The Battle of Maldon - Interlineal Old English and Translated Texts

1		...brocen wurde.
		...it was broken.
2	Het þa hyssa hwæne	hors forlætan,
	He bade every warrior then	to leave his horse,
3	feor afysan,	and forð gangan,
	drive them far away	and go forth,
4	hicgan to handum	and to hige godum.
	trusting to his hand-strength	and to good courage.
5	Þa þæt Offan mæg	ærest onfunde,
	The kinsman of Offa	could soon see
6	þæt se eorl nolde	yrhðo geþolian
	that the earl did not wish	to endure cowardice,
7	he let him þa of handon	leofne fleogan
	from his hand he let	fly his beloved
8	hafoc wið þæs holtes,	and to þære hilde stop;
	hawk to the woods,	and strode to the battle;
9	be þam man mihte oncnawan	þæt se cniht nolde
	because of this a man might say	that the youth would not
10	wacian æt þam wige,	þa he to wæpnum feng.
	weaken in the fight,	that he would seize his weapon.
11	Eac him wold Eadric	his ealdre gelæstan,
	Eadric would also	attend his chieftain,
12	frean to gefeohte,	ongan þa forð beran
	follow his lord to the fight.	At once he went forth
13	gar to guþe.	He hæfde god geþanc
	with his spear to battle.	He had a good heart
14	þa hwile þe he mid handum	healdan mihte
	while he might hold	with his hands
15	bord and bradswurd;	beot he gelæste
	shield and broadsword;	he made good his boast
16	þa he ætforan his frean	feohtan sceolde.
	that he should fight	before his lord.
17	Ða þær Byrhtnoð ongan	beornas trymian,
	There Byrhtnoth at once	exhorted his men,
18	rad and rædde,	rincum tæhte
	rode among them and advised,	taught the warriors
19	hu hi sceoldon standan	and þone stede healdan
	how they should stand	and hold their station
20	and bæd þæt hyra randas	rihte heoldon
	and bade that their round-shields	be held upright
21	fæste mid folman,	and ne forhtedon na.
	firmly in their fists,	and to fear nothing.
22	Þa he hæfde þæt folc	fægere getrymmed,
	When he had nobly encouraged	that folk,
23	he lihte þa mid leodon	þær him leofost wæs,
	he alighted amid his people	where he was most loved;
24	þær he his heorðwerod	holdost wiste.
	there were his hearth-retainers	who were most loyal.
25	Þa stod on stæðe,	stiðlice clypode
	Then on the bank stood,	sternly called out
26	wicinga ar,	wordum mælde,
	the Viking messenger,	spoke words,
27	se on beot abead	brimliþendra
	announced boastfully	the sea-farers'
28	ærænde to þam eorle,	þær he on ofre stod:
	errand to the earl	where he stood on the other side:
29	"Me sendon to þe	sæmen snelle
	I have been sent to you	by the swift sea-men,
30	heton ðe secgan	þæt þu most sendan raðe
	they bid me to say	that you might soon send
31	beagas wið gebeorge;	and eow betere is
	rings as your defense;	and it is better for you
32	þæt ge þisne garræs	mid gafole forgyldon,
	that you avert this spear-rush	by paying tribute,
33	þon we swa hearde	hilde dælon.
	than that we should deal out	hard battle.
34	Ne þurfe we us spillan,	gif ge speaþ to þam;
	Nor need we destroy one another,	if you agree to this;
35	we willað wið þam golde	grið fæstnian.
	with the gold we will	confirm a truce.
36	Gyf þu þat gerædest,	þe her ricost eart,
	If you agree to that,	you who are most powerful,
37	þæt þu þine leoda	lysan wille,
	that you will loose [call off]	your people,
38	syllan sæmannum	on hyra sylfra dom
	give the sea-men	self-judgement [abide by their terms],
39	feoh wið freode,	and niman frið æt us,
	buy peace with us for a fee	and make truce with us,
40	we willaþ mid þam sceattum	us to scype gangan,
	we will go to the ship	and with that treasure,
41	on flot feran,	and eow friþes healdan."
	fare over the sea,	and you shall have peace."
42	Byrhtnoð maþelode,	bord hafenode,
	Byrhtnoth spoke,	grasped his shield,
43	wand wacne æsc,	wordum mælde,
	waved his slender ash-spear,	spoke words
44	yrre and anræd	ageaf him andsware:
	wrathful and resolute,	gave him answer:
45	"Gehyrst þu, saelida,	hwaet þis folc segeð?
	"Do you hear, sea-farer,	what this folk says?
46	Hi willað eow to gafole	garas syllan
	They will sell you spears	as tribute,
47	ættrynne ord	and ealde swurd,
	poisoned points	and ancient swords,
48	þa heregeatu	þe eow æt hilde ne deah.
	wargear with which	to slay you in battle.
49	Brimmanna boda,	abeod eft ongean,
	Messenger of the sea-men,	announce once again,
50	sege þinum leodum	miccle laþre spell,
	tell your people	these very hateful tidings,
51	þæt her stynt unforcuð	eorl mid his werode,
	that here stands an honorable	earl with his army,
52	þe wile gealgean	eþel þysne,
	who will defend	this country,
53	Æþelredes eard,	ealdres mines,
	Aethelred's land,	[the land of] my lord,
54	folc and foldan.	Feallan sceolon
	people and lands.	They shall fall,
55	hæþene æt hilde.	To heanlic me þinceð
	the heathens, in battle.	I think it too disgraceful
56	þæt ge mid urum sceattum	to scype gangon
	that you should go to your ship	with our treasure
57	unbefohtene,	nu ge þus feor hider
	unfought,	now that you have come here,
58	on urne eard	in becommon.
	on our land	have come [trespassed].
59	Ne sceole ge swa softe	sinc gegangan;
	Nor shall you easily	capture our treasure;
60	us sceal ord and ecg	ær geseman,
	point and edge	must first convince us,
61	grim guðplega,	ær we gofol syllon."
	grim war-play,	before we grant you tribute."
62	Het þa bord beran,	beornas gangan,
	Then he ordered that shields be lifted,	the men advance,
63	þæt hi on þam easteðe	ealle stodon.
	that they all stand	on the riverbank.
64	Ne mihte þær for wætere	werod to þam oðrum;
	Nor might one army get at the other	for the water there;
65	þær com flowende	flod æfter ebban
	there came flowing	the flood after the ebb [the tide turned]
66	lucon lagustremas.	To lang hit him þuhte,
	the sea-streams together.	They thought it too long
67	hwænne hi togædere	garas beron.
	before they brought	their spears together.
68	Hi þær Pantan stream	mid prasse bestodon,
	There by the river Panta	they stood amid the tumult,
69	Eastseaxena ord	and se æschere.
	the van of the East Saxons	and the [Danes'] spear-army.
70	Ne mihte hyra ænig	oþrum derian,
	Nor might either	harm the other
71	buton hwa þurh flanes flyht	fyl gename.
	but by the arrow's flight	deal death.
72	Se flod ut gewat;	þa flotan stodon gearowe,
	The flood subsided;	the sailors stood ready,
73	wicinga fela,	wiges georne.
	many Vikings,	eager warriors.
74	Het þa hæleða hleo	healdan þa bricge
	Then the protector of warriors asked	to hold the the ford
75	wigan wigheardne,	se wæs haten Wulfstan,
	a warrior stern in battle;	he was named Wulfstan,
76	cafne mid his cynne,	þæt wæs Ceolan sunu,
	a bold man of his kin,	who was Ceola's son.
77	Þe ðone forman man	mid his francan ofsceat
	The first man	he wounded with his spear
78	þe þær baldlicost	on þa bricge stop.
	who boldly stepped	there into the ford.
79	Þær stodon mid Wulfstane	wigan unforhte,
	There stood with Wulfstan	warriors unafraid,
80	Ælfere and Maccus,	modige twegen,
	Aelfere and Maccus,	both brave-spirited.
81	þa noldon æt þam forda	fleam gewyrcan,
	There was nothing that could cause them to flee	from the ford,
82	ac hi fæstlice	wið ða fynd weredon,
	but they firmly	warded against the foe,
83	þa hwile þe hi wæpna	wealdan moston.
	so long as they might wield	their weapons.
84	Þa hi þæt ongeaton	and georne gesawon
	When they [the Vikings] perceived that,	and clearly saw
85	þæt hi þær bricgweardas	bitere fundon,
	that these bridge-wardens	were found to be fierce,
86	ongunnor lytegian þa	laðe gystas
	they began to practice deceit.	Those hateful guests
87	bædon þæt hi upgang	agan moston,
	asked that they might	be allowed to approach,
88	ofer þone ford faran,	feþan lædan.
	to fare over the ford	leading their troop.
89	Ða se eorl ongan	for his ofermode
	Then soon the earl,	because of his pride,
90	alyfan landes to fela	laþere ðeode
	gave ground to the many	hateful people.
91	Ongan ceallian þa	ofer cald wæter
	He soon called	over the cold water,
92	Byrthelmes bearn	(beornas gehlyston):
	Byrthelm's son	(the warriors listened):
93	"Nu eow is gerymed,	gað ricene to us,
	"Now room is made for you,	come quickly to us,
94	guman to guþe;	god ana wat
	warriors to the battle;	God alone knows
95	hwa þære wælstowe	wealdan mote."
	who will control	this field of slaughter."
96	Wodon þa wælwulfas	(for wætere ne murnon),
	The slaughter-wolves advanced	(for the waters no longer troubled them),
97	wicinga werod,	west ofer Pantan,
	the Viking horde,	west over the Panta.
98	ofer scir wæter	scyldas wegon,
	Over the clear water	they carried their shields,
99	lidmen to lande	linde bæron.
	the ship-men bore the linden-wood [shields]	to land.
100	Þær ongean gramum	gearowe stodon
	There soon the fierce ones	stood ready
101	Byrhtnoð mid beornum;	he mid bordum het
	Byrhtnoth with his men;	he ordered those with shields
102	wyrcan þone wihagen,	and þæt werod healdan
	to form the war-hedge [shieldwall]	and that host to hold
103	fæste wið feondum.	Þa wæs feohte neh
	fast against the foe.	Then the fight was near,
104	tir æt getohte.	Wæs seo tid cumen
	glory in battle.	The time was come
105	þæt þær fæge men	feallan sceoldon.
	when those men who were fated	should fall.
106	Þær wearð hream ahafen,	hremmas wundon,
	There was raised a great noise,	the ravens wheeled,
107	earn æses georn;	wæs on eorþan cyrm.
	the eagle was eager for corpses;	there was clamor on earth.
108	Hi leton þa of folman	feolhearde speru,
	They threw from their fists	the file-hard spears,
109	gegrundene	garas fleogan;
	the sharp-ground	spears flew;
110	bogan wæron bysige,	bord ord onfeng.
	bows were busy,	shields stopped points.
111	Biter wæs se beaduræs,	beornas feollon
	Bitter was the battle-rush,	men fell
112	on gehwæðere hand,	hyssas lagon.
	on either hand,	young warriors lay [still].
113	Wund wearð Wulfmær,	wælræste geceas,
	Wulfmaer lay wounded,	chose the bed of slaughter,
114	Byrhtnoðes mæg;	he mid billum wearð,
	Byrhtnoth's kinsman;	he was [wounded] with a sword,
115	his swuster sunu,	swiðe forheawen.
	his sister's son,	strongly hewn down.
116	Þær wearð wicingum	wiþerlean agyfen.
	There were the Vikings	given compensation [for that slaying].
117	Gehyrde ic þæt Eadweard	anne sloge
	I heard that Eadweard	slew one
118	Swiðe mid his swurde,	swenges ne wyrnde,
	stoutly with his sword,	he did not withhold his slashes,
119	þæt him æt fotum feoll	fæge cempa;
	so that at his feet fell	the fated warrior;
120	þæs him his ðeoden	þanc gesæde,
	then his prince	gave him thanks,
121	þam burþene,	þa he byrde hæfde.
	[thanked] his chamberlain	when he had the chance.
122	Swa stemnetton	stiðhicgende
	Thus they took their turn at battle	stern of purpose,
123	hysas æt hilde,	hogodon georne
	in battle the warriors	eagerly intended
124	hwa þær mid orde	ærost mihte
	that they might be the first	in the midst with their weapons
125	on fægean men	feorh gewinnan,
	to take the lives	of fated men,
126	wigan mid wæpnum;	wæl feol on eorðan.
	the warriors with weapons;	the slain fell to the soil.
127	Stodon stædfæste;	stihte hi Byrhtnoð,
	They stood steadfast;	Byrhtnoth incited them,
128	bæd þæt hyssa gehwylc	hogode to wige
	bade that each warrior	intend to wage war,
129	þe on Denon wolde	dom gefeohtan.
	that from the Danes they would	wrest glory.
130	Wod þa wiges heard,	wæpen up ahof,
	He went forward in the hard fight,	raised up his weapon,
131	bord to gebeorge,	and wið þæs beornes stop.
	warded with his war-shield,	and went towards those men.
132	Eode swa anræd	eorl to þam ceorle,
	He went resolutely,	the earl to the carl,
133	ægþer hyra oðrum	yfeles hogode.
	each to the other	intended evil.
134	Sende ða se særinc	suþerne gar,
	Then sent the sea-man	a southern spear,
135	þæt gewundod wearð	wigena hlaford;
	that wounded	the warriors' lord;
136	he sceaf þa mid ðam scylde,	þæt se sceaft tobærst,
	he shoved his shield against it,	so that the shaft burst asunder,
137	and þat spere sprengde,	þæt hit sprang ongean.
	and the spear broke,	and sprang out again.
138	Gegremod wearð se guðrinc;	he mid gare stang
	Grim-minded was the warrior;	he stabbed with his spear
139	wlancne wicing,	þe him þa wunde forgeaf.
	the proud Viking	and gave him a wound.
140	Frod wæs se fyrdrinc;	he let his francan wadan
	Wise was the fyrd-warrior	he let his spear thrust
141	þurh ðæs hysses hals,	hand wisode
	through the warrior's neck,	guided by his hand
142	þæt he on þam færsceaðan	feorh geræhte.
	so that he struck the life	from the sudden foe.
143	Ða he oþerne	ofstlice sceat,
	Then another he	speedily shot,
144	þæt seo byrne tobærst;	he wæs on breostum wund
	so that [the Viking's] byrnie was burst,	and wounded him on the breast,
145	þurh ða hriglocan,	him æt heortan stod
	through the locked rings;	into his heart stood
146	ætterne ord.	Se eorl wæs þe bliþra,
	the poisoned point.	The earl was blithe,
147	hloh þa, modi man,	sæde metode þanc
	he laughed, the mighty-spirited man,	and thanked the Measurer:
148	ðæs dægweorces	þe him drihten forgeaf.
	for the day's work	he gave thanks to the Lord.
149	Forlet þa drega sum	daroð of handa,
	Some warrior threw	a spear from his hand,
150	fleogan of folman,	þæt se to forð gewat
	it flew from his fist	so that it went forth
151	þurh ðone æþelan	Æþelredes þegen.
	through the noble,	Aethelred's thane.
152	Him be healfe stod	hyse unweaxen,
	Beside him stood	one not full-grown,
153	cniht on gecampe,	se full caflice
	a youth in the fight	who full boldly
154	bræd of þam beorne	blodigne gar,
	drew from that man	the bloody spear --
155	Wulfstanes bearn,	Wulfmær se geonga
	Wulfstan's son,	Wulfmaer the Young --
156	forlet forheardne,	faran eft ongean;
	he threw it with great force	going back again;
157	ord in gewod,	þæt se on eorþan læg
	the point went in,	so that he laid on the earth
158	þe hie þeoden ær	þearle geræhte.
	the one who had vigorously struck	his prince before.
159	Eode þa gesyrwed	secg to þam eorle;
	An armed man came	to the earl
160	he wolde þæs beornes	beagas gefecgan
	he would seize	this man's bracelets,
161	reaf and hringas	and gerenod swurd.
	[take] spoils and rings	and ornamented sword.
162	Þa Byrhtnoð bræd	bill of sceðe,
	Then Byrhtnoth slid	his sword from its sheath,
163	brad and bruneccg,	and on þa byrnan sloh.
	broad and brown-edged,	and slashed at his byrnie.
164	To raþe hine gelette	lidmanna sum,
	Too soon he was slowed	by some ship-man,
165	þa he þæs eorles	earm amyrde.
	who restrained	the earl's arm.
166	Feoll þa to foldan	fealohilte swurd;
	To the ground fell	the golden-hilted sword;
167	ne mihte he gehealdan	heardne mece,
	nor might he hold	the hard blade,
168	wæpnes wealdan.	Þa gyt þæt word gecwæð
	wield his weapon.	Yet he could utter words.
169	har hilderinc,	hyssas bylde
	that hoary man of battle,	and encouraged the warriors,
170	bæd gangan forð	gode geferan;
	bade them go forward,	his good companions;
171	ne miht þa on fotum leng	fæste gestandan.
	nor might he for long on foot	stand fast.
172	He to heofenum wlat:
	He looked to Heaven:
173	"Geþancie, þe,	ðeoda waldend,
	"Let me thank You,	Ruler of People,
174	ealra þæra wynna	þe ic on worulde gebad.
	for all the joy	that I have met with in this world.
175	Nu ic ah, milde metod	mæste þearfe
	Now, most gentle Measurer,	I have the mightiest need
176	þæt þu minum gaste	godes geunne,
	that to my ghost [spirit]	you grant bliss,
177	þæt min sawul to ðe	siðian mote
	that my soul to You	might journey
178	on þin geweald,	þeoden engla,
	in Your power,	Prince of Angels,
179	mid friþe ferian.	Ic eom frymdi to þe
	fare with peace.	I am desirous of You
180	þæt hi helsceaðan	hynan ne mohton."
	that these hell-scathers	might not defeat us."
181	Ða hine heowon	hæðene scealcas
	Then they hewed him,	the heathen servants,
182	and begen þa beornas	þe him big stodon,
	and the two men	who stood near him,
183	Ælfnoð and Wulfmær	begen lagon.
	Aelfnoth and Wulfmaer	both fell.
184	ða onemn hyra frean	feorh gesealdon.
	close by their lord	they gave up their lives.
185	Hi bugon þa fram beaduwe	þe þær beon noldon.
	Then from the battle turned	those who were unwilling [to fight].
186	Þær wearð Oddan bearn	ærest on fleame.
	Then were the sons of Odda	the first to flee.
187	Godric fram guþe,	and þone godan forlet
	Godric [fled] from battle,	and forgot the goods [he had received],
188	þe him mænigne oft	mear gesealde;
	and the many times	a mare was given to him;
189	he gehleop þone eoh	þe ahte his hlaford,
	he leapt upon the horse	that was his lord's.
190	on þam gerædum	þe hit riht ne wæs,
	This course of action	was not fitting.
191	and his broðru mid him	begen ærndon,
	With him his brothers	both ran --
192	Godrine and Godwig,	guþe ne gymdon,
	Godrine and Godwig --	they did not give heed to the battle
193	ac wendon fram þam wige	and þone wudu sohton,
	but fled from the fight	and sought the forest,
194	flugon on þæt fæsten	and hyra feore burgon,
	fled to that fastness	and saved their lives,
195	and manna ma	þonne hit ænig mæð wære,
	and more men	than was at all correct
196	gyf hi þa geearnunga	ealle gemundon
	if they all remembered	the rewards
197	þe he him to duguþe	gedon hæfde.
	that [Byrhtnoth] had given them	to their benefit.
198	Swa him Offa on dæg	aer asæde
	So Offa once before	said to [Byrhtnoth]
199	on þam meþelstede,	þa he gemot hæfde,
	at the meeting-stead [place of assembly]	where he held moot [meeting or council],
200	þæt þær modiglice	manega spræcon
	that there many	might speak bravely
201	þe eft æt þearfe	þolian noldon.
	that later [in times of] need	would not endure.
202	Þa wearð afeallen	þæs folces ealdor,
	Thus was fallen	the lord of that folk,
203	Æþelredes eorl;	ealle gesawan
	Aethelred's earl;	all saw,
204	heorðgeneatas	þæt hyra heorra læg.
	the hearth-companions,	that their lord lay [dead].
205	Þa ðær wendon forð	wlance þegenas,
	Then there went forth	the proud thanes,
206	unearge men	efston georne;
	brave men	hastened eagerly;
207	hi woldon þa ealle	oðer twega,
	they all wished then	for one of two things,
208	lif forlætan	oððe leofne gewrecan.
	to leave life	or to avenge their dear [lord].
209	Swa hi bylde forð	bearn Ælfrices,
	Then they were encouraged onward	by the son of Aelfric,
210	wiga wintrum geong,	wordum mælde,
	a warrior young in winters	spoke those words.
211	Ælfwine þa cwæð,	he on ellen spræc:
	Aelfwine then said,	he bravely spoke:
212	"Gemunan þa mæla	þe we oft æt meado spræcon,
	"Remember the words	that we often spoke [while drinking] mead,
213	þonne we on bence	beot ahofon,
	when from the benches	we raised up boasts,
214	hæleð on healle,	ymbe heard gewinn;
	heroes in the hall,	concerning hard battle;
215	nu mæg cunnian	hwa cene sy.
	now we may test	who is bold.
216	Ic wylle mine æþelo	eallum gecyþan,
	I will make known to all	my noble lineage,
217	þæt ic wæs on Myrcon	miccles cynnes;
	that I am from Mercia	of a mighty kin;
218	wæs min ealda fæder	Ealhelm haten,
	my forefather was	named Ealhelm,
219	wis ealdorman,	woruldgesælig.
	a wise alderman,	rich with worldly goods.
220	Ne scealon me on þære þeode	þegenas ætwitan
	Nor should the thanes reproach me	among the people
221	þæt ic of ðisse fyrde	feran wille
	[saying] that I would flee	from this force,
222	eard gesecon,	nu min ealdor ligeð
	seek my homeland,	now that my lord lies
223	forheawen æt hilde.	Me is þæt hearma mæst;
	hewn down in battle.	Mine is that greatest of griefs;
224	he wæs ægðer min mæg	and min hlaford."
	he was both my kinsman	and my lord."
225	Þa he forð eode,	fæðe gemunde,
	Then he went forth,	remembered the fight,
226	þæt he mid orde	anne geræhte
	so that with his sword	he struck down one
227	flotan on þam folce,	þæt se on foldan læg
	a pirate of that people,	so that he lay on the ground;
228	forwegan mid his wæpne.	Ongan þa winas manian,
	he slew him with his weapon.	Again he urged his friends,
229	frynd and geferan,	þæt hi forð eodon.
	friends and comrades,	that they go forth.
230	Offa gemælde,	æscholt asceoc:
	Offa spoke,	shook his ash-shaft:
231	"Hwæt þu, Ælfwine, hafast	ealle gemanode
	"Lo, Aelfwine, you have	exhorted all
232	þegenas to þearfe,	nu ure þeoden lið
	the thanes as needed,	now our prince is laid low,
233	eorl on eorðan.	Us is eallum þearf
	the earl on the earth.	It is all our need
234	þæt ure æghwylc	oþerne bylde
	that we each one	encourage the other
235	wigan to wige,	þa hwile þe he wæpen mæge
	warriors to fight,	so long as our weapons we may
236	habban and healdan,	heardne mece,
	have and hold,	the hard blade,
237	gar and godswurd.	Us Godric hæfð,
	spear and good sword.	Godric,
238	earh Oddan bearn,	ealle beswicene.
	the cowardly son of Offa,	has deceived us all.
239	Wende þæs formoni man,	þa he on meare rad,
	Many men believed this,	When he rode [away] on the mare,
240	on wlancan þam wicge,	þæt wære hit ure hlaford;
	on that proud mount,	that it was our lord;
241	forþan wearð her on felda	folc totwæmed,
	thus it fared here on the field	that the folk were divided
242	scyldburh tobrocen.	Abreoðe his angin,
	the shield-bastion broken.	May all his beginnings fail,
243	þæt he her swa manigne	man aflymde!"
	he who made to flee	so many men!"
244	Leofsunnu gemælde	and his linde ahof,
	Leofsunu spoke,	shoved up his linden-shield,
245	bord to gebeorge;	he þam beorne oncwæð:
	defending with the shield;	he then said to the men:
246	"Ic þæt gehate,	þæt ic heonon nelle
	I make this vow,	that I will not from here
247	fleon fotes trym,	ac wille furðor gan,
	flee one foot-step,	but will advance further,
248	wrecan on gewinne	minne winedrihten.
	avenge in battle	my lord and friend.
249	Ne þurfon me embe Sturmere	stedefæste hælæð
	Nor need those near Sturmere,	steadfast heroes,
250	wordum ætwitan,	nu min wine gecranc,
	reproach me with words,	now that my friend has perished,
251	þæt ic hlafordleas	ham siðie,
	[saying] that I, lordless,	journeyed homeward,
252	wende fram wige,	ac me sceal wæpen niman,
	went from war,	for the weapon shall take me,
253	ord and iren."	He ful yrre wod,
	[spear-]point and iron [sword]."	He full wrathfully went,
254	feaht fæstlice,	fleam he forhogode.
	firmly to the fight,	he despised flight.
255	Dunnere þa cwæð,	daroð acwehte,
	Dunnere then spoke,	displayed his spear,
256	unorne ceorl,	ofer eall clypode,
	the old carl,	called out over all,
257	bæd þæt beorna gehwylc	Byrhtnoð wræce:
	bade that each man	avenge Byrhtnoth:
258	"Ne mæg na wandian	se þe wrecan þenceð
	"He may not hesitate	who thinks to avenge
259	frean on folce,	ne for feore murnan."
	the lord of our people,	nor care for his life."
260	Þa hi forð eodon,	feores hi ne rohton;
	Then they went forth,	without care for their lives;
261	ongunnon þa hiredmen	heardlice feohtan,
	the retainers began,	fiercely fought
262	grame garberend,	and god bædon
	the hostile spear-bearers	and asked God
263	þæt hi moston gewrecan	hyra windedrihten
	that they might avenge	their friend and lord,
264	and on hyra feondum	fyl gewyrcan.
	and on their foes	wreak destruction.
265	Him se gysel ongan	geornlice fylstan;
	The hostage soon	eagerly helped them;
266	he wæs on Norðhymbron	heardes cynnes,
	he was from Northumbria,	of a fierce kin,
267	Ecglafes bearn,	him wæs Æscferð nama.
	Ecglaf's son,	his name was Aescferth.
268	He ne wandode na	æt þam wigplegan,
	He did not waver	at the war-play
269	ac he fysde forð	flan genehe;
	but fast forth	the arrows flew;
270	hwilon he on bord sceat,	hwilon beorn tæsde,
	at times he struck shields,	sometimes he wounded men,
271	æfre embe stunde	he sealde sume wunde,
	almost every instance	he scored some wound
272	þa hwile ðe he wæpna	wealdan moste.
	so long as he might	wield his weapon.
273	Þa gyt on orde stod	Eadweard se langa,
	There yet in the forefront stood	Eadweard the Tall,
274	gearo and geornful,	gylpwordum spræc
	ready and eager,	spoke boastful words
275	þæt he nolde fleogan	fotmæl landes,
	that he would not flee	[even] a foot's length of land,
276	ofer bæc bugan,	þa his betera leg.
	or turn back	when his lord lay [dead].
277	He bræc þone bordweall	and wið þa beornes feaht,
	He broke the board-wall,	and with the bold men fought,
278	oðþæt he his sincgyfan	on þam sæmannum
	until, for his sharer-of-silver,	on the sea-men
279	wurðlice wrec	ær he on wæle læge.
	worthily wrought revenge	ere he was laid low in the slaughter.
280	Swa dyde Æþeric,	æþele gefera,
	So did Aetheric,	a noble comrade,
281	fus and forðgeorn,	feaht eornoste.
	striving forward, eager to advance,	fought desperately.
282	Sibyrhtes broðor	and swiðe mænig oþer
	Sibyrht's brother	and many other stout men
283	clufon cellod bord,	cene hi weredon;
	cleft shield-bosses,	they defended boldly;
284	bærst bordes lærig,	and seo byrne sang
	shield rims shattered,	and their byrnies sang
285	gyrreleoða sum.	Þa æt guðe sloh
	a terrible tune.	There in the battle
286	Offa þone sælidan,	þæt he on eorðan feoll,
	Offa slew a sea-farer,	then to earth he fell,
287	and ðær Gaddes mæg	grund gesohte
	and there Gadd's kinsman	sought the ground.
288	Raðe wearð æt hilde	Offa forheawen;
	Soon in the battle	Offa was hewn down;
289	he hæfde ðeah geforþod	þæt he his frean gehet,
	yet he had accomplished	what to his lord he'd vowed,
290	swa he beotode ær	wið his beahgifan
	as he boasted once	to his bracelet-giver,
291	þæt hi sceoldon begen	on burh ridan,
	that the twain should both	ride to the town,
292	hale to hame,	oððe on here crincgan;
	whole to home,	or in hard battle perish;
293	on wælstowe	wundum sweltan;
	on the field of slaughter	of their wounds expire;
294	he læg ðegenlice	ðeodne gehende.
	He lay as befits a thane,	near his prince.
295	Ða wearð borda gebræc.	Brimmen wodon,
	Then were the shield-boards broken.	The sea-men burst forward,
296	guðe gegremode;	gar oft þurhwod
	inflamed by the fighting;	A spear full often pierced
297	fæges feorhhus.	Forð þa eode Wistan,
	a fated man's form.	Forward then went Wistan
298	Þurstanes sunu,	wið þas secgas feaht;
	Thurstan's son,	with the [sea-]men he fought;
299	he wæs on geþrange	hyra þreora bana,
	within the throng	he was three men's bane,
300	ær him Wigelines bearn	on þam wæle læge.
	ere he, Wighelm's son,	lay among the slaughtered.
301	Þær wæs stið gemot;	stodon fæste
	That was a stern meeting;	they stood fast,
302	wigan on gewinne,	wigend cruncon,
	the warriors in the wild fight.	Warriors perished,
303	wundum werige.	Wæl feol on eorþan.
	wearied by wounds.	Warriors, slaughtered, fell to earth.
304	Oswold and Eadwold	ealle hwile,
	Oswold and Eadwold	all the while --
305	begen þa gebroþru,	beornas trymedon,
	both of them brothers --	emboldened the warriors,
306	hyra winemagas	wordon bædon
	their friends and kinsmen;	with words bade
307	þæt hi þær æt ðearfe	þolian sceoldon,
	that in their need	they should endure,
308	unwaclice	wæpna neotan.
	unwaveringly	wield their weapons.
309	Byrhtwold maþelode,	bord hafenode
	Byrhtwold spoke,	bore his shield,
310	(se wæs eald geneat),	æsc acwehte;
	(he was an old retainer),	shook the ash-spear;
311	he ful baldlice	beornas lærde:
	he full boldly	exhorted the brave men:
312	"Hige sceal þe heardra,	heorte þe cenre,
	"We shall hold our thoughts firmer,	our hearts more fierce,
313	mod sceal þe mare,	þe ure mægen lytlað.
	our courage shall be keener	as our strength dwindles.
314	Her lið ure ealdor	eall forheawen,
	Here lies our lord,	all hewn low,
315	god on greote.	A mæg gnornian
	a good man in the dust of the ground.	That kinsman will grieve
316	se ðe nu fram þis wigplegan	wendan þenceð.
	who now from this war-play	thinks to wander.
317	Ic eom frod feores;	fram ic ne wille,
	I am old in years;	I will not go from here,
318	ac ic me be healfe	minum hlaforde,
	but I will lay me	beside my lord,
319	be swa leofan men,	licgan þence."
	by these beloved men	I intend to lay me."
320	Swa hi Æþelgares bearn	ealle bylde
	Then Aethelgar's son	encouraged them all;
321	Godric to guþe.	Of the gar forlet,
	Godric called them to war.	Often he cast a spear,
322	wælspere windon	on þa wicingas,
	the slaughter-spear flew	straight at the Vikings.
323	swa he on þam folce	fyrmest eode,
	he was among that folk	accounted the foremost,
324	heow and hynde,	oðþæt he on hilde gecranc.
	hewing and defeating [enemies],	until he died in battle.
325	Næs þæt na se Godric	þe ða guðe forbeah...
	That was not the Godric	that fled from the fight...

The Battle of Maldon - Interlineal Old English and Translated Texts

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