Heliand

— CAPITA —
1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	10	11	12	13	14
15	16	17	18	19	20	21	22	23	24	25	26	27	28
29	30	31	32	33	34	35	36	37	38	39	40	41	42
43	44	45	46	47	48	49	50	51	52	53	54	55	56
57	58	59	60	61	62	63	64	65	66	67	68	69	70
	71

Deutsche Übersetzungen
Johann Rodger Köne (1855)
Karl Joseph Simrock (1856)

{ 1 }
Capitulum I

1:1

Manega wâron,
the sia iro môd gespôn,

Many there were
tensing their minds

1:2

… « werk thea wârun undar ûs wirkide seggean » …,
that sia [bigunnun word godes],

… to relate the works wrought among us …
so that they began to proclaim God’s word,

1:3

[rekkean] that girûni,
that [thie] rîkeo Crist

To say what was whispered:
that Might-Wielding Christ

1:4

undar mankunnea
mâriða gifrumida

Had here among men
done miracles many

1:5

mid wordun endi mid werkun.
That wolda thô wîsara filo

With His words and His works.
Wise men aplenty,

1:6

liudo barno loƀon,
lêra Cristes,

People of earth — all would praise
the preachings of Christ,

1:7

hêlag word godas,
endi mid iro handon skrîƀan

God’s holy Word,
and write with their hands

1:8

[berhtlîko] an buok,
hwô sia [is gibodskip skoldin]

Bright in a book
how best God’s bidding

1:9

frummian, firiho barn.
Than wârun thoh sia fiori te thiu

They might carry out,
the kith of mankind.

1:10

under thera menigo,
thia habdon maht godes,

There were four from the many:
they had might from the Maker,

1:11

helpa fan himila,
hêlagna gêst,

Help, too, from Heaven
and from the Holy Ghost,

1:12

kraft fan [Criste,] -
sia wurðun gikorana te thio,

Strength from the Savior:
so were chosen for this.

1:13

that sie than êuangelium
[ênan] [skoldun]

Singly they were to inscribe
the Gospel there in a book,

1:14

an buok skrîƀan
endo sô manag gibod godes,

Committing to writing
so many commandments of God,

1:15

hêlag himilisk word:
sia ne muosta heliðo than mêr,

Holy, heavenly Word:
nor dared any here,

1:16

firiho barno frummian,
newan that sia fiori te thio

Any child of man,
emulate them, these four,

1:17

thuru kraft godas
gekorana wurðun,

Picked for the task
by the power of God:

1:18

Matheus endi Markus,
- sô wârun thia man hêtana -

Matthew and Mark,
as these men were called,

1:19

[Lukas endi Johannes];
sia wârun [gode] [lieƀa],

Luke, also John —
they were beloved of God.

1:20

wirðiga ti them giwirkie.
Habda im waldand god,

Worthy were they for the work.
The Wide-Wielder

1:21

them heliðon an iro hertan
hêlagna gêst

Had filled the hearts of the heroes
with the Holy Ghost,

1:22

fasto bifolhan
endi ferahtan hugi,

Perfectly all
with pious opinion,

1:23

sô manag wîslîk word
endi giwit mikil,

And wise words many
and still more of wit,

1:24

that sea skoldin ahebbean
hêlagaro stemnun

That they should begin
the goodly Gospel

1:25

godspell that guoda,
that ni haƀit ênigan gigadon hwergin,

With their holy voices,
raise it on high —

1:26

thiu word an thesaro weroldi,
that io waldand mêr,

The Word in this world
which has nowhere a like:

1:27

drohtin diurie
eftho derƀi thing,

That it praise him ever,
the Prince All-powerful,

1:28

firinwerk fellie
[eftho fîundo nîð],

The Lord who layeth low
the loathsome thing,

Who doth stamp out all sin
and the hate of Satan,

1:29

[strîd] [wiðerstande] - ,
hwand hie habda starkan hugi,

Withstandeth the strife.
For He is strong of mind,

1:30

mildean endi guodan,
thie the mêster was,

Mild, too, and good —
He who is Master of these,

1:31

[aðalordfrumo]
[alomahtig].

Aethling and Maker,
Almighty Lord.

1:32

That skoldun sea fiori thuo
fingron skrîƀan,

So were those four
to inscribe with their fingers,

1:33

settian endi singan
endi seggean forð,

Set down and sing
and say forth boldly

1:34

that sea fan Cristes
krafte them mikilon

That of Christ’s might and His strength
much had they heard

1:35

gisâhun endi gihôrdun,
thes hie selƀo gisprak,

And had seen indeed,
which He Himself had here spoken;

1:36

giwîsda endi giwarahta,
wundarlîkas filo,

Proclaimed and accomplished —
miracles countless

1:37

sô manag mid mannon
mahtig drohtin,

As He Himself had promised —
He, Wielder of Power,

1:38

all so hie it fan them anginne
thuru is [ênes] kraht,

Wide Ruling Lord —
when He first shaped world,

1:39

waldand gisprak,
thuo hie êrist thesa werold giskuop

1:40

endi thuo all bifieng
mid ênu wordo,

Surrounding it all
with a single Word,

1:41

himil endi erða
endi al that sea bihlidan êgun

Heaven and earth
and all that they held,

1:42

giwarahtes endi giwahsanes:
that warð thuo all mid wordon godas

Full-worked or still waxing:
with God’s Word

1:43

fasto bifangan,
endi [gifrumid] after thiu,

All was encompassed
and set forth accordingly

1:44

hwilik than liudskepi
landes skoldi

Which world-men should rule
over widest lands

1:45

wîdost giwaldan,
eftho [hwar] thiu [weroldaldar]

And when each age of this earth
should come to its end.

1:46

[endon] [skoldin].
Ên was iro thuo noh than

1:47

[firiho] barnun biforan,
endi [thiu] fîƀi wârun agangan:

There was still one before them —
for five had slipped by

1:48

skolda thuo that sehsta
sâliglîko

For the kinsmen of earth —
and now the sixth was to come,

1:49

kuman thuru kraft godes
endi Cristas giburd,

Blessed by God’s strength
and the birth of Christ,

1:50

hêlandero [bestan],
hêlagas gêstes,

Best of All Healers,
and the Holy Ghost,

1:51

an thesan middilgard
managon te helpun,

Come to this mid-world
to help the many,

1:52

firio barnon ti frumon
wið fîundo nîð,

The world-children all
’gainst the wiles of the Fiend

1:53

wið dernero dwalm.
Than habda thuo drohtin god

And his secret snares.
So to the Roman folk

1:54

Rômanoliudeon farliwan
rîkeo mêsta,

Had Lord God granted
the greatest of realms,

1:55

habda them heriskipie
herta gisterkid,

Had strengthened the heart
of the crowds of the host,

1:56

that sia habdon bithwungana
thiedo gihwilika,

So that they laid low
much land-folk all over.

1:57

habdun fan Rûmuburg
rîki giwunnan

Their helm-wearers had rule
from the city of Rome,

1:58

helmgitrôsteon,
sâton iro heritogon

Their leaders had power
in every land o’er the people there

1:59

an lando gihwem,
habdun liudeo giwald,

1:60

allon elitheodon.
Erodes was

Over the heathens all.
Herod was chosen

1:61

an Hierusalem
oƀer that Judeono folk

King of Jerusalem
over the Jew-folk.

1:62

gikoran te kuninge,
sô ina thie kêser tharod,

Caesar in Rome’s city,
the mighty ruler,

1:63

fon Rûmuburg
rîki thiodan

Had set him there ’mid his thanes.
Verily, though,

1:64

satta undar that gisîði.
Hie ni was thoh mid sibbeon [bilang]

He was not kin to the clanships
of Israel, not come

1:65

aƀaron Israheles,
eðiligiburdi,

From their best-born;
but his bounty he had

1:66

kuman fon iro [knuosle],
newan that hie thuru thes kêsures thank

Through the grace of Caesar
straight from the Rome-burg,

1:67

fan Rûmuburg
rîki habda,

1:68

that im wârun sô gihôriga
hildiskalkos,

So that then the fighting men,
famed for their fierceness,

1:69

aƀaron Israheles
elleanruoƀa:

The children of Israel,
friends changeless in strength,

1:70

swîðo unwanda wini,
than lang hie giwald êhta,

Were subject to him,
since he held sway —

1:71

Erodes thes rîkeas
endi [râdburdeon] [held]

Herod — over kinships
and councillors

1:72

[Judeo liudi].
Than was thar ên gigamalod mann,

Of Israel’s landsmen.
There lived there then

1:73

that was fruod gomo,
habda ferehtan hugi,

An aged man, a wise man
of reasonable mind:

1:74

was fan them liudeon
Levias kunnes,

He was come from the people
of the clan of Levi,

1:75

Jakobas [suneas],
guodero thiedo:

The famed son of Jacob
of a very fair family:

1:76

Zacharias was hie hêtan.
That was sô sâlig man,

Zachary he was hight,
was so holy a man,

1:77

hwand hie simblon gerno
gode theonoda,

For he gladly did give
service unto God,

1:78

warahta [after] is willeon;
deda is wîf sô self

Worked to His will.
So did his wife —

1:79

- was iru gialdrod idis:
ni muosta im erƀiward

She was already a very old crone,
and no offspring

1:80

an iro juguðhêdi
giƀiðig werðan -

Had been granted to them
in their youth.

1:81

libdun im farûter laster,
waruhtun lof goda,

They lived without fault,
warding God’s love,

1:82

wârun sô gihôriga
heƀankuninge,

Were humbly submissive
to the King of Heaven,

1:83

diuridon ûsan drohtin:
ni weldun derƀeas wiht

Praising our Prince;
nor practiced they evil

1:84

under mankunnie,
mênes gifrummean,

Among mankind;
nor did any meanness,

1:85

ne saka ne sundea.
Was im thoh an sorgun hugi,

Neither fault nor sin.
Still were they sorrowed of soul,

1:86

that sie erƀiward
êgan ni môstun,

Since not ever could they
be granted an heir:

1:87

ak wârun im barno lôs.
Than skolda he gibod godes

Bereft they of bairns.
The bidding of God

1:88

thar an Hierusalem,
sô oft sô is gigengi gistôd,

He did in Jerusalem.
As oft as his duty

1:89

that ina torhtlîko
tîdi gimanodun,

And the rightness of time
did remind him thereof,

1:90

sô skolda he at them wîha
waldandes geld

So oft did he hie himself
to the holy place,

1:91

hêlag bihwerƀan,
heƀankuninges,

To the High One’s temple,
to the Heaven-King’s house,

1:92

godes jungarskepi:
gern was he swîðo,

To serve Him all selfless
and make sacrifice,

1:93

that he [it] thurh ferhtan hugi
[frummean] môsti.

Yearning to work
with a God-wise mind.

{ 2 }
Capitulum II

2:94

Thô warð thiu tîd kuman, -
[that] thar gitald habdun

The time was then come —
as they did tell it,

2:95

wîsa man mid wordun, -
that skolda thana wîh godes

Wise men with words —
that Zachary should stand watch

2:96

Zacharias bisehan.
Thô warð thar gisamnod filu

There in God’s temple.
Many were gathered

2:97

thar te Hierusalem
[Judeo] liudi,

In Jerusalem there
of the folk of the Jews,

2:98

werodes te them wîha,
thar sie waldand god

Hordes in the holy place.
Most humbly they begged

2:99

swîðo theolîko
thiggean skoldun,

Might-Wielding God
for His grace,

2:100

hêrron is huldi,
that sie heƀankuning

The Lord of All Heaven
to release them from evil.

2:101

lêðes alêti.
Thea liudi stôdun

The folk stood around by the holy house,
and the high-born man

2:102

umbi that hêlaga hûs,
endi geng im the [gihêrodo] man

entered the temple.
The others all,

2:103

an thana wîh innan.
That werod ôðar bêd

The folk stayed outside
of the sanctuary,

2:104

umbi thana alah ûtan,
Ebreo liudi,

The host of the Hebrew,
till the holy man

2:105

[hwan êr] the frôdo man
gifrumid habdi

Had worked and had done
the All-Wielder’s will.

2:106

waldandes willeon.
Sô he thô thana wîhrôk drôg,

As he took the incense,
the sage in the temple,

2:107

[ald] aftar them alaha,
endi umbi thana altari geng

Round the altar the censer,
to serve his Liege —

2:108

mid is rôkfatun
rîkiun thionon,

Piously labored
for his own dear Lord;

2:109

- [fremida] ferhtlîko
frâon sînes,

And gladly he served
in God’s thralldom

2:110

godes jungarskepi
gerno swîðo

With a generous heart,
as one should joyously

2:111

mid hluttru hugi,
sô man hêrren skal

Follow one’s master
There a fright befell him,

2:112

[gerno] fulgangan -,
[grurios] [quâmun] im,

Terror there in the temple.
Trembling he espied

2:113

egison an them alahe:
hie gisah thar aftar thiu ênna engil godes

God’s angel inside
there in the sanctuary.

2:114

an them wîhe innan,
hie sprak im mid is wordun tuo,

And he spake to the sage,
and with words not to fear

2:115

hiet that fruod gumo
foroht ni wâri,

2:116

hiet that hie im ni antdriede:
"thîna dâdi sind", quathie,

Nor to have any dread.
“For thy deeds,” quoth he,

2:117

"waldanda werðe
endi thîn word sô self,

“Are of worth to the Wielder
and thy words as well.

2:118

thîn thionost is im an thanke,
that thu sulika githâht haƀes

Thy thralldom has earned thee His thanks,
since thou hast believed in Him

2:119

an is ênes kraft.
Ik is engil bium,

And in His strength alone.
I am His angel,

2:120

Gabriel bium ik hêtan,
the gio for goda standu,

And Gabriel I am hight.
Ever I stand before God,

2:121

andward for them alowaldon,
ne sî that he me an is [ârundi] [hwarod]

Stand in the Almighty’s sight,
except that He send me forth

2:122

sendean willea.
Nu hiet he me an thesan sîð faran,

On some errand for Him.
And now He hight me fare forth,

2:123

hiet that ik thi [thoh] gikûðdi,
that thi kind giboran,

Bade me to tell thee,
that to thee a babe will be born

2:124

fon thînera alderu idis
ôdan skoldi

From thine aged wife.
In this world shall be given unto thee:

2:125

werðan an thesero weroldi,
wordun spâhi.

2:126

That ni skal an is liƀa gio
lîðes [anbîtan],

Wise he of word.
Of wine he shall never partake,

2:127

wînes an is weroldi:
sô haƀed im wurdgiskapu,

In life neither of wine nor of cider.
So have the Weird Ones set down:

2:128

metod gimarkod
endi maht godes.

The Measurers have marked it
and the might of God.

2:129

Hêt that ik thi thoh sagdi,
that it skoldi gisîð wesan

He bade that I tell thee:
he shall be thane

2:130

heƀankuninges,
hêt that [git] it heldin wel,

To the Heaven-King’s Self;
bade that ye hold him

2:131

tuhin thurh trewa,
quað that he im tîras sô filu

And faithfully foster him.
Quoth that he would find

2:132

an godes rîkea
forgeƀan weldi.

Honors so many
up in God’s kingdom.

2:133

He quað that the gôdo gumo
Johannes te namon

Quoth that the good man
should be called John.

2:134

hebbean skoldi,
[gibôd] that [git] [it] hêtin sô,

Commanded that ye
so call it, that child

2:135

that kind, than it quâmi,
quað that it Kristes gisîð

When it doth come.
Quoth that Christ’s thane

2:136

an thesaro wîdun werold
werðan skoldi,

It was to become
in this wide, wide world,

2:137

is selƀes sunies,
endi quað that [sie] [sliumo] herod

Thane of His Own Son.
And quoth that they both

2:138

an is [bodskepi]
bêðe quâmin."

Betake themselves here
swiftly for tidings.”

2:139

Zacharias thô gimahalda
endi wið [selƀan] sprak

Zachary then spake
and said to God’s angel,

2:140

drohtines engil,
endi im thero dâdeo bigan,

Beginning to wonder
about his deeds and hs words:

2:141

wundron thero wordo:
"hwô mag that giwerðan sô", quað he,

“How can that so
come to pass?” quoth he,

2:142

"aftar an aldre?
it is unk al te lat

“So late in our lives?
For us ’tis too late

2:143

sô te giwinnanne,
sô thu mid thînun wordun [gisprikis].

To win such rewards
as thy words have spoken.

2:144

Hwanda wit habdun aldres êr
efno twêntig

For we two were equal of age:
twenty winters

2:145

wintro an unkro weroldi,
êr than quâmi [thit] wîf te mi;

Here in this world,
when this woman did come unto me;

2:146

than wârun wit nu atsamna
[antsiƀunta] wintro

And together we have shared
for seventy winters

2:147

gibenkeon endi gibeddeon,
siðor ik sie mi te brûdi gekôs.

Both board and bed,
since I chose her my bride.

2:148

Sô wit [thes] an unkro juguði
[gigirnan] ni mohtun,

In our youth we acquired
no offspring, no heir,

2:149

that wit erƀiward
êgan môstin,

Could beget no babe
in our bedchamber —

2:150

fôdean an unkun flettea,
nu wit sus gifrôdod sint

Now that we are old,
and age has robbed us of deed-strength —

2:151

- haƀad unk eldi binoman
elleandâdi,

2:152

that wit sint an unkro siuni gislekit
endi an unkun sîdun lat;

Dulled is our sight
and slow are our loins,

2:153

flêsk is unk [antfallan],
fel unskôni,

Our flesh falleth away,
our skin in unfair,

2:154

is unka [lud] giliðen,
lîk [gidrusnod],

Our limbs unlithe,
withered our once-live bodies,

2:155

sind unka andbâri
ôðarlîkaron,

And our appearance:
alas, ’tis altered —

2:156

môd endi meginkraft -,
sô wit giu sô managan dag

Mind both and might:
so many a day

2:157

wârun an thesero weroldi,
sô mi thes wundar thunkit,

We have wandered this world.
Methinks ’twere a wonder

2:158

[hwô] it sô giwerðan mugi,
sô thu mid thînun wordun [gisprikis]."

If it ever so happed,
as thou hast said with thy words.”

{ 3 }
Capitulum III

3:159

Thô warð that heƀenkuninges bodon
harm an is môde,

Then the Heaven-King’s herald
was hurt in his mind

3:160

that he is giwerkes sô
wundron skolda

That Zachery should wonder
so at His Works

3:161

endi that ni welda gihuggean,
that ina [mahta] [hêlag] god

And would not believe
that Holy Lord God,

3:162

sô alajungan,
sô he fon êrist was,

If he so willed it,
could make him young,

3:163

selƀo giwirkean,
[of] he sô weldi.

As once he had been.
So the angel chastised him,

3:164

Skerida im thô te wîtea,
that he ni mahte ênig word [sprekan],

The sage, so that he could not say
e’en a single word,

3:165

gimahlien mid is mûðu,
"êr than thi magu wirðid,

Nor speak with his mouth
“until thy son is come,

3:166

fon thînero aldero idis
erl afôdit,

Sprung from thine old wife,
an earl and shining,

3:167

kindjung giboran
kunnies gôdes,

Until a young bairn is born
to the best of clans

3:168

wânum te thesero weroldi.
Than skalt thu eft word sprekan,

Here in this world.
Then shalt thou again speak words.

3:169

hebbean thînaro stemna giwald;
ni tharft thu stum wesan

Thy voice shall have strength.
Nor shalt thou be silent

3:170

lengron hwîla."
Thô warð it sân gilêstid sô,

For any time longer.”
And straightway it was

3:171

giworðan te wâron,
sô thar an them wîha gisprak

What the Almighty’s angel
had there uttered,

3:172

engil thes alowaldon:
warð ald gumo

Had told in the temple:
that became true.

3:173

sprâka bilôsit,
thoh he spâhan hugi

Bereft of speech
was the sage,

3:174

bâri an is breostun.
Bidun allan dag

Though a clear mind
he bore in his breast.

3:175

that werod for them wîha
endi wundrodun alla,

All day they bided
before the God-house, the folk —

3:176

bihwî he thar sô lango,
lofsâlig man,

And they wondered all,
why this praiseworthy man,

3:177

swîðo frôd gumo
frâon sînun

This sage should need so long
to serve his Master,

3:178

thionon thorfti,
sô thar êr ênig thegno ni deda,

As never did other thanes
in the Lord’s thralldom

3:179

than sie thar [at] them wîha
waldandes geld

Make such sacrifice with their hands
there in the sanctuary.

3:180

folmon frumidun.
Thô quam frôd gumo

Lo: the ancient sage
did leave the temple.

3:181

ût fon them alaha.
Erlos thrungun

The earls thronged nearer.
There was longing in them,

3:182

nâhor mikilu:
was im niud mikil,

3:183

hwat he im sôðlîkes
seggean weldi,

To hear what he would say
most soothly to them,

3:184

wîsean te wâron.
He ni mohta thô ênig word [sprekan],

How wise he would guide them.
But no word could he speak

3:185

giseggean them gisiðea,
[bûtan] that he mid is swîðron hand

Nor say to his retainers;
but with his right hand

3:186

wîsda them weroda,
that sie ûses waldandes

3:187

lêra lêstin.
Thea liudi forstôdun,

He instructed the folk
to follow God’s teachings.

3:188

that he thar habda gegnungo
godkundes [hwat]

The folk understood
that verily he had seen

3:189

forsehen selƀo,
thoh he is ni mahti giseggean wiht,

Some token from God,
though he could not tell them

3:190

giwîsean te wâron.
Thô habda he ûses waldandes

Nor show them the truth.
There in his turn

3:191

geld gilêstid,
al sô is gigengi was

He had worked full well
our Wide-Wielder’s service,

3:192

gimarkod mid mannun.
Thô warð sân aftar thiu maht godes,

As ’twas marked among men.
Soon God’s might was made known,

3:193

gikûðid is kraft [mikil]:
warð thiu [quân] ôkan,

God’s strength and His skill:
for the crone so aged,

3:194

idis an ira eldiu:
skolda im erƀiward,

3:195

swîðo godkund gumo
giƀiðig werðan,

The wife was with child.
Offspring was granted unto them,

3:196

barn an [burgun].
Bêd aftar thiu

Bairn in the bastion —
a so God-like babe.

3:197

that wîf [wurdigiskapu].
Skrêd the wintar forð,

And the woman awaited
the workings of Weird.

3:198

geng [thes] gêres gital.
Johannes quam

The winter wore on,
the year fell away. John came,

3:199

an liudeo lioht:
lîk was im skôni,

A light to the earth-folk:
fair was his flesh,

3:200

was im fel fagar,
fahs endi naglos,

Seemly his skin,
and shimmering was he of cheek,

3:201

wangun [wârun] im wlitige.
Thô fôrun thar wîse man,

And the hair of his head
and his nails. Now the hoary,

3:202

snelle tesamne,
thea swâsostun mêst,

the wise gathered quickly,
the closest of kinsmen,

3:203

wundrodun thes [werkes],
bi[hwî] it gio mahti giwerðan sô,

Wondering much at the work,
how well it could happen

3:204

that [undar] sô aldun twêm
ôdan wurði

That a couple so aged
could still bear a child,

3:205

barn an [giburdeon],
ni wâri that it gibod godes

a babe in the bastion,
unless at God’s bidding.

3:206

selƀes wâri:
[afsuoƀun] sie garo,

They well understood
that unless this was so,

3:207

that it elkor sô wânlîk
werðan ni mahti.

It could never have been —
this babe — quite so fair.

3:208

Thô sprak thar ên gifrôdot man,
the sô filo konsta

Then an old man spake,
one of learned and reasonable mind,

3:209

wîsaro wordo,
habde giwit mikil,

Who knew wise words.
With zeal he did ask

3:210

frâgode [niudlîko],
hwat is namo skoldi

What the babe’s name should be
here below in this world:

3:211

wesan an thesaro weroldi:
"mi thunkid an is wîsu gilîk

“Methinks in his way and his bearing
he is greater than we.

3:212

jak an is gibârea,
that he sî betara than wi,

3:213

sô ik [wâniu], that ina ûs gegnungo
[god] fon himila

So I wean that verily God from Heaven
hath sent him Himself.”

3:214

[selƀo] sendi".
Thô sprak sân [aftar]

3:215

[thiu] môdar thes kindes,
thiu thana magu habda,

Then the child’s mother did straightway speak.
She who had borne him did say

3:216

that barn an ire barme:
"hêr quam [gibod] godes", quað siu,

With the babe on her lap:
“Last year God’s bidding

3:217

"fernun gêre,
furmon wordu

Did come unto us,
commanded with words of great weight

3:218

[gibôd], that he Johannes
bi godes lêrun

That he be called John,
according to the teaching of God.

3:219

hêtan skoldi.
That ik an mînumu hugi ni [gidar]

Even, indeed, if I might,
in my mind I cannot,

3:220

wendean mid wihti,
of ik is giwaldan môt".

I dare not so change it.”
Then spake thereupon

3:221

Thô sprak ên gêlhert man,
the ira gaduling was:

A most haughty man:
From her homeland he was,

3:222

"ne hêt êr giowiht sô", quað he,
"aðalboranes

“No aethling is named so, quoth he,
“no kith of our clan.

3:223

ûses kunnies eftho knôsles.
Wita kiasan im ôðrana

Now then! Let us choose us
another, a nicer name.

3:224

niudsamna namon:
he [niate] of he môti".

Later indeed he will like it,
if he is so able.”

3:225

Thô sprak eft the frôdo man,
the thar konsta filo mahlian:

Again spake the elder,
who there could say much:

3:226

"ni giƀu ik that te râde", quað he,
"rinko negênun,

“I can never counsel
any knight whatever

3:227

that [he] word godes
wendean biginna;

To alter God’s word.
Let us ask the old man,

3:228

ak [wita] is thana fader frâgon,
the [thar] sô gifrôdod sitit,

The father, who sitteth wisely
in his wine-hall there.

3:229

wîs an is wînseli:
thoh he ni mugi ênig word [sprekan],

Though he cannot speak,
say a single word,

3:230

thoh mag he bi bôkstaƀon
brêf gewirkean,

He may with his book-letters
make us some writing,

3:231

namon giskrîƀan".
Thô he nâhor geng,

May spell us a name.”
Now he came nearer,

3:232

legda im êna bôk an barm
endi [bad gerno]

Laid a book on his lap
and bade him to write,

3:233

wurîtan wîslîko
wordgimerkiun,

To set down wisely
with work-mark and sign

3:234

hwat sie that hêlaga barn
hêtan skoldin.

What they were to name him,
that holy babe.

3:235

Thô nam he [thia] [bôk] [an] [hand]
endi an is hugi thâhte

He took the book in his hand,
thought in his heart

3:236

swîðo gerno te gode:
Johannes namon

Right gladly of God
and writ the name John —

3:237

wîslîko giwurêt
endi [ôk] aftar mid is wordu gisprak

Wisely he worked it:
and with words thereupon

3:238

swîðo spâhlîko:
habda im eft is sprâka giwald,

He did speak unto them,
and shrewdly indeed

3:239

giwitteas endi [wîsun].
That wîti was thô agangan,

Once more he had power to speak,
had wisdom and way.

3:240

hard harmskare,
[the] im hêlag god

His pain was now past,
his punishment dire.

3:241

mahtig [makode],
that he [an is] môdseƀon

God had so made it
that in his mind

3:242

godes ni forgâti,
than he im eft sendi is jungron tô.

He could not so soon forget Him,
should he again send His herald.

{ 4 }
Capitulum IV

4:243

Thô ni was lang aftar thiu,
ne it al sô gilêstid warð,

’Twas not long thereafter
that all came to pass,

4:244

sô he mankunnea
managa hwîla,

4:245

god alomahtig
forgeƀen habda,

As Almighty God
had promised mankind:

4:246

that he is himilisk barn
herod te weroldi,

That He would send
the Son of Himself,

4:247

si selƀes sunu
sendean [weldi],

The Heavenly Bairn,
here to this world,

4:248

te thiu that he hêr alôsdi
[al liudstamna],

So that He might save
the folk all from sin,

4:249

werod fon wîtea.
[Thô] warð is [wisbodo]

The clansmen from hell-pangs.
There came His herald,

4:250

an Galilealand,
Gabriel kuman,

Gabriel, down
to Galilee-land,

4:251

engil thes alowaldon,
thar he êne idis wisse,

The All-Wielder’s angel,
where he knew a woman of worth,

4:252

munilîka magað:
Maria was siu hêten,

A maiden right mild.
She was called Mary.

4:253

was iru thiorna githigan.
Sea ên thegan habda,

The girl was grown.
To a man of good clan,

4:254

Joseph gimahlit,
gôdes kunnies man,

To a thane hight Joseph
her troth she had given,

4:255

thea Dauides dohter:
that was [sô] diurlîk wîf,

The daughter of David.
A dear wife was she,

4:256

idis anthêti.
Thar sie the engil godes

A graceful woman and good.
There the angel of God

4:257

[an] Nazarethburg
bi namon selƀo

In Nazareth-burg
did greet her by name;

4:258

grôtte [geginwarde]
endi sie fon gode quedda:

Stood there before her
and spake to her for Lord God:

4:259

"Hêl wis thu, Maria", quað he,
"thu bist thînun hêrron liof,

“Hail to thee, Mary!” quoth he,
“Loved by the Maker art thou!

4:260

waldande wirðig,
hwand thu giwit haƀes,

Aye, worthy art thou of the Wielder,
for thou hast wisdom,

4:261

idis enstio fol.
Thu skalt [for] allun wesan

Lady, gifted with grace.
Glorified art thou ever

4:262

wîƀun giwîhit.
Ne haƀe [thu] wêkan hugi,

Above all women.
Be thou not weakly of mind,

4:263

ne forhti thu thînun ferhe:
ne quam ik thi te ênigun frêson herod,

Nor fearful of heart.
I come not to hurt

4:264

ne dragu ik [ênig] [drugithing].
Thu skalt ûses drohtines wesan

Nor to bring thee a gull-thing.
Thou shalt be our God’s,

4:265

môdar mid mannun
endi skalt thana magu fôdean,

Be our Master’s mother
here among men, bearing a man-child,

4:266

thes [hôhon] [heƀankuninges] [suno].
The skal Hêliand te namon

Son of the Heaven-King.
His name shall be Healer

4:267

êgan mid eldiun.
[Neo] endi ni kumid,

Here mid the earth-folk.
His end cometh not,

4:268

thes wîdon rîkeas [giwand],
[the] he giwaldan skal,

Nor hath whereover He ruleth
ever an end — His realm —

4:269

mâri theodan."
Thô sprak im [eft] thiu magað angegin,

He, Finest of Folk-Leaders.”
The fairest of women,

4:270

wið thana engil godes
idiso skôniost,

The maiden then answered
unto God’s angel,

4:271

allaro wîƀo wlitigost:
"hwô mag that giwerðen sô", [quað] siu,

The loveliest among ladies.
“Lo, how may that be?” quoth she,

4:272

"that ik magu fôdie?
Ne ik gio mannes ni warð

“That I shall bring forth a son?
Never knew I man in my life.”

4:273

wîs an mînera weroldi."
Thô habde eft is word garu

The All-Wielder’s angel
had ready his word

4:274

engil thes alowaldon
thero idisiu tegegnes:

To answer the maid.
“From the meadows of sky

4:275

"an thi skal hêlag gêst
fon heƀanwange

The Holy Ghost shall descend
through the strength of God.

4:276

kuman thurh kraft godes.
[Thanan] skal thi kind ôdan

From Him will a Wee One
be granted thee here in this world.

4:277

werðan an thesaro weroldi.
Waldandes kraft

The Wielder’s strength
will o’ershadow thee,

4:278

skal thi fon them hôhoston
heƀankuninge

The Heaven-King
All High with His shade.

4:279

skadowan mid [skimon].
Ni warð skôniera giburd,

Below was never
a birth so fair,

4:280

ne sô mâri mid mannun,
hwand siu kumid thurh maht godes

Never so wonderous down among men.
For from God’s might

4:281

an [these] wîdon werold."
Thô warð [eft] thes wîbes hugi

It cometh here to this world.”
The heart of the woman was again

4:282

aftar them ârundie
al gihuorƀen

Utterly turned to God’s will
at these tidings.

4:283

an godes willeon.
"[Than] ik hêr garu standu", quað siu,

“All ready stand I,”
quoth she, “for such service,

4:284

"te sulikun ambahtskepi,
sô he mi êgan wili.

If He will so have me.
His handmaid am I.

4:285

Thiu bium ik theotgodes.
Nu ik [theses] thinges gitrûon;

I trust in these things.
Therefore let it then hap,

4:286

werðe mi aftar thînun wordun,
al sô is willeo sî,

As thou sayest with thy word,
as is His will,

4:287

hêrron mînes;
nis mi hugi twîfli,

My Lord’s, my God’s.
My mind doubteth not,

4:288

ne word ne wîsa."
Sô gifragn ik, that that wîf antfeng

Nor my word nor my way.”
So I heard that the woman

4:289

that godes ârundi
gerno swîðo

Received God’s tidings
all gladly indeed

4:290

mid leohtu hugi
endi mid [gilôƀon] gôdun

With a shimmering soul,
with bright shining truth

4:291

endi mid hluttrun trewun.
[Warð] the hêlago gêst,

And faith clear and fair.
The Holy Ghost became

4:292

that barn [an] ira bôsma;
endi siu ira breostun [forstôd]

The Babe in her womb;
and in her breast,

4:293

jak an ire seƀon selƀo,
sagda them siu welda,

In her heart itself she understood.
She said to all whom she wished,

4:294

that sie habde giôkana
thes alowaldon kraft

That she had conceived
through the All-Wielder’s strength,

4:295

hêlag fon himile.
Thô warð hugi Josepes,

Holy from Heaven.
Then was Joseph’s heart,

4:296

is môd [giworrid],
the im êr thea magað habda,

His mind right worried.
For this maiden,

4:297

thea idis anthêttea,
aðalknôsles wîf

This pious woman,
this high-born wife

4:298

giboht im te brûdiu.
He afsôf [that] siu habda barn undar iru:

He had bought as his bride.
He knew she had bairn within her,

4:299

ni wânda thes mid wihti,
[that] iru that wîf habdi

Yet he thought not a whit
but that his wife

4:300

giwardod sô [warolîko]:
ni [wisse] waldandes thô noh

Had kept herself carefully.
He could not yet know

4:301

blîði gibodskepi.
Ni welda sia imo te brûdi thô,

The Wielder’s blithe tidings.
But to make her his bride.

4:302

halon imo te hîwon,
ak bigan im thô [an] hugi thenkean,

He no longer wished,
his wife in his halls.

4:303

hwô he sie [sô] forlêti,
sô iru thar nu wurði lêdes [wiht],

And thus he began
to think in his mind

4:304

ôdan [arƀides].
Ni welda sie aftar thiu

How he might forsake her,
yet cause her no hardhship nor sorrow.

4:305

meldon for menigi:
antdrêd that sie manno barn

He wanted it not noised
nor known about

4:306

lîƀu binâmin.
Sô was [than] thero liudeo thau

Among the many. He feared
that the children of men

4:307

thurh then aldon êu,
Ebreo folkes,

Would bereave her of life.
For this was the land-way,

4:308

sô hwilik sô thar an unreht
idis gihîwida,

The hallowed, old law
of the Hebrew folk:

4:309

that siu simbla thana bedskepi
buggean skolda,

Whensoever a woman
was unrightly wed,

4:310

frî mid ira ferhu:
ni was gio thiu fêmea sô gôd,

She must pay with her life
for this bedship.

4:311

that siu [mid] them liudun leng
libbien môsti,

Never was lady so good
that she could long live

4:312

wesan undar them weroda.
[Bigan] im the wîso mann,

Mid the land-folk,
could live ’mid the world-lords.

4:313

swîðo gôd gumo,
Joseph an is môda

Then in his mind the wise man,
the good man, Joseph,

4:314

thenkean thero thingo,
hwô he thea thiornun thô

Began to bethink himself
of these things,

4:315

listiun forlêti.
Thô ni was lang te thiu,

How he might slyly
forsake the girl.

4:316

that im thar an drôma quam
drohtines engil,

’Twas not long thereafter
that the Almighty’s angel

4:317

heƀankuninges bodo,
endi hêt sie ina haldan wel,

Hurried to him in a dream,
the Heaven-King’s herald,

And bade him keep her
and care for her well

4:318

minnion sie an is môde:
"Ni wis thu", quað he, "Mariun wrêð,

And love her, too, in his mind.
“At Mary,” quoth he,“thy maid,

4:319

thiornun thînaro;
siu is [githungan] wîf;

Be not thou wrathful;
she is a right good wife.

4:320

ne farhugi thu sie te hardo;
thu skalt sie haldan wel,

Scorn her not sternly.
Thou shalt hold her

4:321

wardon ira an thesaro weroldi.
Lêsti [thu] inka winitrewa

And ward her well
in the world, as before,

4:322

forð sô thu dâdi,
[endi] [hald] inkan friundskepi wel!

Fostering thy love-pledge
and thy friendship as well.

4:323

Ne lât thu sie thi thiu lêðaron,
thoh siu [undar] ira liðon êgi,

Nor let her be loathsome to thee,
though she hath Bairn ’neath her limbs,

4:324

barn an ira bôsma.
It kumid thurh gibod godes,

A babe in her womb.
Through God’s bidding It cometh,

4:325

hêlages gêstes
fon heƀanwanga:

Through the Holy Ghost
from the Heaven-heath here.

4:326

that is [Jêsu] Krist,
godes êgan barn,

Jesus Christ is that Babe!
God’s own Bairn shall He be,

4:327

waldandes sunu.
Thu skalt sie wel [haldan],

The All-Wielder’s Son.
Thou shalt hold Him well

4:328

hêlaglîko.
Ne lât thu [thi] thînan hugi twîflien,

With holiness, too.
Nor let thy heart doubt,

4:329

merrean thîna môdgithâht."
Thô warð eft thes mannes hugi

Nor thy mind be disturbed.”
Then the man’s heart

4:330

[giwendid] aftar them wordun,
that he im te them wîƀa genam,

Was turned by these words,
so that he again won love for this woman,

4:331

te thera magað minnea:
antkenda maht godes,

For the maid, Marie.
God’s might he now understood,

4:332

waldandes gibod.
Was im willeo mikil,

The Wielder’s bidding.
Great was his will,

4:333

that he [sia] sô hêlaglîko
haldan môsti:

That he should hold her,
in holiness keep her.

4:334

bisorgoda sie an is [gisîðea],
endi [siu] sô sûƀro [drôg]

He cared for her in his home.
And she carried all cleanly

4:335

al te huldi godes
hêlagna gêst,

The Holy Ghost —
all for God’s glory,

4:336

gôdlîkan gumon,
antthat sie [godes] giskapu

The Man of Goodness,
until God’s fate-word

4:337

mahtig gimanodun,
that [siu] [ina] an manno lioht,

Reminded her mightily
that unto the light of mankind

4:338

allaro barno bezt,
brengean skolda.

She should bring Him,
the Best of all Bairns.

{ 5 }
Capitulum V

5:339

Thô warð fon Rûmuburg
rîkes mannes

There came from Rome-burg
from the mighty man

5:340

oƀar alla thesa irminthiod
Octaviânas

Over the earth-folk,
from Octavian himself,

5:341

ban endi bodskepi
oƀar thea is brêdon giwald

Ban and bidding
over his broad fealty;

5:342

kuman fon them kêsure
kuningo gihwilikun,

This was come from Caesar
unto every king:

5:343

hêmsitteandiun,
sô wîdo sô is heritogon

To the home-sitting ones
as far as the war-lords

5:344

oƀar al that landskepi
[liudio] giweldun.

Wielded their power
o’er the people and land.

5:345

[Hiet man] that [alla] thea elilendiun man
iro ôðil sôhtin,

’Twas hight that all men
habited outside their own boroughs

5:346

[heliðos] iro handmahal
angegen iro hêrron bodon,

Should seek now their homeland,
all heroes their heritage,

5:347

quâmi te them knôsla gihwe,
thanan he kunneas was,

To bide their lord’s heralds;
each landsman should go

Quickly to the clan
of his kinsmen,

5:348

giboran fon them burgiun.
That gibod warð gilêstid

To the burg of his birth.
The ban was proclaimed

5:349

oƀar thesa wîdon werold.
Werod samnoda

Over this wide, wide world.
And the world-folk did gather,

5:350

[te] allaro burgeo gihwem.
Fôrun thea bodon oƀar all,

In every bastion the men all.
The messengers fared forth,

5:351

thea fon them kêsura
kumana wârun,

Those come from Caesar,
book-learned thanes.

5:352

bôkspâha weros,
[endi] an brêf [skriƀun]

And neatly they wrote
each name on a scroll,

5:353

[swîðo] niudlîko
namono [gihwilikan],

5:354

ja land ja liudi,
that im ni [mahti] [alettean] mann

Both land and the man,
so that no lord could avoid it,

5:355

gumono sulika gambra,
sô [im] skolda geldan gihwe

No man his tax;
but all most pay tribute,

5:356

heliðo fon is hôƀda.
Thô giwêt im ôk [mid] is hîwiska

The heroes each for his head.
So to his homeland

5:357

Joseph the gôdo,
sô it god mahtig,

Came Joseph, the good man,
as God the Almighty,

5:358

waldand welda:
sôhta im [thiu] [wânamon] hêm,

The Wielder had willed it;
with his family he came,

5:359

thea burg an Bethleem,
thar iro beiðero was,

Sought his shining castle,
his lordly seat,

5:360

thes heliðes handmahal
endi ôk thera hêlagun thiornun,

The bastion at Bethlehem,
where they both did dwell,

5:361

Mariun thera gôdun.
Thar was thes mâreon stôl

Hero and holy maid,
Mary the good.

5:362

an êrdagun,
aðalkuninges,

There stood in earlier days
the shining throne

5:363

Dauides thes gôdon,
than [langa] the he thana druhtskepi thar,

Of the high-born king,
of the earl of the Hebrews,

5:364

erl undar Ebreon
êgan môsta,

Of David the good,
as long as he governed

5:365

haldan hôhgisetu.
[Sie] wârun is hîwiskas,

And kept lofty seat.
They were his kith,

5:366

kuman fon is knôsla,
kunneas gôdes,

Were come from his clan,
were of good kin all,

5:367

bêðiu bi giburdiun.
Thar gifragn ik, that [sie thiu] berhtun giskapu,

Both through their birth.
Then I heard that the bright tidings

5:368

Mariun gimanodun
endi maht godes,

Admonished Mary,
and the might of God:

5:369

that iru an [them] sîða
[sunu] [ôdan] [warð],

That on this site
a Son should be hers,

5:370

giboran an Bethleem
barno strangost,

Born here in Bethlehem,
the Mightiest of Bairns,

5:371

allaro kuningo kraftigost:
kuman [warð] the mâreo,

The Strongest of Kings.
Come was the Shining One,

5:372

[mahtig] [an] manno lioht,
sô is [êr] managan dag

Mighty here to man’s light,
as for many a day

5:373

biliði wârun
endi [bôkno] filu

Pictures of Him
and tokens aplenty

5:374

giworðen an thesero weroldi.
Thô was it all giwârod sô,

Had foretold in this world.
So all had turned true,

5:375

sô it êr spâha man
gisprokan habdun,

As the sages had spoken it
in the long, long ago.

5:376

thurh hwilik ôdmôdi
he thit erðrîki herod

Through His Own Self’s strength,
how most surely He would

5:377

thurh is selƀes kraft
sôkean welda,

To this earth-realm here —
with humility — He,

5:378

managaro mundboro.
Thô ina thiu môdar nam,

Protector to many.
Then His mother did take Him,

5:379

biwand ina mid [wâdiu]
wîƀo [skôniost],

And she swaddled Him well,
the fairest of women,

5:380

fagaron [fratahun],
endi ina mid [iro] folmon twêm

With garments and goodly gems.
With her two gracious hands

5:381

legda lioƀlîko
luttilna man,

She lovingly laid Him,
the Little Man,

5:382

that kind an êna [kribbiun],
thoh he habdi kraft godes,

The Child in the crib,
though He had God’s strength,

5:383

manno drohtin.
Thar [sat] thiu môdar biforan,

The Master of Men.
There His mother sat by Him,

5:384

wîf wakogeandi,
wardoda selƀo,

The woman there waking;
she herself warded Him,

5:385

held that hêlaga barn:
ni was [ira] hugi twîfli,

Held there the Holy Bairn;
and her heart doubted not —

5:386

thera magað ira môdseƀo.
Thô warð [that] managun kûð

The mind of the maid.
It became known to the many

5:387

oƀar thesa wîdon werold,
[wardos] antfundun,

Over this wide, wide world.
The warders did hear it:

5:388

thea thar ehuskalkos
ûta wârun,

Grooms were they there,
keeping guard outside,

5:389

weros an wahtu,
wiggeo [gômean],

Were war-men on watch;
with the horses they were,

5:390

fehas aftar felda:
gisâhun finistri an twê

With the beasts in the field.
And lo: before them they saw

5:391

telâtan an lufte,
endi quam lioht godes

The darkness divide in the air.
Down came God’s light —

5:392

wânum thurh thiu wolkan
endi thea wardos thar

Through the clouds came shining,
surrounding the grooms

5:393

bifeng an them felda.
Sie [wurðun] an forhtun thô,

Afar in the fields.
And sorely they feared,

5:394

thea [man] an ira môda:
gisâhun thar mahtigna

These men, in their minds.
Then God’s mighty angel

5:395

godes engil kuman,
the im [tegegnes] sprak,

They saw coming afar.
To them together he spake,

5:396

hêt that im thea wardos
wiht ne antdrêdin

Hight that the grooms
not dread any grief

5:397

lêðes fon [them] liohta:
"ik skal eu", [quað] [he], "lioƀara thing,

From the light. “For lo!”
quoth he, “A glad thing

5:398

[swîðo] wârlîko
willeon seggean,

I tell you and truly,
long longed-for tidings

5:399

kûðean kraft mikil:
nu is Krist geboran

Bespeaking great power:
for in this selfsame night

5:400

an thesero selƀun naht,
sâlig barn godes,

Christ, Blessed Bairn of our own God,
is born in the bastion of David,

5:401

an [thera] Dauides burg,
drohtin the gôdo.

5:402

That is mendislo
manno kunneas,

He — our Master All Good.
That is joy to mankind,

5:403

allaro firiho fruma.
Thar gi ina fîðan mugun,

The weal of all folk.
So that ye may find

5:404

an [Bethlemaburg]
barno rîkiost:

The Mightiest of Babes
in Bethlehem-burg,

5:405

hebbiad that te [têkna],
that ik [eu] [gi]tellean mag

Take this as a token
that I now tell unto you

5:406

wârun wordun,
that he thar biwundan ligid,

With soothy words:
that He lieth swaddled,

5:407

that kind an ênera kribbiun,
thoh he sî kuning oƀar al

A Child in a crib,
though He be King

5:408

erðun endi himiles
endi oƀar [eldeo barn],

Over earth and heaven
and the children of men,

5:409

weroldes waldand".
Reht sô he thô that word gisprak,

All-Wielder o’er World.”
Verily as he spake this word,

5:410

sô warð thar engilo te them ênun
unrîm kuman,

There was come with
this single one of the angels

5:411

hêlag heriskepi
fon heƀanwanga,

A multitude down
from the meadows of Heaven —

5:412

fagar folk godes,
endi filu sprâkun,

A holy host,
the fair folk of God.

5:413

lofword manag
liudeo hêrron.

They spake, lauded greatly
the Lord of Mankind.

5:414

Afhôƀun thô [hêlagna] sang,
thô sie eft te heƀanwanga

They raised holy song,
as they returned through the clouds

5:415

wundun thurh thiu wolkan.
Thea wardos hôrdun,

To the meadows of Heaven.
And the warders did hear

5:416

hwô thiu engilo kraft
alomahtigna god

How the great host of angels
gave praise unto Almighty God

5:417

swîðo [werðlîko]
wordun loƀodun:

With these words most reverently:
“Honor be” quoth they,

5:418

"diuriða sî nu", quâðun sie,
"drohtine selƀun

“To our Lord Himself in the highest,
to the King of Heaven —

5:419

an them hôhoston
himilo rîkea

5:420

endi friðu an erðu
firiho barnun,

And on earth be peace
to all children of men,

5:421

gôdwilligun gumun,
[them] [the] god antkennead

To folk of good will
who accept their God

5:422

thurh [hluttran] hugi."
Thea hirdios forstôdun,

With hearts ever pure.”
The herdsmen understood

5:423

that sie mahtig thing
gimanod habda,

That a mighty thing
had admonished them:

5:424

[blîðlîk] [bod]skepi:
giwitun im te Bethleem thanan

Blithe tidings there.
They turned back to Bethlehem

5:425

nahtes sîðon;
was im niud mikil,

That selfsame night,
for their spirits longed

5:426

that sie [selƀon] Krist
gisehan [môstin].

Most greatly to see
Christ Himself.

{ 6 }
Capitulum VI

6:427

Habda im the engil godes
al giwîsid

The angel of God had shown
unto them the shining token,

6:428

torhtun têknun,
that sie [im tô] selƀun,

So that they themselves —
they could wander forth

6:429

[te] them godes barne
gangan mahtun,

To the Bairn of God.
Straightway they found Him, the Babe,

6:430

endi fundun sân
folko drohtin,

The Lord of Mankind,
the Master of Peoples.

6:431

liudeo [hêrron].
Sagdun thô lof goda,

6:432

waldande mid iro wordun
endi wîdo [kûðdun]

They praised God the Wielder,
and with their words

6:433

oƀar thea berhtun burg,
hwilik im thar [biliði] warð

They made known far and wide
in the shining castle

6:434

fon heƀanwanga
hêlag gitôgit,

What tokens holy they had seen indeed
from the meadows of Heaven

6:435

fagar an felde.
That [frî] al biheld

What signs there, fair in the field.
The woman full well

6:436

an ira hugiskeftiun,
hêlag [thiorna],

Kept these things in her heart,
the holy virgin,

6:437

thiu magað an ira môde,
sô hwat sô siu gihôrda thea mann sprekan.

The maid in her mind:
whatever she heard the men there saying.

6:438

Fôdda ina thô fagaro
frîho skâniosta,

Fittingly she reared Him,
the fairest of women;

6:439

thiu môdar thurh minnea
managaro drohtin,

With her love the mother
did raise the Master of Men,

6:440

hêlag himilisk barn.
Heliðos gisprâkun

The Holy Heavenly Bairn.
The heroes did speak

6:441

an them ahtodon daga
erlos managa,

On the eighth day,
the earls of the kingdom,

6:442

swîðo glawa gumon
mid thera godes thiornun,

Very wise men all,
with the handmaid of God:

6:443

that he Hêleand te namon
hebbean skoldi,

That His name should be “Healer,”
as the Heaven King’s herald,

6:444

sô it the godes engil
Gabriel gisprak

As God’s holy angel,
Gabriel had spoken,

6:445

wâron wordun
endi them wîƀe gibôd,

Had bade the woman
with words of truth,

6:446

bodo drohtines,
thô siu êrist that barn antfeng

When she first conceived Him,
so fair in this world.

6:447

wânum te thesero weroldi.
Was iru willeo mikil,

God’s angel she followed,
and right gladly, too.

6:448

that siu ina sô [hêlaglîko]
haldan môsti,

For great was her will
to hold Him in holiness.

6:449

fulgeng im thô sô gerno.
That gêr furðor skrêd

The year strode on,
till the Peace-Child of God

6:450

untthat that friðubarn godes
fiwartig habda

6:451

dago endi nahto.
Thô skoldun sie thar êna dâd frummean,

Had forty days and as many nights, too.
There a deed needed doing;

6:452

that sie ina te Hierusalem
[forgeƀan] skoldun

To Jerusalem they must take Him,
to the Wielder’s temple.

6:453

waldanda te them wîha.
[Sô] was iro wîsa than,

That was the way then,
the world-folk’s custom,

6:454

thero liudeo landsidu,
that that ni môsta forlâtan negên

Which no Hebrew woman
would dare to neglect,

6:455

idis undar Ebreon,
ef iru [at] [êrist] warð

But that when she had brought forth
her first-born son

6:456

sunu afôdit,
ne siu ina simbla [tharod]

6:457

te them godes wîha
forgeƀan skolda.

She needs must take him
to the Lord God’s temple.

6:458

Giwitun im thô thiu gôdun twê,
Joseph endi Maria

So they did travel, Mary
and Joseph, the good folk twain,

6:459

bêðiu fon Bethleem:
habdun that barn mid im,

Both from Bethlehem.
The Babe they had with them,

6:460

hêlagna Krist,
sôhtun im hûs godes

The Holy Christ.
They sought then God’s house

6:461

an Hierusalem;
thar skoldun sie is geld frummean

In Jerusalem; they accomplished
the custom of Jew-folk,

6:462

waldanda [at] them wîha
wîsa lêstean

Made sacrifice unto the Wielder
there in His sanctuary,

6:463

Judeo folkes.
Thar fundun sea ênna gôdan man

To God in His Temple.
There they found them a good man,

6:464

aldan [at] them alaha,
aðalboranan,

An old one, hard by the altar —
aethling-born he —

6:465

[the] habda [at] them wîha sô filu
wintro endi sumaro

So many summers and winters
had he spent in the temple,

6:466

gilibd an them liohta:
oft warhta he thar lof goda

Lived in the light,
working God’s love

6:467

mid hluttru hugi;
habda im hêlagna gêst,

With a clean soul.
Holy spirit he had

6:468

[sâliglîkan] seƀon;
Simeon was he hêtan.

And a joyous heart.
Simon was he hight;

6:469

Im habda giwîsid
waldandas kraft

Long had the Lord’s power
pointed out to him

6:470

langa hwîla,
that he ni môsta [êr] thit lioht ageƀan,

That he would not leave
the light of this world,

6:471

wendean af thesero weroldi,
êr than im the willeo gistôdi,

Until ’twould be granted him
to see with his eyes

6:472

that he [selƀan] Krist
gisehan môsti,

Holy Christ Himself,
the King of the Heaven.

6:473

hêlagna heƀankuning.
Thô warð im is hugi swîðo

6:474

blîði an is briostun,
thô he gisah that [barn] kuman

His heart was most blithe in his breast,
when he saw the Bairn

6:475

[an thena wîh innan].
[Thuo sagda hie waldande thank],

Coming into the temple.
He gave thanks to the Wielder,

6:476

almahtigon gode,
thes he ina mid is ôgun gisah.

To Almighty God,
that with his eyen he had seen It.

6:477

Geng im thô tegegnes
endi ina gerno antfeng

To Him he did go
and gladly received Him,

6:478

ald mid is armun:
al antkende

The old man with his arms:
all well he did know

6:479

bôkan endi biliði
endi ôk that barn godes,

The sign and the symbol,
and the Child of God,

6:480

hêlagna heƀankuning.
"Nu ik thi, [hêrro], skal", quað he,

The Heaven-King Holy.
“Now, Lord,” quoth he,

6:481

"gerno biddean,
nu ik sus gigamalod bium,

“I gladly shall bid Thee,
since aged I be,

6:482

that thu thînan holdan [skalk]
[nu] hinan hwerƀan lâtas,

To let me, Thy most humble thane,
take leave from here,

6:483

an [thîna friðuwâra] faran,
thar êr mîna forðrun dedun,

To fare forth in Thy peace
to where my forebears did dwell,

6:484

weros fon thesero weroldi,
nu mi the willeo gistôd,

Folk in this world,
since my wish is fulfilled —

6:485

dago lioƀosto,
that ik mînan drohtin gisah,

The dearest of days:
I did see my Liege,

6:486

holdan hêrron,
sô mi gihêtan was

The Loveliest of Lords,
as long, long ago

6:487

langa hwîla.
Thu bist lioht mikil

It was promised unto me.
To all peoples

6:488

allun elithiodun,
thea êr thes alowaldon

Thou art the Light —
great Light to all heathen lands,

6:489

kraft ne antkendun.
Thîna kumi sindun

Who have not yet accepted
the All-Wielder’s power.

6:490

te dôma endi te diurðon,
drohtin frô mîn,

Thy coming, o Master of mine,
O my Lord, my dear Lord,

6:491

aƀarun Israhelas,
êganumu folke,

Is glory and honor
to Israel’s children,

6:492

thînun lioƀun liudiun."
Listiun talde thô

To Thine own landfolk,
Thy beloved people.”

6:493

the aldo man an [them] alaha
[idis] thero gôdun,

Secretly then the old man
there at the altar

6:494

sagda sôðlîko,
hwô iro sunu skolda

Spake to the good woman,
truly did tell her

6:495

oƀar thesan middilgard
managun werðan

How her Son would become
to some certain ruin,

6:496

sumun te falle, sumun te frôƀru
firiho [barnun],

To some consolation,
to the children of men —

6:497

them liudiun te leoƀa,
the is lêrun gihôrdin,

A love-thing to those
who list to His teaching,

6:498

endi them te harma,
the hôrien ni [weldin]

But harm yet to them,
refusing to hearken

6:499

Kristas lêron.
"Thu skalt noh", quað he, "kara thiggean,

To the gospel of Christ.
“Thou shalt suffer,” quoth he, “great care

6:500

harm [an thînumu] herton,
than ina heliðo barn

And hurt in thy heart,
when the earth-children here

6:501

wâpnun wîtnod.
That wirðid thi werk mikil,

Will kill Him with weapons.
This thy great work will be:

6:502

thrim te githolonna."
Thiu thiorna al forstôd

To suffer this sorrow.”
The Maid understood all,

6:503

wîsas mannas word.
Thô quam thar ôk ên wîf gangan

The wise man’s words.
There came, too, a woman

6:504

ald innan [them] alaha:
Anna was siu hêtan,

From inside the temple.
Anna was she called,

6:505

dohtar Fanueles;
siu habde ira drohtine wel

Was Phanuck’s daughter.
Full well her Lord had she served

6:506

githionod te thanka,
was iru [githungan] wîf.

With a grateful heart,
was an excellent woman.

6:507

Siu môsta aftar ira magaðhêdi,
sîðor siu mannes warð,

After her maidenhood,
when a man’s wife she became,

6:508

erles [an êhti]
eðili thiorne,

An earl’s on his estate,
this excellent girl,

6:509

sô môsta siu mid ira brûdigumon
[bôdlo] giwaldan

With her husband
she had held sway

6:510

siƀun wintar [saman].
Thô gifragn ik that iru thar sorga gistôd

Seven years o’er his lands.
I heard that she then suffered grief:

6:511

that [sie] thiu mikila maht
metodes tedêlda,

That the great might
of the Measurer

6:512

wurêð [wurdigiskapu].
Thô was siu widowa aftar thiu

Did divide them, Weird
most woeful. A widow,

6:513

[at them] friðuwîha
fior endi [antahtoda]

She dwelt in the temple
eighty and four

6:514

wintro an iro weroldi,
sô siu nia thana wîh ni forlêt,

Winters here in the world.
Well she had served Him, her God

6:515

ak siu thar ira drohtine [wel]
dages endi nahtes,

And her Lord, day and night,
never leaving the temple.

6:516

gode thionode.
[Siu] quam thar ôk gangan tô

She, too, came to this selfsame place.
Straightway she saw —

6:517

an thea selƀun tîd:
sân antkende

6:518

that [hêlage] barn godes
endi them [heliðon] kûðde,

She knew God’s Holy Bairn,
to the heroes announced it,

6:519

them weroda aftar [them] wîha
wilspel mikil,

To the folk at the altar,
this spell all welcome.

6:520

quað that im neriandas ginist
ginâhid wâri,

Said that so near
was the Savior’s salvation,

6:521

helpa heƀenkuninges:
"nu is the hêlago Krist,

The help of the Heaven King.
“Now Holy Christ,

6:522

waldand selƀo
an thesan wîh kuman

The All-Wielder Himself,
is come to the sanctuary

6:523

te [alôsienne] thea liudi,
the hêr nu lango [bidun]

To deliver the folk
who have bided so long,

6:524

an thesara middilgard,
managa hwîla,

So many a while
in this mid-world here —

6:525

[thurftig] thioda,
sô nu thes thinges mugun

Poor people they —
so that in this present thing

6:526

mendian [mankunni]."
Manag fagonoda

Mankind all may rejoice.”
Many were joyous,

6:527

werod aftar [them] wîha:
gihôrdun wilspel mikil

The world-folk there in the temple:
they heard the glad tidings

6:528

fon gode seggean.
That geld habde thô gilêstid

Spoken by God.
The woman had ended the sacrifice,

6:529

thiu idis an [them] alaha,
[al] sô it im an ira êwa gibôd

6:530

[endi] [an] thera [berhtun] burg
[bôk] giwîsdun,

As her vow and the book
in the shining bastion had told her,

6:531

hêlagaro handgiwerk.
Giwitun im thô te hûs thanan

Her handwork most holy.
They went on home

6:532

fon Hierusalem
Joseph endi Maria,

From Jerusalem,
Mary and Joseph,

6:533

hêlag hîwiski:
habdun im heƀenkuning

The Holy Family.
They had the Heaven-King

6:534

[simbla] te gisîða,
sunu drohtines,

At their landhouse ever,
the Son of the Lord,

6:535

managaro mundboron,
sô it gio mâri ni warð

Protector of many.
Thus to the people it was not made known —

6:536

than wîdor an thesaro weroldi,
[bûtan] sô is willeo geng,

Not further known in the world;
but so was His will,

6:537

heƀenkuninges hugi.

The Heaven-King’s mind.

{ 7 }
Capitulum VII

7:537

Thoh thar than [gihwilik] hêlag man

Although all holy men

7:538

Krist antkendi,
thoh ni warð it gio te thes kuninges hoƀe

Recognized Christ,
at the court of the king

7:539

them mannun gimârid,
thea im an iro môdseƀon

It was not yet known to the men
who in their minds

7:540

holde ni wârun,
ak was im sô bihalden forð

Were not rightly inclined;
rather concealed from them

7:541

mid wordun endi mid werkun,
antthat thar weros ôstan,

With words and with works,
until the wise ones,

7:542

[swîðo] glawa gumon
gangan quâmun

Those men from the East
did come to the folk,

7:543

threa te thero thiodu,
thegnos snelle,

7:544

[an] langan weg
oƀar that land tharod:

Swift lords on the long way
over the land.

7:545

folgodun ênun berhtun [bôkne]
endi sôhtun that barn godes

Bright beacon they followed
and sought God’s Bairn;

7:546

mid hluttru hugi:
weldun im hnîgan tô,

And with pureness of soul
they purposed to kneel

7:547

[gehan] im te jungrun:
driƀun im godes giskapu.

And confess themselves
as His thanes.

So they brought to pass
the Providence of God.

7:548

Thô sie Erodesan thar
rîkean fundun

When they found Herod
enthroned on high,

7:549

an is seli sittien,
[slîðwurdean] kuning,

King, speaking slime-words,
as mighty he sat

7:550

môdagna mid is mannun:
- [simbla] was he [morðes] gern -

Mad with his men,
ever anxious for murder —

7:551

thô quaddun sie ina kûsko
an kuning[wîsun],

They addressed him gravely
in kingly wise,

7:552

fagaro an is flettie,
endi he frâgoda sân,

In his house the sages;
and straightway he asked them

7:553

hwilik sie ârundi
ûta [gibrâhti],

What business
had brought them out here,

7:554

weros an thana wuraksîð:
"hweðer lêdiad gi [wundan] gold

These war-men from far, far away.
“Whether ye carry wound gold

7:555

te geƀu hwilikun gumuno?
te huî gi [thus] an ganga kumad,

To give to some man?
To whom are ye going,

7:556

gifaran an [fôðiu]?
Hwat, gi [nêthwanan] ferran sind

Traveling on foot? What?
I know not whence ye come from afar,

7:557

erlos fon ôðrun thiodun.
Ik [gisihu] that gi sind eðili[giburdiun]

Earls of another folk.
I see ye are aethling born,

7:558

kunnies fon knôsle gôdun:
nio hêr êr sulika kumana ni wurðun

Kin of good clan.
Never before are come here

7:559

[êri] fon ôðrun thiodun,
sîðor ik môsta thesas erlo folkes,

Such envoys from another land,
since over this folk of men

7:560

giwaldan [thesas] wîdon rîkeas.
Gi skulun mi te wârun seggean

I have wielded my power
in this great, wide realm.

7:561

for thesun liudio folke,
[bihwî] gi sîn te thesun lande [kumana]".

Ye shall tell me truly
before these retainers

Why ye are come
indeed to this land.”

7:562

Thô sprâkun im eft [tegegnes]
gumon ôstronea,

They answered in turn,
the men from the East,

7:563

wordspâhe weros:
"wi thi te wârun mugun", quâðun sie,

Word-wise warriors,
“We can,” quoth they,

7:564

"ûse ârundi
ôðo [gitellien],

“Most easily tell thee
our business with truth,

7:565

giseggean sôðlîko,
[bihwî] wi quâmun an thesan sið herod

Rightly reveal why we are come
here on this road

7:566

fon [ôstan] [te] thesaro erðu.
Giu wârun thar aðalies man,

From the east of this earth.
Aethlings were there,

7:567

gôdsprâkea gumon,
thea ûs gôdes sô filu,

Good speaking men,
who promised us good

7:568

helpa gihêtun
fon heƀenkuninge

And help aplenty
from the King of Heaven

7:569

wârum wordun.
Than was thar ên [giwittig] man,

Verily with their words.
There was a wise man there,

7:570

frôd endi filuwîs
- forn was that giu -,

Hoary and sage —
so long ago was that now —

7:571

ûse aldiro ôstar hinan,
- thar ni warð sîðor ênig man

Our ancestor there in the East —
nor has any man since then

7:572

sprâkono sô [spâhi] -;
[he] mahte rekkien spel godes,

Ever spoken so sharply.
God’s spell he could tell,

7:573

[hwand] [im] habde forliwan
liudio hêrro,

For the Lord of the Land-people
had lent him the gift

7:574

that he mahte fon erðu
up gihôrean

To hearken up
from the earth

7:575

waldandes word:
bithiu was is giwit mikil,

To the All-Wielder’s word.
His wisdom was great,

7:576

thes [thegnes] githâhti.
Thô he thanan skolda,

The thoughts of that thane.
Then when he was to depart,

7:577

[ageƀen] gardos,
gadulingo gimang,

To forfeit his home
and the crowd of the human folk,

7:578

forlâten liudio drôm,
sôkien lioht ôðar,

Forsaking the life of the landsmen —
and seek the other light;

7:579

thô [he] [is] jungron hêt
gangan nâhor,

Then he called his followers
all to come closer —

7:580

erƀiwardos,
endi is erlun thô

His heirs were they there —
and to the earls

7:581

sagde sôðlîko:
- that al sîðor quam,

He most soothly said
what is since then come,

7:582

giwarð an thesaro weroldi -:
[thô] [sagda] [he] that hêr skoldi kuman ên wîskuning

Hath happed in this world:
A Wise King would come here,

7:583

mâri endi mahtig
an thesan middilgard

Might and shining
come to the mid-world,

7:584

[thes] bezton giburdies;
quað that [it] skoldi wesan barn godes,

Best by His birth;
quoth that God’s Bairn He would be;

7:585

quað that he thesero [weroldes]
waldan skoldi

Quoth that in this world
He would wield power

7:586

gio te êwandaga,
erðun endi himiles.

Eternally through all of time
over heaven and earth;

7:587

He quað that an them selƀon daga,
the ina sâligna

Said that on the selfsame day,
when He —so blessed —

7:588

an thesan middilgard
môdar gidrôgi,

Was born to His mother
on this mid-world here —

7:589

sô quað he that ôstana
[ên] skoldi skînan

So quoth he — in the East
would shine a single white star,

7:590

himiltungal huît,
sulik sô wi hêr ne habdin êr

In the heavens on high,
such as never before we have had

7:591

undartuisk [erða] endi himil
ôðar hwerigin,

Between earth and heaven
or anywhere else:

7:592

ne sulik barn ne sulik bôkan.
Hêt that thar te bedu fôrin

Neither such Bairn
nor such beacon bright;

7:593

threa man fon thero thiodu,
hêt sie thenkean wel,

That three men from the people
should go offer prayer;

7:594

hwan êr sie gisâwin ôstana
up [sîðogean],

Hight them think well
when they would see God’s beacon

7:595

that godes bôkan gangan,
hêt sie garuwian sân,

Rise in the East, hight
they should ready themselves straightway;

7:596

hêt that wi im folgodin,
sô it furi wurði,

Hight that we should follow
where’er it might fare

7:597

westar oƀar thesa [weroldi].
Nu is it al giwârod sô,

Westward over the world.
Now well it hath happed,

7:598

kuman thurh kraft godes:
the kuning is gifôdit,

Come through God’s power:
a King is born,

7:599

giboran bald endi strang:
wi gisâhun is bôkan skînan

Bold He and strong.
We have seen the beacon shining bright

7:600

hêdro fon himiles tunglun,
sô ik wêt, that it hêlag drohtin,

Over Heaven’s stars.
So I know Holy God,

7:601

markoda [mahtig] selƀo.
Wi gisâhun morgno gihwilikes

The Mighty One, hath marked it Himself.
Every morn we did see it,

7:602

blîkan thana berhton sterron,
endi wi gengun aftar them bôkna herod

This brilliant star shining.
So we followed the beacon here,

7:603

wegas endi waldas hwîlon.
[That wâri ûs] allaro willeono mêsta,

The while through ways and through woods.
That was our greatest wish —

7:604

that wi ina [selƀon gisehan môstin],
wissin, hwar wi [ina] sôkean skoldin,

To see Him ourselves,
to know where to seek Him,

7:605

thana kuning [an] thesumu kêsurdôma.
Saga ûs, undar hwilikumu he sî thesaro kunneo afôdit."

The King in this kingdom.
Tell us to which clan He is born.”

7:606

Thô warð Erodesa
innan briostun

There arose in Herod’s breast
a great rage ’round his heart.

7:607

harm wið herta,
bigan [im] is hugi wallan,

Spirit and heart began to seethe
with sorrow within him,

7:608

seƀo mid sorgun:
gihôrde seggean thô,

For he heard them say that he
should now have a Head over him,

7:609

that he thar [oƀarhôƀdon]
êgan [skoldi],

A mightier King
and one of good clan,

7:610

[kraftagoron] kuning
kunnies gôdes,

Blessed ’mongst His folk.
Then he ordered them all

7:611

[sâligoron] undar them gisîðea.
Thô he samnon hêt,

To gather together,
what good men there were,

7:612

sô hwat sô an Hierusalem
gôdaro manno

In Jerusalem the wisest
with their speech and their words,

7:613

allaro spâhoston
sprâkono wârun

7:614

endi an iro brioston
bôkkraftes mêst

And in their breasts
in book-craft

7:615

wissun te wârun,
endi he sie mid [wordun] fragn,

Most verily learned.
And he asked them with words,

7:616

swîðo niudlîko
nîðhugdig man,

Most anxiously asked them —
this evil-souled man,

7:617

kuning thero liudio,
hwar Krist giboran

The king of the people —
where Christ would be born

7:618

an weroldrîkea
werðan skoldi,

In this world-realm here,
the Peace-Wielder Good.

7:619

friðugumono bezt.
Thô sprak im eft [that folk] angegin,

Then the folk replied,
the people most truly;

7:620

that werod wârlîko,
quâðun that sie wissin garo,

Quoth that they knew
quite well that He

7:621

that he skoldi an Bethleem giboran werðan:
"sô is an [ûsun] bôkun giskriƀan,

Would be born in Bethlehem.
“So ’tis writ in our books

7:622

wîslîko giwuritan,
sô it wârsagon,

And wisely inscribed,
as the truth-sayers,

7:623

swîðo glawa gumon
bi godes krafta

Those full wise sages,
have spoken it further:

7:624

[filuwîse] man
furn gisprâkun,

7:625

that skoldi fon Bethleem
burgo hirdi,

That from Bethlehem
the Herdsman of Bastions,

7:626

liof landes ward
an thit lioht kuman,

The Loved Warder of Land
should come to the light;

7:627

rîki râdgeƀo,
the rihtien skal

The Counselor of Clans
should come to His rule

7:628

Judeono gumskepi
endi [is] [geƀa] [wesan]

O’er the hordes of the land-folk;
and His grace will hover

7:629

mildi oƀar middilgard
managun thiodun."

Mild o’er this mid-world
for the peoples many.”

{ 8 }
Capitulum VIII

8:630

[Thô] gifragn ik that sân aftar thiu
slîðmôd kuning

There I heard that as soon
as the evil-souled king

8:631

thero wârsagono word
them wrekkiun sagda,

Told the truth-sayers’ word
to the travellers, the earls from abroad

8:632

thea thar an [elilendi]
erlos wârun

Those faring from far —
he questioned them fully,

8:633

ferran gifarana,
endi he frâgoda aftar thiu,

8:634

hwan sie an ôstarwegun
êrist [gisâhin]

When first on the east-path
they had then seen it —

8:635

thana kuningsterron [kuman],
kumbal luihtien

The king-star acoming,
the token all clear,

8:636

hêdro fon himile.
Sie ni weldun is im thô helen [eowiht],

Bright and high in the sky.
They wished to hide nothing from him

8:637

ak sagdun it im sôðlîko.
Thô hêt he sie an thana sîð faran,

And truly they told him.
He hight them travel,

8:638

hêt that sie ira ârundi
al undarfundin

Go forth on their way;
hight that they fathom the news

8:639

umbi thes kindes kumi,
endi the kuning selƀo gibôd

Of the New Child’s coming;
and the king himself,

8:640

swîðo hardliko,
hêrro Judeono,

The master of Jews,
gave order most sternly

8:641

them wîsun mannun,
êr than sie fôrin [westan] forð,

To the wise men three
that when they fared from the West,

8:642

that sie im eft gikûðdin,
hwar he thana kuning skoldi

That they should give him account
where he could seek that King

8:643

sôkean [at] is [selðon];
quað that he thar weldi mid is gisîðun tô,

In His hall and His home.
Quoth that he with his thanes

8:644

bedan [te them] barne.
Than hogda he im te banon werðan

Wished to reverence the Bairn.
But he thought to become

8:645

wâpnes eggiun.
Than eft waldand god

His slayer by the weapon’s edge.
Yet All-Wielding God

8:646

thâhte wið them thinga:
[he] mahta [athengean] mêr,

Was minded elsewise.
He could accomplish,

8:647

gilêstean an thesum liohte:
that is noh lango skîn,

Could finish far more in this light;
for that shines still long —

8:648

gikûðid kraft godes.
Thô gengun eft thiu kumbl forð

The prophesied power of God!
There appeared the symbol

8:649

wânum undar [wolknun].
Thô wârun thea wîson man

Clear ’neath the clouds.
Those men, wise and clever, made ready

8:650

fûsa te faranne:
giwitun [im] forð thanan

To travel. They fared
forth now from there,

8:651

balda an bodskepi:
weldun that barn godes

Bold on their mission.
They would seek God’s Bairn,

8:652

[selƀon] sôkean.
Sie ni habdun thanan gisîðeas mêr,

They themselves and alone.
No thralls had they with them,

8:653

[bûtan] that sie thrie wârun:
wissun im thingo giskêð,

But they were just three:
well versed in such things,

8:654

wârun im glawe gumon,
the thea geƀa lêddun.

Were indeed clever men,
who came carrying their gifts.

8:655

Than sâhun sie sô wîslîko
undar thana wolknes skion,

Then they saw it so wisely
shining forth ’neath the clouds,

8:656

up te them hôhon himile,
hwô fôrun thea hwîton sterron

High in the heavens,
where fared the white stars.

8:657

- antkendun sie [that] kumbal godes -,
[thiu] wârun thurh [Krista] herod

They recognized clearly the beacon of God —
through Christ it was worked

8:658

giwarht te thesero weroldi.
Thea weros aftar gengun,

Here in the world.
The world-men went following it,

8:659

folgodun ferahtlîko
- sie frumide the mahte -

Full piously thence.
Those who could further them,

8:660

antthat [sie] gisâhun,
sîðwôrige man,

Until they well saw,
these way-weary men,

8:661

berht bôkan godes,
blêk an himile

The clear beacon of God
bright in the heavens

8:662

stillo gistanden.
The [sterro] liohto skên

Suddenly stop.
The star shone light

8:663

hwît oƀar them hûse,
thar that hêlage barn

And white o’er the house
where for His will

8:664

wonode an willeon
endi ina that wîf biheld,

Dwelt the Holy Bairn.
And the wife did keep Him,

8:665

thiu thiorne githiudo.
Thô warð [thero] thegno hugi

The Maid most fittingly.
The minds, the hearts of the thanes

8:666

blîði an iro briostun:
bi them bôkna forstôdun,

Became blithe in their breasts.
Through the beacon’s light they well understood

8:667

that sie that friðubarn godes
funden habdun,

That they had indeed
found the Peace-Bairn of God,

8:668

hêlagna heƀenkuning.
Thô sie an that hûs innan

The Holy King of the Heaven.
When they entered the house,

8:669

mid iro geƀun gengun,
gumon ôstronea,

Did go with their gifts,
the great of the East,

8:670

sîðwôrige man:
sân antkendun

The way-weary men —
quickly the warriors

8:671

thea weros waldand Krist.
Thea wrekkion fellun

Did know Him rightly, All-Wielding Christ.
In reverence now

8:672

te them kinde an kneobeda
endi ina an kuningwîsa

They fell on their knees
before Him, the Child. In kingly wise

8:673

gôdan grôttun
endi im thea geƀa drôgun,

They greeted the Good One
and gave Him their gifts —

8:674

gold endi [wîhrôk]
bi godes têknun

Gold and incense
as tokens of God,

8:675

endi [myrra] thar [mid].
Thea man stôdun garowa,

And myrrh with it.
The men stood ready,

8:676

holde for iro hêrron,
thea it mid iro handun sân

Fair before their Lord.
And with their hands all fittingly

8:677

fagaro [antfengun].
Thô giwitun im thea [ferahton] man,

They took Him and held Him.
They betook themselves then,

8:678

seggi te selðon
sîðwôrige,

The wise men, into the house —
way-weary were they —

8:679

gumon an gastseli.
Thar im godes engil

The sages into the guest hall.
There the angel of God

8:680

slâpandiun an naht
[sweƀan] gitôgde,

Did come to the sleepers,
showed a dream in the night,

8:681

gidrog [im] an drôme,
al so it drohtin self,

Revealed in a vision,
as the Lord Himself,

8:682

[waldand] welde,
[that] [im] [thûhte] that man im mid wordun gibudi,

The All-Wielder, did will it.
They thought a man had commanded with words

8:683

that sie im thanan ôðran weg,
erlos fôrin,

That they seek them another way:
the aethlings should

8:684

liðodin sie te lande
endi thana lêðan man,

Leave and go to their own land
and not seek the loathsome man,

8:685

Erodesan
eft ni sôhtin,

Herod, the mad-minded king.
Then morning did come

8:686

môdagna kuning.
Thô warð morgan kuman

8:687

wânum te thesero weroldi.
Thô bigunnun thea wîson man

Shining down to the world.
The wise men began

8:688

seggean iro sweƀanos;
selƀon antkendun

To tell each other their dreams.
They did rightly fathom

8:689

waldandes word,
hwand sie giwit mikil

The All-Wielder’s word.
For great wisdom

8:690

bârun an iro briostun:
bâdun alowaldon,

They bore in their breasts.
They bade the All-Wielder,

8:691

[hêron] heƀenkuning,
that sie môstin is huldi forð,

The Heaven-King on High,
that henceforth they might still

8:692

giwirkean is willeon,
quâðun that sea [ti] im habdin giwendit hugi,

Work His grace and His will;
quoth that their souls were turned unto Him,

8:693

[iro] môd [morgan] [gihwem].
Thô [fôrun] eft thie man thanan,

Their minds every morn.
Then the men travelled hence,

8:694

erlos ôstronie,
al sô im the engil godes

The earls from the East,
as the angel of God

8:695

wordun giwîsde:
nâmun im weg ôðran,

Had told them with words.
They took them another way,

8:696

fulgengun godes lêrun:
ni weldun [themu] [Judeo] kuninge

Following God’s message.
Nor would they give

8:697

umbi thes barnes giburd
bodon ôstronie,

The king of the Jews
account of the birth of the Babe;

8:698

sîðwôrige man
seggian [giowiht],

But as they did will it,
they went on their way,

8:699

ak wendun im eft an iro willion.

The road-weary men, saying nothing

{ 9 }
Capitulum IX

9:699

Thô warð sân aftar thiu waldandes,

Soon after the Wielder’s,

9:700

godes engil kumen
Josepe te [sprâkun],

God’s angel did come
and to Joseph did speak,

9:701

sagde im an swefne
slâpandium [an] naht,

In a dream did say
to the sleeper at night —

9:702

bodo drohtines,
that that barn godes

The Master’s own herald —
that the slime-mouthed king

9:703

slîðmôd kuning
sôkean welda,

Would seek Him indeed,
the Child of God:

9:704

âhtean is aldres;
"nu [skaltu] ine an Aegypteo

He ws after His life.
“Now thou shalt lead Him

9:705

land [antlêdean]
endi undar them luidiun wesan

Out into Egypt-land,
live midst the land-folk

9:706

mid thiu godes barnu
endi mid theru gôdan thiornan,

There with God’s Bairn;
and with God’s handmaid as well

9:707

wonon undar themu werode,
untthat thi word [kume]

Thou shalt dwell with the folk,
until unto thee cometh

9:708

hêrron thînes,
that thu that hêlage barn

The Word of the Master,
that thou mayest lead

9:709

eft te thesum landskepi
lêdian môtis,

The Holy Bairn, lead the Lord
back to this landscape.”

9:710

drohtin thînen."
Thô fon them drôma ansprang

Then from his dream Joseph
did awaken, jump up

9:711

Joseph an is gestseli,
endi that godes gibod

In his great hall.
God’s orders

9:712

sân antkenda:
giwêt im an [thana] sîð thanen

He soon recognized;
started out on his way,

9:713

the thegan mid theru thiornon,
sôhta im thiod ôðra

The thane with the Maid.
Over the mighty mountains

9:714

oƀar brêdan berg:
welda that barn godes

He sought other folk.
For he wished to lead forth

9:715

fîundun antfôrian.
Thô gifrang aftar thiu

God’s Bairn from His foes.
Soon after the word

9:716

Erodes the kuning,
thar he an is rîkea sat,

Came to Herod the king,
as he sat in his kingdom,

9:717

[that] wârun thea wîson man
westan gihworƀan

That the wise men
were gone from the West

9:718

ôstar an iro ôðil
endi fôrun im ôðran weg:

Home to their Eastlands,
had fared on another way.

9:719

wisse [that] sie [im] that ârundi
eft ni weldun

He knew that they had not wanted
to tell him the news

9:720

seggian an is selðon.
Thô [warð] im [thes] an sorgun hugi,

Here in his halls.
Then his heart was troubled,

9:721

môd mornondi,
quað that it [im] thie man dedin,

His mind most mournful;
quoth that the men had done this,

9:722

heliðos te hônðun.
Thô he [sô] hriwig sat,

The heroes, to scorn him.
So he sat there and sorrowed,

9:723

balg ina an is briostun,
quað that he is mahti [betaron] râd,

Bitter rage in his breast.
Quoth that a better idea,

9:724

[ôðran] githenkien:
"nu ik is aldar kan,

Another he had now thought out.
“I know His age now,

9:725

wêt is [wintergitalu]:
nu ik giwinnan mag,

Know His winters’ number;
thus I can now bring it to pass

9:726

that he [io] oƀar thesaro erðu
ald ni wirðit,

That on this earth
He shall never grow old,

9:727

[hêr] undar thesum heriskepi."
Thô he sô hardo gibôd,

Here ’mid my hosts.”
So Herod sent harshly

9:728

Erodes oƀar is riki,
hêt thô is rinkos faran

A command o’er his kingdom.
The king of the people

9:729

kuning thero liudio,
hêt that sie kinda sô filo

9:730

thurh iro handmagen
hôƀdu binâmin,

Hight his men go forth;
hight them behead with their hand-strength

9:731

sô manag barn umbi Bethleem,
sô filo sô thar giboran wurði,

So many a babe,
bairns born in Bethlehem

9:732

an twêm [gêrun] [atogan].
Tionon frumidon

And bred these two years.
The thanes of the king

9:733

[thes] kuninges gisîðos.
Thô skolda thar sô manag kindisk man

Did evil deed.
So had to die there,

9:734

[sweltan] sundiono lôs.
Ni warð sið [noh] êr

Though sinless, many a man-child.
Never since nor before

9:735

jâmarlîkara forgang
jungaro manno,

Such a pitiful killing
of young kin was there,

9:736

armlîkara dôð.
Idisi wiopun,

Such a wretched death!
The women wept.

9:737

môdar managa,
gisâhun iro megi spildian:

Many mothers did see
their sons killed and dead;

9:738

ni mahte siu im [nio] giformon,
thoh siu mid iro faðmon twêm

Nor might they help them a whit,
with their two hands hold them,

9:739

iro êgan barn
armun bifengi,

With their arms embrace them,
their own dear bairns,

9:740

liof endi luttil,
thoh skolda is [simbla] that lîf [geƀan],

Their loved and little ones.
But life it had to relinquish —

9:741

the magu for theru môdar.
Mênes ni sâhun,

The babe in front of its mother.
Their misdeeds these rogues

9:742

wîties thie wamskaðon:
wâpnes eggiun

Saw not, saw not their sins.
With the sword’s edge

9:743

fremidun [firin]werk mikil.
Fellun managa

They committed great crimes.
They cut down many

9:744

magujunge man.
Thia môdar wiopun

A child-young man.
The mothers bewailed

9:745

kindjungaro qualm.
Cara was an Bethleem,

The death of their babes.
Care was in Bethlehem,

9:746

hofno hlûdost:
thoh man [im] iro herton an twê

Loudest lamenting:
if they had lashed

9:747

sniði mid swerdu,
thoh ni mohta im gio sêrara dâd

Their hearts with a sword’s edge,
they could not have

9:748

werðan an thesaro weroldi,
wîƀun managun,

Them worse in the world.
The women many,

9:749

brûdiun an Bethleem:
gisâhun iro barn biforan,

The brides there of Bethlehem:
they saw before them their bairns,

9:750

kindjunge man,
qualmu sweltan

The child-young men
lying murdered:

9:751

[blôdag] an iro barmun.
Thie banon wîtnodun

Bloody they lay on their laps.
The baneful murderers

9:752

unskuldige skole:
ni biskriƀun giowiht

Killed the innocent crowd.
From their crimes

9:753

thea man umbi mênwerk:
weldun mahtigna,

They refrained not a whit:
it was their will

9:754

Krist selƀon aquellian.
Than habde ina kraftag god

To kill Christ Himself.
But God, strong and clever,

9:755

[gineridan] wið iro nîðe,
that inan nahtes thanan

Saved Him from them
and their hatred. In the night

9:756

an Aegypteo land
erlos [antlêddun],

He had the earls
lead Him to Egypt-land,

9:757

gumon mid Josepe
an thana [grôneon] wang,

The good men with Joseph
to the green fields,

9:758

an erðono beztun,
thar ên aha fliutid,

To the richest earth,
where that river floweth,

9:759

Nîlstrôm mikil
norð te sêwa,

The Nile-stream wide,
north to the sea,

9:760

flôdo fagorosta.
Thar that friðubarn [godes]

The fairest of floods.
There the Peace-Bairn of God

9:761

wonoda an willeon,
antthat wurd fornam

Dwelled as He willed
until Weird did remove

9:762

Erodes thana kuning,
that he forlêt eldeo barn,

Herod the King. Hate-filled,
forsook he the children of men,

9:763

môdag manno drôm.
Thô skolda thero marka giwald

The life of the earth-folk.
O’er his lands

9:764

êgan is erƀiward:
the was Archelâus

His heir was to rule.
Archilaus

9:765

hêtan, heritogo
helmberandero:

He was hight, hero
of helm-wearers — he!

9:766

the skolda umbi Hierusalem
Judeono folkes,

He was to rule o’er the Jewish folk
there in Jerusalem,

9:767

werodes giwaldan.
Thô warð word kuman

Wield power o’er the people.
Then the word did come

9:768

thar an Egypti
eðiliun manne,

There in Egypt
to the aethling man:

9:769

that [he] thar te Josepe,
godes engil sprak,

That he spake to Joseph —
God’s angel himself,

9:770

bodo drohtines,
hêt ina eft that barn thanan

The Lord God’s herald.
Hight him again lead the Babe

9:771

lêdien te lande.
"nu haƀað thit lioht [afgeƀen]", quað he,

Back to the land.
“Now he hath left the light,”

9:772

"Erodes [the] kuning;
he welde is âhtien giu,

Quoth he, “Herod the king.
Once ’twas his will to kill Him,

9:773

frêson is ferahas.
Nu maht thu [an] [friðu] lêdien

Delivering Him from this life.
Now in peace ye may lead

9:774

that kind undar ewa kunni,
nu the kuning ni liƀod,

The Child to His kinsmen.
Now the king liveth not,

9:775

erl oƀarmôdig."
Al antkende

That insolent earl.”
Joseph understood

9:776

Josep godes têkan:
geriwide ina sniumo

God’s token completely.
Straightway they readied themselves,

9:777

the thegan mit thera thiornun,
thô sie thanan weldun

The thane with the Maid.
They speedily sought to go thence,

9:778

bêðiu mid thiu barnu:
lêstun thiu berhton giskapu,

Both with the Bairn.
Bright fate they fulfilled,

9:779

waldandes willion,
al sô he im [êr] mid is wordun gibôd.

The will of the Wielder,
as He bade them with words.

{ 10 }
Capitulum X

10:780

Giwitun im thô eft an [Galilealand]
Joseph endi Maria,

Mary and Joseph were again
come to Galilee-land;

10:781

hêlag hîwiski
heƀenkuninges,

The Holy Family
of the King of Heaven

10:782

wârun im an Nazarethburg.
Thar the neriondio Krist

Were with Him at Nazareth-burg.
There he waxed ’mid the folk,

10:783

wôhs undar them werode,
[warð] giwitties ful,

Our saving Christ.
He grew full of sense, full of knowledge,

10:784

an was imu anst godes,
he was allun liof

And the grace of God was with Him,
and great the love

10:785

môdarmâgun:
he ni was ôðrun mannun [gilîk],

Of His mother’s kin:
like no other man was He,

10:786

[the] gumo an sînera gôdi.
Thô he [gêrtalo]

This Youth in His goodness.
When twelve years He did have,

10:787

tweliƀi habde,
thô warð thiu tîd kuman,

When such an age He’d attained,
there the time was then come,

10:788

that [sie] thar te Hierusalem,
Juðeo liudi

When they in Jerusalem,
the Jewish folk all,

10:789

iro thiodgode
thionon skoldun,

Should serve their Lord,
their God Himself

10:790

wirkean is willeon.
Thô warð thar an thana wîh innan

And should work His will.
They were in the temple

10:791

thar te Hierusalem
Judeono gisamnod

There in Jerusalem,
the Jews all together,

10:792

mankraft mikil.
Thar Maria was

Mighty gathering of men.
And Mary herself

10:793

self an gisîðea
endi iru sunu habda,

Was there in the crowd;
and her Son she had with her,

10:794

godes [êgan] barn.
Thô sie that geld habdun,

God’s Own Bairn. When they now
had made sacrifice goodly,

10:795

[erlos an them alaha],
[sô] [it] [an] [iro êwa gibôd],

The earls at the altar,
as their law did order,

10:796

gilêstid te iro landwîsun,
thô fôrun im eft thie liudi thanan,

Had fulfilled their folk-way —
the folk fared thence,

10:797

weros an iro willion
endi thar an them wîha afstôd

The world-men as they willed it,
while in the temple

10:798

mahtig barn godes,
sô ina thiu môdar thar

Stayed God’s Mighty Child,
though His mother most truly

10:799

ni wissa te wâron;
ak siu wânda that he mid them weroda forð,

Knew nothing of it.
Now, she weened He had left,

10:800

fôri mit iro friundun.
Gifrang aftar thiu

Had fared with her friends.
She first found it out

10:801

eft [an] ôðrun daga
aðalkunnies wîf,

On the day that came after,
the aethling’s wife,

10:802

sâlig thiorna,
that he undar them gisîðia ni was.

The holy Maid — that He
was not ’mid the men-folk.

10:803

Warð Mariun thô
môd an sorgun,

Then Mary’s spirit
was deeply in sorrow,

10:804

hriwig umbi iro herta,
thô siu that hêlaga barn

Her heart most troubled,
that she did not find the Holy Child

10:805

ni fand undar them folka:
filu [gornoda]

Among the crowd.
Greatly she was grieved then,

10:806

thiu godes thiorna.
Giwitun im thô eft te Hierusalem

The handmaid of God. She hied
herself to Jerusalem once more

10:807

iro sunu sôkean,
fundun ina sittean thar

To seek her Son.
And she found Him sitting

10:808

an them wîha innan,
thar the [wîsa] man,

Inside the temple,
where sat the sages,

10:809

swîðo glauwa gumon
[an] godes êwa

The very wise men
who verily read

10:810

lâsun ende lînodun,
hwô sie lof skoldin

And learned God’s law,
how with their words

10:811

wirkean mid iro wordun
them, the thesa werold giskôp.

They could work the praise
of Him Who created this world.

10:812

Thar sat undar middiun
mahtig barn godes,

There sat in their midst
God’s Mighty Bairn,

10:813

Krist alowaldo,
sô is thea ni mahtun antkennian wiht,

All-Wielding Christ —
although those who there warded

10:814

the thes [wîhes] thar
wardon skoldun,

The temple could not
recognize Him even a whit.

10:815

endi frâgoda sie
[firiwitlîko]

And anxious for knowledge,
He asked them questions

10:816

wîsera wordo.
Sie wundradun alle,

With wise words indeed.
They wondered all

10:817

[buhwî] gio sô kindisk man
sulika quidi [mahti]

How so childlike a Man
could utter such speeches,

10:818

[mid] [is] [mûðu] [gimênean].
Thar ina thiu môdar fand

He with His mouth.
There His mother did find Him

10:819

sittean under them [gisîðea]
endi iro sunu [grôtta],

Sitting down ’mongst the sages;
and she greeted her Son,

10:820

wîsan undar them weroda,
sprak [im] [mid] ira wordun [tô]:

The Wise ’mid the folk.
And with her words she did speak:

10:821

"hwî weldes thu thînera môdar,
manno lioƀosto,

“Why, dearest Man,
hast Thou given Thy mother

10:822

gisidon [sulika] [sorga],
that ik thi sô sêragmôd,

Such sorrow indeed,
that I needs must seek Thee —

10:823

idis armhugdig
êskon skolda

I, worried wife,
a woman so troubled,

10:824

undar thesun burgliudiun?"
Thô sprak iru eft that barn angegin

Among these burghers?”
Then answered the Bairn

10:825

wîsun wordun:
"hwat, thu wêst garo", [quað he],

With wise words, indeed:
“What? Thou knowest right well,” quoth He,

10:826

"that ik thar girîsu,
thar ik bi rehton skal

“That I here belong;
with happiness here

10:827

wonon an willeon,
thar giwald haƀad

Most rightly dwell
where My Mighty Father

10:828

mîn mahtig fader."
Thie man ni forstôdun,

Wieldeth His powers.”
The woman understood not,

10:829

thie weros an them wîha,
bihwî he sô that word gisprak,

Nor the sages there in the temple,
why He said such a word,

10:830

gimênda mid is mûðu:
Maria al biheld,

Did speak with His mouth
such a sentence. Mary kept all

10:831

[gibarg] an ira breostun,
sô hwat sô siu gihôrda ira barn sprekan

Concealed in her breast,
what she heard her Bairn speak

10:832

wisaro wordo.
Giwitun im thô eft [thanan]

With His wise words.
Then they went from there,

10:833

fon Hierusalem
Joseph endi Maria,

Left Jerusalem both,
Mary and Joseph.

10:834

habdun im te gisîðea
sunu drohtines,

They had with them
the Son of the Lord,

10:835

allaro barno [bezta],
thero the io [giboran] wurði

The Best of all Bairns
that was ever born,

10:836

magu fon môdar:
habdun im thar minnea tô

Child from a mother:
they had for Him mighty love

10:837

thurh [hluttran] hugi,
endi he sô gihôrig was,

With pureness of heart,
and He hearkened to them,

10:838

godes êgan barn
gadulingmâgun

God’s Own Bairn
to His blood-kin,

10:839

thurh is ôdmôdi,
aldron sînun:

To His parents twain
through His humble mind.

10:840

ni welda an is kindiski thô noh
is kraft mikil

In His childhood He never
sought to reveal

10:841

mannun mârean,
that he sulik megin êhta,

His greatness of strength,
that so mighty a power

10:842

giwald an thesaro weroldi,
ak he im an is willeon bêd

He did have in this world;
but He bided His time —

10:843

githiudo undar thero thiodu
thrîtig gêro,

In proper manner thirty years
in the midst of the people,

10:844

êr than he thar têkan ênig
tôgean weldi,

Before He would show
a single token,

10:845

seggean them gisîðea,
that he selƀo was

Say to the people
that He Himself was

10:846

an thesaro middilgard
manno drohtin.

Here in this mid-world
the Master of Mankind.

10:847

Habda [im] sô [bihalden]
hêlag barn godes

To Himself He had kept it,
God’s Holy Bairn —

10:848

word endi wîsdôm
ende allaro giwitteo mêst,

The word and the wisdom
and all His great wit,

10:849

tulgo spâhan hugi:
ni mahta [man is] an is sprâkun werðan,

His very wise mind.
From His words no man would know,

10:850

an is wordun [giwar],
that he sulik giwit êhta,

From His speech,
that such wit was His —

10:851

[thegan] sulika githâhti,
ak he im sô githiudo bêd

That this Hero harbored such thoughts.
But as was proper to Him,

10:852

torhtaro têkno.
Ni was noh than thiu tîd kuman,

He awaited the shining token:
His time was not come yet,

10:853

that he ina oƀar thesan middilgard
mârean skolda,

When He o’er this mid-world
should make it wide known,

10:854

lêrian thie liudi,
hwô sie [skoldin] iro gilôƀon haldan,

Should teach the folk
to follow their belief

10:855

wirkean willeon godes.
Wissun that thoh managa

And to work God’s will.
But many well knew,

10:856

liudi aftar them landa,
that he was an thit lioht kuman,

Folk in the land,
that He was come to the light,

10:857

thoh sie ina kûðlîko
ankennian ni mahtin,

Though they could not recognize
Him all clearly as yet,

10:858

êr than he ina selƀo
seggean welda.

Until He Himself
would indeed say the word.

{ 11 }
Capitulum XI

11:859

Than was im Johannes
fon is juguðhêdi

John had grown up
out of his earliest youth,

11:860

awahsan an ênero wôstunni;
thar ni was werodes than mêr,

Had waxed in the wilderness.
Nor was there any world-man

11:861

[bûtan] that he thar ênkora
alowaldon gode,

But him alone who so
served All-Wielding Christ.

11:862

thegan thionoda:
forlêt thioda gimang,

Faithful His thane,
he forsook the multitude,

11:863

manno [gimênðon].
[Thar] warð im mahtig kuman

The company of men.
Then came to him mightily

11:864

an thero wôstunni
word fon himila,

There in the wilderness
word from Heaven:

11:865

gôdlîk stemna [godes],
endi Johanne gibod,

God’s goodly voice
gave John command

11:866

that he Cristes kumi
endi is kraft mikil

To proclaim Christ’s coming
proclaim His great strength

11:867

oƀar thesan middilgard
mârean skoldi;

Wide o’er this mid-world
with words of truth;

11:868

hêt ina wârlîko
wordun seggean,

Hight that he say
that the true Kingdom of Heaven

11:869

that wâri heƀanriki
heliðo barnun

Was close for them,
the children of mankind,

11:870

an them landskepi,
liudiun ginâhid,

In this landscape here
was near for the land-folk,

11:871

welono wunsamost.
Im was thô willeo mikil,

The most wondrous riches.
His will was great

11:872

that [he] fon sulikun sâldun
seggean môsti.

To relate to them
of such blessed raptures.

11:873

Giwêt im thô gangan,
al sô Jordan flôt,

He set out and went
where the water,

11:874

watar an willeon,
endi them weroda allan dag,

The Jordan did flow
all joyfully there,

11:875

aftar them landskepi
them liudiun kûðda,

Made known through the land
to the landsmen all day,

11:876

that sie mid fastunniu
firinwerk manag,

To the folk that
with fasting they might atone

11:877

iro [selƀoro]
sundia bôttin,

For many a wrong,
make better their sins themselves.

11:878

"that gi werðan hrênea", quað he.
"Heƀanriki is

“That ye may now become clean,” quoth he.
“The Heavenly Kingdom is close

11:879

ginâhid manno [barnun].
Nu lâtad [eu] an ewan môdseƀon

For the children of men.
Ye yourselves in your minds

11:880

[ewar] [selƀoro]
sundea hrewan,

In your spirits, too,
rue all your sins, rue

11:881

[lêdas] that gi an thesun liohta [fremidun],
endi mînun lêrun hôread,

The hurts ye have done against folk,
and hearken ye to my teachings,

11:882

wendeat aftar mînun wordun.
Ik eu an watara skal

Turn to my words.
Into the water

11:883

gidôpean diurlîko,
thoh ik ewa dâdi ne mugi,

I shall dip you all dearly,
though from your deeds,

11:884

[ewar] selƀaro
sundea alâtan,

Your sins, though, themselves
I cannot absolve you —

11:885

that gi thurh mîn handgiwerk
hluttra werðan

That ye through my handwork
are henceforth cleansed

11:886

lêðaro gilêsto:
ak the is an thit lioht kuman,

Of your loathsome deeds.
But He is come to this light,

11:887

mahtig te mannun
endi undar eu middiun stêd,

Mighty to mankind,
and standeth right in your midst;

11:888

- thoh gi ina selƀun
gisehan ni [willean] -,

Though ye yourselves
do not want to see Him,

11:889

the eu [gidôpean] skal
an ewes drohtines namon

He will baptize you
both in the name of the Lord

11:890

an thana [hâlagon] gêst.
That is hêrro oƀar al:

And of the Holy Ghost.
He is Lord High over all.

11:891

he mag allaro manno gihwena
mêngithâhteo,

He can free each man
from his misdeeds,

11:892

sundeono sikoron,
sô hwene sô sô sâlig môt

Shear him from sin,
who would be blessed of soul

11:893

werðen an thesaro weroldi,
that thes willeon haƀad,

Here in this world,
if such be his will:

11:894

that he sô gilêstea,
sô he thesun liudiun wili,

To do what God’s
Own Dear Bairn doth command

11:895

gibioden barn godes.
Ik bium an is [bods]kepi herod

For these earth-folk here.
As His herald now

11:896

an thesa werold kumen
endi skal im thana weg rûmien,

I am come to this world
and shall make Him His way,

11:897

lêrean thesa liudi,
hwô sea [skulin] iro gilôƀon haldan

Teaching the clansmen
to keep their belief

11:898

thurh hluttran hugi,
endi that sie an hellea ni thurƀin,

Through pureness of heart,
that they go not to hell

11:899

faran an fern that hêta.
Thes wirðid sô fagan an is môde

Nor face the fire.
Full glad be his soul then,

11:900

man te sô managaro [stundu],
sô hwe sô that mên forlâtid,

Joyous so many an hour —
whosoever forsaketh sin

11:901

gerno thes gramon anbusni,
- sô mag im thes gôdon giwirkean,

And the devil’s ambush:
he acquireth the grace

11:902

huldi heƀenkuninges,
- sô hwe sô haƀad hluttra trewa

Of the Good One, the Heaven-King —
he who hath a heart pure and loyal

11:903

up te them alomahtigon gode."
Erlos managa

For Almighty God.”
Many an earl

11:904

bi them lêrun thô,
liudi wândun,

Through these teachings,
many folk truly,

11:905

weros wârlîko,
that that waldand Krist

World-men did ween
that this was All-Wielding Christ,

11:906

selbo wâri,
hwanda he sô filu sôðes gisprak,

Since he did so speak
so much of soothness,

11:907

wâroro wordo.
Thô warð that sô wîdo kûð

Such words of truth.
Then wide and far it was known

11:908

oƀar that forgeƀana land
gumono gihwilikum,

To every man
over the promised land,

11:909

seggiun [at] iro selðun:
thô quâmun ina sôkean tharod

To all kin in their courtyards:
then there did come

11:910

fon Hierusalem
Judeo [liudio]

Jewish folk seeking him
out from Jerusalem,

11:911

bodon fon theru [burgi]
[endi] [frâgodun], ef he wâri that barn godes,

Grooms from the bastions,
and asked if he were God’s Bairn

11:912

"that hêr lango giu", quaðun sie,
"liudi sagdun,

“About whom so long,” quoth they,
“the land-folk have spoken,

11:913

weros wârlîko,
that he skoldi an thesa werold kuman".

The world-men said verily,
that he should come to this world.”

11:914

Johannes thô gimahalde
endi tegegnes sprak

But John took the word
and boldly did speak

11:915

them bodun baldlîko:
"ni bium ik", quað he, "that barn godes,

To the heralds. “I am not,”
quoth he, “God’s Bairn,

11:916

wâr waldand Krist,
ak ik skal im thana weg rûmien,

The Verily Wielding Christ.
But I am here to make way

11:917

hêrron mînumu."
Thea heliðos frugnun,

For Him, for my Lord.”
The heroes then asked,

11:918

thea thar an them ârundie
erlos wârun,

The earls who were hearing
asked the herald then;

11:919

bodon fon [thero] [burgi]:
"ef thu [nu] ni bist that barn godes,

Those from the town asked him for tidings.
“If thou art not truly God’s Bairn,

11:920

bist thu than thoh Elias,
the hêr an êrdagun

Art thou then Elias,
who in earlier days

11:921

was undar thesumu werode?
He is [wiskumo]

Was amid the folk?
Certainly he is again

11:922

[eft] [an] thesan middilgard.
Saga ûs hwat thu manno sîs!

Come on in this mid-world.
Say what manner of man

11:923

Bist thu ênig [thero],
the hêr [êr] wâri

Art thou? One of those
who was once here,

11:924

[wîsaro] wârsaguno?
Hwat skulun wi them werode fon thi

One of the soothsayers?
What shall we say

11:925

seggean te sôðon?
Neo hêr [êr sulik] ni warð

To the folk, tell them
of truth? Never was come

11:926

an [thesun] middilgard
man [ôðar] kuman

To this mid-world
another man ever

11:927

dâdiun sô mâri.
Bihwî thu hêr [dôpisli]

So famous of deed.
Why dost thou dip

11:928

[fremis] undar thesumu folke,
ef thu tharo forasagono

These folk here,
if the foretold Savior

11:929

ênhwilik [ni] bist?"
Thô habde eft garo

11:930

Johannes the gôdo
glau andwordi:

Thou art not?” Then John the Good
wisely gave answer:

11:931

"Ik bium forabodo
frâon mînes,

“I am the foreboder, the envoy
of Him, of my Master,

11:932

lioƀes hêrron;
ik skal thit land rekon,

My beloved God.
I am to make ready the land,

11:933

thit [werod] aftar is willion.
Ik hebbiu fon is worde mid mi

The world-folk right to His will.
Through His word indeed

11:934

stranga stemna,
thoh sie hêr ni willie forstandan filo

My voice is made strong,
though few understand it,

11:935

werodes an thesaro wôstunni.
Ni bium ik mid wihti [gilîk]

The world-folk here in the wilderness.
In no way am I like unto Him,

11:936

drohtine mînumu:
he is mid is dâdiun sô strang,

Like my Master and Lord.
He is mighty of deed,

11:937

sô mâri endi sô mahtig
- that wirðid managun kûð,

Is so noble and strong —
that shall be soon known to the many,

11:938

werun aftar thesaro weroldi
- that ik thes wirðig ni bium,

The war-men here in this world —
so that I am not worthy

11:939

that ik môti an is giskuoha,
thoh ik sî is [skalk] [êgan],

Of tying the lace of His shoe,
though His own slave

11:940

an sô [rîkiumu] drohtine,
thea reomon antbindan:

I be — and He so lofty a Lord;
so much better

11:941

sô mikilu is he betara than ik.
Nis thes [bodon] gimako

Is He than I.
Nor herald on earth

11:942

ênig oƀar erðu,
ne nu aftar ni skal

Is His equal now
nor ever shall be

11:943

werðan an thesaro weroldi.
Hebbiad ewan willion tharod,

On the face of this world.
Keep ye your will with Him,

11:944

liudi ewan gilôƀon:
than eu [lango] [skal]

O ye folk, your belief,
for long shall ye be

11:945

[wesan] ewa hugi hrômag;
[than] gi [helligithwing],

Then joyous of heart;
for the forces of hell

11:946

forlâtad lêðaro drôm
[endi] sôkead eu lioht godes,

Ye have forsaken and the evils of life;
and seek ye then for yourselves

11:947

upôdes hêm,
[êwig] rîki,

God’s light, home of
all heavenly good, eternal kingdom,

11:948

hôhan heƀenwang.
Ne lâtad ewan hugi twîflien!"

High meadows of Heaven.
Nor let ye your hearts be in doubt.”

{ 12 }
Capitulum XII

12:949

Sô sprak thô jung gumo
bi godes lêrun

So the young man told,
as were God’s teachings,

12:950

mannun te mârðu.
Manag [samnoda]

Revelations to mankind.
Many did gather

12:951

[thar] te Bethania
barn Israheles;

To Bethany there,
the bairns of Israel —

12:952

quâmun thar te Johannese
kuningo gisîðos,

Came there to John,
the king’s underlings all,

12:953

liudi te lêrun
endi iro gilôƀon antfengun.

People to learn,
and received belief.

12:954

He dôpte sie dago gihwilikes
endi im iro dâdi lôg,

He dipped them each day
and reproached them their deeds,

12:955

wrêðaro willion,
endi loƀode im word godes,

Their will to do wrong;
and for them praised God’s Word,

12:956

hêrron sînes:
"Heƀenrîki wirðid", quað he,

The Word of his Lord:
“The Heavenly Kingdom,” quoth he,

12:957

"garu gumono sô hwem,
sô ti gode thenkid

“Standeth ready and right for all men
who are mindful of God

12:958

endi an thana [hêleand] wili
hluttro [gilôƀean],

And believe in the Healer
with pureness of heart,

12:959

lêstean is lêra".
Thô ni was lang [te] thiu,

And list to his teachings.”
He was not long there,

12:960

that im fon Galilea giwêt
godes êgan barn,

That from Galilee came
God’s Own Bairn,

12:961

diurlîk drohtines sunu,
dôpi suokean.

Our Dear Lord’s Son,
seeking to be dipped.

12:962

Was im thuo an is wastme
waldandes barn,

Our Good Wielder’s Bairn
was now so grown

12:963

al sô he mid thero thiodu
thrîtig habdi

That among the land-folk
He had lived

12:964

wintro an is weroldi.
Thô he an is willeon [quam],

Thirty winters here in this world.
As was His will,

12:965

thar Johannes
an [Jordana] strôme

He came there, when John
baptized them in Jordan’s stream,

12:966

allan [langan] dag
liudi manage

Dipped the folk right dearly
and all day long.

12:967

dôpte diurlîko.
[Reht] sô he thô is drohtin gisah,

Straightway when he saw
his Master Sweet,

12:968

holden hêrron,
sô warð im is hugi blîði,

His Lord, his heart grew blithe,
for that was his wish,

12:969

thes im [the] willeo gistôd,
endi sprak [im thô] mid is wordun [tô],

12:970

[swîðo gôd gumo,
Johannes te Kriste]:

And with words he addressed Him:
this goodly man, John, spake to Christ:

12:971

"nu kumis thu te mînero dôpi,
drohtin frô mîn,

“Now Thou art come to my dipping,
my Lord, O my God,

12:972

thiod[gumono] [bezto]:
sô skolde ik te thînero duan,

Thou Best of Folk-Rulers.
So I shall do for Thee,

12:973

hwand thu bist allaro kuningo kraftigost."
Krist selƀo gibôd,

Since Thou art the strongest of kings.”
Christ Himself hight him,

12:974

waldand wârlîko,
that he ni sprâki thero wordo than mêr:

The Wielder verily,
that he utter such words no more.

12:975

"wêst thu, that ûs [sô] girîsid", quað he,
"allaro rehto [gihwilik]

“Knowest thou that it is fitting,” quoth He
“that we now fulfill

12:976

te gifulleanne
[forð]wardes nu

Forthwith all that is right,
as is truly His will?”

12:977

an godes willeon".
Johannes stôd,

12:978

dôpte allan dag
druhtfolk mikil,

John stood and dipped
much folk all the day,

12:979

werod an watere
endi [ôk] waldand Krist,

Many world-men in water;
and also All-Wielding Christ,

12:980

[hêran] heƀenkuning
handun sînun

The High King of Heaven,
with his hands he baptized

12:981

an allaro [baðo] them [bezton]
endi im thar te bedu gihnêg

In the best of baths;
and he bent his knee

12:982

an kneo kraftag.
Krist up giwêt

To pray, strong as he was.
And Christ arose,

12:983

fagar fon them flôde,
friðubarn godes,

Fair from the flood,
Peace-Bairn of God,

12:984

liof liudio ward.
Sô he thô that land [afstôp],

The Lord of all Land-Folk.
When He entered the land,

12:985

sô anthlidun thô himiles doru,
endi quam the hêlago gêst

Heavens door did ope,
and from the All-Wielder above

12:986

fon them alowaldon
oƀane te Kriste:

Came the Holy Ghost,
came down to the Christ.

12:987

- was im an gilîknissie
[lungras] fugles,

He came in the likeness
of a lovely bird,

12:988

diurlîkara dûƀun
- endi sat im uppan ûses drohtines [ahslu],

A strong, fair dove, and He sat Him down
upon our sweet Lord’s shoulder,

12:989

[wonoda] im oƀar them waldandes barne.
Aftar quam thar word fon himile,

Hovered over the Wielder’s Bairn.
Then word came from Heaven,

12:990

hlûd fon them [hôhon] radura
[en] grôtta thane hêleand selƀon,

Loud from the high, cloudless vault,
and greeted the Healer Himself,

12:991

[Crista], allaro kuningo bezton,
quað that he ina gikorana habdi

Christ, the Best of All Kings.
Quoth that He Himself had chosen

12:992

selƀo fon sînun rîkea,
quað that im the sunu [lîkodi]

Him from His kingdom.
Quoth that He loved His Son

12:993

bezt allaro giboranaro manno,
quað that he im wâri allaro barno lioƀost.

Best of all born men.
Quoth that He was His all-dearest Bairn.

12:994

That môste Johannes [thô],
al sô it god welde,

As God willed it for him,
John verily saw this

12:995

[gisehan] endi gihôrean.
He gideda it sân aftar thiu

And heard it as well.
Soon after this he did make known

12:996

mannun [mâri],
that sie thar mahtigna

To the children of men
that they had a Mighty Lord,

12:997

hêrron habdun:
["thit] is", quað he, "heƀenkuninges sunu,

“This is,” quoth he,
“the Heaven-King’s Son,

12:998

ên alowaldand:
thesas willeo ik urkundeo

The One All-Wielder.
Of this I will be witness

12:999

wesan an thesaro weroldi,
[hwand] it sagda mi word godes,

Here in the world:
for God’s word did tell it,

12:1000

drohtines stemne,
thô he mi dôpean hêt

The voice of my Lord,
when He hight me dip them,

12:1001

weros an watare,
sô hwar sô ik gisâhi wârlîko

The world-folk in water,
when I truly did see

12:1002

thana [hêlagon] gêst
fan heƀanwange

The Holy Ghost mightily
coming down from Heaven’s meadows,

12:1003

an [thesan] middilgard
ênigan man waron,

Seeking a single Man
in this mid-world here.

12:1004

kuman mid kraftu;
that quað, [that] skoldi Crist wesan,

‘That,’ quoth the voice,
‘that will be Christ,

12:1005

diurlîk drohtines suno.
Hie dôpean skal

The Fair Son of the Lord.
He shall dip the folk

12:1006

an thana hêlagan gêst
endi hêlean managa

In the Holy Ghost
and heal many a man

12:1007

manno mêndâdi.
He haƀad [maht] fon gode,

From his dire misdeeds.’
This power He doth have from Lord God;

12:1008

that he alâtan mag
liudeo gihwilikun

That He can remove
from all mankind

12:1009

saka endi sundea.
Thit is selƀo Krist,

Their blame and their sins.
This is Christ Himself,

12:1010

godes êgan barn,
gumono bezto,

God’s Own Bairn,
the Best of all Men,

12:1011

friðu wið fîundun.
Wala that eu thes mag frâhmôd hugi

Bulwark against the baleful fiend.
Well — ye may be joyous of mind

12:1012

wesan an thesaro weroldi,
thes eu the willeo gistôd,

Here in this world.
As it was your will,

12:1013

that gi sô [libbeanda]
thana landes ward

While still alive,
to see your Land-Ward

12:1014

selƀon gisâhun.
Nu môt [sliumo] sundeono lôs

Himself. Released from its sin,
many a soul,

12:1015

manag gêst faran
an godes willeon

Many a ghost will go
to his God, will be

12:1016

tionon atômid,
the mid trewon wili

Freed from his misdeeds,
which here toileth loyally with friends

12:1017

wið is wini wirkean
endi an waldand Krist

And firmly believeth
in All-Wielding Lord,

12:1018

fasto gilôƀean.
That skal te [frumun] werðen

In Christ Himself.
That will be of great help,

12:1019

gumono sô hwilikun,
sô that gerno dôt".

Of goodly avail to all men,
whosoever gladly so do.”

{ 13 }
Capitulum XIII

13:1020

Sô gefragn ik that [Johannes thô]
gumono gihwilikun,

Then I found this to be:
that to all folk,

13:1021

loƀoda them liudiun
lêra Kristes,

To all peoples, John
praised Christ’s teachings,

13:1022

hêrron sines,
endi heƀenrîki

Those of his Lord,
through which they could win

13:1023

te giwinnanne,
welono thane mêston,

The Kingdom of Heaven,
the holiest of goods,

13:1024

sâlig sinlîf.
Thô he [im] selƀo giwêt

Blessed life eternal.
But He Himself, our Lord so good,

13:1025

[aftar them dôpislea,
drohtin the gôdo],

The Son of the Wielder
went in the wilderness

13:1026

an êna wôstunnea,
waldandes sunu;

After the dipping.
He was there in the desert,

13:1027

was im thar an thero ênôdi
erlo drohtin

Our Lord of Earls,
a long, long while,

13:1028

lange hwîla;
ne habda liudeo than mêr,

Nor had He more folk about Him,
more men in His following.

13:1029

seggeo te gisîðun,
al sô he im selƀo gikôs:

He Himself chose it to be
even so. He wished

13:1030

welda is thar lâtan [koston]
kraftiga wihti,

To be tempted
by the most terrible of demons,

13:1031

selƀon [Satanasan],
the gio an sundea spenit,

Strong Satan Himself,
who drives folk to sin,

13:1032

man an mênwerk:
he konsta is môdseƀon,

Drives men to their misdeeds.
He knew Satan’s mind,

13:1033

wrêðan willeon,
hwô he thesa werold êrist,

The evil will of the varlet,
who once in this world

13:1034

an them anginnea
irminthioda

At its very beginning
betrayed them, the earth-folk,

13:1035

bisuêk mit sundiun,
thô he thiu [sinhîun] twê,

Seduced them with sinfulness,
since he caused those two,

13:1036

[Âdaman] endi Êuan,
thurh untrewa

Partners in wedlock,
Adam and Eve, to become untrue

13:1037

forlêdda [mid] luginun,
that liudo barn

Through deceit — so that
the children of men

13:1038

aftar iro hinferdi
hellea sôhtun,

After their earth-trip
must travel to hell,

13:1039

gumono gêstos.
Thô welda that god mahtig,

The ghosts of all folk.
This God Almighty —

13:1040

waldand wendean
endi welda thesum werode forgeƀen

All-Wielder, He — wanted to change;
He wanted to give to the earth-folk all

13:1041

hôh himilrîki:
bethiu he herod hêlagna bodon,

The high realm of Heaven.
Therefore He sent here a Holy Herald,

13:1042

is sunu [senda].
That was [Satanase]

Sent His Son Himself.
Then Satan was filled

13:1043

[tulgo harm] an is hugi:
afonsta heƀanrîkies

With hate in his heart.
He begrudged Heaven’s kingdom

13:1044

[manno kunnie]:
welda thô mahtigna

To the children of men.
He aimed to cheat Him, the Mighty,

13:1045

mid them selƀon sakun
sunu drohtines,

Cheat the Son of the Lord
with the selfsame tricks

13:1046

[them] he [Âdaman]
an êrdagun

With which he had
once so treacherously

13:1047

darnungo bidrôg,
that he warð is drohtine lêð,

Gulled Adam himself,
so that he grew hateful to God —

13:1048

biswêk ina mid sundiun
- sô welda he thô selƀan dôn

He deceived Him with sin:
the same he minded to do

13:1049

[hêlandean] Krist.
Than habda he is hugi fasto

To All-Healing Christ.
But He kept steadfast His heart

13:1050

wið thana wamskaðon,
waldandes barn,

’Gainst the wicked wight —
the All-Wielder’s Bairn

13:1051

herte sô giherdid:
welda heƀenrîki

Kept hardened His heart.
He wished Heaven’s kingdom

13:1052

liudiun gilêstean.
Was im thes landes ward

Secure for the land-folk.
The Land-Warden lay lonely

13:1053

[an fastunnea]
fiortig nahto,

For forty nights.
He did fast there,

13:1054

manno drohtin,
[sô] he thar [mates] ni [antbêt];

The Master of Mankind.
As long as He partook not of meat,

13:1055

than [langa] ni gidorstun im
dernea wihti,

Then they did not dare,
those devilish wights,

13:1056

nîðhugdig fîund,
nâhor gangan,

The hate-minded fiends,
fare nearer unto His face

13:1057

grôtean ina geginwarðan:
wânde that he [god] ênfald,

Or greet Him. He weened
that that long He was truly as God,

13:1058

forûtar mankunnies wiht
mahtig wâri,

Unmixed with something
of mankind — the Mighty One

13:1059

hêleg himiles ward.
Sô he ina thô gehungrean lêt,

Heaven’s Holy Warder.
As He let Himself hunger,

13:1060

that ina bigan bi thero mennisko
môses lustean

So that He began to want meat
because of his manliness,

13:1061

aftar them fiwartig dagun,
the fîund nâhor geng,

There came closer the Fiend
after the forty days,

13:1062

mirki mênskaðo:
wânda that he man [ênfald]

The murky misdoer.
He weened that surely He was simply a man.

13:1063

wâri wissungo,
sprak im thô mid is wordun tô,

Then he went and spake
unto Him with these words.

13:1064

grôtta ina the gêrfîund:
"ef thu sîs godes sunu", quað he,

The spear-foe did greet Him:
“If Thou art God’s Son,” quoth he,

13:1065

"behwî ni hêtis thu than werðan,
ef thu giwald haƀes,

“Why hast Thou not,
if Thou has the power,

13:1066

allaro barno bezt,
brôd af thesun stênun?

Ordered these stones to be bread,
and, Best of all Bairns,

13:1067

[Gehêli] thînna hungar."
Thô sprak [eft] the hêlago Crist:

Hast not healed Thyself of Thy hunger?”
Then spake again Holy Christ:

13:1068

"ni mugun [eldibarn]", quað he,
"[ênfaldes] brôdes,

“The children of men,” quoth he,
“may not live alone

13:1069

liudi libbien,
ak sie skulun thruh lêra godes

By bread, the earth-folk all,
but they shall be

13:1070

wesan an thesero weroldi
endi skulun thiu werk frummien,

In this world for the teaching of God
and shall do the works

13:1071

thea thar werðad ahlûdid
fon thero hêlogun tungun,

Which have been proclaimed aloud
by the Holy Tongue,

13:1072

fon them galme godes:
that is gumono lîf

The gums, the voice of Lord God:
that is a good man’s life,

13:1073

liudeo sô [hwilikon],
sô that lêstean wili,

For the kinfolk all,
that they accomplish

13:1074

that fon waldandes
worde gebiudid."

What they are bidden
by the world of the Wielder.”

13:1075

Thô bigan eft niuson
endi nâhor geng

The noisome fiend
came nearer then

13:1076

unhiuri fîund
[ôðru] sîðu,

For another time
and slyly tempted

13:1077

fandoda is frôhan.
That friðubarn tholode

And baited his Master.
The Peace-Bairn of God suffered

13:1078

wrêðes willeon
endi [im] giwald forgaf,

The will of the Evil One
and indeed gave him power

13:1079

that he umbi is kraft mikil
koston [môsti],

That he might try himself
against His great might.

13:1080

lêt ina thô lêdean
thana liudskaðon,

He let him lead Him —
the scourge of the land-folk —

13:1081

that he [ina] an Hierusalem
te them godes wîha,

And take Him on to Jerusalem
there to the temple of God:

13:1082

alles oƀanwardan,
[up] gisetta

High over all
on the very highest of houses

13:1083

an allaro hûso hôhost,
endi hoskwordun sprak,

He did set Him up
and spake scorn-words to Him,

13:1084

the gramo thurh gelp mikil:
"ef thu sîs godes sunu", quað he,

The Evil One with such mockery.
“If Thou art the Almighty’s Son,”

13:1085

"skrîd [thi te] erðu hinan.
Geskriƀan was it giu lango,

Quoth he, “glide down to earth.
Long hath it stood

13:1086

an bôkun gewriten,
hwô giboden haƀad

Written in books
that He hath bidden —

13:1087

is engilun
alomahtig fader,

The Almighty Father —
bidden His angels

13:1088

that sie thi at [wege] gehwem
wardos sinðun,

That they be Thy warders
on all of Thy ways,

13:1089

haldad thi undar iro handun.
Hwat, thu hwargin ni tharft

Hold Thee under their hands.
Why then? Thou mayest never

13:1090

mid thînun fôtun
an felis bespurnan,

Stub even Thy foot
on any hard stone.”

13:1091

an hardan stên."
[Thô] sprak eft the hêlago Crist,

Then spake again Holy Christ,
the Best of Bairns:

13:1092

allaro barno bezt:
"sô is ôk an bôkun geskriƀan", quað he,

“So it is also most rightly
written in books,” quoth He,

13:1093

"that thu te hardo ni skalt
hêrran thînes,

“That thou shalt not try Him,
shalt not tempt thy Master,

13:1094

fandon thînes frôhan:
that nis thi allaro frumono [negên]."

Thy Liege Lord ever.
That befits thee not in the least.”

13:1095

Lêt ina thô an thana thriddean sîð
thana thiodskaðon

For a third time then He let
the scourge of the land-folk

13:1096

gibrengen uppan [ênan berg then] hôhon:
thar ina the [balowîso]

Take Him up high on a mountain.
There the treacherous Fiend

13:1097

[lêt] al oƀarsehan
irminthiode,

Let Him look over
all of the land-folk,

13:1098

[wonodsaman] welon
endi weroldrîki

Over winsome goods
and the worldly kingdoms

13:1099

endi all sulik ôdes,
sô thius erða [bihaƀad]

And all such possessions
as the earth surrounds

13:1100

fagororo frumono,
endi sprak im thô the fîund angegin,

For fairer use. And there spake
the fiend once again to Him,

13:1101

quað that he im that al sô gôdlîk
forgeƀen weldi,

Quoth that He would give unto Him
all those goodly things,

13:1102

hôha heridômos,
"ef thu [wilt] hnîgan te mi,

These noble fiefdoms,
“If Thou wilt kneel before me,

13:1103

fallan te mînun fôtun
endi mi [for] frôhan haƀas,

Fall in front of my feet,
confess me Thy lord,

13:1104

bedos te mînun barma.
Than lâtu ik thi brûkan wel

And pray at my lap:
then will I let Thee enjoy

13:1105

alles [thes] ôdwelon,
thes ik thi hebbiu giôgit hîr."

All these possessions,
which I have here placed before Thee.”

13:1106

Thô ni welda thes lêðan word
lengeron hwîle

No longer would He listen
to the loathsome word;

13:1107

hôrean the hêlago Crist,
ak he ina [fon] is huldi fordrêf,

Holy Christ no longer would hear,
but He drove him forth,

13:1108

[Satanasan] forswêp,
endi sân aftar sprak

Away from His favor; swept Satan
away, and then spake:

13:1109

allaro barno [bezt],
quað that man bedon skoldi

The Best of All Bairns
bade that men all should pray

13:1110

[up] te them alomahtigon gode
endi [im ênum thionon]

To Almighty God;
and Him alone

13:1111

swîðo thioliko
thegnos managa,

Should they serve —
the many thanes,

13:1112

heliðos aftar is huldi:
"thar ist thiu helpa gelang

The heroes hoping for grace,
“There help will reach

13:1113

manno gehwilikun."
Thô giwêt im the [mêns]kaðo,

Every man whosoever he be.”
Then the menace of men,

13:1114

swîðo sêragmôd
Satanas thanan,

Satan himself became
saddened of mind;

13:1115

fîund undar [fern]dalu.
Warð thar folk mikil

The devil went down
to the dales of hell.

13:1116

fon them alowaldan
oƀana te Criste

There came much folk from the Almighty
above down to Christ:

13:1117

godes engilo kumen,
thie im sîðor jungardôm,

God’s angels did come
to give unto Him

13:1118

skoldun ambahtskepi
aftar lêstien,

Friendship and following
and to serve Him faithfully, humbly

13:1119

thionon thiolîko:
sô [skal] man thiodgode,

As one should one’s God, one’s Liege,
the King of Heaven Himself, for His grace.

13:1120

hêrron [aftar] huldi,
heƀankuninge.

{ 14 }
Capitulum XIV

14:1121

Was im [an] them sinweldi
sâlig barn godes

For a long while the, God’s Blessed Bairn
dwelt in the wilderness,

14:1122

lange hwîle,
untthat im thô [lioƀora] warð,

Till it seemed to Him better
for the benefit of all

14:1123

that he is kraft mikil
kûðien wolda

That He show His great strength
to the folk. Thus He forsook

14:1124

weroda te willion.
Thô forlêt he waldes hlêo,

The shade of the forest,
the spot in the wood,

14:1125

ênôdies ard
endi sôhte im eft erlo gemang,

And again He did seek
the company of earls,

14:1126

mâri meginthiode
endi manno drôm,

The illustrious thanes
and the throngs of men,

14:1127

geng im thô bi [Jordanes] staðe:
thar ina Johannes antfand,

And He betook Himself to Jordan’s shore.
There John found Him,

14:1128

that friðubarn godes,
frôhan sînan,

The Peace-Bairn of God,
his Master all good,

14:1129

[hêlagana] heƀenkuning,
endi them heliðun sagda,

The Holy Heaven-King.
And he said to the Hero,

14:1130

Johannes is jungurun,
thô he ina gangan gesah:

John, His disciple,
when he saw Him coming:

14:1131

"thit is that lamb godes,
that thar lôsean skal

“That is the Lamb of God,
who shall release the folk

14:1132

af thesaro wîdon werold
wrêða sundea,

In this wide, wide world
from their wicked sins,

14:1133

mankunneas mên,
mâri drohtin,

All men from their misdeeds:
glorious Master,

14:1134

kuningo kraftigost."
Krist im forð giwêt

Most Strong of All Kings!”
Christ then went forth

14:1135

an Galileo land,
godes êgan barn,

To Galilee-land,
God’s Own Bairn

14:1136

fôr im te them friundun,
thar he afôdit was,

Fared to His Friends,
where fair He was born

14:1137

tîrlîko atogan,
endi talda mid wordun

And most rightly reared;
and relatd with words,

14:1138

Krist undar is kunnie,
kuningo rîkeost,

Christ ’mongst His kinfolk,
the Richest of Kings,

14:1139

hwô sie skoldin iro selƀoro
sundea bôtean,

How they themselves should
atone for their sins;

14:1140

hêt that sie im iro harmwerk manag
hrewan lêtin,

Hight them to rue
their harmful works many,

14:1141

[feldin] iro firindâdi:
"nu is it all [gefullot] sô,

To let fall their false deeds:
“Now ’tis fulfilled,

14:1142

sô hîr alde man
êr hwanna sprâkun,

As the old men have said,
as the sages did speak,

14:1143

gehêtun eu te helpu
[heƀenrîki]:

Promised help unto you
from the Heavenly Kingdom.

14:1144

nu is it [giu] ginâhid thurh thes neriandan kraft:
thes môtun gi neotan forð,

Now it is near through the Savior’s strength.
And ye shall rejoice therein,

14:1145

sô hwe sô gerno wili
gode theonogean,

Each of you will gladly
give service to God

14:1146

wirkean aftar is willeon."
Thô warð thes werodes [filu],

And will work His will.”
There arose joy ’mid the world-folk,

14:1147

thero liudeo an lustun:
wurðun im thea lêra Cristes,

’Mid the gathered crowd.
Christ’s teachings became sweet

14:1148

sô suôtea them gisîðea.
He bigan im samnon thô

To the followers all. He began
to gather together

14:1149

[gumono] te jungoron,
gôdoro manno,

Youths for disciples,
young men and good,

14:1150

wordspâha weros.
Geng im thô bi ênes watares staðe,

Word-wise warriors.
He went to the shores of a water,

14:1151

that [thar] habda Jordan
aneƀan Galileo land

There where the Jordan
had spread to a sea

14:1152

ênna sê gewarhtan.
Thar he sittean fand

On the border of Galilee-land.
There He saw sitting

14:1153

Andreas endi Petrus
bi them ahastrôme,

Andrew and Peter, found the two
by the flowing water.

14:1154

bêðea thea gebrôðar,
thar sie an brêd watar

The brothers both
down by the broad stream

14:1155

swîðo [niudlîko]
netti thenidun,

Were very neatly
throwing their nets,

14:1156

fiskodun im an them flôde.
Thar sie that friðubarn godes

Fishing in the flood.
There first the Peace Bairn of God

14:1157

bi thes sêes staðe
selƀo [grôtta],

Himself did greet them
on the shores of the sea.

14:1158

hêt that sie im folgodin,
quað that he [im] sô filu woldi

Hight that they follow Him,
quoth that He would give them

14:1159

godes rîkeas forgeƀen;
"[al] sô git hîr an [Jordanes] strôme

Much of God’s kingdom.
“As ye here catch fish,

14:1160

fiskos [fâhat],
sô skulun git noh firiho barn

So shall ye both with the force of your hands
fetch the children of men,

14:1161

halon te inkun handun,
that sie an heƀenrîki

So that they may enter
the Kingdom of Heaven,

14:1162

thurh inka lêra
lîðan môtin,

14:1163

faran folk manag."
Thô warð frômôd hugi

People aplenty through your message and word.”
Much pleased of spirit were they,

14:1164

[bêðiun] them gibrôðrun:
antkendun that barn godes,

Both of the brothers.
They perceived God’s Bairn,

14:1165

lioƀan hêrron:
forlêtun al [saman]

Their beloved Lord.
They left all things,

14:1166

Andreas endi Petrus,
sô hwat sô sie bi theru ahu habdun,

Andrew and Peter,
whatever they owned by the flood,

14:1167

[gewunstes] bi them watare:
was im willeo mikil,

Had won by the water.
Truly the will was great in them

14:1168

that sie mid them godes barne
gangan môstin,

To go along
with the Bairn of God,

14:1169

samad an is gisîðea,
skoldun sâliglîko

To be in His retinue
and to reap blessed reward.

14:1170

lôn antfâhan:
sô dôt liudeo so hwilik,

So do all folk
who would earn their Lord’s favor

14:1171

sô thes hêrran wili
[huldi] githionon,

14:1172

gewirkean is willeon.
Thô sie bi thes watares staðe

And would work His will.
As they went along

14:1173

furðor quâmun,
thô fundun sie [thar] ênna frôdan man

The shores of the water,
they met a sage

14:1174

sittean bi them sêwa
endi is suni twêne,

Sitting by the sea
and his sons twain,

14:1175

Jakobus endi Johannes:
wârun im junga man.

Jacob and John,
young men on the Jordan.

14:1176

Sâtun im thâ gesunfader
an ênumu sande uppen,

Sons and father,
they sat on the sands;

14:1177

brugdun endi bôttun
[bêðium] handun

Neatly they knotted
and mended their nets

14:1178

thiu netti niudlîko,
thea sie habdun nahtes êr

With both their hands, the nets
which the night before

14:1179

forsliten an them sêwa.
Thar sprak im selƀo tô

They had slit in the sea.
Then He spake unto them;

14:1180

sâlig barn godes,
hêt that sie an thana sîð mid im,

God’s Blessed Bairn bade them
be on their way now with Him.

14:1181

[Jakobus] endi Johannes,
gengin bêðie,

Jacob and John,
they both did go,

14:1182

kindjunge man.
[Thô] wârun im Kristes word

The child-young men.
Christ’s word was for them

14:1183

sô [wirðig] an thesaro weroldi,
that sie bi thes watares staðe

So worthy here in this world,
that on the shores of the water

14:1184

iro aldan fader
ênna forlêtun,

They forsook their father
alone by the flood,

14:1185

frôdan bi them flôde,
endi al that sie thar fehas êhtun,

The ancient alone,
and all that they owned,

14:1186

nettiu endi [neglitskipu],
[gekurun im] thana neriandan Krist,

Their nets and their well nailed ships.
They chose All-Nurturing Christ,

14:1187

hêlagna te hêrron,
was im [is helpono] tharf

Holy Savior and Lord.
To earn His help

14:1188

[te githiononne:
sô is allaro thegno gehwem,]

Was the need they felt.
So feel all thanes,

14:1189

wero an thesero weroldi.
Thô giwêt im the waldandes sunu

All warriors here in this world.
Then the All-Wielder’s Son

14:1190

mid them fiwariun forð,
endi im thô thana fîfton gikôs

Went forth with the four.
And He chose the fifth;

14:1191

Krist an ênero kôpstedi,
kuninges jungoron,

Christ picked at a market place
a king’s young vassal,

14:1192

môdspâhana man:
Mattheus was he hêtan,

A wise-minded man:
Matthew was he hight.

14:1193

was im ambahteo
eðilero manno,

A thane was he
to an aethling born.

14:1194

skolda thar te is hêrron
handun antfâhan

There he was to take
with this hands tithe and toll

14:1195

tins endi [tolna];
trewa habda he gôda,

For his lord;
loyal he was to his task,

14:1196

âðalandbâri:
forlêt al [saman]

Noble his looks and his bearing.
But he left them all —

14:1197

gold endi siluƀar
endi geƀa managa,

Gold and silver
and gifts so many,

14:1198

diurie mêðmos,
endi warð im ûses drohtines man;

Treasures most dear —
and became our Lord’s man.

14:1199

kôs im the kuninges [thegn]
Crist te hêrran,

The king’s thane chose
Christ for his Lord,

14:1200

[milderan mêðom]geƀon,
than êr is [mandrohtin]

A more generous Gift-Giver
than ever his master

14:1201

[wâri] an thesero weroldi:
feng im wôðera thing,

Had been in this world.
He received a worthier thing,

14:1202

langsamoron râd.
Thô warð it allun them liudiun kûð,

Longer lasting gains.
It became known to the land-folk,

14:1203

fon allaro burgo gihwem,
hwô that barn godes

To each in his bastion,
that the Bairn of God

14:1204

samnode gesîðos
endi selƀo gesprak

Was gathering disciples,
and He Himself spake

14:1205

sô manag wîslîk word
endi wâres sô filu,

So many a wise word
and such words of truth,

14:1206

torhtes gitôgde
endi têkan manag

That shining wonders
He did show them and tokens

14:1207

gewarhte an thesero weroldi.
Was that an is wordun skîn

Did work in this world.
Through His works

14:1208

jak an is dâdiun sô same,
that he drohtin was,

It was visible, through His deeds as well,
that he was the Master,

14:1209

himilisk hêrro
endi te helpu quam

The Heavenly Lord
who had come to help

14:1210

an thesan middilgard
manno barnun,

The children of men
in this mid-world here —

14:1211

liudiun te thesun liohta.

The land-folk toward light.

{ 15 }
Capitulum XV

15:1211

Oft gededa he that an them lande skîn,

To the land He oft made this clear;

15:1212

than he thar [torhtlîko
sô manag] têkan giwarhte,

For He worked there
so many a wonderous token,

15:1213

thar he hêlde mid is handun
halte endi [blinde],

As He healed with His hands
the halt and the blind,

15:1214

lôsde af theru lêfhêdi
liudi manage,

Relieved many land-folk
from loathsome ills,

15:1215

af sulikun suhtiun,
sô than allaro swâroston

From such sickness
as at that time Fiend Satan

15:1216

an firiho [barn]
fîund biwurpun,

Had thrown on the children of men —
the hardest of all,

15:1217

tulgo langsam legar.
Thô fôrun thar thie liudi tô

Long lasting illness.
The land-folk came there

15:1218

allaro dago [gehwilikes],
thar ûsa drohtin was

Day after day,
where our Dear Lord was

15:1219

selƀo undar them gisîðie,
untthat thar gesamnod warð

Himself with His faithful,
until many folk

15:1220

meginfolk mikil
managero thiodo,

Were gathered together,
a very great crowd

15:1221

thoh sie thar [alle be gelîkumu
gelôƀon ni quâmin.]

Of land-folk, though they were not
all come with a like belief,

15:1222

weros thurh ênan willeon:
sume sôhtun sie that waldandes barn,

World-men all with one will:
some sought the All-Wielder’s Bairn —

15:1223

armoro manno filu
- was [im] âtes tharf -,

Poor men were they
and in want of food —

15:1224

that sie im thar [at] theru menigi
[mates] endi drankes,

So that they might beg Him
amid the multitude

15:1225

[thigidin at] theru thiodu;
hwand thar was manag thegan sô gôd,

For meat and for drink, amid the crowd;
for there was many

15:1226

thie ira alamosnie
armun mannun

A goodly thane
who gladly did give

15:1227

gerno gâƀun.
Sume wârun sie im eft Judeono kunnies,

Of his alms to the poor.
And again there were some,

15:1228

fêgni folkskepi:
wârun [thar gefarana] te thiu,

Clans of the Jews, sly folk were they.
They were come to this place,

15:1229

that sie ûses drohtines
dâdio endi wordo

So that they might discover
our Master’s deeds

15:1230

fâron [woldun],
habdun im [fêgnien] hugi,

And His words as well.
Stealthy of mind were they,

15:1231

wrêðen willion:
woldun waldand Crist

Wrathful of will. They wanted
to make All-Wielding Christ

15:1232

alêdien them liudiun,
that sie is lêron ni hôrdin,

Loathed by all land-folk.
Thus would they not list

15:1233

ne [wendin] aftar is willion.
Suma wârun sie im eft sô wîse man,

To His teachings nor turn to His will.
Some others were sages,

15:1234

wârun [im] glauwe gumon
endi gode werðe,

Wise men indeed
and worthy of God:

15:1235

alesane undar them liudiun,
quâmun im [tharod] be them lêron Cristes,

Among the people the pious.
They were come for the preaching of Christ,

15:1236

that sie is hêlag word
[hôrien] môstin,

So that they might hear
the Holy Word

15:1237

lînon endi lêstien:
habdun mid iro gelôƀon te im

And learn and listen.
Their belief they had firmly established —

15:1238

fasto [gefangen],
habdun im ferhten hugi,

They had pious hearts;
and straightway they became his thanes,

15:1239

wurðun is thegnos te thiu,
that he sie an thiodwelon

15:1240

aftar iro êndagon
up gebrâhti,

So that on the day of their death
He would take them to the dearest of goods —

15:1241

an godes [rîki].
He sô gerno antfeng

The Kingdom of Heaven.
Christ gladly received

15:1242

mankunnies manag
endi mundburd gihêt

So many of mankind and granted unto them
His merciful rule

15:1243

te langaru hwîlu,
[endi] mahta sô gilêstien wel.

For a long, long time —
for that so well He could do.

15:1244

Thô warð thar megin sô mikil
umbi thana mârion Crist,

There was a great crowd
gathered round glorious Christ:

15:1245

liudio gesamnod:
thô [gisah he] fon allun landun kuman,

So much of the folk was assembled.
He saw them come from all lands,

15:1246

fon allun wîdun wegun
werod tesamne

From all the wide ways,
the world-men together,

15:1247

[lungro] liudio:
is lof was sô wîdo

Fine folk and strong.
His fame was spread far

15:1248

managun gemârid.
Thô giwêt im mahtig self

To many a man.
Then the Mighty Christ

15:1249

an ênna berg uppan,
barno rîkiost,

Went up on a mountain,
the Mightiest of Bairns;

15:1250

sundar gesittien,
endi im selƀo gekôs

And He sat aside from the rest.
There He chose for Himself

15:1251

tweliƀi getalda,
trewafta man,

Twelve specially picked,
men true and loyal —

15:1252

gôdoro gumono,
thea he im te jungoron forð

Good folk whom He wished
with Him as His vassals,

15:1253

allaro dago gehwilikes,
drohtin welda

Disciples of Him,
their Master, each day.

15:1254

an is gesîðskepea
simblon hebbean.

15:1255

Nemnida sie thô bi naman
endi hêt sie [im thô] nâhor gangan,

He called them by name
and bade them come nearer:

15:1256

Andreas endi Petrus
êrist sâna,

First surely Andrew
and Peter also,

15:1257

gebrôðar twêne,
endi bêðie mid im,

The brothers twain,
and these two with them,

15:1258

Jakobus endi Johannes:
sie wârun gode [werðe];

Jacob and John —
they were worthy of God.

15:1259

mildi was he [im] an is môde;
sie wârun ênes mannes suni

Mildly inclined was His mind unto them.
They were one man’s sons

15:1260

bêðie bi geburdiun;
sie [kôs] that barn godes

Both through their birth.
The Bairn of God chose them,

15:1261

gôde te jungoron
endi gumono filu,

These fair ones, as followers;
and much folk, too,

15:1262

mâriero manno:
Mattheus endi Thomas,

Most famous men;
Matthew and Thomas,

15:1263

Judasas twêna
endi Jakob ôðran,

The Judases twain
and the other Jacob;

15:1264

is selƀes swiri:
sie wârun fon [gisustruonion] twêm

He was a cousin of His —
they were come from two sisters,

15:1265

knôsles kumana,
Krist endi Jakob,

Come from the same clan,
Christ and Jacob, very good kin.

15:1266

gôde gadulingos.
Thô habda thero gumono thar

15:1267

the neriendo Krist
niguni getalde,

Now All-Healing Christ
counted nine of His men,

15:1268

trewafte man:
thô hêt he ôk thana tehandon gangan

Loyal hearted thanes they.
Then He hight the tenth also come

15:1269

[selƀo] mid them gisîðun:
Sîmon was he hêtan;

And join His disciples:
Simon was he called.

15:1270

hêt ôk Bartholomeus
an thana berg uppan

And He called Bartholemew, too,
to fare up the mountain

15:1271

faran [fan] them folke âðrum
endi Philippus mid im,

Away from the folk.
And Philip was with them.

15:1272

trewafte man.
Thô gengun sie tweliƀi samad,

True hearted men were they all.
The twelve went together,

15:1273

rinkos te theru rûnu,
thar [the] râdand sat,

The fighters all to the confab,
there where the Councillor sat;

15:1274

managoro mundboro,
the allumu mankunnie

The Protector of Many
made known unto them

15:1275

wið hellie gethwing
helpan welde,

How He planned to help mankind
’gainst the pangs of hell,

15:1276

formon wið them ferne,
sô hwem sô frummien wili

’Gainst the infernal flame —
help those who would follow

15:1277

sô lioƀlîka lêra,
sô he them liudiun thar

The fair, sweet message,
as He sought to reveal it

15:1278

thurh is giwit mikil
[wîsean] hogda.

There in His wisdom
to the world-folk many.

{ 16 }
Capitulum XVI

16:1279

Thô umbi thana [neriendon] Krist
nâhor gengun

Then they stepped nearer
to All-Saving Christ,

16:1280

sulike gesîðos,
sô he im selƀo gekôs,

Such disciples,
as He had chosen Himself,

16:1281

waldand undar them werode.
Stôdun wîsa man,

The Wielder amid His vassals there.
And the wise men

16:1282

gumon umbi thana godes sunu
gerno swîðo,

The heroes, stood all gladly
about God’s Son,

16:1283

weros an willeon:
was im thero wordo [niud],

The war-men most willingly;
they awaited His word,

16:1284

thâhtun endi thagodun,
hwat im [thero] thiodo drohtin,

Thought and were silent, longing to hear
what the Lord of the Land-folk,

16:1285

weldi waldand self
wordun kûðien

The Wielder Himself,
would make known with His words

16:1286

thesum liudiun te [lioƀe].
Than sat im the landes hirdi

For love of the land-folk.
There sat the Shepherd of Lands

16:1287

geginward for them gumun,
godes êgan barn:

Across from His good men,
God’s Own Bairn.

16:1288

[welda] mid is sprâkun
spâhword manag

With His talk ’twas His will
to teach them — the people —

16:1289

lêrean thea liudi,
[hwô] sie lof gode

Wise words aplenty:
how in the realms of this world

16:1290

an thesum weroldrîkea
wirkean skoldin.

They could best bring about
bounteous praise of our Lord.

16:1291

Sat im thô endi swîgoda
endi sah sie an lango,

He sat there, was silent —
our Holy Savior —

16:1292

was im hold an is hugi
hêlag drohtin,

And looked at them long.
Our Lord was gracious of spirit,

16:1293

mildi an is môde,
endi thô [is mund] antlôk,

Mild was His mood;
and as He unlocked His mouth,

16:1294

wîsde [mid] wordun
waldandes sunu

The All-Wielder’s Son
did show them with words

16:1295

manag mârlîk thing
endi them [mannum sagde]

Many a marvelous thing;
and to the men He said

16:1296

spâhun wordun,
them the he te theru sprâku [tharod],

Such wise words — to them, whom
He, All-Wielding Christ

16:1297

Krist alowaldo,
gekoran habda,

Had chosen here for this speech;
those of the children of earth

16:1298

hwilike wârin allaro
irminmanno

Who were worthiest of God,
men of good clan.

16:1299

gode werðoston
gumono kunnies;

He spake to them soothly;
and said those were blessed,

16:1300

sagde im thô te [sôðan],
quað that thie sâliga wârin,

The men on the mid-earth,
who in their minds,

16:1301

man an thesoro middil[gardun],
thie hêr an iro [môde] wârin

Their hearts, were poor for humility’s sake.
“For to them is given

16:1302

arme thurh [ôdmôdi]:
"them is that [êwana] rîki,

The Eternal Kingdom, the holiest
of Heaven’s meadows,

16:1303

swîðo hêlaglîk
an heƀanwange

Life without end.”
And He also told them,

16:1304

sinlîf fargeƀen."
Quað that ôk sâlige wârin

16:1305

mâðmundie man:
"thie môtun thie mârion erðe,

That blessed were, too, the gentle and mild.
“They may inherit this glorious earth,

16:1306

[ofsittien] that selƀe rîki."
Quað [that] ôk sâlige wârin,

The very same kingdom.”
Quoth that those, too, were blessed

16:1307

thie hîr [wiopin] iro wammun dâdi;
"thie môtun eft willion gebîdan,

Who bemoan here their misdeeds.
“Await joy they may,

16:1308

frôfre [an iro frâhon rîkia].
Sâlige sind ôk, the sie hîr frumono [gilustid],

Consolation perfect
in their Master’s kingdom.

16:1309

rinkos, that [sie] rehto adômien.
Thes môtun sie werðan an them rîkia drohtines

Blessed be those who have done good,
heroes who justly have judged:

16:1310

gifullit thurh iro ferhton dâdi:
sulîkoro môtun sie frumono [biknêgan]

For their piety they will
be plenteously filled

16:1311

thie rinkos, thie hîr rehto [adômiad],
ne williad an [rûnun] beswîkan

In the kingdom of God:
such good things will greet them,

16:1312

man, thar sie [at] mahle [sittiad].
Sâlige sind ôk them hîr mildi wirðit

These world-men who have judged
well and justly Nor will they be cheated

In secret, when they sit at the confab.
Blessed be also such men

16:1313

hugi an heliðo briostun:
them wirðit the hêlego drohtin,

Whose hearts are mild in their heroes’ breasts.
For them will the Holy Lord,

16:1314

mildi mahtig selƀo.
Sâlige sind ôk undar thesaro managon thiodu,

The Mighty, be mild.
Blessed those ’mid the folk

16:1315

[thie] hebbiad iro herta [gihrênod]:
thie môtun thane heƀenes waldand

Who have cleansed their hearts:
They will see the Heaven-Wielder

16:1316

sehan an sînum rîkea."
Quað [that ôk] sâlige wârin,

In His own kingdom.”
Quoth that they, too, were blessed

16:1317

"thie [the friðusamo] undar thesumu [folke libbiod]
endi ni williad êniga fehta gewirken,

Who live in peace ’mid the folk.
“Have started no feud, no affair,

16:1318

saka mid iro selƀoro [dâdiun]:
thie môtun wesan suni drohtines [genemnide],

With their doing. Sons of the Lord
indeed they’ll be called.

16:1319

hwande he im [wil] genâdig werðen;
[thes] môtun sie niotan lango

For He Himself will be gracious to them,
Most gladly will they

16:1320

selƀon [thes] sînes rîkies."
Quað that ôk sâlige wârin

Long enjoy the Lord’s kingdom.”
Quoth that they, too, were blessed,

16:1321

thie rinkos, the rehto weldin,
"endi thurh that tholod rîkioro manno

Those war-men who ever will right,
“and through this willingly suffer

16:1322

heti endi harmquidi:
them is ôk an himile [eft]

The harm and hatred of richer men.
To them is the Meadow

16:1323

[godes] wang forgeƀen
endi gêstlîk lîf

Of God’s Heaven then given,
and the spirit’s good life

16:1324

aftar te êwandage,
sô [is] io endi ni kumit,

Forever, for all days,
and the end never cometh

16:1325

[welan wunsames]."
Sô habde thô waldand Crist

Of the winsome possessions.”
So All-Wielding Christ

16:1326

for them erlon thar
ahto getalda

Had told the earls ’round about Him
of eight blessed states;

16:1327

sâlda gesagda;
mid them skal simbla gihwe

16:1328

himilrîk gehalon,
ef he it hebbien wili,

Through these shall each one straightway
find Heaven, if that be his wish;

16:1329

[ettho] he skal te êwandaga
aftar tharƀon

Or he shall be deprived
of joy and possession

16:1330

welon endi willion,
sîðor he these werold agiƀid,

For eternal times,
as soon as he exits this world,

16:1331

erðlîƀigiskapu,
endi sôkit im ôðar lioht

Life’s fate on this earth,
and seeketh another light,

16:1332

sô liof sô lêð,
sô he mid thesun liudiun hêr

Either a fair one or a foul —
even as he hath lived ’mid the folk,

16:1333

giwerkod an thesoro weroldi,
al sô it thar thô mid is wordun sagde

Worked with them here in the world.
Thus He spake with His words.

16:1334

Crist alowaldo,
kuningo rîkiost

All-Wielding Christ,
the Richest of Kings,

16:1335

godes êgen barn
jungorun sînun:

The Own Bairn of God
did say to His disciples;

16:1336

"Ge werðat ôk [sô] sâlige", quað he,
"thes iu saka [biodat]

“Ye shall also become blessed,”
quoth He, “because the people,

16:1337

liudi aftar theson lande
endi lêð [sprekat],

The folk of the land
will fight you, speak evil of you all,

16:1338

hebbiad iu te [hoska]
endi harmes filu

Hold you up to scorn
and harm you muchly

16:1339

gewirkiad an thesoro weroldi
endi wîti gefrummiad,

Here in this world;
and working worse wrong,

16:1340

felgiad iu firinsprâka
endi fîundskepi,

Condemn you with sinful speech
and so much of hatred;

16:1341

[lâgniad] iuwa lêra,
dôt iu lêðes [filu],

Denying your teachings
and doing loathsome deeds,

16:1342

harmes thurh [iuwen] hêrron.
Thes lâtad gi ewan hugi [simbla],

Harm for your Lord’s sake.
But let ye your hearts still be happy,

16:1343

lîf an lustun,
hwand iu that lôn stendit

Your lives ever, too, since reward
standeth ready for you

16:1344

an godes rîkia garu,
gôdo gehwilikes,

In the kingdom of God;
and every good, also,

16:1345

mikil endi managfald:
that is iu te mêdu fargeƀen,

Great and manifold:
that is given unto you as a gift,

16:1346

hwand gi hêr êr biforan
arƀid tholodun,

A treasure, since here first
ye have toiled, have endured

16:1347

wîti an thesoro weroldi.
Wirs is them ôðrun,

Pain in ths world.
It is worse for those others:

16:1348

[giƀiðig] grimmora thing,
them the hêr gôd êgun,

Grimmer judgment awaits them
who have goods here on earth,

16:1349

[wîdan] woroldwelon:
thie forslîtat iro wunnia hêr;

Wide worldly treasure.
They waste here their pleasure,

16:1350

geniudot sie genôges,
skulun eft narowaro thing

Enjoy them enough.
These men shall suffer

16:1351

aftar iro hinferdi
heliðos [tholoian].

A harrowing judgment
after their journey.

16:1352

Than [wuôpian] thar wanskefti,
thie hêr êr an wunnion [sîn],

They shall bemoan their misery,
who are now so merry

16:1353

libbiad an [allon] lustun,
ne williad thes farlâtan wiht,

And living in lust,
nor let go willingly

16:1354

mênigithâhtio,
thes sie an iro môd spenit,

Their sinful thoughts,
which tempt their spirits,

16:1355

lêðoro gilêstio.
Than im that lôn kumid,

Their loathsome wrongs.
For them shall come as reward

16:1356

uƀil arƀetsam,
than sie is thane endi skulun

An evil most painful. These people
will see sadly their plight,

16:1357

sorgondi gesehan.
Than wirðid im sêr hugi,

Face troubled their end.
All sore shall their spirits be,

16:1358

thes sie thesero weroldes sô filu
willean fulgengun,

For too much in this world
they followed their will,

16:1359

man an iro môdseƀon.
Nu skulun gi im that mên lahan,

These men, as they were minded, indeed.
Now for their misdeeds ye shall

16:1360

werean mid wordun,
al sô ik giu nu gewîsean mag,

Reproach them, rise against them with words,
as I now shall reveal unto you

16:1361

seggean sôðlîko,
gesîðos mîne,

And most soothly say,
O ye, My disciples,

16:1362

wârun wordun,
that gi thesoro weroldes nu [forð]

With words of truth:
that of this world

16:1363

[skulun salt wesan,
sundigero manno],

Ye shall henceforth be the salt
of sinful mankind,

16:1364

[bôtian] iro baludâdi,
that sie [an] betara thing,

Absolve them from bad deeds,
so that to a better thing

16:1365

folk farfâhan
endi [forlâtan] fîundes giwerk,

They may turn the land-folk:
to forsaking the Fiend’s work,

16:1366

[diuƀales] gedâdi,
endi sôkean iro drohtines rîki.

The deeds of the devil;
and to seeking their dear Lord’s realm.

16:1367

Sô skulun gi mid iuwon lêrun
liudfolk manag

So with your lessons
ye shall turn the land-folk

16:1368

wendean aftar mînon willeon.
Ef iuwar than awirðid hwilik,

To My will. However,
if any of you fade away,

16:1369

farlâtid thea lêra,
thea he lêstean skal,

Turn aside from the teachings
which are entrusted to you,

16:1370

than is im sô them salte,
[the] man bi sêes staðe

Then ye are like unto salt
which is scattered

16:1371

wîdo tewirpit:
than it te wihti ni dôg,

Wide on the seashore;
then it is of worth to none,

16:1372

ak it firiho barn
fôtun spurnat,

And the bairns of the land-folk
will walk on it with their feet,

16:1373

gumon an greote.
Sô wirðid them, the that godes word [skal]

Men grind it in grit.
All who are to proclaim it, God’s Word,

16:1374

mannum mârean:
ef he im than lâtid is môd twehon,

Will thus suffer:
if he permitteth his spirit to doubt,

16:1375

[that hi ne willea mid hluttro hugi
te] heƀenrîkea

If he is not bent to spur
men to the blithe realm of Heaven,

16:1376

spanen mid is sprâku
endi seggean spel godes,

16:1377

ak wenkid thero wordo,
than wirðid im waldand gram,

But wavereth in his word —
then the Wielder groweth grim,

16:1378

mahtig môdag,
endi sô samo manno barn;

The Almighty is enraged,
and the children of men, also.

16:1379

wirðid allun [than]
irminthiodun,

To the bairns of the earth
he will become hated,

16:1380

liudiun alêðid,
ef [is] lêra ni [dugun]."

To all the land-folk,
if his lesson be not of worth.”

{ 17 }
Capitulum XVII

17:1381

So sprak he [thô] spâhlîko
endi sagda spel godes,

So spake He wisely
and said God’s spell.

17:1382

lêrde the landes ward
liudi sîne

The Land-Warder taught them, His people
with pureness of mind.

17:1383

mid hluttru hugi.
Heliðos stôdun,

17:1384

gumon umbi thana godes sunu
gerno swîðo,

The heroes stood gladly
’round the Son of God,

17:1385

weros an willeon:
was im thero wordo [niud],

World-men to His will.
They longed for His words;

17:1386

thâhtun endi thagodun,
gihôrdun [thero] thiodo drohtin

They thought and were silent.
They heard Him say it —

17:1387

seggean êu godes
eldibarnun;

The Lord of the Land-folk
give God’s law to the children of men:

17:1388

gihêt im heƀenrîki
endi te them heliðun sprak:

He promised the Heaven
and thus spake to the heroes:

17:1389

"ôk mag ik iu seggean,
gesîðos mîna,

“This, too, I may tell you,
My disciples, most truly

17:1390

wârun wordun,
that gi thesoro weroldes nu forð

With soothy words:
that ye henceforth shall be

17:1391

skulun lioht wesan
liudio barnun,

The light in this world
to the bairns of the landsmen,

17:1392

fagar mid firihun
oƀar folk manag,

Friend to all people
and over much folk,

17:1393

wlitig endi wunsam:
ni mugun iuwa werk mikil

Shining and winsome:
nor may your great works

17:1394

biholan werðan,
mid hwiliko gi sea hugi kûðeat:

Remain hidden, nor yet
with what hearts ye proclaim them —

17:1395

than mêr the thiu burg ni mag,
thiu an berge stâð,

No more than a castle
can remain ever concealed

17:1396

[hôh holmkliƀu],
biholen werðen,

Which standeth on a mountain
or steep on a cliff,

17:1397

wrisilîk giwerk,
ni mugun iuwa word than mêr

A giant-made work.
No more can your words

17:1398

an thesoro middilgard
mannum werðen,

In this mid-world, your deeds be hidden to men.
Do as I teach you:

17:1399

iuwa dâdi bidernit.
Dôt, sô ik iu lêriu:

17:1400

lâtad iuwa lioht mikil
liudiun skînan,

Let your light shine forth
large to the land-folk,

17:1401

manno barnun,
that sie farstandan iuwan môdseƀon,

To the bairns of men,
that they may know your minds and your souls,

17:1402

iuwa werk endi iuwan willeon,
endi thes waldand god

Your words and your will,
and thus praise All-Wielding God,

17:1403

mit hluttro hugi,
himiliskan fader,

Their Father in Heaven,
With pureness of heart;

17:1404

loƀon an [thesumu] liohte,
thes he iu sulika lêra fargaf.

Here in this light praise Him
who gave this lesson to you.

17:1405

Ni skal neoman lioht, the it haƀad,
liudiun dernean,

Let him who hath light
leave it not hidden from the land-folk,

17:1406

te hardo [behwelƀean],
ak he it hôho skal

Nor cover it heavily;
rather high in his great hall

17:1407

an seli settean,
that thea gesehan mugin

He shall set it up,
so that all within shall have sight thereof,

17:1408

alla [geliko],
thea thar inna sind,

17:1409

heliðos an hallu.
Than [hald] ni skulun gi iuwa hêlag word

The heroes in the great hall.
Even so may yet not hide

17:1410

an thesumu landskepa
liudiun dernien,

The Holy Word from the folk
here in this land,

17:1411

heliðkunnie farhelan,
ak ge it hôho skulun

Keeping it from man’s kind;
but the commandment of God

17:1412

brêdean, that gibod godes,
that it allaro barno gehwilik,

Ye shall spread abroad
so that all the bairns

17:1413

oƀar [al] thit landskepi
liudi farstandan

Over this large landscape,
the folk shall indeed understand.

17:1414

endi sô gefrummien,
sô it an forndagun

And so do ye
that which in former days

17:1415

tulgo wîse man
wordun gesprâkun,

The wisest men
did speak with their words,

17:1416

than sie thana aldan êo
erlos heldun,

When they then, the earls,
did follow the old law,

17:1417

endi ôk suliku swîðor,
sô ik iu nu seggean mag,

And for this reason as well,
as I now say unto you:

17:1418

alloro gumono gehwilik
gode thionoian,

That all men may serve God
as the only law doth bid them.

17:1419

[than] it thar an them aldom
êwa gebeode.

Never ween for one instant
that I come to this world

17:1420

Ni wâniat gi thes mit wihtiu,
that ik bi thiu an thesa werold quâmi,

To lay low and destroy
the old law

17:1421

that ik thana aldan êu
irrien willie,

17:1422

fellean [undar] thesumu folke
eftho thero forasagono

Among the people, or to contradict
the word of the prophets,

17:1423

word wiðarwerpen,
thea hêr sô giwârea man

Who, as men of truth,
gave clear commandments

17:1424

[barlîko] gebudun.
Êr skal bêðiu tefaran,

In days of yore.
Sooner shall both fall apart,

17:1425

himil endi erðe,
thiu nu bihlidan standat,

Heaven and earth,
which are held bound together,

17:1426

êr than thero wordo
wiht [bilîƀa]

Before any word
which verily the wise men

17:1427

[unlêstid] an thesumu liohte,
thea sie thesum liudiun hêr

Commanded the folk
remaineth one whit unfulfilled

17:1428

[wârlîko] gebudun.
Ni quam ik an thesa werold te thiu,

Here in this light.
I came not to World

17:1429

that ik feldi thero forasagono word,
ak ik siu fullien skal,

That I should fell it, the prophets’ word,
but to fulfill it rather —

17:1430

[ôkion] endi nîgean
eldibarnum,

To enlarge it and make it anew
for the aethling bairns,

17:1431

thesumu folke te frumu.
That was forn geskriƀan

For the good of this folk.
That was formerly written

17:1432

an them aldon êo
- [ge hôrdun] it oft sprekan

In the old law:
ye have oft heard it spoken

17:1433

[wordwîse] man -:
sô hwe sô that an thesoro weroldi gidôt,

By word-wise men:
whosoever doth act thus here in this world,

17:1434

that he âðrana
aldru bineote,

That he berefts another
of his old years,

17:1435

lîƀu bilôsie,
them skulun liudio barn

Whosoever cheats him of life:
to him shall the children of men

17:1436

dôd adêlean.
Than willeo ik [it] iu diopor nu,

Deal out death; and now
I shall tell you more deeply,

17:1437

furður bifâhan:
sô hwe sô ina thurh fîundskepi,

Shall discuss it still further:
whosoever shall foster hatred,

17:1438

man wiðar ôðrana
an is môdseƀon

One man ’gainst another,
deep in his mind —

17:1439

[bilgit] an is breostun
- hwand sie alle gebrôðar sint,

Who beareth a grudge in his breast,
though they be all brothers,

17:1440

sâlig folk godes,
sibbeon bitengea,

God’s blessed folk,
bound together in kinship,

17:1441

man mid mâgskepi -,
than wirðit thoh hwe ôðrumu an is môde sô gram,

Men into clans. And still a one
becometh so grim of mood

17:1442

lîbes weldi ina [bilôsien],
of he mahti gilêstien sô:

’Gainst the other, that he would rob him of life,
if he could right well do it,

17:1443

than is he sân afêhit
endi is thes ferahas skolo,

Then he is straightway doomed —
deprived of his life,

17:1444

al sulikes urdêlies
sô the [ôðar] was,

Is indeed so judged,
as was the other

17:1445

the thurh is handmegin
[hôƀdo] bilôsde

Who through the might of his hands
cut off the head

17:1446

erl ôðarna.
Ôk is an them êo geskriƀan

Of another earl.
Also in the law it is written

17:1447

wârun wordun,
sô gi witon alle,

With words of truth:
and yet all know it well —

17:1448

than man is nâhiston
[niudlîko skal]

That with all one’s heart
one should love one’s neighbor,

17:1449

minnian an is môde,
wesen is mâgun hold,

Most zealously love those closest,
be kind to one’s kinsmen,

17:1450

gadulingun gôd,
[wesen] is geƀa mildi,

Good to all kith,
and mild in one’s gift-giving;

17:1451

[frâhon] is friunda gehwane,
endi skal is fîund hatan,

Have love for his friends
and hate for his foes,

17:1452

wiðerstanden them mid strîdu
endi mid starku hugi,

Withstand them with a strong,
with a strife-eager heart,

17:1453

werean wiðar wrêðun.
Than seggeo ik iu [te wâron nu],

Ready ’gainst their evil and wrath.
But I relate yet another law,

17:1454

fullîkur for thesumu folke,
that gi iuwa fîund skulun

A fuller one still for the folk:
that ye have fondness now for your foe,

17:1455

minneon an iuwomu môde,
sô samo sô gi iuwa mâgos dôt,

In your heart love him well
as ye would your kin —

17:1456

an godes namon.
Dôt im gôdes filu,

And in God’s name ye so do it.
Do ye much good unto him,

17:1457

tôgeat im hluttran hugi,
holda trewa,

Show him pureness of spirit
and loyalty sweet;

17:1458

liof wiðar ira lêðe.
That is langsam râd

In return for his loathsomeness do ye love him.
That is long lasting counsel

17:1459

manno [sô hwilikumu],
sô is môd te thiu

For every man
whose mind hath been turned

17:1460

[geflîhit] wiðar [is] fîunde.
Than môtun gi thea fruma êgan,

In hate ’gainst his foe.
Ye shall all gain from this,

17:1461

that gi môtun hêten
heƀenkuninges suni,

For ye shall be called
the Heaven King’s sons,

17:1462

is blîði barn.
Ne mugun gi iu betaran râd

His bairns all blithe.
Nor may yet find better counsel

17:1463

gewinnan an thesoro weroldi.
Than seggio ik iu te wâron ôk,

Anywhere in this world.
I verily tell you,

17:1464

barno gehwilikum,
that gi ne mugun [mid] gibolgono hugi

Say to each bairn,
that ye may not bring

17:1465

iuwas gôdes wiht
te godes hûsun

Your goods with an angry heart
into God’s temple,

17:1466

waldande fargeƀan,
that it imu wirðig sî

Into the Wielder’s house;
it be not worthy

17:1467

te antfâhanne,
sô lango sô thu fîundskepies [wiht],

For Him to accept,
as long as ye harbor anger,

17:1468

[wiðer ôðran man
inwid] hugis.

Foster fiendishness, one to another,
far deep in your hearts.

17:1469

Êr skalt thu thi simbla gesônien
wið thana sakwaldand,

First shalt thou be reconciled
with him who opposeth thee,

17:1470

gemôdi gimahlean:
sîðor maht thu mêðmos thîna

Shalt be tranquil of spirit;
then mayest thou offer thy treasures,

17:1471

te them godes altere [ageƀan]:
than sind sie themu gôdan werðe,

On God’s altar give them —
worthy they be of our good Lord,

17:1472

heƀenkuninge.
Mêr skulun gi aftar is huldi thionon,

Of the Heaven King worthy.
For His kindness shall ye serve Him more,

17:1473

godes willeon [fulgân],
than [ôðra] Judeon duon,

For His favor follow God’s will more,
than most of the other Jews do,

17:1474

ef gi willeat êgan
[êwan rîki],

If ye would someday own
the Eternal Kingdom,

17:1475

sinlîf sehan.
Ôk skal [ik] iu seggean noh,

See life without end.
I shall still say unto you,

17:1476

hwô it thar an them aldon
êo gebiudid,

As the old law
once bade you:

17:1477

that ênig erl ôðres
idis ni biswîka,

An earl should never covet
another man’s wife,

17:1478

[wîf] mid wammu.
Than seggio ik iu te wâron ôk,

Seduce her with sin.
This I also say unto you now,

17:1479

that thar man is siuni mugun
swîðo farlêdean

Soothy words: that a man’s eye
may quickly lead him astray

17:1480

an mirki [mên],
ef hi [ina lâtid] is môd spanen,

Into murky misdeeds,
if he letteth his mind be driven,

17:1481

that [he] beginna thero girnean,
thiu imu gegangan ni skal.

So that he beginneth to yearn for her
who may never be his.

17:1482

Than haƀed he an imu selƀon sân
sundea gewarhta,

Then he hath straightway
done sin unto himself,

17:1483

geheftid an is hertan
helliwîti.

Hath loaded hell-pangs
upon his heart.

17:1484

Ef than thana man is [siun] wili
ettha is [swîðare] hand

If then a man’s eye
or again his right hand

17:1485

farlêdien is liðo hwilik
an lêðan weg,

Or some limb lead him
along the loathsome way,

17:1486

than is erlo gehwem
ôðar betara,

Then ’would indeed be
better for yon earl,

17:1487

firiho barno,
that he ina fram werpa

Better for that bairn of men,
that from his body he loose it,

17:1488

endi thana lið lôsie
af is lîkhamon

17:1489

endi ina âno kuma
up te himile,

Cast it from him afar,
coming to Heaven without it —

17:1490

than he [sô] mid allun
te them inferne,

Than that he flee with all
to Inferno,

17:1491

hwerƀe mid sô hêlun
an helligrund.

That with a whole body he go
to the grounds of hell.

17:1492

Than mênid thiu [lêfhêd],
that ênig liudeo ni skal

Human frailty so willeth,
that no man shall follow his friend,

17:1493

farfolgan is friunde,
ef he ina an firina spanit,

Though a dear friend he be,
if he driveth him on to sin,

17:1494

swâs man an saka:
[than ne sî he imu eo sô swîðo an sibbiun bilang],

Draweth him down to guilt.
’Tis no matter then, how close they do stand in the clan,

17:1495

[ne] iro mâgskepi sô mikil,
ef he ina an morð spenit,

How mighty their kinship,
if he maketh him murder,

17:1496

bêdid baluwerko;
betera is imu than ôðar,

Draweth him down to misdeeds.
Better he do this:

17:1497

that he thana friund fan imu
fer farwerpa,

That he cast his friend
far away from him

17:1498

mîðe thes mâges
endi ni hebbea thar êniga [minnea] tô,

And lose all his kinsmen
and have no love for a one,

17:1499

that he môti êno
up gestîgan

That he may alone
mount on high

17:1500

hô himilrîki,
than sie [helligethuing],

To the kingdom of Heaven,
than in the pangs of hell

17:1501

brêd baluwîti
bêðea gisôkean,

Both would suffer
broad punishments, too,

17:1502

uƀil arƀidi.

And horrible pain.

{ 18 }
Capitulum XVIII

18:1502

Ôk is an them êo geskriƀan

Here in the law it also

18:1503

wârun wordun,
sô gi witun alle,

Standeth written with soothy words,
so that yet may all understand it:

18:1504

that [mîðe mênêðos]
mankunnies gehwilik,

That all people should ever
avoid perjury,

18:1505

ni forswerie ina selƀon,
[hwand] that is sundie te mikil,

Nor themselves swear falsely,
since that is great sin,

18:1506

farlêdid [liudi]
an lêðan weg.

Leading much folk astray
along loathsome ways.

18:1507

Than willeo ik iu [eft] seggean,
than sân ni swerea neoman

Then I shall also say unto you,
that no one should swear,

18:1508

ênigan êðstaf
eldibarno,

No child of man swear
any such oath,

18:1509

ne bi himile themu hôhon,
hwand that is thes hêrron stôl,

Neither by Heaven on high
(since that is the Lord’s throne)

18:1510

ne bi erðu thar undar,
hwand that is thes alowaldon

Nor by the earth here below
(since that is All-Wielder’s

18:1511

fagar fôtskamel,
nek ênig firiho barno

Footstool so fair),
nor should any child of the folk

18:1512

ne swerea bi is selƀes hôƀde,
hwand he ni mag thar ne swart ne hwît

Swear by his own head,
since he may turn not a single hair,

18:1513

ênig hâr gewirkean,
[bûtan] sô it the hêlago god,

Either black or white,
but as Holy God

18:1514

gemarkode [mahtig];
bethiu skulun [mîðan] filu

Hath mightily marked it.
Therefore the many,

18:1515

erlos êðwordo.
Sô hwe sô it ofto dôt,

The earls should avoid
every oath-word. He who oft

18:1516

sô wirðid is simbla wirsa,
hwand he [imu] giwardon ni mag.

Sweareth becometh steadily worse,
since no longer can he ward for himself.

18:1517

Bithiu skal ik iu nu te wârun
wordun gibeodan,

Therefore I say unto you
with soothy words

18:1518

that gi neo ne swerien
swîðoron êðos,

That ye shall never swear
any stronger oaths,

18:1519

mêron met mannun,
[bûtan] sô ik iu mid mînun hêr

Mightier ones with men
except as with My words

18:1520

swîðo [wârliko]
wordun [gebiudu]:

I most verily here
do command you:

18:1521

ef man hwemu saka sôkea,
[biseggea] that wâre,

If a man hath trouble with another,
let him speak the truth;

18:1522

queðe iâ, gef it sî,
[geha] thes thar wâr is,

Say ‘yea,’ if it be so,
confess that it is true;

18:1523

queðe nên, af it nis,
[lâta] im genôg an thiu;

Say ‘nay,’ if it be not,
and let that be enough.

18:1524

sô hwat sô is mêr oƀar that
man gefrummiad,

If a man sayeth more,
much beyond that,

18:1525

sô kumid it [al] fan uƀile
eldibarnun,

It becometh a bad thing
for the bairns of men,

18:1526

that erl thurh untrewa
ôðres ni uili

So that earls, all disloyal,
will not believe

18:1527

[wordo] gelôƀian.
Than seggio ik iu te wâron ôk,

One another’s word.
Then I also verily tell unto you:

18:1528

[hwô] it thar an them aldon
êo gebiudit:

As by the old law
ye were so bidden:

18:1529

sô [hwe] sô ôgon genimid
ôðres mannes,

Whosoever taketh
the eye of another man,

18:1530

lôsid af is lîkhaman,
ettha is [liðo hwilikan],

Looseneth it from his body,
or some limb indeed —

18:1531

that he it eft mid is selƀes skal
sân antgelden

That he shall pay
to the person for the loss

18:1532

mid gelîkun liðion.
Than willio ik iu lêrian nu,

With a like limb of his own.
Now I give you this lesson:

18:1533

that gi sô ni [wrekan]
wrêða dâdi,

Ye shall not wreak vengeance
for deeds done wrong.

18:1534

ak [that] gi thurh ôdmôdi
al gethologian

Instead shall ye suffer most humbly
all things yourselves,

18:1535

wîties endi wammes,
sô hwat sô man iu an thesoro weroldi gedôe.

The pain and the wrong
that people will do you here in this world.

18:1536

Dôe alloro [erlo] gehwilik
ôðrom manne

Let each earl do unto another
whatsoever is good and is useful,

18:1537

frume endi gefôri,
sô he willie, that im [firiho] barn

If he so willeth,
that the children of men

18:1538

gôdes angegin dôen.
Than wirðit im god mildi,

Do good unto him;
that God will be mild unto him,

18:1539

liudio sô hwilikum,
sô that lêstien wili.

Mild unto each man
who doeth the Master’s will.

18:1540

Êrod gi [arme man],
dêliad iwan ôdwelon

Respect ye the poor
and divide ye your riches,

18:1541

undar thero thurftigon thiodu;
ne rôkead, hweðar gi [is ênigan thank antfâhan]

Among those who are needy. Nor be ye troubled,
if ye receive no thanks,

18:1542

[eftho lôn an thesoro lêhneon weroldi,
ak huggeat te iuwomu leoƀon hêrran]

No reward in this passing world.
But well may ye hope

That your Dear Master,
your Mighty Liege,

18:1543

thero geƀono te gelde,
that sie iu god lôno,

Will reward you with gifts,
grant you good pay

18:1544

mahtig mundboro,
sô hwat sô gi is thurh is minnes [gidôt].

For what ye have done
for your love of Him.

18:1545

Ef thu than geƀogean wili
gôdun mannun

If thou wouldest give
to good men all

18:1546

fagare fehoskattos,
thar thu [eft] frumono hugis

Fair shining coins,
and thinkest thereby

18:1547

mêr antfâhan,
te hwî haƀas thu thes êniga mêda fon gode

To reap a reward,
how wilt thou then have return from God,

18:1548

ettha lôn an [themu] is liohte?
hwand [that] is lêhni feho.

Or largess here in the light?
For these are brief-lasting goods.

18:1549

Sô is thes alles gehwat,
[the] thu ôðrun geduos

So it is for all
that thou doest for others,

18:1550

[liudeon] te leoƀe,
thar [thu] hugis eft gelîk neman

For love of the land-folk —
if thou thinkest to receive the like

18:1551

thero wordo endi thero werko:
te hwî wêt thi thes [ûsa] waldand thank,

In word and in work:
why should the Wielder know thanks,

18:1552

thes thu thîn sô bifilhis
endi [antfâhis] eft than thu wili?

Since thou givest to them
and gettest from them in return?

18:1553

[Juwan ôðwelon
geƀan gi them armun mannun,]

Give thou thy riches
to the poor men, who give unto thee

18:1554

[the ina iu an thesoro weroldi ne lônon
endi rômot te iuwes waldandes rîkea.]

No rewards in this world;
and strive then for the Wielder’s realm.

18:1555

Te hlûd ni dô thu [it],
than thu mid thînun handun [bifelhas]

But act thou not loudly,
when thou givest thine alms

18:1556

thîna alamosna themu armon manne,
ak [dô] im thurh ôdmôdien

To the needy of men;
but be thou meek all of mind,

18:1557

gerno thurh godes thank:
than môst thu [eft geld niman],

Glad for God’s thanks;
for a goodly reward wilt thou take,

18:1558

[swîðo] lioflîk lôn,
thar thu is lango bitharft,

Find a fair return,
where far longer

18:1559

fagaroro frumono.
Sô hwat sô thu is sô thurh ferhtan hugi

Thou shalt use it. That which thou
givest with a pious heart,

18:1560

darno [gedêleas],
- so is ûsumu drohtine werð -

And sharest in secret,
is esteemed by our Lord.

18:1561

ne [galpo] thu far thînun geƀun te swîðo,
[noh] ênig gumono ne skal,

Nor boast of thy giving —
let no great lord do so either —

18:1562

that siu im thurh îdale hrôm
eft ni werðe

Lest through idle boasts
the gift is made naught

18:1563

lêðlîko farloren.
[Thanna] thu skalt lôn nemen

And forlornly lost.
Before the eyes of the Lord

18:1564

fora godes ôgun
gôdero werko.

Shalt thou receive thy reward
for thy work right and good.

18:1565

Ôk skal ik iu gebeodan,
than gi williad te bedu hnîgan

Also shall I bid thee,
when thou bendest thy knee

18:1566

endi williad te iuwomu hêrron
helpono biddean,

In prayer, begging help
from the Lord, begging

18:1567

that he iu alâte
lêðes thinges,

That He grant thee release
from the loathsome thing,

18:1568

thero sakono endi thero [sundeono],
thea gi iu selƀon hîr

From sin and from shame,
which ye yourselves

18:1569

wrêða gewirkead,
that gi it than for ôðrumu [werode] ni duad:

Have wrongfully wrought —
ask not before others

18:1570

ni mâread it far menigi,
that iu [thes] man ni loƀon,

Nor make it known to the many,
lest men extol you

18:1571

ni diurean thero [dâdeo],
that gi iuwes drohtines gibed

And give praise to you;
and the prayer to your Lord

18:1572

thurh that îdala hrôm
al ne farleosan.

You lose most forlornly
for idle fame.

18:1573

Ak than [gi] willean te iuwomo hêrron
helpono biddean,

But if ye do ask help
from your Lord on high,

18:1574

thiggean theolîko,
- thes iu is tharf mikil -

Praying most humbly to Him —
that must ye surely here do —

18:1575

that iu sigidrohtin
sundeono tômea,

That your Battle-Lord
befree you from sin,

18:1576

than [dôt] gi that sô darno:
[thoh] wêt it iuwe drohtin self

Do ye so in the darkness:
yet your Lord doth know,

18:1577

hêlag an himile,
hwand imu nis biholan [neowiht]

He, Holy in Heaven,
since nothing is hidden to Him,

18:1578

ne wordo ne werko.
He lâtid it than [al] gewerðan sô,

Neither of words nor of works.
Thus will He make it,

18:1579

sô gi ina than biddiad,
than gi te [thero] bedo hnîgad

As ye have bidden of Him —
if unto Him ye have bent

18:1580

mid hluttru hugi."
Heliðos stôdun,

Your knee, your hearts being pure.”
The heroes all rose,

18:1581

gumon umbi thana godes sunu
gerno swîðo,

The men stood gladly
around God’s Son,

18:1582

weros an willeon:
was im thero wordo [niud],

The world-men to their will.
They longed for such words,

18:1583

thâhtun endi thagodun,
was im tharf mikil,

Pondered and kept their peace.
The people had need

18:1584

that sie that eft gehogdin,
[that] im that hêlaga barn

To think over again
all that the Holy Bairn

18:1585

an thana forman sið
filu mid wordun

Had told unto them
on this first time,

18:1586

torhtes getalde.
Thô sprak im [eft] ên thero tweliƀio angegin,

Had all clearly proclaimed.
Then spake one of the twelve;

18:1587

glauworo gumono,
te [them] godes barne:

Of the goodly men one began
to ask of God’s Bairn:

{ 19 }
Capitulum XIX

19:1588

"Hêrro the gôdo", quað he,
"ûs is thînoro huldi tharf,

“Master good,” quoth he,
“we are in need of Thy grace

19:1589

te giwirkenne [thînna] willeon,
endi [ôk] thînoro wordo sô self,

To work Thy will
and Thy word as well,

19:1590

allaro barno bezt,
that thu ûs bedon lêres,

Best of All Bairns,
and we bid Thee teach us

19:1591

[jungoron] thîne,
sô Johannes duot,

To pray, Thy disciples,
as doth John,

19:1592

diurlîk dôperi,
dago gehwilikas

The dear Baptist,
on every day,

19:1593

is werod [mid] wordun,
hwî sie waldand skulun,

Teaching his world-folk with words
how to greet the Wielder,

19:1594

gôdan grôtean.
Dô [thîna] jungorun sô self:

To speak to their God. For Thy disciples
do Thou the same.

19:1595

gerihti ûs that gerûni."
Thô habda eft the rîkeo garu

Reveal Thou the runes.”
Then the Ruler had ready

19:1596

sân aftar thiu,
sunu drohtines,

His answer for them,
the Son of the Lord,

19:1597

[gôd word angegin]:
"Than gi [god] willean", [quað he],

For them His good word.
“If ye would greet God,” quoth He,

19:1598

"weros mid iuwon wordun
waldand grôtean,

“With your words,
greet the Wielder,

19:1599

allaro kuningo kraftigostan,
than queðad gi, sô ik iu lêriu:

The King Full of Strength,
speak ye then as I teach you:

19:1600

[Fadar ûsa]
firiho barno,

Father of us,
who art all Thy folk-bairns,

19:1601

[thu bist] an them hôhon
himila rîkea,

Thou who art on high
in the kingdom of Heaven,

19:1602

gewîhid sî thîn namo
[wordo gehwiliko].

Hallowed Thy name
here in every world,

19:1603

[Cuma] thîn
[kraftag] rîki.

Thy kingdom come
in strength and craft,

19:1604

Werða thîn willeo
oƀar thesa werold [alla],

Thy will be done
over all the world;

19:1605

sô sama an erðo,
sô thar uppa ist

As here on earth;
so there above

19:1606

an them hôhon
[himilo rîkea].

On high in the
kingdom of Heaven.

19:1607

Gef ûs dago gehwilikes râd,
drohtin the gôdo,

Give us each day, good Lord,
Thy gracious guidance,

19:1608

thîna hêlaga [helpa],
endi alât ûs, heƀenes ward,

Thy holy help, and absolve us,
O Warder of Heaven,

19:1609

managoro [mên]skuldio,
al sô we ôðrum mannum dôan.

From the manifold mischief
we do against mankind,

19:1610

Ne lât ûs farlêdean
lêða wihti

Let not loathsome wights
lead us astray,

19:1611

sô forð an iro willeon,
sô wi wirðige sind,

As is their will
and as we are worthy;

19:1612

ak help ûs wiðar allun
uƀilon dâdiun.

But help us against
all our evil deeds.

19:1613

Sô skulun [gi] biddean,
than gi te bede hnîgad

So shall ye bid Him,
when ye bend for prayer,

19:1614

weros mid iuwom wordun,
that iu waldand god

Ye men, with your words,
that the Mighty Wielder

19:1615

lêðes alâte
an leutkunnea.

Release you from the loathsomeness
that is in all land-folk,

19:1616

Ef gi than williad alâtan
liudeo gehwilikun

If ye then would forgive
the land-folk all

19:1617

thero sakono endi thero sundeono,
the sie wið iu selƀon hîr

Of their sins and their selfishness,
such wrongs as they

19:1618

wrêða gewirkeat,
than alâtid iu waldand god,

Have done against you —
The Great Wielding God will absolve you,

19:1619

fadar alamahtig
firinwerk mikil,

The Father forgive you
your frequent faults

19:1620

managoro [mên]skuldeo.
Ef iu than wirðid iuwa môd te stark,

And your heavy sins.
But if ye harden your hearts,

19:1621

that gi ne wileat ôðrun
erlun alâtan,

Are not willed to absolve other earls,
other men from their wrong,

19:1622

weron wamdâdi,
than ne wil iu ôk waldand god

Then Almighty God will not forgive
you your grim sins,

19:1623

grimwerk fargeƀan,
ak gi skulun is geld niman,

But ye shall receive
from Him just reward,

19:1624

swîðo lêðlik lôn
te languru hwîlu,

Payment most pain-filled
throughout plenteous time,

19:1625

alles thes unrehtes,
thes gi ôðrum hîr

For all the unrightness
ye have done against others

19:1626

gilêstead an thesumu liohte
endi than wið liudeo barn

In the light of this world,
without that ye have willed

19:1627

thea saka ni [gisônead],
êr gi an thana sîð faran,

To make peace in your matters
with the children of men

19:1628

weros fon thesoro weroldi.
Ôk skal [ik] iu te wârun seggean,

Before ye shall wander, O ye men,
out of this world.

19:1629

hwô gi lêstean skulun
lêra mîna:

Today I shall also tell you
how ye shall bring My teachings to pass:

19:1630

than gi iuwa fastonnea
frummean willean,

For if ye would indeed
keep a fast

19:1631

minson iuwa mêndâdi,
than ni duad gi that te managom kûð,

To make little your misdeeds,
make it not known

19:1632

ak mîðad is far ôðrum mannun:
thoh wêt mahtig god,

To the many, but hide it from all;
yet Almighty God knoweth well,

19:1633

waldand iuwan willean,
thoh iu werod ôðar,

The Wielder, your will;
if other world-bairns,

19:1634

liudio barn ne loƀon.
He gildid [is] iu lôn aftar thiu,

Other land-folk fail to laud you,
yet lovely reward He will give,

19:1635

iuwa hêlag fadar
an himilrîkea,

Your Holy Father,
in Heaven’s kingdom,

19:1636

thes ge im mid sulikum ôdmôdea,
erlos theonod,

Since ye have served Him,
ye men, so humbly here,

19:1637

sô ferhtlîko undar thesumu folke.
Ne willeat feho winnan

So piously all ’mid the people.
Unright possessions,

19:1638

erlos an unreht,
ak wirkead up te gode

O my earls, covet them not;
but care for rewards above

19:1639

man aftar mêdu:
that is mêra thing,

With All-Wielding God.
That is a weightier thing

19:1640

than man hîr an erðu
[ôdag] libbea,

Than if a man liveth richly
here on this earth,

19:1641

weroldskattes gewono.
Ef gi williad mînun [wordun] hôrean,

Winning the goods of this world.
If ye would hear then My word,

19:1642

than ne samnod gi hîr sink mikil
siloƀres ne goldes

Gather ye not great treasures,
neither silver nor gold

19:1643

an thesoro middilgard,
mêðomhordes,

In this mid-world here,
nor hoards of riches;

19:1644

hwand it rotat hîr an roste,
endi regintheoƀos farstelad,

For it reddens with rust here,
and robbers will steal it.

19:1645

wurmi awardiad,
wirðid that giwâdi farslitan,

Worms gnaw it away;
the garments wear threadbare,

19:1646

tigangid the [goldwelo].
Lêstead iuwa gôdon werk,

The gold-wealth is gone.
Do ye good works

19:1647

samnod iu an himile
hord that mêra,

And gather in Heaven
a hoard far greater,

19:1648

fagara fehoskattos:
that ni mag iu ênig fîund beniman,

Riches fairer by far.
Your foe cannot rob you,

19:1649

[newiht] anwendean,
hwand the welo standid

Can take nothing from you.
For treasures stand ready

19:1650

garu [iu] tegegnes,
sô [hwat] sô gi gôdes tharod,

For you up yonder,
as much as ye there

19:1651

an that himilrîki
hordes gesamnod,

Have gathered in Heaven
riches and goods,

19:1652

heliðos thurh iuwa handgeƀa,
endi hebbead tharod iuwan hugi fasto;

Heroes, ye, through your hand-gifts.
And keep ye steadfast your hearts

19:1653

hwand thar ist alloro manno gihwes
môdgethâhti,

For this; for there lie
the thoughts of men,

19:1654

hugi endi herta,
thar is hord ligid,

Their minds and their hearts;
there lieth the hoard,

19:1655

sink gesamnod.
Nis eo sô sâlig man,

The goods all gathered.
Nor is any man so greatly blessed,

19:1656

that mugi an thesoro brêdon werold
bêðiu [anthengean],

That both he may do
in this broad, wide world:

19:1657

ge that hi an thesoro erðo
[ôdag] libbea,

That on this earth
he may live richly indeed

19:1658

an allun weroldlustun wesa,
ge [thoh] waldand gode

In all of his world-lusts,
yet thankfully serve All-Wielding God

19:1659

te thanke getheono:
ak he skal alloro thingo gihwes

At the selfsame time:
but he shall ever

19:1660

simbla [ôðarhweðar
ên farlâtan]

Forsake wholly one
or the other,

19:1661

ettho [lusta] thes lîkhamon
ettho lîf êwig.

Either the lusts of the body
or life everylasting.

19:1662

Bethiu ni gornot gi umbi iuwa gegaruwi,
ak huggead te gode fasto,

Therefore grieve ye not for your garments,
but hold ye fast unto God,

19:1663

ne [mornont] an iuwomu môde,
hwat gi eft an morgan skulin

Nor mourn in your minds,
how on the morrow

19:1664

etan eftho drinkan
ettho an hebbean

Ye may find eat and drink,
or, ye aethlings,

19:1665

weros te gewêdea:
it wêt al waldand god,

What weeds ye will wear;
for All-Wielding God

19:1666

hwes thea bithurƀun,
thea im hîr thionod wel,

Knoweth the needs of hem
who now serve Him well,

19:1667

folgod iro frôhan willeon.
Hwat, gi that bi thesun fuglun mugun

Following the will of their Liege.
Why, by the winged birds

19:1668

wârlîko undarwitan,
thea hîr an thesoro weroldi sint,

Ye may verily see it:
they that are in this world

19:1669

farad an feðarhamun:
sie ni kunnun ênig feho winnan,

Flitting about in their feather-dress.
Though they have won no fortune,

19:1670

thoh giƀid im drohtin god
dago gehwilikes

Yet the Lord, our God,
giveth to them each day

19:1671

helpa wiðar hungre.
Ôk mugun gi an iuwom hugi markon,

Help against hunger.
Ye may in your hearts

19:1672

weros umbi iuwa gewâdi,
hwô [thie] wurti sint

Eke gaze at the flowers,
when ye think of your garments,

19:1673

fagoro [gefratohot],
thea hîr an felde stâd,

How fairly they are garbed,
as they stand in the field

19:1674

berhtlîko geblôid:
ne mahta the [burges] ward,

Brightly blowing.
Nor did that warder of bastions,

19:1675

Salomon the suning,
the habda sink mikil,

Solomon the King,
who had costlier treasure,

19:1676

mêðomhordas mêst,
thero the [ênig] man êhti,

Greater gold-hoards
than any had e’er gained,

19:1677

welono gewunnan
endi allaro gewâdeo kust, -

Had won more wealth,
the choicest of weeds —

19:1678

thoh ni mohte he an is lîƀe,
thoh he habdi alles theses landes gewald,

Still in this life,
though he was lord of these lands all —

19:1679

[awinnan] sulik gewâdi,
sô thiu wurt haƀad,

He never found raiment as fair
as this flower hath on,

19:1680

thiu hîr an felde stâd
fagoro gegariwit,

Which here in the field
standeth ready and fair,

19:1681

lilli mid sô lioflîku blômon:
ina wâdit the landes waldand

Lily with so lovely a bloom.
The Wielder of Lands hath so garbed it

19:1682

hêr fan heƀenes wange.
Mêr is im thoh umbi thit heliðo kunni,

From the high fields of Heaven.
But this folk is far dearer,

19:1683

liudi sint im lioƀoron mikilu,
thea he im an [thesumu] lande gewarhte,

The men mean far more,
those whom He hath made in this land,

19:1684

waldand an willeon sînan.
Bethiu ne thurƀon gi umbi iuwa gewâdi sorgon,

Wielding o’er them, as He willed.
Therefore may ye not worry concerning your dress,

19:1685

ne [gornot gi] umbi iuwa gegariwi te swîðo:
god [wili] is alles râdan,

Grieve over your garments so much;
God will give counsel,

19:1686

helpan fan heƀenes wange,
ef gi williad aftar is [huldi] theonon.

Help from Heaven’s meadow,
if ye willingly serve for His favor,

19:1687

Gerot gi simbla êrist thes godes rîkeas,
endi than duat aftar them is gôdun werkun,

Always yearn for God’s kingdom;
then act ye according to those, His good works.

19:1688

rômod gi rehtoro thingo:
than [wili] iu the rîkeo drohtin

Strive ye for right things.
Then will our Rich Lord

19:1689

geƀon mid alloro gôdu gehwiliku,
ef gi im thus fulgangan willead,

Gift you with all goods indeed,
if ye so willingly go,

19:1690

sô ik iu te wârun hîr
wordun seggeo.

Following Him, as I tell unto you
with soothy words.

{ 20 }
Capitulum XX

20:1691

Ne skulun gi ênigumu manne
unrehtes wiht,

Ye shall never speak an unjust,
a wrong judgment

20:1692

derƀies adêlean,
hwand the dôm eft kumid

Over any man,
or accuse him falsely;

20:1693

oƀar thana selƀon man,
thar [it] im te sorgon skal,

For doom falleth over him,
so that the cares full well,

20:1694

werðan them te wîtea,
the hîr mid is wordun gesprikid

The worries wax large
of him who did speak such words

20:1695

unreht ôðrum.
Neo that iuwar ênig ne dua

Of wrong against others.
Not a one of you

20:1696

gumono an thesom gardon
geldes ettho kôpes,

20:1697

that hi unreht gimet
ôðrumu manne

Shall give wrong measure
to another man,

20:1698

mênful mako,
hwand it simbla môtean skal

Being feloniously bent
in buying or selling

20:1699

erlo gehwilikomu,
[sulik sô he] it ôðrumu gedôd,

While on this earth here;
for to each earl will hap

20:1700

sô kumid it [im] eft tegegnes,
thar he gerno ne wili

Even as he hath done unto others —
even there where he would dearly

20:1701

gesehan is sundeon.
Ôk skal ik iu seggean noh,

Not see his sins.
Eke must I say yet unto you

20:1702

hwar gi iu wardon skulun
[wîteo] mêsta,

Where ye must guard
against the greatest of evils,

20:1703

mênwerk manag:
te hwî skalt thu ênigan man besprekan,

Against wrong-doings many:
Why wilt thou reproach a man?

20:1704

brôðar thînan,
that thu undar is brâhon gesehas

He is thy brother.
Thou seest under his brow

20:1705

halm an is ôgon,
endi gehuggean ni wili

A wisp in his eye,
but art not willing by one whit

20:1706

thana swâran balkon,
the thu an thînoro siuni haƀas,

To think of the beam
which thou hast in thine own,

20:1707

hard [trio] endi heƀig.
Lât thi that an thînan hugi fallan,

A hard tree and heavy.
Into thy heart let it

20:1708

hwô thu thana êrist alôseas:
than skînid thi lioht beforan,

First fall: how to remove it.
Then wilt thy light shine forth,

20:1709

ôgun werðad [thi] geoponot;
than maht thu aftar thiu

Thine eyen will be opened.
Thus mayest thou later

20:1710

swâses mannes gesiun
sîðor gebôtean,

Make better the sight
of thy sweet friend,

20:1711

gehêlean an is hôƀde.
Sô mag that [an] is hugi mêra

Heal it, lo, in his head.
Let each in his heart,

20:1712

an thesoro middilgard
manno gehwilikumu,

Each man in this mid-world,
think more of his own misdeeds

20:1713

wesan an thesoro weroldi,
that hi hîr wammas geduot,

Than he thinketh
of the sins of another,

20:1714

than hi [ahtogea]
ôðres mannes

The faults of a friend —
and hath himself done far worse,

20:1715

saka endi sundea,
endi haƀad im selƀo mêr

20:1716

firinwerko gefrumid.
Ef he wili is fruma lêstean,

Far greater wrongs.
If to himself he would do good,

20:1717

than skal hi ina selƀon êr
sundeono [atômean],

Then shall he first make himself
free of all sin,

20:1718

[lêðwerko] lôson:
sîðor mag hi mid is lêrun werðan

Loose of all loathsome deeds.
Later may he then with his teachings

20:1719

heliðun te helpu,
sîðor hi ina hluttran wêt,

Be a help to the people,
when he knoweth himself to be pure

20:1720

sundeono sikoran.
Ne skulun gi suînum teforan

And safe from sin.
Nor shalt thou strew

20:1721

iuwa meregrîton makon
ettho mêðmo gestriuni,

Thy sea-pearls down before swine,
nor scatter thy jewels,

20:1722

hêlag halsmeni,
hwand siu it an horu spurnat,

Nor thy neckband holy;
for they will trample it now in the mire,

20:1723

[sulwiad an] sande:
ne witun sûƀreas geskêð,

Besmirch it in sand. For they know nothing,
the swine, of cleanness,

20:1724

[fagaroro fratoho].
Sulik sint hîr folk manag,

Of sea-pearls so fair.
Here there are many such folk

20:1725

the iuwa hêlag word
hôrean ne willead,

Who will not hear
thy holy word

20:1726

fulgangan godes lêrun:
ne witun gôdes geskêð,

Nor follow God’s teachings,
and know of no good.

20:1727

ak sind im [lâri] word
[leoƀoron] mikilu,

They would far liefer
have low, useless things,

20:1728

umbitharƀi thing,
thanna theotgodes

Have empty words,
than the work and the will

20:1729

werk endi [willeo].
Ne sind sie wirðige than,

Of your Wielder and God.
They are not worthy,

20:1730

that sie gehôrean iuwa hêlag word,
ef sie is ne willead an iro hugi thenkean,

That they hear your holy word.
For in their hearts they do not think,

20:1731

ne lînon ne lêstean.
Them ni seggean [gi iuworo] lêron wiht,

Do not want to learn it nor do it.
Say ye naught of your words unto them,

20:1732

that gi [thea] sprâka godes
endi spel [managu]

Lest ye squander God’s speech
and many a spell.

20:1733

ne [farleosan] an them liudiun,
[thea] thar ne [willean] gilôƀean tô,

Lose ye not your word ’mid the land-folk,
who do not want to believe it,

20:1734

wâroro wordo.
Ôk skulun gi iu wardon filu

The great and true word.
Eke shall ye guard against

20:1735

listiun undar thesun liudiun,
thar gi aftar thesumu lande farad,

The wiles of this folk,
as ye wander, ye earls, through the land,

20:1736

that iu thea luggeon ne mugin
[lêron] besuîkan

Lest the teachers of lies
lead you astray

20:1737

ni mid wordun ni mid werkun.
Sie kumad an sulikom gewâdeon te iu,

With words and with works.
They come wearing such garbs,

20:1738

fagoron [fratohon]:
thoh hebbead sie fêknan hugi:

To you wearing fairer jewels:
but their hearts are wily.

20:1739

thea mugun [gi] sân antkennean,
sô gi sie kuman [gesehad]:

20:1740

sie sprekad wîslîk word,
thoh iro werk ne dugin,

They speak wise words,
but their works are worth naught,

20:1741

thero thegno gethâhti.
Hwand gi witun, that eo an thorniun ne skulun

The thoughts of these thanes.
For ye know that thorns never grow

20:1742

wînberi wesan
eftha welon eowiht,

On the wineberry
nor on that which is worthy,

20:1743

fagororo fruhteo,
nek ôk fîgun ne lesad

On the fairer fruits.
Nor does a man gather figs

20:1744

heliðos an hiopon.
That mugun gi undarhuggean wel,

From the hawthorn tree.
Keep ye this truth in your hearts:

20:1745

that eo the uƀilo bôm,
thar he an erðu stâd,

That the bad tree
which standeth there in the earth

20:1746

gôden wastum ne giƀid,
nek it [ôk] god ni geskôp,

Never giveth forth good fruit;
and that God hath not shaped it,

20:1747

that the gôdo bôm
gumono barnun

That the good tree of the bairns
of men bear bitter fruit;

20:1748

bâri bittres wiht,
ak kumid fan alloro bâmo gehwilikumu

But from every tree whatsoever
there cometh forth only

20:1749

sulik wastom te thesero weroldi,
sô im fan is wurteon gedregid,

Such fruit to this world
as was born from the root,

20:1750

ettha berht ettha bittar.
[That] mênid thoh breosthugi,

Either bright fruit or bitter.
That is the feeling in the breasts,

20:1751

managoro môdseƀon
manno kunnies,

In the hearts of so many
of the kinfolk of man,

20:1752

hwô alloro erlo gehwilik
ôgit selƀo,

Wherever each one of the earls
showeth himself all openly,

20:1753

meldod mid is mûðu,
hwilikan he môd haƀad,

Maketh known with his mouth
of what mind he is,

20:1754

hugi umbi is herte:
thes ni mag he farhelan eowiht,

The thoughts in his heart;
nor may he hide them ever;

20:1755

ak [kumad] fan them uƀilan man
[inwid]râdos,

But from an evil man
cometh unwise counsel,

20:1756

[bittara] balusprâka,
sulik sô hi an is breostun haƀad

Words bitter and blameworthy,
such as he hath in his breast,

20:1757

geheftid umbi is herte:
simbla is hugi kûðid,

Harboring them ’round his heart:
here his thoughts become known,

20:1758

is willeon mid is wordun,
endi [farad] is werk aftar thiu.

His will along with his words;
and his works follow, too.

20:1759

Sô [kumad] fan themu gôdan manne
glau andwordi,

There cometh from a good man
an answer, gracious and clear,

20:1760

wîslîk [fan] is gewittea,
that hi simbla mid is wordu gesprikid,

Wise in his wit,
that he ever speaketh with words —

20:1761

man mid is mîðu
sulik, sô he an is môde haƀad

The man with his mouth;
such words as he hath in his mind,

20:1762

hord umbi is herte.
Thanan kumad thea hêlagan lêra,

Hoarded round his heart.
Thence cometh the Holy Gospel,

20:1763

swîðo wunsam word,
endi skulun is werk aftar thiu

That most Winsome Word,
and his works shall thrive

20:1764

[theodu] gethîhan,
thegnun managun

For the good of men
for many a thane,

20:1765

werðan te willeon,
al sô it waldand self

As indeed is his will,
even as the Wielder

20:1766

gôdun mannun fargiƀid,
god alomahtig,

Did grant unto good men,
God Almighty

20:1767

himilisk hêrro,
hwand sie âno is helpa ni mugun

The High Liege of Heaven,
since without His will

20:1768

ne mid wordun ne mid werkun
wiht athengean

Neither with words nor with works
can they do one whit

20:1769

gôdes an thesun gardun.
Bethiu skulun gumono barn

Of good in this world-garden here.
Therefore all the bairns of mankind should most gladly

20:1770

an is ênes kraft
alle gilôƀean.

Believe in the strength
and the might of the One Single Lord.

{ 21 }
Capitulum XXI

21:1771

Ôk skal ik iu [wîsean],
hwô hîr wegos twêna

Here I must tell you, too
that pathways twain

21:1772

liggead an thesumu liohte,
thea farad [liudeo barn],

Lie in this light.
Thereon the land-bairns

21:1773

al irminthiod.
Thero is ôðar sân

Must travel, the children of earth.
One of the twain

21:1774

wîd strâta endi brêd,
- farid sie werodes filu,

Is a street broad and wide:
much folk wandereth on it,

21:1775

mankunnies manag,
hwand sie tharod iro môd spenit,

Of mankind so many;
for their mind doth drive them —

21:1776

weroldlusta [weros] -
thiu an thea wirson hand

The world-lust, these war-men.
On the worse side

21:1777

liudi lêdid,
thar sie te farlora werðad,

It doth lead them, the landsmen
where they are lost,

21:1778

heliðos an [helliu],
thar is hêt endi swart,

The heroes in hell fire;
there it is swarthy and hot,

21:1779

egislîk an innan:
ôði [ist] tharod te faranne

horrible within. Easily
may the children of earth

21:1780

eldibarnun,
thoh it im [at] themu endie ni dugi.

Travel thereto. Still in the end
it availeth them not.

21:1781

Than ligid eft ôðar
engira mikilu

Then lieth again another
and narrower path,

21:1782

weg an thesoro weroldi,
ferid ina werodes [lût],

A way in this world,
on which do wander

21:1783

fâho folkskepi:
ni williad ina firiho barn

But few of the folk.
The bairns of men follow it

21:1784

gerno gangan,
thoh he te godes rîkea,

Ungladly, though it goeth
on to God’s kingdom,

21:1785

an that êwiga lîf,
erlos [lêdea].

Leadeth all aethlings
into eternal life.

21:1786

Than nimad gi iu thana engean:
thoh he sô ôði ne sî

But take ye the narrow one;
though it be never so easy

21:1787

firihon te faranne,
thoh skal hi te frumu werðan

For world-folk to wander on,
it availeth well

21:1788

sô [hwemu] sô ina thurhgengid,
sô skal is geld niman,

Whosoever trespasseth it;
he hath bounteous pay,

21:1789

swîðo langsam lôn
endi lîf êwig,

Long-lasting reward
and life never ending,

21:1790

diurlîkan drôm.
Eo gi thes [drohtin skulun],

The dearest of doing.
And do ye so pray

21:1791

waldand biddien,
that gi thana weg môtin

To your Lord, the Wielder,
that this be the way

21:1792

fan foran antfâhan
endi forð [thurh gigangan]

Ye follow forthwith,
and going further along this path

21:1793

an that godes rîki.
He ist garu simbla

Into God’s realm.
For He is ready ever

21:1794

wiðar thiu te geƀanne,
the man ina gerno bidid,

To give in return,
if a man biddeth rightly,

21:1795

fergot firiho barn.
Sôkead fadar iuwan

If the folk-bairns do ask him.
Seek ye your Father,

21:1796

[up te] themu [êwinom] rîkea:
than môtun gi ina aftar thiu

Which is in the kingdom unending.
There can ye find Him

21:1797

te iuworu frumu fîðan.
Cûðead iuwa fard tharod

For your welfare eternal.
Make ye known your travels

21:1798

at iuwas [drohtines] durun:
than werðad iu andôn aftar thiu,

At your Master’s door;
for you they may open,

21:1799

[himilportun] anthlidan,
that gi an that hêlage lioht,

Heaven’s portals unlock,
so that to the holy light,

21:1800

an that godes rîki
gangan môtun,

To God’s realm itself,
now ye may go,

21:1801

[sinlîf] sehan.
Ôk skal ik iu seggean noh

Seeing life everlasting.
Lo, I shall say unto you,

21:1802

far thesumu werode allun
wârlîk biliði,

Tell you one token more
truly for the earth-folk all,

21:1803

that alloro liudeo sô hwilik,
sô thesa mîna lêra wili

That every man whosoever
keepeth My teachings

21:1804

gehaldan an is herton
endi wil iro an is hugi [athenkean],

Held in his heart,
who thinketh of them in his mind,

21:1805

lêstean sea an thesumu lande,
the gilîko duot

And worketh them in this world —
he worketh indeed

21:1806

wîsumu manne,
the giwit haƀad,

Like a wise man
having great wit,

21:1807

horska hugiskefti,
endi hûsstedi kiusid

A head that is clearer.
And he chooseth his homestead

21:1808

an fastoro foldun
endi an [felisa] uppan

On right fast ground,
and upon a rock

21:1809

wêgos wirkid,
thar im wind ni mag,

He worketh the walls,
where neither the wind

21:1810

ne wâg ne watares strôm
[wihtiu] getiunean,

Nor the wave nor the water’s stream
can harm it a whit,

21:1811

ak mag im thar wið ungiwidereon
allun standan

But it standeth there
strong ’gainst all storms

21:1812

an themu [felise] uppan,
hwand it sô fasto warð

High on the rock,
since right firmly it was

21:1813

gistellit an themu stêne:
anthaƀad it thiu stedi niðana,

Set on the stone. From beneath,
the spot holds it steady,

21:1814

wreðid wiðar winde,
that it wîkan ni mag.

True and straight ’gainst the wind,
that it cannot topple.

21:1815

Sô duot eft manno sô hwilik,
sô thesun mînun ni wili

Thus doeth each man,
who willeth not

21:1816

lêrun hôrien
[ne] thero lêstien wiht,

To hear these, my teachings,
or to carry them out:

21:1817

sô duot [the] unwîson
erla gelîko,

He acteth indeed
like the unwise earl,

21:1818

[ungewittigon were],
[the] im be watares staðe

Like the witless world-man,
who on the water’s shore,

21:1819

an sande wili
selihûs wirkean,

On the sand itself,
would set up his great halled house,

21:1820

[thar] it westrani wind
endi [wâgo] strôm,

Where the western wind
and the waves of the stream,

21:1821

[sêes ûðeon] teslâad;
ne mag im sand endi greot

The tides of the sea do tear it,
sand and grit cannot

21:1822

gewreðien wið themu winde,
ak wirðid teworpan [than],

21:1823

[tefallen] an themu flôde,
hwand it an [fastoro nis]

Hold it up ’gainst the flood,
since it stood not fast,

21:1824

[erðu getimbrod].
Sô skal allaro [erlo gehwes]

Firmly timbered in earth.
So shall the work of each earl

21:1825

werk gethîhan
wiðar thiu, [the] hi [thius mîn] word frumid,

Strive for this, each aethling
who followeth My Word,

21:1826

[haldid] hêlag gebod."
Thô bigunnun an iro hugi wundron

Holdeth My holy commandments.”
In their hearts they began,

21:1827

meginfolk mikil:
gehôrdun mahtiges godes

The many children of men, to wonder:
they heard the Almighty God’s

21:1828

lioflîka lêra;
ne wârun an themu lande gewono,

Love-filled lessons.
In this land they were truly not wont

21:1829

that sie eo fan sulikun êr
seggean gehôrdin

To hear such things
being said ever before,

21:1830

wordun ettho werkun.
Farstôdun wîse man,

Either of words or of works.
But wise men understood,

21:1831

that he sô lêrde,
liudeo drohtin,

That He so taught unto them
words of great truth,

21:1832

wârun wordun,
sô he gewald habde,

The Liege of the Land-folk,
since He, lo, had power

21:1833

allun them ungelîko,
the thar an êrdagun

Unlike unto others,
who in earlier days

21:1834

undar them liudskepea
[lêreon] wârun

Were chosen to teach
from the children of men

21:1835

akoran undar themu kunnie:
ne habdun thiu Cristes word

From the clans themselves.
Never had of Christ’s words

21:1836

gemakon mid mannun,
the he far thero menigi [sprak],

The like been heard ’mid the land-folk
when He set down His law

21:1837

gebôd uppan themu berge.

To the bairns on the mountain.

{ 22 }
Capitulum XXII

22:1837

He im thô bêðiu [befalh]

He bade them do both:

22:1838

[ge te seggennea]
sînom wordun,

Not only should they say
and spread His word,

22:1839

hwô man himilrîki
gehalon skoldi,

How one should reach
the realms of Heaven,

22:1840

wîdbrêdan welan,
ja he im gewald fargaf,

The Farspreading Fiefdom;
but first He did lend

22:1841

that sie môstin hêlean
[halte] endi blinde,

Unto them the power to heal
the halt and the blind,

22:1842

liudeo lêfhêdi,
legarbed manag,

The ills of the world-folk,
their manifold weakness

22:1843

swâra suhti,
giak he im selƀo gebôd,

And terrible plagues;
and He bade them, too,

22:1844

that sie at ênigumu manne
mêde ne nâmin,

Never to garner money
from any man

22:1845

diurie mêðmos:
"gehuggead gi", quað he, - "hwand iu is thiu dâd kuman,

Or to take treasured pay.
To them He did tell this:

22:1846

that gewit endi [the] wîsdôm,
endi iu thea gewald fargiƀid

“Keep ye well in mind, how this wit
and this wisdom were come unto you,

22:1847

alloro firiho fadar,
sô gi sie ni thurƀun mid [ênigo] feho kôpon,

And the Father of all Folk hath lent you
the force. Ye need not buy it

22:1848

mêdean mid ênigun mêðmun,
- sô wesat gi iro mannun forð

With goods nor pay for it with gold.
Therefore be ye gracious unto men;

22:1849

an iuwon hugiskeftiun
helpono mildea,

Mild in your hearts
and ready to help,

22:1850

lêread gi liudio barn
langsamna râd,

Teaching the land-bairns
long-lasting counsel,

22:1851

fruma forðwardes;
firinwerk lahad,

Enduring deeds.
Deal ye right heavily still with their wrongs,

22:1852

swâra [sundeon].
Ne lâtad iu siloƀar [nek] gold

With their swarthy sins.
Let not silver nor gold

22:1853

wihti thes wirðig,
that it [eo] an iuwa gewald kuma,

Be of such worth unto you,
that ye would e’er own them,

22:1854

fagara fehoskattos:
it ni mag iu te ênigoro frumu hwergin,

Fair glimmering gold-pieces;
for they will give you no joy,

22:1855

werðan te ênigumu willeon.
Ne skulun gi gewâdeas than mêr

Be useless to you.
Ye shall own no more garments,

22:1856

erlos êgan,
[bûtan] sô gi than an hebbean,

My earls, no more weeds,
than those which ye wear,

22:1857

gumon te [garewea],
than gi gangan skulun

Ye good men, to garb you,
when ye do go forth

22:1858

an that gimang [innan].
Neo [gi] umbi [iuwan] meti [ni] sorgot,

Among the many.
Ye shall not think of your meat,

22:1859

leng umbi iuwa lîfnare,
hwand thene lêreand skulun

Not long of your body’s food;
for the folk shall feed

22:1860

fôdean that folkskepi:
[thes sint thea fruma] werða,

Them that are teaching.
That shall be of use,

22:1861

leoƀlîkes lônes,
the [hi] them liudiun sagad.

Which ye say to the folk —
of right fair reward.

22:1862

Wirðig is the wurhteo,
that man ina wel fôdea,

Worthy is the workman,
that he be fed well,

22:1863

thana man mid môsu,
the sô managoro skal

The man given meat,
who shall care for so many,

22:1864

seola bisorgan
endi an thana sîð spanen,

The souls of the folk,
making firm the way

22:1865

gêstos an godes wang.
That is grôtara thing,

For the ghosts to God’s meadow.
That is a greater thing,

22:1866

that man bisorgon skal
[seolun] managa,

That a man should make ready
for the souls of the many,

22:1867

hwô man thea [gehalde]
te heƀenrîkea,

Should keep them all
for the kingdom of Heaven,

22:1868

than man thene lîkhamon
[liudibarno]

Than that he careth
for the bodies of folk

22:1869

môsu bimorna.
Bethiu man [skulun]

With meat, for the children of men.
Therefore should mankind

22:1870

haldan thene holdlîko,
the im te heƀenrîkea

Keep fondly and sweetly
those who show them

22:1871

thene weg wîsit
endi [sie] wamskaðun,

The way to Heaven’s kingdom
and hold the harm-doer,

22:1872

feondun witfâhit
endi firinwerk lahid,

The Fiend far from them;
who give them blame for their faults,

22:1873

[swâra] sundeon.
Nu ik iu sendean skal

For their sins dire and swarthy.
Now I shall send you

22:1874

aftar thesumu landskepie
sô lamb undar wulƀos:

Throughout the landscape,
like a lamb among wolves.

22:1875

sô skulun gi undar iuwa fîund faren,
undar filu theodo,

So shall ye fare ’mid the foe,
amid world-folk many,

22:1876

undar mislîke man.
Hebbead iuwan môd wiðar them

Amid unlike men.
Keep ye your minds toward them

22:1877

sô glawan tegegnes,
sô samo [sô] the [gelwo] wurm,

So clear and clever
as the bright-colored worm,

22:1878

nâdra thiu fêha,
thar siu iro [nîðskepies],

The slyly wise serpent,
when it doth suspect

22:1879

[witodes] wânit,
that man iu undar themu werode ne mugi

A deadly foe.
Then men of the folk

22:1880

besuîkan an themu sîðe.
Far thiu [gi] sorgon [skulun],

Cannot lead you astray.
Ye shall take care

22:1881

that iu thea man ni mugin
môdgethâhti,

Lest men turn away
the thoughts of your mind

22:1882

willean [awardien].
Wesat iu so [wara] wiðar thiu,

And destroy your will.
Be ye wary of them,

22:1883

wið iro [fêkneon dâdiun],
sô man wiðar fîundun skal.

Of their furtive deeds
again like the dove;

22:1884

Than wesat gi eft an iuwon dâdiun
dûƀon gelîka,

22:1885

hebbead wið erlo gehwene
ênfaldan hugi,

Having toward all folk
a simple heart,

22:1886

mildean môdseƀon,
[that] thar man negên

Meekness of mind,
so that no man can be cheated,

22:1887

thurh iuwa [dâdi]
bedrogan ne werðe,

Be ever deceived
by your deeds,

22:1888

beswikan thurh iuwa sundea.
[Nu] skulun gi an thana sîð faran,

Led astray by your sins.
Now shall ye fare

22:1889

an that ârundi:
thar skulun gi arƀidies [sô] filu

On your way with these tidings:
much toil shall ye bear

22:1890

getholon undar theru thiod
endi gethuing sô samo

Amid the people
and oppression together,

22:1891

manag endi mislîk,
hwand gi an mînumu namon

Much and varied,
if in My name

22:1892

thea liudi lêreat.
Bethiu skulun gi thar lêðes filu

Ye do teach the land-folk.
Ye shall yet receive much of evil

22:1893

fora weroldkuningun,
wîteas antfâhan.

From the people of world
and still worse pain

22:1894

Oft skulun gi thar for rîkea
thurh thius mîn rehtun word

For this, My right word;
before the kingdoms of World

22:1895

gebundane standen
endi bêðiu [gethologean],

Shall ye oft stand bound
and suffer both

22:1896

ge hosk ge harmquidi:
umbi that ne lâtad gi iuwan hugi [twîflon],

Mockery and scornful speech:
but let not your spirits feel doubt,

22:1897

seƀon [suîkandean]:
gi ni thurƀun an ênigun sorgun wesan

Nor your souls ever err;
nor need ye ever

22:1898

an [iuwomu] hugi hwergin,
than [man iu] for [thea] hêri forð

Harbor care in your heart —
when they call ye forth from the crowd,

22:1899

an thene gastseli
gangan hêtid,

Bid you go with them
to the guest hall —

22:1900

hwat gi im than tegegnes [skulin]
gôdoro wordo,

What ye will say unto them
with your good words,

22:1901

[spâhlîkoro] gesprekan,
hwand iu thiu [spôd] kumid,

How ye will speak to them wisely;
for success will come unto you,

22:1902

helpe fon himile,
endi sprikid the hêlogo gêst,

Help come from Heaven,
and the Holy Ghost will speak

22:1903

mahtig fon iuwomu [munde].
Bethiu [ne andrâdad] gi iu thero manno nîð

Mightily our of your mouth.
Therefore dread ye not the hatred of men,

22:1904

ne forhteat iro fîundskepi:
thoh sie hebbean iuwas ferahes gewald,

Fear not their fiendishness.
For though they have power

22:1905

that sie mugin thene lîkhamon
lîƀu beneotan,

Over your life, may rob
your body of breath,

22:1906

[aslahan] mid swerde,
thoh sie theru seolun ne mugun

Slay you with swords —
yet not a whit of your soul

22:1907

wiht awardean.
Antdrâdad iu waldand god,

Can they e’er destroy.
Dread ye All-Wielding God,

22:1908

forhtead fader iuwan,
frummiad gerno

Fear ye your Father.
For Him gladly

22:1909

is gebodskepi,
hwand hi haƀad bêðies giwald,

So ye His commandment,
for He hath might and power

22:1910

liudio lîƀes
endi ôk iro lîkhamon

Over both, o’er the life of a man,
o’er his body as well,

22:1911

gek thero seolon sô self:
ef gi iuwa an them sîðe [tharod]

Yea, even o’er the soul itself.
If for the sake of these teachings

22:1912

farliosat thurh thesa lêra,
than môtun gi sie eft an themu liohte godes

Ye lose your life on the way,
then in the light of God

22:1913

beforan fîðan,
hwand sie fader iuwa,

Ye shall find it again,
for the Father,

22:1914

haldid hêlag god
an himilrîkea.

The Holy Lord God, hath kept it
in the kingdom of Heaven.

{ 23 }
Capitulum XXIII

23:1915

Ne kumat thea alle te himile,
thea [the] hîr hrôpat te mi

Not all will reach Heaven
who here hail me Protector,

23:1916

[manno] te mundburd.
Managa sind [thero],

Their Master and Lord.
There are many of them

23:1917

thea williad alloro dago gihwilikes
te drohtine hnîgan,

Who willingly kneel
to the Liege every day,

23:1918

hrôpad thar te helpu
endi huggead an ôðar,

Calling on Him for help,
but have other thoughts in their hearts,

23:1919

wirkead wamdâdi:
ne sind im than thiu word fruma,

Working dastardly deeds;
they win no gain from their words.

23:1920

ak thea môtun hwerƀan
an that himiles lioht,

But those may hasten
toward Heaven’s light,

23:1921

gangan an that godes rîki,
thea thes gerne sint,

Go on to the kingdom of God,
who gladly here

23:1922

that sie hîr gefrummien
fader alawaldan

Accomplish the work of the Wielder,
and His will as well.

23:1923

werk endi willeon.
Thea ni thurƀun mid wordun sô fîlu

They need not call unto Him, their Master,
with words so many,

23:1924

hrôpan te helpu,
hwanda the hêlogo god

Hailing Him for help,
since All-Holy God,

23:1925

wêt alloro manno gehwes
môdgethâhti,

Knoweth of every man
the thoughts in his mind,

23:1926

word endi willeon,
endi gildid im is werko lôn.

His word and his will,
and payeth him right for his work.

23:1927

Bethiu skulun gi sorgon,
than gi an thene sîð [farad],

As ye fare on your way,
let this be your worry

23:1928

hwô gi that ârundi
[ti endea bebrengen].

And your task as well:
to fulfill my tidings,

23:1929

Than gi lîðan skulun
aftar thesumu landskepea,

As ye fare on your path,
far o’er the landscape

23:1930

wîdo aftar thesoro weroldi,
al sô iu wegos lêdiad,

Through the wideness of world,
where your ways will lead you,

23:1931

brêd strâta te burg,
simbla [sôkiad] gi iu thene bezton [sân]

The broad street to the borough:
straightway seek ye the best

23:1932

man undar theru menegi
endi kûðead imu iuwan môðseƀon

Men among the multitude,
and make ye known unto them

23:1933

wârun wordun.
Ef sie than thes wirðige sint,

With words of truth what lieth in your minds.
If they be worthy

23:1934

[that] sie iuwa gôdun werk
gerno [gelêstien]

Of this: that they gladly give
help to your good works

23:1935

mid hluttru hugi,
[than] gi an themu hûse mid im

With pureness of heart,
then may ye dwell in the house

23:1936

wonod an willeon
endi [im wel] lônod,

With them as ye will,
rewarding them well:

23:1937

geldad im mid gôdu
endi sie te gode selƀon

Pay them with goodness —
give them to God Himself

23:1938

wordun gewîhad
endi seggead im wissan friðu,

With your words, foretelling
the Wielder’s sure peace,

23:1939

hêlaga helpa
heƀenkuninges.

The holy help
of the King of Heaven.

23:1940

Ef sie than sô sâliga
thurh iro selƀoro dâd

Yet if they cannot
become blessed

23:1941

werðan ni môtun,
that sie iuwa werk frummien,

By their own deeds,
cannot do your works,

23:1942

lêstien iuwa lêra,
than gi fan them liudiun sân,

Carry out your message:
then leave ye these men,

23:1943

farad fan themu folke,
- [the iuwa friðu hwirƀid]

Fare forth from this folk;
and your peace will fare forth with you

23:1944

[eft] an [iuworo] selƀoro sîð, -
endi lâtad sie mid sundiun forð,

Once more on the very same way;
and leave ye them in their wickedness,

23:1945

mid balu[werkun] bûan
endi sôkiad iu burg ôðra,

In their works of sin,
and seek for yourselves another way,

23:1946

mikil [manwerod],
endi ne lâtad thes melmes wiht

A much larger gathering;
nor leave ye of dust one single grain

23:1947

folgan an iuwom fôtun,
thanan [the] man iu antfâhan ne wili,

To follow your feet from there,
where one hath received you unfairly;

23:1948

ak skuddiat it fan iuwon skôhun,
that it im eft te skamu werðe,

But shake ye that dust from your shoes,
so that it becometh a shame,

23:1949

themu werode te gewitskepie,
that iro willio ne dôg.

A witness there to the world-folk,
that their work is worth naught.

23:1950

Than seggeo ik iu te wârun,
sô hwan sô thius werold endiad

Then I tell unto you and in truth:
that when this world doth come to its end

23:1951

endi the mâreo dag
oƀar man farid,

And that Famous Day
fareth over all mankind,

23:1952

that than Sodomoburg,
thiu hîr thurh sundeon warð

That the city of Sodom,
which for its sins

23:1953

[an afgrundi]
êldes kraftu,

Was felled to its fundament
by the force of the flame,

23:1954

fiuru bifallen,
[that] thiu than haƀad friðu mêran,

The power of fire —
it will have more peace,

23:1955

mildiran mund[burd],
[than] thea man êgin,

A milder protector
than shall have those men

23:1956

the iu hîr wiðarwerpat
endi ne williad iuwa word frummien.

Who cast you aside, were unwilling
to accomplish your word.

23:1957

Sô hwe sô iu [than] antfâhit
thurh ferhtan hugi,

Whoever receiveth you
with a pious soul

23:1958

thurh mildean môd,
sô haƀad mînan forð

And mildness of mind,
he hath done so for Me,

23:1959

willeon gewarhten
endi [ôk] waldand god,

Hath accomplished My will,
accepted All-Wielding God,

23:1960

antfangan fader iuwan,
firiho drohtin,

Your Mighty Father,
Master of Mankind,

23:1961

rîkean râdgeƀon,
thene the al reht bikan.

The Rich Giver of Truth,
who knoweth all right.

23:1962

Wêt waldand self,
endi willean lônot

The Wielder Himself doth know
and reward the work

23:1963

gumono gehwilikumu,
sô hwat sô hi hîr gôdes geduot,

Of each earthling,
if to any man ever

23:1964

thoh hi thurh minnea godes
manno hwilikumu

He doeth some good
for the love of God:

23:1965

willeandi fargeƀe
watares drinkan,

Willingly giveth
water to drink

23:1966

that hi thurftigumu manne
[thurst] gehêlie,

That the needy man
is healed of his thirst

23:1967

kaldes brunnan.
Thesa quidi werðad wâra,

From the cold well-spring.
The word will come true.

23:1968

that eo ne bilîƀid,
ne hi thes lôn skuli,

It will never fail,
that he find fair

23:1969

fora godes ôgun
geld antfâhan,

Reward in the eyes of God,
receive recompense

23:1970

mêda managfalde,
sô hwat sô hi is thurh mîna minnea geduot.

Of many a sort for that
which he doeth in God’s sweet love.

23:1971

Sô hwe sô [mîn] than farlôgnid
[liudibarno],

But whosoever of the bairns of men
doth deny Me here,

23:1972

heliðo for thesoro heriu,
sô dôm ik [is] an himile sô self

Of the warriors before the host,
In Heaven I shall likewise do unto him

23:1973

thar uppe far them alowaldan fader
endi for allumu is engilo krafte,

Far above before the All-Wielding Father
and before the strength of His angels,

23:1974

far theru mikilon menigi.
Sô hwilik sô than eft manno barno

Before their multitude.
Whosoever of the children of men

23:1975

an thesoro weroldi ne wili
wordun mîðan,

Doth not with his words
deny Me here in this world,

23:1976

ak [gihit] far gumskepi,
that he mîn jungoro sî,

But before the kinship of men
confesseth he is My disciple,

23:1977

thene williu ek eft ôgean
far [ôgun godes],

Him will I vouch for
before God’s very eyen,

23:1978

fora alloro firiho fader,
thar folk manag

Before the Father of All,
there where so many folk

23:1979

for thene alowaldon
alla gangad

Wend their way
to the All-Wielder

23:1980

reðinon wið thene rîkeon.
Thar williu ik imu an reht wesan

To justify their deeds
before the Great Judge. There will I be

23:1981

mildi mundboro,
sô hwemu sô mînun hîr

As is meet, a mild Protector
for whosoever hearkeneth unto Me,

23:1982

wordun hôrid
endi thiu werk frumid,

Who hath heard My word,
and accomplished the work,

23:1983

thea ik hîr an thesumu berge uppan
geboden hebbiu."

Which I have commanded of you
up here on the mountain.”

23:1984

Habda thô te wârun
waldandes sunu

So the Son of the Wielder
verily taught the world-folk

23:1985

gelêrid thea liudi,
hwô sie lof gode

23:1986

wirkean skoldin.
Thô lêt hi that werod thanan

How they should work God’s love.
Then He sent them away,

23:1987

an alloro [halƀa] gehwilika,
heriskepi manno

The men of His host,
each to his own home.

23:1988

sîðon te selðon.
Habdun selƀes [word],

23:1989

gehôrid heƀenkuninges
hêlaga lêra,

They had heard the Word,
the Heaven King’s holy Spell.

23:1990

sô eo te weroldi sint
[wordo endi dâdeo],

Whosoever in this world was wiser
in word and in deed,

23:1991

mankunnies manag
oƀar thesan middilgard

Many of mankind
over the face of this mid-world,

23:1992

[sprâkono] thiu spâhiron,
sô hwe sô thiu spel gefrang,

Smarter in speech —
he heard the Spell

23:1993

thea thar an themu berge [gesprak]
barno rîkeast.

Which the Richest of Men
spake on the mountain.

{ 24 }
Capitulum XIV

24:1994

Gewêt imu thô umbi threa naht aftar thiu
thesoro thiodo drohtin

It was three nights later,
that the Lord of the Land-folk

24:1995

an [Galileo land],
thar he te ênum gômum warð,

Went into Galilee-land
there to a wedding feast:

24:1996

gebedan that barn godes:
thar skolda man êna brûd geƀan,

God’s Bairn had been bidden.
A bride would be given,

24:1997

munalîka [magað].
Thar Maria was,

A most lovely maid.
Mary was there,

24:1998

mid iro suni selƀo,
sâlig thiorna,

24:1999

mahtiges môder.
Managoro drohtin

The Mighty One’s mother.
The Lord of the Many,

24:2000

geng imu thô mid is jungoron,
godes êgan barn,

God’s Own Bairn, did
go with His followers

24:2001

an that hôha hûs,
thar [the] heri drank,

To the high house,
where the hordes were drinking,

24:2002

thea Judeon an themu gastseli:
he im ôk at them gômun was,

The Jews in the guest-hall.
He did go to the feast,

24:2003

giak hi thar gekûðde,
[that] hi habda kraft godes,

Made known to the guests,
that He had God’s power,

24:2004

helpa fan himilfader,
hêlagna gêst,

Help from the Heaven-Father
and the Holy Ghost

24:2005

waldandes wîsdôm.
Werod blîðode,

The All-Wielder’s wisdom.
The warriors were blithe,

24:2006

wârun thar an luston
liudi atsamne,

The land-folk together
loud in their joy,

24:2007

gumon gladmôdie.
Gengun ambahtman,

Glad-hearted the guests.
The grooms went about

24:2008

skenkeon mid skâlun,
drôgun [skîriane] wîn

Pouring from pitchers;
the pure wine they

24:2009

mid orkun endi mid alofatun;
was thar erlo drôm

carried in jugs and in cups.
The crowd’s tumult

24:2010

fagar an flettea,
thô thar folk undar im

Was gay in the great hall,
when the folk began, one ’mid the other,

24:2011

an them benkeon sô bezt
blîðsea afhôƀun,

To feel their best blitheness;
there on the benches

24:2012

wârun thar an wunneun.
[Thô] im thes wînes brast,

In rapture were they,
when the wine ran out,

24:2013

them liudiun thes lîðes:
is ni was farlêƀid wiht

The fruit drink of the folk —
for naught was there left,

24:2014

hwergin an themu hûse,
that for [thene heri] forð

No drop in the house,
which to the hordes

24:2015

skenkeon drôgin,
ak thiu skapu wârun

The butlers might bear,
when all of the vessels

24:2016

lîðes alârid.
Thô ni was lang te thiu,

Were empty of mead.
’Twas not long after that

24:2017

that it sân antfunda
[frîo] skôniosta,

That the fairest of ladies
did find this out,

24:2018

Cristes môder:
geng wið iro kind sprekan,

The mother of Christ.
She went to speak to her Kin,

24:2019

wið iro sunu selƀon,
sagda im mid wordun,

To her Son Himself;
she said with her words

24:2020

that thea werdos thô mêr
wînes ne habdun

That the host of the house
had no more of wine,

24:2021

them gestiun te [gômun].
Siu thô gerno bad,

24:2022

that is the hêlogo Crist
helpa geriedi

Hight the Holy Christ,
that He find some help

24:2023

themu werode te willeon.
Thô habda [eft] is word garu

For the joy of the many.
There again God’s Mighty Bairn

24:2024

mahtig barn godes
endi wið is môder sprak:

Had ready His word:
with His mother He spake:

24:2025

"hwat ist mi endi thi", quað he,
"umbi thesoro manno lið,

“What doth the mead of these men,”
quoth He, “mean to Me,

24:2026

umbi theses werodes wîn?
Te huî sprikis thu thes, wîf, sô filu,

The wine of this world-folk?
Why, O goodwife, speaketh thou

24:2027

manos mi far thesoro menigi?
Ne sint mîna noh

So much, admonishing Me
before these many?

24:2028

[tîdi] kumana."
Than thoh [gitrûoda siu wel]

My time is not come yet!”
Yet she still trusted well

24:2029

an iro hugiskeftiun,
hêlag thiorne,

Deep in her heart,
the Holy Maid,

24:2030

that is aftar them wordun
waldandes barn,

That the Wielder’s Bairn —
even after these words —

24:2031

hêleandoro bezt
helpan weldi.

Would help indeed,
the Best of All Healers.

24:2032

Hêt thô thea ambahtman
idiso skôniost,

Then the sweetest of ladies
hight all the servants,

24:2033

skenkeon endi skapwardos,
thea thar skoldun thero skolu thionon,

The butlers and cup-bearers
who had here been serving,

24:2034

that sie thes ne word ne werk
wiht ne farlêtin,

That they omit not a whit
either of words or of works

24:2035

thes sie the hêlogo Crist
hêtan weldi

Of that which the Holy Christ
would hight them do

24:2036

lêstean far them liudiun.
Lârea stôdun thar

For the people there.
The pots all stood empty,

24:2037

stênfatu sehsi.
Thô sô stillo gebôd

Stone vessels six.
Quite softly He bade them —

24:2038

mahtig barn godes,
sô it thar manno filu

God’s Mighty Bairn —
so that many a man

24:2039

ne wissa te wârun,
hwô he it mid [is] wordu gesprak;

Was verily all unaware
what He said with His words.

24:2040

he hêt thea skenkeon thô
skîreas watares

He hight that the butlers
should fill the barrels,

24:2041

thiu fatu fullien,
endi hi thar mid is fingrun thô,

The cup-bearers there, with clearest water;
with His fingers He blessed it,

24:2042

segnade selƀo
sînun handun,

24:2043

warhte it te wîne
endi hêt is an ên wêgi hlaðen,

With His hands turned it to wine;
and He hight the vessels be filled,

24:2044

skeppien mid ênoro skâlon,
endi thô te them skenkeon sprak,

The pitchers be poured from;
and He spake to the servants,

24:2045

hêt [is] thero gesteo,
the at them gômun was

Hight that they give with their hands
to the foremost guest

24:2046

themu hêroston
an hand geƀan,

Who was here at the feast:
for him pour a fulsome jug,

24:2047

ful mid folmun,
themu the thes folkes thar

24:2048

geweld aftar themu [werde].
Reht sô [hi] thes wînes gedrank,

Who next to the host was the noblest there.
When he now drank the wine,

24:2049

sô ni mahte he bemîðan,
ne hi far theru menigi sprak

He was loathe to keep still;
but before the many he spake

24:2050

te themu brûdigumon,
quað that simbla that bezte lîð

To the bridegroom then;
quoth that the best mead should have been brought,

24:2051

alloro erlo gehwilik
êrist skoldi

The finest of the fruit-wines
given first to the earls

24:2052

geƀan at is gômun:
"undar thiu wirðid [thero] gumono hugi

At once at the wedding.
“So is a man’s wit

24:2053

awekid mid wînu,
that sie wel blîðod,

Awakened by the wine,
and he waxeth blithe,

24:2054

drunkan drômead.
Than mag man thar dragan aftar thiu

Maketh merry with drink.
Then mayest thou bring on

24:2055

[lîhtlîkora] lîð:
sô ist thesoro liudeo thau.

The worser wines.
That is the way of this folk.

24:2056

Than haƀas thu nu wunderlîko
werdskepi thînan

But most strangely indeed
hast thou marked thy hostship

24:2057

gemarkod far thesoro menigi:
hêtis far thit manno folk

Among the multitude here;
thou hast hight thy serving men,

24:2058

alles thînes wînes
that wirsiste

Thy butlers and cup-bearers
bring out at the banquet

24:2059

thîne ambahtman
êrist brengean,

Of all the wines
the very worst forsooth,

24:2060

geƀan [at] thînun gômun.
Nu sint thîna gesti sade,

Serving that first at the feast.
Now that thy guests are filled,

24:2061

sint thîne druhtingos
drunkane swîðo,

The dear banqueteers
are already most drunk,

24:2062

is thit folk [frômôd]:
nu hêtis thu hîr forð dragan

The folk feeling merry,
thou hightest brought forth

24:2063

alloro lîðo lofsamost,
thero [the ik eo an thesumu liohte gesah]

The loveliest of all wines
which I ever saw lifted

24:2064

hwergin hebbean.
Mid thius skoldis thu ûs hindag êr

Anywhere in this earth-light.
Thou should’st have given that earlier,

24:2065

geƀon endi gômean:
than it alloro gumono gehwilik

Have served us sooner.
Such thanks would’st thou then

24:2066

gethigedi te thanke."
Thô warð thar thegan manag

Have garnered from all the good men.”
Many a thane grew

24:2067

gewar aftar them wordun,
sîðor sie thes wînes gedrunkun,

Aware after these words —
as soon as they had drunk of the wine —

24:2068

that [thar] the hêlogo Crist
an themu hûse innan

That here in the house
the Holy Christ

24:2069

têkan warhte:
trûodun sie sîðor

Had revealed a token.
They trusted thereafter

24:2070

thiu mêr an is mundburd,
that hi [habdi] maht godes,

The more in His rule:
that He had God’s might

24:2071

gewald an thesoro weroldi.
Thô warð that sô wîdo kûð

To wield in this world.
So it came widely known

24:2072

oƀar [Galileo land]
Judeo liudiun,

Over Galilee-land
to the Jewish folk

24:2073

hwô thar selƀo gededa
sunu drohtines

That the Son of the Lord
had Himself turned

24:2074

water te wîne:
that warð thar wundro êrist,

The water to wine.
That was of His wonders

24:2075

thero [the] hi thar an Galilea
Judeo [liudeon],

The first which He showed
as a sign to the Jewish folk,

24:2076

têkno getôgdi.
Ne mag [that] getellean man,

As a token in Galilee-land.
Nor may anyone tell

24:2077

geseggean te sôðan,
hwat thar sîðor warð

Nor say forsooth,
what hath happed since then

24:2078

wundres undar themu werode,
thar waldand Crist

In the way of wonders among the folk;
for All-Wielding Christ

24:2079

an godes namon
Judeo liudeon

Told His teachings
unto the people of Jews

24:2080

allan langan dag
lêra sagde,

The livelong day
in the name of Lord God,

24:2081

gihêt im [heƀenrîki]
endi helleo gethuing

Promised the kingdom of Heaven;
with His words protected them, too,

24:2082

weride mid wordun,
hêt sie wara godes,

From the press of hell.
Hight that they should seek the wardship of God

24:2083

sinlîf sôkean:
thar is seolono lioht,

And eternal life.
There is the light of the souls,

24:2084

drôm drohtines
endi dagskîmon,

The Lord’s life ever joyous,
the glow of the day,

24:2085

gôd[lîknissea] godes;
thar gêst manag

The good glory of God.
There many guests

24:2086

wonod an willean,
the hîr wel thenkid,

Dwell to His will,
who here have thought well

24:2087

that he hîr bihalde
heƀenkuninges gebod.

How best they should keep it,
the Heaven-King’s commandment

{ 25 }
Capitulum XV

25:2088

Gewêt imu thô mid is jungoron
fan them gômun [forð]

With His followers
He went forth from the feast,

25:2089

Kristus te Capharnaum,
kuningo rîkeost,

Christ to Capernaum,
the Richest of Kings,

25:2090

te theru mâreon burg.
Megin samnode,

To that famous town.
Much folk was assembled,

25:2091

gumon imu tegegnes,
gôdoro [manno]

Was gathered around Him,
men of good stock —

25:2092

sâlig gesîði:
weldun thiu [is] suôtean word

A blessed following it was.
They wanted to hear His word,

25:2093

hêlag [hôrien.
Thar] im ên hunno quam,

Which was sweet and holy.
There came toward Him a centurion;

25:2094

ên gôd man angegin
endi ina gerno bad

A good man, he approached Him
and bade Him most earnestly,

25:2095

helpan hêlagne,
quað that hi undar is hîwiskea

That the Holy One help him.
Quoth that at home

25:2096

ênna lefna [lamon]
lango habdi,

He had long had
a man lame and sickly,

25:2097

seokan an is selðon:
"sô ina ênig seggeo ne mag

In his family a feeble one,
“For I tell Thee no one

25:2098

handun gehêlien.
Nu is im thînoro helpono tharf,

Can heal him with hands.
Now I have need of Thy help,

25:2099

frô mîn the gôdo."
Thô sprak im eft that friðubarn godes

Good Lord, my Liege.”
Then spake the Peace-Bairn of God

25:2100

sân aftar thiu
selƀo tegegnes,

And straightway Himself
did say unto him,

25:2101

quað that he thar quâmi
endi that kind [weldi]

Quoth that He would come
and save his young kin

25:2102

nerean [af] theru nôdi.
Thô im nâhor geng

From his direst need.
Then came nearer

25:2103

the man far theru menigi
wið sô mahtigna

The man from the multitude
to speak to the Mighty Christ,

25:2104

wordun wehslan:
"ik thes wirðig ne bium," quað he,

To exchange words with Him.
“I am not worth,” quoth he,

25:2105

"hêrro the gôdo,
that thu an mîn hûs kumes,

“Good Lord, my Liege,
that Thou would’st come to my house »

25:2106

sôkeas mîna seliða,
hwand ik bium sô sundig man

Would’st seek out my dwelling,
for I am a sinful man

25:2107

mid wordun endi mid werkun.
Ik gelôƀiu that thu gewald haƀas,

With my words and my works.
I believe Thou wieldest might,

25:2108

that thu ina [hinana] maht
hêlan gewirkean,

Canst work his healing
here in this place,

25:2109

waldand frô mîn:
ef thu it mid [thînun wordun] gesprikis,

My Wielder and Lord;
if Thou speakest Thy word,

25:2110

than is sân thiu lêfhêd lôsot
endi wirðid is lîkhamo

He is cured of his sickness;
clean and bright shining

25:2111

hêl endi hrêni,
ef thu im thîna helpa fargiƀis.

Doth his body become,
if Thou wilt but give him Thy help.

25:2112

Ik bium mi ambahtman,
hebbiu mi ôdes genôg,

I am a man holding office
and have wealth enough,

25:2113

welono gewunnen:
thoh ik undar geweldi sî

Have gained goodly things;
though I stand governed

25:2114

aðalkuninges,
[thoh] hebbiu ik erlo getrôst,

By an aethling king,
yet have I of earls quite a following,

25:2115

holde heririnkos,
thea mi sô gehôriga sint,

Loyal warriors in arms,
who listen alone unto me,

25:2116

that sie thes ne word ne werk
wiht ne farlâtad,

Who leave of word or of work
not a whit undone

25:2117

thes ik sie an thesumu landskepie
lêstean [hête,]

Of that which I bid them
do here in the land;

25:2118

ak sie farad endi frummiad
endi eft te iro frôhan kumad,

But they fare forth and finish it,
do return to their master,

25:2119

holde te iro hêrron.
Thoh ik at mînumu hûs êgi

Being obedient to me, their lord.
Though I do own broad

25:2120

wîdbrêdene welon
endi werodes genôg,

Spreading goods in my house,
have servants enough,

25:2121

heliðos hugiderƀie,
[thoh] ni gidar ik thi sô hêlagna

War-minded men,
still may I not dare

25:2122

biddien, barn godes,
that thu an mîn bû gangas,

To bid Thee, God’s Bairn so Holy,
to enter my building,

25:2123

sôkeas mîna seliða,
hwand ik sô sundig bium,

To seek our my dwelling,
since I am so sinful,

25:2124

wêt mîna farwurhti."
Thô sprak eft waldand Crist,

So mindful, my Lord, of my misdeeds.”
Then spake once more All-Wielding Christ,

25:2125

the gumo wið is jungoron,
quað that hi an Judeon hwergin

The Finest of Men, to His followers;
quoth that never had He found

25:2126

undar Israheles
aƀoron ne fundi

Anywhere ’mongst the Jews,
among the offspring of Israel,

25:2127

gemakon thes mannes,
the io mêr te gode

The like of this man
in the landscape; one who believed

25:2128

an themu landskepi
gelôƀon habdi,

25:2129

[than] hluttron te himile:
"nu lâtu ik iu thar hôrien tô,

More deeply in God, more purely
in Heaven — “Now may

25:2130

thar ik it iu te wârun hîr
wordun seggeo,

Ye hear, ye too, what I say at this time
with words of truth:

25:2131

that noh skulun elitheoda
[ôstane] endi [uestane],

That much foreign folk
from the East and the West,

25:2132

mankunnies kuman
manag tesamne,

Many clans of mankind
shall come together,

25:2133

[hêlag folk godes
an heƀenrîki]:

God’s holy folk
in the Heavenly Kingdom:

25:2134

thea motun thar an Abrahames
endi an Isaakes sô self

They will rest right well
in the lap of Abraham,

25:2135

endi [ôk] an Jakobes,
gôdoro manno,

Of Isaac himself and of Jacob,
good men all, and enjoy

25:2136

barmun restien
endi bêðiu [gethologean,]

25:2137

welon endi willeon
endi [wonodsam] lîf,

Goods and good will
and a winsome life

25:2138

gôd lioht mid gode.
Than skal [Judeono] filu,

And the great light with God.
But lo, many Jews,

25:2139

theses rîkeas suni
berôƀode werðen,

The sons of this realm
will then be robbed,

25:2140

[bedêlide] sulikoro diurðo,
endi skulun an dalun thiustron

Be sundered from such splendor,
and shall have to lie

25:2141

an themu alloro ferristan
ferne liggen.

In the darkest dales
in the farthest distance of all.

25:2142

Thar mag man gehôrien
heliðos quîðean,

There one can hear
the heroes lamenting

25:2143

thar sie iro torn manag
tandon bîtad;

And gnashing their teeth
in terror and pain.

25:2144

thar ist [gristgrimmo]
endi grâdag fiur,

There is furious rage
and a hungry fire

25:2145

hard [helleo gethuing],
hêt endi thiustri,

And the hard pangs of hell,
hot and thirsty,

25:2146

[swart] sinnahti
sundea te lône,

Swarthy might, never ending,
as payment for sin,

25:2147

wrêðoro gewurhteo,
sô hwemu sô thes willeon ne haƀad,

For wretched wrong-doing,
to all who have not willed to rid

25:2148

that he [ina] alôsie,
êr hi thit lioht ageƀe,

Themselves of their wrongs
before they relinquish the light,

25:2149

wendie fan thesoro weroldi.
Nu maht thu thi an thînan willeon forð

Wend their way from this world.
Now if ’tis thy will,

25:2150

sîðon te selðun;
than findis thu gesund at hûs

Thou mayest go home.
In thy house thou wilt find hale

25:2151

magujungan man:
môd is imu an luston,

And sound the child-young man:
he will be joyous of mind.

25:2152

that barn is gehêlid,
sô thu bêdi te mi:

The bairn hath been healed;
even so as thou badest Me,

25:2153

it wirðid al sô gelêstid,
sô thu gelôƀon haƀas

All hath been done,
even as thou hast belief

25:2154

an thînumu hugi hardo."
Thô sagde heƀenkuninge,

Firm fixed in thy heart.”
Then to the Heaven-King,

25:2155

the ambahtman
alowaldon gode

To the All-Wielding Child of God
the centurion gave thanks

25:2156

thank for thero thiodo,
[thes] he imu at sulikun tharƀun halp.

Before all the folk for this,
that He had helped him thus in his anguish.

25:2157

Habda tho [giârundid,]
al sô he welde,

It ws all worked,
even as he had wished it

25:2158

sâliglîko:
giwêt imu an thana sîð thanan,

And most blessed indeed:
he did go on his way,

25:2159

wende an is willean,
thar he welon êhte,

Went as he willed,
where he had ownership,

25:2160

bû endi bôdlos:
fand [that] barn gesund,

A house and a home.
There he found hale his bairn,

25:2161

kindjungan [man].
Kristes wârun thô

The child-young man. Christ’s word
was accomplished, for He had

25:2162

word [gefullot:]
hi gewald habda

25:2163

te [tôgeanna] têkan,
sô that ni mag gitellien man,

The might to show forth tokens,
so that no man could tell,

25:2164

geahton oƀar thesoro erðu,
hwat he thurh is ênes kraft

Over he earth could reckon,
that He through His own power,

25:2165

an [thesaro] middilgard
mâriða gefrumide,

Through His strength had made miracles
on this mid-world here,

25:2166

wundres gewarhte,
hwand al an is geweldi stâd,

Accomplished such marvels.
For all things stand in His might,

25:2167

himil endi erðe.

Both Heaven and earth.

{ 26 }
Capitulum XVI

26:2167

Thô gewêt imu the hêlogo Crist

Then the Holy Christ bethought Him

26:2168

forðwardes faren,
[fremide] alomahtig

To fare on farther.
For the bairns of the folk

26:2169

alloro dago gihwilikes,
drohtin the gôdo,

The Master of All,
the Almighty, the Good,

26:2170

liudeo barnum leof,
[lêrde] mid wordun

Every day did accomplish
deeds dear and good;

26:2171

godes willeon gumun,
habda imu jungorono filu

With words taught God’s will
to the people, had always

26:2172

simbla te gisîðun,
sâlig folk godes,

Followers aplenty about Him,
blessed folk of God,

26:2173

manno meginkraft,
managoro theodo,

A mighty crowd of men,
come from many peoples,

26:2174

hêlag heriskepi,
was is helpono gôd,

A holy army and host.
He was good in His help,

26:2175

mannun mildi.
Thô hi mid theru menigi quam,

Mild to the men.
Then He came with the many:

26:2176

mid thiu [brahtmu] that barn godes
te burg theru hôhon,

Now the Bairn of God
with a noisy crowd came to Nain,

26:2177

the neriendo te Naim:
thar skolde is namo werðen

The Savior to the high-standing
city. There His name

26:2178

mannun gemârid.
Thô geng mahtig tô

Would become famed among men.
There mightily

26:2179

neriendo Crist,
antat he ginâhid was,

The Saving Christ walked along
until He came closer,

26:2180

[hêleandero bezt:
thô] sâhun sie thar ên hrêo dragan,

The Best of All Healers.
They saw folk bringing a body —

26:2181

[ênan] lîflôsan lîkhamon
thea liudi [fôrien],

They came carrying
a corpse without life.

26:2182

[beran] an ênaru [bâru]
ût at [thera] burges dore,

On a bier they bore it
through the gates of the bastion,

26:2183

magujungan man.
Thiu môder aftar geng

A child-young man.
The mother did follow,

26:2184

an iro hugi hriwig
endi handun slôg,

Her heart being heavy;
herself did she beat with her hands,

26:2185

karode endi kûmde
iro kindes dôð,

Bewailed and lamented
the death of her bairn —

26:2186

idis armskapan;
it was ira [ênag] barn:

Unhappy woman was she —
it was her only child.

26:2187

siu was iru widowa,
ne habda wunnea than mêr,

She was a widow,
in this world had no joy

26:2188

[biûten] te themu ênagun sunie
al [gelâten]

Except this one son,
whom Weird had now taken.

26:2189

wunnea endi willean,
anttat ina iru [wurd] benam,

She had lost all things,
has lost joy and happiness;

26:2190

mâri metodogeskapu.
Megin folgode,

And now fate, ill-famed, had robbed her of him.
Many people did follow,

26:2191

burgliudeo gebrak,
thar man ina an [bâru] drôg,

A crowd of the burghers,
as they carried the bier,

26:2192

jungan man te graƀe.
Thar warð imu the godes sunu,

The young man to his grave.
There the Son of God,

26:2193

mahtig mildi
endi te theru môder sprak,

The Mighty grew mild;
and to the mother He spake;

26:2194

hêt that thiu widowa
wôp farlêti,

Hight the widow
leave off with her weeping,

26:2195

kara aftar themu kinde:
"thu skalt [hîr kraft sehan],

Nor care for her child;
“Thou shalt see here the strength,

26:2196

waldandes giwerk:
thi skal hîr willeo [gestanden],

The work of the Wielder:
thy will shall be granted thee,

26:2197

frôfra far thesumu folke:
ne tharft thu ferah karon

Comfort in front of the folk:
from now on thy spirit

26:2198

barnes thînes."
Thuo hie ti thero bâron geng

May not bemoan thy bairn.”
Then he went to the bier,

26:2199

jak hie ina selƀo anthrên,
suno drohtines,

He Himself did touch it,
the Son of the Lord,

26:2200

hêlagon handon,
endi ti them [heliðe] sprak,

With His holy hands
and to the hero He spake,

26:2201

hiet ina sô alajungan
[up] astandan,

Hight this child, all too young,
to stand up, hight him

26:2202

arîsan fan theru restun.
Thie rink up asat,

Arise from his rest.
Right away the youth

26:2203

that barn an thero bârun:
warð im eft an is briost kuman

Did sit up, the bairn on the bier;
and into his breast came

26:2204

thie gêst thuru godes kraft,
endi hie tegegnes sprak,

His soul through the strength of God;
and he spake unto them,

26:2205

the man wið is mâgos.
Thuo ina eft thero muoder bifalah

The man to his kith.
Christ commended him then to his mother,

26:2206

hêlandi Crist an hand:
hugi warð iro te froƀra,

The Holy One into her hands.
Her heart was consoled.

26:2207

thes wîƀes an wunneon,
hwand iro thar sulik willeo gistuod.

Happy the woman, since to her
so much grace had happed.

26:2208

Fell siu thô te fuotun Cristes
endi thena folko drohtin

She fell to Christ’s feet
and praised Him, the Folk-Lord,

26:2209

loƀoda for thero liudeo menigi,
hwand hie iro at sô liobes [ferahe]

Master, before all the multitude,
since He had here helped

26:2210

mundoda wiðer metodigiskeftie:
farstuod siu that hie was thie mahtigo drohtin,

Her loved one to live ’gainst the working of Weird.
Well she knew that He was

26:2211

thie hêlago, thie himiles giwaldid,
endi that hie mahti gihelpan managon,

The Mighty Lord, the Holy, who governed the Heaven,
who could help so many

26:2212

allon irminthiedon.
Thuo bigunnun that ahton managa,

Of earthlings all.
then many began to attend

26:2213

that wunder, that under them weroda giburida,
quâðun that waldand selƀo,

The wonder, which had come to pass
there ’mid the folk: quoth that the Wielder Himself,

26:2214

mahtig quâmi tharod is menigi wîson,
endi that hie im sô mârean sandi

The Mighty, had come to teach them,
the many, that He had sent

26:2215

wârsagon an thero [weroldes rîki,]
thie im thar sulikan willeon frumidi.

A prophet, most wondrous, to the kingdom of world;
one who did His will.

26:2216

Warð thar thuo erl manag
egison bifangan,

Then truly many an earl
was taken by terror,

26:2217

that folk warð an forohton:
gisâhun thena is [ferah] êgan,

The folk full of fear,
for they saw him again

26:2218

dages lioht sehan,
thena the êr dôð fornam,

Alive and seeing the light of day;
him whom death had but lately taken,

26:2219

an suhtbeddeon swalt:
thuo was im eft gisund after thiu,

Stretched low on his sick-bed.
Again he was sound,

26:2220

kindjung aquikot.
Thuo warð that kûð obar all

The young kin quickened;
and soon this did spread

26:2221

aƀaron Israheles.
Reht sô thuo âƀand quam,

To the heirs of all Israel.
And when evening came,

26:2222

sô warð thar all gisamnod
seokora manno,

There were gathered about
many sick men together,

26:2223

haltaro endi hâƀaro,
sô hwat sô thar hwergin was,

The halt and the lame of hand —
whosoever was here

26:2224

thia lêƀun under them liudeon,
endi wurðun thar gilêdit tuo,

And lived ’mid the land-folk;
they were led to the place,

26:2225

kumana te Criste,
thar hie im thuru is kraft mikil

Were come to the Christ,
who through His strength and His craft

26:2226

halp endi sie hêlda,
endi liet sia eft gihaldana thanan

Helped them and healed them
and sent them hale from the place

26:2227

wendan an iro willeon.
Bethiu skal man is werk loƀon,

To wend where they willed.
Therefore should one praise His words,

26:2228

diuran is dâdi,
hwand hie is drohtin self,

26:2229

mahtig mundboro
manno kunnie,

The Mighty Minder
of all mankind,

26:2230

liudeo sô hwilikon,
sô thar gilôbit tuo

Of whatsoever land-folk
verily believeth

26:2231

an is word endi an is werk.

In His word and His work.

{ 27 }
Capitulum XVII

27:2231

Thuo was thar werodes sô filo

There were come so many

27:2232

allaro elithiodo [kuman
te] them êron Cristes,

From all the foreign folk
for the glory of Christ,

27:2233

[te] sô mahtiges mundburd.
Thuo welda hie thar êna meri lîðan,

For His mighty guardianship.
There onto a sea God’s Son

27:2234

thie godes suno mid is jungron
aneƀan Galilealand,

Wished to go with His vassals —
’twas on Galilee’s borders —

27:2235

waldand ênna [wâgo strôm].
Thuo hiet hie that werod ôðar

The Wielder onto a wave-tide.
There He willed that the other folk

27:2236

forðwerdes faran,
endi hie giwêt im fahora sum

Go wandering ahead,
and He went with a few

27:2237

an ênna nakon innan,
neriendi Crist,

Into a small ship,
the Savior Christ,

27:2238

slâpan sîðwôrig.
Segel [up] dâdun

Way-weary, to sleep.
The weather-wise men

27:2239

wederwîsa weros,
lietun wind after

Raised high the sail,
let the wind drive the sloop

27:2240

manon oƀar thena meristrôm,
unthat hie te middean quam,

Over the sea-tide,
until they did come to the center,

27:2241

waldand mid is werodu.
Thuo bigan thes wedares kraft,

The Wielder there with His vassals.
There began the force of the weather;

27:2242

ûst up stîgan,
ûðiun wahsan;

The storm-wind rose,
the waves waxed high,

27:2243

swang giswerk an gimang:
thie sêu warð an hruoru,

Swarthy clouds swung down in between:
the sea was astir,

27:2244

wan wind endi water;
weros sorogodun,

Wind battled water;
the men were worried.

27:2245

thiu meri warð sô muodag,
ni wânda thero manno nigên

The sea was so angry,
not a man expected

27:2246

lengron lîƀes.
Thuo [sia] landes ward

To live any longer.
The Land-Warden they then

27:2247

wekidun mid iro wordon
endi sagdun im thes wedares kraft,

Awakened with their words.
They told unto Him of the weather’s strength;

27:2248

bâdun that im ginâðig
neriendi Crist

They bade saving Christ
to be gracious and kind, to help

27:2249

wurði wið them watare:
"eftha wi skulun hier te wunderquâlu

’Gainst the water.
“Else will we die,

27:2250

sweltan an theson sêwe."
Self [up arês]

Martyred here in the sea.”
Then the Good Son of God

27:2251

thie guodo godes suno
endi te is jungron sprak,

Arose, Himself from His sleep.
To His disciples He spake,

27:2252

hiet that sia im wedares giwin
wiht ni [andrêdin]:

Bade them not to dread
the weather’s battle one bit.

27:2253

"te huî sind gi sô forhta?" quathie.
"Nis iu noh fast hugi,

“Why are ye so fearful?” quoth He.
“Are your hearts not yet firm,

27:2254

gilôƀo is iu te luttil.
Nis nu lang te thiu,

Your belief yet so little.
’Twill not be long now

27:2255

that thia strômos skulun
stilrun werðan

Then the stream shall
become stiller

27:2256

gi thit wedar wunsam."
Tho hi te [them] winde sprak

And the weather all winsome.”
Then He spake to the wind,

27:2257

ge te themu sêwa sô self
endi sie smultro hêt

And to the sea itself.
And He said unto them

27:2258

[bêðea] [gebârean.]
Sie gibod lêstun,

Both, that they should grow still.
And they hearkened to His bidding,

27:2259

waldandes word:
weder stillodun,

To the Wielder’s word.
The weather grew calm,

27:2260

fagar warð [an] flôde.
Thô [bigan] that folk undar im,

The flood became fair.
There the folk around Him,

27:2261

[werod wundraian],
endi suma mid [iro] wordun sprâkun,

The world-men did wonder,
and with their words some did speak

27:2262

hwilik that sô mahtigoro
manno wâri,

What a Mighty One
this Man was indeed,

27:2263

that imu sô the wind endi the wâg
wordu hôrdin,

That the wind and the wave
would heed His word,

27:2264

[bêðea] is gibodskepies.
Thô habda sie that barn godes

Both doing His bidding.
The Bairn of God

27:2265

ginerid fan theru nôdi:
the nako furðor skreid,

Had there saved them from need.
The sloop sailed on farther,

27:2266

[hôh hurnidskip];
heliðos [quâmun],

The high-horned ship.
The heroes did come,

27:2267

[liudi] te lande,
sagdun lof gode,

The leaders, to land.
They all lauded God

27:2268

mâridun is meginkraft.
Quam thar manno filu

And praised His great power.
Then many people did come

27:2269

angegin [themu] godes [sunie];
he sie gerno antfeng,

To the Son of God.
He received them most gladly,

27:2270

sô hwene sô thar mid [hluttru hugi]
helpa sôhte;

Whosoever sought help
with a clear, pure heart.

27:2271

lêrde sie iro gilôƀon
endi iro lîkhamon

He did teach them to believe,
and lo, their bodies

27:2272

handun hêlde:
nio the man sô hardo ni was

He healed with His hands;
though a man were hard

27:2273

[gisêrit] mid suhtiun:
thoh ina Satanases

And piteously pressed
with plagues through Satan’s

27:2274

fêknea jungoron
fîundes kraftu

Wiley followers,
though the force of the Fiend

27:2275

habdin undar handun
endi is hugiskefti,

Held him fast in his hands,
had destroyed his heart

27:2276

[giwit] awardid,
that he wôdiendi

And his wit as well,
that he went about

27:2277

fôri undar themu folke,
thoh im simbla [ferh fargaf]

Mad among mankind;
yet Mighty Christ always,

27:2278

hêlandeo Crist,
ef he te is handun quam,

The Healer, gave him back his life,
if he were come to His hands,

27:2279

drêf thea diuƀlas thanan
drohtines kraftu,

Drove the devils hence
with the power of God,

27:2280

wârun wordun,
endi im is gewit fargaf,

With words of truth,
and returned him his wit,

27:2281

lêt ina than hêlan
wiðer hetteandun,

Let him be healed
against the haters

27:2282

gaf im wið thie fîund friðu,
endi im forð giwêt

Gave him peace ’gainst the foe;
and they went forth,

27:2283

an sô [hwilik] thero lando,
sô im [than] leoƀost was.

Each into his own land,
whichever he loved the most.

{ 28 }
Capitulum XXVIII

28:2284

Sô deda the drohtines sunu
dago gihwilikes

So our Dear Lord’s Son
did on each day

28:2285

[gôd werk] mid is jungeron,
sô neo Judeon umbi that

God’s work with His followers.
But the Jews had no faith,

28:2286

an thea is [mikilun kraft]
thiu mêr ne gelôƀdun,

Believed not at all
in the largeness of His strength:

28:2287

that he alowaldo
alles wâri,

That He was the All-Wielder
over all things,

28:2288

landes endi liudio:
thes sie noh lôn nimat,

Of lands and of people.
Their reward is still lasting:

28:2289

wîdana wraksîð,
thes sie thar that gewin driƀun

’Tis farflung exile,
since they acted so evilly

28:2290

wið [selƀan] thene [sunu drohtines].
Thô he [im] mid is gesîðon giwêt

’Gainst the Lord’s Son Himself.
With His retainers He soon went

28:2291

eft an [Galilæo land],
godes êgan barn,

Again into Galilee-land;
He did go with His friends,

28:2292

fôr im te them friundun,
thar he afôdid was

God’s own Bairn,
to where He was born,

28:2293

endi al undar is kunnie
kindjung awôhs,

Where as a young child
He had waxed with His kin,

28:2294

the hêlago hêleand.
Umbi ina heriskepi,

He, the Healer All Holy.
Around Him a host,

28:2295

theoda thrungun;
thar was thegan manag

A great crowd did throng.
There was many a thane

28:2296

sô sâlig undar them gesîðe.
Thar drôgun ênna seokan man

So blessed ’mid the crowd.
There some carried a sick man,

28:2297

erlos [an] iro armun:
weldun ina for ôgun Kristes,

Certain earls in their arms.
Before Christ’s eyen they would

28:2298

brengean for that barn godes -
was im bôtono tharf,

Bring him, before God’s Bairn.
Betterment he needed,

28:2299

that ina gehêldi
heƀenes waldand,

Needed Heaven’s Wielder
to heal him indeed,

28:2300

manno mundboro -,
the was êr sô managan dag

The Minder of Men.
For many a day

28:2301

liðuwastmon bilamod,
ni mahte is lîkhamon

He had been lamed of limb.
Little could he

28:2302

[wiht] gewaldan.
Than was thar werodes sô filu,

Govern his body at all.
There were such great numbers

28:2303

that sie ina fora that barn godes
brengean ni mahtun,

That they could not bring him
before God’s Bairn,

28:2304

gethringan thurh thea thioda,
that sie [sô] thurftiges

Could not press through the people
to tell Him the plight

28:2305

sunnea gesagdin.
Thô giwêt imu an ênna seli innan

Of this poor, sick man.
There He hied Himself within,

28:2306

[hêleando] Crist;
[hwarf] warð thar umbi,

To the hall, All Healing Christ —
a great crowd was around Him,

28:2307

megintheodo gemang.
Thô bigunnun thea man spreken,

A multitude of mankind.
There the men who had so long

28:2308

the thene lêfna lamon
lango fôrdun,

Carried with them
the weak-limbed cripple

28:2309

bârun mid is beddiu,
hwô sie ina gedrôgin fora that [barn godes],

Began to speak how they might bear him
on the bed before God’s Bairn,

28:2310

[an] that werod innan,
thar ina waldand Crist

Through the world-folk within,
so that Wielding Christ

28:2311

selƀo gisâwi.
Thô gengun thea gesîðos tô,

Would see him Himself.
So his servants went,

28:2312

hôƀun ina mid iro handun
endi uppan that hûs stigun,

With their hands they did lift him,
climbed high on the house,

28:2313

slitun thene seli oƀana
endi [ina] mid sêlun lêtun

Slit open the hall from the roof
above, and with ropes

28:2314

an thene rakud innan,
thar the rîkeo was,

Let him down in the building
where the Rich Lord was,

28:2315

kuningo kraftigost.
Reht sô he ina [thô] kuman gisah

The Strongest of Kings.
When He saw him coming

28:2316

thurh thes hûses hrôst,
sô he thô an iro hugi farstôd,

Through the house’s rafters,
right well He knew from the hearts,

28:2317

an thero manno môdseƀon,
that sie [mikilana] te imu

From the minds of these men,
that mighty indeed

28:2318

gelôƀon habdun,
thô he for then liudiun sprak,

Was their faith in Him.
And so spake He before all the folk,

28:2319

quað that he thene siakon man
sundeono tômean

Quoth that He would absolve
the sick man from sin.

28:2320

lâtan weldi.
Thô sprâkun im eft thea liudi angegin,

In answer to this
the people did speak,

28:2321

[gramharde] Judeon,
thea thes godes barnes

Rage-hardened Jews, quoth
how could it be so:

28:2322

word [aftarwarodun],
quâðun that that ni mahti [giwerðen] sô,

28:2323

grimwerk fargeƀen,
[biûtan] god êno,

God alone can forgive
works of crime,

28:2324

waldand thesaro weroldes.
Thô habda eft is word garu

The world’s All-Wielder.
His word He had ready,

28:2325

mahtig barn godes:
"ik gidôn that", quað he, "an thesumu [manne] skîn,

God’s Mighty Bairn. “I make manifest,”
quoth He, “in this man

28:2326

the hîr sô siak ligid
an thesumu seli innan,

Who lieth so ill
here in this large hall —

28:2327

[te] wundron giwêgid,
that ik gewald hebbiu

Most grievously pained —
that I have the power

28:2328

sundea te fargeƀanne
endi ôk seokan man

To forgive the sins
and to heal the sick man

28:2329

te gehêleanne,
sô ik ina hrînan ni tharf."

Without ever touching
My hand to him.”

28:2330

Manoda ina thô
the mâreo drohtin,

Then our Mighty Lord
admonished the man

28:2331

liggeandean lamon,
hêt ina far them liudiun astandan

Who lay there lame
to rise there before the land-folk,

28:2332

up alohêlan
endi hêt ina an is ahslun niman,

To stand up hale.
And He hight him take on his shoulders,

28:2333

is bedgiwâdi te baka;
he that gibod lêste

On his back the bedding;
and he did our Lord’s bidding,

28:2334

sniumo for [themu] [gisîðea]
endi geng imu eft gesund thanan,

Straightway befoe the assemblage,
and went away sound,

28:2335

hêl fan themu hûse.
Thô thes sô manag hêðin man,

Hale from the house.
Then many a heathen,

28:2336

weros wundradun,
quâðun that imu waldand self,

Many a world-man did wonder,
quoth that the Wielder Himself,

28:2337

god alomahtig
fargeƀan habdi

Surely God the Almighty
had given unto Him

28:2338

mêron mahti
than elkor ênigumu mannes sunie,

More splendid might
that unto any man’s son,

28:2339

kraft endi kûsti;
sie ni weldun antkennean thoh,

The skill and the strength;
still they would not acknowledge,

28:2340

Judeo liudi,
that he god wâri,

That folk of the Jews,
that He was God,

28:2341

ne gelôƀdun is lêran,
ak habdun im lêðan strîd,

Nor believed they His lesson,
but struggled evilly with Him,

28:2342

wunnun wiðar is wordun:
thes sie werk hlutun,

Fought against His word.
For this they have won weary care,

28:2343

[lêðlîk] lôngeld,
endi sô noh lango skulun,

Reaped a grievous return;
and right long will that last

28:2344

thes sie ni weldun hôrien
heƀen[kuninges],

For those who hear not
the Heaven-King’s teachings,

28:2345

Cristes lêrun,
thea he kûðde oƀar al,

The lesson of Christ,
which is proclaimed over all,

28:2346

wîdo aftar thesaro weroldi,
endi lêt sie is werk sehan

Wide and far in the world;
and He let them all see His work,

28:2347

allaro dago gihwilikes,
is dâdi skawon,

Each day and every
look on His deeds,

28:2348

hôrien is hêlag word,
the he te helpu gesprak

Hear His holy word,
which He spake for the help

28:2349

manno barnun,
endi sô manag mahtiglîk

Of the bairns of mankind.
And so many and mighty

28:2350

têkan getôgda,
that sie [gitrûodin] thiu bet,

A token He showed,
that they trusted Him better,

28:2351

gilôƀdin [an] is [lêra].
He sô managan lîkhamon

Believed in His word.
So many a body

28:2352

balusuhteo [antband
endi] bôta geskeride,

He unbound from ills baleful
and granted them betterment,

28:2353

fargaf fêgiun ferah,
them the [fûsid] was

Gave life to those destined
to die, even if

28:2354

helið an helsîð:
[than gideda ina the] hêland self,

The hero was on hell’s path already.
The Healer himself did so —

28:2355

Crist thurh is kraft mikil
quikan aftar dôða,

Christ through His might and His power
quickened even the dead after death,

28:2356

lêt ina an thesaro weroldi forð
wunneono neotan.

Let them further enjoy
the winsomeness here in the world.

{ 29 }
Capitulum XXIX

29:2357

Sô hêlde he thea haltun man
endi thea hâƀon sô self,

So healed He the halt
and the lame of hand,

29:2358

bôtta, them thar blinde wârun,
lêt sie [that] berhte lioht,

Made better the blind,
let them see the bright light,

29:2359

sinskôni [sehan],
sundea lôsda,

See Heaven’s splendor;
absolved them from sin,

29:2360

gumono grimwerk.
Ni was gio [Judeono] bethiu,

The world-men from wickedness.
But the Jews grew no better,

29:2361

lêðes liudskepies
gilôƀo thiu betara

This loathsome land-folk,
in their belief

29:2362

an thene hêlagon Crist,
ak habdun im [hardene] môd,

In the Holy Christ;
but they were hardened of heart,

29:2363

swîðo starkan strîd,
farstandan ni weldun,

Strove very strongly against Him,
wanted not to perceive

29:2364

that sie habdun [forfangan]
fîundun an willean,

They were well ensnared
by the devil’s will,

29:2365

liudi mid iro gelôƀun.
Ni was gio thiu latoro bethiu

This folk through its faith;
for He was not idle,

29:2366

sunu drohtines,
ak he sagde mid wordun,

The Son of the Lord;
but with His words He said unto them

29:2367

hwô sie [skoldin gehalon]
himiles rîki,

How they could gain
the kingdom of Heaven;

29:2368

lêrde aftar themu lande,
habde imu thero liudio sô filu

And through all the land He did teach;
a multitude He did turn

29:2369

giwenid mid is wordun,
that im werod mikil,

Unto Him with His words,
so that many a world-man,

29:2370

folk folgoda,
endi he im filu sagda,

A great crowd of folk, did follow Him.
And in figures

29:2371

be biliðiun that barn godes,
thes sie ni mahtun an iro breostun farstandan,

God’s Bairn spake unto them
things which in their breast they could not perceive

29:2372

undarhuggean an iro herton,
êr it im the hêlago Crist

Nor grasp in their hearts,
till the Holy Christ

29:2373

oƀar that erlo folk
oponun wordun

With open words
willed to speak

29:2374

thurh is selƀes kraft
seggean welda,

To all people
through His power and strength,

29:2375

mârean hwat he mênde.
Thar ina megin umbi,

And make clear what He meant.
A mighty crowd,

29:2376

thioda thrungun:
was im [tharf] mikil

A very large one, thronged ’round Him.
They longed greatly

29:2377

te gihôrienne
heƀenkuninges

To hear the true word
of the King of Heaven.

29:2378

wârfastun word.
He stôd imu thô bi ênes watares staðe,

On the shores of the sea
by the water He stood.

29:2379

ni welde thô bi themu gethringe
oƀar that thegno folk

Because of the great crowd,
He cared not to proclaim

29:2380

an themu lande uppan
thea lêra kûðean,

His lesson to His thanes
there on the land;

29:2381

ak geng imu thô the gôdo
endi is jungaron mid imu,

But the Good One did go —
and His disciples with Him all gladly —

29:2382

friðubarn godes,
themu flôde nâhor

The Peace-Bairn of God
did go to a water

29:2383

an ên skip innan,
endi it skalden hêt

Unto a ship, hight
that it shove off

29:2384

lande rûmur,
that ina thea liudi sô filu,

Further from the land
so that the folk,

29:2385

thioda ni thrungi.
Stôd thegan manag,

The crowd, could not throng
quite so close. Many a thane,

29:2386

werod bi themu watare,
thar waldand Crist

Much world-folk stood by the water,
where All-Wielding Christ

29:2387

oƀar that liudio folk
lêra sagde:

Did reveal His lesson
to the land-folk there.

29:2388

"hwat, ik iu seggean mag", quað he,
"gesîðos mîne,

“Lo, I may say unto you,”
quoth He, “My disciples,

29:2389

hwô imu ên erl bigan
an erðu [sâian]

How an earl began
to sow good grain

29:2390

[hrênkorni] mid is handun.
Sum it an [hardan] stên

In the soil with his hands.
Some fell on hard stones

29:2391

[oƀan]wardan fel,
erðon ni habda,

From above, and the grains
had not earth enough

29:2392

that it [thar] mahti wahsan
eftha [wurteo] gifâhan,

In which to grow rightly
and send down roots,

29:2393

kînan eftha biklîƀen,
ak warð that korn farloren,

To sprout and cleave fast.
And that corn was lost,

29:2394

[that thar an theru lêian gilag].
Sum it eft an land bifel,

That lay on those rocks.
Some fell on the land,

29:2395

an erðun aðalkunnies:
bigan imu aftar thiu

On excellent soil.
This soon began

29:2396

wahsen wânlîko
endi wurteo fâhan,

To wax winsomely tall
and take root right well;

29:2397

[lôd] an lustun:
was that land sô gôd,

And most merrily it grew.
The land was so good,

29:2398

frânisko gifehod.
Sum it eft bifallen warð

So fruitful its kind.
Again, some had fallen

29:2399

an êna starka strâtun,
thar stôpon gengun,

On a stiff, hard street,
where steps did tread,

29:2400

hrosso hôfslaga
endi heliðo [trâda];

The hoofbeats of horses
and the feet of heroes.

29:2401

[warð imu thar an erðu
endi eft up gigeng],

There was soil for them
and indeed they sprouted,

29:2402

bigan imu an themu wege wahsen;
thô it eft thes werodes farnam,

Began to wax on the way,
but the walking of men did kill them,

29:2403

thes folkes fard mikil
endi fuglos alâsun,

The wayfaring of folk;
and the flying birds picked them up,

29:2404

that [is] themu êksan wiht
aftar ni môste

So that they were
not one whit of use

29:2405

werðan te willean,
thes thar an thene weg bifel.

To the owner there,
those that did fall on the way.

29:2406

Sum warð it than bifallen,
thar sô filu stôdun

Some fell on that day
where there stood so many

29:2407

[thikkero] thorno
an themu dage;

Thickets of thorn.
There was soil there for them,

29:2408

warð imu thar an erðu
endi eft up gigeng,

And they came up, they spouted
and cleaved; but weeds

29:2409

kên imu thar endi [kliƀode].
Thô [slôgun thar] eft krûd an gimang,

29:2410

weridun imu thene wastom:
habda it thes waldes hlea

Came between and kept them
from growing. The cover

29:2411

forana [oƀarfangan],
that it ni [mahte] te ênigaro frumu werðen,

Of forest spread out before them,
and they could not grow fruitful,

29:2412

ef [it] thea thornos sô thringan
[môstun]."

Since the thornbush
thronged all around them.”

29:2413

Thô sâtun endi suîgodun
gesîðos Cristes,

Christ’s disciples did sit
and were silent all,

29:2414

wordspâha weros:
was im wundar mikil,

The word-wise thanes.
For they wondered muchly

29:2415

be hwilikun biliðiun
that barn godes

With what goodly pictures
the Bairn of God

29:2416

sulik sôðlîk spel
seggean bigunni.

Would begin to say
such a true and wise spell.

29:2417

Thô bigan is thero erlo
ên frâgoian

Then one of he earls
began to ask

29:2418

holdan hêrron,
hnêg imu tegegnes

The Beloved Lord,
bent low before Him

29:2419

tulgo werðliko:
"hwat, thu gewald haƀas", [quað he],

Most humbly indeed.
“Why,” quoth he, “Thou hast might

29:2420

"ja an [himile ja an erðu],
hêlag drohtin,

Both in Heaven and on earth,
Holy Master,

29:2421

[uppa endi niðara],
bist thu alowaldo

Above and beneath.
Beest Thou All-Wielder

29:2422

gumono gêsto,
endi wi thîne jungaron sind,

Over the souls of men,
and we Thy disciples,

29:2423

an [ûsumu] hugi holde.
Hêrro the gôdo,

Given to Thee with all our hearts,
O Lord most Good.

29:2424

ef it thîn willeo sî,
lât ûs thînaro wordo thar

If that be Thy will,
let us hear Thy good word,

29:2425

endi gihôrien,
that wi it aftar thi

29:2426

[oƀar] al kristinfolk
kûðean môtin.

That we can proclaim it
to all Christian folk.

29:2427

Wi witun that thînun wordun
wârlîk biliði

We know indeed
that upon Thy words

29:2428

forð folgoiad,
endi ûs is firinun tharf,

Follow true parables;
and a need, most great, is in us,

29:2429

that wi thîn word endi thîn werk, -
hwand [it] fan sulikumu gewittea kumid -

That in this land,
here with Thee, we may teach

29:2430

that wi it an thesumu [lande at thi]
lînon môtin."

Thy word and Thy work —
since from such wisdom it cometh.”

{ 30 }
Capitulum XXX

30:2431

Thô im eft tegegnes
gumono bezta

Then the Best of All Men
spake in answer to them.

30:2432

andwordi gesprak:
"ni mênde ik elkor wiht", [quað he,]

“I did not mean,” quoth He,
“to disguise My deeds

30:2433

"te bidernienne
dâdio mînaro,

30:2434

wordo eftha werko;
thit skulun gi [witan] alle,

In any way, either my words
or my works; but ye shall know all,

30:2435

jungaron mîne,
hwand iu fargeƀen haƀad

Ye disciples Mine;
for unto you hath He granted,

30:2436

waldand thesaro weroldes,
that gi witan môtun

The Wielder of Worlds,
that ye may well know

30:2437

an iuwom hugiskeftiun
[himilisk] gerûni;

In your hearts and your minds
the mysteries of Heaven.

30:2438

them ôðrun skal man be biliðiun
that gibod godes

Yet one must give unto others
the commandments of God

30:2439

wordun wîsien.
Nu williu ik iu te wârun hier

With pictures in words.
Now will I tell you

30:2440

mârien, hwat ik mênde,
that gi mîna thiu bet

Most truly what I mean indeed,
so that ye may better

30:2441

oƀar al thit landskepi
lêra farstandan.

Understand My teachings
over all the landscape.

30:2442

That sâd, that ik iu sagda,
that is selƀes word,

The seed which I spake of
is the Word of Himself,

30:2443

thiu hêlaga lêra
heƀenkuninges,

The Holy Scripture
of the King of Heaven,

30:2444

hwô man thea mârien skal
oƀar [thene] middilgard,

As one should spread it
o’er the mid-earth here,

30:2445

wîdo aftar thesaro weroldi.
Weros sind im gihugide,

Wide in this world.
World-folk, at heart,

30:2446

man mislîko:
sum [sulikan] môd dregid,

Men are most different;
some are of such mind,

30:2447

harda hugiskefti
endi hrêan seƀon,

So hard of spirit
and evil of heart,

30:2448

that ina ni gewerðod,
that he it be iuwon wordun [due,]

That it seemeth not worth their while
to act by your words

30:2449

that he [thesa] mîna lêra forð
lêstien willie,

Or to be so willed
to accomplish My teachings;

30:2450

ak werðad thar sô farlorana
lêra mîna,

But My lessons all
are indeed lost unto them,

30:2451

godes ambusni
endi iuwaro gumono word

And the commandments of God
and the teachings of you, My men,

30:2452

an themu uƀilon manne,
sô ik iu êr sagda,

On these evil folk;
as I earlier said unto you,

30:2453

that that korn farwarð,
that thar mid kîðun ni mahte

That the corn did wither,
which could not there

30:2454

an themu stêne uppan
stedihaft werðan.

Strike root with its sprouts
upon the stones.

30:2455

Sô wirðid al farloran
eðilero sprâka,

So all will be lost,
the speech of the aethling,

30:2456

ârundi godes,
sô hwat sô man themu uƀilon manne

The message of God —
whatsoever one telleth

30:2457

wordun gewîsid,
endi [he] an thea wirson hand,

To an evil man;
and he chooseth the path,

30:2458

undar fîundo folk
fard gekiusid,

The way on the left,
on the worse hand to God’s displeasure,

30:2459

an godes unwilean
endi an gramono hrôm

To the foe of the folk
and the onslaught of fire

30:2460

endi an fiures [farm].
Forð skal he [hêtean]

And the devil’s joy.
From that day on

30:2461

mid is breosthugi
brêda logna.

He shall heat the broad flames
with the heart in his breast.

30:2462

Nio gi an thesumu lande thiu lês
lêra mîna

Nonetheless in this land
shall ye spread My lesson,

30:2463

wordun ni wîsiad:
is theses werodes sô filu,

Proclaim it with words,
if there be many people,

30:2464

erlo aftar thesaro erðun:
bistêd thar ôðar man,

Such earls on this eath.
Yet another man still may exist

30:2465

the is [imu jung] endi glau, -
endi haƀad imu gôdan môd -,

Who is young and clever
and hath kindness of heart,

30:2466

sprâkono spâhi
endi wêt iuwaro spello giskêð,

Is wise in his speech,
understandeth your spell,

30:2467

hugid is than an is herton
endi hôrid thar mid is ôrun [tô]

Pondereth it in his heart
and heareth it with his ears

30:2468

swîðo niudlîko
endi nâhor stêd,

Very zealously indeed;
and stepping closer,

30:2469

an is breost hledid
that gibod godes,

Accepteth in his heart
the bidding of God,

30:2470

lînod endi lêstid:
is is gilôƀo sô gôd,

Learning and carrying it out.
If his belief is so good,

30:2471

talod imu, hwô he ôðrana
eft gihwerƀie

He will then wonder
how he can woo another,

30:2472

[mên]dâdigan man,
that is môd draga

A wrong-doing man;
so that his mind be filled

30:2473

hluttra trewa
te heƀenkuninge.

With a loyalty clear
for the King of Heaven.

30:2474

Than brêdid an thes breostun
that gibod godes,

The bidding of God
groweth broad in his bosom,

30:2475

thie luƀigo gilôbo,
sô an themu lande duod

The willing belief,
even as on the land

30:2476

that korn mid kîðun,
thar it [gikund] haƀad

The grain doeth with its sprouts,
when it hath right ground,

30:2477

endi imu thiu [wurð] bihagod
[endi wederes gang],

Good soil to suit it,
and the changing of weather —

30:2478

regin endi sunne,
that it is reht haƀad.

The rain and the sun,
so that it hath its right.

30:2479

Sô duod thiu godes lêra
an themu gôdun manne

So doeth the teaching of God
in a good-souled man

30:2480

dages endi nahtes,
endi [gangid] imu [diuƀal] fer,

Through the day and night;
and the devil stayeth far,

30:2481

wrêða wihti
endi the ward godes

The wicked wight;
and the word of God

30:2482

nâhor mikilu
[nahtes endi dages],

Is nearer to him
in the nights and the days,

30:2483

anttat sie ina brengead,
that thar bêðiu wirðid

So that it causeth him
to accomplish both —

30:2484

ja thiu lêra te frumu
liudio barnun,

This lesson is a blessing
to the bairns of the land —

30:2485

[the] fan is mûðe kumid,
[jak] wirðid the man gode;

That which cometh from his mouth,
and the man becometh of God.

30:2486

haƀad sô [giwehslod]
te [thesaro werold]stundu

So hath he bought with his heart
in this hour of world

30:2487

mid is hugiskeftiun
himilrîkeas gidêl,

A piece of Heaven’s kingdom,
the greatest possession.

30:2488

welono [thene] mêstan:
farid imu an giwald godes,

Into God’s power he fareth,
freed from wrong deeds. Faithfulness

30:2489

[tionuno tômig].
Trewa sind sô gôda

30:2490

gumono gehwilikumu,
sô nis [goldes] hord

Is so good for each man.
No treasure of gold

30:2491

gelîk sulikumu gilôƀon.
Wesad iuwaro lêrono forð

Is like unto belief.
Henceforth teach ye the lesson

30:2492

mankunnie mildie;
sie sind sô mislîka,

Mildly to mankind.
These are so varied of mind,

30:2493

heliðos gehugda:
sum haƀad iro hardan strîd,

The heroes of men;
some have hard strife,

30:2494

wrêðan willean,
wankolna hugi,

An evil will
and a wavering spirit.

30:2495

is imu fêknes ful
endi firinwerko.

They are full of deceptions
and deeds of wrong.

30:2496

Than biginnid imu thunkean,
than he undar theru thiodu stâd

As one beginneth to think,
as he standeth there

30:2497

endi thar gihôrid
oƀar hlust [mikil]

Among the crowd, and
harkeneth with great care

30:2498

thea godes lêra,
than thunkid imu, that he sie [gerno forð]

To the teachings of God;
then he thinketh he would gladly

30:2499

lêstien willie;
than biginnid imu thiu [lêra godes]

Henceforth carry them out.
Then the teachings of God

30:2500

an is hugi hafton,
anttat imu [than] eft an hand kumid

Begin to cleave to his heart,
until there come once more

30:2501

feho te gifôrea
endi fremiði skat.

Through his hands possessions
and proud wealth of others;

30:2502

Than farlêdead ina
lêða wihti,

The loathsome wights
lead him astray,

30:2503

than he imu farfâhid
an fehogiri,

And avarice doth
seize him again

30:2504

aleskid thene gilôbon:
than was imu that luttil fruma,

And killeth now his belief:
thus was it little use unto him

30:2505

that he it gio an is hertan [gehugda,]
ef he it halden ne wili.

That he ever thought in his heart,
if he willed not hold it.

30:2506

That is sô the wastom,
the an themu wege began,

Even so is the waxing
which began on the wayside,

30:2507

liodan an themu lande:
[thô] farnam ina eft thero liudio fard.

Grew fair on the land; there the footsteps
of folk could destroy it again.

30:2508

Sô duot [thea] meginsundeon
an [thes] mannes hugi

So mighty sins
in the soul of that man

30:2509

thea godes lêra,
ef he is ni gômid wel;

Do unto God’s teachings,
if he take not heed.

30:2510

elkor bifelliad sia ina
ferne te boðme,

Otherwise will they follow him
down far to the bottom,

30:2511

an thene hêtan hel,
[thar] he [heƀenkuninge

To the heart of hell.
To the King of Heaven

30:2512

ni] wirðid furður te frumu,
ak ina fîund skulun

He is of no further help,
but the Fiend

30:2513

[wîtiu giwaragean.]
Simla gi mid wordun forð

Will punish him direly with pain.
Likewise repair ye forth,

30:2514

lêread an thesumu lande:
ik kan thesaro liudio hugi,

Teaching with words in the world;
I will know the hearts of the folk,

30:2515

sô mislîkan muodseƀon
manno kunnies,

Many differences of mind
among mankind,

30:2516

sô wanda wîsa
sô werold haƀit

Their varied ways
as found in the world,

30:2517

Sum haƀit all te thiu is muod gilâtan
endi [mêr] sorogot,

Some have turned their spirits
entirely to this

30:2518

hwô hie that [hord bihalde,
than] hwô hie heƀankuninges

And come more to keep their hoard
than to work the Heaven King’s

30:2519

willeon giwirkie.
Bethiu thar wahsan ni mag

Will down on earth.
Therefore it waxeth not —

30:2520

that hêlaga gibod godes,
thoh it thar ahafton mugi,

God’s holy commandment —
though it may cleave there

30:2521

wurtion biwerpan,
hwand it thie welo thringit.

And send forth roots.
But riches do crowd it

30:2522

Sô samo sô that krûd endi thie thorn
that korn antfâhat,

Even as the weeds and the thorn
entangle the corn

30:2523

weriat im thena [wastom],
sô duot thie welo manne:

And keep it from waxing:
so doeth wealth to a man.

30:2524

giheftid is herta,
that hie it gihuggian ni muot,

He fettereth his heart
so that he here pondereth not,

30:2525

thie man an is muode,
thes hie mêst bitharf,

The man in his mind,
what he needeth most:

30:2526

hwô hie that giwirkie,
than lang thie hie an thesaro weroldi sî,

How he will work that indeed
as long as he liveth here in this world,

30:2527

that hie ti êwondage
after muoti

30:2528

hebbian thuru is hêrren thank
himiles rîki,

That he have Heaven’s Kingdom,
through His High Lord’s grace,

30:2529

sô endilôsan welon,
sô that ni [mag] ênig man

Days everlasting
and endless riches,

30:2530

witan an thesaro weroldi.
Nio hie sô wîdo ni kan

As no man knoweth them
here in the world. Never

30:2531

te githenkeanne,
thegan an is muode,

May he think so widely,
the thane in his mind,

30:2532

that it bihaldan mugi
herta thes mannes,

Nor may the heart of a man
hold it and grasp it

30:2533

that hie that ti wâron witi,
hwat waldand god haƀit

To know most verily what good
All-Wielding God

30:2534

guodes gigerewid,
that all geginwerd stêð

Hath made ready
so that for each man

30:2535

manno sô hwilikon,
sô ina hier minniot wel

All standeth open —
for each who loveth Him well

30:2536

endi selƀo te thiu
is seola gihaldit,

And hath kept his soul
so turned ever

30:2537

that hie an lioht godes
lîðan muoti."

That he will here enter
the light of the Lord.”

{ 31 }
Capitulum XXXI

31:2538

Sô wîsda hie thuo mid wordon,
stuod werod mikil

So He taught them with words;
and a wide crowd

31:2539

umbi that barn godes,
gehôrdun ina bi biliðon filo

Stood ’round God’s Bairn
and busily hearkened,

31:2540

umbi thesaro weroldes giwand
wordon tellian;

As He told with His words the way
of the world through His parables many.

31:2541

quat that im ôk ên aðales man
an is akker sâidi

He told how an aethling
once sowed an acre

31:2542

hluttar hrênkorni
handon sînon:

Of fine corn with his hands,
good grain in the field.

31:2543

wolda im thar sô wunsames
wastmes tilian,

He wanted to gain
the most winsome of growths,

31:2544

fagares fruhtes.
Thuo geng thar is fîond aftar

The fairest of fruits.
But his foe did follow him

31:2545

thuru dernian hugi,
endi it all mid durðu oƀarsêu,

With treacherous mind;
and with tares he sowed over the top,

31:2546

mid weodo [wirsiston.]
Thuo wôhsun sia bêðiu,

With the worst of weeds.
And they waxed there both,

31:2547

ge that korn ge that krûd.
Sô quâmun gangan

The corn and the tares.
So came along

31:2548

is hagastoldos te hûs,
iro hêrren sagdun,

The husbandman to the house,
and told this to him, to their lord,

31:2549

thegnos iro thiodne
thrîstion wordon:

The thanes to the warden
with honest words.

31:2550

"hwat, thu sâidos hluttar korn,
hêrro thie guodo,

“Why, thou didst sow fine grain,
master most good,

31:2551

[ênfald] an thînon akkar:
nu ni gisihit ênig erlo than mêr

Unmixed on this acre.
Yet each earl can see

31:2552

weodes wahsan.
Huî mohta that [giwerðan] sô?"

Naught but weeds are waxing.
Well, how can that be?”

31:2553

Thuo sprak eft thie aðales man
them erlon tegegnes,

There spake again the aethling,
the man to his earls,

31:2554

thiodan wið is thegnos,
quat that hie it [mahti] undarthenkian wel,

To his vassals the warder;
quoth that he could well understand

31:2555

that im thar unhold man
aftar sâida,

That an unfriendly man
had sown after him,

31:2556

fîond fêkni krûd:
"ne [gionsta] mi thero fruhtio wel,

That his foe had slyly sown weeds:
“These fruits he begrudgeth me so,

31:2557

awerda mi thena wastom."
Thuo thar eft wini sprâkun,

That for me he hath stamped out this growth.”
Then to him spake again

31:2558

is jungron tegegnes,
quâðun that sia thar weldin gangan tuo,

His friends, his followers,
quoth that they would fare there,

31:2559

kuman mid kraftu
endi lôsian that krûd thanan,

Go with force
and would uproot the growth,

31:2560

halon it mid iro handon.
Thuo sprak im eft iro hêrro angegin:

The weeds with their hands.
Then their lord spake once more unto them:

31:2561

"ne welleo ik, that gi it wiodon", quathie,
"hwand gi biwardon ni mugun,

“I would not that ye weed them,”
quoth he, “since ye cannot avoid it,

31:2562

gigômean an iuwon gange,
thoh gi it gerno ni duan,

Cannot prevent in your passing,
though yet do it ungladly,

31:2563

ni gi thes kornes te filo,
kîðo awerdiat,

That ye kill young sprouts
and corn aplenty,

31:2564

felliat under iuwa fuoti.
Lâte man sia forð hinan

Fell them under your feet.
Henceforth let both

31:2565

bêðiu wahsan,
und êr bewod kume

Wax together,
till the harvet doth come

31:2566

endi an them felde sind
fruhti rîpia,

And the fruits are ripe
in the fields,

31:2567

aroa an them akkare:
than faran wi thar alla tuo,

Ready all on the acre.
Then to that acre

31:2568

halon it mid ûssan handon
endi that hrênkurni lesan

Let us fare; with our hands fetch
and gather the fair grain,

31:2569

sûƀro tesamne
endi it an mînon seli duoian,

The pure corn cleanly together,
keep it stored in my halls,

31:2570

hebbean it thar gihaldan,
that it hwergin ni mugi

So that not a speck
can be spoiled. Take ye the weeds

31:2571

wiht awerdian,
endi that wiod niman,

31:2572

bindan it te burðinnion
endi werpan it an [bittar] fiur,

Bind them in bundles
and cast them into bitter fire.

31:2573

lâton it thar haloian
hêta lôgna,

Let the hot flames
fetch them away,

31:2574

êld unfuodi."
Thuo stuod erl manag,

The insatiable blaze.”
Then many an earl stood silent,

31:2575

thegnos thagiandi,
hwat thiodgomo,

Many a thane in thought,
pondering what the Glorious Christ,

31:2576

mâri mahtig Crist
mênean weldi,

The Mighty, the Master
of Men, could mean

31:2577

bôknien mid thiu biliðiu
barno rîkeost.

And proclaim with His parables,
the Most Priceless of Bairns.

31:2578

Bâdun thô sô gerno
gôdan drohtin

Most eagerly they bade
their Master Good

31:2579

antlûkan thea lêra,
that sia môstin thea liudi forð,

To unlock the lesson,
so that the land-folk about

31:2580

hêlaga hôrean.
Thô sprak [im] eft iro hêrro angegin,

Might henceforth hear it, His Holy Word.
Their Lord here replied unto them —

31:2581

[mâri] mahtig Crist:
"that is", quað he, "mannes sunu:

Famed, Mighty Christ.
“This is,” quoth He, “the Son of Man.

31:2582

ik selƀo [bium, that thar] sâiu,
endi sind thesa sâliga man

I myself am He Who there soweth;
and these blessed men

31:2583

that hluttra hrênkorni,
thea mi hêr hôread wel,

Who hearken closely to me
are the fair, clean corn.

31:2584

wirkiad mînan willean;
thius werold is the akkar,

They do work my will.
This world is the field,

31:2585

thit brêda bûland
barno mankunnies;

The broad farmland
of the bairns of mankind;

31:2586

Satanas [selƀo
is, that thar] sâid aftar

And it is Satan himself
who soweth after Me

31:2587

[sô] lêðlîka lêra:
haƀad thesaro liudeo sô filu,

Such loathsome lessons.
Of the land-folk so many

31:2588

werodes awardid,
that sie wam [frummead,]

Of the people, so many hath he ruined,
so that they wreak much wrong,

31:2589

wirkead aftar is willeon;
thoh skulun sie hêr wahsen forð,

Working his will.
Yet they shall wax henceforth,

31:2590

thea forgriponon gumon,
sô samo sô thea gôdun man,

Those men who are damned,
even as do the good,

31:2591

anttat mûdspelles megin
oƀar man ferid,

Until the Judgment Day
journeyeth on over them —

31:2592

endi thesaro [weroldes.]
Than is allaro [akkaro] gehwilik

The end of the world.
Each field then, each acre,

31:2593

gerîpod an thesumu rîkea:
skulun iro regangiskapu

Hath ripened all in the realm.
And the children of men will rightly

31:2594

frummien firiho barn.
Than tefarid erða:

Finish their fore-ordained fate.
Earth will explode:

31:2595

that is allaro bewo brêdost;
than kumid the berhto drohtin

That is the broadest of harvests;
and the Bright, Glorious Lord

31:2596

oƀana mid is engilo [kraftu,]
endi kumad [alle] tesamne

Cometh above with the force of His angels;
all folk shall gather,

31:2597

liudi, the io thit lioht gisâun,
endi skulun than lôn antfâhan

Who have seen this light;
and shall receive such reward,

31:2598

uƀiles endi gôdes.
Than gangad engilos godes,

Both evil and good.
Then God’s angels go forth,

31:2599

hêlage heƀenwardos,
endi [lesat] thea hluttron man

Heaven’s holy warders;
and from the host

31:2600

sundor tesamne,
endi duat sie an sinskôni,

They shall seek out the sinless men;
bring such men to beauty unending,

31:2601

hôh himiles lioht,
endi thea ôðra an [hellia grund,]

To the high light of Heaven;
throwing the others to the grounds of hell,

31:2602

werpad thea farwarhton
an wallandi fiur;

To the surging fire,
those who were forfeited.

31:2603

thar skulun sie gibundene
bittra logna,

There in bonds shall they
suffer the bitter fire,

31:2604

thrâwerk tholon,
endi thea ôðra thiodwelon

The awful pain,
while the others have riches

31:2605

an heƀenrîkea,
huîtaro sunnon

In the kingdom of Heaven,
surely giving light on high,

31:2606

[liohtean] gelîko.
Sulik lôn nimad

Like unto white suns.
Such rewards will they reap,

31:2607

weros [waldâdeo].
Sô hwe sô giwit êgi,

Those men for their murderous deeds.
Whosoever hath wit in his mind,

31:2608

gehugdi an is hertan,
ettha gihôrien mugi,

Thoughts in his heart,
who would like to hear —

31:2609

erl mid is ôrun,
sô lâta imu [thit an innan sorga,]

An earl with his ears —
let that indeed be his care

31:2610

an is môdseƀon,
hwô he skal an themu mâreon dage

In his innermost heart,
how he will face

31:2611

wið thene rîkeon god
an [reðiu] standen

God the Richest
on that renowned Day of Reckoning

31:2612

wordo endi werko
[allaro, the] he an thesaro weroldi giduod.

Of all the words and the works
which he hath done in this world.

31:2613

That is egislîkost
allaro thingo,

That is the most awful
of all things indeed,

31:2614

forhtlîkost firiho barnun,
that sie skulun wið iro frâhon mahlien,

The most fearful for the folk-bairns:
that they must speak face to face with the Lord —

31:2615

gumon wið thene gôdan drohtin:
[than] weldi gerno gehwe wesan,

The men to their Master Good;
there would each man

31:2616

allaro manno gehwilik
mênes tômig,

And all most gladly
be rid of his misdeeds,

31:2617

slîðero sakono.
Aftar thiu skal sorgon êr

His ugly sins. Instead
each one should take care earlier,

31:2618

allaro liudeo gehwilik,
êr he thit lioht [afgeƀe,]

All the land-folk ever,
before they must leave this light,

31:2619

the [than] êgan wili
[alungan] tîr,

That they will have
this eternal honor,

31:2620

hôh heƀenrîki
endi huldi godes."

The high kingdom of Heaven
and God’s holy grace.”

{ 32 }
Capitulum XXXII

32:2621

Sô gifragn ik that thô selƀo
sunu drohtines,

So I discovered that He Himself,
the Son of God,

32:2622

allaro barno bezt
[biliðeo] sagda,

The Best of All Bairns
told boldly in parables

32:2623

hwilik thero wâri
an weroldrîkea

What there might be
in the kingdom of world

32:2624

undar heliðkunnie
himilrîkie [gelîk;]

Among the races of heroes
like unto the kingdom of Heaven;

32:2625

quað that oft luttiles hwat
liohtora [wurði],

Quoth that that which is little
often waxeth lighter,

32:2626

sô hôho afhuoƀi,
"so duot himilrîki:

So that it riseth on high,
“So doeth the realm of Heaven.

32:2627

that is simla [mêra,]
than is man ênig

That is ever more
than any one man

32:2628

wânie an thesaro weroldi.
Ôk is imu that werk [gelîk,]

Can envision here in this world.
Also his work is like unto him:

32:2629

that man an sêo innan
segina wirpit,

That a man doth cast
his nets into the sea,

32:2630

fisknet an flôd
endi fâhit bêðiu,

Doth fish in the flood,
and findeth both in his catch —

32:2631

uƀile endi gôde,
tiuhid up te staðe,

Both evil and good —
toweth both to the shore,

32:2632

liðod sie te lande,
lisit aftar thiu

Getteth them both onto land,
throweth the good on the grit,

32:2633

thea gôdun an greote
endi lâtid thea ôðra eft an grund faran,

Letteth the other return
again into the sea,

32:2634

an wîdan wâg.
Sô duod waldand god

To the wide waves there.
So doeth All-Wielding God

32:2635

an themu mâreon dage
menniskono barn:

On the best-known Day
to the bairns of men.

32:2636

brengid irminthiod,
[alle] tesamne,

He bringeth the earthlings
together all,

32:2637

lisit imu than thea hluttron
an heƀenrîki,

Picketh then the pure ones
for the kingdom of Heaven,

32:2638

lâtid thea fargriponon
an grund faren

Letteth the damned ones
fare down to the bottom,

32:2639

[hellie fiures.]
Ni wêt heliðo [man]

To the fire of hell.
Nor doth any hero of men

32:2640

thes wîties wiðarlâga,
thes thar weros [thiggeat],

Know how to counter the pain,
which a person,

32:2641

an themu inferne
irminthioda.

A man of the folk, must suffer
in infernal hell.

32:2642

Than hald ni mag thera mêdan man
gimakon fîðen,

Likewise can no man
find a like reward,

32:2643

ni thes [welon ni thes] willeon,
thes thar waldand skerid,

Either in riches or rejoicing,
as the Right-Wielder granteth,

32:2644

gildid god selƀo
gumono sô [hwilikumu,]

God Himself doth give
to each man of goodness

32:2645

sô ina hêr gihaldid,
that he an heƀenrîki,

Who here keepeth himself so,
so that he may enter the kingdom

32:2646

an that langsame lioht
lîðan môti."

Of Heaven and the light
that is long, long lasting.”

32:2647

Sô lêrda he thô mid listiun.
Than fôrun thar thea liudi tô

So with His wiles He did teach them.
And the folk wended hence

32:2648

oƀar al [Galilæo land]
that godes barn sehan:

From all Galilee-land
to see God’s Bairn.

32:2649

dâdun it bi themu wundre,
hwanen imu [mahti sulik] word kumen,

They did so for the wonderment,
whence such words came to Him,

32:2650

sô spâhlîko gisprokan,
that he spel [godes

So sagely spoken;
that He could say unto them

32:2651

gio sô] sôðlîko
seggean konsti,

The Gospel of God
in such goodly fashion,

32:2652

sô [kraftiglîko] giqueðen:
"he is theses kunnies hinen", quâðun sie,

Could quote it so cleverly.
“He is of these clans here,” quoth they,

32:2653

"the man thurh mâgskepi:
hêr is is môder mid ûs,

“This man through His kinships.
Here is His mother among us,

32:2654

wîf undar thesumu werode.
Hwat, wi the hêr witun alle,

A wife ’mid this world-folk.
What, we all know them here.

32:2655

sô kûð is ûs is [kuni]burd
endi is knôsles [gehwat;]

His kinships are all in our ken;
and all of his clans as well.

32:2656

awôhs al undar thesumu [werode:]
hwanen [skoldi] imu sulik gewit kuman,

He waxed ’mid this world-folk.
Whence cometh such wit,

32:2657

mêron mahti,
than hêr ôðra [man] êgin?"

Whence cometh more might
than hath any other man?”

32:2658

Sô farmunste ina that manno folk
endi [sprâkun] im gimêdlik word,

So the men of the land did scorn Him
and spake on their silly words,

32:2659

farhogdun ina sô hêlagna,
hôrien ni weldun

Despised Him, Who was holy,
and would not hear

32:2660

is [gibodskepies].
Ni he thar ôk biliðeo filu

The Gospel of God.
Because of their great disbelief

32:2661

thurh iro ungilôƀon
ôgean ni welde,

He would not make known
His parables many,

32:2662

torhtero têkno,
hwand he wisse iro twîflean hugi,

His shining tokens,
for He saw the doubt of their minds,

32:2663

[iro] wrêðan willean,
that ni wârun weros ôðra

Their wrath-harboring hearts:
that here never were

32:2664

sô grimme under Judeon,
sô wârun umbi [Galilæo land,]

Men so grim-minded ’mongst the Jews
as were in Galilee-land,

32:2665

sô hardo gehugide:
sô [thar] was the hêlago Krist,

So hard of heart.
Though He was the Holy Christ —

32:2666

giboren that barn godes,
si ni weldun is [gibodskepi thoh]

As God’s Bairn was He born —
they would never believe

32:2667

antfâhan ferhtlîko,
ak bigan that folk undar im,

Nor piously receive the gospel.
Now the people began to plot,

32:2668

rinkos râdan,
hwô sie [thene] rîkeon Krist

The world-men to wonder,
how worst of all

32:2669

wêgdin te wundron.
Hêtun thô iro werod [kumen,]

They might torment Mighty Christ.
They hight their men,

32:2670

gesîði tesamne:
sundea weldun

Their companions come together;
they would accuse Him

32:2671

an thene godes sunu
gerno [gitellien

Gladly, the Son of God,
accuse Him of sin

32:2672

wrêðes] willeon;
ni was im is wordo niud,

With an evil design;
for there was no longing in them

32:2673

spâharo [spello,
ak] sie bigunnun sprekan undar im,

For the Word, for the wise spell;
but they began to speak ’mongst themselves

32:2674

hwô sie ina sô kraftagne
[fan] ênumu kliƀe wurpin,

How they might cast Him, the Clever
and Strong, over a cliff,

32:2675

oƀar ênna [berges] wal:
weldun that barn godes

Over a mountain’s wall.
The Wielder’s Bairn they would kill,

32:2676

liƀu bilôsien.
Thô he imu mid them liudiun samad

Loose Him from life.
Along with His folk

32:2677

frôlîko fôr:
ni was imu [foraht] hugi,

He fared happily forth.
There was no fear in His heart,

32:2678

- wisse that imu ni mahtun
menniskono barn,

For He knew full well
that the Jewish folk,

32:2679

bi theru godkundi
Judeo liudi

That the children of men
could do Him no harm

32:2680

êr is tîdiun wiht
teonon gifrummien,

Because of His godliness
e’er His time was come,

32:2681

lêðaro gilêsto -,
ak he imu mid them liudiun samad

Do no loathsome deeds.
But with that folk He did go,

32:2682

stêg uppen thene stênholm,
antthat sie te theru stedi quâmun,

Climbed high up a cliff,
till they came to the place

32:2683

thar sie ine [fan] themu [walle niðer]
werpen hugdun,

Where they planned to cast Him
from the craggy wall,

32:2684

fellien te foldu,
that he wurði is ferhes lôs,

Fell Him to earth,
that He would forfeit His life,

32:2685

is aldres at endie.
Thô warð thero erlo hugi,

That His age be ended.
But the minds of the earls

32:2686

an themu berge uppen
[bittra] githâhti

Up high on that mountain,
the bitter thoughts

32:2687

Juðeono tegangen,
that iro ênig ni habde sô grimmon seƀon

Of those Jews did pass, so that not a one
possesed such grimness of mind,

32:2688

ni sô wrêðen willeon,
[that sie mahtin thene waldandes sunu,

Such wrathful spirit,
that he could recognize Christ,

32:2689

Krist antkennien;
he ni was iro kûð ênigumu,]

The Son of the Wielder.
But to no one was He known,

32:2690

that sie ina thô undarwissin.
Sô mahte he undar ira werode standen

No one could recognize Him.
So could He stand ’mid the crowd,

32:2691

endi an iro gimange
middiumu gangen,

Walk along ’mongst
the multitude there,

32:2692

faren undar iro folke.
He dede imu thene friðu selƀo,

Fare forth through the folk.
He found peace for Himself,

32:2693

mundburd wið theru menegi
endi giwêt imu thurh middi thanan

Found protection ’gainst the host,
and went forth through their midst,

32:2694

thes fîundo folkes,
fôr imu thô, thar he welde,

Through the folk of the foe.
He fared, since He willed so,

32:2695

an êne wôstunnie
waldandes sunu,

Into a wilderness,
the Son of the Wielder,

32:2696

kuningo kraftigost:
habde thero [kustes] giwald,

The Strongest of Kings:
He had the power to choose

32:2697

hwar [imu] an themu lande
leoƀost wâri

Where in this land
He would liefer be,

32:2698

te wesanne an thesaru weroldi.

Where in this world He would tarry.

{ 33 }
Capitulum XXXIII

33:2698

[Than] fôr imu an weg ôðran

On another way went John

33:2689

Johannes mid is jungarun,
godes ambahtman,

With his disciples,
the servant of God.

33:2700

lêrde thea liudi
langsamane râd,

He taught the land-folk
long-lasting counsel:

33:2701

hêt that sie frume fremidin,
firina farlêtin,

Said that they should do good,
forsaking all sin,

33:2702

mên endi morðwerk.
He was thar managumu [liof]

All misdeeds and murderous works.
To many he was most dear,

33:2703

gôdaro gumono.
He sôhte imu thô thene Judeono kuning,

To good men and kind.
There he sought the king of the Jews,

33:2704

thene heritogon at hûs,
the hêten [ûuas]

The leader of his hosts in his house.
Herod he was hight

33:2705

[Erodes aftar] is eldiron,
oƀarmôdig man:

For his elders,
this over-proud man.

33:2706

bûide imu be theru brûdi,
thiu êr sînes brôðer was,

His bride did bide with him —
she, who had been his brother’s,

33:2707

idis [an êhti,]
anttat he ellior skôk,

His wife in his wide home,
until he went forth

33:2708

werold weslode.
Thô imu that wîf ginam

And changed his abode.
Then came the king,

33:2709

the kuning te quenun;
êr wârun iro kind [ôdan,]

Took this woman for his wife.
There were children already,

33:2710

barn be is brôðer.
Thô [bigan] imu thea brûd lahan

The bairns of his brother.
He began to blame her —

33:2711

Johannes the gôdo,
quað that it gode wâri,

John the Good — said
it was repulsive to God,

33:2712

waldande wiðermôd,
that it ênig wero frumidi,

To the Wielder Himself,
for any world-man to do so:

33:2713

that brôðer brûd
an is bed nâmi,

To take in his bed
the bride of his brother

33:2714

hebbie sie imu te hîwun.
"Ef thu mi hôrien wili,

And have her as wife.
“If thou would’st hear me,

33:2715

gilôƀien mînun lêrun,
ni skalt thu sie leng êgan,

Would’st believe in my lesson,
thou should’st have her no longer,

33:2716

ak mîð ire an thînumu môde:
ni haƀa [thar] sulika minnea tô,

But in thy mind should’st avoid her:
Thou shalt not have such love,

33:2717

ni sundeo thi te swîðo."
Thô warð an sorgun hugi

Shalt not sin so greatly.”
Sorrow did enter

33:2718

thes wîƀes aftar them wordun;
andrêd that he thene weroldkuning

The woman’s heart at these words.
She feared he would persuade

33:2719

[sprâkono] gespôni
endi spâhun wordun,

The world-king with his speech
and his words of wisdom

33:2720

that he sie farlêti.
Began siu imu thô lêðes filu

To leave, to forsake her.
Many loathsome things she began

33:2721

râden an rûnon,
endi ine rinkos hêt,

To plan and to plot;
and she hight her squires,

33:2722

unsundigane
erlos fâhan

Her earls to take captive
the innocent

33:2723

endi [ine an ênumu] karkerea
klûstarbendiun,

And put him in prison,
place him in chains,

33:2724

[liðo]kospun [bilûkan:
be them liudiun ne] gidorstun

Lock him in limb-fetters.
She dared not deprive him of life

33:2725

[ine] ferahu bilôsien,
hwand sie wârun imu friund alle,

Because of the folk,
since all were his friends:

33:2726

wissun ine sô gôden
endi gode werðen,

They knew him as good
and as worthy of God,

33:2727

[habdun ina for wârsagon,
sô sia wela mahtun.]

Held him for a soothsayer,
as so well they could.

33:2728

Thô wurðun an themu gêrtale
[Judeo] kuninges

There was come the time
for the Jew-king’s birthday,

33:2729

tîdi kumana,
sô thar gitald habdun

As the wise men of the folk
had reckoned well,

33:2730

frôde folkweros,
[thô] he gifôdid was,

That he had been born
and brought to this light.

33:2731

an lioht kuman.
Sô was thero liudio thau,

It was the custom
that each earl should celebrate,

33:2732

that that [erlo] gehwilik
ôƀean skolde,

Each man of the Jews mark it with feasting.
There was a mighty crowd

33:2733

Judeono mid gômun.
Thô warð thar an thene gastseli

Of men gathered together
in the guest hall,

33:2734

meginkraft mikil
manno gesamnod,

33:2735

[heritogono] an that hûs,
thar iro hêrro was

Leaders and dukes in the house,
since their lord

33:2736

an is kuningstôle.
Quâmun managa

Was indeed on the king’s throne.
Many Jews did come

33:2737

Judeon an thene gastseli;
warð im thar gladmôd hugi,

Into the great hall there.
Glad-hearted were they,

33:2738

blîði an iro breostun:
gisâhun iro bâggeƀon

Blithe in their breasts.
They beheld their ring-giver,

33:2739

wesen an wunneon.
Drôg man wîn an flet

Were really in rapture.
Wine was brought to the room,

33:2740

skîri mid skâlun,
skenkeon hwurƀun,

Clear wine in the bowls,
and the cup-bearers ran back and forth,

33:2741

gengun mid goldfatun:
gaman was thar inne

Going with golden cups;
gladness was there,

33:2742

hlûd an thero hallu,
heliðos drunkun.

Loud in the halls.
The lords were drinking;

33:2743

Was thes an lustun
landes hirdi,

The herdsman of Jews
bethought him with joy,

33:2744

hwat he themu werode mêst
te wunniun [gifremidi.]

Pondered how best he might
please the people.

33:2745

Hêt he thô gangen forð
gêla thiornun,

He hight go forth
that gay, young girl,

33:2746

is brôder barn,
thar he an is benki sat

His brother’s bairn,
as he sat on his bench

33:2747

wînu giwlenkid,
endi thô te themu wîbe sprak;

Haughty with wine;
to the woman he spake,

33:2748

grôtte sie fora themu gumskepie
endi gerno bad,

Greeted her before the men-guests
and most eagerly bade her,

33:2749

that siu thar fora them gastiun
gaman afhôƀi

That she begin some merriment
here before the guests,

33:2750

fagar an flettie:
"lât thit folk sehan,

Something fair in the feast-hall.
“Let the folk see

33:2751

hwô [thu] gelînod haƀas
liudio menegi

What thou has learned to make
joyous the many,

33:2752

te [blîðseanne an] benkiun;
ef thu [mi thera] bede [tugiðos],

Make them blithe on the benches;
if thou doest my bidding,

33:2753

mîn word for thesumu werode,
than williu ik it hêr te wârun [gequeðen,]

My word before this world-folk;
then I will verily tell unto thee

33:2754

liahto fora thesun liudiun
endi ôk gilêstien sô,

Loudly before all these landsmen,
and thus let it be done,

33:2755

that ik thi than aftar thiu
êron williu,

That I will give unto thee
all that thou asketh

33:2756

sô hues sô thu mi bidis
for thesun mînun bâgwiniun:

Before these my ring-friends,
though thou demandest

33:2757

thoh thu mi thesaro heridômo
halƀaro fergos,

Half of my realm,
half of my kingdom;

33:2758

rîkeas mînes,
[thoh gidôn ik,] that it ênig rinko ni mag

So shall I do,
nor shall any world-men

33:2759

wordun giwendien,
endi it skal giwerðen sô."

Turn me with words;
but truly it shall be accomplished.”

33:2760

Thô warð thera magað aftar thiu
môd gihuorƀen,

The the maid was thereafter
inclined in her mind,

33:2761

hugi aftar iro hêrron,
that siu an themu hûse innen,

In her heart, to her lord,
so that in the house,

33:2762

an themu gastseli
gamen up ahuof,

In the guest-hall she began
much gaiety now,

33:2763

al sô thero liudio
landwîse gidrôg,

Even as the custom
of the folk did command,

33:2764

thero thiodo thau.
Thiu thiorne spilode

The way of the people.
The maid did play,

33:2765

hrôr aftar themu hûse:
hugi was an lustun,

Most merrily romped through the house.
The minds of the many,

33:2766

[managaro] môdseƀo.
Thô thiu magað habda

Their hearts were happy.
When the maiden had served

33:2767

githionod te thanke
thiodkuninge

The folk-king there
for his thanks then,

33:2768

endi allumu themu erlskepie,
[the] thar inne was

And had served, too, his earlships all,
as many as were

33:2769

gôdaro gumono,
siu welde thô ira geƀa êgan,

Of good men present,
she would fain claim her gift —

33:2770

thiu magað for theru menegi:
geng thô wið iro môdar sprekan

The maid in front of the multitude.
To her mother she went

33:2771

endi frâgode sie
firiwitlîko,

To speak and asked her forthwith —
for she was anxious to know —

33:2772

hues siu thene [burges] ward
biddien skoldi.

What she should bid him,
bid the bastion’s warden give unto her.

33:2773

Thô wîsde siu aftar iro willeon,
hêt that siu wihtes than êr

Of her own mind her mother did tell her,
hight that before the men

33:2774

ni gerodi for themu gumskepie,
[biûtan] that man iru Johannes

She should ask for naught else
except that he give her

33:2775

an theru hallu innan
hôƀid gâƀi

There in the hall
John’s holy head

33:2776

alôsid [af] is lîkhamon.
That was allun them liudiun harm,

Bereft of its body.
For the folk it was baleful,

33:2777

them mannun an iro môde,
thô sie [that] gihôrdun thea magað sprekan;

For the men in their minds,
when they heard the maid speaking thus,

33:2778

sô was it ôk themu kuninge:
he ni mahte is quidi liagan,

For the king it was, also;
but he could not break it, his pledge,

33:2779

is word wendien:
hêt thô is wâpanberand

Turn his word away.
Therefore he bade the bearers of weapons

33:2780

gangen fan themu gastseli
endi hêt thene godes man

To go from the guest hall,
take the good man

33:2781

lîƀu bilôsien.
Thô ni was lang te thiu,

And relieve him of life.
Not long thereafter they brought

33:2782

that man an thea halla
hôƀid brâhte

The holy man’s head
up to the hall, gave it the girl,

33:2783

thes thiodgumon,
endi it thar theru thiornun fargaf,

33:2784

magað for theru menegi:
siu drôg it theru môder forð.

To the maid before the many.
To her mother she took it.

33:2785

Thô was êndago
allaro manno

And that was the end-day
of the wisest of all men,

33:2786

thes wîsoston,
[thero the gio] an thesa werold [quâmi],

Who ever came to this world
as a child born of woman,

33:2787

thero the quene ênig
kind [gibâri],

33:2788

idis fan erle,
lêt man simla then [ênon] biforan,

Of wife from an earl —
excepting ever that One,

33:2789

the thiu thiorne [gidrôg],
[the] gio thegnes ni warð

Whom the Maid did bear,
she who had known no man

33:2790

wîs an iro weroldi,
[biûtan] sô ine waldand god

Anywhere in this world;
but the All-Wielder so destined it

33:2791

fan heƀenwange
hêlages gêstes

From the fields of Heaven
by the Holy Ghost —

33:2792

gimarkode mahtig:
the ni habde [ênigan] gimakon hwergin

The Mighty God had so marked it.
Never was man like unto him,

33:2793

êr nek aftar.
Erlos hwurƀun,

Neither before nor after.
Now the earls turned to him,

33:2794

gumon umbi [Johannen],
is jungaron managa,

The men around John,
his followers many,

33:2795

sâlig gesîði,
endi ine an sande bigrôƀun,

His beloved disciples.
In the sand they buried

33:2796

leoƀes lîkhamon:
wissun that he lioht godes,

His beloved body.
But well did they know

33:2797

diurlîkan [drôm]
mid is drohtine [samad,

He could claim God’s light,
along with his Lord,

33:2798

upôdas hêm]
êgan môste,

Heavenly glory
in that home on high —

33:2799

sâlig sôkean.

He, who was blessed indeed.

{ 34 }
Capitulum XXXIV

34:2799

Thô gewitun im thea gesîðos thanen,

So his disciples fared thence,

34:2800

[Johannes] giungaron
giâmermôde,

John’s followers went,
most woeful of spirit

34:2801

hêlagferaha:
was im iro hêrron dôð

But holy of mind.
The death of their master

34:2802

swîðo an sorgun.
Gewitun im [sôkean thô]

Filled them with sorrow.
They repaired then to seek

34:2803

an theru wôstunni
waldandes sunu,

The Son of the Wielder
away in the wilderness,

34:2804

kraftigana Crist
endi imu kûð gidedun

Christ the Almighty,
and made known unto Him

34:2805

gôdes mannes forgang,
hwô habde the Judeono kuning

The good man’s demise:
how the master of Jews

34:2806

[manno thene] mâreostan
mâkeas eggiun

Did heave off the head
of the holiest of men

34:2807

hôƀdu bihauwan:
he ni welde [is ênigen] harm spreken,

With the sword’s edge.
The Son of the Lord had no wish

34:2808

sunu drohtines;
he wisse that thiu seole was

To speak of His own pain;
for He knew that this soul

34:2809

hêlag gihalden
wiðer hettiandeon,

Was held in all holiness
against the haters,

34:2810

an friðe wiðer fîundun.
Thô [sô] gifrâgi warð

In peace ’gainst the foe.
Thus He grew famous

34:2811

aftar them [landskepiun]
lêreandero bezt

Across the country,
He, the best of those teaching

34:2812

an theru wôstunni:
werod samnode,

In the wilderness there;
world-men did gather;

34:2813

[fôr folkun tô:]
was im firiwit mikil

To the folk He did come,
for they had great longing

34:2814

wîsaro wordo;
imu was ôk willeo [sô samo,]

For the wisdom of words;
and He had long wanted,

34:2815

[sunie] drohtines,
that he sulik gesîðo folk

The Son of the Lord,
to lead such a gathering

34:2816

an that lioht godes
[laðoian] môsti,

Of the land-folk
to the light of the Lord,

34:2817

wennien mid willeon.
Waldand lêrde

To turn the folk to His will.
The Wielder did teach,

34:2818

allan langan dag
liudi managa,

The Mighty Lord taught all the long day
so many of mankind

34:2819

elitheodige man,
anttat an âƀand sêg

Folk from all over
and from foreign lands, until in the evening

34:2820

sunne te sedle.
Thô gengun is gesîðos tweliƀi,

The sun did sink to its seat.
Then His disciples twelve

34:2821

gumon te themu godes barne
endi sagdun iro gôdumu hêrron,

Did go to God’s Bairn
and told their Good Lord

34:2822

mid hwiliku arƀediu thar [thea] erlos [liƀdin,]
quâðun that sie is êra bithorftin,

In what dire need the men did there dwell;
quoth that they did need His help,

34:2823

weros an themu wôsteon lande:
"sie ni mugun sie hêr mid wihti anthebbien,

The world-folk in the wilderness there;
“Not well can they hold themselves upright,

34:2824

heliðos bi [hungres] gethuinge.
Nu lât thu sie, hêrro the gôdo,

The heroes, for the pangs of their hunger;
now, Lord Good and Most High,

34:2825

sîðon, thar sie seliða fîðen.
Nâh sind hêr gesetana burgi

Let them go to find lodgings.
Nearby lie towns

34:2826

managa mid meginthiodun:
thar fîðad sie meti te kôpe,

Filled with folk aplenty;
there they will find meat to buy,

34:2827

weros aftar them wîkeon."
Thô sprak eft waldand Crist,

The world-folk there in those bailiwicks.”
Thereupon Wielding Christ spake again,

34:2828

[thioda] drohtin,
quað that thes êniga thurufti ni wârin,

The Lord of the Land-folk,
quoth that there was little need,

34:2829

"that sie thurh metilôsi
mîna farlâtan

“That they forsake
My fair teachings

34:2830

leoƀlîka lêra.
Geƀad gi thesun liudiun ginôg,

Because of their poverty.
Give these people enough.

34:2831

wenniad sie hêr mid willeon."
Thô habde [eft] is word garu

Let them come here gladly!”
His words had he ready,

34:2832

Philippus frôd gumo,
quað that thar sô filu wâri

The wise man named Philip;
quoth that there were so many,

34:2833

manno menigi:
"thoh wi hêr te meti habdin

Such a multitude of mankind,
“Though we might have meat

34:2834

garu im te geƀanne,
sô wi mahtin fargelden mêst,

Ready to give them,
were able to buy it

34:2835

ef wi hêr gisaldin
siluƀerskatto

And for that sold together
two hundred pieces of silver,

34:2836

twê hund samad,
tweho wâri is noh than,

Still would I doubt
that each would have some.

34:2837

that iro ênig thar
[ênes] ginâmi:

34:2838

sô luttik wâri that thesun liudiun."
Thô sprak eft the landes ward

So little were that for these land-folk.”
Then again the Land-Warder spake

34:2839

endi frâgode sie
firiwitlîko,

And asked them,
anxious for knowledge,

34:2840

manno drohtin,
[hwat] sie thar te meti habdin

The Master of Men,
how much of meat,

34:2841

[wistes] gewunnin.
Thô sprak imu eft mid is wordun angegin

Of food they had gathered.
Then again with his words

34:2842

Andreas fora them erlun
endi themu alowaldon

Andrew did speak before the earls
to the All-Wielder Himself,

34:2843

selƀumu sagde,
that sie an iro gisîðie than mêr

And said now to Him
that they had naught for the journey,

34:2844

garowes ni habdin,
["biûtan] girstin brôd

“Naught but five breads of barley
among the followers, and fishes twain:

34:2845

fîƀi an ûsaru ferdi
endi fiskos twêne.

34:2846

Hwat mag that thoh thesaru menigi?"
Thô sprak [imu] eft mahtig Krist,

How can that serve such a many?”
Mighty Christ spake again,

34:2847

the gôdo godes sunu,
endi hêt that gumono folk

The Good Son of God,
and hight they divide into groups,

34:2848

skerien endi skêðen
endi hêt thea skola settien,

The crowd, into sections;
and hight they should sit,

34:2849

erlos aftar theru [erðu],
irminthioda

All the lords, on the ground;
the hordes of the land-folk should lie

34:2850

an grase gruonimu,
endi thô te is jungarun sprak,

On the green grass;
and to His followers goodly he spake,

34:2851

allaro barno bezt,
hêt imu thiu brôd halon

The Best of All Bairns;
hight them go bring the bread

34:2852

endi thea fiskos forð.
That folk stillo bêd,

And fetch forth the fish.
the folk bided still —

34:2853

sat gesîði mikil;
undar thiu he thurh is selƀes kraft,

The great crowd was sitting.
Through His strength and His power

34:2854

manno drohtin,
thene meti wîhide,

The Lord of Mankind at this moment
did bless the meat,

34:2855

hêlag heƀenkuning,
[endi] mid is handun brak,

The Holy Heaven-King,
and with His hands He did break it,

34:2856

gaf it is jungarun forð,
endi [it] sie undar themu gumskepie [hêt]

And to His disciples He gave it,
hight that they should take it and divide it

34:2857

dragan endi dêlien.
Sie lêstun iro drohtines word,

Among the multitude there.
Their Master’s word they accomplished.

34:2858

is geƀa [gerno drôgun]
gumono gihwemu,

To each man gladly
they carried His gift,

34:2859

hêlaga helpa.
[It] undar iro handun wôhs,

The holy help.
It waxed in their hands,

34:2860

meti manno gihwemu:
theru meginthiodu warð

The meat for each man:
for the multitude

34:2861

lîf an lustun,
thea liudi wurðun alle,

There came a life full of joy;
the landsmen all,

34:2862

sade sâlig folk,
sô hwat sô thar gisamnod was

The folk had their fill —
as many as had fared there together

34:2863

fan allun wîdun wegun.
Thô hêt waldand Krist

From all the wide ways.
Then Wielding Christ

34:2864

gangen is jungaron
endi hêt sie gômien wel,

Hight His disciples go,
and hight them watch well,

34:2865

that thiu lêƀa thar
farloren ni wurði;

That the leavings left there
would not be lost,

34:2866

hêt sie thô samnon,
thô thar sade wârun

Commanded them gather
the many of mankind

34:2867

mankunnies manag.
Thar môses warð,

When they had had their fill.
There was left of the food,

34:2868

brôdes te lêƀu,
that man birilos gilas

Of the bread so much,
that they gathered baskets —

34:2869

tweliƀi fulle:
that was têkan mikil,

Twelve of them filled.
That was a great token,

34:2870

grôt kraft godes,
hwand thar was gumono gitald

A great deed of God,
since one counted together,

34:2871

âno wîf endi kind,
[werodes] atsamme

Without wife or child,
of world-folk there,

34:2872

fîf thûsundig.
That folk al farstôd,

Fully five thousand.
The folk understood,

34:2873

thea man an iro môde,
that sie thar mahtigna

The men in their minds,
that it was a Lord Most Mighty

34:2874

hêrron habdun.
Thô sie heƀenkuning,

Whom they did have.
They did laud the Heaven-King,

34:2875

thea liudi loƀodun,
quâðun that gio ni wurði an thit lioht kuman

The people did praise Him;
said that no wiser prophet

34:2876

wîsaro wârsago,
eftha [that] he giwald mid gode

Would ever fare in this light
or that from God

34:2877

an thesaru middilgard
mêron habdi,

He would have greater might
in this mid-world here,

34:2878

[ênfaldaran] hugi.
Alle gisprâkun,

A more honest heart.
All of them did say

34:2879

that he wâri wirðig
welono gihwilikes,

That he was worthy
of holding all wealth,

34:2880

that he erðrîki
êgan môsti,

That indeed He should own
all the realms of earth,

34:2881

wîdene [weroldstôl,]
"nu he sulik gewit haƀad,

The wide throne of world,
“since He hath such wit,

34:2882

sô grôte kraft mid gode."
Thea gumon alle giwarð,

Such great power from God!”
The people all thought it meet

34:2883

that sie ine gihôƀin
te hêrosten,

That they raise Him
to the highest of hights,

34:2884

gikurin ine te kuninge:
that Kriste ni was

Choose Him their king:
to Christ this was worthy of naught,

34:2885

wihtes wirðig,
hwand he thit weroldrîki,

Since He Himself had worked
this world-realm all through His power alone,

34:2886

erðe endi uphimil
thurh is ênes kraft

Had made earth and the high heaven,
and had held them since,

34:2887

selƀo giwarhte
endi sîðor [giheld,]

34:2888

land endi [liudskepi],
- thoh thes ênigan gilôƀon ni dedin

Both the land and the landsmen —
but the loathsome foe

34:2889

wrêðe wiðersakon -
that al an is giwalde stâd,

Believed naught of that:
that all stood ’neath His rule —

34:2890

kuningrîkeo kraft
endi kêsurdômes,

The power over kingdoms
and over empires, too,

34:2891

meginthiodo mahal.
Bethiu ni welde he [thurh] thero manno sprâka

The judgment of man.
Still through the speech of these men

34:2892

hebbian ênigan hêrdôm,
hêlag drohtin,

He cared not to have it, His rule —
He, Holy Lord —

34:2893

weroldkuninges namon;
ni [he] thô mid wordun [strîd]

Have the name of World-King.
Therefore He began no further word-strife

34:2894

[ni afhôf] wið that folk furður,
ak fôr imu thô, [thar he welde,]

With these people there;
but He went where He willed

34:2895

an ên gebirgi uppan:
flôh that barn godes

Up on a mountain;
God’s Mighty Bairn fled

34:2896

gêlaro gelpquidi
endi is jungaron hêt

The insolent talk,
and He told His disciples

34:2897

oƀar ênne sêo sîðon
endi im selƀo gibôd,

To sail over a sea;
and He Himself said

34:2898

hwar sie im eft tegegnes
gangen skoldin.

Where they should go
to greet Him again.

{ 35 }
Capitulum XXXV

35:2899

Thô telêt that liudwerod
aftar themu lande allumu,

The people parted
and spread through all lands,

35:2900

tefôr folk mikil,
sîðor iro frâho giwêt

A great folk scattered,
for their Lord had gone

35:2901

an that gebirgi uppan,
barno rîkeost,

Up on the mountain,
the Mightiest of Bairns,

35:2902

waldand an is willeon.
Thô te thes watares staðe

Wielding as was His will.
On the water’s shore

35:2903

samnodun thea gesîðos Cristes,
the he imu habde selƀo gikorane,

Gathered the disciples of Christ,
whom He Himself had chosen,

35:2904

sie tweliƀi thurh iro trewa gôda:
ni was im tweho nigiean,

The twelve for their goodly faith;
nor felt they doubt;

35:2905

neƀu sie an [that] godes thionost
gerno weldin

But in God’s service
they would gladly go

35:2906

oƀar thene sêo sîðon.
Thô lêtun [sie swîðean] strôm,

Over the sea.
They let the high-horned ship

35:2907

[hôh hurnidskip]
hluttron ûðeon,

Cut through the strong stream,
the clear wave and the water sheer;

35:2908

skêðan [skîr] water.
Skrêd lioht dages,

35:2909

[sunne] warð an sedle;
the [sêolîðandean]

The light of the day, the sun strode to rest.
Night surrounded

35:2910

naht [neƀulo] biwarp;
nâðidun erlos

The seafarers with mist;
the earls strove on,

35:2911

forðwardes an flôd;
warð thiu fiorðe tid

Forward in the flood.
Now the fourth hour

35:2912

thera nahtes kuman
- [neriendo] Crist

Of night was come.
All-Saving Christ

35:2913

warode [thea wâglîðand -:]
thô warð wind mikil,

Warded the wave-farers:
the wind grew great,

35:2914

hôh weder [afhaƀen:]
hlamodun ûðeon,

35:2915

[strôm] an [stamne;]
strîdiun feridun

The sea ’gainst the stem;
with trouble they steered it,

35:2916

thea weros wiðer winde,
was im wrêð hugi,

The ship through the wind.
The warriors grew fearful of mind,

35:2917

seƀo sorgono ful:
selƀon ni wândun

Their hearts filled with care.
The lake-farers indeed

35:2918

[lagulîðandea]
an land kumen

Never believed
that they would ever reach land

35:2919

thurh thes wederes gewin.
Thô gisâhun sie waldand Krist

Because of the battle of weather.
There they beheld Christ,

35:2920

an themu sêe uppan
selƀun gangan,

The Wielder, walking
over the waves on the sea,

35:2921

faran an fâðion:
ni mahte an thene flôd innan,

Faring on foot.
Into the flood he could

35:2922

an thene sêo sinkan,
hwand ine is selƀes kraft

Not sink, nor sink into the sea;
for the power of Him Himself

35:2923

hêlag anthabde.
Hugi warð an forhtun,

Held Him on high.
Their hearts became fearful,

35:2924

thero [manno] môdseƀo:
andrêdun that it im mahtig fîund

The minds of the men.
The feared the mighty Fiend

35:2925

te [gidroge] dâdi.
Thô sprak im iro drohtin tô,

Had done this to deceive Him.
Then their Dear Lord did speak unto them,

35:2926

hêlag heƀenkuning,
endi sagde im that [he] iro hêrro was

The Holy Heaven-King;
and said that He was their Lord,

35:2927

mâri endi mahtig:
"nu gi môdes skulun

Splendid and Mighty.
“Now in your minds

35:2928

fastes fâhen;
ne sî iu forht hugi,

Shall ye all take courage;
nor be ye frightened of spirit.

35:2929

[gibâriad] gi baldlîko:
ik bium that barn godes,

But behave ye boldly:
for I am God’s Bairn,

35:2930

is selƀes sunu,
the iu wið thesumu sêe skal,

The Son of Himself,
and against the sea I shall help you,

35:2931

mundon wið thesan meristrôm."
Thô sprak imu ên thero manno angegin

Against these flood-streams.”
Then a man did answer

35:2932

oƀar bord skipes,
[barwirðig] gumo,

From upon the ship,
a sage most worthy,

35:2933

Petrus [the] gôdo
- ni welde pîne tholon,

Peter the good: that no longer
he wished to endure the pain,

35:2934

watares wîti -:
"ef thu it waldand sîs", quað he,

The woe of the water,
“If Thou beest the Wielder,

35:2935

"hêrro the gôdo,
sô mi an mînumu hugi thunkit,

Master Most Good,
as I think in my mind,

35:2936

[hêt] mi than tharod gangan te thi
oƀar thesen geƀenes strôm,

Bid me come unto Thee
across the flood of the sea,

35:2937

[drokno] oƀar diap water,
ef thu mîn drohtin sîs,

Dry over the deep water —
if Thou art indeed my Lord,

35:2938

managoro mundboro."
Thô hêt ine mahtig Crist

The Master of Many.”
The Mighty Christ

35:2939

gangan imu tegegnes.
He warð garu sâno,

Hight him come unto Him.
He was soon ready,

35:2940

stôp [af] themu stamne
endi strîdiun geng

Stepped on the stem;
and striding, he went

35:2941

forð te is [frôian].
[Thiu] flôd anthabde

Forth to the Lord;
the flood held him upright,

35:2942

thene man thurh maht godes,
antat he [imu] an is môde bigan

The man through God’s might,
until in his mind he began

35:2943

andrâden diap water,
thô he drîƀen gisah

To dread the deep water,
when he saw it driven —

35:2944

thene wêg mid windu:
wundun ina [ûðeon],

The wave — by the wind:
The flood wound around him,

35:2945

[hôh] strôm umbihring.
Reht sô he thô an is hugi twehode,

The billows about him.
But even as in his mind he did doubt,

35:2946

sô wêk imu that water under,
endi he an thene wâg innan,

So the water grew weak beneath him.
And into the wave,

35:2947

sank an thene sêostrôm,
endi [he] hriop sân aftar thiu

Into the sea-stream he sank:
and straightway he called

35:2948

[gâhon] te themu godes sunie
endi gerno bad,

To the Bairn of God
and eagerly bade Him,

35:2949

that he ine thô [generidi,
thô] he an [nôdiun] was,

That He save him there,
since he, His thane, was

35:2950

thegan an gethuinge.
Thiodo drohtin

In distress and in need.
The the Lord of the Nations

35:2951

antfeng ine [mid] is faðmun
endi frâgode sâna,

Embraced him with His hands and His arms,
and straightway did ask him,

35:2952

te huî he [thô getwehodi:]
"hwat, thu [mahtes] getrûoian wel,

Why he was doubtful.
“Why, thou should’st trust well

35:2953

witen that te wârun,
that [thi] watares [kraft]

And know most verily
that the might of the water,

35:2954

an themu sêe innen
thînes sîðes ni mahte,

Of the sea itself
could not hinder thy steps,

35:2955

lagustrôm [gilettien],
sô lango sô thu [habdes] gelôƀon te mi

That of the lake-flood thy feet
for as long as thou believest in Me,

35:2956

an thînumu [hugi] hardo.
Nu williu ik thi an helpun wesen,

In thy heart hath a faith steadfast.
Now I shall help thee,

35:2957

[nerien thi] an thesaru nôdi".
Thô nam ine alomahtig,

In thy need shall save thee.”
The Almighty so took him,

35:2958

hêlag bi handun:
thô warð imu eft hlutter water

The Holy Man by the hand:
here again the clear water

35:2959

fast under fôtun,
endi sie an fâði samad

Became clear under foot,
and they fared together

35:2960

bêðea gengun,
antat sie oƀar bord skipes

Both step in step,
until they came aboard ship,

35:2961

stôpun [fan] themu strôme,
[endi] an themu stamne gesat

Stepped from the stream.
And at the stem

35:2962

allaro barno bezt.
Thô [warð] brêd water,

Sat the Best of All Bairns.
Then the broad water,

35:2963

strômos gestillid,
endi sie te staðe quâmun,

The stream became stilled;
and they came to the shore,

35:2964

lagulîðandea
an land [samen]

The landfarers indeed
did come to the land

35:2965

thurh [thes] wateres gewin,
[sagdun tho] waldande thank,

Through the battle of waters;
and said thanks to the Wielder,

35:2966

diurden [iro] drohtin
dâdiun endi wordun,

Gave praise to their Dear Lord
in deed and in word.

35:2967

fellun imu te fôtun
endi filu sprâkun

They fell to His feet
and did speak full many

35:2968

wîsaro wordo,
quâðun that sie wissin garo,

Words of wisdom;
quoth that they right well knew

35:2969

that he wâri selƀo
sunu drohtines

That He Himself
was verily the Son of the Lord

35:2970

wâr an thesaru weroldi
endi gewald habdi

Here in the world
and wielded power

35:2971

oƀar middilgard,
endi that he mahti allaro manno gihwes

Over he middle earth;
and all men He could help,

35:2972

ferahe giformon,
[al] sô he [im] an themu flôde dede

Whosoever they were,
as He had done on the flood

35:2973

wið thes watares gewin.

’Gainst the battle of waters.

{ 36 }
Capitulum XXXVI

36:2973

Thô giwêt imu waldand Crist

Then All-Wielding Christ

36:2974

sîðon fan themu sêe,
sunu drohtines,

Turned His steps from the sea:
The Son of the Lord,

36:2975

ênag barn godes.
[Elithioda] quam imu,

God’s only Child.
Heathens did come to Him,

36:2976

[gumon] tegegnes:
wârun is gôdun werk

Foreign folk fared to Him there.
For from afar

36:2977

ferran gefrâgi,
that he sô filu sagde

They had heard of His good works:
that so many true words

36:2978

wâroro wordo:
[imu was] willio mikil,

36:2979

that he sulik folkskepi
frummien môsti,

He did speak; for He longed greatly
to further such folk,

36:2980

that sie simla gerno
gode thionodin,

So that straightway
they would serve God gladly,

36:2981

wârin gehôrige
heƀenkuninge

Becoming true vassals
of the King of Heaven,

36:2982

mankunnies manag.
Thô giwêt he imu oƀer thea marka Judeono,

The many of mankind.
So He made His way across Judea,

36:2983

sôhte imu Sidono burg,
habde [gesîðos] mid imu,

Sought out the city of Sidon;
His disciples He had with Him,

36:2984

gôde jungaron.
Thar imu tegegnes quam

Christ’ followers good.
There a woman came toward Him

36:2985

ên idis fan âðrom thiodun;
siu was iru aðaligeburdeo,

From another tribe:
of aethling birth was she,

36:2986

kunnies fan Cananeo lande;
siu bad thene [kraftagan] drohtin,

From the kith of Canaan-land;
she bade the Lord Christ so strong,

36:2987

hêlagna, that he iru helpe gerêdi,
quað that iru wâri [harm] gistanden,

The Holy One, to grant her His help;
quoth that great trouble had come to her,

36:2988

soroga [at] iru selƀaru dohter,
quað that siu wâri mid suhtiun bifangen:

Sorrow for the sake of her daughter;
said she was ensnared by sickness,

36:2989

"bedrogan habbiad sie dernea wihti.
Nu is iro dôd at [hendi,]

Deceived by treacherous devils.
“Now is her death at hand.

36:2990

thea wrêðon habbiad sie gewitteu benumane.
Nu biddiu ik thi, waldand frô min,

The wrathful wights have robbed her of wit.
Now I beg Thee, my All-Wielding Ruler,

36:2991

selƀo sunu Dauides,
that [sie] af sulikum suhtiun atômies,

Thou Son of David himself,
from such sickness release her,

36:2992

that thu sie sô arma
êgrohtfullo

That Thou mayest mercifully
protect this poor maid

36:2993

wamskaðon biweri."
Ni gaf iru thô noh waldand Crist

From the grievous devils.”
But All-Wielding Christ gave

36:2994

ênig andwordi;
siu [imu] aftar geng,

Her no answer.
Therefore she went after Him,

36:2995

folgode fruokno,
antat siu te is fôtun quam,

Followed Him boldly,
till she came to His feet,

36:2996

grôtte ina greatandi.
Giungaron Cristes

And weeping did speak unto Him.
The disciples of Christ

36:2997

bâdun iro hêrron,
that he an is hugea mildi

Bade the Master that He
be mild in His heart

36:2998

wurði themu wîƀe.
Thô habde eft is word garu

To the woman.
Then had ready His word

36:2999

sunu drohtines
endi [te] is gesîðun sprak:

The Son of the Lord,
and unto His disciples He spake:

36:3000

"êrist skal ik Israheles
aƀoron werðen,

“First shall I be of use
to the folkships here,

36:3001

folkskepi te [frumu,]
that sie ferhtan hugi

To the people of Israel,
so that a pious spirit

36:3002

hebbian te iro hêrron:
im is helpono tharf,

They shall have for their Lord.
For they are in need of help:

36:3003

thea liudi sind farlorane,
farlâten habbiad

The land-folk are lost;
they have left and forsaken

36:3004

waldandes word,
that werod is getwîflid,

The word of the Wielder;
with doubts are they troubled — these people —

36:3005

drîƀad im dernean hugi,
ne williad iro drohtine hôrien

Harboring treacherous hearts.
Nor is the host of Israel

36:3006

Israhelo erlskepi,
ungilôƀiga sind

Willing to hear their Lord;
but they are unbelieving,

36:3007

heliðos iro hêrron:
thoh skal thanen helpe kumen

The men in their Master.
Then to the rest of mankind

36:3008

allun elithiodun."
Agalêto bad

Help shall come later.”
Lo, most zealously then

36:3009

that wîf mid iro wordun,
that iru waldand Krist

The woman begged with her words,
that All-Wielding Christ

36:3010

an is môdseƀon
mildi wurði,

Become mildly inclined,
that she might henceforth enjoy

36:3011

that siu iro barnes forð
brûkan môsti,

36:3012

hebbian sie hêle.
Thô sprak iru hêrro angegin,

Her child, having her hale.
Then the Lord spake to her,

36:3013

mâri [endi] mahtig:
"nis that", quað he, "mannes reht,

The Magnificent and Mighty.
“No man,” quoth He, “hath the right,

36:3014

gumono nigênum
gôd te gifrummienne

No person ever, to do good
or give alms in such manner,

36:3015

that he is barnun
brôdes aftîhe,

That his own bairns will be
bereft of their bread,

36:3016

wernie [im] oƀar willeon,
[lâte] sie wîti [tholean,]

Deprived ’gainst their will,
so that they suffer great pain,

36:3017

hungar hetigrimmen,
endi fôdie is hundos mid thiu."

Grim, hateful hunger;
and feedeth his hound-dogs with their food.”

36:3018

"Wâr is that, waldand", quað siu,
"that thu mid thînun wordun sprikis,

“True it is, Wielder,” quoth she,
“what Thou speakest indeed with Thy words,

36:3019

sôðlîko sagis:
hwat, thoh oft an seli innen

Most truly dost say.
Why, oft ’neath the tables

36:3020

undar iro hêrron diske
huelpos hwerƀad

In the halls of the lords,
the puppies hop hither

36:3021

brosmono fulle
[thero] fan [themu] biode niðer

And yon for the crumbs,
full many of which fall

36:3022

[antfallat] iro frôian."
Thô gihôrde that friðubarn godes

From the board of their master.”
The Peace-Bairn of God heard

36:3023

willean thes wîƀes
endi sprak iru mid is wordun tô:

The will of the woman,
and with words He did speak:

36:3024

"wela that thu wîf haƀes
willean gôden!

“Well that thou, wife,
hast goodness of will.

36:3025

Mikil is thîn gilôƀo
an thea maht godes,

Great is thy faith
in the power of God,

36:3026

an thene liudio drohtin.
Al [wirðid] gilêstid sô

In the Lord of the Land-folk.
Lo, all will be done

36:3027

umbi thînes barnes lîf,
sô thu bâdi te mi."

For the life of thy bairn,
even as thou has bidden of Me!”

36:3028

Thô warð siu sân gihêlid,
sô it the hêlago gesprak

And straightway was she healed,
as the Holy Lord had said

36:3029

wordun wârfastun:
that wîf fagonode,

With words of truth;
and the wife was happy

36:3030

thes siu iro barnes forð
brûkan môste;

That henceforth she would be blessed
with joy in her bairn.

36:3031

habde [iru] giholpen
hêleando Crist,

Christ the Healer
had helped her indeed,

36:3032

habde sie farfangane
fîundo [kraftu,]

Had snatched her away
from the strength of the Fiend,

36:3033

wamskaðun biwerid.
Thô giwêt imu waldand forð,

Guarded her against the loathsome wight.
The Wielder went forth.

36:3034

barno that bezte,
sôhte imu burg ôðre,

The Best of all Bairns
sought Him another borough,

36:3035

thiu sô thikko was
mid theru thiodu Judeono,

Which was so thick
with the throngs of the Jews,

36:3036

mid sûðarliudiun giseten.
Thar gifragn ik that he is gesîðos grôtte,

Settled with south-dwellers.
There, I discoverd,

36:3037

the jungaron the he imu habde be is gôde gikorane,
that sie mid imu gerno [gewonodun],

He greeted His followers
whom in His goodness He had chosen,

36:3038

weros thurh [is] wîson sprâka:
"[alle] skal ik iu", quað he, "mid wordun frâgon,

Disciples who gladly stayed for His wise speech.
“I shall ask of you all,

36:3039

jungaron mîne:
hwat queðat these Judeo liudi,

With My words,” quoth He, “My followers:
What say the Jews,

36:3040

mâri meginthioda,
hwat ik manno sî?"

That notorious folk,
who I am among men?”

36:3041

Imu andwordidun frôlîko
is friund angegin,

Happily His friends
gave answer to Him,

36:3042

jungaron sîne:
"nis thit Judeono folk,

His disciples:
“The Jewish folk,” they said,

36:3043

erlos ênwordie:
sum sagad that thu Elias sîs,

“The earls are not of one mind.
Some say Thou art Elias,

36:3044

wîs wârsago,
the hêr [giu was lango],

The soothsayer wise,
who was here long ago,

36:3045

gôd undar thesumu gumskepie,
sum sagad that thu Johannes sîs,

A good earl among these folk;
some say Thou art John,

36:3046

diurlîk drohtines bodo,
the hêr dôpte [iu]

Our Dear Lord’s herald,
who once did dip

36:3047

werod an [watere];
alle sie mid wordun sprekad,

The world-folk in water.
But with words they all say,

36:3048

that thu ênhwilik sîs
eðilero manno,

That Thou art some sort of noble,
some aethling man,

36:3049

thero wârsagono,
the hêr mid wordun [giu]

Some soothsayer or prophet,
who hath taught the people

36:3050

lêrdun these liudi,
endi that thu sîs eft an thit lioht kumen

Once before with his words.
And once again Thou art come to this light

36:3051

te [wîseanne] thesumu werode."
Thô sprak eft waldand Krist:

To teach the kith of mankind.”
Wielding Christ spake again:

36:3052

"hwe queðad gi, [that] ik sî", [quað he],
"jungaron mîne,

“What quoth ye that I be?”
quoth He, “My followers,

36:3053

lioƀon liudweros?"
Thô te lat ni warð

My landsmen beloved?”
Then not late with his words was he,

36:3054

Sîmon Petrus:
sprak sân angegin

Simon Peter;
but straightway he spake —

36:3055

êno for im allun
- habde imu ellien gôd,

One for them all —
of good spirit was he:

36:3056

thrîstea githâhti,
was is theodone hold -:

Daring in thought,
he was dear to the Lord.

{ 37 }
Capitulum XXXVII

37:3057

"thu bist the [wâro]
waldandes sunu,

“Thou art truly
the All-Wielder’s Son,

37:3058

libbiendes godes,
the thit lioht giskôp,

The Living God,
who created the Light,

37:3059

Crist kuning êwig:
sô williad wi queðen alle,

Christ, King Eternal:
so willingly do we quoth,

37:3060

jungaron thîne,
that thu sîs god selƀo,

We Thy disciples,
that Thou art God Himself,

37:3061

hêleandero bezt."
Thô sprak imu eft is hêrro angegin:

The Best of All Healers.”
Then his Lord spake to him,

37:3062

"sâlig bist thu Sîmon", quað he, "sunu [Jonases];
ni mahtes thu that selƀo gehuggean,

“So blessed art thou, Simon,” quoth He,
“Son of Jonas, thou thyself could’st not have

37:3063

gimarkon an thînun môdgithâhtiun,
ne it ni mahte thi mannes tunge

Marked such thoughts in thy mind;
nor could any man’s tongue

37:3064

wordun gewîsien,
ak dede it thi waldand selƀo,

Show thee with words.
But the Wielder Himself did this for thee,

37:3065

fader allaro firiho barno,
that thu [sô] forð gisprâki,

The Father of All Folk-Bairns,
that thou spakest so forthright,

37:3066

sô diapo bi drohtin thînen.
[Diurlîko] skalt thu thes lôn antfâhen,

So deep of thy Liege.
Dear shall be thy reward,

37:3067

hluttro haƀas thu an thînan hêrron gilôƀon,
hugiskefti sind thîne stêne gelîka,

Limpid and pure thy belief in thy Lord:
like unto a stone is thy spirit.

37:3068

sô fast bist thu sô felis the hardo;
hêten skulun [thi] firiho barn

So strong art thou like unto a rock;
and the children of men shall call thee

37:3069

sankte Pêter:
oƀar themu [stêne] skal man mînen seli wirkean,

Saint Peter; and on this stone
men shall build My great hall,

37:3070

hêlag hûs godes;
thar skal is hîwiski tô

God’s holy house.
There shall His family, His household

37:3071

sâlig samnon:
ni mugun wið them thînun swîðeun [krafte]

All gather, blessed, together,
and against thy strength,

37:3072

anthebbien [hellie portun].
Ik fargiƀu thi [himilrîkeas slutilas],

Thy power, the portals of hell cannot stand.
To thee I present it,

37:3073

that thu môst aftar mi
allun [giwaldan]

The key to Heaven’s kingdom,
so that o’er the Christian folk

37:3074

kristinum folke;
kumad alle te thi

Thou shalt after Me have the most might;
the spirits of men

37:3075

gumono gêstos;
thu haƀe [grôte] giwald,

Shall all come to thee;
for thou shalt claim great power

37:3076

huene thu hêr an erðu
eldibarno

O’er the bairns of mankind.
Whomsoever thou would’st bind

37:3077

gebinden willies:
themu is bêðiu giduan,

Here on this earth:
for him both is done,

37:3078

himilrîki biloken,
endi hellie sind imu [opana,]

For him the kingdom of heaven is locked
and for him hell lieth open,

37:3079

brinnandi fiur;
sô hwene sô thu eft antbinden wili,

The burning fire;
and whomsoever thou would’st again unbind,

37:3080

antheftien is hendi,
themu is himilrîki,

Whose hands unfetter:
for him is Heaven’s kingdom

37:3081

antloken liohto mêst
endi lîf êwig,

Unlocked, the greatest of lights,
and life everlasting,

37:3082

grôni godes wang.
Mid sulikaru ik thi geƀu williu

God’s fair, green meadows.
With such gifts I would

37:3083

lônon thînen gilôƀon.
Ni williu ik, that gi thesun liudiun noh,

Reward thee thy faith.
Still I would not that ye proclaim now to the folk,

37:3084

mârien thesaru menigi,
that ik bium mahtig Crist,

To the multitude yet,
that I be the Mighty Christ,

37:3085

godes [êgan] barn.
Mi skulun [Judeon] noh,

The Own Bairn of God.
For the Jews shall still bind Me,

37:3086

unskuldigna
erlos binden,

In guiltiness tie Me
and torture Me most terribly,

37:3087

wêgean mi te wundrun
- [dôt mi wîties filo -]

37:3088

innan Hierusalem
gêres ordun,

Do Me great wrongs
here in Jerusalem,

37:3089

âhtien mînes aldres
eggiun skarpun,

With spear-point attacking,
with the sharp edge against Me,

37:3090

bilôsien mi lîƀu.
Ik an thesumu [liohte] skal

Relieve Me of life.
Through the power of the Lord here in this light

37:3091

thurh ûses drohtines kraft
fan dôde astanden

37:3092

[an] thriddiumu dage".
Thô warð thegno bezt

I shall arise though from death
on the third day.”

37:3093

swîðo an sorgun,
Sîmon Petrus,

Then in sorrow was he,
Simon Peter, the best of all thanes;

37:3094

warð imu hugi [hriwig,]
endi te is hêrron sprak

Most grieved he of mind.
And to the Master he spake,

37:3095

rink an rûnun:
"ni skal that rîki god", quað he,

The warrior in whispers.
“That is not the will of the Wielder,

37:3096

"waldand willien,
that thu eo sulik wîti mikil

Of Mighty God,” quoth he.
“It cannot be that Thou should’st endure

37:3097

githolos undar [thesaru thiod:]
nis thes tharf nigiean,

Such pain ’mid this people.
There is plainly no need,

37:3098

hêlag drohtin."
Thô sprak imu eft is hêrro angegin,

O Holy Master!”
The Christ Mighty and Marvelous,

37:3099

mâri mahtig Crist
- was imu an is môde hold -:

The Lord, did reply —
he was dear to His heart —

37:3100

"hwat, thu nu wiðerward bist", quað he,
"willeon mînes,

“Why,” quoth He,
“thou art now opposed to My will,

37:3101

thegno bezto!
Hwat, thu thesaro thiodo [kanst]

Thou best of My thanes?
Thou knowest this folk,

37:3102

menniskan [sidu:]
thu ni wêst [the] maht godes,

Hast ken of the customs of men.
But God’s might, which I must accomplish,

37:3103

[the] ik gifrummien skal.
Ik mag thi filu seggean

That wittest thou not.
With words of truth

37:3104

wârun wordun,
thar [hêr undar thesumu werode standad]

I can tell thee much:
that here ’mid the people stand

37:3105

gesîðos mîne,
thea ni môtun swelten êr,

Disciples of Mine
who shall not die,

37:3106

hwerƀen an hinenfard
êr sie himiles lioht,

Not begin the trip hence,
before they shall see Heaven’s light,

37:3107

godes rîki sehat."
Côs imu [jungarono] thô

The kingdom of God.”
From His disciples He chose

37:3108

sân aftar thiu
Sîmon Petrus,

Soon after that
Simon Peter,

37:3109

Jakob endi Johannes,
[ea] gumon twêne,

Jacob and John,
those good men twain,

37:3110

bêðea thea gibrôðer,
endi imu thô uppen thene berg giwêt

Both of the brothers.
And He betook Himself then upon a mountain

37:3111

sunder mid them gesîðun,
sâlig barn godes,

With His disciples aside from the others —
God’s Bairn so blessed

37:3112

mid them thegnun thrim,
thiodo drohtin,

With His thanes three;
Lord of this Folk,

37:3113

waldand thesaro weroldes:
welde im thar wundres filu,

Wielder of World,
He would show unto them

37:3114

têkno tôgean,
that sie [gitrûodin] thiu bet,

Wonders a-many, such tokens,
so that they should trust and believe

37:3115

that he selƀo was
sunu drohtines,

That He Himself
was the Son of the Lord,

37:3116

hêlag heƀenkuning.
Thô sie [an] hôhan wall

The Holy Heaven-King.
At a high wall

37:3117

stigun stên endi berg,
antat sie te theru stedi quâmun,

They climbed stone and cliff,
till they came to a place,

37:3118

weros wiðer wolkan,
thar waldand Krist,

These men, close to the clouds,
which All-Wielding Christ,

37:3119

kuningo kraftigost
gikoren habde,

The Strongest of Kings,
had Himself chosen,

37:3120

that he is godkundi
jungarun sînun

That He would reveal
most verily His godliness

37:3121

thurh is ênes kraft
ôgean welde,

To His disciples,
His divinity —

37:3122

berhtlîk biliði.

A bright, shining picture.

{ 38 }
Capitulum XXXVIII

38:3122

Thô imu thar te bedu gihnêg,

When He bent low in prayer,

38:3123

thô warð imu thar uppe
ôðarlîkora

Lo, there upon the mountain
His whole appearance,

38:3124

wliti endi giwâdi:
wurðun imu is wangun liohte,

His garb became changed.
His cheeks became light,

38:3125

blîkandi sô [thiu berhte sunne]:
sô skên that barn godes,

Shone like the bright, shimmering sun:
so shone God’s Bairn.

38:3126

liuhte is lîkhamo:
liomon stôdun

Light was His body,
and long rays shone

38:3127

wânamo fan themu waldandes barne;
warð is gewâdi sô huît

Radiant around the All-Wielder’s Bairn,
His raiment so white

38:3128

sô snêu te sehanne.
Thô warð thar seldlîk thing

To the sight as is snow.
Then a marvel was shown

38:3129

giôgid aftar thiu:
Elias endi Moyses

Up there on the mountain:
Elias and Moses

38:3130

quâmun thar te Criste
wið sô kraftagne

Did come there to Christ
to exchange words with Him,

38:3131

wordun wehslean.
Thar warð sô wunsam sprâka,

The Strongest of Kings.
There was winsome conversing,

38:3132

sô gôd word undar gumun,
thar the godes sunu

Good words among men;
where the Son of God

38:3133

wið thea mârean man
mahlien welde,

Would fain have talk
with those famous men.

38:3134

sô blîði warð uppan themu berge:
skên that berhte lioht,

So blithe it was, up there on the mountain.
And the light shone bright,

38:3135

was thar gard gôdlik
endi grôni [wang],

And it was like unto that goodly garden,
tht meadow green,

38:3136

paradise gelîk.
Petrus thô gimahalde,

Like unto Paradise itself.
And Peter there spake,

38:3137

helið hardmôdig
endi te is hêrron sprak,

Hero hardy of spirit
and to His Lord he did speak,

38:3138

grôtte thene godes sunu:
"gôd is [it] hêr te wesanne,

Greeted the Son of God,
“Good it is to be here,

38:3139

ef thu it gikiosan wili,
Crist alowaldo,

If Thou hast so chosen,
O Christ All-Wielding,

38:3140

that man thi hêr an thesaru hôhe
ên hûs gewirkea,

That men on these heights
build Thee a house,

38:3141

mârlîko gemako
endi Moysese ôðer

Make it most splendid;
and for Moses a second;

38:3142

endi Eliase thriddea:
thit is ôdas hêm,

And a third for Elias.
This is the home of joy,

38:3143

welono wunsamost."
Reht sô he thô that word gesprak,

The most winsome possession.”
Just as he spake these words,

38:3144

sô [tilêt] thiu luft an twê:
lioht wolkan [skên],

The air clove in twain:
from the clouds light shone clear,

38:3145

glîtandi glîmo,
endi thea gôdun man

A glistening glow.
And the good men

38:3146

wlitiskôni bewarp.
Thô fan themu wolkne quam

Were wrapped in a radiance.
Then from the clouds rolled

38:3147

hêlag stemne godes,
endi them heliðun thar

God’s holy voice.
And to the heroes there

38:3148

selƀo sagde,
that that is sunu wâri,

He Himself said
that this was His Son,

38:3149

libbiendero lioƀost:
"an themu mi lîkod wel

The Most Beloved of the Living:
“I like Him well,

38:3150

an mînun hugiskeftiun.
Themu gi hôrien skulun,

To My heart He is dear.
Ye shall hear Him,

38:3151

fulgangad imu gerno."
Thô ni mahtun thea jungaron Cristes

Following Him gladly.”
Then the followers of Christ,

38:3152

thes wolknes wliti
endi word godes,

Those men, could not withstand
the cloud’s clear light,

38:3153

thea is mikilon maht
thea man antstanden,

The word of God
and its might, which is great.

38:3154

ak sie bifellun thô forðwardes:
ferhes ni wândun,

But they fell forward,
and they feared indeed

38:3155

lengiron lîƀes.
Thô geng im tô the landes ward,

They would lose their lives.
Then the Land-Warden did go to them;

38:3156

behrên sie mid is handun
hêleandero bezt,

And with His hand He touched them,
the Best of Healers,

38:3157

hêt that sie im ni andrêdin:
"ni skal iu hêr derien eowiht,

Hight they should feel no dread:
“No harm shall come to you here

38:3158

thes gi hêr seldlîkes
[gisehen] habbiad,

From these blessed sights
which ye have now seen,

38:3159

mêriaro thingo."
Thô eft them mannun warð

These marvelous things.”
Then the men’s spirits

38:3160

hugi at iro herton
endi gihêlid môd,

In their hearts were healed,
and healed were their minds;

38:3161

gibade an iro breostun:
gisâhun that barn godes

In their breasts there was comfort:
for they saw God’s Bairn

38:3162

ênna standen,
was that oðer thô,

Standing alone.
The other, though,

38:3163

behliden himiles lioht.
Thô giwêt imu the hêlago Crist

Heaven’s light, was again hidden.
Then the Holy Christ

38:3164

fan themu berge niðer;
gibôd aftar thiu

Went Him down from the mountain,
and He did then bid

38:3165

jungarun sînun,
that sie oƀar Judeono folk

His followers that they tell not
unto the Jewish folk

38:3166

ni sagdin thea gisioni:
"er than ik selƀo [hêr]

Of the sight they had seen.
“Until I myself here

38:3167

swîðo diurlîko
fan dôðe astande,

In splendor shall
stand up from My death,

38:3168

arîse fan theru restu:
sîðor mugun gi it rekkien forð,

Arise from My rest.
Then may ye relate it,

38:3169

mârien oƀar middilgard
managun thiodun

Spread it over the mid-earth
and its many peoples,

38:3170

wîdo aftar thesaru weroldi."

Wide o’er this world.”

{ 39 }
Capitulum XXXIX

39:3170

Thô giwêt imu waldand Crist

Then Wielding Christ

39:3171

eft an Galileo land,
sôhte is gadulingos,

Went again to Galilee-land
Great Christ sought His landsmen,

39:3172

mahtig is mâgo hêm,
sagde thar manages hwat

The home of His kin.
With bright, clear pictures

39:3173

[berhtero] biliðeo,
endi that barn godes

He spake much unto them.
And the Son of God

39:3174

them is sâligun gesîðun
sorgspell ni forhal,

Concealed not sorrowful tidings
from His blessed disciples,

39:3175

ak he im openlîko
allun sagde,

But openly He said
all things to them,

39:3176

them is gôdun jungarun,
hwô ine skolde that Judeono folk

His followers good,
how the Jewish folk

39:3177

wêgean te wundrun.
Thes wurðun thar wîse man

Would torture Him all terribly.
Then troubled were they,

39:3178

swîðo an sorgun,
warð im sêr hugi,

The wise men, greatly,
and grieved at heart,

39:3179

hriwig umbi iro herte:
gihôrdun [iro] [hêrron] thô,

Saddened of spirit,
when they heard their Lord,

39:3180

waldandes sunu
wordun tellien,

The Son of the Wielder,
telling them with words

39:3181

hwat he undar [theru] thiodu
[tholoian] skolde,

What He would endure
here midst the earth-folk,

39:3182

williendi undar themu werode.
Thô giwêt imu waldand Crist,

Willingly all among the people of world.
Then All-Wielding Christ,

39:3183

gumo fan Galilea,
sôhte imu Judeono burg,

The Man, went from Galilee
and sought a city of Jews.

39:3184

quâmun im te Cafarnaum.
Thar fundun sie [ênan] kuninges [thegan]

They came to Capernaum.
There He found a king’s thane,

39:3185

wlankan undar [themu] werode:
quað that he wâri giweldig bodo

Proud ’mid the people; quoth
that he was the trusted courier

39:3186

aðalkêsures;
he grôtte aftar thiu

Of the noble emperor;
he greeted thereafter

39:3187

Sîmon Petrusen,
quað that he wâri gisendid tharod,

Simon Peter; and said
he had been sent here

39:3188

that he thar gimanodi
manno gihwiliken

That he remind
each man and every

39:3189

thero hôƀidskatto,
the sie te themu hoƀe skoldin

Of his head-tax
which he must pay as a tithe

39:3190

tinsi gelden:
"nis thes tweho ênig

Here to the court:
“Nor can any man hesitate,

39:3191

gumono nigiênumu,
ne sie [ina fargelden] sân

But he payeth unto him
his choicest treasure.

39:3192

mêðmo kusteon,
[biûten] iuwe mêster [êno]

Only your Master alone
hath omitted His tithe,

39:3193

[haƀad] it farlâten.
Ni skal that lîkon wel

Hath neglected it.
Nor will my lord like this,

39:3194

mînumu hêrron,
[sô man] it imu at is hoƀe kûðid,

39:3195

aðalkêsure."
Thô geng aftar thiu

When they inform him of this,
the aethling emperor.”

39:3196

Sîmon Petrus,
welde it seggian thô

The Simon Peter went straightway.
He so wanted

39:3197

hêrron sînumu:
he was is an is hugi [iu than,]

To tell this unto His Master.
But in His mind

39:3198

giwaro waldand Crist:
- imu ni mahte word ênig

Holy Christ already knew;
for from Him naught could be hidden,

39:3199

biholen werðen,
he wisse hugiskefti

Not even a word;
but He well knew indeed

39:3200

manno gihwilikes -:
hêt thô thene is mârean thegan,

The mind of each man;
but he admonished His thane,

39:3201

Sîmon Petrus
an thene sêo innen

Simon Peter of fame,
that into the sea

39:3202

angul werpen:
"[suliken] sô thu thar êrist [mugis]

He should cast his hook.
“Whatsoever thou dost catch,

39:3203

fisk gifâhen", [quað he],
"sô teoh thu thene fan themu flôde te thi,

What fish at the first,” quoth He,
“from the flood thou must draw it,

39:3204

antklemmi imu [thea] kinni:
thar maht thu undar them kaflon nimen

Wedge open its jaws:
from under its chin mayest thou take

39:3205

guldine skattos,
that thu fargelden maht

Golden guilders,
with which thou shalt give

39:3206

themu manne te gimôdea
mînen endi thînen

The man enough of the tax
which he seeketh from us, from Me and from thee.”

39:3207

tinseo sô hwilikan,
sô he ûs tô sôkid."

He needed bid him
thereafter no more,

39:3208

He [ni] thorfte imu thô aftar thiu
ôðaru wordu

Give him no other words:
but the Good Fisher did go,

39:3209

furður gibioden:
geng fiskari gôd,

Simon Peter;
into the sea he did cast

39:3210

Sîmon Petrus,
warp an thene sêo innen

His angle, his hook in the wave;
and verily then

39:3211

angul an ûðeon
endi up gitôh

He drew a fish
from the flood. Its jaws

39:3212

fisk [an] flôde
mid is folmun twêm,

He tore open with his two hands.
And from under its chin took

39:3213

teklôf imu [thea] kinni
endi [undar] them kaflun nam

39:3214

guldine skattos:
dede al, sô imu the godes sunu

The golden guilders.
And all he so did as God’s Son

39:3215

wordun gewîsde.
Thar was thô waldandes

Had told him with words.
So was the strength of the Wielder,

39:3216

meginkraft gimârid,
hwô skal [allaro] manno gehwilik

His might made manifest,
how each man and all

39:3217

swîðo williendi
is weroldhêrron

Should most willingly pay
to his world-lord here

39:3218

skuldi endi skattos,
thea [imu] giskeride sind,

The taxes and tolls
determined against him,

39:3219

gerno gelden:
ni skal ine fargûmon eowiht,

And do so gladly;
nor should any forget this,

39:3220

ni farmuni ine an is môde,
ak wese imu [mildi an is hugi,]

Neglect or deny in his mind;
but mild in his heart,

39:3221

thiono imu thiolîko:
an thiu mag he thiodgodes

He should serve him humbly.
so should he work

39:3222

willean gewirkean
endi ôk is weroldhêrron

The will of God
and still gain the grace

39:3223

huldi habbien.

Of his worldly master.

{ 40 }
Capitulum XL

40:3223

Sô lêrde the hêlago Crist

So Holy Christ did teach

40:3224

thea is gôdon jungaron:
"ef ênig gumono wið iu", quað he,

His disciples good:
“If against you,” quoth He, “any man

40:3225

"sundea gewirkea,
than nim thu ina sundar te thi,

Do act in sin,
then take ye this man aside,

40:3226

thene rink an rûna
endi imu is [râd] saga,

This warrior, with whispers,
and speak ye wise counsel

40:3227

wîsi imu mid wordun.
[Ef] imu [than] thes [werð] ne sî,

And teach him with words.
Should he not be worthy

40:3228

that he thi gihôrie,
hala [thi] thar [ôðara] tô

To hear your teachings,
then fetch ye hither

40:3229

gôdaro gumono,
endi lah imu is grimmun werk,

Other men and good;
and with his grim works reproach him,

40:3230

sak ina sôðwordun.
Ef imu than is sundea aftar thiu,

Say them forth most soothly.
If then his sins

40:3231

[lôswerk] ni lêðon,
[giduo] it ôðrun liudiun kûð,

His evil deeds do not grieve him,
so make ye them open to others,

40:3232

mâri it than for menegi
endi lât manno filu

Most revealed to the multitude,
and let many men

40:3233

witen is farwurhti:
ôðo [beginnad] imu than is werk tregan,

Know his wrongs. Then easily
he will repent his works,

40:3234

an [is] hugi hrewen,
than [he] it gihôrid heliðo filu,

In his heart indeed rue them,
when he heareth that so many folk,

40:3235

[ahton] eldibarn
endi imu is uƀilon dâd

Bairns of mankind have watched them
and warded off with their words

40:3236

[weread] mid wordun.
Ef he than ôk wendien ne [wili],

The works of his evil.
If even then he will not change,

40:3237

ak [farmôdat] sulika menegi,
than lât thu thene man faren,

But scorneth such a many,
then let this man fare forth,

40:3238

haƀa ina than far hêðinen
endi lât ina thi an thînumu hugi lêðen,

Believe him a heathen,
and let him be loathsome unto you in your hearts.

40:3239

mîð is an thînumu môde,
ne sî that imu eft mildi god,

In your minds avoid him,
unless God the Mild,

40:3240

hêr heƀenkuning
helpe farlîhe,

The High King of Heaven,
grant help unto him,

40:3241

fader allaro [firiho] barno."
Thô frâgode Petrus,

The Father of All Folk-Bairns.”
Peter then asked,

40:3242

allaro thegno bezt
theodan sînan:

The best of all thanes
then questioned the Lord,

40:3243

"hwô oft skal ik them mannun,
the wið mi habbiad

“How often shall I absolve
from sin this man

40:3244

lêðwerk giduan,
leoƀo drohtin,

Who hath done loathsome work
against me, Beloved Lord?

40:3245

skal ik im siƀun sîðun
iro sundea [alâten,]

How many times shall I
take from him all his blame

40:3246

wrêðaro werko,
êr [than] ik is êniga wrêka frummie,

For his wicked works,
before rewarding the wrongs

40:3247

lêðes te lône?"
Thô sprak eft the landes ward,

By wreaking vengeance?”
The spake again the Warden of the Land.

40:3248

[angegin] the godes sunu
gôdumu thegne:

The Son of God did give answer
unto His goodly thane:

40:3249

"ni seggiu ik thi fan siƀuniun,
sô thu selƀo sprikis,

“I shall never say unto thee: seven,
as thou thyself hast spoken,

40:3250

mahlis mid thînu mûðu,
ik duom thi mêra thar tô:

Hast made known with thy mouth.
I add more thereto

40:3251

siƀun sîðun siƀuntig
sô skalt thu sundea gehwemu,

Seven times seventy!
So shalt thou absolve each one

40:3252

lêðes alâten:
sô williu ik thi te lêrun geƀen

From evil, from sin.
So I would give unto thee

40:3253

wordun wârfastun.
Nu ik thi sulika giwald fargaf,

Teachings, a word most true.
Since to thee I have lent the power,

40:3254

that thu mînes hîwiskes
hêrost wâris,

That thou beest the highest one
of my household

40:3255

manages mannkunnies,
nu skalt thu im mildi wesen,

To many of mankind;
so shalt thou be mild unto them,

40:3256

liudiun lîði."
Thô thar te themu lêreande quam

Merciful unto the multitude.”
Then a young man

40:3257

ên jung man angegin
endi frâgode [Jesu] Crist:

Came to the Teacher,
and Jesus Christ he did question:

40:3258

"mêster the gôdo", quað he,
"hwat skal ik [manages] duan,

“Master Most Good,” quoth he,
“What must I do,

40:3259

[an thiu the ik] heƀenrîki
[gehalan] môti?"

So that I may reach
the realms of Heaven?”

40:3260

Habde imu ôdwelon
allen gewunnen,

All goodly riches
had he gained indeed,

40:3261

mêðomhord manag,
thoh he mildean hugi

Many a treasure, too,
though mildness of heart

40:3262

bâri an is breostun.
Thô sprak imu that barn godes:

He bore in his breast.
Then spake God’s Bairn unto him:

40:3263

"hwat quiðis thu umbi [gôdon?]
nis that gumono ênig

“Why speakest thou of a Good one?
There is no man

40:3264

biûtan the êno,
the thar al geskôp,

But that One Single One,
who shaped this All —

40:3265

werold endi wunnea.
Ef thu is willean haƀas,

This world in its winsomeness.
If ’tis thy will,

40:3266

that thu an lioht godes
lîðan môtis,

40:3267

than skalt thu bihalden
thea hêlagon lêra,

Then shalt thou hold
to the holy teachings,

40:3268

[the] thar an themu aldon
êwa gebiudid,

Those which the Old Law
command thee follow:

40:3269

that thu man ni slah,
ni thu mênes ni sweri,

That thou shalt not slay;
nor swear falsely,

40:3270

[farlegarnessi] farlât
endi luggi gewitskepi,

Neither commit adultery;
nor bear thou false witness

40:3271

strîd endi stulina;
ne wis thu te stark an hugi,

Nor steal nor cause strife;
nor be thou too stubborn of mind,

40:3272

ne nîðin ne hatul,
ni nôdrôf ni [fremi;]

Nor hating nor hateful;
commit thou no robbery.

40:3273

aƀunst alla farlât;
wis thînun eldirun gôd,

Forsake thou all envy;
to thine elders show kindness,

40:3274

fader endi môder,
endi thînun [friundun] hold,

To thy father and mother.
Be thou fair to thy friends,

40:3275

them nâhistun ginâðig.
Than thu [thi] giniodon môst

To thy nearest be gracious.
Then wilt thou be granted joy

40:3276

[himilo rîkeas,]
ef thu it bihalden wili,

In the kingdom of Heaven,
if thou wilt keep this

40:3277

fulgangan godes lêrun."
Thô sprak eft the jungo man

And follow God’s teachings.”
Again the young man did speak:

40:3278

"al hebbiu ik sô gilêstid", quað he,
"sô thu mi lêris nu,

“All things have I done,”
quoth he, “as Thou now dost teach

40:3279

wordun wîsis,
sô ik is eo wiht ni farlêt

And tellest with words;
that I have no whit left undone

40:3280

fan mînero kindiski."
Thô bigan ina Crist sehan

Since the days of my childhood.”
Then Christ did begin

40:3281

an mid is ôgun:
"ên is thar noh nu", quað he,

To turn His eyes onto him.
“One thing,” He told him,

40:3282

"wan thero werko:
ef thu is willeon haƀas,

“Is still lacking in thy works.
If thou hast the will,

40:3283

that thu [thurhfremid]
thionon môtis

That thou would’st serve
thy Lord most perfectly still,

40:3284

hêrron thînumu,
than skalt [thu] that thîn hord nimen,

Then shalt thou take
thy hoard and thy treasure;

40:3285

skalt thînan ôdwelon
allan farkôpien,

Thou shalt rid thyself
of thy riches all,

40:3286

diurie mêðmos,
endi dêlien hêt

Order thy precious jewels
to be portioned out

40:3287

armun mannun:
than haƀas [thu] aftar thiu

And shared with the poor.
Then shalt thou have

40:3288

hord an himile;
kum thi than gihalden te mi,

A hoard in Heaven.
Come thou then as healed unto me

40:3289

folgo thi mînaro ferdi:
than haƀas thu friðu sîður."

And follow My path.
Then shalt thou have peace ever after.”

40:3290

Thô wurðun Kristes [word]
kindjungumu manne

Then the words of the Christ
caused great worry and care

40:3291

swîðo an sorgun,
was imu sêr hugi,

To the child-young man.
His mind was sore,

40:3292

môd umbi herte:
habde mêðmo filu,

About his heart his spirit.
For he had great wealth,

40:3293

welono gewunnen;
wende imu eft thanen,

Had won great treasure;
he again turned away.

40:3294

was imu unôðo
[innan] breostun,

In his breast he felt
burdened indeed,

40:3295

an is seƀon swâro.
Sah imu aftar thô

In his heart most heavy.
Then Christ looked after him,

40:3296

Krist alowaldo,
quað it thô, thar he welde,

The All-Wielder,
since He so willed,

40:3297

te them [is] jungarun geginwardun,
that wâri an godes rîki

And said to His disciples, who were there,
that it was ever so hard

40:3298

unôði ôdagumu manne
up te kumanne:

For a rich man to reach
the realms of Heaven:

40:3299

"ôður mag man olbundeon,
thoh he sî unmet grôt,

“More easily may an elephant,
though it be unseemly great,

40:3300

thurh nâðlan gat,
thoh [it] sî naru swîðo,

Go through a needle’s eye,
be that eye so narrow —

40:3301

sâftur thurhslôpien,
than mugi kuman thiu siole te himile

Slip through more softly,
than this soul into Heaven,

40:3302

thes [ôdagan] mannes,
the hêr al haƀad

40:3303

giwendid an thene weroldskat
willeon sînen,

The soul of this wealthy man,
who hath turned his will to world-things entirely,

40:3304

môdgithâhti,
endi ni hugid umbi thie maht godes."

The thoughts of his mind,
and mindeth not the great might of God.”

{ 41 }
Capitulum XLI

41:3305

Imu [andwordiade
êrthungan] gumo,

Him answered then
an aethling most excellent and honored,

41:3306

Sîmon Petrus,
endi seggean bad

Simon Peter;
and speaking, he bade

41:3307

leoƀan hêrron:
"hwat skulun wi thes te lône nimen", quað he,

His Blessed Lord:
“What reward shall we look for,

41:3308

"gôdes te gelde,
thes wi thurh thîn jungardôm

What goods to repay us —
we, who have forsaken

41:3309

êgan endi erƀi
al farlêtun

Our lands and our heritage
for love of Thy following,

41:3310

hoƀos endi hîwiski
endi thi te hêrron gikurun,

Our farmyards and families,
and chosen Thee for our Lord,

41:3311

folgodun thînaru ferdi:
hwat skal ûs [thes] te frumu werðen,

Following Thy footsteps?
What good will there be for us,

41:3312

[langes] te lône?"
Liudeo drohtin

What long-lasting reward?”
The Lord of the Land-folk

41:3313

sagde im thô [selƀo]:
"than ik sittien kumu", quað he,

Himself said unto them:
“When I shall come to sit,” quoth He

41:3314

"an thie [mikilan] maht
an themu mârean dage,

“In My might and My power
on that most Renowned Day,

41:3315

thar ik allun skal
irminthiodun

When I shall deal out
the dooms to the people of earth,

41:3316

[dômos] adêlien,
than môtun gi mid iuwomu drohtine thar

Then may ye sit with your Master,
may wield His affairs —

41:3317

selƀon sittien
endi môtun thera saka waldan:

41:3318

môtun gi Israhelo
eðilifolkun

Ye may judge Israel’s
aethling folk

41:3319

adêlien aftar iro dâdiun:
sô môtun gi thar gidiuride wesen.

By its deeds: so honored
will ye be up there.

41:3320

Than seggiu ik iu te wâran:
sô hwe sô that an thesaru weroldi giduot,

For verily I say unto you:
whosoever acteth on this earth,

41:3321

that he thurh mîna minnea
mâgo gesidli

So that for My love
he leaveth the dear home of his kin,

41:3322

liof farlêtid,
thes skal hi hêr lôn niman

He shall receive
a tenfold reward, if he acteth

41:3323

tehan sîðun tehinfald,
ef he it mid trewon duot,

41:3324

mid hluttru hugi.
Oƀar that haƀad he ôk himiles lioht,

Loyally, with pureness of heart.
Above shall he have Heaven’s light.

41:3325

open êwig lîf."
Bigan imu thô aftar thiu

Eternal life will lie open.”
Therefore the Lord,

41:3326

allaro barno bezt
ên biliði seggian,

The Best of all Bairns,
began to speak pictures,

41:3327

quað that thar ên ôdag man
an êrdagun

Told how a man of great fortune
in former days

41:3328

[wâri] undar themu werode:
["the] habde welono genôg,

Lived ’monst the land-folk:
“He had laid aside wealth,

41:3329

sinkas gisamnod
endi imu [simlun] was

Gathered great treasures unto him;
and ever with gold

41:3330

garu mid goldu
endi mid godowebbiu,

He was decked both with silken stuff
and with the sheen

41:3331

fagarun fratahun
endi imu so filu habde

Of fine jewels; and so many goods
he had stored away

41:3332

gôdes an is gardun
endi imu [at] gômun sat

In his buildings;
and at banquet

41:3333

allaro dago gihwilikes:
habde imu diurlîk lîf,

He sat every day.
There was splendid carousing

41:3334

[blîðsea] an is [benkiun.]
Than was thar eft ên biddiendi man,

And joy on his benches.
There was a beggar-man also:

41:3335

gilêƀod an is lîkhamon,
Lazarus was he hêten,

Lame of limb was he
and Lazarus hight;

41:3336

lag imu dago gihwilikes
at them durun foren,

And every day he did lie
in front of the door,

41:3337

thar he thene ôdagan man
inne wisse

Where he knew the rich man
received food in the guest-hall

41:3338

an is gestseli
gôme thiggean,

41:3339

sittien [at] sumble,
endi he [simlun] bêd

And sat at his banquet;
and outside bided

41:3340

giarmod thar ûte:
ni môste thar in kuman,

The poor man; nor was he
ever permitted within,

41:3341

ne he ni mahte gebiddien,
that man imu thes brôdes tharod

Nor could he bring it about
by begging that bread

41:3342

gidragan weldi,
thes thar fan themu diske niðer

Be brought out to him,
such bread as had fallen from the dish

41:3343

antfel undar iro fôti:
ni mahte imu thar ênig [fruma] werðen

Down beneath their feet.
Not a thing did he gain

41:3344

fan themu hêroston, [the] thes hûses giweld,
[biûtan] that thar gengun [is hundos tô,]

From the high man who ruled over the house;
but only the hounds of that man

41:3345

likkodun is lîkwundon,
thar he liggiandi

Came and licked on his wounds,
as he lay there

41:3346

hungar tholode;
ni quam imu thar te helpu wiht

And endured his hunger.
Not one whit of help

41:3347

fan themu rîkeon manne.
Thô gifragn ik that ina [is] reganogiskapu,

Came from the man of fortune.
Then I found out that fate

41:3348

thene armon man
is êndago

Admonished the poor man
most mightily

41:3349

[gimanoda mahtiun swîð,]
that he manno drôm

Of his end-days:
that he should renounce

41:3350

ageƀen skolde.
Godes engilos

His life and the tumult of men.
The Lord’s angels

41:3351

antfengun is ferh
endi lêddun ine forð thanen,

Did receive his spirit
and so led him from there,

41:3352

that sie an Abrahames barm
thes armon mannes

So that the poor man’s soul
did sit in the lap

41:3353

siole gisettun:
thar môste he simlun forð

Of Abraham. Ever henceforth
he could now dwell

41:3354

wesen an wunniun.
Thô quâmun ôk wurdegiskapu,

In all winsomeness.
The Weird came also,

41:3355

themu ôdagan man
orlaghwîle,

That fateful hour,
to the man of fortune,

41:3356

that he thit lioht farlêt:
lêða wihti

So that he should forsake this light;
the loathsome wights

41:3357

[besinkodun] is siole
an thene swarton hel,

Lowered his soul, sank it
deep into swarthy hell,

41:3358

[an] that fern innen
fîundun te willean,

In the furnace below
to the will of the Fiend,

41:3359

begrôƀun ine an gramono hêm.
Thanen mahte he thene gôdan skawon,

Grubbed him deep into the Grim One’s home.
There he could gaze on

41:3360

Abraham gesehen,
thar he uppe was

The good man, see Abraham,
where he dwelt above

41:3361

lîƀes an lustun,
endi Lazarus sat

In a life of joy;
and Lazarus sat

41:3362

blîði an is barme,
berht lôn antfeng

Blithe in his bosom;
received bright reward

41:3363

allaro is [armôdio,]
endi lag the ôdago man

For his poverty and wretchedness all.
And the rich man there

41:3364

hêto an theru helliu,
hriop up thanen:

Lay hot in hell,
and he did cry up from there:

41:3365

"fader Abraham", quað he,
"mi is firinun tharf,

“Father Abraham,” quoth he,
“It is fearfully needful for me,

41:3366

that thu mi an thînumu môdseƀon
mildi werðes,

That thou becomest mild
to me in thy mind,

41:3367

lîði an thesaru lognu:
sendi mi [Lazarus] herod,

Merciful unto me in this flame.
Send Lazarus unto me,

41:3368

that he mî gefôrea
an thit fern innan

That he fetch cold water
for me in this furnace.

41:3369

kaldes wateres.
Ik hêr quik brinnu

41:3370

hêto an thesaru helliu:
nu is mi thînaro helpono tharf,

Hotly I burn alive in this hell
and I am in need of thy help,

41:3371

that he mi aleskie
mid is luttikon fingru

That he slake my tongue
with his little finger.

41:3372

tungon mîne,
nu siu têkan haƀad,

My tongue hath its token now:
woeful torture for my evil counsel,

41:3373

uƀil arƀedi.
[Inwidrâdo,]

41:3374

lêðaro sprâka,
alles is mi nu thes lôn kumen."

For my sinful speech.
Now is come to me such reward!”

41:3375

Imu [andwordiade] thô Abraham
- that was aldfader -:

Abraham answered unto him —
he was the ancient father —

41:3376

"gehugi thu an thînumu herton", quað he,
"hwat thu habdes iu

“Ponder in thy heart,” quoth he,
“what thou hast had

41:3377

welono an weroldi.
Hwat, thu thar alle thîne wunnea farsliti,

Of wealth in the world.
Why, thou hast wasted thy rapture all,

41:3378

gôdes an gardun,
sô hwat sô thi giƀiðig forð

Thy goods in the gardens,
and what was to be given

41:3379

werðen [skolde.]
Wîti tholode

Hence unto thee.
Lazarus here

41:3380

Lazarus an themu liohte,
habde thar lêðes filu,

Endured wrong in the light;
had plenteous grief

41:3381

wîteas an weroldi.
Bethiu skal he nu [welon] êgan,

And pain in the world.
For this he shall now have wealth,

41:3382

libbien an lustun:
thu skalt thea logna tholan,

Living in happiness.
But thou shalt suffer hot flames,

41:3383

brinnendi fiur:
ni mag is thi ênig bôte kumen

The burning fire.
Nor may any betterment

41:3384

hinana te helliu:
it haƀad the hêlago god

Come hither to hell.
So hath Holy God

41:3385

sô [gifastnod] mid is faðmun:
ni mag thar faren ênig

Made it fast with hands and with arms;
nor may any one fare,

41:3386

thegno thurh that [thiustri:]
it is hêr sô thikki undar ûs."

Any thane through the darkness —
it is here too thick under us.”

41:3387

Thô sprak eft Abrahame
the erl tegegnes

The the earl spake again
to Abraham:

41:3388

fan theru hêtan hell
endi helpono bad,

From that hot hell
did he beg for help,

41:3389

that he Lazarus
an liudio drôm

That he do send
Lazarus himself

41:3390

selƀon sandi:
"that he geseggea thar

Down to the tumult of men,
“so that he may tell

41:3391

brôðarun mînun,
hwô ik hêr brinnendi

Unto those brethren of mine
how I here burn

41:3392

thrâwerk tholon;
si [thar] undar theru [thiodu] sind,

And suffer great pain.
Among the people,

41:3393

si fîƀi undar themu folke:
ik an forhtun bium,

The folk, there are five:
I am in great fear

41:3394

that sie im thar farwirkien,
that sie skulin ôk an thit wîti te mi,

That they shall also become sinful
and shall suffer such pangs

41:3395

an sô grâdag fiur."
Thô imu eft tegegnes sprak

In this great fire.”
Then again spake unto him

41:3396

Abraham aldfader,
quað that sie thar êo godes

Old Father Abraham,
quoth that they ever had had —

41:3397

an themu landskepi,
liudi habdin,

The folk — the old law
there in their land,

41:3398

Moyseses gibôd
endi thar managaro tô

The commandments of Moses,
and from many a prophet

41:3399

wârsaguno word:
"ef sie is willige sind,

Their words also.
“If they are willing

41:3400

that sie that bihalden,
than ni thurƀun sie an [thea] hell innen,

To hold and to keep them,
then need they never enter into hell,

41:3401

an that fern faren,
ef sie [gefrummiad] sô,

To sear in that fire.
If they so fulfill that

41:3402

sô thea gebiodad,
[the thea] bôk lesat

Which those do bid them
who read in the books

41:3403

them liudiun te [lêrun.]
Ef sie thes than ni williad lêstien wiht,

To teach mankind.
But if they are unwilling to accomplish that,

41:3404

thanne ni hôriad sie ôk
themu the [hinan] astâd,

They will also not listen to Him,
who riseth from here,

41:3405

man fan dôðe.
Lâte man sie an iro môdseƀon

A Man from death.
In their minds let them

41:3406

selƀon keosen,
hweðer im suôtiera thunkie

Choose for themselves
which seemeth sweeter

41:3407

te giwinnanne,
sô lango sô sie an thesaru weroldi sind,

To win so long
as they are still in this world,

41:3408

that sie eft uƀil ettha gôd
aftar habbien."

So that in the hereafter
they have evil or good!”

{ 42 }
Capitulum XLII

42:3409

Sô lêrde he thô thea liudi
liohton wordon,

So did He teach the land-folk all
with His words of light,

42:3410

allaro barno bezt,
endi biliði sagde

The Best of All Bairns;
and with bright pictures

42:3411

manag mankunnie
mahtig drohtin,

A-many, the Mighty Lord
did speak to mankind:

42:3412

quað that imu [ên] sâlig gumo
samnon bigunni

Quoth that a blessed man
had begun to gather

42:3413

man an morgen,
"endi im mêda gihêt,

Men in the morning,
promised them money —

42:3414

the hêrosto thes hîwiskeas,
swîðo holdlîk lôn",

He, the first of his family —
a very fine reward:

42:3415

quat that hie iro allaro gihwem
ênna gâƀi

Said that unto each
and to all he would give

42:3416

[siloƀrinna] skat.
"Thuo samnodun managa

A coin of pure silver.
So came together

42:3417

weros an is wîngardon,
- endi hie im werk bifalah -

Many men in the winegarden —
and he commanded their work —

42:3418

âdro an ûhtan.
Sum quam thar ôk an undorn tuo,

Gathered early at morn.
Then also others did come in the forenoon,

42:3419

sum quam thar an middian dag,
man te them werke,

And some came at the midday —
the men to the work;

42:3420

sum quam thar te nônu,
thuo was thiu niguða tîd

Some came then at nones,
that was a late time

42:3421

sumarlanges dages;
sum thar ôk sîðor quam

Of the summer-long day.
Some even later did come:

42:3422

an thia elliftun tîd.
Thuo geng thar âƀand tuo,

At the eleventh hour it was.
And the evening arrived

42:3423

sunna ti sedle.
Thuo hie selƀo gibôd

And the sun went to rest.
Then he himself bade

42:3424

is ambahtion,
erlo drohtin,

His overseers all,
this lord of earls,

42:3425

that man thero [manno] gihwem
is meoda forguldi,

That they give unto each man
his money and pay,

42:3426

them erlon arƀidlôn;
hiet thiem at êrist geƀan.

To each workman his rightful reward;
hight that they were to give first,

42:3427

thia [thar at] lezt wârun,
liudi kumana,

To those who had been last,
the land-folk in coming,

42:3428

weros te them [werke,]
endi mid is wordon gibôd,

The workers to work;
and with his words he commended them

42:3429

that man them mannon
iro mieda forguldi

To give unto those men
their mite last of all:

42:3430

alles at aftan,
them thar quâmun at êrist tuo

42:3431

willendi te them werke.
Wândun sia swîðo,

To those who had come there first willingly
to the work. They weened greatly

42:3432

that man im mêra lôn
[gimakod] habdi

That they should receive
a larger reward,

42:3433

wið iro araƀedie:
than man im allon gaf,

More pay for their work;
but to all the people

42:3434

them liudeon gilîko.
Lêð was that swîðo,

Was equally given.
Then were they angered,

42:3435

allon them ando,
them thar quâmun at êrist tuo:

Were all in a fury,
those who came first to that place.

42:3436

"wi quâmun hier an moragan", quâðun sia,
"endi tholodun hier manag te dage

“In the morning we came here,”
quoth they, “and toiled much of the day

42:3437

araƀidwerko,
hwîlon unmet hêt,

In hard work, in labor
during the unmeasured heat,

42:3438

skînandia sunna:
nu ni giƀis thu ûs skattes than mêr,

In the shining sun.
Now thou givest unto us no more of silver

42:3439

thie thu them ôðron duos,
thia hier êna hwîla

Than thou dost to the others,
who were here only a while

42:3440

wâron an thînon werke."
Thuo habda eft is word garo

Doing their work.”
Then had ready his word

42:3441

thie [hêrosto] thes hîwiskes,
quat [that] hie im ni habdi gihêtan than mêr

The head of the household;
quoth that he had not promised them

42:3442

werðes wið iro werke:
"hwat, ik giwald hebbiu", quathie,

More pay for their work. “What,”
quoth he, “I wield here the power

42:3443

"that ik iu allon gilîko muot
lôn forgeldan,

To give to each man and all
an equal reward,

42:3444

iwes werkes werð."
Than waldandi Crist

Equal pay for his work.”
Thus All-Wielding Christ

42:3445

mênda im thoh mêra thing,
thoh hie oƀar that manno folk

Meant, however, a mightier thing,
when He spake to the men,

42:3446

fan them wîngardon sô
wordon sprâki,

Gave the folk such a word
about the wine-garden,

42:3447

hwô thar unefno
erlos quâmun,

How the workers did come
in an unlike way,

42:3448

weros te them werke.
Sô skulun fan thero weroldi duon

The men to their work.
So shall the bairns of this world,

42:3449

mannkunnies barn
an that mârio lioht,

The children of mankind,
do in that clear, marvelous light,

42:3450

gumon an godes wang:
sum biginnit ina giriwan sân

Men on God’s meadow;
some may begin to prepare themselves

42:3451

an is kindiski,
haƀit im [gikoranan] muod,

Already in childhood.
Such a spirit is chosen,

42:3452

willeon guodan,
weroldsaka mîðit,

His will is good, and he
avoideth the ways of the world,

42:3453

farlâtit is lusta;
ni mag ina is lîkhamo

Leaveth behind him his lusts.
He will never let it, his body,

42:3454

an unspuod forspanan:
spâhiða lînot,

Entice him to evil;
but eagerly he learneth

42:3455

[godes] êu,
gramono forlâtit,

Wisdom and the law of God,
and leaveth behind

42:3456

wrêðaro willion,
duot im sô te is weroldi forð,

The will of the devil, the dire foe:
so doeth he ever in this world!

42:3457

lêstit sô an theson liohte,
[antthat] im is lîƀes kumit,

He is so in this light,
until there cometh of life,

42:3458

aldres âƀand;
giwîtit im than [upwegos:

Of all age the evening;
and he fareth thence and up on his way.

42:3459

thar] wirðit im is araƀedi
all gilônot,

There his work all
will be rewarded,

42:3460

fargoldan mid guodu
an godes rîkie.

Repaid with good
in the realm of God.

42:3461

That mêndun thia wuruhteon,
thia an them wîngardon

Thereby was meant those workmen
who in the morning

42:3462

âdro an ûhta
arƀidlîko

42:3463

werk bigunnun
endi thuruwonodun forð,

Early began with their work,
who until evening

42:3464

erlos unt âƀand.
Sum thar ôk an undern quam,

Did so continue their tasks.
Some also came to the work

42:3465

habda thuo farmerrid,
[thia] moraganstunda

At the midmorn,
having squandered the morning

42:3466

thes dagwerkes forduolon;
sô duot doloro filo,

And spoiled their day’s duties.
So do many dullards,

42:3467

gimêdaro manno:
drîƀit im mislîk thing

Frivolous folk.
For much folly have they done,

42:3468

gerno an is juguði,
- haƀit im gelpquidi

Varied deeds in their youth.
Yea, they have learned wrong,

42:3469

lêða [gilînot]
endi lôsword manag -,

Have learned scornful speech
and such words of evil,

42:3470

antthat is kindiski
farkuman wirðit,

Until their childhood
passeth away.

42:3471

that ina after is juguði
godes anst manot

And after their young years
God’s grace doth admonish them

42:3472

blîði an is brioston;
fâhit im te beteron than

Blithe in their breasts.
They turn to the better,

42:3473

wordon endi werkon,
lêdit im is werold mid thiu,

Both in words and in works,
and lead well their lives

42:3474

is aldar ant thena endi:
kumit im alles lôn

To their very ends.
And rewards come to them

42:3475

an godes rîkie,
gôdaro werko.

For all their good works
in the kingdom of God.

42:3476

Sum mann [than] midfiri
mên farlâtid,

Some men, however,
forsake their sin

42:3477

swâra sundiun,
fâhit im an sâlig thing,

Not until mid-life, their dire misdeeds,
turning their minds

42:3478

biginnit im thuru godes kraft
guodaro werko,

To blessed things; and they begin
good works through the power of God

42:3479

buotit balosprâka,
lâtit im is [bittrun] dâd

And repent their wrong talk
and rue their bitter deeds

42:3480

an is hugie hrewan;
kumit im thiu helpa fon gode,

Well in their hearts;
there cometh to them help from God,

42:3481

that im gilêstid thie gilôƀo,
sô lango sô im is lîf warod;

So that they believe
as long as life keepeth within them:

42:3482

farit im forð mid thiu,
antfâhit is mieda,

With that they fare forth
and receive their reward,

42:3483

guod lôn at gode;
ni sindun êniga geƀa beteran.

A goodly prize from Lord God;
nor are there gifts any better.

42:3484

Sum biginnit [than] ôk furðor,
than hie ist fruodot mêr,

Some begin still later,
when they have become old already

42:3485

is aldares afheldit,
- than biginnat im is uƀilon werk

And their age grows to its end;
then their evil works begin to be

42:3486

lêðon an theson liohte,
than ina lêra godes

Loathsome to them in this light;
and the learning of God

42:3487

gimanod an is muode:
wirðit im mildera hugi,

Admonishes them in their minds
and their hearts become milder.

42:3488

thurugengit im mid guodu
endi geld nimit,

They do good deeds to the end
of their days and reap their reward,

42:3489

hôh himilrîki,
than hie hinan wendit,

The high kingdom of Heaven,
when they repair from here,

42:3490

wirðit im is mieda sô sama,
sô them mannun warð,

Receive their rewards,
as those men did reap theirs

42:3491

thea thar te [nônu] dages,
an thea nigunda tîd,

Who came to the work
in the vineyards there

42:3492

an thene wîngardon
wirkean quâmun.

At the none of the day,
at the ninth hour indeed.

42:3493

Sum wirðid than sô swîðo gefrôdot,
sô he ni wili is sundea bôtien,

Yet some grow so ancient
and still have not atoned for their sins,

42:3494

ak he ôkid sie mid uƀilu gehwiliku,
antat imu is âƀand nâhid,

But increase them with every evil,
until their evening doth come unto them,

42:3495

is [werold] endi is wunnea farslîtid;
than beginnid he imu [wîti andrêden],

And their world and its winsomeness passeth away;
then they begin to dread their reward;

42:3496

[is sundeon werðad imu] sorga an môde:
gehugid [hwat] he selƀo gefrumide

Their sins make them sorrowful quite in their hearts.
They ponder sadly that they themselves

42:3497

grimmes than [lango], the he môste is [iuguðeo] neoten;
ni mag than mid ôðru gôdu gibôtien

Have done wrongs as long as they possessed
their power, nor can they repent,

42:3498

thea dâdi, thea he sô derƀea gefrumide,
ak he slehit allaro dago gihwilikes

Atone for their deeds by other good deeds
done so well — but every day

42:3499

an is breost mid bêðiun handun
endi wôpit sie mid bittrun trahnun,

They beat their breasts with their hands
and they weep bitter tears,

42:3500

hlûdo he sie mid hofnu kûmid,
bidid thene hêlagon drohtin

Crying out loud their lament,
begging their Holy Lord,

42:3501

mahtigne, that he imu mildi werðe:
ni lâtid [imu] sîðor is môd gitwîflien;

The Mighty God that He grow mild;
nor doth He permit their minds to despair —

42:3502

sô êgrohtful is, the thar alles geweldid:
he ni wili ênigumu irmin[manne]

So merciful is He, Who wieldeth His might over all.
The longing of no man on earth

42:3503

farwernien willean sînes;
fargiƀid imu waldand selƀo

Doth He want to reject;
but the Wielder Himself doth grant unto him

42:3504

hêlag [himilrîki:]
than is imu giholpen sîður.

The holy kingdom of Heaven.
Help is come to him later.

42:3505

Alle skulun sie thar êra antfâhen,
thoh sie tharod te ênaru tîdi

All shall receive their reward,
though they are not come

42:3506

ni kumen, that [kunni manno],
thoh [wili] imu the kraftigo drohtin,

All at one time, the kith of mankind.
Still the Lord, mighty and wise,

42:3507

gilônon allaro liudio
[sô hwilikumu], sô hêr is gilôƀon antfâhit:

Giveth pay to all people,
whosoever receiveth His belief:

42:3508

[ên] himilrîki
giƀid he allun theodun,

One kingdom of Heaven:
He granteth to all the kith of this earth

42:3509

mannun te mêdu.
That mênde mahtig Krist,

A reward, to all men.
Mighty Christ did mean that,

42:3510

barno that bezte,
thô he that biliði sprak,

The Best of All Bairns,
when He spake His parables

42:3511

hwô thar te them wîngardun
wurhteon quâmin,

Of how the workers
came to the wine-gardens,

42:3512

man mislîko:
thoh nam is mêde gehwe

The men, all differently.
Yet each did receive

42:3513

fulle te [is] frôian.
Sô skulun firiho barn

Full pay from his liege.
Likewise shall the children of earth

42:3514

at gode selƀumu
geld antfâhen,

Receive their reward
from Righteous God Himself,

42:3515

swîðo leoƀlîk lôn,
thoh sie sume [sô late werðan.]

Most lovely pay,
though some come so late.

{ 43 }
Capitulum XLIII

43:3516

Hêt imu thô thea is gôdan
jungaron nâhor

Then He hight them,
His disciples,

43:3517

tweliƀi gangan
- thea wârun imu triuwiston

His followers twelve come closer:
they were the truest of men

43:3518

man oƀar erðu -,
sagde im mahtig [selƀo

On this earth unto Him.
And the Mighty One did explain

43:3519

ôðersîðu,]
hwilik imu [thar arƀedi]

Unto them one more time
what troubles there were

43:3520

tôward wârun:
"thes ni mag ênig tweho werðen", quað he.

Standing before them.
“No doubt can there be,” quoth He.

43:3521

Quað that sie thô te Hierusalem
an that Judeono folk

Quoth they should go to Jerusalem
to the folk of the Jews.

43:3522

lîðan skoldin:
"thar wirðid all gilêstid sô,

“There shall all things be accomplished
amid the people

43:3523

gefrumid undar themu folke,
sô it an furndagun

And be brought to pass, even as
in earlier times

43:3524

wîse man be mi
wordun gesprâkun.

Wise men did speak
with their words about Me.

43:3525

Thar skulun mi farkôpon
undar thea kraftigon thiod,

Among the strong folk
there they shall sell Me,

43:3526

heliðos te theru hêri;
thar werðat mîna hendi [gebundana,]

The men to the host.
Then shall my hands be held bound,

43:3527

faðmos werðad mi thar gefastnod;
filu skal ik thar [githoloian,]

My arms and fingers be fettered;
full much shall I suffer,

43:3528

hoskes gihôrien
endi harmquidi,

Scorn shall I hear,
and hurtful speech,

43:3529

[bismer]sprâka
endi bihêtword manag;

Mockery much
and many a threat.

43:3530

sie wêgeat mi te wundron
wâpnes eggiun,

They will torture Me wounded
with the edge of their weapons,

43:3531

bilôsiad mi lîƀu:
ik te thesumu liohte skal

Rob me of life. But through the might
and the strength of the Lord,

43:3532

thurh drohtines kraft
fan dôðe astanden

I shall arise again on the third day
from death to this light.

43:3533

an thriddeon dage.
Ni quam ik undar thesa theoda [herod

I have not come, however,
to the people here,

43:3534

te thiu,] that mîn eldibarn
arƀed habdin,

So that the children of men
have labor for Me,

43:3535

that mi thionodi thius [thiod:]
ni williu ik is sie thiggien nu,

That the landsmen should serve Me,
nor shall I so ask them,

43:3536

fergon thit folkskepi,
ak ik skal imu te frumu [werðen],

Make such demands of the kith
of mankind; but I shall be of use

43:3537

theonon imu theolîko
endi for alla thesa theoda geƀen

Unto them, serving them meekly.
And for all those men

43:3538

seole mîne.
Ik williu sie selƀo nu

I shall give My soul.
And I Myself

43:3539

lôsien mid mînu lîƀu,
thea hêr lango bidun,

Will release them with My life —
those who bide here so long —

43:3540

mankunnies manag,
[mînara] helpa."

The many of mankind
awaiting My help.”

43:3541

Fôr imu thô forðwardes
- habde imu [fasten] hugi,

Then He fared forward.
For He had firmness of spirit

43:3542

blîðean an is breostun
barn drohtines -

Blithe in His breast —
the Bairn of the Lord.

43:3543

[welda] im te Hierusalem
Judeo folkes

He would seek in Jerusalem
the folk of the Jews:

43:3544

willeon wîsan:
he konste thes werodes sô garo

That was his will.
Well did He know

43:3545

hetigrimmen hugi
endi [hardan] strîd,

The hate-raging hearts of the people
and the hard strife

43:3546

wrêðan willeon.
Werod [sîðode]

And their wicked desire.
The hordes then went

43:3547

furi Hierichoburg;
was the godes sunu,

Before Jericho’s bastions,
and the Bairn of the Lord

43:3548

mahtig undar [thero menigi.
Thar sâtun twênie] man bi wege,

Was mighty among the multitude.
There men sat by the way;

43:3549

blinde wârun sie bêðie:
was im bôtono tharf,

Blind were they both:
they had need of betterment —

43:3550

that sie gehêldi
heƀenes waldand,

Both these blind men
from the Bairn of God,

43:3551

hwand sie sô lango
liohtes tholodun,

Since for so long
they had done without light.

43:3552

managa hwîla.
Sie gihôrdun thô that megin faren

They heard the crowd coming
and, most curious, did ask —

43:3553

endi frâgodun sân
firiwitlîko

43:3554

[reginiblindun,]
hwilik thar rîki man

That twain wholly blind —
what man, high-born and mighty,

43:3555

undar themu folkskepi
furista wâri,

Was the first there
amind the clans of the folk,

43:3556

hêrost an hôƀid.
Thô sprak im ên helið angegin,

The noblest at their head.
Then one hero replied unto them,

43:3557

quað that thar Hiesu Crist
fan [Galilealande,]

Quoth that Jesus Christ there
from Galilee-land,

43:3558

hêleandero bezt
hêrost wâri,

The Best of all Healers,
was the highest of all:

43:3559

fôri mid is folku.
Thô warð frâhmôd hugi

Foremost was He ’mid His folk.
Full joyous were they of heart,

43:3560

bêðiun them blindun mannun,
thô sie that barn godes

Both the blind men,
when they knew that God’s Bairn,

43:3561

wissun under themu werode:
hreopun im thô mid iro wordun tô,

The Christ, was there ’mid the folk.
They called unto Him with their words:

43:3562

hlûdo te themu hêlagon Criste,
bâdun that he im helpe gerêdi:

Loudly they called Holy Christ,
bade that He find them help,

43:3563

"drohtin Dauides sunu:
wis ûs mid thînun dâdiun mildi,

“Master and Liege, David’s Son,
be Thou mild unto us with Thy deeds.

43:3564

neri ûs af thesaru nôdi,
sô thu ginôge dôs

Save us from our distress!
As Thou doest for so many

43:3565

manno kunnies:
thu bist managun gôd,

Of the kith of mankind;
Thou art kind to the multitude!

43:3566

hilpis endi hêlis."
Tho bigan im that heliðo folk

Thou helpest and healest!”
Then the host of the people

43:3567

werien mid wordun,
that sie an waldand Krist

With their words began to forbid them
from calling the Wielder,

43:3568

sô hlûdo ni hriopin.
Si ni weldun [im] hôrien te thiu,

Lord Christ, so loudly.
But the two listened not,

43:3569

ak sie simla mêr endi mêr
oƀar that manno folk

But ever more and still more
over the crowd of the men

43:3570

hlûdo hreopun.
Hêleand gestôd,

Did they call most loudly.
Christ Healer did stop,

43:3571

allaro barno bezt,
hêt sie [thô] brengien te imu,

The Best of all Bairns,
hight that they bring them to Him,

43:3572

lêdien thurh thea liudi,
sprak im listiun tô

Lead them to Him through the land-folk;
and spake alike wisely

43:3573

[mildlîko] for theru menegi:
"hwat williad [git] mînaro hêr", quað he,

And mildly in front of the many.
“Why seek ye help of me here?” quoth He.

43:3574

"helpono [habbien?"]
Sie bâdun ina hêlagna,

They bade Him heal them,
bade that He make that their eyen be opened,

43:3575

that he im ira ôgon
opana gidâdi,

43:3576

farliwi theses liohtes,
that sie liudio drôm,

That He lend unto them of this light,
that they might see the bustling life

43:3577

swikle sunnun [skîn]
gisehen môstin,

Of the folk, might see
the shining rays of the sun,

43:3578

wlitiskônie werold.
Waldand frumide,

This winsome, fair world.
And the Wielder did so.

43:3579

hrên sie thô mid is handun,
dede is helpe thar tô,

And with His hands He did touch them;
and He granted His help,

43:3580

that them blindun thô
bêðium wurðun

That the eyen be opened
of the blind men twain,

43:3581

ôgon gioponod,
that sie erðe endi himil

That they might see earth and heaven
through God’s holy strength,

43:3582

thurh kraft godes
[antkiennien] mahtun,

43:3583

lioht endi liudi.
Thô sagdun sie lof gode,

The light and the land-folk.
Then they lauded God,

43:3584

diurdun [ûsan drohtin,]
thes sie dages liohtes

Praised our Lord that they
could enjoy the light of this day.

43:3585

brûkan môstun:
gewitun im bêðie mid imu,

And the two went with Him
and followed His tracks.

43:3586

folgodun is ferdi:
was im thiu fruma giƀiðig,

43:3587

endi ôk waldandes werk
wîdo gekûðid,

A favor was theirs; and the Wielder’s work
was made widely known,

43:3588

managun gimârid.

And many did marvel.

{ 44 }
Capitulum XLIV

44:3588

Thar was sô mahtiglîk

A mighty picture,

44:3589

biliði gibôknid,
thar the blindon man

A token was shown
there where the blind men sat

44:3590

bi themu wege sâtun,
wîti tholodun,

By the wayside
and endured wicked pain,

44:3591

liohtes lôse:
that mênid thoh liudio barn,

Most bereft of the light:
by that are meant the children of men,

44:3592

al mankunni,
hwô sie mahtig god

All of mankind;
how Almighty God

44:3593

an themu anaginne
thurh is ênes kraft

In the very beginning
through His own great power

44:3594

[sinhîun twê]
selƀo giwarhte,

Himself created
that single couple,

44:3595

Âdam endi Êvan:
fargaf im upwegos,

Adam and Eve.
He gave them the upward way,

44:3596

[himilo rîki;]
ak thô warð im the hatola te nâh,

The kingdom of Heaven,
but the hated one was yet near,

44:3597

fîund mid fêknu
endi mid firinwerkun,

The Fiend with his wiles,
and works of wickedness,

44:3598

bisuêk sie mid sundiun,
that sie sinskôni,

With sin he deceived them,
until they forsook it — the light —

44:3599

lioht farlêtun:
wurðun an lêðaron stedi,

Beauty unending.
They were banished both

44:3600

an thesen middilgard
man farworpen,

To a worse place indeed,
to this mid-world here,

44:3601

tholodun hêr an thiustriu
[thiodarƀedi,]

Endured in the darkness
dire human toil,

44:3602

wunnun wraksîðos,
welon tharƀodun:

Won unhappy exile,
lost their worldly goods.

44:3603

fargâtun godes rîkies,
gramon theonodun,

They forgot God’s kingdom,
but gave the devils service,

44:3604

fîundo barnun;
sie guldun is im mid [fiuru] lôn

The Fiend’s own bairns.
Therefore were they blinded of heart,

44:3605

an theru hêton [helliu.]
Bethiu wârun siu an iro hugi blinda

44:3606

an thesaru middilgard,
menniskono barn,

The children of men
in this mid-world here,

44:3607

hwand siu [ine] ni [antkiendun,]
kraftagne god,

Since they would not know Him,
God Mighty and Strong,

44:3608

himilisken hêrron,
thene [the] sie mid is handun giskôp,

The Heavenly Lord,
who with His hands did create them,

44:3609

giwarhte an is willion.
Thius werold was thô sô farhwerƀid,

Worked them so, as He willed.
So was this world cast away,

44:3610

bithwungen an thiustrie,
an thiodarƀidi,

Forced into darkness
and into great despair

44:3611

an dôðes dalu:
sâtun im thô bi theru drohtines strâtun

And the dale of death.
They did sit along the way

44:3612

jâmarmôde,
godes helpe bidun:

Of the Lord, lamenting of heart,
begging God’s help;

44:3613

siu ni mahte im [thô] êr werðen,
êr than waldand god

But aid could not be granted unto them
before All-Wielding God

44:3614

an thesan middilgard,
mahtig drohtin,

Would send unto these
the True Son of Himself:

44:3615

is selƀes sunu
[sendien weldi]

The Mighty Lord sent Him
to this mid-world here

44:3616

that he lioht antluki
liudio barnun,

To make free the light
for the bairns of mankind,

44:3617

oponodi im êwig lîf,
that sie thene [alowaldon

Opening for them eternal life,
so that they could know

44:3618

mahtin] antkennien wel,
kraftagna [god.]

The All-Wielding Lord,
the God ever Mighty.

44:3619

Ôk mag ik giu [gitellien,]
of gi thar tô williad

I may eke tell unto you,
if ye are so willed

44:3620

huggien endi hôrien,
that gi thes hêliandes [mugun]

To hope and to hear,
so that the Healer’s, the Savior’s strength

44:3621

kraft antkennien,
hwô is kumi wurðun

Ye may recognize well
how His coming became

44:3622

an thesaru middilgard
managun te [helpu,]

Great help to the many
in this mid-world here;

44:3623

ja hwat he mid them dâdiun
drohtin selƀo

What He, our Master, did mean —
so many a thing

44:3624

manages mênde,
ja behuiu thiu mârie burg

With His acts and His deeds,
and why that well-known town

44:3625

Hiericho hêtid,
[thiu] thar an Judeon [stâd]

Is hight Jericho,
the one which standeth there in Judea,

44:3626

gimakod mid mûrun:
thiu is aftar themu mânen [ginemnid],

Made well with its walls.
That is named for the moon,

44:3627

aftar themu [torhten] tungle:
he ni mag is tîdi bemîðen,

For that bright constellation:
it cannot escape its time,

44:3628

ak he dago gihwilikes
duod [ôðerhueðer,]

But on every day
it doeth one or the other:

44:3629

wanod ohtho wahsid.
Sô dôd an thesaro weroldi hêr,

It waneth or waxeth.
So do in the world,

44:3630

an thesaru middilgard
menniskono barn:

On this mid-earth here,
the bairns of mankind.

44:3631

farad endi folgod,
frôde sterƀad,

They fare forth and follow,
and from them the old die away,

44:3632

werðad eft junga
aftar kumane,

And the young come again and are born.
And the children of men

44:3633

weros awahsane,
unttat sie eft wurd farnimid.

Wax great until Weird once more
taketh them out of the world.

44:3634

That mênde that barn godes,
thô he fon theru burgi fôr,

This the Bairn of God did mean,
as He left the bastions,

44:3635

the gôdo fan Hiericho,
that ni mahte êr werðen gumono barnun

The Good Christ from Jericho,
that the children of men

44:3636

thiu [blindia] gibôtid,
that sie that berhte lioht,

Would not be healed from their blindness,
not see the bright beam

44:3637

gisâhin sinskôni,
êr than he selƀo hêr

And beauty eternal,
before He Himself had assumed

44:3638

an thesaru middilgard
menniski antfeng,

Man’s body and flesh
in this mid-world here.

44:3639

flêsk [endi] lîkhamon.
Thô wurðun thes firiho barn

44:3640

[giwar] an thesaru weroldi,
the hêr an wîtie êr,

Then the children of men,
who before sat in sin

44:3641

sâtun an sundiun
gisiunies lôse,

And in suffering,
bereft of their sight,

44:3642

tholodun an thiustrie,
- [sie] afsôƀun that was [thesaru thiod] kuman

Enduring the darkness —
they did perceive and did know

44:3643

hêleand te helpu
fan heƀenrîkie,

That to this folk the Healer was come
from the kingdom of Heaven,

44:3644

Crist allaro kuningo best;
sie mahtun is antkennien sân,

Christ the Best of All Kings.
They could soon recognize Him,

44:3645

gifôlien is fardio.
Thô sie [sô] filu hriopun,

Had perceived His path.
Then the people cried out so greatly,

44:3646

the man te themu mahtigon gode,
that im mildi aftar thiu

The men to the Mighty God,
that He became mildly inclined,

44:3647

waldand wurði.
Than weridun [im] swîðo

The Wielder, unto them.
But their wickedness kept them

44:3648

thia swârun sundeon,
the sie im êr [selƀon] gidâdun,

Most dreadfully, the dire sins,
which once they had done,

44:3649

[lettun] sie thes gilôbon.
Sie ni mahtun them liudiun [thoh]

Prevented their believing;
but they could not prevent

44:3650

biwerien iro willeon,
ak sie [an] waldand god

The will of the people.
For unto All-Wielding God

44:3651

hlûdo hriopun,
antat he im iro hêli fargaf,

They did call most loudly,
until He did grant unto them wholeness,

44:3652

that sie sinlîf
gisehen [môstin,]

So that they might see
the life never ending,

44:3653

open êwig lioht
endi an faren

Eternal light open before them
and journey on

44:3654

an thiu berhtun bû.
That mêndun thea blindun man,

To the bright dwelling above.
So did the blind men mean

44:3655

the thar bi Hierichoburg
te themu godes barne

Who at Jericho-burg
called to God’s Bairn,

44:3656

hlûdo hriopun,
that he im iro hêli farlihi,

Who did cry aloud
that He grant them healing,

44:3657

liohtes an thesumu lîƀe:
than [im thea liudi] sô filu

Light in this life.
But a great lot of the folk

44:3658

weridun mid wordun,
thea thar an themu wege fôrun

Who stood in His way,
both before and behind Him,

44:3659

biforen endi bihinden:
sô dôt thea firinsundeon

Kept Him away with their words.
So do those weighted with sin

44:3660

an thesaru middilgard
[mankunnie.]

Unto the kith of mankind
in this mid-world here.

44:3661

Hôriad nu hwô thie blindun,
sîður im gibôtid warð,

Hear ye now how the blind men acted
after they had been healed,

44:3662

that sie sunnun lioht
gesehen môstun,

So that they could see
the light of the sun —

44:3663

hwô si thô dâdun:
gewitun im [mid iro] drohtine samad,

Hear what they then did:
they went along with their Master,

44:3664

folgodun is ferdi,
sprâkun filu wordo

Followed in His footsteps,
spake full many a word,

44:3665

themu landes hirdie [te] loƀe:
sô dôd im noh liudio barn

Lauding the Lord’s Herdsman:
so do the bairns of the land-folk still

44:3666

wîdo aftar thesaru weroldi,
sîður im waldand [Crist]

Widely here in this world,
since All-Wielding Christ

44:3667

geliuhte mid is lêrun
endi im lîf êwig,

Hath illuminated them with His lesson,
granted them light everlasting,

44:3668

godes rîki [fargaf]
gôdun mannun,

Granted the kingdom of God
to every good man,

44:3669

hôh himiles lioht
endi is helpe thar tô,

The high, heavenly light
and His help to that end

44:3670

sô hwemu sô that giwerkod,
that he môti themu is wege folgon.

To whosoever worketh
to follow along on His way.

{ 45 }
Capitulum XLV

45:3671

[Thô nâhide]
neriendo Crist,

Then Christ the Savior
the Good One, soon came

45:3672

the gôdo te Hierusalem.
Quam imu thar tegegnes filu

Near to Jerusalem.
And now there approached Him

45:3673

werodes an willeon
wel huggendies,

A great multitude
all of good mind toward Him.

45:3674

antfengun ina fagaro
endi imu biforen [streidun]

They received Him with joy,
and before Him they strewed

45:3675

thene weg mid iro giwâdiun
endi mid wurtiun sô same,

The way with their garments, their weeds;
and with herb-roots,

45:3676

mid berhtun blômun
endi mid bômo tôgun,

With bright colored blossoms
and the branches of trees they did strew it,

45:3677

that feld mid fagaron palmun,
al sô is fard geburide,

The field, with fair palms;
and it so then came to pass

45:3678

that the godes sunu
gangan welde

That the Son of God
did wish to go

45:3679

te theru mârean burg.
Hwarf ina megin umbi

To that most hated town.
Joyous, the multitude

45:3680

[liudio] an lustun,
endi lofsang [ahôf]

Of the people surrounded Him
and raised songs of praise,

45:3681

that werod an willeon:
sagdun waldande thank,

The folk, all willingly:
they said thanks to the Wielder

45:3682

thes thar selƀo quam
sunu Dauides

That He Himself was come,
He — Son of David —

45:3683

wîson thes werodes.
Thô gesah waldand Krist

To visit the world-folk.
Then Wielding Christ,

45:3684

the gôdo te Hierusalem,
gumono bezta,

The Good, saw Jerusalem.
The Best of All Men

45:3685

blîkan thene [burges] wal
endi bû Judeono,

Beheld the town’s bastions
and the buildings of Jews,

45:3686

hôha horn[seli]
endi ôk that hûs godes,

The high-horned halls
and God’s house as well,

45:3687

allaro wîho [wunsamost].
Thô wel imu an innen

The most winsome of temples.
Then within Him welled

45:3688

hugi [wið] is herte:
thô ni mahte that hêlage barn

His thoughts ’gainst His heart.
And the Holy Bairn

45:3689

wôpu awîsien,
sprak thô wordo filu

Could not help weeping,
but troubled of heart

45:3690

hriwiglîko -
was imu is hugi sêreg -:

With many words He did speak —
for His spirit was sore.

45:3691

"Wê warð thi, Hierusalem", quað he,
"thes thu te wârun ni [wêst]

“Woe unto thee, Jerusalem,” He wailed,
“that the word of thy Weird

45:3692

thea [wurdegiskefti],
the thi noh giwerðen skulun,

Thou knowest not,
nor what still shall come over thee,

45:3693

hwô thu noh [wirðis] [behabd]
heries kraftu

How thou shalt be surrounded
by the strength of a host,

45:3694

endi thi bisittiad
slîð[môde] man,

How grim-minded men
shall besiege thee mightily —

45:3695

fîund mid folkun.
Than ni haƀas thu friðu hwergin,

The foe with its folk.
For thou shalt never find peace

45:3696

mundburd mid mannun:
lêdiad thi hêr [manage] tô

With these men, or protection.
Many will bring thee

45:3697

ordos endi eggia,
orlegas [word,]

The weapons’s point and its edge,
bring thee words of war,

45:3698

farfioth thîn folkskepi
fiures liomon,

Consume thy folk-clans
with flames of fire,

45:3699

these [wîki] awôstiad,
wallos hôha

Lay waste to thy bailiwicks;
fell these high walls

45:3700

felliad [te foldun:]
ni [afstâd] is felis nigiean,

To the earth itself.
Not a rock will stand upright,

45:3701

stên oƀar ôðrumu,
ak werðad thesa stedi wôstia

No stone on another.
But all the townships surrounding

45:3702

umbi Hierusalem
Judeo liudeo,

Jerusalem will be desolation
for the folk of the Jews,

45:3703

hwand sie ni antkenniad,
that im kumana sind

Since they cannot see
that their time draweth nearer;

45:3704

iro tîdi tôwardes,
ak sie habbiad im twîflien hugi,

But their souls are in doubt,
and they ween not at all,

45:3705

ni witun that iro wîsad
waldandes kraft."

That the strength of the Wielder
is visited on them.”

45:3706

Giwêt imu thô mid theru menegi
manno drohtin

Then the Lord of Mankind
went with the multitude

45:3707

an thea berhton burg.
Sô thô that barn godes

Into the bright borough.
When the Bairn of God

45:3708

innan Hierusalem
mid thiu gumono folku,

Went into Jerusalem
with His host of men,

45:3709

[sêg] mid thiu gesîðu,
thô warð [thar] allaro sango mêst,

Was there with His vassals,
there waxed the greatest of all songs:

45:3710

hlûd stemnie [afhaƀen]
hêlagun wordun,

With such loud voices
they sang holy words.

45:3711

loƀodun thene landes [ward]
liudio menegi,

Lo, the crowds of the folk
did laud the word of the Lord,

45:3712

barno that bezte;
thiu burg warð an hrôru,

The Best of all Bairns.
The burg was astir,

45:3713

that folk warð an forhtun
endi frâgodun sân,

The people were frightened
and asked first of all

45:3714

hwe that wâri,
that thar mid [thiu werodu] quam,

Who was that who was come
there with the crowd,

45:3715

mid theru mikilon menegi.
Thô sprak im ên man angegin,

With that multitude great.
Then spake a man in reply:

45:3716

quað that thar Hiesu Crist
fan Galileo lande,

Quoth that this was Jesus Christ
from Galilee-land,

45:3717

fan Nazarethburg
neriand quâmi,

Who was come as a Savior
from the city of Nazareth,

45:3718

witig wârsago
themu werode te helpu.

Wise Soothsayer and Prophet,
as a Help to the people.

45:3719

Thô was them Judiun,
the imu êr grame wârun,

Then the Jews, who had a grudge
against Him already,

45:3720

unholde an hugi,
harm an môde,

Became hate-filled of heart
and hurting of spirit,

45:3721

that imu thea [liudi sô filu]
lofsang warhtun,

Because the people did give
unto Him so much praise,

45:3722

diurdun iro drohtin.
Thô gengun dolmôde,

Did love so their Master.
The dull-minded folk did go forth,

45:3723

that sie wið waldand Crist
wordun sprâkun,

So that they might speak words
with All-Wielding Christ.

45:3724

bâdun that he that gesîði
suîgon hêti,

Bade that He hight His disciples
be silent here,

45:3725

letti thea liudi,
that sie imu lof sô filu

Bade Him not to permit them,
the people, to praise Him

45:3726

wordun ni warhtin:
"it is thesumu werode lêð", quâðun sie,

So much with their words:
“It doth worry this folk,” quoth they,

45:3727

"thesun burgliudiun."
Thô sprak eft [that] barn godes:

“These burghers here.”
Then again spake God’s Bairn:

45:3728

"ef gi sie amerriad", quað he,
"that hêr ni [môtin] manno barn

“If ye keep the children of men,”
quoth He, Lord Christ,

45:3729

waldandes kraft
wordun diurien,

“From praising with words
the All-Wielder’s might,

45:3730

than skulun it hrôpen thoh
harde stênos

Then shall the stones
still shout it forth

45:3731

for thesumu folkskepi,
felisos starka,

To the kinship of men,
and the strong, tall cliffs,

45:3732

êr than it eo belîƀe,
[neƀo] man is lof [spreke]

Before it is left undone;
but that He shall be lauded

45:3733

wîdo aftar thesaru [weroldi."]
Thô he an thene wîh innen,

Wide and far in the world.”
Then He went into the temple.

45:3734

geng an that godes hûs:
fand thar Judeono filu,

He entered God’s house.
There He found a horde of the Jews:

45:3735

mislîke man,
manage atsamne,

There were countless men,
so many together,

45:3736

thea im thar kôpstedi
gikoran habdun,

Who had chosen for themselves
a selling-place in there,

45:3737

mangodun im thar mid manages huî:
muniterias sâtun

Haggling o’er multitudes of small matters:
and money-changers did sit

45:3738

an themu wîhe innan,
habdun iro wesl gidago

Within the temple.
For transactions daily

45:3739

garu te geƀanne.
That was themu godes barne

They held it ready.
Then God’s Bairn was enraged,

45:3740

al an andun:
drêf sie ut thanen

45:3741

rûmo fan themu rakude,
quað that wâri [rehtara] dâd,

Drove them out of the temple far;
quoth that it was a far righter deed,

45:3742

that thar te bedu fôrin
barn Israheles

If the children of Israel
should come there to pray:

45:3743

"endi an thesumu mînumu hûse
helpono [biddean,]

“And here in this house
let them pray for help,

45:3744

[that sia sigidrohtin
sundiono tuomie,]

That the Master of Victories
make them free from sin —

45:3745

[than] hêr [theoƀas an]
thingstedi halden,

Rather than that thieves
should bargain their things in the house,

45:3746

thea farwarhton weros
[wehsal] drîƀan,

And villainous men
make their usurious deals,

45:3747

unreht [ênfald.]
Ne gi êniga êra ni witun

The worst of all wrongs.
No whit of honor

45:3748

theses godes hûses,
Judeo liudi."

Know ye in God’s house,
ye folk of the Jews.”

45:3749

Sô rûmde he thô endi rekode,
rîki drohtin,

So did the Lord All-Powerful
empty and order

45:3750

that hêlaga hûs
endi an helpun was

The holy house;
and of help this was

45:3751

managumu mankunnie,
them the is mikilon kraft

To the many of mankind,
who had heard of His might,

45:3752

[ferrene] gefrugnun
endi thar gifaran quâmun

Of His strength from afar.
And they came there faring

45:3753

oƀar langan weg.
Warð thar lêf so manag,

Over the long, long way.
So many a one weak of limb,

45:3754

halt gihêlid
endi hâf sô same,

So many of the halt were healed,
and the crippled of hand,

45:3755

blindun gibôtid.
Sô dede that barn godes

And the blind were made whole.
So did the Bairn of God

45:3756

williendi [themu] werode,
hwand al an is giweldi stêd

Do unto the willing folk,
since He wields might over all,

45:3757

umbi thesaro liudio lîf
endi ôk umbi thit land sô same.

Over the lives of men
and their lands as well.

{ 46 }
Capitulum XLVI

46:3758

Stôd imu thô fora themu wîhe
waldandeo Crist,

Before the temple He stood,
Strong Wielding Christ,

46:3759

liof landes ward,
endi imu thero liudio hugi,

The Land-Warder Beloved,
and lo, He took heed

46:3760

iro willeon aftarwarode:
gisah werod mikil

Of the hearts of the people,
and their will; He saw a huge host

46:3761

an that mârie hûs
mêðmos fôrien,

Bringing great treasures
to the well-known house,

46:3762

geƀon mid goldu
endi mid goduwebbiu,

Giving unto it gold,
goodly webs of silk,

46:3763

diuriun fratahun.
That al [drohtin Crist]

Precious stones and jewels.
Wisely perceived He,

46:3764

warode wîslîko.
Thô quam thar ôk ên widowa tô,

Our Lord Christ, all this.
There did come also a widow,

46:3765

idis armskapen,
endi te themu alaha geng

A poor, ill-weirded woman;
and she went to the altar,

46:3766

endi siu an that [tresurhûs]
twêne legde

And in that treasure-house
she put down just two

46:3767

êrîne skattos:
was iru ênfald hugi,

Small coins of bronze;
she was simple of heart,

46:3768

willean gôdes.
Thô sprak waldand Crist,

A woman of good will.
Then spake All-Wielding Christ,

46:3769

the [gumo] wið is giungaron,
quað [that] siu thar geƀa brâhti

The Man, to His followers;
quoth that a far greater gift

46:3770

mêron mikilu
than elkor ênig mannes sunu:

Had she brought to the altar
than any other son of mankind.

46:3771

"ef hêr ôdaga man", quað he,
"êra brâhtun,

“If wealthy men,” He did tell them,
“bring a treasure-trove,

46:3772

mêðomhord manag,
sie lêtun im [mêr] at hûs

An honor here to the house,
still they have left more at home

46:3773

welona gewunnen.
Ni dede thius widowa sô,

Of the wealth they have won.
Not so did this widow,

46:3774

ak siu te thesumu alahe gaf
al that siu habde

When she gave
all she had upon this altar:

46:3775

welono gewunnen,
sô [siu] iru wiht ni [farlêt]

All the wealth she had won.
Not a whit did she leave,

46:3776

gôdes an iro gardun.
Bethiu sind ira geƀa mêron,

No goods in her garden.
Therefore is her gift more

46:3777

waldande werða,
hwand siu it mid sulikumu [willeon] dede

And worthier to the Wielder,
since she gave with such will

46:3778

te thesumu godes hûse.
Thes skal siu geld niman,

To the house of God.
So shall she receive goodly reward,

46:3779

swîðo langsam lôn,
thes siu sulikan gilôƀon haƀad."

Most long-lasting return,
since she possessed such belief.”

46:3780

Sô gifragn ik that thar an themu wîhe
[waldandeo] Crist

So I discovered
that All-Wielding Christ

46:3781

allaro dago gihwilikes,
drohtin manno,

Taught them with words
each day in the temple,

46:3782

wîsde mid wordun.
Stôd ine werod umbi,

The Master of Mankind.
And many stood ’round Him,

46:3783

grôt folk Judeono,
gihôrdun is gôdan word,

A great folk of the Jews,
and hearkened to the good word,

46:3784

suôtea seggian.
Sum sô sâlig warð

The sweet word He spake.
Some were so blessed,

46:3785

manno undar theru menegi,
that it bigan an is môd hladen;

Some men from the multitude,
that in their minds and their hearts

46:3786

lînodun im thea lêra,
the the landes ward

They began to learn and accept
the lesson which the Warder of Lands,

46:3787

al be biliðiun [sprak,]
barn drohtines.

The Child of the Lord,
did speak in His pictures.

46:3788

Sumun wârun eft so lêða
lêra Cristes,

To some again the lesson
of Christ was all loathsome,

46:3789

waldandes word:
was im wiðermôd hugi

The All-Wielder’s word.
Of hate-willed heart

46:3790

allun them, the an themu heriskepi
[hêrost] wârun,

Were all those who were the greatest
among those governing,

46:3791

furiston an themu folke:
fâres hugdun

The princes of the people.
These evil men did plan

46:3792

wrêða mid iro wordun -
habdun im wiðersakon

Trickery and snares with their words;
they had taken adversaries

46:3793

gihaloden te helpu,
thes hêroston man,

To help them,
these men of the highest one;

46:3794

Erodeses thegan,
the thar andward stôd

were thanes of Herod —
he who was present

46:3795

wrêðes willean,
that he iro word oƀarhôrdi -

with an evil intent
to overhear all they said —

46:3796

ef sie ina forfengin,
that sie ina than feteros an,

If the people did capture Him,
that they might throw Him in chains,

46:3797

thea liudi liðobendi
leggien môstin,

Might lay leg-fetters
around His limbs —

46:3798

sundea lôsan.
Thô gengun im thea gesîðos tô

Around Him, the Christ without sin.
The crowd did come toward Him,

46:3799

bittra gihugde,
that sie [wið] that barn godes,

Bitter-minded, to speak
unto God’s Bairn,

46:3800

wrêða wiðersakon
wordun sprâkun:

The evil adversaries,
to address Him with words.

46:3801

"hwat, thu bist êosago", quâðun sie,
"allun thiodun,

“What, Thou art a sayer of law,”
quoth they, “unto all the people?

46:3802

wîsis wâres sô filu:
nis thi [werðeowiht]

Thou revealest so wonderous much truth.
Nor is it of worth unto Thee

46:3803

te bimîðanne
manno niênumu

To conceal aught from a man
because of his might;

46:3804

umbi is [rîkidôm,]
neƀo thu [simlun] that reht sprikis

But ever Thou speakest only
that which is right,

46:3805

endi an thene godes weg
gumono gesîði

And with Thy teaching Thou leadest
the crowds of the land-folk

46:3806

lêdis mid thinun lêrun:
ni mag thi laster man

Upon God’s way. Among the people
not a whit of reproach

46:3807

fîðan undar [thesumu] folke.
Nu wi thi frâgon skulun.

Can one find in Thee.
Now we shall ask Thee:

46:3808

rîki thiodan,
hwilik reht haƀad

That rich and great ruler —
what right doth he have?

46:3809

the kêsur fan Rûmu,
the imu te thesumu [kunnie] herod

Caesar from Rome,
who seeketh his tithe

46:3810

tinsi sôkid
endi gitald haƀad,

From the clansmen here
and hath counted out

46:3811

hwat wi imu gelden [skulin]
gêro gihwilikes

What monies each man
of us shall pay every year,

46:3812

[hôƀidskatto.]
Saga hwat thi thes an [thînumu] hugi thunkea:

How much of the head-tax.
Say, what in Thy heart hast Thou thought?

46:3813

is it reht the nis?
Râd for thînun

Is this right or not?
Counsel Thy countrymen well,

46:3814

landmêgun wel:
ûs is thînaro lêrono tharf."

For we have need of Thy teachings.”
They wanted His answer,

46:3815

Sie weldun that he it antquâði:
than mahte he thoh antkennien wel

But well did He know their will.
“Why, ye liars all

46:3816

iro [wrêðon] willeon:
"te huî gi wârlogon", quað he,

Against truth,” quoth He,
“do ye tempt Me so boldly?”

46:3817

"fandot mîn sô frôkno?
Ni skal iu that te frumu werðen,

But it shall be of no help,
no advantage to you.

46:3818

that gi dreogerias
darnungo [nu]

That ye deceivers seek
to capture me secretly.”

46:3819

williad mi farfâhen."
Hêt he thô forð dragan

He commanded that they carry forth
the coins for the showing,

46:3820

te skawonne the skattos,
"the gi skuldige sind

46:3821

an that geld [geƀen]."
Judeon drôgun

“Which are your duty to give.”
The Jews did bring out

46:3822

[ênna] siluƀrinna forð:
sâhun manage tô,

A coin of silver;
and many did see

46:3823

hwô he was gemunitod:
was an middien skîn

How indeed it was minted;
in the middle appeared

46:3824

thes kêsures biliði
- that mahtun sie antkennien wel -,

The image of Caesar
that they could clearly recognize,

46:3825

iro hêrron hôƀidmâl.
Thô frâgode [sie] the hêlago Crist,

The pictured head of their lord.
Then Holy Christ did question them

46:3826

aftar hwemu thiu gelîknessi
gilegid wâri.

As to whose likeness
lay in this picture.

46:3827

Sie quâðun that it wâri
weroldkêsures

They replied that it was
the world emperor there

46:3828

fan Rûmuburg,
["thes] the alles theses rîkes haƀad

From the city of Rome,
“who rules o’er this realm,

46:3829

gewald an thesaru weroldi."
"Than williu ik iu te wârun [hêr]", quað he,

Wielding power here in this world.”
“That will I verily,” quoth He,

46:3830

["selƀo] seggian,
that gi imu sîn geƀad,

“Say unto you, that ye give
unto him his own,

46:3831

weroldhêrron is gewunst,
endi waldand gode

To the world-lord his wealth,
and to All-Wielding God

46:3832

selliad, that thar sîn ist:
that skulun iuwa seolon wesen,

Bring that which is His.
That should be your souls,

46:3833

gumono gêstos."
Thô warð thero Judeono hugi

The spirits of men.”
Then the minds of the Jews were made

46:3834

geminsod an themu mahle:
ni mahtun the mênskaðon

Small in the gathering.
The scoundrels assembled

46:3835

wordun gewinnen,
sô iro willeo geng,

Could not win out with their words,
as was indeed their will,

46:3836

that sie ina farfengin,
hwand imu that friðubarn godes

To ensnare Him,
since the Peace-Bairn of God

46:3837

wardode wið the wrêðon
endi im wâr angegin,

Warded off their wickedness,
and He verily

46:3838

sôðspel sagde,
thoh sie ni wârin sô sâlige te thiu,

Said unto them a soothy thing;
still they were not so blessed,

46:3839

that sie it sô [farfengin],
sô it iro fruma wâri.

That they could receive it
and it could then be of benefit unto them.

{ 47 }
Capitulum XLVII

47:3840

Sie ni weldun it thoh farlâten,
ak hêtun thar lêdien forð

But they would not leave off,
but instead ordered a woman led forth

47:3841

ên wîf for themu werode,
thiu habde wam gefrumid,

In front of the crowd;
she had committed sin,

47:3842

unreht [ênfald:]
thiu idis was bifangen

Had truly done wrong;
the woman had been taken

47:3843

an farlegarnessi,
was iro lîƀes skolo,

In adultery
and had forefeited her life,

47:3844

that sie firiho barn
ferahu binâmin,

So that the bairns of mankind
could deprive her of breath —

47:3845

[êhtin] iro aldres:
sô was an iro êu geskriƀen.

Lay claim to her age:
for so was the law.

47:3846

Sie bigunnun ina thô frâgon,
fruokne liudi,

They began to question Him;
the bold people there —

47:3847

wrêða mid iro wordun,
hwat sie skoldin themu wîƀe duan,

Wicked they with their words:
what they should do with this wife:

47:3848

hweðer sie sie quelidin,
the sie sie quika lêtin,

Whether to kill her by torment
or leave her quick and alive —

47:3849

[the] hwat he umbi sulika dâdi
adêlien weldi:

Or what judgment He would deal
for such a deed as this.

47:3850

"thu wêst, hwô thesaru menegi", quâðun sie,
"Moyses gibôd

“Thou wist,” quoth they, “that Moses
commanded these many

47:3851

wârun wordun,
that allaro wîƀo gehwilik

With words of truth
that any woman whosoever

47:3852

an farlegarnessi
lîƀes farwarhti

Is found in adultery
must forfeit her life,

47:3853

endi that sie than awurpin
weros mid handun,

And that with their hands the landsmen
will unlife her

47:3854

starkun stênun:
nu maht thu sie sehan standen hêr

By throwing sharp stones.
Now Thou mayest see her here standing,

47:3855

an sundiun bifangan:
saga hwat thu [is] willies."

Ensnared in her sin:
say what Thou wilt!”

47:3856

Weldun ine [thea] wiðersakon
wordun farfâhen,

His foes had the wish
to ensnare Him with words.

47:3857

ef he that giquâði,
that sie sie quika lêtin,

If he were to say that they
should indeed let her live,

47:3858

friðodi ira ferahe,
than [weldi that folk Judeono

Should permit her to leave here in peace,
then would the people of Jews

47:3859

queðen, that he iro aldiron
êo wiðersagdi,]

Say that He had opposed
their ancient law,

47:3860

[thero liudio landreht;
ef he sie than hêti lîƀu binimen,

The people’s own land-right.
If He hight them rob her of life,

47:3861

thea magað fur theru menegi,
than weldin sie queðen,] that he sô [mildiene] hugi

The maid before the many;
then would they say that no mildness of heart

47:3862

ni bâri an is breostun,
sô skoldi habbien barn godes:

He bore in His breast,
such as God’s Bairn should indeed possess.

47:3863

weldun sie sô hweðeres
hêlagne Crist

So for whichever word
Holy Christ would speak

47:3864

thero wordo gewîtnon,
[sô] he thar for themu werode gesprâki,

To the people, the many,
they would then punish Him,

47:3865

adêldi te dôme.
[Than] wisse drohtin Krist

Would deal out His doom.
This our Lord Christ did perceive.

47:3866

thero manno sô garo
môdgithâhti,

Right well did He know
the turn of mind of these men,

47:3867

iro wrêðon willeon;
thô he te themu werode sprak,

Their wicked wills,
when He spoke then to the folk,

47:3868

te allun them erlun:
"sô hwilik sô iuwar âno sî", quað he,

To all the earls gathered around.
“Which of you,” quoth He

47:3869

"[slîðea sundeon],
sô [ganga] iru selƀo tô

“Standeth here without evil sin?
Let him himself go to her

47:3870

endi sie at êrist
erl mid is handun

And with his hands be the first
of the earls here

47:3871

[stên ana werpe]."
Sô stôdun Judeon,

To pelt her with stones.”
Then the Jews stood about,

47:3872

thâhtun endi thagodun:
ni mahte thegan nigiean

Had their thoughts and were silent.
Not a single thane

47:3873

wið them wordquidi
[wiðersaka] finden:

Could find opposition
unto this speech.

47:3874

gehugde manno gehwilik
[mên]githâhti,

And each man was reminded
of his own evil-mindedness,

47:3875

is selƀes sundea:
ni was iro sô sikur ênig,

Of his own dark sins;
not a one was sure enough

47:3876

that he bi [themu worde]
themu wîƀe gedorsti

That after this word
he would venture to throw

47:3877

stên an werpen,
ak lêtun sie standen thar

A stone against the woman;
but they left her standing alone inside.

47:3878

[ênan] thar inne
endi im [ût thanen]

47:3879

gengun gramharde
Judeo liudi,

The grim-minded people
of the Jews did go thence,

47:3880

ên aftar ôðrumu,
antat iro thar ênig ni was

One after another,
until there was not a single one

47:3881

thes fîundo folkes,
the iro ferhes [thô],

Of the folk of the foe
standing before them

47:3882

theru idis aldar[lago]
âhtien weldi.

Who would have wanted to rob
this woman of her years and her life.

47:3883

Thô gifragn ik that sie frâgode
friðubarn godes,

Then I discovered that the Peace Bairn of God,
the Best of all Men,

47:3884

allaro gumono [bezt]:
"hwar [quâmun thit] Judeono folk", quað he,

Did question her. “Whence came
this Jewish folk?” quoth He,

47:3885

"thine wiðersakon,
thea thi hêr wrôgdun te mi?

“Thine opponents here,
who have accused thee to Me — ?

47:3886

Ne sie thi hiudu wiht
harmes ne [gidâdun],

Those who today have wanted
to torment thee most terribly,

47:3887

thea liudi lêðes,
the thi weldun lîƀu beniman,

To bereave thee of life —
have they done one whit of harm unto thee?”

47:3888

wêgean te wundrun?"
Thô sprak imu eft that wîf angegin,

The the woman gave answer
again unto Him,

47:3889

quað that iru thar nioman
thurh thes neriandan

Quoth that through the holy help
of the Savior no one had harmed her

47:3890

hêlaga helpa
harm ne gifrumidi

To reward her sins.
Then spake again All-Wielding Christ,

47:3891

wammes te lône.
Thô sprak eft waldand Crist,

47:3892

drohtin manno:
"ne ik thi geth [ni] deriu neowiht", quað he,

The Master of Mankind.
“Nor shall I do harm to thee,” He made reply,

47:3893

"ak gang thi hêl hinen,
lât thi an thînumu hugi sorga,

“But go thou hence, hale
and unhurt, and let it be

47:3894

that thu nio sîð aftar thius
[sundig] ni werðes."

The care of thy heart,
that henceforth thou sinnest no more.”

47:3895

Habde iru thô giholpen
hêlag barn godes,

The Holy Bairn of the Lord
had helped her indeed,

47:3896

gefriðot iro ferahe.
Than stôd that folk Judeono

Had protected her life.
Then the people of Jews stood there,

47:3897

uƀiles anmôd
sô fan êristan,

As bent on evil,
as they had been in the beginning,

47:3898

wrêðes willean,
hwô sie wordheti

Of wicked intent and wanting
to continue their word-strife,

47:3899

wið that friðubarn godes
frummien môstin.

Pondering, how to pursue it
with the Peace-Bairn of God.

47:3900

Habdun thea liudi an twê
mid iro gilôƀon gifangan:

They had put doubts in the faith
of the people:

47:3901

was thiu smale [thioda]
sînes willean

The little folk standing about
would far liefer

47:3902

gernora mikilu,
thes godes barnes word

Have accomplished His will,
the word of God’s Bairn,

47:3903

te gefrummienne,
sô im iro frâho gibôd:

Have done even so,
as their Lord did bid them.

47:3904

[rômodun te rehta
bet than] thie rîkeon man,

They strove toward right
better than those men with riches,

47:3905

habdun ina far [iro] hêrron
ja far heƀenkuning,

Held Him as their Lord;
yea, as the Heaven-King even,

47:3906

[fulgengun] imu gerno.
Thô giwêt imu the godes sunu

And followed Him gladly.
Then God’s Son did go

47:3907

an thene wîh innan:
hwarf ina werod umbi,

Within the temple.
The people surrounded Him truly,

47:3908

meginthiodo gimang.
He an middien stôd,

The multitude of he men.
He stood in their midst,

47:3909

lêrde thea liudi
liohtun wordun,

Taught them, the land-folk,
with words of light

47:3910

hlûdero stemnun:
was hlust mikil,

And in a voice loud and bright:
there was great listening,

47:3911

thagode thegan manag,
endi he theru [thiod] gibôd,

And many a thane stood silent;
and He bade them thusly:

47:3912

sô hwe sô thar mid thurstu
bithwungan wâri,

“Whosoever of the people
be oppressed with thirst —

47:3913

"sô ganga imu herod drinkan te mi", quað he,
"dago gihwilikes

Let him come unto Me,”
quoth He, “and drink every day

47:3914

[suôties] brunnan.
Ik mag [seggian iu],

From that sweet spring.
So may I say unto you,

47:3915

sô hwe sô hêr gilôƀid te mi
liudio barno

Whosoever of the bairns of mankind
hath believed in Me

47:3916

fasto undar thesumu folke,
that imu than flioten skulun

Fast and firmly among the folk —
that from him shall flow

47:3917

fan is lîkhamon
libbiendi flôd,

The living flood,
flow from his body

47:3918

[irnandi] water,
ahospring mikil,

The gushing water,
the great well-springs

47:3919

kumad thanen quika brunnon.
Thesa quidi werðad wâra,

That are springs of life coming thence.
This word shall come true,

47:3920

liudiun gilêstid,
sô hwemu sô hêr gilôƀid te mi."

Shall be done unto all folk,
whosoever hath believed rightly in Me.”

47:3921

Than mênde mid thiu wataru
[waldandeo] Crist,

With this water
All-Wielding Christ,

47:3922

hêr heƀenkuning
hêlagna gêst,

The High King of Heaven
did mean the Holy Ghost,

47:3923

hwô thene firiho barn
antfâhen skoldin,

How the children of men
should receive Him,

47:3924

lioht endi [listi
endi] lîf êwig,

Light and reason
and the life everlasting,

47:3925

[hôh heƀenrîki]
endi huldi godes.

The high kingdom of Heaven
and Holy God’s grace.

{ 48 }
Capitulum XLVIII

48:3926

Wurðun thô thea liudi
umbi thea lêra Cristes,

Then the people began to quarrel
about the teachings of Christ

48:3927

umbi thiu word an gewinne:
stôdun wlanka man,

And about His words;
haughty men stood about,

48:3928

gêlmôde Judeon,
sprâkun gelp mikil,

Proud minded Jews —
and the spake much mockery,

48:3929

habdun it im te hoska,
quaðun that sie mahtin gihôrien wel,

Heaped scorn upon Him,
saying that they could hear full well

48:3930

that imu mahlidin fram
môdaga wihti,

That angry and wicked thought
did speak out of Him.

48:3931

unholde ût:
"nu he an [aƀu] lêrid", quâðun sie,

“Now He doth teach evil,”
quoth they, “with every word.”

48:3932

"wordu gehwiliku."
Thô sprak eft that werod ôðar:

And again others did speak:
“Ye should not reproach

48:3933

"ni thurƀun gi thene lêriand lahan", quâðun sie:
"kumad lîƀes word

Him who teacheth,” quoth they,
“for words of life come

48:3934

[mahtig] fan is mûde;
he [wirkid] manages hwat,

Mighty out of His mouth,
and He worketh many a thing,

48:3935

wundres an thesaru weroldi:
nis that wrêðaro dâd,

Many a wonder here in this world:
that is no wicked deed,

48:3936

fîundo kraftes:
nio it than te [sulikaru] frumu [ni wurði,]

Clearly not the might of the Fiend,
else could not such good be accomplished by Him,

48:3937

ak it gegnungo
fan gode alowaldon,

But surely it cometh
from All-Wielding God,

48:3938

kumid fan is krafte.
That mugun gi antkennien wel

From His strength all rightly.
That may ye well recognize

48:3939

an them is wârun wordun,
that he giwald haƀad

In His words of truth,
that He wieldeth power

48:3940

alles oƀar [erðu]."
Thô weldun ina the andsakon thar

Over all the earth.”
Then His opposers longed

48:3941

an stedi fâhen
eftha stên ana werpen,

To take Him captive straightway
or to cast stones on Him,

48:3942

ef sie im thero manno
menigi ni andrêdin,

Had they not feared there
the multitude of the folk,

48:3943

ni forhtodin that folkskepi.
Thô sprak that friðubarn godes:

Been afraid of the people.
Then spake the Peace Bairn of God.

48:3944

"ik [tôgiu] iu gôdes sô filu", quað he,
"fan gode selƀumu,

“Much good have I shown you,”
quoth He, “from God Himself,

48:3945

wordo endi werko:
nu williad gi mi wîtnon hêr

Both in words and in works.
Now would ye give me wicked reward

48:3946

thurh iuwan starkan hugi,
stên ana werpen,

With your strong, hard hearts
and pelt me with stones

48:3947

bilôsien mi lîƀu."
Thô sprâkun imu eft thea liudi angegin,

And bereave me of life.”
Then again the people replied,

48:3948

wrêða wiðersakon:
"ne wi it be thînun werkun ni duat", [quâðun] [sia,]

His dire opponents: “We do this
not because of Thy deeds,” quoth they,

48:3949

"that wi thi aldres tô
âhtien williad,

“That we should want
to deprive Thee of life.

48:3950

ak wi duat it be thînun wordun,
hwand thu sulik wâh sprikis,

But we do so because of Thy words,
since Thou speakest such wickedness,

48:3951

hwand thu thik sô mâris
endi sulik mên sagis,

Since Thou dost praise Thyself
and sayest such blasphemy,

48:3952

gihis for theson Judeon,
that thu sîs god selƀo,

Proclaiming before these Jews
that Thou art God Himself,

48:3953

mahtig drohtin,
endi bist thi thoh man sô wi,

The Mighty Master and Lord;
and Thou art merely a man like us,

48:3954

kuman fan theson kunnie."
Crist alowaldo

Art from these clans.”
Then All-Wielding Christ

48:3955

ne wolda thero Judeono thuo leng
gelpes hôrian,

No longer wished to list
to the scorn of the Jews,

48:3956

wrêðaro willion,
ak hie im af them wîhe fuor

The will of these wicked ones.
But from the temple He went

48:3957

oƀar Jordanes strôm;
habda jungron mid im,

Over Jordan’s stream.
His disciples He had with Him,

48:3958

thia is sâligun gisîðos,
thia im simlon mid im

Those blessed thanes,
who forever there tarried

48:3959

willion wonodun:
suohta werod ôðer,

To accomplish His will.
Another folk He did seek;

48:3960

deda thar sô hie giwonoda,
drohtin selƀo,

The Lord Himself did work there,
as was ever His wont,

48:3961

lêrda thia liudi:
gilôƀda thie wolda

Teaching the land-folk:
those who so wanted belief

48:3962

an is [hêlagun word].
That skolda [sinnon wel]

In His Holy word.
Each man should do well so ever

48:3963

manno sô hwilikon,
sô that an is muod ginam.

If he accepteth and receiveth
it into his heart.

48:3964

Thuo gifrang ik that thar te Criste
kumana wurðun

Then I did hear there were come
to Holy Christ

48:3965

bodon fan Bethaniu
endi sagdun them barne godes,

Heralds from Bethany,
and they said unto God’s Bairn

48:3966

that sia an that ârundi tharod
idisi sendin,

That women had sent them
there on this errand —

48:3967

Maria endi Martha,
magað frîlîka,

Mary and Martha,
maidens most comely,

48:3968

swîðo wunsama wîf;
thia wissa hie bêðia,

Such winsome women.
Both He knew well.

48:3969

wârun im giswester twâ,
thia hie selƀo êr

They were sisters twain,
whom in His spirit

48:3970

minnioda an is muode
thuru iro mildian hugi,

He Himself did love
for their mildness of heart,

48:3971

thiu wîf thuru iro willion guodan.
[Sia im te wâron thuo]

These women for their goodly will.
Most verily they sent

48:3972

anbudun fon Bethaniu,
that iro bruoðer was

From Bethany for Him;
for their brother was bedfast —

48:3973

Lazarus legarfast
endi that sia is lîƀes ni wândun;

Lazarus he —
and they feared for his life.

48:3974

bâdun that tharod quâmi
Crist alowaldo

They bade that He come,
All-Wielding Christ,

48:3975

hêlag te helpu.
Reht sô hie sia gihôrda thuo

The Holy, to help them.
As soon as He heard them

48:3976

seggian fan sô siekon,
sô sprak hie sân angegin,

Speak about the sick man,
He gave answer straightway,

48:3977

quað that Lazaruses
legar ni wâri

Said that Lazarus’ sickness,
though so serious it was,

48:3978

giduan im te dôðe,
"ak thar skal drohtines lof", quathie,

Would not do him to death.
“But,” He did say, “the love of the Lord

48:3979

"gifrumid werðan:
nis it im te ôðron frêson giduan."

Shall here be accomplished.
Nor shall any harm come unto him

48:3980

Was im thar thuo selƀo
suno drohtines

The Son of the Lord
did Himself stay there

48:3981

twâ naht endi dagas.
Thiu tîd was [thuo genâhit],

Two nights and two days.
The time then drew near,

48:3982

that hie eft te Hierusalem
Judeo liudeo

That He teach these people
the power He had,

48:3983

wîson welda,
sô hie giwald habda.

Teach the Jewish folk
there in Jerusalem.

48:3984

Sagda thuo is gisîðon
suno drohtines,

Then the Son of the Lord
did say to His thanes

48:3985

that hie eft oƀar [Jordan]
Judeo liudi

That He would again seek out the Jews
across the Jordan.

48:3986

suokean welda.
Thuo sprâkun im sân angegin

But His disciples
did speak to Him in reply:

48:3987

jungron sîna:
"te huî [bist] thu sô gern tharod", quaðun sia,

“For what reason, good Master,
goest Thou so gladly,”

48:3988

"fro mîn, te faranne?
Ni that nu furn ni was,

Quoth they, “over there?
Was it not recently there,

48:3989

that sia thik thînero wordo
wîtnon hogdun,

That they thought to kill Thee
because of Thy words?

48:3990

weldun thi mid [stênon starkan awerpan?
nu thu eft undar thia strîdigun thioda]

Did want to pelt Thee with strong, sharp stones?
Now Thou strivest to go again,

48:3991

fundos te faranne,
thar ist fîondo ginuog,

Among that fight-seeking folk.
Thou hast foes enough,

48:3992

erlos oƀarmuoda?"
Thuo [ên thero tweliƀio,]

Overhaughty earls.”
Then one of the twelve,

48:3993

Thuomas gimâlda
- was im githungan mann,

Thomas, did speak —
he was truly an excellent man,

48:3994

[diurlîk] drohtines thegan -:
"ne skulun wi im thia dâd lahan", quathie,

A loyal thane of his Lord.
“Let us never reproach His deeds,”

48:3995

"ni wernian wi im thes willien,
ak wita im wonian mid,

Quoth he, “nor reproach His will.
But rather we should remain with Him,

48:3996

thuoloian mid [ûsson] thiodne:
that ist thegnes kust,

Should suffer with our Lord.
For that is the choice of a thane:

48:3997

that hie mid is frâhon samad
fasto gistande,

That he standeth steadfast
with his Liege together,

48:3998

dôie [mid] im thar an duome.
Duan ûs alla sô,

Doth die with Him at his doom.
Let us all do so therefore;

48:3999

folgon im te thero ferdi:
ni lâtan ûse [ferah] wið thiu

Let us follow His path,
nor let our lives

48:4000

wihtes wirðig,
neƀa wi an them werode mid im,

Be worth aught against His,
unless we may die

48:4001

dôian mid ûson drohtine.
Than lêƀot ûs thoh duom after,

In this host with our Lord.
So honor will live after us,

48:4002

[guod word] for gumon."
Sô wurðun thuo jungron Cristes,

A good word before the kinships of men.”
So the disciples of Christ,

48:4003

erlos aðalborana
an [ênfalden] hugie,

The aethling-born earls,
became all of one mind,

48:4004

hêrren [te] willien.
Thuo sagda hêlag Crist

Holding the will of their Lord.
Then Holy Christ Himself

48:4005

selƀo is gisîðon
that aslâpan was

Did say to His disciples,
that a sleep unto death

48:4006

Lazarus fan them legare,
"haƀit thit lioht ageƀan,

Lay on Lazarus on his couch.
“He hath given up the light,

48:4007

answeƀit ist an selmon.
Nu wi an thena sîð faran

Doth slumber on, on his bedstead.
Now we shall fare on the way

48:4008

endi ina awekkian,
that hie muoti eft thesa werold sehan,

To awaken him there,
so that he may again see this world

48:4009

libbiandi lioht:
[than] wirðit iuwa gilôƀo after thiu

Alive, see the light:
Then your belief will henceforth

48:4010

forðwerd gifestid."
Thuo giwêt hie im oƀar thia fluod thanan,

Be strengthened still more.
So went He hence o’er the flood;

48:4011

thie guodo godes suno,
anthat hie mid is jungron quam

The Good Son of God
did go with His vassals

48:4012

thar te Bithaniu,
barn drohtines

There to Bethany —
the Bairn of the Lord

48:4013

selƀo mid is gisîðon,
thar thia giswester twâ,

Himself with His disciples —
there where the sisters twain,

48:4014

Maria endi Martha
an muodkaron

Mary and Martha,
their minds filled with care,

48:4015

sêraga sâtun.
Was thar gisamnot filo

Were sitting most sadly.
Here was gathered together

48:4016

fan Hierusalem
Judeo liudo,

Much folk of the Jews
from Jerusalem,

48:4017

thia thiu wîf weldun
wordun fruoƀrean,

Who wanted to comfort
the women with words,

48:4018

that sie sô ni [karodin]
kindjungas dôð,

So that they would lament less
the death of Lazarus,

48:4019

Lazaruses farlust.
Sô thô the landes ward

The loss of the child-young man.
Then as the Warder of Lands

48:4020

geng an [thiu] gardos,
sô wurðun thes [godes] barnes

Did go through the garden,
it spread around that God’s Bairn

48:4021

kumi thar gikûðid,
that he sô kraftig was

Had now arrived,
and that He, so mighty,

48:4022

bi theru burg ûten.
Thô im bêðiun was,

Did tarry outside the castle.
Then the twain, the women,

48:4023

them wîƀun sulik willio,
that sie im waldand [tô],

Were most joyous indeed,
when they heard that the Wielder,

48:4024

that friðubarn godes,
farandien wissun.

The Peace-Bairn of God,
was now come unto them.

{ 49 }
Capitulum XLIX

49:4025

Thô them wîbun was
willeono mêsta

’Twas the most wondrous joy
for the woman to hear

49:4026

kumi drohtines
endi Cristes word

Of the Lord’s coming
and of the word of Christ.

49:4027

te gihôrienne.
Heoƀandi geng

49:4028

Martha [môdkarag]
wið sô mahtigne

Her mind filled with care,
Martha did go to the One so Mighty,

49:4029

wordun wehslan
endi wið waldand sprak

Lamenting, exchanged words
and spake with the Wielder,

49:4030

an iro hugi hriwig:
"thar thu mi, hêrro mîn", quað siu,

Her heart muchly troubled.
“Had you, my Master,”

49:4031

"neriendero bezt,
nâhor wâris,

Quoth she, “been nearer,
O Best of Saviors,

49:4032

hêleand the gôdo,
than ni thorfti ik [nu] sulik harm tholon,

Healer so good, I would never
have needed to suffer such hurt,

49:4033

bittra breostkara,
than ni wâri nu mîn brôðer dôd,

Such bitter care in my breast,
and my brother would not now be dead,

49:4034

Lazarus fan thesumu liohte,
ak he [imu mahti] libbien forð

Lazarus, far from the light;
but he would still be alive,

49:4035

ferahes gefullid.
Ik thoh, frô mîn, te thi

Filled with this life.
But I, my Lord, do believe

49:4036

liohto gilôƀiu,
lêriandero bezt,

Most steadfastly in Thee,
Thou Best of all Teachers.

49:4037

sô hues sô thu biddien wili
berhton drohtin,

If Thou would’st so bid
the Bright Lord for aught,

49:4038

that he it thi sân fargiƀid,
god alomahtig,

He would grant it straightway;
Almighty God

49:4039

giwerðot thînan willean."
Thô sprak eft waldand Krist

Would fulfill Thy will.”
Then spake again All-Wielding Christ,

49:4040

theru idis [andwordi:]
"ni lât thu thi an innan thes", quað he,

Answering the woman.
“Let not thy heart within thee”

49:4041

"thînan seƀon swerkan:
ik thi seggian mag

Quoth He, “become darkened,
but I may make known unto thee

49:4042

wârun wordun,
that thes nis giwand ênig,

In words of truth, that thou
shalt have neither worry nor doubt,

49:4043

[neƀu] thîn brôðer skal
thurh gibod godes,

But that thy brother shall
at the bidding of God,

49:4044

thurh drohtines kraft
fan dôðe astanden

Through the might of the Lord
arise from the dead

49:4045

an is lîkhamon."
"All hebbiu ik gilôƀon sô", quað siu,

In his own body itself.”
“So have I believed,” quoth she,

49:4046

"that it sô giwerðen skal,
sô hwan sô thius werold endiod

That it will thus come to pass
when the world doth end,

49:4047

endi the mâreo dag
oƀar man ferid,

49:4048

that he than fan erðu skal
up astanden

That he shall arise
then again from the earth

49:4049

an themu [dômes] daga,
than werðad fan dôðe quika

On the day of his doom:
then the dead will become quick

49:4050

thurh maht godes
mankunnies gehwilik,

Through the might of the Lord;
and so many of mankind

49:4051

arîsad fan restu."
Thô sagde [rîkeo] Krist

Will arise from their rest.”
Then Christ the Ruler did speak,

49:4052

theru idis alomahtig
oponun wordun,

The Almighty did utter
open words to the women;

49:4053

that he selƀo was
sunu [drohtines],

That He Himself
was the Son of the Lord,

49:4054

[bêðiu ja lîf ja lioht]
liudio [barnon]

For the bairns of mankind
both a light and a life

49:4055

te astandanne:
"nio the [sterƀen] ni skal,

For the resurrection.
“Never shall he die,

49:4056

lîf farliosen,
the hêr gilôƀid te mi:

Take leave of this life,
who believeth in Me.

49:4057

thoh ina eldibarn
erðu bithekkien,

Though the bairns of men
do bury him deeply

49:4058

diapo bidelƀen,
nis he dôd thiu mêr:

And cover him with earth,
he is not yet dead:

49:4059

that flêsk is bifolhen,
that ferah is gihalden,

The flesh is consigned to the soil,
but the spirit is saved,

49:4060

is thiu siola gisund."
Thô sprak imu eft sân angegin

And the soul is still sound.”
Then the good wife again did speak

49:4061

that wîf mid iro wordun:
"ik gilôƀiu that thu the wâro bist", quað siu,

To Him with her words:
“I verily believe,” quoth she,

49:4062

"[Krist godes sunu:]
that mag man antkennien wel,

“That Thou are the Christ, the Son of God.
Well may one see this,

49:4063

witen an thînun wordun,
that thu giwald haƀes

May know from Thy words
that Thou wieldest power

49:4064

thurh thiu hêlagon giskapu
himiles endi erðun."

Through this holy creation
over heaven and earth.”

49:4065

Thô gefragn ik that [thar thero idisio quam]
ôðar gangan

Then I discovered that
the other woman did come,

49:4066

Maria môdkarag:
gengun iro managa aftar

Mary, with care-filled mind:
and behind her came many

49:4067

Judeo [liudi.]
Thô siu themu godes barne

Of the folk of the Jews gathered together.
And to the Bairn of God

49:4068

sagde sêragmôd,
hwat iru te sorgun gistôd

She, saddened of spirit, did say,
why she was sorrowed

49:4069

an iro hugi harmes:
hofnu kûmde

With such grief in her heart;
she lamented with groans

49:4070

Lazaruses farlust,
liaƀes mannes,

The losing of Lazarus,
of the beloved man,

49:4071

griat gornundi,
antat themu godes barne

Giving forth mournful moans,
until the Almighty’s Bairn

49:4072

hugi warð gihrôrid:
hête trahni

Was indeed moved in His heart;
and hot tears streamed,

49:4073

wôpu [awellun],
endi thô te them wîƀun sprak,

Welling up as He wept.
And to the woman He spake,

49:4074

hêt ina thô lêdien,
thar Lazarus was

Hight that they should lead Him,
there where Lazarus was lying

49:4075

[foldu] bifolhen.
Lag thar ên felis bioƀan,

Consigned to the soil.
A stone lay above him;

49:4076

hard stên behliden.
Thô hêt the hêlago Crist

A hard boulder did cover him.
The Holy Christ hight

49:4077

antlûkan thea [lêia,]
that he môsti that lîk sehan,

Them remove the rock so that
right well He might see the corpse,

49:4078

hrêo skawoien.
Thô ni mahte [an] iro hugi mîðan

Might gaze on the body.
Then despite the folk gathered ’round,

49:4079

[Martha] for theru menegi,
wið mahtigne sprak:

Martha could not help making known
the care of her mind, and to the Mighty One

49:4080

"frô mîn the gôdo", quað siu,
"ef man thene felis nimid,

She did speak, “My Lord so Good,” quoth she,
“If one taketh away the stone,

49:4081

thene stên antlûkid,
than wâniu ik that thanen stank kume,

Removeth this rock, then I ween,
it will reek from there.

49:4082

unsuôti swek,
hwand ik thi seggian mag

An unsweet stench will come forth,
if I may so say

49:4083

wârun wordun,
that thes nis giwand ênig,

Unto Thee with words of truth —
that there is no doubt of that —

49:4084

[that] he thar nu bifolhen was
fiuwar naht endi dagos

Four days and four nights hath it been,
since he was consigned

49:4085

an themu erðgraƀe."
Andwordi gaf

To his grave there.”
He gave reply unto her,

49:4086

waldand themu wîbe:
"hwat, [ni] sagde ik thi te wârun [êr]", quað he,

The All-Wielder unto the woman.
“Why, I have verily told thee before,” quoth He,

49:4087

"ef thu gilôƀien wili,
than nis nu lang te thiu,

“If thou hast will to believe,
then will it not be long

49:4088

[that] thu hêr antkennien skalt
kraft drohtines,

Before thou shalt know
the strength of the Lord,

49:4089

the mikilon maht godes?"
Thô gengun manage tô,

The great might of God.”
Then many did go

49:4090

afhôƀun harden stên.
Thô sah the hêlago Crist

And hove up the hard stone.
Then Holy Christ did gaze

49:4091

up mid is ôgun,
ôlat sagde

Upward with His eyes
and said thanks unto Him

49:4092

themu the these werold giskôp,
"thes thu mîn word gihôris", [quað he],

Who had shaped this world.
“Since Thou hearest My word,” quoth He,

49:4093

["sigidrohtin selƀo;
ik wêt that thu sô simlun duos,

“Thyself Lord of Victory,
I will know that Thou doest so ever.

49:4094

ak ik duom it be thesumu grôton
Judeono folke,]

But I do so only
for the great folk of the Jews,

49:4095

that sie that te wârun witin,
that thu mi an [these] werold [sendes]

That they may verily know
that Thou hast sent Me into this world

49:4096

thesun liudiun te lêrun."
Thô he te Lazaruse hriop

To teach them, this land-folk.”
Then He called unto Lazarus

49:4097

starkaru [stemniu]
endi hêt ina [standen up]

With a loud, strong voice
and hight him stand up

49:4098

ja fan themu graƀe gangan.
Thô warð the gêst kumen

And go forth from the grave.
And his ghost did return

49:4099

an thene lîkhamon:
[he] bigan is liði hrôrien,

And enter his body.
And he began moving his limbs:

49:4100

antwarp undar themu giwêdie:
was imo [sô] bewunden thô noh,

He stirred ’neath his weeds;
but he was still wound in them,

49:4101

an hrêobeddion bihelid.
Hêt imu helpen thô

Held tight by his shroud.
The All-Wielding Christ did hight

49:4102

waldandeo Krist.
Weros gengun tô,

That they give him help.
Then men did go

49:4103

antwundun that gewâdi.
[Wânum] up arês

And unwound his weeds.
Winsome, he rose

49:4104

Lazarus te thesumu liohte:
was imu is lîf fargeƀen,

Lazarus to this light.
His life had been granted him,

49:4105

that he is [aldarlagu]
êgan [môsti],

So that he might spend
the fated span of his days

49:4106

friðu forðwardes.
Thô fagonadun bêðea,

Henceforth in peace.
The twain rejoiced full well,

49:4107

Maria endi Martha:
ni mag that man ôðrumu

Mary and Martha;
nor may anyone

49:4108

giseggian te sôðe,
hwô thea geswester twô

Truly say otherwise
than that the sisters twain

49:4109

[mendiodun] an iro môde.
Maneg wundrode

Were indeed happy of heart.
Many did wonder,

49:4110

Judeo liudio,
thô sie ina fan themu graƀe sâhun

Those of the Jewish folk,
when they did see him

49:4111

sîðon gesunden,
thene the êr suht farnam

Rise sound from his grave —
him, whom sickness had taken before

49:4112

endi sie bidulƀun
diapo undar [erðu]

And whom they had dug
deep down into the earth,

49:4113

lîƀes lôsen:
thô môste imu libbien forð

Him, cut loose from his life.
Henceforth he could live,

49:4114

hêl an hêmun.
Sô mag heƀenkuninges,

Hale and sound in his home.
So may the Heaven-King’s,

49:4115

thiu mikile maht godes
manno gihwilikes

May God’s great power
protect the life

49:4116

ferahe giformon
endi [wið] fîundo [nîð]

Of so many a man,
and may help him ’gainst the hate

49:4117

hêlag helpen,
sô hwemu sô he is huldi fargiƀid.

Of the Fiend — Holy God,
to whomsoever He giveth His grace.

{ 50 }
Capitulum L

50:4118

Thô warð thar sô managumu manne
môd aftar Kriste,

Then the minds of so many
of mankind and their thoughts as well

50:4119

gihuorƀen hugiskefti,
sîðor sie is hêlagon werk

Were won for the Christ,
when they themselves did see

50:4120

selƀon gisâhun,
hwand eo êr sulik ni warð

His holy works,
since in this world such wonders

50:4121

wunder an weroldi.
Than was eft thes werodes sô filu,

Had never before come to pass.
There were also some people,

50:4122

[sô] môdstarke man:
ni weldon [the] maht godes

Such strong-minded men —
the might of God they had no will

50:4123

antkennien kûðlîko,
ak sie wið is kraft mikil

To acknowledge openly,
but against His great power

50:4124

wunnun mid iro wordun:
wârun im waldandes

They fought with their words:
for the Wielder’s message,

50:4125

lêra so lêða:
sôhtun [im] liudi ôðra

His lesson, was so loathsome to them,
that they sought other landsmen

50:4126

an Hierusalem,
thar Judeono was

In Jerusalem —
there where the Jews

50:4127

[hêri hand]mahal
endi hôƀidstedi,

Had their home and inheritance,
their foremost town —

50:4128

grôt gumskepi
grimmaro thioda.

There they gathered a great crowd
of grim-minded folk,

50:4129

Sie kûðdun im [thô] Kristes werk,
quâðun that sie [quikan] sâhin

And of Christ’s work they did tell them;
quoth that they had seen him quick

50:4130

thene erl mid iro ôgun,
the an erðu was,

And alive — with their own eyes had seen
the earl who had been in the earth,

50:4131

foldu [bifolhen]
fiuwar naht endi dagos,

Consigned to a grave
four nights and four days,

50:4132

dôd bidolƀen,
antat he ina mid is dâdiun selƀo,

Had been dead and buried,
until He with His deeds,

50:4133

mid is wordun awekide,
that he [môsti] these werold sehan.

With His words had awakened him
to see this world once again.

50:4134

Thô was that sô [wiðerward]
wlankun mannun,

This was so hateful
to these haughty men,

50:4135

Judeo liudiun:
hêtun iro gumskepi thô,

To the clansmen of Jews,
that they commanded their minions,

50:4136

werod [samnoian]
endi [warƀos] fâhen,

Their people to gather together
and to turn the crowd

50:4137

meginthioda gimang,
an mahtigna Krist

Against Him — the great host;
and against Mighty Christ

50:4138

riedun an [runun:]
"nis that râd ênig", quâðun sie,

They took counsel in whispers;
“That is not good advice,” quoth they,

50:4139

"that wi that githoloian:
wili thesaro thioda te filu

“That we should endure it.
Too many indeed of the folk

50:4140

[gilôƀien] aftar is lêrun.
Than ûs [liudi] farad,

Believe in His lessons.
Then the landsmen will come

50:4141

an eoridfolk,
werðat [ûsa] oƀarhôƀdun

And attack us with horsemen,
and our overseers

50:4142

rinkos fan [Rûmu.]
Than wi theses rîkies skulun

Will be warriors from Rome.
Then bereft of our realm,

50:4143

lôse libbien
eftha wi skulun ûses lîƀes tholon,

Must we live and suffer
the loss of our lives,

50:4144

heliðos ûsaro hôƀdo."
Thô sprak thar ên [gihêrod] man

We heroes, the loss of our heads.”
Then spake a hoary man

50:4145

[oƀar warf] wero,
the was thes werodes thô

Over the crowd of the men:
among the clans

50:4146

an [theru burg innan]
biskop thero liudio

Within the borough
was he bishop of the people.

50:4147

- Kaiphas was he hêten;
habdun ina gikoranen te thiu

Kaiphas was he called,
and by the kinsmen of Jews

50:4148

[an theru gêrtalu]
Judeo liudi,

50:4149

that he thes godes hûses
gômien [skoldi],

He had been chosen this year
to take charge of God’s house,

50:4150

[wardon] thes wîhes -:
"mi thunkid wunder mikil", quað he,

Be the warder, then, of the temple.
“Methinks ’tis a wonder,” said he,

50:4151

"mâri thioda,
- gi kunnun manages giskêð -

“O praiseworth people —
ye are informed of a plenty:

50:4152

huî gi that te wârun ni witin,
werod Judeono,

Why is it that ye yet do not know,
O ye folk of the Jews,

50:4153

that hêr is betera râd
barno gehwilikumu,

That ’tis better counsel
for the bairns of mankind

50:4154

that man hêr ênne man
aldru bilôsie

That one relieve
one man of his life

50:4155

endi that he thurh iuwa dâdi
drôreg sterƀe,

And that he dieth
most bloodily through your deeds,

50:4156

for [thesumu] folkskepi
ferah farlâte,

Forsaketh this life
for the folk-clans here,

50:4157

than al thit liudwerod
farloren werðe."

Than that all the landsmen
should forever be lost.”

50:4158

Ni was it thoh is willean,
that he sô wâr gesprak,

But it was not his will
that he verily did speak

50:4159

sô forð for themu folke,
frume mankunnies

Forth to the land-folk
for the weal of mankind,

50:4160

gimênde for theru menegi,
ak it quam imu fan theru maht godes

Proclaimed to the people;
but from God’s power it came

50:4161

thurh is hêlagan [hêd,]
hwand he that hûs godes

Through his holy office,
since he had to care for God’s house

50:4162

thar an Hierusalem
bigangan skolde,

In Jerusalem there —
he, the temple’s warder.

50:4163

[wardon] thes wîhes:
bethiu he sô wâr gisprak,

50:4164

biskop thero liudio,
hwô skoldi that barn [godes]

Therefore the people’s bishop did speak,
how the Bairn of God

50:4165

alla irminthiod
mid is ênes [ferhe,]

Was to save all the children
of earth with His single spirit,

50:4166

mid is lîƀu alôsien:
that was allaro thesaro liudio râd,

With His own very life:
and for all the land-folk

50:4167

hwand he gihalode mid thiu
[hêðina liudi,

That was a great gain,
for He gathered the heathen,

50:4168

weros] an is willeon
waldandio Crist.

All-Wielding Christ fetched
the men, as He willed.

50:4169

Thô wurðun [ênwordie]
[oƀarmôdie] man,

Then those most haughty men
became of one mind,

50:4170

werod Judeono,
endi an iro [warƀe] gisprâkun,

The clansmen of Jews,
and in their crowd they did speak —

50:4171

mâri thioda,
that sie im ni lêtin iro môd twehon:

This far-known people,
that they permit no doubt in their minds!

50:4172

sô hwe sô ina undar themu folke
finden mahti,

But whosoever might find Him
here among the folk —

50:4173

that [ina] sân gifengi
endi forð brâhti

He should straightway make Him
his Captive, should bring Him

50:4174

an thero thiodo thing;
quâðun that sie ni mahtin [githoloian leng],

Forth to the diet of clans;
quoth that they no longer cared

50:4175

that sie the êno man
[sô alla weldi,]

To suffer that one man
should thus seduce them,

50:4176

werod farwinnen.
Than wisse waldand Krist

The world-folk all.
But All-Wielding Christ knew full well

50:4177

thero manno sô garo
môdgithâhti,

Even the thoughts in the minds
of these men there,

50:4178

hetigrimmon hugi,
hwand imu ni was biholen eowiht

Their hate-angry hearts;
for nothing is ever hidden

50:4179

an thesaru middilgard:
he ni welde thô an thie [menigi] innen

To Him in this mid-world here;
thereafter He had no wish

50:4180

sîður openlîko,
under that erlo folk,

To appear in the open
among the many, among the earls

50:4181

gangan under thea Judeon:
bêd the godes sunu

Of the folk, among the Jews.
For the Son of God

50:4182

thero torohteon [tîd,
the] imu tôward was,

Was biding that bright, glorious time
which would be unto Him,

50:4183

that he far thesa thioda
[tholoian] welde,

When He would endure great pain
for these peoples,

50:4184

far thit werod wîti:
wisse imu selƀo

Torment indeed for the folk of the earth.
For the time of His doom

50:4185

that dagthingi garo.
Thô giwêt imu ûse drohtin forð

He knew full well.
Thereupon our Lord went forth.

50:4186

endi imu thô an Effrem
alowaldo Krist

All-Wielding Christ
did abide in Ephraim.

50:4187

an theru hôhon burg
hêlag drohtin

The Holy Lord did
dwell in the high-walled city

50:4188

wonode [mid is werodu,]
antat he an is willean hwarf

with His vassals there;
until it was His will

50:4189

eft te Bethania
brahtmu thiu mikilun,

To return to Bethany once more
with His mighty host,

50:4190

mid thiu is gôdum gumskepi.
[Judeon bisprâkun that]

With His disciples good.
The Jews did discuss

50:4191

wordu gehwiliku,
thô sie imu sulik werod mikil

50:4192

folgon gisâhun:
"nis frume ênig", quâðun sie,

His every word:
“This bodeth no good,” quoth they,

50:4193

"ûses rîkies girâdi,
thoh wi reht sprekan,

“For the council of our realm.
Though we do speak rightly,

50:4194

ni [thîhit] ûses thinges wiht:
[thius thiod] wili

Still our cause cannot thrive one whit,
since He can turn them,

50:4195

wendien after is willean;
imu all thius werold folgot,

The folk to His will;
and all the world followeth Him,

50:4196

liudi bi them is lêrun,
that wi imu lêðes wiht

The landsmen for His lesson,
so that we may do no whit

50:4197

[for thesumu] folkskepi
[gifrummien] ni môtun."

Of harm unto Him,
here in front of the folk.”

{ 51 }
Capitulum LI

51:4198

Giwêt imu thô that barn godes
innan Bethania

Thus the Bairn of God
did go into Bethany

51:4199

sehs [nahtun êr,]
than thiu samnunga

Six nights before it should hap —
that gathering there

51:4200

thar an Hierusalem
Judeo liudio

In Jerusalem
of the Jewish folk.

51:4201

an [them] wîhdagun
werðen [skolde,]

For the hallowed day
they should keep for the holy tide,

51:4202

that sie skoldun [haldan]
thea hêlagon tîdi,

51:4203

Judeono pascha.
Bêd the godes sunu,

The Passover of Jews.
God’s Son did tarry

51:4204

[mahtig] under theru menegi:
was thar manno kraft,

Mighty among the many.
A great crowd of men,

51:4205

werodes bi them is wordun.
Thar gengun [ina] twê wîf umbi,

Of folk did wait for His words.
There two women approached Him,

51:4206

Maria endi Martha,
mid mildiu hugi,

Mary and Martha;
with mildness of spirit

51:4207

thionodun imu theolîko.
Thiodo drohtin

They served Him most humbly.
The Master of Peoples

51:4208

gaf im langsam lôn:
[lêt] sea lêðes gihwes,

Gave them long-lasting reward.
He released them from all that is loathsome,

51:4209

sundeono sikora,
endi selƀo gibôd,

Absolved them from sin;
and He Himself did bid

51:4210

that sea an friðe fôrin
wiðer fîundo nîð,

That they should fare forth
in peace against the Foe,

51:4211

thea idisa mid is orloƀu gôdu:
habdun iro ambahtskepi

The women with His good permission;
To His will had they turned

51:4212

biwendid an is willeon.
Thô giwêt imu waldand Krist

Ever their service.
Then All-Wielding Christ

51:4213

forð mid thiu folku,
firiho drohtin,

Fared forth with His people,
the Lord of the Folk,

51:4214

innan Hierusalem,
thar Judeono was

To Jerusalem,
where dwelt the Jews,

51:4215

hetelîk hardburi,
thar sie thea hêlagon tîd

All those hate-filled leaders,
who there spent the holy time

51:4216

warodun [at] themu wîhe.
Was thar werodes sô filu,

Warding the temple.
There were there many world-folk

51:4217

kraftigaro kunnio,
thie ni weldun Cristes [word]

Of most mighty clans;
and they cared not to hear

51:4218

gerno [hôrien]
ni te themu godes barne

The word of the Christ,
nor had they a whit

51:4219

an iro môdseƀon
minnie [ni] habdun,

Of love in their breasts
for the Bairn of God;

51:4220

ak wârun im sô wrêða
wlanka [thioda,]

But rather they were a proud,
a wrath-filled people,

51:4221

môdeg mankunni,
habdun im morðhugi,

An angry minded clan of mankind;
and they had murderous thoughts

51:4222

inwid an innan:
an aƀuh farfengun

And evil within them:
all wrongly they understood

51:4223

Kristes lêre,
weldun ina kraftigna

The teachings of Christ,
wanted to kill Him, the All-Strong,

51:4224

wîtnon thero wordo;
ak was thar werodes sô filu,

Because of His words.
But there were so many of the world-folk,

51:4225

[umbi] erlskepi
antlangana dag,

So many of the earlships
about Him all the day long.

51:4226

habde ine thiu smale thiod
thurh is suôtiun word

The small folk did surround Him
for the sake of His sweet word,

51:4227

werodu biworpen,
that ine thie wiðersakon

With so many people all the day,
so that His enemies

51:4228

under themu folkskepi
fâhen ne gidorstun,

Among the folk-clans
feared to make Him their captive,

51:4229

ak miðun is bi theru menegi.
Than stôd mahtig Krist

Avoiding Him there amid the many.
Now Mighty Christ

51:4230

an themu wîhe innan,
sagde word manag

Did stand inside of the temple
and said many a word

51:4231

firiho barnun te frumu.
Was thar folk umbi

All the day long,
until the light,

51:4232

allan langan dag,
antat [thiu liohte] giwêt

Till the sun went to rest.
Then many did wend there way

51:4233

sunne te sedle.
Thô te seliðun fôr

Homeward, that kith of mankind.
There was there a famous mountain

51:4234

mankunnies manag.
Than was thar ên mâri berg

Outside near the city —
so broad it was and so high,

51:4235

bi theru burg ûten,
the was brêd endi hôh,

Green and so fair:
it was hight by the Jewish folk

51:4236

grôni endi skôni:
hêtun ina Judeo [liudi]

The Mountain of Olives.
Upon that did He go,

51:4237

Oliueti bi namon.
Thar imu up giwêt

The Savior Christ,
where the night did surround Him.

51:4238

neriendeo Krist,
sô [ina] thiu naht bifeng,

He was there with His disciples,
though not one of the Jews

51:4239

was imu thar mid is jungarun,
sô ine thar Judeono [ênig]

Did actually know this,
since already He had entered the temple —

51:4240

ni wisse ti wârun,
hwand he an themu wîhe stôd,

The Lord of the Land-folk —
when the light came up from the east,

51:4241

liudio drohtin,
sô lioht ôstene quam,

Received the clanships
and said much unto them

51:4242

antfeng that folkskepi
endi [im] filu sagde

In words of truth,
so that not one in this world,

51:4243

wâroro wordo,
sô nis an thesaru weroldi ênig,

On this mid-earth here —
not a single man is so wise,

51:4244

an [thesaru middilgard]
manno sô spâhi,

Not one of the bairns of mankind,
that he could repeat to the end

51:4245

liudio barno nigên,
that thero lêrono mugi

All the teachings He told
in the temple there,

51:4246

[endi] gitellien,
[the he] thar [an themu] alahe gisprak,

Did speak in the holy house;
and with His words He hight them

51:4247

waldand an themu [wîhe,]
endi [simlun] mid is wordun [gibôd],

To make themselves ready
for the realm of God,

51:4248

that sie [sie gerewidin]
te godes rîkie,

All men everywhere whosoever they be,
so that on that best-known day

51:4249

allaro manno gehwilik,
that sie [môstin] an themu mâreon daga

They may receive
the love of their Lord.

51:4250

iro drohtines
diuriða antfâhen.

He told them the sins they had committed
and straightway commanded

51:4251

Sagde im hwat sie it sundiun frumidun
endi simlun gibôd,

That they atone for their deeds.
Told them that in their hearts

51:4252

that sie thea [aleskidin;]
hêt sie lioht godes

They should love God’s light
and leave behind them all wrongs,

51:4253

minnion an iro môde,
mên farlâten,

51:4254

[aƀoha] oƀarhugdi,
ôdmôdi niman,

Evil haughtiness,
and assume humility,

51:4255

hlaðen that an iro [hertan;]
quað that im than wâri heƀenrîki,

And take it into their hearts.
Quoth that the kingdom of Heaven,

51:4256

garu gôdo [mêst.]
Thô warð thar gumono sô filu

The richest of goods was really for them.
Then right many of the men

51:4257

giwendid aftar is willion,
sîður sie that word godes

Were turned to His will,
when they heard God’s word,

51:4258

hêlag gihôrdun,
heƀenkuninges,

Heard the Holy Message
of the King of Heaven,

51:4259

antkendun kraft mikil,
kumi drohtines,

Acknowledged great power
and the Master’s coming

51:4260

hêrron helpe,
ja that heƀenrîki was,

And the help of the Lord;
yea, that the heavenly kingdom,

51:4261

[neriendi] ginâhid
endi nâða godes

That salvation was grown nearer,
and the grace of God

51:4262

manno barnun.
Sum sô môdeg was

For the bairns of mankind.
But some were so angered —

51:4263

Judeo folkes,
habdun grimman hugi,

Some of the Jewish folk
had such grimness of mind,

51:4264

[slîðmôden seƀon
ni sorgodun umbi is lera,]

Such hate-filled hearts
cared not for his teaching,

51:4265

ni weldun is worde [gilôƀien],
ak habdun im gewin mikil

They wanted not to believe His word,
but waged great battle

51:4266

wið thea Cristes kraft:
[kumen ni môstun]

Against Christ’s might:
because of their wretched contention

51:4267

thea liudi thurh lêðen strîd,
that sie gilôƀon te imu

The folk could not find it —
belief in Him, clear and firm.

51:4268

fasto gifengin;
ni was im thiu frume giƀiðig,

The grace was not granted them
to be given the kingdom of Heaven.

51:4269

that sie heƀenrîki
habbien môstin.

51:4270

Geng imu thô the godes sunu
endi is jungaron mid imu,

Then God’s Son did go,
and His disciples all gladly with Him;

51:4271

waldand fan themu wîhe,
all sô is willio geng,

The Wielder went from the temple,
as He so willed it.

51:4272

jak imu uppen thene berg gistêg
barn drohtines:

And again the Bairn of God
did go up on the mountain,

51:4273

sat imu thar mid is gesîðun
endi im sagde filu

And He sat with His disciples
and said much unto them

51:4274

wâroro wordo.
Sî bigunnun im thô umbi thene wîh sprekan,

In words of truth.
They began to talk with Him about the temple,

51:4275

thie [gumon] umbi that godes hûs,
quâðun that ni wâri gôdlîkora

The men about God’s house,
quoth that no goodlier

51:4276

alah oƀar erðu
[thurh] erlo hand,

Building had ever been builded
by the hands of earls,

51:4277

thurh mannes giwerk
mid megin[kraftu]

By the efforts of man,
never such temple erected

51:4278

rakud arihtid.
Thô the rîkio sprak,

With such great power.
Then the Rich Prince did speak,

51:4279

hêr heƀenkuning
- hôrdun the ôðra -:

The High King of Heaven —
and the others did hear Him —

51:4280

"ik mag iu [gitellien",] quað he,
"that noh wirðid thiu tîd kumen,

“I can yet tell unto you,” quoth He,
“that the time shall soon come

51:4281

that is afstanden ni skal
stên oƀar ôðrumu,

That no stone shall be left
standing upon any other,

51:4282

ak it fallid ti [foldu]
endi [fiur] nimid,

But it shall fall to the earth
and fire shall devour it,

51:4283

grâdag logna,
thoh it nu sô gôdlîk sî,

The greedy flames,
though it be so goodly,

51:4284

sô wîslîko giwarht,
endi sô dôd [all] thesaro weroldes giskapu,

So wisely worked. And that
is the Weird of the world:

51:4285

teglîdid grôni [wang."]
Thô gengun imu is jungaron tô,

The green meads shall pass away.”
Then His followers did go to Him,

51:4286

frâgodun ina sô stillo:
"hwô lango skal standen noh", quâðun sie,

And they asked Him softly:
“How long shall it stand here?” quoth they,

51:4287

"thius werold an wunniun,
êr than that giwand kume,

“The world in its winsomeness,
before the great turning will come,

51:4288

that the lasto dag
liohtes skîne

Until the last day
of light shineth through

51:4289

thurh wolkanskion,
eftho hwan is [thîn eft] wân kumen

Its covering of clouds;
or when can we hope for Thy coming

51:4290

an [thene] middilgard,
[manno kunnie

To this mid-world again
to judge mankind and its dead and its quick,

51:4291

te adêlienne,]
dôdun endi quikun?

51:4292

frô mîn the gôdo,
ûs is thes firiwit mikil,

O my Lord most Good?
We have longing to know,

51:4293

waldandeo Krist,
hwan [that] giwerðen skuli."

O All-Wielding Christ,
when that time shall come.”

{ 52 }
Capitulum LII

52:4294

Thô im andwordi
alowaldo Krist

Then All-Wielding Christ
did give answer,

52:4295

[gôdlîk] fargaf
them gumun selƀo:

The Goodly Man,
Himself, to the many.

52:4296

"that haƀad sô bidernid", quað he,
"drohtin the gôdo

“That hath the Good Lord
so bidden,” quoth He,

52:4297

jak sô hardo [farholen]
himilrîkies fader,

“The Father of Heaven’s kingdom
hath so concealed it,

52:4298

waldand thesaro weroldes,
sô that witen ni mag

The Wielder over the World,
so that not a one

52:4299

ênig [mannisk barn,]
hwan thiu mârie tîd

Of the children of men can tell
when this noted time

52:4300

giwirðid an thesaru weroldi,
ne it ôk te wâran ni kunnun

Shall come to the world;
nor in truth can they know

52:4301

godes engilos,
thie for imu [geginwarde

Either, God’s angels,
who are ever beside Him

52:4302

simlun] sindun:
sie [it] ôk [giseggian] ni mugun

And stand in His sight,
nor can they say it,

52:4303

te wâran mid iro wordun,
[hwan that] giwerðen skuli,

With their words tell
all truly, when it shall hap,

52:4304

that he willie an thesan middilgard,
mahtig drohtin,

That from the mid-world here
the Mighty Lord

52:4305

firiho fandon.
Fader wêt [it] êno

Shall choose to call
the children of men. He alone knows,

52:4306

hêlag [fan] himile:
elkur is it biholen allun,

The Father, Holy in Heaven.
From all others ’tis hidden:

52:4307

quikun endi dôdun,
hwan is kumi werðad,

From the quick and the dead,
when that coming shall be.

52:4308

Ik mag iu thoh gitellien,
hwilik [hêr] têkan biforan

Yet I may tell unto you
what wonderous token

52:4309

giwerðad wunderlîk,
êr [than] he an these werold kume

Shall happen here
before He shall come to this world

52:4310

an themu mâreon daga:
that wirðid hêr êr an themu mânon skîn

On that famous day.
For it shall be revealed in the moon

52:4311

jak an theru sunnon sô same;
giswerkad siu bêðiu,

And in the sun as well;
both shall turn swarthy,

52:4312

mid [finistre] werðad bifangan;
fallad [sterron,]

Be surrounded in darkness,
and the stars shall fall,

52:4313

huît heƀen[tungal],
endi hrisid erðe,

The white, heavenly beacons;
this broad earth shall tremble,

52:4314

biƀod [thius] brêde werold
- wirðid sulikaro bôkno filu -:

This wide world shake.
And many such signs shall there be:

52:4315

grimmid the grôto sêo,
wirkid thie geƀenes strôm

The great sea shall rage grimly
and the ocean tide grow

52:4316

[egison] mid is ûðiun
erðbûandiun.

To bring dread with its waves
to the dwellers of earth.

52:4317

Than [thorrot] thiu [thiod]
thurh that gethuing mikil,

Mankind will shrivel and die
in its mighty distress.

52:4318

folk thurh thea forhta:
than nis friðu hwergin,

People will pass away in their fears;
and in no place will there be peace.

52:4319

ak wirðid wîg sô maneg
oƀar these werold alla

But wars so many
will rise over the earth,

52:4320

hetelîk [afhaben,]
endi heri [lêdid]

Filled with hatred all;
and one clan shall lead a host

52:4321

kunni oƀar [ôðar:]
wirðid kuningo giwin,

Against another.
The battle of kings will arise,

52:4322

meginfard mikil:
wirðid managoro [qualm,]

Mighty wanderings of host:
and many a murder will there be —

52:4323

open urlagi
- that is egislîk thing,

There open war-death —
that is a terrible thing

52:4324

that io sulik morð skulun
man afhebbien -,

That man should ever
commit such murders.

52:4325

wirðid wôl sô mikil
oƀar these werold alle,

Great ruination will spread awide
over all the world —

52:4326

mansterƀono mêst,
[thero] the gio an thesaru middilgard

The most farflung dying of men
that was ever upon this mid-earth here

52:4327

swulti thurh suhti:
liggiad seoka man,

Through plagues and through pestilence.
People lie sick;

52:4328

driosat endi dôiat
[endi] iro dag endiad,

They do drop and die;
and their day endeth.

52:4329

fulliad mid iro ferahu;
ferid unmet grôt

With their life they fulfill it;
a famine immeasurable,

52:4330

hungar hetigrim
oƀar heliðo barn,

A grim, hot hunger fares
huge o’er the bairns of all men,

52:4331

metigêdeono mêst:
nis that minniste

The greatest of starving;
and that is not the slightest

52:4332

thero wîteo an thesaru weroldi,
the [hêr] giwerðen [skulun]

Of the torments which shall hap
here in this world

52:4333

êr [dômes] dage.
Sô hwan sô gi thea dâdi [gisehan]

Before the day of all doom.
Whenever ye see such deeds

52:4334

giwerðen an thesaru weroldi,
sô mugun gi [than] te wâran farstanden,

Being done in this world,
then may ye verily know

52:4335

that than the lazto dag
liudiun nâhid

That the last day draweth nigh
for the land-folk all,

52:4336

mâri te mannun
endi maht godes,

That most noted day,
and the might of God

52:4337

himilkraftes [hrôri]
endi thes hêlagon kumi,

And the stirring of heavenly strength
and the Savior’s coming

52:4338

drohtines mid is diuriðun.
Hwat, gi thesaro dâdeo mugun

The Lord’s, in His glory.
Lo, for these deeds

52:4339

bi thesun bômun
biliði antkennien:

Ye may know a token
in the very trees:

52:4340

than sie brustiad endi blôiat
endi bladu tôgeat,

When they make buds and bloom
and show forth leaf-blades,

52:4341

lôf [antlûkad,]
than witun liudio barn,

When they unfold their foliage,
the children of men may know full well

52:4342

that than is sân after thiu
sumer ginâhid

That soon after this
the summer draweth near,

52:4343

warm endi wunsam
endi weder skôni.

The warm and the winsome,
and the weather is fair:

52:4344

Sô [witin] gi ôk bi thesun têknun,
[the] ik iu talde hêr,

So know ye also by this token
which I have told unto you,

52:4345

hwan the lazto dag
liudiun nâhid.

When the last day of life
draweth near for the land-folk.

52:4346

Than seggio ik iu te wâran,
that êr thit werod ni môt,

Now will I say unto you
most verily that this folk,

52:4347

tefaran thit folkskepi,
êr than [werðe] gefullid sô,

This people shall not pass away
before this be fulfilled

52:4348

[mînu] word giwârod.
Noh giwand kumid

And My word becometh truth.
Yet cometh the turning

52:4349

himiles endi erðun,
endi steid mîn hêlag word

Of heaven and earth,
and My Holy Word standeth

52:4350

fast [forðwardes]
endi wirðid al [gefullod] sô,

In firmness henceforth,
and all will be so fulfilled,

52:4351

gilêstid an thesumu liohte,
sô ik for thesun liudiun gespriku.

Come to pass in this light,
as I have said to these people.

52:4352

Wakot gi [warlîko]:
iu is wiskumo

Verily, wake ye all:
for the well-known day,

52:4353

[duomdag] the mâreo
endi iuwes drohtines kraft,

The day of your doom cometh most certainly,
and so doeth the strength,

52:4354

thiu mikilo [meginstrengi]
endi thiu mârie tîd,

The might immense of your Lord,
and that most known of times,

52:4355

giwand thesaro weroldes.
Fora thiu gi wardon skulun,

The turn of this world.
Against this be ye watchful,

52:4356

that he iu slâpandie
an [swefrestu]

That He find you not suddenly asleep
and stretched out

52:4357

fârungo ni bifâhe
an firinwerkun,

On a couch of ease
with all of your evil deeds,

52:4358

mênes fulle.
Mûtspelli kumit

And filled with your sins.
For the reckoning day

52:4359

an thiustrea naht,
al sô thiof ferid

Doth come in the deep, dark night,
as doeth a thief

52:4360

darno mid is dâdiun,
sô kumid the dag mannun,

Furtively all with his deeds:
so fareth that day to mankind,

52:4361

the lazto theses liohtes,
sô it êr these liudi ni witun,

The last of this light,
so that the land-folk know it not before,

52:4362

sô samo sô thiu flôd deda
an furndagun,

Even as was the flood
in former days,

52:4363

[the] thar mid lagustrômun
liudi farteride

Which destroyed mankind
with its streams of water

52:4364

bi Nôeas tîdiun,
[biûtan] that ina neride god

In time of Noah;
but now God saved him only,

52:4365

mid is hîwiskea,
hêlag drohtin,

Him with his family,
the Holy Lord,

52:4366

wið thes flôdes [farm]:
sô warð ôk that fiur kuman

From the flood’s fierce onslaught;
so did come also the fire

52:4367

hêt fan himile,
that thea hôhon burgi

Hot down from heaven
which surrounded the cities

52:4368

umbi [Sodomo land]
swart logna bifeng

Around Sodom-land,
as swarthy flames,

52:4369

grim endi grâdag,
that thar [nênig gumono] ni ginas

Greedy indeed and grim,
so that no man did go forth

52:4370

biûtan Loth êno:
ina antlêddun thanen

Still alive except Lot alone;
him the Lord’s angels

52:4371

drohtines engilos
endi is dohter twâ

Did lead from there
with his daughters twain

52:4372

an [ênan] berg uppen:
that [ôðar al] brinnandi fiur,

High onto a mountain;
all others, both land and landsmen,

52:4373

ja land ja liudi
logna farteride:

The burning fire,
the flames destroyed.

52:4374

sô fârungo warð that fiur kumen,
sô warð êr [the] flôd sô samo:

So suddenly did come the fire,
and so also was the flood before:

52:4375

sô wirðid the lazto dag.
For thiu skal allaro liudio gehwilik

So, too, shall be the end-day of earth.
All men whosoever

52:4376

[thenkean] fora themu thinge;
thes is tharf mikil

Should think ahead toward this thing.
That is a great need

52:4377

manno gehwilikumu:
bethiu lâtad [iu] an iuwan môd sorga.

For every man; there let each keep
this care firm in his heart.”

{ 53 }
Capitulum LIII

53:4378

Hwand sô hwan sô that gewirðid,
that waldand Krist,

When ever it shall come to pass,
that All-Wielding Christ,

53:4379

mâri mannes sunu
mid theru maht godes,

Man’s Glorious Son,
shall come with God’s might,

53:4380

kumit mid thiu kraftu
kuningo rîkeost

Shall come with the strength
of the Richest of Kings,

53:4381

sittean an is selƀes maht
endi samod mid imu

Sit on high in His own great might;
and together with Him,

53:4382

alle thea engilos,
the thar uppa sind

All the angels, too,
which are above holy in Heaven;

53:4383

hêlaga an himile,
than skulun tharod heliðo barn,

Then shall the children of men
and with them the heathen

53:4384

elitheoda kuman
alla tesamne

Come all together;
all the living kith of the land-folk come,

53:4385

libbeandero liudio,
sô [hwat sô] io an thesumu liohte warð

Whosoever was born, hath lived
here indeed in this light

53:4386

firiho afôdid.
Thar he themu folke skal,

Of the children of men.
To all of mankind,

53:4387

allumu mankunnie
mâri drohtin

To the folk here all,
shall the Lord Most Famous

53:4388

adêlien aftar iro dâdiun.
Than skêðid he thea farduanan man,

Deal judgments, as were their deeds.
The doomed men He shall sort out,

53:4389

thea farwarhton weros
an thea winistron hand:

The sinful, the lost men,
to his left hand;

53:4390

sô duot he ôk thea sâligon
an thea swîðeron half;

So He shall place the holy and blessed
on His right side also,

53:4391

[grôtid] he than thea gôdun
endi im tegegnes sprikid:

Greeting the good then
and speaking most gladly to them:

53:4392

"kumad gi", [quiðid he], "thea thar gikorene sindun,
endi antfâhad thit kraftiga rîki,

“Come ye,” quoth He, “Ye who are chosen,
and receive ye the good kingdom,

53:4393

[that] gôde, that [thar] gigerewid stendid,
that thar warð gumono barnun

The mighty, which standeth ready,
made for the children of men

53:4394

giwarht fan thesaro weroldes endie:
iu haƀad gewîhid selƀo

From the world’s beginning.
The Father of Mankind’s Bairns

53:4395

fader allaro firiho barno:
gi môtun [thesaro frumono] neotan,

Himself hath hallowed it;
ye may enjoy its blessings,

53:4396

[gewaldon] theses [wîdon] rîkeas,
hwand gi oft mînan willeon [frumidun],

Rule o’er this wide realm;
since right often ye accomplished My will,

53:4397

fulgengun mi gerno
endi wârun mi iuwaro geƀo mildie,

Followed Me gladly,
and were mild in your giving,

53:4398

than ik bithwungan was
thurstu endi hungru,

When I was plagued here
with hunger and thirst,

53:4399

[frostu] bifangan
eftho [an] feteron lag,

Surrounded by frost;
when I lay fettered

53:4400

biklemmid an karkare:
oft wurðun mi [kumana] tharod

And oppressed in prison;
oft there came to Me in My pain

53:4401

helpa fan iuwun handun:
gi wârun mi an iuwomu hugi mildie,

Help from your hands:
ye were mild in your hearts

53:4402

wîsodun mîn werðliko."
Than sprikid imu eft that werod angegin:

And visited Me worthily.”
Then verily the crowd addressed Him again.

53:4403

"frô mîn the gôdo", queðat sie,
"hwan wâri thu bifangan sô,

“My Lord most Good,” quoth they.
“When didst Thou languish in chains,

53:4404

bethwungan an sulikun tharaƀun,
sô thu fora thesaru [thiod] telis,

Oppressed by such needs,
as Thou now tellest these people,

53:4405

mahtig mênis?
Hwan gisah thi man ênig

As Thou, Mighty Master, dost mention?
When hath any man seen Thee

53:4406

bethwungen an sulikun tharaƀun?
Hwat, thu haƀes allaro thiodo giwald

Oppressed by such needs?
Why, Thou hast power over all peoples,

53:4407

jak sô samo thero mêðmo,
thero the io manno barn

Over all treasures as well,
whatever the children of men

53:4408

gewunnun an thesaro weroldi."
Than sprikid im eft waldand god:

Have won in this world.”
Then spake All-Wielding God to them once again.

53:4409

"sô hwat sô gi dâdun", quiðit he,
"an iuwes drohtines namon,

“Whatever ye have done here,”
quoth He, “In the name of your Lord,

53:4410

gôdes fargâƀun
an godes êra

In honor of God,
have given of your goods

53:4411

them mannun, the hêr minniston sindun,
[thero] nu undar thesaru menegi [standad]

To the men who are the least of those
standing here ’mid the many,

53:4412

endi thurh ôdmôdi
arme [wârun]

To such persons indeed
poor for their humbleness,

53:4413

[weros, hwand] sie mînan willeon [fremidun]
- sô hwat sô gi im iuwaro welono fargâƀun,

Since they accomplished My will —
whatsoever ye gave unto them of your wealth,

53:4414

gidâdun thurh [diuriða],
that antfeng iuwa drohtin selƀo,

Ye have done for honor of Me.
Your Lord Himself hath received it,

53:4415

thiu helpe quam te heƀenkuninge.
Bethiu [wili] iu the hêlago drohtin

The help did come to the Heaven-King.
Therefore the Holy Lord

53:4416

lônon [iuwan] gilôƀon:
giƀid [iu] lîf êwig."

Will reward your belief:
He giveth life everlasting unto you.”

53:4417

Wendid ina than waldand
an thea winistron hand,

Then the Wielder, the Lord,
will turn to those at His left hand,

53:4418

[drohtin] te them farduanun mannun,
sagad im that sie skulin thea dâd antgelden,

To those men who are damned,
saying that they must pay for their deeds,

53:4419

thea man iro [mêngiwerk:]
"nu gi fan [mi] skulun", quiðit he.

These folk for their wrongs;
“Now shall ye fare

53:4420

"faran sô forflôkane
an that fiur êwig,

From Me,” quoth He,
accursed to eternal fire,

53:4421

that thar gigarewid warð
godes andsakun,

Fare to the fire made ready
for foes of the Lord,

53:4422

fîundo folke
be firinwerkun,

For the folk of the Fiend
for their foul works of sin,

53:4423

hwand gi mi ni hulpun,
than mi hunger endi thurst

Since ye have not helped Me,
when hunger and thirst

53:4424

[wêgde] te wundrun
eftha ik gewâdies lôs

Did torment Me most terribly;
tortured My mind,

53:4425

geng iâmermôd,
was mi grôtun tharf,

I went without clothing:
so great was My need,

53:4426

than ni habde ik thar ênige helpe,
than ik geheftid was,

For I had naught of help
when I was held bound,

53:4427

an liðokospun bilokan,
eftha mi legar bifeng,

Locked into limb-fetters,
and lay taken in illness,

53:4428

swâra suhti:
than ni weldun gi mîn siokes thar

By serious plagues;
for in My sickness ye never

53:4429

wîson mid wihti:
ni was iu werð eowiht,

Did will to visit Me —
nor was I of such worth unto you,

53:4430

that gi mîn gehugdin.
Bethiu gi an hellie skulun

That ye thought of Me ever.
Therefore will ye suffer

53:4431

tholon an thiustre."
Than sprikid imu eft thiu thiod angegin:

In hell in the darkness there.”
Then the horde of the people again spake to Him:

53:4432

"wola waldand god", queðad sie,
"huî [wilt] thu sô [wið] thit werod sprekan,

“Well, All-Wielding God,” quoth they,
“Why wilt Thou speak so ’gainst the folk?

53:4433

mahlien wið these menegi?
Hwan was thi [io] manno tharf,

Say such words ’gainst the many?
When hast Thou ever had need of men

53:4434

gumono gôdes?
Hwat, sie it al be thînun geƀun [êgun],

Or of the goods of mankind?
Through Thy giving alone do they own it,

53:4435

[welon an thesaro] weroldi".
Than sprikid eft waldand god:

The wealth of this world.”
Then All-Wielding God speaketh again.

53:4436

"than gi thea armostun", quiðid he,
"eldibarno,

“When ye have scorned,” quoth He,
“the poorest of the children of earth,

53:4437

manno thea minniston
an iuwomu môdseƀon

The least among men;
have considered little

53:4438

heliðos farhugdun,
lêtun sea iu an iuwomu hugi lêðe,

These men in your hearts;
in your hearts have let them be hated,

53:4439

bedêldun sie iuwaro diurða,
than dâdun gi [iuwana drohtin] sô sama,

Have denied them your love:
then yet did likewise unto your Lord,

53:4440

[giwernidun imu] iuwaro welono:
bethiu ni [wili] iu waldand god,

Denied Him your wealth;
therefore All-Wielding God,

53:4441

antfâhen fader [iuwa],
ak gi an that fiur skulun,

Your Father, refuseth to take you;
but ye must fare into the fire,

53:4442

an thene diopun dôð,
diuƀlun thionon,

Go down into the deep death
and there serve the devil,

53:4443

wrêðun wiðersakun,
hwand gi sô [warhtun] biforan."

The evil Fiend,
since thus ye acted before.”

53:4444

Than aftar them [wordun
skêðit] that werod an twê,

After these words He parted
the people in twain,

53:4445

thea gôdun endi thea uƀilon:
farad thea fargriponon man

The good and the evil;
and the damned ones did go

53:4446

an thea hêtan hel
hriwigmôde,

Down into hot hell —
they were troubled of heart —

53:4447

thea farwarhton weros,
wîti antfâhat,

There they were punished,
received pain never ending,

53:4448

uƀil endilôs.
Lêdid up thanen

These men who were damned.
He doth lead them thence,

53:4449

hêr heƀenkuning
thea hluttaron theoda

The High King of Heaven,
leadeth the purified host

53:4450

an that langsame lioht:
"thar is lîf êwig,

Into long-lasting light —
there is life everlasting;

53:4451

gigarewid godes rîki
gôdaro [thiado]."

God’s realm is made ready
for all of the good.

{ 54 }
Capitulum LIV

54:4452

Sô gefragn ik that them rinkun tho
rîki drohtin

So I found out that with His words
the All-Wielding God

54:4453

umbi thesaro weroldes giwand
wordun talde,

Did tell unto His warriors
about the turn of the world,

54:4454

hwô thiu forð ferid,
than [lango] the sie firiho barn

How it fareth on,
as long as the bairns of the folk

54:4455

ardon môtun,
ja hwô siu an themu endie skal

May dwell therein,
but how in the end it shall

54:4456

teglîden endi tegangen.
He sagde ôk is jungarun thar

Glide away and be lost.
He also said unto His disciples

54:4457

wârun wordun:
"hwat, gi witun alle", quað he,

In words of truth:
“Why, ye all wit,” quoth He,

54:4458

"that nu oƀar twâ naht sind
tîdi kumana,

“That two nights from today
the time will come,

54:4459

Judeono pascha,
that sie skulun iro gode thionon,

The paschaltide of the Jews,
when the people must serve their God,

54:4460

weros an themu wîhe.
Thes nis gewand ênig,

These men in the temple.
It cannot be turned aside,

54:4461

[that] thar wirðid mannes sunu
te theru meginthiodu

That the Son of Man be sold
to the multitude,

54:4462

kraftag farkôpot
endi an [krûce aslagan,]

Full of strength though He be;
and be struck to the cross,

54:4463

tholod thiadquâla."
Thô warð thar thegan manag

Enduring tortures most monsterious.”
Many thanes were there, too — men

54:4464

slîðmôd gisamnod,
[sûðarliudio,]

From the south gathered together,
a grim-minded folk,

54:4465

Judeono gumskepi,
thar sie skoldun iro gode thionon.

Clanships of Jews
who were come to give service to God.

54:4466

Wurðun êosagon
alle kumane,

Those learned in writing,
the rabbis were come

54:4467

an [warf] weros,
the sie thô wîsostun

Among the crowd of the men:
they were considered the wisest

54:4468

undar theru menegi
manno [taldun,]

Among the multitude
of mankind assembled,

54:4469

kraftag kuniburd.
Thar Caiphas was,

A strong clanship.
There was Kaiphas, too —

54:4470

biskop thero liudio.
Sie rêdun thô an that barn godes,

Bishop was he among the folk.
They spake about God’s Bairn,

54:4471

hwô sie ina asluogin
sundea lôsan,

How they would slay Him,
who was free from sin,

54:4472

[quâðun] that sie ina an themu hêlagon daga
hrînen ni skoldin

Told how they could not
touch Him on this holy day

54:4473

undar thero manno menegi,
"that ni werðe thius meginthioda,

Among the multitude of men,
“Lest the many people,

54:4474

heliðos an hrôru,
hwand ina thit heriskepi wili

The hordes be aroused,
since the host is willing

54:4475

farstanden mid strîdu.
Wi sô stillo skulun

To stand and to battle for Him.
In stillness we should

54:4476

frêson is ferahes,
that [thit] folk Judeono

Entrap Him, His life,
so that the folk of the Jews

54:4477

an thesun wîhdagun
wrôht ni afhebbien."

Will not rise up
in rebellion on this holy day.”

54:4478

Thô geng imu thar Jûdas forð,
jungaro Kristes,

Then Judas came forward to him,
the disciple of Christ,

54:4479

ên thero tweliƀio,
[thar] that aðali sat,

One of the twelve,
to where the aethlings did tarry,

54:4480

Judeono gumskepi;
quað that he is im gôdan râd

The clanships of Jews;
quoth that he indeed

54:4481

seggian mahti:
"hwat williad gi mi sellien hêr", quað he,

Could give them good counsel,
“What will ye pay me?” quoth He,

54:4482

"mêðmo te mêdu,
ef ik iu thene man giƀu

“What treasure, reward,
if I should turn that Man over to you

54:4483

âno wîg endi âno wrôht?"
Thô warð thes werodes hugi,

Without rebellion or battle?”
Then the hearts of the men became

54:4484

thero liudio an lustun:
"ef thu [wili] gilêstien sô", quâðun sie,

Joyous, those of the folk:
“If thou would’st do so,” quoth they,

54:4485

"thîn word giwâron,
than thu giwald haƀes,

“And keep well thy word,
then hast thou the right

54:4486

hwat thu at thesaru thiodu
thiggean willies

To ask for whatsoever
of goodly wealth

54:4487

gôdaro mêðmo."
Thô gihêt imu that gumskepi thar

Thou dost wish from this folk.”
Then the men who were there

54:4488

an is selƀes dôm
siluƀarskatto

Put at his disposal
pieces of silver,

54:4489

thrîtig atsamne,
endi he te theru thiodu gisprak

Thirty together;
and he to the gathering did speak

54:4490

dereƀeun wordun,
that he gâƀi is drohtin [wið] thiu.

Insolent words: that for this
he would yield his Master unto them.

54:4491

Wende ina thô fan themu werode:
was im wrêð hugi,

Then he turned from the men;
evil of mind was he, and disloyal.

54:4492

talode im sô treulôs,
hwan êr wurði imu thiu tîd kuman,

He did calculate
when the time would come unto him,

54:4493

that he ina mahti farwîsien
wrêðaro [thiodo,]

That he might betray Him
to the evil men,

54:4494

fîundo folke.
Than wisse that friðubarn godes,

To the folk of the foe.
For the Peace-Bairn of God,

54:4495

wâr waldand Krist,
that he these werold skolde,

The True Wielding Christ well knew
He must leave this world,

54:4496

ageƀen these gardos
endi sôkien imu godes rîki,

Give up the dwellings of men
and return to the realms of God,

54:4497

gifaren is [faderoðil.]
Thô ni gisah ênig firiho [barno]

Fare to the ancient fief
of His Father. Never have

54:4498

mêron minnie,
than he thô te them mannun ginam,

The children of men seen more love
than He bore to those men,

54:4499

te them is gôdun jungaron:
gôme warhte,

To His disciples good.
He prepared a guest meal for them

54:4500

sette sie swâslîko
endi im sagde filu

And sweetly did bid them sit,
and said unto them

54:4501

wâroro wordo.
Skrêd wester dag,

Many a word most true.
The day strode to the west,

54:4502

sunne te sedle.
Thô he selƀo gibôd,

The sun to its setting.
Then He Himself did bid them,

54:4503

waldand mid is wordun,
hêt im water dragan

The Wielder with His words,
that they bring Him water,

54:4504

hluttar te handun,
endi rês thô the hêlago Crist,

For His hands clear water;
and there the Holy Christ did rise

54:4505

the gôdo [at] them gômun
endi thar is jungarono thwôg

At the feast, the Good Lord,
and the feet of His followers

54:4506

fôti mid is folmun
endi swarf sie mid is [fanon] aftar,

He washed with His hands,
and wiped them thereafter with towels,

54:4507

druknide sie diurlîka.
Thô wið is [drohtin] sprak

Dried them most carefully.
Then unto his Lord Christ

54:4508

Sîmon Petrus:
"ni thunkid mi thit [sômi] thing", quað he,

Simon Peter did speak.
“Methinks ’tis no seemly thing,” quoth he,

54:4509

"frô mîn the gôdo,
that thu mîne fôti thwahes

“For Thee, my Master so Good,
that Thou should’st be washing my feet

54:4510

mid them thînun hêlagun handun."
Thô sprak imu eft is hêrro angegin,

With those, Thy most holy hands.”
The Lord gave reply unto him,

54:4511

waldand mid is wordun:
"ef thu is willean ni haƀes", quað he,

The Wielder then with His words.
“If thou has not the will,” quoth He,

54:4512

"te antfâhanne,
that ik thîne fôti thwahe

“To accept this thing,
that I wash thy feet

54:4513

thurh sulika minnea,
sô ik thesun ôðrun mannun hêr

With such love indeed,
as I do for the others,

54:4514

dôm thurh diurða,
than ni haƀes thu [ênigan] dêl mid mi

These men, through My love,
then mayest thou not share with Me

54:4515

an heƀenrîkea."
Hugi warð thô giwendid

The kingdom of Heaven.”
His heart was then changed

54:4516

Sîmon Petruse:
"thu haƀa thi selƀo giwald", [quað he],

For Simon Peter.
“Thou Thyself wieldest power,” said he,

54:4517

"fro mîn the gôdo,
[fôto] endi hando

“My Lord so good,
lo, over my feet and my hands

54:4517b

endi mînes hôƀdes sô sama,
[handun thînun,]

And my head as well,
to wash them all with Thy hands,

54:4518

thiadan, te [thwahanne,]
te thiu thak ik môti thîna forð

O Ruler, if henceforth
I may have Thy grace

54:4519

huldi hebbian
endi heƀenrîkies

And such part of Thy kingdom
of Heaven as Thou, Lord Christ,

54:4520

sulik gidêli,
sô thu mi, drohtin, wili

54:4521

fargeƀen thurh thîna gôdi."
Jungaron Kristes,

Would’st grant unto me
in Thy goodness.”

54:4522

thene ambahtskepi
erlos tholodun,

The disciples of Christ,
those earls, suffered His service

54:4523

thegnos mid [githuldeon,]
sô hwat sô im iro [thiodan] dede,

With patience, those thanes,
whatsoever Mighty Christ,

54:4524

[mahtig] thurh thea minnea,
endi mênde imu al mêra thing

Their Liege, would do unto them,
out of love, and He thought to do

54:4525

firihon te gifrummienne.

A thing even greater for the children of men.

{ 55 }
Capitulum LV

55:4525

Friðubarn godes

The Peace-Child of God

55:4526

geng imu thô eft gisittien
under that gesîðo folk

Did go to sit once again
among the people and gave unto them

55:4527

endi [im] sagda filu langsamna râd.
Warð eft lioht kuman,

Much long-lasting counsel.
Then was the light come,

55:4528

morgen te mannun.
Mahtigne Crist

The morning come to mankind.
Almighty Christ

55:4529

grôttun is jungaron
endi frâgodun, hwar sie is gôma thô

The greeted His subjects
and asked them where they intended

55:4530

an themu wîhdage
wirkien skoldin,

To prepare for the feast
on this festive day,

55:4531

hwar he weldi halden
thea hêlagon tîdi

Where He would hold, would keep
this holy tide

55:4532

selƀo mid is gesîðun.
Thô he sie sôkien hêt,

Himself with His disciples.
Then He hight them, His men,

55:4533

thea gumon Hierusalem:
"sô gi than gangan [kumad",] quað he,

Seek out Jerusalem:
“When ye come there,” quoth He,

55:4534

"an thea burg innan
- thar is braht mikil,

“Within the city itself,
there will be great confusion,

55:4535

meginthiodo gimang -,
thar mugun gi [ênan] man sehan

A mighty seething of men —
ye will see a man

55:4536

an is handun dragen
hluttres watares

Carrying there in his hand
a cup of clear water.

55:4537

[ful mid] folmun.
Themu gi folgon skulun

55:4538

an sô hwilike gardos,
sô gi ina gangan [gisehat,]

We shall follow him
into whatsoever garden ye do see him go;

55:4539

ja gi than themu hêrron,
the thie hoƀos êgi,

And unto that lord
who owneth this house

55:4540

selƀon seggiad,
that ik iu [sende] tharod

Ye yourselves shall say
that I have sent you hence

55:4541

te gigaruwenne mîna gôma.
Than tôgid he iu ên gôdlîk hûs,

To make ready My feast.
Then will he show you

55:4542

hôhan soleri,
the is bihangen al

A goodly house,
a high upper hall

55:4543

fagarun fratahun.
Thar gi frummien skulun

Hung over with brightest array.
There shall ye busy

55:4544

werdskepi mînan.
Thar bium ik wiskumo

Yourselves with My meal.
There I shall most certainly come,

55:4545

selƀo mid mînun gesîðun."
Thô wurðun sân aftar thiu

Myself and My disciples, too.”
Then straightway thereafter

55:4546

thar te Hierusalem
jungaron Kristes

The servants of Christ
set out on the way to Jerusalem,

55:4547

forðward an ferdi,
fundun all sô he sprak

And they did find there
all things even as He had said

55:4548

wordtêkan wâr:
ni was thes giwand ênig.

With true word-tokens.
Nor was aught truly changed.

55:4549

Thar gerewidun sie thea gôma.
Warð the godes sunu,

They made ready the feast there,
and right soon the Son of God,

55:4550

hêlag drohtin
an that hûs kuman,

The Holy Christ
was come to the house

55:4551

thar sie the landwîse
lêstien skoldun,

Where they should accomplish
the custom there of the land,

55:4552

fulgangan godes gibode,
al sô Judeono was

Following the bidding of God,
as it was for the Jewish folk

55:4553

êo endi aldsidu
an êrdagun.

Ancient custom and law
from time immemorial.

55:4554

Giwêt imu thô an themu âƀande
[alowaldand] Krist

On the evening
All-Wielding Christ did go

55:4555

an thene seli sittien;
hêt thar is gesîðos te imu

To take His seat in the hall;
and He bade His disciples

55:4556

tweliƀi gangan,
thea im gitriwiston

Come unto Him, the twelve
who were truest to Him,

55:4557

an iro môdseƀon
manno wârun

These men most loyal
to Him in their minds

55:4558

bi wordun endi bi wîsun:
wisse imu selƀo

Both in words and in ways.
Well did He know

55:4559

iro hugiskefti
hêlag drohtin.

The thoughts in their hearts,
our Holy Lord —

55:4560

Grôtte sie thô oƀar them gômun:
"gern bium ik swîðo", quað he,

He greeted them over the banquet.
“I yearn indeed,”

55:4561

"that ik samad mid iu
sittien môti,

He said, “to sit
together with you

55:4562

gômono neoten,
Judeono pascha

And partake of the feast,
share the Passover

55:4563

dêlien mid iu sô diuriun.
Nu ik iu [iuwes] drohtines skal

Of Jews with you, My beloved.
Now must I tell unto you

55:4564

willeon seggian,
that ik an thesaro weroldi ni môt

The will of the Lord,
that in this world no longer

55:4565

mid mannun mêr
môses anbîten

May I enjoy meat with mankind
before it must be fulfilled,

55:4566

furður mid firihun,
êr than [gifullod] wirðid

55:4567

[himilo rîki].
Mi is an handun nu

The kingdom of Heaven.
For Me there is at hand

55:4568

wîti endi wunderquâle,
thea ik for thesumu werode skal,

Both torment and torture,
which I must truly endure

55:4569

tholon [for thesaru thiodu]."
Sô he thô sô te them thegnun sprak,

For the people, this land-folk here.”
So did He speak to His thanes,

55:4570

hêlag drohtin,
sô warð imu is hugi drôƀi,

The Holy Lord,
and His heart was grieved,

55:4571

warð imu gisworken seƀo,
endi eft te [them] gesîðun sprak,

His spirit darkened with sorrow,
and to His disciples He spake,

55:4572

the gôdo te them is jungarun:
"hwat, ik iu godes rîki", quað he,

The Good Man to His faithful:
“Why, I give unto you the kingdom of God,

55:4573

"gihêt himiles lioht,
endi gi mi holdlîko

Give you the light of Heaven,
and ye give unto Me

55:4574

iuwan theganskepi.
Nu ni williat gi [athengean] sô,

Most sweetly your thaneship.
But now ye wish not to fulfill this,

55:4575

[ak] wenkeat thero wordo.
Nu seggiu ik iu te wâran hêr,

But waver far from the word.
Now verily I say unto you

55:4576

that wili iuwar tweliƀio ên
[trewana suîkan],

That one of your twelve
will become untrue,

55:4577

wili mi farkôpon
undar thit kunni Judeono,

One will sell Me
among the kinship of Jews,

55:4578

gisellien wiðer siluƀre,
endi [wili] imu [thar] sink niman,

Will sell Me for silver,
and will take such riches,

55:4579

diurie mêðmos,
endi geƀen is drohtin [wið] thiu,

Such precious treasure;
and give his Lord in return,

55:4580

holdan hêrran.
That imu thoh te harme skal,

His sweet, his beloved Liege.
But great sorrow shall come unto him

55:4581

werðan te wîtie;
be that he thea [wurdi farsihit]

From that deed, and much pain.
For he shall perceive them,

55:4582

endi he thes arƀedies
endi skawot,

The Weird Sisters,
and shall see the end of his care.

55:4583

than wêt he that te wâran,
that imu wâri [wôðiera] thing,

He shall know most truly
that it would be a far sweeter thing,

55:4584

betera mikilu,
that he gio giboran ni wurði

A far better one,
if he had never been born

55:4585

libbiendi te thesumu liohte,
than he that lôn nimid,

To live in this light,
than that he take pay

55:4586

uƀil arƀedi
[inwidrâdo."]

For evil deeds
and wrongful advice.”

55:4587

Thô bigan thero erlo gehwilik
te ôðrumu skawon,

Then each earl began
to look around at the others,

55:4588

sorgondi sehan;
was im sêr hugi,

To gaze about sorrowfully,
for they were sore of soul

55:4589

hriwig umbi iro herta:
gihôrdun iro hêrron thô

And troubled indeed of heart;
they heard their Lord there

55:4590

gornword sprekan.
Thea gumon sorgodun,

Speaking words of lament.
They were worried

55:4591

hwilikan he thero [tweliƀio te thiu]
tellien weldi,

To which of the twelve
He would now tell

55:4592

skuldigna [skaðon,]
that he habdi thea skattos thar

That he was the miscreant,
the man who had bargained

55:4593

gethingod [at] theru [thiod.]
Ni was thero thegno ênigumu

With the people for the pieces of silver.
Nor was it simple for any person,

55:4594

sulikes inwiddies
ôði te [gehanne],

For any thane to confess
such a crime,

55:4595

[mêngithâhtio
- antsuok thero] manno gehwilik -,

Such a sinful mind;
but each man denied it —

55:4596

wurðun alle an forhtun,
frâgon ne gidorstun,

And all became fearful
and dared not ask

55:4597

êr than thô gebôknide
[barwirðig] gumo,

Until Simon Peter,
though he himself dared not speak —

55:4598

Sîmon Petrus
- ne gidorste it selƀo sprekan -

This worthy man
did make motion

55:4599

te Johanne themu gôdon:
he was themu godes barne

To John the good:
to the Bairn of God

55:4600

an them dagun
thegno lioƀost,

He was in these days
the dearest one,

55:4601

mêst an minniun
endi môste thar [thô] an thes mahtiges Kristes

The one most beloved,
and Holy Christ gave him leave

55:4602

barme restien
endi an is breostun lag,

To rest in His lap,
to lie against His breast,

55:4603

hlinode mid is [hôƀdu:]
thar nam he sô manag hêlag gerûni,

And on it to lean his head;
there heard he so many a holy mysery,

55:4604

diapa githâhti,
endi thô te is drohtine sprak,

So many deep thoughts;
and to his dear Lord he did speak

55:4605

began ina thô frâgon:
"hwe skal that, frô mîn, wesen", quað he,

And began to question Him.
“Who shall that be, my Liege?”

55:4606

["that] thi farkôpon wili,
kuningo rîkeost,

Quoth he, “Who would sell Thee,
the Richest of Kings,

55:4607

undar thînaro fîundo folk?
Ûs wâri thes firiwit mikil,

To the folk of the foe?
Full anxious we are,

55:4608

waldand, te witanne."
Thô habde eft is word garu

O Wielder, to know.”
He had ready His words,

55:4609

[hêleando] Crist:
"seh thi, hwemu ik hêr an hand geƀe

The Holy Christ:
“See thou into whose hands I here

55:4610

mînes môses for thesun mannun:
the haƀed mên[githâht],

Give of My meat before these men:
he hath most wicked thoughts,

55:4611

[birid bittran hugi];
the skal mi an banono gewald,

Beareth great bitterness of mind:
he shall deliver Me into bonds,

55:4612

fîundun bifelhen,
thar man mînes ferhes skal,

Into the power of the foe,
where they shall deprive Me of My age,

55:4613

aldres âhtien."
Nam he thô aftar thiu

Shall destroy My life.”
Thereafter He did take

55:4614

thes môses for them mannun
endi gaf is themu [mên]skaðen,

The meat before the men
and gave of the meat unto that mean scoundrel,

55:4615

Judase an hand
endi imu tegegnes sprak

Into Judas’ hand,
and He spoke unto him,

55:4616

selƀo for them is gesîðun
endi ina [sniumo] hêt

He Himself before His disciples,
and He straightway commanded

55:4617

faran fan themu is folke:
"frumi sô thu thenkis", quað he,

That he fare far away from the folk.
“Do as thou thinkest,” quoth He,

55:4618

"dô that thu duan skalt:
thu ni maht bidernien leng

“Do as thou need’st must do;
no longer mayest thou

55:4619

willeon thînan.
Thiu wurd is at handun,

Hide thy will and intent —
thy Weird is at hand,

55:4620

thea tîdi sind nu ginâhid."
Sô thô the treulogo

Thy time draweth near.”
When the troth-breaker

55:4621

that môs antfeng
endi mid is mûðu anbêt,

Did take of the meat
and with his mouth did eat thereof,

55:4622

sô afgaf ina thô thiu godes kraft,
gramon in gewitun

The power of God did forsake him,
and the Fiend did enter

55:4623

an thene lîkhamon,
lêða wihti,

Into his body then,
that loathsome wight;

55:4624

warð imu Satanas
sêro bitengi,

And Satan was bound
more sorely to him,

55:4625

hardo umbi is herte,
sîður ine thiu helpe godes

Bound hard ’round his heart,
since the help of God

55:4626

farlêt an thesumu liohte.
Sô is [thena] liudio wê,

Had left him here in this light.
To those who change lords

55:4627

the sô undar thesumu [himile skal
hêrron] wehslon.

Under this heaven:
to such woe will indeed come.

{ 56 }
Capitulum LVI

56:4628

Giwêt imu thô ût thanen
inwideas gern

Then setting out from there
and thinking up evil,

56:4629

Judas gangan:
habde imu grimmen hugi

Judas did leave;
against his Liege this thane

56:4630

thegan wið is thiodan.
Was thô iu thiustri naht,

Harbored great grimness of heart.
It had grown very dark,

56:4631

swîðo gisworken.
Sunu drohtines

It was deep in the night.
Now the Son of the Lord

56:4632

was ima [at] them gômun forð
endi is jungarun [thar]

Tarried still at the feast;
and for His disciples there

56:4633

waldand wîn [endi] brôd
wîhide bêðiu,

The Wielder did bless
both the wine and the bread,

56:4634

hêlagode heƀenkuning,
mid is handun brak,

The Holy King of the Heavens;
and with His hands He did break it

56:4635

gaf it undar them is jungarun
endi gode thankode,

And gave it to His disciples
and gave thanks unto God,

56:4636

sagde them ôlat,
[the] thar al giskôp,

Grateful unto Him,
who created all that was there,

56:4637

werold endi wunnea,
endi sprak word manag:

The world and its winsomeness;
and He spake many a word:

56:4638

["gilôƀiot] gi thes liohto", [quað he],
"that thit is mîn lîkhamo

“Believe ye this clearly,” quoth He,
“that this is My body

56:4639

endi mîn blôd sô same:
giƀu ik iu hêr bêðiu samad

And My blood as well.
I give both unto you

56:4640

etan endi drinkan.
Thit ik an erðu skal

To eat and to drink.
This I shall give on earth,

56:4641

geƀan endi geotan
endi iu te godes rîkie

Shall spill and spread onto it,
and shall ransom you

56:4642

lôsien mid mînu lîkhamen
an lîf êwig,

To the realms of the Lord
and to life everlasting

56:4643

an that himiles lioht.
Gihuggeat gi [simlun,]

In the light of Heaven.
Remember ye ever

56:4644

that gi [thiu fulgangan],
thiu ik an thesun gômun dôn;

And follow ye that which I give
unto you at this feast.

56:4645

mâriad thit [for] menegi:
thit is mahtig thing,

Make it known unto the many,
for this is a mighty thing.

56:4646

mid thius skulun gi iuwomu drohtine
diuriða frummien,

With it ye shall honor Him,
who is your Lord.

56:4647

habbiad thit mîn te gihugdiun,
hêlag biliði,

Hold this to My memory
as a holy token,

56:4648

that it eldibarn
aftar lêstien,

So that the children of men
will cherish and keep it,

56:4649

waron an thesaru weroldi,
that that witin alle,

56:4650

man oƀar thesan middilgard,
that it is thurh mîna minnea giduan

All men in this mid-world:
that through My love I have done so,

56:4651

hêrron te huldi.
Gehuggiad gi [simlun,

Through the grace of the Lord.
And think ye ever

56:4652

hueo] ik iu hêr gebiudu,
that gi iuwan brôðerskepi

How I have bidden you
to keep firm this brotherhood,

56:4653

fasto [frummiad:]
habbiad ferhtan hugi,

56:4654

minniod iu an iuwomu môde,
that that manno barn

To have fastness of mind, much love in your hearts,
so that the children of men

56:4655

oƀar irminthiod
alle farstanden,

Over the whole of the earth
will all understand

56:4656

that gi [sind] gegnungo
jungaron mîne.

That ye are most truly
the disciples Mine.

56:4657

Ôk skal ik iu kûðien,
hwô hêr wili kraftag fîund,

I shall also make known unto you
how a fierce, wily Fiend,

56:4658

hetteand herugrim,
umbi iuwan hugi niusien,

A word-strong foe
shall tempt your spirits,

56:4659

[Satanas selƀo:
he kumid] iuwaro seolono herod

Satan himself.
He cometh to ensnare

56:4660

frôkno frêson.
[Simlun] gi fasto te gode

Your souls most boldly.
Straightway must ye make steadfast

56:4661

berad iuwa breost[githâht]:
ik skal an iuwaru bedu standen,

The thoughts in your breasts.
By your prayers shall I stand,

56:4662

that [iu] ni mugi the mênskaðo
môd getwîflean;

So that the mighty Fiend may not cause
your minds to become doubtful,

56:4663

ik [fullêstiu iu] wiðer themu fîunde.
Ôk quam he herod giu frêson mîn,

So that I may help you against the foe.
Once he came hither to tempt Me;

56:4664

thoh imu is willeon hêr
wiht ne gistôdi,

But his desire
sufficed not one whit,

56:4665

lioƀes an [themu mînumu] lîkhamon.
Nu [ni] williu ik iu leng helen,

His lust for My body.
Nor will I longer conceal from you

56:4666

hwat iu hêr nu sniumo skal
te sorgu gistanden:

What trials now lie
straight ahead for you:

56:4667

gi skulun mi gesuîkan,
gesîðos mîne,

Ye shall be disloyal to Me,
ye disciples Mine,

56:4668

iuwes theganskepies,
êr than thius thiustrie naht

Disloyal to your thaneship
before this dark night

56:4669

liudi farlîða
endi eft lioht kume,

Leaveth the land-folk
and the light cometh once more,

56:4670

morgan te [mannun]."
Thô warð môd gumon

The morning to mankind.”
Then the minds of the men

56:4671

swîðo gisworken
endi sêr hugi,

Became dreary,
their hearts sore indeed.

56:4672

hriwig umbi iro herte
endi iro hêrron word

They were troubled of spirit,
and for their Lord’s words

56:4673

swîðo an sorgun.
Sîmon Petrus thô,

Most sorrowed and grieved.
But Simon Peter,

56:4674

thegan wið is thiodan
thrîst[wordun] sprak

The thane, did speak
words of solace to the folk,

56:4675

bi huldi wið is hêrron:
"thoh thi all thit heliðo folk", quathie,

For love of his Lord.
“Though all this land-folk,” quoth he,

56:4676

"gisuîkan thîna gisîðos,
thoh ik sinnon mid thi

“Though all Thy disciples deny Thee,
still do I gladly

56:4677

at allon tharaƀon
tholoian williu.

Suffer all pain,
all sorrow for Thee.

56:4678

Ik biun garo sinnon,
ef mi god lâtið,

I am ever prepared,
if God doth permit me,

56:4679

that ik an thînon fullêstie
fasto gistande;

To stand straight and firm
as a shield unto Thee.

56:4680

thoh sia thi an karkaries
klûstron hardo,

Though they close Thee deep
in their dungeons,

56:4681

thesa liudi bilûkan,
[thoh] ist mi luttil [tweho],

Though the land-folk lock Thee away,
there is doubt so little

56:4682

ne ik an them bendion mid thi
bîdan willie,

But that I would bide
with Thee in thy bonds,

56:4683

liggian mid thi [sô] lieƀen;
ef sia thînes lîƀes [than]

Lie with Thee, my so beloved Lord,
if they lie in wait

56:4684

thuru eggia nîð
âhtian [williad,]

To snuff out Thy life
with the hate of the sword’s edge,

56:4685

[frô] mîn thie guodo,
ik giƀu mîn ferah furi thik

O my Master most Good;
then shall I gladly give up my life

56:4686

an wâpno spil:
nis mi [werð] iowiht

For Thee in the play of weapons,
nor verily shall I

56:4687

te bimîðanne,
sô lango sô mi mîn warod

Ever avoid it,
as long as mind

56:4688

hugi endi [handkraft."]
Thuo sprak im eft is hêrro angegin:

And strength of hand are still mine.”
Then His Lord spake again unto him.

56:4689

"hwat, thu thik biwânis", [quathie,
"wissaro] trewono,

“Why, thou presumest in thyself,” quoth He,
“an unswerving loyalty.

56:4690

thrîstero thingo:
thu haƀis thegnes hugi,

A steadfastness so great!
Oh, thou hast the soul of a hero

56:4691

willion guodan.
Ik [mag] thi seggian, hwô it thoh giwerðan skal,

And good will as well.
Yet may I tell unto thee how it will hap,

56:4692

that thu wirðis sô wêkmuod,
thoh thu nu ni wânies sô,

That thou shalt become so wavering of heart,
as thou now canst not ween:

56:4693

that thu thînes thiadnes te naht
thrîwo farlôgnis

That thou shalt deny Me,
thy Lord, three times,

56:4694

êr hanokrâdi
endi quiðis, thak ik thîn hêrro ni sî,

Before the crow of the cock,
acknowledging Me not as thy Liege,

56:4695

ak thu farmanst mîna mundburd."
Thuo sprak eft thie man angegin:

But thou shalt renounce My protection.”
Then again the man did reply.

56:4696

"ef it gio an weroldi", quathie,
"giwerðan muosti,

“If in this world,” quoth he,
“it will ever so come to pass,

56:4697

that ik samad midi thi
sweltan muosti,

That I should have to face
death together with Thee,

56:4698

dôian diurlîko,
[than] ne wurði gio thie dag kuman,

Have to die in splendor,
still that day will never arrive

56:4699

that ik thîn farlôgnidi,
lieƀo drohtin,

When I would deny Thee,
my most dearly loved Lord,

56:4700

gerno for theson Juðeon."
Thuo quâðun alla thia jungron sô,

Of my own will before these, the Jews.”
All the disciples spake likewise,

56:4701

that sia thar an them [thingon mid im]
tholian weldin.

That they would suffer with him
at the tribunal there.

{ 57 }
Capitulum LVII

57:4702

Thuo im eft mid is wordon gibôd
waldand selƀo,

Then the Wielder Himself
bade them with His words,

57:4703

hêr heƀankuning,
that sia im ni lietin iro hugi twîflian,

The High King of Heaven,
that they let not their hearts doubt,

57:4704

hiet that sia ni [dragan weldin]
diopa githâhti:

Hight that they not want to drag up
deep thought

57:4705

"ne druoƀie iuwa herta
thuru iuwes drohtines word,

“Let not your hearts be laid low
by the word of your Lord,

57:4706

ne forohteat te filo:
ik skal fader ûsan

Nor fear ye too much.
I shall seek Our Father Myself

57:4707

selƀan suokean
endi iu sendian skal

57:4708

fan heƀanrîkie
hêlagna gêst:

And shall send the Holy Ghost
from the kingdom of Heaven.

57:4709

thie skal iu eft gifruofrean
endi te frumu werðan,

He shall be consolation
and succor both unto you,

57:4710

manon iu thero mahlo,
thie ik iu manag hebbiu

Reminding you in His speech
of the many things I have taught

57:4711

wordon giwîsid.
Hie giƀit iu giwit an briost,

Unto you with My words.
Wisdom He will give unto you

57:4712

lustsama lêra,
that gi lêstian forð

In your hearts, a joyous teaching,
so that ye shall henceforth accomplish

57:4713

thiu word endi thiu werk,
thia ik iu an thesaro weroldi gibôd."

The word and the work
which I have shown unto you in this world.”

57:4714

Arês im thuo the rîkeo
an themo rakode innan,

The Mighty Son then rose,
Christ Savior,

57:4715

neriendo Crist
endi giwêt im [nahtes thanan]

In the temple there,
and with His thanes He fared forth,

57:4716

selƀo mid is gisîðon:
[sêrago] gengun

He Himself on that very same night.
Christ’s disciples

57:4717

swîðo gornondia
jungron Cristes,

Went sorrowing
and grieving most sadly,

57:4718

hriwigmuoda.
Thuo hie im an thena hôhan giwêt

Troubled of heart.
Then He climbed up a hill —

57:4719

Olivetiberg:
thar was hie [up] giwono

The Olive Mount was it called:
there ’twas His custom

57:4720

gangan mid is jungron.
That [wissa] Judas [wel],

To go with His followers.
Full well did Judas know this,

57:4721

[balohûgdig] man,
hwand hie was oft an them berege mid im.

The man with his mind aimed to ruin:
for on this mount he was often with Him.

57:4722

Thar gruotta thie godes suno
iûgron sîna:

Then God’s Son did indeed
greet His disciples.

57:4723

"gi sind nu sô druoƀia", quathie,
"nu gi mînan dôð witun;

“Ye are now so saddened,” quoth He,
“since ye know of My death.

57:4724

nu gornonð gi endi griotand,
endi thesa Juðeon sind an luston,

Now ye are grieving and groaning,
while the Jews are gay,

57:4725

mendit [thius] menigi,
sindun an iro muode frâha,

While the many are merry
and happy of mind,

57:4726

thius werold ist an wunnion.
Thes wirðit thoh giwand kuman

While the world is in rapture.
Yet this will all come to an end,

57:4727

sniumo tulgo:
than wirðit im sêr hugi,

Will cease most swiftly.
Then will they be sore of heart,

57:4728

than morniat sia an iro môde,
endi gi mendian skulun

Grow mournful of mind,
and ye may rejoice

57:4729

after te êwondage,
hwand gio endi ni kumið,

Until that day everlasting;
for your end and a turn

57:4730

iuwes wellîƀes giwand:
bethiu ne thurƀun [iu] thius werk tregan,

Of your fortune never cometh:
therefore may ye henceforth

57:4731

hrewan mîn hinfard,
hwand thanan skal thiu helpa kuman

57:4732

gumono barnon."
Thuo hiet hie is jungron thar

Not regret My words nor rue My coming.”
Then He bade His retainers

57:4733

bîdan uppan themo berge,
quað that hie ti bedu weldi

Come on the mountain;
quoth that He wished them to climb

57:4734

an thiu holmkliƀu
hôhor stîgan;

Higher up with Him
upon the hill-cliff,

57:4735

hiet thuo thria mid im
thegnos gangan,

And He hight that three
of His thanes go with Him,

57:4736

Jakobe endi Johannese
endi thena guodan Petruse,

Jacob and John
and Peter the Good,

57:4737

thrîstmuodian thegan.
Thuo sia mid iro thiedne samad

Loyal thanes three.
And they did so go

57:4738

gerno [gengun].
Thuo hiet sia thie godes suno

With their Liege most gladly.
Then the Son of God,

57:4739

an berge uppan
te bedu hnîgan,

Upon the hill, did bid them
bend their knees in prayer,

57:4740

hiet sia god gruotian,
gerno biddian,

Bade that they greet God
and entreat Him greatly

57:4741

that he im thero kostondero
kraft farstôdi,

That He hold in check
the strength of the Tempter

57:4742

wrêðaro willeon,
that im the [wiðersako,

The will of the wicked,
so that the worker of wrong,

57:4743

ni mahti] the mênskaðo
môd gitwîflean,

The devil, could not bring
their minds to doubt.

57:4744

jak imu thô selƀo gihnêg
sunu drohtines

And also the Lord
Himself for prayer

57:4745

kraftag an kniobeda,
kuningo rîkeost,

Did bow with bent knee,
the Brightest of Kings,

57:4746

forðward te foldu:
fader alothiado

Kneeling forward to earth;
and to the Father of all Earth-folk

57:4747

gôdan grôtte,
gorn[wordun] sprak

He cried aloud,
spake lamenting words

57:4748

hriwiglîko:
was imu is hugi drôƀi,

In His sorrow;
for His spirit was grieved

57:4749

bi theru menniski
môd gihrôrid,

And His heart was moved
by His humanness.

57:4750

is flêsk was an forhtun:
fellun imo trahni,

His flesh feared indeed;
tears fell from Him,

57:4751

drôp is diurlîk suêt,
al sô drôr kumid

His dear, precious sweat did drip,
even as blood doth drip,

57:4752

[wallan] fan wundun.
Was an gewinne thô

Doth well from a wound.
Within God’s Bairn

57:4753

an themu godes barne
the gêst endi the lîkhamo:

A battle was raging
between body and spirit.

57:4754

ôðar was [fûsid]
an [forðwegos,]

The one was ready
for the road beyond,

57:4755

the gêst an godes rîki,
ôðar jâmar stôd,

The spirit for the kingdom of God,
while the other stood yammering,

57:4756

lîkhamo Cristes:
ni welde [thit] lioht ageƀen,

The flesh of Christ;
and fearful of death,

57:4757

ak [droƀde] for themu dôðe.
[Simla] he [hreop] te drohtine forð

It sought not to give up the light.
Ever He cried to the Lord,

57:4758

thiu mêr aftar thiu
mahtigna grôtte,

Ever more did He call
unto the Almighty,

57:4759

hôhan himilfader,
hêlagna god,

To the High Father of Heaven,
to the Holy God,

57:4760

waldand mid is wordun:
"ef nu werðen ni mag", quað he,

To the All-Wielder ever
with His words. “If mankind,” quoth He,

57:4761

"mankunni generid,
ne sî that ik mînan geƀe

“Cannot be saved
except that I give

57:4762

lioƀan lîkhamon
for liudio barn

My own precious blood
to the bairns of the people

57:4763

te wêgeanne te wundrun,
it sî than thîn willeo sô,

To torture most terribly —
if this be truly Thy will,

57:4764

ik williu is than gikoston:
ik nimu thene kelik an hand,

Then will I choose to drain it:
I take in my hands the chalice,

57:4765

drinku ina thi te [diurðu,]
drohtin frô mîn,

Drink it down to the dregs,
my Lord, dear Liege,

57:4766

mahtig mundboro.
Ni seh thu mînes hêr

Mighty Master and Shielder.
Look Thou not now down on me,

57:4767

flêskes gifôries.
Ik [fullon] skal

On the good of My flesh.
But I shall fulfill

57:4768

willeon thînen:
thu haƀes gewald oƀar al."

Whatsoever Thy will be:
for Thou wieldest power over all.”

57:4769

Giwêt imu thô gangen,
thar he [êr] is jungaron lêt

Then He went to that place,
where He had left His disciples

57:4770

bîdan uppan themu berge;
fand sie that barn godes

Biding upon the mountain;
and the Bairn of God

57:4771

slâpen sorgandie:
was im sêr hugi,

Did find them in troubled sleep;
for their hearts were sore,

57:4772

thes sie fan iro drohtine
dêlien skoldun.

That they should be parted
from their beloved Liege.

57:4773

Sô sind that [môdthraka
manno] gehwilikumu,

Such should be the mind-sorrow
of every man

57:4774

that he farlâten skal
[liaƀane] hêrron,

Who must forsake and leave
his beloved lord,

57:4775

[afgeƀen] thene sô [gôdene.]
Thô he te is jungarun sprak,

Giving up one so good.
Then He did go to His disciples, spake unto them;

57:4776

[wahte] sie waldand
endi wordun grôtte:

The Wielder did wake them
and greet them with words.

57:4777

"huî williad gi sô slâpen?" quað he;
"ni mugun samad mid mi

“Why do ye wish to sleep?” quoth He.
“Why do ye not watch

57:4778

wakon êne tîd?
Thiu wurd is [at] handun,

But a little time here with Me?
That Weird is at hand,

57:4779

that it sô gigangen skal,
sô it god fader

That it shall come to pass,
even as He, God the Father,

57:4780

[gimarkode] mahtig.
Mi nis an mînumu môde tweho:

The Mighty, hath marked it.
There is no doubt in My mind;

57:4781

mîn gêst is garu
an godes willean,

My spirit is most ready
to make done God’s will,

57:4782

fûs te faranne:
mîn flêsk is an sorgun,

Is prepared to fare on His way.
But My flesh is still troubled,

57:4783

letid [mik] mîn lîkhamo:
lêð is imu swîðo

My body still holds Me bound.
It is loath to bear,

57:4784

wîti te tholonne.
Ik thoh willean skal

To endure such suffering.
But I shall accomplish

57:4785

mînes fader [gefrummien.]
Hebbiad gi fasten hugi."

My Father’s will.
Have ye firmness of heart!”

57:4786

Giwêt imu thô eft thanan
ôðersîðu

He did go then
up on the other side

57:4787

an thene berg uppen
te bedu gangan,

Of the mountain
in order to pray —

57:4788

mâri drohtin,
endi thar sô manag gisprak

The Glorious Lord —
and many a good word

57:4789

gôdoro wordo.
Godes engil quam

He did indeed speak there.
God’s angel then came

57:4790

hêlag fan himile,
is hugi fastnode,

Holy from heaven
and made firm His heart,

57:4791

beldide te them bendiun.
He was an theru bedu [simla]

Made Him bold for the bonds.
He bided there ever,

57:4792

forð an flîte
endi is fader grôtte,

Zealous in prayer,
and to His Father He cried,

57:4793

waldand mid is wordun:
"ef it nu wesen ni mag", quað he,

To the Wielder with His words.
“If it cannot be otherwise, quoth He,

57:4794

"mâri drohtin,
neƀu ik for thit manno folk

O Lord most splendid,
except that I suffer

57:4795

thiodquâle tholoie,
ik an thînan skal

Great torture and torment for the folk
of mankind, I shall truly

57:4796

willean [wonian."]
Giwêt imu thô eft thanen

Await then Thy will.”
And He went again thence

57:4797

sôkean is gesîðos:
fand sie slâpandie,

To seek His disciples.
He found them sleeping

57:4798

grôtte sie gâhun.
Geng imu eft thanen

And called to them curtly.
And again He went thence

57:4799

thriddeon sîðu te bedu
endi sprak thiodkuning

A third time to pray.
And the King of All peoples,

57:4800

al thiu selƀon word,
sunu drohtines,

The Son of the Lord, spake
with the selfsame words

57:4801

te themu alowaldon fader,
sô he êr dede,

To His All-Wielding Father,
as He had done before.

57:4802

manode mahtigna
manno frumana

Most zealously
did Savior Christ

57:4803

[swîðo niudlîko
neriando] Crist,

Remind the Mighty One
of the good of mankind;

57:4804

geng imu thô [eft] te them is jungarun,
grôtte sie sâno:

And went then again to His disciples,
and straightway He spake unto them.

57:4805

"slâpad gi endi [restiad",] quað he.
"Nu wirðid sniumo herod

“Sleep ye and rest,” said He.
“Now will he straightway come,

57:4806

kuman mid kraftu,
the mi farkôpot haƀad,

Come with a force, he who hath sold Me,
sinless as I am,

57:4807

[sundea lôsan] gisald."
Gesîðos Cristes

And hath received silver therefore.”
The disciples of Christ

57:4808

wakodun thô aftar them wordun
endi gisâhun thô that werod kuman

Awakened after these words,
and they beheld war-men coming,

57:4809

an thene berg uppen
brahtmu thiu mikilon,

Climbing up the mountain
with a great commotion,

57:4810

wrêða wâpanberand.

Wrathful weapon-bearers full many.

{ 58 }
Capitulum LVIII

58:4810

Wîsde im Judas,

Judas rightly did lead them,

58:4811

gramhugdig man;
Judeon aftar sigun,

Man hate-filled of heart.
After him the Jews did go marching,

58:4812

fîundo folkskepi;
drôg man fiur an gimang,

The folk-clans of the foe.
In their midst they carried fire,

58:4813

logna an liohtfatun,
lêdde man faklon

Lights in lamp-vessels;
and they led forth torches,

58:4814

[brinnandea] fan burg,
thar sie an thene berg [uppan]

Bright burning down from the city,
as they began most earnestly

58:4815

stigun mid strîdu.
Thea stedi wisse Judas wel,

To stride up the mountain.
This spot Judas knew well,

58:4816

hwar he thea liudi tô
lêdean skolde.

The one to which he should lead
the land-folk all.

58:4817

Sagde imu thô te têkne,
thô sie thar tô fôrun

As they now fared to the spot
in front of the folk,

58:4818

themu [folke] biforan,
te thiu that sie ni farfengin thar,

He said unto them as a sign,
lest they seize by mistake

58:4819

erlos ôðren man:
"ik gangu imu at êrist tô", quað he,

Some other man:
“I shall first go to Him,” quoth he,

58:4820

"kussiu ine endi quaddiu:
that is Crist selƀo.

“Shall kiss Him and say:
‘That is Christ Himself!’

58:4821

Thene gi fâhen skulun
folko kraftu,

Then shall ye seize Him
with the strength of the crowd;

58:4822

binden [ina] uppan themu berge
endi [ina] te burg hinan

Shall bind Him up there on the mount
and bring Him down to the bastion,

58:4823

lêdien undar thea liudi:
he is lîƀes haƀad

Lead Him down ’mid the land-folk:
His life hath he forfeited

58:4824

mid [is] wordun farwerkod."
Werod sîðode thô,

With His words full well.”
And the people went,

58:4825

antat sie te Criste
kumane wurðun,

Until they were come
to the Christ Himself —

58:4826

[grim folk] Judeono,
thar he mid is jungarun stôd,

The grim folk of the Jews,
to where He stood with His followers,

58:4827

mâri drohtin:
bêd metodogiskapu,

The Lord Most Glorious,
biding his god-sent fate,

58:4828

torhtero tîdeo.
Thô geng imu treulôs man,

The wonderous time.
Then Judas went toward Him,

58:4829

Judas tegegnes
endi te themu godes barne

Man without troth,
and unto God’s Bairn

58:4830

hnêg mid is hôƀdu
endi is hêrron quedde,

He nodded his head
and here spake to his Lord,

58:4831

kuste ina kraftagne
endi is quidi lêste,

Kissed Him, Mighty Christ,
carried out his word,

58:4832

wîsde ina themu werode,
al sô he êr mid wordun gehêt.

Pointed Him out to the people,
as he had promised before.

58:4833

That tholode al mid githuldiun
thiodo drohtin,

The Lord of All Peoples
bore all with His patience,

58:4834

waldand thesara weroldes
endi sprak imu mid is wordun tô,

The Wielder of World;
and with His words He did speak unto Him,

58:4835

frâgode ine frôkno:
"behuî kumis thu sô mid thius folku te mi,

Asked him most boldly:
“Why hast thou come to Me with this host?

58:4836

behuî lêdis thu mi sô these liudi tô
[endi mi te] thesare lêðan [thiode] sprekan,

Why dost thou lead this land-folk to Me?
And to this loathsome crowd

58:4837

farkôpos mid thînu kussu
under thit kunni Judeono,

Thou sellest Me with thy kiss,
among the clans of the Jews

58:4838

meldos mi te thesaru menegi?"
Geng imu thô wið thea man

Betrayest Me to these many?”
He went to speak to the many,

58:4839

wið that werod ôðar
endi sie mid [is] wordun fragn,

To the other people,
and to ask with His words

58:4840

hwene sie mid thiu gesîðiu
sôkean quâmin

Why they were come to seek Him
so zealously here

58:4841

sô [niudliko] an naht,
"so gi [willean] nôd frummien

With their thralls in the night.
“To whom do you wish to bring need and distress,

58:4842

manno hwilikumu."
Thô sprak imu eft thiu [menegi] angegin,

To some one of mankind?”
Then once more the many did speak unto Him

58:4843

quâðun that im hêleand thar
an themu holme uppan

And said that they had been told
that the Savior did tarrry

58:4844

gewîsid wâri,
"the thit giwer frumid

Here high on the hillside.
“He who hath caused this unrest

58:4845

Judeo liudiun
endi [ina] godes sunu

Amid the Jewish folk
and calleth Himself

58:4846

selƀon hêtid.
Ina quâmun wi sôkean herod,

The Son of God.
We came here to seek Him,

58:4847

[weldin] ina gerno bigeten:
he is fan Galileo lande,

Are most anxious to find Him:
He is from Galilee-land

58:4848

fan Nazarethburg."
Sô im thô the neriendio Crist

From the city of Nazareth.”
When Saving Christ

58:4849

sagde te sôðan,
that he it selƀo was,

Said unto them in sooth
that it was He Himself,

58:4850

sô wurðun thô an forhtun
folk Judeono,

The folk of the Jews
became sore afraid.

58:4851

wurðun underbadode,
that sie under bak fellun

Frightened and shocked were they,
so that they straightway fell back,

58:4852

alle [efno sân,]
erðe gisôhtun,

Each and all, and sought the earth:
at the same time

58:4853

wiðer[wardes] that werod:
ni [mahte] that word godes,

All the host did retreat.
They could not resist

58:4854

thie stemnie antstandan:
wârun thoh sô strîdige man,

The word and the voice of the Lord;
yet were there some warlike men.

58:4855

ahliopun eft up an themu holme,
hugi fastnodun,

These ran up the hillock;
made firm their hearts,

58:4856

bundun briostgithâht,
gibolgane gengun

Bound fast the thoughts in their breasts;
and bitterly raging,

58:4857

nâhor mid nîðu,
anttat sie thene neriendion Crist

58:4858

werodo biwurpun.
Stôdun wîse man,

They surrounded Christ Savior.
There stood the wise men

58:4859

[swîðo gornundie
giungaron Kristes]

Grieving greatly —
Christ’s goodly disciples,

58:4860

[biforan] theru dereƀeon dâdi
endi te iro drohtine [sprâkun:]

Before this most dreadful deed;
and to their Dear Lord they did speak:

58:4861

"wâri it [nu] thîn willio", quâðun sie,
"waldand frô mîn,

“Were it now Thy will,” quoth they,
“My Wielder, My Liege,

58:4862

[that sie ûs hêr an speres ordun
spildien môstin]

That they shall slay us
with the spear-point here,

58:4863

wâpnun wunde,
than ni wâri ûs wiht sô gôd,

Shall wound us with weapons,
then would naught be one whit as good,

58:4864

sô that wi hêr for ûsumu drohtine
dôan môstin

But that we might die
here for our Dear Lord,

58:4865

[beniðiun] blêka".
Thô gibolgan warð

Pale in expiring.”
Then plenteously wroth grew he,

58:4866

snel swerdthegan,
Sîmon Petrus,

The swift swordsman,
Simon Peter.

58:4867

[well] imu innan hugi,
that he ni mahte ênig word sprekan:

It welled up with his heart,
so that not a word could he speak,

58:4868

sô harm warð imu an is hertan,
that man is hêrron thar

So sorrowed his soul,
since they were about to enchain

58:4869

binden [welde.]
Thô he gibolgan geng,

His Beloved Lord there
Bloated with anger, the bold-minded

58:4870

swîðo thrîstmôd thegan
for is thiodan [standen,]

Thane strode ahead,
stood before his Liege,

58:4871

hard for is hêrron:
ni was imu is hugi twîfli,

Hard by his Lord;
nor was his heart e’er in doubt,

58:4872

[blôð] an is breostun,
ak he is bil atôh,

Fearful within his breast,
but he drew his bill,

58:4873

swerd bi sîdu,
[slôg] imu tegegnes

The sword at his side,
and with the strength of his arm

58:4874

an thene [furiston] fîund
folmo krafto,

He struck the first of the foe
standing before him,

58:4875

that thô Malchus warð
mâkeas eggiun,

So that Malchus
was marked by the knife

58:4876

an thea swîðaron half
swerdu gimâlod:

On his right side,
slashed by the sword’s edge.

58:4877

thiu hlust warð imu farhawan,
he warð an that hôƀid wund,

His hearing had been hewn:
sore was the hurt ’round his head,

58:4878

that imu herudrôrag
hlear endi ôre

So that, sword-gory,
cheek and ear in mortal wound

58:4879

beniwundun brast:
blôd aftar sprang,

Burst asunder,
and blood did spring forth,

58:4880

well fan wundun.
Thô was an is wangun skard

Welling up from the wound.
Then was the cheek indeed scarred

58:4881

the furisto thero fîundo.
Thô stôd that folk an rûm:

Of the enemy’s leader.
Those around stood away,

58:4882

andrêdun im thes billes biti.
Thô sprak that barn godes

Dreading the bite of the bill.
Then spake God’s Bairn

58:4883

selƀo te Sîmon Petruse,
hêt that he is swerd dedi

Himself to Simon Peter, said
that he should put his sword,

58:4884

skarp an skêðia:
"ef ik wið thesa skola weldi", quað he,

The sharp one, back in its scabbard.
“If I truly cared,” said He

58:4885

"wið theses werodes gewin
wîgsaka frummien,

“To wage conflict
against this crowd of the warriors,

58:4886

than manodi ik thene mâreon
mahtigne god,

Then would I remind Him, the Glorious,
the Almighty God,

58:4887

hêlagne fader
an himilrîkea,

The Holy Father
in the Kingdom of Heaven,

58:4888

that he mi sô managan engil herod
oƀana sandi

That He send hither to Me
a host of His angels,

58:4889

wîges sô wîsen,
sô ni [mahtin] iro [wâpanthreki]

Wise in warfaring;
these men could indeed not withstand

58:4890

man adôgen:
iro ni stôdi gio sulik megin samad,

Their weapon-strength ever.
Nor could such a host of warriors

58:4891

folkes [gifastnod,]
that im iro ferh aftar thiu

Stand against them, though gathered
together in groups.

58:4892

werðen [mahti].
Ak it haƀad waldand god,

Still could they not save their lives.
But the All-Wielding Lord,

58:4893

alomahtig fader
an ôðar gimarkot,

The Father Almighty,
hath marked it otherwise:

58:4894

that wi [githoloian] skulun,
sô hwat sô ûs [thius thioda] tô

We are to bear all the bitterness,
whatsoever these people bring unto us,

58:4895

bittres brengit:
ni skulun ûs belgan wiht,

Nor shall we be angry
nor rage ’gainst their strife:

58:4896

wrêðean wið iro gewinne;
hwand sô hwe sô wâpno nîð,

For he who doth practice
the hatred of weapons,

58:4897

grimman [gêrheti
wili] gerno frummien,

Who gladly partaketh
in grim spear-grudges —

58:4898

he suiltit imu [eft]
swerdes eggiun,

He again is slain
by the sword’s edge,

58:4899

[dôit] im [bidrôregan]:
wi mid ûsun dâdiun ni skulun

Doth die in his own blood.
We must not destroy

58:4900

wiht awerdian."
Geng [he] thô te themu wundon [manne],

One whit with our deeds.”
Then He went to the wounded man.

58:4901

[legde] mid listiun
lîk tesamne,

With skill He set
the flesh-seams together,

58:4902

hôƀidwundon,
that siu sân gihêlid warð,

The head-wounds all,
so that it was healed straightway,

58:4903

thes billes biti,
endi sprak that barn godes

The bite of the bill.
And the Bairn of God

58:4904

wið that wrêðe werod:
"mi thunkid wunder mikil", quað he,

Spake to the angry throng.
“Methinks ’tis a wonder great,” quoth He,

58:4905

"ef gi mi lêðes wiht
lêstien weldun,

“If ye have wanted
to do harm unto Me,

58:4906

huî gi mi [thô] ni [fengun,]
than ik undar iuwomu folke stôd,

Why did ye then not take Me,
when I stood in the temple,

58:4907

an themu wîhe innan
endi thar word manag

Among your folk and did tell them
full many true words?

58:4908

[sôðlîk] sagde.
Than was sunnon skîn,

58:4909

diurlîk [dages lioht,]
than ni weldun gi mi dôan eowiht

The sun shone, the day’s dear beam,
and ye did want to do

58:4910

lêðes an thesumu liohte,
endi nu lêdiad mi [iuwa] liudi tô

Naught to harm there in this light;
but now ye lead your landsmen

58:4911

an thiustrie naht,
al sô man thioƀe dôt,

To Me in the night,
as one doeth unto a thief

58:4912

than man thene fâhan wili
endi he is ferhes haƀad

Whom one wishes to seize —
some scoundrel and wretch

58:4913

farwerkot, wamskaðo."
Werod Judeono

Who hath forfeited life.”
Then the folk of the Jews

58:4914

gripun thô an thene godes sunu,
grimma thioda,

Grasped at God’s Son,
the grim-minded host,

58:4915

hatandiero hôp,
hwurƀun ina umbi

The persecuting crowd.
The people piled ’round Him,

58:4916

môdag manno folk
- mênes ni sâhun -,

The enraged horde of men —
they saw not their wrongs —

58:4917

heftun herubendiun
[handi] tesamne,

They held Him fast,
threw His hands in chains,

58:4918

faðmos mid fitereun.
Im ni was [sulikaro] firinquâla

His arms and fingers in fetters.
Such frightful torment

58:4919

tharf te githolonne,
thiodarƀedies,

He needed not have stood,
nor such grievous suffering,

58:4920

te winnanne sulik wîti,
ak he it thurh thit werod deda,

Nor have endured such anguish.
But He did so for this host,

58:4921

hwand he liudio barn
lôsien welda,

Since He wanted to save
the children of men,

58:4922

halon fan helliu
an himilrîki,

To fetch them from hell
to the kingdom of Heaven,

58:4923

an thene wîdon welon:
bethiu he thes wiht ne bisprak,

To the wide-flung wealth;
therefore He reproached them no whit

58:4924

thes sie imu thurh inwidnîð
ôgean weldun.

For that which they would do unto Him
in their hatred and anger.

{ 59 }
Capitulum LIX

59:4925

Thô wurðun thes sô [malske]
môdag folk Judeono,

Then the angry folk of the Jews
did become insolent,

59:4926

thiu hêri warð thes sô hrômeg,
thes sie thena [hêlagon] Krist

The host most haughty,
since they had Holy Christ

59:4927

[an liðobendion
lêdian muostun],

And could lead Him away
in limb-bondage,

59:4928

[fôrian] an fitereun.
Thie fîund eft gewitun

Take Him forth in their fetters.
And the foe went again

59:4929

fan themu berge te burg.
Geng that barn godes

From the mount to the town.
And God’s Mighty Bairn

59:4930

undar themu heriskepi
handun gebunden,

Did go ’mid the host
with His hands all bound,

59:4931

drûƀondi te dale.
Wârun imu thea is diurion thô

Drear and sad, down to the dale.
For His dearest thanes

59:4932

[gesîðos] geswikane,
al sô he im êr selƀo gisprak:

Had broken their troth,
as He Himself had foretold.

59:4933

ni was it thoh be ênigaru blôði,
that sie that barn godes,

But it was not for fear
that they forsook Him,

59:4934

[lioƀen] farlêtun,
ak it was sô lango biforen

God’s Bairn, their Beloved,
but so long before there had been

59:4935

wârsagono word,
that it [skoldi] giwerðen sô:

The word of the prophet,
that it would indeed be thus.

59:4936

bethiu ni mahtun sie is bemîðan.
Than aftar theru menegi gengun

Therefore they could not avoid their own deeds.
And after the crowd

59:4937

Johannes endi Petrus,
thie gumon twêne,

Went Peter and John,
those two men well-known,

59:4938

folgodun [ferrane:]
was im firiwit mikil,

And followed from afar.
Full anxious were they

59:4939

hwat thea grimmon Judeon
themu godes barne,

To know what the grim-minded Jews
meant to do with God’s Bairn

59:4940

[weldin] iro drohtine dôen.
Thô sie te dale quâmun

To their Lord most Dear.
When they were come down to the dale

59:4941

fan themu berge te burg,
thar iro biskop was,

From the hill to the burg
in which was their bishop,

59:4942

iro wîhes ward,
thar lêddun ina wlanke man,

The temple’s holder,
these haughty men did lead Him

59:4943

erlos undar ederos.
Thar was êld mikil,

These earls, behind a fence.
A great fire was there,

59:4944

fiur an frîdhoƀe
themu folke tegegnes,

There were flames in the foreyard,
made nearby for the folk,

59:4945

gewarht for themu werode:
thar gengun sie im wermien tô,

For the warrior crowd.
They went there to warm them,

59:4946

[Judeo] liudi,
lêtun thene godes sunu

The landsmen of Jews,
and they left God’s Bairn

59:4947

bîdon an bendiun.
Was thar braht mikil,

Waiting in chains.
There was a great racket,

59:4948

gêlmôdigaro galm.
Johannes was êr

The noise of the insolent.
Since John was known

59:4949

themu hêroston kûð:
bethiu môste he an thene hof innan

To the highest one there,
he could push inside with the host,

59:4950

thringan mid theru [thioda.]
Stôd allaro thegno bezto,

With the throng through the yard;
but the best of all thanes

59:4951

Petrus thar ûte:
ni lêt ina [the] portun ward

Peter, still stood outside.
The portal’s warder would not permit him

59:4952

folgon is frôen,
êr it at is friunde abad,

To follow His Lord,
till he begged a friend,

59:4953

Johannes at ênumu Judeon,
that man ina gangan lêt

Until John begged of
a Jew to let Peter go

59:4954

forð an thene frîdhof.
Thar quam im ên fêkni wîf

Forth to the foreyard.
A woman full of deceit

59:4955

gangan tegegnes,
thiu ênas Judeon was,

Did slip up to him there:
she was a handmaid

59:4956

iro theodanes thiw,
endi thô te themu thegne sprak

Of one of the Jews, of her lord;
and this unlovely girl

59:4957

magað [unwânlîk]:
"Hwat, thu mahtis man wesan", quað siu,

Did speak to the thane.
“What, thou mightest be,” quoth she, “a man

59:4958

"giungaro fan Galilea,
thes the thar genower stêd

From Galilee, disciple
of Him standing yonder

59:4959

faðmun gifastnod."
Thô an forhtun warð

With His arms firmly fettered.”
The fear overtook

59:4960

Sîmon Petrus sân,
[slak] an is môde,

Simon Peter straighway,
and his mind became slack,

59:4961

quað that he thes wîƀes
word ni bikonsti

And he said that not one word
of the wife had he understood,

59:4962

ni thes theodanes
thegan ni wâri:

Nor was He a thane of that Leader
ever, of that Lord.

59:4963

mêð is thô for theru menegi,
quað that he thena man ni antkendi:

He avoided Him in view of the many,
said verily he knew not that Man.

59:4964

"ni sind mi thîne [quidi] kûðe", quað he;
was imu thiu kraft godes,

“Thy talk is senseless to me,” said he.
Then God’s strength,

59:4965

[the herdislo] fan themu hertan.
Hwaraƀondi geng

The Lord’s power did leave his heart.
And leaving, he did go

59:4966

forð undar themu folke,
antat he te themu fiure quam;

Forth amid the folk,
until he came to the fires;

59:4967

[giwêt] ina thô warmien.
Thar im ôk ên wîf bigan

He went there to warm him.
There also a woman began

59:4968

felgian firinsprâka:
"hêr mugun gi", quað siu, "an iuwan fîund sehan:

To load loathsome words unto him.
“Here may ye look on your foe,” cried she,

59:4969

thit is gegnungo
giungaro Kristes,

“This is all clearly
a retainer of Christ,

59:4970

is selƀes gesîð."
Thô gengun imu sân aftar thiu

A disciple of Him Himself.”
Then straightway there did come nearer

59:4971

nâhor nîðhwata
endi ina niudlîko

To him men of the foe.
And the bairns of the Fiend

59:4972

frâgodun fîundo barn,
hwilikes he folkes wâri:

Did question him
of what clan he was:

59:4973

"ni bist thu thesoro burgliudio", [quâðun sie];
"that mugun wi [an thînumu gibârie gisehan],

“Thou art not of these burghers,” quoth they.
“From thy bearing we see that,

59:4974

an thînun wordun endi an thînaru wîson,
that thu theses werodes ni bist,

From thy words and thy ways,
that thou art not of this world-folk,

59:4975

ak thu bist galilêisk man."
He ni welda thes thô gehan eowiht,

But art from Galilee come.”
Yet he would not admit it,

59:4976

ak stôd thô endi strîdda
endi starkan êð

But stood there denying
and swore a strong oath

59:4977

swîðlîko gesuôr,
that he thes gesîðes ni wâri.

By all that is true
that he was not of that tribe.

59:4978

Ni habda is wordo gewald:
it skolde giwerðen sô,

His words had no power:
it was to come to this pass,

59:4979

sô it the gemarkode,
the mankunnies

As He who rules mankind
had so marked it indeed

59:4980

farwardot an thesaru weroldi.
Thô quam imu ôk an themu [warƀe] tô

In this world. Then came
to him also a cousin

59:4981

thes mannes mâgwini,
the he êr mid is [mâkeo] giheu,

Of him whom he
had hewn with his bill,

59:4982

swerdu thiu skarpon,
quað that he ina sâhi thar

With his sword’s sharpness;
and said that he had seen him there

59:4983

an themu berge uppan,
"thar wi an themu bômgardon

“High on the hillock,
there where we bound the hands

59:4984

hêrron [thînumu]
hendi bundun,

Of thy Lord in the grove,
in the tree-garden there,

59:4985

fastnodun is folmos."
He thô thurh forhtan hugi

Fastened His arms with the fetters.”
Then for the fear in his heart

59:4986

forlôgnide thes is [lioƀes] hêrron,
quað that he weldi wesan thes lîƀes skolo,

He again denied his dear Liege,
quoth that indeed he would forfeit his life,

59:4987

ef it mahti ênig thar
irminmanno

If there was any man
here on this earth

59:4988

giseggian te sôðan,
that he thes gesîðes wâri,

Who can say in truth
that he was of that tribe,

59:4989

folgodi theru ferdi.
Thô warð an thena formon sîð

That he followed His path.
There for the first time

59:4990

hanokrâd [afhaƀen].
Thô sah the hêlago Crist,

The crow of the cock did commence.
And Holy Christ,

59:4991

[barno that bezte,
thar he gebunden stôð],

The Best of All Bairns,
who stood there bound,

59:4992

selƀo te Sîmon Petruse,
sunu drohtines

The Son of the Lord Himself,
did look to Simon Peter,

59:4993

te themu erle oƀar is ahsla.
Thô warð imu an innan sân,

Saw that earl over His shoulder.
Then Simon Peter

59:4994

Sîmon Petruse
sêr an is môde,

Felt sadness within him
and his spirit was sore.

59:4995

harm an is hertan
endi is hugi drôƀi,

Filled with hurt was his heart,
and most grieved was he.

59:4996

swîðo warð imu an sorgun,
that he êr selƀo gesprak:

So troubled was he,
that he himself had so spoken before,

59:4997

gihugde thero wordo thô,
the imu [êr] waldand Krist

And he remembered the words then
which All-Wielding Christ

59:4998

selƀo sagda,
that he an theru swartan naht

Had said unto him;
that in this swarthy, dark night,

59:4999

êr hanokrâdi
is hêrron [skoldi]

He was to deny Him,
his Lord, three times,

59:5000

thrîwo farlôgnien.
Thes thram imu [an] innan môd

Before the crow of the cock.
Bitterly this came up in his breast,

59:5001

bittro an is breostun,
endi geng imu thô gibolgan thanen

Welled up with him;
and angry of heart he went away:

59:5002

the man fan theru menigi
an môdkaru,

The man left the many.
With care in his mind

59:5003

swîðo an sorgun,
endi is selƀes word,

And deeply sorrowed,
he wept at his sinfulness,

59:5004

[wam]skefti weop,
antat imu wallan quâmun

At his own words,
and there came welling up

59:5005

thurh thea hertkara
hête trahni,

Hot tears from within him
for the grief in his heart,

59:5006

blôdage fan is breostun.
He ni wânde that he is mahti gibôtien wiht,

Bloodily bursting up
from his breast. For he thought

59:5007

firin[werko] furður
eftha te is frâhon kuman,

Never to atone for his sins
nor come again to his Master,

59:5008

hêrron huldi:
nis ênig heliðo [sô] ald,

To the grace of his Lord.
No one hath since grown so old

59:5009

that [io] mannes sunu
mêr gisâhi

Who ever did see
a man rue more sorely

59:5010

is selƀes word
sêrur hrewan,

His own words and his sins
and to bewail them so,

59:5011

karon eftha kûmien:
"wola krafteg god", quað he,

Lamenting most loudly.
“Woe, Mighty God, O my Lord,” quoth he,

59:5012

"that ik hebbiu mi sô forwerkot,
sô ik mînaro weroldes ni tharf

“Woe that I have forfeited myself,
so that for this world,

59:5013

ôlat seggean.
Ef ik nu te aldre skal

This life I may no longer be thankful.
If in my old age

59:5014

huldeo thînaro
endi heƀenrîkeas,

I must renounce Thy grace
and the realms of Heaven,

59:5015

theoden, tholoian,
than ni tharf mi thes ênig thank wesan,

Then, my Ruler, my King,
be there no thanks unto me,

59:5016

lioƀo drohtin,
[that] ik io te thesumu liohte [quam].

My Beloved Liege,
that I was born to this light.

59:5017

Ni bium ik nu thes wirðig,
waldand frô mîn,

I am now unworthy,
O Thou, my Wielder,

59:5018

that ik under thîne jungaron
gangan môti,

That I may thus fare
along with Thy followers,

59:5019

thus sundig under thîne gesîðos:
ik iro selƀo skal

Sinful amid Thy disciples.
I myself shall avoid them

59:5020

mîðan an mînumu môde,
nu ik mi sulik mên gesprak."

In my heart and my soul,
since I have spoken such sin.”

59:5021

Sô gornode
gumono bezta,

Thus the best of all men
grieved bitterly indeed.

59:5022

hrau [im] sô hardo,
that [he] habde is hêrren thô

He rued most deeply
that he had denied Him there,

59:5023

leoƀes farlôgnid.
Than ni thurƀun thes liudio barn,

His Beloved Lord.
But the bairns of the land-folk,

59:5024

weros wundroian,
behuî it weldi god,

Of mankind should not wonder
why God so willed it,

59:5025

that sô lioƀen man
lêð gistôdi,

That such a beloved man
should suffer such sorrow,

59:5026

that he sô hônlîko
hêrron sînes

That he should deny
his Lord so disgracefully

59:5027

thurh thera [thiwun] word,
thegno snellost,

For the word of a servant maid —
he, this swiftest of warriors

59:5028

farlôgnide sô lioƀes:
it was al bi thesun liudiun giduan,

Deny his Dear Liege;
it was done for all those of mankind,

59:5029

firiho barnun te [frumu.]
He welde ina te furiston dôan,

For the good of the children of men.
He wanted to make them the first,

59:5030

hêrost oƀar is hîwiski,
hêlag drohtin:

The highest over His household —
He the Lord Holy:

59:5031

lêt ina gekunnon,
hwilike kraft haƀet

He let it be known
how little strength hath

59:5032

the menniska môd
âno [the] maht godes;

The heart of man
without God’s might.

59:5033

lêt ina gesundion,
that he sîðor thiu bet

He let him sin
so that later he might

59:5034

liudiun gilôƀdi,
hwô liof is [thar]

Better believe them, the people,
how precious it is

59:5035

manno [gihwilikumu,]
than he mên gefrumit,

For each man indeed,
when he hath done evil,

59:5036

that man ina alâte
lêðes thinges,

That he be absolved
from his wicked deeds,

59:5037

sakono endi sundeono,
sô im thô selƀo dede

From his wrongs and his sins,
as he is absolved by God Himself,

59:5038

[heƀenrîki] god
harmgewurhti.

The Ruler of Heaven’s Realms,
from his hurtful wrong.

{ 60 }
Capitulum LX

60:5039

Be thiu [nis] mannes bâg
[mikilun bitherƀi,]

Therefore is a man’s boasting
of but little avail —

60:5040

[hagustaldes] hrôm:
ef imu thiu helpe godes

The pride of his youth:
if then God’s help doth forsake him,

60:5041

gesuîkid thurh is [sundeon,]
than is imu sân aftar thiu

Because of his sins,
then is that man straightway

60:5042

breosthugi blôðora,
thoh he êr bihêt spreka,

Fearful of thought,
though he first uttered threats

60:5043

hrômie fan is [hildi]
endi fan is handkrafti,

And boasted of his battles
and of the broad strength of his hand —

60:5044

the man fan is megine.
That warð thar an themu mâreon skîn,

This man, of his might.
This was marked in that marvelous,

60:5045

thegno bezton,
thô imu is thiodanes gisuêk

That best of all thanes,
when at that time the holy help

60:5046

hêlag helpe.
Bethiu ni skoldi hrômien man

Of His Master forsook him.
Therefore no man should boast

60:5047

te swîðo fan imu selƀon,
hwand imu thar suîkid oft

All too much of himself,
since then often hope

60:5048

wân endi willeo,
ef imu waldand god,

And will do forsake him,
if All-Wielding God,

60:5049

hêr heƀenkuning
[herte] ni sterkit.

The High King of Heaven,
doth not strengthen his heart.

60:5050

Than bêd allaro barno bezt,
bendi tholode

But the Best of All Bairns did wait
and did bear His bonds

60:5051

thurh mankunni.
Hwurƀun ina managa umbi

For the sake of mankind.
Many of the Jewish folk

60:5052

[Judeono] liudi,
sprâkun gelp mikil,

Did come and surround Him
and speak such mockery

60:5053

[habdun] ina te hoska,
thar he [giheftid] stôd,

And held Him to scorn,
as He stood there chained

60:5054

tholode [mid] gethuldiun,
sô hwat sô imu thiu [thiod] deda,

And enduring most patiently
what the people did unto Him,

60:5055

liudi lêðes.
Thô warð eft lioht kuman,

What loathsome grief these land-folk.
Then was the light come again,

60:5056

morgan te mannun.
Manag samnoda

The morning to mankind.
Many were gathered,

60:5057

heri Judeono:
habdun im hugi wulƀo,

Wide hosts of the Jews.
Wolf-minds had they,

60:5058

inwid an innan.
Warð thar êosago

Evil hearts as well.
Their book-learned ones,

60:5059

an morgantîd
manag gisamnod

Many men together,
gathered at morning-tide,

60:5060

irri endi ênhard,
inwideas gern,

Angry and hardened
and longing for evil,

60:5061

wrêðes willean.
Gengun im an [warf] samad

Wishing for wrong.
They went in groups together,

60:5062

rinkos an rûna,
bigunnun im râdan thô,

The men to consult;
and they began to consider

60:5063

hwô sie [gewîsadin]
mid wârlôsun,

How they would accuse
the Mighty Christ of sin

60:5064

mannun [mêngewitun]
an mahtigna Crist

With false witnesses
and with faithless men —

60:5065

te giseggianne sundea
thurh is selƀes word,

Accuse Him indeed
through His own spoken word,

60:5066

that sie ina than te wunderquâlu
wêgean môstin,

So that they might torment Him
with tortures most great,

60:5067

adêlien te dôðe.
Sie ni mahtun an themu dage finden

Dealing out death unto Him.
But on that day they could

60:5068

sô wrêð gewitskepi,
that sie imu wîti bethiu

Find no false witnesses,
ones who feared not

60:5069

adêlien [gidorstin]
eftha dôð frummien,

To deal out such pain,
and to condemn Him to death,

60:5070

lîƀu bilôsien.
Thô quâmun thar [at laztan] forð

Release Him from life.
Then at last there came forth

60:5071

an thena [warf] wero
wârlôse man

60:5072

twêne gangan
endi bigunnun im tellien an,

From the crowd two men without truth
and began to tell against Him,

60:5073

quâðun that sie ina selƀon
seggian gihôrdin,

Said that they had heard Him
Himself say

60:5074

that he [mahti] tewerpen
thena wîh godes,

That He could tear down
the temple of God,

60:5075

allaro hûso hôhost
endi thurh is handmegin,

The highest of all houses,
through the strength of His hands;

60:5076

thurh is ênes kraft
up arihtien

And through His craft and His might
could erect it again

60:5077

an thriddion daga,
sô is [elkor] ni thorfti bethîhan man.

On the third day hence,
as no other man could ever thus do.

60:5078

He thagoda endi tholoda:
ni sprak imu io thiu [thiod] sô filu,

He was silent and suffered.
Never could a folk speak,

60:5079

thea liudi mid luginun,
that he it mid lêðun angegin

A people utter such lies,
that He would verily

60:5080

wordun [wrâki].
Thô thar undar themu werode arês

Have avenged them with words of evil.
Then there arose from the host

60:5081

baluhugdig man,
biskop thero liudio,

A man baleful of thought:
bishop among the folk,

60:5082

the furisto thes folkes
endi frâgode Krist

A prince of this people —
and put such question to Christ,

60:5083

jak ina be imu selƀon bisuôr
swîðon êðun,

Exhorted Him strongly
with solemn oath,

60:5084

grôtte ina an godes namon
endi gerno bad,

Greeted Him thus in the name of God
and bade Him eagerly

60:5085

that he im that gisagdi,
ef he sunu wâri

To say unto him,
whether He were the Son

60:5086

thes libbiendies [godes]:
"thes thit lioht geskôp,

Of the Living God:
He who created the light,

60:5087

Krist kuning êwig.
Wi ni mugun is [antkiennien] wiht

Christ, King eternal.
“We cannot see one whit of this

60:5088

ne an thînun wordun ni an thînun werkun."
Thô sprak imu eft the wâro angegin,

From Thy words or Thy works.”
Then verily again the True,

60:5089

the gôdo godes sunu:
"thu quiðis it for thesun Judeon nu,

The Good Son of God did reply:
“Thou sayest it now before these Jews,

60:5090

sôðlîko segis,
that ik it selƀo bium.

Sayest it truly,
that it is I Myself.

60:5091

Thes ni gilôƀiad mi these liudi:
ni williad mi forlâtan bethiu;

But these landsmen do not believe Me;
and hence will they not release Me,

60:5092

ni sind im [mîn] word wirðig.
Nu seggiu ik iu te wârun thoh,

Nor are they worthy of My word.
Now verily I say unto you

60:5093

that gi noh skulun sittien gisehan
an [the] swîðaron half godes

That ye shall still see Me
sitting on the right side of God,

60:5094

mârean mannes sunu,
an meginkrafte

Radiant the Son of Man
in the might and strength

60:5095

thes alowalden fader,
endi thanan eft kuman

Of the All-Wielding Father,
and coming again down here

60:5096

an himilwolknun herod
endi allumu heliðo kunnie

Through the clouds of Heaven
and dealing unto all the kith of mankind

60:5097

mid is wordun adêlien,
al sô iro gewurhti sind."

Such judgments with His words,
even as they worked and are worthy thereof.”

60:5098

Tho balg ina [the] biskop,
habde bittren hugi,

Then was the bishop wrathful
and bitter of heart,

60:5099

wrêðida [wið] themu [worde]
endi is giwâdi slêt,

Sorely enraged at these words;
and he rent his raiments,

60:5100

brak for is breostun:
"nu ni thurƀun gi bîdan leng", quað he,

Tore them before his breast;
“Now need ye bide no longer,” quoth he,

60:5101

"thit werod gewitskepies,
nu im [sulik] word farad,

“Ye people, wait for a witness,
now that such words,

60:5102

mênsprâka fan is mûðe.
That gihôrid [hêr nu] manno filu,

Such blasphemy hath come from His mouth.
Many men have now heard it:

60:5103

rinko an thesumu rakude,
that he ina sô rîkean telit,

Warriors here in the temple,
that He told of His mightiness,

60:5104

gihid that he god sî.
Hwat williad gi Judeon thes

Said that He was the God.
Well then, ye Jews,

60:5105

adêlien te dôme?
Is he dôðes [nu]

What doom will ye deal Him?
Is He now worthy of death

60:5106

wirðig be sulikun wordun?"

For such words?”

{ 61 }
Capitulum LXI

61:5106

That werod al gesprak,

The war-men all spake,

61:5107

folk Judeono,
that he wâri [thes] ferhes skolo,

The folk of the Jews,
that He had forfeited life,

61:5108

wîties sô wirðig.
Ni was it thoh be is gewurhtiun gidôen,

Was worthy of punishment.
Yet not for His works was it done,

61:5109

that ine thar an Hierusalem
Judeo liudi,

That the Jewish folk
there in Jerusalem

61:5110

sunu drohtines
sundea lôsen

Condemned Him to His death,
Him who had done no sin,

61:5111

adêldun te dôðe.
Thô was thero dâdio hrôm

The Son of the Lord.
Then the land-folk of Jews

61:5112

Judeo liudiun,
hwat sie [themu] godes [barne mahtin]

Did boast of their deeds,
how they could do God’s Bairn,

61:5113

[sô haftemu] mêst,
harmes gefrummien.

Him held in bonds,
the most harm indeed.

61:5114

Bewurpun ina thô mid [werodu]
endi ina an is wangon slôgun,

The crowd surrounded Him
and struck His cheeks, the side

61:5115

an is hleor mid iro handun
- al was imu that te hoske gidôen -,

Of His head with their hands:
unto Him they did this in mockery and scorn,

61:5116

felgidun imu firinword
fîundo menegi,

The crowd of the foe;
covered Him with their malice

61:5117

[bismer]sprâka.
Stôd that barn godes

And their blasphemous speech.
And the Bairn of God

61:5118

fast under fîundun:
wârun imu [is] faðmos gebundene,

Stood firmly amid His foe.
His arms were in fetters;

61:5119

tholode [mid] githuldiun,
sô hwat sô imu thiu [thioda] tô

He endured most patiently
what the people

61:5120

bittres brâhte:
ni balg ina neowiht

Brought unto Him of bitterness there.
He bore no anger

61:5121

wið thes werodes gewin.
Thô nâmon ina wrêðe man

Against this riot of men.
Then wrathful men

61:5122

sô gibundanan,
that barn godes,

Did take Him so bound,
that Bairn of God,

61:5123

endi ina thô lêddun,
thar [thero] liudio was,

And they led Him there
to where the folk-throng’s,

61:5124

[there thiade] thinghûs.
Thar thegan manag

The people’s, judging-place was.
There thanes aplenty

61:5125

hwurƀun umbi iro heritogon.
Thar was iro hêrron bodo

Surrounded their leader.
He was the envoy of that lord

61:5126

fan Rûmuburg,
thes the thô thes rîkeas giweld:

Of the city of Rome,
who ruled over all realms;

61:5127

kumen was he fan themu kêsure,
gisendid was he undar that kunni Judeono

He was come from Caesar,
was sent to the clans of the Jews,

61:5128

te [rihtienne] that rîki,
was thar râdgeƀo:

To govern their kingdom:
he gave them counsel.

61:5129

Pilatus was he hêten;
he was fan Ponteo lande

Pilate was he called,
and he was a man from Pontus,

61:5130

knôsles kennit.
Habde imu kraft mikil,

Born of that clan.
He had collected a great crowd,

61:5131

an themu thinghûse
[thiod] gisamnod,

A multitude of the people
at the judging place.

61:5132

an [warf] weros;
wârlôse man

This faithless horde
of the Jewish host

61:5133

agâƀun thô thena godes sunu,
Judeo liudi,

Did give Him up —
Him, Son of God,

61:5134

under fîundo folk,
quâðun that he wâri thes ferhes skolo,

To the folk of the foe;
quoth that He had forfeited His life

61:5135

that man ina wîtnodi
wâpnes eggiun,

And that one should reward Him
with the weapon’s edge,

61:5136

skarpun skûrun.
[Ni] welde thiu skole Judeono

With the sword’s sharpness.
Still the crowd of the Jews cared not

61:5137

thringan an that thinghûs,
ak thiu thiod ûte stôd,

To throng into the law-house itself;
but the land-folk did remain without,

61:5138

mahlidun thanen wið thea menegi:
ni weldun an that gimang faren,

And spake from there to the many within.
Into this mob they wished not to go,

61:5139

[an] elilandige man,
that sie thar unreht word,

Not go to that foreign man,
so that they need not hear these unrighteous words

61:5140

an [themu dage derƀies wiht
adêlian ne gihôrdin,]

On that day, nor hear one whit
of the wrong being dealt.

61:5141

ak quâðun that sie [im] sô [hluttro
hêlaga tîdi],

But said it was their wont to hold
the holiest of times,

61:5142

[weldin iro pascha halden].
Pilatus antfeng

The purest, their Passover.
Pilate received

61:5143

at them wamskaðun
waldandes barn,

The Wielder’s Bairn
from the wicked sinners,

61:5144

sundea lôsen.
Thô an sorgun warð

Received Him, the Sinless.
Then sorely troubled

61:5145

Judases hugi,
thô he ageƀan gisah

Was Judas of mind,
when he saw His Master

61:5146

is drohtin te dôðe,
thô bigan imu thiu dâd aftar thiu

Surrounded to death;
and his deed he now began

61:5147

an is hugea hrewan,
that he habde is hêrron êr

To rue in his heart,
that he had sold Him,

61:5148

[sundea lôsen] gisald.
Nam imu thô [that] siluƀar an hand,

His Lord without Sin.
He took the silver,

61:5149

thrîtig skatto,
that man imu êr wið is thiodane gaf,

Took there the thirty pieces
that they had given to him in return for his Liege.

61:5150

geng imu thô te them Judiun
endi im is grimmon dâd,

And he went with them to the Jews
and told them his grim, wicked deed,

61:5151

sundeon sagde,
endi im that siluƀar bôd

Said unto them his sin;
and the silver he offered

61:5152

gerno te [ageƀanne:]
"ik hebbiu it sô [griolîko",] quað he,

To give back gladly.
“So grievously,” quoth he,

61:5153

"[mines] drohtines
[drôru] gikôpot,

“Have I sold it, the blood
of my Liege, my Beloved,

61:5154

sô ik wêt that it mi ni thîhit."
Thiod Judeono

That I ween that to me
it will be of no worth.”

61:5155

ni weldun it thô antfâhan,
ak hêtun ina forð aftar thiu

But the host of the Jews would not take it,
but hight him henceforth

61:5156

umbi sulika sundea
selƀon ahton,

To let such a sin
be his own care and concern,

61:5157

hwat he wið is frâhon
gefrumid habdi:

That e’er he had done
against his Lord.

61:5158

"thu sâhi thi [selƀo thes",] quaðun sie;
"hwat [wili] thu thes [nu] sôken te ûs?

“Thou thyself look to that,” quoth they.
“What hast thou to seek among us?

61:5159

Ne wît thu that thesumu werode!"
Thô giwêt imu eft thanan

Do not thou place shame on these people.”
Then presently Judas

61:5160

Judas gangan
te themu godes wîhe

Did again go thence
to the temple of God

61:5161

swîðo an sorgun
endi that siluƀar warp

Most sorely grieved,
and he threw the silver

61:5162

an thena alah innan,
ne gidorste it êgan leng;

Inside on the altar,
nor dared he own it for long.

61:5163

fôr imu thô sô an forhtun,
sô ina fîundo barn

He fared forth in fear
and the bairns of the Fiend

61:5164

môdage manodun:
habdun [thes] mannes hugi

Admonished him fiercely:
the devil had seized

61:5165

gramon under[gripanen],
was imu god abolgan,

The mind of this man;
and the Mighty God was enraged,

61:5166

that he imu selƀon thô
sîmon warhte,

So that he, that wretch,
did fashion a rope;

61:5167

hnêg thô an herusêl
an hinginna,

And in order to hang him,
did incline his head

61:5168

warag an wurgil
endi wîti gekôs,

Through the death-choking noose,
and chose his reward,

61:5169

hard [hellie gethuing,
hêt] endi thiustri,

The hard pangs of hell,
those hot and most dark,

61:5170

diap dôðes dalu,
hwand he êr umbi is drohtin suêk.

The deep dale of death;
since unto his Liege he had indeed been disloyal.

{ 62 }
Capitulum LXII

62:5171

Than bêd that barn godes
- bendi tholode

Suffering His bonds,
God’s Bairn still did bide,

62:5172

an themu thinghûse -,
hwan êr thiu [thiod] under im,

Did wait at the law-house
until the land-folk

62:5173

erlos ênwordie
alle wurðin,

About Him became
all of one mind

62:5174

hwat sie imu [than] te ferahquâlu
[frummian weldin.]

As to what terrible torture
they intended for Him.

62:5175

[Thô thar] an them benkiun arês
bodo kêsures

Then the envoy of Caesar
arose from the bench —

62:5176

fan Rûmuburg
endi geng imu wið that rîki Judeono

He, come from Rome;
and he went to speak angrily

62:5177

môdag mahlien,
thar thiu menigi stôd

To the crowd of the Jews,
there where in the courtyard

62:5178

aftar themu hoƀe [hwarƀon:]
ni weldun an that hûs kuman

The many were milling about.
The multitude would not come

62:5179

an themu paschadage.
Pilatus bigan

Into the house on the Paschal day.
Pilate began

62:5180

frôkno frâgon
oƀar that folk Judeono,

To question boldly
about the folk of the Jews,

62:5181

mid huiu the man habdi
morðes giskuldit,

Why this Man indeed
did deserve His murder,

62:5182

wîties giwerkot:
"be huî gi imu sô wrêðe sind,

Had reaped such punishment.
“Why now are ye wroth,

62:5183

an iuwomu hugea hôtie?"
Sie quâðun that he im habdi harmes sô filu,

So hostile of mind to this Man?”
They said that He had harmed them muchly,

62:5184

lêðes gilêstid:
"ni gâƀin ina thesa liudi thi,

Had done them great wrong.
“The folk would not give Him over to thee,

62:5185

thar sie ina êr biforan
uƀilan ni wissin,

If they knew not already
that noxious He was and evil:

62:5186

wordun farwarhten.
He haƀat theses werodes sô filu

He hath forfeited His life with His words.
Full many a one of the folk

62:5187

farlêdid mid is lêrun
- endi thesa liudi merrid,

Hath He seduced with His teachings,
hath distressed these people,

62:5188

dôit im iro hugi twîflien -,
that wi ni môtun te themu hoƀe kêsures

Caused their minds to doubt:
that to Caesar’s court

62:5189

tinsi gelden;
that mugun wi ina gitellien an

We need pay no tithe.
That may we tell of Him

62:5190

mid wâru gewitskepi.
He sprikid ôk word mikil,

With truthful witness.
Great words speaketh He also:

62:5191

quiðit that he Crist sî,
kuning oƀar thit rîki,

Doth say He is the Christ,
King over that realm.

62:5192

begihit ina sô grôtes."
Thô im [eft] tegegnes sprak

With His bigness is He bloated.”
But then Caesar’s envoy

62:5193

bodo kêsures:
"ef he sô barlîko", quað he,

Did speak again unto them.
“If He hath so openly

62:5194

"under thesaru menigi
mênwerk frumid,

Done deeds of evil,” quoth he,
“among the multitude,

62:5195

antfâhad ina than eft under iuwe folkskepi,
ef he sî is ferhes skolo,

Then take Him back among your folk;
and if He hath forfeited His life,

62:5196

endi imu sô adêliad,
ef he sî dôðes werð,

Deal ye His doom,
if He is deserving of death,

62:5197

sô it an iuwaro aldrono
êo gebiode."

As your age-old laws
do order you.”

62:5198

Sie quâðun thô, that sie ni môstin
manno [nigênumu]

Still at this time
on this hallowed day,

62:5199

an [thea] hêlagon tîd
te [handbanon],

Quoth they, they could not
kill with their weapons,

62:5200

[werðen mid wâpnun
an themu wîhdage.]

Become murderers
of any man whatsoever.

62:5201

Thô wende ina fan themu werode
wrêðhugdig man,

Then he turned away from the horde —
that man, evil-hearted,

62:5202

thegan kêsures,
[the] oƀar thea thioda was

The thane of Caesar,
who was over his throngs,

62:5203

bodo fan [Rûmuburg] -:
hêt imu thô that barn godes

The envoy from Rome —
and he ordered right quickly

62:5204

nâhor gangan
endi [ina] niudlîko,

That the Bairn of God be brought
closer to him; and bluntly

62:5205

frâgoda frôkno,
ef he oƀar that folk kuning

And carefully questioned Him,
whether He were King of this crowd,

62:5206

thes werodes wâri.
Thô habde eft is word garu

Of this land-folk here.
And the Son of the Lord

62:5207

sunu drohtines:
"hweðer thu that fan thi selƀumu sprikis", quað he,

Had ready His word, asking
“Whether thou speakest that for thyself,

62:5208

"the it thi ôðre hêr
erlos sagdun,

Or whether for others,
the earls here, have

62:5209

quâðun umbi mînan kuningduom?"
Thô sprak eft [the] kêsures bodo

Told of My kingdom?”
Then truly the envoy of Caesar

62:5210

wlank endi wrêðmôd,
thar he wið waldand Krist

Spake again, evil and insolent
of mind, as he wrangled

62:5211

reðiode an them rakude:
"ni bium ik theses rîkies hinan", quað he,

With Christ Wielder there in the temple.
“I am not,” quoth he,

62:5212

"Giudeo liudio,
ni gadoling thîn,

“Of this kingdom, of he Jews,
am no kin of Thine,

62:5213

thesaro manno mâgwini,
ak mi thi thius menigi bifalah,

No kith of these men,
but the many have consigned Thee to me,

62:5214

agâƀun thi thîna gadulingos [mi],
Judeo liudi,

Thy landsmen, the folk of the Jews
have given Thee fettered

62:5215

[haftan] te handun.
Hwat haƀas thu harmes giduan,

Into my hands.
What harm hast Thou done,

62:5216

that thu sô [bittro] skalt
bendi [tholoian,

That so bitterly
Thou must suffer Thy bondage?

62:5217

qualm] undar thînumu kunnie?"
Thô sprak [imu eft Krist] angegin,

Torture from Thine own true kin?”
Then Christ did tell him again,

62:5218

hêlendero bezt,
thar he giheftid stôd

The Best of All Saviors,
as He stood there bound

62:5219

an themu rakude innan:
"nis mîn rîki hinan", quað he,

Inside the temple.
“My kingdom,” quoth He, “is not

62:5220

"fan thesaru weroldstundu.
Ef it [thoh] wâri sô,

Of this hour, of this earthly life.
If it were thus,

62:5221

than wârin sô starkmôde
wiðer strîdhugi,

My disciples would be standing
strong against the strife-minded,

62:5222

wiðer grama thioda
jungaron mîne,

My followers, thanes
resisting the throng.

62:5223

sô man mi ni gâƀi
Judeo liudiun,

Nor fettered, would I
be given o’er to the folk

62:5224

hettendiun an hand
an herubendiun

Of the hating, the Jews,
into their hands

62:5225

te wêgeanne te wundrun.
Te thiu warð ik an thesaru weroldi giboran,

To be tortured most terribly.
Truly was I born to this world

62:5226

that ik gewitskepi [giu
wâres] thinges

To make known unto you
a testimony of truth

62:5227

mid mînun kumiun kûðdi.
That mugun antkennien wel

Through My coming.
And that they well may acknowledge,

62:5228

the weros, the sind fan wâre kumane:
the mugun mîn word farstanden,

Those men who have strayed from the truth:
they may hear my word,

62:5229

[gilôƀien] mînun lêrun."
Thô ni mahte lasteres wiht

Understand and believe My lesson.”
Then the envoy of Caesar

62:5230

an them barne godes
bodo kêsures,

Could not find a whit
of fault with God’s Bairn,

62:5231

findan [fêknea] word,
that he is ferhes bethiu

Not a word of deceit
for which He was worthy

62:5232

skuldig wâri.
Thô geng he im eft wið thea skola Judeono

Of paying His life.
Then he repaired once more to the people of Jews

62:5233

môdag mahlien
endi theru menigi sagde

To speak with them angrily.
And he said to the many

62:5234

oƀar hlust mikil,
that he an themu hafton manne

Who hearkened most carefully,
that he could find

62:5235

sulika firinsprâka
finden ni mahti

No blasphemous speech,
that He should pay with His life,

62:5236

[for them folkskipie],
sô he wâri is ferhes skolo,

62:5237

dôðes wirðig.
Than stôdun dolmôde

Be worthy of death.
Then dull-minded,

62:5238

Judeo liudi
endi thane godes sunu

The Jewish folk did stand
and accused God’s Son

62:5239

wordun wrôgdun:
quâðun that he giwer êrist

With their words and said that He had first
stirred insurrection

62:5240

begunni an [Galileo lande,]
"endi oƀar Judeon fôr

And unrest in Galilee-land;
and from there had repaired

62:5241

herodwardes thanan,
hugi [twîflode,]

Hither over Judea;
and He caused hearts to doubt,

62:5242

manno môdseƀon,
sô he is morðes werð,

The minds of men,
“and for that He deserves to be murdered,

62:5243

that man ina [wîtnoie]
wâpnes eggiun,

is worthy of death
with the weapon’s edge,

62:5244

ef eo [man] mid sulikun dâdiun mag
dôðes geskuldien."

If ever a man was deserving
of death for such deeds.”

{ 63 }
Capitulum LXIII

63:5245

Sô wrôgdun ina mid wordun
werod Judeono

The landsmen of Jews lamented
loudly to him with their words,

63:5246

thurh hôtean hugi.
Thô the heritogo,

Their hearts all hate-filled;
then the high lord,

63:5247

slîðmôdig man
seggian gihôrde,

The sly-minded man,
heard them say unto him

63:5248

fan hwilikumu kunnie [was]
Krist afôdid,

From which of the clanships
Christ had been born,

63:5249

manno the bezto:
he was fan theru mârean [thiadu],

The Best of All men:
He belonged to a glorious band

63:5250

the [gôdo] fan [Galilealande;]
thar was gumskepi

From Galilee-land — Christ the Good.
There dwelt a great crowd,

63:5251

eðiliero manno;
Erodes biheld [thar]

A host of aethling-born men.
Herod held there

63:5252

[kraftagne] kuningdôm,
sô ina imu the kêsur [fargaf],

A strong, goodly kingdom,
which Caesar had given unto him,

63:5253

the rîkeo fan Rûmu,
that he thar rehto gehwilik

The mighty from Rome;
and there he dealt justice,

63:5254

gefrumidi undar themu folke
endi friðu lêsti,

Practiced right ’mid the people,
keeping the peace

63:5255

dômos adêldi.
He was ôk an themu dage selƀo

And dealing out dooms.
On that day also

63:5256

an Hierusalem
mid is gumskepi,

He was there in Jerusalem
with his thanes and retainers

63:5257

mid is werode [at] themu wîhe:
sô was iro wîse than,

And came to the temple:
that was their custom

63:5258

that sie thar [thia hêlagun tîd
haldan] skoldun,

That they held sacred
the holy tide

63:5259

[pascha] Judeono.
Pilatus gibôd thô,

The Passover of Jews.
Pilate then bade

63:5260

that thena hafton man
heliðos nâmin

That the soldiers take
that Man in His chains,

63:5261

sô [gibundanan],
that barn godes,

Take Him in His bonds,
the Bairn of God,

63:5262

[hêt] that sie ina Erodese,
erlos brâhtin

Hight that the earls
bring Him to Herod,

63:5263

haften te handun,
hwand he fan is heriskepi was,

His hands held in fetters,
since He was of that folk

63:5264

fan is werodes gewald.
Wîgand frumidun

Over which Herod wielded power.
The warriors accomplished

63:5265

iro hêrron word:
hêlagne Krist

The word of their lord.
They led Holy Christ

63:5266

fôrdun an fiteriun
for thena folktogun,

Forth in His fetters
in front of the folk-leader.

63:5267

allaro barno bezt,
thero the io [giboren] wurði

The Best of All Bairns
who had ever been born

63:5268

an liudio lioht;
an liðubendiun geng,

To the light of the land-folk.
In His limb-bonds he went,

63:5269

antat sie ina brâhtun,
thar he an is benkia sat,

Until they did bring Him
there where he sat on his bench —

63:5270

kuning Erodes:
umbihwarf ina kraft wero,

Herod the king.
A crowd of people surrounded him,

63:5271

[wlanke wîgandos]:
was im willeo mikil,

Proud-minded warriors;
a great will was within them

63:5272

that [sie] thar [selƀon] Crist
gisehan môstin:

To see Christ Himself,
for they weened He would show them

63:5273

wândun that he im sum têkan thar
tôgean skoldi,

Some token, as indeed
He had done through His godliness

63:5274

mâri endi mahtig,
sô he managun dede

63:5275

thurh is godkundi
Judeo liudeon.

Before the crowd of the Jews:
He, Christ Great and Mighty;

63:5276

Frâgoda ina thuo thie folkkuning
firiwitlîko

Then the folk-king did question Him —
full envious was he,

63:5277

managon wordon,
wolda is muodseƀon

Asked many a word
and wanted to fathom

63:5278

forð undarfindan,
hwat hie te frumu mohti

How His spirit inclined,
what He minded to do

63:5279

mannon gimarkon.
Than stuod mahtig Crist,

For the weal of men.
There stood Mighty Christ,

63:5280

thagoda endi tholoda:
ne wolda them thiedkuninge,

Was silent and suffered.
He chose not to answer him,

63:5281

Erodese ne is erlon
antsuôr geƀan

Herod, the folk-king,
nor the earls of his following,

63:5282

wordo nigênon.
Than stuod thiu wrêða thiod,

Not with one single word.
Then the wicked throng,

63:5283

Judeo liudi
endi thena godes suno

The folk of the Jews stood there,
and the Son of God.

63:5284

wurrun endi wruogdun,
anthat im warð thie weroldkuning

They did worry and accuse Him wildly,
until the world-king

63:5285

an is huge huoti
endi all is heriskipi,

Became enraged of heart,
and his retainers as well:

63:5286

farmuonstun ina an iro muode:
ne antkendun maht godes,

In their spirits they scorned Him;
for they saw the great might of God,

63:5287

himiliskan hêrron,
ak was im iro hugi thiustri,

Of the Lord of All Heaven;
and in their heart there was darkness

63:5288

baluwes giblandan.
Barn drohtines

In the grip of sin.
But the Son of the Lord

63:5289

iro [wrêðun] werk,
word endi dâdi

Endured their direful works,
their words and their deeds,

63:5290

thuru ômuodi
all githoloda,

Suffered them all
with a humble soul,

63:5291

sô hwat sô sia im tionono [thuo]
tuogian woldun.

All the wrongs they longed
to do unto Him.

63:5292

Sia hietun im thuo te hoske
huît giwâdi

They ordered white robes
wrapped around Him, ’round His limbs

63:5293

umbi is liði leggian,
thiu mêr hie wurði them liudion thar,

In mockery; all the more
He became for the men there,

63:5294

[jungron] te gamne.
Judeon faganodun,

For the young ones, a jest;
and the Jews did rejoice,

63:5295

thuo sia ina te [hoske]
hebbian gisâhun,

When they saw how those
held Him in scorn,

63:5296

erlos oƀarmuoda.
Thuo senda ina eft thanan

Those earls overweening.
Then Herod again,

63:5297

Erodes se kuning
an that ôðer folk;

The king, sent Him thence
to the other clanships.

63:5298

[alêdian] hiet ina lungra mann,
endi lastar sprâkun,

He hight that a strong man
should lead Him hence; and they spake

63:5299

[felgidun] im firinword,
thar hie an feteron geng

To Him sinfully, heaped blasphemy
on Him as He went in His bonds,

63:5300

bihlagan mid hosku:
ni was im hugi twîfli,

And they laughed in mockery.
But His mind never doubted,

63:5301

neƀa hie it thuru ôdmuodi
all githoloda;

But He suffered all
with a humble spirit;

63:5302

ne welda iro uƀilun word
[iduglônon],

He wished not to repay them
for their wicked words,

63:5303

hosk endi harmquidi.
Thuo brâhtun sia ina eft an that hûs innan,

For their mocking speech and their scorn.
They brought Him inside the house,

63:5304

an [thia] palencea uppan,
thar Pilatus was

Up in the palace,
where Pilate was

63:5305

an thero thingstedi.
Thegnos agâƀun

In the judging place there.
The thralls then did give

63:5306

barno that besta
[banon te] handon

The Best of All Bairns
into the hands of the baleful,

63:5307

sundilôsian,
sô hie selƀo gikôs:

The murderers — Him without sin,
as He Himself chose.

63:5308

welda manno barn
[morðes] atuomian,

He wanted to free the bairns of mankind
from the bonds of death,

63:5309

nerian af nôdi.
Stuodun nîðhwata,

To save them from suffering.
The foe stood around,

63:5310

Judeon far them gastselie:
habdun sia [gramono] barn,

Jews before the guest halls:
the bairns of the devil

63:5311

thia skola farskundid,
that sia ne beskriƀun iowiht

Had stirred up the horde,
so that they did not hold back

63:5312

grimmera dâdio.
Thuo giwêt im gangan tharod

From these grim, wicked deeds.
Then he went forth,

63:5313

thegan kêsures
wið thia thiod sprekan,

The thane of Caesar,
and to the folk he did speak,

63:5314

hard heritogo:
"hwat, gi mi thesan haftan mann", quathie,

The harsh leader of hosts.
“What, ye have sent Him here to the hall,

63:5315

"an thesan seli sendun
endi selƀon anbudun,

Sent this Man unto me in His bonds,
have yourselves blamed Him,

63:5316

that hie iuwes werodes sô filo
awerdit habdi,

That He hath brought ruin
to right many folk,

63:5317

[farlêdid] mid is lêron.
Nu ik mid theson liudon ni mag,

With His lesson hath led them all wrongly.
Now from these landsmen,

63:5318

findan mid thius folku,
that hie is ferahes sî

From this folk, I cannot find
that He hath forfeited

63:5319

furi thesaro skolu skuldig.
Skîn was that hiudu:

His life, is guilty of aught.
That was indeed clear all these day:

63:5320

Erodes mohta,
thie iuwan êo bikan,

Herod, who knoweth your laws,
your people, your landways,

63:5321

iuwaro liudo landreht,
hie ni mahta is lîƀes gifrêson,

Could not in anger
end His life on this day,

63:5322

that hie hier thuru êniga sundia te dage
sweltan skoldi,

Would not say He should die
for any sin of His —

63:5323

lîf farlâtan.
Nu williu ik ina for theson liudion hier

Should take leave of this life.
Now before this land-folk

63:5324

githrôon mid thingon,
thrîstion wordun,

Shall I threaten Him with the law,
shall urge Him with words,

63:5325

buotian im is briosthugi,
lâtan ina brûkan forð

Shall better the thought
in His breast, so that henceforth

63:5326

ferahes [mid] firion."
Folk Judeono

He may enjoy life among man.”
But the multitude

63:5327

hreopun thuo alla samad
hlûdero stemnu,

Of Jews cried together,
called with loud voices

63:5328

hietun flîtlîko
ferahes âhtian

And eagerly hight
that He be robbed of His life —

63:5329

Crist mid qualmu
endi an krûci slahan,

Christ killed with torture
and struck on the cross,

63:5330

wêgian te wundron:
"hie mid is wordon haƀit

Tormented to death.
“With His words He hath done it,

63:5331

dôðes giskuldid:
sagit that hie drohtin sî,

Hath forfeited life!
He sayeth He is the Lord,

63:5332

gegnungo godes suno.
That hie ageldan skal,

Truly God’s Son.
He shall now pay

63:5333

inwidsprâka,
sô is an ûson êwe giskriƀan,

For His evil speech;
so our law is indeed writ:

63:5334

that man sulika firinquidi
ferahu kôpo."

That one buyeth with one’s life
such blasphemous speech.”

{ 64 }
Capitulum LXIV

64:5335

Thuo warð thie an forahton,
thie thes folkes giweld,

Then he who held sway o’er the folk
became sore afraid,

64:5336

mikilon an is muode,
thuo hie gihôrda thia man sprekan,

In his mind did fear mightily,
when he heard the men say

64:5337

that sia ina selƀon
seggian gihôrdin,

That they had heard Him
speak thus themselves,

64:5338

gehan fur them gumskipe,
that hie wâri godes suno.

Proclaiming in front of the clanships
that He was God’s Son.

64:5339

Thuo [hwarf] im eft thie heritogo
an that hûs innan

Then the leader of hosts
went back in the house,

64:5340

te thero thingstedi,
thrîstion wordon

Into the judging hall
and hailed God’s Son

64:5341

gruotta thena godes suno
endi frâgoda, hwat hie gumono wâri:

With confident words and questioned
what He was ’mid the clans;

64:5342

"hwat bist thu manno?" quathie.
"Te huî thu mi sô thînan muod hilis,

“What kind of man art Thou?” quoth he.
“Why concealest Thou Thy mind,

64:5343

dernis diopgithâht?
Wêst thu that it all an mînon duome stêd

Hidest Thy deepest thoughts?
Wist Thou that Thy life’s destiny

64:5344

umbi thînes lîƀes gilagu?
Mi [thi] hebbiat thesa liudi fargeƀan,

Standeth so, even as I
shall decide? Unto me have these folk,

64:5345

werod Judeono,
thak ik giwaldan muot

These people of the Jews given Thee
to wield such power o’er Thee,

64:5346

sô thik te spildianne
an speres orde,

Either to slay Thee
with the point of the spear,

64:5347

sô ti quellianne an krûcium,
sô quikan lâtan,

To torture Thee unto the cross,
or to leave Thee quick and alive,

64:5348

sô hweðer sô mi selƀon
swôtera thunkit

Even as I myself
deem it better

64:5349

te gifrummianne mid mînu folku."
Thuo sprak eft that friðubarn godes:

To act for my people.”
Then the Peace-Bairn of God spake again:

64:5350

"Wêst thu that te wâron", quathie,
"that thu giwald oƀar mik

“Thou wist most verily,”
quoth He, “that thou would’st wield,

64:5351

hebbian ni mohtis,
ne wâri that it thi hêlag god

Would’st have no might over Me,
bu that Holy God Himself

64:5352

selƀo fargâƀi?
Ôk hebbeat thia sundeono mêr,

Hath granted it unto thee.
And those, too, have sinned more,

64:5353

thia mik thi bifulhun
thuru fîondskipi,

Those who have sent Me
to thee in their hatred,

64:5354

gisaldun an sîmon haftan."
Thuo welda ina [sîð] after thiu

Have sold Me, bound fast in these snares.”
There straightway thereafter

64:5355

[gramhugdig] man
gerno farlâtan,

The grim-souled man
would gladly have released Him,

64:5356

thegan kêsures,
thar hie is haƀdi for thero thioda giwald;

The thane of the emperor
in front of the throng, if he could have but done so.

64:5357

ak sia weridun im thena willion
wordu gihwiliku,

But they denied him his will
with their every word —

64:5358

kunni Judeono:
"ne bist thu", quâðun sia, "thes kêsures friund,

The clan-folk of Jews.
“Thou art not,” quoth they, “Caesar’s friend,

64:5359

thînon hêrren hold,
ef thu ina hinan lâtis

The beloved of thy lord,
if thou leavest Him

64:5360

sîðon gisundon:
that thi noh te soragan mag,

To go hence sound and unharmed.
That may still bring thee sorrow

64:5361

werðan te wîte,
hwand sô hwe sô sulik word sprikit,

And reprisal, too,
if a one speaketh such words,

64:5362

ahaƀið ina sô hôho,
quiðit that hie hebbian mugi

Raiseth himself so high,
and sayeth that he here holdeth

64:5363

kuningduomes namon,
ne sî that ina im thie kêsur geƀe,

The name of a kingdom,
though Caesar ne’er gave it,

64:5364

hie wirrid im is weruldrîki
endi is word farhugid,

He confuseth his world-realms
and bringeth scorn to his word,

64:5365

farman ina an is muode.
Bethiu skalt thu sulik mên wrekan,

Mocking him in his mind.
Therefore must thou avenge such wrongs,

64:5366

[hoskword manag,
ef thu umbi thînes hêrren ruokis],

These insolent words,
if thou hast worry for thy master’s,

64:5367

umbi thînes frôhon friundskipi,
than skalt thu ina thiu ferhu beniman."

For thy liege-lord’s friendship.
Then should’st thou reft Him of life.”

64:5368

Thuo gihôrda thie heritogo
thia [hêri] Juðeono

The duke now heard,
how the aethlings of the Jews

64:5369

[thrêgian] fan is thiodne;
thuo hie [far] thero thingstedi geng

Threatened him with his liege;
therefore he went himself

64:5370

selƀo gisittian,
thar gisamnod [was]

And sat at the judging place,
where a great host of people

64:5371

[sô mikil warf] werodes,
hiet waldand Crist

Was gathered together,
and hight Christ the Wielder

64:5372

lêdian for thia liudi.
Langoda Judeon,

Be brought there in front of the folk.
The Jews then demanded

64:5373

hwan êr sia that hêlaga barn
hangon gisâwin,

To see the Holy Bairn
first hanging in torment

64:5374

quelan an krûcie;
sia quâðun that sia kuning ôðran

There on the cross;
quoth that no other king

64:5375

ne haƀdin undar iro heriskipie,
neƀan thena hêran kêsar

Would they have to oversee them,
except for high Caesar

64:5376

fan Rûmuburg:
"thie haƀit hier rîki oƀer ûs.

From the city of Rome.
“He hath here his rule over us.

64:5377

Bethiu ni skalt thu thesan farlâtan;
hie haƀit ûs sô filo lêðes gisprokan,

Therefore shalt thou not release Him;
He hath spoken much harm unto us,

64:5378

farduan haƀit hie im mid is dâdion.
Hie skal dôð tholon,

Hath done in His life through His deeds.
Death shall He suffer here,

64:5379

wîti endi wundarquâla."
Werod Judeono

Punishment and the pangs of torture.”
The people of Jews

64:5380

sô manag mislîk thing
an mahtigna Crist

Accused Mighty Christ
of so many,

64:5381

sagdun te sundiun.
Hie suîgondi stuod

Of such varied sins.
He stood silent

64:5382

thuru ôðmuodi,
ne antwordida [niowiht]

There in His humbleness,
and not a thing did He answer

64:5383

wið iro wrêðun word:
wolda thesa werold alla

To the wicked words.
He wanted to ransom

64:5384

lôsian mid is lîƀu:
bithiu liet hie ina thia lêðun thiod

All men with His life.
Therefore He let the loathsome mob

64:5385

wêgian te wundron,
all sô iro willio geng:

Torment Him most terribly,
as was truly His will.

64:5386

ni wolda im opanlîko
allon kûðian

Yet He had no wish
to reveal all things openly

64:5387

Judeo liudeon,
that hie was god selƀo;

To the people of Jews:
that He Himself was indeed God.

64:5388

hwand wissin sia that te wâron,
that hie sulika giwald haƀdi

For if they verily knew
that He wielded such might

64:5389

oƀar theson middilgard,
than wurði im iro muodseƀo

Over the mid-world here,
then their minds would grow fearful,

64:5390

giblôðit an iro brioston:
[than] ne gidorstin sia that barn godes

Be afraid in their breasts;
then God’s Bairn they’d not dare

64:5391

handon anthrînan:
[than] ni wurði heƀanrîki,

To touch with their hands;
and the kingdom of Heaven,

64:5392

antlokan liohto mêst
liudio barnon.

The greatest of lights,
would never be unlocked to the bairns of mankind.

64:5393

Bethiu mêð hie is sô an is muode,
ne lêt that manno folk

Therefore He hid it well in His mind
and let not the children of men

64:5394

witan, hwat sia warahtun.
Thiu wurd nâhida thuo,

Know what they were working.
Then Weird came nearer,

64:5395

mâri maht godes
endi middi dag,

God’s glorious might,
and that great midday

64:5396

that sia thia ferahquâla
frummian skoldun.

When they would cause to be done
those death-torments.

64:5397

Than lag thar ôk an bendion
an thero burg innan

There lay also in bonds
within the bastion

64:5398

ên ruof reginskaðo,
thie habda under them rîke sô filo

A notorious robber:
in the realm he had

64:5399

morðes girâdan
endi manslahta gifrumid,

Committed murders aplenty
and done manslaughter.

64:5400

was mâri meginthiof:
ni was thar is gimako hwergin;

He was known as a mighty thief.
Nor was there his like anywhere.

64:5401

was thar ôk bi [sînon]
[sundion] giheftid,

He was in chains
because of his sins.

64:5402

Barrabas was hie hêtan;
hie after them burgion was

Barrabas was he hight,
and here in the burg

64:5403

thuru is mêndâdi
manogon [gikûðid].

This man was far known
for his many misdeeds.

64:5404

Than was landwîsa
liudio Judeono,

That was the land-custom
of the kinfolk of Jews

64:5405

that sia jâro [gihwen]
an godes minnia

That each year for God’s love
they could ask amnesty

64:5406

an them hêlagon dage
ênna haftan mann

On that holy day
for some man doomed to die;

64:5407

abiddian skoldun,
that im iro burges ward,

And that the leader, warder of bastions,
would give him his life.

64:5408

iro folktogo
ferah fargâƀi.

64:5409

Thuo bigan thie heritogo
thia hêri Judeono,

Then the duke began
to question the gathering,

64:5410

that folk frâgoian,
thar sia im fora stuodun,

The folk of the Jews
who stood there before him

64:5411

hweðeron sia thero tweio
tuomian weldin,

Which of the two
they wanted to have freed,

64:5412

ferahes biddian:
"thia hier an feteron sind

To beg for his life:
“which are in bonds here,

64:5413

haft undar theson heriskipie?"
Thiu hêri Judeono

In fetters in front of the clanships.”
Then the folk of the Jews

64:5414

habdun thuo thia aramun man
alla gispanana,

Had stirred up
all the poorer, the smaller men,

64:5415

that sia themo landskaðen
lîf abâdin,

So that they asked for the life
of the land-robber:

64:5416

githingodin them thioƀe,
thie oft an thiustria naht

They demanded the thief,
who in darkness of night

64:5417

wam giwarahta,
endi waldand Crist

Had committed his crimes;
and All-Wielding Christ

64:5418

quelidin an krûcie.
Thuo warð that kûð oƀar all,

They tortured onto the cross.
Then it became truly known unto all

64:5419

[hwô thiu thiod haƀda duomos adêlid.
Thuo skoldun sia thia dâd frummian,]

How the people had dealt out their dooms.
Then had they to accomplish this deed

64:5420

[hâhan] that hêlaga barn.
That warð them heritogen

And to hang Him, the Holy Bairn.
In times hence that would bring

64:5421

sîðor te sorgon,
that hie thia saka wissa,

To the duke great trouble,
when he truly knew

64:5422

that sia thuru nîðskipi
neriendon Crist,

That the folk of the Jews
loathed Christ Savior as their foe,

64:5423

hatoda thiu hêri,
endi hie im hôrda te thiu,

That they hated Him;
and that he, Pilate, had hearkened unto them

64:5424

warahta iro willion:
thes hie wîti antfeng,

And had granted their will;
for this he had evil reward,

64:5425

lôn an theson liohte
endi lang after,

Punishment here in this light
and for long ages after.

64:5426

[wôi sîðor] wann,
sîðor hie thesa werold agaf.

He won great woe,
when he later gave up this world.

{ 65 }
Capitulum LXV

65:5427

Thuo warð thas thie wrêðo giwaro,
wamskaðono mêst,

The Wrong-Doer soon grew aware of this,
the greatest of scoundrels,

65:5428

Satanas selƀo,
thuo thiu seola quam

Satan himself,
when the soul of Judas

65:5429

Judases an grund
grimmaro helliun -

Came down to the ground
of grim, hot hell.

65:5430

thuo wissa hie te wâren,
that that was waldand Crist,

Then most verily he knew
that it was All-Wielding Christ,

65:5431

barn drohtines,
that thar gibundan stuod;

The Bairn of the Lord,
who stood there bound;

65:5432

wissa thuo te wâron,
that hie [welda] thesa werold alla

And most verily he knew
that He wished to release

65:5433

mid is henginnia
hellia githuinges,

The whole world and its people
From the pangs of hell

65:5434

liudi alôsian
an lioht godes.

Through His hanging, leading them all
to the light of the Lord.

65:5435

That was Satanase
sêr an muode,

Then was Satan
indeed sore of heart,

65:5436

tulgo harm an is hugie:
welda is helpan thuo,

Most troubled of mind;
truly he hoped

65:5437

that im liudio barn
lîf ne binâmin,

To bring it about
that the bairns of mankind

65:5438

ne quelidin an krûcie,
ak hie welda, that hie quic liƀdi,

Would not rob Christ of life,
nor torture Him on the cross.

But he wanted Christ
to remain quick and alive,

65:5439

te thiu that [firiho] barn
fernes ne wurðin,

So that the children of men
would not be safe from hell,

65:5440

sundiono sikura.
[Satanas giwêt im thuo,]

Safe from their sins.
Satan hied himself hence

65:5441

thar thes heritogen
hîwiski was

To where was the house
of the host’s leader

65:5442

an thero burg innan.
Hie thero is brûdi bigann,

Within the bastions.
To the bride here openly,

65:5443

thera idis opanlîko
unhiuri fîond

To the wife within
the weird Fiend began

65:5444

wunder tôgian,
that sia an wordhelpon

To reveal great wonders,
so that with her word-help

65:5445

Criste wâri,
that hie muosti [quik] libbian,

She would cause it to be
that Christ, Lord of Men,

65:5446

drohtin manno
- hie was iu than te dôðe giskerid -

Could remain ’mid the quick —
for already He was destined to die —

65:5447

wissa that te wâron,
that hie im skoldi thia giwald biniman,

For he knew most truly
that He would take from him the power

65:5448

that hie sia oƀar thesan middilgard
sô mikila ni haƀdi,

So that he would no longer own so much
in this mid-world here,

65:5449

oƀar wîda werold.
That wîf warð thuo an forahton,

O’er this wide, wide earth.
The wife became fearful.

65:5450

swîðo an sorogon,
thuo iru thiu gisiuni quâmun

Sorely troubled was she,
since these visions did come unto here

65:5451

thuru thes dernien [dâd]
an dages liohte,

In the full light of day
through the doing of him

65:5452

an heliðhelme bihelid.
Thuo siu te iru hêrren anbôd,

Who was hidden by a helmet of magic
to make him unseen.

65:5453

that wîf mid iro wordon
endi im te wâren hiet

With words did she plead with her husband:
the wife did hight

65:5454

selƀon seggian,
hwat iro thar te gisiunion quam

He be told most truly
what visions had come unto her

65:5455

thuru thena hêlagan mann,
endi im helpan bad,

From the Holy Man;
and she bade him for help

65:5456

formon is ferhe:
"ik hebbiu hier sô filo thuru ina

To save His life.
“I have seen here so much through Him,

65:5457

seldlîkes gisewan,
sô ik wêt, that thia sundiun skulun

So many strange things,
that well do I know that the sins

65:5458

allaro erlo gihwem
uƀilo githîhan,

Shall thrive indeed
of any aethling

65:5459

sô im fruokno tuo
ferahes âhtið."

Who so recklessly hopes
to rob Him of life.”

65:5460

Thie segg warð thuo an [sîðe],
antat hie sittian fand

The messenger went on his way,
until he did find the folk-warden,

65:5461

thena heritogon
an [hwaraƀe] innan

The duke sitting there
among the throng of the people

65:5462

an them stênwege,
thar thiu strâta was

On the stony way,
there where the street

65:5463

felison gifuogid.
Thar hie te is frôhon geng,

Is fused together with rocks.
And he fared to his lord

65:5464

sagda im thes wîƀes word.
Thuo warð im [wrêð] hugi,

And told the word of the wife
unto him. And the folk-warden

65:5465

them heritogen,
- hwaraƀoda an innan -,

Became troubled of soul,
and he went inside.

65:5466

giblôðit briostgithâht:
was im bêðies wê,

The thoughts in his breast grew fearful,
for both were grievous for him:

65:5467

gie that sea ina sluogin
sundia lôsan,

That they should slay Him,
who was free of sin,

65:5468

gie it bi them liudion thuo
forlâtan ne gidorsta

And that before this crowd he dared not
leave that task undone

65:5469

thuru thes werodes word.
Warð im giwendid thuo

Because of the people’s word.
But then it was turned,

65:5470

hugi an herten
after thero hêri Judeono,

The heart in his breast,
as the host of the Jews did so want it

65:5471

te werkeanne iro willion:
ne wardoda im niewiht

To work their will.
He warded from himself

65:5472

thia swârun sundiun,
thia hie im thar thuo selƀo gideda.

Not a single, dire sin,
which he himself there did.

65:5473

Hiet im thuo te is handon dragan
hluttran brunnion,

He hight them bring him
a clear fount for his hands,

65:5474

watar an [wêgie],
thar hie furi them werode sat,

Bring him water in a vessel,
as he verily sat in front of the folk

65:5475

thwôg ina thar for thero thioda
thegan kêsures,

And the thane of Caesar
washed himself ’fore the throng,

65:5476

hard heritogo
endi thuo fur thero hêri sprak,

The harsh leader of hosts,
and to the horde he did speak,

65:5477

quað that hie ina thero sundiono thar
sikoran dâdi,

Said that he was freeing himself
from such sinful deeds,

65:5478

wrêðero werko:
"ne williu ik thes wihtes plegan", quathie,

Such wrongful works;
“Nor will I be responsible,” quoth he,

65:5479

"umbi thesan hêlagan mann,
ak [hleotad] gi thes alles,

“Even one whit for this Holy Man;
but yet alone shall carry out all

65:5480

gie wordo gie werko,
thes gi im hêr te wîtie giduan."

With your words and your works —
all which ye do Him here to His woe.”

65:5481

Thuo hreop all saman
heriskipi Judeono,

Then all the clanships of Jews
cried out togther,

65:5482

thiu mikila menigi,
quâðun that sia weldin umbi thena man plegan

The mighty multitude;
quoth that against this man

65:5483

deraƀoro dâdio:
"fare is drôr oƀar ûs,

They would carry out sentence
for His evil deeds. “Let His gore drip down —

65:5484

is bluod endi is baneði
endi oƀar ûsa barn sô samo,

His blood over us, and the bane of death —
and over our bairns as well —

65:5485

oƀar ûsa aƀaron thar after -
wi [williat] is alles plegan", quaðun sia,

O’er our children’s children coming thereafter —
we shall still be responsible

65:5486

"umbi thena slegi selƀon, -
ef wi thar êniga sundia giduan!"

For the slaying itself —
supposing we commit thereby a sin!”

65:5487

Ageƀan warð thar thuo furi them Judeon
allaro gumono besta

There before the throng of the Jews
the Best of All Men was then given

65:5488

hettendion an hand,
an herubendion

Into the hand of the haters,
held tightly by chains,

65:5489

[narawo] ginôdid,
thar ina nîðhwata,

Forced into fetters —
so the foe did receive Him —

65:5490

fîond antfengun:
folk ina [umbihwarf],

Those who did loathe Him:
the land-folk encircled Him,

65:5491

mênskaðono megin.
Mahtig drohtin

The churls evil-minded.
The Mighty Lord

65:5492

tholoda githuldion,
sô hwat sô im thiu thioda deda.

Suffered patiently all
that the people did unto Him.

65:5493

Sia hietun ina thuo fillian,
êr than sia im ferahes tuo,

They hight He be flogged
before they would rob Him

65:5494

aldres âhtin,
endi im undar is ôgun spiwun,

Of His life, of His age;
and under His eyes they spat at Him.

65:5495

[dedun] im that te hoske,
that sia mid iro handon slôgun,

They held Him up to their scorn,
and with their hands they did strike Him,

65:5496

weros an is wangun
endi im is giwâdi binâmun,

The men, ’gainst His cheeks
and of His garments they stripped Him,

65:5497

rôƀodun ina thia [reginskaðon],
rôdes lakanes

And then renegades robbed Him
and took His red robe,

65:5498

dedun im eft ôðer an
thuru unhuldi;

And gave Him another —
ungracious were they —

65:5499

hietun thuo hôƀidband
hardaro thorno

And a wonderous headband,
a crown of hard thorns

65:5500

[wundron] windan
endi an waldand Crist

They hight wound round, and hight
it be set on All-Wielding Christ,

65:5501

selƀon settean,
endi gengun im thia gisîðos tuo,

On Him there, Himself.
And the thralls went to Him,

65:5502

queddun ina an kuningwîsu
endi thar an knio fellun,

In kingly way did address Him,
and fell on their knees,

65:5503

hnigun im mid iro hôƀdu:
all was im that te hoske giduan,

And bowed their heads unto Him:
in mockery of Him they so did.

65:5504

thoh hie it all githolodi,
thiodo drohtin,

But all patiently He bore it,
the Lord of the Peoples,

65:5505

[mahtig] thuru thia minnia
manno kunnies.

The Mighty One, for His love
for the children of men.

65:5506

Hietun sia thuo wirkian
wâpnes eggion

They then hight that the men work
with the weapon’s edge,

65:5507

heliðos mid iro handon
hardes [bômes

Make with their hands
out of the hard wood

65:5508

kraftiga] krûci
endi hietun sia Cristan thuo,

A great, strong cross,
and they hight that Christ,

65:5509

sâlig barn godes
selƀon fuorian,

God’s Blessed Bairn
be brought there Himself;

65:5510

dragan hietun sia ûsan drohtin,
thar hie [bedrôragad skolda]

Hight that they lead Him,
our Lord, where He was to bleed

65:5511

sweltan sundiono lôs.
Sîðodun Judeon,

And to die — He without sin.
And the Jews all went,

65:5512

weros an willon,
lêddun waldand Crist,

The world-men, all willingly
and led All-Wielding Christ,

65:5513

drohtin te dôðe.
Thar mohta man thuo dereƀi thing

The Dear Lord to His death.
Dire things one could hear,

65:5514

harmlîk gihôrian:
hioƀandi thar after

Grievous and wrong; groaning,
the women did go,

65:5515

gengun wîf mid wôpu,
weros [gnornodun,]

Did follow with weeping,
and the men were wailing,

65:5516

thia fan Galilea
mid im gangan quâmun,

Those come from Galilee,
who did go with them,

65:5517

folgodun oƀar ferrwegos:
was im iro frôhon dôð

Faring from far-off ways.
For the death of their Fair Lord

65:5518

swîðo an soragan.
Thuo hie selƀo sprak,

They were sorrowing sorely.
But He Himself, looking back, did see them,

65:5519

barno that besta
endi under bak besah,

65:5520

hiet that sia ni wêpin:
"ni tharf iu wiht tregan", quathie,

Hight that they weep not,
“Nor may ye sorrow one whit

65:5521

"mînero hinferdio,
ak gi mid hofnu mugun

For My wayfaring hence,
but your wicked words

65:5522

iuwa wrêðan werk
wôpu kûmian,

Ye may bewail
and lament with your weeping,

65:5523

tornon trahnon.
Noh wirðið thiu tîd kuman,

With your bitter tears.
For the time will come

65:5524

that thia [muoder thes]
mendendia sind,

When the mothers will rejoice,
the maids of Judea, that in their lives

65:5525

brûdi Judeono,
them gio barn ni warð

No bairn was e’er born unto them.
For then will ye bitterly pay

65:5526

ôdan an aldre.
Than gi iuwa inwid skulun

65:5527

grimmo angeldan;
than gi sô gerna sind,

For your wrongs, right grimly.
Then would ye be glad

65:5528

that iu hier bihlîdan
hôha bergos,

If the high mountains
did hide you down here,

65:5529

diopo bedelƀan;
dôð wâri iu than allon

And bury you deeply.
Death would be dearer,

65:5530

lioƀera an theson lande
than sulik liudio [qualm]

Lovelier for all in the land,
than to suffer the loathsome

65:5531

te githolianne,
sô hier than thesaro thioda kumid."

Murder of mankind,
which will come here to the kinships of men.”

{ 66 }
Capitulum LXVI

66:5532

Thuo sia thar an griete
galgon rihtun,

Then they set up the gallows
on the sandy ground,

66:5533

an them felde [uppan]
folk Judeono,

High on the field,
the folk of the Jews:

66:5534

bôm an berege,
endi thar an that barn godes

The beam on the hillside;
and God’s Bairn was tormented

66:5535

quelidun an krûcie:
slôgun kald îsarn,

Thereon, on the cross.
They struck cold iron

66:5536

niwa naglos
nîðon skarpa

Now in their eagerness,
nails sharp and new,

66:5537

hardo mid hamuron
thuru is hendi endi [thuru is] fuoti,

Hard with their hammers,
through His hands and His feet:

66:5538

bittra bendi:
is blôd ran an erða,

Bitter bonds were they.
His blood ran to earth,

66:5539

drôr fan ûson drohtine.
Hie ni welda thoh thia dâd wrekan

The gore of our Good Lord.
But this grim deed He cared not

66:5540

grimma an them Judeon,
ak hie [thes] god fader

To avenge ’gainst the Jews,
but He bade God the Father,

66:5541

mahtigna bad,
that hie ni wâri them manno folke,

The Almighty Lord,
that He be not wrathful

66:5542

them werode thiu [wrêðra]:
"hwand sia ni witun, hwat sia [duot]", quathie.

’Gainst these men, this world-folk,
“Since they wit not what they do,” quoth He.

66:5543

Thuo thia wîgandos
giwâdi Cristes,

Then the war-men dealt out
the weeds of the Lord,

66:5544

[drohtines] dêldun,
dereƀia [mann],

Divided Christ’s clothing —
coarse men of the foe —

66:5545

thes rîken girôbi.
Thia rinkos ni mahtun

His fair, rich robes.
But the men could not rightly

66:5546

umbi [thena selƀon] saban
samwurdi [gisprekan],

Agree together
about the same tunic

66:5547

êr sia an iro [hwaraƀe]
hlôtos wurpun,

Until in their crowd
they had cast down lots,

66:5548

hwilik iro skoldi hebbian
thia hêlagun pêda,

Which of them was to have
this holy garment,

66:5549

allaro giwâdio wunsamost.
Thes [werodes] hirdi

The most winsome of weeds.
The world-folk’s herdsman,

66:5550

hiet thuo, the heritogo,
oƀar them [hôƀde selƀes]

The duke himself, hight
that over the head

66:5551

[Cristes an] krûce skrîƀan,
that that wâri kuning Judeono,

Of Christ on the cross there be writ
that this be the true king of Jews,

66:5552

Jesus fan Nazarethburh,
thie thar neglid stuod

Jesus of Nazareth-burg,
who stood there nailed

66:5553

an niwon galgon
thuru nîðskipi,

On the new gallows
because of grim hatred —

66:5554

an bômin treo.
Thuo bâdun thia liudi

On the beam of the rood.
Then the folk bade him

66:5555

that word wendian,
quâðun that hie im sô an is willeon sprâki,

To change that word, quoth that He Himself
had so said as He wished,

66:5556

selƀo sagdi,
that hie habdi thes gisîðes giwald,

Had spoken so of Himself,
that He wielded power over the people,

66:5557

kuning wâri oƀar Judeon.
Thuo sprak eft thie kêsures bodo,

Was King over the Jews.
Then Caesar’s envoy spake once again,

66:5558

hard heritogo:
"it ist iu sô oƀar is hôƀde giskriƀan,

The harsh leader of hosts:
“Over His head it is now so writ,

66:5559

wîslîko giwuritan,
sô ik it nu wendian ni mag."

So wisely inscribed,
and I choose not to change it.”

66:5560

Dâdun thuo thar te wîtie
[werod] Judeono

The people of Jews
then put on each side

66:5561

twêna fartalda man
an twâ halƀa

Of Christ on the cross
two men condemned for their crimes

66:5562

Cristes an krûci:
lietun sia [qualm] tholon

And left them there tortured
on the gallows-tree as reward

66:5563

an them [waragtrewe]
werko te lône,

For their works, for their loathsome deeds.
And the land-folk did speak

66:5564

lêðaro dâdio.
Thia liudi sprâkun

66:5565

hoskword manag
hêlagon Criste,

Many harsh words of scorn
unto Holy Christ,

66:5566

grottun ina mid gelpu:
sâwun allaro gumono then beston

And with yelps they did greet Him;
they saw the Best of all Men

66:5567

quelan an themo krûcie:
"ef thu sîs kuning oƀar all", quâðun sia,

Tormented there on the cross:
“If Thou beest King over all,” quoth they,

66:5568

"suno drohtines,
sô thu haƀis selƀo [gisprokan],

“The Son of the Lord,
as Thou Thyself hast spoken,

66:5569

neri thik fan thero nôdi
endi nîðes atuomi,

Save Thou Thyself from Thy suffering.
Make Thyself free of such hate!

66:5570

gang thi hêl herod;
than welliat an thik heliðo barn,

Go hence hail and well.
Then will this host,

66:5571

thesa liudi gilôƀian."
Sum imo ôk lastar sprak

The bairns of the folk believe Thee.”
So also spake blasphemy

66:5572

swîðo gêlhert Judeo,
thar hie fur them galgon stuod:

A most arrogant Jew
who stood at the gallows.

66:5573

"wah warð thesaro weroldi", quathie,
"ef thu iro skoldis giwald êgan.

“Woe to the world,” quoth he,
“if Thou didst wield power over it!

66:5574

Thu sagdas that thu mahtis an ênon dage
all tewerpan

Thou sayest Thou canst
cast down in one day

66:5575

that hôha hûs
heƀankuninges,

The high, noble house
of the King of Heaven,

66:5576

stênwerko mêst
endi eft standan giduon

The greatest of stoneworks,
and make it stand once more

66:5577

an thriddion dage,
sô is elkor ni thorfti bithîhan mann

On the third day.
Up to this time no man of the people

66:5578

theses folkes furðor.
Sînu hwô thu nu gifastnod stês,

Hath dared to bring such to pass.
But see, how Thou now standest in fetters

66:5579

swîðo gisêrid:
ni maht thi selƀon wiht

And in sore distress;
nor canst Thou save e’en Thyself

66:5580

balowes gibuotian."
Thuo thar ôk an them bendion sprak

One whit from this pain.”
Then, too, one of the thieves

66:5581

thero theoƀo ôðer,
all sô hie thia thioda gihôrda,

In fetters did speak —
when he heard the folk

66:5582

wrêðon wordon
- ne was is willio guod,

Uttering wicked words —
for his will was ne’er good,

66:5583

thes thegnes githâht -:
"ef thu sîs thiodkuning", quathie,

The thoughts of this thrall.
“If Thou beest King of this folk,” quoth he,

66:5584

"Crist, godes suno,
gang thi [than] fan them krûce niðer,

“Christ, Son of God,
go Thou down from the cross,

66:5585

slôpi thi fan them sîmon
endi ûs samad allon

Slip loose from these snares
and save us all,

66:5586

hilp endi hêli.
Ef thu sîs heƀankuning,

Help us together.
If Thou beest the Heaven-King,

66:5587

waldand thesaro weroldes,
giduo it than an thînon werkon skîn,

Wielder over this world,
make it known through Thy works,

66:5588

mâri thik fur thesaro menigi."
Thuo sprak thero manno ôðer

Reveal Thyself to these many!”
Then spake the other man

66:5589

an thero henginna,
thar hie giheftid stuod,

Hanging there who stood
held in his fetters.

66:5590

wan wunderquâla:
"behuî wilt thu sulik word sprekan,

Suffering great pain.
“Wherefore wilt thou speak such a word,

66:5591

gruotis ina mid gelpu?
stês thi hier an galgen haft,

Greetest thou Him with such scorn?
Thou standest here held to the gallows,

66:5592

[gibrôkan] an bôme.
Wit hier bêðia tholod

Broken on the beam.
We both suffer sorely

66:5593

sêr thuru unka sundiun:
is unk unkero selƀero dâd

Because of our sin:
our own deeds themselves

66:5594

worðan te wîtie.
Hie stêd hier wammes lôs,

Have brought us our pain.
But He standeth there,

66:5595

allaro sundiono sikur,
sô hie selƀo gio

Faultless and free of all sin;
for He Himself

66:5596

firina ni gifrumida,
botan that hie thuru theses folkes nið

Hath committed no crime;
but for the hate of the crowd

66:5597

willendi an thesaro weruldi
wîti antfâhid.

He willingly endureth
dire pain in this world.

66:5598

Ik williu thar gilôƀian tuo", quathie,
"endi williu thena landes ward,

I shall most willingly believe,” quoth he,
“and shall eagerly bid Him,

66:5599

thena godes suno
gerno biddian,

The Son of the Lord,
the Warder of Lands,

66:5600

that thu mîn gihuggies
endi an helpun sîs,

That Thou thinkest of me
and that Thou beest my help,

66:5601

râdendero best,
than thu an thîn rîki kumis:

O Best of All Rulers,
when Thou reachest Thy realm —

66:5602

wes mi than ginâðig."
Thuo sprak im eft neriendo Crist

Have mercy on me!”
Then Christ Savior did speak

66:5603

wordon tegegnes:
"ik seggiu thi te wâron hier", quathie,

Unto him with His words.
“Verily I say unto thee,” quoth He,

66:5604

"[that thu noh hiudu môst
an himilrîke]

“That still on this day
thou shalt see God’s light

66:5605

[mid mi samad
sehan lioht godes,]

Together with Me
in the kingdom of Heaven,

66:5606

an themo paradyse,
thoh thu nu an sulikoro pînu sîs."

In Paradise, though thou
art now in such pain.”

66:5607

Than stuod thar ôk Maria,
muoder Cristes,

There stood also Mary,
the mother of Christ,

66:5608

blêk under them bôme,
gisah iro barn tholon,

Bleached pale ’neath the beam,
and beheld her Bairn tortured,

66:5609

winnan wunderquâla.
Ôk wârun thar wîf mid iro

Suffering such agony.
And there were also women there come

66:5610

an sô mahtiges
minnia kumana -

With her for love of Him,
Who was the Almighty.

66:5611

than stuod thar ôk Johannes,
jungro Cristes,

And John stood there, too,
the disciple of Christ,

66:5612

hriwi undar is hêrren,
was im is hugi sêrag -

Sadly beneath His Lord;
and his spirit was sore,

66:5613

[drûƀodun fur] them dôðe.
Thar sprak drohtin Crist

Grieved for this death.
Then Christ the Great Lord did speak,

66:5614

mahtig te thero muoder:
"nu ik thi hier mînemo skal

The Mighty One to His mother:
“To My disciple

66:5615

jungron befelhan,
them thi hier geginward stêd:

I hereby consign thee,
to him who standeth here before Me.

66:5616

[wis] thi an is gisîðie samad:
thu skalt ina furi suno hebbian."

Enter thou into his household.
Thou shalt have him for a son.”

66:5617

Grôtta hie thuo Johannes,
[hiet] that hie iru fulgengi [wel],

Then He greeted John there,
hight that he care for her well,

66:5618

minniodi sia sô [mildo],
sô man is muoder skal,

Love her so mildly,
as one should one’s mother,

66:5619

idis unwamma.
Thuo hie sia an is êra antfeng

This maid without stain.
Pure of mind, he received her

66:5620

thuru hluttran hugi,
sô im is hêrro gibôd.

Into his care,
as his Lord had commanded.

{ 67 }
Capitulum LXVII

67:5621

Thuo warð thar an middian dag
[mahtig] têkan,

Then at the mid-hour of day
a mighty token

67:5622

wundarlîk giwaraht
oƀar [thesan] werold [allan,]

Was wonderously revealed
over the whole of the world,

67:5623

thuo man thena godes suno
an thena galgon huof,

When they had raised God’s Son
onto the gallows,

67:5624

Crist an that krûci:
thuo warð it kûð oƀar all,

Christ onto the cross:
then it became known everywhere

67:5625

hwô thiu sunna warð gisworkan:
ni mahta suigli lioht

How the sun was made swarthy,
nor could its fair shimmering light

67:5626

skôni giskînan,
ak [sia] skado farfeng,

Shine down any longer,
but its rays were surrounded

67:5627

thimm endi thiustri
endi [sô githrusmod neƀal].

With darkness and gloom,
and dim fogs did o’ercast it.

67:5628

[Warð] allaro dago druoƀost,
dunkar swîðo

Thus came the dreariest day,
the greatest darkness

67:5629

oƀar [thesan] wîdun weruld,
sô lango sô waldand Crist

Over the whole, wide world,
as long as the All-Wielder

67:5630

qual an themo krûcie,
kuningo rîkost,

Christ, suffered pain on the cross,
the Richest of Kings,

67:5631

ant nuon dages.
Thuo thie neƀal tiskrêd,

Till the ninth hour of the day.
Then the mists did divide,

67:5632

that giswerk warð thuo teswungan,
bigan sunnun lioht

The swarthiness scattered,
and the light of the sun

67:5633

hêdron an himile.
Thuo hreop [up] te gode

Appeared clear in the heaven.
Then the Strongest of Kings,

67:5634

allaro kuningo kraftigost,
thuo hie an themo krûcie stuod

The Greatest, cried up to God,
as He stood on the cross,

67:5635

faðmon gifastnot:
"fader alomahtig", quathie,

Fingers and arms fast bound in their fetters.
“Father Almighty,” cried He,

67:5636

"te huî thu mik sô farlieti,
lieƀo drohtin,

“Wherefore hast Thou so forsaken Me,
Thou My Dear Lord,

67:5637

hêlag heƀankuning,
endi thîna helpa dedos,

Thou Holy Heaven-King?
And leavest Thy help,

67:5638

fullisti sô ferr?
Ik [standu] under theson fîondon hier

Thy support so far?
I stand ’mid the foe

67:5639

[wundron] giwêgid."
Uerod Judeono

So terribly tortured.”
Then truly the folk of the Jews

67:5640

hlôgun is im thuo te hoske:
gihôrdun thena hêlagun Crist,

Laughed to revile Him.
They heard Holy Christ,

67:5641

drohtin furi them dôðe
drinkan biddian,

The Lord, before His death,
ask for a drink,

67:5642

quað that ina thurstidi.
Thiu thioda ne latta,

Heard Him say that He thirsted;
but the throng could not cease their harrying,

67:5643

wrêða wiðarsakon:
was im willeo mikil,

His wicked foes.
But there was in them a great wish

67:5644

hwat sia im bittres [tuo]
bringan mahtin.

To bring unto Him still
something more of bitterness,

67:5645

Habdun im unsuôti
ekid endi galla

And the sin-minded folk
had mixed for Him

67:5646

gimengid thia mênhwaton;
stuod [ên] mann garo,

Vinegar, unsweet, and gall,
and a man stood ready —

67:5647

swîðo skuldig skaðo,
thena habdun sia giskerid te thiu,

A right guilty scoundrel
whom they had chosen for this,

67:5648

farspanan mid sprâkon,
that hie sia en êna spunsia nam,

Had enticed with their speech,
so that he took a sponge

67:5649

lîðo thes lêðosten,
druog it an [ênon] langan skafte,

Loaded with the most loathsome of wines;
on a long shaft he put it,

67:5650

gibundan an ênon bôme
endi deda it them barne godes,

Bound to a beam;
and to God’s Bairn he did give it,

67:5651

mahtigon te mûðe.
Hie ankenda iro mirkiun dâdi,

Into the mouth of the Mighty One.
Christ saw through this murky deed,

67:5652

gifuolda iro fêgnes:
furðor [ni welda

Felt well its treachery —
He no longer cared to taste

67:5653

is sô] bittres anbîtan,
ak hreop that barn godes

Of such bitterness;
but the Bairn of God cried aloud

67:5654

hlûdo te them himiliskon fader:
"ik an thina hendi [befilhu",] quathie,

To His Father in Heaven.
“Into Thy hands I commend Myself,” quoth He,

67:5655

"mînon gêst an godes willion;
hie ist nu garo te thiu,

“My ghost, My spirit unto God’s will.
It is now good,

67:5656

fûs te faranne."
[Firiho] drohtin

It is ready to come unto Thee.”
The Lord of All Peoples

67:5657

gihnêgida thuo is hôƀid,
hêlagon âðom

Inclined His head,
and His holy breath

67:5658

liet fan themo lîkhamen.
Sô thuo thie landes ward

Escaped from His body.
As now the Warder of Lands

67:5659

swalt an them sîmon,
sô warð sân after thiu

Died in His ropes,
there was straightway revealed

67:5660

wundartêkan giwaraht,
[that] thar waldandes dôð

A right wonderous token:
so that the Wielder’s death

67:5661

[unqueðandes] sô filo
antkennian skolda,

Would be made known
to the speechless many

67:5662

[thiadnes] êndagon:
erða biƀoda,

And His end-day fulfilled.
The earth did tremble,

67:5663

hrisidun thia hôhun bergos,
harda stênos kluƀun,

And the high mountains shook,
and the hard stone split open,

67:5664

felisos after them felde,
endi that [fêha lakan] tebrast

The crags on the fields;
and the fair curtain was rent,

67:5665

an middion an twê,
that êr managan dag

Was torn in two down the middle —
that veil in the temple

67:5666

an themo wîhe innan
wundron gistriunid

Which had hung there
unharmed and most wonderously

67:5667

hêl hangoda
- ni muostun heliðo barn,

Broidered for many a day —
for the bairns of mankind,

67:5668

thia liudi skawon,
hwat under themo lakane was

The people were never
permitted to see what holy things

67:5669

hêlages behangan:
thuo mohtun an that horð sehan

Hung hidden behind that veil.
Now they could see the hoard:

67:5670

Judeo liudi -
graƀu wurðun giopanod

The Jewish folk could now gaze on it.
And the graves of dead men

67:5671

dôdero manno,
endi sia thuru drohtines kraft

Burst open and wide;
and in their bodies

67:5672

an iro lîkhamon
libbiandi astuodun

They rose up living
out of the earth —

67:5673

[up] fan erðu
endi wurðun giôgida thar

All through the strength of the Lord —
and were there revealed

67:5674

mannon te mârðu.
That was sô mahtig thing,

As a marvel to me.
This was a mighty thing,

67:5675

that thar [Cristes] dôð
antkennian skoldun,

That so much should feel,
should recognize, too,

67:5676

sô filo thes gifuolian,
[thie] gio mid firihon ne sprak

The death of the Christ:
so many a thing that had never spoken

67:5677

word an thesaro weroldi.
Werod Judeono

One word to any man in this world.
Verily the folk of the Jews

67:5678

sâwun seldlîk thing,
ak was im iro slîði hugi

Saw many strange things;
but their cruel spirits

67:5679

sô farhardod an iro herten,
that thar io sô hêlag ni warð

Had grown so hard in their hearts,
that there was no holy sign,

67:5680

têkan gitôgid,
that sia trûodin thiu bat

No token revealed unto them,
which made them trust more

67:5681

an thia Cristes kraft,
that hie kuning oƀar all,

In Christ’s might and strength:
that He was the King

67:5682

thes werodes wâri.
Suma sia thar mid iro wordon gisprâkun,

Over all the peoples of world.
But some spake with their words,

67:5683

thia thes hrêwes thar
huodian skoldun,

Some who were set guarding
the bodies there in the ground,

67:5684

that that wâri te wâren
waldandes suno,

That this was truly
the Son of the All-Wielder,

67:5685

godes gegnungo,
that thar an them galgon swalt,

The Best of All Bairns.
Some beat their breasts sorely —

67:5686

barno that besta.
Slôgun an iro briost filo

Some weeping women;
wonderous pain they felt,

67:5687

wôpiandero wîƀo:
was im thiu wunderquâla

Much hurt in their hearts,
at their High Lord’s death,

67:5688

harm an iro herten
endi iro hêrren dôð

And they were sorely grieved.
Now it was the custom of the Jews,

67:5689

swîðo an sorogon.
Than was sido Judeono,

That they did not leave any prisoner
hanging there longer

67:5690

that sia thia [haftun thuru thena hêlagon dag]
hangon ni [lietin]

On a holy day, except just as long,
until life had glided away,

67:5691

lengerun hwîla,
[than] im that lîf skriði,

67:5692

thiu seola besunki:
slîðmuoda mann

Till his soul had sunk from him;
and the sly, grim-minded men

67:5693

gengun im mid nîðskipiu nâhor,
thar [sô beneglida stuodun

In their hatred came closer
to where, along with the Christ,

67:5694

theoƀos] twêna,
tholodun bêðia

The two thieves were nailed,
both suffering torture

67:5695

quâla bi Criste:
wârun im quika noh than,

Along with Him.
They were both still alive,

67:5696

untthat sia thia grimmun
Judeo liudi

Until the loathsome
folk of the Jews

67:5697

bênon bebrâkon,
that sia bêðia samad

Broke their leg-bones,
and both together

67:5698

lîf [farlietun,]
suohtun im lioht ôðer.

Took leave of life,
seeking another light.

67:5699

Sia ni thorftun drohtin Crist
dôðes bêdian

But they needed not drive
Lord Christ to His death

67:5700

furðor mid ênigon firinon:
fundun ina gifaranan thuo iu:

With further sins of that sort;
but they found He had fared thence,

67:5701

is seola was gisendid
an suoðan weg,

His soul had repaired from here
on to the right path,

67:5702

an langsam lioht,
is liði kuolodun,

To long-lasting light.
His limbs had grown cold,

67:5703

that [ferah] was af them [flêske.]
Thuo geng im ên thero fîondo tuo

The fire had gone from His flesh;
then one of the folk went up to Him

67:5704

an nîðhugi,
druog negilid sper

With hatred of heart;
and in his hand he did bear

67:5705

hard an is handon,
mid heruthrummeon stak,

A spear, sharp and nailed.
And with sword-strength he did thrust it,

67:5706

liet wâpnes ord
[wundum] snîðan,

Let the point of the weapon
cut deep in the wound,

67:5707

that an selƀes warð
sîdu Cristes

So that on one side
Christ’s body itself

67:5708

antlokan is lîkhamo.
Thia liudi gisâwun,

Was laid open.
The landsmen there saw

67:5709

that thanan bluod endi water
bêðiu sprungun,

That the blood and the water —
both did spring forth,

67:5710

wellun fan thero wundun,
all sô is willio geng

Did well from the wound,
as was His will,

67:5711

endi hie habda [gimarkod êr]
manno kunnie,

And as before He had marked it
for the kinship of men,

67:5712

firiho barnon te frumu:
thuo was it all gifullid sô.

For the good of the folk-bairns,
and so indeed ’twas fulfilled.

{ 68 }
Capitulum LXVIII

68:5713

Sô thuo gisêgid warð
seðle nâhor

The bright, shining sun
with its beacon of beams

68:5714

hêdra sunna
mid heƀantunglon

Had sunk down further
close to its seat —

68:5715

an them druoƀen dage,
thuo geng im ûses drohtines thegan

On that gloomy day there did come
a thane of our Lord:

68:5716

- was im glau gumo,
jungro Cristes

A clever man was he,
a disciple of Christ

68:5717

managa hwîla,
sô it thar manno filo

For a long time already,
although not many a man

68:5718

ne wissa te wâron,
hwand hie it mid is wordon hal

Had ken thereof, since with his words
he had concealed it indeed

68:5719

[Juðeono] gumskipie:
Joseph was hie hêtan,

From the people of Jews.
Joseph was he hight;

68:5720

darnungo was hie ûses drohtines jungro:
hie ni welda thero farduanun thiod

He was his Lord’s disciple in secret,
and he wished not to follow this sinful folk

68:5721

[folgon] te ênigon firinwerkon,
ak hie bêd im under them folke Judeono,

In their works of wickedness;
but amid the Jewish folk he awaited

68:5722

hêlag himilo rîkies -
hie geng im thuo wið thena heritogon mahlian,

The holy kingdom of Heaven.
He went hence to speak to the duke,

68:5723

thingon wið thena thegan kêsures,
thigida ina gerno,

To make issue with the envoy of Caesar;
and he urged him muchly

68:5724

that hie muosti alôsian
thena lîkhamon

To release Christ’s body
from the cross, where it stood in torture

68:5725

Cristes fan themo krûcie,
thie thar giquelmid stuod,

68:5726

thes guoden fan them galgen
endi an graf leggian,

To let the Good Man be lowered
from the gallows and laid in a grave,

68:5727

foldu bifelahan.
Im ni welda thie folktogo thuo

Consigned to earth’s folds.
And the leader of the folk

68:5728

wernian thes willien,
ak im giwald fargaf,

Did not wish to deny him his will,
but did grant him the right

68:5729

that hie sô muosti gifrummian.
Hie giwêt im thuo forð thanan

To accomplish his deed.
Then he did go forth from there,

68:5730

gangan te them galgon,
thar hie [wissa that godes barn,]

Did go to the gallows,
where he knew God’s Bairn,

68:5731

hrêo hangondi
hêrren sînes,

Where he knew the body
of his Lord was hanging.

68:5732

nam ina thuo [an] thero niuwun ruodun
endi ina fan naglon atuomda,

From the new rood he did take it
and from the nails he freed it,

68:5733

antfeng ina mid is faðmon,
sô man is frôhon skal,

And into his arms he received it —
as one should do for one’s dear lord —

68:5734

lioƀes lîkhamon,
endi ina an lîne biwand,

He took the loved body
and wound it with linen

68:5735

druog ina diurlîko
- sô was thie drohtin werð -,

And carried it carefully —
for his Lord was clearly worthy thereof —

68:5736

thar sia thia stedi haƀdun
an ênon stêne innan

To where they had hewn
a place with their hands,

68:5737

handon gihauwan,
thar gio heliðo barn

A spot in the stone,
where still no child of mankind,

68:5738

gumon ne bigruoƀon.
Thar sia [that godes barn]

No person had ever been buried.
There they placed God’s Bairn,

68:5739

te iro landwîsu,
lîko hêlgost

Committed the holiest of corpses,
as was their custom,

68:5740

foldu bifulhun
endi mid ênu felisu belukun

Into the folds of the earth.
And with a rock they did close

68:5741

allaro graƀo guodlîkost.
Griotandi sâtun

The goodliest of graves.
Grieving, there sat

68:5742

idisi [armskapana],
thia that all forsâwun,

Women there in their misery,
those who had witnessed all,

68:5743

thes gumen grimman dôð.
Giwitun [im] thuo gangan thanan

The grim death of the Man.
They started to go thence,

68:5744

wôpiandi wîf
endi wara nâmun,

The weeping women,
watching most carefully

68:5745

[hwô sia eft te them graƀe]
gangan mahtin:

On what path they should again
go back to the grave.

68:5746

haƀdun im farsewana
[soroga] ginuogia,

They had seen sadness
and sorrow aplenty,

68:5747

mikila muodkara:
Maria wârun sia hêtana,

Much grief of their minds:
Mary were they both hight,

68:5748

idisi armskapana.
Thuo warð âƀand kuman,

These women in misery.
Then was the evening come,

68:5749

naht mid neflu.
Niðfolk [Judeono]

The night with its darkness.
The dire, hating Jews

68:5750

[warð] an moragan eft,
menigi gisamnod,

Gathered again in the morning,
many together,

an themu paschadage endi aftar themu pînu,
quâmun te Pilate

On the Paschal day and after the pain,
came to Pilate,

68:5751

rekidun an rûnon:
"hwat, thu wêst, hwô thit rîki was

Speaking in secret:
“What, thou knowest surely,

68:5752

thuru thesan ênan man
all gitwîflid,

That through this One Man
thy realm was indeed doubt-rent,

68:5753

werod giworran:
nu ligid hie wundon siok,

The people confused.
Now lieth He wound-pierced

68:5754

diopa bidolƀan.
Hie sagda [simnen], [that hie skoldi fan dôðe astandan]

And buried all deeply.
He ever did say that He would arise

68:5755

[an thriddian dage.]
Thius thiod gilôƀit te filo,

From the dead on the third day.
This many folk do believe.

68:5756

thit werod after is wordon.
Nu thu hier wardon hêt,

Many people do mark His words.
Now order thou a watch,

68:5757

oƀar them graƀe gômian,
that ina is jungron thar

A guard at His grave,
lest His disciples

68:5758

ne farstelan an themo stêne
endi seggian than, that hie astandan sî,

Steal Him away from the stone,
and say then that He,

68:5759

rîki fan raston:
than wirðit thit rinko folk

Rich and mighty, had risen
from His rest. Then the warrior-folk

68:5760

mêr gimerrid,
ef [sia it biginnat] mârian hier."

Will be angered still more,
if they begin to announce that about.”

68:5761

Thuo wurðun thar giskerida
fan thero skolu Judeono

Then there were people
appointed from the horde of the Jews,

68:5762

weros te thero wahtu:
giwitun im mid iro giwâpnion tharod

War-men for the watch.
They went hence with their weapons:

68:5763

te them graƀe gangan,
thar sia skoldun thes godes barnes

They did go to the grave.
There were they to guard

68:5764

hrêwes huodian.
Warð thie [hêlago] dag

The body of God’s Bairn.
So passed by the holy day

68:5765

Judeono fargangan.
Sia oƀar themo graƀe sâtun,

Of the Jews and was gone.
They sat over the grave,

68:5766

weros an thero wahtun
[wannom] nahton,

The warriors on watch
in the wide, sparkling night,

68:5767

bidun undar iro bordon,
hwan êr thie berehto dag

Biding under their shield-boards,
until the bright day

68:5768

oƀar middilgard
mannon quâmi,

Came to mankind
over the mid-world here,

68:5769

liudon te liohte.
Thuo ni was lang te thiu,

Bringing light to the land-folk.
It was not long thereafter

68:5770

that thar warð thie gêst kuman
be godes krafte,

That through God’s strength
the spirit returned

68:5771

hâlag âðom
undar thena hardon stên

Under the hard stone.
The Holy breath

68:5772

an [thena] lîkhamon.
Lioht was thuo giopanod

Returned to the body.
The light was revealed

68:5773

[firiho] barnon te frumu:
was ferkal manag

For the boon of mankind,
and many a bolt

68:5774

antheftid fan [helldoron]
endi te himile weg

Was unlatched on hell’s doors,
and the way to Heaven

68:5775

giwaraht fan thesaro weroldi.
Wânom [up] astuod

From the world was fashioned.
Full radiant arose

68:5776

friðubarn godes,
fuor im thuo thar hie welda,

The Peace-Bairn of God,
and He did go as He willed,

68:5777

sô thia wardos thes
wiht ni afsuoƀun,

So that the wardens of the grave
could not recognize Him even one whit

68:5778

[derƀia] liudi,
hwan hie fan them dôðe astuod,

That ruthless rabble —
when He rose from the dead,

68:5779

arês fan thero rastun.
Rinkos sâtun

Arose from His rest.
Outside ’round the grave

68:5780

umbi that graf ûtan,
Judeo liudi,

The warriors did sit,
the host with their shields,

68:5781

skola mid iro skildion.
Skrêd forðwardes

The folk of the Jews.
The fair sun strode forward,

68:5782

suigli sunnun [lioht.]
Sîðodun idisi

The clear, winsome light.
And the women went forth,

68:5783

te them graƀe gangan,
gumkunnies wîf,

Going to the grave,
wives of good clan,

68:5784

Mariun munilîka:
habdun mêðmo filo

The Marys most lovely.
They had sold much treasure

68:5785

gisald wiðer [salƀum,]
siluƀres endi goldes,

Of silver and gold
to buy salves, had sold

68:5786

werðes wiðer wurtion,
sô sia mahtun awinnan mêst,

Much of wealth for herbs and for worts.
Whatsoever they could gain,

68:5787

that sia thena lîkhamon
lioƀes hêrren,

So that they could embalm
the body of their beloved Lord,

68:5788

suno drohtines,
salƀon muostin,

The Almighty’s Son,
with their herbs and salves,

68:5789

[wundun writanan.]
Thiu wîf soragodun

Him slashed with wounds.
The women sorrowed

68:5790

an iro seƀon swîðo,
endi suma sprâkun,

So greatly in spirit,
and some of them spake:

68:5791

huie im thena grôtan stên
fan themo graƀe skoldi

Who would roll it aside,
the great stone from the grave

68:5792

gihwereƀian an halƀa,
the sia oƀar that hrêo sâwun

For them, the stone
which they had seen

68:5793

thia liudi leggian,
thuo sia thena lîkhamon thar

The men lay over the corpse,
when they had consigned it

68:5794

befulhun an themo felise.
Sô thiu frî haƀdun

Into its nook in the rocks.
When verily now the women

68:5795

gegangan te them gardon,
that sia te them graƀe mahtun

Had gone to the garden,
so that they might see the grave itself,

68:5796

gisehan selƀon,
thuo thar suôgan quam

68:5797

engil thes alowaldon
oƀana fan radure,

The Almighty’s angel did come
from the sky above,

68:5798

faran an feðerhamon,
that all thiu folda [an skian,]

Faring down from the firmament
in a shroud of feathers,

68:5799

thiu erða dunida
endi thia erlos wurðun

So that the world, the earth
did echo and the men

68:5800

an wêkan hugie,
wardos Juðeono,

Became weak in their spirits,
the watchmen of Jews,

68:5801

bifellun bi them forahton:
ne wândun ira [ferah] êgan,

And fell down in fright.
They feared they would have

68:5802

lîf langerun hwîl.

Their lives not much longer.

{ 69 }
Capitulum LXIX

69:5802

Lâgun [tha] wardos,

The guards lay there,

69:5803

thia gisîðos sâmquika:
sân [up] ahlêd

The thralls, as though dead;
then straightway came uncovered

69:5804

thie grôto stên fan them graƀe,
sô ina thie godes engil

The great stone from the grave;
for God’s angel

69:5805

gihweriƀida an halƀa,
endi im uppan them [hlêwe] gisat

Did roll it aside;
and the Lord’s radiant herald

69:5806

diurlîk drohtines bodo.
Hie was an is dâdion gelîk,

Did sit him there on the stone;
in his face, in his deeds —

69:5807

an is ansiunion,
sô huem sô ina [muosta] undar is ôgon skawon,

So that all and each
might see with their eyes —

69:5808

sô [bereht] endi sô blîði
all sô [bliksmun] lioht;

He was as bright and blithe
as a bolt of lightning.

69:5809

was im is giwâdi
[wintarkaldon]

And his weeds, his vestments
were as the winter-cold snow,

69:5810

[snêwe gilîkost.
Thuo sâwun sia ina sittian thar,]

Then they did see him,
sitting there on the stone that was turned —

69:5811

thiu wîf uppan them giwendidan stêne,
endi im fan them wlitie [quâmun,]

The women beheld him;
and from the brightness

69:5812

them idison sulika egison [tegegnes:
all wurðun fan them grurie

Great fear struck the wives;
they were sore afraid

69:5813

thiu frî an forahton mikilon,]
furðor ne gidorstun

And mightily frightened
and dared go no further,

69:5814

[te themo graƀe gangan,
êr sia thie godes engil],

Dared not go to the grave,
until the angel of God,

69:5815

[waldandes] bodo
wordon gruotta,

The Wielder’s herald,
did greet them with words,

69:5816

quað that hie iro ârundi
all bikunsti,

Quoth that he knew well
what their errand,

69:5817

werk endi willion
endi thero wîƀo hugi,

Their work and their will,
and the mind of these good wives;

69:5818

hiet that sia im ne andrêdin:
"ik wêt that gi iuwan drohtin suokat,

Hight that they fear not,
“For I know ye seek Him,

69:5819

neriendon Crist
fan Nazarethburg,

Your Lord, Savior Christ,
from the city of Nazareth,

69:5820

thena thi hier quelidun
endi an krûci slôgun

Him whom the clans of the Jews
did torture and nail to the cross,

69:5821

Judeo liudi
endi an graf lagdun

Him sinless they laid in the grave.
He Himself is not there,

69:5822

[sundilôsian].
Nu nist hie selƀo hier,

69:5823

ak hie ist astandan iu,
endi sind thesa stedi lârea,

But He hath arisen,
and this place is empty,

69:5824

thit graf an theson griote.
Nu mugun gi gangan herod

This grave in the grotto.
Now may ye go nearer,

69:5825

nâhor mikilu
- ik wêt that is iu ist niud sehan

May come much closer;
clearly I know that ye long

69:5826

an theson stêne innan -:
hier sind noh thia stedi skîna,

To see inside of the stone;
here still is the spot

69:5827

thar is lîkhamo lag."
Lungra fengun

Where His body was laid.”
In their breasts the women, wan though they were

69:5828

gibada an iro brioston
blêka idisi,

And pale, began
to be greatly comforted,

69:5829

wlitiskôni wîf:
was im wilspell mikil

The winsome, fair wives.
A most welcome message

69:5830

te gihôrianne,
that im fan iro [hêrren] sagda

They had heard here —
that which the herald of God,

69:5831

engil thes alowalden.
Hiet sia eft thanan

The All-Wielder’s angel, had said.
He hight that they again

69:5832

fan them graƀe gangan
endi faran te them jungron Cristes,

Go hence from the grave;
and go to Christ’s followers

69:5833

seggian them is gisîðon
suoðon wordon,

And say unto His thanes
this word most sooth:

69:5834

that iro drohtin was
fan dôðe astandan.

That their Lord Most Beloved,
lo, had arisen from death

69:5835

Hiet ôk an sundron
Sîmon Petruse

Most especially he hight
that unto Simon Peter

69:5836

willspell mikil
wordon kûðian,

Be told with words
this most welcome spell

69:5837

kumi drohtines,
gie that Crist [selƀo]

Of the coming of the Lord:
that Christ Himself

69:5838

[was an] Galileo land,
"thar ina eft is jungron skulun,

Was in Galilee-land,
and there again His retainers,

69:5839

gisehan is [gisîðos],
sô hie im êr selƀo gisprak

Disciples shall see Him,
as He Himself did say

69:5840

wâron wordon."
Reht sô thuo thiu wîf thanan

With His words of truth.
Just as the wives

69:5841

gangan weldun,
sô stuodun im tegegnes thar

Were about to go thence,
there stood before them

69:5842

engilos twêna
an alahuîton

Two angels clad
all in garments of white,

69:5843

wânamon giwâdion
endi sprâkun [im] mid iro wordon tuo

In weeds, shining and winsome,
and with their words

69:5844

hêlaglîko:
hugi warð giblôðid

They spake unto them holy things;
and the hearts of the women

69:5845

then idison an egison:
ne mahtun an thia engilos godes

Were made anxious with fright,
for they feared to look at God’s angels,

69:5846

bi themo wlite skawon:
was im thiu wânami te strang,

Could not gaze into the brightness;
for the glory of them was too great,

69:5847

te swîði te sehanne.
Thuo sprâkun im sân angegin

Was too strong to see.
Then the Wielder’s heralds spake

69:5848

waldandes bodun
endi thiu wîf frâgodun,

Again unto them
and did ask the women

69:5849

te huî sia Cristan tharod
quikan mid dôdon,

Why they were come
to seek Christ the Quick

69:5850

suno drohtines
suokian quâmin

Here ’mid the dead,
the Son of the Master,

69:5851

ferahes fullan;
"nu gi ina ni findat hier

Him filled with life.
“Ye shall not find Him

69:5852

an theson stêngraƀe,
ak hie ist astandan [nu]

Here in this stony grave.
But He hath arisen

69:5853

an is lîkhamen:
thes gi gilôƀian skulun

In His body hence;
and this shall ye believe;

69:5854

endi gihuggian thero wordo,
the hie iu te wâron oft

And remember these words,
which most verily

69:5855

selƀo sagda,
[than] hie an iuwon gisîðe was

He Himself hath oft said,
when He was with you

69:5856

an [Galilealande,]
hwô hie skoldi gigeƀan werðan,

In Galilee-land:
how He would be given over and betrayed,

69:5857

gisald selƀo
an sundigaro manno,

How He would be sold
to sinful mankind

69:5858

[hettiandero] hand,
hêlag drohtin,

Into the hand of the hater —
the Most Holy Lord —

69:5859

that sia ina quelidin
endi an krûci [slôgin,]

So that they would torment Him,
and tack Him to the cross,

69:5860

dôdan gidâdin
endi that hie skoldi thuru drohtines kraft

Would do Him to death,
and that on the third day

69:5861

an thriddion dage
thioda te willion

Through the might of Lord God
and for the good of all men,

69:5862

libbiandi astandan.
Nu haƀit hie all gilêstid sô,

He would arise, once more living.
That verily hath been done now,

69:5863

gifrumid mid firihon:
îliat gi nu forð hinan,

Brought to pass ’mid the people.
Repair ye swiftly —

69:5864

gangat gâhlîko
endi duot it them is jungron kûð.

Haste ye hence, and make this known
to the followers of Him.

{ 70 }
Capitulum LXX

70:5865

Hie haƀit sia iu furfarana
endi ist im forð hinan

He hath gone on ahead
and is away

70:5866

an Galileo land,
thar ina eft is jungron skulun,

In Galilee-land,
and His retainers shall see Him again,

70:5867

gisehan is gisîðos."
Thuo warð [sân] after thiu

His disciples there.
And straightway this was joy,

70:5868

them wiƀon an willon,
that sia gihôrdun sulik word sprekan,

Was winsomeness for the women,
when they heard such words spoken,

70:5869

kûðian thia kraft godes
- wârun im sô akumana thuo noh

Making known God’s might —
yet much frightened were they still,

70:5870

gie sô forahta gefrumida -:
giwitun im forð thanan

Filled with a fear of Him;
and they set them forth

70:5871

fan them graƀe gangan
endi sagdun them jungron Cristes

To go from the grave;
and unto Christ’s disciples they gladly

70:5872

[seldlîk] gisiuni,
thar sia sorogondi

Did speak of the wonderous sight,
while sorrowing still

70:5873

bidun sulikero buota.
Thuo wurðun ôk an thia burg [kumana]

They bided such bettering.
To the bastions were come

70:5874

Judeono wardos,
thia oƀar themo graƀe sâtun

The Jewish guardsmen, too,
who had sat by the grave

70:5875

alla [langa] naht
endi thes lîkhamen thar,

All the long, long night,
had lain in watch o’er the corpse,

70:5876

huodun [thes] hrêwes.
Sia sagdun thero hêri Judeono,

O’er the body there buried;
and while they there bided —

70:5877

hwilika im thar andwarda
egison quâmun,

They said unto the host of the Jews —
what shock, what fright,

70:5878

seldlîk gisiuni,
sagdun mid wordon,

What strange sight came unto them;
and they said also with their words,

70:5879

al sô it giduan was
an thero drohtines kraft,

How it was all so done
with the might of the Lord;

70:5880

ni miðun an iro muode.
Thuo budun im mêðmo filo

Nor kept they it hidden within their hearts.
And the host of the Jews

70:5881

Judeo liudi,
gold endi siluƀar,

Offered to them great treasures
both of silver and of gold,

70:5882

saldun im sink manag,
[te thiu that] sia it ni sagdin forð,

Bought from them with bright jewels
the promise that they would not tell,

70:5883

ne mâridin thero menigi:
"ak queðat that iu môði hugi

Nor make this known to the many;
“But say ye that with weary minds

70:5884

answeƀidi mid slâpu
endi that thar quâmin [is] gisîðos tuo,

Ye did fall asleep;
and there did come His disciples

70:5885

farstâlin ina an them stêne.
Simnen wesat gi an strîde mid thiu,

And stole Him away from behind the stone.
Do ye this ever with zeal,

70:5886

forð an flîte:
ef it wirðit them folktogen kûð,

Go on in eagerness;
and if the folk-leader doth gain knowledge thereof,

70:5887

wi gihelpat iu wið thena [hêrosten,]
that hie iu harmes wiht,

We shall help you against that high lord,
so that no whit of harm,

70:5888

lêðes ni gilêstid."
Thuo nâmun sia an them liudon filo

No grief shall o’ertake you”
Then they took great treasures,

70:5889

[diurero mêðmo,]
dâdun all sô sia bigunnun

Precious jewels from the people,
but pursued the course they had begun

70:5890

- ne giweldun iro willion -
[dâdun sô wîdo] kûð

For they had no power o’er their will;
but they broadcast it widely

70:5891

them liudon after them lande,
that sia sulika lugina woldun

To the folk in the land,
that such lies were here spread

70:5892

ahebbian be than hêlagan drohtin.
[Than] was eft gihêlid [hugi]

About the Holy Lord.
Then were the hearts once more healed

70:5893

jungron Cristes,
thuo sia [gihôrdun] thiu guodun wîf

For the disciples of Christ,
when they did hear the good wives

70:5894

mârian [thia] maht godes;
thuo wârun sia an iro muode frâha,

Give praise unto God’s power.
Then their hearts grew joyous,

70:5895

gie im te them graƀe bêðia,
Johannes endi Petrus

And both of them ran —
John and Peter — right away to the grave,

70:5896

[runnun] oƀastlîko:
warð êr [kuman]

Rushing they ran,
and first to arrive was

70:5897

Johannes thie guodo,
endi im oƀar them graƀe gistuod,

John the good,
and stood over the grave,

70:5898

antat thar sân after quam
Sîmon Petrus,

Until soon after
Simon Peter did come,

70:5899

erl ellanruof
endi im thar in giwêt

Earl famed for his strength;
and he went on

70:5900

an that graf gangan:
gisah thar thes godes barnes,

Going straight to the grave;
and he saw there the garments

70:5901

hrêogiwâdi
hêrren sînes

Of God’s Bairn, of His Lord,
the linen lying there,

70:5902

lînin liggian,
mid thiu was êr thie lîkhamo

The beautiful shroud
with which His body

70:5903

fagaro bifangan;
lag thie fano sundar,

Had been bound so fairly.
Far from that lay the cloth

70:5904

mit them was that hôƀid bihelid
hêlages Cristes,

With which Holy Christ’s head
had been covered,

70:5905

rîkies drohtines,
[than] hie an thesaro rastu was.

Our Mighty Lord’s face,
when He lay in this rest.

70:5906

Thuo geng im ôk Johannes
an that graf innan

Then John also did go
inside the grave

70:5907

sehan seldlîk thing;
warð im sân after thiu

To see this strange thing;
and straightway thereafter

70:5908

antlokan is gilôƀo,
[that hie wissa,] that skolda eft an thit lioht kuman

His belief was unlocked, so that he knew
that He would again come to this light —

70:5909

is drohtin diurlîko,
fan dôðe astandan

His Lord most dear,
would arise from the dead

70:5910

[up] fan erðu.
Thuo giwitun im eft thanan

Up out of this earth.
Then they again went away,

70:5911

Johannes endi Petrus,
endi quâmun thia jungron Cristes,

The twain, Peter and John,
and the retainers, disciples

70:5912

thia gisîðos tesamne.
Than stuod sêragmuod

Of Christ came together.
With care-filled heart

70:5913

ên thera idiso
ôðersîðu

One of the women stood
for a second time

70:5914

griotandi oƀar them graƀe,
was iro [jâmar muod -]

Groaning over the grave —
her spirit was grieved —

70:5915

Maria was that Magdalena -,
was iro muodgithâht,

It was Mary Magdalen —
the thoughts of her mind,

70:5916

[seƀo] mit [sorogon] giblandan,
ne wissa hwarod siu sôkian skolda

Of her soul were seized with sorrow,
nor knew she where she should seek Him,

70:5917

thena hêrron, thar iro wârun at thia helpa gilanga.
Siu ni mohta thuo hofnu awîsan,

The Lord who would grant her help.
She could not leave off her lamenting;

70:5918

that wîf ni mahta wôp forlâtan:
ne wissa hwarod siu sia wendian skolda;

The woman could not cease her weeping.
Nor knew she where she could turn.

70:5919

gimerrid wârun iro thes muodgithâhti.
Thuo gisah siu thena [mahtigan thar]

The thoughts of her mind were distracted.
Then she saw Mighty Christ

70:5920

[Criste standan,
thuoh siu ina kûðlîko]

Standing there —
although she could not perceive Him

70:5920b

[antkennian ni mohti,]
êr than hie ina kûðian welda,

As someone she knew,
until He so wished to reveal it,

70:5921

seggian that hie it selƀo wâri.
Hie frâgoda hwat siu sô sêro biwiepi,

Until He would say who He was.
He asked what she was bemoaning so sorely,

70:5922

sô harmo mid hêton trahnin.
Siu quað, that siu umbi iro hêrron ni [wissi]

So terribly there with her hot tears.
She told Him she verily knew not

70:5923

te wâren, hwarod hie werðan skoldi:
"ef thu ina mi giwîsan mohtis,

Where they had taken her Lord.
“If Thou can’st show me,

70:5924

frô mîn, ef ik thik frâgon gidorsti,
ef thu ina hier an theson felise ginâmis,

O my Lord, if I may ask Thee,
if Thou hast taken Him away, from behind these rocks,

70:5925

wîsi ina mi mid wordon thînon:
than wâri mi allaro williono mêsta,

Then instruct me with words —
that would be my greatest wish:

70:5926

that ik ina selƀo gisâhi."
Sia ni wissa, [that] sia thie suno drohtines

That I could see Him myself.”
She knew not ’twas the Son of the Lord

70:5927

gruotta mid gôdaro sprâkun:
siu wânda that it thie gardari wâri,

Whom she was greeting with her good speech.
She weened ’twas a gardener,

70:5928

hofward hêrren sînes.
Thuo gruotta sia thie hêlago drohtin,

Yard-guardian of his master.
Then the Holy Lord did greet her

70:5929

bi namen neriendero best:
siu geng im thuo nâhor sniumo,

By name, the Best of All Saviors.
And straightway she came closer,

70:5930

that wîf mid willion guodan,
antkenda iro waldand selƀan,

The wife, with good will,
and recognized her Savior Himself.

70:5931

[mîðan] siu is thuru thia minnia ni wissa:
welda ina mid iro [mundon] grîpan,

In her love she could not refrain,
but with her hands she longed to hold Him,

70:5932

[thiu fêhmia] an thena folko drohtin,
noƀan that iro friðubarn godes

The woman to touch the World-Lord.
Except that the Peace-Bairn of God

70:5933

werida mid wordon sînon,
quað that siu ina mid wihti ni môsti

Warded her off with His words
said that she must not touch Him

70:5934

handon anthrînan:
"ik ni stêg noh", quathie, "te them himiliskon fader;

With her hands.
“Not yet,” quoth He, “have I risen to Him, the Heavenly Father.

70:5935

ak îli thu nu ofstlîko
endi them erlon kûði,

But haste thou now swiftly,
and make it known to the earls,

70:5936

bruoðron mînon,
that ik ûser bêðero fader,

To My brethren here,
that I will see Him,

70:5937

[alawaldan]
iuwan endi mînan,

The All-Wielder,
Father of us both,

70:5938

suoðfastan god
suokean williu."

Yours and Mine, too,
Mighty God, true and fast.”

{ 71 }
Capitulum LXXI

71:5939

That wîf warð thuo an wunnon,
that siu muosta sulikan willion kûðian,

The woman was in raptures
that she could proclaim such joy,

71:5940

seggian fan im gisundon:
warð sân garo

Could say of Him, that He was sound
and was well. Straightway the woman

71:5941

thiu idis an that ârundi
endi them erlon brâhta,

Was eager to announce this message,
and to the earls she did bring it,

71:5942

willspel weron,
that siu [waldand] Crist

Welcome tidings to the warriors:
that All-Wielding Christ

71:5943

gisundan gisâwi,
endi sagda hwô [he] iru selƀo gibôd

She had seen well and sound;
and she said that He Himself

71:5944

torohtero têkno.
Sia ni weldun gitrûoian thuo noh

Had granted unto her this glorious day.
They still wished not to trust

71:5945

thes wîbes wordon,
that siu sulik willspel brâhte

The woman’s word, that she brought
such a message so welcome

71:5946

gegnungo fan themo godes [suno],
ak sia sâtun im iâmormuoda,

Verily from the Son of God,
and they sat grieved of heart,

71:5947

heliðos [hriwonda.]
Thuo warð thie hêlago Crist

The heroes lamenting.
Then Holy Christ,

71:5948

eft opanlîko
ôðersîðu,

The Lord, revealed Himself
openly another time

71:5949

drohtin gitôgid,
sîðor hie fan dôðe astuod,

Since He rose from the dead.
He did so do this

71:5950

than wîƀon an willion,
that hie im thar an wege muotta.

For the sake of the woman,
that He met them on the way.

71:5951

Quedda sia kûðlîko,
endi sia te is kneohon hnigun,

He spake to them as One whom they knew,
and they bent their knee before Him,

71:5952

fellun im tô fuoton.
Hie hêt that sia forahtan hugi

Fell at His feet.
He hight that no fear

71:5953

ne bârin an iro brioston:
"ak gi mînon bruoðron skulun

Should they bear in their breast.
“But unto My brethren

71:5954

thesa quidi kûðian,
that sia kuman after mi

Shall ye make known My message,
that they shall follow

71:5955

an Galileo land;
thar ik im eft tegegnes biun."

Into Galilee-land.
There shall I meet them again.”

71:5956

Than fuorun im ôk fan Hierusalem
thero jungrono twêna

On that selfsame day
of the disciples

71:5957

an them selƀon daga
sân [an] morgan,

Two earls early
already that morn

71:5958

erlos an iro ârundi:
weldun im te Emaus

Were faring on business.
They wished to find them the fortress

71:5959

that kastel suokan.
Thuo bigunnun im quidi managa

Of Emmaus, the castle.
Among the men many

71:5960

under them weron wahsan,
thar sia after them wege fuorun,

A word did begin to wax,
as they fared on their way,

71:5961

them heliðon umbi iro hêrron.
Thuo quam im thar thie hêlago tuo

About their Holy Lord.
Then they were joined by the Hallowed One,

71:5962

gangandi godes suno.
Sia ni mahtun ina garolîko

God’s Son, going that way.
Still not a whit could they grasp,

71:5963

antkennan kraftigna:
hie ni welda ina thuo noh kûðian te im;

Could recognize the Mighty One.
He did not want to manifest Himself to them yet;

71:5964

was im [thoh] an iro gisîðie samad
endi frâgoda, umbi hwilika sia saka sprâkin:

Still He went along with them,
and He asked about what they were speaking:

71:5965

"huî gangat gi sô gornondia?" quathie.
"Ist ink iâmer hugi,

“Why go ye so groaning,” quoth He,
“Ye twain with such grieving hearts

71:5966

seƀo soragono full."
Sia sprâkun im sân angegin,

And souls filled with sorrow?”
They straightway replied unto Him,

71:5967

thia erlos andwurdi:
"te huî thu thes [êskos sô]", quâðun sia;

The earls then gave answer:
“Why dost Thou ask so?” quoth they.

71:5968

"bist thi fan Hierusalem
Judeono folkas

“Art Thou from Jerusalem
from the folk of the Jews?”

........................
.........................

(Manuscript page lost)

71:5969

[hêlagumu gêste
fan heƀenwange,]

“… The Holy Ghost
from the fields of Heaven

71:5970

[mid them grôtun godes kraft."]
Nam is jungaron thô,

With the great strength of Lord God.”
Now He took those good earls,

71:5971

erlos gôde,
lêdda sie ût thanan,

His disciples there
and He did lead them out,

71:5972

antat he sie brâhte
an Bethania;

Until He brought them
to Bethany.

71:5973

thar hôf he is hendi up
endi hêlegoda sie alle,

There He held up His hands
and hallowed them all;

71:5974

wîhida sie mid is wordun.
Giwêt imo up thanan,

With His words He did bless them.
Then He went Him hence,

71:5975

sôhta imo that hôha himilo rîki
endi thena is hêlagon stôl:

Sought the high realm of Heaven
and His holy throne.

71:5976

sitit imo [thar]
an thea swîðron half godes,

And there He doth sit
on the right side of God,

71:5977

alomahtiges fader
endi thanan all gesihit

The Father Almighty.
And from there All-Wielding Christ

71:5978

waldandeo Crist,
sô hwat sô thius werold behaƀet.

Gazeth down and seeth
what power doth surround the world.

71:5979

Thô an theru selƀon stedi
gesîðos gôde

Then on the same spot
the disciples good

71:5980

te bedu fellun
endi im eft te burg thanan

Fell down in prayer,
and the followers of Christ

71:5981

thar te Hierusalem
jungaron Cristes

Fared rejoicing again
to Jerusalem.

71:5982

fôrun faganondi:
was im frâhmod hugi,

To the city they hastened,
and their hearts were joyous.

71:5983

wârun im thar at themu wîhe.
Waldandes kraft

In the temple they tarried.
Truly the strength of the Wielder …

71:5984

..........................
..............................

(Final pages lost)

Nouns

Singular	m.	Germanic	n.	Germanic
Nom.	dag	*dagaz	word	*wurðan
Gen.	dages, -as	*dagiz, -az	wordes	*wurðiz, -az
Dat.	dage, -a	*dagai	worde	*wurðai
Acc.	dag	*dagan	word	*wurðan
Instr.	dagu, -o	*dagu[?]	wordu	*wurðu[?]
Plural
Nom.	dagos, -as	*daganz	word	*wurðō
Gen.	dago	dagēn, dagōn	wordo	wurðēn, wurðōn
Dat.	dagum, -on	*dagamiz	wordum	*wurðamiz
Acc.	dagos	*daganz	word	*wurðō

Singular	m.	Germanic	n.	Germanic
Nom.	hirdi	*hirðijaz	rīki	*rīkijan
Gen.	hirdies, -as	*hirðijiz, -ijaz	rīkies	*rīkijez, -ijoz
Dat.	hirdie, -a	*hirðijai	rīkie	*rīkijai
Acc.	hirdi, -e	*hirðijan	rīki	*rīkijan
Instr.	hirdiu	*hirðiju[?]	rīkiu	*rīkiju[?]
Plural
Nom.	hirdios, -as	*hirðijōz	rīki	*rīkijō
Gen.	hirdio	hirðijēn, hirðijōn	rīkio	rīkijēn, rīkijōn
Dat.	hirdium, -ion	*hirðijamiz	rīkium	*rīkijamiz
Acc.	hirdios	*hirðijanz	rīki	*rīkijō

Singular	m.	Germanic	n.	Germanic
Nom.	snēu, snēu	*snaiwaz	horu, horo	*horwan
Gen.	snēwes	*snaiwiz, -waz	horuwes	*horuwez, -woz
Dat.	snēwe	*snaiwai	horuwe	*horuwai
Acc.	snēu	*snaiwan	horu	*horwan
Instr.	snēu	*snaiwu[?]	horu [?]	*horuwu[?]
Plural
Nom.	snēwos	*snaiwōz	horu (?)	*horwō
Gen.	snēwo	snaiwēn, snēwōn	horuwo (?)	horuwēn, horuwōn
Dat.	snēwum, -won	*snaiwamiz	horuwum (?)	*horuwamiz
Acc.	*snēwos	*snaiwanz	horu (?)	*horwō

Singular	f.	Germanic
Nom.	geva, -e	*geƀō
Gen.	geva	*geƀōz
Dat.	gevu, -o	geƀai, geƀō, *geƀoi
Acc.	geva, -e	geƀōm, geƀōn
Instr.	gevu	*geƀu[?]
Plural
Nom.	geva	*geƀōz
Gen.	gevono	geƀō(no), geƀōn
Dat.	gevum, gevon	*geƀōmiz
Acc.	geva	*geƀōz

Singular	m.	Germanic	m.	Germanic	f.	Germanic
Nom.	gast	*gastiz	stiki	*stikiz	anst	*anstiz
Gen.	gastes	*gastaiz	stikies	*stikijaiz	ėnsti	*anstaiz, -īz
Dat.	gaste	*gastai, -ī	stiki(e)	*stikijai, -ī	ėnsti	*anstai, -ī
Acc.	gast	*gastin	stiki	*stikin	anst	*anstin
Instr.	gasti, gastiu	*gasti	stiki	*stiki	ėnst	*ansti
Plural
Nom.	gėsti	*gastijiz	stiki	*stikijiz	ėnsti	*anstijiz
Gen.	gėstio	*gastijōn	stiki(o)(n)	*stikijōn	ėnstio	*anstijōn
Dat.	gėstium, gėstion	*gastimiz	stikium, -ion	*stikimiz	ėnstium, ėnstion	*anstimiz
Acc.	gėsti	*gastinz	stiki	*stikinz	ėnsti	*anstinz

Singular	m.	Germanic	n.	Germanic
Nom.	sunu, -o	*sunuz	fehu, -o	*fehu
Gen.	sunies	*sunauz	fehes, -as	*fehauz
Dat.	suno, -ie, -e	*sunawi	feho	*fehawi
Acc.	sunu	*sunun	fehu, -o	*fehu
Instr.	sunu	*sunu[?]	fehu [?]	*fehu[?]
Plural
Nom.	suni	*suniw[e]z	fehu (?)	*fehuwō (?)
Gen.	sunio	*suniwe-	fehuwo (?)	fehiwēn, fehiwōn (?)
Dat.	sunum	*sunumiz	fehuwum (?)	*fehuwamiz (?)
Acc.	suni	*sununz	fehu (?)	*fehuwō (?)

Singular	m.	Germanic
Nom.	fadar, fader	*faðǣr
Gen.	*fadres	*faðriz
Dat.	*fadr	*faðri
Acc.	*fadar, -er	*faðarun, -erun
Instr.	*fadru (?)	*faðru[?]
Plural
Nom.	*fadris	*faðriz
Gen.	*fadro	*faðrōn
Dat.	*fadrun	*faðrumiz
Acc.	fadar, fader	*faðrunz

Singular	m.	Germanic
Nom.	friund	*frijōndz
Gen.	friundes, -as	*frijōndiz
Dat.	friunde, -a	*frijōndi
Acc.	friund	*frijōndun
Instr.	*friundu (?)	*frijōndu[?]
Plural
Nom.	friund, -os, -a	*frijōndiz
Gen.	friundo	*frijōndōn
Dat.	friundun, -on, -um	*frijōndumiz
Acc.	friund, -os, -a	*frijōndunz

Singular	m.	Germanic	f.	Germanic	n.	Germanic
Nom.	hano, -a	*hanēn	tunga, -e	*tungōn	herta, -e	*hertōn
Gen.	hanon, -en, -an	*hananiz	tungun, -on, -an	*tunginiz	herton, -en, -an	*hertiniz
Dat.	hanon, -en, -an	*hanani	tungun, -on, -an	*tungini	herton, -en, -an	*hertini
Acc.	hanon, -an	*hananum	tungun, -on, -an	*tunganun	herta	*hertanun
Instr.	*hananu (?)	*hananu [?]	*tungu (?)	*tungu [?]	*hertu (?)	*hertu [?]
Plural
Nom.	hanon, -un, -an	*hananiz	tungun, -on, -an	*tunganiz	hertun, -on	*hertaniz
Gen.	hanono	*hananan	tungono	*tungunōn	hertono	*hertanōn
Dat.	hanon, -un	*hanomiz	tungun, -on, -an	*tungunmiz	herton, -un	*hertonmiz
Acc.	hanon, -un, -an	*hananunz	tungun, -on, -an	*tunganunz	hertun, -on	*hertanunz

Singular	m.	Germanic	f.	Germanic	f.	Germanic
Nom.	mann	*manz	burg	*burgz	naht	*nahts
Gen.	mannes	*manniz	burges	*burgiz	nahtes	*nahtiz
Dat.	mann	*manni	burg, -i	*burgi	naht, -a	*nahti
Acc.	mann	*manum	burg	*burgun	naht	*nahtun
Instr.	*manu (?)	*manu [?]	*burgu (?)	*burgu [?]	*nahtu (?)	*nahtu [?]
Plural
Nom.	mann, men	*manniz	burgi	*burgiz	naht	*nahtiz
Gen.	manno, -a	*manōn	burgo, io	*burgōn	nahto	*nahtōn
Dat.	mannum, -on	*manmiz	burgun, -iun	*burgmiz	nahtun, -on	*nahtmiz
Acc.	mann, men	*manunz	burgi	*burgunz	naht	*nahtunz

Pronouns

Paradigms: ik, “I”; thu, “thou”; he, siu, it, “he, she it”; wi, “we”; wit, “we two, both of us”; git, “ye two, the both of you”; gi, “ye”; sia, “they”

	Singular
1.	2.	3m.	3f.	3n.
Nom.	ik	du	hē, hī	siu, sia	it, et
Gen.	mīn	thīn	is, es	ira, ire, iru, iro	is
Dat.	mī, me	thī	imu, imo, im	iru, iro, ira	imu, im
Acc.	mīk, mī, me	thīk, thī	ina, ine	sia, sea	it
	Dual
1.	2.
Nom.	wit	git
Gen.	unkero	*inker(o)
Dat.	unk	ink
Acc.	unk	ink
	Plural
1.	2.	3m.	3f.	3n.
Nom.	wī, we	gī, ge	sia, sea, sie, se	soa, sea, sie, se	siu, sia, sea, sie, se
Gen.	ūser	euwar, iuwar, iuwaro	iro	iro	is
Dat.	ūs	eu, iu, giū	im	im	im
Acc.	ūs	eu, iu, giū	sia, sea	sia, sea	siu, sia, sea

Singular
1.		2.		3.
mīn	my (before consonants), mine	dīn	thy (before consonants), thine	sīn	his, hers, its; theirs
Dual
unka	both of ours, of us two	inka	both of yours, of you two
Plural
ūsa	ours, of us	(euwa), iuwa, iuwe, (giuwa)	yours, of you

the, “that, the”
Singular	m.	f.	n.
Nom.	the, thie, thes	thiu, thia	that
Gen.	thes	thera, theru, thero	thes, thas
Dat.	themu, themo, them	themu, themo, them	themu, themo, them
Acc.	thena, thene, thana, thane	thena, thene, thana, thane	thena, thene, thana, thane
Instr.	-	-	thiu
Plural
Nom.	thea, thia, thie, thē	thea, thia, thie, thē	thea, thia, thie, thē, thiu
Gen.	thero, thera	thero, thera	thero, thera
Dat.	thēm, thēn	thēm, thēn	thēm, thēn
Acc.	thea, thia, thie, thē	thea, thia, thie, thē	thea, thia, thie, thē, thiu

these, “this”
Singular	m.	f.	n.
Nom.	these*	thius	thit
Gen.	theses, thesas	thesara, thesaro	theses, thesas
Dat.	thesumu, thesamu	thesaru, thesaro	thesumu, thesamu
Acc.	thesan, thesen	thesa, these	thit
Instr.	-	-	thius
Plural
Nom.	these, thesa	thesa, these	thius, these, thesa
Gen.	thesaro, thesoro	thesaro, thesoro	thesaro, thesoro
Dat.	thesum, thesun, theson	thesum, thesun, theson	thesum, thesun, theson
Acc.	these, thesa	thesa, these	thius, these, thesa

There is no separate relative pronoun (“that, which”). Instead, the demonstrative pronoun the, thiu is used as a relative pronoun. In addition there is a fossilized relative particle the, which can be used either alone or with a preceding demonstrative pronoun.

	1. hwē “who”
	m.	f.	n.
Nom.	hwē, hwie	-	hwat
Gen.	hwes	-	hwes
Dat.	hwem(u)	-	hwem(u)
Acc.	hwena, hwene	-	hwat
Instr.	-	-	hwī, hwiu, hweo, hwō, huo, hū
	2. hwēthar “which of two”
Nom.	hwēthar, hwether
Gen.	hwētheres
Dat.	-
Acc.	hwēthar, hwēther
	3. hwilīk “which, of what sort”
	hwilīk

“Someone,” “anyone,” etc., is expressed with sum, ên, ênig, hwē, hwilīk, ênhwilīk, êndiwhēthar, other (ather), mann or wiht.

For “no one,” nigên, nihwēthar, niomann as well as neowiht (eowiht) are used.

“Everyone” is expressed with sō hwē sō, gihwē, sō hwēthar sō, giwhēthar and hwilīk.

Adjectives

ald, “old”
Singular	m.	f.	n.
Nom.	ald	ald	ald
Gen.	aldes, -as	aldera, aldara	aldes, -as
Dat.	aldum, -on, -an, -umu	alderu, aldaru	aldum, -on, -an, -umu
Acc.	aldan, -on, -en	alda, -e	aldan, -on, -en
Instr.	aldu, -o	-	aldu, -o
Plural
Nom.	alde, -a	alda, -e	ald, alde, alda
Gen.	aldaro, -oro, -ero, -era, -ara	aldaro, -oro, -ero, -era, -ara	aldaro, -oro, -ero, -era, -ara
Dat.	aldum, -un, -om, -n, -an	aldum, -un, -om, -n, -an	aldum, -un, -om-, -n, -an
Acc.	alde, -a	alda, -e	ald, alde, alda

All adjectives with long or two-syllable stems and a short derivative syllable (e.g., hêlag) end, in contrast to the singular accusative masculine shown here, in -na or -ne.

The ja- and jō-stems differ only in the masculine and feminine nominative singular and in the neuter nominative and accusative singular and plural (-i, e.g., diuri “expensive, dear”). Similarly, the wa- and wō-stems have divergent forms there only.

aldo, -a, “old”
Singular	m.	f.	n.
Nom.	aldo, -a	alda, -e	alda, -e
Gen.	alden, -an, -on	aldun	alden, -an, -on
Dat.	alden, -an, -on, -un	aldun, -on, -an	alden, -an, -on, -un
Acc.	aldon, -an	aldun, -on, -an	alda, -e
Plural
Nom.	aldun, -on, -an
Gen.	aldono
Dat.	aldun, -un, -on
Acc.	aldun, -on, -an

Adverbs

The adverb is normally created by adding -o to the adjective.
Examples:

lango “long,”
hluttro “cleanly,”
darno “secretly,”
garo “preparedly.”

The suffix -ungo appears occasionally. The basic comparative ending is -or, -ur.

Irregular Adverbs
gōd —> wel(a), wola Adverbs ending in Germanic iz: bėt, bat (“better”) — bêzt, bêst (“best”) wirs (“worse”) mêr (“more”), mêst (“most”) hald (“more”) < haldiz, with -iz lost through the “Auslautsgesetz.” lês (“less”) êr (“ere, earlier”), êrist (“firstly”) sīth, sīthor, sīthur (“later”) lêng (“longer”) < *langiz, with -e- umlauted from -a- and -iz lost through the “Auslautsgesetz.”

Numerals

#	Cardinals	Ordinals
1	ên (m., f., n.)	êristo, furisto, formo
2	twene, twena (m.) twō, twā (f.) twê (n.)	ōthar
3	thria, thrie, threa (m., f.) thriu, thrū (n.)	thriddio
4	fiuwar, fior, fiar, fier	fiortho
5	fīf	fīftho
6	sehs, ses	sehsto
7	sivun, sivon	sivondo, sivotho
8	ahto, ahte	ahtodo
9	nigun, nigon, nigen	nigundo, nigutho
10	tehan, tehin, tian, tein	tehando, tegotho
11	ellevan, elevan, elleven	ellifto
12	twė-lif, twi-lif, twu-lif	*twelifto

The numbers from one through three are differentiated by gender and are declinable. In certain cases, numbers 4 through 12 can be declined in accord with the substantive i-declension. Numbers 13 through 19 are formed as indeclinable compositions with tehan (e.g., thriu-tein). Numbers 20 through 60 are composed by suffixing -tig (e.g., twêntig), originally the plural of tehan; 70 and 80 were sivuntig and ahto-doch, also constructed by prefixing ant- (ant-sivunta, ant-ahtoda); or, for 70 and 90, by suffixing -ta (sivunta, nigunta). 100 is hund, hunderod. 1,000 is thūsundig.

Prepositions and Prefixes

Prepositions developed partly from adverbs, partly from nominal formations in the oldest times of the individual Indogermanic languages.

Important Prepositions
af	from, away from, out of, off
aftar	after
an	on, in, atop, near
and	to, up to
āno	without
at	at, by
bī	by, from, while
bi-foran	before
fan	from
for	before, for
furi	before
gėgin	against
in	in, into
mid	with
ovar	over
te	to
to	to
thurh	through
und	up to, until
undar	under
uppan	above
uvar	over
with	against
withar	against

Most prepositions can also function as prefixes. In addition, the following are attested as prefixes only: ā, bi-, ad-, far-, fram-, gi-, un-, ur-, ūt-.

Conjunctions

Verbs

Strong verbs are divided into ablauting verbs and reduplicating verbs. Ablauting verbs have six classes with two to four ablaut grades. The third class of strong verbs is divided into subgroups m/n (nasals) plus consonant and l/r (liquids) plus consonant (e.g., winnan and werthan.)

Ablauting Verbs
Class	1	2	3	4	5	6
Infinitive	stīgan	biodan	werthan	beran	gevan	faran
Present Indicative Active
1 pers. sg.	stīgu	biudu	wirthu	biru	givu	faru
2 pers. sg.	stīgis	biudis	wirthis	biris	givis	feris
3 pers. sg.	stīgid	biudid	wirthid	birid	givid	ferid
1 pers. pl.	stīgad	biudad	werthad	berad	gevad	farad
2 pers. pl.	stīgad	biudad	werthad	berad	gevad	farad
3 pers. pl.	stīgad	biudad	werthad	berad	gevad	farad
Present Optative Active
1 pers. sg.	stīge	biude	werthe	bere	geve	fare
2 pers. sg.	stīges	biudes	werthes	beres	geves	fares
3 pers. sg.	stīge	biude	werthe	bere	geve	fare
1 pers. pl.	stīgen	biuden	werthen	beren	geven	faren
2 pers. pl.	stīgen	biuden	werthen	beren	geven	faren
3 pers. pl.	stīgen	biuden	werthen	beren	geven	faren
Imperative
	stīg	biod	werth	ber	gef	far
Present Participle
	stīgandi	biodandi	werthandi	berandi	gevandi	farandi
Preterite Indicative Active
1 pers. sg.	stīg	bôd	warth	bar	gaf	fôr
2 pers. sg.	stīgi	budi	wurdi	bâri	gavi	fôri
3 pers. sg.	stêg	bôd	warth	bar	gaf	fôr
1 pers. pl.	stigun	budun	wurdun	bârun	gavun	fôrun
2 pers. pl.	stigun	budun	wurdun	bârun	gavun	fôrun
2 pers. pl.	stigun	budun	wurdun	bârun	gavun	fôrun
Preterite Optative Active
1 pers. sg.	stīgi	budi	wurdi	bâri	gavi	fôri
2 pers. sg.	stīgis	budis	wurdis	bâris	gavis	fôris
3 pers. sg.	stīgi	budi	wurdi	bâri	gavi	fôri
1 pers. pl.	stīgin	budin	wurdin	bârin	gavin	fôrin
2 pers. pl.	stīgin	budin	wurdin	bârin	gavin	fôrin
3 pers. pl.	stīgin	budin	wurdin	bârin	gavin	fôrin
Preterite Participle
1 pers. sg.	gistīgan	gibodan	giwordan	giboran	gigevan	gifaran

Reduplicating Verbs
The (originally) reduplicating verbs (class 7 strong verbs, below) have two ablaut grades and fall into three classes. Reduplication is seen in the earlier Gothic, e.g., haldan, haíhald, haíhaldun, haldans.
1	a and double consonant	haldan	to hold	held	heldun	gehaldan
2	â, ê in the present	lâtan	to let	lêt	lêtun	gelâtan
2	â, ê in the present	hêtan	to be named	het	hetun	gehêtan
3	ô, ô in the present	hrôpan	to call	hriop	hriopun	gihrôpan
3	ô, ô in the present	stôtan	to push	steot	steotun	gistôtan

Summary of Strong Verbs
	English	Infinitive	Singular	Plural	Preterite Participle
	English	Infinitive	Preterite		Preterite Participle

1	shine	skînan	skên	skinun	giskinun
	write	skrîƀan	skrêf	skriƀun	giskriƀan
	go	giwîtan	giwêt	giwitun	giwitan
	cut	snîðan	snêð	snidun	gisnidan
	give	farlîhan	farlêh	*farliwun	farliwan

2	bid	biodan	bôd	budun	gibodan
	flow	fliotan	flôt	flutun	giflotan
	weep	griotan	grôt	grutun	gigrotan
	choose	kiosan	kôs	kurun	gikoran
	draw	tiohan	tôh	tugun	gitogan
	bend	bûgan	bôg	bugun	gibogan

3a	bind	bindan	band	bundun	gibundan
3a	drink	drinkan	drank	drunkun	gidrunkan

3b	throw	werpan	warp	wurpun	giworpan
	become	werðand	warð	wurðun	worðan
	help	helpan	halp	hulpun	giholpan
	burst	brestan	brast	*brustun	*gibrostan
	find out	fregnan	fragn	frugnun	*gifrugnan

4	bear, carry	beran	bar	bârun	giboran
	steal	stelan	stal	stâlun	gistolan
	come	kuman	quam	quâmun	(gi)kuman
	break	brekan	brak	brâkun	gibrokan
	speak	sprekan	sprak	sprâkun	gisprokan

5	give	geƀan	gaf	gâƀun	gigeƀan
	see	sehan	sah	sâwun	gisehan
	be	wesan	was	wârun	---
	say	queðan	quað	quâðun	giqueðan
	jan-present
	lie	liggian	lag	lâgun	gilegan
	sit	sittian	sat	sâtun	gisetan
	ask for	biddian	bad	bâdun	gibedan

6	journey	faran	fôr	fôrun	gifaran
	strike	slahan	slôg	slôgun	gislagan
	jan-present
	raise	hebbian	hôf	hôƀun	gihaƀan
	n-present
	stand	standan/ stân	stôd	stôdun	gistandan

7a	hold	haldan	held	heldun	gihaldan
	go	gangan	geng	gengun	gigangan
	catch	fâhan	feng	fengun	gifangan

7b	let	lâtan	lêt	lêtun	gilâtan
7b	sleep	slâpan	slêp	slêpun	gislâpan

7c	be called, command	hêtan	hêt	hêtun	gihêtan

7d	cry out	hrôpan	hriop	hriopun	gihrôpan
	run	hlôpan	hliop	hliopun	gihlôpan
	hew	hauwan	heu	heuwun	gihauwan
	jan-present
	weep	wôpian	wiop	wiopun	giwôpan

Weak verbs fall into three classes, depending on their stems.
1	-ja-	nerian	to rescue
		sėllian	to hand over
		dêlian	to divide up
		sôkian	to seek
The verbs of this first class are divided into short-syllabled ones like nerian (= Gothic nasjan) and sėllian (= Gothic saljan), and long-syllabled ones like dêlian (= Gothic dáiljan) and sôkian (= Gothic sôkjan), as well as into both those with a thematic vowel in the preterite (nerian, dêlian) and those without one (sėllian, sôkian).
2	-ô-	salvôn	to save
3	-a- or -ai-	hėbbian	to have
		sėggian	to say
		libbian	to live
The other verbs originally of this (third) class have moved into the first or second class.

Weak Verbs
Class	1	2	3
Infinitive	nėrian	mako(ia)n	hėbbian
Present Indicative Active
1 pers. sg.	nėriu	mako	hėbbiu
2 pers. sg.	nėris	makos	haves
3 pers. sg.	nėrid	makod	haved
1 pers. pl.	nėriad	mak(ia)od	hėbbiad
2 pers. pl.	nėriad	mak(ia)od	hėbbiad
3 pers. pl.	nėriad	mak(ia)od	hėbbiad
Present Optative Active
1 pers. sg.	nėrie	mako(ie)	hėbbie
2 pers. sg.	nėries	makos	hėbbies
3 pers. sg.	nėrie	mako(ie)	hėbbie
1 pers. pl.	nėrien	mako(ia)n	hėbbien
2 pers. pl.	nėrien	mako(ia)n	hėbbien
3 pers. pl.	nėrien	mako(ia)n	hėbbien
Imperative
	nėri	mako	have
Present Participle
	nėriandi	mako(ia)ndi	*hėbbiendi
Preterite Indicative Active
1 pers. sg.	nėrida	makoda	havda
2 pers. sg.	nėrides	makodas	havdas
3 pers. sg.	nėrida	makoda	havda
1 pers. pl.	nėridun	makodun	havdun
2 pers. pl.	nėridun	makodun	havdun
3 pers. pl.	nėridun	makodun	havdun
Preterite Optative Active
1 pers. sg.	nėridi	makodi	*havdi
2 pers. sg.	nėridis	makodis	*havdis
3 pers. sg.	nėridi	makodi	*havdi
1 pers. pl.	nėridin	makodin	*havdin
2 pers. pl.	nėridin	makodin	*havdin
3 pers. pl.	nėridin	makodin	*havdin
Preterite Participle
	ginėrid	gimakod	gihavd

Summary of Weak Verbs
	English	Infinitive	Preterite (3rd pers. sg. ind.)	Preterite Participle

1	consonant gemination (and /a/ > /e/ umlaut) in present
accomplish	frummian	frumida	gifrumid
tell	tellian	talda	gitald
fill	fullilan	fullda	gifullid
make known	kûðian	kûðda	gikûðd
rescue	nerian	nerida	ginerid
kiss	kussian	kussta	gikusst
thematic vowel lost in the past of long stems
seek	sôkian	sôhta	gisôht
think	thenkian	thâhta	*githâht
seem	thunkian	thûhta	*githûht
bring	brengian	brâhta	-brâht
work	wirkian	warhta	-warht
buy	buggian	*bohta	giboht
irregular
dwell (irreg.)	bûan	bûida	*gibûid

2	thematic vowel in the present = /o/
make	makon	makoda	gimakod
pray	bedon	bedoda	gibedod
suffer	tholon	tholoda	githolod

3	infinitive = class 1, late loss of past thematic vowel /e/ < /ē/
have	hebbian	habda	gihabd
say	seggian	sagda	gisagd
live	libbian	libda	gilibd
think	huggian	hogda	gihogd

Præterito-præsentia
Preterite-presents are preterite (perfect) stems which, after having lost the original meaning of their resultant state, have taken on present meaning (e.g., “I have seen” = “I know”; “I have become endebted” = “I owe, I ought to/should”). Their preterite forms consequently take the place of the present. (Compare English “I got” = “I have.”) They assume new preterites formed after the pattern of the weak verbs.
1	wîtan	to know	êgan	to own, have
2	dugan	to avail, benefit
3	unnan durran	to grant to dare	kunnan thurvan	to be able to need
4	skulan	to be (supposed) to	munan farmunan	to believe to despise
5	mugan	to be able to
6	môtan	to be allowed to

Preterite-Present Paradigm
Class	1	2	3	4	5	6	7
Infinitive	wîtan	êgan	dugan	kunnan	skulan	mugan	môtan
Present Indicative Active
1 pers. sg.	wêt	êh	dôg	kan	skal	mah	môt
2 pers. sg.	wêst	êht	*dôht	kanst	skalt	maht	môst
3 pers. sg.	wêt	êh	dôg	kan	skal	mah	môt
1 pers. pl.	witun	êgun	dugun	kunnun	skulun	mugun	môtun
2 pers. pl.	witun	êgun	dugun	kunnun	skulun	mugun	môtun
3 pers. pl.	witun	êgun	dugun	kunnun	skulun	mugun	môtun
Present Optative Active
1 pers. sg.	witi	êgi	dugi	*kunni	skuli	mugi	môti
2 pers. sg.	•	•	•	•	•	•	•
3 pers. sg.	•	•	•	•	•	•	•
Preterite Indicative Active
1 pers. sg.	wissa	êhta	dohta	konsta	skolda	mahta	môsta
Preterite Optative Active
1 pers. sg.	wissi	êhti	*dohti	konsti	skoldi	mahti	môsti
Preterite Participle
	giwitan	êgan	*giduht	kûth	*skuld	*maht	*môst

1. To Be
The other forms are derived from the verb wesan.
	Present Indicative Active	Present Optative Active
1 pers. sg.	bium, biun, bion	sî
2 pers. sg.	bist,bis	sîs
3 pers. sg.	is, ist	sî
1 pers. pl.	sindun, sind, sindon	sîn
2 pers. pl.	sindun, sind, sindon	sîn
3 pers. pl.	sindun, sind, sindon	sîn

2. To Do (dôn)
	Present		Preterite
	Active Voice
	Indicative	Optative	Indicative	Optative
1 pers. sg.	dôm	dôe	deda	dâdi
2 pers. sg.	dôs	duoas	dâdi	-
3 pers. sg.	dôd	dôe	dedo	dâdi
1 pers. pl.	dôth	dôen	dâdun	dâdin
2 pers. pl.	dôth	dôen	dâdun	dâdin
3 pers. pl.	dôth	dôen	dâdun	dâdin
	Imperative
	dô

3. To Go (gân)
Only a few isolated instances of gân have been preserved. Otherwise, “going” is expressed by gângan.

4. To stand (stân)
Only a few isolated instances of stân have been preserved. Otherwise, “standing” is expressed by standan.

5. To Will, Want To (wollen [willien, wellian])
	Present		Preterite
	Active Voice
	Indicative	Optative	Indicative	Optative
1 pers. sg.	williu	willie	welda	weldi
2 pers. sg.	wili(s)	wilies	weldes	-
3 pers. sg.	wil(i)	willie	welda	weldi
1 pers. pl.	williad	williean	weldun	weldin
2 pers. pl.	williad	williean	weldun	weldin
3 pers. pl.	williad	williean	weldun	weldin
	Present Participle
	willeandi

Old Saxon Accidence

Nouns

Pronouns

Adjectives

Adverbs

Numerals

Prepositions and Prefixes

Conjunctions

Verbs

Hêliand-Übersetzung (1855)
nach Johann Rodger Köne (1799-1860)

Hêliand-Übersetzung (1856)
nach Karl Joseph Simrock (1802-1876)

1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	10	11	12	13	14
15	16	17	18	19	20	21	22	23	24	25	26	27	28
29	30	31	32	33	34	35	36	37	38	39	40	41	42
43	44	45	46	47	48	49	50	51	52	53	54	55	56
57	58	59	60	61	62	63	64	65	66	67	68	69	70
						71

Cases	Singular			Plural
Cases	m.	f.	n.	m.	f.	n.
Nominative
Genitive
Dative
Accusatve
Instrumental
Vocative

thār	there
hwar	where
hēr	here
uppa(n)	above
inna(n)	within
ūta(n)	outside
foran	in front
aftan	behind
hwan(na)	when
thō	there
than(na)	then
nū	now
jū	already
noh	still
oft(o)	often
eft	again
eo, io	ever
neo, nio	never
hindag, hiudu	today
hweo	how
sō, sus, thus	so, thus
sama	just as
samad	together
san	as soon as
sundar	separately
all	entirely
filu	much, a lot

af	if, whether
ak	but, however
also	as
atha	or
bethiu	both … and; as well as
būtan	except
ef	if, whether
eftha	or
ėndi	and
êr	ere, before
ettha	or
ge	and
gêt	also
hwan	when
hwand(a)	since, because
hwār	where
hwō	how
ne	lest
newan	if not
noh	still, yet, ever
nū	now
of	whether, if
sō	by …-ing, since, as, so, then
than	as, then, when
thār	while, as
that	that
thes	so that
thoh	though

Deus vult !	— Brian Regan ( Inscriptio electronica : Brennus@brennus.bluedomino.com )
	Dies immutationis recentissimæ : die Saturni, 2016 March 14

1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	10	11	12	13	14
15	16	17	18	19	20	21	22	23	24	25	26	27	28
29	30	31	32	33	34	35	36	37	38	39	40	41	42
43	44	45	46	47	48	49	50	51	52	53	54	55	56
57	58	59	60	61	62	63	64	65	66	67	68	69	70
						71

1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	10	11	12	13	14
15	16	17	18	19	20	21	22	23	24	25	26	27	28
29	30	31	32	33	34	35	36	37	38	39	40	41	42
43	44	45	46	47	48	49	50	51	52	53	54	55	56
57	58	59	60	61	62	63	64	65	66	67	68	69	70
						71