Translations
Below are my translations of various works in the Medieval Germanic Corpus. Feel free to use them, but please give me credit as 1) it is the right thing to do, and 2) they are my intellectual property.
Press the arrow to the left of the title to see the translations.
Old English
Ælfric's Preface to Gregory's Pastoralis
| Ælfred kyning hateð gretan Wærferð biscep his wordum luflice& freondlice;& ðe cyðan hate ðæt me com swiðe oft on gemynd, hwelce wiotan iu wæron giond Angelcynn, ægðer ge godcundra hada ge woruldcundra;& hu gesæliglica tida ða wæron giond Angelcynn;& hu ða kyningas ðe ðone onwald hæfdon ðæs folces on ðam dagum Gode& his ærendwrecum hersumedon;& hie ægðer ge hiora sibbe ge hiora siodo ge hiora onweald innanbordes gehioldon,& eac ut hiora eðel gerymdon;& hu him ða speow ægðer ge mid wige ge mid wisdome;& eac ða godcundan hadas hu giorne hie wæron ægðer ge ymb lare ge ymb liornunga, ge ymb ealle ða ðiowotdomas ðe hie Gode don scoldon;& hu man utanbordes wisdom& lare hieder on lond sohte;& hu we hie nu sceoldon ute begietan gif we hie habban sceoldon. | King Ælfred bids bishop Wærferth greetings with loving and friendly words; and desires to make known that it very frequently comes to my mind which wise men there formerly were throughout England, both of religious and secular orders; and how fortunate the times were then throughout England; and how the kings who then had power over those people obeyed God and his messengers; and they maintained either their peace, their morality, and their power within their borders, and also expanded their land; and how they succeeded both with war and with wisdom to themselves; and that the sacred orders, how diligent they were about both teaching and about learning, and about all of the services that they should to do for God; and how men from out of the borders sought wisdom and learning hither in this land, and how we now must get them from abroad if we shall have them. |
| Swæ clæne hio wæs oðfeallenu on Angelcynne ðæt swiðe feawa wæron behionan Humbre ðe hiora ðeninga cuðen understondan on Englisc, oððe furðum an ærendgewrit of Lædene on Englisc areccean;& ic wene ðætte noht monige begiondan Humbre næren. Swæ feawa hiora wæron ðæt ic furðum anne anlepne ne mæg geðencean besuðan Temese ða ða ic to rice feng. Gode ælmihtegum sie ðonc ðætte we nu ænigne on stal habbað lareowa. | So entirely wisdom was decayed in England that very few were on this side of the Humber who could understand their rituals in English, or indeed could translate a letter from Latin into English; and I believe that there were not many beyond the Humber. They were so few then that even I cannot think of a single one south of the Thames when I succeeded to power. Praise be to God almighty that we now have any charge of teachers. |
| & forðon ic ðe bebiode ðæt ðu do swæ ic geliefe ðæt ðu wille, ðæt ðu ðe ðissa woruldðinga to ðæm geæmetige swæ ðu oftost mæge, ðæt ðu ðone wisdom ðe ðe God sealde ðær ðær ðu hiene befæstan mæge, befæste. Geðenc hwelc witu us ða becomon for ðisse worulde, ða ða we hit nohwæðer ne selfe ne lufodon ne eac oðrum monnum ne lefdon: ðone naman anne we lufodon ðætte we Cristne wæren,& swiðe feawa ða ðeawas. | And therefore I gently command you to do as I believe you will, that you be void of those worldly things, so that wherever you can always establish that wisdom that God gave you, you establish it. Ponder which wiles happened in this world when we neither loved wisdom at all ourselves, nor gave it to other men; we were Christians through name only, and very few loved the practices. |
| Ða ic ða ðis eall gemunde ða gemunde ic eac hu ic geseah, ærðæmðe hit eall forhergod wære& forbærned, hu ða ciricean giond eall Angelcynn stodon maðma& boca gefyldæ ond eac micel menigeo Godes ðiowa& ða swiðe lytle fiorme ðara boca wiston, forðæmðe hie hiora nan wuht ongietan ne meahton forðæmðe hie næron on hiora agen geðiode awritene. Swelce hie cwæden: Ure ieldran, ða ðe ðas stowa ær hioldon, hie lufodon wisdom& ðurh ðone hie begeaton welan& us læfdon. Her mon mæg giet gesion hiora swæð, ac we him ne cunnon æfterspyrigean,& forðæm we habbað nu ægðer forlæten ge ðone welan ge ðone wisdom, forðæmðe we noldon to ðæm spore mid ure mode onlutan. | When I remembered all this, then I also remembered how I saw how the churches throughout all England stood filled with treasures and books, before they all had been ravaged and razed, and also a great multitude of God's servants, who knew very little benefit from those books, because they could not understand anything in them, because they were not written in their own language. It is as if they said: "Our ancestors, who formerly held these places, they loved wisdom, and through it they obtained wealth and left it to us. Here men may yet see their path, but we cannot track them, and therefore we have now forsaken both the wealth and the wisdom, because we would not submit to their path with our whole heart." |
| Ða ic ða ðis eall gemunde, ða wundrade ic swiðe swiðe ðara godena wiotena ðe giu wæron giond Angelcynn,& ða bec eallæ befullan geliornod hæfdon, ðæt hie hiora ða nænne dæl noldon on hiora agen geðiode wendan. Ac ic ða sona eft me selfum andwyrde& cwæð: Hie ne wendon ðætte æfre menn sceolden swæ reccelease weorðan& sio lar swæ oðfeallan; for ðære wilnunga hie hit forleton,& woldon ðæt her ðy mara wisdom on londe wære ðy we ma geðeoda cuðon. | When I remembered all this, I then really wondered about the good and wise men who were throughout England and had learned fully all those books. Why would they not have translated any part into their own language? But I soon answered myself and said: "They did not expect that men would ever become so reckless and learning to decay so: For their desires they abandoned it, that there would possibly be more wisdom on the land because we would know more languages." |
| Ða gemunde ic hu sio æ wæs ærest on Ebrisc geðiode funden,& eft, ða hie Creacas geliornodon, ða wendon hie hie on hiora agen geðiode ealle,& eac ealle oðre bec.& eft Lædenware swæ same, siððan hie hie geliornodon, hie hie wendon ealla ðurh wise wealhstodas on hiora agen geðiode. Ond eac eall oðra Cristnæ ðioda summe dæl hiora on hiora agen geðiode wendon. | Then I remembered how the law was earlier obtained from the Hebrew language, and afterwards, when the Greeks learned it, they translated it all into their own language, and all other books. And afterwards the Romans likewise, after they had learned them, they translated them all through wise interpreters into their own language. And also all other Christian peoples translated some part of them into their own language. |
| Forðy me ðyncð betre, gif iow swæ ðyncð, ðæt we eac sumæ bec, ða ðe niedbeðearfosta sien eallum monnum to wiotonne, ðæt we ða on ðæt geðiode wenden ðe we ealle gecnawan mægen,& ge don swæ we swiðe eaðe magon mid Godes fultume, gif we ða stilnesse habbað, ðætte eall sio gioguð ðe nu is on Angelcynne friora monna, ðara ðe ða speda hæbben ðæt hie ðæm befeolan mægen, sien to liornunga oðfæste, ða hwile ðe hie to nanre oðerre note ne mægen, oð ðone first ðe hie wel cunnen Englisc gewrit arædan: lære mon siððan furður on Lædengeðiode ða ðe mon furðor læran wille& to hieran hade don wille. | Therefore it seems better to me, if it so seems to you, we translate certain books which are most necessary for all men to know, into that language that we all may know, and do this. With God's help we may very easily do it if we have peace, that all the youth of freemen now in England who have the wealth to apply themselves to it. May be set to learning, while they might not be useful for any other occupation, until they know how to read English writing well. Someone may afterwards then instruct in Latin those whom one wishes to learn further and promote to themselves to a higher rank. |
| Ða ic ða gemunde hu sio lar Lædengeðiodes ær ðissum afeallen wæs giond Angelcynn, & ðeah monige cuðon Englisc gewrit arædan, ða ongan ic ongemang oðrum mislicum & manigfealdum bisgum ðisses kynerices ða boc wendan on Englisc ðe is genemned on Læden Pastoralis, & on Englisc Hierdeboc, hwilum word be worde, hwilum andgit of andgiete, swæ swæ ic hie geliornode æt Plegmunde minum ærcebiscepe& æt Assere minum biscepe& æt Grimbolde minum mæsseprioste & æt Iohanne minum mæssepreoste. | Then when I remembered how the learning of Latin had previously decayed throughout England, and many still could read English writing, I then began (among the other various and most numerous occupations) of this kingdom to translate into English this book that is called 'Pastoralis' in Latin, and 'Shepherd-book' in English, sometimes word for word, and sometimes sense for sense, just as I learned it from my archbishop Plegmund and my bishop Asser and my mass-priest Grimbold and my mass-priest John. |
| Siððan ic hie ða geliornod hæfde, swæ swæ ic hie forstod,& swæ ic hie andgitfullicost areccean meahte, ic hie on Englisc awende; ond to ælcum biscepstole on minum rice wille ane onsendan;& on ælcre bið an æstel, se bið on fiftegum mancessa. Ond ic bebiode on Godes naman ðæt nan mon ðone æstel from ðære bec ne do, ne ða boc from ðæm mynstre: uncuð hu longe ðær swæ gelærede biscepas sien, swæ swæ nu Gode ðonc wel hwær siendon; forðy ic wolde ðætte hie ealneg æt ðære stowe wæren, buton se biscep hie mid him habban wille oððe hio hwær to læne sie, oððe hwa oðre biwrite. | And I command in the name of God that no man may take the waxed tablet from the book nor the book from the monastery - it's unknown how long there will be such learned bishops, which (by the grace of God) are everywhere. Therefore I want them always be at their place, unless the bishop wants to have the book with him, or it is loaned out somewhere, or someone is copying another. |
Beowulf
Coming August 2024
Cædmon's Hymn
| nu sculon herigean heofonrices weard meotodes meahte and his modgeþanc weorc wuldor-fæder swa he wundra gehwæs ece drihten or onstealde he ærest sceop ielda bearnum heofon to hrofe halig scyppend ða middangeard moncynnes Weard ece drihten æfter teode firum foldan frea ælmihtig. |
Now must we praise heaven-kingdom's guardian, the measurer's might and his mind-plans, the work of the glory-father, when he of wonders of every one, eternal lord, the beginning established. He first created for men's sons heaven as a roof, holy shaper; then middle-earth mankind's guardian eternal Lord afterwards made for men earth, master almighty. |
The Old English Months
According to The Old English Martyrology
| Modern Name | Old English | Translation | Pronunciation of month (phonemic) |
| January | On ðone eahteþan geohheldæg bið þæs monðes fruma þe mon nemneð Ianuarius, þæt is on ure geðeode se Æftera Geola. Þæt bið se æresta geares monað mid Romwarum ond mid us. On ðæm monðe bið an ond þritig daga. | On the eighth day of Christmas is the beginning of the month which is called Januarius, which in our language is Æftera Geola [Later Yule]. It is the first month of the year among the Romans and among us. In this month is one and thirty days. | IPA: /ˈæf.ter.ˈje͜oː.lɑ/ Rendered: AF-tehr YAY-oh-lah |
| February | Manuscript damaged, missing this text | ||
| March | On ðæm þriddan monðe on geare bið an ond þrittig daga. Ond se monð is nemned on Læden Martius, ond on ure geþeode Hredmonað. Ðonne se Hreðmonað bið agan, þonne bið seo niht twelf tida lang, ond se dæg þæt ilce. | In the third month in the year there are one and thirty days. And the month is called in Latin Martius, and in our language Hredmonað. When Hreðmonað has passed, then is the night twelve hours long, and the day the same. | IPA: /ˈxreːθˌmoː.nɑθ/ Rendered: KHRETH-moh-nath |
| April | On ðæm feorðan monðe on geare bið þritig daga. Þone monað man nemneð on Læden Aprelis, ond on ure geþeode Eastermonaþ. Þonne se monað bið geendad ðe we nemnað Eastermonað, þonne bið seo niht tyn tida lang, ond se dæg feowertyne tida. | In the fourth month of the year is thirty days. That month men called Aprilis in Latin and Eastermonaþ [Easter month] in our language. When the month has passed which we call ‘Eastermonaþ’ [‘Easter month’], the night is ten hours long, and the day fourteen hours. | IPA: /ˈæ͜ɑːs.terˌmoː.nɑθ/ Rendered: AHS-ter-moh-nath |
| May | Þonne on þone fiftan monaðb on geare bið an ond þritigc daga. Se monað is nemned on Læden Maias, ond on ure geðeode Ðrymylce, forðonf swylcgenihtsumnes wæs geo on Brytone ond eac on Germania lande, of ðæm Onglajðeod com on ðas Breotonek, þæt hi on þæm monðe þriwa on dæge mylcedon heoraneat. Þonne þrymelces monað bið geendod, ðonne bið seo niht eahta tida lang, ondse dæg sextene tida. | Then in the fifth month of the year there are thirty-one days. The month is called Maius in Latin, and in our language ‘Þrimilce’ [‘Three Milkings’], because there usedto be such abundance in Britain and also in Germany, from where the Angles cameto this Britain, that in that month they milked their cattle three times a day. When the month of ‘Þrimilce’ [‘Three Milkings’] comes to an end, the night iseight hours long, and the day sixteen hours. | IPA: IPA: /ˈθriˌmil.t͡ʃe/ Rendered: THREE-meel-cha |
| June | On ðæm syxtan monðe on geare bið þritig daga. Se monað is nemned onLæden Iunius, ond on ure geþeode se Ærra Liða, forðon seo lyft fbið þonne smylteond ða windas. Ond monnum bið ðonne gewunelic, ðæt hi liðað ðonne on sæsbryme. Þonne se monoð byð geendod þe we nemnað se Ærra Lyða, þonne byð seo nyhtsyx tyda lang, and se dæg eahtatyne tyda lang. | There are thirty days in the sixth month of the year. This month is called Juniusin Latin, and Ærra Liða [‘Earlier Mild (Month)’] in our language, because the air istranquil then, and the winds too. And it is then that people normally travel across thewater of the sea. When the month is over which we call Ærra Lyða [‘Earlier Mild (Month)’], thenight is six hours long and the day eighteen. | IPA: /ˈæːr.rɑ ˈliː.θɑ/ Rendered: AHR-ra lee-tha |
| July | On þone seofoðan monað on geare, þone we nemnað on Lyden Iulius, forþam ðe ealde men hæðene nemdon þone monoð þam naman on þæs caseres arweorðnysse þe Iulius wæs nemned, forþam ðe he wæs on þam monðe acenned. Þone monað we nemnað on ure geðeode se Æftera Lyða; on þam monðe byð an and þritig daga. Ðonne se monað biþ geendo | In the seventh month of the year, which in Latin we call Julius, because the ancient pagans called the month by that name in honour of the emperor who was called Julius, because he was born in that month. That month we call Æftera Lyða [‘Later Mild (Month)’] in our language; in that month there are thirty-one days. When the month is over which we call Æftera Liþa [‘Later Mild (Month)’], the night is eight hours long and the day sixteen hours. | IPA: /ˈæf.ter.liː.θɑ/ Rendered: AF-tehr-lee-tha |
| August | On ðam eahtoþana monþe on geare biþ an ond þritig daga; þone monaþ mon nemneð on Leden Agustus monaþ. Romana duguð hine nemde færyst þy noman, forþon ðy ærestan dæge þæs monþes he getrymede Romana cynedom, ond oferswiþde þa þe ær ðæt towurpon. Ond on ure geþeode we nemnaþ þone monaþ Weodmonaþ, forþon þe hi on þam monþe mæst geweaxaþ. Ðonne se monaþ biþ geendod þe we nemnaþ Weodmonaþ, þonne bið seo niht tyn tida lang, ond se dæg feowertyne tida. | There are thirty-one days in the eighth month of the year; that month is in Latin called Augustus’s month. The Roman citizens first called it by that name, because on the first day of the month he established the Roman empire, and overcame those who had earlier overthrown it. And in our language we call that month Weodmonaþ [‘Weed Month’], because in that month they grow most. When the month which we call ‘Weodmonaþ’ [‘Weed Month’] comes to an end, the night is ten hours long and the day fourteen hours. | IPA: /ˈwe͜oːdˌmoː.nɑθ/ Rendered: WEOD-moh-nath |
| September | On ðæm nigoþan monþe on geare biþ þritig daga. Se monaþc hatte on Leden Septembris, ond on ure geþeode Haligmonaþ, forþon þe ure yldran, þa þa hi hæþene wæron, on þam monþe hif guldon hiora deofolgeldum. Ðonne se mona[ð] bið geendud ðe we nemnað Haligmonoð, þonne bið seo niht twelf tida long, ond se dæg bið þæt ilce. | There are thirty days in the ninth month of the year. In Latin the month is called September, and in our language Haligmonaþ [‘Holy Month’], because our ancestors, when they were pagans, they practised their devil-worship in that month. When the month which we call Haligmonað [‘Holy Month’] comes to an end, the night is twelve hours long and the day likewise. | IPA: /ˈxɑː.lijˌmoː.nɑθ/ Rendered: KHA-leej-moh-nath |
| October | On ðam teoðan monðe on geare bið an ond þritig daga; þone mon nemneð on Leden Octember, ond on ure geðeode Winterfylleð. Þonne se mona[ð] bið geendod ðe we nemnað Winterfylleð, þonne bið seo niht feowertyne tida long, ond se dæg tyna. | There are thirty-one days in the tenth month of the year. In Latin it is called Octember, and in our language Winterfylleð [‘Winter Full Moon’]. When the month which we call Winterfylleð [‘Winter Full Moon’] comes to an end, the night is fourteen hours long and the day ten. | IPA: /ˈwin.terˌfyl.leθ/ Rendered: WIN-ter-ful-leth (note: ‘u’ is German ü) |
| November | On ðam endlyftan monðe on geare bið þritig daga. Se monoð is nemned on Læden Nouembres, ond on ure geðeode Blodmonað, forðon ure yldran, ða hy hæðenne wæron, on ðam monðe hy bleoton a, þæt is þæt hy betæhton ond benæmdon hyra deofolgyldum ða neat þa ðe hy woldon syllan. Þonne se monað byð geendod þe we nemnað Blodmonað þonne byð seo nyht syxtyne tyda lang, and se dæg ehta tyda. | There are thirty days in the eleventh month of the year. In Latin that month is called November, and in our language Blodmonað [‘Sacrifice Month’], because our ancestors, when they were pagans, always made sacrifices during that month, that is, that they presented and declared to their devil-idols the cattle which they wanted to give. When the month which we call Blodmonað [‘Sacrifice Month’] comes to an end, the night is sixteen hours long and the day eight hours. | IPA: /ˈbloːtˌmoː.nɑθ/ Rendered: BLOAT-moh-nath |
| December | On þam twelftan monðe on geare byð an and þrytig daga. Se monað ys nemned on Leden Decembris, and on ure geþeode se Ærra Geola. Forþam þa monðas twegen syndon nemde anum naman, oðer se Ærra Geola, oðer se Æftera, forþan ðe hyra oðer gangeð beforan þæra sunnan ær þon ðe heo cyrre hig to þæs dæges lenge, oðer æfter. | There are thirty-one days in the twelfth month of the year. In Latin that month is called December, and in our language ‘Ærra Geola’ [The First Month of Yule]. The reason why the two months are called by one name, ‘Ærra Geola’ the one and ‘Æftera Geola’ the other, is because the one precedes the point where the sun turns to lenghtening the day again, the other one follows it. | IPA: /ˈæːr.rɑ ˈje͜oː.lɑ/ Rendered: AHR-rah-yeoh-lah |
According to Bede's "de mesibus Anglorum" from De temporum ratione
| Latin | English |
| Antiquī autem Anglōrum populī […] juxtā cursum lūnæ suōs mēnsēs computāvēre; unde et ā lūnā Hebræōrum et Græcōrum mōre nōmen accipiunt. Sī quidem apud eōs lūna mōna, mēnsis mōnath appellātur. Prīmusque eōrum mēnsis, quidem Latīnī Jānuārium vocant, dīcitur Gīuli. Deinde Februārius Solmōnath, Mārtius Rhēdmōnath, Aprīlis Ēosturmōnath, Māius Thrimilchi, Jūnius Līda, Jūlius similiter Līda, Augustus Wēodmōnath, September Hālegmōnath, Octōber Winterfylleth, November Blōtmōnath, December Gīuli, eōdem Jānuārius nōmine, vocātur. | |
| Now the ancients of the English people […] calculated the months using the course of the moon; so, the got their name from the moon, after the style of the Hebrew and the Greek. For the moon among them (the Anglo-Saxons) is called mona and the month monath. And the first of their months, that the Latins call January, is named Giuli. Then February is named Solmonath, March Rhedmonath, April Eosturmonath, May Thrimilchi, June Lida, July also Lida, August Weodmonath, September Halegmonath, October Winterfylleth, November Blotmonath, December Giuli, the same name as January. |
The Fortunes of Men
| Lines 1a-6b | |
| Ful oft þæt gegongeð, mid godes meahtum, þætte wer ond wif in woruld cennað bearn mid gebyrdum ond mid bleom gyrwað, tennaþ ond tætaþ, oþþæt seo tid cymeð, gegæð gearrimum, þæt þa geongan leomu, liffæstan leoþu, geloden weorþað. |
Very often it happens, with God's might, that a man and woman bring forth children into the world through birth and clothe them with color, encourage them and make them cheerful, until that time comes and it happens that the young and life-full joins and limbs become burdened. |
| 7a-8a | |
| Fergað swa ond feþað fæder ond modor, giefað ond gierwaþ. |
So a mother and father walk and carry him, bestow to him, and clothe him. |
| 8a-9b | |
| God ana wat hwæt him weaxendum winter bringað. |
God alone knows what the years bring to him growing up |
| 10a-14a | |
| Sumum þæt gegongeð on geoguðfeore þæt se endestæf earfeðmæcgum wealic weorþeð. Sceal hine wulf etan, har hæðstapa; hinsiþ þonne modor bimurneð. |
To some, it happens in their youth that the end comes to the miserable unfortunate man - The wolf must consume him, grey heath-stepper; when a mother mourns his departure. |
| 14b | |
| Ne bið swylc monnes geweald! | Such power is not in man. |
| 15a-16b | |
| Sumne sceal hungor ahiþan, sumne sceal hreoh fordrifan, sumne sceal gar agetan, sumne guð abreotan. |
Hunger must ravage one; Rough weather will sweep one away; A spear must strike one down; warfare must kill one. |
| 17a-20b | |
| Sum sceal leomena leas lifes neotan, folmum ætfeohtan, sum on feðe lef, seonobennum seoc, sar cwanian, murnan meotudgesceaft mode gebysgad. |
One must make use of life without light, struggling with hands; One infirm in walking, sick from injuries of the sinew, bewailing the suffering, mourning the measurer's decree, afflicted in mind |
| 21a-24a | |
| Sum sceal on holte of hean beame fiþerleas feallan; bið on flihte seþeah, laceð on lyfte, oþþæt lengre ne bið westem wudubeames. |
One must fall wingless out of a tall tree in the grove - nevertheless he is in flight, as a bird does in the air, until the growth of the branches is no longer. |
| 24b-26b | |
| þonne he on wyrtruman sigeð sworcenferð, sawle bireafod, fealleþ on foldan, feorð biþ on siþe. |
When he falls down somberly onto the roots, a bereaved soul, falls to the earth, the spirit is on a journey. |
| 27a-32b | |
| Sum sceal on feþe on feorwegas nyde gongan ond his nest beran, tredan uriglast elþeodigra, frecne foldan; ah he feormendra lyt lifgendra, lað biþ æghwær fore his wonsceaftum wineleas hæle. |
One must necessarily travel within distant lands on foot and carry his provisions, treading the wet land of foreigners, a dangerous land. But he has few living providers, is something hated everywhere because of his misery, a friendless man. |
| 33a-42b | |
| Sum sceal on geapum galgan ridan, seomian æt swylte, oþþæt sawlhord, bancofa blodig, abrocen weorþeð. þær him hrefn nimeþ heafodsyne, sliteð salwigpad sawelleasne; noþer he þy facne mæg folmum biwergan, laþum lyftsceaþan, biþ his lif scæcen, ond he feleleas, feores orwena, blac on beame bideð wyrde, bewegen wælmiste. Bið him werig noma! |
One must ride on the spacious gallows, hanging at death, until the soul-horde, a bloody bone-coffin, becomes broken, There the raven steals his eye from him, having dark plumage he rends soullessly.Neither can he defend with his hands (against) the deceitful thing, hateful robber of the air, his life is departed, and he devoid of feeling, despairing of life, dark in the tree awaits fate, covered with mist. His name is miserable. |
| 43a-47b | |
| Sumne on bæle sceal brond aswencan, fretan frecne lig fægne monnan; þær him lifgedal lungre weorðeð, read reþe gled; reoteð meowle, seo hyre bearn gesihð brondas þeccan. |
A fire must afflict one with flames, a greedy fire consumes a doomed man; There a parting from life comes quickly to him, a red severe fire; A woman grieves, she sees her child covered in flames. |
| 48a-57b | |
| Sum sceal on beore þurh byreles hond meodugal mæcga; þonne he gemet ne con gemearcian his muþe mode sine, ac sceal ful earmlice ealdre linnan, dreogan dryhtenbealo dreamum biscyred, ond hine to sylfcwale secgas nemnað, mænað mid muþe meodugales gedrinc. |
A sword's edge takes the life of some at the meadbench by an angry older ale-sot, a man sated with wine - formerly he is quite quick with his words; One must, through his butler's hand, be in beer, a mead-lusting man; Then he cannot make his mouth suitable with his mind, but must leave off fully miserable when older, enduring profound misery deprived of pleasures, and men will name him a suicide, they tell with the mouth the drinking of the mead-luster |
| 58a-63b | |
| Sum sceal on geoguþe mid godes meahtum his earfoðsiþ ealne forspildan, ond on yldo eft eadig weorþan, wunian wyndagum ond welan þicgan, maþmas ond meoduful mægburge on, þæs þe ænig fira mæge forð gehealdan. |
One must bring to an end all his misfortunes in his youth with God's might, and in old age become prosperous again, dwelling in a joyous time and accepting success, treasures and meadcups within his family, as far as any may be able to hold henceforth. |
| 64a-71a | |
| Swa missenlice meahtig dryhten geond eorþan sceat eallum dæleð, scyreþ ond scrifeð ond gesceapo healdeð, sumum eadwelan, sumum earfeþa dæl, sumum geogoþe glæd, sumum guþe blæd, gewealdenne wigplegan, sumum wyrp oþþe scyte, torhtlicne tiir, sumum tæfle cræft, bleobordes gebregd. |
Thus the mighty lord deals out throughout the corners of the earth to all, declares and decrees and holds destinies, blessedness to some, share of misery to some, cheerfulness of youth to some, glory of battle to some, controlling the game of war, a throw or shot to some, splendid glory, skill at games to some, cunning at the gameboard; |
| 71b-72a | |
| Sume boceras weorþað wisfæste. |
One is able to be wise of books |
| 72b-76b | |
| Sumum wundorgiefe þurh goldsmiþe gearwad weorþað; ful oft he gehyrdeð ond gehyrsteð wel, brytencyninges beorn, ond he him brad syleð lond to leane. He hit on lust þigeð. |
Wonderous gifts are able to be prepared through goldsmiths to some; very often he hardens and adorns successfully, the man of a powerful king, and he bestows to him vast land as reward. He receives it with pleasure. |
| 77a-79b | |
| Sum sceal on heape hæleþum cweman, blissian æt beore bencsittendum; þær biþ drincendra dream se micla. |
One must please in a gathering to mankind, delighting those sitting at beer; There this is a great joy of those that drink |
| 80a-84b | |
| Sum sceal mid hearpan æt his hlafordes fotum sittan, feoh þicgan, ond a snellice snere wræstan, lætan scralletan sceacol, se þe hleapeð, nægl neomegende; biþ him neod micel. |
One must sit with a harp at the lord's feet, receiving wealth, and rapidly plucking the string of an instrument, causing the plectrum make louds sounds, this leaps that (plectrum leaps instrument), the nail sounding sweetly, it is much delight to him. |
| 85a-92b | |
| Sum sceal wildne fugel wloncne atemian, heafoc on honda, oþþæt seo heoroswealwe wynsum weorþeð; deþ he wyrplas on, fedeþ swa on feterum fiþrum dealne, lepeþ lyftswiftne lytlum gieflum, oþþæt se wælisca wædum ond dædum his ætgiefan eaðmod weorþeð ond to hagostealdes honda gelæred. |
One must train the wild proud bird, hawk in hand, until the hawk becomes winsome. He puts the jesses on, thus shods it in fetters proud in wings, feeds the wind-swift little morsels, until the servile in dress and deed becomes obedient to his feeder and instructed to the young man's hand. |
| 93a-96a | |
| Swa wrætlice weoroda nergend geond middangeard monna cræftas sceop ond scyrede ond gesceapo ferede æghwylcum on eorþan eormencynnes. |
Thus the savior of the multitude throughout middle-earth shaped and appointed the skills of men and carried the destiny of every one of the human race on earth. |
| 97a-98b | |
| Forþon him nu ealles þonc æghwa secge, þæs þe he fore his miltsum monnum scrifeð. |
Therefore, everyone should now say thanks to Him for all, because He appointed to man on account of his mercy |
The Gifts of Men
| Lines 1-7b | |
| Fela bið on foldan forðgesynra geongra geofona, þa þa gæstberend wegað in gewitte, swa her weoruda god, meotud meahtum swið, monnum dæleð, syleð sundorgiefe, sendeð wide agne spede, þara æghwylc mot dryhtwuniendra dæl onfon. |
On the earth are many of the visible gifts of the young, that those who bear breath carry in the mind, as the God of the people here, the Measurer makes strong through his power, bestows to man, gives individual gifts, sends them widely to the proper faculty, of these all of the dwellers among people may take a portion. |
| Lines 8a-16a | |
| Ne bið ænig þæs earfoðsælig mon on moldan, ne þæs medspedig, lytelhydig, ne þæs læthydig, þæt hine se argifa ealles biscyrge modes cræfta oþþe mægendæda, wis on gewitte oþþe on wordcwidum, þy læs ormod sy ealra þinga, þara þe he geworhte in woruldlife, geofona gehwylcre. |
There is no man on earth so troubled in fortune, nor so unprosperous, nor so small-minded nor slow-minded that the giver of benefits may have at all deprived him skills of mind or great deeds, wise in wit or in utterance, whereby lest he is despairing of all matters, those which He is producing each of these gifts in this worldly life. |
| Lines 16b-17b | |
| Næfre god demeð þæt ænig eft þæs earm geweorðe. |
God never deems that any stay so miserable in worth. |
| Lines 18a-26b | |
| Nænig eft þæs swiþe þurh snyttrucræft in þeode þrym þisses lifes forð gestigeð, þæt him folca weard þurh his halige giefe hider onsende wise geþohtas ond woruldcræftas, under anes meaht ealle forlæte, þy læs he for wlence wuldorgeofona ful, mon mode swið of gemete hweorfe ond þonne forhycge heanspedigran; |
Likewise, none so strong through wisdom in the host of nations of this life progress that the watchman of people may send hither through his holy gift wise thoughts and worldly crafts, may give all under a single power, but he, for pride, full of glory-gifts, a man of strong mind, may go properly and then may disdain the poor. |
| Lines 27a-29b | |
| ac he gedæleð, se þe ah domes geweald, missenlice geond þisne middangeard leoda leoþocræftas londbuendum. |
Moreover, he, who possesses the power of judgment, bestows diversely throughout this middle-earth various hand-skills of men to the land dwellers. |
| Lines 30a-31a | |
| Sumum her ofer eorþan æhta onlihð, woruldgestreona. |
Here over the earth is illuminated possessions to many, worldly products. |
| Lines 31b-33a | |
| Sum bið wonspedig, heardsælig hæle, biþ hwæþre gleaw modes cræfta. |
One is indigent, an unfortunate man, who is shrewd in the skills of the mind. |
| Lines 33b-34a | |
| Sum mægenstrengo furþor onfehð. |
One takes hold of superior power-strength |
| Lines 34b-35a | |
| Sum freolic bið wlitig on wæstmum. | A freeborn one is beautiful in stature |
| Lines 35b-36a | |
| Sum biþ woðbora, giedda giffæst. |
One is a word-bearer, endowed with maxims |
| Lines 36b | |
| Sum biþ gearuwyrdig. | One is ready of speech |
| Lines 37a-38a | |
| Sum bið on huntoþe hreðeadigra deora dræfend. |
One is glorious in the hunting of animals. |
| Lines 38b-39a | |
| Sum dyre bið woruldricum men. |
One is beloved to men in worldly kingdoms. |
| Lines 39b-40b | |
| Sum bið wiges heard, beadocræftig beorn, þær bord stunað. |
One is hard in battle, where shields crash. |
| Lines 41a-43b | |
| Sum in mæðle mæg modsnottera folcrædenne forð gehycgan, þær witena biþ worn ætsomne. |
One is able, in council, to consider further a wise decree of the people, a company of the wise is united together there. |
| Lines 44a-48b | |
| Sum mæg wrætlice weorc ahycgan heahtimbra gehwæs; hond bið gelæred, wis ond gewealden, swa bið wyrhtan ryht, sele asettan, con he sidne ræced fæste gefegan wiþ færdryrum. |
One is able to devise work of stout lofty buildings artistically -- the hand is guided, learned and controlled – so that the works are straight, a hall to erect, he well knows to securely join the hall against a sudden fall. |
| Lines 49a-50b | |
| Sum mid hondum mæg hearpan gretan, ah he gleobeames gearobrygda list. |
One is able to handle the harp with the hands, he has the skill of quick-plucking of the mirthful-wood. |
| Lines 51a-53a | |
| Sum bið rynig, sum ryhtscytte, sum leoða gleaw, sum on londe snel, feþespedig. |
One is good at running, one sure of aim, one skillful in poetry, one brave on the land, speedy of foot. |
| Lines 53b-57b | |
| Sum on fealone wæg stefnan steoreð, streamrade con, weorudes wisa, ofer widne holm, þonne særofe snelle mægne arum bregdað yðborde neah. |
One steers the prow of the boat on the dusky waves, knows the course of the stream, a leader of men, over the vast sea when the sailors, with bold strength to the oars, pull next to the wave-boards (gunwales). |
| Lines 58a-60b | |
| Sum bið syndig, sum searocræftig goldes ond gimma, þonne him gumena weard hateð him to mærþum maþþum renian. |
One is skilled in swimming, one the artistic skill of gold and gems, when a watcher of men commands him to adorn them with gifts for fame |
| Lines 61a-66b | |
| Sum mæg wæpenþræce, wige to nytte, modcræftig smið monige gefremman, þonne he gewyrceð to wera hilde helm oþþe hupseax oððe heaþubyrnan, scirne mece oððe scyldes rond, fæste gefeged wið flyge gares. |
One, an intelligent smith, is able to make a variety for fierce fighting, usable in war, when he prepares helm or shortsword or corslet for the combat of men, shining blade or rim of shield joins fast against the flight of the spear. |
| Lines 67a-68a | |
| Sum bið arfæst ond ælmesgeorn, þeawum geþyde. |
One is honest and charitable, virtuous through disposition. |
| Lines 68b-69a | |
| Sum bið þegn gehweorf on meoduhealle. |
One is a thane wandering in the mead-hall. |
| Lines 69b-70a | |
| Sum bið meares gleaw, wicgcræfta wis. |
One is keen about horses, wise in horsemanship. |
| Lines 70b-71b | |
| Sum gewealdenmod þafað in geþylde þæt he þonne sceal. |
One, self-controlled, suffers in patience what he must at that time. |
| Lines 72a-73a | |
| Sum domas con, þær dryhtguman ræd eahtiað. |
One knows justice, where counsel is delivered to a follower. |
| Lines 73b | |
| Sum bið hrædtæfle. | One is quick with dice |
| Lines 74a-75a | |
| Sum bið gewittig æt winþege, beorhyrde god. |
One is wise at the wine banquet, a good butler |
| Lines 75b-76a | |
| Sum bið bylda til ham to hebbanne. |
One is an excellent builder in raising a house. |
| Lines 76b-77a | |
| Sum bið heretoga, fyrdwisa from. |
One is a leader, a bold chieftain |
| Lines 77b | |
| Sum biþ folcwita. | One is an advisor to the people. |
| Lines 78a-79a | |
| Sum biþ æt þearfe þristhydigra þegn mid his þeodne. |
One is a thane of bold-mind with his lord at times of necessity. |
| Lines 79b-80a | |
| Sum geþyld hafað, fæstgongel ferð. |
One has patience, a constant mind. |
| Lines 80b-81a | |
| Sum bið fugelbona, hafeces cræftig. |
One is a fowler, ingenious with the hawk. |
| Lines 81b | |
| Sum bið to horse hwæt. | One is quick with the horse. |
| Lines 82a-84a | |
| Sum bið swiðsnel, hafað searolic gomen, gleodæda gife for gumþegnum, leoht ond leoþuwac. |
One is very quick, has artistic tricks, a gift for activities that amuse men, light and lively. |
| Lines 84b-85b | |
| Sum bið leofwende, hafað mod ond word monnum geþwære. |
One is kind, has mind and speech pleasant to men. |
| Lines 86a-88a | |
| Sum her geornlice gæstes þearfe mode bewindeþ, ond him metudes est ofer eorðwelan ealne geceoseð. |
One in this world carefully surrounds the needs of the soul to his mind, and chooses the grace of the measurer for himself over wealth. |
| Lines 89a-90b | |
| Sum bið deormod deofles gewinnes, bið a wið firenum in gefeoht gearo. | One is courageous in conflict of the devil, are always prepared in the fight against sin. |
| Lines 91a-94a | |
| Sum cræft hafað circnytta fela, mæg on lofsongum lifes waldend hlude hergan, hafað healice beorhte stefne. |
One has much skill in church services, is able to loudly praise the guardian of life with hymns, he has a lofty bright voice. |
| Lines 94b-95a | |
| Sum bið boca gleaw, larum leoþufæst. |
One is skilled with books, able in learning. |
| Lines 95b-96b | |
| Sum biþ listhendig to awritanne wordgeryno. |
One is skillful in writing deep sayings. |
| Lines 97a-109b | |
| Nis nu ofer eorþan ænig monna mode þæs cræftig, ne þæs mægeneacen, þæt hi æfre anum ealle weorþen gegearwade, þy læs him gilp sceððe, oþþe fore þære mærþe mod astige, gif he hafaþ ana ofer ealle men wlite ond wisdom ond weorca blæd; ac he missenlice monna cynne gielpes styreð ond his giefe bryttað, sumum on cystum, sumum on cræftum, sumum on wlite, sumum on wige, sumum he syleð monna milde heortan, þeawfæstne geþoht, sum biþ þeodne hold. |
There is now none of any of men's minds over the earth so clever, nor so virtuous, that they (the gifts) all come to be granted to solely one, whilst less pride may harm him, or the heart be puffed up for their fame, if he has splendor and wisdom and glory of work; but He guides man's various kinds of arrogance and give his gift: virtue to some, skill to some, beauty to some, arms to some, a gentle mind, He gives a mild heart to some of men, one is loyal to his master. |
| Lines 110a-111a | |
| Swa weorðlice wide tosaweð dryhten his duguþe. |
In this way the Lord gloriously scatters wide his assistance. |
| Lines 111b-113b | |
| A þes dom age, leohtbære lof, se us þis lif giefeð ond his milde mod monnum cyþeð. |
May he possess this splendor always, a brilliant glory, who gives us this life and reveals his mild heart to men. |
The Seafarer
| Mæg ic be me sylfum soðgied wrecan siþas secgan hu ic geswincdagum earfoðhwile oft þrowade bitre breostceare gebiden hæbbe |
I can tell an anecdote about myself, tell about my trials, how I often endured hard times because of my days of suffering. I have endured a sorrow-laden heart, | |
| 5 | gecunnad in ceole cearselda fela atol yþa gewealc þær mec oft bigeat nearo nihtwaco æt nacan stefnan þonne he be clifum cnossað Calde geþrungen wæron mine fet forste gebunden |
have come to know my places of pain on the ship. The terrible rolling of sea waves often overcame me there, the closed-in prow of the ship at night-watch, when it tossed near the cliffs. The cold-pressing froze my heart. The frost-binding, |
| 10 | caldum clommum þær þa ceare seofedun hat ymb heortan hungor innan slat merewerges mod Þæt se mon ne wat þe him on foldan fægrost limpeð hu ic earmcearig iscealdne sæ |
the gripping cold, there anxiety seethes hot around my heart, hunger tearing inside the sea-weary mind. No one knows this: for whom on the earth the best of things happens – [or] how I, wretched and sorrowful, |
| 15 | winter wunade wræccan lastum winemægum bidroren bihongen hrimgicelum hægl scurum fleag Þær ic ne gehyrde butan hlimman sæ iscaldne wæg Hwilum ylfete song |
dwelt a winter on the ice-cold sea in the paths of exile, deprived of close kinsmen, hanging with icicles, hail flew in showers. There I heard nothing but the roaring sea, the ice-cold path. For a while, a swan sang. |
| 20 | dyde ic me to gomene ganetes hleoþor ond huilpan sweg fore hleahtor wera mæw singende fore medodrince Stormas þær stanclifu beotan þær him stearn oncwæð isigfeþera ful oft þæt earn bigeal |
I entertained myself with the call of the gannet and the song of the whaup instead of the laughter of men – the seagull singing instead of mead-drinking. There storms beat the shore where the tern, icy-feathered one, often replied to the hawk, |
| 25 | urigfeþra ne ænig hleomæga feasceaftig ferð frefran meahte Forþon him gelyfeð lyt se þe ah lifes wyn gebiden in burgum bealosiþa hwon wlonc ond wingal hu ic werig oft |
dewy feathered one, that screeched. Not any spirit of the protecting kinsman can comfort the lowly creature. Indeed, few admit to himself – the one who has the joys of life, abides in the city, away from bad experience, proud and drunk, how I, often weary, |
| 30 | in brimlade bidan sceolde Nap nihtscua norþan sniwde hrim hrusan bond hægl feol on eorþan corna caldast Forþon cnyssað nu heortan geþohtas þæt ic hean streamas |
have had to endure on the sea path. The shadows of night darkened, it snowed from the North, Frost bound the ground and hail, the coldest of grains, fell on the earth. Indeed, the thoughts of heart are beat upon, that I test myself on the high streams, |
| 35 | sealtyþa gelac sylf cunnige monað modes lust mæla gehwylce ferð to feran þæt ic feor heonan elþeodigra eard gesece Forþon nis þæs modwlonc mon ofer eorþan |
the tossing of salt waves. The desire of my mind exhorts my spirit to continue far from here, that I should seek the company of strangers. Indeed, there is not a proud man in the world, |
| 40 | ne his gifena þæs god ne in geoguþe to þæs hwæt ne in his dædum to þæs deor ne him his dryhten to þæs hold þæt he a his sæfore sorge næbbe to hwon hine dryhten gedon wille Ne biþ him to hearpan hyge ne to hringþege |
so good of his gifts, so vigorous in his youth, so valiant in his deeds, so kind to his lord, that he has no sorrow in his sea-voyages as to what his lord will wish him to do. There is no sound of the harp for him, nor the receiving of rings, |
| 45 | ne to wife wyn ne to worulde hyht ne ymbe owiht elles nefne ymb yða gewealc ac a hafað longunge se þe on lagu fundað Bearwas blostmum nimað byrig fægriað wongas wlitigað woruld onetteð |
nor the joys of a woman, nor the glory of the world – nothing at all except the tossing of the waves. But he always has a longing – the one who will go to the sea. Groves take on blossoms, the cities grow fair, the fields are spread full, and the world looks new. |
| 50 | ealle þa gemoniað modes fusne sefan to siþe þam þe swa þenceð on flodwegas feor gewitan Swylce geac monað geomran reorde singeð sumeres weard sorge beodeð |
All these things press on those who are eager of spirit, the mind to travel, to the one who thinks to travel over the seaways. So the cuckoo warns, with sad voice. The guardian of summer sings, boding a sorrow |
| 55 | bitter in breosthord Þæt se beorn ne wat sefteadig secg hwæt þa sume dreogað þe þa wræclastas widost lecgað Forþon nu min hyge hweorfeð ofer hreþerlocan min modsefa mid mereflode |
grievous in the soul. This the man does not know, the warrior lucky in things of the world, what some endure, those that travel wide the paths of the exile. Truly, my soul now twists in my breast. My innermost thoughts change course |
| 60 | ofer hwæles eþel hweorfeð wide eorþan sceatas cymeð eft to me gifre ond grædig gielleð anfloga hweteð on hwælweg hreþer unwearnum ofer holma gelagu Forþon me hatran sind |
randomly with the current, over the home of the whales, the surface of the earth. It again comes back to me, ravenous and greedy. The lone flyer cries out, incites the unresisting heart over the whale-way across the expanse of the waves. Indeed the delights of the lord |
| 65 | dryhtnes dreamas þonne þis deade lif læne on londe Ic gelyfe no þæt him eorðwelan ece stondað Simle þreora sum þinga gehwylce ær his tidege to tweon weorþeð: |
are warmer for me than this dead life, fleeting on the land. I do not believe the wealth of the world will remain forever for him. Always one of these things, each before his time passes, will cause doubt: sickness, |
| 70 | adl oþþe yldo oþþe ecghetefægum fromweardum feorh oðþringeð Forþon þæt is eorla gehwam æftercweþendra lof lifgendra lastworda betst þæt he gewyrce ær he on weg scyle |
old age, or edge-wrath will wrest away life to those fated to die. Truly that is to be for all men – the praise of the living, of those who speak afterwards, the best epitaph: "That he may work, before he is destined away, |
| 75 | fremum on foldan wið feonda niþ deorum dædum deofle togeanes þæt hine ælda bearn æfter hergen ond his lof siþþan lifge mid englum awa to ealdre ecan lifes blæd |
does good deeds on earth against the enmity of fiends, valiant deeds against the fiend that the sons of the ages may afterwards praise him, and his life afterward may reside with the angels for all eternity, the glory of eternal life, |
| 80 | dream mid dugeþum Dagas sind gewitene ealle onmedlan eorþan rices nearon nu cyningas ne caseras ne goldgiefan swylce iu wæron þonne hi mæst mid him mærþa gefremedon |
joy with the host. The days are departed of all of the glory, the kingdom of the earth. Now kings, emperors, gold givers are no more as there were of old when they, the greatest of them performed valorous deeds |
| 85 | ond on dryhtlicestum dome lifdon Gedroren is þeos duguð eal dreamas sind gewitene wuniað þa wacran ond þas woruld healdaþ brucað þurh bisgo Blæd is gehnæged eorþan indryhto ealdað ond searað |
and lived a glory most lord-like. Fallen are all of those guards. Joys are gone. The degenerates remain and hold this world, make use of it though toil. Glory is abused. The nobility of the earth ages and fades |
| 90 | swa nu monna gehwylc geond middangeard Yldo him on fareð onsyn blacað gomelfeax gnornað wat his iuwine æþelinga bearn eorþan forgiefene Ne mæg him þonne se flæschoma þonne him þæt feorg losað |
as each man flass apart throughout middle-earth. Old age overtakes him, his face grows pale. The greyhaired laments, knows his old friends, sons of noblemen have been given to the earth. When the fleshy-covering no longer can be for him, when the soul/life is lost to him -- |
| 95 | ne swete forswelgan ne sar gefelan ne hond onhreran ne mid hyge þencan Þeah þe græf wille golde stregan broþor his geborenum byrgan be deadum maþmum mislicum þæt hine mid wille |
it cannot swallow sweetness nor feel pain, nor stir with the hand, nor think with intent. Though he wishes to strew the grave with gold, a brother to his kinsman, bury with the dead various reassures, that he wish with them, |
| 100 | ne mæg þære sawle þe biþ synna ful gold to geoce for godes egsan þonne he hit ær hydeð þenden he her leofað Micel biþ se meotudes egsa forþon hi seo molde oncyrreð se gestaþelade stiþe grundas |
the soul cannot, which is full of sin, help with gold, before the terror of God, when he hid it while living in this world. Great is the awe of the architect, before which the earth turns, he established the firm land, |
| 105 | eorþan sceatas ond uprodor Dol biþ se þe him his dryhten ne ondrædeþ cymeð him se deað unþinged Eadig bið se þe eaþmod leofaþ cymeð him seo ar of heofonum meotod him þæt mod gestaþelað forþon he in his meahte gelyfeð Stieran mon sceal strongum mode ond þæt on staþelum healdan |
surfaces of the earth, and the sky above. Foolish is the one who does not fear his lord, he imprisoned for death. Blessed is the one who lives youth of spirit, the favor of the heavens comes to him. The measurer placed that spirit in him, because he believed in His Might. A man must steer the stubborn mind and that in holding balance |
| 110 | ond gewis werum wisum clæne Scyle monna gehwylc mid gemete healdan wiþ leofne lisse ond wið laþne bealo þeah þe he fyres wille hine fulne oþþe on bæle geseoð forbærnedne |
and true to promise, pure manner. Each man must, with measure, hold the love of friends and hatred to enemies. Though he wishes him to have the full flame, or his forced friend consumed on the pyre |
| 115 | his geworhtne wine Wyrd biþ swiþre meotud meahtigra þonne ænges monnes gehygd Uton we hycgan hwær we ham agen ond þonne geþencan hu we þider cumen ond we þonne eac tilien þæt we to moten |
Fate is greater, God is Mightier than the thought of any man. Let us think where our homes are and think how we may go there. That we each could strive that we may go there |
| 120 | in þa ecan eadignesse þær is lif gelong in lufan dryhtnes hyht in heofonum Þæs sy þam halgan þonc þæt he usic geweorþade wuldres ealdor ece dryhten in ealle tid |
into the blessed eternalness. There, life is connected – in the love of the lord – joy in the heavens. For that, thanks to the Holy One, that he exalted us, the Lord of Glory, eternal Lord for all time. |
| 125 | Amen | Amen |
The Wanderer
| Lines 1a-5b | |
| Oft him anhaga are gebideð, metudes miltse, þeah þe he modcearig geond lagulade longe sceolde hreran mid hondum hrimcealde sæ, wadan wræclastas. Wyrd bið ful ared! |
Often the lone one awaits the favor of the measurer - although he is laden with sorrow. He must move through the long waterway with his hands, an icy-cold sea. The paths of exile run. Fate is utterly resolute. |
| Lines 6a-11a | |
| Swa cwæð eardstapa, earfeþa gemyndig, wraþra wælsleahta, winemæga hryre: Oft ic sceolde ana uhtna gehwylce mine ceare cwiþan. Nis nu cwicra nan þe ic him modsefan minne durre sweotule asecgan. |
So spoke the Earth-stepper, mindful of hardships, violent slaughter of cruelties, the ruin of wine-friends: "Often, alone at every daybreak, I must bemoan my care. There is none of the living that I dare share my innermost being with. |
| Lines 11b-14b | |
| Ic to soþe wat þæt biþ in eorle indryhten þeaw, þæt he his ferðlocan fæste binde, healde his hordcofan, hycge swa he wille. |
"I know a truth: That it is in earls a noble custom that he firmly binds up his breast, holds close that treasure-place - think what he wishes! |
| Lines 15a-18b | |
| Ne mæg werig mod wyrde wiðstondan, ne se hreo hyge helpe gefremman. Forðon domgeorne dreorigne oft in hyra breostcofan bindað fæste |
"No man in his weary heart can withstand fate nor the pained soul helps accomplish nothing. Therefore, the dejected praise-seekers often bind firmly their heart's recesses. |
| Lines 19a-24b | |
| swa ic modsefan minne sceolde, oft earmcearig, eðle bidæled, freomægum feor feterum sælan, siþþan geara iu goldwine minne hrusan heolstre biwrah, ond ic hean þonan wod wintercearig ofer waþema gebind. |
"So I, miserable and sad, must often be deprived of a home far from free-men, bound by fetters, since the darkness of earth has been placed over my gold-friend and I passed thence, winter-sad, over the cluster of waves. |
| Lines 25a-29a | |
| sohte sele dreorig sinces bryttan, hwær ic feor oþþe neah findan meahte þone þe in meoduhealle min mine wisse, oþþe mec freondleasne frefran wolde, weman mid wynnum. |
"I sought, hall-mournful, a giver of treasure - where I could find, far or near, he who, in the mead-hall, might know my people, or would wish to comfort the friendless me or entertain with delights." |
| Lines 29b-36a | |
| Wat se þe cunnað, hu sliþen bið sorg to geferan, þam þe him lyt hafað leofra geholena. Warað hine wræclast, nales wunden gold, ferðloca freorig, nalæs foldan blæd. Gemon he selesecgas ond sincþege, hu hine on geoguðe his goldwine wenede to wiste. |
He who experiences it knows the sorrow in travel, those who have few of beloved protectors. The path of exile awaits him - not wound gold, frozen-hearted, no joy of the land. He remembers hallmen and the receipt of gifts. How in his youth his patron regularly accustomed him to feast. |
| Line 36b | |
| Wyn eal gedreas! | All joy is dead! |
| Lines 37a-44b | |
| Forþon wat se þe sceal his winedryhtnes leofes larcwidum longe forþolian, ðonne sorg ond slæp somod ætgædre earmne anhogan oft gebindað. þinceð him on mode þæt he his mondryhten clyppe ond cysse, ond on cneo lecge honda ond heafod, swa he hwilum ær in geardagum giefstolas breac. |
He indeed knows he who must long endure the absence of the counsels of his beloved friendly lord - when sorrow and sleep, in concert, often bind the wretched lone one - he thinks to he dreams that he embraces and kisses his lord, presses his hands and head to his knee as it were in the days of old, enjoyed the gift-seat. |
| Lines 45a-48b | |
| ðonne onwæcneð eft wineleas guma, gesihð him biforan fealwe wegas, baþian brimfuglas, brædan feþra, hreosan hrim ond snaw, hagle gemenged. |
Then the friendless man again rouses. He sees before him the doldrums - seabirds bathe, feathers spread. Snow, frost, and hail fall, intermingled. |
| Lines 49a-53a | |
| þonne beoð þy hefigran heortan benne, sare æfter swæsne. Sorg bið geniwad, þonne maga gemynd mod geondhweorfeð; greteð gliwstafum, georne geondsceawað secga geseldan. |
Then the wounds of the heart are sorely heavier for a loved one. Sorrow is renewed when the mind ponders the memory of kinsman, he hails with songs of joy, eagerly surveying the companions of men. |
| Line 53b | |
| Swimmað eft on weg! | Again, they swim away! |
| Lines 54a-57b | |
| Fleotendra ferð no þær fela bringeð cuðra cwidegiedda. Cearo bið geniwad þam þe sendan sceal swiþe geneahhe ofer waþema gebind werigne sefan. |
The hearts of seafarers never bring much of known proverbs. Care is renewed for the one who must frequently and greatly send his weary heart out of the cluster of waves. |
| Lines 58a-62a | |
| Forþon ic geþencan ne mæg geond þas woruld for hwan modsefa min ne gesweorce, þonne ic eorla lif eal geondþence, hu hi færlice flet ofgeafon, modge maguþegnas. |
Indeed, I do not know why my heart should not grow dark when I contemplate all of the lives of men who suddenly left the floor - brave young retainers. |
| Lines 62b-65a | |
| Swa þes middangeard ealra dogra gehwam dreoseð ond fealleþ, forþon ne mæg weorþan wis wer, ær he age wintra dæl in woruldrice. |
So this middle-earth, each and every day, weakens and falls; therefore no man becomes wise before in the realm of this world have passed many winters. |
| Lines 65b-73b | |
| Wita sceal geþyldig, ne sceal no to hatheort ne to hrædwyrde, ne to wac wiga ne to wanhydig, ne to forht ne to fægen, ne to feohgifre ne næfre gielpes to georn, ær he geare cunne. Beorn sceal gebidan, þonne he beot spriceð, oþþæt collenferð cunne gearwe hwider hreþra gehygd hweorfan wille. |
A wise man must be patient - never too hot-hearted, nor too quick to speak, nor too weak in battle, nor too reckless; never too afraid, nor too cheerful, nor too greedy for wealth, nor too eager of boasting, until he knows for certain. A man must wait when he speaks a boast whither the intention of his bosom wishes to turn. |
| Lines 74a-80a | |
| Ongietan sceal gleaw hæle hu gæstlic bið, þonne ealre þisse worulde wela weste stondeð, swa nu missenlice geond þisne middangeard winde biwaune weallas stondaþ, hrime bihrorene, hryðge þa ederas. Woriað þa winsalo, waldend licgað dreame bidrorene, duguþ eal gecrong, wlonc bi wealle. |
The wise man must realize what is ghost-like, when all the wealth of this world lays in waste - as now, through this middle-earth, walls stand, variously blown by the wind, covered by frost, storm-beaten buildings. The wine-halls goes to decay, the wielders bereft of joy. All the warriors fall proud by the wall. |
| Lines 80b-84b | |
| Sume wig fornom, ferede in forðwege, sumne fugel oþbær ofer heanne holm, sumne se hara wulf deaðe gedælde, sumne dreorighleor in eorðscræfe eorl gehydde. |
Some were destroyed by war - sent on their way, one was carried off by a bird over the tall waves, one the grey wolf gave to death, one was placed in the grave by a grim-faced leader. |
| Lines 85a-87b | |
| Yþde swa þisne eardgeard ælda scyppend oþþæt burgwara breahtma lease eald enta geweorc idlu stodon. |
The architect of the ages laid waste to this plot of earth until the city-men were deprived of the clamor. The work of the giants stood empty. |
| Lines 88a-96b | |
| Se þonne þisne wealsteal wise geþohte ond þis deorce lif deope geondþenceð, frod in ferðe, feor oft gemon wælsleahta worn, ond þas word acwið: Hwær cwom mearg? Hwær cwom mago? Hwær cwom maþþumgyfa? Hwær cwom symbla gesetu? Hwær sindon seledreamas? Eala beorht bune! Eala byrnwiga!; Eala þeodnes þrym! Hu seo þrag gewat, genap under nihthelm, swa heo no wære. |
He who remembers wisely about this foundation wall and this dark life, wise in memory, is often mindful of these far-off slaughters and speaks these words: "Where are the horses? Where are the young retainers? Where are the givers of gifts? Where are the seats at feasts? Where are the hall parties? Oh, bright cup! Oh, armored warriors! Oh, the majesty of the prince! How the times have vanished under the cover of night as if they never were!" |
| Lines 97a-107b | |
| Stondeð nu on laste leofre duguþe weal wundrum heah, wyrmlicum fah. Eorlas fornoman asca þryþe, wæpen wælgifru, wyrd seo mære, ond þas stanhleoþu stormas cnyssað, hrið hreosende hrusan bindeð, wintres woma, þonne won cymeð, nipeð nihtscua, norþan onsendeð hreo hæglfare hæleþum on andan. Eall is earfoðlic eorþan rice, onwendeð wyrda gesceaft weoruld under heofonum. |
The wondrous high wall, marked with stripes, now stands in place of the beloved warriors. The power of spears destroy the noblemen - weapons greedy for slaughter - well-known fate, and the storms beat against these rocky slopes. The falling snowstorm binds the earth, the tumult of winter, then darkness comes. The shadows of night grow dark, sends from the north a shower of hail in malice against men. The realm of the earth is fraught with trouble. The creation of the fates turns the world under the heavens: |
| Lines 108a-110b | |
| Her bið feoh læne, her bið freond læne, her bið mon læne, her bið mæg læne, eal þis eorþan gesteal idel weorþeð! |
Here, wealth is fleeting, Here, a friend is fleeting, Here, a man is fleeting, Here, a kinsman is fleeting. The foundation of the whole world becomes empty. |
| Line 111a-115b | |
| Swa cwæð snottor on mode, gesæt him sundor æt rune. Til biþ se þe his treowe gehealdeþ, ne sceal næfre his torn to rycene beorn of his breostum acyþan, nemþe he ær þa bote cunne, eorl mid elne gefremman. Wel bið þam þe him are seceð, frofre to fæder on heofonum, þær us eal seo fæstnung stondeð. |
"Good is the man who holds tightly to his vow. Never must a man speak of the anger of his breast too quickly unless he already knows the remedy, a man with acts of courage. Well is the one who seeks grace, the comfort of the father in the heavens, where, for us, all stability resides." |
Old Norse
Loki and Svaðilfari
| Þat var snimma í ǫndverða byggð goðanna, þá er goðin hǫfðu sett Miðgarð ok gert Valhǫll, þá kom þar smiðr nǫkkurr ok bauð at gera þeim borg á þrim misserum svá góða, at trú ok ǫrugg væri fyrir bergrisum ok hrímþursum, þótt þeir kæmi inn um Miðgarð, en hann mælti sér þat til kaups, at hann skyldi eignast Freyju, ok hafa vildi hann sól ok mána. | Early on at the beginning of the settlement of the gods, when the gods established Midgard and made Valhalla, a particular builder came there and offered to build them a town within three seasons - so good that it could be trusty and secure against frost and hill giants, even if they came to Midgard - but he wanted for payment to possess Freya and he desired the sun and moon. |
| Þá gengu æsirnir á tal ok réðu ráðum sínum, ok var þat kaup gert við smiðinn, at hann skyldi eignast þat, er hann mælti til, ef hann fengi gert borgina á einum vetri, en inn fyrsta sumarsdag, ef nǫkkurr hlutr væri ógerr at borginni, þá skyldi hann af kaupinu. Skyldi hann af engum manni lið þiggja til verksins. | Then the gods went and consulted one another, and this bargain was made with the builder: that he should have what he expressed desire for if he could finish building in one winter; but if on that first day of summer any part was unfinished in the city, he would have no reward nor could he receive any aid from any man towards his work. |
| Ok er þeir sǫgðu honum þessa kosti, þá beiddist hann, at þeir skyldu lofa, at hann hefði lið af hesti sínum, er Svaðilfari hét, en því réð Loki, er þat var til lagt við hann. | And when they said this condition, he then asked if they could permit that he have the help of his horse, which is named Svaðilfar, and on this point he prevailed and that was granted to him. |
| Hann tók til inn fyrsta vetrardag at gera borgina, en of nætr dró hann til grjót á hestinum. En þat þótti ásunum mikit undr, hversu stór bjǫrg sá hestr dró, ok hálfu meira þrekvirki gerði hestrinn en smiðrinn. | He took until that first winter’s day to build the city, and during the night he hauled the stones with his horse, and the Æsir thought that a great marvel - at how massive the stones were that the horse hauled and the horse, through works of strength, did twice as much as the builder. |
| En at kaupi þeira váru sterk vitni ok mǫrg særi, fyrir því at jǫtnum þótti ekki tryggt at vera með ásum griðalaust, ef Þórr kæmi heim, en þá var hann farinn í austrveg at berja trǫll. | But there were many strong witnesses and oaths concerning the bargain of theirs, because the giants thought it by no means safe to be with the Æsir without truce should Thor come home, but he was traveling in the East, fighting trolls. |
| En er á leið vetrinn, þá sóttist mjǫk borgargerðin, ok var hon svá há ok sterk, at eigi mátti á þat leita. En þá er þrír dagar váru til sumars, þá var komit mjǫk at borghliði. | And when Winter passed, the building of the stronghold was quite greatly advanced, and it was so high and strong, that none would be able to attack it. And three days before summer, it was nearly to the city gate. |
| Þá settust goðin á dómstóla sína ok leituðu ráða ok spurði hverr annan, hverr því hefði ráðit at gifta Freyju í Jǫtunheima eða spilla loftinu ok himninum svá, at taka þaðan sól ok tungl ok gefa jǫtnum. En þat kom ásamt með ǫllum, at þessu myndi ráðit hafa sá, er flestu illu ræðr, Loki Laufeyjarson, ok kváðu hann verðan ills dauða, ef eigi hitti hann ráð til, at smiðrinn væri af kaupinu, ok veittu Loka atgǫngu. | Then the gods sat on their judgment-seats, sought advice, and asked each other who had suggested to deliver Freya to the giant-home and to spoil the sky and heavens so by taking the sun and the moon and giving them to the giants. And they wholly agreed that who must have counseled them, the most devious counselor, Loki Laufeyjarson, and declared him worthy of an evil death, if he could not come to a plan to give the smith his wages, and they gave Loki a thrashing. |
| En er hann varð hræddr, þá svarði hann eiða, at hann skyldi svá til haga, at smiðrinn væri af kaupinu, hvat sem hann kostaði til. | And then he became frightened, and then swore oaths that he should so arrange that the builders get payment, whatever the cost to him. |
| Ok it sama kveld, er smiðrinn ók út eftir grjótinu með hestinn Svaðilfara, þá hljóp ór skógi nǫkkurum merr ok at hestinum ok hrein við. | And that same evening, when the builder went out after stone with the stallion Svaðilfari, then a mare leapt out of a nearby forest and neighed at the stallion. |
| En er hestrinn kenn di, hvat hrossi þetta var, þá æddist hann ok sleit sundr reipin ok hljóp til merarinnar, en hon undan til skógar ok smiðrinn eftir ok vill taka hestinn, en þessi hross hlaupa alla nótt, ok dvelst smíðin þá nótt ok eftir um daginn varð ekki svá smíðat sem fyrr hafði orðit. | Then the stallion was frantic, knowing what horse that was, then snapped the trees apart and leapt towards the mare, who bound into the forest and the smith followed, wishing to grab the stallion. Then these horses ran all night, and the wright stayed there that night and afterward, during the day such work was not done as it was before. |
| Ok þá er smiðrinn sér, at eigi mun lokit verða verkinu, þá færist smiðrinn í jǫtunmóð. | And when the builder came to see that the work would not become finished, then the builder fell into a giant’s rage. |
| En er æsirnir sá þat til víss, at þar var bergrisi kominn, þá varð eigi þyrmt eiðunum, ok kǫlluðu þeir á Þór, ok jafnskjótt kom hann, ok því næst fór á loft hamarinn Mjǫllnir. | Then the Æsir saw truly that hill-giant was coming towards them, they did not honor their debts honorably, and called Þor to them, and he came quickly and promptly raised the hammer Mǫllnir aloft. |
| Galt hann þá smíðarkaupit ok eigi sól eða tungl, heldr synjaði hann honum at byggva í Jǫtunheimum ok laust þat it fyrsta hǫgg, er haussinn brotnaði í smán mola, ok sendi hann niðr undir Niflheim. | He paid the builder his wage, and not the sun and moon, he even denied him living in Jǫtunheim and struck a single blow and the giant’s head was smashed into tiny crumbs and sent him down to the underworld. |
| En Loki hafði þá ferð haft til Svaðilfara, at nǫkkuru síðar bar hann fyl. Þat var grátt ok hafði átta fætr, ok er sá hestr beztr með goðum ok mǫnnum. | But, Loki had special dealings with Svaðilfari and soon gave birth to a foal that was grey and had eight legs – and this horse is the best among gods and men. |
Hávamál
| Coming August 2021 |
Gothic
Mark Chapter 1
| Coming August 2021 |
