XV.

Thus old and death-ready in this frail house Word-craft I wove and wondrously framed it, Reflected at times and sifted my thought Closely at night. I knew not well 1240 The truth of the rood,[1] ere wider knowledge Through glorious might into thought of my mind Wisdom revealed to me. I was stained with crimes, Fettered with sins, pained with sorrows, Bitterly bound, banefully vexed, 1245 Ere lore to me lent through light-bringing office For help to the agèd, his blameless gift The mighty King meted, and poured in my mind, Brightness disclosed, widened with time, Bone-house unbound, breast-lock unwound, 1250 Song-craft unlocked, which I joyfully used, With will, in the world. Of that tree of glory Often not once meditation I had, Ere that wonder I had revealed About that bright tree, as in books I found 1255 In course of events, in writings declared Of that beacon of victory. Ay till then was the man With care-waves oppressed, a nickering _pine-torch_[C], Though he in the mead-hall treasures received, Apples of gold.[2] Mourned for his _bow_[Y] 1260 The comrade of _sorrow_[N], suffered distress, His secret constrained, where before him the _horse_[E] Measured the mile-paths, with spirit ran Proud of his ornaments. _Hope_[W] is decreased, Joy, after years, youth is departed, 1265 The ancient pride. The _bison_[U] was once The gladness of youth. Now are the old days In course of time gone forever, Life-joy departed, as _ocean_[L] flows by, Waves hurried along. To each one is _wealth_[3][F] 1270 Fleeting 'neath heaven, treasures of earth Pass 'neath the clouds likest to wind, When before men it mounts up aloud, Roams 'round the clouds, raging rushes, And then all at once silent becomes, 1275 In narrow prison closely confined, Strongly repressed. So passes this world, And likewise besides what things[4] have been In it produced flame will consume, When the Lord himself judgment will seek 1280 With host of angels. Every one there Of speech-bearing men the truth shall hear Of every deed through mouth of the Judge, And likewise of words the penalty pay Of all that with folly were spoken before, 1285 Of daring thoughts. Then parts into three Into clutch of fire each one of folk, Of those that have dwelt in course of time Upon the broad earth. The righteous shall be Upmost-in flame, host of the blessed, 1290 Crowd eager for glory, as they may bear it, And without torment easily suffer, Band of the brave. For them shall be moderate The brightness of flame,[5] as it shall be easiest, Softest for them. The sinful shall be, 1295 Those spotted with evil, compressed in the middle, Men sad-in-mind, within the hot waves Smothered with smoke. The third part shall be, Accursèd sinners, in the flood's abyss, False folk-haters, fastened in flame 1300 For deeds of old, gang of the godless In grip of the gledes. To God never more From that place of torment come they in mind, To the King of glory, but théy shall be cast From that terrible fire to the bottom of hell, 1305 The workers of woe. To the [other] two parts It will be unlike. They may angels' Lord, Victories' God, see. Théy shall be cleansed, Sundered from sins, as smelted gold, That is in the flame from every spot 1310 Through fire of the oven thoroughly cleansed, Freed and refined. So shall each of those men Be freed and made pure from every sin, From heavy crimes through fire of that doom. Then afterwards théy may peace enjoy, 1315 Eternal bliss. To them angels' Warden Shall be mild and gentle, for that théy every evil Despised, sins' work, and to Son of their Maker They called with words. Hence in beauty they shine now Like to the angels, the heritage have 1320 Of the King of glory for ever and ever. Amen.

[1] Gn.'s emendation.

[2] Lit.,'appled gold.'

[3] The words in italics are the names of the runes that make up the name CYNEWULF. This artificial use of words makes the interpretation obscure, and scholars differ about it.

[4] Or, 'those who.'

[5] Gn., Z.

JUDITH.