Wednesday, October 7, 2009

Saewacer of Kent

Woruldwæter welgestmned, werodlice singþ leoþuran

Ærendscip ærhwilup stranglic, æne forworen

His wæde oþ nu yþgian wiþ westwind, wæderapas orped

Setlgang sworetlendic, symble tosigen

Felagonge faroþlacende, forðsend fylgan eaggemearc

On last willan æmtian, aspendian symnihte on sunnuppe

Selfdéma æfre in his cnearr oferufa deop, fulluht underfon ðæron

Edniwinga gesiglan nihtlang, endleas earendel


The sea with a good voice, sings a mysterious song

A small ship once mighty, for the first time worn out

His sails until now overflowing with westerly wind, rigging full of strength

At sunset short of breath, forever to be threadbare

Having travelled much, being tossed on the waves, sent forth to hunt the horizon

At last will be free from toil, to spend the eternal night at the place of sunrise

A monk subject to his own rules always in his small ship above water, to receive baptism therein

Like new to reach by sailing through the night, the eternal dawn


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