Genesis A, B

Verse Indeterminate Unknown

Us is riht micel ðæt we rodera weard,
wereda wuldorcining, wordum herigen,
modum lufien! He is mægna sped,
heafod ealra heahgesceafta,
5
frea ælmihtig. Næs him fruma æfre,
or geworden, ne nu ende cymþ
ecean drihtnes, ac he bið a rice
ofer heofenstolas. Heagum þrymmum
soðfæst and swiðfeorm sweglbosmas heold,
10
þa wæron gesette wide and side
þurh geweald godes wuldres bearnum,
gasta weardum. Hæfdon gleam and dream,
and heora ordfruman, engla þreatas,
beorhte blisse. Wæs heora blæd micel!
15
þegnas þrymfæste þeoden heredon,
sægdon lustum lof, heora liffrean
demdon, drihtenes dugeþum wæron
swiðe gesælige. Synna ne cuþon,
firena fremman, ac hie on friðe lifdon,
20
ece mid heora aldor. Elles ne ongunnon
ræran on roderum nymþe riht and soþ,
ærðon engla weard for oferhygde
dwæl on gedwilde. Noldan dreogan leng
heora selfra ræd, ac hie of siblufan
25
godes ahwurfon. Hæfdon gielp micel
þæt hie wið drihtne dælan meahton
wuldorfæstan wic werodes þrymme,
sid and swegltorht. Him þær sar gelamp,
æfst and oferhygd, and þæs engles mod
30
þe þone unræd ongan ærest fremman,
wefan and weccean, þa he worde cwæð,
niþes ofþyrsted, þæt he on norðdæle
ham and heahsetl heofena rices
agan wolde. þa wearð yrre god
35
and þam werode wrað þe he ær wurðode
wlite and wuldre. Sceop þam werlogan
wræclicne ham weorce to leane,
helleheafas, hearde niðas.
Heht þæt witehus wræcna bidan,
40
deop, dreama leas, drihten ure,
gasta weardas, þa he hit geare wiste,
synnihte beseald, susle geinnod,
geondfolen fyre and færcyle,
rece and reade lege. Heht þa geond þæt rædlease hof
45
weaxan witebrogan. Hæfdon hie wrohtgeteme
grimme wið god gesomnod; him þæs grim lean becom!
Cwædon þæt heo rice, reðemode,
agan woldan, and swa eaðe meahtan.
Him seo wen geleah, siððan waldend his,
50
heofona heahcining, honda arærde,
hehste wið þam herge. Ne mihton hygelease,
mæne wið metode, mægyn bryttigan,
ac him se mæra mod getwæfde,
bælc forbigde. þa he gebolgen wearð,
55
besloh synsceaþan sigore and gewealde,
dome and dugeðe, and dreame benam
his feond, friðo and gefean ealle,
torhte tire, and his torn gewræc
on gesacum swiðe selfes mihtum
60
strengum stiepe. Hæfde styrne mod,
gegremed grymme, grap on wraðe
faum folmum, and him on fæðm gebræc
yrre on mode; æðele bescyrede
his wiðerbrecan wuldorgestealdum.
65
Sceof þa and scyrede scyppend ure
oferhidig cyn engla of heofnum,
wærleas werod. Waldend sende
laðwendne here on langne sið,
geomre gastas; wæs him gylp forod,
70
beot forborsten, and forbiged þrym,
wlite gewemmed. Heo on wrace syððan
seomodon swearte, siðe ne þorfton
hlude hlihhan, ac heo helltregum
werige wunodon and wean cuðon,
75
sar and sorge, susl þrowedon
þystrum beþeahte, þearl æfterlean
þæs þe heo ongunnon wið gode winnan.
þa wæs soð swa ær sibb on heofnum,
fægre freoþoþeawas, frea eallum leof,
80
þeoden his þegnum; þrymmas weoxon
duguða mid drihtne, dreamhæbbendra.
Wæron þa gesome, þa þe swegl buað,
wuldres eðel. Wroht wæs asprungen,
oht mid englum and orlegnið,
85
siððan herewosan heofon ofgæfon,
leohte belorene. Him on laste setl,
wuldorspedum welig, wide stodan
gifum growende on godes rice,
beorht and geblædfæst, buendra leas,
90
siððan wræcstowe werige gastas
under hearmlocan heane geforan.
þa þeahtode þeoden ure
modgeþonce, hu he þa mæran gesceaft,
eðelstaðolas eft gesette,
95
swegltorhtan seld, selran werode,
þa hie gielpsceaþan ofgifen hæfdon,
heah on heofenum. Forþam halig god
under roderas feng, ricum mihtum,
wolde þæt him eorðe and uproder
100
and sid wæter geseted wurde
woruldgesceafte on wraðra gield,
þara þe forhealdene of hleo sende.
Ne wæs her þa giet nymþe heolstersceado
wiht geworden, ac þes wida grund
105
stod deop and dim, drihtne fremde,
idel and unnyt. On þone eagum wlat
stiðfrihþ cining, and þa stowe beheold,
dreama lease, geseah deorc gesweorc
semian sinnihte sweart under roderum,
110
wonn and weste, oðþæt þeos woruldgesceaft
þurh word gewearð wuldorcyninges.
Her ærest gesceop ece drihten,
helm eallwihta, heofon and eorðan,
rodor arærde, and þis rume land
115
gestaþelode strangum mihtum,
frea ælmihtig. Folde wæs þa gyta
græs ungrene; garsecg þeahte
sweart synnihte, side and wide,
wonne 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