1A3.22.1

page 180

2

RIDDLES 1-59

    
3Hwylc is hæleþa þæs horsc ond þæs hygecræftig þæt
4þæt mæge asecgan, hwa mec on sið wræce, þonne ic
5astige strong, stundum reþe, þrymful þunie, þragum wræce
6fere geond foldan, folcsalo bærne, ræced reafige?
7Recas stigað, haswe ofer hrofum.
8Hlin bið on eorþan, wælcwealm wera, þonne ic wudu hrere,
9bearwas bledhwate, beamas fylle, holme gehrefed,
10heahum meahtum wrecen on waþe, wide sended;
11hæbbe me on hrycge þæt ær hadas wreah foldbuendra,
12flæsc ond gæstas, somod on sunde.
13Saga hwa mec þecce, oþþe hu ic hatte, þe þa hlæst bere.
14
15A3.22.2

page 180

    
16Hwilum ic gewite, swa ne wenaþ men, under yþa geþræc
17eorþan secan, garsecges grund.
18Gifen biþ gewreged, fam gewealcen; hwælmere hlimmeð, hlude
19grimmeð,

page 181

20streamas staþu beatað, stundum
21weorpaþ on stealc hleoþa stane ond sonde, ware ond wæge,
22þonne ic winnende, holmmægne biþeaht, hrusan
23styrge, side sægrundas.
24Sundhelme ne mæg losian ær mec læte se þe min latteow bið
25on siþa gehwam.
26Saga, þoncol mon, hwa mec bregde of brimes fæþmum, þonne
27streamas eft stille weorþað, yþa geþwære,
28þe mec ær wrugon.
29
30A3.22.3

page 181

    
31Hwilum mec min frea fæste genearwað, sendeð þonne under
32salwonges bearm þone bradan, ond on bid wriceð,
33þrafað on þystrum þrymma sumne, hæste on
34enge, þær me heord siteð hruse on hrycge.
35Nah ic hwyrftweges of þam aglace , ac ic eþelstol
36hæleþa hrere ; hornsalu wagiað, wera wicstede, weallas
37beofiað, steape ofer stiwitum.
38Stille þynceð lyft ofer londe ond lagu swige, oþþæt ic of
39enge up aþringe, efne swa mec wisaþ se mec
40wræde on æt frumsceafte furþum legde, bende ond clomme,
41þæt ic onbugan ne mot of þæs gewealde þe
42me wegas tæcneð.
43Hwilum ic sceal ufan yþa wregan, streamas styrgan ond to
44staþe þywan flintgrægne flod.
45Famig winneð wæg wið wealle, wonn ariseð dun ofer dype;
46hyre deorc on last,

page 182

47eare geblonden, oþer fereð,
48þæt hy gemittað mearclonde neah hea hlincas.
49þær bið hlud wudu, brimgiesta breahtm, bidað stille stealc
50stanhleoþu streamgewinnes, hopgehnastes,
51þonne heah geþring on cleofu crydeþ.
52þær bið ceole wen sliþre sæcce, gif hine sæ byreð on
53þa grimman tid, gæsta fulne, þæt he scyle rice
54birofen weorþan, feore bifohten fæmig ridan yþa hrycgum.
55þær bið egsa sum ældum geywed, þara þe ic hyran sceal
56strong on stiðweg.
57Hwa gestilleð þæt?
58Hwilum ic þurhræse, þæt me on bæce rideð won wægfatu,
59wide toþringe lagustreama full, hwilum læte eft
60slupan tosomne.
61Se bið swega mæst, breahtma ofer burgum, ond gebreca
62hludast, þonne scearp cymeð sceo wiþ oþrum, ecg
63wið ecge; earpan gesceafte fus ofer folcum fyre swætað,
64blacan lige, ond gebrecu ferað deorc ofer
65dryhtum gedyne micle, farað feohtende, feallan lætað
66sweart sumsendu seaw of bosme, wætan of wombe.
67Winnende fareð atol eoredþreat, egsa astigeð, micel
68modþrea monna cynne, brogan on burgum, þonne blace
69scotiað scriþende scin scearpum wæpnum.
70Dol him ne ondrædeð ða deaðsperu, swylteð hwæþre, gif
71him soð meotud on geryhtu þurh regn ufan of gestune
72læteð stræle fleogan, farende flan.
73Fea þæt gedygað,

page 183

74þara þe geræceð rynegiestes wæpen.
75Ic þæs orleges or anstelle, þonne gewite wolcengehnaste
76þurh geþræc þringan þrimme micle ofer byrnan bosm.
77Biersteð hlude heah hloðgecrod; þonne hnige eft under lyfte
78helm londe near, ond me on hrycg hlade
79þæt ic habban sceal, meahtum gemagnad mines frean.
80Swa ic þrymful þeow þragum winne, hwilum under eorþan,
81hwilum yþa sceal hean underhnigan, hwilum holm
82ufan streamas styrge, hwilum stige up, wolcnfare wrege,
83wide fere swift ond swiþfeorm.
84Saga hwæt ic hatte, oþþe hwa mec rære, þonne ic restan ne
85mot, oþþe hwa mec stæðþe, þonne ic stille
86beom.
87
88A3.22.4

page 183

    
89Ic sceal þragbysig þegne minum, hringum hæfted, hyran
90georne, min bed brecan, breahtme cyþan þæt me
91halswriþan hlaford sealde.
92Oft mec slæpwerigne secg oðþe meowle gretan eode; ic him
93gromheortum winterceald oncweþe.
94Wearm lim gebundenne bæg hwilum bersteð; se þeah biþ on
95þonce þegne minum, medwisum men, me þæt sylfe,
96þær wiht wite, ond wordum min on sped mæge spel
97gesecgan.
98
99A3.22.5

page 183

    
100Ic eom anhaga iserne wund, bille gebennad, beadoweorca sæd,

page 184

101ecgum werig.
102Oft ic wig seo, frecne feohtan.
103Frofre ne wene, þæt me geoc cyme guðgewinnes, ær ic
104mid ældum eal forwurðe , ac mec hnossiað homera
105lafe, heardecg heoroscearp, hondweorc smiþa, bitað in
106burgum; ic abidan sceal laþran gemotes.
107Næfre læcecynn on folcstede findan meahte, þara þe mid
108wyrtum wunde gehælde, ac me ecga dolg eacen
109weorðað þurh deaðslege dagum ond nihtum.
110
111A3.22.6

page 184

    
112Mec gesette soð sigora waldend Crist to compe.
113Oft ic cwice bærne, unrimu cyn eorþan getenge, næte mid
114niþe, swa ic him no hrine, þonne mec min frea
115feohtan hateþ.
116Hwilum ic monigra mod arete, hwilum ic frefre þa ic ær winne
117on feorran swiþe; hi þæs felað þeah, swylce
118þæs oþres, þonne ic eft hyra ofer deop gedreag
119drohtað bete .
120
121A3.22.7

page 184

    
122Hrægl min swigað, þonne ic hrusan trede, oþþe þa wic
123buge, oþþe wado drefe.
124Hwilum mec ahebbað ofer hæleþa byht hyrste mine, ond þeos
125hea lyft, ond mec þonne wide wolcna strengu
126ofer folc byreð.
127Frætwe mine swogað hlude ond swinsiað,

page 185

128torhte singað,
129þonne ic getenge ne beom flode ond foldan, ferende gæst.
130
131A3.22.8

page 185

    
132Ic þurh muþ sprece mongum reordum, wrencum singe, wrixle
133geneahhe heafodwoþe, hlude cirme, healde mine
134wisan, hleoþre ne miþe, eald æfensceop, eorlum bringe
135blisse in burgum, þonne ic bugendre stefne
136styrme; stille on wicum sittað nigende.
137Saga hwæt ic hatte, þe swa scirenige sceawendwisan hlude
138onhyrge, hæleþum bodige wilcumena fela woþe minre.
139
140A3.22.9

page 185

    
141Mec on þissum dagum deadne ofgeafun fæder ond modor; ne
142wæs me feorh þa gen, ealdor in innan.
143þa mec an ongon, welhold mege, wedum þeccan , heold
144ond freoþode, hleosceorpe wrah swa arlice swa
145hire agen bearn, oþþæt ic under sceate, swa min gesceapu
146wæron, ungesibbum wearð eacen gæste.
147Mec seo friþe mæg fedde siþþan, oþþæt ic aweox, widdor
148meahte siþas asettan.
149Heo hæfde swæsra þy læs suna ond dohtra, þy heo swa dyde.
150
151A3.22.10

page 185

    
152Neb wæs min on nearwe, ond ic neoþan wætre, flode
153underflowen, firgenstreamum swiþe besuncen, ond on sunde awox

page 186

154ufan yþum þeaht, anum getenge liþendum wuda
155lice mine.
156Hæfde feorh cwico, þa ic of fæðmum cwom brimes ond beames
157on blacum hrægle ; sume wæron hwite hyrste
158mine, þa mec lifgende lyft upp ahof, wind of wæge,
159siþþan wide bær ofer seolhbaþo.
160Saga hwæt ic hatte.
161
162A3.22.11

page 186

    
163Hrægl is min hasofag, hyrste beorhte, reade ond scire on
164reafe minum .
165Ic dysge dwelle ond dole hwette unrædsiþas, oþrum styre
166nyttre fore.
167Ic þæs nowiht wat þæt heo swa gemædde, mode bestolene,
168dæde gedwolene, deoraþ mine won wisan gehwam.
169Wa him þæs þeawes, siþþan heah bringað horda
170deorast, gif hi unrædes ær ne geswicaþ.
171
172A3.22.12

page 186

    
173Fotum ic fere, foldan slite, grene wongas, þenden ic gæst
174bere.
175Gif me feorh losað, fæste binde swearte Wealas, hwilum
176sellan men.
177Hwilum ic deorum drincan selle beorne of bosme, hwilum mec
178bryd triedeð felawlonc fotum, hwilum feorran
179broht wonfeax Wale wegeð ond þyð, dol druncmennen
180deorcum nihtum, wæteð in wætre, wyrmeð hwilum
181fægre to fyre; me on fæðme sticaþ hygegalan hond,
182hwyrfeð geneahhe, swifeð me geond sweartne .
183Saga hwæt ic hatte, þe ic lifgende lond reafige ond æfter
184deaþe dryhtum þeowige.
185
186A3.22.13

page 187

    
187Ic seah turf tredan, X wæron ealra, VI gebroþor ond
188hyra sweostor mid; hæfdon feorg cwico .
189Fell hongedon sweotol ond gesyne on seles wæge anra
190gehwylces.
191Ne wæs hyra ængum þy wyrs , ne siðe þy sarre ,
192þeah hy swa sceoldon reafe birofene, rodra weardes
193meahtum aweahte, muþum slitan haswe blede.
194Hrægl bið geniwad þam þe ær forðcymene frætwe leton
195licgan on laste, gewitan lond tredan.
196
197A3.22.14

page 187

    
198Ic wæs wæpenwiga.
199Nu mec wlonc þeceð geong hagostealdmon golde ond sylfore,
200woum wirbogum.
201Hwilum weras cyssað, hwilum ic to hilde hleoþre bonne
202wilgehleþan, hwilum wycg byreþ mec ofer mearce,
203hwilum merehengest fereð ofer flodas frætwum beorhtne,
204hwilum mægða sum minne gefylleð bosm beaghroden.
205hwilum ic bordum sceal, heard, heafodleas, behlywed
206licgan, hwilum hongige hyrstum frætwed, wlitig
207on wage, þær weras drincað, freolic fyrdsceorp.
208Hwilum folcwigan on wicge wegað, þonne ic winde sceal
209sincfag swelgan of sumes bosme; hwilum ic gereordum
210rincas laðige wlonce to wine; hwilum wraþum
211sceal stefne minre forstolen hreddan, flyman feondsceaþan.
212Frige hwæt ic hatte.
213
214A3.22.15

page 188

    
215Hals is min hwit ond heafod fealo, sidan swa some.
216Swift ic eom on feþe, beadowæpen bere.
217Me on bæce standað her swylce swe on hleorum .
218Hlifiað tu earan ofer eagum.
219Ordum ic steppe in grene græs.
220Me bið gyrn witod, gif mec onhæle an onfindeð wælgrim
221wiga, þær ic wic buge, bold mid bearnum, ond
222ic bide þær mid geoguðcnosle, hwonne gæst cume to durum
223minum, him biþ deað witod.
224Forþon ic sceal of eðle eaforan mine forhtmod fergan, fleame
225nergan, gif he me æfterweard ealles weorþeð;
226hine berað breost.
227Ic his bidan ne dear, reþes on geruman, nele þæt ræd
228teale, ac ic sceal fromlice feþemundum þurh steapne
229beorg stræte wyrcan.
230Eaþe ic mæg freora feorh genergan, gif ic mægburge mot mine
231gelædan on degolne weg þurh dune þyrel
232swæse ond gesibbe; ic me siþþan ne þearf wælhwelpes wig
233wiht onsittan.
234Gif se niðsceaþa nearwe stige me on swaþe seceþ, ne
235tosæleþ him on þam gegnpaþe guþgemotes, siþþan
236ic þurh hylles hrof geræce, ond þurh hest hrino hildepilum
237laðgewinnum, þam þe ic longe fleah.
238
239A3.22.16

page 188

    
240Oft ic sceal wiþ wæge winnan ond wiþ winde feohtan, somod
241wið þam sæcce, þonne ic secan gewite

page 189

242eorþan yþum þeaht; me biþ se eþel fremde.
243Ic beom strong þæs gewinnes, gif ic stille weorþe; gif me
244þæs tosæleð, hi beoð swiþran þonne ic, ond
245mec slitende sona flymað, willað oþfergan þæt ic
246friþian sceal.
247Ic him þæt forstonde, gif min steort þolað ond mec stiþne
248wiþ stanas moton fæste gehabban.
249Frige hwæt ic hatte.
250
251A3.22.17

page 189

    
252Ic eom mundbora minre heorde, eodorwirum fæst, innan gefylled
253dryhtgestreona.
254Dægtidum oft spæte sperebrogan; sped biþ þy mare fylle
255minre.
256Frea þæt bihealdeð, hu me of hrife fleogað hyldepilas.
257Hwilum ic sweartum swelgan onginne brunum beadowæpnum, bitrum
258ordum, eglum attorsperum.
259Is min innað til, wombhord wlitig, wloncum deore; men gemunan
260þæt me þurh muþ fareð.
261
262A3.22.20

page 190

    
263Ic eom wunderlicu wiht, on gewin sceapen, frean minum leof,
264fægre gegyrwed.
265Byrne is min bleofag, swylce beorht seomað wir ymb þone
266wælgim þe me waldend geaf, se me widgalum
267wisað hwilum sylfum to sace.
268þonne ic sinc wege þurh hlutterne dæg, hondweorc smiþa,
269gold ofer geardas.
270Oft ic gæstberend cwelle compwæpnum.
271Cyning mec gyrweð since ond seolfre ond mec on sele
272weorþað; ne wyrneð wordlofes, wisan mæneð mine
273for mengo, þær hy meodu drincað, healdeð mec on heaþore,
274hwilum læteð eft radwerigne on gerum sceacan, orlegfromne.
275Oft ic oþrum scod frecne æt his freonde: fah eom ic wide,
276wæpnum awyrged.
277Ic me wenan ne þearf þæt me bearn wræce on bonan feore,
278gif me gromra hwylc guþe genægeð; ne weorþeð
279sio mægburg gemicledu eaforan minum þe ic æfter woc,
280nymþe ic hlafordleas hweorfan mote from þam
281healdende þe me hringas geaf.
282Me bið forð witod, gif ic frean hyre, guþe fremme, swa ic
283gien dyde minum þeodne on þonc, þæt ic þolian
284sceal bearngestreona.
285Ic wiþ bryde ne mot hæmed habban, ac me þæs hyhtplegan
286geno wyrneð, se mec geara on bende legde; forþon
287ic brucan sceal

page 191

288on hagostealde hæleþa gestreona.
289Oft ic wirum dol wife abelge, wonie hyre willan; heo me wom
290spreceð, floceð hyre folmum, firenaþ mec
291wordum, ungod gæleð.
292Ic ne gyme þæs compes.
293
294A3.22.21

page 191

    
295Neb is min niþerweard; neol ic fere ond be grunde græfe,
296geonge swa me wisað har holtes feond, ond
297hlaford min woh færeð weard æt steorte, wrigaþ on wonge,
298wegeð mec ond þyð, saweþ on swæð min.
299Ic snyþige forð, brungen of bearwe , bunden cræfte,
300wegen on wægne, hæbbe wundra fela; me biþ gongendre
301grene on healfe ond min swæð sweotol sweart on oþre.
302Me þurh hrycg wrecen hongaþ under an orþoncpil, oþer on
303heafde, fæst ond forðweard.
304Fealleþ on sidan þæt ic toþum tere, gif me teala þenaþ
305hindeweardre, þæt biþ hlaford min.
306
307A3.22.22

page 191

    
308ætsomne cwom LX monna to wægstæþe wicgum ridan;
309hæfdon XI eoredmæcgas fridhengestas, IIII sceamas.
310Ne meahton magorincas ofer mere feolan, swa hi fundedon, ac
311wæs flod to deop, atol yþa geþræc, ofras
312hea, streamas stronge.
313Ongunnon stigan þa on wægn weras ond hyra wicg somod hlodan
314under hrunge.
315þa þa hors oðbær eh ond eorlas, æscum dealle,

page 192

316ofer wætres byht wægn to lande, swa hine oxa ne teah
317ne esna mægen ne fæthengest, ne on flode swom, ne be grunde
318wod gestum under, ne lagu drefde, ne on
319lyfte fleag, ne under bæc cyrde.
320brohte hwæþre beornas ofer burnan ond hyra bloncan mid from
321stæðe heaum, þæt hy stopan up on oþerne,
322ellenrofe, weras of wæge, ond hyra wicg gesund.
323
324A3.22.23

page 192

    
325Agof is min noma eft onhwyrfed; ic eom wrætlic wiht on gewin
326sceapen.
327þonne ic onbuge, ond me of bosme fareð ætren onga, ic beom
328eallgearo þæt ic me þæt feorhbealo feor aswape.
329Siþþan me se waldend, se me þæt wite gescop, leoþo
330forlæteð, ic beo lengre þonne ær, oþþæt ic spæte,
331spilde geblonden, ealfelo attor þæt ic ær geap.
332Ne togongeð þæs gumena hwylcum, ænigum eaþe þæt ic
333þær ymb sprice, gif hine hrineð þæt me of hrife
334fleogeð, þæt þone mandrinc mægne geceapaþ, fullwered
335fæste feore sine.
336Nelle ic unbunden ænigum hyran nymþe searosæled.
337Saga hwæt ic hatte.
338
339A3.22.24

page 192

    
340 Ic eom wunderlicu wiht, wræsne mine stefne, hwilum beorce
341swa hund, hwilum blæte swa gat, hwilum
342græde swa gos, hwilum gielle swa hafoc, hwilum ic onhyrge
343þone haswan earn, guðfugles hleoþor, hwilum glidan reorde

page 193

344muþe gemæne, hwilum mæwes song, þær ic
345glado sitte.
346G mec nemnað, swylce A ond R O fullesteð,
347H ond I .
348Nu ic haten eom swa þa siex stafas sweotule becnaþ.
349
350A3.22.25

page 193

    
351Ic eom wunderlicu wiht, wifum on hyhte, neahbuendum nyt;
352nængum sceþþe burgsittendra, nymþe bonan anum.
353Staþol min is steapheah, stonde ic on bedde, neoþan ruh
354nathwær.
355Neþeð hwilum ful cyrtenu ceorles dohtor, modwlonc meowle,
356þæt heo on mec gripeð, ræseð mec on reodne,
357reafað min heafod, fegeð mec on fæsten.
358Feleþ sona mines gemotes, seo þe mec nearwað, wif
359wundenlocc.
360Wæt bið þæt eage.
361
362A3.22.26

page 193

    
363Mec feonda sum feore besnyþede, woruldstrenga binom, wætte
364siþþan, dyfde on wætre, dyde eft þonan,
365sette on sunnan, þær ic swiþe beleas herum þam þe ic
366hæfde.
367Heard mec siþþan snað seaxses ecg , sindrum begrunden;
368fingras feoldan, ond mec fugles wyn geond speddropum
369spyrede geneahhe, ofer brunne brerd, beamtelge
370swealg, streames dæle, stop eft on mec, siþade sweartlast.
371Mec siþþan wrah hæleð hleobordum, hyde beþenede,
372gierede mec mid golde; forþon me gliwedon wrætlic
373weorc smiþa, wire bifongen.
374Nu þa gereno ond se reada telg ond þa wuldorgesteald wide
375mære

page 194

376dryhtfolca helm, nales dol wite.
377Gif min bearn wera brucan willað, hy beoð þy gesundran ond
378þy sigefæstran, heortum þy hwætran ond þy
379hygebliþran, ferþe þy frodran, habbaþ freonda þy ma,
380swæsra ond gesibbra, soþra ond godra, tilra
381ond getreowra, þa hyra tyr ond ead estum ycað ond hy
382arstafum lissum bilecgað ond hi lufan fæþmum fæste
383clyppað.
384Frige hwæt ic hatte, niþum to nytte.
385Nama min is mære, hæleþum gifre ond halig sylf.
386
387A3.22.27

page 194

    
388Ic eom weorð werum, wide funden, brungen of bearwum ond of
389burghleoþum, of denum ond of dunum.
390Dæges mec wægun feþre on lifte, feredon mid liste under
391hrofes hleo.
392Hæleð mec siþþan baþedan in bydene.
393Nu ic eom bindere ond swingere, sona weorpe esne to
394eorþan, hwilum ealdne ceorl.
395Sona þæt onfindeð, se þe mec fehð ongean, ond wið
396mægenþisan minre genæsteð, þæt he hrycge sceal hrusan
397secan, gif he unrædes ær ne geswiceð, strengo
398bistolen, strong on spræce, mægene binumen; nah
399his modes geweald, fota ne folma.
400Frige hwæt ic hatte, ðe on eorþan swa esnas binde, dole
401æfter dyntum be dæges leohte.
402
403A3.22.28

page 194

    
404Biþ foldan dæl fægre gegierwed mid þy heardestan ond mid
405þy scearpestan ond mid þy grymmestan gumena gestreona,

page 195

406corfen, sworfen, cyrred, þyrred, bunden,
407wunden, blæced, wæced, frætwed, geatwed, feorran
408læded to durum dryhta.
409Dream bið in innan cwicra wihta, clengeð, lengeð, þara þe
410ær lifgende longe hwile wilna bruceð ond
411no wið spriceð, ond þonne æfter deaþe deman onginneð,
412meldan mislice.
413Micel is to hycganne wisfæstum menn, hwæt seo wiht sy.
414
415A3.22.29

page 195

    
416Ic wiht geseah wundorlice hornum bitweonum huþe
417lædan, lyftfæt leohtlic, listum gegierwed, huþe to
418þam ham of þam heresiþe; walde hyre on þære byrig bur
419atimbran , searwum asettan, gif hit swa meahte.
420ða cwom wundorlicu wiht ofer wealles hrof, seo is eallum cuð
421eorðbuendum, ahredde þa þa huþe ond to
422ham bedraf wreccan ofer willan, gewat hyre west þonan
423fæhþum feran, forð onette .
424Dust stonc to heofonum, deaw feol on eorþan, niht forð
425gewat.
426Nænig siþþan wera gewiste þære wihte sið.
427
428A3.22.31

page 196

    
429Is þes middangeard missenlicum wisum gewlitegad, wrættum
430gefrætwad.
431Ic seah sellic þing singan on ræcede; wiht wæs nower
432werum on gemonge, sio hæfde wæstum wundorlicran.
433Niþerweard wæs neb hyre, fet ond folme fugele gelice; no
434hwæþre fleogan mæg ne fela gongan, hwæþre
435feþegeorn fremman onginneð, gecoren cræftum, cyrreð
436geneahhe oft ond gelome eorlum on gemonge, siteð
437æt symble, sæles bideþ, hwonne ær heo cræft hyre
438cyþan mote werum on wonge.
439Ne heo þær wiht þigeð þæs þe him æt blisse beornas
440habbað .
441Deor domes georn, hio dumb wunað; hwæþre hyre is on fote
442fæger hleoþor, wynlicu woðgiefu.
443Wrætlic me þinceð, hu seo wiht mæge wordum lacan þurh fot
444neoþan, frætwed hyrstum.
445Hafað hyre on halse, þonne hio hord warað, bær, beagum
446deall, broþor sine, mæg mid mægne.
447Micel is to hycgenne wisum woðboran, hwæt sio wiht sie.
448
449A3.22.32

page 196

    
450Is þes middangeard missenlicum wisum gewlitegad, wrættum
451gefrætwad.
452Siþum sellic ic seah searo hweorfan, grindan wið greote,
453giellende faran.
454Næfde sellicu wiht syne ne folme,

page 197

455exle ne earmas; sceal on
456anum fet searoceap swifan, swiþe feran, faran ofer feldas.
457Hæfde fela ribba; muð wæs on middan.
458Moncynne nyt, fereð foddurwelan, folcscipe dreogeð, wist
459in wigeð, ond werum gieldeð gaful geara gehwam
460þæs þe guman brucað, rice ond heane.
461Rece, gif þu cunne, wis worda gleaw, hwæt sio wiht sie.
462
463A3.22.33

page 197

    
464Wiht cwom æfter wege wrætlicu liþan, cymlic from ceole
465cleopode to londe, hlinsade hlude; hleahtor
466wæs gryrelic, egesful on earde, ecge wæron scearpe.
467Wæs hio hetegrim, hilde to sæne, biter beadoweorca;
468bordweallas grof, heardhiþende.
469Heterune bond, sægde searocræftig ymb hyre sylfre gesceaft:
470Is min modor mægða cynnes þæs deorestan,
471þæt is dohtor min eacen up liden, swa þæt is ældum
472cuþ, firum on folce, þæt seo on foldan sceal
473on ealra londa gehwam lissum stondan.
474
475A3.22.34

page 197

    
476Ic wiht geseah in wera burgum, seo þæt feoh fedeð.
477Hafað fela toþa; nebb biþ hyre æt nytte, niþerweard
478gongeð, hiþeð holdlice ond to ham tyhð, wæþeð geond
479weallas, wyrte seceð; aa heo þa findeð, þa þe fæst
480ne biþ; læteð hio þa wlitigan, wyrtum fæste,
481stille stondan on staþolwonge, beorhte blican, blowan ond
482growan.
483
484A3.22.35

page 198

    
485Mec se wæta wong, wundrum freorig, of his innaþe ærist
486cende.
487Ne wat ic mec beworhtne wulle flysum, hærum þurh heahcræft,
488hygeþoncum min.
489Wundene me ne beoð wefle, ne ic wearp hafu, ne þurh þreata
490geþræcu þræd me ne hlimmeð, ne æt me hrutende
491hrisil scriþeð, ne mec ohwonan sceal am cnyssan.
492Wyrmas mec ne awæfan wyrda cræftum, þa þe geolo godwebb
493geatwum frætwað.
494Wile mec mon hwæþre seþeah wide ofer eorþan hatan for
495hæleþum hyhtlic gewæde.
496Saga soðcwidum, searoþoncum gleaw, wordum wisfæst, hwæt
497þis gewæde sy.
498
499A3.22.39

page 199

    
500Gewritu secgað þæt seo wiht sy mid moncynne miclum tidum
501sweotol ond gesyne.
502Sundorcræft hafað maran micle, þonne hit men witen.
503Heo wile gesecan sundor æghwylcne feorhberendra, gewiteð eft
504feran on weg.
505Ne bið hio næfre niht þær oþre, ac hio sceal wideferh
506wreccan laste hamleas hweorfan; no þy heanre biþ.
507Ne hafað hio fot ne folme , ne æfre foldan hran, ne
508eagena ægþer twega, ne muð hafaþ, ne wiþ monnum
509spræc, ne gewit hafað, ac gewritu secgað þæt seo sy
510earmost ealra wihta, þara þe æfter gecyndum cenned wære.
511Ne hafað hio sawle ne feorh, ac hio siþas sceal geond þas
512wundorworuld wide dreogan.
513Ne hafaþ hio blod ne ban, hwæþre bearnum wearð geond
514þisne middangeard mongum to frofre.

page 200

515Næfre hio heofonum hran, ne to helle mot, ac hio sceal
516wideferh wuldorcyninges larum lifgan.
517Long is to secganne hu hyre ealdorgesceaft æfter gongeð, woh
518wyrda gesceapu; þæt is wrætlic þing to gesecganne.
519Soð is æghwylc þara þe ymb þas wiht wordum becneð; ne
520hafað heo ænig lim, leofaþ efne seþeah.
521Gif þu mæge reselan recene gesecgan soþum wordum, saga
522hwæt hio hatte.
523
524A3.22.40

page 200

    
525Ece is se scyppend, se þas eorþan nu wreðstuþum
526wealdeð ond þas world healdeð.
527Rice is se reccend ond on ryht cyning ealra anwalda,
528eorþan ond heofones, healdeð ond wealdeð, swa
529he ymb þas utan hweorfeð.
530He mec wrætlice worhte æt frymþe, þa he þisne ymbhwyrft
531ærest sette, heht mec wæccende wunian longe,
532þæt ic ne slepe siþþan æfre, ond mec semninga slæp
533ofergongeþ, beoð eagan min ofestum betyned.
534þisne middangeard meahtig dryhten mid his onwalde æghwær
535styreð; swa ic mid waldendes worde ealne þisne
536ymbhwyrft utan ymbclyppe.
537Ic eom to þon bleað, þæt mec bealdlice mæg gearu gongende
538grima abregan, ond eofore eom æghwær cenra,
539þonne he gebolgen bidsteal giefeð; ne mæg mec
540oferswiþan segnberendra ænig ofer eorþan, nymþe se
541ana god se þisne hean heofon healdeþ ond wealdeþ.

page 201

542Ic eom on stence strengre micle þonne ricels oþþe rose
543sy, on eorþan tyrf wynlic weaxeð; ic eom wræstre
544þonne heo.
545þeah þe lilie sy leof moncynne, beorht on blostman, ic eom
546betre þonne heo; swylce ic nardes stenc
547nyde oferswiþe mid minre swetnesse symle æghwær, ond ic
548fulre eom þonne þis fen swearte þæt her yfle
549adelan stinceð.
550Eal ic under heofones hwearfte recce, swa me leof fæder
551lærde æt frymþe, þæt ic þa mid ryhte reccan
552moste þicce ond þynne; þinga gehwylces onlicnesse æghwær
553healde.
554Hyrre ic eom heofone, hateþ mec heahcyning his deagol þing
555dyre bihealdan; eac ic under eorþan eal
556sceawige wom wraðscrafu wraþra gæsta.
557Ic eom micle yldra þonne ymbhwyrft þes oþþe þes
558middangeard meahte geweorþan, ond ic giestron wæs
559geong acenned mære to monnum þurh minre modor hrif.
560Ic eom fægerre frætwum goldes, þeah hit mon awerge wirum
561utan; ic eom wyrslicre þonne þes wudu fula
562oððe þis waroð þe her aworpen ligeð.
563Ic eorþan eom æghwær brædre, ond widgielra þonne þes
564wong grena; folm mec mæg bifon ond fingras þry
565utan eaþe ealle ymbclyppan.
566Heardra ic eom ond caldra þonne se hearda forst, hrim
567heorugrimma, þonne he to hrusan cymeð; ic eom
568Ulcanus up irnendan leohtan leoman lege hatra.

page 202

569Ic eom on goman gena swetra þonne þu beobread blende mid
570hunige; swylce ic eom wraþre þonne wermod
571sy, þe her on hyrstum heasewe stondeþ.
572Ic mesan mæg meahtelicor ond efnetan ealdum þyrse , ond
573ic gesælig mæg symle lifgan þeah ic ætes ne
574sy æfre to feore.
575Ic mæg fromlicor fleogan þonne pernex oþþe earn oþþe
576hafoc æfre meahte; nis zefferus, se swifta wind,
577þæt swa fromlice mæg feran æghwær; me is snægl
578swiftra, snelra regnwyrm ond fenyce fore hreþre;
579is þæs gores sunu gonge hrædra, þone we wifel wordum
580nemnað.
581Hefigere ic eom micle þonne se hara stan oþþe unlytel
582leades clympre, leohtre ic eom micle þonne þes
583lytla wyrm þe her on flode gæð fotum dryge.
584Flinte ic eom heardre þe þis fyr drifeþ of þissum strongan
585style heardan, hnescre ic eom micle halsrefeþre,
586seo her on winde wæweð on lyfte.
587Ic eorþan eom æghwær brædre ond widgelra þonne þes wong
588grena: ic uttor eaþe eal ymbwinde, wrætlice
589gewefen wundorcræfte.
590Nis under me ænig oþer wiht waldendre on worldlife; ic eom
591ufor ealra gesceafta, þara þe worhte waldend
592user, se mec ana mæg ecan meahtum, geþeon þrymme,
593þæt ic onþunian , ne sceal.

page 203

594Mara ic eom ond strengra þonne se micla hwæl, se þe
595garsecges grund bihealdeð sweartan syne; ic eom
596swiþre þonne he, swylce ic eom on mægene minum læsse
597þonne se hondwyrm, se þe hæleþa bearn, secgas
598searoþoncle, seaxe delfað.
599Nu hafu ic in heafde hwite loccas wræste gewundne, ac ic eom
600wide calu; ne ic breaga ne bruna brucan
601moste, ac mec bescyrede scyppend eallum; nu me wrætlice
602weaxað on heafde þæt me on gescyldrum scinan
603motan ful wrætlice wundne loccas.
604Mara ic eom ond fættra þonne amæsted swin, bearg bellende,
605þe on bocwuda, won wrotende wynnum lifde þæt he .
606
607A3.22.42

page 203

    
608Ic seah wyhte wrætlice twa undearnunga ute plegan hæmedlaces;
609hwitloc anfeng wlanc under wædum, gif
610þæs weorces speow , fæmne fyllo.
611Ic on flette mæg

page 204

612þurh runstafas rincum secgan, þam þe bec
613witan, bega ætsomne naman þara wihta.
614þær sceal Nyd wesan twega oþer ond se torhta Æsc an an
615linan, Acas twegen, Hægelas swa some.
616Hwylc þæs hordgates cægan cræfte þa clamme onleac þe
617þa rædellan wið rynemenn hygefæste heold heortan
618bewrigene orþoncbendum?
619Nu is undyrne werum æt wine hu þa wihte mid us, heanmode
620twa, hatne sindon.
621
622A3.22.43

page 204

    
623Ic wat indryhtne æþelum deorne giest in geardum, þam se
624grimma ne mæg hungor sceððan ne se hata þurst,
625yldo ne adle.
626Gif him arlice esne þenað, se þe agan sceal on þam
627siðfate, hy gesunde æt ham findað witode him wiste
628ond blisse, cnosles unrim, care, gif se esne his hlaforde
629hyreð yfle, frean on fore.
630Ne wile forht wesan broþor oþrum; him þæt bam sceðeð,
631þonne hy from bearme begen hweorfað anre magan
632ellorfuse, moddor ond sweostor.
633Mon, se þe wille, cyþe cynewordum hu se cuma hatte, eðþa
634se esne, þe ic her ymb sprice.
635
636A3.22.49

page 206

    
637Ic wat eardfæstne anne standan, deafne, dumban, se oft dæges
638swilgeð þurh godes hond gifrum lacum.
639Hwilum on þam wicum se wonna þegn, sweart ond saloneb,
640sendeð oþre under goman him golde dyrran, þa
641æþelingas oft wilniað, cyningas ond cwene.
642Ic þæt cyn nu gen nemnan ne wille, þe him to nytte swa ond
643to dugþum doþ þæt se dumba her, eorp unwita,
644ær forswilgeð .
645
646A3.22.50

page 206

    
647Wiga is on eorþan wundrum acenned dryhtum to nytte, of dumbum
648twam torht atyhted, þone on teon wigeð feond his feonde.
649Forstrangne oft wif hine wrið; he him wel hereð,
650þeowaþ him geþwære, gif him þegniað mægeð ond mæcgas
651mid gemete ryhte, fedað hine fægre; he him fremum
652stepeð life on lissum.
653Leanað grimme þam þe hine wloncne weorþan læteð.
654
655A3.22.53

page 207

656    Ic seah on bearwe beam hlifian, tanum torhtne.
657þæt treow wæs on wynne, wudu weaxende.
658Wæter hine ond eorþe feddan fægre, oþþæt he frod dagum
659on oþrum wearð aglachade deope gedolgod, dumb
660in bendum, wriþen ofer wunda, wonnum hyrstum foran
661gefrætwed.
662Nu he fæcnum weg þurh his heafdes mægen hildegieste
663oþrum rymeð.
664Oft hy an yste strudon hord ætgædre; hræd wæs ond
665unlæt se æftera, gif se ærra fær genamnan in nearowe
666neþan moste.
667
668A3.22.54

page 207

    
669Hyse cwom gangan, þær he hie wisse stondan in wincsele, stop
670feorran to, hror hægstealdmon, hof his
671agen hrægl hondum up, hrand under gyrdels hyre
672stondendre stiþes nathwæt, worhte his willan;
673wagedan butan.
674þegn onnette, wæs þragum nyt tillic esne, teorode hwæþre
675æt stunda gehwam strong ær þon hio , werig
676þæs weorces.
677Hyre weaxan ongon

page 208

678under gyrdelse þæt oft gode men ferðþum
679freogað ond mid feo bicgað.
680
681A3.22.55

page 208

    
682Ic seah in healle , þær hæleð druncon, on flet beran
683feower cynna, wrætlic wudutreow ond wunden gold,
684sinc searobunden, ond seolfres dæl ond rode tacn, þæs us
685to roderum up hlædre rærde, ær he helwara burg abræce.
686Ic þæs beames mæg eaþe for eorlum æþelu secgan; þær
687wæs hlin ond acc ond se hearda iw ond se fealwa
688holen; frean sindon ealle nyt ætgædre, naman habbað anne,
689wulfheafedtreo, þæt oft wæpen abæd his mondryhtne,
690maðm in healle, goldhilted sweord.
691Nu me þisses gieddes ondsware ywe, se hine on mede wordum
692secgan hu se wudu hatte.
693
694A3.22.56

page 208

    
695Ic wæs þær inne þær ic ane geseah winnende wiht wido
696bennegean, holt hweorfende; heaþoglemma feng, deopra dolga.
697Daroþas wæron weo þære wihte, ond se wudu searwum fæste
698gebunden.
699Hyre fota wæs biidfæst oþer, oþer bisgo dreag, leolc
700on lyfte, hwilum londe neah.
701Treow wæs getenge þam þær torhtan stod leafum bihongen.
702Ic lafe geseah minum hlaforde, þær hæleð druncon, þara
703flana geweorc , on flet beran.
704
705A3.22.58

page 209

    
706Ic wat anfete ellen dreogan wiht on wonge.
707Wide ne fereð, ne fela rideð, ne fleogan mæg þurh scirne
708dæg, ne hie scip fereð, naca nægledbord: nyt
709bið hwæþre hyre mondryhtne monegum tidum.
710Hafað hefigne steort, heafod lytel, tungan lange, toð
711nænigne, isernes dæl; eorðgræf pæþeð.
712Wætan ne swelgeþ ne wiht iteþ, foþres ne gitsað, fereð
713oft swa þeah lagoflod on lyfte; life ne gielpeð,
714hlafordes gifum, hyreð swa þeana þeodne sinum.
715þry sind in naman ryhte runstafas, þara is Rad foran .
716
717A3.22.59

page 209

    
718Ic seah in healle hring gyldenne men sceawian, modum
719gleawe, ferþþum frode.
720Friþospede bæd god nergende gæste sinum se þe wende
721wriþan; word æfter cwæð hring on hyrede, hælend
722nemde tillfremmendra.
723Him torhte in gemynd his dryhtnes naman dumba brohte ond in
724eagna gesihð, gif þæs æþelan

page 210

725goldes tacen
726ongietan cuþe ond dryhtnes dolg , don swa þæs
727beages benne cwædon.
728Ne mæg þære bene æniges monnes ungefullodre godes
729ealdorburg gæst gesecan, rodera ceastre.
730Ræde, se þe wille, hu ðæs wrætlican wunda cwæden hringes
731to hæleþum, þa he in healle wæs wylted ond
732wended wloncra folmum.
733
734A3.34.1

page 229

    
735Oft mec fæste bileac freolicu meowle, ides on earce, hwilum
736up ateah folmum sinum ond frean sealde,
737holdum þeodne, swa hio haten wæs.
738Siðþan me on hreþre heafod sticade, nioþan upweardne, on
739nearo fegde.
740Gif þæs ondfengan ellen dohte, mec frætwedne fyllan
741sceolde ruwes nathwæt.
742Ræd hwæt ic mæne.
743
744A3.34.2

page 229

    
745Ic eom heard ond scearp hingonges strong, forðsiþes
746from, frean unforcuð, wade under wambe ond me
747weg sylfa ryhtne geryme.
748Rinc bið on ofeste, se mec on þyð æftanweardne, hæleð
749mid hrægle; hwilum ut tyhð of hole hatne, hwilum
750eft fareð on nearo nathwær, nydeþ swiþe suþerne secg.
751Saga hwæt ic hatte.
752
753A3.34.6

page 230

    
754Ic eom mare þonne þes middangeard , læsse þonne
755hondwyrm, leohtre þonne mona, swiftre þonne sunne.
756Sæs me sind ealle flodas on fæðmum ond þes foldan
757bearm, grene wongas.
758Grundum ic hrine,

page 231

759helle underhnige, heofonas oferstige,
760wuldres eþel, wide ræce ofer engla eard, eorþan
761gefylle, ealne middangeard ond merestreamas side mid
762me sylfum.
763Saga hwæt ic hatte.
764
765A3.34.20

page 235

766    Ic eom æþelinges eaxlgestealla, fyrdrinces gefara, frean
767minum leof, cyninges geselda.
768Cwen mec hwilum hwitloccedu hond on legeð, eorles dohtor,
769þeah hio æþelu sy.
770Hæbbe me on bosme þæt on bearwe geweox.
771Hwilum ic on wloncum wicge ride herges on ende; heard is min
772tunge.
773Oft ic woðboran wordleana sum agyfe æfter giedde.
774Good is min wise ond ic sylfa salo.
775Saga hwæt ic hatte.
776
777A3.34.31

page 240

    
778Min heafod is homere geþuren, searopila wund, sworfen feole.

page 241

779Oft ic begine þæt me ongean sticað, þonne ic hnitan sceal,
780hringum gyrded, hearde wið heardum, hindan
781þyrel, forð ascufan þæt mines frean mod W freoþað
782middelnihtum.
783Hwilum ic under bæc bregde nebbe, hyrde þæs hordes, þonne
784min hlaford wile lafe þicgan þara þe he of
785life het wælcræfte awrecan willum sinum.
786
787A3.34.35

page 243

788    Ic eom indryhten ond eorlum cuð, ond reste oft; ricum ond
789heanum, folcum gefræge fere wide, ond me
790fremdes ær freondum stondeð hiþendra hyht, gif ic habban
791sceal blæd in burgum oþþe beorhtne god.
792Nu snottre men swiþast lufiaþ midwist mine; ic monigum sceal
793wisdom cyþan; no þær word sprecað ænig
794ofer eorðan.
795þeah nu ælda bearn londbuendra lastas mine swiþe secað, ic
796swaþe hwilum mine bemiþe monna gehwylcum.