# Gecyndbēc Lēoþ

Old English verse translation of the Biblical Book of Genesis. Compare the Old English translation of Exodus: Ūtfæreldes Lēoþ.
Us is riht micelðæt we rodera weard,
wereda wuldorcining,wordum herigen,
modum lufien!He is mægna sped,
heafod ealraheahgesceafta,
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frea ælmihtig.Næs him fruma æfre,
or geworden,ne nu ende cymþ
ecean drihtnes,ac he bið a rice
ofer heofenstolas.Heagum þrymmum
soðfæst and swiðfeormsweglbosmas heold,
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þa wæron gesettewide and side
þurh geweald godeswuldres bearnum,
gasta weardum.Hæfdon gleam and dream,
and heora ordfruman,engla þreatas,
beorhte blisse.Wæs heora blæd micel!
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þegnas þrymfæsteþeoden heredon,
sægdon lustum lof,heora liffrean
demdon, drihtenesdugeþum wæron
swiðe gesælige.Synna ne cuþon,
firena fremman,ac hie on friðe lifdon,
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ece mid heora aldor.Elles ne ongunnon
ræran on roderumnymþe riht and soþ,
ærðon engla weardfor oferhygde
dwæl on gedwilde.Noldan dreogan leng
heora selfra ræd,ac hie of siblufan
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godes ahwurfon.Hæfdon gielp micel
þæt hie wið drihtnedælan meahton
wuldorfæstan wicwerodes þrymme,
sid and swegltorht.Him þær sar gelamp,
æfst and oferhygd,and þæs engles mod
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þe þone unræd onganærest fremman,
wefan and weccean,þa he worde cwæð,
niþes ofþyrsted,þæt he on norðdæle
ham and heahsetlheofena rices
agan wolde.þa wearð yrre god
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and þam werode wraðþe he ær wurðode
wlite and wuldre.Sceop þam werlogan
wræclicne hamweorce to leane,
helleheafas,hearde niðas.
Heht þæt witehuswræcna bidan,
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deop, dreama leas,drihten ure,
gasta weardas,þa he hit geare wiste,
synnihte beseald,susle geinnod,
geondfolen fyreand færcyle,
rece and reade lege.Heht þa geond þæt rædlease hof
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weaxan witebrogan.Hæfdon hie wrohtgeteme
grimme wið god gesomnod;him þæs grim lean becom!
Cwædon þæt heo rice,reðemode,
agan woldan,and swa eaðe meahtan.
Him seo wen geleah,siððan waldend his,
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heofona heahcining,honda arærde,
hehste wið þam herge.Ne mihton hygelease,
mæne wið metode,mægyn bryttigan,
ac him se mæramod getwæfde,
bælc forbigde.þa he gebolgen wearð,
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besloh synsceaþansigore and gewealde,
dome and dugeðe,and dreame benam
his feond, friðoand gefean ealle,
torhte tire,and his torn gewræc
on gesacum swiðeselfes mihtum
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strengum stiepe.Hæfde styrne mod,
gegremed grymme,grap on wraðe
faum folmum,and him on fæðm gebræc
yrre on mode;æðele bescyrede
his wiðerbrecanwuldorgestealdum.
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Sceof þa and scyredescyppend ure
oferhidig cynengla of heofnum,
wærleas werod.Waldend sende
laðwendne hereon langne sið,
geomre gastas;wæs him gylp forod,
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beot forborsten,and forbiged þrym,
wlite gewemmed.Heo on wrace syððan
seomodon swearte,siðe ne þorfton
hlude hlihhan,ac heo helltregum
werige wunodonand wean cuðon,
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sar and sorge,susl þrowedon
þystrum beþeahte,þearl æfterlean
þæs þe heo ongunnonwið gode winnan.
þa wæs soð swa ærsibb on heofnum,
fægre freoþoþeawas,frea eallum leof,
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þeoden his þegnum;þrymmas weoxon
duguða mid drihtne,dreamhæbbendra.
Wæron þa gesome,þa þe swegl buað,
wuldres eðel.Wroht wæs asprungen,
oht mid englumand orlegnið,
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siððan herewosanheofon ofgæfon,
leohte belorene.Him on laste setl,
wuldorspedum welig,wide stodan
gifum growendeon godes rice,
beorht and geblædfæst,buendra leas,
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siððan wræcstowewerige gastas
under hearmlocanheane geforan.
þa þeahtodeþeoden ure
modgeþonce,hu he þa mæran gesceaft,
eðelstaðolaseft gesette,
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swegltorhtan seld,selran werode,
þa hie gielpsceaþanofgifen hæfdon,
heah on heofenum.Forþam halig god
under roderas feng,ricum mihtum,
wolde þæt him eorðeand uproder
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and sid wætergeseted wurde
woruldgesceafteon wraðra gield,
þara þe forhealdeneof hleo sende.
Ne wæs her þa gietnymþe heolstersceado
wiht geworden,ac þes wida grund
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stod deop and dim,drihtne fremde,
idel and unnyt.On þone eagum wlat
stiðfrihþ cining,and þa stowe beheold,
dreama lease,geseah deorc gesweorc
semian sinnihtesweart under roderum,
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wonn and weste,oðþæt þeos woruldgesceaft
þurh word gewearðwuldorcyninges.
Her ærest gesceopece drihten,
helm eallwihta,heofon and eorðan,
rodor arærde,and þis rume land
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gestaþelodestrangum mihtum,
frea ælmihtig.Folde wæs þa gyta
græs ungrene;garsecg þeahte
sweart synnihte,side and wide,
wonne wægas.þa wæs wuldortorht
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heofonweardes gastofer holm boren
miclum spedum.Metod engla heht,
lifes brytta,leoht forð cuman
ofer rumne grund.Raþe wæs gefylled
heahcininges hæs;him wæs halig leoht
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ofer westenne,swa se wyrhta bebead.
þa gesundrodesigora waldend
ofer laguflodeleoht wið þeostrum,
sceade wið sciman.Sceop þa bam naman,
lifes brytta.Leoht wæs ærest
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þurh drihtnes worddæg genemned,
wlitebeorhte gesceaft.Wel licode
frean æt frymðeforþbæro tid,
dæg æresta;geseah deorc sceado
sweart swiðriangeond sidne grund.
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þa seo tid gewatofer timber sceacan
middangeardes,metod æfter sceaf
scirum sciman,scippend ure,
æfen ærest.Him arn on last,
þrang þystre genip,þam þe se þeoden self
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sceop nihte naman.Nergend ure
hie gesundrode;siððan æfre
drugon and dydondrihtnes willan,
ece ofer eorðan.ða com oðer dæg,
leoht æfter þeostrum.Heht þa lifes weard
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on mereflodemiddum weorðan
hyhtlic heofontimber.Holmas dælde
waldend ureand geworhte þa
roderas fæsten;þæt se rica ahof
up from eorðanþurh his agen word,
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frea ælmihtig.Flod wæs adæled
under heahrodorehalgum mihtum,
wæter of wætrum,þam þe wuniað gyt
under fæstennefolca hrofes.
þa com ofer foldanfus siðian
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mære mergen þridda.Næron metode ða gyta
widlond ne wegas nytte,ac stod bewrigen fæste
folde mid flode.Frea engla heht
þurh his word wesanwæter gemæne,
þa nu under roderumheora ryne healdað,
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stowe gestefnde.ða stod hraðe
holm under heofonum,swa se halga bebead,
sid ætsomne,ða gesundrod wæs
lago wið lande.Geseah þa lifes weard
drige stowe,dugoða hyrde,
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wide æteowde,þa se wuldorcyning
eorðan nemde.Gesette yðum heora
onrihtne ryne,rumum flode,
and gefetero... Ne þuhte þa gerysnerodora wearde,
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þæt Adam lengana wære
neorxnawonges,niwre gesceafte,
hyrde and healdend.Forþon him heahcyning,
frea ælmihtigfultum tiode;
wif aweahteand þa wraðe sealde,
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lifes leohtfruma,leofum rince.
He þæt andweorcof Adames
lice aleoðode,and him listum ateah
rib of sidan.He wæs reste fæst,
and softe swæf,sar ne wiste,
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earfoða dæl,ne þær ænig com
blod of benne,ac him brego engla
of lice ateahliodende ban,
wer unwundod,of þam worhte god
freolice fæmnan.Feorh in gedyde,
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ece saula.Heo wæron englum gelice,
þa wæs Eue,Adames bryd,
gaste gegearwod.Hie on geogoðe bu
wlitebeorht wæronon woruld cenned
meotodes mihtum.Man ne cuðon
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don ne dreogan,ac him drihtnes wæs
bam on breostumbyrnende lufu.
þa gebletsodebliðheort cyning,
metod alwihta,monna cynnes
ða forman twa,fæder and moder,
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wif and wæpned.He þa worde cwæð:
"Temað nu and wexað,tudre fyllað
eorðan ælgrene,incre cynne,
sunum and dohtrum.Inc sceal sealt wæter
wunian on gewealdeand eall worulde gesceaft.
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Brucað blæddagaand brimhlæste
and heofonfugla.Inc is halig feoh
and wilde deoron geweald geseald,
and lifigende,ða ðe land tredað,
feorheaceno cynn,ða ðe flod wecceð
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geond hronrade.Inc hyrað eall."
þa sceawodescyppend ure
his weorca wliteand his wæstma blæd,
niwra gesceafta.Neorxnawong stod
god and gastlic,gifena gefylled
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fremum forðweardum.Fægere leohte
þæt liðe landlago yrnende,
wylleburne.Nalles wolcnu ða giet
ofer rumne grundregnas bæron,
wann mid winde,hwæðre wæstmum stod
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folde gefrætwod.Heoldon forðryne
eastreamas heoraæðele feower
of þam niwanneorxnawonge.
þa wæron adælededrihtnes mihtum
ealle of anum,þa he þas eorðan gesceop,
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wætre wlitebeorhtum,and on woruld sende.
þæra anne hatað ylde,eorðbuende,
Fison folcweras;se foldan dæl
brade bebugeðbeorhtum streamum
Hebeleac utan.On þære eðyltyrf
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niððas findaðnean and feorran
gold and gymcynn,gumþeoda bearn,
ða selestan,þæs þe us secgað bec.
þonne seo æftreEthiopia
land and liodgeardbeligeð uton,
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ginne rice,þære is Geon noma.
þridda is Tigris,seo wið þeodscipe,
ea inflede,Assiriæ belið.
Swilce is seo feorðe,þa nu geond folc monig
weras Eufratenwide nemnað.
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"ac niotað inc þæs oðres ealles,forlætað þone ænne beam,
wariað inc wið þone wæstm.Ne wyrð inc wilna gæd."
Hnigon þa mid heafdumheofoncyninge
georne togenesand sædon ealles þanc,
lista and þara lara.He let heo þæt land buan,
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hwærf him þa to heofenumhalig drihten,
stiðferhð cyning.Stod his handgeweorc
somod on sande,nyston sorga wiht
to begrornianne,butan heo godes willan
lengest læsten.Heo wæron leof gode
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ðenden heo his halige wordhealdan woldon.
Hæfde se alwaldaengelcynna
þurh handmægen,halig drihten,
tene getrimede,þæm he getruwode wel
þæt hie his giongorscipefyligan wolden,
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wyrcean his willan,forþon he him gewit forgeaf
and mid his handum gesceop,halig drihten.
Gesett hæfde he hie swa gesæliglice,ænne hæfde he swa swiðne geworhtne,
swa mihtigne on his modgeþohte,he let hine swa micles wealdan,
hehstne to him on heofona rice,hæfde he hine swa hwitne geworhtne,
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swa wynlic wæs his wæstm on heofonumþæt him com from weroda drihtne,
gelic wæs he þam leohtum steorrum.Lof sceolde he drihtnes wyrcean,
dyran sceolde he his dreamas on heofonum,and sceolde his drihtne þancian
þæs leanes þe he him on þam leohte gesceredeþonne læte he his hine lange wealdan.
Ac he awende hit him to wyrsan þinge,ongan him winn up ahebban
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wið þone hehstan heofnes waldend,þe siteð on þam halgan stole.
Deore wæs he drihtne urum;ne mihte him bedyrned weorðan
þæt his engyl onganofermod wesan,
ahof hine wið his hearran,sohte hetespræce,
gylpword ongean,nolde gode þeowian,
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cwæð þæt his lic wæreleoht and scene,
hwit and hiowbeorht.Ne meahte he æt his hige findan
þæt he gode woldegeongerdome,
þeodne þeowian.þuhte him sylfum
þæt he mægyn and cræftmaran hæfde
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þonne se halga godhabban mihte
folcgestælna.Feala worda gespæc
se engel ofermodes.þohte þurh his anes cræft
hu he him strenglicranstol geworhte,
heahran on heofonum;cwæð þæt hine his hige speone
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þæt he west and norðwyrcean ongunne,
trymede getimbro;cwæð him tweo þuhte
þæt he gode woldegeongra weorðan.
"Hwæt sceal ic winnan?" cwæð he."Nis me wihtæ þearf
hearran to habbanne.Ic mæg mid handum swa fela
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wundra gewyrcean.Ic hæbbe geweald micel
to gyrwannegodlecran stol,
hearran on heofne.Hwy sceal ic æfter his hyldo ðeowian,
bugan him swilces geongordomes?Ic mæg wesan god swa he.
Bigstandað me strange geneatas,þa ne willað me æt þam striðe geswican,
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hæleþas heardmode.Hie habbað me to hearran gecorene,
rofe rincas;mid swilcum mæg man ræd geþencean,
fon mid swilcum folcgesteallan.Frynd synd hie mine georne,
holde on hyra hygesceaftum.Ic mæg hyra hearra wesan,
rædan on þis rice.Swa me þæt riht ne þinceð,
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þæt ic oleccanawiht þurfe
gode æfter gode ænegum.Ne wille ic leng his geongra wurþan."
þa hit se allwaldaeall gehyrde,
þæt his engyl onganofermede micel
ahebban wið his hearranand spræc healic word
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dollice wið drihten sinne,sceolde he þa dæd ongyldan,
worc þæs gewinnes gedælan,and sceolde his wite habban,
ealra morðra mæst.Swa deð monna gehwilc
þe wið his waldendwinnan ongynneð
mid mane wið þone mæran drihten.þa wearð se mihtiga gebolgen,
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hehsta heofones waldend,wearp hine of þan hean stole.
Hete hæfde he æt his hearran gewunnen,hyldo hæfde his ferlorene,
gram wearð him se goda on his mode.Forþon he sceolde grund gesecean
heardes hellewites,þæs þe he wann wið heofnes waldend.
Acwæð hine þa fram his hyldoand hine on helle wearp,
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on þa deopan dala,þær he to deofle wearð,
se feond mid his geferum eallum.Feollon þa ufon of heofnum
þurhlonge swaþreo niht and dagas,
þa englas of heofnum on helle,and heo ealle forsceop
drihten to deoflum.Forþon heo his dæd and word
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noldon weorðian,forþon he heo on wyrse leoht
under eorðan neoðan,ællmihtig god,
sette sigeleaseon þa sweartan helle.
þær hæbbað heo on æfynungemet lange,
ealra feonda gehwilc,fyr edneowe,
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þonne cymð on uhtaneasterne wind,
forst fyrnum cald.Symble fyr oððe gar,
sum heard geswinchabban sceoldon.
Worhte man hit him to wite,(hyra woruld wæs gehwyrfed),
forman siðe,fylde helle
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mid þam andsacum.Heoldon englas forð
heofonrices hehðe,þe ær godes hyldo gelæston.
Lagon þa oðre fynd on þam fyre,þe ær swa feala hæfdon
gewinnes wið heora waldend.Wite þoliað,
hatne heaðowelmhelle tomiddes,
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brand and brade ligas,swilce eac þa biteran recas,
þrosm and þystro,forþon hie þegnscipe
godes forgymdon.Hie hyra gal beswac,
engles oferhygd,noldon alwaldan
word weorþian,hæfdon wite micel,
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wæron þa befeallenefyre to botme
on þa hatan hellþurh hygeleaste
and þurh ofermetto,sohton oþer land,
þæt wæs leohtes leasand wæs liges full,
fyres fær micel.Fynd ongeaton
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þæt hie hæfdon gewrixledwita unrim
þurh heora miclan modand þurh miht godes
and þurh ofermettoealra swiðost.
þa spræc se ofermoda cyning,þe ær wæs engla scynost,
hwitost on heofneand his hearran leof,
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drihtne dyre,oð hie to dole wurdon,
þæt him for galscipegod sylfa wearð
mihtig on mode yrre.Wearp hine on þæt morðer innan,
niðer on þæt niobedd,and sceop him naman siððan,
cwæð se hehstahatan sceolde
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Satan siððan,het hine þære sweartan helle
grundes gyman,nalles wið god winnan.
Satan maðelode,sorgiende spræc,
se ðe helle forðhealdan sceolde,
gieman þæs grundes.Wæs ær godes engel,
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hwit on heofne,oð hine his hyge forspeon
and his ofermettoealra swiðost,
þæt he ne woldewereda drihtnes
word wurðian.Weoll him on innan
hyge ymb his heortan,hat wæs him utan
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wraðlic wite.He þa worde cwæð:
"Is þæs ænga stydeungelic swiðe
þam oðrum hamþe we ær cuðon,
hean on heofonrice,þe me min hearra onlag,
þeah we hine for þam alwaldanagan ne moston,
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romigan ures rices.Næfð he þeah riht gedon
þæt he us hæfð befælledfyre to botme,
helle þære hatan,heofonrice benumen;
hafað hit gemearcodmid moncynne
to gesettanne.þæt me is sorga mæst,
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þæt Adam sceal,þe wæs of eorðan geworht,
minne stronglicanstol behealdan,
wesan him on wynne,and we þis wite þolien,
hearm on þisse helle.Wa la, ahte ic minra handa geweald
and moste ane tidute weorðan,
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wesan ane winterstunde,þonne ic mid þys werode--
Ac licgað me ymbeirenbenda,
rideð racentan sal.Ic eom rices leas;
habbað me swa heardehelle clommas
fæste befangen.Her is fyr micel,
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ufan and neoðone.Ic a ne geseah
laðran landscipe.Lig ne aswamað,
hat ofer helle.Me habbað hringa gespong,
sliðhearda salsiðes amyrred,
afyrred me min feðe;fet synt gebundene,
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handa gehæfte.Synt þissa heldora
wegas forworhte,swa ic mid wihte ne mæg
of þissum lioðobendum.Licgað me ymbe
heardes ireneshate geslægene
grindlas greate.Mid þy me god hafað
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gehæfted be þam healse,swa ic wat he minne hige cuðe;
and þæt wiste eacweroda drihten,
þæt sceolde unc Adameyfele gewurðan
ymb þæt heofonrice,þær ic ahte minra handa geweald.
Ac ðoliaþ we nu þrea on helle,(þæt syndon þystro and hæto),
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grimme, grundlease.Hafað us god sylfa
forswapen on þas sweartan mistas;swa he us ne mæg ænige synne gestælan,
þæt we him on þam lande lað gefremedon,he hæfð us þeah þæs leohtes bescyrede,
beworpen on ealra wita mæste.Ne magon we þæs wrace gefremman,
geleanian him mid laðes wihteþæt he us hafað þæs leohtes bescyrede.
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He hæfð nu gemearcod anne middangeard,þær he hæfð mon geworhtne
æfter his onlicnesse.Mid þam he wile eft gesettan
heofona rice mid hluttrum saulum.We þæs sculon hycgan georne,
þæt we on Adame,gif we æfre mægen,
and on his eafrum swa some,andan gebetan,
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onwendan him þær willan sines,gif we hit mægen wihte aþencan.
Ne gelyfe ic me nu þæs leohtes furðorþæs þe he him þenceð lange niotan,
þæs eades mid his engla cræfte.Ne magon we þæt on aldre gewinnan,
þæt we mihtiges godes mod onwæcen.Uton oðwendan hit nu monna bearnum,
þæt heofonrice, nu we hit habban ne moton,gedon þæt hie his hyldo forlæten,
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þæt hie þæt onwendon þæt he mid his worde bebead.þonne weorð he him wrað on mode,
ahwet hie from his hyldo.þonne sculon hie þas helle secan
and þas grimman grundas.þonne moton we hie us to giongrum habban,
fira bearn on þissum fæstum clomme.Onginnað nu ymb þa fyrde þencean!
Gif ic ænegum þægneþeodenmadmas
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geara forgeafe,þenden we on þan godan rice
gesælige sætonand hæfdon ure setla geweald,
þonne he me na on leofran tidleanum ne meahte
mine gife gyldan,gif his gien wolde
minra þegna hwilcgeþafa wurðan,
415
þæt he up heononute mihte
cuman þurh þas clustro,and hæfde cræft mid him
þæt he mid feðerhomanfleogan meahte,
windan on wolcne,þær geworht stondað
Adam and Eueon eorðrice
420
mid welan bewunden,and we synd aworpene hider
on þas deopan dalo.Nu hie drihtne synt
wurðran micle,and moton him þone welan agan
þe we on heofonricehabban sceoldon,
rice mid rihte;is se ræd gescyred
425
monna cynne.þæt me is on minum mode swa sar,
on minum hyge hreoweð,þæt hie heofonrice
agan to aldre.Gif hit eower ænig mæge
gewendan mid wihteþæt hie word godes
lare forlæten,sona hie him þe laðran beoð.
430
Gif hie brecað his gebodscipe,þonne he him abolgen wurðeþ;
siððan bið him se wela onwendedand wyrð him wite gegarwod,
sum heard hearmscearu.Hycgað his ealle,
hu ge hi beswicen!Siððan ic me sefte mæg
restan on þyssum racentum,gif him þæt rice losað.
435
Se þe þæt gelæsteð,him bið lean gearo
æfter to aldre,þæs we her inne magon
on þyssum fyre forðfremena gewinnan.
Sittan læte ic hine wið me sylfne,swa hwa swa þæt secgan cymeð
on þas hatan helle,þæt hie heofoncyninges
440
unwurðlicewordum and dædum
lare" Angan hine þa gyrwangodes andsaca,
fus on frætwum,(hæfde fæcne hyge),
hæleðhelm on heafod asetteand þone full hearde geband,
445
spenn mid spangum;wiste him spræca fela,
wora worda.Wand him up þanon,
hwearf him þurh þa helldora,(hæfde hyge strangne),
leolc on lyftelaþwendemod,
swang þæt fyr on twafeondes cræfte;
450
wolde dearnungadrihtnes geongran,
mid mandædummen beswican,
forlædan and forlæran,þæt hie wurdon lað gode.
He þa geferdeþurh feondes cræft
oððæt he Adamon eorðrice,
455
godes handgesceaft,gearone funde,
wislice geworht,and his wif somed,
freo fægroste,swa hie fela cuðon
godes gegearwigean,þa him to gingran self
metod mancynnesmearcode selfa.
460
And him bi tweginbeamas stodon
þa wæron utanofætes gehlædene,
gewered mid wæstme,swa hie waldend god,
heah heofoncyninghandum gesette,
þæt þær yldo bearnmoste on ceosan
465
godes and yfeles,gumena æghwilc,
welan and wawan.Næs se wæstm gelic!
Oðer wæs swa wynlic,wlitig and scene,
liðe and lofsum,þæt wæs lifes beam;
moste on ecnisseæfter lybban,
470
wesan on worulde,se þæs wæstmes onbat,
swa him æfter þyyldo ne derede,
ne suht sware,ac moste symle wesan
lungre on lustumand his lif agan,
hyldo heofoncyningesher on worulde,
475
habban him to wæronwitode geþingþo
on þone hean heofon,þonne he heonon wende.
þonne wæs se oðereallenga sweart,
dim and þystre;þæt wæs deaðes beam,
se bær bitres fela.Sceolde bu witan
480
ylda æghwilcyfles and godes
gewand on þisse worulde.Sceolde on wite a
mid swate and mid sorgumsiððan libban,
swa hwa swa gebyrgdeþæs on þam beame geweox.
Sceolde hine yldo benimanellendæda,
485
dreamas and drihtscipes,and him beon deað scyred.
Lytle hwilesceolde he his lifes niotan,
secan þonne landasweartost on fyre.
Sceolde feondum þeowian,þær is ealra frecna mæste
leodum to langre hwile.þæt wiste se laða georne,
490
dyrne deofles bodaþe wið drihten wann.
Wearp hine þa on wyrmes licand wand him þa ymbutan
þone deaðes beamþurh deofles cræft,
genam þær þæs ofætesand wende hine eft þanon
þær he wiste handgeweorcheofoncyninges.
495
Ongon hine þa frinanforman worde
se laða mid ligenum:"Langað þe awuht,
Adam, up to gode?Ic eom on his ærende hider
feorran gefered,ne þæt nu fyrn ne wæs
þæt ic wið hine sylfne sæt.þa het he me on þysne sið faran,
500
het þæt þu þisses ofætes æte,cwæð þæt þin abal and cræft
and þin modsefamara wurde,
and þin lichomaleohtra micle,
þin gesceapu scenran,cwæð þæt þe æniges sceattes ðearf
ne wurde on worulde.Nu þu willan hæfst,
505
hyldo geworhteheofoncyninges,
to þance geþenodþinum hearran,
hæfst þe wið drihten dyrne geworhtne.Ic gehyrde hine þine dæd and word
lofian on his leohteand ymb þin lif sprecan.
Swa þu læstan scealtþæt on þis land hider
510
his bodan bringað.Brade synd on worulde
grene geardas,and god siteð
on þam hehstanheofna rice,
ufan alwalda.Nele þa earfeðu
sylfa habbanþæt he on þysne sið fare,
515
gumena drihten,ac he his gingran sent
to þinre spræce.Nu he þe mid spellum het
listas læran.Læste þu georne
his ambyhto,nim þe þis ofæt on hand,
bit his and byrige.þe weorð on þinum breostum rum,
520
wæstm þy wlitegra.þe sende waldend god,
þin hearra þas helpeof heofonrice."
Adam maðelodeþær he on eorðan stod,
selfsceafte guma:"þonne ic sigedrihten,
mihtigne god,mæðlan gehyrde
525
strangre stemne,and me her stondan het,
his bebodu healdan,and me þas bryd forgeaf,
wlitesciene wif,and me warnian het
þæt ic on þone deaðes beambedroren ne wurde,
beswicen to swiðe,he cwæð þæt þa sweartan helle
530
healdan sceoldese ðe bi his heortan wuht
laðes gelæde.Nat þeah þu mid ligenum fare
þurh dyrne geþancþe þu drihtnes eart
boda of heofnum.Hwæt, ic þinra bysna ne mæg,
worda ne wisnawuht oncnawan,
535
siðes ne sagona.Ic wat hwæt he me self bebead,
nergend user,þa ic hine nehst geseah;
he het me his word weorðianand wel healdan,
læstan his lare.þu gelic ne bist
ænegum his englaþe ic ær geseah,
540
ne þu me oðiewdestænig tacen
þe he me þurh treoweto onsende,
min hearra þurh hyldo.þy ic þe hyran ne cann,
ac þu meaht þe forð faran.Ic hæbbe me fæstne geleafan
up to þam ælmihtegan godeþe me mid his earmum worhte,
545
her mid handum sinum.He mæg me of his hean rice
geofian mid goda gehwilcum,þeah he his gingran ne sende."
Wende hine wraðmodþær he þæt wif geseah
on eorðriceEuan stondan,
sceone gesceapene,cwæð þæt sceaðena mæst
550
eallum heora eaforumæfter siððan
wurde on worulde:"Ic wat, inc waldend god
abolgen wyrð,swa ic him þisne bodscipe
selfa secge,þonne ic of þys siðe cume
ofer langne weg,þæt git ne læstan wel
555
hwilc ærende swahe easten hider
on þysne sið sendeð.Nu sceal he sylf faran
to incre andsware;ne mæg his ærende
his boda beodan;þy ic wat þæt he inc abolgen wyrð,
mihtig on mode.Gif þu þeah minum wilt,
560
wif willende,wordum hyran,
þu meaht his þonne rumeræd geþencan.
Gehyge on þinum breostumþæt þu inc bam twam meaht
wite bewarigan,swa ic þe wisie.
æt þisses ofetes!þonne wurðað þin eagan swa leoht
565
þæt þu meaht swa wideofer woruld ealle
geseon siððan,and selfes stol
herran þines,and habban his hyldo forð.
Meaht þu Adameeft gestyran,
gif þu his willan hæfstand he þinum wordum getrywð.
570
Gif þu him to soðe sægsthwylce þu selfa hæfst
bisne on breostum,þæs þu gebod godes
lare læstes,he þone laðan strið,
yfel andwyrdean forlæteð
on breostcofan,swa wit him bu tu
575
an sped sprecað.Span þu hine georne
þæt he þine lare læste,þy læs gyt lað gode,
incrum waldende,weorðan þyrfen.
Gif þu þæt angin fremest,idesa seo betste,
forhele ic incrum herranþæt me hearmes swa fela
580
Adam gespræc,eargra worda.
Tyhð me untryowða,cwyð þæt ic seo teonum georn,
gramum ambyhtsecg,nales godes engel.
Ac ic cann ealle swa geareengla gebyrdo,
heah heofona gehlidu;wæs seo hwil þæs lang
585
þæt ic geornlicegode þegnode
þurh holdne hyge,herran minum,
drihtne selfum;ne eom ic deofle gelic."
Lædde hie swa mid ligenumand mid listum speon
idese on þæt unriht,oðþæt hire on innan ongan
590
weallan wyrmes geþeaht,(hæfde hire wacran hige
metod gemearcod),þæt heo hire mod ongan
lætan æfter þam larum;forþon heo æt þam laðan onfeng
ofer drihtnes worddeaðes beames
weorcsumne wæstm.Ne wearð wyrse dæd
595
monnum gemearcod!þæt is micel wundor
þæt hit ece godæfre wolde
þeoden þolian,þæt wurde þegn swa monig
forlædd be þam lygenumþe for þam larum com.
Heo þa þæs ofætes æt,alwaldan bræc
600
word and willan.þa meahte heo wide geseon
þurh þæs laðan lænþe hie mid ligenum beswac,
dearnenga bedrog,þe hire for his dædum com,
þæt hire þuhte hwitreheofon and eorðe,
and eall þeos woruld wlitigre,and geweorc godes
605
micel and mihtig,þeah heo hit þurh monnes geþeaht
ne sceawode;ac se sceaða georne
swicode ymb þa sawleþe hire ær þa siene onlah,
þæt heo swa widewlitan meahte
ofer heofonrice.þa se forhatena spræc
610
þurh feondscipe(nalles he hie freme lærde):
"þu meaht nu þe self geseon,swa ic hit þe secgan ne þearf,
Eue seo gode,þæt þe is ungelic
wlite and wæstmas,siððan þu minum wordum getruwodest,
læstes mine lare.Nu scineð þe leoht fore
615
glædlic ongeanþæt ic from gode brohte
hwit of heofonum;nu þu his hrinan meaht.
Sæge Adamehwilce þu gesihðe hæfst
þurh minne cime cræfta.Gif giet þurh cuscne siodo
læst mina lara,þonne gife ic him þæs leohtes genog
620
þæs ic þe swa godesgegired hæbbe.
Ne wite ic him þa womcwidas,þeah he his wyrðe ne sie
to alætanne;þæs fela he me laðes spræc."
Swa hire eaforan sculonæfter lybban:
þonne hie lað gedoð,hie sculon lufe wyrcean,
625
betan heora hearran hearmcwydeond habban his hyldo forð.
þa gieng to Adameidesa scenost,
wifa wlitegostþe on woruld come,
forþon heo wæs handgeweorcheofoncyninges,
þeah heo þa dearnengafordon wurde,
630
forlæd mid ligenum,þæt hie lað gode
þurh þæs wraðan geþancweorðan sceolden,
þurh þæs deofles searodom forlætan,
hierran hyldo,hefonrices þolian
monige hwile.Bið þam men full wa
635
þe hine ne warnaðþonne he his geweald hafað!
Sum heo hire on handum bær,sum hire æt heortan læg,
æppel unsælga,þone hire ær forbead
drihtna drihten,deaðbeames ofet,
and þæt word acwæðwuldres aldor,
640
þæt þæt micle morðmenn ne þorfton
þegnas þolian,ac he þeoda gehwam
hefonrice forgeaf,halig drihten,
widbradne welan,gif hie þone wæstm an
lætan woldenþe þæt laðe treow
645
on his bogum bær,bitre gefylled;
þæt wæs deaðes beamþe him drihten forbead.
Forlec hie þa mid ligenumse wæs lað gode,
on hete heofoncyninges,and hyge Euan,
wifes wac geþoht,þæt heo ongan his wordum truwian,
650
læstan his lare,and geleafan nom
þæt he þa bysene from godebrungen hæfde
þe he hire swa wærlicewordum sægde,
iewde hire tacenand treowa gehet,
his holdne hyge.þa heo to hire hearran spræc:
655
"Adam, frea min,þis ofet is swa swete,
bliðe on breostum,and þes boda sciene,
godes engel god,ic on his gearwan geseo
þæt he is ærendsecguncres hearran,
hefoncyninges.His hyldo is unc betere
660
to gewinnanneþonne his wiðermedo.
Gif þu him heodæg wuhthearmes gespræce,
he forgifð hit þeah,gif wit him geongordom
læstan willað.Hwæt scal þe swa laðlic strið
wið þines hearran bodan?Unc is his hyldo þearf;
665
he mæg unc ærendianto þam alwaldan,
heofoncyninge.Ic mæg heonon geseon
hwær he sylf siteð,(þæt is suð and east),
welan bewunden,se ðas woruld gesceop;
geseo ic him his englasymbe hweorfan
670
mid feðerhaman,ealra folca mæst,
wereda wynsumast.Hwa meahte me swelc gewit gifan,
gif hit gegnungagod ne onsende,
heofones waldend?Gehyran mæg ic rume
and swa wide geseonon woruld ealle
675
ofer þas sidan gesceaft,ic mæg swegles gamen
gehyran on heofnum.Wearð me on hige leohte
utan and innan,siðþan ic þæs ofætes onbat.
Nu hæbbe ic his her on handa,herra se goda;
gife ic hit þe georne.Ic gelyfe þæt hit from gode come,
680
broht from his bysene,þæs me þes boda sægde
wærum wordum.Hit nis wuhte gelic
elles on eorðan,buton swa þes ar sægeð,
þæt hit gegnungafrom gode come."
Hio spræc him þicce toand speon hine ealne dæg
685
on þa dimman dædþæt hie drihtnes heora
willan bræcon.Stod se wraða boda,
legde him lustas onand mid listum speon,
fylgde him frecne;wæs se feond full neah
þe on þa frecnan fyrdgefaren hæfde
690
ofer langne weg;leode hogode
on þæt micle morðmen forweorpan,
forlæran and forlædan,þæt hie læn godes,
ælmihtiges gifean forleten,
heofenrices geweald.Hwæt, se hellsceaða
695
gearwe wisteþæt hie godes yrre
habban sceoldonand hellgeþwing,
þone nearwan niðniede onfon,
siððan hie gebod godesforbrocen hæfdon,
þa he forlærdemid ligenwordum
700
to þam unrædeidese sciene,
wifa wlitegost,þæt heo on his willan spræc,
wæs him on helpehandweorc godes
to forlæranne. Heo spræc ða to Adameidesa sceonost
705
ful þiclice,oð þam þegne ongan
his hige hweorfan,þæt he þam gehate getruwode
þe him þæt wifwordum sægde.
Heo dyde hit þeah þurh holdne hyge,nyste þæt þær hearma swa fela,
fyrenearfeða,fylgean sceolde
710
monna cynne,þæs heo on mod genam
þæt heo þæs laðan bodanlarum hyrde,
ac wende þæt heo hyldoheofoncyninges
worhte mid þam wordumþe heo þam were swelce
tacen oðiewdeand treowe gehet,
715
oðþæt Adameinnan breostum
his hyge hwyrfdeand his heorte ongann
wendan to hire willan.He æt þam wife onfeng
helle and hinnsið,þeah hit nære haten swa,
ac hit ofetes nomanagan sceolde;
720
hit wæs þeah deaðes swefnand deofles gespon,
hell and hinnsiðand hæleða forlor,
menniscra morð,þæt hie to mete dædon,
ofet unfæle.Swa hit him on innan com,
hran æt heortan,hloh þa and plegode
725
boda bitre gehugod,sægde begra þanc
hearran sinum:"Nu hæbbe ic þine hyldo me
witode geworhte,and þinne willan gelæst
to ful monegum dæge.Men synt forlædde,
Adam and Eue.Him is unhyldo
730
waldendes witod,nu hie wordcwyde his,
lare forleton.Forþon hie leng ne magon
healdan heofonrice,ac hie to helle sculon
on þone sweartan sið.Swa þu his sorge ne þearft
beran on þinum breostum,þær þu gebunden ligst,
735
murnan on mode,þæt her men bun
þone hean heofon,þeah wit hearmas nu,
þreaweorc þoliað,and þystre land,
and þurh þin micle modmonig forleton
on heofonriceheahgetimbro,
740
godlice geardas.Unc wearð god yrre
forþon wit him noldonon heofonrice
hnigan mid heafdumhalgum drihtne
þurh geongordom;ac unc gegenge ne wæs
þæt wit him on þegnscipeþeowian wolden.
745
Forþon unc waldend wearðwrað on mode,
on hyge hearde,and us on helle bedraf,
on þæt fyr fyldefolca mæste,
and mid handum hiseft on heofonrice
rihte rodorstolasand þæt rice forgeaf
750
monna cynne.Mæg þin mod wesan
bliðe on breostum,forþon her synt bu tu gedon:
ge þæt hæleða bearnheofonrice sculon
leode forlætanand on þæt lig to þe
hate hweorfan,eac is hearm gode,
755
modsorg gemacod.Swa hwæt swa wit her morðres þoliað,
hit is nu Adameeall forgolden
mid hearran heteand mid hæleða forlore,
monnum mid morðes cwealme.Forþon is min mod gehæled,
hyge ymb heortan gerume,ealle synt uncre hearmas gewrecene
760
laðes þæt wit lange þoledon.Nu wille ic eft þam lige near,
Satan ic þær secan wille;he is on þære sweartan helle
hæft mid hringa gesponne."Hwearf him eft niðer
boda bitresta;sceolde he þa bradan ligas
secan helle gehliðo,þær his hearra læg
765
simon gesæled.Sorgedon ba twa,
Adam and Eue,and him oft betuh
gnornword gengdon;godes him ondredon,
heora herran hete,heofoncyninges nið
swiðe onsæton;selfe forstodon
770
his word onwended.þæt wif gnornode,
hof hreowigmod,(hæfde hyldo godes,
lare forlæten),þa heo þæt leoht geseah
ellor scriðanþæt hire þurh untreowa
tacen iewdese him þone teonan geræd,
775
þæt hie helle niðhabban sceoldon,
hynða unrim;forþam him higesorga
burnon on breostum.Hwilum to gebede feollon
sinhiwan somed,and sigedrihten
godne grettonand god nemdon,
780
heofones waldend,and hine bædon
þæt hie his hearmscearehabban mosten,
georne fulgangan,þa hie godes hæfdon
bodscipe abrocen.Bare hie gesawon
heora lichaman;næfdon on þam lande þa giet
785
sælða gesetena,ne hie sorge wiht
weorces wiston,ac hie wel meahton
libban on þam lande,gif hie wolden lare godes
forweard fremman.þa hie fela spræcon
sorhworda somed,sinhiwan twa.
790
Adam gemældeand to Euan spræc:
"Hwæt, þu Eue, hæfstyfele gemearcod
uncer sylfra sið.Gesyhst þu nu þa sweartan helle
grædige and gifre.Nu þu hie grimman meaht
heonane gehyran.Nis heofonrice
795
gelic þam lige,ac þis is landa betst,
þæt wit þurh uncres hearran þanchabban moston,
þær þu þam ne hierdeþe unc þisne hearm geræd,
þæt wit waldendesword forbræcon,
heofoncyninges.Nu wit hreowige magon
800
sorgian for þis siðe.Forþon he unc self bebead
þæt wit unc witewarian sceolden,
hearma mæstne.Nu slit me hunger and þurst
bitre on breostum,þæs wit begra ær
wæron orsorgeon ealle tid.
805
Hu sculon wit nu libbanoððe on þys lande wesan,
gif her wind cymð,westan oððe eastan,
suðan oððe norðan?Gesweorc up færeð,
cymeð hægles scurhefone getenge,
færeð forst on gemang,se byð fyrnum ceald.
810
Hwilum of heofnumhate scineð,
blicð þeos beorhte sunne,and wit her baru standað,
unwered wædo.Nys unc wuht beforan
to scursceade,ne sceattes wiht
to mete gemearcod,ac unc is mihtig god,
815
waldend wraðmod.To hwon sculon wit weorðan nu?
Nu me mæg hreowanþæt ic bæd heofnes god,
waldend þone godan,þæt he þe her worhte to me
of liðum minum,nu þu me forlæred hæfst
on mines herran hete.Swa me nu hreowan mæg
820
æfre to aldreþæt ic þe minum eagum geseah."
ða spræc Eue eft,idesa scienost,
wifa wlitegost;hie wæs geweorc godes,
þeah heo þa on deofles cræftbedroren wurde:
"þu meaht hit me witan,wine min Adam,
825
wordum þinum;hit þe þeah wyrs ne mæg
on þinum hyge hreowanþonne hit me æt heortan deð."
Hire þa Adamandswarode:
"Gif ic waldendeswillan cuðe,
hwæt ic his to hearmscearehabban sceolde,
830
ne gesawe þu no sniomor,þeah me on sæ wadan
hete heofones godheonone nu þa,
on flod faran,nære he firnum þæs deop,
merestream þæs micel,þæt his o min mod getweode,
ac ic to þam grunde genge,gif ic godes meahte
835
willan gewyrcean.Nis me on worulde niod
æniges þegnscipes,nu ic mines þeodnes hafa
hyldo forworhte,þæt ic hie habban ne mæg.
Ac wit þus baru ne magonbu tu ætsomne
wesan to wuhte.Uton gan on þysne weald innan,
840
on þisses holtes hleo."Hwurfon hie ba twa,
togengdon gnorngendeon þone grenan weald,
sæton onsundran,bidan selfes gesceapu
heofoncyninges,þa hie þa habban ne moston
þe him ær forgeafælmihtig god.
845
þa hie heora lichomanleafum beþeahton,
weredon mid ðy wealde,wæda ne hæfdon;
ac hie on gebed feollonbu tu ætsomne
morgena gehwilce,bædon mihtigne
þæt hie ne forgeategod ælmihtig,
850
and him gewisadewaldend se goda,
hu hie on þam leohte forðlibban sceolden.
þa com feranfrea ælmihtig
ofer midne dæg,mære þeoden,
on neorxnawangneode sine;
855
wolde neosiannergend usser,
bilwit fæder,hwæt his bearn dyde;
wiste forworhteþam he ær wlite sealde.
Gewitan him þa gangangeomermode
under beamsceadeblæde bereafod,
860
hyddon hie on heolstre,þa hie halig word
drihtnes gehyrdon,and ondredon him.
þa sona ongannswegles aldor
weard ahsianworuldgesceafta,
het him recene torice þeoden
865
his sunu gangan.Him þa sylfa oncwæð,
hean hleoðradehrægles þearfa:
"Ic wreo me herwæda leasne,
liffrea min,leafum þecce.
Scyldfull minesceaðen is me sare,
870
frecne on ferhðe;ne dear nu forð gan
for ðe andweardne.Ic eom eall eall nacod."
Him ða ædre godandswarede:
"Saga me þæt, sunu min,for hwon secest ðu
sceade sceomiende?þu sceonde æt me
875
furðum ne anfenge,ac gefean eallum.
For hwon wast þu weanand wrihst sceome,
gesyhst sorge,and þin sylf þecest
lic mid leafum,sagast lifceare
hean hygegeomor,þæt þe sie hrægles þearf,
880
nymþe ðu æppelænne byrgde
of ðam wudubeameþe ic þe wordum forbead?"
Him þa Adam eftandswarode:
"Me ða blæda on handbryd gesealde,
freolucu fæmne,freadrihten min,
885
ðe ic þe on teonan geþah.Nu ic þæs tacen wege
sweotol on me selfum.Wat ic sorga ðy ma."
ða ðæs Euan frægnælmihtig god:
"Hwæt druge þu, dohtor,dugeþa genohra,
niwra gesceaftaneorxnawanges,
890
growendra gifa,þa þu gitsiende
on beam gripe,blæda name
on treowes telgum,and me on teonan
æte þa unfreme,Adame sealdest
wæstme þa inc wæronwordum minum
895
fæste forbodene?"Him þa freolecu mæg,
ides æwiscmodandswarode:
"Me nædre beswacand me neodlice
to forsceape scyhteand to scyldfrece,
fah wyrm þurh fægir word,oðþæt ic fracoðlice
900
feondræs gefremede,fæhðe geworhte,
and þa reafode,swa hit riht ne wæs,
beam on bearweand þa blæda æt."
þa nædran sceopnergend usser,
frea ælmihtigfagum wyrme
905
wide siðasand þa worde cwæð:
"þu scealt wideferhðwerig þinum
breostum bearm tredanbradre eorðan,
faran feðeleas,þenden þe feorh wunað,
gast on innan.þu scealt greot etan
910
þine lifdagas.Swa þu laðlice
wrohte onstealdest,þe þæt wif feoð,
hatað under heofnumand þin heafod tredeð
fah mid fotum sinum.þu scealt fiersna sætan
tohtan niwre;tuddor bið gemæne
915
incrum orlegniða þenden standeð
woruld under wolcnum.Nu þu wast and canst,
lað leodsceaða,hu þu lifian scealt."
ða to Euan godyrringa spræc:
"Wend þe from wynne!þu scealt wæpnedmen
920
wesan on gewealde,mid weres egsan
hearde genearwad,hean þrowian
þinra dæda gedwild,deaðes bidan,
and þurh wop and heafon woruld cennan
þurh sar micelsunu and dohtor."
925
Abead eac Adameece drihten,
lifes leohtfruma,lað ærende:
"þu scealt oðerneeðel secean,
wynleasran wic,and on wræc hweorfan
nacod niedwædla,neorxnawanges
930
dugeðum bedæled;þe is gedal witod
lices and sawle.Hwæt, þu laðlice
wrohte onstealdest;forþon þu winnan scealt
and on eorðan þeþine andlifne
selfa geræcan,wegan swatig hleor,
935
þinne hlaf etan,þenden þu her leofast,
oðþæt þe to heortanhearde gripeð
adl unliðeþe þu on æple ær
selfa forswulge;forþon þu sweltan scealt."
Hwæt, we nu gehyraðhwær us hearmstafas
940
wraðe onwocanand woruldyrmðo.
Hie þa wuldres weardwædum gyrede,
scyppend usser;het heora sceome þeccan
frea frumhrægle;het hie from hweorfan
neorxnawangeon nearore lif.
945
Him on laste beleacliðsa and wynna
hihtfulne hamhalig engel
be frean hæsefyrene sweorde;
ne mæg þær inwitfullænig geferan
womscyldig mon,ac se weard hafað
950
miht and strengðo,se þæt mære lif
dugeðum deoredrihtne healdeð.
No hwæðre ælmihtigealra wolde
Adame and Euanarna ofteon,
fæder æt frymðe,þeah þe hie him from swice,
955
ac he him to frofre lethwæðere forð wesan
hyrstedne hrofhalgum tunglum
and him grundwelanginne sealde;
het þam sinhiwumsæs and eorðan
tuddorteondrateohha gehwilcre
960
to woruldnyttewæstmas fedan.
Gesæton þa æfter synnesorgfulre land,
eard and eðylunspedigran
fremena gehwilcreþonne se frumstol wæs
þe hie æfter dæde ofadrifen wurdon.
965
Ongunnon hie þabe godes hæse
bearn astrienan,swa him metod bebead.
Adames and Euanaforan wæron
freolicu twafrumbearn cenned,
Cain and Abel.Us cyðað bec,
970
hu þa dædfrumandugeþa stryndon,
welan and wiste,willgebroðor.
Oðer his to eorðanelnes tilode,
se wæs ærboren;oðer æhte heold
fæder on fultum,oðþæt forð gewat
975
dægrimes worn.Hie þa drihtne lac
begen brohton.Brego engla beseah
on Abeles gieldeagum sinum,
cyning eallwihta,Caines ne wolde
tiber sceawian.þæt wæs torn were
980
hefig æt heortan.Hygewælm asteah
beorne on breostum,blatende nið,
yrre for æfstum.He þa unræden
folmum gefremede,freomæg ofsloh,
broðor sinne,and his blod ageat,
985
Cain Abeles.Cwealmdreore swealh
þæs middangeard,monnes swate.
æfter wælswengewea wæs aræred,
tregena tuddor.Of ðam twige siððan
ludon laðwendeleng swa swiðor
990
reðe wæstme.Ræhton wide
geond werþeodawrohtes telgan,
hrinon hearmtanashearde and sare
drihta bearnum,(doð gieta swa),
of þam brad bladobealwa gehwilces
995
sprytan ongunnon.We þæt spell magon,
wælgrimme wyrd,wope cwiðan,
nales holunge;ac us hearde sceod
freolecu fæmneþurh forman gylt
þe wið metod æfremen gefremeden,
1000
eorðbuende,siððan Adam wearð
of godes muðegaste eacen.
ða worde frægnwuldres aldor
Cain, hwær Abeleorðan wære.
Him ða se cystleasacwealmes wyrhta
1005
ædre æfter þonandswarode:
"Ne can ic Abelesor ne fore,
hleomæges sið,ne ic hyrde wæs
broðer mines."Him þa brego engla,
godspedig gastgean þingade:
1010
"Hwæt, befealdest þufolmum þinum
wraðum on wælbeddwærfæstne rinc,
broðor þinne,and his blod to me
cleopað and cigeð.þu þæs cwealmes scealt
wite winnanand on wræc hweorfan,
1015
awyrged to widan aldre.Ne seleð þe wæstmas eorðe
wlitige to woruldnytte,ac heo wældreore swealh
halge of handum þinum;forþon heo þe hroðra oftihð,
glæmes grene folde.þu scealt geomor hweorfan,
arleas of earde þinum,swa þu Abele wurde
1020
to feorhbanan;forþon þu flema scealt
widlast wrecan,winemagum lað."
Him þa ædre Cainandswarode:
"Ne þearf ic ænigreare wenan
on woruldrice,ac ic forworht hæbbe,
1025
heofona heahcyning,hyldo þine,
lufan and freode;forþon ic lastas sceal
wean on wenumwide lecgan,
hwonne me gemittemanscyldigne,
se me feor oððe neahfæhðe gemonige,
1030
broðorcwealmes.Ic his blod ageat,
dreor on eorðan.þu to dæge þissum
ademest me fram duguðeand adrifest from
earde minum.Me to aldorbanan
weorðeð wraðra sum.Ic awyrged sceal,
1035
þeoden, of gesyhðeþinre hweorfan."
Him þa selfa oncwæðsigora drihten:
"Ne þearft ðu þe ondrædandeaðes brogan,
feorhcwealm nu giet,þeah þu from scyle
freomagum feorfah gewitan.
1040
Gif þe monna hwelcmundum sinum
aldre beneoteð,hine on cymeð
æfter þære synneseofonfeald wracu,
wite æfter weorce."Hine waldend on,
tirfæst metod,tacen sette,
1045
freoðobeacen frea,þy læs hine feonda hwilc
mid guðþræcegretan dorste
feorran oððe nean.Heht þa from hweorfan
meder and magummanscyldigne,
cnosle sinum.Him þa Cain gewat
1050
gongan geomormodgode of gesyhðe,
wineleas wrecca,and him þa wic geceas
eastlandum on,eðelstowe
fædergeardum feor,þær him freolecu mæg,
ides æfter æðelumeaforan fedde.
1055
Se æresta wæsEnos haten,
frumbearn Caines.Siððan fæsten ongon
mid þam cneomagumceastre timbran;
þæt wæs under wolcnumweallfæstenna
ærest ealraþara þe æðelingas,
1060
sweordberende,settan heton.
þanon his eaforanærest wocan,
bearn from bryde,on þam burhstede.
Se yldesta wæsIared haten,
sunu Enoses.Siððan wocan,
1065
þa þæs cynnescneowrim icton,
mægburg Caines.Malalehel wæs
æfter Iaredeyrfes hyrde
fæder on laste,oðþæt he forð gewat.
Siððan Mathusalmagum dælde,
1070
bearn æfter bearnebroðrum sinum
æðelinga gestreon,oðþæt aldorgedal
frod fyrndagumfremman sceolde,
lif oflætan.Lameh onfeng
æfter fæder dægefletgestealdum,
1075
botlgestreonum.Him bryda twa,
idesa on eðleeaforan feddon,
Ada and Sella;þara anum wæs
Iabal noma,se þurh gleawne geþanc
herbuendrahearpan ærest
1080
handum sinumhlyn awehte,
swinsigende sweg,sunu Lamehes.
Swylce on ðære mægðemaga wæs haten
on þa ilcan tidTubalcain,
se þurh snytro spedsmiðcræftega wæs,
1085
and þurh modes gemyndmonna ærest,
sunu Lamehes,sulhgeweorces
fruma wæs ofer foldan,siððan folca bearn
æres cuðonand isernes,
burhsittende,brucan wide.
1090
þa his wifum twæmwordum sægde
Lameh seolfa,leofum gebeddum,
Adan and Sellanunarlic spel:
"Ic on morðor ofslohminra sumne
hyldemaga;honda gewemde
1095
on Cainescwealme mine,
fylde mid folmumfæder Enoses,
ordbanan Abeles,eorðan sealde
wældreor weres.Wat ic gearwe
þæt þam lichryreon last cymeð
1100
soðcyningesseofonfeald wracu,
micel æfter mane.Min sceal swiðor
mid grimme gryregolden wurðan
fyll and feorhcwealm,þonne ic forð scio."
þa wearð Adameon Abeles gyld
1105
eafora on eðleoþer feded,
soðfæst sunu,þam wæs Seth noma.
Se wæs eadigand his yldrum ðah
freolic to frofre,fæder and meder,
Adames and Euan,wæs Abeles gield
1110
on woruldrice.þa word acwæð
ord moncynnes:"Me ece sunu
sealde selfasigora waldend,
lifes aldoron leofes stæl,
þæs þe Cain ofsloh,and me cearsorge
1115
mid þys magotimbreof mode asceaf
þeoden usser.Him þæs þanc sie!"
Adam hæfde,þa he eft ongan
him to eðelstæfeoðres strienan
bearnes be bryde,beorn ellenrof,
1120
XXX and Cþisses lifes,
wintra on worulde.Us gewritu secgað
þæt her eahtahundiecte siððan
mægðum and mæcgummægburg sine
Adam on eorðan;ealra hæfde
1125
nigenhund wintra and XXX eac,þa he þas woruld
þurh gastgedalofgyfan sceolde.
Him on laste Sethleod weardode,
eafora æfter yldrum;eþelstol heold
1130
and wif begeat.Wintra hæfde
fif and hundteontigþa he furðum ongan
his mægburgemen geicean
sunum and dohtrum.Sethes eafora
se yldesta wæsEnos haten;
1135
se nemde godniðþa bearna
ærest ealra,siððan Adam stop
on grene græsgaste geweorðad.
Seth wæs gesælig;siððan strynde
seofon winter hersuna and dohtra
1140
ond eahtahund.Ealra hæfde
XII and nigonhund,þa seo tid gewearð
þæt he friðgedalfremman sceolde.
Him æfter heold,þa he of worulde gewat,
Enos yrfe,siððan eorðe swealh
1145
sædberendesSethes lice.
He wæs leof godeand lifde her
wintra hundnigontigær he be wife her
þurh gebedscipebearn astrynde;
him þa cenned wearðCainan ærest
1150
eafora on eðle.Siððan eahtahund
and fiftynoon friðo drihtnes
gleawferhð hæleðgeogoðe strynde,
suna and dohtra;swealt, þa he hæfde,
frod fyrnwita,V and nigonhund.
1155
þære cneorisse wæsCainan siððan
æfter Enosealdordema,
weard and wisa.Wintra hæfde
efne hundseofontigær him sunu woce.
þa wearð on eðleeafora feded,
1160
mago Cainanes,Malalehel wæs haten.
Siððan eahtahundæðelinga rim
and feowertig eacfeorum geicte
Enoses sunu.Ealra nigonhund
wintra hæfdeþa he woruld ofgeaf
1165
and tyne eac,þa his tiddæge
under rodera rumrim wæs gefylled.
Him on laste heoldland and yrfe
Malalehel siððanmissera worn.
Se frumgarafif and sixtig
1170
wintra hæfdeþa he be wife ongann
bearna strynan.Him bryd sunu
meowle to monnum brohte.Se maga wæs
on his mægðe,mine gefræge,
guma on geogoðe,Iared haten.
1175
Lifde siððanand lissa breac
Malalehel lange,mondreama her,
woruldgestreona.Wintra hæfde
fif and hundnigontig,þa he forð gewat,
and eahtahund;eaforan læfde
1180
land and leodweard.Longe siððan
Geared gumumgold brittade.
Se eorl wæs æðele,æfæst hæleð,
and se frumgar hisfreomagum leof.
Fif and hundteontigon fyore lifde
1185
wintra gebidenraon woruldrice
and syxtig eacþa seo sæl gewearð
þæt his wif sunuon woruld brohte;
se eafora wæsEnoc haten,
freolic frumbearn.Fæder her þa gyt
1190
his cynnes forðcneorim icte,
eaforan eahtahund;ealra hæfde
V and syxtig,þa he forð gewat,
and nigonhund eacnihtgerimes,
wine frod wintres,þa he þas woruld ofgeaf
1195
ond Geared þagleawum læfde
land and leodweard,leofum rince.
Enoch siððanealdordom ahof,
freoðosped folces wisa,nalles feallan let
dom and drihtscipe, 1200
þenden he hyrde wæsheafodmaga.
Breac blæddaga,bearna strynde
þreohund wintra.Him wæs þeoden hold,
rodera waldend.Se rinc heonon
on lichomanlisse sohte,
1205
drihtnes duguðe,nales deaðe swealt
middangeardes,swa her men doþ,
geonge and ealde,þonne him god heora
æhta and ætwisteorðan gestreona
on genimeðand heora aldor somed,
1210
ac he cwic gewatmid cyning engla
of þyssum lænanlife feran
on þam gearwumþe his gast onfeng
ær hine to monnummodor brohte.
He þam yldestaneaforan læfde
1215
folc, frumbearne;V and syxtig
wintra hæfdeþa he woruld ofgeaf,
and eac III hund.þrage siððan
Mathusal heoldmaga yrfe,
se on lichomanlengest þissa
1220
worulddreama breac.Worn gestrynde
ær his swyltdægesuna and dohtra;
hæfde frod hæle,þa he from sceolde
niþþum hweorfan,nigonhund wintra
and hundseofontig to.Sunu æfter heold,
1225
Lamech leodgeard,lange siððan
woruld bryttade.Wintra hæfde
twa and hundteontigþa seo tid gewearð
þæt se eorl onganæðele cennan,
sunu and dohtor.Siððan lifde
1230
fif and hundnigontig,frea moniges breac
wintra under wolcnum,werodes aldor,
and V hund eac;heold þæt folc teala,
bearna strynde,him byras wocan,
eaforan and idesa.He þone yldestan
1235
Noæ nemde,se niððum ær
land bryttadesiððan Lamech gewat.
Hæfde æðelingaaldorwisa
V hund wintraþa he furðum ongan
bearna strynan,þæs þe bec cweðaþ.
1240
Sem wæs hatensunu Noes,
se yldesta,oðer Cham,
þridda Iafeth.þeoda tymdon
rume under roderum,rim miclade
monna mægðegeond middangeard
1245
sunum and dohtrum.ða giet wæs Sethes cynn,
leofes leodfrumanon lufan swiðe
drihtne dyreand domeadig,
oðþæt bearn godesbryda ongunnon
on Cainescynne secan,
1250
wergum folce,and him þær wif curon
ofer metodes estmonna eaforan,
scyldfulra mægðscyne and fægere.
þa reordaderodora waldend
wrað moncynneand þa worde cwæð:
1255
"Ne syndon me on ferhðe freofrom gewitene
cneorisn Caines,ac me þæt cynn hafað
sare abolgen.Nu me Sethes bearn
torn niwiaðand him to nimað
mægeð to gemæccumminra feonda;
1260
þær wifa wliteonwod grome,
idesa ansien,and ece feond
folcdriht wera,þa ær on friðe wæron."
Siððan hundtwelftiggeteled rime
wintra on woruldewræce bisgodon
1265
fæge þeoda,hwonne frea wolde
on wærloganwite settan
and on deað sleandædum scyldige
gigantmæcgas,gode unleofe,
micle mansceaðan,metode laðe.
1270
þa geseah selfasigoro waldend
hwæt wæs monnamanes on eorðan
and þæt hie wæronwomma ðriste,
inwitfulle.He þæt unfægere
wera cneorissumgewrecan þohte,
1275
forgripan gumcynnegrimme and sare,
heardum mihtum.Hreaw hine swiðe
þæt he folcmægþafruman aweahte,
æðelinga ord,þa he Adam sceop,
cwæð þæt he woldefor wera synnum
1280
eall aæðanþæt on eorðan wæs,
forleosan lica gehwilcþara þe lifes gast
fæðmum þeahte.Eall þæt frea wolde
on ðære toweardantide acwellan
þe þa nealæhteniðða bearnum.
1285
Noe wæs god,nergende leof,
swiðe gesælig,sunu Lameches,
domfæst and gedefe.Drihten wiste
þæt þæs æðelingesellen dohte
breostgehygdum;forðon him brego sægde,
1290
halig æt hleoðre,helm allwihta,
hwæt he fah werumfremman wolde;
geseah unrihteeorðan fulle,
side sælwongassynnum gehladene,
widlum gewemde.þa waldend spræc,
1295
nergend usser,and to Noe cwæð:
"Ic wille mid flodefolc acwellan
and cynna gehwilccucra wuhta,
þara þe lyft and flodlædað and fedað,
feoh and fuglas.þu scealt frið habban
1300
mid sunum þinum,ðonne sweart wæter,
wonne wælstreamaswerodum swelgað,
sceaðum scyldfullum.Ongyn þe scip wyrcan,
merehus micel.On þam þu monegum scealt
reste geryman,and rihte setl
1305
ælcum æfter agenumeorðan tudre.
Gescype scylfanon scipes bosme.
þu þæt fær gewyrcfiftiges wid,
ðrittiges heahand þreohund lang
elngemeta,and wið yða gewyrc
1310
gefeg fæste.þær sceal fæsl wesan
cwiclifigendracynna gehwilces
on þæt wudufæstenwocor gelæded
eorðan tudres;earc sceal þy mare."
Noe fremedeswa hine nergend heht,
1315
hyrde þam halganheofoncyninge,
ongan ofostliceþæt hof wyrcan,
micle merecieste.Magum sægde
þæt wæs þrealic þingþeodum toweard,
reðe wite.Hie ne rohton þæs!
1320
Geseah þa ymb wintra wornwærfæst metod
geofonhusa mæstgearo hlifigean,
innan and utaneorðan lime
gefæstnod wið flode,fær Noes,
þy selestan.þæt is syndrig cynn;
1325
symle bið þy heardraþe hit hreoh wæter,
swearte sæstreamasswiðor beatað.
ða to Noe cwæðnergend usser:
"Ic þe þæs mine,monna leofost,
wære gesylle,þæt þu weg nimest
1330
and feora fæslþe þu ferian scealt
geond deop wæterdægrimes worn
on lides bosme.Læd, swa ic þe hate,
under earce bordeaforan þine,
frumgaran þry,and eower feower wif.
1335
Ond þu seofone genimon þæt sundreced
tudra gehwilcesgeteled rimes,
þara þe to metemannum lifige,
and þara oðerraælces twa.
Swilce þu of eallumeorðan wæstmum
1340
wiste under wægbordwerodum gelæde,
þam þe mid sceolonmereflod nesan.
Fed freolicefeora wocre
oð ic þære lafelagosiða eft
reorde under roderumryman wille.
1345
Gewit þu nu mid hiwumon þæt hof gangan,
gasta werode.Ic þe godne wat,
fæsthydigne;þu eart freoðo wyrðe,
ara mid eaforum.Ic on andwlitan
nu ofor seofon nihtsigan læte
1350
wællregn ufanwidre eorðan.
Feowertig dagafæhðe ic wille
on weras stælanand mid wægþreate
æhta and agendeall acwellan
þa beutan beoðearce bordum
1355
þonne sweart racustigan onginneð."
Him þa Noe gewat,swa hine nergend het,
under earce bordeaforan lædan,
weras on wægþæland heora wif somed;
and eall þæt to fæslefrea ælmihtig
1360
habban woldeunder hrof gefor
to heora ætgifan,swa him ælmihtig
weroda drihtenþurh his word abead.
Him on hoh beleacheofonrices weard
merehuses muðmundum sinum,
1365
sigora waldend,and segnade
earce innanagenum spedum
nergend usser.Noe hæfde,
sunu Lameches,syxhund wintra
þa he mid bearnumunder bord gestah,
1370
gleaw mid geogoðe,be godes hæse,
dugeðum dyrum.Drihten sende
regn from roderumand eac rume let
willeburnanon woruld þringan
of ædra gehwære,egorstreamas
1375
swearte swogan.Sæs up stigon
ofer stæðweallas.Strang wæs and reðe
se ðe wætrum weold;wreah and þeahte
manfæhðu bearnmiddangeardes
wonnan wæge,wera eðelland;
1380
hof hergode,hygeteonan wræc
metod on monnum.Mere swiðe grap
on fæge folcfeowertig daga,
nihta oðer swilc.Nið wæs reðe,
wællgrim werum;wuldorcyninges
1385
yða wræconarleasra feorh
of flæschoman.Flod ealle wreah,
hreoh under heofonumhea beorgas
geond sidne grundand on sund ahof
earce from eorðanand þa æðelo mid,
1390
þa segnadeselfa drihten,
scyppend usser,þa he þæt scip beleac.
Siððan wide radwolcnum under
ofer holmes hrincghof seleste,
for mid fearme.Fære ne moston
1395
wægliðendumwætres brogan
hæste hrinon,ac hie halig god
ferede and nerede.Fiftena stod
deop ofer dunumse drenceflod
monnes elna;þæt is mæro wyrd!
1400
þam æt niehstanwæs nan to gedale,
nymþe heof wæs ahafenon þa hean lyft,
þa se egorhereeorðan tuddor
eall acwealde,buton þæt earce bord
heold heofona frea,þa hine halig god
1405
ece upp forletedmodne flod
streamum stigan,stiðferhð cyning.
þa gemunde godmereliðende,
sigora waldendsunu Lameches
and ealle þa wocreþe he wið wætre beleac,
1410
lifes leohtfruma,on lides bosme.
Gelædde þa wigendweroda drihten
worde ofer widland.Willflod ongan
lytligan eft.Lago ebbade,
sweart under swegle.Hæfde soð metod
1415
eaforum egstreameft gecyrred,
torhtne ryne,regn gestilled.
For famig scipL and C
nihta under roderum,siððan nægledbord,
fær seleste,flod up ahof,
1420
oðþæt rimgetælreðre þrage
daga forð gewat.ða on dunum gesæt
heah mid hlæsteholmærna mæst,
earc Noes,þe Armenia
hatene syndon.þær se halga bad,
1425
sunu Lameches,soðra gehata
lange þrage,hwonne him lifes weard
frea ælmihtigfrecenra siða
reste ageafe,þæra he rume dreah
þa hine on sundegeond sidne grund
1430
wonne yðawide bæron.
Holm wæs heononweard;hæleð langode,
wægliðende,swilce wif heora,
hwonne hie of nearweofer nægledbord
ofer streamstaðestæppan mosten
1435
and of enge utæhta lædan.
þa fandodeforðweard scipes,
hwæðer sincendesæflod þa gyt
wære under wolcnum.Let þa ymb worn daga
þæs þe heah hlioðohorde onfengon
1440
and æðelum eaceorðan tudres
sunu Lamechessweartne fleogan
hrefn ofer heahflodof huse ut.
Noe tealdeþæt he on neod hine,
gif he on þære ladeland ne funde,
1445
ofer sid wætersecan wolde
on wægþele.Eft him seo wen geleah,
ac se feonde gespearnfleotende hreaw;
salwigfeðerasecan nolde.
He þa ymb seofon nihtsweartum hrefne
1450
of earce forletæfter fleogan
ofer heah wæterhaswe culufran
on fandungahwæðer famig sæ
deop þa gytadæl ænigne
grenre eorðanofgifen hæfde.
1455
Heo wide hirewillan sohte
and rume fleah.Nohweðere reste fand,
þæt heo for flodefotum ne meahte
land gespornanne on leaf treowes
steppan for streamum,ac wæron steap hleoðo
1460
bewrigen mid wætrum.Gewat se wilda fugel
on æfenneearce secan
ofer wonne wæg,werig sigan,
hungri to handahalgum rince.
ða wæs culufre eftof cofan sended
1465
ymb wucan wilde.Seo wide fleah
oðþæt heo rumgalrestestowe
fægere fundeand þa fotum stop
on beam hyre;gefeah bliðemod
þæs þe heo gesittanswiðe werig
1470
on treowes telgumtorhtum moste.
Heo feðera onsceoc,gewat fleogan eft
mid lacum hire,liðend brohte
elebeames twigan to handa,
grene blædæ.þa ongeat hraðe
1475
flotmonna freaþæt wæs frofor cumen,
earfoðsiða bot.þa gyt se eadega wer
ymb wucan þriddanwilde culufran
ane sende.Seo eft ne com
to lide fleogan,ac heo land begeat,
1480
grene bearwas;nolde gladu æfre
under salwed bordsyððan ætywan
on þellfæstenne,þa hire þearf ne wæs.
þa to Noe spræcnergend usser,
heofonrices weard,halgan reorde:
1485
"þe is eðelstoleft gerymed,
lisse on lande,lagosiða rest
fæger on foldan.Gewit on freðo gangan
ut of earce,and on eorðan bearm
of þam hean hofehiwan læd þu
1490
and ealle þa wocreþe ic wægþrea on
liðe neredeþenden lago hæfde
þrymme geþeahtneþriddan eðyl."
He fremede swaand frean hyrde,
stah ofer streamweall,swa him seo stefn bebead,
1495
lustum miclum,and alædde þa
of wægþelewraðra lafe.
þa Noe ongannergende lac
rædfæst reðran,and recene genam
on eallum dælæhtum sinum,
1500
ðam ðe him to dugeðumdrihten sealde,
gleaw to þam gielde,and þa gode selfum
torhtmod hæletiber onsægde,
cyninge engla.Huru cuð dyde
nergend usser,þa he Noe
1505
gebletsadeand his bearn somed,
þæt he þæt gyld on þancagifen hæfde
and on geogoðhadegodum dædum
ær geearnodþæt him ealra wæs
ara esteælmihtig god,
1510
domfæst dugeþa.þa gyt drihten cwæð,
wuldris aldorword to Noe:
"Tymað nu and tiedrað,tires brucað,
mid gefean fryðo;fyllað eorðan,
eall geiceað.Eow is eðelstol
1515
and holmes hlæstand heofonfuglas
and wildu deoron geweald geseald,
eorðe ælgreneand eacen feoh.
Næfre ge mid blodebeodgereordu
unarliceeowre þicgeað,
1520
besmiten mid synnesawldreore.
ælc hine selfaærest begrindeð
gastes dugeðumþæra þe mid gares orde
oðrum aldor oðþringeð.Ne ðearf he þy edleane gefeon
modgeþance,ac ic monnes feorh
1525
to slagan seceswiðor micle,
and to broðor banan,þæs þe blodgyte,
wællfyll wereswæpnum gespedeð,
morð mid mundum.Monn wæs to godes
anlicnesseærest gesceapen.
1530
ælc hafað magwlitemetodes and engla
þara þe healdan wilehalige þeawas.
Weaxað and wridað,wilna brucað,
ara on eorðan;æðelum fyllað
eowre fromcynnefoldan sceatas,
1535
teamum and tudre.Ic eow treowa þæs
mine selle,þæt ic on middangeard
næfre egorhereeft gelæde,
wæter ofer widland.Ge on wolcnum þæs
oft and gelomeandgiettacen
1540
magon sceawigan,þonne ic scurbogan
minne iewe,þæt ic monnum þas
wære gelæste,þenden woruld standeð."
ða wæs se snotrasunu Lamehes
of fere acumenflode on laste
1545
mid his eaforum þrim,yrfes hyrde
(and heora feower wif; nemde wæronPercoba, Olla,
Olliua, Olliuani), wærfæst metode,wætra lafe.
1550
Hæleð hygerofehatene wæron,
suna NoesSem and Cham,
Iafeð þridda.From þam gumrincum
folc geludonand gefylled wearð
eall þes middangeardmonna bearnum.
1555
ða Noe onganniwan stefne
mid hleomagumham staðelian
and to eorðan himætes tilian;
won and worhte,wingeard sette,
seow sæda fela,sohte georne
1560
þa him wlitebeorhtewæstmas brohte,
geartorhte gife,grene folde.
ða þæt geeode,þæt se eadega wer
on his wicum wearðwine druncen,
swæf symbelwerig,and him selfa sceaf
1565
reaf of lice.Swa gerysne ne wæs,
læg þa limnacod.He lyt ongeat
þæt him on his inneswa earme gelamp,
þa him on hreðreheafodswima
on þæs halgan hofeheortan clypte.
1570
Swiðe on slæpesefa nearwode
þæt he ne mihteon gemynd drepen
hine handum selfmid hrægle wryon
and sceome þeccan,swa gesceapu wæron
werum and wifum,siððan wuldres þegn
1575
ussum fæder and mederfyrene sweorde
on laste beleaclifes eðel.
þa com ærestCam in siðian,
eafora Noes,þær his aldor læg,
ferhðe forstolen.þær he freondlice
1580
on his agenum fæderare ne wolde
gesceawian,ne þa sceonde huru
hleomagum helan,ac he hlihende
broðrum sægde,hu se beorn hine
reste on recede.Hie þa raðe stopon,
1585
heora andwlitanin bewrigenum
under loðum listum,þæt hie leofum men
geoce gefremede;gode wæron begen,
Sem and Iafeð.ða of slæpe onbrægd
sunu Lamehes,and þa sona ongeat
1590
þæt him cynegodumCham ne wolde,
þa him wæs are þearf,ænige cyðan
hyldo and treowa.þæt þam halgan wæs
sar on mode,ongan þa his selfes bearn
wordum wyrgean,cwæð, he wesan sceolde
1595
hean under heofnum,hleomaga þeow,
Cham on eorþan;him þa cwyde syððan
and his fromcynnefrecne scodon.
þa nyttadeNoe siððan
mid sunum sinumsidan rices
1600
ðreohund wintraþisses lifes,
freomen æfter flode,and fiftig eac, þa he forð gewat.
Siððan his eaforanead bryttedon,
bearna stryndon;him wæs beorht wela.
þa wearð Iafeðegeogoð afeded,
1605
hyhtlic heorðwerodheafodmaga,
sunu and dohtra.He wæs selfa til,
heold a rice,eðeldreamas,
blæd mid bearnum,oðþæt breosta hord,
gast ellorfusgangan sceolde
1610
to godes dome.Geomor siððan
fæder flettgestealdfreondum dælde,
swæsum and gesibbum,sunu Iafeðes;
þæs teames wæstuddor gefylled
unlytel dæleorðan gesceafta.
1615
Swilce Chames sunocende wurdon,
eaforan on eðle;þa yldestan
Chus and Chananhatene wæron,
ful freolice feorh,frumbearn Chames.
Chus wæs æðelumheafodwisa,
1620
wilna bryttaand worulddugeða
broðrum sinum,botlgestreona,
fæder on laste,siððan forð gewat
Cham of lice,þa him cwealm gesceod.
Se magoræswamægðe sinre
1625
domas sægde,oðþæt his dogora wæs
rim aurnen.þa se rinc ageaf
eorðcunde ead,sohte oðer lif,
fæder Nebroðes.Frumbearn siððan
eafora Chusesyrfestole weold,
1630
widmære wer,swa us gewritu secgeað,
þæt he moncynnesmæste hæfde
on þam mældagummægen and strengo.
Se wæs Babylonesbregorices fruma,
ærest æðelinga;eðelðrym onhof,
1635
rymde and rærde.Reord wæs þa gieta
eorðbuenduman gemæne.
Swilce of Camescneorisse woc
wermægða fela;of þam widfolce
cneorim micelcenned wæron.
1640
þa wearð Semesuna and dohtra
on woruldriceworn afeded,
freora bearna,ær ðon frod cure
wintrum wælrestewerodes aldor.
On þære mægðewæron men tile,
1645
þara an wæsEber haten,
eafora Semes;of þam eorle woc
unrim þeoda,þa nu æðelingas,
ealle eorðbuend,Ebrei hatað.
Gewiton him þa eastanæhta lædan,
1650
feoh and feorme.Folc wæs anmod;
rofe rincassohton rumre land,
oðþæt hie becomoncorðrum miclum,
folc ferende,þær hie fæstlice
æðelinga bearn,eard genamon.
1655
Gesetton þa Sennarsidne and widne
leoda ræswan;leofum mannum
heora geardagumgrene wongas,
fægre foldan,him forðwearde
on ðære dægtideduguðe wæron,
1660
wilna gehwilcesweaxende sped.
ða þær mon mænigbe his mægwine,
æðeling anmod,oðerne bæd
þæs hie him to mærðe,ær seo mengeo eft
geond foldan bearmtofaran sceolde,
1665
leoda mægðeon landsocne
burh geworhteand to beacne torr
up arærdeto rodortunglum.
þæs þe hie gesohtonSennera feld,
swa þa foremeahtigefolces ræswan,
1670
þa yldestanoft and gelome
liðsum gewunedon;larum sohton
weras to weorceand to wrohtscipe,
oðþæt for wlenceand for wonhygdum
cyðdon cræft heora,ceastre worhton
1675
and to heofnum uphlædræ rærdon,
strengum steptonstænenne weall
ofer monna gemet,mærða georne,
hæleð mid honda.þa com halig god
wera cneorissaweorc sceawigan,
1680
beorna burhfæsten,and þæt beacen somed,
þe to roderum upræran ongunnon
Adames eaforan,and þæs unrædes
stiðferhð cyningsteore gefremede,
þa he reðemodreorde gesette
1685
eorðbuendumungelice,
þæt hie þære spæcesped ne ahton.
þa hie gemittonmihtum spedge,
teoche æt torre,getalum myclum,
weorces wisan,ne þær wermægða
1690
ænig wistehwæt oðer cwæð.
Ne meahte hie gewurðanweall stænenne
up forð timbran,ac hie earmlice
heapum tohlocon,hleoðrum gedælde;
wæs oðerreæghwilc worden
1695
mægburh fremde,siððan metod tobræd
þurh his mihta spedmonna spræce.
Toforan þaon feower wegas
æðelinga bearnungeþeode
on landsocne.Him on laste bu
1700
stiðlic stantorrand seo steape burh
samod samworhton Sennar stod.
Weox þa under wolcnumand wriðade
mægburh Semes,oðþæt mon awoc
on þære cneorisse,cynebearna rim,
1705
þancolmod wer,þeawum hydig.
Wurdon þam æðelingeeaforan acende,
in Babilonebearn afeded
freolicu tu,and þa frumgaran,
hæleð higerofe,hatene wæron
1710
Abraham and Aaron;þam eorlum wæs
frea engla bamfreond and aldor.
ða wearð Aaroneeafora feded,
leoflic on life,ðam wæs Loth noma.
ða magorincasmetode geþungon,
1715
Abraham and Loth,unforcuðlice,
swa him from yldrumæðelu wæron
on woruldrice;forðon hie wide nu
dugeðum demaðdrihtfolca bearn.
þa þæs mæles wæsmearc agongen
1720
þæt him Abrahamidese brohte,
wif to hame,þær he wic ahte,
fæger and freolic.Seo fæmne wæs
Sarra haten,þæs þe us secgeað bec.
Hie þa wintra felaworuld bryttedon,
1725
sinc ætsomne,sibbe heoldon
geara mengeo.Nohwæðre gifeðe wearð
Abrahame þa gytþæt him yrfeweard
wlitebeorht ideson woruld brohte,
Sarra Abrahame,suna and dohtra.
1730
Gewat him þa mid cnosleofer Caldea folc
feran mid feormefæder Abrahames;
snotor mid gesibbumsecean wolde
Cananea land.Hine cneowmægas,
metode gecorenemid siðedon
1735
of þære eðeltyrf,Abraham and Loth.
Him þa cynegodeon Carran
æðelinga bearneard genamon,
weras mid wifum.On þam wicum his
fæder Abrahamesfeorh gesealde,
1740
wærfæst hæle;wintra hæfde
twa hundteontig,geteled rime,
and fife eac,þa he forð gewat
misserum frodmetodsceaft seon.
ða se halga spræc,heofonrices weard,
1745
to Abrahame,ece drihten:
"Gewit þu nu feranand þine fare lædan,
ceapas to cnosle.Carran ofgif,
fæder eðelstol.Far, swa ic þe hate,
monna leofost,and þu minum wel
1750
larum hyre,and þæt land gesec
þe ic þe ælgreneywan wille,
brade foldan.þu gebletsad scealt
on mundbyrdeminre lifigan.
Gif ðe ænigeorðbuendra
1755
mid wean greteð,ic hine wergðo on
mine setteand modhete,
longsumne nið;lisse selle,
wilna wæstmeþam þe wurðiað.
þurh þe eorðbuendeealle onfoð,
1760
folcbearn freoðoand freondscipe,
blisse minreand bletsunge
on woruldrice.Wriðende sceal
mægðe þinremonrim wesan
swiðe under sweglesunum and dohtrum,
1765
oðþæt fromcymefolde weorðeð,
þeodlond monigþine gefylled."
Him þa Abraham gewatæhte lædan
of Egiptaeðelmearce,
gumcystum god,golde and seolfre
1770
swiðfeorm and gesælig,swa him sigora weard,
waldend usserþurh his word abead,
ceapas from Carran;sohton Cananea
lond and leodgeard.þa com leof gode
on þa eðelturfidesa lædan,
1775
swæse gebeddanand his suhtrian
wif on willan.Wintra hæfde
fif and hundseofontigða he faran sceolde,
Carran ofgifanand cneowmagas.
Him þa feran gewatfæder ælmihtiges
1780
lare gemyndigland sceawian
geond þa folcscearebe frean hæse
Abraham wide,oðþæt ellenrof
to Sicem comsiðe spedig,
cynne Cananeis.þa hine cyning engla
1785
Abrahameiewde selfa,
domfæst weredaand drihten cwæð:
"þis is seo eorðeþe ic ælgrene
tudre þinumtorhte wille
wæstmum gewloon geweald don,
1790
rume rice."þa se rinc gode
wibed worhteand þa waldende
lifes leohtfrumanlac onsægde
gasta helme.Him þa gyt gewat
Abraham eastaneagum wlitan
1795
on landa cyst,(lisse gemunde
heofonweardes gehat,þa him þurh halig word
sigora selfcyningsoð gecyðde),
oðþæt drihtwerasduguþum geforan
þær is botlwelaBethlem haten.
1800
Beorn bliðemodand his broðor sunu
forð oferforanfolcmæro land
eastan mid æhtum,æfæste men
weallsteapan hleoðu,and him þa wic curon
þær him wlitebeorhtewongas geþuhton.
1805
Abraham þaoðere siðe
wibed worhte.He þær wordum god
torhtum cigde,tiber onsægde
his liffrean,(him þæs lean ageaf
nalles hneawliceþurh his hand metend),
1810
on þam gledstydegumcystum til.
ðær ræsboraþrage siððan
wicum wunodeand wilna breac,
beorn mid bryde,oðþæt brohþrea
Cananea wearðcynne getenge,
1815
hunger se hearda,hamsittendum,
wælgrim werum.Him þa wishydig
Abraham gewaton Egypte,
drihtne gecoren,drohtað secan,
fleah wærfæst wean;wæs þæt wite to strang.
1820
Abraham maðelode,geseah Egypta
hornsele hwiteand hea byrig
beorhte blican;ongan þa his bryd frea,
wishydig wer,wordum læran:
"Siððan Egypteeagum moton
1825
on þinne wlite wlitanwlance monige,
þonne æðelingaeorlas wenað,
mæg ælfscieno,þæt þu min sie
beorht gebedda,þe wile beorna sum
him geagnian.Ic me onegan mæg
1830
þæt me wraðra sumwæpnes ecge
for freondmyndefeore beneote.
Saga þu, Sarra,þæt þu sie sweostor min,
lices mæge,þonne þe leodweras
fremde fricgenhwæt sie freondlufu
1835
ellðeodigrauncer twega,
feorren cumenra.þu him fæste hel
soðan spræce;swa þu minum scealt
feore gebeorgan,gif me freoðo drihten
on woruldrice,waldend usser,
1840
an ælmihtig,swa he ær dyde,
lengran lifes.Se us þas lade sceop,
þæt we on Egiptumare sceolde
fremena friclanand us fremu secan."
þa com ellenrofeorl siðian,
1845
Abraham mid æhtumon Egypte,
þær him folcwerasfremde wæron,
wine uncuðe.Wordum spræcon
ymb þæs wifes wlitewlonce monige,
dugeðum dealle;him drihtlicu mæg,
1850
on wlite modgummænegum ðuhte,
cyninges þegnum.Hie þæt cuð dydon
heora folcfreanþæt fægerro lyt
for æðelingeidesa sunnon,
ac hie Sarranswiðor micle,
1855
wynsumne wlitewordum heredon,
oðþæt he lædan hehtleoflic wif to
his selfes sele.Sinces brytta,
æðelinga helmheht Abrahame
duguðum stepan.Hwæðere drihten wearð,
1860
frea Faraonefah and yrre
for wifmyne;þæs wraðe ongeald
hearde mid hiwumhægstealdra wyn.
Ongæt hwæðeregumena aldor
hwæt him waldend wræcwiteswingum;
1865
heht him Abrahamto egesum geðreadne
brego Egipto,and his bryd ageaf,
wif to gewealde;heht him wine ceosan,
ellor æðelingas,oðre dugeðe.
Abead þa þeodcyningþegnum sinum,
1870
ombihtscealcum,þæt hie hine arlice
ealles onsundneeft gebrohten
of þære folcsceare,þæt he on friðe wære.
ða Abrahamæhte lædde
of Egyptaeðelmearce;
1875
hie ellenrofeidese feredon,
bryd and begas,þæt hie to Bethlem
on cuðe wicceapas læddon,
eadge eorðwelanoðre siðe,
wif on willanand heora woruldgestreon.
1880
Ongunnon him þa bytlianand heora burh ræran,
and sele settan,salo niwian.
Weras on wongewibed setton
neah þam þe Abrahamæror rærde
his waldendeþa westan com.
1885
þær se eadga eftecan drihtnes
niwan stefnenoman weorðade;
tilmodig eorltiber onsægde
þeodne engla,þancode swiðe
lifes leohtfrumanlisse and ara.
1890
Wunedon on þam wicum,hæfdon wilna geniht
Abraham and Loth.Ead bryttedon,
oðþæt hie on þam landene meahton leng somed
blædes brucanand heora begra þær
æhte habban,ac sceoldon arfæste,
1895
þa rincas þyrumor secan
ellor eðelseld.Oft wæron teonan
wærfæstra weraweredum gemæne,
heardum hearmplega.þa se halga ongan
ara gemyndigAbraham sprecan
1900
fægre to Lothe:"Ic eom fædera þin
sibgebyrdum,þu min suhterga.
Ne sceolon unc betweonanteonan weaxan,
wroht wriðian--ne þæt wille god!
Ac wit synt gemagas;unc gemæne ne sceal
1905
elles awiht,nymþe eall tela
lufu langsumu.Nu þu, Loth, geþenc,
þæt unc modigeymb mearce sittað,
þeoda þrymfæsteþegnum and gesiððum,
folc Cananeaand Feretia,
1910
rofum rincum.Ne willað rumor unc
landriht heora;forðon wit lædan sculon,
teon of þisse stowe,and unc staðolwangas
rumor secan.Ic ræd sprece,
bearn Arones,begra uncer,
1915
soðne secge.Ic þe selfes dom
life, leofa.Leorna þe seolfa
and geþancmetaþine mode
on hwilce healfeþu wille hwyrft don,
cyrran mid ceape,nu ic þe cyst abead."
1920
Him þa Loth gewatland sceawigan
be Iordane,grene eorðan.
Seo wæs wætrum weahtand wæstmum þeaht,
lagostreamum leoht,and gelic godes
neorxnawange,oðþæt nergend god
1925
for wera synnumwylme gesealde
Sodoman and Gomorran,sweartan lige.
Him þa eard geceasand eðelsetl
sunu Aroneson Sodoma byrig;
æhte sineealle lædde,
1930
beagas from Bethlemand botlgestreon,
welan, wunden gold.Wunode siððan
be Iordanegeara mænego.
þær folcstedefægre wæron,
men arlease,metode laðe.
1935
Wæron Sodomisc cynnsynnum þriste,
dædum gedwolene;drugon heora selfra
ecne unræd.æfre ne wolde
þam leodþeawumLoth onfon,
ac he þære mægðemonwisan fleah,
1940
þeah þe he on þam landelifian sceolde,
facen and fyrene,and hine fægre heold,
þeawfæst and geþyldigon þam þeodscipe,
emne þon gelicost,lara gemyndig,
þe he ne cuðehwæt þa cynn dydon.
1945
Abraham wunodeeðeleardum
Cananea forð.Hine cyning engla,
metod moncynnesmundbyrde heold,
wilna wæstmumand worulddugeðum,
lufum and lissum;forþon his lof secgað
1950
wide under wolcnumwera cneorisse,
foldwonga bearn.He frean hyrde
estum on eðle,ðenden he eardes breac,
halig and higefrod;næfre hleowlora
æt edwihtanæfre weorðeð
1955
feorhberendraforht and acol,
mon for metode,þe him æfter a
þurh gemynda spedmode and dædum,
worde and gewitte,wise þance,
oð his ealdorgedaloleccan wile.
1960
ða ic aldor gefrægnElamitarna
fromne folctogan,fyrd gebeodan,
Orlahomar;him Ambrafel
of Sennarside worulde
for on fultum.Gewiton hie feower þa
1965
þeodcyningasþrymme micle
secan suð ðanonSodoman and Gomorran.
þa wæs guðhergumbe Iordane
wera eðellandwide geondsended,
folde feondum.Sceolde forht monig
1970
blachleor idesbifiende gan
on fremdes fæðm;feollon wergend
bryda and beaga,bennum seoce.
Him þa togeanesmid guðþræce
fife foranfolccyningas
1975
sweotum suðon,woldon Sodome burh
wraðum werian;þa wintra XII
norðmonnum ærniede sceoldon
gombon gieldanand gafol sellan,
oðþæt þa leodeleng ne woldon
1980
Elamitarnaaldor swiðan
folcgestreonum,ac him from swicon.
Foron þa tosomne(francan wæron hlude),
wraðe wælherigas.Sang se wanna fugel
under deoreðsceaftum,deawigfeðera,
1985
hræs on wenan.Hæleð onetton
on mægencorðrum,modum þryðge,
oðþæt folcgetrumegefaren hæfdon
sid tosomnesuðan and norðan,
helmum þeahte.þær wæs heard plega,
1990
wælgara wrixl,wigcyrm micel,
hlud hildesweg.Handum brugdon
hæleð of scæðumhringmæled sweord,
ecgum dihtig.þær wæs eaðfynde
eorle orlegceap,se ðe ær ne wæs
1995
niðes genihtsum.Norðmen wæron
suðfolcum swice;wurdon Sodomware
and Gomorre,goldes bryttan,
æt þæm lindcrodanleofum bedrorene,
fyrdgesteallum.Gewiton feorh heora
2000
fram þam folcstydefleame nergan,
secgum ofslegene;him on swaðe feollon
æðelinga bearn,ecgum ofþegde,
willgesiððas.Hæfde wigsigor
Elamitarnaordes wisa,
2005
weold wælstowe.Gewat seo wæpna laf
fæsten secan.Fynd gold strudon,
ahyðdan þa mid hergehordburh wera,
Sodoman and Gomorran,þa sæl ageald,
mære ceastra.Mægð siðedon,
2010
fæmnan and wuduwan,freondum beslægene,
from hleowstole.Hettend læddon
ut mid æhtumAbrahames mæg
of Sodoma byrig.We þæt soð magon
secgan furður,hwelc siððan wearð
2015
æfter þæm gehnæsteherewulfa sið,
þara þe læddon Lothand leoda god,
suðmonna sinc,sigore gulpon.
Him þa secg hraðegewat siðian,
an gara laf,se ða guðe genæs,
2020
Abraham secan.Se þæt orlegweorc
þam Ebriscaneorle gecyðde,
forslegen swiðeSodoma folc,
leoda duguðeand Lothes sið.
þa þæt inwitspellAbraham sægde
2025
freondum sinum;bæd him fultumes
wærfæst hæleðwillgeðoftan,
Aner and Manre,Escol þriddan,
cwæð þæt him wæreweorce on mode,
sorga sarost,þæt his suhtriga
2030
þeownyd þolode;bæd him þræcrofe
þa rincas þæsræd ahicgan,
þæt his hyldemægahreded wurde,
beorn mid bryde.Him þa broðor þry
æt spræce þærespedum miclum
2035
hældon hygesorgeheardum wordum,
ellenrofe,and Abrahame
treowa sealdon,þæt hie his torn mid him
gewræcon on wraðum,oððe on wæl feollan.
þa se halga hehthis heorðwerod
2040
wæpna onfon.He þær wigena fand,
æscberendra,XVIII
and CCC eacþeodenholdra,
þara þe he wisteþæt meahte wel æghwylc
on fyrd weganfealwe linde.
2045
Him þa Abraham gewatand þa eorlas þry
þe him ær treowe sealdonmid heora folcgetrume;
wolde his mæg huru, Loth alynnanof laðscipe.
Rincas wæron rofe,randas wægon
2050
forð fromliceon foldwege.
Hildewulfasherewicum neh
gefaren hæfdon.þa he his frumgaran,
wishydig wer,wordum sægde,
þares afera,him wæs þearf micel
2055
þæt hie on twa healfe grimme guðgemotgystum eowdon
heardne handplegan;cwæð þæt him se halga,
ece drihten,eaðe mihte
æt þam spereniðespede lænan.
2060
þa ic neðan gefrægnunder nihtscuwan
hæleð to hilde.Hlyn wearð on wicum
scylda and sceafta,sceotendra fyll,
guðflana gegrind;gripon unfægre
under sceat werumscearpe garas,
2065
and feonda feorhfeollon ðicce,
þær hlihendehuðe feredon
secgas and gesiððas.Sigor eft ahwearf
of norðmonnaniðgeteone,
æsctir wera.Abraham sealde
2070
wig to wedde,nalles wunden gold,
for his suhtrigan,sloh and fylde
feond on fitte.Him on fultum grap
heofonrices weard.Hergas wurdon
feower on fleame,folccyningas,
2075
leode ræswan.Him on laste stod
hihtlic heorðwerod,and hæleð lagon,
on swaðe sæton,þa þe Sodoma
and Gomorragolde berofan,
bestrudon stigwitum.Him þæt stiðe geald
2080
fædera Lothes.Fleonde wæron
Elamitarnaaldorduguðe
dome bedrorene,oðþæt hie Domasco
unfeor wæron.Gewat him Abraham ða
on þa wigrodewiðertrod seon
2085
laðra monna.Loth wæs ahreded,
eorl mid æhtum,idesa hwurfon,
wif on willan.Wide gesawon
freora feorhbananfuglas slitan
on ecgwale.Abraham ferede
2090
suðmonna eftsinc and bryda,
æðelinga bearn,oðle nior,
mægeð heora magum.Næfre mon ealra
lifigendra herlytle werede
þon wurðlicorwigsið ateah,
2095
þara þe wið swa miclummægne geræsde.
þa wæs suð þanonSodoma folce
guðspell wegen,hwelc gromra wearð
feonda fromlad.Gewat him frea leoda,
eorlum bedroren,Abraham secan,
2100
freonda feasceaft.Him ferede mid
Solomiasinces hyrde;
þæt wæs se mæraMelchisedec,
leoda bisceop.Se mid lacum com
fyrdrinca frumanfægre gretan,
2105
Abraham arlice,and him on sette
godes bletsunge,and swa gyddode:
"Wæs ðu gewurðodon wera rime
for þæs eagumþe ðe æsca tir
æt guðe forgeaf!þæt is god selfa,
2110
se ðe hettendraherga þrymmas
on geweald gebræc,and þe wæpnum læt
rancstræte forðrume wyrcan,
huðe ahreddanand hæleð fyllan.
On swaðe sæton;ne meahton siðwerod
2115
guðe spowan,ac hie god flymde,
se ðe æt feohtanmid frumgarum
wið ofermægnesegsan sceolde
handum sinum,and halegu treow,
seo þu wið rodora weardrihte healdest."
2120
Him þa se beornbletsunga lean
þurh hand ageaf,and þæs hereteames
ealles teoðan sceatAbraham sealde
godes bisceope.þa spræc guðcyning,
Sodoma aldor,secgum befylled,
2125
to Abrahame(him wæs ara þearf).
"Forgif me mennenminra leoda,
þe þu ahreddestherges cræftum
wera wælclommum!Hafa þe wunden gold
þæt ær agen wæsussum folce,
2130
feoh and frætwa!Læt me freo lædan
eft on eðelæðelinga bearn,
on weste wicwif and cnihtas,
earme wydewan!Eaforan syndon deade,
folcgesiðas,nymðe fea ane,
2135
þe me mid sceoldonmearce healdan."
Him þa Abrahamandswarode
ædre for eorlum,elne gewurðod,
dome and sigore,drihtlice spræc:
"Ic þe gehate,hæleða waldend,
2140
for þam halgan,þe heofona is
and þisse eorðanagendfrea,
wordum minum,nis woruldfeoh,
þe ic me agan wille, sceat ne scilling,þæs ic on sceotendum,
2145
þeoden mæra,þines ahredde,
æðelinga helm,þy læs þu eft cweðe
þæt ic wurde,willgesteallum,
eadig on eorðanærgestreonum
Sodoma rices;ac þu selfa most heonon
2150
huðe lædan,þe ic þe æt hilde gesloh,
ealle buton dæleþissa drihtwera,
Aneres and Mamresand Escoles.
Nelle ic þa rincasrihte benæman,
ac hie me fulleodonæt æscþræce,
2155
fuhton þe æfter frofre.Gewit þu ferian nu
ham hyrsted goldand healsmægeð,
leoda idesa.þu þe laðra ne þearft
hæleða hildþræcehwile onsittan,
norðmanna wig;ac nefuglas
2160
under beorhhleoþumblodige sittað,
þeodherga wæleþicce gefylled."
Gewat him þa se healdendham siðian
mid þy hereteameþe him se halga forgeaf,
Ebrea leodarna gemyndig.
2165
þa gen Abrahameeowde selfa
heofona heahcyninghalige spræce,
trymede tilmodigneand him to reordode:
"Meda syndon micla þina!Ne læt þu þe þin mod asealcan,
wærfæst willan mines!Ne þearft þu þe wiht ondrædan,
2170
þenden þu mine lare læstest,ac ic þe lifigende her
wið weana gehwamwreo and scylde
folmum minum;ne þearft þu forht wesan."
Abraham þaandswarode,
dædrof drihtne sinum,frægn hine dægrime frod:
2175
"Hwæt gifest þu me,gasta waldend,
freomanna to frofre,nu ic þus feasceaft eom?
Ne þearf ic yrfestoleaforan bytlian
ænegum minra,ac me æfter sculon
mine woruldmagaswelan bryttian.
2180
Ne sealdest þu me sunu;forðon mec sorg dreceð
on sefan swiðe.Ic sylf ne mæg
ræd ahycgan.Gæð gerefa min
fægen freobearnum;fæste mynteð
ingeþancumþæt me æfter sie
2185
eaforan sineyrfeweardas.
Geseoð þæt me of brydebearn ne wocon."
Him þa ædre godandswarode:
"Næfre gerefanrædað þine
eafora yrfe,ac þin agen bearn
2190
frætwa healdeð,þonne þin flæsc ligeð.
Sceawa heofon,and hyrste gerim,
rodores tungel,þa nu rume heora
wuldorfæstne wlitewide dælað
ofer brad brymubeorhte scinan.
2195
Swilc bið mægburgemenigo þinre
folcbearnum frome.Ne læt þu þin ferhð wesan
sorgum asæled.Gien þe sunu weorðeð,
bearn of brydeþurh gebyrd cumen,
se ðe æfter biðyrfes hyrde,
2200
gode mære.Ne geomra þu!
Ic eom se waldendse þe for wintra fela
of Caldeaceastre alædde,
feowera sumne,gehet þe folcstede
wide to gewealde.Ic þe wære nu,
2205
mago Ebrea,mine selle,
þæt sceal fromcynnefolde þine,
sidland manig,geseted wurðan,
eorðan sceatasoð Eufraten,
and from Egyptaeðelmearce
2210
swa mid niðasswa Nilus sceadeð
and eft Wendelsæwide rice.
Eall þæt sculon aganeaforan þine,
þeodlanda gehwilc,swa þa þreo wæter
steape stanbyrigstreamum bewindað,
2215
famige flodasfolcmægða byht."
þa wæs Sarransar on mode,
þæt him Abrahameænig ne wearð
þurh gebedscipebearn gemæne,
freolic to frofre.Ongann þa ferhðcearig
2220
to were sinumwordum mæðlan:
"Me þæs forwyrndewaldend heofona,
þæt ic mægburgemoste þinre
rim miclianroderum under
eaforum þinum.Nu ic eom orwena
2225
þæt unc se eðylstæfæfre weorðe
gifeðe ætgædere.Ic eom geomorfrod!
Drihten min,do swa ic þe bidde!
Her is fæmne,freolecu mæg,
ides Egyptisc,an on gewealde.
2230
Hat þe þa recenereste gestigan,
and afanda hwæðerfrea wille
ænigne þeyrfewearda
on woruld lætanþurh þæt wif cuman."
þa se eadega weridese larum
2235
geðafode,heht him þeowmennen
on bedd ganbryde larum.
Hire mod astahþa heo wæs magotimbre
be Abrahameeacen worden.
Ongan æfþancumagendfrean
2240
halsfæst herian,higeþryðe wæg,
wæs laðwendo,lustum ne wolde
þeowdom þolian,ac heo þriste ongan
wið Sarranswiðe winnan.
þa ic þæt wif gefrægnwordum cyðan
2245
hire mandrihtnemodes sorge,
sarferhð sægdeand swiðe cwæð:
"Ne fremest þu gerysnuand riht wið me.
þafodest þu genaþæt me þeowmennen,
siððan Agar ðe,idese laste,
2250
beddreste gestah,swa ic bena wæs,
drehte dogora gehwamdædum and wordum
unarlice.þæt Agar sceal ongieldan,
gif ic mot for þemine wealdan,
Abraham leofa.þæs sie ælmihtig,
2255
drihtna drihten,dema mid unc twih."
Hire þa ædreandswarode
wishidig werwordum sinum:
"Ne forlæte ic þe,þenden wit lifiað bu,
arna lease,ac þu þin agen most
2260
mennen ateon,swa þin mod freoð."
ða wearð unbliðeAbrahames cwen,
hire worcþeowewrað on mode,
heard and hreðe,higeteonan spræc
fræcne on fæmnan.Heo þa fleon gewat
2265
þrea and þeowdom;þolian ne wolde
yfel and ondlean,þæs ðe ær dyde
to Sarran,ac heo on sið gewat
westen secan.þær hie wuldres þegn,
engel drihtnesan gemitte
2270
geomormode,se hie georne frægn:
"Hwider fundast þu,feasceaft ides,
siðas dreogan?þec Sarre ah."
Heo him ædreandswarode:
"Ic fleah wean, wanawilna gehwilces,
2275
hlæfdigan hete,hean of wicum,
tregan and teonan.Nu sceal tearighleor
on westennewitodes bidan,
hwonne of heortanhunger oððe wulf
sawle and sorgesomed abregde."
2280
Hire þa se engelandswarode:
"Ne ceara þu feor heononfleame dælan
somwist incre,ac þu sece eft,
earna þe ara,eaðmod ongin
dreogan æfter dugeðum,wes drihtenhold.
2285
þu scealt, Agar,Abrahame sunu
on woruld bringan.Ic þe wordum nu
minum secge,þæt se magorinc sceal
mid yldum wesanIsmahel haten.
Se bið unhyre,orlæggifre,
2290
and wiðerbrecawera cneorissum,
magum sinum;hine monige on
wraðe winnaðmid wæpenþræce.
Of þam frumgaranfolc awæcniað,
þeod unmæte.Gewit þu þinne eft
2295
waldend secan;wuna þæm þe agon!"
Heo þa ædre gewatengles larum
hire hlafordum,swa se halga bebead,
godes ærendgast,gleawan spræce.
þa wearð AbrahameIsmael geboren,
2300
efne þa he on woruldewintra hæfde
VI and LXXX.Sunu weox and ðah,
swa se engel ærþurh his agen word,
fæle freoðoscealc,fæmnan sægde.
þa se ðeodenymb XIII gear,
2305
ece drihten,wið Abrahame spræc:
"Leofa, swa ic þe lære,læst uncre wel
treowrædenne!Ic þe on tida gehwone
duguðum stepe.Wes þu dædum from
willan mines!Ic þa wære forð
2310
soðe gelæste,þe ic þe sealde geo
frofre to wedde,þæs þin ferhð bemearn.
þu scealt halgianhired þinne.
Sete sigores tacnsoð on gehwilcne
wæpnedcynnes,gif þu wille on me
2315
hlaford habbanoððe holdne freond
þinum fromcynne.Ic þæs folces beo
hyrde and healdend,gif ge hyrað me
breostgehygdumand bebodu willað
min fullian.Sceal monna gehwilc
2320
þære cneorissecildisc wesan
wæpnedcynnes,þæs þe on woruld cymð,
ymb seofon nihtsigores tacne
geagnod me,oððe of eorðan
þurh feondscipefeor adæled,
2325
adrifen from duguðum.Doð swa ic hate!
Ic eow treowige,gif ge þæt tacen gegaþ
soðgeleafan.þu scealt sunu agan,
bearn be bryde þinre,þone sculon burhsittende
ealle Isaac hatan.Ne þearf þe þæs eaforan sceomigan,
2330
ac ic þam magorincemine sylle
godcunde gifegastes mihtum,
freondsped fremum.He onfon sceal
blisse minreand bletsunge,
lufan and lisse.Of þam leodfruman
2335
brad folc cumað,bregowearda fela
rofe arisað,rices hyrdas,
woruldcyningaswide mære."
Abraham ðaofestum legde
hleor on eorðan,and mid hucse bewand
2340
þa hleoðorcwydason hige sinum,
modgeðance.He þæs mældæges
self ne wendeþæt him Sarra,
bryd blondenfeaxbringan meahte
on woruld sunu;wiste gearwe
2345
þæt þæt wif huruwintra hæfde
efne C,geteled rimes.
He þa metode oncwæðmissarum frod:
"Lifge Ismaellarum swilce,
þeoden, þinum,and þe þanc wege,
2350
heardrædne hyge,heortan strange,
to dreogannedæges and nihtes
wordum and dædumwillan þinne."
Him þa fægerefrea ælmihtig,
ece drihten,andswarode:
2355
"þe sceal wintrum frodon woruld bringan
Sarra sunu,soð forð gan
wyrd æfter þissumwordgemearcum.
Ic Ismaelestum wille
bletsian nu,swa þu bena eart
2360
þinum frumbearne,þæt feorhdaga
on woruldriceworn gebide,
tanum tudre.þu þæs tiða beo!
Hwæðre ic Isace,eaforan þinum,
geongum bearne,þam þe gen nis
2365
on woruld cumen,willa spedum
dugeða gehwilcreon dagum wille
swiðor stepanand him soðe to
modes wæremine gelæstan,
halige higetreowa,and him hold wesan."
2370
Abraham fremedeswa him se eca bebead,
sette friðotacenbe frean hæse
on his selfes sunu,heht þæt segn wegan
heah gehwilcne,þe his hina wæs
wæpnedcynnes,wære gemyndig,
2375
gleaw on mode,ða him god sealde
soðe treowa,and þa seolf onfeng
torhtum tacne.A his tir metod,
domfæst cyning,dugeðum iecte
on woruldrice;he him þæs worhte to,
2380
siððan he on færefurðum meahte
his waldendeswillan fremman.
þa þæt wif ahlohwereda drihtnes
nalles glædlice,ac heo gearum frod
þone hleoðorcwydehusce belegde
2385
on sefan swiðe.Soð ne gelyfde,
þæt þære spræcesped folgode.
þa þæt gehyrdeheofona waldend,
þæt on bure ahofbryd Abrahames
hihtleasne hleahtor,þa cwæð halig god:
2390
"Ne wile Sarransoð gelyfan
wordum minum.Sceal seo wyrd swa þeah
forð steallianswa ic þe æt frymðe gehet.
Soð ic þe secge,on þas sylfan tid
of idese biðeafora wæcned.
2395
þonne ic þas ilcanoðre siðe
wic gesece,þe beoð wordgehat
min gelæsted.þu on magan wlitest,
þin agen bearn,Abraham leofa!"
Gewiton him þa ædreellorfuse
2400
æfter þære spræcespedum feran
of þam hleoðorstede,halige gastas,
lastas legdon,(him wæs Lothes mæg
sylfa on gesiððe),oðþæt hie on Sodoman,
weallsteape burg,wlitan meahton.
2405
Gesawon ofer sincesalo hlifian,
reced ofer readum golde.Ongan þa rodera waldend,
arfæst wið Abraham sprecan,sægde him unlytel spell:
"Ic on þisse byrigbearhtm gehyre,
synnigra cyrmswiðe hludne,
2410
ealogalra gylp,yfele spræce
werod under weallum habban;forþon wærlogona sint,
folces firena hefige.Ic wille fandigan nu,
mago Ebrea,hwæt þa men don,
gif hie swa swiðesynna fremmað
2415
þeawum and geþancum,swa hie on þweorh sprecað
facen and inwit;þæt sceal fyr wrecan,
swefyl and sweart ligsare and grimme,
hat and hæstehæðnum folce."
Weras basnedonwitelaces,
2420
wean under weallum,and heora wif somed.
Duguðum wlancedrihtne guldon
god mid gnyrne,oðþæt gasta helm,
lifes leohtfrumaleng ne wolde
torn þrowigean,ac him to sende
2425
stiðmod cyningstrange twegen
aras sine,þa on æfentid
siðe gesohtonSodoma ceastre.
Hie þa æt burhgeatebeorn gemitton
sylfne sittansunu Arones,
2430
þæt þam gleawan weregeonge þuhton
men for his eagum.Aras þa metodes þeow
gastum togeanes,gretan eode
cuman cuðlice,cynna gemunde
riht and gerisno,and þam rincum bead
2435
nihtfeormunge.Him þa nergendes
æðele ærendracanandswarodon:
"Hafa arna þanc,þara þe þu unc bude!
Wit be þisse strætestille þencað
sæles bidan,siððan sunnan eft
2440
forð to morgenmetod up forlæt."
þa to fotum Loth þam giestum hnah,and him georne bead
reste and gereordaand his recedes hleow
and þegnunge.Hie on þanc curon
2445
æðelinges est,eodon sona,
swa him se Ebriscaeorl wisade,
in undor edoras.þær him se æðela geaf,
gleawferhð hæle,giestliðnysse
fægre on flette,oðþæt forð gewat
2450
æfenscima.þa com æfter niht
on last dæge.Lagustreamas wreah,
þrym mid þystroþisses lifes,
sæs and sidland.Comon Sodomware,
geonge and ealde,gode unleofe
2455
corðrum miclumcuman acsian,
þæt hie behæfdonherges mægne
Loth mid giestum.Heton lædan ut
of þam hean hofehalige aras,
weras to gewealde,wordum cwædon
2460
þæt mid þam hæleðumhæman wolden
unscomlice,arna ne gymden.
þa aras hraðe,se ðe oft ræd ongeat,
Loth on recede,eode lungre ut,
spræc þa ofer ealleæðelinga gedriht
2465
sunu Arones,snytra gemyndig:
"Her syndon inneunwemme twa
dohtor mine.Doð, swa ic eow bidde
(ne can þara idesaowðer gieta
þurh gebedscipebeorna neawest)
2470
and geswicað þære synne.Ic eow sylle þa,
ær ge sceondewið gesceapu fremmen,
ungifre yfelylda bearnum.
Onfoð þæm fæmnum,lætað frið agon
gistas mine,þa ic for gode wille
2475
gemundbyrdan,gif ic mot, for eow."
Him þa seo mænigeoþurh gemæne word,
arlease cyn,andswarode:
"þis þinceð gerisneand riht micel,
þæt þu ðe aferigeof þisse folcsceare.
2480
þu þas werðeodewræccan laste
freonda feasceaftfeorran gesohtest,
wineþearfende.Wilt ðu, gif þu most,
wesan usser heraldordema,
leodum lareow?"þa ic on Lothe gefrægn
2485
hæðne heremæcgashandum gripan,
faum folmum.Him fylston wel
gystas sine,and hine of gromra þa,
cuman arfæste,clommum abrugdon
in under edoras,and þa ofstlice
2490
anra gehwilcumymbstandendra
folces Sodomafæste forsæton
heafodsiena.Wearð eal here sona
burhwarena blind.Abrecan ne meahton
reðemodereced æfter gistum,
2495
swa hie fundedon,ac þær frome wæron
godes spellbodan.Hæfde gistmægen
stiðe strengeo,styrnde swiðe
werode mid wite.Spræcon wordum þa
fæle freoðoscealcasfægre to Lothe:
2500
"Gif þu sunu ageoððe swæsne mæg,
oððe on þissum folcumfreond ænigne
eac þissum idesumþe we her on wlitað,
alæde of þysse leodbyrig,þa ðe leofe sien,
ofestum miclum,and þin ealdor nere,
2505
þy læs þu forweorðemid þyssum wærlogan.
Unc hit waldend hehtfor wera synnum
Sodoma and Gomorrasweartan lige,
fyre gesyllanand þas folc slean,
cynn on ceastrummid cwealmþrea
2510
and his torn wrecan.þære tide is
neah geþrungen.Gewit þu nergean þin
feorh foldwege.þe is frea milde."
Him þa ædre Lothandswarode:
"Ne mæg ic mid idesumaldornere mine
2515
swa feor heononfeðegange
siðe gesecan.Git me sibblufan
and freondscipefægre cyðað,
treowe and hyldotiðiað me.
Ic wat hea burhher ane neah,
2520
lytle ceastre.Lyfað me þær
are and reste,þæt we aldornere
on Sigor upsecan moten.
Gif git þæt fæstenfyre willað
steape forstandan,on þære stowe we
2525
gesunde magonsæles bidan,
feorh generigan."Him þa freondlice
englas arfæsteandswaredon:
"þu scealt þære bene,nu þu ymb þa burh sprycest,
tiða weorðan.Teng recene to
2530
þam fæstenne;wit þe friðe healdað
and mundbyrde.Ne moton wyt
on wærlogumwrecan torn godes,
swebban synnig cynn,ær ðon þu on Sægor þin
bearn gelædeand bryd somed."
2535
þa onetteAbrahames mæg
to þam fæstenne.Feðe ne sparode
eorl mid idesum,ac he ofstum forð
lastas legde,oðþæt he gelædde
bryd mid bearnumunder burhlocan
2540
in Sægor his.þa sunne up,
folca friðcandel,furðum eode,
þa ic sendan gefrægnswegles aldor
swefl of heofnumand sweartne lig
werum to wite,weallende fyr,
2545
þæs hie on ærdagumdrihten tyndon
lange þrage.Him þæs lean forgeald
gasta waldend!Grap heahþrea
on hæðencynn.Hlynn wearð on ceastrum,
cirm arleasracwealmes on ore,
2550
laðan cynnes.Lig eall fornam
þæt he grenes fondgoldburgum in,
swylce þær ymbutanunlytel dæl
sidre foldangeondsended wæs
bryne and brogan.Bearwas wurdon
2555
to axan and to yslan,eorðan wæstma,
efne swa wideswa ða witelac
reðe geræhtonrum land wera.
Strudende fyrsteapes and geapes,
swogende leg,forswealh eall geador
2560
þæt on Sodoma byrigsecgas ahton
and on Gomorra.Eall þæt god spilde,
frea mid þy folce.þa þæt fyrgebræc,
leoda lifgedal,Lothes gehyrde
bryd on burgum,under bæc beseah
2565
wið þæs wælfylles.Us gewritu secgað
þæt heo on sealtstanessona wurde
anlicnesse.æfre siððan
se monlica(þæt is mære spell)
stille wunode,þær hie strang begeat
2570
wite, þæs heo wordumwuldres þegna
hyran ne wolde.Nu sceal heard and steap
on þam wicumwyrde bidan,
drihtnes domes,hwonne dogora rim,
woruld gewite.þæt is wundra sum,
2575
þara ðe geworhtewuldres aldor.
Him þa Abraham gewatana gangan
mid ærdægeþæt he eft gestod
þær wordum ærwið his waldend spræc
frod frumgara.He geseah from foldan up
2580
wide fleoganwælgrimne rec.
Hie þæs wlenco onwodand wingedrync
þæt hie firendædato frece wurdon,
synna þriste,soð ofergeaton,
drihtnes domas,and hwa him dugeða forgeaf,
2585
blæd on burgum.Forþon him brego engla
wylmhatne ligto wræce sende.
Waldend ussergemunde wærfæst þa
Abraham arlice,swa he oft dyde
leofne mannan.Loth generede,
2590
mæg þæs oðres,þa seo mænegeo forwearð.
Ne dorste þadædrof hæle
for frean egesanon þam fæstenne
leng eardigean,ac him Loth gewat
of byrig ganganand his bearn somed
2595
wælstowe fyrrwic sceawian,
oðþæt hie be hliðeheare dune
eorðscræf fundon.þær se eadega Loth
wærfæst wunode,waldende leof,
dægrimes wornand his dohtor twa.
2600
Hie dydon swa;druncnum eode
seo yldre toær on reste
heora bega fæder.Ne wiste blondenfeax
hwonne him fæmnan to brydehim bu wæron,
on ferhðcofanfæste genearwod
2605
mode and gemynde,þæt he mægða sið
wine druncengewitan ne meahte.
Idesa wurdon eacne,eaforan brohtan
willgesweostoron woruld sunu
heora ealdan fæder.þara æðelinga
2610
modor oðerneMoab nemde,
Lothes dohter,seo on life wæs
wintrum yldre.Us gewritu secgeað,
godcunde bec,þæt seo gingre
hire agen bearnAmmon hete.
2615
Of þam frumgarumfolces unrim,
þrymfæste twaþeoda awocon.
Oðre þara mægðaMoabitare
eorðbuendeealle hatað,
widmære cynn,oðre weras nemnað,
2620
æðelinga bearn,Ammonitare.
Gewat him þa mid brydebroðor Arones
under Abimelechæhte lædan
mid his hiwum.Hæleðum sægde
þæt Sarra hissweostor wære,
2625
Abraham wordum(bearh his aldre),
þy he wiste gearweþæt he winemaga,
on folce lytfreonda hæfde.
þa se þeoden hisþegnas sende,
heht hie bringanto him selfum.
2630
þa wæs ellþeodigoðre siðe
wif Abrahamesfrom were læded
on fremdes fæðm.Him þær fylste þa
ece drihten,swa he oft dyde,
nergend usser.Com nihtes self,
2635
þær se waldend lægwine druncen.
Ongan þa soðcyningþurh swefn sprecan
to þam æðelingeand him yrre hweop:
"þu Abrahamesidese gename,
bryde æt beorne.þe abregdan sceal
2640
for þære dædedeað of breostum
sawle þine."Him symbelwerig
sinces bryttaþurh slæp oncwæð:
"Hwæt, þu æfre,engla þeoden,
þurh þin yrre wiltaldre lætan,
2645
heah beheowan,þæne þe her leofað
rihtum þeawum,bið on ræde fæst,
modgeþance,and him miltse
to þe seceð?Me sægde ær
þæt wif hirewordum selfa
2650
unfricgendum,þæt heo Abrahames
sweostor wære.Næbbe ic synne wið hie,
facna æniggefremed gena."
Him þa ædre eftece drihten,
soðfæst metod,þurh þæt swefn oncwæð:
2655
"Agif Abrahameidese sine,
wif to gewealde,gif þu on worulde leng,
æðelinga helm,aldres recce.
He is god and gleaw,mæg self wið god sprecan,
geseon sweglcyning.þu sweltan scealt
2660
mid feo and mid feorme,gif ðu þam frumgaran
bryde wyrnest.He abiddan mæg,
gif he ofstum meærendu wile
þeawfæst and geþyldigþin abeodan,
þæt ic þe lissalifigendum giet
2665
on dagum læteduguþa brucan
sinces gesundne."þa slæpe tobrægd
forht folces weard.Heht him fetigean to
gesprecan sine,spedum sægde
eorlum Abimeleh,egesan geðread,
2670
waldendes word.Weras him ondredon
for þære dædedrihtnes handa
sweng æfter swefne.Heht sylf cyning
him þa Abraham toofstum miclum.
þa reordoderice þeoden:
2675
"Mago Ebrea,þæs þu me wylle
wordum secgean,hu geworhte ic þæt,
siððan þu usic under,Abraham, þine
on þas eðelturfæhta læddest,
þæt þu me þus swiðesearo renodest?
2680
þu ellþeodigusic woldest
on þisse folcscearefacne besyrwan,
synnum besmitan,sægdest wordum
þæt Sarra þinsweostor wære,
lices mæge,woldest laðlice
2685
þurh þæt wif on mewrohte alecgean,
ormæte yfel.We þe arlice
gefeormedon,and þe freondlice
on þisse werþeodewic getæhton,
land to lissum.þu us leanast nu,
2690
unfreondlicefremena þancast!"
Abraham þaandswarode:
"Ne dyde ic for facnene for feondscipe
ne for wihte þæsic þe wean uðe.
Ac ic me, gumena baldor,guðbordes sweng
2695
leodmagum feorlare gebearh,
siððan me se halgaof hyrde frean,
mines fæderfyrn alædde.
Ic fela siððanfolca gesohte,
wina uncuðra,and þis wif mid me,
2700
freonda feasceaft.Ic þæs færes a
on wenum sæthwonne me wraðra sum
ellþeodignealdre beheowe,
se ðe him þas idese eftagan wolde.
Forðon ic wigsmiðumwordum sægde
2705
þæt Sarra minsweostor wære
æghwær eorðanþær wit earda leas
mid wealandumwinnan sceoldon.
Ic þæt ilce dreahon þisse eðyltyrf,
siððan ic þina,þeoden mæra,
2710
mundbyrde geceas.Ne wæs me on mode cuð,
hwæðer on þyssum folcefrean ælmihtiges
egesa wære,þa ic her ærest com.
Forþon ic þegnumþinum dyrnde
and sylfum þeswiðost micle
2715
soðan spræce,þæt me Sarra
bryde lastebeddreste gestah."
þa ongan AbimælehAbraham swiðan
woruldgestreonumand him his wif ageaf.
Sealde him to bote,þæs þe he his bryd genam,
2720
gangende feohand glæd seolfor
and weorcþeos.Spræc þa wordum eac
to Abrahameæðelinga helm:
"wuna mid usicand þe wic geceos
on þissum landeþær þe leofost sie,
2725
eðelstowe,þe ic agan sceal.
Wes us fæle freond,we ðe feoh syllað!"
Cwæð þa eft raðeoðre worde
to Sarransinces brytta:
"Ne þearf ðe on edwitAbraham settan,
2730
ðin freadrihten,þæt þu flettpaðas,
mæg ælfscieno,mine træde,
ac him hygeteonanhwitan seolfre
deope bete.Ne ceara incit duguða
of ðisse eðyltyrfellor secan,
2735
winas uncuðe,ac wuniað her."
Abraham fremedeswa hine his aldor heht,
onfeng freondscipebe frean hæse,
lufum and lissum.He wæs leof gode.
Forðon he sibbegesælig dreah
2740
and his scippendeunder sceade gefor,
hleowfeðrum þeaht,her þenden lifde.
þa gien wæs yrregod Abimelehe
for þære synneþe he wið Sarrai
and wið Abrahameær gefremede,
2745
þa he gedældehim deore twa,
wif and wæpned.He þæs weorc gehleat,
frecne wite.Ne meahton freo ne þeowe
heora bregoweardasbearnum ecan
monrim mægeð,ac him þæt metod forstod,
2750
oðþæt se halgahis hlaforde
Abraham onganarna biddan
ecne drihten.Him engla helm
getigðode,tuddorsped onleac
folccyningefreora and þeowra,
2755
wera and wifa;let weaxan eft
heora rimgetelrodora waldend,
ead and æhta.ælmihtig wearð
milde on mode,moncynnes weard,
Abimeleche,swa hine Abraham bæd.
2760
þa com feranfrea ælmihtig
to Sarrai,swa he self gecwæð,
waldend usser,hæfde wordbeot
leofum gelæsted,lifes aldor
eaforan and idese.Abrahame woc
2765
bearn of bryde,þone brego engla,
ær ðy magotudremodor wære
eacen be eorle,Isaac nemde.
Hine Abraham onmid his agene hand
beacen sette,swa him bebead metod,
2770
wuldortorht ymb wucan,þæs þe hine on woruld
to moncynnemodor brohte.
Cniht weox and þag,swa him cynde wæron
æðele from yldrum.Abraham hæfde
wintra hundteontigþa him wif sunu
2775
on þanc gebær.He þæs ðrage bad,
siððan him ærestþurh his agen word
þone dægwillandrihten bodode.
þa seo wyrd gewearðþæt þæt wif geseah
for AbrahameIsmael plegan,
2780
ðær hie æt swæsendumsæton bu tu,
halig on hige,and heora hiwan eall,
druncon and drymdon.þa cwæð drihtlecu mæg,
bryd to beorne:"Forgif me, beaga weard,
min swæs frea,hat siðian
2785
Agar ellorand Ismael
lædan mid hie!Ne beoð we leng somed
willum minum,gif ic wealdan mot.
Næfre Ismaelwið Isace,
wið min agen bearnyrfe dæleð
2790
on laste þe,þonne þu of lice
aldor asendest."þa wæs Abrahame
weorce on modeþæt he on wræc drife
his selfes sunu,þa com soð metod
freom on fultum,wiste ferhð guman
2795
cearum on clommum.Cyning engla spræc
to Abrahame,ece drihten:
"Læt þe aslupansorge of breostum,
modgewinnan,and mægeð hire,
bryde þinre!Hat bu tu aweg
2800
Agar feranand Ismael,
cniht of cyððe!Ic his cynn gedo
brad and bresnebearna tudre,
wæstmum spedig,swa ic þe wordum gehet."
þa se wer hyrdehis waldende,
2805
draf of wicumdreorigmod tu,
idese of eardeand his agen bearn.
"Sweotol is and geseneþæt þe soð metod
on gesiððe is,swegles aldor,
se ðe sigor seleðsnytru mihtum
2810
and þin mod trymeð, godcundum gifum.Forðon ðe giena speow,
þæs þu wið freond oððe feondfremman ongunne
wordum oððe dædum.Waldend scufeð,
frea on forðwegasfolmum sinum
2815
willan þinne.þæt is wide cuð
burhsittendum.Ic þe bidde nu,
wine Ebrea,wordum minum,
þæt þu tilmodigtreowa selle,
wæra þina,þæt þu wille me
2820
wesan fæle freondfremena to leane,
þara þe ic to duguðum ðegedon hæbbe,
siððan ðu feasceaftfeorran come
on þas werþeodewræccan laste.
Gyld me mid hyldo,þæt ic þe hneaw ne wæs
2825
landes and lissa.Wes þissum leodum nu
and mægburgeminre arfæst,
gif þe alwalda,ure drihten,
scirian wille,se ðe gesceapu healdeð,
þæt þu randwigumrumor mote
2830
on ðisse folcscearefrætwa dælan,
modigra gestreon,mearce settan."
ða AbrahamAbimelehe
wære sealdeþæt he wolde swa.
Siððan wæs se eadegaeafora þares
2835
in Filisteafolce eardfæst,
leod Ebrealange þrage,
feasceaft mid fremdum.Him frea engla
wic getæhteþæt weras hatað
burhsittendeBersabea lond.
2840
ðær se halgaheahsteap reced,
burh timbredeand bearo sette,
weobedd worhte,and his waldende
on þam glædstedegild onsægde,
lac geneahe,þam þe lif forgeaf,
2845
gesæliglicswegle under.
þa þæs rincesse rica ongan
cyning costigan,cunnode georne
hwilc þæs æðelingesellen wære,
stiðum wordumspræc him stefne to:
2850
"Gewit þu ofestlice,Abraham, feran,
lastas lecganand þe læde mid
þin agen bearn.þu scealt Isaac me
onsecgan, sunu ðinne,sylf to tibre.
Siððan þu gestigeststeape dune,
2855
hrincg þæs hean landes,þe ic þe heonon getæce,
up þinum agnum fotum,þær þu scealt ad gegærwan,
bælfyr bearne þinum,and blotan sylf
sunu mid sweordes ecge,and þonne sweartan lige
leofes lic forbærnanand me lac bebeodan."
2860
Ne forsæt he þy siðe,ac sona ongann
fysan to fore.Him wæs frean engla
word ondrysneand his waldend leof.
þa se eadgaAbraham sine
nihtreste ofgeaf.Nalles nergendes
2865
hæse wiðhogode,ac hine se halga wer
gyrde grægan sweorde,cyðde þæt him gasta weardes
egesa on breostum wunode.Ongan þa his esolas bætan
gamolferhð goldes brytta,heht hine geonge twegen
men mid siðian.Mæg wæs his agen þridda
2870
and he feorða sylf.þa he fus gewat
from his agenum hofeIsaac lædan,
bearn unweaxen,swa him bebead metod.
Efste þa swiðeand onette
forð foldwege,swa him frea tæhte
2875
wegas ofer westen,oðþæt wuldortorht,
dæges þriddan upofer deop wæter
ord aræmde.þa se eadega wer
geseah hlifiganhea dune
swa him sægde ærswegles aldor.
2880
ða Abraham spræcto his ombihtum:
"Rincas mine,restað incit
her on þissum wicum.Wit eft cumað,
siððan wit ærendeuncer twega
gastcyningeagifen habbað."
2885
Gewat him þa se æðelingand his agen sunu
to þæs gemearcesþe him metod tæhte,
wadan ofer wealdas.Wudu bær sunu,
fæder fyr and sweord.ða þæs fricgean ongann
wer wintrum geongwordum Abraham:
2890
"Wit her fyr and sweord,frea min, habbað;
hwær is þæt tiber,þæt þu torht gode
to þam brynegieldebringan þencest?"
Abraham maðelode(hæfde on an gehogod
þæt he gedædeswa hine drihten het):
2895
"Him þæt soðcyningsylfa findeð,
moncynnes weard,swa him gemet þinceð."
Gestah þa stiðhydigsteape dune
up mid his eaforan,swa him se eca bebead,
þæt he on hrofe gestodhean landes
2900
on þære stoweþe him se stranga to,
wærfæst metodwordum tæhte.
Ongan þa ad hladan,æled weccan,
and gefeterodefet and honda
bearne sinumand þa on bæl ahof
2905
Isaac geongne,and þa ædre gegrap
sweord be gehiltum,wolde his sunu cwellan
folmum sinum,fyre scencan
mæges dreore.þa metodes ðegn,
ufan engla sum,Abraham hlude
2910
stefne cygde.He stille gebad
ares spræceand þam engle oncwæð.
Him þa ofstum toufan of roderum
wuldorgast godeswordum mælde:
"Abraham leofa,ne sleah þin agen bearn,
2915
ac þu cwicne abregdcniht of ade,
eaforan þinne!Him an wuldres god!
Mago Ebrea,þu medum scealt
þurh þæs halgan hand,heofoncyninges,
soðum sigorleanumselfa onfon,
2920
ginfæstum gifum.þe wile gasta weard
lissum gyldanþæt þe wæs leofre his
sibb and hyldoþonne þin sylfes bearn."
Ad stod onæled.Hæfde Abrahame
metod moncynnes,mæge Lothes,
2925
breost geblissad,þa he him his bearn forgeaf,
Isaac cwicne.ða se eadega bewlat,
rinc ofer exle,and him þær rom geseah
unfeor þanonænne standan,
broðor Arones,brembrum fæstne.
2930
þone Abraham genamand hine on ad ahof
ofestum miclumfor his agen bearn.
Abrægd þa mid þy bille,brynegield onhread,
reccendne wegrommes blode,
onbleot þæt lac gode,sægde leana þanc
2935
and ealra þara sælðaþe he him sið and ær,
gifena drihten,forgifen hæfde.
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