Chapter 5

Thus old and death-ready in this frail house Word-craft I wove and wondrously framed it, Reflected at times and sifted my thought Closely at night. I knew not well 1240 The truth of the rood,[1] ere wider knowledge Through glorious might into thought of my mind Wisdom revealed to me. I was stained with crimes, Fettered with sins, pained with sorrows, Bitterly bound, banefully vexed, 1245 Ere lore to me lent through light-bringing office For help to the agèd, his blameless gift The mighty King meted, and poured in my mind, Brightness disclosed, widened with time, Bone-house unbound, breast-lock unwound, 1250 Song-craft unlocked, which I joyfully used, With will, in the world. Of that tree of glory Often not once meditation I had, Ere that wonder I had revealed About that bright tree, as in books I found 1255 In course of events, in writings declared Of that beacon of victory. Ay till then was the man With care-waves oppressed, a nickering _pine-torch_[C], Though he in the mead-hall treasures received, Apples of gold.[2] Mourned for his _bow_[Y] 1260 The comrade of _sorrow_[N], suffered distress, His secret constrained, where before him the _horse_[E] Measured the mile-paths, with spirit ran Proud of his ornaments. _Hope_[W] is decreased, Joy, after years, youth is departed, 1265 The ancient pride. The _bison_[U] was once The gladness of youth. Now are the old days In course of time gone forever, Life-joy departed, as _ocean_[L] flows by, Waves hurried along. To each one is _wealth_[3][F] 1270 Fleeting 'neath heaven, treasures of earth Pass 'neath the clouds likest to wind, When before men it mounts up aloud, Roams 'round the clouds, raging rushes, And then all at once silent becomes, 1275 In narrow prison closely confined, Strongly repressed. So passes this world, And likewise besides what things[4] have been In it produced flame will consume, When the Lord himself judgment will seek 1280 With host of angels. Every one there Of speech-bearing men the truth shall hear Of every deed through mouth of the Judge, And likewise of words the penalty pay Of all that with folly were spoken before, 1285 Of daring thoughts. Then parts into three Into clutch of fire each one of folk, Of those that have dwelt in course of time Upon the broad earth. The righteous shall be Upmost-in flame, host of the blessed, 1290 Crowd eager for glory, as they may bear it, And without torment easily suffer, Band of the brave. For them shall be moderate The brightness of flame,[5] as it shall be easiest, Softest for them. The sinful shall be, 1295 Those spotted with evil, compressed in the middle, Men sad-in-mind, within the hot waves Smothered with smoke. The third part shall be, Accursèd sinners, in the flood's abyss, False folk-haters, fastened in flame 1300 For deeds of old, gang of the godless In grip of the gledes. To God never more From that place of torment come they in mind, To the King of glory, but théy shall be cast From that terrible fire to the bottom of hell, 1305 The workers of woe. To the [other] two parts It will be unlike. They may angels' Lord, Victories' God, see. Théy shall be cleansed, Sundered from sins, as smelted gold, That is in the flame from every spot 1310 Through fire of the oven thoroughly cleansed, Freed and refined. So shall each of those men Be freed and made pure from every sin, From heavy crimes through fire of that doom. Then afterwards théy may peace enjoy, 1315 Eternal bliss. To them angels' Warden Shall be mild and gentle, for that théy every evil Despised, sins' work, and to Son of their Maker They called with words. Hence in beauty they shine now Like to the angels, the heritage have 1320 Of the King of glory for ever and ever. Amen.

[1] Gn.'s emendation.

[2] Lit.,'appled gold.'

[3] The words in italics are the names of the runes that make up the name CYNEWULF. This artificial use of words makes the interpretation obscure, and scholars differ about it.

[4] Or, 'those who.'

[5] Gn., Z.

JUDITH.

IX.

* * * * * * * * [The glorious Creator's][1] gifts doubted she [not] Upón this wide earth; then found she there ready Help from the mighty Prince, when she most need did have Of grace from the highest Judge, that her 'gainst the greatest terror The Lord of Creation should shield. That Father in heaven to her The Glorious-in-mind did grant, for thát firm faith she had Ín the Almighty ever. Then heard I that Holofernes Wine-summons eagerly wrought, and with all wonders a glorious Banquet had hé prepared; to thát bade the prince of men All his noblest thanes. Thát with mickle haste 10 Did the warriors-with-shields perform; came to the mighty chief The people's leaders going. Ón the fourth day was that After that Judith, cunning in mind, The elf-sheen virgin, him first had sought.

[1] Gn.'s emendation to fill _lacuna_ of MS.

X.

They then at the feast proceeded to sit, 15 The proud to the wine-drinking, all his comrades-in-ill, Bold mailèd-warriors. There were lofty beakers Oft borne along the benches, alsó were cups and flagons Full to the hall-sitters borne. The fated partook of them, Brave warriors-with-shields, though the mighty weened not of it, 20 Awful lord of earls. Thén was Holofernes, Gold-friend of men, full of wine-joy: He laughed and clamored, shouted and dinned, That children of men from afar might hear How the strong-minded both stormed and yelled, 25 Moody and mead-drunken, often admonished The sitters-on-benches to bear themselves[1] well. Thus did the hateful one during all day His liege-men [loyal] keep plying with wine, Stout-hearted giver of treasure, untíl they lay in a swoon, 30 He drenched all his nobles [with drink], as if they were slain in death, Deprived[2] of each one of goods. Thus bade the prince of men The sitters-in-hall to serve, untíl to children of men The darkening night drew nigh. He bade then, filled with hate, The blessed maiden with haste to fetch 35 To his bed of rest, laden with jewels, Adorned with rings. They quickly performed, The attendant thanes, what their lord them bade, Mailed-warriors' prince; like a flash they stepped Into the guest-room, where they Judith 40 Wise-minded found, and quickly then The warriors-with-shields began to lead The glorious maid to the lofty tent Where the mighty himself always[3] rested By night within, to the Saviour hateful, 45 Holofernes. There wás an all-golden Beautiful fly-net around the folk-warrior's Bed suspended, só that the hateful Was able to look through, the chief of warriors, Upon each one that therein came 50 Of the sons of heroes, and on him no one Of the race of men, unless the proud some one Of the strong-in-war bade to him nearer Of warriors for counsel to come. They then to him at rest brought Quickly the cunning woman; went then the stout-in-heart 55 The men their lord to tell that the holy woman was Brought to his chamber-tent. The famous then in mind Was glad, the ruler of cities; he thought the beautiful maiden With spot and stain to defile: that Judge of glory would not Allow, the Keeper of honor, but him from that deed restrained 60 The Lord, the Ruler of hosts. Went then the devilish one, The wanton [warrior-prince],[4] with [mickle] band of men, The baleful his bed to seek, where hé his life should lose Quickly within one night; he had then his end attained[5] On earth ungentle [end], such as before he wrought for, 65 The mighty prince of men, while ín this world he was, While he dwelt under roof of the clouds. Then fell so drunk with wine The mighty [chief] on his bed, as if he knew no rede Within his place of wit; the warriors stepped Oút from the chamber with mickle haste, 70 The wine-filled men, whó the oath-breaker, Hateful folk-hater, had led to his bed For the very last time. Then was the Saviour's Glorious maiden earnestly mindful How she the terrible most easily might 75 Of life deprive before the lustful, The wanton, awoke. The wreathed-locked took then, The Creator's handmaid, a sharp-edged sword Hardened by war-strokes [?],[6] and drew from its sheath With hér right hand; then Keeper of heaven 80 By name she gan name, Saviour of all Dwellers-in-th' world, and this word she spake: "Thee, God of Creation, and Spirit of Comfort, Son of the Almighty, will I [now] pray For thine own mercy to me in my need, 85 Trinity's Glory. To me greatly now then My heart is inflamed, and my mind is sad, Sorely with sorrows oppressed; grant, Lord of Heaven, to me Victory and faith without fear, that I with this sword may be able To hew down this dealer of murder; grant [too] my safety to me, 90 Strong-hearted Leader of men; ne'er in this world had I Of thy mercy more urgent need: avenge now, mighty Lord, Glorious Giver of honor, that I am so angry in mind, So heated within my breast." Hér then the highest Judge Quickly with courage inspired, as doth he [ever] each one 95 Of dwellers here [upon earth], who him for help to them seek With rede and righteous belief. Then roomy in mind she became, The holy one's hope was renewed; then took she the heathen man Fast by his own [long] hair, with hands him towards her she drew With marks of contempt, and the baleful one 100 With cunning laid down, the loathsome man, As she the accursèd most easily might Wield at her will. Struck then the curly-locked The hostile foe with shining[7] sword, The hateful-minded, that half-way she cut 105 The [evil one's] neck, that he lay in a swoon, Drunken and wounded. Not yet was he dead, Thoroughly lifeless; struck she then earnestly, The maiden brave-minded, a second time The heathen hound, that his head rolled off 110 Forth on the floor: the foul corpse lay Lifeless behind, went the spirit elsewhere Beneath the deep earth, and there was disgraced, In torment bound ever thereafter, Surrounded with serpents, with tortures encompassed, 115 Strongly enchained in the fire of hell After his death. He need never hope, Enveloped with darkness, that thence he may go Out of that worm-hall, but there shall he dwell Ever for ever without end henceforth 120 In that dark home, of hope-joys deprived.

[1] 'Loudly carouse,' Kr. and C.

[2] 'Gorged with,' Kr. and C.

[3] Or, 'after feast.'

[4] 'King,' Gn. and Kr., but _guðfreca_ suits the verse better than _cyning_, and even that is not metrically sufficient to fill the _lacuna_.

[5] Lit., 'awaited.'

[6] So Gn.? 'Scouring,' Sw.?, Kr.?, C.

[7] 'Hostile,' Sw.?

XI.

Then had she gained glorious honor, Judith in war, as God to her granted, The Ruler of Heaven, who gave to her victory. The cunning maid then quickly brought 125 The army-leader's head so bloody In that [very] vessel in which her attendant, The fair-faced woman, food for them both, In virtues renowned, thither had brought, And it then so gory to her gave in hand, 130 To the thoughtful-in-mind to bear to their home, Judith to her maid. Went they forth thence, The women both in courage bold, Until they had come, proud in their minds, The women triumphant, out from the army, 135 So that they plainly were able to see Of that beautiful city the walls [fair] shine, Béthulía. Then jewel-decked théy Upon the foot-path hastened to go, Until glad-minded they had arrived 140 At the gate of the wall. The warriors sat, The watching men were keeping ward Within that fortress, as before to the folk, Sad in their minds, Judith had bidden, The cunning maiden, when she went on her journey, 145 The stout-hearted woman. Then again was she come, Dear to her people, and then quickly ordered The wise-minded woman some one of the men To come to meet her from out the wide city, And hér in haste to admit within 150 Through the gate of the wall, and this word she spake To the victor-folk: "To you can I say A thought-worthy[1] thing, that no longer ye need Mourn in your minds: your Creator is kind, Glory of kings: that ís become known 155 Wide through the world, that to you is success Glorious at hand, and honor is granted For [all] those sorrows which long ye suffered." Glad then were they, the dwellers-in-borough, After they heard how the holy one spake 160 O'er the high wall. The host was in joy. To the fortress-gate the people hastened, Men, women together, in troops and heaps, In crowds and throngs, hurried and ran To meet the Lord's maid by thousands and thousands, 165 Both old and young: to each one became Of men in the mead-city his mind rejoiced, After they knew that Judith was come Again to her home, and then in haste With reverence théy allowed her to enter. 170 Then bade the clever, with gold adorned, Her servant-maid, thoughtful-in-mind, The army-leader's head to uncover, And it as a proof bloody to show To the city-folk how she speeded in war. 175 Then spake the noble one to all the folk: "Here ye may clearly, victory-blessed warriors, Chiefs of the people, upón the most hateful Heathen hero's head fix your gaze, On Holofernes deprived of life, 180 Who chiefest of men wrought murders for us, Sorest sorrows, and that yet more Would he increase: but God him granted not A longer life, that hé with woes Might still afflict us. Of life I deprived him 185 By help of God. Now I every man Of these city-dwellers will [earnestly] pray, Of shield-bearing warriors, that ye yourselves quickly Hasten to fight; when the God of creation, The glorious King, shall send from the east 190 Bright beams of light, bear forth your shields, Boards before breasts and coats-of-mail, Bright helmets [too] among the foes, To fell the folk-leaders with shining swords, The fated chiefs. Your foes are now 195 Condemned to death, and ye glory shall gain, Honor in battle, as to you hath betokened The mighty Lord through mine own hand." Then the band of the brave was quickly prepared, Of the bold for battle; stepped out the valiant 200 Men and comrades, bore their banners, Went forth to fight straight on their way The heroes 'neath helmets from the holy city At the dawn itself; shields made a din, Loudly resounded. Thereat laughed the lank 205 Wolf in the wood, and the raven wan, Fowl greedy for slaughter: both of them knew That for them the warriors thought to provide Their fill on the fated; and flew on their track The dewy-winged eagle eager for prey, 210 The dusky-coated sang his war-song, The crooked-beaked. Stepped forth the warriors, The heroes for battle with boards protected, With hollow shields, who awhile before The foreign-folk's reproach endured, 215 The heathens' scorn; fiercely was thát At the ash-spear's play to them all repaid, [All] the Assyrians, after the Hebrews Under their banners had [boldly] advanced To the army-camps. They bravely then 220 Forthright let fly showers of arrows, Of battle-adders, óut from the horn-bows, Of strongly-made shafts; stormed they aloud, The cruel warriors, sent forth their spears Among the brave; the heroes were angry, 225 The dwellers-in-land, with the loathéd race; The stern-minded stepped, the stout-in-heart, Rudely awakened their ancient foes Weary from mead; with hands drew forth The men from the sheaths the brightly-marked swords 230 Most choice in their edges, eagerly struck Of the [host of] Assyrians the battle-warriors, The hostile-minded; not one they spared Of the army-folk, nor low nor high Of living men, whom théy might subdue. 235

[1] 'Thank-worthy,' Kr.

XII.

Thus then the thanes in the morning-hours Pressed on the strangers unceasinglý, Until they perceived, those who were hostile, The army-folk's chiefest leaders, That upón them sword-strokes mighty bestowed 240 The Hebrew men. They thát in words To their most noted chiefs of the people Went to announce, waked helmeted warriors And to thém with fear the dread news told, To the weary-from-mead the morning-terror, 245 The hateful sword-play. Then learnt I that quickly The slaughter-fated men aroused from sleep Ánd to the baleful's sleeping-bower The saddened[1] men pressed ón in crowds, To Holofernes: they only were thinking 250 To their own lord to make known the fight, Ere terror on him should take its seat, The might of the Hebrews. They all imagined That the prince of men and the handsome maid In the beautiful tent were [still] together, 255 Judith the noble and the lustful one, Dreadful and fierce; though no earl there was Whó the warrior durst [then] awake, Or durst discover how the helmeted warrior With the holy maid had passed his time, 260 The Creator's handmaid. The force approached, The folk of the Hebrews, courageously fought With hard battle-arms, fiercely repaid Their former fights with shining[2] swords, The old-time grudge; was óf the Assyrians 265 By thát day's work the glory diminished, The pride brought low. The warriors stood 'Round their prince's tent strongly excited, Gloomy in mind. They then all together Began to groan,[3] to cry aloud 270 And gnash with their teeth,--afar from God,-- Showing their anger; 'twas the end of their glory, Of joy and valor. The earls were thinking To awaken their lord; they did not succeed. Then at last and too late was one so bold 275 Of the battle-warriors that to the bower-tent He daringly ventured, since need him compelled: Found he then on the bed lying deadly-pale His [own] gold-giver of breath bereft, Of life deprived. Then quickly he fell 280 Astounded to earth, gan tear his hair, Excited in mind, and his garments too, And this word he spake to the warriors [brave], Who saddened there were standing without: "Here is displayed our own destruction, 285 The future betokened, that it is to the time Now amongst men[4] almost arrived, When wé our lives shall lose together, In battle perish: here lies with sword hewn Our lord beheaded." They then sad-in-mind 290 Threw down their weapons and sorrowful went To hasten in flight. They fought on their tracks, The mighty folk, till the greatest part Of the army lay, in battle struck down, On the victor-plain, hewn down with swords, 295 To wolves for pleasure, and to slaughter-greedy Fowls for a joy. Those who lived fled The shields of their foes.[5] Went on their tracks The Hebrews' host, honored with victory, With glory ennobled; them took the Lord God 300 Fairly to help, the Lord Almighty. They bravely then with shining swords, Stout-hearted heroes, a war-path wrought Through heaps of their foes, hewed down their shields, Cut through their phalanx: the warriors were 305 Enraged in battle, the Hebrew men; The thanes at that time were much delighted At the combat with spears. Here fell in the dust The highest part of the chiefest number Óf the Assyrians' princely nobility, 310 Of the hateful race; very few came Alive to their homes. The nobly-bold turned, Warriors retiring, among the slaughtered, The smoking corpses; it was time to take For the dwellers-in-land from the loathsome ones, 315 Their ancient foes deprived of life, The gory booty, the shining trappings, Shields and broad swords, brown-colored helmets, Precious treasures. Gloriously had they On thát folk-place their foes overcome, 320 The defenders of home their ancient foes With swords put-to-sleep: behind them rested Those who in life were most hateful to them Of living races. Then all the people, Of tribes most renowned, for one month's space, 325 The proud twisted-locked, bore and carried To that bright city, Bethulia [named], Helmets and hip-swords, hoary byrnies, War-trappings of men adorned with gold, More precious treasures than any man 330 Of the cunning-in-mind may be able to tell, All that the warriors with might had won, The bold under banners on the battle-place By means of Judith's [most] clever lore, The moody[6] maid's. As meed for her 335 From that expedition, they brought for herself, The spear-strong earls, of Holofernes The sword and gory helm, likewíse the byrnie broad, Adorned with reddish gold, all that the warrior-chief, The brave, of treasure had, or individual wealth, 340 Of rings and jewels bright; thát to the lady fair, The wise-in-mind, gave théy. For all that Judith said Glory to the Lord of hosts, who honor to her gave, Fame in realm of earth, and meed in heaven too, Reward in the glory of heaven, because true faith she had 345 Ín the Almighty ever; now at last she doubted not Of the meed which long she yearned for. For that to the dear Lord be Glory for ever and ever, who made both wind and air, The heavens and roomy lands, likewíse the rushing streams, And joys of firmament too by means of his mercy mild. 350

[1] So Sw.; 'weary in mind,' Gn., Kr., C.

[2] 'Hostile,' C., though 'flashing,' 194, and 'gleaming,' 302.

[3] Lit., 'cough.'

[4] So Gn. and Kr.; 'with violence,' Sw.; 'with afflictions,' C.

[5] So Sw. and Kr.; 'Of the hostile shield-warriors,' Gn. and C.

[6] i.e., 'spirited.'

ATHELSTAN,

OR

THE FIGHT AT BRUNANBURH.