 
I   honoured   thee  o'er   all  created  things;    I  wrought  that  thou 

shouldst  have 
aspect  and  form  like  to  myself;  I  gave  thee  eke  fulness  of  might, 
wealth  o'er  each  spacious  land;  nought  knewest  thou  of  woe, 
nought  of  the  gloom  that  thou  hadst  to  endure ;  for  all  this  thou 

wast  not  grateful.  1385 

When  I  had  shapen  thee  so  beauteously, 
and  had  made  thee  comely,  and  had  given  thee  power 
that  thou  mightst  rule  the  creatures  of  the  world,  1388 

when  I  had  set  thee  in  that  fair  domain, 
to  enjoy  the  bright  and  blissful  wealth 
of  Paradise,  resplendent  with ,  its  hues, 

then  wouldst  thou  not  fulfil  the  word  of  Life,  139a 

but,  at  the  word  of  thy  Bane,  didst  break  my  bidding; 
a  treacherous  foe,  a  mischievous  destroyer, 
didst  thou  obey,  rather  than  thy  Creator. 

Now  will  I  let  pass  that  ancient  story,  .   1396 

how  at  the  first  thou  didst  wickedly  devise, 
and  didst  lose  by  sinful  works,  what  I  granted  for  thy  good. 
When  I  had  given  thee  thus  much  of  goodly  things, 
and  yet  withal  it  seemed  unto  thy  mind  1400 

too  little  happiness,  unless  thou  mightest  own 
fulness  of  power  equally  great  with  God, 
then  thou  becamest,  to  thy  foes'  delight, 

an  alien  to  that  joy,  cast  out  afar;  1404 

perforce  then  hadst  thou  sadly  to  forego 
the  charm  of  Paradise,  the  spirits'  home, — 
wicked  and  sorrowful,  cut  ofl'  from  all 

its  blessings  and  its  joys;    then  wast  thou  driven  1408 

into  this  gloomy  world,  where  thou  hast  raftered   since, 
•  luring  so  long  a  time,  grievous  hardship*, 


88  I.       CHRIST.       I4II-I44O. 

sar  and  swar  gewin     and  sweartne  deatS 

and  sefter  [A]ingonge     hreosan  sceoldes  141 2 

liean  in  helle     helpendra  leas  • 

<Sa  mec  ongon  hreowan     feet  min  liond-geweorc 

on  feonda  geweald     feran  sceolde 

mon-cynnes  tuddor     man-cwealni  seon  14 16 

sceolde  uncuSne     earcl  cunnian 

sare  si}?as     J>a  ic  sylf  gestag 

maga  in  modor     J?eah  waes  hyre  maegden-had 

seghwees  onwalg-     wearS  ic  and  geboren  1420 

folcum  to  frofre     mec  mon  folmuni  biwond 

bifeahte  mid  £>earfan  wsedum     and  mec  J>a  on  feostre  alegde 

biwundenne    mid   wonnum   clafum      hwaet   ic    Ipcet   for   worulde 

geJ>olade 
lytel  J>uhte  ic  leoda  bearnum     lseg  ic  on  heardum  stane        1424 
cild  geong  on  crybbe     mid  f)y  ic  pe  wolde  cwealm  afyrran  • 
hat  helle  bealu     J?set  J>u  moste  halig  scinan 
eadig  on  f»am  ecan  life     forfton  ic  fast  earfef>e  w6nn  :j 

[VI.] 

NM&  me  for  mode     ac  ic  on  magu-geoguSe  1428 

yrmjrn  geaefnde     arleas  lic-sar 
\><xt  ic  furh  J?a     wsere  pe  gelic 
and  J>u  meahte     minum  weorf>an 

mseg-wlite  gelic     mane  bidseled  1432 

and  fore  monna  lufan     min  prowade 
heafod  hearm-slege     hleor  *  gef»olade     *[29a.] 
oft  and-l&ta,     arleasra  spatl 

of  mu5e  onfeng     man-fremmendra  1436 

swylce  hi  me  geblendon     bittre   tosomne 
unswetne  drync     ecedes  and  geallan  • 
ftonne  ic  fore  folce  onfeng     feonda  geniftlan 
fylgdon  me  mid  firenum     fashfe  ne  rohtun  1440 

141 2.  MS.  ingonge.  T427-  Space  of  half- line  between  the  sections. 

1430.  MS.  wege  lie  (t.  e.  we  gelic). 


I.  CHRIST.   C.  THE  DAY  OF  JUDGMENT.         89 

pain  and  heavy  toil  and  swarthy  death, 

doomed,  after  thy  going  hence,  abased  to  fall  141 2 

down  into  hell,  with  none  to  help  thee. 

Then  it  began  to  rue  me  that  mine  handiwork 

should  pass  into  the  power  of  fiends, 

that  mankind's  progeny  should  see  dire  torment,  141 6 

and  should  experience  a  loveless  home, 

and  sore  vicissitudes.     Then  I  myself  descended, 

as  a  son  into  his  mother,  yet  was  her  maidenhood 

wholly  inviolate.     I  was  born  alone  1420 

for  the  solace  of  men :    with  their  hands  they  swathed  me, 

and  wrapt  me  with  a  poor  man's  weeds,  and  laid  me  then  in 

darkness, 
swaddled  in  dusky  clothes.     Lo !  this  for  the  world  I  suffered ; 
little  seemed  I  to  the  sons  of  men ;  on  the  hard  stone  I  lay,     1424 
a  young  child  in  its  crib,  for  that  I  would  remove  from  thee 
the  torture  and  hot  misery  of  hell ;    that  thou  mightst  shine  as 

saint, 
blessed  in  the  life  eternal,  therefore  I  bore  that  pain. 


VI. 


'Twas  not  for  pride,  but  I  endured  adversity  1428 

and  shameful  pain  of  body  in  my  youth, 
that  I  thereby  might  be  like  unto  thee, 
and  that,  severed  from  evil  sin,  thou  mightst  become 
like  to  mine  own  fair  human  form  ;  1432 

and  for  my  love  of  men,  my  head  and  face 
bore  and  endured  the  baleful  stroke ; 
oft  my  visage  received  the  spittle  from  the  mouth 
of  impious  workers  of  iniquity  ;  1436 

yea,  too,  they  mingled  for  me,  bitterly  together, 
;ni   imswect  drink  of  vinegar  and  gall; 
tin  11   for  mankind   1  received  the  wrath  of  foes, 
they  followed  me  with  tormenti)  reckless  in  hat'  1440 


CO  I.       CHRIST.       I44I-I474. 

and  mid  sweopum  slogun     ic  }>3et  sar  for  tSe 

J?urli  eaSmedu     eall  gefolade 

hosp  and  heard  cwide     J>a  hi  hwsesne  beag 

ymb  min  heafod     heardne  gebygdon  1444 

f>ream  bi£>rycton     se  wses  of  J»ornum  geworht  • 

Sa  ic  wses  ahongen     on  heanne  beam 

rode  gefsestnad     (Sa  hi  ricene 

mid  spere  of  minre  sidan     swat  ut-gotun  1448 

dreor  to  foldan  ^  fast  p\x  of  deofles  J?urh   fbeet 

nyd-gewalde     genered  wurde  • 

Sa  ic  womma  leas     wite  ]?olade 

yfel  earfefu     offset  ic  anne  forlet  1452 

of  minum  lic-homan     lifgendne  gsest 

geseoft  nu  }>a  feorh-dolg     pe  gefremedun  a^r 

on  minum  folmum     and  on  fotum  swa  some 

Jmrh  f>a  ic  hongade     hearde  gefaestnad  •  1456 

meaht  her  eac  geseon     orgete  nu  gen 

on  minre  sidan     swatge  wunde 

hu  J>aer  wses  unefen     racu  unc  gemsene  • 

Ic  onfeng  J>in  sar  fast  f>u     moste  gesaelig  1460 

mines  ef  el-rices     eadig  neotan  • 

and  pe  mine  deacSe     deore  gebohte 

poet  longe  lif     pddt  p\x  on  leohte  siffan 

wlitig  womma  leas     wunian  mostes  •  1464 

lseg  min  fleesc-homa     in  foldan  bigrafen 

nijpre  gehyded     se  tSe  nsengum  sco"d 

in  byrgenne  J?set  ]?u     meahte  beorhte  uppe 

on  roderum  wesan     rice  mid  englum  •  1468 

forhwon  forlete  *J>u     lif  J?aet  scyne     *[29&.] 

J?get  ic  pe  for  lufan     mid  mine  lic-homan 

heanum  to  helpe     hold  gecypte  ■; 

wurde  })u  f>aes  gewitleas     J>eet  J>u  waldende  1472 

f>inre  alysnesse     }?onc  ne  wisses  • 

Ne  ascige  ic  nu     owiht  bi  fam  bitran 

1446.  MS.  hean  ,  I45I-  w^e  corrected  from  wita. 


I.     CHRIST.       C.     THE    DAY    OF    JUDGMENT.  91 

they  struck  me  with  their  scourges.     All  that  pain, 

their  scorn  and  harsh  reproach,  in  humbleness 

I  bore  for  thee.     Then  they  bent  a  spiny 

and  sharp  crown  around  my  head;  1444 

with  cruelty  they  pressed  it  on — 'twas  wrought  of  thorns. 

Then  was  I  hanged  upon  a  lofty  tree, 

and  fastened  to  a  rood ;    with  a  spear  then, 

from  my  side,  they  poured  out  on  to  earth  1448 

my  blood  and  gore.     That  thou,  thereby,  shouldst  be 

delivered  from  the  devil's  tyranny, 

all  sinless,  bore  I  then  this  punishment 

and  sore  affliction,  till  that  I  sent  1452 

the  living  spirit  from  my  body  forth  alone. 

See  now  the  fatal  wounds  which  they  once  made 

upon  my  palms,  and  on  my  feet  also, 

by  which  I  hung,  fastened  full  strongly  ;  1456 

here  mayst  thou  see  too,  manifest  e'en  yet, 

the  gory  wound  upon  my  side. 

How  uneven  was  the  reckoning  there  between  us  two  ! 

I  received  thy  pain,  that  thou,  blessed,  1460 

mightst  happily  enjoy  my  native  realm, 

and  by  my  death  I  dearly  bought  for  thee 

long  life,  that  thenceforth  thou  mightst 

dwell  in  the  light,  beauteous  and  void  of  sins.  1464 

My  body's  flesh,  the  which  had  harmed  no  man, 

lay  buried  in  the  earth,  hidden  beneath, 

down  in  its  sepulchre,  that  thou  mightst  shine 

mighty  'mid  angels,  in  the  skies  above.  1  (O 

Why  didst  thou  forsake  that  beauteous  life, 

which  graciously  I  bought  for  thee,  through  love, 

with  mine  own  body,  to  help  thee,  wretched  I 

So  witless  wast  thou  that  thou  didst  not  show  147a 

♦  hanks  to  the  Lord  for  thy  redemption. 

Nought   tu  h    I  now  for  that  death  of  mine, 


92  i.     chimst.     1 47  5- 1 508. 

deafte  minum     pe  ic  adreag  fore  pe  • 

ac  forgield  me  pin  lif    paes  pe  ic  iu  pe  min  1476 

purh  woruld-wite     weor5  gesealde  • 

"Sees  lifes  ic  manige     pe  pu  mid  leahtrum  hafast 

ofslegen  synlice     sylfum  to  sconde  • 

forhwan  pu  paet  sele-gescot     pcet  ic  me  swaes  on  pe  1480 

gehalgode     htis  to  wynne 

purh  firen-lustas     fule  synne 

unsyfre  bismite     sylfes  willum 

ge  pu  pone  lic-homan     pe  ic  alysde  me  1484 

feonduni  of  frecSme     and  pa  him  firene  forbead 

scyld-wyrcende     scondum  geweindest  • 

forhwon  ahenge  pu  mec  hefgor     on  pinra  honda  rode 

ponwe  iu  hongade     hwaet  me  peos  heardra  pyncecS  1488 

nu  is  swaerra  mid  mec     pinra  synna  rod 

pe  ic  unwillum     on  beom  gefaestnad 

poime  seo  oper  waes     pe  ic  aer  gestag 

willum  minum     pa  mec  pin  wea  swipast  1492 

set  heortan  gebreaw     pa  ic  pec  from  helle  ateah 

paer  pu  hit  wolde  sylfa     sippan  gehealdan  • 

Ic  waes  on  worulde  weadla     pact  Su  wurde  welig  in  heofonuw 

earm  ic  waes  on  eftle  pinum     paet  pu  wwrde  eadig  on  minum. 

pa  tSu  paes  ealles     aenigne  pone  1496 

pinum  nergende     nysses  on  mode  • 

bibead  ic  eow     pcet  ge  bropor  mine 

*  in  woruld-rice     wel  aretten     *[30a.]  1500 

of  pam  aehtum  pe  ic  eow     on  eorcSan  geaf  • 

earmra  hulpen     earge  ge  paet  laestun  • 

pearfum  forwyrndon     pcet  hi  under  eowrum  paece  mosten 

in-gebugan     and  him  aeghwaes  oftugon  1504 

purh  heardne  hyge     hraegles  nacedum  • 

moses  mete-leasum     peah  hy  him  purh  minne  noman 

werge  wonhale     waetan  baedan 

drynces  gedreahte     dugupa  lease  T508 

1490.  gefsestnad  ;  d  originally  &.  1495-  -^'~'-  worde. 


I.    CHRIST.      C.     THE    DAY    OF    JUDGMENT.  93 

so  bitter,  which  I  endured  for  thee ; 

but  render  me  thy  life,  for  which,  in  martyrdom,  1476 

I  gave  thee  once  mine  own  as  price. 

I  claim  of  thee  that  life  which  thou  hast  sinfully 

destroyed  with  vice,  to  thine  own  shame. 

Why  hast  thou  filthily  defiled,  by  thine  own  will,  1480 

through  wicked  lusts  and  through  foul  sin, 

the  tabernacle  which  I  sanctified  in  thee 

to  be  the  cherished  home  of  my  delight? 

Yea,  perpetrating  guilt,  thou  didst  shamefully  pollute  1484 

that  body  which  I  ransomed  for  myself, 

from  the  grasp  of  foes,  and  then  forbade  it  sin. 

Why  hast  thou  crucified  me  worse,  on  thy  hands'  cross, 

than  when  of  old  I  hung  ?    Lo  !  this  methinks  is  harder.     1488 

Is  now  heavier  for  me  thy  sins'  cross, 

on  which  I  am  made  fast,  unwillingly, 

than  was  that  other,  which  I  before  ascended, 

with  mine  own  will,  when  thy  misery  1492 

rued  me  so  much  at  heart,  when  I  drew  thee  forth  from  hell, 

where  thou  thyself  wouldst  afterwards  abide. 

I    in    the    world    was     poor,    that    thou    in    heaven     mightst 

be  rich, 
wretched  was  I  in  thy  land,  that  thou  in  mine  mightst        1496 

happy  be. 
Then  for  all  this  thou  knewest  not  in  thy  heart 
any  gratitude  unto  thy  Saviour. 
I  bade  that  ye  should  cherish  well 

my  brethren  in  the  world's  domain  ;  1500 

from  those  possessions  which  I  gave  to  you  on  earth, 
that  ye  should  help  the  poor.     Ill  have  ye  done  so. 
The  needy  ye  forbade  to  enter  'neath  your  roof, 
and  ye  withheld  from  them  full  everything,  1504 

in  your  bard  hearts, — raiment  from  the  naked, 
food  from  the  foodless ;   though  aweary  and  infirm, 
yearning  for  drink,  void  of  all  sustenance, 
and   parehtd   with   thirst,  they  prayed  for  Vfttef  150S 


94  I.       CHRIST.       1 509-1 53  7. 

Jmrste  gef>egede     ge  him  J>riste  oftugon 

sarge  ge  ne  sohton     ne  him  swaeslic  word 

frofre  gesprsecon     Ipcet  hy  J>y  freoran  hyge 

mode  gefengen     eall  ge  fset  me  dydan  1512 

to  hynjmm  heofon-cyninge     J>ees  ge  sceolon  hearde  adreogan 

wite  to  widan  ealdre     wraec  mid  deoflum  gef>olian  • 

ISonne  }>8er  ofer  ealle     egeslicne  cwide 

sylf  sigora  weard     sares  fulne  1516 

ofer  ])cet  fsege  folc     forS  forlsetetS  • 

cwi(5  to  f>ara  synfulra     sawla  fe]mn  • 

faraS  nu  awyrgde     willum  biscyrede  • 

engla  dreames     on  ece  fir*  1520 

J>aet  wses  satane     and  his  gesijmm  mid 

deofle  gegearwad     and  f?aere  deorcan  scole 

hat  and  heoro-grim     on  feet  ge  hreosan  sceolan- 

ne  magon  hi  J>oime  gehynan     heofon-cyninges  bibod  1524 

rseduin  birofene     sceolon  rsipe  feallan 

on  grimne  grund     J>a  ser  wif>  gode  wunnon  • 

bitS  ]xmne  rices  weard     rej>e  and  meahtig 

yrre  and  egesful     and  weard  ne  mseg  1528 

on  pissum  fold-wege     feond  gebidan  7 

[vii.i 

SWApeft  sige-mece     mid  f>sere  swi[#]ran  hond 
pcet  on  J^set  deope  *  dael     deofol  gefeallacS     *[30  6.] 
in  sweartne  leg     synfulra  here  1532 

under  foldan  sceat     fsege  gsestas 
on  wraj>ra  wic     womfulra  scolu 
werge  to  forwyrde     on  wite-hus 

deacS-sele  deofles     nales  dryhtnes  gemynd  T536 

sif>)mn  gesecatS     synne  ne  aspringacS 

1526.  grimne;  originally  griirtme ;    me  corrected  into  ne.  T529-  one 

line  space  between  the  sections.       1530.  MS.  swiran.         1533-  sceat.        1536. 
MS.  deofoles,  i.  e.  deofles. 


I.     CHRIST.       C.    THE    DAY    OF    JUDGMENT.  95 

in  my  name,  harshly  ye  denied  it  them. 
The  sorrowful  ye  sought  not,  nor  spake  a  kindly  word 
of  comfort  unto  them,  that  they  might  gain  within  their  hearts 
a  spirit  the  more  buoyant.     All  this  ye  did  in  scorn  15 12 

of  me,  heaven's  King  :  wherefore  ye  shall  sore  endure 
torment  for  evermore,  and  suffer  exile  amid  devils.' 
Then  over  all  those  there,  over  the  fated  folk, 
the  Lord  of  victories  shall  Himself  send  forth  15 16 

a  dreadful  edict,  full  of  tribulation, 
and  shall  declare  unto  that  host  of  sinful  souls : — 

'  Go  now  accursed,  wilfully  cut  off 
from  angels'  joy,  into  eternal  fire,  1520 

which,  hot  and  fiercely  grim,  was  dight 
for  the  devil  Satan  and  his  comrades  too, 
and  all  that  swarthy  shoal :  therein  shall  ye  fall/ 

Then  may  they  not  deride,  bereft  of  rede,  1524 

the    bidding    of    the    heavenly    King;    they    who    ere    warred 

'gainst  God, 
shall  quickly  fall  into  the  grim  abyss. 
The  Lord  of  empire  shall  be  stern  and  mighty  then, 
angry  and  terrible:  no  foe  upon  this  track  of  earth  1528 

may  then  abide  before  His  face. 

VII. 

He  shall  sweep  the  victor-sword  with  His  right  hand, 
so  that  the  devils  shall  fall  down  the  deep  gulf 
into  swart  flame;  the  band  of  the  sinful  1532 

into  the  region  of  the  earth  beneath ;  the  fated  spirits 
into  the  camp  of  foes ;  the  shoal  of  the  pernicious, 
damned  to  destruction,  into  tho  house  of  torment, 
the  death-hull  of  the  devil.    They  shall  nowise  thereafter  seek 
remembrance  of  the  Lord,  nor  from  their  sin  escape,  1537 


96  I.       CHRIST.       1538-1573. 

£>8er  hi  leahtrum  fa  •     lege  gebundne 

swylt  J^rowiaS     bi(S  him  syn-wracu 

andvreavd  undyrne     pcet  is  ece  cwealm  •  1540 

ne  ma?g  pset  hate  dael     of  heoloS-cynne 

in  sin-nehte     synne  forbsernan 

to  widan  feore     worn  of  fsere  sawle 

ac  psev  se  deopa  seatS     dreorge  fede(5  1544 

grundleas  giemetS     gsesta  on  f>eostre- 

seletS  hy  mid  pj  ealdan  lige     and  mid  py  egsan  forste 

wraf>um  wyrmum     and  mid  wita  fela 

frecnum  feorh-gomum     folcum  scendeft .  1548 

J?eet  we  magon  eahtan     and  on  an  cwe<San 

soSe  secgan     J>set  se  sawle  weard 

lifes  wisdom     forloren  hsebbe 

se  pe  nu  ne  giemecS     hwsejper  his  gaest  sie  1552 

earm  pe  eadig     Ipe&r  he  ece  sceal 

sefter  hin-gonge     hamfsest  wesan 

ne  bisorgatS  he     synne  to  fremman 

wonhydig  mon     ne  he  wihte  hafat)  1556 

hreowe  on  mode     peet  him  halig  gaest 

losige  }mrh  leahtras     on  J>as  lsenan  tid  • 

"Sonne  man-sceacSa      fore  meotude  forht 

deorc  on  J>am  dome  standecS     and  deacSe  fah  1560 

wommum  awyrged     bitS  se  wser-loga 

fyres  afylled     feores  unwyrSe 

egsan  gepread     andwe&rd  gode  • 

won  and  wliteleas     hafacS  werges  bleo  1564 

facen-tacen  feores  •     fSonne  firena  beam 

*  tearum  geota<5     J^onne  J>9es  tid  ne  bif>      *[31  a.] 

synne  cwi^aS     ac  hy  to  si(5  do(5 

gsestum  helpe  •     Sonne  J^aes  giman  nele  1568 

weoruda  waldend     hu  J>a  worn  sceajmn 

hyra  eald-gestreon     on  j?a  openan  tid 

sare  gieten     ne  "bij?  J>set  sorga  tid 

leodum  alyfed     J>set  pver  lsecedtfm  1572 

findan  mote     se  pe  nu  his  feore  nyle 


I.  CHRIST.   C.  THE  DAY  OF  JUDGMENT.         97 

where  crime-stainetl,  wrapt  in  flame, 

they  shall  endure  destruction;    imminent,  clear  to  them, 

shall  be  the  vengeance  for  their  sins;  that  is  eternal  death.   1540 

The  hot  gulf  may  not,  through  the  livelong  night, 

through  all  eternity,  purge  their  sin  away 

from  that  hell-race,  the  stain  from  off  their  souls  j 

but  there  the  deep  pit  feedeth  those  dreary  ones  ;    .  1544 

bottomless  it  keepeth  the  spirits  in  its  gloom  ; 

burneth  them  with  its  ancient  flame;  with  chill  terror, 

with  hateful  serpents  and  with  torments  many, 

with  sharp  and  deadly  jaws,  it  scatheth  folk.  1548 

Wherefore  we  may  believe  and  ever  say, 
soothly  declare,  that  that  soul's  guardian 
hath  altogether  lost  the  wisdom  of  this  life, 
who  heedeth  not  now  whether  his  spirit  be  '  1552 

wretched  or  happy,  where,  after  its  going  hence, 
it  shall  be  resident  eternally. 
He  dreadeth  nowise  sin  to  perpetrate, 

thoughtless  man  !  nor  hath  he  aught  1556 

of  ruth  within  his  mind,  though  his  holy  spirit 
perish,  in  this  fading  time,  through  deeds  of  shame. 
When  the  evil-doer,  afeard  before  his  Maker, 
shall  stand  at  the  judgment,  black  and  foul  with  death,       1560 
accursed  with  crimes,  then  shall  the  traitor, 
of  life  unworthy,  be  fulfilled  of  fire, 
and  overwhelmed  with  terror  before  God  ; 

swart  and  sightless,  he  shall  have  a  felon's  hue,  1564 

the  token  of  a  life  of  perfidy.     Then  shall  the  sons  of  men 
shed  tears,  and  shall  bewail  their  sins, 
when  time  availeth  not ;  too  late  shall  they  devise 
help  for  their  spirits,  when  the  Lord  of  hosts  1568 

will  not  heed  how  the  evil-doers 
sorely,  at  that  all-disclosing  time, 

deplore  what  erst  they  cherished.     That  time  of  sorrow 
will  not  avail,  that  ho  who  will  not  now,  157a 

while  he  liveth  here,   gain  his  life's  salvation. 

h 


98  I.       CHRIST.    1 5  74- 1 607. 

hselo  strynan     j?enden  her  leofaft  • 

ne  bicS  peer  sengum  godum     gnorn  aetywed 

ne  naengura  yflum  wel  •     ac  peer  aeghwaej>er  1576 

anfealde  gewyrht     andwe&rd  wigetS  • 

forSon  sceal  onettan     se  J>e  agan  wile 

lif  aet  meotude     J>enden  him  leoht  and  gaest 

somod-faest  seon     he  his  sawle  wlite  1580 

georne  bigonge     on  godes  willan 

and  w/aer  weorfte     worda  and  daeda- 

j?eawa  and  gejwnca     f>enden  him  feos  woruld 

sceadum  scrij^ende     scinan  mote  1584 

pat  he  ne  forleose     on  J?as  laenan  tid 

his  dreames  blaed     and  his  dagena  rim 

and  his  weorces  wlite     and  wuldres  lean 

J>aette  heofones  cyning     on  £>a  halgan  tid  1588 

sotS-faest  syletS     to  sigor-leanum 

]mm  J>e  him  on  gaestum     georne  hyratS* 

"ponne  heofon  and  hel     haelejm  bearnum 

fira  feorum     fylde  weorJ^etS  1592 

grundas  swelgatS     godes  emdsacan 

lacende  leg     laSwende  men 

}>reaS  J?eod-sceaf)an     and  no  J>onan  IsetatS 

on  gefean  faran     to  feorh-nere  1596 

ac  se  bryne  bindetS     bid-faestne  liere 

feo<5  firena  beam     frecne  me  JrincetS 

faet  J>as  gaest-berend     giman  nellatS 

men  on  mode     ponne  man  hwaet  1600 

him  se  waldend-  *to     wrace  gesette     [*31  &.] 

laf>um  leodum ,  ponne  lif  and  deatS 

sawlum  swelgaft     bitS  susla  hus 

open  and  o<5-eawed     a^-logum  ongean-  1604 

$aet  sceolon  fyllan     firen-georne  men 

sweartum  sawlum     ponne  synna  wracu 

scyldigra  scolu     ascyred  weorfjetS 

1582.  MS.  }>aer.  1597.  MS.  biS. 


I      CHRIST.       C.     THE    DAY    OF    JUDGMENT.  99 

may  there  find  out  a  healing  remedy. 

Grief  shall  not  be  shown  to  any  good  man  there, 

nor  joy  to  any  evil,  but  there  each  one  1576 

shall  bear  before  God's  sight  his  own  desert. 

Therefore  must  he  be  alert,  while  light  and  soul 

hold  fast  together,  who  wisheth  to  possess 

life  from  the  Creator.     Let  him  foster  zealously  1580 

the  beauty  of  his  soul,  after  God's  will ; 

let  him  be  wary  in  words  and  deeds, 

in  habits  and  in  thoughts, .  while  this  world, 

speeding  with  its  shadows,  may  still  shine  for  him,  1584 

so  that  he  lose  not,  in  this  fading  time, 

the  blossom  of  his  joy,  and  the  number  of  his  days, 

and  the  beauty  of  his  work,  and  the  reward  of  glory, 

which  the  righteous  King  of  heaven  giveth,  1588 

at  that  holy  time,  as  the  rewards  of  victory, 

to  those  who  fain,  with  all  their  soul,  obey  Him. 

Then  heaven  and  hell  shall  be  fulfilled 
with  the  sons  of  men,  with  the  souls  of  mortals;  1592 

the  abyss  shall  gorge  God's  adversaries; 
flickering  flame  shall  harass  erring  folk, 
the  spoilers  of  the  people,  and  shall  not  let  them  thence 
depart  in  joy  into  security,  1596 

but  the  fire  shall  keep  the  host  immovable, 
and  shall  vex  the  sons  of  men.     Fool-hardy  methinketh  it, 
that  men,  creatures  endowed  with  spirit,  will  not 
be  heedful  in  their  minds,  seeing  that  their  Sovereign  1600 

may  in  vengeance  put  on  them,  on  hateful  folk, 
any  evil  whatsoever.     When  life  and  death 
shall  grasp  their  share  of  souls,  the  house  of  torment  then 
shall  stand  open  and  revealed  to  perjurers'  sight ;  1604 

sin -loving  men  shall  fill  it 

with  their  swart  souls ;    then,  as  a  penalty  for  their  sins, 
the  shoal  of  guilty  ones  shall  be  disparted, 

H  2 


100  I.       CHEIST.    1 608-1 64 1. 

beane  from  halgum     on  hearm-cwale  •  1608 

ftaer  sceolan  feofas     and  }>eod-sceaban 

lease  and  forlegene     lifes  ne  wenan 

and  man-sworan     mo[r]bor-lean  seon 

heard  and  heoro-grim  •     j?onwe  hel  nimetS  161 2 

wserleasra  weorud     and  hi  waldend  giefe(5 

feondum  in  forwyrd     fa  browiatS 

ealdor-bealu  egeslic     earm  bi5  se  be  wile 

firenum  gewyrcan     baet  he  fan  scyle  1616 

from  his  scyppende     ascyred  weorSan 

set  dom-daege     to  deaSe  niber 

under  helle  cinn     in  J>3et  hate  fyr 

under  liges  locan     Ipser  hy  leomu  rsecaft  1620 

to  bindenne     and  to  bsernenne 

and  to  swingenne     synna  to  wite  • 

Sonne  halig  gaast     helle  biluceS 

morf>er-husa  msest     burh  meaht  godes  1624 

fyres  fulle     and  feonda  here 

cyninges  worde     se  bij?  cwealma  msest 

deofla  and  monna  •     \>cet  is  dreamleas  hus  • 

iSser  eenig  ne  mseg     ower  losian  1628 

caldan  clomwum     hy  brascon  cyninges  word 

beorht  boca  bibod     forbon  hy  abidan  sceolon 

in  sin-nehte     sar  ende-leas 

firen-daadum  fa     forS  browian  1632 

<5a  Ipe  her  [/or-]hogdun     heofon-rices  brym  • 

Iponne  J?a  gecorenan     fore  crist  beraS 

beorhte  frastwe     hyra  blaed  leofa<5 

88t  dom-d83ge  agan     dream  mid  gode  •  1636 

lij>es  lifes     J?ses  f>e  *alyfed  bij>       [*32  a.] 

haligra  gehwam     on  heofon-rice  • 

Saet  is  se  ef>el     \>e  no  geendad  weorbeS 

ac  J>aer  symle  forS     synna  lease  1640 

dream  weardiaS     dryhten  lofiatS 

161 1.  MS.  mo}>or.         162 1.  bindenne*   over  the  first  n  there  is  a  badly 
formed  m,  or  three  strokes  resembling  m.    1628.  MS.  ojjer.    1633.  MS.  hogdun. 


I.    CHRIST.       C.     THE    DAY    OF   JUDGMENT.  101 

the  base  from  the  holy,  unto  pernicious  death ;  1608 

there  thieves  and  spoilers  of  the  folk, 

the  lying  and  adulterate,  shall  have  no  hope  of  life  ; 

and  the  forsworn  shall  see  their  crimes'  reward, 

grievous  and  fiercely  grim;  then  shall* hell  take  161 2 

the  host  of  faithless  ones,  and  the  Lord  shall  give  them 

in  perdition  to  the  fiends ;  the  hostile  foe  shall  suffer 

terrific  racking  pain.     Wretched  shall  he  be  who  willeth 

to  work  so  wickedly,  that  he,  as  a  guilty  one,  16 16 

shall  be,  upon  the  day  of  doom,  wholly  cut  off 

from  his  Creator,  doomed  to  the  death  beneath, 

among  hell's  race,  in  the  hot  fire, 

under  the  barriers  of  flame;   there  shall  men  stretch  their    1620 

limbs, 
to  be  bound  and  to  be  burned 
and  to  be  scourged,  in  punishment  of  sins. 

Then  the  Holy  Spirit,  through  the  might  of  God, 
at  the  King's  command,  shall  lock  up  hell,  1624 

that  greatest  of  the  homes  of  torment,  full  of  fire, 
and  the  host  of  fiends  therein ;    of  all  the  torments  of  devils 
and  of  men  this  shall  be  greatest.     That  is  a  joyless  house ; 
there  no  one  ever  may  escape  1628 

from  those  cold  bonds ;  they  brake  their  King's  command, 
the  scriptures'  bright  behest;    therefore,  they  must  abide 
in  livelong  night,  and,  stained  with  wicked  deeds, 
thenceforth  must  they  endure  pain  without  end,  1632 

who  here  despised  the  glory  of  the  heavenly  realm. 

Then  the  chosen  shall  carry  before  Christ 
radiant  treasures;    their  bliss  shall  live; 

with  God,  at  doomsday,  shall  they  have  the  joy  1636 

of  life  serene,  the  which  shall  be  vouchsafed 
to  every  holy  man  in  heaven's  realm  ; 
that  is  the  home  which  shall  know  no  end, 
but  there  the  sinless,  henceforth  evermore,  1640 

shall  keep  their  joy,  and  praise  the  Lord, 


102  T.       CHRIST.    1 642-1 664. 

leofne  lifes  weard     leohte  biwundne 

sibbum  biswettede     sorgum  biwerede 

dreamum  gedyrde     dryhtne  gelyfde  1644 

awo  to  ealdre     engla  gemanan 

brucatS  mid  blisse     beorhte  mid  lisse 

freogatS  folces  weard     f seder  ealra 

geweald  hafatS  and  healdetS     haligra  weorud  •  1648 

&8Br  is  engla  song     eadigra  blis 

\>mr  is  seo  dyre     dryhtnes  onsien 

eallum  f>am  gesselgum     sunnan  leohtra  • 

8ser  is  leofra  lufu     lif  butan  ende-deatSe  1652 

glsed  gumena  weorud     gioguS  butan  ylde 

heofon-duguSa  f>rym  •     hselu  butan  sare 

ryht-fremmendum     reest  butan  gewinne 

dom-eadigra     daeg  butan  fieostrura  1656 

beorht  blsedes  full     blis  butan  sorgum 

frit5  freondum  bitweon     for5  butan  sefestum 

gesselgum  on  swegle     sib  butan  nif»e 

halgum  on  gemonge  •     nis  J>aer  hungor  ne  Jmrst  1660 

slsep  ne  swar  leger     ne  sunnan  bryne 

ne  cyle  ne  cearo     ac  J>ser  cyninges  gief[e] 

awo  brucatS     eadigra  gedryht 

weoruda  wlite-scynast     wuldres  mid  dryhten  : — :  7  1664 


1650.  MS.  J)ses.         1662.  MS.  gief ;  after  which  is  an  erasure.  1664. 

dryhten  : — :  7  is  the  last  word  on  32a ;  a  blank  space  of  three  lines  follows. 


I.     CHRIST.       C.     THE    DAY    OF    JUDGMENT.  103 

their  life's  dear  Guardian  ;    there,  begirt  with  light, 

bewrapt  in  jDeace,  shielded  from  sorrows, 

glorified  by  joys,  endeared  unto  the  Lord,  1644 

radiant  with  grace,  they  shall  aye,  to  all  eternity, 

enjoy  in  bliss  the  angels'  fellowship, 

and  cherish  mankind's  Guardian,  the  Father  of  all, 

Sovran  Preserver  of  the  hosts  of  the  holy.  1648 

There  is  angels'  song  ;    bliss  of  the  happy ; 
there  is  the  cherished  presence  of  the  Lord, 
brighter  than  the  sun,  for  all  those  blessed  ones  ; 
there  is  the  love  of  the  beloved;    life  without  death's  end;   1652 
a  gladsome  host  of  men ;    youth  without  age  ; 
the  glory  of  the  heavenly  chivalry ;    health  without  pain 
for  righteous  workers,  and  for  souls  sublime 
rest  without  any  toil;    there  is  day  without  gloom,  1656 

radiant  and  joyful ;    happiness  without  sorrow  ; 
friendship  'twixt  friends  for  ever  without  feud; 
peace  without  enmity  for  the  blessed  in  heaven, 
in  the  communion  of  saints;    hunger  is  not  there  nor  thirst,  1660 
sleep  nor  grievous  sickness ;    nor  sun's  heat, 
nor  cold  nor  care ;    but  the  company  of  the  blest, 
the  fairest  of  all  hosts,  shall  there  for  aye  enjoy 
their  Sovran's  grace,  and  glory  with  their  King.  1664 


9 


104  II.    SAINT    GUTHLAO.    A.     I-24.   [CUR.   1666-89.] 


s 


[II.    SAINT  GUTHLAC.  «     A.] 

>  '       V  >      ft 

E  bid  gefeana  F^EGEast  J>onne  hy  set  frymSe   [*32  b.\ 
gemetatS  [Chr.   1666.] 

engel  and  seo    eadge    saw!  •     ofgiefef)  hio   fas  eorjmn 
wynne • 

forlsetetS  J>as  lsenan  dreamas  •     and  hio  wif  ham  lice  gedseletS  • 

Sonne  cwitS  se  engel     hafaS  yldran  ha£.  4 

^  at*  grete'S  gsest  of  erne  •     abeodecS  him  godes  serende  • 
^       Nu  fu  most  feran     fider  fu  fundadest-    c 

longe  and  gelome  •     ic  fee  lsedan  sceal 

wegas  f  e  sindon  wefe     and  wuldres  leoht  8 

torht  ontyned  •  •     eart  nu  tid-fara  •  c 

to  f  am  halgan  ham  •     f  ser  nsefre  hreow  cymetS  • 

eder-gong  fore  yrmfura  •     ac  fser  bif  engla  dream  >'  [Chr.  1676.J 
-    sib  and  gesselignes  •     and  sawla  rsest  •  12 

and  f  aer  a  to  feore     gefeon  motun  • 

dryman  mid  dryhten     fa  fe  his  domas  her^ 

sefnacS  on  eorf an     he  him  ece  lean  • 

healdecS  on  heofonum     faer  se  hyhsta  ealra  16 

cynihga  cyning     ceastrum  wealdeS  •   , 

Seet  sind  fa  getimbru     fe  no  tydriaS 

ne  fam  fore  yrmfum     fe  fser  in-wunia'S 

lif  aspringetS     ac  him  bitS  lenge  hu  sel  20 

geoguf e  brucacS  •     and  godes  miltsa  •  [Chr.  1686.] 

f  ider  soSfsestra  •     sawla  motun  • 

cuman  eefter  cwealme     fa  fe  ser  cristes  •  se  •   R» 

laeratS  and  laestatS  •     and  his  lof  raeraft  •    .  c.    •  24 

[l  Lines  1-29  =  Christ.  1 666-1 694,  in  Grein's  edition.  For  reference, 

Greins  numbering  is  inserted  between  brackets.']  13.  MS.  motum.  18. 

MS.  nil. 


II.    SAINT    GUTHLAC.    A.  105 


II.    SAINT  GUTHLAC.    A. 

I. 

THAT  shall  be  the  fairest  of  joys,  when  they  at  first  shall 
meet, 
the  angel  and  the  happy  soul,  when  it  resigneth  the  joys  of  earth, 
forsaketh  these  frail  delights,  and  from  the  body  shall  depart. 
Then  shall  the  angel  speak  (his  the  more  exalted  state),  4 

one    spirit    shall    greet    the    other,    and    announce    to    it    God's 

errand : — 

'Now  thou  may'st  travel  whither  thou  wast  yearning 
longtime  and  often ;  I  am  to  lead  thee  ; 

the  ways  shall  be  pleasant  for  thee,  and  glory's  bright  light     8 
shall  be  revealed ;    thou  art  now  a  traveller 
unto  that  holy  home  where  sorrow  never  cometh, 
the  refuge  from  afflictions.'     There  is  angels'  harmony, 
goodwill  and  happiness  and  souls'  repose  ;  1 2 

and  there  for  evermore  may  they  rejoice 
and  revel  with  the  Lord,  who  here,  on  earth, 
fulfil  his  judgments;    He  holdeth  for  them,  in  heaven, 
eternal  recompense  ;  over  the  cities  there,  16 

the  most  high,  the  King  of  kings,  holdeth  rule.' 

These  are  the  structures  which  do  not  decay, 
nor,  through  misery,  shall  life  fail  those 
who  dwell    therein,    but   the   longer   the    better   it   shall    be  for 

them ;  ;o 

youth  shall  they  enjoy  and  the  grace  of  God. 
Thither,  after  death,  the  souls  of  righteous  men 
may  come,  who  orewhile  teach  and  do 
the  law  of   Christ   and   raise  on   high    His  prm  34 


106    IT.    SAINT  GUTHLAC.  A.    25-58.   [CHR.  1690-4;   GUTH    1-29. J 

oferwinnatS  pa  awyrgdan  gsestas     bigytatS  him  wuldres  rseste  • 
A   Hwider  sceal  f>ses  monnes     mod  astigan  •     4 

ser  oplpe  sefter     ponne  he  his  serine  her 

gsest  bigonge     pat  se  gode  mote      c  28 

womma  clsene     *  in  geweald  cuman  •     [*33  a.] 

Monge  sindon     geond  middan-geard  •  fa  [1] 

yj      hadas  under  heofonum-     p>a  pe  in  haligra    c 

rim  arisaS     we  f>ees  ryht  magun   C  32 

-p  3Bt  seghwylcum     anra  gehyran      A 

tP    gif  we  halig  bebodu     healdan  willa'S-      ^ 

Mseg  nu  snottor  guma     ssele  brucan 
fr        godra  tida     and  his  gseste  forS  36 

£>x     weges  willian  •  ,  woruld  is  onhrered    ft  ^ — -      #^4 

colaf>  cristes  lufu     sindan  costinga 

geond  middan-geard     monge  arisene  •  [10] 

Swa  pcet  geara  iu     godes  spelbodan  40 

wordum  seegdon     and  Jmrh  witedom 

eal  anemdon     swa  hit  nu  gongetS  • 

EaldaS  eorf>an  blsed     sej^ela  gehwylcre 

and  of  wlite  wendaS     wsestma  gecyndu  •  44 

bij>  seo  sif>re  tid     sseda  gehwylces 

msetrse  in  msegne     for)?on  se  mon  ne  j?earf 

to  }>isse  worulde     wyrpe  gehycgan        - 

pat  he  us  fsegran     gefean  bringe  48 

ofer  f>a  nijjas     pe  we  nu  dreogaft  •  [20] 

sermon  endien     ealle  gesceafte 

Sa  he  gesette     on  siex  dagum  • 

$a  nu  under  heofonum     hadas  cennaS  52 

micle  and  meete  .  is  J?es  middan-geard 

dalum  gedseled     dryhten  sceawaft 

hwser  J?a  eardien     pe  his  •  se  •  healden 

gesihtS  he  f>a  domas     dogra  gehwylce  56 

wonian  and  wendan     of  woruld-ryhte  • 

Sa  he  gesette     )?urh  his  sylfes  word  > 

I      -^ 

25.  MS.  gses,tas.         46.  MS.  maetr?  (i.  e.  maetrae). 


II.       SAINT    GUTHLAC.       A.  107 

they  overcome  the  cursed  sprites;    they  gain  glory's  rest. 

Whither,  sooner  or  later,  must  a  man's  mood  aspire, 
whenas  he  would  cherish 

his  one  soul  here,  that  it  may  come  28 

to  God's  dominion,  clean  of  blemishes  1 

There  are  many  states  'neath  heaven, 
throughout  this  middle-earth,  which  rise 

into  the  number  of  the  holy;  wherefore  rightly  32 

we  may  belong  to  any  one  of  them, 
if  we  will  keep  the  commandments  holy; 
the  wise  man  may  now  enjoy  prosperity 

and  happy  times,  and  yet  be  wishful  for  36 

his  spirit's  way  hereafter.     The  world  is  stirred, 
the  love  of  Christ  cooleth,  many  temptations 
have  arisen,  throughout  this  mid  die- earth, 

even  as,  in  days  of  yore,  God's  messengers  40 

spake  in  words,  and  through  the  gift  prophetic 
declared  it  all,  as  it  is  now  befalling. 

The  glory  of  each  produce  of  the  earth  declineth, 
and  all  the  kinds  of  growth  change  from  their  beauty;  44 

the  latter  time  of  every  seed  is  now 
of  feebler  virtue  ;  wherefore  man  dare  not 
direct  his  hope  to  this  world's  mutability, 

that  it  may  bring  to  us  some  fair  delight  48 

transcending  all  the  griefs  we  now  endure, 
ere  that  all  the  creatures,,  that  in  six  days 
He  set  upon  the  earth,  shall  have  an  end, 

yea,  all  which  now  produce  their  kinds  'neath  heaven,  $j 

the  mighty  and  the  feeble.     This  middle-earth 
is  parted  in  divisions;  the  Lord  beholdelh 
where  they  abide  who  keep  His  law  ; 

He  seeth  the  judgments  which  He  fixed  56 

through  His  own  word,  fade  day  by  day, 
and  depart  from  the  justice  of  the  world  : 


108 


ii. 


SAINT    GUTHLAC.     A.       5^~^2.    [30-63.] 


he  fela  findeft     fea  beoS  gecorene  , 

sume  him  pses  hades     hlisan  willaS 

wegan  on  wordum     and  pa  weorc  ne  dotS  • . 

bitS  him  eorS-wela     ofer  pcet  ece  lif 

hyhta  hyhst     se  gehwylcum  *sceal  [*33  &.] 

fold-buendra     fremde  geweorf>an  •, 

for)?on  hy  nu  hyrwatS     haligra  mod  • 

Sa  pe  him  to  heofonum     hyge  sta)?eliaS 

witon  pat  se-e#eZ     ece  bidetS 

ealra  pa&re  mengu     pe  geond  middan-geard 

dryhtne  feowiacS     and  J>ses  deoran  ham 

wilniatS  bi  gewyrhtum     swa  fas  woruld-gestreon 

on  j?a  mseran  god     bimutad  weorfa'S  • 

ftonne  pset  gegyrnaft     )?a  pe  him  godes  egsa 

hleonaf)  ofer  heafdum     hy  py  hyhstan  beocS 

J>rymme  gef>reade     pisses  lifes 

J>urh  bibodu  bruca'S     and  pses  betran  forS 

wyscatS  and  wenaf>     wuldres  bycgaft 

sellacS  selmessan     earme  frefracS 

beoS  rtim-mode     ryhtra  gestreona  j 

lufiaS  mid  lacum     pa  pe  lses  agun  • 

dseghwam  dryhtne  feowia']?  j  he  hyra  dsede  sceawatS  • 

sume  pa.  wuniatS     on  westennum 

secaS  and  gesittaS     sylfra  willum 

hamas  on  heolstrum     hy  tSaes  heofoncundan 

boldes  bidatS  ;  oft  him  brogan  to 

laSne  geleedeS     se  pe  him  lifes  of-6nn  • 

eaweS  him  egsan     hwilum  idel  wuldor 

brsegd-wis  bona     hafa?5  bega  crseft 

eahtetS  an-buendra  <  fore  him  englas  stondaS 

gearwe  mid  gsesta  wsepnum,    beo)?  hyra  geoca  gemyndge 

healdaS  haligra  feorh     witon  hyra  hyht  mid  dryhten , 

pcet  sind  pa,  gecostan  cempan     J>a  fam  cyninge  feowa'5 

se  nsefre  pa,  lean  alegetS     pam  pe  his  lufan  adreogetS:  7 


L3P] 
60 


64 


68 
[4o] 


V 


1* 


[5o] 
80 


S4 


88 
[60] 


92 


67.  MS.  eleS.  71.  MS.  bimutatt. 

the  line  dividing  the  sections. 


92.  adreogefi,  the  only  word  on 


II.       SAINT    GUTHLAC.       A.  109 

He  shall  find  many,  few  shall  be  chosen. 

Some  desire  to  gain  their  order's  reputation  60 

by  mere  words,  but  do  not  do  the  works  ; 
earthly  wealth  is  their  highest  hope, 
above  the  life  eternal,  which  shall  be  alien 
to  every  one  now  dwelling  in  the  world;  64 

verily,  they  now  despise  the  mood  of  holy  men, 
who  fix  their  thoughts  on  heaven, 
and  know  that  that  Fatherland  bideth  eternally 
for  the  host  of  all  upon  mid-earth  68 

who  serve  the  Lord,  and  by  their  works  desire 
that  beloved  home;  so  the  treasures  of  this  world 
shall  be  transmuted  into  nobler  wealth, 

when  they  yearn  for  it,  upon  whose  heads  72 

resteth  the  fear  of  God  ;  by  that  highest  majesty 
they  are  constrained  ;  this  life  they  enjoy 
as  by  command,  and  forthwith  ever  wish  and  hope 
for  that  better  life  :    they  purchase  glory ;  76 

they  bestow  alms ;  they  comfort  the  poor ; 
they  are  liberal  of  their  just  gains; 
they  cherish  with  gifts  those  who  have  less, 
and  daily  serve  the  Lord  ;    He  beholdeth  their  deeds.  80 

Some  who  dwell  in  wildernesses, 
who  seek  and  occupy,  by  their  own  wills, 
homes  in  dark  caverns,  these  await 

the  heavenly  dwelling-place  ;  he  who  grudgeth  them  life,         84 
oft  bringeth  hateful  terror  upon  them  ; 
sometimes  he  showeth  them  horror,  sometimes  vain  glory ; 
the  wily  murderer  hath  power  of  both, 

and  harasseth  these  lonely-dwellers ;  before  them  angels  stand  88 
ready  with  their  spirits'  weapons  ;  they  are  mindful  of  their  safety  ; 
they  preserve  the  life  of  saints ;    they  know  their  hope  is  with 

the  Lord. 
These  are  the  chosen  champions  that  serve  the  King, 
who  ne'er  withholdeth  their  pay  from  thone  who  bear  Him  love.  9a 


110  II.       SAINT    GUTHLAC.     A.       93- 1 24.    [64-95.] 

[II.] 

1V/|~AGUN  we  nu  nemnan     pcet  us  neah  geweartS 

J-"-"-      f>urh  haligne     *had  gecyj>ed         [*34  a.] 

hu  guSlac  his     in  godes  willan 

mod  gerehte     man  eall  forseah  96 

eorftlic  aefelu     upp  gemunde 

ham  in  heofonum     him  wses  hyht  to  j?am  • 

sif>J?an  hine  in-lyhte     se  f>e  lifes  weg  [70] 

gaestum  gearwatS     and  him  giefe  sealde  100 

engelcunde     Ipcet  he  ana  ongan 

beorg-seJ>el  bugan     and  his  bleed  gode 

j)urh  eatSmedu     ealne  gesealde  • 

Sone  f>e  he  (5n  geogutSe     bigan  sceolde  104 

worulde  wynnum     hine  weard  biheold 

halig  of  heofonum     se  }?8et  hluttre  mod 

in  }?8es  gsestes  god     georne  trymede  • 

Hwaet  we  hyrdon  oft     poet  se  halga  wer  108 

in  )?a  serestan     seldu  gelufade  [80] 

frecnessa  fela  -  fyrst  wses  swa-}>eana 

in  godes  dome     hwonne  gutSlace 

on  his  ondgietan     engel  sealde  112 

Ipcet  him  swetSraden     synna  lustas  • 

Tid  wass  toweard     hine  twegen  ymb 

weardas  wacedon     J?a  gewin  drugon  _ 

engel  dryhtnes     and  se  atela  gaest  •  116 

nalses  hy  him  gelice     lare  baeron 

in  his  modes  gemynd     mongum  tidum  • 

of>er  him  f>as  eorfan     ealle  saegde  [90] 

lsene  under  lyfte     and  f>a  longan  gdd  120 

herede  on  heofonum     peer  haligra 

sawla  gesittaS     in  sigor-wuldre 

dryhtnes  dreamas     he  him  daeda  lean 

georne  gieldeS     J>am  f»e  his  giefe  willaS  124 

105.  MS.  wearS. 


II.       SAINT    GUTHLAC.       A.  Ill 


II. 


Now  may  we  declare  what  lately 
was  made  known  to  us  by  men  of  holy  state, 
how  Gruthlac  trained  his  mind 

unto  the  will  of  God,  despised  all  sin  96 

and  earthly  wealth,  and  turned  his  thoughts  on  high, 
unto  a  home  in  heaven;  his  hope  was  thitherward, 
from  the  day  when  He  who  dighteth  life's  way  for  souls, 
had  enlightened  him,  and  had  granted  him  100 

angelic  grace,  so  that  he  began 
to  occupy  alone  a  mountain-home,  and  gave 
in  humbleness  his  whole  life  unto  God, 

the  which,  'tis  said,  in  youth  he  spent  104 

in  pleasures  of  the  world.     Him  a  holy  guardian 
from  heaven  beheld,  who  fain  confirmed 
his  cleanly  soul  in  spiritual  goodness. 

Lo  !    we  have  often  heard  that  this  holy  man  108 

loved  in  the  earlier  period  of  his  life 
many  vicious  courses ;  nathless  there  was  a  time, 
in  God's  determining,  whenas  He  sent 

an  angel  unto  Guthlac's  mind,  112 

so  that  his  lust  for  sin  might  be  allayed. 
The  time  was  near ;  two  guardians 
watched  about  him,  who  kept  up  strife, — 

an  angel  of  the  Lord  and  the  fell  spirit.  116 

Many  times  they  brought  their  teaching, 
nowise  alike,  unto  his  mind's  remembrance  ; 
the  one  declared  to  him  that  all  this  earth 
was  transient  'neath  the  sky,  and  praised  120 

the  lasting  good  in  heaven,  where  the  souls 
of  holy  men  possess  in  glorious  triumph 
the  Lord's  delights;    gladly  He  payeth 
th.it   deeds'  reward  to  those  who  will  accept  i*4 


112  II.       SAINT    GUTHLAC.     A.       I35-I59.    [96-130.] 

f>icgan  to  police     and  him  )ms  woruld 
uttor  leetan     \>oxme  f>set  ece  lif  •  , 
Of>er  hyne  sc^hte     fset  he  sceaSena  gemot 

nihtes  sohte     and  J?urh  nefringe  128 

wunne  aefter  worulde     swa  doS  wrsec-msecgas  [IO°] 

j?a  J>e  ne  bimurnatS*     *  monnes  feore  [*34  b.] 

J?aes  \>e  him  to  honda     huf>e  gelsedetS 

butan  hy  J>y  reafe     reedan  motan  •  (  132 

Swa  hy  hine  trymedon     on  twa  healfa  • 
of>f>8et  p&s  gewinnes     weoroda  dryhten 
on  pses  engles  dom     ende  gereahte  •    . 

feond  waes  geflymed  ,  sij^am  frofre  gaest  136 

in  gutSlaces     geoce  gewunade 
lufade  hine  and  lserde     lenge  hu  geornor 

]>cet  him  leofedan     londes  wynne  [II0] 

bold  on  beorhge  ,  oft  f>ser  broga  cwom  140 

egeslic  and  uncutS     eald-feonda  niS 
searo-crseftum  swij?  .  hy  him  sylf  hyra 
onsyn  ywdon     and  J?ser  ser  fela 

setla  gesseton     j?onan  si(5  tugon  144 

wide  waSe     wuldre  byscyrede 
lyft-lacende  ^  wses  seo  londes  stow 
bimij>en  fore  monnum  •     oj}f>set  meotud  onwrah 
beorg  <5n  bear  we     £>a  se  bytla  cwom  148 

se  ]?ser  haligne     ham  areerde  •  [120] 

nales  Ipj  he  giemde     Jmrh  gitsunga 
laenes  lif-welan     ac  )?8et  lond  gode 

fsegre  gefreo]x>de     si)?J?an  feond  oferwon  152 

cristes  cempa ,    he  gecostad  wearS 
in  gemyndigra     monna  tidum  • 
Sara  ]>e  nu  gena     Jmrh  gsestlieu 

wundor  [Awie]  weortSia'S     and  his  wisdomes  156 

hlisan  healdaS     Ipmt  se  halga  f>eow 
elne  ge-eode     )>a  he  ana  gesset 

dygle  stowe  •     Saer  he  dryhtnes  lof  [130] 

153.  MS.  gecostaS.         156.  [hine]  conjectural. 


II.       SAINT    GUTHLAC.       A.  113 

His  grace  with  thanks,  and  will  suffer  all  this  world 

to  be  beyond  them  rather  than  the  life  eternal. 

The  other  egged  him  on,  that  he  should  seek  by  night 

the  meeting-place  of  robbers,  and  should  make  gain  138 

by  worldly  villainy,  as  banded  outlaws  do, 

who  care  not  for  the  life  of  any  man 

that  bringeth  plunder  to  their  hands. 

if  they  may  but  dispose  of  spoil.  13a 

Thus  on  two  sides  they  were  exhorting  him, 
until  the  Lord  of  hosts  ordained  the  ending 
of  that  contention  to  the  glory  of  the  angel. 
The  fiend  was  put  to  flight;  the  Spirit  of  comfort  136 

remained  for  Guthlac's  aid  thereafter, 

and  loved  him  and  taught  him,  the  longer  the  more  zealously, 
so  that  he  grew  enamoured  of  that  land's  charm, 
of  that  dwelling  on  the  hill.     Oft  came  there  terror,  140 

dreadful  and  strange, — the  hatred  of  those  ancient  fiends, 
strong  in  guileful  cunning;  to  Guthlac's  self  they  showed 
their  aspects;  there  had  they  erewhile  fixed 
their  many  seats,  but  thence,  cut  off  from  glory,  144 

they  had  gone  their  way,  a  journey  far  and  wide, 
hovering  through  the  air.     Hidden  from  men 
was  that  spot  of  land,  until  God  disclosed 

the  mound  within  the  grove,   when  the  builder  came,  148 

who  there  reared  up  a  holy  home, 
not  because  he  cared,  through  greediness, 
for  life's  frail  wealth,  but  that  he  might  nobly 
devote  the  land  to  God,  when  he,  Christ's  champion,  15 2 

had  overcome  the  fiends.  Tempted  was  he 
in  the  times  of  men  who  still  remember  it, 
of  men  who  even  now  still  honour  him 

for  his  hpi ritual  wonders,  and  who  preserve  156 

his  wisdom's  fame,  which  he,  the  holy  vassal, 
gained  by  his  courage,  when  all  alone  he  dwelt 
in  that  dark  place,  where  he  recited  and  extolled 

I 


114  It       SAINT    GUTHLAC.    A.       160-I89.      [131-160.] 

reahte  and  raerde  ;  oft  f>urh  reorde  abead  160 

Jjani  pe  J>rowera     J^eawas  lufedon 

godes  serendu  #   )?a  him  ga?st  onwrah 

lifes  snyttru     Ipsdt  he  his  lic-homan 

wynna  forwyrnde     and  woruld-blissu  164 

seftra  setla     and  symbel-daga 

swylce  eac  idelra     eagena  wynna 

gierelan  gielp-*lices  .  him  wass  godes  egsa         [*35  a.] 

mara  in  gemyndum     Iponne  he  menniscum  168 

prjmme  setter  J>once     f»egan  wolde  :  7  : —  [140] 


[in.] 

/^OD  wees  guSlac,   he  in  gaeste  baer 

"      heofoncundne  hyht     hselu  gereehte 

ecan  lifes  x  him  waes  engel  neah  172 

faele  freotSu-weard     jmm  pe  feara  sum 

mearc-lond  gesa3t ,  peer  he  mongum  weartS 

bysen  on  brytene     si]?J>an  biorg  gestah 

eadig  oretta     and-wiges  heard  176 

gyrede  hine  georne     mid  gsestlicum  waepnum   , 

wong  bletsade*  t  t 

Him  to  eet-stselle     asrest  arserde  •  [I5°] 

cristes  rode     feer  se  eempa  oferwon  180 

frecnessa  fela     frome  wurduw  monge 

godes  J?rowera  ■  we  J>ses  guftlaee 

deorwyrftne  deel     dryhtne  cenna'5- 

he  him  sige  sealde     and  snyttru-crseft  184 

mundbyrd  meahta     Iponne  mengu  cwom 

feonda  fser-scytum     fsehtSe  raeran  ) 

ne  meahton  hy  asfeste     an   forlsetan 

ac  to  guftlaces     gseste  gelaeddun  188 

frasunga  fela     him  wses  fultum  neah    J  [160] 

162.  MS.  serendS  (i.  e.  aerendu).  169.  One  line  space  between  the  sections. 
178.  The  scribe  has  evidently  omitted  half  the  line;  there  is  no.  indication  of 
this  in  the  MS.       18 1.  MS.  wurdum. 


II.       SAINT    GUTHLAC.       A.  115 

the  praises  of  the  Lord.     Oft  he  announced,  160 

by  word,  God's  errand,  unto  those  who  loved 

the  ways  of  martyrs,  when  the  Spirit  had  revealed 

life's  wisdom  unto  him,  so  that  he  withheld 

his  body  from  delights  and  worldly  joys,  164 

from  downy  seats  and  festive  days, 

yea,  from  the  idle  pleasures  of  the  eye, 

and  from   all  pompous  garb;    the  fear  of  God 

was  too  great  in  his  mind  for  him  to  deign  168 

to  welcome  human  grandeur  thankfully. 

III. 

Guthlac  was  good  ;    he  bore  within  his  soul 
the  heavenly  hope,  and  strove  for  the  salvation 
of  eternal  life.     Nigh  him  was  an  angel,  172 

a  faithful  guardian  of  his  peace,  who,  one  of  few, 
inhabited  that  march-land.     There  the  blissful  champion, 
the  bold  in  fight,  was  an  example 

for  many  men  in  Britain,  when  he  had  176 

mounted  that  hill  and  had  prepared  him  zealously 
with  spiritual  weapons.     He  blessed  the  plain; 
but  first  he  raised  aloft  Christ's  cross 

to  mark  his  station ;    there  the  champion  overcame  180 

divers  perils  ;   many  of  God's  martyrs 
grew  valiant  there  ;    wherefore  we  ascribe 
(lutlilac's  dearworth  lot  unto  the  Lord. 

He  gave  him  victory,  and  wisdom's  craft,  184 

and  might's  protection,  when  many  foes 
came  with   their  Hidden  darts  to  raise  up  strife; 
th.  v  could  not  wholly  leave  their  hate, 

but  led  forth  unto  Guthlac's  spirit  «88 

temptations  many  :    support  was  nigh  to  him  ; 

I   2 


116  It.       SAINT    GUTHLAC.     A.      I9O-223.    [161-194.J 

engel  hine  elne  trymede     Iponne  hy  him  yrre  hweopan  » 

frecne  fyres  wylme     stodan  him  on  feSe-hwearfura 

cwaedon  feet  he  on  fam  beorge     byrnan  sceolde  192 

and  his  lic-homan     lig  forswelgan 

faet  his  earfejm     eal  gelumpe 

mod-cearu  msegum     gif  he  monna  dream 

of  J?am  orlege     eft  ne  wolde  196 

sylfa  gesecan     and  his  sibbe  ryht 

mid  mon-cynne  •     *maran  craefte  [*35  &.] 

willum  bewitigan     lsetan  wreece  stille  ♦  [!7°] 

Swa  him  yrsade     se  for  ealle  spraec  200 

feonda  mengu  j  no  f>y  forhtra  waes 

guSlaces  gsest     ac  him  god  sealde 

ellen  wif  J?am  egsan     fset  fees  eald-feondes 

scyldigra  scolu     scome  J>rowedon  • .  204 

waeron  teon-smiSas     tornes  fulle  , 

cwsedon  pcet  him  gutSlac     eac  gode  sylfum 

earfefa  meest     ana  gefremede  •  ^ 

sibjmn  he  for  wlence     on  westenne  208 

beorgas  braece     J?ser  hy  bidinge  [l8°] 

earme  and-sacsm     seror  mostmi 

aefter  tintergum     tidum  brucan  ■ 

ISoirne  hy  of  wafum  . .   werge  cwoman  212 

restan  ryne-J>ragum     rowe  gefegon 

wses  him  seo  gelyfed     f>urh  lytel  faec  , 

stod  seo  dygle  stow     dryhtne  in  gemyndum 

idel  and  semen     efel-riehte  feor  •  216 

bad  bissece     betran  hyrdes  , 

to  f>on  eald-feondas     ondan  noman  • 

swa  hi  singales     sorge  dreogatS   •  [19°] 

ne  motun  hi  on  eor]?an     eardes  brucan  220 

ne  hy  lyft  swefeft     in  leoma  lsestum 

ac  hy  hleo-lease     hama  folia's 

in  cearum  cwifatS     cwealmes  wiscatS  . 

209.  MS.  he.  210.  MS.  mostum. 


II.       SAINT    GUTHLAC.       A.  117 

the    angel    strengthened    him    with    courage,   when    angrily   they 

threatened  him  ; 
when,  audacious  with  fire's  heat,  they  stood  in  crowds  about  him. 
They  said  that  lie  should  burn  upon  that  hill,  192 

that  flame  should  all  devour  his  flesh, 
that  all  his  troubles  and  his  miseries 
should  fall  upon  his  kindred,  if  he  himself 

would  not  seek  again  the  joys  of  men  196 

away  from  that  contention,  and  with  good  will 
and  better  craft  discharge  the  claims  of  kin, 
in  the  midst  of  men,  and  let  that  strife  alone. 

Thus  he  who  spake  for  all  that  host  of  foes  200 

provoked  him  ;    none  the  more  adread 
was  Guthlac's  soul,  but  God  granted  him 
strength  to  meet  that  terror,   so  that  the  guilty  shoal, 
the  old  adversary's  host,  suffered  shame ;  204 

the  harm-contrivers  were  then  full  of  wrath  ; 
they  said  that,  besides  God,  Guthlac,  all  alone  there, 
had  caused  them   greatest  hardship, 

ever  since,  in  pride,  he  had  penetrated  208 

the  hills  in  that  waste-land,   where  formerly  they, 
the  vile  apostates,  could  at  times  enjoy 
repose  after  their  direful  torments, 

when,  aweary  of  their  wanderings,  they  came  21a 

to  rest  there  a  short  hour;    they  joyed  in  the  rest 
that  was  granted  to  them  for  a  little  space. 

The  secret  spot,  far  from  all  patrial  rights, 
void  and  desolate,  stood  in  the  Lord's  remembrance,  216 

and  awaited  the  coming  of  a  better  keeper. 
Therefore  those  ancient  foes  took  umbrage, 
for  they  must  now  bear  sorrow  endlessly : 

neither  may  they  enjoy  a  dwelling  on  the  earth,  220 

nor  doth  air  lull  them  for  their  limbs'  repose, 
but  shelterless  they  yearn  for  homes, 
and  grievously  lament,  and  wish  for  death  ; 


118  II.       SAINT    GUTHLAC.     A.      224-257.      [195-228.] 

willen  f>eet  him  dryhten     Jmrh  deatSes  cwealm  124 

to  hyra  earfetSa     ende  geryme  • 

ne  mostun  hy  gutSlaces     gseste  scef>f>an 

ne  Jmrh  sar-slege     sawle  gedselan 

wi(5  lic-homan     ac  hy  lige-searwum  228 

ahofun  hearm-stafas  •    hleahtor  alegdon  •  [200] 

sorge  seofedon     j?a  hi  switSra  oferstag 

weard  on  wonge  j  sceoldon  wrsec-maecgas 

ofgiefan  gnornende     grene  beorgas  1  23a 

hwaefre  hy  f>a  *gena     godes  andsacan         [*  36  a.] 

ssegdon  sar-stafum     svvife  geheton 

pest  he  deajm  gedal     dreogan  sceolde 

gif  he  leng  bide     la]?ran  gemotes-  236 

hwonne  hy  mid  mengu     maran  cwome 

jm  pe  for  his  life     lyt  sorgedon  •  , 

guSlac  him  ongean  Jringode  .  cwfletS  f>aet  hy  gielpan  ne  J?orftan  [210] 

dsedum  witS  dryhtnes  meahtum «   f>eah  pe  ge  me  deatS  gehaten     240 

mec  wile  wi5  J?am  nijmm  genergan  se  pe  eowrum  nydum  wealdeft. 

An  is  telmihtig  god     se  mec  meeg  eatSe  gescyldan 

he  min  feorg  freojmcS     ic  eow  fela  wille 

sofa  gesecgan  .  mseg  ic  f>is  setl  on  eow  244 

butan  earfeftum     ana  ge^ringan  • 

Ne  earn  ic  swa  fealog     swa  ic  eow  fore   stonde 

monna  weorudes     ac  me  mara  dsel 

in  godeundum     gsest-gerynum  248 

wunatS  and  weaxecS     se  me  wraj?e  healdetS  -  [220] 

ic  me  anum  her     eatSe  getimbre 

hus  and  hleonatS     me  on  heofonum  sind 

lare  gelonge  -  mec  p&s  lyt  tweoj?  252 

J?a3t  me  engel  to     ealle  gelsedeS 

spowende  sped     spreca  and  dseda  • t 

gewita"S  nu  awyrgde     werig-mode 

from  Jrissum  earde     pe  ge  her  on  stondaS  j  256 

fleotS  on  feor-weg  ,  ic  me  fricS  wille 

245.  MS.  gedringan. 


II.       SAINT    GUTHLAC.       A,  119 

fain  would  they  that  the  Lord  would  make  for  them  224 

an  ending  to  their  hardships  by  death's  pang. 

They  might  not  injure  Guthlac's  spirit, 
nor,  by  any  baleful  wound,  part  soul 

from  body,  but  by  their  lying  arts  228 

they  raised  up  mischiefs.     They  gave  up  laughter, 
they  sighed  with  sorrow,  when  in  that  plain 
a  stronger  guardian  had  o'ercome  them  ;  doomed  were  the  wretched 

outcasts  then 
to  leave  those  green  hills,   sorrowing  the  while  ;  232 

nathless  still,  in  grievous  wise,  spake  they, 
God's  adversaries,  and  vehemently  threatened, 
that  he  should  bear  the  throes  of  many  deaths, 
if  he  abode  there  longer  for  a  sorrier  meeting,  236 

when  they  would  come  with  mightier  multitude, 
who  would  care  little  for  his  life. 

Guthlac  replied  to  them;    he  said,  they  need  not  vaunt 
their  deeds  against  the   power    of   the    Lord;    'though  ye  have 

promised  death  to  me,  240 

He  who  ordaineth  your  plight,  will  save  me  from  your  hate. 
There  is  one  Almighty  God  who  can  easily  shield  me  ; 
He  will  protect  my  life.     Fain  would  I  tell  you 
many  truths  ;  without  trouble,  all  alone,  244 

I  can  forcibly  maintain  this  seat  amidst  you. 
I  am  not  so  destitute,  as  I  stand  before  you, 
void  o£  a  host  of  men  ;    but  in  me  a  larger  power, 
fraught  with  spiritual  mysteries  divine,  248 

abideth  and  groweth,  which  keepeth  me  with  its  stay. 
I  shall  easily  build  for  me  here  alone 
a  house  and  resting-place;    my  instruction 

is  in  heaven's  gift;  wherefore  I  doubt  but  little,  253 

that  an  angel  will  bring  to  me,  in  word 
and  deed,  all  prosperous  success. 
Depart  now,  ye  accursed,  ye  weary  souls, 

from  this  place  whereon  ye  stand  156 

flee   far  away;    for   myself   f    fain    ileMiv 


120  II.      SAINT   GUTHLAC.     A.      258-287.       [229-258.] 

eet  gode  gegyrnan  .  ne  sceal  min  gaest  mid  eow 
gedwolan  dreogan     ac  mec  dryhtnes  hond  [230] 

mundatS  mid  msegne  .  her  sceal  min  wesan  260 

eortSlic  elpel .  nales  eower  leng :  7 


\  [iv.] 

T\A  weartS  breahtm  hsefen  <  beorg  ymb-stodan 

•U     hwearfum  wrsec-msecgas  -  woS  up  astag 

cearfulra  cirm  .  cleopedon  •   *monige         [*36  b.~\  264 

feonda  fore-sprecan  •    firenum  vgulpon  • 

oft  we  ofersegon     be  seem  tweonura 

J?eoda  J?eawas     J^rsece  modigra 

)mra  pe  in  gelimpe     life  weoldon  •  268 

no  we  oferhygdu     anes  monnes  [24°] 

geond  middan-geard     maran  fundon  «, .. 

ou  J>set  gehatest     £>8et  "Su  ham  ontus 

gegan  wille     eart  Se  godes  yrming  •  *,  272 

7 
bi  hwon  scealt  pu  lifgari     J?eah  jm  lond  age   • 

ne  pec  mon  hider     mose  fedetS  •  ; 

beotS  pe  hungor  and  Jmrst     hearde  gewinnan 

gif  pn  gewitest  swa  wilde  aeor  276 

ana  from  epele  <  nis  Ipset  onginn  wiht  • , 

geswic  pisses  setles)    ne  mseg  pec  sellan  rsed 

mon  gelaeran     ponne  )?eos  mengu  eall  • .  [25°] 

we  pe  beoS  holde     gif  f>u  us  hyran  wilt  280 

oJ?f  e  J»ec  ungearo     eft  gesecatS 

maran  msegne     p2et  pe  mon  ne  J)earf 

hondum  hrinan     ne  J>in  bra  feallan 

wsepna  wundum  •  1  we  J>as  wic  magun  284 

fotum  afyllan     folc  in  SricetS  • 

meara  f>reatum  •     and  mon-farum  • 

beotS  J?a  gebolgne     ]m  J?ec  breodwiatS 

261.  -les  eower  leng :    the   only  words  on  the  line   dividing  the  sections. 
269.  MS.  J>e.      271.  MS.  hus.      285.  MS.  inSri  ce%  with  an  erasure  between. 


II.       SAINT    GUTHLAC.       A.  121 

peace  with  God.     My  soul  shall  not 

endure  error  in  your  midst,  but  the  Lord's  hand 

will  protect  me  with  its  might;  here  shall  be  260 

my  earthly  home;  it  is  yours  no  longer/ 


IV. 

\ 

Then  a  noise  was  raised ;  around  the  hill  in  crowds 
the  outcasts  stood ;  a  shout  ascended, 

the  cry  of  the  wretched ;  there  clamoured  many  a  one,  264 

spokesmen  of  the  fiends ;  wickedly  they  boasted  : — 

1  Oft  have  we  observed  the  ways  of  folks 
between  the  seas,  the  boldness  of  the  proud, 
of  those  who  held  their  life  in  changeful  state  ;  268 

we  have  not#  found,  throughout  this  middle-earth, 
greater  arrogance  in  any  single  man. 
Thou  that  dost  threaten  that  thou  wilt  win  - 
a  home  among  us — thou  art  God's  starveling:  272 

whereby  art  thou  to  live,  though  thou  possess  the  land  1 
Not  any  man  will  hither  bring  thee  food; 
hunger  and  thirst  will  be  hard  foes  for  thee, 
if  thou  withdrawest,  like  the  wild  beasts  do,  276 

all  solitary  from  thy  home :  that  resolve  is  naught. 
Quit  this  abode ;  not  any  one  can  teach  thee 
better  rede  than  all  this  multitude: 

we  will  be  kind  to  thee,  if  thou  wilt  hear  us ;  280 

else  will  we  seek  thee,  unprepared,  again, 
with  greater  force,  so  that  none  shall  need 
touch  thee  with  his  hands,  nor  need  thy  carcass  fall 
by  wounds  of  weapons;  with  our  feet  shall  we  be  able  284 

to  lay  low  this  dwelling;  folk  shall  press  in 
with  their  troops  of  horse  and  moving  bands  of  men. 
Then  they  who  lay  thee  low  will  be  enraged ; 


122 


II.       SAINT    GUTHLAC.     A.      288-322.       [259-293.] 


tredacS  J?ec  and  tergal  and  hyra  torn  wrecaS  288 

to-beratS  pec  blodgum  lastum  .  gif  f>u  ure  bidan  f>encest  •    [260] 

we  pec  nij?a  gensegaS     ongin  pe  generes  wilnian, 

far  ]?8er  &u  freonda  wene     gif  (5u  }nnes  feores  recce  • 

gearo  wses  guSlac     hine  god  fremede  292 

on  ondsware     and  on  elne  strong  . 

ne  wond  he  for  worde     ac  his  wif>er-breocum 

sorge  gesaegde     cutSe  him  sotS  genog  ■ 

wic£  is  pes  westen  ,  wreec-setla  fela  296 

eardas  onhgele     earmra  gsesta  < 

sindon  Weer-logan     pe  p&  *wic  buga<5  •  ■    [*37  a.] 

f>eah  ge  pa  ealle     ut  abanne  [270] 

and  eow  eac  gewyrce     widor-ssece  300 

ge  her  ateotS     in  f>a  torn-wrsece 

sigeleasne  siS*  no  ic  eow  sweord  ongean 

mid  gebolgne  hond     oSberan  f>ence 

worulde  waepen     ne  sceal  J?es  wong  gode  304 

f»urh  blod-gyte     gebuen  weorSan  • 

ac  ic  minum  criste     cweman  f>ence 

leofran  lace,  *nu  ic  f>is  lond  gestag. 

fela  ge  me  ear  da     jmrh  idel  word  308 

aboden  habbacS .  nis  min  breost-sefa  [280] 

forht  ne  ftege     ac  me  friSe  healdeS 

ofer  monna  cyn     se  pe  msegna  gehwses 

weorcum  wealdecS  •     nis  me  wiht  set  eow  312 

leofes  gelong     ne  ge  me  laj>es  wiht 

gedon  motun     ic  eom  dryhtnes  J^eow  • 

he  mec  Jmrh  engel "  oft  afrefreft  •  ■ 

forfton  mec  longef>as     lyt  gegretatS  316 

sorge  sealdun  x  nu  mec  sawel-cund 

hyrde  bihealdeS'    is  min  hyht  mid  god « y 

ne  ic  me  eor$-welan     owiht  sinne  [29°] 

ne  me  mid  mode     micles  gyrne  320 

ac  me  dogra  gehwam     dryhten  send  eft 

}?urh  monnes  hond     mine  £>earfe  • 

296.  MB.  wiS.       299.  MS.  abunne. 


II.       SAINT    GUTHLAC.       A.  123 

they  will  tread  thee,  and  tear  thee,  and  wreak  their  wrath,   288 
and  bear  thee  off  with  bloody  tracks  :  if  thou  thinkest  to  await  us, 
evilly  shall  we  assail  thee.     Resolve  to  wish  thy  safety ; 
go  where  thou  mayst  hope  for  friends,  if  thou  reck  for  thy  life.' 

G-uthlac  was  ready;  God  made  him  292 

strong  for  answering,  and  strong  in  courage ; 
he  flinched  not  at  their  words,  but  uttered  sorrows 
for  his  adversaries  ;  he  knew  truth  well  enough. 

*  Wide  is  this  waste  ;  its  exile-seats  are  many,  296 

hidden  homes  of  miserable  sprites  ; 
perfidious  ones  are  they  that  hold  these  seats ; 
though  ye  call  forth  all  of  them  to  your  aid, 
and  make  your  warfare  even  more  extended,  300 

ye  shall  here,  in  your  fierce  vengeance,  undertake 
a  baffled  enterprise.     I  purpose  not 
to  bear  'gainst  you,  with  wrathful  hand, 

a  sword,  a  worldly  weapon,  nor  shall  this  plain  304 

be  consecrated  unto  God  by  bloodshed, 
but  I  purpose  to  please  my  Saviour 

with  a  dearer  gift.     Now  that  I  have  reached  this  land, 
many  dwelling-places,  in  idle  words,  308 

have  ye  offered  unto  me ;  my  breast  is  not  afeard, 
nor  faint,  for  He  who  holdeth  active  sway 
o'er  every  power,  keepeth  me  in  peace, 

more  than  all  mankind.     No  friendship  is  in  me  312 

towards  you,  nor  can  ye  effect  aught  hostile 
against  me ;  I  am  a  servant  of  the  Lord, 
and  by  His  angel  He  oft  comforteth  me ; 

wherefore  longings  visit  me  but  little,  316 

sorrows  seldom.     Now  a  spiritual  shepherd 
guardeth  me  ;  my  hope  is  with  God. 
I  care  naught  for  earthly  wealth, 

nor  earnestly  desire  I  much  for  me,  320 

but  each  day,  by  the  hand  of  man, 
God  sendeth  me  my  need.' 


124         II.       SAINT    GUTHLAC.     A.      323-358.       [294-329.] 

Swa  modgade     se  wiS  mongum  stod 

awrefted  weorSlice     wuldres  cempa  324 

engla  meegne  v  gewat  eal  j?onan 

feonda  mengu     ne  wees  se  fyrst  mioel 

pe  hi  guftlace     forgiefan  J>ohtan  • 

He  wees  on  elne     and  on  eacS-medum  »  328 

bad  on  beorge     wees  him  botles  neod  «  [3co] 

for-let  longe]?as     leenra  dreama 

no  he  hine  wio*  monna     miltse  gedeelde 

ac  gesynta  beed     sawla  gehwylcre  332 

porme  he  to  eorSan     on  jmm  anade 

hleor  *onhylde     him  of  heofonum  wearS     [*37  &.] 

onbryrded  breost-sefa     blitSe  geeste  • 

oft  eahtade  I  wees  him  engel  neali  336 

hu  Jnsse  worulde     wynna  porite 

mid  his  lic-homan     leesast  brucan  •, 

no  him  fore  egsan     earmra  geesta  [310] 

treow  getweode  .  ne  he  tid  forseet  340 

j>ees  pe  he  for  his  dryhtne     dreogan  sceolde 

f>eet  hine  eereste     elne  binoman 

sleepa  sluman     olplpe  seene  mod  • 

BWa  sceal  oretta     a  in  his  mode  344 

gode  compian     and  his  geest  beran 

oft  on  ondan     )?am  pe  eahtan  wile 

sawla  gehwylcre     pser  he  gesselan  meeg » 

Symle  hy  gutSlac     in  godes  willan  348 

fromne  fundon     porme  flyge-reowe  [320] 

J?urh  nihta  genipu  •     neosan  cwoman 

pa,  pe  onheele     eardas  weredon  • 

hwee)?ere  him  )?ees  wonges     wyn  swecSrade  ,  352 

woldun  £>eet  him  to  mode     fore  mon-lufan 

sorg  gesohte     j?eet  he  si)?  tuge 

eft  to  ef>le  .   ne  wees  ]?eet  ongin  swylc  • 

"Sonne  hine  engel     on  Jmm  anade  356 

geornast  grette     and  him  giefe  sealde 

j^eet  hine  ne  meahte     meotudes  willan 


II.       SAINT    GUTHLAC       A.  125 

Thus  exulted  he,  the  glorious  champion, 
who  stood  'gainst  many,  nobly  sustained  324 

by  angels'  might.     Thence  departed 

all  the  multitude  of  foes,  though  the  respite  was  not  long, 
that  they  were  purposing  to  grant  to  Guthlac. 

He  was  in  strength  and  in  humility  ;  328 

he  tarried  on  that  mount ;    he  cherished  that  abode ; 
though  he  had  renounced  desire  of  transient  joys, 
he  severed  not  himself  from  kindness  towards  men, 
but  prayed  for  the  prosperity  of  every  soul,  332 

when  in  that  solitude  he  bowed 
his  face  to  earth  :  from  heaven  his  inmost  soul 
was  stirred  by  a  benignant  spirit. 

Oft  he  meditated,  (an  angel  was  near  him),  336 

how  he  might  least  enjoy  with  his  body 
the  pleasures  of  this  world; 
his  faith  faltered  not  for  dread 

of  wretched  sprites ;  ne'er  deferred  he  the  hour  340 

wherein  he  was  to  suffer  for  his  Lord, 
lest  sleep's  slumber  or  a  sluggish  mood 
might  wrest  from  him  his  power  of  rising. 

So  must  a  champion  ever,  in  his  soul,  344 

fight  for  God,  and  oft-times  bear  his  spirit 
in  hate  'gainst  him  who  fain  would  harass 
every  soul,  whenever  he  may  bind  it. 

Ever  found  they  Guthlac  steadfast  348 

in  God's  will,  when  in  flight  those  cruel  ones, 
who  inhabited  the  secret  habitations, 
came  through  the  clouds  of  night  to  learn 

whether  his  delight  in  that  plain  had  lessened.  352 

They  wished  that  a  longing  for  human  love 
would  touch  his  mind,  that  he  would  journey 
unto  his  home  again  ;  such  was  not  his  thought, 
when  in  that  solitude  an  angel  356 

greeted  him  full  fervently  and  gave  him  grace, 
so  that  desire  might  not  hinder  him 


126         II.       SAINT    GUTHLAC.     A.      359-388.       [330-359.] 

longatS  gelettan     ac  he  011  j>ses  lareowes  [330] 

wsere  gewunade     oft  worde  bicwaeft  160 

huru  )?aes  bihofaft     se  t5e  him  halig  gaest 

wisaft  on  willan     and  his  weorc  trymatS 

lafatS  hine  libum  wordum     gehateS  him  lifes  raeste 

)?aet  he  faes  latteowes     larum  hyre-  364 

ne  lete  him  eald-feond     eft  oncyrran 

mod  from  his  meotude  •  ,  Hu  sceal  min  cuman 

gaest  to  geoce     nemne  ic  gode  sylle 

hyrsumne  hige     baet  him  heortan  gej?onc  •  ft  368 

*  aer  oJ?}>e  sitS     ende  geweorSe     [*  38  a.]  [340] 

j^set  ge  mec  to  wundre     wsegan  motun  , 

ne  maeg  min  lic-homa     witS  f>as  laenan  gesceaft 

deatS  gedaelan     ac  he  gedreosan  sceal  372 

swa  J>eos  eor<5e  eall     pe  ic  her  on  stonde  •, 

Sean  ge  minne  flses[c]-homan     fyres  wylme 

forgripen  grom-hydge     gifran  lege  • 

naefre  ge  mec  of  J?issum  wordum  onwendacS      J>endan  mec  min 

gewit  gelaestetS  ¥  376 

f>eah  pe   ge    hine    sarum    forsaecen      ne    motan    ge    mine    sawle 

gretan 
ac  ge  on  betran  gebringaS     fortSan  ic  gebidan  wille 
J333S  pe  me  min  dryhten  demecS     nis  me  pees  deaj^es  sorg  •  [350] 
(5eah  min  ban  and  blod     butu  geweorfen  380 

eorj^an  to  eacan     min  se  eca  dael 
in  gefean  farecS     peer  he  faegran 
botles  brucetS ,  nis  pisses  beorges  setl 

meodumre  ne  mara     ponne  hit  men  duge  384 

se  pe  in  f»rowingum     feodnes  willan 
daeghwam  dreogetS     ne  sceal  se  dryhtnes  f>eow 
in  his  mod-sefan     mare  gelufian 
eorjmn  aeht-welan     f>onne  his  anes  gemet  388 

363.  MS.  reste  (i.e.  raeste).  368.  A  leaf  apparently  is  wanting  after 

ge])onc ;  judging  by  the  strip  of  parchment  still  left,  it  must  have  been  cut  out 
by  a  very  clumsy  hand.         370.  MS.  wggan  (i.e.  waegan).  374.   MS.  flaes- 

homan.         384.  MS.  buge. 


II.       SAINT    GUTHLAC.       A.  127 

in  the  Creator's  will ;  but  in  his  teacher  s 

covenant  he  abode,  and  oft  by  word  addressed  him.  360 

1  Verily  it  behoveth  him  whom  the  holy  Spirit 
leadeth  into  joy,  and  whose  work  He  strengthened, 
whom  He  inviteth  with  kindly  words,  and  whom  He   promiseth 

life's  rest, 
that  he  obey  his  guide's  instructions,  364 

and  suffer  not  the  ancient  fiend  to  turn 
his  mind  from  his  Creator.     How  shall  my  soul 
come  to  salvation,  save  I  give  to  God 

a  mind  obedient,  so  that  my  heart's  thoughts  (please)  Him  1 . .  '  368 
.   .   .  .  'that  sooner  or  later  there  may  be  an  end 
to  your  power  to  move  me  in  this  wondrous  wise. 
My  body,  in  face  of  all  this  frail  creation, 

cannot  escape  death,  but  it  must  fall,  372 

as  must  all  this  earth  that  I  here  stand  upon. 
Though,  cruel-hearted,  ye  assail  my  flesh  «#■ 

with  fire's  heat  and  with  greedy  flame, 
never    shall    ye    turn    me    from    these    words,    while    my   mind 

availeth  me;  376 

though  ye  may  sorely  afflict  that,  ye  cannot  touch  my  soul, 
but    ye    will    bring    it   to    a    better    world ;    wherefore    I   will 

await 
whatsoe'er  my  Lord  adjudgeth  me;    I  have  no  grief  at  death; 
though  my  bones  and  blood  both  serve  380 

for  earth's  increase,  yet  my  eternal  part 
shall  journey  into  bliss,  where  it  shall  enjoy 
a  fair  abode.     This  mountain-dwelling 

is  neither  lowlier  nor  more  exalted  than  befitteth  384 

a  man  who  daily  endureth  his  Sovereign's  will 
'mid  suffering;    nor  must  the  servant  of  the  Lord 
love  in  his  soul  more  of  earth's  possessions 
than  a  sufficiency  for  himself  alone,  388 


128         II.      SAINT    GUTHLAC.    A.      389-418.      [360-389.] 

Jjset  he  his  lic-homan     lade  hsebbe  •  ,  [360] 

Da  wses  eft  swa  ser     eald-feonda  niS 
wroht  onwylled  •  woti  o)?er  [peer] 

ne  lyt-hwon  leoftode     £onne  in  lyft  astag  392 

cear-gesta  cirm  •  ,  syinle  cristes  lof 
-Ar    in  gu&laces     godum  mode 

weox  and  wunade     and  hine  weoruda  god 

freotSade  on  foldan     swa  he  feora  gehwyle  396 

healdeS  in  hselo     f>ser  se  hyra  gsest 

f>ihtS  in  J>eawuin.   he  wses  ]?eara  sum-  . 

ne  won  he  *  sefter  worulde     ac  he  in  wuldre  ahof         [*38  &.] 

modes  Wynne N  hwyle  wses  mara  J>onne  400 

se  an  oretta     ussum  tidum  [372] 

cempa  gecyfted     J?set  him  crist  fore 

woruldlicra  ma     wundra  gecySde :  7 

[V] 

HE  hine  scilde     wiS  sceSf>en[dJra  ■  404 

eglum  onfengum     earmra  gsesta  • 
wseron  hy  reowe     to  raesanne 
gifrura  grapum  •  ,  no  god  wolde 

j?set  seo  sawl     J>ses  sar  f>rowade  408 

in  lic-homan.  lyfde  se  feana  [38°] 

}?aet  hy  him  mid  hondum     hrinan  mosten 
and  ]>cet  fritS  witS  hy     gefreojmd  wsere  •, 

Hy  hine  J>a  hofun     on  J?a  hean  lyft  .412 

sealdon  him  meahte     ofer  monna  cynn 
j?set  he  fore  eagum     eall  sceawode 
under  haligra     hyrda  gewealdum 

in  mynsteruin     monna  gebseru  •  .416 

]?ara  fe  hyra  lifes     J?urh  lust  brucan 
idlum  sehtum     and  ofer-wlencum 

391.  MS.  onwylleS.  MS.  soS.  [peer]  conjectural;  added  for  metrical 
reasons.  402.  MS.  gecySeS.  403.  gecySde,  the  only  word  on  the  line 
dividing  the  sections.       404.  MS.  sceSjjem-a.      405.  MS.  onfengum  {i.e.  um). 


II.       SAINT    GUTHLAC.       A.  129 

that  he  may  have  his  body's  sustenance/ 

Then  again,  as  erewhile,  the  old  fiends'  hate 
and  strife  waxed  hot :    a  second  cry, 

no  feeble  one,  resounded,  when  the  wail  392 

of  the  troubled  spirits  rose  aloft.     In  the  goodly  mind 
of  Guthlac  evermore  Christ's  praise 
waxed  and  abode,  and  him  the  God  of  hosts 
protected  on  earth,  as  He  preserveth  unto  salvation  396 

every  soul  wherein  the  higher  life 
thriveth  in  virtue.     Guthlac  was  one  of  these; 
he  strove  not  for  the  world,  but  set  his  mind's  delight 
on  the  glory  above.     What  man  was  greater  than  he,  400 

the  one  hero,  the  one  champion, 
known  in  our  times,  so  that,  on  his  behalf, 
Christ  showed  forth  more  wonders  in  this  world  ? 

V. 

He  shielded  him  against  the  dire  designs  404 

of  all  those  hurtful  miserable  sprites  ; 
fiercely  eager  were  they  to  rush  upon  him  violently 
with  greedy  clutches.     God  was  not  willing 
that  the  soul  should  suffer  so  much  pain  408 

within  the  body ;    yet  he  permitted 
that  they  might  touch  him  with  their  hands, 
and  that  His  peace  should  nathless  be  maintained  towards  them. 
Then  they  raised  him  into  the  lofty  air,  41a 

and  gave  him  might  above  the  race  of  men, 
so  that  he  beheld  fully  before  his  eyes 
the  habits  of  those  men  in  monasteries, 

beneath  the  sway  of  holy  guardians,  416 

who  spent   tlieir  life  in  pleasure, 
in  vain  possessions,  and  exceeding  pomp, 

K 


130         II.       SAINT    GUTHLAC.       A.       4 1 9-452.    [390-423.] 

gierelum  gielplicum     swa  bi5  geoguSe  |?eaw  [39°] 

f>aer  pses  ealdres     egsa  ne  styreS-  v  420 

No  \>er  J?a  feondas     gefeon  forfton 

ac  j?aes  blsedes  hraSe     gebrocen  haefdon 

J»e  him  alyfed  wees     lytle  hwile 

J?set  hy  his  lic-homan     leng  ne  mostan  424 

witum  weelan     ne  him  wiht  gescod 

j?aes  f>e  hy  him  to  teonan     jmrh-togen  haefdon-  % 

laeddun  hine  fa  of  lyfte     to  jram  leofestan 

earde  on  eorSan     J?aet  he  eft  gestag  428 

beorg  on  bearwe  (  bonan  gnornedon  [400] 

maendon  murnende     \>&[t]  hy  monnes  beam 

fjream  oferjwnge     and  swa  f>earfendlic 

him  to  earfetSum  •     *ana  cwome        [*39  a.]  432 

gif  hy  him  ne  meahte     maran  sarum 

gyldan  gyrn-wraece-     gutSlac  sette 

hyht  in  heofonas     haelu  getreowde 

haefde  feonda  feng     feore  gedyged   •  436 

waes  seo  aereste     earmra  gaesta 

costung  ofercumen^   cempa  wunade 

blij>e  on  beorge     waes  his  blaed  mid  god^  [410] 

Suhte  him  on  mode     ]?aet  se  mon-cynnes  440 

eadig  waere     sepe  his  anum  her 

feore  gefreotSade     J>aet  him  feondes  hond 

aet  J?am  ytmestan     ende  ne  scode 

J>onne  him  se  dryhtnes     dom  wisade  444 

to  J>am  nyhstan     nyd-gedale  •    , 

hwaefre  him  f>a  gena     gyrna  gemyndge  * 

edwit-sprecan     ermjm  geheton 

tornum  teon-cwidum  ■  treow  waes  gecyfed  448 

j?aette  guolace     god  leanode  [420] 

ellen  mid  arum     ]?aet  he  ana  gewon  •  t 

Him  se  werga  gaest     wordum  saegde 

no  we  f>e  J?us  swiSe     swencan  j?orftan  452 

430.  MS.  pse. 


II.       SAINT    GUTHLAC.       A.  131 

and  proud  array,  as  is  the  wont  of  youth, 

when  no  fear  of  an  elder  checketh  it.  420 

Not  at  that  time  then  might  the  fiends  rejoice, 

but  quickly  had  they  spent  the  bliss, 

which  was  granted  them  for  but  a  little  while, 

so  that  they  might  no  longer  wound  his  body  424 

with  torments,  nor  did  aught  injure  him 

of  what  they  had  accomplished  for  his  vexation. 

They  led  him  then  from  the  air  to  that  dearest  home 

on  earth,  so  that  he  reached  again  428 

the  hill  within  the  grove.     The  slayers  groaned 

and  moaned,  lamenting  that  a  child  of  man 

had  direfully  surpassed  them,  and,  to  their  bale 

had  come,  alone,  though  in  such  needy  wise,  432 

unless  they  might  requite  him  with  some  greater  pain, 

with  vengeance  for  their  misery.     Guthlac  set 

his  hope  heaven-wards,  and  trusted  for  salvation ; 

he  had  escaped  with  life  the  fiends'  embrace  ;  436 

the  first  temptation  of  those  wretched  sprites 

was  overcome ;  the  warrior  abode 

blithe  on  the  mount,  his  glory  was  with  God. 

It  seemed  unto  his  mind,  that  he  of  all  mankind  440 

was  indeed  blessed,  who  protected 

his  one  life  here,  so  that  the  hand  of  the  fiend 

might  not  harm  him  at  the  final  end, 

when  the  Lord's  decree  directed  him  444 

to  the  last  inevitable  parting. 

Yet,  mindful  still  of  harms,  the  scoffers 

threatened  him  with  dire  afflictions 

in  angry  words  of  insult.     The  truth  was  manifest,  448 

that  God  had  given  as  recompense  to  Guthlac 

strength  with  honour,  so  that,  all  alone,  he  conquered. 

Spake  to  him  in  words  the  accursed  sprite: — 

'We  need  not  have  plied  thee  thus  severely,  45a 

k  2 


132  II.       SAINT    GUTHLAC.    A.       453-485.    [424-456.] 

f>ser  ]>u  fromlice     freonda  larum 

hyran  wolde     pa  pu  heart  and  earm 

on  f>is  orlege     serest  cwome  • 

$a  f>u  gehete     J?set  f>ec  halig  gaest  456 

witS  earfejmm     ea$e  gescilde 

for  fam  myrcelse     pe  t  monnes  hond 

from  jrinre  onsyne     8ef>elum  ahwyrfde  •  [430] 

in  J>am  mseg-wlite     monge  lifgaS  460 

gyltum  forgiefene*   nales  gode  jngatS 

ac  hy  lic-homan     fore  lufan  cwematS 

wista  wynnum     swa  ge  weorS-myndu 

in  dolum  dreame     dryhtne  gieldatS  »  464 

fela  ge  fore  monnum  mifjatS     pddB  pe  ge  in  mode  gehycgaS- 

ne  beotS  eowre  *  dseda  dyrne    J?eah  pe  ge  hy  in  dygle  gefremme  • 

[*39  b.] 
we  J?ec  in  lyft  gelseddun     oftugon  pe  londes  wynna  • 
woldun  pu  pe  sylfa  gesawe     Ipset  we  J?ec  soft  on-staeldun.       468 
ealles  pu.  f>a?s  wite  awunne  •     for)?on  pu  hit  onwendan  ne  meahtes 
8a  waes  agongen     j?aet  him  god  wolde  [44 1] 

sefter  f>rowinga     J?onc  gegyldan 

pset  he  martyr-had     mode  gelufade   ,  472 

sealde  him  snyttru     on  sefan  gehygdum 
msegen-fseste  gemynd     he  witS  mongum  stod 
eald-feonda     elne  gebylded  •  • 

Ssegde  him  to  sorge     faet  hy  sigelease  476 

"pone  grenan  wong     of-giefan  sceoldan  • 
ge  sind  for-scadene     on  eow  scyld  sitetS 

ne  cunnon  ge  dryhten     dugu]?e  biddan  [45°] 

ne  mid  eaSmedum     are  secan  480 

J?eah  pe  eow  alyfde     lytle  hwile 
J?set  ge  min  onwald     agan  mosten  • 
ne  ge  f>aet  gepjldnm     jricgan  woldan 

ac  mec  yrringa  up  gelseddon  484 

f>aet  ic  of  lyfte     londa  getimbru 

454.  MS.  heam.  458.  MS.  {>e  J>ec.  482.  MS.  onweald  (i.e.  onwald). 


II.       SAINT    GUTHLAC.       A.  133 

if  readily  thou  wouldst  have   hearkened 

to  the  rede  of  friends,  when  first  thou  earnest, 

lowly  and  forlorn,  unto  this  place  of  strife, 

when  thou  didst  declare  that  the  Holy  Spirit  456 

would  easily  shield  thee  'gainst  afflictions, 

because  of  the  sign,  which  warded 

the  hand  of  man  from  off  thy  noble  face. 

In  that  fair  aspect  many  live,  460 

given  up  to  sin ;    they  live  not  agreeably  to  God, 

but,  for  their  body's  sake,  delight 

in  pleasures  of  the  feast,  for  ye  pay  reverence 

to  the  Lord  in  foolish  revelry;  464 

ye    hide    from   men    much   that  in    your   minds    ye   meditate ; 

your  deeds  shall  not  be  hidden,  though  in  the  dark  ye  do  them. 

We  led  thee  in  the  air,  withdrew  from  thee  the  land's  delights  ; 

we  wished  that  thou  thyself  shouldst  see  that  we   alleged   the 

truth  'gainst  thee  ;  468 

for  all  this  thou  hast  gained  affliction ;    verily,  thou  couldst  not 

avert  it/ 
Then  it  befell  that  God  desired 
to  pay  him  thanks  for  all  his  sufferings, 

for  that  he  loved  martyrdom  with  all  his  soul.  472 

He  gave  him  wisdom  in  his  bosom's  thoughts, 
a  steadfast  mind.     He  stood  'gainst  many 
of  those  ancient  foes,  emboldened  by  his  strength  ; 
he  said,  to  their  sorrow,  that  ingloriously  476 

they  should  give  up  that  verdant  plain : — 

'Ye  are  scattered  !    guilt  sitteth  on  you  ! 
Ye  cannot  ask  a  blessing  of  the  Lord, 

nor  humbly  seek  compassion :  480 

though  He  permitted  you  for  but  a  little  while, 
that  ye  might  have  dominion  over  me, 
yet  would  ye  not  maintain  it  measurably. 

but  angrily  ye  led  me  upon  high,  484 

that  from  aloft  I  might  behold 


134         II.       SAINT    GUTHLAC.     A.      486-519.    [457-490.] 

geseon  meahte  t  was  me  swegles  leoht 

torht  ontyned     J?eah  ic  torn  druge  • 

Setton  me  in  edwit     J>aet  ic  ea?Se  forbeer  488 

rume  regulas     and  ref>e  mod  [460] 

geongra  monna     in  godes  templum  1 

woldan  J>y  gehyrwan     haligra  lof  •  ] 

sohtun  J?a  saemran     and  J?a  sellan  no  492 

demdan  sefter  dsedum     ne  beoS  J)a  dyrne  swa  f>eah  • 

to  eow  so(S  sif>f>on     secgan  wille  K 

god  scop  geoguSe     and  gumena  dream  ; 

ne  magun  )?a  sefter-yld     in  J>am  aerestan  496 

blaede  geberan     ac  hy  blissiao1 

worulde  wynnum     oStSaet  wintra  rim 

gegaeS  *  in  J>a  geoguSe     faet  se  gsest  lufao1     [*40  a.]  [470] 

onsyn  and  aetwist     yldran  hades*  500 

oe  gemete  monige     geond  middan-geard 

^eowiao1  in  f>eawum  ■  feodum  ywaf> 

wisdom  weras     wlencu  forleosaS 

sitSoan  geoguSe  gea"S     gsest  afliho*  •  (  504 

j>aet  ge  ne  sciratS     ac  ge  scyldigra 

synne  secgatS     soJ>faestra  no  • 

mod  and  mon-J>eaw     maeran  willatS  . 

gefeoo1  in  firenum     frofre  ne  wenao1  508 

Jpaet  ge  wraec-sitSa     wyrpe  gebiden*  [480] 

oft  ge  in  gestalum  stondatS  ,  J^ass  cymeo1  steor  of  heofonum , 

me  J?onne  sendetS     se  usic  se  mon  waeg 

se  J?e  lifa  gehwaes     lengu  wealdeS-  512 

Swa  hleoJ?rade     halig  cempa  ; 

waes  se  martyre     from  mon-cynnes 

synnum  asundrad     sceolde  he  sares  j?a  gen 

dael  adreogan     Sean  J?e  dryhten  his  516 

witum  wolde  j  hwaet  j?aet  wundra  sum 

monnum  J?uhte     j?aet  he  ma  wolde 

afrum  onfengum     earme  gaestas  [49°] 


II.       SAINT    GUTHLAC.       A.  135 

the  structures  of  the  land  I  Heaven's  bright  light 

was  then  disclosed  to  me,  though  I  endured  affliction ; 

ye  set  it  to  my  shame  that  readily  I  brooked  488 

the  lax  rules  and  the  rough  moods 

of  the  youthful  men  in  God's  own  temples ; 

thereby  would  ye  traduce  the  praises  of  the  saints; 

ye  sought  the  worse  and  ye  judged  not  492 

the  better  men  according  to  their  deeds ;  yet  shall  they  not  be 

hidden. 
But  I  will  tell  you  now  the  truth ; 
God  created  youth  and  men's  delight ; 

they  may  not  show  maturity  496 

in  their  first  bloom,  but  they  rejoice 
in  the  pleasures  of  the  world,  until  a  tale  of  years 
is  added  to  their  youth,  when  the  spirit  loveth 
the  form  and  feature  of  a  higher  state,  500 

which  many  o'er  this  middle-earth  serve 
virtuously  and  fitly;  men  show  forth 
wisdom  unto  folk  and  lay  aside  their  pride, 
when  the  spirit  putteth  to  flight  youth's  levity.  504 

This  ye  discern  not,  but  ye  rehearse 
the  sins  of  guilty  men,  and  will  nowise  extol 
the  mood  and  practices  of  the  righteous ; 

ye  rejoice  in  crimes,  ye  have  no  hope  of  comfort,  508 

that  ye  may  find  respite  from  your  exile-tracks. 
Oft  are  ye  engaged  in  theft;  for  this  cometh  chastisement  from 

heaven ; 
then  He  sendeth  me,  He  who  for  our  sakes  moved  as  man, 
He  who  ordaineth  the  length  of  every  life.'  51a 

So  spake  aloud  the  holy  champion  : 
severed  was  the  martyr  from  the  sins 
of  human  kind,  yet  had  he  to  endure 

a  portion  of  its  pain,  although  his  Lord  516 

controlled  his  torments.     Lo  !    it  seemed 
a  wonder  unto  men   that    He   should    suffer  any  longer 
the  wretched  sprites  to  touch  him 


136  II.       SAINT    GUTHLAC.     A.       52O-549.   [491-521.] 

hrinan  leton     and  \>cet  hwaefre  gelomp  •  520 

waes  J?8et  gen  mara     J>aet  he  middan-geard 

sylfa  gesohte     and  his  swat  ageat 

on  bonena  hond  .  ahte  bega  geweald  • 

lifes  and  dea<5es     J>a  he  lustum  dreag  524 

eaS-mod  on  eorSan     ehtendra  niS  • 

forfon  is  nu  ar-lic     j)aet  we  •  as  •  faestra 

daede  demen     secgen  dryhtne  lof 

ealra  j?ara  bisena     f>e  us  bee  fore  528 

J>urh  his  wundra  geweorc     wisdom  cyjm'S  :  7  [500] 

*  [VI.] 

GEOFU  waes  mid  gutSlac     in  godcundum 
maegne  gemeted  •  g  *  micel  is  to  secgan     [*40&.] 
eall  aefter  orde     j?aet  he  on  elne  adreag  •  532 

"Sone  fore-gengan     feeder  aelmihtig 
witS  onhaelum     ealdor-gewinnum 
sylfa  gesette,-  p&r  his  sawl  wearS 

claene  and  gecostad  ,  cu?S  is  wide  536 

geond  middan-geard     \mt  his  mod  gejmh 
in  godes  willan     is  }>aes  gen  fela 

to  secgenne     f>ses  J>e  he  sylfa  adreag  [510] 

under  nyS-gista     nearwum  clommuw  •  540 

he  £>a  sar  forseah     a  J>aere  sawle  wel  1 1 
J>aes  mund-boran     pe  f>aet  mofd  geheold 
pcet  him  ne  getweode     treow  in  breostum 

ne  him  gnornunga-   gaeste  scodun  •  544 

ac  se  hearda  hyge     halig  wunade 
6plp3dt  he  f>a  bysgu     oferbiden  haefde  , 
)?rea  waeron  )?earle     J?egnas  grimme 

ealle  hy  f>am  feore     fyl  gehehton  •  548 

no  hy  hine  to  deatS     deman  moston  [521] 

529.  One-line  space  between  the  sections.  540.  MS.  originally  niS  gysta 

altered  to  ny$.         541.  There  is  an  evident  omission  of  one  line  here.         542. 
MS.  mond. 


II.       SAINT    GUTHLAC.       A.  137 

with  their  dire  assaults,  but  yet  it  so  befell :  520 

yea,  that  was  even  a  greater  thing,  that  He  Himself 

sought  middle-earth,  and  shed  His  blood 

by  murderers'  hands ;  He  had  command  of  both, 

of  life  and  death,  when  humbly  He  endured  524 

on  earth,  of  His  own  will,  His  persecutors'  hate. 

Verily  'tis  now  fitting  that  we  proclaim  the  deeds 
of  steadfast  men,  and  declare  our  praises  to  the  Lord 
for  all  the  examples  whereby  books  reveal  wisdom  528 

unto  us  through  His  works  of  wonder. 

VI. 

Grace  was  found  with  Guthlac 
in  his  strength  divine.     Much  is  it  to  recount, 
all  from  the  beginning,  that  he  bore  with  courage.  532 

The  Almighty  Father  Himself  had  placed  him 
as  an  advance-guard  against  life's 
hidden  adversaries ;  there  his  soul  grew 

pure  and  tried.     'Tis  widely  known  536 

throughout  this  middle-earth,  that  his  spirit  throve 
in  the  will  of  God,  yet  is  there  much 
to  tell  of  all  that  he  himself  endured 

'neath  the  close  clutchings  of  those  hateful  guests;  540 

he  despised  the  pains ;  (he)  ever  (trusted)  well  his  Saviour 
(for)  his  soul's  (protection),  and  He  guarded  his  spirit, 
so  that  the  faith  within  his  breast  misdoubted  not, 
nor  murmurings  harmed  his  soul,  544 

but  his  steadfast  mind  continued  holy, 
until  at  length  he  had  surmounted  all  those  troubles. 

Fierce  were  the  torments ;  grim  the  ministers ; 
they  all  threatened  destruction  to  his  life1,  ms 

yet  might  they  not,  those  guardianB  of  sin,    **■ 


138  II.      SAINT   GUTHLAC.    A.       55O-585.    [522-557.] 

synna  hyrdas     ac  seo  sawul  bad  • 

in  lic-homan     leofran  tide   , 

georne  hy  ongeaton     Ipcet  hyne  god  wolde  552 

nergan  wift  nijjum     and  hyra  nyd-wrsece 

deope  deman     swa  dryhten  mseg 

ana  aelmihtig     eadigra  gehwone 

witS  earfefmm     eafte  gescildan  •  556 

HwseSre  hine  gebrohton     bolgen-mode 

wratSe  wrsec-msecgas     wuldres  cempan  [53°] 

halig  husul-bearn     set  hel-dore 

J?ser  firen-fulra     fsege  gsestas  560 

asfter  swylt-cwale     secan  on-ginna'S 

in-gong  serest     in  \>cet  atule  hus 

ni)?er  under  nsessas     neole  grundas  , 

hy  hine  bregdon     budon  orlege  564 

egsan  and  ondan     ar-leas-lice 

frecne  fore,   swa  biS  feonda  )?eaw 

poime  hy  *  sotS-fsestra     sawle  willaS     [*41  a.] 

synnum  beswican     and  searo-crseftum  •  568 

ongunnon  grom-heorte     godes  orettan  [54 1] 

in  sefan  swencan     swif>e  geheton 

f>aet  he  in  J>one  grimman  gryre     gongan  sceolde 

hweorfan  gehyned    to  hel-warum  572 

and  peer  in  bendum     bryne  }?rowian  • 

woldun  hy  geteon     mid  torn-cwidura 

earme  aglsecan     in  or-wennysse 

meotudes  cempan     hit  ne  meahte  swa  •  576 

cwaedon  cearftdle     criste  laSe 

to  guSlace     mid  grimnysse  [55°] 

ne  eart  $u  gedefe     ne  dryhtnes  J^eow 

claene  gecostad     ne  cempa  god  •  580 

wordum  and  weorcum     wel  gecyf>ed 

halig  in  heortan     nu  j?u  in  helle  scealt 

deope  gedufan     nales  dryhtnes  leoht 

habban  in  heofonum     heah-getimbru  584 

seld  on  swegle     forf>on  pu  synna  to  fela 


II.      SAINT   GUTHLAC.     A.  189 

doom  him  to  death,  for  the  soul  within  his  body 

waited  for  a  happier  time.    Tf^ 

Well  discerned  they  that  God  would  save  him  552 

from  their  enmity  and  sternly  judge 

their  violence,  even  as  the  Almighty  Lord 

alone  can  shield  full  easily 

each  blessed  one  against  affliction.  556 

Nathless  the  furious  outlaws,  swollen  with  rage, 

brought  him,  glory's  champion, 

the  holy  housel-child,  unto  hell's  door, 

where  the  doomed  spirits  of  the  sinful,  560 

after  the  pang  of  death,  do  first  begin 

to  seek  an  entrance  into  that  dire  house, 

those  depths  profound,  down  'neath  the  nesses. 

They  terrified  him,  and  impiously  564 

they  threatened  him  with  warfare,  terror,  and  enmity, 

and  a  direful  journey.     Such  is  the  wont  of  fiends, 

when  they  desire  to  seduce  with  sins 

and  subtle  wiles  the  souls  of  righteous  men.  568 

Cruel-hearted,  they  essayed  to  afflict  in  mind 

God's  champion,  and  vehemently  threatened 

that  he  should  journey  into  that  grim  horror, 

and  pass,  condemned,  to  hell's  inhabitants,  57a 

and  there  in  bonds  endure  its  burning  heat. 

The  wretched  monsters  wished  with  bitter  words 

to  draw  the  champion  of  the  Lord 

into  despair;    but  so  it  might  not  be.  576 

Filled  with  care,  the  foes  of  Christ  spake 

thus  to  Guthlac  with  grim  fierceness  :  —  

'Thou  art  not  worthy,  nor  art  thou  fully  proved 
a  servant  of  the  Lord,  nor  a  goodly  champion,  580 

truly  manifest  by  words  and  works, 
holy  in  heart :  now  shalt  thou  sink 
deep  into  hell,  nowise  shalt  thou  have 

tin-  Sovereign's  light  in  heaven,  nor  the  abodes  on  high,        584 
nor  a  dwelling  in  the  firmament,  for  in  the  flesh 


140  II.      SAINT    GUTHLAC.    A.      586-6]  7.      [558-589.] 

facna  gefremedes     in  flsesc-homan  • 

we  pe  nu  willatS     womma  gehwylces 

lean  forgieldan     f>ser  pe  la)?ast  biS  588 

in  (Sam  grimmestan     gaest-gewinne  •  [561] 

Him  se  eadga  wer     and-sw&rode 

guSlac  in  gaeste     mid  godes  msegne  •   ',  - 

doS  efne  swa     gif  eow  dryhten  crist  592 

lifes  leoht-fruma     lyfan  wylle 

weoruda  waldend     f>aet  ge  his  wer-gengan 

in  J?one  latSan  leg     lsedan  motan* 

\>cet  is  in  gewealdum     wuldor-cyninges  596 

se  eow  gehynde     and  in  haeft  bidraf 

under  nearone  clom     nergende  crist  •  [57°] 

eom  ic  eaS-mod  his     ombieht-hera 

feow  ge)?yldig;   ic  gej?afian  sceal  600 

aeghwaer  ealles     his  anne  dom  j 

and  him  geornlice     gaest-gemyndum 

wille  *wide-ferh     wesan  underjryded,     [*41  b.] 

hyran  holdlice     minum  haelende  604 

j?eawum  and  geJ?ynctSum     and  him  }>oncian 

ealra  ]mra  giefena     Ipe  god  gescop 

englum  aerest     and  eorS-warura 

and  ic  bletsige-     blitSe  mode  608 

lifes  leoht-fruman     and  him  lof  singe  [581] 

Jmrh  gedefne  dom     daeges  and  nihtes 

herge  in  heortan     heofon-rices  weard  • 

£>set  eow  aefre  ne  bitS     ufan  alyfed  6]  2 

leohtes  lissum     pat  ge  lof  moten 

dryhtne  secgan     ac  ge  deaSe  sceolon 

weallendne  wean     wope  besingan 

heal  in  helle     nales  herenisse  616 

halge  habban     heofon-cyninges  :  7 

617.   One-line  space  between  the  sections. 


II.       SAINT    GUTHLAC.       A.  141 

thou  hast  wrought  too  many  sins,  too  many  treacheries. 
Now  we  will  pay  thee  retribution 

for  every  crime,  in  the  bitterest  torment  588 

of  the  soul,  where  it  shall  be  most  grievous.' 

To  them  made  answer  Guthlac,  the  blessed  man, 
endowed  in  spirit  with  the  power  of  God : — 

'Do  even  so,  if  Christ  the  Sovereign,  592 

life's  bright  Source,  the  Ruler  of  the  hosts, 
will  suffer  you  that  ye  may  lead 
His  follower  into  the  hostile  flame ; 

'tis  in  the  power  of  the  King  of  glory,  596 

who  condemned  you,  who  drave  you  into  durance, 
under  confining  fetters,  yea,  the  Saviour  Christ. 
I  am  His  minister,  humble  and  obedient, 

His  patient  servant ;   everywhere  and  in  all  things  600 

I  must  submit  unto  His  doom  alone ; 
and  zealously,  with  all  my  spirit's  thoughts, 
I  will  for  evermore  be  subject  unto  Him, 

and  faithfully  will  I  obey  my  Saviour  604 

in  duty  and  in  worship,  and  give  thanks  to  Him 
for  all  the  gifts  which  God  created  first 
for  angels  and  for  earth's  inhabitants. 

And  I  will  bless  with  joyful  mind  608 

the  radiant  Source  of  life,  and  night  and  day 
sing  praises  unto  Him  with  befitting  glory, 
and  laud  Him  in  my  heart,  the  Warden  of  heaven's  realm. 
Ne'er  to  you  shall  it  be  granted  from  above,  61a 

by  the  grace  of  Light,  that  ye  may  declare 
praise  unto  the  Lord,  but  in  death  ye  shall  bewail, 
with  lamentation,  surging  torment ; 

mourning  shall  ye  have  in  hell,  but  nowise  616 

the  holy  praise  of  heaven's  King.' 


142  II.       SAINT    GUTHLAC.     A.       6l  8-648.    [590-620.] 


[VII.] 

IC  J?one  deman     in  dagum  minum  [590] 

wille  weorjrian     wordum  and  deedura 
lufian  in  life     swa  is  lar  and  ar  620 

to  spowendre     sprsece  gelaeded 
jmm  J>e  in  his  weorcum     willan  rsefnatS- 
Sindon  ge  wser-logan     swa  ge  in  wrsec-sioe 
longe  lifdon,    lege  biscencte  624 

swearte  beswicene     swegle  benumene 
dreame  bidrorene     deatSe  bifolene 
firenum  bifongne     feores  orwenan 

J?set  ge  blindnesse     bote  fundon   ,  628 

ge  }>a  faegran  gesceaft     in  fyrn-dagum  [601] 

gsestlicne  god-dream     gearo  forsegon, 
}?a  ge  witS-hogdim     halgum  dryhtne  • 

ne  mostun  ge  a  wunian     in  wyn-dagum  632 

ac  mid  scome  scyldum     scofene  wurdon 
fore  oferhygdum     in  ece  fyr- 
tSaer  ge  sceolon  dreogan     deaS  and  J>ystro 

wop  to  widan  ealdre    *  nsefre  ge  f>aes  wyrpe  gebidaS  [*42  a.]  636 
and  ic  J?set  gelyfe     in  lif-fruman 

ecne  onwealdan     ealra  gesceafta  [6l°] 

J>aet  he  mec  for  miltsum     and  msegen-spedum 
nitStSa  nergend     nsefre  wille  640 

Jmrh  ellen-weorc     an  forlgetan 
f>am  ic  longe     in  lic-homan 
and  in  minum  gseste     gode  campode 

Jmrh  monigfealdra     msegna  gerynu  •   ,  644 

foroon  ic  getrywe     in  pone  torhtestan 
J?rynesse  Iprjm     se  gef>eahtingum 
hafaS  in  hondum     heofon  and  eorSan 
\>azt  ge  mec  mid  nijmm     nsefre  motan  648 

631.  wifthogdum. 


II.       SAINT    GUTHLAC.       A.  143 


VII. 


1  In  my  clays  would  I  fain  reverence 

the  Judge,  and  by  words  and  deeds 

in  my  life  cherish  Him.'     (Thus  lore  and  grace  620 

are  added  to  persuasive  eloquence, 

for  him  who  in  his  works  performeth  His  will.) 

1  Ye  are  faith-breakers ;  thus  in  exile-tracks 

have  ye  long  lived,  with  flame  proffered  for  drink,  624 

darkly  deluded,  deprived  of  heaven, 

bereft  of  joy,  consigned  to  death, 

surrounded  with  sin,  without  a  hope  of  life, 

that  ye  might  ever  find  cure  for  your  blindness.  628 

In  days  of  yore  ye  readily  renounced 

this  fair  creation  and  spiritual  joy  divine, 

when  ye  meditated  'gainst  the  holy  Lord  ; 

ye  might  not  live  for  ever  then  in  joyful  days,  632 

but  ignominiously  and  guiltily  were  ye  thrust 

for  overweening  pride  into  eternal  fire, 

where  ye  must  suffer  death,  and  darkness, 

and  weeping,  for  evermore :  never  may  ye  gain  relief  therefrom ; 

but  I  put  my  faith  in  the  Source  of  life,  637 

in  the  Eternal  Lord  of  all  created  things, 

that  He,  men's  Saviour,  in  His  mercy 

and  the  fulness  of  His  might  will  never  640 

forsake  me  wholly,  because  of  my  deeds  heroic, 

wherewith,  in  body  and  in  spirit, 

I  have  long  championed  God, 

through  mysteries  of  powers  manifold :  644 

therefore  I  rely  upon  that  brightest  Glory 

of  the  Trinity,  who  by  His  counsellinga 

holdeth  in  His  power  the  heaven  and  earth, 

that  ye  may  never,  in  your  malice,  648 


144  II.       SAINT    GUTHLAC.    A.       649-682.    [621-654.] 

torn-mode  teon     in  tintergu  [*>21] 

mine  myrSran     and  man-sceaf>an 

swearte  sigelease  ,  eom  ic  softlice 

leohte  geleafan     and  mid  lufan  dryhtnes  652 

fsegre  gefylled     in  minum  feorh-locan  •    . 

breostum  inbryrded     to  J>am  betran  ham 

leomum  inlyhted     to  )?am  leofestan 

ecan  earde     }>8er  is  efel-lond  656 

faeger  and  gefealic     in  feeder  wuldre  • 

Seer  eow  naefre     fore  nergende  [630] 

leohtes  leoma     ne  lifes  hyht 

in  godes  rice     agiefen  weorJ>e"S  660 

for  faw  oferhygdum     J»e  eow  in  mod  astag 

J?urh  idel  gylp     ealles  to  swi(5e  . 

wendun  ge  and  wolduw     wif>er-hycgende 

Ipcet  ge  scyppende     sceoldan  gelice  664 

wesan  in  wuldre     eow  J>eer  wyrs  gelomp  • 

Sa  eow  se  waldend     wrafte  bisencte 

in  pcet  swearte  susl     }?33r  eow  sitSftan  waes 

ad  inaeled     attre  geblonden  668 

)?urh  deopne  dom     dream  afyrred  [64JJ 

engla  gemana     swa  nu  awa  sceal 

wesan  wide-ferh     Ipcet  ge  waernysse 

bryne-wylm  haebben     nales  bletsunga  •  672 

*ne  J>urfun  ge  wenan     wuldre  biscyrede     [*42  b.] 

"pat  ge  mec  synfulle     mid  searo-crseftum 

under  scaed  sconde     scufan  motan 

ne  in  beel-blaesan     bregdon  on  hinder  676 

in  helle  hus     J?aer  eow  is  ham  sceapen 

sweart  sin-nehte     sacu  butan  ende  [650] 

grim  gaest-cwalu     )?aer  ge  gnornende 

deatS  sceolon  dreogan     and  ic  dreama  wyn  680 

agan  mid  englum     in  J>am  uplican 

rodera  rice  *  J>aer  is  ryht  cyning 

663.  MS.  woldum. 


II.      SAINT    GUTHLAC.      A.  145 

draw  me  wrathfully  into  dire  torments, 

ye,  my  murderers,  ye  wicked  spoilers, 

swart  and  triumphless.     Truly  am  I 

gloriously  filled,  in  the  chamber  of  my  soul,  653 

with  bright  belief  and  with  the  Ruler's  love; 

in  my  bosom  am  I  impelled  unto  that  better  home, 

and  lighted  with  His  beams  to  the  dearest 

everlasting  home,  where  is  a  fatherland,     •  656 

fair  and  joyous,  yea,  in  the  Father's  glory : 

never  there,  in  presence  of  the  Saviour, 

in  the  realm  of  God,  shall  be  granted  unto  you 

a  beam  of  light  or  any  hope  of  life,  660 

for  the  arrogance  that  in  your  minds  arose, 

through  idle  boasting,  that  was  all  too  great. 

Ye  weened  and  wished,  rebelliously, 

that  ye  might  be  in  glory  664 

equal  with  the  Creator :  then  fared  it  worse  with  you, 

when  wrathfully  the  Ruler  cast  you  down 

into  that  swart  torment,  where,  thereafter, 

a  pyre  was  kindled  for  you,  charged  with  venom  ;  668 

by  stern  decree  joy  was  moved  far  from  you, 

yea,  the  fellowship  of  the  angels ;  wherefore  it  must  be, 

now  and  for  evermore,  that  ye  shall  have 

malediction  and  burning  heat,  but  naught  of  blessing.  673 

Ye  may  not  hope,  ye  creatures  bereft  of  glory, 

that,  with  cunning  craft,  sinful  as  ye  are, 

ye  may  shamefully  thrust  me  under  shade, 

or  snatch  me  backward  into  the  fiery  blaze,  676 

into  hell's  house,  where  there  is  made  for  you  a  home, 

swart  in  livelong  night,  and  endless  strife, 

and  bitter  torment  of  the  soul,  where,  wailing, 

ye  shall  suffer  death,  while  I  shall  own,  680 

'mid  angels  in  the  lofty  kingdom  of  the  skies, 

the  joy  of  joys  :  there  is  the  righteous  King  ; 

L 


146  II.      SAINT    GUTHLAC.     A.       683-7 15.    [655-687.] 

help  and  heelu     hselejm  cynne 

duguS  and  drohtatS-     tJa  cwom  dryhtnes  ar  684 

halig  of  heofonum     se  f>urh  hleo)?or  ahead 

ufan-cundne  ege     earmum  gsestum  • 

het  eft  hratSe     unscyldigne 

of  J>am  wrsec-siSe     wuldres  cempan  f>88 

lsedan  lim-halne     \>cet  se  leofesta  [661] 

gsest  gegearwad     in  godes  wsere 

on  gefean  ferde  •    $a  wearS  feonda  J?reat 

acol  for  8am  egsan     ofer-maecga  sprsec  692 

dyre  dryhtnes  £>egn     dseg  hluttre  scan  . 

hsefde  gutSlaces     gsest  in  gewealdum 

modig  mund-bora     meahtum  spedig  . 

feostra  J?egnas     J?rea-wiedlum  bond  696 

nyd  onsette     and  geneahhe  bibead  • 

Ne  sy  him  banes  bryce     ne  blodig  wund  [670] 

lices  lsela     ne  laf>es  wiht 

f>8es  J?e  ge  him  to  dare     gedon  motan  700 

ac  ge  hine  gesundne  asettaj?     f>ser  ge  hine  sylfne  genoman , 

he   sceal    J>y    wonge    wealdan     ne   magon   ge   him   J?a  wic   for- 

stondan  • 
ic  eom  se  dema     se  mec  dryhten  heht 

snude  gesecgan     ]>cet  ge  him  sara  gehwylc  704 

honduw  gehselde     and  him  hearsume 
on  his  sylfes  dom     *si]?)?an  wa^ron  •     [*43a.] 
ne  sceal  ic  mine  onsyn     fore  eowere 

mengu  mijmn     ic  eom  meotudes  Ipegn  708 

eom  ic  )?ara  twelfa  sum     f>e  he  getreoweste  [68lJ 

under  monnes  hiw     mode  gelufade  • 
he  mec  of  heofonum     hider  onsende   , 

geseah  J>set  ge  on  eort5an     fore  9ef[s]tum  712 

on  his  wer-gengan     wite  legdon  • 
Is  j?set  min  brof>or     mec  his  bysgu  gehreaw 
ic  J)set  gefremme     j?ser  se  freond  wunaS 

696.  MS.  medium.  712.  MS.  aeftum. 


II.       SAINT   GUTHLAC.     A.  147 

there  is  help  and  salvation  for  the  race  of  men, 

and  troops  and  retinues.'     Then  there  came,  holy  from  heaven, 

a  messenger  of  the  Lord;  in  loud  voice  he  announced  685 

unto  the  wretched  sprites  terror  from  heaven  above, 

and  bade  them  quickly  lead  back  the  guiltless  one, 

the  champion  of  glory,  whole  of  limb,  688 

from  that  exile-track,  so  that,  prepared  aright, 

that  dearest  soul  might  depart  in  joy 

to  God's  protection.     Then  was  the  band  of  fiends 

chilled  at  that  portent ;  the  exalted  spake,  69  a 

the  Lord's  dear  minister ;    day  brightly  shone. 

A  high  Protector,  in  might  abounding, 

held  Guthlac's  spirit  in  His  sway; 

He  bound  those  ministers  of  darkness  by  dire  need,  696 

imposed  upon  them  force,  and  firmly  commanded  them  : — 

'Let  there  be  in  him  no  break  of  bone,  nor  bloody  wound, 
nor  body's  scar,  nor  aught  of  injury, 

from  all  ye  may  have  done  unto  his  hurt ;  700 

but  do  ye  place  him  sound  there  whence  ye  took  him  : 
he    shall  have    dominion  o'er  the  plain;    ye   may  not  deny  him 

these  dwellings; 
I  am  the  judge ;  the  Lord  commanded  me 

to  declare  anon,  that  ye  heal  with  your  hands  704 

his  every  hurt,  and  be  obedient  unto  him 
hereafter,  according  to  His  own  decree. 
I  must  not  conceal  my  countenance 

before  your  multitude ;  I  am  a  minister  of  the  Lord ;  70S 

one  of  the  twelve  am  I,  whom  He,  whilst  in  human  form, 
loved  with  His  soul  as  His  most  faithful  ones. 
He  hath  sent  me  down  from  heaven  hither ; 
He  saw  that  ye  on  earth,  in  envy,  71a 

laid  torment  upon  His  follower. 
This  is  my  brother ;  his  affliction  hath  grieved  me ; 
I  will  achieve  this  thing,  here  where  my  friend  abideth 

l  2 


148  II.      SAINT   GUTHLAC.     A.       7 1 6-747.    [688-719.] 

on  J^uere  socne     J>e  ic  J>a  sibbe  wi$  hine  716 

healdan  wille     nu  ic  his  helpan  mot 

pcet  ge  min  onsynn     oft  sceawiaS  •  ,  [690] 

nu  ic  hie  geneahhe     neosan  wille 

eceal  ic  his  word  and  his  weorc     in  gewitnesse  720 

dryhtne  laedon     he  his  daede  conn :  7 

[VIIL] 

I\A  waes  gutSlaces     goest  geblissad 

U     si}>)mn  bartholomeus     aboden  hgefde 

godes  gerendu  .  gearwe  stodun  •    724 

hseftas  hearsume     J>a  J>8es  halgan  word 

]yt  ofer-leordun  •     ongon  )?a  leofne  sitS 

dragan  dom-eadig     dryhtnes  cempa 

to  Jam  onwillan     eorftan  dsele  •  ,  728 

hy  hine  baeron     and  him  bryce  heoldon  :  [7QI] 

hofon  hine  hondum     and  him  hryre  burgun  . 

waeron  hyra  gongas     under  godes  egsan 

smefe  and  gesefte  .-,  sige-hre(5ig  cwom  732 

bytla  to  J?am  beorge     hine  bletsadon 

monge  mseg-wlitas ;  meaglum  reordura  • 

treo-fugla  tuddor     tacnum  cy'Sdon 

eadges  eft-cyme     oft  he  him  sete  heold  736 

ponne  hy  him  hungrige     ymb  bond  flugon 

grgedum  gifre     geoce  *gefegon  •  ,       [*43  b.]  [710] 

swa  f>aet  milde  mod     wi5  mon-cynnes 

dreamum  gedselde     dryhtne  J>eowde  '  740 

genom  him  to  wildeorum  wynne     sij?jmn  he  f>as  woruld  forhogde 

Smolt  W3BS  se  sige-wong     and  sele  niwe  - 

fasger  fugla  reord  J  folde  geblowen 

geacas  gear  budon*   gu)riac  moste  744 

eadig  ond  onmod     eardes  brucan  • , 

stod  se  grena  wong     in  godes  waere  ; 

haefde  se  heorde     sej>e  of  heofonura  cwom 

721.  conn :  7  the  sole  word  on  the  line  dividing  the  sections. 


n.      SAINT   GUTHLAC.      A.  149 

amid  your  persecution,  (for  towards  him  716 
I  will  fain  preserve  my  friendship,  now  that  I  may  help  him), — 

this  thing  to  wit,  that  ye  shall  oft  see  here  my  countenance. 
Now  will  I  visit  him  full  frequently; 

I  must  bring  his  words  and  works  in  witness  730 
unto  the  Lord:  He  knoweth  his  deeds/ 


VIII. 

Then  was  Guthlac's  spirit  gladdened, 
after  Bartholomew  had  declared 

God's  message.     Ready  stood  724 

the  thralls  obedient :  little  transgressed  they 
the  saint's  behest.     Then  the  Lord's  famed  champion 
began  to  go  the  welcome  way 

unto  that  spot  of  earth  he  longed  for.  728 

They  bore  him,  and  preserved  him  from  all  hurt; 
they  raised  him  with  their  hands,  and  guarded  him  from  fall : 
under  fear  of  God,  their  onward  march 

was  unimpaired  and  easy.     Triumphant  came  73a 

the  builder  to  the  hill;  many  living  kinds 
blessed  him ;    in  voices  strenuous, 

and  by  signs,  the  bird-brood  of  the  woods  made  known 
the  blessed  man's  return :  oft  had  he  held  them  food,  736 

when,  hungry,  yea,  greedily  voracious,  they  flew 
around  his  hand,  and  rejoiced  in  his  succour. 
Thus  that  gentle  spirit  served  the  Lord, 

sundered  from  the  joys  of  human  kin;  740 

in  the  wild  beasts  he  took  delight,  after  he  had  renounced  this 
world. 

Bright  was  the  glorious  plain  and  his  new  home ; 
sweet  the  birds'  song;  earth  blossomed  forth; 
cuckoos  heralded  the  year.     Blessed  and  steadfast,  744 

(luthluc  might  now  enjoy  his  dwelling-place. 
The  green  plain  rested  in  God's  protection ; 
the  guardian,  who  had  come  from  heaveu, 


150  II.      SAINT   GUTHLAC.     A.       748-780.    [720-752.] 

feondas  afyrde  (  hwylc  wees  feegerra  748 

willa  geworden     in  wera  life  [721] 

fara  fe  yldran     usse  gemunde 

of f  e  we  selfe     sif  f  an  cuf  en  •    . 

hwaet  we  f  issa  wundra     gewitan  sindon  • ,  7= 2 

eall  fas  ge-eodon     in  ussera 

tida  timan.  forf  on  fees  tweogan  ne  f  earf 

eenig  ofer  eortSan     eelda  cynnes  • 

Ac  swilc  god  wyrcetS     geesta  lifes  756 

to  trumnafe     fy  lees  fa  tydran  mod 

fa  gewitnesse     wendan  furfe  [73°] 

fonras  hy  in  gesihfe     sof  es  brucaf  • 

Swa  se  eelmihtiga     ealle  gesceafte  760 

lufa"S  under  lyfte     in  lic-homan 

monna  meegfte     geond  middan-geard 

wille  se  waldend     feet  we  wisdom  a 

snyttrum  swelgen     f cet  his  sotS  fore  us  764 

on  his  giefena  gyld     genge  weorfte  • 

©a  he  us  to  are     and  to  ondgiete 

syletS  and  sendetS  -   sawlum  rymetS 

life  lif-wegas     leohte  gereehte  •  768 

nis  feet  huru  leesast     feet  seo  lufu  cyfetS  [741] 

f  onne  heo  in  monnes     mode  getimbretS 

geestcunde  *gife     swa  he  guSlaces     [*44  a.] 

dagas  and  deede     furh  his  ddm  ahof  ,  772 

wees  se  fruma  feestlic     feondum  on  6ndan 

geseted  wi"S  synnum  ;  feer  he  siff an  lyt 

weere  gewonade  .  oft  his  word  gode 

furh  eatS-medu     up  onsende  776 

let  his  ben  cuman     in  fa  beorhtan  gesceaft 

foncade  f eodne     fees  fe  he  in  frowingum  [750] 

bidan  moste     hwonne  him  betre  lif 

furh  godes  willan     agyfen  worde*  780 

1 

751.  MS.  selfe:  under  the  first  e  there  is  a  small  y  by  another  land. 
756.  Swilc:  under  the  i  is  a  small  y  by  another  hand.  780.  agyfen: 
originally  agifen ;  i  altered  to  y. 


il.      SAINT   GUTHLAC.      A.  151 

had  banned  the  foes  afar.     Was  any  nobler  wish  748 

ever  accomplished  in  the  life  of  men, 

of  all  whom  our  ancestors  have  memorized, 

or  we  ourselves  have  since  known  *? 

Lo  !   of  these  wonders  we  are  witnesses ;  75 j 

all  these  things  happened  in  the  time 

of  our  own  life- tides ;    wherefore  not  anyone 

of  the  race  of  men  on  earth  dare  doubt  it. 

Verily,  God  worketh  thus  to  strengthen  the  spirit's  life  756 

in  fortitude,  that  feeble  minds 

may  pervert  His  testimony  the  less, 

when  they  enjoy  the  truth  with  their  own  sight. 

Thus  the  Almighty  One  loveth  all  created  things  760 

in  fleshly  covering  'neath  the  sky, 

all  the  tribes  of  men  o'er  middle-earth ; 

fain  would  He,  the  Supreme,  that  we,  aye  prudently, 

imbibe  wisdom,  so  that  His  truth  may  become  764 

current  among  us  in  payment  for  the   gifts, 

which  He  granteth  and  sendeth  us  for  our  grace 

and  for  our  understanding  ;    for  our  souls  He  cleareth 

smooth  paths  of  life,  adorned  with  light.  768 

Verily,  love  doth  not  manifest  its  smallest  gift, 

when  it  establisheth  spiritual  grace 

in  the  mind  of  man.     So,  in  His  might, 

He  exalted  Guthlac's  days  and  deeds.  77a 

The  noble  man  was  firm  in  zeal  against  the  fiends, 

steadfast  against  sin ;  thereafter 

he  bated  little  from  his  troth;   oft  in  humility 

he  sent  his  words  aloft  to  God,  776 

and  let  his  prayer  reach  to  that  bright  creation, 

and  thanked  the  Lord  therefore,  that  he,  in  suffering, 

was  allowed  to  bide  the  time,  until,  by  God's  will, 

there  should  be  granted  him  a  better  life.  780 


152  II.     SAINT   GUTHLAC.     A.       781-815.     [753-787.] 

Swa  wses  guftlaces     gsest  geleeded  • 

engla  fseftmum     in  up-rodor  ; 

fore  onsyne     eces  deman 

lseddon  leoflice     him  wses  lean  geseald  784 

setl  on  swegle     J>8er  he  symle  mot 

awo  to  ealdre     eard-fsest  wesan 

bliSe  bidan     is  him  beam  godes 

milde  mund-bora  ,  meahtig  dryhten  788 

halig  hyrde     heofon-rices  weard  •  ,  [76lJ 

Swa  softfsestra     sawla  motun 

in  ecne  geard     up  gestigan 

rodera  rice     }>a  J?e  raefnaS  her  79a 

wordum  and  weorcum     wuldor-cyninges 

lare  longsume     on  hyra  lifes  tid 

earniatS  on  eorSan     ecan  lifes 

hames  in  heah]?u  ;  ])cet  beoS  husel-weras  796 

cempan  gecorene     criste  leofe 

beraS  in  breostum     beorhtne  geleafan  [770] 

haligne  hyht     heortan  clsene 

weorftia?)  waldend     habbaS  wisne  ge]>oht  800 

fusne  on  for5-weg     to  fseder-eole 

gearwe]?  gsestes  hus     and  mid  gleawnesse 

feond  ofer-feohtatS     and  firen-lustas 

for-beraft  *in  breostum   •,  bro)>or-sibbe         [*44  b.]  804 

georne  bigongaS     in  godes  willan 

swencaft  hi  sylfe     sawle  frsetwatS 

halgum  gehygdum-   heofon-cyninges  bibod 

fremmatS  on  foldan     fsesten  lufiatS .  808 

beorgatS  him  bealo-nif     and  gebedu  secaS  [781] 

swincatS  wicS  synnum     healdaS  sotS  and  ryht  . 

him  J>aet  ne  hreowetS     sefter  hin-gonge  • 

Sonne  hy  hweorfaS     in  J>a  halgan  burg  81  a 

gongatS  gegnunga     to  hierusalem 

J>ser  hi  to  worulde     wynnum  motun 

godes  onsyne     georne  bihealdan 

814.  MS.  motum. 


II.      SAINT   GUTHLAC.    A.  153 

Thus  was  Guthlac's  spirit  led, 
in  the  embrace  of  angels,  to  heaven  above ; 
they   led  him  lovingly  before  the   face 

of  the  Eternal  Judge.     To  him  reward  was  given,  784 

a  seat  in  heaven,  where  he  might  aye, 
to  all  eternity,  be  resident, 
and  joyfully  abide;    the  Child  of  God 

is  his  benign  Protector ;    the  Lord  Almighty,  788 

yea,  the  Warden  of  heaven's  realm,  is  his  holy  Guardian. 

So  may  the  souls  of  righteous  men 
ascend  aloft  to  the  eternal  home, 

the  kingdom  of  the  skies;    those  who  here  fulfil,  79a 

in  words  and  works,  the  long-enduring  lessons 
of  the  King  of  Glory,  during  their  life's  career, 
shall  earn  on  earth  eternal  life, 

a  home  on  high :   these  are  the  true  communicants,  796 

the  chosen  champions  dear  to  Christ ; 
they  bear  within  their  bosoms  bright  belief, 
holy  hope,  a  cleanly  heart; 

they  worship  the  All-powerful;  they  have  wise  thought;        800 
hastening  on  their  onward  way  unto  their  Fatherland, 
they  dight  their  spirit's  house,  and  with  wisdom 
overcome  the  fiend,  and  restrain  all  sinful  lusts 
within  their  hearts;   brotherly  love  804 

they  foster  eagerly,  and  to  please  God 
they  mortify  themselves,  and  adorn  their  souls 
with  holy  meditations  ;    they  execute  on  earth 
the  heavenly  King's  behest;  they  love  fasting;  808 

they  secure  themselves  from  wicked  hate,  and  seek  prayer; 
they  toil  'gainst  sin;    they  keep  truth  and  justice. 
It  shall  not  rue  them,  after  their  going  hence, 
when  they  wend  into  the  holy  burgh,  81a 

and  straightway  go  unto  Jerusalem, 
where  joyfully  they  may  for  evermore 
freely  behold  the  countenance  of  God, 


154  II.     SAINT   GUTHLAC.     B.      816-843.    [788-815.] 

sibbe  and  gesiftSe     peer  heo  sotS  wunatS  816 

wlitig  wuldorfaest     ealtne  widan  ferh 

on  lifgendra     londes  wynne :  7  : —  [79°] 


[SAINT  GUTHLAC.     B.] 

m 

DMT  IS  WIDE  CVD     WEra  cneorissum . 
folcum  gefraege     J>aet-te  frymj>a  god  820 

f>one  aerestan     aelda  cynnes 
of  J>aere  claenestan     cyning  aelmihtig 
foldan  geworhte  •  .  oa  waes  fruma  niwe 

aelda  tudres  •  onstael  wynlic  824 

faeger  and  gefealic   ,  feeder  wees  acenned  • 
adam  aerest    J>urh  eft  godes  • 
on  neorxna-wong  j  }?aer  him  naenges  waes 

willan  onsyn.   ne  welan  brosnung*  828 

ne  lifes  lyre     ne  lices  hryre  [801] 

ne  dreames  dryre     ne  deaftes  cyme  •  ■ 
ac  he  on  f>am  lande     lifgan  moste 

ealra  leahtra  leas     longe  neotan  832 

niwra  gefeana-     J?aer  he  *  no  J?orfte-      [*45  a.~\ 
lifes  ne  lissa     in  J?am  leohtan  ham 
J?urh  aelda  tid     ende  gebidan*    ■ 

ac  aefter  fyrste     to  f>am  fae[gr]restan  836 

heofon-rices  gefean     hweorfan  mostan 

leomu  lie  somud     and  lifes  gaest  [810] 

and  J?aer  sifjjmn  a*     in  sin-dreamum 

to  widan  feore     wunian  mostun  840 

dryhtne  on  gesiMSe     butan  deatSe  fortS 
gif  hy  halges  word     healdan  woldun 
beorht  in  breostum     and  his  bebodu  laestan 

817.  MS.  ealdne.  818.  Three-line  space  between  the  sections.  821. 

MS.  $lda,  (i.  e.  aelda).         836.  MS.  faerestan. 


II.      SAINT   GUTHLAC.      B.  155 

in  peace,  with  their  own  sight;  there  truly  it  abideth,  816 

radiant  and  glorious,  unto  all  eternity, 
in  the  joyous  land  of  living  men. 


SAINT  GUTHLAC.     B. 


'Tis  widely  known  unto  the  generations  of  men, 
'tis  familiar  unto  folk,  that  Creation's  God  820 

wrought  of  purest  earth 
the  first  one   of  the  race  of  men, 

He,  the  Almighty  King.     Then  was  the  prime  beginning 
of  mankind's  progeny;  its  portion  was  full  pleasant,  824 

fair  and  joyous.     First,  through  grace  of  God, 
our  father  Adam  was  brought  forth 
in  Paradise ;    there  was  no  lack  to  him 

of  aught  he  wished  ;    neither  wealth's  decay,  828 

nor  loss  of  life,  nor  body's  fall, 
nor  joy's  decline,  nor  death's  approach ; 
but  he  in  that  land  might  live 

void  of  all  ill,  and  long  enjoy  83a 

those  new  delights;    there  had  he  no  need, 
in  that  bright  home,  to  await  an  ending 
of  his  life  or  of  his  joys,  through  all  the  ages ; 
but  in  the  course  of  time,  limbs  and  body  both,  836 

and  the  spirit  of  life,  might  have  wended  their  way 
unto  the  fairest  joy  of  heaven's  realm, 
and  might  have  dwelt  there  ever  afterwards 
in  endless  bliss  to  all  eternity,  840 

in  the  presence  of  the  Lord,  aye,  without  death, 
had  they  but  deigned  to  keep  the  word  of  the  Holy  One, 
bright  in  their  breasts,  and  to  perform  His  biddings, 


156  II.     SAINT   GUTHLAC.     B.       844-877.    [816-8^9.] 

sefnan  on  ecSle  t   hy  to  ser  aj?reat  844 

J>set  hy  waldendes     willan  lsesten  • 

ac  his  wif  genom     wyrraes  larum 

blede  forbodene     and  of  beame  ahneop 

waestm  biweredne     ofer  word  godes*  848 

wuldor-cyninges     and  hyre  were  sealde  [821] 

}>urh  deofles  searo     deaft-berende  gyfl 

J>a?t  Sa  sin-hiwan     to  swylte  geteah  •  . 

sij^an  se  ej?el     uS-genge  wearcS  852 

adame  and  euan     eard-wica  cyst 

beorht  otS-broden     and  hyra  bearnura  swa 

eaferum  sefter .   J?a  hy  on  un-cySSu  • 

scomum  scudende     scofene  wurdon  856 

on  gewin-woruld     weorces  onguldon 

deopra  firena     Jmrh  deaSes  cwealm  [83°] 

J?e  hy  unsnyttrum     ser  gefremedon 

J»8ere  syn-wrsece     si]}f>an  sceoldon  860 

maegcS  and  msecgas     morf>res  on-gyldon 

god-scyldge  gyrn  •     fmrh  gaest-gedal  • 

deopra  firena  »  dea(5  in-gef>rong 

fira  cynne     feond  rixade  864 

geond  middan-geard     nsenig  monna  wses 

of  f»am  sige-tudre     sif>)?an  sefre 

godes  willan  J>8es  geor.n     ne  gyim- wised 

)?aet  he  bibugan  msege     )?one  bitran  drync  •  868 

*  Jxme  eue  fyrn     adame  geaf     [*  45  &.]  [84x] 

byrelade  bryd  geong     pcet  him  bam  gescod 

in  J?am  deoran  ham  ,  deatS  ricsade 

ofer  fold-buend;  J?eah  j?e  fela  waere  872 

gsest-haligra     J>aer  hi  godes  willan 

on  mislicum     monna  gebihj>um 

sefter  stede-wonga     stowum  fremedon 

sume  ser  sume  si$     sume  in  urra  876 

sefter  tael-mearce     tida  gemyndum 

848.  MS.  wsesten  with  m  written  above  the  en.  867.  MS.  gynn  wise©. 

875.  MS.  stopum. 


II.      SAINT   GUTHLAC.      B.  157 

to  fulfil  them  in  that  home.     Too  soon  it  irked  them  844 

to  execute  the  Sovereign's  will, 

but  at  the  serpent's  rede  the  woman  took 

forbidden  produce,  and  from  the  tree  plucked  off 

prohibited  fruit,  against  the  word  of  God,  848 

the  King  of  Glory,  and  through  the  devil's  guile 

gave  to  her  consort  that  death-bearing  food, 

which  drew  them  both,  husband  and  wife,  to  death. 

Then  that  bright  land,  the  best  of  habitations,  853 

became  alienate  to  Adam  and  to  Eve, 

withdrawn  from  them  and  from  their  children  too, 

from  all  posterity ;  then,  in  shame  departing, 

they  were  thrust  into  a  foreign  land,  856 

into  a  world  of  toil ;  by  death's  pang 

they  atoned  their  deed,  the  deep  transgressions, 

which  they  had  erewhile  wrought  unwisely  : 

women  and  men,  guilty  against  God,  since  then,  860 

in  retribution  for  their  sin,  their  deadly  crime, 

their  deep  transgressions,  must  pay  the  penalty 

by  their  souls'  severance.     Death  pressed  in 

unto  the  race  of  men;  the  fiends  prevailed  864 

throughout  mid-earth ;  never  since  then 

was  any  man  of  all  that  glorious  race 

so  zealous  for  God's  will  or  so  impelled, 

that  he  could  escape  the  bitter  drink  868 

which  Eve  in  days  of  yore  gave  Adam, 

which  that  young  bride  poured  forth  :  it  ruined  them  both 

in  their  dear  home.     Death  prevailed 

o'er  earth's  inhabitants;    though  there  were  many,  87a 

holy  in  spirit,  who  here  performed 

the  will  of  God,  in  the  varied  homes  of  men, 

throughout  the  dwellings  of  the  plains ; 

some  earlier,  some  later,  some  even  in  the  memory  876 

of  our  own  times,  according  to  our  reckoning, 


158  II.      SAINT    GUTHLAC.     B.       878-QO9.    [850-881.] 

sigor-lean  sohtun  ,  us  secgatS  bee  •  [850] 

Hu  guSlac  wearcS     J>urh  godes  willan 

eadig  on  engle     he  him  ece  geceas  880 

meaht  and  mund-byrd  { msere  wurdon 

his  wundra  geweorc     wide  and  side  • 

breme  sefter  burgum     geond  bryten  innan 

hu  he  monge  oft*     f>urh  meaht  godes  884 

gehaelde  hyge-geomre     hefigra  wita 

J?e  hine  unsofte     adle  gebundne 

sarge  gesohtun     of  siS-wegum 

freorig-mode     symle  frofre  Ipser  888 

set  f>am  godes  cempan     gearwe  fundon  [86x] 

helpe  and  haelo     nsenig  hselefa  is 

J?e  areccan  ma?ge     dp]>e  rim  wite 

ealra  J>ara  wundra     J?e  he  in  worulde  her  892 

Jrnrh  dryhtnes  giefe     duge)?um  gefremede : —  17 


[ii.] 


> 


OFT  to  Jxim  wicum     weorude  cwomun 
deofla  deaS-msegen     dugufa  byscyrede 
hlojmm  )?ringan     p&r  se  halga  )?eow  896 

elnes  anhydig     eard  weardade 

J?ser  hy  mislice     mongum  reordum  [870] 

on  J?am  westenne     woSe  hofun 

hludne  here-cirm     hiwes  binotene  900 

dreamum  *  bidrorene     dryhtnes  cempa     [*46  a.] 

from  folc-toga     feonda  f>reatum 

wiSstod  stronglice  t  nses  seo  stund  latu 

earmra  gsesta     ne  J?set  onbid  long  904 

J?aet  fa  wroht-smiSas     wop  ahofun  J 

hreopun  hreS-lease     hleoJ)rum  brugdon  ■ 

hwilum  wedende     swa  wilde  deor 

cirmdon  on  cortSre     hwilum  cyrdon  eft  908 

minne  man-scea]?an     on  mennisc  hiw  [881] 

893.   One  line  space  between  the  sections. 


II.      SAINT    GUTHLAC.       B  159 

have  sought  a  glorious  reward.     Books  tell  us 

how  Guthlac  became  blessed  in  England 

through  the  will  of  God :  he  chose  for  himself  880 

eternal  might  and  guardianship.     Famed  were 

his  works  of  wonder ;    'twas  bruited  far  and  wide, 

from  town  to  town,  throughout  all  Britain, 

how,  through  the  power  of  God,  he  oft  had  healed  884 

many  wretched  ones  of  heavy  pains, 

many  who,  oppressed  with  grievous  malady, 

sought  him  from  distant  ways, 

sorrowful  and  sad  in  mind ;  ever  found  they  888 

comfort,  and  help,  and  healing,  ready  for  them  there 

with  him,  God's  champion.     There  is  no  man 

that  may  recount  or  know  the  number 

of  all  the  wonders,  that  in  the  world  here,  89  2 

through  favour  of  the  Lord,  he  wrought  for  men. 


II. 

Oft  to  those  dwellings  came,  thronging  in  troops, 
a  deadly  force  of  devils  with  their  host, 

cut  off  from  glory,  where  the  holy  servant,     _  896 

steadfast  in  courage,  maintained  his  habitation. 
There  in  that  wilderness,  bereft  of  winsome  aspect, 
of  joys  deprived,  they  raised  on  high 

their  varied  shout  in  many  tongues,  900 

their  war-whoop  loud.     The  champion  of  the  Lord, 
His  captain  bold,  stoutly  withstood 
the  bands  of  foes.     Time  was  not  tardy 

with  those  wretched  sprites,  nor  was  the  respite  long,  904 

before  the  harm- contrivers  raised  their  whoop; 
ignobly  clamoured  they ;  oft  varied  they  their  strain  ; 
now  raging  like  wild  beasts, 

they  howled  in  herds ;    now  the  vile  and  wicked  scathers       908 
turned  themselves  again  into  human  shape 


160  II.      SAINT    GUTHLAC.    B.       9IO-943.    [882-916.] 

breahtma  mseste.    hwilum  brugdon  eft 

awyrgde  wser-logan     on  wyrmes  bleo 

earme  adloman     attre  spiowdon  •  91a 

symle  hy  gutSlac     gearene  fundon 

£>onces  gleawne     he  gef>yldum  bad 

)?eah  him  feonda  hloS     feorh-cwealm  bude  • 

Hwilum  him  to  honda     hungre  gej>reatad  916 

fleag  fugla  cyn  •  J?ser  hy  feorh-nere 

witude  fundon     and  hine  weorSedon  [89°] 

meaglum  stefnum     hwilum  mennisce 

aras  eaS-medum     eft  neosedon  920 

and  J>ser  siS-frome     on  )?am  sige-wonge 

set  j)am  halgan  peowan     helpe  gemetton 

ferc5j>es  frofre  (  nsenig  forjmm  wses 

J>set  he  se  wise-mod     eft  siSade  924 

hean  hyhta  leas     ac  se  halga  wer 

selda  gehwylces     }?urh  J?a  sej>elan  meaht 

f>e  hine  seoslige     sohtun  on  Searfe 

hseleS  hyge-geomre     hselde  butu  928 

lie  and  sawle     J^enden  lifes  weard  [901] 

ece  selmihtig     unnan  wolde 

])8dt  he  blsedes  her     brucan  [moste] 

worulde  lifes     wses  gewinnes  f>a  932 

yrmj?a  for  eorSan     ende-dogor 

f>urh  nyd-gedal     neah  ge-*J>rungen  ,    [*46  ft.] 

sij?(?an  he  on  westenne     wic-eard  geceas 

fiftynu  gear     J>a  wses  frofre  gsest  936 

eadgum  83-bodan     ufan  onsended 

halig  of  heah}?u     hre)?er  innan  born  [910] 

afysed  on  forcS-sitS  •     him  fseringa 

adl  in-gewod  •  he  on  elne  swa  J?eah  940 

ungeblyged  bad     beorhtra  gehata 

blif>e  in  burgum  ,  wses  J?am  ban-cofan 

sefter  niht-glome     neah  gef>rungen 

933.  MS.  }?eowon.         931.  [moste]  supplied  by  conjecture. 


II.      SAINT   GUTHLAC.       B.  161 

with  loudest  clamour;  now  the  accursed  traitors, 

the  fire-maimed  wretches,  changed  again 

to  the  serpent's  hue,  and  spat  forth  venom.  91a 

Guthlac,  the  wise  of  thought,  ever  found  they 

ready ;  patiently  he  waited, 

though  the  band  of  fiends  threatened  him  with  death. 

Sometimes  to  his  hand,  by  hunger  forced,  916 

thither  flew  the  race  of  birds;  there  found  they 

certain  succour,  and  lauded  him 

with  eager  voices ;  sometimes  again, 

human  messengers  approached  him  humbly,  920 

and  there,  in  that  glorious  plain,  the  travellers 

found  help  and  comfort  for  their  spirits 

with  that  holy  servant.      Verily  there  was  none 

that  journeyed  thence  abashed,  924 

humbled,  or  void  of  hope,  but  through  his  noble  might, 

the  holy  man  healed  both  the  body 

and  the  soul  of  everyone  of  folk, 

who,  afflicted,  sought  him  in  their  need,  928 

men  sad  of  spirit,  whilst  life's  Guardian, 

eternal  and  almighty,  would  vouchsafe 

that  he  might  enjoy  existence  here, 

life  in  this  world.     Then  the  final  day  93a 

of  all  his  strife  and  hardships  upon  earth, 

through  the  inevitable  parting,  was  come  near  ; 

after  he  had  chosen  a  dwelling  in  the  waste 

for  fifteen  years,  then  was  the  spirit  of  comfort  936 

sent  down  unto  that  blessed  godspeller, 

holy  from  on  high.     His  spirit  burned  within, 

bent  on  departure ;  suddenly  disease 

invaded  him ;  yet  with  courage  940 

he  awaited,  undismayed,  His  bright  behests, 

blithe  in  that  dwelling-place.     In  the  gloom  of  night 

pain  pressed  his  body  hard, 

M 


162  II.      SAINT    GUTHLAC.     B.       944-975.    [917-948.] 

breost-hord  onboren     waes  se  hlUpa  gaest  944 

ftis  on  forS-weg  /  nolde  feeder  engla 

in .  J>isse  won-saelgan     worulde  life 

leahtra  leasne     long-fyrst  ofer  f>aet  [920] 

wunian  leton     ]>e  him  on  weorcum  her  948 

on  his  dagena  tid     daeduw  gecwemde 

elne  unslawe  •     Sa  se  t  aelmihtiga 

let  his  bond  cuman     J>aer  se  halga  £>eow 

deormod  on  degle     dom-eadig  bad  95a 

heard  and  hyge-rof  .  hyht  waes  geniwad 

blis  in  breostum  .  waes  se  ban-cofa 

adle  onaeled     in-bendum  fsest  . 

lic-hord  onlocen     leomu  hefegedon  956 

sarum  gesohte  ,  he  pcet  soft  gecneow  [93°] 

J?aet  hine  aelmihtig     ufan  neosade 

meotud  fore  miltsum  -  he  his  mod-sefan 

j 

wicS  J?am  faer-hagan     faeste  trymede  96° 

feonda  gewinna  ;  nass  he  forht  se-feah 

ne  seo  adl-)?racu     etgle  on  mode 

ne  deaft-gedal     ac  him  dryhtnes  lof 

born  in  breostum     brond-hat  lufu  964 

sigor-faest  in  sefan     seo  him  sara  gehwylc 

symle  forswiSde .  naes  him  sorg-cearu 

on  fas  laenan  tid     feah  his  lie  and  gaest  [94°] 

hyra  som-wiste  A  sin-hiwan  tii  968 

deore  ge—daele^  .  dagas  forcS  scridun     [*  47  a.] 

niht-helma  genipu  .  waes  neah  seo  tid 

J?eet  he  fyrn-gewyrht     fyllan  sceolde 

J>urh  deaSes  cyme     domes  hleotan  972 

efne  J>aes  ilean     pe  usse  yldran  fyrn 

frecne  onfengon     swa  him  biforan  worhton 

J?a  aerestan     aelda  cynnes  :  7  : — 

945.  fseder,  between  se  and  d  erasure  of  a  letter  in  the  MS.         950.  MS. 
haelmihtiga.  962.  MS.  eagle.  966.  MS.  forswiSede,  i.  e.  forswiSde. 

969.  MS.  gedaeled.  975.  Half -line  space  between  the  sections. 


II.       SAINT    GUTHLAC.       B.  163 

his  breast's  treasure  was  enfeebled,  the  glad  spirit  944 

was  eager  for  departure.     The  Father  of  the  angels 
would  not  let  him,  void  of  all  transgression, 
dwell  any  longer  in  this  hapless 

earthly  life,  for  he,  in  his  works  here,  948 

in  the  period  of  his  days,  had  pleased  Him 
by  deeds  and  active  courage.     Then  the  Almighty 
Jet  His  hand  come  thither,  where  the  holy  vassal, 
beloved,  glorious,  constant,  and  brave-hearted,  952 

abode  in  secret :    hope  was  renewed, 
joy  was  in  his  breast.     His  body  was  inflamed 
with  burning  sickness,  held  fast  by  bonds  within ; 
his  frame  relaxed,  his  limbs  waxed  heavy,  956 

afflicted  with  sore  pains.     He  recognised  the  truth, 
that,  in  His  mercy,  the  Almighty  Lord 
had  visited  him  from  above :    his  mind 

he  strengthened  firmly  'gainst  the  sudden  onset  960 

of  the  fiends'  attacks  :    yet  was  he  not  afeard, 
neither  the  disease's  pang,  nor  death's  severing, 
was  trying  to  his  soul,  but  God's  praise 

burned  in  his  breast,  triumphant  in  his  soul  964 

dwelt  ardent  love,  which  aye  o'ercame 
his  every  pain.     In  that  fading  time, 
his  was  no  anxious  care,  though  his  body  and  his  spirit, 
dear  wedded  comrades  twain,  should  part  968 

their  fellowship.     Onward  sped  the  days, 
the  shades  of  curtained  night ;    the  time  was  near 
that  he  should  fulfil,  through  death's  approach, 
that  which  was  ordained  of  old,  and  gain  97a 

the  self-same  doom  that  our  parents  long  ago, 
the  first  of  the  race  of  men, 

obtained  full  terribly,  as  they  had  erewhile  earned  it  for  them- 
selves. 


M    2 


164         II.       SAINT    GUTHLAC.      B.       Q^6-10o8.    [949-981.] 


[in.] 

_T\A  waes  guftlace     on  pa  geocran  tid  976 

MJ     ma?gen  gemetSgad     mod  swipe  heard  [950] 

elnes  anhydig     wses  seo  adl  pearl 

hat  and  heoro-grim     hreper  innan  weol 

born  ban-loca     brypen  waes  ongunnen  980 

paette  a  dame     eue  gebyrmde 

aet  fruman  worulde%    feond  byrlade 

aerest  paere  idese     and  Leo  adame 

hyre  swaesum  were     sippan  scencte  984 

bittor  baede-weg  :  pees  pa  byre  sippan 

grimme  onguldon     gaful-raedenne 

purh  asr-gewyrht     paette  aenig  ne  waes  [960] 

fyra  cynnes     from  fruman  siSSan  988 

mon  on  moldan     paette  meahte  him 

gebeorgan  and  bibugan     pone  bleatan  drync* 

deopan  deaS-weges     ac  him  duru  sylfa 

on  pa  sliSnan  tid     sona  ontynecS  993 

in-gong  geopenaft   ;  ne  ma?g  aenig  pam 

flaesce  bifongen     feore  wiSstondan 

ricra  ne  heanra     ac  hine  raeseS  on 

gifrum  grapum  •     Swa  waes  guSlace  996 

enge  anhoga     aet-ryhte  pa  [970] 

aefter  niht-scuan     neah  gepyded 

wiga  wael-gifre     hine  wunade  mid 

an  ombeht-pegn     se  hine  aeghwylce  1000 

daga  neosade  •     Ongan  Sa  deop-hydig 

gleaw-mod  gongan     to  godes  temple 

peer  he  epel-bodan     *  inne  wiste     [*  47  &.] 

pone  leofestan     lareow  gecorenne  1004 

and  pa  in-eode     eadgum  to  spraece  . 

wolde  hyrcnigan     halges  lara 

mildes  mepel-cwida,   fonde  pa  his  mon-dryhten  [980] 

adl-werigne ,   him  tSset  in-gefeol  1008 


II.       SAINT    GUTHLAC.       B.  165 


III. 

Guthlac's  strength  then,  at  that  grievous  time,  976 

was  all  impaired  ;    his  mind  was  passing  firm, 
steadfast  in  courage ;    dire  was  that  disease, 
hot  and  fiercely  grim ;    his  heart  was  stirred  within, 
his  body  burned  ;    the  drink  was  ready,  980 

which  Eve  had  brewed  for  Adam 
at  the  world's  beginning.     The  fiend  first  served 
the  draught  unto  the  woman,  and  she  poured  forth 
thereafter  the  bitter  cup  for  Adam,  984 

her  own  consort ;  wherefore  their  children  since 
have  paid  full  bitterly  the  tax  determined 
for  that  deed  of  old,  so  that  there  hath  never  been 
anyone  of  the  race  of  men,  any  man  on  earth,  988 

ever  since  that  first  beginning,  that  could 
secure  himself,  and  'scape  the  livid  drink 
of  Death's  deep  cup,  but  at  that  awful  time 
the  door  anon  unfasteneth  of  itself,  992 

and  showeth  him  the  entrance.     No  one,  with  flesh  invested, 
whether  of  the  high  or  low,  can  with  his  life 
resist  that  foe,  but  he  rusheth  on  him 

with  greedy  clutchings.     Thus  that  lonely  wight,  •     996 

all -unremitting,  that  slaughter-loving  warrior, 
after  the  shades  of  night,  was  nigh  to  Guthlac, 
yea,  in  close  contact  with  him.  £_With  Guthlac  dwelt 
one  servant ;    he  was  wont  to  visit  him  1000 

each  day,  a  thoughtful  man  and  prudent, 
and  he  went  now  to  God's  temple, 
wherein,  as  he  knew,  was  the  land's  apostle, 
the  chosen  teacher  and  the  best  beloved;  1004 

and  he  entered  in  for  converse  with  that  blessed  man; 
he  would  fain  hear  the  saint's  instructions, 
the  kind  one's  discourses;    he  found  then  his  master 
wearied  with  sickness ;    full  heavily  1008 


166        II.      SAINT    GUTHLAC.     B.       IOO9-IO42.    [982-1015.] 

hefig  set  heortan  •   hyge-sorge  waeg     cj 

micle  mod-ceare-     ongan  J>a  his  magii  frignan  • 

hu  gewearft  )?e  J>us     wine-dryhten  min 

feeder  freonda  hleo     fertS  gebysgad  1012 

nearwe  genseged  .  ic  naefre  J?e 

J?eoden  leofesta     )>yslicne  aer 

gemette  f  us  meSne ,  meaht  J>u  meSel-cwidum 

worda  gewealdan  ,  is  me  on  wene  ge)niht  10 16 

pcet  "pe  untrymnes     adle  gongum  •  [990] 

on  )?isse  nyhstan     niht  bysgade  • 

sar-bennum  gesoht ,   ]>cel  me  sorgna  is 

hatost  on  hre]?re     eer  J>u  hyge  minne  1020 

ferft  afrefre   ( \^ast  ]>u  freo-dryhten 

hu  )?eos  adle  scyle     ende#  gesettan  •    . 

Him  ]?a  siS  oncwsetS     sona  ne  meahte 

croft  up  geteon     wees  him  in-bogen  1024 

bittor  ban-cofa     beald  reordade 

eadig  on  elne     andcwis  ageaf  ;  _ 

ic  wille  secgan     \ast  me  sar  gehran    ^tX>vi^«^-  [IOO°] 

wserc  in-gewod     in  ftisse  wonnan  niht  1038 

lic-hord  onleac  *  leomu  hefegiatS 

sarum  gesohte  .  sceal  )?is  sawel-hus 

fasge  fleesc-homa     fold-aerne  bij>eaht 

leomu  lames  ge£>acan     leger-bedde  feest  1033 

wunian  wael-rseste  ,  wiga  nealasceS 

unlaet  laces  ;ne  bicS  J>ses  lengra  swice 

sawel-gedales     Iponne  seofon-niht 

fyrst-gemearces     ]>cet  min  feorh  heonan  1036 

on  )?isse  eahtej^an     ende  gesecetS  [10 10] 

daeg  scrij^ende  !  ponne  dogor  *  beoS     [*  48  a.] 

on  mold-wege     min  fortS  scrij>en 

sorg  geswe#rad     and  ic  si)?)?an  mot  104c 

fore  meotudes  cneowum     meorda  hleotan 

gingra  geafena     and  godes  lomber 

1013.  MS.  genfged  (i.e.  genaeged).  1040.  MS.  geswedrad. 


II.       SAINT    GUTHLAC.       B.  167 

it  fell  upon  his  heart;  he  bore  deep  sorrow 

and  much  anxious  care.     Asked  then  his  servant : — 

'  How  cometh  it  that  thou,  my  friend  and  master, 
my  father,  and  the  bulwark  of  thy  friends,  art  thus  1012 

afflicted  and  hard  pressed1?    Never,  my  dearest  lord, 
have  I  found  thee  in  such  plight  before, 
thus  feeble.      Hast  thou  command  of  words 
for  converse?     To  my  mind  it  seemeth,  1016 

that,  during  this  latter  night,  infirmity 
hath  overcome  thee  through  onsets  of  disease, 
and  hath  attacked  thee  with  sore  wounds.     Of  all  sorrows 
this  is  the  hottest  in  my  heart,  until  thou  comfortest  1020 

my  mind  and  soul.     Knowest  thou,  beloved  master, 
how  this  sickness  shall  have  ending  1 ' 

He  answered  him  but  tardily,  he  could  not 
draw  his  breath  at  once,  a  bitter  malady  1024 

oppressed  him ;   bravely  he  spake, 
blest  with  fortitude  he  gave  reply  : — 

1 1  would  tell  thee  that  pain  hath  seized  me, 
suffering  hath  invaded  me  in  this  wan  night,  1028 

and  hath  relaxed  my  body ;    my  limbs  wax  heavy, 
sorely  visited.     This  dwelling  of  the  soul, 
this  fated  fleshly  vesture,  these  limbs,  coverings  of  clay, 
decked  in  an  earthy  chamber,  held  fast  on  a  lowly  bed,        1033 
must  keep  a  mortal  resting-place.     The  warrior  draweth  near, 
not  slow  of  fight :  there  will  be  no  longer  evasion 
of  the  soul's  departing  than  seven  nights, 

according  to  appointed  time,  so  that  my  life  1036 

will  hence  and  seek  its  end  upon  this  eighth, 
this  approaching  day :    then  all  my  days 
upon  this  tract  of  earth  will  have  departed, 
all  my  grief  will  be  assuaged,  and  then  may  I,  1040 

before  the  knees  of  my  Creator,  share  in  the  rewards 
and  in  new  gifts;  then  may  I  follow  aye, 


168         II.      SAINT    GUTHLAC.     B.       IO43-IO73.    [1016-1046.] 

in  sin-dreamum     si)?J>an  awo 

forS  folgian  •  is  nu  fus  Sider  1044 

gsest  sij>es  georn  ,  nu  J>u  gearwe  const 

leoma  lif-gedal     long  is  J>is  onbid 

worulde-lifes  •     ?Ja  waes  wop  and  heaf  [1020] 

geongum  geocor  sefa     georarende  hyge  1048 

sij?)>an  he  gehyrde     Ipset  se  halga  waes 

forS-styes  fus  '  he  )>ees  fser-spelles 

fore  his  mon-dryhtne     mod-sorge  wseg 

hefige  aet  heortan  j  hre)?er  innan  swearc  105  a 

hyge  hreow-cearig     j^aes  J>e  [lie]  his  hlaford  • 

geseah  ellor-fusne  .  he  Ips&s  onbseru 

habban  ne  meahte     ac  he  hate  let 

torn  ]x>liende     tearas  geotan  1056 

weallan  waeg-dropan ,   wyrd  ne  meahte  [1030] 

in  faegum  leng     feorg  gehealdan 

deore  freetwe     ))<mne  him  gedemed  wses : —  :  7 

[IV.] 

ON-geat  gsesta  halig     geomor-modes  1060 

drusend[n]e  hyge  •  ongan  J>a  duguj>a  hleo 
gleed-mod  gode  leof    geongran  retan 
wine  leofestan     wordum  negan  *  — 

ne  beo  J?u  unrot     tSeah  Ipeos  adl  me  1064 

innan  sele  •  nis  me  earfeSe 
to  geJ>olianne     j^eodnes  willan 

dryhtnes  mines     ne  ic  J?aes  deat5es  hafu  [io4°] 

on  fas  seocnan  tid     sorge  on  mode  1068 

ne  ic  me  here-hloc5e     helle-]?egna 
swifte  onsitte     ne  maeg  synne  on  me 
facnes  frum-bearn     fyrene  gestselan 

lices  leahtor  .  *  ac  in  lige  sceolon     [*  48  &.]  107a 

sorg-wylmum  soden     sar  wanian  • 

1053.  [he]  conjectural.  I059-  One-line  space  between  the  sections 

1 06 1.  MS.  drusende. 


II.       SAINT    GUTHLAC.       B.  169 

for  ever  afterwards,  the  Lamb  of  God, 

'mid  endless  joys :  now  is  my  soul  bound  thither,  1044 

yearning  for  its  journey.     Thou  knowest  now  right  well 

my  body's  severance  from  life :  long  is  this  tarrying 

of  earthly  life.'      Then  was  there  wailing  and  lament, 

the  spirit  of  the  youth  grew  sad,  his  mind  was  troubled,     1048 

when  he  heard  that  the  holy  man 

was  bound  upon  the  journey  hence  ;  at  that  sudden  tiding 

endured  he  heavy  sorrow  in  his  heart 

for  his  liege  lord;  his  soul  grew  dark  within,  1053 

his  mind  was  all  distressed,  for  he  saw  his  master 

departing  otherwhere ;  he  was  unable 

to  restrain  therefrom,  but  woe-begone 

he  suffered  burning  tears  to  fall,  1056 

wave-drops  to  overflow.     Fate  might  not 

keep  the  cherished  treasure,  life, 

within  the  doomed,  longer  than  was  ordained  for  him. 


IV. 

The  holy  soul  perceived  the  drooping  spirit  1060 

of  the  sad  youth  :  then  began  he,  the  help  of  men 
and  the  beloved  of  God,  in  gladsome  mood  to  cheer 
the  youth,  his  dearest  friend,  and  to  address  him  thus : — 

1  Be  thou  not  sad,  though  this  disease  1064 

burneth  within  me;  it  is  not  hard  for  me 
to  undergo  the  will  of  the  Supreme, 
my  Master,  nor  at  this  grievous  time 

have  I  in  mind  a  care  concerning  death,  1068 

nor  am  I  much  a-dread  of  all  the  multitude 
of  hell's  ministers,  nor  may  deceit's  first-born 
impute  to  me  or  sin  or  crime, 

or  body's  deed  of  shame  :  but  sodden  in  direful  fires,  107J 

they  must  themselves  in  flame  sorely  lament, 


170         II.      SAINT    GUTHLAC.     B.       IO74-IIO7.    [1017-1080.] 

wraec-siS  wepan     wilna  biscirede 

in  fara  dea(5-sele     duguSa  gehwylcre 

lufena  and  lissa     min  J?set  leofe  beam  1076 

ne  beo  J?u  on  sefan  to  seoc  .  ic  eom  si^es  fus  [  1050] 

up-eard  niman     edleanan  georn 

in  J>am  ecan  gefean     aer-gewyrhtuni 

gesecn  sigora  frean     min  pcet  swaese  beam  10S0 

nis  me  wracu  ne  gewin     \cet  ic  wuldres  god 

sece  swegel-cyning     J^aer  is  sib  and  blis 

dom-faestra  dream     dryhten  andwe&rd 

J?am  ic  georne     gaest-gerynum  1084 

in  J>as  dreorgan  tid     daedura  cwemde 

mode  and  maegne     ic  J>a  meorde  wat 

leahtor-lease     lean  unhwilen  [1060] 

halig  on  heah)?u  .   £>aer  min  hyht  myneS  1088 

to  gesecenne     sawul  fundatS 

of  lie-fate     to  j?am  longan  gefean 

in  ead-welan     nis  )>es  ej>el  me 

ne  sar  ne  sorg  >  ic  me  sylfum  wat  1093 

sefter  lices  hryre     lean  unhwilen  • 

Da  se  wuldor-maga     worda  gestilde 

rof  riin-wita     waes  him  raeste  neod 

reonig-modum     rodor  swamode  1096 

ofer  nicSfta  beam     niht-rim  scridon  [,07°] 

deorc  ofer  dugecSum     J>a  se  daeg  bicwom 

on  J>am  se  lifgenda     in  lic-homan 

ece  aelmihtig     aerist  gefremede-  11 00 

dryhten  mid  dreame  •     Sa  he  of  deafte  aras 

onwald  of  eort5an     in  J>a  eastor-tid 

ealra  J>rymma  J>rym     Areata  maestne 

to  heofonum  ahof«     $a  he  from  helle  astag  •  t  11 04 

Swa  se  eadga  wer     in  J»a  ae)?elan  tid 

on  J?one  beorhtan  daeg     blissum  hremig 

milde  and  gemet-faest     maegen  unsofte  [ic8o] 

1 091.  MB.  ingead  (i.  e.  inead).  1098.  J>a;    originally  \>e,  changed  to  \>&. 

1 102.  MS.  onweald  (i  e.  onwald). 


II.       SAINT    GUTHLAC.       B.  171 

and  wail  their  exile,  cut  off  from  all  delights, 

in  that  hall  of  death,  from  every  goodly  thing, 

from  love  and  mercy.     My  beloved  son,  1076 

be  thou  not  too  sad  at  heart ;  I  am  hastening  on  my  way 

to  take  a  dwelling-place  on  high,  yearning  for  reward 

in  that  eternal  joy  for  all  my  former  Avorks, — 

to  see  the  Lord  of  triumph.     My  beloved  son,  1080 

'tis  no  misery  for  me  nor  hardship,  to  seek 

glory's  God,  heaven's  King,  where  is  peace  and  bliss, 

joy  of  the  exalted,  and  there  the  Lord  is  present, 

whom  I,  with  all  the  secret  powers  of  my  soul,  1084 

with  all  my  mind  and  strength,  during  this  mournful  tide, 

have  eagerly  delighted  with  my  deeds.    I  know  that  the  reward 

is  faultless,  a  lasting  recompense, 

holy  upon  high  ;  my  heart's  desire  1088 

is  to  seek  that  place  ;  my  soul  striveth 

from  its  body's  vessel  to  reach  that  lasting  joy 

'mid  blissful  happiness.     This  earthly  home 

hath  neither  pain  for  me  nor  sorrow;  I  know,  for  me,  1093 

after  my  body's  fall,  there  is  an  endless  recompense.' 

Then  the  glorious  hero,  that  sage  renowned, 
ceased  from  words;  need  had  he  of  rest, 

weary  was  his  spirit..    The  heavens  floated  1096 

over  the  sons  of  men;  a  term  of  nights  had  passed 
dark  o'er  mankind,  when  the  day  approached 
on  which  the  Living  God,  in  human  form, 

the  Eternal  Lord  Almighty,  wrought  His  resurrection  1100 

amid  joy,  when  in  the  Easter-tide 
Omnipotent  He  rose  from  earth,  from  death, 
when  He,  glory  of  all  glories,  raised  to  heaven 
a  band  innumerable,  when  He  from  hell  ascended.  1104 

Wherefore  the  blessed  warrior,  at  that  glorious  tide, 
on  that  bright  day,  blissfully  exultant, 
placid  and  tranquil,  courageously  exerted 


172  II.    SAINT    GUTHLAC.     B.       H08-H38.    [1081-llU.] 

*elne  gesefnde  •     Aras  Sa  eorla  wynn     [*49  a.]  1108 

heard  hyge-snottor     swa  he  hraj^ost  meahte 

metSe  for  Sam  miclan  bysgum  •  «  ongon  )?a  his  mod  sta)?elian 

leohte  geleafan     lac  on-ssegde 

deop-hycgende     dryhtne  to  willan  •  1 1 1 2 

gsest-gerynum     in  godes  temple    » 

and  his  Ipegne  ongon     swa  J>am  J>eodne  geras 

J>urh  gsestes  giefe     god-spel  bodian 

secgan  sigor-tacnum     and  his  sefan  trymman  11 16 

wundrum  to  wuldre     in  J?a  wlitigan   gesceaft  [I09°] 

to  ead-welan     swa  he  ser  ne  si5 

sefre  to  ealdre     ot5re   swylce 

on  t5as  lsenan  tid     lare  gehyrde  11 30 

ne  swa  deoplice     dryhtne s  geryne 

)mrh  menniscne     muS  areccan 

on  sidum  sefan     him  wses  so]?ra  ge)>uht 

])cet  hit  ufancundes     engles  wsere  11 24 

of  swegl-dreamum     swi]x>r  micle 

msegen-fegnes  word     J)onne  seniges  monnes  lar 

wera  ofer  eorftan  *  him   ]>cet  wundra  msest  [1100] 

gesewen  J>uhte     ]>cet  swylc  snyttru-creeft  1128 

senges  haeleSa  her     hrej>er  weardade 

dryhta  bearna     wses  Ipses  deoplic  eall 

word  and  wisdom     and  pses  weres  stihtung 

mod  and  msegen-crseft     )>e  him  meotud  engla  11 32 

gsesta  geocend     forgiefen  hsefde  : —  :  7 

[v.] 

Walton  feowere  "5a     fortS  gewitene 
dagas  on  rime     ]>ses  se  dryhtnes  \pegn\ 
on  elne  bad     adle  gebysgad  11 36 

saruwi  geswenced;  ne  he  sorge  wseg  [1IIOJ 

geocorne   sefan     gaest-gedales 

1 128.  M S.  snyttrS,  i.  e.  snyttro  corrected  to  snyttru.  II33-  Half-line 

space  between  hsefde  and  W^Ron.          1 135.  [fegn]  supplied  by  conjecture. 


II.       SAINT    GUTHLAC.      B.  173 

all  his  strength,  despite  the  pain,  and  he  rose  then,  1108 

the  firm,  the  wise,  the  joy  of  men,  as  he  quickest  might, 
weary  from  his  great  afflictions :  he   began   then   to   confirm   his 

mind 
with  bright  belief,  and  offered  an  oblation 

to  please  his  Lord,  deeply  meditating  ma 

in  God's  temple,  with  all  his  secret  spiritual  might; 
and  then,  as  became  the  master,  he  began  to  preach  the  Gospel, 
through  the  Spirit's  grace,  unto  his  servant, 
and  to  speak  in  words  triumphant,  and  to  confirm  his  mind,  n  16 
wondrously,  in  the  glory  of  that  fair  creation, 
and  in  its  happiness,  so  that,  ne'er  before,  nor  since, 
never  in  this  life,  during  this  transient  time, 
heard  he  another  teaching  like  unto  that,  11 20 

nor  heard  he  mysteries  of  the  Lord  explained 
so  deeply  by  the  mouth  of  any  man 
of  noble  understanding :  it  seemed  to  him  more  truly 
that  they  were  angel's  words  from  heaven,  11 24 

from  the  ethereal  joys,  words  of  some  mighty  servant  (of  the  Lord), 
far  rather  than  the  lore  of  any  man, 
of  any  mortal  upon  earth :  it  seemed  to  him 
the  greatest  wonder,  that  the  breast  of  any  1128 

of  the  sons  of  men  could  hold  such  power  of  wisdom, 
here  in  this  world ;  so  deep  were  all 
the  words,  the  wisdom,  and  the  man's  instruction, 
the  mind  and  power,  which  the  Lord  of  angels,  1132 

the  Saviour  of  souls,  had  granted  unto  him. 


V. 

Four  days  in  number  had  then  passed  away, 
since  first  the  servant  of  the  Lord, 

oppressed  with  sickness,  direfully  afflicted,  1136 

waited  courageously :  he  bore  not  sorrow, 
nor  sad  mood,  nor  troubled  spirit, 


174         II.     SAINT    GUTHLAC.     B.      II39-II72.    [1112-1145.] 

dreorigne  hyge  ,  deatS  nealsecte 

stop  stal-gongum  •     *  strong  and  hrefte     [*49  6.]  1140 

sohte  sawel-hus  ,  com  se  seofefta  deeg 

aeldum  andwe&rd     J?8es  J»e  him  in-gesonc 

hat  heortan  neah     hilde-scurum 

flacor  flan-Ju-acu     feorh-hord  onleac  11 44 

searo-caegum  gesoht  «  ongon  (5a  snottor  haele 

ar  onbeht-J»egn     sej>eles  neosan 

to  fam  halgan  hofe  ;  fond  }?a  hlingendne  [1120J 

fusne  on  fortS-si}>     frean  unwemne  1148 

ggest-haligne     in  godes  temple 

soden  sar-wylmum  •  ,  Waas  J?a  sihste  tid 

on  midne  dseg   -  wass  his  mon-dryhtne 

ende-dogor     set-ryhte  J»a  ,  1152 

nearwum  genseged     nyd-costingum 

awrecen  wsel-pilum     wlo  ne  meahte 

oro"S  up  geteon     ellen-sprsece 

hleoJ>or  ahebban-^   Ongon  tSa  hyge-geomor  n  56 

freorig  and  fert5-werig     fusne  gretan  [1130] 

me(5ne  mod-glasdne*   bsed  hine  J>urh  mihta  scyppend 

gif  he  his  word-cwida     weal  dan  meahte 

spraece  a-hebban     J>a3t  him  on  spellum  gecycSde  11 60 

onwrige  worda  gongum     hu  he  his  wisna  truwade 

drohtes  on  t5aere  dimman  adle     serSon  hine  deatS  onssegde  • 

Him  se  eadga  wer     ageaf  emdsware 

leof  mon  leofum     J>eah  he  late  meahte  1164 

eorl  ellen-heard     orej:e  gebredan-  • 

min  ]>3dt  swaese  beam     nis  nu  swij>e  feor 

)?am  ytemestan     ende-dogor  [1140] 

nyd-gedales-     J>8et  (5u  f>a  nyhstan  scealt  11 68 

in  woruld-life     worda  minra 

naefre  leana  biloren     lare  gehyran 

noht  longe  ofer  Jus     laest  ealle  well 

waere  and  winescype     word  *}>a  wit  spraecon     [*50a.]  11 72 

1 143.  MS.  scurun.  11 48.  MS.  unwenne. 


II.       SAINT    GTJTHLAC.       B.  175 

for  his  soul's  departing.     Death  drew  nigh, 

stepping  with  stealthy  strides;  strong  and  fierce  1140 

he  sought  the  soul-house.     Came  then  the  seventh  day 

to  mortals'  sight,   since  first  the  flickering  arrows'  force, 

in  hostile  showers,   sank  hot  within  him, 

nigh  the  heart,  and  had  unlocked  life's  treasury,  1144 

attacking  it  with  guileful  keys.     Went  then  the  prudent  man, 

his  servant,  his  attendant,  to  visit  the  noble  master 

in  that  holy  house  :  he  found  his  blameless  lord, 

the  holy  spirit,  lying  on  his  bed  there,  1148 

in  God's  temple,  bent  on  departure, 

consumed  with  painful  burning.     'Twas  the  sixth  hour, 

at  noon-tide  :  his  masters  final  day 

had  now  approached  its  destined  limit.  1152 

Direful ly  assailed  with  sore  affliction, 

struck  by  darts  of  death,  he  could  scarce 

draw  his  breath,  or  raise  his  voice, 

his  mighty  utterance.     Sad  then  in  mind,  chill  and  soul-weary, 

the  servant  greeted  his  departing  lord,  1157 

faint,  yet  glad  in  spirit ;  he  prayed  him,  by  the  Creator  of  all  might, 

if  he  could  command  his  utterance,  if  he  were  able 

to  summon  speech,  that  he  would  make  clear  11 60 

and  reveal,  in  discourse  of  words,  ere  death  prostrated  him, 

how  he  confided  in  his  conduct,   his  life's   course,  in   that  dark 

malady. 
To  him  the  blessed  hero  gave  reply, 

the  beloved  spake  to  the  beloved,  tho'  the  bold  warrior         11 64 
could  but  slowly  draw  his  breath : — 

'Mine  own  dear  son,  'tis  now  not  very  far 
to  the  extreme  and  final  hour 

of  life's  sure  parting,  when,  not  long  hereof t<  1,  1 168 

never  deprived  of  thy  reward,  thou  shalt  hear 
the  last  instruction  from  my  words 
in  this  world's  life.     Fulfil  well  all 

our      covenant     and     friendship,      the     words     we     two     have 
said  to  one  another,  117a 


176 


II.      SAINT    GUTHLAC.     B.       H73-I208.    [1146-1181. J 


leofast  manna     nsefre  ic  Iufan  sibbe 

J>eoden  33 1  fearfe     f>ine  forlsete 

asanian     beo  J>u  on  sicS  gearu 

si)?J)an  lie  and  leorau     and  pes  lifes  gsest  1176 

asundrien     som-wist  hyra  Lu5°] 

J)urh  feorg-gedal ,   fyr  aefter  j?on 

J?aet  }>u  gesecge     sweostor  minre 

paere  leofestan     on   longne  weg  1180 

to  J?am  fsegran  gefean     forS-sicS  minne 

on  eene  eard     and  hyre  eac  gecytS 

wordum  minum     pat  ic  me  warnade 

hyre  onsyne     ealle  f>rage  1184 

in  woruld-life     forSy  ic  wilnode 

pset  wit  unc  eft     in  J)am  ecan  gefean 

on  swegl-wuldre     geseon  mostun  [1160] 

fore  onsyne     eces  deman  11 88 

leahtra  lease     "pser  sceal  lufu  uncer 

wserfsest  wunian     peer  wit  wilna  a 

in  tSaare  beorhtan  byrig     brucan  motun 

eades  mid  englum  •  ^  tSu  hyre  eac  saga  119a 

poet  heo  p\s  ban-fa3t     beorge  bifeeste  • 

lame  biluce     lie  orsawle  • 

in  £>eostor-cofan     J^aer  hit  prage  sceal 

in  sond-hofe     si^an  wunian-    (  1196 

$a  wear (5  mod-geJ>anc    miclum  gebisgad  [u7°] 

fream  for-J>rycced     j^urh  pses  feodnes  word 

ombeht-J^egne  j  J>a  he  asdre  oncneow 

frean  feorh-gedal     patt  hit  feor  ne  wses  iaoo 

ende-dogor,   ongon  J>a  ofostlice 

to  his  wine-dryhtne     wordum  nisetSlan  • 

ic  pec  halsige     haelefci  leofost 

gumena  cynnes     )?urh  gsesta  weard  1204 

faet  pu  hyge-sorge     heortan  minre 

geepe  eorla  wyn  \  nis  pe  ende  feor 

j?aes  pe  ic  on  galdrum     ongieten  haebbe  •    .  [1180] 

oft  mec  geomor-sefa     gehj?a  gemanode  1208 


II.       SAINT    GUTHLAC.      B.  177 

dearest  of  men  ! ' — '  Ne'er  will  I, 

in  thy  need,  my  master,  suffer  friendship's  love 

to  languish '. — '  Be  thou  ready  for  a  journey, 

so  soon  as  body  and  limbs  and  this  spirit  of  life  1 1 76 

shall  put  their  fellowship  asunder 

through  life's  severing.     Hasten  on  the  errand, 

that  thou  tell  unto  my  sister, 

the  most  beloved,  my  departure  hence  11 80 

on  a  long  journey,  to  that  fair  joy, 

to  an  eternal  home ;  and  eke  to  her  make  known, 

in  mine  own  words,  that  I  denied  myself 

her  presence,  during  all  the  space  11 84 

of  earthly  life,  for  that  I  desired 

that  we  two  might  again  see  one  another 

in  the  eternal  joy,  'mid  heavenly  glory, 

before  the  face  of  the  Eternal  Judge,  *  1188 

void  of  all  sin ;  there  shall  our  love 

continue  constant;  there  may  we  evermore 

enjoy  our  wishes,  in  that  bright  city, 

happiness  'mid  angels.     Tell  thou  to  her  eke,  1192 

that  she  commit  this  bone-case  to  the  tomb, 

and  enclose  in  clay  this  soulless  form 

in  a  dark  chamber,  where  for  a  while  thereafter 

it  shall  remain  within  its  house  of  sand.'  1196 

Then  was  that  zealous  servant's  mind 
much  troubled,  and  direfully  oppressed, 
through  his  lord's  words ;  quickly  then  he  knew 
that  his  master's  death,  his  final  hour,  1200 

was  not  far  off.     In  haste  he  then  began 
to  speak  these  words  unto  his  friend  and  master : — 

'I  beseech  thee,  dearest  of  men, 
dearest  of  human  kind,  by  the  Guardian  of  spirits,  1204 

that  thou,  delight  of  folk,  alleviate 
the  sorrow  of  ray  heart !     The  end  is  not  far  off, 
as  I  have  learnt  from  thy  divining  words. 
Oft  my  sud  spirit,  oft  sorrow  hot  at  heart,  uoS 

N 


178  II.      SAINT   GUTHLAC.    B.     IIO9-I24O.         [1 182-1214.] 

hat  set  heortan  •     *hyge  gnornende     [*50  &.] 

nihtes  nearwe     and  ic  naefre  J?e 

feeder  frofor  min     frignan  dorste* 

symle  ic  gehyrde     J>onne  heofones  gim  121 2 

wyn-condel  wera     west  onhylde 

swegl-beorht  sunne     setl-gonges  fus 

on  t  aefen-tid     oJ>erne  mid  ]>ec  • 

J>egn  aet  gej>eahte     ic  J?ees  feodnes  word  1216 

ares  uncu)>es     oft  neosendes  [Ir9°] 

daeg-woman  bitweon     and  )?aere  deorcan  niht    \ 

me)>el-cwide  maecges     and  on  morgne  swa  • 

ongeat  geomor-mod     gaestes  spraece  1220 

gleawes  in  geardum.    huru  ic  giet  ne  wat 

aer  J>u  me  frea  min     furJ>or  cyfte 

Jmrh  cwide  Jrinne     hwonan  his  cyme  sindon  :j 

[vi.] 

T\A  se  6adga  wer     ageaf  awdsware  1224 

-■-'     leofum  aefter  lougre  hwile     swa  he  late  meahte 

elnes  oncytSig     oreJ>e  gewealdan  .  - 

hwaet  J>u  me  wine  min     wordum  naegest  [1200] 

fusne  frignest     J>aes  J>e  ic  furjmm  aer  1228 

aefre  on  ealdre     aengum  ne  wolde 

monna  ofer  moldan     melda  weoroan 

J>egne  on  J»eode     butan  J>e  nu  tSa 

J?y  laes  J>aet  wundredan     weras  and  idesa  1232 

and  on  geatS  gutan     gieddum  maenden  • 

bi  me  lifgendum;   huru  ic  nolde  sylf 

J>urh  gielp-cwide     gaestes  mines 

frofre  gelettan     ne  faeder  mines  •  1236 

aefre  geaefnan     aebylg  godes  •  r  [1210] 

Symle  me  onsende     sige-dryhten  min 

folca  feorh-giefa     sij?}>an  ic  furjmm  ongon 

on  }?one  aefteran     anseld  bugan  1240 

1 21 5.  MS.  hsefen.  i223-   One-line  space  beticeen  sindon  :j  and  Da. 


II.         SAINT   GUTHLAC.      B.  179 

oft  my  mind  mourning  at  night  in  anguish 

hath  admonished  me,  and  never  durst  I 

question  thee,  my  father,  my  comfort ! 

Always  have  I  heard,  whenever  heaven's  gem,  12 12 

the  candle  of  men's  joy,  the  bright  heavenly  sun, 

declined  at  evening-tide  unto  the  west, 

hastening  to  its  setting-place,  another  wight 

in  council  with  thee.     Sad  in  mind,  have  I  heard  1216 

words  of  this  warrior,  of  this  unknown  messenger, 

visiting  thee  oft  between  the  rush  of  day 

and  the  dark  night,  the  discourse  of  this  friend; 

yea,  at  morn,  too,  have  I  heard  the  speech  of  some  wise  guest 

within  this  dwelling-place.     But  yet  I  know  not,  1221 

until  thou,  my  master,  explain  it  to  me  further 

through  thine  own  utterance,  whence  his  comings  are.' 


VI. 

Then  the  blessed  man,  after  a  long  while,  1224 

gave  answer  to  his  friend,  as,  void  of  strength, 
he  was  but  slowly  able  to  command  his  breath : — 

'Lo,  my  friend,  thou  addressest  me  in  words, 
thou  askest  me,  bound  hence,  concerning  that  1228 

which  ne'er  in  life  before  I  would  be  teller  of 
to  any  man  upon  this  earth, 
to  any  mortal  among  folk,  save  now  to  thee, 
lest  men  and  women  should  have  wondered  at  it,  1232 

and  poured  it  out  in  folly,  and  told  of  it  in  songs, 
during  my  life-time :  truly  I  was  not  willing 
to  hinder,  through  boastful  utterance, 

my  spirit's  comfort,  nor  ever  to  excite  1236 

the  anger  of  my  Father,  of  my  God. 
My  glorious  Lord,  Giver  of  life  to  folk, 
since  first  I  did  inhabit 

this  second  hermitage,  since  that  first  year,  1240 

N    2 


180 


II.     SAINT    GUTHLAC.      B.      124I-I274.         [1215-1248.] 


gear-gemearces     gaest  haligne 

engel  ufan-cundne     se  mec  efna  gehwam 

meahtig  meotudes  J?egn     and  on  morgne  eft 

sigor-*faest  gesohte     and  me  sara  gehwylc     [*51  a.]  1244 

gehaelde  hyge-sorge ;   and  me  in  hrej^re  bileac 

wuldres  wil-boda     wisdomes  giefe  [1220] 

micle  monig-fealdran     Iponne  aenig  mon  wite 

in  lifet  her     ]>e  me  alyfed  nis  1248 

to  gecy}>enne     cwicra  aengum 

on  fold-wege     lira  cynnes 

\wt  me  ne  meahte     monna  aenig 

bideaglian     hwset  he  dearninga  125a 

on  hyge  hogde     heortan  ge]x>ncum 

si)>}?an  he  me  fore  eagum     onsyne  wearS  j 

a  ic  on  mode  matS     monna  gehwylcne 

J>eodnes  J?rym-cyme     otS  ]?isne  daeg  1256 

leofast  monna     nu  ic  for  lufan  J^inre  [1231] 

and  gefer-scype     J?aet  wit  fyrn  mid  unc 

longe  laestan     nelle  ic  laetan  ]>e 

aefre  unrotne     sefter  ealdor-lege  1260 

mefSne  mod-seocne.     minre  geweor&m 

soden  sorg-waelnium     k  ic  sibbe  wij>  Ipe 

healdan  wille     nu  of  hrefer-locan 

to  J>am  soJ>an  gefean     sawel  fundacS*  1264 

nis  seo  tid  latu    tydraS  J>is  ban-fast 

greot-hord  gnornatS     gaest  bine  fyseS  [124°] 

on  ecne  geard     ut-sij>es  georn 

on  sellan  gesetu  ,  nu  ic  swiSe  eom  -  1268 

weorce  gewergad  •     $a  to  fam  wage  gesag 

heafelan  onhylde*     hyrde  fa  gena 

ellen  on  innan     orolS  stundum  teah  • 

msegne  modig     him  of  mutSe  cwom  •  1272 

swecca  swetast*     swylce  on  sumeres  tid 

stincatS  on  stowum     sta}>elum  faeste 

1 248.  MS.  lifes. 


II.     SAINT   GUTHLAC     B.  181 

hath  always  sent  to  me  a  holy  spirit, 

an  angel  from  above  :  mighty  and  glorious, 

this  servant  of  the  Lord  hath  sought  me  every  evening, 

and  again  at  morn,  and  healed  my  every  pain  1244 

and  sorrow  of  mind;  yea,  that  kindly  messenger  of  glory 

locked  in  my  breast  the  gift  of  wisdom 

more  manifold  by  far  than  any  man 

may  know  of  here  in  life,  nor  am  I  suffered  1248 

to  reveal  to  any  living  man 

upon  earth's  ways,  to  any  of  mankind, 

how  it  befell  that  not  a  man  was  able 

to  hide  from  me  what  secretly  1252 

he  pondered  in  his  mind,  in  his  heart's  thoughts, 

after  he  was  visible  before  my  eyes ; 

ever  concealed  I  in  my  soul  from  everyone 

this  angel's  glorious  coming  until  this  day,  1256 

0  thou  dearest  of  men  I     Now  I  for  love  of  thee, 

and  for  the  fellowship  which  long  since 

we  two  have  borne  each  other,  I  will  not  suffer  thee 

to  abide  for  ever  cheerless  and  a-weary,  1260 

sick  at  heart  and  vexed  by  burning  cares, 

after  my  life's .  cessation,  but  for  ever  will  I  keep 

friendship  toward  thee.     From  my  breast's  enclosure 

my  soul  tendeth  now  unto  the  true  delight;  1264 

time  doth  not  tarry;  this  bone-case  groweth  weak, 

this  dust-heap  mourneth ;  the  spirit  hasteneth 

to  an  eternal  dwelling,  yearning  for  its  exit  hence 

to  nobler  homes.     I  am  all  a-wearied  now  1268 

with  pain.'     Then  sank  he  to  the  wall, 

and  bent  his  head,  yet  he  maintained 

his  strength  within ;  from  time  to  time  he  drew  his  breath, 

mighty  still  in  vigour;  from  his  mouth  there  came  1-7; 

sweetest  of  odours,  sucli  as,  in  summer- tide, 

mellifluous  plants,  blossoming  full  joyously 


182  II.      SAINT   GUTHLAC.      B.    I275-I304.  [1249-1278.] 

wynnum  aefter  wongura     wyrta  geblowene  • 

hunig-flowende  •  •  swa  J?aes  halgan  waes  1276 

ond-longne  daeg     o]>  aefen  for5  [125T] 

orotS  up-hlaeclen  ,  J>a  se  *aej>ela  glaem     [*51  &.] 

setl-gong  sohte  .  swearc  norS-rodor 

won  under  wolcnum     woruld  miste  ofer-teah  •  1 280 

J?ystrum  bij^eahte-   Ipvong  niht  ofer  tiht 

londes  frsetwa  •  •  tSa  cwom  leohta  maest 

halig  of  heofonum     haedre  scinan 

beorhte  ofer  burg-salu     bad  se  J>e  sceolde  1284 

eadig  on  elne     ende-dogor 

awrecen  wael-straelum^   wuldres  scima  [1260] 

aej>ele  ymb  ae]?elne    andlonge  niht 

scan  scir-wered  •  scadu  sweJ»redon  1288 

to-lysed  under  lyfte^  waes  se  leohta  glaem 

ymb  J>aet  halge  hus     heofonlic  condel 

from  aefen-glome    o]?}?aet  eastan  cwom 

ofer  deop-gelad     daegred-woma  1292 

weder-tacen  wearm  ,  aras  se  wuldor-mago 

eadig  elnes  gemyndig  •  sprsec  to  his  onbeht-J>egne 

torht  to  his  treowum  gesife'  tid  is  Ipcet  Ipu.  fere 

and  J?a  aerendu     eal  bif>ence  1296 

ofestum  laede     swa  ic  J>e  aer  bibead  [1271] 

lac  to  leofre  ■  nu  of  lice  is 

god-dreama  georn     gaest  swifte  fus  • 

Ahof  J>a  his  honda     husle  gereorded  1300 

eatS-mod  ))y  aej>elan  gyfle     swylce  he  his  eagan  ontynde* 

halge  heafdes  gimmas     biseah  )?a  to  heofona  rice 

glaed-mod  to  geofona  leanum     and  J>a  his  gaest  onsende 

weorcum  wlitigne     in  wuldres  dream:  7  i  1304 

1 304.  One-line  space  between  dream  :y  and  Da. 


II.      SAINT    GUTHLAC.      B.  183 

throughout  the  plains,  diffuse  in  places, 

though  firm -set  in  their  stations ;  so  was  that  saint's  breath      1276 

drawn  aloft  throughout  the  livelong  day 

until  evening.     Then  the  noble  radiance 

sought  its  setting-place  ;  grey  'neath  the  clouds,  1279 

the  northern  sky  grew  dark,  and  veiled  the  world  with  mist, 

and  covered  it  with  gloom;  night  fell  o'er  the  earth's  expanse, 

the  land's  adornments;  then  holy  from  the  heavens 

came  the  greatest  of  all  lights  serenely  shining, 

bright  o'er  the  city-dwellings.     The  fated  man  awaited  1284 

his  final  hour,  happy  in  his  courage, 

though  harassed  by  the  darts  of  death.     A  noble  gleam 

shone  the  livelong  night,  with  brightsome  beams, 

around  the  noble  one;  the  shadows  vanished,  1288 

scattered  beneath  the  sky.     The  radiant  light, 

the  heavenly  candle,  was  all  around  that  holy  house 

from  evening-gloom,  until  from  out  the  east  there  came 

o'er  the  deep  way  the  rush  of  dawn,  1292 

the  genial  weather-sign.     Arose  the  glorious  hero, 

happy,  mindful  of  fortitude;  spake  then  the  illustrious  one 

to  his  disciple,  his  faithful  comrade :  — '  Time  is  that  thou  go, 

and  remember  aright  thy  errands,  1296 

and  take  with  all  speed,  as  I  bade  thee  erewhile, 

the  message  to  the  dear  maiden  :  now  soul  from  body 

is  quickly  hastening,  yearning  for  the  joys  divine.' 

Raised  he  then  his  hands,  in   humble  mood,  refreshed    1300 
with  that  noble  meal,  the  Eucharist,  and  he  unclosed  his  eyes, 
the  holy  jewels  of  his  head,  and  looked  then  gladsomely 
to  heaven's  realm,  to  the  reward  of  grace,  and  sent  his  spirit 

thence, 
all  beauteous  with  its  works,  into  the  joy  of  glory.  1304 


184 


II.      SAINT    GUTHLAC.      B.     I.305-I335.         [1279-1309.] 


[VII.] 

T\A  wges  guftlaces     gaest  gelaeded 

"    eadig  on  up-weg  •  englas  feredun  [1280] 

to  J>am  longan  gefean  -  lie  colode 

belifd  under  lyfte  • ,  $a  peer  leolit  ascan  1308 

beama  beorhtast  •  eal  j^aefc  beacen  wses 
ymb  Ipsdt  halge  bus     heofonlic  *leoma     [*52  a.] 
from  foldan  up     swylce  fyren  tor 

rybt  arsered     otS  rodera  hrof  ■  131 2 

gesewen  under  swegle     sunnan  beorbtra 
aej^el-tungla  wlite  t  engla  )>reatas 
sige-leoS  sungon  •  sweg  wses  on  lyfte 

gehyred  under  heofonum     haligra  dream  «s  131 6 

swa  se  burg-stede  wses     blissum  gefylled  [l29*] 

swetum  stencum  and  swegl-wundrum 
eadges  yrfe-stol     engla  hleoSres . 

eal  innanweard     J>ser  waes  senlicra  1320 

and  wynsumra     Iponne  bit  in  worulde  msege 
stefn  areccan     bu  se  stenc  and  se  sweg 
heofonlic  hleojwr     and  se  balga  song* 

gehyred  wses     heah-J>rym  godes  1324 

breahtem  sefter  breahtme  •     beofode  }?set  ealond 
fold-wong  on)?rong«.  $a  afyrhted  wearS  [1300] 

ar  elnes  biloren     gewat  J?a  ofestlice 

beorn  unhycSig     J>set  he  bat  gestag  .  1328 

wseg-hengest  wrsec  .  wseter-J>isa  for 
snel  under  sorgum     swegl  hate  scan 
blac  ofer  burg-salo ,  brim-wudu  scynde 

leoht  lade  fus  j  lagu-mearg  snyrede  1332 

gehlsested  to  hy$e  J>set  se  hsern-flota 
sefter  sund-plegan  sond-lond  gespearn 
grond  wi<S  greote     gnorn-sorge  wseg 

1306.  MS.  feredon  (i.  e.  feredon  altered  to  feredun).  1329,  MS.  |>iswa 

(i.  e.  J>isa). 


II.      SAINT    GUTHLAC.      B.  185 


VII. 


Then  was  Guthlac's  spirit  led,  in  bliss, 
upon  the  upward  way;  angels  bore  him 
unto  that  lasting  joy;  cold  grew  the  body, 

all  lifeless  'neath  the  sky.     Then  shone  there  forth  a  light,  1308 
the  brightest  of  all  beams ;   that  beacon, 
that  heavenly  gleam,  circled  the  holy  house, 
from  the  earth  upward,  even  as  a  fiery  tower, 
reared  erect  unto  the  heaven's  roof;  131a 

beneath  the  sky  brighter  than  the  sun  it  seemed, 
than  the  beauty  of  the  noble  stars.     Hosts  of  angels 
sang  a  song  of  triumph ;    music  was  heard 

in  the  air  'neath  heaven,  the  melody  of  saints.  13 16 

Thus  the  house,  the  blessed  one's  dwelling-place, 
was  filled  with  blissful  joys,  with  sweet  fragrance, 
and  with  heavenly  angels'  harmony: 

all  there  within  was  too  incomparable,  1333 

too  winsome,  for  any  voice  to  tell, 
here  in  the  world,  what  the  fragrance  was  like, 
and  how  the  melody,  the  heavenly  strain  and  holy  song, 
was  heard,  and  God's  exalted  praise.  1324 

Moment  after  moment  the  island  quaked, 
the  earth-plain  crashed ;    then  was  the  messenger  afeard, 
bereft  of  courage;   with  greatest  speed  then, 
the  hapless  warrior  hastened  to  ascend  a  boat;  1328 

he  urged  the  wave-horse ;    the  water-courser  sped, 
impelled  beneath  the  sorrowing  wight.     The  heaven  shone  hot, 
pale  o'er  the  city-dwellings.     Hastening  lightly  on  its  way, 
the  ocean-wood  drove  on  :    the  laden  water-horse  1332 

rushed  to  the  hithc,  so  that,  after  its  ocean-play, 
the  floater  of  the  surge  contemned  the  sandy  shore, 
and  ground  against  the  gravel.     Sad  sorrow  bore  he 


186  II.      SAINT   GUTHLAC.      B.     1336-I369.         [1310-1343.] 

hate  set  heortan     hyge  geomurne  1336 

metSne  mod-sefan     se  ]>e  his  mon-dryhten  t^11] 

life  bilidene     last  weardian  • 

wiste  wine  leofne(  him  J>aes  wopes  hring 

torne  gemonade  •     teagor  ytSum  weol  •  1 340 

hate  hleor-dropan     and  on  hrejre  wseg 

micle  mod-ceare     he  J>sere  meegetS  sceolde 

lace  geleedan     latS-spel  *  to  soft  .       [*  52  &.] 

Cwom  J>a  freorig-fer$  •     J>ser  seo  fsenme  wees  1 344 

wuldres  wyn-mseg  •  he  J>a  wyrd  ne  maiS 

faeges  for5-siS  j  fus-leotS  agol  [1320] 

wine  }>earfende     and  pcet  word  acweeS* 

ellen  bif>  selast  •     J>am  J>e  oftost  sceal  1 348 

dreogan  dryhten-bealu     deope  behycgan 

J>roht  J?eoden-gedal     Tponne  seo  Jrag  cymeS 

wefen  wyrd-stafura     J?set  wat  se  ]>e  sceal 

asweeman  sarig-ferS  •,  wat  his  sinc-giefan  •  1352 

holdne  biheledne  ■  he  sceal  hean  }?onan 

geomor  hweorfan .   J>am  bi5  gomenes  wana  • 

$e  J>a  earfefta    oftost  dreogetS 

on  sargum  sefan.  huru  ic  swifte  ne  ]>earf  1356 

hin-siS  behlehhan  r  is  hlaford  min  [1331] 

beorna  bealdor    and  broJ?or  J>in 

se  selesta    bi  seem  tweonum 

J^ara  J>e  we  on  engle     sefre  gefrunen  1360 

acennedne     J?urh  cildes  had 

gumena  cynnes     to  godes  dome 

werigra  wraj>u  woruld-dreamum  of 

wine-msega  wyn     in  wuldres  J>rym  1364 

gewiten  wtm'ga  hleo     wica  neosan 

eardes  on  up-weg  %  nu  se  eorSan  dsel  [i34°] 

ban-hus  abrocen     burgum  in  innan 

wunaS  wael-rseste    and  se  wuldres  dsel  1368 

of  lic-fsete     in  leoht  godes 

1365.  MS.  wunga. 


II.      SAINT   GUTHLAC.      B.  187 

hot  within  his  heart,  a  mournful  spirit,  1336 

and  a  mind  full  weary,  for  he  knew  that  his  master, 

his  beloved  friend,  remained  behind  there, 

void  of  life.     Sadly  his  outburst  of  weeping 

minded  him  thereof;    his  tears,  hot  cheek-drops,  1340 

poured  forth  in  waves,  and  in  his  breast  he  bore 

a  heavy  care, — to  the  maiden  he  must 

bring  the  message,  the  grievous  tale  too  true. 

Came  he  then,  with  trembling  soul,  where  the  maiden  was,   1344 
Glory's  loved  kinswoman;   he  concealed  not  the  event, 
the  fated  one's  departure;   in  dire  need  of  his  friend 
sang  he  the  death- song,  and  these  words  spake: — 

'Courage  is  best  for  him  who  must  too  oft  1348 

experience  sorrow  at  his  master's  bale,  and  deeply  ponder  o'er 
his  grievous  parting  from  his  lord,  when  the  season  cometh, 
woven  with  fate's  decrees;   he  knoweth  it  who  must  pine 
with  sorrowing  soul;   he  knoweth  his  generous  dispenser      1352 
to  be  hidden  in  the  earth ;  bowed  down,  lamenting, 
he  must  depart  from  thence.     He  lacketh  all  joy, 
who  suffereth  oftentimes  afflictions  such  as  these 
in  his  sad  soul.     I  have  no  cause,  forsooth,  1356 

to  be  gladsome  at  his  journey  hence.     My  lord, 
the  prince  of  warriors,  thy  brother, 
the  noblest  of  all  men  'twixt  the  seas 

whom  we  in  England  have  e'er  had  knowledge  of,  1360 

of  all  those  born  in  child's  condition 
of  the  race  of  men,  the  staff  of  the  weary, 
his  kinsmen's  joy,  his  friends'  protection, 

by  the  doom  of  God  hath  fared  from  worldly  joys  1364 

to  Glory's  splendour,  to  visit  the  habitations 
and  the  home  on  high.     Now  earth's  portion, 
t lie  broken  bone-house,  resteth  on  a  bed  of  death 
within  the  dwelling-place,  and  Glory's  portion  1368 

hath  sought  its  recompense,  forth  from  the  body's  vessel 


188  II.    SAINT   GUTHLAC.     B.     I3/O-I379.         [1 344-1353.] 

sigor-lean  solite  •  and  )?e  secgan  het 

J>aet  git  a  mosten     in  J>am  ecan  gefean 

mid  J>a  sib-gedryht     somud  eard  niman  1372 

weorca  wuldor-lean     willum  neotan 

blaedes  and  blissa-.    eac  Ipe  abeodan  het 

sige-dryhten  mm     j?a  he  wszs  sij>es  fus 

J>aet  J?u  his  lic-homan     leofast  meegSa  1376 

eorSan  biSeahte     nu  J>u  sedre  const  C^1] 

sift-feet  minne  .  ic  sceal  sarig-ferS 

hean-mod  hweorfan     hyge  drusendne 


[III.   AZARIAH.] 

[I.] 

#  ~|  T  IM  j?a  azarias     in-ge)>oncum  [*53a.] 

I I       hleoJ>rede  halig     J>urh  hatne  lig 

dreag  daedum  georn     dryhten  herede 
— ™ — ■—     wis  in  weorcum     and  )>as  word  acwse'S  4 

meotud  all-wihta     J>u  eart  meahtum  swift 
ni)?as  to  nerganne     is  J?in  noma  ma3re 
wlitig  and  wuldorfsest     ofer  wer-feode 

sindon  J>ine  domas     on  dseda  gehwam  8 

softe  geswiftde     and  gesigefseste  • 
eac  Jrine  willan     in  woruld-spedum 
ryhte  mid  raede     rodera  waldend 

geoca  us  georne     gsesta  scyppend  12 

and  J>urh  hyldo  help     halig  dryhten 
nu  we  Ipec  for  Jjearfum     and  for  )?rea-nyduin 
and  fore  eaft-medum     arena  biddaf 

1375.  1£8.  Ipses.  1379-  drusendne  the  last  word  of  the  page.     The  upper 

portion  of  leaf  53  has  been  cut  off,  whereby  the  concluding  lines  {three  or  four) 
of  QtdhlaCy  and  II.  28-33  °f  ^ie  next  poem  {see  below)  are  lost. 


III.      AZARIAH.  189 

to  the  light  of  God;  and  he  bade  me  say  to  thee 

that  ye  two  might  ever  keep  one  common  home, 

with  all  the  kindred  company,  there  in  that  endless  bliss,    1372 

as  the  glorious  reward  for  works,  and  at  will  enjoy 

prosperity  and  bliss.     My  noble  master  bade  me  eke 

announce  to  thee,  when  he  was  hurrying  on  his  way, 

that  thou,  maiden  most  beloved,  shouldst  bedeck  1376 

with  earth  his  body.     Now  without  delay  thou  understand'st 

my  journey.     Sorrowing  in  soul,  dejected, 

I  must  wander  forth ;    my  drooping  spirit 


III.    AZARIAH. 


Then  the  holy  Azariah  raised  his  voice 
full  fervently,  amid  the  burning  flame; 
zealously  he  suffered;    wise  in  his  works, 
praised  he  the  Lord,  and  spake  these  words : — 

1  Lord  of  all  creatures  !   thou  art  strong  in  might 
to  save  mankind;   thy  name  is  great, 
beauteous  and  glorious,  throughout  the  nations; 
thy  judgments  are,  in  every  deed, 
confirmed  as  true,  and  proved  triumphant; 
and  eke  thy  will,  in  all  the  world's  events, 
is  righteous  and  full  of  rede.     0  Ruler  of  the  skies  ! 
fain  preserve  thou  us,  Creator  of  all  spirits! 
and  help  us  through  thy  grace,  O  holy  Lord ! 
We  now,  in  this  our  need  and  grievous  plight, 
in  humble  mood,  pray  thee  for  mercy, 


190  HI.       AZARIAH.       16-44. 

lege  bilegde  ,  we  J>aes  lifgende  16 

worhton  in  worulde     eac  J>on  worn  dydon  • 

yldran  usse     in  oferhygdum 

Ipln  bibodu  brsecon     burg-sittende 

had  ofer-hogedon     halgan  lifes  20 

wurdon  we  towrecene     geond  widne  grund 

heapum  tobworfne     hylda  lease 

wses  ure  lif  geond     londa  fela 

fracuS  and  gefraege     fold-buendum^  24 

nu  J?u  usic  bewrsece     in  J>as  wyrrestan 

eortS-cyninges     seht-gewealda 

in  hseft  heoro-grimmes     sceolon  we  J>ser  hsefenra 

prea-nyd  [polian.    pais  pe  pane  sie  •  28 

ivereda  wuldor  cyning  •    pwt  pu  us  pas  wrace  teodest  • 

ne  forlet  pu  usic  ana  •     ece  drihten  • 

for  pam  miltsum  •    pe  pec  men  Idigad  • 

and  for  pam  treowum  •    pe  pu  tirum  foist  - 

nida  nergend  •     genumeri]  *heefdes  •         [*53  &.] 

to  abrahame  •     and  to  isace  • 

and  iacobe  •     gsesta  scyppend 

J>u  him  gehete     furh  hleoJ>or-cwidas  32 

fast  ]>vl  hyra  from-cynn     on  fyrn-dagum 

yean  wolde     \at,t  hit  sefter  him 

on  cyne-ryce     cenned  wurde 

yced  on  eorJ>an     J>set  swa  unrime  36 

had  to  hebban     swa  heofon-steorran 

buga'S  bradne  h  wear  ft     oS  brim-flodas  • 

swa  warofa  sond     ymb  sealt  wseter 

y]?e  geond  ear-grund     j?8et  swa  unrime  40 

ymb  wintra  hwearft     weorcSan  sceolde  . 

fyl  nu  J>a  frum-spvasce     }?eah  Ipe  user  fea  lifgen 

wlitega  Ipine  word-cwidas     and  <5in  wuldor  us  • 

gecytS  crseft  and  meant*     nu  J>ec  caldeas  44 

h 

22.  MS.  toworfne.  28.  J>rea-nyd,  the  last  word  o/5Za.  The  missing 
lines  at  the  beginning  of  53  b  are  supplied  from  the  Ccedmon  Daniel,  with 
the  change  of  the  first  ivord  J>oliad  to  polian. 


III.      AZARIAH.  191 

beset  with  flame.     We  have  earned  this  in  the  world  16 

during  our  life-time;    our  fathers,  too, 

in  overweening  pride  wrought  evil  once  ; 

dwelling  in  their  cities,  they  brake  thy  bidding ; 

the  state  of  holy  living  they  despised ;  20 

we  are  now  scattered  o'er  the  spacious  earth, 

dispersed  in  bands,  deprived  of  gracious  favour; 

our  life  hath  been,  throughout  many  a  land, 

hateful  and  infamous  to  earth's  inhabitants.  24 

Now  hast  thou  driven  us  into  a  tyranny, 
the  direfullest  of  any  earthly  king's, 

into  the  bondage  of  one  fiercely  cruel,  where  we  must  (bear) 
heathens'  oppression.     [Thanks  be  to  thee  for  this,  28 

bright  King  of  hosts  !    that  thou  decreedst  for  us  this  exile. 
Forsake  us  not,  O  sole  Eternal  Lord  ! 
for  thy  pity's  sake,  for  which  men  laud  thee, 
and  for  the  covenants,  which  thou,  men's  Saviour, 
fixed  in  glory,  hadst  made  of  yore] 
with  Abraham  and  with  Isaac 
and  with  Jacob.     O  thou  Creator  of  all  spirits  ! 
by  revelation  thou  didst  promise  them,       •  32 

that  thou  wouldst  fain,  in  days  far  off, 
increase  their  progeny,  that  after  them 
it  should  be  brought  forth  in  the  realm, 

so  increased  on  earth,  in  order  to  raise  their  state,  36 

that  as  numberless  as  the  stars  of  heaven 
circle  the  broad  expanse  to  the  ocean-floods, 
as  the  sand  of  the  shores  around  salt  waters, 
as  waves  o'er  ocean's  bed,  even  so  numberless  40 

should  it  become  in  the  course  of  years. 

Fulfil  thou  now  that  speech  of  old ;  though  few  of  us  be  living, 
manifest  thy  utterance  and  thy  glory  unto  us ; 
reveal  thy  power  and  might,  that  those  Chaldeans,  44 


192  111.      AZARIAH.      45-76. 

and  eac  fela  folca     gefregen  habban 

J>aet  J?u  ana  eart     ece  dryhten 

sige-rof  settend     and  so"8  meotod 

wuldres  waldend     and  woruld-sceafta  .  48 

swa  se  halga  wer    hergende  wees 

meotudes  miltse     and  his  mod-sefan 

rehte  Jmrh  reorde  .  fta  of  roderum  wearcS 

engel  aal-beorhta     ufon  onsended  52 

wlite-scyne  wer     in  his  wuldor-homan  • 

Cwom  him  J»a  to  are     and  to  ealdor  nere 

Jmrh  lufan  and  ]mrh  lisse     se  ]x>ne  lig  tosceaf 

halig  and  heofon-beorht     hatan  fyres  56 

]xet  se  bittra  bryne     beorgan  sceolde 

for  Ipses  engles  ege     aefsestum  frim« 

Tosweop  and  *toswengde     J>urh  swipes  meaht         [*54  a.] 

liges  leoman     swa  hyra  lice  ne  scod  •  60 

ac  wees  in  J?am  ofne     ]m  se  engel  cwom 

windig  and  wynsum     wedere  onlicust 

))Ojme  on  sumeres  tid     sended  weorf'e'S 

dropena  dreorung     mid  dseges  hwile»  64 

se  wees  in  J»am  fire     for  frean  meahtum 

halgum  to  helpe  ,  weartS  se  hata  lig 

todrifen  and  todwaesced     J?asr  J?a  daed-hwatan 

Ipry  mid  ge]x>ncum       J>eoden  heredon  68 

baedon  bletsige     beam  in  worulde 

ealle  gesceafte     ecne  dryhten 

J>eoda  waldend  .  swa  hi  J>ry  cwasdon 

moduwi  horsce     Jmrh  gemsene  word  : — :  7  72 

pi.] 

BLetsige  J»ec     bilwit  faeder 
woruld-sceafta  wuldor     and  weorca  gehwylc 
heofonas  and  englas     and  hluttor  waater 
and  eal  msegen     eorJ>an  gesceafta  •  76 

61.  MS.  hofne  i.  e.  ofne.       69.  MS.  bletsunge.       72.  Half-line  space  after 
word. 


III.       AZARIAH.  193 

and  many  other  folk  withal,  may  have  knowledge 

that  thou  alone  art  Lord  Eternal, 

Victorious  Disposer,  True  Sovran, 

Ruler  of  Glory  and  of  all  the  world's  creations/  48 

Thus  was  the  holy  warrior  praising  then 
the  grace  of  his  Creator,  and  expressed  in  speech 
his  mind's  reflection.     Then  from  the  skies 
an  all-bright  angel  was  sent  down,  52 

a  man  of  beauteous  aspect,  in  his  garb  of  glory; 
he  came  then  for  their  aid,  and  for  their  life's  salvation, 
through  love  and  through  compassion ;  holy  and  heavenly  bright, 
he  cast  abroad  the  flame  of  that  hot  fire,  56 

so  that,  in  terror  of  that  angel,  the  bitter  burning 
was  forced  to  spare  the  pious  three. 

He  swept  and  scattered,  through  the  Strong  One's  might, 
the  beams  of  flame,  so  that  it  injured  not  their  bodies ;  60 

but  it  was  in  the  furnace,  when  the  angel  came, 
windy  and  winsome,  to  the  air  most  like, 
when  in  the  summer-tide  a  fall  of  drops 

chances  to  be  sent  during  some  time  of  day ;  64 

so  was  it  in  the  fire,  by  the  power  of  the  Lord, 
for  the  help  of  those  holy  men.     The  hot  flame 
was  dispersed  and  quenched,  where  the  zealous  three 
praised  the  Lord  with  all  their  thoughts,  68 

and  prayed  Him  bless  the  children  of  the  world, 
and  all  created  things,  the  Eternal  Lord, 
the  Ruler  of  all  folk.     Thus  spake  they, 
the  brave-hearted  three,  with  words  united  : —  7a 

II. 

1  May  the  glory  of  the  world's  creations  bless  thee, 
benignant  Father  !    and  thy  every  work, 
the  heavens,  the  angels,  and  clear  water, 

and  all  the  host  of  creatures  of  the  earth.  76 

O 


194  III.       AZARIAH.       77-IIO. 

bletsige  pec  softfaest  cyning     sunne  and  monan 

leohte  leoman     lifgende  god 

hsedre  and  hlutre     and  heofon-dreame 

wsestem  weortSian  ,  ful  oft  )?u  wuldor-cyning  80 

f>urh  lyft  laetest     leodum  to  freme 

mildne  morgen-ren     monig  sceal  sij>)?an 

wyrt  onwaecnan     eac  )xm  wudu-bearwas 

tanum  tydratS     trymraatS  eorS-welan  84 

hleoS  and  hluttratS  ,  nsefre  hlisan  ah 

meotud  J?an  maran     ponne  he  wi$  monna  beam 

wyrceS  wel-dsedum  .  wis  bitS  se  pe  con       v 

ongytan  fone  geocend     pe  us  eall  good  syleS  88 

pe  we  habbatS     j?enden  we  her  beotS 

and  us  milde  meotod     mare  gehateS 

gif  we  geearniatS     elne  willaS  • 

ISonne  feran  sceal     *  J>urh  frean  heese         [*  54  ft.]  93 

sundor  anra  gehwees     sawl  of  lice  • 

and  pec  god  dryhten     gsestas  hergen 

byrnende  fyr     and  beorht  sumor 

wearme  weder-dagas     waldend  manna  96 

frean  on  fertSe  .  fremest  eorS-welan 

J»urh  monigne  had     milde  dryhten 

and  pec  da?g  and  niht     domfsest  cyning 

lofigen  and  lwfigen  •     lux  and  tenebre  100 

pe  J?as  wer-J>eoda     weardum  healdaS- 

deop  dryhtnes  bibod     dragon  hi  poet  longe  • 

and  f>ec  crist  cyning     ceolas  weorSian 

feeder  forst  and  snaw     folca  waldend  104 

winter-bitera  weder     and  wolcna  genipu 

and  J>ec  liexende     ligetta  hergen 

blace  breahtum  hwate     bryten-rices  weard 

dyrne  dryhten     a  J>in  dom  sy  108 

g6d  and  genge  .  p\x  )?83s  geornlice 

wyrcest  wuldor-cyning     wsestmum  herge 

94.  MS.  gaestes.  100.  MS.  Hfigen. 


III.       AZARIAH.  195 

May  the  sun  and  the  moon's  bright  beams, 
serene  and  pure,  bless  thee,  thou  righteous  King, 
thou  living  God  !    and  may  they  glorify  the  fruits  of  earth 
with  joys  of  heaven.     Full  oft,  O  King  of  glory,  80 

thou  sendest  through  the  air,  for  men's  behoof, 
mild  morning  rain;  many  a  plant  must  then 
awake  to  life,  and  eke  the  forest  groves 

teem  then  with  branches;  it  strengthened  earth's  wealth,        84 
fostereth  and  purifieth  it.     Never  hath  the  Creator 
greater  glory  than  when  he  worketh  benignly 
for  the  sons  of  men.     Wise  is  the  man 

that  can  recognise  his  Helper,  who  giveth  us  88 

all  the  good  we  have,  while  we  are  here, 
and  who,  our  kindly  Maker,  promiseth  us  more, 
if  we  but  merit  and  desire  it  fervently, 

when,  at  the  bidding  of  the  Lord,  sundered  from  each  man,   93 
the  soul  shall  journey  from  the  body. 
Eke  may  all  spirits,  burning  fire,  radiant  summer, 
the  warm  season's  days,  praise  thee, 

Lord  God,  men's  Ruler,  as  their  Master,  96 

with  all  their  vital  force.     Thou  shapest  earthly  wealth 
in  many  a  form,  0  thou  benignant  Lord  ! 
Yea,  let  these  praise  thee,  too,  O  glorious  King! 
and  cherish  thee,  day  and  night,  light  and  darkness,  100 

that  hold  all  folk  in  their  dominion; 
the  Lord's  stern  longsome  bidding  have  they  obeyed. 
Let  cold  winds  adore  thee,  too,  Christ  King  ! 
Father !  Sovereign  of  folk  !  and  frost  and  snow,  104 

and  bitter  winter  weathers,  and  the  welkin's  clouds, 
and  the  glittering  lightnings,  bright  and  quickly  flashing, 
let  them  praise  thee  as  their  beloved  Lord, 
Guardian  of  this  varying  realm  !     Aye  be  thy  power  108 

mighty  and  prevailing.     How  zealously  thou  workest, 
King  of  glory!     Let  things  praise  thee  with  their  produce, 

o  2 


196  III.       AZA.MAH.       III-I44. 

bletsien  bledum     and  J)in  bleed  wese 

a  fortS  ece     selmihtig  god  1 1 2 

wesatS  and  weaxao1     ealle  wer-J>eode 

lifgaS  bi  }>ani  lissum     J?e  us  se  leofa  cyning 

ece  dryhten     aer  gesette 

sinura  bearnura  to  brice     bremen  dryhten-  116 

ond  J>ec  halga  god     hea  duna 

geond  middan-geard     niiltsum  hergen 

fseger  folde     and  fseder-rice  • 

forSon  waldend  scop     wudige  moras  •  1 20 

lofe  leanige     leohtes  hyrde  • 

bletsige  J?ec  soSfaest  cyning     sees  and  weetra 

hea  holmas     haligne  dryhten 

domlice  deop  wseter     and  dryhtnes  bibod  124 

geofon-floda  gehwylc     georne  bihealde'S 

fponne  mere-streamas     meotudes  rseswum     ^ 

wseter  onwealcao1  .  witon  eald-gecynd 

]>cet  aer  gescop     ece  dryhten  •  128 

lagu-floda  bigong     leohtes  hyrde  • 

on  J?ara  wuniatS     wid-ferende 

*  siSe  on  sunde     seldlicra  fela  •  [*  55  a.] 

bletsien  J?ec  J>a  ealle     ece  dryhten  132 

J?urh  j?inne  willan     wwldorfaest  cyning  • 

and  ]>ec  ealle  ae'-sprynge     ece  dryhten 

heanne  hergen     ful  oft  J>u  hluttor  laetest 

waeter  wynlico     to  woruld-hyhte  ■  1 36 

of  clife  claenum     \mt  us  se  cyning  gescop  • 

monnum  to  miltse     and  to  maegen-eacan . 

bletsien  J>ec     bil-wit  feeder 

fiscas  and  fuglas     fela-meahtigne  (  140 

ealle  j?a  ]>e  onhrerao1     hreo  waegas 

on  J»am  bradan  brime     bremen  dryhten 

hergen  haligne  ,  and  heofon-fuglas 

j?a  )?e  lacende     geond  lyft  fara'S  144 

133.  MS.  woldorfsest.  143.  MS.  fugulas  (i.e.  fuglas). 


III.        AZARIAH.  197 

and  bless  thee  with  their  fruits,  and  let  thy  glory  live 

for  evermore  eternally,  Almighty  God!  112 

All  the  tribes  of  men  exist  and  wax; 

they  live  by  the  blessings,  which  the  beloved  King, 

the  eternal  Lord,  hath  erst  bestowed  on  us, 

His  children,  for  our  use;  praise  they  the  Lord!  116 

Eke  let  the  high  downs,  throughout  mid-earth, 

praise  thee,  holy  God,  for  all  thy  mercies, 

and  the  fair  fields,  and  each  fatherland ; 

and  may  the  woody  moors, — for  He,  the  Ruler,  hath  created  them, —  1 20 

repay  with  praise  the  Guardian  of  light. 

May  the  seas  and  the  rising  sweeps  of  ocean, 

and  the  deep  waters,  praise  thee  gloriously, 

just  King,  as  their  holy  Lord.     Yea,  each  ocean-flood  124 

gladly  keepeth  its  Sovran's  command, 

when,  through  God's  ministers,  the  sea-streams 

make  the  waters  roll.     Old  generations  knew 

that  the  Eternal  Lord,  Guardian  of  light,  128 

created  erst  the  course  of  ocean-floods, 

in  which  there  dwell,  faring  far  and  wide 

in  their  journey  in  the  deep,  strange  creatures  many: 

let  all  these  bless  thee,  Lord  Eternal,  132 

Glorious  King,  after  thine  own  desire ; 

and  may  all  the  river-springs  extol  thee, 

Lord  Eternal,  as  their  Supreme.*     Full  oft  thou  sendest 

clear  pleasant  water,  to  rejoice  the  world,  136 

from  some  pure  cliff;    our  King  created  it  for  us, 

in  kindness  towards  men,  and  for  our  strength's  increase. 

O  thou  benignant  Father  1    may  fishes  and  birds 

bless  thee  as  their  Almighty  Lord ;  140 

let  all  things  that  stir  the  stormy  waves 

in  the  spacious  sea,  glorify  their  Lord, 

and  praise  the  Holy  One;  yea,  the  birds  of  heaven,  too, 

that  journey,  hovering  lightly,  through  the  air,  144 


198  III.       AZARIAH.       I45-178. 

bletsien  fee  dryhten     deor  and  nyten 

meotud  monna  beam  •     miltsum  hergen 

and  ecne  god     israhela  cynn  • 

bletsien  )>e  }>ine  sacerdas     sotSfaest  cyning  148 

milde  msesseras     mserne  dryhten 

and  Jrine  }>as      Seoda  hyrde  • 

swylce  haligra     hluttre  saule  • 

and  ece  god     eatSinod-heorte  •  15a 

Nu  pec  ananias  •     and  azarias  • 

and  misahel  meotud     miltsum  hergatS 

nu  we  geonge  •  J?ry  •    god  bletsiatS 

fela-meahtigne     feeder  in  heofonum  156 

J?one  sotSan  sunu  •     and  Jxme  sige-faestan  gsest  • 

forJ>on  us  onsende     sigora  waldend 

engel  to  are     sej>e  us[«c]  bearg 

fyr  and  feondas     and  mid  ftyrum  bewreah  160 

wi$  bryne-brogan     breahtmum  hwurfun 

ymb  Ipat  hate  hus     heeftne  leode  • 

Sa  J?set  ongeaton     godes  andsa,c&n 

J?set  hi  ne  meahtan     ne  meotod  wolde  164 

*acwellan  cnyhta  ce  •     ac  hy  crist  scilde  •  [*55  6.] 

hwearf  ]?a  to  healle     swa  he  hra]x>st  meahte  • 

eorl  acol-mod     J>set  he  ofer  his  ealdre  gestod  • 

Abead  J>a"  for  J>sere  duguc5e      deop  eerende  168 

haligra  gehyld  r  hlyst  wees  ]?8er-inne 

grom-hydig  gum  a     Ipset  ic  geare  wiste 

)>aet  we  »m.  ha?fdon     J?eoda  wisan 

geonge  cniehtas     for  gsest-lufan  173 

gebunden  to  bsele     in  byrnendes 

fyres  leoman  •     nu  ic  fser  >iiil*  men  • 

geseo  to  softe     nales  me  sylfa  gerad  • 

hweorfaS  nu  sefter  heorfte     nsengum  hat  scej?et5  176 

ofnes  seled     ac  him  is  engel  mid 

hafatS  beorhtne  blsed     ne  mseg  him  bryne  sce)>)>an 

149.  MS.  sacerdos;   MS.  saSfsest.  159.  [ic]  required  by  metre. 

165.  MS.  acwelan.  175.  MS.  sende  to  sioe;  geseo  to  soSe  in  the  Ccedmon 

version  (Daniel,  1.  416). 


III.      AZARIAH.  199 

and  beasts  and  cattle,  let  them  bless  thee,  Lord  ! 

Let  the  sons  of  men  praise  their  Creator  for  His  mercies, 

the  race  of  Israel  their  Eternal  God ; 

let  thy  priests  bless  thee,  righteous  King  !  148 

as  their  great  Lord,  yea,  thy  meek  mass-priests, 

and  thy  servants,  too,  0  Guardian  of  all  folk  ! 

and  eke  the  pure  souls  of  the  holy  ones, 

and  the  humble-hearted,  0  Eternal  God  !  152 

Now  Ananiah,  and  Azariah, 

and  Mishael,  praise  thee  for  thy  mercies,  Lord  ! 

We  three  young  men  now  bless  thee,  God, 

Father  Omnipotent  in  heaven,  156 

and  the  true  Son,  and  the  victorious  Spirit, 

for  that  the  Lord  of  triumphs  hath  sent  to  us 

an  angel,  for  our  help,  who  hath  protected  us 

'gainst  fire  and  foes,  and  with  his  wings  hath  covered  us      160 

'gainst  the  heat's  terror.'     With  uproar  then, 

the  heathen  nation  thronged  'round  that  hot  house, 

when  they,  God's  adversaries,  perceived 

that  they  might  not  (nor  would  God  suffer  it),  164 

destroy  the  young  men's  faith,  but  Christ  shielded  them. 

Then  the  chieftain  in  trembling  mood  returned  to  the  hall 
as  quickly  as  he  might,  so  that  he  stood  opposite  his  lord. 
He  announced  then  before  the  nobles  his  awful  errand, —      16S 
the  preservation  of  the  holy  ones.    Listening  was  within  that  place, 
(while)  the  fierce-minded  man  (thus  spake) : — '  This  I  well  knew, 
that  we  had  bound  to  the  pile, 

in  the  burning  fire's  gleam,  for  their  souls'  love,  17J 

three  leaders  of  the  folks, 
young  striplings;  now  see  I  truly 
four  men  there ;  nowise  am  I  able  to  advise  me. 
They  pass  along  the  hearth;  the  oven's  hot  fire  176 

lmrtt  th  not  one  of  them,  for  an  ungel  is  with  them; 
he  hath  bright  splendour;  the  burning  may  not  hurt 


200  IV.       THE    PHOENIX.       I-I4. 

wlitigne  wuldor-homan  •     $a  fam  wordura  swealg 

brego  caldea     gewat  J?a  to  J>am  bryne  gongan  180 

anhydig  eorl     Ipcet  he  ofer  J?am  ade  gestod 

het  J>a  of  }?am  lige     lifgende  beam  • 

nabocodonossor     near  set-gongan  • 

ne  forhogodon  "past  }?a  halgan     sij>)?an  hi  hwaet-mode  184 

woruld-cyninges     weorn  gehyrdon  • 

ac  eodon  of  J>am  fyre     feorh  unwemme 

wuldre  gewlitegad     swa  hyra  waedum  ne  Bcod 

gifre  gleda[m'<f]     ac  hi  mid  gaest-lufan  188 

synne  geswencton     and  gesigefaeston 

modum  gleawe     in  mon-J>eawum 

J?urh  fore-J>oncas     fyr  gedygdon  :  y :  y- 


[IV.     THE  PHCENIX.] 

[I-] 

HjEBBE  IC  GEFRUGnen.     fsette  is  feor  heonan 
east-daelum  on     aej>elast  londa 
firum  gefraege  .  nis  se  foldan  sceat 
ofer  middan-geard     mongum  gefere 
folc-*  agendra     ac  he  afyrred  is         [*56  a.] 
)?urh  meotudes  meaht     man-fremmendum  • 
wlitig  is  se  wong  eall     wynnum  geblissad 
mid  J?am  faegrestum     foldan  stencum 
aenlic  is  }?aet  iglond     aej>ele  se  wyrhta 
modig  meahtum  spedig     se  J>a  moldan  gesette  • 
ftaer  bitS  oft  open     eadgum  to-geanes 
onhliden  hleoJ>ra  wyn     heofon-rices  duru  , 
J^ast  is  wynsum  wong  -  wealdas  grene 
rume  under  roderum  -  ne  maeg  j?aer  ren  ne  snaw 

188.  \ni$~\  supplied  from  Daniel,  1.  465. 

19I.  dygdon  the  only  word  on  the  line  dividing  the  sections. 


IV.      THE    PHGENIX.  201 

his  beauteous  garb  of  glory.'     When  the  prince  of  the  Chaldeans 

caught  those  words,  then  the  stubborn  chief  departed  and  went  180 

unto  the  fire,  until  he  stood  over  against  the  blaze. 

Then  Nebuchadnezzar  bade  the  living  children 

approach  nearer  from  amid  the  flame : 

the  holy  ones  slighted  not  this  behest,  after  they,  bold  in  spirit, 

had  heard  so  many  words  from  that  imperial  king ;  185 

but  they  went  forth  from  the  fire,  in  life  uninjured, 

with  glory  beautified,  so  that  the  gleeds'  greedy  hate 

hurt  not  their  garments ;  but  with  their  souls'  love  188 

they  out  wearied  sin,  and  triumphed, 

wise  of  heart,  in  manful  virtues ; 

through  forethought  they  escaped  e'en  fire. 


IV.     THE   PHCENIX. 


I  have  heard  tell  that  there  is  far  hence, 
in  eastern  parts,  a  land  most  noble, 
famed  'mong  folk.     That  tract  of  earth  is  not 
accessible  to  many  o'er  mid-earth,  4 

to  many  chieftains ;    but  it  is  far  removed, 
through  might  of  the  Creator,  from  evil-doers. 
Beauteous  is  all  the  plain,  blissful  with  delights, 
with  all  the  fairest  fragrances  of  earth;  8 

that  island  is  incomparable ;    noble  the  Maker, 
lofty  and  in  power  abounding,  who  founded  that  land. 
There  the  door  of  heaven's  realm  is  oft-times  opened 
in  sight  of  the  happy,  and  the  joy  of  its  harmonies  is  revealed.     11 
That  is  a  winsomr  plain;    green  wolds  are  there, 
spacious  beneath  the  skies  ;    nor  rain,  nor  snow, 


202  IV.       THE    PHCENIX.       1 5-48. 

ne  forstes  fnaest     ne  fyres  blsest 

ne  hsegles  hryre     ne  hrimes  dryre  16 

ne  sunnan  hsetu     ne  sin-caldu 

ne  wearm  weder     ne  winter-scur 

wihte  gewyrdan     ac  se  wong  seomaS 

eadig  and  onsund  .  is  J>aet  sef>ele  lond  20 

blostraum  geblowen     beorgas  }?8er  ne  muntas 

steape  ne  stondaS     ne  stan-clifu 

heah  hlifiat5     swa  her  mid  us  • 

ne  dene  ne  dalu     ne  dun-scrafu  24 

hlsewas  ne  hlincas     ne  J>aer  hleonaft  •  60  • 

unsmetSes  wiht     ac  se  sej?ela  feld 

wridatS  under  wolcnum     wynnum  geblowen  . 

is  pcet  torhte  lond     twelfum  herra  28 

folde  faeSm-rimes     swa  us  gefreogum  •  gleawe 

witgan  J?urh  wisdom     on  gewritum  cy)m5  • 

ponne  aenig  J?ara  beorga     )?e  her  beorhte  mid  us 

hea  hlifiacS     under  heofon-tunglum  •  32 

smylte  is  se  sige-wong  ■  sun-bearo  lixetS 

wudu-holt  wynlic     wsestmas  ne  dreosatS 

beorhte  blede     ac  J>a  beamas  a- 

grene  stonda(5     swa  him  god  bibead  •  36 

wintres  and  sumeres  •     wudu  bicS  gelice  • 

bledum  gehongen     nsefre  brosnia'S  • 

*leaf  under  lyfte     ne  him  lig  sceJ^eS         [*56  6.] 

aefre  to  ealdre     ser  ]x>n  edwenden  40 

worulde  geweorcSe  .  swa  iu  wsetres  ]>rjm 

ealne  middan-geard     mere-flod  peahte 

eorfan  ymb-hwyrft     J>a  se  sej?ela  wong 

seghwaes  onsund     wi5  yt5-fare  44 

gehealden  stod     hreora  wsega 

eadig  unwemme     furh  est  godes . 

bidetS  swa  geblowen     otS  baeles  cyme 

dryhtnes  domes     "ponne  deaft-rseced  48 

15.  MS.  fnseft;  n  written  over  an  erased  letter. 


IV.       THE    PHCENIX.  203 

nor  breath  of  frost,  nor  fire's  blast, 

nor  fall  of  hail,  nor  descent  of  rime,  16 

nor  sun's  heat,  nor  endless  cold, 

nor  warm  weather,  nor  winter  shower, 

may  there  work  any  harm,  but  the  plain  abideth, 

happy  and  healthful.     The  noble  land  ao 

is  all  Deflowered  with  blossoms ;    nor  hills  nor  mountains 

there  stand  steep,  nor  stony  cliffs 

tower  there  on  high,  as  here  with  us; 

nor  dells  nor  dales,  nor  mountain-caves,  34 

nor  mounds,  nor  ridges,  nor  aught  unsmooth, 

abide  there,  but  that  noble  plain 

flourisheth  'neath  the  clouds,  blossoming  with  delights. 

This  glorious  land,  this  region,  is  higher  28 

by  twelve  fathom-measures  (as  sages,  wise  with  study, 

reveal  to  us,  through  wisdom  in  their  writings) 

than  any  of  the  hills  that  brightly  here,  in  our  mids^t, 

tower  high,  beneath  the  stars  of  heaven.  33 

Serene  is  all  that  glorious  plain ;    sunny  groves  shine  there, 

and  winsome  woody  holts;    fruits  fall  not  there, 

nor  bright  blossoms,  but  the  trees  abide 

for  ever  green,  as  God  commanded  them.  36 

In  winter  and  in  summer  the  forest  is  alike 

behung  with  fruits ;    ne'er  will  the  leaves 

fade  there  beneath  the  sky,  nor  will  flame  injure  them, 

never,  through  all  the  ages,  until  a  final  change  40 

befall  the  world.     Lo,  when  once  the  water's  rush, 

the  ocean's  flood,  o'erspread  all  middle-earth, 

yea,  all  the  world's  career,  yet  that  noble  plain 

secure  'gainst  every  chance,  stood  e'en  then  protected  44 

'gainst  the  billowy  course  of  those  rough  waves, 

happy,  inviolate,  through  the  grace  of  God. 

It  shall  abide  thus  blooming,  until  the  coming  of  fire 

and  the  judgment  of  the  Lord,  when  the  homes  of  death,        48 


204  IV.       THE    PH(ENIX.       49-82. 

haelefa  heolstor-cofan     onhliden  weorJm'S  • 

nis  pser  on  j?am  londe     lacS-geniSla 

ne  wop  ne  wracu     wea-tacen  nan 

yldu  ne  yrm'Su     ne  se  enga  deaS  5  a 

ne  lifes  lyre     ne  la]?es  cyme 

ne  synn  ne  sacu     ne  sar-wracu  ^ 

ne  wsedle  gewin     ne  welan  onsyn 

ne  sorg  ne  sleep     ne  swar  leger  56 

ne  winter-geweorp     ne  wedra  gebregd 

hreoh  under  heofonum     ne  se  hearda  forst 

caldum  cyle-gicelum     cnyse#  aenigne 

paer  ne  haegl  ne  hrim     hreosa(5  to  foldan  60 

ne  windig  wolcen     ne  J^ser  waster  fealle)? 

lyfte  gebysgad     ac  £33  r  lagu-streamas 

wundrura  wrsetlice     wyllan  onspringaS 

faegrum  fold-wylmum     foldan  leccaj>  64 

waster  wynsumu     of  J?aes  wuda  midle  • 

J>a  monJ?a  gehwam     of  psere  moldan  tyrf 

brim-cald  brecatS     bearo  ealne  geond-faraft 

J?ragum  )?rymlice  .  is  J^aet  J>eodnes  gebod  68 

Ipcette  twelf  si)?um     ])cet  tirfseste 

lond  geond-lace     lagu-floda  wynn  ■ 

sindon  pa,  bearwas     bledura  gehongene 

wlitigum  waestmura  ,  J»aer  no  waniatS  -6-  72 

halge  *  under  heofonum     holtes  fraetwe         [*57  a.~] 

ne  feallaft  Ipg&v  on  foldan     fealwe  blostman 

wudu-beama  wlite     ac  ]?a3r  wraetlice 

on  J>ara  treowum  symle     telgan  gehladene  76 

ofett  edniwe     in  ealle  tid 

on  J?am  graes-wonge     grene  stondaj) 

gehroden  hyhtlice     haliges  meahtum 

beorhtast  bearwa     no  gebrocen  weorfeS  80 

holt  on  hiwe     J>ser  se  halga  stenc 

wunaj?  geond  wyn-lond     Ipcet  onwended  ne  bi$ 

59.  MS.  cnysed.  72.  MS.  wuniaS. 


IV.       THE    PHCENIX.  ^05 

men's  dark  chambers,  shall  be  opened. 

In  that  land  there  is  not  hateful  enmity, 

nor  wail,  nor  vengeance,  nor  any  sign  of  woe, 

nor  old  age,  nor  misery,  nor  narrow  death,  ?2 

nor  loss  of  life,  nor  harm's  approach, 

nor  sin,  nor  strife,  nor  sorry  exile, 

nor  poverty's  toil,  nor  lack  of  wealth, 

nor  care,  nor  sleep,  nor  grievous  sickness,  56 

nor  winter's  darts,  nor  tempests'  tossing 

rough  'neath  heaven,  nor  doth  hard  frost, 

with  cold  chill  icicles,  crush  any  creature  there. 

Nor  hail  nor  rime  descendeth  there  to  earth,  60 

nor  windy  cloud ;    nor  falleth  water  there 

driven  by  the  wind,  but  limpid  streams, 

wondrous  rare,  spring  freely  forth; 

with  fair  bubblings,  from  the  forest's  midst,  64 

winsome  waters  irrigate  the  soil; 

each  month  from  the  turf  of  the  mould 

sea-cold  they  burst,  and  traverse  all  the  grove 

at  times  full  mightily.     'Tis  the  Lord's  behest,  68 

that  twelve  times  o'er  that  glorious  land 

the  joyous  water-floods  should  sport. 

The  groves  are  all  be-hung  with  blossoms, 

with  beauteous  growths ;    the  holt's  adornments,  73 

hoiy  'neath  heaven,  fade  never  there, 

nor  do  fallow  blossoms,  the  beauty  of  the  forest-trees, 

fall  there  to  earth ;    but  there,  in  wondrous  wise, 

the  boughs  upon  the  trees  are  ever  laden,  f6 

the  fruit  is  aye  renewed,  through  all  eternity. 

On  that  grassy  plain  there  standeth  green, 

decked  gloriously,  through  power  of  the  Holy  One, 

the  fairest  of  all  groves.     The  wood  knoweth  no  breach  80 

in  all  its  beauty  ;    holy  fragrance  reateth  there 

throughout  that  land;    ne'er  shall  it  be  chant."'! 


206  IV.       THE    PHCENIX.       H3-II3. 

aefre  to  ealdre     eer  J>on  endige 

frod  fyrn-geweorc     se  hit  on  frym)?e  gescop :  7  84 


[ii.] 

JPwOne  wudu  weardaj?     wundrum  faeger 

■*--'     fugel  fejmim  strong     se  is  fenix  haten 

J>aer  se  anhaga     eard  bihealde]?- 

deormod  drohtatS     nsefre  him  deaf  scefetS  88 

on  Jrnrn  will-wonge     )?enden  woruld  stonde)?  • 

Se  sceal  J^aere  sunnan     sitS  bihealdan 

and  ongean  cuman     godes  condelle 

glaedum  gimme     georne  bewitigan  92 

hwonne  up  cyme     ae)?elast  tungla 

ofer  ytS-mere     est  an  lixan 

faeder  fyrn-geweorc     fraetwum  blican 

torht  tacen  godes  ,  tungol  beoj?  ahyded  96 

gewiten  under  wafeman     west-daelas  on 

bideglad  on  daeg-red     and  seo  deorce  niht 

won  gewiteS     Tponne  wafum  strong 

fugel  fe)?rum  wlonc     on   firgen-stream  100 

under  lyft  ofer  lagu     locatS  georne 

hwonne  up  cyme     eastan  glidan 

ofer  sidne  sse     swegles  leoma  • 

swa  se  aej>ela  fugel     aet  J?am  ae-springe  104 

wlitig-faest  wunatS     wylle-streamas 

J>aer  se  tir-eadga     twelf  sijmm  bine  • 

*bibaJ»atS  in  J?am  burnan     aer  faes  beacnes  cyme         [*57  b.] 

swegl-condelle     and  symle  swa  oft  108 

of  J>am  wilsuman     wyll-gespryngum 

brim-cald  beorgetS     aet  batSa  gehwylcum 

SiJ>J>an  hine  sylfne     aefter  sund-plegan 

heah-mod  hefetS     on  heanne  beam-  112 

j)onan  yjmst  maeg     on  east-wegum 

84.  Half-line  space  between  the  sections.  103.   MS.  siCne. 


IV.       THE    PHCENIX.  207 

to  all  eternity,  until  He  who  first  created  it 

shall  end  His  ancient  work  of  former  days.  84 

II. 

A  bird,  of  pinions  strong,  wondrously  fair, 
inhabiteth  this  wood;    Phoenix  it  is  hight. 
The  lonely  bird  holdeth  its  dwelling  there, 

its  brave  existence ;    ne'er  shall  death  scathe  it  88 

in  that  winsome  plain,  while  the  world  standeth. 
'Tis  said  it  doth  observe  the  sun's  career, 
and  goeth  to  meet  that  gladsome  gem, 

God's  candle,  and  watcheth  eagerly,  92 

until  the  noblest  of  the  stars,  the  Father's  work  of  old, 
God's  radiant  token,  doth  rise  up 
o'er  the  billowy  main,  shining  from  the  east, 
gleaming  in  all  its  glory.     The  stars  are  hid,  96 

sunk  'neath  the  ocean  into  western  parts, 
obscured  amid  the  dawn,  and  murky  night 
darkling  departeth ;    then,   strong  in  flight, 

the  bird,  proud  of  plumage,  looketh  longingly  100 

into  the  mountain- stream,  o'er  the  waters  'neath  the  sky, 
until  the  light  of  heaven  cometh  up, 
gliding  from  the  east,  o'er  the  spacious  sea. 
Thus  the  noble  bird,  resting  in  all  its  beauty  104 

at  the  water-spring,  haunteth  the  welling  streams ; 
twelve  times  the  glorious  creature  there 
batheth  in  the  brook,  ere  the  coming  of  that  beacon, 
of  the  heaven's  candle,  and  e'en  as  oft,  at  every  bath,  108 

cold  as  ocean's  surge,  it  tasteth 
of  those  pleasant  springs  of  welling  water. 
After  its  watery  play,  it  swingeth  itself 

proudly  aloft  unto  a  towering  tree,  ua 

whence,  most  easily,  it  may  observe 


*08  IV.       THE    PHCKNIX.        I  I4-I47. 

sitS  bi-bealdan     hwonne  swegles  tapur 

ofer  holm-y£raece     hsedre  blice 

leohtes  leoma  .  lond  beoS  gefraetwad  u6 

woruld  gewlitegad     si)))?an  wuldres  gim 

ofer  geofones  gong     grand  gescine]? 

geond  middan-geard     maerost  tungla  • 

Sona  swa  seo  sunne     sealte  streamas  iao 

hea  ofer-hlifaS     swa  se  haswa  fugel  • 

beorht  of  J?ses  bearwes     beame  gewitetS 

fare"5  fefrum  snell     flyhte  on  lyfte 

swinsatS  and  singetS     swegle  to-^eanes  •  1 24 

tSonne  bi5  swa  faeger     fugles  gebaeru 

onbryrded  breost-sefa     blissum  [Ajremig  . 

wrixleS  wotS-craefte     wundor-licor 

beorhtan  reorde     Iponne  aefre  byre  monnes  128 

hyrde  under  beofonura     sij?]?an  beab-cyning 

wuldres  wyrbta     woruld  staJ>elode 

beofon  and  eorfan  .  bij>  J>aes  bleotSres  sweg 

eallum  song-craeftum     swetra  and  wlitigra  132 

and  wynsumra     wrenca  gehwylcum  . 

ne  magon  J>am  breabtme     byman  ne  hornas 

ne  bearpan  hlyn     ne  haele)?a  stefn 

aenges  on  eorJ>an     ne  organan  sweg  136 

[^]leo]?res  geswin     ne  s wanes  feftre 

ne  aenig  J»ara  dreama     J>e  drybten  gescop 

gumum  to  gliwe     in  j?as  geomran  woruld  , 

singetS  swa  and  swinsatS     saelum  geblissad  140 

*oj))?aet  seo  sunne     on  suft-rodor  [*58  a.] 

saeged  weorfetS     Iponne  swiatS  be 

and  blyst  gefetS     heafde  onbrygdeS 

Jurist  Jxmces  gleaw     and  £>riwa  ascaeceS  144 

fe)?re  flybt-bwate  ;  fugol  bitS  geswiged  , 

symle  be  twelf  si]?um     tida  gemearca'S 

daeges  and  nihtes     swa  gedemed  is 

115.  MS.  wrsece.  124.  MS.  toheanes.  126.  MS.  remig. 

133.  MS.  winsumra.  137.  MS.  leopves. 


IV.       THE    P1KKXTX.  209 

time's  progress  in  the  east,  when  heaven's  taper, 
that  beam  of  light,  shall  serenely  shine 

o'er  the  water's  rush.     Earth  is  adorned,  116 

the  world  is  made  fair,  as  soon  as  glory's  gem, 
the  noblest  of  the  stars,  journeying  o'er  ocean's  course, 
illumineth  the  ground  throughout  mid-earth. 
Forthwith,  soon  as  the  sun  mounteth  on  high  120 

o'er  the  salt-streams,  joyously  the  radiant  bird 
departeth  from  that  forest-tree, 
and,  swift  of  wing,  it  goeth  aloft  in  flight ; 
it  warbleth  and  singeth  towards  the  ethereal  sky.  124 

Then  is  the  bearing  of  the  bird  so  fair, 
its  spirit  so  exalted,  buoyant  with  delight ; 
it  varyeth  its  song  with  clearest  note 

more  wonderfully  than  any  child  of  man  128 

hath  ever  heard  'neath  heaven,  since  first 
the  King  Supreme,  glory's  Creator,  established  the  world, 
heaven  and  earth.     The  music  of  its  voice 

is  sweeter  and  more  beauteous  than  any  craft  of  song,  132 

winsomer  than  any  melody ; 
nor  trumpets,  nor  horns,  may  equal  that  sound, 
nor  strain  of  harp,  nor  the  voice  of  man, 

of  any  man  on  earth,  nor  organ's  tone,  136 

nor  harmonious  lay,  nor  feather  of  swan, 
nor  any  of  the  sounds  that  the  Lord  hath  created 
for  men's  delight  in  this  sad  world. 

It  singeth  and  warbleth  thus,  blissful  with  joy,  140 

till  in  the  southern  sky 
the  sun  is  sunk  again ;    'tis  silent  then, 
and  taketh  to  listening;    it  raiseth  its  head, 
so  bold,  so  wise  in  thought,  and  thrice  it  shaketli  then  144 

its  plumage,  bent  on  flight;  then  the  bird  is  hushed. 
It  marketli  aye  the  hours  twelve  times, 
by    <l;iy   and    Dlgbt,    I  vcn   as   it    II   nrdaiiu'd 

l* 


210  IV.      THE    PHCENIX.       I48-181. 

bearwes  bigenga     pset  he  J?ser  brucan  mot  148 

wonges  mid  willum     and  welan  neotan 

lifes  and  lissa     londes  frsetwa 

ot5-)?8et  he  fusende     j?isses  lifes 

wudu-bearwes  weard     wintra  gebidej>-  15*2 

^Sonne  bi(5  gehefgad     haswig-feftra 

gomol  gearum  frod  .  [#]rene  eortSan 

aflyh'S  fugla  [wyn]     foldan  geblowene 

and  Jxmne  gesecetS     side  rice  156 

middan-geardes     peer  no  men  bugacS 

eard  and  epel     Ipser  he  ealdordom 

onfeh(5  fore-mihtig     ofer  fugla  cynn. 

gej?ungen  on  feode     and  J?rage  mid  him  160 

westen  weardatS  •  ponne  wajmru  strong 

west  gewiteS     wintrum  gebysgad 

fleogan  fej>rum  snel  .  fuglas  JmngaS 

utan  ymbe  aej»elne  -  seghwylc  wille  164 

wesan  J>egn  and  J>eow     J^eodne  mserum 

o)?J)a3t  hy  gesecatS     s^rwara  lond 

corSra  mseste  .  him  se  clgena  J?a?r 

ocSscufetS  scearplice     \czt  he  in  scade  weardaS  1^8 

on  wudu-bearwe     weste  stowe 

biholene  and  bihydde     haelejm  monegum  • 

ftser  he  heanne  beam     on  holt-wuda 

wuna(5  and  weardaS     wyrtum  fsestne  172 

under  heoftm-hrofe  •  bone  hatatS  men 

)  r 
fenix  on  foldan     of  }?ses  fugles  noraan  • 

hafacS  ))am  treowe  forgiefen     tir-meahtig  *cyning         [*58  b.] 

meotud  mon-cynnes     mine  gefra?ge  176 

Ipset  se  ana  is     ealra  beam  a 

on  eorS-wege     up-lsedendra 

beorhtast  geblowen  '  ne  maeg  him  bitres  wiht 

scyldum  scecSSan     ac  gescylded  a*  180 

wunacS  ungewyrded     J^enden  woruld  stondeS:-  vj 

154.  MS.  rene.  155.  \icyn~],  conjectural.  156.  MS.  siSe,  corrected  to 
side.  166.  MS.  fyrwara.  171.  wuda,  corrected  from  wudu.  173.  MS. 
heofum.         181.   One-line  space  between  the  sections. 


IV.      THE    PHOENIX.  211 

that  the  grove's  habitant  may  there  enjoy  148 

the  plain  at  will,  and  may  partake  of  bliss, 

of  life  and  happiness,  and  of  the  land's  delights, 

until  it,  warder  of  that  woody  grove, 

reacheth  a  thousand  years  of  this  life.  153 

Then  the  grey-plumed  bird  waxeth  heavy, 

aged,  stricken  with  years;    the  glory  of  all  birds 

fleeth  from  the  verdant  earth  and  flowering  soil, 

and  seeketh  then  a  spacious  tract  156 

of  middle-earth,  where  men  inhabit  not, 

as  its  dwelling-place  and  home ;    there,  excelling  all  in  might, 

it  gaineth  lordship  o'er  the  race  of  birds, 

and  is  exalted  in  their  midst,  and  for  a  season  160 

inhabiteth  with  tliem  the  waste  ;    then,  strong  in  motion, 

it  hieth  westwards,  flying  on  swift  pinions, 

tho'  stricken  down  by  years.     The  birds  throng 

all  around  their  noble  lord  ;    each  would  fain  be  164 

servant  and  minister  to  the  glorious  chief, 

until  it  seeketh  the  Syrians'  land 

with  train  innumerable.     There  the  pure  bird 

quickly  driveth  them  from  him,  so  that  it  may  hold  168 

a  lone  spot  in  the  shadow  of  some  woody  grove, 

concealed  and  hidden  from  the  crowd  of  men. 

In  that  holt- wood  it  keepeth  and  inhabiteth 

a  lofty  tree,  full  firmly  rooted  172 

'neath  heaven's  roof;    men  call  the  tree 

'  J?hcenix  '  on  earth,  from  this  bird's  name. 

The  gloriously  mighty  King,  Lord  of  all  mankind, 

hath  granted  to  that  tree,  as  I  have  learned,  176 

that  of  all  the  trees  upon  earth's  tract 

that  rear  on  high  their  branches, 

this  one  tree  blossometh  brightest;    naught  bitter 

may  cruelly  scathe  it,  but  shielded  ever  180 

it  shall  continue  unimpaired,  while  tin-  wold  itandeth, 


!•   j. 


212  t  IV.       THK    PH(KNIX.       18^-213. 

[ill.] 

JPvONne  wind  HgetS     weder  bitS  fapger 

•*-'    hluttor  heofones  gim     halig  scineS 

beoS  wolcen  towegen     waetra  ]>rj]>e  184 

stille  stondaS     h'ip  storma  gehwylc 

aswefed  under  swegle     su]mn  blicetS 

weder-condel  wearm     weorodum  lyhte'S' 

iSonne  on  J»am  telgum     timbran  onginnecS  188 

nest  gearwian     bi(5  him  neod  micel 

pcet  he  J>a  yldu     ofestum  mote 

J>urh  gewittes  wylm     wendan  to  life 

feorg  geong  onfon  .  Jxmne  feor  and  neah  19  j 

J>a  swetestan     somnatS  and  g9edra"S 

wyrta  wynsume     and  wudu-bleda 

to  J>am  eard-stede  .  se)?el-stenca  gehwone 

wyrta  wynsumra     }?e  wuldor-cyning  196 

feeder  frymSa  gehwses     ofer  foldan  gescop 

to  indryhtum     aslda  cynne 

swetesp]  under  swegle     J>a?r  he  sylf  biereS 

in  ]>cet  treow  innan     torhte  fraetwe  200 

J?a?r  se  wilda  fugel     in  fam  westenne 

ofer  heanne  beam     bus  getimbreft 

wlitig  and  wynsum     and  gewicaS  J?a?r 

sylf  in  Jam  solere     and  ymb-setecS  utan  204 

in  J>am  leaf-sceade     lie  and  fefre 

on  healfa  gehware     halgum  stencura 

and  J>am  se)?elestura     eorjban  bledum 

siteS  styes  fus     Ipomie  swegles  gim  208 

on  sumeres  *tid     sunne  hatost     [*59  a.] 

ofer  sceadu  scinetS     and  gesceapu  dreogetS 

woruld  geond-wlite'S  •     ]xmne  weorcSecS  his 

1ms  onhseted     ]?urh  hador  swegl  ■  212 

wyrta  wearmiatS     will-sele  stymetS 

197.  MS.  gehwses ;  there  are  traces  of  a  small  h  abore  the  line  ;  it  has  been 
erased  or  become  obliterated.         199.  MS.  swetes. 


IV.       THE    PIICENIX.  213 

III. 

When  the  wind  is  still,  and  the  weather  is  fair, 
and  heaven's  holy  gem  serenely  shineth, 

when  the  clouds  are  scattered,  and  the  water-floods  184 

rest  silent,  when  every  storm 
is  hushed  'neath  heaven,  and  from  the  south 
shineth  the  season's  genial  lamp,  and  giveth  light  to  multitudes, 
then  it  beginneth  to  build  upon  the  branches,  188 

and  to  prepare  its  nest.     Great  is  its  desire  then, 
through  impulse  of  knowledge,  that  it  may  change, 
with  greatest  speed,  old  age  for  life, 

and  obtain  fresh  youth.     Then  far  and  near  192 

it  gathereth  and  collecteth  choicest  spoil, 
winsome  herbs  and  foliage  of  the  wood, 
for  its  homestead ;    yea,  every  noble  fragrance 
of  goodly  herbs,  which  glory's  King,  196 

Father  of  all  beginnings,  created  o'er  the  earth, 
sweetest  'neath  heaven,  as  blessings 
for  the  race  of  men.     These  radiant  treasures 
it  beartth  by  itself  to  the  hollow  of  that  tree,  200 

and  on  its  lofty  branches,  there  in  that  wilderness, 
the  wild  bird  buildeth  up  its  habitation, 
fair  and  winsome,  and  dwelleth  all  alone 

within  its  sunny  chamber,  and  in  the  leafy   shade  204 

surroundeth  its  body  and  its  wings,  on  either  side, 
and  all  about,  with  holy  fragrances, 
and  with  the  noblest  blossoms  of  the  earth  ; 
its  itteth  ready  for  its  journey  hence.     When  in  summer-tide,    208 
heaven's  gem,  the  sun,  shineth  most  hot, 
high  o'er  the  shade,  and,  surveying  all  the  world, 
fulfilleth  fate's  decree,  then  the  bird's  house 
}>ecometh  heated  through  the  heaven  serene;  an 

Hi,"  beHbfl  grow  warm,  and  the  goodly  chamber  rccketh 


214  IV.       THE    PH(ENIX.       2 1 A~^Al - 

swetuwi  swseccum     Tponne  on  swole  byrneS 

"jpurh  fyres  feng     fugel  mid  neste. 

bael  bi(5  onaeled     ]>onne  brond  J>ece<5  216 

heore-dreorges  hus     hreoh  onettetS 

fealo  lig  feormatS     and  fenix  byrneS 

fyrn-gearum  frod     ponne  fyr  jbigetS 

laenne  lic-homan  ,  lif  biS  on  si'Se  220 

faeges  feorh-hord     ponne  flaesc  and  ban 

ad-leg  seletS     hwsefre  him  eft  cymeS 

aefter  fyrst-mearce     feorh  edniwe 

sij>)?an  p&  yslan     eft  onginnacS  224 

aefter  lig-J>raece     lucan  togsedere 

geclungne  to  cleowenne  .  J>onne  claene  bi(5 

beorhtast  nesta     baele  forgrunden 

heafo-rofes  hof     hra  biS  acolad  228 

ban-fast  gebrocen     and  se  bryne  swej?ra(S  , 

bonne  of  J>am  ade     aeples  gelicnes 

on  J>aere  ascan  biS     eft  gemeted 

of  ])am  weaxecS  wyrm     wundrum  faeger  232 

swylce  he  of  aegerum     ut-alaede 

scir  of  scylle     j?onne  on  sceade  weaxe<5 

pact  he  aerest  bitS     swylce  earnes  brid 

faeger  fugel-timber  •     Sonne  fur)x>r  gin  236 

wridatS  on  wynnum     poet  he  biS  waestmum  gelic 

ealdum  earne     and  aefter  pom. 

feprum  gefraetwad     swylc  he  aet  frymcSe  waes 

beorht  geblowen  •  ponne  braed  weorjbecS  240 

eal  edniwe     eft  acenned 

synnum  asundrad  j   sumes  onlice 

swa  mon  to  aiidleofne     eor&an  waes[<]mas 

on  haerfeste     ham  gelaedetS  244 

wiste  *wynsume     aer  wintres  cyme     [*59  &.] 

on  rypes  timan     pj  laes  hi  renes  scur 

awyrde  under  wolcnum     J>aer  hi  wrafte  raetatS 

225.  There  is  a  very  faint  dot  between  lig  and  ^rasce.         243.  MS.  wceama^ 


IV.       THE    PIKENIX.  215 

with  the  sweet  scents,  and  in  that  glowing  heat, 

in  the  fire's  grip,  bird  and  nest  are  burnt  together. 

The  pile  is  kindled;    then  fire  enwrappeth  216 

that  sad  creature's  house  3    hurrying  fiercely 

the  yellow  flame  devoureth,  and  the  Phoenix, 

stricken  with  by-gone  years,  burneth  then;    fire  devoureth 

its  frail  body ;    its  life,  the  doomed  one's  spirit,  22Q 

is  journeying  forth ;    the  pyre's  flame  scorcheth 

flesh  and  bone ;    yet,  after  appointed  time, 

new  life  again  returneth  unto  it, 

when  the  ashes  once  again  begin,  224 

after  the  flame's  force,  to  combine  together, 

shrunk  up  into  a  ball.     When  that  brightest  nest, 

the  warrior-bird's  abode,  becometh  clean, 

pulverized  by  fire,  its  corpse  is  grown  cold,  228 

its  bone-case  is  broken,  and  the  burning  ceaseth. 

Then,  after  that  conflagration,  an  apple's  likeness 

will  be  found  once  more  amid  the  ashes, 

from  which  waxeth  a  worm,  wondrously  fair,  232 

as  if  it  had  been  brought  forth  from  eggs, 

pure  from  the  shell.     Then  in  the  shade  it  waxeth, 

so  that  at  first  it  is  like  an  eagle's  young, 

a  fair  fledgeling ;    then  further  yet  236 

it  thriveth  joyfully,  till  it  becometh  like  in  form 

to  an  old  eagle,  and  thereafter  it  is 

fichly  dight  with  plumage,  as  it  was  at  first, 

radiantly  adorned  ;   then  its  flesh  240 

becometh  all  renewed,  born  again, 

sundered  from  sin  ;   much  in  the  same  way 

as  men  bring  home,  for  their  sustenance, 

the  fruits  of  earth,  pleasant  food,  244 

at  the  harvest,  at  reaping-time, 

ere  winter's  coming,  lest  the  rain-shower 

destroy  them  'neuth  the  clouds;    thus  find  they  protection, 


216  IV.      THE    PHCENIX.       248-279. 

fodor-}?ege  gefean     ]>onne  forst  and  snaw  248 

mid  ofer-maegne     eorJ>an  fecca'S 

winter-gewaedunu  of  J>am  waestmum  sceal 

eorla  ead-welaf     eft  alaedan 

J?urh  conies  gecynd     )>e  aer  claene  bitS  252 

bsed  onsawen     Jxmne  sunnan  glsem 

on  lenctenne     lifes  tacen 

wecetS  woruld-gestreon     )?aet  fa  vvaestinas  beotS 

J>urh  agne  gecynd     eft  acende  2;,6 

foldan  frsetwe.   swa  se  fugel  weor}>etS 

gomel  sefter  gearum     geong  edniwe 

flaesce  bifongen  ,  no  he  foddor  JrigetS 

mete  on  moldan     nemne  mele-deawes  260 

dael  gebyrge  ■     se  dreoseS  oft 

set  middre  nihte  j  bi  }>on  se  modga  his 

feorh  afedeS     o)?]}aet  fyrn-gesetu 

agenne  eard     eft  geseceS  :  -  :  7  264 

[IV.] 

PQnne  bitS  aweaxen     wyrtum  in  gemonge 
fugel  fej?rum  deal     feorh  biS  niwe 
geong  geofona  ful     J>onne  he  of  greote  his 

lie  leo)?u-craeftig     )?aet  aer  lig  fornom  •  268 

somnaft  swoles  lafe     searwum  gegsedraft 
ban  gebrosnad     sefter  bsel-]?rsece 
and  "ponne  gebringe'S     ban  and  yslan 

ades  lafe     eft  setsomne  272 

and  Iponne  ]?set  wsel-reaf     wyrtum  biteldeS 
faegre  gefrsetwed  •     Sonne  afysed  bitS 
agenne  eard     eft  to  secan  • 

Jxmne  fotum  ymb-fehtS     fyres  lafe  276 

clam  biclyppe'S     and  his  cy]?)?u  eft 
sun-beorht  gesetu     seceS  on  wynnum 
eadig  eJ?el-lond     *  eall  bicS  geniwad      [*60  a.~\ 

248.   MS.  gefeon.         251.  MS.  ead-welan.  264.   One-line  space  "between 

the  sections. 


IV.      THE    PHCEXIX.  217 

the  delights  of  food,  when  frost  and  snow,  248 

with  overpowering  might,  cover  earth 

with  winter-weeds.     From  those  fruits 

men's  riches  shall  again  come  forth, 

through  grain's  nature,  which  is  sown  at  first  252 

as  a  mere  seed ;    then  the  sun's  gleam 

in  spring-tide  awakeneth  the  signs  of  life, 

the  world's  great  wealth,  so  that  the  fruits, 

earth's  adornments,  through  their  own  kind,  256 

are  again  produced.     Thus  the  bird, 

old  in  the  course  of  years,  becometh  young  again, 

with  flesh  invested.     Food  it  toucheth  not, 

nor  meat  on  earth,  save  that  it  tasteth  a  little  260 

of  the  honey-dew,  which  often  falleth 

at  midnight;    thereby  the  noble  bird 

maintaineth  its  life,  till  it  seeketh  again 

its  ancient  dwelling-place,  its  own  abode.  264 

IV 

When  the  bird  of  proud  plumage  is  grown  up 
among  the  herbage,  when  its  life  is  new, 

young,  and  full  of  grace,  then  from  the  dust,  with  active  limbs, 
it  collecteth  its  body,  that  the  flame  devoured  before,  268 

the  leavings  of  the  fire  ;   skilfully  it  gathereth 
the  perished  bones,  after  the  fire's  force, 
and  bringeth  then  the  bones  and  ashes, 

the  relics  of  the  pyre,  again  together,  372 

and  covereth  then  witli  herbs  that  spoil  of  death, 
adorned  ko  richly.     'Twill  then  be  impelled 
to  seek  again  its  own  abode. 

It  graspeth  then  with  its  feet,  it  seizeth  with  its  claws,         276 
the  fire's  leavings,  and  Beeketh  joyously 
its  home  again,  its  sun-bright  habitation, 
its  happy  native  land.     All  hhall  be  renew*  <l. 


218  IV.       THE    PIKENIX.       280-314. 

feorh  and  fef>er-homa     swa  he  aet  frymj?e  waes  280 

)?a  Line  serest  god     on  J»one  sej>elan  wong 
sigor-faest  sette  ,  he  his  sylfes  }?aer 
ban  gebringecS     J>a  aer  brondes  wylm  • 

on  beorh-stede     bsele  forbylmde  284 

ascan  to  eacan  ,  ]><mne  eal  geador 
bebyrgecS  beadu-craeftig     ban  and  yslan 
on  J>am  ealonde  .  bi5  him  edniwe  • 

)?aere  sunnan  segn  •     "ponne  swegles  leoht  288 

gimma  gladost     ofer  garsecg  up  • 
aej^el-tungla  wyn     eastan  lixetS  . 
Is  se  fugel  faeger     forweard  hiwe 

bleo-brygdum  fag     ymb  J>a  breost  foran.  292 

is  him  )>cet  heafod     hindan  grene 
wraetlice  wrixled     wurman  geblonden  ■ 
ponne  is  se  finta     faegre  gedaeled 

sum  brun  sum  basu     sum  blacum  splottum  296 

searolice  beseted .  sindon  J»a  fifru 
hwit  hindan-weard     and  se  hals  grene 
nio]x>-weard  and  ufe-weard     and  poet  nebb  lixeS 
swa  glass  oJ>J^e  gim  -  geaflas  scyne  300 

innan  and  utan  .  is  seo  eag-gebyrd 
stearc  and  hiwe     stane  gelicast 
gladum  gimme     ponne  in  gold-fate 

smijm  orjxmcuw     biseted  weorJ?e"S  •  304 

is  ymb  Jxme  sweoran     swylce  sunnan  hring 
beaga  beorhtast     bregden  feSrum  ; 
wraetlic  is  seo  womb  neoJ>an     wundrum  faeger 
scir  and  scyne  •  is  se  scyld  ufan  308 

fraetwum  gefeged     ofer  J?ses  fugles  baec  • 
Sindon  J?a  scancan     scyllum  biweaxen 
fealwe  fotas  ■  se  fugel  is  on  hiwe 

aeghwaes  aenlic      onlicost  pean  312 

wynnum  geweax'en     J>aes  gewritu  secgaS  • 
nis  he  hinder-weard  •     *  ne  hyge-gaelsa  [*60  b.] 

288.  MS.  pegn.         294.  MS.  wrixleft. 


IV.      THE    PHOENIX.  219 

its  life  and  plumage,  as  it  was  at  the  beginning,  280 

when  God  first  set  it  all  triumphant 

in  that  noble  plain.     It  bringeth  there  the  bones 

of  its  very  self,  which  the  fire's  rage  had  erewhile 

encompassed  on  the  mound  with  burning  flame,  284 

yea,  and  its  ashes  too.     Then  the  warrior-bird 

burieth  all  together  there,  its  bones  and  ashes, 

in  that  island.     Full  new  again  for  it 

is  the  sign  of  the  sun,  when  heaven's  light,  288 

of  gems  the  most  joyous,  the  winsomest  of  all  the  noble  stars, 

(journeying)  up  o'er  ocean,  shineth  from  the  east. 

The  bird  is  fair  of  hue  to  look  upon, 

bright  with  varied  colours  about  its  breast,  in  front ;  292 

its  head  is  green  behind, 

curiously  variegated,  blent  with  scarlet ; 

thereto,  its  tail  is  beauteously  divided, 

part  brown,  part  purple,  part  studded  cunningly  296 

with  pale  spots;   the  wings 

are  hindward  white,  and  the  neck  green, 

downward  and  upward,  and  the  beak  glisteneth 

like  glass  or  gem  ;    its  jaws  are  bright,  300 

both  within  and  without;    its  eye's  faculty 

is  strong,  and  'tis  in  aspect  likest  to  a  stone, 

a  sparkling  gem,  when  in  a  golden  vessel 

it  hath  been  set  by  smiths'  artifice.  304 

Around  its  neck  there  is,  like  to  the  sun's  orb, 

the  brightest  of  all  rings,  with  feathers  woven  ; 

marvellous  is  its  belly  beneath,  wondrously  fair, 

bright  and  beauteous ;   the  shield  above,  308 

over  the  bird's  back,  is  richly  put  together  ; 

its  legs,  and  fallow  feet,  are  all  o'crgrown 

with  scales.     The  bird  is  altogether 

nniqne  in  aspect;   most  like  unto  a  peacock,  31a 

wiiiKomely  grown  up,  that  writings  tell  of. 

It    i     not  sluggish,  n"r  dilatory  of  mood, 


220  TV.       THE    PHCENIX.       3 1 5-349. 

swar  ne  swongor     swa  sume  fuglas 

J>a  Ipe  late  furh  lyft     lacaS  fifrum  •  316 

ac  he  is  snel  and  swift     and  swife  leoht 

wlitig  and  wynsum     wuldre  gemearcad  • 

Ece  is  se  aefeling     se  pe  him  ]>ait  ead  gefetS  • 

Tpomie  he  gewiteS     wongas  secan  320 

his  ealdne  eard     of  J>isse  e}>el-tyrf  • 

swa  se  fugel  fleoge'S     folcum  o<5-eaweS 

monguwi  monna     geond  middan-geard  • 

]>onne  somna'S     suj?an  and  norJ?an  324 

eastan  and  westan     eored-ciestura 

faraS  feorran  and  nean     folca  J>ry}>um 

J>ger  hi  sceawiaj)     scyppendes  giefe 

fsegre  on  J>am  fugle     swa  him  set  fruman  sette  328 

sigora  soS-cyning     sellicran  gecynd 

frsetwe  fcegran     ofer  fugla  cyn  • 

tSonne  wundria(5     weras  ofer  eor)?an 

wlite  and  wsestma     and  gewritu  cyJ'a'S  332 

munduwi  mearciatS     on  marm-stane 

hwonne  se  daeg  and  seo  tid     dryhtum  geeawe 

fraetwe  flyht-hwates  •     Donne  fugla  cynn  • 

on  healfa  gehwowe     heapura  Jmnga'S  336 

sigatS  sid-wegum     songe  lofiaS 

mseraS  modigne     meaglum  reordum  • 

and  swa  ]xme  halgan     hringe  betelda<5 

flyhte  on  lyfte     fenix  bij>  on  middum  340 

)?reatum  bifrungen  ,  J>eoda  wlitatS 

wundrum.  wafiaS     hu  seo  wil-gedryht 

wildne  weorJdaS     worn  sefter  o]>rum 

craeftum  cytpatS     and  for  cyning  mseraS  344 

leofne  leod-fruman     IsedaS  mid  wynnuw 

sefelne  to  earde     oJ>]?83t  se  anhoga 

otSfleogetS  fej>rum  snel     \a>,t  him  gefylgan  ne  maeg 

drymendra  gedryht .  Iponne  duguSa  wyn  •  348 

of  fisse  eor]?an  tyrf    ej>el  sece^iy 

333.  MS.  mearm  (i.e.  marm),  r  written  over  an  erasure.  336.  MS. 

gehvvore.         342.  MS,  wefiatS. 


IV.       THE    PHCENIX.  221 

not  heavy  nor  indolent,  as  some  birds  are, 

that  slowly  on  their  pinions  sport  through  air,  316 

but  it  is  promjDt  and  swift,  and  very  light, 

beauteous  and  winsome,  and  gloriously  adorned. 

Eternal  is  the  Sovran,  who  granteth  it  that  bliss ! 

It  departeth  then  to  seek  the  plains,  320 

its  ancient  dwelling-place,  from  this  tract  of  earth  ; 
and  as  the  bird  flieth,  it  is  manifest  to  folk, 
to  many  men  o'er  middle-earth ; 

and  they  assemble  then,  from  south  and  north,  324 

from  east  and  west;  in  banded  hosts, 
in  crowds  of  people,  from  far  and  near  they  come, 
that  they  may  there  behold  the  Maker's  grace 
nobly  revealed  in  that  bird,  even  as,  at  the  beginning  328 

victory's  true  King  assigned  to  it  a  noble  nature, 
and  adornments  fair,  excelling  all  the  race  of  birds.' 
Then  mortals  throughout  earth  admire 

its  beauty  and  its  form,  and  their  writings  reveal  it,  332 

with  their  hands  they  design  it  in  marble-stone, 
whenever  day  and  hour  sheweth  to  multitudes 
that  bird's  splendour,  so  swift  of  flight.     Then  the  race  of  birds 
throng  in  crowds,  on  every  side,  336 

descending  from  the  distant  ways ;  they  praise  in  song 
and  glorify  in  powerful  strains  that  noble  creature ; 
and  in  a  ring  they  thus  surround  that  holy  bird, 
while  in  flight  in  the  air ;  the  Phoenix  is  in  the  midst,  340 

pressed  by  the  multitudes.     The  people  view, 
they  are  moved  with  wonder,  how  the  devoted  band, 
flock  after  flock,  honoureth  that  wild  bird, 
and  powerfully  announceth  it,  and  extolleth  it  as  their  king,   344 
as  their  beloved  chief,  and  leadeth  joyfully 
their  noble  lord  unto  its  dwelling-place,  till  that  the  lone  bird, 
swift  of  wing,  doth  fly  away,  so  that  the  joyous  band 
can  no  more  follow  it.     Tims  the  delight  of  multitudes  348 

■eeketh  it-  native  land,  won  thii  trad  of  earth, 


222  IV.       THE    PHfENIX.       350-38 1  . 


[v.] 

*rjWA  se  gesseliga     setter  swylt-hwile  [*G1  a.] 

U  his  eald-cyttye     eft  geneosatS 
faegre  foldan  ,  fugelas  cyrracS  352 

from  Ip&m  gu5-frecan  geomor-mode 
eft  to  earde  ,  ])onne  se  sej?eling  biS 
giong  in  geardum     god  ana  wat 

cyning  selmihtig     hu  his  gecynde  bi"5  356 

wif-hades  )?e  weres  .  Ipcet  ne  wat  senig 
monna  cynnes     butan  meotod  ana 
hu  J»a  wisan  sind     wundorlice 

fa3ger  fyrn-gesceap     ymb  fses  fugles  gebyrd  .  360 

)?8er  se  eadga  mot     eardes  neotan 
wylle-streama     wudu-holtum  in  • 
wunian  in  wonge     oj^aet  wintra  biS 

J>usend  urnen     ponne  him  weor)?e(5  364 

ende  lifes  •     hine  ad  J>ece(5  • 
J^urhaeled-fyr     hwsej^re  eft  cymetS 
aweaht  wraetlice     wundrum  to  life  . 

forJ>on  he  drusende     deatS  ne  bisorgaft  368 

sare  swylt-cwale     J?e  him  symle  wat 
setter  lig-frsece     lif  edniwe 
feorh  setter  fylle     ponne  fromlice 

J?urh  briddes  had     gebreadad  weortJetS  372 

eft  of  ascan     edgeong   wesetS 
under  swegles  hleo  .  biS  him  self  gehwaefter 
sunu  and  swses  fseder     and  symle  eac 

eft  yrfe-weard     ealdre  lafe.  376 

forgeaf  him'  se  meahta     inon-cynnes  fruma 
]>cet  he  swa  wrsetlice     weorJ>an  sceolde 
eft  )?aet  ilce     J>aet  he  aer  J>on  waes 

fej>rum  bifongen     J>eah  hine  fyr  nime  •  t  380 

Swa  ]?apt  ece  lif     eadigra  gehwylc 

371.  MS.  fille. 


IV.       THE    PIKENTX.  223 


V. 


Tims  the  blessed  bird,  after  its  time  of  death, 
visiteth  again  its  old  country, 

that  fair  field.     The  birds  return,  352 

sad  in  spirit,  to  their  native  lands, 
leaving  their  bold  warrior.     Then  the  noble  creature, 
young  again,  dwelleth  in  its  home.     God  alone  knoweth, 
the  Almighty  King,  what  its  sex  is,  356 

female  or  male ;  no  one  knoweth, 
none  of  the  race  of  men,  save  the  Creator  alone, 
how  wondrous  the  conditions  are, 

the  fair  decrees  of  old,  concerning  this  bird's  birth !  360 

There  may  the  blessed  one  enjoy  its  home, 
the  welling  streams,  and  in  the  woody  holts 
may  dwell,  and  in  the  plain,  until  a  thousand  years 
have  run  their  course  ;  then  cometh  to  pass  364 

its  life's  ending;  the  pile  covereth  it 
with  kindled  fire  ;  yet  again  it  cometh 
wondrously  to  life,  awakened  strangely. 

Wherefore,  though  drooping,  it  hath  no  fear  of  death,  368 

of  death's  dire  pangs,  for  it  knoweth  aye 
that  life  is  renewed  after  the  flame's  force, 
tlyit  there  is  a  new  existence  after  its  destruction, 
when  from  its  own  ashes,  it  becometh  speedily  restored,        372 
l>orn  again  as  bird,  and  groweth  young  again, 
'neath  heaven's  shelter.     To  itself  'tis  all  in  all, 
both  son  and  tender  father,  and  ever  also,  in  due  course, 
the  inheritor  of  its  old  relics.  376 

The  Almighty,  mankind's  Creator,  hath  granted  it, 
that  it  should  again  become,  in  wondrous  wise, 
the  MOM  tiling  that  it  was  before, 

1  -hid  with  feathers,  though  fire  consume  it.  3R0 

Tims  each  bl.    -.  ,|   m  !i    for   himself 


224  IV.      THE    PHffiNTX.       382-415. 

setter  sar-wrsece     sylf  geceoseS 

]?urh  deorcne  deatS     ]>cct  he  dryhtnes  mot 

sefter  gear-dagum     geofona  neotan  384 

on  sin-dreamum     *and  si)>}>an  a  •         [*G1  b.~\ 

wunian  in  worulde     weorca  to  leane  • 

Jjisses  fugles  gecynd     fela  gelices 

bi  J>am  gecornum     cristes  J^egnum  388 

beacnaS  in  burgum     hu  hi  beorhtne  gefean 

J>urh  feeder  fultum     on  J>as  frecnan  tid 

healdaj)  under  heofonum     and  him  heanne  blsed 

in  J>am  uplican     ecSle  gestryna))-  392 

habbaj)  we  geascad     Ipcet  se  selmihtiga 

worhte  wer  and  wif     )?urh  his  wundra   sped 

and  hi  )>a  gesette     on  J?one  selestan 

foldan  sceata     J>one  fira  beam  396 

nemnatS  neorxna-wong  .  J>ser  him  nsenges  wses 

eades  onsyn     J>enden  eces  word 

halges  hleof>or-cwide     healdan  woldan 

on  J>am  niwan  gefean  ,  J?ser  him  nif>  gescod  400 

eald-feondes  sefest     se  him  set  gebead 

beanies  blede     j^set  hi  bu  J>egun 

seppel  unrsedum  •  ofer  est  godes  • 

byrgdon   forbodene  .  J^ser  him  bitter  weaiS  404 

yrmfm  sefter  sete     and  hyra  eaferum  swa  . 

sarlic  symbel     sunum  and  dohtrum. 

wurdon  teonlice     tojms  idge  . 

ageald  sefter  gylte     hsefdon  godes  yrre  408 

bittre  bealo-sorge     j^ses  J?a  byre  sif>)>an 

gyrne  onguldon     J>e  hi  f>set  gyfl  ]?egun 

ofer  eces  word  ,  forf>on  hy  eSles  wyn 

geomor-mode     ofgiefan  sceoldon  412 

fmrh  nsedran  nij^  •     Jm  heo  nearwe  biswac 

yldran  usse     in  ser-dagum 

Jrnrh  fsecne  fer<5     pcet  hi  feor  Jxrnan 

393.  MS.  geascad,  corrected  from  geascaft.      396.  HIS.  sceates.      407.  MS. 
wurdon,  i.e.  wurdon. 


IV.       THE    PHCENIX.  225 

the  life  eternal,  after  sore  tribulation  here, 

through  dark  death,  that  he  may  enjoy, 

after  his  past  days,  the  gifts  of  the  Lord,  384 

in  everlasting  revelry,  and  thenceforth  evermore 

dwell  in  that  world,  in  recompense  for  his  works. 

This  bird's  nature  is  much  like 
to  the  chosen  ones,  Christ's  servants ;  388 

it  betokeneth  to  folk,  how  they,  through  the  Father's  aid, 
may  possess  bright  joy  'neath  heaven, 
e'en  in  this  perilous  time,  and  may  eke  gain 
exalted  happiness  in  the  celestial  home.  392 

We  have  learnt  that  the  Almighty 

wrought  man  and  woman  through  his  wondrous  might, 
and  set  them  then  in  the  choicest 

of  earth's  regions,  which  the  sons  of  men  396 

call  Paradise;  there  had  they 
no  lack  of  happiness,  while  they  were  willing 
to  preserve  the  Eternal's  word,  the  Holy  One's  decree, 
in  that  new  joy.     But  hatred  scathed  them  there,  400 

the  old  fiend's  envy,  who  proffered  them  food, 
fruit  of  the  tree,  so  that  they  both  tasted 
the  apple  thoughtlessly ;  against  God's  pleasure, 
they  ate  what  was  forbidden.     There  had  they  404 

bitter  misery  after  the  eating,  they  and  their  children  too  ; 
'tw^s  a  sorry  feasting  for  their  sons  and  daughters ; 
their  greedy  teeth  became  their  bane; 

it  requited  them  according  to  their  guilt.  They  had  God's  anger,  408 
bitter  baleful  sorrow,  and  their  children  since 
have  dearly  paid,  because  they  ate  that  fruit 
against  the  Eternal's  word.     Therefore  were  they  doomed, 
sad  in  spirit,  to  forsake  that  land's  delight,  41a 

through  the  serpent's  envy;  it  cunningly  deceived 
our  parents  then,  in  those  days  of  yore, 
by  its  guileful  spirit,  M  that  they,  far  from  thence, 

Q 


226  IV.      THE    PHCEN1X.       41 6-447. 

in  f>as  deaS-dene     drohta'S  sohton-  416 

Borgfulran  gesetu     him  wear's  selle  lif 

heolstre  bihyded     and  se  halga  wong 

)?urh  feondes  searo     fseste  bityned* 

wintra  mengu  •     *  offset  wuldor-cyning         [*  62  a.]  420 

J>urh  his  hider-cyme     halgum  to-greanes 

mon-cynnes  gefea     me]?ra  frefrend 

and  se  anga  hyht     eft  on-tynde7 

[VI.] 

TS  )>on  gelicast     f>ses  ]>e   us  leorneras  424 

-*-     wtordum  secgatS     and  writu  cyjmtS 

j?isses  fugles  gefaer     ponne  frod  ofgiefeft 

eard  and  elpel     and  geealdad  bitS- 

gewitetS  werig-mod     wintrum  gebysgad  428 

fser  he  holtes  hleo     heah  gemeteS 

in  j?am  he  getimbreS     tanum  and  wyrtum 

}?am  sej?elestum     eard-wie  niwe 

nest  on  bear  we     bitS  him  neod  micel  433 

pat  he  feorh-geong  eft     onfon  mote 

Jjurh  liges  blsest     lif  setter  deaj?e 

edgeong  wesan     and  his  eald-cyttyu 

sun-beorht  gesetu     secan  mote  436 

sefter  fyr-baSe  ,  swa  tSa  fore-gengan 

yldran  usse     an-forleton 

j>one  wlitigan  wong     and  wuldres  setl 

leoflic  on  laste     tugon  longne  siS  440 

in  hearmra  hond     J>3er  him  hettende 

earme  aglsecan     oft  gescodan  • 

weeron  hwae)?re  monge  •     fa  f>e  meotude  we[/] 

gehyrdun  under  heofonum     halgum  Seawum  444 

dsedum  domlicum     Ipwt  him  dryhten  wear© 

heofona  heah-cyning     hold  on  mode  • 

Sset  is  se  hea  beam     in  J?am  halge  nu 

421.  MS.  to-heanes.         423.  tynde,  on  a  line  by  itself,  divides  the  sections. 
425.   MS.  weordum.         443.  MS.  we. 


IV.       THE    PHCENIX.  227 

in  this  vale  of  death,  sought  a  sojourn,  416 

sorrowful  abodes.     For  them  the  better  life 

was  hidden  in  darkness,  and  the  holy  plain, 

through  the  fiend's  artifice,  was  fast  closed 

for  many  winters,  until  the  King  of  glory,  420 

mankind's  Joy,  the  Comfort  of  the  weak, 

our  only  Hope,  through  His  advent  hither 

unto  the  holy,  opened  it  again. 


VI. 

Most  like  thereto  is  this  bird's  course,  434 

(from  what  doctors  declare  to  us  in  words, 
and  writings  reveal,)  when  aged  it  forsaketh 
its  home  and  country,  and  is  become  old. 

It  depart eth,  weary  in  spirit,  oppressed  with  years,  438 

to  where  it  findeth  the  lofty  shelter  of  the  holt, 
wherein  it  buildeth,  with  twigs  and  plants, 
with  noblest  plants,  a  new  abode, — 

a  nest  within  that  grove.     Great  is  its  desire,  433 

that  it  may  again  receive,  through  blast  of  flame, 
renewed  youth,  life  after  death, 
and  be  young  again,  and  seek  again 

its  old  country,  its  sun-bright  habitations,  4|6 

after  the  fire-bath.     So  those  fore-goers, 
our  ancestors,  left  behind  them 
that  beauteous  plain  and  seat  of  glory, 

in  all  its  loveliuess,  and  went  a  long  journey  440 

into  the  power  of  the  evil  ones,   where  their  enemies, 
the  wretched  monsters,  oft-times  injured  them. 
Yet  were  there  many,  who  well  'neath  heaven 
obeyed  their  Maker  with  holy  rites,  444 

with  glorious  deeds,  so  that  the  Lord, 
heaven's  high  King,  was  graciously  inclined  to  them. 
That  is  the  lofty  tree,  wherein  His  holy  ones 

Q  a 


228  IV.      THE   PHCENIX.      448-48 1. 

wic  weardiatS     j?ser  him  wihte  ne  maeg  448 

eald-feonda  nan     atre  sceJ?J>an  • 

facnes  tacne     on  ]m  frecnan  tid , 

faer  him  nest  wyrceS     witS  ni)?a  gehwam 

dsedum  domlicum     dryhtnes  cempa  452 

"ponne  he  selmessan     *  earmum  dseleS         [*  62  &.] 

auge)>a  leasum     and  him  dryhten  gecygtS 

feeder  on  fultum     forS  onetteS 

laenan  lifes  ,  leahtras  dwaesce}?  456 

mirce  man-dsede     healdeS  meotudes  se  • 

beald  in  breostum     and  gebedu  secetS 

clsenuw  gehygdum     and  his  cneo  bigetS 

»e)>ele  to  eorfan     flyhtS  yfla  gehwylc  460 

grimme  gieltas     for  godes  egsan 

glsedmod  gyrnetS     J>aet  he  godra  msest 

daeda  gefremme  .  fam  bij>  dryhten  scyld 

in  sij>a  gehwane     sigora  waldend  /y     ^  464 

weoruda  wil-giefa  ,  J>is  j?a  wyrta  sind 

waestma  blede     )?a  se  wilda  fugel 

somnatS  under  swegle     side  and  wide 

to  his  wic-stowe     J>ser  he  wundrum  faest  468 

wiS  nij?a  gehwam     nest  gewyrcetS  • 

Swa  nu  in  J>am  wicum     willan  fremma'S 

mode  and  maegne     meotudes  cempan 

maerSa  tilgatJ.  )?aes  him  meorde  wile  47a 

ece  aelmihtig     eadge  forgildan  . 

beoS  him  of  J?am  wyrtum     wic  gestaj>elad 

in  wuldres  by  rig     weorca  to  leane 

J?83S  J>e  hi  geheoldan     halge  lare  476 

hate  set  [XJeortan     hige  weallende 

daeges  and  nihtes  -  dryhten  lufiaS 

leohte  geleafan     leofne  ceosatS 

ofer  woruld-welan  .  ne  bi]?  him  Wynne  hyht  480 

]>cet  hy  }>is  laene  lif    long  gewunien 

477.  MS.  eortan. 


IV.       THE    PHCENIX.  229 

hold  now  their  habitation ;  none  of  their  ancient  foes  448 

may  injure  them  in  aught  with  venom  there, 

with  specious  guile,  in  this  time  of  peril. 

There  the  champion  of  the  Lord  maketh  for  himself  a  nest, 

by  glorious  deeds,  against  each  enmity,  452 

when  he  dealeth  alms  unto  the  poor, 

unto  those  void  of  blessings,  and  invoketh  the  Lord, 

the  Father,  to  his  aid,  hasteneth  forth 

from  this  frail  life,  blotteth  out  transgressions,  456 

dark  wicked  deeds,  holdeth  the  Creator's  law 

boldly  in  his  breast,  and  seeketh  prayer 

with  pure  meditations,  boweth  his  knee 

piously  to  earth,  fleeth  each  evil  thing,  460 

all  horrid  sins,  in  dread  of  God, 

and  fain  desireth  that  he  may  perform 

the  greatest  number  of  good  deeds  ;  the  Sovran, 

the  Lord  of  victory,  the  Kuler  of  hosts,  is  his  shield,  464 

at  every  season.     These  are  the  plants, 

the  blossoming  fruits,  that  the  wild  bird 

gathereth  far  and  wide  'neath  heaven, 

unto  its  dwelling-place,  where,  wondrously  secure  468 

gainst  all  enmity,  it  maketh  a  nest. 

Thus  do  the  champions  of  the  Lord  fulfil  His  will 

with  mind  and  main,  in  their  habitations  now, 

and  practise  virtue;    for  this  the  Eternal  Almighty  473 

will  requite  them  with  a  blessed  recompense. 

A  habitation  shall  be  formed  for  them, 

in  glory's  city,  from  those  plants,  as  their  works'  reward, 

because  they  have  held  the  holy  lore  476 

fervently  in  their  hearts,  with  ardent  soul, 

both  day  and  night ;    they  love  the  Lord 

with  bright  belief,  and  choose  the  Beloved 

before  all  worldly  wealth  ;    no  joy  find  they  in  the  hope        480 

that  they  may  long  maintain  this  transitory  life. 


230  IV.       THE    PH(ENIX.       482-514. 

pus  eadig  eorl     ecan  drearaes 

heofona  hames     mid  heah-cyning 

earnat$  on  elne     offset  ende  cymeft  •  484 

dogor-rimes     ponne  deaS  nimetS 

wiga  wsel-gifre     wsepnum  ge)?ry]?ed 

ealdor  anra  gehwa?s     and  in  eor)?an  fsetSm 

snude  •  *senda'S     sawlura  binumene  [*  63  a.]  488 

lsene  lic-homan     pser  hi  longe   beo$ 

otS  fyres  cyme     foldan  btyeahte  • 

Donne  monge  beotS     on  gemot  laedad 

fyra  cynnes     wile  fseder  engla  .  493 

sigora  sotS-cyning     seonoJ>  gehegan 

duguSa  dryhten     deman  mid  ryhte 

\>onne  seriste     ealle  gefremmaf) 

men  on  moldan     swa  se  mihtiga  cyning  496 

beodeft  brego  engla     by  man  stefne 

ofer  sidne  grand     sawla  nergend 

bit5  se  deorca  dea$     dryhtnes  meahtum 

eadgum  geendad  j  se&ele  hweorfatS  500 

j^reatuni  f>ringa(5     fponne  f»eos  woruld 

scyld-wyrcende     in  scorn  e  byrneS 

ade  onseled .  weorJ^e'S  anra  gehwylc 

forht  on  ferf>J>e     ponne  fyr  brice'S  504 

lasne  lond-welan     lig  eal  f>ige8 

eorjrnn  seht-gestreon     eepplede  gold 

gifre  forgripeS     grsedig  swelgetS 

londes  frsetwe  .  ponne  on  leolit  cymetS  •  508 

seldum  pisses     in  )?a  openan  titl 

faeger  and  gefealic     fugles  tacen 

poiane  anwald  eal     up  astellatS 

on  byrgenum     ban  gegsedraS  512 

leomu  lie  somod     and  liges  gsest 

fore  cristes  cneo  .  cyning  prymlice 

488.  MS.  sawlu.  491.  MS.  laedaj).  512.  There  is  an  erasure  between  ge 
and  gsedraft  ;  a  small  vertical  stroke  divides  ge/rom  ban ;  a  dot  and  two  hyphens, 
by  another  hand,  after  ge. 


IV.      THE    PH(ENIX.  231 

Thus  may  a  happy  mortal  bravely  earn 
eternal  joy,  a  heavenly  home, 

with  the  High  King,  till  the  end  cometh  484 

of  the  number  of  his  days,  when  death, 
the  blood-thirsty  warrior,  with  weapons  armed, 
seizeth  the  life  of  everyone,  and  quickly  sendeth 
into  earth's  bosom  the  frail  bodies,  488 

deprived  of  souls  ;    there  shall  they  long  abide, 
covered  with  earth,  until  the  fire's  coming. 
Many  of  the  race  of  men  shall  then  be  led 
unto  the  meeting,  and  the  Father  of  the  angels,  49  a 

the  true  King  of  victory,  the  Lord  of  hosts, 
will  hold  a  synod  then,  and  will  judge   aright. 
All  men  on  earth  shall  then  achieve 

their  resurrection,  even  as  the  Almighty  King,  496 

the  Prince  of  angels,  the  Saviour  of  souls, 
shall  by  the  trumpet's  voice  proclaim  o'er  the  wide  waste. 
By  the  Sovran's  might,  dark  death  shall  then  be  ended 
for  the  blessed  ones ;    nobly  shall  they  go ;  500 

in  crowds  shall  they  press  on,  when  this  world, 
working  iniquity,  shall  burn  ignominiously, 
consumed  with  conflagration.     Each  one  shall  then  become 
fearful  in  spirit,  when  the  fire  breaketh  504 

the  land's  frail  wealth,  and  flame  devoureth  wholly 
earth's  possessions,  and  eagerly  graspeth 
apple-shaped  gold,  and  greedily  swalloweth 
the  treasures  of  the  world.     Then,  at  that  all-disclosing  time,     508 
this  bird's  betokening,  bo  fair  and  joyous, 
shall  be  revealed  to  men  in  the  light  of  day, 
when  the  Supreme  Power  shall  raise  up  all 
in  their  sepulchres,  and  shall  gather  their  Ixmes,  51a 

their  limbs  and  body,  and  the  flame's  guest, 
before  Christ's  knee  ;   the  King  in  all  His  majesty, 


232  IV.      THE   PHCENIX.       ^SSAl- 

of  his  heah-setle     halgura  scineS 

wlitig  wuldres  gim     wel  bij?  }?am  \>e  mot  516 

in  j?a  geomran  tid     gode  lician  :  7 

[VII.] 

TA.ffiR  j?a  lic-homan     leahtra  claene 

-*-^     gongaS  glaed-mode     gaestas  hweorfaS 

in  ban-fatu     )?onn«  bryne  stigeS  520 

heah  to  heofonum .  hat  biS  monegum 

eges-lic  aeled  •     *  pomie  anra  gehwylc         [*  63  b.] 

soS-faest  ge  synnig     sawel  mid  lice 

from  mold-grafum     secetS  meotudes  dom  524 

forht  afaered.    fyr  biS  on  tihte 

aeleS  uncyste  ,  faer  J>a  eadgan  beo$ 

aefter  wraec-hwile     weorcum  bifongen 

agnum  daedum  •  j?aet  ]?a  ae]?elan  sind  528 

wyrta  wynsume     mid  ]>am  se  wilda  fugel 

his  sylfes  nest     biseteft  utan 

\>cet  hit  faeringa     fyre  byrneS 

for-swjeleS  under  sunnan     and  he  sylfa  mid  •  532 

and  \>orme  aefter  lige     Iff  eft  onfehtS 

edniwinga  ,  swa  bi$  anra  gehwylc 

flaesce  bifongen     fira  cynnes 

aenlic  and  edgeong     se  \>q  his  agnum  her  536 

willum  gewyrcetS     Ipwt  him  wuldor-cyning 

meahtig  set  ]?am  maefle     milde  geweor}?e$ 

ponne  hleoJ>ria'S     halge  gaestas 

sawla  sotS-faeste     song  ahebbaS  540 

clsene  and  gecorene     hergaS  cyninges  J?rym  v 

stefn  aefter  stefne     stigaS  to  wuldre  • 

wlitige  gewyrtad     mid  hyra  wel-daedum  • 

beotS  ponne  amerede     monna  gaestas  544 

beorhte  abywde     J>urh  bryne  fyres  • 

ne  wene  J?aes  aenig     aelda  cynnes 

]>cet  ic  lyge-wordura     leo"5  somnige 

517.   One-line  space  between  the  sections. 


IV. 


THE    PHCENIX.  233 


from  His  high  throne,  shall  shine  upon  the  holy, 

a  beauteous  gem  of  glory.     Well  will  it  be  with  them,  516 

who  at  that  awful  time  may  please  their  God. 

VII. 

Then  all  flesh,  clean  of  base  iniquity, 
shall  wend  in  gladsome  mood,  and  the  souls  shall  pass 
into  the  bodies,  when  the  burning  riseth  520 

high  to  heaven.     Hot  for  many  a  one  shall  be 
that  dreadful  fire,  when  every  mortal, 
both  the  just  and  sinful,  soul  and  body, 

from  earthy  graves  shall  seek  the  Creator's  doom,  524 

fearfully  appalled  ;    the  fire  shall  be  on  its  way, 
and  shall  burn  men's  transgressions.     There  shall  the  blessed 
with  their  works,  with  their  own  deeds,  be  encircled, 
after  their  wretched  time  on  earth.     These  are  the  noble       528 
and  the  pleasant  plants,  wherewith  the  wild  bird 
suiToundeth  its  own  nest  without, 
so  that  it  suddenly  burneth  with  fire, 

and  kindleth  under  the  sun,  and  itself  within  it,  533 

and  then,  after  the  flame,  receiveth  life  anew. 

So  every  one  of  the  race  of  men, 
with  flesh  invested,  shall  be  beauteous 

and  young  again,  whosoever  achieveth,  536 

by  his  own  will  here,  that  the  King  of  glory, 
the  Almighty,  will  be  gentle  with  him  at  that  meeting, 
when  holy  spirits  shall  lift  up  their  voices, 
and  righteous  souls  shall  raise  a  song,  540 

and  the  pure  and  chosen  shall  praise  their  Sovran's  majesty ; 
strain  on  strain  shall  mount  to  glory, 
sweetly  perfumed  with  their  goodly  deeds. 

The  souIh  of  men  shall  then  be  proved,  544 

brightly  re-edified  by  fire's  heat. 

Let  none  of  human  kind  imaging 
that  I  of  lying  words  compose  my  laj 


^34  IV.       THE    PHOENIX.       548-583. 

write  woft-crsefte  J  gehyraS  witedom  54S 

iobes  gieddinga-     J^urh  gsestes  blsed 

breostum  onbryrded     beald  reordade 

wuldre  geweor<5ad     he  pcet  word  gecwseS' 
'       Ic  fset  ne  for-hycge     heortan  ge)?oncum  55a 

)?8et  ic  in  minum  neste     neo-bed  ceose 

hsele  hra-werig     gewite  hean  j?onan 

on  longne  si(5     lame  *  bitolden         [*  64  a.] 
—      geomor  gu-dseda     in  greotes  fseSm  556 

and  )xmne  sefter  de&pe     furh  dryhtnes  giefe 

swa  se  fugel  fenix     feorh  edniwe 

sefter  seriate     agan  mote  • 

dreamas  mid  dryhten     }>ser  seo  deore  scolu  560 

leofne  lofia'S  .  ic  J>ses  lifes  ne  mseg 

sefre  to  ealdre     ende  gebidan 

leohtes  and  lissa     f>eah  min  lie  scyle 

on  mold-serne     molsnad  weorf>an  564 

wyrmura  to  wyllan     swa  J>eah  weoruda  god 

sefter  swylt-hwile     sawle  alysetS 

and  in  wuldor  awecetS  |  me  J>ses  wen  nsefre 

forbirstecS  in  breostum     (5e  ic  in  brego  engla      '  568 

forS-weardne  gefean     fseste  hsebbe  • 

this  frod  guma     on  fyrn-dagum 

gieddade  gleaw-mod     godes  spel-boda 

ymb  his  seriste     in  ece  lif  57a 

pcet  we  J?y  geornor     ongietan  meahten 

tir-fsest  tacen     fset  se  torhta  fugel 

J?urh  bryne  beacnatS  ■  bana  lafe 

ascan  and  yslan     ealle  gesomnatS  576 

sefter  lig-bryne  •     lsedef>  sif>}>an 

fugel  on  fotum     to  frean  geardum 

sunnan  to-geanes     fser  hi  sij>)?an  for$ 

wuniaS  wintra  fela     wsestmum  geniwad  580 

ealle  s  edgiong  ■  J^ser  senig  ne  mseg 

in  J>am  leod-scype     lsej»f>um  hwopan  . 

swa  nu  sefter  deatSe     ]?urh  dryhtnes  miht 


IV.       THE    PHCENIX.  235 

or  write  my  verse !     Hear  ye  the  wisdom  548 

of  Job's  songs ;    through  the  spirit's  gift, 
in  his  breast  inspired,  gloriously  honoured, 
he  boldly  spake,  and  said  these  words : — 

1 1  repine  not  in  my  heart's  thoughts,  55a 

that  I  must  choose  my  death-bed  in  my  nest, 
that  I,  a  man  wearied  to  death,  go  abject  hence 
on  a  long  journey,  covered  with  clay, 

into  dust's  embrace,  lamenting  my  former  deeds ;  556 

and  then  may  I,  through  the  Lord's  grace,  after  death, 
after  resurrection,  even  as  the  bird  PhcEnix, 
be  able  to  possess  new  life, 

delights  with  the  Lord,  where  the  dear  concourse  560 

praise  Him,  the  Beloved.     Of  that  life  need  I  never 
expect  an  ending  unto  all  eternity, 
nor  of  its  light,  nor  of  its  joys.     Although  my  body 
shall  become  corrupted  in  its  earthy  home,  564 

a  prey  to  worms,  yet  the  God  of  hosts, 
after  the  hour  of  death,  will  redeem  my  soul, 
and  awaken  it  to  glory;    hope  of  this 

never  faileth  in  my  breast,  for  in  the  Lord  of  angels  5*8 

my  abiding  joy  have  I  firmly  fixed.' 

Thus  the  wise  man,  of  soul  sagacious, 
God's  prophet,  sang  in  ancient  days 

about  his  resurrection  into  eternal  life,  57a 

that  we  might  the  better  understand 
the  glorious  sign  that  the  radiant  bird 
betokeneth  by  its  burning.     Its  bones'  remnants, 
ashes  and  cinders,  it  gathereth  all  together,  576 

after  the  flaming  fire  ;    these  the  bird  carrieth  then, 
with  its  feet,  to  the  courts  of  the  Lord, 
towards  the  sun  ;   there  thenceforth 

abide  they  many  years,  in  form  renewed,  580 

quite  young  again;    there  in  that  realm 
no  one  may  threaten  them  with  injury. 

So  now,  after  death,  through  the  Lord's  might, 


236  IV.      THE    PHCENIX.       584-6 1 6. 

somod  si)?iaj?     sawla  mid  lice  584 

fsegre  gefrsetwed     fugle  gelicast 

in  ead-welum     se]?elum  stencum 

)>mr  seo  sojj-faeste     sunne  lihteft 

wlitig  ofer  weoredum     in  wuldres  byrig  :  7  588 


D 


[VIII.] 

Oune  sotS-fsestum     sawlum  seined         [*  64  &.] 


him  folgiaS     fuglas  scyne 

beorhte  gebredade     blissum  hremige  592 

in  j)am  gladan  ham  gsestas  gecorene 
ece  to  ealdre  .  £>8er  him  yfle  ne  mseg 
fah  feond  gemah     facne   scej>)?an 

ac  j?aer  lifgatS  a  •     leohte  werede  •  596 

swa  se  fugel  fenix  in  freojm  dryhtnes 
wlitige  in  wuldre  >  weorc  anra  gehwses 
beorhte  blicetJ     in  j?am  bli]?an  ham 

fore  on-syne     ecan  dryhtnes  •  60c 

symle  in  sibbe     sunnan  gelice  . 
J?ser  se  beorhta  beag     brogden  wundrum  • 
eorcnan-stanum     eadigra  gehwam 

hlifatS  ofer  heafde  v  heafelan  lixacS  604 

J?rymme  bij>eahte  .  tSeodnes  cyne-gold 
sotS-faestra  gehwone     sellic  glengetS 
leohte  in  life     J>ser  se  longa  gefea 

ece  and  ed-geong     a?fre  ne  swej?rat5  •  608 

ac  hy  in  wlite  wuniaft     wuldre  bitolden 
fsegrum  frsetwum     mid  fseder  engla  • 
ne  bitS  him  on  J»am  wicum     wiht  to  sorge 

wroht  ne  wej?el     ne  gewin-dagas  612 

hungor  se  hat  a     ne  se  hearde  Jmrst 
yrmfm  ne  yldo  .  him  se  8e)?ela  cyning 
forgifeS  goda  gehwyle  ,  J>ser  gsesta  gedryht 

hselend  hergaS     and  beofon-cyninges  616 

584.  MS.  sijnan  corrected  to   sijjia^.         588.   One-line  space   between  the 
sections.  599.  MS.  blij)am. 


IV.       THE    PH(ENIX.  237 

souls  shall  journey  together  with  the  body,  584 

richly  adorned,  (most  like  to  that  bird,) 

in  blessedness,  'mid  sweetest  fragrance, 

where  the  true  and  constant  sun  doth  shine 

beauteous  o'er  multitudes  in  glory's  city.  588 

VIII. 

Then  o'er  the  righteous  souls,  high  o'er 
the  vaults  of  heaven,  shineth  the  Saviour  Christ : 
Him  follow  resplendent  birds, 

radiantly  restored,  blissfully  exulting  592 

in  that  glad  home,  spirits  chosen 
unto  all  eternity  ;   there  the  foul  impious  fiend 
may  not  basely  injure  them  by  guile, 

but  they  live  there  aye,  begirt  with  light,  596 

as  the  bird  Phoenix,  in  the  Lord's  peace, 
beauteous  in  glory.     The  works  of  everyone 
shall  brightly  shine  in  that  blithe  home 

before  the  face  of  the  Eternal  Lord,  600 

in  endless  bliss,  like  to  the  sun. 
There  the  bright  crown  of  each  blessed  one, 
wondrously  bewrought  with  precious  stones, 
towereth  o'er  the  head ;   their  brows  shine  bright  604 

with  majesty  bedecked;    the  Sovran's  diadem 
gloriously  adorneth  each  righteous  man 
with  light  in  that  life,  where  lasting  joy, 

eternal  and  ever  young,  never  abateth  ;  608 

but  they  dwell  in  beauty,  gloriously  clad 
in  fair  adornments,  with  the  Father  of  the  angels. 

In  those  homes  there  is  naught  to  cause  them  grief, 
nor  crime,  nor  poverty,  nor  days  of  strife,  61  a 

nor  hot  hunger,  nor  cruel  thirst, 
nor  misery,  nor  age;    to  them  the  noble  King 
giveth  every  good.     There  the  hosts  of  spirits 
praise  the  Saviour,  and  celebrate  the  power  616 


^38  IV.       THE    PHCENIX.       6 1 7-649. 

meahte  msersiatS     singaS  metude  lof . 

swinsaS  sib-gedryht     swega  mseste 

hsedre  ymb  faet  halge     heah-seld  godes 

blij?e  bletsiaft     bregu  selestan  620 

eadge  mid  englum     efen-hleofre  fus  • 

Sib  si  Ipe  soft  god     and  snyttru-crseft 

and  ]>e  J>onc  B^  •     *  frym-sittendum  [*  65  a.] 

geongra  gyfena     goda  gehwylces  '.  624 

micel  unmaete     msegnes  strenfgrJ'Su 

heali  and  halig  •  heofonas  sindon 

faegre  gefylled     feeder  selmihtig 

ealra  frymma  J>rym     fines  wuldres  628 

uppe  mid  englum     and  on  eorSan  somod  \ 

gefreofa  usic  frym}>a  scyppend     )?u  eart  faeder  selmihtig 

in  hean-nesse     heofuna  waldend  • '' 

$us  reordiatS     ryht-fremmende  632 

manes  amerede     in  fsere  maeran  byrig  . 

cyne-J»rym  cyfaS     caseres  lof 

singa<?  on  swegle     soS-fsestra  gedryht 

J?am  anum  is     ece  weortS-mynd  •  636 

for$  butan  ende  ,  naes  his  frymS  sefre 

eades  ongyn     ]?eah  he  on  eorfan  her 

J?urh  cildes  had     cenned  wsere 

in  middan-geard  -  hwaefre  his  meahta  sped  640 

heah  ofer  heofonum     halig  wunade 

dom  unbryce     J?eah  he  deafes  cwealm 

on  rode-treow[e]     rsefnan  sceolde 

fear-lie  wite  ,  he  ]>j  J?riddan  daege  644 

sefter  lices  hryre     lif  eft  onfeng 

furh  faeder  fultum,   swa  fenix  beacnatS 

geong  in  geardum     god-bearnes  meaht 

*ponne  he  of  ascan     eft  onwaecne^  648 

in  lifes  lif     leomum  gefungen 


625.  MS.  stren$u.        635.  MS.  singad.         643.  MS.  treow.        648.  MS. 
onwaecned. 


IV.       THE   PHCENIX.  239 

of  heaven's  King,  and  sing  praise  to  the  Creator; 

the  blissful  hosts  hymn  sweetly, 

with  loudest  melody,  around  the  holy  throne  of  God  ; 

blithely  the  happy  ones,  together  with  the  angels,  620 

bless  the  Sovran  Prince,  with  one  voice,  thus : — 

1  Peace  be  thine,  true  God,  and  wisdom's  power, 
and  thanks  to  thee,  sitting  in  majesty, 

for  thy  recent  gifts,  and  for  every  good !  624 

Great  and  immeasurable  is  thy  might's  strength, 
high  and  holy ;  the  heavens  are  filled 
in  wondrous  wise,  Father  Almighty, 

Majesty  of  all  majesties,  with  thy  glory,  628 

above  'mid  angels,  and  eke  on  earth. 

Protect  us,  Creator  of  all  causes  !  Thou  art  Father  Almighty, 
in  the  realm  on  high,  Ruler  of  heaven  I ' 

Thus  declare  they,  workers  of  righteousness,  632 

proved  'gainst  guilt,  in  that  glorious  city; 
the  concourse  of  the  just  proclaim  His  regal  majesty 
and  sing  their  Sovran's  praise  in  heaven, 

for  to  Him  alone  is  eternal  honour,  636 

ever  without  end.     Never  had  He  origin, 

nor  was  there  a  beginning  of  His  bliss,  tho'  He  on  earth  here, 
on  middle-earth,  in  child's  condition, 

was  brought  forth ;  yet  the  fulness  of  His  might  640 

continued  holy,  high  o'er  heaven, 
His  glory  was  inviolate,  though  He  was  doomed 
to  suffer  death's  pang,  dire  tribulation, 

on  the  rood-tree.     On  the  third  day,  644 

after  His  body's  fall,  He  received  life  once  again, 
through  the  Father's  aid.     Thus  the  Phcenix,  young  in  its  home, 
betokeneth  the  power  of  the  Child  Divine, 

when  it  riseth  again  from  its  ashes  648 

into  the  life  of  life,  with  limbs  complete. 


240  IV.       THE    PHCENIX.       6^0 -6 J  "J. 

swa  se  haelend  us     [AJelpe  gefremede 

j?ui  h  his  lices  gedal     lif  butan  ende  • 

swa  se  fugel  swetum     his  ftyru  tu  652 

and  wynsumum     wyrtum  gefylle'S 

feegrum  fold-waastmum     pcrnne  afysed  bi5* 

J>set  sindon  J?a  word     swa  us  gewritu  secgaS 

hleofor  *  haligra     J?e  him  to  heofonum  biS         [*  65  b.]         656 

to  f>am  mildan  gode     mod  afysed 

in  dreama  dream     faer  hi  dryhtne  to  giefe 

worda  and  weorca     wynsumne  stenc  • 

in  J>a  mseran  gesceaft     meotude  bringaS-  660 

in  )>cet  leohte  lif  (  sy  him  lof  symle 

J>urh  woruld  worulda     and  wuldres  bleed 

ar  and  onwald     in  J?am  up-lican 

rodera  rice  .  he  is  on  ryht  cyning  664 

middan-geardes     and  msegen-frymraes 

wuldre  biwunden     in  fsere  wlitigan  byrig. 

HafatS  us  alyfed  •     lucis  auctor  • 

pcet  we  motun  her     merueri  668 

god-dsedum  begietan  •     gaudia  in  celo  • 

fser  we  motuw  •     maxima  regna  • 

secan  and  gesittan     sedibus  altis  • 

lifgan  in  lisse     lucis  et  pacis  672 

agan  eardinga     alma  letitise  • 

brucan  blsed-daga     blandem  et  mitem  • 

geseon  sigora  frean  •     sine  fine  • 

and  him  lof  singan     laude  perenne  •  676 

eadge  mid  englum  •     alleluia  \j  :  —  :  j 

650.  MS.  elpe.        667.  MS.  a&tor.         668.  MS.  motum.         672.  MS.  er, 
partly  corrected  to  et.  673.  MS.  letitie.  677.  Two-line  space 

between  this  and  the  next  section. 


IV.      THE    PH(ENIX.  241 

Thus  the  Saviour  effected  help  for  us, 

life  without  end,  through  His  body's  death. 

And  as  for  the  sweet  and  winsome  herbs,  652 

the  fair  fruits  of  earth,  wherewith  the  bird 
filleth  its  two  wings,  and  is  then  impelled  away, 
these  are  the  words  and  utterances  of  saints, 
(as  Scripture  telleth  us,)  whereby  their  spirits  656 

are  impelled  to  heaven,  to  the  benignant  God, 
unto  the  joy  of  joys ;  there,  unto  the  Lord,  the  Creator, 
tliey  bring  as  a  gift  the  pleasant  fragrance 
of  their  words  and  works  into  that  glorious  creation,  660 

that  radiant  life.     Praise  be  to  Him  ever, 
throughout  all  ages,  and  fulness  of  glory, 
honour  and  sovereignty,  in  the  exalted 

kingdom  of  the  skies  !     He  is  the  rightful  King  664 

of  middle-earth  and  of  the  majestic  hosts, 
wrapt  in  glory  in  that  beauteous  city ! 

Us  hath  permitted  the  Author  of  light, 
that  we  may  here  rightly  merit,  668 

with  good  deeds  obtain,  delights  in  the  sky, 
where  we  may  seek  most  glorious  realms, 
and  may  sit  in  heavenly  seats, 

live  in  the  bliss  of  light  and  of  peace,  672 

possess  genial  abodes  of  joy, 
own  blissful  days,  gentle  and  mild 
see  the  Lord  of  triumph  ever,  without  ending, 
and  sing  to  Him  praise,  with  praise  perennial,  676 

happy  'mid  angels.     Alleluia  ! 


iue^ 


242  V.      SAINT   JULIANA.       I-30. 

[V.     SAINT  JULIANA.] 

P.] 

HWJET  we  qmt  hykdon  •     hseletS  eahtian 
denian  daed-hwate     ]>cette  in  dagum  gelamp 
maximianes     se  geond  middan-geard 
arleas  cyning     eahtnysse  ahof  4 

cwealde  cristne  men     circan  fylde 
geat  on  graes-wong     god-hergend[r]a 
haej>en  hild-fruma     haligra  blod 

ryht-fremmendra  t  wees  his  rice  *  brad         [*  66  a,]  8 

wid  and  weorolic     ofer  wer-J>eode 
lytesna  ofer  ealne     yrmenne  grund  • 
foron  aefter  burgum     swa  he  biboden  ha3fde 
J>egnas  JrySfulle  -  of[t]  hi  J>raece  raerdon  12 

daedum  gedvvolene     )?a  J>e  dryhtnes  •  se  • 
feodon  J>urh  firen-craeft     feondscype  rserdon  • 
hofon  hae}>en-gield     halge  cwelmdon 

breotun  boc-craeftge     baer[V]don  gecorene  16 

gaeston  godes  cempan     gare  and  lige  • . 
Sum  waes  aeht-welig     ae}>eles  cynnes 
rice  gerefa  •  rond-burgum  weold 

eard  weardade     oftast  symle  -  20 

in  faere  ceastre     commedia  • 
heold  hord-gestreon ,   oft  he  hae}>en-gield 
ofer  word  godes     weoh  gesohte 

neode  geneahhe  ,  waes  him  noma  cenned  24 

heliseus     haefde  ealdordom 
micelne  and  maerne  •     tSa  his  mod  ongon 
faemnan  lufian     hine  fyrwet  brsec  , 

iulianan  •  hio  in  gaeste  baer  aS 

halge  treowe     hogde  georne 

a^crti'    lpa>t  hire  maeg'S-had     mana  gehwylces 
■ 

6.  MS.  hergenda.  12.  MS.  of.  16.  MS.  bterdon. 


V.      SAINT  JULIANA.  243 

V.     SAINT  JULIANA. 

I. 

o  !  this  thing  heard  we  warriors  laud, 
-■-*     brave  men  extol ;   it  came  to  pass 
in  Maximian's  day,  the  impious  king 

who  raised  up  persecution  throughout  mid-earth,  4 

slew  Christian  men,  and  overthrew  the  church ; 
the  heathen  war-chief  shed  on  grassy  plain 
the  blood  of  the  holy,  praisers  of  God, 

workers  of  righteousness.     His  empire  was  far-spread,  8 

spacious  and  exalted  o'er  mankind, 
but  little  less  than  o'er  the  whole  wide  world. 
From  town  to  town,  as  he  had  bidden, 

went  his  tyrannic  ministers  ;  oft  roused  they  violence,  1 2 

deed-deluded  men,  who  in  their  wickedness 
hated  the  law  of  God,  raised  up  enmity, 
exalted  heathen  idols,  tortured  the  holy, 

destroyed  the  learned,  burned  the  chosen,  16 

racked  God's  champions  with  dart  and  flame. 

There  was  a  wealthy  man  of  noble  race, 
a  powerful  count;  he  ruled  o'er  frontier  towns; 
he  defended  the  land  repeatedly;  20 

in  the  city  of  Nicomedia  kept  he 
his  treasure-hoard.     Oft  sought  he, 
zealously  withal,  heathen  idols,  heathen  temples, 
against  the  word  of  God.     Heliseus  14 

was  the  name  he  bore;  his  power 
was  great  and  mighty.     Now  his  heart  began 
to  love  a  damsel,  Juliana,  to  wit ; 

desire  subdued  him;  but  she  had  holy  faith  28 

within  her  spirit,  and  earnestly  resolved, 
that  she  would  keep  her  maidenhood 

R    2 


244  V.       SAINT   JULIANA.      3I-64. 

fore  cristes  lufan     clsene  geheolde. 

$a  wses  sio  fsemne     mid  hyre  fajder  willan  3a 

welegum  biweddad  ,  wyrd  ne  ful  cuf>e 

freond-rsedenne     hu  heo  from-hogde 

geong  on  gseste  .  hire  wses  godes  egsa 

mara  in  gemyndura     ponne  eall  J?set  maj?f>um-gesteald  36 

pe  in  j?ses  se)?elinges     aehtum  wunade  •. 

pa  wses  se  weliga     peera  wif-gifta 

gold-spedig  guma     georn  on  mode 

pcet  him  mon  fromlicast     fsemnan  gegyrede  40 

brycl  to  bolde     heo  J>ses  beornes  lufan 

fseste  wifthogde     J>eah  pe  feoh-gestreon 

*  under  hord-locan     hyrsta  unrim  [*  66  b.\ 

selite  ofer  eor]?anj  heo  Jset  eal  forseah  *  44 

and  fset  word  acwseS     on  wera  mengu  •  •  __ 

Ic  pe  mseg  gesecgan  •     )?set  pu  pee  sylfne  ne  J>earft 

swij^or  swencan  ,  gif  J?u  so(Sne  god 

lufast  and  gelyfest     and  his  lof  rserest;  48 

ongietest  gsesta  hleo     ic  beo  gearo  sona 

unwaclice     willan  fines  . 

swylce  ic  pe  secge     gif  J>u  to  ssemran  gode 

J>urh  deofol-gield     daede  bi]?encest  5  a 

hsetstS  hseJ>en-weoh     ne  meaht  p\x  habban  mec 

ne  ge}>reatian     pe  to  gesingan  . 

nsefre  pu  pses  swiSlic     sar  gegearwast 

]mrh  hsestne  111S     heardra  wita  56 

J>set  pu  mec  onwende     worda  J>issa  • 

Sa  se  seeding  wearS     yrre  gebolgen 

firen-dseduwi  fah  •,  gehyrde  )?sere  fsemnan  word  • 

het  (Sa  gefetigan     ferend  snelle  60 

hreoh  and  hyge-blind     haligre  fseder 

recene  to  rune  ■  reord  up  astag 

sij»]?an  hy  togsedre     garas  hlsendon 

hilde-fremman   .hsetme  wseron  begen  64 

38.  MS.  }>*re. 


V.       SAINT   JULIANA.  245 

clean  of  every  blemish,  for  love  of  Christ. 

Then  was  the  damsel,  with  her  father's  will,  32 

betrothed  unto  the  rich  one.     He  knew  not  fully  what  was  fated, 
how  the  young  maiden  loathed  his  friendship 
with  all  her  soul.     In  her  mind  the  fear  of  God 
was  greater  than  all  the  treasured  wealth,  36 

that  dwelt  in  the  possession  of  that  prince. 

Then  was  the  wealthy  wight,  so  rich  in  gold, 
desirous  in  his  mind  for  the  espousals, 

that  the  damsel  should  be  made  ready  for  him  with  all  speed,    40 
a  bride  in  his  abode.     She  firmly  withstood 
the  chieftain's  love,  tho'  he  possessed  on  earth 
rich  store  of  treasure  'neath  his  coffer-locks, 
jewels  unnumbered ;  all  that  she  despised,  44 

and  in  the  midst  of  many  men,  she  spake  these  words : — 

1  I  can  tell  thee  that  thou  need'st  not 
afflict  thyself  more ;  if  thou  lovest  and  believest 
the  true  God,  and  exaltest  His  praise,  48 

and  recognisest  the  Protection  of  all  spirits,  I  am  forthwith 
resolutely  ready  for  thy  will. 

Likewise  I  say  to  thee,  if  thou  wilt  indeed  confide, 
through  devilry,  in  a  worse  god,  52 

and  vowest  heathen  offerings,  thou  may'st  not  have  me, 
nor  force  me  to  be  thy  bride. 
Never  shalt  thou,  through  vehement  hate, 

pain  so  violent  prepare,  pain  of  cruel  torments,  56 

that  thou  shalt  turn  me  from  these  words/ 

Then  was  the  prince,  the  crime-stained  one, 
inflamed  with  anger;  he  heard  the  damsel's  words; 
cruel  and  blind  of  soul,  he  bade  swift  messengers  60 

quickly  fetch  the  holy  maiden's  father 
to  counsel  with  him.     Their  voices  rose, 
as  soon  as  the  bold  warriors  had  inclined 
their  spears  together.     Heathens  were  they  both,  64 


246 


V.       SAINT   JULIANA.       65-97, 


Y  V 


-^£^' 


l/^n- 


<•  A-£- 


synnuw  eeoce     Bweor  aW  a}mm  • 

Sa  reordode     rices  hyrde 

wi(5  J?aere  fsemnan  faeder     frecne  mode 

daraS  haebbende  ;  me  Ipin  dohtor  hafaS 

geywed  orwyrSu,  heo  me  on  an  sagaS 

\>oet  heo  mseg-lufan     minre  ne  gyme 

freond-raedenne     me  J?a  fracecSu  sind 

on  mod-sefan     maeste  weorce    Q<w  1 

pcet  heo  mec  swa  tome     taele  gerahte 

fore  J>issum  folce  ;  het  me  fremdue  god 

ofer  J>a  oJ»re     ]>e  we  aer  cuf»on 

welum  weorf>ian     wordum  lofian 

*  on  hyge  hergan     oJ>J>e  hi  nabban  •  [*  67  a.] 

geswearc  f>a  swicS-fercS     swor  aefter  worde,  ^ 

J?aere  faemnan  faeder  .  ferS-locan  onspeon , 

ic  \cet  geswerge     furh  so(S  godu 

swa  ic  are  aet  him     aefre  finde  • 

olplpe  J^eoden  set  J>e     J?ine  hyldu 

win-burgum  in     gif  J>as  word  sind  so]? 

monna  leofast     be  J?u  me  sagast 

Ipcet  ic  hy  ne  sparige     ac  on  spild  giefe 

feoden  maera     J>e  to  gewealdjY] 

dem  )?u  hi  to  dea)?e     gif  "pe  gedafen  J)ince 

swa  to  life  last     swa  ]>e  leofre  sy« 

eode  ]?a  fromlice     fsemnan  to  spraece 

anraed  and  yre-J>weorg     yrre  gebolgen 

}>aer  he  glaed-mod     geonge  wiste 

wic  weardian  >  he  j?a  worde  cwaeS  • 

Su  eart  dohtor  min     seo  dyreste 

and  seo  sweteste     in  sefan  minum 

ange  for  eorJ>an     minra  eagna  leoht  • 

Iuliana     J>u  on  geaj>e  hafast 

J>urh  J>in  orlegu     unbijjyrfe 


68 


7* 


So 


84 


88 


92 


96 


2.  MS.  si  fan ;  si  written  over  an  erasure. 


over  an  erasure. 


$6.  MS.  ge  weald. 


74.  fremdne;  n  written 


V.      SAINT  JULIANA.  247 

sick  with  sins,  father  and  son-in-law. 

Then  spake  the  guardian  of  that  realm 
with  the  damsel's  father,  in  rugged  mood, 

raising  his  spear  : — *  Me  hath  thy  daughter  $8 

shown  indignity;  she  saith  to  me  outright, 
that  she  careth  not  for  my  affection, 
nor  for  my  friendship ;  her  insults  cause  me 
greatest  grief  within  my  heart,  72 

for  she  hath  angrily  reproved  me  thus 
before  this  folk ;  a  strange  God 

she  bade  me  worship  with  wealth,  praise  with  words, 
and  magnify  in  thought,  above  the  others  76 

that  we  knew  erst,  or  else  not  have  her.' 

At  these  words  the  damsel's  father  swore; 
he  grew  dark  with  anger ;  he  disclosed  his  mind  :  '— 
{ I  swear  by  the  true  gods,  80 

so  may  I  ever  find  honour  with  them, 
or  thy  favour,  my  lord,  with  thee, 
in  our  joyous  cities,  if  these  words  be  true, 
dearest  of  men,  that  thou  sayest  unto  me,  s^ 

that  I  will  not  spare  her,  but  to  perdition  give  her, 
great  lord,  into  thy  power. 

Judge  thou  her  to  death,  if  it  seem  good  to  thee, 
or  let  her  live,  as  to  thee  is  liefer  ! '  88 

Then  went  he  forthwith  thither  to  speak  with  the  damsel, 
resolved  and  crossed  with  ire,  inflamed  with  wrath, 
where  he  knew  the  young  maid  abode 
in  gladsome  mood.     He  spake  then  in  these  words  : —  93 

1  Thou  art  my  daughter,  the  dearest 
and  the  sweetest  in  my  heart, 
my  only  one  on  earth,  the  light  of  mine  eyes, 
Juliana!    Thou  hast  foolishly  taken,  96 

through  thy  hostility,  a  fruitless  course, 


248  V.       SAINT   JULIANA.       98-I  29. 

ofer  witena  dom     wisan  gefongen  • 

wiSsaecest  pu.  to  swi}>e     sylfre  rsedes  • 

j?inum  bryd-guman  .  se  is  betra  jx>ime  j?u  •     <y[.A  ,0° 

sej>elra  for  eor]?an     seht-spedigra 

feoh-gestreona  /lie  is  to  freonde  god-  , 

forfon  is  fses  wyrj>e     fset  }>u  J>aes  weres  frige 

ece  ead-lufan     an  ne  forlsete-:/  104 

pi.] 

TTIM  fa  seo  eadge     ageaf  andsware 

-■"■•     iuliana     hio  to  gode  haefde 

fieond-rsedenne     fseste  gestaj?elad  . 

nsefre  ic  f>ses  f>eodnes     J>afian  wille  108 

mseg-rsedenne     nemne  he  msegna  god 

geornor  bigonge     Iponne  he  gen  dyde 

lufige  mid  lacum     *  Jxrne  f>e  leoht  gescop         [*  67  b.] 

heofon  and  eorcSan     and  holma  bigong  112 

eodera  ymb-hwyrft     ne  maeg  he  elles  mec 

bringan  to  bolde     he  J>a  bryd-lufan 

sceal  ■  to  ojjerre     eeht-gestealdum 

idese  secan     nafaS  he  senig  her*  116 

hyre  J>a  J>urh  yrre  •     ageaf  andsvr&re 

feeder  feondlice     nales  frsetwe  onheht* 

ic  Ipsdt  gefremme     gif  min  feorh  leofatS 

gif  J>u  unrsedes     ser  ne  geswicest  120 

and  J>u  fremdu  godu     fortS  bigongest 

and  J>a  forlaetest     ]>e  us  leofran  sind 

J>e  j)issum  folce     to  freme  stondacS 

J?aet  J?u  ungeara     ealdre  scyldig  124 

J?urh  deora  gripe     deaj>e  sweltest 

gif  }>u  gej>afian  nelt     Jnng-raedenne 

modges  gemanan  \  micel  is  pcet  ongin 

and  J)rea-medlic     J>inre  gelican  128 

Ipcet  J>u  forhycge         hlaford  urne  • 

104.  MS.  anne-forlsete,  the  hyphen  somewhat  paler  than  the  letters ;  one- 
line  space  "between  the  sections. 


V.      SAINT   JULIANA.  249 

against  the  judgment  of  wise  men; 

thou  dost  reject  too  stubbornly  thy  suitor, 

through  thy  self-will.     He  is  better  than  thou,  ioo 

nobler  before  the  world,  richer  in  possessions, 

in  money  and  in  wealth ;    he  as  a  friend  is  good ; 

wherefore  'tis  worth  much  that  thou  abandon  not 

this  man's  affection,  his  lasting  love.'  104 


II. 


To  him  the  blessed  maiden,  Juliana, 
then  gave  answer;    firmly  had  she  strengthened 
her  bond  of  friendship  with  God : — 

*  Ne'er  will  I  endure  this  lord's  108 

espousal,  save  he  worship  the  God  of  might 
more  zealously  than  he  yet  hath  done, 
and  adore  Him  with  offerings,  who  created  the  light, 
heaven  and  earth  and  the  seas'  expanse,  112 

the  circuit  of  the  zones;    he  may  not  otherwise 
bring  me  to  his  dwelling ;    he  must  seek 
a  bride's  affection  in  another  woman 
with  his  vast  treasures;    naught  hath  he  here.'  116 

To  her  in  anger  her  father  then  gave  answer 
hostilely;    precious  gifts  he  promised  not: — 
'  This  will  I  do,  as  my  soul  liveth, 

if  thou  cease  not  from  thy  folly,  iao 

if  thou  still  wilt  worship  strange  gods, 
and  forsake  those  which  are  dearer  to  us, 
which  stand  ready  to  help  this  folk, — 

thou  shalt  forthwith  forfeit  thy  life,  124 

and  shalt  die  the  death  by  the  grip  of  beasts, 
ii   thou  wilt  not  accept  his  plighted  troth, 
tliis  proud  lord's  wooing!    'Tis  a  mighty  task, 
fraught  with  dire  misery,  for  the  like  of  thee  138 

thus  to  despise  our  lord.' 


250  V.       SAINT   JULIANA.      I3O-165. 

Him  J?a  seo  eadge     ageaf  andsw&re        , 

gleaw  and  gode  leof    iuliana- 

ic  ]>e  to  sotSe     secgan  wille  132 

bi  me  lifgendre     nelle  ic  lyge  fremniun 

naefre  ic  me  ondraede     domas  pme 

ne  me  weorce  sind     wite-brogan 

hilde-woman     J>e  J?u  haestlice  136 

man-fremmende     to  me  beotast 

ne  J>u  naefre  gedest     ]?urh  gedwolan  finne 

J>aet  ]>\x  mec  acyrre     from  cristes  lofe  • 

tSa  waes  ellen-wod     yrre  and  relpe  1  140 

frecne  and  fertS-grim     feeder  wiS  dehter  • 

het  hi  J>a  swingan     susle  Jreagan 

witum  wsegan     and  J>aet  word  acwaeS    j  - 

onwend  J)ec  in  gewitte     and  ]?a  word  oncyr  144 

J>e  J>u  unsnyttrum     aer  gesprsece 

J?a  J?u  goda  ussa     gield  forhogdest  • 

Him  seo  unforhte     ageaf  cmdsware 

Jmrh  gaest-gehygd     iuliana    ;  -  148 

naefre  ]>\i  gelaerest     ]>cet  ic  *  leasingum         [*  08  a.] 

dumbum  <md  deafwm     deofol-gieldum 

gaeste  genial um     gaful  onhate 

J?am  wyrrestum     wites  )?egnum-  152 

ac  ic  weorSige     wuldres  ealdor 

middan-geardes     and  maegen-frymraes  > 

and  h:m  anum  to     eal  bi]?ence 

)?aet  he  mund-bora     min  geweorJ>e  156 

helpend  and  haelend     wiS  hell-scea)>um  •, 

hy  J>a  Jjurh  yrre     affricanus  • 

faeder  faemnan  ageaf    on  feonda  geweald  • 

heliseo     he  in  seringe  160 

gelaedan  het     aefter  leohtes  cyme 

to  his  dom-setle  ,  duguS  wafade 

on  J?aere  faemnan  wlite     folc  eal  geador- 

hy  )?a  se  aecSeling     aerest  grette  164 

hyre  bryd-guma     bli)>um  wordum*    _ 


V.      SAINT   JULIANA.  251 

To  him  then  made  reply  the  blessed  maid, 
wise  and  dear  to  God,  Juliana : — 

'This  will  I  declare  in  all  truth;  13a 

while  I  live,  I  will  not  lie ; 
I  will  never  dread  thy  dooms, 
nor  am  I  troubled  by  the  terrors  of  torture, 
the  alarms  of  battle,  wherewith  hastily  136 

thou  threatenest  me  in  thy  wickedness, 
nor  shalt  thou  e'er  effect,  through  thy  error, 
to  turn  me  from  my  love  of  Christ ! ' 

Then  was  the  father  furious  with  his  daughter,  140 

fiercely  wroth,  terribly  grim  ; 

he  bade  men  scourge  her,  afflict  her  with  torments, 
o'erwhelm  her  with  tortures,  and  spake  these  words  : — 

1  Return  to  thy  senses,  and  disclaim  the  words  144 

that  thou  spakest  foolishly  erewhile, 
when  thou  didst  despise  the  worship  of  our  gods.' 

The  fearless  Juliana  gave  him  then, 
through  her  soul's  resolve,  this  answer  : —  148 

'Never  shalt  thou  induce  me  to  promise  tribute 
to  false  deceptions,  dumb  and  deaf, 
to  devilish  idols,  to  these  soul-destroyers, 

the  vilest  ministers  of  hell's  perdition;  152 

for  I  worship  the  Prince  of  glory, 
of  middle-earth,  and  of  the  hosts  sublime ; 
in  Him  alone  I  wholly  put  my  trust, 

that  He  will  become  my  Protector,  156 

my  Helper  and  my  Saviour,  'gainst  hellish  fiends.' 

Angrily  then  Africanus,  her  father, 
gave  the  maiden  into  the  power  of  her  foes, 
unto  Heliseus.     He  at  early  dawn,  160 

after  the  coming  of  light,  bade  her  be  led 
to  his  judgment-seat.     His  followers,  all  his  folk, 
were  a-wondered  at  the  maiden's  beauty. 

The  chieftain,  her  bridegroom,  at  first  then  164 

ed  her  with   kindly   words: — 


uAvA  A*- 


252  V.      SAINT  JULIANA.       1 66-1 99. 

min  se  swetcsta     sunnan  scima 

iuliana-     hwaet  J»u  glsem  hafast 

ginfseste  giefe     geoguS-hades  bleed  168 

gif  J>u  godum  ussum     gen  gecwemest 

and  ]>e  to  swa  mildum     mundbyrd  secest 

[A]yldo  to  halgum     beotS  pe  ahylded  frain 

wraj>e  geworhtra     wita  unrim  172 

grimra  gyrna     J?e  Ipe  gegearwad  sind 

gif  J»u  onsecgan  nelt     so]?um  gielduni  • 

Him  seo  sej>ele  ma3g     ageaf  cmdsware 

naefre  ]>i\  gej>reatast     J?inum  beotum  176 

ne  wita  J>ses  fela     wraftra  gegearwast 

J?aet  ic  }>eodscype     finne  lufie  • 

buton  J?u  forlsete     J?a  leasinga 

weoh-weor&inga     and  wuldres  god  180 

ongyte  gleawlice     geesta  scyppend 

meotud  mon-cynnes     in  pees  meahtum  sind 

a  butan  ende     ealle  gesceafta. 

Sa  for  fara  folce     frecne  mode  184 

beot-wordum  sprsec     bealg  hine  swife 

folc-agende     and  J>a  fsemnan  Let 

Jjurh  nift-wrsece     *  nacode  fennan         [*  68  b.~] 

and  mid  sweopum  swingan     synna  lease  •  188 

Ahlog  )?a  se  here-rinc     hosp-wordum  spraec 

J?is  is  ealdordom     uncres  gewynnes  • 

on  fruman  gefongen     gen  ic  feores  f>e 

unnan  wille     j?eah  J>u  ser  fela  192 

unwaerlicra     worda  gesprsece 

onsoce  to  swij?e     J?set  f>u  socS  godu 

lufian  wolde     ]>q  J>a  lean  sceolan 

wij?er-hycgend[r]e     wite-brogan  196 

eefter  weorjmn     butan  J>u  aer  wi£>  hi 

gej>ingige     and  him  J>onc-wyrf>e 

sefter  leahtor-cwidura     lac  onsecge 

iJl.M8.yldo.  196.  MS.  hycgende. 


V.      SAINT  JULIANA.  253 

c  Mine  own,  my  sweetest  sunshine, 
Juliana!    ah,  thou  hast  radiant  beauty, 

never-fading  grace,  the  flower  of  youth !  168 

If  thou  wilt  e'en  yet  propitiate  our  gods, 
and  from  them,  so  merciful,  seek  protection  for  thyself, 
favour  from  these  holy  ones,  from  thee  shall  be  averted 
torments  numberless,  direfully  dight,  172 

cruel  afflictions,  which  are  prepared  for  thee, 
if  thou  wilt  not  sacrifice  to  true  divinities/ 

To  him  the  noble  maiden  gave  reply  : — 
*  Ne'er  shalt  thou  so  compel  me  by  thy  threats,  176 

nor  prepare  so  many  direful  torments, 
as  to  make  me  love  thy  fellowship, 
unless  thou  forsake  these  false  beliefs, 

this  idol-worship,  and  wilt  wisely  recognise  180 

the  God  of  glory,  the  Creator  of  spirits, 
the  Lord  of  mankind,  in  whose  power, 
ever  without  end,  are  all  created  things.' 

Then  before  the  folk,  in  savage  mood,  — ^184 

in  threatening  words,  spake  the  people's  lord; 
he  was  fiercely  angered;   in  cruel  vengeance, 
he  ordered  the  damsel  to  be  stretched  naked, 
the  sinless  maid  to  be  scourged  with  whips.  188 

Laughed  then  the  warrior,  and  spake  in  words  of  mockery: — 

'Lo,  the  victory  of  our  strife, 
gained  at  the  outset!    yet  life  will  I 

grant  thee,  though  thou  hast  already  192 

spoken  many  reckless  words, 
and  hast  too  fiercely  refused  to  cherish 
the  true  gods;    retribution, 

terrible  torments,  shall  befall  thee,  stubborn  soul,  196 

hereafter,  unless  thou  be  reconciled  with  them 
ere  long,  and,  for  thy  blasphemies, 
offer  them  gifts,  worthy  of  their  thanks, 


254  V.      SAINT  JULIANA.       200-23 1. 

sibbe  gesette  t  laet  f>a  sace  restan  200 

la"S  leod-gewin  •     gif  j>u  leng  ofer  )>is 

j?urh  J?in  dol-willen     gedwolan  fylgest* 

Iponne  ic  nyde  sceal     nij?a  gebaeded 

on  f>aere  grimmestan     god-scyld  wrecan  204 

torne  teon-cwide     J»e  J?u  ta3lnissum     w^uJU,, 

wij»  )?a  selestan     sacan  ongunne  • 

and  J?a  mildestan     j?ara  ]?e  men  witen 

\>e  }>es  leodscype  mid  him     longe  bieode  •  208 

him  }?aet  aefele  mod     tinforht  oncwaeS 

ne  ondraede  ic  me     domas  J>ine 

awyrged  wom-sceafra     ne  J>inra  wita  bealo  \ 

haebbe  ic  me  to  hyhte     heofon-rices  weard  212 

mildne  mund-boran     msegna  waldend 

se  mec  gescyldetS     wicS  Jrinum  scinlace 

of  gromra  gripe     J?e  fu  to  godum  tiohhast* 

Sa  sind  geasne     goda  gehwylces  216 

idle  orfeorme     unbi}?yrfe 

ne  )?aer  freme  mete#    fira  aenig 

soSe  sibbe     J>eah  Ipe  sece  to  him 

freond-raedenne     he  ne  findetS  J>aer  220 

duguf>e  mid  deoflum     ic  to  dryhtne  min 

mod  sta]?elige     se  ofer  maegna  gehwylc 

waldeS  •  *  wide-ferh     wuldres  agend         [*  69  a.] 

sigora  gehwylces     \>cet  is  soft  cyning  :y  224 

[in.] 

DA  J>am  folc-togan     fracu'olic  J>uhte 
Ipcet  he  ne  meahte     mod  oncyrran 
fsemnan  fore-Jxmc  ,  he  bi  feaxe  het 

ahon  and  ahebban     on  heanne  beam  228 

J?aer  seo  sun-sciene  siege  frowade 
sace  sin-grimme  siex  tida  daeges  • 
and  he  aedre  het     eft  asettan 

218.  MS.  metet.  224.  One-line  space  betireen  the  sections. 


V.      SAINT   JULIANA.  255 

and  establish  peace  with  them.     Let  our  contention  rest,       200 

this  hateful  strife  !    If  after  this  thou  followest 

error  any  longer,  through  thy  wilful  folly, 

then  must  I  needs,  constrained  by  thy  hate, 

avenge  this  guilt  against  the  gods,  this  angry  blasphemy,       204 

on  thee,  their  fiercest  adversary,  who,  with  insults, 

hast  thus  begun  to  strive  against  the  best 

and  gentlest  beings  whom  men  know, 

whom  this  people  hath  long  reverenced  in  their  midst/  208 

Him  that  noble  spirit  fearlessly  addressed : — 
' 1  stand  not  in  dread  of  thy  dooms, 
cursed  foul  ruffian,  nor  the  bale  of  thy  torments  ! 
I  place  my  hope  in  the  Guardian  of  the  heavenly  realm,       212 
the  merciful  Protector,  the  Sovran  of  all  powers; 
He  will  shield  me,  despite  thy  delusion, 
from  those  fiends'  clutches,  whom  thou  thinkest  gods ; 
they  are  void  of  every  good,  a  16 

empty,  worthless,  unavailing ; 
no  man  findeth  profit  there, 
nor  true  peace,  although  he  seek 

their  friendship;    not  there,  among  the  devils,  220 

findeth  he  blessing.     In  the  Lord 
I  fix  ray  spirit,  in  Him  who  o'er-ruleth 
every  power  through  all  eternity,  the  Prince  of  glory, 
the  Lord  of  all  triumph  ;    He  is  the  true  King.'  224 


III. 

A  heinous  thing  it  seemed  to  the  chieftain, 
that  he  could  not  convert  the  mind, 

the  resolution  of  that  damsel.     He  bade  her  by  the  locks 
be  hanged,  and  raised  on  a  high  tree,  228 

where  the  sun-bright  maiden  suffered  blows, 
fierce  unceasing  torments,  six  hours  of  the  day ; 
and  then  her  hated  foe  bade  her  anon 


256  V.      SATNT   JULIANA.       232-265. 

la$  geniSla     and  gelsedan  bibead  232 

to  carcerne     hyre  wses  cristes  lof 
in  ferS-locan     fseste  biwunden 
milde  mod-sefan     irieegen  unbrice* 

Sa  waes  mid  clustre     carcernes  duru  236 

behliden  homra  geweorc     halig  faer-inne 
waerfsest  wunade     symle  heo  wuldor-cyning 
herede  set  heortan     heofon-rices  god 
in  J>am  nyd-clafan     nergend  fira  240 

heolstre  bihelmad     hyre  wses  halig  gaest 
singal  gesitS  •     tSa  cwom  semnioga 
in  Ipcet  hlin-rseced     hsele&a  gewinna 

yfeles  andwis     hsefde  engles  hiw  244 

gleaw  gyrn-stafa     gaest-geniSla 
helle  haeftling     to  }>8ere  halgan  spraec 
hwaet  dreogest  J>u     seo  dyreste 

and  seo  weorJ>este     wuldor-cyninge  248 

dryhtne  ussum     Se  J>es  dema  hafatS 
J»a  wyrrestan     witu  gegearwad 
sar  ende-leas     gif  ]>u  onsecgan  nelt 

gleaw-hycgende     and  his  godura  cweman  ,  252 

wes  Ipu  6ri  ofeste     swa  he  J>ec  ut  heonan 
laedan  hate     \azt  J>u  lac  hra]?e 

onsecge  sigor-tifre     *  ser  ]?ec  swylt  nime         [*  69  &.] 
deatS  fore  duguSe.    ]>j  J>u  J>ses  deman  scealt  256 

y<^  '     ead-hreSig  ma?g     yrre  gedygan  • 

fraBgn  ]?a  fromlice     seo  pe  forht  ne  wses 

criste  gecweme     hwonan  his  cyme  wsere  • 

hyre  se  wraec-meecga     witS  Jmigade  260 

ic  eom  engel  godes     ufan  sij>ende 

J>egn  gej>ungen     and  to  J?e  sended 

halig  of  heahj>u     ]>e  sind  heardlicu 

wundrum  wcel-grim     witu  geteohhad  264 

to  gring-wrasce  ,  het  J?e  god  beodan 

264.  MS.  wel,  e  for  se,  not  an  uncommon  error  of  the  MS.,  though  often 
corrected  into  §. 


V.      SAIxVT   JULIANA.  257 

be  taken  down  again,  and  commanded  her  232 

to  be  led  to  prison.     In  her  soul's  recess 

praise  of  Christ  was  fast  entwined, 

in  her  gentle  spirit  dwelt  strength  indomitable. 

The  prison  door,  the  work  of  many  hammers,  236 

was  then  closed  with  a  bar,   the  holy  maid  within  ; 
firm  in  faith  remained  she;  ever  praised  she, 
with  all  her  heart,  the  King  of  glory,  the  God  of  heaven's  realm, 
the  Saviour  of  men,  in  that  place  of  durance,  240 

though  enwrapt  with  gloom.     To  her  was  the  Holy  Spirit 
a  constant  companion.     Then  came  suddenly 
into  that  grated  cell  the  foe  of  men, 

expert  in  evil ;    an  angel's  form  had  he,  244 

the  foe  of  souls,  versed  in  cruel  trickery, 
the  thrall  of  hell :    he  spake  to  the  holy  maid : — 

'  Why  suffer  thus,  thou  that  art  dearest 
and  most  precious  unto  the  King  of  glory,  248 

unto  our  Lord  !   For  thee  hath  this  judge 
prepared  the  most  grievous  torments, 
endless  pain,  unless  thou,  wisely  considering, 
wilt  offer  sacrifice,  and  appease  his  gods.  252 

Hasten,  as  soon  as  he  command  thee 
to  be  led  from  hence,  quickly  to  offer 
gifts,  a  sacrifice  for  victory,  ere  destruction  seize  thee, 
death  in  the  sight  of  multitudes.     Thereby  shalt  thou,  256 

blessed  maiden,  escape  this  judge's  anger.' 

Boldly  then  asked  him  the  fearless  maid, 
acceptable  to  Christ,  from  whence  his  coming  was.. 
To  her  the  wretched  creature  thus  replied  : —  260 

'  I  am  an  angel  of  God,  journeying  from  above, 
a  trusty  minister,  and  I  am  sent  to  thee, 
holy  from  heaven.     Grievous  torments, 

wondrously  deadly,  arc  prepared  for  thee,  ^64 

for  thy  cruel  punislmiciit.     God,  the  Lord's  Son, 

8 


258 


V.      SAINT   JULIANA.       266-298. 


lUL 


beam  waldendes     feet  j?e  burge  j?a« 

Sa  wees  seo  feemne     for  j?am  feer-spelle 

egsan  geaclad     pe  hyre  se  agleeca  268 

wuldres  wi]?er-breca     wordum  seegde  . 

ongan  J»a  feestlice     fer5  staj>elian 

geong  grondorleas     to  [</ocfe]  cleopian  ;  - 

nu  ic  pec  beorna  hleo     biddan  wille  272 

ece  eelmihtig     J>urh  )?eet  eej>ele  gesceap 

pe  }>u  feeder  engla     eet  fruman  settest 

J>eet  pu  me  ne  leete     of  lofe  hweorfan 

finre  ead-gife     swa  me  J>es  ar  bodatS  276 

frecne  feer-spell     pe  me  fore  stondeft* 

swa  ic  pe  bilwitne     biddan  wille 

J>eet  J>u  me  gecytSe     cyninga  wuldor 

Jrymraes  hyrde     hweet  pes  pegn.  sy  280 

lyft-lacende     pe  mec  leeretS  from  pe 

on  stearcne  weg     hyre  •  stefn  oncweeft 

wlitig  of  wolcnum     word  hleofrade  • 

forfoli  Jxme  freetgan     and  feeste  geheald  284 

o]?J>8et  he  his  sitS-faet     secge  mid  ryhte 

ealne  from  orde     hweet  his  eej>elu  syn  • 

Sa  wees  ]?eere  feemnan     fer(S  geblissad 

dom-eadigre     heo  J»eet  deofol  genom  1 1  t  288 

*  ealra  cyninga  cyning     to  cwale  syllan.         [*  70  a.] 

Sa  gen  ic  gecroeffce     poet  se  cempa  ongon 

waldend  wundian     weorud  to-segon 

j?eet  J>eer  blod  and  weeter     butu  eet-geedre  292 

eorJ?an  sohtun .     (5a  gen  ic  herode 

in  hyge  bisweop     J?eet  he  iohannes  bibead 

heafde  biheawan  •     Sa  se  halga  wer 

J^eere  wif-lufan     wordum  styrde  296 

unryhtre  ee  •     eac  ic  geleerde 

simon  searo-f>oncum     poet  he  Eacan  ongon 

271,  272.  MS.  to  cleopian  ne.         286.  MS.  ealdne,  i.e.  ealne.  288.  MS. 

eadigra.     After  genom  a  leaf  of  the  MS.  is  evidently  missing,  though  there  is 
no  trace  of  its  having  been  cut  out  of  the  MS. 


V.      SAINT   JULIANA.  259 

bade  me  announce  to  thee  that  thou  protect  thyself  therefrom.' 

Then  was  the  damsel  struck  with  terror 
at  the  sudden  tidings,  which  the  wretched  monster,  268 

Glory's  adversary,  declared  to  her  in  words. 
The  young  and  guileless  maid  began  then 
firmly  to  strengthen  her  soul  and  to  call  on  God : — 

1  Thee,  Refuge  of  mortals,  Eternal  Almighty,  272 

will  I  now  beseech,  by  the  noble  creation, 

which  Thou,  Father  of  the  angels,  didst  in  the  beginning  ordain, 
tli at  thou  suffer  me  not  to  turn  from  the  praise 
of  thy  blessed  grace,  according  to  the  impious  sudden  message 
that  this  messenger  announceth,  who  standeth  before  me.       277 
Wherefore  I  will  beseech  thee,  merciful  Lord, 
that  Thou,  Glory  of  kings,  Lord  of  majesty, 
reveal  to  me,  what  this  minister  is,  280 

this  floater  through  the  air,  who  directeth  me 
to  a  rugged  way,  far  from  thee/     To  her  spake 
a  sweet  voice  from  the  clouds,  and  uttered  these  words : — 

1  Seize  the  proud  fiend,  and  hold  him  fast,  284 

till  he  rightly  recount  his  whole  career, 
from  the  beginning,  what  his  origin  is.' 

Then  was  the  noble  damsel's  soul 

rejoiced ;   she  seized  the  devil 288 

'  The  King  of  all  kings  (I  contrived)  to  betray  to  death ; 
moreover  I  effected  that  the  soldier  resolved 
to  wound  the  Lord,  while  the  multitude  looked  on, 
so  that  blood  and  water,  both  together,  29a 

woght  the  earth  there.     Herod's  mind,  too, 
I  incited,  so  that  he  commanded  John's  ln-ad 
t<>   be  cut  off,  when  the  holy  man 
reproved  by  words  his  love  for  the  woman, 
his  unlawful  marriage     Also  I   instructed 
Si  in. n  by  my  cunning,  so  that  he  began  to  strive 

8  2 


260  V.       SAINT   JULIANA.       299-332. 

wif>  \>a  gecorenan     cristcs  pegnas 

and  }?a  halgan  vveras     hospe  gerahte  300 

J>urh  deopne  gedwolan     ssegde  hy  dryas  wseron  • 

nejxle  ic  nearo-bregduw     J?ser  ic  neron  bisweac 

Ipcet  he  acwellan  liet     cristes  f>egnas. 

petrus  •  and  paulus  •  .  pilatus  ser  304 

on  rode  aheng     rodera  waldend 

meotud  meahtigne     minum  larura 

swylce  ic  egias     eac  gelserde 

\cet  he  unsnytrum     andreas  het«  3°8 

ahon  haligne     on  heanne  beam 

\>cet  he  of  galgan  his     gsest  onsende 

in  wuldres  wlite  ,  J»us  ic  wraf>ra  fela 

mid  minum  brof>rum     bealwa  gefremede  312 

sweartra  synna     J»e  ic  asecgan  ne  maeg 

rume  areccan     ne  gerim  witan 

heardra  hete-J>onca-     him  seo  halge  oncwseS 

J>urh  gsestes  giefe     iuliana*  316 

J>u  scealt  furJ>or  gen     feond  mon-cynnes 

sij>-fset  secgan     hwa  J>ec  sende  to  me- 

hyre  se  aglaeca     ageaf  andsw&re 

forht  afongen     frizes  orwena.  320 

hwset  mec  min  feeder     on  pas  fore  to  ]>e 

hell-warena  cyning     hider  onsende 

of  J?am  engan  ham     se  is  yfla  *  gehwaes  [*70  b.] 

in  )?am  grorn-hofe     geornfulra  Ipoime  ic  «  324 

\>onne  he  usic  sendeS     ]>cet  we  sotSfaestra 

J>urh  misgedwield     mod  oncyrren 

ahwyrfen  from  halor     we  beotS  hyge-geomre 

forhte  on  ferSpe .  ne  bij»  us  frea  milde  328 

egesful  ealdor     gif  we  yfles  noht 

gedon  habbaj)     ne  durran  we  siJ?J>an 

for  his  onsyne     ower  geferan  v 

ponne  he  onsendeS     geond  sidne  grand  332 

307.  MS.  swylc.       313.  MS.  asengan.       322.  MS.  werena.       325.   MS.se. 


V.      SAINT   JULIANA.  261 

against  the  chosen  ministers  of  Christ, 

and  those  holy  men  with  contumely  reproached,  300 

in  deep  folly,  and  said  they  were  sorcerers. 

I  ventured  on  cunning  wiles  when  I  deceived  Nero, 

so  that  he  bade  men  slay  Christ's  servants, 

Peter  and  Paul.     Pilate  ere  while  304 

had  hanged  on  the  rood  the  Ruler  of  the  skies, 

the  mighty  Lord,  through  my  devices. 

I,  too,  in  like  manner,  instigated  Hegias, 

that  he  unwisely  bade  Andrew,  308 

the  holy  Saint,  to  be  hung  on  a  high  tree. 

so  that  from  the  gallows  he  sent  forth  his  soul 

unto  beauteous  glory.     Thus  have  I,  with  my  brethren, 

perpetrated  many  dire  atrocities,  312 

many  swart  sins,  which  I  cannot  tell, 

nor  fully  relate,  nor  can  I  know  the  number 

of  my  cruel  evil  plans.'     Him  the  holy  maid, 

Juliana,  through  the  Spirit's  grace,  addressed-: —  316 

1  Thou  shalt  still  further,  foe  of  mankind, 
explain  thy  journey,  who  hath  sent  thee  to  me,' 

To  her  the  wretch  gave  answer, 
seized  with  fear,  hopeless  of  peace: —  320 

*  Lo  !  me,  my  father,  the  King  of  hell's  inhabitants, 
hath  sent  hither  on  this  journey  unto  thee, 
from  that  narrow  home;   he,  in  that  sad  home, 
is  more  zealous  e'en  than  I  for  every  evil.  334 

"When  he  sendeth  us  forth  to  pervert, 
by  delusion,  the  minds  of  the  righteous, 
to  turn  them  from  salvation,  we  are  sad  of  mind, 
afeared  in  soul.     No  kind  master  to  us  328 

is  our  dreadful  Lord.     If  we  naught  evil 
have  achieved,  we  venture  not  thereafter 
to  go  anywhere  in  his  presence. 
Then  he  sendeth  o'er  the  wide  world,  332 


262  V.      SAINT   JULIANA.       M3S62. 

fegnas  of  fystruni     hatetS  frsece  raeran 

gif  we  geinete  sin     on  mold-wege 

o)>J)e  feor  olppe  neah     fundne  weorjjen 

]>ast  hi  usic  binden     and  in  bsel-wylme  336 

suslura  swingen .  gif  sooTsestra 

J>urh  myrrelsan     mod  ne  ofcyrreS 

haligra  hyge     we  J?a  heardestan 

and  pa,  wyrrestan     witu  gef'ola'S  340 

jmrh  sar- siege  .  nu  J»u  sylfa  meaht 

on  sefan  Jnnum     soS  gecnawan 

\wt  ic  fisse  noJ>e  wses     nyde  gebseded     c\-« 

frag  mselum  ge)?read     J?set  ic  Ipe  sohte-:/-  344 

[IV.] 

Pa  gen  seo  halge  ongon     hselefa  gewinnan 
wrohtes  wyrlitan     wordum  frignan 
fyrn-synna  fruman     Ipu  me  furfor  scealt 

secgan  sawla  feond     hu  J>u  sotSfaestum  348 

J>urh  synna  slide     swifast  scej>f>e 
facne  bifongen  •     hyre  se  feond  oncwseS 
wrsecca  waerleas     wordum  mselde 

ic  ]>e  ead-mseg     yfla  gehwylces  352 

or  gecySe     otS  ende  fortS 
J>ara  J>e  ic  gefremede-     nalaes  feam  si&um 
synna  wundum     J?aet  J>u  Ipy  sweotolicor 

sylf  gecnawe-     *fset  J?is  is  sotS  nales  leas-       [*71  a.~\  356 

ic  J>a3t  wende     and  witod  tealde 
friste  geponcge     Ipcet  ic  Ipe  meahte 
but  an  earfefum     anes  craefte 

ahwyrfan  from  lialor     feet  J>u  heofon-cyninge  360 

wi&soce  sigora  frean     and  to  ssemran  gebuge- 
onssegde  synna  fruman  .   J>us  ic  soSfeestum 

338.  MS.  need  cyrreft.  340.  MS.  gepoliaft,  i.e.  geJ>ola3.  344.   One- 

line  space  between  the  sections.  350.  One  or  tico  letters  erased  after  hyre. 

354.  MS.  sindon. 


V.      SAINT   JULIANA.  263 

his   ministers   forth   from   darkness;    he    biddeth    them   prepare 

violence  for  us; 
if  we  be  met  upon  earth's  ways, 
or  should  be  found  far  or  near, 

that  they  bind  us  and  scourge  us  with  torments  336 

in  the  fire's  heat.     If  the  minds  of  the  righteous, 
the  thoughts  of  the  holy,  through  stumbling-blocks, 
turn  not  aside,  we  suffer  torments, 

the  cruellest  and  the  most  grievous,  340 

by  painful  blows.     Now  thou  thyself 
may'st  know  the  truth  within  thy  mind, 
that  I  was  needs  constrained  to  this  adventure, 
from  time  to  time  tormented,  that  I  should  seek  thee.'  344 


IV. 


Then  yet  the  holy  maid  resolved  to  question  with  words 
the  foe  of  men,  the  worker  of  wickedness, 
the  beginner  of  sin  in  days  of  yore :— '  Thou  shalt  yet  further 
tell  me,  thou  enemy  of  souls !   how  thou  the  righteous  348 

dost  chiefly  injure,  through  their  lapse  into  sin, 
ensnared  by  thy  guile.'     Her  the  fiend  addressed ; 
the  perfidious  wretch  spake  in  these  words : — 

*  I  will  reveal  to  thee,  blessed  maiden,  352 

from  the  beginning  to  the  end,  the  cause  of  every  evil, 
which  I  by  wounds  of  sin  have  furthered, 
no  few  times,  so  that  thou  thyself  may'st 

Um  more  clearly  know,  that  this  is  true  and  not  false.  356 

I  weened  and  reckoned  it  as  certain, 
in  my  daring  thought,  that  I,  by  my  craft  alone, 
without  difficulty,  might  turn  thee  away 

from  salvation,  that  thou  wouldst  deny  360 

li    mil's  King,  the  Lord  of  triumph,  wouldst  Ik>w  to  a  worse  Ood, 
wouldst  sacrifice  to  the  author  of  sin.     Thus  do  I  pervert, 


264  V.      SAINT   JULIANA.       363-398. 

J>urh  mislic  bleo     mod  oncyrre. 

pser  ic  hine  finde     ferS  sta)?elian  364 

to  godes  willan     ic  beo  gearo  sona 

past  ic  him  monigfealde     modes  gselsan  iv^^twmju 

ongean  bere     grimra  gej^onca 

dyrnra  gedwilda     J>urh  gedwolena  rim  .  368 

ic  him  geswete     synna  lustas 

msene  mod-lufan     pcet  he  minum  hrafe 

leahtrum  gelenge     larum  hyratS, 

ic  hine  pses  swij^e     synnum  onsele  372 

pcet  he  byrnende  from     gebede  swiceS 

stepetS  stronglice  ■  stajxdfasst  ne  mseg 

fore  leahtra  lufan     lenge  gewunian 

in  gebed-stowe  .  swa  ic  brogan  to  376 

lacSne  gelsede     fam  pe  ic  lifes  of-6nn 

leohtes  geleafan  ,  and  he  larum  wile      M, 

J>urh  modes  myne     minum  hyran 

synne  fremman     he  sij»)>an  sceal  380 

godra  gum-cysta     geasne  hweorfan. 

gif  ic  senigne     ellen-rofne 

gemete  modigne     metodes  cempan 

wiS  flan-J>rsece     nele  feor  Jxman  384 

bugan  from  beaduwe     ac  he  bord  ongean 

hefetS  hyge-snottor     haligne  scyld 

gaestlic  gutS-reaf     nele  gode  swican 

ac  he  beald  in  gebede     bid-steal  gife<5  388 

feeste  on  fetSan     ic  sceal  feor  Jxman 

hean-mod  hweorfan     hroJ>ra  bidseled  • 

*in  gleda  gripe     gehtSu  msenan  [*71&.] 

J>a3t  ic  ne  meahte     msegnes  crsefte  392 

gutSe  wiSgongan     ac  ic  geomor  sceal 

secan  oJ>erne     ellenleasran 

under  cumbol-hagan     cempan  sasnran 

pa  ic  onbryrdan  maege     beorman  mine  396 

agselan  set  gufe  ,  J>eah  he  godes  hwaet 

onginne  gaestlice     ic  beo  gearo  sona* 


V.       SAINT   JULIANA.  265 

by  various  pretexts,  the  mind  of  the  righteous. 

When  I  find  him  strengthening  his  soul  304 

to  God's  will,  I  am  straight  prepared 

to  bear  unto  him  wantonness  of  spirit, 

full  manifold  grim  thoughts, 

dark  errors,  through  numerous  delusions.  368 

I  sweeten  for  him  the  delights  of  sin, 

the  vicious  desires  of  the  heart,  so  that  he, 

allured  to  vice,  quickly  obeyeth  my  teachings. 

Him  so  greatly  do  I  inflame  with  sin,  372 

that  he,  burning,  shrinketh  from  prayer; 

he  steppeth  forth  boldly;    for  love  of  iniquity, 

he  can  no  longer  remain  firm 

in  the  place  of  prayer.     Thus  bring  I  hateful  terror  376 

unto  him  whom  I  begrudge  his  life, 

his  bright  belief.     If  he  my  doctrines 

with  full  purpose  of  heart  is  willing  to  obey, 

and  to  perpetrate  sin,  thenceforth  must  he  live  380 

wanting  in  all  noble  virtues. 

But  if  I  find  a  man  courageous, 

a  valiant  champion  of  the  Lord, 

resisting  mine  arrow's  force,  one  who  will  not  flee  384 

far  thence  from   the  contest,  but,  wise  in  soul, 

raiseth  up  against  me  a  holy  shield, 

his  ghostly  armour,  one  who  will  not  forsake  God, 

but,  bold  in  prayer,  maketh  a  stand  388 

firmly  in  battle,  then  must  I  abashed 

far  from  thence  depart,  bereft  of  comfort. 

In  gleeds'  embrace  must  I  bemoan  my  cares, 

for  that  I  might  not,  by  dint  of  power,  ,  392 

prosper  in  my  warfare ;    saddened 

must  I  seek  another,  less  courageous, 

a  worse  warrior,  in  the  ranks  of  battle, 

whom   with  my  barm   I  may  induce 

to  be  slack  in  warfare.     Though  lie  uught  of  good 

may  resolve  in  spirit,  I  am  forthwith  ready 


266 


V.      SAINT   JULIANA.       399-434. 


pcet  ic  in-gehygd     eal  geond-wlite 

hu  gefsestnad  sy     ferS  innanweard 

wi5-steall  geworht ,  ic  pees  wealles  geat 

ontyne  furh  teonan     biS  se  torr  fyrel 

in-gong  geopenad     Iporme  ic  aerest  liim 

furh  eargfare     in  onsende 

in  'breost-sefan     bitre  gefoncas 

furh  mislice     modes  willan 

faet  him  sylfum     selle  fyncetS 

leahtras  to  fremman     ofer  lof  godes 

lices  lustas  k  ic  beo  lareow  georn 

\(2t  he  mon-feawum     minum  lifge 

acyrred  cuftlice     from  cristes  se 

mod  gemyrred     me  to  gewealde 

in  syrma  seaft^  ic  fasre  sawle  ma 

geornor  gyme     ymb  fees  gaestes  forwyrd 

Iponne  J»ses  lic-homan     sef  e  on  legre  sceal 

weortSan  in  worulde     wyrme  to  hrof or 

bifolen  in  foldan  .  Da  gien  seo  faemne  sprsec  • 

saga  earm-sceapen     unclaene  gsest 

hu  fu  fee  gefyde     fystra  stihtend 

on  claenra  gemong     f  u  wit5  criste  geo 

wasrleas  wunne     and  gewin  tuge 

hogdes  wif  halgum  ,  f  e  weartS  helle  seatS 

nifer  gedolfen     faer  fu  nyd-bysig 

fore  oferhygdum     eard  gesohtes  . 

wende  ic  fast  f  u  fy  waerra     weorfan  sceolde 

*wi5  soffsestum     swylces  gemotes  L*72«] 

and  fy  unbealdra     f  e  fe  oft  witSstod 

f  urh  wuldor-cyning     willan  fines  , 

Hyre  fa  se  werga     witS-fingade 

earm  aglseca     J>o  me  aerest  saga, 

hu  Jw  gedyrstig     furh  deop  gehygd 

wurde  fus  wig-frist     ofer  eall  wifa  cyn 

feet  f u  mec  f us  faeste     fetrurn  gebunde 

aeghwaes  orwigne  -  fu  in  ecne  god 


400 


404 


408 


412 


416 


420 


424 


428 


432 


.      V.      SAINT   JULIANA.  267 

to  pry  through  all  his  inmost  thoughts, 

howe'er  secured  the  soul  may  be  within,  400 

arrayed  as  a  bulwark.     The  rampart's  gate 

with  malice  open  I;    when  the  tower  is  pierced, 

an  entrance  forced,  then  at  first,  /t^u^fe^.^6^?  ?2*sl. 

through  mine  archery,  I  send  forth  404 

into  his  bosom  bitter  thoughts, 

through  various  desires  of  the  heart, 

so  that  it  seemeth  to  him  a  better  thing 

to  perpetrate  iniquity,  bodily  lusts,  408 

than  to  praise  God.     I  become  his  diligent  instructor, 

that  in  mine  evil  habits  he  may  live, 

manifestly  turned  from  the  law  of  Christ, 

his  mind  seduced  into  my  power,  412 

into  the  abyss  of  sin.     I  care  more  zealously 

for  the  soul's,  for  the  spirit's  utter  ruin, 

than  for  the  body's,  which  in  the  grave, 

here  in  this  world,  committed  to  earth,  416 

shall  become  a  prey  to  worms.'    Then  yet  the  damsel  spake : — 

'Say,  wretched  creature,  spirit  unclean, 
dispenser  of  darkness,  how  couldst  thou  press 
into  the  company  of  the  pure!    Thou  thyself,  traitor,  420 

didst  once  strive  'gainst  Christ,  didst  wage  war, 
and  didst  plot  against  the  Holy  One.     For  thee  was  the  pit  of  hell 
dug  beneath,  where  thou,  worried  with  woes, 
for  thine  overweening  pride,  sough  test  a  home.  424 

I  trowed  that  thou  wouldst  be  the  more  wary 
of  all  such  meetings  with  the  righteous, 
tad  the  less  bold,  for  they  have  oft, 
through  the  King  of  glory,  withstood  thy  will.'  428 

To  her  the  accursed,  the  miserable  wretch, 
made  rejoinder  thus : — '  Do  thou  first  tell  me 
how  thou,  daring  one,  becamest  through  thy  deep  thought 
thus  bold  in  strife,  beyond  all  womankind,  432 

that   thou  hast  bound  me  fast  with  fetters  thus, 
wholly  defenceless!    Thou  in  thine  Eternal  God, 


268  V.       SAINT   JULIANA.      435-466. 

j?rym-sittendne    Jnnne  getreowdes 

meotud  mon-cynnes     swa  ic  in  minne  focder  436 

hell-warena  cyning     hyht  staj>elie 

jxnme  ic  beom  onsended    wi5  soSfaestum 

\>ait  ic  in  man-weorcum     mod  oncyrre 

hyge  from  halor  .  me  hwilum  bij)  440 

forwyrned  J?urh  wifci-steall     willan  mines 

hyhtes  set  halgum     swa  me  her  gelamp 

sorg  on  sipe  .  ic  J?set  sylf  gecneow 

to  late  micles  t  sceal  nu  lange  ofer  J>is  444 

scyld-wyrcende     scame  j?rowian  • 

forjxm  ic  J?ec  halsige     )mrh  J>ees  hyhstan  meant 

rodor-cyninges  giefe     se  J>e  on  rode-treo 

geJ?rowade     fyrmraes  ealdor  448 

"past  pu.  miltsige     me  fearfendum 

fset  unsaelig  eall     ne  forweorfe 

peah  ic  J?ec  gedyrstig     and  J>us  dol-willen 

sij?e  gesohte     J?eer  ic  swif>e  me  452 

J?yslicre  ser     frage  ne  gewende:/ 

[V.] 

TPva  seo  wlite-scyne     wuldres  condel 

-*-^     to  fawi  wser-logan     wordum  maelde  • 

Du  scealt  ancZdettan     yfel-dseda  ma  456 

hean  helle  ggest     8er  \>u  heonan  mote 

bwset  pu  *to  teonan     J>urh-togen  haebbe  [*72  6.] 

micelra  man-weorca     manna  tudre 

deorcum  gedwildum     hyre  J>aet  deofol  oncwaeS  460 

nu  ic  pset  gehyre     Jmrh  J>inne  hleo]x>r-cwide 

pcet  ic  nyde  sceal     ntya  gebaeded 

mod  meldian     swa  j^u  me  beodest 

J>rea-ned  J?olian   .  is  J>eos  frag  ful  strong  464 

Jneat  ormaete.ic  sceal  j?inga  gehwylc 

folian  and  fafian     on  ]?inne  dom 

437.  MS.  werena. 


V.      SAINT   JULIANA.  269 

sitting  in  majesty,  hast  placed  thy  trust, 

in  mankind's  Maker,  e'en  as  I  in  my  father,  436 

the  King  of  hell's  inhabitants,  repose  my  hope, 

when  I  am  sent  against  the  righteous, 

that  I  in  wicked  deeds  may  turn  their  minds, 

their  spirits,  from  salvation.     Sometimes  440 

through  their  opposition  I  am  denied  my  will, 

my  hope  with  the  holy,  as  to  me  hath  here  befallen 

sorrow  in  my  journey !    This  perceive  I  myself, 

much  too  late.     Now  must  I  long,  sin-working,  444 

endure  shame,  on  account  of  this ; 

wherefore  I  beseech  thee,  through  the  might  of  the  Supreme, 

through  the  grace  of  heaven's  King,  the  Prince  of  majesty, 

who  on  the  rood-tree  suffered,  448 

that  thou  pity  me,  miserable  one, 

that  all  unblessed  I  perish  not, 

though  I  daringly  and  thus  foolishly 

sought  thee  in  this  journey,  where  verily  I  expected  not        452 

such  a  time  as  this  for  myself.' 


V. 

Then  the  beauteous  lamp  of  glory 
spake  in  words  to  the  perfidious  fiend : — 

'Thou  shalt  confess  more  evil  deeds,  4^6 

vile  spirit  of  hell !    ere  thou  mayst  hence, 
yea,  all  the  mighty  works  of  wickedness 
thou  hast  accomplished,  to  harm  the  race  of  men 
by  dark  delusions.'     Her  the  devil  thus  addressed  : —  46o 

'Now  hear  I  in  thine  utterance 
that  I  must  needs,  by  hate  constrained, 
tell  all  my  mind,  and  must  suffer  this  pang, 
as  thou  commandest  me.     This  course  is  too  severe,  464 

tlii     <  ii  1  tisement  too  great.     Each  thing  must  I 
iimnder  end  uibmii  unto  fchy  doom. 


270  V.       SAINT   JULIANA.      467-500. 

wom-dseda  onwreon     J?y  ic  wide-ferg 

sweartra  gesyrede  .  of[<]  ic  syne  ofteah  468 

ableude  bealo-f>oncum     beorna  unrim  y 

monna  cynnes     mist-helme  forbrsegd 

J>urh  attres  ord     eagna  leoman 

sweartura  scurum     and  ic  sumra  fet  472 

forbrsec  bealo-searwum     surae  in  bryne  sende 

in  liges  locan     ]>cet  him  lasta  wear's 

sifast  gesyne     eac  ic  sume  gedyde 

Ipcet  him  ban-locan     blode  spiowedan  476 

]>cet  hi  fseringa     feorh  aleton 

J>urh  gedra  wylm  ,   sume  on  ytS-fare 

wurdon  on  weg     wsetrum  bisencte 

on  mere-flode     minum  crseftura  480 

under  reone  stream    sume  ic  rode  bifealh 

Ipcet  hi  hyra  dreorge    on  bean  galgan 

lif  aletan     sume  ic  larum  geteah 

to  geflite  fremede     \>cet  hy  fseringa  484 

eald-setyoncan     edniwedan 

beore  dru[w]cne  ;  ic  him  byrlade 

wroht  of  wege     J>set  hi  in  win-sele 

J?urh  sweord-gripe     sawle  forletan  488 

of  flsesc-homan     fsege  scyndan 

sarum  gesohte     sume  J>a  ic  funde  • 

butan  *godes  tacne  gymelease  [*73  a.] 

ungebletsade     J?eah  ic  bealdlice  492 

Jmrh  mislic  cwealm     minum  hondum 

searo-Jxmcum  slog  ,  ic  asecgan  ne  maeg 

J>eah  ic  gesitte     sumer-longne  dseg 

eal  J>a  earfej>u     pe  ic  ser  and  sij>  496 

gefremede  to  facne     si]))?an  furf>um  wabs 

rodor  arsered     and  ryne  tungla 

folde  gefasstnad     and  fa  forman  men  ■ 

adam  and  aeue.     J>am  ic  ealdor  ottyrong  5°° 

468.  MS.  of.  486.  MS.  drucne. 


V.      SAINT   JULIANA.  271 

each  black  crime  must  I  reveal,  that  I  have  ever 

cunningly  devised.     I  have  oft  withdrawn  men's  sight;  468 

with  baleful  thoughts  have  I  blinded  folk  innumerable 

of  human  kind;    with  a  mist-veil,  with  dark  showers, 

with  poisoned  arrows,  have  I  reft 

the  light  of  their  eyes.     Of  some  have  I  broken  the  feet       472 

by  wicked  snares ;    some  into  fire  have  I  sent, 

into  flame's  embrace,  so  that  no  trace  of  them 

was  visible  thereafter.     And  some  have  I  afflicted, 

that  their  bodies  spouted  blood,  476 

so  that  suddenly  they  let  forth  life 

through  their  veins'  fount.     Some  on  the  billowy  waves, 

while  on  their  way,  were  by  my  devices 

submerged  by  the  waters  into  the  ocean-flood,  480 

below  the  raging  stream.     Some  to  the  cross  have  I  consigned, 

so  that  sadly  they  their  life  resigned 

on  the  vile  gallows.     Some  have  I  led  on  by  my  teachings, 

and  have  urged  to  strife,  so  that  they  suddenly  484 

have  renewed  old  grudges, 

drunken  with  beer ;    for  them  poured  I  forth 

discord  from  the  cup,  so  that  in  the  guest-hall, 

through  clutch  of  sword,  they  let  forth  the  soul  488 

from  the  body;  dying  they  hastened  forth, 

beset  with  wounds.     Some  whom  I  found 

without  God's  token,  heedless 

and  unblessed,  these  nevertheless  I  boldly  492 

by  various  deaths,  by  crafty  devices, 

slew  with  my  hands.     I  may  not  declare, 

though  I  sit  here  a  summer-long  day, 

all  the  miseries  which  I  early  and  late  496 

have  guilefully  achieved,  since  first 

the  firmament  was  upreared  and  the  course  of  the  stars, 

since  earth  was  established  and  the  first  folk, 

Adam  and  Kve,  whom  I  deprived  of  life,  500 


272  V.       SAINT    JULIANA.       5OI-534. 

and  hy  gelserdc       ]>cet  hi  In  fan  dryhtnes 

ece  ead-giefe     an   forleton 

beorhtne  bold-welan     ])cet  him  beem  gewear$ 

yrmj>u  to  ealdre     and  hyra  eaferum  swa  504 

mircast  man-weorca  .  hwaet  sceal  ic  ma  riman 

yfel  ende-leas     ic  eall  gebser 

wraj>e  wrohtas     geond  wer-J>eode 

J>a  J»e  gewordun     widan  feore  508 

from  frnman  worulde     fira  cynne 

eorlum  on  eorfan  .  ne  waes  senig  J>ara 

fpcet  me  ]?us  Jjiiste     swa  J>u  nu)m 

halig  mid  hondum     hrinan  dorste  .  512 

nses  aanig  f>ses  modig     mon  ofer  eorf>an 

)?urh  lialge  meaht     heah-faedera  nan 

ne  witgena     J>eah  J>e  him  weornda  god 

onwrige  wuldres  cyning     wisdomes  gaest  ci6 

giefe  unmsete     hwae]?re  ic  gong  to  J>am 

agan  moste     naes  aenig  }?ara 

past  mec  J>us  bealdlice     bennum  bilegde    ♦ 

J>ream  for}>rycte     aer  f>u  nu}>a  520 

J?a  miclaw  meaht     min  ofer-swiSdest 

faeste  forfenge     }>e  me  feeder  sealde 

feond  mon-cynnes     J>a  he  mec  feran  het 

peoden  of  J>ystrum     Ipcet  ic  J>e  sceolde  524 

synne  swetan  .  J?aer  mec  sorg  bi-*cwom  [*73  6.] 

hefig  hond-gewinn     ic  bihlyhhan  ne  J>earf 

aefter  sar-wraece  siS-faet  }>isne 

magum  in  gemonge     \>onne  ic  mine  sceal  528 

agiefan  gnorn-cearig     gaful-raedenne 

in  J?am  reongan  ham     Da  se  gerefa  het 

gealg-mod  guma  iulianan 

of  fam  engan  hofe     ut  gelaedan  532 

on  hyge  halge     hgejmum  to  spraece 

to  his  dom-setle     heo  J?aat  deofol  teah 

521.  MS.  iniclam.  533.  MS.  halige,  i.e.  halge. 


V.      SAINT   JULIANA.  273 

and  so  instructed  them,  that  they  forsook 

love  of  the  Lord,  eternal  happiness, 

bright  bliss  of  paradise ;    that  darkest  wicked  deed 

to  both  of  them  and  to  their  offspring  too  504 

brought  misery  for  ever.     "Why  should  I  further  enumerate 

endless  evil  ?  I  have  begotten 

all  hateful  crimes  throughout  mankind, 

which  have  come  to  pass  among  mortal  folk,  508 

among  men  on  earth,  through  all  the  ages, 

from  the  world's  beginning.     There  was  not  one  of  them 

that  boldly  thus  durst  touch  me 

with  their  hands  as  thou  dost  now,  O  holy  maid  !  512 

No  man  on  earth  was  ever  thus  courageous, 

through  holy  might,  none  of  the  patriarchs, 

none  of  the  prophets  ;  though  the  God  of  hosts,  the  King  of  glory, 

had  revealed  to  them  the  spirit  of  wisdom,  516 

infinite  grace,  yet  I  access  to  them 

might  gain ;  there  was  not  one  of  them 

that  thus  boldly  loaded  me  with  chains, 

overwhelmed  me  with  distress,  until  now  at  last  520 

thou  hast  overcome,  thou  hast  firmly  arrested, 

my  great  power,  which  my  father,  mankind's  foe, 

gave  me,  when  he,  my  lord,  bade  me 

depart  from  the  gloom,  that  I  should  sweeten  524 

sin  for  thee;  thence  sorrow  hath  befallen  me, 

a  heavy  struggle.     After  thy  sore  revenge, 

I  may  not  he-laugh  'mong  my  comrades 

this  expedition,  when  I,  oppressed  with  care,  528 

must  render  my  fixed  tribute 

in  that  sad  home.'     Then  the  count, 

the  fierce-minded  wight,  commanded  Juliana, 

holy  of  soul,  to  be  led  forth  532 

from  that  narrow  house,  for  converse  with  the  heathen 

at  his  judgment-Feat.     Animated  in  her  spirit, 

T 


J 


C*-fv-t 


274  V.      SAINT   JULIANA.       S^SS^^ 

breostum  inbryrded     bendum  fsestne 

halig  haej>enne  ,  ongan  J>a  hreow-cearig  536 

sitS-feet  seofian     sar  cwanian 

wyrd  wanian     wordum  maelde  • 

ic  J>ec  halsige     hlsefdige  min- 

iuliana     fore  godes  sibbum  540 

J>set  ]?u  furj>ur  me     fracefu  ne  wyrce 

edwit  for  eorlum     fonne  J)u  ser  dydest 

J>a  pu  oferswiJ?dest     J>one  snotrestan 

under  hlin-scuan     hel-warena  cyning  544 

in  feonda  byrig     \cet  tis  feeder  user 

morJ>res  man-frea  •  .  hwset  )?u  mec  J>reades 

J>urh  sar-slege    ic  to  soJ>e  wat 

\>ast  ic  ser  ne  sij>     senig  ne  mette  548 

in  woruld-rice     wij?  J>e  gelic 

J?ristran  geJ>ohtes     ne  J»weorh-timbran 

msegj»a  cynnes  .  is  on  me  sweotul 

J>aet  }>u  unscamge     aeghwses  wurde      ,    ■    ■        .  552 

on  ferfe  frod-     Da  hine  seo  feemne  forlet 

sefter  ]?ra3c-hwile     )?ystra  neosan 

in  sweartne  grund     sawla  gewinna[n] 

on  wita  forwyrd     wiste  he  J?i  gearwor  556 

manes  melda     magum  to  secgan 

susles  J»egnum     hu  him  on  sitSe  gelonip:^:/ 

[VI.] 

*georne  ser  [*74  a.] 

heredon  on  heahj»u«     and  his  halig  \wuldor\  560 

ssegdon  soolice     ])cet  he  sigora  gehwaes 

ofer  ealle  gesceaft     ana  wolde 

ecra  ead-giefa-     Da  cwom  engel  godes 

frsetwum  blican     and  Ipcet  fft  tosceaf  564 

544.    MS.  werena.  545.    MS.  his.  555.    MS.  gewinna. 

559.  A  page  of  MS.  is  missing  between  gelomp,  the  last  word  of  73  b.,  and 
georne,  the  first  of  74  a.  The  substance  of  the  missing  passage  may  be  in- 
ferred from  the  Latin  original  {see  Notes).  560.  A  word  is  omitted 
after  halig:  there  is  no  hiatus  in  the  MS. 


V.       SAINT   JULIANA.  275 

she  drew  the  devil  along  with  her,  fast  in  bonds ; 

the  holy  maiden  drew  the  heathenish  fiend.  .  Sad  then  536 

began  he  to  lament  his  errand,  to  bewail  his  pain, 

to  deplore  his  fate ;  thus  spake  he  in  words : 

'I  beseech  thee,  lady  mine, 

Juliana,  by  God's  peace,  540 

put  not  upon  me  fresh  indignity, 

reproach  before  men,  as  thou  didst  before, 

when  thou  overcamest  under  the  prison  roof 

the  most  cunning,  the  king  of  hell's  inhabitants,  544 

in  the  city  of  thy  foes  ;  that  is  our  father,   . 

the  impious  lord  of  sin.     Yea  !  thou  hast  chastised  me 

by  painful  stroke;  I  truly  know 

that  I  have  never  met,  early  or  late,  548 

in  the  world's  realm,  any  like  unto  thee 

in  daring  thought,  nor  more  intractable, 

among  all  womankind.     To  me  'tis  manifest 

that  thou  art  become  wholly  blameless,  552 

full  wise  of  soul.'     Then  the  damsel  dismissed  him, 

the  foe  of  souls,  after  his  forced  stay, 

to  visit  darkness  down  in  the  swart  abyss, 

in  hell's  perdition;  the  better  knew  he  then,  556 

the  announcer  of  wickedness,  to  narrate  unto  his  mates, 

the  ministers  of  torment,  how  it  befell  him  on  his  journey. 


VI. 


erewhile  eagerly 

they  lauded  Him  on  high  and  His  holy  glory;  560 

they  said  that  truly  He  alone  ordained 

each  victory,  each  lasting  gift  of  happiness, 

through  all  creation.     Then  came  God's  angel, 

shining  resplendently,  and  scattered  the  fire;  564 

T    2 


276  V.      SAINT  JULIANA.      565-598. 

gefreode  and  gefreoo^ade     facnes  clsene 

leahtra  lease     and  J>one  lig  towearp  • 

heoro-giferne     J>ser  seo  hal^e  stod* 

msegj?a  bealdor     on  J>am  midle  gesund  ,  568 

J>set  J>am  weligan  waes     weorc  to  J>olianne 

J>aer  he  hit  for  worulde     wendan  [ne]  meahte  ! 

sohte  synnum  fah     hu  he  sarlicast 

Jrnrh  }>a  wyrrestau     witu  meahte  572 

feorh-cwale  findan     Naes  se  feond  to  laet  • 

se  hine  gelaerde  J>aet  he  laemen  faet 

biwyrcan  het     wundor-craefte 

wiges  womum     and  wudu-beamura  576 

holte  bi[/i]laenan  •     t5a  se  [hearda]  bibead 

]>cet  mon  j?aet  lam-faet     leades  gefylde 

and  ]?a  onbaernan  het     bael-fira  maest 

ad  onaelan     se  waes  aeghwonan  580 

ymb-boren  mid  brondum     haeS  hate  weol . 

het  J?a  ofestlice    yrre  gebolgen 

leahtra  lease     in  }>aes  leades  wylm 

scufan  butan  scyldum*     }?a  toscaden  wearS  584 

lig  tolysed     lead  wide  sprong 

hat  heoro-gifre     [^JseleS  wurdon  acle 

arasad  for  J?y  raese     J>aer  on  rime  forborn 

J>urh  )?83S  fires  fnaest     fif  and  hund-seofontig  588 

haeones  herges     Da  gen  sio  halge  stod 

ungewemde  wlite     naes  hyre  wloh  ne  hraegl 

ne  feax  ne  fel     fyre  gemaeled 

ne  lie  ne  leoJ>u     heo  in  lige  stod  592 

aeghwaes  onsund     saegde  ealles  J>onc 

dryhtna  *dryhtne  .  J>a  se  dema  wearS         [*  74  b.] 

hreoh  and  hyge-grim     ongon  his  hraegl  teran 

swylce  he  grennade     and  gristbitade  596 

w6dde  on  gewitte     swa  wilde  deor 

grymetade  gealg-mod     and  his  godu  taelde 


567.  MS.  halie.  570.  MS.  wendeu  meahte.  577.  MS.  bilaenan. 

There  is  no  hiatus  in   MS.  between  se  an d  bibead;   hearda  is  conjectural. 
586.  MS.  sele©. 


V.      SAINT  JULIANA.  277 

freed  and  protected  the  guileless  maid 

and  sinless ;  he  cast  aside  the  flame, 

fiercely-raging,  where  in  the  midst  the  holy  damsel, 

chief  of  women,  stood  safe  and  sound.  568 

It  was  a  hard  thing  for  the  rich  lord  to  endure, 

as  he  might  not  change  it  before  all  the  world ; 

sin-stained  sought  he  then,  how  he  might  most  grievously, 

by  the  direfullest  torments,  compass  572 

her  destruction.     The  fiend  was  not  too  slow  ; 

he  so  instructed  him,  that  he  commanded  men  to  make 

an  earthen  vessel  with  wondrous  artifice, 

with  war-horrors,  and  to  beset  it  with  forest  trees,  576 

with  wood.     Then  the  cruel  one  bade, 

that  they  should  fill  with  lead  that  earthen  vessel, 

and  ordered  them  to  kindle  then  a  vast  bale-fire, 

to  light  the  pile.     It  was  surrounded  580 

with  brands  on  every  side ;  the  bath  boiled  hotly. 

Chafed  with  anger,  he  bade  them  with  all  speed 

to  thrust  the  innocent,  the  guiltless  maid, 

into  the  surging  lead.     Then  was  the  flame  scattered  584 

and  dissolved;  the  lead  spread  far  and  wide, 

hot,  fiercely  raging.     The  men  were  horror-stricken 

at  its  torrent:  there  were  burnt, 

by  the  fire's  breath,  seventy-five  in  number  588 

of  the  heathen  host.     But  yet  the  holy  damsel  stood  there 

with  spotless  beauty;  nor  her  hem  nor  her  robe, 

nor  locks  nor  skin,  nor  body  nor  limbs, 

were  marked  by  the  fire  ;  she  Btood  there  in  the  flame  59a 

wholly  inviolate,  and  spake  her  thauks  for  all 

unto  the  King  of  kings.     Then  was  the  judge 

fierce  and  furious;  he  began  to  tear  his  robe, 

and  grimly  grinned,  and  gnashed  his  teeth  ;  596 

he  was  maddened  in  mind,  like  a  wild  beast; 

savagely  he  raged,  and  blasphemed  his  gods, 


278 


V.      SAINT   JULIANA.       599~6^0. 


fees  fe  hy  ne  meahtuw    msegne  wifstondan 
wifes  willan     waes  seo  wuldres  maeg 
anrsed  and  unforht     eafooa  gemyndig 
dryhtnes  willan  ,  fa  se  dema  het 
aswebban  sorg-cearig     f  urh  sweord-bite 
on  hyge  halge     heafde  bineotan 
criste  gecorene     hine  se  cwealm  ne  f  eah 
sif  fan  he  f  one  fintan     furf  or  cuf  e : — :y 


600 


604 


d: 


[VII.] 

a  wearS  feere  halgan     hyht  geniwad 
and  faes  maegdnes  mod     miclum  geblissacl 
sif  fan  heo  gehyrde     hseleS  eahtian 
inwit-rune     ]>cet  hyre  ende-stsef 
of  gewin-dagum     weorf  an  sceolde 
lif  alysed  ,  het  fa  leahtra  ful 
claene  and  gecorene     to  cwale  lsedan 
synna  lease     Da  cwom  semninga 
hean  helle  gsest     hearm-leoS  agol 
earm  and  unleed     fone  heo  ser  gebond 
awyrgedne     and  mid  witum  swong  • 
cleopade  fa  for  corf  re     cear-gealdra  full 
gyldatS  nu  mid  gyrne     f  set  heo  goda  ussa 
meaht  forhogd[e]     and  mec  swifast 
geminsade     \>cet  ic  to  meldan  wearSs 
leetatS  hy  lafra     leana  hleotan 
f  urh  waepnes  spor  v  wrecatS  ealdne  nitS 
synne  gesohte ,  ic  fa  sorge  gemon  • 
hu  ic  bendum  faest     bisga  unrim 
on  anre  niht     earfefa  dreag 
yfel  ormaetu  •     *  fa  seo  eadge  biseah 
ongean  gramuin     iulianat 
gehyrde  heo  hearm  galan     helle  deofol 
feond  mon-cynnes     ongon  fa  on  flean  sceacan 


[*  75  «.] 


608 


61 


616 


620 


624 


628 


599.  MS.  hyne  meahtum.  620.  MS.  forhogd  628.  MS.  iulianan. 


V.      SAINT   JULIANA.  279 

because  they  could  not  with  might  and  main 

withstand  a  woman's  will.     Aye  was  the  maid  of  glory  600 

resolved  and  fearless,  mindful  of  her  strength, 

of  the  Lord's  will.     Then  the  judge,  sorely  worried, 

commanded  them  by  bite  of  sword  to  put  to  death 

the  holy-hearted  one,  to  deprive  of  head  604 

Christ's  chosen  maid ;  her  death  profited  him  naught, 

when  he  further  knew  the  sequel. 


VII. 

Then  was  the  holy  damsel's  hope  renewed, 
the  maiden's  mind  was  greatly  cheered,  608 

when  she  heard  the  men  pursuing 
their  evil  counsel,  that  there  should  be 
a  final  ending  of  her  days  of  trouble, 

her  life  set  free.     Then  the  sinful  one  commanded  them         612 
to  lead  to  death  the  pure  and  chosen  maid, 
so  sinless.     There  came  then  suddenly 
hell's  vile  sprite;  a  baleful  song  sang  he, 

the  hapless  wretch,  the  accursed  fiend,  616 

whom  she  had  erewhile  bound  and  sorely  scourged; 
full  of  dire  enchantments,  before  the  multitude  he  cried :: — 
1  Requite  now  with  evil  that  she  hath  despised 
our  gods'  might,  and  me  most  grievously  6 jo 

humbled,  so  that  I  became  a  traitor. 
Let  her  now  receive  hateful  recompense, 
through  the  weapon's  wound  !  Avenge  your  ancient  grudge, 
ye  sin-sick  mortals  !  My  sore  plight  bear  T  in  mind,  6.24 

how  I,  fast  in  bonds,  during  one  night, 
endured  afflictions  numberless,  dire  woes, 
evils  immeasurable.'     Then  the  blessed  Juliana 
looked  up  towards  the  hateful  sprite;  6i8 

she  heard  hell's  devil,  mankind's  foe, 
singing  harm ;  then  began  he  to  depart  in  flight, 


280  V.      SAINT   JULIANA.      63 1 -664. 

wita  ueosan     and  J?aet  word  acwaetS 

wa  me  forworhtum     nu  is  wen  micel  632 

J>aet  heo  mec  eft  wille     earmne  gehynan 

yflum  yrmfum     swa  heo  mec  aer  dyde* 

Da  waes  gelaeded     lond-mearce  neah 

and  to  J?aere  stowe     }>8er  hi  stearc-fer]>e  636 

J>urh  cumbol-hete     cwellan  J?ohtun  • 

ongon  heo  j?a  laeran     and  to  lofe  trymman 

folc  of  firenum     and  him  frofre  gehet 

weg  to  wuldre     and  faet  word  acwaetS'  640 

gemunatS  wigena  wyn     and  wuldres  J>rymra 

haligra  hyht     heofon-engla  god 

he  is  J>ses  wyrSe     \azt  hine  wer-J?eode 

and  eal  engla  cynn     up  on  roderum  644 

hergen  heah-maegen     J>aer  is  help  gelong 

ece  to  ealdre     J>am  Ipe  agan  sceal  • 

forfon  ic  leof  weonid     laeran  wille 

ae-fremmende     \azt  ge  eower  hus  648 

gefsestnige     J>y  lees  hit  fer-blaedum 

windas  toweorpan  •  weal  sceal  J?y  trumra 

strong  wi)>stondan     storma  scurum 

leahtra  gehygdum  .  ge  mid  lufan  sibbe  652 

leohte  geleafan     to  J>am  lifgendan 

stane  stiS-hy#de     staJ?ol  faestniatS  : 

sotSe  treowe    and  sibbe  mid  eow 

healdatS  aet  heortan     halge  rune  656 

Jmrh  modes  myne     \>onne  eow  miltse  giefetS 

feeder  aelmihtig     J>aer  ge  [frofre]  agun 

aet  maegna  gode     maeste  fearfe  • 

*  aefter  sorg-stafum ,  for)?on  ge  sylfe  neton       [*  75  6.]  660 

ut-gong  heonan     ende  lifes 

waerlic  me  Jrince'S     J>aet  ge  waeccende 

witS  hettendra     hilde-woman 

wearde  healden     py  laes  eow  wiJ>er-feohtend  664 

640.  MS.  acweft,  i.e.  acwseS.  654.  MS.  hydge. 

658.  frofre.  conjectural. 


V.      SAINT   JULIANA.  281 

to  visit  hell's  torments,  and  these  words  exclaimed : — 

1  Woe  is  me,  undone !  now  ween  I  indeed  632 

that  she  again  will  humble  me,  poor  wretch, 

by  evil  miseries,  as  she  did  before.' 

Then  the  maid  was  led  near  to  the  land-march, 
unto  the  place  where  the  hard-hearted  men,  636 

in  their  warlike  hate,  resolved  to  slay  her. 
Then  began  she  to  instruct  the  folk,  and  to  exhort  them 
from  sin  to  the  praise  of  God,  and  promised  them  comfort, 
the  way  to  glory,  and  spake  these  words: —  640 

'Remember  ye  the  Delight  of  warriors,  the  Glory  of  glories, 
the  Hope  of  the  holy,  the  heavenly  angels'  God. 
He  deserveth  that  mankind  should  praise  Him, 
and  all  the  angelic  race  in  the  skies  above,  644 

the  host  on  high,  where  help  abideth  for  him, 
to  all  eternity,  who  is  destined  to  possess  it. 
Wherefore,  dear  people,  I  would  fain  exhort  you, 
who  keep  His  laws,  that  ye  make  firm  648 

your  house,  lest  the  winds  o'erthrow  it     - 
with  sudden  blasts;  the  firmer  then  will  be  the  wall, 
stoutly  will  it  withstand  tempestuous  storms, 
thoughts  of  wickedness.     Do  ye,  with  love's  goodwill,  65a 

with  bright  belief,  firm  in  spirit, 
fix  your  foundation  on  the  living  Rock ; 
true  faith  and  peace  among  yourselves 

hold  ye  in  your  hearts,  and  the  holy  mysteries,  656 

with  the  soul's  full  purpose;  then  will  the  Almighty  Father 
grant  you  grace,  when  ye  have  greatest  need 
of  comfort  from  God  Omnipotent, 

after  your  afflictions.     Verily,  ye  yourselves  know  not  660 

your  exit  hence,  your  life's  ending; 
prudent  then  methinketh  it,  that  ye  watch 
'gainst  the  war-whoop  of  your  enemies, 
and  hold  ward,  lest,  fighting  'gainst  you,  664 


282 


V.      SAINT   JULIANA.       665-698. 


weges  forwyrnen     to  wuldres  byrig 

biddatS  beam  godes     Ipcet  me  brego  engla 

meotud  mon-cynnes     milde  geweorf>e 

sigora  sellend     sibb  sy  mid  eowic 

symle  sotS  lufu-     Da  hyre  sawl  wearS 

alseded  of  lice     to  J>am  langan  gefean 

}mrh  sweord-slege     J?a  se  syn-sca]?a 

to  scipe  sceoh-mod     sceafena  J>reate 

heliseus     eh-stream  sohte 

leolc  ofer  lagu-flod     longe  hwile 

on  swon-rade     swylt  ealle  fornom 

secga  hloJ>e     and  bine  sylfne  mid 

ser  J»on  hy  to  lande     geliden  hsefdon 

J>urh  J>earlic  ]?rea    J^aer  »xxx«  wees 

and  feowere  eac     feores  onsohte 

J?urh  wseges  wylm     wigena  cynnes 

beane  mid  hlaford     broJ>ra  bidseled 

hyhta  lease     belle  sObton 

ne  forftan  }>a  J>egnas  •     in  Jam  Systran  bam  • 

seo  geneat-scolu     in  J?am  neolan  scrsefe 

to  fam  frum-gare     feob-gestealda  • 

witedra  wenan     J>set  hy  in  win-sele 

ofer  beor-se[*]le     beagas  J»egon» 

sepplede  gold  .  ungelice  waes 

lseded  lof-songum     lie  baligre 

micle  msegne     to  mold-graefe  . 

]?ast  by  bit  gebrohton     burgum  in  innan 

sid  folc  mi  eel  •     J?aer  sit>(5an  wses 

geara  gongum     godes  lof  hafen 

)?rymme  micle     6\>  Jdsne  daeg 

mid  }>eodscipe    ,  Is  me  }>earf  micel  • 

*J>set  seo  balge  me     helpe  gefremme  [*  76  «.] 

Iponne  me  gedselatS     deorast  ealra 

sibbe  toslita'S     sin-biwan  tu 


668 


672 


676 


6S0 


684 


688 


692 


696 


685.  MS.  gestealde. 


687.  MS.  sele. 


698.  MS:  hiwan. 


V.      SAINT   JULIANA.  283 

they  hinder  your  way  unto  glory's  city. 

Pray  ye  the  Child  of  God,  that  the  Prince  of  angels, 

the  Lord  of  mankind,  the  Giver  of  victories, 

be  merciful  to  me.     Peace  be  with  you,  668 

true  love  for  ever!'    Then  was  her  soul 

led  from  her  body  unto  the  lasting  joy, 

through  stroke  of  sword.     Then  the  miscreant, 

affrighted,  took  to  ship ;  with  his  band  of  ruffians,  672 

Heliseus  sought  the  ocean-stream; 

long  tossed  he  o'er  the  water-flood, 

upon  the  swan-road.     Death  destroyed  them  all, 

his  band  of  men  and  himself  with  them,  676 

through  terrible  distress,  before  they 

had  sailed  unto  land.     There  were 

four  and  thirty  of  the  race  of  warriors 

bereft  of  life  through  the  wave's  rage,  680 

servants  together  with  their  lord;  comfortless, 

hopeless,  they  sought  hell. 

His  thanes,  his  retinue,  had  no  need  there, 

in  that  dark  home,  in  that  nether  cave,  684 

to  expect  from  their  chieftain  the  rich  possessions 

promised,  nor  (might  they  hope)  to  receive, 

in  the  guest-hall,  across  the  beer-bench, 

rings  and  golden  bosses!    How  differently  688 

was  the  holy  maiden's  corse  led  to  its  grave, 

with  songs  of  praise,  with  a  mighty  concourse! 

A  great  multitude  from  far  and  wide  brought  it 

within  the  city-boundaries.  Thereafter,  69a 

in  the  course  of  years,  God's  praise  was  there  exalted, 

with  glorious  pomp,  until  this  day, 

in  the  midst  of  folk.  Mjlreat  is  my  need, 

that  the  saint  afford  me  help,  696 

when  the  dearest  of  all  comrades  part  from  me, 

when  the  two  consorts  sever  their  kinship, 


284  V.      SAINT  JULIANA.       699-73 1. 

micle  mod-lufan     min  sceal  of  lice 

sawul  011  sitS-fset     nat  ic  sylfa  hwider  700 

eardes  uncy$J>u  .  of  sceal  i[c]  J>issum 

secan  oJ>erne     aer-gewyrhtum 

gongan  iu-daedum    geomor  hweorfeS- 

C  •  Y  •  and  •  N  •     cyning  bi}>  re}>e  704 

sigora  syllend     porme  synnum  fall 

E- .  W.  and  U-     acle  bidaS 

hwaet  him  aefter  daedum     deman  wille 

lifes  to  leane.     L«  F-  beofatS  708 

seomatS  sorg-cearig  f  sar  eal  gemon 

synna  wunde     pe  ic  sip  oppe  aer 

geworhte  in  worulde     pcet  ic  wopig  sceal 

tearum  msenan  ,  waes  an  tid  to  laet  712 

pcet  ic  yfel-daeda     aer  gescomede 

fenden  gaest  and  lie     geador  sij>edan 

onsund  on  earde     pemne  arna  bifearf 

J?aet  me  seo  halge     wiS  }>one  hyhstan  cyning  716 

gepiugige     mec  J>aes  fearf  monaJ> 

micel  modes  sorg     bidde  ic  monna  gehwone 

gumena .  cynnes     pe  J?is  gied  wraece 

pcet  he  mec  neodful     bi  noman  minum  720 

gemyne  modig     and  meotud  bidde 

pcet  me  heofona  helm     helpe  gefremme 

meahta  waldend     on  J>am  miclan  daege 

feeder  frofre  gaest     in  J>a  frecnan  tid  724 

daeda  demend     and  se  deora  sunu 

ponne  seo  J>rynis     frymra-sittende 

in  annesse     aelda  cynne 

Jmrh  fa  sciran  gesceaft     scrifetS  bi  gewyrhtum  728 

meorde  monna  gehwam     forgif  us  maegua  god 

pcet  we  J>ine  onsyne     aej>elinga  wyn 

milde  gemeten     on  J>a  maeran  tid : — Amen  :y 

70T.  i[c},  a  letter  erased  after  i. 


V.      SAINT  JULIANA.  285 

their  mighty  love,  and  my  soul  shall  journey 

forth  from  my  body,  I  know  not  whither,  700 

to  an  unknown  dwelling-place.     Hence  from  this  place, 

shall  I  seek  another,  according  to  my  former  works,  - 

my  deeds  of  old.     Sad  shall  depart 

C,  Y,  and  N;   the  King,  the  Giver  of  victory,  704 

shall  then  be  wroth,  when,  sin-stained, 

E,  W,  and  U,  trembling  shall  await 

what  He  will  adjudge  to  them  according  to  their  deeds, 

as  life's  reward ;    L,  F,  shall  quake,  708 

and  linger  sorrowful.     All  the  pain  shall  I  remember, 

the  wounds  of  sin,  which  I,  early  or  late, 

wrought  in  the  world ;   weeping,  shall  I  with  tears 

bewail  it.     I  was  too  slow  at  the  proper  time,  712 

in  feeling  shame  before,  for  my  evil  deeds, 

while  soul  and  body,  safe  in  their  dwelling-place, 

journeyed  together.     Help  shall  I  then  need, 

that  the  saint  should  intercede  for  me  716 

with  the  Sovran  King.     My  sorry  plight  presageth  this, 

my  soul's  great  grief.     I  pray  every  man 

of  human  kind,  who  may  recite  this  song, 

that  he  earnestly  and  fervently  remember  me,  720 

by  my  name,  and  pray  the  Creator, 

that  heavens'  Chief,  the  Lord  of  all  might, 

the  Father,  the  Spirit  of  Comfort,  the  Judge  of  deeds, 

and  the  dear  Son,  may  grant  me  help,  724 

on  that  mighty  day,  at  that  perilous  time, 

when  the  Trinity,  sitting  in  majesty, 

in  unity,  prescribeth  for  human  kind, 

throughout  the  bright  creation,  each  man's  reward,  728 

according  to  his  works.     Grant  thou  us,  God  of  hosts, 

that  we,  O  Joy  of  men,  may  find 

thy  countenance  benign  at  that  great  hour!     Amen. 


28C  VI.      THE   WANDERER.       I-29. 


[VI.   THE  WANDERER] 

OFT  him  anhaga     are  gebideS         [*  76  b.] 
metudes  miltse     J^eah  J>e  he  mod-cearig 
geond  lagu-lade     longe  sceolde 
hreran  mid  hondum     hrim-cealde  sse  4 

wadan  wra3C-lastas     wyrd  bi$  ful  araed  • 
Swa  cwsetS  eard-stapa     earfefa  gemyndig 
wraj>ra  wsel-sleahta     wine-ma3ga  hryre- 

Oft  ic  sceolde  ana     uhtna  gehwylce  8 

mine  ceare  cwi}>an     nis  nu  cwicra  nan 
J»e  ic  him  mod-sefan     minne  durre 
sweotule  asecgan     ic  to  soc5e  wat 

pcet  brS  in  eorle     indryhten  ]?eaw  12 

Ipstt  he  his  ferS-locan     fseste  binde- 
healdf e  his  hord-cofan     hycge  swa  he  wille  • 
Ne  mseg  werig-mod     wyrde  wi5-stondan 

ne  se  hreo  hyge     helpe  gefremman  •  1 6 

forfton  dom-georne     dreorigne  oft 
in  hyra  breost-cofan     bindaft  faeste.% 
swa  ic  mod-sefan     minne  sceolde. 

oft  earm-cearig     e<51e  bidseled  20 

freo-maegum  feor     feterum  sselan 
siJ>J>an  geara  iu     gold- wine  min[n]e 
hrusan  heolster  biwrah     and  ic  hean  Jxman 
wod  winter-cearig     ofer  waj»ema  gebind  •  24 

sohte  sele  dreorig     sinces  bryttan 
hwaar  ic  feor  oJ>J>e  neah     findan  meahte 
J>one  J?e  in  meodu-healle     min[W]e  wisse 

oJ>J?e  mec  freondleas[^]e     frefran  wolde  28 

wem'an  mid  wynnum .   wat  se  J?e  cunnaS 

5.  MS.  ared,  i.e.  arsed.         14.  MS.  healdne.         22.  MS.  mine.         23.  MS. 
heolstre.  24.  MS.  wa)>ena.  27.  MS.  mine.  28.  MS.  freondlease. 

29.  MS.  weman. 


VI.      THE    WANDERER.  287 


VI.     THE  WANDERER. 

'Oft  a  solitary  mortal  wisheth  for  grace, 
his  Maker's  mercy,  though  sick  at  heart 
he  must  long  traverse  the  watery  ways, 

with  his  hands  must  stir  the  rime-cold  sea,  4 

and  tread  the  paths  of  exile.     Fate  is  full  stubborn ! ' 

So  spake  a  wanderer,  mindful  of  miseries, 
of  hostile  slaughters,  of  dear  kinsmen's  fall: — 

1  Oft  must  I  alone  each  early  morn  8 

bewail  my  woes;    there  is  none  now  living 
to  whom  I  dare  openly  reveal 
mine  inmost  thoughts.     Verily  know  I, 

it  is  a  noble  virtue  in  a  man  12 

to  bind  fast  the  mind's  enclosure, 

to  guard  his  treasure-chamber,  whatever  he  may  think. 
A  weary  mind  cannot  resist  fate,    ' 

nor  can  a  sad  soul  afford  help:  16 

wherefore  they  who  yearn  for  glory  oft  bind  fast 
in  their  bosoms  a  troubled  heart. 
So  must  I  often  bind  in  fetters 

my  soul's  thoughts,  miserably  wretched,  20 

deprived  of  country,  far  from  my  noble  kin, 
since  the  day,  now  long  ago,  when  earth's  darkness 
covered  my  bounteous  friend,  and  I  went  abject  thence, 
stricken  with  winters,  over  the  frozen  waves ;  24 

sad  sought  I  the  hall  of  some  giver  of  treasure, 
some  place,  far  or  near,  where  one  I  might  find, 
who  in  the  mead-hall  would  show  me  love, 
would  comfort  mo  in  my  friendlessness,  28 

mid  cheer  me  with  delights.     He  knowoth  who  trietli, 


288  VI.      THE    WANDERER.       3O-63. 

hu  slij^en  biS     sorg  to  geferan 

J^am  \>q  him  lyt  hafaft     leofra  geholena 

wara8  hine  wraec-last     nales  wunden  gold  5a 

ferS-loca  freorig     *nalaes  foldan  bleed  •  [*  77  a. J 

gemon  he  sele-secgas     and  sinc-)?ege 

hu  hine  on  geoguSe     his  gold- wine 

wenede  to  wiste     wyn  eal  gedreas  •  36 

forjxm  wat  se  }>e  sceal     his  wine-dryhtnes 

leofes  lar-cwidum     longe  forJ?olian» 

Donne  sorg  and  sleep     somod  setgaedre 

earmne  anhogan     oft  gebindaS*  40 

JjincetS  him  on  mode     J>aet  he  his  mon-dryhten 

clyppe  and  cysse     and  on  cneo  lecge 

honda  and  heafod     swa  he  hwilum  aer 

in  gear-dagum     gief-stol^s  breac  •  44 

Donne  onwaecnetS  eft     wineleas  guma 

gesibS  him  biforan     fealwe  wegas 

banian  brim-fuglas     braedan  fefra 

hreosan  hrim  and  snaw     hagle  gemenged  •  48 

]>onne  beotJ  J>y  hefigran     heortan  benne 

sare  aefter  swaesne     sorg  bitS  geniwad 

]>onne  maga  gemynd     mod  geond-hweorfeS 

grete"5  gliw-stafum     georne  geond-sceawacS  52 

secga  geseldan     swimmatS  eft  on-weg 

fleotendra  fertS  •     no  J>aer  fela  bringeS 

cuSra  cwide-giedda     cearo  biS  geniwad 

J>am  pe  sendan  sceal     swif>e  geneahhe  56 

ofer  waj»ema  gebind     werigne  sefan. 

forJ>on  ic  gej>encan  ne  maeg     geond  }?as  woruld 

for  hwan  mod-sefat     min  ne  gesweorce 

]>onne  ic  eorla  lif    eal  geond-f>ence  60 

hu  hi  faerlice     flet  ofgeafon 

modge  magu-J?egnas     swa  f>es  middan-geard 

ealra  dogra  gehwam     dreoseS  and  feallej?  • 

44.  MS.  giefstolas.  53.  MS.  oft.  59.  MS.  modeefan  minne. 


VI.      THE    WAXDEREI*.  289 

how  dire  is  care  as  comrade 
to  him  who  has  few  trusty  friends. 

His  portion  is  the  exile's  track,  not  twisted  gold ;  32 

a  body  chilled  with  frost,  nought  of  earth's  bliss; 
he  remembers  the  retainers  and  the  receipt  of  treasure, 
how  in  his  youth  his  generous  lord 

regaled  him  at  the  feast ;  but  all  delight  has  fallen  away  !      36 
For  this  knows  he  who  must  long  forego 
the  wise  counsels  of  his  dear  lord  and  friend, 
that  often  when  sorrow  and  sleep,  both  together, 
hind  him,  poor  solitary  wretch,  40 

it  seems  to  him  in  fancy  as  though  he  clasps 
and  kisses  his  great  lord,  and  on  his  knee  lays 
hand  and  head,  e'en  as  when  erewhile, 

in  former  days,  he  shared  the  gift-stool's  bounty.  44 

Then  wakes  again  the  friendless  wight, 
sees  before  him  the  fallow  ways, 
sea-birds  bathing  and  spreading  their  wings, 
falling  hoar-frost  and  snow  mingled  with  hail.  48 

Then  the  wounds  of  his  heart  become  the  heavier, 
in   grief  for  the  loved  one;  hrs  sorrow  is  renewed, 
when  the  memory  of  kinsmen  passes  through  his  mind; 
he  greets  them  with  snatches  of  song,  he  scans  them  eagerly,   52 
comrades  of  heroes  :  soon  they  swim  away ; 
the  sailor-souls  do  not  bring  thither 
many  old  familiar  songs ;  his  grief  is  renewed, 
who  must  too  often  send  forth  56 

his  weary  spirit  o'er  the  frozen  waves. 
Verily  I  cannot  imagine,  as  I  survey  this  world, 
why  my  mind  should  not  be  saddened, 

when  I  fully  consider  the  life  of  earl.-.  60 

how   tliey  have   suddenly  resigned   their   bftUf, 
brave-hearted  fellows!     So  day  by  day 
tIiU  middie-earth  declines  and  falls, 

(       u 


290  VI.      THE    WANDERER.       64-95. 

forfon  ne  mseg  weorf>an  wis     wer  eer  he  age  64 

wintra  doel  in  woruld-rice     *  wita  sceal  gepyldig*      [*  77  6.] 
Ne  sceal  no  to  hat-heort     ne  to  hrsed-wyrde  • 
ne  to  wac  wiga    ne  to  wanhydig- 

ne  to  forht  •  ne  to  fsegen  •     ne  to   feoh-gifre  •  68 

ne  nsefre  gielpes  to  georn     ser  he  geare  cunne  • 
beorn  sceal  gebidan     poime  he  beot  spricetS 
offset  collen-fercS     cunne  gearwe 

hwider  hrefra  gehygd     hweorfan  wille  •  72 

Ongietan  sceal  gleaw  hsele     hu  gsestlic  bi(5 
fonne  eallt  pisse  worulde  wela     weste  stondecS  • 
swa  nu  missenlice     geond  fisne  middan-geard 
winde  biwawne     weallas  stondap  76 

hrime  bihrorene     hrySge  pa  ederas 
woria(5  fa  win-sal  0     waldend  licgacS 
dreame  bidrorene     dugup  eal  gecrong 

wlonc  bi  wealle     sume  wig  fornom  80 

ferede  in  forS-wege     sumne  fugel  opbser 
ofer  heanne  holm     sumne  se  hara  wulf 
deafte  gedselde     sumne  dreorig-hleor 

in  eorS-scraefe     eorl  gehydde  84 

ypde  swa  pisne  eard-geard     eelda  scyppend 
offset  burg-wara     breahtma  lease 
eald  enta  geweorc     idlu  stodon 

Se  Iponne  pisne  weal-steal     wise  gepohte  88 

and  J>is  deorfce  lif    deope  geond-pencecS 
frod  in  fertSe     feor  oft  gemon 
wsel-sleahta  worn     and  fas  word  acwitS  • 

hwser  cwom  mearg  •    hweer  cwom  mago  •    hwser  cwom  mappum- 
gyfa  •  92 

hwser  cwom  symbla  gesetu  •     hwser  sindon  sele-dreamas  • 
Eala  beorht  bune  •     Eala  byrn-wiga  • 
Eala  peodnes  prym     hu  seo  prag  gewat 

64.  MS.  wear]>an.  69.  An  erasure  of  tivo  letters  in  MS.  after  georn. 

74.  MS.  ealle.         76.  MS.  biwaune.         78.  MS.  woniaS  ;  an  erasure  after  w. 
89.  MS.  deornce. 


VI.       THE    WANDEBEK.  291 

for  mortal  cannot  grow  wise  until  he  gain  64 

his  years'  portion  in  the  world.    A  wise  man  must  be  patient ; 

he  must  not  be  too  passionate,  not  too  hasty  of  speech, 

not  too  timid  a  warrior,  neither  too  rash, 

not  too  afeared,  nor  too  exultant,  nor  too  greedy  of  money,    68 

never  too  ready  to  boast  ere  he  know  full  well. 

A  man  must  pause  when  he  utters  a  boast, 

until,  for  all  his  magnanimity,  he  really  know 

whither  his  heart's  meditation  will  tend.  72 

A  wise  man  must  grasp  how  ghastly  it  will  be, 

when  all  the  wealth  of  this  world  stands  waste, 

even  as  now  throughout  this  middle-earth 

many  a  wall  stands  wind-beaten,  76 

covered  with  rime,  the  hedges  uprooted. 

The  guest-halls  crumble;   the  masters  lie 

bereft  of  joy ;  the  warrior-band  has  all  fallen, 

once  so  stately  at  the  rampart;  war  seized  some  80 

and  carried  them  on  their  way  hence;  one  a  bird  bore  off 

over  the  deep  sea;  another  the  grey  wolf 

apportioned  unto  death ;  a  third  a  sad-faced  lord 

imprisoned  within  an  earth-cave.  84 

Thus  did  the  Creator  of  men  lay  waste  this  abode, 

until,  deprived  of  the  noise  of  its  inhabitants, 

the  ancient  buildings  of  the  giants  stood  empty. 

Wherefore  he  who  reflects  well^  with  wise  contemplation,         88 

on  this  walled   ]>lnce  and  this  dark  life, 

icious  of  spirit,  oft  calls  back  to  mind 
many  a  fatal  fight,  and  breaks  forth  in  these  words: — 
'Where  is  gone  the  horse?     where  is   gone  the  hero?    where  is 
gone  the  giver  of  treasure?  92 

Where  are  gone  the  seats  of  the  feast  ?  Where  are  the  joys  of  the  hall  ? 
Ah,  thou  bright  cup  I    Ah,  thou  mailed  warrior! 
Ah    the  prince's  pride!    how  has  the  time  passed  away, 


292  VII.       THE   ENDOWMENTS   OF   MEN.       I-TO. 

genap  under  niht-helm     swa  heo  no  wsere  •      ^  96 

StondetS  nu  on  laste     leofre  duguf>e       y*£r 

weal  *  wundrum  heah     wyrm-licum  fah  •         [*  78  a.] 

Eorlas  fornoman     asca  J>ryJ>e 

wsepen  wsel-gifru     wyrd  seo  maere  100 

and  J?as  stan-hleofu  stormas  cnyssaS 

hritS  hreosende     hrusan  bindetS 

wintres  woma     Iponnk  won  cyme's 

nipetS  niht-scua     nor])an  onsendetS  104 

hreo  hsegl-fare     haelej>um  on  andan  • 

Eall  is  earfoolic     eorfan  rice 

onwendeS  wyrda  gesceaft     weoruld  under  heofonura  • 

her  bitS  feoh  lsene  •     her  bitS  freond  lsene  •  108 

her  bi§  mon  lsene  •     her  biS  mseg  lsene 

eal  J>is  eor)?an  gesteal     idel  weor^etS  • 

Swa  cwseft  snottor  on  mode     gesset  him  sundor  set  rune 

til  bij»  se   J»e  his  treowe    gehealdej)      ne    sceal    nsefre    his    torn 

to  rycene  112 

beorn  of  his  breostum  acyj»an     nemf>e  he  ser  }>a  bote  cunne 
eorl  mid  elne  gefremman     wel  bitS  )?am  J?e  him  are  secetS 
frofre     to    feeder     on    heofonwra       J>eer    us    eal    seo    fsestnung 

stondetS : — :j 

[VII.    THE  ENDOWMENTS  OF  MEN.] 

FELA  BitS  on  FOLDan  •     fortS-gesynra 
geongra  geofona     ]?a  J>a  gsest-berend 
wegatS  in  gewitte     swa  her  weoruda  god 
meotud  meahtum  swift     monnum  d  letS  4 

syletS  sundor-giefe  sendecS  wide 
agne  spede  J>ara  seghwylc  mot 
dryht-wuniendra     dael  onfon 

ne  biS  *senig  J>ses     earfotS-saelig         [*78  b.]  8 

mon  on  moldan     ne  J>ses  med-spedig 
lytel-hydig     ne  J>ses  lset-hydig 

102.  MS.  hruee.  115.   Two-line  space  behveen  the  sections. 


VII.      THE    ENDOWMENTS    OF   MEN.  293 

has  darkened  'neath  the  veil  of  night,  as  if  it  had  not  been  !        96 

Where  once  loved  warriors  trod,  now  stands 

a  wondrous  high  wall,  glistening  with  worm-shapes; 

the  might  of  the  spears,  slaughter-loving  weapons, 

has  swept  off  the  nobles, — theirs  was  a  glorious  fate, —  100 

but  storms  lash  the  rocky  slopes, 

and  falling  snow-drift  binds  the  earth, 

all  winter's  terror,  when  night's  wan  shadow 

coms^darkling,  and  summons  from  the  north  104 

fierce  hail-storms,  to  the  grievance  of  men. 

All  the  realm  of  earth  is  full  of  hardships ; 

fate's  decree  changes  the  world  beneath  the  heavens. 

Here  wealth  passes  away,  here  friend  passes  away,  108 

here  man  passes  away,  here  woman  passes  away, 

all  this  earth's  structure  becomes  empty.' 

So  spake  the  wise  of  heart;  he  sat  apart  in  thought. 
Worthy  is  he  who  keeps  his  faith;  a  man  must  never  too  rashly  11a 
divulge  his  bosom's  grief,  unless  he  know  beforehand 
bravely  to  find  its  cure.     Well  is  it  with  him  who  seeks  grace, 
solace  of  the  Father  in  Heaven,  with  whom  resteth 
all  our  security ! 

VII.     THE  ENDOWMENTS  OF  MEN. 

Many  arc  the  new  gifts  ever  visible 
on  earth,  which  men,  soul-endowed, 
bear  in  their  minds,  e'en  as  here  the  God  of  hosts, 
the  Lord  strong  in  might,  dealeth  and  distributrth  4 

His  several  gifts  to  mortals,  and  sendeth  tin  in, 
l»v   His  own   power,  far  and  wide,  and  every  dwell*  r  among  folk 
may  receive  his  share  thereof. 

is  not  any  man  on  earth  8 

so  unblessed,  nor  so  meanly  endow  el, 
bo  weak  of  intellect,  nor  so  sluggish  of  thought, 


294  VII.      THE   ENDOWMENTS    OF    MEN.       I  I-45. 

pcet  hine  se  ar-gifa     ealles  biscyrge  • 

modes  crsefta     oJ>J>e  msegen-dseda  12 

wis  on  gewitte     olppe  on  word-cwidum 

J>y  lses  ormod  sy     ealra  Jnnga 

j?ara  j?e  he  geworhte     in  woruld-life 

geofona  gehwylcre     naefre  god  demeS  16 

\>cet  senig  eft     fees  earm  geweorSe  • 

nsenig  eft  J?ses  swi}?e     J>urh  snyttru-crseft 

in  }>eode  J>rym     fisses  lifes 

for<5  gestigeS     pset  him  folca  weard  20 

J>urh  his  halige  giefe     hider  onsende 

wise  geJ>ohtas     and  woruld-crseftas 

under  anes  meant     ealle  forlsete 

J>y  lses  he  for  wlence     wuldor-geofona  ful*  24 

mon  mode  switS     of  gemete  hweorfe 

and  Ipomie  forhycge     hean-spedigran  . 

ac  he  gedseletS     se  ]>e  ah  domes  geweald 

missenlice     geond  J>isne  middan-geard  28 

leoda  leoJ>o-crseftas     lond-buendum  . 

sum[wm]  her  ofer  eor]?an     sehta  onlih'S 

woruld-gestreona     sum  bitS  won-spedig 

heard-sselig  hsele     bi$  hwse^re  gleaw  32 

modes  crsefta     sum  meegen-strengo 

furJ>or  onfehtS-     sum  freolic  bi(5 

wlitig  on  wsestmum  •     sum  bi)?  wotS-bora 

giedda  giffsest  •     sum  bij>  gearu-wyrdig  •  36 

sum  biS  on  hunto)?e     hrecS-eadigra 

deora  drsefend*     sum  dyre  bitS 

woruld-ricum  men  •     sum  bi5  wiges  heard 

beado-crseftig  beorn     )?ser  bord  *stunat5-         [*79a.]  40 

sum  in  mseSle  mseg     mod-snottera 

folc-rsedenne     forS  gehycgan 

j?ser  witena  bij?     worn  setsomne 

sum  mseg  wrsetliee     weorc  ahyggan  44 

heah-timbra  gehwses     hond  blS  gelaered 

30.  MS.  sum. 


VII.       THE    ENDOWMENTS    OE    MEN.  295 

that  the  Giver  of  Grace  would  cut  him  wholly  off 

from  crafts  of  mind  or  strenuous  deed*,  12 

though  feeble  of  wit  or  weak  in  utterance, 

lest  he  despair  of  everything 

which  He  hath  wrought,  of  every  gift, 

during  his  life  on  earth;  God  never  decreeth  16 

that  any  man   should  become  so  abject. 

Nor  again  shall  any  man  so  greatly  advance 

among  folk  the  fame  of  his  life  here, 

through  power  of  wisdom,  that  the  Guardian  of  men,  20 

through  His  holy  grace,  will  send  unto  him  hither, 

and  leave  'neath  his  sole  dominion, 

all  wise  thoughts  and  all  worldly  crafts, 

lest  he,  for  pride,  full  of  glorious  gifts,  24 

arrogantly  turn  from  moderation, 

and  despise  the  more  humbly  endowed; 

but  He  who  possesseth  the  power  of  doom, 

distributeth  diversely  o'er  this  mid-earth  ?8 

human  faculties  unto  the  world's  inhabitants. 

To  one  he  granteth  possessions  here  on  earth, 

worldly  treasures.     One  is  hapless, 

a  luckless  wight,  yet  is  he  skilled  3a 

in  crafts  of  the  mind.     One  receiveth  in  greater  measure 

bodily  strength.     One  is  comely, 

beauteous  of  form.     One  is  a  poet, 

gifted  with  song.     One  is  eloquent.  36 

One  goeth  a-hunting,  a  pursuer 

<>f  P  rocious  beasts.     One  is  dear 

to  the  man  of  worldly  power.     One  is  stout-hearted  in  battle, 

a  martial  hero,  when  the  shields  clash.  40 

One  in  the  council  of  sagacious  men 

may  deliberate  on  a  nation's  law, 

when    in,  11  v  sages  meet  together. 

One  cunningly  mny  <l<vise  the  plea  44 

of  any  lofty  structure:  his  hand  is  leaned, 


296  VII.      THE    ENDOWMENTS   OF    MEN.      46-80. 

wis  and  gewealden     swa  biS  wyrhtaii  ryht 

sele  asettan     con  he  sidne  reeced 

faeste  gefegan     wij?  faer-dryrum-  48 

sum  mid  hondum  maeg     hearpan  gretan 

ah  he  gleo-bearnes     gearo-brygda  list* 

sum  bitS  rynig     sum  ryht-scytte  • 

sum  leotSa  gleaw  •     sum  on  londe  snel  5  2 

fej>e-spedig     sum  fealone  waeg 

stefnan  steoretS     stream-rade  con 

weorudes  wisa     ofer  widne  holm  • 

]>onne  sae-rofe     snelle  maegne  56 

arum  bregdatS     y<5-borde  neah  • 

sum  bitS  syndig    sum  searo-crseftig 

goldes  and  gimina     Iponne  him  gumena  weard 

hateS  him  to  maerfmm     maj)|mm  renian  •  60 

sum  maeg  waepen-fraece     wige  to  nytte 

mod-craeftig  smitS     monige  gefremman 

J>onne  he  gewyrceft     to  wera  hilde 

helm  o]>]>e  hup-seax     otStSe  heajm-byrnan  64 

scirne  mece     otStSe  scyldes  rond 

fasste  gefegan     witS  flyge  gares* 

sum  bitS  arfsest     and  aelmes-georn 

£>eawum  gej>yde  •     sum  bi$  J>egn  gehweorf  68 

on  meodu-healle  •     sum  bitS  meares  gleaw 

wic-craefta  wis*     sum  gewealden-mod 

J?afatS  in  ge)?ylde     \<xi  he  fonne  sceal  • 

sum  domas  con     £>aer  dryht-guman  72 

rsed  eahtiatS  •     sum  bitS  hraed-taefle  ■ 

*sum  bi(S  gewittig     set  win-J>ege         [*  79  6.] 

beor-hyrde  god  •     sum  bi(5  bylda  til 

ham  to  hebbanne  •     stun  bitS  here-toga  76 

fyrd-wisa  from  •     sum  bij>  folc-wita  • 

sum  bif>  aet  J>earf[e]     frist-hydigra 

J?egn  mid  his  J>eodne  •     sum  gej^yld  hafacS 

fsest-gongel  feitS-     sum  bi5  fugel-bona  80 

76.  MS.  habbenne.  78.  MS.  J>earf. 


VII.      THE   ENDOWMENTS    OF    MEN.  297 

wise  and  powerful,  as  befitteth  a  craftsman, 

in  the  fixing  of  a  hall :    he  can  firmly  frame 

the  spacious  dwelling  'gainst  sudden  fall.  48 

One  with  his  hands  can  greet  the  harp : 

he  hath  skill  in  the  glee-beam's  prompt  pulsations. 

One  is  a  runner ;    one  a  sure  archer ; 

one  skilled  in  songs;   one  is  swift  on  land,  52 

speedy  of  foot.     One  o'er  the  dusky  wave 

steereth  the  prow;    the  stream-road  knoweth  he, 

guider  of  a  host  o'er  the  wide  deep, 

when  bold  seamen,  quick  of  strength,  56 

tug  at  their  oars  near  the  vessel's  side. 

One  is  a  great  swimmer.     One  is  cunning 

in  gold  and  gems,  whensoever  a  prince  of  men 

biddeth  him  prepare  a  jewel  for  his  adornment.  60 

One,  a  skilful  smith,  is  able  to  prepare 

many  a  weapon-terror  for  use  in  war, 

when  he  maketh,  for  men's  strife, 

helmet,  or  dagger,  or  martial  burnie,  64 

falchion  bright,  or  shield's  disk, 

joining  it  firmly  'gainst  the  javelin's  flight. 

One  is  pious,  diligent  in  alms, 

virtuously  good.     One  is  a  well-known  thane  68 

in  the  mead-hall.     One  is  skilled  in  managing  the  steed, 

wise  in  all  horse-craft.     One,  self-controlled, 

suffereth  in  patience  whatsoever  he  must. 

One  understandeth  the  laws,  when  people  73 

seek  counsel.     One  is  expert  at  dice. 

One  is  witty  at  wine-bibbing, 

a  good  beer-keeper.     One  is  a  builder, 

good  at  raising  a  house.     One  is  a  general,  76 

a  bold  leader  of  the  host.     One  is  a  senator. 

One  is  at  the  service  of  bold-hearted  men, 

a  thane  accompanying  his  lord.     One  hath  patience, 

a  constant  soul.     One  is  a  fowler,  80 


298  VII.      THE    ENDOWMENTS   OF   MEN.       8 1 -II 3. 

hafeces  crseftig  •     sum  biS  to  horse  hwset  • 

sum  bi<5  swiS-snel     hafaS  searolic  gomen 

gleo-dseda  gife     for  gum-]?egnum 

leolit  and  leo)m-wac     sum  bitS  leofwende  84 

hafaS  mod  and  word     raonnum  gefnvaere  • 

sum  her  geornlice     geestes  }?earfe 

mode  bewinde]?     and  him  metudes  est 

ofer  eorS-welan     ealne  geceoseS  •  88 

sum  bitS  deor-mod     deofles  gewinnes 

bitS  a  wicS  firenum     in  gefeoht  gearo* 

sum  crseft  hafatS     circ-nytta  fela 

mseg  on  lof-songum     lifes  waldend  92 

hlude  hergan     hafacS  healice 

beorhte  stefne  •     sum  bi(5  boca  gleaw 

larum  leoj^u-fsest  •     sum  bij?  list-hendig 

to  awritanne     word-geryno*  96 

nis  nu  ofer  eor]mn     senig  monna 

mode  J^ses  crseftig     ne  jpses  mgegen-eacen 

£>8et  hi[ra]  sefre  anum     ealle  weorf>en 

gegearwade     }?y  laas  him  gilp  scecSSe  100 

olppe  fore  J>sere  mserlpe     mod  astige 

gif  he  hafa)>  ana     ofer  ealle  men 

wlite  and  wisdom     and  weorca  blsed 

ac  he  missenlice     monna  cynne  104 

gielpes  styreS     and  his  giefe  bryttatS- 

sumfum  on  cystum  •     sumum  on  crseftum  • 

Bumuw  on  wlite  •     sumum  on  wige  • 

sumum  he  syleS  monna     *milde  heortan         [*80a.]  108 

J>eaw-fa3stne    geJ?oht  •     sum  bij>  J?eodne  hold  . 

swa  weorftlice     wide  to-sawe(5 

dryhten  his  duguj^e.   a  J>8es  dom  age 

leoht-bsere  lof    se  us  }?is  lif  giefetS  112 

arid  his  milde  mod     monnum  cype^iy 

87.    MS,   eft.  95.    leo)>u,    erasure  of  one   letter   beticeen  o   and    \>. 

99.  MS.  hi.  106.  MS.  Bummum  on  cystum.  in.  MS.  J>§3,  i.e.  \>ves. 

113.  cy])eS,  the  only  word  on  the  blank  line  between  the  sections. 


VII.      THE    ENDOWMENTS    OF    MEN.  299 

skilful  with  the  hawk.     One  is  bold  on  horseback. 

One  is  very  agile ;  he  hath  cunning  tricks, 

the  gift  of  merry  pranks  before  the  multitude; 

he  is  light,  and  lithe  of  limb.     One  is  lovable ;  84 

he  hath  mind  and  words  agreeable  to  men. 

One  diligently  wrappeth  here  in  his  heart 

his  spirit's  need,  and  chooseth  his  Maker's  grace 

before  all  the  wealth  of  the  world.  88 

One  is  fond  of  warfare  with  the  devil ; 

he  is  ever  ready  to  fight  'gainst  iniquity. 

One  hath  skill  in  many  functions  of  the  church  ; 

he  can  loudly  glorify  with  songs  of  praise  92 

the  Lord  of  life;    he  hath  in  rich  degree 

a  clear-resounding  voice.     One  is  skilled  in  books, 

devoted  to  learning.     One  is  cunning  of  hand 

in  writing  down  the  mysteries  of  words.  96 

There  is  not  now  on  earth  any  man 

so  mighty  of  soul,  nor  so  powerfully  endowed, 

that  to  him  alone  all  gifts  should  be 

assigned,  lest  arrogance  should  injure  him,  100 

or,  for  that  greatness,  his  pride  should  rise, 

if  he  singularly,  beyond  all  other  men, 

hath  beauty,  and  wisdom,  and  the  glory  of  works; 

but  He  variously  correcteth  the  pride  104 

of  human  kind;  variously  distributeth  His  gifts; 

to  one  virtues,  to  another  crafts, 

to  another  beauty,  to  another  warfare; 

to  one  man  He  giveth  a  tender  heart,  108 

a  well-ordered  mind  :    one  is  faithful  to  his  lord 

Thus  excellently  the  Lord  soweth  far  and  wide 

His  bounty.     Wherefore  may  He  aye  have  glory, 

i<  splendent  praise,  who  giveth  us  life,  112 

and  rcvealeth  unto  men  His  gentle  spirit  I 


300  VIII.    a  father's  instruction,     i -3 1, 


[VIII.    A  FATHER'S  INSTRUCTION.] 

DVS  frod  feeder     freo-bearn  lserde 
mod-snottor  [mow]     maga-cystum  eald 
wordura  wis-fsestum     ])cet  he  wel  funge  • 
Do  a  fsette  duge     deag  Jrin  gewyrhtu  4 

god  pe  h\p  symle     goda  gehwylces 
frea  and  fultum     feond  psan  ofrum 
wyrsan  gewyrhta     wene  pec  J>y  betran 

efn  elne  J?is     a  fenden  pxx  lifge  8 

feeder  and  modor     freo  Ipu  mid  heortan 
maga  gehwylcne     gif  him  sy  meotud  on  lufan  • 
wes  Ipu  ]?inum  yldrum     arfsest  symle 

fseger-wyrde     and  pe  in  fercSe  lset  u 

fine  lareowas     leofe  in  mode 
fa  fee  geornast     to  gode  trymmen* 
feeder  eft  his  sunu     frod  gegrette 

of  re  sif  e     heald  elne  f  is  •  16 

ne  freme  firene     ne  neefre  freonde  f  inum 
meege  man  ne  gefafa     fy  lees  fee  meotud  oncunne 
feet  f  u  sy  wommes  gewita     he  f  e  mid  wite  gieldecS 
swylce  f  am  of  rum     mid  ead-welan  •  20 

Driddan  syfe  f  onc-snottor  guma 
breost-gehygdum  his  beam  laerde 
Ne  gewuna  wyrsa    widan  feore 

sengum  eahta     ac  f  u  pe  anne  genim  24 

to  gesprecan  symle     spella  and  lara 
reed-hycgende     sy  ymb  rice  swa  hit  msege  • 
feorfan  sife     feeder  eft  leerde 

mod-leofne  magan     "past  he  gemunde  *fis*  [*80  b.~\         2S 

ne  aswic  sundor-wine     ac  a  symle  geheald 
ryhtum  gerisnum  •     reefn  elne  fis 
fast  fu  naefre  faecne  weortS[e]    freonde  finum- 

2.  [Mon]  conjectural.  31.  MS.  weorS. 


VIII.     A  father's  instruction.  301 


VIII.    A  FATHER'S  INSTRUCTION. 

Thus  an  experienced  father,  wise  of  heart, 
old  in  manly  virtues,  taught  his  dear  son, 
with  sagacious  words,  that  he  might  grow  up  goodly  :— 

1  Do  always  what  is  worthy ;    if  thy  works  be  worthy,  4 

God  will  ever  be  thy  patron  and  support 
in  each  good  thing,  but  a  foe  unto  any  other 
worse  of  works.     Accustom  thyself  to  the  better ! 
Practise  this  zealously  as  long  as  ever  thou  livest !  8 

Father  and  mother  love  thou  with  all  thy  heart, 
and  each  of  thy  kindred,  if  the  Lord  be  held  in  love  by  them. 
Be  thou  to  thy  parents  ever  dutiful, 

fair  of  speech,  and  let  thy  teachers  12 

be  dear  to  thee  in  thy  heart  and  soul, 
who  most  diligently  confirm  thee  in  goodness.' 

The  wise  father  addressed  his  son  again, 
a  second  time: — 'Observe  steadfastly  this:  16 

neither  do  thou  commit  evil,  nor  approve  thou  ever 
wickedness   in  thy  friend   or   kinsman,   lest   the    Creator  accuse 

thee, 
that  thou  art  accessory  to  the  crime  :  He  will  requite  thee  with 

punishment, 
as  He  rewardeth  the  others  with  joyous  bliss/  20 

A  third  time  the  man,  so  wise  of  thought, 
instructed  his  child  with  his  bosom's  thoughts  :— 
'Associate  not,  throughout  life,  with  anyone 
of  worse  counsels,  but  take  to  thyself  always  24 

as  thy  counsellor  one  prudent  in  discourse 
and  in  doctrine ;    as  regards  his  power,  be  it  as  it  may.' 

A  fourth  time  the  father  again  instructed 
his  beloved  child,  that  lie  should  remember  this: —  28 

'Deceive  not  thy  familiar  friend,  but  always  protect  bin 
li-lit   fittingly!    Strive  zealously  for  this, 
that  thou  be  never  treacherous  to  thy  friend  ! ' 


302  vm.     a  father's  instruction.     32-65. 

fiftan  si)?e     feeder  eft  ongon  32 

breost-gejxmcum     his  beam  laeran 

druncen  beorg  J>e     and  dollic  word 

man  on  mode     and  in  mufe  lyge 

yrre  and  sefeste     and  idese  lufan  36 

forSon  sceal  sewisc-mod     oft  simian 

se  J>e  gewiteS    in  wifes  lufan 

fremdre  meowlan     J?ser  bitS  a  firena  wen 

latSlicre  scome     long  niS  wicS  god  40 

geotende  gielp     wes  J?u  a  giedda  wis  • 

waer  wiS  willan     worda  hyrde  • 

siextan  sif>e     swass  eft  ongon 

Jrnrh  blitme  gefoht     his  beam  lseran  44 

ongiet  georne     hwset  sy  god  olplpe  yfel 

and  toscead  simle     scearpe  mode 

in  sefan  j>inum     and  )>e  a  }?8et  selle  geceos  • 

a  J>e  bi5  gedaeled     gif  J>e  deah  hyge  48 

wunaS  wisdom  in     and  j?us  wast  geare 

andgit  yfles     heald  Ipe  elne  wi(5 

feorma  J?u  symle     in  £inum  ferSe  god  • 

seofeJ>an  si$e     his  sunu  lserde  52 

feeder  frod  guma     ssegde  fela  geo[w]gum  • 

seldan  snottor  guma     sorg-leas  blissatS 

swylce  dol  seldon     drymecS  sorg-ful- 

ymb  his  forS-gesceaft     nefne  he  fa?hj>e  wite  •  56 

wser-wyrde  sceal     wisfaest  hsele 

breostum  hycgan     nales  breahtme  hlud  • 

eahtoJ>an  silpe     eald  feeder  ongon 

his  mago  monian     mildum  wordum  60 

leorna  lare     lser-gedefe 

wene  J»ec  in  wisdom     weoruda  scyppend 

hafa  Ipe  to  hyhte     haligra  gemynd 

and  a  sotS  to  syge     Iponne  *  J>u  secge  hwaet-  [*S1  a.]     64 

nigej>an  sij>e    nsegde  se  gomola 

37.  MS.  forSon,  Son  above  the  line.  53.  MS.  geogum. 


viii.     a  father's  instruction.  303 

A  fifth  time  the  father  then  began  32 

with  his  breast's  thoughts  to  teach  his  child  : — 
'  Guard  thyself  from  drunkenness  and  foolish  words, 
from  evil  in  thy  heart,  and  from  lying  in  thy  mouth, 
from  anger  and  envy,  and  from  woman's  love;  36 

for  he  must  often  wander  forth  abased  in  miud, 
who  yieldeth  to  the  love  of  woman, 

to  a  strange  damsel's  love  ;  thence  is  always  expectation  of  sin, 
and  loathly  shame,  long  enmity  with  God,  40 

excessive  vaunt.     Be  thou  ever  wise  of  speech, 
wary  'gainst  lust,  a  guardian  of  thy  words  ! ' 

A  sixth  time  the  dear  father  again  began, 
through  kind  thought,  to  teach  his  son  : —  44 

1  Distinguish  carefully  what  is  good  or  evil, 
and  separate  them  ever,  with  clear  discernment, 
in  thy  mind,  and  aye  choose  for  thyself  the  better  thing : 
it  shall  aye  be  allotted  thee.    If  thy  spirit  be  good,  48 

if  wisdom  dwell  therein,  and  thus  thou  knowest  well 
the  sense  of  evil,  withstand  it  boldly! 
Cherish  thou  constantly  goodness  in  thy  soul  ! ' 

A  seventh  time  the  father,  the  wise  man,  52 

instructed  his  son;    much  said  he  to  the  youth:  — 
1  Seldom  is  a  wise  man's  rejoicing  free  from  care ; 
e'en  as  seldom  is  a  fool's  revelry  troubled  with  care 
concerning  the  future,  unless  he  experience  adversity.  56 

Cautious  of  speech,  a  prudent  mortal 
must  ponder  in  his  breast,  not  loud  with  noise.' 

An  eighth  time  the  old  father  began 
to  admonish  thus  his  son  in  kindly  words :—  60 

'Learn  thou  such  lore,  as  is  fitting  to  be  learnt; 
accustom  thyself  to  wisdom;   the  Creator  of  hosts 
have  thou  as  thy  hope,  and  the  memory  of  saints ; 
and  truth  ever  be  thy  triumph,  when  thou  aught  sayest.'        64 

A  ninth  time  spake  the  aged  mm. 


304  vin.    a  father's  instruction.    66-94. 

eald  uS-wita     ssegde  eaforan  worn 

nis.  nu  fela  folca     pcette  fyrn-gewritu 

healdan  wille     ac  him  hyge  brosnatS  68 

ellen  cola's     idla<5  J>eod-scype 

ne  habbaS  wiht  for  pcet     )?eah  hi  worn  don 

ofer  meotudes  bibod     monig  sceal  ongieldan 

sawel-susles     ac  Iset  )?inne  sefan  healdan  72 

fortS  fyrn-gewritu     and  frean  domas 

Ipa  J?e  her  on  msegcSe  gehweere     men  forlaeta]? 

swiJ>or  asigan     Iponne  him  sy  sylfum  ryht  • 

Teofan  si]?e     torn-sorgna  ful  76 

eald  eft  ongon     eaforan  Iseran 

snyttra  bruce)?     ]?e  fore  sawle  lufan 

WarnatS  him  wommas     worda  and  da?da 

on  sefan  symle      and  so))  freme<5  80 

biS  him  geofona  gehwylc     gode  geyced 

meahtum  spedig  •     ])onne  he  mdn  flyhtS 

yrre  ne  last  J>e     sefre  gewealdan 

heah  in  hre]?re     heoro-worda  grand  84 

wylme  bismitan     ac  him  warna(5  \at 

on  geheorfcum  hyge     haele  sceal  wisfaest 

and  gemetlice     modes  snottor 

gleaw  in  gehygdum     georn  wisdomes  88 

swa  he  witS  selda  maeg     eades  hleotan  • 

ne  beo  J>u  no  to  tselende     ne  to  tweo-spraece 

ne  J»e  on  mode  lset     men  to  fraco)>e 

ac  beo  leofwende     leoht  on  gehygdum  92 

ber  breost-cofan     swa  J>u  min  beam  gemyne 

frode  feeder  lare     and  J>ec  a  witS  firenum  geheald  : — :j 

73.  M S.  fyrn  forff  gewritu.  83.  MS.  m<5n. 


VIII.     a  father's  instruction.  305 

the  ancient  sage ;    said  he  many  things  unto  his  offspring : — 

'  There  are  not  now  many  folk,  who  fain  observe 
the  writings  of  old,   but  their  minds  grow  corrupt,  68 

their  ardour  cooleth,  discipline  cometh  to  nought ; 
they  reck  not  thereof  a  whit,  though  they  commit  guilt 
against  the  Lord's  command;  many  a  one  shall  pay 
with    their    soul's    torment ;    but    do    thou    let    thy   heart    ever 
observe  72 

the  writings  of  old,  and  the  Lord's  decrees, 
which  here,  in  every  tribe,  men  suffer 
to  decline,  more  than  is  right  for  them. 

A  tenth  time,  full  of  grievous  cares,  76 

the  old  man  again  began  to  teach  his  son : — 
•  He  useth  wisdom,  who,  for  his  soul's  sake, 
guardeth  himself  in  his  heart  ever 

from  sins  of  word  and  deed,  and  promoteth  truth  j  80 

to  him  each  gift  shall  be  in-creased  by  God, 
he  shall  abound  in  might,  when  he  fleeth  from  vice. 
Let  not  anger,  the  abyss  of  fierce  words, 

surging  within  thy  breast,  ever  overpower  thee,  84 

defile  thee  with  its  welling  waves ;  but  a  man  must  guard  himself 

therefrom 
in  his  courageous  soul,  if  he  be  wise 
and  temperate,  of  mind  sagacious, 

prudent  in  thoughts,  and  desirous  of  wisdom :  88 

so  may  he  gain  happiness  throughout  the  ages. 
Be  not  too  prone  to  blame,  nor  too  equivocal, 
nor  admit  unto  thy  mind  men  too  worthless; 
but  be  thou  lovable,  and  blithe  of  soul ;  92 

so  bear  thou  thy  heart,  that  thou,  my  son,  remember 
thy  father's  prudent  teaching,  and  hold  thee  ever  against  sin  ! 


Original  and  Extra  Series  Bool's,  1893-6.  3 

Junt  1893.  For  this  year  the  Original-Series  Texts  were  issue!  in  1892,  and  so  was  one 
of  the  Extra-Series  Texts  ;  while  the  other  went  out  early  in  1893.  The  Texts  of  Loth  Series 
394  (except  The  Prymcr,  which  is  nearly  ready)  are  now  issued,  with  one  of  the  Original 
Series  for  1895  (the  other  is  promist  for  July).  The  Extra  Series  Texts  for  1895  are  almost 
sure  to  be  issued  in  1893,  as  well  as  some  Texts  for  L396.  Members  are  askt  to  send  their 
two-  or  three-years'  subscriptions  for  both  Series  at  once  in  advance. 

The  Original-Series  Texts  for  1S93  are  : — Xo.  100,  Capgrave's  Life  of  St.  Katharine,  the 
text  edited  by  Dr.  (J.  Ilorstmann,  with  Forewords,  side-notes,  and  a  discussion  of  Chaucer's 
gh  and  Shakspere's  long  i,  by  Dr.  F.  J.  Furnivall ;  and  No.  101,  the  Cursor  Mundi,  Part  VII 
and  last,  an  Essay  on  the  MSS.  of  the  Poem,  their  Dialects  and  Relation,  &c,  by  Dr.  H.  Hupe. 

The  Extra-Series  Texts  for  1S93  are — Xo.  LXIII.  Thomas  a  Kempis's  Dc  Imitation* 
Christi,  englisht :  the  first  three  books  from  the  MS  in  Trinity  College  Dublin,  about  1440 
A.D.,  and  from  Dr.  Wm.  Atkynson's  version,  printed  by  "Wynkyn  de  Worde  in  1502;  and 
the  fourth  book  by  Margaret,  Countess  of  Richmond  and  Derby,  Mother  of  Henry  VII  ; 
the  whole  edited  by  Prof.  J.  K.  Ingram,  LL.D. ;  and  Xo.  LXIV.  Dr.  Mary  X.  Colvims  edition 
of  Caxton's  Godfrey  of  Boloyne,  or  Last  Siege  of  Jerusalem,  A.D.  1481. 

The  Original  Series  Texts  for  1894  are— Xo.  102.  Part  I  of  Dr.  R.  von  Fleischhacker's 
edition  of  the  englisht  Lanfranc's  Cirurgie,  about  1100  a.d.,  a  treatise  perhaps  more  valuable 
for  Dictionary  purposes  than  any  yet  issued  by  the  Society;  which  takes  up  to  Chaucer's 
death  the  whole  class  of  surgical  and  medical  words  (besides  many  others  of  common  speech) 
which  we  before  had  only"  from  the  black-letters  of  Queen  Elizabeth's  time.  (Dr.  von 
hhaeker  is  now  in  England,  and  hopes  soon  to  finish  Part  II).  Xo.  103.  The  Prymer 
or  Lay  Folk's  Prayer-look,  edited  by  Mr.  Henry  Littlehales.  and  his  friend  Mr.  A.  R.  Clark. 

The  Extra  Series  Texts  for  1894  are  Xo.  LXV,  the  3rd  and  last  Part  of  Sir  Ben's  of 
ffamton,  edited  by  Prof.  Kolbing,  Ph.D.,  and  Xo.  LXVI,  Lydgate'a  and  Burgh's  Secrets  of 
Philisoffres,  edited  by  Robert  Steele,  P. A. 

For  1895,  the  first  Text  of  the  Original  Series  is  Xo.  104,  Part  I  of  Mr.  Gollancz's  re- 
edition  of  The  Exeter  Book,  from  the  unique  MS.  The  second,  Xo.  105,  will  be  Prof.  Napier's 
edition  of  a  12th-century  Homily  on  the  Legend  of  the  Cross,  with  an  Introduction  on  the 
different  Legends  about  it,  together  with  an  incomplete  Chester  J/ //nut  /<>  the  Virgin  of  the 
18th  century,  and  a  short  Paper  on  the  soft  and  hard  gfa  of  the  Ormylum  MS.,  with  a  facsimile. 

During  1892.  two  unexpected  sources  of  help  to  the  Society  sprang  up.  First,  Mr.  Henry 
Littlehales  of  Bexley  Heath,  who  had  printed  a  MS  of  the  English  Prymer,  ab.  1400  a.d., 
kindly  offerd  ?<>  copy,  and  pay  for  the  setting,  not  only  of  the  Cambridge  University  MS  of 
the  Prymer,  ab.  1425  a.d.,  but  also  of  a  series  of  extracts  from  the  Rochester  Diocesan  Reg- 
illustrating  the  religious  condition  and  social  life  of  the  dies  ese.  The  Prymer  or  Lay 
Prayer-book  is  all  in  typo,  and  will  form  a  valuable  portion  of  the  Society's  Pre- 
matura vernacular  Liturgr  undertaken  en  the  recommendation  of  the  late 
The  E  x  fraet>  from  the  Rochester  Diocesan  Registersare  nearly  half  copied, 
and  will  go  to  press  soon.  Mr.  Littlehales  has  also  put  himself  generally  at  the  Society's 
.  ,  and   h  s  copied  half  of  the  Salisbury  Cathedral  MS  of  that  very  quaint  treatise, 

■  Well,  about  the  middle  of  the  15th  century.    Mr.  Littlehales  has  likewise  copied,  and 

sty  the  very  interesting  scl  of  Accounts  of  Prior  Moore  of  Worcester, 

Caitiff,  &c,  &c. 
of  help  comes,  mosl  gratifyingly,  from  the  University  of  Chicago,    Two 
a  the  English  Departmenl  t  her-.  .Mr.  MacClintock  and  Mr.  Oscar  Triggs— with  the 
•  of  their  Principal.  Dr.  Harper    agreed  to  edit  and  print  at  the  Chicago  University 
.  two  Early  English  Texts  to  be  issued  jointly  by  the  IJnivi  raity  and  the  E.  E.  T.  Bo 

i  its  electrotypes.     Prof.  MacClintock  chose  the  theological  collection 
of  John  L  .  A.n.  1434  (see  p.  10  below),  and  Prof.  Triggs  chose  Lydgate's 

hlyoftlu  Gods.    They  hope  that,  notwithstanding  their  great  World's  Fair,  these  Texts 
will  be  issued  in  ' 

the  E.  B.  '! .  from  the  above-named  helpers  will  be  devoted  to  its 

ating  fund.    The  out-of-prini   1  reatly  wanted  by  members  and 

■  rs  to  complete  their  sots  of  the  ■  ■ 

An  argent  appeal  i    hereby  made  to  Members  to  increase  the  lisl  of  Subscribers  to  the 
nothing  less  than  a  crying  -caudal  that   the  Hellenic  S 
9  10  members,  while  the    Early  English  T< 

'ind-Seii,  16   and     1897    will    be    chosen    from    b  iv   at 

;      1  18  1     and     1  ' 

edited  by  Rol  I 
[  I  ol  1 1 

■  lit,  .1  by  Dr.    I'.  J.    I'm niv.ill  ;    Mr.  Ool  Saxon 
from  the  unique  MS.  in  I.                                                                                  of  the 


•I  Texts  preparing.     Extra  Series  Texts,  1894-6.     Deguilleville. 

fragments  of  Queen  Elizabeth's  englishings  (in  the  Record  Office)  from  Boetkius,  Plutarch, 
&c.  ;  Dr.  Furnivall's  edition  of  tlie  Lichfield  Gilds  is  also  all  printed,  and  waits  only  for  the 
Introduction,  which  Prof.  E.  C.  K.  Gonner  lias  kindly  undertaken  to  write  for  the  hook. 
Prof.  Mead  has  sent  to  press  the  completion  of  the  prose  Merlin,  for  which  the  Society  has 
been  looking  in  vain  from  its  Treasurer  since  1870.  Miss  Mary  Bateson  has  at  press  George 
Asliliy's  Active  "Policy  of  a  Prince,  &c,  from  the  unique  MS,  a.d.  1463.  Prof.  Ingram's 
edition  of  the  englisht  Expugnacio  Eibemica  of  Giraldus  Cambrensis,  with  interesting  dia- 
lectic features,  is  also  at  press.  Mr.  Utley  is  home  from  Roumania,  and  promises  to  finish 
Lyndeaay's  Works  this  year.  Dr.  G.  Herzfeld's  re-edition  of  the  Anglo-Si  xon  Martyrology  is 
all  in  type.     Part  II  of  Dr.  Holthausen's  Vices  and  Virtues  needs  only  its  Glossary. 

Mr.  Steele  has  in  type  two  prose  englishings  of  the  Sccreta  Sccretorum  from  MSS.  at 
Lambeth,  the  second  of  which  is  very  rich  in  new  words.  A  version  by  .lames  Yonge  in 
1428,  made  for  the  Earl  of  Ormonde,  will  be  copied  from  its  Rawlinson  MS.  at  Oxford,  and 
collated  with  the  later  Lambeth  MS.  All  three  versions  differ  widely  in  contents  and 
words. 

The  Texts  for  the  Extra  Series  in  1S95  and  1896  will  be  chosen  from  the  prose  Romance 
of  Melusinc,  edited  from  the  unique  MS.  by  Mr.  A.  Iv.  Donald  (text  all  printed)  ;  The  Time 
Kings'  Sons,  edited  from  its  unique  MS.  by  Dr.  Leon  Kellner  (at  press)  ;  The  Towneley  Plays, 
re-edited  from  the  unique  MS.  by  Mr.  George  England  and  A.  W.  Pollard,  M.A. ;  Part  II  of 
The  Clicstcr  Plays,  re-edited  from  the  MSS.,  with  a  full  collation  of  the  formerly  missing  Devon- 
shire MS.,  by  Mr.  G.  England  (at  press)  ;  the  Parallel-Text  of  the  only  two  MSS.  of  the  Owl 
and  Nightingale,  edited  by  Mr.  G.  F.  H.  Sykes  (at  press) ;  Hoecleve's  englishing  of  ])e  Re- 
giminc  Principum,  1411-12,  edited  by  Dr.  Eurnivall ;  Deguilleville's  Pilgrimage  of  the  Life 
of  Man,  three  prose  versions — two  English,  one  French — edited  by  G.  N.  Currie,  M.A.  Some 
of  these  Texts  will  be  ready  in  1893.  Members  are  therefore  askt  to  send  Advance  Sub- 
scriptions in  1893,  for  1894,  1895  and  1896,  in  order  that  the  1894-6  books  may  be  issued  to 
them  as  soon  as  the  editions  are  finisht.  The  Society's  experience  has  shown  that  Editors 
must  be  taken  when  they  are  in  the  humour  for  work.  All  real  Students  and  furtherers  of 
the  Society's  purpose  will  be  ready  to  push-on  the  issue  of  Texts.  Those  Members  who 
care  only  a  guinea  a  year  (or  can  afford  only  that  sum)  for  the  history  of  our  language  and 
our  nation's  thought,  will  not  be  hurt  by  those  who  care  more,  getting  their  books  in 
advance  ;  on  the  contrary,  they  will  be  benefited,  as  each  successive  year's  work  will  then 
be  ready  for  issue  on  New  Year's  Day.  Members  are  askt  to  realise  the  fact  that  the  Society 
has  now  50  years'  work  on  its  Lists, — at  its  present  rate  of  production, — and  that  there  is 
from  100  to  200  more  years'  work  to  come  after  that.  The  year  2000  will  not  see  finisht 
all  the  Texts  that  the  Society  ought  to  print. 

Mr.  G.  N.  Currie  is  preparing  an  edition  of  the  15th  and  16th  century  Prose  Versions  of 
Guillaume  de  Deguilleville's  Pilgrimage  of  the  Life  of  Man,  with  the  French  prose  version 
by  Jean  Gallopes,-  from  Mr.  Henry  Hucks  Gibbs's  MS.,  Mr.  Gibbs  having  generously 
promist  to  pay  the  extra  cost  of  printing  the  French  text,  and  engraving  one  or  two  of  the 
illuminations  in  his  MS. 

Guillaume  de  Deguilleville,  monk  of  the  Cistercian  abbey  of  Chaalis,  in  the  diocese  cf 
Senlis,  wrote  his  first  verse  Pelerinaige  cle  V Homme  in  1330-1  when  he  was  36. 1  Twenty-live 
(or  six)  years  after,  in  1355,  he  revised  his  poem,  and  issued  a  second  version  of  it,  and  this 
is  the  only  one  that  has  been  printed.  Of  the  prose  representative  of  the  first  version,  13301, 
a  prose  Englishing,  about  1430  A.D.,  was  edited  by  Mr.  Aldis  Wright  for  the  Roxbnrghe  Club 
in  1869,  from  MS.  Ff.  5.  30  in  the  Cambridge  University  Library.  Other  copies  of  this  prose 
English  are  in  the  Hunterian  Museum,  Glasgow,  Q.  2.  25  ;  Univ.  Coll.  and  Corpus  Christi, 
Oxford- ;  and  the  Laud  Collection  in  the  Bodleian,  no.  740.  A  copy  in  the  Northern  dialect 
is  MS.  G.  21,  in  St.  John's  Coll.,  Cambridge,  and  this  is  the  MS.  which  will  be  edited  by  Mr. 
Sidney  J.  Heirtage  for  the  E.  E.  Text  Society.  The  Laud  MS.  740  was  somewhat  condenst 
and  modernised,  in  the  17th  century,  into  MS.  Ff.  6.  30,  in  the  Cambridge  University  Lib- 
rary:3 "The  Pilgrime  or  the  Pilgrimage  of  Man  in  this  World,"  copied  by  Will.  Baspoole, 
whose  copy  "was  verbatim  written  by  Walter  Parker,  1645,  and  from  thence  transcribed  by 
G.  G.  1649  ;  and  from  thence  by  W.  A.  1655."  This  last  copy  may  have  been  read  by,  or 
its  story  reported  to,  Bunyan,  and  may  have  been  the  groundwork  of  his  Pilgrim's  Progress. 
It  will  be  edited  by  Mr.  Currie  for  the  E.  E.  T.  Soc,  its  text  running  under  the  earlier 
English,  as  in  Mr.  Heritage's  edition  of  the  Gcsta  llomanorum  for  the  Society.  In  February 
1464,4  Jean  Gallopes — a  clerk  of  Angers,  afterwards  chaplain  to  John,  Duke  of  Bedford, 
Regent  of  France — turned  Deguilleville's  first-verse  Pelerinaige  into  a  prose  Pelcrinage  de  la  vie 
humainc.5  By  the  kindness  of  Mr.  Hy.  Hucks  Gibbs.  as  above  mentiond,  Gallopes's  French 
text  will  be  printed  opposite  the  early  prose  northern  Englishing  in  the  Society's  edition. 

1  He  was  born  about  1205.     See  Abbe  Goujet's  Bibliotheque  francaixe,  Vol.  IX,  p.  73-4.— 1\  M. 

2  These  3  MSS.  have  not  yet  been  collated,  but  are  believed  to  be  all  of  the  same  version. 

«  Another  MS.  is  in  the  Pepys  Library.  4  According  to  Mr.  Hy.  Hucks  Gibbs's  MS. 

5  These  were  printed  in  France,  lato  in  the  15th  or  early  in  the  16th  century. 


Anglo-Saxon  Psalters.     More  Money  wanted.    Saints'  Lives.  5 

The  Second  Version  of  DeguiWeyiYle's  Pelerinaige  de  V Homme,  a.d.  1355  or  -6,  was  englisht 
in  verse  by  Lydgate  in  1426.  Of  Lydgate's  poem,  the  larger  part  is  in  the  Cotton  MS. 
Vitellins  C.  xiii  (leaves  2-308).  This  MS.  leaves  out  Chaucer's  englishing  of  Deguilleville's 
A  B  C  or  Prayer  to  the  Virgin,  of  which  the  successive  stanzas  start  with  A,  B,  C,  and  run  all 
thro'  the  alphabet ;  and  it  has  2  gaps,  of  which  most  of  the  second  can  be  fild  up  from  the 
end  of  the  other  imperfect  MS.  Cotton,  Tiberius  A  vii.  The  rest  of  the  stopgaps  must  be  got 
from  the  original  French  in  Harleian  4399,1  and  Additional  22,9372  and  25,5943  in  the 
British  Museum.     Lydgate's  version  will  be  edited  in  due  course  for  the  Society. 

Besides  his  first  Pelerinaige  de  Vhomme  in  its  two  versions,  Deguilleville  wrote  a  second, 
"de  1'anie  separee  du  corps, "and  a  third,  "de  nostre  seigneur  Iesus."  Of  theseeond,  aprose 
Englishing  of  1413,  The  Pilgrimage  of  the  Sowle  (perhaps  in  part  by  Lydgate),  exists  in  the 
Egerton  MS.  615,4  at  Hatfield,  Cambridge  (Univ.  Kk.  1.  7,  Cains),  Oxford  (Univ.  Coll.  and 
Corpus),  and  in  Caxton's  edition  of  1483.  This  version  has  '  somewhat  of  addicions '  as  Caxton 
says,  and  some  shortenings  too,  as  the  maker  of  both,  the  first  translator,  tells  us  in  the  MSS. 
Caxton  leaves  out  the  e;ir]ier  englisher's  interesting  Epilog  in  the  Egerton  MS.  This  prose 
englishing  of  the  Sowle  will  be  edited  for  the  Society  after  that  of  the  Man  is  finisht,  and  will 
have  Gallopes's  French  opposite  it,  from  Mr.  Gibbs's  MS.,  as  his  gift  to  the  Society.  Of  the 
Pilgrimage  of  Jesus,  no  englishing  is  known. 

As  to  the  MS.  Anglo-Saxon  Psalters,  Dr.  Hy.  Sweet  has  edited  the  oldest  MS.,  the 
Vespasian,  in  his  Oldest  English  Texts  for  the  Society,  and  Mr.  Harsley  has  edited  the 
latest,  c.  1150,  Eadwine's  Canterbury  Psalter.  Dr.  Logeman  then  raised  the  question 
of  how  the  other  MSS.  should  be  treated  ;  and  he  was  authorised  to  prepare  a  Parallel- 
Text  edition  of  the  first  ten  Psalms  from  all  the  MSS.,  to  test  whether  the  best  way  of 
printing  them  would  be  in  one  group,  or  in  two — in  each  case  giving  parts  of  all  the  MSS.  on 
one  page — under  their  respective  Roman  and  Gallican  Latin  originals.  If  collation  mores 
that  all  the  MSS.  cannot  go  together  on  successive  pages,  there  will  be  two  Parallel -Texts, 
one  of  the  A. Sax.  MSS.  following  the  Roman  version,  and  the  other,  of  those  glossing  the 
Gallican  ;  but  every  effort  will  be  made  to  get  the  whole  into  one  Parallel-Text.  This  Text 
will  be  an  extravagance  ;  but  as  the  Society  has  not  yet  committed  one  in  Anglo-Saxon,  it 
will  indulge  in  one  now  ;  and  every  student  will  rejoice  at  having  the  whole  Psalter  material 
before  him  in  the  most  convenient  form.  Dr.  Logeman  and  Mr.  Harsley  will  be  joint  editors 
of  the  Parallel-Text.  The  Early  English  Psalters  are  all  independent  versions,  and  will  follow 
separately  in  due  course. 

Through  the  good  offices  of  the  Examiners,  some  of  the  books  for  the  Early-English  Ex- 
aminations of  the  University  of  London  will  be  chosen  from  the  Society's  publications,  the 
'  'ouiinittee  having  undertaken  to  supply  such  books  to  students  at  a  large  reduction  in  price. 
The  profits  from  these  sales  will  be  applied  to  the  Society's  Reprints.  Five  of  its  1866  Texts, 
and  one  of  its  1867,  still  need  reproducing.  Donations  for  this  purpose  will  be  welcome. 
They  should  be  paid  to  the  Hon.  Sec,  Mr.  W.  A.  Dalziel,  67  Victoria  Kd.,  Finshuiy  Park, 
London, X. 

M.-mbers  are  reminded  that  fresh  Subscribers  are  ///ways  Wanted,  and  that  the  Committee 
can  at  any  time,  on  short  notice,  send  to  press  an  additional  Thousand  Pounds'  worth  of  work. 

The  Subscribers  to  the  Original  Series  must  be  prepared  for  the  issue  of  the  whole  of  the 
Early  English  Lives  of  Saints,  sooner  or  later.  The  Society  cannot  leave  out  any  of  them. 
even  though  some  are  dull.  The  Sinners  would  doubtless  he  much  more  interesting.  Bui  in 
many  Saints'  Lives  will  be  found  valuable  incidental  details  of  our  forefathers' social  state, 
and  all  are  worth  fill  for  the  history  of  our  language.  The  Lives  may  be  lookt  on  as  the 
religions  romances  or  story-books  of  their  period. 

The  Standard  Collection  <>f  Saints'  Lives  in  the  Corpus  r,nd  Ashmole  MSS.,  the  Harleian 
MS.  8277,  fcc.  will  repeal  the  Land  set,  our  STo.  87,  with  additions,  ami  in  right  order.  (The 
foundation  MS.  (Laud  108)  had  to  be  printed  first,  to  prevent  quite  unwieldy  collations.)  The 
Supplementary  Lives  from  the  Vernon  and  other  MSS.  will  form  one  or  two  separate  volumes, 
lea  the  Saints'  Lives,  Trevisa'i  enghshing of  Bartkofoni&us sU  Fraprietatibu*  fisrttnt, 
the  mediteval Cyclopaedia  of  Science,  fcc*,  will  be  the  Society's  oexl  big  undertaking.  Dr. 
l,\  von  Fleischb acker  will  edit  it.  Prof.  Rapier  of  Oxford,  wishing  to  have  tie  whole  of 
our  MS.  Anglo-Saxon  in  type,  and  accessible  to  itudents,  will  edit  for  the  Society  nil  the 
imprinted  and  other  Anglo-Saxon  Homilies  which  are  not  included  in  Thorpe'*  edition  of 
JJlfric'i  prose,    Dr.  Morri  I      Blickling  Homilies,  and  Prof.  Skeat'n  of  JSlfHc's  Metrical 

i  i. *.tli  <**- j 1 1 . .  oontainin    rmlj  the  fiekumafm. 

-  i:.fii  .-.  nt.,  .-..lit  dining  ••!!  ■  the  3rd  being  Jssua  Chri  I 

:  i  in,  .-.  nt  .  containing  the  I  -  I m  and  the  2nd  I  oth  lncon.pl 

4  ai.  Hth lUnralnatlons of  nloe little dotili    red, 

uid  datnnd  I  <• 

lit  Inn.  writ  h  collations  of  all  tin    M88,     M 
l  by  tin'  .1  II 

Of  the  YerotUl  Homilies,  the  8 


6  The  Original  Series  of  the  "Early  English  Ted  Society? 

Homilies.  Prof.  Kolbing  lias  also  undertaken  for  the  Society's  Extra  Series  a  Parallel-Text 
of  all  the  six  MSS.  of  the  Ancrcn  Riwle,  one  of  the  most  important  foundation-document*  of 
Early  English.  Mr.  Harvey,  too,  means  to  prepare  an  edition  of  the  three  MSS.  of  lha 
Earliest  English  Metrical  Psalter,  one  of  which  was  edited  by  the  late  Mr.  Stevenson  for  the 

Surtees  Society. 

In  case  more  Texts  are  ready  at  any  time  than  can  be  paid  for  by  the  current  year's  in- 
come, they  will  be  dated  the  next  year,  and  issued  in  advance  to  such  Members  as  will  pay  advance 
subscriptions.  The  1886-7  delay  in  getting  out  Texts  must  not  occur  again,  if  it  can  possibly 
be  avoided.     The  Director  has  in  hand  for  future  volunteer  Editors  copies  of  2  or  3  M  SS. 

Members  of  the  Society  will  learn  with  pleasure  that  its  example  has  been  followed,  not 
only  by  the  Old  French  Text  Society  which  has  done  such  admirable  work  under  its  founders 
Profs.  Paul  Meyer  and  Gaston  Paris,  but  also  by  the  Early  Russian  Text  Society,  which  was 
set  on  foot  in  1877,  and  has  since  issued  many  excellent  editions  of  old  MS.  Chronicles  &c. 

Members  will  also  note  with  pleasure  the  annexation  of  large  tracts  of  our  Early  English 
territory  by  the  important  German  contingent  under  General  Zupitza,  Colonels  Kolbing  and 
Horstmann,  volunteers  Hausknecht,  Einenkel,  Haenisch,  Kaluza,  Hupe,  Adam,  Holthausen, 
&c.  &c.  Scandinavia  has  also  sent  us  Dr.  Erdmann  ;  Holland,  Dr.  H.  Logeman  ;  France, 
Prof.  Paul  Meyer — with  Gaston  Paris  as  adviser; — Italy,  Prof.  Lattanzi;  while  America  is 
represented  by  Prof.  Child,  Dr.  Mary  Noyes  Colvin,  Prof.  Mead,  Prof.  Perrin,  &c.  The  sym- 
pathy, the  ready  help,  which  the  Society's  work  has  cald  forth  from  the  Continent  and  the 
United  States,  have  been  among  the  pleasantest  experiences  of  the  Society's  life,  a  real  aid 
and  cheer  amid  all  troubles  and  discouragements.  All  our  Members  are  grateful  for  it,  and 
recognise  that  the  bond  their  work  has  woven  between  them  and  the  lovers  of  language  and 
antiquity  across  the  seas  is  one  of  the  most  welcome  results  of  the  Society's  efforts. 


ORIGINAL   SERIES. 


Half  the  Publications  for  1866  (13,  14,  15,  22)  are  out  of  print,  but  will  be  gradually 
reprinted.  Subscribers  who  desire  the  issue  for  1866  should  send  their  guineas  at  once  to  the 
Hon.  Secretary,  in  order  that  other  Texts  for  1866  may  be  sent  to  press. 

The  Publications  for  1S64-1894  (one  guinea  each  year,  save  those  for  1866  now  half 
out  of  print,  two  guineas)  arc  : — 

1 .  Early  English  Alliterative  Poems,  ab.  1360  a.d.,  ed.  Rev.  Dr.  It.  Morris.     1<5*.  1 S64 

2.  Arthur,  ab.  1440,  ed.  F.  J.  Furnivall,  M.A.     4s.  ,, 
8.  Lauder  on  the  Dewtie  of  Kyngis,  &c,  1656,  eil.  F.  Hall,  D.C.L.    4*.  ,, 

**  4.  Sir  Gawayne  and  the  Green  Knight,  ab.  1360,  ed.  Rev.  Dr.  R.  Morris.     10s.  ,, 

5.  Hume's  Orthographie  and  Congruitie  of  the  Britan  Tongue,  ab.  1617,  ed.  H.  B.  Wheatley.     4s.  1865 

6.  Lancelot  of  the  Laik,  ab.  1500,  ed.  Rev.  W.  W.  Skeat.    8s.  „ 
^-7.  Genesis  &  Exodus,  ab.  1250,  ed.  Rev.  Dr.  R.  Morris.     8s.                                                                                    ,, 

S.  Morte  Arthure,  ab.  1440,  ed.  E.  Brock.    7s.  ,, 

0.  Thynne  on  Speght's  ed.  of  Chaucer,  a.d.  1590,  ed.  Dr.  G.  Kingsley  and  Dr.  F.  J.  Furnivall.     10s.  ,, 

10.  Merlin,  ab.  1440,  Part  I.,  ed.  H.  B.  Wheatley.    2s.  0d. 

11.  Lyndesay's  Monarche,  &c,  1552,  Part  I.,  ed.  J.  Small,  M.A.    3s.  ,, 

12.  Wright's  Chaste  Wife,  ab.  1462,  ed.  F.  J.  Furnivall,  M.A.     Is. 

13.  Seinte  Marherete,  1200-1330,  ed.  Bev.  O.  Cockayne  :  to  be  re-edited  by  Prof.  Herford,  M.A.,  Ph.D.  1866 
11.  Kyng  Horn,  Floris  and  Blancheflour,  &c,  ed.  Rev.  J.  R.  Luniby,  B.D.  ,, 

15.  Political.  Religious,  and  Love  Poems,  ed.  F.  J.  Furnivall.  ,, 

16.  The  Book  of  Quinte  Essence,  nb.  1400-70,  ed.  F.  J.  Furnivall.    Is.    [In  print.]  ,, 

17.  Parallel  Extracts  from  45  MSS.  of  Piers  the  Plowman,  ed.  Rev.  W.  W.  Skeat.    Is.     [/»  print.]  , , 

18.  Hali  Meidenhad,  ab.  1200,  ed.  Rev.  O.  Cockayne.     [/«  print.]  ,, 

19.  Lyndesay's  Monarche,  &c,  Part  II.,  ed.  J.  Small,  M.A.     3s.  (id.     [In print.]  ,, 

20.  Hampole's  English  Prose  Treatises,  ed.  Rev.  G.  G.  Perry.     Is.     [In  print.]  .  ,, 

21.  Merlin,  Part  II.,  ed.  H.  B.  Wheatley.    4s.     [In x>rint.] 

22.  Partenay  or  Lusignen,  ed.  Rev.  W.  W.  Skeat.  5> 

23.  Dan  Michel's  Ayenbite  of  Inwyt,  1340,  ed.  Rev.  Dr.  R.  Morris.    10s.  6d.    [In  print.] 

24.  Hymns  to  the  Virgin  and  Christ ;  the  Parliament  of  Devils,  &c. ,  ab.  1430,  ed.  F.  J.  Furnivall.  [At  Prw.  1 867 

25.  The  Stacions  of  Rome,  the  Pilgrims'  Sea-voyage,  with  Clene  Maydenhod,  ed.  P.  J.  Furnivall.     1 1.  ,, 

26.  Religious  Pieces  in  Prose  and  Verse,  from  R.  Thornton's  MS.  (ab.  1440),  ed.  Rev.  G.  G.  Perry.     2s.  ,, 

27.  Levins's  Manipulus  Vocabulorum,  aryming  Dictionary,  1570,  ed.  H.  B.  Wheatley.    12s.  ,. 

28.  William's  Vision  of  Piers  the  Plowman,  1362  a.d.  ;  Text  A,  Part  I.,  ed.  Rev.  W.  W.  Skeat.    6s. 

29.  Old  English  Homilies  (ab.  1220-30  *.».}•    Part  I.    Edited  by  Rev.  Dr.  R.  Morris.    7s. 

30.  Pierce  the  Ploughmans  Crede,  ed.  Rev.  W.  W.  Skeat.    2s.  ,, 


The  Original  Series  of  the  "Early  English  Text  Society."  7 

31.  Myrc's  Duties  of  a  Parish  Priest,  in  Vsrss,  ab.  1410  a.d.,  ed.  E.  Peacock.    4*.  1888 

35.  Early  English  Meals  and  Manners  :    the  Boke  of  Hortuxe  of  John  Russell,  ths  Bokes  of  Xeruynge, 

Curtasye,  and  Demeanor,  the  Babees  Book,  TJrbanitatis,  &c,  ed.  F.  J.  Fumivall.    1J«.  ,, 

33.  The  Bmightde  la  Tour  Landry,  ab.  1440  a.d.     A  Book  for  Daughters,  ed.  T.  Wright,  M.  A.    8*.  ,, 

34.  Old  English  Homilies  (before  1300  a.d.).    Part  II.,  ed.  R.  Morris,  LL.D.    8*.  , , 

35.  Lyndesay's  Works,  Part  III.  :  The  Historic  and  Testament  of Squyer  Meldrum,  ed.  F.  Hall.    2*.  ,, 

36.  Merlin,  Part  III.    Ed.  H.  B.  Wheatley.    On  Arthurian  Localities,  by  J.  S.  Stuart  Glennie.    12*.  1^69 

37.  Sir  David  Lyndesay's  Works,  Part  IV.,  Ane  Satyre  of  the  Three  Estaits.    Ed.  F.  Hall,  D.C.L.    4*.  ,, 

38.  William's  Vision  of  Piers  the  Plowman,  Part  II.    Text  B.     Ed.  Rev.  W.  W.  Skeat,  M.A.     10*.  Cd.  ,, 
:>9.  Alliterative  Romance  of  the  Destruction  of  Troy.    Ed.  D.  Donaldson  &  G.  A.  Panton.    Pt.  I.     10*.  fid.       ,, 

40.  English  Gilds,  their  Statutes  and  Customs,  1389  a.d.    Edit.  Toulmin  Smith  and  Lucy  T.  Smith, 

with  an  Essay  on  Gilds  and  Trades-Unions,  by  Dr.  L.  Brentano.    21*.  1S70 

41.  William  Lauder's  Minor  Poems.    Ed.  F.  J.  Fumivall.    3*.  ,, 

42.  Bernardus  De  Cura  Rei  Famuliaris,  Early  Scottish  Prophecies,  <fee.    Ed.  J.  R.  Lumby,  M.A.     2*.  ,, 

43.  Ratis  Raving,  and  other  Moral  and  Religious  Pieces.    Ed.  J.  R.  Lumby,  M.A.    3a.  ,, 

44.  The  Alliterative  Romance  of  Joseph  of  Arimathie,  or  The  Holy  Grail :    from  the   Vernon  MS. ; 

0with  W.  de  Wbrde'a  and  Pynson's  Lives  of  Joseph  :  ed.  Rev.  W.  W.  Skeat,  M.A.    5*.  1S71 

King  Alfred's  West-Saxon  Version  of   Gregory's  Pastoral  Care,  edited   from    2   MSS.,  with  an 
English  translation,  by  Henry  Sweet,  Esq.,  B.  A.,  Balliol  College,  Oxford.    Parti.     10*.  ,, 

46.  Legends  of  the  Holy  Rood,  Symbols  of  the  Passion  and  Cross  Poems,  ed.  Rev.  Dr.  R.  Morris.    10*.  ,, 

47.  Sir  David  Lyndesay's  Works,  Part  V.,  ed.  Dr.  J.  A.  H.  Murray.    3s.  „ 

48.  The  Times'  Whistle,  and  other  Poems,  by  R.  C,  1616  ;  ed.  by  J.  M.  Cowper,  Esq.     6*.  ,, 
(J^PAn  Old  English  Miscellany,   containing  a  Bestiary,  Kentish   Sermons,  Proverbs  of  Alfred,  and 

Religious  Poems  of  the  13th  cent,  ed.  from  the  MSS.  by  the  Rev.  R.  Morris,  LL.D.    10*.  1872 

-iij.  King  Alfred's  West-Saxon  Version  of  Gregory's  Pastoral  Care,  ed.  H.  Sweet,  M.  A.    Part  II.     10*.  ,, 

(^oU  The  Life  of  St  Juliana,  2  versions,  a.d.  1230,  with  translations  ;  ed.  T.  O.  Cockayne  <fe  E.  Brock.    2*.         ,, 
:>  2.  Palladius  on  Husbondrie,  englisht  (ab.  1420  a.d.  ),  ed.  Rev.  Barton  Lodge,  M.A.    Parti.    10*.  ,, 

53.  Old-English  Homilies,   Series  II.,   and  three  Hymns  to   the  Virgin  and  God,   13th-century,  with 

the  music  to  two  of  them,  in  old  and  modern  notation  ;  ed.  Rev.  R.  Morris,  LL.D.    S*.  1STS 

34.  The  Vision  of  Piers  Plowman,  Text  C  :  Richard  the  Redeles    by  William;  the  author  of  the  Vision) 

and  The  Crowned  King ;  Part  III.,  ed.  Rev.  W.  W.  Skeat,  M.A.    18*.  ,, 

b->.  Generydes,  a  Romance,  ab.  1440  a.d.,  ed.  W.  Aldis  "Wright,  M.A.     Tart  I.     3*.  ,, 

56.  The  Gest  Hystoriale  of  the  Destruction  of  Troy,  in  alliterative  verse  ;  ed.  by  D.  Donaldson,  Esq., 
f — -^  and  the  late  Rev.  G.  A.  Panton.     Part  II.    10*.  6rf.  1874 

[hT^/Che  Early  English  Version  of  the  "  Cursor  Mundi  "  ;  in  four  Texts,  edited  by  the  Rev.  R.   Morris, 

M.  A.,  LL.D.     Part  I,  with  2  photolithographic  facsimiles.    10*.  6d.  ,, 

"•*.  The  Blickling  Homilies,  971  a.d.,  ed.  Rev.  R.  Morris,  LL.D.     Part  I.    8*. 

■  r  The  "  Cursor  Mundi,"  in  four  Texts,  ed.  Rev.  Dr.  R.  Morris.     Part  II.    15*.  1875 

iff,  Meditacyuns  on  the  Soper  of  our  Lorde  'by  Robert  of  Brunne),  edited  by  J.  M.  Cowper.    2*.  6d.  ,, 

81.  The  Romance  and  Prophecies  of  Thomas  of  Erceldoune.  from  5  MSS.  ;  ed.  Dr.  J.  A.  n.  Murray.     10*.  Cd.   ,, 
0S,  The  "Cursor  Mundi,"  in  four  Texts,  cd.  Rev.  Dr.  R.  Morris.     Part  III.     15*.  1S76" 

o.\  The  Blickling  Homilies,  971  a.d..  ed.  Rev.  Dr.  R.  Morris.     Tart  II.     7*. 
<".  I.  Francis  Thynne's  Embleames  and  Epigrams,  a.i».  1600,  ed.  F.  J.  Furnivall.    7*. 
6.*..  Be  Domes  Daege   Bede'l  1><  VUJudicii  ,  fee.,  ed.  J.  EL  I.iunby,  B.D.    2*. 

M.  The  "  Cursor  Mundi,"  in  four  Texts,  cd.  Rev.  Dr.  R.  Morris.     Part  IV.,  with  2  autotypes.    10*.  1S77 

»»7.  Notes  on  Piers  Plowman,  by  the  Rev.  W,  W.  Skeat,  M.A.     Part  I.     21*. 

•:  "Cursor  Mundi,"  in  4  Texts,  ed.  Rev.  Dr.  U.  Morris.     Part  V.     25*.  1878 

Adam  Davie's  5  Dreams  about  Edward  II.,  &c,  ed.  P.  -1.  Furnivall,  M.A.    5*. 
To.  Generydes.  a  Romance,  ed  W.  Aldis  Wright,  M.A.     Part  II.     4*. 

71.  The  Lay  Folks  Mass-Book,  four  texts,  ed.  Rev.  Canon  Simmons.    25*.  187©, 

72.  Palladius  on  Husbondrie,  englisht  (ab.  1420  a.d.).     Part  II.     Ed.  S.  J.  Heritage,  B.A.    15*. 

7.:.  The  Blickling  Homilies.  !<7I  a.i...  ed.  R.v.  Dr.  R.  Morris.     Part  III.     10*.  |g|Q 

74.  English  Works  of  Wyclif,  htlK-rto  mi]. rintfd.  <d.  V.  D.  Matthew,  Ksq.     -JO*. 

:>.  Catholicon  Anglicum,  an  early  English   Dictionary,  from   Lord  Mosaoil'f  MS.    a.d.    14$9,  ed.,  with 
^_      Introduction  k  Notes,  by  s.  J.  Heritage,  H.A. ;  and  with  a  Prelhoe  by  n.  n.  Wheatky.    10*.  1881 

fajAelfric's  Metrical  Lives  of  Saints,  in  MS.  <',,tt.  .Inl.  V.  :..  ,  ,|.  i:,v.  Prof.  Bl  sat,  M.  \.     Part  I.    10*. 

:;.  Beowulf,  the  unique  MS.  sntotyped  and  traaslltetated,  edited  by  Proft  Eopitsa,  PhJ),    tea,  IMS 

75.  The  Fifty  Earliest  English  Wills,  in  the  CojBii  Ol  .   I  !;•.-.  ,.!.  l,v  K.  .1.  Kninivnll,  M.A.    7*. 

ng Alfred's Orosius,  from  Lord  ToUetnacheVi  9th  cantory  MB.,  Part  !.«.].  n.  Bweet,  m.a.    13*.  IM 

me.    Facsimile  of  the  Epinal  Glossary,  sth  ci-nt.,  ed.  u.  Sw. .  t.  M.  \.     |  ... 
is  Early-English  Life  of  8t  Katherinc  atid  Its  Latin  Original,  ed.  Dr.  Elnenkel.    Its,  IM| 

M.  Piers  Plowman:  Not.  s,  (,  |,.,  |  • ,,  t  IV,  rom]d(  t  lag  thf  u  01  I,  ,  .1.  |,\  v .  |',,,i.  m  ,  ,t.  m.  \.     1   ,. 

S2.  Aelfric's  Metrical  Lives  of  Saints.  MS.  <  !ott  Jul.  K7...d.  Ret,  !'i,f.  Skrat.  M.A.    I  I    l>.  pari  II. 
.  The  Oldest  English  Texts.  Charters,  ftc.i-d.  II.  Bwtet,  M.A.     "jo*. 

I    Additional  Analogs  to  'The  Wright's  Chaste  Wif«\'  V  Baton.     1*.  iSfctf 

Tho  Three  Kings  of  Cologne.    3  English  Ttxta,  and  1  ]    '      *    1 1  r.  I  .11-  vatmanit.    17*. 
M.  Prose  Lives  of  Women  8aints.  ab.  1010  *.j...  sd,  from!  I  loiMinnnn.     12*. 

17,  Early  English  Verse  Lives  of  Saints  (-mi;  I'M       tOMUm,     'J0a 

88.  Hy.  Brsdshaw's  Life  of  St.  Wsrburg he  n  I  i  f 


8  The  Extra  Series  of  the  "  Early  English  Text  Society? 

S9.  Vices  and  Virtues,  from  the  unique  MS.,  ab.  1200  a.d.,  ed.  Dr.  F.  Holthausen.    Tart  I.    8*.  1888 

90.  Anglo-Saxon  and  Latin  Rule  of  St.  Benet,  interlinear  Glosses,  ed.  Dr.  H.  Logeman.    12*.  ,, 

91.  Two  Fifteenth-Century  Cookery-Books,  ab.  1430-1450,  edited  by  Mr.  T.  Austin.    10*.  ,, 

92.  Eadwine's  Canterbury  Psalter,  from  the  Trim  Cambr.  MS.,  ab,  1150  a. p.,  ed.  P.  Ilarsley,  B.A.  Tt.  I.  12*.  1R£9 

93.  Defensor's  Liber  Scintillarum,  edited  from  the  MSS.  by  Ernest  Rhodes,  B.A.     12*.  ,, 

94.  Aelfric's  Metrical  Lives  of  Saints,  MS.  Cott,  Jul.  B  7,  Tart  III.,  ed.  Prof.  Skeat,  Litt.D.,  LL.D.      12*.     1S90 
86.  The  Old-English  version  of  Bede's  Ecclesiastical  History,  re-edited  by  Dr.  Thomas  Miller.    Fart  I.  18*.     ,, 
(With  Reprints  of  No.  16,  The  Book  of  Quinte  Essence,  and  No.  26,  Religious  Pieces,  from  R.  Thornton' I  MS.) 
H.  The  Old-English  version  of  Bede's  Ecclesiastical  History,  re-edited  by  Dr. Thomas  Miller.    Ft.  II.  15*.  1891 
97.  The  Earliest  English  Prose  Psalter,  edited  from  its  2  MSS.  by  Dr.  K.  D.  Buelbring.     Part  I.     15*.  ,, 
'.'S.  Minor  Poems  of  the  Vernon  MS.,  Fart  I.,  ed.  Dr.  C.  llorstmann.     20*.  1892 

99.  Cursor  Mundi.     Fart  VI.    Preface,  Notes,  and  Glossary,  ed.  Rev.  Dr.  R.  Morris.    10*.  ,, 

100.  Capgrave's  Life  of  St.  Katharine,  ed.  Dr.  C.  llorstmann,  with  Forewords  by  Dr.  Furnivall.    20*.  1896 

101.  Cursor  Mundi.     Fart  VII.     Essay  on  the  MSS.,  their  Dialects,  &c,  by  Dr.  II.  Hupe.     10*.  ,, 

102.  Lanfranc's  Cirurgie,  ab.  1400  a.d.,  ed.  Dr.  R.  von  Fleischhackcr.     Fart  I.     20*.  1K94 

103.  The  Prymer  or  Lay-Folk's  Prayer-Book,  Camb.  Univ.  MS.,  ab.  1420,  ed.  Henry  Littlehales.     10* 

104.  The  Exeter  Book  (Anglo-Saxon  Poems),  re-edited  from  the  unique  MS.  by  I.  Gollancz,  M.A.  Furt  1.  20*.  1805 

105.  The  Legend  of  the  Cross,  from  a  12th  century  MS.,  ed,  Prof.  A.  S.  Napier,  M.A.,  Ph.D. 

106.  1890 
107. 


EXTRA   SERIES. 

The  Publications  for  1867-1893  {one  guinea  each  year)  are: — 

I.  William  of  Palerne ;  or,  William  and  the  Werwolf.     Re-edited  by  Rev.  W.  W.  Skeat,  M.A.    18*.  1S'7 

II.  Early  English  Pronunciation  with  especial  Reference  to  Shakspere  and  Chaucer,  by  A.  J.  Ellis, 
F.R.S.     Fart  I.     10*.  „ 

III.  Caxton's  Book  of  Curtesye,  in  Three  Versions.    Ed.  F.  J.  Furnivall.    5*.  1868 

IV.  Havelok  the  Dane.     Re-edited  by  the  Rev.  W.  W.  Skeat,  M.A.    10*.  „ 
^'.  Chaucer's  Boethius.    Edited  from  the  two  best  MSS.  by  Rev.  Dr.  R.  Morris      12*.  ,, 

VI.  Chevelere  Assigne.     Re-edited  from  the  unique  MS.  by  H.  II.  Gibbs,  Esq.,  M.A.    3*.  ,, 

VII.  Early  English  Pronunciation,  by  A.  J.  Ellis,  F.R.S.     Fart  II.     10*.  1869 

VIII.  Queene  Elizabethes  Achademy,  &c.  Ed.  F.  J.  Furnivall.  Essays  on  early  Italian  and  German 
Books  of  Courtesy,  by  W.  M.  Rossetti  and  Dr.  E.  Oswald.    IS*.  ,, 

IX.  A wdeley's  Fraternity e  of  Vacahondes,  Harman's  Caveat,  &c.     Ed.  E.  Viles  it  F.  J.  Furnivall.     7*.  6(7.  ,, 

X.  Andrew  Boorde's  Introduction  of  Knowledge,  1547,  Dyetary  of  Helth,  1542,  Barnes  in  Defence  of  the 
Berde,  1542-3.    Ed.  F.  J.  Furnivall.    IS*.  1*70 

\IvBarbour's  Bruce,  Part  I.    Ed.  from  MSS.  and  editions,  by  Rev.  W.  W.  Skeat,  M.A.     12*.  ,, 

XII.  England  in  Henry  VIII. 's  Time  :  a  Dialogue  between  Cardinal  Pole  <fc  Lupset,  by  Thorn.  Starkey, 
Chaplain  to  Henry  VIII.    Ed.  J.  M.  Cowper.    Part  II.     12*.    (Part  I.  is  No.  XXXII,  1878,  8a.)  1S71 

XIII.  A  Supplicacyon  of  the  Beggers,  by  Simon  Fish,  152S-9  a.d.,  ed.  F.  J.  Furnivall ;  with  A  Suppli- 
cation to  our  Moste  Soueraigne  Lorde ;  A  Supplication  of  the  Poore  Commons  ;  and  The  Decaye  of 
England  by  the  Great  Multitude  of  Sheep,  ed.  by  J.  If.  Cowper,  Esq.     6*.  ,, 

XIV.  Early  English  Pronunciation,  by  A.  J.  Ellis,  Esq.,  F.R.S.    Fait  III.    10*.  ,, 

XV.  Robert  Crowley's  Thirty-One  Epigrams,  Voyce  of  the  Last  Trumpet,  Way  to  Wealth,  &c,    a. v. 
1550-1,  edited  by  J.  M.  Cowper,  Esq.     12*.  1S72 

XVI.  Chaucer's  Treatise  on  the  Astrolabe.    Ed.  Rev.  W.  W,  Skeat,  M.A.    6*.  „ 

XVII.  The  Complaynt  of  Scotlande,  1549  a.d.,  with  4  Tracts  (1642-48),  ed.  Dr.  Murray.     Fart  I.     10*.  ,, 

XVIII.  The  Complaynt  of  Scotlande,  1549  a.d.,  ed.  Dr.  Murray.    Part  II.    S*.  1S73 

XIX.  Oure  Ladyes  Myroure,  a.d.  1530,  ed.  Rev.  J.  H.  Blunt,  M.A.     24*.  ,, 

XX.  Lonelich's  History  of  the  Holy  Grail  (ab.  1450  a.d.),  ed.  F.  J.  Furnivall,  M.A.,  Ph.D.     Part  I.     S*.  1574 

XXI.  Barbour's  Bruce,  Tart  II.,  ed.  Rev.  W.  W.  Skeat,  M.A.     4*.  „ 

XXII.  Henry  Brinklow's  Complaynt  of  Roderyck  Mors  (ab.  1542)  :  and  The  Lamentacion  of  a  Christian 
against  the  Citie  of  London,  made  by  Roderigo  Mors,  a.d.  1545.    Ed.  J.  M.  Cowper.    9*.  , , 

XXIII.  Early  English  Pronunciation,  by  A.  J.  Ellis,  F.R.S.    Part  IV.    10s.  „ 

XXIV.  Lonelich's  History  of  the  Holy  Grail,  ed.  F.  J.  Furnivall,  M.A.,  Ph.D.    Part  II.     10*.  1S75 

XXV.  Guy  of  Warwick,  15th-century  Version,  ed.  Prof.  Zupitza.    Fart  I.    20*. 

XXVI.  Guy  of  Warwick,  15th-century  Version,  ed.  Prof.  Zupitza.    Part  II.    14*.  1S76 

XXVII.  Bp.  Fisher's  English  Works  (died  1535),  ed.  by  Prof.  J.  E.  B.  Mayor.    Part  I,  the  Text.    16*. 

XXVIII.  Lonelich's  Holy  Grail,  ed.  F.  J.  Furnivall,  M.A.,  PhD.    Part  III.    10*.  1S77 

XXIX.  Barbour's  Bruce.    Part  III.,  ed.  Rev.  W.  W.  Skeat,  M.A.    21*. 

XXX.  Lonelich's  Holy  Grail,  ed.  F.  J.  Furnivall,  M.A.,  Ph.D.     Part  IV.     15*.  187S 

XXXI.  The  Alliterative  Romance  of  Alexander  and  Dindimus,  ed.  Rev.  W.  W.  Skeat.    6*.  , , 

XXXII.  Starkey' s"  England  in  Henry  VIII' s  time."  Ft.  I.  Starkey's  Life  and  Letters,  ed.  S.  J.  Heritage.  8*.    ,, 

XXXIII.  Gesta  Romanorum  (englishtab.  1440),  ed.  S.  J.  Herrtage,  B.A.    15*.  1S79 

XXXIV.  The  Charlemagne  Romances:-!.  Sir  Ferumbras,  from  Ashm.  MS.  33,  ed.  S.  J.  Herrtage.    15*.  ,, 


Works  jweparing  fur  the  "  Early  English  Text  Society"  9 

XXXV.  Charlemagne  Romances :— 2.  The  Sege  off  Melayne,  Sir  Otuell,  ftc,  ed.  S.  J.  Herrtage.    12*.  1SS0 

XXXVI.  Charlemagne  Romances:— 3.  Lyf  of  Charles  the  Grete,  Pt.  I.,  ed.  S.  J.  Herrtage.     16s.  ,, 

XXXVII.  Charlemagne  Romances  :— 4.  Lyf  of  Charles  the  Grete,  Pt.  II.,  ed.  S.  J.  Herrtage.    15*.  18bl 

XXXVIII.  Charlemagne  Romances  :— 5.  The  Sowdone  of  Babylone,  ed.  Dr.  Hausknecht.     15*.  ,, 

XXXIX.  Charlemagns  Romances  :— 6.  Rauf  Colyear,  Roland,  Otuel,  <fcc,  ed.  S.  J.  Herrtage,  B.A.    15*.        1S82 
XL.  Charlemagne  Romances:—  7.  Huon  of  Burdeux,  by  Lord  Berners,  ed.  S.  L.  Lee,  B. A.    Tart  I.    15*.        ,, 
XLI.  Charlemagne  Romances  :— 8.  Huon  of  Burdeux,  by  Lord  Berners,  ed.  S.  L.  Lee,  B.A.     Pt.  II.     15*.    is  88 
XLII.  Guy  of  "Warwick:  2  texts  (Auchinleck  MS.  and  Cuius  tt8.),  ed.  Prof.  Zupitza.     Parti.     15*.  ,, 
XLIII.  Charlemagne  Romances:— 9.  Huon  of  Burdeux,  by  Lord  Berners,  ed.  S.  L.  Lee,  B.A.   Pt.  III.    15*.  lbS4 
XLI  V.  Charlemagne  Romances  :— 10.  The  Four  Sons  of  Aymon,  ed.  Miss  Octavia  Richardson.     Pt.  I.    15*.     ,, 
XLV.  Charlemagne  Romances  :— 11.  The  Four  Sons  of  Aymon,  ed.  Miss  O.  Richardson.     Pt.  II.     20*.           I8&S 
XLVI.  Sir  Bevis  of  Hamton,  from  the  Auchinleck  and  other  MSS.,  ed.  Prof.  E.  Kulbing,  Ph.D.  Part  I.  10*.  ,, 
XLVII.  The  Wars  of  Alexander,  ed.  Rev.  Prof.  Skeat,  Litt.D.,  LL.D.     20*.                                                          1S86 
XLVIII.  Sir  Bevis  of  Hamton,  ed.  Prof.  E.  Kolbing,  Ph.D.     Part  II.     10*. 

XLIX.  Guy  of  Warwick,  2  texts  (Auchinleck  and  Cains  MSS.),  Pt.  II.,  ed.  Prof.  J.  Zupitza,  Ph.D.  154.  lbS7 
L.  Charlemagne  Romances  :— 12.  Huon  of  Burdeux,  by  Lord  Berners,  ed.  S.  L.  Lee,  B.A.  Part  IV.  5*.  „ 
LI.  Torrent  of  Portyngale,  from  the  unique  MS.  in  the  Chetham  Library,  ed.  E.  Adam,  Ph.D.     10*.  ,, 

LII.  Bullein's  Dialogue  againstthe  Feuer  Pestilence,  1578  (ed.  1,  1564).    Ed.  M.  <fc  A.  II.  Bullen.    10*.         IStS 
LIII.  Vicary's  Anatomie  of  the  Body  of  Man,  1548,  ed.  1577,  ed.  F.  J.  «fc  Percy  Furnivall.     Part  I.     15*.  ,, 

LIV.  Caxton's  Englishing  of  Alain  Charter's  Curial,  ed.  Dr.  F.  J.  Furnivall  &  Prof.  P.  Meyer.     5*.  ,, 

LV.    Barbour's  Bruce,  ed.  Rev.  Prof.  Skeat,  Litt.D.,  LL.D.    Part  IV.     5*.  Is89 

LVI.  Early  English  Pronunciation,  by  A.  J.  Ellis,  Esq.,  F.R.S.    Pt.  V.,  the  present  English  Dialects.    25*.   ,, 
LVII.  Caxton's  Eneydos,  A.r<.  1490,  coll.  with  its  French,  ed.  M.  T.  Culley,  M.  A.  &  Dr.  F.  J.  Furnivall.  1 8*.  1S<>0 
LVIII.  Caxton's  Blanchardyn  &  Eglantine,  c.  14S9,  extracts  from  ed.  1595,  &  French,  ed.  Dr.  L.  Kellner.  17*.    ,, 
LIX.  Guy  of  Warwick,  2  texts  (Auchinleck  and  Cains  MSS.),  Part  III.,  ed.  Prof.  J.  Zupitza,  Ph.D.    1.".*.  1891 
LX.  Lydgate's  Temple  of  Glass,  re-edited  from  the  MSS.  by  Dr.  J.  Schick.     15*.  ,, 

LXI.  Hoccleve's  Minor  Poems,  I.,  from  the  Phillipps  and  Durham  MSS.,  ed.  F.  J.  Furnivall,  Ph.D.     15*.     1892 
LXII.  The  Chester  Plays,  re-edited  from  the  MSS.  by  the  late  Dr.  Hermann  Dei  tiding.     Tart  I.     15*. 
LXIII.  Thomas  a  Kempis's  De  Imitatione  Christi,  englisht  ab.  1440,  &  1502,  ed.  Prof.  J.  K.  Ingram.     15*.     1893 
LXIV.  Caxton's  Godfrey  of  Boloyne.  or  Last  Siege  of  Jerusalem,  1481,  ed.  Dr.  Mary  N.  Colvin.     15*.  „ 

LXV.  Sir  Bevis  of  Hamton,  ed.  Prot  E.  Koll.ing,  Ph.D.     Part  III.     15*.  1S94 

l.XVI.  Lydgate's  and  Burgh's  Secrees  of  Philisoffrea.  ab.  1445—50,  ed.  R.  Steele,  B.A.     15*.  „ 

LXVII.  1895 

LXVIII. 


EARLY  ENGLISH  TEXT  SOCIETY  TEXTS  PREPARING. 

idea  the  Texts  named  as  at  press  on  p.  12  of  the  Cover  of  the  Early  English  Text 
Society's  last  books,  the  following  Texts  are  also  slowly  preparing  for  the  Society  : — 

ORIGINAL   SERIES. 

Thomas  Robinson's  Life  and  Death  of  Mary  Magdalene,  from  the  2  MSS.,  ab.  1(520  A.D.     {Text  in  type.) 

The  Earliest  English  Prose  Psalter,  ed.  Dr.  K.  I).  Biulbriug.     Part  II. 

Anglo-Saxon  Poems,  from  the  Vercelli  .MS.,  re-edited  by  I.  (iollaiicz,  M.A.w^ 

Anglo-Saxon  Glosses  to  Latin  Prayers  and  Hymns,  edited  by  Dr.  !•'.  llolthnuseii. 

Aelfrics  Metrical  Lives  of  Saints,  .MS.  Cotfc  Jul.  K  7.  1'arl   IV,  ed.  ftfOf.  Skeat,  Litt.D.,  LL.D. 

All  the  Anglo-Saxon  Homilies  and  Lives  of  Saints  not  accessible  in  Bsglitfa  editions,  Including  those  of  the 

fereeM  ms.  *c,  edited  by  Prof.  Napier,  M.A.,  PhJD. 

The  Anglo-Saxon  Psalms ;  all  the  MSS.  in  Parallel  Texts,  ed.  Dr.  II.  LogeHMH  :ind  i'.  Hartley,  B.A. 

Beowulf,  a  critical  Text,  kC,  ed.  l'rof.  Zupitza,  I'll.  D. 

Byrhtferth's  Handboc,  edited  by  Prot  <:.  Il.nijd. 

The  8ecret  of  Secrets,  SprOM  versions  from  MSS  ,  •_' at  Land.,  tli,  Hid  one  l.y  .las.  Yniuige,  It-1'1,  ed.  K.  Btei  le.P.A. 

The  Rule  of  St.  Benet:  5  Texts,  Aiurlo-Suxon.  Parly  Kmrlish,  Caxtnn.  Ac.  ed    Be*.  \>v    li.  Morris. 

The  8even  Sages,  in  the  Northern  Dialect,  from  |  (  \,t  ton  MS.  ed    |;.\.|>r    II. Morris. 

The  Master  of  the  Game,  n  Book  of  Huntynge  for  Hen.  V.  when  Prince  of  Wales,  ed.  .Mr.  T.  Austin. 

Ailred's  Rule  of  Nuns,  &c,  edited  from  t  1m-  Vernon  MS.,  by  the  U,\.  (anon  ||.  |{.  |{i.<,ml.  y,  M.A 

Lonelich's  Merlin  (vers.),  from  the  nnii|ne  M<.  e. I.  h\   Miss  Maiy  Kates, ,n  and  IV-.f.  K    KoHiinc,  Ph.D 

Merlin  (prose),  Part  IV.,  coiitainimr  Pn  >f*C  -.  Index,  and  (.n.ssary.      Edited  l.y  Prot.  \\  .  p.  Mead,  Ph.D. 

E*rly  English  Verse  Lives  of  Saints,  Standard  Collection,  from  the  Marl.  Ms. 

Early  English  Confessionals,  edited  l.y  Dr.  B    fOU  PleNcl. Lacker 

A  Lapidary,  from  Lord  Tollnnai  lie     MS     \e  ,  edited  l.y  Dr.   I{    von  Pleiscldmekcr. 

Eirly  English  Deeds  and  Documents,  fmm  Unique  MSS  ,  cd.  |>r.  Lorenx  Morsl.nch. 

Gilbert  Banastre's  Poems,  ami  other  Boccaccio  cngliahings,  edited  by  Prof.  J.  lufttta,  Ph.D. 


iO  [Torfa  preparing  for  the  i;  Early  English  Text  Society" 

Lanfranc's  Cirurgie,  al>.  1400  k.w,  ed.  Dr.  R.  toii  Fltiischhacker,  Part  IT. 

William  of  Hassington's  Mirror  of  Life,  from  Jn.  of  Waldby.     (Editor  Wanted.) 

A  Chronicle  of  England  to  1327  A.D.,  Northern  verse  (42,000  lines),  ab.  1400  A.D.,  ed.  M.  L.  Perrin,  I?. A. 

More  Early  English  Wills  from  the  Probate  Registry  at  Somerset  House.     (Editor  Wanted.) 

Early  Lincoln  Wills  and  Documents  from  the  Bishops'  Registers,  4c,  edited  by  Dr.  P.  J.  Furnivall. 

Early  Canterbury  Wills,  edited  by  William  Cowper,  B.A.,  and  J.  Meadows  Cowper. 

Early  Norwich  Wills,  edited  by  Walter  Rye,  and  F.  J.  Furnivall. 

The  Cartularies  of  Oseney  Abbey  and  Godstow  Nunnery,  englisht  ab.  1450,  ed.  Rev.  A.  Clark,  M.  A. 

The  Macro  Moralities,  edited  from  Mr.  Gurney's  unique  MS.,  by  Alfred  W,  Pollard,  M.A. 

A  Troy-Book,  edited  from  the  unique  Laud  MS.  595,  by  Dr.  E.  "Wulfing. 

Alliterative  Prophecies,  edited  from  the  MSS.  by  Prof.  Brandl,  Ph.  D. 

Miscellaneous  Alliterative  Poems,  edited  from  the  MSS.  by  Dr.  L.  Morsbacb. 

Bird  and  Beast  Poems,  a  collection  from  MSS.,  edited  by  Dr.  K.  D.  Buelbring. 

Scire  Mori,  &c,  from  the  Lichfield  MS.  16,  ed.  Miss  Rosa  Elverson,  LL.A.,  and  Miss  Florence  Gilbert. 

Nicholas  Trivet's  French  Chronicle,  from  Sir  A.  Acland-Hood's  unique  MS.,  cd.  by  Miss  Mary  Batcson. 

De  Guilleville's  Pilgrimage  of  the  Sowle,  edited  by  G.  N.  Currie,  M.A. 

Stories  for  Sermons,  edited  from  the  Addit.  MS.  25,719  by  Dr.  "Wieck  of  Ooblentz. 

A  15th  Century  Treatise  on  Arithmetic,  edited  by  Robert  Steele,  B.A. 

Extracts  from  the  Registers  of  Boughton,  ed.  Hy.  Littlehales,  Esq. 

Jacob's  Well,  from  a  Salisbury  Cathedral  MS.,  ed.  Hy.  Littlolmlf  s,  Esq. 

The  Diary  of  Prior  Moore  of  Worcester,  a.d.  1518-35,  from  the  unique  MS.,  ed.  II y.  Littlehales,  Esq. 

The  pore  Caitiff,  from  its  MSS.,  ed.  Henry  Littleliales,  Esq.  v 

Early  English  Homilies  in  Harl.  2276  Ac,  c.  1400,  ed.  J.  Friedlander. 

Promptorium  Parvulorum,  c.  1440,  from  the  Winchester  MS.,  ed.  Rev.  A.  L.  May  hew,  M.A. 

EXTRA   SERIES. 

Vicary's  Anatomie,  1548,  ed.  1577,  edited  by  F.  J.  &  Percy  Furnivall.    Part  II.     [At  Press. 

Bp.  Fisher's  English  Works, Pt.  II.,  with  his  Life  and  Letters,  ed.  Rev.  Ronald  Bayne,  B.A.    [At  Press. 

William  Staunton's  St.  Patrick's  Purgatory,  &c,  ed.  J.  T.  Herbert,  M.A. 

A  Parallel-text  of  the  6  MSS.  of  the  Ancren  Riwle,  ed.  Prof.  Dr.  E.  Kolbing. 

Trevisa'sBartholomseus  de  Proprietatibus  Rerum,  re-editedjby  Dr.  R.  von  Fleischhacker. 

Bullein'a  Dialogue  against  the  Feuer  Pestilence,  1564, 157;$,  1578.    Ed.  A.  H.  and  M.  Bullen.    Pt.  II. 

The  Romance  of  Boctus  and  Sidrac,  edited  from  the  MSS.  by  Dr.  K.  D.  Buelbring. 

The  Romance  of  Clariodus,  re-edited  by  Dr.  K.  D.  Buelbring. 

Sir  Amadas,  re-edited  from  the  MSS.  by  Dr.  K.  D.  Buelbring. 

Sir  Degrevant,  edited  from  the  MSS.  by  Dr.  K.  Luick. 

Robert  of  Brunne's  Chronicle  of  England,  from  the  Inner  Temple  MS.,  ed.  by  Prof.  W.  E.  Mead,  Ph.D. 

Maundeville's  Voiage  and  Travaile,  re-edited  from  the  Cotton  MS.  Titus  C.  16,  &c,  by  Miss  M.  Batcson. 

Arthour  and  Merlin,  re-edited  from  the  unique  MS.  by  Dr.  K.  D.  Buelbring. 

Guy  of  Warwick,  Copland's  version,  edited  by  Prof.  Zupitza,  Ph.D. 

The  Sege  of  Jerusalem,  Text  A,  edited  from  the  MSS.  by  Dr.  F.  Kopka. 

Liber  Fundacionis  Ecclesie  Sancti  Bartholomei  Londoniarum  :  englisht  ab.  1425,  cd.  Norman  Moore,  M.D. 

Awdelay's  Poems,  re-edited  from  the  unique  MS.  Douce  302,  by  Dr.  E.  Wulfing. 

William  of  Shoreham's  Works,  re-edited  by  Professor  Konrath,  Ph.D. 

The  Wyae  Chylde  and  other  early  Treatises  on  Education,  Northwich  School,  narl.  2099  &c,  ed.  G.  Collar,  B.A. 

Caxton's  Dictes  and  Sayengis  of  Philosophirs,  1477,  with  Lord  Tollemaehe's  MS.  version,  ed.  S.  I.  Butler,  Esq. 

Caxton's  Book  of  the  Ordre  of  Chyualry,  collated  with  Loutfut's  Scotch  copy,  ed.  F.  S.  Ellis,  Esq. 

Lydgate's  Court  of  Sapience,  edited  by  Dr.  Borsdorf. 

Lydgate's  Lyfe  of  oure  Lady,  ed.  by  Prof.  Georg  Fiedler,  Ph.D. 

Lydgate's  Reason  and  Sensuality,  edited  by  Dr.  J.  Schick. 

Lydgate's  Life  of  St.  Edmund,  edited  from  the  MBS.  by  Dr.  Axel  Erdmann. 

Jn.  Hart's  Orthographie,  MS.  1551 ;  black  and  fonetic  letters,  1569,  ed.  Dr.  Otto  Jespersen. 

Richard  Coer  de  Lion,  re-edited  from  Harl.  MS.  4690,  by  Prof.  Hausknecht,  Ph.D. 

The  Romance  of  Athelstan,  re-edited  by  Prof.  J.  Zupitza,  Ph.D. 

The  Romance  of  Sir  Dagare,  re-edited  by  Dr.  Breul . 

Mulcaster's  Positions  1681,  and  Elementarie  1582,  ed.  Dr.  Th.  Klaehr,  Dresden. 

Caxton's  Recuyell  of  the  Histories  of  Troye,  edited  by  H.  Halliday  Sparling. 


The  Society  is  anxious  to  hear  of  more  early  Dialect  MSS.  Misyn's  englisliings,  in  the 
Lincoln  dialect,  1434-5,  of  two  of  Hampole's  Tracts,  are  in  type.  John  Lacy's  copy,  in  the 
Newcastle-on-Tyne  dialect,  1434,  of  some  theological  tracts  in  MS.  94  of  St.  John's  College, 
Oxford,  is  to  be  edited  by  Prof.  McClintock.  Prof.  Napier  will  reprint  his  copy  of  a  bit  of  a 
Hymn  in  the  Chester  dialect  late  in  the  13th  century.  More  Hampoles  in  the  Yorkshire 
dialect  will  follow.  The  Lincoln  and  Norfolk  Wills,  already  copied  by  or  for  Dr.  Furnivall, 
unluckily  show  but  little  traces  of  dialect. 

More  members  (to  bring  money)  and  Editors  (to  bring  brains)  are  wanted  by  the  Society. 


PR  Early  English  Text 

1119  Society 
A2  c Publications 3 

no. 104  Original  series 


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