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 anbræce.         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 Caluariæ
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.