The Exeter Book

orders you led out hence, with his fear-spell.
so that you quickly offer up some gift, a So I wish to ask you, gentle Lord, the Glory
victory offering, of Kings, to reveal,
before you seize your death, a murder before Herdsman of Majesty, what this thane might
his multitude. be, bouncing in the breeze,
Then you shall escape the judge’s ire, and who instructs me upon a rough road
blessed virgin.” (242b-257) away from you.” (267-82a)

She swiftly asked then, she who was A voice called out, lovely from the heavens,
unafraid, pleasing to Christ, and spoke to her these words: “Take hold of
whence his origins were. To her the wrack- this perverse creature
kin replied: and hold him fast, until he tells truthfully of
“I am an angel of God sailing from above, his mission,
a noble thane, and to you sent holy from the everything from the start and what his
heights. origins are.” (282b-86)
For you severe tortures with slaughter-grim
wounds are decreed Then the heart of Juliana was gladdened,
as deadly punishment. God orders you be judgment-blessed.
commanded, She grabbed that devil… (287-8)
Child of the Wielder, to protect yourself
from them.” (258-66) [at least one folio is missing from the Exeter
Book at this point]

Juliana was then, on account of its fearful …. to sell the King of All Kings unto his
message to her, death.
terrified by that monster, the terror that Moreover, I contrived it so that champion
spoke in words, wounded the Wielder
the adversary of glory. Then she firmly while the multitude watched, so that both
fastened her spirit, blood and water
the young and innocent woman, and called sought the earth together there. Moreover, I
out to God: incited
“Now I wish to ask you, O Shelter of Herod in his heart so that he ordered the
Warriors, Eternal Almighty, head of John the Baptist
by the noble creation that you, Father of be cut off when the holy man rebuked him
Angels, established at the start, wordfully
do not permit me to turn aside from the for his wife-love and his unlawful marriage.
praise of your blessed gift, Also I instructed, guile-minded, Simon
as this herald who stands before me bids me

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Magus to raise strife king of hell-citizens
against Christ’s chosen thanes and stretch sent me on this journey here to you, from
out slander that narrow home,
to the holy men through deep error saying in his sorrow-house, he is more eager for
that they were sorcerers. (289-301) every evil than I.
Then he sends us to convert the mind of the
“I endeavored with evil tricks when I soothfast
seduced Nero by wicked deceit, to turn them away from
to order Christ’s thanes Peter and Paul be their salvation.
killed and, We are sad-minded, frightened in spirit—
before, Pontius Pilate with my teachings to He is not a merciful lord, but a terrifying
hang prince.
the Wielder of Heaven upon the cross, the If we have not done anything evil, we dare
Mighty Measurer. not afterwards
Likewise I instructed Ægias unwisely to come anywhere near his presence. (319-31)
order
holy Andrew be hung upon a high tree, so “Then he sends them forth, throughout the
that he sent wide earth,
his spirit up from the gallows into the Face thanes from the darkness, ordering them to
of Glory. raise violence,
Thus have I performed so many wrathful and if we are met upon the mould-way either
bales with my brothers, far or near,
dark with sins, that I cannot relate them all and are found, then the devils bind us and in
or tell them fully welling flame
nor count the number of torments, the grim we are beaten with scourges. If the mind of
hate-thoughts. (302-15a) the soothfast
is not perverted through our hindrances, the
The holy woman answered him by the heart of the holy,
Spirit’s gift, Juliana: we suffer the hardest and worst tortures by
“You must speak further yet, Enemy of sore blows.
Mankind, Now you can understand the truth in your
of your mission here, and of who sent you to own heart,
me.” (315b-8) that I was forced by oppression and this
presumption
The wretched monster gave answer to her, and threatened with miserable days until I
seized by fear, sought you out.” (332-44)
hopeless of peace: “Listen. My father, the

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IV. “Thus I turn the minds of soothfast men
through varying forms.
Then again the holy woman asked wordfully Where I find him making steadfast his spirit
the enemy of heroes, to the desire of God,
the workman of crime, the originator of I am soon ready to bear horrible thoughts
sinful deeds. against him,
“You must speak to me further, enemy of the multifold lusts of the mind and dark
souls, errors,
about how you grievously harm, by falling through delusions uncountable. (362b-68)
into sins,
the soothfast girded round with guilt.” (345- “I sweeten in him the desires for sin, the
351a) wicked loves of his heart,
so that he, quickly for evil deeds attached to
To her the fiend answered, a faithless his crimes, hears my teachings.
wretch, I enflame him very strongly in these sins so
and spoke his words: “I will make it known that he, burning,
to you, ceases his prayers, stepping willfully—he
blessed virgin, of every evil from the start can not abide
forth unto the end in the place of prayer firm as a foundation
that I, wounded by sins, have performed— for long on account of the love of his crimes.
and not just a few times—so that by this you And so I conduct a hateful dread to the man
may plainly know to whom I begrudge
yourself that this is the truth, and not at all life and the clarity of belief, if he wishes to
lies. hear my teachings
I believed and reckoned it certain, an through the desires of his mind and to
overweening thought, perform sins. He shall afterwards
that I could, without difficulty and by my turn away, deprived of all good virtues.
own craft, (369-81)
turn you away from your salvation, so that
you renounced “If I meet any powerful or mind-proud
the Heaven-King, the Lord of Victories, and champion of the Measurer
bowed down who against my arrows’ flight will not bend
to an inferior, sacrificed to the Origin of far thence
Sins. (352b-62a) from the battle but heaves up his board
against them,
mind-wise, a holy shield, his ghostly war-
dress,

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who will not betray his God—but bold in his certainly
prayers he makes a stand, from the law of Christ, his heart troubled for
fast in a foot-band so I must flee far thence, me
low-minded, more deprived of comfort, in as power in the pit of his sins. I care more,
the grip of gleeds, and more eagerly about the spirit, the ruin of
mourning my care, so that I can not with the soul,
craft of strength than for the body-house, that which must
go against him with war, but sad I should become in this world
seek others the comfort of worms and is commended to
lacking in courage, under the bristle of a lair in the earth.” (401b-17a)
standards,
the more sluggish warrior who I can puff up Then again the woman spoke: “Speak,
with my leaven, wretched shape,
and hinder from warfare. Although he in the spirit unclean, ruler of darkness, how do you
strength of God associate yourself
may begin spiritually, I will be immediately in the company of the clean? You, pledge-
ready, less, labored of old
so that I look through all his thought, against Christ and drew along a struggle,
how established might be his inward plotting against holy men.
strength, For you was the pit of hell delved below,
how he has built his defenses. (382-401a) where you,
harassed by your misery on account of your
“I open up the gate of his wall through over-pride,
reproach; sought a home. I supposed that you must be
the tower will be breached, an aperture the more cautious—
opened, and the more cowardly—in such meeting
then first I dispatch to him through arrow- against the sooth-fast,
flight those that often withstood your will by the
into his breast-self bitter thoughts by varied Glory-King. (417b-28)
desires of the mind,
so that it seems better to himself to perform The accursed one addressed her, that
sins wretched miscreant:
instead of the praise of God, lusts of the “Say to me first how you, daring through
body. deep thought,
I am an eager teacher so that he may live became thus battle-bold beyond all of
according to my wicked customs, averted woman-kind
so that you clapped me fast thus in chains,

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in every way defenseless. You placed your Then that beautiful woman, the candle of
trust glory,
in God Eternal, He that Sits in Majesty, spoke wordfully to that pledge-breaker:
Measurer of Man-kind, “You must confess more wicked deeds,
such as I founded hope in my father, the humiliated spirit of hell, before you may go
king of hellish citizens. (429-37) hence—
what iniquity, what great evil works by dark
“Then I am sent forth against sooth-fast error,
people, have you accomplished, against the children
so that I might convert their minds to wicked of men?” (454-60a)
deeds,
their hearts from health. At times my desire To her that devil replied: “Now I learn it by
is your speech,
restrained by their resistance, my hope for that I must speak my mind, constrained by
holy ones, compulsion
just as sorrow befalls me here on my as you command me, to suffer your
campaign. affliction.
I knew that much too late myself: now I, a This miserable time is full strong, this
sin-worker, punishment excessive.
have to suffer shame over this for a long I have to suffer and tolerate all things in
time. (438-45) your judgment,
to uncover my dark and stained deeds,
“Therefore I beg of you through the power which I have plotted for an age.
of the Highest, Often I have stolen the sight, blinding
the grace of the Heaven-King, who upon the countless warriors
rood-tree by wicked thoughts, the kindred of men,
suffered, Lord of Majesty, that you have covering the light
mercy upon me of their eyes with a cowl of mist, through the
in my wanting, so that I miserable may not poisonous spear-point
wholly perish, and storms of darkness, and I have crushed
even though I, thus rashly and dull-wittedly the feet
sought you of some through evil contrivances, others I
on my journey, where I did not expect such have brought into burning,
an unhappy time as this. (446-53) into the blazes’ embrace, so that the last of
his tracks was visible. (460b-75a)
V.

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“Also I did unto some so that the blood humans, Adam and Eve,
spewed from whom I snatched away life and
from their bone-locks, so that they with instructed them
sudden peril so that they abandoned the love of the Lord,
gave up their ghost through the welling of his eternal blessed gift,
veins. and their bright happy home, so that
Others on a sea-voyage were drowned upon wretchedness became them both
the way of waters, forever and so upon their heirs, the darkest
on the ocean-flood, by my skill under the of sinful deeds—
gloomy gushing. How much more endless evil must I
Some I delivered unto the cross so that they recount? (494b-506a)
gave up their life,
dreary, upon the high gallows. Others I “I have borne it all—cruel crimes
incited by my teaching throughout human nations,
to make strife so that they in sudden peril those that have happened in the wide ages
renewed old grudges, from the start of the world
drinking beer. I poured out for them crime for the kindred of men, the earls upon the
from the cup, earth.
so that they give up their soul in the wine- There was none among them that have dared
hall through sword-grabbing, to touch me thus
hastening fated from the flesh-home, boldly as you now do, holy with your hands.
seeking sore wounds. There were none of these mindful men
When I find some without the mark of God, across the earth
heedless through holy might, none of the high-fathers
and unblessed, then I boldly slay them by or prophets.
various deaths Even though the God of Multitudes, the
with my own hands and devilish devices. King of Glory,
(475b-94a) revealed to them the spirit of wisdom, his
boundless gift,
“Even though I sit a summer-long day, I however I might approach the way to them.
could not relate (506b-518a)
all the suffering that I have performed as
evil, early and late, There were none of them who have laden
as soon as the heavens and the way of stars me with bonds so boldly
were reared, or whelmed me over with calamity, before
the earth was fastened and those first now
when you seized me fast and overcame my

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great strength, in the city of fiends; he is our father, the evil
which my father gave me, the enemy of prince of murder.
man-kind, So, you have chastised me by your soreful
when he ordered me to venture, a prince swats!
from the darkness, I know as truth that I have never met, before
so that I had to sweeten your sins for you. or since,
There sorrow befell me, a heavy hand- in worldly realms a woman like you—more
struggle. bold in your thoughts,
I need not rejoice over this errand in the nor more cross-timbered of all womankind!
company of my kinsmen It is clear to me that you have become in all
after this sore suffering, when I must render things
unto mine unabashed and wise in mind.” (539-553a)
a sorrowful account in our gloomy home.”
(518b-530a) At that moment the woman allowed the
devil after his time
Then Eleusius the noble, a cruel-minded of suffering to seek the shadows in the dark
man, ordered earth,
Juliana, holy in heart, to be lead out from the adversary of souls, in pain of torment.
her narrow house He knew more readily,
unto his doom-seat to speak with the that messenger of malice, to speak of it
heathens. before his kinsmen,
She, sainted and inspired in her breast, torture’s thanes, how it befell him on his
dragged with her journey. (553b-58)
that unbelieving devil, fastened in bonds.
Then he, wretched and full of cares, VI.
lamented his errand,
bewailed his pain, bewept his bad fortune, [MS folio missing]
speaking wordfully: (530b-38) “… eagerly before
“I entreat you, my lady Juliana, before the they praised him on high and his holy
peace of God, works,
to work me no further insult, no disgrace in they said truly that he alone wielded all
front of these earls, victories
more than you have done already, when you over all of creation, and eternal blessed
overwhelmed gifts.” (559b-63a)
the wisest under the prison’s shadow, the
king of the hell-dwellers

104

Then came an angel of God, blazing with sinless and devoid of fault, to be shoved into
bangles the surging lead.
and thrust the fire to the side, freeing and Then the fire became separated and
fortifying scattered.
her clean of guilts, free of vices, and Lead burst wide, hot and hungry—Warriors
scattering were terrified, seized by the rush.
the ferociously hungry tongues of flame There were in number five and seventy of
where the holy woman stood, the heathen host
the most of maidens, in their midst, unhurt. forburned through the searing sneeze.
(563b-68) Yet Juliana the holy woman stood
uninjured in her beauty. Nothing of her hem
That was a distress to endure for the rich or garment,
man— her hair or skin, was damaged by the fire,
he would exchange it, if he could, for the neither body or limb. She stood in the
whole world. flames
Eleusius, flecked with many sins, sought totally unharmed, saying thanks for all to the
how he could Lord of Lords.
most painfully, through the worst of Then the deemer became stormy and mind-
torments, savage;
devise her soul’s death. Nor was the enemy he began to tear his clothes and bared and
too slow— gnashed his teeth.
he instructed the nobleman to make an He raged in his wits as if he were a wild
earthen vessel, beast,
by wonder-craft and the terrifying howls of roaring sad-minded and cursing his gods,
warriors, because their power could not withstand a
ordering it to be set it around with wooden woman’s will. (582-600a)
beams
and forest timber. Then the obstinate Juliana, the maid of glory, was resolute and
creature commanded unafraid,
that men fill that earth-bowl with lead, and mindful of her strength and the desire of the
then ordered Lord.
the pyre, the greatest of fires, be kindled: Then the wretched judge ordered her put to
it was surrounded by brands on all sides. death by sword-bite,
The bath welled with heat. (569-81) holy at heart, deprived of her head, chosen
by Christ.
Swiftly then, Eleusius, swollen with rage, Her death would be no profit to him,
ordered the woman

105

after he knew its further consequences. evils.” (619-27a)
(600b-06) Then blessed Juliana looked towards the
furious one,
Then was the hope of the holy woman hearing the devil of hell sing his misery.
renewed The enemy of mankind began then to take
and the mind of the maiden greatly flight,
gladdened, seeking torments, and spoke a word:
after she heard the hero deliberate his evil “Woe to me, a ruined thing! There is now a
counsel, great chance
that the conclusion of her struggle-days must that she will soon humiliate a wretched me
come— with evil disaster, just as she did to me
her life released. Then Eleusius, full of sins, before.” (627b-34)
ordered
Juliana, chaste and chosen, to be led unto Then was she conducted near to the
her sinless death. borderland
Then came suddenly that humbled hell-ghast and to that place where they rough-souled
singing a harmful song, through hateful violence intended to kill her.
wretched and unhappy—that same cursed She began then to teach the people and to
devil strengthen their praise
whom she had bound and beaten with from their sins and promise them comfort,
torments— the way to glory, and spoke these words:
he called to the crowd, filled with sorrowful “Remember the joy of warriors and the
songs: (607-18) splendor of glory,
the hope of the holy, the God of heaven-
“Requite it with affliction now, that she has angels.
despised He is so worthy, that all the nations and all
the power of our gods, and degraded me the kindred of angels
most strongly, up in heaven praise him, the high power,
so that I became a traitor. Let her obtain the where help is nearby
hateful rewards eternal for all lifetime, to those who must
through the sword’s spoor, achieve your have it. (635-46)
olden enmity,
enveloped in your sins. I remember that “Therefore I, dear people, wish to teach you
sorrow, to secure your house
how I endured in one night countless with law-doing, lest with sudden blasts the
afflictions winds throw it down.
and sufferings, fast in bonds, innumerable The strong wall must withstand the storm’s

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showers more firmly, harmers—
sinning intents. Establish yourself with love he bounced across the water’s flood for a
and illuminated belief long while
establish your foundation, resolute, to peace upon the swan-road. Death seized them all,
upon the living stone. that band of men
Hold in your hearts the true faith and peace and himself among them before they sailed
among you by the desire of your minds and to land
holy mystery. through terrible chastisement. There were
Then the Almighty Father gives to you all thirty
his mercy, and four of the kindred of warriors deprived
where you all possess comfort with the God of their souls
of Powers, through the whelm of waves, underlings
the most need after your troubling songs. with their lord,
(647-60a) deprived of comfort, without hope, they
sought their hell. (671b-82)
“Because you know not your departure from
here Nor needed those thanes in the home of
at the end of your life, it seems to me darkness,
prudent that you, that band of retainers in the deep pit,
watching against the battle-rush of your turn towards their first-spear for their
foes, allotted treasure,
keep vigilance, lest your sworn enemies so that they in the wine-hall across the beer
hinder your way benches
to glory’s citadel. Beg the Child of God, the might receive rings, or appled gold. (683-
Prince of Angels, 88a)
the Lord of Mankind, the Giver of Victories
to be merciful to me. Unlike them, the body of the holy woman
May peace be among you, and perpetual true was conducted
love.” (660b-69a) with praise-songs, by a great many unto its
mould-grave,
At that moment Juliana’s soul was led away so that they, a mighty folk, brought it within
from her body to its lengthy joys the city.
by the blow of the sword. (669b-71a) There ever since with the passing of years
the praise of God was lifted until this very
Then the malicious Eleusius sought the sea- day,
stream, fearful at heart, with great majesty among that fellowship.
upon a ship accompanied by a throng of his (688b-95a)

107

Epilogue so that the holy woman may treat
with that highest of kings. (709b-717a)
There is a great need for me
for that holy woman to effect me help, The need of this reminds me—
when the dearest of all shall be parted a great heart’s sorrow. I pray that every man
from me, the two brothers united shall of humankind who recites this song,
be torn apart, their great heart-love. earnest and mindful,
My soul shall part from my body will remember me by my own name,
upon a journey—I myself do not know and pray to the Lord, the Helm of the
where— Heavens,
in ignorance of its destination. Wielder of Powers, to provide me help
From this place I shall seek another, on that greatest of days, the Father,
faring forth according to my former works the Spirit of Comfort, on that awful day,
going with my olden deeds. (695b-703a) the Deemer of Deeds, and his dear Son,
when their Threeness sits in majesty
Mournful will mankind (CYN) depart. as a singularity, the kindred of humans,
The King will be stern, the Giver of through that glorious creation, and decrees
Victories, by his works
when, flecked by sins, the sheep (EWU), the reward to every man. Forgive us, God of
terrified, await what, according to their Powers
deeds, so that we may find your aspect, Joy of
he will judge them, as a recompense of life. Nobles,
The watery floods (LF) will tremble, merciful on that famous day—
lowering themselves sorrowfully. (703b-
09a) Amen.
I remember all that pain,
the wounds of the sins that I, late and early, (717b-31)
have wrought in this world,
what I must lament with mournful tears. The Wanderer
There was one time too late,so that I was
ashamed afore of my evil deeds, “How often the lone-dweller anticipates
while ghost and body together fared some sign, this Measurer’s mercy
uninjured in this habitation. — must always must—
I will have need of mercies then, mind-caring, along the ocean’s windings,
stirring rime-chill seas, hands as oars
many long whiles, treading the tracks of
exile—

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the way of the world an open book always.” short a struggle-friend, however dear.
(1–5) The ways of wandering wind him round
not even a wire of wound gold—
So spoke the earth-stepper, a memorial of a frigid fastness, hardly any fruits of the
miseries fold.
slaughter of the wrathful, crumbling of This one lists the hall-lads swilling rings,
kinsmen: giver-drenched in youngsome days,
in both furnishing and feasting.
“Often, every daybreak, alone I must Joys all flown, vanished all away! (29b-36)
bewail my cares. There’s now no one living
to whom I dare mumble my mind’s “Therefore one knows who long forgoes
understanding. the friendly words of their first,
I know as truth that it’s seen suitable when sleep and sorrow stand together
for anyone to bind fast their spirit’s closet, clutching at the crestfallen alone.
hold onto the hoards, think whatever — (8– Somehow seems that somewhere inside
14) this one enwraps his lord and kisses his lord,
and laps both hands and head
“Can a weary mind weather the shitstorm? on his knee, when, once upon a year
I think not. blurry in time now, one thrived by the
Can a roiling heart set itself free? throne —
I don’t think so. too soon rousing, a friendless singular
So often those hustling for the win must seeing all around a fallowness of waves,
clamp down grim mindings in their coffer, sea-birds bathing, fanning their feathers,
just as I ought fetter my inborn conceit, ice and snow hurtling, heaved up with hail.
often wounded, wanting where I know, (37-48)
kindred pulled away, how many winters
now? “So heavy and heavier the hurt in heart
I shrouded my giver in dark earth harrowing for the lost. Sorrow made new
and wended away worrisome, whenever recalling pervades the mind,
weather-watching the wrapful waves, greeting kindred joyfully, drinking in the
hall-wretched, seeking a center, look of them
far or near, where they might be found, fellowable and fathoming—
in some mead-hall, who knows of my kind,
willing to adopt a friendless me, they always
though they be joyful enough. (15–29a) swim away.
Gulls ghost-call — I don’t know their
“The well-travelled know how slicing tongue too well,
sorrow can be by one’s side, much of their comfort weird. Worrying

109

made new gnashed by frost, the buildings snow-lapt.
to that one who must send more and more, The winehalls molder, their wielder lies
every day, washed clean of joys, his peerage all
a bleary soul back across the binding of perished,
waves. (49-57) proud by the wall. War ravaged a bunch
ferried along the forth-way, others a raptor
“Therefore I cannot wonder across this ravished
world over lofty seas, this one the hoary wolf
why my mind does not muster in the murk broke in its banes, the last a brother
when I ponder pervading all the lives of graveled in the ground, tears as war-mask.
humans, (70-84)
how suddenly they abandon their halls,
proud princes and young. Right here in the “That’s the way it goes—
middle the Shaper mills middle-earth to waste
it fumbles and falls every day — (58-63) until they stand empty, the giants’ work and
ancient,
“No one can be wise before earning their lot drained of the dreams and joys of its
of winters dwellers.” (85-7)
in this world. The wise one, they stay
patient: Then one wisely regards this wall-stead,
not too heart-heated, not so hasty to harp, deliberates a darkened existence,
not too weak-armed, nor too wan-headed, aged in spirit, often remembering from afar
nor too fearful nor too fey nor too fee- many war-slaughterings, and speaks these
felching, words: (88-91)
and never tripping the tongue too much,
before it trips them. (64-9) “Where has the horse gone?
Where are my kindred?
“That one bides their moment to make brag, Where is the giver of treasure?
until the inner fire seizes its moment clearly, Where are the benches to bear us?
to where their secret self veers them. Joys of the hall to bring us together?
No more, the bright goblet!
Who’s wise must fore-ken how ghostly it All gone, the mailed warrior!
has been Lost for good, the pride of princes!
when the world and its things stand wasted
— “How the space of years has spread —
like you find, here and there, in this middle growing gloomy beneath the night-helm,
space now — as if it never was! (92-6)
there walls totter, wailed around by winds,

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“Tracks of the beloved multitude, all that The Gifts of Men
remains
walls wondrous tall, serpents seething— There are many gifts of the youthful
thanes stolen, pillaged by ashen foes apparent
gear glutting for slaughter — we know this across the earth, those that the soul-bearing
world’s way, carry
and the storms still batter these stony cliffs. in their brains, just as the God of Armies
The tumbling snows stumble up the earth, here,
the clash of winter, when darkness descends. the Measurer so powerfully, has doled out
Night-shadows benighten, sent down from unto humanity
the north, given as a unique present, sending them
raw showers of ice, who doesn’t hate wide afield,
humanity? (97-105) his own privileges, and every one of them
may be taken up by some of those living
All shot through in misery in earthly realms, among the people. (ll. 1-7)
fortune’s turn turns the world under sky.
Here the cash was a loan. There are no men upon the earth so blessed
Your friends were a loan. with misery,
Anyone at all, a loan. nor so moderate of prosperity, so craven of
Your family only ever a loan— spirit,
And this whole foundation of the earth nor so delayed of courage, that the granter of
wastes away!” (106-10) grace
should deprive them of every skill of the
So says the wise one, you don’t hear him at mind,
all, or mighty deed, wise in wit or in wordy
sitting apart reading their own runes. (111) statements,
It’s better to clutch at your counsel, lest they be hopeless in all matters—
you ought never manifest your miseries those which God wrought in this worldly
not too quickly where they well, life,
unless the balm is clear beforehand, all these gracious gifts—God would never
keep whittling at your courage. (112-14a) deem
that any should become so wretched. (ll 8-
It will be well for those who seek the favor, 17)
the comfort from our father in heaven,
where a battlement bulwarks us all. (114b-5) There are none so powerful in the craft of
wisdom

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in the multitude of nations in this world together.
mounting forth, so that the Warden of Folk One can devise a wonderful contrivance,
through his holy gifts would send forth to something timbered tall—his hand is well-
him taught,
hither wise thoughts and worldly skills, skillful and steady, just as is proper for the
granted to all under a single power, wright,
lest he, for pride, filled with earthly gifts, establishing the hall, he knows how to
should turn away from moderation, a man conjoin
mighty of mind, the broad house firmly against its sudden
and then depise the poor and humble— fall. (ll. 41-48)
yet he should share, who has the power of
discernment, One can address the harp with his hands,
the various hand-skills of the people, he has the art of swift striking the joyful
with those living on land throughout middle- wood.
earth. (ll. 18-29) One is skillful at counsel, another steady in
aim,
Here across the earth is illuminated by another perceptive in poetry, another swift
certain goods, on land,
worldly treasures. One may be destitute, quick on his feet. One steers the till on the
a hard-fortuned man, who is nevertheless fallow wave,
wise in the mind’s crafts. One takes up a knowing the streaming road, the course of
burden armies,
greatly strong besides. One is handsome, over the broad ocean, when the sea-eager are
comely in his form. One is a bearer of shaken
verses, with swift power of the oars, near to the
gifted in song. One is glib in his speaking. wave-board. (ll. 49-57)
One is skillful in the chase, a hunter
of glorious beasts. One is well-esteemed One is a good swimmer. Another crafty in
by a world-powerful man. One is hardened artifice,
by war, of gold and gemstones, when the warden of
a battle-crafty warrior, where the shields men
resound. (ll. 30-40) commands him to adorn them as glorious
treasures.
One can meditate pointedly in the moot One can make warlike tackle, useful to
of mind-thoughtful men, advisers of the warriors,
people, a mind-crafty smith, when he creates a
where a gathering of counselors are helmet

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or a dagger or a warlike jacket for the battles One eagerly enfolds his soul’s need
of men; in his mind and chooses the grace of the
a shining sword or the boss of a shield, Measurer
brought together surely against the flying of for himself above all other earthly goods.
spears. (ll. 58-66) One is fierce-minded in the devil’s struggle,
he is always ready to fight against felonies.
One is pious and eager to give alms, One has skill in many churchly offices,
virtuous in his habits. Another is an active and can in praiseful songs celebrate loudly
thane the Sovereign of Life, having a lofty
in the mead-hall. One is well-versed in and bright voice. Another is wise in books,
steeds, limb-strong in learning. Still another is
wise in horsemanship. Another, self- hand-ready in the writing of wordy
possessed, mysteries. (ll. 86-96)
endures in patience so that he must be.
One knows the judgments, where the There is not now any man upon the earth
warrior with a mind so crafty, nor so grown in
deliberates his counsel. Another is fast with power,
the dice. that any one should ever become endued
One is sagacious at the wine-pouring, with all of them, lest boasting should harm
a good beer-keeper. Another is a good him,
builder or his heart mount up due to his glory,
to have a home. One is a good general, if he keeps his talent for himself among all
a bold director of armies. Another is a folk- other men,
adviser. (ll. 67-77) beauty or wisdom or the profit of his works.
Yet God, rousing his glory, dispenses his
One is a bold-minded thane at need gifts
with his prince. Another has patience, to various humans, to this one for his virtue,
a steady spirit. One is a killer of birds, to that one for his skill, to one for his beauty,
crafty with a hawk. Another is bold upon a to another for his warfare, to yet another
horse. man
One is very agile, having ingenious sports, he gives a mild heart, virtuous thought—
a gift for mirthful deeds before the retinue, another is loyal to the Prince. (ll. 97-109)
light and loose in the limbs. Another is
loving, So worthily the Lord scatters his glory wide.
having concord among men at heart and Always thus let him possess our dignity,
word. (ll. 78-85) our light-bearing praise, he who gives us

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this life and reveals to men his mild heart. He may yield the punishment to you,
(ll. 110-13) what belongs to others, to their prosperity.”
(ll. 15-20)
Precepts
A third time the thought-wise man
Thus an aged father taught his free-born son, instructed his son from his inmost treasury:
a mind-wise man, elderly in virtue of his “Do not keep company with those beneath
kinsmen, you,
in perceptive words, so that he was well to the width of your life, nor esteem any of
proud: (ll. 1-3) them,
but take on that one who always speaks
“Always do what best avails you, and your in good news and teachings, counsel-
work will succeed. minded.
God will always be yours, belonging to About the rich, let it be just as it can be.” (ll.
every good man 21-26)
your master and comfort—the Fiend is for
the others, A fourth time the father taught again
the worse workman. Hope for the better, his mind-beloved son, so that he
even this courage, always so long as you remembered this:
live. “Abandon not your most intimate friend,
Cherish your father and mother with your but ever always keep him close—
heart, as is rightly fitting. Perform this courtesy,
and every one of your kindred, so long as so that you never become vile to your own
they love the Measurer. friend.” (ll. 27-31)
Always be gracious to your elders, fair-
worded, A fifth time the father yet again began
and let your teachers be beloved in your to instruct his child by his breast-thoughts:
spirit and mind, “Shelter yourself from drunken and daft
those who would bolster you to good most words,
eagerly.” (ll. 4-14) malicious in your mind, and lying in your
mouth—
The elderly father soon challenged his son anger and spite and lechery for the ladies.
a second time: “Keep dear this virtue! Therefore shame-minded he must often
Perform no crimes, nor ever tolerate them venture
in your friends or kinsmen, lest the Measurer who turns away from the love of his wife
reproach you, as an abettor of such faults. for strange women. There will always be
an expectation of sin, a hateful shame—

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an enduring malice towards God— mindful of his saints, and keep truth ever in
an overwhelming arrogance. Always be wise your sight—
of your reasons, when you say what you say.” (ll. 59-64)
wary against your desires, a warden of your
words.” (ll. 32-42) A ninth time the old man addressed him,
the aged sage, saying to his own children:
A sixth time the benevolent man soon began “There are not many men who wish to keep
through blithe intentions to teach his child: the ancient scriptures, but his mind decays,
“Eagerly perceive what may be good or evil, his courage cools, discipline falling idle—
and distinguish them always sharp-mindedly nor do they have any bit left over for that,
in your heart and ever choose the better. though they do disgrace instead of the
It will always be parted for you—if your Measurer’s commandment.
mind avails— Many shall be rewarded with the soul’s
wisdom dwells within, and you know torment.
readily Yet allow your inner heart to hold from now
the sense of evil, held against you stoutly— on
care for the good in your spirit always.” (ll. these olden writings and the judgments of
43-51) the Master,
which men everywhere in this place
A seventh time the father taught his son, abandon in their ambition
an aged man, saying many things to the declining precipitously, when righteousness
younger: should be theirs.” (ll. 65-75)
“Seldom will the wise man, though
sorrowless, exult, And for a tenth time, filled with miserable
likewise will the fool rarely rejoice, filled sorrows,
with regrets, the older man soon began to instruct his
about his destiny, unless he knows enmity. heir:
Guarded in speech, a wisdom-fast warrior “He enjoys wisdoms who for the love of his
must consider his heart, not all booming in soul
voice.” (ll. 52-58) always guards himself against disgrace of
words
An eighth time the elderly father began and deeds in his self-keeping and performs
to admonish his son with mild words: the truth—
“Learn these precepts, suitable for every gift will be augmented for him,
instruction, profitable
Hope for yourself in wisdom—and keep in power, when he flies away from
the Shaper of Armies in your expectations, wickedness. (ll. 76-82)

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“Don’t allow anger ever to control you, often seized me at the stem of the ship
cresting in your chest, or the ground of when it crashes upon the cliffs. (4-8)
spiteful words,
to defile you with its welling-forth— Oppressed by chills were my feet,
but your mind will keep him best in his bound up by frost, with cold chains,
heart. where these sorrows sighed
A wise warrior must be moderate, keen of hot about the heart — hunger tearing within
mind, the sea-wearied mind. He does not know this
perceptive in his thoughts, eager for lore, fact
so he can gather his blessings among men. who dwells most merrily on dry land—
(ll. 83-89) how I, wretchedly sorrowful, lived a winter
on the ice-cold sea, upon the tracks of exile,
“Don’t ever be a slanderer, nor a double- deprived of friendly kinsmen,
talker, hung with rimy icicles. Hail flies in showers.
nor allow men to urge you to wickedness in (9-17)
your mind,
but be gracious instead, bearing a light There I heard nothing except the thrumming
breast-coffer sea,
in your thoughts. And so you, my child, be the ice-cold waves. Sometimes the swan’s
mindful song
of the teaching of your aged father— I kept to myself as diversion, the cry of the
and always keep yourself away from gannet
wickedness.” (ll. 90-94) and the curlew’s voice for the laughter of
men—
The Seafarer the seagull’s singing for the drinking of
mead.
I can relate the reality, a song about Storms beat the stony cliffs there, where the
myself— tern calls him
go on about the going, how I in with icy feathers. Very often the eagle
toilsome times screeches
often endured desperate days. (1-3) with wet feathers. No sheltering kinsfolk
could comfort this impoverished spirit. (18-
Bitter breast-cares have I abided, 26)
explored in a boat many sorrowful places,
the terrible tossing of waves — Therefore he really doesn’t believe it—
where the narrow night-watch he who owns the joys of life
and very little of the perilous paths, living in

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the cities, he ever holds a longing, who strives out
proud and wine-flushed — how I must often upon the streams. (44-7)
endure on the briny ways wearied. (27-30)
The groves take on blossoms, beautifying
Dusky shadows darken. It snowed from the the cities,
north, gardens grow more fair, the world hastens
binding the earth in ice. Hail fell to the —
ground, all these things make the hurrying heart
coldest of grains. Therefore they come mindful,
crashing now, the soul to its travels, to him who so
the thoughts of my heart whether I should imagines
test out on the flood-ways, to travel far away. (48-
the profound streams, the tossing of salty 52)
waves.
My mind’s desire reminds me at every Likewise the cuckoo admonishes him with a
moment, sorrowful song,
my spirit to outventure, that I should seek summer’s warden sings, pronouncing pain,
the homes of strange peoples far from here. bitter in the breast-hoard. Men do not know
(31-8) this thing,
pleasure-wealthy people, what some
Therefore there is no man so proud-minded experience
over this earth, who venture widest on the ways of exiles.
nor so assured in his graces, nor so brave in (53-7)
his youth,
nor so bold in his deeds, nor his lord so Therefore now my mind departs outside its
gracious to him thought-locks,
that he will never have some anxiety about my heart’s insides, with the ocean’s tide,
his sea-voyaging— across the whale’s domain, departing
about whatever the Lord wishes to do to broadly,
him. (39-43) the corners of the earth —it comes again to
me
Neither is his thought with the harp, nor to gluttonous and greedy—the lone-wing
the ring-taking, keens,
nor to the joys in women, nor in the hopeful whetting the heart without warning onto the
expectation in the world, deadly way,
nor about anything else but the welling of across surface of the waters. (58-64a)
waves—

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Therefore they are hotter for me, the joys of have departed.
the Lord, The weaker abide and keep hold of the
than this dead life, loaned on land. How world,
could I ever believe brooking it by their busyness. The fruits are
that earthly weal will stand on its own brought low.
eternally? The glory of the earth elders and withers,
Always one of three things in every case, as now do all men throughout middle-earth.
will occur to obscure matters before his time Old age overtakes him, blanching his face—
is through: the greyhaired grieve. He knows his olden
disease or old age or else the blade’s hatred friend,
will usurp the life from the fated, hurrying the noble child, was given up to the ground.
from here. (64b-71) (80b-93)

Therefore, for every man, praise from the Nor can the flesh-home, when the life is lost,
after-speakers swallow down sweetness, nor suffer sorrow,
and the living shall be the best of eulogies nor stir its hands, nor think with its mind.
that he labors after before he must go his Although one’s brother may wish to strew
way, the grave
performing it on earth against malice of with gold for his sibling, to bury beside the
enemies, dead
with brave deeds, opposed to the devil, many treasures that he would wish him to
so that the children of men might acclaim have—
him afterwards, That gold cannot comfort him, the soul filled
and his praise shall live ever among the with sins,
angels, which he hid before now while he was alive,
forever and ever in the fruits of eternal from the terror of God — (94-102)
existence,
joys among the majesties. (72-80a) Mighty is the fear of the Measurer, therefore
the earth shall be changed—
The days have departed, all the presumption he established the unrelenting ground,
of earthly rule—there are no longer the corners of the earth and over-heaven.
the kings or kaisers or the gold-givers such Foolish is he who dreads not the Lord, his
as there were, death comes unexpected.
when they performed the greatest glories Blessed is he who lives humbly, his reward
among them comes in heaven.
and dwelt in the most sovereign reputation. The Measurer endows the heart in him
Crumbled are all these glories, their joys because he believes in its power.

118

Man must steer a strong mind, and hold it so that I could afterwards understand
firmly, by those incantations God’s own son:
assured among humanity, clean in his ways.
(103-10) “A cherished guest in the habitations,
and the weaker just the same,
Every man must keep himself with
moderation, deprived of all sins, reasonable in the
to those beloved and those he deadly hates, advisor.
even though he may wish them be filled Every man can suppose that quite easily,
with flames
or burned up upon a pyre, he who does not allow himself to be defiled
his own confirmed friend. Outcomes are in his thoughts in this loaned time,
stronger—
the Measurer mightier still—than the a glutton of the mind and in the count
thoughts of any man. (111-6) of his days drunken with power,

Let us consider where we should possess our Then many holding assembly are proud
home, war-smiths in their wine-drenched towns—
and then think about how we may come
there again— they are sitting at the feast, urging true
and then we should strive also verses,
so that we may be allowed to do so, changing up their words, hastening the
into those eternal beatitudes— (117-20) wisemen

every place of spears within their halls
abiding among men, then wine whets them,

There life pertains to the love of the Lord, the breast-souls of warrior. Voices mount
hope in heaven. Thanks be to the Holy One, high,
so that he may honor us, the Lord of Glory, a tumult in the band, all sorts of noise shall
Eternal Master, for all time. Amen. (121-4) rise up.

Vainglory So the minds become separated into parts,
lordly men are all unalike. Some into over-
Okay — an aged counsellor spoke to me mind
in days gone by, a wise messenger, of many
unique wonders. closing in forcefully, swelling within him,
a mind knowing no bounds—too many are
He unwrapped his word-hoard, witty of like that!
lesson,
a warrior learned of books, of prophetic Envy will chop them all down,
sayings, with the flying spears of the enemy,

119

with treacherous machinations— what the child of the enemy, taken up in
it is roasted and it cries out, it boasts flesh,
has in his prideful life, a spirit hurrying to
greatly about itself when the better man ground,
thinks that every one of his ways seem
destitute of God, the King of Glory.”
wholly beyond reproach. There will be That wise man sang, the word-ready warrior,
another outcome
when that man is shown the results of his and he retold this legend: “He who elevates
fault. himself
in this perilous moment through his
He skews his words and deceives, he dreams overmastering pride,
up
many hooked devices—he releases his heaving up his lofty spirit, he must be
mind-spears humbled
after his passing journey, crushed down low,
shooting forth in showers. He knows not his
crimes, dwelling fixed in torments, encompassed
the sins he has done—he despises his with serpents.
betters, That happened many years ago in God’s
realm
the nobles from spite, loosing arrows of
treachery that overweening mounted high among the
break through the fortress wall, the defenses angels,
the struggle of the far-famed. They heaved
that the Measurer commanded that he keep up a crime,
well,
sitting feast-fat, overwhelmed by wine, a severe expedition, polluting the heavens,
despising their betters, those that thought too
letting go cunning words to travel forth, deceitfully
thronging with quarrel, puffed up with pride,
to rob the power of the regal throne from the
kindled with malice, full of overweening, Majestic King,
with spiteful enticements. Now you could as was not right, and then set themselves
know over

if you have met such a thane abiding in his that delightful land of glory, upon their own
habitation, judgment.
understand by these few pronouncements That fate the Father of First-Creation
resisted them in war—

120

that struggle became too grim for them. Widsith
Then he who will be unlike the others here
on earth Widsith came to talk, unlocking his wordy
hoard,
will dwell humbly, and with any of his he who had travelled furthest across the
brothers earth
he always keeps concord among the people among men and tribes and peoples—
often he had prospered on the hall-floor
and loves his enemy, though he often made with agreeable treasures. From among the
offense Myrgingas
against him, with his desires in this world. his lineage sprung. He with Ealhild,
an unfailing peace-weaver, for the first time
He will be allowed to mount up from here seeking the home of Hreth-king,
the joys of glory into the hope of holiness east of the Angle, of Eormanric,
the angry breaker of covenant. He began to
in the yards of angels. Nor can it be for speak many words: (1-9)
those others,
him who live in laughter through wicked “I have heard tell of many men ruling their
deeds tribes!
Every prince must live according to his
in overweening pride, nor will their rewards customs,
be alike one earl after another must govern his
with the Glory-King.” Understand by these homeland,
words, he who wishes to prosper upon his princely
seat.
if you encounter a humble earl, a thane in Hwala was one of these, best of his time,
his tribe, and Alexander, most powerful of them all,
who will always be gathered in his spirit, of all mankind, and he thrived the most
of those who I have heard of across this
God’s own child, pleasant in this world— earth. (10-17)
if this wise man does not lie to me.
“Attila ruled over the Huns, Eormanric the
Therefore we must always, considering the Goths,
counsel Becca the Baningas, Gifica the Burgundians.
of safety, remember in our mind Caesar ruled the Greeks and Celic the Finns,
with all of these words the greatest Hagena the Holmrigs and Heoden the
Sovereign of Victories. Glomms.

Amen.

121

Wita ruled the Swæfings, Wade the “Hrothulf and Hrothgar ruled the longest
Hælsings, at peace together, uncle and nephew,
Meaca the Myrgingas, Mearchealf the after they drove away the kindred of Vikings
Hundings. and humiliated the spear-tips of Ingeld,
Theodric ruled the Franks, Thyle the chopping down at Heorot the majesty of the
Rondings, Heathobards. (45-49)
Breoca the Brondings, Billing the Werns.
Oswine ruled the Eows, and Gefwulf the “So I have travelled among many alien lands
Yta, throughout this spacious ground. There I
Finn Folcwalding, the kindred of the have experienced
Frisians. aught of good and wickedness, deprived of
Sigehere ruled the Sea-Danes for the longest my kinsfolk,
time, far from my free people, following them
Hnæf the Hockings, Helm the Wulfings, widely.
Wald the Wohings, Wod the Thyrings, Therefore I can sing and speak of tidings,
Sæferth the Sicga, Ongendtheow the base things on account of the multitude in
Swedes, the mead-hall,
Sceafthere the Ymbra, Sceafa the Lombards, how made myself useful among the chosen
Hun the Hætwera and Holly the Wrosna. and the excellent. (50-56)
Hringweald was called the king of the
Herefara. (18-34) I was among the Huns and the Hreth-Goths,
among the Sweoma and among the Geatas
“Offa ruled the Angles, Alewih the Danes— and among the South-Danes.
he was the proudest of all men, I was among Wenlas and among the
yet never did he manage to effect supremacy Wærnas and among the Vikings.
over Offa, I was among Gepthae and among Winedas
but he slew him nonetheless first of men, and among the Gefflas.
while still a boy, greatest of kingdoms. I was among the Saxons and the Sycgas and
No one his age had ever exerted himself among the Sword-men.
in such great deeds. With a single sword I was among the Hronas and among the
he extended his borders towards the Danes and among the Heathoreams.
Myrgingas I was among the Thyringas and among the
beside the Eider River—ruling over from Throndas,
then on and among the Burgundians, where I
afterwards the Angles and the Swæfings, as received a ring—
he slew Offa. (35-44) there Guthhere gave to me a resplendent
treasure,

122

as requital for my song. That was no Myrgingas,
sluggish king! (57-67) and among the Amothingas. I was among
the East-Thyringas
“I was among the Franks and among the and among the Eola and among the Ista and
Frisians and among the Frumtingas. Idumingas. (75-87)
I was among the Rugas and among the
Glommas and among the Rumwala. “And I was with Eormanric for a long time,
Likewise I was among the Eatula with there the king of Goths availed me well—
Ælfwine, he gave me a ring, the origin of the city-
he had the lightest hand of all mankind, as I dwellers,
have heard, in that was six hundred counts of coins,
to perform his praises, the most generous in battered gold, reckoning the wealth—
the sharing of rings, I gave this to Eadgils into his possession,
the bright bracelets, the child of Eadwine. my sheltering lord, when I came back home,
(68-74) as reward to my dear one, after that he gave
me lands,
“I was among the Serkingas and among the the homestead of my father, the lord of the
Seringas— Myrgingas. (88-96)
I was among the Greeks and among the
Finns and with Caesar, “And then Ealhild gave to me another gift,
he who owned authority of the wine- the lordly queen of glory, the daughter of
fortresses, Eadwine.
of the wealth and his desires, and over the Her praises I extended throughout many
realm of the Wælas. lands,
I was among the Scots and among the when I had to speak through songs
Peohta and among the Scrid-Finns, where I knew best beneath the heavens
I was among the Lidingas and among the the gold-adorned queen was sharing out
Leona and among the Lombards, gifts. (97-102)
among the heathens and among the heroes
and among the Hundingas. “Then we two Scillingas heaved up a song
I was among the Israelites and among the for our victory-lord
Assyrians, with shining speech, loud by the harp,
among the Hebrews and among the Indians voices chiming,
and among the Egyptians. when many men, with proud minds,
I was among the Medes and among the spoke wordfully, those that knew how to
Persians and among the Myrgingas well,
and the Mofdingas and even against the

123

so that never was a better song heard. (103- rousing where they wielded the wound gold
108) for men and women, Wudga and Hama.
So I always discovered that in that
From there I wandered all throughout the venturing,
homeland of the Goths, that he is most cherished among the land-
seeking always the best companions— dwellers
that was within the horde of Eormanric. he who God gives the realm of men
I sought Hethca and Beadeca and the to hold onto, so long as he lives.” (123-134)
Herelingas,
I sought Emerca and Fridla and the East- So the minstrels of men turned to leave
Goths, wandering
aged and excellent, the father of Unwena. among the created world, throughout many
I sought Secca and Becca, Seafola and lands,
Theodric, talking at need, speaking grateful words,
Heathoric and Sifeca, Hlithe and always to the south or north, measuring out
Ingentheow. a certain wise song, unstingy of their gifts—
I sought Eadwine and Elsa, Ægelmund and he who wishes to rear up glory among the
Hungar, multitude
and those proud companies of the With- to execute his authority, until everything
Myrgingas. hurries away,
I sought Wulfhere and Wyrmhere—very the light and life together—he works praise,
often the war did not end there, having under the heavens an enduring
when the forces of Hræda with hardened reputation. (135-143)
swords
must defend their old home-seat The Fortunes of Men
around the Wistla Woods against the folk of
Attila. (109-122) [Sometimes called “Be manna wyrdum”]

“I sought Rædhere and Rondhere, Rumstan Very often it occurs, with the power of God,
and Gislhere, that man and woman conceive in the world
Withergeld and Freotheric, Wudga and a child from their union, and prepare its
Hama— form,
those companions were never the worst, coaxing and cheering it, until the time
though I must name them last. comes,
Very often from the band flew whistling going into the count of years, so that these
the shrieking spear into the ferocious
nation—

124

young limbs, fallen upon the earth, his spirit venturing
these life-fast members, come to be forth. (ll. 15-26)
burdened.
So they carry him and go forth on foot, One must on foot go forth onto the far-ways
the father and mother, giving him much by constraint, bearing his provisions,
and preparing him. God alone knows treading the earth boldly, leaving behind
what the winter will bring him in growing him
up! (ll. 1-9) only damp tracks, a stranger—he keeps
few living caretakers—hatred will be
For some that go forth with youthful spirits, everywhere
the conclusion will come woefully to the due to his bleak fate, the friendless warrior.
sufferer. (ll. 27-32)
A wolf must devour him, a hoary heath-
stepper— One must ride upon the spacious gallows,
then the mother will mourn his going-forth. swinging in death, until his soul-hoard,
Such is not within the control of any man! his bloody bone-coffer is broken.
(ll. 10-14) There the raven seizes his eyeballs,
dusky plumed, tearing him open, soulless—
Hunger must harangue one. The tempest he can neither defend himself hatefully
must drive away another. with his hands against that breeze-reaver,
The spear must spill out one, and warfare his life is departed, and he insensible,
destroy another. despairing of spirit, waits for the outcome
One must eke out existence without legs, pallid upon the pole, covered by deadly
groping with hands—another feeble in the mist.
feet, His very name is miserable! (ll. 33-42)
sickened with sinew’s bane, bewailing his
injuries, Another must be in burning, afflicted with
mourning his measured destiny, afflicted in brands,
his mind. devoured by the wicked flame, a man fated
Another must from the lofty tree fall to die.
featherless There his life-parting is sudden,
in the forest, nevertheless he flies— the reddened fierce coals—a woman
bouncing on the breeze, until he flies no mourning,
longer, who sees her child covered with torches. (ll.
a fruit from the woody tree. Then he upon 43-47)
the root
descends dejected, deprived of his soul, The edge of the sword deprives another of
life,

125

there on the mead-bench, by an angry ale- and the brightest of glory, for others the skill
sot, at dice,
a man replete with wine—he was too nimble the weaving of chess-boards. Some are
of words. (ll. 48-50) scholars,
becoming fast in wisdom. For others
One must be in his beer by the butler’s hand wondrous gifts
a mead-flown warrior—then he does not through goldsmiths are prepared—very
know often he obeyed,
moderation in restraining his mouth and he adorned the warrior of the generous
in his own mind, but must yield up his life king well,
very sadly, and so he grants him broad lands as a
endure great sorrow, beshorn of all reward—
pleasures, and he accepts them graciously. (ll. 64-76)
and men call him a self-killer—
bemourning by mouth the drinking of the One must serve in the throng of heroes,
inebriate. (ll. 51-57) exulting at beer among the bench-sitters—
there is a great joy of drinkers there!
Another must in his youth by the might of Another must sit at the foot of his lord
God with a harp, accepting payment,
entirely ruin his misfortunate itinerary, and always promptly twanging its strings,
but in his old age soon become blessed, letting the plectrum loudly resound that
dwelling in days of joy and partaking of leaps,
prosperity, the nails singing sweetly—his is a great
treasures and mead-horns in kin-city, longing. (ll. 77-84)
which any human should be able to hold
from here. (ll. 58-63) One must tame the proud wild fowl,
the hawk in hand, until the blood-swallow
So variously, the Mighty Lord deals to all becomes pliable—he attaches the jesses,
throughout the four corners of the earth, feeds it in those fetters, exultant in its wings.
arranging and allotting, and holding onto his He feeds the wind-swift with little morsels
decrees: until the servant, with dress and deeds,
for some prosperous weal, for others a share becomes manageable to his feeder
of woes, and used to the bachelor’s hands. (ll. 85-92)
for some gladness in youth, for others war
and its fruits, And so elaborately the Preserver of Armies
wielding the war-play, for some a throw or a throughout middle-earth shaped and shared
shot, the crafts of men, and ferried their fate

126

to every one of the widest race upon the never do outcomes change him, nor do
earth. troubles afflict him at all,
Therefore now must all say thanks to him,
because he allotted these to humanity by his neither disease nor old age—the Almighty—
mercy. (ll. 93-98) nor does he wither in spirit, yet he is as he
ever was,
Maxims I
a Lord long-suffering. He grants us
A. understanding,
a mindful variety, many manners of speech.
Ask me of these olden words — nor let your
soul be hidden, Many a broad island embraces many
or be secret what you know most deeply! ensouled creatures.
I don’t wish to speak to you of my hidden The Measurer reared up roomy habitations
matters,
if you veil your crafty thought from me, and for mankind, Almighty God—as many of
the ideas of your heart. both
Wise men must trade their songs. Man must nations and customs. A conclave must be
first praise God held
fairly, with “Our Father!” because he
formed us at first, aged with aged—their spirits are similar—
our life and loaned desires—he wishes to they always settle disputes, teach concord,
remind us of the requital.
The Measurer must exist in glory: man must when the miserable have earlier borne it
be on earth— away.
the young must grow old. God will be with Counsel must be with the wise,
us eternally, righteousness too,

good deeds must be with the good. The two
shall be paired:
a woman must be with a man, engendering
in the world

children with their birth. A tree must stand
in the earth
losing its leaves—the bare branches must
mourn.

The eager must venture forth, fated to die
and contend every day against their parting

127

from middle-earth. The Measurer alone A sick man needs a doctor. A man must
knows teach a younger man,
from what direction death will come, who strengthened and urged to know good, until
departs from this country. that man has restrained him,

Children multiply, then infant disease takes given him food and clothing, until that man
them— leads him into his wits.
in this way so many of the race of men come Neither must a man chide the child-young,
into being, before he can disclose himself—

nor would there be any limit to the children by this he must prosper among his people,
across the earth, so that he should be bold of resolve.
if he who formed this world did not diminish A man must direct his strong mind. The sea
their number. often brings a storm,

Foolish is the one who knows not his lord, the ocean in grim seasons—they begin to be
death often comes unheeded to him. driven furiously
Wise men bolster up their souls, holding dusky a distance from land, whether or not it
their truth with righteousness. stands firmly.

Blessed is the one who thrives in his The cliff-walls hold out against them—the
homeland, wretched he who his friends winds are against them too.
betray. So the sea will be serene—
Never must he thrive whose food fails
him—he must be bound by need at times. when the winds do not rouse them—
so the nations shall be united, when they
Happy must be a heart void of evil. A blind have come together,
man must do without his eyes,
he is deprived of clear vision, nor can they sitting together in harmonious conclave, and
keep watch of the stars above, when they keep their companionship,
keen men have a powerful nature. The king
the sky-bright sun nor the moon—he is will be eager for authority—
pained in his mind, hateful is he who claims the land, beloved
anxious when he alone knows it, he does not he who offers more.
believe that its return will come.
Majesty must be with pride, bravery with
The Sovereign ordained his torment, who ferocity—
can grant him recovery, they must both be prompt to make war.
health for his head-gems, if he knows his
heart is clean.

128

An earl must ride upon a horse’s back, the summer must be hot in heaven, the waters
cavalry must ride forth together, unquiet.
the infantrymen must stand firmly. It suits a Deep are the deadly waves—what is hidden
woman to be at her table— shall be longest

a wandering woman gives rise to words, the holly must be burned, the heritage of a
often a man smears her with stains, dead man
men speak of her slanderously, often her must be shared out. Glory is the greatest.
beauty is impaired.
The king must procure his wife with her
A shameful man must go in the shadows, the price,
light suits a brighter man. with cups and rings—both must be first
The hand must labor for the head, the hoard
must await the treasure— gracious with gifts. War must be in an earl,
valor increasing, and prospering with a
the kingly throne must stand ready—for wife—
when men should distribute gifts.
Greedy is he who is taken by gold, man on beloved by their people—they must be light-
the high seat has enough of it— minded,
there must be reward, if we do not wish to holding their secrets, being ample-hearted
lie, for those who show us mercy.
with horses and holdings, with the mead as
B. well
for his cherished companions, always and
Frost must freeze, and fire burn up wood, everywhere—
the earth must blossom, the ice build
bridges, a hedge for his noble friends, greeting them
first,
water must wear its helmet, locking down at the start, with a filled vessel to the
wondrously master’s hand—
the sprouts of the earth. The One must
unbind offering it straightaway, and giving them
counsel
the fetters of frost—the supremely powerful to the hall-owners, both of them together.
God—
winter must cast down, the weather soon A ship must be nailed tight, a shield bound
arrives, fast,
the light linden boards—a welcome
cherished

129

by the Frisian woman, when the ship is He will become sick who eats too seldom.
ported— Although he be led into the sun,
his boat will have arrived and her husband is he cannot survive by the weather, even
home, though it may be warm in summer—

her own livelihood, and she leads him he will be overcome before he dies, if he
inside, knows not who will sustain his life.
washes his soiled garments and gives him A man must support his strength with food,
new clothes, murder consigned to the earth,

is mild to him on land who his love winds down below the ground, by one endeavoring
tight. to conceal their crime—
A woman must keep her pledge with a man, that will not be a fitting death, when it is
often a man smears with stains— kept secret.

many are loyal-minded, many are too The humble must bow down, those inclined
curious, must fall—
she keeps her peace with a strange man, the righteous grow stronger. Good counsel is
when hers has gone far away. A sailor is the most useful,
long on a journey—
evil most unavailing, which seizes the
yet a man must always look for his dear one, miserable.
waiting for who he cannot compel. When Good prevails, and is the company of God.
the time arrives,
The mind must be controlled, the hand
he will come home, if he endures in health, wielded—
unless the ocean prevents him, the pupil must be in the eye, wisdom in the
the sea keep the joy of being a husband breast.
clutched tight.
there are the mindful thoughts of that man.
A prosperous man then purchases a kingly Every mouth needs food, meals must go on
home time.
for his men, when he arrives sailing—
Gold is suitable on a man’s sword,
making use of wood and water, when he is the best for triumphal garb, treasure on a
permitted a home queen,
buying food, if he needs more, before he
becomes too weary. a good singer is fitting for men, spear-hate
for warriors,

130

keeping the peace of their homes against a very shifty animal. Very often such friends
battle. tear at him—
terror must be for the cowardly, the grave
A shield must be for the fighter, the shaft for for dead men—
the reaver,
a ring must be for the bride, books for the and it moans hungrily, not at all wound up in
scholar, lamentation,
nor indeed does the grey wolf weep for the
the Host for a holy man, and for the dead,
heathens sin.
Woden worked idols, the All-Wielder glory the slaughtering of men, yet it wishes for
ever more.
and a spacious sky—that is a powerful God, A bandage must be wound, vengeance for
the Truth-King himself, the Savior of Souls, harsh men.

who forgave us all so that we might live The bow must be for the arrow, they shall be
onwards, like
and again at the very end, he controls us, a close pair together. Treasure becomes
all of mankind. That is the Measurer others—
himself.
a man must give out gold. God can grant
C. blessed possessions and also take them back.

A man must speak good counsel, write in The hall must tower high, itself enduring the
runes, years.
sing poetry, merit praise, A tree lying flat grows the least.
relate judgment—move swiftly by day.
The trees must grow tall and truth grow
A good man needs a good and tame horse, firm,
known and proven, steel-shod— the heart must flush forth within the
merciful.
no man can acquire too much.
A man must keep his friend well in every A man is pledge-free and imprudent,
way— malicious and faithless,
who does not care for God.
often a man passes around a town, where no
friend is known. The Measurer made much that came to be of
Friendless, a miserable man will take a wolf old,
for his companions, ordaining that they exist ever on.

131

Sagacious words befit every pledge— Seldom in the broad boat, unless its running
songs to minstrels, and wisdom to men. under sail,
will the weary man row against the wind—
So many men are upon the earth, so are their
ideas— very often a man urges on the weak with
each of them has its own mind. threats,
he loses his courage—his oar dries on board.
He longs the less when he knows a
multitude of songs, Deceit must stay with depravity,
or knows how to touch the harp with his skill with what is fitting—
hands— when the stolen token is taken.

he holds the gift of music that God gave to Often they cast their words away,
him. before they separate back to back—
Wretched is he who must live alone,
a fate-reading man remains ready—
abide friendless—events have ordained this Feuding happened for the kindred
for him—
it would be better for him that he had a of men, since Abel’s blood
brother, both of one father, was swallowed at that time by the earth.

the heirs of an earl, if a boar must attack Did this happen just once? No—
them from the woeful drops there sprung widely
or a bear bear them down—that is a cruel-
pawed beast. a great bale for much of humankind,
the deadly mixture of hate.
These warriors must always ordain and lead
and sleep together in death — He struck his own dear brother,
Cain, spared by that killing—
man may never spread tales,
before death separates them. Afterwards it was widely known
that perpetual malice injured the human race
Those two must sit about playing at dice,
from there their misery recedes, So the citizens of this homeland endured
the struggle of weapons wide through the
forgetting the harshness of the world, world,
having themselves some fun at the table— finding and founding the mangling blade.

the idle hand is enough for the leisurely Ready must be the battle-shield, the shaft for
for the dicing of men, when they’re casting the spear,
stones. the edge on the sword, and the point for the
javelin—

132

the man has a penetrating mind. the blade must await the helmet in warfare.
Helmets must be for the keen— The wild hawk must abide upon the glove.

and for the abjected spirit The wolf must live in the grove,
the least extraordinary hoard. a miserable lone-dweller, the boar in the
forest,
A king must keep the realm. A city seen
from afar, Firm in its toothy power. An excellent man
the cunning work of giants, some remain must work glory in his homeland.
upon the earth,
A javelin must rest in the palm,
the ornate handiwork of wall-stones. The a spear gold-splattered. A gem must be in
wind is the swiftest in the sky— the ring
thunder is loudest in the moment. Christ’s
powers are mighty. standing high and wide. The river must mix
up
The way of the world is greatest. Winter is with the waves, the tidal flood. A mast must
the coldest, be on the ship,
the spring most icy—it’s cold for the
longest— the sail-yard hanging. The sword must be in
the lap,
the summer the most sun-beautiful—the the lordly iron. The dragon must be in the
heaven is hottest— barrow,
the harvest is most blessed, it brings to men
aged, proud in treasure. The fish must be in
the whole year’s crops, what God sends to the water,
them. propagating its kind. The king must wait in
The truth is very tricky, treasure the dearest, the hall,

and gold is for every man, the old man is the dealing in rings. The bear must be on the
wisest, heath,
aged in ancient years, who has experienced old and terrible. The rivers runs downhill,
many events.
flowing as grey as the sea. An army must
Woe is wondrously tenacious—the clouds stand together,
keep rolling. a band ready for glory. Troth must in the
Excellent comrades must build up earl,

the young noble in battle and the ring- wisdom in the man. The woods must be on
giving. the earth,
The earl must be courageous,

133

blossoming with blooms. A hill must be Good must stand against evil, youth against
upon the earth, age—
life must be against death, light against the
towering green. God must be in heaven, shadows,
the Judge of Deeds. A door must be on the
hall, army arranged against army, an enemy
against its opposite,
the spacious building mouth. The boss must hated against hateful, contending for land,
be on the shield,
the fixed shelter for fingers. The fowl must charging them with crimes. A wise man
be in the sky, must always ponder
about the struggles of this world, the
bouncing on the breeze. The salmon must be accursed must hang,
in the pool,
shooting with the trout. The rainstorm must repaying fairly what crimes he committed
be in the sky, against mankind. The Measurer alone knows

blending up the winds, coming into the where the soul must turn in the hereafter,
world. and all the spirits must depart who go before
A thief must go in the shadowy weather. God
The ogre lives in the marsh,
after their death-day, awaiting judgment
alone deep in the water. A lady must with in the embrace of the Father. Future creation
secret skill, is secret and obscure—the Lord alone
a woman seeking her lover, if she does not knows,
wish to thrive the Delivering Father. None ever come back
among her people, so that one buys her off
with rings. hither under the roofs, who, truth be told,
may say to men what the Measurer might be
The ocean water must swarm with salt, like,
the sky-helmet, the watery flood or the seats of victorious people, where they
themselves dwell.
around each and every land,
flowing mountainous streams. The Order of the
World
Money must be in the earth,
breeding, growing stronger— i.

The star must be in the heavens,
shining brightly, just as the Measurer
ordained.

134

So you reckon you’re ready— Learn what’s taught.
tongue-rapid, tone-tripping— I’m telling you in rapid fire
to greet the mystery itself, word-burdened, of the meter’s forward strut
listening to that one young forever greater than you, son —
when they tell of existences unknown than anything you can clutch
ahead, asking who speaks in your chest, though your tongue may trip
about spacious destinies, —
the kindred capacities, kindling life Will it be enough? (21–26)
that each day through god’s glory
may birth endless miracle There is no measure of the human,
to serve waves of humanity. (1–7) from those stirring upon the earth —
nothing that can be used to explore any
Each one a token true-seen further
to that one whose wisdom the highness of works within the heart —
widens the whole world to them, than what the master grants them
kenning in chest, mind-marking to mind-grabble god’s own pronunciation.
what so many lengthy days, Still we must give respect to the real prince
cropped with mindful craft, always to ever, for what the always king
with singings, these souls cares to hand out, in their shine of soul,
often twisted tales forth, so we can climb up higher so easily
the nervy bastards — to the upwards realm, if our starch suffices
they correctly comprehended our spirits and we hope to keep hold
how to pronounce it — of the speech of a lofty lord. (27–36)
what always the inquiring type,
what the whispering cleverness ii.
demands you do —
ever minding the most & mighty. (8–16) Hear it now, this song uplifting
and nail down your needs.
So you best ask, you deep-hearted someone What, at the start of the starting,
who dwells in daring, ask of hidden relics, the every-mighty father,
best get scribbling in your spaces the high ward of hoards,
the skills of a treasury of words what’s up and what’s here,
folding them up in the soul’s closet— the beds of broad oceans —
think it forth bravely. (17–20) can’t you see it everywhere —
what now lies in fetters
Don’t let it weary the receiver through that one’s hand,
to rectify it all, wisely, the world.

135

shall heighten and heave rippling forth each & every morning
this sacred blossom. (37–42) over the bulwarks of dark mist,
wading through water,
And so everything clumps together, fierce in the fabulous —
they who sees it knows it, it snows down from the east at daybreak,
every bit its other, sparkling, sweet-fast, for this trudge of kind.
everything must bear (57–63)
its persuasive pushing,
just as the steerer steers them, Glow birthed for everything living,
their myriad possibilities, brightest brands, and they are allowed
their own greatening truth. (43–46) to exult in its ownership,
all creatures on earth,
So they ferry the shine which they are happy to share,
back into the world, the vision of sight,
the multitude of the master the ruler in fact, ruler of the win. (64–7)
and the majesty of makings,
incandescent in praise Into westerly aboves it turns
in their lengthy seasons, at that moment, dripping in glory,
mouthing the words in truth, its fame known ahead, a star,
of the limitless leader a sun traversing in fellowship,
on the spot it all went down until it evens out of the speared waves,
where the first sat himself down, pathing the playgrounds,
impeccable watch of heaven, crashing across the gloom.
holding it eagerly, limming oceans— Night spreads after, holding
the possibilities streaking forth, the ordaining principle
a twinkling in the sky of this sacred lord.
and rustling in the waves, Heaven-bright heavens
the landlord of life incited into illumination
laps and leads all of entirety into god-like makings
into their one big arm. (47–56) beneath the fathoming fold,
our wandering star. (67–75)
By the breadth of breathing
standing for them as glory, Therefore there ain’t a bean
of every referee the most rightful on this planet who lives
who sculpted living here, right here for us solely by wisdom —
— who can foresee their fountaining
and the brilliance of illumination by their own powers alone,

136

how the hammered gold of suns in lofty spaces. Feasting & fascination
gallops across these grounds, an endless uncounting,
into the darkening of darkness what can be kept is their comfort. (90–97)
below the writhing of waters —
or who among these land-dwellers To sum up here: one ought to consider,
should be allowed to luxuriate every sprout of humanity,
in their own light, letting go of the worthless chase
once the candle huffles off for their true meter —
over the oceans. (76–81) letting go of the joy of borrowed existence,
and hustle along its singing swing.
Again, it clumps together, and Forsake hateful malice,
they who sees it still knows it, sink it all into flaming wrong —
day parleys with night, and ferry yourself
the depths exchange with the heights, to the granting of realms. (98–102)
the toss with the tides,
the land gives back to water, The Rhyming Poem
floods flow together with floods,
fish circulate with waves. He who granted me life created this sun
The work never weakens, and graciously provided its radiant engine.
what’s cradled so well — I was gladdened with glees, bathed in bright
they stand upright, hues,
heaping up high & true deluged with joy’s blossoms, sunshine-
with a girthed girdle of potential infused.
in the majesty of making —
May it be heaved aloft, Men admired me, feted me with banquet-
both heaven and earth. (82–89) courses;
we rejoiced in the good life. Gaily bedecked
Who dwells there will be fortuned, horses
rich in hope these holders of hearth. carried me swiftly across plains on joyful
That is a true multitude, rides,
innumerable in blessings, delighting me with their long limbs'
cascades of the angelic. thunderous strides.
Those always see fully
their own first, gazing with many eyes, 137
holding enough of what’s needed.
Nothing goes without light,
those who view the king of vision

That world was quickened by earth’s fruits Those were years rich in gifts and the
and their flavors! sounds of happy harp-strings,
when a lasting peace dammed shut the
I cantered under pleasant skies, attended by rivers’ sorrowings.
troops of advisers. My servants were keen, their harps resonant;
their songs pealed, the sound loud but
Guests came and went, amusing me with pleasant;
their chatter the music they made melodious, a continual
delight;
as I listened with delight to their witty the castle hall trembled and towered bright.
palaver. Courage increased, wealth waxed with my
talent;
Well-appointed ships glided by in the I gave wise counsel to great lords and
distance; enriched the valiant.

when I sailed myself, I was never without My spirit enlarged; my heart rejoiced;
guidance. good faith flourished; glory abounded;
abundance increased.
I was of the highest rank; I lacked for I was lavishly supplied with gold; bright
nothing in the hall; gems were circulated ...
Till treasure led to treachery and the bonds
nor did I lack for brave companions; of friendship constricted.
warriors, all,
I was bold in my bright array, noble in my
we strode through castle halls weighed down equipage,
with gold my joy princely, my home a happy
hermitage.
won from our service to thanes. We were I protected and led my people;
proud men, and bold. for many years my life among them was
regal;
Wise men praised me; I was omnipotent in I was devoted to them and they to me.
battle;

Fate smiled on and protected me; foes fled
before me like cattle.

Thus I lived with joy indwelling; faithful
retainers surrounded me;

I possessed vast estates; I commanded all
my eyes could see;

the earth lay subdued before me; I sat on a
princely throne;

the words I sang were charmed; old
friendships did not wane ...

138

But now my heart is troubled, fearful of the The happy clan perishes; the spear rends the
fates I see; marrow;

disaster seems unavoidable. Someone dear the evildoer brawls and poisons the arrow;
departs in flight by night
sorrow devours the city; old age castrates
who once before was bold. His soul has lost courage;
its light.
misery flourishes; wrath desecrates the
A secret disease in full growth blooms peerage;
within his breast,
the abyss of sin widens; the treacherous path
spreads in different directions. Hostility snakes;
blossoms in his chest,
resentment burrows, digs in, wrinkles,
in his mind. Bottomless grief assaults the engraves;
mind's nature
artificial beauty grows foul;
and when penned in, erupts in rupture,
the summer heat cools;
burns eagerly for calamity, runs bitterly
about. earthly wealth fails;

The weary man suffers, begins a journey enmity rages, cruel, bold;
into doubt;
the might of the world ages, courage grows
his pain is ceaseless; pain increases his cold.
sorrows, destroys his bliss;
Fate wove itself for me and my sentence was
his glory ceases; he loses his happiness; given:

he loses his craft; he no longer burns with that I should dig a grave and seek that grim
desires. cavern

Thus joys here perish, lordships expire; men cannot avoid when death comes, arrow-
swift,
men lose faith and descend into vice;
infirm faith degenerates into evil’s curse; to seize their lives in his inevitable grasp.

faith feebly abandons its high seat and every Now night comes at last,
hour grows worse.
and the way stand clear

for Death to dispossesses me of my my
abode here.

So now the world changes; Fate leaves men When my corpse lies interred and the worms
lame; eat my limbs,

Death pursues hatred and brings men to
shame.

139

whom will Death delight then, with his dark so the waters enclose
feast and hymns? this bright bosom, the ocean roaring,
Let men’s bones become one, the surge of salty waves. (6b-8a)
and then finally, none,
till there’s nothing left here of the evil ones. We have heard spoken by certain men
But men of good faith will not be destroyed; a wondrous species of wild beast,
the good man will rise, far beyond the Void, illustrious to men, in distant lands (8b-
who chastened himself, more often than not, 10)
to avoid bitter sins and that final black Blot.
The good man has hope of a far better end guarding its territory,
and remembers the promise of Heaven, enjoying its homeland
where he’ll experience the mercies of God among the earthen caves. (11-12a)
for his saints,
freed from all sins, dark and depraved, That wild beast is called the Panther
defended from vices, gloriously saved, by name, so the children of humanity,
where, happy at last before their cheerful wise-fast men, revealed in books (12b-
Lord, 14)
men may rejoice in his love forevermore.
about this solitary stepper.
Physiologus I: The Panther That one is friend to all,
gracious to the multitudes, (15-16a)
The Panther
except to the dragon alone,
There are many throughout middle- by whom he in all seasons
earth, is enraged, by every sort
an uncountable kindred, that we cannot of evil that he can achieve. (16b-18)
rightly account the variety or know their
number— (1-3) That is a wondrous beast,
miraculously lovely,
There are multitudes scattered widely of every hue—so heroes say, (19-20)
of fowl and beasts, stalking the earth
throughout the wide world and within it, holy-spirited men, that Joseph’s
(4-6a) tunic was, of every branch
varying color, every sort (21-23a)

of that brightness,
in every way singular
shining for the other (23b-24)

140

children of the multitude, swiftly from sleep.
so is that beast’s hue, Melodious sound emerges,
dazzling every color’s play, (25-26a) the most winsome of cries (42-43a)

brighter and more beautiful, through that wild beast’s mouth—
wondrously illumined, and after that voice
so that all of the well-wrought (26b-28) a scent comes forth (43b-44)

and lovely [hairs] shine forth from that hollow,
from the other ornaments, a pleasant emanation,
singular besides, always the best. (29- sweeter and stronger (45-46a)
30a)
than any other fragrance,
He possesses a unique quality— the blooming of herbs
mild and moderate. or forest flowerings, (46b-47)
He is gentle and kind, (30b-32a)
every adornment
loving and gracious, of this noble earth. (48)
not wishing to endure
anything loathsome, (32b-33a) Then from the cities
and from the citadels
except the venomous harmer, and from the homely halls (49-50a)
his ancient foe, that I mentioned before.
(33b-34) many troops of men
venture upon the earth-ways,
Always desiring repletion, in a multitude of peoples, (50b-51)
when it takes its meals—
after its feasting it seeks (35-36) in the choicest company
hastily streaming forth,
its rest in a secret place players of the spear— (52-53a)
within an earthen cave—
there the mighty fighter (36b-38a) similarly wild beasts
come running in that smell,
for three nights’ space after that calling. (53b-54)
wends into slumber,
occupied by sleep. (38b-39) Such is Lord God, Ruler of Joys,
mild unto the rest of creation
Then the bravery-bold rises up again of every multitude— (55-57a)
bolstered in its majesty,
on the third day, (40-41) except for the dragon alone,
the venomous origin. (57b-58a)

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That is the ancient enemy i.
whom he bound
at the base of torments (58b-59) Now I wish to wordfully reveal a song
about a certain kind of fish,
and fettered in olden chains, yet with the craft of verse,
immured in constraints, through the heart’s thoughts
and on the third day, (60-61) and concerning the great whale.
Without them looking, he is often
he arose from secrecy, encountered,
after he suffered death perilous and fatally grim, by sailors,
for us for three nights, (62-63a) every one human—to him a name
is conceived, that floater
Prince of Angels, in the ancient ocean: Fastitocalon. (ll. 1-
Granter of Victory. 7)
That was the sweet odor, (63b-64)
His aspect is like a leprous stone,
lovely and pleasant like those that crumble over by the
throughout the entire world. water,
Afterwards truth fast men (65-66) surrounded by sandy hills, a most
mighty reef,
throng in heaps from every side so that the wave-sailors believe
unto that scent that they might be looking with their
across the entire turn of the earth. (66a- eyes upon some island
68) and then tether their high-prowed ship
to that non-land by their anchor-ropes,
So Saint Paul the wise man told: settling their sea-steeds, their swimming
“There are many across middle-earth at an end,
gracious with their goods (69-71a) and then the brave-hearted go up
onto that island, their keels standing
which the Almighty Father fixed by the shore, wound about by the
shares with us in gift and salvation tide.
and that is the solitary hope (71b-73a) Then the weary-spirited sailors make
camp,
of all creation looking for no wickedness on that island,
above and below.” awakening a fire, kindling large flames—
That is a noble scent! (73b-74) the mourning heroes become joyful,
longing for rest. (ll. 8-23)
Physiologus II: The Whale

The Whale

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When, crafty in crime, he perceives invisible helmet,
those who have come upon him, speedily seeks out hell, lacking all good
abiding fast, keeping their camp, deeds,
wishing for good weather— the bottomless welling, under a misty
then forthwith, he turns downward gloom,
into the salty waves, with them as just like the great whale, who drowns
plunder, sailing men and their wave-horses. (ll.
this ghast of the spear-waves, seeking 38-49a)
the bottom,
and then affixing that ship with its crew, ii.
drowned in that death-hall. (ll. 24-31a)
He has another aspect, the watery
Such is the custom of that phantom, whale,
the way of the devil, practicing by secret proud yet wondrous—when hunger
skill troubles him
to betray the many, inciting them into in the ocean, and the battler needs a
wrong, bite,
those excellent of deeds, profaning then the warden of the deeps opens up
themselves his mouth,
according to their pleasures, his cavernous lips. There emerges a
so that they should seek the support, pleasant scent,
the comfort of fiends, until they choose from his insides, that is an enticement
haunts to other kinds of sea-fish, those swift in
there confidently, by the side of pledge- swimming,
breakers. (ll. 31b-37) swim to where that sweet stench comes
out.
When from living torment, the fiend, They venture inside, an unwary host,
wily and wanton, perceives that every until those broad jaws become filled—
human, then swiftly that gruesome throat
the kindred of heroes, be fettered fast clashes closed
by wicked chain, he afterwards about that army’s plunder. (ll. 49b-62a)
becomes
their soul-slayer through cruel cunning, So it is for every man, who most often
of the proud and the miserable looks uncritically upon this loaned life,
who wickedly perform his pleasures allowing himself to be cajoled by the
here, sweet stench
and among them, covered by his

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of deceptive desires, so that he Let us always be pledged to him,
becomes seeking our salvation in this transitory
glistering with guilt against the Glory- time,
King. so that we are allowed to brook
The accursed open up hell for their in his praises—with one so beloved—
coming, to the width of all time, his glory. (ll. 82-
after their hurrying-hence, for those who 8)
performed
their mortal joys heedlessly, falsely, Resignation A & B
rather than the spirit’s honest course. (ll.
62b-70a) [Titled “Contrition” in Muir, ed.]
A.
When the treacherous, crafty in harm,
has brought them into his fastness, Own me, Almighty God!
near the whirling flame, those who Help me, Holy Lord!
cleaved to him, You made heaven and earth
adorned with their faults, and eagerly and every miracle, my Glory-King,
obeyed and you exist in there, Eternal Lord,
his precepts previously in their living great and multifold. I commend to you,
days, famous God, my soul and my own body,
then he claps together his gruesome and my words and my works, Wise Lord,
throat and all my limbs, Herdsman of Light,
fast after their soul-death, Hell’s ornate and the unfoldings of my thought. (1-9)
doors.
They shall never have a turning or an Show me, Shepherd of Stars,
escape, where my soul may best
an out-venturing, those who come inside observe the desires of the Measurer,
there, so that I may flourish in you in all matters,
no more than the ocean-going fishes and rear your counsel in me, Truth-fast
may depart out from the whale’s King.
clutches. (ll. 70b-81) Nor allow the ultimate thief harm me in the
shadows,
Therefore it’s entirely… [gap in MS] for though I may harden what is weaker
the Lord of Lords, and always oppose for the shaping King of Glory, the powerful
these devils with words and works, Lord,
so that we are allowed to look upon the when my good may exist. (10-18)
Glory-King.

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Endow me in graciousness, Living God, mind,
from the bitterness of baleful deeds. Good King of Souls, in your ready counsel.
I keep the salve for it in mind, Now I flurry on to you, Father of Mankind,
the glory of kings—I shall arrive there, from this world, now I know what I must do,
if I am allowed (19-21) full of unlovely faults—feed me then,
Sovereign of Result, in your worldly joys,
Grant me, my Lord, the time and and permit me to pass away,
understanding dearest Lord, comfort of my soul. (36b-46a)
and patience and memory of every matter
that you, Truth-fast King, Too many are angry there, eaten by envy,
wish to send my way as an experiment. (22- when I have comfort with the Lord,
25a) although I earlier earned little mercy
in my time. Allow the angels
Now you know in me many sinful deeds, to take me in your proximity even so
yet feed me nonetheless, O Measurer, Delivering King, Measurer, for your mercy.
for your mercy, though I may do (46b-51a)
more grim guilts, when God permits me to.
(25b-28) Though I have committed much wickedness
in my days, yet do not let me, body of your
Then I will have need to strive for your body
favor be led unto the devil on that loathsome
nevertheless, O Holy Heaven-King journey.
with my days passing away — I see and I So few were allowed to rejoice in your
seek forward mind
one life after another, that honor-fast God and so they, angels more prideful than
grants me in eternal joy, allowing me Eternal Christ,
existence, seemed to themselves to be better than they
though I amend my wicked deeds more were.
slowly They deceived themselves in their belief—
than your commandments of holy and therefore they must for a long time…
heavenly power. (29-36a) those accursed creatures, suffer revenge.
(51b-58)
Enough — you gave me many things in this
world. Defend me and disturb them, when the
Establish my hope in you, fearful storm strikes
consideration, against my spirit—then comfort my soul,
so that it fixes a firm standing. Elevate my Mighty Lord, protect her and feed her,

145

Father of Mankind, thinking brightly, world,
whole, Eternal God, Measurer so powerful. as my deeds were so great before men,
(59-64a) so that I suffered a deep martyrdom. (7b-
13a)
Now is my soul besmirched with sin, and I
am I am not sound sage, wise before the
fearful for my spirit about the distant assembly—
journey, therefore I spoke this word hastening in my
though you have granted me many graces spirit,
upon this earth. as it happened to me at the start, misery
All thanks are yours for the rewards and the upon the earth,
mercies, so that I suffered always every year—All
which you have allowed me. None of them thanks to God!—
merit any of these deserts— (64b-70a) more roiling of mind in others, fright among
[Page ends with the word “mid”, one folio folk—
is posited to be missing, making the lines therefore I am hurried along, wretched in my
below likely to be the conclusion of an homeland. (13b-20a)
entirely different poem, but it is impossible
to say for certain…] Nor can the lone-dweller, deprived of the
joys of men,
B. survive for long after, an exile bereft of
friends—
Yet I wish to keep courage for all For him the wrath of the Measurer—
and laugh and hope for myself, grieving for his youth,
to spangle myself on the spirit-way and men assist them in every occasion,
and hasten along onto this journey, augmenting his misery—and he suffers all
which I must set out upon, readied in my that,
soul, the painful words of men, and his mind
and endure all that for God with a blithe is more wretched, a spirit morning-sick.
mind— (20b-27a)
now I am bound fast in my spirit. (1-7a)

Indeed the Master knows some of my sins I speak this pained message mostly about
which I unwisely know not how to myself,
understand. and jabber on about the journey, ready for
I have angered God, the Prince of longing,
Mankind— and upon the waters ponder
therefore I am punished bitterly thus for this knowing not my own—

146

why I should buy a boat upon the sea, Wayland dragged in the dreary,
the float upon the shore—I do not have driven to win, wassailing his sorrows,
much gold— the longings that lingered him,
nor indeed any friends who may aid me chilled cares his mates, once Nithhad
upon this venture. Now I cannot achieve my laid him up in the narrow, limb-lanced
own desires the turnings of the true craftsman.
on account of my scanty hoard. (27b-35)
He got through much of that, maybe we will
His wood might increase, awaiting the too.
outcome,
leading its branches—I cannot love in my Her brother’s death never perplexed her,
mind Beadohilde, so much as her own
any of mankind for my malice, a noble in his heartbreaks.
homeland. She knew it couldn’t deny it —
Alas my Lord, mighty Protector, that she was pregnant,
that I am sick of heart, enraged bitterly! yet could never design its outcome.
The remedy is with you, it lies along my
life. She got through much of that, maybe we
I cannot in the light abide for anything in the will too.
earth
hardly owning health, having only Many things to learn & know
hardship— (36-44) about Mæthhild’s reaping the results,
can you sound the deeps of this Geat’s love,
When I have been freed from this alien what steals the sleep from them all?
homeland,
a desirable country, sorrows of my love
were always mine as reward.
Yet it will be best, when one cannot
avert these events from himself,
what he may well endure. (45-49)

Deor They got through much of that, maybe we
will too.
Writhing riposte in webs of winding
arrange, Some Theodric or other kept clutch
on the princely keep on the borderlands
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