War and the exploits of heroes are the common themes of the Saxon poet; these are the elements of the poem of Beowulf, the Sea-Goth; Cædmon rises to the contemplation of heavenly things; and Alfred sung of nature, of science, and the discursiveness of the mind, but no one caught the inspiration of beauty or loveliness and portrayed the delicate features of nature or celebrated the passion of love. Woman imparted nothing of purity or tenderness to their literature and Christianity did not develop the finer sensibilities. This is one of the most pathetic pieces in the Saxon language; it is written in a truly plaintive and somewhat touching strain. The absence of his lord makes the world a joyless abode to the exile; he sits in his earthly cave, the long summer day and weeps; the grave is guarding his friends and his mind can never rest. I this lay compose (a) (a) Ic this gied wrece By me, ful geomorre; Ic thaet secgan maeg Of my own journeying, Hwaet ic yrmtha gebad What miseries I have endured Since I grew up Lately or of old.. I serve no man now I have always struggled with suf. fering Chiefly of my exile path. My lord departed Hence from his people Over the lake of the waves: I had daily anxiety In what lands My chieftain was When I departed to go To seek his service : A friendless exile's journey. The hardships of my woes began That we two, most widely (y) "I have little that I love (b) of faithful friends. For this my mind is sad In hard fortune Sad in mind, Depressed in spirit In blithe habits Full oft we two agreed That nought else should divide us Except death alone; At length this is changed And as if it never had been Is now our friendship. The bond is far broken (c) To endure enmities (d) In this earthy cave. Cold is this earth-dwelling: Full oft wrath here me Has pursued from my lord's path, Once forsakes, And in woe forgets The everlasting joy, And rushes into the darkness Of this world, Afflicted with cares! Thus has it now befallen This my mind; Now it no more knows Of good for God, To it is need of comfort. (e) Frynd synd en earthan METRE, VI. Then wisdom again His treasury of words unlocked, And thus expressed himself. Clearest shines, Serenest in the heaven, Quickly are obscured Over the earth All other stars: Because their brightness is not Brightness at all, Compared with The sun's light. When mild blows The south and western wind Under the clouds, Then quickly grow The flowers of the field, Geond thas earth scrafa. Thaer ic wepan maeg Above the firmainent. And in like manner rules All the creatures Of the world. This is the Wise King This he that governs Over the nations of men, Of earth and heaven. Through his strong might Of heaven and earth. He the only judge is steadfast, Beauteous and great. If thou turnest right in thy way Up to that country, Though thou now yet And soon declare :-. "This is entirely My own kindred Earth and country. Formerly from hence I came and was born Through the might of his artificer. I will never Depart hence from it But I always here With my wings desire If to thee then It should ever again happen Again try; Thou mighest easily look on Worst torment. And see that always They be very wretched; Unmighty In every thing; Even the same That they, wretched folk Some while now Most srtongly dreaded. Page 184. |