Classic Poem

Weland knew fully affliction and woe,
Hero unflinching enduring distress;
Had for companionship heart-break and longing,
Wintry exile and anguish of soul,
When Nithhad bound him, the better man,
Grimly constrained him with sinewy bonds.
That evil ended. So also may this!
Nor was brother's death to Beadohild
A sorrow as deep as her own sad plight,
When she knew the weight of the child in her womb,
But little could know what her lot might be.
That evil ended. So also may this!
Many have heard of the rape of Hild,
Of her father's affection and infinite love,
Whose nights were sleepless with sorrow and grief.
That evil ended. So also may this!
For thirty winters Theodoric held,
As many have known, the Maering's stronghold.
That evil ended. So also may this!
We have heard of Eormanric's wolf-like ways,
Widely ruling the realm of the Goths;
Grim was his menace, and many a man,
Weighted with sorrow and presage of woe,
Wished that the end of his kingdom were come.
That evil ended. So also may this!
He who knows sorrow, despoiled of joys,
Sits heavy of mood; to his heart it seemeth
His measure of misery meeteth no end.
Yet well may he think how oft in this world
The wise Lord varies His ways to men,
Granting wealth and honor to many an eorl,
To others awarding a burden of woe.
And so I can sing of my own sad plight
Who long stood high as the Heodenings' bard,
Deor my name, dear to my lord.
Mild was my service for many a winter,
Kindly my king till Heorrenda came
Skillful in song and usurping the land-right
Which once my gracious lord granted to me.
That evil ended. So also may this!