Welund him be wurman wraeces cunnade,

Weland knew well the worm’s cruel bite, a resolute earl endured his hardships, had for his company sorrow and longing, winter-cold misery; woes he often met after Niðhad had laid heavy needs on him, supple sinew-bonds on a better man. That passed over; so may this.

Beadohild's heart for her brothers' death was not so sore as for her own self's sorrow, once she had seen with certainty that she was with child; nor could she ever face with firmness what would come of that. That passed over; so may this.

We have heard tell of Mæðhilde's plight, how the love of Geat grew boundless, so that sorrow-love stole all their sleep. That passed over; so may this.

Theodric held for thirty winters the Mærings' stronghold; to many that was known. That passed over; so may this.

We have heard tell of Eormanric's wolfish mind; he ruled far and wide the Gothic kingdom. A grim king was he. Many a man sat by sorrow bound, woe in his heart, wishing often that the kingdom itself might be overcome. That passed over; so may this.

The sorrowful man sits, stripped of all joys, his spirit darkens; to himself it seems his share of hardships shall have no end. Then he may think that through this world the wise Lord wanders, ever-changing, to many an earl showing His honor, sure happiness, but to some, a share of woe.

This I can say about my own self, that for a time I was the Heodenings' scop, dear to my lord. Deor was my name. For many winters I had a goodly following, a loyal lord, until Heorrenda now, that song-crafty man, received the land-right which the protector of earls had granted me before. That passed over; so may this.