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 | The Exeter Book |  |
GUTHLAC
I
Se bið gefeana fægrast þonne hy æt frymðe gemetað,
engel ond seo eadge sawl! Ofgiefeþ hio þas eorþan wynne,
forlæteð þas lænan dreamas, ond hio wiþ þam lice gedæleð.
Ðonne cwið se engel, (hafað yldran had),
greteð gæst oþerne, abeodeð him godes ærende:
“Nu þu most feran þider þu fundadest
longe ond gelome. Ic þec lædan sceal.
Wegas þe sindon weþe, ond wuldres leoht
torht ontyned. Eart nu tidfara
to þam halgan ham.” Þær næfre hreow cymeð,
edergong fore yrmþum, ac þær biþ engla dream,
sib ond gesælignes, ond sawla ræst,
ond þær a to feore gefeon motun,
dryman mid dryhten, þa þe his domas her
æfnað on eorþan. He him ece lean
healdeð on heofonum, þær se hyhsta
ealra cyninga cyning ceastrum wealdeð.
Ðæt sind þa getimbru þe no tydriað,
ne þam fore yrmþum þe þær in wuniað
lif aspringeð, ac him bið lenge hu sel;
geoguþe brucað ond godes miltsa.
Þider soðfæstra sawla motun
cuman æfter cwealme, þa þe her Cristes æ
lærað ond læstað, ond his lof rærað;
oferwinnað þa awyrgdan gæstas, bigytað him wuldres ræste,
hwider sceal þæs monnes mod astigan,
ær oþþe æfter, þonne he his ænne her
gæst bigonge, þæt se gode mote,
womma clæne, in geweald cuman.
engel ond seo eadge sawl! Ofgiefeþ hio þas eorþan wynne,
forlæteð þas lænan dreamas, ond hio wiþ þam lice gedæleð.
Ðonne cwið se engel, (hafað yldran had),
50
“Nu þu most feran þider þu fundadest
longe ond gelome. Ic þec lædan sceal.
Wegas þe sindon weþe, ond wuldres leoht
torht ontyned. Eart nu tidfara
to þam halgan ham.” Þær næfre hreow cymeð,
edergong fore yrmþum, ac þær biþ engla dream,
sib ond gesælignes, ond sawla ræst,
ond þær a to feore gefeon motun,
dryman mid dryhten, þa þe his domas her
æfnað on eorþan. He him ece lean
healdeð on heofonum, þær se hyhsta
ealra cyninga cyning ceastrum wealdeð.
Ðæt sind þa getimbru þe no tydriað,
ne þam fore yrmþum þe þær in wuniað
lif aspringeð, ac him bið lenge hu sel;
geoguþe brucað ond godes miltsa.
Þider soðfæstra sawla motun
cuman æfter cwealme, þa þe her Cristes æ
lærað ond læstað, ond his lof rærað;
oferwinnað þa awyrgdan gæstas, bigytað him wuldres ræste,
hwider sceal þæs monnes mod astigan,
ær oþþe æfter, þonne he his ænne her
gæst bigonge, þæt se gode mote,
womma clæne, in geweald cuman.
Monge sindon geond middangeard
hadas under heofonum, þa þe in haligra
rim arisað. We þæs ryht magun
æt æghwylcum anra gehyran,
gif we halig bebodu healdan willað;
mæg nu snottor guma sæle brucan
godra tida, ond his gæste forð
weges willian. Woruld is onhrered,
colaþ Cristes lufu, sindan costinga
geond middangeard monge arisene,
swa þæt geara iu godes spelbodan
wordum sægdon ond þurh witedom
eal anemdon, swa hit nu gongeð.
Ealdað eorþan blæd æþela gehwylcre
ond of wlite wendað wæstma gecyndu;
bið seo siþre tid sæda gehwylces
mætræ in mægne. Forþon se mon ne þearf
to þisse worulde wyrpe gehycgan,
þæt he us fægran gefean bringe
ofer þa niþas þe we nu dreogað,
ærþon endien ealle gesceafte
ða he gesette on siex dagum,
ða nu under heofonum hadas cennað,
micle ond mæte. Is þes middangeard
dalum gedæled. Dryhten sceawað
hwær þa eardien þe his æ healden;
gesihð he þa domas dogra gehwylce
wonian ond wendan of woruldryhte
ða he gesette þurh his sylfes word.
He fela findeð, fea beoð gecorene.
hadas under heofonum, þa þe in haligra
rim arisað. We þæs ryht magun
æt æghwylcum anra gehyran,
gif we halig bebodu healdan willað;
mæg nu snottor guma sæle brucan
godra tida, ond his gæste forð
weges willian. Woruld is onhrered,
colaþ Cristes lufu, sindan costinga
geond middangeard monge arisene,
51
wordum sægdon ond þurh witedom
eal anemdon, swa hit nu gongeð.
Ealdað eorþan blæd æþela gehwylcre
ond of wlite wendað wæstma gecyndu;
bið seo siþre tid sæda gehwylces
mætræ in mægne. Forþon se mon ne þearf
to þisse worulde wyrpe gehycgan,
þæt he us fægran gefean bringe
ofer þa niþas þe we nu dreogað,
ærþon endien ealle gesceafte
ða he gesette on siex dagum,
ða nu under heofonum hadas cennað,
micle ond mæte. Is þes middangeard
dalum gedæled. Dryhten sceawað
hwær þa eardien þe his æ healden;
gesihð he þa domas dogra gehwylce
wonian ond wendan of woruldryhte
ða he gesette þurh his sylfes word.
He fela findeð, fea beoð gecorene.
Sume him þæs hades hlisan willað
wegan on wordum ond þa weorc ne doð.
Bið him eorðwela ofer þæt ece lif
hyhta hyhst, se gehwylcum sceal
foldbuendra fremde geweorþan.
Forþon hy nu hyrwað haligra mod,
ða þe him to heofonum hyge staþeliað,
witon þæt se eðel ece bideð
ealra þære mengu þe geond middangeard
dryhtne þeowiað ond þæs deoran ham
wilniað bi gewyrhtum. Swa þas woruldgestreon
on þa mæran god bimutad weorþað,
ðonne þæt gegyrnað þa þe him godes egsa
hleonaþ ofer heafdum. Hy þy hyhstan beoð
þrymme geþreade, þisses lifes
þurh bibodu brucað ond þæs betran forð
wyscað ond wenaþ. Wuldres bycgað,
sellað ælmessan, earme frefrað,
beoð rummode ryhtra gestreona,
lufiað mid lacum þa þe læs agun,
dæghwam dryhtne þeowiaþ. He hyra dæde sceawað.
wegan on wordum ond þa weorc ne doð.
Bið him eorðwela ofer þæt ece lif
hyhta hyhst, se gehwylcum sceal
foldbuendra fremde geweorþan.
Forþon hy nu hyrwað haligra mod,
ða þe him to heofonum hyge staþeliað,
witon þæt se eðel ece bideð
ealra þære mengu þe geond middangeard
dryhtne þeowiað ond þæs deoran ham
wilniað bi gewyrhtum. Swa þas woruldgestreon
on þa mæran god bimutad weorþað,
ðonne þæt gegyrnað þa þe him godes egsa
hleonaþ ofer heafdum. Hy þy hyhstan beoð
þrymme geþreade, þisses lifes
þurh bibodu brucað ond þæs betran forð
52
sellað ælmessan, earme frefrað,
beoð rummode ryhtra gestreona,
lufiað mid lacum þa þe læs agun,
dæghwam dryhtne þeowiaþ. He hyra dæde sceawað.
Sume þa wuniað on westennum,
secað ond gesittað sylfra willum
hamas on heolstrum. Hy ðæs heofoncundan
boldes bidað. Oft him brogan to
laðne gelædeð, se þe him lifes ofonn,
eaweð him egsan, hwilum idel wuldor,
brægdwis bona hafað bega cræft,
eahteð anbuendra. Fore him englas stondað,
gearwe mid gæsta wæpnum, beoþ hyra geoca gemyndge,
healdað haligra feorh, witon hyra hyht mid dryhten.
Þæt synd þa gecostan cempan þa þam cyninge þeowað,
se næfre þa lean alegeð þam þe his lufan adreogeð.
secað ond gesittað sylfra willum
hamas on heolstrum. Hy ðæs heofoncundan
boldes bidað. Oft him brogan to
laðne gelædeð, se þe him lifes ofonn,
eaweð him egsan, hwilum idel wuldor,
brægdwis bona hafað bega cræft,
eahteð anbuendra. Fore him englas stondað,
gearwe mid gæsta wæpnum, beoþ hyra geoca gemyndge,
healdað haligra feorh, witon hyra hyht mid dryhten.
Þæt synd þa gecostan cempan þa þam cyninge þeowað,
se næfre þa lean alegeð þam þe his lufan adreogeð.
Magun we nu nemnan þæt us neah gewearð
þurh haligne had gecyþed,
hu Guðlac his in godes willan
mod gerehte, man eall forseah,
eorðlic æþelu, upp gemunde
ham in heofonum. Him wæs hyht to þam,
siþþan hine inlyhte se þe lifes weg
gæstum gearwað, ond him giefe sealde
engelcunde, þæt he ana ongan
beorgseþel bugan, ond his blæd gode
þurh eaðmedu ealne gesealde,
ðone þe he on geoguðe bigan sceolde
worulde wynnum. Hine weard biheold
halig of heofonum, se þæt hluttre mod
in þæs gæstes god georne trymede.
þurh haligne had gecyþed,
hu Guðlac his in godes willan
mod gerehte, man eall forseah,
eorðlic æþelu, upp gemunde
ham in heofonum. Him wæs hyht to þam,
siþþan hine inlyhte se þe lifes weg
gæstum gearwað, ond him giefe sealde
engelcunde, þæt he ana ongan
beorgseþel bugan, ond his blæd gode
þurh eaðmedu ealne gesealde,
ðone þe he on geoguðe bigan sceolde
worulde wynnum. Hine weard biheold
halig of heofonum, se þæt hluttre mod
in þæs gæstes god georne trymede.
Hwæt, we hyrdon oft þæt se halga wer
in þa ærestan ældu gelufade
frecnessa fela! Fyrst wæs swa þeana
in godes dome, hwonne Guðlace
on his ondgietan engel sealde
þæt him sweðraden synna lustas.
Tid wæs toweard; hine twegen ymb
weardas wacedon, þa gewin drugon,
engel dryhtnes ond se atela gæst.
Nalæs hy him gelice lare bæron
in his modes gemynd mongum tidum.
Oþer him þas eorþan ealle sægde
læne under lyfte, ond þa longan god
herede on heofonum, þær haligra
sawla gesittað in sigorwuldre
dryhtnes dreamas; he him dæda lean
georne gieldeð, þam þe his giefe willað
þicgan to þonce ond him þas woruld
uttor lætan þonne þæt ece lif.
Oþer hyne scyhte, þæt he sceaðena gemot
nihtes sohte ond þurh neþinge
wunne æfter worulde, swa doð wræcmæcgas
þa þe ne bimurnað monnes feore
þæs þe him to honda huþe gelædeð,
butan hy þy reafe rædan motan.
in þa ærestan ældu gelufade
frecnessa fela! Fyrst wæs swa þeana
in godes dome, hwonne Guðlace
53
þæt him sweðraden synna lustas.
Tid wæs toweard; hine twegen ymb
weardas wacedon, þa gewin drugon,
engel dryhtnes ond se atela gæst.
Nalæs hy him gelice lare bæron
in his modes gemynd mongum tidum.
Oþer him þas eorþan ealle sægde
læne under lyfte, ond þa longan god
herede on heofonum, þær haligra
sawla gesittað in sigorwuldre
dryhtnes dreamas; he him dæda lean
georne gieldeð, þam þe his giefe willað
þicgan to þonce ond him þas woruld
uttor lætan þonne þæt ece lif.
Oþer hyne scyhte, þæt he sceaðena gemot
nihtes sohte ond þurh neþinge
wunne æfter worulde, swa doð wræcmæcgas
þa þe ne bimurnað monnes feore
þæs þe him to honda huþe gelædeð,
butan hy þy reafe rædan motan.
Swa hy hine trymedon on twa healfa
oþþæt þæs gewinnes weoroda dryhten
on þæs engles dom ende gereahte.
Feond wæs geflymed; siþ þam frofre gæst
in Guðlaces geoce gewunade,
lufade hine ond lærde lenge hu geornor,
þæt him leofedan londes wynne,
bold on beorhge. Oft þær broga cwom
egeslic ond uncuð, ealdfeonda nið,
searocræftum swiþ; hy him sylf hyra
onsyn ywdon, ond þær ær fela
setla gesæton. Þonan sið tugon
wide waðe, wuldre byscyrede,
lyftlacende. Wæs seo londes stow
bimiþen fore monnum, oþþæt meotud onwrah
beorg on bearwe, þa se bytla cwom
se þær haligne ham arærde,
nales þy he giemde þurh gitsunga
lænes lifwelan, ac þæt lond gode
fægre gefreoþode, siþþan feond oferwon
Cristes cempa. He gecostad wearð
in gemyndigra monna tidum,
ðara þe nu gena þurh gæstlicu
wundor hine weorðiað ond his wisdomes
hlisan healdað, þæt se halga þeow
elne geeode, þa he ana gesæt
dygle stowe. Ðær he dryhtnes lof
reahte ond rærde; oft þurh reorde abead,
þam þe þrowera þeawas lufedon,
godes ærendu, þa him gæst onwrah
lifes snyttru, þæt he his lichoman
wynna forwyrnde ond woruldblissa,
seftra setla ond symbeldaga,
swylce eac idelra eagena wynna,
gierelan gielplices. Him wæs godes egsa
mara in gemyndum þonne he menniscum
þrymme æfter þonce þegan wolde.
oþþæt þæs gewinnes weoroda dryhten
on þæs engles dom ende gereahte.
Feond wæs geflymed; siþ þam frofre gæst
in Guðlaces geoce gewunade,
lufade hine ond lærde lenge hu geornor,
þæt him leofedan londes wynne,
bold on beorhge. Oft þær broga cwom
egeslic ond uncuð, ealdfeonda nið,
searocræftum swiþ; hy him sylf hyra
onsyn ywdon, ond þær ær fela
setla gesæton. Þonan sið tugon
wide waðe, wuldre byscyrede,
lyftlacende. Wæs seo londes stow
bimiþen fore monnum, oþþæt meotud onwrah
beorg on bearwe, þa se bytla cwom
se þær haligne ham arærde,
54
lænes lifwelan, ac þæt lond gode
fægre gefreoþode, siþþan feond oferwon
Cristes cempa. He gecostad wearð
in gemyndigra monna tidum,
ðara þe nu gena þurh gæstlicu
wundor hine weorðiað ond his wisdomes
hlisan healdað, þæt se halga þeow
elne geeode, þa he ana gesæt
dygle stowe. Ðær he dryhtnes lof
reahte ond rærde; oft þurh reorde abead,
þam þe þrowera þeawas lufedon,
godes ærendu, þa him gæst onwrah
lifes snyttru, þæt he his lichoman
wynna forwyrnde ond woruldblissa,
seftra setla ond symbeldaga,
swylce eac idelra eagena wynna,
gierelan gielplices. Him wæs godes egsa
mara in gemyndum þonne he menniscum
þrymme æfter þonce þegan wolde.
God wæs Guðlac! He in gæste bær
heofoncundne hyht, hælu geræhte
ecan lifes. Him wæs engel neah,
fæle freoðuweard, þam þe feara sum
mearclond gesæt. Þær he mongum wearð
bysen on Brytene, siþþan biorg gestah
eadig oretta, ondwiges heard.
Gyrede hine georne mid gæstlicum
wæpnum [OMITTED] wong bletsade,
him to ætstælle ærest arærde
Cristes rode, þær se cempa oferwon
frecnessa fela. Frome wurdun monge
godes þrowera; we þæs Guðlaces
deorwyrðne dæl dryhtne cennað.
He him sige sealde ond snyttrucræft,
mundbyrd meahta, þonne mengu cwom
feonda færscytum fæhðe ræran.
Ne meahton hy æfeste anforlætan,
ac to Guðlaces gæste gelæddun
frasunga fela. Him wæs fultum neah,
engel hine elne trymede, þonne hy him yrre hweopan,
frecne fyres wylme. Stodan him on feðehwearfum,
cwædon þæt he on þam beorge byrnan sceolde
ond his lichoman lig forswelgan,
þæt his earfeþu eal gelumpe
modcearu mægum, gif he monna dream
of þam orlege eft ne wolde
sylfa gesecan, ond his sibbe ryht
mid moncynne maran cræfte
willum bewitigan, lætan wræce stille.
heofoncundne hyht, hælu geræhte
ecan lifes. Him wæs engel neah,
fæle freoðuweard, þam þe feara sum
mearclond gesæt. Þær he mongum wearð
bysen on Brytene, siþþan biorg gestah
eadig oretta, ondwiges heard.
Gyrede hine georne mid gæstlicum
wæpnum [OMITTED] wong bletsade,
him to ætstælle ærest arærde
Cristes rode, þær se cempa oferwon
frecnessa fela. Frome wurdun monge
godes þrowera; we þæs Guðlaces
deorwyrðne dæl dryhtne cennað.
He him sige sealde ond snyttrucræft,
55
feonda færscytum fæhðe ræran.
Ne meahton hy æfeste anforlætan,
ac to Guðlaces gæste gelæddun
frasunga fela. Him wæs fultum neah,
engel hine elne trymede, þonne hy him yrre hweopan,
frecne fyres wylme. Stodan him on feðehwearfum,
cwædon þæt he on þam beorge byrnan sceolde
ond his lichoman lig forswelgan,
þæt his earfeþu eal gelumpe
modcearu mægum, gif he monna dream
of þam orlege eft ne wolde
sylfa gesecan, ond his sibbe ryht
mid moncynne maran cræfte
willum bewitigan, lætan wræce stille.
Swa him yrsade, se for ealle spræc
feonda mengu. No þy forhtra wæs
Guðlaces gæst, ac him god sealde
ellen wiþ þam egsan þæt þæs ealdfeondes
scyldigra scolu scome þrowedon;
wæron teonsmiðas tornes fulle,
cwædon þæt him Guðlac eac gode sylfum
earfeþa mæst ana gefremede,
siþþan he for wlence on westenne
beorgas bræce, þær hy bidinge,
earme ondsacan, æror mostun
æfter tintergum tidum brucan,
ðonne hy of waþum werge cwoman
restan ryneþragum, rowe gefegon;
wæs him seo gelyfed þurh lytel fæc.
feonda mengu. No þy forhtra wæs
Guðlaces gæst, ac him god sealde
ellen wiþ þam egsan þæt þæs ealdfeondes
scyldigra scolu scome þrowedon;
wæron teonsmiðas tornes fulle,
cwædon þæt him Guðlac eac gode sylfum
earfeþa mæst ana gefremede,
siþþan he for wlence on westenne
beorgas bræce, þær hy bidinge,
earme ondsacan, æror mostun
æfter tintergum tidum brucan,
ðonne hy of waþum werge cwoman
restan ryneþragum, rowe gefegon;
wæs him seo gelyfed þurh lytel fæc.
Stod seo dygle stow dryhtne in gemyndum
idel ond æmen, eþelriehte feor,
bad bisæce betran hyrdes.
To þon ealdfeondas ondan noman,
swa hi singales sorge dreogað.
Ne motun hi on eorþan eardes brucan,
ne hy lyft swefeð in leoma ræstum,
ac hy hleolease hama þoliað,
in cearum cwiþað, cwealmes wiscað,
willen þæt him dryhten þurh deaðes cwealm
to hyra earfeða ende geryme.
Ne mostun hy Guðlaces gæste sceþþan,
ne þurh sarslege sawle gedælan
wið lichoman, ac hy ligesearwum
ahofun hearmstafas, hleahtor alegdon,
sorge seofedon, þa hi swiðra oferstag
weard on wonge. Sceoldon wræcmæcgas
ofgiefan gnornende grene beorgas.
idel ond æmen, eþelriehte feor,
bad bisæce betran hyrdes.
To þon ealdfeondas ondan noman,
swa hi singales sorge dreogað.
Ne motun hi on eorþan eardes brucan,
56
ac hy hleolease hama þoliað,
in cearum cwiþað, cwealmes wiscað,
willen þæt him dryhten þurh deaðes cwealm
to hyra earfeða ende geryme.
Ne mostun hy Guðlaces gæste sceþþan,
ne þurh sarslege sawle gedælan
wið lichoman, ac hy ligesearwum
ahofun hearmstafas, hleahtor alegdon,
sorge seofedon, þa hi swiðra oferstag
weard on wonge. Sceoldon wræcmæcgas
ofgiefan gnornende grene beorgas.
Hwæþre hy þa gena, godes ondsacan,
sægdon sarstafum, swiþe geheton,
þæt he deaþa gedal dreogan sceolde,
gif he leng bide laþran gemotes,
hwonne hy mid mengu maran cwome,
þa þe for his life lyt sorgedon.
Guðlac him ongean þingode, cwæð þæt hy gielpan ne þorftan
dædum wið dryhtnes meahtum. “Þeah þe ge me deað gehaten,
mec wile wið þam niþum genergan se þe eowrum nydum wealdeð.
An is ælmihtig god, se mec mæg eaðe gescyldan;
he min feorg freoþað. Ic eow fela wille
soþa gesecgan. Mæg ic þis setl on eow
butan earfeðum ana geðringan.
Ne eam ic swa fealog, swa ic eow fore stonde,
monna weorudes, ac me mara dæl
in godcundum gæstgerynum
wunað ond weaxeð, se me wraþe healdeð.
Ic me anum her eaðe getimbre
hus ond hleonað; me on heofonum sind
lare gelonge. Mec þæs lyt tweoþ
þæt me engel to ealle gelædeð
spowende sped spreca ond dæda.
Gewitað nu, awyrgde, werigmode,
from þissum earde þe ge her on stondað,
fleoð on feorweg. Ic me frið wille
æt gode gegyrnan; ne sceal min gæst mid eow
gedwolan dreogan, ac mec dryhtnes hond
mundað mid mægne. Her sceal min wesan
eorðlic eþel, nales eower leng.”
sægdon sarstafum, swiþe geheton,
þæt he deaþa gedal dreogan sceolde,
gif he leng bide laþran gemotes,
hwonne hy mid mengu maran cwome,
þa þe for his life lyt sorgedon.
Guðlac him ongean þingode, cwæð þæt hy gielpan ne þorftan
dædum wið dryhtnes meahtum. “Þeah þe ge me deað gehaten,
mec wile wið þam niþum genergan se þe eowrum nydum wealdeð.
An is ælmihtig god, se mec mæg eaðe gescyldan;
he min feorg freoþað. Ic eow fela wille
soþa gesecgan. Mæg ic þis setl on eow
butan earfeðum ana geðringan.
Ne eam ic swa fealog, swa ic eow fore stonde,
monna weorudes, ac me mara dæl
in godcundum gæstgerynum
wunað ond weaxeð, se me wraþe healdeð.
Ic me anum her eaðe getimbre
hus ond hleonað; me on heofonum sind
lare gelonge. Mec þæs lyt tweoþ
þæt me engel to ealle gelædeð
57
Gewitað nu, awyrgde, werigmode,
from þissum earde þe ge her on stondað,
fleoð on feorweg. Ic me frið wille
æt gode gegyrnan; ne sceal min gæst mid eow
gedwolan dreogan, ac mec dryhtnes hond
mundað mid mægne. Her sceal min wesan
eorðlic eþel, nales eower leng.”
Ða wearð breahtm hæfen. Beorg ymbstodan
hwearfum wræcmæcgas. Woð up astag,
cearfulra cirm. Cleopedon monige,
feonda foresprecan, firenum gulpon:
“Oft we ofersegon bi sæm tweonum
þeoda þeawas, þræce modigra,
þara þe in gelimpe life weoldon.
No we oferhygdu anes monnes
geond middangeard maran fundon.
Ðu þæt gehatest þæt ðu ham on us
gegan wille, ðe eart godes yrming.
Bi hwon scealt þu lifgan, þeah þu lond age?
Ne þec mon hider mose fedeð;
beoð þe hungor ond þurst hearde gewinnan,
gif þu gewitest swa wilde deor
ana from eþele. Nis þæt onginn wiht!
Geswic þisses setles! Ne mæg þec sellan ræd
mon gelæran þonne þeos mengu eall.
We þe beoð holde gif ðu us hyran wilt,
oþþe þec ungearo eft gesecað
maran mægne, þæt þe mon ne þearf
hondum hrinan, ne þin hra feallan
wæpna wundum. We þas wic magun
fotum afyllan; folc in ðriceð
meara þreatum ond monfarum.
Beoð þa gebolgne, þa þec breodwiað,
tredað þec ond tergað, ond hyra torn wrecað,
toberað þec blodgum lastum; gif þu ure bidan þencest,
we þec niþa genægað. Ongin þe generes wilnian,
far þær ðu freonda wene, gif ðu þines feores recce.”
hwearfum wræcmæcgas. Woð up astag,
cearfulra cirm. Cleopedon monige,
feonda foresprecan, firenum gulpon:
“Oft we ofersegon bi sæm tweonum
þeoda þeawas, þræce modigra,
þara þe in gelimpe life weoldon.
No we oferhygdu anes monnes
geond middangeard maran fundon.
Ðu þæt gehatest þæt ðu ham on us
gegan wille, ðe eart godes yrming.
Bi hwon scealt þu lifgan, þeah þu lond age?
Ne þec mon hider mose fedeð;
beoð þe hungor ond þurst hearde gewinnan,
gif þu gewitest swa wilde deor
ana from eþele. Nis þæt onginn wiht!
Geswic þisses setles! Ne mæg þec sellan ræd
mon gelæran þonne þeos mengu eall.
We þe beoð holde gif ðu us hyran wilt,
oþþe þec ungearo eft gesecað
maran mægne, þæt þe mon ne þearf
hondum hrinan, ne þin hra feallan
wæpna wundum. We þas wic magun
fotum afyllan; folc in ðriceð
meara þreatum ond monfarum.
Beoð þa gebolgne, þa þec breodwiað,
tredað þec ond tergað, ond hyra torn wrecað,
58
we þec niþa genægað. Ongin þe generes wilnian,
far þær ðu freonda wene, gif ðu þines feores recce.”
Gearo wæs Guðlac, hine god fremede
on ondsware ond on elne strong.
Ne wond he for worde, ac his wiþerbreocum
sorge gesægde, cuðe him soð genog:
“Wid is þes westen, wræcsetla fela,
eardas onhæle earmra gæsta.
Sindon wærlogan þe þa wic bugað.
Þeah ge þa ealle ut abanne,
ond eow eac gewyrce widor sæce,
ge her ateoð in þa tornwræce
sigeleasne sið. No ic eow sweord ongean
mid gebolgne hond oðberan þence,
worulde wæpen, ne sceal þes wong gode
þpurh blodgyte gebuen weorðan,
ac ic minum Criste cweman þence
leofran lace. Nu ic þis lond gestag,
fela ge me earda þurh idel word
aboden habbað. Nis min breostsefa
forht ne fæge, ac me friðe healdeð
ofer monna cyn se þe mægna gehwæs
weorcum wealdeð. Nis me wiht æt eow
leofes gelong, ne ge me laþes wiht
gedon motun. Ic eom dryhtnes þeow,
he mec þurh engel oft afrefreð.
Forðon mec longeþas lyt gegretað,
sorge sealdun, nu mec sawelcund
hyrde bihealdeð. Is min hyht mid god,
ne ic me eorðwelan owiht sinne,
ne me mid mode micles gyrne,
ac me dogra gehwam dryhten sendeð
þurh monnes hond mine þearfe.”
on ondsware ond on elne strong.
Ne wond he for worde, ac his wiþerbreocum
sorge gesægde, cuðe him soð genog:
“Wid is þes westen, wræcsetla fela,
eardas onhæle earmra gæsta.
Sindon wærlogan þe þa wic bugað.
Þeah ge þa ealle ut abanne,
ond eow eac gewyrce widor sæce,
ge her ateoð in þa tornwræce
sigeleasne sið. No ic eow sweord ongean
mid gebolgne hond oðberan þence,
worulde wæpen, ne sceal þes wong gode
þpurh blodgyte gebuen weorðan,
ac ic minum Criste cweman þence
leofran lace. Nu ic þis lond gestag,
fela ge me earda þurh idel word
aboden habbað. Nis min breostsefa
forht ne fæge, ac me friðe healdeð
ofer monna cyn se þe mægna gehwæs
weorcum wealdeð. Nis me wiht æt eow
leofes gelong, ne ge me laþes wiht
gedon motun. Ic eom dryhtnes þeow,
he mec þurh engel oft afrefreð.
Forðon mec longeþas lyt gegretað,
sorge sealdun, nu mec sawelcund
hyrde bihealdeð. Is min hyht mid god,
ne ic me eorðwelan owiht sinne,
ne me mid mode micles gyrne,
ac me dogra gehwam dryhten sendeð
þurh monnes hond mine þearfe.”
Swa modgade, se wið mongum stod,
awreðed weorðlice wuldres cempa
engla mægne. Gewat eal þonan
feonda mengu. Ne wæs se fyrst micel
þe hi Guðlace forgiefan þohtan.
He wæs on elne ond on eaðmedum,
bad on beorge, (wæs him botles neod),
forlet longeþas lænra dreama.
No he hine wið monna miltse gedælde,
ac gesynta bæd sawla gehwylcre,
þonne he to eorðan on þam anade
hleor onhylde. Him of heofonum wearð
onbryrded breostsefa bliðe gæste.
Oft eahtade, (wæs him engel neah),
hu þisse worulde wynna þorfte
mid his lichoman læsast brucan.
No him fore egsan earmra gæsta
treow getweode, ne he tid forsæt
þæs þe he for his dryhtne dreogan sceolde,
þæt hine æreste elne binoman
slæpa sluman oþþe sæne mod.
Swa sceal oretta a in his mode
gode compian, ond his gæst beran
oft on ondan þam þe eahtan wile
sawla gehwylcre þær he gesælan mæg.
awreðed weorðlice wuldres cempa
59
feonda mengu. Ne wæs se fyrst micel
þe hi Guðlace forgiefan þohtan.
He wæs on elne ond on eaðmedum,
bad on beorge, (wæs him botles neod),
forlet longeþas lænra dreama.
No he hine wið monna miltse gedælde,
ac gesynta bæd sawla gehwylcre,
þonne he to eorðan on þam anade
hleor onhylde. Him of heofonum wearð
onbryrded breostsefa bliðe gæste.
Oft eahtade, (wæs him engel neah),
hu þisse worulde wynna þorfte
mid his lichoman læsast brucan.
No him fore egsan earmra gæsta
treow getweode, ne he tid forsæt
þæs þe he for his dryhtne dreogan sceolde,
þæt hine æreste elne binoman
slæpa sluman oþþe sæne mod.
Swa sceal oretta a in his mode
gode compian, ond his gæst beran
oft on ondan þam þe eahtan wile
sawla gehwylcre þær he gesælan mæg.
Symle hy Guðlac in godes willan
fromne fundon, þonne flygereowe
þurh nihta genipu neosan cwoman,
þa þe onhæle eardas weredon,
hwæþre him þæs wonges wyn sweðrade;
woldun þæt him to mode fore monlufan
sorg gesohte, þæt he siþ tuge
eft to eþle. Ne wæs þæt ongin swylc,
ðonne hine engel on þam anade
geornast grette ond him giefe sealde,
þæt hine ne meahte meotudes willan
longað gelettan, ac he on þæs lareowes
wære gewunade. Oft worde bicwæð:
“Huru, þæs bihofað, se ðe him halig gæst
wisað on willan ond his weorc trymað,
laþað hine liþum wordum, gehateð him lifes ræste,
þæt he þæs latteowes larum hyre,
ne lete him ealdfeond eft oncyrran
mod from his meotude. Hu sceal min cuman
gæst to geoce, nemne ic gode sylle
hyrsumne hige, þæt him heortan geþonc [OMITTED]
ær oþþe sið ende geweorðe,
þæt ge mec to wundre wægan motun.
Ne mæg min lichoma wið þas lænan gesceaft
deað gedælan, ac he gedreosan sceal,
swa þeos eorðe eall þe ic her on stonde.
Ðeah ge minne flæschoman fyres wylme
forgripen gromhydge gifran lege,
næfre ge mec of þissum wordum onwendað þendan mec min gewit gelæsteð.
Þeah þe ge hine sarum forsæcen, ne motan ge mine sawle gretan,
ac ge on betran gebringað. Forðan ic gebidan wille
þæs þe me min dryhten demeð. Nis me þæs deaþes sorg.
Ðeah min ban ond blod bu tu geweorþen
eorþan to eacan, min se eca dæl
in gefean fareð, þær he fægran
botles bruceð. Nis þisses beorges setl
meodumre ne mara þonne hit men duge
se þe in þrowingum þeodnes willan
dæghwam dreogeð. Ne sceal se dryhtnes þeow
in his modsefan mare gelufian
eorþan æhtwelan þonne his anes gemet,
þæt he his lichoman lade hæbbe.”
fromne fundon, þonne flygereowe
þurh nihta genipu neosan cwoman,
þa þe onhæle eardas weredon,
hwæþre him þæs wonges wyn sweðrade;
woldun þæt him to mode fore monlufan
sorg gesohte, þæt he siþ tuge
eft to eþle. Ne wæs þæt ongin swylc,
ðonne hine engel on þam anade
geornast grette ond him giefe sealde,
þæt hine ne meahte meotudes willan
longað gelettan, ac he on þæs lareowes
wære gewunade. Oft worde bicwæð:
“Huru, þæs bihofað, se ðe him halig gæst
wisað on willan ond his weorc trymað,
60
þæt he þæs latteowes larum hyre,
ne lete him ealdfeond eft oncyrran
mod from his meotude. Hu sceal min cuman
gæst to geoce, nemne ic gode sylle
hyrsumne hige, þæt him heortan geþonc [OMITTED]
ær oþþe sið ende geweorðe,
þæt ge mec to wundre wægan motun.
Ne mæg min lichoma wið þas lænan gesceaft
deað gedælan, ac he gedreosan sceal,
swa þeos eorðe eall þe ic her on stonde.
Ðeah ge minne flæschoman fyres wylme
forgripen gromhydge gifran lege,
næfre ge mec of þissum wordum onwendað þendan mec min gewit gelæsteð.
Þeah þe ge hine sarum forsæcen, ne motan ge mine sawle gretan,
ac ge on betran gebringað. Forðan ic gebidan wille
þæs þe me min dryhten demeð. Nis me þæs deaþes sorg.
Ðeah min ban ond blod bu tu geweorþen
eorþan to eacan, min se eca dæl
in gefean fareð, þær he fægran
botles bruceð. Nis þisses beorges setl
meodumre ne mara þonne hit men duge
se þe in þrowingum þeodnes willan
dæghwam dreogeð. Ne sceal se dryhtnes þeow
in his modsefan mare gelufian
eorþan æhtwelan þonne his anes gemet,
þæt he his lichoman lade hæbbe.”
Ða wæs eft swa ær ealdfeonda nið,
wroht onwylled; woð oþer
ne lythwon leoðode, þonne in lyft astag
ceargesta cirm. Symle Cristes lof
in Guðlaces godum mode
weox ond wunade, ond hine weoruda god
freoðade on foldan, swa he feora gehwylc
healdeð in hælo, þær se hyra gæst
þihð in þeawum. He wæs þeara sum;
ne won he æfter worulde, ac he in wuldre ahof
modes wynne. Hwylc wæs mara þonne se?
An oretta ussum tidum
cempa gecyðeð þæt him Crist fore
woruldlicra ma wundra gecyðde.
wroht onwylled; woð oþer
ne lythwon leoðode, þonne in lyft astag
ceargesta cirm. Symle Cristes lof
in Guðlaces godum mode
61
freoðade on foldan, swa he feora gehwylc
healdeð in hælo, þær se hyra gæst
þihð in þeawum. He wæs þeara sum;
ne won he æfter worulde, ac he in wuldre ahof
modes wynne. Hwylc wæs mara þonne se?
An oretta ussum tidum
cempa gecyðeð þæt him Crist fore
woruldlicra ma wundra gecyðde.
He hine scilde wið sceðþendra
eglum onfengum earmra gæsta;
wæron hy reowe to ræsanne
gifrum grapum. No god wolde
þæt seo sawl þæs sar þrowade
in lichoman, lyfde seþeana
þæt hy him mid hondum hrinan mosten,
ond þæt frið wið hy gefreoþad wære.
Hy hine þa hofun on þa hean lyft,
sealdon him meahte ofer monna cynn,
þæt he fore eagum eall sceawode
under haligra hyrda gewealdum
in mynsterum monna gebæru,
þara þe hyra lifes þurh lust brucan,
idlum æhtum ond oferwlencum,
gierelum gielplicum, swa bið geoguðe þeaw,
þær þæs ealdres egsa ne styreð.
No þær þa feondas gefeon þorfton,
ac þæs blædes hraðe gebrocen hæfdon
þe him alyfed wæs lytle hwile,
þæt hy his lichoman leng ne mostan
witum wælan; ne him wiht gescod
þæs þe hy him to teonan þurhtogen hæfdon.
Læddun hine þa of lyfte to þam leofestan
earde on eorðan, þæt he eft gestag
beorg on bearwe. Bonan gnornedon,
mændon murnende þæt hy monnes bearn
þream oferþunge, ond swa þearfendlic
him to earfeðum ana cwome,
gif hy him ne meahte maran sarum
gyldan gyrnwræce. Guðlac sette
hyht in heofonas, hælu getreowde,
hæfde feonda feng feore gedyged.
Wæs seo æreste earmra gæsta
costung ofercumen. Cempa wunade
bliþe on beorge, wæs his blæd mid god.
Ðuhte him on mode þæt se moncynnes
eadig wære se þe his anum her
feore gefreoðade, þæt him feondes hond
æt þam ytmestan ende ne scode,
þonne him se dryhtnes dom wisade
to þam nyhstan nydgedale.
Hwæþre him þa gena gyrna gemyndge
edwitsprecan ermþu geheton
tornum teoncwidum. Treow wæs gecyþed,
þætte Guðlace god leanode
ellen mid arum, þæt he ana gewon.
eglum onfengum earmra gæsta;
wæron hy reowe to ræsanne
gifrum grapum. No god wolde
þæt seo sawl þæs sar þrowade
in lichoman, lyfde seþeana
þæt hy him mid hondum hrinan mosten,
ond þæt frið wið hy gefreoþad wære.
Hy hine þa hofun on þa hean lyft,
sealdon him meahte ofer monna cynn,
þæt he fore eagum eall sceawode
under haligra hyrda gewealdum
in mynsterum monna gebæru,
þara þe hyra lifes þurh lust brucan,
idlum æhtum ond oferwlencum,
gierelum gielplicum, swa bið geoguðe þeaw,
þær þæs ealdres egsa ne styreð.
No þær þa feondas gefeon þorfton,
ac þæs blædes hraðe gebrocen hæfdon
þe him alyfed wæs lytle hwile,
þæt hy his lichoman leng ne mostan
witum wælan; ne him wiht gescod
þæs þe hy him to teonan þurhtogen hæfdon.
Læddun hine þa of lyfte to þam leofestan
earde on eorðan, þæt he eft gestag
beorg on bearwe. Bonan gnornedon,
mændon murnende þæt hy monnes bearn
62
him to earfeðum ana cwome,
gif hy him ne meahte maran sarum
gyldan gyrnwræce. Guðlac sette
hyht in heofonas, hælu getreowde,
hæfde feonda feng feore gedyged.
Wæs seo æreste earmra gæsta
costung ofercumen. Cempa wunade
bliþe on beorge, wæs his blæd mid god.
Ðuhte him on mode þæt se moncynnes
eadig wære se þe his anum her
feore gefreoðade, þæt him feondes hond
æt þam ytmestan ende ne scode,
þonne him se dryhtnes dom wisade
to þam nyhstan nydgedale.
Hwæþre him þa gena gyrna gemyndge
edwitsprecan ermþu geheton
tornum teoncwidum. Treow wæs gecyþed,
þætte Guðlace god leanode
ellen mid arum, þæt he ana gewon.
Him se werga gæst wordum sægde:
“No we þe þus swiðe swencan þorftan,
þær þu fromlice freonda larum
hyran wolde, þa þu hean ond earm
on þis orlege ærest cwome,
ða þu gehete þæt þec halig gæst
wið earfeþum eaðe gescilde,
for þam myrcelse þe þec monnes hond
from þinre onsyne æþelum ahwyrfde.
In þam mægwlite monge lifgað,
gyltum forgiefene; nales gode þigað,
ac hy lichoman fore lufan cwemað
wista wynnum. Swa ge weorðmyndu
in dolum dreame dryhtne gieldað.
Fela ge fore monnum miþað þæs þe ge in mode gehycgað;
ne beoð eowre dæda dyrne, þeah þe ge hy in dygle gefremme.
We þec in lyft gelæddun, oftugon þe londes wynna,
woldun þu þe sylfa gesawe þæt we þec soð onstældun.
Ealles þu þæs wite awunne; forþon þu hit onwendan ne meahtes.”
“No we þe þus swiðe swencan þorftan,
þær þu fromlice freonda larum
hyran wolde, þa þu hean ond earm
on þis orlege ærest cwome,
ða þu gehete þæt þec halig gæst
wið earfeþum eaðe gescilde,
for þam myrcelse þe þec monnes hond
from þinre onsyne æþelum ahwyrfde.
In þam mægwlite monge lifgað,
gyltum forgiefene; nales gode þigað,
ac hy lichoman fore lufan cwemað
wista wynnum. Swa ge weorðmyndu
in dolum dreame dryhtne gieldað.
Fela ge fore monnum miþað þæs þe ge in mode gehycgað;
ne beoð eowre dæda dyrne, þeah þe ge hy in dygle gefremme.
63
woldun þu þe sylfa gesawe þæt we þec soð onstældun.
Ealles þu þæs wite awunne; forþon þu hit onwendan ne meahtes.”
Ða wæs agongen þæt him god wolde
æfter þrowinga þonc gegyldan
þæt he martyrhad mode gelufade,
sealde him snyttru on sefan gehygdum,
mægenfæste gemynd. He wið mongum stod
ealdfeonda, elne gebylded,
sægde him to sorge þæt hy sigelease
þone grenan wong ofgiefan sceoldan:
“Ge sind forscadene, on eow scyld siteð!
Ne cunnon ge dryhten duguþe biddan,
ne mid eaðmedum are secan,
þeah þe eow alyfde lytle hwile,
þæt ge min onwald agan mosten;
ne ge þæt geþyldum þicgan woldan,
ac mec yrringa up gelæddon,
þæt ic of lyfte londa getimbru
geseon meahte. Wæs me swegles leoht
torht ontyned, þeah ic torn druge.
Setton me in edwit þæt ic eaðe forbær
rume regulas ond reþe mod
geongra monna in godes templum;
woldan þy gehyrwan haligra lof,
sohtun þa sæmran, ond þa sellan no
demdan æfter dædum. Ne beoð þa dyrne swa þeah.
Ic eow soð siþþon secgan wille.
God scop geoguðe ond gumena dream;
ne magun þa æfteryld in þam ærestan
blæde geberan, ac hy blissiað
worulde wynnum, oððæt wintra rim
gegæð in þa geoguðe, þæt se gæst lufað
onsyn ond ætwist yldran hades,
ðe gemete monige geond middangeard
þeowiað in þeawum. Þeodum ywaþ
wisdom weras, wlencu forleosað,
siððan geoguðe geað gæst aflihð.
Þæt ge ne scirað, ac ge scyldigra
synne secgað, soþfæstra no
mod ond monþeaw mæran willað.
Gefeoð in firenum, frofre ne wenað,
þæt ge wræcsiða wyrpe gebiden.
Oft ge in gestalum stondað; þæs cymeð steor of heofonum.
Me þonne sige sendeð se usic semon mæg,
se þe lifa gehwæs lengu wealdeð.”
æfter þrowinga þonc gegyldan
þæt he martyrhad mode gelufade,
sealde him snyttru on sefan gehygdum,
mægenfæste gemynd. He wið mongum stod
ealdfeonda, elne gebylded,
sægde him to sorge þæt hy sigelease
þone grenan wong ofgiefan sceoldan:
“Ge sind forscadene, on eow scyld siteð!
Ne cunnon ge dryhten duguþe biddan,
ne mid eaðmedum are secan,
þeah þe eow alyfde lytle hwile,
þæt ge min onwald agan mosten;
ne ge þæt geþyldum þicgan woldan,
ac mec yrringa up gelæddon,
þæt ic of lyfte londa getimbru
geseon meahte. Wæs me swegles leoht
torht ontyned, þeah ic torn druge.
Setton me in edwit þæt ic eaðe forbær
rume regulas ond reþe mod
geongra monna in godes templum;
woldan þy gehyrwan haligra lof,
sohtun þa sæmran, ond þa sellan no
demdan æfter dædum. Ne beoð þa dyrne swa þeah.
Ic eow soð siþþon secgan wille.
God scop geoguðe ond gumena dream;
ne magun þa æfteryld in þam ærestan
blæde geberan, ac hy blissiað
worulde wynnum, oððæt wintra rim
gegæð in þa geoguðe, þæt se gæst lufað
onsyn ond ætwist yldran hades,
ðe gemete monige geond middangeard
64
wisdom weras, wlencu forleosað,
siððan geoguðe geað gæst aflihð.
Þæt ge ne scirað, ac ge scyldigra
synne secgað, soþfæstra no
mod ond monþeaw mæran willað.
Gefeoð in firenum, frofre ne wenað,
þæt ge wræcsiða wyrpe gebiden.
Oft ge in gestalum stondað; þæs cymeð steor of heofonum.
Me þonne sige sendeð se usic semon mæg,
se þe lifa gehwæs lengu wealdeð.”
Swa hleoþrade halig cempa;
wæs se martyre from moncynnes
synnum asundrad. Sceolde he sares þa gen
dæl adreogan, ðeah þe dryhten his
witum weolde. Hwæt, þæt wundra sum
monnum þuhte, þæt he ma wolde
afrum onfengum earme gæstas
hrinan leton, ond þæt hwæþre gelomp!
Wæs þæt gen mara, þæt he middangeard
sylfa gesohte, ond his swat ageat
on bonena hond; ahte bega geweald,
lifes ond deaðes, þa he lustum dreag
eaðmod on eorðan ehtendra nið.
Forþon is nu arlic þæt we æfæstra
dæde demen, secgen dryhtne lof
ealra þara bisena þe us bec fore
þurh his wundra geweorc wisdom cyþað.
wæs se martyre from moncynnes
synnum asundrad. Sceolde he sares þa gen
dæl adreogan, ðeah þe dryhten his
witum weolde. Hwæt, þæt wundra sum
monnum þuhte, þæt he ma wolde
afrum onfengum earme gæstas
hrinan leton, ond þæt hwæþre gelomp!
Wæs þæt gen mara, þæt he middangeard
sylfa gesohte, ond his swat ageat
on bonena hond; ahte bega geweald,
lifes ond deaðes, þa he lustum dreag
eaðmod on eorðan ehtendra nið.
Forþon is nu arlic þæt we æfæstra
dæde demen, secgen dryhtne lof
ealra þara bisena þe us bec fore
þurh his wundra geweorc wisdom cyþað.
Geofu wæs mid Guðlac in godcundum
mægne gemeted. Micel is to secgan
eall æfter orde, þæt he on elne adreag:
ðone foregengan fæder ælmihtig
wið onhælum ealdorgewinnum
sylfa gesette, þær his sawl wearð
clæne ond gecostad. Cuð is wide
geond middangeard þæt his mod geþah
in godes willan; is þæs gen fela
to secgenne, þæs þe he sylfa adreag
under nyðgista nearwum clommum.
He þa sar forseah, a þære sawle wel [OMITTED]
þæs mundboran þe þæt mod geheold,
þæt him ne getweode treow in breostum,
ne him gnornunga gæste scodun,
ac se hearda hyge halig wunade,
oþþæt he þa bysgu oferbiden hæfde.
Þrea wæron þearle, þegnas grimme,
ealle hy þam feore fyl gehehton.
No hy hine to deaðe deman moston,
synna hyrdas, ac seo sawul bad
in lichoman leofran tide.
Georne hy ongeaton þæt hyne god wolde
nergan wið niþum ond hyra nydwræce
deope deman. Swa dryhten mæg,
ana ælmihtig, eadigra gehwone
wið earfeþum eaðe gescildan.
mægne gemeted. Micel is to secgan
eall æfter orde, þæt he on elne adreag:
ðone foregengan fæder ælmihtig
wið onhælum ealdorgewinnum
sylfa gesette, þær his sawl wearð
clæne ond gecostad. Cuð is wide
65
in godes willan; is þæs gen fela
to secgenne, þæs þe he sylfa adreag
under nyðgista nearwum clommum.
He þa sar forseah, a þære sawle wel [OMITTED]
þæs mundboran þe þæt mod geheold,
þæt him ne getweode treow in breostum,
ne him gnornunga gæste scodun,
ac se hearda hyge halig wunade,
oþþæt he þa bysgu oferbiden hæfde.
Þrea wæron þearle, þegnas grimme,
ealle hy þam feore fyl gehehton.
No hy hine to deaðe deman moston,
synna hyrdas, ac seo sawul bad
in lichoman leofran tide.
Georne hy ongeaton þæt hyne god wolde
nergan wið niþum ond hyra nydwræce
deope deman. Swa dryhten mæg,
ana ælmihtig, eadigra gehwone
wið earfeþum eaðe gescildan.
Hwæðre hine gebrohton bolgenmode,
wraðe wræcmæcgas, wuldres cempan,
halig husulbearn, æt heldore,
þær firenfulra fæge gæstas
æfter swyltcwale secan onginnað
ingong ærest in þæt atule hus,
niþer under næssas neole grundas.
Hy hine bregdon, budon orlege,
egsan ond ondan arleaslice,
frecne fore, swa bið feonda þeaw,
þonne hy soðfæstra sawle willað
synnum beswican ond searocræftum.
Ongunnon gromheorte godes orettan
in sefan swencan, swiþe geheton
þæt he in þone grimman gryre gongan sceolde,
hweorfan gehyned to helwarum,
ond þær in bendum bryne þrowian.
Woldun hy geteon mid torncwidum
earme aglæcan in orwennysse,
meotudes cempan. Hit ne meahte swa!
Cwædon cearfulle, Criste laðe,
to Guðlace mid grimnysse:
“Ne eart ðu gedefe, ne dryhtnes þeow
clæne gecostad, ne cempa god,
wordum ond weorcum wel gecyþed,
halig in heortan. Nu þu in helle scealt
deope gedufan, nales dryhtnes leoht
habban in heofonum, heahgetimbru,
seld on swegle, forþon þu synna to fela,
facna gefremedes in flæschoman.
We þe nu willað womma gehwylces
lean forgieldan, þær þe laþast bið
in ðam grimmestan gæstgewinne.”
wraðe wræcmæcgas, wuldres cempan,
halig husulbearn, æt heldore,
þær firenfulra fæge gæstas
æfter swyltcwale secan onginnað
ingong ærest in þæt atule hus,
niþer under næssas neole grundas.
Hy hine bregdon, budon orlege,
egsan ond ondan arleaslice,
frecne fore, swa bið feonda þeaw,
þonne hy soðfæstra sawle willað
synnum beswican ond searocræftum.
Ongunnon gromheorte godes orettan
in sefan swencan, swiþe geheton
þæt he in þone grimman gryre gongan sceolde,
66
ond þær in bendum bryne þrowian.
Woldun hy geteon mid torncwidum
earme aglæcan in orwennysse,
meotudes cempan. Hit ne meahte swa!
Cwædon cearfulle, Criste laðe,
to Guðlace mid grimnysse:
“Ne eart ðu gedefe, ne dryhtnes þeow
clæne gecostad, ne cempa god,
wordum ond weorcum wel gecyþed,
halig in heortan. Nu þu in helle scealt
deope gedufan, nales dryhtnes leoht
habban in heofonum, heahgetimbru,
seld on swegle, forþon þu synna to fela,
facna gefremedes in flæschoman.
We þe nu willað womma gehwylces
lean forgieldan, þær þe laþast bið
in ðam grimmestan gæstgewinne.”
Him se eadga wer ondswarode,
Guðlac in gæste mid godes mægne:
“Doð efne swa, gif eow dryhten Crist,
lifes leohtfruma lyfan wylle,
weoruda waldend, þæt ge his wergengan
in þone laðan leg lædan motan.
Þæt is in gewealdum wuldorcyninges,
se eow gehynde ond in hæft bidraf
under nearone clom, nergende Crist.
Eom ic eaðmod his ombiehthera,
þeow geþyldig. Ic geþafian sceal
æghwær ealles his anne dom,
ond him geornlice gæstgemyndum
wille wideferh wesan underþyded,
hyran holdlice minum hælende
þeawum ond geþyncðum, ond him þoncian
ealra þara giefena þe god gescop
englum ærest ond eorðwarum;
ond ic bletsige bliðe mode
lifes leohtfruman, ond him lof singe
þurh gedefne dom dæges ond nihtes,
herge in heortan heofonrices weard.
Þæt eow æfre ne bið ufan alyfed
leohtes lissum, þæt ge lof moten
dryhtne secgan, ac ge deaðe sceolon
weallendne wean wope besingan,
heaf in helle, nales herenisse
halge habban heofoncyninges.
Guðlac in gæste mid godes mægne:
“Doð efne swa, gif eow dryhten Crist,
lifes leohtfruma lyfan wylle,
weoruda waldend, þæt ge his wergengan
in þone laðan leg lædan motan.
Þæt is in gewealdum wuldorcyninges,
se eow gehynde ond in hæft bidraf
under nearone clom, nergende Crist.
Eom ic eaðmod his ombiehthera,
þeow geþyldig. Ic geþafian sceal
æghwær ealles his anne dom,
ond him geornlice gæstgemyndum
wille wideferh wesan underþyded,
hyran holdlice minum hælende
þeawum ond geþyncðum, ond him þoncian
ealra þara giefena þe god gescop
englum ærest ond eorðwarum;
ond ic bletsige bliðe mode
lifes leohtfruman, ond him lof singe
67
herge in heortan heofonrices weard.
Þæt eow æfre ne bið ufan alyfed
leohtes lissum, þæt ge lof moten
dryhtne secgan, ac ge deaðe sceolon
weallendne wean wope besingan,
heaf in helle, nales herenisse
halge habban heofoncyninges.
Ic þone deman in dagum minum
wille weorþian wordum ond dædum,
lufian in life, swa is lar ond ar
to spowendre spræce gelæded,
þam þe in his weorcum willan ræfnað.
Sindon ge wærlogan, swa ge in wræcsiðe
longe lifdon, lege bisencte,
swearte beswicene, swegle benumene,
dreame bidrorene, deaðe bifolene,
firenum bifongne, feores orwenan,
þæt ge blindnesse bote fundon.
Ge þa fægran gesceaft in fyrndagum,
gæstlicne goddream, gearo forsegon,
þa ge wiðhogdun halgum dryhtne.
Ne mostun ge a wunian in wyndagum,
ac mid scome scyldum scofene wurdon
fore oferhygdum in ece fyr,
ðær ge sceolon dreogan deað ond þystro,
wop to widan ealdre; næfre ge þæs wyrpe gebidað.
Ond ic þæt gelyfe in liffruman,
ecne onwealdan ealra gesceafta,
þæt he mec for miltsum ond mægenspedum,
niðða nergend, næfre wille
þurh ellenweorc anforlætan,
þam ic longe in lichoman
ond in minum gæste gode campode
þurh monigfealdra mægna gerynu.
Forðon ic getrywe in þone torhtestan
þrynesse þrym, se geþeahtingum
hafað in hondum heofon ond eorðan,
þæt ge mec mid niþum næfre motan
tornmode teon in tintergu,
mine myrðran ond mansceaþan,
swearte sigelease. Eom ic soðlice
leohte geleafan ond mid lufan dryhtnes
fægre gefylled in minum feorhlocan,
breostum inbryrded to þam betran ham,
leomum inlyhted to þam leofestan
ecan earde, þær is eþellond
fæger ond gefealic in fæder wuldre,
ðær eow næfre fore nergende
leohtes leoma ne lifes hyht
in godes rice agiefen weorþeð,
for þam oferhygdum þe eow in mod astag
þurh idel gylp ealles to swiðe.
Wendun ge ond woldun, wiþerhycgende,
þæt ge scyppende sceoldan gelice
wesan in wuldre. Eow þær wyrs gelomp,
ða eow se waldend wraðe bisencte
in þæt swearte susl, þær eow siððan wæs
ad inæled attre geblonden,
þurh deopne dom dream afyrred,
engla gemana. Swa nu awa sceal
wesan wideferh, þæt ge wærnysse
brynewylm hæbben, nales bletsunga.
Ne þurfun ge wenan, wuldre biscyrede,
þæt ge mec synfulle mid searocræftum
under scæd sconde scufan motan,
ne in bælblæsan bregdon on hinder
in helle hus, þær eow is ham sceapen,
sweart sinnehte, sacu butan ende,
grim gæstcwalu. Þær ge gnornende
deað sceolon dreogan, ond ic dreama wyn
agan mid englum in þam uplican
rodera rice, þær is ryht cyning,
help ond hælu hæleþa cynne,
duguð ond drohtað.” Ða cwom dryhtnes ar,
halig of heofonum, se þurh hleoþor abead
ufancundne ege earmum gæstum;
het eft hraðe unscyldigne
of þam wræcsiðe wuldres cempan
lædan limhalne, þæt se leofesta
gæst gegearwad in godes wære
on gefean ferde. Ða wearð feonda þreat
acol for ðam egsan. Ofermæcga spræc,
dyre dryhtnes þegn, dæghluttre scan.
Hæfde Guðlaces gæst in gewealdum
modig mundbora, meahtum spedig,
þeostra þegnas þreaniedlum bond,
nyd onsette ond geneahhe bibead:
“Ne sy him banes bryce ne blodig wund,
lices læla ne laþes wiht,
þæs þe ge him to dare gedon motan,
ac ge hine gesundne asettaþ þær ge hine sylfne genoman.
He sceal þy wonge wealdan, ne magon ge him þa wic forstondan.
Ic eom se dema, se mec dryhten heht
snude gesecgan, þæt ge him sara gehwylc
hondum gehælde, ond him hearsume
on his sylfes dom siþþan wæron.
Ne sceal ic mine onsyn fore eowere
mengu miþan. Ic eom meotudes þegn.
Eom ic þara twelfa sum þe he getreoweste
under monnes hiw mode gelufade.
He mec of heofonum hider onsende,
geseah þæt ge on eorðan fore æfstum
on his wergengan wite legdon.
Is þæt min broþor, mec his bysgu gehreaw.
Ic þæt gefremme, þær se freond wunað
on þære socne, þe ic þa sibbe wið hine
healdan wille, nu ic his helpan mot,
þæt ge min onsynn oft sceawiað.
Nu ic his geneahhe neosan wille;
sceal ic his word ond his weorc in gewitnesse
dryhtne lædon. He his dæde conn.”
wille weorþian wordum ond dædum,
lufian in life, swa is lar ond ar
to spowendre spræce gelæded,
þam þe in his weorcum willan ræfnað.
Sindon ge wærlogan, swa ge in wræcsiðe
longe lifdon, lege bisencte,
swearte beswicene, swegle benumene,
dreame bidrorene, deaðe bifolene,
firenum bifongne, feores orwenan,
þæt ge blindnesse bote fundon.
Ge þa fægran gesceaft in fyrndagum,
gæstlicne goddream, gearo forsegon,
þa ge wiðhogdun halgum dryhtne.
Ne mostun ge a wunian in wyndagum,
ac mid scome scyldum scofene wurdon
fore oferhygdum in ece fyr,
ðær ge sceolon dreogan deað ond þystro,
wop to widan ealdre; næfre ge þæs wyrpe gebidað.
Ond ic þæt gelyfe in liffruman,
ecne onwealdan ealra gesceafta,
þæt he mec for miltsum ond mægenspedum,
niðða nergend, næfre wille
þurh ellenweorc anforlætan,
þam ic longe in lichoman
ond in minum gæste gode campode
þurh monigfealdra mægna gerynu.
Forðon ic getrywe in þone torhtestan
68
hafað in hondum heofon ond eorðan,
þæt ge mec mid niþum næfre motan
tornmode teon in tintergu,
mine myrðran ond mansceaþan,
swearte sigelease. Eom ic soðlice
leohte geleafan ond mid lufan dryhtnes
fægre gefylled in minum feorhlocan,
breostum inbryrded to þam betran ham,
leomum inlyhted to þam leofestan
ecan earde, þær is eþellond
fæger ond gefealic in fæder wuldre,
ðær eow næfre fore nergende
leohtes leoma ne lifes hyht
in godes rice agiefen weorþeð,
for þam oferhygdum þe eow in mod astag
þurh idel gylp ealles to swiðe.
Wendun ge ond woldun, wiþerhycgende,
þæt ge scyppende sceoldan gelice
wesan in wuldre. Eow þær wyrs gelomp,
ða eow se waldend wraðe bisencte
in þæt swearte susl, þær eow siððan wæs
ad inæled attre geblonden,
þurh deopne dom dream afyrred,
engla gemana. Swa nu awa sceal
wesan wideferh, þæt ge wærnysse
brynewylm hæbben, nales bletsunga.
Ne þurfun ge wenan, wuldre biscyrede,
þæt ge mec synfulle mid searocræftum
under scæd sconde scufan motan,
ne in bælblæsan bregdon on hinder
in helle hus, þær eow is ham sceapen,
sweart sinnehte, sacu butan ende,
grim gæstcwalu. Þær ge gnornende
deað sceolon dreogan, ond ic dreama wyn
agan mid englum in þam uplican
69
help ond hælu hæleþa cynne,
duguð ond drohtað.” Ða cwom dryhtnes ar,
halig of heofonum, se þurh hleoþor abead
ufancundne ege earmum gæstum;
het eft hraðe unscyldigne
of þam wræcsiðe wuldres cempan
lædan limhalne, þæt se leofesta
gæst gegearwad in godes wære
on gefean ferde. Ða wearð feonda þreat
acol for ðam egsan. Ofermæcga spræc,
dyre dryhtnes þegn, dæghluttre scan.
Hæfde Guðlaces gæst in gewealdum
modig mundbora, meahtum spedig,
þeostra þegnas þreaniedlum bond,
nyd onsette ond geneahhe bibead:
“Ne sy him banes bryce ne blodig wund,
lices læla ne laþes wiht,
þæs þe ge him to dare gedon motan,
ac ge hine gesundne asettaþ þær ge hine sylfne genoman.
He sceal þy wonge wealdan, ne magon ge him þa wic forstondan.
Ic eom se dema, se mec dryhten heht
snude gesecgan, þæt ge him sara gehwylc
hondum gehælde, ond him hearsume
on his sylfes dom siþþan wæron.
Ne sceal ic mine onsyn fore eowere
mengu miþan. Ic eom meotudes þegn.
Eom ic þara twelfa sum þe he getreoweste
under monnes hiw mode gelufade.
He mec of heofonum hider onsende,
geseah þæt ge on eorðan fore æfstum
on his wergengan wite legdon.
Is þæt min broþor, mec his bysgu gehreaw.
Ic þæt gefremme, þær se freond wunað
on þære socne, þe ic þa sibbe wið hine
70
þæt ge min onsynn oft sceawiað.
Nu ic his geneahhe neosan wille;
sceal ic his word ond his weorc in gewitnesse
dryhtne lædon. He his dæde conn.”
Ða wæs Guðlaces gæst geblissad,
siþþan Bartholomeus aboden hæfde
godes ærendu. Gearwe stodun
hæftas hearsume, þa þæs halgan word
lyt oferleordun. Ongon þa leofne sið
dragan domeadig dryhtnes cempa
to þam onwillan eorðan dæle.
Hy hine bæron ond him bryce heoldon,
hofon hine hondum ond him hryre burgun.
Wæron hyra gongas under godes egsan
smeþe ond gesefte. Sigehreðig cwom
bytla to þam beorge. Hine bletsadon
monge mægwlitas, meaglum reordum,
treofugla tuddor, tacnum cyðdon
eadges eftcyme. Oft he him æte heold,
þonne hy him hungrige ymb hond flugon
grædum gifre, geoce gefegon.
Swa þæt milde mod wið moncynnes
dreamum gedælde, dryhtne þeowde,
genom him to wildeorum wynne, siþþan he þas woruld forhogde.
siþþan Bartholomeus aboden hæfde
godes ærendu. Gearwe stodun
hæftas hearsume, þa þæs halgan word
lyt oferleordun. Ongon þa leofne sið
dragan domeadig dryhtnes cempa
to þam onwillan eorðan dæle.
Hy hine bæron ond him bryce heoldon,
hofon hine hondum ond him hryre burgun.
Wæron hyra gongas under godes egsan
smeþe ond gesefte. Sigehreðig cwom
bytla to þam beorge. Hine bletsadon
monge mægwlitas, meaglum reordum,
treofugla tuddor, tacnum cyðdon
eadges eftcyme. Oft he him æte heold,
þonne hy him hungrige ymb hond flugon
grædum gifre, geoce gefegon.
Swa þæt milde mod wið moncynnes
dreamum gedælde, dryhtne þeowde,
genom him to wildeorum wynne, siþþan he þas woruld forhogde.
Smolt wæs se sigewong ond sele niwe,
fæger fugla reord, folde geblowen;
geacas gear budon. Guþlac moste
eadig ond onmod eardes brucan.
Stod se grena wong in godes wære;
hæfde se heorde, se þe of heofonum cwom,
feondas afyrde. Hwylc wæs fægerra
willa geworden in wera life,
þara þe yldran usse gemunde,
oþþe we selfe siþþan cuþen?
Hwæt, we þissa wundra gewitan sindon!
Eall þas geeodon in ussera
tida timan. Forþon þæs tweogan ne þearf
ænig ofer eorðan ælda cynnes,
ac swilc god wyrceð gæsta lifes
to trumnaþe, þy læs þa tydran mod
þa gewitnesse wendan þurfe,
þonne hy in gesihþe soþes brucað.
Swa se ælmihtiga ealle gesceafte
lufað under lyfte in lichoman,
monna mægðe geond middangeard.
Wile se waldend þæt we wisdom a
snyttrum swelgen, þæt his soð fore us
on his giefena gyld genge weorðe,
ða he us to are ond to ondgiete
syleð ond sendeð, sawlum rymeð
liþe lifwegas leohte geræhte.
Nis þæt huru læsast þæt seo lufu cyþeð,
þonne heo in monnes mode getimbreð
gæstcunde gife, swa he Guðlaces
dagas ond dæde þurh his dom ahof.
Wæs se fruma fæstlic feondum on ondan,
geseted wið synnum, þær he siþþan lyt
wære gewonade, oft his word gode
þurh eaðmedu up onsende,
let his ben cuman in þa beorhtan gesceaft,
þoncade þeodne þæs þe he in þrowingum
bidan moste, hwonne him betre lif
þurh godes willan agyfen wurde.
fæger fugla reord, folde geblowen;
geacas gear budon. Guþlac moste
eadig ond onmod eardes brucan.
Stod se grena wong in godes wære;
hæfde se heorde, se þe of heofonum cwom,
feondas afyrde. Hwylc wæs fægerra
willa geworden in wera life,
þara þe yldran usse gemunde,
oþþe we selfe siþþan cuþen?
71
Eall þas geeodon in ussera
tida timan. Forþon þæs tweogan ne þearf
ænig ofer eorðan ælda cynnes,
ac swilc god wyrceð gæsta lifes
to trumnaþe, þy læs þa tydran mod
þa gewitnesse wendan þurfe,
þonne hy in gesihþe soþes brucað.
Swa se ælmihtiga ealle gesceafte
lufað under lyfte in lichoman,
monna mægðe geond middangeard.
Wile se waldend þæt we wisdom a
snyttrum swelgen, þæt his soð fore us
on his giefena gyld genge weorðe,
ða he us to are ond to ondgiete
syleð ond sendeð, sawlum rymeð
liþe lifwegas leohte geræhte.
Nis þæt huru læsast þæt seo lufu cyþeð,
þonne heo in monnes mode getimbreð
gæstcunde gife, swa he Guðlaces
dagas ond dæde þurh his dom ahof.
Wæs se fruma fæstlic feondum on ondan,
geseted wið synnum, þær he siþþan lyt
wære gewonade, oft his word gode
þurh eaðmedu up onsende,
let his ben cuman in þa beorhtan gesceaft,
þoncade þeodne þæs þe he in þrowingum
bidan moste, hwonne him betre lif
þurh godes willan agyfen wurde.
Swa wæs Guðlaces gæst gelæded
engla fæðmum in uprodor,
fore onsyne eces deman
læddon leoflice. Him wæs lean geseald,
setl on swegle, þær he symle mot
awo to ealdre eardfæst wesan,
bliðe bidan. Is him bearn godes
milde mundbora, meahtig dryhten,
halig hyrde, heofonrices weard.
Swa soðfæstra sawla motun
in ecne geard up gestigan
rodera rice, þa þe ræfnað her
wordum ond weorcum wuldorcyninges
lare longsume, on hyra lifes tid
earniað on eorðan ecan lifes,
hames in heahþu. Þæt beoð husulweras,
cempan gecorene, Criste leofe,
berað in breostum beorhtne geleafan,
haligne hyht, heortan clæne
weorðiað waldend, habbað wisne geþoht,
fusne on forðweg to fæder eðle,
gearwaþ gæstes hus, ond mid gleawnesse
feond oferfeohtað ond firenlustas
forberað in breostum, broþorsibbe
georne bigongað, in godes willan
swencað hi sylfe, sawle frætwað
halgum gehygdum, heofoncyninges bibod
fremmað on foldan. Fæsten lufiað,
beorgað him bealoniþ ond gebedu secað,
swincað wið synnum, healdað soð ond ryht.
Him þæt ne hreoweð æfter hingonge,
ðonne hy hweorfað in þa halgan burg,
gongað gegnunga to Hierusalem,
þær hi to worulde wynnum motun
godes onsyne georne bihealdan,
sibbe ond gesihðe, þær heo soð wunað,
wlitig, wuldorfæst, ealne widan ferh
on lifgendra londes wynne.
engla fæðmum in uprodor,
fore onsyne eces deman
læddon leoflice. Him wæs lean geseald,
setl on swegle, þær he symle mot
awo to ealdre eardfæst wesan,
72
milde mundbora, meahtig dryhten,
halig hyrde, heofonrices weard.
Swa soðfæstra sawla motun
in ecne geard up gestigan
rodera rice, þa þe ræfnað her
wordum ond weorcum wuldorcyninges
lare longsume, on hyra lifes tid
earniað on eorðan ecan lifes,
hames in heahþu. Þæt beoð husulweras,
cempan gecorene, Criste leofe,
berað in breostum beorhtne geleafan,
haligne hyht, heortan clæne
weorðiað waldend, habbað wisne geþoht,
fusne on forðweg to fæder eðle,
gearwaþ gæstes hus, ond mid gleawnesse
feond oferfeohtað ond firenlustas
forberað in breostum, broþorsibbe
georne bigongað, in godes willan
swencað hi sylfe, sawle frætwað
halgum gehygdum, heofoncyninges bibod
fremmað on foldan. Fæsten lufiað,
beorgað him bealoniþ ond gebedu secað,
swincað wið synnum, healdað soð ond ryht.
Him þæt ne hreoweð æfter hingonge,
ðonne hy hweorfað in þa halgan burg,
gongað gegnunga to Hierusalem,
þær hi to worulde wynnum motun
godes onsyne georne bihealdan,
sibbe ond gesihðe, þær heo soð wunað,
wlitig, wuldorfæst, ealne widan ferh
on lifgendra londes wynne.
II
Ðæt is wide cuð wera cneorissum,
folcum gefræge, þætte frymþa god
þone ærestan ælda cynnes
of þære clænestan, cyning ælmihtig,
foldan geworhte. Ða wæs fruma niwe
ælda tudres, onstæl wynlic,
fæger ond gefealic. Fæder wæs acenned
Adam ærest þurh est godes
on neorxnawong, þær him nænges wæs
willan onsyn, ne welan brosnung,
ne lifes lyre ne lices hryre,
ne dreames dryre ne deaðes cyme,
ac he on þam lande lifgan moste
ealra leahtra leas, longe neotan
niwra gefeana. Þær he no þorfte
lifes ne lissa in þam leohtan ham
þurh ælda tid ende gebidan,
ac æfter fyrste to þam færestan
heofonrices gefean hweorfan mostan,
leomu lic somud ond lifes gæst,
ond þær siþþan a in sindreamum
to widan feore wunian mostun
dryhtne on gesihðe, butan deaðe forð,
gif hy halges word healdan woldun
beorht in breostum, ond his bebodu læstan,
æfnan on eðle. Hy to ær aþreat
þæt hy waldendes willan læsten,
ac his wif genom wyrmes larum
blede forbodene, ond of beame ahneop
wæstm biweredne ofer word godes,
wuldorcyninges, ond hyre were sealde
þurh deofles searo deaðberende gyfl
þæt ða sinhiwan to swylte geteah.
Siþþan se eþel uðgenge wearð
Adame ond Euan, eardwica cyst
beorht oðbroden, ond hyra bearnum swa,
eaferum æfter, þa hy on uncyððu,
scomum scudende, scofene wurdon
on gewinworuld. Weorces onguldon,
deopra firena, þurh deaðes cwealm,
þe hy unsnyttrum ær gefremedon.
Þære synwræce siþþan sceoldon
mægð ond mæcgas morþres ongyldon,
godscyldge gyrn þurh gæstgedal,
deopra firena. Deað in geþrong
fira cynne, feond rixade
geond middangeard. Nænig monna wæs
of þam sigetudre siþþan æfre
godes willan þæs georn, ne gynnwised,
þæt he bibugan mæge þone bitran drync
þone Eue fyrn Adame geaf,
byrelade bryd geong; þæt him bam gescod
in þam deoran ham. Deað ricsade
ofer foldbuend, þeah þe fela wære
gæsthaligra, þær hi godes willan
on mislicum monna gebihþum
æfter stedewonga stowum fremedon;
sume ær, sume sið, sume in urra
æfter tælmearce tida gemyndum
sigorlean sohtun. Us secgað bec
hu Guðlac wearð þurh godes willan
eadig on Engle. He him ece geceas
meaht ond mundbyrd. Mære wurdon
his wundra geweorc wide ond side,
breme æfter burgum geond Bryten innan,
hu he monge oft þurh meaht godes
gehælde hygegeomre hefigra wita,
þe hine unsofte, adle gebundne,
sarge gesohtun of siðwegum,
freorigmode. Symle frofre þær
æt þam godes cempan gearwe fundon,
helpe ond hælo. Nænig hæleþa is
þe areccan mæge oþþe rim wite
ealra þara wundra þe he in worulde her
þurh dryhtnes giefe dugeþum gefremede.
folcum gefræge, þætte frymþa god
73
of þære clænestan, cyning ælmihtig,
foldan geworhte. Ða wæs fruma niwe
ælda tudres, onstæl wynlic,
fæger ond gefealic. Fæder wæs acenned
Adam ærest þurh est godes
on neorxnawong, þær him nænges wæs
willan onsyn, ne welan brosnung,
ne lifes lyre ne lices hryre,
ne dreames dryre ne deaðes cyme,
ac he on þam lande lifgan moste
ealra leahtra leas, longe neotan
niwra gefeana. Þær he no þorfte
lifes ne lissa in þam leohtan ham
þurh ælda tid ende gebidan,
ac æfter fyrste to þam færestan
heofonrices gefean hweorfan mostan,
leomu lic somud ond lifes gæst,
ond þær siþþan a in sindreamum
to widan feore wunian mostun
dryhtne on gesihðe, butan deaðe forð,
gif hy halges word healdan woldun
beorht in breostum, ond his bebodu læstan,
æfnan on eðle. Hy to ær aþreat
þæt hy waldendes willan læsten,
ac his wif genom wyrmes larum
blede forbodene, ond of beame ahneop
wæstm biweredne ofer word godes,
wuldorcyninges, ond hyre were sealde
þurh deofles searo deaðberende gyfl
þæt ða sinhiwan to swylte geteah.
Siþþan se eþel uðgenge wearð
Adame ond Euan, eardwica cyst
beorht oðbroden, ond hyra bearnum swa,
eaferum æfter, þa hy on uncyððu,
scomum scudende, scofene wurdon
74
deopra firena, þurh deaðes cwealm,
þe hy unsnyttrum ær gefremedon.
Þære synwræce siþþan sceoldon
mægð ond mæcgas morþres ongyldon,
godscyldge gyrn þurh gæstgedal,
deopra firena. Deað in geþrong
fira cynne, feond rixade
geond middangeard. Nænig monna wæs
of þam sigetudre siþþan æfre
godes willan þæs georn, ne gynnwised,
þæt he bibugan mæge þone bitran drync
þone Eue fyrn Adame geaf,
byrelade bryd geong; þæt him bam gescod
in þam deoran ham. Deað ricsade
ofer foldbuend, þeah þe fela wære
gæsthaligra, þær hi godes willan
on mislicum monna gebihþum
æfter stedewonga stowum fremedon;
sume ær, sume sið, sume in urra
æfter tælmearce tida gemyndum
sigorlean sohtun. Us secgað bec
hu Guðlac wearð þurh godes willan
eadig on Engle. He him ece geceas
meaht ond mundbyrd. Mære wurdon
his wundra geweorc wide ond side,
breme æfter burgum geond Bryten innan,
hu he monge oft þurh meaht godes
gehælde hygegeomre hefigra wita,
þe hine unsofte, adle gebundne,
sarge gesohtun of siðwegum,
freorigmode. Symle frofre þær
æt þam godes cempan gearwe fundon,
helpe ond hælo. Nænig hæleþa is
þe areccan mæge oþþe rim wite
ealra þara wundra þe he in worulde her
75
Oft to þam wicum weorude cwomun
deofla deaðmægen duguþa byscyrede
hloþum þringan, þær se halga þeow
elnes anhydig eard weardade.
Þær hy mislice mongum reordum
on þam westenne woðe hofun
hludne herecirm, hiwes binotene,
dreamum bidrorene. Dryhtnes cempa,
from folctoga, feonda þreatum
wiðstod stronglice. Næs seo stund latu
earmra gæsta, ne þæt onbid long,
þæt þa wrohtsmiðas wop ahofun,
hreopun hreðlease, hleoþrum brugdon.
Hwilum wedende swa wilde deor
cirmdon on corðre, hwilum cyrdon eft
minne mansceaþan on mennisc hiw
breahtma mæste, hwilum brugdon eft
awyrgde wærlogan on wyrmes bleo,
earme adloman attre spiowdon.
Symle hy Guðlac gearene fundon,
þonces gleawne. He geþyldum bad,
þeah him feonda hloð feorhcwealm bude.
Hwilum him to honda hungre geþreatad
fleag fugla cyn, þær hy feorhnere
witude fundon ond hine weorðedon
meaglum stefnum. Hwilum mennisce
aras eaðmedum eft neosedon,
ond þær siðfrome on þam sigewonge
æt þam halgan þeowan helpe gemetton,
ferðþes frofre. Nænig forþum wæs,
þæt he æwiscmod eft siðade,
hean, hyhta leas, ac se halga wer
ælda gehwylces þurh þa æþelan meaht,
þe hine seoslige sohtun on ðearfe,
hæleð hygegeomre, hælde bu tu
lic ond sawle, þenden lifes weard,
ece ælmihtig, unnan wolde
þæt he blædes her brucan moste,
worulde lifes. Wæs gewinnes þa
yrmþa for eorðan endedogor
þurh nydgedal neah geþrungen,
siþþan he on westenne wiceard geceas,
fiftynu gear, þa wæs frofre gæst
eadgum æbodan ufan onsended,
halig of heahþu. Hreþer innan born,
afysed on forðsið. Him færinga
adl in gewod. He on elne swa þeah
ungeblyged bad beorhtra gehata
bliþe in burgum. Wæs þam bancofan
æfter nihtglome neah geþrungen,
breosthord onboren. Wæs se bliþa gæst
fus on forðweg. Nolde fæder engla
in þisse wonsælgan worulde life
leahtra leasne longfyrst ofer þæt
wunian leton, þe him on weorcum her
on his dagena tid dædum gecwemde
elne unslawe. Ða se ælmihtiga
let his hond cuman þær se halga þeow,
deormod on degle domeadig bad,
heard ond hygerof. Hyht wæs geniwad,
blis in breostum. Wæs se bancofa
adle onæled, inbendum fæst,
lichord onlocen. Leomu hefegedon,
sarum gesohte. He þæt soð gecneow
þæt hine ælmihtig ufan neosade,
meotud fore miltsum. He his modsefan
wið þam færhagan fæste trymede
feonda gewinna. Næs he forht seþeah,
ne seo adlþracu egle on mode,
ne deaðgedal, ac him dryhtnes lof
born in breostum, brondhat lufu
sigorfæst in sefan, seo him sara gehwylc
symle forswiðde. Næs him sorgcearu
on þas lænan tid, þeah his lic ond gæst
hyra somwiste, sinhiwan tu,
deore gedælden. Dagas forð scridun,
nihthelma genipu. Wæs neah seo tid
þæt he fyrngewyrht fyllan sceolde
þurh deaðes cyme, domes hleotan,
efne þæs ilcan þe usse yldran fyrn
frecne onfengon, swa him biforan worhton
þa ærestan ælda cynnes.
deofla deaðmægen duguþa byscyrede
hloþum þringan, þær se halga þeow
elnes anhydig eard weardade.
Þær hy mislice mongum reordum
on þam westenne woðe hofun
hludne herecirm, hiwes binotene,
dreamum bidrorene. Dryhtnes cempa,
from folctoga, feonda þreatum
wiðstod stronglice. Næs seo stund latu
earmra gæsta, ne þæt onbid long,
þæt þa wrohtsmiðas wop ahofun,
hreopun hreðlease, hleoþrum brugdon.
Hwilum wedende swa wilde deor
cirmdon on corðre, hwilum cyrdon eft
minne mansceaþan on mennisc hiw
breahtma mæste, hwilum brugdon eft
awyrgde wærlogan on wyrmes bleo,
earme adloman attre spiowdon.
Symle hy Guðlac gearene fundon,
þonces gleawne. He geþyldum bad,
þeah him feonda hloð feorhcwealm bude.
Hwilum him to honda hungre geþreatad
fleag fugla cyn, þær hy feorhnere
witude fundon ond hine weorðedon
meaglum stefnum. Hwilum mennisce
aras eaðmedum eft neosedon,
ond þær siðfrome on þam sigewonge
æt þam halgan þeowan helpe gemetton,
ferðþes frofre. Nænig forþum wæs,
þæt he æwiscmod eft siðade,
hean, hyhta leas, ac se halga wer
ælda gehwylces þurh þa æþelan meaht,
þe hine seoslige sohtun on ðearfe,
hæleð hygegeomre, hælde bu tu
76
ece ælmihtig, unnan wolde
þæt he blædes her brucan moste,
worulde lifes. Wæs gewinnes þa
yrmþa for eorðan endedogor
þurh nydgedal neah geþrungen,
siþþan he on westenne wiceard geceas,
fiftynu gear, þa wæs frofre gæst
eadgum æbodan ufan onsended,
halig of heahþu. Hreþer innan born,
afysed on forðsið. Him færinga
adl in gewod. He on elne swa þeah
ungeblyged bad beorhtra gehata
bliþe in burgum. Wæs þam bancofan
æfter nihtglome neah geþrungen,
breosthord onboren. Wæs se bliþa gæst
fus on forðweg. Nolde fæder engla
in þisse wonsælgan worulde life
leahtra leasne longfyrst ofer þæt
wunian leton, þe him on weorcum her
on his dagena tid dædum gecwemde
elne unslawe. Ða se ælmihtiga
let his hond cuman þær se halga þeow,
deormod on degle domeadig bad,
heard ond hygerof. Hyht wæs geniwad,
blis in breostum. Wæs se bancofa
adle onæled, inbendum fæst,
lichord onlocen. Leomu hefegedon,
sarum gesohte. He þæt soð gecneow
þæt hine ælmihtig ufan neosade,
meotud fore miltsum. He his modsefan
wið þam færhagan fæste trymede
feonda gewinna. Næs he forht seþeah,
ne seo adlþracu egle on mode,
ne deaðgedal, ac him dryhtnes lof
born in breostum, brondhat lufu
77
symle forswiðde. Næs him sorgcearu
on þas lænan tid, þeah his lic ond gæst
hyra somwiste, sinhiwan tu,
deore gedælden. Dagas forð scridun,
nihthelma genipu. Wæs neah seo tid
þæt he fyrngewyrht fyllan sceolde
þurh deaðes cyme, domes hleotan,
efne þæs ilcan þe usse yldran fyrn
frecne onfengon, swa him biforan worhton
þa ærestan ælda cynnes.
Ða wæs Guðlace on þa geocran tid
mægen gemeðgad, mod swiþe heard,
elnes anhydig. Wæs seo adl þearl,
hat ond heorogrim. Hreþer innan weol,
born banloca. Bryþen wæs ongunnen
þætte Adame Eue gebyrmde
æt fruman worulde. Feond byrlade
ærest þære idese, ond heo Adame,
hyre swæsum were, siþþan scencte
bittor bædeweg. Þæs þa byre siþþan
grimme onguldon gafulrædenne
þurh ærgewyrht, þætte ænig ne wæs
fyra cynnes from fruman siððan
mon on moldan, þætte meahte him
gebeorgan ond bibugan þone bleatan drync,
deopan deaðweges, ac him duru sylfa
on þa sliðnan tid sona ontyneð,
ingong geopenað. Ne mæg ænig þam
flæsce bifongen feore wiðstondan,
ricra ne heanra, ac hine ræseð on
gifrum grapum. Swa wæs Guðlace
enge anhoga ætryhte þa
æfter nihtscuan neah geþyded,
wiga wælgifre. Hine wunade mid
an ombehtþegn, se hine æghwylce
daga neosade. Ongan ða deophydig,
gleawmod gongan to godes temple,
þær he eþelbodan inne wiste,
þone leofestan lareow gecorenne,
ond þa in eode eadgum to spræce,
wolde hyrcnigan halges lara,
mildes meþelcwida. Fonde þa his mondryhten
adlwerigne; him ðæt in gefeol
hefig æt heortan. Hygesorge wæg,
micle modceare. Ongan ða his magu frignan:
“Hu gewearð þe þus, winedryhten min,
fæder, freonda hleo, ferð gebysgad,
nearwe genæged? Ic næfre þe,
þeoden leofesta, þyslicne ær
gemette þus meðne. Meaht þu meðelcwidum
worda gewealdan? Is me on wene geþuht,
þæt þe untrymnes adle gongum
on þisse nyhstan niht bysgade,
sarbennum gesoht. Þæt me sorgna is
hatost on hreþre, ær þu hyge minne
ferð afrefre. Wast þu, freodryhten,
hu þeos adle scyle ende gesettan?”
mægen gemeðgad, mod swiþe heard,
elnes anhydig. Wæs seo adl þearl,
hat ond heorogrim. Hreþer innan weol,
born banloca. Bryþen wæs ongunnen
þætte Adame Eue gebyrmde
æt fruman worulde. Feond byrlade
ærest þære idese, ond heo Adame,
hyre swæsum were, siþþan scencte
bittor bædeweg. Þæs þa byre siþþan
grimme onguldon gafulrædenne
þurh ærgewyrht, þætte ænig ne wæs
fyra cynnes from fruman siððan
mon on moldan, þætte meahte him
gebeorgan ond bibugan þone bleatan drync,
deopan deaðweges, ac him duru sylfa
on þa sliðnan tid sona ontyneð,
ingong geopenað. Ne mæg ænig þam
flæsce bifongen feore wiðstondan,
ricra ne heanra, ac hine ræseð on
gifrum grapum. Swa wæs Guðlace
enge anhoga ætryhte þa
æfter nihtscuan neah geþyded,
wiga wælgifre. Hine wunade mid
an ombehtþegn, se hine æghwylce
78
gleawmod gongan to godes temple,
þær he eþelbodan inne wiste,
þone leofestan lareow gecorenne,
ond þa in eode eadgum to spræce,
wolde hyrcnigan halges lara,
mildes meþelcwida. Fonde þa his mondryhten
adlwerigne; him ðæt in gefeol
hefig æt heortan. Hygesorge wæg,
micle modceare. Ongan ða his magu frignan:
“Hu gewearð þe þus, winedryhten min,
fæder, freonda hleo, ferð gebysgad,
nearwe genæged? Ic næfre þe,
þeoden leofesta, þyslicne ær
gemette þus meðne. Meaht þu meðelcwidum
worda gewealdan? Is me on wene geþuht,
þæt þe untrymnes adle gongum
on þisse nyhstan niht bysgade,
sarbennum gesoht. Þæt me sorgna is
hatost on hreþre, ær þu hyge minne
ferð afrefre. Wast þu, freodryhten,
hu þeos adle scyle ende gesettan?”
Him þa sið oncwæð, sona ne meahte
oroð up geteon; wæs him in bogen
bittor bancoþa. Beald reordade
eadig on elne, ondcwis ageaf:
“Ic wille secgan þæt me sar gehran,
wærc in gewod in ðisse wonnan niht,
lichord onleac. Leomu hefegiað,
sarum gesohte. Sceal þis sawelhus,
fæge flæschoma, foldærne biþeaht,
leomu lames geþacan, legerbedde fæst
wunian wælræste. Wiga nealæceð,
unlæt laces. Ne bið þæs lengra swice
sawelgedales þonne seofon niht
fyrstgemearces, þæt min feorh heonan
on þisse eahteþan ende geseceð
dæg scriþende. Þonne dogor beoð
on moldwege min forð scriþen,
sorg gesweðrad, ond ic siþþan mot
fore meotudes cneowum meorda hleotan,
gingra geafena, ond godes lomber
in sindreamum siþþan awo
forð folgian; is nu fus ðider
gæst siþes georn. Nu þu gearwe const
leoma lifgedal; long is þis onbid
worulde lifes.” Ða wæs wop ond heaf,
geongum geocor sefa, geomrende hyge,
siþþan he gehyrde þæt se halga wæs
forðsiþes fus. He þæs færspelles
fore his mondryhtne modsorge wæg,
hefige æt heortan. Hreþer innan swearc,
hyge hreowcearig, þæs þe his hlaford geseah
ellorfusne. He þæs onbæru
habban ne meahte, ac he hate let
torn þoliende tearas geotan,
weallan wægdropan. Wyrd ne meahte
in fægum leng feorg gehealdan,
deore frætwe, þonne him gedemed wæs.
oroð up geteon; wæs him in bogen
bittor bancoþa. Beald reordade
eadig on elne, ondcwis ageaf:
“Ic wille secgan þæt me sar gehran,
wærc in gewod in ðisse wonnan niht,
lichord onleac. Leomu hefegiað,
sarum gesohte. Sceal þis sawelhus,
fæge flæschoma, foldærne biþeaht,
leomu lames geþacan, legerbedde fæst
wunian wælræste. Wiga nealæceð,
unlæt laces. Ne bið þæs lengra swice
sawelgedales þonne seofon niht
fyrstgemearces, þæt min feorh heonan
79
dæg scriþende. Þonne dogor beoð
on moldwege min forð scriþen,
sorg gesweðrad, ond ic siþþan mot
fore meotudes cneowum meorda hleotan,
gingra geafena, ond godes lomber
in sindreamum siþþan awo
forð folgian; is nu fus ðider
gæst siþes georn. Nu þu gearwe const
leoma lifgedal; long is þis onbid
worulde lifes.” Ða wæs wop ond heaf,
geongum geocor sefa, geomrende hyge,
siþþan he gehyrde þæt se halga wæs
forðsiþes fus. He þæs færspelles
fore his mondryhtne modsorge wæg,
hefige æt heortan. Hreþer innan swearc,
hyge hreowcearig, þæs þe his hlaford geseah
ellorfusne. He þæs onbæru
habban ne meahte, ac he hate let
torn þoliende tearas geotan,
weallan wægdropan. Wyrd ne meahte
in fægum leng feorg gehealdan,
deore frætwe, þonne him gedemed wæs.
Ongeat gæsta halig geomormodes
drusendne hyge. Ongan þa duguþa hleo,
glædmod gode leof, geongran retan,
wine leofestan wordum negan:
“Ne beo þu unrot, ðeah þeos adl me
innan æle. Nis me earfeðe
to geþolianne þeodnes willan,
dryhtnes mines, ne ic þæs deaðes hafu
on þas seocnan tid sorge on mode,
ne ic me herehloðe helle þegna
swiðe onsitte, ne mæg synne on me
facnes frumbearn fyrene gestælan,
lices leahtor, ac in lige sceolon
sorgwylmum soden sar wanian,
wræcsið wepan, wilna biscirede
in þam deaðsele duguða gehwylcre,
lufena ond lissa. Min þæt leofe bearn,
ne beo þu on sefan to seoc. Ic eom siþes fus
upeard niman edleana georn
in þam ecan gefean, ærgewyrhtum
geseon sigora frean, min þæt swæse bearn.
Nis me wracu ne gewin, þæt ic wuldres god
sece swegelcyning, þær is sib ond blis,
domfæstra dream, dryhten ondweard,
þam ic georne gæstgerynum,
in þas dreorgan tid dædum cwemde,
mode ond mægne. Ic þa meorde wat
leahtorlease, lean unhwilen,
halig on heahþu. Þær min hyht myneð
to gesecenne, sawul fundað
of licfate to þam longan gefean
in eadwelan. Nis þes eþel me
ne sar ne sorg. Ic me sylfum wat
æfter lices hryre lean unhwilen.”
drusendne hyge. Ongan þa duguþa hleo,
glædmod gode leof, geongran retan,
wine leofestan wordum negan:
“Ne beo þu unrot, ðeah þeos adl me
innan æle. Nis me earfeðe
to geþolianne þeodnes willan,
dryhtnes mines, ne ic þæs deaðes hafu
on þas seocnan tid sorge on mode,
ne ic me herehloðe helle þegna
swiðe onsitte, ne mæg synne on me
facnes frumbearn fyrene gestælan,
lices leahtor, ac in lige sceolon
80
wræcsið wepan, wilna biscirede
in þam deaðsele duguða gehwylcre,
lufena ond lissa. Min þæt leofe bearn,
ne beo þu on sefan to seoc. Ic eom siþes fus
upeard niman edleana georn
in þam ecan gefean, ærgewyrhtum
geseon sigora frean, min þæt swæse bearn.
Nis me wracu ne gewin, þæt ic wuldres god
sece swegelcyning, þær is sib ond blis,
domfæstra dream, dryhten ondweard,
þam ic georne gæstgerynum,
in þas dreorgan tid dædum cwemde,
mode ond mægne. Ic þa meorde wat
leahtorlease, lean unhwilen,
halig on heahþu. Þær min hyht myneð
to gesecenne, sawul fundað
of licfate to þam longan gefean
in eadwelan. Nis þes eþel me
ne sar ne sorg. Ic me sylfum wat
æfter lices hryre lean unhwilen.”
Ða se wuldormaga worda gestilde,
rof runwita; wæs him ræste neod,
reonigmodum. Rodor swamode
ofer niðða bearn, nihtrim scridon,
deorc ofer dugeðum. Þa se dæg bicwom
on þam se lifgenda in lichoman,
ece ælmihtig ærist gefremede,
dryhten mid dreame, ða he of deaðe aras
onwald of eorðan in þa eastortid,
ealra þrymma þrym, ðreata mæstne
to heofonum ahof, ða he from helle astag.
Swa se eadga wer in þa æþelan tid
on þone beorhtan dæg blissum hremig,
milde ond gemetfæst, mægen unsofte
elne geæfnde. Aras ða eorla wynn,
heard hygesnottor, swa he hraþost meahte,
meðe for ðam miclan bysgum. Ongon þa his mod staþelian
leohte geleafan, lac onsægde
deophycgende dryhtne to willan
gæstgerynum in godes temple,
ond his þegne ongon, swa þam þeodne geras,
þurh gæstes giefe godspel bodian,
secgan sigortacnum, ond his sefan trymman
wundrum to wuldre in þa wlitigan gesceaft
to eadwelan, swa he ær ne sið
æfre to ealdre oðre swylce
on þas lænan tid lare gehyrde,
ne swa deoplice dryhtnes geryne
þurh menniscne muð areccan
on sidum sefan. Him wæs soþra geþuht
þæt hit ufancundes engles wære
of swegldreamum, swiþor micle
mægenþegnes word, þonne æniges monnes lar,
wera ofer eorðan. Him þæt wundra mæst
gesewen þuhte, þæt swylc snyttrucræft
ænges hæleða her hreþer weardade,
dryhta bearna, wæs þæs deoplic eall
word ond wisdom, ond þæs weres stihtung,
mod ond mægencræft, þe him meotud engla,
gæsta geocend forgiefen hæfde.
rof runwita; wæs him ræste neod,
reonigmodum. Rodor swamode
ofer niðða bearn, nihtrim scridon,
deorc ofer dugeðum. Þa se dæg bicwom
on þam se lifgenda in lichoman,
ece ælmihtig ærist gefremede,
dryhten mid dreame, ða he of deaðe aras
onwald of eorðan in þa eastortid,
ealra þrymma þrym, ðreata mæstne
to heofonum ahof, ða he from helle astag.
Swa se eadga wer in þa æþelan tid
on þone beorhtan dæg blissum hremig,
milde ond gemetfæst, mægen unsofte
81
heard hygesnottor, swa he hraþost meahte,
meðe for ðam miclan bysgum. Ongon þa his mod staþelian
leohte geleafan, lac onsægde
deophycgende dryhtne to willan
gæstgerynum in godes temple,
ond his þegne ongon, swa þam þeodne geras,
þurh gæstes giefe godspel bodian,
secgan sigortacnum, ond his sefan trymman
wundrum to wuldre in þa wlitigan gesceaft
to eadwelan, swa he ær ne sið
æfre to ealdre oðre swylce
on þas lænan tid lare gehyrde,
ne swa deoplice dryhtnes geryne
þurh menniscne muð areccan
on sidum sefan. Him wæs soþra geþuht
þæt hit ufancundes engles wære
of swegldreamum, swiþor micle
mægenþegnes word, þonne æniges monnes lar,
wera ofer eorðan. Him þæt wundra mæst
gesewen þuhte, þæt swylc snyttrucræft
ænges hæleða her hreþer weardade,
dryhta bearna, wæs þæs deoplic eall
word ond wisdom, ond þæs weres stihtung,
mod ond mægencræft, þe him meotud engla,
gæsta geocend forgiefen hæfde.
Wæron feowere ða forð gewitene
dagas on rime, þæs se dryhtnes þegn
on elne bad, adle gebysgad,
sarum geswenced. Ne he sorge wæg
geocorne sefan gæstgedales,
dreorigne hyge. Deað nealæcte,
stop stalgongum, strong ond hreðe
sohte sawelhus. Com se seofeða dæg
ældum ondweard, þæs þe him in gesonc,
hat, heortan neah, hildescurum
flacor flanþracu, feorhhord onleac,
searocægum gesoht. Ongon ða snottor hæle,
ar, onbehtþegn, æþeles neosan
to þam halgan hofe, fond þa hlingendne
fusne on forðsiþ frean unwenne,
gæsthaligne in godes temple
soden sarwylmum. Wæs þa sihste tid
on midne dæg, wæs his mondryhtne
endedogor ætryhte þa.
Nearwum genæged nydcostingum,
awrecen wælpilum, wlo ne meahte
oroð up geteon, ellenspræce
hleoþor ahebban. Ongon ða hygegeomor,
freorig ond ferðwerig, fusne gretan,
meðne modglædne, bæd hine þurh mihta scyppend,
gif he his wordcwida wealdan meahte,
spræce ahebban, þæt him on spellum gecyðde,
onwrige worda gongum, hu he his wisna truwade,
drohtes on ðære dimman adle, ærðon hine deað onsægde.
Him se eadga wer ageaf ondsware,
leof mon leofum, þeah he late meahte,
eorl ellenheard, oreþe gebredan:
“Min þæt swæse bearn, nis nu swiþe feor
þam ytemestan endedogor
nydgedales, þæt ðu þa nyhstan scealt
in woruldlife worda minra,
næfre leana biloren, lare gehyran,
noht longe ofer þis. Læst ealle well
wære ond winescype, word þa wit spræcon,
leofast manna.” “Næfre ic lufan sibbe,
þeoden, æt þearfe þine forlæte
asanian!” “Beo þu on sið gearu,
siþþan lic ond leomu ond þes lifes gæst
asundrien somwist hyra
þurh feorggedal. Fys æfter þon
þæt þu gesecge sweostor minre,
þære leofestan, on longne weg
to þam fægran gefean forðsið minne,
on ecne eard, ond hyre eac gecyð
wordum minum, þæt ic me warnade
hyre onsyne ealle þrage
in woruldlife, for ðy ic wilnode
þæt wit unc eft in þam ecan gefean
on sweglwuldre geseon mostun
fore onsyne eces deman
leahtra lease. Þær sceal lufu uncer
wærfæst wunian, þær wit wilna a
in ðære beorhtan byrig brucan motun,
eades mid englum. Ðu hyre eac saga
þæt heo þis banfæt beorge bifæste,
lame biluce, lic orsawle
in þeostorcofan, þær hit þrage sceal
in sondhofe siþþan wunian.”
dagas on rime, þæs se dryhtnes þegn
on elne bad, adle gebysgad,
sarum geswenced. Ne he sorge wæg
geocorne sefan gæstgedales,
dreorigne hyge. Deað nealæcte,
stop stalgongum, strong ond hreðe
sohte sawelhus. Com se seofeða dæg
ældum ondweard, þæs þe him in gesonc,
hat, heortan neah, hildescurum
82
searocægum gesoht. Ongon ða snottor hæle,
ar, onbehtþegn, æþeles neosan
to þam halgan hofe, fond þa hlingendne
fusne on forðsiþ frean unwenne,
gæsthaligne in godes temple
soden sarwylmum. Wæs þa sihste tid
on midne dæg, wæs his mondryhtne
endedogor ætryhte þa.
Nearwum genæged nydcostingum,
awrecen wælpilum, wlo ne meahte
oroð up geteon, ellenspræce
hleoþor ahebban. Ongon ða hygegeomor,
freorig ond ferðwerig, fusne gretan,
meðne modglædne, bæd hine þurh mihta scyppend,
gif he his wordcwida wealdan meahte,
spræce ahebban, þæt him on spellum gecyðde,
onwrige worda gongum, hu he his wisna truwade,
drohtes on ðære dimman adle, ærðon hine deað onsægde.
Him se eadga wer ageaf ondsware,
leof mon leofum, þeah he late meahte,
eorl ellenheard, oreþe gebredan:
“Min þæt swæse bearn, nis nu swiþe feor
þam ytemestan endedogor
nydgedales, þæt ðu þa nyhstan scealt
in woruldlife worda minra,
næfre leana biloren, lare gehyran,
noht longe ofer þis. Læst ealle well
wære ond winescype, word þa wit spræcon,
leofast manna.” “Næfre ic lufan sibbe,
þeoden, æt þearfe þine forlæte
asanian!” “Beo þu on sið gearu,
siþþan lic ond leomu ond þes lifes gæst
asundrien somwist hyra
þurh feorggedal. Fys æfter þon
þæt þu gesecge sweostor minre,
83
to þam fægran gefean forðsið minne,
on ecne eard, ond hyre eac gecyð
wordum minum, þæt ic me warnade
hyre onsyne ealle þrage
in woruldlife, for ðy ic wilnode
þæt wit unc eft in þam ecan gefean
on sweglwuldre geseon mostun
fore onsyne eces deman
leahtra lease. Þær sceal lufu uncer
wærfæst wunian, þær wit wilna a
in ðære beorhtan byrig brucan motun,
eades mid englum. Ðu hyre eac saga
þæt heo þis banfæt beorge bifæste,
lame biluce, lic orsawle
in þeostorcofan, þær hit þrage sceal
in sondhofe siþþan wunian.”
Ða wearð modgeþanc miclum gebisgad,
þream forþrycced, þurh þæs þeodnes word,
ombehtþegne, þa he ædre oncneow
frean feorhgedal, þæt hit feor ne wæs,
endedogor. Ongon þa ofostlice
to his winedryhtne wordum mæðlan:
“Ic þec halsige, hæleþa leofost
gumena cynnes, þurh gæsta weard,
þæt þu hygesorge heortan minre
geeþe, eorla wyn. Nis þe ende feor,
þæs þe ic on galdrum ongieten hæbbe.
Oft mec geomor sefa gehþa gemanode,
hat æt heortan, hyge gnornende
nihtes nearwe, ond ic næfre þe,
fæder, frofor min, frignan dorste.
Symle ic gehyrde, þonne heofones gim,
wyncondel wera, west onhylde,
sweglbeorht sunne setlgonges fus
on æfentid, oþerne mid þec,
þegn æt geþeahte. Ic þæs þeodnes word,
ares uncuþes oft neosendes,
dægwoman bitweon ond þære deorcan niht,
meþelcwide mæcges, ond on morgne swa,
ongeat geomormod, gæstes spræce,
gleawes in geardum. Huru, ic giet ne wat,
ær þu me, frea min, furþor cyðe
þurh cwide þinne, hwonan his cyme sindon.”
þream forþrycced, þurh þæs þeodnes word,
ombehtþegne, þa he ædre oncneow
frean feorhgedal, þæt hit feor ne wæs,
endedogor. Ongon þa ofostlice
to his winedryhtne wordum mæðlan:
“Ic þec halsige, hæleþa leofost
gumena cynnes, þurh gæsta weard,
þæt þu hygesorge heortan minre
geeþe, eorla wyn. Nis þe ende feor,
þæs þe ic on galdrum ongieten hæbbe.
Oft mec geomor sefa gehþa gemanode,
hat æt heortan, hyge gnornende
nihtes nearwe, ond ic næfre þe,
fæder, frofor min, frignan dorste.
Symle ic gehyrde, þonne heofones gim,
wyncondel wera, west onhylde,
sweglbeorht sunne setlgonges fus
on æfentid, oþerne mid þec,
84
ares uncuþes oft neosendes,
dægwoman bitweon ond þære deorcan niht,
meþelcwide mæcges, ond on morgne swa,
ongeat geomormod, gæstes spræce,
gleawes in geardum. Huru, ic giet ne wat,
ær þu me, frea min, furþor cyðe
þurh cwide þinne, hwonan his cyme sindon.”
Ða se eadga wer ageaf ondsware
leofum æfter longre hwile, swa he late meahte,
elnes oncyðig, oreþe gewealdan:
“Hwæt, þu me, wine min, wordum nægest,
fusne frignest, þæs þe ic furþum ær
æfre on ealdre ængum ne wolde
monna ofer moldan melda weorðan,
þegne on þeode, butan þe nu ða,
þy læs þæt wundredan weras ond idesa,
ond on geað gutan, gieddum mænden
bi me lifgendum. Huru, ic nolde sylf
þurh gielpcwide gæstes mines
frofre gelettan, ne fæder mines
æfre geæfnan, æbylg godes.
Symle me onsende sigedryhten min,
folca feorhgiefa, siþþan ic furþum ongon
on þone æfteran anseld bugan
geargemearces, gæst haligne,
engel ufancundne, se mec efna gehwam,
meahtig meotudes þegn, ond on morgne eft,
sigorfæst gesohte, ond me sara gehwylc
gehælde hygesorge, ond me in hreþre bileac
wuldres wilboda wisdomes giefe
micle monigfealdran þonne ænig mon wite
in life her, þe me alyfed nis
to gecyþenne cwicra ængum
on foldwege fira cynnes,
þæt me ne meahte monna ænig
bideaglian hwæt he dearninga
on hyge hogde heortan geþoncum,
siþþan he me fore eagum onsyne wearð.
A ic on mode mað monna gehwylcne
þeodnes þrymcyme oð þisne dæg.
Leofast monna, nu ic for lufan þinre,
ond geferscype þæt wit fyrn mid unc
longe læstan, nelle ic lætan þe
æfre unrotne æfter ealdorlege
meðne modseocne minre geweorðan,
soden sorgwælmum. A ic sibbe wiþ þe
healdan wille. Nu of hreþerlocan
to þam soþan gefean sawel fundað.
Nis seo tid latu, tydrað þis banfæt,
greothord gnornað, gæst hine fyseð
on ecne geard, utsiþes georn
on sellan gesetu. Nu ic swiðe eom
weorce gewergad.” Ða to þam wage gesag,
heafelan onhylde, hyrde þa gena
ellen on innan. Oroð stundum teah
mægne modig, him of muðe cwom
swecca swetast. Swylce on sumeres tid
stincað on stowum staþelum fæste
wynnum æfter wongum wyrta geblowene,
hunigflowende, swa þæs halgan wæs
ondlongne dæg oþ æfen forð
oroð up hlæden. Þa se æþela glæm
setlgong sohte, swearc norðrodor
won under wolcnum, woruld miste oferteah,
þystrum biþeahte, þrong niht ofer tiht
londes frætwa. Ða cwom leohta mæst,
halig of heofonum hædre scinan,
beorhte ofer burgsalu. Bad se þe sceolde
eadig on elne endedogor,
awrecen wælstrælum. Wuldres scima,
æþele ymb æþelne, ondlonge niht
scan scirwered. Scadu sweþredon,
tolysed under lyfte. Wæs se leohta glæm
ymb þæt halge hus, heofonlic condel,
from æfenglome oþþæt eastan cwom
ofer deop gelad dægredwoma,
wedertacen wearm. Aras se wuldormago,
eadig elnes gemyndig, spræc to his onbehtþegne,
torht to his treowum gesiþe: “Tid is þæt þu fere,
ond þa ærendu eal biþence,
ofestum læde, swa ic þe ær bibead,
lac to leofre. Nu of lice is,
goddreama georn, gæst swiðe fus.”
leofum æfter longre hwile, swa he late meahte,
elnes oncyðig, oreþe gewealdan:
“Hwæt, þu me, wine min, wordum nægest,
fusne frignest, þæs þe ic furþum ær
æfre on ealdre ængum ne wolde
monna ofer moldan melda weorðan,
þegne on þeode, butan þe nu ða,
þy læs þæt wundredan weras ond idesa,
ond on geað gutan, gieddum mænden
bi me lifgendum. Huru, ic nolde sylf
þurh gielpcwide gæstes mines
frofre gelettan, ne fæder mines
æfre geæfnan, æbylg godes.
Symle me onsende sigedryhten min,
folca feorhgiefa, siþþan ic furþum ongon
on þone æfteran anseld bugan
geargemearces, gæst haligne,
engel ufancundne, se mec efna gehwam,
meahtig meotudes þegn, ond on morgne eft,
sigorfæst gesohte, ond me sara gehwylc
gehælde hygesorge, ond me in hreþre bileac
wuldres wilboda wisdomes giefe
micle monigfealdran þonne ænig mon wite
in life her, þe me alyfed nis
to gecyþenne cwicra ængum
on foldwege fira cynnes,
þæt me ne meahte monna ænig
85
on hyge hogde heortan geþoncum,
siþþan he me fore eagum onsyne wearð.
A ic on mode mað monna gehwylcne
þeodnes þrymcyme oð þisne dæg.
Leofast monna, nu ic for lufan þinre,
ond geferscype þæt wit fyrn mid unc
longe læstan, nelle ic lætan þe
æfre unrotne æfter ealdorlege
meðne modseocne minre geweorðan,
soden sorgwælmum. A ic sibbe wiþ þe
healdan wille. Nu of hreþerlocan
to þam soþan gefean sawel fundað.
Nis seo tid latu, tydrað þis banfæt,
greothord gnornað, gæst hine fyseð
on ecne geard, utsiþes georn
on sellan gesetu. Nu ic swiðe eom
weorce gewergad.” Ða to þam wage gesag,
heafelan onhylde, hyrde þa gena
ellen on innan. Oroð stundum teah
mægne modig, him of muðe cwom
swecca swetast. Swylce on sumeres tid
stincað on stowum staþelum fæste
wynnum æfter wongum wyrta geblowene,
hunigflowende, swa þæs halgan wæs
ondlongne dæg oþ æfen forð
oroð up hlæden. Þa se æþela glæm
setlgong sohte, swearc norðrodor
won under wolcnum, woruld miste oferteah,
þystrum biþeahte, þrong niht ofer tiht
londes frætwa. Ða cwom leohta mæst,
halig of heofonum hædre scinan,
beorhte ofer burgsalu. Bad se þe sceolde
eadig on elne endedogor,
awrecen wælstrælum. Wuldres scima,
æþele ymb æþelne, ondlonge niht
scan scirwered. Scadu sweþredon,
86
ymb þæt halge hus, heofonlic condel,
from æfenglome oþþæt eastan cwom
ofer deop gelad dægredwoma,
wedertacen wearm. Aras se wuldormago,
eadig elnes gemyndig, spræc to his onbehtþegne,
torht to his treowum gesiþe: “Tid is þæt þu fere,
ond þa ærendu eal biþence,
ofestum læde, swa ic þe ær bibead,
lac to leofre. Nu of lice is,
goddreama georn, gæst swiðe fus.”
Ahof þa his honda, husle gereorded,
eaðmod þy æþelan gyfle, swylce he his eagan ontynde,
halge heafdes gimmas, biseah þa to heofona rice,
glædmod to geofona leanum, ond þa his gæst onsende
weorcum wlitigne in wuldres dream.
eaðmod þy æþelan gyfle, swylce he his eagan ontynde,
halge heafdes gimmas, biseah þa to heofona rice,
glædmod to geofona leanum, ond þa his gæst onsende
weorcum wlitigne in wuldres dream.
Ða wæs Guðlaces gæst gelæded
eadig on upweg. Englas feredun
to þam longan gefean, lic colode,
belifd under lyfte. Ða þær leoht ascan,
beama beorhtast. Eal þæt beacen wæs
ymb þæt halge hus, heofonlic leoma,
from foldan up swylce fyren tor
ryht aræred oð rodera hrof,
gesewen under swegle, sunnan beorhtra,
æþeltungla wlite. Engla þreatas
sigeleoð sungon, sweg wæs on lyfte
gehyred under heofonum, haligra dream.
Swa se burgstede wæs blissum gefylled,
swetum stencum ond sweglwundrum,
eadges yrfestol, engla hleoðres,
eal innanweard. Þær wæs ænlicra
ond wynsumra þonne hit in worulde mæge
stefn areccan, hu se stenc ond se sweg,
heofonlic hleoþor ond se halga song,
gehyred wæs, heahþrym godes,
breahtem æfter breahtme. Beofode þæt ealond,
foldwong onþrong. Ða afyrhted wearð
ar, elnes biloren, gewat þa ofestlice
beorn unhyðig, þæt he bat gestag,
wæghengest wræc, wæterþisa for,
snel under sorgum. Swegl hate scan,
blac ofer burgsalo. Brimwudu scynde,
leoht, lade fus. Lagumearg snyrede,
gehlæsted to hyðe, þæt se hærnflota
æfter sundplegan sondlond gespearn,
grond wið greote. Gnornsorge wæg
hate æt heortan, hyge geomurne,
meðne modsefan, se þe his mondryhten,
life bilidenne, last weardian
wiste, wine leofne. Him þæs wopes hring
torne gemonade. Teagor yðum weol,
hate hleordropan, ond on hreþre wæg
micle modceare. He þære mægeð sceolde
lace gelædan laðspel to soð.
Cwom þa freorigferð þær seo fæmne wæs,
wuldres wynmæg. He þa wyrd ne mað,
fæges forðsið. Fusleoð agol
wineþearfende, ond þæt word acwæð:
“Ellen biþ selast þam þe oftost sceal
dreogan dryhtenbealu, deope behycgan
þroht þeodengedal, þonne seo þrag cymeð,
wefen wyrdstafum. Þæt wat se þe sceal
aswæman sarigferð, wat his sincgiefan
holdne biheledne. He sceal hean þonan
geomor hweorfan. Þam bið gomenes wana
ðe þa earfeða oftost dreogeð
on sargum sefan. Huru, ic swiðe ne þearf
hinsiþ behlehhan. Is hlaford min,
beorna bealdor, ond broþor þin,
se selesta bi sæm tweonum
þara þe we on Engle æfre gefrunen
acennedne þurh cildes had
gumena cynnes, to godes dome,
werigra wraþu, worulddreamum of,
winemæga wyn, in wuldres þrym,
gewiten, winiga hleo, wica neosan
eardes on upweg. Nu se eorðan dæl,
banhus abrocen burgum in innan
wunað wælræste, ond se wuldres dæl
of licfæte in leoht godes
sigorlean sohte, ond þe secgan het
þæt git a mosten in þam ecan gefean
mid þa sibgedryht somudeard niman,
weorca wuldorlean, willum neotan
blædes ond blissa. Eac þe abeodan het
sigedryhten min, þa he wæs siþes fus,
þæt þu his lichoman, leofast mægða,
eorðan biðeahte. Nu þu ædre const
siðfæt minne. Ic sceal sarigferð,
heanmod hweorfan, hyge drusendne” [OMITTED]
eadig on upweg. Englas feredun
to þam longan gefean, lic colode,
belifd under lyfte. Ða þær leoht ascan,
beama beorhtast. Eal þæt beacen wæs
ymb þæt halge hus, heofonlic leoma,
from foldan up swylce fyren tor
ryht aræred oð rodera hrof,
gesewen under swegle, sunnan beorhtra,
æþeltungla wlite. Engla þreatas
sigeleoð sungon, sweg wæs on lyfte
gehyred under heofonum, haligra dream.
Swa se burgstede wæs blissum gefylled,
swetum stencum ond sweglwundrum,
eadges yrfestol, engla hleoðres,
eal innanweard. Þær wæs ænlicra
ond wynsumra þonne hit in worulde mæge
stefn areccan, hu se stenc ond se sweg,
heofonlic hleoþor ond se halga song,
gehyred wæs, heahþrym godes,
87
foldwong onþrong. Ða afyrhted wearð
ar, elnes biloren, gewat þa ofestlice
beorn unhyðig, þæt he bat gestag,
wæghengest wræc, wæterþisa for,
snel under sorgum. Swegl hate scan,
blac ofer burgsalo. Brimwudu scynde,
leoht, lade fus. Lagumearg snyrede,
gehlæsted to hyðe, þæt se hærnflota
æfter sundplegan sondlond gespearn,
grond wið greote. Gnornsorge wæg
hate æt heortan, hyge geomurne,
meðne modsefan, se þe his mondryhten,
life bilidenne, last weardian
wiste, wine leofne. Him þæs wopes hring
torne gemonade. Teagor yðum weol,
hate hleordropan, ond on hreþre wæg
micle modceare. He þære mægeð sceolde
lace gelædan laðspel to soð.
Cwom þa freorigferð þær seo fæmne wæs,
wuldres wynmæg. He þa wyrd ne mað,
fæges forðsið. Fusleoð agol
wineþearfende, ond þæt word acwæð:
“Ellen biþ selast þam þe oftost sceal
dreogan dryhtenbealu, deope behycgan
þroht þeodengedal, þonne seo þrag cymeð,
wefen wyrdstafum. Þæt wat se þe sceal
aswæman sarigferð, wat his sincgiefan
holdne biheledne. He sceal hean þonan
geomor hweorfan. Þam bið gomenes wana
ðe þa earfeða oftost dreogeð
on sargum sefan. Huru, ic swiðe ne þearf
hinsiþ behlehhan. Is hlaford min,
beorna bealdor, ond broþor þin,
se selesta bi sæm tweonum
88
acennedne þurh cildes had
gumena cynnes, to godes dome,
werigra wraþu, worulddreamum of,
winemæga wyn, in wuldres þrym,
gewiten, winiga hleo, wica neosan
eardes on upweg. Nu se eorðan dæl,
banhus abrocen burgum in innan
wunað wælræste, ond se wuldres dæl
of licfæte in leoht godes
sigorlean sohte, ond þe secgan het
þæt git a mosten in þam ecan gefean
mid þa sibgedryht somudeard niman,
weorca wuldorlean, willum neotan
blædes ond blissa. Eac þe abeodan het
sigedryhten min, þa he wæs siþes fus,
þæt þu his lichoman, leofast mægða,
eorðan biðeahte. Nu þu ædre const
siðfæt minne. Ic sceal sarigferð,
heanmod hweorfan, hyge drusendne” [OMITTED]
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