The Exeter Book (Jebson)/Guthlac A, B

Guthlac A, B Verse Indeterminate Saxon    Se bið gefeana fægrast          þonne hy æt frymðe gemetað, engel ond seo eadge sawl! Ofgiefeþ hio þas eorþan wynne, forlæteð þas lænan dreamas,          ond hio wiþ þam lice gedæleð. ðonne cwið se engel,          (hafað yldran had),  5  greteð gæst oþerne,          abeodeð him godes ærende: "Nu þu most feran          þider þu fundadest  longe ond gelome.           Ic þec lædan sceal.  Wegas þe sindon weþe,           ond wuldres leoht  torht ontyned.           Eart nu tidfara   10  to þam halgan ham." þær næfre hreow cymeð, edergong fore yrmþum,          ac þær biþ engla dream, sib ond gesælignes,          ond sawla ræst, ond þær a to feore          gefeon motun, dryman mid dryhten,          þa þe his domas her  15  æfnað on eorþan. He him ece lean healdeð on heofonum,          þær se hyhsta ealra cyninga cyning          ceastrum wealdeð. ðæt sind þa getimbru          þe no tydriað, ne þam fore yrmþum          þe þær in wuniað </dd> <dt>20</dt> <dd> lif aspringeð,          ac him bið lenge hu sel; geoguþe brucað          ond godes miltsa. þider soðfæstra          sawla motun cuman æfter cwealme,          þa þe her Cristes æ lærað ond læstað,          ond his lof rærað; </dd> <dt>25</dt> <dd> oferwinnað þa awyrgdan gæstas,          bigytað him wuldres ræste, hwider sceal þæs monnes          mod astigan, ær oþþe æfter,          þonne he his ænne her gæst bigonge,          þæt se gode mote, womma clæne,          in geweald cuman. </dd> <dt>30</dt> <dd> Monge sindon          geond middangeard hadas under heofonum,          þa þe in haligra rim arisað. We þæs ryht magun æt æghwylcum          anra gehyran, gif we halig bebodu          healdan willað; </dd> <dt>35</dt> <dd> mæg nu snottor guma          sæle brucan godra tida,          ond his gæste forð weges willian. Woruld is onhrered, colaþ Cristes lufu,          sindan costinga geond middangeard          monge arisene, </dd> <dt>40</dt> <dd> swa þæt geara iu          godes spelbodan wordum sægdon          ond þurh witedom eal anemdon,          swa hit nu gongeð. Ealdað eorþan blæd          æþela gehwylcre ond of wlite wendað          wæstma gecyndu; </dd> <dt>45</dt> <dd> bið seo siþre tid          sæda gehwylces mætr æ in mægne. Forþon se mon ne þearf to þisse worulde          wyrpe gehycgan, þæt he us fægran          gefean bringe ofer þa niþas          þe we nu dreogað, </dd> <dt>50</dt> <dd> ærþon endien          ealle gesceafte ða he gesette          on siex dagum, ða nu under heofonum          hadas cennað, micle ond mæte. Is þes middangeard dalum gedæled. Dryhten sceawað </dd> <dt>55</dt> <dd> hwær þa eardien          þe his æ healden; gesihð he þa domas          dogra gehwylce wonian ond wendan          of woruldryhte ða he gesette          þurh his sylfes word. He fela findeð,          fea beoð gecorene. </dd> <dt>60</dt> <dd> Sume him þæs hades          hlisan willað wegan on wordum          ond þa weorc ne doð. Bið him eorðwela          ofer þæt ece lif hyhta hyhst,          se gehwylcum sceal foldbuendra          fremde geweorþan. </dd> <dt>65</dt> <dd> Forþon hy nu hyrwað          haligra mod, ða þe him to heofonum          hyge staþeliað, witon þæt se eðel          ece bideð ealra þære mengu          þe geond middangeard dryhtne þeowiað          ond þæs deoran ham </dd> <dt>70</dt> <dd> wilniað bi gewyrhtum. Swa þas woruldgestreon on þa mæran god          bimutad weorþað, ðonne þæt gegyrnað          þa þe him godes egsa hleonaþ ofer heafdum. Hy þy hyhstan beoð þrymme geþreade,          þisses lifes </dd> <dt>75</dt> <dd> þurh bibodu brucað          ond þæs betran forð wyscað ond wenaþ. Wuldres bycgað, sellað ælmessan,          earme frefrað, beoð rummode          ryhtra gestreona, lufiað mid lacum          þa þe læs agun, </dd> <dt>80</dt> <dd> dæghwam dryhtne þeowiaþ. He hyra dæde sceawað. Sume þa wuniað          on westennum, secað ond gesittað          sylfra willum hamas on heolstrum. Hy ðæs heofoncundan boldes bidað. Oft him brogan to </dd> <dt>85</dt> <dd> laðne gelædeð,          se þe him lifes ofonn, eaweð him egsan,          hwilum idel wuldor, brægdwis bona          hafað bega cræft, eahteð anbuendra. Fore him englas stondað, gearwe mid gæsta wæpnum,          beoþ hyra geoca gemyndge, </dd> <dt>90</dt> <dd> healdað haligra feorh,          witon hyra hyht mid dryhten. þæt synd þa gecostan cempan          þa þam cyninge þeowað, se næfre þa lean alegeð          þam þe his lufan adreogeð. Magun we nu nemnan          þæt us neah gewearð þurh haligne          had gecyþed, </dd> <dt>95</dt> <dd> hu Guðlac his          in godes willan mod gerehte,          man eall forseah, eorðlic æþelu,          upp gemunde ham in heofonum. Him wæs hyht to þam, siþþan hine inlyhte          se þe lifes weg </dd> <dt>100</dt> <dd> gæstum gearwað,          ond him giefe sealde engelcunde,          þæt he ana ongan beorgseþel bugan,          ond his blæd gode þurh eaðmedu          ealne gesealde, ðone þe he on geoguðe          bigan sceolde </dd> <dt>105</dt> <dd> worulde wynnum. Hine weard biheold halig of heofonum,          se þæt hluttre mod in þæs gæstes god          georne trymede. Hwæt, we hyrdon oft          þæt se halga wer in þa ærestan          ældu gelufade </dd> <dt>110</dt> <dd> frecnessa fela! Fyrst wæs swa þeana in godes dome,          hwonne Guðlace on his ondgietan          engel sealde þæt him sweðraden          synna lustas. Tid wæs toweard;          hine twegen ymb </dd> <dt>115</dt> <dd> weardas wacedon,          þa gewin drugon, engel dryhtnes          ond se atela gæst. Nalæs hy him gelice          lare bæron in his modes gemynd          mongum tidum. Oþer him þas eorþan          ealle sægde </dd> <dt>120</dt> <dd> læne under lyfte,          ond þa longan god herede on heofonum,          þær haligra sawla gesittað          in sigorwuldre dryhtnes dreamas;          he him dæda lean georne gieldeð,          þam þe his giefe willað </dd> <dt>125</dt> <dd> þicgan to þonce          ond him þas woruld uttor lætan          þonne þæt ece lif. Oþer hyne scyhte,          þæt he sceaðena gemot nihtes sohte          ond þurh neþinge wunne æfter worulde,          swa doð wræcmæcgas </dd> <dt>130</dt> <dd> þa þe ne bimurnað          monnes feore þæs þe him to honda          huþe gelædeð, butan hy þy reafe          rædan motan. Swa hy hine trymedon          on twa healfa oþþæt þæs gewinnes          weoroda dryhten </dd> <dt>135</dt> <dd> on þæs engles dom          ende gereahte. Feond wæs geflymed;          siþ þam frofre gæst in Guðlaces          geoce gewunade, lufade hine ond lærde          lenge hu geornor, þæt him leofedan          londes wynne, </dd> <dt>140</dt> <dd> bold on beorhge. Oft þær broga cwom egeslic ond uncuð,          ealdfeonda nið, searocræftum swiþ;          hy him sylf hyra onsyn ywdon,          ond þær ær fela setla gesæton. þonan sið tugon </dd> <dt>145</dt> <dd> wide waðe,          wuldre byscyrede, lyftlacende. Wæs seo londes stow bimiþen fore monnum,          oþþæt meotud onwrah beorg on bearwe,          þa se bytla cwom se þær haligne          ham arærde, </dd> <dt>150</dt> <dd> nales þy he giemde          þurh gitsunga lænes lifwelan,          ac þæt lond gode fægre gefreoþode,          siþþan feond oferwon Cristes cempa. He gecostad wearð in gemyndigra          monna tidum, </dd> <dt>155</dt> <dd> ðara þe nu gena          þurh gæstlicu wundor hine weorðiað          ond his wisdomes hlisan healdað,          þæt se halga þeow elne geeode,          þa he ana gesæt dygle stowe. ðær he dryhtnes lof </dd> <dt>160</dt> <dd> reahte ond rærde;          oft þurh reorde abead, þam þe þrowera          þeawas lufedon, godes ærendu,          þa him gæst onwrah lifes snyttru,          þæt he his lichoman wynna forwyrnde          ond woruldblissa, </dd> <dt>165</dt> <dd> seftra setla          ond symbeldaga, swylce eac idelra          eagena wynna, gierelan gielplices. Him wæs godes egsa mara in gemyndum          þonne he menniscum þrymme æfter þonce          þegan wolde. </dd> <dt>170</dt> <dd> God wæs Guðlac! He in gæste bær heofoncundne hyht,          hælu geræhte ecan lifes. Him wæs engel neah, fæle freoðuweard,          þam þe feara sum mearclond gesæt. þær he mongum wearð </dd> <dt>175</dt> <dd> bysen on Brytene,          siþþan biorg gestah eadig oretta,          ondwiges heard. Gyrede hine georne          mid gæstlicum wæpnum          wong bletsade, him to ætstælle          ærest arærde </dd> <dt>180</dt> <dd> Cristes rode,          þær se cempa oferwon frecnessa fela. Frome wurdun monge godes þrowera;          we þæs Guðlaces deorwyrðne dæl          dryhtne cennað. He him sige sealde          ond snyttrucræft, </dd> <dt>185</dt> <dd> mundbyrd meahta,          þonne mengu cwom feonda færscytum          fæhðe ræran. Ne meahton hy æfeste          anforlætan, ac to Guðlaces          gæste gelæddun frasunga fela. Him wæs fultum neah, </dd> <dt>190</dt> <dd> engel hine elne trymede,          þonne hy him yrre hweopan, frecne fyres wylme. Stodan him on feðehwearfum, cwædon þæt he on þam beorge          byrnan sceolde ond his lichoman          lig forswelgan, þæt his earfeþu          eal gelumpe </dd> <dt>195</dt> <dd> modcearu mægum,          gif he monna dream of þam orlege          eft ne wolde sylfa gesecan,          ond his sibbe ryht mid moncynne          maran cræfte willum bewitigan,          lætan wræce stille. </dd> <dt>200</dt> <dd> Swa him yrsade,          se for ealle spræc feonda mengu. No þy forhtra wæs Guðlaces gæst,          ac him god sealde ellen wiþ þam egsan          þæt þæs ealdfeondes scyldigra scolu          scome þrowedon; </dd> <dt>205</dt> <dd> wæron teonsmiðas          tornes fulle, cwædon þæt him Guðlac          eac gode sylfum earfeþa mæst          ana gefremede, siþþan he for wlence          on westenne beorgas bræce,          þær hy bidinge, </dd> <dt>210</dt> <dd> earme ondsacan,          æror mostun æfter tintergum          tidum brucan, ðonne hy of waþum          werge cwoman restan ryneþragum,          rowe gefegon; wæs him seo gelyfed          þurh lytel fæc. </dd> <dt>215</dt> <dd> Stod seo dygle stow          dryhtne in gemyndum idel ond æmen,          eþelriehte feor, bad bisæce          betran hyrdes. To þon ealdfeondas          ondan noman, swa hi singales          sorge dreogað. </dd> <dt>220</dt> <dd> Ne motun hi on eorþan          eardes brucan, ne hy lyft swefeð          in leoma ræstum, ac hy hleolease          hama þoliað, in cearum cwiþað,          cwealmes wiscað, willen þæt him dryhten          þurh deaðes cwealm </dd> <dt>225</dt> <dd> to hyra earfeða          ende geryme. Ne mostun hy Guðlaces          gæste sceþþan, ne þurh sarslege          sawle gedælan wið lichoman,          ac hy ligesearwum ahofun hearmstafas,          hleahtor alegdon, </dd> <dt>230</dt> <dd> sorge seofedon,          þa hi swiðra oferstag weard on wonge. Sceoldon wræcmæcgas ofgiefan gnornende          grene beorgas. Hwæþre hy þa gena,          godes ondsacan, sægdon sarstafum,          swiþe geheton, </dd> <dt>235</dt> <dd> þæt he deaþa gedal          dreogan sceolde, gif he leng bide          laþran gemotes, hwonne hy mid mengu          maran cwome, þa þe for his life          lyt sorgedon. Guðlac him ongean þingode,          cwæð þæt hy gielpan ne þorftan </dd> <dt>240</dt> <dd> dædum wið dryhtnes meahtum. "þeah þe ge me deað gehaten, mec wile wið þam niþum genergan           se þe eowrum nydum wealdeð.  An is ælmihtig god,           se mec mæg eaðe gescyldan;  he min feorg freoþað.           Ic eow fela wille  soþa gesecgan.           Mæg ic þis setl on eow  </dd> <dt>245</dt> <dd> butan earfeðum           ana geðringan.  Ne eam ic swa fealog,           swa ic eow fore stonde,  monna weorudes,           ac me mara dæl  in godcundum           gæstgerynum  wunað ond weaxeð,           se me wraþe healdeð.  </dd> <dt>250</dt> <dd> Ic me anum her           eaðe getimbre  hus ond hleonað;           me on heofonum sind  lare gelonge.           Mec þæs lyt tweoþ  þæt me engel to           ealle gelædeð  spowende sped           spreca ond dæda.  </dd> <dt>255</dt> <dd> Gewitað nu, awyrgde,           werigmode,  from þissum earde           þe ge her on stondað,  fleoð on feorweg.           Ic me frið wille æt gode gegyrnan;          ne sceal min gæst mid eow gedwolan dreogan,          ac mec dryhtnes hond </dd> <dt>260</dt> <dd> mundað mid mægne. Her sceal min wesan eorðlic eþel,          nales eower leng."  ða wearð breahtm hæfen.           Beorg ymbstodan  hwearfum wræcmæcgas.           Woð up astag,  cearfulra cirm.           Cleopedon monige,  </dd> <dt>265</dt> <dd> feonda foresprecan,           firenum gulpon:  "Oft we ofersegon           bi sæm tweonum þeoda þeawas,          þræce modigra, þara þe in gelimpe          life weoldon. No we oferhygdu          anes monnes </dd> <dt>270</dt> <dd> geond middangeard          maran fundon. ðu þæt gehatest          þæt ðu ham on us gegan wille,          ðe eart godes yrming. Bi hwon scealt þu lifgan,          þeah þu lond age? Ne þec mon hider          mose fedeð; </dd> <dt>275</dt> <dd> beoð þe hungor ond þurst          hearde gewinnan, gif þu gewitest          swa wilde deor ana from eþele. Nis þæt onginn wiht! Geswic þisses setles! Ne mæg þec sellan ræd mon gelæran          þonne þeos mengu eall. </dd> <dt>280</dt> <dd> We þe beoð holde          gif ðu us hyran wilt, oþþe þec ungearo          eft gesecað maran mægne,          þæt þe mon ne þearf hondum hrinan,          ne þin hra feallan wæpna wundum. We þas wic magun </dd> <dt>285</dt> <dd> fotum afyllan;          folc in ðriceð meara þreatum          ond monfarum. Beoð þa gebolgne,          þa þec breodwiað, tredað þec ond tergað,          ond hyra torn wrecað, toberað þec blodgum lastum;          gif þu ure bidan þencest, </dd> <dt>290</dt> <dd> we þec niþa genægað. Ongin þe generes wilnian, far þær ðu freonda wene,          gif ðu þines feores recce."  Gearo wæs Guðlac,           hine god fremede  on ondsware           ond on elne strong.  Ne wond he for worde,           ac his wiþerbreocum  </dd> <dt>295</dt> <dd> sorge gesægde,           cuðe him soð genog:  "Wid is þes westen,           wræcsetla fela, eardas onhæle          earmra gæsta. Sindon wærlogan          þe þa wic bugað. þeah ge þa ealle          ut abanne, </dd> <dt>300</dt> <dd> ond eow eac gewyrce          widor sæce, ge her ateoð          in þa tornwræce sigeleasne sið. No ic eow sweord ongean mid gebolgne hond          oðberan þence, worulde wæpen,          ne sceal þes wong gode </dd> <dt>305</dt> <dd> þurh blodgyte          gebuen weorðan, ac ic minum Criste          cweman þence leofran lace. Nu ic þis lond gestag, fela ge me earda          þurh idel word aboden habbað. Nis min breostsefa </dd> <dt>310</dt> <dd> forht ne fæge,          ac me friðe healdeð ofer monna cyn          se þe mægna gehwæs weorcum wealdeð. Nis me wiht æt eow leofes gelong,          ne ge me laþes wiht gedon motun. Ic eom dryhtnes þeow, </dd> <dt>315</dt> <dd> he mec þurh engel          oft afrefreð. Forðon mec longeþas          lyt gegretað, sorge sealdun,          nu mec sawelcund hyrde bihealdeð. Is min hyht mid god, ne ic me eorðwelan          owiht sinne, </dd> <dt>320</dt> <dd> ne me mid mode          micles gyrne, ac me dogra gehwam          dryhten sendeð þurh monnes hond          mine þearfe."  Swa modgade,           se wið mongum stod,  awreðed weorðlice           wuldres cempa  </dd> <dt>325</dt> <dd> engla mægne.           Gewat eal þonan  feonda mengu.           Ne wæs se fyrst micel  þe hi Guðlace           forgiefan þohtan.  He wæs on elne           ond on eaðmedum,  bad on beorge,           (wæs him botles neod),  </dd> <dt>330</dt> <dd> forlet longeþas           lænra dreama.  No he hine wið monna           miltse gedælde,  ac gesynta bæd           sawla gehwylcre,  þonne he to eorðan           on þam anade  hleor onhylde.           Him of heofonum wearð  </dd> <dt>335</dt> <dd> onbryrded breostsefa           bliðe gæste.  Oft eahtade,           (wæs him engel neah),  hu þisse worulde           wynna þorfte  mid his lichoman           læsast brucan.  No him fore egsan           earmra gæsta  </dd> <dt>340</dt> <dd> treow getweode,           ne he tid forsæt þæs þe he for his dryhtne          dreogan sceolde, þæt hine æreste          elne binoman slæpa sluman          oþþe sæne mod. Swa sceal oretta          a in his mode </dd> <dt>345</dt> <dd> gode compian,          ond his gæst beran oft on ondan          þam þe eahtan wile sawla gehwylcre          þær he gesælan mæg. Symle hy Guðlac          in godes willan fromne fundon,          þonne flygereowe </dd> <dt>350</dt> <dd> þurh nihta genipu          neosan cwoman, þa þe onhæle          eardas weredon, hwæþre him þæs wonges          wyn sweðrade; woldun þæt him to mode          fore monlufan sorg gesohte,          þæt he siþ tuge </dd> <dt>355</dt> <dd> eft to eþle. Ne wæs þæt ongin swylc, ðonne hine engel          on þam anade geornast grette          ond him giefe sealde, þæt hine ne meahte          meotudes willan longað gelettan,          ac he on þæs lareowes </dd> <dt>360</dt> <dd> wære gewunade. Oft worde bicwæð: "Huru, þæs bihofað,          se ðe him halig gæst  wisað on willan           ond his weorc trymað,  laþað hine liþum wordum,           gehateð him lifes r æ ste,  þæt he þæs latteowes           larum hyre,  </dd> <dt>365</dt> <dd> ne lete him ealdfeond           eft oncyrran  mod from his meotude.           Hu sceal min cuman  gæst to geoce,           nemne ic gode sylle  hyrsumne hige,           þæt him heortan geþonc  ...... ær oþþe sið           ende geweorðe,  </dd> <dt>370</dt> <dd> þæt ge mec to wundre           w æ gan motun.  Ne mæg min lichoma           wið þas lænan gesceaft  deað gedælan,           ac he gedreosan sceal,  swa þeos eorðe eall           þe ic her on stonde.  ðeah ge minne flæschoman           fyres wylme  </dd> <dt>375</dt> <dd> forgripen gromhydge           gifran lege,  næfre ge mec of þissum wordum onwendað           þendan mec min gewit gelæsteð.  þeah þe ge hine sarum forsæcen,           ne motan ge mine sawle gretan, ac ge on betran gebringað. Forðan ic gebidan wille þæs þe me min dryhten demeð. Nis me þæs deaþes sorg. </dd> <dt>380</dt> <dd> ðeah min ban ond blod          bu tu geweorþen eorþan to eacan,          min se eca dæl in gefean fareð,          þær he fægran botles bruceð. Nis þisses beorges setl meodumre ne mara          þonne hit men duge </dd> <dt>385</dt> <dd> se þe in þrowingum          þeodnes willan dæghwam dreogeð. Ne sceal se dryhtnes þeow in his modsefan          mare gelufian eorþan æhtwelan          þonne his anes gemet, þæt he his lichoman          lade hæbbe."  </dd> <dt>390</dt> <dd> ða wæs eft swa ær           ealdfeonda nið,  wroht onwylled;           woð oþer  ne lythwon leoðode,           þonne in lyft astag  ceargesta cirm.           Symle Cristes lof  in Guðlaces           godum mode  </dd> <dt>395</dt> <dd> weox ond wunade,           ond hine weoruda god  freoðade on foldan,           swa he feora gehwylc  healdeð in hælo,           þær se hyra gæst  þihð in þeawum.           He wæs þeara sum;  ne won he æfter worulde,           ac he in wuldre ahof  </dd> <dt>400</dt> <dd> modes wynne.           Hwylc wæs mara þonne se?  An oretta           ussum tidum  cempa gecyðeð           þæt him Crist fore  woruldlicra ma           wundra gecyðde.  He hine scilde           wið sceðþendra  </dd> <dt>405</dt> <dd> eglum onfengum           earmra gæsta;  wæron hy reowe           to ræsanne gifrum grapum. No god wolde þæt seo sawl þæs          sar þrowade in lichoman,          lyfde seþeana </dd> <dt>410</dt> <dd> þæt hy him mid hondum          hrinan mosten, ond þæt frið wið hy          gefreoþad wære. Hy hine þa hofun          on þa hean lyft, sealdon him meahte          ofer monna cynn, þæt he fore eagum          eall sceawode </dd> <dt>415</dt> <dd> under haligra          hyrda gewealdum in mynsterum          monna gebæru, þara þe hyra lifes          þurh lust brucan, idlum æhtum          ond oferwlencum, gierelum gielplicum,          swa bið geoguðe þeaw, </dd> <dt>420</dt> <dd> þær þæs ealdres          egsa ne styreð. No þær þa feondas          gefeon þorfton, ac þæs blædes hraðe          gebrocen hæfdon þe him alyfed wæs          lytle hwile, þæt hy his lichoman          leng ne mostan </dd> <dt>425</dt> <dd> witum wælan;          ne him wiht gescod þæs þe hy him to teonan          þurhtogen hæfdon. Læddun hine þa of lyfte          to þam leofestan earde on eorðan,          þæt he eft gestag beorg on bearwe. Bonan gnornedon, </dd> <dt>430</dt> <dd> mændon murnende          þæt hy monnes bearn þream oferþunge,          ond swa þearfendlic him to earfeðum          ana cwome, gif hy him ne meahte          maran sarum gyldan gyrnwræce. Guðlac sette </dd> <dt>435</dt> <dd> hyht in heofonas,          hælu getreowde, hæfde feonda feng          feore gedyged. Wæs seo æreste          earmra gæsta costung ofercumen. Cempa wunade bliþe on beorge,          wæs his blæd mid god. </dd> <dt>440</dt> <dd> ðuhte him on mode          þæt se moncynnes eadig wære          se þe his anum her feore gefreoðade,          þæt him feondes hond æt þam ytmestan          ende ne scode, þonne him se dryhtnes          dom wisade </dd> <dt>445</dt> <dd> to þam nyhstan          nydgedale. Hwæþre him þa gena          gyrna gemyndge edwitsprecan          ermþu geheton tornum teoncwidum. Treow wæs gecyþed, þætte Guðlace          god leanode </dd> <dt>450</dt> <dd> ellen mid arum,          þæt he ana gewon. Him se werga gæst          wordum sægde: "No we þe þus swiðe          swencan þorftan,  þær þu fromlice           freonda larum  hyran wolde,           þa þu hean ond earm  </dd> <dt>455</dt> <dd> on þis orlege           ærest cwome,  ða þu gehete           þæt þec halig gæst  wið earfeþum           eaðe gescilde,  for þam myrcelse           þe þec monnes hond  from þinre onsyne           æþelum ahwyrfde.  </dd> <dt>460</dt> <dd> In þam mægwlite           monge lifgað,  gyltum forgiefene;           nales gode þigað,  ac hy lichoman           fore lufan cwemað  wista wynnum.           Swa ge weorðmyndu  in dolum dreame           dryhtne gieldað.  </dd> <dt>465</dt> <dd> Fela ge fore monnum miþað           þæs þe ge in mode gehycgað;  ne beoð eowre dæda dyrne,           þeah þe ge hy in dygle gefremme.  We þec in lyft gelæddun,           oftugon þe londes wynna,  woldun þu þe sylfa gesawe           þæt we þec soð onstældun. Ealles þu þæs wite awunne;          forþon þu hit onwendan ne meahtes."  </dd> <dt>470</dt> <dd> ða wæs agongen           þæt him god wolde  æfter þrowinga           þonc gegyldan  þæt he martyrhad           mode gelufade,  sealde him snyttru           on sefan gehygdum,  mægenfæste gemynd.           He wið mongum stod  </dd> <dt>475</dt> <dd> ealdfeonda,           elne gebylded,  sægde him to sorge           þæt hy sigelease  þone grenan wong           ofgiefan sceoldan:  "Ge sind forscadene,           on eow scyld siteð! Ne cunnon ge dryhten          duguþe biddan, </dd> <dt>480</dt> <dd> ne mid eaðmedum          are secan, þeah þe eow alyfde          lytle hwile, þæt ge min onwald          agan mosten; ne ge þæt geþyldum          þicgan woldan, ac mec yrringa          up gelæddon, </dd> <dt>485</dt> <dd> þæt ic of lyfte          londa getimbru geseon meahte. Wæs me swegles leoht torht ontyned,          þeah ic torn druge. Setton me in edwit          þæt ic eaðe forbær rume regulas          ond reþe mod </dd> <dt>490</dt> <dd> geongra monna          in godes templum; woldan þy gehyrwan          haligra lof, sohtun þa sæmran,          ond þa sellan no  demdan æfter dædum. Ne beoð þa dyrne swa þeah. Ic eow soð siþþon          secgan wille. </dd> <dt>495</dt> <dd> God scop geoguðe          ond gumena dream; ne magun þa æfteryld          in þam ærestan blæde geberan,          ac hy blissiað worulde wynnum,          oððæt wintra rim gegæð in þa geoguðe,          þæt se gæst lufað </dd> <dt>500</dt> <dd> onsyn ond ætwist          yldran hades, ðe gemete monige          geond middangeard þeowiað in þeawum. þeodum ywaþ wisdom weras,          wlencu forleosað, siððan geoguðe          geað gæst aflihð. </dd> <dt>505</dt> <dd> þæt ge ne scirað,          ac ge scyldigra synne secgað,          soþfæstra no  mod ond monþeaw           mæran willað. Gefeoð in firenum,          frofre ne wenað, þæt ge wræcsiða          wyrpe gebiden. </dd> <dt>510</dt> <dd> Oft ge in gestalum stondað;          þæs cymeð steor of heofonum. Me þonne sige sendeð          se usic semon mæg, se þe lifa gehwæs          lengu wealdeð."  Swa hleoþrade           halig cempa;  wæs se martyre           from moncynnes  </dd> <dt>515</dt> <dd> synnum asundrad.           Sceolde he sares þa gen  dæl adreogan,           ðeah þe dryhten his  witum weolde.           Hwæt, þæt wundra sum  monnum þuhte,           þæt he ma wolde  afrum onfengum           earme gæstas  </dd> <dt>520</dt> <dd> hrinan leton,           ond þæt hwæþre gelomp!  Wæs þæt gen mara,           þæt he middangeard  sylfa gesohte,           ond his swat ageat  on bonena hond;           ahte bega geweald,  lifes ond deaðes,           þa he lustum dreag  </dd> <dt>525</dt> <dd> eaðmod on eorðan           ehtendra nið.  Forþon is nu arlic           þæt we æfæstra  dæde demen,           secgen dryhtne lof  ealra þara bisena           þe us bec fore  þurh his wundra geweorc           wisdom cyþað.  </dd> <dt>530</dt> <dd> Geofu wæs mid Guðlac          in godcundum mægne gemeted. Micel is to secgan eall æfter orde,          þæt he on elne adreag: ðone foregengan          fæder ælmihtig wið onhælum          ealdorgewinnum </dd> <dt>535</dt> <dd> sylfa gesette,          þær his sawl wearð clæne ond gecostad. Cuð is wide geond middangeard          þæt his mod geþah in godes willan;          is þæs gen fela to secgenne,          þæs þe he sylfa adreag </dd> <dt>540</dt> <dd> under nyðgista          nearwum clommum. He þa sar forseah,          a þære sawle wel þæs mundboran          þe þæt mod geheold, þæt him ne getweode          treow in breostum, ne him gnornunga          gæste scodun, </dd> <dt>545</dt> <dd> ac se hearda hyge          halig wunade, oþþæt he þa bysgu          oferbiden hæfde. þrea wæron þearle,          þegnas grimme, ealle hy þam feore          fyl gehehton. No hy hine to deaðe          deman moston, </dd> <dt>550</dt> <dd> synna hyrdas,          ac seo sawul bad in lichoman          leofran tide. Georne hy ongeaton          þæt hyne god wolde nergan wið niþum          ond hyra nydwræce deope deman. Swa dryhten mæg, </dd> <dt>555</dt> <dd> ana ælmihtig,          eadigra gehwone wið earfeþum          eaðe gescildan. Hwæðre hine gebrohton          bolgenmode, wraðe wræcmæcgas,          wuldres cempan, halig husulbearn,          æt heldore, </dd> <dt>560</dt> <dd> þær firenfulra          fæge gæstas æfter swyltcwale          secan onginnað ingong ærest          in þæt atule hus, niþer under næssas          neole grundas. Hy hine bregdon,          budon orlege, </dd> <dt>565</dt> <dd> egsan ond ondan          arleaslice, frecne fore,          swa bið feonda þeaw, þonne hy soðfæstra          sawle willað synnum beswican          ond searocræftum. Ongunnon gromheorte          godes orettan </dd> <dt>570</dt> <dd> in sefan swencan,          swiþe geheton þæt he in þone grimman gryre          gongan sceolde, hweorfan gehyned          to helwarum, ond þær in bendum          bryne þrowian. Woldun hy geteon          mid torncwidum </dd> <dt>575</dt> <dd> earme aglæcan          in orwennysse, meotudes cempan. Hit ne meahte swa! Cwædon cearfulle,          Criste laðe, to Guðlace          mid grimnysse: "Ne eart ðu gedefe,          ne dryhtnes þeow  </dd> <dt>580</dt> <dd> clæne gecostad,           ne cempa god,  wordum ond weorcum           wel gecyþed,  halig in heortan.           Nu þu in helle scealt  deope gedufan,           nales dryhtnes leoht  habban in heofonum,           heahgetimbru,  </dd> <dt>585</dt> <dd> seld on swegle,           forþon þu synna to fela,  facna gefremedes           in flæschoman.  We þe nu willað           womma gehwylces  lean forgieldan,           þær þe laþast bið  in ðam grimmestan           gæstgewinne." </dd> <dt>590</dt> <dd> Him se eadga wer          ondswarode, Guðlac in gæste          mid godes mægne: "Doð efne swa,          gif eow dryhten Crist,  lifes leohtfruma           lyfan wylle,  weoruda waldend,           þæt ge his wergengan  </dd> <dt>595</dt> <dd> in þone laðan leg           lædan motan.  þæt is in gewealdum           wuldorcyninges,  se eow gehynde           ond in hæft bidraf  under nearone clom,           nergende Crist.  Eom ic eaðmod his           ombiehthera,  </dd> <dt>600</dt> <dd> þeow geþyldig.           Ic geþafian sceal  æghwær ealles           his anne dom,  ond him geornlice           gæstgemyndum  wille wideferh           wesan underþyded,  hyran holdlice           minum hælende  </dd> <dt>605</dt> <dd> þeawum ond geþyncðum,           ond him þoncian  ealra þara giefena           þe god gescop  englum ærest           ond eorðwarum;  ond ic bletsige           bliðe mode  lifes leohtfruman,           ond him lof singe  </dd> <dt>610</dt> <dd> þurh gedefne dom           dæges ond nihtes, herge in heortan          heofonrices weard. þæt eow æfre ne bið          ufan alyfed leohtes lissum,          þæt ge lof moten dryhtne secgan,          ac ge deaðe sceolon </dd> <dt>615</dt> <dd> weallendne wean          wope besingan, heaf in helle,          nales herenisse halge habban          heofoncyninges. Ic þone deman          in dagum minum wille weorþian          wordum ond dædum, </dd> <dt>620</dt> <dd> lufian in life,          swa is lar ond ar  to spowendre           spræce gelæded, þam þe in his weorcum          willan ræfnað. Sindon ge wærlogan,          swa ge in wræcsiðe longe lifdon,          lege bisencte, </dd> <dt>625</dt> <dd> swearte beswicene,          swegle benumene, dreame bidrorene,          deaðe bifolene, firenum bifongne,          feores orwenan, þæt ge blindnesse          bote fundon. Ge þa fægran gesceaft          in fyrndagum, </dd> <dt>630</dt> <dd> gæstlicne goddream,          gearo forsegon, þa ge wiðhogdun          halgum dryhtne. Ne mostun ge a wunian          in wyndagum, ac mid scome scyldum          scofene wurdon fore oferhygdum          in ece fyr, </dd> <dt>635</dt> <dd> ðær ge sceolon dreogan          deað ond þystro, wop to widan ealdre;          næfre ge þæs wyrpe gebidað. Ond ic þæt gelyfe          in liffruman, ecne onwealdan          ealra gesceafta, þæt he mec for miltsum          ond mægenspedum, </dd> <dt>640</dt> <dd> niðða nergend,          næfre wille þurh ellenweorc          anforlætan, þam ic longe          in lichoman ond in minum gæste          gode campode þurh monigfealdra          mægna gerynu. </dd> <dt>645</dt> <dd> Forðon ic getrywe          in þone torhtestan þrynesse þrym,          se geþeahtingum hafað in hondum          heofon ond eorðan, þæt ge mec mid niþum          næfre motan tornmode teon          in tintergu, </dd> <dt>650</dt> <dd> mine myrðran          ond mansceaþan, swearte sigelease. Eom ic soðlice leohte geleafan          ond mid lufan dryhtnes fægre gefylled          in minum feorhlocan, breostum inbryrded          to þam betran ham, </dd> <dt>655</dt> <dd> leomum inlyhted          to þam leofestan ecan earde,          þær is eþellond fæger ond gefealic          in fæder wuldre, ðær eow næfre          fore nergende leohtes leoma          ne lifes hyht </dd> <dt>660</dt> <dd> in godes rice          agiefen weorþeð, for þam oferhygdum          þe eow in mod astag þurh idel gylp          ealles to swiðe. Wendun ge ond woldun,          wiþerhycgende, þæt ge scyppende          sceoldan gelice </dd> <dt>665</dt> <dd> wesan in wuldre. Eow þær wyrs gelomp, ða eow se waldend          wraðe bisencte in þæt swearte susl,          þær eow siððan wæs ad inæled          attre geblonden, þurh deopne dom          dream afyrred, </dd> <dt>670</dt> <dd> engla gemana. Swa nu awa sceal wesan wideferh,          þæt ge wærnysse brynewylm hæbben,          nales bletsunga. Ne þurfun ge wenan,          wuldre biscyrede, þæt ge mec synfulle          mid searocræftum </dd> <dt>675</dt> <dd> under scæd sconde          scufan motan, ne in bælblæsan          bregdon on hinder in helle hus,          þær eow is ham sceapen, sweart sinnehte,          sacu butan ende, grim gæstcwalu. þær ge gnornende </dd> <dt>680</dt> <dd> deað sceolon dreogan,          ond ic dreama wyn agan mid englum          in þam uplican rodera rice,          þær is ryht cyning, help ond hælu          hæleþa cynne, duguð ond drohtað."          ða cwom dryhtnes ar,  </dd> <dt>685</dt> <dd> halig of heofonum,           se þurh hleoþor abead  ufancundne ege           earmum gæstum;  het eft hraðe           unscyldigne  of þam wræcsiðe           wuldres cempan  lædan limhalne,           þæt se leofesta  </dd> <dt>690</dt> <dd> gæst gegearwad           in godes wære  on gefean ferde.           ða wearð feonda þreat  acol for ðam egsan.           Ofermæcga spræc,  dyre dryhtnes þegn,           dæghluttre scan.  Hæfde Guðlaces           gæst in gewealdum  </dd> <dt>695</dt> <dd> modig mundbora,           meahtum spedig,  þeostra þegnas           þreaniedlum bond,  nyd onsette           ond geneahhe bibead:  "Ne sy him banes bryce           ne blodig wund, lices læla          ne laþes wiht, </dd> <dt>700</dt> <dd> þæs þe ge him to dare          gedon motan, ac ge hine gesundne asettaþ          þær ge hine sylfne genoman. He sceal þy wonge wealdan,          ne magon ge him þa wic forstondan. Ic eom se dema,          se mec dryhten heht snude gesecgan,          þæt ge him sara gehwylc </dd> <dt>705</dt> <dd> hondum gehælde,          ond him hearsume on his sylfes dom          siþþan wæron. Ne sceal ic mine onsyn          fore eowere mengu miþan. Ic eom meotudes þegn. Eom ic þara twelfa sum          þe he getreoweste </dd> <dt>710</dt> <dd> under monnes hiw          mode gelufade. He mec of heofonum          hider onsende, geseah þæt ge on eorðan          fore æfstum on his wergengan          wite legdon. Is þæt min broþor,          mec his bysgu gehreaw. </dd> <dt>715</dt> <dd> Ic þæt gefremme,          þær se freond wunað on þære socne,          þe ic þa sibbe wið hine healdan wille,          nu ic his helpan mot, þæt ge min onsynn          oft sceawiað. Nu ic his geneahhe          neosan wille; </dd> <dt>720</dt> <dd> sceal ic his word ond his weorc          in gewitnesse dryhtne lædon. He his dæde conn." ða wæs Guðlaces           gæst geblissad,  siþþan Bartholomeus           aboden hæfde  godes ærendu.           Gearwe stodun  </dd> <dt>725</dt> <dd> hæftas hearsume,           þa þæs halgan word  lyt oferleordun.           Ongon þa leofne sið  dragan domeadig           dryhtnes cempa  to þam onwillan           eorðan dæle.  Hy hine bæron           ond him bryce heoldon,  </dd> <dt>730</dt> <dd> hofon hine hondum           ond him hryre burgun.  Wæron hyra gongas           under godes egsan  smeþe ond gesefte.           Sigehreðig cwom  bytla to þam beorge.           Hine bletsadon  monge mægwlitas,           meaglum reordum,  </dd> <dt>735</dt> <dd> treofugla tuddor,           tacnum cyðdon  eadges eftcyme.           Oft he him æte heold,  þonne hy him hungrige           ymb hond flugon  grædum gifre,           geoce gefegon.  Swa þæt milde mod           wið moncynnes </dd> <dt>740</dt> <dd> dreamum gedælde,          dryhtne þeowde, genom him to wildeorum wynne,          siþþan he þas woruld forhogde. Smolt wæs se sigewong          ond sele niwe, fæger fugla reord,          folde geblowen; geacas gear budon. Guþlac moste </dd> <dt>745</dt> <dd> eadig ond onmod          eardes brucan. Stod se grena wong          in godes wære; hæfde se heorde,          se þe of heofonum cwom, feondas afyrde. Hwylc wæs fægerra willa geworden          in wera life, </dd> <dt>750</dt> <dd> þara þe yldran          usse gemunde, oþþe we selfe          siþþan cuþen? Hwæt we þissa wundra          gewitan sindon! Eall þas geeodon          in ussera tida timan. Forþon þæs tweogan ne þearf </dd> <dt>755</dt> <dd> ænig ofer eorðan          ælda cynnes, ac swilc god wyrceð          gæsta lifes to trumnaþe,          þy læs þa tydran mod þa gewitnesse          wendan þurfe, þonne hy in gesihþe          soþes brucað. </dd> <dt>760</dt> <dd> Swa se ælmihtiga          ealle gesceafte lufað under lyfte          in lichoman, monna mægðe          geond middangeard. Wile se waldend          þæt we wisdom a  snyttrum swelgen,           þæt his soð fore us  </dd> <dt>765</dt> <dd> on his giefena gyld          genge weorðe, ða he us to are          ond to ondgiete syleð ond sendeð,          sawlum rymeð liþe lifwegas          leohte geræhte. Nis þæt huru læsast          þæt seo lufu cyþeð, </dd> <dt>770</dt> <dd> þonne heo in monnes          mode getimbreð gæstcunde gife,          swa he Guðlaces dagas ond dæde          þurh his dom ahof. Wæs se fruma fæstlic          feondum on ondan, geseted wið synnum,          þær he siþþan lyt </dd> <dt>775</dt> <dd> wære gewonade,          oft his word gode þurh eaðmedu          up onsende, let his ben cuman          in þa beorhtan gesceaft, þoncade þeodne          þæs þe he in þrowingum bidan moste,          hwonne him betre lif </dd> <dt>780</dt> <dd> þurh godes willan          agyfen wurde. Swa wæs Guðlaces          gæst gelæded engla fæðmum          in uprodor, fore onsyne          eces deman læddon leoflice. Him wæs lean geseald, </dd> <dt>785</dt> <dd> setl on swegle,          þær he symle mot awo to ealdre          eardfæst wesan, bliðe bidan. Is him bearn godes milde mundbora,          meahtig dryhten, halig hyrde,          heofonrices weard. </dd> <dt>790</dt> <dd> Swa soðfæstra          sawla motun in ecne geard          up gestigan rodera rice,          þa þe ræfnað her wordum ond weorcum          wuldorcyninges lare longsume,          on hyra lifes tid </dd> <dt>795</dt> <dd> earniað on eorðan          ecan lifes, hames in heahþu. þæt beoð husulweras, cempan gecorene,          Criste leofe, berað in breostum          beorhtne geleafan, haligne hyht,          heortan clæne </dd> <dt>800</dt> <dd> weorðiað waldend,          habbað wisne geþoht, fusne on forðweg          to fæder eðle, gearwaþ gæstes hus,          ond mid gleawnesse feond oferfeohtað          ond firenlustas forberað in breostum,          broþorsibbe </dd> <dt>805</dt> <dd> georne bigongað,          in godes willan swencað hi sylfe,          sawle frætwað halgum gehygdum,          heofoncyninges bibod fremmað on foldan. Fæsten lufiað, beorgað him bealoniþ          ond gebedu secað, </dd> <dt>810</dt> <dd> swincað wið synnum,          healdað soð ond ryht. Him þæt ne hreoweð          æfter hingonge, ðonne hy hweorfað          in þa halgan burg, gongað gegnunga          to Hierusalem, þær hi to worulde          wynnum motun </dd> <dt>815</dt> <dd> godes onsyne          georne bihealdan, sibbe ond gesihðe,          þær heo soð wunað, wlitig, wuldorfæst,          ealne widan ferh on lifgendra          londes wynne. ðæt is wide cuð          wera cneorissum, </dd> <dt>820</dt> <dd> folcum gefræge,          þætte frymþa god þone ærestan          ælda cynnes of þære clænestan,          cyning ælmihtig, foldan geworhte. ða wæs fruma niwe æ lda tudres,          onstæl wynlic, </dd> <dt>825</dt> <dd> fæger ond gefealic. Fæder wæs acenned Adam ærest          þurh est godes on neorxnawong,          þær him nænges wæs willan onsyn,          ne welan brosnung, ne lifes lyre          ne lices hryre, </dd> <dt>830</dt> <dd> ne dreames dryre          ne deaðes cyme, ac he on þam lande          lifgan moste ealra leahtra leas,          longe neotan niwra gefeana. þær he no þorfte lifes ne lissa          in þam leohtan ham </dd> <dt>835</dt> <dd> þurh ælda tid          ende gebidan, ac æfter fyrste          to þam færestan heofonrices gefean          hweorfan mostan, leomu lic somud          ond lifes gæst, ond þær siþþan a          in sindreamum </dd> <dt>840</dt> <dd> to widan feore          wunian mostun dryhtne on gesihðe,          butan deaðe forð, gif hy halges word          healdan woldun beorht in breostum,          ond his bebodu læstan, æfnan on eðle. Hy to ær aþreat </dd> <dt>845</dt> <dd> þæt hy waldendes          willan læsten, ac his wif genom          wyrmes larum blede forbodene,          ond of beame ahneop wæstm biweredne          ofer word godes, wuldorcyninges,          ond hyre were sealde </dd> <dt>850</dt> <dd> þurh deofles searo          deaðberende gyfl þæt ða sinhiwan          to swylte geteah. Siþþan se eþel          uðgenge wearð Adame ond Euan,          eardwica cyst beorht oðbroden,          ond hyra bearnum swa, </dd> <dt>855</dt> <dd> eaferum æfter,          þa hy on uncyððu, scomum scudende,          scofene wurdon on gewinworuld. Weorces onguldon, deopra firena,          þurh deaðes cwealm, þe hy unsnyttrum          ær gefremedon. </dd> <dt>860</dt> <dd> þære synwræce          siþþan sceoldon mægð ond mæcgas          morþres ongyldon, godscyldge gyrn          þurh gæstgedal, deopra firena. Deað in geþrong fira cynne,          feond rixade </dd> <dt>865</dt> <dd> geond middangeard. Nænig monna wæs of þam sigetudre          siþþan æfre godes willan þæs georn,          ne gynnwised, þæt he bibugan mæge          þone bitran drync þone Eue fyrn          Adame geaf, </dd> <dt>870</dt> <dd> byrelade bryd geong;          þæt him bam gescod in þam deoran ham. Deað ricsade ofer foldbuend,          þeah þe fela wære gæsthaligra,          þær hi godes willan on mislicum          monna gebihþum </dd> <dt>875</dt> <dd> æfter stedewonga          stowum fremedon; sume ær, sume sið,          sume in urra æfter tælmearce          tida gemyndum sigorlean sohtun. Us secgað bec hu Guðlac wearð          þurh godes willan </dd> <dt>880</dt> <dd> eadig on Engle. He him ece geceas meaht ond mundbyrd. Mære wurdon his wundra geweorc          wide ond side, breme æfter burgum          geond Bryten innan, hu he monge oft          þurh meaht godes </dd> <dt>885</dt> <dd> gehælde hygegeomre          hefigra wita, þe hine unsofte,          adle gebundne, sarge gesohtun          of siðwegum, freorigmode. Symle frofre þær æt þam godes cempan          gearwe fundon, </dd> <dt>890</dt> <dd> helpe ond hælo. Nænig hæleþa is þe areccan mæge           oþþe rim wite ealra þara wundra          þe he in worulde her þurh dryhtnes giefe          dugeþum gefremede. Oft to þam wicum          weorude cwomun </dd> <dt>895</dt> <dd> deofla deaðmægen          duguþa byscyrede hloþum þringan,          þær se halga þeow elnes anhydig          eard weardade. þær hy mislice          mongum reordum on þam westenne          woðe hofun </dd> <dt>900</dt> <dd> hludne herecirm,          hiwes binotene, dreamum bidrorene. Dryhtnes cempa, from folctoga,          feonda þreatum wiðstod stronglice. Næs seo stund latu earmra gæsta,          ne þæt onbid long, </dd> <dt>905</dt> <dd> þæt þa wrohtsmiðas          wop ahofun, hreopun hreðlease,          hleoþrum brugdon. Hwilum wedende          swa wilde deor cirmdon on corðre,          hwilum cyrdon eft minne mansceaþan          on mennisc hiw </dd> <dt>910</dt> <dd> breahtma mæste,          hwilum brugdon eft awyrgde wærlogan          on wyrmes bleo, earme adloman          attre spiowdon. Symle hy Guðlac          gearene fundon, þonces gleawne. He geþyldum bad, </dd> <dt>915</dt> <dd> þeah him feonda hloð          feorhcwealm bude. Hwilum him to honda          hungre geþreatad fleag fugla cyn,          þær hy feorhnere witude fundon          ond hine weorðedon meaglum stefnum. Hwilum mennisce </dd> <dt>920</dt> <dd> aras eaðmedum          eft neosedon, ond þær siðfrome          on þam sigewonge æt þam halgan þeowan          helpe gemetton, ferðþes frofre. Nænig forþum wæs, þæt he æwiscmod          eft siðade, </dd> <dt>925</dt> <dd> hean, hyhta leas,          ac se halga wer ælda gehwylces          þurh þa æþelan meaht, þe hine seoslige          sohtun on ðearfe, hæleð hygegeomre,          hælde bu tu  lic ond sawle,           þenden lifes weard, </dd> <dt>930</dt> <dd> ece ælmihtig,          unnan wolde þæt he blædes her          brucan moste, worulde lifes. Wæs gewinnes þa yrmþa for eorðan          endedogor þurh nydgedal          neah geþrungen, </dd> <dt>935</dt> <dd> siþþan he on westenne          wiceard geceas, fiftynu gear,          þa wæs frofre gæst eadgum æbodan          ufan onsended, halig of heahþu. Hreþer innan born, afysed on forðsið. Him færinga </dd> <dt>940</dt> <dd> adl in gewod. He on elne swa þeah ungeblyged bad          beorhtra gehata bliþe in burgum. Wæs þam bancofan æfter nihtglome          neah geþrungen, breosthord onboren. Wæs se bliþa gæst </dd> <dt>945</dt> <dd> fus on forðweg. Nolde fæder engla in þisse wonsælgan          worulde life leahtra leasne          longfyrst ofer þæt wunian leton,          þe him on weorcum her on his dagena tid          dædum gecwemde </dd> <dt>950</dt> <dd> elne unslawe. ða se ælmihtiga let his hond cuman          þær se halga þeow, deormod on degle          domeadig bad, heard ond hygerof. Hyht wæs geniwad, blis in breostum. Wæs se bancofa </dd> <dt>955</dt> <dd> adle onæled,          inbendum fæst, lichord onlocen. Leomu hefegedon, sarum gesohte. He þæt soð gecneow þæt hine ælmihtig          ufan neosade, meotud fore miltsum. He his modsefan </dd> <dt>960</dt> <dd> wið þam færhagan          fæste trymede feonda gewinna. Næs he forht seþeah, ne seo adlþracu          egle on mode, ne deaðgedal,          ac him dryhtnes lof born in breostum,          brondhat lufu </dd> <dt>965</dt> <dd> sigorfæst in sefan,          seo him sara gehwylc symle forswiðde. Næs him sorgcearu on þas lænan tid,          þeah his lic ond gæst hyra somwiste,          sinhiwan tu, deore gedælden.          Dagas forð scridun, </dd> <dt>970</dt> <dd> nihthelma genipu. Wæs neah seo tid þæt he fyrngewyrht          fyllan sceolde þurh deaðes cyme,          domes hleotan, efne þæs ilcan          þe usse yldran fyrn frecne onfengon,          swa him biforan worhton </dd> <dt>975</dt> <dd> þa ærestan          ælda cynnes. ða wæs Guðlace          on þa geocran tid mægen gemeðgad,          mod swiþe heard, elnes anhydig. Wæs seo adl þearl, hat ond heorogrim. Hreþer innan weol, </dd> <dt>980</dt> <dd> born banloca. Bryþen wæs ongunnen þætte Adame          Eue gebyrmde æt fruman worulde. Feond byrlade ærest þære idese,          ond heo Adame, hyre swæsum were,          siþþan scencte </dd> <dt>985</dt> <dd> bittor bædeweg. þæs þa byre siþþan grimme onguldon          gafulrædenne þurh ærgewyrht,          þætte ænig ne wæs fyra cynnes          from fruman siððan mon on moldan,          þætte meahte him </dd> <dt>990</dt> <dd> gebeorgan ond bibugan          þone bleatan drync, deopan deaðweges,          ac him duru sylfa on þa sliðnan tid          sona ontyneð, ingong geopenað. Ne mæg ænig þam flæsce bifongen          feore wiðstondan, </dd> <dt>995</dt> <dd> ricra ne heanra,          ac hine ræseð on  gifrum grapum. Swa wæs Guðlace enge anhoga          ætryhte þa æfter nihtscuan          neah geþyded, wiga wælgifre. Hine wunade mid </dd> <dt>1000</dt> <dd> an ombehtþegn,          se hine æghwylce daga neosade. Ongan ða deophydig, gleawmod gongan          to godes temple, þær he eþelbodan          inne wiste, þone leofestan          lareow gecorenne, </dd> <dt>1005</dt> <dd> ond þa in eode          eadgum to spræce, wolde hyrcnigan          halges lara, mildes meþelcwida. Fonde þa his mondryhten adlwerigne;          him ðæt in gefeol hefig æt heortan. Hygesorge wæg, </dd> <dt>1010</dt> <dd> micle modceare. Ongan ða his magu frignan: "Hu gewearð þe þus,          winedryhten min,  fæder, freonda hleo,           ferð gebysgad,  nearwe gen æ ged?           Ic næfre þe,  þeoden leofesta,           þyslicne ær  </dd> <dt>1015</dt> <dd> gemette þus meðne.           Meaht þu meðelcwidum  worda gewealdan?           Is me on wene geþuht,  þæt þe untrymnes           adle gongum  on þisse nyhstan           niht bysgade,  sarbennum gesoht.           þæt me sorgna is  </dd> <dt>1020</dt> <dd> hatost on hreþre,           ær þu hyge minne  ferð afrefre.           Wast þu, freodryhten,  hu þeos adle scyle           ende gesettan?" Him þa sið oncwæð,          sona ne meahte oroð up geteon;          wæs him in bogen </dd> <dt>1025</dt> <dd> bittor bancoþa. Beald reordade eadig on elne,          ondcwis ageaf: "Ic wille secgan          þæt me sar gehran,  wærc in gewod           in ðisse wonnan niht,  lichord onleac.           Leomu hefegiað,  </dd> <dt>1030</dt> <dd> sarum gesohte.           Sceal þis sawelhus,  fæge flæschoma,           foldærne biþeaht,  leomu lames geþacan,           legerbedde fæst  wunian wælræste.           Wiga nealæceð,  unlæt laces.           Ne bið þæs lengra swice  </dd> <dt>1035</dt> <dd> sawelgedales           þonne seofon niht  fyrstgemearces,           þæt min feorh heonan  on þisse eahteþan           ende geseceð  dæg scriþende.           þonne dogor beoð  on moldwege           min forð scriþen,  </dd> <dt>1040</dt> <dd> sorg gesweðrad,           ond ic siþþan mot  fore meotudes cneowum           meorda hleotan,  gingra geafena,           ond godes lomber  in sindreamum           siþþan awo  forð folgian;           is nu fus ðider  </dd> <dt>1045</dt> <dd> gæst siþes georn. Nu þu gearwe const leoma lifgedal;          long is þis onbid worulde lifes."          ða wæs wop ond heaf,  geongum geocor sefa,           geomrende hyge,  siþþan he gehyrde           þæt se halga wæs  </dd> <dt>1050</dt> <dd> forðsiþes fus.           He þæs færspelles  fore his mondryhtne           modsorge wæg,  hefige æt heortan.           Hreþer innan swearc,  hyge hreowcearig,           þæs þe his hlaford geseah  ellorfusne.           He þæs onbæru  </dd> <dt>1055</dt> <dd> habban ne meahte,           ac he hate let  torn þoliende           tearas geotan,  weallan wægdropan.           Wyrd ne meahte  in fægum leng           feorg gehealdan,  deore frætwe,           þonne him gedemed wæs.  </dd> <dt>1060</dt> <dd> Ongeat gæsta halig           geomormodes  drusendne hyge.           Ongan þa duguþa hleo,  glædmod gode leof,           geongran retan,  wine leofestan           wordum negan:  "Ne beo þu unrot,           ðeah þeos adl me  </dd> <dt>1065</dt> <dd> innan æle. Nis me earfeðe to geþolianne          þeodnes willan, dryhtnes mines,          ne ic þæs deaðes hafu on þas seocnan tid          sorge on mode, ne ic me herehloðe          helle þegna </dd> <dt>1070</dt> <dd> swiðe onsitte,          ne mæg synne on me  facnes frumbearn           fyrene gestælan, lices leahtor,          ac in lige sceolon sorgwylmum soden          sar wanian, wræcsið wepan,          wilna biscirede </dd> <dt>1075</dt> <dd> in þam deaðsele          duguða gehwylcre, lufena ond lissa. Min þæt leofe bearn, ne beo þu on sefan to seoc. Ic eom siþes fus upeard niman          edleana georn in þam ecan gefean,          ærgewyrhtum </dd> <dt>1080</dt> <dd> geseon sigora frean,          min þæt swæse bearn. Nis me wracu ne gewin,          þæt ic wuldres god sece swegelcyning,          þær is sib ond blis, domfæstra dream,          dryhten ondweard, þam ic georne          gæstgerynum, </dd> <dt>1085</dt> <dd> in þas dreorgan tid          dædum cwemde, mode ond mægne. Ic þa meorde wat leahtorlease,          lean unhwilen, halig on heahþu. þær min hyht myneð to gesecenne,          sawul fundað </dd> <dt>1090</dt> <dd> of licfate          to þam longan gefean in eadwelan. Nis þes eþel me ne sar ne sorg. Ic me sylfum wat æfter lices hryre          lean unhwilen."  ða se wuldormaga           worda gestilde,  </dd> <dt>1095</dt> <dd> rof runwita;           wæs him ræste neod,  reonigmodum.           Rodor swamode  ofer niðða bearn,           nihtrim scridon,  deorc ofer dugeðum.           þa se dæg bicwom  on þam se lifgenda           in lichoman,  </dd> <dt>1100</dt> <dd> ece ælmihtig           ærist gefremede,  dryhten mid dreame,           ða he of deaðe aras  onwald of eorðan           in þa eastortid,  ealra þrymma þrym,           ðreata mæstne  to heofonum ahof,           ða he from helle astag.  </dd> <dt>1105</dt> <dd> Swa se eadga wer           in þa æþelan tid  on þone beorhtan dæg           blissum hremig,  milde ond gemetfæst,           mægen unsofte  elne geæfnde.           Aras ða eorla wynn,  heard hygesnottor,           swa he hraþost meahte,  </dd> <dt>1110</dt> <dd> meðe for ðam miclan bysgum. Ongon þa his mod staþelian leohte geleafan,          lac onsægde deophycgende          dryhtne to willan gæstgerynum          in godes temple, ond his þegne ongon,          swa þam þeodne geras, </dd> <dt>1115</dt> <dd> þurh gæstes giefe          godspel bodian, secgan sigortacnum,          ond his sefan trymman wundrum to wuldre          in þa wlitigan gesceaft to eadwelan,          swa he ær ne sið æfre to ealdre          oðre swylce </dd> <dt>1120</dt> <dd> on þas lænan tid          lare gehyrde, ne swa deoplice          dryhtnes geryne þurh menniscne          muð areccan on sidum sefan. Him wæs soþra geþuht þæt hit ufancundes          engles wære </dd> <dt>1125</dt> <dd> of swegldreamum,          swiþor micle mægenþegnes word,          þonne æniges monnes lar, wera ofer eorðan. Him þæt wundra mæst gesewen þuhte,          þæt swylc snyttrucræft ænges hæleða her          hreþer weardade, </dd> <dt>1130</dt> <dd> dryhta bearna,          wæs þæs deoplic eall word ond wisdom,          ond þæs weres stihtung, mod ond mægencræft,          þe him meotud engla, gæsta geocend          forgiefen hæfde. Wæron feowere ða          forð gewitene </dd> <dt>1135</dt> <dd> dagas on rime,          þæs se dryhtnes þegn on elne bad,          adle gebysgad, sarum geswenced. Ne he sorge wæg geocorne sefan          gæstgedales, dreorigne hyge. Deað nealæcte, </dd> <dt>1140</dt> <dd> stop stalgongum,          strong ond hreðe sohte sawelhus. Com se seofeða dæg ældum ondweard,          þæs þe him in gesonc, hat, heortan neah,          hildescurum flacor flanþracu,          feorhhord onleac, </dd> <dt>1145</dt> <dd> searocægum gesoht. Ongon ða snottor hæle, ar, onbehtþegn,          æþeles neosan to þam halgan hofe,          fond þa hlingendne fusne on forðsiþ          frean unwenne, gæsthaligne          in godes temple </dd> <dt>1150</dt> <dd> soden sarwylmum. Wæs þa sihste tid on midne dæg,          wæs his mondryhtne endedogor          ætryhte þa. Nearwum genæged          nydcostingum, awrecen wælpilum,          wlo ne meahte </dd> <dt>1155</dt> <dd> oroð up geteon,          ellenspræce hleoþor ahebban. Ongon ða hygegeomor, freorig ond ferðwerig,          fusne gretan, meðne modglædne,          bæd hine þurh mihta scyppend, gif he his wordcwida          wealdan meahte, </dd> <dt>1160</dt> <dd> spræce ahebban,          þæt him on spellum gecyðde, onwrige worda gongum,          hu he his wisna truwade, drohtes on ðære dimman adle,          ærðon hine deað onsægde. Him se eadga wer          ageaf ondsware, leof mon leofum,          þeah he late meahte, </dd> <dt>1165</dt> <dd> eorl ellenheard,          oreþe gebredan: "Min þæt swæse bearn,          nis nu swiþe feor  þam ytemestan           endedogor  nydgedales,           þæt ðu þa nyhstan scealt  in woruldlife           worda minra,  </dd> <dt>1170</dt> <dd> næfre leana biloren,           lare gehyran,  noht longe ofer þis.           Læst ealle well  wære ond winescype,           word þa wit spræcon,  leofast manna." "Næfre ic lufan sibbe, þeoden, æt þearfe           þine forlæte  </dd> <dt>1175</dt> <dd> asanian!" "Beo þu on sið gearu, siþþan lic ond leomu           ond þes lifes gæst  asundrien           somwist hyra  þurh feorggedal.           Fys æfter þon  þæt þu gesecge           sweostor minre,  </dd> <dt>1180</dt> <dd> þære leofestan,           on longne weg  to þam fægran gefean           forðsið minne,  on ecne eard,           ond hyre eac gecyð  wordum minum,           þæt ic me warnade  hyre onsyne           ealle þrage  </dd> <dt>1185</dt> <dd> in woruldlife,           for ðy ic wilnode  þæt wit unc eft           in þam ecan gefean  on sweglwuldre           geseon mostun  fore onsyne           eces deman  leahtra lease.           þær sceal lufu uncer  </dd> <dt>1190</dt> <dd> wærfæst wunian,           þær wit wilna a  in ðære beorhtan byrig           brucan motun,  eades mid englum.           ðu hyre eac saga  þæt heo þis banfæt           beorge bifæste,  lame biluce,           lic orsawle </dd> <dt>1195</dt> <dd> in þeostorcofan,          þær hit þrage sceal in sondhofe          siþþan wunian."  ða wearð modgeþanc           miclum gebisgad,  þream forþrycced,           þurh þæs þeodnes word,  ombehtþegne,           þa he ædre oncneow  </dd> <dt>1200</dt> <dd> frean feorhgedal,           þæt hit feor ne wæs,  endedogor.           Ongon þa ofostlice  to his winedryhtne           wordum mæðlan:  "Ic þec halsige,           hæleþa leofost gumena cynnes,          þurh gæsta weard, </dd> <dt>1205</dt> <dd> þæt þu hygesorge          heortan minre geeþe, eorla wyn. Nis þe ende feor, þæs þe ic on galdrum          ongieten hæbbe. Oft mec geomor sefa          gehþa gemanode, hat æt heortan,          hyge gnornende </dd> <dt>1210</dt> <dd> nihtes nearwe,          ond ic næfre þe, fæder, frofor min,          frignan dorste. Symle ic gehyrde,          þonne heofones gim, wyncondel wera,          west onhylde, sweglbeorht sunne          setlgonges fus </dd> <dt>1215</dt> <dd> on æfentid,          oþerne mid þec, þegn æt geþeahte. Ic þæs þeodnes word, ares uncuþes          oft neosendes, dægwoman bitweon          ond þære deorcan niht, meþelcwide mæcges,          ond on morgne swa, </dd> <dt>1220</dt> <dd> ongeat geomormod,          gæstes spræce, gleawes in geardum. Huru, ic giet ne wat, ær þu me, frea min,          furþor cyðe þurh cwide þinne,          hwonan his cyme sindon."  ða se eadga wer           ageaf ondsware  </dd> <dt>1225</dt> <dd> leofum æfter longre hwile,           swa he late meahte,  elnes oncyðig,           oreþe gewealdan:  "Hwæt, þu me, wine min,           wordum nægest, fusne frignest,          þæs þe ic furþum ær æfre on ealdre          ængum ne wolde </dd> <dt>1230</dt> <dd> monna ofer moldan          melda weorðan, þegne on þeode,          butan þe nu ða, þy læs þæt wundredan          weras ond idesa, ond on geað gutan,          gieddum mænden bi me lifgendum. Huru, ic nolde sylf </dd> <dt>1235</dt> <dd> þurh gielpcwide          gæstes mines frofre gelettan,          ne fæder mines æfre geæfnan,          æbylg godes. Symle me onsende          sigedryhten min, folca feorhgiefa,          siþþan ic furþum ongon </dd> <dt>1240</dt> <dd> on þone æfteran          anseld bugan geargemearces,          gæst haligne, engel ufancundne,          se mec efna gehwam, meahtig meotudes þegn,          ond on morgne eft, sigorfæst gesohte,          ond me sara gehwylc </dd> <dt>1245</dt> <dd> gehælde hygesorge,          ond me in hreþre bileac wuldres wilboda          wisdomes giefe micle monigfealdran          þonne ænig mon wite in life her,          þe me alyfed nis to gecyþenne          cwicra ængum </dd> <dt>1250</dt> <dd> on foldwege          fira cynnes, þæt me ne meahte          monna ænig bideaglian          hwæt he dearninga on hyge hogde          heortan geþoncum, siþþan he me fore eagum          onsyne wearð. </dd> <dt>1255</dt> <dd> A ic on mode mað          monna gehwylcne þeodnes þrymcyme          oð þisne dæg. Leofast monna,          nu ic for lufan þinre, ond geferscype          þæt wit fyrn mid unc longe læstan,          nelle ic lætan þe </dd> <dt>1260</dt> <dd> æfre unrotne          æfter ealdorlege meðne modseocne          minre geweorðan, soden sorgwælmum. A ic sibbe wiþ þe healdan wille. Nu of hreþerlocan to þam soþan gefean          sawel fundað. </dd> <dt>1265</dt> <dd> Nis seo tid latu,          tydrað þis banfæt, greothord gnornað,          gæst hine fyseð on ecne geard,          utsiþes georn on sellan gesetu. Nu ic swiðe eom weorce gewergad."          ða to þam wage gesag,  </dd> <dt>1270</dt> <dd> heafelan onhylde,           hyrde þa gena  ellen on innan.           Oroð stundum teah  mægne modig,           him of muðe cwom  swecca swetast.           Swylce on sumeres tid  stincað on stowum           staþelum fæste  </dd> <dt>1275</dt> <dd> wynnum æfter wongum           wyrta geblowene,  hunigflowende,           swa þæs halgan wæs  ondlongne dæg           oþ æfen forð  oroð up hlæden.           þa se æþela glæm  setlgong sohte,           swearc norðrodor  </dd> <dt>1280</dt> <dd> won under wolcnum,           woruld miste oferteah,  þystrum biþeahte,           þrong niht ofer tiht  londes frætwa.           ða cwom leohta mæst,  halig of heofonum           hædre scinan,  beorhte ofer burgsalu.           Bad se þe sceolde  </dd> <dt>1285</dt> <dd> eadig on elne           endedogor,  awrecen wælstrælum.           Wuldres scima, æþele ymb æþelne,          ondlonge niht scan scirwered. Scadu sweþredon, tolysed under lyfte. Wæs se leohta glæm </dd> <dt>1290</dt> <dd> ymb þæt halge hus,          heofonlic condel, from æfenglome          oþþæt eastan cwom ofer deop gelad          dægredwoma, wedertacen wearm. Aras se wuldormago, eadig elnes gemyndig,          spræc to his onbehtþegne, </dd> <dt>1295</dt> <dd> torht to his treowum gesiþe:          "Tid is þæt þu fere,  ond þa ærendu           eal biþence,  ofestum læde,           swa ic þe ær bibead,  lac to leofre.           Nu of lice is,  goddreama georn,           gæst swiðe fus." </dd> <dt>1300</dt> <dd> Ahof þa his honda,          husle gereorded, eaðmod þy æþelan gyfle,          swylce he his eagan ontynde, halge heafdes gimmas,          biseah þa to heofona rice, glædmod to geofona leanum,          ond þa his gæst onsende weorcum wlitigne          in wuldres dream. </dd> <dt>1305</dt> <dd> ða wæs Guðlaces          gæst gelæded eadig on upweg. Englas feredun to þam longan gefean,          lic colode, belifd under lyfte. ða þær leoht ascan, beama beorhtast. Eal þæt beacen wæs </dd> <dt>1310</dt> <dd> ymb þæt halge hus,          heofonlic leoma, from foldan up          swylce fyren tor ryht aræred          oð rodera hrof, gesewen under swegle,          sunnan beorhtra, æþeltungla wlite. Engla þreatas </dd> <dt>1315</dt> <dd> sigeleoð sungon,          sweg wæs on lyfte gehyred under heofonum,          haligra dream. Swa se burgstede wæs          blissum gefylled, swetum stencum          ond sweglwundrum, eadges yrfestol,          engla hleoðres, </dd> <dt>1320</dt> <dd> eal innanweard. þær wæs ænlicra ond wynsumra          þonne hit in worulde mæge stefn areccan,          hu se stenc ond se sweg, heofonlic hleoþor          ond se halga song, gehyred wæs,          heahþrym godes, </dd> <dt>1325</dt> <dd> breahtem æfter breahtme. Beofode þæt ealond, foldwong onþrong. ða afyrhted wearð ar, elnes biloren,          gewat þa ofestlice beorn unhyðig,          þæt he bat gestag, wæghengest wræc,          wæterþisa for, </dd> <dt>1330</dt> <dd> snel under sorgum. Swegl hate scan, blac ofer burgsalo. Brimwudu scynde, leoht, lade fus. Lagumearg snyrede, gehlæsted to hyðe,          þæt se hærnflota æfter sundplegan          sondlond gespearn, </dd> <dt>1335</dt> <dd> grond wið greote. Gnornsorge wæg hate æt heortan,          hyge geomurne, meðne modsefan,          se þe his mondryhten, life bilidenne,          last weardian wiste, wine leofne. Him þæs wopes hring </dd> <dt>1340</dt> <dd> torne gemonade. Teagor yðum weol, hate hleordropan,          ond on hreþre wæg micle modceare. He þære mægeð sceolde lace gelædan          laðspel to soð. Cwom þa freorigferð          þær seo fæmne wæs, </dd> <dt>1345</dt> <dd> wuldres wynmæg. He þa wyrd ne mað, fæges forðsið. Fusleoð agol wineþearfende,          ond þæt word acwæð: "Ellen biþ selast          þam þe oftost sceal  dreogan dryhtenbealu,           deope behycgan  </dd> <dt>1350</dt> <dd> þroht þeodengedal,           þonne seo þrag cymeð,  wefen wyrdstafum.           þæt wat se þe sceal  aswæman sarigferð,           wat his sincgiefan  holdne biheledne.           He sceal hean þonan  geomor hweorfan.           þam bið gomenes wana  </dd> <dt>1355</dt> <dd> ðe þa earfeða           oftost dreogeð  on sargum sefan.           Huru, ic swiðe ne þearf  hinsiþ behlehhan.           Is hlaford min,  beorna bealdor,           ond broþor þin,  se selesta           bi sæm tweonum  </dd> <dt>1360</dt> <dd> þara þe we on Engle           æfre gefrunen  acennedne           þurh cildes had  gumena cynnes,           to godes dome,  werigra wraþu,           worulddreamum of,  winemæga wyn,           in wuldres þrym,  </dd> <dt>1365</dt> <dd> gewiten, winiga hleo,           wica neosan eardes on upweg. Nu se eorðan dæl, banhus abrocen          burgum in innan wunað wælræste,          ond se wuldres dæl of licfæte          in leoht godes </dd> <dt>1370</dt> <dd> sigorlean sohte,          ond þe secgan het þæt git a mosten          in þam ecan gefean mid þa sibgedryht          somudeard niman, weorca wuldorlean,          willum neotan blædes ond blissa. Eac þe abeodan het </dd> <dt>1375</dt> <dd> sigedryhten min,          þa he wæs siþes fus, þæt þu his lichoman,          leofast mægða, eorðan biðeahte. Nu þu ædre const siðfæt minne. Ic sceal sarigferð, heanmod hweorfan,          hyge drusendne."  </dd> </dl>