CC 20220801
Hwæt! We gefrunan on fyrndagum twelfe under tunglum tireadige hæleð, þeodnes þegnas. No hira þrym alæg camprædenne þonne cumbol hneotan, 5\nsyððan hie gedældon, swa him dryhten sylf, heofona heahcyning, hlyt getæhte. þæt wæron mære men ofer eorðan, frome folctogan ond fyrdhwate, rofe rincas, þonne rond ond hand 10\non herefelda helm ealgodon, on meotudwange. Wæs hira Matheus sum, se mid Iudeum ongan godspell ærest wordum writan wundorcræfte. þam halig god hlyt geteode 15\nut on þæt igland þær ænig þa git ellþeodigra eðles ne mihte blædes brucan. Oft him bonena hand on herefelda hearde gesceode. Eal wæs þæt mearcland morðre bewunden, 20\nfeondes facne, folcstede gumena, hæleða eðel. Næs þær hlafes wist werum on þam wonge, ne wæteres drync to bruconne, ah hie blod ond fel, fira flæschoman, feorrancumenra, 25\nðegon geond þa þeode. Swelc wæs þeaw hira þæt hie æghwylcne ellðeodigra dydan him to mose meteþearfendum, þara þe þæt ealand utan sohte. Swylc wæs þæs folces freoðoleas tacen, 30\nunlædra eafoð, þæt hie eagena gesihð, hettend heorogrimme, heafodgimmas agetton gealgmode gara ordum. Syððan him geblendan bitere tosomne, dryas þurh dwolcræft, drync unheorne, 35\nse onwende gewit, wera ingeþanc, heortan on hreðre, (hyge wæs oncyrred), þæt hie ne murndan æfter mandreame, hæleþ heorogrædige, ac hie hig ond gærs for meteleaste meðe gedrehte. 40\nþa wæs Matheus to þære mæran byrig cumen in þa ceastre. þær wæs cirm micel geond Mermedonia, manfulra hloð, fordenera gedræg, syþþan deofles þegnas geascodon æðelinges sið. 45\nEodon him þa togenes, garum gehyrsted, lungre under linde, (nalas late wæron), eorre æscberend, to þam orlege. Hie þam halgan þær handa gebundon ond fæstnodon feondes cræfte, 50\nhæleð hellfuse, ond his heafdes segl abreoton mid billes ecge. Hwæðre he in breostum þa git herede in heortan heofonrices weard, þeah ðe he atres drync atulne onfenge. Eadig ond onmod, he mid elne forð 55\nwyrðode wordum wuldres aldor, heofonrices weard, halgan stefne, of carcerne. Him wæs Cristes lof on fyrhðlocan fæste bewunden. He þa wepende weregum tearum 60\nhis sigedryhten sargan reorde grette, gumena brego, geomran stefne, weoruda wilgeofan, ond þus wordum cwæð: "Hu me elþeodige inwitwrasne searonet seowað! A ic symles wæs 65\non wega gehwam willan þines georn on mode; nu ðurh geohða sceal dæde fremman swa þa dumban neat. þu ana canst ealra gehygdo, meotud mancynnes, mod in hreðre. 70\nGif þin willa sie, wuldres aldor, þæt me wærlogan wæpna ecgum, sweordum, aswebban, ic beo sona gearu to adreoganne þæt ðu, drihten min, engla eadgifa, eðelleasum, 75\ndugeða dædfruma, deman wille. Forgif me to are, ælmihtig god, leoht on þissum life, þy læs ic lungre scyle, ablended in burgum, æfter billhete þurh hearmcwide heorugrædigra, 80\nlaðra leodsceaðena, leng þrowian edwitspræce. Ic to anum þe, middangeardes weard, mod staþolige, fæste fyrhðlufan, ond þe, fæder engla, beorht blædgifa, biddan wille 85\nðæt ðu me ne gescyrige mid scyldhetum, werigum wrohtsmiðum, on þone wyrrestan, dugoða demend, deað ofer eorðan." æfter þyssum wordum com wuldres tacen halig of heofenum, swylce hadre segl 90\nto þam carcerne. þær gecyðed wearð þæt halig god helpe gefremede, ða wearð gehyred heofoncyninges stefn wrætlic under wolcnum, wordhleoðres sweg mæres þeodnes. He his maguþegne 95\nunder hearmlocan hælo ond frofre beadurofum abead beorhtan stefne: "Ic þe, Matheus, mine sylle sybbe under swegle. Ne beo ðu on sefan to forht, ne on mode ne murn. Ic þe mid wunige 100\nond þe alyse of þyssum leoðubendum, ond ealle þa menigo þe þe mid wuniað on nearonedum. þe is neorxnawang, blæda beorhtost, boldwela fægrost, hama hyhtlicost, halegum mihtum 105\ntorht ontyned. þær ðu tyres most, to widan feore willan brucan. Geþola þeoda þrea! Nis seo þrah micel þæt þe wærlogan witebendum, synnige ðurh searocræft, swencan motan. 110\nIc þe Andreas ædre onsende to hleo ond to hroðre in þas hæðenan burg. He ðe alyseð of þyssum leodhete. Is to þære tide tælmet hwile emne mid soðe seofon ond twentig 115\nnihtgerimes, þæt ðu of nede most, sorgum geswenced, sigore gewyrðod, hweorfan of henðum in gehyld godes." Gewat him þa se halga helm ælwihta, engla scyppend, to þam uplican 120\neðelrice. He is on riht cyning, staðolfæst styrend, in stowa gehwam. ða wæs Matheus miclum onbryrded niwan stefne. Nihthelm toglad, lungre leorde. Leoht æfter com, 125\ndægredwoma. Duguð samnade, hæðne hildfrecan, heapum þrungon, (guðsearo gullon, garas hrysedon), bolgenmode, under bordhreoðan. Woldon cunnian hwæðer cwice lifdon 130\nþa þe on carcerne clommum fæste hleoleasan wic hwile wunedon, hwylcne hie to æte ærest mihton æfter fyrstmearce feores berædan. Hæfdon hie on rune ond on rimcræfte 135\nawriten, wælgrædige, wera endestæf, hwænne hie to mose meteþearfendum on þære werþeode weorðan sceoldon. Cirmdon caldheorte, (corðor oðrum getang), reðe ræsboran. Rihtes ne gimdon, 140\nmeotudes mildse. Oft hira mod onwod under dimscuan deofles larum, þonne hie unlædra eafeðum gelyfdon. Hie ða gemetton modes glawne, haligne hæle, under heolstorlocan 145\nbidan beadurofne þæs him beorht cyning, engla ordfruma, unnan wolde. ða wæs first agan frumrædenne þinggemearces butan þrim nihtum, swa hit wælwulfas awriten hæfdon 150\nþæt hie banhringas abrecan þohton, lungre tolysan lic ond sawle, ond þonne todælan duguðe ond geogoðe, werum to wiste ond to wilþege, fæges flæschoman. Feorh ne bemurndan, 155\ngrædige guðrincas, hu þæs gastes sið æfter swyltcwale geseted wurde. Swa hie symble ymb þritig þing gehedon nihtgerimes; wæs him neod micel þæt hie tobrugdon blodigum ceaflum 160\nfira flæschoman him to foddorþege. þa wæs gemyndig, se ðe middangeard gestaðelode strangum mihtum, hu he in ellþeodigum yrmðum wunode, belocen leoðubendum, þe oft his lufan adreg 165\nfor Ebreum ond Israhelum; swylce he Iudea galdorcræftum wiðstod stranglice. þa sio stefn gewearð gehered of heofenum, þær se halga wer in Achaia, Andreas, wæs, 170\n(leode lærde on lifes weg), þa him cirebaldum cininga wuldor, meotud mancynnes, modhord onleac, weoruda drihten, ond þus wordum cwæð: "ðu scealt feran ond frið lædan, 175\nsiðe gesecan, þær sylfætan eard weardigað, eðel healdaþ morðorcræftum. Swa is þære menigo þeaw þæt hie uncuðra ængum ne willað on þam folcstede feores geunnan 180\nsyþþan manfulle on Mermedonia onfindaþ feasceaftne. þær sceall feorhgedal, earmlic ylda cwealm, æfter wyrþan. ðær ic seomian wat þinne sigebroðor mid þam burgwarum bendum fæstne. 185\nNu bið fore þreo niht þæt he on þære þeode sceal fore hæðenra handgewinne þurh gares gripe gast onsendan, ellorfusne, butan ðu ær cyme." ædre him Andreas agef andsware: 190\n"Hu mæg ic, dryhten min, ofer deop gelad fore gefremman on feorne weg swa hrædlice, heofona scyppend, wuldres waldend, swa ðu worde becwist? ðæt mæg engel þin eað geferan, 195\nhalig of heofenum con him holma begang, sealte sæstreamas ond swanrade, waroðfaruða gewinn ond wæterbrogan, wegas ofer widland. Ne synt me winas cuðe, eorlas elþeodige, ne þær æniges wat 200\nhæleða gehygdo, ne me herestræta ofer cald wæter cuðe sindon." Him ða ondswarude ece dryhten: "Eala, Andreas, þæt ðu a woldest þæs siðfætes sæne weorþan! 205\nNis þæt uneaðe eallwealdan gode to gefremmanne on foldwege, ðæt sio ceaster hider on þas cneorisse under swegles gang aseted wyrðe, breogostol breme, mid þam burgwarum, 210\ngif hit worde becwið wuldres agend. Ne meaht ðu þæs siðfætes sæne weorðan, ne on gewitte to wac, gif ðu wel þencest wið þinne waldend wære gehealdan, treowe tacen. Beo ðu on tid gearu; 215\nne mæg þæs ærendes ylding wyrðan. ðu scealt þa fore geferan ond þin feorh beran in gramra gripe, ðær þe guðgewinn þurh hæðenra hildewoman, beorna beaducræft, geboden wyrðeð. 220\nScealtu æninga mid ærdæge, emne to morgene, æt meres ende ceol gestigan ond on cald wæter brecan ofer bæðweg. Hafa bletsunge ofer middangeard mine, þær ðu fere!" 225\nGewat him þa se halga healdend ond wealdend, upengla fruma, eðel secan, middangeardes weard, þone mæran ham, þær soðfæstra sawla moton æfter lices hryre lifes brucan. 230\nþa wæs ærende æðelum cempan aboden in burgum, ne wæs him bleað hyge, ah he wæs anræd ellenweorces, heard ond higerof, nalas hildlata, gearo, guðe fram, to godes campe. 235\nGewat him þa on uhtan mid ærdæge ofer sandhleoðu to sæs faruðe, þriste on geþance, ond his þegnas mid, gangan on greote. Garsecg hlynede, beoton brimstreamas. Se beorn wæs on hyhte, 240\nsyðþan he on waruðe widfæðme scip modig gemette. þa com morgentorht beacna beorhtost ofer breomo sneowan, halig of heolstre. Heofoncandel blac ofer lagoflodas. He ðær lidweardas, 245\nþrymlice þry þegnas gemette, modiglice menn, on merebate sittan siðfrome, swylce hie ofer sæ comon. þæt wæs drihten sylf, dugeða wealdend, ece ælmihtig, mid his englum twam. 250\nWæron hie on gescirplan scipferendum, eorlas onlice ealiðendum, þonne hie on flodes fæðm ofer feorne weg on cald wæter ceolum lacað. Hie ða gegrette, se ðe on greote stod, 255\nfus on faroðe, fægn reordade: "Hwanon comon ge ceolum liðan, macræftige menn, on mereþissan, ane ægflotan? Hwanon eagorstream ofer yða gewealc eowic brohte?" 260\nHim ða ondswarode ælmihti god, swa þæt ne wiste, se ðe þæs wordes bad, hwæt se manna wæs meðelhegendra, þe he þær on waroðe wiðþingode: "We of Marmedonia mægðe syndon 265\nfeorran geferede. Us mid flode bær on hranrade heahstefn naca, snellic sæmearh, snude bewunden, oðþæt we þissa leoda land gesohton, wære bewrecene, swa us wind fordraf." 270\nHim þa Andreas eaðmod oncwæð: "Wolde ic þe biddan, þeh ic þe beaga lyt, sincweorðunga, syllan meahte, þæt ðu us gebrohte brante ceole, hea hornscipe, ofer hwæles eðel 275\non þære mægðe. Bið ðe meorð wið god, þæt ðu us on lade liðe weorðe." Eft him ondswarode æðelinga helm of yðlide, engla scippend: "Ne magon þær gewunian widferende, 280\nne þær elþeodige eardes brucað, ah in þære ceastre cwealm þrowiað, þa ðe feorran þyder feorh gelædaþ, ond þu wilnast nu ofer widne mere þæt ðu on þa fægðe þine feore spilde." 285\nHim þa Andreas agef ondsware: "Usic lust hweteð on þa leodmearce, mycel modes hiht, to þære mæran byrig, þeoden leofesta, gif ðu us þine wilt on merefaroðe miltse gecyðan." 290\nHim ondswarode engla þeoden, neregend fira, of nacan stefne: "We ðe estlice mid us willað ferigan freolice ofer fisces bæð efne to þam lande þær þe lust myneð 295\nto gesecanne, syððan ge eowre gafulrædenne agifen habbað, sceattas gescrifene, swa eow scipweardas, aras ofer yðbord, unnan willað." Him þa ofstlice Andreas wið, 300\nwineþearfende, wordum mælde: "Næbbe ic fæted gold ne feohgestreon, welan ne wiste ne wira gespann, landes ne locenra beaga, þæt ic þe mæge lust ahwettan, willan in worulde, swa ðu worde becwist." 305\nHim þa beorna breogo, þær he on bolcan sæt, ofer waroða geweorp wiðþingode: "Hu gewearð þe þæs, wine leofesta, ðæt ðu sæbeorgas secan woldes, merestreama gemet, maðmum bedæled, 310\nofer cald cleofu ceoles neosan? Nafast þe to frofre on faroðstræte hlafes wiste ne hlutterne drync to dugoðe. Is se drohtað strang þam þe lagolade lange cunnaþ." 315\nða him Andreas ðurh ondsware, wis on gewitte, wordhord onleac: "Ne gedafenað þe, nu þe dryhten geaf welan ond wiste ond woruldspede, ðæt ðu ondsware mid oferhygdum, 320\nsece sarcwide. Selre bið æghwam þæt he eaðmedum ellorfusne oncnawe cuðlice, swa þæt Crist bebead, þeoden þrymfæst. We his þegnas synd gecoren to cempum. He is cyning on riht, 325\nwealdend ond wyrhta wuldorþrymmes, an ece god eallra gesceafta, swa he ealle befehð anes cræfte, hefon ond eorðan, halgum mihtum, sigora selost. He ðæt sylfa cwæð, 330\nfæder folca gehwæs, ond us feran het geond ginne grund gasta streonan: 'Farað nu geond ealle eorðan sceatas emne swa wide swa wæter bebugeð, oððe stedewangas stræte gelicgaþ. 335\nBodiað æfter burgum beorhtne geleafan ofer foldan fæðm. Ic eow freoðo healde. Ne ðurfan ge on þa fore frætwe lædan, gold ne seolfor. Ic eow goda gehwæs on eowerne agenne dom est ahwette.' 340\nNu ðu seolfa miht sið userne gehyran hygeþancol. Ic sceal hraðe cunnan hwæt ðu us to duguðum gedon wille." Him þa ondswarode ece dryhten: "Gif ge syndon þegnas þæs þe þrym ahof 345\nofer middangeard, swa ge me secgaþ, ond ge geheoldon þæt eow se halga bead, þonne ic eow mid gefean ferian wille ofer brimstreamas, swa ge benan sint." þa in ceol stigon collenfyrhðe, 350\nellenrofe, æghwylcum wearð on merefaroðe mod geblissod. ða ofer yða geswing Andreas ongann mereliðendum miltsa biddan wuldres aldor, ond þus wordum cwæð: 355\n"Forgife þe dryhten domweorðunga, willan in worulde ond in wuldre blæd, meotud manncynnes, swa ðu me hafast on þyssum siðfæte sybbe gecyðed!" Gesæt him þa se halga helmwearde neah, 360\næðele be æðelum. æfre ic ne hyrde þon cymlicor ceol gehladenne heahgestreonum. Hæleð in sæton, þeodnas þrymfulle, þegnas wlitige. ða reordode rice þeoden, 365\nece ælmihtig, heht his engel gan, mærne maguþegn, ond mete syllan, frefran feasceafte ofer flodes wylm, þæt hie þe eað mihton ofer yða geþring drohtaþ adreogan. þa gedrefed wearð, 370\nonhrered hwælmere. Hornfisc plegode, glad geond garsecg, ond se græga mæw wælgifre wand. Wedercandel swearc, windas weoxon, wægas grundon, streamas styredon, strengas gurron, 375\nwædo gewætte. Wæteregsa stod þreata þryðum. þegnas wurdon acolmode. ænig ne wende þæt he lifgende land begete, þara þe mid Andreas on eagorstream 380\nceol gesohte. Næs him cuð þa gyt hwa þam sæflotan sund wisode. Him þa se halga on holmwege ofer argeblond, Andreas þa git, þegn þeodenhold, þanc gesægde, 385\nricum ræsboran, þa he gereordod wæs: "ðe þissa swæsenda soðfæst meotud, lifes leohtfruma, lean forgilde, weoruda waldend, ond þe wist gife, heofonlicne hlaf, swa ðu hyldo wið me 390\nofer firigendstream freode gecyðdest! Nu synt geþreade þegnas mine, geonge guðrincas. Garsecg hlymmeð, geofon geotende. Grund is onhrered, deope gedrefed, duguð is geswenced, 395\nmodigra mægen myclum gebysgod." Him of helman oncwæð hæleða scyppend: "Læt nu geferian flotan userne, lid to lande ofer lagufæsten, ond þonne gebidan beornas þine, 400\naras on earde, hwænne ðu eft cyme." Edre him þa eorlas agefan ondsware, þegnas þrohthearde, þafigan ne woldon ðæt hie forleton æt lides stefnan leofne lareow ond him land curon: 405\n"Hwider hweorfað we hlafordlease, geomormode, gode orfeorme, synnum wunde, gif we swicað þe? We bioð laðe on landa gehwam, folcum fracoðe, þonne fira bearn, 410\nellenrofe, æht besittaþ, hwylc hira selost symle gelæste hlaforde æt hilde, þonne hand ond rond on beaduwange billum forgrunden æt niðplegan nearu þrowedon." 415\nþa reordade rice þeoden, wærfæst cining, word stunde ahof: "Gif ðu þegn sie þrymsittendes, wuldorcyninges, swa ðu worde becwist, rece þa gerynu, hu he reordberend 420\nlærde under lyfte. Lang is þes siðfæt ofer fealuwne flod; frefra þine mæcgas on mode. Mycel is nu gena lad ofer lagustream, land swiðe feorr to gesecanne. Sund is geblonden, 425\ngrund wið greote. God eaðe mæg heaðoliðendum helpe gefremman." Ongan þa gleawlice gingran sine, wuldorspedige weras wordum trymman: "Ge þæt gehogodon, þa ge on holm stigon, 430\nþæt ge on fara folc feorh gelæddon, ond for dryhtnes lufan deað þrowodon, on ælmyrcna eðelrice sawle gesealdon. Ic þæt sylfa wat, þæt us gescyldeð scyppend engla, 435\nweoruda dryhten. Wæteregesa sceal, geðyd ond geðreatod þurh þryðcining, lagu lacende, liðra wyrðan. Swa gesælde iu, þæt we on sæbate ofer waruðgewinn wæda cunnedan, 440\nfaroðridende. Frecne þuhton egle ealada. Eagorstreamas beoton bordstæðu, brim oft oncwæð, yð oðerre. Hwilum upp astod of brimes bosme on bates fæðm 445\negesa ofer yðlid. ælmihtig þær, meotud mancynnes, on mereþyssan beorht basnode. Beornas wurdon forhte on mode, friðes wilnedon, miltsa to mærum. þa seo menigo ongan 450\nclypian on ceole, cyning sona aras, engla eadgifa, yðum stilde, wæteres wælmum. Windas þreade, sæ sessade, smylte wurdon merestreama gemeotu. ða ure mod ahloh 455\nsyððan we gesegon under swegles gang windas ond wægas ond wæterbrogan forhte gewordne for frean egesan. Forþan ic eow to soðe secgan wille, þæt næfre forlæteð lifgende god 460\neorl on eorðan, gif his ellen deah." Swa hleoðrode halig cempa, ðeawum geþancul. þegnas lærde eadig oreta, eorlas trymede, oððæt hie semninga slæp ofereode, 465\nmeðe be mæste. Mere sweoðerade, yða ongin eft oncyrde, hreoh holmþracu. þa þam halgan wearð æfter gryrehwile gast geblissod. Ongan ða reordigan rædum snottor, 470\nwis on gewitte, wordlocan onspeonn: "Næfre ic sælidan selran mette, macræftigran, þæs ðe me þynceð, rowend rofran, rædsnotterran, wordes wisran. Ic wille þe, 475\neorl unforcuð, anre nu gena bene biddan, þeah ic þe beaga lyt, sincweorðunga, syllan mihte, fætedsinces. Wolde ic freondscipe, þeoden þrymfæst, þinne, gif ic mehte, 480\nbegitan godne. þæs ðu gife hleotest, haligne hyht on heofonþrymme, gif ðu lidwerigum larna þinra este wyrðest. Wolde ic anes to ðe, cynerof hæleð, cræftes neosan, 485\nðæt ðu me getæhte, nu þe tir cyning ond miht forgef, manna scyppend, hu ðu wægflotan wære bestemdon, sæhengeste, sund wisige. Ic wæs on gifeðe iu ond nu þa 490\nsyxtyne siðum on sæbate, mere hrerendum mundum freorig, eagorstreamas, (is ðys ane ma), swa ic æfre ne geseah ænigne mann, þryðbearn hæleða, þe gelicne, 495\nsteoran ofer stæfnan. Streamwelm hwileð, beateþ brimstæðo. Is þes bat ful scrid, færeð famigheals, fugole gelicost glideð on geofone. Ic georne wat þæt ic æfre ne geseah ofer yðlade 500\non sæleodan syllicran cræft. Is þon geliccost swa he on landsceare stille stande, þær hine storm ne mæg, wind awecgan, ne wæterflodas brecan brondstæfne, hwæðere on brim snoweð 505\nsnel under segle. ðu eart seolfa geong, wigendra hleo, nalas wintrum frod, hafast þe on fyrhðe, faroðlacende, eorles ondsware. æghwylces canst worda for worulde wislic andgit." 510\nHim ondswarode ece dryhten: "Oft þæt gesæleð, þæt we on sælade, scipum under scealcum, þonne sceor cymeð, brecað ofer bæðweg, brimhengestum. Hwilum us on yðum earfoðlice 515\ngesæleð on sæwe, þeh we sið nesan, frecne geferan. Flodwylm ne mæg manna ænigne ofer meotudes est lungre gelettan: ah him lifes geweald, se ðe brimu bindeð, brune yða 520\nðyð ond þreatað. He þeodum sceal racian mid rihte, se ðe rodor ahof ond gefæstnode folmum sinum, worhte ond wreðede, wuldras fylde beorhtne boldwelan, swa gebledsod wearð 525\nengla eðel þurh his anes miht. Forþan is gesyne, soð orgete, cuð oncnawen, þæt ðu cyninges eart þegen geþungen, þrymsittendes, forþan þe sona sæholm oncneow, 530\ngarsecges begang, þæt ðu gife hæfdes haliges gastes. Hærn eft onwand, aryða geblond. Egesa gestilde, widfæðme wæg. Wædu swæðorodon seoðþan hie ongeton þæt ðe god hæfde 535\nwære bewunden, se ðe wuldres blæd gestaðolade strangum mihtum." þa hleoðrade halgan stefne cempa collenferhð, cyning wyrðude, wuldres waldend, ond þus wordum cwæð: 540\n"Wes ðu gebledsod, brego mancynnes, dryhten hælend! A þin dom lyfað! Ge neh ge feor is þin nama halig, wuldre gewlitegad ofer werþeoda, miltsum gemærsod. Nænig manna is 545\nunder heofonhwealfe, hæleða cynnes, ðætte areccan mæg oððe rim wite hu ðrymlice, þeoda baldor, gasta geocend, þine gife dælest. Huru is gesyne, sawla nergend, 550\nþæt ðu þissum hysse hold gewurde ond hine geongne geofum wyrðodest, wis on gewitte ond wordcwidum. Ic æt efenealdum æfre ne mette on modsefan maran snyttro." 555\nHim ða of ceole oncwæð cyninga wuldor, frægn fromlice fruma ond ende: "Saga, þances gleaw þegn, gif ðu cunne, hu ðæt gewurde be werum tweonum, þæt ða arleasan inwidþancum, 560\nIudea cynn wið godes bearne ahof hearmcwide. Hæleð unsælige no ðær gelyfdon in hira liffruman, grome gealgmode, þæt he god wære, þeah ðe he wundra feala weorodum gecyðde, 565\nsweotulra ond gesynra. Synnige ne mihton oncnawan þæt cynebearn, se ðe acenned wearð to hleo ond to hroðre hæleða cynne, eallum eorðwarum. æþelinge weox word ond wisdom, ah he þara wundra a, 570\ndomagende, dæl nænigne frætre þeode beforan cyðde." Him ða Andreas agef andsware: "Hu mihte þæt gewyrðan in werþeode, þæt ðu ne gehyrde hælendes miht, 575\ngumena leofost, hu he his gif cyðde geond woruld wide, wealdendes bearn? Sealde he dumbum gesprec, deafe gehyrdon, healtum ond hreofum hyge blissode, ða þe limseoce lange wæron, 580\nwerige, wanhale, witum gebundene, æfter burhstedum blinde gesegon. Swa he on grundwæge gumena cynnes manige missenlice men of deaðe worde awehte. Swylce he eac wundra feala 585\ncynerof cyðde þurh his cræftes miht. He gehalgode for heremægene win of wætere ond wendan het, beornum to blisse, on þa beteran gecynd. Swylce he afedde of fixum twam 590\nond of fif hlafum fira cynnes fif ðusendo. Feðan sæton, reonigmode, reste gefegon, werige æfter waðe, wiste þegon, menn on moldan, swa him gemedost wæs. 595\nNu ðu miht gehyran, hyse leofesta, hu us wuldres weard wordum ond dædum lufode in life, ond þurh lare speon to þam fægeran gefean, þær freo moton, eadige mid englum, eard weardigan, 600\nþa ðe æfter deaðe dryhten secað." ða gen weges weard wordhord onleac, beorn ofer bolcan, beald reordade: "Miht ðu me gesecgan, þæt ic soð wite, hwæðer wealdend þin wundor on eorðan, 605\nþa he gefremede nalas feam siðum, folcum to frofre beforan cyðde, þær bisceopas ond boceras ond ealdormenn æht besæton, mæðelhægende? Me þæt þinceð, 610\nðæt hie for æfstum inwit syredon þurh deopne gedwolan. Deofles larum hæleð hynfuse hyrdon to georne, wraðum wærlogan. Hie seo wyrd beswac, forleolc ond forlærde. Nu hie lungre sceolon, 615\nwerige mid werigum, wræce þrowian, biterne bryne on banan fæðme." Him ða Andreas agef ondsware: "Secge ic ðe to soðe ðæt he swiðe oft beforan fremede folces ræswum 620\nwundor æfter wundre on wera gesiehðe, swylce deogollice dryhten gumena folcræd fremede, swa he to friðe hogode." Him ondswarode æðelinga helm: "Miht ðu, wis hæleð, wordum gesecgan, 625\nmaga mode rof, mægen þa he cyðde, deormod on digle, ða mid dryhten oft, rodera rædend, rune besæton?" Him þa Andreas ondsware agef: "Hwæt frinest ðu me, frea leofesta, 630\nwordum wrætlicum, ond þe wyrda gehwære þurh snyttra cræft soð oncnawest?" ða git him wæges weard wiðþingode: "Ne frine ic ðe for tæle ne ðurh teoncwide on hranrade, ac min hige blissað, 635\nwynnum wridað, þurh þine wordlæðe, æðelum ecne. Ne eom ic ana ðæt, ac manna gehwam mod bið on hyhte, fyrhð afrefred, þam þe feor oððe neah on mode geman hu se maga fremede, 640\ngodbearn on grundum. Gastas hweorfon, sohton siðfrome swegles dreamas, engla eðel þurh þa æðelan miht." Edre him Andreas agef ondsware: "Nu ic on þe sylfum soð oncnawe, 645\nwisdomes gewit, wundorcræfte sigesped geseald, (snyttrum bloweð, beorhtre blisse, breost innanweard), nu ic þe sylfum secgan wille oor ond ende, swa ic þæs æðelinges 650\nword ond wisdom on wera gemote þurh his sylfes muð symle gehyrde. Oft gesamnodon side herigeas, folc unmæte, to frean dome, þær hie hyrcnodon haliges lare. 655\nðonne eft gewat æðelinga helm, beorht blædgifa, in bold oðer, ðær him togenes, god herigende, to ðam meðelstede manige comon, snottre selerædend. Symble gefegon, 660\nbeornas bliðheorte, burhweardes cyme. Swa gesælde iu þæt se sigedema ferde, frea mihtig. Næs þær folces ma on siðfate, sinra leoda, nemne ellefne orettmæcgas, 665\ngeteled tireadige. He wæs twelfta sylf. þa we becomon to þam cynestole, þær getimbred wæs tempel dryhtnes, heah ond horngeap, hæleðum gefrege, wuldre gewlitegod. Huscworde ongan 670\nþurh inwitðanc ealdorsacerd herme hyspan, hordlocan onspeon, wroht webbade. He on gewitte oncneow þæt we soðfæstes swaðe folgodon, læston larcwide. He lungre ahof 675\nwoðe wiðerhydig wean onblonden: 'Hwæt, ge syndon earme ofer ealle menn! Wadað widlastas, weorn geferað earfoðsiða, ellþeodiges nu butan leodrihte larum hyrað, 680\neadiges orhlytte æðeling cyðað, secgað soðlice þæt mid suna meotudes drohtigen dæghwæmlice. þæt is duguðum cuð hwanon þam ordfruman æðelu onwocon. He wæs afeded on þysse folcsceare, 685\ncildgeong acenned mid his cneomagum. þus syndon haten hamsittende, fæder ond modur, þæs we gefrægen habbað þurh modgemynd, Maria ond Ioseph. Syndon him on æðelum oðere twegen 690\nbeornas geborene, broðorsybbum, suna Iosephes, Simon ond Iacob.' Swa hleoðrodon hæleða ræswan, dugoð domgeorne, dyrnan þohton meotudes mihte. Man eft gehwearf, 695\nyfel endeleas, þær hit ær aras. þa se þeoden gewat þegna heape fram þam meðelstede mihtum geswiðed, dugeða dryhten, secan digol land. He þurh wundra feala on þam westenne 700\ncræfta gecyðde þæt he wæs cyning on riht ofer middangeard, mægene geswiðed, waldend ond wyrhta wuldorþrymmes, an ece god eallra gesceafta. Swylce he oðerra unrim cyðde 705\nwundorworca on wera gesyhðe. Syþþan eft gewat oðre siðe getrume mycle, þæt he in temple gestod, wuldres aldor. Wordhleoðor astag geond heahræced. Haliges lare 710\nsynnige ne swulgon, þeah he soðra swa feala tacna gecyðde, þær hie to segon. Swylce he wrætlice wundor agræfene, anlicnesse engla sinra geseh, sigora frea, on seles wage, 715\non twa healfe torhte gefrætwed, wlitige geworhte. He worde cwæð: 'ðis is anlicnes engelcynna þæs bremestan þe mid þam burgwarum in þære ceastre is. Cheruphim et Seraphim 720\nþa on swegeldreamum syndon nemned. Fore onsyne ecan dryhtnes standað stiðferðe, stefnum herigað, halgum hleoðrum, heofoncyninges þrym, meotudes mundbyrd. Her amearcod is 725\nhaligra hiw, þurh handmægen awriten on wealle wuldres þegnas.' þa gen worde cwæð weoruda dryhten, heofonhalig gast, fore þam heremægene: 'Nu ic bebeode beacen ætywan, 730\nwundor geweorðan on wera gemange, ðæt þeos onlicnes eorðan sece, wlitig of wage, ond word sprece, secge soðcwidum, (þy sceolon gelyfan eorlas on cyððe), hwæt min æðelo sien.' 735\nNe dorste þa forhylman hælendes bebod wundor fore weorodum, ac of wealle ahleop, frod fyrngeweorc, þæt he on foldan stod, stan fram stane. Stefn æfter cwom, hlud þurh heardne, hleoðor dynede, 740\nwordum wemde. Wrætlic þuhte stiðhycgendum stanes ongin. Septe sacerdas sweotolum tacnum, witig werede ond worde cwæð: 'Ge synd unlæde, earmra geþohta 745\nsearowum beswicene, oððe sel nyton, mode gemyrde. Ge mon cigað godes ece bearn, þone þe grund ond sund, heofon ond eorðan ond hreo wægas, salte sæstreamas ond swegl uppe 750\namearcode mundum sinum. þis is se ilca ealwalda god ðone on fyrndagum fæderas cuðon. He Abrahame ond Isace ond Iocobe gife bryttode, 755\nwelum weorðode, wordum sægde ærest Habrahame æðeles geþingu, þæt of his cynne cenned sceolde weorðan wuldres god. Is seo wyrd mid eow open, orgete, magan eagum nu 760\ngeseon sigores god, swegles agend.' æfter þyssum wordum weorud hlosnode geond þæt side sel, (swigodon ealle), ða ða yldestan eft ongunnon secgan synfulle, (soð ne oncneowan), 765\nþæt hit drycræftum gedon wære, scingelacum, þæt se scyna stan mælde for mannum. Man wridode geond beorna breost, brandhata nið weoll on gewitte, weorm blædum fag, 770\nattor ælfæle. þær orcnawe wearð þurh teoncwide tweogende mod, mæcga misgehygd morðre bewunden. ða se þeoden bebead þryðweorc faran, stan on stræte of stedewange, 775\nond forð gan foldweg tredan, grene grundas, godes ærendu larum lædan on þa leodmearce to Channaneum, cyninges worde beodan Habrahame mid his eaforum twæm 780\nof eorðscræfe ærest fremman, lætan landreste, leoðo gadrigean, gaste onfon ond geogoðhade, edniwinga andweard cuman, frode fyrnweotan, folce gecyðan, 785\nhwylcne hie god mihtum ongiten hæfdon. Gewat he þa feran, swa him frea mihtig, scyppend wera, gescrifen hæfde, ofer mearcpaðu, þæt he on Mambre becom beorhte blican, swa him bebead meotud, 790\nþær þa lichoman lange þrage, heahfædera hra, beheled wæron. Het þa ofstlice up astandan Habraham ond Isaac, æðeling þriddan Iacob of greote to godes geþinge, 795\nsneome of slæpe þæm fæstan. Het hie to þam siðe gyrwan, faran to frean dome. Sceoldon hie þam folce gecyðan hwa æt frumsceafte furðum teode eorðan eallgrene ond upheofon, hwær se wealdend wære þe þæt weorc staðolade. 800\nNe dorston þa gelettan leng owihte wuldorcyninges word. Geweotan ða ða witigan þry modige mearcland tredan. Forlætan moldern wunigean open eorðscræfu, woldon hie ædre gecyðan frumweorca fæder. þa þæt folc gewearð 805\negesan geaclod, þær þa æðelingas wordum weorðodon wuldres aldor. Hie ða ricene het rices hyrde to eadwelan oþre siðe secan mid sybbe swegles dreamas, 810\nond þæs to widan feore willum neotan. Nu ðu miht gehyran, hyse leofesta, hu he wundra worn wordum cyðde, swa þeah ne gelyfdon larum sinum modblinde menn. Ic wat manig nu gyt 815\nmycel mære spell ðe se maga fremede, rodera rædend, ða ðu aræfnan ne miht, hreðre behabban, hygeþances gleaw." þus Andreas ondlangne dæg herede hleoðorcwidum haliges lare, 820\noððæt hine semninga slæp ofereode on hronrade heofoncyninge neh. ða gelædan het lifes brytta ofer yða geþræc englas sine, fæðmum ferigean on fæder wære 825\nleofne mid lissum ofer lagufæsten, oððæt sæwerige slæp ofereode. þurh lyftgelac on land becwom to þære ceastre þe him cining engla ða þa aras siðigean, 830\neadige on upweg, eðles neosan. Leton þone halgan be herestræte swefan on sybbe under swegles hleo, bliðne bidan burhwealle neh, his niðhetum, nihtlangne fyrst, 835\noðþæt dryhten forlet dægcandelle scire scinan. Sceadu sweðerodon, wonn under wolcnum. þa com wederes blæst, hador heofonleoma, ofer hofu blican. Onwoc þa wiges heard, (wang sceawode), 840\nfore burggeatum. Beorgas steape, hleoðu hlifodon, ymbe harne stan tigelfagan trafu, torras stodon, windige weallas. þa se wisa oncneow þæt he Marmedonia mægðe hæfde 845\nsiðe gesohte, swa him sylf bebead, þa he him fore gescraf, fæder mancynnes. Geseh he þa on greote gingran sine, beornas beadurofe, biryhte him swefan on slæpe. He sona ongann 850\nwigend weccean, ond worde cwæð: "Ic eow secgan mæg soð orgete, þæt us gystrandæge on geofones stream ofer arwelan æðeling ferede. In þam ceole wæs cyninga wuldor, 855\nwaldend werðeode. Ic his word oncneow, þeh he his mægwlite bemiðen hæfde." Him þa æðelingas ondsweorodon, geonge gencwidum, gastgerynum: "We ðe, Andreas, eaðe gecyðað 860\nsið userne, þæt ðu sylfa miht ongitan gleawlice gastgehygdum. Us sæwerige slæp ofereode. þa comon earnas ofer yða wylm faran on flyhte, feðerum hremige, 865\nus ofslæpendum sawle abrugdon, mid gefean feredon flyhte on lyfte, brehtmum bliðe, beorhte ond liðe. Lissum lufodon ond in lofe wunedon, þær wæs singal sang ond swegles gong, 870\nwlitig weoroda heap ond wuldres þreat. Utan ymbe æðelne englas stodon, þegnas ymb þeoden, þusendmælum, heredon on hehðo halgan stefne dryhtna dryhten. Dream wæs on hyhte. 875\nWe ðær heahfæderas halige oncneowon ond martyra mægen unlytel, sungon sigedryhtne soðfæstlic lof, dugoð domgeorne. þær wæs Dauid mid, eadig oretta, Essages sunu, 880\nfor Crist cumen, cining Israhela. Swylce we gesegon for suna meotudes, æðelum ecne, eowic standan, twelfe getealde, tireadige hæleð. Eow þegnodon þrymsittende, 885\nhalige heahenglas. ðam bið hæleða well þe þara blissa brucan moton. þær wæs wuldres wynn, wigendra þrym, æðelic onginn, næs þær ænigum gewinn. þam bið wræcsið witod, wite geopenad, 890\nþe þara gefeana sceal fremde weorðan, hean hwearfian, þonne heonon gangaþ." þa wæs modsefa myclum geblissod haliges on hreðre, syðþan hleoðorcwide gingran gehyrdon, þæt hie god wolde 895\nonmunan swa mycles ofer menn ealle, ond þæt word gecwæð wigendra hleo: "Nu ic, god dryhten, ongiten hæbbe þæt ðu on faroðstræte feor ne wære, cyninga wuldur, þa ic on ceol gestah, 900\nðeh ic on yðfare, engla þeoden, gasta geocend, ongitan ne cuðe. Weorð me nu milde, meotud ælmihtig, bliðe, beorht cyning! Ic on brimstreame spræc worda worn, wat æfter nu 905\nhwa me wyrðmyndum on wudubate ferede ofer flodas. þæt is frofre gast hæleða cynne. þær is help gearu, milts æt mærum, manna gehwylcum, sigorsped geseald, þam þe seceð to him." 910\nða him fore eagum onsyne wearð æðeling oðywed in þa ilcan tid, cining cwicera gehwæs, þurh cnihtes had. þa he worde cwæð, wuldres aldor: "Wes ðu, Andreas, hal, mid þas willgedryht, 915\nferðgefeonde! Ic þe friðe healde, þæt þe ne moton mangeniðlan, grame grynsmiðas, gaste gesceððan." Feoll þa to foldan, frioðo wilnode wordum wis hæleð, winedryhten frægn: 920\n"Hu geworhte ic þæt, waldend fira, synnig wið seolfne, sawla nergend, þæt ic þe swa godne ongitan ne meahte on wægfære, þær ic worda gespræc minra for meotude ma þonne ic sceolde?" 925\nHim andswarode ealwalda god: "No ðu swa swiðe synne gefremedest swa ðu in Achaia ondsæc dydest, ðæt ðu on feorwegas feran ne cuðe ne in þa ceastre becuman mehte, 930\nþing gehegan þreora nihta fyrstgemearces, swa ic þe feran het ofer wega gewinn. Wast nu þe gearwor þæt ic eaðe mæg anra gehwylcne fremman ond fyrþran freonda minra 935\non landa gehwylc, þær me leofost bið. Aris nu hrædlice, ræd ædre ongit, beorn gebledsod, swa þe beorht fæder geweorðað wuldorgifum to widan aldre, cræfte ond mihte. ðu in þa ceastre gong 940\nunder burglocan, þær þin broðor is. Wat ic Matheus þurh mænra hand hrinen heorudolgum, heafodmagan searonettum beseted. þu hine secan scealt, leofne alysan of laðra hete, 945\nond eal þæt mancynn þe him mid wunige, elþeodigra inwitwrasnum, bealuwe gebundene. Him sceal bot hraðe weorþan in worulde ond in wuldre lean, swa ic him sylfum ær secgende wæs. 950\nNu ðu, Andreas, scealt edre geneðan in gramra gripe. Is þe guð weotod, heardum heoruswengum scel þin hra dæled wundum weorðan, wættre geliccost faran flode blod. Hie þin feorh ne magon 955\ndeaðe gedælan, þeh ðu drype ðolie, synnigra slege. ðu þæt sar aber; ne læt þe ahweorfan hæðenra þrym, grim gargewinn, þæt ðu gode swice, dryhtne þinum. Wes a domes georn; 960\nlæt ðe on gemyndum hu þæt manegum wearð fira gefrege geond feala landa, þæt me bysmredon bennum fæstne weras wansælige. Wordum tyrgdon, slogon ond swungon, synnige ne mihton 965\nþurh sarcwide soð gecyðan. þa ic mid Iudeum gealgan þehte, (rod wæs aræred), þær rinca sum of minre sidan swat ut forlet, dreor to foldan. Ic adreah feala 970\nyrmþa ofer eorðan. Wolde ic eow on ðon þurh bliðne hige bysne onstellan, swa on ellþeode ywed wyrðeð. Manige syndon in þysse mæran byrig þara þe ðu gehweorfest to heofonleohte 975\nþurh minne naman, þeah hie morðres feala in fyrndagum gefremed habban." Gewat him þa se halga heofonas secan, eallra cyninga cining, þone clænan ham, eaðmedum upp, þær is ar gelang 980\nfira gehwylcum, þam þe hie findan cann. ða wæs gemyndig modgeþyldig, beorn beaduwe heard, eode in burh hraðe, anræd oretta, elne gefyrðred, maga mode rof, meotude getreowe, 985\nstop on stræte, (stig wisode), swa him nænig gumena ongitan ne mihte, synfulra geseon. Hæfde sigora weard on þam wangstede wære betolden leofne leodfruman mid lofe sinum. 990\nHæfde þa se æðeling in geþrungen, Cristes cempa, carcerne neh. Geseh he hæðenra hloð ætgædere, fore hlindura hyrdas standan, seofone ætsomne. Ealle swylt fornam, 995\ndruron domlease. Deaðræs forfeng hæleð heorodreorige. ða se halga gebæd bilwytne fæder, breostgehygdum herede on hehðo heofoncyninges þrym, godes dryhtendom. Duru sona onarn 1000\nþurh handhrine haliges gastes, ond þær in eode, elnes gemyndig, hæle hildedeor. Hæðene swæfon, dreore druncne, deaðwang rudon. Geseh he Matheus in þam morðorcofan, 1005\nhæleð higerofne under heolstorlocan, secgan dryhtne lof, domweorðinga engla ðeodne. He ðær ana sæt geohðum geomor in þam gnornhofe. Geseh þa under swegle swæsne geferan, 1010\nhalig haligne. Hyht wæs geniwad. Aras þa togenes, gode þancade þæs ðe hie onsunde æfre moston geseon under sunnan. Syb wæs gemæne bam þam gebroðrum, blis edniwe. 1015\næghwæðer oðerne earme beþehte, cyston hie ond clypton. Criste wæron begen leofe on mode. Hie leoht ymbscan halig ond heofontorht. Hreðor innan wæs wynnum awelled. þa worde ongan 1020\nærest Andreas æðelne geferan on clustorcleofan mid cwide sinum gretan godfyrhtne, sæde him guðgeðingu, feohtan fara monna: "Nu is þis folc on luste, hæleð hyder on 1025\ngewyrht eardes neosan." æfter þyssum wordum wuldres þegnas, begen þa gebroðor, to gebede hyldon, sendon hira bene fore bearn godes. Swylce se halga in þam hearmlocan 1030\nhis god grette ond him geoce bæd, hælend helpe, ær þan hra crunge fore hæðenra hildeþrymme, ond þa gelædde of leoðobendum fram þam fæstenne on frið dryhtnes 1035\ntu ond hundteontig geteled rime, swylce feowertig, generede fram niðe, (þær he nænigne forlet under burglocan bennum fæstne), ond þær wifa þa gyt, weorodes to eacan, 1040\nanes wana þe fiftig forhte gefreoðode. Fægen wæron siðes, lungre leordan, nalas leng bidon in þam gnornhofe guðgeþingo. Gewat þa Matheus menigo lædan 1045\non gehyld godes, swa him se halga bebead. Weorod on wilsið wolcnum beþehte, þe læs him scyldhatan scyððan comon mid earhfare, ealdgeniðlan. þær þa modigan mid him mæðel gehedan, 1050\ntreowgeþoftan, ær hie on tu hweorfan. ægðer þara eorla oðrum trymede heofonrices hyht, helle witu wordum werede. Swa ða wigend mid him, hæleð higerofe, halgum stefnum 1055\ncempan coste cyning weorðadon, wyrda waldend, þæs wuldres ne bið æfre mid eldum ende befangen. Gewat him þa Andreas inn on ceastre glædmod gangan, to þæs ðe he gramra gemot, 1060\nfara folcmægen, gefrægen hæfde, oððæt he gemette be mearcpaðe standan stræte neah stapul ærenne. Gesæt him þa be healfe, hæfde hluttre lufan, ece upgemynd engla blisse; 1065\nþanon basnode under burhlocan hwæt him guðweorca gifeðe wurde. þa gesamnedon side herigeas, folces frumgaras. To þam fæstenne wærleasra werod wæpnum comon, 1070\nhæðne hildfrecan, to þæs þa hæftas ær under hlinscuwan hearm þrowedon. Wendan ond woldon wiðerhycgende þæt hie on elþeodigum æt geworhton, weotude wiste. Him seo wen gelah, 1075\nsyððan mid corðre carcernes duru eorre æscberend opene fundon, onhliden hamera geweorc, hyrdas deade. Hie þa unhyðige eft gecyrdon, luste belorene, laðspell beran, 1080\nsægdon þam folce þæt ðær feorrcundra, ellreordigra, ænigne to lafe in carcerne cwicne ne gemetton, ah þær heorodreorige hyrdas lagan, gæsne on greote, gaste berofene, 1085\nfægra flæschaman. þa wearð forht manig for þam færspelle folces ræswa, hean, hygegeomor, hungres on wenum, blates beodgastes. Nyston beteran ræd, þonne hie þa belidenan him to lifnere 1090\ndeade gefeormedon. Duruþegnum wearð in ane tid eallum ætsomne þurh heard gelac hildbedd styred. ða ic lungre gefrægn leode tosomne burgwaru bannan. Beornas comon, 1095\nwiggendra þreat, wicgum gengan, on mearum modige, mæðelhegende, æscum dealle. þa wæs eall geador to þam þingstede þeod gesamnod. Leton him þa betweonum taan wisian 1100\nhwylcne hira ærest oðrum sceolde to foddurþege feores ongyldan; hluton hellcræftum, hæðengildum teledon betwinum. ða se tan gehwearf efne ofer ænne ealdgesiða, 1105\nse wæs uðweota eorla dugoðe, heriges on ore. Hraðe siððan wearð fetorwrasnum fæst, feores orwena. Cleopode þa collenferhð cearegan reorde, cwæð he his sylfes sunu syllan wolde 1110\non æhtgeweald, eaforan geongne, lifes to lisse. Hie ða lac hraðe þegon to þance. þeod wæs oflysted, metes modgeomre, næs him to maðme wynn, hyht to hordgestreonum. Hungre wæron 1115\nþearle geþreatod, swa se ðeodsceaða reow ricsode. þa wæs rinc manig, guðfrec guma, ymb þæs geongan feorh breostum onbryrded. To þam beadulace wæs þæt weatacen wide gefrege, 1120\ngeond þa burh bodad beorne manegum, þæt hie þæs cnihtes cwealm corðre gesohton, duguðe ond eogoðe, dæl onfengon lifes to leofne. Hie lungre to þæs, hæðene herigweardas, here samnodan 1125\nceastrewarena. Cyrm upp astah ða se geonga ongann geomran stefne, gehæfted for herige, hearmleoð galan, freonda feasceaft, friðes wilnian. Ne mihte earmsceapen are findan, 1130\nfreoðe æt þam folce, þe him feores wolde, ealdres geunnan. Hæfdon æglæcan sæcce gesohte. Sceolde sweordes ecg, scerp ond scurheard, of sceaðan folme, fyrmælum fag, feorh acsigan. 1135\nða þæt Andrea earmlic þuhte, þeodbealo þearlic to geðolianne, þæt he swa unscyldig ealdre sceolde lungre linnan. Wæs se leodhete þrist ond þrohtheard. þrymman sceocan, 1140\nmodige maguþegnas, morðres on luste, woldon æninga, ellenrofe, on þam hysebeorðre heafolan gescenan, garum agetan. Hine god forstod, halig of hehðo, hæðenum folce. 1145\nHet wæpen wera wexe gelicost on þam orlege eall formeltan, þy læs scyldhatan sceððan mihton, egle ondsacan, ecga þryðum. Swa wearð alysed of leodhete, 1150\ngeong of gyrne. Gode ealles þanc, dryhtna dryhtne, þæs ðe he dom gifeð gumena gehwylcum, þara þe geoce to him seceð mid snytrum. þær bið symle gearu freod unhwilen, þam þe hie findan cann. 1155\nþa wæs wop hæfen in wera burgum, hlud heriges cyrm. Hreopon friccan, mændon meteleaste, meðe stodon, hungre gehæfte. Hornsalu wunedon, weste winræced, welan ne benohton 1160\nbeornas to brucanne on þa bitran tid, gesæton searuþancle sundor to rune ermðu eahtigan. Næs him to eðle wynn. Fregn þa gelome freca oðerne: "Ne hele se ðe hæbbe holde lare, 1165\non sefan snyttro! Nu is sæl cumen, þrea ormæte, is nu þearf mycel þæt we wisfæstra wordum hyran." þa for þære dugoðe deoful ætywde, wann ond wliteleas, hæfde weriges hiw. 1170\nOngan þa meldigan morþres brytta, hellehinca, þone halgan wer wiðerhycgende, ond þæt word gecwæð: "Her is gefered ofer feorne weg æðelinga sum innan ceastre, 1175\nellþeodigra, þone ic Andreas nemnan herde. He eow neon gesceod ða he aferede of fæstenne manncynnes ma þonne gemet wære. Nu ge magon eaðe oncyðdæda 1180\nwrecan on gewyrhtum. Lætað wæpnes spor iren ecgheard, ealdorgeard sceoran, fæges feorhhord. Gað fromlice þæt ge wiðerfeohtend wiges gehnægan." Him þa Andreas agef ondsware: 1185\n"Hwæt, ðu þristlice þeode lærest, bældest to beadowe! Wæst þe bæles cwealm, hatne in helle, ond þu here fysest, feðan to gefeohte. Eart ðu fag wið god, dugoða demend. Hwæt, ðu deofles stræl, 1190\nicest þine yrmðo. ðe se ælmihtiga heanne gehnægde, ond on heolstor besceaf, þær þe cyninga cining clamme belegde, ond þe syððan a Satan nemdon, ða ðe dryhtnes a deman cuðon." 1195\nða gyt se wiðermeda wordum lærde folc to gefeohte, feondes cræfte: "Nu ge gehyrað hæleða gewinnan, se ðyssum herige mæst hearma gefremede. ðæt is Andreas, se me on fliteð 1200\nwordum wrætlicum for wera menigo." ða wæs beacen boden burhsittendum. Ahleopon hildfrome heriges brehtme ond to weallgeatum wigend þrungon, cene under cumblum, corðre mycle 1205\nto ðam orlege, ordum ond bordum. þa worde cwæð weoroda dryhten, meotud mihtum swið sægde his magoþegne: "Scealt ðu, Andreas, ellen fremman! Ne mið ðu for menigo, ah þinne modsefan 1210\nstaðola wið strangum! Nis seo stund latu þæt þe wælreowe witum belecgaþ, cealdan clommum. Cyð þe sylfne, herd hige þinne, heortan staðola, þæt hie min on ðe mægen oncnawan. 1215\nNe magon hie ond ne moton ofer mine est þinne lichoman, lehtrum scyldige, deaðe gedælan, ðeah ðu drype þolige, mirce manslaga. Ic þe mid wunige." æfter þam wordum com werod unmæte, 1220\nlyswe larsmeoðas, mid lindgecrode, bolgenmode; bæron ut hræðe ond þam halgan þær handa gebundon. Siþþan geypped wæs æðelinga wynn, ond hie andweardne eagum meahton 1225\ngesion sigerofne, þær wæs sec manig on þam welwange wiges oflysted leoda duguðe. Lyt sorgodon hwylc him þæt edlean æfter wurde. Heton þa lædan ofer landsceare, 1230\nðragmælum teon, torngeniðlan, swa hie hit frecnost findan meahton. Drogon deormodne æfter dunscræfum, ymb stanhleoðo, stærcedferþne, efne swa wide swa wegas to lagon, 1235\nenta ærgeweorc, innan burgum, stræte stanfage. Storm upp aras æfter ceasterhofum, cirm unlytel hæðnes heriges. Wæs þæs halgan lic sarbennum soden, swate bestemed, 1240\nbanhus abrocen. Blod yðum weoll, hatan heolfre. Hæfde him on innan ellen untweonde, wæs þæt æðele mod asundrad fram synnum, þeah he sares swa feala deopum dolgslegum dreogan sceolde. 1245\nSwa wæs ealne dæg oððæt æfen com sigetorht swungen. Sar eft gewod ymb þæs beornes breost, oðþæt beorht gewat sunne swegeltorht to sete glidan. Læddan þa leode laðne gewinnan 1250\nto carcerne. He wæs Criste swa þeah leof on mode. Him wæs leoht sefa halig heortan neh, hige untyddre. þa se halga wæs under heolstorscuwan, eorl ellenheard, ondlange niht 1255\nsearoþancum beseted. Snaw eorðan band wintergeworpum. Weder coledon heardum hægelscurum, swylce hrim ond forst, hare hildstapan, hæleða eðel lucon, leoda gesetu. Land wæron freorig 1260\ncealdum cylegicelum, clang wæteres þrym ofer eastreamas, is brycgade blæce brimrade. Bliðheort wunode eorl unforcuð, elnes gemyndig, þrist ond þrohtheard in þreanedum 1265\nwintercealdan niht. No on gewitte blon, acol for þy egesan, þæs þe he ær ongann, þæt he a domlicost dryhten herede, weorðade wordum, oððæt wuldres gim heofontorht onhlad. ða com hæleða þreat 1270\nto ðære dimman ding, duguð unlytel, wadan wælgifre weorodes brehtme. Heton ut hræðe æðeling lædan in wraðra geweald, wærfæstne hæleð. ða wæs eft swa ær ondlangne dæg 1275\nswungen sarslegum. Swat yðum weoll þurh bancofan, blodlifrum swealg, hatan heolfre. Hra weorces ne sann, wundum werig. þa cwom wopes hring þurh þæs beornes breost, blat ut faran, 1280\nweoll waðuman stream, ond he worde cwæð: "Geseoh nu, dryhten god, drohtað minne, weoruda willgeofa! þu wæst ond const anra gehwylces earfeðsiðas. Ic gelyfe to ðe, min liffruma, 1285\nþæt ðu mildheort me for þinum mægenspedum, nerigend fira, næfre wille, ece ælmihtig, anforlætan, swa ic þæt gefremme, þenden feorh leofað, min on moldan, þæt ic, meotud, þinum 1290\nlarum leofwendum lyt geswice. þu eart gescyldend wið sceaðan wæpnum, ece eadfruma, eallum þinum; ne læt nu bysmrian banan manncynnes, facnes frumbearn, þurh feondes cræft 1295\nleahtrum belecgan þa þin lof berað." ða ðær ætywde se atola gast, wrað wærloga. Wigend lærde for þam heremægene helle dioful awerged in witum, ond þæt word gecwæð: 1300\n"Sleað synnigne ofer seolfes muð, folces gewinnan! Nu to feala reordaþ." þa wæs orlege eft onhrered, niwan stefne. Nið upp aras oþðæt sunne gewat to sete glidan 1305\nunder niflan næs. Niht helmade, brunwann oferbræd beorgas steape, ond se halga wæs to hofe læded, deor ond domgeorn, in þæt dimme ræced; sceal þonne in neadcofan nihtlangne fyrst 1310\nwærfæst wunian wic unsyfre. þa com seofona sum to sele geongan, atol æglæca yfela gemyndig, morðres manfrea myrce gescyrded, deoful deaðreow duguðum bereafod, 1315\nongan þa þam halgan hospword sprecan: "Hwæt hogodest ðu, Andreas, hidercyme þinne on wraðra geweald? Hwæt is wuldor þin, þe ðu oferhigdum upp arærdest, þa ðu goda ussa gild gehnægdest? 1320\nHafast nu þe anum eall getihhad land ond leode, swa dyde lareow þin. Cyneþrym ahof, þam wæs Crist nama, ofer middangeard, þynden hit meahte swa. þone Herodes ealdre besnyðede, 1325\nforcom æt campe cyning Iudea, rices berædde, ond hine rode befealg, þæt he on gealgan his gast onsende. Swa ic nu bebeode bearnum minum, þegnum þryðfullum, ðæt hie ðe hnægen, 1330\ngingran æt guðe. Lætað gares ord, earh ættre gemæl, in gedufan in fæges ferð. Gað fromlice, ðæt ge guðfrecan gylp forbegan." Hie wæron reowe, ræsdon on sona 1335\ngifrum grapum. Hine god forstod, staðulfæst steorend, þurh his strangan miht. Syððan hie oncneowon Cristes rode on his mægwlite, mære tacen, wurdon hie ða acle on þam onfenge, 1340\nforhte, afærde, ond on fleam numen. Ongan eft swa ær ealdgeniðla, helle hæftling, hearmleoð galan: "Hwæt wearð eow swa rofum, rincas mine, lindgesteallan, þæt eow swa lyt gespeow?" 1345\nHim þa earmsceapen agef ondsware, fah fyrnsceaþa, ond his fæder oncwæð: "Ne magan we him lungre lað ætfæstan, swilt þurh searwe. Ga þe sylfa to! þær þu gegninga guðe findest, 1350\nfrecne feohtan, gif ðu furður dearst to þam anhagan aldre geneðan. We ðe magon eaðe, eorla leofost, æt þam secgplegan selre gelæran; ær ðu gegninga guðe fremme, 1355\nwiges woman, weald, hu ðe sæle æt þam gegnslege. Utan gangan eft, þæt we bysmrigen bendum fæstne, oðwitan him his wræcsið. Habbað word gearu wið þam æglæcan eall getrahtod!" 1360\nþa hleoðrade hludan stefne, witum bewæled, ond þæt word gecwæð: "þu þe, Andreas, aclæccræftum lange feredes! Hwæt, ðu leoda feala forleolce ond forlærdest! Nu leng ne miht 1365\ngewealdan þy weorce. þe synd witu þæs grim weotud be gewyrhtum. þu scealt werigmod, hean, hroðra leas, hearm þrowigan, sare swyltcwale. Secgas mine to þam guðplegan gearwe sindon, 1370\nþa þe æninga ellenweorcum unfyrn faca feorh ætþringan. Hwylc is þæs mihtig ofer middangeard, þæt he þe alyse of leoðubendum, manna cynnes, ofer mine est?" 1375\nHim þa Andreas agef ondsware: "Hwæt, me eaðe ælmihtig god, niða neregend, se ðe in niedum iu gefæstnode fyrnum clommum! þær ðu syððan a, susle gebunden, 1380\nin wræc wunne, wuldres blunne, syððan ðu forhogedes heofoncyninges word. þær wæs yfles or, ende næfre þines wræces weorðeð. ðu scealt widan feorh ecan þine yrmðu. þe bið a symble 1385\nof dæge on dæg drohtaþ strengra." ða wearð on fleame se ðe ða fæhðo iu wið god geara grimme gefremede. Com þa on uhtan mid ærdæge hæðenra hloð haliges neosan 1390\nleoda weorude. Heton lædan ut þrohtheardne þegn þriddan siðe, woldon aninga ellenrofes mod gemyltan. Hit ne mihte swa! ða wæs niowinga nið onhrered, 1395\nheard ond hetegrim. Wæs se halga wer sare geswungen, searwum gebunden, dolgbennum þurhdrifen, ðendon dæg lihte. Ongan þa geomormod to gode cleopian, heard of hæfte, halgan stefne 1400\nweop werigferð, ond þæt word gecwæð: "Næfre ic geferde mid frean willan under heofonhwealfe heardran drohtnoð, þær ic dryhtnes æ deman sceolde. Sint me leoðu tolocen, lic sare gebrocen, 1405\nbanhus blodfag, benne weallað, seonodolg swatige. Hwæt, ðu sigora weard, dryhten hælend, on dæges tide mid Iudeum geomor wurde ða ðu of gealgan, god lifigende, 1410\nfyrnweorca frea, to fæder cleopodest, cininga wuldor, ond cwæde ðus: 'Ic ðe, fæder engla, frignan wille, lifes leohtfruma, hwæt forlætest ðu me?' Ond ic nu þry dagas þolian sceolde 1415\nwælgrim witu. Bidde ic, weoroda god, þæt ic gast minne agifan mote, sawla symbelgifa, on þines sylfes hand. ðu ðæt gehete þurh þin halig word, þa ðu us twelfe trymman ongunne, 1420\nþæt us heterofra hild ne gesceode, ne lices dæl lungre oððeoded, ne synu ne ban on swaðe lagon, ne loc of heafde to forlore wurde, gif we þine lare læstan woldon. 1425\nNu sint sionwe toslopen, is min swat adropen, licgað æfter lande loccas todrifene, fex on foldan. Is me feorhgedal leofre mycle þonne þeos lifcearo." Him þa stefn oncwæð, stiðhycgendum, 1430\nwuldorcyninges word hloðrode: "Ne wep þone wræcsið, wine leofesta, nis þe to frecne. Ic þe friðe healde, minre mundbyrde mægene besette. Me is miht ofer eall, 1435\nsigorsped geseald. Soð þæt gecyðeð mænig æt meðle on þam myclan dæge, þæt ðæt geweorðeð, þæt ðeos wlitige gesceaft, heofon ond eorðe, hreosaþ togadore, ær awæged sie worda ænig 1440\nþe ic þurh minne muð meðlan onginne. Geseoh nu seolfes swæðe, swa þin swat aget þurh bangebrec blodige stige, lices lælan. No þe laðes ma þurh daroða gedrep gedon motan, 1445\nþa þe heardra mæst hearma gefremedan." þa on last beseah leoflic cempa æfter wordcwidum wuldorcyninges. Geseh he geblowene bearwas standan blædum gehrodene, swa he ær his blod aget. 1450\nða worde cwæð wigendra hleo: "Sie ðe ðanc ond lof, þeoda waldend, to widan feore wuldor on heofonum, ðæs ðu me on sare, sigedryhten min, ellþeodigne, an ne forlæte." 1455\nSwa se dædfruma dryhten herede halgan stefne oððæt hador sægl wuldortorht gewat under waðu scriðan. þa þa folctogan feorðan siðe, egle ondsacan, æðeling læddon 1460\nto þam carcerne, woldon cræfta gehygd, magorædendes mod oncyrran on þære deorcan niht. þa com dryhten god in þæt hlinræced, hæleða wuldor, ond þa wine synne wordum grette 1465\nond frofre gecwæð, fæder manncynnes, lifes lareow, heht his lichoman hales brucan: "Ne scealt ðu in henðum a leng searohæbbendra sar þrowian." Aras þa mægene rof, sægde meotude þanc, 1470\nhal of hæfte heardra wita. Næs him gewemmed wlite, ne wloh of hrægle lungre alysed, ne loc of heafde, ne ban gebrocen, ne blodig wund lice gelenge, ne laðes dæl, 1475\nþurh dolgslege dreore bestemed, ac wæs eft swa ær þurh þa æðelan miht lof lædende, ond on his lice trum. Hwæt, ic hwile nu haliges lare, leoðgiddinga, lof þæs þe worhte, 1480\nwordum wemde, wyrd undyrne ofer min gemet. Mycel is to secganne, langsum leornung, þæt he in life adreag, eall æfter orde. þæt scell æglæwra mann on moldan þonne ic me tælige 1485\nfindan on ferðe, þæt fram fruman cunne eall þa earfeðo þe he mid elne adreah, grimra guða. Hwæðre git sceolon lytlum sticcum leoðworda dæl furður reccan. þæt is fyrnsægen, 1490\nhu he weorna feala wita geðolode, heardra hilda, in þære hæðenan byrig. He be wealle geseah wundrum fæste under sælwage sweras unlytle, stapulas standan, storme bedrifene, 1495\neald enta geweorc. He wið anne þæra, mihtig ond modrof, mæðel gehede, wis, wundrum gleaw, word stunde ahof: "Geher ðu, marmanstan, meotudes rædum, fore þæs onsyne ealle gesceafte 1500\nforhte geweorðað, þonne hie fæder geseoð heofonas ond eorðan herigea mæste on middangeard mancynn secan. Læt nu of þinum staþole streamas weallan, ea inflede, nu ðe ælmihtig 1505\nhateð, heofona cyning, þæt ðu hrædlice on þis fræte folc forð onsende wæter widrynig to wera cwealme, geofon geotende. Hwæt, ðu golde eart, sincgife, sylla! On ðe sylf cyning 1510\nwrat, wuldres god, wordum cyðde recene geryno, ond ryhte æ getacnode on tyn wordum, meotud mihtum swið. Moyse sealde, swa hit soðfæste syðþan heoldon, 1515\nmodige magoþegnas, magas sine, godfyrhte guman, Iosua ond Tobias. Nu ðu miht gecnawan þæt þe cyning engla gefrætwode furður mycle giofum geardagum þonne eall gimma cynn. 1520\nþurh his halige hæs þu scealt hræðe cyðan gif ðu his ondgitan ænige hæbbe." Næs þa wordlatu wihte þon mare þæt se stan togan. Stream ut aweoll, fleow ofer foldan. Famige walcan 1525\nmid ærdæge eorðan þehton, myclade mereflod. Meoduscerwen wearð æfter symbeldæge, slæpe tobrugdon searuhæbbende. Sund grunde onfeng, deope gedrefed. Duguð wearð afyrhted 1530\nþurh þæs flodes fær. Fæge swulton, geonge on geofene guðræs fornam þurh sealtne weg. þæt wæs sorgbyrþen, biter beorþegu. Byrlas ne gældon, ombehtþegnas. þær wæs ælcum genog 1535\nfram dæges orde drync sona gearu. Weox wæteres þrym. Weras cwanedon, ealde æscberend. Wæs him ut myne fleon fealone stream, woldon feore beorgan, to dunscræfum drohtað secan, 1540\neorðan ondwist. Him þæt engel forstod, se ða burh oferbrægd blacan lige, hatan heaðowælme. Hreoh wæs þær inne beatende brim. Ne mihte beorna hloð of þam fæstenne fleame spowan. 1545\nWægas weoxon, wadu hlynsodon, flugon fyrgnastas, flod yðum weoll. ðær wæs yðfynde innan burgum geomorgidd wrecen. Gehðo mændan forhtferð manig, fusleoð golon. 1550\nEgeslic æled eagsyne wearð, heardlic hereteam, hleoðor gryrelic. þurh lyftgelac leges blæstas weallas ymbwurpon, wæter mycladon. þær wæs wop wera wide gehyred, 1555\nearmlic ylda gedræg. þa þær an ongann, feasceaft hæleð, folc gadorigean, hean, hygegeomor, heofende spræc: "Nu ge magon sylfe soð gecnawan, þæt we mid unrihte ellþeodigne 1560\non carcerne clommum belegdon, witebendum. Us seo wyrd scyðeð, heard ond hetegrim. þæt is her swa cuð, is hit mycle selre, þæs þe ic soð talige, þæt we hine alysan of leoðobendum, 1565\nealle anmode, (ofost is selost), ond us þone halgan helpe biddan, geoce ond frofre. Us bið gearu sona sybb æfter sorge, gif we secaþ to him." þa þær Andrea orgete wearð 1570\non fyrhðlocan folces gebæro, þær wæs modigra mægen forbeged, wigendra þrym. Wæter fæðmedon, fleow firgendstream, flod wæs on luste, oþþæt breost oferstag, brim weallende, 1575\neorlum oð exle. þa se æðeling het streamfare stillan, stormas restan ymbe stanhleoðu. Stop ut hræðe cene collenferð, carcern ageaf, gleawmod, gode leof. Him wæs gearu sona 1580\nþurh streamræce stræt gerymed. Smeolt wæs se sigewang, symble wæs dryge folde fram flode, swa his fot gestop. Wurdon burgware bliðe on mode, ferhðgefeonde. þa wæs forð cumen 1585\ngeoc æfter gyrne. Geofon swaðrode þurh haliges hæs, hlyst yst forgeaf, brimrad gebad. þa se beorg tohlad, eorðscræf egeslic, ond þær in forlet flod fæðmian, fealewe wægas, 1590\ngeotende gegrind grund eall forswealg. Nalas he þær yðe ane bisencte, ach þæs weorodes eac ða wyrrestan, faa folcsceaðan, feowertyne gewiton mid þy wæge in forwyrd sceacan 1595\nunder eorþan grund. þa wearð acolmod, forhtferð manig folces on laste. Wendan hie wifa ond wera cwealmes, þearlra geþinga ðrage hnagran, syððan mane faa, morðorscyldige, 1600\nguðgelacan under grund hruron. Hie ða anmode ealle cwædon: "Nu is gesyne ðæt þe soð meotud, cyning eallwihta, cræftum wealdeð, se ðisne ar hider onsende 1605\nþeodum to helpe. Is nu þearf mycel þæt we gumcystum georne hyran." þa se halga ongann hæleð blissigean, wigendra þreat wordum retan: "Ne beoð ge to forhte, þeh þe fell curen 1610\nsynnigra cynn. Swylt þrowode, witu be gewyrhtum. Eow is wuldres leoht torht ontyned, gif ge teala hycgað." Sende þa his bene fore bearn godes, bæd haligne helpe gefremman 1615\ngumena geogoðe, þe on geofene ær þurh flodes fæðm feorh gesealdon, ðæt þa gastas, gode orfeorme, in wita forwyrd, wuldre bescyrede, in feonda geweald gefered ne wurdan. 1620\nþa ðæt ærende ealwealdan gode æfter hleoðorcwidum haliges gastes wæs on þanc sprecen, ðeoda ræswan. Het þa onsunde ealle arisan, geonge of greote, þa ær geofon cwealde. 1625\nþa þær ofostlice upp astodon manige on meðle, mine gefrege, eaforan unweaxne, ða wæs eall eador leoðolic ond gastlic, þeah hie lungre ær þurh flodes fær feorh aleton. 1630\nOnfengon fulwihte ond freoðuwære, wuldres wedde witum aspedde, mundbyrd meotudes. þa se modiga het, cyninges cræftiga, ciricean getimbran, gerwan godes tempel, þær sio geogoð aras 1635\nþurh fæder fulwiht ond se flod onsprang. þa gesamnodon secga þreate weras geond þa winburg wide ond side, eorlas anmode, ond hira idesa mid, cwædon holdlice hyran woldon, 1640\nonfon fromlice fullwihtes bæð dryhtne to willan, ond diofolgild, ealde eolhstedas, anforlætan. þa wæs mid þy folce fulwiht hæfen, æðele mid eorlum, ond æ godes 1645\nriht aræred, ræd on lande mid þam ceasterwarum, cirice gehalgod. þær se ar godes anne gesette, wisfæstne wer, wordes gleawne, in þære beorhtan byrig bisceop þam leodum, 1650\nond gehalgode fore þam heremægene þurh apostolhad, Platan nemned, þeodum on þearfe, ond þriste bebead þæt hie his lare læston georne, feorhræd fremedon. Sægde his fusne hige, 1655\nþæt he þa goldburg ofgifan wolde, secga seledream ond sincgestreon, beorht beagselu, ond him brimþisan æt sæs faroðe secan wolde. þæt wæs þam weorode weorc to geþoligenne, 1660\nþæt hie se leodfruma leng ne wolde wihte gewunian. þa him wuldres god on þam siðfæte sylfum ætywde, ond þæt word gecwæð, weoruda dryhten: "folc of firenum? Is him fus hyge 1665\ngað geomriende, geohðo mænað weras wif samod. Hira wop becom, murnende mod fore sneowan. Ne scealt ðu þæt eowde anforlætan 1670\non swa niowan gefean, ah him naman minne on ferðlocan fæste getimbre. Wuna in þære winbyrig, wigendra hleo, salu sinchroden, seofon nihta fyrst. Syððan ðu mid mildse minre ferest." 1675\nþa eft gewat oðre siðe modig, mægene rof, Marmedonia ceastre secan. Cristenra weox word ond wisdom, syððan wuldres þegn, æþelcyninges ar, eagum sawon. 1680\nLærde þa þa leode on geleafan weg, trymede torhtlice, tireadigra wenede to wuldre weorod unmæte, to þam halgan ham heofona rices, þær fæder ond sunu ond frofre gast 1685\nin þrinnesse þrymme wealdeð in woruld worulda wuldorgestealda. Swylce se halga herigeas þreade, deofulgild todraf ond gedwolan fylde. þæt wæs Satane sar to geþolienne, 1690\nmycel modes sorg, þæt he ða menigeo geseah hweorfan higebliðe fram helltrafum þurh Andreas este lare to fægeran gefean, þær næfre feondes ne bið, gastes gramhydiges, gang on lande. 1695\nþa wæron gefylde æfter frean dome dagas on rime, swa him dryhten bebead, þæt he þa wederburg wunian sceolde. Ongan hine þa fysan ond to flote gyrwan, blissum hremig, wolde on brimþisan 1700\nAchaie oðre siðe sylfa gesecan, þær he sawulgedal, beaducwealm gebad. þæt þam banan ne wearð hleahtre behworfen, ah in helle ceafl sið asette, ond syððan no, 1705\nfah, freonda leas, frofre benohte. ða ic lædan gefrægn leoda weorode leofne lareow to lides stefnan, mæcgas modgeomre. þær manegum wæs hat æt heortan hyge weallende. 1710\nHie ða gebrohton æt brimes næsse on wægþele wigan unslawne. Stodon him ða on ofre æfter reotan þendon hie on yðum æðelinga wunn ofer seolhpaðu geseon mihton, 1715\nond þa weorðedon wuldres agend, cleopodon on corðre, ond cwædon þus: "An is ece god eallra gesceafta! Is his miht ond his æht ofer middangeard breme gebledsod, ond his blæd ofer eall 1720\nin heofonþrymme halgum scineð, wlitige on wuldre to widan ealdre, ece mid englum. þæt is æðele cyning!" Index | Previous page | Next page