Classic Poem

King must rule kingdom. Cities are seen from afar,
Cunning handwork of giants who inhabit this earth,
Wondrous work of wallstones. Wind is swiftest in air,
Thunder at times is loudest. Great are the glories of Christ.
Wyrd is mightiest, winter is coldest,
Spring is frostiest, longest cold;
Summer is sunniest, sun is hottest,
Autumn most glorious giving to man
The fruits of the year that God brings forth.
Truth is clearest, treasure is dearest,
Gold most precious, age most wise;
Years make prudent who suffers long.
Woe is close clinging; clouds drift by.
Good companions encourage a prince
To glory in battle and giving of gifts.
Eorl must have courage; edge against helm
Survives the sword-play. Hawk on glove
The wild one waits. Wolf in the forest,
Beastly lone-goer. Boar in the wood,
Mighty of tusk. Good man at home
Harvests renown. Spear for the hand
Garnished with gold. Gem for the ring
Ample and wide. Stream in the waves
Shall mix with the sea. Mast for the ship,
The sailyard fastened. Sword on lap,
A lordly blade. In mound dragon bideth,
Old guarder of gold. Fish in water
Must spawn its kind. King in the hall
Must hand out rings. Bear on the heath
Roams old and fierce. River from hills
Flows down flood-gray. Army must be gathered,
A band of the brave. Faith for an eorl,
Wisdom for man. Woods of the world
Must bud with blossoms. Hills of earth
Must gleam with green. God in heaven
Is judge of deeds. Door in the hall
Is mouth of the building. Boss on shield
Is the fingers' guard. Birds above
Soar in the air. In deep pool salmon
Swims with the trout. Showers from heaven
Mingled with wind sweep over the world.
Thief goes in darkness. Ghost on the fen
Is alone in the land. In secret a woman
Will haste to her friend if she has no wish
To prosper with husband, purchased with rings.
Sea shall be salt; water and air
Shall flow in floods around all lands.
Cattle on earth shall bear and bring forth.
Stars shine bright by the Maker's command.
Good against evil; youth against age;
Life against death; light against darkness;
Army against army; foe against foe;
Hostile with hostile shall always fight
Contending for land and avenging wrongs.
A wise man must ponder this world's strife;
Outlaw must hang, paying the price
That he wronged mankind.
God alone knows
Where the soul passes and all the spirits
Who after their death-days go before God.
They abide their judgment in the Father's bosom;
Their future fate is secret and hid;
God alone knows, the Saviour Father.
And none returns ever, hither under roof,
To tell men for truth of God's decree,
Or the home of the victor-folk, where He Himself dwells.