Guthlac A, B

Se bið gefeana fægrast þonne hy æt frymðe gemetað, engel ond seo eadge sawl! Ofgiefeþ hio þas eorþan wynne, forlæteð þas lænan dreamas, ond hio wiþ þam lice gedæleð. ðonne cwið se engel, (hafað yldran had), greteð gæst oþerne, abeodeð him godes ærende: "Nu þu most feran þider þu fundadest longe ond gelome. Ic þec lædan sceal. Wegas þe sindon weþe, ond wuldres leoht torht ontyned. Eart nu tidfara to þam halgan ham." þær næfre hreow cymeð, edergong fore yrmþum, ac þær biþ engla dream, sib ond gesælignes, ond sawla ræst, ond þær a to feore gefeon motun, dryman mid dryhten, þa þe his domas her

æfnað on eorþan. He him ece lean healdeð on heofonum, þær se hyhsta ealra cyninga cyning ceastrum wealdeð. ðæt sind þa getimbru þe no tydriað, ne þam fore yrmþum þe þær in wuniað lif aspringeð, ac him bið lenge hu sel; geoguþe brucað ond godes miltsa. þider soðfæstra sawla motun cuman æfter cwealme, þa þe her Cristes æ lærað ond læstað, ond his lof rærað; oferwinnað þa awyrgdan gæstas, bigytað him wuldres ræste, hwider sceal þæs monnes mod astigan, ær oþþe æfter, þonne he his ænne her gæst bigonge, þæt se gode mote,

womma clæne, in geweald cuman. Monge sindon geond middangeard hadas under heofonum, þa þe in haligra rim arisað. We þæs ryht magun æt æghwylcum anra gehyran, gif we halig bebodu healdan willað; mæg nu snottor guma sæle brucan godra tida, ond his gæste forð weges willian. Woruld is onhrered, colaþ Cristes lufu, sindan costinga geond middangeard monge arisene, swa þæt geara iu godes spelbodan wordum sægdon ond þurh witedom eal anemdon, swa hit nu gongeð.

Ealdað eorþan blæd æþela gehwylcre ond of wlite wendað wæstma gecyndu; bið seo siþre tid sæda gehwylces mætre in mægne. Forþon se mon ne þearf to þisse worulde wyrpe gehycgan, þæt he us fægran gefean bringe ofer þa niþas þe we nu dreogað, ærþon endien ealle gesceafte ða he gesette on siex dagum, ða nu under heofonum hadas cennað, micle ond mæte. Is þes middangeard dalum gedæled. Dryhten sceawað hwær þa eardien þe his æ healden; gesihð he þa domas dogra gehwylce

wonian ond wendan of woruldryhte ða he gesette þurh his sylfes word. He fela findeð, fea beoð gecorene. Sume him þæs hades hlisan willað wegan on wordum ond þa weorc ne doð. Bið him eorðwela ofer þæt ece lif hyhta hyhst, se gehwylcum sceal foldbuendra fremde geweorþan. Forþon hy nu hyrwað haligra mod, ða þe him to heofonum hyge staþeliað, witon þæt se eðel ece bideð ealra þære mengu þe geond middangeard dryhtne þeowiað ond þæs deoran ham wilniað bi gewyrhtum. Swa þas woruldgestreon

on þa mæran god bimutad weorþað, ðonne þæt gegyrnað þa þe him godes egsa hleonaþ ofer heafdum. Hy þy hyhstan beoð þrymme geþreade, þisses lifes þurh bibodu brucað ond þæs betran forð wyscað ond wenaþ. Wuldres bycgað, sellað ælmessan, earme frefrað, beoð rummode ryhtra gestreona, lufiað mid lacum þa þe læs agun, dæghwam dryhtne þeowiaþ. He hyra dæde sceawað. Sume þa wuniað on westennum, secað ond gesittað sylfra willum hamas on heolstrum. Hy ðæs heofoncundan boldes bidað. Oft him brogan to

laðne gelædeð, se þe him lifes ofonn, eaweð him egsan, hwilum idel wuldor, brægdwis bona hafað bega cræft, eahteð anbuendra. Fore him englas stondað, gearwe mid gæsta wæpnum, beoþ hyra geoca gemyndge, healdað haligra feorh, witon hyra hyht mid dryhten. þæt synd þa gecostan cempan þa þam cyninge þeowað, se næfre þa lean alegeð þam þe his lufan adreogeð. Magun we nu nemnan þæt us neah gewearð þurh haligne had gecyþed, hu Guðlac his in godes willan mod gerehte, man eall forseah, eorðlic æþelu, upp gemunde ham in heofonum. Him wæs hyht to þam,

siþþan hine inlyhte se þe lifes weg 100 gæstum gearwað, ond him giefe sealde engelcunde, þæt he ana ongan beorgseþel bugan, ond his blæd gode þurh eaðmedu ealne gesealde, ðone þe he on geoguðe bigan sceolde 105 worulde wynnum. Hine weard biheold halig of heofonum, se þæt hluttre mod in þæs gæstes god georne trymede. Hwæt, we hyrdon oft þæt se halga wer in þa ærestan ældu gelufade 110

frecnessa fela! Fyrst wæs swa þeana in godes dome, hwonne Guðlace on his ondgietan engel sealde þæt him sweðraden synna lustas. Tid wæs toweard; hine twegen ymb 115 weardas wacedon, þa gewin drugon, engel dryhtnes ond se atela gæst. Nalæs hy him gelice lare bæron in his modes gemynd mongum tidum. Oþer him þas eorþan ealle sægde 120 læne under lyfte, ond þa longan god herede on heofonum, þær haligra

sawla gesittað in sigorwuldre dryhtnes dreamas; he him dæda lean georne gieldeð, þam þe his giefe willað 125 þicgan to þonce ond him þas woruld uttor lætan þonne þæt ece lif. Oþer hyne scyhte, þæt he sceaðena gemot nihtes sohte ond þurh neþinge wunne æfter worulde, swa doð wræcmæcgas 130 þa þe ne bimurnað monnes feore þæs þe him to honda huþe gelædeð, butan hy þy reafe rædan motan. Swa hy hine trymedon on twa healfa

oþþæt þæs gewinnes weoroda dryhten 135 on þæs engles dom ende gereahte. Feond wæs geflymed; siþ þam frofre gæst in Guðlaces geoce gewunade, lufade hine ond lærde lenge hu geornor, þæt him leofedan londes wynne, 140 bold on beorhge. Oft þær broga cwom egeslic ond uncuð, ealdfeonda nið, searocræftum swiþ; hy him sylf hyra onsyn ywdon, ond þær ær fela setla gesæton. þonan sið tugon 145

wide waðe, wuldre byscyrede, lyftlacende. Wæs seo londes stow bimiþen fore monnum, oþþæt meotud onwrah beorg on bearwe, þa se bytla cwom se þær haligne ham arærde, 150 nales þy he giemde þurh gitsunga lænes lifwelan, ac þæt lond gode fægre gefreoþode, siþþan feond oferwon Cristes cempa. He gecostad wearð in gemyndigra monna tidum, 155 ðara þe nu gena þurh gæstlicu wundor hine weorðiað ond his wisdomes

hlisan healdað, þæt se halga þeow elne geeode, þa he ana gesæt dygle stowe. ðær he dryhtnes lof 160 reahte ond rærde; oft þurh reorde abead, þam þe þrowera þeawas lufedon, godes ærendu, þa him gæst onwrah lifes snyttru, þæt he his lichoman wynna forwyrnde ond woruldblissa, 165 seftra setla ond symbeldaga, swylce eac idelra eagena wynna, gierelan gielplices. Him wæs godes egsa mara in gemyndum þonne he menniscum

þrymme æfter þonce þegan wolde. 170 God wæs Guðlac! He in gæste bær heofoncundne hyht, hælu geræhte ecan lifes. Him wæs engel neah, fæle freoðuweard, þam þe feara sum mearclond gesæt. þær he mongum wearð 175 bysen on Brytene, siþþan biorg gestah eadig oretta, ondwiges heard. Gyrede hine georne mid gæstlicum wæpnum wong bletsade, him to ætstælle ærest arærde 180

Cristes rode, þær se cempa oferwon frecnessa fela. Frome wurdun monge godes þrowera; we þæs Guðlaces deorwyrðne dæl dryhtne cennað. He him sige sealde ond snyttrucræft, 185 mundbyrd meahta, þonne mengu cwom feonda færscytum fæhðe ræran. Ne meahton hy æfeste anforlætan, ac to Guðlaces gæste gelæddun frasunga fela. Him wæs fultum neah, 190 engel hine elne trymede, þonne hy him yrre hweopan, frecne fyres wylme. Stodan him on feðehwearfum,

cwædon þæt he on þam beorge byrnan sceolde ond his lichoman lig forswelgan, þæt his earfeþu eal gelumpe 195 modcearu mægum, gif he monna dream of þam orlege eft ne wolde sylfa gesecan, ond his sibbe ryht mid moncynne maran cræfte willum bewitigan, lætan wræce stille. 200 Swa him yrsade, se for ealle spræc feonda mengu. No þy forhtra wæs Guðlaces gæst, ac him god sealde ellen wiþ þam egsan þæt þæs ealdfeondes

scyldigra scolu scome þrowedon; 205 wæron teonsmiðas tornes fulle, cwædon þæt him Guðlac eac gode sylfum earfeþa mæst ana gefremede, siþþan he for wlence on westenne beorgas bræce, þær hy bidinge, 210 earme ondsacan, æror mostun æfter tintergum tidum brucan, ðonne hy of waþum werge cwoman restan ryneþragum, rowe gefegon; wæs him seo gelyfed þurh lytel fæc. 215

Stod seo dygle stow dryhtne in gemyndum idel ond æmen, eþelriehte feor, bad bisæce betran hyrdes. To þon ealdfeondas ondan noman, swa hi singales sorge dreogað. 220 Ne motun hi on eorþan eardes brucan, ne hy lyft swefeð in leoma ræstum, ac hy hleolease hama þoliað, in cearum cwiþað, cwealmes wiscað, willen þæt him dryhten þurh deaðes cwealm 225 to hyra earfeða ende geryme. Ne mostun hy Guðlaces gæste sceþþan,

ne þurh sarslege sawle gedælan wið lichoman, ac hy ligesearwum ahofun hearmstafas, hleahtor alegdon, 230 sorge seofedon, þa hi swiðra oferstag weard on wonge. Sceoldon wræcmæcgas ofgiefan gnornende grene beorgas. Hwæþre hy þa gena, godes ondsacan, sægdon sarstafum, swiþe geheton, 235 þæt he deaþa gedal dreogan sceolde, gif he leng bide laþran gemotes, hwonne hy mid mengu maran cwome, þa þe for his life lyt sorgedon.

Guðlac him ongean þingode, cwæð þæt hy gielpan ne þorftan 240 dædum wið dryhtnes meahtum. "þeah þe ge me deað gehaten, mec wile wið þam niþum genergan se þe eowrum nydum wealdeð. An is ælmihtig god, se mec mæg eaðe gescyldan; he min feorg freoþað. Ic eow fela wille soþa gesecgan. Mæg ic þis setl on eow 245 butan earfeðum ana geðringan. Ne eam ic swa fealog, swa ic eow fore stonde, monna weorudes, ac me mara dæl in godcundum gæstgerynum wunað ond weaxeð, se me wraþe healdeð. 250

Ic me anum her eaðe getimbre hus ond hleonað; me on heofonum sind lare gelonge. Mec þæs lyt tweoþ þæt me engel to ealle gelædeð spowende sped spreca ond dæda. 255 Gewitað nu, awyrgde, werigmode, from þissum earde þe ge her on stondað, fleoð on feorweg. Ic me frið wille æt gode gegyrnan; ne sceal min gæst mid eow gedwolan dreogan, ac mec dryhtnes hond 260 mundað mid mægne. Her sceal min wesan eorðlic eþel, nales eower leng."

ða wearð breahtm hæfen. Beorg ymbstodan hwearfum wræcmæcgas. Woð up astag, cearfulra cirm. Cleopedon monige, 265 feonda foresprecan, firenum gulpon: "Oft we ofersegon bi sæm tweonum þeoda þeawas, þræce modigra, þara þe in gelimpe life weoldon. No we oferhygdu anes monnes 270 geond middangeard maran fundon. ðu þæt gehatest þæt ðu ham on us gegan wille, ðe eart godes yrming. Bi hwon scealt þu lifgan, þeah þu lond age?

Ne þec mon hider mose fedeð; 275 beoð þe hungor ond þurst hearde gewinnan, gif þu gewitest swa wilde deor ana from eþele. Nis þæt onginn wiht! Geswic þisses setles! Ne mæg þec sellan ræd mon gelæran þonne þeos mengu eall. 280 We þe beoð holde gif ðu us hyran wilt, oþþe þec ungearo eft gesecað maran mægne, þæt þe mon ne þearf hondum hrinan, ne þin hra feallan wæpna wundum. We þas wic magun 285

fotum afyllan; folc in ðriceð meara þreatum ond monfarum. Beoð þa gebolgne, þa þec breodwiað, tredað þec ond tergað, ond hyra torn wrecað, toberað þec blodgum lastum; gif þu ure bidan þencest, 290 we þec niþa genægað. Ongin þe generes wilnian, far þær ðu freonda wene, gif ðu þines feores recce." Gearo wæs Guðlac, hine god fremede on ondsware ond on elne strong. Ne wond he for worde, ac his wiþerbreocum 295 sorge gesægde, cuðe him soð genog: "Wid is þes westen, wræcsetla fela,

eardas onhæle earmra gæsta. Sindon wærlogan þe þa wic bugað. þeah ge þa ealle ut abanne, 300 ond eow eac gewyrce widor sæce, ge her ateoð in þa tornwræce sigeleasne sið. No ic eow sweord ongean mid gebolgne hond oðberan þence, worulde wæpen, ne sceal þes wong gode 305 þurh blodgyte gebuen weorðan, ac ic minum Criste cweman þence leofran lace. Nu ic þis lond gestag, fela ge me earda þurh idel word

aboden habbað. Nis min breostsefa 310 forht ne fæge, ac me friðe healdeð ofer monna cyn se þe mægna gehwæs weorcum wealdeð. Nis me wiht æt eow leofes gelong, ne ge me laþes wiht gedon motun. Ic eom dryhtnes þeow, 315 he mec þurh engel oft afrefreð. Forðon mec longeþas lyt gegretað, sorge sealdun, nu mec sawelcund hyrde bihealdeð. Is min hyht mid god, ne ic me eorðwelan owiht sinne, 320

ne me mid mode micles gyrne, ac me dogra gehwam dryhten sendeð þurh monnes hond mine þearfe." Swa modgade, se wið mongum stod, awreðed weorðlice wuldres cempa 325 engla mægne. Gewat eal þonan feonda mengu. Ne wæs se fyrst micel þe hi Guðlace forgiefan þohtan. He wæs on elne ond on eaðmedum, bad on beorge, (wæs him botles neod), 330 forlet longeþas lænra dreama. No he hine wið monna miltse gedælde,

ac gesynta bæd sawla gehwylcre, þonne he to eorðan on þam anade hleor onhylde. Him of heofonum wearð 335 onbryrded breostsefa bliðe gæste. Oft eahtade, (wæs him engel neah), hu þisse worulde wynna þorfte mid his lichoman læsast brucan. No him fore egsan earmra gæsta 340 treow getweode, ne he tid forsæt þæs þe he for his dryhtne dreogan sceolde, þæt hine æreste elne binoman slæpa sluman oþþe sæne mod.

Swa sceal oretta a in his mode 345 gode compian, ond his gæst beran oft on ondan þam þe eahtan wile sawla gehwylcre þær he gesælan mæg. Symle hy Guðlac in godes willan fromne fundon, þonne flygereowe 350 þurh nihta genipu neosan cwoman, þa þe onhæle eardas weredon, hwæþre him þæs wonges wyn sweðrade; woldun þæt him to mode fore monlufan sorg gesohte, þæt he siþ tuge 355

eft to eþle. Ne wæs þæt ongin swylc, ðonne hine engel on þam anade geornast grette ond him giefe sealde, þæt hine ne meahte meotudes willan longað gelettan, ac he on þæs lareowes 360 wære gewunade. Oft worde bicwæð: "Huru, þæs bihofað, se ðe him halig gæst wisað on willan ond his weorc trymað, laþað hine liþum wordum, gehateð him lifes reste, þæt he þæs latteowes larum hyre, 365 ne lete him ealdfeond eft oncyrran mod from his meotude. Hu sceal min cuman

gæst to geoce, nemne ic gode sylle hyrsumne hige, þæt him heortan geþonc ...... ær oþþe sið ende geweorðe, 370 þæt ge mec to wundre wegan motun. Ne mæg min lichoma wið þas lænan gesceaft deað gedælan, ac he gedreosan sceal, swa þeos eorðe eall þe ic her on stonde. ðeah ge minne flæschoman fyres wylme 375 forgripen gromhydge gifran lege, næfre ge mec of þissum wordum onwendað þendan mec min gewit gelæsteð. þeah þe ge hine sarum forsæcen, ne motan ge mine sawle gretan, ac ge on betran gebringað. Forðan ic gebidan wille

þæs þe me min dryhten demeð. Nis me þæs deaþes sorg. 380 ðeah min ban ond blod bu tu geweorþen eorþan to eacan, min se eca dæl in gefean fareð, þær he fægran botles bruceð. Nis þisses beorges setl meodumre ne mara þonne hit men duge 385 se þe in þrowingum þeodnes willan dæghwam dreogeð. Ne sceal se dryhtnes þeow in his modsefan mare gelufian eorþan æhtwelan þonne his anes gemet, þæt he his lichoman lade hæbbe." 390

ða wæs eft swa ær ealdfeonda nið, wroht onwylled; woð oþer ne lythwon leoðode, þonne in lyft astag ceargesta cirm. Symle Cristes lof in Guðlaces godum mode 395 weox ond wunade, ond hine weoruda god freoðade on foldan, swa he feora gehwylc healdeð in hælo, þær se hyra gæst þihð in þeawum. He wæs þeara sum; ne won he æfter worulde, ac he in wuldre ahof 400 modes wynne. Hwylc wæs mara þonne se? An oretta ussum tidum

cempa gecyðeð þæt him Crist fore woruldlicra ma wundra gecyðde. He hine scilde wið sceðþendra 405 eglum onfengum earmra gæsta; wæron hy reowe to ræsanne gifrum grapum. No god wolde þæt seo sawl þæs sar þrowade in lichoman, lyfde seþeana 410 þæt hy him mid hondum hrinan mosten, ond þæt frið wið hy gefreoþad wære. Hy hine þa hofun on þa hean lyft, sealdon him meahte ofer monna cynn,

þæt he fore eagum eall sceawode 415 under haligra hyrda gewealdum in mynsterum monna gebæru, þara þe hyra lifes þurh lust brucan, idlum æhtum ond oferwlencum, gierelum gielplicum, swa bið geoguðe þeaw, 420 þær þæs ealdres egsa ne styreð. No þær þa feondas gefeon þorfton, ac þæs blædes hraðe gebrocen hæfdon þe him alyfed wæs lytle hwile, þæt hy his lichoman leng ne mostan 425

witum wælan; ne him wiht gescod þæs þe hy him to teonan þurhtogen hæfdon. Læddun hine þa of lyfte to þam leofestan earde on eorðan, þæt he eft gestag beorg on bearwe. Bonan gnornedon, 430 mændon murnende þæt hy monnes bearn þream oferþunge, ond swa þearfendlic him to earfeðum ana cwome, gif hy him ne meahte maran sarum gyldan gyrnwræce. Guðlac sette 435 hyht in heofonas, hælu getreowde, hæfde feonda feng feore gedyged.

Wæs seo æreste earmra gæsta costung ofercumen. Cempa wunade bliþe on beorge, wæs his blæd mid god. 440 ðuhte him on mode þæt se moncynnes eadig wære se þe his anum her feore gefreoðade, þæt him feondes hond æt þam ytmestan ende ne scode, þonne him se dryhtnes dom wisade 445 to þam nyhstan nydgedale. Hwæþre him þa gena gyrna gemyndge edwitsprecan ermþu geheton tornum teoncwidum. Treow wæs gecyþed,

þætte Guðlace god leanode 450 ellen mid arum, þæt he ana gewon. Him se werga gæst wordum sægde: "No we þe þus swiðe swencan þorftan, þær þu fromlice freonda larum hyran wolde, þa þu hean ond earm 455 on þis orlege ærest cwome, ða þu gehete þæt þec halig gæst wið earfeþum eaðe gescilde, for þam myrcelse þe þec monnes hond from þinre onsyne æþelum ahwyrfde. 460

In þam mægwlite monge lifgað, gyltum forgiefene; nales gode þigað, ac hy lichoman fore lufan cwemað wista wynnum. Swa ge weorðmyndu in dolum dreame dryhtne gieldað. 465 Fela ge fore monnum miþað þæs þe ge in mode gehycgað; ne beoð eowre dæda dyrne, þeah þe ge hy in dygle gefremme. We þec in lyft gelæddun, oftugon þe londes wynna, woldun þu þe sylfa gesawe þæt we þec soð onstældun. Ealles þu þæs wite awunne; forþon þu hit onwendan ne meahtes." 470 ða wæs agongen þæt him god wolde æfter þrowinga þonc gegyldan

þæt he martyrhad mode gelufade, sealde him snyttru on sefan gehygdum, mægenfæste gemynd. He wið mongum stod 475 ealdfeonda, elne gebylded, sægde him to sorge þæt hy sigelease þone grenan wong ofgiefan sceoldan: "Ge sind forscadene, on eow scyld siteð! Ne cunnon ge dryhten duguþe biddan, 480 ne mid eaðmedum are secan, þeah þe eow alyfde lytle hwile, þæt ge min onwald agan mosten; ne ge þæt geþyldum þicgan woldan,

ac mec yrringa up gelæddon, 485 þæt ic of lyfte londa getimbru geseon meahte. Wæs me swegles leoht torht ontyned, þeah ic torn druge. Setton me in edwit þæt ic eaðe forbær rume regulas ond reþe mod 490 geongra monna in godes templum; woldan þy gehyrwan haligra lof, sohtun þa sæmran, ond þa sellan no demdan æfter dædum. Ne beoð þa dyrne swa þeah. Ic eow soð siþþon secgan wille. 495

God scop geoguðe ond gumena dream; ne magun þa æfteryld in þam ærestan blæde geberan, ac hy blissiað worulde wynnum, oððæt wintra rim gegæð in þa geoguðe, þæt se gæst lufað 500 onsyn ond ætwist yldran hades, ðe gemete monige geond middangeard þeowiað in þeawum. þeodum ywaþ wisdom weras, wlencu forleosað, siððan geoguðe geað gæst aflihð. 505 þæt ge ne scirað, ac ge scyldigra synne secgað, soþfæstra no

mod ond monþeaw mæran willað. Gefeoð in firenum, frofre ne wenað, þæt ge wræcsiða wyrpe gebiden. 510 Oft ge in gestalum stondað; þæs cymeð steor of heofonum. Me þonne sige sendeð se usic semon mæg, se þe lifa gehwæs lengu wealdeð." Swa hleoþrade halig cempa; wæs se martyre from moncynnes 515 synnum asundrad. Sceolde he sares þa gen dæl adreogan, ðeah þe dryhten his witum weolde. Hwæt, þæt wundra sum monnum þuhte, þæt he ma wolde

afrum onfengum earme gæstas 520 hrinan leton, ond þæt hwæþre gelomp! Wæs þæt gen mara, þæt he middangeard sylfa gesohte, ond his swat ageat on bonena hond; ahte bega geweald, lifes ond deaðes, þa he lustum dreag 525 eaðmod on eorðan ehtendra nið. Forþon is nu arlic þæt we æfæstra dæde demen, secgen dryhtne lof ealra þara bisena þe us bec fore þurh his wundra geweorc wisdom cyþað. 530

Geofu wæs mid Guðlac in godcundum mægne gemeted. Micel is to secgan eall æfter orde, þæt he on elne adreag: ðone foregengan fæder ælmihtig wið onhælum ealdorgewinnum 535 sylfa gesette, þær his sawl wearð clæne ond gecostad. Cuð is wide geond middangeard þæt his mod geþah in godes willan; is þæs gen fela to secgenne, þæs þe he sylfa adreag 540 under nyðgista nearwum clommum. He þa sar forseah, a þære sawle wel

þæs mundboran þe þæt mod geheold, þæt him ne getweode treow in breostum, ne him gnornunga gæste scodun, 545 ac se hearda hyge halig wunade, oþþæt he þa bysgu oferbiden hæfde. þrea wæron þearle, þegnas grimme, ealle hy þam feore fyl gehehton. No hy hine to deaðe deman moston, 550 synna hyrdas, ac seo sawul bad in lichoman leofran tide. Georne hy ongeaton þæt hyne god wolde nergan wið niþum ond hyra nydwræce

deope deman. Swa dryhten mæg, 555 ana ælmihtig, eadigra gehwone wið earfeþum eaðe gescildan. Hwæðre hine gebrohton bolgenmode, wraðe wræcmæcgas, wuldres cempan, halig husulbearn, æt heldore, 560 þær firenfulra fæge gæstas æfter swyltcwale secan onginnað ingong ærest in þæt atule hus, niþer under næssas neole grundas. Hy hine bregdon, budon orlege, 565

egsan ond ondan arleaslice, frecne fore, swa bið feonda þeaw, þonne hy soðfæstra sawle willað synnum beswican ond searocræftum. Ongunnon gromheorte godes orettan 570 in sefan swencan, swiþe geheton þæt he in þone grimman gryre gongan sceolde, hweorfan gehyned to helwarum, ond þær in bendum bryne þrowian. Woldun hy geteon mid torncwidum 575 earme aglæcan in orwennysse, meotudes cempan. Hit ne meahte swa!

Cwædon cearfulle, Criste laðe, to Guðlace mid grimnysse: "Ne eart ðu gedefe, ne dryhtnes þeow 580 clæne gecostad, ne cempa god, wordum ond weorcum wel gecyþed, halig in heortan. Nu þu in helle scealt deope gedufan, nales dryhtnes leoht habban in heofonum, heahgetimbru, 585 seld on swegle, forþon þu synna to fela, facna gefremedes in flæschoman. We þe nu willað womma gehwylces lean forgieldan, þær þe laþast bið

in ðam grimmestan gæstgewinne." 590 Him se eadga wer ondswarode, Guðlac in gæste mid godes mægne: "Doð efne swa, gif eow dryhten Crist, lifes leohtfruma lyfan wylle, weoruda waldend, þæt ge his wergengan 595 in þone laðan leg lædan motan. þæt is in gewealdum wuldorcyninges, se eow gehynde ond in hæft bidraf under nearone clom, nergende Crist. Eom ic eaðmod his ombiehthera, 600

þeow geþyldig. Ic geþafian sceal æghwær ealles his anne dom, ond him geornlice gæstgemyndum wille wideferh wesan underþyded, hyran holdlice minum hælende 605 þeawum ond geþyncðum, ond him þoncian ealra þara giefena þe god gescop englum ærest ond eorðwarum; ond ic bletsige bliðe mode lifes leohtfruman, ond him lof singe 610 þurh gedefne dom dæges ond nihtes, herge in heortan heofonrices weard.

þæt eow æfre ne bið ufan alyfed leohtes lissum, þæt ge lof moten dryhtne secgan, ac ge deaðe sceolon 615 weallendne wean wope besingan, heaf in helle, nales herenisse halge habban heofoncyninges. Ic þone deman in dagum minum wille weorþian wordum ond dædum, 620 lufian in life, swa is lar ond ar to spowendre spræce gelæded, þam þe in his weorcum willan ræfnað. Sindon ge wærlogan, swa ge in wræcsiðe

longe lifdon, lege bisencte, 625 swearte beswicene, swegle benumene, dreame bidrorene, deaðe bifolene, firenum bifongne, feores orwenan, þæt ge blindnesse bote fundon. Ge þa fægran gesceaft in fyrndagum, 630 gæstlicne goddream, gearo forsegon, þa ge wiðhogdun halgum dryhtne. Ne mostun ge a wunian in wyndagum, ac mid scome scyldum scofene wurdon fore oferhygdum in ece fyr, 635

ðær ge sceolon dreogan deað ond þystro, wop to widan ealdre; næfre ge þæs wyrpe gebidað. Ond ic þæt gelyfe in liffruman, ecne onwealdan ealra gesceafta, þæt he mec for miltsum ond mægenspedum, 640 niðða nergend, næfre wille þurh ellenweorc anforlætan, þam ic longe in lichoman ond in minum gæste gode campode þurh monigfealdra mægna gerynu. 645 Forðon ic getrywe in þone torhtestan þrynesse þrym, se geþeahtingum

hafað in hondum heofon ond eorðan, þæt ge mec mid niþum næfre motan tornmode teon in tintergu, 650 mine myrðran ond mansceaþan, swearte sigelease. Eom ic soðlice leohte geleafan ond mid lufan dryhtnes fægre gefylled in minum feorhlocan, breostum inbryrded to þam betran ham, 655 leomum inlyhted to þam leofestan ecan earde, þær is eþellond fæger ond gefealic in fæder wuldre, ðær eow næfre fore nergende

leohtes leoma ne lifes hyht 660 in godes rice agiefen weorþeð, for þam oferhygdum þe eow in mod astag þurh idel gylp ealles to swiðe. Wendun ge ond woldun, wiþerhycgende, þæt ge scyppende sceoldan gelice 665 wesan in wuldre. Eow þær wyrs gelomp, ða eow se waldend wraðe bisencte in þæt swearte susl, þær eow siððan wæs ad inæled attre geblonden, þurh deopne dom dream afyrred, 670

engla gemana. Swa nu awa sceal wesan wideferh, þæt ge wærnysse brynewylm hæbben, nales bletsunga. Ne þurfun ge wenan, wuldre biscyrede, þæt ge mec synfulle mid searocræftum 675 under scæd sconde scufan motan, ne in bælblæsan bregdon on hinder in helle hus, þær eow is ham sceapen, sweart sinnehte, sacu butan ende, grim gæstcwalu. þær ge gnornende 680 deað sceolon dreogan, ond ic dreama wyn agan mid englum in þam uplican

rodera rice, þær is ryht cyning, help ond hælu hæleþa cynne, duguð ond drohtað." ða cwom dryhtnes ar, 685 halig of heofonum, se þurh hleoþor abead ufancundne ege earmum gæstum; het eft hraðe unscyldigne of þam wræcsiðe wuldres cempan lædan limhalne, þæt se leofesta 690 gæst gegearwad in godes wære on gefean ferde. ða wearð feonda þreat acol for ðam egsan. Ofermæcga spræc, dyre dryhtnes þegn, dæghluttre scan.

Hæfde Guðlaces gæst in gewealdum 695 modig mundbora, meahtum spedig, þeostra þegnas þreaniedlum bond, nyd onsette ond geneahhe bibead: "Ne sy him banes bryce ne blodig wund, lices læla ne laþes wiht, 700 þæs þe ge him to dare gedon motan, ac ge hine gesundne asettaþ þær ge hine sylfne genoman. He sceal þy wonge wealdan, ne magon ge him þa wic forstondan. Ic eom se dema, se mec dryhten heht snude gesecgan, þæt ge him sara gehwylc 705

hondum gehælde, ond him hearsume on his sylfes dom siþþan wæron. Ne sceal ic mine onsyn fore eowere mengu miþan. Ic eom meotudes þegn. Eom ic þara twelfa sum þe he getreoweste 710 under monnes hiw mode gelufade. He mec of heofonum hider onsende, geseah þæt ge on eorðan fore æfstum on his wergengan wite legdon. Is þæt min broþor, mec his bysgu gehreaw. 715 Ic þæt gefremme, þær se freond wunað on þære socne, þe ic þa sibbe wið hine

healdan wille, nu ic his helpan mot, þæt ge min onsynn oft sceawiað. Nu ic his geneahhe neosan wille; 720 sceal ic his word ond his weorc in gewitnesse dryhtne lædon. He his dæde conn." ða wæs Guðlaces gæst geblissad, siþþan Bartholomeus aboden hæfde godes ærendu. Gearwe stodun 725 hæftas hearsume, þa þæs halgan word lyt oferleordun. Ongon þa leofne sið dragan domeadig dryhtnes cempa to þam onwillan eorðan dæle.

Hy hine bæron ond him bryce heoldon, 730 hofon hine hondum ond him hryre burgun. Wæron hyra gongas under godes egsan smeþe ond gesefte. Sigehreðig cwom bytla to þam beorge. Hine bletsadon monge mægwlitas, meaglum reordum, 735 treofugla tuddor, tacnum cyðdon eadges eftcyme. Oft he him æte heold, þonne hy him hungrige ymb hond flugon grædum gifre, geoce gefegon. Swa þæt milde mod wið moncynnes 740

dreamum gedælde, dryhtne þeowde, genom him to wildeorum wynne, siþþan he þas woruld forhogde. Smolt wæs se sigewong ond sele niwe, fæger fugla reord, folde geblowen; geacas gear budon. Guþlac moste 745 eadig ond onmod eardes brucan. Stod se grena wong in godes wære; hæfde se heorde, se þe of heofonum cwom, feondas afyrde. Hwylc wæs fægerra willa geworden in wera life, 750 þara þe yldran usse gemunde, oþþe we selfe siþþan cuþen?

Hwæt we þissa wundra gewitan sindon! Eall þas geeodon in ussera tida timan. Forþon þæs tweogan ne þearf 755 ænig ofer eorðan ælda cynnes, ac swilc god wyrceð gæsta lifes to trumnaþe, þy læs þa tydran mod þa gewitnesse wendan þurfe, þonne hy in gesihþe soþes brucað. 760 Swa se ælmihtiga ealle gesceafte lufað under lyfte in lichoman, monna mægðe geond middangeard. Wile se waldend þæt we wisdom a

snyttrum swelgen, þæt his soð fore us 765 on his giefena gyld genge weorðe, ða he us to are ond to ondgiete syleð ond sendeð, sawlum rymeð liþe lifwegas leohte geræhte. Nis þæt huru læsast þæt seo lufu cyþeð, 770 þonne heo in monnes mode getimbreð gæstcunde gife, swa he Guðlaces dagas ond dæde þurh his dom ahof. Wæs se fruma fæstlic feondum on ondan, geseted wið synnum, þær he siþþan lyt 775

wære gewonade, oft his word gode þurh eaðmedu up onsende, let his ben cuman in þa beorhtan gesceaft, þoncade þeodne þæs þe he in þrowingum bidan moste, hwonne him betre lif 780 þurh godes willan agyfen wurde. Swa wæs Guðlaces gæst gelæded engla fæðmum in uprodor, fore onsyne eces deman læddon leoflice. Him wæs lean geseald, 785 setl on swegle, þær he symle mot awo to ealdre eardfæst wesan,

bliðe bidan. Is him bearn godes milde mundbora, meahtig dryhten, halig hyrde, heofonrices weard. 790 Swa soðfæstra sawla motun in ecne geard up gestigan rodera rice, þa þe ræfnað her wordum ond weorcum wuldorcyninges lare longsume, on hyra lifes tid 795 earniað on eorðan ecan lifes, hames in heahþu. þæt beoð husulweras, cempan gecorene, Criste leofe, berað in breostum beorhtne geleafan,

haligne hyht, heortan clæne 800 weorðiað waldend, habbað wisne geþoht, fusne on forðweg to fæder eðle, gearwaþ gæstes hus, ond mid gleawnesse feond oferfeohtað ond firenlustas forberað in breostum, broþorsibbe 805 georne bigongað, in godes willan swencað hi sylfe, sawle frætwað halgum gehygdum, heofoncyninges bibod fremmað on foldan. Fæsten lufiað, beorgað him bealoniþ ond gebedu secað, 810

swincað wið synnum, healdað soð ond ryht. Him þæt ne hreoweð æfter hingonge, ðonne hy hweorfað in þa halgan burg, gongað gegnunga to Hierusalem, þær hi to worulde wynnum motun 815 godes onsyne georne bihealdan, sibbe ond gesihðe, þær heo soð wunað, wlitig, wuldorfæst, ealne widan ferh on lifgendra londes wynne. ðæt is wide cuð wera cneorissum, 820 folcum gefræge, þætte frymþa god þone ærestan ælda cynnes

of þære clænestan, cyning ælmihtig, foldan geworhte. ða wæs fruma niwe elda tudres, onstæl wynlic, 825 fæger ond gefealic. Fæder wæs acenned Adam ærest þurh est godes on neorxnawong, þær him nænges wæs willan onsyn, ne welan brosnung, ne lifes lyre ne lices hryre, 830 ne dreames dryre ne deaðes cyme, ac he on þam lande lifgan moste ealra leahtra leas, longe neotan niwra gefeana. þær he no þorfte

lifes ne lissa in þam leohtan ham 835 þurh ælda tid ende gebidan, ac æfter fyrste to þam færestan heofonrices gefean hweorfan mostan, leomu lic somud ond lifes gæst, ond þær siþþan a in sindreamum 840 to widan feore wunian mostun dryhtne on gesihðe, butan deaðe forð, gif hy halges word healdan woldun beorht in breostum, ond his bebodu læstan, æfnan on eðle. Hy to ær aþreat 845

þæt hy waldendes willan læsten, ac his wif genom wyrmes larum blede forbodene, ond of beame ahneop wæstm biweredne ofer word godes, wuldorcyninges, ond hyre were sealde 850 þurh deofles searo deaðberende gyfl þæt ða sinhiwan to swylte geteah. Siþþan se eþel uðgenge wearð Adame ond Euan, eardwica cyst beorht oðbroden, ond hyra bearnum swa, 855 eaferum æfter, þa hy on uncyððu, scomum scudende, scofene wurdon

on gewinworuld. Weorces onguldon, deopra firena, þurh deaðes cwealm, þe hy unsnyttrum ær gefremedon. 860 þære synwræce siþþan sceoldon mægð ond mæcgas morþres ongyldon, godscyldge gyrn þurh gæstgedal, deopra firena. Deað in geþrong fira cynne, feond rixade 865 geond middangeard. Nænig monna wæs of þam sigetudre siþþan æfre godes willan þæs georn, ne gynnwised, þæt he bibugan mæge þone bitran drync

þone Eue fyrn Adame geaf, 870 byrelade bryd geong; þæt him bam gescod in þam deoran ham. Deað ricsade ofer foldbuend, þeah þe fela wære gæsthaligra, þær hi godes willan on mislicum monna gebihþum 875 æfter stedewonga stowum fremedon; sume ær, sume sið, sume in urra æfter tælmearce tida gemyndum sigorlean sohtun. Us secgað bec hu Guðlac wearð þurh godes willan 880

eadig on Engle. He him ece geceas meaht ond mundbyrd. Mære wurdon his wundra geweorc wide ond side, breme æfter burgum geond Bryten innan, hu he monge oft þurh meaht godes 885 gehælde hygegeomre hefigra wita, þe hine unsofte, adle gebundne, sarge gesohtun of siðwegum, freorigmode. Symle frofre þær æt þam godes cempan gearwe fundon, 890 helpe ond hælo. Nænig hæleþa is þe areccan mæge oþþe rim wite

ealra þara wundra þe he in worulde her þurh dryhtnes giefe dugeþum gefremede. Oft to þam wicum weorude cwomun 895 deofla deaðmægen duguþa byscyrede hloþum þringan, þær se halga þeow elnes anhydig eard weardade. þær hy mislice mongum reordum on þam westenne woðe hofun 900 hludne herecirm, hiwes binotene, dreamum bidrorene. Dryhtnes cempa, from folctoga, feonda þreatum wiðstod stronglice. Næs seo stund latu

earmra gæsta, ne þæt onbid long, 905 þæt þa wrohtsmiðas wop ahofun, hreopun hreðlease, hleoþrum brugdon. Hwilum wedende swa wilde deor cirmdon on corðre, hwilum cyrdon eft minne mansceaþan on mennisc hiw 910 breahtma mæste, hwilum brugdon eft awyrgde wærlogan on wyrmes bleo, earme adloman attre spiowdon. Symle hy Guðlac gearene fundon, þonces gleawne. He geþyldum bad, 915

þeah him feonda hloð feorhcwealm bude. Hwilum him to honda hungre geþreatad fleag fugla cyn, þær hy feorhnere witude fundon ond hine weorðedon meaglum stefnum. Hwilum mennisce 920 aras eaðmedum eft neosedon, ond þær siðfrome on þam sigewonge æt þam halgan þeowan helpe gemetton, ferðþes frofre. Nænig forþum wæs, þæt he æwiscmod eft siðade, 925 hean, hyhta leas, ac se halga wer ælda gehwylces þurh þa æþelan meaht,

þe hine seoslige sohtun on ðearfe, hæleð hygegeomre, hælde bu tu lic ond sawle, þenden lifes weard, 930 ece ælmihtig, unnan wolde þæt he blædes her brucan moste, worulde lifes. Wæs gewinnes þa yrmþa for eorðan endedogor þurh nydgedal neah geþrungen, 935 siþþan he on westenne wiceard geceas, fiftynu gear, þa wæs frofre gæst eadgum æbodan ufan onsended, halig of heahþu. Hreþer innan born,

afysed on forðsið. Him færinga 940 adl in gewod. He on elne swa þeah ungeblyged bad beorhtra gehata bliþe in burgum. Wæs þam bancofan æfter nihtglome neah geþrungen, breosthord onboren. Wæs se bliþa gæst 945 fus on forðweg. Nolde fæder engla in þisse wonsælgan worulde life leahtra leasne longfyrst ofer þæt wunian leton, þe him on weorcum her on his dagena tid dædum gecwemde 950

elne unslawe. ða se ælmihtiga let his hond cuman þær se halga þeow, deormod on degle domeadig bad, heard ond hygerof. Hyht wæs geniwad, blis in breostum. Wæs se bancofa 955 adle onæled, inbendum fæst, lichord onlocen. Leomu hefegedon, sarum gesohte. He þæt soð gecneow þæt hine ælmihtig ufan neosade, meotud fore miltsum. He his modsefan 960 wið þam færhagan fæste trymede feonda gewinna. Næs he forht seþeah,

ne seo adlþracu egle on mode, ne deaðgedal, ac him dryhtnes lof born in breostum, brondhat lufu 965 sigorfæst in sefan, seo him sara gehwylc symle forswiðde. Næs him sorgcearu on þas lænan tid, þeah his lic ond gæst hyra somwiste, sinhiwan tu, deore gedælden. Dagas forð scridun, 970 nihthelma genipu. Wæs neah seo tid þæt he fyrngewyrht fyllan sceolde þurh deaðes cyme, domes hleotan, efne þæs ilcan þe usse yldran fyrn

frecne onfengon, swa him biforan worhton 975 þa ærestan ælda cynnes. ða wæs Guðlace on þa geocran tid mægen gemeðgad, mod swiþe heard, elnes anhydig. Wæs seo adl þearl, hat ond heorogrim. Hreþer innan weol, 980 born banloca. Bryþen wæs ongunnen þætte Adame Eue gebyrmde æt fruman worulde. Feond byrlade ærest þære idese, ond heo Adame, hyre swæsum were, siþþan scencte 985

bittor bædeweg. þæs þa byre siþþan grimme onguldon gafulrædenne þurh ærgewyrht, þætte ænig ne wæs fyra cynnes from fruman siððan mon on moldan, þætte meahte him 990 gebeorgan ond bibugan þone bleatan drync, deopan deaðweges, ac him duru sylfa on þa sliðnan tid sona ontyneð, ingong geopenað. Ne mæg ænig þam flæsce bifongen feore wiðstondan, 995 ricra ne heanra, ac hine ræseð on gifrum grapum. Swa wæs Guðlace

enge anhoga ætryhte þa æfter nihtscuan neah geþyded, wiga wælgifre. Hine wunade mid 1000 an ombehtþegn, se hine æghwylce daga neosade. Ongan ða deophydig, gleawmod gongan to godes temple, þær he eþelbodan inne wiste, þone leofestan lareow gecorenne, 1005 ond þa in eode eadgum to spræce, wolde hyrcnigan halges lara, mildes meþelcwida. Fonde þa his mondryhten adlwerigne; him ðæt in gefeol

hefig æt heortan. Hygesorge wæg, 1010 micle modceare. Ongan ða his magu frignan: "Hu gewearð þe þus, winedryhten min, fæder, freonda hleo, ferð gebysgad, nearwe geneged? Ic næfre þe, þeoden leofesta, þyslicne ær 1015 gemette þus meðne. Meaht þu meðelcwidum worda gewealdan? Is me on wene geþuht, þæt þe untrymnes adle gongum on þisse nyhstan niht bysgade, sarbennum gesoht. þæt me sorgna is 1020

hatost on hreþre, ær þu hyge minne ferð afrefre. Wast þu, freodryhten, hu þeos adle scyle ende gesettan?" Him þa sið oncwæð, sona ne meahte oroð up geteon; wæs him in bogen 1025 bittor bancoþa. Beald reordade eadig on elne, ondcwis ageaf: "Ic wille secgan þæt me sar gehran, wærc in gewod in ðisse wonnan niht, lichord onleac. Leomu hefegiað, 1030 sarum gesohte. Sceal þis sawelhus, fæge flæschoma, foldærne biþeaht,

leomu lames geþacan, legerbedde fæst wunian wælræste. Wiga nealæceð, unlæt laces. Ne bið þæs lengra swice 1035 sawelgedales þonne seofon niht fyrstgemearces, þæt min feorh heonan on þisse eahteþan ende geseceð dæg scriþende. þonne dogor beoð on moldwege min forð scriþen, 1040 sorg gesweðrad, ond ic siþþan mot fore meotudes cneowum meorda hleotan, gingra geafena, ond godes lomber in sindreamum siþþan awo

forð folgian; is nu fus ðider 1045 gæst siþes georn. Nu þu gearwe const leoma lifgedal; long is þis onbid worulde lifes." ða wæs wop ond heaf, geongum geocor sefa, geomrende hyge, siþþan he gehyrde þæt se halga wæs 1050 forðsiþes fus. He þæs færspelles fore his mondryhtne modsorge wæg, hefige æt heortan. Hreþer innan swearc, hyge hreowcearig, þæs þe his hlaford geseah ellorfusne. He þæs onbæru 1055

habban ne meahte, ac he hate let torn þoliende tearas geotan, weallan wægdropan. Wyrd ne meahte in fægum leng feorg gehealdan, deore frætwe, þonne him gedemed wæs. 1060 Ongeat gæsta halig geomormodes drusendne hyge. Ongan þa duguþa hleo, glædmod gode leof, geongran retan, wine leofestan wordum negan: "Ne beo þu unrot, ðeah þeos adl me 1065 innan æle. Nis me earfeðe to geþolianne þeodnes willan,

dryhtnes mines, ne ic þæs deaðes hafu on þas seocnan tid sorge on mode, ne ic me herehloðe helle þegna 1070 swiðe onsitte, ne mæg synne on me facnes frumbearn fyrene gestælan, lices leahtor, ac in lige sceolon sorgwylmum soden sar wanian, wræcsið wepan, wilna biscirede 1075 in þam deaðsele duguða gehwylcre, lufena ond lissa. Min þæt leofe bearn, ne beo þu on sefan to seoc. Ic eom siþes fus upeard niman edleana georn

in þam ecan gefean, ærgewyrhtum 1080 geseon sigora frean, min þæt swæse bearn. Nis me wracu ne gewin, þæt ic wuldres god sece swegelcyning, þær is sib ond blis, domfæstra dream, dryhten ondweard, þam ic georne gæstgerynum, 1085 in þas dreorgan tid dædum cwemde, mode ond mægne. Ic þa meorde wat leahtorlease, lean unhwilen, halig on heahþu. þær min hyht myneð to gesecenne, sawul fundað 1090

of licfate to þam longan gefean in eadwelan. Nis þes eþel me ne sar ne sorg. Ic me sylfum wat æfter lices hryre lean unhwilen." ða se wuldormaga worda gestilde, 1095 rof runwita; wæs him ræste neod, reonigmodum. Rodor swamode ofer niðða bearn, nihtrim scridon, deorc ofer dugeðum. þa se dæg bicwom on þam se lifgenda in lichoman, 1100 ece ælmihtig ærist gefremede, dryhten mid dreame, ða he of deaðe aras

onwald of eorðan in þa eastortid, ealra þrymma þrym, ðreata mæstne to heofonum ahof, ða he from helle astag. 1105 Swa se eadga wer in þa æþelan tid on þone beorhtan dæg blissum hremig, milde ond gemetfæst, mægen unsofte elne geæfnde. Aras ða eorla wynn, heard hygesnottor, swa he hraþost meahte, 1110 meðe for ðam miclan bysgum. Ongon þa his mod staþelian leohte geleafan, lac onsægde deophycgende dryhtne to willan gæstgerynum in godes temple,

ond his þegne ongon, swa þam þeodne geras, 1115 þurh gæstes giefe godspel bodian, secgan sigortacnum, ond his sefan trymman wundrum to wuldre in þa wlitigan gesceaft to eadwelan, swa he ær ne sið æfre to ealdre oðre swylce 1120 on þas lænan tid lare gehyrde, ne swa deoplice dryhtnes geryne þurh menniscne muð areccan on sidum sefan. Him wæs soþra geþuht þæt hit ufancundes engles wære 1125

of swegldreamum, swiþor micle mægenþegnes word, þonne æniges monnes lar, wera ofer eorðan. Him þæt wundra mæst gesewen þuhte, þæt swylc snyttrucræft ænges hæleða her hreþer weardade, 1130 dryhta bearna, wæs þæs deoplic eall word ond wisdom, ond þæs weres stihtung, mod ond mægencræft, þe him meotud engla, gæsta geocend forgiefen hæfde. Wæron feowere ða forð gewitene 1135 dagas on rime, þæs se dryhtnes þegn on elne bad, adle gebysgad,

sarum geswenced. Ne he sorge wæg geocorne sefan gæstgedales, dreorigne hyge. Deað nealæcte, 1140 stop stalgongum, strong ond hreðe sohte sawelhus. Com se seofeða dæg ældum ondweard, þæs þe him in gesonc, hat, heortan neah, hildescurum flacor flanþracu, feorhhord onleac, 1145 searocægum gesoht. Ongon ða snottor hæle, ar, onbehtþegn, æþeles neosan to þam halgan hofe, fond þa hlingendne fusne on forðsiþ frean unwenne,

gæsthaligne in godes temple 1150 soden sarwylmum. Wæs þa sihste tid on midne dæg, wæs his mondryhtne endedogor ætryhte þa. Nearwum genæged nydcostingum, awrecen wælpilum, wlo ne meahte 1155 oroð up geteon, ellenspræce hleoþor ahebban. Ongon ða hygegeomor, freorig ond ferðwerig, fusne gretan, meðne modglædne, bæd hine þurh mihta scyppend, gif he his wordcwida wealdan meahte, 1160

spræce ahebban, þæt him on spellum gecyðde, onwrige worda gongum, hu he his wisna truwade, drohtes on ðære dimman adle, ærðon hine deað onsægde. Him se eadga wer ageaf ondsware, leof mon leofum, þeah he late meahte, 1165 eorl ellenheard, oreþe gebredan: "Min þæt swæse bearn, nis nu swiþe feor þam ytemestan endedogor nydgedales, þæt ðu þa nyhstan scealt in woruldlife worda minra, 1170 næfre leana biloren, lare gehyran, noht longe ofer þis. Læst ealle well

wære ond winescype, word þa wit spræcon, leofast manna." "Næfre ic lufan sibbe, þeoden, æt þearfe þine forlæte 1175 asanian!" "Beo þu on sið gearu, siþþan lic ond leomu ond þes lifes gæst asundrien somwist hyra þurh feorggedal. Fys æfter þon þæt þu gesecge sweostor minre, 1180 þære leofestan, on longne weg to þam fægran gefean forðsið minne, on ecne eard, ond hyre eac gecyð wordum minum, þæt ic me warnade

hyre onsyne ealle þrage 1185 in woruldlife, for ðy ic wilnode þæt wit unc eft in þam ecan gefean on sweglwuldre geseon mostun fore onsyne eces deman leahtra lease. þær sceal lufu uncer 1190 wærfæst wunian, þær wit wilna a in ðære beorhtan byrig brucan motun, eades mid englum. ðu hyre eac saga þæt heo þis banfæt beorge bifæste, lame biluce, lic orsawle 1195

in þeostorcofan, þær hit þrage sceal in sondhofe siþþan wunian." ða wearð modgeþanc miclum gebisgad, þream forþrycced, þurh þæs þeodnes word, ombehtþegne, þa he ædre oncneow 1200 frean feorhgedal, þæt hit feor ne wæs, endedogor. Ongon þa ofostlice to his winedryhtne wordum mæðlan: "Ic þec halsige, hæleþa leofost gumena cynnes, þurh gæsta weard, 1205 þæt þu hygesorge heortan minre geeþe, eorla wyn. Nis þe ende feor,

þæs þe ic on galdrum ongieten hæbbe. Oft mec geomor sefa gehþa gemanode, hat æt heortan, hyge gnornende 1210 nihtes nearwe, ond ic næfre þe, fæder, frofor min, frignan dorste. Symle ic gehyrde, þonne heofones gim, wyncondel wera, west onhylde, sweglbeorht sunne setlgonges fus 1215 on æfentid, oþerne mid þec, þegn æt geþeahte. Ic þæs þeodnes word, ares uncuþes oft neosendes, dægwoman bitweon ond þære deorcan niht,

meþelcwide mæcges, ond on morgne swa, 1220 ongeat geomormod, gæstes spræce, gleawes in geardum. Huru, ic giet ne wat, ær þu me, frea min, furþor cyðe þurh cwide þinne, hwonan his cyme sindon." ða se eadga wer ageaf ondsware 1225 leofum æfter longre hwile, swa he late meahte, elnes oncyðig, oreþe gewealdan: "Hwæt, þu me, wine min, wordum nægest, fusne frignest, þæs þe ic furþum ær æfre on ealdre ængum ne wolde 1230

monna ofer moldan melda weorðan, þegne on þeode, butan þe nu ða, þy læs þæt wundredan weras ond idesa, ond on geað gutan, gieddum mænden bi me lifgendum. Huru, ic nolde sylf 1235 þurh gielpcwide gæstes mines frofre gelettan, ne fæder mines æfre geæfnan, æbylg godes. Symle me onsende sigedryhten min, folca feorhgiefa, siþþan ic furþum ongon 1240 on þone æfteran anseld bugan geargemearces, gæst haligne,

engel ufancundne, se mec efna gehwam, meahtig meotudes þegn, ond on morgne eft, sigorfæst gesohte, ond me sara gehwylc 1245 gehælde hygesorge, ond me in hreþre bileac wuldres wilboda wisdomes giefe micle monigfealdran þonne ænig mon wite in life her, þe me alyfed nis to gecyþenne cwicra ængum 1250 on foldwege fira cynnes, þæt me ne meahte monna ænig bideaglian hwæt he dearninga on hyge hogde heortan geþoncum,

siþþan he me fore eagum onsyne wearð. 1255 A ic on mode mað monna gehwylcne þeodnes þrymcyme oð þisne dæg. Leofast monna, nu ic for lufan þinre, ond geferscype þæt wit fyrn mid unc longe læstan, nelle ic lætan þe 1260 æfre unrotne æfter ealdorlege meðne modseocne minre geweorðan, soden sorgwælmum. A ic sibbe wiþ þe healdan wille. Nu of hreþerlocan to þam soþan gefean sawel fundað. 1265

Nis seo tid latu, tydrað þis banfæt, greothord gnornað, gæst hine fyseð on ecne geard, utsiþes georn on sellan gesetu. Nu ic swiðe eom weorce gewergad." ða to þam wage gesag, 1270 heafelan onhylde, hyrde þa gena ellen on innan. Oroð stundum teah mægne modig, him of muðe cwom swecca swetast. Swylce on sumeres tid stincað on stowum staþelum fæste 1275 wynnum æfter wongum wyrta geblowene, hunigflowende, swa þæs halgan wæs

ondlongne dæg oþ æfen forð oroð up hlæden. þa se æþela glæm setlgong sohte, swearc norðrodor 1280 won under wolcnum, woruld miste oferteah, þystrum biþeahte, þrong niht ofer tiht londes frætwa. ða cwom leohta mæst, halig of heofonum hædre scinan, beorhte ofer burgsalu. Bad se þe sceolde 1285 eadig on elne endedogor, awrecen wælstrælum. Wuldres scima, æþele ymb æþelne, ondlonge niht scan scirwered. Scadu sweþredon,

tolysed under lyfte. Wæs se leohta glæm 1290 ymb þæt halge hus, heofonlic condel, from æfenglome oþþæt eastan cwom ofer deop gelad dægredwoma, wedertacen wearm. Aras se wuldormago, eadig elnes gemyndig, spræc to his onbehtþegne, 1295 torht to his treowum gesiþe: "Tid is þæt þu fere, ond þa ærendu eal biþence, ofestum læde, swa ic þe ær bibead, lac to leofre. Nu of lice is, goddreama georn, gæst swiðe fus." 1300

Ahof þa his honda, husle gereorded, eaðmod þy æþelan gyfle, swylce he his eagan ontynde, halge heafdes gimmas, biseah þa to heofona rice, glædmod to geofona leanum, ond þa his gæst onsende weorcum wlitigne in wuldres dream. 1305 ða wæs Guðlaces gæst gelæded eadig on upweg. Englas feredun to þam longan gefean, lic colode, belifd under lyfte. ða þær leoht ascan, beama beorhtast. Eal þæt beacen wæs 1310 ymb þæt halge hus, heofonlic leoma, from foldan up swylce fyren tor

ryht aræred oð rodera hrof, gesewen under swegle, sunnan beorhtra, æþeltungla wlite. Engla þreatas 1315 sigeleoð sungon, sweg wæs on lyfte gehyred under heofonum, haligra dream. Swa se burgstede wæs blissum gefylled, swetum stencum ond sweglwundrum, eadges yrfestol, engla hleoðres, 1320 eal innanweard. þær wæs ænlicra ond wynsumra þonne hit in worulde mæge stefn areccan, hu se stenc ond se sweg, heofonlic hleoþor ond se halga song,

gehyred wæs, heahþrym godes, 1325 breahtem æfter breahtme. Beofode þæt ealond, foldwong onþrong. ða afyrhted wearð ar, elnes biloren, gewat þa ofestlice beorn unhyðig, þæt he bat gestag, wæghengest wræc, wæterþisa for, 1330 snel under sorgum. Swegl hate scan, blac ofer burgsalo. Brimwudu scynde, leoht, lade fus. Lagumearg snyrede, gehlæsted to hyðe, þæt se hærnflota æfter sundplegan sondlond gespearn, 1335

grond wið greote. Gnornsorge wæg hate æt heortan, hyge geomurne, meðne modsefan, se þe his mondryhten, life bilidenne, last weardian wiste, wine leofne. Him þæs wopes hring 1340 torne gemonade. Teagor yðum weol, hate hleordropan, ond on hreþre wæg micle modceare. He þære mægeð sceolde lace gelædan laðspel to soð. Cwom þa freorigferð þær seo fæmne wæs, 1345 wuldres wynmæg. He þa wyrd ne mað, fæges forðsið. Fusleoð agol

wineþearfende, ond þæt word acwæð: "Ellen biþ selast þam þe oftost sceal dreogan dryhtenbealu, deope behycgan 1350 þroht þeodengedal, þonne seo þrag cymeð, wefen wyrdstafum. þæt wat se þe sceal aswæman sarigferð, wat his sincgiefan holdne biheledne. He sceal hean þonan geomor hweorfan. þam bið gomenes wana 1355 ðe þa earfeða oftost dreogeð on sargum sefan. Huru, ic swiðe ne þearf hinsiþ behlehhan. Is hlaford min, beorna bealdor, ond broþor þin,

se selesta bi sæm tweonum 1360 þara þe we on Engle æfre gefrunen acennedne þurh cildes had gumena cynnes, to godes dome, werigra wraþu, worulddreamum of, winemæga wyn, in wuldres þrym, 1365 gewiten, winiga hleo, wica neosan eardes on upweg. Nu se eorðan dæl, banhus abrocen burgum in innan wunað wælræste, ond se wuldres dæl of licfæte in leoht godes 1370

sigorlean sohte, ond þe secgan het þæt git a mosten in þam ecan gefean mid þa sibgedryht somudeard niman, weorca wuldorlean, willum neotan blædes ond blissa. Eac þe abeodan het 1375 sigedryhten min, þa he wæs siþes fus, þæt þu his lichoman, leofast mægða, eorðan biðeahte. Nu þu ædre const siðfæt minne. Ic sceal sarigferð, heanmod hweorfan, hyge drusendne."