Part 2
V. The DREAM OF THE ROOD is found in the Vercelli manuscript. Wülker's _Grundriss_ gives the literature of the subject to the time of its publication (1885). Soon afterwards Morley's "English Writers," Vol. II., appeared (1888), in which an English translation is given (pp. 237-241); also Stopford Brooke, in his "History of Early English Literature" (1892), has given an account of the poem, with partial translation and epitome (pp. 436-443). (See also p. 337 and pp. 384-386 for further notice.) The poem is very briefly mentioned by Trautmann in his monograph on Cynewulf (1898, p. 40). There are some very interesting questions connected with the poem which cannot be discussed here. Was it by Cynewulf? On the affirmative side we find Dietrich, Rieger, Grein, ten Brink, D'Ham, and Sweet. On the negative, Wülker, Ebert, Trautmann, Stephens, Morley, Brooke, and others. Pacius, who edited the text, with a German translation, in 1873, thinks that we know nothing about the poet. Brooke has propounded a theory, previously adumbrated by the editors of the _Corpus Poeticum Boreale_, Vigfusson and Powell, that an older poem, possibly of Cædmonian origin, as shown by the long six-accent lines, has been worked over by Cynewulf, with additions, and that it is "his last work" (p. 440). Certain lines of the poem, in the Northumbrian dialect, are found on the Ruthwell Cross, which fact complicates the question of origin. These are compared by Brooke (p. 337). The other upholders of the Cynewulfian authorship think that this Dream, occurring in the early part of Cynewulf's religious life, led to the longer and more highly finished poem, the ELENE, written near the close of his life. The questions of the relationship of the poem to the Ruthwell Cross and to the ELENE deserve further discussion. With these is connected the question of date, and the poem has been placed all the way from 700 to 800 A.D., even a little before and a little after, possibly 675 to 825 A.D., so as yet there is no common agreement. The similarity of thought in the personal epilogue (II. 122 ff.) to the epilogue of the ELENE (II. 1237 ff.) is striking, and they may be compared by the curious reader. The translation is made from the Grein-Wülker text (Vol. II., pp. 116-125), with emendations from others, as seen in the notes. All can agree with Kemble (_Codex Vercellensis_, Part II., p. ix) that "it is in some respects the most striking of all the Anglo-Saxon remains, inasmuch as a departure from the mere conventional style of such compositions is very perceptible in it. It contains some passages of real poetical beauty, and a good deal of fancy." Brooke says (op. cit., p. 443): "This is the last of the important poems of the eighth century. It is good, but not very good. The older part, if my conjecture be right, is the best, and its reworking by Cynewulf has so broken it up that its dignity is much damaged. The shaping is rude, but the imagination has indeed shaped it." ten Brink says (p. 53): "Cynewulf himself has immortalized this vision in a poem, giving utterance to an irrepressible emotion, but still exhibiting the delicate lines of a beautifully designed composition." The other Germans are usually so taken up with technical and mechanical questions that they leave no room for æsthetic considerations. Whether Cynewulf wrote the poem or not,--and the probabilities favor his authorship, though we may not hesitate to say with Morley, "I don't know,"--it is certainly the work of a gifted Christian poet, who reverences the cross as the means of the redemption of mankind.
This brief Introduction will, it is hoped, be sufficient to interest the reader in the accompanying translations of some of the finest pieces of Old English poetry that remain to us from the eighth, ninth, and tenth centuries. The earlier period was the golden age of Old English poetry in the Northumbrian dialect, which poetry, there is good reason to think, was copied into the West-Saxon dialect, and it now remains to us only in that form; for, when the Northmen harried Northumbria, destroyed its monasteries, massacred its inhabitants, and settled in its homes, manuscripts perished, and the light of learning in Western Europe was extinguished. It is sufficient to recall King Alfred's oft-quoted lament, in the Preface to his translation of Pope Gregory's "Pastoral Care," to realize the position held by Northumbria in respect to culture, and when learning was restored in Wessex by the efforts of the king himself, and poetry again revived, it shone but by a reflected light. Still we should treasure all that remains, and the Old English language should be at least as well known as Latin is now, and should occupy as prominent a position in education and general culture. Until that millennial period arrives, translations of Old English poems may not be without service.
ABBREVIATIONS IN NOTES.
B. = Bouterwek; C. = Cook; Gm. = Grimm; Gn. = Grein; K. = Kemble; Kl. = Kluge; Kr. = Körner; S. = Sievers; Sw. = Sweet; Th. = Thorpe; W. = Wülker; Z. = Zupitza; Zl. = Zernial.
CYNEWULF'S ELENE.
I.
Whén had elapsed in course of years Two hundred and three, reckoned by number, And thirty alsó, in measure of time, Of winters for th' world, since mighty God Became incarnate, of kings the Glory, 5 Upón mid-earth in human form, Light of the righteous; then sixth was the year Of Constantine's imperial sway, Since hé o'er the realm of the Roman people, The battle-prince, as ruler was raised. 10 The ward of his folk, skilful with shield, Was gracious to earls. Strong grew the ætheling's[1] Might 'neath the heavens. Hé was true king, War-keeper of men. God him strengthened With honor and might, that to many became he 15 Throughoút this earth to men a joy, To nations a vengeance, when weapon he raised Against his foes. Him battle was offered, Tumult of war. A host was assembled, Folk of the Huns and fame-loving Goths; 20 War-brave they went, the Franks and the Hugs.[2] Bold were the men [in battle-byrnies, Gn.], Ready for war. Bright shone the spears, The ringéd corselets. With shouts and shields They hoisted the standards. The heroes were there 25 Plainly assembled, and [host, Gn.] all together. The multitude marched. A war-song howled The wolf in the wood, war-secret concealed not; The dew-feathered eagle uplifted his song On the trail of his foes. Hastened quickly 30 O'er cities of giants[3] the greatest of war-hosts In bands to battle, such as king of the Huns Of dwellers-around anywhere might, Of city-warriors, assemble to war. Went greatest of armies,--the footmen were strengthened 35 With chosen bands,--till in foreign land The fighters-with-darts upón the Danube's Bank were encamping, the brave in heart, 'Round the welling of waters, with tumult of host. The realm of the Romans they wished to oppress, 40 With armies destroy. Thére was Huns' coming Known to the people. Then bade the Cæsar Against the foes his comrades in war 'Neath arrow-flight in greatest haste Gather for fight, form battle-array 45 The heroes 'neath heavens. The Romans were, Men famed for victory, quickly prepared With weapons for war, though lesser army Had théy for the battle than king of the Huns.[4] They rode 'round the valiant: then rattled the shield, 50 The war-wood clanged: the king with host marched, With army to battle. Aloft sang the raven, Dark and corpse-gréedy. The band was in motion. The horn-bearers blew,[5] the heralds called, Steed stamped the earth. The host assembled 55 Quickly for contest. The king was affrighted, With terror disturbed, after the strangers, The Huns' and Hreths' hóst they[6] observed, That it[7] on the Romans' kingdom's border 'Round the bank of the river a band assembled, 60 A countless crowd. Heart-sorrow bore The Romans' ruler, of realm he hoped not For want of force; had warriors too few, Trusty comrades, 'gainst th' overmight Of the brave for battle. The army encamped, 65 The earls 'round the ætheling nigh to the river In neighboring plain a night-long time, After force of their foes they first beheld. Thén in his sleep was shown to him, To the Cæsar himself where he slept 'mid his men, 70 By the victory-famed seen, a vision of dream. Effulgent it seemed him, in form of a man, White and hue-bright, some one of heroes More splendid appeared than ere or since He saw 'neath the heavens. From sleep he awaked 75 With boar-sign bedecked. The messenger quickly, Bright herald of glory, to him made address And called him by name (the night-veil vanished): "To thee, Constantine, bade King of the angels, Wielder of fates, his favor grant, 80 The Lord of Hosts. Fear not for thyself, Though thee the strangers threaten with terror, With battle severe. Look thou to heaven, To the Lord of glory: there help wilt thou find, A token of victory." Soon was he ready 85 At hest of the holy, his heart-lock unloosed, Upwards he looked as the messenger bade him, Trusty peace-wéaver. He saw bright with gems Fair rood of glory o'er roof of the clouds Adorned with gold: the jewels shone, 90 The glittering tree with letters was written Of brightness and light: "With this beacon thou On the dangerous journey[8] wilt the foe overcome, The loathly host let." The light then departed, Ascended on high, and the messenger too, 95 To the realm of the pure. The king was the blither And freer from sorrow, chieftain of men, In thoughts of his soul, for thát fair sight.
[1] Prince's.
[2] MS. '_Huns_,' but Z. reads '_Hugs_.' Cf. W.
[3] 'O'er land of Burgundians,' Gn.
[4] Z. has no point, W. puts (;), Gn. (.)
[5] 'Hurried,' Z.^3
[6] 'He,' W.
[7] 'Which,' Z.
[8] 'In the terrible danger,' Gn.
II.
Bade then a likeness[1] defender of æthelings, Ring-giver of heroes, to that beacon he saw, 100 Leader of armies, that in heaven before To him had appeared, with greatest haste [Bade] Constantine [like] the rood of Christ, The glorious king, a token make. He bade then at dawn with break of day 105 His warriors rouse and onset of battle, The standard raise, and that holy tree Before him carry, 'mid host of foes God's beacon bear. The trumpets sang Aloud 'fore the hosts. The raven rejoiced,[2] 110 The dew-feathered eagle beheld the march, Fight of the fierce cries, the wolf raised his howl, The wood's frequenter. War-terror arose. There was shattering of shields and mingling of men, Heavy handstroke and felling of foes, 115 After in arrow-flight first they had met. On the fated folk showers of darts, Spears over shields into hosts of foes, Sword-fierce foemen battle-adders With force of fingers forwards impelled. 120 The strong-hearted stepped, pressed onwards at once, Broke the shield-covers, thrust in their swords, Battle-brave hastened. Then standard was raised, Sign 'fore the host, song of victory sung. The golden helmet, the spear-points glistened 125 On field of battle. The heathen perished, Peaceless they fell. Forthwith they fled, The folk of the Huns, when that holy tree The king of the Romans bade raise on high, Fierce in the fight. The warriors became 130 Widely dispersed. Some war took away; Some with labor their lives preserved Upon that march; some half-alive Fled to the fastness and life protected Behind the stone-cliffs, held their abode 135 Around the Danube; some drowning took off In the stream of the river at the end of their life. Then wás of the proud ones the force in joy; They followed the foreigners forth until even From break of day. The ash-darts flew, 140 Battle-adders. The heap was destroyed,[3] Shield-band of foes. Very few came Of the host of the Huns home again thence. Thén it was plain that victory gave To Constantine the King Almighty 145 In the work of that day, glorious honor, Might 'neath the heavens, through the tree of his rood. Went helmet of hosts home again thence, In booty rejoicing (the battle was ended), Honored in war. Came warriors' defence 150 With band of his thanes to deck the strong shield,[4] War-renowned king, to visit his cities. Bade warriors' ward the wisest men Swiftly to synod, who wisdom's craft Through writings of old had learnt to know, 155 Held in their hearts counsels of heroes. Then thát gan inquire chief of the folk, Victory-famed king, throughout the wide crowd, If any there were, elder or younger, Who him in truth was able to tell, 160 Make known by speech, what the god were, The giver of glory,[5] "whose beacon this was, That seemed me so sheen, and saved my people, Brightest of beacons, and gave to me glory, War-speed against foes, through that beautiful tree." 165 They him any answer at all were unable To give in reply, nor could they full well Clearly declare of that victory-sign. Thén did the wisest speak out in words Before the armed host, that Heaven-king's 170 Token it was, and of that was no doubt. When they that heard who in baptism's lore Instructed had been, light was their mind, Rejoicing their soul, though of them there were few, That they 'fore the Cæsar might dare to proclaim 175 The gift of the gospel, how the spirits' Defence, In form of the Trinity worshipped in glory, Incarnate became, Brightness of kings,-- And how on the cross was God's own Son Hanged 'fore the hosts with hardest pains; 180 The Son men saved from the bonds of devils, Sorrowful spirits, and a gift to them gave Through thát same sign that appeared to him Before his own eyes the token of victory 'Gainst onset of nations; and how the third day 185 From out of the tomb the Glory of heroes, From death, arose, the Lord of all The race of mankind, and to Heaven ascended. So with cunning of mind in secrets of soul They said to the victor as they by Sylvester[6] 190 Instructed had been. From him the folk-chíef Baptism received, and continued to hold it For the time of his days at the will of the Lord.
[1] Lit. 'in like manner,' adv.
[2] Add 'at the work.'
[3] 'Diminished,' Gn.
[4] i.e., with precious stones. Kr. reads '(rattled strong shields).'
[5] 'Gold,' Kr. 'Lord of the house,' Gn. Cf. W.
[6] The Bishop of Rome.
III.
Thén was in bliss the giver of treasure, The battle-brave king. To him was new joy 195 Inspired in his soul; greatest of comforts And highest of hopes was heaven's Defence. Then gan he God's law by day and by night Through gift of the Spirit with zeal proclaim, And truly himself devoted he eagerly, 200 Gold-friend of men, to the service of God, Spear-famed, unfaltering. Then found the ætheling, Defence of his folk, through learned men,[1] War-brave, spear-bold, in books of God, Whére had been hanged with shouts of the host 205 On tree of the rood the Ruler of heaven Through envy and hate, just ás the old fiend Misled with his lies, the people deceived, The race of the Jews, so that God himself They hanged, Lord of hosts: hence in misery shall they 210 For ever and ever punishment suffer. Then praise of Christ by the Cæsar was In the thoughts of his mind[2] always remembered For that great tree, and his mother he bade Gó on a journey with a band of men 215 To [land of] the Jews, earnestly seek With host of warriors where that tree of glory Holy 'neath earth hidden might be, The noble King's rood. Helena would not On that expedition be slow to start, 220 Nor that joy-giver's command neglect, Her own [dear] son's, but soon she[3] was ready For the wished-for journey, as the helmet of men, Of mail-clad warriors, her had commanded. Gan then with speed the crowd of earls 225 Hasten to ship.[4] The steeds of the sea 'Round the shore of the ocean ready were standing, Cabled sea-horses, at rest on the water. Then plainly was known the voyage of the lady, When the welling of waves she sought with her folk. 230 There many a proud one at Wendel-sea Stood on the shore. They severally hastened Over the mark-paths, band after band, And then they loaded with battle-sarks, With shields and spears, with mail-clad warriors, 235 With men and women, the steeds of the sea. Then they let o'er the billows the foamy ones go, The high wave-rushers. The hull oft received O'er the mingling of waters the blows of the waves. The sea resounded. Not since nor ere heard I 240 On water-stream a lady lead, On ocean-street, a fairer force. There might he see, who that voyage beheld, Burst o'er the bath-way the sea-wood, hasten 'Neath swelling sails, the sea-horse play, 245 The wave-floater sail. The warriors were blithe, Courageous in mind; queen joyed in her journey. After to haven the ringèd-prowed O'er the sea-fastness had finished their course To the land of the Greeks, they let the keels 250 At the shore of the sea beat by the breakers, The old sea-dwellings at anchor fast, On the water await the fate of the heroes, When the warlike queen with her band of men Over the east-ways should seek them again. 255 There wás on [each] earl easily seen The braided byrnie and tested sword, Glittering war-weeds, many a helmet, Beautiful boar-sign. The spear-warriors were, Men 'round victor-queen, prepared for the march, 260 Brave war-heroes. They marched with joy Into land of the Greeks, the Cæsar's heralds, Battle-warriors with armor protected. There wás to be seen treasure-gem set 'Mid that army-host, gift of their lord. 265 [Then] wás the blessed Helena mindful, Bold in her thought, of the prince's will, Eager in mind, in that shé of the Jews, O'er the army-fields with tested band Of warriors-with-shields, the land was seeking, 270 With host of men; so it after befell In little while that thát force of men, War-famed heroes, to Híerusalem[5] Came to the city the greatest of crowds, Spear-famed earls, with the noble queen. 275
[1] Lit., 'smiths of lore.'
[2] Z. supposes _lacuna_ of one verse; W. thinks it unnecessary.
[3] Lit., 'the woman.'
[4] Lit., 'to the sea,' or 'sea-journey.'
[5] A.-S. form retained for the sake of the accent and alliteration.
IV.
Bade she then order the dwellers-in-city Most skilled in lore, those far and wide Among the Jews, each one of men, For council-talk in meeting to come, Whó most deeply the secrets of God 280 By righteous law were able to tell. Then was assembled from distant ways No little crowd who Moses' law Were able to tell. In number there were Of thousands three of thóse [learned] men 285 Chosen for lore. The lovely woman The men of the Hebrews with words gan address: "I thát most surely have learnt to know Through secret words of prophets [of old] In the books of God, that in days of yore 290 Ye worthy were of the glorious King, Dear to the Lord and daring in deed. Lo! yé that wisdom [very, Gn.] unwisely, Wrongly, rejected, when him ye condemned Who you from the curse through might of his glory, 295 From torment of fire, thought to redeem, From fetters' force. Ye filthily spat On hís fair face who light of the eyes From blindness [restored], a remedy brought To you anew by that noble spittle, 300 And often preserved you fróm the unclean Spirits of devils. This one to death Ye gan adjudge, who self from death Many awakened 'mong host of men Of your own race to the former life. 305 So blinded in mind ye gan conjoin Lying with truth, light with darkness, Hatred with mercy, with evil thoughts Ye wickedness wove; therefore the curse You guilty oppresses. The purest Might 310 Ye gan condemn, and have lived in error, In thoughts benighted, until this day. Go ye now quickly, with prudence select Men firm in wisdom, crafty in word, Who yóur own law, with excellence skilled, 315 In thoughts of their minds most thoroughly have, Who to me truly are able to say, Answer to tell for you hencefórth Of each one of tokens that I from thee seek." They went then away sorry-in-mind, 320 The law-clever earls, oppressed with fear, Sad in their grief, earnestly sought The wisest men in secrets of words, That they to the queen might answer well Both of good and of ill, as shé from them sought. 325 Then théy 'mong the host a thousand of men Found clever in mind whó the old story Among the Jews most readily knew. Then they pressed in a crowd where in pomp awaited On kingly throne the Cæsar's mother,[1] 330 Stately war-queen with gold adorned. Helena spake and said 'fore the earls: "Hear, clever in mind, the holy secret, Word and wisdom. Lo! yé the prophets' Teaching received, hów the Life-giver 335 In form of a child incarnate became, Ruler of might. Of him Moses sang And spake this [word],[2] warden of Israel: 'To yóu shall be born a child in secret Renowned in might, though his mother shall nót 340 Be filled with fruit through love of a man.' Of him David the king a kingly psalm sang, The wise old sage, father of Solomon, And spake this word, prince of warriors: 'The God of creation before me I saw, 345 Lord of victories. He wás in my sight, Ruler of hosts, upon my right hand, Guardian of glory. Thence turn I nót Ever in life my countenance from him.'[3] So it again of you Isaiah 350 'Fore the people, the prophet, foretold in words, Thinking profoundly by spirit of the Lord: 'I raised upon high sons young in years, And children begat, to whom glory I gave, Heart-comfort holy: but théy me rejected, 355 With enmity hated, forethought possessed not, Wisdom of mind, and the wretched cattle, That on each day one drives and strikes, Their well-doer know, not at áll with revenge Bear hate to their friends who give them fodder. 360 And the folk of Israel never were willing Me to acknowledge, though many for them, In worldly course, of wonders I wrought.'[4]
[1] Lit., 'kinswoman.' The Elizabethan 'Kesar' would preserve the alliteration in this line.
[2] Gn. and Z. W. omits.
[3] Psalms xvi. 8, 9.
[4] Isaiah i. 2, 3.
V.