Caedmon's Hymn
Anglo-Saxon Version
Nu sculon herigean heofonrices Weard
Meotodes meahte ond his modgethanc,
weorc Wuldorfaeder, swa he wundra gehwaes
ece Drihten, or onstealde
He aerest sceop eorthan bearnum
heofon to hrofe, halig Scippend.
Tha middangeard monncynnes Weard,
ece Drihten, aefter teode
firum foldan, Frea aelmihtig.
(from Sweet's Anglo-Saxon Reader in Prose and Verse, 15th ed.)
Modern English Version
Now we must praise the Guardian of heaven,
The mighty Creator, and his conception [creation],
The work of the Glorious Father, just as
The mighty Lord began to establish his wonders.
He, the Holy Creator, first fashioned the Earth for His children
With heaven as a roof. Then mankind's Guardian, the Almighty Lord,
Afterwards adorned the Earth with men.
(translation by Rev. J. Wright)
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