View source for Battle of Maldon (Anglo-Saxon)

'''The [[Battle of Maldon]]'''<br>
The Original Anglo-Saxon<br>
(Verse Indeterminate Saxon)

<poem> 
   &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;   brocen wurde. 
Het þa hyssa hwæne &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;    hors forlætan, 
feor afysan,   &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;    and forð gangan, 
hicgan to handum   &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;    and to hige godum. 

'''5''' 
þa þæt Offan mæg   &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;    ærest onfunde, 
þæt se eorl nolde   &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;    yrhðo geþolian, 
he let him þa of handon   &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;    leofne fleogan 
hafoc wið þæs holtes,   &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;    and to þære hilde stop; 
be þam man mihte oncnawan   &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;    þæt se cniht nolde 

'''10''' 
wacian æt þam wige,   &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;    þa he to wæpnum feng. 
Eac him wolde Eadric   &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;    his ealdre gelæstan, 
frean to gefeohte,   &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;    ongan þa forð beran 
gar to guþe.   &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;    He hæfde god geþanc 
þa hwile þe he mid handum   &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;    healdan mihte 

'''15''' 
bord and bradswurd;   &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;    beot he gelæste 
þa he ætforan his frean   &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;    feohtan sceolde. 
ða þær Byrhtnoð ongan   &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;    beornas trymian, 
rad and rædde,   &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;    rincum tæhte 
hu hi sceoldon standan   &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;    and þone stede healdan, 

'''20''' 
and bæd þæt hyra randas   &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;    rihte heoldon 
fæste mid folman,   &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;    and ne forhtedon na. 
þa he hæfde þæt folc   &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;    fægere getrymmed, 
he lihte þa mid leodon   &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;    þær him leofost wæs, 
þær he his heorðwerod   &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;    holdost wiste. 

'''25''' 
þa stod on stæðe,   &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;    stiðlice clypode 
wicinga ar,   &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;    wordum mælde, 
se on beot abead   &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;    brimliþendra 
ærænde to þam eorle,   &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;    þær he on ofre stod: 
"Me sendon to þe   &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;    sæmen snelle, 

'''30''' 
heton ðe secgan   &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;    þæt þu most sendan raðe 
beagas wið gebeorge;   &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;    and eow betere is 
þæt ge þisne garræs   &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;    mid gafole forgyldon, 
þon we swa hearde   &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;    hilde dælon. 
Ne þurfe we us spillan,   &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;    gif ge spedaþ to þam; 

'''35'''
we willað wið þam golde   &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;    grið fæstnian. 
Gyf þu þat gerædest,   &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;    þe her ricost eart, 
þæt þu þine leoda   &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;    lysan wille, 
syllan sæmannum   &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;    on hyra sylfra dom 
feoh wið freode,   &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;    and niman frið æt us, 

'''40''' 
we willaþ mid þam sceattum   &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;    us to scype gangan, 
on flot feran,   &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;    and eow friþes healdan." 
Byrhtnoð maþelode,   &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;    bord hafenode, 
wand wacne æsc,   &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;    wordum mælde, 
yrre and anræd   &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;    ageaf him andsware: 

'''45''' 
"Gehyrst þu, sælida,   &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;    hwæt þis folc segeð? 
Hi willað eow to gafole   &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;    garas syllan, 
ættrynne ord   &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;    and ealde swurd, 
þa heregeatu   &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;    þe eow æt hilde ne deah. 
Brimmanna boda,   &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;    abeod eft ongean, 

'''50''' 
sege þinum leodum   &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;    miccle laþre spell, 
þæt her stynt unforcuð   &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;    eorl mid his werode, 
þe wile gealgean   &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;    eþel þysne, 
æþelredes eard,   &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;    ealdres mines, 
folc and foldan.   &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;    Feallan sceolon 

'''55''' 
hæþene æt hilde.   &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;    To heanlic me þinceð 
þæt ge mid urum sceattum   &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;    to scype gangon 
unbefohtene,   &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;    nu ge þus feor hider 
on urne eard   &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;    in becomon. 
Ne sceole ge swa softe   &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;    sinc gegangan; 

'''60''' 
us sceal ord and ecg   &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;    ær geseman, 
grim guðplega,   &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;    ær we gofol syllon." 
Het þa bord beran,   &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;    beornas gangan, 
þæt hi on þam easteðe   &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;    ealle stodon. 
Ne mihte þær for wætere   &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;    werod to þam oðrum; 

'''65''' 
þær com flowende   &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;    flod æfter ebban, 
lucon lagustreamas.   &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;    To lang hit him þuhte, 
hwænne hi togædere   &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;    garas beron. 
Hi þær Pantan stream   &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;    mid prasse bestodon, 
Eastseaxena ord   &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;    and se æschere. 

'''70''' 
Ne mihte hyra ænig   &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;    oþrum derian, 
buton hwa þurh flanes flyht   &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;    fyl gename. 
Se flod ut gewat;   &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;    þa flotan stodon gearowe, 
wicinga fela,   &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;    wiges georne. 
Het þa hæleða hleo   &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;    healdan þa bricge 

'''75''' 
wigan wigheardne,   &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;    se wæs haten Wulfstan, 
cafne mid his cynne,   &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;    þæt wæs Ceolan sunu, 
þe ðone forman man   &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;    mid his francan ofsceat 
þe þær baldlicost   &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;    on þa bricge stop. 
þær stodon mid Wulfstane   &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;    wigan unforhte, 

'''80''' 
ælfere and Maccus,   &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;    modige twegen, 
þa noldon æt þam forda   &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;    fleam gewyrcan, 
ac hi fæstlice   &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;    wið ða fynd weredon, 
þa hwile þe hi wæpna   &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;    wealdan moston. 
þa hi þæt ongeaton   &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;    and georne gesawon 

'''85''' 
þæt hi þær bricgweardas   &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;    bitere fundon, 
ongunnon lytegian þa   &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;    laðe gystas, 
bædon þæt hi upgang   &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;    agan moston, 
ofer þone ford faran,   &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;    feþan lædan. 
ða se eorl ongan   &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;    for his ofermode 

'''90''' 
alyfan landes to fela   &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;    laþere ðeode. 
Ongan ceallian þa   &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;    ofer cald wæter 
Byrhtelmes bearn   &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;    (beornas gehlyston): 
"Nu eow is gerymed,   &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;    gað ricene to us, 
guman to guþe;   &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;    god ana wat 

'''95''' 
hwa þære wælstowe   &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;    wealdan mote." 
Wodon þa wælwulfas   &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;    (for wætere ne murnon), 
wicinga werod,   &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;    west ofer Pantan, 
ofer scir wæter   &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;    scyldas wegon, 
lidmen to lande   &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;    linde bæron. 

'''100''' 
þær ongean gramum   &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;    gearowe stodon 
Byrhtnoð mid beornum;   &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;    he mid bordum het 
wyrcan þone wihagan,   &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;    and þæt werod healdan 
fæste wið feondum.   &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;    þa wæs feohte neh, 
tir æt getohte.   &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;    Wæs seo tid cumen 

'''105''' 
þæt þær fæge men   &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;    feallan sceoldon. 
þær wearð hream ahafen,   &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;    hremmas wundon, 
earn æses georn;   &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;    wæs on eorþan cyrm. 
Hi leton þa of folman   &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;    feolhearde speru, 
gegrundene   &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;    garas fleogan; 

'''110''' 
bogan wæron bysige,   &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;    bord ord onfeng. 
Biter wæs se beaduræs,   &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;    beornas feollon 
on gehwæðere hand,   &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;    hyssas lagon. 
Wund wearð Wulfmær,   &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;    wælræste geceas, 
Byrhtnoðes mæg;   &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;    he mid billum wearð, 

'''115''' 
his swuster sunu,   &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;    swiðe forheawen. 
þær wearð wicingum   &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;    wiþerlean agyfen. 
Gehyrde ic þæt Eadweard   &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;    anne sloge 
swiðe mid his swurde,   &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;    swenges ne wyrnde, 
þæt him æt fotum   &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;    feoll fæge cempa; 

'''120''' 
þæs him his ðeoden   &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;    þanc gesæde, 
þam burþene,   &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;    þa he byre hæfde. 
Swa stemnetton   &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;    stiðhicgende 
hysas æt hilde,   &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;    hogodon georne 
hwa þær mid orde   &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;    ærost mihte 

'''125''' 
on fægean men   &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;    feorh gewinnan, 
wigan mid wæpnum;   &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;    wæl feol on eorðan. 
Stodon stædefæste;   &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;    stihte hi Byrhtnoð, 
bæd þæt hyssa gehwylc   &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;    hogode to wige 
þe on Denon wolde   &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;    dom gefeohtan. 

'''130''' 
Wod þa wiges heard,   &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;    wæpen up ahof, 
bord to gebeorge,   &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;    and wið þæs beornes stop. 
Eode swa anræd   &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;    eorl to þam ceorle, 
ægþer hyra oðrum   &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;    yfeles hogode. 
Sende ða se særinc   &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;    suþerne gar, 

'''135''' 
þæt gewundod wearð   &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;    wigena hlaford; 
he sceaf þa mid ðam scylde,   &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;    þæt se sceaft tobærst, 
and þæt spere sprengde,   &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;    þæt hit sprang ongean. 
Gegremod wearð se guðrinc;   &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;    he mid gare stang 
wlancne wicing,   &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;    þe him þa wunde forgeaf. 

'''140''' 
Frod wæs se fyrdrinc;   &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;    he let his francan wadan 
þurh ðæs hysses hals,   &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;    hand wisode 
þæt he on þam færsceaðan   &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;    feorh geræhte. 
ða he oþerne   &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;    ofstlice sceat, 
þæt seo byrne tobærst;   &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;    he wæs on breostum wund 

'''145'''
þurh ða hringlocan,   &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;    him æt heortan stod 
ætterne ord.   &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;    Se eorl wæs þe bliþra, 
hloh þa, modi man,   &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;    sæde metode þanc 
ðæs dægweorces   &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;    þe him drihten forgeaf. 
Forlet þa drenga sum   &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;    daroð of handa, 

'''150''' 
fleogan of folman,   &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;    þæt se to forð gewat 
þurh ðone æþelan   &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;    æþelredes þegen. 
Him be healfe stod   &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;    hyse unweaxen, 
cniht on gecampe,   &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;    se full caflice 
bræd of þam beorne   &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;    blodigne gar, 

'''155''' 
Wulfstanes bearn,   &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;    Wulfmær se geonga, 
forlet forheardne   &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;    faran eft ongean; 
ord in gewod,   &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;    þæt se on eorþan læg 
þe his þeoden ær   &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;    þearle geræhte. 
Eode þa gesyrwed   &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;    secg to þam eorle; 

'''160''' 
he wolde þæs beornes   &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;    beagas gefecgan, 
reaf and hringas   &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;    and gerenod swurd. 
þa Byrhtnoð bræd   &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;    bill of sceðe, 
brad and bruneccg,   &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;    and on þa byrnan sloh. 
To raþe hine gelette   &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;    lidmanna sum, 

'''165''' 
þa he þæs eorles   &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;    earm amyrde. 
Feoll þa to foldan   &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;    fealohilte swurd; 
ne mihte he gehealdan   &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;    heardne mece, 
wæpnes wealdan.   &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;    þa gyt þæt word gecwæð 
har hilderinc,   &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;    hyssas bylde, 

'''170''' 
bæd gangan forð   &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;    gode geferan; 
ne mihte þa on fotum leng   &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;    fæste gestandan. 
He to heofenum wlat:   &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;    
"Geþancie þe,   &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;    ðeoda waldend, 
ealra þæra wynna   &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;    þe ic on worulde gebad. 

'''175''' 
Nu ic ah, milde metod,   &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;    mæste þearfe 
þæt þu minum gaste   &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;    godes geunne, 
þæt min sawul to ðe   &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;    siðian mote 
on þin geweald,   &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;    þeoden engla, 
mid friþe ferian.   &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;    Ic eom frymdi to þe 

'''180''' 
þæt hi helsceaðan   &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;    hynan ne moton." 
ða hine heowon   &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;    hæðene scealcas 
and begen þa beornas   &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;    þe him big stodon, 
ælfnoð and Wulmær   &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;    begen lagon, 
ða onemn hyra frean   &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;    feorh gesealdon. 

'''185''' 
Hi bugon þa fram beaduwe   &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;    þe þær beon noldon. 
þær wearð Oddan bearn   &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;    ærest on fleame, 
Godric fram guþe,   &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;    and þone godan forlet 
þe him mænigne oft   &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;    mear gesealde; 
he gehleop þone eoh   &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;    þe ahte his hlaford, 

'''190''' 
on þam gerædum   &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;    þe hit riht ne wæs, 
and his broðru mid him   &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;    begen ærndon, 
Godwine and Godwig,   &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;    guþe ne gymdon, 
ac wendon fram þam wige   &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;    and þone wudu sohton, 
flugon on þæt fæsten   &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;    and hyra feore burgon, 

'''195''' 
and manna ma   &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;    þonne hit ænig mæð wære, 
gyf hi þa geearnunga   &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;    ealle gemundon 
þe he him to duguþe   &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;    gedon hæfde. 
Swa him Offa on dæg   &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;    ær asæde 
on þam meþelstede,   &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;    þa he gemot hæfde, 

'''200''' 
þæt þær modiglice   &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;    manega spræcon 
þe eft æt þearfe   &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;    þolian noldon. 
þa wearð afeallen   &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;    þæs folces ealdor, 
æþelredes eorl;   &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;    ealle gesawon 
heorðgeneatas   &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;    þæt hyra heorra læg. 

'''205''' 
þa ðær wendon forð   &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;    wlance þegenas, 
unearge men   &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;    efston georne; 
hi woldon þa ealle   &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;    oðer twega, 
lif forlætan   &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;    oððe leofne gewrecan. 
Swa hi bylde forð   &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;    bearn ælfrices, 

'''210''' 
wiga wintrum geong,   &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;    wordum mælde, 
ælfwine þa cwæð,   &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;    he on ellen spræc: 
"Gemunan þa mæla   &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;    þe we oft æt meodo spræcon, 
þonne we on bence   &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;    beot ahofon, 
hæleð on healle,   &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;    ymbe heard gewinn; 

'''215''' 
nu mæg cunnian   &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;    hwa cene sy. 
Ic wylle mine æþelo   &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;    eallum gecyþan, 
þæt ic wæs on Myrcon   &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;    miccles cynnes; 
wæs min ealda fæder   &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;    Ealhelm haten, 
wis ealdorman,   &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;    woruldgesælig. 

'''220''' 
Ne sceolon me on þære þeode   &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;    þegenas ætwitan 
þæt ic of ðisse fyrde   &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;    feran wille, 
eard gesecan,   &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;    nu min ealdor ligeð 
forheawen æt hilde.   &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;    Me is þæt hearma mæst; 
he wæs ægðer min mæg   &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;    and min hlaford." 

'''225''' 
þa he forð eode,   &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;    fæhðe gemunde, 
þæt he mid orde   &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;    anne geræhte 
flotan on þam folce,   &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;    þæt se on foldan læg 
forwegen mid his wæpne.   &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;    Ongan þa winas manian, 
frynd and geferan,   &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;    þæt hi forð eodon. 

'''230'''
Offa gemælde,   &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;    æscholt asceoc: 
"Hwæt þu, ælfwine, hafast   &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;    ealle gemanode 
þegenas to þearfe,   &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;    nu ure þeoden lið, 
eorl on eorðan.   &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;    Us is eallum þearf 
þæt ure æghwylc   &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;    oþerne bylde 

'''235''' 
wigan to wige,   &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;    þa hwile þe he wæpen mæge 
habban and healdan,   &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;    heardne mece, 
gar and godswurd.   &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;    Us Godric hæfð, 
earh Oddan bearn,   &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;    ealle beswicene. 
Wende þæs formoni man,   &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;    þa he on meare rad, 

'''240''' 
on wlancan þam wicge,   &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;    þæt wære hit ure hlaford; 
forþan wearð her on felda   &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;    folc totwæmed, 
scyldburh tobrocen.   &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;    Abreoðe his angin, 
þæt he her swa manigne   &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;    man aflymde!" 
Leofsunu gemælde   &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;    and his linde ahof, 

'''245''' 
bord to gebeorge;   &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;    he þam beorne oncwæð: 
"Ic þæt gehate,   &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;    þæt ic heonon nelle 
fleon fotes trym,   &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;    ac wille furðor gan, 
wrecan on gewinne   &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;    minne winedrihten. 
Ne þurfon me embe Sturmere   &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;    stedefæste hælæð 

'''250''' 
wordum ætwitan,   &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;    nu min wine gecranc, 
þæt ic hlafordleas   &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;    ham siðie, 
wende fram wige,   &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;    ac me sceal wæpen niman, 
ord and iren."   &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;    He ful yrre wod, 
feaht fæstlice,   &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;    fleam he forhogode. 

'''255''' 
Dunnere þa cwæð,   &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;    daroð acwehte, 
unorne ceorl,   &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;    ofer eall clypode, 
bæd þæt beorna gehwylc   &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;    Byrhtnoð wræce: 
"Ne mæg na wandian   &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;    se þe wrecan þenceð 
frean on folce,   &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;    ne for feore murnan." 

'''260''' 
þa hi forð eodon,   &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;    feores hi ne rohton; 
ongunnon þa hiredmen   &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;    heardlice feohtan, 
grame garberend,   &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;    and god bædon 
þæt hi moston gewrecan   &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;    hyra winedrihten 
and on hyra feondum   &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;    fyl gewyrcan. 

'''265''' 
Him se gysel ongan   &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;    geornlice fylstan; 
he wæs on Norðhymbron   &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;    heardes cynnes, 
Ecglafes bearn,   &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;    him wæs æscferð nama. 
He ne wandode na   &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;    æt þam wigplegan, 
ac he fysde forð   &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;    flan genehe; 

'''270''' 
hwilon he on bord sceat,   &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;    hwilon beorn tæsde, 
æfre embe stunde   &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;    he sealde sume wunde, 
þa hwile ðe he wæpna   &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;    wealdan moste. 
þa gyt on orde stod   &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;    Eadweard se langa, 
gearo and geornful,   &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;    gylpwordum spræc 

'''275''' 
þæt he nolde fleogan   &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;    fotmæl landes, 
ofer bæc bugan,   &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;    þa his betera leg. 
He bræc þone bordweall   &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;    and wið þa beornas feaht, 
oðþæt he his sincgyfan   &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;    on þam sæmannum 
wurðlice wrec,   &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;    ær he on wæle læge. 

'''280''' 
Swa dyde æþeric,   &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;    æþele gefera, 
fus and forðgeorn,   &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;    feaht eornoste. 
Sibyrhtes broðor   &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;    and swiðe mænig oþer 
clufon cellod bord,   &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;    cene hi weredon; 
bærst bordes lærig,   &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;    and seo byrne sang 

'''285''' 
gryreleoða sum.   &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;    þa æt guðe sloh 
Offa þone sælidan,   &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;    þæt he on eorðan feoll, 
and ðær Gaddes mæg   &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;    grund gesohte. 
Raðe wearð æt hilde   &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;    Offa forheawen; 
he hæfde ðeah geforþod   &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;    þæt he his frean gehet, 

'''290''' 
swa he beotode ær   &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;    wið his beahgifan 
þæt hi sceoldon begen   &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;    on burh ridan, 
hale to hame,   &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;    oððe on here crincgan, 
on wælstowe   &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;    wundum sweltan; 
he læg ðegenlice   &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;    ðeodne gehende. 

'''295''' 
ða wearð borda gebræc.   &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;    Brimmen wodon, 
guðe gegremode;   &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;    gar oft þurhwod 
fæges feorhhus.   &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;    Forð þa eode Wistan, 
þurstanes sunu,   &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;    wið þas secgas feaht; 
he wæs on geþrange   &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;    hyra þreora bana, 

'''300''' 
ær him Wigelines bearn   &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;    on þam wæle læge. 
þær wæs stið gemot;   &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;    stodon fæste 
wigan on gewinne,   &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;    wigend cruncon, 
wundum werige.   &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;    Wæl feol on eorþan. 
Oswold and Eadwold   &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;    ealle hwile, 

'''305''' 
begen þa gebroþru,   &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;    beornas trymedon, 
hyra winemagas   &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;    wordon bædon 
þæt hi þær æt ðearfe   &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;    þolian sceoldon, 
unwaclice   &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;    wæpna neotan. 
Byrhtwold maþelode   &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;    bord hafenode 

'''310''' 
(se wæs eald geneat),   &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;    æsc acwehte; 
he ful baldlice   &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;    beornas lærde: 
"Hige sceal þe heardra,   &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;    heorte þe cenre, 
mod sceal þe mare,   &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;    þe ure mægen lytlað. 
Her lið ure ealdor   &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;    eall forheawen, 

'''315''' 
god on greote.   &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;    A mæg gnornian 
se ðe nu fram þis wigplegan   &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;    wendan þenceð. 
Ic eom frod feores;   &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;    fram ic ne wille, 
ac ic me be healfe   &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;    minum hlaforde, 
be swa leofan men,   &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;    licgan þence." 

'''320''' 
Swa hi æþelgares bearn   &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;    ealle bylde, 
Godric to guþe.   &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;    Oft he gar forlet, 
wælspere windan   &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;    on þa wicingas, 
swa he on þam folce   &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;    fyrmest eode, 
heow and hynde,   &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;    oðþæt he on hilde gecranc. 

'''325''' 
Næs þæt na se Godric   &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;    þe ða guðe forbeah 
</poem>