Genesis A, B

E-Text: Sacred-texts.

: Us is riht micel      ðæt we rodera weard,
wereda wuldorcining,      wordum herigen,
modum lufien!      He is mægna sped,
heafod ealra      heahgesceafta,
5: frea ælmihtig.      Næs him fruma æfre,
or geworden,      ne nu ende cymþ
ecean drihtnes,      ac he bið a rice
ofer heofenstolas.      Heagum þrymmum
soðfæst and swiðfeorm      sweglbosmas heold,
10: þa wæron gesette      wide and side
þurh geweald godes      wuldres bearnum,
gasta weardum.      Hæfdon gleam and dream,
and heora ordfruman,      engla þreatas,
beorhte blisse.      Wæs heora blæd micel!
15: þegnas þrymfæste      þeoden heredon,
sægdon lustum lof,      heora liffrean
demdon, drihtenes      dugeþum wæron
swiðe gesælige.      Synna ne cuþon,
firena fremman,      ac hie on friðe lifdon,
20: ece mid heora aldor.      Elles ne ongunnon
ræran on roderum      nymþe riht and soþ,
ærðon engla weard      for oferhygde
dwæl on gedwilde.      Noldan dreogan leng
heora selfra ræd,      ac hie of siblufan
25: godes ahwurfon.      Hæfdon gielp micel
þæt hie wið drihtne      dælan meahton
wuldorfæstan wic      werodes þrymme,
sid and swegltorht.      Him þær sar gelamp,
æfst and oferhygd,      and þæs engles mod
30: þe þone unræd ongan      ærest fremman,
wefan and weccean,      þa he worde cwæð,
niþes ofþyrsted,      þæt he on norðdæle
ham and heahsetl      heofena rices
agan wolde.      þa wearð yrre god
35: and þam werode wrað      þe he ær wurðode
wlite and wuldre.      Sceop þam werlogan
wræclicne ham      weorce to leane,
helleheafas,      hearde niðas.
Heht þæt witehus      wræcna bidan,
40: deop, dreama leas,      drihten ure,
gasta weardas,      þa he hit geare wiste,
synnihte beseald,      susle geinnod,
geondfolen fyre      and færcyle,
rece and reade lege.      Heht þa geond þæt rædlease hof
45: weaxan witebrogan.      Hæfdon hie wrohtgeteme
grimme wið god gesomnod;      him þæs grim lean becom!
Cwædon þæt heo rice,      reðemode,
agan woldan,      and swa eaðe meahtan.
Him seo wen geleah,      siððan waldend his,
50: heofona heahcining,      honda arærde,
hehste wið þam herge.      Ne mihton hygelease,
mæne wið metode,      mægyn bryttigan,
ac him se mæra      mod getwæfde,
bælc forbigde.      þa he gebolgen wearð,
55: besloh synsceaþan      sigore and gewealde,
dome and dugeðe,      and dreame benam
his feond, friðo      and gefean ealle,
torhte tire,      and his torn gewræc
on gesacum swiðe      selfes mihtum
60: strengum stiepe.      Hæfde styrne mod,
gegremed grymme,      grap on wraðe
faum folmum,      and him on fæðm gebræc
yrre on mode;      æðele bescyrede
his wiðerbrecan      wuldorgestealdum.
65: Sceof þa and scyrede      scyppend ure
oferhidig cyn      engla of heofnum,
wærleas werod.      Waldend sende
laðwendne here      on langne sið,
geomre gastas;      wæs him gylp forod,
70: beot forborsten,      and forbiged þrym,
wlite gewemmed.      Heo on wrace syððan
seomodon swearte,      siðe ne þorfton
hlude hlihhan,      ac heo helltregum
werige wunodon      and wean cuðon,
75: sar and sorge,      susl þrowedon
þystrum beþeahte,      þearl æfterlean
þæs þe heo ongunnon      wið gode winnan.
þa wæs soð swa ær      sibb on heofnum,
fægre freoþoþeawas,      frea eallum leof,
80: þeoden his þegnum;      þrymmas weoxon
duguða mid drihtne,      dreamhæbbendra.
Wæron þa gesome,      þa þe swegl buað,
wuldres eðel.      Wroht wæs asprungen,
oht mid englum      and orlegnið,
85: siððan herewosan      heofon ofgæfon,
leohte belorene.      Him on laste setl,
wuldorspedum welig,      wide stodan
gifum growende      on godes rice,
beorht and geblædfæst,      buendra leas,
90: siððan wræcstowe      werige gastas
under hearmlocan      heane geforan.
þa þeahtode      þeoden ure
modgeþonce,      hu he þa mæran gesceaft,
eðelstaðolas      eft gesette,
95: swegltorhtan seld,      selran werode,
þa hie gielpsceaþan      ofgifen hæfdon,
heah on heofenum.      Forþam halig god
under roderas feng,      ricum mihtum,
wolde þæt him eorðe      and uproder
100: and sid wæter      geseted wurde
woruldgesceafte      on wraðra gield,
þara þe forhealdene      of hleo sende.
Ne wæs her þa giet      nymþe heolstersceado
wiht geworden,      ac þes wida grund
105: stod deop and dim,      drihtne fremde,
idel and unnyt.      On þone eagum wlat
stiðfrihþ cining,      and þa stowe beheold,
dreama lease,      geseah deorc gesweorc
semian sinnihte      sweart under roderum,
110: wonn and weste,      oðþæt þeos woruldgesceaft
þurh word gewearð      wuldorcyninges.
Her ærest gesceop      ece drihten,
helm eallwihta,      heofon and eorðan,
rodor arærde,      and þis rume land
115: gestaþelode      strangum mihtum,
frea ælmihtig.      Folde wæs þa gyta
græs ungrene;      garsecg þeahte
sweart synnihte,      side and wide,
wonne wegas.      þa wæs wuldortorht
120: heofonweardes gast      ofer holm boren
miclum spedum.      Metod engla heht,
lifes brytta,      leoht forð cuman
ofer rumne grund.      Raþe wæs gefylled
heahcininges hæs;      him wæs halig leoht
125: ofer westenne,      swa se wyrhta bebead.
þa gesundrode      sigora waldend
ofer laguflode      leoht wið þeostrum,
sceade wið sciman.      Sceop þa bam naman,
lifes brytta.      Leoht wæs ærest
130: þurh drihtnes word      dæg genemned,
wlitebeorhte gesceaft.      Wel licode
frean æt frymðe      forþbæro tid,
dæg æresta;      geseah deorc sceado
sweart swiðrian      geond sidne grund.
135: þa seo tid gewat      ofer timber sceacan
middangeardes,      metod æfter sceaf
scirum sciman,      scippend ure,
æfen ærest.      Him arn on last,
þrang þystre genip,      þam þe se þeoden self
140: sceop nihte naman.      Nergend ure
hie gesundrode;      siððan æfre
drugon and dydon      drihtnes willan,
ece ofer eorðan.      ða com oðer dæg,
leoht æfter þeostrum.      Heht þa lifes weard
145: on mereflode      middum weorðan
hyhtlic heofontimber.      Holmas dælde
waldend ure      and geworhte þa
roderas fæsten;      þæt se rica ahof
up from eorðan      þurh his agen word,
150: frea ælmihtig.      Flod wæs adæled
under heahrodore      halgum mihtum,
wæter of wætrum,      þam þe wuniað gyt
under fæstenne      folca hrofes.
þa com ofer foldan      fus siðian
155: mære mergen þridda.      Næron metode ða gyta
widlond ne wegas nytte,      ac stod bewrigen fæste
folde mid flode.      Frea engla heht
þurh his word wesan      wæter gemæne,
þa nu under roderum      heora ryne healdað,
160: stowe gestefnde.      ða stod hraðe
holm under heofonum,      swa se halga bebead,
sid ætsomne,      ða gesundrod wæs
lago wið lande.      Geseah þa lifes weard
drige stowe,      dugoða hyrde,
165: wide æteowde,      þa se wuldorcyning
eorðan nemde.      Gesette yðum heora
onrihtne ryne,      rumum flode,
and gefetero...
Ne þuhte þa gerysne      rodora wearde,
170: þæt Adam leng      ana wære
neorxnawonges,      niwre gesceafte,
hyrde and healdend.      Forþon him heahcyning,
frea ælmihtig      fultum tiode;
wif aweahte      and þa wraðe sealde,
175: lifes leohtfruma,      leofum rince.
He þæt andweorc      of Adames
lice aleoðode,      and him listum ateah
rib of sidan.      He wæs reste fæst,
and softe swæf,      sar ne wiste,
180: earfoða dæl,      ne þær ænig com
blod of benne,      ac him brego engla
of lice ateah      liodende ban,
wer unwundod,      of þam worhte god
freolice fæmnan.      Feorh in gedyde,
185: ece saula.      Heo wæron englum gelice,
þa wæs Eue,      Adames bryd,
gaste gegearwod.      Hie on geogoðe bu
wlitebeorht wæron      on woruld cenned
meotodes mihtum.      Man ne cuðon
190: don ne dreogan,      ac him drihtnes wæs
bam on breostum      byrnende lufu.
þa gebletsode      bliðheort cyning,
metod alwihta,      monna cynnes
ða forman twa,      fæder and moder,
195: wif and wæpned.      He þa worde cwæð:
"Temað nu and wexað,      tudre fyllað
eorðan ælgrene,      incre cynne,
sunum and dohtrum.      Inc sceal sealt wæter
wunian on gewealde      and eall worulde gesceaft.
200: Brucað blæddaga      and brimhlæste
and heofonfugla.      Inc is halig feoh
and wilde deor      on geweald geseald,
and lifigende,      ða ðe land tredað,
feorheaceno cynn,      ða ðe flod wecceð
205: geond hronrade.      Inc hyrað eall."
þa sceawode      scyppend ure
his weorca wlite      and his wæstma blæd,
niwra gesceafta.      Neorxnawong stod
god and gastlic,      gifena gefylled
210: fremum forðweardum.      Fægere leohte
þæt liðe land      lago yrnende,
wylleburne.      Nalles wolcnu ða giet
ofer rumne grund      regnas bæron,
wann mid winde,      hwæðre wæstmum stod
215: folde gefrætwod.      Heoldon forðryne
eastreamas heora      æðele feower
of þam niwan      neorxnawonge.
þa wæron adælede      drihtnes mihtum
ealle of anum,      þa he þas eorðan gesceop,
220: wætre wlitebeorhtum,      and on woruld sende.
þæra anne hatað ylde,      eorðbuende,
Fison folcweras;      se foldan dæl
brade bebugeð      beorhtum streamum
Hebeleac utan.      On þære eðyltyrf
225: niððas findað      nean and feorran
gold and gymcynn,      gumþeoda bearn,
ða selestan,      þæs þe us secgað bec.
þonne seo æftre      Ethiopia
land and liodgeard      beligeð uton,
230: ginne rice,      þære is Geon noma.
þridda is Tigris,      seo wið þeodscipe,
ea inflede,      Assirie belið.
Swilce is seo feorðe,      þa nu geond folc monig
weras Eufraten      wide nemnað.
235: "ac niotað inc þæs oðres ealles,      forlætað þone ænne beam,
wariað inc wið þone wæstm.      Ne wyrð inc wilna gæd."
Hnigon þa mid heafdum      heofoncyninge
georne togenes      and sædon ealles þanc,
lista and þara lara.      He let heo þæt land buan,
240: hwærf him þa to heofenum      halig drihten,
stiðferhð cyning.      Stod his handgeweorc
somod on sande,      nyston sorga wiht
to begrornianne,      butan heo godes willan
lengest læsten.      Heo wæron leof gode
245: ðenden heo his halige word      healdan woldon.
Hæfde se alwalda      engelcynna
þurh handmægen,      halig drihten,
tene getrimede,      þæm he getruwode wel
þæt hie his giongorscipe      fyligan wolden,
250: wyrcean his willan,      forþon he him gewit forgeaf
and mid his handum gesceop,      halig drihten.
Gesett hæfde he hie swa gesæliglice,      ænne hæfde he swa swiðne geworhtne,
swa mihtigne on his modgeþohte,      he let hine swa micles wealdan,
hehstne to him on heofona rice,      hæfde he hine swa hwitne geworhtne,
255: swa wynlic wæs his wæstm on heofonum      þæt him com from weroda drihtne,
gelic wæs he þam leohtum steorrum.      Lof sceolde he drihtnes wyrcean,
dyran sceolde he his dreamas on heofonum,      and sceolde his drihtne þancian
þæs leanes þe he him on þam leohte gescerede      þonne læte he his hine lange wealdan.
Ac he awende hit him to wyrsan þinge,      ongan him winn up ahebban
260: wið þone hehstan heofnes waldend,      þe siteð on þam halgan stole.
Deore wæs he drihtne urum;      ne mihte him bedyrned weorðan
þæt his engyl ongan      ofermod wesan,
ahof hine wið his hearran,      sohte hetespræce,
gylpword ongean,      nolde gode þeowian,
265: cwæð þæt his lic wære      leoht and scene,
hwit and hiowbeorht.      Ne meahte he æt his hige findan
þæt he gode wolde      geongerdome,
þeodne þeowian.      þuhte him sylfum
þæt he mægyn and cræft      maran hæfde
270: þonne se halga god      habban mihte
folcgestælna.      Feala worda gespæc
se engel ofermodes.      þohte þurh his anes cræft
hu he him strenglicran      stol geworhte,
heahran on heofonum;      cwæð þæt hine his hige speone
275: þæt he west and norð      wyrcean ongunne,
trymede getimbro;      cwæð him tweo þuhte
þæt he gode wolde      geongra weorðan.
"Hwæt sceal ic winnan?" cwæð he.      "Nis me wihtæ þearf
hearran to habbanne.      Ic mæg mid handum swa fela
280: wundra gewyrcean.      Ic hæbbe geweald micel
to gyrwanne      godlecran stol,
hearran on heofne.      Hwy sceal ic æfter his hyldo ðeowian,
bugan him swilces geongordomes?      Ic mæg wesan god swa he.
Bigstandað me strange geneatas,      þa ne willað me æt þam striðe geswican,
285: hæleþas heardmode.      Hie habbað me to hearran gecorene,
rofe rincas;      mid swilcum mæg man ræd geþencean,
fon mid swilcum folcgesteallan.      Frynd synd hie mine georne,
holde on hyra hygesceaftum.      Ic mæg hyra hearra wesan,
rædan on þis rice.      Swa me þæt riht ne þinceð,
290: þæt ic oleccan      awiht þurfe
gode æfter gode ænegum.      Ne wille ic leng his geongra wurþan."
þa hit se allwalda      eall gehyrde,
þæt his engyl ongan      ofermede micel
ahebban wið his hearran      and spræc healic word
295: dollice wið drihten sinne,      sceolde he þa dæd ongyldan,
worc þæs gewinnes gedælan,      and sceolde his wite habban,
ealra morðra mæst.      Swa deð monna gehwilc
þe wið his waldend      winnan ongynneð
mid mane wið þone mæran drihten.      þa wearð se mihtiga gebolgen,
300: hehsta heofones waldend,      wearp hine of þan hean stole.
Hete hæfde he æt his hearran gewunnen,      hyldo hæfde his ferlorene,
gram wearð him se goda on his mode.      Forþon he sceolde grund gesecean
heardes hellewites,      þæs þe he wann wið heofnes waldend.
Acwæð hine þa fram his hyldo      and hine on helle wearp,
305: on þa deopan dala,      þær he to deofle wearð,
se feond mid his geferum eallum.      Feollon þa ufon of heofnum
þurhlonge swa      þreo niht and dagas,
þa englas of heofnum on helle,      and heo ealle forsceop
drihten to deoflum.      Forþon heo his dæd and word
310: noldon weorðian,      forþon he heo on wyrse leoht
under eorðan neoðan,      ællmihtig god,
sette sigelease      on þa sweartan helle.
þær hæbbað heo on æfyn      ungemet lange,
ealra feonda gehwilc,      fyr edneowe,
315: þonne cymð on uhtan      easterne wind,
forst fyrnum cald.      Symble fyr oððe gar,
sum heard geswinc      habban sceoldon.
Worhte man hit him to wite,      (hyra woruld wæs gehwyrfed),
forman siðe,      fylde helle
320: mid þam andsacum.      Heoldon englas forð
heofonrices hehðe,      þe ær godes hyldo gelæston.
Lagon þa oðre fynd on þam fyre,      þe ær swa feala hæfdon
gewinnes wið heora waldend.      Wite þoliað,
hatne heaðowelm      helle tomiddes,
325: brand and brade ligas,      swilce eac þa biteran recas,
þrosm and þystro,      forþon hie þegnscipe
godes forgymdon.      Hie hyra gal beswac,
engles oferhygd,      noldon alwaldan
word weorþian,      hæfdon wite micel,
330: wæron þa befeallene      fyre to botme
on þa hatan hell      þurh hygeleaste
and þurh ofermetto,      sohton oþer land,
þæt wæs leohtes leas      and wæs liges full,
fyres fær micel.      Fynd ongeaton
335: þæt hie hæfdon gewrixled      wita unrim
þurh heora miclan mod      and þurh miht godes
and þurh ofermetto      ealra swiðost.
þa spræc se ofermoda cyning,      þe ær wæs engla scynost,
hwitost on heofne      and his hearran leof,
340: drihtne dyre,      oð hie to dole wurdon,
þæt him for galscipe      god sylfa wearð
mihtig on mode yrre.      Wearp hine on þæt morðer innan,
niðer on þæt niobedd,      and sceop him naman siððan,
cwæð se hehsta      hatan sceolde
345: Satan siððan,      het hine þære sweartan helle
grundes gyman,      nalles wið god winnan.
Satan maðelode,      sorgiende spræc,
se ðe helle forð      healdan sceolde,
gieman þæs grundes.      Wæs ær godes engel,
350: hwit on heofne,      oð hine his hyge forspeon
and his ofermetto      ealra swiðost,
þæt he ne wolde      wereda drihtnes
word wurðian.      Weoll him on innan
hyge ymb his heortan,      hat wæs him utan
355: wraðlic wite.      He þa worde cwæð:
"Is þæs ænga styde      ungelic swiðe
þam oðrum ham      þe we ær cuðon,
hean on heofonrice,      þe me min hearra onlag,
þeah we hine for þam alwaldan      agan ne moston,
360: romigan ures rices.      Næfð he þeah riht gedon
þæt he us hæfð befælled      fyre to botme,
helle þære hatan,      heofonrice benumen;
hafað hit gemearcod      mid moncynne
to gesettanne.      þæt me is sorga mæst,
365: þæt Adam sceal,      þe wæs of eorðan geworht,
minne stronglican      stol behealdan,
wesan him on wynne,      and we þis wite þolien,
hearm on þisse helle.      Wa la, ahte ic minra handa geweald
and moste ane tid      ute weorðan,
370: wesan ane winterstunde,      þonne ic mid þys werode--
Ac licgað me ymbe      irenbenda,
rideð racentan sal.      Ic eom rices leas;
habbað me swa hearde      helle clommas
fæste befangen.      Her is fyr micel,
375: ufan and neoðone.      Ic a ne geseah
laðran landscipe.      Lig ne aswamað,
hat ofer helle.      Me habbað hringa gespong,
sliðhearda sal      siðes amyrred,
afyrred me min feðe;      fet synt gebundene,
380: handa gehæfte.      Synt þissa heldora
wegas forworhte,      swa ic mid wihte ne mæg
of þissum lioðobendum.      Licgað me ymbe
heardes irenes      hate geslægene
grindlas greate.      Mid þy me god hafað
385: gehæfted be þam healse,      swa ic wat he minne hige cuðe;
and þæt wiste eac      weroda drihten,
þæt sceolde unc Adame      yfele gewurðan
ymb þæt heofonrice,      þær ic ahte minra handa geweald.
Ac ðoliaþ we nu þrea on helle,      (þæt syndon þystro and hæto),
390: grimme, grundlease.      Hafað us god sylfa
forswapen on þas sweartan mistas;      swa he us ne mæg ænige synne gestælan,
þæt we him on þam lande lað gefremedon,      he hæfð us þeah þæs leohtes bescyrede,
beworpen on ealra wita mæste.      Ne magon we þæs wrace gefremman,
geleanian him mid laðes wihte      þæt he us hafað þæs leohtes bescyrede.
395: He hæfð nu gemearcod anne middangeard,      þær he hæfð mon geworhtne
æfter his onlicnesse.      Mid þam he wile eft gesettan
heofona rice mid hluttrum saulum.      We þæs sculon hycgan georne,
þæt we on Adame,      gif we æfre mægen,
and on his eafrum swa some,      andan gebetan,
400: onwendan him þær willan sines,      gif we hit mægen wihte aþencan.
Ne gelyfe ic me nu þæs leohtes furðor      þæs þe he him þenceð lange niotan,
þæs eades mid his engla cræfte.      Ne magon we þæt on aldre gewinnan,
þæt we mihtiges godes mod onwæcen.      Uton oðwendan hit nu monna bearnum,
þæt heofonrice, nu we hit habban ne moton,      gedon þæt hie his hyldo forlæten,
405: þæt hie þæt onwendon þæt he mid his worde bebead.      þonne weorð he him wrað on mode,
ahwet hie from his hyldo.      þonne sculon hie þas helle secan
and þas grimman grundas.      þonne moton we hie us to giongrum habban,
fira bearn on þissum fæstum clomme.      Onginnað nu ymb þa fyrde þencean!
Gif ic ænegum þægne      þeodenmadmas
410: geara forgeafe,      þenden we on þan godan rice
gesælige sæton      and hæfdon ure setla geweald,
þonne he me na on leofran tid      leanum ne meahte
mine gife gyldan,      gif his gien wolde
minra þegna hwilc      geþafa wurðan,
415: þæt he up heonon      ute mihte
cuman þurh þas clustro,      and hæfde cræft mid him
þæt he mid feðerhoman      fleogan meahte,
windan on wolcne,      þær geworht stondað
Adam and Eue      on eorðrice
420: mid welan bewunden,      and we synd aworpene hider
on þas deopan dalo.      Nu hie drihtne synt
wurðran micle,      and moton him þone welan agan
þe we on heofonrice      habban sceoldon,
rice mid rihte;      is se ræd gescyred
425: monna cynne.      þæt me is on minum mode swa sar,
on minum hyge hreoweð,      þæt hie heofonrice
agan to aldre.      Gif hit eower ænig mæge
gewendan mid wihte      þæt hie word godes
lare forlæten,      sona hie him þe laðran beoð.
430: Gif hie brecað his gebodscipe,      þonne he him abolgen wurðeþ;
siððan bið him se wela onwended      and wyrð him wite gegarwod,
sum heard hearmscearu.      Hycgað his ealle,
hu ge hi beswicen!      Siððan ic me sefte mæg
restan on þyssum racentum,      gif him þæt rice losað.
435: Se þe þæt gelæsteð,      him bið lean gearo
æfter to aldre,      þæs we her inne magon
on þyssum fyre forð      fremena gewinnan.
Sittan læte ic hine wið me sylfne,      swa hwa swa þæt secgan cymeð
on þas hatan helle,      þæt hie heofoncyninges
440: unwurðlice      wordum and dædum
lare"
Angan hine þa gyrwan      godes andsaca,
fus on frætwum,      (hæfde fæcne hyge),
hæleðhelm on heafod asette      and þone full hearde geband,
445: spenn mid spangum;      wiste him spræca fela,
wora worda.      Wand him up þanon,
hwearf him þurh þa helldora,      (hæfde hyge strangne),
leolc on lyfte      laþwendemod,
swang þæt fyr on twa      feondes cræfte;
450: wolde dearnunga      drihtnes geongran,
mid mandædum      men beswican,
forlædan and forlæran,      þæt hie wurdon lað gode.
He þa geferde      þurh feondes cræft
oððæt he Adam      on eorðrice,
455: godes handgesceaft,      gearone funde,
wislice geworht,      and his wif somed,
freo fægroste,      swa hie fela cuðon
godes gegearwigean,      þa him to gingran self
metod mancynnes      mearcode selfa.
460: And him bi twegin      beamas stodon
þa wæron utan      ofætes gehlædene,
gewered mid wæstme,      swa hie waldend god,
heah heofoncyning      handum gesette,
þæt þær yldo bearn      moste on ceosan
465: godes and yfeles,      gumena æghwilc,
welan and wawan.      Næs se wæstm gelic!
Oðer wæs swa wynlic,      wlitig and scene,
liðe and lofsum,      þæt wæs lifes beam;
moste on ecnisse      æfter lybban,
470: wesan on worulde,      se þæs wæstmes onbat,
swa him æfter þy      yldo ne derede,
ne suht sware,      ac moste symle wesan
lungre on lustum      and his lif agan,
hyldo heofoncyninges      her on worulde,
475: habban him to wæron      witode geþingþo
on þone hean heofon,      þonne he heonon wende.
þonne wæs se oðer      eallenga sweart,
dim and þystre;      þæt wæs deaðes beam,
se bær bitres fela.      Sceolde bu witan
480: ylda æghwilc      yfles and godes
gewand on þisse worulde.      Sceolde on wite a
mid swate and mid sorgum      siððan libban,
swa hwa swa gebyrgde      þæs on þam beame geweox.
Sceolde hine yldo beniman      ellendæda,
485: dreamas and drihtscipes,      and him beon deað scyred.
Lytle hwile      sceolde he his lifes niotan,
secan þonne landa      sweartost on fyre.
Sceolde feondum þeowian,      þær is ealra frecna mæste
leodum to langre hwile.      þæt wiste se laða georne,
490: dyrne deofles boda      þe wið drihten wann.
Wearp hine þa on wyrmes lic      and wand him þa ymbutan
þone deaðes beam      þurh deofles cræft,
genam þær þæs ofætes      and wende hine eft þanon
þær he wiste handgeweorc      heofoncyninges.
495: Ongon hine þa frinan      forman worde
se laða mid ligenum:      "Langað þe awuht,
Adam, up to gode?      Ic eom on his ærende hider
feorran gefered,      ne þæt nu fyrn ne wæs
þæt ic wið hine sylfne sæt.      þa het he me on þysne sið faran,
500: het þæt þu þisses ofætes æte,      cwæð þæt þin abal and cræft
and þin modsefa      mara wurde,
and þin lichoma      leohtra micle,
þin gesceapu scenran,      cwæð þæt þe æniges sceattes ðearf
ne wurde on worulde.      Nu þu willan hæfst,
505: hyldo geworhte      heofoncyninges,
to þance geþenod      þinum hearran,
hæfst þe wið drihten dyrne geworhtne.      Ic gehyrde hine þine dæd and word
lofian on his leohte      and ymb þin lif sprecan.
Swa þu læstan scealt      þæt on þis land hider
510: his bodan bringað.      Brade synd on worulde
grene geardas,      and god siteð
on þam hehstan      heofna rice,
ufan alwalda.      Nele þa earfeðu
sylfa habban      þæt he on þysne sið fare,
515: gumena drihten,      ac he his gingran sent
to þinre spræce.      Nu he þe mid spellum het
listas læran.      Læste þu georne
his ambyhto,      nim þe þis ofæt on hand,
bit his and byrige.      þe weorð on þinum breostum rum,
520: wæstm þy wlitegra.      þe sende waldend god,
þin hearra þas helpe      of heofonrice."
Adam maðelode      þær he on eorðan stod,
selfsceafte guma:      "þonne ic sigedrihten,
mihtigne god,      mæðlan gehyrde
525: strangre stemne,      and me her stondan het,
his bebodu healdan,      and me þas bryd forgeaf,
wlitesciene wif,      and me warnian het
þæt ic on þone deaðes beam      bedroren ne wurde,
beswicen to swiðe,      he cwæð þæt þa sweartan helle
530: healdan sceolde      se ðe bi his heortan wuht
laðes gelæde.      Nat þeah þu mid ligenum fare
þurh dyrne geþanc      þe þu drihtnes eart
boda of heofnum.      Hwæt, ic þinra bysna ne mæg,
worda ne wisna      wuht oncnawan,
535: siðes ne sagona.      Ic wat hwæt he me self bebead,
nergend user,      þa ic hine nehst geseah;
he het me his word weorðian      and wel healdan,
læstan his lare.      þu gelic ne bist
ænegum his engla      þe ic ær geseah,
540: ne þu me oðiewdest      ænig tacen
þe he me þurh treowe      to onsende,
min hearra þurh hyldo.      þy ic þe hyran ne cann,
ac þu meaht þe forð faran.      Ic hæbbe me fæstne geleafan
up to þam ælmihtegan gode      þe me mid his earmum worhte,
545: her mid handum sinum.      He mæg me of his hean rice
geofian mid goda gehwilcum,      þeah he his gingran ne sende."
Wende hine wraðmod      þær he þæt wif geseah
on eorðrice      Euan stondan,
sceone gesceapene,      cwæð þæt sceaðena mæst
550: eallum heora eaforum      æfter siððan
wurde on worulde:      "Ic wat, inc waldend god
abolgen wyrð,      swa ic him þisne bodscipe
selfa secge,      þonne ic of þys siðe cume
ofer langne weg,      þæt git ne læstan wel
555: hwilc ærende swa      he easten hider
on þysne sið sendeð.      Nu sceal he sylf faran
to incre andsware;      ne mæg his ærende
his boda beodan;      þy ic wat þæt he inc abolgen wyrð,
mihtig on mode.      Gif þu þeah minum wilt,
560: wif willende,      wordum hyran,
þu meaht his þonne rume      ræd geþencan.
Gehyge on þinum breostum      þæt þu inc bam twam meaht
wite bewarigan,      swa ic þe wisie.
æt þisses ofetes!      þonne wurðað þin eagan swa leoht
565: þæt þu meaht swa wide      ofer woruld ealle
geseon siððan,      and selfes stol
herran þines,      and habban his hyldo forð.
Meaht þu Adame      eft gestyran,
gif þu his willan hæfst      and he þinum wordum getrywð.
570: Gif þu him to soðe sægst      hwylce þu selfa hæfst
bisne on breostum,      þæs þu gebod godes
lare læstes,      he þone laðan strið,
yfel andwyrde      an forlæteð
on breostcofan,      swa wit him bu tu
575: an sped sprecað.      Span þu hine georne
þæt he þine lare læste,      þy læs gyt lað gode,
incrum waldende,      weorðan þyrfen.
Gif þu þæt angin fremest,      idesa seo betste,
forhele ic incrum herran      þæt me hearmes swa fela
580: Adam gespræc,      eargra worda.
Tyhð me untryowða,      cwyð þæt ic seo teonum georn,
gramum ambyhtsecg,      nales godes engel.
Ac ic cann ealle swa geare      engla gebyrdo,
heah heofona gehlidu;      wæs seo hwil þæs lang
585: þæt ic geornlice      gode þegnode
þurh holdne hyge,      herran minum,
drihtne selfum;      ne eom ic deofle gelic."
Lædde hie swa mid ligenum      and mid listum speon
idese on þæt unriht,      oðþæt hire on innan ongan
590: weallan wyrmes geþeaht,      (hæfde hire wacran hige
metod gemearcod),      þæt heo hire mod ongan
lætan æfter þam larum;      forþon heo æt þam laðan onfeng
ofer drihtnes word      deaðes beames
weorcsumne wæstm.      Ne wearð wyrse dæd
595: monnum gemearcod!      þæt is micel wundor
þæt hit ece god      æfre wolde
þeoden þolian,      þæt wurde þegn swa monig
forlædd be þam lygenum      þe for þam larum com.
Heo þa þæs ofætes æt,      alwaldan bræc
600: word and willan.      þa meahte heo wide geseon
þurh þæs laðan læn      þe hie mid ligenum beswac,
dearnenga bedrog,      þe hire for his dædum com,
þæt hire þuhte hwitre      heofon and eorðe,
and eall þeos woruld wlitigre,      and geweorc godes
605: micel and mihtig,      þeah heo hit þurh monnes geþeaht
ne sceawode;      ac se sceaða georne
swicode ymb þa sawle      þe hire ær þa siene onlah,
þæt heo swa wide      wlitan meahte
ofer heofonrice.      þa se forhatena spræc
610: þurh feondscipe      (nalles he hie freme lærde):
"þu meaht nu þe self geseon,      swa ic hit þe secgan ne þearf,
Eue seo gode,      þæt þe is ungelic
wlite and wæstmas,      siððan þu minum wordum getruwodest,
læstes mine lare.      Nu scineð þe leoht fore
615: glædlic ongean      þæt ic from gode brohte
hwit of heofonum;      nu þu his hrinan meaht.
Sæge Adame      hwilce þu gesihðe hæfst
þurh minne cime cræfta.      Gif giet þurh cuscne siodo
læst mina lara,      þonne gife ic him þæs leohtes genog
620: þæs ic þe swa godes      gegired hæbbe.
Ne wite ic him þa womcwidas,      þeah he his wyrðe ne sie
to alætanne;      þæs fela he me laðes spræc."
Swa hire eaforan sculon      æfter lybban:
þonne hie lað gedoð,      hie sculon lufe wyrcean,
625: betan heora hearran hearmcwyde      ond habban his hyldo forð.
þa gieng to Adame      idesa scenost,
wifa wlitegost      þe on woruld come,
forþon heo wæs handgeweorc      heofoncyninges,
þeah heo þa dearnenga      fordon wurde,
630: forlæd mid ligenum,      þæt hie lað gode
þurh þæs wraðan geþanc      weorðan sceolden,
þurh þæs deofles searo      dom forlætan,
hierran hyldo,      hefonrices þolian
monige hwile.      Bið þam men full wa
635: þe hine ne warnað      þonne he his geweald hafað!
Sum heo hire on handum bær,      sum hire æt heortan læg,
æppel unsælga,      þone hire ær forbead
drihtna drihten,      deaðbeames ofet,
and þæt word acwæð      wuldres aldor,
640: þæt þæt micle morð      menn ne þorfton
þegnas þolian,      ac he þeoda gehwam
hefonrice forgeaf,      halig drihten,
widbradne welan,      gif hie þone wæstm an
lætan wolden      þe þæt laðe treow
645: on his bogum bær,      bitre gefylled;
þæt wæs deaðes beam      þe him drihten forbead.
Forlec hie þa mid ligenum      se wæs lað gode,
on hete heofoncyninges,      and hyge Euan,
wifes wac geþoht,      þæt heo ongan his wordum truwian,
650: læstan his lare,      and geleafan nom
þæt he þa bysene from gode      brungen hæfde
þe he hire swa wærlice      wordum sægde,
iewde hire tacen      and treowa gehet,
his holdne hyge.      þa heo to hire hearran spræc:
655: "Adam, frea min,      þis ofet is swa swete,
bliðe on breostum,      and þes boda sciene,
godes engel god,      ic on his gearwan geseo
þæt he is ærendsecg      uncres hearran,
hefoncyninges.      His hyldo is unc betere
660: to gewinnanne      þonne his wiðermedo.
Gif þu him heodæg wuht      hearmes gesprece,
he forgifð hit þeah,      gif wit him geongordom
læstan willað.      Hwæt scal þe swa laðlic strið
wið þines hearran bodan?      Unc is his hyldo þearf;
665: he mæg unc ærendian      to þam alwaldan,
heofoncyninge.      Ic mæg heonon geseon
hwær he sylf siteð,      (þæt is suð and east),
welan bewunden,      se ðas woruld gesceop;
geseo ic him his englas      ymbe hweorfan
670: mid feðerhaman,      ealra folca mæst,
wereda wynsumast.      Hwa meahte me swelc gewit gifan,
gif hit gegnunga      god ne onsende,
heofones waldend?      Gehyran mæg ic rume
and swa wide geseon      on woruld ealle
675: ofer þas sidan gesceaft,      ic mæg swegles gamen
gehyran on heofnum.      Wearð me on hige leohte
utan and innan,      siðþan ic þæs ofætes onbat.
Nu hæbbe ic his her on handa,      herra se goda;
gife ic hit þe georne.      Ic gelyfe þæt hit from gode come,
680: broht from his bysene,      þæs me þes boda sægde
wærum wordum.      Hit nis wuhte gelic
elles on eorðan,      buton swa þes ar sægeð,
þæt hit gegnunga      from gode come."
Hio spræc him þicce to      and speon hine ealne dæg
685: on þa dimman dæd      þæt hie drihtnes heora
willan bræcon.      Stod se wraða boda,
legde him lustas on      and mid listum speon,
fylgde him frecne;      wæs se feond full neah
þe on þa frecnan fyrd      gefaren hæfde
690: ofer langne weg;      leode hogode
on þæt micle morð      men forweorpan,
forlæran and forlædan,      þæt hie læn godes,
ælmihtiges gife      an forleten,
heofenrices geweald.      Hwæt, se hellsceaða
695: gearwe wiste      þæt hie godes yrre
habban sceoldon      and hellgeþwing,
þone nearwan nið      niede onfon,
siððan hie gebod godes      forbrocen hæfdon,
þa he forlærde      mid ligenwordum
700: to þam unræde      idese sciene,
wifa wlitegost,      þæt heo on his willan spræc,
wæs him on helpe      handweorc godes
to forlæranne.
Heo spræc ða to Adame      idesa sceonost
705: ful þiclice,      oð þam þegne ongan
his hige hweorfan,      þæt he þam gehate getruwode
þe him þæt wif      wordum sægde.
Heo dyde hit þeah þurh holdne hyge,      nyste þæt þær hearma swa fela,
fyrenearfeða,      fylgean sceolde
710: monna cynne,      þæs heo on mod genam
þæt heo þæs laðan bodan      larum hyrde,
ac wende þæt heo hyldo      heofoncyninges
worhte mid þam wordum      þe heo þam were swelce
tacen oðiewde      and treowe gehet,
715: oðþæt Adame      innan breostum
his hyge hwyrfde      and his heorte ongann
wendan to hire willan.      He æt þam wife onfeng
helle and hinnsið,      þeah hit nære haten swa,
ac hit ofetes noman      agan sceolde;
720: hit wæs þeah deaðes swefn      and deofles gespon,
hell and hinnsið      and hæleða forlor,
menniscra morð,      þæt hie to mete dædon,
ofet unfæle.      Swa hit him on innan com,
hran æt heortan,      hloh þa and plegode
725: boda bitre gehugod,      sægde begra þanc
hearran sinum:      "Nu hæbbe ic þine hyldo me
witode geworhte,      and þinne willan gelæst
to ful monegum dæge.      Men synt forlædde,
Adam and Eue.      Him is unhyldo
730: waldendes witod,      nu hie wordcwyde his,
lare forleton.      Forþon hie leng ne magon
healdan heofonrice,      ac hie to helle sculon
on þone sweartan sið.      Swa þu his sorge ne þearft
beran on þinum breostum,      þær þu gebunden ligst,
735: murnan on mode,      þæt her men bun
þone hean heofon,      þeah wit hearmas nu,
þreaweorc þoliað,      and þystre land,
and þurh þin micle mod      monig forleton
on heofonrice      heahgetimbro,
740: godlice geardas.      Unc wearð god yrre
forþon wit him noldon      on heofonrice
hnigan mid heafdum      halgum drihtne
þurh geongordom;      ac unc gegenge ne wæs
þæt wit him on þegnscipe      þeowian wolden.
745: Forþon unc waldend wearð      wrað on mode,
on hyge hearde,      and us on helle bedraf,
on þæt fyr fylde      folca mæste,
and mid handum his      eft on heofonrice
rihte rodorstolas      and þæt rice forgeaf
750: monna cynne.      Mæg þin mod wesan
bliðe on breostum,      forþon her synt bu tu gedon:
ge þæt hæleða bearn      heofonrice sculon
leode forlætan      and on þæt lig to þe
hate hweorfan,      eac is hearm gode,
755: modsorg gemacod.      Swa hwæt swa wit her morðres þoliað,
hit is nu Adame      eall forgolden
mid hearran hete      and mid hæleða forlore,
monnum mid morðes cwealme.      Forþon is min mod gehæled,
hyge ymb heortan gerume,      ealle synt uncre hearmas gewrecene
760: laðes þæt wit lange þoledon.      Nu wille ic eft þam lige near,
Satan ic þær secan wille;      he is on þære sweartan helle
hæft mid hringa gesponne."      Hwearf him eft niðer
boda bitresta;      sceolde he þa bradan ligas
secan helle gehliðo,      þær his hearra læg
765: simon gesæled.      Sorgedon ba twa,
Adam and Eue,      and him oft betuh
gnornword gengdon;      godes him ondredon,
heora herran hete,      heofoncyninges nið
swiðe onsæton;      selfe forstodon
770: his word onwended.      þæt wif gnornode,
hof hreowigmod,      (hæfde hyldo godes,
lare forlæten),      þa heo þæt leoht geseah
ellor scriðan      þæt hire þurh untreowa
tacen iewde      se him þone teonan geræd,
775: þæt hie helle nið      habban sceoldon,
hynða unrim;      forþam him higesorga
burnon on breostum.      Hwilum to gebede feollon
sinhiwan somed,      and sigedrihten
godne gretton      and god nemdon,
780: heofones waldend,      and hine bædon
þæt hie his hearmsceare      habban mosten,
georne fulgangan,      þa hie godes hæfdon
bodscipe abrocen.      Bare hie gesawon
heora lichaman;      næfdon on þam lande þa giet
785: sælða gesetena,      ne hie sorge wiht
weorces wiston,      ac hie wel meahton
libban on þam lande,      gif hie wolden lare godes
forweard fremman.      þa hie fela spræcon
sorhworda somed,      sinhiwan twa.
790: Adam gemælde      and to Euan spræc:
"Hwæt, þu Eue, hæfst      yfele gemearcod
uncer sylfra sið.      Gesyhst þu nu þa sweartan helle
grædige and gifre.      Nu þu hie grimman meaht
heonane gehyran.      Nis heofonrice
795: gelic þam lige,      ac þis is landa betst,
þæt wit þurh uncres hearran þanc      habban moston,
þær þu þam ne hierde      þe unc þisne hearm geræd,
þæt wit waldendes      word forbræcon,
heofoncyninges.      Nu wit hreowige magon
800: sorgian for þis siðe.      Forþon he unc self bebead
þæt wit unc wite      warian sceolden,
hearma mæstne.      Nu slit me hunger and þurst
bitre on breostum,      þæs wit begra ær
wæron orsorge      on ealle tid.
805: Hu sculon wit nu libban      oððe on þys lande wesan,
gif her wind cymð,      westan oððe eastan,
suðan oððe norðan?      Gesweorc up færeð,
cymeð hægles scur      hefone getenge,
færeð forst on gemang,      se byð fyrnum ceald.
810: Hwilum of heofnum      hate scineð,
blicð þeos beorhte sunne,      and wit her baru standað,
unwered wædo.      Nys unc wuht beforan
to scursceade,      ne sceattes wiht
to mete gemearcod,      ac unc is mihtig god,
815: waldend wraðmod.      To hwon sculon wit weorðan nu?
Nu me mæg hreowan      þæt ic bæd heofnes god,
waldend þone godan,      þæt he þe her worhte to me
of liðum minum,      nu þu me forlæred hæfst
on mines herran hete.      Swa me nu hreowan mæg
820: æfre to aldre      þæt ic þe minum eagum geseah."
ða spræc Eue eft,      idesa scienost,
wifa wlitegost;      hie wæs geweorc godes,
þeah heo þa on deofles cræft      bedroren wurde:
"þu meaht hit me witan,      wine min Adam,
825: wordum þinum;      hit þe þeah wyrs ne mæg
on þinum hyge hreowan      þonne hit me æt heortan deð."
Hire þa Adam      andswarode:
"Gif ic waldendes      willan cuðe,
hwæt ic his to hearmsceare      habban sceolde,
830: ne gesawe þu no sniomor,      þeah me on sæ wadan
hete heofones god      heonone nu þa,
on flod faran,      nære he firnum þæs deop,
merestream þæs micel,      þæt his o min mod getweode,
ac ic to þam grunde genge,      gif ic godes meahte
835: willan gewyrcean.      Nis me on worulde niod
æniges þegnscipes,      nu ic mines þeodnes hafa
hyldo forworhte,      þæt ic hie habban ne mæg.
Ac wit þus baru ne magon      bu tu ætsomne
wesan to wuhte.      Uton gan on þysne weald innan,
840: on þisses holtes hleo."      Hwurfon hie ba twa,
togengdon gnorngende      on þone grenan weald,
sæton onsundran,      bidan selfes gesceapu
heofoncyninges,      þa hie þa habban ne moston
þe him ær forgeaf      ælmihtig god.
845: þa hie heora lichoman      leafum beþeahton,
weredon mid ðy wealde,      wæda ne hæfdon;
ac hie on gebed feollon      bu tu ætsomne
morgena gehwilce,      bædon mihtigne
þæt hie ne forgeate      god ælmihtig,
850: and him gewisade      waldend se goda,
hu hie on þam leohte forð      libban sceolden.
þa com feran      frea ælmihtig
ofer midne dæg,      mære þeoden,
on neorxnawang      neode sine;
855: wolde neosian      nergend usser,
bilwit fæder,      hwæt his bearn dyde;
wiste forworhte      þam he ær wlite sealde.
Gewitan him þa gangan      geomermode
under beamsceade      blæde bereafod,
860: hyddon hie on heolstre,      þa hie halig word
drihtnes gehyrdon,      and ondredon him.
þa sona ongann      swegles aldor
weard ahsian      woruldgesceafta,
het him recene to      rice þeoden
865: his sunu gangan.      Him þa sylfa oncwæð,
hean hleoðrade      hrægles þearfa:
"Ic wreo me her      wæda leasne,
liffrea min,      leafum þecce.
Scyldfull mine      sceaðen is me sare,
870: frecne on ferhðe;      ne dear nu forð gan
for ðe andweardne.      Ic eom eall eall nacod."
Him ða ædre god      andswarede:
"Saga me þæt, sunu min,      for hwon secest ðu
sceade sceomiende?      þu sceonde æt me
875: furðum ne anfenge,      ac gefean eallum.
For hwon wast þu wean      and wrihst sceome,
gesyhst sorge,      and þin sylf þecest
lic mid leafum,      sagast lifceare
hean hygegeomor,      þæt þe sie hrægles þearf,
880: nymþe ðu æppel      ænne byrgde
of ðam wudubeame      þe ic þe wordum forbead?"
Him þa Adam eft      andswarode:
"Me ða blæda on hand      bryd gesealde,
freolucu fæmne,      freadrihten min,
885: ðe ic þe on teonan geþah.      Nu ic þæs tacen wege
sweotol on me selfum.      Wat ic sorga ðy ma."
ða ðæs Euan frægn      ælmihtig god:
"Hwæt druge þu, dohtor,      dugeþa genohra,
niwra gesceafta      neorxnawanges,
890: growendra gifa,      þa þu gitsiende
on beam gripe,      blæda name
on treowes telgum,      and me on teonan
æte þa unfreme,      Adame sealdest
wæstme þa inc wæron      wordum minum
895: fæste forbodene?"      Him þa freolecu mæg,
ides æwiscmod      andswarode:
"Me nædre beswac      and me neodlice
to forsceape scyhte      and to scyldfrece,
fah wyrm þurh fægir word,      oðþæt ic fracoðlice
900: feondræs gefremede,      fæhðe geworhte,
and þa reafode,      swa hit riht ne wæs,
beam on bearwe      and þa blæda æt."
þa nædran sceop      nergend usser,
frea ælmihtig      fagum wyrme
905: wide siðas      and þa worde cwæð:
"þu scealt wideferhð      werig þinum
breostum bearm tredan      bradre eorðan,
faran feðeleas,      þenden þe feorh wunað,
gast on innan.      þu scealt greot etan
910: þine lifdagas.      Swa þu laðlice
wrohte onstealdest,      þe þæt wif feoð,
hatað under heofnum      and þin heafod tredeð
fah mid fotum sinum.      þu scealt fiersna sætan
tohtan niwre;      tuddor bið gemæne
915: incrum orlegnið      a þenden standeð
woruld under wolcnum.      Nu þu wast and canst,
lað leodsceaða,      hu þu lifian scealt."
ða to Euan god      yrringa spræc:
"Wend þe from wynne!      þu scealt wæpnedmen
920: wesan on gewealde,      mid weres egsan
hearde genearwad,      hean þrowian
þinra dæda gedwild,      deaðes bidan,
and þurh wop and heaf      on woruld cennan
þurh sar micel      sunu and dohtor."
925: Abead eac Adame      ece drihten,
lifes leohtfruma,      lað ærende:
"þu scealt oðerne      eðel secean,
wynleasran wic,      and on wræc hweorfan
nacod niedwædla,      neorxnawanges
930: dugeðum bedæled;      þe is gedal witod
lices and sawle.      Hwæt, þu laðlice
wrohte onstealdest;      forþon þu winnan scealt
and on eorðan þe      þine andlifne
selfa geræcan,      wegan swatig hleor,
935: þinne hlaf etan,      þenden þu her leofast,
oðþæt þe to heortan      hearde gripeð
adl unliðe      þe þu on æple ær
selfa forswulge;      forþon þu sweltan scealt."
Hwæt, we nu gehyrað      hwær us hearmstafas
940: wraðe onwocan      and woruldyrmðo.
Hie þa wuldres weard      wædum gyrede,
scyppend usser;      het heora sceome þeccan
frea frumhrægle;      het hie from hweorfan
neorxnawange      on nearore lif.
945: Him on laste beleac      liðsa and wynna
hihtfulne ham      halig engel
be frean hæse      fyrene sweorde;
ne mæg þær inwitfull      ænig geferan
womscyldig mon,      ac se weard hafað
950: miht and strengðo,      se þæt mære lif
dugeðum deore      drihtne healdeð.
No hwæðre ælmihtig      ealra wolde
Adame and Euan      arna ofteon,
fæder æt frymðe,      þeah þe hie him from swice,
955: ac he him to frofre let      hwæðere forð wesan
hyrstedne hrof      halgum tunglum
and him grundwelan      ginne sealde;
het þam sinhiwum      sæs and eorðan
tuddorteondra      teohha gehwilcre
960: to woruldnytte      wæstmas fedan.
Gesæton þa æfter synne      sorgfulre land,
eard and eðyl      unspedigran
fremena gehwilcre      þonne se frumstol wæs
þe hie æfter dæde of      adrifen wurdon.
965: Ongunnon hie þa      be godes hæse
bearn astrienan,      swa him metod bebead.
Adames and Euan      aforan wæron
freolicu twa      frumbearn cenned,
Cain and Abel.      Us cyðað bec,
970: hu þa dædfruman      dugeþa stryndon,
welan and wiste,      willgebroðor.
Oðer his to eorðan      elnes tilode,
se wæs ærboren;      oðer æhte heold
fæder on fultum,      oðþæt forð gewat
975: dægrimes worn.      Hie þa drihtne lac
begen brohton.      Brego engla beseah
on Abeles gield      eagum sinum,
cyning eallwihta,      Caines ne wolde
tiber sceawian.      þæt wæs torn were
980: hefig æt heortan.      Hygewælm asteah
beorne on breostum,      blatende nið,
yrre for æfstum.      He þa unræden
folmum gefremede,      freomæg ofsloh,
broðor sinne,      and his blod ageat,
985: Cain Abeles.      Cwealmdreore swealh
þæs middangeard,      monnes swate.
æfter wælswenge      wea wæs aræred,
tregena tuddor.      Of ðam twige siððan
ludon laðwende      leng swa swiðor
990: reðe wæstme.      Ræhton wide
geond werþeoda      wrohtes telgan,
hrinon hearmtanas      hearde and sare
drihta bearnum,      (doð gieta swa),
of þam brad blado      bealwa gehwilces
995: sprytan ongunnon.      We þæt spell magon,
wælgrimme wyrd,      wope cwiðan,
nales holunge;      ac us hearde sceod
freolecu fæmne      þurh forman gylt
þe wið metod æfre      men gefremeden,
1000: eorðbuende,      siððan Adam wearð
of godes muðe      gaste eacen.
ða worde frægn      wuldres aldor
Cain, hwær Abel      eorðan wære.
Him ða se cystleasa      cwealmes wyrhta
1005: ædre æfter þon      andswarode:
"Ne can ic Abeles      or ne fore,
hleomæges sið,      ne ic hyrde wæs
broðer mines."      Him þa brego engla,
godspedig gast      gean þingade:
1010: "Hwæt, befealdest þu      folmum þinum
wraðum on wælbedd      wærfæstne rinc,
broðor þinne,      and his blod to me
cleopað and cigeð.      þu þæs cwealmes scealt
wite winnan      and on wræc hweorfan,
1015: awyrged to widan aldre.      Ne seleð þe wæstmas eorðe
wlitige to woruldnytte,      ac heo wældreore swealh
halge of handum þinum;      forþon heo þe hroðra oftihð,
glæmes grene folde.      þu scealt geomor hweorfan,
arleas of earde þinum,      swa þu Abele wurde
1020: to feorhbanan;      forþon þu flema scealt
widlast wrecan,      winemagum lað."
Him þa ædre Cain      andswarode:
"Ne þearf ic ænigre      are wenan
on woruldrice,      ac ic forworht hæbbe,
1025: heofona heahcyning,      hyldo þine,
lufan and freode;      forþon ic lastas sceal
wean on wenum      wide lecgan,
hwonne me gemitte      manscyldigne,
se me feor oððe neah      fæhðe gemonige,
1030: broðorcwealmes.      Ic his blod ageat,
dreor on eorðan.      þu to dæge þissum
ademest me fram duguðe      and adrifest from
earde minum.      Me to aldorbanan
weorðeð wraðra sum.      Ic awyrged sceal,
1035: þeoden, of gesyhðe      þinre hweorfan."
Him þa selfa oncwæð      sigora drihten:
"Ne þearft ðu þe ondrædan      deaðes brogan,
feorhcwealm nu giet,      þeah þu from scyle
freomagum feor      fah gewitan.
1040: Gif þe monna hwelc      mundum sinum
aldre beneoteð,      hine on cymeð
æfter þære synne      seofonfeald wracu,
wite æfter weorce."      Hine waldend on,
tirfæst metod,      tacen sette,
1045: freoðobeacen frea,      þy læs hine feonda hwilc
mid guðþræce      gretan dorste
feorran oððe nean.      Heht þa from hweorfan
meder and magum      manscyldigne,
cnosle sinum.      Him þa Cain gewat
1050: gongan geomormod      gode of gesyhðe,
wineleas wrecca,      and him þa wic geceas
eastlandum on,      eðelstowe
fædergeardum feor,      þær him freolecu mæg,
ides æfter æðelum      eaforan fedde.
1055: Se æresta wæs      Enos haten,
frumbearn Caines.      Siððan fæsten ongon
mid þam cneomagum      ceastre timbran;
þæt wæs under wolcnum      weallfæstenna
ærest ealra      þara þe æðelingas,
1060: sweordberende,      settan heton.
þanon his eaforan      ærest wocan,
bearn from bryde,      on þam burhstede.
Se yldesta wæs      Iared haten,
sunu Enoses.      Siððan wocan,
1065: þa þæs cynnes      cneowrim icton,
mægburg Caines.      Malalehel wæs
æfter Iarede      yrfes hyrde
fæder on laste,      oðþæt he forð gewat.
Siððan Mathusal      magum dælde,
1070: bearn æfter bearne      broðrum sinum
æðelinga gestreon,      oðþæt aldorgedal
frod fyrndagum      fremman sceolde,
lif oflætan.      Lameh onfeng
æfter fæder dæge      fletgestealdum,
1075: botlgestreonum.      Him bryda twa,
idesa on eðle      eaforan feddon,
Ada and Sella;      þara anum wæs
Iabal noma,      se þurh gleawne geþanc
herbuendra      hearpan ærest
1080: handum sinum      hlyn awehte,
swinsigende sweg,      sunu Lamehes.
Swylce on ðære mægðe      maga wæs haten
on þa ilcan tid      Tubalcain,
se þurh snytro sped      smiðcræftega wæs,
1085: and þurh modes gemynd      monna ærest,
sunu Lamehes,      sulhgeweorces
fruma wæs ofer foldan,      siððan folca bearn
æres cuðon      and isernes,
burhsittende,      brucan wide.
1090: þa his wifum twæm      wordum sægde
Lameh seolfa,      leofum gebeddum,
Adan and Sellan      unarlic spel:
"Ic on morðor ofsloh      minra sumne
hyldemaga;      honda gewemde
1095: on Caines      cwealme mine,
fylde mid folmum      fæder Enoses,
ordbanan Abeles,      eorðan sealde
wældreor weres.      Wat ic gearwe
þæt þam lichryre      on last cymeð
1100: soðcyninges      seofonfeald wracu,
micel æfter mane.      Min sceal swiðor
mid grimme gryre      golden wurðan
fyll and feorhcwealm,      þonne ic forð scio."
þa wearð Adame      on Abeles gyld
1105: eafora on eðle      oþer feded,
soðfæst sunu,      þam wæs Seth noma.
Se wæs eadig      and his yldrum ðah
freolic to frofre,      fæder and meder,
Adames and Euan,      wæs Abeles gield
1110: on woruldrice.      þa word acwæð
ord moncynnes:      "Me ece sunu
sealde selfa      sigora waldend,
lifes aldor      on leofes stæl,
þæs þe Cain ofsloh,      and me cearsorge
1115: mid þys magotimbre      of mode asceaf
þeoden usser.      Him þæs þanc sie!"
Adam hæfde,      þa he eft ongan
him to eðelstæfe      oðres strienan
bearnes be bryde,      beorn ellenrof,
1120: XXX and C      þisses lifes,
wintra on worulde.      Us gewritu secgað
þæt her eahtahund      iecte siððan
mægðum and mæcgum      mægburg sine
Adam on eorðan;      ealra hæfde
1125: nigenhund wintra
and XXX eac,      þa he þas woruld
þurh gastgedal      ofgyfan sceolde.
Him on laste Seth      leod weardode,
eafora æfter yldrum;      eþelstol heold
1130: and wif begeat.      Wintra hæfde
fif and hundteontig      þa he furðum ongan
his mægburge      men geicean
sunum and dohtrum.      Sethes eafora
se yldesta wæs      Enos haten;
1135: se nemde god      niðþa bearna
ærest ealra,      siððan Adam stop
on grene græs      gaste geweorðad.
Seth wæs gesælig;      siððan strynde
seofon winter her      suna and dohtra
1140: ond eahtahund.      Ealra hæfde
XII and nigonhund,      þa seo tid gewearð
þæt he friðgedal      fremman sceolde.
Him æfter heold,      þa he of worulde gewat,
Enos yrfe,      siððan eorðe swealh
1145: sædberendes      Sethes lice.
He wæs leof gode      and lifde her
wintra hundnigontig      ær he be wife her
þurh gebedscipe      bearn astrynde;
him þa cenned wearð      Cainan ærest
1150: eafora on eðle.      Siððan eahtahund
and fiftyno      on friðo drihtnes
gleawferhð hæleð      geogoðe strynde,
suna and dohtra;      swealt, þa he hæfde,
frod fyrnwita,      V and nigonhund.
1155: þære cneorisse wæs      Cainan siððan
æfter Enose      aldordema,
weard and wisa.      Wintra hæfde
efne hundseofontig      ær him sunu woce.
þa wearð on eðle      eafora feded,
1160: mago Cainanes,      Malalehel wæs haten.
Siððan eahtahund      æðelinga rim
and feowertig eac      feorum geicte
Enoses sunu.      Ealra nigonhund
wintra hæfde      þa he woruld ofgeaf
1165: and tyne eac,      þa his tiddæge
under rodera rum      rim wæs gefylled.
Him on laste heold      land and yrfe
Malalehel siððan      missera worn.
Se frumgara      fif and sixtig
1170: wintra hæfde      þa he be wife ongann
bearna strynan.      Him bryd sunu
meowle to monnum brohte.      Se maga wæs
on his mægðe,      mine gefræge,
guma on geogoðe,      Iared haten.
1175: Lifde siððan      and lissa breac
Malalehel lange,      mondreama her,
woruldgestreona.      Wintra hæfde
fif and hundnigontig,      þa he forð gewat,
and eahtahund;      eaforan læfde
1180: land and leodweard.      Longe siððan
Geared gumum      gold brittade.
Se eorl wæs æðele,      æfæst hæleð,
and se frumgar his      freomagum leof.
Fif and hundteontig      on fyore lifde
1185: wintra gebidenra      on woruldrice
and syxtig eac      þa seo sæl gewearð
þæt his wif sunu      on woruld brohte;
se eafora wæs      Enoc haten,
freolic frumbearn.      Fæder her þa gyt
1190: his cynnes forð      cneorim icte,
eaforan eahtahund;      ealra hæfde
V and syxtig,      þa he forð gewat,
and nigonhund eac      nihtgerimes,
wine frod wintres,      þa he þas woruld ofgeaf
1195: ond Geared þa      gleawum læfde
land and leodweard,      leofum rince.
Enoch siððan      ealdordom ahof,
freoðosped folces wisa,      nalles feallan let
dom and drihtscipe,
1200: þenden he hyrde wæs      heafodmaga.
Breac blæddaga,      bearna strynde
þreohund wintra.      Him wæs þeoden hold,
rodera waldend.      Se rinc heonon
on lichoman      lisse sohte,
1205: drihtnes duguðe,      nales deaðe swealt
middangeardes,      swa her men doþ,
geonge and ealde,      þonne him god heora
æhta and ætwist      eorðan gestreona
on genimeð      and heora aldor somed,
1210: ac he cwic gewat      mid cyning engla
of þyssum lænan      life feran
on þam gearwum      þe his gast onfeng
ær hine to monnum      modor brohte.
He þam yldestan      eaforan læfde
1215: folc, frumbearne;      V and syxtig
wintra hæfde      þa he woruld ofgeaf,
and eac III hund.      þrage siððan
Mathusal heold      maga yrfe,
se on lichoman      lengest þissa
1220: worulddreama breac.      Worn gestrynde
ær his swyltdæge      suna and dohtra;
hæfde frod hæle,      þa he from sceolde
niþþum hweorfan,      nigonhund wintra
and hundseofontig to.      Sunu æfter heold,
1225: Lamech leodgeard,      lange siððan
woruld bryttade.      Wintra hæfde
twa and hundteontig      þa seo tid gewearð
þæt se eorl ongan      æðele cennan,
sunu and dohtor.      Siððan lifde
1230: fif and hundnigontig,      frea moniges breac
wintra under wolcnum,      werodes aldor,
and V hund eac;      heold þæt folc teala,
bearna strynde,      him byras wocan,
eaforan and idesa.      He þone yldestan
1235: Noe nemde,      se niððum ær
land bryttade      siððan Lamech gewat.
Hæfde æðelinga      aldorwisa
V hund wintra      þa he furðum ongan
bearna strynan,      þæs þe bec cweðaþ.
1240: Sem wæs haten      sunu Noes,
se yldesta,      oðer Cham,
þridda Iafeth.      þeoda tymdon
rume under roderum,      rim miclade
monna mægðe      geond middangeard
1245: sunum and dohtrum.      ða giet wæs Sethes cynn,
leofes leodfruman      on lufan swiðe
drihtne dyre      and domeadig,
oðþæt bearn godes      bryda ongunnon
on Caines      cynne secan,
1250: wergum folce,      and him þær wif curon
ofer metodes est      monna eaforan,
scyldfulra mægð      scyne and fægere.
þa reordade      rodora waldend
wrað moncynne      and þa worde cwæð:
1255: "Ne syndon me on ferhðe freo      from gewitene
cneorisn Caines,      ac me þæt cynn hafað
sare abolgen.      Nu me Sethes bearn
torn niwiað      and him to nimað
mægeð to gemæccum      minra feonda;
1260: þær wifa wlite      onwod grome,
idesa ansien,      and ece feond
folcdriht wera,      þa ær on friðe wæron."
Siððan hundtwelftig      geteled rime
wintra on worulde      wræce bisgodon
1265: fæge þeoda,      hwonne frea wolde
on wærlogan      wite settan
and on deað slean      dædum scyldige
gigantmæcgas,      gode unleofe,
micle mansceaðan,      metode laðe.
1270: þa geseah selfa      sigoro waldend
hwæt wæs monna      manes on eorðan
and þæt hie wæron      womma ðriste,
inwitfulle.      He þæt unfægere
wera cneorissum      gewrecan þohte,
1275: forgripan gumcynne      grimme and sare,
heardum mihtum.      Hreaw hine swiðe
þæt he folcmægþa      fruman aweahte,
æðelinga ord,      þa he Adam sceop,
cwæð þæt he wolde      for wera synnum
1280: eall aæðan      þæt on eorðan wæs,
forleosan lica gehwilc      þara þe lifes gast
fæðmum þeahte.      Eall þæt frea wolde
on ðære toweardan      tide acwellan
þe þa nealæhte      niðða bearnum.
1285: Noe wæs god,      nergende leof,
swiðe gesælig,      sunu Lameches,
domfæst and gedefe.      Drihten wiste
þæt þæs æðelinges      ellen dohte
breostgehygdum;      forðon him brego sægde,
1290: halig æt hleoðre,      helm allwihta,
hwæt he fah werum      fremman wolde;
geseah unrihte      eorðan fulle,
side sælwongas      synnum gehladene,
widlum gewemde.      þa waldend spræc,
1295: nergend usser,      and to Noe cwæð:
"Ic wille mid flode      folc acwellan
and cynna gehwilc      cucra wuhta,
þara þe lyft and flod      lædað and fedað,
feoh and fuglas.      þu scealt frið habban
1300: mid sunum þinum,      ðonne sweart wæter,
wonne wælstreamas      werodum swelgað,
sceaðum scyldfullum.      Ongyn þe scip wyrcan,
merehus micel.      On þam þu monegum scealt
reste geryman,      and rihte setl
1305: ælcum æfter agenum      eorðan tudre.
Gescype scylfan      on scipes bosme.
þu þæt fær gewyrc      fiftiges wid,
ðrittiges heah      and þreohund lang
elngemeta,      and wið yða gewyrc
1310: gefeg fæste.      þær sceal fæsl wesan
cwiclifigendra      cynna gehwilces
on þæt wudufæsten      wocor gelæded
eorðan tudres;      earc sceal þy mare."
Noe fremede      swa hine nergend heht,
1315: hyrde þam halgan      heofoncyninge,
ongan ofostlice      þæt hof wyrcan,
micle merecieste.      Magum sægde
þæt wæs þrealic þing      þeodum toweard,
reðe wite.      Hie ne rohton þæs!
1320: Geseah þa ymb wintra worn      wærfæst metod
geofonhusa mæst      gearo hlifigean,
innan and utan      eorðan lime
gefæstnod wið flode,      fær Noes,
þy selestan.      þæt is syndrig cynn;
1325: symle bið þy heardra      þe hit hreoh wæter,
swearte sæstreamas      swiðor beatað.
ða to Noe cwæð      nergend usser:
"Ic þe þæs mine,      monna leofost,
wære gesylle,      þæt þu weg nimest
1330: and feora fæsl      þe þu ferian scealt
geond deop wæter      dægrimes worn
on lides bosme.      Læd, swa ic þe hate,
under earce bord      eaforan þine,
frumgaran þry,      and eower feower wif.
1335: Ond þu seofone genim      on þæt sundreced
tudra gehwilces      geteled rimes,
þara þe to mete      mannum lifige,
and þara oðerra      ælces twa.
Swilce þu of eallum      eorðan wæstmum
1340: wiste under wægbord      werodum gelæde,
þam þe mid sceolon      mereflod nesan.
Fed freolice      feora wocre
oð ic þære lafe      lagosiða eft
reorde under roderum      ryman wille.
1345: Gewit þu nu mid hiwum      on þæt hof gangan,
gasta werode.      Ic þe godne wat,
fæsthydigne;      þu eart freoðo wyrðe,
ara mid eaforum.      Ic on andwlitan
nu ofor seofon niht      sigan læte
1350: wællregn ufan      widre eorðan.
Feowertig daga      fæhðe ic wille
on weras stælan      and mid wægþreate
æhta and agend      eall acwellan
þa beutan beoð      earce bordum
1355: þonne sweart racu      stigan onginneð."
Him þa Noe gewat,      swa hine nergend het,
under earce bord      eaforan lædan,
weras on wægþæl      and heora wif somed;
and eall þæt to fæsle      frea ælmihtig
1360: habban wolde      under hrof gefor
to heora ætgifan,      swa him ælmihtig
weroda drihten      þurh his word abead.
Him on hoh beleac      heofonrices weard
merehuses muð      mundum sinum,
1365: sigora waldend,      and segnade
earce innan      agenum spedum
nergend usser.      Noe hæfde,
sunu Lameches,      syxhund wintra
þa he mid bearnum      under bord gestah,
1370: gleaw mid geogoðe,      be godes hæse,
dugeðum dyrum.      Drihten sende
regn from roderum      and eac rume let
willeburnan      on woruld þringan
of ædra gehwære,      egorstreamas
1375: swearte swogan.      Sæs up stigon
ofer stæðweallas.      Strang wæs and reðe
se ðe wætrum weold;      wreah and þeahte
manfæhðu bearn      middangeardes
wonnan wæge,      wera eðelland;
1380: hof hergode,      hygeteonan wræc
metod on monnum.      Mere swiðe grap
on fæge folc      feowertig daga,
nihta oðer swilc.      Nið wæs reðe,
wællgrim werum;      wuldorcyninges
1385: yða wræcon      arleasra feorh
of flæschoman.      Flod ealle wreah,
hreoh under heofonum      hea beorgas
geond sidne grund      and on sund ahof
earce from eorðan      and þa æðelo mid,
1390: þa segnade      selfa drihten,
scyppend usser,      þa he þæt scip beleac.
Siððan wide rad      wolcnum under
ofer holmes hrincg      hof seleste,
for mid fearme.      Fære ne moston
1395: wægliðendum      wætres brogan
hæste hrinon,      ac hie halig god
ferede and nerede.      Fiftena stod
deop ofer dunum      se drenceflod
monnes elna;      þæt is mæro wyrd!
1400: þam æt niehstan      wæs nan to gedale,
nymþe heof wæs ahafen      on þa hean lyft,
þa se egorhere      eorðan tuddor
eall acwealde,      buton þæt earce bord
heold heofona frea,      þa hine halig god
1405: ece upp forlet      edmodne flod
streamum stigan,      stiðferhð cyning.
þa gemunde god      mereliðende,
sigora waldend      sunu Lameches
and ealle þa wocre      þe he wið wætre beleac,
1410: lifes leohtfruma,      on lides bosme.
Gelædde þa wigend      weroda drihten
worde ofer widland.      Willflod ongan
lytligan eft.      Lago ebbade,
sweart under swegle.      Hæfde soð metod
1415: eaforum egstream      eft gecyrred,
torhtne ryne,      regn gestilled.
For famig scip      L and C
nihta under roderum,      siððan nægledbord,
fær seleste,      flod up ahof,
1420: oðþæt rimgetæl      reðre þrage
daga forð gewat.      ða on dunum gesæt
heah mid hlæste      holmærna mæst,
earc Noes,      þe Armenia
hatene syndon.      þær se halga bad,
1425: sunu Lameches,      soðra gehata
lange þrage,      hwonne him lifes weard
frea ælmihtig      frecenra siða
reste ageafe,      þæra he rume dreah
þa hine on sunde      geond sidne grund
1430: wonne yða      wide bæron.
Holm wæs heononweard;      hæleð langode,
wægliðende,      swilce wif heora,
hwonne hie of nearwe      ofer nægledbord
ofer streamstaðe      stæppan mosten
1435: and of enge ut      æhta lædan.
þa fandode      forðweard scipes,
hwæðer sincende      sæflod þa gyt
wære under wolcnum.      Let þa ymb worn daga
þæs þe heah hlioðo      horde onfengon
1440: and æðelum eac      eorðan tudres
sunu Lameches      sweartne fleogan
hrefn ofer heahflod      of huse ut.
Noe tealde      þæt he on neod hine,
gif he on þære lade      land ne funde,
1445: ofer sid wæter      secan wolde
on wægþele.      Eft him seo wen geleah,
ac se feonde gespearn      fleotende hreaw;
salwigfeðera      secan nolde.
He þa ymb seofon niht      sweartum hrefne
1450: of earce forlet      æfter fleogan
ofer heah wæter      haswe culufran
on fandunga      hwæðer famig sæ
deop þa gyta      dæl ænigne
grenre eorðan      ofgifen hæfde.
1455: Heo wide hire      willan sohte
and rume fleah.      Nohweðere reste fand,
þæt heo for flode      fotum ne meahte
land gespornan      ne on leaf treowes
steppan for streamum,      ac wæron steap hleoðo
1460: bewrigen mid wætrum.      Gewat se wilda fugel
on æfenne      earce secan
ofer wonne wæg,      werig sigan,
hungri to handa      halgum rince.
ða wæs culufre eft      of cofan sended
1465: ymb wucan wilde.      Seo wide fleah
oðþæt heo rumgal      restestowe
fægere funde      and þa fotum stop
on beam hyre;      gefeah bliðemod
þæs þe heo gesittan      swiðe werig
1470: on treowes telgum      torhtum moste.
Heo feðera onsceoc,      gewat fleogan eft
mid lacum hire,      liðend brohte
elebeames twig      an to handa,
grene blædæ.      þa ongeat hraðe
1475: flotmonna frea      þæt wæs frofor cumen,
earfoðsiða bot.      þa gyt se eadega wer
ymb wucan þriddan      wilde culufran
ane sende.      Seo eft ne com
to lide fleogan,      ac heo land begeat,
1480: grene bearwas;      nolde gladu æfre
under salwed bord      syððan ætywan
on þellfæstenne,      þa hire þearf ne wæs.
þa to Noe spræc      nergend usser,
heofonrices weard,      halgan reorde:
1485: "þe is eðelstol      eft gerymed,
lisse on lande,      lagosiða rest
fæger on foldan.      Gewit on freðo gangan
ut of earce,      and on eorðan bearm
of þam hean hofe      hiwan læd þu
1490: and ealle þa wocre      þe ic wægþrea on
liðe nerede      þenden lago hæfde
þrymme geþeahtne      þriddan eðyl."
He fremede swa      and frean hyrde,
stah ofer streamweall,      swa him seo stefn bebead,
1495: lustum miclum,      and alædde þa
of wægþele      wraðra lafe.
þa Noe ongan      nergende lac
rædfæst reðran,      and recene genam
on eallum dæl      æhtum sinum,
1500: ðam ðe him to dugeðum      drihten sealde,
gleaw to þam gielde,      and þa gode selfum
torhtmod hæle      tiber onsægde,
cyninge engla.      Huru cuð dyde
nergend usser,      þa he Noe
1505: gebletsade      and his bearn somed,
þæt he þæt gyld on þanc      agifen hæfde
and on geogoðhade      godum dædum
ær geearnod      þæt him ealra wæs
ara este      ælmihtig god,
1510: domfæst dugeþa.      þa gyt drihten cwæð,
wuldris aldor      word to Noe:
"Tymað nu and tiedrað,      tires brucað,
mid gefean fryðo;      fyllað eorðan,
eall geiceað.      Eow is eðelstol
1515: and holmes hlæst      and heofonfuglas
and wildu deor      on geweald geseald,
eorðe ælgrene      and eacen feoh.
Næfre ge mid blode      beodgereordu
unarlice      eowre þicgeað,
1520: besmiten mid synne      sawldreore.
ælc hine selfa      ærest begrindeð
gastes dugeðum      þæra þe mid gares orde
oðrum aldor oðþringeð.      Ne ðearf he þy edleane gefeon
modgeþance,      ac ic monnes feorh
1525: to slagan sece      swiðor micle,
and to broðor banan,      þæs þe blodgyte,
wællfyll weres      wæpnum gespedeð,
morð mid mundum.      Monn wæs to godes
anlicnesse    &n