1A2.6

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2

ELENE

    
3þa wæs agangen geara hwyrftum tu hund ond þreo geteled
4rimes, swylce XXX eac, þinggemearces, wintra
5for worulde, þæs þe wealdend god acenned
6wearð, cyninga wuldor, in middangeard þurh mennisc heo,
7soðfæstra leoht.
8þa wæs syxte gear Constantines caserdomes, þæt he Romwara
9in rice wearð ahæfen, hildfruma, to hereteman.
10Wæs se leodhwata lindgeborga eorlum arfæst.
11Æðelinges weox rice under roderum.
12He wæs riht cyning, guðweard gumena.
13Hine god trymede mærðum ond mihtum, þæt he manegum wearð
14geond middangeard mannum to hroðer, werþeodum to wræce,
15syððan wæpen ahof wið hetendum.
16Him wæs hild boden, wiges woma.
17Werod samnodan Huna leode ond Hreðgotan, foron fyrdhwate
18Francan ond Hugas .
19Wæron hwate weras, gearwe to guðe.
20Garas lixtan, wriðene wælhlencan.
21Wordum ond bordum hofon herecombol.
22þa wæron heardingas sweotole gesamnod ond eal sib
23geador.
24For folca gedryht.
25Fyrdleoð agol wulf on wealde, wælrune ne mað.
26Urigfeðera earn sang ahof, laðum on laste.
27Lungre scynde ofer burg enta beaduþreata mæst, hergum to
28hilde, swylce Huna cyning ymbsittendra awer meahte

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29abannan to beadwe burgwigendra.
30For fyrda mæst.
31Feðan trymedon eoredcestum, þæt on ælfylce deareðlacende
32on Danubie, stærcedfyrhðe, stæðe wicedon ymb þæs
33wæteres wylm.
34Werodes breahtme woldon Romwara rice geþringan, hergum
35ahyðan.
36þær wearð Huna cyme cuð ceasterwarum.
37þa se casere heht ongean gramum guðgelæcan under earhfære
38ofstum myclum bannan to beadwe, beran ut
39þræce rincas under roderum.
40Wæron Romware, secgas sigerofe, sona gegearwod wæpnum to
41wigge, þeah hie werod læsse hæfdon to hilde þonne
42Huna cining; ridon ymb rofne, þonne rand dynede,
43campwudu clynede, cyning þreate for, herge to hilde.
44Hrefen uppe gol, wan ond wælfel.
45Werod wæs on tyhte.
46Hleopon hornboran, hreopan friccan, mearh moldan træd.
47Mægen samnode, cafe to cease.
48Cyning wæs afyrhted, egsan geaclad, siððan elþeodige, Huna
49ond Hreða here sceawede , ðæt he on Romwara rices
50ende ymb þæs wæteres stæð werod samnode, mægen unrime.
51Modsorge wæg Romwara cyning, rices ne wende for werodleste,
52hæfde wigena to lyt, eaxlgestealna wið
53ofermægene, hrora to hilde.
54Here wicode, eorlas ymb æðeling, egstreame neah on neaweste
55nihtlangne fyrst, þæs þe hie feonda gefær
56fyrmest gesægon.
57þa wearð on slæpe sylfum ætywed þam casere, þær he on
58corðre swæf,

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59sigerofum gesegen swefnes woma.
60þuhte him wlitescyne on weres hade hwit ond hiwbeorht
61hæleða nathwylc geywed ænlicra þonne he ær oððe
62sið gesege under swegle.
63He of slæpe onbrægd, eofurcumble beþeaht.
64Him se ar hraðe, wlitig wuldres boda, wið þingode ond be
65naman nemde, nihthelm toglad: Constantinus, heht þe cyning
66engla, wyrda wealdend, wære beodan, duguða dryhten.
67Ne ondræd þu ðe, ðeah þe elþeodige egesan hwopan,
68heardre hilde.
69þu to heofenum beseoh on wuldres weard, þær ðu wraðe
70findest, sigores tacen.
71He wæs sona gearu þurh þæs halgan hæs, hreðerlocan
72onspeon, up locade, swa him se ar abead, fæle friðowebba.
73Geseah he frætwum beorht wliti wuldres treo ofer wolcna hrof,
74golde geglenged gimmas lixtan; wæs se blaca beam
75bocstafum awriten, beorhte ond leohte: Mid þys
76beacne ðu on þam frecnan fære feond oferswiðesð,
77geletest lað werod.
78þa þæt leoht gewat, up siðode, ond se ar somed, on clænra
79gemang.
80Cyning wæs þy bliðra ond þe sorgleasra, secga aldor, on
81fyrhðsefan, þurh þa fægeran gesyhð.
82Heht þa onlice æðelinga hleo, beorna beaggifa, swa he þæt
83beacen geseah, heria hildfruma, þæt him on heofonum
84ær geiewed wearð, ofstum myclum, Constantinus,
85Cristes rode, tireadig cyning, tacen gewyrcan.
86Heht þa on uhtan mid ærdæge wigend wreccan, ond
87wæpenþræce hebban heorucumbul, ond þæt halige treo

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88him beforan ferian on feonda gemang, beran beacen godes.
89Byman sungon hlude for hergum.
90Hrefn weorces gefeah, urigfeðra, earn sið beheold,
91wælhreowra wig.
92Wulf sang ahof, holtes gehleða.
93Hildegesa stod.
94þær wæs borda gebrec ond beorna geþrec, heard handgeswing
95ond herga gring, syððan heo earhfære ærest metton.
96On þæt fæge folc flana scuras, garas ofer geolorand on
97gramra gemang, hetend heorugrimme , hildenædran,
98þurh fingra geweald forð onsendan.
99Stopon stiðhidige, stundum wræcon, bræcon bordhreðan, bil
100in dufan, þrungon þræchearde.
101þa wæs þuf hafen.
102segn for sweotum , sigeleoð galen.
103Gylden grima, garas lixtan on herefelda .
104Hæðene grungon, feollon friðelease.
105Flugon instæpes Huna leode, swa þæt halige treo aræran
106heht Romwara cyning, heaðofremmende.
107Wurdon heardingas wide towrecene.
108Sume wig fornam.
109Sume unsofte aldor generedon on þam heresiðe.
110Sume healfcwice flugon on fæsten ond feore burgon æfter
111stanclifum, stede weardedon ymb Danubie.
112Sume drenc fornam on lagostreame lifes æt ende.
113ða wæs modigra mægen on luste, ehton elþeoda oð þæt
114æfen forð fram dæges orde.
115Daroðæsc flugon, hildenædran.
116Heap wæs gescyrded, laðra lindwered.
117Lythwon becwom Huna herges ham eft þanon.

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118Þa wæs gesyne þæt sige forgeaf Constantino cyning
119ælmihtig æt þam dægweorce, domweorðunga,
120rice under roderum, þurh his rode treo.
121Gewat þa heriga helm ham eft þanon, huðe hremig, hild wæs
122gesceaden, wigge geweorðod.
123Com þa wigena hleo þegna þreate þryðbold secan ,
124beadurof cyning burga neosan.
125Heht þa wigena weard þa wisestan snude to sionoðe, þa þe
126snyttro cræft þurh fyrngewrito gefrigen hæfdon,
127heoldon higeþancum hæleða rædas.
128ða þæs fricggan ongan folces aldor, sigerof cyning, ofer
129sid weorod, wære þær ænig yldra oððe gingra þe him
130to soðe secggan meahte, galdrum cyðan, hwæt se
131god wære, boldes brytta, þe þis his beacen
132wæs þe me swa leoht oðywde ond mine leode generede, tacna
133torhtost, ond me tir forgeaf, wigsped wið
134wraðum, þurh þæt wlitige treo.
135Hio him ondsware ænige ne meahton agifan togenes, ne ful
136geare cuðon sweotole gesecggan be þam sigebeacne.
137þa þa wisestan wordum cwædon for þam heremægene þæt hit
138heofoncyninges tacen wære, ond þæs tweo nære.
139þa þæt gefrugnon þa þurh fulwihte lærde wæron, him wæs
140leoht sefa, ferhð gefeonde, þeah hira fea wæron,
141ðæt hie for þam casere cyðan moston godspelles gife,
142hu se gasta helm, in þrynesse þrymme geweorðad,
143acenned wearð, cyninga wuldor, ond hu on galgan
144wearð godes agen bearn ahangen for hergum heardum witum.

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145Alysde leoda bearn of locan deofla, geomre gastas, ond him
146gife sealde þurh þa ilcan gesceaft þe him geywed wearð
147sylfum on gesyhðe, sigores tacen , wið þeoda þræce.
148Ond hu ðy þriddan dæge of byrgenne beorna wuldor of deaðe
149aras, dryhten ealra hæleða cynnes, ond to
150heofonum astah.
151ðus gleawlice gastgerynum sægdon sigerofum, swa fram
152Siluestre lærde wæron.
153æt þam se leodfruma fulwihte onfeng ond þæt forð geheold
154on his dagana tid, dryhtne to willan.
155ða wæs on sælum sinces brytta, niðheard cyning.
156Wæs him niwe gefea befolen in fyrhðe, wæs him frofra mæst
157ond hyhta nihst heofonrices weard.
158Ongan þa dryhtnes æ dæges ond nihtes þurh gastes gife
159georne cyðan, ond hine soðlice sylfne getengde goldwine
160gumena in godes þeowdom, æscrof, unslaw.
161þa se æðeling fand, leodgebyrga, þurh larsmiðas,
162guðheard, garþrist, on godes bocum hwær ahangen wæs
163heriges beorhtme on rode treo rodora waldend æfstum þurh
164inwit, swa se ealda feond forlærde ligesearwum,
165leode fortyhte, Iudea cyn, þæt hie god sylfne
166ahengon, herga fruman.
167þæs hie in hynðum sculon to widan feore wergðu dreogan.
168þa wæs Cristes lof þam casere on firhðsefan, forð
169gemyndig ymb þæt mære treo, ond þa his modor het
170feran foldwege folca þreate to Iudeum, georne secan wigena
171þreate hwær se wuldres beam,

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172halig under hrusan, hyded wære, æðelcyninges rod.
173Elene ne wolde þæs siðfates sæne weorðan, ne ðæs
174wilgifan word gehyrwan, hiere sylfre suna, ac wæs
175sona gearu, wif on willsið, swa hire weoruda helm,
176byrnwiggendra, beboden hæfde.
177Ongan þa ofstlice eorla mengu to flote fysan.
178Fearoðhengestas ymb geofenes stæð gearwe stodon, sælde
179sæmearas, sunde getenge.
180ða wæs orcnæwe idese siðfæt, siððan wæges helm werode
181gesohte.
182þær wlanc manig æt Wendelsæ on stæðe stodon.
183Stundum wræcon ofer mearcpaðu, mægen æfter oðrum, ond þa
184gehlodon hildesercum, bordum ond ordum, byrnwigendum,
185werum ond wifum, wæghengestas.
186Leton þa ofer fifelwæg famige scriðan bronte brimþisan.
187Bord oft onfeng ofer earhgeblond yða swengas; sæ swinsade.
188Ne hyrde ic sið ne ær on egstreame idese lædan, on
189merestræte, mægen fægerre .
190þær meahte gesion, se ðone sið beheold, brecan ofer
191bæðweg, brimwudu snyrgan under swellingum ,
192sæmearh plegean, wadan wægflotan.
193Wigan wæron bliðe, collenferhðe, cwen siðes gefeah,
194syþþan to hyðe hringedstefnan ofer lagofæsten geliden
195hæfdon on Creca land.
196Ceolas leton æt sæfearoðe, sande bewrecene,

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197ald yðhofu , oncrum fæste on brime bidan beorna
198geþinges, hwonne heo sio guðcwen gumena þreate
199ofer eastwegas eft gesohte.
200ðær wæs on eorle eðgesyne brogden byrne ond bill gecost,
201geatolic guðscrud, grimhelm manig, ænlic eoforcumbul.
202Wæron æscwigan, secggas ymb sigecwen, siðes gefysde.
203Fyrdrincas frome foron on luste on Creca land, caseres bodan,
204hilderincas, hyrstum gewerede.
205þær wæs gesyne sincgim locen on þam hereþreate, hlafordes
206gifu.
207Wæs seo eadhreðige Elene gemyndig, þriste on geþance,
208þeodnes willan georn on mode þæt hio Iudeas ofer
209herefeldas heape gecoste lindwigendra land gesohte, secga
210þreate.
211Swa hit siððan gelamp ymb lytel fæc þæt ðæt leodmægen,
212guðrofe hæleþ to Hierusalem cwomon in þa ceastre corðra
213mæste, eorlas æscrofe mid þa æðelan cwen.
214Heht ða gebeodan burgsittendum þam snoterestum side ond wide
215geond Iudeas, gumena gehwylcum, meðelhegende ,
216on gemot cuman, þa ðe deoplicost dryhtnes geryno
217þurh rihte æ reccan cuðon.
218ða wæs gesamnod of sidwegum mægen unlytel, þa ðe Moyses
219æ reccan cuðon.
220þær on rime wæs þreo M þæra leoda alesen to lare.
221Ongan þa leoflic wif weras Ebrea wordum negan:

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222Ic þæt gearolice ongiten hæbbe þurg witgena wordgeryno
223on godes bocum þæt ge geardagum wyrðe wæron
224wuldorcyninge, dryhtne dyre ond dædhwæte.
225Hwæt, ge ealle snyttro unwislice, wraðe wiðweorpon, þa
226ge wergdon þane þe eow of wergðe þurh his wuldres miht,
227fram ligcwale, lysan þohte, of hæftnede.
228Ge mid horu speowdon on þæs ondwlitan þe eow eagena leoht,
229fram blindnesse bote gefremede edniowunga þurh þæt
230æðele spald, ond fram unclænum oft generede
231deofla gastum.
232Ge to deaþe þone deman ongunnon, se ðe of deaðe sylf
233woruld awehte on wera corþre in þæt ærre lif
234eowres cynnes.
235Swa ge modblinde mengan ongunnon lige wið soðe, leoht wið
236þystrum, æfst wið are, inwitþancum wroht
237webbedan.
238Eow seo wergðu forðan sceðþeð scyldfullum.
239Ge þa sciran miht deman ongunnon, ond gedweolan lifdon,
240þeostrum geþancum, oð þysne dæg.
241Gangaþ nu snude, snyttro geþencaþ, weras wisfæste, wordes
242cræftige, þa ðe eowre æ æðelum cræftige on ferhðsefan
243fyrmest hæbben, þa me soðlice secgan cunnon,
244ondsware cyðan for eowic forð tacna gehwylces
245þe ic him to sece.
246Eodan þa on geruman reonigmode eorlas æcleawe, egesan
247geþreade, gehðum geomre, georne sohton

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248þa wisestan wordgeryno, þæt hio þære cwene oncweðan
249meahton swa tiles swa trages, swa hio him to sohte.
250Hio þa on þreate M manna fundon ferhðgleawra, þa þe
251fyrngemynd mid Iudeum gearwast cuðon.
252þrungon þa on þreate þær on þrymme bad in cynestole
253caseres mæg, geatolic guðcwen golde gehyrsted.
254Elene maþelode ond for eorlum spræc: Gehyrað, higegleawe,
255halige rune, word ond wisdom.
256Hwæt, ge witgena lare onfengon, hu se liffruma in cildes had
257cenned wurde, mihta wealdend.
258Be þam Moyses sang, ond þæt word gecwæð weard
259Israhela: Eow acenned bið cniht on degle, mihtum mære,
260swa þæs modor ne bið wæstmum geeacnod þurh weres frige.
261Be ðam Dauid cyning dryhtleoð agol, frod fyrnweota, fæder
262Salomones, ond þæt word gecwæþ wigona baldor:
263Ic frumþa god fore sceawode, sigora dryhten.
264He on gesyhðe wæs, mægena wealdend, min on þa swiðran,
265þrymmes hyrde.
266þanon ic ne wende æfre to aldre onsion mine.
267Swa hit eft be eow Essaias, witga for weorodum, wordum mælde,
268deophycggende þurh dryhtnes gast: Ic
269up ahof eaforan gingne ond bearn cende, þam ic blæd forgeaf,
270halige higefrofre, ac hie hyrwdon me ,
271feodon þurh feondscipe, nahton foreþances, wisdomes gewitt;
272ond þa weregan neat, þe man daga gehwam drifeð ond
273þirsceð, ongitaþ hira goddend, nales gnyrnwræcum

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274feogað frynd hiera þe him fodder gifað , ond me
275Israhela æfre ne woldon folc oncnawan,
276þeah ic feala for him æfter woruldstundum wundra gefremede.
277Hwæt, we þæt gehyrdon þurh halige bec þæt eow dryhten
278geaf dom unscyndne, meotod mihta sped, Moyse
279sægde hu ge heofoncyninge hyran sceoldon, lare læstan.
280Eow þæs lungre aþreat, ond ge þam ryhte wiðroten hæfdon,
281onscunedon þone sciran scippend eallra, dryhtna dryhten,
282ond gedwolan fylgdon ofer riht godes.
283Nu ge raþe gangaþ ond findaþ gen þa þe fyrngewritu þurh
284snyttro cræft selest cunnen, æriht eower,
285þæt me ondsware þurh sidne sefan secgan cunnen.
286Eodan ða mid mengo modcwanige, collenferhðe, swa him sio
287cwen bead.
288Fundon þa D forþsnottera alesen leodmæga, þa ðe
289leornungcræft þurh modgemynd mæste hæfdon,
290on sefan snyttro.
291Heo to salore eft ymb lytel fæc laðode wæron, ceastre
292weardas.
293Hio sio cwen ongan wordum genegan, wlat ofer ealle: Oft ge
294dyslice dæd gefremedon, werge wræcmæcggas,
295ond gewritu herwdon, fædera lare, næfre furður þonne
296nu, ða ge blindnesse bote forsegon, ond ge
297wiðsocon soðe ond rihte, þæt in Bethleme bearn wealdendes,
298cyning anboren, cenned wære, æðelinga ord.
299þeah ge þa æ cuðon, witgena word, ge ne woldon þa,

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300synwyrcende, soð oncnawan.
301Hie þa anmode ondsweredon: Hwæt, we Ebreisce æ leornedon,
302þa on fyrndagum fæderas cuðon æt godes earce,
303ne we geare cunnon þurh hwæt ðu ðus hearde,
304hlæfdige, us eorre wurde.
305We ðæt æbylgð nyton þe we gefremedon on þysse folcscere,
306þeodenbealwa, wið þec æfre.
307Elene maðelade ond for eorlum spræc, undearninga ides
308reordode hlude for herigum: Ge nu hraðe gangað,
309sundor asecaþ þa ðe snyttro mid eow, mægn ond
310modcræft, mæste hæbben, þæt me þinga gehwylc
311þriste gecyðan, untraglice, þe ic him to sece.
312Eodon þa fram rune, swa him sio rice cwen, bald in burgum,
313beboden hæfde, geomormode, georne smeadon,
314sohton searoþancum, hwæt sio syn wære þe hie on þam
315folce gefremed hæfdon wið þam casere, þe him
316sio cwen wite.
317þa þær for eorlum an reordode, gidda gearosnotor, ðam wæs
318Iudas nama, wordes cræftig: Ic wat geare
319þæt hio wile secan be þam sigebeame on ðam þrowode þeoda
320waldend, eallra gnyrna leas, godes agen bearn,
321þone orscyldne eofota gehwylces þurh hete hengon
322on heanne beam in fyrndagum fæderas usse.
323þæt wæs þrealic geþoht.
324Nu is þearf mycel þæt we fæstlice ferhð staðelien, þæt
325we ðæs morðres meldan ne weorðen hwær þæt halige
326trio beheled wurde æfter wigþræce, þy læs toworpen sien

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327frod fyrngewritu ond þa fæderlican lare forleten .
328Ne bið lang ofer ðæt þæt Israhela æðelu moten ofer
329middangeard ma ricsian, æcræft eorla, gif ðis yppe bið,
330swa þa þæt ilce gio min yldra fæder sigerof
331sægde, þam wæs Sachius nama, frod fyrnwiota,
332fæder minum, eaferan, wende hine of worulde ond þæt word
333gecwæð: Gif þe þæt gelimpe on lifdagum þæt ðu
334gehyre ymb þæt halige treo frode frignan, ond geflitu
335ræran be ðam sigebeame on þam soðcyning ahangen wæs,
336heofonrices weard, eallre sybbe bearn, þonne þu
337snude gecyð, min swæs sunu, ær þec swylt nime.
338Ne mæg æfre ofer þæt Ebrea þeod rædþeahtende rice
339healdan, duguðum wealdan, ac þara dom leofað ond
340hira dryhtscipe, in woruld weorulda willum gefylled, ðe þone
341ahangnan cyning heriaþ ond lofiað.
342þa ic fromlice fæder minum, ealdum æwitan, ageaf ondsware:
343Hu wolde þæt geweorðan on woruldrice þæt
344on þone halgan handa sendan to feorhlege fæderas usse þurh
345wrað gewitt, gif hie wiston ær þæt he Crist wære,
346cyning on roderum, soð sunu meotudes, sawla nergend?
347ða me yldra min ageaf ondsware, frod on fyrhðe fæder
348reordode: Ongit, guma ginga, godes heahmægen,
349nergendes naman.
350Se is niða gehwam unasecgendlic, þone sylf ne mæg

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351on moldwege man aspyrigean.
352Næfre ic þa geþeahte þe þeos þeod ongan secan wolde, ac
353ic symle mec asced þara scylda, nales sceame worhte
354gaste minum.
355Ic him georne oft þæs unrihtes ondsæc fremede, þonne
356uðweotan æht bisæton, on sefan sohton hu hie sunu
357meotudes ahengon, helm wera, hlaford eallra engla ond
358elda, æðelust bearna.
359Ne meahton hie swa disige deað oðfæstan, weras wonsælige,
360swa hie wendon ær, sarum settan, þeah he
361sume hwile on galgan his gast onsende, sigebearn godes.
362þa siððan wæs of rode ahæfen rodera wealdend, eallra
363þrymma þrym, þreo niht siððan in byrgenne bidende
364wæs under þeosterlocan, ond þa þy þriddan dæg ealles
365leohtes leoht lifgende aras, ðeoden engla,
366ond his þegnum hine , soð sigora frea, seolfne geywde,
367beorht on blæde.
368þonne broðor þin onfeng æfter fyrste fulwihtes bæð,
369leohtne geleafan.
370þa for lufan dryhtnes Stephanus wæs stanum worpod; ne geald
371he yfel yfele, ac his ealdfeondum þingode þrohtherd,
372bæd þrymcyning þæt he him þa weadæd to
373wræce ne sette, þæt hie for æfstum unscyldigne,
374synna leasne, Sawles larum feore beræddon, swa he þurh
375feondscipe to cwale monige Cristes folces demde to deaþe.
376Swa þeah him dryhten eft miltse gefremede, þæt he manegum
377wearð folca to frofre, syððan him frymða
378god, niða nergend, naman oncyrde,

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379ond he syððan wæs sanctus Paulus be naman haten,
380ond him nænig wæs ælærendra oðer betera under
381swegles hleo syðþan æfre, þara þe wif oððe
382wer on woruld cendan, þeah he Stephanus stanum hehte
383abreotan on beorge, broðor þinne.
384Nu ðu meaht gehyran, hæleð min se leofa, hu arfæst is
385ealles wealdend, þeah we æbylgð wið hine oft
386gewyrcen, synna wunde, gif we sona eft þara bealudæda bote
387gefremmaþ ond þæs unrihtes eft geswicaþ.
388Forðan ic soðlice ond min swæs fæder syðþan gelyfdon
389þæt geþrowade eallra þrymma god lifes lattiow,
390laðlic wite for oferþearfe ilda cynnes.
391Forðan ic þe lære þurh leoðorune, hyse leofesta, þæt
392ðu hospcwide, æfst ne eofulsæc æfre ne fremme,
393grimne geagncwide, wið godes bearne.
394þonne ðu geearnast þæt þe bið ece lif, selust sigeleana,
395seald in heofonum.
396ðus mec fæder min on fyrndagum, unweaxenne wordum lærde,
397septe soðcwidum, þam wæs Symon nama, guma
398gehðum frod.
399Nu ge geare cunnon hwæt eow þæs on sefan selest þince to
400gecyðanne, gif ðeos cwen usic frigneð ymb
401ðæt treo, nu ge fyrhðsefan ond modgeþanc minne cunnon.
402Him þa togenes þa gleawestan on wera þreate wordum mældon:
403næfre we hyrdon hæleð ænigne

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404on þysse þeode, butan þec nu ða, þegn oðerne þyslic
405cyðan ymb swa dygle wyrd.
406Do swa þe þynce, fyrngidda frod, gif ðu frugnen sie on wera
407corðre.
408Wisdomes beðearf, worda wærlicra ond witan snyttro, se
409ðære æðelan sceal ondwyrde agifan for þyslicne
410þreat on meþle.
411Weoxan word cwidum, weras þeahtedon on healfa gehwær, sume
412hyder, sume þyder, þrydedon ond þohton.
413þa cwom þegna heap to þam heremeðle.
414Hreopon friccan, caseres bodan: Eow þeos cwen laþaþ, secgas
415to salore, þæt ge seonoðdomas rihte reccen.
416Is eow rædes þearf on meðelstede, modes snyttro.
417Heo wæron gearwe, geomormode leodgebyrgean, þa hie laðod
418wæron þurh heard gebann; to hofe eodon,
419cyðdon cræftes miht.
420þa sio cwen ongan weras Ebresce wordum negan, fricggan
421fyrhðwerige ymb fyrngewritu, hu on worulde ær
422witgan sungon, gasthalige guman, be godes bearne, hwær
423se þeoden geþrowade, soð sunu meotudes, for sawla lufan.
424Heo wæron stearce, stane heardran, noldon þæt geryne rihte
425cyðan, ne hire andsware ænige secgan, torngeniðlan,
426þæs hio him to sohte, ac hio worda gehwæs wiðersæc
427fremedon, fæste on fyrhðe, þæt heo frignan ongan,
428cwædon þæt hio on aldre owiht swylces ne ær
429ne sið æfre hyrdon.
430Elene maþelade ond him yrre oncwæð: Ic eow to soðe secgan
431wille, ond þæs in life lige ne wyrðeð,

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432gif ge þissum lease leng gefylgað mid fæcne gefice, þe me
433fore standaþ, þæt eow in beorge bæl fornimeð,
434hattost heaðowelma, ond eower hra bryttað, lacende lig,
435þæt eow sceal þæt leas apundrad weorðan
436to woruldgedale.
437Ne magon ge ða word geseðan þe ge hwile nu on unriht wrigon
438under womma sceatum, ne magon ge þa wyrd bemiðan,
439bedyrnan þa deopan mihte.
440ða wurdon hie deaðes on wenan, ades ond endelifes, ond þær
441þa ænne betæhton giddum gearusnottorne,
442þam wæs Iudas nama cenned for cneomagum, þone hie þære
443cwene agefon, sægdon hine sundorwisne: He þe
444mæg soð gecyðan, onwreon wyrda geryno, swa ðu hine wordum
445frignest, æriht from orde oð ende forð.
446He is for eorðan æðeles cynnes, wordcræftes wis ond witgan
447sunu, bald on meðle; him gebyrde is þæt
448he gencwidas gleawe hæbbe, cræft in breostum.
449He gecyðeð þe for wera mengo wisdomes gife þurh þa myclan
450miht, swa þin mod lufaþ.
451Hio on sybbe forlet secan gehwylcne agenne eard, ond þone
452ænne genam, Iudas to gisle, ond þa georne
453bæd þæt he be ðære rode riht getæhte þe ær in legere
454wæs lange bedyrned, ond hine seolfne sundor acigde.
455Elene maþelode to þam anhagan, tireadig cwen: þe synt tu
456gearu, swa lif swa deað, swa þe leofre bið
457to geceosanne.
458Cyð ricene nu hwæt ðu þæs to þinge þafian wille.
459Iudas hire ongen þingode ne meahte he þa gehðu bebugan,

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460oncyrran rex geniðlan; he wæs on þære cwene
461gewealdum: Hu mæg þæm geweorðan þe on westenne meðe ond
462meteleas morland trydeð, hungre gehæfted,
463ond him hlaf ond stan on gesihðe bu samod geweorðað,
464streac ond hnesce, þæt he þone stan nime wið
465hungres hleo, hlafes ne gime, gewende to wædle, ond þa wiste
466wiðsæce, beteran wiðhyccge, þonne he bega beneah?
467Him þa seo eadige ondwyrde ageaf Elene for eorlum
468undearnunga: Gif ðu in heofonrice habban wille eard
469mid englum ond on eorðan lif, sigorlean in swegle, saga
470ricene me hwær seo rod wunige radorcyninges,
471halig under hrusan, þe ge hwile nu þurh morðres man
472mannum dyrndun.
473Iudas maðelade, him wæs geomor sefa, hat æt heortan, ond
474gehwæðres wa, ge he heofonrices hyht swa
475mode ond þis ondwearde anforlete, rice under roderum, ge he
476ða rode ne tæhte: Hu mæg ic þæt findan
477þæt swa fyrn gewearð wintra gangum?
478Is nu worn sceacen, CC oððe ma geteled rime.
479Ic ne mæg areccan, nu ic þæt rim ne can.
480Is nu feala siðþan forðgewitenra frodra ond godra þe
481us fore wæron, gleawra gumena.
482Ic on geogoðe wearð on siðdagum syððan acenned,
483cnihtgeong hæleð.
484Ic ne can þæt ic nat, findan on fyrhðe þæt swa fyrn
485gewearð.
486Elene maðelade him on ondsware: Hu is þæt geworden on
487þysse werþeode

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488þæt ge swa monigfeald on gemynd witon, alra tacna gehwylc
489swa Troiana þurh gefeoht fremedon?
490þæt wæs fyr mycle , open ealdgewin, þonne þeos
491æðele gewyrd, geara gongum.
492Ge þæt geare cunnon edre gereccan, hwæt þær eallra wæs
493on manrime morðorslehtes, dareðlacendra deadra gefeallen
494under bordhagan.
495Ge þa byrgenna under stanhleoðum, ond þa stowe swa some,
496ond þa wintergerim on gewritu setton.
497Iudas maðelade, gnornsorge wæg: We þæs hereweorces,
498hlæfdige min, for nydþearfe nean myndgiaþ, ond
499þa wiggþræce on gewritu setton, þeoda gebæru, ond þis
500næfre þurh æniges mannes muð gehyrdon hæleðum
501cyðan, butan her nu ða.
502Him seo æðele cwen ageaf ondsware: Wiðsæcest ðu to swiðe
503soðe ond rihte ymb þæt lifes treow, ond nu
504lytle ær sægdest soðlice be þam sigebeame leodum þinum,
505ond nu on lige cyrrest.
506Iudas hire ongen þingode, cwæð þæt he þæt on gehðu
507gespræce ond on tweon swiðost, wende him trage
508hnagre.
509Him oncwæð hraðe caseres mæg: Hwæt, we ðæt hyrdon þurh
510halige bec hæleðum cyðan þæt ahangen wæs on
511Caluarie cyninges freobearn, godes gastsunu.
512þu scealt geagninga wisdom onwreon, swa gewritu secgaþ,
513æfter stedewange hwær seo stow sie Caluarie ,
514ær þec cwealm nime, swilt for synnum, þæt ic hie
515syððan mæge geclænsian Criste to willan,

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516hæleðum to helpe, þæt me halig god gefylle, frea mihtig,
517feores ingeþanc, weoruda wuldorgeofa, willan minne,
518gasta geocend.
519Hire Iudas oncwæð stiðhycgende: Ic þa stowe ne can, ne
520þæs wanges wiht ne þa wisan cann.
521Elene maðelode þurh eorne hyge: Ic þæt geswerige þurh
522sunu meotodes, þone ahangnan god, þæt ðu hungre
523scealt for cneomagum cwylmed weorðan, butan þu forlæte
524þa leasunga ond me sweotollice soð gecyðe.
525Heht þa swa cwicne corðre lædan, scufan scyldigne scealcas
526ne gældon in drygne seað, þær he duguða
527leas siomode in sorgum VII nihta fyrst under hearmlocan hungre
528geþreatod, clommum beclungen, ond þa
529cleopigan ongan sarum besylced on þone seofeðan dæg, meðe
530ond meteleas, mægen wæs geswiðrod: Ic eow healsie þurh
531heofona god þæt ge me of ðyssum earfeðum
532up forlæten, heanne fram hungres geniðlan.
533Ic þæt halige treo lustum cyðe, nu ic hit leng ne mæg
534helan for hungre.
535Is þes hæft to ðan strang, þreanyd þæs þearl ond þes
536þroht to ðæs heard dogorrimum.
537Ic adreogan ne mæg, ne leng helan be ðam lifes treo, þeah
538ic ær mid dysige þurhdrifen wære ond ðæt
539soð to late seolf gecneowe.
540þa ðæt gehyrde sio þær hæleðum scead, beornes gebæro,
541hio bebead hraðe þæt hine man of nearwe ond of nydcleofan,
542fram þam engan hofe, up forlete.
543Hie ðæt ofstlice efnedon sona, ond hine mid arum up
544gelæddon of carcerne, swa him seo cwen bebead.

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545Stopon þa to þære stowe stiðhycgende on þa dune up ðe
546dryhten ær ahangen wæs, heofonrices weard, godbearn
547on galgan, ond hwæðre geare nyste, hungre gehyned,
548hwær sio halige rod, þurh feondes searu
549foldan getyned, lange legere fæst leodum dyrne wunode
550wælreste.
551Word stunde ahof elnes oncyðig, ond on Ebrisc spræc: Dryhten
552hælend, þu ðe ahst doma geweald, ond þu geworhtest
553þurh þines wuldres miht heofon ond eorðan ond
554holmþræce, sæs sidne fæðm, samod ealle gesceaft,
555ond þu amæte mundum þinum ealne ymbhwyrft ond
556uprador, ond þu sylf sitest, sigora waldend,
557ofer þam æðelestan engelcynne, þe geond lyft farað
558leohte bewundene, mycle mægenþrymme.
559Ne mæg þær manna gecynd of eorðwegum up geferan in
560lichoman mid þa leohtan gedryht, wuldres aras.
561þu geworhtest þa ond to þegnunge þinre gesettest, halig
562ond heofonlic.
563þara on hade sint in sindreame syx genemned, þa ymbsealde
564synt mid syxum eac fiðrum gefrætwad, fægere scinaþ.
565þara sint IIII þe on flihte a þa þegnunge þrymme
566beweotigaþ fore onsyne eces deman, singallice singaþ
567in wuldre hædrum stefnum heofoncininges lof, woða
568wlitegaste, ond þas word cweðaþ clænum stefnum,
569þam is ceruphin nama:

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570Halig is se halga heahengla god,
571weoroda wealdend.
572Is ðæs wuldres ful heofun ond eorðe ond eall heahmægen,
573tire getacnod.
574Syndon tu on þam, sigorcynn on swegle, þe man seraphin be
575naman hateð.
576He sceal neorxnawang ond lifes treo legene sweorde halig
577healdan.
578Heardecg cwacaþ, beofaþ brogdenmæl, ond bleom wrixleð
579grapum gryrefæst.
580þæs ðu, god dryhten, wealdest widan fyrhð, ond þu
581womfulle scyldwyrcende sceaðan of radorum awurpe
582wonhydige.
583þa sio werge sceolu under heolstorhofu hreosan sceolde in
584wita forwyrd, þær hie in wylme nu dreogaþ
585deaðcwale in dracan fæðme, þeostrum forþylmed.
586He þinum wiðsoc aldordome.
587þæs he in ermðum sceal, ealra fula ful, fah þrowian,
588þeowned þolian.
589þær he þin ne mæg word aweorpan, is in witum fæst, ealre
590synne fruma, susle gebunden.
591Gif þin willa sie, wealdend engla, þæt ricsie se ðe on
592rode wæs, ond þurh Marian in middangeard acenned wearð
593in cildes had, þeoden engla, gif he þin nære
594sunu synna leas, næfre he soðra swa feala in woruldrice
595wundra gefremede dogorgerimum; no ðu of deaðe
596hine swa þrymlice, þeoda wealdend, aweahte for weorodum,
597gif he in wuldre þin þurh ða beorhtan
598bearn ne wære, gedo nu, fæder engla, forð beacen þin.
599Swa ðu gehyrdest þone halgan wer

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600Moyses on meðle, þa ðu,
601mihta god, geywdest þam eorle on þa æðelan
602tid under beorhhliðe ban Iosephes, swa ic þe, weroda wyn,
603gif hit sie willa þin, þurg þæt beorhte
604gesceap biddan wille þæt me þæt goldhord, gasta scyppend,
605geopenie, þæt yldum wæs lange behyded.
606Forlæt nu, lifes fruma, of ðam wangstede wynsumne up under
607radores ryne rec astigan lyftlacende.
608Ic gelyfe þe sel ond þy fæstlicor ferhð staðelige, hyht
609untweondne, on þone ahangnan Crist, þæt he
610sie soðlice sawla nergend, ece ælmihtig, Israhela cining,
611walde widan ferhð wuldres on heofenum, a
612butan ende ecra gestealda.
613ða of ðære stowe steam up aras swylce rec under radorum.
614þær aræred wearð beornes breostsefa.
615He mid bæm handum, eadig ond ægleaw, upweard plegade.
616Iudas maþelode, gleaw in geþance: Nu ic þurh soð hafu
617seolf gecnawen on heardum hige þæt ðu hælend
618eart middangeardes.
619Sie ðe, mægena god, þrymsittendum þanc butan ende, þæs
620ðu me swa meðum ond swa manweorcum þurh þin
621wuldor inwrige wyrda geryno.
622Nu ic þe, bearn godes, biddan wille, weoroda willgifa, nu ic
623wat þæt ðu eart gecyðed ond acenned allra cyninga þrym,
624þæt ðu ma ne sie minra gylta, þara þe
625ic gefremede nalles feam siðum, metud, gemyndig.
626Læt mec, mihta god, on rimtale rices þines mid haligra hlyte
627wunigan

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628in þære beorhtan byrig, þær is
629broðor min geweorðod in wuldre, þæs he wære wið þec,
630Stephanus, heold, þeah he stangreopum worpod
631wære.
632He hafað wigges lean, blæd butan blinne.
633Sint in bocum his wundor þa he worhte on gewritum cyðed.
634Ongan þa wilfægen æfter þam wuldres treo, elnes anhydig,
635eorðan delfan under turfhagan, þæt he on XX fotmælum
636feor funde behelede, under neolum niðer næsse
637gehydde in þeostorcofan.
638He ðær III mette in þam reonian hofe roda ætsomne, greote
639begrauene, swa hio geardagum arleasra sceolu eorðan
640beþeahton, Iudea cynn .
641Hie wið godes bearne nið ahofun, swa hie no sceoldon, þær
642hie leahtra fruman larum ne hyrdon.
643þa wæs modgemynd myclum geblissod, hige onhyrded, þurh
644þæt halige treo, inbryrded breostsefa, syððan beacen
645geseh, halig under hrusan.
646He mid handum befeng wuldres wynbeam, ond mid weorode ahof of
647foldgræfe.
648Feðegestas eodon, æðelingas, in on þa ceastre.
649Asetton þa on gesyhðe sigebeamas III eorlas anhydige fore
650Elenan cneo, collenferhðe.
651Cwen weorces gefeah on ferhðsefan, ond þa frignan ongan on
652hwylcum þara beama bearn wealdendes, hæleða hyhtgifa,
653hangen wære: Hwæt, we þæt hyrdon þurh
654halige bec tacnum cyðan, þæt twegen mid
655him geþrowedon, ond he wæs þridda sylf on rode treo.
656Rodor eal geswearc on þa sliðan tid.
657Saga, gif ðu cunne,

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658on hwylcre þyssa þreora þeoden engla
659geþrowode, þrymmes hyrde.
660Ne meahte hire Iudas, ne ful gere wiste, sweotole gecyþan be
661ðam sigebeame, on hwylcne se hælend ahafen wære,
662sigebearn godes, ær he asettan heht on þone
663middel þære mæran byrig beamas mid bearhtme,
664ond gebidan þær oððæt him gecyðde cyning ælmihtig
665wundor for weorodum be ðam wuldres treo.
666Gesæton sigerofe, sang ahofon, rædþeahtende, ymb þa roda
667þreo oð þa nigoðan tid, hæfdon neowne gefean mærðum
668gemeted.
669þa þær menigo cwom, folc unlytel, ond gefærenne man
670brohton on bære beorna þreate on neaweste, wæs
671þa nigoðe tid, gingne gastleasne.
672þa ðær Iudas wæs on modsefan miclum geblissod.
673Heht þa asettan sawlleasne, life belidenes lic on eorðan,
674unlifgendes, ond up ahof rihtes wemend þara roda twa
675fyrhðgleaw on fæðme ofer þæt fæge hus,
676deophycgende.
677Hit wæs dead swa ær, lic legere fæst.
678Leomu colodon þreanedum beþeaht.
679þa sio þridde wæs ahafen halig.
680Hra wæs on anbide oððæt him uppan æðelinges wæs rod
681aræred, rodorcyninges beam, sigebeacen soð.
682He sona aras gaste gegearwod, geador bu samod lic ond sawl.
683þær wæs lof hafen fæger mid þy folce.
684Fæder weorðodon, ond þone soðan sunu wealdendes wordum
685heredon.
686Sie him wuldor ond þanc a butan ende eallra gesceafta.

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687ða wæs þam folce on ferhðsefan, ingemynde, swa him a
688scyle, wundor þa þe worhte weoroda dryhten to
689feorhnere fira cynne, lifes lattiow.
690þa þær ligesynnig on lyft astah lacende feond.
691Ongan þa hleoðrian helledeofol, eatol æclæca, yfela
692gemyndig: Hwæt is þis, la, manna, þe minne eft
693þurh fyrngeflit folgaþ wyrdeð, iceð ealdne nið, æhta
694strudeð?
695þis is singal sacu.
696Sawla ne moton manfremmende in minum leng æhtum wunigan.
697Nu cwom elþeodig, þone ic ær on firenum fæstne talde,
698hafað mec bereafod rihta gehwylces, feohgestreona.
699Nis ðæt fæger sið.
700Feala me se hælend hearma gefremede, niða nearolicra, se ðe
701in Nazareð afeded wæs.
702Syððan furþum weox of cildhade, symle cirde to him æhte
703mine.
704Ne mot ænige nu rihte spowan.
705Is his rice brad ofer middangeard.
706Min is geswiðrod ræd under roderum.
707Ic þa rode ne þearf hleahtre herigean.
708Hwæt, se hælend me in þam engan ham oft getynde, geomrum to
709sorge.
710Ic þurh Iudas ær hyhtful gewearð, ond nu gehyned eom, goda
711geasne, þurh Iudas eft, fah ond freondleas.
712Gen ic findan can þurh wrohtstafas wiðercyr siððan
713of ðam wearhtreafum, ic awecce wið ðe oðerne
714cyning, se ehteð þin, ond he forlæteð lare þine ond
715manþeawum minum folgaþ,

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716ond þec þonne sendeð in
717þa sweartestan ond þa wyrrestan witebrogan, þæt ðu,
718sarum forsoht, wiðsæcest fæste þone ahangnan cyning,
719þam ðu hyrdest ær.
720Him ða gleawhydig Iudas oncwæð, Hæleð hildedeor, him wæs
721halig gast befolen fæste, fyrhat lufu, weallende gewitt
722þurh witgan snyttro, ond þæt word gecwæð,
723wisdomes ful: Ne þearft ðu swa swiðe, synna gemyndig,
724sar niwigan ond sæce ræran, morðres manfrea,
725þæt þe se mihtiga cyning in neolnesse nyðer
726bescufeð, synwyrcende, in susla grund domes leasne, se ðe
727deadra feala worde awehte.
728Wite ðu þe gearwor þæt ðu unsnyttrum anforlete leohta
729beorhtost ond lufan dryhtnes, þone fægran gefean,
730ond on fyrbæðe suslum beþrungen syððan wunodest, ade
731onæled, ond þær awa scealt, wiðerhycgende,
732wergðu dreogan, yrmðu butan ende.
733Elene gehyrde hu se feond ond se freond geflitu rærdon,
734tireadig ond trag, on twa halfa, synnig ond gesælig.
735Sefa wæs þe glædra þæs þe heo gehyrde þone
736hellesceaþan oferswiðedne , synna bryttan, ond þa
737wundrade ymb þæs weres snyttro, hu he swa geleafful on swa
738lytlum
739fæce ond swa uncyðig æfre wurde, gleawnesse þurhgoten.
740Gode þancode, wuldorcyninge, þæs hire se willa gelamp þurh
741bearn godes bega gehwæðres, ge æt þære gesyhðe
742þæs sigebeames,

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743ge ðæs geleafan þe hio swa leohte
744oncneow, wuldorfæste gife in þæs weres breostum.
745ða wæs gefrege in þære folcsceare, geond þa werþeode
746wide læded, mære morgenspel manigum on andan þara þe
747dryhtnes æ dyrnan woldon, boden æfter burgum,
748swa brimo fæðmeð, in ceastra gehwære,
749þæt Cristes rod , fyrn foldan begræfen,
750funden wære, selest sigebeacna þara þe sið
751oððe ær halig under heofenum ahafen wurde,
752ond wæs Iudeum gnornsorga mæst, werum
753wansæligum, wyrda laðost, þær hie hit for
754worulde wendan meahton, cristenra gefean.
755ða sio cwen bebead ofer eorlmægen aras fysan ricene to rade.
756Sceoldon Romwarena ofer heanne holm hlaford secean ond þam
757wiggende wilspella mæst seolfum gesecgan,
758þæt ðæt sigorbeacen þurh meotodes est meted wære,
759funden in foldan, þæt ær feala mæla behyded
760wæs halgum to teonan, cristenum folce.
761þa ðam cininge wearð þurh þa mæran word mod geblissod,
762ferhð gefeonde.
763Næs þa fricgendra under goldhoman gad in burgum, feorran
764geferede.
765Wæs him frofra mæst geworden in worlde æt ðam willspelle,
766hlihende hyge, þe him hereræswan ofer eastwegas,
767aras brohton, hu gesundne sið ofer swonrade
768secgas mid sigecwen aseted hæfdon on Creca land.
769Hie se casere heht ofstum myclum eft gearwian sylfe to siðe.
770Secgas ne gældon

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771syððan andsware edre gehyrdon, æðelinges word.
772Heht he Elenan hæl abeodan beadurofre, gif hie brim nesen ond
773gesundne sið settan mosten, hæleð hwætmode,
774to þære halgan byrig.
775Heht hire þa aras eac gebeodan Constantinus þæt hio cirican
776þær on þam beorhhliðe begra rædum getimbrede,
777tempel dryhtnes on Caluarie Criste to willan, hæleðum
778to helpe, þær sio halige rod gemeted wæs,
779mærost beama þara þe gefrugnen foldbuende on eorðwege.
780Hio geefnde swa, siððan winemagas westan brohton ofer
781lagufæsten leofspell manig.
782ða seo cwen bebead cræftum getyde sundor asecean þa
783selestan, þa þe wrætlicost wyrcan cuðon stangefogum,
784on þam stedewange girwan godes tempel, swa hire gasta
785weard reord of roderum.
786Heo þa rode heht golde beweorcean ond gimcynnum, mid þam
787æðelestum eorcnanstanum besettan searocræftum
788ond þa in seolfren fæt locum belucan.
789þær þæt lifes treo, selest sigebeama, siððan wunode
790æðelum anbræce .
791þær bið a gearu wraðu wannhalum wita gehwylces, sæce ond
792sorge.
793Hie sona þær þurh þa halgan gesceaft helpe findaþ,
794godcunde gife.
795Swylce Iudas onfeng æfter fyrstmearce fulwihtes bæð, ond
796geclænsod wearð Criste getrywe, lifwearde
797leof.
798His geleafa wearð fæst on ferhðe, siððan frofre gast

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799wic gewunode in þæs weres breostum, bylde to bote.
800He þæt betere geceas, wuldres wynne, ond þam wyrsan
801wiðsoc, deofulgildum, ond gedwolan fylde, unrihte æ.
802Him wearð ece rex , meotud milde, god, mihta wealdend.
803þa wæs gefulwad se ðe ær feala tida leoht gearu inbryrded
804breostsefa on þæt betere lif, gewended to
805wuldre.
806Huru, wyrd gescreaf þæt he swa geleaffull ond swa leof gode
807in worldrice weorðan sceolde, Criste gecweme.
808þæt gecyðed wearð, siððan Elene heht Eusebium on
809rædgeþeaht, Rome bisceop, gefetian on fultum,
810forðsnoterne, hæleða gerædum to þære halgan byrig,
811þæt he gesette on sacerdhad in Ierusalem Iudas
812þam folce to bisceope burgum on innan,
813þurh gastes gife to godes temple cræftum gecorene,
814ond hine Cyriacus þurh snyttro geþeaht syððan
815nemde niwan stefne.
816Nama wæs gecyrred beornes in burgum on þæt betere forð,
817æ hælendes.
818þa gen Elenan wæs mod gemynde ymb þa mæran wyrd, geneahhe
819for þam næglum þe ðæs nergendes fet þurhwodon
820ond his folme swa some, mid þam on rode wæs rodera
821wealdend gefæstnod, frea mihtig.
822Be ðam frignan ongan cristenra cwen, Cyriacus bæd þæt hire
823þa gina gastes mihtum ymb wundorwyrd willan gefylde,
824onwrige wuldorgifum, ond þæt word acwæð to
825þam bisceope, bald reordode: þu me, eorla hleo,
826þone æðelan beam,

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827rode rodera cininges ryhte getæhtesð,
828on þa ahangen wæs hæðenum folmum gasta geocend,
829godes agen bearn, nerigend fira.
830Mec þæra nægla gen on fyrhðsefan fyrwet myngaþ.
831Wolde ic þæt ðu funde þa ðe in foldan gen deope bedolfen
832dierne sindon, heolstre behyded.
833A min hige sorgað, reonig reoteð, ond geresteð no ærþan
834me gefylle fæder ælmihtig, wereda wealdend,
835willan minne, niða nergend, þurh þara nægla cyme, halig
836of hiehða.
837Nu ðu hrædlice eallum eaðmedum, ar selesta, þine bene
838onsend in ða beorhtan gesceaft, on wuldres wyn.
839Bide wigena þrym þæt þe gecyðe, cyning ælmihtig, hord
840under hrusan þæt gehyded gen, duguðum dyrne,
841deogol bideð.
842þa se halga ongan hyge staðolian, breostum onbryrded,
843bisceop þæs folces.
844Glædmod eode gumena þreate god hergendra, ond þa geornlice
845Cyriacus on Caluarie hleor onhylde, hygerune ne mað,
846gastes mihtum to gode cleopode eallum eaðmedum,
847bæd him engla weard geopenigean uncuðe wyrd,
848niwan on nearwe, hwær he þara nægla swiðost on
849þam wangstede wenan þorfte.
850Leort ða tacen forð, þær hie to sægon, fæder, frofre
851gast, ðurh fyres bleo up eðigean þær þa æðelestan
852hæleða gerædum hydde wæron þurh nearusearwe, næglas
853on eorðan.
854ða cwom semninga sunnan beorhtra

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855lacende lig.
856Leode gesawon hira willgifan wundor cyðan, ða ðær of
857heolstre, swylce heofonsteorran oððe goldgimmas ,
858grunde getenge, næglas of nearwe neoðan scinende leohte
859lixton.
860Leode gefægon, weorud willhreðig, sægdon wuldor gode ealle
861anmode, þeah hie ær wæron þurh deofles spild in
862gedwolan lange, acyrred fram Criste.
863Hie cwædon þus: Nu we seolfe geseoð sigores tacen,
864soðwundor godes, þeah we wiðsocun ær mid leasingum.
865Nu is in leoht cymen, onwrigen, wyrda bigang.
866Wuldor þæs age on heannesse heofonrices god.
867ða wæs geblissod se ðe to bote gehwearf þurh bearn godes,
868bisceop þara leoda, niwan stefne.
869He þam næglum onfeng, egesan geaclod, ond þære
870arwyrðan cwene brohte.
871Hæfde Ciriacus eall gefylled, swa him seo æðele bebead,
872wifes willan.
873þa wæs wopes hring, hat heafodwylm ofer hleor goten, nalles
874for torne tearas feollon ofer wira gespon, wuldres gefylled
875cwene willa.
876Heo on cneow sette leohte geleafan, lac weorðode, blissum
877hremig, þe hire brungen wæs gnyrna to geoce.
878Gode þancode, sigora dryhtne, þæs þe hio soð gecneow
879ondweardlice þæt wæs oft bodod feor ær beforan
880fram fruman worulde, folcum to frofre.
881Heo gefylled wæs wisdomes gife, ond þa wic beheold halig
882heofonlic gast, hreðer weardode, æðelne innoð,
883swa hie ælmihtig sigebearn godes sioððan freoðode.

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884Ongan þa geornlice gastgerynum on sefan secean soðfæstnesse
885weg to wuldre.
886Huru, weroda god gefullæste, fæder on roderum, cining
887ælmihtig, þæt seo cwen begeat willan in worulde.
888Wæs se witedom þurh fyrnwitan beforan sungen eall æfter
889orde, swa hit eft gelamp ðinga gehwylces.
890þeodcwen ongan þurh gastes gife georne secan nearwe
891geneahhe, to hwan hio þa næglas selost ond deorlicost
892gedon meahte, dugoðum to hroðer, hwæt þæs wære
893dryhtnes willa.
894heht ða gefetigean forðsnotterne ricene to rune, þone þe
895rædgeþeaht þurh gleawe miht georne cuðe,
896frodne on ferhðe, ond hine frignan ongan hwæt him þæs on
897sefan selost þuhte to gelæstenne, ond his
898lare geceas þurh þeodscipe.
899He hire þriste oncwæð: þæt is gedafenlic þæt ðu
900dryhtnes word on hyge healde, halige rune, cwen seleste ,
901ond þæs cininges bebod georne begange, nu þe god
902sealde sawle sigesped ond snyttro cræft, nerigend fira.
903þu ðas næglas hat þam æðelestan eorðcyninga burgagendra
904on his bridels don, meare to midlum.
905þæt manigum sceall geond middangeard mære weorðan,
906þonne æt sæcce mid þy oferswiðan mæge feonda gehwylcne,
907þonne fyrdhwate on twa healfe tohtan secaþ,
908sweordgeniðlan, þær hie ymb sige winnað , wrað
909wið wraðum.
910He ah æt wigge sped, sigor æt sæcce, ond sybbe gehwær,

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911æt gefeohte frið, se ðe foran lædeð bridels
912on blancan, þonne beadurofe æt garþræce, guman gecoste,
913berað bord ond ord.
914þis bið beorna gehwam wið æglæce unoferswiðed wæpen æt
915wigge.
916Be ðam se witga sang, snottor searuþancum, sefa deop gewod,
917wisdomes gewitt, he þæt word gecwæð:
918Cuþ þæt gewyrðeð þæt þæs cyninges sceal mearh under
919modegum midlum geweorðod, bridelshringum.
920Bið þæt beacen gode halig nemned, ond se hwæteadig, wigge
921weorðod, se þæt wicg byrð.
922þa þæt ofstlice eall gelæste Elene for eorlum.
923æðelinges heht, beorna beaggifan, bridels frætwan, hire
924selfre suna sende to lace ofer geofenes stream gife unscynde.
925Heht þa tosomne þa heo seleste mid Iudeum gumena wiste,
926hæleða cynnes, to þære halgan byrig cuman in þa ceastre.
927þa seo cwen ongan læran leofra heap þæt hie lufan
928dryhtnes, ond sybbe swa same sylfra betweonum,
929freondræddenne, fæste gelæston leahtorlease in hira lifes
930tid, ond þæs latteowes larum hyrdon, cristenum þeawum,
931þe him Cyriacus bude, boca gleaw.
932Wæs se bissceophad fægere befæsted.
933Oft him feorran to laman, limseoce, lefe cwomon, healte,
934heorudreorige, hreofe ond blinde, heane, hygegeomre,
935symle hælo þær æt þam bisceope, bote fundon
936ece to aldre.
937þa gen him Elene forgeaf sincweorðunga, þa hio wæs siðes
938fus eft to eðle, ond þa eallum bebead

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939on þam gumrice god hergendum, werum ond wifum, þæt hie
940weorðeden mode ond mægene þone mæran dæg,
941heortan gehigdum, in ðam sio halige rod gemeted wæs,
942mærost beama þara þe of eorðan up aweoxe,
943geloden under leafum.
944Wæs þa lencten agan butan VI nihtum ær sumeres cyme on
945Maias kalend .
946Sie þara manna gehwam behliden helle duru, heofones ontyned,
947ece geopenad engla rice, dream unhwilen, ond hira dæl
948scired mid Marian, þe on gemynd nime þære
949deorestan dægweorðunga rode under roderum,
950þa se ricesta ealles oferwealdend earme beþeahte.
951Finit.
952þus ic frod ond fus þurh þæt fæcne hus wordcræftum
953wæf ond wundrum læs, þragum þreodude ond geþanc
954reodode nihtes nearwe.
955Nysse ic gearwe be ðære rode riht ær me rumran geþeaht
956þurh ða mæran miht on modes þeaht wisdom onwreah.
957Ic wæs weorcum fah synnum asæled, sorgum gewæled, bitrum
958gebunden, bisgum beþrungen, ær me lare onlag
959þurh leohtne had gamelum to geoce, gife unscynde
960mægencyning amæt ond on gemynd begeat, torht ontynde,
961tidum gerymde, bancofan onband, breostlocan onwand,
962leoðucræft onleac.
963þæs ic lustum breac, willum in worlde.
964Ic þæs wuldres treowes oft, nales æne, hæfde ingemynd ær
965ic þæt wundor onwrigen hæfde ymb þone beorhtan beam,
966swa ic on bocum fand, wyrda gangum, on gewritum cyðan

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967be ðam sigebeacne.
968A wæs secg oð ðæt cnyssed cearwelmum, C drusende,
969þeah he in medohealle maðmas þege, æplede gold.
970Y gnornode N gefera, nearusorge dreah, enge rune,
971þær him E fore milpaðas mæt, modig þrægde wirum
972gewlenced.
973W is geswiðrad, gomen æfter gearum, geogoð is gecyrred,
974ald onmedla.
975U wæs geara geogoðhades glæm.
976Nu synt geardagas æfter fyrstmearce forð gewitene, lifwynne
977geliden, swa L toglideð, flodas gefysde.
978F æghwam bið læne under lyfte; landes frætwe gewitaþ
979under wolcnum winde geliccost, þonne he for hæleðum hlud
980astigeð, wæðeð be wolcnum, wedende færeð
981ond eft semninga swige gewyrðeð, in nedcleofan
982nearwe geheaðrod, þream forþrycced.
983Swa a þeos world eall gewiteð, ond eac swa some þe hire
984on wurdon atydrede, tionleg nimeð, ðonne dryhten sylf
985dom geseceð engla weorude.
986Sceall æghwylc ðær reordberendra riht gehyran dæda
987gehwylcra þurh þæs deman muð, ond worda swa same
988wed gesyllan, eallra unsnyttro ær gesprecenra, þristra
989geþonca.
990þonne on þreo dæleð in fyres feng folc anra gehwylc, þara
991þe gewurdon on widan feore ofer sidne grund.
992Soðfæste bioð yfemest in þam ade, eadigra gedryht, duguð
993domgeorne, swa hie adreogan magon

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994ond butan earfeðum eaðe geþolian, modigra mægen.
995Him gemetgaþ eall ældes leoma, swa him eðost bið,
996sylfum geseftost.
997Synfulle beoð, mane gemengde, in ðam midle þread, hæleð
998higegeomre, in hatne wylm, þrosme beþehte.
999Bið se þridda dæl, awyrgede womsceaðan, in þæs wylmes
1000grund, lease leodhatan, lige befæsted þurh ærgewyrht,
1001arleasra sceolu, in gleda gripe.
1002Gode no syððan of ðam morðorhofe in gemynd cumað,
1003wuldorcyninge, ac hie worpene beoð of ðam heaðuwylme
1004in hellegrund, torngeniðlan.
1005Bið þam twam dælum ungelice.
1006Moton engla frean geseon, sigora god.
1007Hie asodene beoð, asundrod fram synnum, swa smæte gold þæt
1008in wylme bið womma gehwylces þurh ofnes
1009fyr eall geclænsod, amered ond gemylted.
1010Swa bið þara manna ælc ascyred ond asceaden scylda
1011gehwylcre, deopra firena, þurh þæs domes fyr.
1012Moton þonne siðþan sybbe brucan, eces eadwelan.
1013Him bið engla weard milde ond bliðe, þæs ðe hie mana
1014gehwylc forsawon, synna weorc, ond to suna metudes
1015wordum cleopodon.
1016Forðan hie nu on wlite scinaþ englum gelice, yrfes brucaþ
1017wuldorcyninges to widan feore.
1018Amen.