Metrical Preface to the Pastoral Car

Verse Early Saxon þis ærendgewrit Agustinus ofer sealtne sæ suðan brohte iegbuendum, swa hit ær fore adihtode dryhtnes cempa, Rome papa. Ryhtspell monig Gregorius gleawmod gindwod ðurh sefan snyttro, searoðonca hord. Forðæm he monncynnes mæst gestriende rodra wearde, Romwara betest, monna modwelegost, mærðum gefrægost. Siððan min on englisc ælfred kyning awende worda gehwelc, and me his writerum sende suð and norð, heht him swelcra ma

brengan bi ðære bisene, ðæt he his biscepum sendan meahte, forðæm hi his sume ðorfton, ða ðe lædenspræce læste cuðon.