Wilt thu, fus haele, fremdne monnan,

Will you, eager hero,      greet a curious man, a wise wisdom-bearer      with your words, ask the much-travelled one      of creation's course, bid him to speak      of the wide world's crafts, its living nature,      quick and stirring, which every day      through God's decree brings many wonders      to the tribes of men! To each of these      it is a clear sign, to the thinking man      who through wisdom can hold the whole world      in his heart's core, that long ago,      by the craft of song, men often uttered      in their wise lays, steadfast, wise men;      they knew how to speak truth, that ever asking      of the race of men and ever answering,      they knew most in mind a weaving of mysteries. Therefore he must ask,      who lives in courage, the deep-thinking man,      of these dark creations, inscribe in his mind      the word-hoard's craft, make firm his spirit-mind,      and think forward well; the courageous thane      must never tire of this, that he wisely walk      the ways of the world.

Learn now this lore.      I shall swiftly tell you of the Measurer's might,      a power greater than your mind's own craft      can grasp in your heart. His might is too great.      It is not the measure of mortal men, of those who stir the soil,      that he might in his heart trace His high works      further than the Lord allows him to understand      God's own command; but we must thank      the glorious Prince forever and always,      that the eternal King will grant us beauty      in our spirit so that we may easily      ascend to the heavenly kingdom, if it suffices our spirit      and we wish to hold to the heaven-king's command.

Hear now this song of praise      and make firm your thought. Listen, in the beginning      the Almighty Father shaped, high guardian of the hoard,      heaven and earth, the sea's wide floor,      all manifest creation, which now in their throng      through the Prince's hand hold and heave up      that holy glory. For so He ordained,      He who knew all well, each against the other;      all had to bear their firm foundations,      as the Steersman bade, their varied measures      through that mighty nature. So to the world      they bring forth the beauty of the Lord's host      and His deeds' glory, a shining praise      through the long ages, they perform firmly      the Lord's eternal word in the first seats      the Lord set for them, heaven's pure guardian;      they guard well the sea's border; His might draws forth      the heaven's candle and the oceans with it, the owner of life      invites and leads into His one embrace      all of creation.

So for Him forever      glory stands, for the worthiest of all judges,      who shaped this life for us, and this bright light      comes each morning over the misty slopes,      striding over the waves, wondrously arrayed,      and with the early day from the east it speeds,      beautiful and winsome to the tribes of men;      to each living thing it brings forth light,      brightest of firebrands, and each on earth may enjoy it,      to whom the sight of eyes the true-king of victories      wished to give. Then it departs with that glory      to the western sky, the famous star      faring in a throng, until in evening      it paths the great ocean's floor, calls forth the other twilight;      night comes after, holding to the holy Lord's      firm command. The heaven-bright sky, the shining,      hastens in God's creation under the earth's embrace,      that faring star. Therefore no man lives      so wise that he may know its origin      by his own power, how through the abyss fares      the gold-bright sun into the wan darkness,      under the press of waters, or who of the land-dwellers      may enjoy its light, after it turns      over the ocean's rim.

For so He ordained,      He who knew all well: day against night,      deep against high, air against ocean-stream,      land against wave, flood against flood-tide,      fish against the billows. These works do not weaken,      but He holds them well; they stand stiffly,      bound fast with mighty power-locks      in that great majesty by which are held up      heaven and earth. Blessed then are they      who dwell therein, joyful is that hearth-band.      That is the greatest of hosts, a countless number of the blessed,      the throngs of angels. They see always      their own King, gaze on Him with their eyes,      and have enough of everything. Nothing is lacking to them,      to those who see the King of glory in the heavens; for them is feast and joy,      eternal, unchanging, a comfort to the blessed.

Therefore a man must consider      that he obey the Measurer; let each of the sons of men      forsake all idle lusts, the fleeting joys of life,      and hasten to grace and bliss, let every hatred sink      with the fires of sin, and fare to that      better kingdom.