Genesis A, B

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 wægas.         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,         Assiriæ 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 gespræce,
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

Noæ 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
þa hine on sunde         geond sidne grund

1430

wonne yða         wide bæron.
Holm wæs heononweard;         hæleð langode,
wægliðende,         swilce wif heora,
hwonne hie of nearwe         ofer nægledbord
ofer streamstaðe         stæppan mosten

1435

and of enge ut         æhta lædan.
þa fandode         forðweard scipes,
hwæðer sincende         sæflod þa gyt
wære under wolcnum.         Let þa ymb worn daga
þæs þe heah hlioðo         horde onfengon

1440

and æðelum eac         eorðan tudres
sunu Lameches         sweartne fleogan
hrefn ofer heahflod         of huse ut.
Noe tealde         þæt he on neod hine,
gif he on þære lade         land ne funde,

1445

ofer sid wæter         secan wolde
on wægþele.         Eft him seo wen geleah,
ac se feonde gespearn         fleotende hreaw;
salwigfeðera         secan nolde.
He þa ymb seofon niht         sweartum hrefne

1450

of earce forlet         æfter fleogan
ofer heah wæter         haswe culufran
on fandunga         hwæðer famig sæ
deop þa gyta         dæl ænigne
grenre eorðan         ofgifen hæfde.

1455

Heo wide hire         willan sohte
and rume fleah.         Nohweðere reste fand,
þæt heo for flode         fotum ne meahte
land gespornan         ne on leaf treowes
steppan for streamum,         ac wæron steap hleoðo

1460

bewrigen mid wætrum.         Gewat se wilda fugel
on æfenne         earce secan
ofer wonne wæg,         werig sigan,
hungri to handa         halgum rince.
ða wæs culufre eft         of cofan sended

1465

ymb wucan wilde.         Seo wide fleah
oðþæt heo rumgal         restestowe
fægere funde         and þa fotum stop
on beam hyre;         gefeah bliðemod
þæs þe heo gesittan         swiðe werig

1470

on treowes telgum         torhtum moste.
Heo feðera onsceoc,         gewat fleogan eft
mid lacum hire,         liðend brohte
elebeames twig         an to handa,
grene blædæ.         þa ongeat hraðe

1475

flotmonna frea         þæt wæs frofor cumen,
earfoðsiða bot.         þa gyt se eadega wer
ymb wucan þriddan         wilde culufran
ane sende.         Seo eft ne com
to lide fleogan,         ac heo land begeat,

1480

grene bearwas;         nolde gladu æfre
under salwed bord         syððan ætywan
on þellfæstenne,         þa hire þearf ne wæs.
þa to Noe spræc         nergend usser,
heofonrices weard,         halgan reorde:

1485

"þe is eðelstol         eft gerymed,
lisse on lande,         lagosiða rest
fæger on foldan.         Gewit on freðo gangan
ut of earce,         and on eorðan bearm
of þam hean hofe         hiwan læd þu

1490

and ealle þa wocre         þe ic wægþrea on
liðe nerede         þenden lago hæfde
þrymme geþeahtne         þriddan eðyl."
He fremede swa         and frean hyrde,
stah ofer streamweall,         swa him seo stefn bebead,

1495

lustum miclum,         and alædde þa
of wægþele         wraðra lafe.
þa Noe ongan         nergende lac
rædfæst reðran,         and recene genam
on eallum dæl         æhtum sinum,

1500

ðam ðe him to dugeðum         drihten sealde,
gleaw to þam gielde,         and þa gode selfum
torhtmod hæle         tiber onsægde,
cyninge engla.         Huru cuð dyde
nergend usser,         þa he Noe

1505

gebletsade         and his bearn somed,
þæt he þæt gyld on þanc         agifen hæfde
and on geogoðhade         godum dædum
ær geearnod         þæt him ealra wæs
ara este         ælmihtig god,

1510

domfæst dugeþa.         þa gyt drihten cwæð,
wuldris aldor         word to Noe:
"Tymað nu and tiedrað,         tires brucað,
mid gefean fryðo;         fyllað eorðan,
eall geiceað.         Eow is eðelstol

1515

and holmes hlæst         and heofonfuglas
and wildu deor         on geweald geseald,
eorðe ælgrene         and eacen feoh.
Næfre ge mid blode         beodgereordu
unarlice         eowre þicgeað,

1520

besmiten mid synne         sawldreore.
ælc hine selfa         ærest begrindeð
gastes dugeðum         þæra þe mid gares orde
oðrum aldor oðþringeð.         Ne ðearf he þy edleane gefeon
modgeþance,         ac ic monnes feorh

1525

to slagan sece         swiðor micle,
and to broðor banan,         þæs þe blodgyte,
wællfyll weres         wæpnum gespedeð,
morð mid mundum.         Monn wæs to godes
anlicnesse         ærest gesceapen.

1530

ælc hafað magwlite         metodes and engla
þara þe healdan wile         halige þeawas.
Weaxað and wridað,         wilna brucað,
ara on eorðan;         æðelum fyllað
eowre fromcynne         foldan sceatas,

1535

teamum and tudre.         Ic eow treowa þæs
mine selle,         þæt ic on middangeard
næfre egorhere         eft gelæde,
wæter ofer widland.         Ge on wolcnum þæs
oft and gelome         andgiettacen

1540

magon sceawigan,         þonne ic scurbogan
minne iewe,         þæt ic monnum þas
wære gelæste,         þenden woruld standeð."
ða wæs se snotra         sunu Lamehes
of fere acumen         flode on laste

1545

mid his eaforum þrim,         yrfes hyrde
(and heora feower wif;        
nemde wæron         Percoba, Olla,
Olliua, Olliuani),        
wærfæst metode,         wætra lafe.

1550

Hæleð hygerofe         hatene wæron,
suna Noes         Sem and Cham,
Iafeð þridda.         From þam gumrincum
folc geludon         and gefylled wearð
eall þes middangeard         monna bearnum.

1555

ða Noe ongan         niwan stefne
mid hleomagum         ham staðelian
and to eorðan him         ætes tilian;
won and worhte,         wingeard sette,
seow sæda fela,         sohte georne

1560

þa him wlitebeorhte         wæstmas brohte,
geartorhte gife,         grene folde.
ða þæt geeode,         þæt se eadega wer
on his wicum wearð         wine druncen,
swæf symbelwerig,         and him selfa sceaf

1565

reaf of lice.         Swa gerysne ne wæs,
læg þa limnacod.         He lyt ongeat
þæt him on his inne         swa earme gelamp,
þa him on hreðre         heafodswima
on þæs halgan hofe         heortan clypte.

1570

Swiðe on slæpe         sefa nearwode
þæt he ne mihte         on gemynd drepen
hine handum self         mid hrægle wryon
and sceome þeccan,         swa gesceapu wæron
werum and wifum,         siððan wuldres þegn

1575

ussum fæder and meder         fyrene sweorde
on laste beleac         lifes eðel.
þa com ærest         Cam in siðian,
eafora Noes,         þær his aldor læg,
ferhðe forstolen.         þær he freondlice

1580

on his agenum fæder         are ne wolde
gesceawian,         ne þa sceonde huru
hleomagum helan,         ac he hlihende
broðrum sægde,         hu se beorn hine
reste on recede.         Hie þa raðe stopon,

1585

heora andwlitan         in bewrigenum
under loðum listum,         þæt hie leofum men
geoce gefremede;         gode wæron begen,
Sem and Iafeð.         ða of slæpe onbrægd
sunu Lamehes,         and þa sona ongeat

1590

þæt him cynegodum         Cham ne wolde,
þa him wæs are þearf,         ænige cyðan
hyldo and treowa.         þæt þam halgan wæs
sar on mode,         ongan þa his selfes bearn
wordum wyrgean,         cwæð, he wesan sceolde

1595

hean under heofnum,         hleomaga þeow,
Cham on eorþan;         him þa cwyde syððan
and his fromcynne         frecne scodon.
þa nyttade         Noe siððan
mid sunum sinum         sidan rices

1600

ðreohund wintra         þisses lifes,
freomen æfter flode,         and fiftig eac, þa he forð gewat.
Siððan his eaforan         ead bryttedon,
bearna stryndon;         him wæs beorht wela.
þa wearð Iafeðe         geogoð afeded,

1605

hyhtlic heorðwerod         heafodmaga,
sunu and dohtra.         He wæs selfa til,
heold a rice,         eðeldreamas,
blæd mid bearnum,         oðþæt breosta hord,
gast ellorfus         gangan sceolde

1610

to godes dome.         Geomor siððan
fæder flettgesteald         freondum dælde,
swæsum and gesibbum,         sunu Iafeðes;
þæs teames wæs         tuddor gefylled
unlytel dæl         eorðan gesceafta.

1615

Swilce Chames suno         cende wurdon,
eaforan on eðle;         þa yldestan
Chus and Chanan         hatene wæron,
ful freolice feorh,         frumbearn Chames.
Chus wæs æðelum         heafodwisa,

1620

wilna brytta         and worulddugeða
broðrum sinum,         botlgestreona,
fæder on laste,         siððan forð gewat
Cham of lice,         þa him cwealm gesceod.
Se magoræswa         mægðe sinre

1625

domas sægde,         oðþæt his dogora wæs
rim aurnen.         þa se rinc ageaf
eorðcunde ead,         sohte oðer lif,
fæder Nebroðes.         Frumbearn siððan
eafora Chuses         yrfestole weold,

1630

widmære wer,         swa us gewritu secgeað,
þæt he moncynnes         mæste hæfde
on þam mældagum         mægen and strengo.
Se wæs Babylones         bregorices fruma,
ærest æðelinga;         eðelðrym onhof,

1635

rymde and rærde.         Reord wæs þa gieta
eorðbuendum         an gemæne.
Swilce of Cames         cneorisse woc
wermægða fela;         of þam widfolce
cneorim micel         cenned wæron.

1640

þa wearð Seme         suna and dohtra
on woruldrice         worn afeded,
freora bearna,         ær ðon frod cure
wintrum wælreste         werodes aldor.
On þære mægðe         wæron men tile,

1645

þara an wæs         Eber haten,
eafora Semes;         of þam eorle woc
unrim þeoda,         þa nu æðelingas,
ealle eorðbuend,         Ebrei hatað.
Gewiton him þa eastan         æhta lædan,

1650

feoh and feorme.         Folc wæs anmod;
rofe rincas         sohton rumre land,
oðþæt hie becomon         corðrum miclum,
folc ferende,         þær hie fæstlice
æðelinga bearn,         eard genamon.

1655

Gesetton þa Sennar         sidne and widne
leoda ræswan;         leofum mannum
heora geardagum         grene wongas,
fægre foldan,         him forðwearde
on ðære dægtide         duguðe wæron,

1660

wilna gehwilces         weaxende sped.
ða þær mon mænig         be his mægwine,
æðeling anmod,         oðerne bæd
þæs hie him to mærðe,         ær seo mengeo eft
geond foldan bearm         tofaran sceolde,

1665

leoda mægðe         on landsocne
burh geworhte         and to beacne torr
up arærde         to rodortunglum.
þæs þe hie gesohton         Sennera feld,
swa þa foremeahtige         folces ræswan,

1670

þa yldestan         oft and gelome
liðsum gewunedon;         larum sohton
weras to weorce         and to wrohtscipe,
oðþæt for wlence         and for wonhygdum
cyðdon cræft heora,         ceastre worhton

1675

and to heofnum up         hlædræ rærdon,
strengum stepton         stænenne weall
ofer monna gemet,         mærða georne,
hæleð mid honda.         þa com halig god
wera cneorissa         weorc sceawigan,

1680

beorna burhfæsten,         and þæt beacen somed,
þe to roderum up         ræran ongunnon
Adames eaforan,         and þæs unrædes
stiðferhð cyning         steore gefremede,
þa he reðemod         reorde gesette

1685

eorðbuendum         ungelice,
þæt hie þære spæce         sped ne ahton.
þa hie gemitton         mihtum spedge,
teoche æt torre,         getalum myclum,
weorces wisan,         ne þær wermægða

1690

ænig wiste         hwæt oðer cwæð.
Ne meahte hie gewurðan         weall stænenne
up forð timbran,         ac hie earmlice
heapum tohlocon,         hleoðrum gedælde;
wæs oðerre         æghwilc worden

1695

mægburh fremde,         siððan metod tobræd
þurh his mihta sped         monna spræce.
Toforan þa         on feower wegas
æðelinga bearn         ungeþeode
on landsocne.         Him on laste bu

1700

stiðlic stantorr         and seo steape burh
samod samworht         on Sennar stod.
Weox þa under wolcnum         and wriðade
mægburh Semes,         oðþæt mon awoc
on þære cneorisse,         cynebearna rim,

1705

þancolmod wer,         þeawum hydig.
Wurdon þam æðelinge         eaforan acende,
in Babilone         bearn afeded
freolicu tu,         and þa frumgaran,
hæleð higerofe,         hatene wæron

1710

Abraham and Aaron;         þam eorlum wæs
frea engla bam         freond and aldor.
ða wearð Aarone         eafora feded,
leoflic on life,         ðam wæs Loth noma.
ða magorincas         metode geþungon,

1715

Abraham and Loth,         unforcuðlice,
swa him from yldrum         æðelu wæron
on woruldrice;         forðon hie wide nu
dugeðum demað         drihtfolca bearn.
þa þæs mæles wæs         mearc agongen

1720

þæt him Abraham         idese brohte,
wif to hame,         þær he wic ahte,
fæger and freolic.         Seo fæmne wæs
Sarra haten,         þæs þe us secgeað bec.
Hie þa wintra fela         woruld bryttedon,

1725

sinc ætsomne,         sibbe heoldon
geara mengeo.         Nohwæðre gifeðe wearð
Abrahame þa gyt         þæt him yrfeweard
wlitebeorht ides         on woruld brohte,
Sarra Abrahame,         suna and dohtra.

1730

Gewat him þa mid cnosle         ofer Caldea folc
feran mid feorme         fæder Abrahames;
snotor mid gesibbum         secean wolde
Cananea land.         Hine cneowmægas,
metode gecorene         mid siðedon

1735

of þære eðeltyrf,         Abraham and Loth.
Him þa cynegode         on Carran
æðelinga bearn         eard genamon,
weras mid wifum.         On þam wicum his
fæder Abrahames         feorh gesealde,

1740

wærfæst hæle;         wintra hæfde
twa hundteontig,         geteled rime,
and fife eac,         þa he forð gewat
misserum frod         metodsceaft seon.
ða se halga spræc,         heofonrices weard,

1745

to Abrahame,         ece drihten:
"Gewit þu nu feran         and þine fare lædan,
ceapas to cnosle.         Carran ofgif,
fæder eðelstol.         Far, swa ic þe hate,
monna leofost,         and þu minum wel

1750

larum hyre,         and þæt land gesec
þe ic þe ælgrene         ywan wille,
brade foldan.         þu gebletsad scealt
on mundbyrde         minre lifigan.
Gif ðe ænig         eorðbuendra

1755

mid wean greteð,         ic hine wergðo on
mine sette         and modhete,
longsumne nið;         lisse selle,
wilna wæstme         þam þe wurðiað.
þurh þe eorðbuende         ealle onfoð,

1760

folcbearn freoðo         and freondscipe,
blisse minre         and bletsunge
on woruldrice.         Wriðende sceal
mægðe þinre         monrim wesan
swiðe under swegle         sunum and dohtrum,

1765

oðþæt fromcyme         folde weorðeð,
þeodlond monig         þine gefylled."
Him þa Abraham gewat         æhte lædan
of Egipta         eðelmearce,
gumcystum god,         golde and seolfre

1770

swiðfeorm and gesælig,         swa him sigora weard,
waldend usser         þurh his word abead,
ceapas from Carran;         sohton Cananea
lond and leodgeard.         þa com leof gode
on þa eðelturf         idesa lædan,

1775

swæse gebeddan         and his suhtrian
wif on willan.         Wintra hæfde
fif and hundseofontig         ða he faran sceolde,
Carran ofgifan         and cneowmagas.
Him þa feran gewat         fæder ælmihtiges

1780

lare gemyndig         land sceawian
geond þa folcsceare         be frean hæse
Abraham wide,         oðþæt ellenrof
to Sicem com         siðe spedig,
cynne Cananeis.         þa hine cyning engla

1785

Abrahame         iewde selfa,
domfæst wereda         and drihten cwæð:
"þis is seo eorðe         þe ic ælgrene
tudre þinum         torhte wille
wæstmum gewlo         on geweald don,

1790

rume rice."         þa se rinc gode
wibed worhte         and þa waldende
lifes leohtfruman         lac onsægde
gasta helme.         Him þa gyt gewat
Abraham eastan         eagum wlitan

1795

on landa cyst,         (lisse gemunde
heofonweardes gehat,         þa him þurh halig word
sigora selfcyning         soð gecyðde),
oðþæt drihtweras         duguþum geforan
þær is botlwela         Bethlem haten.

1800

Beorn bliðemod         and his broðor sunu
forð oferforan         folcmæro land
eastan mid æhtum,         æfæste men
weallsteapan hleoðu,         and him þa wic curon
þær him wlitebeorhte         wongas geþuhton.

1805

Abraham þa         oðere siðe
wibed worhte.         He þær wordum god
torhtum cigde,         tiber onsægde
his liffrean,         (him þæs lean ageaf
nalles hneawlice         þurh his hand metend),

1810

on þam gledstyde         gumcystum til.
ðær ræsbora         þrage siððan
wicum wunode         and wilna breac,
beorn mid bryde,         oðþæt brohþrea
Cananea wearð         cynne getenge,

1815

hunger se hearda,         hamsittendum,
wælgrim werum.         Him þa wishydig
Abraham gewat         on Egypte,
drihtne gecoren,         drohtað secan,
fleah wærfæst wean;         wæs þæt wite to strang.

1820

Abraham maðelode,         geseah Egypta
hornsele hwite         and hea byrig
beorhte blican;         ongan þa his bryd frea,
wishydig wer,         wordum læran:
"Siððan Egypte         eagum moton

1825

on þinne wlite wlitan         wlance monige,
þonne æðelinga         eorlas wenað,
mæg ælfscieno,         þæt þu min sie
beorht gebedda,         þe wile beorna sum
him geagnian.         Ic me onegan mæg

1830

þæt me wraðra sum         wæpnes ecge
for freondmynde         feore beneote.
Saga þu, Sarra,         þæt þu sie sweostor min,
lices mæge,         þonne þe leodweras
fremde fricgen         hwæt sie freondlufu

1835

ellðeodigra         uncer twega,
feorren cumenra.         þu him fæste hel
soðan spræce;         swa þu minum scealt
feore gebeorgan,         gif me freoðo drihten
on woruldrice,         waldend usser,

1840

an ælmihtig,         swa he ær dyde,
lengran lifes.         Se us þas lade sceop,
þæt we on Egiptum         are sceolde
fremena friclan         and us fremu secan."
þa com ellenrof         eorl siðian,

1845

Abraham mid æhtum         on Egypte,
þær him folcweras         fremde wæron,
wine uncuðe.         Wordum spræcon
ymb þæs wifes wlite         wlonce monige,
dugeðum dealle;         him drihtlicu mæg,

1850

on wlite modgum         mænegum ðuhte,
cyninges þegnum.         Hie þæt cuð dydon
heora folcfrean         þæt fægerro lyt
for æðelinge         idesa sunnon,
ac hie Sarran         swiðor micle,

1855

wynsumne wlite         wordum heredon,
oðþæt he lædan heht         leoflic wif to
his selfes sele.         Sinces brytta,
æðelinga helm         heht Abrahame
duguðum stepan.         Hwæðere drihten wearð,

1860

frea Faraone         fah and yrre
for wifmyne;         þæs wraðe ongeald
hearde mid hiwum         hægstealdra wyn.
Ongæt hwæðere         gumena aldor
hwæt him waldend wræc         witeswingum;

1865

heht him Abraham         to egesum geðreadne
brego Egipto,         and his bryd ageaf,
wif to gewealde;         heht him wine ceosan,
ellor æðelingas,         oðre dugeðe.
Abead þa þeodcyning         þegnum sinum,

1870

ombihtscealcum,         þæt hie hine arlice
ealles onsundne         eft gebrohten
of þære folcsceare,         þæt he on friðe wære.
ða Abraham         æhte lædde
of Egypta         eðelmearce;

1875

hie ellenrofe         idese feredon,
bryd and begas,         þæt hie to Bethlem
on cuðe wic         ceapas læddon,
eadge eorðwelan         oðre siðe,
wif on willan         and heora woruldgestreon.

1880

Ongunnon him þa bytlian         and heora burh ræran,
and sele settan,         salo niwian.
Weras on wonge         wibed setton
neah þam þe Abraham         æror rærde
his waldende         þa westan com.

1885

þær se eadga eft         ecan drihtnes
niwan stefne         noman weorðade;
tilmodig eorl         tiber onsægde
þeodne engla,         þancode swiðe
lifes leohtfruman         lisse and ara.

1890

Wunedon on þam wicum,         hæfdon wilna geniht
Abraham and Loth.         Ead bryttedon,
oðþæt hie on þam lande         ne meahton leng somed
blædes brucan         and heora begra þær
æhte habban,         ac sceoldon arfæste,

1895

þa rincas þy         rumor secan
ellor eðelseld.         Oft wæron teonan
wærfæstra wera         weredum gemæne,
heardum hearmplega.         þa se halga ongan
ara gemyndig         Abraham sprecan

1900

fægre to Lothe:         "Ic eom fædera þin
sibgebyrdum,         þu min suhterga.
Ne sceolon unc betweonan         teonan weaxan,
wroht wriðian--         ne þæt wille god!
Ac wit synt gemagas;         unc gemæne ne sceal

1905

elles awiht,         nymþe eall tela
lufu langsumu.         Nu þu, Loth, geþenc,
þæt unc modige         ymb mearce sittað,
þeoda þrymfæste         þegnum and gesiððum,
folc Cananea         and Feretia,

1910

rofum rincum.         Ne willað rumor unc
landriht heora;         forðon wit lædan sculon,
teon of þisse stowe,         and unc staðolwangas
rumor secan.         Ic ræd sprece,
bearn Arones,         begra uncer,

1915

soðne secge.         Ic þe selfes dom
life, leofa.         Leorna þe seolfa
and geþancmeta         þine mode
on hwilce healfe         þu wille hwyrft don,
cyrran mid ceape,         nu ic þe cyst abead."

1920

Him þa Loth gewat         land sceawigan
be Iordane,         grene eorðan.
Seo wæs wætrum weaht         and wæstmum þeaht,
lagostreamum leoht,         and gelic godes
neorxnawange,         oðþæt nergend god

1925

for wera synnum         wylme gesealde
Sodoman and Gomorran,         sweartan lige.
Him þa eard geceas         and eðelsetl
sunu Arones         on Sodoma byrig;
æhte sine         ealle lædde,

1930

beagas from Bethlem         and botlgestreon,
welan, wunden gold.         Wunode siððan
be Iordane         geara mænego.
þær folcstede         fægre wæron,
men arlease,         metode laðe.

1935

Wæron Sodomisc cynn         synnum þriste,
dædum gedwolene;         drugon heora selfra
ecne unræd.         æfre ne wolde
þam leodþeawum         Loth onfon,
ac he þære mægðe         monwisan fleah,

1940

þeah þe he on þam lande         lifian sceolde,
facen and fyrene,         and hine fægre heold,
þeawfæst and geþyldig         on þam þeodscipe,
emne þon gelicost,         lara gemyndig,
þe he ne cuðe         hwæt þa cynn dydon.

1945

Abraham wunode         eðeleardum
Cananea forð.         Hine cyning engla,
metod moncynnes         mundbyrde heold,
wilna wæstmum         and worulddugeðum,
lufum and lissum;         forþon his lof secgað

1950

wide under wolcnum         wera cneorisse,
foldwonga bearn.         He frean hyrde
estum on eðle,         ðenden he eardes breac,
halig and higefrod;         næfre hleowlora
æt edwihtan         æfre weorðeð

1955

feorhberendra         forht and acol,
mon for metode,         þe him æfter a
þurh gemynda sped         mode and dædum,
worde and gewitte,         wise þance,
oð his ealdorgedal         oleccan wile.

1960

ða ic aldor gefrægn         Elamitarna
fromne folctogan,         fyrd gebeodan,
Orlahomar;         him Ambrafel
of Sennar         side worulde
for on fultum.         Gewiton hie feower þa

1965

þeodcyningas         þrymme micle
secan suð ðanon         Sodoman and Gomorran.
þa wæs guðhergum         be Iordane
wera eðelland         wide geondsended,
folde feondum.         Sceolde forht monig

1970

blachleor ides         bifiende gan
on fremdes fæðm;         feollon wergend
bryda and beaga,         bennum seoce.
Him þa togeanes         mid guðþræce
fife foran         folccyningas

1975

sweotum suðon,         woldon Sodome burh
wraðum werian;         þa wintra XII
norðmonnum ær         niede sceoldon
gombon gieldan         and gafol sellan,
oðþæt þa leode         leng ne woldon

1980

Elamitarna         aldor swiðan
folcgestreonum,         ac him from swicon.
Foron þa tosomne         (francan wæron hlude),
wraðe wælherigas.         Sang se wanna fugel
under deoreðsceaftum,         deawigfeðera,

1985

hræs on wenan.         Hæleð onetton
on mægencorðrum,         modum þryðge,
oðþæt folcgetrume         gefaren hæfdon
sid tosomne         suðan and norðan,
helmum þeahte.         þær wæs heard plega,

1990

wælgara wrixl,         wigcyrm micel,
hlud hildesweg.         Handum brugdon
hæleð of scæðum         hringmæled sweord,
ecgum dihtig.         þær wæs eaðfynde
eorle orlegceap,         se ðe ær ne wæs

1995

niðes genihtsum.         Norðmen wæron
suðfolcum swice;         wurdon Sodomware
and Gomorre,         goldes bryttan,
æt þæm lindcrodan         leofum bedrorene,
fyrdgesteallum.         Gewiton feorh heora

2000

fram þam folcstyde         fleame nergan,
secgum ofslegene;         him on swaðe feollon
æðelinga bearn,         ecgum ofþegde,
willgesiððas.         Hæfde wigsigor
Elamitarna         ordes wisa,

2005

weold wælstowe.         Gewat seo wæpna laf
fæsten secan.         Fynd gold strudon,
ahyðdan þa mid herge         hordburh wera,
Sodoman and Gomorran,         þa sæl ageald,
mære ceastra.         Mægð siðedon,

2010

fæmnan and wuduwan,         freondum beslægene,
from hleowstole.         Hettend læddon
ut mid æhtum         Abrahames mæg
of Sodoma byrig.         We þæt soð magon
secgan furður,         hwelc siððan wearð

2015

æfter þæm gehnæste         herewulfa sið,
þara þe læddon Loth         and leoda god,
suðmonna sinc,         sigore gulpon.
Him þa secg hraðe         gewat siðian,
an gara laf,         se ða guðe genæs,

2020

Abraham secan.         Se þæt orlegweorc
þam Ebriscan         eorle gecyðde,
forslegen swiðe         Sodoma folc,
leoda duguðe         and Lothes sið.
þa þæt inwitspell         Abraham sægde

2025

freondum sinum;         bæd him fultumes
wærfæst hæleð         willgeðoftan,
Aner and Manre,         Escol þriddan,
cwæð þæt him wære         weorce on mode,
sorga sarost,         þæt his suhtriga

2030

þeownyd þolode;         bæd him þræcrofe
þa rincas þæs         ræd ahicgan,
þæt his hyldemæg         ahreded wurde,
beorn mid bryde.         Him þa broðor þry
æt spræce þære         spedum miclum

2035

hældon hygesorge         heardum wordum,
ellenrofe,         and Abrahame
treowa sealdon,         þæt hie his torn mid him
gewræcon on wraðum,         oððe on wæl feollan.
þa se halga heht         his heorðwerod

2040

wæpna onfon.         He þær wigena fand,
æscberendra,         XVIII
and CCC eac         þeodenholdra,
þara þe he wiste         þæt meahte wel æghwylc
on fyrd wegan         fealwe linde.

2045

Him þa Abraham gewat         and þa eorlas þry
þe him ær treowe sealdon         mid heora folcgetrume;
wolde his mæg huru,        
Loth alynnan         of laðscipe.
Rincas wæron rofe,         randas wægon

2050

forð fromlice         on foldwege.
Hildewulfas         herewicum neh
gefaren hæfdon.         þa he his frumgaran,
wishydig wer,         wordum sægde,
þares afera,         him wæs þearf micel

2055

þæt hie on twa healfe        
grimme guðgemot         gystum eowdon
heardne handplegan;         cwæð þæt him se halga,
ece drihten,         eaðe mihte
æt þam spereniðe         spede lænan.

2060

þa ic neðan gefrægn         under nihtscuwan
hæleð to hilde.         Hlyn wearð on wicum
scylda and sceafta,         sceotendra fyll,
guðflana gegrind;         gripon unfægre
under sceat werum         scearpe garas,

2065

and feonda feorh         feollon ðicce,
þær hlihende         huðe feredon
secgas and gesiððas.         Sigor eft ahwearf
of norðmonna         niðgeteone,
æsctir wera.         Abraham sealde

2070

wig to wedde,         nalles wunden gold,
for his suhtrigan,         sloh and fylde
feond on fitte.         Him on fultum grap
heofonrices weard.         Hergas wurdon
feower on fleame,         folccyningas,

2075

leode ræswan.         Him on laste stod
hihtlic heorðwerod,         and hæleð lagon,
on swaðe sæton,         þa þe Sodoma
and Gomorra         golde berofan,
bestrudon stigwitum.         Him þæt stiðe geald

2080

fædera Lothes.         Fleonde wæron
Elamitarna         aldorduguðe
dome bedrorene,         oðþæt hie Domasco
unfeor wæron.         Gewat him Abraham ða
on þa wigrode         wiðertrod seon

2085

laðra monna.         Loth wæs ahreded,
eorl mid æhtum,         idesa hwurfon,
wif on willan.         Wide gesawon
freora feorhbanan         fuglas slitan
on ecgwale.         Abraham ferede

2090

suðmonna eft         sinc and bryda,
æðelinga bearn,         oðle nior,
mægeð heora magum.         Næfre mon ealra
lifigendra her         lytle werede
þon wurðlicor         wigsið ateah,

2095

þara þe wið swa miclum         mægne geræsde.
þa wæs suð þanon         Sodoma folce
guðspell wegen,         hwelc gromra wearð
feonda fromlad.         Gewat him frea leoda,
eorlum bedroren,         Abraham secan,

2100

freonda feasceaft.         Him ferede mid
Solomia         sinces hyrde;
þæt wæs se mæra         Melchisedec,
leoda bisceop.         Se mid lacum com
fyrdrinca fruman         fægre gretan,

2105

Abraham arlice,         and him on sette
godes bletsunge,         and swa gyddode:
"Wæs ðu gewurðod         on wera rime
for þæs eagum         þe ðe æsca tir
æt guðe forgeaf!         þæt is god selfa,

2110

se ðe hettendra         herga þrymmas
on geweald gebræc,         and þe wæpnum læt
rancstræte forð         rume wyrcan,
huðe ahreddan         and hæleð fyllan.
On swaðe sæton;         ne meahton siðwerod

2115

guðe spowan,         ac hie god flymde,
se ðe æt feohtan         mid frumgarum
wið ofermægnes         egsan sceolde
handum sinum,         and halegu treow,
seo þu wið rodora weard         rihte healdest."

2120

Him þa se beorn         bletsunga lean
þurh hand ageaf,         and þæs hereteames
ealles teoðan sceat         Abraham sealde
godes bisceope.         þa spræc guðcyning,
Sodoma aldor,         secgum befylled,

2125

to Abrahame         (him wæs ara þearf).
"Forgif me mennen         minra leoda,
þe þu ahreddest         herges cræftum
wera wælclommum!         Hafa þe wunden gold
þæt ær agen wæs         ussum folce,

2130

feoh and frætwa!         Læt me freo lædan
eft on eðel         æðelinga bearn,
on weste wic         wif and cnihtas,
earme wydewan!         Eaforan syndon deade,
folcgesiðas,         nymðe fea ane,

2135

þe me mid sceoldon         mearce healdan."
Him þa Abraham         andswarode
ædre for eorlum,         elne gewurðod,
dome and sigore,         drihtlice spræc:
"Ic þe gehate,         hæleða waldend,

2140

for þam halgan,         þe heofona is
and þisse eorðan         agendfrea,
wordum minum,         nis woruldfeoh,
þe ic me agan wille,        
sceat ne scilling,         þæs ic on sceotendum,

2145

þeoden mæra,         þines ahredde,
æðelinga helm,         þy læs þu eft cweðe
þæt ic wurde,         willgesteallum,
eadig on eorðan         ærgestreonum
Sodoma rices;         ac þu selfa most heonon

2150

huðe lædan,         þe ic þe æt hilde gesloh,
ealle buton dæle         þissa drihtwera,
Aneres and Mamres         and Escoles.
Nelle ic þa rincas         rihte benæman,
ac hie me fulleodon         æt æscþræce,

2155

fuhton þe æfter frofre.         Gewit þu ferian nu
ham hyrsted gold         and healsmægeð,
leoda idesa.         þu þe laðra ne þearft
hæleða hildþræce         hwile onsittan,
norðmanna wig;         ac nefuglas

2160

under beorhhleoþum         blodige sittað,
þeodherga wæle         þicce gefylled."
Gewat him þa se healdend         ham siðian
mid þy hereteame         þe him se halga forgeaf,
Ebrea leod         arna gemyndig.

2165

þa gen Abrahame         eowde selfa
heofona heahcyning         halige spræce,
trymede tilmodigne         and him to reordode:
"Meda syndon micla þina!         Ne læt þu þe þin mod asealcan,
wærfæst willan mines!         Ne þearft þu þe wiht ondrædan,

2170

þenden þu mine lare læstest,         ac ic þe lifigende her
wið weana gehwam         wreo and scylde
folmum minum;         ne þearft þu forht wesan."
Abraham þa         andswarode,
dædrof drihtne sinum,         frægn hine dægrime frod:

2175

"Hwæt gifest þu me,         gasta waldend,
freomanna to frofre,         nu ic þus feasceaft eom?
Ne þearf ic yrfestol         eaforan bytlian
ænegum minra,         ac me æfter sculon
mine woruldmagas         welan bryttian.

2180

Ne sealdest þu me sunu;         forðon mec sorg dreceð
on sefan swiðe.         Ic sylf ne mæg
ræd ahycgan.         Gæð gerefa min
fægen freobearnum;         fæste mynteð
ingeþancum         þæt me æfter sie

2185

eaforan sine         yrfeweardas.
Geseoð þæt me of bryde         bearn ne wocon."
Him þa ædre god         andswarode:
"Næfre gerefan         rædað þine
eafora yrfe,         ac þin agen bearn

2190

frætwa healdeð,         þonne þin flæsc ligeð.
Sceawa heofon,         and hyrste gerim,
rodores tungel,         þa nu rume heora
wuldorfæstne wlite         wide dælað
ofer brad brymu         beorhte scinan.

2195

Swilc bið mægburge         menigo þinre
folcbearnum frome.         Ne læt þu þin ferhð wesan
sorgum asæled.         Gien þe sunu weorðeð,
bearn of bryde         þurh gebyrd cumen,
se ðe æfter bið         yrfes hyrde,

2200

gode mære.         Ne geomra þu!
Ic eom se waldend         se þe for wintra fela
of Caldea         ceastre alædde,
feowera sumne,         gehet þe folcstede
wide to gewealde.         Ic þe wære nu,

2205

mago Ebrea,         mine selle,
þæt sceal fromcynne         folde þine,
sidland manig,         geseted wurðan,
eorðan sceatas         oð Eufraten,
and from Egypta         eðelmearce

2210

swa mid niðas         swa Nilus sceadeð
and eft Wendelsæ         wide rice.
Eall þæt sculon agan         eaforan þine,
þeodlanda gehwilc,         swa þa þreo wæter
steape stanbyrig         streamum bewindað,

2215

famige flodas         folcmægða byht."
þa wæs Sarran         sar on mode,
þæt him Abrahame         ænig ne wearð
þurh gebedscipe         bearn gemæne,
freolic to frofre.         Ongann þa ferhðcearig

2220

to were sinum         wordum mæðlan:
"Me þæs forwyrnde         waldend heofona,
þæt ic mægburge         moste þinre
rim miclian         roderum under
eaforum þinum.         Nu ic eom orwena

2225

þæt unc se eðylstæf         æfre weorðe
gifeðe ætgædere.         Ic eom geomorfrod!
Drihten min,         do swa ic þe bidde!
Her is fæmne,         freolecu mæg,
ides Egyptisc,         an on gewealde.

2230

Hat þe þa recene         reste gestigan,
and afanda hwæðer         frea wille
ænigne þe         yrfewearda
on woruld lætan         þurh þæt wif cuman."
þa se eadega wer         idese larum

2235

geðafode,         heht him þeowmennen
on bedd gan         bryde larum.
Hire mod astah         þa heo wæs magotimbre
be Abrahame         eacen worden.
Ongan æfþancum         agendfrean

2240

halsfæst herian,         higeþryðe wæg,
wæs laðwendo,         lustum ne wolde
þeowdom þolian,         ac heo þriste ongan
wið Sarran         swiðe winnan.
þa ic þæt wif gefrægn         wordum cyðan

2245

hire mandrihtne         modes sorge,
sarferhð sægde         and swiðe cwæð:
"Ne fremest þu gerysnu         and riht wið me.
þafodest þu gena         þæt me þeowmennen,
siððan Agar ðe,         idese laste,

2250

beddreste gestah,         swa ic bena wæs,
drehte dogora gehwam         dædum and wordum
unarlice.         þæt Agar sceal ongieldan,
gif ic mot for þe         mine wealdan,
Abraham leofa.         þæs sie ælmihtig,

2255

drihtna drihten,         dema mid unc twih."
Hire þa ædre         andswarode
wishidig wer         wordum sinum:
"Ne forlæte ic þe,         þenden wit lifiað bu,
arna lease,         ac þu þin agen most

2260

mennen ateon,         swa þin mod freoð."
ða wearð unbliðe         Abrahames cwen,
hire worcþeowe         wrað on mode,
heard and hreðe,         higeteonan spræc
fræcne on fæmnan.         Heo þa fleon gewat

2265

þrea and þeowdom;         þolian ne wolde
yfel and ondlean,         þæs ðe ær dyde
to Sarran,         ac heo on sið gewat
westen secan.         þær hie wuldres þegn,
engel drihtnes         an gemitte

2270

geomormode,         se hie georne frægn:
"Hwider fundast þu,         feasceaft ides,
siðas dreogan?         þec Sarre ah."
Heo him ædre         andswarode:
"Ic fleah wean, wana         wilna gehwilces,

2275

hlæfdigan hete,         hean of wicum,
tregan and teonan.         Nu sceal tearighleor
on westenne         witodes bidan,
hwonne of heortan         hunger oððe wulf
sawle and sorge         somed abregde."

2280

Hire þa se engel         andswarode:
"Ne ceara þu feor heonon         fleame dælan
somwist incre,         ac þu sece eft,
earna þe ara,         eaðmod ongin
dreogan æfter dugeðum,         wes drihtenhold.

2285

þu scealt, Agar,         Abrahame sunu
on woruld bringan.         Ic þe wordum nu
minum secge,         þæt se magorinc sceal
mid yldum wesan         Ismahel haten.
Se bið unhyre,         orlæggifre,

2290

and wiðerbreca         wera cneorissum,
magum sinum;         hine monige on
wraðe winnað         mid wæpenþræce.
Of þam frumgaran         folc awæcniað,
þeod unmæte.         Gewit þu þinne eft

2295

waldend secan;         wuna þæm þe agon!"
Heo þa ædre gewat         engles larum
hire hlafordum,         swa se halga bebead,
godes ærendgast,         gleawan spræce.
þa wearð Abrahame         Ismael geboren,

2300

efne þa he on worulde         wintra hæfde
VI and LXXX.         Sunu weox and ðah,
swa se engel ær         þurh his agen word,
fæle freoðoscealc,         fæmnan sægde.
þa se ðeoden         ymb XIII gear,

2305

ece drihten,         wið Abrahame spræc:
"Leofa, swa ic þe lære,         læst uncre wel
treowrædenne!         Ic þe on tida gehwone
duguðum stepe.         Wes þu dædum from
willan mines!         Ic þa wære forð

2310

soðe gelæste,         þe ic þe sealde geo
frofre to wedde,         þæs þin ferhð bemearn.
þu scealt halgian         hired þinne.
Sete sigores tacn         soð on gehwilcne
wæpnedcynnes,         gif þu wille on me

2315

hlaford habban         oððe holdne freond
þinum fromcynne.         Ic þæs folces beo
hyrde and healdend,         gif ge hyrað me
breostgehygdum         and bebodu willað
min fullian.         Sceal monna gehwilc

2320

þære cneorisse         cildisc wesan
wæpnedcynnes,         þæs þe on woruld cymð,
ymb seofon niht         sigores tacne
geagnod me,         oððe of eorðan
þurh feondscipe         feor adæled,

2325

adrifen from duguðum.         Doð swa ic hate!
Ic eow treowige,         gif ge þæt tacen gegaþ
soðgeleafan.         þu scealt sunu agan,
bearn be bryde þinre,         þone sculon burhsittende
ealle Isaac hatan.         Ne þearf þe þæs eaforan sceomigan,

2330

ac ic þam magorince         mine sylle
godcunde gife         gastes mihtum,
freondsped fremum.         He onfon sceal
blisse minre         and bletsunge,
lufan and lisse.         Of þam leodfruman

2335

brad folc cumað,         bregowearda fela
rofe arisað,         rices hyrdas,
woruldcyningas         wide mære."
Abraham ða         ofestum legde
hleor on eorðan,         and mid hucse bewand

2340

þa hleoðorcwydas         on hige sinum,
modgeðance.         He þæs mældæges
self ne wende         þæt him Sarra,
bryd blondenfeax         bringan meahte
on woruld sunu;         wiste gearwe

2345

þæt þæt wif huru         wintra hæfde
efne C,         geteled rimes.
He þa metode oncwæð         missarum frod:
"Lifge Ismael         larum swilce,
þeoden, þinum,         and þe þanc wege,

2350

heardrædne hyge,         heortan strange,
to dreoganne         dæges and nihtes
wordum and dædum         willan þinne."
Him þa fægere         frea ælmihtig,
ece drihten,         andswarode:

2355

"þe sceal wintrum frod         on woruld bringan
Sarra sunu,         soð forð gan
wyrd æfter þissum         wordgemearcum.
Ic Ismael         estum wille
bletsian nu,         swa þu bena eart

2360

þinum frumbearne,         þæt feorhdaga
on woruldrice         worn gebide,
tanum tudre.         þu þæs tiða beo!
Hwæðre ic Isace,         eaforan þinum,
geongum bearne,         þam þe gen nis

2365

on woruld cumen,         willa spedum
dugeða gehwilcre         on dagum wille
swiðor stepan         and him soðe to
modes wære         mine gelæstan,
halige higetreowa,         and him hold wesan."

2370

Abraham fremede         swa him se eca bebead,
sette friðotacen         be frean hæse
on his selfes sunu,         heht þæt segn wegan
heah gehwilcne,         þe his hina wæs
wæpnedcynnes,         wære gemyndig,

2375

gleaw on mode,         ða him god sealde
soðe treowa,         and þa seolf onfeng
torhtum tacne.         A his tir metod,
domfæst cyning,         dugeðum iecte
on woruldrice;         he him þæs worhte to,

2380

siððan he on fære         furðum meahte
his waldendes         willan fremman.
þa þæt wif ahloh         wereda drihtnes
nalles glædlice,         ac heo gearum frod
þone hleoðorcwyde         husce belegde

2385

on sefan swiðe.         Soð ne gelyfde,
þæt þære spræce         sped folgode.
þa þæt gehyrde         heofona waldend,
þæt on bure ahof         bryd Abrahames
hihtleasne hleahtor,         þa cwæð halig god:

2390

"Ne wile Sarran         soð gelyfan
wordum minum.         Sceal seo wyrd swa þeah
forð steallian         swa ic þe æt frymðe gehet.
Soð ic þe secge,         on þas sylfan tid
of idese bið         eafora wæcned.

2395

þonne ic þas ilcan         oðre siðe
wic gesece,         þe beoð wordgehat
min gelæsted.         þu on magan wlitest,
þin agen bearn,         Abraham leofa!"
Gewiton him þa ædre         ellorfuse

2400

æfter þære spræce         spedum feran
of þam hleoðorstede,         halige gastas,
lastas legdon,         (him wæs Lothes mæg
sylfa on gesiððe),         oðþæt hie on Sodoman,
weallsteape burg,         wlitan meahton.

2405

Gesawon ofer since         salo hlifian,
reced ofer readum golde.         Ongan þa rodera waldend,
arfæst wið Abraham sprecan,         sægde him unlytel spell:
"Ic on þisse byrig         bearhtm gehyre,
synnigra cyrm         swiðe hludne,

2410

ealogalra gylp,         yfele spræce
werod under weallum habban;         forþon wærlogona sint,
folces firena hefige.         Ic wille fandigan nu,
mago Ebrea,         hwæt þa men don,
gif hie swa swiðe         synna fremmað

2415

þeawum and geþancum,         swa hie on þweorh sprecað
facen and inwit;         þæt sceal fyr wrecan,
swefyl and sweart lig         sare and grimme,
hat and hæste         hæðnum folce."
Weras basnedon         witelaces,

2420

wean under weallum,         and heora wif somed.
Duguðum wlance         drihtne guldon
god mid gnyrne,         oðþæt gasta helm,
lifes leohtfruma         leng ne wolde
torn þrowigean,         ac him to sende

2425

stiðmod cyning         strange twegen
aras sine,         þa on æfentid
siðe gesohton         Sodoma ceastre.
Hie þa æt burhgeate         beorn gemitton
sylfne sittan         sunu Arones,

2430

þæt þam gleawan were         geonge þuhton
men for his eagum.         Aras þa metodes þeow
gastum togeanes,         gretan eode
cuman cuðlice,         cynna gemunde
riht and gerisno,         and þam rincum bead

2435

nihtfeormunge.         Him þa nergendes
æðele ærendracan         andswarodon:
"Hafa arna þanc,         þara þe þu unc bude!
Wit be þisse stræte         stille þencað
sæles bidan,         siððan sunnan eft

2440

forð to morgen         metod up forlæt."
þa to fotum Loth        
þam giestum hnah,         and him georne bead
reste and gereorda         and his recedes hleow
and þegnunge.         Hie on þanc curon

2445

æðelinges est,         eodon sona,
swa him se Ebrisca         eorl wisade,
in undor edoras.         þær him se æðela geaf,
gleawferhð hæle,         giestliðnysse
fægre on flette,         oðþæt forð gewat

2450

æfenscima.         þa com æfter niht
on last dæge.         Lagustreamas wreah,
þrym mid þystro         þisses lifes,
sæs and sidland.         Comon Sodomware,
geonge and ealde,         gode unleofe

2455

corðrum miclum         cuman acsian,
þæt hie behæfdon         herges mægne
Loth mid giestum.         Heton lædan ut
of þam hean hofe         halige aras,
weras to gewealde,         wordum cwædon

2460

þæt mid þam hæleðum         hæman wolden
unscomlice,         arna ne gymden.
þa aras hraðe,         se ðe oft ræd ongeat,
Loth on recede,         eode lungre ut,
spræc þa ofer ealle         æðelinga gedriht

2465

sunu Arones,         snytra gemyndig:
"Her syndon inne         unwemme twa
dohtor mine.         Doð, swa ic eow bidde
(ne can þara idesa         owðer gieta
þurh gebedscipe         beorna neawest)

2470

and geswicað þære synne.         Ic eow sylle þa,
ær ge sceonde         wið gesceapu fremmen,
ungifre yfel         ylda bearnum.
Onfoð þæm fæmnum,         lætað frið agon
gistas mine,         þa ic for gode wille

2475

gemundbyrdan,         gif ic mot, for eow."
Him þa seo mænigeo         þurh gemæne word,
arlease cyn,         andswarode:
"þis þinceð gerisne         and riht micel,
þæt þu ðe aferige         of þisse folcsceare.

2480

þu þas werðeode         wræccan laste
freonda feasceaft         feorran gesohtest,
wineþearfende.         Wilt ðu, gif þu most,
wesan usser her         aldordema,
leodum lareow?"         þa ic on Lothe gefrægn

2485

hæðne heremæcgas         handum gripan,
faum folmum.         Him fylston wel
gystas sine,         and hine of gromra þa,
cuman arfæste,         clommum abrugdon
in under edoras,         and þa ofstlice

2490

anra gehwilcum         ymbstandendra
folces Sodoma         fæste forsæton
heafodsiena.         Wearð eal here sona
burhwarena blind.         Abrecan ne meahton
reðemode         reced æfter gistum,

2495

swa hie fundedon,         ac þær frome wæron
godes spellbodan.         Hæfde gistmægen
stiðe strengeo,         styrnde swiðe
werode mid wite.         Spræcon wordum þa
fæle freoðoscealcas         fægre to Lothe:

2500

"Gif þu sunu age         oððe swæsne mæg,
oððe on þissum folcum         freond ænigne
eac þissum idesum         þe we her on wlitað,
alæde of þysse leodbyrig,         þa ðe leofe sien,
ofestum miclum,         and þin ealdor nere,

2505

þy læs þu forweorðe         mid þyssum wærlogan.
Unc hit waldend heht         for wera synnum
Sodoma and Gomorra         sweartan lige,
fyre gesyllan         and þas folc slean,
cynn on ceastrum         mid cwealmþrea

2510

and his torn wrecan.         þære tide is
neah geþrungen.         Gewit þu nergean þin
feorh foldwege.         þe is frea milde."
Him þa ædre Loth         andswarode:
"Ne mæg ic mid idesum         aldornere mine

2515

swa feor heonon         feðegange
siðe gesecan.         Git me sibblufan
and freondscipe         fægre cyðað,
treowe and hyldo         tiðiað me.
Ic wat hea burh         her ane neah,

2520

lytle ceastre.         Lyfað me þær
are and reste,         þæt we aldornere
on Sigor up         secan moten.
Gif git þæt fæsten         fyre willað
steape forstandan,         on þære stowe we

2525

gesunde magon         sæles bidan,
feorh generigan."         Him þa freondlice
englas arfæste         andswaredon:
"þu scealt þære bene,         nu þu ymb þa burh sprycest,
tiða weorðan.         Teng recene to

2530

þam fæstenne;         wit þe friðe healdað
and mundbyrde.         Ne moton wyt
on wærlogum         wrecan torn godes,
swebban synnig cynn,         ær ðon þu on Sægor þin
bearn gelæde         and bryd somed."

2535

þa onette         Abrahames mæg
to þam fæstenne.         Feðe ne sparode
eorl mid idesum,         ac he ofstum forð
lastas legde,         oðþæt he gelædde
bryd mid bearnum         under burhlocan

2540

in Sægor his.         þa sunne up,
folca friðcandel,         furðum eode,
þa ic sendan gefrægn         swegles aldor
swefl of heofnum         and sweartne lig
werum to wite,         weallende fyr,

2545

þæs hie on ærdagum         drihten tyndon
lange þrage.         Him þæs lean forgeald
gasta waldend!         Grap heahþrea
on hæðencynn.         Hlynn wearð on ceastrum,
cirm arleasra         cwealmes on ore,

2550

laðan cynnes.         Lig eall fornam
þæt he grenes fond         goldburgum in,
swylce þær ymbutan         unlytel dæl
sidre foldan         geondsended wæs
bryne and brogan.         Bearwas wurdon

2555

to axan and to yslan,         eorðan wæstma,
efne swa wide         swa ða witelac
reðe geræhton         rum land wera.
Strudende fyr         steapes and geapes,
swogende leg,         forswealh eall geador

2560

þæt on Sodoma byrig         secgas ahton
and on Gomorra.         Eall þæt god spilde,
frea mid þy folce.         þa þæt fyrgebræc,
leoda lifgedal,         Lothes gehyrde
bryd on burgum,         under bæc beseah

2565

wið þæs wælfylles.         Us gewritu secgað
þæt heo on sealtstanes         sona wurde
anlicnesse.         æfre siððan
se monlica         (þæt is mære spell)
stille wunode,         þær hie strang begeat

2570

wite, þæs heo wordum         wuldres þegna
hyran ne wolde.         Nu sceal heard and steap
on þam wicum         wyrde bidan,
drihtnes domes,         hwonne dogora rim,
woruld gewite.         þæt is wundra sum,

2575

þara ðe geworhte         wuldres aldor.
Him þa Abraham gewat         ana gangan
mid ærdæge         þæt he eft gestod
þær wordum ær         wið his waldend spræc
frod frumgara.         He geseah from foldan up

2580

wide fleogan         wælgrimne rec.
Hie þæs wlenco onwod         and wingedrync
þæt hie firendæda         to frece wurdon,
synna þriste,         soð ofergeaton,
drihtnes domas,         and hwa him dugeða forgeaf,

2585

blæd on burgum.         Forþon him brego engla
wylmhatne lig         to wræce sende.
Waldend usser         gemunde wærfæst þa
Abraham arlice,         swa he oft dyde
leofne mannan.         Loth generede,

2590

mæg þæs oðres,         þa seo mænegeo forwearð.
Ne dorste þa         dædrof hæle
for frean egesan         on þam fæstenne
leng eardigean,         ac him Loth gewat
of byrig gangan         and his bearn somed

2595

wælstowe fyrr         wic sceawian,
oðþæt hie be hliðe         heare dune
eorðscræf fundon.         þær se eadega Loth
wærfæst wunode,         waldende leof,
dægrimes worn         and his dohtor twa.

2600

Hie dydon swa;         druncnum eode
seo yldre to         ær on reste
heora bega fæder.         Ne wiste blondenfeax
hwonne him fæmnan to bryde         him bu wæron,
on ferhðcofan         fæste genearwod

2605

mode and gemynde,         þæt he mægða sið
wine druncen         gewitan ne meahte.
Idesa wurdon eacne,         eaforan brohtan
willgesweostor         on woruld sunu
heora ealdan fæder.         þara æðelinga

2610

modor oðerne         Moab nemde,
Lothes dohter,         seo on life wæs
wintrum yldre.         Us gewritu secgeað,
godcunde bec,         þæt seo gingre
hire agen bearn         Ammon hete.

2615

Of þam frumgarum         folces unrim,
þrymfæste twa         þeoda awocon.
Oðre þara mægða         Moabitare
eorðbuende         ealle hatað,
widmære cynn,         oðre weras nemnað,

2620

æðelinga bearn,         Ammonitare.
Gewat him þa mid bryde         broðor Arones
under Abimelech         æhte lædan
mid his hiwum.         Hæleðum sægde
þæt Sarra his         sweostor wære,

2625

Abraham wordum         (bearh his aldre),
þy he wiste gearwe         þæt he winemaga,
on folce lyt         freonda hæfde.
þa se þeoden his         þegnas sende,
heht hie bringan         to him selfum.

2630

þa wæs ellþeodig         oðre siðe
wif Abrahames         from were læded
on fremdes fæðm.         Him þær fylste þa
ece drihten,         swa he oft dyde,
nergend usser.         Com nihtes self,

2635

þær se waldend læg         wine druncen.
Ongan þa soðcyning         þurh swefn sprecan
to þam æðelinge         and him yrre hweop:
"þu Abrahames         idese gename,
bryde æt beorne.         þe abregdan sceal

2640

for þære dæde         deað of breostum
sawle þine."         Him symbelwerig
sinces brytta         þurh slæp oncwæð:
"Hwæt, þu æfre,         engla þeoden,
þurh þin yrre wilt         aldre lætan,

2645

heah beheowan,         þæne þe her leofað
rihtum þeawum,         bið on ræde fæst,
modgeþance,         and him miltse
to þe seceð?         Me sægde ær
þæt wif hire         wordum selfa

2650

unfricgendum,         þæt heo Abrahames
sweostor wære.         Næbbe ic synne wið hie,
facna ænig         gefremed gena."
Him þa ædre eft         ece drihten,
soðfæst metod,         þurh þæt swefn oncwæð:

2655

"Agif Abrahame         idese sine,
wif to gewealde,         gif þu on worulde leng,
æðelinga helm,         aldres recce.
He is god and gleaw,         mæg self wið god sprecan,
geseon sweglcyning.         þu sweltan scealt

2660

mid feo and mid feorme,         gif ðu þam frumgaran
bryde wyrnest.         He abiddan mæg,
gif he ofstum me         ærendu wile
þeawfæst and geþyldig         þin abeodan,
þæt ic þe lissa         lifigendum giet

2665

on dagum læte         duguþa brucan
sinces gesundne."         þa slæpe tobrægd
forht folces weard.         Heht him fetigean to
gesprecan sine,         spedum sægde
eorlum Abimeleh,         egesan geðread,

2670

waldendes word.         Weras him ondredon
for þære dæde         drihtnes handa
sweng æfter swefne.         Heht sylf cyning
him þa Abraham to         ofstum miclum.
þa reordode         rice þeoden:

2675

"Mago Ebrea,         þæs þu me wylle
wordum secgean,         hu geworhte ic þæt,
siððan þu usic under,         Abraham, þine
on þas eðelturf         æhta læddest,
þæt þu me þus swiðe         searo renodest?

2680

þu ellþeodig         usic woldest
on þisse folcsceare         facne besyrwan,
synnum besmitan,         sægdest wordum
þæt Sarra þin         sweostor wære,
lices mæge,         woldest laðlice

2685

þurh þæt wif on me         wrohte alecgean,
ormæte yfel.         We þe arlice
gefeormedon,         and þe freondlice
on þisse werþeode         wic getæhton,
land to lissum.         þu us leanast nu,

2690

unfreondlice         fremena þancast!"
Abraham þa         andswarode:
"Ne dyde ic for facne         ne for feondscipe
ne for wihte þæs         ic þe wean uðe.
Ac ic me, gumena baldor,         guðbordes sweng

2695

leodmagum feor         lare gebearh,
siððan me se halga         of hyrde frean,
mines fæder         fyrn alædde.
Ic fela siððan         folca gesohte,
wina uncuðra,         and þis wif mid me,

2700

freonda feasceaft.         Ic þæs færes a
on wenum sæt         hwonne me wraðra sum
ellþeodigne         aldre beheowe,
se ðe him þas idese eft         agan wolde.
Forðon ic wigsmiðum         wordum sægde

2705

þæt Sarra min         sweostor wære
æghwær eorðan         þær wit earda leas
mid wealandum         winnan sceoldon.
Ic þæt ilce dreah         on þisse eðyltyrf,
siððan ic þina,         þeoden mæra,

2710

mundbyrde geceas.         Ne wæs me on mode cuð,
hwæðer on þyssum folce         frean ælmihtiges
egesa wære,         þa ic her ærest com.
Forþon ic þegnum         þinum dyrnde
and sylfum þe         swiðost micle

2715

soðan spræce,         þæt me Sarra
bryde laste         beddreste gestah."
þa ongan Abimæleh         Abraham swiðan
woruldgestreonum         and him his wif ageaf.
Sealde him to bote,         þæs þe he his bryd genam,

2720

gangende feoh         and glæd seolfor
and weorcþeos.         Spræc þa wordum eac
to Abrahame         æðelinga helm:
"wuna mid usic         and þe wic geceos
on þissum lande         þær þe leofost sie,

2725

eðelstowe,         þe ic agan sceal.
Wes us fæle freond,         we ðe feoh syllað!"
Cwæð þa eft raðe         oðre worde
to Sarran         sinces brytta:
"Ne þearf ðe on edwit         Abraham settan,

2730

ðin freadrihten,         þæt þu flettpaðas,
mæg ælfscieno,         mine træde,
ac him hygeteonan         hwitan seolfre
deope bete.         Ne ceara incit duguða
of ðisse eðyltyrf         ellor secan,

2735

winas uncuðe,         ac wuniað her."
Abraham fremede         swa hine his aldor heht,
onfeng freondscipe         be frean hæse,
lufum and lissum.         He wæs leof gode.
Forðon he sibbe         gesælig dreah

2740

and his scippende         under sceade gefor,
hleowfeðrum þeaht,         her þenden lifde.
þa gien wæs yrre         god Abimelehe
for þære synne         þe he wið Sarrai
and wið Abrahame         ær gefremede,

2745

þa he gedælde         him deore twa,
wif and wæpned.         He þæs weorc gehleat,
frecne wite.         Ne meahton freo ne þeowe
heora bregoweardas         bearnum ecan
monrim mægeð,         ac him þæt metod forstod,

2750

oðþæt se halga         his hlaforde
Abraham ongan         arna biddan
ecne drihten.         Him engla helm
getigðode,         tuddorsped onleac
folccyninge         freora and þeowra,

2755

wera and wifa;         let weaxan eft
heora rimgetel         rodora waldend,
ead and æhta.         ælmihtig wearð
milde on mode,         moncynnes weard,
Abimeleche,         swa hine Abraham bæd.

2760

þa com feran         frea ælmihtig
to Sarrai,         swa he self gecwæð,
waldend usser,         hæfde wordbeot
leofum gelæsted,         lifes aldor
eaforan and idese.         Abrahame woc

2765

bearn of bryde,         þone brego engla,
ær ðy magotudre         modor wære
eacen be eorle,         Isaac nemde.
Hine Abraham on         mid his agene hand
beacen sette,         swa him bebead metod,

2770

wuldortorht ymb wucan,         þæs þe hine on woruld
to moncynne         modor brohte.
Cniht weox and þag,         swa him cynde wæron
æðele from yldrum.         Abraham hæfde
wintra hundteontig         þa him wif sunu

2775

on þanc gebær.         He þæs ðrage bad,
siððan him ærest         þurh his agen word
þone dægwillan         drihten bodode.
þa seo wyrd gewearð         þæt þæt wif geseah
for Abrahame         Ismael plegan,

2780

ðær hie æt swæsendum         sæton bu tu,
halig on hige,         and heora hiwan eall,
druncon and drymdon.         þa cwæð drihtlecu mæg,
bryd to beorne:         "Forgif me, beaga weard,
min swæs frea,         hat siðian

2785

Agar ellor         and Ismael
lædan mid hie!         Ne beoð we leng somed
willum minum,         gif ic wealdan mot.
Næfre Ismael         wið Isace,
wið min agen bearn         yrfe dæleð

2790

on laste þe,         þonne þu of lice
aldor asendest."         þa wæs Abrahame
weorce on mode         þæt he on wræc drife
his selfes sunu,         þa com soð metod
freom on fultum,         wiste ferhð guman

2795

cearum on clommum.         Cyning engla spræc
to Abrahame,         ece drihten:
"Læt þe aslupan         sorge of breostum,
modgewinnan,         and mægeð hire,
bryde þinre!         Hat bu tu aweg

2800

Agar feran         and Ismael,
cniht of cyððe!         Ic his cynn gedo
brad and bresne         bearna tudre,
wæstmum spedig,         swa ic þe wordum gehet."
þa se wer hyrde         his waldende,

2805

draf of wicum         dreorigmod tu,
idese of earde         and his agen bearn.
"Sweotol is and gesene         þæt þe soð metod
on gesiððe is,         swegles aldor,
se ðe sigor seleð         snytru mihtum

2810

and þin mod trymeð,        
godcundum gifum.         Forðon ðe giena speow,
þæs þu wið freond oððe feond         fremman ongunne
wordum oððe dædum.         Waldend scufeð,
frea on forðwegas         folmum sinum

2815

willan þinne.         þæt is wide cuð
burhsittendum.         Ic þe bidde nu,
wine Ebrea,         wordum minum,
þæt þu tilmodig         treowa selle,
wæra þina,         þæt þu wille me

2820

wesan fæle freond         fremena to leane,
þara þe ic to duguðum ðe         gedon hæbbe,
siððan ðu feasceaft         feorran come
on þas werþeode         wræccan laste.
Gyld me mid hyldo,         þæt ic þe hneaw ne wæs

2825

landes and lissa.         Wes þissum leodum nu
and mægburge         minre arfæst,
gif þe alwalda,         ure drihten,
scirian wille,         se ðe gesceapu healdeð,
þæt þu randwigum         rumor mote

2830

on ðisse folcsceare         frætwa dælan,
modigra gestreon,         mearce settan."
ða Abraham         Abimelehe
wære sealde         þæt he wolde swa.
Siððan wæs se eadega         eafora þares

2835

in Filistea         folce eardfæst,
leod Ebrea         lange þrage,
feasceaft mid fremdum.         Him frea engla
wic getæhte         þæt weras hatað
burhsittende         Bersabea lond.

2840

ðær se halga         heahsteap reced,
burh timbrede         and bearo sette,
weobedd worhte,         and his waldende
on þam glædstede         gild onsægde,
lac geneahe,         þam þe lif forgeaf,

2845

gesæliglic         swegle under.
þa þæs rinces         se rica ongan
cyning costigan,         cunnode georne
hwilc þæs æðelinges         ellen wære,
stiðum wordum         spræc him stefne to:

2850

"Gewit þu ofestlice,         Abraham, feran,
lastas lecgan         and þe læde mid
þin agen bearn.         þu scealt Isaac me
onsecgan, sunu ðinne,         sylf to tibre.
Siððan þu gestigest         steape dune,

2855

hrincg þæs hean landes,         þe ic þe heonon getæce,
up þinum agnum fotum,         þær þu scealt ad gegærwan,
bælfyr bearne þinum,         and blotan sylf
sunu mid sweordes ecge,         and þonne sweartan lige
leofes lic forbærnan         and me lac bebeodan."

2860

Ne forsæt he þy siðe,         ac sona ongann
fysan to fore.         Him wæs frean engla
word ondrysne         and his waldend leof.
þa se eadga         Abraham sine
nihtreste ofgeaf.         Nalles nergendes

2865

hæse wiðhogode,         ac hine se halga wer
gyrde grægan sweorde,         cyðde þæt him gasta weardes
egesa on breostum wunode.         Ongan þa his esolas bætan
gamolferhð goldes brytta,         heht hine geonge twegen
men mid siðian.         Mæg wæs his agen þridda

2870

and he feorða sylf.         þa he fus gewat
from his agenum hofe         Isaac lædan,
bearn unweaxen,         swa him bebead metod.
Efste þa swiðe         and onette
forð foldwege,         swa him frea tæhte

2875

wegas ofer westen,         oðþæt wuldortorht,
dæges þriddan up         ofer deop wæter
ord aræmde.         þa se eadega wer
geseah hlifigan         hea dune
swa him sægde ær         swegles aldor.

2880

ða Abraham spræc         to his ombihtum:
"Rincas mine,         restað incit
her on þissum wicum.         Wit eft cumað,
siððan wit ærende         uncer twega
gastcyninge         agifen habbað."

2885

Gewat him þa se æðeling         and his agen sunu
to þæs gemearces         þe him metod tæhte,
wadan ofer wealdas.         Wudu bær sunu,
fæder fyr and sweord.         ða þæs fricgean ongann
wer wintrum geong         wordum Abraham:

2890

"Wit her fyr and sweord,         frea min, habbað;
hwær is þæt tiber,         þæt þu torht gode
to þam brynegielde         bringan þencest?"
Abraham maðelode         (hæfde on an gehogod
þæt he gedæde         swa hine drihten het):

2895

"Him þæt soðcyning         sylfa findeð,
moncynnes weard,         swa him gemet þinceð."
Gestah þa stiðhydig         steape dune
up mid his eaforan,         swa him se eca bebead,
þæt he on hrofe gestod         hean landes

2900

on þære stowe         þe him se stranga to,
wærfæst metod         wordum tæhte.
Ongan þa ad hladan,         æled weccan,
and gefeterode         fet and honda
bearne sinum         and þa on bæl ahof

2905

Isaac geongne,         and þa ædre gegrap
sweord be gehiltum,         wolde his sunu cwellan
folmum sinum,         fyre scencan
mæges dreore.         þa metodes ðegn,
ufan engla sum,         Abraham hlude

2910

stefne cygde.         He stille gebad
ares spræce         and þam engle oncwæð.
Him þa ofstum to         ufan of roderum
wuldorgast godes         wordum mælde:
"Abraham leofa,         ne sleah þin agen bearn,

2915

ac þu cwicne abregd         cniht of ade,
eaforan þinne!         Him an wuldres god!
Mago Ebrea,         þu medum scealt
þurh þæs halgan hand,         heofoncyninges,
soðum sigorleanum         selfa onfon,

2920

ginfæstum gifum.         þe wile gasta weard
lissum gyldan         þæt þe wæs leofre his
sibb and hyldo         þonne þin sylfes bearn."
Ad stod onæled.         Hæfde Abrahame
metod moncynnes,         mæge Lothes,

2925

breost geblissad,         þa he him his bearn forgeaf,
Isaac cwicne.         ða se eadega bewlat,
rinc ofer exle,         and him þær rom geseah
unfeor þanon         ænne standan,
broðor Arones,         brembrum fæstne.

2930

þone Abraham genam         and hine on ad ahof
ofestum miclum         for his agen bearn.
Abrægd þa mid þy bille,         brynegield onhread,
reccendne weg         rommes blode,
onbleot þæt lac gode,         sægde leana þanc

2935

and ealra þara sælða         þe he him sið and ær,
gifena drihten,         forgifen hæfde.