Elene

Verse Indeterminate Saxon

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