PS OE Biblical Poetry – Texts: Genesis A – page 1 I Us is riht micel

PS OE Biblical Poetry – Texts: Genesis A – page 1 I Us is riht micel

PS OE Biblical Poetry – Texts: Genesis A – page 1
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Us is riht micel
ðæt we rodera weard,
wereda wuldorcining,
wordum herigen,
modum lufien!
He is mægna sped,
heafod ealra
heahgesceafta,
frea ælmihtig.
Næs him fruma æfre,
or geworden,
ne nu ende cymþ
ecean drihtnes,
ac he bið a rice
ofer heofenstolas.
A great duty is ours: that we should praise with our words
and love with our hearts the Guardian of the heavens,
the glorious King of hosts. He is plenitude of powers,
sovereign of all his sublime creations,
the Lord almighty. Of him was never beginning
nor origin nor will there come hereafter an end
to the everlasting Lord but he will ever remain mighty
above the thrones of heaven.
Heagum þrymmum
soðfæst and swiðfeorm
sweglbosmas heold,
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!
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,
ece mid heora aldor.
With powers sublime,
steadfast in truth and abounding in plenty, he ruled the plains
of heaven which were established in their width and breadth
by God's command for the children of glory,
the guardians of souls. Joyfulness and happiness they had,
those angel hosts, and sheer bliss in their begetter;
great bounty was theirs.
Majestic servants, they lauded their Prince
and willingly spoke his praise and glorified their Lord of life;
greatly were they blessed
with the benefits of the Lord God. They had no knowledge
of the commission of sins and of crimes, but they lived
eternally in peace with their Prince.
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
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
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.
In the heavens they exalted
nothing else but right and truth until the chief of the angels strayed through pride
into perversity. No longer were they willing
to pursue their own best interest, but they turned aside from
God's loving friendship. They had the great arrogance
to boast that they could partition with God
that mansion, glorious in the majesty of the multitude,
broad and ethereally bright: thereupon the wound took
effect in them, the envy and the presumption and the pride of
that angel who first forwarded, contrived and encouraged that
folly when he outspokenly declared
thirsting for trouble, that he meant to have
a home and a throne in the northern part of the kingdom
of heaven.
þa wearð yrre god
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,
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
weaxan witebrogan.
Hæfdon hie wrohtgeteme
grimme wið god gesomnod;
him þæs grim
[lean becom!
Then God grew angry and
irate against the multitude whom he had previously dignified
with beauty and splendour. He fashioned for the renegade
a home - one in exile - as reward for his effort:
the howlings of hell and harsh afflictions.
That outcasts' prison, deep and cheerless,
our Lord commanded the
guardians of souls to suffer when he knew it to be ready,
enveloped in endless night, filled with torment,
inundated with fire and intense cold,
smoke and ruddy flame. He then commanded
[the punitive horrors
to multiply throughout that desolate abode. Unrelentingly
they had mustered a league of enmity against God, for which
[an unrelenting reward befell them.
PS OE Biblical Poetry – Texts: Genesis A – page 2
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Cwædon þæt heo rice,
reðemode,
agan woldan,
and swa eaðe meahtan.
Him seo wen geleah,
siððan waldend his,
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,
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
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.
Violent of mood, they declared that they meant to have a
kingdom and that they could easily do so.
This hope played them false when the Ruler,
the high King of the heavens, raised up his most sublime
hands against that army. They were not competent, those rash
and wicked beings, to share power with the ordaining Lord,
but glorious God put a stop to their pride
and humbled their bombast. Once he was angered he balked
the evil-doers of victory and of rule,
of dignity and of wealth, and he despoiled the foe of
happiness, of peace and of all pleasure and
of shining glory, and by the powers of his own self he
vigorously avenged his injury upon his adversaries by forcible
dispossession. He had a stern heart,
unrelentingly provoked; with hostile hands he snatched
up his enemies and crushed them in his grasp,
irate in his heart, and cut off his adversaries from
their native home, from the heavenly mansions.
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,
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,
sar and sorge,
susl þrowedon
þystrum beþeahte,
þearl æfterlean
þæs þe heo ongunnon
wið gode winnan.
So our Creator thrust out and cut off
the presumptuous clan of angels from the heavens,
a traitorous throng. The Ruler dispatched
the rebellious army, those miserable spirits,
upon a long journey. Their bragging was broken,
their boasting shattered, their splendour humbled
and their beauty blotted. Thereafter they languished
dismally in distress; no cause they had
to laugh loud at the escapade, for they were living damned
in the tortures of hell and experiencing affliction,
pain and grief and they suffered torment,
muffled in darkness, and strict retribution,
because they had striven against God.
þa wæs soð swa ær
fægre freoþoþeawas,
þeoden his þegnum;
duguða mid drihtne,
Then as before there was true concord in the heavens,
the pleasant virtues of peace, and the Lord loved by all,
the King by his servants. The splendours increased
of the hosts enjoying happiness with the Lord.
sibb on heofnum,
frea eallum leof,
þrymmas weoxon
dreamhæbbendra.
Wæron þa gesome,
þa þe swegl buað,
wuldres eðel.
Wroht wæs asprungen,
oht mid englum
and orlegnið,
siððan herewosan
heofon ofgæfon,
leohte belorene.
Him on laste setl,
wuldorspedum welig,
wide stodan
gifum growende
on godes rice,
beorht and geblædfæst,
buendra leas,
siððan wræcstowe
werige gastas
under hearmlocan
heane geforan.
They were in accord then, those who should inhabit the sky,
the celestial homeland. Strife had ceased
and enmity among the angels and martial hostility
after the warmongers left heaven,
deprived of the light. In their wake there stood abroad
in God's kingdom thrones abounding in heavenly riches,
increasing in endowments,
resplendent and prosperous, lacking incumbents
ever since the damned spirits abjectly departed
to their place of punishment in hell-dungeon.
þa þeahtode
þeoden ure
modgeþonce,
hu he þa mæran gesceaft,
eðelstaðolas
eft gesette,
swegltorhtan seld,
selran werode,
þa hie gielpsceaþan
ofgifen hæfdon,
Then our Lord meditated in his mind how he
might resettle that glorious creation,
its dwelling-places and its thrones
ethereally bright, with a better company
since the braggart wreckers had abandoned them
PS OE Biblical Poetry – Texts: Genesis A – page 3
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heah on heofenum.
Forþam halig god
under roderas feng,
ricum mihtum,
wolde þæt him eorðe
and uproder
and sid wæter
geseted wurde
woruldgesceafte
on wraðra gield,
þara þe forhealdene
of hleo sende.
high in the heavens. Therefore holy God
with his mighty powers willed that under the ambit of the
skies should be established for him an earth and a sky
and a broad ocean,
a created world in compensation for those revolted
aggressors whom he sent out of his protection.
Ne wæs her þa giet
nymþe heolstersceado
wiht geworden,
ac þes wida grund
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,
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
gestaþelode
strangum mihtum,
frea ælmihtig.
Nothing but darkness was as yet come into
being here, but this wide abyss
stood deep and dim, remote from the Lord,
desolate and fallow. Purposive of spirit,
the King looked upon it with his eyes and surveyed the
cheerless place and saw the dark murk
lowering in endless night, black beneath the skies,
gloomy and waste until this created world
came into being by the word of the King of glory.
Here the everlasting Lord, Protector of all beings,
the Lord almighty, first created heaven and earth,
raised aloft the sky and founded this spacious land
by his mighty powers,
the almighty Lord.
Folde wæs þa gyta
græs ungrene;
garsecg þeahte
sweart synnihte,
side and wide,
wonne wægas.
þa wæs wuldortorht
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
ofer westenne,
swa se wyrhta bebead.
The ground was not as yet
green with grass. Dark endless night
far and wide muffled the ocean
and its gloomy waves. Then the celestially shining Spirit
of heaven's Keeper was very quickly extended
over the deep. The ordaining Lord of the angels,
the Giver of life, commanded light to issue forth
across the vast abyss. Swiftly the high King's bidding
was fulfilled; there was holy light for him
throughout the void as the Maker decreed.
þa gesundrode
sigora waldend
ofer laguflode
leoht wið þeostrum,
sceade wið sciman.
Sceop þa bam naman,
lifes brytta.
Leoht wæs ærest
þurh drihtnes word
dæg genemned,
wlitebeorhte gesceaft.
Wel licode
frean æt frymðe
forþbæro tid,
dæg æresta;
geseah deorc sceado
sweart swiðrian
geond sidne grund.
When the Arbiter over victorious achievements divided,
above the watery flood, the light from the darkness,
the shadow from the radiance. Then the Giver of life
shaped names for them both. By the Lord's behest
as light, that bright and beautiful creation,
first named Day. The Lord was well pleased
with that fruitful period at the beginning,
the first day. He saw the dark shadow
vanish black across the vast abyss.
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
sceop nihte naman.
Nergend ure
hie gesundrode;
siððan æfre
drugon and dydon
drihtnes willan,
ece ofer eorðan.
When this period went slipping by above the framework
of middle-earth, after the sheer radiance the
ordaining Lord our Creator set in motion
the first evening. In its wake hastened
and advanced the gloom of darkness for which the Prince
himself shaped the name Night. Our Saviour
divided them; ever afterwards
they have fulfilled and performed the will of the Lord
unceasingly upon the earth.
leoht æfter þeostrum.
ða com oðer dæg,
Heht þa lifes weard
Then came the second day,
light after darkness. Then the Protector of life
PS OE Biblical Poetry – Texts: Genesis A – page 4
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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,
frea ælmihtig.
Flod wæs adæled
under heahrodore
halgum mihtum,
wæter of wætrum,
þam þe wuniað gyt
under fæstenne
folca hrofes.
commanded that there be in the midst of the
flood the auspicious framework of the sky. Our Ruler
divided the oceans and then built the
firmament of the sky; the mighty Lord omnipotent by his
own word raised it up from the earth,
the almighty Lord. The flood below the empyrean was
divided by his holy powers,
that water from those waters which still remain beneath
the firmament of the roof of mortals.
þa com ofer foldan
fus siðian
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,
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,
wide æteowde,
þa se wuldorcyning
eorðan nemde.
Gesette yðum heora
onrihtne ryne,
rumum flode,
and gefetero...
[obvious lacuna MS]
Then over the earth advancing eagerly came
the third glorious morning. As yet neither wide lands
nor waves were profitable to the Lord but the earth stood
constantly covered by the flood. The Lord of angels
commanded by his word that the waters should be joined
in one, which now keep their course beneath the skies,
confined in their place. Then the broad ocean
beneath the heavens swiftly stood gathered together;
then the sea was divided from
the land. So the Guardian Lord of life observed
a dry place (the Shepherd of the angelic multitudes),
far and wide it appeared, which the King of glory
named Earth. He defined to the waves and to the spacious
ocean their proper compass
and confined [...]
Ne þuhte þa gerysne
rodora wearde,
þæt Adam leng
ana wære
neorxnawonges,
niwre gesceafte,
hyrde and healdend.
Forþon him heahcyning,
frea ælmihtig
fultum tiode;
wif aweahte
and þa wraðe sealde,
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,
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,
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
don ne dreogan,
ac him drihtnes wæs
bam on breostum
byrnende lufu.
It did not seem apt then to the Guardian of the skies
that Adam should long remain alone
in Paradise, the new creation, as
its tender and warden. Therefore the high King,
the almighty Lord, ordained for him help;
the Author of light and of life brought woman into
being and bestowed this helpmate upon the cherished man.
The substance he removed from Adam's
body and skilfully he drew from
his side a rib. He was deep in repose
and quietly slept; he felt no pain and
not a scrap of discomfort, nor did there come
any blood from the wound, but the Ruler of angels
drew from his body the living bone - the
man being unhurt - from which God wrought
a lovely woman. He instilled in her life
and an immortal soul. They were comparable with the
angels when Eve, bride of Adam,
was furnished with a spirit. In youthfulness they both
were born, radiantly beautiful, into the world by the
ordaining Lord's might. They knew nothing of
committing or practising evil but in the bosoms of them
both was a burning love of the Lord.
þa gebletsode
bliðheort cyning,
metod alwihta,
monna cynnes
ða forman twa,
fæder and moder,
wif and wæpned.
He þa worde cwæð:
Then the benign-hearted King, the ordaining Lord of
all his creatures, blessed those first two
of humankind, the father and the mother,
the female and the male. He spoke these words:
PS OE Biblical Poetry – Texts: Genesis A – page 5
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"Temað nu and wexað,
tudre fyllað
eorðan ælgrene,
incre cynne,
sunum and dohtrum.
Inc sceal sealt wæter
wunian on gewealde
and eall worulde gesceaft.
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
geond hronrade.
Inc hyrað eall."
Be fruitful now and increase and fill the
all-verdant earth with your offspring, your family,
with sons and with daughters. The salt water shall abide
under your dominion, and all the worldly creation.
Enjoy days of harvest and sea's repletion
and the birds of heaven. Into your dominion are the cattle
consecrated and the wild beasts given
and the living things which tread the land
and the life-endowed species that swim the ocean
along the whale's track. All belong to you.'
þa sceawode
scyppend ure
his weorca wlite
and his wæstma blæd,
niwra gesceafta.
Neorxnawong stod
god and gastlic,
gifena gefylled
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
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,
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
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,
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. [...]
[another obvious lacuna; after line 235, Genesis B]
Then our Creator looked upon
the bounty of his fruits, and of his
fresh creations. Paradise stood
goodly and hospitable, filled with the everlasting
benefits of his favours. Running water, a welling spring,
pleasantly irrigated the gentle
landscape. Not as yet did dark clouds
carry with the wind rainstorms across the
spacious plain, but the ground stood covered
with crops. Their onward course
kept four noble rivers
from out of the new Paradise.
They had been separated by the powers of the Lord,
when he shaped this earth, all from the one radiantly
beautiful fount and sent forth into the world.
People, folk dwelling on the earth,
call that one Pishon which broadly encircles
with gleaming currents
the region of land, Havilah. In that country,
near and far, the people find near and far
gold and precious stones, the children of men,
the finest ones, as books tell us.
Then the second encompasses the land and
country of Ethiopia,
that vast realm; the name of it is Gihon.
The third is Tigris, the full-flowing river
which runs hard by the kingdom of Asshur.
And there is the fourth, which men throughout many a nation
now widely call Euphrates [...]
PS OE Biblical Poetry – Texts: Genesis A – page 6
[After the fall of Sodoma and Gomorra]
Mægð siðedon,
2010 fæmnan and wuduwan,
freondum beslægene,
from hleowstole.
Hettend læddon
ut mid æhtum
Abrahames mæg
of Sodoma byrig.
2015
2020
2025
2030
2035
We þæt soð magon
secgan furður,
hwelc siððan wearð
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,
Abraham secan.
Se þæt orlegweorc
þam Ebriscan
eorle gecyðde,
forslegen swiðe
Sodoma folc,
leoda duguðe
and Lothes sið.
þa þæt inwitspell
Abraham sægde
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
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
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.
the maidens departed,
wives and widows, deprived of friends,
from their homesteads. The enemy led out
with them from the city of Sodoma, with their spoils, the
kinsman of Abraham.
We may now relate
this true history further, as to what was the fate
of the war-wolves after the battle,
who carried off Loth and the goods of the people,
the treasures of the southlanders, [and] exulted in victory.
A warrior, a survivor of the sword who was spared
in battle, escaped from them suddenly,
to seek Abraham: he reported the outcome of the fray
to the Ebrew chieftain —
the people of Sodoma sorely stricken,
the nation's experienced warriors, and Loth's situation.
Thereupon Abraham reported the evil tidings
to his friends; the steadfast hero requested aid
of his favourite companions,
Aner, Mamre, and thirdly Escol,
saying that it would be gall to his heart
and bitterest grief if his nephew
should have to suffer slavery: bade the warriors
famed in battle think of some plan
so that his dear kinsman might be freed,
the hero with his bride. In reply the three brothers,
famed in war, with great readiness
assuaged his grief by their hardy words,
and pledged their troth to
Abraham that they would avenge his injury
upon his foes, with him, or else fall in battle.
Then the holy man bade his companions take
their weapons: he found there
18 spear-bearing warriors
and 300. loyal to their ruler,
of whom he knew that every one could well support
the tawny linden-shield in an onset.
So Abraham set out with the three chieftains
who had just pledged their troth to him, and the band of their
followers. He wished to rescue his kinsman at least,
Loth, from suffering.
These warriors were famous: they bore their shields
forth boldly on the march.
The war-wolves, [meanwhile], had nearly reached their
camping-place: then the prudent man,
spoke to his war-leaders in these words,
the son of Thare, (great was his need!),
that they should advance on the enemy in two
divisions with grim conflict and
hard swordplay: said, [further], that the Holy
Lord Everlasting might easily
give them success in the spear-fight.
PS OE Biblical Poetry – Texts: Genesis A – page 7
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.
Then I heard how under the cover of night
the heroes ventured on into battle: the din of shields
and shafts arose in their sleeping-quarters, the slaughter of
archers and impact of battle-arrows;
sharp swords smote hate-fully under the breast of men,
and the bodies of foes fell thickly,
where the exulting heroes and comrades
were bringing together the spoil. Victory,
men's glory in war, turned aside again from the battle
of the north-men. Abraham gave
armed conflict and not in any wise wrought gold,
as ransom for his nephew; he slew and felled
the enemy in fair fight: to aid him, the Guardian
of the heavenly kingdom took participated. The four
armies were put to flight, the kings and the
leaders of the people. Behind them pressed the joyful
band and [there] the heroes were slain;
the others were given over to flight, those who had
stolen the gold of Sodom and Gomorra,
and robbed the stewards. Fiercely did the uncle
of Loth requite them for it. The noble leaders
of the Elamites were fleeing,
bereft of power, until they were not far from
Domascus. Then Abraham set out on
the war-track to see the retreat
of the wicked men. Lot was freed,
the chieftain with his possessions, [while] the women
[and] wives were restored to joy. Far and wide they saw
the birds of prey rending the murderers of
free-men in sword-slaughter. Abraham brought back
again the treasure and brides of the southlanders,
the children of the nobles nearer their homes,
the maidens to their families. Of all men living here
[on earth], no one ever achieved a more
worthy military expedition with a small force
which was attacking so great a multitude.
XXV 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 [...]
Then the people of Sodoma was southward from
there, to bear the news as to what rout of their fierce
foes had occurred. Forthwith the king of the people,
bereft of nobles, stripped of friends, went to meet
Abraham. He brought with him the
master of the treasure of Solomia:
that was the great Melchisedec,
bishop of the people. He came with gifts
to greet fairly the prince of the warriors, [to approach]
Abraham honorably, and he pronounced upon him
the blessing of God and spoke thus [...]
PS OE Biblical Poetry – Texts: Exodus – page 8
0086 Siððan He mid wuldre geweorðode
0087 þeodenholde, þa wæs þridda wic
0088 folce to frofre. Fyrd eall geseah
0089 hu þær hlifedon halige seglas,
0090 lyftwundor leoht; leode ongeton,
0091 dugoð Israhela, þæt þær Drihten cwom
0092 weroda Drihten, wicsteal metan.
0093 Him beforan foran fyr ond wolcen
0094 in beorhtrodor, beamas twegen,
0095 þara æghwæðer efngedælde
0096 heahþegnunga Haliges Gastes
0097 deormodra sið dagum ond nihtum.
Nachdem er mit Glanz ehrte
die Herrentreuen, wurde dann das dritte Lager
dem Volk zum Trost. Das ganze Heer sah,
wie dort sich türmten heilige Segel,
helle Luftwunder; die Leute erkannten,
die Kampfschar der Israeliten, daß dort der Herr kam,
der Herr der Heerscharen, die Lagerstelle zu markieren.
Ihm voraus fuhren Feuer und Wolke
in den Strahlhimmel, die beiden Säulen,
von denen jede gleichmäßig teilhatte
an den Hochdiensten des Heiligen Geistes,
der Reise der Tapferen, des Tags und des Nachts.
0098
Þa ic on morgen gefrægn modes rofan
0099 hebban herebyman hludan stefnum,
0100 wuldres woman. Werod eall aras,
0101 modigra mægen, swa him Moyses bebead,
0102 mære magoræswa, Metodes folce,
0103 fus fyrdgetrum. Forð gesawon
0104 lifes latþeow lifweg metan;
0105 swegl siðe weold, sæmen æfter
0106 foron flodwege. Folc wæs on salum,
0107 [hlud] herges cyrm. Heofonbeacen astah
0108 æfena gehwam, oðer wundor,
0109 syllic æfter sunnan setlrade beheold,
0110 ofer leodwerum lige scinan,
0111 byrnende beam. Blace stodon
0112 ofer sceotendum scire leoman,
0113 scinon scyldhreoðan; [sceado] swiðredon,
0114 neowle nihtscuwan neah ne mihton
0115 heolstor ahydan. Heofoncandel barn;
0116 niwe nihtweard nyde sceolde
0117 wician ofer weredum, þy læs him westengryre,
0118 har hæð, holmegum wederum,
0119 oferclamme, ferhð [getwæfde].
0120 Hæfde foregenga fyrene loccas,
0121 blace beamas, bellegsan hweop
0122 in þam hereþreate, hatan lige,
0123 þæt he on westenne werod forbærnde,
0124 nymðe hie modhwate Moyses hyrde;
0125 scean scir werod, scyldas lixton.
0126 Gesawon randwigan rihte stræte,
0127 segn ofer sweoton, oðþæt sæfæsten
0128 landes æt ende leomægne forstod,
0129 fus on forðweg. Fyrdwic aras;
0130 wyrpton hie werige, wiste genægdon
0131 modige meteþegnas, hyra mægen beton.
0132 Bræddon æfter beorgum, siððan byme sang,
0133 flotan feldhusum. Þa wæs feorðe wic,
0134 randwigena ræst, be þan readan sæ.
Dann hörte ich, wie am Morgen die Tapferen im Herzen
die Trompeten hoben mit lauten Tönen,
die Künder des Glanzes. Der ganze Trupp stand auf,
das Heer der Tapferen, wie ihm Moses befahl,
der berühmte Führer dem Volk des Schöpfers,
die bereite Kriegerschar. Vorwärts sahen sie
den Führer des Lebens den Lebensweg markieren;
die Sonne beherrschte die Reise, die Seeleute
reisten nach auf dem Flutweg. Das Volk war in Freuden,
laut des Heeres Lärm. Ein Himmelszeichen stieg auf
für jeden der Abende, das andere Wunder,
wundervoll nach der Sonne befolgte es den Sitz-Weg,
zu scheinen mit Lohe über den Volksmännern,
die brennende Säule. Hell standen
über den Schützen schimmernde Leuchten,
es schienen die Schildbeschläge; die Schatten schwanden,
tiefliegende Nachschatten, nahebei, konnten nicht
das Versteck verbergen. Die Himmelsleuchte brannte;
der neue Nachwärter sollte notwendig lagern über
der Truppe, damit ihnen nicht der Wüstenschrecken,
die graue Heidwüste, mit stürmischen Wettern,
durch Übergriff das Leben endete.
Es hatte der Vor-Gänger feurige Locken,
helle Strahlen, mit Feuerschrecken drohte er
in dem Heerhaufen, mit heißer Lohe,
daß er in der Wüste die Truppe verbrennen würde,
wenn sie nicht, die Mutsinnigen, Moses gehorchten;
es leuchtete das helle Heer, die Schilde glänzten.
Es sahen die Schildkämpfer den rechten Weg,
das Zeichen über denn Truppen, bis die Seefeste
am Ende des Landes dem Löwenheer entgegenstand,
(das) bereit für die Fortreise (war). Das Heerlager erstand;
es erholten sich die Matten, mit Nahrung näherten sich den
Mutigen die Fleisch-Diener, stellten ihre Kraft wieder her.
Entlang der Berge, nachdem die Trompete sang, breiteten
sich die Seeleute aus mit den Feldhäusern. Da war das vierte
Lager, die Rast der Schildkrieger, an dem Roten Meer.
0135
Ðær on fyrd hyra færspell becwom,
0136 oht inlende. Egsan stodan,
0137 wælgryre weroda. Wræcmon gebad
Dort kam in ihr Heer die schreckliche Botschaft,
die inländische Verfolgung. Die Schrecken standen (auf),
der Todesschrecken der Scharen. Der Elendsmann erwartete
PS OE Biblical Poetry – Texts: Exodus – page 9
0138 laðne lastweard, se ðe him lange ær,
0139 eðelleasum,
onnied gescraf,
0140 wean witum fæst. Wære ne gymdon,
0141 ðeah þe se yldra cyning ær ge [lacuna]
den verhaßten Spurwärter, ihn, der ihm lange zuvor,
dem Heimatlosen, Unterdrückung zuteilte,
Sorge in Qualen fest. Den Vertrag achteten sie nicht,
obwohl der ältere König zuvor ge ..... lacuna MS .....
0142
[Þa] wearð yrfeweard ingefolca,
0143 manna æfter maðmum, þæt he swa miceles
[geðah.
0144 Ealles þæs forgeton, siððan grame wurdon,
0145 Egypta cyn, ymb an twig:
0146 ða heo his mægwinum morðor fremedon,
0147 wroht berenedon, wære fræton.
0148 Wæron heaðowylmas
heortan getenge,
0149 mihtmod wera; manum treowum
0150 woldon hie þæt feorhlean facne gyldan,
0151 þætte he þæt dægweorc dreore gebohte,
0152 Moyses leode, þær him mihtig God
0153 on ðam spildsiðe spede forgefe.
Dann wurde (er) der Erbwächter der einheimischen Völker,
der Männer, gemäß der Schätze, so daß er, so, sehr
[gedieh.
Alles dies vergaßen sie, nachdem sie Feinde wurden,
die Sippschaft(en) der Ägypter, wegen einer Rute:
dann vollbrachten sie Mord an seinen Verwandten,
bewerkstelligten Streit, verschlangen den Vertrag.
Es bedrückten Kampfwallungen das Herz,
der Machtmut der Männer; mit falschen Versprechen
wollten sie den Lebenslohn mit Verrat vergelten, so daß
er [i.e. Pharaoh] das Tagwerk mit Blut erkaufen würde,
mit dem Volk des Moses, falls ihm der mächtige Gott
auf der Zerstörungsfahrt Erfolg geben würde.
0154
Þa him eorla mod ortrywe wearð,
0155 siððan hie gesawon of suðwegum
0156 fyrd Faraonis forð ongangan,
0157 oferholt wegan, eored lixan 0158 garas trymedon, guð hwearfode,
0159 blicon bordhreoðan, byman sungon 0160 þufas þunian, þeod mearc tredan,
0161 onhwæl ... [lacuna]
Da wurde ihnen der Kriegersinn treulos,
als sie sahen, wie von den Südwegen her
das Heer des Pharaoh vorwärts ging,
(wie es) Überhölzer trug, (wie) die Reiterei leuchtete die Speere bereiteten sie, Kampf bewegte sich,
es blinkten die Schutzschilde, Trompeten sangen (wie) die Banner sich erhoben, die Leute die Mark betraten.
??Es ertönte ... [lacuna MS]
0162 [hreopon] herefugolas hilde grædige,
0163 deawigfeðere, ofer drihtneum,
0164 wonn wælceasega. Wulfas sungon
0165 atol æfenleoð ætes on wenan,
0166 carleasan deor, cwyldrof, beodan
0167 on laðra last
leodmægnes [fyl].
0168 Hreopon mearcweardas middum nihtum,
0169 fleah fæge gast, folc wæs gehæged
es schrien die Heervögel, gierig auf Kampf,
die Tau-Fedrigen, über den Toten,
der dunkle Totenwähler. Wölfe sangen
schreckliches Abendlied in Erwartung des Fraßes,
die verwegenen Tiere, die Todesmutigen, zu künden
auf der Spur der Feinde das Fallen der Volksmacht.
Es riefen die Grenzwächter um Mitternacht,
es flog der todgeweihte Geist, das Volk war ?eingeschlossen.
0170
Hwilum of þam werode wlance þegnas
0171 mæton milpaðas meara bogum.
0172 Him þær segncyning wið þone segn foran,
0173 manna þengel, mearcþreate rad;
0174 guðweard gumena grimhelm gespeon,
0175 cyning cinberge, cumbol lixton,
0176 wiges on wenum,
[wælhlencan] sceoc,
0177 het his hereciste healdan georne
0178 fæst [fyrdgetrum]. Freond [onsegon]
0179 laðum eagan
landmanna cyme.
0180 Ymb hine wægon wigend unforhte,
0181 hare [heorowulfas], hilde gretton,
0182 þurstige þræcwiges, þeodenholde.
0183 Hæfde him alesen leoda dugeðe
0184 tireadigra twa þusendo 0185 þæt wæron cyningas ond cneowmagas 0186 on þæt eade riht, æðelum deore:
Zuweilen überquerten aus dem Trupp kühne
Degen die Meilenpfade auf den Rücken der Pferde.
Ihnen voraus ritt der Bannerkönig mit dem
Zeichen, der Führer der Männer, mit der Grenztruppe;
der Kampfwärter der Krieger befestigte den Visierhelm,
der König den Kinnschutz, die Standarten leuchteten,
in Erwartung des Kampfes schüttelte er das Kettenhemd,
hieß seine Heerauswahl, gewissenhaft zu halten
die feste Heergruppe. Die Freunde beobachteten
mit haßvollen Augen die Ankunft der Landmänner.
Um ihn herum bewegten sich furchtlose Kämpfer,
graue Schwertwölfe, dem Kampf näherten sie sich,
durstige Machtkämpfer, Herrentreue.
Er hatte sich ausgewählt aus der Kampfschar der Leute
zweitausend von den Ruhmreichen das waren Könige und (nahe) Verwandte gemäß dem alten Recht, dem Edlen liebe:
PS OE Biblical Poetry – Texts: Exodus – page 10
0187 forðon anra gehwilc ut alædde
0188 wæpnedcynnes wigan æghwilcne
0189 þara þe he on ðam fyrste findan mihte.
0190 Wæron ingemen
ealle ætgædere,
0191 cyningas on corðre. Cuð oft gebad
0192 horn on heape, to hwæs hægstealdmen,
0193 guðþreat gumena, gearwe bæron.
0194 Swa þær eorp werod, ecan læddon,
0195 lað æfter laðum, leodmægnes worn
0196 þusendmælum; þider wæron fuse.
0197 Hæfdon hie gemynted
to þam mægenheapum
0198 to þam ærdæge Israhela cynn
0199 billum abreotan on hyra broðorgyld.
0200 Forþon wæs in wicum wop up ahafen,
0201 atol æfenleoð, egesan stodon,
0202 weredon wælnet; þa se woma cwom.,
0203 Flugon frecne spel. Feond wæs anmod,
0204 werud wæs wigblac, oðþæt wlance forsceaf
0205 mihtig engel, se ða menigeo beheold,
0206 þæt þær gelaðe mid him leng ne mihton
0207 geseon tosomne: sið wæs gedæled.
daher führte jeder von ihnen heraus
einen jeden der Krieger des männlichen Geschlechts
von denen, die er in der Frist finden konnte.
Es waren die Einheimischen alle zusammen,
die Könige in der Truppe. Wohlbekannt, verkündete oft
das Horn in der Truppe, wohin die jungen Krieger,
die Kampftruppe der Männer, die Waffen trugen.
So führten sie da die dunkle Truppe, den Nachschub,
Feind auf Feind, die Vielzahl der Volksmacht
in Tausenden; dorthin waren sie begierig (zu gehen).
Sie hatten beschlossen in den Machthaufen,
zur Dämmerzeit die Sippe der Israeliten
mit Schwertern zu töten in ihrer Bruderrache.
Daher wurde in den Lagern Klage auf erhoben,
schreckliches Abendlied, die Schrecken standen (auf),
die Schlachtnetze schützten; als der Schlachtlärm kam,
flohen kühne Worte. Der Feind war entschlossen, die
Truppe war kampfstrahlend, bis die Wagemutigen wegschob der mächtige Engel, der die Menge bewachte,
so daß da die Feinde mit ihnen nicht länger vermochten,
sich zusammen zu sehen: die (Heer)Fahrt war geteilt.
[after another lacuna:]
0447
Folc wæs afæred; flodegsa becwom,
0448 gastas geomre, geofon deaðe hweop.
0449 Wæron beorhhliðu blode bestemed,
0450 holm heolfre spaw, hream wæs on yðum,
0451 wæter wæpna ful, wælmist astah.
0452 Wæron Egypte eft oncyrde,
0453 flugon forhtigende, fær ongeton,
0454 woldon herebleaðe hamas findan:
0455 gylp wearð gnornra. Him ongen genap
0456 atol yða gewealc, ne ðær ænig becwom
0457 herges to hame, ac behindan beleac
0458 wyrd mid wæge. Þær ær wegas lagon,
0459 mere modgode; mægen wæs adrenced,
0460 streamas stodon. Storm up gewat
0461 heah to heofonum, herewopa mæst;
0462 laðe cyrmdon, lyft up geswearc,
0463 fægum stæfnum. Flod blod gewod:
0464 randbyrig wæron rofene, rodor swipode
0465 meredeaða mæst. Modige swulton,
0466 cyningas on corðre; cyre swiðrode.
0467 Sæs æt ende wigbord scinon.
0468 Heah ofer hæleðum holmweall astah,
0469 merestream modig. Mægen wæs on cwealme
0470 fæste gefeterod, forðganges nep,
0471 searwum asæled. Sand barenodon
0472 witodre fyrde, hwonne waðema stream,
0473 sincalda sæ sealtum yðum,
0474 æflastum gewuna, ece staðulas,
0475 nacud nydboda, neosan come,
Das Heer war erschrocken; der Flutschrecken kam,
düstere Geister, das Meer drohte mit Tod.
Es waren die Berghänge mit Blut befeuchtet,
die See spieh geronnenes Blut, Geschrei war in den Wellen,
das Wasser von Waffen voll, Todesdunst stieg auf.
Die Ägypter wurden wieder zurückgewendet,
sie flohen fürchtend, Angst erfuhren sie,
wollten kampfängstlich die Heime finden: das Prahlen
wurde schmerzlicher. Ihnen entgegen verdüsterte sich
das schreckliche Rollen der Wellen, nicht kam da einer
des Heeres zum Heime, sondern hinten verschloß
das Geschick mit der Woge. Wo zuvor Wege lagen,
erhob sich das Meer; die Truppe war ertränkt,
Ströme standen (auf). Sturm ging auf,
hoch zu den Himmeln, das größte der Heergeschreie;
die Feinde schrieen, die Luft oben wurde dunkel,
mit todgeweihten Stimmen. Flut durchdrang Blut:
die Randschutzwälle waren zerrissen, den Himmel peitschte
der größte der Meerestode. Kühne starben,
die Könige in der Truppe; die Wahl wurde geringer.
Am Ende der See leuchteten Kampfbretter.
Hoch über den Helden stieg der Wasserwall auf,
der starke Meeresstrom. Die Heermacht war im Tode
fest gebunden, des Weggehens ?schwach, durch
die Waffen gebunden. Die ?Sandwogen (??schwemmten)
das bestimmte Heer, als der Strom der Wellen,
die immerkalte See mit salzigen Wassern,
der Abwege gewohnt, die ewigen Gründe [Akk.Obj.],
der nackte Unheilskünder, besuchen kam,
PS OE Biblical Poetry – Texts: Exodus – page 11
0476 fah feðegast, se ðe feondum geneop.
0477 Wæs seo hæwene lyft heolfre geblanden.
0478 Brim berstende blodegesan hweop
0479 sæmanna sið, oðþæt soð Metod
0480 þurh Moyses hand mod gerymde,
0481 wide wæðde, wælfæðmum sweop;
0482 flod famgode, fæge crungon,
0483 lagu land gefeol, lyft wæs onhrered.
0484 Wicon weallfæsten, wægas burston,
0485 multon meretorras, þa se Mihtiga sloh
0486 mid halige hand, heofonrices Weard,
0487 werbeamas. Wlance ðeode
0488 ne mihton forhabban helpendra pað,
0489 merestreames mod, ac He manegum gesceod
0490 gyllende gryre; garsecg wedde,
0491 up ateah, on sleap, egesan stodon,
0492 weollon wælbenna, witrod gefeol
0493 heah of heofonum handweorc Godes.
0494 Famigbosma flodwearde sloh
0495 unhleowan wæg alde mece,
0496 þæt ðy deaðdrepe drihte swæfon,
0497 synfullra sweot. Sawlum lunnon
0498 fæste befarene, flodblac here,
0499 siððan hie on bogum brun yppinge
0500 modewæga mæst. Mægen eall gedreas,
0501 ða þe gedrecte, dugoð Egypta,
0502 Faraon mid his folcum. He [onfond] hraðe,
0503 siððan gestah, Godes andsaca,
0504 þæt wæs mihtigra mereflodes Weard;
0505 wolde huru fæðmum hilde gesceadan,
0506 yrre ond egesfull. Egyptum wearð
0507 þæs dægweorces deop lean gesceod,
0508 forðam þæs heriges ham eft ne com
0509 ealles ungrundes ænig to lafe,
0510 þætte sið [heora] secgan moste,
0511 bodigean æfter burgum bealospella mæst,
0512 hordwearda hryre, hæleða cwenum,
0513 ac þa mægenþreatas meredeað geswealh,
0514 spelbodan. Se ðe sped ahte,
0515 ageat gylp wera. Hie wið god wunnon.
der feindliche Fußgeist, der die Feinde (?zerstörte).
Es war die blaue Luft blutrot verfärbt.
Berstende See bedrohte mit Blutschrecken
der Seeleute Reise, bis der wahre Schöpfer
durch Moses Hand Kraft freisetzte,
weit jagte, mit Wasserumklammerungen fegte;
die Flut schäumte, Todgeweihte fielen,
die See befiel das Land, die Luft war erregt.
Es wichen die Festungswälle, Wellen brachen,
Meeres-Türme lösten sich auf, als der Mächtige schlug
mit heiliger Hand, der Wärter des Himmelreiches,
die Wehrbäume. Stolze Völker
vermochten nicht zurückzuhalten den Lauf der Helfer, die
Kraft des Meeresstromes, sondern er [i.e. Gott] schädigte
viele mit gellendem Schrecken; das Meer tobte,
zog aufwärts, glitt darüber, die Schrecken standen (auf),
es wallten die Wasserbande, den Kampfpfad befiel
hoch von den Himmeln das Handwerk Gottes.
Die schaumbrüstige Flut schlug mit Hilfe des Wärters
den nicht-schützenden Weg mit altem Schwert,
so daß durch den Totschlag die Truppen schliefen,
der Sündvollen Haufen. Sie trennten sich von den Seelen,
fest Umfangene, das flutbleiche Heer,
nachdem sie auf den Rücken ?.....
die größte der Kraftwellen. Die ganze Heermacht kam um,
?..... ?..... ?....., die Kampfschar der Ägypter,
Pharaoh mit seinen Truppen. Er fand schnell heraus,
nachdem hinabgestiegen war der Widersacher Gottes,
daß mächtiger war der Meerflut Hüter;
dennoch wollte er mit Umklammerungen den Kampf entscheiden, zornig und schreckensvoll. Den Ägyptern ward
des Tagwerks tiefer Lohn beschieden,
denn von dem Heer, dem ganz maßlosen (a),
kam keiner wiederum heim (b) als Rest,
so daß er ihre Reise erzählen durfte,
verkünden in den Stätten die größte Elendsbotschaft,
den Fall der Hortwärter den Frauen der Männer,
sondern die Machttruppen verschlang der Meerestod,
den Berichtsboten (auch). Der, der die Macht besaß,
zergoß das Prahlen der Männer. Sie kämpften gegen Gott.
0516
Þanon Israhelum ece rædas
0517 on merehwearfe [Moyses] sægde,
0518 heahþungen wer, halige spræce,
0519 deop ærende. Dægweorc nemnað
0520 swa gyt werðeode, on gewritum findað
0521 doma gehwilcne, þara ðe him Drihten bebead
0522 on þam siðfate soðum wordum.
0523 Gif onlucan wile lifes wealhstod,
0524 beorht in breostum, banhuses weard,
0525 ginfæsten god gastes cægon,
0526 run bið gerecenod, ræd forð gæð:
0527 hafað wislicu word on fæðme,
0528 wile meagollice modum tæcan,
0529 þæt we gesne ne syn Godes þeodscipes,
Daraufhin sagte den Israeliten ewige
Ratschläge Moses am Meeresufer,
der hochedle Mann, mit heiliger Sprache,
tief(sinnig)e Botschaft. Das Tagwerk erzählen
so noch die Völker, in den Schriften finden sie
ein jedes der Gesetze von denen, die ihm der Herr gebot
auf der Reise mit wahren Worten.
Wenn erschließen will/wird des Lebens Deuter,
hell in den Herzen, des Knochenhauses Hüter,
weites Gut mit Schlüsseln des Geistes,
wird das Geheimnis erklärt, wird Rat hervorgehen:
er hat weise Worte in seiner Macht,
will ernstlich die Herzen lehren, so daß
wir nicht Fehlende sein mögen in der Gemeinschaft Gottes,
PS OE Biblical Poetry – Texts: Exodus – page 12
0530 Metodes miltsa. He us ma onlyhð,
0531 nu us boceras beteran secgað,
0532 lengran lyftwynna. Þis is læne dream,
0533 wommum awyrged, wreccum alyfed,
0534 earmra anbid. Eðellease
0535 þysne gystsele gihðum healdeð,
0536 murnað on mode, manhus witon
0537 fæst under foldan, þær bið fyr ond wyrm,
0538 open ece scræf yfela [gehwylces],
0539 swa nu regnþeofas rice dælað,
0540 yldo oððe ærdeað. Eftwyrd cymð,
0541 mægenþrymma mæst, ofer middangeard,
0542 dæg dædum fah. Drihten sylfa
0543 on þam meðelstede manegum demeð,
0544 þonne He soðfæstra sawla lædeð,
0545 eadige gastas, on uprodor,
0546 þær bið leoht ond lif, eac þon lissa blæd.
0547 Dugoð on dreame Drihten herigað,
0548 weroda Wuldorcyning, to widan feore.
0549 Swa reordode ræda gemyndig
0550 manna mildost, mihtum swiðed,
0551 hludan stefne - here stille bad
0552 witodes willan, wundor ongeton,
0553 modiges muðhæl; he to mænegum spræc:
0554 "Micel is þeos menigeo, mægenwisa trum,
0555 fullesta mæst, se ðas fare lædeð.
0556 Hafað ufon Cananea cyn gelyfed,
0557 burh ond beagas, brade rice;
0558 wile nu gelæstan, þæt He lange gehet
0559 mid aðsware, engla Drihten,
0560 in fyrndagum fæderyncynne,
0561 gif ge gehealdað halige lare,
0562 þæt ge feonda gehwone forð ofergangað,
0563 gesittað sigerice be sæm tweonum,
0564 beorselas beorna: bið eower blæd micel!"
in der Gnade des Schöpfers. Er gewährt uns mehr,
da uns jetzt Gelehrte Besseres künden,
längere Luftwonnen. Dieses ist (nur) vergängliche Freude,
von Sünden erwürgt, den Elenden gewährt,
Erwartung von Armseligen. Als Heimatlose
bewohnen wir diese Gasthalle mit Sorgen,
klagen im Herzen, kennen das Verbrechenshaus
fest unter der Erde, wo Feuer ist und die Schlange,
eine ewig offene Höhle für eine jede der Sünden,
so wie jetzt die Erzdiebe das Reichzuteilen,
Alter und vorzeitiger Tod. Es kommt das Wieder-Geschehen,
die größte der Mächte, über die Erde,
der Tag, feindlich durch Taten. Der Herr selbst
wird auf dem Beratungsplatz viele (ver)urteilen,
wenn er die Seelen der Gerechten führt,
die seligen Geister, in den Hochhimmel, wo
Licht und Leben sein wird, auch dadurch Fülle der Gnaden.
Die Kampfschar preist den Herrn in Freude,
den Glanzkönig der Heerscharen, für immer und ewig.
So sprach, der Ratschläge gedenkend,
der gütigste der Männer, gestärkt von Mächten,
mit lauter Stimme - das Heer harrte still
des Willens des Bestimmten, das Wunder erfuhren sie,
Mundheil des Kühnen; er sprach zu vielen:
"Groß ist diese Menge, stark der Heerführer,
"die größte der Hilfen, der diese Fahrt führt.
"Er hat von oben (?geschwächt) die Sippe der Kanaaniter,
"die Stadt und die Schätze, weites Reich;
"es will jetzt erfüllen, was er lange vehieß
"mit Eidschwur, der Herr der Engel,
"in Vortagen der Vorväter Sippe,
"falls ihr die heilige Lehre einhaltet,
"daß ihr einen jeden der Feinde hinfort besiegt,
"das Siegreich zwischen den Meeren besetzt,
"die Biersäle der Männer: euer Erfolg wird groß sein."