Swa Cwæð Se Eardstapa - Ildra

modcearig wadende wræclastap geond lagu hrimcealde hwælmere min ana gesið

swa cwæð se eardstapa ear feða gemyndig hreora wælsleahta, winemaga

hwær cwom hengest hwær cwom mago hwær cwom maþþumgy fa hwær cwom rymbla gesetu

hwær sindon seledream as

her bið feoh, mæg læne her bið læne freond

eala þeodner micel þrym hu seo þrag gewat

eðel lande bidæled freomægum feor ic pod wintercearig ofer gebind waðema

ac hic bið in eorle indryhten gewuna þ he his ferðlocan gebinde fæste

for ðon þa domgeornan sarlica gehygda in hyra breostum ge bindað fæste

onwendeþ wyrde gesceaft weoruld und er heofonum

swa cwæð se eardstapa

wyrd bið ful aræd

swa cwæð se eardstapa

TRANSLATION

sorrowful of heart, traversing exile tracks across the waves, the ice cold sea

my only companion

so spoke the wanderer, of troubles mindful, and of fierce slaughters in battle,

and kinsmen dear

where is gone the steed, where the rider?

Where the given of treasure?

Where have gone the seats of the symbel?

Where are all the glees of the hall?

Here is prosperity and kinsmen fleeting, here is friend fleeting

woe for the chieftain’s mighty glory, how that time has departed

of homeland deprived, from noble kinsmen far, I went, sorrowful with the burden

of years, over the binding of the waves

but it is in the warrior a noble custom, that he should bind fast his spirit

chest

thus the virtuos, with grievous thoughts, bind dem fast in their breast

Wyrd’s nature upsets the world under the heavens

so spoke the wanderer

Wyrd is well determined

so spoke the wanderer