The Exeter Book  

Oft him anhaga

Often the solitary one

are gebideð,

finds grace for himself

metudes miltse,

the mercy of the Lord,

þeah þe he modcearig

Although he, sorry-hearted,

geond lagulade

must for a long time

longe sceolde

move by hand [in context = row]

4a

hreran mid hondum

along the waterways,

hrimcealde sæ

(along) the ice-cold sea,

wadan wræclastas.

tread the paths of exile.

Wyrd bið ful aræd!

Events always go as they must!

Swa cwæð eardstapa,

So spoke the wanderer,

earfeþa gemyndig,

mindful of hardships,

wraþra wælsleahta,

of fierce slaughters

winemæga hryre:

and the downfall of kinsmen:

8a

Oft ic sceolde ana

Often (or always) I had alone

uhtna gehwylce

to speak of my trouble

mine ceare cwiþan.

each morning before dawn.

Nis nu cwicra nan

There is none now living

þe ic him modsefan

to whom I dare

minne durre

clearly speak

sweotule asecgan.

of my innermost thoughts.

Ic to soþe wat

I know it truly,

12a

þæt biþ in eorle

that it is in men

indryhten þeaw,

a noble custom,

þæt he his ferðlocan

that one should keep secure

fæste binde,

his spirit-chest (mind),

healde his hordcofan,

guard his treasure-chamber (thoughts),

hycge swa he wille.

think as he wishes.

Ne mæg werig mod

The weary spirit cannot

wyrde wiðstondan,

withstand fate (the turn of events),

16a

ne se hreo hyge

nor does a rough or sorrowful mind

helpe gefremman.

do any good (perform anything helpful).

Forðon domgeorne

Thus those eager for glory

dreorigne oft

often keep secure

in hyra breostcofan

dreary thoughts

bindað fæste;

in their breast;

swa ic modsefan

So I,

minne sceolde,

often wretched and sorrowful,

20a

oft earmcearig,

bereft of my homeland,

eðle bidæled,

far from noble kinsmen,

freomægum feor

have had to bind in fetters

feterum sælan,

my inmost thoughts,

siþþan geara iu

Since long years ago

goldwine minne

I hid my lord

hrusan heolstre biwrah,

in the darkness of the earth,

ond ic hean þonan

and I, wretched, from there

24a

wod wintercearig

travelled most sorrowfully

ofer waþema gebind,

over the frozen waves,

sohte seledreorig

sought, sad at the lack of a hall,

sinces bryttan,

a giver of treasure,

hwær ic feor oþþe neah

where I, far or near,

findan meahte

might find

þone þe in meoduhealle

one in the meadhall who

mine wisse,

knew my people,

28a

oþþe mec freondleasne

or wished to console

frefran wolde,

the friendless one, me,

wenian mid wynnum.

entertain (me) with delights.

Wat se þe cunnað

He who has tried it knows

hu sliþen bið

how cruel is

sorg to geferan

sorrow as a companion

þam þe him lyt hafað

to the one who has few

leofra geholena:

beloved friends:

32a

warað hine wræclast,

the path of exile (wræclast) holds him,

nales wunden gold,

not at all twisted gold,

ferðloca freorig,

a frozen spirit,

nalæs foldan blæd.

not the bounty of the earth.

Gemon he selesecgas

He remembers hall-warriors

ond sincþege,

and the giving of treasure

hu hine on geoguðe

How in youth his lord (gold-friend)

his goldwine

accustomed him

36a

wenede to wiste.

to the feasting.

Wyn eal gedreas!

All the joy has died!

Forþon wat se þe sceal

And so he knows it, he who must

his winedryhtnes

forgo for a long time

leofes larcwidum

the counsels

longe forþolian:

of his beloved lord:

ðonne sorg ond slæð

Then sorrow and sleep

somod ætgædre

both together

40a

earmne anhogan

often tie up

oft gebindað.

the wretched solitary one.

þinceð him on mode

He thinks in his mind

þæt he his mondryhten

that he embraces and kisses

clyppe ond cysse,

his lord,

ond on cneo lecge

and on his (the lord's) knees lays

honda ond heafod,

his hands and his head,

swa he hwilum ær

Just as, at times (hwilum), before,

44a

in geardagum

in days gone by,

giefstolas breac.

he enjoyed the gift-seat (throne).

Ðonne onwæcneð eft

Then the friendless man

wineleas guma,

wakes up again,

gesihð him biforan

He sees before him

fealwe wegas,

fallow waves

baþian brimfuglas,

Sea birds bathe,

brædan feþra,

preening their feathers,

48a

hreosan hrim ond snaw

Frost and snow fall,

hagle gemenged.

mixed with hail.

Þonne beoð þy hefigran

Then are the heavier

heortan benne,

the wounds of the heart,

sare æfter swæsne.

grievous (sare) with longing for (æfter) the lord.

Sorg bið geniwad

Sorrow is renewed

þonne maga gemynd

when the mind (mod) surveys

mod geondhweorfeð;

the memory of kinsmen;

52a

greteð gliwstafum,

He greets them joyfully,

georne geondsceawað

eagerly scans

secga geseldan;

the companions of men;

swimmað oft on weg

they always swim away.

fleotendra ferð

The spirits of seafarers

no þær fela bringeð

never bring back there much

cuðra cwidegiedda.

in the way of known speech.

Cearo bið geniwad

Care is renewed

56a

þam þe sendan sceal

for the one who must send

swiþe geneahhe

very often

ofer waþema gebind

over the binding of the waves

werigne sefan.

a weary heart.

Forþon ic geþencan ne mæg

Indeed I cannot think

geond þas woruld

why my spirit

for hwan modsefa

does not darken

min ne gesweorce

when I ponder on the whole

60a

þonne ic eorla lif

life of men

eal geondþence,

throughout the world,

hu hi færlice

How they suddenly

flet ofgeafon,

left the floor (hall),

modge maguþegnas.

the proud thanes.

Swa þes middangeard

So this middle-earth,

ealra dogra gehwam

a bit each day,

dreoseð ond fealleð;

droops and decays -

64a

forþon ne mæg weorþan wis

Therefore man (wer)

wer, ær he age

cannot call himself wise, before he has

wintra dæl in woruldrice.

a share of years in the world.

Wita sceal geþyldig,

A wise man must be patient,

ne sceal no to hatheort

He must never be too impulsive

ne to hrædwyrde,

nor too hasty of speech,

ne to wac wiga

nor too weak a warrior

ne to wanhydig,

nor too reckless,

68a

ne to forht ne to fægen,

nor too fearful, nor too cheerful,

ne to feohgifre

nor too greedy for goods,

ne næfre gielpes to georn,

nor ever too eager for boasts,

ær he geare cunne.

before he sees clearly.

Beorn sceal gebidan,

A man must wait

þonne he beot spriceð,

when he speaks oaths,

oþþæt collenferð

until the proud-hearted one

cunne gearwe

sees clearly

72a

hwider hreþra gehygd

whither the intent of his heart

hweorfan wille.

will turn.

Ongietan sceal gleaw hæle

A wise hero must realize

hu gæstlic bið,

how terrible it will be,

þonne ealre þisse worulde wela

when all the wealth of this world

weste stondeð,

lies waste,

swa nu missenlice

as now in various places

geond þisne middangeard

throughout this middle-earth

76a

winde biwaune

walls stand,

weallas stondaþ,

blown by the wind,

hrime bihrorene,

covered with frost,

hryðge þa ederas.

storm-swept the buildings.

Woriað þa winsalo,

The halls decay,

waldend licgað

their lords lie

dreame bidrorene,

deprived of joy,

duguþ eal gecrong,

the whole troop has fallen,

80a

wlonc bi wealle.

the proud ones, by the wall.

Sume wig fornom,

War took off some,

ferede in forðwege,

carried them on their way,

sumne fugel oþbær

one, the bird took off

ofer heanne holm,

across the deep sea,

sumne se hara wulf

one, the gray wolf

deaðe gedælde,

shared one with death,

sumne dreorighleor

one, the dreary-faced

84a

in eorðscræfe

man buried

eorl gehydde.

in a grave.

Yþde swa þisne eardgeard

And so He destroyed this city,

ælda scyppend

He, the Creator of Men,

oþþæt burgwara

until deprived of the noise

breahtma lease

of the citizens,

eald enta geweorc

the ancient work of giants

idlu stodon.

stood empty.

88a

Se þonne þisne wealsteal

He who thought wisely

wise geþohte

on this foundation,

ond þis deorce lif

and pondered deeply

deope geondþenceð,

on this dark life,

frod in ferðe,

wise in spirit,

feor oft gemon

remembered often from afar

wælsleahta worn,

many conflicts,

ond þas word acwið:

and spoke these words:

92a

Hwær cwom mearg? Hwær cwom mago? 

Where is the horse gone? Where the rider?

Hwær cwom maþþumgyfa?

Where the giver of treasure?

Hwær cwom symbla gesetu?

Where are the seats at the feast?

Hwær sindon seledreamas?

Where are the revels in the hall?

Eala beorht bune!

Alas for the bright cup!

Eala byrnwiga!

Alas for the mailed warrior!

Eala þeodnes þrym!

Alas for the splendour of the prince!

Hu seo þrag gewat,

How that time has passed away,

96a

genap under nihthelm,

dark under the cover of night,

swa heo no wære.

as if it had never been!

Stondeð nu on laste

Now there stands in the trace

leofre duguþe

of the beloved troop

weal wundrum heah,

a wall, wondrously high,

wyrmlicum fah.

wound round with serpents.

Eorlas fornoman

The warriors taken off

asca þryþe,

by the glory of spears,

100a

wæpen wælgifru,

the weapons greedy for slaughter,

wyrd seo mære,

the famous fate (turn of events),

ond þas stanhleoþu

and storms beat

stormas cnyssað,

these rocky cliffs,

hrið hreosende

falling frost

hrusan bindeð,

fetters the earth,

wintres woma,

the harbinger of winter;

þonne won cymeð,

Then dark comes,

104a

nipeð nihtscua,

nightshadows deepen,

norþan onsendeð

from the north there comes

hreo hæglfare

a rough hailstorm

hæleþum on andan.

in malice against men.

Eall is earfoðlic

All is troublesome

eorþan rice,

in this earthly kingdom,

onwendeð wyrda gesceaft

the turn of events changes

weoruld under heofonum.

the world under the heavens.

108a

Her bið feoh læne,

Here money is fleeting,

her bið freond læne,

here friend is fleeting,

her bið mon læne,

here man is fleeting,

her bið mæg læne,

here kinsman is fleeting,

eal þis eorþan gesteal

all the foundation of this world

idel weorþeð!

turns to waste!

Swa cwæð snottor on mode,

So spake the wise man in his mind,

gesæt him sundor æt rune.

where he sat apart in counsel.

112a

Til biþ se þe his treowe gehealdeþ,

Good is he who keeps his faith,

ne sceal næfre his torn to rycene

And a warrior must never speak

beorn of his breostum acyþan,

his grief of his breast too quickly,

nemþe he ær þa bote cunne,

unless he already knows the remedy -

eorl mid elne gefremman.

a hero must act with courage.

Wel bið þam þe him are seceð,

It is better for the one that seeks mercy,

frofre to Fæder on heofonum,

consolation from the father in the heavens,

þær us eal seo fæstnung stondeð.

where, for us, all permanence rests.

Mæg ic be me sylfum

I can make a true song

soðgied wrecan,

about me myself,

siþas secgan,

tell my travels,

hu ic geswincdagum

how I often endured

earfoðhwile

days of struggle,

oft þrowade,

troublesome times,

4a

bitre breostceare

[how I] have suffered

gebiden hæbbe,

grim sorrow at heart,

gecunnad in ceole

have known in the ship

cearselda fela,

many worries [abodes of care],

atol yþa gewealc,

the terrible tossing of the waves,

þær mec oft bigeat

where the anxious night watch

nearo nihtwaco

often took me

æt nacan stefnan,

at the ship's prow,

8a

þonne he be clifum cnossað.

when it tossed near the cliffs.

Calde geþrungen

Fettered by cold

wæron mine fet,

were my feet,

forste gebunden

bound by frost

caldum clommum,

in cold clasps,

þær þa ceare seofedun

where then cares seethed

hat ymb heortan;

hot about my heart --

hungor innan slat

a hunger tears from within

12a

merewerges mod.

the sea-weary soul.

Þæt se mon ne wat

This the man does not know

þe him on foldan

for whom on land

fægrost limpeð,

it turns out most favourably,

hu ic earmcearig

how I, wretched and sorrowful,

iscealdne sæ

on the ice-cold sea

winter wunade

dwelt for a winter

wræccan lastum,

in the paths of exile,

16a

winemægum bidroren,

bereft of friendly kinsmen,

bihongen hrimgicelum;

hung about with icicles;

hægl scurum fleag.

hail flew in showers.

þær ic ne gehyrde

There I heard nothing

butan hlimman sæ,

but the roaring sea,

iscaldne wæg.

the ice-cold wave.

Hwilum ylfete song

At times the swan's song

20a

dyde ic me to gomene,

I took to myself as pleasure,

ganotes hleoþor

the gannet's noise

ond huilpan sweg

and the voice of the curlew

fore hleahtor wera,

instead of the laughter of men,

mæw singende

the singing gull

fore medodrince.

instead of the drinking of mead.

Stormas þær stanclifu beotan,

Storms there beat the stony cliffs,

þær him stearn oncwæð,

where the tern spoke,

24a

isigfeþera;

icy-feathered;

ful oft þæt earn bigeal,

always the eagle cried at it,

urigfeþra;

dewy-feathered;

nænig hleomæga

no cheerful kinsmen

feasceaftig ferð

can comfort

frefran meahte.

the poor soul.

Forþon him gelyfeð lyt,

Indeed he credits it little,

se þe ah lifes wyn

the one who has the joys of life,

28a

gebiden in burgum,

dwells in the city,

bealosiþa hwon,

far from terrible journey,

wlonc ond wingal,

proud and wanton with wine,

hu ic werig oft

how I, weary, often

in brimlade

have had to endure

bidan sceolde.

in the sea-paths.

Nap nihtscua,

The shadows of night darkened,

norþan sniwde,

it snowed from the north,

32a

hrim hrusan bond,

frost bound the ground,

hægl feol on eorþan,

hail fell on the earth,

corna caldast.

coldest of grains.

Forþon cnyssað nu

Indeed, now they are troubled,

heortan geþohtas

the thoughts of my heart,

þæt ic hean streamas,

that I myself should strive with

sealtyþa gelac

the high streams,

sylf cunnige --

the tossing of salt waves --

36a

monað modes lust

the wish of my heart urges

mæla gehwylce

all the time

ferð to feran,

my spirit to go forth,

þæt ic feor heonan

that I, far from here,

elþeodigra

should seek the homeland

eard gesece --

of a foreign people --

Forþon nis þæs modwlonc

Indeed there is not so proud-spirited

mon ofer eorþan,

a man in the world,

40a

ne his gifena þæs god,

nor so generous of gifts,

ne in geoguþe to þæs hwæt,

nor so bold in his youth,

ne in his dædum to þæs deor,

nor so brave in his deeds,

ne him his dryhten to þæs hold,

nor so dear to his lord,

þæt he a his sæfore

that he never in his seafaring

sorge næbbe,

has a worry,

to hwon hine Dryhten

as to what his Lord

gedon wille.

will do to him.

44a

Ne biþ him to hearpan hyge

Not for him is the sound of the harp

ne to hringþege

nor the giving of rings

ne to wife wyn

nor pleasure in woman

ne to worulde hyht

nor worldly glory --

ne ymbe owiht elles

nor anything at all

nefne ymb yða gewealc;

unless the tossing of waves;

ac a hafað longunge

but he always has a longing,

se þe on lagu fundað.

he who strives on the waves.

48a

Bearwas blostmum nimað,

Groves take on blossoms,

byrig fægriað,

the cities grow fair,

wongas wlitigað,

the fields are comely,

woruld onetteð:

the world seems new:

ealle þa gemoniað

all these things urge on

modes fusne

the eager of spirit,

sefan to siþe

the mind to travel,

þam þe swa þenceð

in one who so thinks

52a

on flodwegas

to travel far

feor gewitan.

on the paths of the sea.

Swylce geac monað

So the cuckoo warns

geomran reorde;

with a sad voice;

singeð sumeres weard,

the guardian of summer sings,

sorge beodeð

bodes a sorrow

bitter in breosthord.

grievous in the soul.

Þæt se beorn ne wat,

This the man does not know,

56a

sefteadig secg,

the warrior lucky in worldly things

hwæt þa sume dreogað

what some endure then,

þe þa wræclastas

those who tread most widely

widost lecgað.

the paths of exile.

Forþon nu min hyge hweorfeð

And now my spirit twists

ofer hreþerlocan,

out of my breast,

min modsefa

my spirit

mid mereflode,

out in the waterways,

60a

ofer hwæles eþel

over the whale's path

hweorfeð wide,

it soars widely

eorþan sceatas --

through all the corners of the world --

cymeð eft to me

it comes back to me

gifre ond grædig;

eager and unsated;

gielleð anfloga,

the lone-flier screams,

hweteð on hwælweg

urges onto the whale-road

hreþer unwearnum

the unresisting heart

64a

ofer holma gelagu.

across the waves of the sea.

Forþon me hatran sind

Indeed hotter for me are

Dryhtnes dreamas

the joys of the Lord

þonne þis deade lif

than this dead life

læne on londe.

fleeting on the land.

Ic gelyfe no

I do not believe

þæt him eorðwelan

that the riches of the world

ece stondað.

will stand forever.

68a

Simle þreora sum

Always and invariably,

þinga gehwylce

one of three things

ær his tiddege

will turn to uncertainty

to tweon weorþeð:

before his fated hour:

adl oþþe yldo

disease, or old age,

oþþe ecghete

or the sword's hatred

fægum fromweardum

will tear out the life

feorh oðþringeð.

from those doomed to die.

72a

Forþon biþ eorla gehwam

And so it is for each man

æftercweþendra

the praise of the living,

lof lifgendra

of those who speak afterwards,

lastworda betst,

that is the best epitaph,

þæt he gewyrce,

that he should work

ær he on weg scyle,

before he must be gone

fremum on foldan

bravery in the world

wið feonda niþ,

against the enmity of devils,

76a

deorum dædum

daring deeds

deofle togeanes,

against the fiend,

þæt hine ælda bearn

so that the sons of men

æfter hergen,

will praise him afterwards,

ond his lof siþþan

and his fame afterwards

lifge mid englum

will live with the angels

awa to ealdre,

for ever and ever,

ecan lifes blæd,

the glory of eternal life,

80a

dream mid dugeþum.

joy with the Hosts.

Dagas sind gewitene,

The days are gone

ealle onmedlan

of all the glory

eorþan rices;

of the kingdoms of the earth;

nearon nu cyningas

there are not now kings,

ne caseras

nor Cæsars,

ne goldgiefan

nor givers of gold

swylce iu wæron,

as once there were,

84a

þonne hi mæst mid him

when they, the greatest, among themselves

mærþa gefremedon

performed valorous deeds,

ond on dryhtlicestum

and with a most lordly

dome lifdon.

majesty lived.

Gedroren is þeos duguð eal,

All that old guard is gone

dreamas sind gewitene;

and the revels are over --

wuniað þa wacran

the weaker ones now dwell

ond þæs woruld healdaþ,

and hold the world,

88a

brucað þurh bisgo.

enjoy it through their sweat.

Blæd is gehnæged,

The glory is fled,

eorþan indryhto

the nobility of the world

ealdað ond searað,

ages and grows sere,

swa nu monna gehwylc

as now does every man

geond middangeard.

throughout the world.

Yldo him on fareþ,

Age comes upon him,

onsyn blacað,

his face grows pale,

92a

gomelfeax gnornað,

the graybeard laments;

wat his iuwine,

he knows that his old friends,

æþelinga bearn

the sons of princes,

eorþan forgiefene.

have been given to the earth.

Ne mæg him þonne se flæschoma

His body fails then,

þonne him þæt feorg losað

as life leaves him --

ne swete forswelgan

he cannot taste sweetness

ne sar gefelan

nor feel pain,

96a

ne hond onhreran

nor move his hand

ne mid hyge þencan.

nor think with his head.

Þeah þe græf wille

Though he would strew

golde stregan

the grave with gold,

broþor his geborenum,

a brother for his kinsman,

byrgan be deadum

bury with the dead

maþmum mislicum,

a mass of treasure,

þæt hine mid wille,

it just won't work --

100a

ne mæg þære sawle

nor can the soul

þe biþ synna ful

which is full of sin

gold to geoce

preserve the gold

for Godes egsan,

before the fear of God,

þonne he hit ær hydeð

though he hid it before

þenden he her leofað.

while he was yet alive.

Micel biþ se Meotudes egsa,

Great is the fear of the Lord,

forþon hi seo molde oncyrreð;

before which the world stands still;

104a

se gestaþelade

He established

stiþe grundas,

the firm foundations,

eorþan sceatas

the corners of the world

ond uprodor.

and the high heavens.

Dol biþ se þe him his Dryhten ne ondrædeþ:

A fool is the one who does not fear his Lord

cymeð him se deað unþinged.

-- death comes to him unprepared.

Eadig bið se þe eaþmod leofaþ;

Blessed is he who lives humbly

cymeð him seo ar of heofonum.

-- to him comes forgiveness from heaven.

108a

Meotod him þæt mod gestaþelað,

God set that spirit within him,

forþon he in his meahte gelyfeð.

because he believed in His might.

Stieran mon sceal strongum mode,

Man must control his passions

ond þæt on staþelum healdan,

and keep everything in balance,

ond gewis werum,

keep faith with men,

wisum clæne.

and be pure in wisdom.

Scyle monna gehwylc

Each of men must

mid gemete healdan

be even-handed

112a

wiþ leofne ond wið laþne

with their friends and their foes.

* * * bealo.

?

þeah þe he hine wille

? though he does not wish him

fyres fulne

? in the foulness of flames

oþþe on bæle

? or on a pyre

forbærnedne

? to be burned

his geworhtne wine,

? his contrived friend,

Wyrd biþ swiþre,

Fate is greater

116a

Meotud meahtigra,

and God is mightier

þonne ænges monnes gehygd.

than any man's thought.

Uton we hycgan

Let us ponder

hwær we ham agen,

where we have our homes

ond þonne geþencan

and then think

hu we þider cumen;

how we should get thither --

ond we þonne eac tilien

and then we should all strive

þæt we to moten

that we might go there

120a

in þa ecan

to the eternal

eadignesse

blessedness

þær is lif gelong

that is a belonging life

in lufan Dryhtnes,

in the love of the Lord,

hyht in heofonum.

joy in the heavens.

Þæs sy þam Halgan þonc

Let there be thanks to God

þæt he usic geweorþade,

that he adored us,

wuldres Ealdor

the Father of Glory,

124a

ece Dryhten,

the Eternal Lord,

in ealle tid. Amen.

for all time. Amen.

Welund him be wurman

Weland himself, by means of worms (swords?),

wræces cunnade,

experienced agony,

anhydig eorl

the strong-minded noble

earfoþa dreag,

endured troubles;

hæfde him to gesiþþe

he had for his companions

sorge and longaþ,

sorrow and longing,

4a

wintercealde wræce,

winter-bitter wrack,

wean oft onfond

he often found misery

siþþan hine Niðhad on

after Niðhad

nede legde,

put fetters on him,

swoncre seonobende

supple sinew-bonds

on syllan monn.

on the better man.

Þæs ofereode,

That was overcome,

þisses swa mæg.

so may this be.

8a

Beadohilde ne wæs

Beadohild was not

hyre broþra deaþ

as sad in mind

on sefan swa sar

for the death of her brothers

swa hyre sylfre þing,

as for her own trouble,

þæt heo gearolice

she had

ongietan hæfde

clearly realized

þæt heo eacen wæs;

that she was pregnant;

æfre ne meahte

she could never

12a

þriste geþencan

think resolutely

hu ymb þæt sceolde.

of how that would have to (turn out).

Þæs ofereode,

That was overcome,

þisses swa mæg.

so may this be.

We þæt Mæðhilde

We heard that

mone gefrugnon

the moans of Matilda,

wurdon grundlease

of the lady of Geat,

Geates frige,

were numberless

16a

þæt hi seo sorglufu

so that (her) sorrowful love

slæp ealle binom.

entirely deprived of sleep.

Þæs ofereode,

That was overcome,

þisses swa mæg.

so may this be.

Ðeodric ahte

Theodric ruled

þritig wintra

for thirty winters

Mæringa burg;

the city of the Mærings;

þæt wæs monegum cuþ.

that was known to many.

20a

Þæs ofereode,

That was overcome,

þisses swa mæg.

so may this be.

We geascodan

We heard

Eormanrices

Ermanaric's

wylfenne geþoht;

wolfish thought;

ahte wide folc

he ruled widely the people

Gotena rices;

of the kingdom of the Goths -

þæt wæs grim cyning.

That was a grim king!

24a

Sæt secg monig

Many a warrior sat,

sorgum gebunden,

bound up by cares,

wean on wenan,

woes in mind,

wyscte geneahhe

wished constantly

þæt þæs cynerices

that the kingdom

ofercumen wære.

were overcome.

Þæs ofereode,

That was overcome,

þisses swa mæg.

so may this be.

28a

Siteð sorgcearig,

He sits sorrowful and anxious,

sælum bidæled,

bereft of joy,

on sefan sweorceð,

darkening in his mind,

sylfum þinceð

he thinks to himself

þæt sy endeleas

that (it) is endless

earfoða dæl,

the (his) part of troubles;

mæg þonne geþencan

then he can consider

þæt geond þas woruld

that throughout this world

32a

witig Dryhten

the wise Lord

wendeþ geneahhe,

always goes,

eorle monegum

to many men

are gesceawað,

he shows honour,

wislicne blæd,

sure glory,

sumum weana dæl.

to some a share of troubles.

Þæt ic bi me sylfum

I, for myself,

secgan wille,

want to say this,

36a

þæt ic hwile wæs

that for a while I was

Heodeninga scop,

the scop (bard) of the Hedenings,

dryhtne dyre;

dear to my lord;

me wæs Deor noma.

my name was Deor.

Ahte ic fela wintra

I had for many winters

folgað tilne,

a good position,

holdne hlaford,

a loyal lord,

oþ þæt Heorrenda nu,

until Heorrenda now,

40a

leoðcræftig monn,

a man skilful in songs,

londryht geþah

has taken the estate

þæt me eorla hleo

that the protector (hleo) of warriors (eorla)

ær gesealde.

before (ær) gave to me.

Þæs ofereode,

That was overcome,

þisses swa mæg.

so may this be.