CC 20220801
þa wæs agangen geara hwyrftum tu hund ond þreo geteled rimes, swylce XXX eac, þinggemearces, wintra for worulde, þæs þe wealdend god 5\nacenned wearð, cyninga wuldor, in middangeard þurh mennisc heo, soðfæstra leoht. þa wæs syxte gear Constantines caserdomes, þæt he Romwara in rice wearð 10\nahæfen, hildfruma, to hereteman. Wæs se leodhwata lindgeborga eorlum arfæst. æðelinges weox rice under roderum. He wæs riht cyning, guðweard gumena. Hine god trymede 15\nmærðum ond mihtum, þæt he manegum wearð geond middangeard mannum to hroðer, werþeodum to wræce, syððan wæpen ahof wið hetendum. Him wæs hild boden, wiges woma. Werod samnodan 20\nHuna leode ond Hreðgotan, foron fyrdhwate Francan ond Hugas. Wæron hwate weras, gearwe to guðe. Garas lixtan, wriðene wælhlencan. Wordum ond bordum 25\nhofon herecombol. þa wæron heardingas sweotole gesamnod ond eal sib geador. For folca gedryht. Fyrdleoð agol wulf on wealde, wælrune ne mað. Urigfeðera earn sang ahof, 30\nlaðum on laste. Lungre scynde ofer burg enta beaduþreata mæst, hergum to hilde, swylce Huna cyning ymbsittendra awer meahte abannan to beadwe burgwigendra. 35\nFor fyrda mæst. Feðan trymedon eoredcestum, þæt on ælfylce deareðlacende on Danubie, stærcedfyrhðe, stæðe wicedon ymb þæs wæteres wylm. Werodes breahtme 40\nwoldon Romwara rice geþringan, hergum ahyðan. þær wearð Huna cyme cuð ceasterwarum. þa se casere heht ongean gramum guðgelæcan under earhfære ofstum myclum 45\nbannan to beadwe, beran ut þræce rincas under roderum. Wæron Romware, secgas sigerofe, sona gegearwod wæpnum to wigge, þeah hie werod læsse hæfdon to hilde þonne Huna cining; 50\nridon ymb rofne, þonne rand dynede, campwudu clynede, cyning þreate for, herge to hilde. Hrefen uppe gol, wan ond wælfel. Werod wæs on tyhte. Hleopon hornboran, hreopan friccan, 55\nmearh moldan træd. Mægen samnode, cafe to cease. Cyning wæs afyrhted, egsan geaclad, siððan elþeodige, Huna ond Hreða here sceawede, ðæt he on Romwara rices ende 60\nymb þæs wæteres stæð werod samnode, mægen unrime. Modsorge wæg Romwara cyning, rices ne wende for werodleste, hæfde wigena to lyt, eaxlgestealna wið ofermægene, 65\nhrora to hilde. Here wicode, eorlas ymb æðeling, egstreame neah on neaweste nihtlangne fyrst, þæs þe hie feonda gefær fyrmest gesægon. þa wearð on slæpe sylfum ætywed 70\nþam casere, þær he on corðre swæf, sigerofum gesegen swefnes woma. þuhte him wlitescyne on weres hade hwit ond hiwbeorht hæleða nathwylc geywed ænlicra þonne he ær oððe sið 75\ngesege under swegle. He of slæpe onbrægd, eofurcumble beþeaht. Him se ar hraðe, wlitig wuldres boda, wið þingode ond be naman nemde, (nihthelm toglad): "Constantinus, heht þe cyning engla, 80\nwyrda wealdend, wære beodan, duguða dryhten. Ne ondræd þu ðe, ðeah þe elþeodige egesan hwopan, heardre hilde. þu to heofenum beseoh on wuldres weard, þær ðu wraðe findest, 85\nsigores tacen." He wæs sona gearu þurh þæs halgan hæs, hreðerlocan onspeon, up locade, swa him se ar abead, fæle friðowebba. Geseah he frætwum beorht wliti wuldres treo ofer wolcna hrof, 90\ngolde geglenged, (gimmas lixtan); wæs se blaca beam bocstafum awriten, beorhte ond leohte: "Mid þys beacne ðu on þam frecnan fære feond oferswiðesð, geletest lað werod." þa þæt leoht gewat, 95\nup siðode, ond se ar somed, on clænra gemang. Cyning wæs þy bliðra ond þe sorgleasra, secga aldor, on fyrhðsefan, þurh þa fægeran gesyhð. Heht þa onlice æðelinga hleo, 100\nbeorna beaggifa, swa he þæt beacen geseah, heria hildfruma, þæt him on heofonum ær geiewed wearð, ofstum myclum, Constantinus, Cristes rode, tireadig cyning, tacen gewyrcan. 105\nHeht þa on uhtan mid ærdæge wigend wreccan, ond wæpenþræce hebban heorucumbul, ond þæt halige treo him beforan ferian on feonda gemang, beran beacen godes. Byman sungon 110\nhlude for hergum. Hrefn weorces gefeah, urigfeðra, earn sið beheold, wælhreowra wig. Wulf sang ahof, holtes gehleða. Hildegesa stod. þær wæs borda gebrec ond beorna geþrec, 115\nheard handgeswing ond herga gring, syððan heo earhfære ærest metton. On þæt fæge folc flana scuras, garas ofer geolorand on gramra gemang, hetend heorugrimme, hildenædran, 120\nþurh fingra geweald forð onsendan. Stopon stiðhidige, stundum wræcon, bræcon bordhreðan, bil in dufan, þrungon þræchearde. þa wæs þuf hafen, segn for sweotum, sigeleoð galen. 125\nGylden grima, garas lixtan on herefelda. Hæðene grungon, feollon friðelease. Flugon instæpes Huna leode, swa þæt halige treo aræran heht Romwara cyning, 130\nheaðofremmende. Wurdon heardingas wide towrecene. Sume wig fornam. Sume unsofte aldor generedon on þam heresiðe. Sume healfcwice flugon on fæsten ond feore burgon 135\næfter stanclifum, stede weardedon ymb Danubie. Sume drenc fornam on lagostreame lifes æt ende. ða wæs modigra mægen on luste, ehton elþeoda oð þæt æfen forð 140\nfram dæges orde. Daroðæsc flugon, hildenædran. Heap wæs gescyrded, laðra lindwered. Lythwon becwom Huna herges ham eft þanon. þa wæs gesyne þæt sige forgeaf 145\nConstantino cyning ælmihtig æt þam dægweorce, domweorðunga, rice under roderum, þurh his rode treo. Gewat þa heriga helm ham eft þanon, huðe hremig, (hild wæs gesceaden), 150\nwigge geweorðod. Com þa wigena hleo þegna þreate þryðbold secan, beadurof cyning burga neosan. Heht þa wigena weard þa wisestan snude to sionoðe, þa þe snyttro cræft 155\nþurh fyrngewrito gefrigen hæfdon, heoldon higeþancum hæleða rædas. ða þæs fricggan ongan folces aldor, sigerof cyning, ofer sid weorod, wære þær ænig yldra oððe gingra 160\nþe him to soðe secggan meahte, galdrum cyðan, hwæt se god wære, boldes brytta, "þe þis his beacen wæs þe me swa leoht oðywde ond mine leode generede, tacna torhtost, ond me tir forgeaf, 165\nwigsped wið wraðum, þurh þæt wlitige treo." Hio him ondsware ænige ne meahton agifan togenes, ne ful geare cuðon sweotole gesecggan be þam sigebeacne. þa þa wisestan wordum cwædon 170\nfor þam heremægene þæt hit heofoncyninges tacen wære, ond þæs tweo nære. þa þæt gefrugnon þa þurh fulwihte lærde wæron, (him wæs leoht sefa, ferhð gefeonde, þeah hira fea wæron), 175\nðæt hie for þam casere cyðan moston godspelles gife, hu se gasta helm, in þrynesse þrymme geweorðad, acenned wearð, cyninga wuldor, ond hu on galgan wearð godes agen bearn 180\nahangen for hergum heardum witum. Alysde leoda bearn of locan deofla, geomre gastas, ond him gife sealde þurh þa ilcan gesceaft þe him geywed wearð sylfum on gesyhðe, sigores tacen, 185\nwið þeoda þræce. Ond hu ðy þriddan dæge of byrgenne beorna wuldor of deaðe aras, dryhten ealra hæleða cynnes, ond to heofonum astah. ðus gleawlice gastgerynum 190\nsægdon sigerofum, swa fram Siluestre lærde wæron. æt þam se leodfruma fulwihte onfeng ond þæt forð geheold on his dagana tid, dryhtne to willan. ða wæs on sælum sinces brytta, 195\nniðheard cyning. Wæs him niwe gefea befolen in fyrhðe, wæs him frofra mæst ond hyhta nihst heofonrices weard. Ongan þa dryhtnes æ dæges ond nihtes þurh gastes gife georne cyðan, 200\nond hine soðlice sylfne getengde goldwine gumena in godes þeowdom, æscrof, unslaw. þa se æðeling fand, leodgebyrga, þurh larsmiðas, guðheard, garþrist, on godes bocum 205\nhwær ahangen wæs heriges beorhtme on rode treo rodora waldend æfstum þurh inwit, swa se ealda feond forlærde ligesearwum, leode fortyhte, Iudea cyn, þæt hie god sylfne 210\nahengon, herga fruman. þæs hie in hynðum sculon to widan feore wergðu dreogan! þa wæs Cristes lof þam casere on firhðsefan, forð gemyndig ymb þæt mære treo, ond þa his modor het 215\nferan foldwege folca þreate to Iudeum, georne secan wigena þreate hwær se wuldres beam, halig under hrusan, hyded wære, æðelcyninges rod. Elene ne wolde 220\nþæs siðfates sæne weorðan, ne ðæs wilgifan word gehyrwan, hiere sylfre suna, ac wæs sona gearu, wif on willsið, swa hire weoruda helm, byrnwiggendra, beboden hæfde. 225\nOngan þa ofstlice eorla mengu to flote fysan. Fearoðhengestas ymb geofenes stæð gearwe stodon, sælde sæmearas, sunde getenge. ða wæs orcnæwe idese siðfæt, 230\nsiððan wæges helm werode gesohte. þær wlanc manig æt Wendelsæ on stæðe stodon. Stundum wræcon ofer mearcpaðu, mægen æfter oðrum, ond þa gehlodon hildesercum, 235\nbordum ond ordum, byrnwigendum, werum ond wifum, wæghengestas. Leton þa ofer fifelwæg famige scriðan bronte brimþisan. Bord oft onfeng ofer earhgeblond yða swengas; 240\nsæ swinsade. Ne hyrde ic sið ne ær on egstreame idese lædan, on merestræte, mægen fægerre. þær meahte gesion, se ðone sið beheold, brecan ofer bæðweg, brimwudu snyrgan 245\nunder swellingum, sæmearh plegean, wadan wægflotan. Wigan wæron bliðe, collenferhðe, cwen siðes gefeah, syþþan to hyðe hringedstefnan ofer lagofæsten geliden hæfdon 250\non Creca land. Ceolas leton æt sæfearoðe, sande bewrecene, ald yðhofu, oncrum fæste on brime bidan beorna geþinges, hwonne heo sio guðcwen gumena þreate 255\nofer eastwegas eft gesohte. ðær wæs on eorle eðgesyne brogden byrne ond bill gecost, geatolic guðscrud, grimhelm manig, ænlic eoforcumbul. Wæron æscwigan, 260\nsecggas ymb sigecwen, siðes gefysde. Fyrdrincas frome foron on luste on Creca land, caseres bodan, hilderincas, hyrstum gewerede. þær wæs gesyne sincgim locen 265\non þam hereþreate, hlafordes gifu. Wæs seo eadhreðige Elene gemyndig, þriste on geþance, þeodnes willan georn on mode þæt hio Iudeas ofer herefeldas heape gecoste 270\nlindwigendra land gesohte, secga þreate. Swa hit siððan gelamp ymb lytel fæc þæt ðæt leodmægen, guðrofe hæleþ to Hierusalem cwomon in þa ceastre corðra mæste, 275\neorlas æscrofe, mid þa æðelan cwen. Heht ða gebeodan burgsittendum þam snoterestum side ond wide geond Iudeas, gumena gehwylcum, meðelhegende, on gemot cuman, 280\nþa ðe deoplicost dryhtnes geryno þurh rihte æ reccan cuðon. ða wæs gesamnod of sidwegum mægen unlytel, þa ðe Moyses æ reccan cuðon. þær on rime wæs 285\nþreo M þæra leoda alesen to lare. Ongan þa leoflic wif weras Ebrea wordum negan: "Ic þæt gearolice ongiten hæbbe þurg witgena wordgeryno 290\non godes bocum þæt ge geardagum wyrðe wæron wuldorcyninge, dryhtne dyre ond dædhwæte. Hwæt, ge ealle snyttro unwislice, wraðe wiðweorpon, þa ge wergdon þane 295\nþe eow of wergðe þurh his wuldres miht, fram ligcwale, lysan þohte, of hæftnede. Ge mid horu speowdon on þæs ondwlitan þe eow eagena leoht, fram blindnesse bote gefremede 300\nedniowunga þurh þæt æðele spald, ond fram unclænum oft generede deofla gastum. Ge to deaþe þone deman ongunnon, se ðe of deaðe sylf woruld awehte on wera corþre 305\nin þæt ærre lif eowres cynnes. Swa ge modblinde mengan ongunnon lige wið soðe, leoht wið þystrum, æfst wið are, inwitþancum wroht webbedan. Eow seo wergðu forðan 310\nsceðþeð scyldfullum. Ge þa sciran miht deman ongunnon, ond gedweolan lifdon, þeostrum geþancum, oð þysne dæg. Gangaþ nu snude, snyttro geþencaþ, weras wisfæste, wordes cræftige, 315\nþa ðe eowre æ æðelum cræftige on ferhðsefan fyrmest hæbben, þa me soðlice secgan cunnon, ondsware cyðan for eowic forð tacna gehwylces þe ic him to sece." 320\nEodan þa on geruman reonigmode eorlas æcleawe, egesan geþreade, gehðum geomre, georne sohton þa wisestan wordgeryno, þæt hio þære cwene oncweðan meahton 325\nswa tiles swa trages, swa hio him to sohte. Hio þa on þreate M manna fundon ferhðgleawra, þa þe fyrngemynd mid Iudeum gearwast cuðon. þrungon þa on þreate þær on þrymme bad 330\nin cynestole caseres mæg, geatolic guðcwen golde gehyrsted. Elene maþelode ond for eorlum spræc: "Gehyrað, higegleawe, halige rune, word ond wisdom. Hwæt, ge witgena 335\nlare onfengon, hu se liffruma in cildes had cenned wurde, mihta wealdend. Be þam Moyses sang, ond þæt word gecwæð weard Israhela: 'Eow acenned bið cniht on degle, 340\nmihtum mære, swa þæs modor ne bið wæstmum geeacnod þurh weres frige.' Be ðam Dauid cyning dryhtleoð agol, frod fyrnweota, fæder Salomones, ond þæt word gecwæþ wigona baldor: 345\n'Ic frumþa god fore sceawode, sigora dryhten. He on gesyhðe wæs, mægena wealdend, min on þa swiðran, þrymmes hyrde. þanon ic ne wende æfre to aldre onsion mine.' 350\nSwa hit eft be eow Essaias, witga for weorodum, wordum mælde, deophycggende þurh dryhtnes gast: 'Ic up ahof eaforan gingne ond bearn cende, þam ic blæd forgeaf, 355\nhalige higefrofre, ac hie hyrwdon me, feodon þurh feondscipe, nahton foreþances, wisdomes gewitt; ond þa weregan neat, þe man daga gehwam drifeð ond þirsceð, ongitaþ hira goddend, nales gnyrnwræcum 360\nfeogað frynd hiera þe him fodder gifað, ond me Israhela æfre ne woldon folc oncnawan, þeah ic feala for him æfter woruldstundum wundra gefremede.' Hwæt, we þæt gehyrdon þurh halige bec 365\nþæt eow dryhten geaf dom unscyndne, meotod mihta sped, Moyse sægde hu ge heofoncyninge hyran sceoldon, lare læstan. Eow þæs lungre aþreat, ond ge þam ryhte wiðroten hæfdon, 370\nonscunedon þone sciran scippend eallra, dryhtna dryhten, ond gedwolan fylgdon ofer riht godes. Nu ge raþe gangaþ ond findaþ gen þa þe fyrngewritu þurh snyttro cræft selest cunnen, 375\næriht eower, þæt me ondsware þurh sidne sefan secgan cunnen." Eodan ða mid mengo modcwanige, collenferhðe, swa him sio cwen bead. Fundon þa D forþsnottera 380\nalesen leodmæga, þa ðe leornungcræft þurh modgemynd mæste hæfdon, on sefan snyttro. Heo to salore eft ymb lytel fæc laðode wæron, ceastre weardas. Hio sio cwen ongan 385\nwordum genegan, (wlat ofer ealle): "Oft ge dyslice dæd gefremedon, werge wræcmæcggas, ond gewritu herwdon, fædera lare, næfre furður þonne nu, ða ge blindnesse bote forsegon, 390\nond ge wiðsocon soðe ond rihte, þæt in Bethleme bearn wealdendes, cyning anboren, cenned wære, æðelinga ord. þeah ge þa æ cuðon, witgena word, ge ne woldon þa, 395\nsynwyrcende, soð oncnawan." Hie þa anmode ondsweredon: "Hwæt, we Ebreisce æ leornedon, þa on fyrndagum fæderas cuðon æt godes earce, ne we geare cunnon 400\nþurh hwæt ðu ðus hearde, hlæfdige, us eorre wurde. We ðæt æbylgð nyton þe we gefremedon on þysse folcscere, þeodenbealwa, wið þec æfre." Elene maðelade ond for eorlum spræc, 405\nundearninga ides reordode hlude for herigum: "Ge nu hraðe gangað, sundor asecaþ þa ðe snyttro mid eow, mægn ond modcræft, mæste hæbben, þæt me þinga gehwylc þriste gecyðan, 410\nuntraglice, þe ic him to sece." Eodon þa fram rune, swa him sio rice cwen, bald in burgum, beboden hæfde, geomormode, georne smeadon, sohton searoþancum, hwæt sio syn wære 415\nþe hie on þam folce gefremed hæfdon wið þam casere, þe him sio cwen wite. þa þær for eorlum an reordode, gidda gearosnotor, (ðam wæs Iudas nama, wordes cræftig): "Ic wat geare 420\nþæt hio wile secan be ðam sigebeame on ðam þrowode þeoda waldend, eallra gnyrna leas, godes agen bearn, þone orscyldne eofota gehwylces þurh hete hengon on heanne beam 425\nin fyrndagum fæderas usse. þæt wæs þrealic geþoht! Nu is þearf mycel þæt we fæstlice ferhð staðelien, þæt we ðæs morðres meldan ne weorðen hwær þæt halige trio beheled wurde 430\næfter wigþræce, þy læs toworpen sien frod fyrngewritu ond þa fæderlican lare forleten. Ne bið lang ofer ðæt þæt Israhela æðelu moten ofer middangeard ma ricsian, 435\næcræft eorla, gif ðis yppe bið, swa þa þæt ilce gio min yldra fæder sigerof sægde, (þam wæs Sachius nama), frod fyrnwiota, fæder minum, eaferan, 440\nwende hine of worulde ond þæt word gecwæð: 'Gif þe þæt gelimpe on lifdagum þæt ðu gehyre ymb þæt halige treo frode frignan, ond geflitu ræran be ðam sigebeame on þam soðcyning 445\nahangen wæs, heofonrices weard, eallre sybbe bearn, þonne þu snude gecyð, min swæs sunu, ær þec swylt nime. Ne mæg æfre ofer þæt Ebrea þeod rædþeahtende rice healdan, 450\nduguðum wealdan, ac þara dom leofað ond hira dryhtscipe, in woruld weorulda willum gefylled, ðe þone ahangnan cyning heriaþ ond lofiað.' þa ic fromlice fæder minum, 455\nealdum æwitan, ageaf ondsware: 'Hu wolde þæt geweorðan on woruldrice þæt on þone halgan handa sendan to feorhlege fæderas usse þurh wrað gewitt, gif hie wiston ær 460\nþæt he Crist wære, cyning on roderum, soð sunu meotudes, sawla nergend?' ða me yldra min ageaf ondsware, frod on fyrhðe fæder reordode: 'Ongit, guma ginga, godes heahmægen, 465\nnergendes naman. Se is niða gehwam unasecgendlic, þone sylf ne mæg on moldwege man aspyrigean. Næfre ic þa geþeahte þe þeos þeod ongan secan wolde, ac ic symle mec 470\nasced þara scylda, nales sceame worhte gaste minum. Ic him georne oft þæs unrihtes ondsæc fremede, þonne uðweotan æht bisæton, on sefan sohton hu hie sunu meotudes 475\nahengon, helm wera, hlaford eallra engla ond elda, æðelust bearna. Ne meahton hie swa disige deað oðfæstan, weras wonsælige, swa hie wendon ær, sarum settan, þeah he sume hwile 480\non galgan his gast onsende, sigebearn godes. þa siððan wæs of rode ahæfen rodera wealdend, eallra þrymma þrym, þreo niht siððan in byrgenne bidende wæs 485\nunder þeosterlocan, ond þa þy þriddan dæg ealles leohtes leoht lifgende aras, ðeoden engla, ond his þegnum hine, soð sigora frea, seolfne geywde, beorht on blæde. þonne broðor þin 490\nonfeng æfter fyrste fulwihtes bæð, leohtne geleafan. þa for lufan dryhtnes Stephanus wæs stanum worpod; ne geald he yfel yfele, ac his ealdfeondum þingode þrohtherd, bæd þrymcyning 495\nþæt he him þa weadæd to wræce ne sette, þæt hie for æfstum unscyldigne, synna leasne, Sawles larum feore beræddon, swa he þurh feondscipe to cwale monige Cristes folces 500\ndemde to deaþe. Swa þeah him dryhten eft miltse gefremede, þæt he manegum wearð folca to frofre, syððan him frymða god, niða nergend, naman oncyrde, ond he syððan wæs sanctus Paulus 505\nbe naman haten, ond him nænig wæs ælærendra oðer betera under swegles hleo syðþan æfre, þara þe wif oððe wer on woruld cendan, þeah he Stephanus stanum hehte 510\nabreotan on beorge, broðor þinne. Nu ðu meaht gehyran, hæleð min se leofa, hu arfæst is ealles wealdend, þeah we æbylgð wið hine oft gewyrcen, synna wunde, gif we sona eft 515\nþara bealudæda bote gefremmaþ ond þæs unrihtes eft geswicaþ. Forðan ic soðlice ond min swæs fæder syðþan gelyfdon þæt geþrowade eallra þrymma god, 520\nlifes lattiow, laðlic wite for oferþearfe ilda cynnes. Forðan ic þe lære þurh leoðorune, hyse leofesta, þæt ðu hospcwide, æfst ne eofulsæc æfre ne fremme, 525\ngrimne geagncwide, wið godes bearne. þonne ðu geearnast þæt þe bið ece lif, selust sigeleana, seald in heofonum.' ðus mec fæder min on fyrndagum unweaxenne wordum lærde, 530\nsepte soðcwidum, (þam wæs Symon nama), guma gehðum frod. Nu ge geare cunnon hwæt eow þæs on sefan selest þince to gecyðanne, gif ðeos cwen usic frigneð ymb ðæt treo, nu ge fyrhðsefan 535\nond modgeþanc minne cunnon." Him þa togenes þa gleawestan on wera þreate wordum mældon: "Næfre we hyrdon hæleð ænigne on þysse þeode, butan þec nu ða, 540\nþegn oðerne þyslic cyðan ymb swa dygle wyrd. Do swa þe þynce, fyrngidda frod, gif ðu frugnen sie on wera corðre. Wisdomes beðearf, worda wærlicra ond witan snyttro, 545\nse ðære æðelan sceal ondwyrde agifan for þyslicne þreat on meþle." Weoxan word cwidum, weras þeahtedon on healfa gehwær, sume hyder, sume þyder, þrydedon ond þohton. þa cwom þegna heap 550\nto þam heremeðle. Hreopon friccan, caseres bodan: "Eow þeos cwen laþaþ, secgas to salore, þæt ge seonoðdomas rihte reccen. Is eow rædes þearf on meðelstede, modes snyttro." 555\nHeo wæron gearwe, geomormode leodgebyrgean, þa hie laðod wæron þurh heard gebann; to hofe eodon, cyðdon cræftes miht. þa sio cwen ongan weras Ebresce wordum negan, 560\nfricggan fyrhðwerige ymb fyrngewritu, hu on worulde ær witgan sungon, gasthalige guman, be godes bearne, hwær se þeoden geþrowade, soð sunu meotudes, for sawla lufan. 565\nHeo wæron stearce, stane heardran, noldon þæt geryne rihte cyðan, ne hire andsware ænige secgan, torngeniðlan, þæs hio him to sohte, ac hio worda gehwæs wiðersæc fremedon, 570\nfæste on fyrhðe, þæt heo frignan ongan, cwædon þæt hio on aldre owiht swylces ne ær ne sið æfre hyrdon. Elene maþelade ond him yrre oncwæð: "Ic eow to soðe secgan wille, 575\nond þæs in life lige ne wyrðeð, gif ge þissum lease leng gefylgað mid fæcne gefice, þe me fore standaþ, þæt eow in beorge bæl fornimeð, hattost heaðowelma, ond eower hra bryttað, 580\nlacende lig, þæt eow sceal þæt leas apundrad weorðan to woruldgedale. Ne magon ge ða word geseðan þe ge hwile nu on unriht wrigon under womma sceatum, ne magon ge þa wyrd bemiðan, bedyrnan þa deopan mihte." ða wurdon hie deaðes on wenan, 585\nades ond endelifes, ond þær þa ænne betæhton giddum gearusnottorne, (þam wæs Iudas nama cenned for cneomagum), þone hie þære cwene agefon, sægdon hine sundorwisne: "He þe mæg soð gecyðan, onwreon wyrda geryno, swa ðu hine wordum frignest, 590\næriht from orde oð ende forð. He is for eorðan æðeles cynnes, wordcræftes wis ond witgan sunu, bald on meðle; him gebyrde is þæt he gencwidas gleawe hæbbe, 595\ncræft in breostum. He gecyðeð þe for wera mengo wisdomes gife þurh þa myclan miht, swa þin mod lufaþ." Hio on sybbe forlet secan gehwylcne agenne eard, ond þone ænne genam, 600\nIudas to gisle, ond þa georne bæd þæt he be ðære rode riht getæhte þe ær in legere wæs lange bedyrned, ond hine seolfne sundor acigde. Elene maþelode to þam anhagan, 605\ntireadig cwen: "þe synt tu gearu, swa lif swa deað, swa þe leofre bið to geceosanne. Cyð ricene nu hwæt ðu þæs to þinge þafian wille." Iudas hire ongen þingode (ne meahte he þa gehðu bebugan, 610\noncyrran rex geniðlan; he wæs on þære cwene gewealdum): "Hu mæg þæm geweorðan þe on westenne meðe ond meteleas morland trydeð, hungre gehæfted, ond him hlaf ond stan on gesihðe bu samod geweorðað, 615\nstreac ond hnesce, þæt he þone stan nime wið hungres hleo, hlafes ne gime, gewende to wædle, ond þa wiste wiðsæce, beteran wiðhyccge, þonne he bega beneah?" Him þa seo eadige ondwyrde ageaf 620\nElene for eorlum undearnunga: "Gif ðu in heofonrice habban wille eard mid englum ond on eorðan lif, sigorlean in swegle, saga ricene me hwær seo rod wunige radorcyninges, 625\nhalig under hrusan, þe ge hwile nu þurh morðres man mannum dyrndun." Iudas maðelade, (him wæs geomor sefa, hat æt heortan, ond gehwæðres wa, ge he heofonrices hyht swa mode 630\nond þis ondwearde anforlete, rice under roderum, ge he ða rode ne tæhte): "Hu mæg ic þæt findan þæt swa fyrn gewearð wintra gangum? Is nu worn sceacen, CC oððe ma geteled rime. 635\nIc ne mæg areccan, nu ic þæt rim ne can. Is nu feala siðþan forðgewitenra frodra ond godra þe us fore wæron, gleawra gumena. Ic on geogoðe wearð on siðdagum syððan acenned, 640\ncnihtgeong hæleð. Ic ne can þæt ic nat, findan on fyrhðe þæt swa fyrn gewearð." Elene maðelade him on ondsware: "Hu is þæt geworden on þysse werþeode þæt ge swa monigfeald on gemynd witon, 645\nalra tacna gehwylc swa Troiana þurh gefeoht fremedon? þæt wæs fyr mycle, open ealdgewin, þonne þeos æðele gewyrd, geara gongum. Ge þæt geare cunnon edre gereccan, hwæt þær eallra wæs 650\non manrime morðorslehtes, dareðlacendra deadra gefeallen under bordhagan. Ge þa byrgenna under stanhleoðum, ond þa stowe swa some, ond þa wintergerim on gewritu setton." 655\nIudas maðelade, gnornsorge wæg: "We þæs hereweorces, hlæfdige min, for nydþearfe nean myndgiaþ, ond þa wiggþræce on gewritu setton, þeoda gebæru, ond þis næfre 660\nþurh æniges mannes muð gehyrdon hæleðum cyðan, butan her nu ða." Him seo æðele cwen ageaf ondsware: "Wiðsæcest ðu to swiðe soðe ond rihte ymb þæt lifes treow, ond nu lytle ær 665\nsægdest soðlice be þam sigebeame leodum þinum, ond nu on lige cyrrest." Iudas hire ongen þingode, cwæð þæt he þæt on gehðu gespræce ond on tweon swiðost, wende him trage hnagre. Him oncwæð hraðe caseres mæg: 670\n"Hwæt, we ðæt hyrdon þurh halige bec hæleðum cyðan þæt ahangen wæs on Caluarie cyninges freobearn, godes gastsunu. þu scealt geagninga wisdom onwreon, swa gewritu secgaþ, 675\næfter stedewange hwær seo stow sie Caluarie, ær þec cwealm nime, swilt for synnum, þæt ic hie syððan mæge geclænsian Criste to willan, hæleðum to helpe, þæt me halig god 680\ngefylle, frea mihtig, feores ingeþanc, weoruda wuldorgeofa, willan minne, gasta geocend." Hire Iudas oncwæð stiðhycgende: "Ic þa stowe ne can, ne þæs wanges wiht ne þa wisan cann." 685\nElene maðelode þurh eorne hyge: "Ic þæt geswerige þurh sunu meotodes, þone ahangnan god, þæt ðu hungre scealt for cneomagum cwylmed weorðan, butan þu forlæte þa leasunga 690\nond me sweotollice soð gecyðe." Heht þa swa cwicne corðre lædan, scufan scyldigne (scealcas ne gældon) in drygne seað, þær he duguða leas siomode in sorgum VII nihta fyrst 695\nunder hearmlocan hungre geþreatod, clommum beclungen, ond þa cleopigan ongan sarum besylced on þone seofeðan dæg, meðe ond meteleas, (mægen wæs geswiðrod): "Ic eow healsie þurh heofona god 700\nþæt ge me of ðyssum earfeðum up forlæten, heanne fram hungres geniðlan. Ic þæt halige treo lustum cyðe, nu ic hit leng ne mæg helan for hungre. Is þes hæft to ðan strang, þreanyd þæs þearl ond þes þroht to ðæs heard 705\ndogorrimum. Ic adreogan ne mæg, ne leng helan be ðam lifes treo, þeah ic ær mid dysige þurhdrifen wære ond ðæt soð to late seolf gecneowe." þa ðæt gehyrde sio þær hæleðum scead, 710\nbeornes gebæro, hio bebead hraðe þæt hine man of nearwe ond of nydcleofan, fram þam engan hofe, up forlete. Hie ðæt ofstlice efnedon sona, ond hine mid arum up gelæddon 715\nof carcerne, swa him seo cwen bebead. Stopon þa to þære stowe stiðhycgende on þa dune up ðe dryhten ær ahangen wæs, heofonrices weard, godbearn on galgan, ond hwæðre geare nyste, 720\nhungre gehyned, hwær sio halige rod, þurh feondes searu foldan getyned, lange legere fæst leodum dyrne wunode wælreste. Word stunde ahof elnes oncyðig, ond on Ebrisc spræc: 725\n"Dryhten hælend, þu ðe ahst doma geweald, ond þu geworhtest þurh þines wuldres miht heofon ond eorðan ond holmþræce, sæs sidne fæðm, samod ealle gesceaft, ond þu amæte mundum þinum 730\nealne ymbhwyrft ond uprador, ond þu sylf sitest, sigora waldend, ofer þam æðelestan engelcynne, þe geond lyft farað leohte bewundene, mycle mægenþrymme. Ne mæg þær manna gecynd 735\nof eorðwegum up geferan in lichoman mid þa leohtan gedryht, wuldres aras. þu geworhtest þa ond to þegnunge þinre gesettest, halig ond heofonlic. þara on hade sint 740\nin sindreame syx genemned, þa ymbsealde synt mid syxum eac fiðrum gefrætwad, fægere scinaþ. þara sint IIII þe on flihte a þa þegnunge þrymme beweotigaþ 745\nfore onsyne eces deman, singallice singaþ in wuldre hædrum stefnum heofoncininges lof, woða wlitegaste, ond þas word cweðaþ clænum stefnum, (þam is ceruphin nama): 750\n'Halig is se halga heahengla god, weoroda wealdend! Is ðæs wuldres ful heofun ond eorðe ond eall heahmægen, tire getacnod.' Syndon tu on þam, sigorcynn on swegle, þe man seraphin 755\nbe naman hateð. He sceal neorxnawang ond lifes treo legene sweorde halig healdan. Heardecg cwacaþ, beofaþ brogdenmæl, ond bleom wrixleð grapum gryrefæst. þæs ðu, god dryhten, 760\nwealdest widan fyrhð, ond þu womfulle scyldwyrcende sceaðan of radorum awurpe wonhydige. þa sio werge sceolu under heolstorhofu hreosan sceolde in wita forwyrd, þær hie in wylme nu 765\ndreogaþ deaðcwale in dracan fæðme, þeostrum forþylmed. He þinum wiðsoc aldordome. þæs he in ermðum sceal, ealra fula ful, fah þrowian, þeowned þolian. þær he þin ne mæg 770\nword aweorpan, is in witum fæst, ealre synne fruma, susle gebunden. Gif þin willa sie, wealdend engla, þæt ricsie se ðe on rode wæs, ond þurh Marian in middangeard 775\nacenned wearð in cildes had, þeoden engla, (gif he þin nære sunu synna leas, næfre he soðra swa feala in woruldrice wundra gefremede dogorgerimum; no ðu of deaðe hine 780\nswa þrymlice, þeoda wealdend, aweahte for weorodum, gif he in wuldre þin þurh ða beorhtan bearn ne wære), gedo nu, fæder engla, forð beacen þin. Swa ðu gehyrdest þone halgan wer 785\nMoyses on meðle, þa ðu, mihta god, geywdest þam eorle on þa æðelan tid under beorhhliðe ban Iosephes, swa ic þe, weroda wyn, gif hit sie willa þin, þurg þæt beorhte gesceap biddan wille 790\nþæt me þæt goldhord, gasta scyppend, geopenie, þæt yldum wæs lange behyded. Forlæt nu, lifes fruma, of ðam wangstede wynsumne up under radores ryne rec astigan 795\nlyftlacende. Ic gelyfe þe sel ond þy fæstlicor ferhð staðelige, hyht untweondne, on þone ahangnan Crist, þæt he sie soðlice sawla nergend, ece ælmihtig, Israhela cining, 800\nwalde widan ferhð wuldres on heofenum, a butan ende ecra gestealda." ða of ðære stowe steam up aras swylce rec under radorum. þær aræred wearð beornes breostsefa. He mid bæm handum, 805\neadig ond ægleaw, upweard plegade. Iudas maþelode, gleaw in geþance: "Nu ic þurh soð hafu seolf gecnawen on heardum hige þæt ðu hælend eart middangeardes. Sie ðe, mægena god, 810\nþrymsittendum þanc butan ende, þæs ðu me swa meðum ond swa manweorcum þurh þin wuldor inwrige wyrda geryno. Nu ic þe, bearn godes, biddan wille, weoroda willgifa, nu ic wat þæt ðu eart 815\ngecyðed ond acenned allra cyninga þrym, þæt ðu ma ne sie minra gylta, þara þe ic gefremede nalles feam siðum, metud, gemyndig. Læt mec, mihta god, on rimtale rices þines 820\nmid haligra hlyte wunigan in þære beorhtan byrig, þær is broðor min geweorðod in wuldre, þæs he wære wið þec, Stephanus, heold, þeah he stangreopum worpod wære. He hafað wigges lean, 825\nblæd butan blinne. Sint in bocum his wundor þa he worhte on gewritum cyðed." Ongan þa wilfægen æfter þam wuldres treo, elnes anhydig, eorðan delfan under turfhagan, þæt he on XX 830\nfotmælum feor funde behelede, under neolum niðer næsse gehydde in þeostorcofan. He ðær III mette in þam reonian hofe roda ætsomne, greote begrauene, swa hio geardagum 835\narleasra sceolu eorðan beþeahton, Iudea cynn. Hie wið godes bearne nið ahofun, swa hie no sceoldon, þær hie leahtra fruman larum ne hyrdon. þa wæs modgemynd myclum geblissod, 840\nhige onhyrded, þurh þæt halige treo, inbryrded breostsefa, syððan beacen geseh, halig under hrusan. He mid handum befeng wuldres wynbeam, ond mid weorode ahof of foldgræfe. Feðegestas 845\neodon, æðelingas, in on þa ceastre. Asetton þa on gesyhðe sigebeamas III eorlas anhydige fore Elenan cneo, collenferhðe. Cwen weorces gefeah on ferhðsefan, ond þa frignan ongan 850\non hwylcum þara beama bearn wealdendes, hæleða hyhtgifa, hangen wære: "Hwæt, we þæt hyrdon þurh halige bec tacnum cyðan, þæt twegen mid him geþrowedon, ond he wæs þridda sylf 855\non rode treo. Rodor eal geswearc on þa sliðan tid. Saga, gif ðu cunne, on hwylcre þyssa þreora þeoden engla geþrowode, þrymmes hyrde." Ne meahte hire Iudas, ne ful gere wiste, 860\nsweotole gecyþan be ðam sigebeame, on hwylcne se hælend ahafen wære, sigebearn godes, ær he asettan heht on þone middel þære mæran byrig beamas mid bearhtme, ond gebidan þær 865\noððæt him gecyðde cyning ælmihtig wundor for weorodum be ðam wuldres treo. Gesæton sigerofe, sang ahofon, rædþeahtende, ymb þa roda þreo oð þa nigoðan tid, hæfdon neowne gefean 870\nmærðum gemeted. þa þær menigo cwom, folc unlytel, ond gefærenne man brohton on bære beorna þreate on neaweste, (wæs þa nigoðe tid), gingne gastleasne. þa ðær Iudas wæs 875\non modsefan miclum geblissod. Heht þa asettan sawlleasne, life belidenes lic on eorðan, unlifgendes, ond up ahof rihtes wemend þara roda twa 880\nfyrhðgleaw on fæðme ofer þæt fæge hus, deophycgende. Hit wæs dead swa ær, lic legere fæst. Leomu colodon þreanedum beþeaht. þa sio þridde wæs ahafen halig. Hra wæs on anbide 885\noððæt him uppan æðelinges wæs rod aræred, rodorcyninges beam, sigebeacen soð. He sona aras gaste gegearwod, geador bu samod lic ond sawl. þær wæs lof hafen 890\nfæger mid þy folce. Fæder weorðodon, ond þone soðan sunu wealdendes wordum heredon. Sie him wuldor ond þanc a butan ende eallra gesceafta! ða wæs þam folce on ferhðsefan, 895\ningemynde, swa him a scyle, wundor þa þe worhte weoroda dryhten to feorhnere fira cynne, lifes lattiow. þa þær ligesynnig on lyft astah lacende feond. 900\nOngan þa hleoðrian helledeofol, eatol æclæca, yfela gemyndig: "Hwæt is þis, la, manna, þe minne eft þurh fyrngeflit folgaþ wyrdeð, iceð ealdne nið, æhta strudeð? 905\nþis is singal sacu. Sawla ne moton manfremmende in minum leng æhtum wunigan. Nu cwom elþeodig, þone ic ær on firenum fæstne talde, hafað mec bereafod rihta gehwylces, 910\nfeohgestreona. Nis ðæt fæger sið. Feala me se hælend hearma gefremede, niða nearolicra, se ðe in Nazareð afeded wæs. Syððan furþum weox of cildhade, symle cirde to him 915\næhte mine. Ne mot ænige nu rihte spowan. Is his rice brad ofer middangeard. Min is geswiðrod ræd under roderum. Ic þa rode ne þearf hleahtre herigean. Hwæt, se hælend me 920\nin þam engan ham oft getynde, geomrum to sorge! Ic þurh Iudas ær hyhtful gewearð, ond nu gehyned eom, goda geasne, þurh Iudas eft, fah ond freondleas. Gen ic findan can 925\nþurh wrohtstafas wiðercyr siððan of ðam wearhtreafum, ic awecce wið ðe oðerne cyning, se ehteð þin, ond he forlæteð lare þine ond manþeawum minum folgaþ, 930\nond þec þonne sendeð in þa sweartestan ond þa wyrrestan witebrogan, þæt ðu, sarum forsoht, wiðsæcest fæste þone ahangnan cyning, þam ðu hyrdest ær." Him ða gleawhydig Iudas oncwæð, 935\nhæleð hildedeor, (him wæs halig gast befolen fæste, fyrhat lufu, weallende gewitt þurh witgan snyttro), ond þæt word gecwæð, wisdomes ful: "Ne þearft ðu swa swiðe, synna gemyndig, 940\nsar niwigan ond sæce ræran, morðres manfrea, þæt þe se mihtiga cyning in neolnesse nyðer bescufeð, synwyrcende, in susla grund domes leasne, se ðe deadra feala 945\nworde awehte. Wite ðu þe gearwor þæt ðu unsnyttrum anforlete leohta beorhtost ond lufan dryhtnes, þone fægran gefean, ond on fyrbæðe suslum beþrungen syððan wunodest, 950\nade onæled, ond þær awa scealt, wiðerhycgende, wergðu dreogan, yrmðu butan ende." Elene gehyrde hu se feond ond se freond geflitu rærdon, tireadig ond trag, on twa halfa, 955\nsynnig ond gesælig. Sefa wæs þe glædra þæs þe heo gehyrde þone hellesceaþan oferswiðedne, synna bryttan, ond þa wundrade ymb þæs weres snyttro, hu he swa geleafful on swa lytlum fæce 960\nond swa uncyðig æfre wurde, gleawnesse þurhgoten. Gode þancode, wuldorcyninge, þæs hire se willa gelamp þurh bearn godes bega gehwæðres, ge æt þære gesyhðe þæs sigebeames, 965\nge ðæs geleafan þe hio swa leohte oncneow, wuldorfæste gife in þæs weres breostum. ða wæs gefrege in þære folcsceare, geond þa werþeode wide læded, mære morgenspel manigum on andan 970\nþara þe dryhtnes æ dyrnan woldon, boden æfter burgum, swa brimo fæðmeð, in ceastra gehwære, þæt Cristes rod, fyrn foldan begræfen, funden wære, selest sigebeacna þara þe sið oððe ær 975\nhalig under heofenum ahafen wurde, ond wæs Iudeum gnornsorga mæst, werum wansæligum, wyrda laðost, þær hie hit for worulde wendan meahton, cristenra gefean. ða sio cwen bebead 980\nofer eorlmægen aras fysan ricene to rade. Sceoldon Romwarena ofer heanne holm hlaford secean ond þam wiggende wilspella mæst seolfum gesecgan, þæt ðæt sigorbeacen 985\nþurh meotodes est meted wære, funden in foldan, þæt ær feala mæla behyded wæs halgum to teonan, cristenum folce. þa ðam cininge wearð þurh þa mæran word mod geblissod, 990\nferhð gefeonde. Næs þa fricgendra under goldhoman gad in burgum, feorran geferede. Wæs him frofra mæst geworden in worlde æt ðam willspelle, hlihende hyge, þe him hereræswan 995\nofer eastwegas, aras brohton, hu gesundne sið ofer swonrade secgas mid sigecwen aseted hæfdon on Creca land. Hie se casere heht ofstum myclum eft gearwian 1000\nsylfe to siðe. Secgas ne gældon syððan andsware edre gehyrdon, æðelinges word. Heht he Elenan hæl abeodan beadurofre, gif hie brim nesen ond gesundne sið settan mosten, 1005\nhæleð hwætmode, to þære halgan byrig. Heht hire þa aras eac gebeodan Constantinus þæt hio cirican þær on þam beorhhliðe begra rædum getimbrede, tempel dryhtnes 1010\non Caluarie Criste to willan, hæleðum to helpe, þær sio halige rod gemeted wæs, mærost beama þara þe gefrugnen foldbuende on eorðwege. Hio geefnde swa, 1015\nsiððan winemagas westan brohton ofer lagufæsten leofspell manig. ða seo cwen bebead cræftum getyde sundor asecean þa selestan, þa þe wrætlicost wyrcan cuðon 1020\nstangefogum, on þam stedewange girwan godes tempel, swa hire gasta weard reord of roderum. Heo þa rode heht golde beweorcean ond gimcynnum, mid þam æðelestum eorcnanstanum 1025\nbesettan searocræftum ond þa in seolfren fæt locum belucan. þær þæt lifes treo, selest sigebeama, siððan wunode æðelum anbræce. þær bið a gearu wraðu wannhalum wita gehwylces, 1030\nsæce ond sorge. Hie sona þær þurh þa halgan gesceaft helpe findaþ, godcunde gife. Swylce Iudas onfeng æfter fyrstmearce fulwihtes bæð, ond geclænsod wearð Criste getrywe, 1035\nlifwearde leof. His geleafa wearð fæst on ferhðe, siððan frofre gast wic gewunode in þæs weres breostum, bylde to bote. He þæt betere geceas, wuldres wynne, ond þam wyrsan wiðsoc, 1040\ndeofulgildum, ond gedwolan fylde, unrihte æ. Him wearð ece rex, meotud milde, god, mihta wealdend. þa wæs gefulwad se ðe ær feala tida leoht gearu 1045\ninbryrded breostsefa on þæt betere lif, gewended to wuldre. Huru, wyrd gescreaf þæt he swa geleaffull ond swa leof gode in worldrice weorðan sceolde, Criste gecweme. þæt gecyðed wearð, 1050\nsiððan Elene heht Eusebium on rædgeþeaht, Rome bisceop, gefetian on fultum, forðsnoterne, hæleða gerædum to þære halgan byrig, þæt he gesette on sacerdhad 1055\nin Ierusalem Iudas þam folce to bisceope burgum on innan, þurh gastes gife to godes temple cræftum gecorene, ond hine Cyriacus þurh snyttro geþeaht syððan nemde 1060\nniwan stefne. Nama wæs gecyrred beornes in burgum on þæt betere forð, æ hælendes. þa gen Elenan wæs mod gemynde ymb þa mæran wyrd, geneahhe for þam næglum þe ðæs nergendes 1065\nfet þurhwodon ond his folme swa some, mid þam on rode wæs rodera wealdend gefæstnod, frea mihtig. Be ðam frignan ongan cristenra cwen, Cyriacus bæd þæt hire þa gina gastes mihtum 1070\nymb wundorwyrd willan gefylde, onwrige wuldorgifum, ond þæt word acwæð to þam bisceope, bald reordode: "þu me, eorla hleo, þone æðelan beam, rode rodera cininges ryhte getæhtesð, 1075\non þa ahangen wæs hæðenum folmum gasta geocend, godes agen bearn, nerigend fira. Mec þæra nægla gen on fyrhðsefan fyrwet myngaþ. Wolde ic þæt ðu funde þa ðe in foldan gen 1080\ndeope bedolfen dierne sindon, heolstre behyded. A min hige sorgað, reonig reoteð, ond geresteð no ærþan me gefylle fæder ælmihtig, wereda wealdend, willan minne, 1085\nniða nergend, þurh þara nægla cyme, halig of hiehða. Nu ðu hrædlice eallum eaðmedum, ar selesta, þine bene onsend in ða beorhtan gesceaft, on wuldres wyn. Bide wigena þrym 1090\nþæt þe gecyðe, cyning ælmihtig, hord under hrusan þæt gehyded gen, duguðum dyrne, deogol bideð." þa se halga ongan hyge staðolian, breostum onbryrded, bisceop þæs folces. 1095\nGlædmod eode gumena þreate god hergendra, ond þa geornlice Cyriacus on Caluariæ hleor onhylde, hygerune ne mað, gastes mihtum to gode cleopode 1100\neallum eaðmedum, bæd him engla weard geopenigean uncuðe wyrd, niwan on nearwe, hwær he þara nægla swiðost on þam wangstede wenan þorfte. Leort ða tacen forð, þær hie to sægon, 1105\nfæder, frofre gast, ðurh fyres bleo up eðigean þær þa æðelestan hæleða gerædum hydde wæron þurh nearusearwe, næglas on eorðan. ða cwom semninga sunnan beorhtra 1110\nlacende lig. Leode gesawon hira willgifan wundor cyðan, ða ðær of heolstre, swylce heofonsteorran oððe goldgimmas, grunde getenge, næglas of nearwe neoðan scinende 1115\nleohte lixton. Leode gefægon, weorud willhreðig, sægdon wuldor gode ealle anmode, þeah hie ær wæron þurh deofles spild in gedwolan lange, acyrred fram Criste. Hie cwædon þus: 1120\n"Nu we seolfe geseoð sigores tacen, soðwundor godes, þeah we wiðsocun ær mid leasingum. Nu is in leoht cymen, onwrigen, wyrda bigang. Wuldor þæs age on heannesse heofonrices god!" 1125\nða wæs geblissod se ðe to bote gehwearf þurh bearn godes, bisceop þara leoda, niwan stefne. He þam næglum onfeng, egesan geaclod, ond þære arwyrðan cwene brohte. Hæfde Ciriacus 1130\neall gefylled, swa him seo æðele bebead, wifes willan. þa wæs wopes hring, hat heafodwylm ofer hleor goten, (nalles for torne tearas feollon ofer wira gespon), wuldres gefylled 1135\ncwene willa. Heo on cneow sette leohte geleafan, lac weorðode, blissum hremig, þe hire brungen wæs gnyrna to geoce. Gode þancode, sigora dryhtne, þæs þe hio soð gecneow 1140\nondweardlice þæt wæs oft bodod feor ær beforan fram fruman worulde, folcum to frofre. Heo gefylled wæs wisdomes gife, ond þa wic beheold halig heofonlic gast, hreðer weardode, 1145\næðelne innoð, swa hie ælmihtig sigebearn godes sioððan freoðode. Ongan þa geornlice gastgerynum on sefan secean soðfæstnesse weg to wuldre. Huru, weroda god 1150\ngefullæste, fæder on roderum, cining ælmihtig, þæt seo cwen begeat willan in worulde. Wæs se witedom þurh fyrnwitan beforan sungen eall æfter orde, swa hit eft gelamp 1155\nðinga gehwylces. þeodcwen ongan þurh gastes gife georne secan nearwe geneahhe, to hwan hio þa næglas selost ond deorlicost gedon meahte, dugoðum to hroðer, hwæt þæs wære dryhtnes willa. 1160\nHeht ða gefetigean forðsnotterne ricene to rune, þone þe rædgeþeaht þurh gleawe miht georne cuðe, frodne on ferhðe, ond hine frignan ongan hwæt him þæs on sefan selost þuhte 1165\nto gelæstenne, ond his lare geceas þurh þeodscipe. He hire þriste oncwæð: "þæt is gedafenlic þæt ðu dryhtnes word on hyge healde, halige rune, cwen seleste, ond þæs cininges bebod 1170\ngeorne begange, nu þe god sealde sawle sigesped ond snyttro cræft, nerigend fira. þu ðas næglas hat þam æðelestan eorðcyninga burgagendra on his bridels don, 1175\nmeare to midlum. þæt manigum sceall geond middangeard mære weorðan, þonne æt sæcce mid þy oferswiðan mæge feonda gehwylcne, þonne fyrdhwate on twa healfe tohtan secaþ, 1180\nsweordgeniðlan, þær hie ymb sige winnað, wrað wið wraðum. He ah æt wigge sped, sigor æt sæcce, ond sybbe gehwær, æt gefeohte frið, se ðe foran lædeð bridels on blancan, þonne beadurofe 1185\næt garþræce, guman gecoste, berað bord ond ord. þis bið beorna gehwam wið æglæce unoferswiðed wæpen æt wigge. Be ðam se witga sang, snottor searuþancum, (sefa deop gewod, 1190\nwisdomes gewitt), he þæt word gecwæð: 'Cuþ þæt gewyrðeð þæt þæs cyninges sceal mearh under modegum midlum geweorðod, bridelshringum. Bið þæt beacen gode halig nemned, ond se hwæteadig, 1195\nwigge weorðod, se þæt wicg byrð.'" þa þæt ofstlice eall gelæste Elene for eorlum. æðelinges heht, beorna beaggifan, bridels frætwan, hire selfre suna sende to lace 1200\nofer geofenes stream gife unscynde. Heht þa tosomne þa heo seleste mid Iudeum gumena wiste, hæleða cynnes, to þære halgan byrig cuman in þa ceastre. þa seo cwen ongan 1205\nlæran leofra heap þæt hie lufan dryhtnes, ond sybbe swa same sylfra betweonum, freondræddenne, fæste gelæston leahtorlease in hira lifes tid, ond þæs latteowes larum hyrdon, 1210\ncristenum þeawum, þe him Cyriacus bude, boca gleaw. Wæs se bissceophad fægere befæsted. Oft him feorran to laman, limseoce, lefe cwomon, healte, heorudreorige, hreofe ond blinde, 1215\nheane, hygegeomre, symle hælo þær æt þam bisceope, bote fundon ece to aldre. ða gen him Elene forgeaf sincweorðunga, þa hio wæs siðes fus eft to eðle, ond þa eallum bebead 1220\non þam gumrice god hergendum, werum ond wifum, þæt hie weorðeden mode ond mægene þone mæran dæg, heortan gehigdum, in ðam sio halige rod gemeted wæs, mærost beama 1225\nþara þe of eorðan up aweoxe, geloden under leafum. Wæs þa lencten agan butan VI nihtum ær sumeres cyme on Maias kalend. Sie þara manna gehwam behliden helle duru, heofones ontyned, 1230\nece geopenad engla rice, dream unhwilen, ond hira dæl scired mid Marian, þe on gemynd nime þære deorestan dægweorðunga rode under roderum, þa se ricesta 1235\nealles oferwealdend earme beþeahte. Finit. þus ic frod ond fus þurh þæt fæcne hus wordcræftum wæf ond wundrum læs, þragum þreodude ond geþanc reodode nihtes nearwe. Nysse ic gearwe 1240\nbe ðære rode riht ær me rumran geþeaht þurh ða mæran miht on modes þeaht wisdom onwreah. Ic wæs weorcum fah, synnum asæled, sorgum gewæled, bitrum gebunden, bisgum beþrungen, 1245\nær me lare onlag þurh leohtne had gamelum to geoce, gife unscynde mægencyning amæt ond on gemynd begeat, torht ontynde, tidum gerymde, bancofan onband, breostlocan onwand, 1250\nleoðucræft onleac. þæs ic lustum breac, willum in worlde. Ic þæs wuldres treowes oft, nales æne, hæfde ingemynd ær ic þæt wundor onwrigen hæfde ymb þone beorhtan beam, swa ic on bocum fand, 1255\nwyrda gangum, on gewritum cyðan be ðam sigebeacne. A wæs secg oð ðæt cnyssed cearwelmum, drusende, þeah he in medohealle maðmas þege, æplede gold. gnornode 1260\ngefera, nearusorge dreah, enge rune, þær him fore milpaðas mæt, modig þrægde wirum gewlenced. is geswiðrad, gomen æfter gearum, geogoð is gecyrred, 1265\nald onmedla. wæs geara geogoðhades glæm. Nu synt geardagas æfter fyrstmearce forð gewitene, lifwynne geliden, swa toglideð, flodas gefysde. æghwam bið 1270\nlæne under lyfte; landes frætwe gewitaþ under wolcnum winde geliccost, þonne he for hæleðum hlud astigeð, wæðeð be wolcnum, wedende færeð ond eft semninga swige gewyrðeð, 1275\nin nedcleofan nearwe geheaðrod, þream forþrycced. Swa a þeos world eall gewiteð, ond eac swa some þe hire on wurdon atydrede, tionleg nimeð, 1280\nðonne dryhten sylf dom geseceð engla weorude. Sceall æghwylc ðær reordberendra riht gehyran dæda gehwylcra þurh þæs deman muð, ond worda swa same wed gesyllan, 1285\neallra unsnyttro ær gesprecenra, þristra geþonca. þonne on þreo dæleð in fyres feng folc anra gehwylc, þara þe gewurdon on widan feore ofer sidne grund. Soðfæste bioð 1290\nyfemest in þam ade, eadigra gedryht, duguð domgeorne, swa hie adreogan magon ond butan earfeðum eaðe geþolian, modigra mægen. Him gemetgaþ eall ældes leoma, swa him eðost bið, 1295\nsylfum geseftost. Synfulle beoð, mane gemengde, in ðam midle þread, hæleð higegeomre, in hatne wylm, þrosme beþehte. Bið se þridda dæl, awyrgede womsceaðan, in þæs wylmes grund, 1300\nlease leodhatan, lige befæsted þurh ærgewyrht, arleasra sceolu, in gleda gripe. Gode no syððan of ðam morðorhofe in gemynd cumað, wuldorcyninge, ac hie worpene beoð 1305\nof ðam heaðuwylme in hellegrund, torngeniðlan. Bið þam twam dælum ungelice. Moton engla frean geseon, sigora god. Hie asodene beoð, asundrod fram synnum, swa smæte gold 1310\nþæt in wylme bið womma gehwylces þurh ofnes fyr eall geclænsod, amered ond gemylted. Swa bið þara manna ælc ascyred ond asceaden scylda gehwylcre, deopra firena, þurh þæs domes fyr. 1315\nMoton þonne siðþan sybbe brucan, eces eadwelan. Him bið engla weard milde ond bliðe, þæs ðe hie mana gehwylc forsawon, synna weorc, ond to suna metudes wordum cleopodon. Forðan hie nu on wlite scinaþ 1320\nenglum gelice, yrfes brucaþ wuldorcyninges to widan feore. Amen.