Genesis

Ed. Murray McGillivray. Online Corpus of Old English Poetry (OCOEP). Edition in progress. This file last updated 12/12/07.

: 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 wearð    for oferhygde
dæl 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 bryttigin,
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    gesette 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 gyt,
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 gescaft.    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 gefeterode. . .
[Leaves are missing from the manuscript at this point.]
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
þurh lengo 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   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 . . . ."
[Leaves are missing from the manuscript at this point.]
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
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 habban.
475: 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 sceates ðearf
ne wurde on worulde.   Nu þu willan hæfst,
505: hyldo geworhte   heofoncyninges,
to þance geþenod   þinum hearan,
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 butu
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 laðtreow
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,
blið 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    anforleten,
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 hire 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 heard,    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 butu 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,
foreweard 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    butu ætsomne
wesan to wuhte.    Uton gan on þysne weald innan,
840: on þisses holtes hleo."    Hwurfon hie batwa,
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    butu 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    þa 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    werg þinum breostum,
bearme tredan    brade 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 he 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 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 fæder 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 sealde
sunu 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 eðulstæfe    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 heo 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    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.