The Complete Corpus of Anglo-Saxon Poetry

Anon

GENESIS A, B

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Verse Indeterminate Unknown

Us is riht micel ðæt we rodera weard,

wereda wuldorcining, wordum herigen,

modum lufien! He is mægna sped,

heafod ealra heahgesceafta,

5

frea ælmihtig. Næs him fruma æfre,

or geworden, ne nu ende cymþ

ecean drihtnes, ac he bið a rice

ofer heofenstolas. Heagum þrymmum

soðfæst and swiðfeorm sweglbosmas heold,

10

þa wæron gesette wide and side

þurh geweald godes wuldres bearnum,

gasta weardum. Hæfdon gleam and dream,

and heora ordfruman, engla þreatas,

beorhte blisse. Wæs heora blæd micel!

15

þegnas þrymfæste þeoden heredon,

sægdon lustum lof, heora liffrean

demdon, drihtenes dugeþum wæron

swiðe gesælige. Synna ne cuþon,

firena fremman, ac hie on friðe lifdon,

20

ece mid heora aldor. Elles ne ongunnon

ræran on roderum nymþe riht and soþ,

ærðon engla weard for oferhygde

dwæl on gedwilde. Noldan dreogan leng

heora selfra ræd, ac hie of siblufan

25

godes ahwurfon. Hæfdon gielp micel

þæt hie wið drihtne dælan meahton

wuldorfæstan wic werodes þrymme,

sid and swegltorht. Him þær sar gelamp,

æfst and oferhygd, and þæs engles mod

30

þe þone unræd ongan ærest fremman,

wefan and weccean, þa he worde cwæð,

niþes ofþyrsted, þæt he on norðdæle

ham and heahsetl heofena rices

agan wolde. þa wearð yrre god

35

and þam werode wrað þe he ær wurðode

wlite and wuldre. Sceop þam werlogan

wræclicne ham weorce to leane,

helleheafas, hearde niðas.

Heht þæt witehus wræcna bidan,

40

deop, dreama leas, drihten ure,

gasta weardas, þa he hit geare wiste,

synnihte beseald, susle geinnod,

geondfolen fyre and færcyle,

rece and reade lege. Heht þa geond þæt rædlease hof

45

weaxan witebrogan. Hæfdon hie wrohtgeteme

grimme wið god gesomnod; him þæs grim lean becom!

Cwædon þæt heo rice, reðemode,

agan woldan, and swa eaðe meahtan.

Him seo wen geleah, siððan waldend his,

50

heofona heahcining, honda arærde,

hehste wið þam herge. Ne mihton hygelease,

mæne wið metode, mægyn bryttigan,

ac him se mæra mod getwæfde,

bælc forbigde. þa he gebolgen wearð,

55

besloh synsceaþan sigore and gewealde,

dome and dugeðe, and dreame benam

his feond, friðo and gefean ealle,

torhte tire, and his torn gewræc

on gesacum swiðe selfes mihtum

60

strengum stiepe. Hæfde styrne mod,

gegremed grymme, grap on wraðe

faum folmum, and him on fæðm gebræc

yrre on mode; æðele bescyrede

his wiðerbrecan wuldorgestealdum.

65

Sceof þa and scyrede scyppend ure

oferhidig cyn engla of heofnum,

wærleas werod. Waldend sende

laðwendne here on langne sið,

geomre gastas; wæs him gylp forod,

70

beot forborsten, and forbiged þrym,

wlite gewemmed. Heo on wrace syððan

seomodon swearte, siðe ne þorfton

hlude hlihhan, ac heo helltregum

werige wunodon and wean cuðon,

75

sar and sorge, susl þrowedon

þystrum beþeahte, þearl æfterlean

þæs þe heo ongunnon wið gode winnan.

þa wæs soð swa ær sibb on heofnum,

fægre freoþoþeawas, frea eallum leof,

80

þeoden his þegnum; þrymmas weoxon

duguða mid drihtne, dreamhæbbendra.

Wæron þa gesome, þa þe swegl buað,

wuldres eðel. Wroht wæs asprungen,

oht mid englum and orlegnið,

85

siððan herewosan heofon ofgæfon,

leohte belorene. Him on laste setl,

wuldorspedum welig, wide stodan

gifum growende on godes rice,

beorht and geblædfæst, buendra leas,

90

siððan wræcstowe werige gastas

under hearmlocan heane geforan.

þa þeahtode þeoden ure

modgeþonce, hu he þa mæran gesceaft,

eðelstaðolas eft gesette,

95

swegltorhtan seld, selran werode,

þa hie gielpsceaþan ofgifen hæfdon,

heah on heofenum. Forþam halig god

under roderas feng, ricum mihtum,

wolde þæt him eorðe and uproder

100

and sid wæter geseted wurde

woruldgesceafte on wraðra gield,

þara þe forhealdene of hleo sende.

Ne wæs her þa giet nymþe heolstersceado

wiht geworden, ac þes wida grund

105

stod deop and dim, drihtne fremde,

idel and unnyt. On þone eagum wlat

stiðfrihþ cining, and þa stowe beheold,

dreama lease, geseah deorc gesweorc

semian sinnihte sweart under roderum,

110

wonn and weste, oðþæt þeos woruldgesceaft

þurh word gewearð wuldorcyninges.

Her ærest gesceop ece drihten,

helm eallwihta, heofon and eorðan,

rodor arærde, and þis rume land

115

gestaþelode strangum mihtum,

frea ælmihtig. Folde wæs þa gyta

græs ungrene; garsecg þeahte

sweart synnihte, side and wide,

wonne wegas. þa wæs wuldortorht

120

heofonweardes gast ofer holm boren

miclum spedum. Metod engla heht,

lifes brytta, leoht forð cuman

ofer rumne grund. Raþe wæs gefylled

heahcininges hæs; him wæs halig leoht

125

ofer westenne, swa se wyrhta bebead.

þa gesundrode sigora waldend

ofer laguflode leoht wið þeostrum,

sceade wið sciman. Sceop þa bam naman,

lifes brytta. Leoht wæs ærest

130

þurh drihtnes word dæg genemned,

wlitebeorhte gesceaft. Wel licode

frean æt frymðe forþbæro tid,

dæg æresta; geseah deorc sceado

sweart swiðrian geond sidne grund.

135

þa seo tid gewat ofer timber sceacan

middangeardes, metod æfter sceaf

scirum sciman, scippend ure,

æfen ærest. Him arn on last,

þrang þystre genip, þam þe se þeoden self

140

sceop nihte naman. Nergend ure

hie gesundrode; siððan æfre

drugon and dydon drihtnes willan,

ece ofer eorðan. ða com oðer dæg,

leoht æfter þeostrum. Heht þa lifes weard

145

on mereflode middum weorðan

hyhtlic heofontimber. Holmas dælde

waldend ure and geworhte þa

roderas fæsten; þæt se rica ahof

up from eorðan þurh his agen word,

150

frea ælmihtig. Flod wæs adæled

under heahrodore halgum mihtum,

wæter of wætrum, þam þe wuniað gyt

under fæstenne folca hrofes.

þa com ofer foldan fus siðian

155

mære mergen þridda. Næron metode ða gyta

widlond ne wegas nytte, ac stod bewrigen fæste

folde mid flode. Frea engla heht

þurh his word wesan wæter gemæne,

þa nu under roderum heora ryne healdað,

160

stowe gestefnde. ða stod hraðe

holm under heofonum, swa se halga bebead,

sid ætsomne, ða gesundrod wæs

lago wið lande. Geseah þa lifes weard

drige stowe, dugoða hyrde,

165

wide æteowde, þa se wuldorcyning

eorðan nemde. Gesette yðum heora

onrihtne ryne, rumum flode,

and gefetero...

Ne þuhte þa gerysne rodora wearde,

170

þæt Adam leng ana wære

neorxnawonges, niwre gesceafte,

hyrde and healdend. Forþon him heahcyning,

frea ælmihtig fultum tiode;

wif aweahte and þa wraðe sealde,

175

lifes leohtfruma, leofum rince.

He þæt andweorc of Adames

lice aleoðode, and him listum ateah

rib of sidan. He wæs reste fæst,

and softe swæf, sar ne wiste,

180

earfoða dæl, ne þær ænig com

blod of benne, ac him brego engla

of lice ateah liodende ban,

wer unwundod, of þam worhte god

freolice fæmnan. Feorh in gedyde,

185

ece saula. Heo wæron englum gelice,

þa wæs Eue, Adames bryd,

gaste gegearwod. Hie on geogoðe bu

wlitebeorht wæron on woruld cenned

meotodes mihtum. Man ne cuðon

190

don ne dreogan, ac him drihtnes wæs

bam on breostum byrnende lufu.

þa gebletsode bliðheort cyning,

metod alwihta, monna cynnes

ða forman twa, fæder and moder,

195

wif and wæpned. He þa worde cwæð:

"Temað nu and wexað, tudre fyllað

eorðan ælgrene, incre cynne,

sunum and dohtrum. Inc sceal sealt wæter

wunian on gewealde and eall worulde gesceaft.

200

Brucað blæddaga and brimhlæste

and heofonfugla. Inc is halig feoh

and wilde deor on geweald geseald,

and lifigende, ða ðe land tredað,

feorheaceno cynn, ða ðe flod wecceð

205

geond hronrade. Inc hyrað eall."

þa sceawode scyppend ure

his weorca wlite and his wæstma blæd,

niwra gesceafta. Neorxnawong stod

god and gastlic, gifena gefylled

210

fremum forðweardum. Fægere leohte

þæt liðe land lago yrnende,

wylleburne. Nalles wolcnu ða giet

ofer rumne grund regnas bæron,

wann mid winde, hwæðre wæstmum stod

215

folde gefrætwod. Heoldon forðryne

eastreamas heora æðele feower

of þam niwan neorxnawonge.

þa wæron adælede drihtnes mihtum

ealle of anum, þa he þas eorðan gesceop,

220

wætre wlitebeorhtum, and on woruld sende.

þæra anne hatað ylde, eorðbuende,

Fison folcweras; se foldan dæl

brade bebugeð beorhtum streamum

Hebeleac utan. On þære eðyltyrf

225

niððas findað nean and feorran

gold and gymcynn, gumþeoda bearn,

ða selestan, þæs þe us secgað bec.

þonne seo æftre Ethiopia

land and liodgeard beligeð uton,

230

ginne rice, þære is Geon noma.

þridda is Tigris, seo wið þeodscipe,

ea inflede, Assirie belið.

Swilce is seo feorðe, þa nu geond folc monig

weras Eufraten wide nemnað.

235

"ac niotað inc þæs oðres ealles, forlætað þone ænne beam,

wariað inc wið þone wæstm. Ne wyrð inc wilna gæd."

Hnigon þa mid heafdum heofoncyninge

georne togenes and sædon ealles þanc,

lista and þara lara. He let heo þæt land buan,

240

hwærf him þa to heofenum halig drihten,

stiðferhð cyning. Stod his handgeweorc

somod on sande, nyston sorga wiht

to begrornianne, butan heo godes willan

lengest læsten. Heo wæron leof gode

245

ðenden heo his halige word healdan woldon.

Hæfde se alwalda engelcynna

þurh handmægen, halig drihten,

tene getrimede, þæm he getruwode wel

þæt hie his giongorscipe fyligan wolden,

250

wyrcean his willan, forþon he him gewit forgeaf

and mid his handum gesceop, halig drihten.

Gesett hæfde he hie swa gesæliglice, ænne hæfde he swa swiðne geworhtne,

swa mihtigne on his modgeþohte, he let hine swa micles wealdan,

hehstne to him on heofona rice, hæfde he hine swa hwitne geworhtne,

255

swa wynlic wæs his wæstm on heofonum þæt him com from weroda drihtne,

gelic wæs he þam leohtum steorrum. Lof sceolde he drihtnes wyrcean,

dyran sceolde he his dreamas on heofonum, and sceolde his drihtne þancian

þæs leanes þe he him on þam leohte gescerede þonne læte he his hine lange wealdan.

Ac he awende hit him to wyrsan þinge, ongan him winn up ahebban

260

wið þone hehstan heofnes waldend, þe siteð on þam halgan stole.

Deore wæs he drihtne urum; ne mihte him bedyrned weorðan

þæt his engyl ongan ofermod wesan,

ahof hine wið his hearran, sohte hetespræce,

gylpword ongean, nolde gode þeowian,

265

cwæð þæt his lic wære leoht and scene,

hwit and hiowbeorht. Ne meahte he æt his hige findan

þæt he gode wolde geongerdome,

þeodne þeowian. þuhte him sylfum

þæt he mægyn and cræft maran hæfde

270

þonne se halga god habban mihte

folcgestælna. Feala worda gespæc

se engel ofermodes. þohte þurh his anes cræft

hu he him strenglicran stol geworhte,

heahran on heofonum; cwæð þæt hine his hige speone

275

þæt he west and norð wyrcean ongunne,

trymede getimbro; cwæð him tweo þuhte

þæt he gode wolde geongra weorðan.

Hwæt sceal ic winnan? cwæð he. "Nis me wihtæ þearf

hearran to habbanne. Ic mæg mid handum swa fela

280

wundra gewyrcean. Ic hæbbe geweald micel

to gyrwanne godlecran stol,

hearran on heofne. Hwy sceal ic æfter his hyldo ðeowian,

bugan him swilces geongordomes? Ic mæg wesan god swa he.

Bigstandað me strange geneatas, þa ne willað me æt þam striðe geswican,

285

hæleþas heardmode. Hie habbað me to hearran gecorene,

rofe rincas; mid swilcum mæg man ræd geþencean,

fon mid swilcum folcgesteallan. Frynd synd hie mine georne,

holde on hyra hygesceaftum. Ic mæg hyra hearra wesan,

rædan on þis rice. Swa me þæt riht ne þinceð,

290

þæt ic oleccan awiht þurfe

gode æfter gode ænegum. Ne wille ic leng his geongra wurþan."

þa hit se allwalda eall gehyrde,

þæt his engyl ongan ofermede micel

ahebban wið his hearran and spræc healic word

295

dollice wið drihten sinne, sceolde he þa dæd ongyldan,

worc þæs gewinnes gedælan, and sceolde his wite habban,

ealra morðra mæst. Swa deð monna gehwilc

þe wið his waldend winnan ongynneð

mid mane wið þone mæran drihten. þa wearð se mihtiga gebolgen,

300

hehsta heofones waldend, wearp hine of þan hean stole.

Hete hæfde he æt his hearran gewunnen, hyldo hæfde his ferlorene,

gram wearð him se goda on his mode. Forþon he sceolde grund gesecean

heardes hellewites, þæs þe he wann wið heofnes waldend.

Acwæð hine þa fram his hyldo and hine on helle wearp,

305

on þa deopan dala, þær he to deofle wearð,

se feond mid his geferum eallum. Feollon þa ufon of heofnum

þurhlonge swa þreo niht and dagas,

þa englas of heofnum on helle, and heo ealle forsceop

drihten to deoflum. Forþon heo his dæd and word

310

noldon weorðian, forþon he heo on wyrse leoht

under eorðan neoðan, ællmihtig god,

sette sigelease on þa sweartan helle.

þær hæbbað heo on æfyn ungemet lange,

ealra feonda gehwilc, fyr edneowe,

315

þonne cymð on uhtan easterne wind,

forst fyrnum cald. Symble fyr oððe gar,

sum heard geswinc habban sceoldon.

Worhte man hit him to wite, (hyra woruld wæs gehwyrfed),

forman siðe, fylde helle

320

mid þam andsacum. Heoldon englas forð

heofonrices hehðe, þe ær godes hyldo gelæston.

Lagon þa oðre fynd on þam fyre, þe ær swa feala hæfdon

gewinnes wið heora waldend. Wite þoliað,

hatne heaðowelm helle tomiddes,

325

brand and brade ligas, swilce eac þa biteran recas,

þrosm and þystro, forþon hie þegnscipe

godes forgymdon. Hie hyra gal beswac,

engles oferhygd, noldon alwaldan

word weorþian, hæfdon wite micel,

330

wæron þa befeallene fyre to botme

on þa hatan hell þurh hygeleaste

and þurh ofermetto, sohton oþer land,

þæt wæs leohtes leas and wæs liges full,

fyres fær micel. Fynd ongeaton

335

þæt hie hæfdon gewrixled wita unrim

þurh heora miclan mod and þurh miht godes

and þurh ofermetto ealra swiðost.

þa spræc se ofermoda cyning, þe ær wæs engla scynost,

hwitost on heofne and his hearran leof,

340

drihtne dyre, oð hie to dole wurdon,

þæt him for galscipe god sylfa wearð

mihtig on mode yrre. Wearp hine on þæt morðer innan,

niðer on þæt niobedd, and sceop him naman siððan,

cwæð se hehsta hatan sceolde

345

Satan siððan, het hine þære sweartan helle

grundes gyman, nalles wið god winnan.

Satan maðelode, sorgiende spræc,

se ðe helle forð healdan sceolde,

gieman þæs grundes. Wæs ær godes engel,

350

hwit on heofne, oð hine his hyge forspeon

and his ofermetto ealra swiðost,

þæt he ne wolde wereda drihtnes

word wurðian. Weoll him on innan

hyge ymb his heortan, hat wæs him utan

355

wraðlic wite. He þa worde cwæð:

"Is þæs ænga styde ungelic swiðe

þam oðrum ham þe we ær cuðon,

hean on heofonrice, þe me min hearra onlag,

þeah we hine for þam alwaldan agan ne moston,

360

romigan ures rices. Næfð he þeah riht gedon

þæt he us hæfð befælled fyre to botme,

helle þære hatan, heofonrice benumen;

hafað hit gemearcod mid moncynne

to gesettanne. þæt me is sorga mæst,

365

þæt Adam sceal, þe wæs of eorðan geworht,

minne stronglican stol behealdan,

wesan him on wynne, and we þis wite þolien,

hearm on þisse helle. Wa la, ahte ic minra handa geweald

and moste ane tid ute weorðan,

370

wesan ane winterstunde, þonne ic mid þys werode—

Ac licgað me ymbe irenbenda,

rideð racentan sal. Ic eom rices leas;

habbað me swa hearde helle clommas

fæste befangen. Her is fyr micel,

375

ufan and neoðone. Ic a ne geseah

laðran landscipe. Lig ne aswamað,

hat ofer helle. Me habbað hringa gespong,

sliðhearda sal siðes amyrred,

afyrred me min feðe; fet synt gebundene,

380

handa gehæfte. Synt þissa heldora

wegas forworhte, swa ic mid wihte ne mæg

of þissum lioðobendum. Licgað me ymbe

heardes irenes hate geslægene

grindlas greate. Mid þy me god hafað

385

gehæfted be þam healse, swa ic wat he minne hige cuðe;

and þæt wiste eac weroda drihten,

þæt sceolde unc Adame yfele gewurðan

ymb þæt heofonrice, þær ic ahte minra handa geweald.

Ac ðoliaþ we nu þrea on helle, (þæt syndon þystro and hæto),

390

grimme, grundlease. Hafað us god sylfa

forswapen on þas sweartan mistas; swa he us ne mæg ænige synne gestælan,

þæt we him on þam lande lað gefremedon, he hæfð us þeah þæs leohtes bescyrede,

beworpen on ealra wita mæste. Ne magon we þæs wrace gefremman,

geleanian him mid laðes wihte þæt he us hafað þæs leohtes bescyrede.

395

He hæfð nu gemearcod anne middangeard, þær he hæfð mon geworhtne

æfter his onlicnesse. Mid þam he wile eft gesettan

heofona rice mid hluttrum saulum. We þæs sculon hycgan georne,

þæt we on Adame, gif we æfre mægen,

and on his eafrum swa some, andan gebetan,

400

onwendan him þær willan sines, gif we hit mægen wihte aþencan.

Ne gelyfe ic me nu þæs leohtes furðor þæs þe he him þenceð lange niotan,

þæs eades mid his engla cræfte. Ne magon we þæt on aldre gewinnan,

þæt we mihtiges godes mod onwæcen. Uton oðwendan hit nu monna bearnum,

þæt heofonrice, nu we hit habban ne moton, gedon þæt hie his hyldo forlæten,

405

þæt hie þæt onwendon þæt he mid his worde bebead. þonne weorð he him wrað on mode,

ahwet hie from his hyldo. þonne sculon hie þas helle secan

and þas grimman grundas. þonne moton we hie us to giongrum habban,

fira bearn on þissum fæstum clomme. Onginnað nu ymb þa fyrde þencean!

Gif ic ænegum þægne þeodenmadmas

410

geara forgeafe, þenden we on þan godan rice

gesælige sæton and hæfdon ure setla geweald,

þonne he me na on leofran tid leanum ne meahte

mine gife gyldan, gif his gien wolde

minra þegna hwilc geþafa wurðan,

415

þæt he up heonon ute mihte

cuman þurh þas clustro, and hæfde cræft mid him

þæt he mid feðerhoman fleogan meahte,

windan on wolcne, þær geworht stondað

Adam and Eue on eorðrice

420

mid welan bewunden, and we synd aworpene hider

on þas deopan dalo. Nu hie drihtne synt

wurðran micle, and moton him þone welan agan

þe we on heofonrice habban sceoldon,

rice mid rihte; is se ræd gescyred

425

monna cynne. þæt me is on minum mode swa sar,

on minum hyge hreoweð, þæt hie heofonrice

agan to aldre. Gif hit eower ænig mæge

gewendan mid wihte þæt hie word godes

lare forlæten, sona hie him þe laðran beoð.

430

Gif hie brecað his gebodscipe, þonne he him abolgen wurðeþ;

siððan bið him se wela onwended and wyrð him wite gegarwod,

sum heard hearmscearu. Hycgað his ealle,

hu ge hi beswicen! Siððan ic me sefte mæg

restan on þyssum racentum, gif him þæt rice losað.

435

Se þe þæt gelæsteð, him bið lean gearo

æfter to aldre, þæs we her inne magon

on þyssum fyre forð fremena gewinnan.

Sittan læte ic hine wið me sylfne, swa hwa swa þæt secgan cymeð

on þas hatan helle, þæt hie heofoncyninges

440

unwurðlice wordum and dædum

lare"

Angan hine þa gyrwan godes andsaca,

fus on frætwum, (hæfde fæcne hyge),

hæleðhelm on heafod asette and þone full hearde geband,

445

spenn mid spangum; wiste him spræca fela,

wora worda. Wand him up þanon,

hwearf him þurh þa helldora, (hæfde hyge strangne),

leolc on lyfte laþwendemod,

swang þæt fyr on twa feondes cræfte;

450

wolde dearnunga drihtnes geongran,

mid mandædum men beswican,

forlædan and forlæran, þæt hie wurdon lað gode.

He þa geferde þurh feondes cræft

oððæt he Adam on eorðrice,

455

godes handgesceaft, gearone funde,

wislice geworht, and his wif somed,

freo fægroste, swa hie fela cuðon

godes gegearwigean, þa him to gingran self

metod mancynnes mearcode selfa.

460

And him bi twegin beamas stodon

þa wæron utan ofætes gehlædene,

gewered mid wæstme, swa hie waldend god,

heah heofoncyning handum gesette,

þæt þær yldo bearn moste on ceosan

465

godes and yfeles, gumena æghwilc,

welan and wawan. Næs se wæstm gelic!

Oðer wæs swa wynlic, wlitig and scene,

liðe and lofsum, þæt wæs lifes beam;

moste on ecnisse æfter lybban,

470

wesan on worulde, se þæs wæstmes onbat,

swa him æfter þy yldo ne derede,

ne suht sware, ac moste symle wesan

lungre on lustum and his lif agan,

hyldo heofoncyninges her on worulde,

475

habban him to wæron witode geþingþo

on þone hean heofon, þonne he heonon wende.

þonne wæs se oðer eallenga sweart,

dim and þystre; þæt wæs deaðes beam,

se bær bitres fela. Sceolde bu witan

480

ylda æghwilc yfles and godes

gewand on þisse worulde. Sceolde on wite a

mid swate and mid sorgum siððan libban,

swa hwa swa gebyrgde þæs on þam beame geweox.

Sceolde hine yldo beniman ellendæda,

485

dreamas and drihtscipes, and him beon deað scyred.

Lytle hwile sceolde he his lifes niotan,

secan þonne landa sweartost on fyre.

Sceolde feondum þeowian, þær is ealra frecna mæste

leodum to langre hwile. þæt wiste se laða georne,

490

dyrne deofles boda þe wið drihten wann.

Wearp hine þa on wyrmes lic and wand him þa ymbutan

þone deaðes beam þurh deofles cræft,

genam þær þæs ofætes and wende hine eft þanon

þær he wiste handgeweorc heofoncyninges.

495

Ongon hine þa frinan forman worde

se laða mid ligenum: "Langað þe awuht,

Adam, up to gode? Ic eom on his ærende hider

feorran gefered, ne þæt nu fyrn ne wæs

þæt ic wið hine sylfne sæt. þa het he me on þysne sið faran,

500

het þæt þu þisses ofætes æte, cwæð þæt þin abal and cræft

and þin modsefa mara wurde,

and þin lichoma leohtra micle,

þin gesceapu scenran, cwæð þæt þe æniges sceattes ðearf

ne wurde on worulde. Nu þu willan hæfst,

505

hyldo geworhte heofoncyninges,

to þance geþenod þinum hearran,

hæfst þe wið drihten dyrne geworhtne. Ic gehyrde hine þine dæd and word

lofian on his leohte and ymb þin lif sprecan.

Swa þu læstan scealt þæt on þis land hider

510

his bodan bringað. Brade synd on worulde

grene geardas, and god siteð

on þam hehstan heofna rice,

ufan alwalda. Nele þa earfeðu

sylfa habban þæt he on þysne sið fare,

515

gumena drihten, ac he his gingran sent

to þinre spræce. Nu he þe mid spellum het

listas læran. Læste þu georne

his ambyhto, nim þe þis ofæt on hand,

bit his and byrige. þe weorð on þinum breostum rum,

520

wæstm þy wlitegra. þe sende waldend god,

þin hearra þas helpe of heofonrice."

Adam maðelode þær he on eorðan stod,

selfsceafte guma: "þonne ic sigedrihten,

mihtigne god, mæðlan gehyrde

525

strangre stemne, and me her stondan het,

his bebodu healdan, and me þas bryd forgeaf,

wlitesciene wif, and me warnian het

þæt ic on þone deaðes beam bedroren ne wurde,

beswicen to swiðe, he cwæð þæt þa sweartan helle

530

healdan sceolde se ðe bi his heortan wuht

laðes gelæde. Nat þeah þu mid ligenum fare

þurh dyrne geþanc þe þu drihtnes eart

boda of heofnum. Hwæt, ic þinra bysna ne mæg,

worda ne wisna wuht oncnawan,

535

siðes ne sagona. Ic wat hwæt he me self bebead,

nergend user, þa ic hine nehst geseah;

he het me his word weorðian and wel healdan,

læstan his lare. þu gelic ne bist

ænegum his engla þe ic ær geseah,

540

ne þu me oðiewdest ænig tacen

þe he me þurh treowe to onsende,

min hearra þurh hyldo. þy ic þe hyran ne cann,

ac þu meaht þe forð faran. Ic hæbbe me fæstne geleafan

up to þam ælmihtegan gode þe me mid his earmum worhte,

545

her mid handum sinum. He mæg me of his hean rice

geofian mid goda gehwilcum, þeah he his gingran ne sende."

Wende hine wraðmod þær he þæt wif geseah

on eorðrice Euan stondan,

sceone gesceapene, cwæð þæt sceaðena mæst

550

eallum heora eaforum æfter siððan

wurde on worulde: "Ic wat, inc waldend god

abolgen wyrð, swa ic him þisne bodscipe

selfa secge, þonne ic of þys siðe cume

ofer langne weg, þæt git ne læstan wel

555

hwilc ærende swa he easten hider

on þysne sið sendeð. Nu sceal he sylf faran

to incre andsware; ne mæg his ærende

his boda beodan; þy ic wat þæt he inc abolgen wyrð,

mihtig on mode. Gif þu þeah minum wilt,

560

wif willende, wordum hyran,

þu meaht his þonne rume ræd geþencan.

Gehyge on þinum breostum þæt þu inc bam twam meaht

wite bewarigan, swa ic þe wisie.

æt þisses ofetes! þonne wurðað þin eagan swa leoht

565

þæt þu meaht swa wide ofer woruld ealle

geseon siððan, and selfes stol

herran þines, and habban his hyldo forð.

Meaht þu Adame eft gestyran,

gif þu his willan hæfst and he þinum wordum getrywð.

570

Gif þu him to soðe sægst hwylce þu selfa hæfst

bisne on breostum, þæs þu gebod godes

lare læstes, he þone laðan strið,

yfel andwyrde an forlæteð

on breostcofan, swa wit him bu tu

575

an sped sprecað. Span þu hine georne

þæt he þine lare læste, þy læs gyt lað gode,

incrum waldende, weorðan þyrfen.

Gif þu þæt angin fremest, idesa seo betste,

forhele ic incrum herran þæt me hearmes swa fela

580

Adam gespræc, eargra worda.

Tyhð me untryowða, cwyð þæt ic seo teonum georn,

gramum ambyhtsecg, nales godes engel.

Ac ic cann ealle swa geare engla gebyrdo,

heah heofona gehlidu; wæs seo hwil þæs lang

585

þæt ic geornlice gode þegnode

þurh holdne hyge, herran minum,

drihtne selfum; ne eom ic deofle gelic."

Lædde hie swa mid ligenum and mid listum speon

idese on þæt unriht, oðþæt hire on innan ongan

590

weallan wyrmes geþeaht, (hæfde hire wacran hige

metod gemearcod), þæt heo hire mod ongan

lætan æfter þam larum; forþon heo æt þam laðan onfeng

ofer drihtnes word deaðes beames

weorcsumne wæstm. Ne wearð wyrse dæd

595

monnum gemearcod! þæt is micel wundor

þæt hit ece god æfre wolde

þeoden þolian, þæt wurde þegn swa monig

forlædd be þam lygenum þe for þam larum com.

Heo þa þæs ofætes æt, alwaldan bræc

600

word and willan. þa meahte heo wide geseon

þurh þæs laðan læn þe hie mid ligenum beswac,

dearnenga bedrog, þe hire for his dædum com,

þæt hire þuhte hwitre heofon and eorðe,

and eall þeos woruld wlitigre, and geweorc godes

605

micel and mihtig, þeah heo hit þurh monnes geþeaht

ne sceawode; ac se sceaða georne

swicode ymb þa sawle þe hire ær þa siene onlah,

þæt heo swa wide wlitan meahte

ofer heofonrice. þa se forhatena spræc

610

þurh feondscipe (nalles he hie freme lærde):

"þu meaht nu þe self geseon, swa ic hit þe secgan ne þearf,

Eue seo gode, þæt þe is ungelic

wlite and wæstmas, siððan þu minum wordum getruwodest,

læstes mine lare. Nu scineð þe leoht fore

615

glædlic ongean þæt ic from gode brohte

hwit of heofonum; nu þu his hrinan meaht.

Sæge Adame hwilce þu gesihðe hæfst

þurh minne cime cræfta. Gif giet þurh cuscne siodo

læst mina lara, þonne gife ic him þæs leohtes genog

620

þæs ic þe swa godes gegired hæbbe.

Ne wite ic him þa womcwidas, þeah he his wyrðe ne sie

to alætanne; þæs fela he me laðes spræc."

Swa hire eaforan sculon æfter lybban:

þonne hie lað gedoð, hie sculon lufe wyrcean,

625

betan heora hearran hearmcwyde ond habban his hyldo forð.

þa gieng to Adame idesa scenost,

wifa wlitegost þe on woruld come,

forþon heo wæs handgeweorc heofoncyninges,

þeah heo þa dearnenga fordon wurde,

630

forlæd mid ligenum, þæt hie lað gode

þurh þæs wraðan geþanc weorðan sceolden,

þurh þæs deofles searo dom forlætan,

hierran hyldo, hefonrices þolian

monige hwile. Bið þam men full wa

635

þe hine ne warnað þonne he his geweald hafað!

Sum heo hire on handum bær, sum hire æt heortan læg,

æppel unsælga, þone hire ær forbead

drihtna drihten, deaðbeames ofet,

and þæt word acwæð wuldres aldor,

640

þæt þæt micle morð menn ne þorfton

þegnas þolian, ac he þeoda gehwam

hefonrice forgeaf, halig drihten,

widbradne welan, gif hie þone wæstm an

lætan wolden þe þæt laðe treow

645

on his bogum bær, bitre gefylled;

þæt wæs deaðes beam þe him drihten forbead.

Forlec hie þa mid ligenum se wæs lað gode,

on hete heofoncyninges, and hyge Euan,

wifes wac geþoht, þæt heo ongan his wordum truwian,

650

læstan his lare, and geleafan nom

þæt he þa bysene from gode brungen hæfde

þe he hire swa wærlice wordum sægde,

iewde hire tacen and treowa gehet,

his holdne hyge. þa heo to hire hearran spræc:

655

"Adam, frea min, þis ofet is swa swete,

bliðe on breostum, and þes boda sciene,

godes engel god, ic on his gearwan geseo

þæt he is ærendsecg uncres hearran,

hefoncyninges. His hyldo is unc betere

660

to gewinnanne þonne his wiðermedo.

Gif þu him heodæg wuht hearmes gesprece,

he forgifð hit þeah, gif wit him geongordom

læstan willað. Hwæt scal þe swa laðlic strið

wið þines hearran bodan? Unc is his hyldo þearf;

665

he mæg unc ærendian to þam alwaldan,

heofoncyninge. Ic mæg heonon geseon

hwær he sylf siteð, (þæt is suð and east),

welan bewunden, se ðas woruld gesceop;

geseo ic him his englas ymbe hweorfan

670

mid feðerhaman, ealra folca mæst,

wereda wynsumast. Hwa meahte me swelc gewit gifan,

gif hit gegnunga god ne onsende,

heofones waldend? Gehyran mæg ic rume

and swa wide geseon on woruld ealle

675

ofer þas sidan gesceaft, ic mæg swegles gamen

gehyran on heofnum. Wearð me on hige leohte

utan and innan, siðþan ic þæs ofætes onbat.

Nu hæbbe ic his her on handa, herra se goda;

gife ic hit þe georne. Ic gelyfe þæt hit from gode come,

680

broht from his bysene, þæs me þes boda sægde

wærum wordum. Hit nis wuhte gelic

elles on eorðan, buton swa þes ar sægeð,

þæt hit gegnunga from gode come."

Hio spræc him þicce to and speon hine ealne dæg

685

on þa dimman dæd þæt hie drihtnes heora

willan bræcon. Stod se wraða boda,

legde him lustas on and mid listum speon,

fylgde him frecne; wæs se feond full neah

þe on þa frecnan fyrd gefaren hæfde

690

ofer langne weg; leode hogode

on þæt micle morð men forweorpan,

forlæran and forlædan, þæt hie læn godes,

ælmihtiges gife an forleten,

heofenrices geweald. Hwæt, se hellsceaða

695

gearwe wiste þæt hie godes yrre

habban sceoldon and hellgeþwing,

þone nearwan nið niede onfon,

siððan hie gebod godes forbrocen hæfdon,

þa he forlærde mid ligenwordum

700

to þam unræde idese sciene,

wifa wlitegost, þæt heo on his willan spræc,

wæs him on helpe handweorc godes

to forlæranne.

Heo spræc ða to Adame idesa sceonost

705

ful þiclice, oð þam þegne ongan

his hige hweorfan, þæt he þam gehate getruwode

þe him þæt wif wordum sægde.

Heo dyde hit þeah þurh holdne hyge, nyste þæt þær hearma swa fela,

fyrenearfeða, fylgean sceolde

710

monna cynne, þæs heo on mod genam

þæt heo þæs laðan bodan larum hyrde,

ac wende þæt heo hyldo heofoncyninges

worhte mid þam wordum þe heo þam were swelce

tacen oðiewde and treowe gehet,

715

oðþæt Adame innan breostum

his hyge hwyrfde and his heorte ongann

wendan to hire willan. He æt þam wife onfeng

helle and hinnsið, þeah hit nære haten swa,

ac hit ofetes noman agan sceolde;

720

hit wæs þeah deaðes swefn and deofles gespon,

hell and hinnsið and hæleða forlor,

menniscra morð, þæt hie to mete dædon,

ofet unfæle. Swa hit him on innan com,

hran æt heortan, hloh þa and plegode

725

boda bitre gehugod, sægde begra þanc

hearran sinum: "Nu hæbbe ic þine hyldo me

witode geworhte, and þinne willan gelæst

to ful monegum dæge. Men synt forlædde,

Adam and Eue. Him is unhyldo

730

waldendes witod, nu hie wordcwyde his,

lare forleton. Forþon hie leng ne magon

healdan heofonrice, ac hie to helle sculon

on þone sweartan sið. Swa þu his sorge ne þearft

beran on þinum breostum, þær þu gebunden ligst,

735

murnan on mode, þæt her men bun

þone hean heofon, þeah wit hearmas nu,

þreaweorc þoliað, and þystre land,

and þurh þin micle mod monig forleton

on heofonrice heahgetimbro,

740

godlice geardas. Unc wearð god yrre

forþon wit him noldon on heofonrice

hnigan mid heafdum halgum drihtne

þurh geongordom; ac unc gegenge ne wæs

þæt wit him on þegnscipe þeowian wolden.

745

Forþon unc waldend wearð wrað on mode,

on hyge hearde, and us on helle bedraf,

on þæt fyr fylde folca mæste,

and mid handum his eft on heofonrice

rihte rodorstolas and þæt rice forgeaf

750

monna cynne. Mæg þin mod wesan

bliðe on breostum, forþon her synt bu tu gedon:

ge þæt hæleða bearn heofonrice sculon

leode forlætan and on þæt lig to þe

hate hweorfan, eac is hearm gode,

755

modsorg gemacod. Swa hwæt swa wit her morðres þoliað,

hit is nu Adame eall forgolden

mid hearran hete and mid hæleða forlore,

monnum mid morðes cwealme. Forþon is min mod gehæled,

hyge ymb heortan gerume, ealle synt uncre hearmas gewrecene

760

laðes þæt wit lange þoledon. Nu wille ic eft þam lige near,

Satan ic þær secan wille; he is on þære sweartan helle

hæft mid hringa gesponne." Hwearf him eft niðer

boda bitresta; sceolde he þa bradan ligas

secan helle gehliðo, þær his hearra læg

765

simon gesæled. Sorgedon ba twa,

Adam and Eue, and him oft betuh

gnornword gengdon; godes him ondredon,

heora herran hete, heofoncyninges nið

swiðe onsæton; selfe forstodon

770

his word onwended. þæt wif gnornode,

hof hreowigmod, (hæfde hyldo godes,

lare forlæten), þa heo þæt leoht geseah

ellor scriðan þæt hire þurh untreowa

tacen iewde se him þone teonan geræd,

775

þæt hie helle nið habban sceoldon,

hynða unrim; forþam him higesorga

burnon on breostum. Hwilum to gebede feollon

sinhiwan somed, and sigedrihten

godne gretton and god nemdon,

780

heofones waldend, and hine bædon

þæt hie his hearmsceare habban mosten,

georne fulgangan, þa hie godes hæfdon

bodscipe abrocen. Bare hie gesawon

heora lichaman; næfdon on þam lande þa giet

785

sælða gesetena, ne hie sorge wiht

weorces wiston, ac hie wel meahton

libban on þam lande, gif hie wolden lare godes

forweard fremman. þa hie fela spræcon

sorhworda somed, sinhiwan twa.

790

Adam gemælde and to Euan spræc:

"Hwæt, þu Eue, hæfst yfele gemearcod

uncer sylfra sið. Gesyhst þu nu þa sweartan helle

grædige and gifre. Nu þu hie grimman meaht

heonane gehyran. Nis heofonrice

795

gelic þam lige, ac þis is landa betst,

þæt wit þurh uncres hearran þanc habban moston,

þær þu þam ne hierde þe unc þisne hearm geræd,

þæt wit waldendes word forbræcon,

heofoncyninges. Nu wit hreowige magon

800

sorgian for þis siðe. Forþon he unc self bebead

þæt wit unc wite warian sceolden,

hearma mæstne. Nu slit me hunger and þurst

bitre on breostum, þæs wit begra ær

wæron orsorge on ealle tid.

805

Hu sculon wit nu libban oððe on þys lande wesan,

gif her wind cymð, westan oððe eastan,

suðan oððe norðan? Gesweorc up færeð,

cymeð hægles scur hefone getenge,

færeð forst on gemang, se byð fyrnum ceald.

810

Hwilum of heofnum hate scineð,

blicð þeos beorhte sunne, and wit her baru standað,

unwered wædo. Nys unc wuht beforan

to scursceade, ne sceattes wiht

to mete gemearcod, ac unc is mihtig god,

815

waldend wraðmod. To hwon sculon wit weorðan nu?

Nu me mæg hreowan þæt ic bæd heofnes god,

waldend þone godan, þæt he þe her worhte to me

of liðum minum, nu þu me forlæred hæfst

on mines herran hete. Swa me nu hreowan mæg

820

æfre to aldre þæt ic þe minum eagum geseah."

ða spræc Eue eft, idesa scienost,

wifa wlitegost; hie wæs geweorc godes,

þeah heo þa on deofles cræft bedroren wurde:

"þu meaht hit me witan, wine min Adam,

825

wordum þinum; hit þe þeah wyrs ne mæg

on þinum hyge hreowan þonne hit me æt heortan deð."

Hire þa Adam andswarode:

"Gif ic waldendes willan cuðe,

hwæt ic his to hearmsceare habban sceolde,

830

ne gesawe þu no sniomor, þeah me on sæ wadan

hete heofones god heonone nu þa,

on flod faran, nære he firnum þæs deop,

merestream þæs micel, þæt his o min mod getweode,

ac ic to þam grunde genge, gif ic godes meahte

835

willan gewyrcean. Nis me on worulde niod

æniges þegnscipes, nu ic mines þeodnes hafa

hyldo forworhte, þæt ic hie habban ne mæg.

Ac wit þus baru ne magon bu tu ætsomne

wesan to wuhte. Uton gan on þysne weald innan,

840

on þisses holtes hleo." Hwurfon hie ba twa,

togengdon gnorngende on þone grenan weald,

sæton onsundran, bidan selfes gesceapu

heofoncyninges, þa hie þa habban ne moston

þe him ær forgeaf ælmihtig god.

845

þa hie heora lichoman leafum beþeahton,

weredon mid ðy wealde, wæda ne hæfdon;

ac hie on gebed feollon bu tu ætsomne

morgena gehwilce, bædon mihtigne

þæt hie ne forgeate god ælmihtig,

850

and him gewisade waldend se goda,

hu hie on þam leohte forð libban sceolden.

þa com feran frea ælmihtig

ofer midne dæg, mære þeoden,

on neorxnawang neode sine;

855

wolde neosian nergend usser,

bilwit fæder, hwæt his bearn dyde;

wiste forworhte þam he ær wlite sealde.

Gewitan him þa gangan geomermode

under beamsceade blæde bereafod,

860

hyddon hie on heolstre, þa hie halig word

drihtnes gehyrdon, and ondredon him.

þa sona ongann swegles aldor

weard ahsian woruldgesceafta,

het him recene to rice þeoden

865

his sunu gangan. Him þa sylfa oncwæð,

hean hleoðrade hrægles þearfa:

"Ic wreo me her wæda leasne,

liffrea min, leafum þecce.

Scyldfull mine sceaðen is me sare,

870

frecne on ferhðe; ne dear nu forð gan

for ðe andweardne. Ic eom eall eall nacod."

Him ða ædre god andswarede:

"Saga me þæt, sunu min, for hwon secest ðu

sceade sceomiende? þu sceonde æt me

875

furðum ne anfenge, ac gefean eallum.

For hwon wast þu wean and wrihst sceome,

gesyhst sorge, and þin sylf þecest

lic mid leafum, sagast lifceare

hean hygegeomor, þæt þe sie hrægles þearf,

880

nymþe ðu æppel ænne byrgde

of ðam wudubeame þe ic þe wordum forbead?"

Him þa Adam eft andswarode:

"Me ða blæda on hand bryd gesealde,

freolucu fæmne, freadrihten min,

885

ðe ic þe on teonan geþah. Nu ic þæs tacen wege

sweotol on me selfum. Wat ic sorga ðy ma."

ða ðæs Euan frægn ælmihtig god:

"Hwæt druge þu, dohtor, dugeþa genohra,

niwra gesceafta neorxnawanges,

890

growendra gifa, þa þu gitsiende

on beam gripe, blæda name

on treowes telgum, and me on teonan

æte þa unfreme, Adame sealdest

wæstme þa inc wæron wordum minum

895

fæste forbodene?" Him þa freolecu mæg,

ides æwiscmod andswarode:

"Me nædre beswac and me neodlice

to forsceape scyhte and to scyldfrece,

fah wyrm þurh fægir word, oðþæt ic fracoðlice

900

feondræs gefremede, fæhðe geworhte,

and þa reafode, swa hit riht ne wæs,

beam on bearwe and þa blæda æt."

þa nædran sceop nergend usser,

frea ælmihtig fagum wyrme

905

wide siðas and þa worde cwæð:

"þu scealt wideferhð werig þinum

breostum bearm tredan bradre eorðan,

faran feðeleas, þenden þe feorh wunað,

gast on innan. þu scealt greot etan

910

þine lifdagas. Swa þu laðlice

wrohte onstealdest, þe þæt wif feoð,

hatað under heofnum and þin heafod tredeð

fah mid fotum sinum. þu scealt fiersna sætan

tohtan niwre; tuddor bið gemæne

915

incrum orlegnið a þenden standeð

woruld under wolcnum. Nu þu wast and canst,

lað leodsceaða, hu þu lifian scealt."

ða to Euan god yrringa spræc:

"Wend þe from wynne! þu scealt wæpnedmen

920

wesan on gewealde, mid weres egsan

hearde genearwad, hean þrowian

þinra dæda gedwild, deaðes bidan,

and þurh wop and heaf on woruld cennan

þurh sar micel sunu and dohtor."

925

Abead eac Adame ece drihten,

lifes leohtfruma, lað ærende:

"þu scealt oðerne eðel secean,

wynleasran wic, and on wræc hweorfan

nacod niedwædla, neorxnawanges

930

dugeðum bedæled; þe is gedal witod

lices and sawle. Hwæt, þu laðlice

wrohte onstealdest; forþon þu winnan scealt

and on eorðan þe þine andlifne

selfa geræcan, wegan swatig hleor,

935

þinne hlaf etan, þenden þu her leofast,

oðþæt þe to heortan hearde gripeð

adl unliðe þe þu on æple ær

selfa forswulge; forþon þu sweltan scealt."

Hwæt, we nu gehyrað hwær us hearmstafas

940

wraðe onwocan and woruldyrmðo.

Hie þa wuldres weard wædum gyrede,

scyppend usser; het heora sceome þeccan

frea frumhrægle; het hie from hweorfan

neorxnawange on nearore lif.

945

Him on laste beleac liðsa and wynna

hihtfulne ham halig engel

be frean hæse fyrene sweorde;

ne mæg þær inwitfull ænig geferan

womscyldig mon, ac se weard hafað

950

miht and strengðo, se þæt mære lif

dugeðum deore drihtne healdeð.

No hwæðre ælmihtig ealra wolde

Adame and Euan arna ofteon,

fæder æt frymðe, þeah þe hie him from swice,

955

ac he him to frofre let hwæðere forð wesan

hyrstedne hrof halgum tunglum

and him grundwelan ginne sealde;

het þam sinhiwum sæs and eorðan

tuddorteondra teohha gehwilcre

960

to woruldnytte wæstmas fedan.

Gesæton þa æfter synne sorgfulre land,

eard and eðyl unspedigran

fremena gehwilcre þonne se frumstol wæs

þe hie æfter dæde of adrifen wurdon.

965

Ongunnon hie þa be godes hæse

bearn astrienan, swa him metod bebead.

Adames and Euan aforan wæron

freolicu twa frumbearn cenned,

Cain and Abel. Us cyðað bec,

970

hu þa dædfruman dugeþa stryndon,

welan and wiste, willgebroðor.

Oðer his to eorðan elnes tilode,

se wæs ærboren; oðer æhte heold

fæder on fultum, oðþæt forð gewat

975

dægrimes worn. Hie þa drihtne lac

begen brohton. Brego engla beseah

on Abeles gield eagum sinum,

cyning eallwihta, Caines ne wolde

tiber sceawian. þæt wæs torn were

980

hefig æt heortan. Hygewælm asteah

beorne on breostum, blatende nið,

yrre for æfstum. He þa unræden

folmum gefremede, freomæg ofsloh,

broðor sinne, and his blod ageat,

985

Cain Abeles. Cwealmdreore swealh

þæs middangeard, monnes swate.

æfter wælswenge wea wæs aræred,

tregena tuddor. Of ðam twige siððan

ludon laðwende leng swa swiðor

990

reðe wæstme. Ræhton wide

geond werþeoda wrohtes telgan,

hrinon hearmtanas hearde and sare

drihta bearnum, (doð gieta swa),

of þam brad blado bealwa gehwilces

995

sprytan ongunnon. We þæt spell magon,

wælgrimme wyrd, wope cwiðan,

nales holunge; ac us hearde sceod

freolecu fæmne þurh forman gylt

þe wið metod æfre men gefremeden,

1000

eorðbuende, siððan Adam wearð

of godes muðe gaste eacen.

ða worde frægn wuldres aldor

Cain, hwær Abel eorðan wære.

Him ða se cystleasa cwealmes wyrhta

1005

ædre æfter þon andswarode:

"Ne can ic Abeles or ne fore,

hleomæges sið, ne ic hyrde wæs

broðer mines." Him þa brego engla,

godspedig gast gean þingade:

1010

"Hwæt, befealdest þu folmum þinum

wraðum on wælbedd wærfæstne rinc,

broðor þinne, and his blod to me

cleopað and cigeð. þu þæs cwealmes scealt

wite winnan and on wræc hweorfan,

1015

awyrged to widan aldre. Ne seleð þe wæstmas eorðe

wlitige to woruldnytte, ac heo wældreore swealh

halge of handum þinum; forþon heo þe hroðra oftihð,

glæmes grene folde. þu scealt geomor hweorfan,

arleas of earde þinum, swa þu Abele wurde

1020

to feorhbanan; forþon þu flema scealt

widlast wrecan, winemagum lað."

Him þa ædre Cain andswarode:

"Ne þearf ic ænigre are wenan

on woruldrice, ac ic forworht hæbbe,

1025

heofona heahcyning, hyldo þine,

lufan and freode; forþon ic lastas sceal

wean on wenum wide lecgan,

hwonne me gemitte manscyldigne,

se me feor oððe neah fæhðe gemonige,

1030

broðorcwealmes. Ic his blod ageat,

dreor on eorðan. þu to dæge þissum

ademest me fram duguðe and adrifest from

earde minum. Me to aldorbanan

weorðeð wraðra sum. Ic awyrged sceal,

1035

þeoden, of gesyhðe þinre hweorfan."

Him þa selfa oncwæð sigora drihten:

"Ne þearft ðu þe ondrædan deaðes brogan,

feorhcwealm nu giet, þeah þu from scyle

freomagum feor fah gewitan.

1040

Gif þe monna hwelc mundum sinum

aldre beneoteð, hine on cymeð

æfter þære synne seofonfeald wracu,

wite æfter weorce." Hine waldend on,

tirfæst metod, tacen sette,

1045

freoðobeacen frea, þy læs hine feonda hwilc

mid guðþræce gretan dorste

feorran oððe nean. Heht þa from hweorfan

meder and magum manscyldigne,

cnosle sinum. Him þa Cain gewat

1050

gongan geomormod gode of gesyhðe,

wineleas wrecca, and him þa wic geceas

eastlandum on, eðelstowe

fædergeardum feor, þær him freolecu mæg,

ides æfter æðelum eaforan fedde.

1055

Se æresta wæs Enos haten,

frumbearn Caines. Siððan fæsten ongon

mid þam cneomagum ceastre timbran;

þæt wæs under wolcnum weallfæstenna

ærest ealra þara þe æðelingas,

1060

sweordberende, settan heton.

þanon his eaforan ærest wocan,

bearn from bryde, on þam burhstede.

Se yldesta wæs Iared haten,

sunu Enoses. Siððan wocan,

1065

þa þæs cynnes cneowrim icton,

mægburg Caines. Malalehel wæs

æfter Iarede yrfes hyrde

fæder on laste, oðþæt he forð gewat.

Siððan Mathusal magum dælde,

1070

bearn æfter bearne broðrum sinum

æðelinga gestreon, oðþæt aldorgedal

frod fyrndagum fremman sceolde,

lif oflætan. Lameh onfeng

æfter fæder dæge fletgestealdum,

1075

botlgestreonum. Him bryda twa,

idesa on eðle eaforan feddon,

Ada and Sella; þara anum wæs

Iabal noma, se þurh gleawne geþanc

herbuendra hearpan ærest

1080

handum sinum hlyn awehte,

swinsigende sweg, sunu Lamehes.

Swylce on ðære mægðe maga wæs haten

on þa ilcan tid Tubalcain,

se þurh snytro sped smiðcræftega wæs,

1085

and þurh modes gemynd monna ærest,

sunu Lamehes, sulhgeweorces

fruma wæs ofer foldan, siððan folca bearn

æres cuðon and isernes,

burhsittende, brucan wide.

1090

þa his wifum twæm wordum sægde

Lameh seolfa, leofum gebeddum,

Adan and Sellan unarlic spel:

"Ic on morðor ofsloh minra sumne

hyldemaga; honda gewemde

1095

on Caines cwealme mine,

fylde mid folmum fæder Enoses,

ordbanan Abeles, eorðan sealde

wældreor weres. Wat ic gearwe

þæt þam lichryre on last cymeð

1100

soðcyninges seofonfeald wracu,

micel æfter mane. Min sceal swiðor

mid grimme gryre golden wurðan

fyll and feorhcwealm, þonne ic forð scio."

þa wearð Adame on Abeles gyld

1105

eafora on eðle oþer feded,

soðfæst sunu, þam wæs Seth noma.

Se wæs eadig and his yldrum ðah

freolic to frofre, fæder and meder,

Adames and Euan, wæs Abeles gield

1110

on woruldrice. þa word acwæð

ord moncynnes: "Me ece sunu

sealde selfa sigora waldend,

lifes aldor on leofes stæl,

þæs þe Cain ofsloh, and me cearsorge

1115

mid þys magotimbre of mode asceaf

þeoden usser. Him þæs þanc sie!"

Adam hæfde, þa he eft ongan

him to eðelstæfe oðres strienan

bearnes be bryde, beorn ellenrof,

1120

XXX and C þisses lifes,

wintra on worulde. Us gewritu secgað

þæt her eahtahund iecte siððan

mægðum and mæcgum mægburg sine

Adam on eorðan; ealra hæfde

1125

nigenhund wintra

and XXX eac, þa he þas woruld

þurh gastgedal ofgyfan sceolde.

Him on laste Seth leod weardode,

eafora æfter yldrum; eþelstol heold

1130

and wif begeat. Wintra hæfde

fif and hundteontig þa he furðum ongan

his mægburge men geicean

sunum and dohtrum. Sethes eafora

se yldesta wæs Enos haten;

1135

se nemde god niðþa bearna

ærest ealra, siððan Adam stop

on grene græs gaste geweorðad.

Seth wæs gesælig; siððan strynde

seofon winter her suna and dohtra

1140

ond eahtahund. Ealra hæfde

XII and nigonhund, þa seo tid gewearð

þæt he friðgedal fremman sceolde.

Him æfter heold, þa he of worulde gewat,

Enos yrfe, siððan eorðe swealh

1145

sædberendes Sethes lice.

He wæs leof gode and lifde her

wintra hundnigontig ær he be wife her

þurh gebedscipe bearn astrynde;

him þa cenned wearð Cainan ærest

1150

eafora on eðle. Siððan eahtahund

and fiftyno on friðo drihtnes

gleawferhð hæleð geogoðe strynde,

suna and dohtra; swealt, þa he hæfde,

frod fyrnwita, V and nigonhund.

1155

þære cneorisse wæs Cainan siððan

æfter Enose aldordema,

weard and wisa. Wintra hæfde

efne hundseofontig ær him sunu woce.

þa wearð on eðle eafora feded,

1160

mago Cainanes, Malalehel wæs haten.

Siððan eahtahund æðelinga rim

and feowertig eac feorum geicte

Enoses sunu. Ealra nigonhund

wintra hæfde þa he woruld ofgeaf

1165

and tyne eac, þa his tiddæge

under rodera rum rim wæs gefylled.

Him on laste heold land and yrfe

Malalehel siððan missera worn.

Se frumgara fif and sixtig

1170

wintra hæfde þa he be wife ongann

bearna strynan. Him bryd sunu

meowle to monnum brohte. Se maga wæs

on his mægðe, mine gefræge,

guma on geogoðe, Iared haten.

1175

Lifde siððan and lissa breac

Malalehel lange, mondreama her,

woruldgestreona. Wintra hæfde

fif and hundnigontig, þa he forð gewat,

and eahtahund; eaforan læfde

1180

land and leodweard. Longe siððan

Geared gumum gold brittade.

Se eorl wæs æðele, æfæst hæleð,

and se frumgar his freomagum leof.

Fif and hundteontig on fyore lifde

1185

wintra gebidenra on woruldrice

and syxtig eac þa seo sæl gewearð

þæt his wif sunu on woruld brohte;

se eafora wæs Enoc haten,

freolic frumbearn. Fæder her þa gyt

1190

his cynnes forð cneorim icte,

eaforan eahtahund; ealra hæfde

V and syxtig, þa he forð gewat,

and nigonhund eac nihtgerimes,

wine frod wintres, þa he þas woruld ofgeaf

1195

ond Geared þa gleawum læfde

land and leodweard, leofum rince.

Enoch siððan ealdordom ahof,

freoðosped folces wisa, nalles feallan let

dom and drihtscipe,

1200

þenden he hyrde wæs heafodmaga.

Breac blæddaga, bearna strynde

þreohund wintra. Him wæs þeoden hold,

rodera waldend. Se rinc heonon

on lichoman lisse sohte,

1205

drihtnes duguðe, nales deaðe swealt

middangeardes, swa her men doþ,

geonge and ealde, þonne him god heora

æhta and ætwist eorðan gestreona

on genimeð and heora aldor somed,

1210

ac he cwic gewat mid cyning engla

of þyssum lænan life feran

on þam gearwum þe his gast onfeng

ær hine to monnum modor brohte.

He þam yldestan eaforan læfde

1215

folc, frumbearne; V and syxtig

wintra hæfde þa he woruld ofgeaf,

and eac III hund. þrage siððan

Mathusal heold maga yrfe,

se on lichoman lengest þissa

1220

worulddreama breac. Worn gestrynde

ær his swyltdæge suna and dohtra;

hæfde frod hæle, þa he from sceolde

niþþum hweorfan, nigonhund wintra

and hundseofontig to. Sunu æfter heold,

1225

Lamech leodgeard, lange siððan

woruld bryttade. Wintra hæfde

twa and hundteontig þa seo tid gewearð

þæt se eorl ongan æðele cennan,

sunu and dohtor. Siððan lifde

1230

fif and hundnigontig, frea moniges breac

wintra under wolcnum, werodes aldor,

and V hund eac; heold þæt folc teala,

bearna strynde, him byras wocan,

eaforan and idesa. He þone yldestan

1235

Noe nemde, se niððum ær

land bryttade siððan Lamech gewat.

Hæfde æðelinga aldorwisa

V hund wintra þa he furðum ongan

bearna strynan, þæs þe bec cweðaþ.

1240

Sem wæs haten sunu Noes,

se yldesta, oðer Cham,

þridda Iafeth. þeoda tymdon

rume under roderum, rim miclade

monna mægðe geond middangeard

1245

sunum and dohtrum. ða giet wæs Sethes cynn,

leofes leodfruman on lufan swiðe

drihtne dyre and domeadig,

oðþæt bearn godes bryda ongunnon

on Caines cynne secan,

1250

wergum folce, and him þær wif curon

ofer metodes est monna eaforan,

scyldfulra mægð scyne and fægere.

þa reordade rodora waldend

wrað moncynne and þa worde cwæð:

1255

"Ne syndon me on ferhðe freo from gewitene

cneorisn Caines, ac me þæt cynn hafað

sare abolgen. Nu me Sethes bearn

torn niwiað and him to nimað

mægeð to gemæccum minra feonda;

1260

þær wifa wlite onwod grome,

idesa ansien, and ece feond

folcdriht wera, þa ær on friðe wæron."

Siððan hundtwelftig geteled rime

wintra on worulde wræce bisgodon

1265

fæge þeoda, hwonne frea wolde

on wærlogan wite settan

and on deað slean dædum scyldige

gigantmæcgas, gode unleofe,

micle mansceaðan, metode laðe.

1270

þa geseah selfa sigoro waldend

hwæt wæs monna manes on eorðan

and þæt hie wæron womma ðriste,

inwitfulle. He þæt unfægere

wera cneorissum gewrecan þohte,

1275

forgripan gumcynne grimme and sare,

heardum mihtum. Hreaw hine swiðe

þæt he folcmægþa fruman aweahte,

æðelinga ord, þa he Adam sceop,

cwæð þæt he wolde for wera synnum

1280

eall aæðan þæt on eorðan wæs,

forleosan lica gehwilc þara þe lifes gast

fæðmum þeahte. Eall þæt frea wolde

on ðære toweardan tide acwellan

þe þa nealæhte niðða bearnum.

1285

Noe wæs god, nergende leof,

swiðe gesælig, sunu Lameches,

domfæst and gedefe. Drihten wiste

þæt þæs æðelinges ellen dohte

breostgehygdum; forðon him brego sægde,

1290

halig æt hleoðre, helm allwihta,

hwæt he fah werum fremman wolde;

geseah unrihte eorðan fulle,

side sælwongas synnum gehladene,

widlum gewemde. þa waldend spræc,

1295

nergend usser, and to Noe cwæð:

"Ic wille mid flode folc acwellan

and cynna gehwilc cucra wuhta,

þara þe lyft and flod lædað and fedað,

feoh and fuglas. þu scealt frið habban

1300

mid sunum þinum, ðonne sweart wæter,

wonne wælstreamas werodum swelgað,

sceaðum scyldfullum. Ongyn þe scip wyrcan,

merehus micel. On þam þu monegum scealt

reste geryman, and rihte setl

1305

ælcum æfter agenum eorðan tudre.

Gescype scylfan on scipes bosme.

þu þæt fær gewyrc fiftiges wid,

ðrittiges heah and þreohund lang

elngemeta, and wið yða gewyrc

1310

gefeg fæste. þær sceal fæsl wesan

cwiclifigendra cynna gehwilces

on þæt wudufæsten wocor gelæded

eorðan tudres; earc sceal þy mare."

Noe fremede swa hine nergend heht,

1315

hyrde þam halgan heofoncyninge,

ongan ofostlice þæt hof wyrcan,

micle merecieste. Magum sægde

þæt wæs þrealic þing þeodum toweard,

reðe wite. Hie ne rohton þæs!

1320

Geseah þa ymb wintra worn wærfæst metod

geofonhusa mæst gearo hlifigean,

innan and utan eorðan lime

gefæstnod wið flode, fær Noes,

þy selestan. þæt is syndrig cynn;

1325

symle bið þy heardra þe hit hreoh wæter,

swearte sæstreamas swiðor beatað.

ða to Noe cwæð nergend usser:

"Ic þe þæs mine, monna leofost,

wære gesylle, þæt þu weg nimest

1330

and feora fæsl þe þu ferian scealt

geond deop wæter dægrimes worn

on lides bosme. Læd, swa ic þe hate,

under earce bord eaforan þine,

frumgaran þry, and eower feower wif.

1335

Ond þu seofone genim on þæt sundreced

tudra gehwilces geteled rimes,

þara þe to mete mannum lifige,

and þara oðerra ælces twa.

Swilce þu of eallum eorðan wæstmum

1340

wiste under wægbord werodum gelæde,

þam þe mid sceolon mereflod nesan.

Fed freolice feora wocre

oð ic þære lafe lagosiða eft

reorde under roderum ryman wille.

1345

Gewit þu nu mid hiwum on þæt hof gangan,

gasta werode. Ic þe godne wat,

fæsthydigne; þu eart freoðo wyrðe,

ara mid eaforum. Ic on andwlitan

nu ofor seofon niht sigan læte

1350

wællregn ufan widre eorðan.

Feowertig daga fæhðe ic wille

on weras stælan and mid wægþreate

æhta and agend eall acwellan

þa beutan beoð earce bordum

1355

þonne sweart racu stigan onginneð."

Him þa Noe gewat, swa hine nergend het,

under earce bord eaforan lædan,

weras on wægþæl and heora wif somed;

and eall þæt to fæsle frea ælmihtig

1360

habban wolde under hrof gefor

to heora ætgifan, swa him ælmihtig

weroda drihten þurh his word abead.

Him on hoh beleac heofonrices weard

merehuses muð mundum sinum,

1365

sigora waldend, and segnade

earce innan agenum spedum

nergend usser. Noe hæfde,

sunu Lameches, syxhund wintra

þa he mid bearnum under bord gestah,

1370

gleaw mid geogoðe, be godes hæse,

dugeðum dyrum. Drihten sende

regn from roderum and eac rume let

willeburnan on woruld þringan

of ædra gehwære, egorstreamas

1375

swearte swogan. Sæs up stigon

ofer stæðweallas. Strang wæs and reðe

se ðe wætrum weold; wreah and þeahte

manfæhðu bearn middangeardes

wonnan wæge, wera eðelland;

1380

hof hergode, hygeteonan wræc

metod on monnum. Mere swiðe grap

on fæge folc feowertig daga,

nihta oðer swilc. Nið wæs reðe,

wællgrim werum; wuldorcyninges

1385

yða wræcon arleasra feorh

of flæschoman. Flod ealle wreah,

hreoh under heofonum hea beorgas

geond sidne grund and on sund ahof

earce from eorðan and þa æðelo mid,

1390

þa segnade selfa drihten,

scyppend usser, þa he þæt scip beleac.

Siððan wide rad wolcnum under

ofer holmes hrincg hof seleste,

for mid fearme. Fære ne moston

1395

wægliðendum wætres brogan

hæste hrinon, ac hie halig god

ferede and nerede. Fiftena stod

deop ofer dunum se drenceflod

monnes elna; þæt is mæro wyrd!

1400

þam æt niehstan wæs nan to gedale,

nymþe heof wæs ahafen on þa hean lyft,

þa se egorhere eorðan tuddor

eall acwealde, buton þæt earce bord

heold heofona frea, þa hine halig god

1405

ece upp forlet edmodne flod

streamum stigan, stiðferhð cyning.

þa gemunde god mereliðende,

sigora waldend sunu Lameches

and ealle þa wocre þe he wið wætre beleac,

1410

lifes leohtfruma, on lides bosme.

Gelædde þa wigend weroda drihten

worde ofer widland. Willflod ongan

lytligan eft. Lago ebbade,

sweart under swegle. Hæfde soð metod

1415

eaforum egstream eft gecyrred,

torhtne ryne, regn gestilled.

For famig scip L and C

nihta under roderum, siððan nægledbord,

fær seleste, flod up ahof,

1420

oðþæt rimgetæl reðre þrage

daga forð gewat. ða on dunum gesæt

heah mid hlæste holmærna mæst,

earc Noes, þe Armenia

hatene syndon. þær se halga bad,

1425

sunu Lameches, soðra gehata

lange þrage, hwonne him lifes weard

frea ælmihtig frecenra siða

reste ageafe, þæra he rume dreah