The Old Ways

Norse · Anglo-Saxon Poetry · 339 of 343

Metrical Charm 8: For a Swarm of Bees

Old English originals (Anglo-Saxon Poetic Records)

Wið ymbe nim eorþan, oferweorp mid þinre swiþran handa under þinum swiþran fet, and cwet: Fo ic under fot, funde ic hit. Hwæt, eorðe mæg wið ealra wihta gehwilce and wið andan and wið æminde and wið þa micelan mannes tungan. And wiððon forweorp ofer greot, þonne hi swirman, and cweð: Sitte ge, sigewif, sigað to eorþan! Næfre ge wilde to wuda fleogan. Beo ge swa gemindige mines godes, swa bið manna gehwilc metes and eþeles.