ABSTRACT
I Hwæt! We gefrunan on fyrndagum twelfe under tunglum tireadige hæleð, þeodnes þegnas. No hira þrym alæg camprædenne þonne cumbol hneotan, 5 syððan hie gedældon, swa him Dryhten sylf, heofona Heahcyning, hlyt getæhte. Þæt wæron mære men ofer eorðan, frome folctogan ond fyrdhwate, rofe rincas, þonne rond ond hand 10 on herefelda helm ealgodon,
I Listen! We heard tell from ancient days of twelve glorious heroes under the stars, thegns of the King. Never did their power fail in the battle-fi eld when standards clashed, 5 once they had dispersed, as the Lord Himself, High-King of heaven, showed them by lot. These were renowned men on earth, brave chieftains and keen for campaign, cheerful warriors, when shield and arm 10 guarded helmet on the fi eld of armies,
on meotudwange. Wæs hira Matheus sum, se mid Iudeum ongan godspell ærest wordum writan wundorcræfte. Þam halig God hlyt geteode 15 ut on þæt igland þær ænig þa git ellþeodigra eðles ne mihte blædes brucan: oft him bonena hand on herefelda hearde gesceode. Eal wæs þæt mearcland morðre bewunden, 20 feondes facne, folcstede gumena, hæleða eðel. Næs þær hlafes wist werum on þam wonge, ne wæteres drync to bruconne, ah hie blod ond fel, fi ra fl æschoman, feorrancumenra, 25 ðegon geond þa þeode. Swelc wæs þeaw hira þæt hie æghwylcne ellðeodigra dydan him to mose meteþearfendum, þara þe þæt ealand utan sohte.
